All Guts & No Glory For Roode.

wm14 — Austin wins WWF belt at Wrestlemania 14

Remember when Stone Cold Steve Austin went over on Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 14? I remember because I was at the Fleetcenter that night. Wrestling fans all over the world rejoiced because the Austin 3:16 era had arrived. Now, imagine if Shawn Michaels had won that match and Austin pinned Shawn in the rematch at the following months Unforgiven pay-per-view? Can’t picture it? Well, let me paint it for you. The revitalization that occurred in professional wrestling because of the Attitude era would have never materialized.

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Is Bobby Roode Bound for Glory?

(Posted on Gerweck.net)

This Sunday, Bobby Roode will headline TNA’s signature event, Bound for Glory. He is set to face Kurt Angle for the World Heavyweight title in what will be the most important match of his career. This is also one of the most important matches in the history of TNA because they have a rare opportunity to create a new star within the industry.

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UFC 136 Edgar vs. Maynard III results

UFC 136 Edgar vs. Maynard III results 10/8/11

Toyota Center in Houston, Texas

– Facebook Prelims

Mike Massenzio defeated Steve Cantwell via unanimous decision

Aaron Simpson defeated Eric Schafer via unanimous decision. The score was 30-37 across the board

Darren Elkins defeated Tiequan Zhang via unanimous decision

Stipe Miocic defeated Joey Beltran via unanimous decision

– Spike Prelims

Anthony Pettis defeated Jeremy Stephens via split decision. The score was 29-28 across the board

Demian Maia defeated Jorge Santiago via unanimous decision. The score was 30-27 across the board

– Main Card

Joe Lauzon defeated Melvin Guillard by submission via rear-naked choke @ 0:47 of 1st Round

Nam Phan defeated Leonard Garcia via unanimous decision. The score was 29-28 across the board

Chael Sonnen defeated Brian Stann by submission via arm triangle @ 3:51 of the 2nd Round

*Sonnen cut a promo after the bout saying “Anderson Silva absolutely sucks. Superbowl weekend, lets sweeten the deal. If you lose, you leave the division. If I win, I leave the UFC forever”.

-Featherweight Championship

Jose Also defeated Kenny Florian via unanimous decision to retain the title. The score was 49-46 across the board as Florian won the 1st round and Aldo won 4 close rounds.

-Lightweight Championship

Frankie Edgar defeated Gray Maynard via TKO due to strikes at 3:54 of the 4th round.

Gray Maynard won the first round in similar fashion as he won the first round in their second fight when Gray hit Edgar with a over hand right hand that rocked him. Frankie recovered and used slick footwork and got in and out with his punches. Maynard kept telegraphing his punches as he kept looking for that one knockout shot. Edgar finished Maynard in the 4th when he connect with two right hand shots after Maynard missed the takedown. Edgar jumped on him and kept hitting with shot after shot until Josh Rosenthal came in to stop the fight. Edgar was happy as can be while Maynard was devastated as he buried his face into the cage while his corner calmed him down.

UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III Preview & Predictions

While UFC 136 does not have a marquee mega fight that will produce a lot of fan fare, it is the most well rounded card of the year as every fight is intriguing and well matched. Two title championship fights headline the card with the return of one of the most controversial fighters the sport has seen in years. The Facebook Prelims start 5:45 p.m. EST and the Spike TV Prelims start at 8:00 p.m. followed by the PPV beginning at 9:00 p.m. EST.

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Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann Preview @ UFC 136

Chael Sonnen, the mouthpiece of the middleweight division, returns to the Octagon on Saturday night after a 14-month suspension to take on Brian Stann in a contest that will determine the next contender to Anderson Silva’s championship reign. For Stann, it’s a fight to show the world that he belongs among the middleweight elite.

For Sonnen, this is the first step towards silencing the critics that the fruits of his labor against Silva were the result of hard work and not the product of ill-gotten gains. The sub-par administration and lack of drug testing from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation will cast a shadow of doubt over a Sonnen victory. Chael’s flair for dramatic storytelling sells the bout while Brian Stann’s personal story of heroic combat and decorated military service sells itself to popular opinion.

The UFC stayed away from commission shopping for fighters, but they made a first-time exception for Sonnen since Texas is the only state in the country he can get licensed in. The Oregonian’s placement on this card suggests the promotion is banking on him to win. The reality is Zuffa wins no matter the outcome. A win for Sonnen sets up a huge money-making rematch and a win for Stann creates a new star in the division. Whether it is legal or in poor taste, you can’t blame the UFC for making a business decision, they would have done it sooner or later.

The promotion for this fight has been a little different since Sonnen has uncharacteristically shied away from insulting his opponent. Customary diatribe such as “I will mow you down like autumn wheat, AGAIN” in reference to Silva has been replaced by “I’m the best Middleweight fighter in the world and I’m going to prove it again on Saturday”. It’s easier to insult a world champion who some perceive to be cocky than a Marine Corps veteran with hero status.

The fight itself will prove to be a battle of wills inside the cage. Stann will try to engage with his stand up while Sonnen will look to control the action with his wrestling. Chael’s weakness is unquestionably his submission defense. Stann does not have the pedigree on the ground to catch him in a submission. He will have to avoid Sonnen’s mixture of punches and elbows from the top position and scramble back to his feet in quick fashion in order to improve his chances. In the end, wrestling will be the key factor, as I don’t see Sonnen having problems taking Stann down since he has no problem taking down higher caliber opposition.

Prediction: Chael Sonnen by judges decision.

Animal Man #1 Review

I finally read Animal Man #1. I often find Vertigo titles hard to read, so I held off on it. The book has generated a lot of hype, and many are calling it the best of The New DC 52.

The book starts with Buddy’s newspaper interview with “The Believer.” The piece highlights his life as a superhero, stuntman, and family man. It’s a text-heavy page, so it might be a turnoff. It’s not a critical read, but it might give you more appreciation or understanding of the character.

We then see Buddy at home preparing dinner with his wife, Ellen. His daughter, Maxine, wants a puppy, but Buddy says no because being so close to one animal for a long time might interfere with his powers.

He hates that he has to disappoint her, but he would rather err on the side of caution. Ellen wants to know if he will get paid for a movie project he is involved in. Cliff, his son, runs downstairs to tell Buddy about a man with a gun holding people hostage inside a hospital, and Buddy decides it’s time for Animal Man to swing back into action.

I would not want to see Travel Forman’s artwork in a Superman comic book, but it is perfect for this type of story. Jeff Lemire’s script is very well written, and he knows how to convey a character’s depth to the reader.

Bottom line, it’s good but just not my cup of tea. I need a little more action and adventure in my comics. I recommend Animal Man to anyone who is a fan of good writing and is looking for something different.

Wrestlemania handheld revelation!

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WWE releases four wrestlers, another quits

The big news of the day is the WWE released four superstars while another quits the company.

Melina: She was in the dog house for her Twitter comments about Trish Stratus “taking her spot” at Wrestlemania 27. Guess what? It’s not your spot. Wrestlemania pay days do not come with time well served unless your name is Undertaker or HBK. 90 days form now we will see her on Impact. She will be lost in the shuffle like everyone.

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Superman: Earth One Review

Superman Earth One is a contemporary re-imagining of the last son of Krypton’s journey to become the man of steel. Clark Kent arrives in Metropolis with the purpose of finding his way into the world while finding a job so he can support his widowed mother. These days, most people have a tough time getting a job. Clark’s problem is the opposite. He can land any job he wants and be the best in the world at it while making a lot of money. Continue reading “Superman: Earth One Review” →

Wrestling Flashback: Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin

Survivor Series 11/17/96
Madison Square Garden
New York, New York

“If you liked Tyson vs. Holyfield, your gonna love this” Jim Ross

The quote by Jim Ross helped set the tone for the Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin encounter as they engaged in an intense stare down, followed by a pair of middle fingers by Austin before the opening bell. Everyone remembers their match at Wrestlemania 13. The Survivor Series bout gets lost in the shuffle when talking about the great matches of this business. The story leading up to and during the match was simple and effective.

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