I was wrong...

Who knows anymore?

If there is anything I've learned about wrestling these past few weeks or so, it's that I know very little about the artform I claim to be obsessed with. I once fashioned myself a wrestling expert, and now find myself refashioning myself as a freshman in everything I've been missing for years.

Think about it, about a month ago, I was convinced that WWE had completely outdone itself for the first time in years. They finally had an angle people were talking about, an angle that kept everyone on the edge of their seats, an angle that was going to revitalize the business. Then the rollercoaster began...

After that, of course, being the wrestling genius that I am, I was positive that Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan) being reportedly released from his WWE contract was a "work." (LOOK I EVEN USE SMARKY WORDS HAHA) Well,I'm presently 97% positive that it wasn't actually a work. (and if it is, I'm deleting this post) I was so sure of myself. After all, why in the name of Moses would the WWE take the chance of ruining the only angle they have done in years that made any type of splash, just because a pasty white guy got choked with a tie? It all seemed (and still does to some extent) a little too ridiculous to be real.

Which brings me back to the WWE. What I thought was a big step forward in reclaiming the hearts and minds of wrestling fans everywhere, was actually a glaring representation of everything that has changed them since the Attitude Era. No longer will you see Vince McMahon standing up against the Parent's Television Council, blatantly running a TV show that went against everything they wanted to censor from the American television lexicon.

I thought they would be taking a step in the RIGHT direction. In my opinion, that would involve getting a little more edgy, a little more unpredictable, a little less formulaic and bland, and, for lack of a better word, terrible and boring.

But no. That would be too much like a good decision. Instead, let's fire the guy we've been pushing for months because Linda McMahon doesn't want something for her Senate opponents to point to. How about they point to the fact that her husband's been accused of peddling steroids for years, she's personally been involved on-screen in angles that involve violence against women, spousal and family member fighting, and extreme violence.

Linda McMahon is the cancer that's killing /wwe/

But all that's besides the point. The point was, we all got swerved big time. Including me. WWE gave us gold. They gave us a giant chunk of gold wrapped in delicious bacon, and then they took it away. Now, I know the NXT angle is still ongoing, but come on, has it really taken the same bite that everyone thought/hoped it would? I mean, this one angle has lead to Bret Hart getting slammed around in a limo. (WTF HOW WAS THAT PG?) And MOAR MICHAEL COLE AIRTIME. Also, with the recent news that Wade Barrett can't work in the US anymore, or whatever an expired work visa means, this NXT angle looks to be going down faster than a Twilight fan on Robert Pattinson.

And all for what? Somebody answer that, because lord knows I have no earthly clue. What have they proven? What battle have they won? Was this a move designed to 'stick it' to the internet fans? If so, I have a hard time wanting to watch the product of a company that willingly screws with, and attempts to piss off, it's fans.

And will Danielson be back? I don't know. I wouldn't go back if I were him. Why would he? He could go to TNA, make the same/more money, and still take some indy bookings on the side, and besides, TNA might actually use him. I know internet fans hate TNA (and love ROH) but TNA has made stars out of many old ROH guys, like AJ, Joe, Desmond Wolfe, etc. Plus, the talent on their roster is far superior across the board inside the ropes.

But I doubt that would happen. After all, Danielson did make a jab at TNA during his weekend tour of the midwest with CHIKARA. Something to the effect of making fun of them for changing Nigel McGuinness' name.

Is that so, Daniel Bryan?

Anyway, He could be back, and if he is, he will make the WWE a lot of money, and internet fans will flock back to the 'E with open arms.

I don't know if I will.

Sure, I'm not boycotting WWE. I hardly watch their shows anyway. I'll watch Raw every two or three weeks and catch about a Smackdown every two months just like I did before. But my loyalty to the WWE has been shaken for the time being. I've always been something of a TNA mark, and I'll remain that, and maybe I'll focus my other wrestling time on some of my new found loves...

CHIKARA is so awesome. I would just like to add that.

That's another thing I thought I knew. CHIKARA, after all, is just indy wrestling with a lot of comedy and somewhat decent wrestling.

Haha, I'm an idiot.

No, CHIKARA is actually the best live show I've ever been to. I enjoyed every single moment of "We Must Eat Michigan's Brain." From the opening CLASH Wrestling showcase match, to the return of Bryan Danielson to the independents in a bone rattling fight with Eddie Kingston, to the crazy 4-on-4 match that closed the show, to the autograph signing and general hanging out after the show. CHIKARA knows how to treat their fans to a great time. I walked in a casual CHIKARA fan who was looking for something to do on a Saturday, and left a CHIKARA lunatic foaming at the mouth for their next Michigan show. (PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE)

Speaking of CLASH Wrestling, I fully intend to be present for their upcoming NPCI Tag Team Tournament that's coming up next month.

So what I've learned from these last few weeks? I've learned nothing. NOTHING. I know no secrets that I never knew before, all I know is that...

...pretty much...

...everything I knew was wrong.