Bleacher Report - Articles by Ryan Dearbone

Western Kentucky Upsets Illinois: Let's Hear It For The Hilltoppers

Ryan Dearbone — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:55:31 -0400

"Let's hear it for the boys..."

All right, children of the 80s, I'm stealing the best line from this Deniece Williams classic because it aptly describes the WKU-Illinois first round NCAA tournament game.

Before I continue, I must confess to you that I'm a WKU homer/alumnus...and to all that are confused, it should read "WKU" and not "WKY" on the CBS lower-third graphic. With that being said, please indulge me for a second.

It wasn't the "One Shining Moment" clip Western provided us last year, ripe with the thrill of Ty Roger's last second heroics, but it was still the best theater you could find on the tournament's first day. 'Twas a true movie script that was well-written and acted out even better.

From the opening tip, the Toppers were in control. The Tops laced up their running shoes and took it to a stunned Illini team. Led by Stephon Pettigrew, the former Mr. Kentucky in basketball, the Tops erased all doubts that they belonged at the dance and showed that last year's Sweet Sixteen birth was definitely not a fluke.

But as with all good stories, the good times stopped rollin' and reality hit the Tops hard. Illinois super-powered to within two, thanks to Trent Meacham's 24 points and a series of turnovers on the Toppers part. (I would like to point out that most of those turnovers I never saw, thanks the CBS switching to the VCU-UCLA game...I appreciate that).

Much like the Tops are accustomed to, they gave away a cushy 17-point lead for the much-tighter constraints of a single-digit dogfight (sorry to any PETA supporters) of which they could have as easily lost as won.

A few heart-stopping plays later, especially the ridiculously bad call by the refs on the in-bounds play for the Toppers with about 1:20 to go in the second half, the Tops prevailed to move on.

But something really struck me about my alma mater after the game, and it was not the fact they played away a big lead or their ability to hold court when Illinois gave its best punch. What struck me most was the looks on the Toppers' faces that said, "We belong here. We can and should beat any and all comers." To me, that's the type of look true champions exude.

Now, am I saying I think they'll walk out of Detroit with the NCAA trophy in there hands? Probably not (but it doesn't mean the homer in me can't dream of a tourney trophy displayed prominently in E.A. Diddle Arena.) What I am saying is you can bet money on this team to march through the tournament, putting on both wins and a show.

And, once you've seen them play, they'll have you humming "Let's hear it for the boys" along with me.

Small Wrestlers—Not A Bad Thing—The Size and Skill Of Pro Wrestling

Ryan Dearbone — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:21:19 -0400

I've been thinking recently about a comment made to me by NWA professional wrestler Ali Stephens (aka Atomic Dogg). He said he's not a fan of small wrestlers. His uncle, the Junkyard Dog, was a big man so Stephens grew up being surrounded by people like Andre The Giant, Earthquake, and other wrestlers that were no less than 6'5" and nearly 300 lbs.

He asked me point-blank, "If you met one of the current wrestlers in the business today, how many of them would honestly scare you?" He was obviously referring to their size, with most grapplers today standing closer to 5'10".

My answer, "None of them."

Its true. I'm not that big at 5'9 1/2" and not that heavy at a 150 lbs soaking wet, but even still I would match up physically against most of these guys pretty evenly. That being said, after thinking about it more, yeah the fear factor may be gone, but I don't think that's a bad thing to have smaller wrestlers carrying your product.

For one, to me they are much more entertaining than most of the lumbering mammoths we are forced to watch. You tell me, who would you rather watch wrestle for 20 minutes: Rey Mysterio or The Great Khali?

No you can't teach size, but you also can't teach mobility and physicality. There is only so much a seven-footer can do in the ring (clothesline, big boot, punch...) while a smaller more athletic guy can pull from an array of weapons like shooting-star presses, climbing the top rope, and jumping in and out of the ring with ease.

Back in the days of territory wrestling, giants made the money. They were the "freaks of nature" everyone came to see. But as time has moved on and the business changed, it's become more about the showmanship and the agility on display for the avid wrestling fan. Hence the need for a cruiserweight and light heavyweight division. But while Americans have taken a long time to figure out that smaller wrestling is where it's at, Mexican promotions have been keenly crafting the lucha libre style of wrestling for several decades. Even today, lucha fighting is considered some of the most breathtaking, acrobatic fighting styles you may ever bare witness to.

It seemed the era of the big man was beginning to dry out after Hulk Hogan and his 22-inch pythons saw his popularity decline in the later stages of the 90s. Replacing him were guys, who were smaller, but could wrestle their tails off.

Guys like Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho and the Hardy Boyz, along with countless others ushered in a new, high-flying style of cruiserweight wrestling that not only told better stories than that of their bigger counterparts, but took you on a ride with every single flip or dive.

Inventions like ladder matches, cage matches, and other extreme matches only served to further show the world the absolute skill these athletes display in the ring. It also used to be said that the small guy could never be a main-event wrestler, let alone a viable champion. That long-held belief has been shattered in recent years.

In the past three years, WWE has put its two heavyweight belts on Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio, Jeff Hardy, and CM Punk, none of whom stand over 6'3", while TNA has given its title to Kurt Angle and Christian Cage, also short men on the totem pole.

However, now it seems like the clock is starting to reverse back in some companies. Many WWE insiders say Vince McMahon, also a child of the "giants" era, is trying to bring back the "big man mentality", which would explain the rise of The Great Khali. Plus in both WWE and TNA, the cruiserweights and the X-Division guys are being severely under-utilized, and completely over-looked in favor of larger guys like Big Show, Triple H, and the Undertaker.

But if you ask me, the more exciting brand of wrestling is with the guys who may not be tall enough to "ride the ride", but have the heart to throw their bodies around like rag dolls off the top turnbuckle every single night!

The Ultimate Opportunist: Why the WWE's Edge Steals the Show and Title Belts

Ryan Dearbone — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:27:45 -0500

Well folks, he's done it again! The cat with nine lives has just added a few more to his cache`.

How many times have you seen a wrestler walk into a pay-per-view with the one championship, lose it, and leave with a totally different championship? Yeah me, neither.

Only the "Rated R Superstar" could pull off this type of feat. Not to mention the fact that Edge picked up his last WWE title reign by sliding into the Survivor Series after Jeff Hardy was beaten down by his brother Matt Hardy.

Despite that fact, Edge has been mainly used as a "transitional champion" (admit it all you "Edge-heads") to pass the belt along between Triple H, The Undertaker and other more long-term champions on the roster.

A 21-day run with the WWE Championship is hardly a legendary one like Hulk Hogan, Bob Backlund and other wrestling luminaries can claim, but a championship run is still a championship run... just ask Edge.

Although his total days as a singles heavyweight champ can't fill a calendar year, he's fast on the heels of Triple H and Ric Flair for the most times as champ.

Ever since Edge broke the glass ceiling to become a top singles wrestler, one thing was quite certain... no one was going to overlook Edge in the title picture.

Since then, he has eclipsed Triple H for having the sneakiest ways of picking up the belt in history. The former 12-time Tag Team champion, is on his eighth championship title run but almost none of them have been without some help.

If Matt Hardy didn't taken Jeff out in a blind rage and being married to the General Manager of Smackdown! Vickie Guerrero, Edge would never have had a chance to forcefully insert himself into the 2008 Armageddon Triple Threat match with Triple H and Vladimir Kozlov and leave with the belt.

Before that, in May of 2007, Edge took advantage of Mr. Kennedy by attacking him prior to a match for the "Money In The Bank" title shot.

Edge would make short work of Kennedy and cash in the MITB shot and defeat The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight title.

The opportunistic streak began when Edge took on a battered John Cena after Cena had retained the WWE belt against five other men in an Elimination Chamber match at New Year's Revolution 2006. Edge faced Ric Flair earlier that night for Flair's Intercontinental Championship but was disqualified.

Luckily for him, Mr. Copeland had the boss, Vincent Kennedy McMahon, in his back pocket. McMahon told a "dazed and confused" Cena that Edge was cashing in his first "Money In The Bank" title against Cena right there. Edge picked up the victory and the belt for his first title run.

However, the tables actually turned on Edge as CM Punk cashed in his "MITB" briefcase against Edge on Raw in June 2008. Punk pulled an Edge by beating a weakened "Rated R Superstar."

The spotlight is fully on Edge as we march towards Wrestlemania 25, however with Edge's track record it seems likely he won't hold onto his prized belt past the "greatest spectacle in sports-entertainment".

But as we've learned in recent months, and was confirmed by his actions at "No Way Out", if he does lose the title, he won't be without a belt for long and no one... I mean no one...will know when the "scruffy rock star wrestler" will strike next!

2008-2009 NBA Season: What You Should Look Out For!

Ryan Dearbone — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:54:37 -0400

The 2007-2008 season was huge for the NBA. We saw a legendary Boston Celtics organization regain its relevance and championship luster, thanks to three career under-achievers.

In addition, we bore witness to the domino effect of the Pau Gasol to Los Angeles trade, which set in motion trades bringing the “Big Aristotle” and “J-Kidd” back to the Western Conference.

So what storylines should NBA fanatics pay close attention to come October? Glad you asked—I have come up with the top two things to watch for this season:

Will last season’s “Domino Effect” trades work out better this year?

Many basketball experts are already calling the “Shaquille O’Neal to Phoenix” and “Jason Kidd to Dallas” trades big-time busts, since both teams limped into the playoffs and were promptly disposed of.

Yet you have to remember that both Kidd and O’Neal had less than a third of a season to acclimate themselves to squads with relative talent and a chance at being relevant, after spending most of their seasons on flat-lining teams in New Jersey and Miami respectively.

Now, both of these aging superstars will have time to really learn their new teams’ systems and contribute the way their new General Managers hoped they would last year.

Possibly with a ring.

Who’s the “Beast” of the East?

Say what you will about the Eastern Conference (and many people have—the term “Leastern Conference,” for example), but it does own three of the last five NBA championships.

Why is that? Because there is real talent over there on the East Coast, even if it is buried under these sub-.500 records and the weight of the Western Conference powerhouses.

Last season, the only Eastern Conference team you could have transplanted into the Western Conference successfully would have been the Celtics. Teams like Detroit, Orlando, and Cleveland were barely good enough to challenge the Mighty C’s for the East crown.

That will all change this year.

The Orlando Magic is on the rise, with a young nucleus of “Superman” Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, and rookie Courtney Lee.

A slightly younger but still versatile and talented Pistons team will also create problems for Boston’s attempt to repeat.

Don’t forget about the Toronto Raptors led by All-Star Chris Bosh. He has the skills to lead his team to the promised land.

So this season, while you are debating how stacked the West will be, you might want to glance over to the standings sheet in the East.

Go ahead and start plotting out your fantasy leagues and making your bold championship picks (mine is New Orleans over Boston in six), so you’ll be ready when the NBA season opens up in about two months.