The Smarks site

I'm giving this site a plug because of the new News person, Patrick Emond.

Pat first got me into writing columns for the Pro-Wrestling Digest (PWD) years ago now... so he either deserves our reading or blame. Your choice.

A small correction: there was actually a 2nd match on RAW that first hour, a 6-man match.

Still, that doesn't change the fact that the show over-focused on promos.

One match. One single, freaking match.

In more than the first hour of RAW, there was only a single match.

Worse: the second hour started with what could have been entertaining: Val Venis vs Mr Perfect. Two experts at the fisherman's suplex (and in Perfect's case, a man who made it a signature move) - but that match is curtailed by Steve Austin, so that he can relate the theme of the Beverly Hillbillies and say he's signed up for next year's Rumble.

Vince is supposed to have a giant talent roster, many not getting TV time - yet here he didn't even use them. Promos are more important? IO don't think so, and the ratings will show it.

Here's how dedicated I am to this column: last night, I watched the Royal Rumble in a smoke-filled sports bar - and I'm allergic to smoke!

We got some surprises, and some things you could have predicted by watching Smackdown! (whoever comes out on top there automatically loses at the PPV).

Tazz and Spike Dudkey retaining the tag titles was one of those predictable things... but I'm still happy they did. The Dudley Boys are overplayed as tag champs... it was time for new blood awhile ago.

Flair vs. McMahon was (not surprisingly) not a classic match... but it told a strong story, so it worked very well. Plus, Slick Rick won, as he should, so all is right in the world. :)

More importantly, The Rock didn't win again. One thing at that bar that seemed right: Rocky was boo'd the entire match. I'm not the only one who thinks so.

Onto the Rumble match itself: first, both the Godfather and Val Venis looked great. Their time off from the big-fed helped a lot. Undertaker had the monster run of the night, but Maven pulling off the upset felt right. He got his first blade-job as a result though...

Seeing The Hardyz back together was actually good. Even though their team routine was getting stale, this may have freshened it up a bit - I hope. "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig also looked great, and got monster heat. I read online that he wants to try one last run. The fact that he was one of the last 3 in the ring adds possibility.

Finally, Triple-H as the winner. We expected it, but a match between him and Jericho just makes sense.

Overall, a Thumbs Up from me.