Well RAW started off unusually without a Corporate Minstry, or Stone Cold Steve Austin interview, or not even a Shane McMahon interview. That was pretty good to see. The Acolytes once again pummel Hardcore Holly, how many times do we have to see this? Yeah sure we now know he’s a Big Shot, or is he? More like a mental hospital escapee. Who in their right mind, even if they were a "Big Shot" would be dumb enough to walk on down to the ringside and step in a ring with two massive looking guys like Farooq and Bradshaw standing inside, wanting blood? The Blood Math match was pretty lame, since these guys could of easily ran over dumped the bucket over their opponent and then pound away at the guy. But, ah well WWF wnted to set up the angle with Christian rejoining Edge, so I guess it was the right match in the long run. Maybe if they were to do it again, maybe have the bucket full of "blood" on a chain or something and make them climb a ladder, or maybe have to go to a certain place in the building to get the bucket. Make them work! It looks as though the McMahon-Austin feud has been put on the back burner for now, but how long will that last? How long can the Shane-Test feud go on. It seems as thought Vince McMahon stepping out of the spotlight, has been a small test for Shane McMahon to see how he can conduct himself as the lead man in the company, for a certain amount of time. So the WWF has decided to put Road Dogg beside the Big Red Machine, Kane. I guess it’ll work since are majorly over with the crowd, but honestly, I’d rather see both of these guys in singles action. Road Dogg wasn’t too bad of a Hard Core champ awhile back, and from the official RAW preview for tonight, it states Road Dogg Vs. Bossman for the Hardcore strap. Will we see him with the title? Maybe so. Finally, D-Lo Brown gets the Intercontinental Title. I like Jarrett, but I don’t really think he’s the best man for the IC title, maybe the European title, to give it a boost in prestige. Another guy that could probably use the IC title to get a bit more recognition would be Test. He’s a pretty solid wrestler, one of the biggest men to try the elbow drop from the top, and he wasn’t too bad on the mic, in the confrontation with Shane McMahon. Hopefully once his Mean Street Posse feud is over, he can make a solid run at the IC title. Main event of RAW last week, another match between Undertaker and Austin. I read that Austin was turning down opponents. One that was brought up was Bad Ass Billy Gunn. I’ll admit Austin is way over than anybody else in the locker room, but he has to remember, that people have given him breaks. Look back to when Austin was just getting into the Stone Cold persona, and he wrestled Bret Hart at Wrestlemania 13,  possibly the biggest match of the Stone Cold career, since that was the defining match that put him over as a strong tough man when he refused to tap out of the Sharpshooter, and ended up passing out in the middle of the ring due to the pain and blood loss. Maybe a match against Austin would help excel Billy Gunn to that next level, allow him to jump the next hurdle into main event status. Another thing is, look at The Rock, he has put Triple H over, and now will most likely put Billy Gunn over at Summerslam, yet Austin refuses to even work a match in the main event of a RAW, that he’d most likely win? That’s a pretty selfish act. 

Now Nitro, another average show put on by the WCW. We finally got to see Stevie Ray and Booker T in the same corner as Harlem Heat. Maybe now, we can finally put some competition back into the Tag Team division, since WCW is unwilling to push The Rednecks that way, and the only real recognized team is Benoit and Saturn, which seems to be splitting up, since Benoit is on a quest for the WCW United States title. Once, one of the most prestigious titles in wrestling, now just a piece of tin paraded around on any Joe Blow’s waist. Well Scott Hudson stay as play by play announcer for Nitro is over. Tonight we’ll see the single most terrible play by play announcer in the history of our sport, Tony Shiavone, back behind the mic. Main event of last Nitro, Sid and Rick Steiner Vs. Goldberg and Sting?! Since when is Rick Steiner even close to being a main event wrestler? The guy was only used because he’s a heel, that can get crowd heat, pretty dumb match ends with a nice little set up with Hogan saving Sting and Goldberg, but then being power bombed through the announcer’s table for his efforts, by Kevin Nash. I’m actually surprised Hogan would dare take a bump like that, we know how old and fragile he is, and we all know he rarely likes to leave his feet in matches. 

Well, now that I’ve covered my thoughts on last week’s shows, let’s talk about tonight’s most anticipated RAW, and the most likely average Nitro. RAW has been said to contain, Jesse Ventura, Chris Jericho, Mick Foley, Stevie Richards and Shawn Michaels possibly, and in attendance, Snoop Dogg, and the Smashing Pumpkins, as well as the count down to the WWF Millennium. It’s pretty much guaranteed that Jericho has to do with the WWF Millennium tonight, but how will he play a factor in it? The WWF has been known for great surprises, but they have had some pretty silly ones too. How will they pass this off to the fans, that it will light the arena up and have the fans on the internet talking about it? This is one thing I am definitely looking forward too. Also, how will Jesse Ventura play a factor in tonight’s broadcast? What will Foley be doing? Also if they are there, what will Stevie Richards and Shawn Michaels do on camera as well? I don’t have the slightest idea, but I would go as far to say that RAW may have record ratings tonight. 

Nitro, well what can you say, you really never know what WCW is going to do. Chad Brock is going to be there to sing some of his Country songs live, watch WCW have Brock come out at 9pm, just as RAW starts "thinking" that Brock will bring in ratings. Know what would be even scarier? If he did. Supposedly Curt Hennig is going to play a part in Brock’s appearance tonight. What can we see from Hennig? Tony Shiavone is going to be back in the announcer’s driver seat so get ready for random chatting between Heenan and Shiavone during the matches. 

Now Summerslam, it’s shaping up to be one hell of a pay-per-view. Triple H Vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin for the title. I’m hoping and praying that this is Triple H’s time in the spotlight, and indeed it might be. Will Jesse Ventura play that much of an effect in this match as everyone thinks? No one knows the exact figure he’s getting for this appearance, but we all know it must be enough, more than enough actually. There was talk of canceling the Women’s championship match, but now it seems to be back on. Tori was on Sunday Night Heat, and was in great shape, and was doing pretty well, but how will she do against the Women’s Champ, Ivory. Next week I’ll have my complete predictions to the WWF Summer sizzler, SummerSlam. 

Well, in 6 days, WCW will be putting on their August pay-per-view, Road Wild. (Why do I have to have the crap pay-per-view during my birthday month?) Anyway, here’s my predictions for the matches that I have seen advertised. 
Kevin Nash Vs. Hollywood Hogan - WCW World title match. - This match has no real point, because it’s pretty well written in stone, that Bret Hart Vs. Hollywood Hogan for the World title is going down in the fall of 1999. But WCW has to fill their pay-per-views with matches, so I guess this would be a pretty decent match if Hogan was willing to take a beating, and it was all dominated by him. I see Hogan walking away with the title quite easily. Sting Vs. Sid - I’m actually kind of looking forward to this match. I like both guys in here, but I wouldn’t go as far as to say that this match will be a stellar match or even near five star quality. I’d say that in the end we’ll probably be seeing Sting with his hand raised in victory, due to some kind of interference.  
Rick Steiner Vs. Goldberg - So WCW’s basic explanation for Goldberg being off was to take time off and get some new knee pads? Anyway, this will probably be the usual Goldberg domination match, but it would be a great way to set up a feud between Scott Steiner and Goldberg, if Scott is now able to wrestle. I haven’t heard anything on him as of late. Prediction for this match would have to be a domination style victory for Goldberg. 
Dennis Rodman Vs. Randy Savage - The Adult Entertainers match. Wow, on WCW Nitro last week their whole interview was foul language and adult material, and WCW claims to be PG 13? Go figure. Rodman has wrestled in WCW before, but before he was against Diamond Dallas Page, a guy that is understanding and would work the match. Savage, I wouldn’t be surprised if he snapped and went wild on Rodman. Rodman may be 6’10 or whatever, but Savage is one real crazy nut, and there seems to be a bit of animosity between the two. Prediction, Randy Savage with help from the Hummer Driver.  
Bagwell Vs. The Cat - I don’t really care who wins this one, I don’t like either guy. I actually hope that their backstage heat breaks out to the ring, and the two just go wild on each other, so we can all see the reality of WCW behind the scenes.  
Kanyon and BBB Vs. Harlem Heat - Tag title match - Well this should be a pretty normal match. If DDP is ringside, expect a lot of interference on his behalf. I seriously am hoping Harlem Heat wins, maybe they can bring back Sensational Sherry as their manager/valet, if WCW and her are on good terms, which I’m not too sure about. There will probably be more matches added, most likely a US title defense by David Flair against Benoit. I’ve heard DDP will receive the title off of David, but I highly doubt that after last week’s video package all about the US title and David Flair. 

It’s time for the Failed Gimmick of the Week. I brought this section into Pain Tolerance, you the readers liked it, so decided to make it a weekly part of the column. So, now this week’s Failed Gimmick of the Week has to be Randy Savage announcing the Hummer Driver will be at ringside at Road Wild. This one is pretty self explanatory. Do I care about the Hummer Driver? Do you? Does anyone? No. The reason I don’t is pretty simple. Kevin Nash got banged up by the Hummer one week before Great American Bash. He goes into Great American Bash defending against Savage. At the end of the pay-per-view, he ended up winning. So the hummer didn’t stop him, so why is WCW making such a big deal about it? It’s a use less story line that died the night of Great American Bash. Then WCW puts Sting up against Nash, and we see the fake sting in the hummer, and then now Savage says he is going to reveal the REAL driver. Who cares?! 

Now onto the poll. For last week’s poll, I got another tremendous amount of feedback, and I’d like to thank every single person that took the time to e-mail me your choices. Here are a few of your responses 
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[email protected] 
SURVIVOR SERIES...Its the best, its got 8 man tags with the top talents facing each other, in matches you may never see, like maybe val venis, godfather, cristian, and edge. taking on Jarrett, Gangrel, Droz and Prince Albert, sure you see them fight in singles but when would you ever see the team of Jarrett I posted fight together, this is where you get to make a dream team, one time only. hell man in the 8 man tags in the past we say some great’s, I've always looked forward to the SURVIVER SERIES, until last year with the tournament, that's not a Surviver Series, that's a kotr, or backlash type of matches, I've looked forward to the 8 man elimination matches those have been, and always will be my favorite matches, I loved the Harts, taking on HBK and the knights of the squared circle. 

Favorite gimmick match, hmmm, so many to choose from, lets see, i liked the hell in the cell, battle royals, strap matches, but my favorite would have to be, Iron Man...Look I know their was only one and Bret was screwed out of it, as like always, but him and shawn put on one hell of a show, just wish Bret had one it...any way, why did I choose this because well, it shows who is the best, who has the stamina to pull off a match like this, I would just like to see Jericho and Edge in this type of match to see who the best of the are, and I think they too could put on a great iron man match... 
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[email protected] 
Favorite gimmick pay-per-view: I've got to say my favorite gimmick pay-per-view has and will always be the Survivor Series. Every time they have one, all the big angles get played out, and most everyone on the roster gets to wrestle. I really look back in the day when they didn't need  a World's Title match as a main event for it, but having the All Americans face the Foreign  Fanatics was enough. It didn't matter that the title wasn't going to change hands. It also lets  wrestlers that weren't getting a good push get some good recognition. Like when HBK super kicked Diesel and Diesel turned face. The next day, Diesel was the World's Champ. It really is good for the wrestler's careers and is always an exciting card to watch. 

Favorite type of gimmick match: My favorite gimmick match is by far the one that was left out of the list. THE LADDER MATCH! Almost every time they have one, the match is the best of that month if not the year. They can always put so much drama into it when they have one of the wrestlers an inch away from the belt and then the other guy pushes him off the ladder. HBK was probably the man who was the best at them, but everyone I have seen, whoever was in it, I wanted to see again. They always make angles better and are always exciting to watch. 
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Well, that’s it for last week’s poll, now for this week’s poll. "WCW has been going around saying Sid is the millennium man, and now the WWF is about to debut their own Millennium, but who do you think is the next superstar or legend in prowrestling?" Just a note, some of you are just sending me your picks with no reasons, I appreciate the feedback, but it would be better if you all would send in the reasons as to why you chose that certain thing. 

Also, here’s another quick poll for you the readers. Pain Tolerance, has been growing a bit more popular as of late, and I have been contemplating whether or not to go to two columns per week. The second Pain Tolerance would be posted most likely on Thursdays if I did it. So, I would like to hear all your feedback on whether you would like Pain Tolerance to keep to the one column per week, or expand to two. Include this response in the weekly poll response. 

Send your choices to [email protected] have a nice night everyone and thanks for reading.