Wrestlemania 29 Feedback - Match by Match

Before I get into my Wrestlemania 29 feedback, I'd like to share with you my Facebook post, that I put up immediately as the show went off the air. I think it's a genuine feeling that was posted in the moment, and gives the most of my impression without thinking about it too much:

"Wrestlemania 29 was NOT epic - but it was an excellent effort for a year that was full of creative failures... I was very happy to see the event pulled off with great success and execution...

Like Bruno Sammartino, I have been a stubborn old bird who refused to embrace the growth of the business. But you can't argue with the numbers in attendance and profit. Not only for the WWE, but for the NY Metro area. And even more, you can't deny WWE's efforts in their charitable partnerships....

I'm happy to say that you made me a fan again tonight, and I can only hope that creative can take step back and realize the enormous death bullet they dodged. There is absolutely NO REASON why Wrestlemania should have been any good tonight, given the creative direction since the day after last year's mania....

Tomorrow night, WWE creative gets a clean slate to start building for next year- please don't fuck it up!"


Now on to the breakdown:



The Shield vs. Randy Orton, Sheamus, The Big Show

This was an interesting and unexpected choice to kick off the show, but the payoff was golden. It was hard to tell if the fans were rocking stadium because the event was kicking off, or if they were legitimately into the match. I'd like to think it was the latter. The Shield performs with a ruthless aggression that is infectious, and set the pace and tone for the remainder of the event. Overall, it was an excellent match that showed of how well The Shield can perform as a team and as individuals. This wasn't the same type of gang-related beatdowns and attacks that we've seen on TV. Rollins, Reigns and Ambrose really had an opportunity to shine against three elite veterans, and they made the most of it.

The only complaint I had was the finish with Big Show. I don't understand what they're doing with him, and why they would waste an opportunity to make better with the Orton character. WWE keeps flip flopping on their direction with Big Show. I admire their ambition to book him like a giant, but then they pair him up with an opponent who ruins the effort with comedic relief. Show did his best work last year working against Mark Henry, but due to the lack of big men available on the roster, the momentum was quickly lost. They should have been able to continue it with Alberto Del Rio, but rather than mirror Show's realistic intensity, Del Rio was booked as a clown who didn't outsmart Big Show, he just out-fooled him.

As for The Shield, my only concern is - what is their purpose now? Originally, their motives were understandable, as they tried to preserve Punk's title reign for the better of the industry. But now that it's long over, what are their motives now? What is there to preserve? What is their reason to attack? And what is their new mission? I'm afraid that if those questions aren't explained soon, The Shield gimmick may have run it's course.



Ryback vs. Mark Henry

I enjoyed seeing a brute battle of the big men, but realized that there may no longer be a place for it in 2013. I vividly remember the first Wrestlemania. I was 10 years old, and to me, those days were the best. But the business has evolved and the big men aren't a draw anymore. I tried to explain that to my seven year-old son, but he is more impressed with the more colorful and "flippy" guys. The action now is fast-paced, and the big boys force it slow down.

Probably, the biggest shock of the night is how Henry dominated Ryback and score a clean pinfall win over the WWE's next big star. Ryback literally looked like Mark Henry's little jail bitch. While I can appreciate Ryback suffering a loss here and there, rather than force-feeding us an undefeated streak, I'm confused as to why he would be doing a clean job on the biggest show of the year - especially after slumping in his series with CM Punk. I'm not complaining that he lost, because it's been proven that win/loss records don't mean shit anymore in the WWE Universe. Ryback is still over with the fans, and it just raised helped keep Henry a strong threat as monster heel. I'm just saying, this one took me by complete surprise - and I'm curious to see where it goes next.



Team Hell No vs. Dolph Ziggler and Big E. Langston

Something that Wrestlemania has not had in YEARS, is a decent tag team title match, and when you put the ball in Dolph Ziggler and Daniel Bryan's hands, you can expect them to score! While I wasn't originally convinced with the team of Ziggler and Langston, I felt it made enough sense to consider them a formidable stable. Every participant in this match brought their A-game, and it left me wanting more after the bell had rung.

I'm glad that Kane and Bryan retained the titles, because for what it's worth, they have earned the respect as a real tag team, rather than being stigmatized as two guys thrown together because creative had nothing else for them. Team Hell No has earned their six-month reign, and deserves to continue moving forward as champions. A win at Wrestlemania firmly establishes them as true champions - who are now in desperate need of new contenders. But what are we supposed to make of the continued lack of booking for Dolph Ziggler? It's mind boggling that how he's been mistreated and misused to get everyone else over instead of himself. Mark my words, once creative gets their head out from deep within their ass, Ziggler can easily be the equivalent of CM Punk... Mark my words!



Chris Jericho vs. Fandango

I'm actually disgusted that Fandango was not only given a spot on the card, but that Chris Jericho was asked to put him over. His gimmick fucking SUCKS, and I promise you that this will soon be chalked up as one of creative's biggest failures. But to bring him in and DEBUT at Wrestlemania? We've never seen his work. How many others on the roster have busted their asses and actually have a fan base? How about a New York hometown boy like Zack Ryder? Where was his Wrestlemania spot (and payday)?

And what about Jericho? A guy who comes in to literally help "save" WWE creative, and he's doing jobs for a fucking ballroom dancer? If you can stomach it, watch that match closely - Jericho is working stiff. He was laying it in to that little bitch. I can't wait for his next book to hear about what was going through his mind during this match.

This match could have been a fucking disaster that could have changed the pace of the event and sent it burning in flames to the ground. Luckily, Fandango can actually take a beating like a man, and do a few high spots. But give Jericho a ton of praise for saving the momentum of the show. You can beat he's doing a ton of DDP Yoga right about now, because his back must be killing him from carrying all that shit!



Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger

It's a damn shame that WWE has a secondary heavyweight title, because it automatically labels these guys as the B-Team. This match actually had one of the most legit creative builds over any other match on the card. Swagger and Colter have brought a new type of controversial heat, that was desperately needed. Unfortunately, Del Rio is still being poorly booked, and the constant distractions with Ricardo Rodriguez is skewing their image as gay lovers. Alberto has shed more tears watching his friend get attacked, and risked life and limb to save his pansy ass, than he has done to build an image as a fighting champion.

Luckily, Del Rio and Swagger put on a solid match that focused more on mat skills rather than emotion. The match itself was both competitive and enjoyable, but most of all, it was a pleasant surprise for something I had extremely low expectations for. I didn't think Swagger belonged in this match, nor that he deserved such a strong push or title shot on the Mania card. But he proved to be worthy opponent with a story that made him a legit antagonist. It was a smart move to leave the storyline at the door, and show off their wrestling chops. Hopefully Del Rio can build on the momentum, and Swagger can build more heat by crossing the lines of another ethnic minority.



The Undertaker vs. CM Punk

In my opinion, this was easily the match of the night. But what else would you expect from CM Punk? Like Jericho, I credit Punk for making this match everything it was, and for carrying the brunt of the weight. The Undertaker clearly was not ready for this match, and there were moments where his eyes admitted his regret for committing to it. Disappointment was written all over his face, but he knew that he was in good hands with Punk.

Going into the match, I wondered if Punk was going to use this match to bitch-slap the office, as if saying, "I busted my ass as your champion, and my thanks is doing the job for Taker at Mania! Fuck you very much!" Whether or not Punk was happy with his role at Wrestlemania, he clearly made the most of it, and did something no one else has ever done in Wrestlemania history - carry The Undertaker to glory. THAT alone, is CM Punk's championship gold that no one will ever be able to strip him of.

I can only wonder how this match would have been built had Paul Bearer not passed away. It was a simple build up - Punk is the best in the world, and he'll prove it by snapping Taker's streak. Instead, he has to win a four-way to earn the right to challenge The Dead Man. Are you fucking ribbing me? Earn the right to challenge? He's CM Fucking Punk! And while I may have been critical of him in the past, I can firmly say while eating my words, "In Punk I Trust". And tonight, I'm sure he earned every ounce of respect The Undertaker has to offer.

Other than his pair of matches with Shawn Michaels, no opponent has ever forced The Undertaker to wrestle at Wrestlemania. My only complaint on the match is that I feel that CM Punk strayed from his strategy that he had been pushing in the weeks leading to the match. He designed this match to beat Taker in the ring, rather than steal the streak by countout or forcing Taker to get DQ'd. I would have been interested to see how many creative and cunning ways Punk could have pushed Taker to beat a 10 count or force his emotions to risk the streak by breaking the rules. But who's complaining? Taker is 21-0, and CM Punk is a legit 5-star ring general!



Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar

Let me first say, I don't think Brock Lesnar is worth the demands or money WWE is paying him. He's not the "next big thing" he was billed to be a decade ago. He may have been a beast in the octagon, but he can't hang anymore in the predetermined world of pro wrestling. Brock forgot how to fake it, and the first half of this match proved it...again.

Brock looked blown up and lost in the ring, so much that there were moments where you could see the frustration and rage building within. He knew he was shitting the bed and embarrassing himself in the ring. Suplex after suplex, he had nothing else to work with, and it was making him mentally unstable. There is nothing anyone can tell me to make me believe that it was part of the plan. Especially when the story was being built up on how confident he was the he has going to retire his opponent.

I don''t know what Triple H whispered to him during the match, but there was a dramatic change in Brock's participation to close it. Something finally clicked, and Brock went with the flow during Triple H's attempts to get him to tap out. That entire "go-home" sequence of near tap-outs literally saved the match and cleaned up whatever mess was made earlier. It was a great idea and the smartest way to conclude the match... as long as Brock didn't tap. That was the make or break key element. If Brock tapped, it would have made both him and Triple H look like complete fools. A former UFC champion taps to a "fake" wrestler, and Triple H looks like he's a UFC mark. Thank God, they didn't try and sell us that.

Brock teasing to tap was a powerful moment. Brock actually tapping would have been a "Fuuuuuuuuck Yoooooou" moment! I give Triple H a lot of credit for not going over the top in the match, and taking the wheel to steer them both to success. By the way, did anyone else catch Paul Heyman telling Brock it's time to take it home? Brock was lost, and Paul E. knew that the longer he was in there, the more his stock was going to plummet. That was a verbal throwing of the towel.

On a side note, what was the point of having Shawn Michaels there? He served zero purpose and looked like a redneck cheerleader on the outside - or as some valets are described, "The Fifth Ringpost". And what the fuck is with his gear? Dude, it's Wrestlemania! What's with the ratty tank-top, baseball hat, and rubber rain boots. I guess with all the video packages, he thought New Jersey was still underwater. Hurricane Sandy was six months ago, you Cookie Monster-eyed motherfucker!



John Cena vs. The Rock

What can you really say about this match...that wasn't expected? They caught lightening in a bottle last year, and expected to do it twice. Rock/Cena II did not live up to the expectations. The crowd was absolutely DEAD and killed the energy of the main event.

In case you didn't notice, the inter-gender tag match was scrapped from the card because of time constraints. Cena was abruptly sent out to the ring, as was The Rock, in fear that the main event would be shirt on time. This caused the match to feel rushed, and it forced Rock and Cena to run their sequence of finishers and kickouts too early.

The pacing of the match was off from the start. There was too much time spent on pauses looking for crowd reaction (which there was none, but the obvious "Cena Sucks" chants), and out of nowhere they'd start to rush through theirs pots as if they were racing the clock. It didn't make sense, and it went so fast that by the time they started using their finishers, they still had 20 minutes left of air time. Once you've reversed and kicked out of each other's finishers three or four times, what's left to do?

The truth is, this was a watered down version of last year's epic encounter. Their first match had a full year of build up. It was a dream match come true. And it delivered on all levels. This rematch was forced, poorly booked, and served no real purpose but to return the favor.

You really can't blame Rock and Cena for their performance, when nobody really wanted to see it again to begin with. The reaction of the crowd spoke volumes, and there were moments in the match where Rock took the lead and tried to lead the crowd the way he and Hogan did many years ago. But this time, the fans weren't buying it. The match fell flat on it's face, and no one cared. They all knew Rock was there to give the title back to Cena.

Even after the match had ended, the fans reacted awkward to Rock and Cena's show of sportsmanship and endorsements. What made it even worse, was that the new champion left the ring so that the loser could celebrate. HUH? Yeah, exactly! The guys in the truck didn't know who's music to play. It made no sense whatsoever. The fans weren't exactly sure how to react. The only thing that would have sent them home with a strong buzz, was if Dolph Ziggler had cash in his Money In The Bank briefcase and snatched the title from Cena to spoil his night. And I don't see why it didn't happen - they still had more than 10 minutes left on the air. But it didn't happen. All we got was a salute and some hand holding by two guys who were as confused as the crowd.

But I don't blame The Rock, and I don't blame Cena. The blame falls on creative, who dropped the ball on the 2012/2013 Wrestlemania season. This was one of the worst booked pay per views in the history of Wrestlemania, but somehow or another, the talent pulled it together to make it one of the most entertaining shows of the year. And THAT deserves a TON of respect!

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You can interact with DieHard Derek by following him on Facebook and Twitter @DieHardDerekG

How Has Mark Henry Lasted 20 Years In The WWE?

I was there the night in 1994 at Madison Square Garden when Mark Henry made his first appearance and announced that the had signed a 10-year contract with the WWE. I didn't know who he was; I didn't watch him compete in the olympic games; and honestly, I didn't care because my first perception was - "Oh, this guy isn't going to last long!"

But the sound of "10-year contract" continued to echo in my head. 10-years is an awfully long time to commit to something. At the time, the only talent with a long-term contract was Bret "Hitman" Hart...BUT, he was Bret "Hitman" Hart. I knew what he was worth; I knew how great he was; and locking him in for 10-years made all the sense in the world. Now we have Mark Henry, who I've never even seen hit the ropes, let alone seen a match. I was baffled as to why the WWE would make such a commitment. What had they seen that we hadn't? What kind of plans were in the works for this guy that no one has ever heard of? And let me remind you, this was 1994.

Here we are in 2013, and Mark Henry is still here! Not only did he run the course of his 10-year contract, but they signed him up for another 10! Unless you're related to him, there is not a person on the face of this earth that has EVER paid to see a Mark Henry match! NOT, ONE! Am I wrong? Prove it!

Even after he signed that contract back in the early 90's, he immediately got injured prepping for his debut. That sidelined him for over a year. He finally came up during the Attitude Era with the Nation of Domination and has coasted along ever since. In those 19-plus years, we have seen the WWE part ways and wish the best in future endeavors to some great talents. There have been workers with unlimited potential who were told point blank, "Creative has nothing for you". But, they had something for Mark Henry.

Henry avoided all the cost-cutting measures, all the house-cleanings, all the post-Wrestlemania releases, all the Black Friday firings... everything.

I don't wish for anyone to suffer the loss of employment, but I have to question how some still have theirs when others don't. How did the axe miss Mark Henry when it fell so many times? It's not like he's gotten any better - although he technically has, but he still doesn't draw money. Does he have some kind of blackmail on Vince McMahon? Maybe some pictures of Vince dressed as a woman doing some kinky shit to a goat and a midget?

Help me understand how Mark Henry has survived 20 years of employment with the WWE?

Don't forget to COMMENT, LIKE, SHARE and SUBSCRIBE. If you don't...Elbows may have to be dropped!

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Did Bruno Sammartino Sell-Out to The WWE Hall of Fame To Preserve His Legacy?

Every year, I compile a list of 50 legendary pro wrestling icons who have yet to be inducted into the illustrious WWE Hall of Fame. You never get to see the list because I actually never have the attention span to write out a full article hashing out 50 cases which practically speak for themselves. Then there are times when I start working on the list, and the WWE makes the surprise move to induct a few of the names, and it completely fucks up my writing momentum. But rest assured, "The Living Legend" Bruno Sammartino was always in the top three. Other than "Macho Man" Randy Savage, I can't think of another name who deserves it more. Yet, Sammartino not only firmly denounced Vince McMahon and the WWE, but the entire wrestling business as a whole. And while I'm happy to finally see him enshrined, I kind of feel like he sold out... Yeah, I said it!

There have been over two decades of well documented bad blood between Sammartino and Vince McMahon. Bruno never turned the blind eye to all the drug and steroid abuse during the golden age of the WWE. And from a business standpoint, I can understand the the benefits in the dirty part of the business. After all, pro wrestling is nothing more than a pre-determined pseudo-sport. There was a time when adult were ashamed to declare themselves wrestling fans. Vinnie Mac knew had lightening in a bottle at the first Wrestlemania. He knew that the larger than life, bulked-up Hulk Hogan was an attraction that no other sport could replicate. So why not make a whole locker room full of them? Look at the controversy in major league baseball today: professional athletes have tarnished their careers and legacies, and have been shunned by the Cooperstown Hall of Fame for trying to enhance themselves to be better players. Do I condone their actions? Absolutely not. But there is a apart of me that says, "FUCK IT! They're getting paid MILLIONS of dollars to play a game, and I have to pay top price to watch it! Let those millionaire douchebags juice up as much as they want so they can hit the ball 8,000 feet and make this game more entertaining". That's what I'm really paying for, isn't it? The entertainment?

As much as I respect everything that Bruno Sammartino accomplished during his legendary career, I sometimes wonder if he refused to embrace the evolution of the industry simply because he was a bitter old man. I understand and respect that he was a purist, but you can't tell me that there wasn't a part of him that was green with envy when he saw the amount of money Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Ultimate Warrior and the scroll of others were making in this new era of wrestling. This man busted his hump for peanuts compared to what these new guys were making in a single Wrestlemania payday. The glitz, the glamour, the fame, the media attention for headlining a Wrestlemania - something he never experienced. You're telling me that old man didn't wish he was 20 years younger and that there wasn't an immigrant Italian voice in his head saying, "That-sa sa-baton-bitch! That-sa coulda been you-a!"

You can't take anything away from Paul Levesque (Triple H), who diligently spent months negotiating with Bruno and finally came to terms after proving to him that the business has changed from the horror show Bruno had perceived it to be. It's not an easy task to change the mind of a stubborn old man who is set in his ways, especially when he's cemented in good reason. Levesque had full control of the negotiations and used nothing but persistence, respect and integrity to get the job done. It's highly doubtful that anyone else could have ever pulled this off. And while he deserves all the credit for sealing the deal, no one will ever know exactly what is going in the mind of Bruno Sammartino.

As Wrestlemania approaches it's 30th anniversary next year, Sammartino has never really celebrated the Wrestlemania experience. He failed to give an effective rub to his son at the first Wrestlemania, and was literally lost in the shuffle of an NFL Battle Royal at the second Mania. Bruno has never really had his moment, and at his tender age, he knew that it was a now or never situation. Regardless of how good he may still look, his health isn't at its peak anymore, and every year that passes is another missed opportunity to pay tribute to the "Living Legend" while he is still actually living. This is a regret the WWE will face when time comes to open the door for the Macho Man.

How will Sammartino's legacy be introduced to legions of new fans in the WWE Universe if not taking the pro-active steps in doing so now? Sources have claimed that the WWE will now produce a DVD dedicated to his career that will include his involvement - not to mention other opportunities and appearances now that the WWE can officially whore his name again. And some whores make good money. There are people out there who will pay to see an old whore because it takes them back to a time when that whore was king...even the whore knows it.

I'm sure that the change in the WWE product is a HUGE part of what converted Samarrtino's beliefs, but I'm sure he knew deep down inside that time was running out and he's spent a lifetime cutting off his big Italian nose to spite his face and prove a point to Vince McMahon. Bruno knew that the light on his legacy was fading, and that while no one could ever deny his achievements, they would be nothing more than legend to the fans moving forward. He worked to hard for too long to just be forgotten, and while it may not be the same business he was a part of, it's STILL the wrestling business he WAS a part of.

Today's generation of wrestling fans could not and will not ever understand what the business was like 30 years ago unless they lived it. And what's the point in having to stop and re-explain history when the business is moving forward at a faster pace and larger profit than it ever has?

I admire Bruno Sammartino sticking to his guns for so long, and his stubbornness for being prepared to take it with him to the grave. That's some old school gangsta shit! But on the flip side to that coin, I admire him just as much for selling out to give new life to his legacy. Bruno Sammartino returning to Madison Square Garden to get inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame is the equivalent of Yogi Berra returning to Yankee Stadium after his bad blood with George Steinbrenner.

Don't forget to COMMENT, LIKE, SHARE and SUBSCRIBE. If you don't...

Elbows may have to be dropped!

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WWE Raw's 20th Anniversary Show Review

I watched the 20th Anniversary of WWE Raw hoping to see a celebration of two decades of excellence; tributes to the talents that made it success; highlights of title changes that made history; and of course, Monday Night Wars that ultimately declared Vince McMahon the King of The Mountain....

Instead, we remembered 20 years of ENTERTAINMENT... 20 years of spoofs and inside jokes. 20 years of disastrous gimmicks that nearly crippled the company... 20 years of Vince McMahon acting like a MARK.... It was nothing more than a reminder that the WRESTLING business (not the sports entertainment business) is DEAD.... 3 hours of a wasted Monday. I'd rather have watched two dogs fuck!

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My Thoughts and YOUR HELP with WWE Legends of Wrestlemania for PS3

So "Santa" brings my son a Playstation 3 for the holidays. Naturally, he also slides a copy of WWE '13 in his stocking. Surprisingly, I found a copy of WWE Legends of Wrestlemania in my stocking- The shock! How did that end up in there?

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I cherish the original era of Wrestlemania. What I wouldn't do for it to be 1985 all over again! And thanks to Playstation 3, I can live out my fantasies every night, roughly around 10pm - when my wife and kids call it a night. I can lock myself up into the "man-cave", jump into my imaginary Delorian, fire that bitch up to 88 mph, and BOOM - I'm back to my youth!

I'm not going to give you a review of the game. Come to think of it, I'd be kind of an asshole if I did, considering that it was released in 2009. What I want to share with you is my experience - not as a gamer, but as an avid fan of the era; a person who lived though what is now legendary history.

Perhaps I'm taking it too literal, but I have a problem reliving some of the greatest moments when some of the key participants are absent from the game, especially when some of the names chosen to be immortalized in this game either only appeared at a handful of Wrestlemanias, or their contribution to the legacy isn't really all that important - thus, questioning why they would be considered a "Legend" of Wrestlemania.

I realize that many of you are below the age demographic that I'm looking to reach with this rant. Most of you were introduced to the business during the Attitude era, and consider that the greatest era of all time - and arguably, you may be right from a business perspective. I look at the Attitude era now and can't get over that it was 15 years ago. And if you think that's a long time, then my focus on this "Legends" rant precedes that era by another 15 years. That's right! I'm going back to the beginning - 30 years ago. How many of you can say you actually remember that vividly? You're probably saying, "Here comes some rant from a grumpy old man." And to that I respond, "Fuck You! I'm doing it anyway! Respect your elders, shut that hole in your face, and learn something. Shit is about to get real!"

Here's a few names that are in the game that I happen to disagree with:


ARN ANDERSON - I love Arn as much as the next wrestling purist, and U have always been dying to select him as a character in a video game. Unfortunately, Arn isn't a Mania legend. He only appeared in on one and the highlight of his match was Rick Martel was the split of Strike Force on the other side of the ring.

BAM BAM BIGELOW -Initially, I couldn't remember a single Bam Bam match at Mania with the exception of his first round loss to One Man Gang in the title tournament at Mania IV. Then it dawned on me that he actually closed a Mania in a heavily publicized main event against NFL legend, Lawrence Taylor. We all know how that turned out, and it pretty much plagued the rest of his career. It's nice having him on the game, but NOT a Mania legend.

BRITISH BULLDOG - I didn't realize how many matches the Bulldog actually had at Wrestlemania as a singles competitor -none that I would probably want to watch again-, but I would have preferred to see him enshrined along with his partner Dynamite Kid as The British Bulldogs.

DUSTY RHODES - Dusty had one Mania match - a mixed tag with Sapphire as his partner. Nothing really worth remembering. He may be a legend of wrestling but NOT a legend of Wrestlemania. There is no purpose to having him in the game unless you are booking a fantasy dream match, to which I still say, I have never heard anybody come up with a dream match that pitted someone against Dusty Rhodes.

HUNTER HEARTS HELMSLEY - Before you get outraged, let me explain. "Hunter Hearst Helmsley" is NOT a Wrestlemania legend...Triple H is. Hunter introduced us to Sable and jobbed out to the Warrior at Mania 12. Triple H, even in 90's DX form should have been included rather than this flake with no history.

JIMMY "SUPERFLY" SNUKA - You can't say WWE legends without somebody mentioning Snuka. Never had a key match at Mania - with the exception of being numero uno on Undertaker's streak, nor did we ever get to see the infamous Superfly splash. It's great having Snuka as an option in fantasy warfare mode, but there are other's who deserved the spot more.

KAMALA - Surprisingly, another guy who never had a Wrestlemania match, at least until the gimmick battle royal at Mania 17, but really, that wasn't really a match. I love the option of having him in a video game, but referring to him as Mania legend is a pretty far stretch.

MICHAEL HAYES - This got the biggest "What The Fuck?" out of me. How is this even remotely possible? It's not like they even put him in as Doc Hendrix, but he's rammin' and jammin' like a Freebird. I don't ever recall being in a coma and missing the Wrestlemania where the Freebirds wrestled. I guess this is so I can relive that epic NWA encounter between Hayes and Dusty. Quick, pass me my controller!!!


Again, including these names didn't necessarily bother me, but it did leave me scratching my head. What did bother me, was the omission of wrestlers who are undoubtedly Mania legends:

RANDY "MACHO MAN" SAVAGE - How can you utter the word Wrestlemania and not immediately think of Macho? I understand that at the time he was blacklisted from the WWE and his name is taboo upon the lips of a McMahon. Savage is one of those rare breeds who inspired many to pursue their dreams in the wrestling business...including me. Students of the game, study his epic encounter with... oh yeah...

RICKY STEAMBOAT - Another name left off the legends list. How is that possible? But yet, they didn't forget to add Michael Fucking Hayes!

TITO SANTANA - This guy had the first ever Wrestlemania match. He's held multiple WWE championships, and has at least eight Wrestlemania's on his resume. No dice, huh?

PAUL ORNDORFF - Main event of the first Wrestlemania...not good enough? Look back at his legendary feuds with Hogan. Who do you think kept ol' red and yellow at the top of his game pre and post Mania?

DEMOLITION - You have the Legion of Doom in the game. What? You couldn't find a spot for two more guys with painted faces? You found a spot for Michael Hayes! Just out of pure curiosity, LOD is the ONLY actual tag team featured on the game. So, who am I supposed to pair them up against if there aren't any other teams? Demolition was the best tag team WWE had for a while, and a little Wrestlemania video game burn would have been a nice tribute.

EARTHQUAKE - Kamala made it. Bam Bam made it. Fucking Michael Hayes made it. No love for the Earthquake? Too many fat guys on the roster already? Got the tattooed one; The redneck prison guard one; The southern lisp one with a patch on his belly; the Japanese one by way of Samoa; and the token black one; but not room for one more? Oh well, at least we got Bundy! FIIIIIIIIIVE!

HAKU - You may ask "Why Haku?" I say, "Why not Haku?" First off, he was awesome...duh! King Haku, Islander Haku, lost the tag team titles with Andre at Mania 6 Haku... Haku kicks ass!

RAZOR RAMON - Did we forget the Wrestlemania 10 ladder match? Of course not, because HBK got on the game. So did Michael Hayes. But not the bad guy? Come on Chico, this guy should have been on the game. It's not like I was asking you to have a match where he has to drunkenly climb a ladder and try reaching for a bag of cocaine.

DON MURACO - Why Muraco? Because I want Muraco! Mr. Fuji is in the game, and I'm hoping there is an unlockable episode of Fuji Vice.

***UPDATE: I Need YOUR Help!!!***

After doing some research, I learned that the video game may have some unlockable characters, including a few names that I just mentioned - but I have yet to get any confirmation. Does anyone out there know about the hidden characters and how to get them? If so, I'm willing to offer a small reward!

Post your comments here on the site, or hit me up on Facebook or Twitter with the info. If it proves to be true, I'll get in contact with you regarding getting the prize into your hands.

And for the record, all offers are off if I end up getting another variation of Michael Hayes!

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n.W.o: The Revolution - DVD Review

The n.W.o. – it’s hard to believe how long it’s been since its inception. And while leaving one of the most profound marks on pro wrestling history, it amazes me how seldom it is referred to in today’s WWE Universe.

This DVD doesn’t do any better. It’s nothing more than a short cliff-notes narrative documenting their place in history, yet completely misses the mark of detailing the true impact and influence both on-camera and behind the scenes that changed the business.

After producing two compelling in-depth reality documentary style DVDs in the Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels Rivalry and the recent CM Punk: Best In The World titles, WWE did a piss-poor job in capturing the true essence, aggressive nature and legitimate pressure that struck the industry as a whole during this era. This DVD is nothing more than a crash course on what the n.W.o. was and who the players were.

Before I go any further, let me state and advise to anyone interested in purchasing this DVD, that I am reviewing the blu-ray edition. Not because I wanted to watch Eric Bischoff’s perfect hair bounce, and not to watch Hulk Hogan’s terrible matches in high quality, but for the additional 90 minute Legends of Wrestling roundtable discussion that is NOT included on the standard DVD. This roundtable (as seen on WWE Classics on Demand, hosted by Gene Okerlund and featuring Jim Ross, JJ Dillion, Kevin Nash and Michael Hayes) is worth the price of the set alone and makes up for ALL the faults on the actual documentary.

n.W.o: The Revolution is a short documentary the compiles and rehashes a TON of old interviews that are at least 10 years old. The bulk of the DVD recycles interview bits with Eric Bischoff (2003), Hulk Hogan (2002), Scott Hall (2002), and Vince McMahon (2009). It’s obvious that the dated Hogan and Bischoff interviews were used due to their current affiliation with TNA Wrestling, but the lack of new content and recent comments takes away from the importance of the storytelling. These sound bytes were recorded during a time when WWE was still overly protective with the information they released to the public. Their most recent efforts provide a closer and non-filtered look into the true nature of behind the scenes storytelling, and by using the recycled material; it takes the viewer out of the moment.

On the flip side to that coin, there is an entire generation of fans in the WWE Universe who probably weren’t even born during the Monday Night Wars and who can use this DVD as their first introduction to the new World Order and their place in history. Not to mention, they have probably never seen the re-used footage before – so it’s all new to them anyway.

Maybe I’m being a little over-critical on the choices of production, as there are many new interviews with talents who were actually apart of the time such as Booker T, Billy Kidman, Bill Demott, Kevin Nash, Diamond Dallas Page, Sean Waltman and Dusty Rhodes – but they were still underutilized in the production of this DVD. On a refreshing note, there is some great input by current WWE stars Cody Rhodes – who discusses what it was like being an 11 year old fan whose father was working for WCW, monitoring the ratings, and ultimately joining the n.W.o. on-screen; Matt Striker – who was a young aspiring wrestler in training heavily influenced by the times; and Joe Henning – who watched his father wrestle the last great years of his life wearing n.W.o. colors.

The other bone, which I find bigger to pick, is with how the telling of the story was actually executed. Rather than give it the gritty “True Hollywood Story” treatment, it was more of a polished celebration that gently covered controversial topics as if it were being taught to an elementary class. The kid gloves weren’t only on, that were double strapped and extra padded. It plays as a compilation of n.W.o.’s greatest hits and archived interviews, which is ultimately a huge disappointment, considering what we have grown accustomed to based on the efforts put out in the rivalries series.

This DVD is full of denial. If you can read between the lines, it clearly says that Vince McMahon wishes the n.W.o. was his creation. It eats him alive knowing that something so brilliant wasn’t his own. There is barely any talk of the n.W.o. revolution almost killed WWE’s business. Barely any talk of the WWE’s fear of losing talent. And there is never any talk from those who were on the WCW roster who were opposed to control and politics that came with the n.W.o.

Very early into this DVD, I found myself getting bored and hoping for it to be over with. I knew the product I wanted to see, and was well aware that I wasn’t going to get it in this installment. This DVD feels like it was designed for the new generation of wrestling fans who may have heard of it but really didn’t know of its true impact to the business because it is rarely referenced to on WWE programming. And the reason for that is clear – the n.W.o. almost killed RAW and the WWE, and Vince refuses to praise it and how good it really was. Had it been his own creation, we never would have heard the end of it and would have seen more reincarnations over the last decade.

Another creation Vince can’t take credit for and one that he has never had the opportunity to prostitute under his logo is Sting. I actually loved seeing the praise for how much Sting meant to WCW and the entire n.W.o. angle because it feels like last ditch effort begging for Sting to end his career in the WWE rather than TNA. It still baffles me that Sting has never worked a day in his life for Vince McMahon, and that fact alone eats away at his core. Vince McMahon may be convinced that he is the almighty God of the wrestling world, but Sting is the one guy that God could never get on the payroll.

Admittedly, the WWE was forced to acknowledge their efforts and failed attempt to resurrect the n.W.o. in the WWE in 2001, claiming that it was just shell of itself that didn’t vibe with the fans. As Booker T says, “You can’t blame Vince for trying to squeeze the last bit of juice.”

As it closed, I felt there was a huge chunk missing that was never covered, in terms of the shoot style of storytelling that it influenced. Not only in the hands of the n.W.o., but in how it pushed the WWE into the “Attitude Era”, namely with Degeneration-X. Yes, it’s mentioned, but its significance really isn’t recognized. Breaking the fourth wall – or in this case, the kayfabe- is perhaps the greatest signature of the era. It is what really turned Monday Nights into a war. The rules were thrown out of the window, competitors were acknowledging each other on television, and the curtain that protected an exclusive world was pulled in front of the public. This DVD basically summarized the success of the n.W.o. as being cool bad guys, without an explanation of the real mystique.

Fortunately, the roundtable discussion on the blu-ray covers it ALL and asks the burning questions real enthusiasts want to ask. For more information on what the roundtable covers, check out this mini-review of that piece of content: WWE Legends of Wrestling n.W.o.

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What are your thoughts/reviews on the DVD? Do you agree or disagree with me? Post your comments below and feel free to share this review with your friends.

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The n.W.o. Roundtable Discussion and The Information That SHOULD Have Been On The DVD

If you read my n.W.o: The Revolution DVD review, then you know it’s not worth your money. But if you’re still inclined to make the purchase, then be sure to spend your money on the blu-ray edition with the additional 90 minute Legends of Wrestling roundtable discussion that is NOT included on the standard DVD. This roundtable (as seen on WWE Classics on Demand, hosted by Gene Okerlund and featuring Jim Ross, JJ Dillion, Kevin Nash and Michael Hayes) is worth the price of the set alone and makes up for ALL the faults on the actual documentary.

Here are some of the key points worth noting:

-Kevin Nash talks about his and Scott Hall’s contract negotiations with WCW, and how they were offered more than “Sting money” – which was a term Sting’s contract of 750K per year , which no one else was making in the early days of WCW.

-Another term that fans are smartened-up to is “Favored Nations” – which is a clause added to a contract stating that if another performer receives better terms, the said individual is entitled to equal compensation. After learning this, Nash tells the story of how Hall’s agent already had the clause in place for him as a former Intercontinental champion, and how Hall pushed for Nash to sign as a former heavyweight champion at 1.2 million so that his contract would get bumped up as well.

-Nash discusses talks he had with his pregnant wife. His decision was based on more money and less days; a smaller ring; and older guys on the roster which would result in less risk of injuries. He admits to going to Vince out of loyalty and asking him to match it, but Vince declined because had he made the exception for him, he’d have to do it for a number of other performers on the roster.

-Interesting clips of some rehashed Eric Bischoff interviews where he calls out the early 90’s WWE product for being too animated and to cartoonish. He also admits that the n.W.o. concept was not completely original and was a rehash of a New Japan angle.

-An interesting point is brought up, as such in what the chances were that Hall and Nash’s contracts with the WWE would be up within five days of each other. This was an opportunity to fulfill inter-promotional dream matches.

-Nash talks about the WCW office not “getting” the n.W.o. gimmick. Merchandising wanted to do combo packs selling their t-shirts. In order to keep it real, Nash wouldn’t allow it. He took the shirts and sold them to fans on the street.

-Jim Ross discusses the lawsuit filed by the WWE against WCW for intellectual property. He then goes into talking about when they decided to swerve the fans by announcing that Razor and Diesel would be returning to RAW, and how WCW panicked and offered Hall and Nash an additional 400K each to their contracts – causing WCW to pay 800K to sign two guys who were already signed. No wonder WCW went out of business.

-There is talk of Hulk Hogan not wanting to turn heel and potentially ruin his legacy. They also mention how the back up plan was to have Sting join if Hogan decided to balk on the idea – yet, Sting didn’t want to do it either. Nash says Hogan was smart enough to hear the boos and knew the business well enough to make money with it.

-If this roundtable does anything other than give a first-hand look at that the strategy and impact of the n.W.o., it gives a newfound respect for Eric Bischoff. He was an underdog who took the chance and the fight to the Gods…and won…at least for 83 weeks.

-Michael Hayes talks about the WWE locker room and their conflicting jealousy and fear of going out of business. He also mentions the concern for the employees at WWE headquarters who would have been unfortunate casualties of war.

-Jim Ross also mentions that the n.W.o.’s affect on the Monday Night Wars forced enhancement matches to disappear, because management was now forced to micro manage every segment for star power. So much, that WCW’s attempt to spoil Mick Foley’s pre-taped title win backfired when 800K fans switched the channel to RAW and killed WCW’s 83 week streak.

This is just a few examples of could have made the n.W.o. dvd great, and makes us question why these topics weren’t covered or talked about in greater detail in the actual documentary. It never covered how the n.W.o. helped build new stars such as Diamond Dallas Page, Booker T, Goldberg and reinvent an aging Sting.
There was so much potential left on the table and omitted based on poor choices by the dvd’s producers. But if there is any salvation to wrestling fans, it’s THIS roundtable discussion that gives you more in 90 minutes of discussion than the actual assignment itself.

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What are your thoughts/reviews on the DVD? Do you agree or disagree with me? Post your comments below and feel free to share this review with your friends.

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The Four Horsemen Say "4 More Years For Obama ..... WOOOOOOO!!!"

I've always wanted to create my own viral MEME.

Rumored Names For 2013 WWE Hall of Fame?

Word around the campfire is that some legendary names are being considered for this year's WWE Hall of Fame induction. Now don't get me started on this topic because I could literally rattle of 50 names in 7.2 seconds flat that should be in or have been overlooked - but we'll get to that another time - preferably on video.

But as we start to gear up towards Wrestlemania season, preparations, contacts and commitments need to be made. Now considering that the Hall of Fame induction ceremony is set to be held in Madison Square Garden, I personally think that the names selected should have some sort of connection and reverence to the Mecca.

Here are the names being tossed around:

Bruno Sammartino - A no-brainer. The fact that Bruno hasn't been inducted already is crime in itself. On the flip side of that coin, Bruno hasn't been inducted because he's rejected all previous offers - so that puts just as much guilt on his shoulders. With the ceremony taking place in MSG - the hallowed halls that he sold out during an unprecedented seven-year reign - this grumpy old bastard needs to suck it up and get one last hurrah before someone else has to accept posthumously on his behalf.

The Freebirds - I really have no clue what the fascination is with the Freebirds. In my opinion, the are one of the most overrated groups in the history of the business. In their defense, I guess they lived the rock-n-roll lifestyle in the business that so many dreamed of. While their colleagues were kayfabing the world as serious athletes, these drugged up assholes were partying like rockstars. What the Horsemen did with class, these slobs did without a care. Because of their cult following, I guess they deserved to be remembered in the Hall, but why now? What's their connection with The Garden? They barely wrestled there; never main evented there; and nobody ever bought a ticket to see them there. Save their induction for some hick location down south.

Larry Zbyszko - Another guy who deserves to be in the Hall of Fame because of what he achieved in the business, but not necessarily what he did for the WWE. Sure his feud with Bruno was white hot in its day, but then what? Outside of his rivalry with Sammartino, I've always associated his career as a flag-bearer for anything anti-WWE. He never returned to the WWE for another big run, nor did the fans want him to. He spent his twilight years successfully competing in WCW and later broadcasting for them, thus the anti-WWE stigma. And how can you consider putting him in before Bruno anyway? That's like when they had one of the greatest Intercontinental champions in The Honkytonk Man induct KoKo B. Ware. Absolutely senseless.

Regis Philbin - Well, I guess they need somebody for the celebrity wing, and Regis has always been a WWE loyalist. Then again, with the Hall of Fame in New York and Wrestlemania taking place in New Jersey - why not induct Donald Trump instead?

Mick Foley - If anyone deserves to be inducted into the Hall at MSG, it;s Foley, His storied career started in the seats in that very building watching Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka take flight off the top of a steel cage. Foley is a hometown boy and recognition for his service is long overdue. Shawn Michaels is already in the Hall. So is Stone Cold Steve Austin. Shit, Edge is in there and he wasn't even retired a year. It's time to give Mick Foley his due!

Bob Backlund - Amazingly, here's another legendary guy the WWE has bent over and said, "Enjoy this dick"! I was never a big fan of Backlund. Personally, I thought he was bore... and I'm not the only one. There are guys who probably fell asleep in the ring while working with him, but there is no denying his achievements and his lengthy reign as champion. Like him or not, there was a time Backlund was the company's top draw. He was the face of the company and he did it with wrestling, not gimmicks. That alone deserves respect. And Madison Square Garden hosted a ton of his greatest moments!

Sid Vicious - I don't think he ever lived up to the hype of "the man who ruled the world", but it's more than likely because he was lost in the shadows of being groomed as Hulk Hogan's replacement, after the implosion of The Ultimate Warrior. Sid was unstable, but as he got older, he matured more and was finally granted the opportunity to be the man. Unfortunately, when that time finally came, the business preferred the smaller guys like Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. Regardless of constantly dropping the ball, Sid is a performer who is always remembered and recognized as a pure beast. Guys like him were few and far between. Does he deserve a nod to the Hall? Hell yeah... but not at the Garden. Most people don't even remember that he won his first WWE title there. So let's save that shit for another time. Plus, there's always the chance he might no-show if he has a softball game scheduled for that day.

Earthquake John Tenta - A great choice for induction. One of the few agile big men in the history of the business. A dominant force during his WWE run, and a "what-the-fuck" during his run in WCW. If we forget the second half of his career, Earthquake was easily one of the greatest monsters in WWE history. As much as I want to see him inducted in the Hall of Fame, I think the real monster that needs to go in first - especially at MSG - is King Kong Bundy. Bundy is a local New Jersey native who made history at the Garden in the first Wrestlemania and sold out main events against Andre The Giant and Hulk Hogan. Bundy actually paved the way for guys like Earthquake, and it's only fair to let him go first.

Paul Heyman - I'll make this one short and sweet. Should Heyman be in inducted at The garden. Abso-fucking-lutely! A New York native who changed the course of the business in neighboring Philly as the father of ECW - a property Vince McMahon so deeply wishes was his own creation. My concern is, now that Heyman is a semi-full time roster member who is associated to the world champion and the main events via CM Punk and Brock Lesnar - would his induction kill his heat and distract the storylines?

Triple H - I saved this one for last for a couple of reasons. First off, this fucking guy isn't even retired yet. Yeah, he's sold out The Garden over the last decade - if not more, but what real history did he make there? By the time he was selling the joint out, house shows were meaningless. When he was champion, it was the equivalent of the circus coming to town. Triple H is without a doubt one of the greatest of all-time, but does he really need to be honored now? Is he that much of a mark to push his own name just to say he was inducted at MSG? It's not his time, especially when he keeps sticking that massive nose of his into the storylines and stealing the shine of the spotlight while main eventing with the top talent. You'll get your day asshole. You pretty much own the company now. Keep it in your tights and focus on doing the right thing for those who deserve it NOW. Guess who have been passed over, blacklisted, and paved the way for you to get in the position you're in right now. It was too soon for Edge to go in the Hall and the same goes for Triple H. Let your peers warrant your induction rather than you organizing it yourself for the mere reason that you can.

As I mentioned before, there are a TON of other names who should be up for consideration. They may not all have a connection to the Garden, but name is worth the consideration. And with that, I will follow it up with a series of videos in the near future. In the meantime, I'd be interested in reading your comments on who think should be inducted into the 2013 Hall of Fame class.

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"Are You Serious?", WWE Really Allows This?

I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with the WWE's YouTube channel and their series of shows that are broadcast exclusively on the social media network, but I'd like to point out one show in-particular which I personally find to be a move of genius, yet I'm still baffled at how the WWE has sanctioned its production.

The name of the show is "Are You Serious?", hosted by Josh Matthews and "The Road Dogg" Jesse James, where they basically rehash the absolute worst gimmicks and product that the pro wrestling business has ever spawned. All of those moments that have made you cringe and second guess your obsession with this business is brought back to as a slap of reality to remind you that this shit REALLY did happen...and we still kept watching!

Ironically, if you were to include today's current product, you can actually put an entire three hour episode of RAW under the "what-the-fuck" spotlight. I just really find it amazing the WWE (and Vince McMahon) has given its stamp of approval to take a big wet shit on their heavily flawed history. Vinnie Mac isn't the type of guy who can take constructive criticism, and if you pre-date the concept of having a creative writing team, some of the worst shit you've ever seen was thought up by the boss himself. Vince hates to be proven wrong, and better yet, hates when that proof firmly declares that he is completely out of touch with the likes of his demographic. In reality, Vince McMahon is a mark of satirical slap-stick humor and he has epicly failed to incorporate it into his world of pseudo sports.

Not only has he greenlit a show that reminds wrestling fans of his numerous failures, but he allows workers to publicly poke fun at it by saying the same shit we say to each other. If it's that fucking bad, why not tell Vince before he actually airs it the first time? Why wait to turn off and frustrate the viewers, only to re-live it with a few years later with a chuckle as if it were an intended inside joke? The only joke is YOU Vince. YOU and your lousy fucking product.

Over the last 18 months, I've had a tough pill to swallow as somewhat of a wrestling purist. I had trouble going along with the "change" of the business, mainly because it no longer reflected the business I fell in love with as a boy. It no longer inspires me to want to be a part of it. I no longer have any creative desire toward it. And these days, I'm almost ashamed to say that after discovering it more than 30 years ago, that i still watch it.

This show is proof that I'm right. That my super-critical judgement is EXACTLY on-point. You don't agree with me? Fuuuuuuuuuuck you! Mark my words, in a couple of years, Brodus Clay, Santino Marella's cobra, Hornswaggle, The return of Brock Lesnar, and a TON more will be on the platter for serving on "Are You Serious?"

The most recent episode:



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CM Punk vs. Austin Aries: Who Wins The Dream Match?

I remember growing up in the 80's and fantasy booking a match between Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. Then I'd switch it up and pit The Hulkster against Lex Luger. My under-card would be a toss up of either Randy Savage or Ultimate Warrior vs. Sting, Bret Hart vs. Stunning Steve Austin, and Demolition vs. The Road Warriors.

All of those dream matches ended up happening one way or another. Most of them occurring when the talents were far past their primes and unable to fulfill my boyhood expectations. But the concept of a fantasy match between two rival promotions is something that today's fans couldn't perceive. First off, most fans could care less about TNA's roster, mainly because they've failed miserably in making their home grown stars household names. Secondly, does anyone really consider TNA Wrestling "competition", let alone "rival" to the WWE? While there are a handful of talents that I'd like to see switch promotions, they would immediately lose value once placed int he hands of either organization's creative teams.

But there is one match that stands out far above the rest, and perhaps it is because there is a history on the indy scene, or maybe it's because they are one of the top three performers for their respective brand.

CM Punk vs. Austin Aries .... need I say more?

CM Punk is still currently holding the WWE title and Aries was TNA champion just a few weeks ago. When was the last time that rival promotions had champions that made fanboys hunger for a fantasy battle of the ages?

As a fan of pro wrestling and NOT entertainment, I absolutely loved the encounters CM Punk engaged in against Daniel Bryan earlier this year. What infuriated me was the lack of thought put into the storylines and how such quality was wasted and essentially given away for free on television for over a month. Aries didn't really have many memorable matches in TNA, but that is because of the lack of talent able to match up with him, but his talent was noticed enough to put him into a genuine program against another underrated great in Bobby Roode. Surprisingly, TNA took the well deserved chance on him and gave him a brief moment to shine as their headline champion. And for a moment, the wrestling world stood still. There were two champions who were a symbol of pure wrestling. For a moment, fans rejoiced that wrestling was once again wrestling. Unfortunately, it was only for a moment.

Admittedly, I do not follow Ring of Honor as closely as I should. I've never been to a show, I don't buy the DVDs, and my cable company doesn't carry their programming. Much like the NWA when I was growing up, their product is out of my reach. Then again, I'm living in a digital age where all I have to do is go online and buy some products. So maybe I'm just making excuses, or just too fucking lazy. The point is that seven years ago in Morristown, New Jersey, this dream match actually happened at ROH's Death Before Dishonor.

Punk and Aries wrestled for an exhausting 30 minutes, with Punk walking out as the victor via pinfall. Punk was on his way out of the organization as he had revealed that he signed with the WWE, while Aries still worked his way to get onto a mainstream radar.

A lot can change in seven years. If you watch Punk's matches in Ring of Honor against the likes of Samoa Joe, Colt Cabana, Christopher Daniels, and the rest of the indy icons, and you compare them to his work today against John Cena, Alberto Del Rio, and Dolph Ziggler - you'll notice that Punk has matured to the WWE style. But in doing so, he may not be as hungry as he was in his younger years. On the flip side of the coin, Aries still has much to fight for. TNA Wrestling is far from being the mountain top of his career.

Just a year ago, CM Punk was the hottest thing in wrestling based off his shoot promo on RAW, as he was preparing to exit the company because of creative's misuse of his character and abilities. But ever since he re-signed with the company, many critics and fans (myself included) feel that Punk has lost his edge and gotten soft. Perhaps he drank too much of the WWE corporate kool-aid and is living the life of an entertainer as opposed to being a wrestler. Sure, he's been champion for nearly a year, but that's easy to do when it's scripted for you. When you look closer, you wonder if Punk lost his edge. meanwhile, Aries is hitting his peak.

Seven years ago, Aries may have fallen to the hands of hunger and experience, but today, Aries could be the one to strike fear in the heart of Punk. Punk has already tasted the life and is now among the WWE elite, while Aries' future is still uncertain. The tale of the tape shows Aries at the top of his game, and perhaps, he's even surpassed Punk. His mat skills may slightly edge Punk's; his air skills certainly do. Punk may be stronger, but Aries is without a doubt quicker. Both are aged at 34 years, but Punk seems to have a lot more mileage on him. The WWE workload has taken a toll on his body while TNA has more off time than the New York Mets.

Punk has faced better competition during those years and has worked larger scale shows such as Wrestlemania, which would play a factor in one's mental state of performing. And this is where the tale of the tape switches over to Punk's favor. Punk has performed at the top of his game on numerous monthly events in front of sold out crowds of tens of thousands. Add in the top five yearly PPVs, and Punk is wrestling in front of crowds between 30,000 and 90,000 fans. Aries still wrestles small indy drawing house shows that struggle to draw 3,000 - including their own Impact Zone at Universal Studios.

Two years ago, Aries was on the verge of quitting the business. He had been released by Ring of Honor and was unsigned by either WWE or TNA. In 2012, there aren't many other options. There are two ways to look at that story. You can see it as a guy who almost gave up on his dream, or as a guy who fight his way back to the top. Ironically, CM Punk's WWE career was holds similar truths.

So in the end, who wins this dream match? CM Punk or Austin Aries. In my opinion, their current positions in their organizations show they've both already won. But who wins in a match?... Who gives a shit? Just make it happen!

CM Punk : Best in The World DVD Review

If you follow my writings or know a little bit about my history, you’d know that CM Punk is not a favorite of mine. About a year ago, I wrote an article entitled, “CM Punk is a F*cking Douchebag”, which talked in detail about the time I had the opportunity to work with him while I was the booker at NWA Cyberspace.

For the most part, I got a ton of heat from the fans. Mostly ass-kissers who were telling me to stop whining like a little bitch, yet those same ass-kissers have never done ANYTHING in this business to even warrant an opinion. I told it exactly the way it went down, and what my dealings with the future WWE champion was like. It’s a true story, and even though I was the employer and he was the employee, most fans marked out and took the side of their hero. Personally, I could care less. It is what it is, and at the time, it was business - something a mark wouldn’t understand.

The reason I bring that up is because I don’t want any reader of this review to think that I am somewhat (if not fully) biased towards my review of CM Punk’s new WWE DVD release, “Best In The World”. Like my previous story, I am here to tell it like it is. My job is simply to observe and report - no more, no less. I kept an open mind when watching the DVD and was professional enough not to let my own personal experiences blur the lines of my integrity. With that said, I think you’ll enjoy my review and perhaps find a few surprises along the way.

CM PUNK: BEST IN THE WORLD DVD REVIEW

The documentary starts with a black title card, spelling out the voiceover passage from CM Punk himself. It reads:

“I’m a guy for all intents and purposes should have never made it to the WWE.”

“I’ve had roadblock after roadblock…thrown in my way. But not only did I get passed those roadblocks. I did it by flipping off the people that put up those roadblocks.”

“I feel that I have a responsibility to the younger wrestlers on the roster, the ones who aren’t signed yet. And the future of pro wrestling as a whole to help make this place better and to change this place. I certainly can’t do it by sitting on my couch in Chicago”.

With that opening narrative alone, I automatically assumed we were in for a self-indulged ego trip. Here is a guy who was walking out of the company just over a year ago because his face wasn’t on the plastic cups and lunch boxes. The same time last year, people we giving me shit for the article I wrote, calling me a whiny bitch because I was paying THIS GUY to do a job for MY COMPANY and he was difficult to work with. But the night that he cut that epic promo that supposedly changed the business, nobody ever once called him a little whiny bitch who couldn’t get a stable spot on the roster, so he planned on walking away on July 17th, 2011.

Who is this guy? The king of the indies who got his WWE contract and was convinced he was better than the rest. Meanwhile his career didn’t do shit for the 5-6 years he was on the roster. Oh, but let’s blame creative, who had nothing for him. Now all of a sudden, because of one shoot promo, he thinks he’s a locker room leader? He thinks he can make the WWE a “better place”? He thinks he’s the best in the world? Well, after watching this two-hour documentary…maybe I was wrong?

Unlike most of the DVDs in the WWE catalog that are hosted by Matt Striker and some clueless diva, this one felt, dare I say, “real”. It was produced like an MTV reality show mixed in with the gritty hard hitting E! True Hollywood Story formula. It clearly showed Punk as who is really is – a loner in his own world.

Having the experience of working with him before, it’s an accurate vision and portrayal of an angry young man hell-bent on proving his critics wrong. Just as I had seen with my own eyes, a man who keeps to himself in the locker room with his earphones drowning out everything around him…including those who are working with him, paying him and who need to give him direction. It makes you think that Punk does what he wants because he truly thinks he is bigger than the business. He has that Shawn Michaels swagger from the mid-90’s. The one where Shawn would tell anyone and everyone , including Vince McMahon, to go fuck themselves and that the product sucks and needs to change. If that’s the reputation Punk was shooting for, at least he’s in good company. The difference is, now he needs to prove himself just as Shawn did.
CM Punk’s life story is at times heartbreaking, yet it serves as a good motivational and inspiring piece. A kid whose blood family lost interest in him, so he proved the world wrong and created his own family from a group of friends whose sofa he took permanent residence on. Knowing this now, it’s easier to understand why he is who he is, and why his outlook on life is so narrow. But now that we know this, he’s shown us his cards and we can see into his “thousand yard stare”, revealing that there are chinks in his armor after all.

On a personal note, although I may not have known his story prior to working with him, I can say from experience that I was one of those people who saw his raw talent and wanted to give him the opportunity to shine. But he shut out the world. Even though we weren’t looking to exploit him, we wanted to give him a place where he could do what he does best. I’d call it a character flaw. He’d call it a defense mechanism.

I like how Punk talks about the similarities between him and Rowdy Roddy Piper. I had never examined the comparisons between the two until he brought it up in the DVD. Not the biggest guys in size, but they had the biggest mouths and drew the biggest heat to sell-out crowds.

After learning that he was initially self-taught in the craft of pro wrestling and performed in the wildly popular backyard federations, you could easily see the confidence, passion and determination of a kid destined to chase down and tackle his dream. The home movie footage is almost a prophecy of what was to come later in his WWE career.

I was surprised to see WWE dedicate so much time to establishing his friendships with Colt Cabana and Chris Hero. It was an “out-of-suit” approach that is rarely seen in WWE videos unless those talent are part of WWE’s alumni. I applaud the WWE for taking the chance on emphasizing the importance of Punk’s indy matches with Cabana and Hero, because without it, the story could never be complete. Those matches are what helped shape his character, his origins and his fan-base. His epic encounters with his best friends and their travels around the country are stuff of legend, and a missing element in today’s generation. Punk proves he earned his stripes the “old school” way, and even though the territories no longer exist, they treated their travels as if they did. That alone earned a great deal of my own respect, and now I know he was more than just an over-hyped indy dreamer.

Joey Mercury describes Punk as “unapologetically confident”. He continues to say, “I didn’t like him but I respected him. He was smug an arrogant. He wasn’t always the best in the world, but he believed he was”. Ironically, that was the same CM Punk I met and worked with. I’m a big believer in first impressions, and the impression that I got from him was that he was a fucking asshole. But if you ask anyone else about their first impression upon meeting him, they’d give you the same exact answer.

Again, I was very impressed with how the WWE covered Punk’s time in Ring of Honor. Although the WWE didn’t directly give ROH the props they deserve, Punk did more than enough in paying tribute. His time in the organization is full of cherished memories, epic matches and his first home in the wrestling business. I loved hearing about his brutal matches with Raven and his legendary encounters against TNA superstar Samoa Joe. I almost sensed that WWE regretted not signing Joe when they had the chance. As much as I love seeing Punk in the ring against Daniel Bryan, can you imagine the business WWE could do with Punk vs. Joe?

Seeing Punk as WWE champion inside of a ROH ring was a humbling experience for the viewer as much as it was for the man himself. You feel as if you are witnessing and sharing his experience in coming full circle. It also makes you wonder how much WWE acknowledges his achievements in Ring of Honor and why they continue to hold him back from performing at that level. Granted, Punk has aged and his style has been modified to better suit who he is today, and they type of experience the WWE roster offers him with their form of entertainment rather than a pure form of wrestling. But when the product is slipping and suffering, and Punk is your top guy, shouldn’t you listen to him when he can offer valid recommendations? Isn’t that how WWE re-grew their balls and formed the attitude era? It’s been almost 20 years, aren’t they due for a resurgence? Why not let Punk lead the way? Oh right… because Triple H is just as much of a cockblocker as Vince is. Nice way to keep it in the family. I guess the “E” in WWE stands for EGO.

Speaking of egos, one of the most eccentric pieces of this documentary is hearing from Paul Heyman , as he discusses in detail what it was like working with Punk in OVW. Call him what you want, but there is no denying the scary eye for talent Paul Heyman has implanted in his head. Pair that with a tongue that has no filter, and you’re looking at a mad genius. Sure, Heyman is notorious for promoting above and beyond the realms of reality, but when you splice in opinions from the doubters such as Michael Hayes, Scott Armstrong, Triple H and even the beloved John Cena, it only strengthens Heyman’s case for being dead on right about his judgment.

Heyman talks about how much Punk hated being trapped in OVW. Granted, these days EVERYONE goes the developmental system before getting called up to the main roster. It’s not like the days when you made a name for yourself in the territories, got press in the “Apter Mags”, or had some kind of TV experience working for the opposition. Everyone goes through re-development and re-packaging. But it was Paul Heyman who fought and said, “Change absolutely NOTHING about CM Punk…including his name”. Heyman knew the importance and the impact of leaving CM Punk intact.

CM Punks literally owes his career to Paul Heyman. What you see today on Raw is NOT a storyline. Punk is a true to heart Heyman guy, and in this DVD you see exactly how Heyman takes him under his wing and guides him through the turbulent and political criticisms that haunted him by saying he would never be called up to the main roster. You grow eager to hear more about Punk’s education through Paul Heyman, how he turned the negative indy stigma into a positive fighting drive to redemption, and the influence of being branded a “Paul Heyman Guy”.

When I listen to doubt and criticism of Michael Hayes and John Cena, I realize that I shared the same perception of CM Punk. I easily gave up on a guy because I didn’t have the patience to deal with his bullshit. I knew what I wanted to get out of him, but I didn’t take the time to “get” him. I realize that trying to work with CM Punk without getting to know and understand CM Punk is like watching a movie from the middle. How do you expect to follow that story if you don’t know where it came from or how it all started? How can you invest in moving forward when you haven’t invested in the taking the time to understand the legends? And by sticking to his beliefs, no matter how many bridges he burned or people he rubbed wrong along the way, he is changing the course of what the face of the WWE should be. As they said in the DVD, his attitude may have “hindered his growth, but not his heart”.

Around the 55 minute mark in the DVD, CM Punk was already on the WWE roster competing for the re-imaged ECW. At that point, I figured now the ass kissing and “fluff” of the DVD will begin. They will do away with the origins story and push how hard he worked and the great matches he had once he got called up, then nonchalantly take credit for giving him the global exposure to become what he is today. Same old WWE bullshit, right?...WRONG!

Just because he was called up doesn’t mean it was smooth sailing for him. After all, why fueled his rage that led to his shoot promo? What did he endure for six years before he decided to walk away from everything he has fought so long and hard for? Would the WWE allow him to be so critical of their use of him on their own product?
Well, they do. And CM Punk discusses his frustrations during his six year run, starting with his first meaningless ECW championship win and on to his first World Heavyweight title win on the Smackdown brand. You still hear the criticisms of how those within the company felt he tarnished the belt and wasn’t positioned to be “the guy”. Basically, his reigns were to appease the fan-base.

Skepticism and underlying blame is volleyed back and forth from Triple H saying, “The title doesn’t make the guy. The guy makes the title”, to Michael Hayes stating the Punk “having the title was not the drawing factor”, and ultimately in his own defense Punk retorts with, “The focal point should always be on the title”, which I completely agree with.

On the flip side of the coin, Triple H and Hayes have their points. Was CM Punk just a fan favorite who wasn’t strong enough to carry business? Was it too soon to bless him with the pressure of being a brand champion? Or did CM Punk underestimate the responsibility of being the top draw for the company? Here is a guy so eager to be the best in the world that perhaps the only achievement he made was becoming his own worst enemy.

Punk was no longer in his own world. He was in the WWE Universe. A universe that had legends such as The Undertaker, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, John Cena and Chris Jericho to name a few. Legends and icons of the business who looked at him saying, “Who the fuck is this guy and who the fuck does he think he is?... .It doesn’t matter what he did in front of 400 people on an indy show, this is the WWE, where history is written”. And while I feel Punk’s sentiment when he literally gave away the title because the Jericho/HBK program needed it more than he did – I understand it from a business point of view. Triple H clearly states that Punk was not going to be “the guy” He was simply going to be “the guy with the belt in the middle of the card”.
Maybe that was the wake-up call Punk needed, or maybe that was the gasoline he wanted to set a bigger fire?

After winning the title for the second time, he tells the story of Vince McMahon approaching him with the challenge of “being a heel”. In hindsight, it was an opportunity to take the dog off the leash, but at the same time it unleashed the locker room asshole I warned you about before. The problem with Punk is that he thinks the rules don’t apply to him. Although I too am a firm believer that rules were made to be broken and the only way to prove them wrong is to go against the grain. Punk admitted to becoming very opinionated and not wanting help from the creative teams. He would tear up their written scripts in their face. And while Punk makes for a fascinating heel, I think the real challenge would be to force him to remain a babyface.

It’s easy to draw heat. It’s easy to tell the fans to fuck off and spit in their faces. The real challenge is being a good face. It’s easy to be hated, but it’s hard to be loved. Look at John Cena. He’s the textbook good guy, and people still take big wet shits all over him. Even before Punk recently turned to the darkside, he spent the better part of 2012 as a weak babyface. He just can’t do it. Sure they fans bought into his rebellious theories and his anti-establishment stance, but at the end of the day, they were still cheering for a guy who was doing what HE wanted to do for the good of him and him only. He’s the first admit that he’s not a role model. But have you ever tried being one? Have you ever embraced the love of the fans? All you know I heel. All you speak is heel. All you do is heel. If you aren’t pissing people off, you can’t do anything else. Pull on their emotions, not just their anger. THAT makes you the best in the world. I “get” that it’s not your gimmick, but until you’ve tried and succeeded, you can never fully achieve your claim.

There are very few people who know the real Phil Brooks. And as much of an asshole as I think CM Punk is to work with, I respect his loyalty to his friends. In an emotional story told by Joey Mercury, he had succumbed to the demons of drugs. He lost his job with the WWE and his was on the verge of losing his home. In a heartbeat, Phil Brooks wrote him a check and bought his house out of foreclosure. While it’s not a story that would make headlines or change the course of the WWE Universe, it changed my perception with a sense of humanity that I personally didn’t think this man had in him. Would he do it for anybody else? I don’t know? Does he believe in charitable causes? I don’t know. But I do know he did it for a friend, and by doing so, there is a part of him that healed his own wounds. Wounds that have been blistering since his family turned his back on him. Again, proving people wrong- that you CAN choose your own family.

Finally, as the documentary draws to a close, we hear everything that led to the contract negotiations and the “pipe bomb” promo that somewhat changed the landscape. I say somewhat, because the product is piss poor as we speak and the effect of the promo fizzled within months due to the inept booking of the WWE creative team. It could have had the lasting power of the n.W.o. , but not only did creative drop the ball, they also kicked it away.

After watching the infamous “pipe bomb” promo again, I realized how good it really was. I knew it then, but I KNOW it now. I knew I was witnessing an “event” when it happened live, and as time has passed I shit on WWE for not capitalizing on the momentum.

It was interesting to know that CM Punk resigned his deal with the WWE halfway through was expected to be his final show at Money In The Bank, and we can only wonder what would have become had they not come to terms. But I am glad they did. I have appreciated what Punk has done in the last 300 plus days as world champion. I believe he truly not only wants to change the company, but the business as a whole. I believe in his disgust of sports entertainment and his purists beliefs as a pro wrestler. Now that I know his history better, I believe in him as a locker room leader and a big brother to younger stars. I believe he is the last of the “old school mentality” guys (with the exception of Dolph Ziggler, who has the tools to be a mega star). I believe he can change the game and that he can lead the cavalry. I still believe that CM Punk is a fucking asshole…but I now believe in CM Punk, and there is a good chance he may in fact be what he always claimed to be…the best in the world.

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