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The Anti-Smark: Titles and Title Shots
November 20, 2003 by Josh Ronge

Greetings and salutations, all. My name Josh Ronge, Mr. Ronge if you're nasty, and this right here would be my first guest column on OWW.com. So let me start off by analyzing all of the titles and the current holders of them. Fasten your seatbelts...

The Cruiserweight Title -Tajiri- Ah, the highlight of Smackdown! each and every week. The cruiserweights sure know how to bring the house down, don't they? Definitely no complaints about this title. I'd say Tajiri is a very strong champion, probably moreso than Rey Mysterio was. No offense to Rey Rey but I've always been a Buzzsaw fan and I always will be. I'd like to see Tajiri's title reign to last a bit longer, but when it does end, I'm hoping it's not going to go back to Mysterio, Noble, or Kidman. They should give it to a worthy newcomer like Ultimo Dragon, Spanky, or Paul London.

The Women's Championship -Molly Holly- I really enjoy the women's matches when they are booked right and used sparingly. The WWE definitely has some top talent in this area. Not only are the ladies gorgeous, but they can mix it up in the ring as well. Molly Holly is a good champion and has put on some respectable matches with many of the divas. I'm yet to be blown away by her but there's really no reason she shouldn't be champ. I'd like to see the title go to Lita eventually. She has only held it once and has been through hell to make her way back into the ring.

The Intercontinental and U.S. Championships -Big Show on Smackdown! and Rob Van Dam on Raw- I decided to group these titles together because there is no real difference between them except which show they are on. They are the mid-card titles of the WWE. RVD on Raw is a solid champion, but we've seen it so many times before, haven't we? I lost count of how many times he's held it. He's even publicly stated that the title doesn't mean anything to him anymore. Why give the title to someone who doesn't want it? I was glad to hear on Raw that Randy Orton will be challenging him for the title at Armageddon. Give the title to someone who'll appreciate it. Same goes for Smackdown! Give it to some fresh blood. John Cena perhaps?

The WWE Championship -Brock Lesnar- Ah yes, the big prize on Smackdown!, held by the big fish on Smackdown!, Brock Lesnar. Lesnar is a very good champion. He can have a solid match with anybody. He even pulled some respectable matches out of the Big Show. How do you not respect that? It sounds as if Chris Benoit will be challenging him for the title at WWE house shows. Could this be a sign of things to come? I, for one, certainly hope so. It's about time the Wolverine got his share of title matches. Also, when Edge returns, I'm hoping he makes a run for the championship.

World Heavyweight Championship -Goldberg- I just love to watch a champion who has an astounding two moves in his repetoire. OK, I'm not a big Goldberg fan, I admit it. I don't believe the title should have been given to him so soon, or at all for that matter. What has he done thus far to deserve to be champion? Oh yes, who could forget his refusal to appear on an overseas PPV. And of course, his whining and complaining about his treatment in the WWE. That's a real nice resume you're racking up there Bill. Say what you will about Triple H, the man has a genuine love for the business. Can you say the same for Goldberg? As far as future champions go, it looks like we'll be seeing Kane challenge Goldberg for the championship at Armageddon. Not likely that he'll win, but I guarantee you, he would make a better champion than Goldberg.

There you have it. My assessment of the WWE Titles. That wasn't too painful, now was it? Overall, the WWE just needs to freshen up the title picture and it will be as good as, no pun intended, gold.

Josh Ronge-The Anti-Smark

Karl Dixon sent this in::
This column was going so well. Yet, once again, the ugly debate over Goldberg rears its head again.

Sure, people say Spear, Jackhammer is all there is to Goldberg. I say "Jumping knee, Pedigree, title belt/sledgehammer shot... and don't forget bopping the boss's daughter" is all there is to HHH.

I used to like HHH. But I'm talking about the HHH who was in the infamous Clique Curtain Call. Not the boss' daughter screwing Cerebral Career Killer.

"Say what you will about Triple H, the man has a genuine love for the business. Can you say the same for Goldberg?"

HHH loving the business? Have you been hanging out with RVD lately? (You know what that was a reference to...) And, yes, I can say that about Goldberg. He didn't HAVE to come to WWE. He had enough money from Japan/Zero One and movies to keep him going- and his reputation wouldn't have been 'McMahon'ed (stained- WWE Style.)

As for his resume- Even with HHH's outstanding 'ability' to never job- I bet he's not gotten a 100+ undefeated streak under his belt. (Yes I know it was a storyline.) Goldberg was the most entertaining wrestler around circa 1997-1998. EVERYONE wanted Goldberg VS Austin! The ONLY thing wrong with Goldberg's resume is the Bret Hart incident.

Big Whoop! It's not the first 'incident' Hart was involved in (see Survivor Series '97) - and Goldberg isn't the only wrestler to ever mess up a move (see Owen Hart VS Stone Cold, circa '99)

And then we get on to the fact that Goldberg was complaining.... Wouldn't you be if you'd been brought in to play a character you weren't? This is McMahon's philosophy- "Let's make them play a different role... Hey! It's not popular!" Look at Booker T! He was an Alliance member, McMahon henchman with Bossman, nWo member before they FINALLY turned him face- just like he had been for 11 YEARS in WCW. But to come back to Goldberg- those boos he got? McMahon's fault, for trying to change the Goldberg character. This is proven by the MEGA pops Goldberg got when he: -

Whooped Rodney Mack in approximately 0.30 seconds

Speared Rosey through the barricade

Won World Heavyweight Title from HHH.

You don't think Goldberg should have been given the title? What is your explanation for HHH being awarded the title straight away when the UD belt split, without even a Championship match with Flair that night?

I've had my rant- I eagerly await anyone's rebuttal...

Josh Ronge's defense::
"HHH loving the business? Have you been hanging out with RVD lately?"

To answer your question, no, I haven't been smoking the sweet stuff. And, yes, I stick by my statement that Triple H loves the buisness. When the Rock was out making movies and Stone-Cold was pouting at his home, Triple H was still at work in the WWE. Where was THEIR dedication? Admittadly, Triple H will be making some movies but if you think that will last, you're dead wrong. And as long as you brought up the Clique Curtain Call, how easy could it have been for Triple H to say "Screw this, I'm outta here!" when the WWE laid the entire incident on his shoulders? But he didn't. He stuck around. To me, that signifies loyalty and a love for the buisness. And on a side note, you make it sound as if my entire column was dedicated to praising Triple H to the ends of the earth. I only made ONE comment about him.

You can believe, Goldberg loves the buisness, you have a perfect right to do that. But I don't share that opinion. I believe Goldberg tolerates the buisness. And there is a thin line betwwen tolerance and love.

"You don't think Goldberg should have been given the title? What is your explanation for HHH being awarded the title straight away when the UD belt split, without even a Championship match with Flair that night?"

I never said that the belt should have been given to Triple H without a match. In case you couldn't figure it out, this column was about CURRENT champions. I stated my case about Goldberg. If you don't share that opinion, I'm sorry.

I thank you for responding to my column. I take criticism both good and bad. If we don't agree on everything, it's alright. We don't have to.

Brad Dykens chimes in::
Triple H does lives for the business (well, for the company-WWE). And Stephanie McMahon falls under that umbrella. WRESTLING IS THE ONLY thing in Triple H's life. Chyna laid it all out on the line when she said they grew apart because he loved the business more than he loved her. Then he got with Stephanie, and when he was faced with that same delema, he had no choice but to get hitched cause dumping Stephanie, like he did to Chyna, would essencially "remove him from the business". Triple H LOVES Sports Entertainment, and from a McMahon standpoint, HE would be the guy I'd want to hand my company down to..

Mark Rose responds to Karl Dixon::
Be careful what you wish you...you just might get it.

You know what Karl I agree with everything you said about Triple H. I won't defend him because I think he's stale and isn't 1/2 the wrestler he once was. But sticking up for Goldberg? Why because he can pop a dwindling crowd? Big deal. Goldberg was the right guy at the right time to receive his push in WCW and the whole thing has gone to his head. He's never paid any dues in the wrestling business and doesn't respect it. Keep in mind you're talking about the same guy who got pissed off because the announce team pointed out the fact that Batista is bigger than he is because he felt it would hurt his character's image. Goldberg is a new age Ultimate Warrior. You mention a terrible squash on Mark Henry, a spear on Rosey and a title win as so called great moments? It got schucks in the crowd to pop but did it increase ratings? NO. Did it increase PPV buyrates? NO. WWE is treading water and in fact house show attendance is down (you can blame Goldberg in part for this since he's too good to work house shows) PPV buyrates are down and ratings are stagnant. So even though he's getting some pops he's doing jack shit as the man on top to increase business.

'Nuff said.

Danny Parkhill says::
I agree with all 3 of you to an extent. As Mr. Ronge said, HHH loves the buisness, as Mr. Rose said, he married Stephanie because of the buisness and Golberg was "in the right place at the right time" and I agree with Mr. Dixon when he says that HHH isn't half the wrestler he used to be. Both Goldberg and HHH, in my opinion, can't wrestle. I was this close to turning off my TV during the Survivor Series match between the pair for the World Heavyweight Championship. And I do believe Kane should win the title at Armaggedon [although Goldberg will probably find his way out of it.] As a matter of fact, I don't care who's champion now, as long as in 4 months, it isn't Goldberg or HHH [especially not the latter.] HHH, as I said before, isn't nearly as good as he used to be, and I believe he used his relationship with Stephanie [and his role o the creative team] to keep the belt around his waist for over a year [minus a month where he gave the belt to his friend, Shawn Michaels. Might I add, he's a good candidate to be the next champ.]. Goldberg is a glorified football player who has a 2 move repitore and won the belt because he threatened Vince to quit if he didn't win it. I wish RAW would learn from SmackDown and give the belt to a halfway decent wrestler.

KMASTERDIXON::
Regarding the Next World Champion
Maybe Goldberg isn't the best champion. I am an admitted WCW mark, so I would sing Goldberg's praises. But, c'mon, this late in the HHH title reign of terror I would have cheered David Arquette- because someone FINALLY took the belt away from HHH. On a related note... I also would like to see Kane with the World Title.

Regarding Goldberg not paying his dues.
The Giant didn't pay any dues, when he bypassed the indies and landed straight in WCW. Furthermore, his post WCW carreer has been a complete shambles, and puts his WCW tenure to shame.

Buf for all those who whine that Goldberg hasn't paid his dues- How many of you complained when Shane and Stephanie McMahon joined the company?

RE: Quotes I want to address:
"Goldberg is a glorified football player who has a 2 move repitore and won the belt because he threatened Vince to quit if he didn't win it."
If Goldberg threatened Vince- Vince would have fired him. Vince only has Goldberg until next WM anyway. Goldberg won the belt because HHH was off to shoot movies, plain and simple.

"And on a side note, you make it sound as if my entire column was dedicated to praising Triple H to the ends of the earth. I only made ONE comment about him."
Actually I did say "This column was going so well. Yet, once again, the ugly debate over Goldberg rears its head again," showing that I had enjoyed your column thus far, but wanted to debate upon Goldberg.

"And as long as you brought up the Clique Curtain Call, how easy could it have been for Triple H to say "Screw this, I'm outta here!" when the WWE laid the entire incident on his shoulders? But he didn't. He stuck around. To me, that signifies loyalty and a love for the buisness."
Exactley, this is the HHH I 'used' to like, far removed from our current incarnation. For all of HHH's speil about being the present part of Evolution's Past/Present/Future stick- I'd rather watch Flair than him, as Flair can still put on a better match now than HHH now.

"I thank you for responding to my column. I take criticism both good and bad. If we don't agree on everything, it's alright. We don't have to."
No problem. Like I say, I enjoyed your column up untill the Goldberg portion. I am waiting for someone to do a column on WCW, nWo or Alliance- then we can argue the difference over these so called 'failures'.

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