Thoughts on Bret's U.S. title win, McIntyre angle, WWE vs. Lost

A few wrestling notes on a Wednesday:

. I’ve got mixed feelings about Bret Hart’s U.S. Title victory on the special commercial free Raw this past Monday. But most of all, I was highly entertained by the segment. I certainly comprehend the criticism that having a retired, out of shape former wrestler go over on one of WWE’s most talented young up and comers in the Miz is bad for business. But I do think Hart’s is a special situation. Taking into consideration the last 13 years of history, I think it makes sense to give Hart – and more importantly his Canadian fans – a final feel good moment before a hometown crowd. It’s unfair to liken the title change to David Arquette’s disgraceful reign as WCW world champion some 10 years ago. Hart is one of the greatest performers the sport has ever seen. And, though way past his expiration date, I don’t have a big problem with giving the Hitman what amounts to an honorary final wrestling championship reign. As for the Miz, I am of the mindset that he only gains from being involved in such a high profile angle with such a legendary figure. If you asked most of the young mid carders in WWE how they would feel about dropping a title by tapping out to Bret Hart’s sharpshooter live on Raw, I imagine most would ask, “Where do I sign up?”

. Hart’s involvement with the Miz is, of course, leading up to the world tag team title match this Sunday at Over the Limit between the Hart Dynasty and Chris Jericho & The Miz. The big question is – who is going to be watching? I wouldn’t be surprised to see the show do one of the smallest buy rates in the history of WWE. Besides being a new pay view on an off month with no history, a so-so line-up, and no “gimmick” to help sell it, the show comes on the same night as the epic final episode of “Lost” on ABC. The series finale is likely to set ratings records – including among WWE’s key demo of young males. I have to wonder whether WWE is already conceding defeat for the show, and that’s why they have loaded up Over the Limit with big matches.

. One of the matches we will be getting on Sunday night is an Intercontinental title battle between reigning champ Drew McIntyre and Kofi Kingston. The match comes after Kingston apparently won the title in a tournament to fill the vacant championship, only to have McIntyre, who was fired and stripped of the title the previous week, come to the ring with a letter from Vince McMahon ordering Smackdown GM Theodore Long to reinstate him and give him back the belt. I must tell you – I loved this angle. The heel heat that McIntyre received was off the charts, as was the sympathy babyface heat for Kingston, who had just delivered an inspired performance in the ring against Christian only to be cheated out of his reward. That’s wrestling booking at its best.

And it brings me to something I’ve noticed in recent months. One interesting byproduct of TNA’s so called “war” against WWE this year has been the solid, fundamental booking we’ve gotten out of WWE. We saw that in most of the key angles leading up to WrestleMania, and it's continued since then. Whether conscious or not, WWE has clearly tried to distance itself from the kind of undisciplined, illogical booking that’s offered by TNA. And so, if nothing else, TNA has made one important contribution to the sport of pro wrestling – it’s made WWE better. Thanks, Dixie.