It's been a while since the last IC25 / NorCal throw down. So this provides said opportunity. I am going to present the counter point - the Christian return was shit for several reasons.
I chortle at every moron who is seething about this. This was absolute BRILLIANCE by the WWE. Kids, prepare yourselves for a NorCal assault on your senses
Ok, I'll try to contain myself...
1. It was a SUPRISE. For fucking ONCE something wasnt all over the web, something wasnt being speculated on, just nothing. Complete, and utter mark out moment, for the first time since last January. As a matter of fact, there was a thread started on this very site YESTERDAY speculating Chrisitian was simply returning to TNA.
Sure, it was a shock. That's because 9 out of 10 wrestling fans rate Christian far higher than this, and expected to see him on a show where he could make an appreciable impact. Fans expected him at the Royal Rumble, and expected he'd be a part of the Hardy angle, because that is where people figured he'd make the biggest splash.
NO ONE saw this coming AT ALL.
You're right! NO ONE saw it coming. NO ONE saw it at all! Because NO ONE, save for yourself and 5 or 6 other people, watch ECW! If a tree falls in the woods and nobody is around to hear it...
I literally stood up in my living room, screaming "NO FUCKING WAY!!! NO FUCKING WAY!!! NO FUCKING WAY!!!".....Has that EVER happened on an ECW show, let ALONE in the WWE since last January?? Fuck no, not nearly to this degree at least.
When you ask "has THAT ever happened," what is "THAT?" Epic disappointment? Realizing that the return of former Intercontinental, Tag Team, Light Heavyweight, and NWA World Champion Capt Charisma is being relegated to the "C" show to wait for the winner of Jack Swagger vs Finlay!?
2. This, should, by all purposes, raise the stock of ECW, and its ratings, at least a bit.
Well how much further could it have dropped? No place to go but up! YOU could have shown up on ECW last night, and the announcers would have said "well, this'll make the show better."
HOW many people were sitting around saying "FUCK!! I missed it!! I never watch ECW!!"
<IC25 Raises his Hand>
Damn this life of mine! I was watching Scrubs...
...you think the WWE doesnt know that??? I bet you all dont ever miss an ECW again.
I bet I do. At least until ABC moves Scrubs to Wednesdays in March.
3. This is perfect for Christian. Of course, everyone will be stupid, and want to see him BACK mixed with Edge, and the Hardys A FUCKING GAIN. Which is foolish. Let the man establish himself, on his own. He is obviously plenty over without any of them, becuase for the few that WERE watching the program, it sounded like a motherfucking BOMB went off in that arena when he made his entrance. May have been the loudest ive ever heard a crowd during an ECW broadcast. Awesome.
Perfect for Christian? Yeah, this is PUNISHMENT for Christian. He went to TNA, and now he wants to come back. NorCal, do you forget that we are dealing with Vince McEgo? It makes perfect sense that, while fans wanted Christian back on Raw or SD, that he gets sent to a show that is actually being outdrawn by TNA Impact.
4. It works for ECW, and the ECW roster. They need a legit face challenger, and now, they ECW has its WM title match.
Well no shit. ANYTHING would work for the ECW roster. It's a show where Tommy Dreamer has a freaking storyline, it MUST be weak!
There was quite obviously no place for it there before, if Jack Swagger was going to be the most prolific star in the match. Now they have Christian. How the fuck do they plan on passing the next 7 weeks?? No damn idea. I can only assume that Christian WILL be taking this title, at WM, or before it. He is going to be the face of this show, he is going to run this show.
Right. Assume Christian beats Swagger? And then, even assume Christian is the champ and has a feud with a Paul Birchill. THEN WHAT? Keep John Morrison or the Miz on ECW? Oh man...that's like, 12 weeks of ECW programming...
Really, some of us shouldve seen it coming. WWE made it pretty obvious just letting Hardy walk off ECW like that, after a heel turn. thing is...
NO ONE did. thats why this was absolutely perfect.
You're right, NorCal. None of us saw this coming. And that's because we all gave WWE more credit than they deserved, and they let us down again.