Sports Talk with MC

by MC

How are things going, my peeps? It’s been quite awhile since I’ve managed to update this blog. I’m not sure if you’ve missed me, but I am certain of this- I sure have missed writing about sports. Such beats a day in the office. Really.

How about the last week in the WWE, huh? From Edge having to give up his world title due to a pectoral muscle tear, to The Great Khali becoming the new World Heavyweight Champion in the process, to Dusty Rhodes getting himself beaten up two nights in a row by a veangeful Randy Orton, and John Cena has managing to once again turn back another challenge (and a formidable one, at that, in Bobby Lashley), it’s been a festival of “surprises” (generally, yes, in terms of pro-wrestling standards, not too much, in a way) over the last seven.

*Randy Orton Vs. John Cena, for the WWE Title, Summerslam 2007:

After another gargantuan effort at the Great American Bash, people have been let to ask- can even God Himself beat John Cena?

The rapper turned marine has been the titleholder for over 300 days now, and with the impending return of Triple H, one might surmise that the Champ’s days would (realistically) be numbered. His reign as WWE Champion could be in jeopardy, though, not because of the King of Kings, but because of the exploits of the Legend Killer.

My friend raised a valid point over lunch today- Orton will probably snag the belt from Cena at Summerslam, making him a convenient, and ultimately vulnerable, target for a returning Game towards once again reigning supreme. A Cena loss would make some sense at this point, because McMahon wouldn’t want to strain his “best asset” too much (if that hasn’t occurred already), Orton has seemed to have earned a spot in the limelight again (it’s about time he stopped “jobbing”; what’s more, insiders say that a push for him to go back to being an A-lister has Triple H’s support; Triple H is, of course, Stephanie McMahon’s beau, so, that stand might go a long way for the master of the RKO), and a Triple H title reign at this point would be beneficial for the company, both financially (his return has been hyped up considerably), and in terms of prestige (Cena is more of an entertainer than an athlete; Triple H is a hybrid; he’s the best of both worlds; his 10 world titles speak volumes about this; he makes anyone and everyone who steps in the ring with him, better).

Go Randy! Bask in the seemingly impending glory that is to be yours once you defeat Cena! The belt won’t be with you for very long, knowing how WWE storylines work. If a longterm rivalry between Orton and Triple H is built up, then well and good. We need a bit of the “good ‘ol days” infused into today’s WWE anyhow.

Of course, all of this postulating could be for naught should John Cena beat Orton at the upcoming PPV. Cena winning would, in truth, make the WWE lose more fans than gain any. Kids love Kool Ade, but they can only take so much of it before screaming for water, just plain water. Without the base solute, nothing gimmicky can, and will, ever emerge. So goes my point.

*The Great Khali Wins the World Heavyweight Championship:

Stand back, Apu. Dalip Singh, aka The Great Khali, is the new World Heavyweight Championship.

Honestly, it’s about darn time this 7,3″, 420 pound behemoth won something in the WWE. Being a victim of John Cena himself while on RAW, moving to Smackdown proved auspicious for the Punjabi warrior. To many, it was only a matter of time before he struck it rich, and he has done so, in very convincing fashion.

From dominating the 20 man battle royal on Smackdown, to decimating ring veterans Kane and Batista at the Great American Bash, the Great Khali showed why he’s no Giant Gonzalez. His character might not have the longevity of, say, an Undertaker, or a Bret Hart, but he has certainly proven that newbies who don’t pledge allegiance to the red, white, and blue, or don’t fit the mould of the consumate sports entertainer, can grasp, even ever so slightly, a lasting sense of notoriety.

Who can beat this guy? Who can steal his thunder? Marketing sense would dictate that the Great Khali not hold the belt for too long (ala Bob Backlund from ‘78 to 80-something long), but who knows? He could hold the championship for quite a while, without viewers becoming too bored with him, assuming that he has with him the right handler, and gets the right sort of pushes for his title matches.

This former rock cutter, and New Delhi police officer, has indeed come a long way. He now, maybe literally, has the whole world, in his hands. At least his dominance is founded, somehow, unlike that twit on RAW who can’t shake of mockery related to Marky Mark.

=)