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Dean
November 27th, 2007, 12:21 PM
In progress, James Guttman brings up the Masterlock Challenge. It's something that many people will remember Chris Masters for. He asks Masters about it and how it was originally explained to him by the office.

"At first, I'm a little sketchy because it's a full nelson and people are so used to…Coming out of the attitude era, wrestling or sports entertainment, WWE, was trying to tune it back. Kind of go back a little old school with things. They wanted to, they needed to scale things back because it was getting too crazy with tables, chairs, the injuries. So they just had this new motto. And every week, they'd be telling us to 'step it back.' We gotta bring the business back down to where it was because it's gone too out of control. It's too crazy. "

Chris says that his finisher was designed for that. Whether the Masterlock or something else, it was supposed to similar to the old body slam challenge. He would give them a finish and see if they can beat a ten count. In the end, they settled on the Full Nelson and the Masterlock Challenge was born.

Going along with this interview, and the rumors that WWE has been "cutting back" circulating the Internet for quite some time (the banning of the piledriver, 450 splash, shooting star press, etc.), I wonder... when will they realize it's the road schedule, not the moves, that are causing the injuries?

They've been "toning it back" and "cutting back" for a while now, and it doesn't seem to be helping. We have as many injuries occurring as we have for a while. The only thing that seems to be doing is burying cruiserweights and the cruiserweight division.

Your thoughts?

xdarqpez1x
November 27th, 2007, 12:58 PM
I've been saying the exact same thing for a long time. It's not about "toning it back" and I'm not even sure it's "hardcore wrestling" that shortens a career: it's working the WWE, apparently. I mean, look at a guy like Sabu or something. Sure, he's had a lot of injuries, but he's been wrestling since 1984. His most serious injury didn't come from a table spot or high risk maneuver; it came from a botched back body drop, so I mean, where is the proof?

Maybe the theory is that they didn't have as many injuries in the 80's and that's the idea, but it goes right back to the road schedule in that they didn't wrestle as much back then, either. Hell, the guys weren't even in half as good of shape or had the training techniques these guys today have, so they should be BETTER OFF than the guys in the 80's, and yet, they're not.

Goes right back to the rigors of modern day WWE.

Donpaulo Inc.
November 28th, 2007, 09:17 AM
Its sad but WWE wont go back to these manouveres for a long time, it would take a company really standing up against WWE for them to think about it and that doesnt seem like its happeneing for some time

Eric!
November 28th, 2007, 03:39 PM
Wait, didn't we already know the WWE was "toning it back", as you said, with the bannings of moves like the SSP, 450, and piledriver? Or is this just the first time someone from the WWE has actually come out and said it?

Either way, they really do need to realize that its the schedule. And yeah, I know this example gets brought up alot, but look at TNA. They do crazy spots, they use "dangerous" moves, and how many injuries do they have right now? None I can think of.

Soda Shop Hero
November 28th, 2007, 03:42 PM
No, I believe its been said before by former and current WWE Wrestlers. I think this is just the 1st time we really see that the WWE wants to def. strip it down to just basic wrestling.

Problem is the people they push arent always the ones that can wrestle compare to the ones they dont push.

Squall
November 28th, 2007, 03:50 PM
Yes, the are stepping it back.

And how many people got injured this year? Cena got injured off what, a hip toss?

It's pretty obviously not helping a whole lot in that regard.

Dr. Acula
November 28th, 2007, 03:54 PM
This has been in the works for years! Ever since Nash injured himself from umm, walking across the ring. What a daredevil...

TravisTouchdown
November 28th, 2007, 05:57 PM
Ross said he wasn't aware of the policy about the SSPs and 450s. Take that how you will.

But I find it funny that WWE has nigh on banned "wrestlers" "wrestling" and whatnot but try and act like they're "old school"

Soda Shop Hero
November 28th, 2007, 06:56 PM
I dont like JRs Blog...

Sometimes he will say stuff that is like good for him. He is totally right. Then they are times where its like dude you know you are only saying that so Vince wont fire you.