Bleacher Report - Articles by AkD

Babies Don't Just Turn into Adults: Shelton Benjamin and WWE's Grand Design II

AkD — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:11:56 -0500

What's everyone word? I couldn't come up with a solid answer, but all that matters is the future right?

There it is.

The WWE have shown and took steps of looking ahead with pushing and or beginning to push the slew of young stars from Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Eric Escobar, Miz, Kofi Kingston, John Morrison, and a few others. The stars today are the superstars tomorrow and everyone just can't wait for their stars to become supernovas.

A step was taken even further with Sheamus earning the No. 1 contendership against John Cena at the WWE TLC PPV. On ECW WWE took it a step further as Shelton Benjamin earned his shot against Christian and will face the ECW champion in a ladder match for the ECW championship.

This could be it; this could be it.

Benjamin defeated Zack Ryder to become the No. 1 contender in a great match going over 10 minutes giving both talents enough time to showcase their skills. The "no reaction" people can shut their mouths because the crowd was hot for Benjamin, the IWC came out this time for the Gold Standard.

Before the match started there were "Let's go Shelton" chants, a chant that John Morrison isn't getting these days, so eat your heart out John Harris.

Ashley Morris wishes well for Benjamin as do myself, but eat your heart out too. The "no charisma" folks better find something else to shoot down about Benjamin 'cause that nonsensical claim just became even more nonsensical. Kofi got the push (and I'm happy for him and Dub), but Benjamin might be on his way to becoming the face of ECW, he'll run his own brand even if it's the C show.

WWE had a Grand Design (Benjamin's nickname dubbed by Matt Striker) all along, but many didn't want to listen. Yoshi Tatsu and Zack Ryder couldn't get title shots on PPVs because they aren't credible enough and Survivor Series is all about the teams; so, ECW's three PPV drought wasn't to spit in the face of ECW though WWE does, but it was a strategy to stall until they could pull the trigger on Benjamin vs Christian.

R-Truth and John Morrison used Shelton as stepping stones sweeping him in feuds and destroying any credibility Benjamin had left earlier this year in the spring. When he was drafted to ECW everyone started to make funeral arrangements for his career and now, baby now, the bandwagon is about to head out of the station.

Benjamin has broken through to the audience into the television of children and new age fans slowly and it's starting to pay off. The IWC is on fire, Captain Charisma vs. The Gold Standard in a ladder match has folks marking all across the country.

Shelton Benjamin lost on his first night on ECW this year to newcomer Yoshi Tatsu and went on a winning streak that lasted about four months before losing to a RAW bound Sheamus after the rug was pulled from under him. The big boys could no longer hold back WWE's greatest athlete and the fans were finally giving it to them.

Shelton chants filled the air as we all knew it was finally coming and my goodness it did. WWE or WHC title? No, but true fans can really appreciate what is being done here. In back to back nights two guys who have never been world champion are now receiving world title shots at WWE TLC.

Unlike Regal, Ryder, and Tastu, it was Christian who proposed the challenge to Shelton asking him to steal the show with him at TLC. It may be the mark in me speaking, but you can just feel the intensity in the air, the hype, the relief, the joy, the near catharsis.

Benjamin asked him if he was out of his mind to challenge him to a ladder match and Christian told him that they'd both be in the best ladder highlights of the decade if they were shown. Benjamin told him he'd be his partner in crime accepting the challenge and the crowd erupted.

This is a championship match seven years in the making as WWE's most prestigious title (at the moment) will be on the line in a ladder match between two ring vets, two ladder vets, and two of WWE's greatest workers. Christmas is coming early people. Dare I say it may be a potential match of the year candidate if WWE lets them steal the show.

Shelton Benjamin as ECW champion can be simply out of this world, the ECW champion isn't valued by the title itself, but the holder. Big Show's title reign was the best to date since ECW resurfaced and Christian's current reign is nothing short of marvelous. Benjamin already puts on near five star matches every night; he'd outshine Cena and 'Taker on the C brand as champion with his undeniable abilities.

This teaches us all one thing:

WWE knew Shelton was too damn good to give up on.

Don't forget that line. He'll be in one of the four main events in WWE's last PPV of the year while John Morrison (I like him, but not his bandwagon) and he rest of "THE FUTURE" will be sitting out. Ask R-Truth "What's up?!"

Ask Ziggler why he's being bamboozled and ask Morrison why he's 0-2 against The Miz and why his Intercontinental reign is almost bland. Ask why isn't Drew McIntyre getting a title shot if Sheamus got one? Ask why is Jack Swagger just floating around?

They're all great stars, but the future isn't just yet people, guys like Cena, Edge, Orton, and Benjamin will carry the load when Trips, 'Taker, Batista, and HBK are gone. Babies don't turn into adults, they turn to teens first and it'll be the teen who'll step it up when the adults are on social security.

There is only so much ways, so much excuses, so much reasons that could have been done to deny Shelton Benjamin a push and receiving one seven years later shows how important he is to the company, it shows his career's longevity as well.

A role model backstage, a mentor to young stars, a loyal company man, a fantastic in ring talent, and a fan base that have been supportive for nearly a decade shows the type of star Benjamin is. Many of the greatest stars in WWE history had to wait nearly a decade like Shelton and this could be the beginning of the rest of Benjamin's career, the ceiling might just be shattered after all.

If Shelton Benjamin merchandise is on the way you better believe I'm buying it all!

His day is coming, oh baby it's coming.

Ain't No Stopping Him...NOOOOO!

MvM: The Follower of the Standard and Beyond

AkD — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:27:18 -0500

What Maniac?

-Most Underrated Wrestler (2005-2007)
-Ranked No. 9 on PWI's Top 500 Wrestlers (2005)
-Undefeated against Chris Jericho in one-on-one competition
-Three Clean wins over Triple H
-Three-time Intercontinental Champion (Ranked No. 10 all-time for number of total days with belt: 354)
-Three-time Tag Team Champion (OVW w/ Brock Lesnar)
-Two-time WWE Tag Team Champion (w/ Charlie Haas)
-U.S. Champion/Longest running champion of 2008
-Tag Team of the Year (2003 w/ Haas)
-Retained WWE Tag Titles at Wrestlemnania XIX w/Haas
-Money in the Bank Pioneer
-Future WWE/World Heavyweight champ

The above milestones are those of Shelton Albert Benjamin. Benjamin's middle name is my first name. Yes folks, AkD's first name is Albert. It is really a coincidence and It makes me believe more and more that I was meant to be a supporter, meant to be a believer of the standard, meant to be the preacher of "Ain't No Stopping Me!" The above milestones are also things that I've memorized and can recite them on command, I know these before knowing the meanings of certain terms.

I am athletically gifted like the Gold Standard, but not to the same extent. I cannot do his front and back flips, nor his overcastle (also called blockbuster) from the ring ropes. I do have great balance, speed, hangtime, and strength. Whatever show Benjamin is on is the best show in my eyes, and I think I can prove it!

Oh yeah, I might be paranoid, but let's give it a try, shall we?! Oh yes, here we go! SmackDown in 2002-2004 owned RAW in 2002-2004, right? We're talking Eddie Guerrero, Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar, The Undertaker, Rob Van Dam, and a great tag team division which included Too Cool, APA, The Bashams, and The World's Greatest Tag Team!

How we can also forget JBL's epic WWE title reign!

Benjamin goes to RAW and has the longest Intercontinental title reign of the 21st century. That is no exaggeration, as it still stands today. His first IC title reign lasted 244 days, the most since The Rock in 1997! Those are cold, HARD FACTS, unlike Miz and Morrison saying they were the greatest tag team of the 21st century.

Pssshhh, they couldn't even get the nod at Wrestlemania XXV against the Colons! in a dark match! Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas were the best tag team of the 21st century having the best tag team title defense at a Wrestlemania so far for the century.

Chris Benoit, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels also had one of the greatest triple threat matches off all time at Wrestlemania XX, before it got dragged down where the match is today.

I'm only one of few people who still remembers that Chris Jericho has never defeated Shelton Benjamin. I love Benjamin so much I took this picture with my friend's camera while walking over the Brooklyn Bridge! I've become a member and have work published on Shelton-Benjamin.net .

I met the Hart Dynasty downtown, but all I could think about was meeting Shelton Benjamin. If I had more time to speak with them, I would have told them to get a good word in for the Gold Standard, but they're far off worse in mic card hell with Cryme Tyme! I have abandoned Randy Orton for Shelton Benjamin because there's simply not enough room for that much loyalty.

Seeing Benjamin retain the WWE Tag Titles at Wrestlemania XIX was so special because Rock and Austin battled for the last time, Triple H took on Booker T, Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle put on one hell of a match, and the same goes for Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels that night.

Whatever Shelton Benjamin is a part of, it's gold! ECW is the top brand right now. Before you flip your lids, take a look at Christian's epic ECW title reign, the peeps are going crazy, he's had it since July and Taker, Punk, Jeff Hardy, Cena, Triple H, or Orton can't say the same.

No one cares about the C brand anyway, right?! Of course! There's some more social construction for you. I'm still waiting for Shelton Benjamin to become ECW champion, and apparently so is the WWE Universe in the longest-running thread since Shelton arrived in the land of extreme on June 28th. Nearly five months later, it goes on, because Benjamin will do it and I and all those people believe it.

How many other people can say that they've chased Shelton Benjamin, let alone any other WWE superstar, who was in a car down 34th street off of Madison Square Garden in New York City? Layla El was smoking hot in the backseat, but I didn't care about her! She didn't exist, only Benjamin did. I even passed by Arn Anderson and didn't care! I went through traffic and construction without regard for anyone else's life and maybe my own.

Only one of my five POTDs wasn't about or didn't include Shelton Benjamin.

Oscillating 2 & 3 ...and you can bet on the fourth focusing on Benjamin finally becoming a world champion.

He's the reason why I still am a fan of wrestling, he's the reason why I watch ECW. Before he was drafted again to the land of extreme, I barely watched it at all, and now I'm fully behind the Tuesday night show and all of its stars.

I've argued for him night and day and will go against anyone, even if they're nonsensical babbling idiots. If I have a son, I'm naming him Shelton or Benjamin. I'll pass on my Shelton Benjamin action figures to him along with the World Heavyweight Championship he has around his waist! I'm apart of every Shelton Benjamin fan page on Facebook, rooting him on with the rest of the followers of the standard.

"Ain't No Stopping Me" by Axel is my hype song and is also Shelton Benjamin's theme song. Whenever I'm playing sports or playing video games, that song is playing in the background or in my surround sound stereo headset.

Did you know Benjamin is a multiple OVW tag champion with Brock Lesnar?

He was on his way to the 2000 Olympics, but he gave it all up to wrestle for the WWE. He and Charlie Haas put on clinics in the ring, out-shining everyone. I was truly mesmerized and still am to this day. Seven years later, and I'm a bigger supporter than ever before.

He was dubbed the Gold Standard and striker dubbed him WWE's Grand Design because he simply is. He is virtually a template for every type of wrestler and it is that very reason why he is still around today. Benjamin can fly like Jeff Hardy, can get technical like Kurt Angle, can slam like a powerhouse, and can deliver a superkick like Shawn Michaels.

I knew he'd go down as one of the greatest after having the TV Match of year in 2005 (Part 1 & 2 ). I get giddy every time I watch it; he turned the Sweet Chin Music from a superkick to a inhumane kick. The most underrated wrestler in the WWE and yet it is known he's one of the best. What gives?

Randy Orton himself said Benjamin should be a world champ! Where's the charisma? Right here .

Once in history class I was asked to speak on Benjamin Franklin and I started off my speech by saying, "Shelton Benjamin was one of our great founding fathers." During gym class, when I was in middle school, I T-Bone suplexed a kid and got suspended for a day because he was crying, but I didn't care! No one bad talks Shelton Benjamin and gets away on my watch! He is the pioneer of the MITB match, him winning it would be epic, he's owned in every one he was in and has done much more than just spots.

My computer background is Shelton Benjamin, my laptop background is Shelton Benjamin, my Zune wallpaper is Shelton Benjamin, and the same goes for my Xbox 360 dashboard wallpaper. I and other followers of the standard have set out all across the web and country to represent the Gold Standard in anyway we can!

Being a Benjamin fanatic is a gift and a curse. We'll always get pounded into the ground for Benjamin not becoming a main eventer or having a lack of charisma, but we can appreciate what he's done and continue to strive for him to gain one of the three world titles and yeah, ECW counts as one, even if you say it doesn't. He had his bandwagon back in '04, but the true fans stayed with the standard when the going got tough.

After starting out the year with a horrendous win/loss ratio putting over the likes of R-Truth and John Morrison, Benjamin now finds himself safe and sound in the land of extreme, only racking up one loss in the last five months. Before all of that, he was the longest-reigning champion of 2008 as the U.S. Champ; he's only gone one year without holding gold in the WWE. He currently is earning votes for the Power 25; keep your eyes on the prize folks, the P25 is always the push foreshadower.

There were truly many up and down moments in wrestling, but if Shelton Benjamin were to win the WWE or WHC title (or even the ECW), it'll be the greatest wrestling moment I've ever experienced. Until that happens, I'll continue to argue, defend, debate, scream, smile, and cheer for the WWE's Grand Design.

Call me nuts, but you'll see in due time.

The Real Deal

This MvM is straight nonsense, I don't have to prove anything to anyone because it is known how much I'm a fan of Benjamin. Any person, any idiot, any know-it-all, screw them. The folks who go "poor Shelton," "I really like Shelton," or "I don't know why he hasn't gotten the push blah blah," aren't fans in my eyes; if they were they'd stop the sob stories and shut the hell up. For all the hype about "THE FUTURE," everyone sure seems content on revisiting the past.

There aren't any Benjamin fans here, there aren't any believers here, there is no B/R Maniac or Maniac vs. Maniac, there is only I, the follower of the standard. Outside of the few that actually support the WWE's Grand Design (except for a few), the rest of you can get the hell off my boat and take your "I don't why...," "I feel sorry...," and "I wish he..." stories with you.

The rest can try and prove that they are the biggest maniac, but I could care less, because my loyalty and faith in Benjamin eclipses the feeble attempts of everyone else trying to win this contest.

Why write this if I don't care? Just to show the loyalty and to tell off the folks who believe they are supporters or believers. Benjamin fans, like other fans, don't dwell on the sob stories or what the big guys want of him; we cheer, we root, we support, and we look ahead.

The Great Chase!

Keeping the crusade strong, Ak out.

Resetting The Standards & Thunderclapped!: How Close Is The Future?

AkD — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:29:25 -0400

Until Monday Night RAW last night the "future" that everyone drooled and babbled about for so long seemed so distant. Shots were fired into the pie holes of all of the folks screaming "Ted DiBiase Jr. vs Randy Orton!," shutting them up for the time being, a la Christian as Jeff Hardy's attacker earlier this year.

Kofi Kingston was attacked by Randy Orton on Monday Night RAW in frustration over losing his title, feud with John Cena, and future rematches against the chaingang commander.

His attitude wasn't adjusted, as Cena had set out to do, and attacking Kingston was a logical move. He chased Rhodes and DiBiase away with a steel chair in hand during his iron man match against John Cena at Bragging Rights.

Cody Rhodes blamed Kofi Kingston for Team RAW's loss though Big Show was obviously at fault turning his back on RAW thus Chris Jericho and Smackdown reigning supreme.

Big Show has done this before three years back when ECW first resurfaced betraying RAW to join the land of extreme and he was also partners with Chris Jericho as well as unified tag champions with him.

Degeneration X is truly at fault for trusting him, but back to the topic. Kingston received flak and a beat down at the hands of Legacy twice in two nights and also was on the receiving end of a massive chokeslam from Benedict Show.

He failed to get the dub at Bragging Rights, but he sizzled on RAW the next night finally snapping destroying Orton's Legend killer NASCAR vehicle.

He smashed it in with a crowbar shattering the windshield and poured orange paint all over it completely ruining the car.

"Is that a fly?! I got it Randy, I GOT IT RANDY!"

Poor fly, it must have been completely smashed as one shot apparently didn't do the job. For the first time there was trouble in paradise and Kingston wasn't in danger himself.

The Viper must now prove that his poison is still feared on RAW and he'll be slithering in the grass now that Shawn Michaels and Triple H have earned (not at all) their title shots for the WWE championship, meeting John Cena at Survivor Series.

Orton will be looking to have Teddy and Cody do his dirty work and stack the deck on the once-upon-a-time Jamaican star, but I believe the world's strongest jar of Kool-Aid and the the ballin' ex-convict will be on hand if needed.

There was definitely an SOS, but it was a signal for Kingston's big break. Kingston worked hard with a great U.S. title run that lasted most of the year before losing it to the Miz and now he's getting his payoff.

On the other side of the side, Sheamus somehow escaped the realms of the land of extreme faster than anyone I've ever seen. At first, I was surprised and then I became disappointed that Jamie Noble had to be squashed instead of regular jobber.

Apparently, it was Triple H who was responsible for it; I personally believe the move is possibly a triple threat formula of doom. The move may not been seen as critical to many, but holes are left and not filled and we're left without knowing if this was the right move to make, though I believe it wasn't.

Why would you bring Sheamus to RAW if Evan Bourne and Jack Swagger as still hanging around? The question will be where will he stand in the pecking order?

He should have stayed on ECW where the fans could become more familiar with him before dragging him to RAW. The same thing was seen with the Hart Dynasty and Evan Bourne; they're just hanging along for the ride.

If they had stayed on ECW longer their stock could have raised and they would have been a much bigger priority when being drafted to the red and blue brands.

Jack Swagger would be an excellent counter and executor to that theory, having been around in ECW for long enough and is struggling just to get a US title shot. Sheamus is talented, but his move should have been done at next year's draft.

This move, along with the "blockbuster" tri-branded diva and 15-man trades, makes it the third non-draft movement of the year. So much for brand extension.

Sheamus had an on-going feud with Shelton Benjamin, which had an anticipated finish, feuding for over a month without a clean win for either of the stars. Sheamus was learning from an experienced vet and Benjamin was in the process of rebooting his face character and it was going well.

There is no pressure on ECW and all it takes is a slip up and he can join the Colons on Superstars...well at least one of them.

Shelton Benjamin is now left hanging after making great strides towards the ECW Championship and could end up on the back burner due to the big boys not having anything for him after this huge swerve transpired.

The ending to the feud would have benefited both stars if Benjamin had gone over banishing Sheamus from the land of extreme resulting in his RAW tenure, leaving the door open for future angles with the two with a good backstory.

The third threat is Hornswoggle. I always said all it takes is a Hornswoggle angle and Sheamus is finito. Obviously Sheamus isn't going to destroy him because he's popular amongst the children and is used for comedy, so add up the math for yourself and tell me what happens if Sheamus runs into him?

With both the WWE and US titles occupied, Sheamus will be squashing jobbers from local ones to Evan Bourne and he'll be one wrong encounter away from Monday Night Circus with the Masterpiece, Chavo Guerrero, and Hornswoggle himself. On the other hand, everything could turn out for the greater good.

Only time will tell, but with Escobar and McIntyre on Smackdown, Kofi rising, and possibly Sheamus rising on RAW, Yoshi Tatsu winning over the ECW crowd, and with Shelton Benjamin waiting in the wings, hopefully on the cusp of an ECW title run, the future may be not as far as it initially was with the current steps that have been taken.

Social Construction and WWE's Grand Design

AkD — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:31:14 -0400

All aboard! Tickets to Shelton Benjamin's bandwagon on sale now!

WWE's second biggest sale next to Wrestlemania XXVI goes on sale now, that's right folks, you and your love ones can ride on the Gold Standard Express in a few months' time.

For those who aren't familiar with Mr. Benjamin, he's the guy who people like to claim has no charisma and cannot draw whatsoever.

One thing about social constructionism is that if enough people reinforce an idea or belief, it becomes a fact in our societies and reality. Money exists only because it was agree upon and constructed, it wouldn't have existed without us.

"Face reality, Shelton Benjamin can't draw and never will."

What is reality?

The aforementioned line is a classic one we hear all too much, but why go against the grain? If so much people state that line then gosh, what's wrong with the people who think otherwise?

Reinforcement makes beliefs true and that's the way it was, is, and will be. Our constructions can take us to positive heights of optimism, who says everything has to be negative?

"John Morrison pops are crazy and he draws so much, he's definitely a future star ! Where's his title shot?"

One is entitled to his or her opinion which can be seen above in bold, however how true is the first part of the statement? Get a bib and wipe your mouths people, Morrison is bland as a face and has the worst face turn of 2009.

That line cannot be true at all because it hasn't been reinforced enough. When reinforced enough our self-esteem and confidence grows and we'll stand behind the belief stronger than before thus leaving folks like me to equate to absolutely insane with the rest of the minority.

This fear of being singled out as the "oddball" forces us to reinforce what we've heard so much and what is accepted thus conformity, which leads to the big ol' bandwagon.

Who would believe me if I said Benjamin is capable of drawing? If I said Benjamin's pops are increasing as the weeks go by? That he'll be a future world champion?

Who would believe me if I said Morrison can wrestle, but that's it? Who would believe me if I said "Mr. Ziggles" sounds like something Hornswoggle would say?

Who would believe me if I said Morrison's pops aren't that huge? Who would believe me if I said Morrison's face turn wasn't great at all?

This is no knock against Morrison, but the realities that we create, to the beliefs we agree upon to become facts.

Truth is, very little to no people would believe those questions and beliefs and those who are influenced, riding bandwagons, and or afraid of going against the grain because of our friend conformity will come on and tell me that I'm just some silly mark. That will be reinforced thus becoming true and that's how it works.

MVP would have had the worst face turn as he had lost all of this steam and character not too long after jumping from Smackdown to Raw.

The thing about his face turn was that it was somewhat worked on, MVP had a massive losing streak and in his darkest days the crowds brought him to light as the MVP he is today.

John Morrison was attacked by the Miz after he was drafted to Smackdown and all it took was a slap from Chris Jericho and BAM! he's not only a face, but the flawless charismatic character that is the next HBK if not better who will also be the company's future shining beacon. Jericho slapped the character out of him because he's bland now.

The neutral position is quickly destroyed in this process. Applying the Morrison situation, those who believe he's okay, average, and or decent will find themselves overwhelmed by the increasingly reinforced idea that Morrison is nothing short of excellence and the pressure inevitably and ultimately becomes so much that they abandon those beliefs and hop on the wagon.

There are exceptions, and AkD is one of them. The worst cases are those who insist that you're a "hater" and don't even notice that they've gave in to conformity and the ideas and beliefs that we've constructed.

Opinions often get lost in the mix because sometimes it becomes difficult to tell an honest opinion from an opinion bred from our on reinforcement of theories from construction.

Even within the kayfabe realms these things are ongoing, the big boys use them right before your eyes and turn the tables on you then you hop on the wagon.

Jeff Hardy has been criticized for a handful of things, but to stay on topic, people have been saying that he'll never get the big one, he's a spot monkey who can't wrestle.

Soon enough, stars say the same things in promos and he just so happens to finally win a world championship. Hardy's supporters increase and there are those who still dislike him.

We can say Hardy really sucks, but it was extremely easy to take jabs at him rather than support him when he finally wins the big one. Pats on the back for fellas like Justin Thomas who roughed it out.

Hardy got the opposite effect and instead of a positive conformity he received a negative one. We as humans like to belong to groups, we lose personal identity and gain a social one, the diffusion of responsibility takes it course.

How could one be wrong if so many people say Hardy sucks? How hard is it to join the anti-Hardy club?

He's had legal problems, but I'd like to keep it with the squared circle. I myself am not a fan of Jeff Hardy, but I am aware of these constructions around us and am I not influenced by them.

Persistence is easier said then done and it becomes double as difficult when one is going against the grain. It is unfair to say people all joined the wagon because truth is we all made the wagon together, one person NEVER makes the wagon.

We do have similar ideas and when we come together to spread and reinforce them then that builds the wagon and the pressure that comes with it.

Shelton Benjamin hasn't lost in four months, has increased pops, and a story that is bringing out the character within him. He's wrestling with an intensity different than before, but would you believe me?

I'm not looking for head nods, just looking to sell tickets to Benjamin's bandwagon.

Laugh it off, it's not going to happen, but we'll see some months down the line. Will he be praised like Morrison?

Most likely not, but a lot of folks will come out of wood works, somehow forget that they said Benjamin couldn't do it, and put on their best impression of a true Benjamin fan such as yours truly. If they get singled out they'll take the neutral route.

Benjamin's wagon will go either way upon the reception of his big win as he seems on route to become the new face of ECW.

Maybe it's a little early to jump the gun, but hey I got four months of being undefeated for reasoning apposed to being slapped by Chris Jericho and becoming dubbed the future of the company.

Morrison is an extremely talented wrestler, but by no means is he light years ahead of Shelton Benjamin or anyone else.

We have ideas and beliefs, but we have to be aware of the realities we create.

I'll leave you with one statement which many will say is bold though I believe it will be clear as day when the dust settles:

Shelton Benjamin will have the best face turn of 2009 hands down.

He's currently being built stronger than 90 percent of the roster and the fact that WWE are persistent with pushing him shows he will make it big otherwise he'd be hanging out with Jimmy Wang Yang, Jamie Noble, and Charlie Haas, all great wrestlers who WWE have left out to dry.

As good as Benjamin is in the ring he could easily be placed among them, but he isn't. What does that tell you?

Don't just watch, listen. Jim Ross has praised him has heel and face and Striker dubbed him WWE's Grand Design. He's the only guy on the ECW roster to have yet to encounter the Ruthless Roundtable and he has he yet to have gotten a title shot despite a four month win streak.

Add Christian's clean win over Jericho and title reign since July which equates to the second longest reigning champ currently (Michelle McCool is first, won Women's title at The Bash in June) and you have probably the two best built stars going colliding for the championship.

What other two stars are capable of stealing the show at TLC?

I'll let you folks sleep on that.

Little hints and clues are placed before us, but we're too focused on other things to notice.

Then again, I'm a huge mark...what do I know? Get your tickets now!

Pro Wrestling Zooming Lens: Constructing an Extreme Prediction

AkD — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:21:34 -0400

I've written many pieces here on B/R, but I haven't had a hand in too many preview/predictions and decided to give it a shot.

I was never a big fan of them because a majority of time (99.9 percent) you'll come across ridiculous predictions that just won't happen even if you got the chance to run it by WWE officials themselves.

I've been away for a while and kept watch here and there so I'm sure I could easily pull out some nonsense tagged under "predictions," but any who know the great AkD or at least are familiar with him know what he's all about..those who don't, too bad.

I've been forced to regularly watch ECW as a result of my favorite star Shelton Benjamin being traded there during Donald Trump's blockbuster (desperation draft) 15-man tri-branded trade.

ECW was robbed/looted of all their talent blah blah what's new?

Ah yes William Regal and his Ruthless Roundtable. Those who don't watch ECW because it's not good enough for their eyes can fill in the missing spots and get up to date on Rountable and rise to power here.

Between Jobacy and the Hart Dynasty, the Roundtable is easily a superior stable and the best in the entire company. Regal is simply the Chris Jericho of ECW and Jackson and Kozlov are Big Shows with the exceptions that they talk less and destroy more.

Captain no Common sense has his plate filled with these terrifying terrors, who've already showed him on numerous occasions that they mean business

Relax Sunshine

Regal can relax and make all the jokes he wants standing behind the Soviet War Machine and the Wrecking Ball from Harlem, N.Y., especially when all Captain Crunch has for back up is old Jobby Dreamer.

Many are quick to dimiss the heart and soul of ECW, but he's worth a lot more and accomplished more than you think.

Regardless, Dreamer isn't going to relive his glory days and was lucky to have received one last run as ECW champion.

The number game continues to pile up on the protagonists and the only standard that can turn the tables is facing some woo-woo idiot that gets gassed and winded and is incapable of having a lengthy match.

He says woo woo-woo because he's out of breath.

With the Hurricane and the Ripper locked up for now, I decided to make a lengthy prediction from now to Wrestlemania 26 orbiting around the ECW title, and the man who would, could, and should enter the ECW title orbit: Shelton Benjamin.

Dreamer is out of picture, and Regal and Christian already have one match (shafted for eight seconds) at Summerslam under their feud file. Breaking Point will be the second ECW title encounter between the two, so we'll start there.

Breaking Point, Hell in a Cell, and Bragging Rights are the next three events. Let Christian win one last time at Breaking Point though Regal has the submission and should win just to solidify a nice three Pay-Per-View reign and have Regal capture it at Bragging Rights. Here is where it could get tricky, two options:

By this point Regal and Christian will have faced at Summerslam, Breaking Point, and Bragging Rights, this isn't RAW we don't have to use Orton/Cena/Trips forever.

Regal winning at Bragging Rights of course should result in Christian's rematch clause, which could be on ECW to finish him off or take it to Hell in a Cell for the fourth consecutive Pay-Per-View match between the two, which should be the last. Five or more is too much, especially given how often titles changes hands and especially for a one-hour show.

Looking at all angles of the square, it is possible that Regal will walk away without the ECW title. It's viewed as very unlikely as face versus face feuds aren't the toast of the town but the title could leave Christian's hands without it falling into Regal's and all it takes is a match involving more than those two men like Swagger/Dreamer/Christian at Extreme Rules 2009.

So speaking hypothetically, let's say Christian somehow overcomes the odds and retains at Breaking Point, that will be two Pay-Per-View wins over Regal and that means he'll have to win at Bragging Rights or he's out of chances.

The length of this feud is unknown, but they cannot keep their stars in limbo for too long so something has to give.

To put it all in a nutshell, I've taken a shot in attempting to cover as much angles I can and came up with the following below.

There are many random, sudden, and hidden factors that could come into play, which includes injuries, releases, backstage heat, etc, but let's just say none of those occur.

Christian wins at Breaking Point:

A) Regal gets blown off at Hell in a Cell

B) Regal wins at Hell in a Cell

Regal wins at Breaking Point:

A) Christian gets rematch for Hell in a Cell and gets blown off

B) Christian loses at Hell in a Cell, but gets one last shot at Hell in a Cell

C) If they want to speed things up and head in a different direction; Christian loses rematch on ECW and is blown off (Unlikely)

Hell in a Cell:

A) Christian gets rematch and is defeated by Regal for ECW title [This option is only available if Christian defeats Regal at Breaking Point if the match is even booked for Pay-Per-View at all]

B) Regal gets third ECW title match and loses thus getting blown off [This option is only available if Regal loses to Christian for the ECW title at Breaking Point given there is an ECW title match at the event]

*Champions usually move on to new challengers after defeating the same challenger three consecutive times at three consecutive Pay-Per-Views thus the reason for blowing off Regal

Bragging Rights:

A) Defending champ Regal versus Christian in second rematch and defeats him thus blowing him off [This option is only available if Regal defeats Christian at Breaking Point and again at Hell in a Cell]

B) Defending champ Christian gets a filler ECW title match (Most likely multiple competitors) and walks out Champ. [This option is only available if Regal is blown off at Hell in a Cell]

*This option may be unlikely given the frequency of title changes, however Kofi Kingston has held the U.S. title for a while now

Survivor Series:

A) Shelton Benjamin receives ECW title shot

Defeats champion Regal and becomes champion [This option is only available if Regal is ECW champion]

Loses to champion Regal sets up feud between the two [This option is only available if Regal is ECW champion]

Defeats champion Christian (Unlikely he'll still be champ) [This option is only available if Christian is still champ]

Wins ECW title in multiple man match

B) Shelton Benjamin Participates in traditional Survivor Series tag match

Armageddon:

A) Shelton Benjamin finally becomes ECW champion a la Jeff Hardy and WHC defeats champion Regal [This option is only available if Benjamin lost in an ECW title match, did not receive a shot at Survivor Series, or participated in a traditional Survivor Series tag match]

B) Loses 2nd ECW title opportunity [This option only available if Benjamin competed for ECW title at Survivor Series]

Royal Rumble 2010:

A) Shelton Benjamin finally becomes ECW champion [This option is only available if Benjamin was defeated at Armageddon for ECW title or did not receive a title match]

B) Shelton Benjamin's reign is short lived and Regal regains ECW title [This option is only available if Benjamin is ECW champion coming into the Rumble]

C) Shelton Benjamin competes in Royal Rumble [This option is only available if Benjamin does not receive a title match at the Rumble, if he is not champion, and or if no ECW title match is booked for the Rumble]

No Way Out 2010:

A) ECW champion William Regal is given filler ECW title match [This option is only available if Regal is ECW champion and if Benjamin or Christian wins Rumble (Both Unlikely)]

B) Christian or Regal receives title shot [This option is only available if Regal or Christian is ECW champion and if there is a build/plan for a triple threat match at WM26]

Wrestlemania 26:

A) Shelton Benjamin versus William Regal versus Christian (Triple threat or one one one bouts) for ECW Championship.

Shelton Benjamin becomes two-time (or first-time) ECW champion [This option is only available if Benjamin won the Rumble and chose to face the ECW champion, was an ECW champion prior to the title match and/or won No. 1 contendership, and/or if WWE plans to move Christian and Roundtable from ECW and plans to make Benjamin face of ECW (Unlikely he'll stay down there)]

Christian becomes three-time ECW champion [This option is only available if Christian lost the ECW title prior to WM26, if Regal or Benjamin is ECW champ, if he wins the Rumble and chooses ECW title match, and or if WWE plans to move Roundtable and Benjamin from ECW]

Regal wins ECW title match [This option is only available if Benjamin or Christian is ECW champion prior to WM26, and or if WWE plans to move Christian, Benjamin, and or break up and move Roundtable from ECW]

Regal vs Benjamin and Christian enters MITB [This option is only available if WWE plans to move Christian out of ECW as well as Benjamin or Regal]

B) Shelton Benjamin wins MITB [This option is only available if Benjamin isn't in ECW title match, isn't ECW champion, and WWE is ready to move him to RAW/SD! and turn him into a superstar]

C) Shelton Benjamin loses MITB [This option is only available if Benjamin isn't ECW champion, isn't in a title match, and or loses the Royal Rumble if participated in it]

D) Christian wins MITB [This option is unlikely]

Looking Ahead: Shelton Benjamin...

A) The new face of ECW and Roundtable/Christian have departed from ECW

B) Walks out of WM26 ECW champ and loses it soon after and departs ECW

C) Stuck in mid-card hell forever and his opportunity to reach the next level is wasted provided he is given a opportunity at all and messes up himself.

Let's keep in mind that these are all predictions and anything can happen that is why I attempted to hit as many angles as I could. Let's see what happens shall we?

Ryding From the Heels: Is It Time to Face the Standard?

AkD — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:54:47 -0400

I tuned into ECW this week as I do regularly and it was quite the show. The show began with the Abraham Washington show. Usually the show takes place half way into ECW, but opening the show was a bit weird to me.

I'm sure many weren't happy with the AW show starting of ECW, as he's not the toast of town, though I think he's decent.

Abe played the crowd and did the usual plugging of his show as he always does before praising and insulting the city, which was Long Island, N.Y.

Before he could waste anymore of ECW's limited hour, Zack Ryder came out to the show, which was on the stage once again. It seems as if the big boys are scheduling Abe's show every two weeks, but that appears to be for the greater good.

The Long Island native made himself comfortable by sitting on the couch mic in hand as well as placing his feet on the coffee table. Washington didn't seem to take it lightly and asked Ryder what the hell he was thinking.

"Are you out of your damn mind?!"

Washington wanted to know why Ryder interrupted his show. The woo woo woo guy went on to shout out his girlfriend and stated that he's the best thing about Long Island.

The back and forth interaction between Abe and Ryder was interesting as Washington played both hands as a face and as a heel during his show tonight.

He went on to insult Ryder comparing him to Grimace, a fictional McDonald's character. Ryder quickly lost control in the conversation as Washington began to cut him off and firmly stamped that Shelton Benjamin was supposed to be the guest on the show. The annoying Washington then shifted back into a heel after Ryder downplayed Benjamin.

Ryder was surprised that Benjamin was still around and claimed he was may more entertaining than him anyway.

Abe Washington followed up with agreeing with Ryder's claims and said he didn't even want Benjamin on his show, but GM Tiffany ordered him to.

Shelton Benjamin took finally appeared after Abe took a shot at the gold standard mocking his theme song. I fixed my eyes on the television as I realized this was a vital moment.

Last week when Benjamin told Tiffany he'll show her entertaining I had a feeling in my gut and that feeling had returned. With Abe playing the tweener to heel and Ryder playing the heel, I assumed it was safe to declare Shelton Benjamin as a face.

Could it be?

How long as it been?

Benjamin hasn't played a face since 2004 when he received his first Intercontinental title on RAW and feuded with the then dominating heel faction Evolution.

The gold standard proceeded to take on both Ryder and Washington as he retaliated with a PG vibe. Instead of everyone's favorite four letter F-word we were treated with Smurf as a substitute.

Everyone remembers the Smurfs right?

You know, the little blue fellas.

Just in case we forgot or never knew who or what they were in the first place Benjamin painted the picture. He spoke of the environment including mushrooms, which he claimed Ryder had too many of.

I really didn't know what to gather from all this, I wondered if this was a temporary thing or if Benjamin is in the inception of face turn. Dreamer and Christian are pretty much the only faces on the brand as Yoshi Tatsu has mysteriously disappeared despite the fact that he was over.

Sheamus, Ryder, Kozlov, Jackson, Burchill, Regal, and Washington round out the heels, so I wouldn't rule the possibility out. Benjamin defended himself and didn't believe that Ryder was more entertaining than him.

He told Ryder to smurf the hell up as well as telling Abe to go smurf himself on his smurfed-up show.

Benjamin sound angry didn't he? Why did he have to use smurfs?

The gold standard continued by saying he also gave a shout out to Ryder's girlfriend and added that everyone else as well. I quickly reminisced on Chris Jericho and Stephanie McMahon moments because that insult had those two written all over it.

Washington shifted once more and responded by asking Ryder if he could hook a brother up since every one seems to give shout outs to Ryder's girlfriend.

That action resulted in the two men getting face to face, which resulted in Washington trying to regain attention to himself and regain order on his show.

Abe wanted both of them to sing after making a reference to American Idol, he wanted to see which of two is more entertaining. He joined Ryder's side yet again and gave him the benefit of singing first and choosing the song that he and Benjamin must sing.

If I remember correctly the song was "Only Wanna Be With You", by Hootie and the Blowfish. Ryder dedicated the song to his girlfriend, but forgot the words a couple of seconds into the song.

I put my hand to my head and feared for Benjamin on the mic, but heads were turned. In the midst of a fan-like pandering verbal face retaliation Shelton Benjamin sung well.

Benjamin can sing?!

Not too shabby.

He easily out sang Ryder and sang well to boot, Ryder's plan backfired and he attacked Benjamin from behind. He stomped him out on the ramp while trash talking and Benjamin countered in a rage.

He proceeded to nail hits on Ryder as the brawl spilled up the stage right back to Abe's set. Benjamin tossed Ryder over the couch and went to finish the job, but Ryder ran away.

The gold standard got the best of Ryder and the question on everyone's mind is if he's a face or not. The segment was decent overall and got better once the segment began focusing on Benjamin and Ryder.

I like Abe, but he was just wasting time tonight though he threw in some good lines. Benjamin hasn't been the been the dastardly deed doer heel he was supposed to be, so turning him face wouldn't be hard if that is what they're shooting for.

The last face turns haven't been so successful and I've began to wonder the shape of the path that Benjamin's face turn will have if he is turning.

MVP

After a long losing streak he gained the sympathy of the crowd.
He regained the U.S title from Shelton Benjamin
Lost cocky attitude
Began to use "ballin'" more than ever
Was actually considered a possible future main eventer star
Had program with Sherri Shepherd from The View which included taking her to prom and the BET awards
Traded to RAW
Lost steam and hype
Placed in mid card
Push failed

Mark Henry

Ditched Tony Atlas
Drafted to RAW
Pinned WWE champ Randy Orton
Briefly battled Chris Jericho
Mark Swoggle, the world's strongest leprechaun
Push failed...could you even it call it one?

John Morrison is the only one who survived the face push...IF you look at it a certain way. Morrison has racked up multiple victories against Shelton Benjamin and former World Heavyweight champion CM Punk as well as just recently having a good match against current World Heavyweight champion CM Punk.

There is no doubt that Morrison has put on great matches recently, but at the cost of his personality? Long gone are the cocky Morrison and we're supplied with one who doesn't talk as much and just panders to the fans...or does he?

Morrison is a face, but hasn't really shown that he is. This might just work for Benjamin as he isn't needed to talk much, but does that mean he'll eventually praise the fans like MVP and Cena?

The average face is what I'm getting at. I wonder if Benjamin can succeed as an average face. If history tells anything then he can, but the land of extreme's landscape would drastically change as such a change will alter the ECW title picture itself.

Ryder and Benjamin could be heading for a collision since Ryder doesn't like to be bested by anyone, especially the way Benjamin did.

It at least appears that WWE is attempting to do something with Benjamin in second ECW stint and he didn't let down on Abe's show.

His lack of personality was called out numerous times by Ryder and Washington, he could be on track to getting one. It still might be premature to assume anything, but if so are ready to face the standard?

X-Games 15 Days 3&4: PLG Vs Lasek, Bestwick 3-Peat & Huge Rally Upsets

AkD — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 19:46:35 -0400

Day three of X-Games 15 was a hectic one. Over six hours of coverage took place and I tried to keep with both ESPN and ABC while having one heck of a busy day myself.

BMX and Skateboard superparks went down, as well as Moto X freestyle and the highly anticipated skateboard and BMX vert finals.

So many memories resurfaced from my head yesterday. Those vert finals gave produced some of the greatest match ups in Matt Hoffman and Dave Mirra, Bucky Lasek vs. Tony Hawk, Bob Burnquist vs. Tony Hawk, and so on.

So many epic moves were achieved in this competition. The moments were all bittersweet as last year's Moto X freestyle gold medalist Jeremy Lust passed away following a fatal fall during a competition.

There was a short dedication video to the late Moto X star and the entire competition was dedicated to him. His wife and father were in attendance to honor their son and husband and lend support to the exciting and sometimes fatal Moto X freestyle.

It was four men, three runs, best two runs are counted, and only one gold medalist.

Chris Adams vs Blake "My 360 Indian air didn't win gold" Williams was the match up that caught my eye. I knew one of these two men were going to win and I was correct. It went down to the wire on the final runs.

Adams had a bad run he hoped to replace, but only received a 36 when he needed above a 40 for the gold.

Blake Williams got his redemption last night. He was robbed of the gold medal in Moto X's best trick as the judges gave the honor to Kyle Loza and his electric doom...again.

Blake was clearly determined and would not be denied as he once again pulled off his Indian air without the no hand landing. He followed up with another great run, which was enough for a comeback and steal the gold.

I caught glimpses of the superparks and the BMX one was great. There were double tailwhips, front flips, and even 720s.

The show stealer came around at the BMX vert final, the same event where Dave Mirra won gold after sustaining a concussion in BMX superpark.

Jamie Bestwick was the man to beat last night and he came to town without holding anything back. Every competitor gets three runs with a possible max score of 50 in each run, Bestwick tallied up two scores of 49.

Chad Kagy was on his tail trying to catch him and seemed to have caught his break when Bestwick went down during his final run. His bike was clipped on the top of the ramp and he fell down into the halfpipe with his shoulder taking the massive impact.

After a couple of minutes he was helped to the back and was done for the afternoon. Kagy approached his last run needing practically a perfect run to defeat Bestwick for the gold and failed.

It was similar to Mirra's miracle win, but Bestwick not returning was a difference. Just when you thought the competition couldn't get anymore fierce it did. Pierre Luc Gagnon, Buckey Lasek, and Andy Macdonald all threw down in a memorable skate vert final.

Ten years ago, Tony Hawk pulled off the first 900 ever and won the gold in his event, it's a feat that will probably never be forgotten. The only thing that was missing from the final was Bob Burnquist, who was eliminated in the qualifying rounds.

Macdonald clearly wasn't the favorite as everyone including Tony Hawk believed that the vert gold would go to Bucky Lasek or PLG. For a moment, it appeared as if everyone was going to eat their own words after Macdonald put down multiple solid runs, one with a 540 and he sat in the lead.

PLG's frustration had finally reached its climax after bailing on two runs. He turned it up and so did Lasek, Andy Macdonald was suddenly fighting for a bronze medal.

After some great melons, 540s, handplants, and varial leins, both Lasek and Gagnon were tied at 91 a piece going into their final runs.

Macdonald dished out on last great run that had many wondering if he was going to sneak his way back into gold medal contention. Unfortunately, he he finished with an 88 overall and the bronze medal.

PLG's last run pushed his overall score up by two to final score of 93 and all eyes were on Lasek, it was all or nothing. He ripped the halfpipe, but sealed his fate after attempting what looked like some sort of 540 varial lein and fell to the defending champion PLG.

Gagnon celebrated another well-deserved gold medal.

I gave major props to Andy Macdonald, the guy is a warrior. Out of everyone at X-Games 15 he probably had the most hectic schedule. He took part in Big air skateboard, Big air rail jam, skateboard vert, and skateboard superpark while celebrating his 36th birthday.

He was able to bring him silver and bronze medals though he was very close to tasting gold a couple of times. He took home the silver in skateboard superpark today, only being outshined by defending champion Rune Glifberg.

This year's X-Games was an interesting one indeed as almost every single defending champion successfully defended their gold with two 3-peats (Moto X best trick- Klye Loza, BMX vert- Jamie Bestwick).

Even in the midst of highway robbery, redemption was manifested through stunning victories and suprising victories. Nyjah Houston, the 14-year-old skateboard street pro, took his first medal in skateboard street, winning a silver medal.

Paul Rodriguez vs. Ryan Sheckler was looking to be epic until Sheckler injured himself and lost his gold to P-Rod. Rally racing closed the four day event from the Home Depot center.

Rally favorite Dave Mirra was eliminated in the qualifying rounds in an upset against the rookie Brian Deegan, who made it all the way to the final and faced off against Travis Pastrana.

Pastrana appeared to have Deegan beat until he hit two walls followed by car problems resulting in another upset. The rookie was stoked as he captured gold in his first X-Games and defeated two action sports legends to do so.

The sun is once again setting in California over the Staples and Home Depot centers where the last four days were taken to the extreme and we'll have new memories to converse about until X-Games, summer's biggest fiesta rolls around again next year.

Al's X-Games 15 Most Notable Achievements/Moments

Jake Brown nearly lands 900 and finally defeats Bob Burnquist after losing to him the previous two years to earn first X-Games gold medal (Big air skateboard)
Anthony Napolitan pulls off the first BMX double front flip across 70-foot gap (Big air BMX)
Kevin Robinson makes epic comeback run to win gold medal with a bacl flip and huge 20-foot no handed flair (Big air BMX)
Danny Way wins gold medal despite sprained ankle, torn ligaments and possible torn ACL with a switch 50-50 grind (Big air rail jam)
Travis Pastrana attempts 720 corkscrew (Moto X best trick)
Kyle Loza defends gold and pulls of a 3-peat (Moto X best trick)
Blake Williams successfully executes a 360 Indian air with no hand landing (Moto X best trick)
Jamie Bestwick nearly earns two perfect scores with a pair of 49 points (50 is perfect) and successfully defends gold and achieves a 3-peat (BMX vert)
Rune Glifberg successfully defends gold (Skateboard superpark)
Blake Williams wins gold medal after a huge 360 Indian air and comeback run (Moto X Freestyle)
Paul Rodriquez lands hardflip down flight of stairs, fights off Nyjah Huston, and dethrones Ryan Sheckler to win gold medal (Skate street)
14 year old Nyjah Huston wins first X-Games medal (silver) (Skate street)
PLG survives and successfully defends gold medal after defeating Andy McDonald, Bob Burnquist, and Bucky Lasek by two points. (Skateboard vert)
Rookie Brian Deggan defeats Moto X legend Travis Pastrana and BMX legend Dave Mirra in two huge upsets to win gold medal (Rally racing)
After 15 years and many jaw dropping moments, my all time X-Games moment is still Tony Hawk's 900 in 1999.

X-Games 15 Day 2: 720 Corkscrew, Moto X Best Trick & Danny Finds a Way

AkD — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 10:29:06 -0400

Day two of the 15th anniversary of the X-Games had to follow up a remarkable day one. Big air skateboard was taken to new heights as 720's were attempted over 70 foot gaps and the magnificent but highly tricky 900 was also attempted on the mega ramp.

Bob Burnquist had everything to lose as the two-time defending champ looking for an epic three-peat, which only big air pioneer and legend Danny Way has accomplished (2004-2006). Way was scheduled to compete, but he injured himself while practicing for the new contest, big air rail jam.

He clipped his knee and had to pop it back in.

Way stated he was icing it and tending to it diligently hoping to make the big air rail jam on day two. Jake Brown has competed in over 10 straight X-Games and had yet to earn a gold medal.

Brown had a dark cloud over him as he had lost to Bob Burnquist two years in a row (2007-2008), one of which included probably the nastiest fall in X-Games history and produced a SportsCenter center classic highlight that is still shown two years later.

Brown put it all on the line. He attempted to pull off the 900, the move made famous by Tony Hawk in 1999 at the X-Games. A handful have pulled off the 900 after Hawk did, but none have ever even thought of trying to nail the bad boy on the mega ramp.

Despite having the scariest fall in his life Brown went for it twice, but failed both times. He and Burnquist were tied for last place coming into the fifth and final run. Brown captured the gold after Burnquist fell trying to cross the gap with a japan air with a sort of judo twist to it.

Way missed his event and many were doubtful he would even be ready to compete in day two's Big air rail jam. The man who was on crutches would not be denied and geared up and showed up for the new event. The rail jam is the same as the skateboard big air, except the addition of a curved rail over the gap.

The skater's score isn't focused on the tricks pulled across the gap and on the mega ramp, but it's solely based on the tricks done on and across the rail. It was highly dangerous as one's testicles were a mistake away from being lost.

Danny Way clearly wasn't 100 percent, but that didn't stop him from chasing the gold. Way has had 13 surgeries, and eight of them were on his knee. Way looked ready to call it night after numerous bails, holding his knee after every fall. With the odds against him, Danny found a way and won the gold at the first big air rail jam with a switch 50-50 grind across the curved red rail.

Andy McDonald failed to win a medal on his 36th birthday. Maybe Brown and Way's determination was too much to be denied the gold medals. Way is a true warrior in my books.

There were talks of torn ligaments, torn ACL, broken ankles amongst other injuries and the man Danny Way did it.

The Moto X best trick was another anticipated event with a stacked core of competitors including the returning Travis Pastrana and the two-time champ going for the three-peat, Klye Loza. New trick rumors surrounded this event, especially Pastrana's 720 Corkscrew.

I know he loves what he does and he loves his mother, but why does he put her through these heart-stopping moments with these stunts?

Pastrana's double back flip was only three years old and he was at it again. Speaking of double back flip, Scott Murray also returned to Moto X best trick this year to do the double back flip! Again!

Please note the sarcasm there.

The Moto X best trick was always something to look forward to, but many weren't satisfied with this year's best trick. Loza retains the gold and earned the three-peat with the same move he won with last year, the electric doom.

I was very confused with the judge scoring all night, most notably in the BMX big air competition. Anthony Napolitan pulled off a double front flip for the first time ever in BMX big air across the 70-foot gap. He did it again the following run. Kevin Robinson won the gold for the event with a big no-handed back flip followed by a big no handed flair on the mega ramp.

K-Rob earned that medal, but how didn't...why didn't Napolitan get a medal? He finished in fifth place, and I was stunned. In the Moto X best trick, the same thing happened again. The event went from promising to bizarre.

Pastrana had everyone praying for his well-being when he went for another dangerous stunt. He was fully prepared for the 720 corkscrew to say the least. Pastrana hired an Olympic gymnastic to help train him to better use his body muscles as he was going to properly use multiple muscles and strength to pull off a 720 on a motorbike.

Everyone awaited history, but number 199 failed.

It was a difficult trick, and would have been fantastic to have seen it nailed. Pastrana opted to not take his second run. Just like Napolitan, we witnessed another highway robbery.

Blake Williams pulled off a sight to see. He performed a 360 Indian air with a cliffhanger and followed up with a no handed landing, and didn't win the gold.

WHAT?!

Then there was a guy who wasted both of his runs not doing any trick at all on both of them. I don't know if he got cold feet, but it's the X-Games, not some local town competition, go hard or go home. I wouldn't be surprised if SportsCenter rips this guy.

Lastly, there's Scott Murray. Three years were wasted on this guy, someone out there could have been the next big Moto X star. Three years in a row, he failed to do the double backflip, a move that Pastrana pulled off three years ago and now does for warm ups.

This reminds me of the NBA All star dunk contest that Nate Robinson won after he tried the same dunk about thirty times. Murray just can't do the back flip and needs to be replaced with a better biker, plain and simple.

Murray shook his head after wasting six runs in three years. Loza might have had a new trick, bu his wrist was bugging him, so he played it safe. We're only half way there, days three and four remain in X-Games 15.

CvC: Made In USA, The Greatest Women's Champion Is Debra Miceli

AkD — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:04:31 -0400

So many great women have graced the world of professional wrestling. These women were journeymen in the ring as well as warriors. They were as tough as nails and tough as the men themselves.

They let their dominance be heard with vicious shrieks that instantly caused intimidation, and the presence never went unnoticed with their stunning radiance. Some of these women were stars, few were superstars, and only one was the best.

How can one pinpoint the best there is with so many promotions spanning across the world?

Women were as tough as they come in France's Queens of Chaos, simply excellent in the African Wrestling Association, and flat out fantastic in Japanese promotions, but the one that stood out was made in the USA.

The epic journey for Debra Miceli in 1980's as Madusa, which was short for Made in USA is would be one of great proportion. She was born in Italy and raised in Minnesota in foster homes.

When she became fond of wrestling, she began working every chance she could working in the independent circuit in 1984. A woman with dreams to make it in the wrestling world began her quest in the American Wrestling Association (AWA).

It would be in that very promotion where Madusa would earn her first women's championship in December of 1987 in the prominent gambling and partying city Las Vegas. The great Sherri Martel was the last AWA Women's champion and vacated the title as she departed to a fast growing World Wrestling Federation.

Madusa got her chance at the gold against Candi Devine, who she defeated in Las Vegas, Nevada six months after the title was vacated to become champion. Madusa held the title for nearly an entire year, but lost the title to another legendary woman wrestler in the form of Wendi Wetcher.

There were only nine women who ever won the AWA Women's championship as the title only had little over a three decade run from 1960 to 1991 when the AWA shut down altogether. Who knew that a simple title reign would be the inception of a remarkable career?

Miceli's career grew wings and soared to new heights the following year as she became the first woman to ever be awarded Rookie of The Year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. The evolution in her career called for new environments and progression to stardom.

Changes in her careers included a big decision by being the first foreign wrestler to sign with All Japan's Pro Women Wrestling. Success wouldn't leave Madusa's side Kumamoto as she earned her first of two IWA Women's championships during her stint in Japan. Miceli honed her wrestling abilities while overseas and decided to add more styles to her arsenal.

She trained and learned the styles of boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai. She even took the time to learn the Japanese language and used her wrestling abilities to choreograph her own scene in the Street Fighter II film.

The milestones kept rolling in as Madusa also became the first non-Japanese wrestler to sign a three year deal with All Japan's Pro Women Wrestling. She also competed in a hair vs. hair mixed tag match with the great Cactus Jack, also known as Mick Foley.

From there she moved on to World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in short three year stint where a majority was spent as the manager of Rick Rude and part of the Dangerous Alliance.

During 1993 Madusa had also wrestled for International World Class Championship wrestling. The promotion only lasted a decade and only had five women champions, Madusa being one of them.

Miceli's career would take new heights yet again as she saw her last days as Made in USA upon entering the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name that she's at times more prominently known by, Alundra Blayze.

Miceli had been Madusa in the AWA, All Japan Pro Women's Wrestling, IWCCW, and WCW, but now she was the elegant and fierce Blayze. The year was still 1993 and the WWF Women's championship had been vacated for three years since 1990. Blayze won a six women tournament to and became WWF Women's champion.

Blayze went on and defeat Lalani Kai at Wrestlemania X. Her string of successful title defenses also included one on Monday Night RAW against Luna Vachon. Following her win, she wanted better competition to match up with the array of styles she possessed from Japan.

The company brought in Bull Nakano from Japan to feud with her. The two women would have a bitter rivalry that resulted in the end Nakano earning a shot at Blayze's women's championship at the 1994 Summerslam.

Nakano was defeated, but the feud went on.

Alundra Blayze's reign would last through the rest of the summer and most of the fall before Nakano ultimately defeated her in Japan in November of 1994. She regained the title in spring of the next year on Monday Night RAW once again pinning Nakano.

Blayze triumphed emerging victorious in the feud, but a new one was formed following an attack by Bertha Faye who attacked her after she defeated Nakano. Blazye lost the belt at Summerslam to Faye, but regained it two months later in October to earn her third and final WWF Women championship.

She was stripped shortly after as she once again jumped ship to rival promotion WCW for a second stint where she would end her wrestling career. Miceli had seen her last days in the WWF, but she was still Made in USA upon her return to WCW. Instead of two years she spent her last six there.

Madusa was back and she was back with a sting. She jumped ship during the Monday Night Wars, a vital and epic period in WWE/F and WCW wrestling as well as wrestling in the USA. Madusa appeared on Monday Night Nitro with the WWF Women's championship only to throw it in a trash can in an attempt to add fuel to fire and spice up the war, the idea was concocted by the mastermind WCW booker Eric Bischoff.

Bull Nakano would be brought in to WCW to once again feud with Miceli, the only difference was wrestling under Madusa instead. The feud didn't take long to heat up as Nakano's motorcycle was destroyed by Madusa following a match between the two. The two would meet up again at Clash of the Champions 1996.

Madusa went on to battle for the right to be crown the first WCW Women's champion but failed after losing to Arika Hokuto at Starrcade. She took a hiatus from the company after the Great American Bash and returned almost three years in 1999.

She returned as part of Randy Savage's Team Madness. That stint didn't last too long and even had a period where Diamond Dallas Page was her manager.

The great Madusa was more than just a striker, she had an arsenal of suplexes and kicks that were stunning as herself which also included one mean German suplex.

Already a proven women's champion and hungry competitor, Madusa set her eyes on the WCW World Heavyweight championship. She attempted to enter tournaments and earn contention, but nothing ever came of it. She turned into a manager for Karagias, the WCW Cruiserweight champion.

Madusa later went on to defeat him at Starrcade 1999 becoming the first female WCW Cruiserweight champion. Made in USA was made again after pulling off the huge feat. Towards the end of her career she had a short feud with Torrie Wilson and trained upcoming women wrestlers like Molly Holly.

Miceli finally decided to hang up her boots in 2001 when Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Federation purchased WCW thus ending the Monday Night Wars and the end of her career. Miceli had disputes with McMahon and decided not to rejoin the WWE as she believed women's wrestling would never be the same again and would be more focused on appeal than actual wrestling.

She was right.

Debra Miceli wanted nothing more than to wrestle and her list of milestones and achievements manifest her passion for professional wrestling. She hopped around to numerous promotions during her career in hopes of learning new techniques, expanding her wrestling abilities and arsenal, and to taste different environments.

Her dedication to wrestling took her career down many paths including the big decision to go Japan, which helped pave the way for other wrestlers and link the bridge between Western and Eastern world wrestling.

The world would see the last of Madusa in the ring but the ring great found other ways to dub herself a women's champion, one of which came in the form of monster truck racing. She raced during her wrestling career and continued after retirement.

She proved monster trucks to be more than a hobby for her as she won numerous monster truck freestyles. Miceli was also the 2004 co-champion at the 2004 Monster Jam World Finals for freestyle. She won the world racing title the next year in the Monster Jam World Finals being the only woman to make it that far that year.

Debra Miceli was much more than Madusa and Alundra Blayze, she was a women's champion. She wasn't only a women's champion in the wrestling ring, but in monster truck competition as well.

Her contributions speak for themselves as she didn't have to hold the NWA or any women's title for many years to be a well respected and prominent wrestler.

Whether it was the ring, the gym, or the dirt Miceli was a women's champion. Her successful tenure in the world of professional wrestling over the years put together a unique and unmatchable career as one of the greatest, most talented, radiant women wrestlers and personalities today.

Faithbreaker II: McCool Does It Again, Proves Worth and Outshines Divas

AkD — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:33:23 -0400

Night of Champions has come and gone, and the WWE Universe is underway with is post-PPV routines, marking out in celebration for their favorite star(s), or tearing their house apart in utter frustration.

This PPV was an odd one to say the least with weird match placements, shocking wins, and other surprises.

Hearts were broken when Captain Charisma didn't make the "supposedly" epic heel turn, and heads turned when Jeff Hardy won against CM Punk and became the new World Heavyweight champion despite the overwhelming odds that he faced.

One of the biggest and most pleasant surprises was the WWE Women's title match between champion Michelle McCool and challenger Melina. In a night with many ups and downs, we were treated with a diva match of the year candidate, if not the best so far.

It was the tale of four M's (Not our magnificent M), can you guess which two shined?

The Faithbreaker returned following this match as many observers were singing a different tune after the bout.

Michelle McCool isn't the most popular diva and isn't likely to be on anyone's top or favorite divas list, but she showed everyone exactly why she is the top diva and Women's champion.

Even those who disliked the Women's champ knew to give credit when it was due, but there will always be those who will always hate her regardless of what she does.

McCool always was the diva to be the target of negativity and managed to gain flak for pretty much everything, especially becoming the first diva to have ever held both the Women and Divas' titles.

She had defeated Natalya a little over a year ago at the Bash 2008 to become the very first Divas champion. A year later at the same PPV, McCool defeated Melina earn her first Women's title and the first diva to reach the feat of holding both women titles.

McCool tasted victory after applying the Faithbreaker on Melina. She'll never be able to escape the theory that all of her success was all due to her relationship with the Undertaker.

He might have had his hand in some things or not, but McCool's hard work has and will continue to be overshadowed and looked over because of this relationship.

That is a whole other story in its own and it was focused on more in the first Faithbreaker, so we'll fast forward to the current diva scene. The big boys up in Titan Towers don't always put their all into all their matches when it comes to building them.

Michelle McCool vs. Melina was the very last match added to the Night of Champions card. The stars in the match was clearly obvious and had absolutely no build up at all.

After McCool won the Women's title at the Bash, she and Melina had been in random matches, which included tag and singles match ups.

However, to the surprise of many, McCool and Melina pulled a hell of an performance out of thin air (They had no build up). To further elaborate, I'll touch on both diva feuds and the matches at Night of Champions.

There was little to no mic time at all for Melina and McCool. I was already anticipating the match to be a bathroom break, a filler at the the PPV.

Usually after losing a title, the former champion activates their rematch clause at the next show for the next PPV beginning the build up. Melina never said a word and saved it until the last SmackDown! heading into Night of Champions.

McCool was being tended to by a make up artist while she was relishing her accomplishments, stating she was the best diva ever, only to be interrupted by a vindictive Melina, who activated her rematch clause and threw make up in her face.

With that being the only build up for Night of Champions, how could one be excited?

I had no faith in the match, though I knew both divas were reliable wrestlers.

The RAW divas division had quite the build up on the other hand. The moment Divas champion Maryse stepped foot on RAW after the post-Wrestlemania draft, she was already sniffed out by a resurrected Mickie James.

Maryse quickly tallied two losses to Mickie James and tried to avoid the dominant diva. During a No. 1 contender battle royal, Maryse sprayed Mickie James with what is assumed to be hair spray and cost her the match to Kelly Kelly. James would not back down as she kept targeting Maryse though Kelly Kelly earned the shot.

After Maryse disposed of the young beauty she still was not safe from the persistent James. The build up was over a couple of months that finally led to James getting her shot at Night of Champions.

To gain the upper hand, Maryse once gain sprayed Mickie in the eyes with her hair spray on the last RAW going into the PPV.

The challenger James had more supporters than the Divas champion as they hoped to finally see Mickie reach the milestone of holding both the Divas and Women's titles.

With all the build up going into the match it was a complete dud. One could argue placement on the card, Maryse's wrestling skills, and the chemistry between the two divas, but the match just didn't do it for me as well as others.

Where was the disdain that the two had for one another?

The one only highlight was Maryse's kick to Mickie which resulted in her falling off the top rope. The rest of the match consisted of Maryse's strikes and endless taunts. The champ reached for her spray, but failed. Her DDT was countered and Mickie hit her DDT, the end.

I was really stunned with the match, I couldn't believe that was all we got after the build up towards it.

Maybe the problem was that the Divas title match was right after the WWE title match, but I still struggle to find an answer to why it wasn't as good as it was supposed to be.

Philly's tough crowd exactly why they tough to boot. The worst part was having this match after the Women's title match, which ironically was supposed to be weaker than the Divas match.

With all do respect to the other Maryse and Mickie, it was just as simple as being out worked and out shined.

The good news is the butterfly belt should mix well with the preppy James. She'll be the first diva who actually fits the vibe of the bubbly energetic belt as Maryse and McCool were cocky divas.

From a more fair and logical standpoint Melina and McCool were reliable established divas who have chemistry while Mickie had to carry Maryse.

As beautiful as she is, the French beauty was exposed. I'm sure many already were cognizant of her limitations, but if not they should be after that match.

Melina and McCool put on a match and really sold their rivalry. The Women's champ entered the ring first and was impatient as she drop kicked Melina during her prominent split on the apron during her entrance.

The tone was set early..these two women were ready to fight.

Unlike the Divas title match the disdain and aggression was present. The two divas had a wrestling match instead of a cat fight.

Melina came to town pissed as she pounced relentlessly on McCool, who kept reaching for the ropes trying to get a breather to regroup.

McCool found herself in a world of trouble being tossed around by Melina, but finally regained control and applied a leg lock stretching Melina's leg near her head.

At one point McCool connected with a belly-to-belly suplex on Melina, Jim Ross and Todd Grisham's commentary further fueled the already aggressive match. Grisham has grown on me. The match got nasty when it spilled outside.

McCool Irish whipped Melina to the barricade an attempted to take her head off with a running big boot only to miss and land half way over the barricade.

Melina climbed the barricade and traded blows with the Women's champ until McCool DDT'd Melina on top of the barricade. It wasn't a perfect DDT, but it was impressive.

McCool tried to get the count out but couldn't so returned to Melina, who locked her head between her legs and bounced it off the apron numerous times before proceeding to fly off the apron grabbing McCool's head and slamming it into the ground.

The Women's champ attempted to dropkick Melina off the apron once again, but no one was home and she bounced off the ground once more.

The match finally came to an end when McCool used Melina's flexibility against her, forcefully pinning her to the mat with her legs over her head for the victory.

That is what you call a Women's champion.

What were the chances that the Women's title match was going to obliterate the Divas title match?

With all do respect to the other Maryse and Mickie, it was just as simple as being out worked and out shined.

The good news is the butterfly belt should mix well with the preppy James. She'll be the first diva who actually fits the vibe of the bubbly energetic belt as Maryse and McCool were cocky divas.

McCool retained in quite the physical match with the given time they had. Kudos to Melina for having probably her best performance of the year so far. The Women's title match showed some that the diva division could still have some life in it.

While skeptical at first I can now say "more please" for Melina and McCool as they it seems they can dish out at least one or two more matches before letting someone else in the mix.

Many as well as myself were impressed by this match up, but even more surprising was the reviews putting it over as one of the best matches of night behind Punk/Hardy match up and the U.S. title match or ECW title match.

This night stood out for McCool as she continues to prove herself and make believers out of those who don't...at least some of them.

As McCool's theme goes: "Your not enough for me"..."You just gotta open up your eyes and see"

Michelle continues to prove her worth and value to the divas division and if you take the latter line from her theme above and apply it to yourselves, you'll see just that.

The Nickel, Night Of Champions: Punk'ed Out, Orton Taps & Jericho/Show

AkD — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:21:50 -0400

Jericho's Partner

Swagger, Miz, Rhodes, DiBiase, and Lance Storm (I'm still dying over that one) equals fail. If you picked those guys, it's all right we all fail every now and then, but for those who picked Chris Masters and or Christian earned you an epic fail.

Masters was easily not the top priority as everyone were babbling about him a la Christian returning at the 2009 Royal Rumble and being Jeff Hardy's attacker. Every peep's heart shattered when the tag match was billed first on the card.

The peeps around me started to get desperate and grasp at straws. The tried to convince of a ridiculous notion that Christian would appear as his partner and an automatic heel leaving Dreamer to face Benjamin at the last moment for the ECW title.

I shook my head and let Jericho deliver the crushing truth to them instead as Big Show was revealed as his partner. The automatic loss for Legacy was set in stone if it weren't already as Show destroyed them as expected.

Jericho was isolated for a little while, but the big boys couldn't throw a smokescreen even if they wanted to.

A codebreaker, a spear, and the rest was history. I don't believe Show was the initial choice, but maybe he was as Jericho spoke to Kane and Khali on SD! foreshadowing that he would pick a big man to be his partner in crime.

After all the hype many weren't pleased with Show being the mystery man, WWE once again threw a curveball.

Dreamer's Last Stand

I stood and watched Tommy Dreamer give a real solid performance in the ECW title match against Christian. The peeps already were weeping as they thought they'd be tweeting about Captain Charisma's heel turn.

I never wanted to see Tommy Dreamer as much as I wanted to this one. The two ECW wrestlers traded blows and amongst them were slaps, front flips off the apron, and top rope drop kicks.

The Philly crowd showed up as ECW chants were loud and clear, especially when Dreamer set up Christian upside down on the turnbuckle and connected with his coveted baseball slide/dropkick.

Dreamer countered Christian's killswitch, but Christian would ultimately hit his finisher on Dreamer and the peeps at least went to bed with a Christian ECW title win.

The big boys up in Titan Towers already knew the peeps were weeping over Christian not joining Jericho and maybe pictured an angry mob coming to burn down their tower.

A good bout, I just wished Dreamer won in Philly. No use crying over spilled milk, Dreamer's blog before Night of Champions foreshadowed his loss as he recalled the greatest moments of his career as if it were coming to an end. ECW should be interesting this Tuesday.

The peeps can rest easy for now, hopefully WWE makes the smart move and unleash the Gold Standard.

Saved by the Ref

I was skeptical about this triple threat match for the WWE title, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. The obvious double-teaming on Orton was inevitable and so was the Triple H-Cena staredown before they started trading blows.

The Philly crowd proved to be still alive after as they we loud as they were in the ECW title match. Every hit Cena connected with earned him boos while Orton and Trips gained cheers for their hits.

I actually had no idea the match was a no disqualification match...when did I miss this memo? Orton's RKO's were countered with ease through out the match. History came very close to repeating itself when Cena held Trips in the STFU for quite the while.

I found it funny how Trips tapped out to this move at Wrestlemania 22, but manages not to this time despite being three years older. Orton went for a punt and missed as Cena magically sensed it and dodged it.

The deal was sealed when Trips put his former teammate in a sharpshooter. Cena ran into the ring and applied a crossface on Orton and the viper had no choice but to tap out.

The ref called for the bell, but then stopped as he didn't know who Orton tapped to. While trying to figure everything out, Legacy runs out and disposes of Trips while Superman picks up Cody for an attitude adjustment...only to find himself falling flat after an RKO.

Many friends were pissed with the ending, but I liked the whole double tap finish minus Rhodes and DiBiase running out as always.

Two Divas, Two Divas/Women title holders

My spider sense kept tingling all night, there was just too much foreshadowing. Right before Maryse's title defense the Miz approached her trying once again to score with the French beauty.

Maryse once again shot him down, stating that he didn't win the U.S. title and that she doesn't date losers. Miz finally snapped and ended his pursuit of Maryse. He called her a tease and said when she loses the title she'll come crawling back to her.

I assumed that segment sealed her fate and it did indeed. The Divas match wasn't anything special. Maryse did her endless amount of taunts and tried to use her hair spray.

Mickie was dominated for most of the match, but tasted victory when she countered Maryse's DDT into her own and pinned the now former Divas champion making her the second..second diva to hold both the Divas and Women's championships after Michelle McCool.

The Divas title match had been brewing for a while as it was building up ever since Mickie defeated Maryse way back when she was drafted to RAW.

I expected that match to be the more physical out of the two diva matches on the card, but to my surprise the women's title match was.

McCool and Melina put saved the slaps and kicks for grapples and submissions. McCool began the assault with a dropkick to Melina when she was doing her prominent split during her entrance.

The best highlight of the match came when McCool DDT'd Melina off of the barricade. McCool missed a big boot before hand sending her halfway over the barricade and also missed a baseball slide bouncing off the ground.

Melina used her flexibility and grabbed Melina with her legs and bounced them off the apron. McCool couldn't handle the assault clinching to the ropes like Maryse did when Mickie had the momentum.

The women's champ ended up using Melina's flexibility against her pinning her with her leg over her head touching the mat. Melina was trapped and couldn't kick out resulting in the women's champ retaining the title.

Punk'ed Out

The best match turned out to be Punk vs. Hardy; the action was great. Punk came out earlier in the night and blamed the parents of the children who are fans of Hardy as Punk stated that they are 17 and younger.

SmackDown! alone gave Punk an advantage going into the match, but this promo once again set off my spider sense and foreshadowed what I thought couldn't, wouldn't and shouldn't happen. Hardy and Punk went at it as their feud was real personal.

A good moment was Hardy's first swanton attempt where he connected, but on Punk's knees. The heel started to really show itself in Punk as he became really aggressive and impatient as he hurried the ref to count to 10 when he tried to get Hardy counted out.

Punk had control, but lost himself after he countered Hardy's twist of fate into the GTS. Punk was all smiles until Hardy somehow managed to kick out.

Punk pulled his hair back, opened his eyes wide and went for another pin Hardy kicked out again and again on the third pin attempt.

The WHC had enough and decided it was time to pull an Orton and grab his title and headed up the ramp. Hardy wouldn't let him get away and got him back into the ring, where he would hit the twist of fate.

Hardy then leaped to the top rope and hit the swanton bomb and defeated CM Punk to become new WHC. I was able to bash my laptop, but I laughed and clapped instead. We still don't know when Hardy is leaving, but for now he's the champ.

Many were so sure on Punk winning this match only to have their jaw drop in anger, disappointment, confusion, and depression. CM Punk's anti-Hardy campaign hit a major bump after losing the belt. I wonder what happens next.

Everything Else

-Kofi Kingston retains the U.S. championship

Primo Colon was Big Show's replacement, who possibly could have won the match. The naive younger Colon trusted his backstabbing brother and received a backstabber for his troubles.

-Rey Mysterio retains Intercontinental championship

Ziggler has really grown on me, I didn't think WWE would let him fall to Mysterio..then again he destroyed him on SD! So much for stealing the show, sorry folks. Ziggler will be back though, Summerslam might serve as the show for the rematch.

-The show wasn't as good as I thought it would be, I've seen way worse..it was passable. Nothing really stood out and only three of the eight titles switched hands, not bad.

The Nickel: Golden Encounter, Yoshi vs Regal, Christian/Dreamer and Abe

AkD — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:54:04 -0400

Regal vs Yoshi

William Regal really put on a show tonight executing a handful of exciting moves from a modified exploder suplex to a double under hook butterfly suplex, which looked pretty tricky to pull of as Regal really had to use strength and shift his legs while holding the young Yoshi.

Looks like the higher ups didn't want Tatsu to attempt the springboard spinning wheel kick that he botched last week. Regal told Tastu before the match he doesn't like foreign people and that got him heat that would stay with him through out the match.

Yoshi took massive punishment from Regal, but turned it around with a kick to the head and soon followed up with his roundhouse kick finisher to claim victory. Yoshi's pop still amazes me as

Gold Meets Gold..Who Could Meet Gold

Goldust still rules in the ring, that is what you call reliable. It was gold vs gold as the gold standard went against Goldust. The match was good and I'm really getting into Matt Striker's commentary, he's honing his skills.

Speaking of commentary Matthews and Striker stated that the match winner should be in line for a ECW title shot down the road. Goldust's uppercuts still are great as Benjamin tried to bounce of the corner ropes for a clothesline. I was confused at one point in the match where Goldust looked to the fans for momentum and I heard boos.

Benjamin wouldn't be denied as he flew from behind and slammed Goldust's neck onto the top rope and falling out side. Goldust couldn't recover in time as the gold standard ran back into the ring and hit him with the pay dirt for the win.

A third straight win for the gold standard, is a new push underway? The first week of Benjamin's return was a rough on as he fell to newcomer Yoshi Tatsu after a roundhouse kick in a matter of seconds, but the followers of the standard can rest easy following the third straight win for Benjamin.

A few days ago the WWE higher ups stated they were behind Benjamin and his abilities and the future seems a bit brighter now that Benjamin doesn't give the impression of being complacent (to them) and now has his longest win streak since lord knows when.

The icing on the cake would be becoming a three-time tag champ this week (Save.Us.Standard). Being a huge fan of Benjamin I'm optimistic, but cautious, things can instantly change.

Save.Us.Standard

Oh yeah, that's my pick...what a surprise huh?

Russian Warmachine vs Harlem Destruction

Global Domination?

We may be far from that, but maybe not too far from ECW domination

I didn't know Big Zeke was billed from Harlem, It's nice to have another dominant New Yorker on the roster. Zeke had no problem running through his opponent, who should get one heck of a good paycheck after the beating he took.

Zeke gave him a big boot and finished him off with that Rock Bottom-like Chokeslam. This guy is BACKED, Batista better move over. He flexed after his quick win and was interrupted by the Russian Warmachine, who stared him down in the ring.

Kozlov picked up the jobber and did his iron curtain finisher. That jobber's back was tomato red, I'd be asking for some good compensation if I were him. Striker and Matthews alluded to a future Kozlov/Zeke program, which looks possible and hopefully interesting if the two biggest forces in the land of extreme bump heads.

Surf's up

Tyler Reks DEFINITELY has to change that theme of his, I know these talents but my goodness they're not even trying to find decent themes.

Paul Burchill's running double knees to Reks' back looked painful. To be honest Reks looked boring for most of the match, but there were some spots that were good like his springboard dropkick that was impressive given his size.

Reks' can get some hang time and did an explosive clothesline early in the match, but Burchill just looked way better out there regardless of Reks' win off of a roll up pin. Out of all the new superstars Reks' appears to be the weakest just slightly below Abe Washington.

Abraham Washington Show

Nothing was more satisfying than watching the Shelton Benjamin rack up his third straight win, but Abraham Washington's show was the best part of the night. It was simply the best part because they did what RAW did not, they properly built momentum for their main event match.

Christian and ECW champion Tommy Dreamer were both guests on Abe's show and to my surprise the show was fantastic and Abe wasn't that bad as before, I might (a strong might) actually like the guy.

I don't know what it was, but his jokes were doing it for me. His role was close to perfect on the talk show. Christian and Dreamer appeared on the show as friends going into a title match at NOC and Abe was the annoying instigator with the cheesy jokes. Both tried to keep their cool as Abe took jabs at Dreamer.

A series of words were exchanged between the two, which all won quote of the night. Christian played the aggressor and showed some heel-like qualities taking some shots at fan favorite Dreamer.

The show ended with two vicious slaps, one from both Dreamer and Christian as Abe pleaded to save the fight for Sunday in an effort to save his set. Christian might actually have a shot at being Jerich's partner. ECW really makes the most of their one hour.

Quotes of the Night:

"Introducing the man who'll do anything for a Klondike bar...Tommy Dreamer!" - Abe Washington to Tommy Dreamer
"Since your a technician, would you mind hooking a brother up with some free cable?" - Abe Washington to Christian
"The real reason why you want to go back to Philly is to stuff your big fat face with Philly cheese steak sandwiches!" - Abe Washington to Tommy Dreamer
"If I take you to the extreme you wouldn't be here next week" - Tommy Dreamer to Christian
"I'm tired of your cheesy lines lego head"- Tommy Dreamer to Abe Washington
"When I take your title are you gonna cry again?" - Christian to Tommy Dreamer
"Did anyone ever tell you that your jokes are corny and haven't been original since 1991?" - Christian to Abe Washington
"His name is Jehovah Witness..no I'm not a Christian" - Abe Washington on After the Bell.

The Nickel: Six Pack, Hair & Spray, Y2J's Partner Hype Continues

AkD — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:51:33 -0400

Hair, Spray, & Bodega

Well I damned... Alicia Fox actually won on RAW tagging with Rosa "Bodega theme music" Mendes against Kelly Kelly and Gail Kim. Fox really takes some bumps as she was tossed around the ring a couple of times during the match.

I thought it was done before it started when I saw Hair and Mendes taking on the popular Kelly, the second power, and Gail Kim. It was odd that the only diva match on RAW didn't include any of their top divas in Beth Phoenix, Mickie James, and Divas champion Maryse.

Speaking of Maryse she sprayed some substance in Mickie James eyes after she tried to leave following her encounter with the Miz. It seems as Maryse sealed her fate and will drop the belt to the persistent James, but then again you never know.

Chavo Guerrero

WWE couldn't find a replacement GM after Vickie Guerrero gave her notice? I'm not too sure, but I'm under that impression as there is a new guest host every week (I'm hyped for Shaq).

I'm also under the impression that Chavo is paying the price for Vickie skipping town. Not one, not two, but three... THREE, TRES, 2+1, 3x1, 5-2, 12/4 Losses to Hornswoggle.

Marks of all superstars that has yet to win WWE/WHC (Benjamin, Christian, Hardy, etc.) be damn thankful that your star hasn't been treated in this fashion. I know we're in a recession, but my goodness Chavo have you considered pulling an aunt Vickie?

Y2RKO?

Chris Jericho's night on RAW wasn't a good one.

ZZ Top threw him in a match against Mark Henry. With Night of Champions around the corner Jericho got himself DQ'ed and escaped the world's strongest man.

He proceeded to leave the arena and he was approached by Legacy members Rhodes and Dibiase. They tried to brag and trash talk some about their match on Sunday. Jericho ripped both of them a new one saying he has more championships than Cody and his father combined.

The bitter partner-less Unified tag team champion left Orton's scapegoats shaking in their boots after he stated that their own leader could very well be his secret tag partner. WWE did a fine job hyping up Jericho's tag partner by leaving many clamoring for Night of Champions.

Brian Kendrick rose from the grave and reminded Jerry "the nosy King" Lawler that he has success as a tag team champion leaving many wondering before the King defeated him with a fist to the head (really?).

I hate to admit it, but I too have been drawn to this who mystery as to is Jericho's partner and I believe the Miz/Jericho Twitter war is just to throw us off the track. Swagger might as well be eliminated from talks after it was announced that he'd be taking part in the six pack challenge for Kofi Kingston's U.S. Title.

I'm still not sold on Masters as well though he fits the bill in a way. Christian is the longest shot, but I think Jericho's partner could be a two-time WWE tag team champion.

Six Pack Challenge/Six man tag

That's what I like to see.

I'm a fan of multiple man matches that consist of multiple feuds. All the feuds are meshed together to form the six-pack challenge, which consists of U.S. champ Kofi Kingston, The Miz, Carlito, Big Show, MVP and Jack Swagger.

By the looks of it Kofi's days are numbered, but the numerous feuds might work to his advantage as Swagger will be aiming for MVP and Primo might run in and take out his backstabbing (no pun intended) brother.

Big Show is the biggest problem (no pun intended) as he left the ring with all five of his opponents lying out cold.

This match was a good move that not only provides the mandatory U.S. title defense, but it gives three feuds airtime and six stars PPV time instead of going for Show vs. Kingston, which I thought was going to happen. It would have been nice if Evan Bourne was in the match as well, but he'll be on the outside looking in.

Everything Else

—Another boring Legacy handicap tag match took place where the opposing team wins and Orton slithers away with his henchmen..same ol' ending.

—Seth Green > ZZ Top

—Primo and Fox were the biggest surprises if the night, with the Hair's roll up win and Primo's ring work.

—Might be a little early, but Shaq > Every other RAW host

—Where was Beth Phoenix? Santino's 15 min of fame is up

—Dear Orton, .....Punt King

—RAW wasn't too shabby.

Quote of the Night: "I have more championships than you and father combined."—Jericho to Rhodes

And Then There Was One: Survivor Series and the "Sole Survivor"

AkD — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 22:50:06 -0400

Out of WWE's big four PPV's, Survivor Series is my favorite. Wrestlemania and the Royal Rumble are bigger draws and have more importance to the company as Rumble is the starting line for the road to Wrestlemania and the grandest stage of them all is obviously the end of the road.

As we await for the next journey to the grand stage we get a slew of PPV's in the meanwhile. One big pit stop is Summerslam, the biggest party of the summer and then there's Survivor Series. The PPV is the second longest running PPV after Wrestlemania as an original.

With the success of the Andre the Giant/Hogan feud and their match at Wrestlemania III, the company sought to build on it and capitalize on the blockbuster feud.

Survivor Series is the big PPV of the fall and the very first was delivered along with our turkeys, pies, potatoes, stuffing, and all rest of the big meal in Thanksgiving of 1987.

Team Hogan clashed with Team Andre in the first traditional five-on-five elimination matchup. Both teams were armed as their captain had powerful the allies the likes of Paul Orndorf, Bam Bam Bigelow, Don Muraco, and Rick Rude.

It has grown to be my favorite of the big four PPV's as their traditional five-on-five elimination tag match is a great concept that his been successful and adds to the company's history books as well as to a WWE superstar's list of accomplishments and feats.

Winning the King of the Ring was big deal and winning the Royal Rumble was huge as well as they both offered featured title shots. Winning on the grandest stage and taking home the Money in the bank briefcase are also good prizes.

The feat that Survivor Series has is a special one as it is like the others, you cannot accomplish it by any other means. Survivor Series gave birth to the "Sole Survivor," something only a handful of stars have in their list of milestones.

Though no title shot is given or any prize at all, not too many have can lay claim to this feat and very few can brag about overcoming the odds and achieving the feat multiple times.

Randy Orton has done so and has even been the sole survivor for both RAW and SmackDown teams. There are occasions where there are multiple survivors at the end of the classic matchup, so there isn't always one man left standing after the dust settles that claim the name sole survivor.

The traditional elimination tag match is the only match that a superstar can obtain the feat, but I say others were and can be sole survivors even if they don't exactly have the feat by being the last man in the tag match.

The tag matches aren't always five men against five men, Survivor Series 1991 featured the late Big Boss Man and legendary tag team Legion of Doom (LOD) taking on Typhoon and Earthquake, Natural Disasters and Irwin R. Schyster also known as IRS in a three-on-three elimination tag match. There was a three-on-five tag match featured a year before in 1990.

Survivor Series also gave birth to the Elimination Chamber, a cell composed of tons of black cold hard steel and unforgiving glass that is probably the only match and structure in the same class as the diabolical Hell in a Cell.

The very first one was held in 2002 at Cleveland, Ohio's Gund Arena. Shawn Michaels outlasted Triple H, Kane, Chris Jericho, RVD, and Booker T to become World Heavyweight champion and winner of the first ever Elimination Chamber.

The Heart Break Kid wasn't a traditional five on five elimination tag match, but he was a sole survivor in my eyes.

The way I see it is anyone who makes a huge impact and or survives after having one heck emerging as the victory of a match can also be a sole survivor or at least worthy of it.

Michaels have strong ties to the PPV as there was a tale of a heart break kid and a departing Canadian once upon time.

Michaels also took part in traditional elimination matchup, which was a four on four that included his former partner Marty Jannetty from his Rockers days as well as Jim Neidhart, Ultimate Warrior, and powerful foes in Andre the Giant and Bobby Heenan in 1989.

That year, every match on the card was a four on four elimination tag match that each lasted around 20 minutes.

Many of these matches were close and often went down to the wire, but the 2006 elimination tag match between team Rated-RKO and team DX was a complete sweep as every member of team DX survived. Michaels once again left his mark on Survivor Series.

Team Rated-RKO were dissected in a little over ten minutes leaving Orton to fend for himself against all five DX members and ultimately ending his sole survivor streak in a sweep that was epic crap.

Last year Orton redeemed himself and survived for his team along with Cody Rhodes after using his teammates as scapegoats which included William Regal, Mark Henry, and Shelton Benjamin defeating team Batista.

Beth Phoenix also stood alone as sole survivor for team RAW beating the SmackDown! divas.

These last few years the PPV hasn't been as good as it should be, but hopefully this year it will bounce back. I have a feeling it will be significant this year and we might..just might witness a damn good show.

We're still in July and it'll be interesting to see the direction of feuds and characters as WWE heads to its last big four PPV of the year. Summerslam should tie up some loose ends and bring closure to feuds (for the love of all that is good, end Trips vs Orton).

We'll get to see two new PPV's before Survivor Series in the forms of Breaking Point and Bragging Rights (What a name). By time then Punk should be complete his heel transition amongst other things.

What kind of traditional elimination match will we see?

It can either be inter-promotional or it could just be between stars on one brand. There hasn't been a sole survivor since Ric Flair winning it all for team legend in 2006, hopefully there will be one this year as it does gives a little boost to a star as well as some bragging rights (no pun intended).

Besides the tag match, there should be big things going on as I'll be looking for another star to be worthy of the sole survivor status like HBK in the 2002 Chamber match. Hopefully, he'll be back by then because he always has a strong showing at the PPV.

It'll be interesting to see how things will pan out and I have projected S4, an event that would make my night as well as many others if it actually goes down at Survivor Series, but more importantly, the PPV is booked strong like a big four PPV is more vital.

Flash Flood Advisory: Stand Back, There's Hurricane Coming Through

AkD — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:00:32 -0400

It's been years since we've seen our green caped crusader. Gregory Helms once brought justice to the WWE in the early 2000's appearing and disappearing saving those in need and taking on those who've committed bad deeds. Even in the face of adversity and perplexity our crusader was never speechless.

"What's up with that?!"

The Hurricane's character had some aspects of Superman as Helms attempted to hide his secret identity and don a suit and tie when he wasn't saving the WWE locker room like Clark Kent did for the Daily Planet. The super powerful, super fast, and stunning hero from Krypton was great, but wasn't Helms' favorite hero.

So who was?

Helms has a tattoo of a green lantern, which is the symbol for the superhero Green Lantern, a powerful hero whose strength lies with his ring, which can manipulate the physical world as long as the owner's mind is able to handle the power bestowed on them. His fondness of the DC hero led to his character being based on the hero himself and thus began the journey of WWE's hero, the Hurricane.

Every hero needs sidekicks and Hurricane had sidekicks the likes of Molly Holly and Rosey, his personal SHIT. Rosey was Hurricane's superhero in training and at times rode with Helms in his Hurra-cycle. During his Hurricane stint he also found an ally in Lance Storm and took on teams from the Dudleys to the Hardys.

Hurri-Storm had a nice little run and Helms continued on. After losing the Cruiserweight title to Jamie Noble at the King of the Ring 2002, he was drafted to RAW where he won the World Tag Team Titles with Kane forming Hurri-Kane with the Big Red Machine.

It wasn't too long after the tag title run Hurricane took Rosey, his SHIT under his wing. He was needing a new sidekick after Molloy Holly turned on him in an epic no holds barred Hardcore title match that took place at Wrestlemania X8.

Hurricane was over and was quite popular and it showed when he was one of the last few lucky stars to have a feud with The Rock. The two raged on in a war of words in which The Rock naturally dominated and dubbed him the hamburglar, the McDonald's character.

The rivalry eventually climaxed to a match, where the Hurricane was victorious thanks to The Rock being distracted by a Stone Cold Steve Austin appearance. He and Rosey moved on to capture the World Tag Team Titles in a tag team turmoil match, a match we might never witness again.

He was later ambushed by Kurt Angle by request of the angry chairman. This resulted in Hurricane turning on Rosey for not helping him when he was ambushed and left him to defend their tag titles all alone.

Hurricane reappeared and watched Rosey lose the tag titles out of costume as simply Gregory Helms.

Helms got tired of pandering to the fans like Jericho not too long ago did and hung up his green mask and tights in an attempt to be be taken more seriously in the ring. He kicked his SHIT to the curb and defeated him competition with a shining wizard, a move I'm fond of.

One of two things happen when your a heel on RAW.

1) You feud with John Cena and get your behind served on a silver platter.

2) Jerry "The 'nosy' King" Lawler stands up for what's right and challenges you.

Fortunately Gregory Helms got letter B, but was defeated by Lawler. Helms bounced back to SmackDown! in 2006 after he captured the Crusierweight title, a SmackDown! title, at the Royal Rumble.

General manager Teddy Long got fed up after constantly hearing Helms state he was the best cruiserweight ever and ordered Helms to defend his title every week. The angle was put on hold after Helms suffered a broken nose, but it resumed after he returned to the ring in little over a month.

His dominance wasn't the same and the losses started to pile up after a loss to World Heavyweight champion Rey Mysterio and U.S. champion Bobby Lashley. Helms unmatched reign ultimately came to an end after a crusierweight invitational where Chavo Guerrero walked out as the new champion.

Helms was easily the most successful cruiserweight champion in the WWE only having three reigns with a combined total of 532 days.

He didn't lie when he said he was the longest reigning cruiserweight champion and while JBL was the longest reigning WWE champion on SmackDown!, Helms was the longest reigning champion in SmackDown! history holding the cruiserweight title for 385 days on his last reign.

He's had an acumen for cruiserweight divisions and is one of the most decorated cruiserweight/light heavyweight champions across all pro wrestling.

SWA (Southern Wrestling Alliance) Light heavyweight champion

NDW (New Demension Wrestling) Light heavyweight champion

EWA (Exodus Wrestling Alliance) Light heavyweight champion

NAPW (New Alberta Pro E-Wrestling) Lightheavyweight champion

WCW Crusierweight champion

2-time CCWA (Carolina Championship Wrestling Alliance) Light heavyweight champion

2-time CCW (Carolina Championship Wrestling) Light Heavyweight champion

3-time WWE Cruiserweight champion

Helms ended up having neck surgery and was said to be out for a year. Upon Helms return he had a short feud with Shelton Benjamin, but failed to capture the U.S title from him. He also stuck up for Jeff Hardy when Matt Hardy turned on him, but was defeated by Matt.

He was drafted to ECW as part of the 2009 draft and has been a backstage interviewer ever since. His return to the ring has been anticipated as there has been a familiar green hero saving people in need.

We've seen him on RAW and SmackDown, but not in the land of extreme. If the time is taken to properly bring back Helm's alter ego Hurricane, we could very well witness Hurricane's best stint. They say the third time is the charm.

Like any superhero a cast of characters is needed to accompany the hero and ECW may be the best environment for our hero. Zack Ryder, Sheamus, Goldust, William Regal, and even Abraham Washington (yes him) can be interesting allies and villains.

Ryder's pretty boy cocky attitude makes a great protagonist and so does Sheamus if he's really going to attempt to make some damage in ECW.

Goldust would make a great ally as he is the bizarre one. He could also work with Yoshi helping him survive in ECW's rugged land.

Washington is annoying enough, but I think he'd fit in perfectly as the talk show host/reporter trying to get the latest scoop, the lowdown, the truth sort of like Spiderman/Jonah Jameson minus the Daily Bugle.

He fits the bill in my book. He can still have his atrocious talk show, but he can have an obsession trying to find out who the Hurricane is while being friends with Gregory Helms.

Kozlov is the powerhouse villain, who, of course, wants global domination like all powerhouse villains.

Ryder is the villain who obsessed with himself and likes to look sharp and Burchill is the ripper.

This would be a good way to bring Goldust back to his freakish and mysterious ways by adding a hidden agenda, but not revealing what it exactly is.

Regal is the mad English genius.

With many possibilities one can just wonder who or what the Hurricane will face upon his return. It might not be too long until we hear those words again...

Tales Of The Soviet Warmachine: Can Kozlov Reach Global Domination?

AkD — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:27:29 -0400

Deep within ECW, there is a monster whose heart is so cold, many call him a robot. Dubbed the Soviet Cyborg, Vladimir Kozlov is growing on me. Not to say I never had any interest in the Russian before, as I've always kept an eye for him.

Kozlov had many obstacles in his way upon entering the WWE when he first debuted on SmackDown! In a company that had a handful of big men, Kozlov was no different and he faced the possibility of being just another generic powerhouse. Like all generic powerhouses, Kozlov received the powerhouse treatment.

First he was groomed by having squash matches and after he got a bit of a feel in his new habitat, he would receive an undefeated streak. When the streaks are ended, that seals the fate of the powerhouse and the inception of their decline begins.

It's not always the case, but it is most of the time and the last two powerhouses in the Great Khali and Umaga both went down the path after their streak was snapped.

Was the streak snapping inevitable?

Yes.

Was the decline inevitable?

Maybe not, if Cena weren't the one to end their streak.

Unfortunately, Kozlov wasn't popular and he wasn't exciting in the ring. Things weren't really looking good for the Russian, but he still received wins and still plowed through his opponents.

Kozlov eventually gained a clean singles victory over the Undertaker. The end of the streak came around during the road to Wrestlemania, when JBL magically had an epiphany and decided his destiny was to return to Houston the as the conquering hero and end the Undertaker's streak at Wrestlemania 25.

HBK shared the same destiny apparently and Kozlov waited in the wings to face the winner of JBL/HBK, whch happened to be the heart break kid himself. Kozlov faced the showstopper and the streak was over after Sweet Chin Music.

He couldn't avoid the decline like Umaga and Khali and began losing like there was no tomorrow. Just like that Kozlov bright days were over, he was stiff in the ring and he couldn't get any kind of reaction.

When draft time rolled around Kozlov found himself in the land of extreme where it was assumed to be his career's final resting place.

ECW has been prominent for revitalizing careers and recently have Matt Hardy, Mark Henry, and John Morrison to show for it. The reset button was pushed and Kozlov once again had squash matches.

He also had promos where he was destroying punching bags and rolling on his neck (He really did that?) all topped off with some Russian mumbling in which I thought were great. Many still don't believe Kozlov is any good or can be any good at all, but I think he's made some progress.

I'm not sure who to credit with the new names for Kozlov and his character but Matt Striker has done a bang up job when it comes to putting him over and promoting him. Kozlov has arguably some of the best nicknames right now on the forms of the "Soviet cyborg", "Sambo master", and my favorite "Soviet/Russian warmachine".

He has better tights and a nice dojo like robe that fits him nicely. He's had some mic issues, but he did a pretty good job on the latest ECW when he commentated during the Shelton Benjamin/Christian match.

He barely spoke English but made it clear that he was superior to both Christian and Dreamer and could dismantle them on any given night.

Given the recent string of events on ECW, Kozlov might just insert himself into the title picture since he failed in defeating the No. 1 contender Christan, who was defeated by Shelton Benjamin, who is also looking to force his way into the title picture.

Unlike Benjamin, Kozlov appears more willing to take matters into his own hand and manifested his force by leaving both Christian and Dreamer on their backs at night's end.

Are we inching closer to "Global domination?"

I'm not sure on that but Kozlov bringing better competition to the land of extreme seems a bit more plausible now to opposed to a few months back.

His smile is stunning, isn't it? I'm not sure, but it's just hilarious when he smiles, it looks as if it's an automatic response from his brain as he doesn't know what to do or say at times.

The man who has an acumen for judo, kickboxing, and sambo is actually improving from my perspective.

As for the ECW title I'd rather see the gold standard with it, but Kozlov can at least contend if he can be interesting in some way like he his now.

It's always good to strike while the iron is hot and while it may not be steaming, it's at least a little hot, so I'm curious to see where Kozlov goes from here.

The title picture seems to be blurred after Night of Champions, and many are pulling for a fatal four way, I wonder who'll get to duke it out for the strap at Summerslam since WWE now wants the PPV to be second to Wrestlemania.

I've never been anticipating seeing the guy, but there's a first time for everything. If he keeps moving in the right direction, the Iron Curtain may indeed descend in the land of extreme.

The Verdict Is In: In a World Where Many Win, Many More Fail

AkD — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:04:16 -0400

Have you ever wondered what's wrong and what's right? Have you ever wanted justice? Have you ever wanted to know the difference between plausible and downright ridiculous?

Look no further—it's time to re-establish reality, redefine the foundation, and break down the walls of deception. In a world where everyone can't have it their way (only Burger King provides that), something has to give. In a world where many win, many fail.

R-rated Disaster

If Chris Jericho's "Save.Us" code was ever needed now would be the time. Everyone knows by now that Edge has been injured unless you've been under a rock. WWE tried to inject some insulin into the sugarless tag division in an attempt to sweeten the pot.

It was a so-so idea to many including myself at first, but who's not to have optimism when two top talents are holding the unified tag team championships. The moment Edge went down the search began for Jericho's next partner and thus the wild rumors for Jericho's next partner. Many were discussed, but three stuck out. Let's take these theories to court, shall we?

Chris Masters supposedly re-signed with the WWE after Randy Orton recommended him to the higher ups. Most stars are already tied up in feuds and Masters might not have someone to lock horns with. Masters also hasn't the received the instant classic hype which could be very useful as his return isn't anticipated and could end up being surprising.

Wouldn't Jericho's partner be someone closer to his level or at least someone who could easily shift into another feud after the team has split. Would WWE be ready to give Masters a major boost already? No test matches, no test feud, just rolling the dice without making sure Masters can fill the void and get the job done.

I believe the the cons outweigh the pros, but WWE loves nothing more than the element of surprise though there's already a handful of people picking Masters as the partner.

Verdict: Possible

Christian

Next up to the stand is none other than Captain Charisma hailing from Peep City. Every time there's even the slightest chance of an Edge and Christian program the peeps start peeping, beeping, stop sleeping, leaping, stop eating, and tweeting on how the reunion is on the way.

Pros? I don't believe there are any, so I'll use the the ones I've heard.

He'll finally be out of ECW and on SmackDown! with the big boys where he belongs. He and Jericho can be dominant Canadians that he and Edge where supposed to be and rule until Edge comes back as a face and finally have the feud/match/segment of the year that WWE has denied us fans for far too long.

Now for the cons.

ECW will be without their top star. Bourne, Swagger, Henry, Finlay, and Hart Dynasty are all gone and Christian is the biggest face on the show. Dreamer alone will be just be unbearable. I even tried to go along with this theory and thought of Christian still being apart of ECW but then he'll have to be a heel on that show too. Where is the huge payoff? Jericho and Taker will eventually come and Christian gets???

"EDGE AT WRESTLEMANIA! TLC!"

FAIL.

There are too much negatives and it vastly outnumbers any upsides to this "possible" decision. If it were my choice I'd throw him on the either big boy brand and watch him fall into mid card status while Benjamin rules the land of extreme, but that isn't going to happen. Christian also has an ECW title match against Tommy Dreamer at NoC as well.

Verdict: FAIL

Dolph Ziggler

He's been a rising star on SmackDown! and his future looks bright. Ziggler has multiple victories over the not so great Khali and one over fellow rising SmackDown! star John Morrison.

He's even got the attention of Maria. With things looking bright for Ziggler it wouldn't be out of this world to think Ziggler would be the guy.Like Christian Ziggler has his hands full at NoC against Rey Mysterio for the Intercontinental title and I doubt Ziggler would pull a Jericho and fight for those two titles in the same night.

Verdict: Not likely, but you never know

Trouble in Paradise

There's trouble in paradise, but its not Kofi Kingston. The Colons are now separated following Monday night RAW that was hosted by Seth Green. Not too long ago Miz and Morrison went down the same road.

WWE blows up yet another team, but why? Miz and Morrison were broken up because they dominated the tag division and it was time for pushes, the Colons broke up because as a team they...

FAILED.

Primo comes out as the babyface baby brother like Jeff Hardy was and calls out his brother. He gets Miz instead and ends up on his back. Carlito shows up late to the party and pulls out an old friend in an apple and spits in the face of Primo.

I liked Carlito prior to Primo's arrival and he played a good heel, can he successfully return to his old heelish ways? If I had to pick between the brother I'd pick Carlito, sorry Primo.

Carlito may have a small window to climb through if he's lucky, but a small chance is better than no chance, just ask Vince, so that's cool in a way. Primo might find a new home in the garage (will explain later).

Carlito Verdict: He may survive

Primo Verdict: FAIL

Kane vs. Khali

Didn't this happen before?

Didn't Kane have hooks as well?

I smell Mike Knox/Rey Mysterio here. Kane randomly shows up and attacks Khali at the Bash costing him his match against Dolph Ziggler. Khali can't speak that much and his mouth piece isn't questioning Kane's actions and Kane didn't even explain why he attacked the Punjabi playboy.

Kane, our "monster," hit 90 miles an hour trying to escape Khali running into the crowd and brings down a chair to attack him on another occasion. Khali takes the hit and disarms Kane, who looked intimidated trying to calm down an angry Khali.

I doubt any explanation would be plausible or even interesting at this point. Kane then gets hit and retreats. I don't know what you guys think, but I have my made up. Two giants with nothing to do going at it for no apparent reason.

Feud Verdict: FAIL

Many win, many more fail, but only one can be an epic fail. Vote for the epic fail.

Don't forget to check out Hit The Ropes Radio every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (EST) on Blogtalk Radio.

The Nickel: Sheamus Sqaushes, Peeps Meets Standard, the Iron Curtain

AkD — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:51:37 -0400

It was too long ago (a couple of hours) that I took aim at ECW's unorganized show. I wondered about the route the brand was going to take during its rebuilding process, and while still premature,it looks like they did well with time distribution.

I was a bit optimistic following some events that took place, but I know too well not to count chickens before the eggs hatch. Things looked a little up, but I have a feeling the war is still on the way.

The green protagonist answered my request and Goldust resurfaced on ECW. Did the Hurricane actually hear me?

It probably just a big coincidence, but I test this theory out for my own amusement and sent out another request to the land of extreme's green hero.

Peep show Meets A Greater Standard

Shelton Benjamin and Christian the immortal classic finally square off since Benjamin's arrival in the land of extreme. Shelton finished off Yoshi Tatsu for good—hopefully—and had a good match with good ol' captain charisma.

Christian and Benjamin went back and forth until Kozlov decided to come out and call the match at ringside which caused a minor distraction and resulted in Christian receiving a stiff kick from Benjamin off the top rope.

Benjamin continued to started to work on Christian's arm and continued applying pressure in various submissions. The match nearly saw a finish twice as Christian delivered a tornado DDT with impact from the top rope in which Benjamin kicked out from.

Christian was nearly defeated when Benjamin leaped to the top rope for the second time during the match and connected with a super armbar takedown.

The end arrived when the peep show captain attempted his too-slow-to-believe-only-connects-when-he-exposes-the-turnbuckle killswitch which was countered and the instant classic was instantly thrown shoulder first into the turnbuckle and then payed dirt for his troubles.

I hope the match was testing the waters for a potential feud for these two because the match was good.

Back-to-back wins for the gold standard? Can he make it three straight?

That hasn't happened in a while, but let's be optimistic to those who still believe in our standard...but be cautious.

Kozlov and the Iron Curtain

The Russian monster made his presence felt in the land of extreme and the Iron Curtain may very well be descending on ECW as Matt Striker likes to say. Kozlov first appeared in the beginning of the show during the Benjamin/Christian match.

Christian took it upon himself to look and received a kick to the arm that would not only send him flying off the top rope to the ground, but seal his fate. For a change, Kozlov went spoke some English during interviews.

He threw in Russian words here and there, but he was clear when he said Christian got lucky and that he could beat him and Dreamer anytime. Kozlov later backed up his words when he defeated ECW champion Tommy Dreamer with ease under five minutes. Is this foreshadowing? Where will Kozlov stand after Night of Champions?

Five matches / One night

I didn't think it could be done, but it was done decently. There was a squash match in there of course, but it was a good job nonetheless.

What was the best part?

No Washington!

The bad news is that he'll be back next week and he'll have both Dreamer and Christian on the show so he'll have to do a better job since the show is vital in the feud as they inch closer to Night of Champions.

Stand Back...

Dear Hurricane,

You've done well as Goldust has returned to ECW. In the wake of his return an English man has gone missing. He was last seen teaming with the soviet cyborg and he's been missing for about two weeks now. Find him and bring him back to the land of extreme. I'd ask for you to return to the ring again once more.

Helms decided to return to his backstage interviewer role and interview a new and improved big Zeke.

Everything else

Has anyone seen this Tyler Reks guy? I heard he was the FCW champ before being called up. I don't like judging too early, but I see nothing in this guy. His match wil speak for itself as he will get according to GM Tiffany...last name? I'm liking big Zeke, we can let Batista go now, he have a better replacement already.

Sheamus went through another local jobber this week and I'm still not completely sold on the guy, I need to see more. As I expected many are eating it up and over praising him already. We'll see where Mr. Sheamus goes.

We wanted Goldust back and we got him, but not the way we wanted. I was happy to see Goldust in action as he is still a very good worker in the company. He faced off against Zack Ryder. Like many others, I was pulling for Goldust, but we all knew the result before the match actually ended.

It doesn't look good for Goldust, I even wonder if he'll get television time next week. They'll be giving other talents time and that means others went get to wrestle let along get a backstage segment of any sorts.

Yoshi Tatsu also defeated Paul Burchill as well. I couldn't tell if Burchill pushed the ropes or of Tatsu botched when he went for the springboard spinning wheel kick. He delivered a roundhouse kick for the win. Katie was wasted away once more at ringside. She'll be babysitting again come Thursday on Superstars.

ECW's Breeding Ground Is Also an Unorganized Mess: Path to the Fray

AkD — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:58:53 -0400

Prelude: Alpha

All the other squadrons in red and blue wave to me (laughing) as I embark in the land of extreme. I traded in my pen and decided to lend my support to the cause, but I feel the urge to write once more.

With all that has occurred within the WWE during these past few months more issues and questions have emerged in the wake of attempting to answer some.

"Can the tag division be saved?"

We all have a pretty good feeling to what the answer should be and what it really is. Nevertheless it doesn't hurt to take a gamble right? Edge and Chris Jericho became unified tag champions at the bash followed by Hart Dynasty's arrival to Friday night WWE television and all seemed a bit optimistic. Edge had been worn out since participating in two elimination chamber matches at No Way Out.

"Hey management... I was wondering if maybe..sometime soon...possibly I could get a rest..err break".

I wonder if Edge sounded like that a few months back.

"We'll give you a break.....right after you compete in a triple threat at Wrestlemania 25, a last man standing match at Backlash, a singles match at Judgment Day, a ladder match at Extreme Rules, and a tag team title match at the Bash".

Edge got his break all right...

There are many other intriguing topics to choose from and I think I'll take aim at as much of them as I can. Two fellow B/R writers have effectively tackled a topic I thought about at times, but now I don't feel the need to, so peep this....and this.

The WWE has tried hard to shake things up (save RAW's rear end) to benefit the entire company and satisfy it's fans to some extent. I find myself now in the land of extreme as a result of the gold standard's arrival there following Donald Trump's 15 superstar tri-brand trade.

I wasn't really a regular viewer of the show, but now I have no choice like any Cena opponent put in the STFU, STF, or whatever they call it nowadays. So what's with the cast of characters on SyFy? (That really looks bad) This is going to be quite the trip. So what do we find in ECW?

In the midst of rebuilding the vets and new stars are all getting lost in the mix. Regal main events and isn't even on the following show. Sheamus debuts, but missed next show. It's going to be a while until everything is sorted out.

Stand back! There's a...

Where is the Hurricane?

Helms has been in a number of backstage segments as a mysterious protagonist in green that has been at the right place at the right time. Last week a woman fell off a Jeff Hardy-length ladder and Hurricane caught her and vanished. Now time for the hard-hitting questions.

Why was she up there?

Why did she just fall back instead of looking like she slipped?

He might still be healing from his injuries, but he'll have to return eventually and hopefully to a good showing. The brand seems to be up in the air so one could wonder what the superhero could end up doing in ECW. Since he's spending more time being a hero instead of being the ring I have a request.

Dear Mysterious hero,

I need help, a superstar is missing. He's six foot something, where's a wig, dons black and gold, a good worker, and he was last seen aiding and gallivanting around with some freak show who was once the little bastard of the company.

Don't forget to come back to the ring as well.

Then there are the Bella twins...and moving on to Katie Lee who I'll briefly touch upon. This lucky woman gets to stay home and babysit the twins while the all the other step divas are pulling hair for gold and taking part in eye popping bikini matches.

She's a great talent who was the first Queens of Chaos champ during her stint in the French promotion which she gave up to babysit. I guess Natalya decided to grab Kidd and Smith and skipped town when they heard twins were on the way.

Whatever happened to ol' man Dreamer?

"Why he's our champ! He's the heart and soul of ECW."

Dreamer has contributed a lot to the company and deserved one more run as champ but maybe "run" was the wrong word. It should have been a walk...across the street. Nevertheless we're stuck with another Christian vs Dreamer match for Night of Champions.

How can ol' man Dreamer even stand in the same squared circled as the golden-holy-walk-on-water-instant(scratch that) immortal classic Christian?! In the words of a certain soviet cyborg...

"Me want betta competition."

Dreamer can't hold it for too much longer, so here's hoping to Summerslam of Night of Champions doesn't result in the title change. How about our new comers? What do you get when you mix the American dollar and the American nickel? You get some half-baked act that gives instant boredom.

"You know what I'm saying?"

No, I don't know what your saying and I don't care Abraham Washington. After two shows I still keep my hand on the last channel button on my remote. There's a saying that goes third time the charm, but I really think otherwise.

I need to see some more of our new Celtic warrior who arrived right after Finaly, the other Celtic warrior left. I have a feeling Finlay got the memo about babysitting twins and skipped town as well. We also have Yoshi Tatsu.

Funaki 2.0 might be a bit harsh as he's talented in the ring but how far do any of you expect this guy to go? Taka, JYW, Funaki, and Tajiri are all prime examples of how far Asian wrestlers went in the WWE despite their talent and abilities. WWE just doesn't invest that much in them leading to many wondering why the world did Tastu defeat Shelton Benjamin in his debut?

All was right again when the marvelous mid-card man got even and defeated Yoshi, who is surprisingly over (more than Morrison if you go by pure cheers). Benjamin's supporters came out vocally last show and the plan is to keep coming out as the movement continues on for our gold standard. It's been a while since he's seen back-to-back wins, so lets see what happens this time around.

We have royalty (thanks to KOTR) in William Regal and he better not get lost in the shuffle, but he might for another generic powerhouse in big Zeke and the "woo woo" guy. At least the gold standard is pretty much guaranteed a match every week, but it already appears as if he's a while away from even being in a segment with the shiny silver.

"Edge is injured! Christian is gonna turn heel and join forces with Jericho and become tag champs and then Edge will come back as a face in and then.."

—He came back on ECW

—After draft stayed on ECW

—After Trump trade is still on ECW

Haven't settled in completely yet, but I'm already used to the peep show, in which I just don't give two cents about. Unused talent, underused talent, air-time issues, moving in new talent...this is going to be messy.

Months from now who'll be standing tall? Or standing at all?

It was bound to be a mess as it begins to build new stars again, but it might be more difficult to pick things as quick as they last time, none of these new guys even have guaranteed roster spots.

Who will survive? Most likely, 99.9 percent don't care, but some are awaiting Goldust and Hurricane's returns, the fate of the new comers, and the hopefully inevitable Benjamin ECW title run.

By the looks of it, we're in for one hell of a ride, but I can't help but enjoy going against the grain. Summer hasn't been so hot and winter we're in for a storm, World War FiftyIV is on the horizon..not much time left.

If we don't get our voices heard it'll be the end of the line folks.

Out.

The Nickel: Punk's Progression, Vince On SD!, The Truth, & a New Project

AkD — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:33:50 -0400

Teddy Long on Probation

The biggest question right about now is why the hell was Vince McMahon on SD!? After "buying" back his baby flagship show RAW a double the price he sold it for..he shows up on the labeled "B" show in the WWE. Just about everyone who I've interacted with after this special appearance whether it was via internet, phone, or in person were disgusted by McMahon showing up.

The reason?

"He ruined RAW, he's going to ruin SD! now!"

There were other claims, but that was the most frequent one. I'm indifferent toward his appearance, but hs segments weren't as bad as usual. Vince ragged on Mysterio, Hardy (loved it) and looked at R-Truth like he was an idiot.

Teddy Long also felt McMahon's sudden Friday night storm as he was put on probation. I don't know what's to come with this, but I'd be satisfied if Vince gathered a group of SD! stars and tried to "fix" SD! and lead to a Survivor Series matchup of some sorts.

Who's a Punk?

I for one was blown away by Morrison's victory over CM Punk as his push was soared to unbelievable heights. Punk is playing his tweener role excellently as I'm beginning to find myself more and more drawn to his character.

He hasn't got me on board yet, but he took a giant leap on Friday against Morrison. His GTS afterward was a great way to put the icing on the cake. From the moment I saw Punk on ECW I always said he looks like a SD! guy and he's doing big things on Friday nights.

With Dreamer and Orton as the other world champs Punk is easily the most watchable in the eyes of many. I hope he gets rid of Hardy and he takes his leave out of the arena at the Bash and out of the WWE as well. His theme song is currently my favorite in the entire company...I wonder how much longer until I'm a Punk fan?

Jeese is ALIVE!

Oh thank the heavens Jesse is alive!

Biscuits and gravy!

Relax, I'm not that excited, but it's good to know he didn't get the boot. He appeared on Cryme Tyme's first ever televised "Word Up" that's usually shown on WWE.com. Jesse appeared in the middle of the show wanting to be "down" with the Brooklyn boys. He repeatedly said "Jeezy", who happens to be my favorite rapper Young Jeezy though Jesse was referring to himself. It's a shame that Jesse did a better job than those two at their own gimmick. I hope Jesse gets more airtime and some wrestling time with Cryme Tyme.

FiftyIV's World War FiftyIV: Alpha & Omega

Yours truly has an epic project in the works.

What is it?

When will it be Published?

There is no timeline as I don't know when it will be published, but I can say it will be a fine piece of work. It isn't just depending on my availability to pen a piece, I can go at just about at anytime, but it depends on other things as well. Endurance, strength, diligence, and tolerance amongst other things. The journey to the piece will be an epic one, I will have to find my way to this piece.

Sidenote: It will be a wrestling piece, I no longer have time nor wish to address our resident idiots.

You want the truth?

"You be skipping and jumping"

Another Benjamin loss in the books folks, but I'm so frustrated that I'm tired of being frustrated. Benjamin can take out Truth any day of the week, so my high point was the promo he got to cut before squaring off with Truth.

He really gave it to him huh?

"I don't be the gold standard....I AM the gold standard!"

That was a pretty good promo in my view though the masses will disagree. Jim Ross took some time to mention Benjamin's win loss record and that's it's frustrating Benjamin. It's frustrating me too (5-35 for 2009). I hate jumping the gun and assuming, but maybe..just maybe Benjamin might have something finally going for him here as he got some heat including some "You suck" chants at the end of the promo.

Yes, I'm always optimistic.

The Nickel: Punk/Hardy, Orton/Triple H, Donald Trump, and RAW 3 for All

AkD — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:08:38 -0400

RAW is in the toilet

Jericho opened the night with a short promo ripping RAW in half, literally.

He took the time to mention that RAW had no GM, a vacant world title, and a drop in ratings. Jericho continued his angle with Rey Mysterio once again, claiming that his mask will be his downfall.

Mysterio came out with nice gold attire and had one hell of a match with Jericho. Mysterio pulled off a difficult looking dive out of the ring through the middle rope near the ring post on Jericho.

There was also a moment where it looked like Jericho was going to attempt a 619 on Mysterio that was really amusing. Rey also did a pretty impressive sunset flip powerbomb on Jericho from the top rope and nearly got the count.

Rey's fate would indeed be his mask as Jericho stated and foreshadowed for quite some time. Rey's springboard was countered when Jericho pulled his mask, blurring Rey's vision.

Mysterio grabbed his mask, scrambling to adjust it, but received a code breaker from the IC champion who got the three count and retained.

It was a fantastic opening.

Mysterio and Jericho have done a great job with the feud, and I hope more is on the way.

Trump card

I'm having mixed feelings about Vince "selling" RAW to Donald Trump. It seems like Mr. Trump doesn't want to be completely forgotten. The great news in all of this is that it isn't Ric Flair.

I was prepared for the worst and had my remote ready to change the channel, but Flair wasn't the GM...in fact no one was.

Trump was named as the owner of RAW, but I guess it can count as the GM too, unless someone is named soon.

World Heavyweight championship match

The match between Punk, Edge, and Hardy was well worked. I assumed Punk would win, but the way he did puzzled me. During the match he was thrown above Edge's shoulders and fell onto the steel steps outside.

He held his knee and I assumed it wasn't legit, though it could have been. Nevertheless, the smokescreen was done very well as it appeared that Hardy could have very well won the belt after hitting a swanton bomb on Edge and Punk on the floor with his knee being tended to by doctors.

The end came after Hardy's swanton bomb when Punk pulled him out of the ring and rammed him into the steel steps. It was interesting seeing Punk get aggressive with Hardy and Hardy getting aggressive with Punk really going after the knee.

Punk got rid of Hardy and pinned a knocked out Edge. Teddy Long came out after the match and announce Hardy vs Punk for the title at the Bash.

I'm actually looking forward to the match, though I'm not really a fan of Hardy or Punk, but the most interesting part is Edge on the outside looking in.

Who will the Rated R superstar face at the Bash?

Age of Orton 3

The fatal four way wasn't half bad as I initially thought. Show, Cena, Trips, and Orton found time to deal with their personal feuds and go at their competition during the match.

Cena was on his superman mode just like he is in any other match.

Seeing Trips get finished early was surprising as the ending focused on Cena, Show, and Orton. Cena once again put the mighty Show on his back with a massive attitude adjustment only to have Orton run in from outside and toss him shoulder first into the ring post.

I guess Cena didn't see Orton slither into the ring. Orton waited for Show to come around and gave him an RKO for the pin.

That mark reign No. 5 for Legacy's leader...can it actually mean something this time?

The rest of the 3 for all

Tommy Dreamer defeated Christian in a very boring ECW title match. Dreamer really shouldn't have worn those pants.

I can't believe he retained on a roll up pin.

The Colons defeated the Hart Dynasty via DQ after a Priceless run in. Looks like Orton's boys might finally be manning up and sent a message to the Unified tag champs.

Mickie James defeated Rosa Mendes. It's about time Mendes started spending more time in the ring instead of at ringside.

She tried, but Mickie triumphed over Beth Phoenix's student. Diva's champ Maryse was at ringside to witness the match and even teased Mickie afterward.

Triple H won the battle royal...surprise!

The WWE title match against Orton will take place next week during the commercial free RAW.

Miz destroyed Hornswoggle and Goldust...hilarious.

Why is it So Difficult for Randy Orton to Be a Credible Champ?

AkD — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:49:39 -0400

We are about half way through with 2009 and I've been trying to put this Randy Orton puzzle all together. I'm wondering why he can't or doesn't at least look like a credible champion in any of his recent runs.

The last time I was excited about Orton was at the Royal Rumble, which he won with the help of Legacy members Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase Jr. I'm not enraged because I'm not as huge of an Orton fan as I used to be, but I can't deny that it's really ridiculous.

It seems as if he can't catch a break. Every time he causes some damage or gets the upper hand he is almost immediately countered. He feuded with Triple H on the way to Wrestlemania XXV and took out the McMahons, but that's all he pretty much did. He punted Vince, punted Shane, and took out Stephanie.

It's not really a big deal, but the repetition is really getting tiring.

It's bad enough that RAW is in drought, Orton's progress through 2009 has been shaky and just downright nonsensical. In a matter of months he's went from one of my favorite stars to a guy that I could care less about now.

There are those who have said don't blame Orton, but I'm not blaming him though It's still really annoying. Legacy basically turned into Jobacy, mindless drones following idiotic orders from a "viper", who escapes a beat down or gets his butt whooped as well.

How many times have Orton and Jobacy stood in the ring just to have someone beat the living crap out of them? It's been months of the same thing. Trips has done it, Shane McMahon has done it, Flair has done it, Batista has done it, even MVP and John Cena has done run-ins to add to the beat down.

Everything has seemed like it has been rushed. Orton had lost to Trips at Wrestlemania, but still kept his eye on the WWE title like a vicious heel would do. Orton looked to continue his vindictive plot to take out Trips, but Batista returned to get revenge on Orton.

Batista was punted in December last year and written of WWE television to nurse a real injury. He rushed back and was inserted into the Trips/Orton feud. I'm not acknowledging Jobacy at this point. It was natural for Batista to return for revenge, but couldn't Orton get to finish up with Trips?

Orton had only two things to look forward week after week. We would either see Orton escaping angry for payback, or he ended up on his back with his scapegoats. Orton had to deal with Trips and Batista then...enter Shane McMahon. He too was punted by Orton thus his revenge to avenge his family by attempting to take out Orton.

Orton and his goons ultimately ended up facing Triple H, Batista, and Shane McMahon at Backlash in a six man tag match, which Orton won. Orton followed up by punted Trips to take him out of action. Once again Orton would be bombarded with people who just seemed to have a bone to pick with him.

MVP inserted himself fighting Orton and Jobacy on his first night on RAW after being drafted from Smackdown via 2009 WWE Draft. Cena like MVP briefly inserted himself and came to MVP's aid. MVP wouldn't last too long and was sent back to the mid cards with his U.S. title where he belongs and Cena got tangled up with Big Show.

Every week we had handicap tag matches or one on one matches that always included interference. How can Orton be a credible champion with constant changes in his stories? Injuries play a role, but it seems like desperation for the most part.

Ric Flair would insert himself into Orton's endless stories by coming to Batista's aid at Judgment Day after Orton got DQ'ed to retain his title. Flair like Shane, MVP, Batista, Trips, Cena, and even Kennedy for one night only wanted to get a shot or payback on Orton.

There is too much stars going at the man. It's not necessarily a problem, but it never ends or mitigates. Orton and his henchmen beat down someone and someone else is already waiting in the wings to run out and take their shot at Orton. Whenever Orton succeeds it's not for long as someone comes to put on Orton on his back or get him running away.

One McMahon is gone and out comes another. Trips is gone and out comes Batista. Batista is gone and out comes Flair for the save. Batista suffered another injury, so he's gone and out comes Trips.

I wonder when Flair will insert himself once more?

I really hope he isn't the new RAW GM.... things will only get worse.

MVP also stated he wanted to insert himself into the WWE title picture, so add one more to the ever growing list. I thought there was a huge fuss about world titles switching hands too often, but they changed hands at Extreme Rules.

Well I guess it was considered long for the WWE, the champs lost the belts in two months instead of the usual one month. The age of Orton two is done in my book. Orton's story repetitiveness and staleness is just killing me, I don't know how much people can take, especially the die hard Orton marks.

Batista is now written off again and Trips is ready for another round with Orton...I'm not though I understand Trips needed to come back. Orton ordered his drones to attack a sledgehammer wielding Triple H and both were taken out with ease as the 13-time world champ made his way to the ring for another brawl with Orton at the end of RAW this week.

Orton was beaten down once more and Triple H reigned supreme. Out goes the reign to help Orton look credible. Hopefully he everything settles down to a pace at which Orton can progress to a credible champion because it isn't working this way.

The Dynasty Manifesto: Brand Thoughts and What's So Extreme?

AkD — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:37:47 -0400

It's no secret that the general feeling amongst us is that Raw's product is horrendous right now. It's not difficult to agree and saying otherwise is difficult to fathom. Extreme Rules is this weekend and the card just might be the worst of 2009.

The Hogpen match between Miss Wrestlemania Vickie Guerrero and former Miss Wrestlemania Santina Marella just has me shaking my head in frustration in not being able to understand why all of it is even transpiring in the first place. The fact that this match is happening is beyond me.

If WWE wanted to put on a match between divas at Extreme Rules, why not use actual divas? Maybe that's why it's extreme. You have a match between a man and a general manager, who hasn't stepped into the ring.

What about Maryse, Kelly Kelly, and Mickie James?

What about Women's champ Melina?

The divas continue to be put on the backburner for nonsense.

Then comes Big Show and John Cena. Show has really grown on me in the last few years, and it just frustrates me knowing he's in a program with John "Never die, never lose" Cena. People can call this a Cena shot, but Show is just going to get his butt handed to him on a silver platter at Extreme Rules.

Cena hasn't been able to get the STFU, STF, or whatever the name is now on Show. Show has been applying his Camel Clutch almost every week when he dominates Cena. This reminds when Cena faced Khali and Umaga when they were unstoppable on Raw.

Just when the odds were against him, he puts on the cape and you know the rest. I really hope Show defeats Cena, but I just don't see it happening.

I've chose to ignore the cage match; it's irrevelant to me now.

The thing that boggles my mind most is how in the world a submission match is extreme? The last match added was the fatal four way match for the U.S. title between Matt Hardy, William Regal, MVP, and the new U.S. champ Kofi Kingston.

Fatal four matches ways are extreme?

They haven't been done in years, and this is the first that I know of in the PG era. These new fans haven't seen this before, so it's extreme. The old fans haven't seen it in a long time, so it's extreme.

Four guys in the ring at once seems pretty extreme to me. Maybe the Royal Rumble should be added to the card as well. How about a tornado tag match for the yet-to-be defended unified Tag Team championship? Tornado tag sounds extreme, too.

I'm happy for Kofi's latest win, making him the 17th man to have held both the U.S. title and Intercontinental title. The last man to achieve this feat was Shelton Benjamin, who reached it after defeating Matt Hardy at the Great American Bash last year.

MVP recently lost the title to Kofi and will get a rematch at Extreme Rules. It looks like Kofi will retain it, as WWE hasn't put up a strong smokescreen; it's rather weak and, quite frankly, pathetic.

Hardy and Regal are looking like a tag team, and MVP looks to be heading to the main event scene.

I won't lie, I enjoyed Regal's and Hardy's interaction in the tag match, in Vickie's office, and when they destroyed Santino, but I'd rather not see them as a team. What the heck ever happened to Brian Kendrick and his search for his partner?

How about Legacy? Oh, right, those guys are the ultimate scapegoats; they might as well turn DiBiase to a face already and disband Legacy.

If MVP miraculously climbs the ranks to main event status over guys in the likes of Show, Hardy, Cena, etc., my days of tuning into Raw will probably come to an end. Kennedy seemed to have gotten the D'Lo Brown.

He was fired after a triumphant return. Obviously the two were released for different reasons. I wasn't his biggest fan, but he could have been used to freshen up Raw a bit, as it is more stale than the oatmeal cookie I found under my couch before writing this Manifesto.

HBK and Trips are needed more than ever right now. I have no clue how they will make it to 2010, let alone through the summer with their current product. ECW is doing quite well for an hour show. The Hart Dynasty looks promising, but I wonder if they will ever get PPV time, as ECW only gets one match a PPV and it's for the ECW championship.

Finlay seems to be pissed with Swagger, so who will the Dynasty feud with? I hope they appear on Superstars at some point. Tommy Dreamer may be the only guy I care about at Extreme Rules; the man has done so much. Give him the belt one last time. SmackDown has become everyone's favorite show, including myself.

I was a Raw boy and never thought I'd be on the verge about not even wanting to watch the show that got me into wrestling. SmackDown has been taking the right steps in freshening up the product.

Ziggler isn't too shabby, and I really like Ricky Ortiz, though many have disdain for the motivational wrestler. Chris Jericho has really broke the walls down; he's been everywhere in the little time he's been on SmackDown. He's made enemies of CM Punk, John Morrison, Rey Mysterio, and even WHC Edge.

At Extreme Rules, he'll be facing Intercontinental champion Rey Mysterio in a No Holds Barred match, and the two will look to have another stellar match adding on their match from Judgment Day. Mysterio is extremely popular, and Jericho gains more heat than anyone else in the WWE right now; the two are a perfect pairing.

Edge will also face Jeff Hardy in a Ladder match. The only thing I'm anticipating is Hardy walking out of the arena with luggage for the last time...hopefully for a very, very long time. R-Truth and Mike Knox are reliable guys; I wish SmackDown would use them more.

The divas division is coming along well. They've made the right decision by banishing Maria from the ring. Let's hope it stays that way. The diva division as a whole is just Atrain wreck, but SmackDown's divas are more flexible to work with.

Melina, Gail Kim, Eve, Michelle McCool, Alicia Fox, and Layla make a solid six to work with. Candice Michelle is also on the way from injuries.

I only have two problems on SmackDown. This CM Punk/Umaga thing just has to end. Punk is just bouncing all over the place. He can beat Edge and Jericho, but not Kane and Umaga. Granted, the latter two are more powerful, but Punk hasn't really progressed since winning the case at Wrestlemania 25.

I really worry about his inevitable second WHC reign.

Hardy isn't going to last much longer; someone has to step up next. Will it be Punk? I'm not sure if he's ready, but when he does get the belt again, I hope he doesn't get screwed over like the first time he won it about a year ago.

John Morrison is another guy I'm wondering about. Is he the next Superman? The man hasn't lost since Wrestlemania 25. The bandwagon is out of control, and many don't mind that at all.

The way he's dominated Shelton Benjamin is ridiculous. This argument could be thrown out the window, due to the fact that I mark for Benjamin. It's obvious Morrison is going to go over Benjamin, but can he look like a challenger instead of the local jobber?

Is it weird that Benjamin never got a win, or at least assaulted Morrison in the feud? No, I guess not. Who cares about Benjamin, anyway? Morrison is the next HBK! Though I'm not too happy about some things on the B show, I'm still looking forward to the show.

Undertaker and Kane are going to be a big help when they return. I'm curious to know what will happen over the summer with SmackDown. I have a good feeling about the show heading into next year, hopefully I'm right.

As for Extreme Rules...let it be done and over with already.

Every Memory That Oscillates, Pt. 3: Dissonance & World's Greatest Tag Team

AkD — Sat, 30 May 2009 00:17:04 -0400

For those who haven't read the first two parts in my series, they are available below:

Every Memory That Oscillates: My Love For Wrestling

Every Memory That Oscillates Pt. II: Ain't No Stopping Me....Us

Without further ado, Oscillating Pt. III: Dissonance & World's Greatest Tag Team.

Gone were the uniforms and gone was another chapter of my life. Middle School graduation had past months ago and August was coming to an end and the inevitable had already transpired. I had little to no contact with my middle school friends already.

Though I predicted this, I didn't really care. Not that I didn't have good times with my friends, but times were changing. I can remember middle school with blurs, but I'll forget never the moniker I was dubbed there. After going in as snot[nosed brat, I emerged as the young man known as AkD.

Wrestlemania XIX still was imprinted in my mind. Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho had a marvelous showdown, Stone Cold Steve Austin faced off against The Rock for the final time. Though the match had me equally emotional as the two actually competing, it wasn't my favorite part of the night.

Seeing Shelton Benjamin retain the tag titles with Charlie Haas made my day, nothing could have ruined it after that. Other than that, I saw the effort and emotion that these stars put into their characters, into themselves. It was about diversity, standing out and coming together.

No longer confined by slacks and tie, It was time to get an identity. I felt like I was apart of the Right to Censor faction.

I had a growing interest in psychology and juggled it around with wrestling from time to time. Erik Erikson's life development had me pondering. I was cognizant of identity crisis. Knowing it was more of a mental issue, I chose to deal with that when the time came.

My physical image/identity would have to do in the meanwhile. Wrestling and I could finally be one. I went shopping in the late summer before school started. While shopping, my mind started to wander off, as it does every once in a while.

Did I want to dress like a wrestler? Most of them wore tights, so what am I thinking? Before I lost myself, I shut the memory vault and purchased clothing to my liking. I began to purchase fitted caps, which I wear like there's no tomorrow. The world had changed.

Sept. 11 still echoed and troops were sent to Iraq to wage war against terrorism. I remembered how I always said there was no stopping me, but I had a feeling more changes were on the horizon.

The first day of high school seemed amazing. The atmosphere was intense and there were thousands of students, all with thousands of stories.

I was ready. I had prepared for high school like runners did for the NYC Marathon. I was there physically, I was there mentally, most importantly I was there.

It was time to transition wrestling into this new environment. I didn't know anyone yet, so I took a seat by a vending machine in the crowded lunchroom.

I wasn't a shy kid, so making friends wasn't difficult for me. l decided to get a bag of Doritos from the machine and I munched on them.

Closing my eyes, and attempting a monk-like form, I was able to reach my vault quickly than ever. I was high on Prince Buddha and was high on " Enlightenment".

I found these terms and theories to be beneficial for myself. My neurons had more connections and the neurotransmitters sent out messages faster than ever in my brain. My corpus callous was improved and I zoomed through my wrestling memories like a flip book.

I returned to the lunchroom and went to work making friends and getting acquainted with people. It was clear that nobody was fond of wrestling anymore. As partying, sex, drugs, graffiti and clothing came to power, wrestling was deemed uncool.

Being half way matured and growing up, I was prepared for the worst and the worst had indeed happened. I was amazed on how calmly I approached the situation. There was more logic in my thinking now.

This was a case of cognitive dissonance. My thoughts, emotions, and behavior were all being put to the test. Dissonance is conflict within ourselves that occurs whenever one or two of the three aforementioned contradicts the others. My behavior was that I watched, discussed, and interact with wrestling.

The emotion is obviously the passion I have for it, and the thought was effected. Wrestling's "un-coolness" was implemented as the thought and thus the dissonance seed was planted. I could have dealed with it, or downplayed it. I took the easy road, denial.

During Freshman year, I met by best friend Jesse. He was a quiet kid and I approached him during a food fight. By this time, I had already had friends who were into wrestling and I was lucky to have found friends who enjoyed wrestling as much as I do. I assumed Jesse liked it too.

He never watched wrestling before in his life and was a Star Wars fan. We were good friends, but the debates were unavoidable. We went head-to-head battling for supremacy.

The memories in my mind went into a fierce orbit trying to put forth memories that I could use in my battle, but it was no use. Jesse had not watched wrestling, and anything I said to him was like a foreign language.

Jesse was an interesting person, I knew we would be great friends, despite him not knowing a damn thing about wrestling.

I closed the vault of memories before it crashed like a computer. I knew it was going to take some time, but he would come around. Eventually, he asked me for the air times of RAW and SmackDown.

I gave them to him and hoped for the best. I spent the rest of my Freshmen year as a "geek," "nerd," or whatever seemed to be the teasing term.

I was quite the gamer back then. Teachers in school were pushovers and young students didn't fully fathom how vital high school was.

The only thing that mattered was getting into a clique. I had mine, I guess. We were passionate about wrestling and played the games as well.

A tournament was held for the first SmackDown vs. RAW game to ever come out. Coca Cola, Doritos and sweat...we had a fierce tournament.

I made it to the finals with my favorite wrestler Randy Orton. I faced my friend Steven, who was a Kurt Angle fanatic. After a grueling 27 minutes, I defeated him and claimed the first SmackDown tourney title.

By Wrestlemania XX, Jesse was a huge fan, but he still had a way to go to and wanted to learn as much as much as he could about wrestling. His favorite wrestler was Chris Benoit.

Later, his favorites would be Chris Jericho, Mr. Kennedy, and John Morrison following Benoit's death. He loved him so much he used him in the video games and made everyone tap out with the crossface, he was quite the button masher.

I missed the opportunity of a lifetime to go to Wrestlemania XX at Madison Square Garden; I didn't appreciate wrestling as much as I thought I did. The dissonance was hovering over me, but I kept pushing it away.Within my mind I knew the next time it came to MSG, I would appreciate it much more.

Wrestlemania XX was fantastic as my favorite wrestler Randy Orton, went over Rock and Foley with Evolution. Jesse was also excited as Benoit captured the WHC in a stunning triple threat match against HBK and Triple H.

Jesse and I were all over the place, we were often called Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin, the World's Greatest Tag Team.

Sophomore year took me in a different direction. I was quite the joker and I was becoming popular. Wrestling was slipping within me as the dissonance kicked in and I down played it again. Joking was taken to the next level in school.

Students would have "cut ass" battles, a no holds barred competition between two or more people whose sole objective is to put down their opponent by any means necessary...even it if meant crossing the line.

People used to make fun of me because I watched wrestling, but I emerged as an elite in "cutting ass."

I became a heartless monster and one of the best at it. I became popular and I was surrounded with new crowds of people. Like a chameleon or any other animal in an ecosystem, I had to adapt.

Was this Natural Selection?

Slowly I began to "sell out," in my own terms as continued to shy way from wrestling. My AkD moniker had transitioned well into high school as I became the main event, the showstopper himself, HBJ?? No, it was HBK?

I was hungry and I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich one day for lunch. Later I found out that no one eats New York City school lunch for a reason.

Deep down I knew that everything was slowly decaying as I used my lunch as an excuse. To prove myself wrong, I journeyed into the vault in my mind. Everything appeared fine as usual.

I had to think a while sometimes to get the right memory or response, but everything was still fine. I squinted around as the celestial-like light wasn't as bright as before. I took my exit. That would be the last time I entered to vault for over a year.

Junior year came and I was all over the place. Joking, school work, gaming, social activities, sports, I was doing it all. I had an XBOX 360 by this time and was burning Gears of War, one of Microsoft's most popular video games. Eddie Guerrero's death was a distant memory and Wrestlemania 22 was a blur.

Jesse kept on watching, but I never asked him for any recaps. He was gaining more knowledge and tested my knowledge from time to time. He corrected me from time to time and it was clear I wasn't as sharp as I used to be.

The last Wrestlemania I remember was Wrestlemania XXI, which I only recalled Kurt Angle vs. HBK. That was the best match by far, and I only remembered it so well because it was a strong memory which I loved.

Wrestlemania 23 passed me by, as the only thing I knew about the show was that Donald Trump was going to be there.

I didn't really care. The only thing I kept was "Dynasty."

I was so delusional I thought I was leading a dynasty.

I remembered when Randy Orton used to say he was a one-man dynasty. I picked up the ball and ran with it, so to speak. I used the term and as if it were my own, forgetting that it was Orton who once said it.

As popular as I was, there were enemies. Me and my Dynasty, "friends" who played football with me, were determined to take out this one rival of mine. He was a big mouth who swore he was better than me yet he never stepped foot on the field.

He was one of those guys who did all the talking, but never any walking. I anticipated his downfall. At home, music countdowns and reality shows replaced RAW and SmackDown. I finally got to face him one day. It was like my Wrestlemania.

We were two clashing arrogant egos who wanted nothing more than to gloat in their rival's defeat. The day came on a summer-like spring day. We had a field day on the school campus. Both squads took off to the football field and it was set.

We were supervised by teachers, who left to go do raffles and other activities. It became no holds barred at this point on. The two teams went blow for blow, hit for hit. The Dynasty stood tall as we won the game. It was first to seven touchdowns and I scored the last one. I landed on my thumb on the winning drive.

The annoying kid never got up as he was screaming in agony. He was hit by one of my teammates. It looked like Brock Lesnar running over Rey Mysterio. There was a huge dogpile on him afterward.

I had a swollen thumb that turned bluish-purple. I dropped to my knees holding my thumb as teachers rushed to the scene. The kid had two bruised ribs and I had broken my thumb near the joint.

It was if two wrestlers were carried out of the ring on stretchers. The once-hyped audience was now silent as night. We both were suspended from school for one month after the staff got the scoop on the entire story.

I really didn't mind because the fractured thumb was on my right hand, my writing hand, so I couldn't write anything in school anyway. One month was quite a while, so I sat home and was training like a wrestler.

It was like Cena, Batista, Triple H or any injured wrestler cutting an injury promo training to make a comeback. My doctor had told me if I refuse to put screws and bolts in my thumb, I might not be able to ever bend it again.

I was scared of nuts, bolts, screws, and surgery so I took the harder road and trained my thumb. I had to stop when the pain became too excruciating and I had to take painkillers. It was just a broken thumb, but I thought of the wrestlers.

"Is this the pain they go through?"

They had to take drugs to enhance their performance or to overcome the pain in their body. The WWE wellness policy was up by this time. I slowly came to my senses.

One day I took a seat and decided it was time for reflection after working on my thumb. I had the house all to myself, so I could really review the paths I've taken over the past two and a half years.

Sharp pains went through my thumb and I dropped the bottle of pills on the floor. I scrambled to pick them up at a very slow pace. I was alone in my room, my house. Is this how Eddie spent his last night? I couldn't even think of that or Chris Benoit's tragedy.

I stumbled as I tried to get to my feet and hit my thumb on my dresser. It should have been in the splinter, but I took it out.

My eyes watered up a bit as I let out a huge scream. I took my pill and remained on the floor protecting my thumb like someone just nailed it with a hammer. There was no where to go, so I sat.

The dissonance was face to face with me. Why did I do this? My ego was so big, I adapted.... sold out. I had went against everything I stood for. I was supposed to stay true to myself. Instead, I became a hypocrite.

If Jericho was doing his current angle back then, It would have been flowing through my head. As the pain mitigated, I closed my eyes, desperate to get away I returned to the vault.

There was no orbit, no neurotransmitters sending memories swiftly, no tables of content, no index, no oscillation. There was barely any light; it was almost pitch black. The vault resembled the way it was when I was first got into wrestling; it was spacious.

I looked for my memories as I used the vault walls for guidance. The walls were as cold as ice. There was barely any pulse, I feared for a flat line. The very same vault I built with wrestling memories with myself, with my father over the years...was diminishing.

I slowly walked as the lights now flickered. I saw Rock, Austin, Orton, Flair, HBK, Hart, Steamboat and many more as pieces of the vault made noises like it needed oil. I saw myself, seven years old watching RAW with my father.

I saw the WWE/F, AWA, NWA, ICW, ECW, and WCW my father passed on to me as we exchanged knowledge. I saw Shelton Benjamin, what ever happened to "ain't no stopping me?" The faded slide show stopped as my mother brought broke my concentration.

"ALBERT! Get off the floor, Are you okay? I told you to keep that splinter on your finger! If your thumb doesn't get better...your getting surgery."

Speaking of reality, I had an epiphany. This wasn't a movie or some inspirational story on one based on a true story, it was my life and the connection I had to wrestling...which I was losing by the day.

After I nodded and got to my feet my mother blasted me and told me to keep up with my school work. Surgery was the last thing I wanted, so I became more diligent with my thumb. The tolerance I once had was returning bit by bit.

Simultaneously, I studied intensely as I became increasingly interested in Psychology. I wanted to take the class when I returned to school. When I did return, it was like an anticipated return.

My thumb was almost healed and I could bend it, but not all the way. I thought of Triple H returning at MSG after his surgery. I had learned some lessons, but was I ready to make everything better. Jesse was by my side to help me along the way.

When I returned, everyone was greeting me. Something wasn't quite right. When I saw the school paper, I knew that my Dynasty...my "friends" had twisted the story so much no one really knew the truth anymore. They gained the props, popularity, and whatever else they were seeking every time they "told" the story.

They saved this cover story for when I returned. I grabbed the paper and there was a story on the second page, it was entitled: "Dynasty Manifesto", a title that became imprinted in my mind forever.

I was a great history student. One semester I wrote a paper on the Communist Manifesto and earned an A, so I knew where this title had its roots.

The general assumption was that I was ready to gloat and bask in the glory. A month had passed and I had gotten over it. All people wanted was to hear me talk about what happened, it was pure shallowness.

It took nearly three years and a broken thumb for me to face my inner conflicts. The injury had me thinking of wrestling again and I just wanted nothing more than to catch up with all that I missed.

The vault was still inactive, but I knew one day I would make it work again; it's just memories, right?

People have thousands of memories, even millions within their minds. Some memories are deep within our minds and are very difficult to reach. My once prominent wrestling knowledge was almost as thin as one-ply toilet paper. All I needed was a trigger, a spark, an ignition. Randy Orton was that trigger...or was he?

By Senior year, I was back to wrestling full-time. I had filled in the blurry spots and watched everything that I missed. Everyone knew that I had watched wrestling, I didn't care. Eventually, everyone finally grew up and didn't care as well.

It was about time that everyone including myself, grew up. Psychology was my favorite class and I knew I wanted to major in it in college. Identity crisis wasn't a problem for me, I knew who I was, what I wanted.

My Psychology class changed the way I viewed wrestling. Stone Cold Steve Austin was my all-time favorite ever since I watched wrestling, but I finally questioned myself...why?

He was the beer-drinking rebel who raised hell and gave stunners to just about everyone. He was very exciting, but he wasn't the best. There isn't such a thing as the perfect wrestler, but Shawn Michaels would be the closest.

Austin put 110 percent in his career, but Michaels just had it all. He was a storyteller, in-ring performer...he was the complete package.

I also questioned my loyalty to Randy Orton. He's one of my favorites, but after that psychology class, I never looked at him the same. I always tried to break everything down and look from different aspects. Orton would remain one of my favorites, but he was second to Shelton Benjamin.

There was no doubt I was a fan of Benjamin, but there was much more to to explore. On that day I fully converted to the Gold Standard. I had to make sure I wasn't out of my mind here, I've stated some idiotic things before (Maryse vs. McCool > Trish vs. Lita).

Comparing the two wasn't difficult as I knew their stories, their move sets, their accomplishments...I just needed to watch them more diligently than I ever have before.

Benjamin was my favorite by a landslide. I wasn't bothered by Orton's superior popularity or world championship runs. Benjamin was more enjoyable to watch for me.

As the last year of school wound down, students were frantically trying to get ready for college while others dropped out or just straight failed. Wrestling was my primary focus; I was still searching for the trigger.

I watched Wrestlemania XXIV and I felt the excitement that I used to have, it was all coming back. Things were different, as Jesse was a die hard fan by now. CM Punk won the MITB, Shawn Michaels delivered a classic with Ric Flair, and Randy Orton retained the WWE title.

Me and Jesse raised our cans of Coca Cola in the air as we enjoyed the great show. It was a long four years filled with twists and turns, ups and downs, but we came a long way.

It felt great being able to share my memories with Jesse in the never-ending cycle of passing on wrestling knowledge. It was my grandfather who first mentioned wrestling to my father when they lived in Ghana.

After my grandfather's death, my father left for the United States and earned a masters degree in graphic design and artictecture. My father took my grandfather's advice and got into wrestling.

He settled down when he met my mother when she came to the U.S. from Guyana. He put wrestling on the backburner when he begun building a family.

I look back to that night when he found me watching Monday Night RAW. That night he passed on his memories on to me as his father, my grandfather did to him.

There I was all those years later continuing the cycle passing on everything I knew to Jesse. He was the first wrestling fan I ever met who didn't know a thing about the Attitude era.

He learned about the past the same way I did about the 80's, 70's and even the 60's. He continues to learn more by the day and I pass on any memories and knowledge that I can. It's amazing how much he's learned about wrestling, considering he became a fan in late 2004.

We're not perfect experts, I learn and appreciate just like he does everyday. I had taken up debate during senior year in high school class, as I'm a very confident speaker. My teacher never really got any memorable debates going in debate class.

She noticed how Jesse and I frequently talk about wrestling. My teacher knew some guys who knew about wrestling and brought them in to discuss wrestling with us.

They questioned the knowledge and memories that Jess and I possessed. We went head to head with many old timers who assumed that we didn't know a thing about wrestling. One cannot conclude the amount of wrestling knowledge another person may have solely on their age.

The entire class did something that they rarely did for that hour class period..stood silent. From Paul Orndorff, Mr. Perfect, The Hart Foundation, The Rockers, Legion of Doom, Junkyard Dog, Hogan, Flair, Steiner, George Steele, Bam Bam Bigelow, all the way to the new generation past the Attitude era.

There Jesse and I were, the World's Greatest Tag Team standing our ground. I was blown away when students stood up to the men and gave their two cents about wrestling. These were the very same students who deemed people who watched wrestling as losers.

These were the very same students who said they never watched wrestling. The men who once questioned us...embraced us. They applauded how the class came together for once, instead of bickering with one another.

One of the guest speakers attended the very first Wrestlemania and shared his love for Hulkamania. He proceeded to pass around his ticket stub, which was an amazing sight. I respected those men and the feeling was mutual.

They were like many old timers who didn't believe younger people knew anything about wrestling, but they now thought otherwise. That was a day I think I'll remember for forever.

It was after that day that students stopped downtalking wrestling. Even the stuck up "it's all about me" girls were interested in the long lineage of divas. My peers had embraced me more than they ever did. Deep down they were probably fans as well, like me; they just needed a trigger.

I was respected the way I wanted to be. That year, I made the honor roll for the first time since mid-Sophomore year.

The school used my turnaround as an example that people can reach the light from the darkness. I never thought it was that serious, but they proceeded to make me a "spokesman" for students who needed motivation and encouargement.

I never bothered to complain, because I got free passes from some really boring classes.

I was an artist as well and slated to win the school's art award. Never drank, never smoked, some people called me CM Punk. When I growled, they changed it to Shelton Benjamin.

Everyone would laugh and Jesse would come around, prompting people to call him Charlie Haas, then the World's Greatest Tag Team.

Graduation was finally here. That morning I was nervous, but ready. As I fixed my tie in the mirror, I looked. I was a man. I was going to college. The chance to reflect on my turnaround was crashed by none other than my mother.

"Are you Keeping this crap!" She threw a heavy bag at me.

I carried...dragged it to my room and opened it. My entire WWE/WCW action figure collection was in my bag. Every wrestling figure I every brought since my HBK figure in the 1998. A decade later and I held the figures in my hand.

I pulled out two figures that I never properly said goodbye to... Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit. I ignored the possibility of myself looking like a weirdo with action figures in my hand. The two figures were what I was looking for, the trigger I seeked, the vault's generator.

Suddenly, I went into the vault. Still dark and with a weak pulse, I said goodbye to Eddie and Chris as I walked off. After everything that transpired, I would have to rebuild years of memories and start all over.

In that instant, Chris Beniot and Eddie Guerrero memories came rushing back as if I recovered from amnesia.

"VIVA LA RAZA!" Echoed in the vault.

I turned back and then saw a clip of Wrestlemania XX. I heard J.R's voice..."

"BENOIT HAS THE CROSSFACE ON TRIPLE H!"

The entire clip played through until Benoit won the match and became WHC. He and Eddie hugged in the ring a celebrated as the confetti rained on them. The clip then disappeared and I began to walk off.

A huge gust hit me and then there was a huge bang that knocked me to the vault ground. I got to my feet and everything was luminous. The orbit had returned and so did the table of contents and the index.

A smile went across my face the memories oscillated above my head once more and clips of everything I ever knew was zooming past me as the neurotransmitters were better than ever. I exited the vault.

I'm a visual learner. I must picture just about everything that I read or hear. I could sit and picture everything as well as run clips in my head. The vault was a perfect place to store my wrestling memories and my visual learning only made it that much better.

It was truly amazing how everything came back to me, I did a fist pump and fixed my tie, put on a heel Jericho smirk and walked out the house and headed to graduation. I had back my memories back and I vowed to not lose my grip on them ever again.

My name was called to that stage for my diploma. "Ain't no stopping me," I thought as I grabbed my diploma and held it next to my art medal for a picture with Jesse and some with my family.

I was Kurt Angle....nope I was the Gold Standard, minus the blond hair of course. This time was different, I didn't have to say bye forever like in elementary and middle school, I could continue on with my friends, life and family.

A high school graduate and a man, I was ready for college, for life. Every memory that oscillated...and I had a whole lot more to deposit into the vault.

I was very proud of myself that day, within stumbled upon an empty slot, I couldn't fill it with any of my memories. I knew it wasn't something from before, but something that has yet to occur.

The Nickel: Umaga vs. Morrison, Benjamin Goes to Town, Mysterio/Jericho

AkD — Sat, 30 May 2009 00:02:58 -0400

No CM Punk Match

I found it interesting that CM Punk didn't wrestle on SmackDown, as he is one of the most popular stars on the brand. I'm not a huge Punk fan, so I didn't mind that he didn't wrestle on the show.

John Morrison took his place and battled Umaga in a very lengthy match. Morrison really did a good job with Umaga and worked a great match with him. The Samoan drop was well executed.

Morrison sold Umaga's moves quite well, but I wish the match hadn't ended in a DQ. I guess WWE isn't ready to have Morrison lose yet; hopefully Shelton Benjamin will be the man to finally pin the Guru of Greatness.

Umaga used his strap and viciously beat up Morrison before CM Punk came to his rescue. Punk bashed him with the MITB briefcase a couple of times and talked on the mic about overcoming the odds at Extreme Rules in his Samoan strap match against Umaga.

R-Truth and Khali vs Ziggler and Knox

I don't know about many, but I was pleased with the match. SmackDown continues to use their superstars and give them airtime. Khali came out with R-Truth and his theme song, which Truth gave him the mic twice to say "What's up?!"

Khali even went as far as dancing with Truth before the match started. Dolph Ziggler and Mike Knox worked well together...until Ziggler decided to walk out on his partner to avoid facing the Great Khali.

Knox is a pretty huge, but Khali slammed him with little trouble. Khali and Truth get the win and the both of them continue to dance. The match should have been longer, but I'm somewhat satisfied.

Jericho attacks Rey

For months I wished someone from the crowd would just attack Rey when he does that mask to mask crap in the beginning of his entrance as he makes his way down to the ring.

SmackDown was no different as many little children had their Mysterio mask on and would anticipate Mysterio greeting them, but he was attacked this time.

Jericho had disguised himself as one of the Mysterio fans and headbutted Rey when he did the mask to mask. Maybe he should have known better, since kids are the only ones he does that with.

Rey was beaten down as he was thrown to the barricade and power slammed on the ground. Jericho proceeded to rip his mask off, but Jeff Hardy came to Rey's rescue just in time.

Mysterio was unable to compete and Hardy decided to make a bold decision and face both Edge and Jericho in a handicap match, which he lost and was beaten with a ladder by Edge afterward. I enjoyed the beat down and simply can't wait for him to leave.

Benjamin Goes To Town

It's good to know that WWE didn't suddenly abandon the Benjamin/Morrison feud. Morrison was being interviewed by Josh Matthews of all people and took a couple of shots at the Gold Standard while also talking about his match against Umaga.

Benjamin interrupted and the two got into an argument. Benjamin sounded pretty good, he's improving as he looks more confident and aggressive with his mic work.

He insists that Morrison is some fantasy land and goes on the say that he needs to get off the "Good Ship Lollipop" and into the real world.

Morrison took shots at him and Haas, calling them the most world's most forgotten tag team. The two-time former tag champions went on to wipe the floor with Cryme Tyme, who cost them their tag match against the Colons on WWE Superstars this week.

The match was solid, as Haas and Benjamin isolated JTG for a majority of the match with submissions and suplexes. JTG would finally reach Shad, who used his power to his advantage.

In the end, Benjamin and Haas finally got a well-deserved win as Benjamin hit Shad with the pay dirt and put on a devilish smile afterwards. Mr. Benjamin has a lot on his plate with Cryme Tyme and Morrison, but he'll be fine.

Everything Else

-No Teddy Long, Maria, or Ricky Ortiz

I was surprised he didn't make a match let alone get a backstage segment. I would have liked to see Ortiz, and I'm glad Maria wasn't used; she's not needed.

-Melina def. Alicia Fox

I didn't even care about the match, Michelle McCool was the thing I was looking at. She suffered a broken nose and confirmed it on her official WWE Universe blog. I hope she recovers soon.

Fox isn't too shabby, but she really has to do some thing with he hair. Melina did well with her flexibility, but she has to stop screaming...really.

-Eve def. Layla

Really short

-No Nuggets Segment(s)

Thank goodness! It was horrible on RAW; it really was. Vince should be happy to know that the Denver Nuggets have officially been eliminated from the NBA Playoffs though. SmackDown does another solid show.

The Nickel Vol. 10: Nuggets/RAW, No. 1 Contender, Benjamin/JoMo & Community

AkD — Mon, 25 May 2009 12:13:13 -0400

Six Man Tag

I saw bits and pieces of SmackDown, but I made sure I didn't miss Shelton Benjamin's match. While both teams put on a good match in the six man tag, I'm still highly disappointed with Benjamin picking up another loss.

It was good that he wasn't pinned, but a he was still on the losing side once again. Haas put on a strong showing and Ricky Ortiz did pretty well himself, I sort of like the "rally up motivational" thing. It looks like he'll be a heel to some extent.

It was good to finally see Cryme Tyme in action instead of hosting a feud between Layla and Eve. There was still no point in having Benjamin on the losing side when Shad or JTG could have easily been pinned.

I always remain optimistic, so I have another theory. Maybe this lopsided nonsense is to rapidly build Morrison and when Benjamin will have an actual feud with him after Morrison is fully established because he still has a way to go.

McCool gains contendership

Michelle McCool is the No. 1 contender for the Women's championship...Diva grand slam champ anyone? I look forward to McCool's showdown with Melina, but I'm afraid that WWE won't include their history into their feud.

McCool was taken out by the original MNM a couple of years back and McCool has never got a chance for revenge. Alicia Fox's hair is really getting out of hand, something needs to be done.

She tried to send a message to Melina and got five fingers for her trouble. McCool is definitely up for the challenge..Melina better be prepared.

Tonight's RAW

Everybody can expect WWE to take a shot at the Denver Nuggets tonight. I'm can't say I'm excited, Vince doesn't exactly have an acumen for humor. It's always great seeing Miz on the mic, but can he actually start wrestling a bit more?

RAW is almost a complete talk show. I worry about tonight's show because of the shots that will be taken at the Denver Nuggets and Randy Orton's "No one will stop me" 15 min opening segment that has a face coming out to shut him up and cater to the fans.

It follows with tension or an actual Legacy beat down that triggers a run in by some face who has nothing to do with the feud (e.g. John Cena, MVP). Finally, Vickie Guerrero books a tag match or a Legacy handicap match as the main event.

Tonight is supposed to have 10 men tag, but I'm afraid RAW will attempt to be too funny and we'll see less wrestling and more mic time, segments, and jokes of course. I could be wrong and RAW might be exciting, so we'll see.

New Mafia Leader

Sting takes control of the Retirement Home Mafia? Way to go TNA! Leadership has shifted to a man who's about nine years older than the previous leader Kurt Angle. Daniels defeats Suicide for the X-Division title, but gives him a rematch on the spot in which he loses. Interesting.

Community

There's been a lot going on in my absence and I've kept up with it from time to time. I've seen some great pieces and some nonsense, but won't call anyone out. Some people should get a grip and realize what they're doing.

I'm not the controller of minds nor actions..people are free to do whatever they please. I'd like to say great work to those who have been continuing to produce quality pieces and I'll return as soon as I can.

I've been away and have really thought about thing past and present and the community seems to be in dire need of real pieces, so I'll be publishing Oscillating III upon my return.

I'm putting the finishing touches on it and even began working on the fourth installment. Those who have no idea to what the hell I'm talking about you can view the second installment, which has a link to the original. Below is a couple of pieces that caught my eye.

Making an Impact

Matches that changed Pro Wrestling: Montreal Screwjob pt 1

Best Damn Rumor Mill

-Hopefully I'll be back in action in a week or so.

The Denver Nuggets vs WWE: Let's get it On! (Satire)

AkD — Thu, 21 May 2009 00:09:18 -0400

Both WWE RAW and Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA Playoffs were both booked for the same night. Vince McMahon wasn't backing down and neither were the Nuggets. Denver's NBA team waited over a decade for them to make it this far and NBA fans weren't going to let WWE ruin their moment. McMahon and WWE had already booked the arena for this night and was offered venues to hold the RAW the likes of Los Angeles' Staples Center and the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York City. Vince McMahon is a stubborn as they come and made one heck of a decision. Both WWE RAW and the Nuggets game would be held in the Pepsi Center at the same time! There was no backing down. McMahon couldn't be outdone by the NBA,so RAW was turned into a Supershow as every WWE superstar was ordered to be in attendance at the Pepsi center.

Begin Slideshow

The Nickel: New Miss Wrestlemania, MVP/Hardy, Legacy Vs Batista

AkD — Tue, 19 May 2009 12:35:42 -0400

Article Picture

-Don't worry Orton, we're all tired too.

Repetition

Randy Orton comes out to give a promo under dimmed lights, then Ric Flair comes out. Legacy once again does a beat down, this time on Ric Flair. Orton and Flair had an exchange of words and Flair got under Randy Orton's skin by telling him that Orton wan't the best in Evolution...Batista was.

They must really be paying Flair some big bucks for him to state crap like that with a straight face. Orton sucker punched him and Priceless came out followed by Batista, who fell to the numbers game as well.

It was two easy to predict as Batista was getting beat down. Everyone was waiting to see who would run out and surprise surprise it was John Cena. They cleared house and Orton retreat just like he does on every single RAW.

Cena then declared that he'll be gunning for the WWE championship no matter who is champ after Batista and Orton face off at Extreme Rules in a steel cage match. He couldn't stay out of the title picture couldn't he? I'm hoping Big Show makes him tap in their Extreme Rules Submission match.

New Miss Wrestlemania

Thank the heavens!

Vickie isn't actually a diva, but it's better than having Santino running around dressed as a woman. Chavo was defeated by Santino and ordered Santina to face Vickie Guerrero for the Miss Wrestlemania crown.

I thought Santina was going to win, but Chavo turned the match into a no DQ match and started wrestling with Santina/Santino. Chavo gets whooped and William Regal came from out of nowhere and delivered one heck of a suplex, then followed up with a running knee.

Santino was out cold and Vicke went for the cover and got the pin. I don't know what WWE is planning with this, but hopefully it's the beginning of the end for this Santina nonsense.

Diva Battle Royal

It was nice to see a diva match not involving Santino again. I enjoyed the battle royal to determine the number contender for Maryse's Divas title. Maryse was at ringside and she commented on the divas in the ring, trashing them like she does best.

The Bella twins had no chance and I was shocked to see Kelly Kelly eliminate Beth Phoenix. Is Kelly getting a push? Is Beth going to be put on the back burner? Maryse interfered in the match and through powder or some liquid into Mickie James' eyes and she was rolling on the mat covering her face.

Kelly was the only other diva in the ring and just simply kicked Mickie out of the bottom rope for the win and the shot. I was pleased, yet pissed. Kelly Kelly won cause of Maryse, so that's good.

Kelly also earned a future shot and I think it's good because she can hopefully prove she's more than a pretty face. The events that transpired foreshadowed a Maryse/Mickie. I thought Mickie should have won, but Kelly Kelly has something to prove, so it's alright.

Miz

Miz once again went to the ring and trashed John Cena, who didn't come out. What happened to.

"I'll never back down from a fight"

"Hustle, loyalty, and respect"

Miz is looking for a fight and Cena isn't giving it to him. He's definitely being disrespected, but still no response. Jerry Lawler decides to stick his nose in Miz's business.

I really hate RAW's announce team, both Lawler and King are face announcers. Miz was spot on when he said King talks crap at the table. I was looking for Miz to beat down the idiot, but Big Show did it instead.

Show told Miz that he's facing Cena and practically told Miz to beat it. After Show announced his submission match against Cena at Extreme Rules, Miz told him he'll face Cena after Show loses.

Show pushed King aside and gunned for Miz, who high tailed it out of the ring and ran away. Show wasn't finished, he grabbed King after hitting him in the back and applied a camel clutch. King went to the hospital and was replaced by Jim Ross (thank goodness).

Everything Else

The Maryse/Miz segment was amusing
Brian Kendrick's tag team partner search continues after he and Goldust fall to the Colons.
Goldust and Hornswoggle hmmm...NO
Chavo slowly trying to take power from Vickie...YES, interesting
Flair needs to stay retired
Matt Hardy vs MVP was decent
Not even going to discuss the main event..another Legacy handicap match.

Legacy vs Shane (2 times)

Legacy vs Batista

Legacy vs Triple H

Legacy vs Batista and Cena

Legacy vs me

Legacy vs you

Legacy vs Lawler

Legacy vs the ref

Legacy vs the camera man

Legacy vs Josh Matthews

Legacy handicap match next week.

The Nickel: Passing Judgment

AkD — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:49:13 -0400

It's been a while since I did a slideshow, so I figured I give it a shot. I decided not to write last night as I witness garbage yet again and chose my pillow over the keyboard. After a day to come around and resist strangling someone, I finally put thoughts into a slideshow. No top five, no countdown, just slides. What did Ak think of Judgment Day?

Begin Slideshow

The Daily Grind: X-Games Asia, The Summer's First Major Proving Ground

AkD — Sat, 16 May 2009 17:27:28 -0400

Asia served as the proving ground for an epic battle in skateboarding both in street and vert between Americans and Brazilians. Shanghai, China hosted this year's X-Games Asia about a week ago. American skateboarder and fan favorite Andy McDonald gave a solid effort, but it only earned him 10th place in skateboard street.

Fabios Santos came close, but earned second place to America's Austin Seaholm. The battle also spilled across on skateboard vert where Andy McDonald brought the competition.

McDonald skated his way to a gold medal and first place in skate vert. McDonald dominates and used his last run as a victory run. He performed a rocket backflip amongst other stellar moves. McDonald won the gold in Asia, but can he do it in Los Angeles this summer. Below is McDonald's victory run after Adam Taylor fails.

The atmosphere was electric and some excitement was left from the 2008 Olympics in China. It was a great weekend for action sports. BMX and Inline skating also featured huge showdowns.

The BMX events were pretty solid despite BMX legend Dave Mirra, but it's not all about the man they dubbed miracle boy right? Spain's Sergio Layos rode his bike all the way to second place with a final score of 92, just falling a couple of points short of USA's Garrett Reynolds, who won first place and the gold medal with a 94.33 on BMX street.

Reynolds will be riding on his momentum to the X-Games 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The question is will he compete in BMX Superpark? The story was different in BMX vert, USAs highest final ranking was fourth place, in which Austin Coleman finished.

Austrailia's Tim Wood took home the honors this year with a total score of 93.33 with Simon Tabron behind him with 91.67. Victory runs weren't too rare as Takeshi Yasutoko took home the gold in Inline skating vert. His victory run can also be seen below. Epic battles have already taken place. With the Asia X-Games done and over with many questions remain.

Will there be an X-Games Mexico despite the Swine Flu?

Can the X-Games Asia winners build on their momentum in X-Games 2009?

Will those who fell short look for redemption?

Summer isn't officially here yet and action sports are already raising the bar. Speaking of bars, look out for Danny Way and the Big Air competition at X-Games 2009 as well as Moto X step up.