Bleacher Report - Articles by Brian

Wrestlemania 25 Preview: The Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Brian — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:58:21 -0400

This year the WWE will host the Fifth Annual Money in the Bank Ladder Match at Wrestlemania 25 in Houston. Since its inception, every holder of the MITB championship contract has cashed it in to win a World Title.

Who will be 2009's Mr. Money In The Bank? Here is a detailed look at all of the competitors in this years MITB Ladder Match at the 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania.

MVP

The new United States Champion looks to continue his hot streak with a win on the grandest stage of them all.

MVP has yet to win at Wrestlemania, losing to Chris Benoit in a US Title Match at Wrestlemania 23 and losing in the MITB match last year at Wrestlemania 24.

This year MVP has momentum on his side—but will WWE's creative team allow a champion to win this match?

It wouldn't be the first time a superstar held the MITB briefcase and a singles title simultaneously. If you recall, Rob Van Dam won the Intercontinental Title while still holding the MITB briefcase in 2002.

Shelton Benjamin

The Gold Standard dropped his US Title this past week on Smackdown. Perhaps this means that WWE Creative has decided to push Benjamin toward greater things.

Benjamin has competed in, and lost, three out of the previous four MITB matches.

Would Shelton use a MITB contract to force a rematch with MVP? Could we even see a US Title Match immediately following the MITB if Benjamin wins?

Finlay

Finlay will be competing in his second MITB match this year. Finlay is a solid worker, and is likely in this match to be the receiver of some big bumps and help put some of the younger, more exciting wrestlers over.

He has to be considered a giant underdog, but he will surely provide at least a moment of comic relief with Hornswoggle in tow.

Christian

Upon Captain Charisma's return to the WWE, many fans were disappointed with his placement on ECW. After losing his ECW Title match against Jack Swagger, Christian looks to right the ship at Wrestlemania.

Christian, one of the superstars who participated in the first MITB at Wrestlemania 21, will be making his return to Wrestlemania.

With the Draft looming on the horizon, maybe Christian's peeps will get to see him cash in a title opportunity as a part of the Raw or Smackdown roster, or perhaps he will be looking for a second shot at Swagger.

Kane

The Big Red Machine, like Christian, will be competing in his second MITB overall and first since Wrestlemania 21.

After an impressive ECW Title victory at last year's Wrestlemania in Orlando, Kane looks to follow up with an even more impressive win in this grueling ladder match.

While big men and ladder matches often do not mesh well, Kane has been the exception to this rule. His agility for his size is often unmatched, and he has proven that he can hold his own in a match like this.

Mark Henry

The World's Strongest Man will be competing in his first MITB match, and his first Wrestlemania match since losing to the Undertaker in a casket match at Wrestlemania 22.

Like Finlay, it is highly unlikely that Mark Henry will be able to win this match, however he will make for a nice, soft cushion for Kingston, Benjamin, Christian and Punk to land on.

CM Punk

Last year's winner looks to become the first man to ever win back-to-back MITBs. This will be Punk's third consecutive Wrestlemania competing in the MITB.

After recently dropping his Intercontinental Title to JBL, Wrestlemania 25 could be the perfect opportunity for CM Punk to vault himself back into the World Title picture.

Kofi Kingston

Kingston looks to make a huge impact in his first Wrestlemania match.

Kingston has the goods to pull off some excellent spots in this ladder match, but it may be too early in his career for a victory of this caliber.

He doesn't seem quite ready for a World Title push, but he very well may create a memorable Wrestlemania moment in working his way there.

Author's Pick:

Shelton Benjamin

Pro Wrestling's Top 10 Submission Holds

Brian — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:07:31 -0500

The moment my grandfather introduced me to professional wrestling, is one that I will never forget. May, 27 1989 Saturday Night's Main Event - Hulk Hogan vs. The Big Bossman for the WWF Title in a Stell Cage Match - I was instantly hooked. Growing up in the Hulk-a-mania era, pro wrestling was all about the glitz, glamor, and sheer size. But as I grew a bit older I realized that technical ability in the ring was much more fun to watch than any Hulk Hogan match could ever be. I began to develop an affinity for submission holds. The idea of not just hitting your opponent so hard that they couldn't kick out from a three-count, but putting their body in a position of such pain that they would have to utter those dreaded words... "I Quit". These are the 10 Submission Holds that have made my stomach turn, please feel free to comment, or share holds that I may have omitted. And don't worry, the Khali Vice is not on the list... Enjoy!

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What Comes Next For Randy Orton's Legacy?

Brian — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:16:22 -0500

Over the last month, WWE fans have witnessed the birth of a new stable on Raw thanks to Randy Orton.

Comprised of top young talents, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase Jr., Orton, Manu, and Sim Snuka; The Legacy seemed ready to make a large impact in the sports entertainment world.

After being disqualified due to interference in his first match back from a broken collar bone, Orton punted DiBiase in the head taking him out of action and out of Legacy.

About seven weeks later, in a December 29 match with a "win and in" stipulation, Manu was unable to defeat ECW champion Matt Hardy, thereby losing his spot in the stable.

The Jan. 5 edition of Raw featured Sim Snuka and Cody Rhodes vs. Cryme Tyme in a tag team match. The Legacy partners were victorious with Cody Rhodes scoring the pin fall.

After the match Orton addressed the pair, he congratulated Rhodes on his victory and told Snuka that he is out of the group.

With only Orton and Rhodes remaining, the Legacy is officially no longer a stable, as a stable must consist of three or more members. So is this the end of Orton's group? Or will the Legacy continue on as a two man team?

Will Orton and Rhodes begin recruiting other second generation superstars? There are a handful of other superstars in WWE who fit the bill. Or will Orton turn his back on Cody as well?

As Baltimore-Sun Times columnist Kevin Eck pointed out in his recent "Ring Posts" blog, Randy Orton is now involved, in some way, in three main story lines on Raw with the Legacy, the JBL and Shawn Michaels dilemma, and most recently the Kane and Kelly Kelly saga.

What is next in store for the Legend Killer?

I for one hope The Legacy does not become the best stable that could-have-been as much as I am hoping that a Randy Orton baby face turn does not occur in the near future.

Our President Is Black, Why Not Our WWE Champion?

Brian — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:34:26 -0500

Over the years, the WWE's black superstars have held a wide variety of titles. From Shelton Benjamin and MVP's US Title reigns, to Mark Henry and Bobby Lashley's ECW Heavyweight Title reigns. However, there is one that the Company has yet to entrust to a black man, the WWE Championship.

Booker T, Bobby Lashley, and Mark Henry have all held world championships in the WWE, but none have claimed the "most coveted prize" in sports entertainment. The WWE title has been reserved for the company's elite, the performers who the WWE rely on to carry their shows, sell merchandise, and ultimately; make money.

Lashley and Henry have both held the ECW title, which most will agree is little more than a consolation prize, and King Booker has held more titles in his professional career than most of the WWE roster—yet he was never given a chance with a WWE title run.

Instead of elevating a black performer to the ranks of headliner, the WWE continuously thrusts its black employees into gimmicks that feed stereotypes and offer no character development.

R-Truth, the ghetto black man who came from the hood and made a life for himself in WWE. MVP, the cocky black athlete who flashed his bling and wears a doo-rag. And then there is Cryme Tyme, a gimmick that those two very talented young men should be ashamed of as black performers.

Despite the WWE's attempts to appeal to the minority demographic, they have yet to give a real, solid push to a black entertainer. It is almost 2009, our great country has elected a black President, yet the WWE continually neglects the black community, and deprives all fans of some potentially great champions.

Philadelphia Phillies: Don't Let Pat Burrell Get Away!

Brian — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:09:23 -0400

At the end of this 2008 season, often maligned Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell's contract will end, making him a free agent.

The current deal of 6-years/$50 million was signed before the 2003 season, and has been considered by many fans to be a bad move by Phillies management.

Burrell has struggled mightily at times, but has shown more consistency over the last few seasons, averaging 30+ HR and 103 RBI for the 2005, 2006, and 2007 seasons. For his career, Burrell averages 27 HR and 90 RBI per season.

Most of all, "Pat the Bat" is very successful against the National League East rival New York Mets. In 147 games against them, Burrell has hit 42 HR and has 104 RBI, not to mention his 90 BB and .364 OBP. This success has given him the nickname "Met Killer".

For all of these reasons, along with the fact that Burrell actually WANTS to play in Philadelphia, I hope the Phillies make a strong attempt to keep Burrell from testing the free agent market this fall.