All right, after two weeks, the Edgemeister is back to entertain, titillate, and quite possibly annoy all the faithful Edgeheads.
Before I get rolling, I'll start off by saying that my neck feels great. Any other job and I'd be back (except maybe football or hockey). Right now, I feel like I could be back at the six-month mark, although I still won't get my clearance for the full year. The rest of my body feels great after getting three and a half months of much-needed rest. I'm starting to chomp at the bit. I need to get back in "that very ring.”
In my travels to Canada, I had the chance to do an autograph session with the lovely Stacy Keibler at WWE Niagara Falls. It was great to see some of the Edge Army out in full force. Looking forward to seeing more of you throughout the year. Speaking of Canada, had a great time hitting virtually every furniture store in southern Ontario shopping for my mom's house. Between that and seeing my family, my best buds, and my huskie, Frisco, it was a very therapeutic and relaxing two weeks.
I got home this week, turned on the ol’ laptop and for the next four days was able to get through all of your feedback e-mails. I seriously did not expect that response, and while time-consuming, it was fun. The majority of the responses (about 95 percent) said not to change a thing. That doesn't mean I won't, but I just wanted to see what you guys thought. The most popular suggestion was to bring back the Edgeucator or figure-four edgelock, or whatever the hell you want to call it. I happened upon it one day rolling around the ring with Val Venis (in a manly fashion, of course). I only used it three times, but it seems to have made an impact. I was already planning on it, but I will definitely implement it back in the repertoire. I received some irate borderline death threats from the female demographic not to cut my hair. What is it with women diggin' long hair? Anyway, sorry to disappoint, but while in Canada, I chopped off the lion's mane!!!
OK, only joking, but I had to do it. C'mon, it's only hair. Thanks for all the feedback, and I'm sure before I come back, I'll be asking for more. Now onto more important matters. A story about ribbing Al Snow.
After seeing the Mickster back on RAW these last few weeks, a lot of fans sent reminders of some of the fun E&C had with Mick over the years. Some of the most fun we had never made it to the small screen, and usually happened at the expense of the Snowman. I can't remember the city, but many WWE Superstars, including Christian, Al and myself, all converged on the local gym to get a workout before that night's show. During my workout, I noticed that Al was carrying these "gravity boot" type contraptions, where he would hook upside down from a chin-up bar, and do sit-ups. It was about this time when my evil mind starting conjuring ways to rib Al. You see, for some reason, Christian and I decided to join in on the fun of constantly ribbing Al, a la Mick. I think it may just be the sheer look of desperation and defeat he gets on his face during and after a good rib. Anyway, I was able to buzz Christian on the situation and we waited like two cobras hiding in the bushes about to pounce on an unsuspecting mouse. The Crocodile Hunter would have been proud. Finally, Al was finishing up his workout and was making the fateful decision to hook himself upside down, completely helpless. Crikey! What an idiot! We lulled him into a false sense of security for a few sit-ups and then we pounced. The gym shorts came down! Actually, I guess they went up, but you get the point. A packed gym, and an under-packed pair of briefs, turquoise in color, I believe. Of course, we stood nearby, and every time he managed to get his shorts back up, we pulled them down. We also didn't let him unhook, so the blood was seriously rushing to his odd-shaped melon after about five minutes of this torture. Once everyone in the gym got to see that Snowmen have serious shrinkage, we let him off the hook. Suffice it to say Mick was sorry he missed it, and was quite proud of us. Believe it or not, we actually got him one more time with this rib. Talk about a glutton for punishment!
Went to the SmackDown! taping in Orlando a few weeks ago and had a great time. It was fun seeing the guys, and being that close to the ring again got the competitive juices flowing. Being that close to guys working in the ring made me realize I have my work cut out for me in this comeback. Thankfully, between Rhyno, Chris Benoit, Scotty 2 Hotty and Lita, I'm able to judge how well I'm doing, and if the things I'm feeling are normal.
I've really been enjoying SmackDown! and the longer matches lately. I'm a wrestling purist at heart, I guess, and, to me, the matches are still the meat and potatoes of what we do. Between Eddie/O'Haire, Rhyno/Benoit, Brock/Show, Rey/Kanyon, Matt/Rikishi and Haas/Angle, it's been fun to watch. Speaking of Kurt, it looks like the bastard never missed a step!
On a final note, people have been asking me what I think of the new Metallica. I'm a huge fan, and I've tried and tried to like it, but I just can't. I never thought I'd give a Metallica album a thumbs-down, but both thumbs went south when I heard it. Too bad, I was hoping for some good workout music. Looks like more Black Label Society.
Until next week, you have been Edgeucated!