Powell's Blog Various thoughts on WWE's creative team, Ric Flair and the NWA, and TNA's new featured talent By Jason Powell Jun 5, 2008 - 11:49 AM CLICK FOR BIO Email This Article | Printer Friendly Page Send Us News & Results | Back to Main Listing Thursday, JUNE 5 - 11:49 A.M. -I mentioned earlier today that there are plenty of fingers pointed at Brian Gewirtz over disappointing Raw ratings. Make no mistake about it, though, the man has his strengths. He was responsible for writing the bulk of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's material during his peak years, and he writes the bulk of the words that come out of John Cena's mouth on a weekly basis. "His strengths are comedy and writing a variety show," said one former coworker, who agrees with the sentiment that Gewirtz doesn't focus enough on the in-ring product. Although the former creative team member has been highly critical of Michael Hayes based on the racist statements he's made over the years, he feels the Smackdown side of the product benefits from Hayes's in-ring experience. "The whole problem is they don't have enough wrestling minds in creative," he said. -I believe there are plenty of wrestlers who would actively pursue creative roles if it wasn't for the hours that Vince McMahon expects his writers to keep. It's hard to find retired wrestlers who spent years in the loose locker room atmosphere who are willing to work such a demanding job alongside a group of twenty-somethings in the ultra-corporate WWE creative environment. I recently spoke to one wrestler who has highly respected mind for the business. He was open to the idea of working in WWE creative. Well, at least he was until I explained what the hours are like, and that was enough to kill his interest. -More than one former creative team member has grumbled about the lousy creative environment at WWE Headquarters. As I understand it, the writers are crammed into a room with white walls and no windows. "It's like a prison," one former writer stated. -So much for the kinder and gentler Vince McMahon. According to a press release issued by the NWA on Wednesday, WWE will not allow Ric Flair to appear on the 60th Anniversary event in Atlanta on Saturday. If that's truly the case, then I wonder how long it will take the NWA promoter to contact Cory Maclin's attorney given that the Memphis promoter cashed in recently by settling out of court over a dispute that occurred when WWE refused to allow Jerry Lawler to appear on an indy show against Hulk Hogan. -TNA better be getting a hell of a payoff for using Ace Young. I don't know how else they could justify placing his mug on their main page yesterday when they have Impact tonight and the Slammiversary pay-per-view. Yes, I know the shot of Young includes a tag for the pay-per-view, but do they really believe anyone is going to order a wrestling pay-per-view to see an "American Idol" washout? BOOKMARK DOT NET AND ADD US TO YOUR RSS • HELP DOT NET: TAKE OUR ADVERTISER DEMO SURVEY CLICK TO RETURN TO MAIN LISTING OR SELECT A LINK BELOW FROM THIS CATEGORY Powell's Blog Latest Twelve Articles WWE's latest talent cut, no room for managers in pro wrestling, Brock Lesnar vs. Fedor, the newest wrestler on the ECW roster, traditional Survivor Series matches Brock Lesnar is the new UFC Heavyweight Champion, but he faces an uphill battle in a quest to earn the respect of MMA followers Thoughts on UFC 91 at the box office, the Randy Couture vs. Brock Lesnar main event, and the weak undercard WWE cuts five wrestlers in four days, Jeff Hardy shows a mean streak, lame duck Ring of Honor pay-per-view event WWE cracking down on marijuana use, internal frustration over a TNA cut continues, Vladimir Kozlov fan reaction, one week away from Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Couture I lost my precious sticker, more on WWE Raw including thoughts on Stephanie and Shane McMahon, Vladimir Kozlov, the same old Jeff Hardy, and the strangest voter ever