Royal Rumble 2016 Picks

So I decided to dust off the boots so to speak and bring this blog out of retirement.  I won't be posting every day or giving my thoughts of Raw or anything like that.  Instead (At least for now) I will be making picks for the PPVs.

This is something some friends and I have done for several years for Wrestlemania.  Last year we did them (or tired to do them) for every WWE PPV.  It was fun, but looks like we won't do it again this year.  Might post stats about it later.  If we are done, I might turn the title belt we used a s a trophy into a traveling trophy for the Wrestlemania picks.

Anyways, on to the picks for the 2016 Royal Rumble.

Darren Young/Damien Sandow vs The Dudley Boyz vs Jack Swagger/Mark Henry vs The Ascension--This is the pre-show match, with the winning team getting into the Rumble itself.
Pick?--Jack Swagger/Mark Henry because they are former world champions and because Mark Henry is the only one I can see being a threat to Roman Reigns winning.

Charlotte Flair (C) vs. Becky Lynch--Divas Title--Becky seems to be the best thing in the Diva's division right now, and it would be a great time for her to win the title. On the other hand, Charlotte winning would help get her over even more as a heel.
Pick?--Becky Lynch.  Like I said, this is the time to put the belt on her.  Maybe have Ric, who will of course be at ring side cheering on his daughter, cost Charlotte the match some how.  Charlotte can then turn on him and prove that she doesn't need him to help her be the new dirtiest player in the game.

New Day (C) VS The Usos--Tag Title Match--The Uso's are over, but the New Day is the best thing in the Tag Division right now.  There just need to be more decent story lines in the division (The same can be said for the Divas.)
Pick?--New Day.  Sorry Uso fans, but I think THe New Day walk out of this one, and then possibly into an actual feud with Chris Jericho.  His partner?  Big show isn't doing much, so I'm thinking a Jerishow reunion.

Alberto Del Rio (C) VS Kalisto--US TItle--They shouldn't have taken the belt off Kalisto so soon, and they especially shouldn't have spoiled it on the web site.  If Del Rio won the match on Raw and Kalisto won the rematch on Smackdown, then it makes sense to spoil it, but not with the heel winning.
Pick?--Del Rio.  As much as I think they should give Kalisto a run with the belt, I think they will have Del Rio retain, maybe with help from the League Of Nations.  Then they can build up to Kalisto getting revenge at Wrestlemania.

Dean Ambrose (C) VS KEvin Owens--Last Man Standing Match for the Intercontinental Championship--I was talking to one of the kids at Church this morning and called it.  This will be the match of the night.  It is the best feud in WWE right now, and this match should be a good way to end it, or at least this chapter.
Pick?--Kevin Owens.  This one was tough, cause I think either man could win it, but it is time to end it, at least for now.  With Owens winning it, Ambrose can go help his brother in his feud with the Authority and then maybe regain the belt at Wrestlemania or Extreme Rules.
So far, easy to make picks, right?  What about the Rumble?  That gets a little tougher.  Here are what I pick will happen.

#2 Entrant--Rusev
#27 Entrant--Brock Lesner
#30 Entrant--Sheamus
Winner--Roman Reigns
Can't pick the #1 entrant this year (Normaly it would be #1 and 2) since they already announced Reigns going in at Number 1.  It makes sense that a member of the League of Nations, who Reigns has been feuding with, would be #2.  Del Rio and (If he has recovered from his injury) Wade Barrett enter in the middle, with Sheamus coming in at the end.

Why have #26?  Because if I remember right, #26 has produced the most winners.  They didn't have it in this year's Rumble By The Numbers video, so I don't remember for sure, or how many have one, but I know it is in the mid 20s.  What better place to put the biggest threat to Reigns' title then there.  (BTW, if I find out which number it actually is, I will be moving Lesner there.  Either way, Lesner enters in the sweet spot number.)  (Update--Opps.  was close.  It was #27.  I've fixed it.)

And the winner will of course be Reigns.  Not saying that is a bad choice, I'm just worries about how things play out afterwards.  Like most things in pro wrestling, it is all about the follow up.  I'm thinking this leads to either the rumored match against Triple H at Wrestlemania, or, with Lesner being booked for more dates as we get closer to Mania, and with what Paul Heyman was saying before Lesner was entered into the Rumble, we could be seeing a Lesner VS Reign's rematch.  And this time there will be no Money In The Bank cash in to ruin anything (or save it depending on your opinion)

There are other things to pick for the Rumble though.  Here are my picks for them.

NXT Call-Up--Samoa Joe
There are a couple guys this could go to, including Baron Corbin and Sami Zayn, but I am picking Joe for the NXT Call-Up this year.  He could easily be placed in the bigger players like Reigns, Lesner, Ambrose, and Owens and not look out of place.

Suprise Entrant--Daniel Bryan
Doubtful, but I can hope.  The downside of this is it would place him in an ultra face position, which wouldn't help get Reigns over, so it probably won't happen.  Or if it does, he will turn heel and join the Authority right away.  Not seeing it, but again, a guy can hope.

Suprise Debut--A.J. Styles
Same as with Daniel Bryan, any of the New Japan guys debuting could eclipse Reigns.  But with all the press they have been getting over this, with makes sense to have they start showing up soon.  Maybe not tonight, but for sure by Wrestlemania Styles will (or should) debut.  And for Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson?  I see them debuting alongside the Post-Mania Raw Call Up Finn Balor as Bullet Club invades WWE.

The problem with TNA

Ok, lets face it.  There is lots of stuff wrong with TNA.  I could probably write a post about what is wrong every day for a month and still have plenty of material.  But this is about one that I feel is a major problem that I just saw on tonight's episode of Impact.

I'm watching it now and they just did Davey Richards VS Eddie Edwards.  If MVP didn't think they were giving 100%, they would be stripped of the tag belts.  The fans were quite during the match, but I don't think it was because they weren't into it, I think it was because they wanted to see what happened.

And that is the problem.  Because the promotion for the match was...about 5 minutes before the match.  That's it.  MVP booked the match, and then it happened.  And they do stuff like this far too often.  Richards VS Edwards headlined how many ROH shows?  I am sure they would have gotten a lot of people tuning in who saw it before and wanted to see it again if they had promoted it.  Book it for Sacrifice or something.  Kind of fits the theme of the PPV.  but nope.  5 minutes notice.

And that isn't the worse of it.  Because the main event is Samoa Joe VS Austin Aries, with the loser being fired.  At least this one got a whole 2 hours of promotion.  But again, why not book it for the PPV?  it fits with the theme.  Have them build up the seriousness of it for a few weeks.  Let people know about it who remember how good their past matches were, including a few ROH title matches (Aries broke Joe's nearly two year title reign even) but again, only a couple of hours.

Both these matches have history, and unlike WWE, TNA has never been afraid to reference stuff that happened in other companies.  Why not take advantage of that?  Why not promote the hell out of matches involving some of the best in the company?  Why not make people want to watch the shows by promoting the matches?  If either of those matches were booked for next week or for Sacrifice, I would be more likely to tune in or order the PPV.  after all, that is what makes the company money.

BTW, Sacrifice?  it's in a week or two and I think only one match has been booked for it; Eric Young (C) VS MVP for the TNA championship.  There are a few more that they are building to, but again they aren't promoting them or announcing them well enough in advance for people to get excited for them.  and that I feel is one of the main problems with TNA.

Good Bye, And Thanks For All The Fish

That's it.  I'm done with Wrestling.  and probably TV in general.  First the ending of How I Met Your Mother and now the Streak ending!? Too much.  So I am done.  This blog is closed.  I am getting rid of my wrestling collection, and moving to a mountain where I will be known as the crazy hermit that talks about weird stuff like "Robin isn't the mother!" and "The Streak Never Ended!"

I am serious.  I am never watching Wrestling again.

See you tomorrow after Raw for my thoughts on the After-Mania show.

Wrestlemania 30 Predictions

We are about 20 or so hours away from Wrestlemania and as I was watching the Hall Of Fame ceramony (it's playing on my Surface right next to the keyboard right now and the TV behind me.  Have to test different platforms so I know what to watch Mania on tomarrow after all.) I realized that I hadn't posted predictions for a while.  I used to fairly often on The Freak Show but I haven't for a couple years.  And since I now have a blog for wrestling stuff, I figured I would do it here.

On a completely unrelated note, YAY!! Jake Roberts Induction!  Guessing Nash will induct Scott Hall, thinking Kane for Paul Bearer since they didn't show him when Lita was talking. Carlito and Primo for Carlos Calon, Linda McMahon for Ultimate Warrior (that was announced a while ago) and Vince for Mr T.  not sure about that one, but I've seen Hulk Hogan several times so I'm guessing it isn't him.

Update:  Opps.  was wrong.  Mean Gean Okerlund and Mr T's son T Junior inducted Mr T.  Also, Epico joined Primo and Carlio.  Didn't know they were all brothers.  thought one was a cousin.  Also, Carlito made a few jokes about his current career and time in WWE.  Never mind.  They corrected it

On to the predictions.

Usos (C) VS Real Americans VS Rybaxle VS Los Matadores--Tag Title Match
This match shouldn't be on the pre-show.  I'm guessing the only the battle royal isn't here is because of Hogan.  Not that there is anything wrong with that, but they have done a royal several times before Mania.  Oh well.

I'm guessing The Real Americans win.  That will help set up splitting them up as well as set up some more as well as set up a few more matches with the Usos which should be good.  It could also lead to some good matches against Los Matadores and it would be a good way to bring The Ascension up from NXT now that they are faces.

Andre The Giant Battle Royal
30 people in this match so this one might be tough.  THey keep talking up Big Show winning, so obviously he won't win.  Ziggler has been on a roll, so he is kind of a favorite.  So I am guessing he won't win.  Due to the large amount of posabilities, I am picking three people for this.  Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, and Alexander Rusev.  Del Rio because it would be a good way to launch the next part of his career in WWE and get him back to the main event.  Miz for pretty much the same reason.  Plus, if Bryan wins the title, they could resume their fued from D-Bry's rookie year.  And Rusev because it would be a great way to get him over as a monster heel.

Diva's Match
Um, does anyone care?  Didn't think so.  I'm picking Brie Bella.  Good wedding present for her (She is getting married a few days after Mania.

The Shield VS Kane/New Age Outlaws
I'm picking Kane pins Roman Reigns to get the win.  And it will be after one of the other members of the Shield (thinking Seth Rollins) turns against them.

John Cena VS Bray Wyatt
I would like to think that it would be Wyatt that wins.  This would be a star making moment and Cena could easily win the rematch at Extreme Rules.  But this is Wrestlemania, so John Cena is going to win.

Undertaker VS Brock Lesner
They did a terrible job of making Lesner look like a threat to the Streak.  Undertaker wins to go 22-0

Daniel Bryan VS Triple H
Ross and I were talking about this at work the other day.  Not sure if it will be the opening match or second to last.  Either way, it should be the best match of the night.  Daniel Bryan wins.

Randy Orton (C) VS Batista VS Daniel Bryan/Triple H
Anyone who thinks Triple H will be in this match or that D-Bry isn't walking out with the title is an idiot.  Daniel Bryan wins and he and Brie wear their belts during their wedding this Friday

Brown Bag Special 2!

Last week TNA had a sale going on.  Among other things, they had $27 off any orders over $75.  and freeshipping for all orders over $40.  So I ordered three more Brown Bag Specials: 1 Banner, 1 Figure, 1 Shirt, and 4 DVDs each.  I got one last year. Here is what I got with the ones I ordered last year around this time.  Last year it was about $63 and they didn't do the free shippign thing.  This year?  $48.

Banners
AJ Styles Banner
Impact
Kurt Angle

Action Figures
Matt Morgan
Jay Lethal
Kevin Nash

T-Shirts
Party Marty
AJ Styles--Comic
Main Event Mafia

DVDs
Bound For Glory 2006
Hard Justice 2006
Final Resolution 2006
Turning Point 2006
No Surrender 2006
Sacrifice 2010
Genesis 2010
Bound For Glory 2010
Immortal Forever?
Best Of The Bloodiest Brawls Vol 1
Nevermore: The Best Of Raven
Heaven Sent, Hell Bound: The Best Of Christopher Daniels

Not quite as good as the last one.  I already have all the stuff that is crossed out.  Some, like the Raven and Christopher Daniels DVDS and Kevin Nash figure I will probably just give to either Jason or Ross, and the Bound For Glory 2006 DVD I will give to Ross because I know Jason already has it.  In fact he had two copies, which is how I got it in the first place.  I will probably keep the Impact banner.  I got that one last year, but I wanted it and I know where to use it.  The Dungeon is basically a loft and I have the one from last year hanging over the entrance to my bedroom, so I have to walk through it every day.  Might hand this one over the entrance to the Dungeon.

The other banners are ones I wanted, and the shirts are (mostly) cool.  MEM is always cool and the AJ Styles one is one I thought about ordering to begin with.  Instead I got it for cheaper then if I had.  The Party Marty one stumped me though/  After some research, I found out that he is from British Bootcamp.  He had 1 match in TNA and that was it.  But he got a shirt.  Not a good looking shirt, but I might keep it just for the novelty of it.

The DVDs are good, at least the ones I didn't have.  Both added a ton to my collections for those years, giving me a total of 8 from 2006 and 5 from 2010.

Might order another one next year.  If not, then I will next year.  Either way, looking forward to what I get next time.

TCW--November 4, 2013

After a recap of last week's episode, Col. Parker was talking to The Rock N Roll Express of the phone.  He was giving them directions and they were there to take out The Empire.  Then Shane Williams came in.  He wanted his job back.  Col. Parker said that he had to earn his spot back.   He said he understood that and that was there to earn his spot.  Before Parker could say anything, Sigmon walked in and Parker gave Shane a match against him tonight.

The announcers ran down the card for tonight and then it was time for the first match.

Sigmon defeated "King" Shane Williams with the Winner's Circle.  Williams nearly had the match won with a Piledriver, but Sigmon managed to get his foot on the ropes.  Apparently the Piledriver is legal.  As far as I know the only legal Piledriver is Undertaker's Tombstone Piledriver, but maybe it is still legal in TCW.  They mentioned that Williams is from Nashville (where I think the show was) and while I didn't really care, it was interesting to know that, on the day some stuff I ordered from TNA left Nashville, I was watching a show that took place there.

Backstage, Boyd Bradford was yelling at the Hounds Of Hell for losing the Tag Titles to Genetic Perfection last week.  They weren't too happy about it either and swore to get the belts back.

Before the next match, they had an ad for TCW and their new shirt, which looks pretty cool.  Zach Gowen was in the ad.  He did better talking then the one with Matt Hardy earlier int he show.  For some reason, at one point, I thought he looked a lot like Icarus.

The Empire defeated the Rock N Roll Express when Greg Anthony pinned Ricky Morton after interference from manager Matt Riviera.  It was an Empire Rules match, what ever that is.  Lots of comedy from the Rock N Roll Express,but it was entertaining.

They showed a video about the New Orleans Fight Club, Scott Anthony turning against John Saxon and joining the Empire, and his attack last week which cost Saxon his Best Of 7 Series against Kincaid.

Then they showed highlights of Vordell Walker's mach against Dan Sevren from last week.  I forgot tha they mentioned that Sevren is a former NWA champ, yet when Rob Conway took on Lance Hoyt a few weeks ago, they didn't mention that he was the current NWA Champion.  (and yes, I know that Conway lost the belt at New Japan's Wrestle Kingdom 8 show.  but when this episode aired, he was still the champ.  In fact I think it was a week or two before the NJPW Invasion of NWA Huston since that was in late November)

A Good Weekend For Minnesota

This past weekend was a good one for Minnesota's pro wrestling scene.  I thought about posting about this yesterday, but figured I would wait and see if anything happened today.  Nothing did so here is the post.

First, MR T IS GOING INTO THE HALL OF FAME!!! not Minnesota related, but I'm excited about it.  Plus I didn't want to start the next one with First twice.

Second, F1rst apparently put on a really good show on Friday.  From the sounds of it they packed First Ave.  Only downside is they don't post their shows on Youtube or do DVD sales or anything.  They have a clip from the end of Arya Divari's match, but that is it.  Better then nothing.

Third, on Saturday or Sunday, AWF announced they are doing a show at Grand Casino Mill Lacs, which I'm pretty sure is the biggest venue they have ever ran a show at.  Sounds like they have a new set with lights and smoke and stuff too.  Not sure if that is being used on the TV show yet though since I am a bit behind.

And Fourth, Steel Domain is getting TV again!!!  Ok, this might be old news, but I just read about it on Sunday.  Steel Domain is some of the first non WWE and TNA stuff I ever watched when I got back into wrestling.  I would set the VCR to record it and TNA Explosion because they were on at 3 in the morning Sundays and I usually have to be at church around 7:30-8, so I couldn't stay up.  Even better is it sounds like they joined the United Wrestling Network!  The name of their new show is Championship Wrestling From The Twin Cities and uses the same basic design as Hollywood and Arizona.  I thought it might be AWF that joined them some day, but this is better because more Minnesota wrestling for me to watch!