So....it's been a few months. Things have changed, things have changed the same, and most of all, things have become two months older.
So here's a quick rundown on topics I have yet to ramble about in my absence.
IF YOU SMELLLLLLLLLLLLL....
Oh yeah, I can smell it. And to be perfectly honest, it smells like bullshit. Listen, I've absolutely LOVED The Rock for years, and I maintain that he's one of the most underrated guys in the world as a worker, but come on. The Rock's first message to the WWE "Universe," was to say that he wasn't here for the money (yeah, right), he wasn't here for to promote his next Disney flick, he was here for the fans. He went on to say that he will never (and the rock means NEVER) leave us again.
Bullshit.
Since that return promo, despite having two guys basically de-rail their own WrestleMania feud in order to cut promos on him, he hasn't showed up.
I mean, it's weeks before Wrestlemania, and the guy still can't be bothered to get his happy ass to the arena.
The Rock isn't doing this for the fans, he's doing this for The Rock, or maybe he's doing this for Vince, or for his friends in the WWE, or for John Cena, or maybe even for The Miz.
But don't get too excited.
The Rock will most likely be gone again a month or two after Mania, never to be seen again on WWE television.
But hey, enjoy him while he's here, I guess.
Sting returns to TNA, becomes World Champion.
FYI: I'm ignoring the Victory Road debacle for the sake of this rant.
What in the hell was TNA thinking? I like Sting, but strapping a guy you were ready to let walk away a month ago because a few hundred smarks *hoped* he was going to debut for a rival promotion? What sense does that make. I know there are people that will say they did this because there was a substantial buzz around Sting at the time, but the truth is, there wasn't.
There was no real buzz around him. There was a little buzz for a potential Sting vs. Undertaker match at WrestleMania, but as far as the Stinger himself goes, no one is all that excited about him.
The whole return and the way it was handled made TNA seem like such a second-rate wrestling company it's crazy.
Triple H vs. Taker!
Meh.
Seriously, meh. I can't think of a better word to describe this match-up. Triple H has a habit of being mediocre in Mania matches, and both guys are coming off of an injury.
Meh.
Victory Road 2011!
This was the opposite of a road to victory. Jeff Hardy is a piece of shit and he should never be allowed to wrestle again in a TNA ring as long as he lives. Both TNA and WWE should be ashamed that they let this druggie work for them after it's become very clear that he was on drugs with both companies.
And Sting, he's a true professional. I know I was hard on Sting earlier, but I still like the guy. He did his best in order to keep that mess from becoming even worse, and he looked just as angry as the fans who had to sit through that bullshit.
The state of TNA in General
God, I never thought I would say this, but TNA looks like a spitting image of late WCW. You know, the stupid angles, the wrong guys going over, the worked shoots, the references to wrestler's personal lives and backstage happenings that most fans don't even know about.
But even more than that, it's the general feel of the show that's a bit off. You can just feel the discontent coming off of the wrestlers. You can feel the confusion and the anger coming from backstage, you can feel that the guy don't believe in what they're doing out there, and as a result, they're not doing it as well as they should.
Snooki?
You've got to be kidding me. You know, people giving WWE a pass for allowing this skank to wrestle at Mania is unbelievable. People shat over TNA for bringing people from the Jersey Shore (even though they actually have a guy doing a "shore" inspired gimmick) and yet everyone's supposed to be fine with WWE giving Snooki a match at their biggest PPV of the year? Fuck that.
And last, but not least,
Michael Freakin' Cole.
Michael Cole is pure awesome in this role he's been given. This match between him and Lawler will most likely suck, but I'm sure Cole's heeling will make up for it. Say what you want about Cole's announcing, but if he were to move to a manager role after Mania, he'd be among the best heel mouthpieces in the business.
And he'll have to move to manager, because it would be damn near impossible to put him behind the announce desk after he gets a good ole fashioned ass kicking by Jerry Lawler, and maybe even Stone Cold.
And then we can all welcome back Jim Ross. It's a win-win-win, folks.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
My Wrestling Bucket List pt. 1
A popular thing to do now-a-days is to make a "bucket list," ie. a list of things you want to do before you die. Since my most favoritest thing in the whole world is rasslin, I figure I'll give it a whirl in that context. Should be fun, eh?
1. Witness WrestleMania live
Should be self-explanatory. The pageantry, pomp, and circumstance (OHHH YEEEAAAHH) of the biggest show of the year alone is reason enough is to want to plop down hundreds to see this live, but aside form that, every WM since X7 has produced at least one, high quality classic for the masses.
2. Watch a show in The Arena in Philly
I need to do this. It's calling to me. Sure, it may be a mediocre small-time building in Philadelphia that just happens to have the most rich and decorated wrestling history this side of Madison Square Garden, but it's more than that. When I watched ECW, I loved it because of not just the wrestling, but because of how involved the fans were. The small feel of that arena was perfect for what they were doing. Plus, Philly fans could teach me some new swear words or how to throw batteries.
3. Wrestle
Yeah, it's simple. My childhood dream was always to be a wrestler, so I'm going to follow that dream with everything I've got. Some people say "I've done it" when they reach the top of their craft. For me, it would be a great accomplishment, and something that would bring me a ton of joy, to even be able to step into the ring and wrestle just one time.
4. Call a match
Kind of the same as number 3. I just want to be a part of the business in any capacity.
5. Sit in/ Participate in a TNA/WWE creative meeting.
I could set those guys straight.
not a bad first set. Hopefully i get some of these to come true. Anyone wanting to buy me a ticket to Wrestlemania or to Philly is welcome.
Or pay my way through rasslin school.
1. Witness WrestleMania live
Should be self-explanatory. The pageantry, pomp, and circumstance (OHHH YEEEAAAHH) of the biggest show of the year alone is reason enough is to want to plop down hundreds to see this live, but aside form that, every WM since X7 has produced at least one, high quality classic for the masses.
2. Watch a show in The Arena in Philly
I need to do this. It's calling to me. Sure, it may be a mediocre small-time building in Philadelphia that just happens to have the most rich and decorated wrestling history this side of Madison Square Garden, but it's more than that. When I watched ECW, I loved it because of not just the wrestling, but because of how involved the fans were. The small feel of that arena was perfect for what they were doing. Plus, Philly fans could teach me some new swear words or how to throw batteries.
3. Wrestle
Yeah, it's simple. My childhood dream was always to be a wrestler, so I'm going to follow that dream with everything I've got. Some people say "I've done it" when they reach the top of their craft. For me, it would be a great accomplishment, and something that would bring me a ton of joy, to even be able to step into the ring and wrestle just one time.
4. Call a match
Kind of the same as number 3. I just want to be a part of the business in any capacity.
5. Sit in/ Participate in a TNA/WWE creative meeting.
I could set those guys straight.
not a bad first set. Hopefully i get some of these to come true. Anyone wanting to buy me a ticket to Wrestlemania or to Philly is welcome.
Or pay my way through rasslin school.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The (late) 2010 Splash Awards!
I think it's about high time I actually post something on this blog, don't you? Anyway, I have decided to hand out awards for the most deserving men, women, and moments in pro wrestling in 2010! The categories are as follows:
Best All-Around Wrestler
Best In-Ring Wrestler
Best on the Mic
Best Tag Team
Best Show
Best PPV
Best Match
Best Feud
Breakout Star
Rookie of the Year (in TNA and/or WWE)
Most Memorable Moment
And, of course, when there are bests, there has to be worsts!
Worst Show
Worst PPV
Worst All-Around Wrestler
So, Let's begin!
2010 Splash Award for Rookie of the Year
Daniel "Bryan Danielson" Bryan
Who else could it have possibly been? Bryan started the year as an NXT rookie, and ended it as the WWE US Champion, with a clean win (2, actually) over the current WWE Champ, The Miz. Sure, he DID get fired halfway through the year, but even then it was AFTER he helped destroy John Cena, and the entire Raw set. He came back because he was THAT over, and he's being pushed, not because Vince wants to, but because the FANS want it. This guy could change wrestling as we know in terms of how people view the business.
Runners Up: Alberto Del Rio, Wade Barrett
2010 Splash Award for Best Show
WWE NXT
I'm sure a lot of readers would disagree with this choice, but it makes complete sense to me. NXT changed the entire landscape of the WWE. I know, that it was hit and miss during the first season, mediocre at best in season two, and TERRIBLE OH GOD TERRIBLE in season three, but it gave us Daniel Bryan, Wade Barrett, and at the same time, it helped to further the career of some of the already WWE superstars, mainly, The Miz. NXT did a lot of things for the WWE, even if it wasn't always fun to watch.
Runner Up: WWE Smackdown
2010 Splash Award for Worst Show
TNA iMPACT!
Sorry, TNA. I really, really, REALLY tried to stick with you during this terrible year, but I just couldn't do it. I'm an unabashed TNA mark, and even I can't stomach this terrible show anymore.
Runners Up: WWE SuperStars, WWE Raw
2010 Splash Award for Breakout Star
The Miz
This is an award going to the guy who had the most upward mobility in 2010 that WASN'T a rookie, and when you think about it, no one even comes close the The Miz in that regard. But he's not just GETTING a push, he's EARNING a push thanks to his great promo skills and hard work inside the ropes. And I don't think he's done improving yet, folks.
Runners Up: Ken Anderson, Matt Morgan
2010 Splash Award for Worst PPV
TNA HardCORE Justice
There are no words to describe how awful this show really was. It was like a a blue-lit train wreck. Rob Van Dam and Sabu deserve credit for trying their damnedest to try to save the show, but even the really good tilt that they had could distract me from the shittiness of the rest of the show.
Runners Up: WWE Summerslam, TNA Genesis
2010 Splash Award for Best Feud
Beer Money Inc. vs. The Motor City Machine Guns
Every time these two awesome tag teams step into the ring with each other it's pure gold. These two teams created more buzz for TNA with their series of matches than Hogan, Bischoff, Flair, or any of their moronic storylines did all year. It's a true case of when wrestling is the only thing you need. These two teams told a better story in the ring than the morons backstage ever could.
Runners Up: Ric Flair vs. Jay Lethal, Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker
2010 Splash Award for Worst Wrestler
John Cena
I know, Cena haters are stupid, blah, blah, blah. But John Cena has done more to singlehandedly drag down the quality of the WWE product than any other worker in the company. Are there guys with less talent? Sure. Lots of them, but they don't get 20 minutes of screen time every week to open up Raw, and the a main event match at the end.
Runners Up: Rob Terry, Abyss
2010 Splash Award for Most Memorable Moment
Shawn Michaels slaps the Undertaker before being tombstoned, WM 26
A lot of people would go Hart/HBK here, but to be honest, I didn't really find myself caring about that as much as I thought I would. This, however, is an image that will live with me forever. This was storytelling at it's best here, and I can't think of any better way for HBK to go out.
Runners Up: Brian Danielson returns to indies at Chikara "We Must Eat Michigan's Brain", Eric Bischoff rips up Impact script on 1/4 Impact
2010 Splash Award for Best PPV/Large Show
WWE Wrestlemania 26
This is the Grand-daddy of them all for a reason. Every year the expectations are huge, and this year (well, last year...) they lived up to them and them some. The show felt big, and it flowed well, excluding the one black spot, the Hart/McMahon match.
Runners Up: TNA No Surrender, WWE Money in the Bank
2010 Splash Award for Best Match
Streak vs. Career
Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker
WWE Wrestlemania 26
This was a roller coaster ride of awesome from bell to bell, and even though these two had HUGE shoes to fill, they filled them with perhaps an even BETTER match than the one they had last year, and I thought that was impossible coming in. These are two guys who know how to tell a compelling story in the ring, and they took every fan in Phoenix on a journey in this tilt.
Runners Up: Styles vs. Angle, Impact, Tyler Black vs. Davey Richards Death before Dishonor VIII
2010 Splash Award for Best on the Mic
Mr. Anderson
The cool and cocky way Anderson delivers his promos, along with the catchphrases he spouts and the reaction he elicits, make him the best mic guy in pro wrestling today, and, in all likelihood, of all time. He's come so very far from the guy who just used to yell his name twice into the mic, now he's a genuine star.
Runners Up: The Miz, CM Punk
2010 Splash Award for Best In-Ring
Eddie Kingston
Shocker, I know. He's not exactly the technical artist that an award like this usually goes to, but I, for one, love a good brawler, and if you're talking about good brawlers, here's the best one on the indy scene right here. My knee-jerk reaction was to give this one to Daniel Bryan based on reputation alone, but when it comes down to it, Kingston has had really, REALLY good matches all throughout 2010, even with the faint cheers I heard of "you're not kofi" at the CHIKARA show in Taylor.
Runners Up: Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles
2010 Splash Award for Best Tag Team
The Motor City Machine Guns
While it's true that Beer Money, The Kings of Wrestling, and Generation Me/The Young Bucks all had good years, there was no doubt in my mind I was giving this one to Sabin and Shelley. Tag team wrestling is a dead artform in the WWE, and by showcasing the Guns, TNA has done something right for a change. Two insanely talented fliers who also know how to work a match with brawlers like Beer Money, and even less talented guys like The British Invasion. They make tag teams look good everywhere.
Runners Up: Beer Money, The Osirian Portal
drumrolllllllll
2010 Splash Award for Best All-Around Wrestler
AJ Styles
He started the year as TNA Champ, having an insane bout with Kurt Angle in the first show of the year, and it seems he never stopped being awesome all year. Even though he's been shit all over by Hogan and crew, he's managed to come out smelling like roses somehow. For example, they stick him in a go-nowhere feud with Tommy Dreamer, a guy with a totally different style, both in-ring and out, than him, and he still delivers great matches and makes that feud interesting. AJ Styles is a beacon of light in a promotion slowly creeping into darkness.
Runners Up: Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho
Best All-Around Wrestler
Best In-Ring Wrestler
Best on the Mic
Best Tag Team
Best Show
Best PPV
Best Match
Best Feud
Breakout Star
Rookie of the Year (in TNA and/or WWE)
Most Memorable Moment
And, of course, when there are bests, there has to be worsts!
Worst Show
Worst PPV
Worst All-Around Wrestler
So, Let's begin!
2010 Splash Award for Rookie of the Year
Daniel "Bryan Danielson" BryanWho else could it have possibly been? Bryan started the year as an NXT rookie, and ended it as the WWE US Champion, with a clean win (2, actually) over the current WWE Champ, The Miz. Sure, he DID get fired halfway through the year, but even then it was AFTER he helped destroy John Cena, and the entire Raw set. He came back because he was THAT over, and he's being pushed, not because Vince wants to, but because the FANS want it. This guy could change wrestling as we know in terms of how people view the business.
Runners Up: Alberto Del Rio, Wade Barrett
2010 Splash Award for Best Show
WWE NXT
I'm sure a lot of readers would disagree with this choice, but it makes complete sense to me. NXT changed the entire landscape of the WWE. I know, that it was hit and miss during the first season, mediocre at best in season two, and TERRIBLE OH GOD TERRIBLE in season three, but it gave us Daniel Bryan, Wade Barrett, and at the same time, it helped to further the career of some of the already WWE superstars, mainly, The Miz. NXT did a lot of things for the WWE, even if it wasn't always fun to watch.
Runner Up: WWE Smackdown
2010 Splash Award for Worst Show
TNA iMPACT!
Sorry, TNA. I really, really, REALLY tried to stick with you during this terrible year, but I just couldn't do it. I'm an unabashed TNA mark, and even I can't stomach this terrible show anymore.
Runners Up: WWE SuperStars, WWE Raw
2010 Splash Award for Breakout Star
The Miz
This is an award going to the guy who had the most upward mobility in 2010 that WASN'T a rookie, and when you think about it, no one even comes close the The Miz in that regard. But he's not just GETTING a push, he's EARNING a push thanks to his great promo skills and hard work inside the ropes. And I don't think he's done improving yet, folks.
Runners Up: Ken Anderson, Matt Morgan
2010 Splash Award for Worst PPV
TNA HardCORE Justice
There are no words to describe how awful this show really was. It was like a a blue-lit train wreck. Rob Van Dam and Sabu deserve credit for trying their damnedest to try to save the show, but even the really good tilt that they had could distract me from the shittiness of the rest of the show.
Runners Up: WWE Summerslam, TNA Genesis
2010 Splash Award for Best Feud
Beer Money Inc. vs. The Motor City Machine Guns
Every time these two awesome tag teams step into the ring with each other it's pure gold. These two teams created more buzz for TNA with their series of matches than Hogan, Bischoff, Flair, or any of their moronic storylines did all year. It's a true case of when wrestling is the only thing you need. These two teams told a better story in the ring than the morons backstage ever could.
Runners Up: Ric Flair vs. Jay Lethal, Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker
2010 Splash Award for Worst Wrestler
John Cena
I know, Cena haters are stupid, blah, blah, blah. But John Cena has done more to singlehandedly drag down the quality of the WWE product than any other worker in the company. Are there guys with less talent? Sure. Lots of them, but they don't get 20 minutes of screen time every week to open up Raw, and the a main event match at the end.
Runners Up: Rob Terry, Abyss
2010 Splash Award for Most Memorable Moment
Shawn Michaels slaps the Undertaker before being tombstoned, WM 26
A lot of people would go Hart/HBK here, but to be honest, I didn't really find myself caring about that as much as I thought I would. This, however, is an image that will live with me forever. This was storytelling at it's best here, and I can't think of any better way for HBK to go out.
Runners Up: Brian Danielson returns to indies at Chikara "We Must Eat Michigan's Brain", Eric Bischoff rips up Impact script on 1/4 Impact
2010 Splash Award for Best PPV/Large Show
WWE Wrestlemania 26
This is the Grand-daddy of them all for a reason. Every year the expectations are huge, and this year (well, last year...) they lived up to them and them some. The show felt big, and it flowed well, excluding the one black spot, the Hart/McMahon match.
Runners Up: TNA No Surrender, WWE Money in the Bank
2010 Splash Award for Best Match
Streak vs. Career
Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker
WWE Wrestlemania 26
This was a roller coaster ride of awesome from bell to bell, and even though these two had HUGE shoes to fill, they filled them with perhaps an even BETTER match than the one they had last year, and I thought that was impossible coming in. These are two guys who know how to tell a compelling story in the ring, and they took every fan in Phoenix on a journey in this tilt.
Runners Up: Styles vs. Angle, Impact, Tyler Black vs. Davey Richards Death before Dishonor VIII
2010 Splash Award for Best on the Mic
Mr. Anderson
The cool and cocky way Anderson delivers his promos, along with the catchphrases he spouts and the reaction he elicits, make him the best mic guy in pro wrestling today, and, in all likelihood, of all time. He's come so very far from the guy who just used to yell his name twice into the mic, now he's a genuine star.
Runners Up: The Miz, CM Punk
2010 Splash Award for Best In-Ring
Eddie Kingston
Shocker, I know. He's not exactly the technical artist that an award like this usually goes to, but I, for one, love a good brawler, and if you're talking about good brawlers, here's the best one on the indy scene right here. My knee-jerk reaction was to give this one to Daniel Bryan based on reputation alone, but when it comes down to it, Kingston has had really, REALLY good matches all throughout 2010, even with the faint cheers I heard of "you're not kofi" at the CHIKARA show in Taylor.
Runners Up: Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles
2010 Splash Award for Best Tag Team
The Motor City Machine Guns
While it's true that Beer Money, The Kings of Wrestling, and Generation Me/The Young Bucks all had good years, there was no doubt in my mind I was giving this one to Sabin and Shelley. Tag team wrestling is a dead artform in the WWE, and by showcasing the Guns, TNA has done something right for a change. Two insanely talented fliers who also know how to work a match with brawlers like Beer Money, and even less talented guys like The British Invasion. They make tag teams look good everywhere.
Runners Up: Beer Money, The Osirian Portal
drumrolllllllll
2010 Splash Award for Best All-Around Wrestler
AJ Styles
He started the year as TNA Champ, having an insane bout with Kurt Angle in the first show of the year, and it seems he never stopped being awesome all year. Even though he's been shit all over by Hogan and crew, he's managed to come out smelling like roses somehow. For example, they stick him in a go-nowhere feud with Tommy Dreamer, a guy with a totally different style, both in-ring and out, than him, and he still delivers great matches and makes that feud interesting. AJ Styles is a beacon of light in a promotion slowly creeping into darkness.
Runners Up: Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Non Rasslin'! How 'Bout them Lions!
Well, I'm energized by a recent win (winning streak at one, baby!) by my Lions against the St. Louis Rams, so I figure, why not bore my reader(s?) with a COMPLETE RUNDOWN OF THE DETROIT LIONS ROSTER.
Yeah!
OFFENSE:
QB:
Mathew Stafford
Shaun Hill
Drew Stanton
This is the hardest part of the roster to get a hold on. Mainly because in his two seasons in Detroit, Stafford still hasn't played a full schedule of games. He showed some great flashes of brilliance last season, but he turned the ball over a lot, but, in his defense, you have to force the ball downfield sometimes when you're losing every game by 20, so I can forgive the turnovers. Honestly, in Week 1 of this season, he looked like he was on a leash, he threw pretty much nothing but check-downs before he separated his shoulder again.
Shaun Hill is another guy who is hard to figure out. Last week I was jumping up and down because he was making great plays and managing the offense like a champ, but the previous games, he handcuffed the offense by taking bad sacks, turning the ball over, and not realizing that Calvin Johnson still plays for the Lions.
And Stanton is a hometown hero who 99% of Detroit wishes they would actually give a chance to start while Stafford heals.
RB:
Jahvid Best
Kevin Smith
Maurice Morris
Aaron Brown
This is a good group here. I've always hated Kevin Smith, and groaned every week when the out-of-town TV announcers heralded him as a bright spot in the offense, but in terms of backing up Jahvid Best, he's going to be very effective. He can provide a change-of-pace that every team needs for a great running attack. Maurice Morris is a decent receiver out of the backfield, and he can block, too, and Aaron Brown is a good return guy and a big play threat but he won't see much playing time.
WR:
Calvin Johnson
Nate Burleson
Bryant Johnson
Derrick Williams
Stefon Logan
Calvin "Megatron" Johnson: What can I say? Calvin Johnson id the most physically gifted WR in the NFL. He's tall, strong, fast, and he can probably jump over me. The only problem is, we could never get him the ball because he was no-shit getting TRIPLE teamed most games last season.
Enter Nate Burleson. He got injured in Week one and sat on the sidelines until last week, then he had a good game and eventually, this one-two punch with him and Calvin is going to pay huge dividends if he can pull some coverage off of the other guy.
Bryant Johnson was the guy that was supposed to pull people off Calvin last season, and that really didn't work. His production has been terrible his whole time in Detroit and he's probably on the verge of getting traded or cut, I mean, he really hasn't done much at all here.
Derrick Williams is another disappointment. He came out of Penn State looking to be a good kick return guy and a playmaker reciever, but poor practices and a lack of being able to catch kickoffs have led to him sitting on the bench most of the time. I still think he's got the talent to be a good WR, but he needs to show something soon.
Stefon Logan has taken over kick-returns this season, and he's don a fine job, including a 105 yd TD last week. Not much on the side of production in the offense, though, but we should make an effort to get the ball to him.
TE:
Brandon Pettigrew
Tony Scheffler
Will Heller
You're looking at the most productive group of tight-ends in the NFL, and the stats back it up. When we traded Ernie Simms to Philly, I almost died, why would we trade a good LB for a tight-end? A mediocre one at that? but the Lions run 2 TE packages all the time, and with two guys who could start on most NFL teams, it's a great base for our young QB to throw to.
LT:
Jeff Backus
Corey Hillard
Jeff Backus has had something of a career resurgence this season, after being mediocre at best throughout most of his career in Detroit. Backus is the only link left from those awful, awful, terrible, no good Lions o-lines in the early-mid 2000s. I still think he should be moved to Guard, but he's playing alright now, so we'll see.
RT:
Gosder Cherilus
Jason Fox
Jamon Meredith
Gosder is another guy who's playing decent right now, and by decent, I mean, better than our RT's have played since I can recall, which isn't saying much. This o-line isn't fixed, because Gosder and Jeff Backus are playing beyond their means right now, but Gosder's still young, so maybe he's still developing.
Jason Fox is another young guy who could spot-start on the o-line and probably be decent. Again, my idea of decent on the o-line is very skewed considering the shit I've lived through.
LG:
Rob Sims
Unspectacular guard, but again, he's doing his job okay. The thing about this line, is that they're all pretty average. No one's great, but no one's terrible either. Rob Sims is a perfect example.
RG:
Stephen Peterman
Probably the best G/T the Lions have, but not by much. Another guy who lets a few guys by, but not a ton. He's a pretty good blocker.
C:
Dominic Raiola
Dylan Gandy
Raiola is my favorite guy on this o-line. He's athletic, he's able to get into the box and do some decent run-blocking, plus, he's been a vocal leader on this Lions team since the 0-16 season, calling on the guys to do better. Top 10 NFL center in my view.
OVERALL:
Offense if certainly our strength. We still have some issues on the line, but somehow, these guys are seemingly pulling together and playing good football in the trenches. We've got some very good, young pieces like Stafford, Best, Johnson, and Pettigrew, along with some good veterans like Scheffler, Burleson and even Backus and Raiola.
DEFENSE:
LE:
Cliff Avril
Willie Young
Cliff Avril is a very, very good LE, and we were all ready to have him as the best player on out d-line after last season, but our GM had other plans. He'll get lost under the big names of our defensive front, but he creates a fair bit of havoc himself, and e facilitates other guys making plays by dominating his side. He's one of those guys who doesn't really pile up sacks, because his closing speed isn't great, but he gets in the backfield a lot and rushes a lot of throws.
RE:
Kyle Vanden Bosch
Turk McBride
Lawrence Jackson
For those who don't get to see him play every week, the sheer awesomeness of Kyle Vanden Bosch is lost on them. This guy will bust through the line, hurry a throw, and then go tackle the guy who caught it, all the while bleeding from the forehead randomly like he always does. This guy has frickin PYTHONS on his arms, and I don't care how old he is, he's got a better motor than anyone I've ever seen.
DT:
Ndamukong Suh
Corey Williams
Sammie Hill
Andre Fluellen
DON'T YOU WISH YOUR D LINE WAS AWESOME LIKE MINE? I mean, good lord, Sammie Hill was our number one last year, and now he's our number three. Suh is awesome, he leads the NFL rookies in sack, has an interception, ripped Jake Delhomme's head off in the preseason, and has a Nike commercial where he's in his underwear.
Corey Williams is another guy who could be a number one most other places. He used to start for the Packers, got traded to a place where he didn't really fit the system, and now he's back in the same system he used to be in, and he's doing a FINE job. He's not as impressive as Suh, but he serves a different purpose, he's a great run stuffer, and if people start to forget about him, and start double or triple teaming Suh, he could destroy some QB's, too.
Like I said, Hill and Fluellen started for us last season, so they'll be competent back-ups to say the least.
OLB (1):
Zack Follett
Landon Johnson
Now we get into the issues for this defense. Zack Follett is a guy any team in the league would love to have...as a third-stringer. He's young, so maybe he'll get better, but he can't really cover, he can't really tackle, he doesn't really come up to the line and make plays, he really disappears in almost every game, that is, unless he's getting burned by a tight-end.
MLB:
Deandre Levy
Isiah Ekejiuba
Spencer Havner
Levy's a decent LB, but not much more, and what's worse, he's pretty injury prone. The other guys behind him are pretty bad. Good thing Kyle Vanden Bosch makes as many plays downfield as he does, because we need the help.
But hey, at least they're not Larry Foote.
OLB (2)
Julian Peterson
Ashlee Palmer
Julian Peterson is an above-average LB at this point in his career. He used to be an elite pass rusher in the league, but his age has slowed him down a bit, and we don't really use him to blitz anyway. We use him to stop the run and make tackles, which isn't his strength, but he's better at it than our other two starting linebackers.
CB:
Chris Houston
Alphonso Smith
Johnathan Wade
Amari Spievey
Nathan Vasher
Chris Houston is a good corner, and he could be a great one when he hits his prime. He lacks a couple of skills at this point but overall he's a huge asset to this notoriously bad secondary. Alphonso Smith was promoted to starter alongside Houston last week, and he had a very good game. Every time he's seen playing time this season, he's looked good, at least, a lot better than whatever Wade was doing in that starting spot previously, so that's a bright spot. We actually have some depth here, with Wade, Spievey, and Vasher being able to start for us if need be. Spievey, a rookie, made an impact in his limited time in Sunday's game, hopping over a few players and recovering an onside kick that opened up the game. Also, Nathan Vasher is Nathan Vasher. He may have limited cover skills, but he's magic with the ball in his hands.
SS:
CC Brown
Dante Wesley
Another weak spot. CC Brown is no good as a starter in the NFL, but I guess we're stuck with him for this year. His shoddy tackling and lack of ball skills are cause for concern.
FS:
Louis Delmas
John Wendling
Louis Delmas is pure, concentrated awesome. I could do without his dredlocks and his "grill" but his playing skills more than make up for whatever he lacks in good taste. He's been hampered slightly by injuries this season, but most who see him say he reminds them of Ed Reed. High
Praise indeed. Not a whole lot of cover skills, but he's a ball hawk, and he can knock someone's head off with some of his hits.
OVERALL:
Yeah, we still need help. We overhauled the line last offseason, so hopefully, we can focus on other areas now. I don't think we need another giant offseason for our defense, but we need at least a few more pieces, good ones, in order to have a defense that's worthy of our offense. Suh's going to keep getting better, and he's going to be a dominant guy in the middle, which is really going to take this defense to a new level.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
K:
Jason Hanson
This guy is like 300 years old, and he's still automatic from 40 or less. Anything more than 50 is an adventure, though.
P:
Nick Harris
Probably an above average punter. He's been consistent over the years, which is the most important thing.
KR/PR:
Stefon Logan
Aaron Brown
Nate Burleson
Never seen Burleson return a kick, but he's on the depth chart, so whatever. Logan, like I've stated, has been very good, and Aaron Brown is a good second option. I doubt Logan will return a lot of kicks for points, but he's been good at getting us good field position, and that 105 yd return last week was nuts.
OVERALL:
Probably a below average ST unit. Most good teams have either a great kicker, or a great punter, we have two average ones, and above average return guys, but what I didn't delve into, is the fact that we've been below average at kickoff coverage. But at the same time, Suh has already blocked a field goal. It's a wash.
So there ya go. I predicted a 6-10 season fot eh Lions, but with our QB out for at least a week more, it looks like we'd be lucky to get to that mark. Plus, our schedule absolutely sucks this season. We have a great base to build on, and while I realize it's taking a longer time than most teams, in a season or two, this could be an elite NFL team, and no, I'm not on drugs.
Yeah!
OFFENSE:
QB:
Mathew Stafford
Shaun Hill
Drew Stanton
This is the hardest part of the roster to get a hold on. Mainly because in his two seasons in Detroit, Stafford still hasn't played a full schedule of games. He showed some great flashes of brilliance last season, but he turned the ball over a lot, but, in his defense, you have to force the ball downfield sometimes when you're losing every game by 20, so I can forgive the turnovers. Honestly, in Week 1 of this season, he looked like he was on a leash, he threw pretty much nothing but check-downs before he separated his shoulder again.
Shaun Hill is another guy who is hard to figure out. Last week I was jumping up and down because he was making great plays and managing the offense like a champ, but the previous games, he handcuffed the offense by taking bad sacks, turning the ball over, and not realizing that Calvin Johnson still plays for the Lions.
And Stanton is a hometown hero who 99% of Detroit wishes they would actually give a chance to start while Stafford heals.
RB:
Jahvid Best
Kevin Smith
Maurice Morris
Aaron Brown
This is a good group here. I've always hated Kevin Smith, and groaned every week when the out-of-town TV announcers heralded him as a bright spot in the offense, but in terms of backing up Jahvid Best, he's going to be very effective. He can provide a change-of-pace that every team needs for a great running attack. Maurice Morris is a decent receiver out of the backfield, and he can block, too, and Aaron Brown is a good return guy and a big play threat but he won't see much playing time.
WR:
Calvin Johnson
Nate Burleson
Bryant Johnson
Derrick Williams
Stefon Logan
Calvin "Megatron" Johnson: What can I say? Calvin Johnson id the most physically gifted WR in the NFL. He's tall, strong, fast, and he can probably jump over me. The only problem is, we could never get him the ball because he was no-shit getting TRIPLE teamed most games last season.
Enter Nate Burleson. He got injured in Week one and sat on the sidelines until last week, then he had a good game and eventually, this one-two punch with him and Calvin is going to pay huge dividends if he can pull some coverage off of the other guy.
Bryant Johnson was the guy that was supposed to pull people off Calvin last season, and that really didn't work. His production has been terrible his whole time in Detroit and he's probably on the verge of getting traded or cut, I mean, he really hasn't done much at all here.
Derrick Williams is another disappointment. He came out of Penn State looking to be a good kick return guy and a playmaker reciever, but poor practices and a lack of being able to catch kickoffs have led to him sitting on the bench most of the time. I still think he's got the talent to be a good WR, but he needs to show something soon.
Stefon Logan has taken over kick-returns this season, and he's don a fine job, including a 105 yd TD last week. Not much on the side of production in the offense, though, but we should make an effort to get the ball to him.
TE:
Brandon Pettigrew
Tony Scheffler
Will Heller
You're looking at the most productive group of tight-ends in the NFL, and the stats back it up. When we traded Ernie Simms to Philly, I almost died, why would we trade a good LB for a tight-end? A mediocre one at that? but the Lions run 2 TE packages all the time, and with two guys who could start on most NFL teams, it's a great base for our young QB to throw to.
LT:
Jeff Backus
Corey Hillard
Jeff Backus has had something of a career resurgence this season, after being mediocre at best throughout most of his career in Detroit. Backus is the only link left from those awful, awful, terrible, no good Lions o-lines in the early-mid 2000s. I still think he should be moved to Guard, but he's playing alright now, so we'll see.
RT:
Gosder Cherilus
Jason Fox
Jamon Meredith
Gosder is another guy who's playing decent right now, and by decent, I mean, better than our RT's have played since I can recall, which isn't saying much. This o-line isn't fixed, because Gosder and Jeff Backus are playing beyond their means right now, but Gosder's still young, so maybe he's still developing.
Jason Fox is another young guy who could spot-start on the o-line and probably be decent. Again, my idea of decent on the o-line is very skewed considering the shit I've lived through.
LG:
Rob Sims
Unspectacular guard, but again, he's doing his job okay. The thing about this line, is that they're all pretty average. No one's great, but no one's terrible either. Rob Sims is a perfect example.
RG:
Stephen Peterman
Probably the best G/T the Lions have, but not by much. Another guy who lets a few guys by, but not a ton. He's a pretty good blocker.
C:
Dominic Raiola
Dylan Gandy
Raiola is my favorite guy on this o-line. He's athletic, he's able to get into the box and do some decent run-blocking, plus, he's been a vocal leader on this Lions team since the 0-16 season, calling on the guys to do better. Top 10 NFL center in my view.
OVERALL:
Offense if certainly our strength. We still have some issues on the line, but somehow, these guys are seemingly pulling together and playing good football in the trenches. We've got some very good, young pieces like Stafford, Best, Johnson, and Pettigrew, along with some good veterans like Scheffler, Burleson and even Backus and Raiola.
DEFENSE:
LE:
Cliff Avril
Willie Young
Cliff Avril is a very, very good LE, and we were all ready to have him as the best player on out d-line after last season, but our GM had other plans. He'll get lost under the big names of our defensive front, but he creates a fair bit of havoc himself, and e facilitates other guys making plays by dominating his side. He's one of those guys who doesn't really pile up sacks, because his closing speed isn't great, but he gets in the backfield a lot and rushes a lot of throws.
RE:
Kyle Vanden Bosch
Turk McBride
Lawrence Jackson
For those who don't get to see him play every week, the sheer awesomeness of Kyle Vanden Bosch is lost on them. This guy will bust through the line, hurry a throw, and then go tackle the guy who caught it, all the while bleeding from the forehead randomly like he always does. This guy has frickin PYTHONS on his arms, and I don't care how old he is, he's got a better motor than anyone I've ever seen.
DT:
Ndamukong Suh
Corey Williams
Sammie Hill
Andre Fluellen
DON'T YOU WISH YOUR D LINE WAS AWESOME LIKE MINE? I mean, good lord, Sammie Hill was our number one last year, and now he's our number three. Suh is awesome, he leads the NFL rookies in sack, has an interception, ripped Jake Delhomme's head off in the preseason, and has a Nike commercial where he's in his underwear.
Corey Williams is another guy who could be a number one most other places. He used to start for the Packers, got traded to a place where he didn't really fit the system, and now he's back in the same system he used to be in, and he's doing a FINE job. He's not as impressive as Suh, but he serves a different purpose, he's a great run stuffer, and if people start to forget about him, and start double or triple teaming Suh, he could destroy some QB's, too.
Like I said, Hill and Fluellen started for us last season, so they'll be competent back-ups to say the least.
OLB (1):
Zack Follett
Landon Johnson
Now we get into the issues for this defense. Zack Follett is a guy any team in the league would love to have...as a third-stringer. He's young, so maybe he'll get better, but he can't really cover, he can't really tackle, he doesn't really come up to the line and make plays, he really disappears in almost every game, that is, unless he's getting burned by a tight-end.
MLB:
Deandre Levy
Isiah Ekejiuba
Spencer Havner
Levy's a decent LB, but not much more, and what's worse, he's pretty injury prone. The other guys behind him are pretty bad. Good thing Kyle Vanden Bosch makes as many plays downfield as he does, because we need the help.
But hey, at least they're not Larry Foote.
OLB (2)
Julian Peterson
Ashlee Palmer
Julian Peterson is an above-average LB at this point in his career. He used to be an elite pass rusher in the league, but his age has slowed him down a bit, and we don't really use him to blitz anyway. We use him to stop the run and make tackles, which isn't his strength, but he's better at it than our other two starting linebackers.
CB:
Chris Houston
Alphonso Smith
Johnathan Wade
Amari Spievey
Nathan Vasher
Chris Houston is a good corner, and he could be a great one when he hits his prime. He lacks a couple of skills at this point but overall he's a huge asset to this notoriously bad secondary. Alphonso Smith was promoted to starter alongside Houston last week, and he had a very good game. Every time he's seen playing time this season, he's looked good, at least, a lot better than whatever Wade was doing in that starting spot previously, so that's a bright spot. We actually have some depth here, with Wade, Spievey, and Vasher being able to start for us if need be. Spievey, a rookie, made an impact in his limited time in Sunday's game, hopping over a few players and recovering an onside kick that opened up the game. Also, Nathan Vasher is Nathan Vasher. He may have limited cover skills, but he's magic with the ball in his hands.
SS:
CC Brown
Dante Wesley
Another weak spot. CC Brown is no good as a starter in the NFL, but I guess we're stuck with him for this year. His shoddy tackling and lack of ball skills are cause for concern.
FS:
Louis Delmas
John Wendling
Louis Delmas is pure, concentrated awesome. I could do without his dredlocks and his "grill" but his playing skills more than make up for whatever he lacks in good taste. He's been hampered slightly by injuries this season, but most who see him say he reminds them of Ed Reed. High
Praise indeed. Not a whole lot of cover skills, but he's a ball hawk, and he can knock someone's head off with some of his hits.
OVERALL:
Yeah, we still need help. We overhauled the line last offseason, so hopefully, we can focus on other areas now. I don't think we need another giant offseason for our defense, but we need at least a few more pieces, good ones, in order to have a defense that's worthy of our offense. Suh's going to keep getting better, and he's going to be a dominant guy in the middle, which is really going to take this defense to a new level.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
K:
Jason Hanson
This guy is like 300 years old, and he's still automatic from 40 or less. Anything more than 50 is an adventure, though.
P:
Nick Harris
Probably an above average punter. He's been consistent over the years, which is the most important thing.
KR/PR:
Stefon Logan
Aaron Brown
Nate Burleson
Never seen Burleson return a kick, but he's on the depth chart, so whatever. Logan, like I've stated, has been very good, and Aaron Brown is a good second option. I doubt Logan will return a lot of kicks for points, but he's been good at getting us good field position, and that 105 yd return last week was nuts.
OVERALL:
Probably a below average ST unit. Most good teams have either a great kicker, or a great punter, we have two average ones, and above average return guys, but what I didn't delve into, is the fact that we've been below average at kickoff coverage. But at the same time, Suh has already blocked a field goal. It's a wash.
So there ya go. I predicted a 6-10 season fot eh Lions, but with our QB out for at least a week more, it looks like we'd be lucky to get to that mark. Plus, our schedule absolutely sucks this season. We have a great base to build on, and while I realize it's taking a longer time than most teams, in a season or two, this could be an elite NFL team, and no, I'm not on drugs.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Piggy-Back Blog: Drugs in TNA and a failure to give a damn
According to The Wrestling Blog, TNA had a round of drug testing recently, and to the shock of no one who's paying attention, there were some failures. So who can we expect to see taking a 90 day vacation?
...no one.
That's right folks, the TNA policy is that of 'don't ask, don't tell, don't fucking care.'
Jeff Hardy, and Kurt Angle, undeniable two of the biggest stars in the history of the business, and undeniably two guys with a history of substance abuse issues, have deteriorated in TNA. Now, Angle has been able to hide it somewhat, still proving the doubters wrong with great matches and great promos, but there is no hiding what Jeff Hardy has gotten into while in Orlando, and it's not religion.
But if I can see it, and you can see it, can't the people in TNA see it?
I think the answer is, they can. I think everyone in TNA knows what's going on behind closed doors, and they aren't doing anything to stop it.
You think Dixie Carter actually cares about the people who wrestle for her? She's shown them nothing but disdain since day one, hell, there are reports that she paid some ECW guys around $200 for Hardcore Justice. That's VFW Hall money. That's bullshit. She knew they HAD to take that paycheck, so she acted like she was doing them a favor by dragging them to Orlando for her shitty PPV.
So if you're not going to do anything about it, why drug test at all? It's because Dixie Carter loves to go to Congress and tell them that she has a 'comprehensive' Drug Testing Plan. Yeah, that's actually true. They do test for drugs, but that's like me stabbing someone and than claiming, 'I have a no shooting policy' it's not any better.
So, next time you're backstage, Jeremy Borash, and Kurt Angle grimaces in pain, and pops a bone back into place, and then goes to wrestle, how about you tell him to settle down, instead of tweeting about how awesome it is.
Next time you're in the back and Jeff Hardy can barely keep his eyes open, let alone walk, and then he goes to the ring to perform potentially dangerous moves on other people and himself, how about doing something, anything to stop it.
Even if it doesn't work, you can say you tried. Even if nothing changes the issue will be in the open.
How many wrestlers have to die, how many guys have to destroy themselves in order for people to care?
It's become part of the culture, part that no one wants to talk about, but it's there, and I can't pretend it's not any longer. I don't know what to do, but I want to stop this whole culture from continuing. I love pro wrestling, and I don't think I can live with the idea that the thing I love, and the thing that I watch any chance I get, is producing deaths by the hundreds every year because no one is speaking up.
Where are the guys like Scott Hall, Sean Waltman, etc. to act as an example and to tell these guys not to do what they did?
Well, they're still on drugs, too.
Any comments or ideas on what I/We could do in order to help stop this are appreciated. These guys give their health and bodies to us, for our entertainment, and we have to do something before there are none left.
...no one.
That's right folks, the TNA policy is that of 'don't ask, don't tell, don't fucking care.'
Jeff Hardy, and Kurt Angle, undeniable two of the biggest stars in the history of the business, and undeniably two guys with a history of substance abuse issues, have deteriorated in TNA. Now, Angle has been able to hide it somewhat, still proving the doubters wrong with great matches and great promos, but there is no hiding what Jeff Hardy has gotten into while in Orlando, and it's not religion.
But if I can see it, and you can see it, can't the people in TNA see it?
I think the answer is, they can. I think everyone in TNA knows what's going on behind closed doors, and they aren't doing anything to stop it.
You think Dixie Carter actually cares about the people who wrestle for her? She's shown them nothing but disdain since day one, hell, there are reports that she paid some ECW guys around $200 for Hardcore Justice. That's VFW Hall money. That's bullshit. She knew they HAD to take that paycheck, so she acted like she was doing them a favor by dragging them to Orlando for her shitty PPV.
So if you're not going to do anything about it, why drug test at all? It's because Dixie Carter loves to go to Congress and tell them that she has a 'comprehensive' Drug Testing Plan. Yeah, that's actually true. They do test for drugs, but that's like me stabbing someone and than claiming, 'I have a no shooting policy' it's not any better.
So, next time you're backstage, Jeremy Borash, and Kurt Angle grimaces in pain, and pops a bone back into place, and then goes to wrestle, how about you tell him to settle down, instead of tweeting about how awesome it is.
Next time you're in the back and Jeff Hardy can barely keep his eyes open, let alone walk, and then he goes to the ring to perform potentially dangerous moves on other people and himself, how about doing something, anything to stop it.
Even if it doesn't work, you can say you tried. Even if nothing changes the issue will be in the open.
How many wrestlers have to die, how many guys have to destroy themselves in order for people to care?
It's become part of the culture, part that no one wants to talk about, but it's there, and I can't pretend it's not any longer. I don't know what to do, but I want to stop this whole culture from continuing. I love pro wrestling, and I don't think I can live with the idea that the thing I love, and the thing that I watch any chance I get, is producing deaths by the hundreds every year because no one is speaking up.
Where are the guys like Scott Hall, Sean Waltman, etc. to act as an example and to tell these guys not to do what they did?
Well, they're still on drugs, too.
Any comments or ideas on what I/We could do in order to help stop this are appreciated. These guys give their health and bodies to us, for our entertainment, and we have to do something before there are none left.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
10 Reasons You Should Love: AJ Styles
The Stats:
5 ft, 11 in
215 lbs
Age 32
Current TNA Television Champion
TNA World Heavyweight Championship (1 Time)
NWA World Heavyweight Championship (3 Times)
TNA World Tag Team Championship (1 Time w/ Tomko)
NWA World Tag Team Championship (1 Time w/ Jerry Lynn, 1 Time w/ Abyss, 2 Times w/ Christopher Daniels)
TNA Legends/Global/TV Championship (2 Times)
TNA X Division Championship (6 Times)
TNA Triple Crown Champion (4 Times, First)
TNA Grand Slam Champion (2 Times, First, Only)
IWA-MS World Heavyweight Championship (1 Time)
NWA Wildside Heavyweight Championship (1 Time)
ROH Pure Championship (1 Time)
ROH Tag Team Championship (1 Time w/ Amazing Red)
"Mr. TNA" Award Winner (2003-2005)
TNA "Match of the Year Award Winner (2006 w/ Christopher Daniels, Homicide, Hernandez)
TNA "Match of the Year" Award Winner (2009 w/Sting)
TNA "Tag Team of the Year" (2006 w/ Christopher Daniels)
Wrestling Observer "Best Wrestling Maneuver" (2003, Styles Clash)
Wrestling Observer "Best Flying Wrestler" (2005)
Wrestling Observer 5 Star Match (2005 w/ Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels)
PWI Number 1 in PWI 500 (2010)
PWI Tag Team of the Year (2006 w/ Christopher Daniels)
AJ Styles, despite his many accomplishments, and fan love, has been vastly underrated by fans of wrestling that aren't fans of TNA. Why? I believe that some people that don't know what they're talking about, have pigeon-holed Styles as a "high-flier" or as a guy who can't cut a promo. Hell, people might just hate him because he works for TNA, I don't know, but I have to make one, unequivocal statement before I begin, AJ Styles is the best all around wrestler in the world today.
Now, onto the list.
5 ft, 11 in
215 lbs
Age 32
Current TNA Television Champion
TNA World Heavyweight Championship (1 Time)
NWA World Heavyweight Championship (3 Times)
TNA World Tag Team Championship (1 Time w/ Tomko)
NWA World Tag Team Championship (1 Time w/ Jerry Lynn, 1 Time w/ Abyss, 2 Times w/ Christopher Daniels)
TNA Legends/Global/TV Championship (2 Times)
TNA X Division Championship (6 Times)
TNA Triple Crown Champion (4 Times, First)
TNA Grand Slam Champion (2 Times, First, Only)
IWA-MS World Heavyweight Championship (1 Time)
NWA Wildside Heavyweight Championship (1 Time)
ROH Pure Championship (1 Time)
ROH Tag Team Championship (1 Time w/ Amazing Red)
"Mr. TNA" Award Winner (2003-2005)
TNA "Match of the Year Award Winner (2006 w/ Christopher Daniels, Homicide, Hernandez)
TNA "Match of the Year" Award Winner (2009 w/Sting)
TNA "Tag Team of the Year" (2006 w/ Christopher Daniels)
Wrestling Observer "Best Wrestling Maneuver" (2003, Styles Clash)
Wrestling Observer "Best Flying Wrestler" (2005)
Wrestling Observer 5 Star Match (2005 w/ Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels)
PWI Number 1 in PWI 500 (2010)
PWI Tag Team of the Year (2006 w/ Christopher Daniels)
AJ Styles, despite his many accomplishments, and fan love, has been vastly underrated by fans of wrestling that aren't fans of TNA. Why? I believe that some people that don't know what they're talking about, have pigeon-holed Styles as a "high-flier" or as a guy who can't cut a promo. Hell, people might just hate him because he works for TNA, I don't know, but I have to make one, unequivocal statement before I begin, AJ Styles is the best all around wrestler in the world today.
Now, onto the list.
1) AJ Styles isn't just a high-flier.
Now, granted, he may be best known throughout the world for his high-flying antics, and it is true that he can fly around the ring better than anyone else on the planet right now, but he's developed his game into much more than that. What other man could have sick brawls with guys like Abyss, and Rhino, and great technical, story-driven matches with Kurt Angle, and astonishing Ultimate X Matches with Chris Sabin? Any situation where you need a guy who can have a great match, no matter who the opponent is, you can easily plug AJ Styles in and watch him go.
2) He's a top 15 interview right now.
That's right, if you rank the best promo guys in the world at this moment, you'd have to put AJ in the top 15 on that list. I know this has been a chink in his armor in the past, but with the help of guys like Ric Flair and Mick Foley, and even Kurt Angle, AJ Styles has blossomed into a damn good promo man. Listen to his rants against Tommy Dreamer for example. His cocky, narcissistic, promos about how TNA is "the House that AJ Styles built." Are great, almost too much so. He's convincing the fans in the Impact Zone that he should be able to do anything he wants, and that Tommy Dreamer, one of the most beloved wrestler of this era, is wrong for trying to stop him.
3) He makes wrestling look good.
When people watch AJ Styles, they aren't seeing the typical cartoonish caricature of pro wrestling, they're seeing a guy with more athleticism in his little finger than many professional athletes today. That's a good thing. With him throwing crisp dropkicks and perfect 450's, he lends credibility to everyone he wrestles.
4) He's never injured
Since joining TNA in 2002, AJ Styles has never missed a PPV due to injury. That's eight full cycles of the earth without getting hurt. You can compare him to Chris Jericho in that respect, as both are so perfect in the ring in terms of safety, that they never get hurt. Although you can argue, and I would agree, that there has to be a certain degree of luck in order to accomplish that, you can't deny that conditioning has to play a factor as well.
5) He has the Ric Flair Seal of Approval
Ric Flair has said on more the one occasion, that he thinks Kurt Angle and AJ Styles are the two best wrestlers in the world today. He's mentored Styles, and worked harder that I've ever seen any 'legend' work to get someone else over, not that Styles needs it. He's worked with Styles on his pacing, his promo work, his gimmick, and probably 1000 other things in order to make him even better, and it seems to be working. I've said in the past that I would put Flair on someone else that needs the rub more than AJ, but that fact that Flair feels this strongly about AJ Styles, means a lot in my mind.
6) The Inbred-er Impact Zone loves him
Say what you want about the Impact Zone, but considering their favorite wrestler seem to be Kurt Angle, AJ Styles, Mr. Anderson, and Desmond Wolfe, they can't be all bad. They've loved AJ Styles since day one in Orlando, and before that, the fans in Nashville loved him too.
7) He elevates everyone he wrestles
Think about it, who made Christopher Daniels a star? It sure as hell wasn't Christopher Daniels. It was AJ Styles. Styles and Daniels had great matches together, and no doubt Daniels more than held his own in those matches, but he never got over until he was paired with Styles in a tag team, and after they split, he never got over again, until he left for a year and returned to...team with Styles. Think about Samoa Joe, a guy who came into TNA and got popular right away, during his first big feud, which just happened to be against... you guessed it, AJ Styles. Styles enhanced the TNA careers of Christian and Kurt Angle by simply playing second fiddle to them and backing them up. The guy can make anything he's in better, and the fans react to everything he does, and with good reason.
8) He's the perfect mix of flippy and realism
As in, he can wow you with his awesome top rope moves and flips around the ring, but he can also have a match without doing any of those things, and make it great. That's something that a more one-dimensional guy like Evan Bourne is missing. Styles has the size to look credible, even when he's doing some moves that aren't.
9) He's got the look
AJ Styles LOOKS like a main eventer, and that's an achievement considering the fact that's he's at least a few inches shorter than every other main eventer in TNA. He's a good looking, chiseled guy who can tell a story with just his facial expressions alone. He's got natural charisma, like Jeff Hardy. What I mean by that, is that although Jeff Hardy can't cut a promo to save his life, he doesn't need to, because he connects with the fans just by coming to the ring. AJ has that same quality, although he actually can cut a promo, too.
10) He's Phenomenal
That's right, it's not just a moniker. I can't sit here and think of one thing that AJ Styles doesn't do well. He can fly, brawl, wrestle, cut a promo, connect with fans, elevate other workers, he can do it all, and not just well, he can do it all better than anyone in the business. Name someone else who looks as crisp and perfect in the ring as him. Name someone who gives as much effort as he does every time they wrestle. AJ Styles is truly Phenomenal, and if you needed 10 reasons to figure that out, you just haven't been paying attention.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Raw's 900th Episode, Worse than the other 899.
Tonight, We were treated to an event over 17 years in the making, our favorite little wrestling flagship show has aired it's 900th episode, and as Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler have no doubt mentioned 3000 times tonight, that is a monumental feat indeed.
So it's time for a big show, right? Get back to your heyday? Well, they kinda did that. If you remember, during the "heyday" of the WWE Attitude Era, there was little to no actual wrestling on Raw.
That's exactly how it was tonight.
Time for a review!
The show started out with....Bret Hart. Pause is there because it took me a long time to discern whether it was Bret Hart, or the Hart Dynasty coming to the ring. He comes out and has a pretty good promo about how Raw has been on forever, and that he was on the very first episode of Raw, and the only other active WWE wrestler who could say that is The Undertaker. So, of course, he wants The Undertaker to come out. Of course, that doesn't happen, as we get Kane. Ah yes, Kane, time for the ratings to skyrocket. Just in case you haven't noticed, Kane really doesn't do anything for me. Anyway, he gives a decent promo about his brother, and the audience groans because they're going to have them feud AGAIN. You see, they don't already know that, because no one watches SmackDown. Kane decides he needs to take out a legend just like when his brother took out HBK at Wrestlemania, so he goes after Hart. At this point, I'm pretty excited. This could be a great way to get this feud over, and make it more entertaining, Kane going crazy jealous and taking out a beloved legend. But, of course, The Undertaker makes the save. I'm pretty sure The Hart Dynasty came out to, and I'm also pretty sure the live crowd didn't have a clue who they were. Then the ghost GM says we will see the match everyone wants to see at this point...Hart vs. Undertaker? Wait, didn't Undertaker just come to save Hart? Isn't Hart like 60? Wouldn't it make more sense to have Hart vs. Kane? I mean, Kane just tried to kill the guy, after all.
What a shitty opening segment that was.
We get a few Raw moments. Highlight of the show so far.
So it's time for a big show, right? Get back to your heyday? Well, they kinda did that. If you remember, during the "heyday" of the WWE Attitude Era, there was little to no actual wrestling on Raw.
That's exactly how it was tonight.
Time for a review!
The show started out with....Bret Hart. Pause is there because it took me a long time to discern whether it was Bret Hart, or the Hart Dynasty coming to the ring. He comes out and has a pretty good promo about how Raw has been on forever, and that he was on the very first episode of Raw, and the only other active WWE wrestler who could say that is The Undertaker. So, of course, he wants The Undertaker to come out. Of course, that doesn't happen, as we get Kane. Ah yes, Kane, time for the ratings to skyrocket. Just in case you haven't noticed, Kane really doesn't do anything for me. Anyway, he gives a decent promo about his brother, and the audience groans because they're going to have them feud AGAIN. You see, they don't already know that, because no one watches SmackDown. Kane decides he needs to take out a legend just like when his brother took out HBK at Wrestlemania, so he goes after Hart. At this point, I'm pretty excited. This could be a great way to get this feud over, and make it more entertaining, Kane going crazy jealous and taking out a beloved legend. But, of course, The Undertaker makes the save. I'm pretty sure The Hart Dynasty came out to, and I'm also pretty sure the live crowd didn't have a clue who they were. Then the ghost GM says we will see the match everyone wants to see at this point...Hart vs. Undertaker? Wait, didn't Undertaker just come to save Hart? Isn't Hart like 60? Wouldn't it make more sense to have Hart vs. Kane? I mean, Kane just tried to kill the guy, after all.
What a shitty opening segment that was.
We get a few Raw moments. Highlight of the show so far.
*Triple Threat Tag Match: Miz & Alex Riley vs. Kaval & Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston & Michael McGillicutty*
This is a short, but nice and fast paced match. I'm not sold on Kaval being good. This guy has terrible mic skills, and just looks awkward in and out of the ring. His offense is awesome, but I'm just not sure he has much more to offer than that. Lots of action in this one, with Miz stealing one from Kaval and hence, Daniel Bryan.
**
After the match, Miz and Riley beat down Michael Cole's favorite wrestler. Well, actually, Miz just hits one shot, a stiff looking haymaker with his briefcase. That was the highlight of the night so far.
*Melina & Eve vs. LayCool*
Everyone else seems to find LayCool entertaining. Meh. They just annoy me. They are heels, though, so maybe they're just doing their job. Who knows. This is a bathroom break match, but only if your bathroom break lasts 12 seconds, because that's all this one took. Amazing.
DUD
After the match, LayCool challenge Melina to a Unification match at Night of Champions. What, giving up on the Divas Belt already?
More Clips.
Nexus is in the BACKSTAGE AREA~! Tarver is worried that people are talking about the Nexus getting weak. David Otunga buts in and I wonder why I used to think this guy had mic skills. Wade Barrett says he will do something unforgettable tonight, and he knows just what it is. Then he stops, and stares at the camera for 20 seconds as we head to commercial break. Awesome.
More clips, this time from that terrible raw featuring Bob Barker. WTF?
Jerisho is with Josh Whateverthehell. He says he needs to prove he's still the best in the world at what he does, and he will prove that by losing at NOC and retiring from the WWE for a year or two, and then making a pretty awesome return. Or at least, that's what I heard. We'll miss you, Y2J.
*Number 1 Contender's Match: MoTruth vs. Cody Rhodes & Drew McIntyre*
I think this match brings the total up to about 4 solid minutes of wrestling tonight. The ref DQ's both teams after they start fighting in the ring. Ha. Also, I know most people don't like him, but Drew McIntyre's music and gimmick are sweet.
DUD
Up next is Hart/Taker! For some reason I'm not excited for this at all.
More clips. At all.
*Bret Hart vs. The Undertaker*
OH god, this match never starts. I'm sensing a theme tonight. Wade Barrett comes to the ring with intent to take out Taker and Bret. Undertaker makes him look like a jobber in seconds, though, and it looks like the match might start after all. But wait, it's Kane! Kane and Taker slug it out until Taker gets Kane for the chokeslam, and Kane is gone. The rest of Nexus comes out, and the lights go off a third time, and when they come on, Wade Barrett has Taker on his shoulders, and delivers that chubby British guy slam or whatever that thing is. Justin Gabriel hits his 450 and Kane's all smiles. That was all really, really dumb.
DUD
Jack SWAGGA comes to the ring and talks trash about Boston. He mentions how Johnny Damon didn't want to leave Detroit for the Sox. Haha. Highlight of the night so far.
*Jack Swagger vs. Evan Bourne*
I always thought Evan Bourne was overrated anyway, but come on, you started to push the guy, and now you're jobbing him worse than Funaki in his prime. What the fuck did he do? Anyways, this match fits with the there of the night, in that it sucks, aside from Alberto Del Rio coming out and basically talking through the entire thing, which was about 5 minutes. God, and people say Impact doesn't have enough wrestling on it. Swagger wins, Bourne starts to get beatdown by Del Rio after the match, but is saved by Mark Henry.
*
Highlights of the China trip, those people are marks.
More Raw clips.
CM Ounk comes to the ring, and it looks like he's gonna promo. That's good news. He talks about how Raw is a show that is full of bad family values. Jesus, what is this, Right To Censor? Anywho, he counts down the top 4 moments of debauchery in Raw history. Wait....what? Is this a wrestling show, or a freaking sitcom clip show? CM Punk is pulling this off well, but this segment is stupid. It starts to get better after the clips are done, and CM Punk talks down the Rock and Stone Cold, leading to a fake Austin return to disappoint the fans. Then he shows a clip from Smackdown, you know, the one where Lesnar superplexes Big Show and the ring explodes? He then makes fun of Big Show's weight, and speaking of the Big Show, he comes to the ring. Big Show say Punk could do better than talking about his weight. Big Show is pretty funny when he wants to be. Show breaks out his Hogan imitation, which I don't like. I'm sick of everyone imitating Hogan. God damnit. Anyway, the segment ends with Show clearing the ring of the SES. Jesus, shouldn't this feud be over by now? Didn't Show already beat all three of these guys in a handicap match?
More clips
Sheamus comes out in a green shirt. How very Irish of him. You know, I've always thought Sheamus should ditch his music and come out to a redubbed version of Garth Brooks' "Shameless" Only instead of "Shameless" it would say "SHEAMUS" as in "Iiiiiii'm SHEAMUS!" That shit would be so cash. Anyway, he's talking trash about Boston, talking about ho he retired Triple H, etc. and then HOLY SHIT IT'S EDGE. I'm just shocked to see Edge get airtime anymore. He brags about his titles, and say he's going to win the title at Night of Champions. How generic.
*5-on-5 Elimination Match*
This match was ok. It was by far the match of the night, although that is saying absolutely nothing. Nexus goes over, and by 'go over' I mean, Edge and Jericho heel out and get eliminated before the action even starts, and even with a 5-on-3 edge, Nexus still barely squeaks out the win. I guess that's alright, considering that the other team was as decorated as it was, but still. Jericho and Edge being on Raw has been terrible for their characters, I have no idea what their motivations are, and they don't get enough airtime for it to matter anyway. What a shame, and Jericho's more than likely leaving soon, and we don't even get a farewell tour of sorts, just him ducking matches and being an afterthought. Oh well.
**1/2
Overall: God this was a terrible show. The mystery GM thing needs to end, Bret Hart needs to stop wrestling (or at least being advertised to wrestle), and they need to do something with the Nexus to make them entertaining again, because I'm bored with them by now.
*
This is a short, but nice and fast paced match. I'm not sold on Kaval being good. This guy has terrible mic skills, and just looks awkward in and out of the ring. His offense is awesome, but I'm just not sure he has much more to offer than that. Lots of action in this one, with Miz stealing one from Kaval and hence, Daniel Bryan.
**
After the match, Miz and Riley beat down Michael Cole's favorite wrestler. Well, actually, Miz just hits one shot, a stiff looking haymaker with his briefcase. That was the highlight of the night so far.
*Melina & Eve vs. LayCool*
Everyone else seems to find LayCool entertaining. Meh. They just annoy me. They are heels, though, so maybe they're just doing their job. Who knows. This is a bathroom break match, but only if your bathroom break lasts 12 seconds, because that's all this one took. Amazing.
DUD
After the match, LayCool challenge Melina to a Unification match at Night of Champions. What, giving up on the Divas Belt already?
More Clips.
Nexus is in the BACKSTAGE AREA~! Tarver is worried that people are talking about the Nexus getting weak. David Otunga buts in and I wonder why I used to think this guy had mic skills. Wade Barrett says he will do something unforgettable tonight, and he knows just what it is. Then he stops, and stares at the camera for 20 seconds as we head to commercial break. Awesome.
More clips, this time from that terrible raw featuring Bob Barker. WTF?
Jerisho is with Josh Whateverthehell. He says he needs to prove he's still the best in the world at what he does, and he will prove that by losing at NOC and retiring from the WWE for a year or two, and then making a pretty awesome return. Or at least, that's what I heard. We'll miss you, Y2J.
*Number 1 Contender's Match: MoTruth vs. Cody Rhodes & Drew McIntyre*
I think this match brings the total up to about 4 solid minutes of wrestling tonight. The ref DQ's both teams after they start fighting in the ring. Ha. Also, I know most people don't like him, but Drew McIntyre's music and gimmick are sweet.
DUD
Up next is Hart/Taker! For some reason I'm not excited for this at all.
More clips. At all.
*Bret Hart vs. The Undertaker*
OH god, this match never starts. I'm sensing a theme tonight. Wade Barrett comes to the ring with intent to take out Taker and Bret. Undertaker makes him look like a jobber in seconds, though, and it looks like the match might start after all. But wait, it's Kane! Kane and Taker slug it out until Taker gets Kane for the chokeslam, and Kane is gone. The rest of Nexus comes out, and the lights go off a third time, and when they come on, Wade Barrett has Taker on his shoulders, and delivers that chubby British guy slam or whatever that thing is. Justin Gabriel hits his 450 and Kane's all smiles. That was all really, really dumb.
DUD
Jack SWAGGA comes to the ring and talks trash about Boston. He mentions how Johnny Damon didn't want to leave Detroit for the Sox. Haha. Highlight of the night so far.
*Jack Swagger vs. Evan Bourne*
I always thought Evan Bourne was overrated anyway, but come on, you started to push the guy, and now you're jobbing him worse than Funaki in his prime. What the fuck did he do? Anyways, this match fits with the there of the night, in that it sucks, aside from Alberto Del Rio coming out and basically talking through the entire thing, which was about 5 minutes. God, and people say Impact doesn't have enough wrestling on it. Swagger wins, Bourne starts to get beatdown by Del Rio after the match, but is saved by Mark Henry.
*
Highlights of the China trip, those people are marks.
More Raw clips.
CM Ounk comes to the ring, and it looks like he's gonna promo. That's good news. He talks about how Raw is a show that is full of bad family values. Jesus, what is this, Right To Censor? Anywho, he counts down the top 4 moments of debauchery in Raw history. Wait....what? Is this a wrestling show, or a freaking sitcom clip show? CM Punk is pulling this off well, but this segment is stupid. It starts to get better after the clips are done, and CM Punk talks down the Rock and Stone Cold, leading to a fake Austin return to disappoint the fans. Then he shows a clip from Smackdown, you know, the one where Lesnar superplexes Big Show and the ring explodes? He then makes fun of Big Show's weight, and speaking of the Big Show, he comes to the ring. Big Show say Punk could do better than talking about his weight. Big Show is pretty funny when he wants to be. Show breaks out his Hogan imitation, which I don't like. I'm sick of everyone imitating Hogan. God damnit. Anyway, the segment ends with Show clearing the ring of the SES. Jesus, shouldn't this feud be over by now? Didn't Show already beat all three of these guys in a handicap match?
More clips
Sheamus comes out in a green shirt. How very Irish of him. You know, I've always thought Sheamus should ditch his music and come out to a redubbed version of Garth Brooks' "Shameless" Only instead of "Shameless" it would say "SHEAMUS" as in "Iiiiiii'm SHEAMUS!" That shit would be so cash. Anyway, he's talking trash about Boston, talking about ho he retired Triple H, etc. and then HOLY SHIT IT'S EDGE. I'm just shocked to see Edge get airtime anymore. He brags about his titles, and say he's going to win the title at Night of Champions. How generic.
*5-on-5 Elimination Match*
This match was ok. It was by far the match of the night, although that is saying absolutely nothing. Nexus goes over, and by 'go over' I mean, Edge and Jericho heel out and get eliminated before the action even starts, and even with a 5-on-3 edge, Nexus still barely squeaks out the win. I guess that's alright, considering that the other team was as decorated as it was, but still. Jericho and Edge being on Raw has been terrible for their characters, I have no idea what their motivations are, and they don't get enough airtime for it to matter anyway. What a shame, and Jericho's more than likely leaving soon, and we don't even get a farewell tour of sorts, just him ducking matches and being an afterthought. Oh well.
**1/2
Overall: God this was a terrible show. The mystery GM thing needs to end, Bret Hart needs to stop wrestling (or at least being advertised to wrestle), and they need to do something with the Nexus to make them entertaining again, because I'm bored with them by now.
*
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