Randy Couture signs with Spike TV and will coach for Bellator MMA

Randy Couture has signed a multi-year deal with Spike TV and will be a coach on the new Bellator MMA reality show. Dana White cannot be happy about someone with such strong UFC colors working for their only competition. This doesn’t surprise me at all. Couture’s tumultuous past with the Ultimate Fighting Championship is well documented. Couture would not sign off on his likeness being used for merchandise purposes due to the absence of compensation.

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The Examination of CM Punk in a Post Royal Rumble World

-Wrestling Soap Box: The Examination of CM Punk

434 days of championship bliss was ended by the people’s elbow on Sunday night. The 26^th edition of the Royal Rumble is officially in the books, and The Rock is your new WWE Champion. If you are a hardcore wrestling fan who scourers the internet, you were probably bored with the predictable nature of this show. If you are a casual fan who stays away from the internet, or one who used to watch wrestling and came back for the Rumble, you probably loved this show. I spoke to a boat load of former fans leading up to the Rumble and here are some of their poignant comments in regards to CM Punk.

“He is not all that”

“This Punk guy is a joke”

“He is not believable at all”

“Why would this guy be your longest reigning champion?”

“The Rock is fighting that guy???”

“He looks like a skinny crack head”

Click here to read the rest of my column at Gerweck.net: Pro Wrestling News Since 1997

2013 WWE Royal Rumble Thoughts: The Rock Captures WWE Title

The Rock is your new WWE champion and John Cena is the 2013 Royal Rumble winner. The two are on a collision course for their rematch at WrestleMania 29 on 4/7/13. While folks online are ragging on the predictable nature of the card, you have to remember that sometimes, predictable is what’s best for business.

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Injustice: Gods Among Us #2 Review

The events in the last issue and in this one are pushing Superman towards a fall from grace in the worst possible way. Friends are dying, loved ones are in peril and The Joker is holding all of the cards.

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WWE Royal Rumble 2013 Predictions

The main course of this Sunday’s Royal Rumble will be the WWE championship match between CM Punk and The Rock. While the rumble match is still the apple of many eyes, this is a one match show that has everyone talking for a variety of reasons. Who do you want to win? Who do you think should win? What do you think is the likely going to happen? Let’s talk.

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The Wrestler & Inside Wrestling Magazines Cease Publication

Pro Wrestling Illustrated will discontinue its sister publications, The Wrestler and Inside Wrestling. These two magazines were combined into one large issue recently and have been in circulation since 1968. Growing up, my magazine of choice was a combination of Pro Wrestling Illustrated, The Wrestler, and Inside Wrestling.

Before internet websites, these magazines were where one would go for all the latest wrestling news. I was unaware of the Kayfabe nature of the articles that teased inter-promotional dream matches such as Sting vs. The Ultimate Warrior, which were impossible at the time. There were also speculative articles about wrestlers leaving one company for another. Sometimes it was true, and other times it was tabloid gossip.

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Injustice: Gods Among Us #1 Review

Injustice: Gods Among Us is one of the most anticipated video games of 2013. The game’s plot centers on a superhero versus superhero saga in the midst of a new world order. This weekly digital release is a prequel that takes place five years before the events in the game.

Normally, I’m not a fan of promotional comics, but Tom Taylor takes the gloves off with an emotionally charged narrative that would not be allowed in regular continuity. All is right with the world, and Superman has never been happier. Of course, Gotham City’s finest villains come to Metropolis and begin setting things in motion that lead down a path even they will not see coming.

If you have read this column in the past, you know I’m a big Superman guy. Taylor’s direction with the Man of Steel is reminiscent of the big blue Boy Scout we all grew up on with his new school costume.

According to the trailers and other promotional material released so far, Superman goes rogue in some way, shape, or form. His current “New 52” character is kind of an asshole, so becoming a bad guy wouldn’t give you that “oh my God” moment.

If the guy who stands for truth, justice and the American way turns to the dark side, then that is a plot point you can sink your teeth into. For 0.99¢ an issue, this comic is a deal you don’t want to miss.

Grade: A-

Retro Comic Book Review: Marvel Comics 1977 Star Wars #1

Dark Horse has published Star Wars comic books since 1991. The company made a lot of waves last week with the release of their new ongoing series written by the critically acclaimed Brian Wood. Star Wars #1 sold out in less than 24 hours, and a second printing has already been ordered.

Marvel Comics was the first company to publish Star Wars comics in 1977. This particular treasure was hiding out at my local comic book store, and it was interesting to read through it for a variety of reasons.

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Calling The Shots of Vitor Belfort vs. Michael Bisping

The first UFC event of 2013 kicks off in Brazil as Michael Bisping vs. Vitor Belfort headlines the biggest main event on FX to date. The immediate future of the middleweight division hangs in the balance as one result determines Anderson Silva’s next opponent while another result puts the division in limbo.

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It’s All About The Luck of The Draw in The Royal Rumble

The unsung hero of the Royal Rumble event is the golden spinning tumbler that holds the numbers drawn randomly to determine the order of entry into the Royal Rumble match. The luck of the draw is so important because the higher the number, the higher a wrestler’s chances are of victory. Back in the day, the actual drawing of the numbers was focused on a lot more because it gave fans a clue as to what spot the wrestlers drew without revealing the actual point of entry.

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