Tonight is the Fastlane event and just like everyone else on the planet I'm going to give my predictions. Unlike everyone else though I'm going to just give them quickly and get them out of the way because I want to focus on a bigger problem I think is happening in the WWE. Very quickley I think Kalisto, Charlotte, and Kevin Owens retain their championships. The Wyatt Family, Becky Lynch/Sasha Banks, and AJ styles will win their respective matches. And unfortunately Roman Reigns will win the triple threat and go on to Wrestlemania and face Triple H.
I refuse to refer to this as a Pay per View quite simply because it's not. And thank God it's not because there is nothing on this card that I want to pay for. Part of the problem with the monthly Pay per Views is that they have become predictable and boring. Most of the matches we've seen multiple times before because they have 5 hours of programming to fill up throughout each week. And those that we haven't seen the WWE has painted themselves into a corner by setting up matches months and months ago.
Never mind the hypocrisy with the main event match. Dean Ambrose should win this match. Dean Ambrose is the fan's pick to be at the top of the card. Dean Ambrose has worked his butt of over the last few years to become the fearless every man that the fans want to see at the top. Dean Ambrose not only should be in the main event at Wrestlemania this year but he should walk out as champion. A title that he should have held a year ago. Why? because he has earned it.
The bigger problem here is the fact that they spend 5 hours a week building towards a monthly Pay per View by forcing us to sit through the same matches over and over again. Jericho and AJ Styles is going to be Phenomenal (pun intended). Want to know how I know that? Because I've already seen it twice on free TV. I think the WWE has forgotten how to build stories. You could blame the amount of TV that needs to be filled but I've been watching the Attitude Era on the WWE Network and they didn't have the same problem. It's become a formula. There is going to be a best of three between superstar X and Y. They are going to split the first two matches and have a final deciding match. And usually the deciding match ends the feud and wrestler X and Y move on to new feuds to repeat the same thing. It's become boring.
What I wish would happen is that we go to brand extensions again. They have such a deep roster that deserving people never get any TV time. I can't remember the last time I saw Neville on TV or Damien Sandow for that matter either. Before I lay out my wish for brand extension let me first say that if they are going to continue on the way things have been why can't we start replicating the feud that Ambrose and Owens had. Instead of having Dolph Ziggler and Kevin Owens wrestle each other 5 times this last month why not have Owens wrestle against Neville, Sandow, Breeze, Kalisto, and Ryder while Ziggler faces off against Stardust, Breeze, Sandow, Curtis Axel and Heath Slater. This way you would give 8 deserving guys a chance to show what they can do against top talent. You save the match between Ziggler and Owens for Fastlane and you can easily build the feud between run ins, Back stage interviews, and the guys showing up on color commentary. I know it can be done. I'm currently watching it be done to perfection on the WWE network.
My ultimate wish would be for a brand extension splitting the roster into three separate shows and adding in NXT to the mix. NXT is the perfect example of how to do it. In one hour they properly build feuds and give talent just enough exposure to get them over and not burn them out. Then having only 4 Pay per View events a year, we have something to look forward too. I am actually excited to see the matches when we get to them because I haven't seen them 3 times already this month.
With four separate rosters and each roster having a Pay per View every 4 months you give the feuds adequate time to tell a story. You'll have the ability to build new stars by not having the same guys in the same matches show after show. Most Importantly you will take away the predictability of the shows. Right now I really could care less about what happens between Alberto Del Rio and Kalisto because I've seen them way to many times over the last three months and I know when this rubber match ends they will both move on to have the same feud with some one else.
As I stated earlier I have been going back and watching the Monday Night Wars on the WWE Network and for only $9.99 a month it is totally worth it. I've noticed that Stone Cold Steve Austin and Bret Hart have been in a feud now for over a year and half and I'm not sick of it. Each episode I am watching to see where it goes next and I'm excited when I finally get to see them go one on one against each other. Why after a year and a half am I still excited to see it but so sick to death of Kalisto vs ADR? I would rather watch my dog go to the bathroom then watch the Fastlane kick off show to see these two again. The reason being, quite simply, because in the year and half feud between Bret Hart and Steve Austin they have only been in the ring together for an official match 5 times. All of them on Pay per View, but not all in a row. Kalisto and ADR have been in 5 matches against each other this month on free TV alone.
I personally would like to see a brand extension and roster split but even with out that I think WWE can make things interesting and unpredictable again by just taking the time to spread things out. Let stories be told like a real life struggle. Realize that a good feud isn't always built in the ring but can be built through interviews and promos without the wrestlers ever crossing paths between the ropes. Also it is possible for a guy to have multiple feuds at the same time.
Of course I will be watching tonight and if Fastlane is anything like the last 4 Pay per Views have been another rant will be coming later in the week. Shane and I will also be discussing it on our podcast "The Realest guys in the Room" which you can listen to on YouTube and you can also listen to on Blog Talk Radio. Follow me on Twitter and check out my articles on The Sportster.
Until next time stick to you ideals, follow your dreams and check out my previous blogs and articles.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
How would the WWE be different if Daniel Bryan had never gotten hurt
With the recent retirement of Daniel Bryan I started thinking about how things have been in the WWE over the last few years. Well saying that I started thinking about it may be a little bit of a fib considering Shane and I Just did two weeks of breaking down the state of the WWE. You can listen to both episode here Part 1 and Part 2. Well today I decided to go back and play out how different things would have been had the Flying Goat not gotten injured shortly after winning the WWE Heavyweight Title.
We know how things have been, Currently there is an injury bug going through the WWE. Triple H is the Champ because Seth Rollins got hurt. Dean Ambrose is currently the hottest face in the WWE and the Intercontinental Champ and in a fantastic feud with Brock Lesnar. Kevin Owens is in a great feud with Dolph Ziggler and the Phenomenal One AJ Styles is in the WWE. All of these things are great but would they have happened with out the Daniel Bryan injury. I believe life is a butterfly effect, one decision can create a ripple effect that leads to other decisions which can shape the cultural landscape we are in. Lets go back to Wrestlemania 30 and see if we can track things to how they would be now.
The magical moment that Daniel Bryan had with his win at Wrestlemania 30 may never be repeated and his first feud out of the gate was a wise decision. Kane made a great first opponent because they were able to play off the history and build more momentum for Bryan. With an insane no holds barred match at Extreme Rules with Kane, that feud worked well as a one off but could have continued through payback as part of a four way elimination no holds barred match with Daniel Bryan joining forces with The Shield to take on the New Evolution with Kane.
Moving on to Money in the Bank, the Shield reignite their feud with the Wyatt family who was hired by the Authority to take them out. Daniel Bryan is victorious in his title defense, a one on one match against Batista. The Stipulation of that match being that the winner must give Randy Orton his rematch the next night on Raw. John Cena wins the Money in the bank match and announces that he will face the winner of the Bryan vs Orton match at Battleground. Bryan wins his match on Raw and goes on to face Cena in a rematch from their fantastic SumerSlam 2013 match.
In the main event of Battleground, Cena and Bryan put on a 5 star clinic where Daniel Bryan wins clean in the middle of the ring. After the match Bryan is attacked by a returning Brock Lesnar, who is acting on behalf of the Authority, and a challenge is issued by Paul Heyman for Summer Slam. Also on this card the Shield loses to the Wyatt Family when new member of the Authority, Ryback interferes to cost them the match by shell shocking Roman Reigns. After feuding all month do to Batista not feeling like he is getting his fair shake he and Randy Orton go one on one ending in an Authority beat down with Randy Orton, Ryback and Kane all teaming up against Batista officially writing him out of future story lines.
Summer Slam comes and goes with Bryan defeating Brock Lesnar in the main event when all hell breaks loose with The Shield, Authority and the Wyatt's all getting involved. Brock feeling he has been screwed out of his championship match by the interference is allowed to be a participant in the Elimination Chamber match that will headline Night of Champions. Brock defeates Bryan, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, Dean Ambrose, and John Cena to win the belt. Jealous that he wasn't included in the match Seth Rollins appears to cost Daniel Bryan the match while also turning heel on his "brothers" in The Shield.
Hell in a Cell pit's The Shield against each other in a triple threat hell in a cell match with the winner receiving a shot at Lesnar at the Survivor Series. Bryan teams with a newly turned face, Randy Orton, against Bray Wyatt and Ryback in a tag team hell in a cell match to determine the stipulation for Team Bryan against Team Authority at Survivor Series. With Wyatt and Ryback winning the authority states that if Team Bryan loses than Daniel would be fired.
Seth Rollins wins the triple threat match setting up a date with Brock at the Survivor Series. He wins his match when Dean Ambrose interferes costing Lesnar the title and setting up a feud between the Lunatic Fringe and the Beast Incarnate. Team Authority wins when Dolph Ziggler turns on Bryan. The next night on Raw Triple H declares that Daniel Bryan needs to win a best of Seven Series against Dolph Ziggler in order to keep his job and Dean Ambrose is named the number one contender after defeating Brock Lesnar and John Cena in a triple threat match on Raw when the Wyatt Family interferes. Brock upset that the Authority would send out the Wyatt Family to interfere on his behalf, ultimately costing him the win, goes on a rampage destroying everything and everyone in site and is suspended.
Going into TLC Ziggler and Bryan are tied 3-3 and their tables, ladders and chairs match will determine if Bryan keeps his job. Bryan prevails in a grueling match and the next night declares himself eligible for the Royal Rumble. Triple H tells Bryan that if he want's to be in the Royal Rumble match he must win every match he is placed in until then, If he can win the matches he will enter at the number of wins he had. He is placed in a gauntlet match that night against the entire Wyatt family. Seth Rollins retains his belt against Ambrose when Lesnar cost him the victory. John Cena also throws his name in the hat for the Royal Rumble after taking time off to rest a shoulder injury.
Bryan goes undefeated for the month while beating various superstars in gauntlet, handicapped and by winning all four of the matches scheduled for him on the Smackdown before the Rumble. He goes into the rumble at number 24 but is forced to put that entry on the line against John Cena, who drew number 1, in the opening match. Bryan loses to Cena and the two must swap numbers. Bryan enters at number one and lasts until the final 2 only to be eliminated by Cena. Rollins retains in a triple threat match also involving Lesnar and Ambrose. While Rollins is awarded the night off at Fastlane, Bryan is placed into a four corners match against Cena, Lesnar and Ambrose to determine the number one contender at Wrestlemania. Bryan wins the match when Lesnar destroys Cena with multiple suplexes on the stage but is unable to make it back in time to break up the cover of Ambrose (who he previously knocked out in the middle of the ring).
Wrestlemania comes with Ambrose winning a triple threat match against Cena and Lesnar, making him the number one contender.. Bryan wins the title from Rollins setting up a rematch at Extreme Rules. In a falls count Anywhere match at Extreme Rules Bryan retains his belt against not only Rollins but Ambrose. The Authority incensed their golden boy didn't win the title force Bryan to defend his belt at Payback in a handicapped match against Rollins and Ryback. Seth Rollins gets the pin fall and is Set to face Dean Ambrose for the title in a ladder match at money in the bank. Ambrose wins the belt at Money in the Bank while Bryan wins the MITB briefcase.
Ambrose successfully defends the belt at battleground against Rollins, at Summerslam against Lesnar and at Night Of Champions against a newly turned heel, Roman Reigns. Meanwhile Bryan defends his money in the bank suitcase against Bray Wyatt at battleground, John Cena at Summer Slam and loses the briefcase at Night of Champions to Bray Wyatt who cashes in the briefcase on Dean Ambrose after his match against Roman Reigns. Bray then defends his belt against Cena at Hell in a Cell while Bryan defeats Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose in a number one contenders match.
Bryan then teams with Ambrose and puts the number one contender spot on the line against Team Authority headed up by Seth Rollins. With no clear cut winner do to multiple disqualifications the three settle the grudge at TLC in a triple threat tables, ladders and chairs match. While Bray Wyatt successfully retains the belt against Dulph Ziggler at Survivor Series and then Cesaro at TLC.
Bryan then defeats Bray Wyatt at Royal Rumble 2016 While Kevin Owens wins the Rumble Match to set up a match against Bryan at Wrestlemania.
Of course this is just what I would have like to see play out had Daniel Bryan never gotten injured. What do you think? Does the above sound Plausible? Let me know in the comment section your thoughts. Also Check out my podcast where Shane and I discuss Pop Culture as the Realest Guys on the Radio Also check out my articles on The Sporster and follow me on Twitter
We know how things have been, Currently there is an injury bug going through the WWE. Triple H is the Champ because Seth Rollins got hurt. Dean Ambrose is currently the hottest face in the WWE and the Intercontinental Champ and in a fantastic feud with Brock Lesnar. Kevin Owens is in a great feud with Dolph Ziggler and the Phenomenal One AJ Styles is in the WWE. All of these things are great but would they have happened with out the Daniel Bryan injury. I believe life is a butterfly effect, one decision can create a ripple effect that leads to other decisions which can shape the cultural landscape we are in. Lets go back to Wrestlemania 30 and see if we can track things to how they would be now.
The magical moment that Daniel Bryan had with his win at Wrestlemania 30 may never be repeated and his first feud out of the gate was a wise decision. Kane made a great first opponent because they were able to play off the history and build more momentum for Bryan. With an insane no holds barred match at Extreme Rules with Kane, that feud worked well as a one off but could have continued through payback as part of a four way elimination no holds barred match with Daniel Bryan joining forces with The Shield to take on the New Evolution with Kane.
Moving on to Money in the Bank, the Shield reignite their feud with the Wyatt family who was hired by the Authority to take them out. Daniel Bryan is victorious in his title defense, a one on one match against Batista. The Stipulation of that match being that the winner must give Randy Orton his rematch the next night on Raw. John Cena wins the Money in the bank match and announces that he will face the winner of the Bryan vs Orton match at Battleground. Bryan wins his match on Raw and goes on to face Cena in a rematch from their fantastic SumerSlam 2013 match.
In the main event of Battleground, Cena and Bryan put on a 5 star clinic where Daniel Bryan wins clean in the middle of the ring. After the match Bryan is attacked by a returning Brock Lesnar, who is acting on behalf of the Authority, and a challenge is issued by Paul Heyman for Summer Slam. Also on this card the Shield loses to the Wyatt Family when new member of the Authority, Ryback interferes to cost them the match by shell shocking Roman Reigns. After feuding all month do to Batista not feeling like he is getting his fair shake he and Randy Orton go one on one ending in an Authority beat down with Randy Orton, Ryback and Kane all teaming up against Batista officially writing him out of future story lines.
Summer Slam comes and goes with Bryan defeating Brock Lesnar in the main event when all hell breaks loose with The Shield, Authority and the Wyatt's all getting involved. Brock feeling he has been screwed out of his championship match by the interference is allowed to be a participant in the Elimination Chamber match that will headline Night of Champions. Brock defeates Bryan, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, Dean Ambrose, and John Cena to win the belt. Jealous that he wasn't included in the match Seth Rollins appears to cost Daniel Bryan the match while also turning heel on his "brothers" in The Shield.
Hell in a Cell pit's The Shield against each other in a triple threat hell in a cell match with the winner receiving a shot at Lesnar at the Survivor Series. Bryan teams with a newly turned face, Randy Orton, against Bray Wyatt and Ryback in a tag team hell in a cell match to determine the stipulation for Team Bryan against Team Authority at Survivor Series. With Wyatt and Ryback winning the authority states that if Team Bryan loses than Daniel would be fired.
Seth Rollins wins the triple threat match setting up a date with Brock at the Survivor Series. He wins his match when Dean Ambrose interferes costing Lesnar the title and setting up a feud between the Lunatic Fringe and the Beast Incarnate. Team Authority wins when Dolph Ziggler turns on Bryan. The next night on Raw Triple H declares that Daniel Bryan needs to win a best of Seven Series against Dolph Ziggler in order to keep his job and Dean Ambrose is named the number one contender after defeating Brock Lesnar and John Cena in a triple threat match on Raw when the Wyatt Family interferes. Brock upset that the Authority would send out the Wyatt Family to interfere on his behalf, ultimately costing him the win, goes on a rampage destroying everything and everyone in site and is suspended.
Going into TLC Ziggler and Bryan are tied 3-3 and their tables, ladders and chairs match will determine if Bryan keeps his job. Bryan prevails in a grueling match and the next night declares himself eligible for the Royal Rumble. Triple H tells Bryan that if he want's to be in the Royal Rumble match he must win every match he is placed in until then, If he can win the matches he will enter at the number of wins he had. He is placed in a gauntlet match that night against the entire Wyatt family. Seth Rollins retains his belt against Ambrose when Lesnar cost him the victory. John Cena also throws his name in the hat for the Royal Rumble after taking time off to rest a shoulder injury.
Bryan goes undefeated for the month while beating various superstars in gauntlet, handicapped and by winning all four of the matches scheduled for him on the Smackdown before the Rumble. He goes into the rumble at number 24 but is forced to put that entry on the line against John Cena, who drew number 1, in the opening match. Bryan loses to Cena and the two must swap numbers. Bryan enters at number one and lasts until the final 2 only to be eliminated by Cena. Rollins retains in a triple threat match also involving Lesnar and Ambrose. While Rollins is awarded the night off at Fastlane, Bryan is placed into a four corners match against Cena, Lesnar and Ambrose to determine the number one contender at Wrestlemania. Bryan wins the match when Lesnar destroys Cena with multiple suplexes on the stage but is unable to make it back in time to break up the cover of Ambrose (who he previously knocked out in the middle of the ring).
Wrestlemania comes with Ambrose winning a triple threat match against Cena and Lesnar, making him the number one contender.. Bryan wins the title from Rollins setting up a rematch at Extreme Rules. In a falls count Anywhere match at Extreme Rules Bryan retains his belt against not only Rollins but Ambrose. The Authority incensed their golden boy didn't win the title force Bryan to defend his belt at Payback in a handicapped match against Rollins and Ryback. Seth Rollins gets the pin fall and is Set to face Dean Ambrose for the title in a ladder match at money in the bank. Ambrose wins the belt at Money in the Bank while Bryan wins the MITB briefcase.
Ambrose successfully defends the belt at battleground against Rollins, at Summerslam against Lesnar and at Night Of Champions against a newly turned heel, Roman Reigns. Meanwhile Bryan defends his money in the bank suitcase against Bray Wyatt at battleground, John Cena at Summer Slam and loses the briefcase at Night of Champions to Bray Wyatt who cashes in the briefcase on Dean Ambrose after his match against Roman Reigns. Bray then defends his belt against Cena at Hell in a Cell while Bryan defeats Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose in a number one contenders match.
Bryan then teams with Ambrose and puts the number one contender spot on the line against Team Authority headed up by Seth Rollins. With no clear cut winner do to multiple disqualifications the three settle the grudge at TLC in a triple threat tables, ladders and chairs match. While Bray Wyatt successfully retains the belt against Dulph Ziggler at Survivor Series and then Cesaro at TLC.
Bryan then defeats Bray Wyatt at Royal Rumble 2016 While Kevin Owens wins the Rumble Match to set up a match against Bryan at Wrestlemania.
Of course this is just what I would have like to see play out had Daniel Bryan never gotten injured. What do you think? Does the above sound Plausible? Let me know in the comment section your thoughts. Also Check out my podcast where Shane and I discuss Pop Culture as the Realest Guys on the Radio Also check out my articles on The Sporster and follow me on Twitter
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Saying goodbye to a hero, Daniel Bryan
This past Monday one of the most well respected wrestlers in history said his tearful goodbye and retired due to medical issues. For almost a year we speculated about his condition and weather or not the WWE was black balling him. After listening to his goodbye on Raw, we can safely say that the WWE made the right call in not allowing him to return. Even though a couple of independent doctors had cleared him the WWE stood by there guns and said no. Even Daniel Bryan himself admits that was the right call. As sad as it is to see him go, Daniel Bryan left behind a legacy that has changed the wrestling business and especially the WWE forever..
I will hand it to the WWE, they let Daniel Bryan talk as long as he wanted. The WWE showed a ton of class by letting him go out in style. Shane and I will be discussing the career of Daniel Bryan in an upcoming episode of The Realest guys on the Radio. As for now though I think jst a simple goodbye is in order.
Daniel Bryan was considered the king of the independents when he signed a developmental deal with the WWE. On the inaugural season of NXT, Bryan debuted with the Miz as his mentor. The Miz and Michael Cole, who was at the beginning of a heel turn, spent every moment they could downplaying Daniel Bryan's accomplishments. That is a problem that I think has plagued the WWE for a long time and it has come to the forefront again with AJ Styles. The WWE spends to much time downplaying accomplishments from other promotions and not enough time building up the talent that they worked so hard to obtain. And seriously? You can't understand why some of these guys fail?
The fact that Michael Cole, who did everything he could to discredit Bryan when he first started out, made it a Surreal moment when he hugged him and told him he loved him on this weeks Raw. After his retirement speech, the love that the Superstars and ring announcers showed him weather Heel or Face, shows just how much this man meant to the business. I could give you a boring recap of his career but lets face it if you are reading this you are a fan and probably already know the stories.
Instead I just want to say that once in a generation you get a talent that transcends the sport. Sure there are popular wrestlers, guys that no matter how long it's been will get a great reaction from the crowd. But this is the first time I have seen a man since Dusty Rhodes capture the fans the way he did. Daniel Bryan accomplished something that no one else ever has. He connected so well with the crowd that the fans forced the WWE to alter plans, forced them to re book matches and to change there course.
There are plenty of wrestlers that the fans get behind that never go anywhere, Cesaro, CM Punk and Dolph Ziggler are just a few of these guys. As loud as they cheer and as critical as they are on the internet, They were never as passionate about their hero as the Daniel Bryan fans were. The Fans got behind their every man in a way that over took shows. Batista was made a heel because the fans turned on him when they thought he took Bryan's spot. They truly shaped the way the WWE was going and all for their hero.
Daniel Bryan was a man who could give us a 5 star match with a broom, he worked incredibly hard at his craft and despite his size he was extremely talented and very deserving of everything he got. Selfishly I didn't want him to go out like this, I wanted to see him one on one against Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles and Kurt Angle. I know I will never get those matches and it does sadden me to a point, but Daniel Bryan has left behind a legacy of matches throughout every promotion he has ever been a part of that will define the way we look at wrestling in the future.
It's been almost a full year since we've seen Bryan wrestle a match and it has seemed like there was a void on my TV. Daniel as a fan I want to say thank you for all that you have given us. Thank you for the dedication to your craft and making it a joy twatch wrestling. Thank you for delivering what may have been the greatest Wrestlemania moment when you won the championship at Wrestlemania 30. And thank you for changing the business for the better.
In the weeks ahead I will be taking some time to reflect on various moments in the career of Daniel Bryan including what I feel are his best matches and moments. I will also be doing a piece on what the WWE would be like had Daniel Bryan never gotten hurt. In the meantime check out my Articles on TheSportster.com and also listen to Shane and I as we discuss pop culture on a weekly basis here.
I will hand it to the WWE, they let Daniel Bryan talk as long as he wanted. The WWE showed a ton of class by letting him go out in style. Shane and I will be discussing the career of Daniel Bryan in an upcoming episode of The Realest guys on the Radio. As for now though I think jst a simple goodbye is in order.
Daniel Bryan was considered the king of the independents when he signed a developmental deal with the WWE. On the inaugural season of NXT, Bryan debuted with the Miz as his mentor. The Miz and Michael Cole, who was at the beginning of a heel turn, spent every moment they could downplaying Daniel Bryan's accomplishments. That is a problem that I think has plagued the WWE for a long time and it has come to the forefront again with AJ Styles. The WWE spends to much time downplaying accomplishments from other promotions and not enough time building up the talent that they worked so hard to obtain. And seriously? You can't understand why some of these guys fail?
The fact that Michael Cole, who did everything he could to discredit Bryan when he first started out, made it a Surreal moment when he hugged him and told him he loved him on this weeks Raw. After his retirement speech, the love that the Superstars and ring announcers showed him weather Heel or Face, shows just how much this man meant to the business. I could give you a boring recap of his career but lets face it if you are reading this you are a fan and probably already know the stories.
Instead I just want to say that once in a generation you get a talent that transcends the sport. Sure there are popular wrestlers, guys that no matter how long it's been will get a great reaction from the crowd. But this is the first time I have seen a man since Dusty Rhodes capture the fans the way he did. Daniel Bryan accomplished something that no one else ever has. He connected so well with the crowd that the fans forced the WWE to alter plans, forced them to re book matches and to change there course.
There are plenty of wrestlers that the fans get behind that never go anywhere, Cesaro, CM Punk and Dolph Ziggler are just a few of these guys. As loud as they cheer and as critical as they are on the internet, They were never as passionate about their hero as the Daniel Bryan fans were. The Fans got behind their every man in a way that over took shows. Batista was made a heel because the fans turned on him when they thought he took Bryan's spot. They truly shaped the way the WWE was going and all for their hero.
Daniel Bryan was a man who could give us a 5 star match with a broom, he worked incredibly hard at his craft and despite his size he was extremely talented and very deserving of everything he got. Selfishly I didn't want him to go out like this, I wanted to see him one on one against Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles and Kurt Angle. I know I will never get those matches and it does sadden me to a point, but Daniel Bryan has left behind a legacy of matches throughout every promotion he has ever been a part of that will define the way we look at wrestling in the future.
It's been almost a full year since we've seen Bryan wrestle a match and it has seemed like there was a void on my TV. Daniel as a fan I want to say thank you for all that you have given us. Thank you for the dedication to your craft and making it a joy twatch wrestling. Thank you for delivering what may have been the greatest Wrestlemania moment when you won the championship at Wrestlemania 30. And thank you for changing the business for the better.
In the weeks ahead I will be taking some time to reflect on various moments in the career of Daniel Bryan including what I feel are his best matches and moments. I will also be doing a piece on what the WWE would be like had Daniel Bryan never gotten hurt. In the meantime check out my Articles on TheSportster.com and also listen to Shane and I as we discuss pop culture on a weekly basis here.
Sunday, February 7, 2016
The Hall of Fame, is it time for a change?
Yesterday the NFL Hall of Fame announced the 2016 inductees. Leading the class was Brett Favre who in 2010 I wrote a blog about him that deserves a read here. Other inductees are Tony Dungy, Kevin Green and the most confusing of them all Kenny "the Snake" Stabler. I say confusing because I'm not sure why he wasn't inducted 25 years ago when he retired instead of waiting until 6 months after his passing. This is part of a much bigger problem that I addressed on my podcast with Shane after the MLB Hall of Fame class for 2016 which you can listen to here.
Every year they announce the hall of fame for all sports where someone is added that you could have swore already was in, Also every year there are names that have been left off the inductee list that seriously make you scratch your head. Kenny Stabler is an example of the former and Barry Bonds is an example of the later. This kind of thing really makes me think it is time for a change in the selection process,
Now before I get lost in a rant of the faults of the current process, let me take a breath, drink of coffee, and scream into a pillow. Seriously the current process is so outdated that it makes me want to pull out every last hair I have on my head. The selection process includes a panel of sports writers from across the country who place names on a ballet and he who gets the required number of ballets is the in. This system was great in the 50's and 60's because a lot of the writers never saw some of the players. If you lived in California the likelihood of you seeing Joe Namath play was very slim. So the system worked because the local writers were there to represent their hometown teams.
The reason I feel like this is an outdated system now is because of national TV contracts, sports packages and the internet. These new forms allow the average fan and writer to follow teams in any sport from anywhere, That kind of access means there is no longer the need for the local guy to represent his hometown player. I think maybe now is the time for a change to this archaic system because it seems like more often then not a player isn't getting due to a grudge a few writers hold.
The Hall of Fame is supposed to be the best of the best in the entire sport, not the best of the best for a team. Jim Edmonds was an absolute stud in baseball. He was the heart and soul of the Angels and the Cardinals while he played with them, and some would argue he was the best player on either of those teams while he was there. Now I agree as a Cubs fan watching him on the opposite side of the field he was a thing of joy to behold but is he MLB Hall of Fame worthy? His accolades and numbers say no. However he absolutely deserves to be honored and that's what a team Hall of Fame is for, That's why teams retire numbers and place players in ring of honors to acknowledge the greats from that teams past. For a guy like Jim Edmonds I think that is a perfect way to honor him.
I think a new way to elect people should be based on a specific criteria. After all the hall of fame is supposed to represent the best of the best, so the best should never be left out due to politics, grudges and hurt feelings. There should be a level you must achieve and if you achieve it you are in no questions asked. If you don't achieve it? well that's what team hall of fames are for. I think if at anytime in your career you win a league MVP that should be an automatic in. A league MVP may be the ultimate in greatness because it is saying that you were the best in your game at anytime, When I say MVP I am also referring to Cy Young awards, defensive MVP awards, and Vezina Trophy's also. This however should not include ROY awards, or Gold Glove, Silver Slugger or any other award that are handed out to acknowledge one part of your game and not your season as a whole . To many times to you get a guy who is just better than the other 5 new guys and that just doesn't translate to greatness later on. Perfect example of this would include, Rick Mirer and Mark Mcgwire.
Yes you read that right, I said Mark McGwire. Now before you go and fill up the comments section with hate threads, Please continue to read on, then feel free to hate away.
In addition to the awards being an automatic in I think there should also be career goals that you need to reach to get in as well. Like in the MLB if you hit 600 career home runs, that's an automatic in, Also automatic ins would be 3,000 hits 2,000 strike outs 300 wins 500 career saves 300 Stolen bases and averaging 8 or less errors per season in baseball. In hockey 500 career goals, 1500 career points, In the NBA a 25 point per game average, Football should be 50,000 passing yards or 15,000 receiving, 100 career touchdowns, 10,000 rushing yards and so on. Setting a platform for an automatic in like this is a way to honor people that were great in there time but played when Peyton Manning and Tom Brady were taking home league MVP's ever year.
When you look at those criteria it brings to mind players that have been excluded who were clearly the best at what they did. Kenny Stabler won the 1974 MVP. That means in 1974 Kenny Stabler was the best offensive player in the game of football, so could someone explain to me why it took 25 years for him to get in?
Some other deserving players that should be in based on numbers and achievement but currently are not because of politicking and grudges would be.
Pete Rose 4,256 career hits and the 1973 NL MVP
Sammy Sosa 609 Home runs and the 1998 NL MVP
Barry Bonds 7 time NL MVP 762 home runs and 514 Stolen Bases
Joe Theismann 1973 NFL MVP
Fred Taylor 11,695 yards
And for all of you who were taken aback by my exclusion of Mark McGwire, Lets take a look at his career. 583 homeruns,1,626 hits 12 SBs Not quite hall of fame numbers, add to that he never won an MVP and I think you know why I don't feel he is worthy.
In my opinion the Hall of Fame regardless of what sport is for the great not the good, if you can be Great for one year or a career you should be in. Adapting to these criteria would never allow a tragedy like Kenny Stabler to happen again.
What are your thought's let me know in the comment section below. Also follow me on Twitter and follow me while checking out my back log of weekly podcasts with Shane on either Youtube or Blogtalkradio
Every year they announce the hall of fame for all sports where someone is added that you could have swore already was in, Also every year there are names that have been left off the inductee list that seriously make you scratch your head. Kenny Stabler is an example of the former and Barry Bonds is an example of the later. This kind of thing really makes me think it is time for a change in the selection process,
Now before I get lost in a rant of the faults of the current process, let me take a breath, drink of coffee, and scream into a pillow. Seriously the current process is so outdated that it makes me want to pull out every last hair I have on my head. The selection process includes a panel of sports writers from across the country who place names on a ballet and he who gets the required number of ballets is the in. This system was great in the 50's and 60's because a lot of the writers never saw some of the players. If you lived in California the likelihood of you seeing Joe Namath play was very slim. So the system worked because the local writers were there to represent their hometown teams.
The reason I feel like this is an outdated system now is because of national TV contracts, sports packages and the internet. These new forms allow the average fan and writer to follow teams in any sport from anywhere, That kind of access means there is no longer the need for the local guy to represent his hometown player. I think maybe now is the time for a change to this archaic system because it seems like more often then not a player isn't getting due to a grudge a few writers hold.
The Hall of Fame is supposed to be the best of the best in the entire sport, not the best of the best for a team. Jim Edmonds was an absolute stud in baseball. He was the heart and soul of the Angels and the Cardinals while he played with them, and some would argue he was the best player on either of those teams while he was there. Now I agree as a Cubs fan watching him on the opposite side of the field he was a thing of joy to behold but is he MLB Hall of Fame worthy? His accolades and numbers say no. However he absolutely deserves to be honored and that's what a team Hall of Fame is for, That's why teams retire numbers and place players in ring of honors to acknowledge the greats from that teams past. For a guy like Jim Edmonds I think that is a perfect way to honor him.
I think a new way to elect people should be based on a specific criteria. After all the hall of fame is supposed to represent the best of the best, so the best should never be left out due to politics, grudges and hurt feelings. There should be a level you must achieve and if you achieve it you are in no questions asked. If you don't achieve it? well that's what team hall of fames are for. I think if at anytime in your career you win a league MVP that should be an automatic in. A league MVP may be the ultimate in greatness because it is saying that you were the best in your game at anytime, When I say MVP I am also referring to Cy Young awards, defensive MVP awards, and Vezina Trophy's also. This however should not include ROY awards, or Gold Glove, Silver Slugger or any other award that are handed out to acknowledge one part of your game and not your season as a whole . To many times to you get a guy who is just better than the other 5 new guys and that just doesn't translate to greatness later on. Perfect example of this would include, Rick Mirer and Mark Mcgwire.
Yes you read that right, I said Mark McGwire. Now before you go and fill up the comments section with hate threads, Please continue to read on, then feel free to hate away.
In addition to the awards being an automatic in I think there should also be career goals that you need to reach to get in as well. Like in the MLB if you hit 600 career home runs, that's an automatic in, Also automatic ins would be 3,000 hits 2,000 strike outs 300 wins 500 career saves 300 Stolen bases and averaging 8 or less errors per season in baseball. In hockey 500 career goals, 1500 career points, In the NBA a 25 point per game average, Football should be 50,000 passing yards or 15,000 receiving, 100 career touchdowns, 10,000 rushing yards and so on. Setting a platform for an automatic in like this is a way to honor people that were great in there time but played when Peyton Manning and Tom Brady were taking home league MVP's ever year.
When you look at those criteria it brings to mind players that have been excluded who were clearly the best at what they did. Kenny Stabler won the 1974 MVP. That means in 1974 Kenny Stabler was the best offensive player in the game of football, so could someone explain to me why it took 25 years for him to get in?
Some other deserving players that should be in based on numbers and achievement but currently are not because of politicking and grudges would be.
Pete Rose 4,256 career hits and the 1973 NL MVP
Sammy Sosa 609 Home runs and the 1998 NL MVP
Barry Bonds 7 time NL MVP 762 home runs and 514 Stolen Bases
Joe Theismann 1973 NFL MVP
Fred Taylor 11,695 yards
And for all of you who were taken aback by my exclusion of Mark McGwire, Lets take a look at his career. 583 homeruns,1,626 hits 12 SBs Not quite hall of fame numbers, add to that he never won an MVP and I think you know why I don't feel he is worthy.
In my opinion the Hall of Fame regardless of what sport is for the great not the good, if you can be Great for one year or a career you should be in. Adapting to these criteria would never allow a tragedy like Kenny Stabler to happen again.
What are your thought's let me know in the comment section below. Also follow me on Twitter and follow me while checking out my back log of weekly podcasts with Shane on either Youtube or Blogtalkradio
Monday, February 1, 2016
The Religion of Star Wars
On Wednesday Shane and I will be discussing Star Wars A Force Awakens giving our review and just general overall thoughts of the movie. So make sure you tune in and listen to Excuse the Aggravation. One thing that came out of our multitude of discussions got me thinking about the way that force is portrayed in the movies, and television shows.
While discussing which of all seven movies was our favorite of course both of us agreed that Empire Strikes back was far and away the best of the bunch and we both agreed that Revenge of the Sith was easily in second place. Shane brought up the fact that he had seen an episode of Myth Busters in which they disprove the higher ground theory from the end of that movie where Obi-Wan tells Anakin that he can't win because Obi-Wan had the higher ground. I have always believed that line was not so much a statement explaining the Jedi art of war but more a metaphor for one of the biggest underlying tones of the Star Wars universe.
I've always felt the force was just another term for religion and maybe because the tone was set early in the original movie with quotes like Han Solo : "hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a blaster at your side and Darth Vader : "I find your lack of faith disturbing" and then of course the most obvious line by General Motti who said " your sad devotion to that ancient religion". now obviously these examples are not as underlying as I originally alluded to especially since they come right out and say it. However it does set the tone for the remainder of the Star Wars Universe.
There is of course the constant fight involving good vs evil, and the light vs dark aspect that is portrayed in the dark side being the ultimate evil and Vaders redemption at the end of Return of the Jedi which allowed him to repent and join the good guys again. Starting in Empire and working it's was through the rest of the movies are Spirits who guide you in Obi-Wan appearing to Luke whenever he needed help, and of course the classic line that is said multiple times by different Jedi by saying trust in the force and let it guide you.
All of this leads me to my original thought that the line at the end of Sith is a metaphor that alludes to Obi-Wan essentially meaning that evil will never win because he has accepted the good and lets that lead him. The phrase higher ground I always felt was a reference to the fact that no matter what happens to Obi-Wan he wins because he has accepted to follow the light side. And in every religion across the world there is a variation of Heaven which is were the good go and a variation of Hell which is where the evil goes. the ultimate goal is to lead a pure and good life so you can reach Heaven and all the evil people will be tortured forever in the pits of Hell. That is exactly what I fell Obi-wan was not only referring to with that line but also when he told Darth Vader in a New Hope that "if you strike me down i will become more powerful then you can imagine." Obi-Wan in both instances was saying to Anakin that I will be heading to a better place so go ahead and end me because paradise awaits.
That's all I have for now so i think at this point I will bid you adieu until next time follow me on Twitter @reejecoap and make sure you chek out our Star Wars review which will air later this week and all of Shane and I's podcasts where we discuss pop culture in all it's glory at Excuse the Aggravation
While discussing which of all seven movies was our favorite of course both of us agreed that Empire Strikes back was far and away the best of the bunch and we both agreed that Revenge of the Sith was easily in second place. Shane brought up the fact that he had seen an episode of Myth Busters in which they disprove the higher ground theory from the end of that movie where Obi-Wan tells Anakin that he can't win because Obi-Wan had the higher ground. I have always believed that line was not so much a statement explaining the Jedi art of war but more a metaphor for one of the biggest underlying tones of the Star Wars universe.
I've always felt the force was just another term for religion and maybe because the tone was set early in the original movie with quotes like Han Solo : "hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a blaster at your side and Darth Vader : "I find your lack of faith disturbing" and then of course the most obvious line by General Motti who said " your sad devotion to that ancient religion". now obviously these examples are not as underlying as I originally alluded to especially since they come right out and say it. However it does set the tone for the remainder of the Star Wars Universe.
There is of course the constant fight involving good vs evil, and the light vs dark aspect that is portrayed in the dark side being the ultimate evil and Vaders redemption at the end of Return of the Jedi which allowed him to repent and join the good guys again. Starting in Empire and working it's was through the rest of the movies are Spirits who guide you in Obi-Wan appearing to Luke whenever he needed help, and of course the classic line that is said multiple times by different Jedi by saying trust in the force and let it guide you.
All of this leads me to my original thought that the line at the end of Sith is a metaphor that alludes to Obi-Wan essentially meaning that evil will never win because he has accepted the good and lets that lead him. The phrase higher ground I always felt was a reference to the fact that no matter what happens to Obi-Wan he wins because he has accepted to follow the light side. And in every religion across the world there is a variation of Heaven which is were the good go and a variation of Hell which is where the evil goes. the ultimate goal is to lead a pure and good life so you can reach Heaven and all the evil people will be tortured forever in the pits of Hell. That is exactly what I fell Obi-wan was not only referring to with that line but also when he told Darth Vader in a New Hope that "if you strike me down i will become more powerful then you can imagine." Obi-Wan in both instances was saying to Anakin that I will be heading to a better place so go ahead and end me because paradise awaits.
That's all I have for now so i think at this point I will bid you adieu until next time follow me on Twitter @reejecoap and make sure you chek out our Star Wars review which will air later this week and all of Shane and I's podcasts where we discuss pop culture in all it's glory at Excuse the Aggravation
Sunday, January 31, 2016
John Scott from laughing stock to hero?
For those of you that don't know probably the sport I am most passionate about is hockey. I've been a Boston Bruins fan for decades and the NHL is one of the few leagues where I don't care who is playing if it's on I am going to watch it. This year has been exceptional in the fact that it almost feels like there is a changing of the guard with so many young first second and third year players making noise from Dylan Larkin in Detroit to Leon Draisaitl in Edmonton and so many others in between. I can't remember another time that there was an NHL youth movement like this since 2005 with Sydney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin and Patrice Bergeron.
I think one thing that has made this year even more exciting was the All-star game in which an 8 year journey man who is currently playing in the AHL on a minor league deal through the Montreal Canadians franchise was voted in by an internet vote to be the All-Star captain for the Western conference. I personally think this is great, I think this is what opening the vote to the fans is all about. For so many years all-star games in all sports have become more of a popularity contest then an actual interpretation of who's the best in the game at any given time. Then when you realize that every year there are deserving players who get left off the rosters because "every team needs to be represented", why are we making such a fuss about the fans voting in someone that normally would never be there.
John Scott has turned what started as a joke by an internet campaign into something I feel every NHL player should strive for. He, in one weekend, did something that the NHL and quite frankly all sports have been trying to do for years. He made this a must watch weekend and a feel good story and more importantly he made the all-star game matter. Why does it matter that he has played for 7 different franchises in his 8 year career. Why does it matter that he is considered more of an enforcer then a goal scorer. Why does it matter that he has more days of suspension (13) then career goals (5) or career points (11). John Scott will always be known as an all-star game MVP.
Not only is he an MVP but he earned that MVP by his play on the ice and his demeanor on and off the ice. Quite frankly I feel like this was the most entertaining all-star game I have seen in decades not only because of the 3 on 3 style which was fun with the open ice and fact that players actually felt like they were trying but also because it felt like the players were definitely out to enjoy themselves and put on a show for the fans. This was also history in the making and something I wish would continue going forward.
I say we keep the internet vote open and do it for all sports just the same way. I want to see back up offensive lineman, bench players, pinch hitters and fourth line enforcers in the all-star game every year. Lets face it the all-star game has been traditionally for the top talent and the elite players but what gets forgotten in the shuffle are the other very important players that contribute more to a teams success then they are ever given credit for.
Brian Scalbrine played for more teams then I can even remember and speaking to any of his teammates they will all say the same thing. He always had a great attitude who spent more time cheering for and pumping up his teammates then actually being on the court. Or Shawn Thornton who was a fourth line winger that would lead his team year after year in fighting majors which usually out numbered the amount of goals he scored but was able to give his team the energy boosts they needed at the right time. These type of players do just as much for the morality and togetherness of a team as the guy who is out there scoring 50 goals or the quarterback that throws 5,000 yards. These players should be honored and I for one would love to see then get there due in an all-star game.
I want to see this turn into a campaign. I want to see elite players campaigning for the teammate that they think deserves an all-star nod that we would never normally think of. I want to see players wearing shirts that say vote for Scal or Sydney Crosby in a post game interview wearing a hat that says vote for Macintyre.
I think this would be a great way to honor the players that do so many under the radar things.
John Scott opened up a great opportunity by not only accepting and playing in this all-star game, but by handling it with such amazing class and performing extremely well on the ice. Kudos to you John and congratulations on being what I hope is a pioneer for things to come.
Follow me on Twitter at @Reejecoap and tune in to enjoy some mindless babbling from Shane and I about the important things in Pop Culture on our podcast
I think one thing that has made this year even more exciting was the All-star game in which an 8 year journey man who is currently playing in the AHL on a minor league deal through the Montreal Canadians franchise was voted in by an internet vote to be the All-Star captain for the Western conference. I personally think this is great, I think this is what opening the vote to the fans is all about. For so many years all-star games in all sports have become more of a popularity contest then an actual interpretation of who's the best in the game at any given time. Then when you realize that every year there are deserving players who get left off the rosters because "every team needs to be represented", why are we making such a fuss about the fans voting in someone that normally would never be there.
John Scott has turned what started as a joke by an internet campaign into something I feel every NHL player should strive for. He, in one weekend, did something that the NHL and quite frankly all sports have been trying to do for years. He made this a must watch weekend and a feel good story and more importantly he made the all-star game matter. Why does it matter that he has played for 7 different franchises in his 8 year career. Why does it matter that he is considered more of an enforcer then a goal scorer. Why does it matter that he has more days of suspension (13) then career goals (5) or career points (11). John Scott will always be known as an all-star game MVP.
Not only is he an MVP but he earned that MVP by his play on the ice and his demeanor on and off the ice. Quite frankly I feel like this was the most entertaining all-star game I have seen in decades not only because of the 3 on 3 style which was fun with the open ice and fact that players actually felt like they were trying but also because it felt like the players were definitely out to enjoy themselves and put on a show for the fans. This was also history in the making and something I wish would continue going forward.
I say we keep the internet vote open and do it for all sports just the same way. I want to see back up offensive lineman, bench players, pinch hitters and fourth line enforcers in the all-star game every year. Lets face it the all-star game has been traditionally for the top talent and the elite players but what gets forgotten in the shuffle are the other very important players that contribute more to a teams success then they are ever given credit for.
Brian Scalbrine played for more teams then I can even remember and speaking to any of his teammates they will all say the same thing. He always had a great attitude who spent more time cheering for and pumping up his teammates then actually being on the court. Or Shawn Thornton who was a fourth line winger that would lead his team year after year in fighting majors which usually out numbered the amount of goals he scored but was able to give his team the energy boosts they needed at the right time. These type of players do just as much for the morality and togetherness of a team as the guy who is out there scoring 50 goals or the quarterback that throws 5,000 yards. These players should be honored and I for one would love to see then get there due in an all-star game.
I want to see this turn into a campaign. I want to see elite players campaigning for the teammate that they think deserves an all-star nod that we would never normally think of. I want to see players wearing shirts that say vote for Scal or Sydney Crosby in a post game interview wearing a hat that says vote for Macintyre.
I think this would be a great way to honor the players that do so many under the radar things.
John Scott opened up a great opportunity by not only accepting and playing in this all-star game, but by handling it with such amazing class and performing extremely well on the ice. Kudos to you John and congratulations on being what I hope is a pioneer for things to come.
Follow me on Twitter at @Reejecoap and tune in to enjoy some mindless babbling from Shane and I about the important things in Pop Culture on our podcast
Saturday, January 30, 2016
The Phenomenal one finally in WWE
While going through my twitter account and cleaning up my profile I stumbled upon my old blog. Realizing that I kind of missed venting about things in my life and reviewing everything I ever came into contact with dusting off the keyboard sounded like a good idea. That being said unsurprisingly I have some thoughts about someone that I think is the best wrestler in the world making his debut with the WWE.
The Phenomenal One, AJ Styles made his WWE debut after spending many years as the face of TNA and also the last couple years in ROH and NJPW and I for one couldn't be more excited. I have followed his career since early 2002 when TNA would hold weekly PPV's, and to see the career path that he has taken has been breathtaking and I dare say phenomenal.
His accomplishments are mind boggling when you consider that he has won 48 championships through out different promotions. Let me say that again because even I didn't believe it when I first read it, he has won 48 championships. Now the beauty of a championship in wrestling is very rarely is it given to someone unless the promoter feels that person can sell tickets. Now I understand that in today's wrestling world the number of championships a wrestler has may be elevated in comparison because they seem to change from person to person like an employee at the Bunny Ranch. I mean after all this is no longer the 80's where you have title reigns that go on for years with the likes of Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair on top for ever but that doesn't make it any less of an achievement. The reason for the fact that title's change so often is simply because of exposure with the increased amount of pay per views and weekly television shows mixed with this planets ever declining attention spans and you can't have a champ on top for to long or people will get bored. But still 48 championships is a crap ton.
AJ spent some time in WCW in 2001 and then a couple of tryout matches with WWE after the whole Vince buying his competition thing happened but he really made a name for himself in TNA where he spent over a decade. During the mid oughts, as they are called, I found myself gravitating more towards TNA and away from the WWE due to story lines and what I felt was a better overall quality of the show and found myself in absolute awe of this little guy from Georgia who was night after night stealing the show with an incredibly innovated offense and knack for telling a story in and out of the ring that was able to change and evolve with the times. People don't put enough emphasis on a character being able to evolve and continue to relate and connect with the audience but AJ's ability to do that has kept him relevent for a long time unlike people like John Cena, Randy Orton, Triple H, both Jeff and Matt Hardy and so many others who's characters have become stale and fans have become somewhat complacent with them. AJ was a funny sidekick in the Christian Coalition he was a leader and bonafide star in Fortune, and was able to be a fan favorite and vile villain, a high flyer, a mat technician and the lone wolf and was able to make those gimmicks work every single time because it never felt like he was playing a part it felt more like they were extensions of himself.
After his tenure in TNA came to a merciful end AJ moved on the ROH and NJPW where he easily became not only the best wrestler in the world but also one of the best villains of the last 15 years as leader of Bullet Club.
And then he arrived on the big stage in America and finally came to the WWE, As a fan I was worried I must say because I have seen Vince bring in and destroy amazing talent before simply because they were stars elsewhere first but I must say I have been impressed with how they have handled him and maybe they have finally realized that it's a good idea to take advantage of the talent you get to sell the tickets you want. After an impressive Royal Rumble where as the third entrant in the main event match AJ was able to last for just shy of 30 minutes and easily received the biggest pop of the night he also was able to go toe to toe with the resident superman Roman Reigns and never once felt out of place. The music that they chose for him is fantastic and you know they are willing to invest heavily in AJ producing a great song by CFO$ called Phenominal (they don't want none) which immediately jumped to number one on itunes, and the announcers did a fantastic job of selling his arrival as a big deal. Byron Saxton with just a simple "oh My God!!!" did more to sell the importance of this man than any "I'm coming" vignettes would have done and with the exception of down playing championships ( more on that in a bit) the announcers have done a fantastic job of making him seem like a big deal.
His match on Raw continued to make the arrival seem important when he faced Chris Jericho and put on a great show. I must also give big props to Chris Jericho for taking time out of his highlight reel on Smackdown to put over AJ as well and then another great match against Curtis Axel later in the night.
My one complaint has been with the announcing and the fact that the "heels" Jerry Lawler I'm looking right at you when I say this, spend to much time putting down other organizations and not enough time concentrating on the hippocratic nature of his own words. During AJ's match on Smackdown Jerry said "I have won more championships then anyone else in the history of this business and the conventional thought is it didn't happen in the WWE therefore it didn't happen" Now while that statement is partially true Jerry Lawler is the most decorated champion in the history of wrestling. he made a name for him self while winning 168 championships and feuding with the late great Andy Kaufman. To say that non of that mattered because he didn't do it in the WWE is asinine. According to Jerry's logic there is no need for Cena to chase title number 16 because Ric Flair only won 2 title in the WWE and Jerry himself should not be a Hall of Famer since his wrestling career would only amount to a horrible feud with Bret Hart where he was forced to kiss his own foot. Or maybe that was just Jerry venting a little jealousy because AJ is being made out to be a big deal and Jerry really wasn't when he arrived in the early nineties.
I must say I, however, am incredibly excited and look forward to how they build AJ going forward. Strap in world this should be a fun ride.
Be sure to check out my buddy Shane and I as we due a pop culture podcast called Excuse the Aggravation and follow me on Twitter @Reejecoap
The Phenomenal One, AJ Styles made his WWE debut after spending many years as the face of TNA and also the last couple years in ROH and NJPW and I for one couldn't be more excited. I have followed his career since early 2002 when TNA would hold weekly PPV's, and to see the career path that he has taken has been breathtaking and I dare say phenomenal.
His accomplishments are mind boggling when you consider that he has won 48 championships through out different promotions. Let me say that again because even I didn't believe it when I first read it, he has won 48 championships. Now the beauty of a championship in wrestling is very rarely is it given to someone unless the promoter feels that person can sell tickets. Now I understand that in today's wrestling world the number of championships a wrestler has may be elevated in comparison because they seem to change from person to person like an employee at the Bunny Ranch. I mean after all this is no longer the 80's where you have title reigns that go on for years with the likes of Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair on top for ever but that doesn't make it any less of an achievement. The reason for the fact that title's change so often is simply because of exposure with the increased amount of pay per views and weekly television shows mixed with this planets ever declining attention spans and you can't have a champ on top for to long or people will get bored. But still 48 championships is a crap ton.
AJ spent some time in WCW in 2001 and then a couple of tryout matches with WWE after the whole Vince buying his competition thing happened but he really made a name for himself in TNA where he spent over a decade. During the mid oughts, as they are called, I found myself gravitating more towards TNA and away from the WWE due to story lines and what I felt was a better overall quality of the show and found myself in absolute awe of this little guy from Georgia who was night after night stealing the show with an incredibly innovated offense and knack for telling a story in and out of the ring that was able to change and evolve with the times. People don't put enough emphasis on a character being able to evolve and continue to relate and connect with the audience but AJ's ability to do that has kept him relevent for a long time unlike people like John Cena, Randy Orton, Triple H, both Jeff and Matt Hardy and so many others who's characters have become stale and fans have become somewhat complacent with them. AJ was a funny sidekick in the Christian Coalition he was a leader and bonafide star in Fortune, and was able to be a fan favorite and vile villain, a high flyer, a mat technician and the lone wolf and was able to make those gimmicks work every single time because it never felt like he was playing a part it felt more like they were extensions of himself.
After his tenure in TNA came to a merciful end AJ moved on the ROH and NJPW where he easily became not only the best wrestler in the world but also one of the best villains of the last 15 years as leader of Bullet Club.
And then he arrived on the big stage in America and finally came to the WWE, As a fan I was worried I must say because I have seen Vince bring in and destroy amazing talent before simply because they were stars elsewhere first but I must say I have been impressed with how they have handled him and maybe they have finally realized that it's a good idea to take advantage of the talent you get to sell the tickets you want. After an impressive Royal Rumble where as the third entrant in the main event match AJ was able to last for just shy of 30 minutes and easily received the biggest pop of the night he also was able to go toe to toe with the resident superman Roman Reigns and never once felt out of place. The music that they chose for him is fantastic and you know they are willing to invest heavily in AJ producing a great song by CFO$ called Phenominal (they don't want none) which immediately jumped to number one on itunes, and the announcers did a fantastic job of selling his arrival as a big deal. Byron Saxton with just a simple "oh My God!!!" did more to sell the importance of this man than any "I'm coming" vignettes would have done and with the exception of down playing championships ( more on that in a bit) the announcers have done a fantastic job of making him seem like a big deal.
His match on Raw continued to make the arrival seem important when he faced Chris Jericho and put on a great show. I must also give big props to Chris Jericho for taking time out of his highlight reel on Smackdown to put over AJ as well and then another great match against Curtis Axel later in the night.
My one complaint has been with the announcing and the fact that the "heels" Jerry Lawler I'm looking right at you when I say this, spend to much time putting down other organizations and not enough time concentrating on the hippocratic nature of his own words. During AJ's match on Smackdown Jerry said "I have won more championships then anyone else in the history of this business and the conventional thought is it didn't happen in the WWE therefore it didn't happen" Now while that statement is partially true Jerry Lawler is the most decorated champion in the history of wrestling. he made a name for him self while winning 168 championships and feuding with the late great Andy Kaufman. To say that non of that mattered because he didn't do it in the WWE is asinine. According to Jerry's logic there is no need for Cena to chase title number 16 because Ric Flair only won 2 title in the WWE and Jerry himself should not be a Hall of Famer since his wrestling career would only amount to a horrible feud with Bret Hart where he was forced to kiss his own foot. Or maybe that was just Jerry venting a little jealousy because AJ is being made out to be a big deal and Jerry really wasn't when he arrived in the early nineties.
I must say I, however, am incredibly excited and look forward to how they build AJ going forward. Strap in world this should be a fun ride.
Be sure to check out my buddy Shane and I as we due a pop culture podcast called Excuse the Aggravation and follow me on Twitter @Reejecoap
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