kayfabe exits

Does it bother anyone when a wrestler leaves a company without any kind of kayfabe explanation behind it?

We all have our favorite wrestlers. We cheer for them. We buy their merchandise. Some of us even write fan fiction about them. The point is, we care about the characters. In fact, an argument could even be made that we care more about wrestling characters than any other characters on any other television shows. After all, no other TV show convinces us to pay money to see the continuing saga of these characters on pay-per-view. We emotionally invest in a character and tune in loyally week in and week out to see them perform.

Then, one week, they're gone.

Wrestling, especially the companies at the national television level, say their product is entertainment. It's a soap opera for men. It's a sitcom. It's a drama. It's everything exciting rolled into one. Well on any other television show when a character leaves, a reason for their future absence is usually given during an episode (Judy Winslow and Chuck Cunningham being the most notable exceptions to the rule). Poochie returned to his home planet. Cody Lambert got a job in Alaska. Rosalind Shays fell down an elevator shaft and died. Etc.

I know in wrestling it can be hard to write someone out of a show. It's wrestling after all. You never know if someone may come back to work for your company one day. In fact, odds are that they probably will. Wrestling history shows us that past problems can be resolved if there's a good chance to make money together. With that in mind, a wrestling promoter wouldn't want to do something as final as, say, a "death" angle to explain a character's exit (on top of a death angle being horribly offensive to begin with of course). However, it's not impossible to do. Wrestling has often utilized the "loser leaves town" match to get rid of a character. Simply stating that a wrestler was fired has also been used in recent years thanks to the growing role of the heel authority figure.

Usually though, a wrestler is simply never mentioned again on the air when he or she leaves, and the viewers never even get a storyline reason for the character's sudden departure. The announcers tell the viewers at home that a talent is gone and quickly move to the next segment, if we're lucky.

Don't the fans who care about these characters deserve something better than their favorite performer simply vanishing into thin air?

Come to think of it, that WOULD be a way to explain the Undertaker's retirement.

WrestleMania and budget cuts

WWE has begun taping two SmackDown broadcasts on various Tuesday nights instead of the usual one. This is being done as part of WWE's plan to cut $20 million in expenses from their budget, according to the Wrestling Observer newsletter. That double-taping trend will continue at least until WrestleMania, after which time WWE will evaluate the situation again. ECW shows will continue to be taped on Monday nights along with the live Raw show until February. Eliminating one taping saves WWE almost $700,000 in production expenses. Bruce "Brother Love" Prichard and two developmental talents were released earlier this week due to budget cuts, and more firings are expected. WWE has also cut down on its usage of pyrotechnics to save money, and the referee schedules have been reduced.

Shawn Michaels has pitched the idea of wrestling The Undertaker at WrestleMania 25. Michaels is expected to retire at WrestleMania 26.

More information has been released about the upcoming video game Legends Of WrestleMania. The roster features a total of 40 wrestlers and managers including Hulk Hogan, Andre The Giant, Jerry Lawler, The Undertaker, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Mr. Perfect and Ted Dibiase Sr. Yokozuna and The Ultimate Warrior have been rumored as appearing in the game, but that has not yet been confirmed by a reliable source. The cover art for the game also features images of Steve Austin, The Rock, Bobby Heenan and Jimmy Hart. Jimmy Hart is expected to be cut from the roster due to his involvement with CCW. He was already pulled from the non-virtual WrestleMania tour. The game is scheduled for a March, 2009 release.

smackdown spoilers

Below are spoilers for the 10/17 edition of SmackDown.





*Big Show opens SmackDown accompanied by Chavo Guerrero. He talks about Undertaker's chin and says that the Undertaker has lost his mind for interfering with his match against Triple H. Big Show then proceeds to announce the stipulations that fans will be able to vote for in his match against Undertaker at Cyber Sunday. They are:

* Last Man Standing Match
* I Quit Match
* A Knockout Match

Big Show then takes on a jobber in each of the above matches. He dominates them all effortlessly.

* Carlito & Primo Colon b. Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins
- Primo Colon got the win via pinfall following a drop kick off the top rope.

* MVP comes out and cuts a promo and talks about the longest United States Title Reign. He then talks about how he's going to do what Shelton Benjamin can't and beat R-Truth.

* R-Truth b. MVP
- R-Truth entered through the crowd. He got the win with the spinning axe kick.

* Big Show & The Great Khali are in the ring for a promo. Vickie comes out and says she wants Khali to take out Undertaker. Khali doesn't want to be a pawn. Khali and Big Show stare each other down to end the segment.

* Brian Kendrick comes out the the ring. He says due to doctor's orders he can't wrestle against Super Crazy tonight. He says that Ezekiel will wrestle in his place.

* Ezekiel Jackson b. Super Crazy in a squash match.

* Triple H comes out and talks about his upcoming match at Cyber Sunday against either Jeff Hardy, Vladimir Kozlov, or both.

* Undertaker vs. The Great Khali
- The match ends in disqualification when Big Show comes out and choke slams Undertaker. Big Show grabs a chair and wants The Great Khali to hit the Undertaker. Khali chops the chair out of Big Show's hands and leaves the ring.

* Maria b. Victoria, Natalya, Maryse, Brie Bella in a "Las Vegas Poll Match"
- Maria got the win in a quick match. She will now get a title shot against Michelle McCool.

* Triple H vs. Undertaker is announced for next week's edition of SmackDown.

* Jesse & Festus b. Kenny Dykstra & Ryan Braddock
- Festus gets the win via pinfall on Kenny.

* Triple H comes out in street clothes to join Jim Ross and Tazz.

* Vladimir Kozlov b. Jeff Hardy
- Vladimir Kozlov corners Jeff Hardy and hits a big running power slam. Kozlov then locks an arm bar on the mat. Jeff finally gets up and hits two whisper in the winds. He goes to the top and jumps off. He misses. Kozlov regains control and wins with a headbutt.

After the match Triple H gets in the ring and taunts Kozlov with the belt. Kozlov leaves and Triple H helps Hardy. Triple H then raises Hardy's hand, kicks him, and hits a pedigree to send SmackDown off the air.

WFB expands! Plus, wrestling news & more to buy!

Wrestling For Bisexuals will soon have a MySpace page, allowing for better promotion and more interaction with our loyal readers and people within the professional wrestling industry. In addition, we've secured another interview with independent wrestling referee Jason Harding, and are currently in talks with former WWE superstar Orlando Jordan! This is truly an exciting time to be a WFB reader. We hope that you will all continue to follow our blog as we grow.

Both of The Undertaker's knees are causing him pain. His retirement is looking more and more likely heading into WrestleMania next year.

Former WCW "gay" personality Lenny Lane made a surprise appearance on ECW TV last week. Lane's appearance was for one show only and didn't include Lodi as a part of the deal. Lenny Lane fans shouldn't fret, though. Lane is still available for birthday parties! Check out http://www.wrestlingparties.com to get Lenny Lane for your next celebration!

The Wrestling Observer reports that TNA will soon add another title for mid-card talents to do battle over. Jeff Jarrett has long been opposed to adding an additional title, but feels the roster is now large enough to justify it.

The WWE contracts of Raven, Mike Sanders and Chris Kanyon are now available online. Check out: http://www.ctemploymentlawblog.com/uploads/file/contractwwe1.pdf for more information. Contract one is Raven's contract. Two and three are Sanders' and Kanyon's.

Kevin Nash told the Daytona News-Journal that he hasn't yet re-signed with TNA. Nash claims there is an on-going dispute over merchandising, and that Vince McMahon has also offered Nash a WWE spot if he'll dye his hair.

Signamania III went well for us. We made important contacts and hope to make even more this coming weekend at Legends Of The Ring VII. Keep your eyes on our blog for any future exclusive talent interviews. Unfortunately, traveling to these conventions and promoting ourselves isn't cheap. We need your support in order to keep Wrestling For Bisexuals alive, running and growing! Please use the links below to purchase an item from our good friends at Amazon.com. It helps fund us!

We'll see you in the next update!