SlamZilla

For the third part of my head to head series, we are going to have a showdown between father and son. Ted DiBiase Sr vs Ted DiBiase Jr.

     There are now quite a few second, and even third generation wrestlers showing up in the WWE.  But not everybody can follow in their fathers footsteps.  There are those like Randy Orton, who are doing quite well for themselves.  And then there are guys like Ted DiBiase Jr.  Lets take a look at the two Teds, and see where the differences are.

Ted DiBiase Sr.     The person who will forever be known as the “Million Dollar Man”  Ted DiBiase was one of the greatest characters to ever come out of the 80′s.  Despite showing up in the WWF late (1987)  He quickly established himself as one of the best Heels in the business.  He would use his money to humiliate others, thus proving that, everybodys got a price.  And on several occasions he would attempt to “buy” just about anything he could.  Such as the number 30 spot in the Royal Rumble.  But he couldn’t buy Hulk Hogans World Title.  Even his plan to pay Andre The Giant to win it for him backfired.  So what does a millionaire do if he can’t get what he wants.  He spends more money, and creates it for himself.  And so was born, the Million Dollar Belt.    That was one of two things that most people will always remember about DiBiase;  his belt, and of course the laugh.  No person in the history of pro wrestling has ever had a better laugh.  It is the most perfect, sinister laugh you will ever hear.  But what really made Dibiase great, was the fact that he was all charisma, and skill.  He could give golden interviews, and then back up what he said in the ring.  He never did win the big one, but who cares, he had his own Championship.  And despite being a Heel, he was one of the most popular stars of his era.

Ted DiBiase Jr.    Now what can really be said about the son of the Million Dollar Man?  Not very much unfortunately.  This is for two reasons.  The first, being that he really hasn’t been in the WWE for very long.  And the second, being that unlike his father, this DiBiase has about as much character as a bowl of cottage cheese.  Ted Jr was still very green when he first came into the WWE, and it showed.  But over time he did seem to improve, and he was paired up with Cody Rhodes, and eventually Randy Orton, to form Legacy.  So far this has been the highlight of his short career.  The main function of Rhodes and DiBiase of course was to simply run interference for Orton so that he could either win, or retain World Championships.  Of course they did have a good feud with DX, which culminated in the main event of SummerSlam 2009.  But after that, and a falling out with Orton, the group split up, and DiBiase was on his own.  This is where it became obvious that Ted Jr just didn’t have what it took to be solo.  So what to do?  Have him copy his fathers gimmick, complete with bodyguard Virgil, and the Million Dollar Belt.  Of course Virgil got the boot, as Ted Jr upgraded from washed up bodyguard to red hot Diva Maryse.  But thus far, he is still not very exciting to watch.   Now this is very early in what will most likely be a long career for the younger Dibiase, so there is lots of time for him to improve.  But for now, he is simply not able to fill his fathers shoes.

Winner…Ted DiBiase Sr.

By, Bruce Shearon

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post

This years Royal Rumble  was billed as being the most star studded lineup ever.  Granted they say this pretty much every year, but this was definitely one of the best groups Ive seen in quite a while.  But before we get to the Rumble match itself, there were a few matches before the big dance to talk about.  The first of which was for the ECW Championship.  I have always been a fan of Christian, but I didn’t hold out much hope for this being any good since his opponet was Ezekiel Jackson.  Thankfully I was surprised by how good this match turned out to be.  Big Zeke has improved quite a bit over the last few months, and with Christians ability to make just about anybody look good, this was a very good way to start off the show.  Next up was the United States Champion The Miz, taking on MVP.  For the most part this was very much by the numbers, and I actually found my attention wandering.  I’m not sure If Its because I find MVP boring, or because of my lack of interest in this feud, but I was just happy to see this one come to an end.  Thankfully the next up was Randy Orton vs Sheamus.  I was really interested in seeing how the crowd would react to two “bad guys” facing off.  It didn’t take long to get my answer.  The crowd was behind Randy Orton, almost 100%  As for the match itself.  I have to say, It was better than average.  Sheamus has great potential, and seeing two heels try to out do each other with who can be more destructive was fun to watch.  I would love to see these two have at it a few more times.  The only down side to this match,  was that it was short. But because of the Rumble match itself, this was the case for pretty much all the matches.   Naturally after something heavy like that, we need a bit of comedy relief, which brings us to the Womens Championship match between Michelle McCool and Mickie James.  Mercifully I think this will be the end of the whole Piggy James angle.  There wasn’t a whole lot to mention match wise, except that it was very fast, and kind of funny.  Now that we have had a laugh, we get serious again, and settle in for Rey Mysterio vs The Undertaker.  You know with Mysterio you are going to get a lot of fast action and some high flying, which is probably why he was given this shot.  Taker is rather beat up, and probably shouldn’t even be holding the Championship right now, but he is a big draw, so we have him going against somebody exciting, that can carry the match for the most part.  And all things considered It worked.  I’m not sure I would like to see these two work together too much, but for one night It was a good pairing.  Now this brings us to The Rumble.  I was going to list the order in which everybody came in, but I thought that would be too much of a spoiler for those that haven’t seen It yet.  So let me just say that I was happy to see a good collection of top stars this year, with a few funny moments, a couple of twists, and at least one good surprise.  Overall this was a very good Royal Rumble.  Now to see how things play out on the Road to Wrestlemania.

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post

With the Royal Rumble less than a week away, I thought I would weigh in with my thoughts on the overall card itself, and how I think things might play out.  Like many of you, I do like to check out the most recent rumours and gossip, but when it comes to Pay Per Views, I try not to read them just prior to the show, so I can be surprised.  Especially since plans change so rapidly.  What somebody thinks is a possible spoiler, turns out to be nothing at all.  That being said, some of the recent things I have read, and watching the show’s leading up to the Rumble have me wondering if we are going to be getting a show with zero surprise factor at all.  First off, we have the ECW Championship being defended.  Christian vs Ezekiel Jackson.  Why on Earth Christian has been forced to sit this long in ECW is beyond me.  Sure he has been the Champion for quite some time, but he deserves to be on one of the main shows.  I see Christian losing this match simply so they can take the Title off of him in preperation for a move come draft time. Next up we have the Womens Championship match.  Michelle McCool vs Mickie James.  Normally I would think that James would win this one, just to finally put an end to the whole “Piggy James” nonsense.  But with talk of her releasing a Country album of all things, I have my doubts.  This might turn out to be a half decent match though, since these two can actually wrestle.  The first of the two World Title matches is The Undertaker vs Rey Mysterio.  Taker is in pretty rough shape these days, so I don’t see this being a very long one.  Rey will be fast, and make this look exciting, but in the end Taker wins and moves on to the main event at Wrestlemania.  The second Title defense is Sheamus, taking on Randy Orton.  Earlier I did a post on how I felt that Sheamus would not walk out of this match as Champion, because I did not see him headling Wrestlemania.  I still stand by that, but some rumours are going around about the Rumble match itself that puts a bit of doubt in my mind now.  And so that brings us to the Rumble Match itself.  As per usual, the build up has highlighted how this is every man for himself.  People making bold claims that they will win.  Silly over the top rope challenges, and teams having words with each other.  Teams like D.X.  And here is where things get a little strange.  The whole notion that if Shawn Michaels wins, he can get his shot at The Undertaker again.  And HHH, basically just wanting to win, because…..well, just because.  One rumour out there, has both men winning in a Tie, so that they both get what they want.  I certainly hope this doesn’t happen, as it cheapens the whole point of ” I am the one”  John Cena winning would simply be par for the course, but this scenario works for my prediction of Randy Orton having the Title.  Then there is Batista.  No doubt if he wins, its a rematch with The Undertaker.  But for some reason, I think that the Sean Michaels rematch would be pushed first.  As for a surprise winner?  I don’t see it happening, but I see Edge making his return at the Rumble.  I doubt he will win, but I think he will eliminate Chris Jericho, thus setting up a fine feud that could last all the way to Mania.  So, who do I pick as the overall winner?  If I must choose a name, I’ll go with Cena.  Not exactly going out on a limb with that one, but I see this Rumble being pretty much by the numbers anyway. 

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post

Not so long ago, at a little Pay Per View called Table’s Ladders, And Chairs there was a bit of an upset.  Sheamus, in controversial fashion beats John Cena for the WWE Championship.  Some people booed, some cheered, and a few little kids were close to tears.  I on the other hand was very happy.  Aside from the fact that I’m Irish, I was really happy to see that the powers that be in WWE finally decided to try something new.  Granted, they have shaken things up in the past, but usually you can see it coming.  Such as C.M. Punk cashing in his money in the bank briefcase.  This one took me by surprise.  I honestly thought they were just trying somebody new out against Cena.  You know, a trial run to see how people react.  I never expected Sheamus to win.  At least not in his first title match.  Now here we are on the verge of the Royal Rumble, and as much as I hate to say it, I don’t like Sheamus’s chances.  I only say this because of one thing.  Wrestlemania.  The rumble is the big lead up to WM, and you usually have things set well in advance.  As we all know, the winner of the rumble will get an automatic spot in the main event against one of the World Champions.  I can almost guarantee that Undertaker will be one of those Champions, and will not lose his title before WM.  That brings us to Sheamus and Orton.  There is still plenty of time before Wrestlemania, but I would assume that those same powers that be that I mentioned earlier, would rather have an established name as the other half of that co-main event at Mania.  Sheamus is an experiment, and a very good one. I see him being a multiple time World Champion, and a main eventer.  But there needs to be some build up for a WWE title defense.  Therefore, Sheamus must lose his Title, and soon.    I would prefer not to have him lose it to Orton, for the simple fact that I find him as boring as watching grass grow.  But having him in the main event at Mania has been done before, and I would imagine It will be done again.  This time with Cena chasing the champ.  But I don’t think It’s all bad news for Sheamus.  As I said before. I think he has great potential, and once Mania is in the books, he can resume his quest for the gold. I just hope the WWE keeps on giving guys like Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, John Morrison, and Evan Borne, more chances to shine.  Because they are the future of the company.

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post