Pardon my lack of energy today; I am not feeling my best.

But since I know I'm marginally missed (the glory, the glory!) I figured I'd do a column anyways. Besides, got a busy week up and coming, who knows when inspiration will strike. Being that this is a creative column and all, dont'cha know.

Before we begin, may I bitch about the generally unfairness that Michaelangelo gets to go this Sunday, luxury box seats in Boston.... yup, he's going to the King of the Ring .....and I don't?

I expect oodles of hate mail in his direction.

(That's right, I said oodles.)

Needless to say, it's going to be a fun Sunday for yours truly. In the required niceness to the painter, it was coincedence that he got a ticket instead of two, not neglectfulness.

But still, I'm CyanIndigo. I've been told that it gives me a license to be a mild pain in the ass. Ask around.

*** By the way: Tomorrow marks the adventures of getting some ringside seats for a Providence show in August, starting with camping out on the street at 6am. I'll let you know, just because if I do get'em, then rest assured that all you little perverts out there can take a peek at little old me.

SOME BIG STUFF (actually more like interchangable random notes)

What's going to happen if FOX and Rupert Murdoch take over WCW?

For those who don't know, WCW is in danger of being bought out by FX, which basically means that creative control would go to the executives of FOX, which could spell trouble for some of the mainstays in the WCW.

Do I mean Hulk / Hollywood / Schizo Hogan? DDP? Sting? Nope.

I'm talking more like Tony Schiavone, Mark Madden and Erib Bischoff.

Tony's been lambasted far too many times to count as the "worst play by play commentator in the business." Mark Madden draws fire for plainly acting like a wannabe, and throwing in annoying references to fan-favourite flicks (Snoochie-bootchies, anyone?) which grate the fans' nerves moreso than electrifies him.

And although nothing has been said about Eric Bischoff leaving or possibly being in job jeopardy, I could definately see a investigative corporation peering at past footage and accomplishments of Bischoff and deciding that perhaps Eric isn't meant to be at the top of the ladder.

Wrestlers like the former members of the Millionaires' Club will be safe and sound until their contracts expire, because even though fans might be sick of seeing Hogan or Nash or anyone else...... they're big names. You can't have a wrestling company without big, world-recognizable names; it just doesn't work. Lower card players are at a much bigger risk than those old guys are, which is unfortunate, but true.

By the way, first weird decision about the King of the Ring: this Hardcore Dumpster Tables Chopsticks Match between the Dudley Boyz and DX. Check out the rules: for DX to win, they have to put the Dudleys in a dumper. For the Dudleys to win, the 1-2-3 Skid, Road Dogg and Tori have to all be put through tables.

It's predictable. to win, they must lock both Dudleys in a dumpster For the Dudleys to win, they

King of the Ring rumours involving Tazz and the Big Show! Will either make a run-in and screw up the finish of a match? That's the buzz going around these days, and even though this might be posted after the said-PPV, I might as well speak and most likely make an ass out of myself for being wrong.

If it be Tazz (who's been reported as being fine for the last couple of weeks now and just kept off camera) then the most likely scenario would be interference in a Chris Benoit KOTR match, whether it be against Rikishi or whoever else. Tazz costs Benoit the victory, and sets up a feud for the summer months. Then again, with this new, unexpected angle of Rikishi snatching the Intercontinental belt off of Benoit, we could see a feud between those two instead.

If it be the Big Show, then it's likely that he'd come into the main event picture, and more specifically Shane MacMahon, who "wrecked his already in-need-of-surgery knee" and put him out of action. Big Show comes out and chases off the Skipster, possibly causes distractions which could let one of the opposing team catch the pinfall and the belt, whether it be Kane, the Undertaker or the Rock.

Hey, who knows? For me, this is the one blissful month out of the year when the immediate focus isn't on the main eventers, but on the mid-to-high card wrestlers. (It's true, are you talking about who's going to win the main event, or who's going to win the KOTR?)

Why might they win?

Kurt Angle - my pick just because it pisses Michaelangelo off. OK, OK, more than that. He's got the most to gain from it. Another trophy to gloat about and tick people off, more mainstream attention so the transition from semi-face to heel can happen. Either way, he'll get more screen time and notice, which leads me to believe that he's got some main eventing to do soon. (Oh, Steffie?)

Chris Benoit - I don't think he needs it, since he's hot in the Intercontinental race. He's already building a rep as being deadly and worthy competition, solid wrestler, intimidating heel. What would the KOTR do? Bugger to that idea.

Eddie Guerrero - Nah. Although he very well might advance to the semi-finals, I can't see him winning it. There's been no talk about him being pushed more than he already is, and he's giving some fresh honour to the European title, having fun with Chyna. Not likely.

Bull Buchanan - No fucking way.

Val Venis - Although it would make sense to make him win the KOTR, he doesn't quite have what it takes to mow through these other strong competitors, and Trish Stratus is not exactly what you'd call "worthy distractive technique." She needs to learn how to create a diversion properly, he's got to figure out what his gimmick is.

Rikishi Phatu - I might have said yes to him before this week's SMACKDOWN. But now that he's got the gold from Benoit 1) I can't see him keeping it for long and 2) I can't see him avoiding fuming revenge from Benoit even if he makes it to the finals. There's too many possibilities of interference, and aren't we already seeing a new feud in the works? Don't screw with it.

Chris Jericho - as much as I love Mr. Mamma-Jamma, I doubt he needs it, or would want it, considering he's in line for a major main event push soon. Could be quite likely that the HHH / Jericho prickly feud could escalate throughout the summer.

Crash Holly - wouldn't the Internet be in an up-roar if he won this? I could see the bitchness a mile away.... and maybe that's why in a special little place in my heart, I'd like to see him win it and get away from Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson dominating his Hardcore territory

As I said, it's difficult to tell, and that's what makes this PPV card one of the best they've had in months.

"Eventually the face reactions for Goldberg will wear off." - WCW Live

It's comments like this that make me wonder about the rationality of WCW.

For one thing, as we've seen in the last few weeks, even though Goldie is chewing up contracts and calling people "boy" in his black-clad interviews, he ain't over as a heel. Fans cheer because they like him.

Why would you want reactions to wear off, whether it be the ones you're looking for or not? Do they honestly think that the amount of face heat that Goldberg gets now is going to wholely switch over into the heel category? Isn't that a risk?

Perhaps, but then again, I've always considered Goldberg to be a health hazard. The man is sloppy with his spears and jackhammers, is known for working stiff, has hurt a few people by refusing to sell, and most notably, put Bret Hart out of action from one of those stiff martial kicks to the head.

Even if Bret was winding down and out of the wrestling community, that still ticks me off. (Canadian blood has always been a little fiery than most - mainly because we must do something to stave off the winter cold, you know)

Another comment I heard on WCW LIVE - The contract of one Tammy Lynn Sytch is "short-term." The fact that this was mentioned multiple times brings me to the conclusion that it's short term, and it's not going to change anytime soon. Meaning, gentlemen, the prospects of seeing her are not great.

SOME SMALLER STUFF

The problem with Horace is that he can't fucking decide whether he's good or evil, family or friend, proud of money vs. being proud of having "Hogan-head" (aka that horrific mass of wrinkles on the balding scalp.... it's good to be a Bollea.)

Call me misinformed: it surprised the hell out of me when Lance Storm came out of the WCW crowd.

How could you tell that the horrid G.I.Bro gimmick of Booker T's was not going to last very long? Find me one fan / writer / fanatic that ever casually called him "G.I.Bro." He's always been Booker to us all, and thank god he's back with the old music. Notice that people are still "raising the roof?"

Has anyone else noticed the rip-offs of theme songs from current MTV hits in WCW? I know everyone's heard the all-too-similar riffs from "Cowboy" in Jeff Jarrett's entrance, but the one that caught my attention was the theme music of the Filthy Animals. Isn't that a blatent copy of a rap song? I keep seeing the name "Q-Tip" in my head with that, but I can't quite recall the name or the validity of it. Just wondering.

Dean Malenko is smiling and flirting with woman. Egads.

3 Count, despite their annoying gimmick, are some of the best sellers in the world. And credit goes to WCW for actually making me laugh for once. Tank Abbott smiling and dancing to "Come Sing with 3 Count" was the funniest thing I've seen in ages.

In conclusion, before I get started in answering a few letters, I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who mailed in electronic hugs. It completely caught me off guard the amount I got!

So, to break character a little, let me say this:

You're sweethearts.

Now bugger off.

Questions numbered, answers in italic.

1) "Hey, Cyan. That was another fine column. After reading it, it seems obvious that the two main fed's see their women as interchangable and disposable, unlike the male wrestlers who are valued assets. Every now and then a female will break out and be more then just T and A, but it's rare. The problem, I think, is that in American wrestling, women are seen as valets, and women's wrestling isn't taken seriously. The question is whether the WWF should even continue with the women's division if it's not going to be given proper respect. I definitely hope Lita is able to break out as a star in her own right. As soon as I heard she'd trained with the Hardy's, I knew I'd love her work, and I haven't been disappointed. Speaking of wrestler sightings, I was in the airport a few weeks ago and saw, I think, Lillian Garcia. I know, not really up there with Nash, but whatever. That's about it. And hey, if I were in Boston, I'd be glad to give you a hug. We can all use one every now and then. Later." - Jonathan Dalecki

I'd have to agree; women's wrestling isn't taken seriously. Not the fault of the wrestling community, merely society. It sucks. [smiles] Keep in mind who the WWF is targeting; focus goes more toward establishing top-level male athletes than emphasizing female wrestling. And hey, seeing anyone from the wrestling community is fun, no matter who it is. It's wrestling! We're all marks here.

2) "Hey yo. I actually (think I) know WHY Kevin Nash was in Boston. There's a sports memorabilia shop in Everett, just down the road from me, that gets wrestlers for signing sessions periodically. I met Sable, Tori, and Ivory. Nash was there a month or two ago, I think that matches up time-wise but I don't know... it was a little after he broke his ankle and did the "Get me Batman!" shtick... Good to see you back!" - Alex Beckers

Figures. I miss Nash on my flight, and I miss him giving a autograph session while I'm already dicking around in Boston doing nothing.

3) "Actually, Cyan Indigo is a pretty clever name, playing on the CRZ color-scheme. I'm not really a big fan of WWF or WCW, but for some reason I read your columns. Must be the homesick Canuckness seeping through the DSL line..." - Trev

Hey, I've had the name CyanIndigo for longer than I've worked for CRZ! Name used to just be INDIGO, but there was a Scoops informant with that same name. I always liked the name "Cyan" from Todd McFarlene's SPAWN, so I tacked that on. PS - so you got me. I am a little homesick here in New England, which is why I was so pleasantly tickled by all these e-mail hugs I got.

4) "She asks, she gets... *HUG*.... just don't tell the painter...I don't need to turpentine in my daily milkshake." - Shadowlongknife

Your secret is safe with me..... oops.

You know, I don't even know if Michaelangelo would get jealous from that.

Tell him to send me some flowers. I'm a lady in need of some sweet, sweet lovin'.

Mail can go to cyanindigo@hotmail.com

Ciaobella!