Each week, we break down the world of professional wrestling and examine two of the polar opposite ends of the spectrum: one thing that was by far the worst thing (Cheap Heat) and the best thing (Cheap Pop) to happen over the past 7 days in sports entertainment. So, what went down this week that we loved and hated about the business?
CHEAP POP OF THE WEEK:
I LIKE WHAT I.C
Ziggler vs. Cesaro vs. Tyson Kidd - Triple Threat Elimination for the Intercontinental Championship.
You would not think you would find such a high caliber, hard-hitting, fluid match on Friday Night SmackDown. But much like Dolph Ziggler, it stole the show.
Before the match started, it seemed unthinkable that Ziggler could lose the match, but after the first few minutes, it honestly looked like it could have been anyone's game. Every move flowed effortlessly between the three. It was just one long string of efficient execution after another, from the double submission move by Cesaro and Kidd to the three man superplex from the top rope, there was never a dull moment.
The crowd loved it, the Twitterverse loved it (#ICtitle trended worldwide). It was near enough a flawless match. The sheer quality of wrestling talent on display reminded me of the likes of the Benoit vs. Angle days.
I get tired of hearing people say the Intercontinental title is worthless. The belt doesn't make the man. The man makes the belt. Admittedly, it lost prestige due to being around the waist of some less than stellar candidates and poor booking, but the fact remains, the belt is far from worthless. Not if such quality matches like this can be built around it.
Never mind the SmackDown Six. Let's hear it for the Thursday Three.
CHEAP HEAT OF THE WEEK:
SOUR PUSS
What has left me feline grumpy this week in the world of wrestling? Two words — Grumpy Cat.
I have never understood the mass appeal of a mildly perplexed looking cat. Sure, she is good for a meme photo or two, but a full-blown movie? With an appearance on RAW to promote it?
As Miz would put it, "Really?".
Speaking of the man, he was the poor sucker roped into doing two segments with Grumpy Cat. In the skits, The Miz tried to persuade the cat to make a film with him. Unsurprisingly, despite Miz and the-ever-funny Mizdow's efforts, the cat did little, but sit there and look bored.
I am not saying I expected it to do much else, but remind me why it has a movie again? The Cat I mean, not Miz.
The sketches felt awkward, unfunny and longer than the minute and a half they ran for. Eric Rowan's appearance got a bit of a laugh, but this was the wrestlers' interactions, nothing to do with the cat itself.
Guest stars on Monday Night Raw can be good fun. Hugh Jackman is probably one of the best examples of this. In his two appearances, he has been enthusiastic, gotten involved physically, and just seems to fit in. Grumpy Cat, on the other hand, is probably one of the weakest examples. This was a cash-in on WWE's fame and little more.
If this sketch is any indication of the quality of The Grumpy Cat Movie, that cat has every right to look like it does.
Oh, yes, and The Bunny has started humping people.
What was it W.C Fields said?
So there you have it, my two choices for the week. What do YOU think are the Cheap Pop and Cheap Heat this week in professional wrestling? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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