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Post by Michael Coello on Dec 20, 2007 14:26:01 GMT -5
TNA WORLD CHAMPION KURT ANGLE TAPS CONTROVERSIAL REFEREE EARL HEBNER TO ‘EVEN THE ODDS’ AGAINST CANADIAN CHRISTIAN CAGE ON TNA TOUR TNA World Champion demands non-Canadian referee in Hebner to insure a fair title match on Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling has approved the request of TNA World Champion Kurt Angle to appoint a non-Canadian referee to officiate his series of title matches with Ontario native and former TNA World Champion “The Instant Classic” Christian Cage during the upcoming TNA Canadian tour starting December 27 in Montreal. Jim Cornette, TNA management representative, issued an official statement Thursday acknowledging Angle’s petition for a non-Canadian referee in the interest of “fair officiating.” “TNA has decided to accommodate the request of Mr. Angle by appointing Earl Hebner as the referee for the main events in each of the Canadian title matches. While it is not of the opinion of this office that a Canadian referee would be inclined to show bias towards either participant, we feel strongly that selecting Earl Hebner, a distinguished referee with decades of service, will call the match to the standards expect of a TNA official,” Cornette said. Earlier in the week Angle stated that he would refuse to defend his TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Cage in Canada unless provisions were taken to insure a fair match. “As world champion and an Olympic Gold Medalist, I’ve prided myself on fair competition my entire life,” Angle said. “Christian Cage has shown time and time again that he and his Canadian buddies can’t be trusted. While I myself would never attempt to dishonor the TNA World Championship, Cage and Canada can’t be trusted. It’s unfortunate an American hero such as myself would even have to wrestle in a third-world country, but to have a fellow fair-minded American in Earl Hebner makes me feel confident the match will be even.” Cage could not be reached for comment.
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Post by Citizen Snips on Dec 20, 2007 14:27:52 GMT -5
Would a clean finish actually be a swerve in this case?
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Post by thestinger on Dec 20, 2007 14:29:20 GMT -5
TNA cashing in on the 97 Montreal Screwjob? I'm a fan of this company but I can't defend this. It's pathetic that Vince still does this, and it's even worse for TNA to do it, since they don't even employ any of the major players from Survivor Series 97. Why do I get the unfortunate feeling that knowing they'd go to Canada someday is the only reason Hebner was hired by TNA in the first place?
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Cheeba
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Post by Cheeba on Dec 20, 2007 14:44:39 GMT -5
This will get the Canadian fans even more into the match, so I'm all for it.
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Post by Lance Uppercut on Dec 20, 2007 14:45:29 GMT -5
This will get the Canadian fans even more into the match, so I'm all for it. Then it'll just prove the theory that Canadian fans can't get over it.
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JMA
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Post by JMA on Dec 20, 2007 15:17:00 GMT -5
This will get the Canadian fans even more into the match, so I'm all for it. Then it'll just prove the theory that Canadian fans can't get over it. It's wrestling promoters--especially Vince--who can't get over it.
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Post by thestinger on Dec 20, 2007 15:25:54 GMT -5
The only way this can work is if Bret Hart does a run-in and prevents Hebner from screwing Christian.
I really doubt the title will change hands on a house show, though.
I wish the Hitman would come back for one night. That would be cool, and may help promote the book.
Unless Bret makes the save, though, this is totally lame.
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Post by Hensley on Dec 20, 2007 15:48:35 GMT -5
Either nothing at all comes of this, (clean finish)
or Early screw Christian out of the title.
No chance of a Kurt loss here.
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Post by Voldemar H. "Brak" Guerta on Dec 20, 2007 16:01:16 GMT -5
Hmm, while I'd normally be very against the seeming possibility of a World Title changing hands at a house show (like how Raven got screwed over), I wouldn't be against Christian as champ. I'm undecided on this...
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Rick Mad
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Post by Rick Mad on Dec 20, 2007 16:04:30 GMT -5
Then it'll just prove the theory that Canadian fans can't get over it. It's wrestling promoters--especially Vince--who can't get over it. Yeah, sorry, the second Hebner would step foot to ref any match in Canada he'd get the YOU SCREWED BRET chants, period, especially for an indy/TNA show.
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Post by CrazySting on Dec 20, 2007 16:14:07 GMT -5
Didn't Russo do the Montreal ending in WCW like 5 or 6 times or something?
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I don't get it. At all. It's kind of a small horse, I mean what am I missing? Am I crazy?
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Post by Ben Wyatt on Dec 20, 2007 16:31:45 GMT -5
Didn't Russo do the Montreal ending in WCW like 5 or 6 times or something? Not only did Russo do it, but he also had Bret himself involved in it
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Tapout
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Post by Tapout on Dec 20, 2007 16:33:14 GMT -5
Har har. I'm sure this will be a swerve where Hebner screws Angle, not Christian.
It would be great, after the end of the match when Hebner prematurely calls for the bell, to see a shot of him running out of the arena with a box full of T-shirts.
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Post by Adam Pacman Khan (akkilla) on Dec 20, 2007 17:01:12 GMT -5
o c'mon.....show this match live we have to hear the pops Cage is gunna get in Montreal.
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Post by machinegun on Dec 20, 2007 19:30:57 GMT -5
"Cage and Canada can’t be trusted. It’s unfortunate an American hero such as myself would even have to wrestle in a third-world country, but to have a fellow fair-minded"
Why is it alright for the USA to hate on the mother canuckers? I mean, just imagine if that had said Mexico or something
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Post by Ace Diamond on Dec 20, 2007 19:33:31 GMT -5
"Cage and Canada can’t be trusted. It’s unfortunate an American hero such as myself would even have to wrestle in a third-world country, but to have a fellow fair-minded" Why is it alright for the USA to hate on the mother canuckers? I mean, just imagine if that had said Mexico or something I dunno, it's pretty hilarious right now especially given that Canada's money is either almost worth as much as the American Dollar or is actually worth more.
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Post by Vice honcho room temperature on Dec 20, 2007 19:36:09 GMT -5
"Cage and Canada can’t be trusted. It’s unfortunate an American hero such as myself would even have to wrestle in a third-world country, but to have a fellow fair-minded" Why is it alright for the USA to hate on the mother canuckers? I mean, just imagine if that had said Mexico or something Because no one really takes Canada bashing that seriously. That comment is over the top that its funny. But its too close to the perceived image of Mexico. Did they kinda tease this when Cage won his first NWA-TNA title. Jarret had Cage in the sharpshooter and Cage was liking pulling at Hebner to not call the bell. I was watching it scrambled with my bro and it sounded and kinda looked intresting.
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Post by laotioncommotion on Dec 20, 2007 19:53:41 GMT -5
Okay, I don't think it's going to be some kind of Montreal angle where they change they belt or anything. I think it's just a way to get Angle more heat when they go to Canada. The fans chant "You Screwed Bret" at Hebner, which they'll do, and Angle will be booed for getting him involved. I'm not against that.
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Post by Agent P on Dec 20, 2007 21:43:31 GMT -5
Exactly how many Canadian refs does TNA have again? It's Earl, Slick Johnson, Rudy Charles and Andrew Thomas. Last time I checked none of them are Canadian.
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Post by mcmahonfan85 on Dec 20, 2007 21:50:43 GMT -5
This will get the Canadian fans even more into the match, so I'm all for it. Then it'll just prove the theory that Canadian fans can't get over it. even the TNA fans can't get over it. the first time Dave Hebner appeared in TNA in Orlando, the iMPACT! Zone fans (the most original fans ever in the history of professional wrestling) began to chant "You screwed Bret!" at him
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