I stayed up late to watch the Guardians of the Galaxy trailer on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and I’m not sure if I like what I saw? I’ve watched it seven more times since I just can’t get a lock on how I feel about it. Visually, it looks amazing, but I question if the subject matter has the juice to a sustainable film franchise. Continue reading “Thoughts on the Guardians of the Galaxy Trailer”
The Mocking Dead Volume 1 | Writer: Fred Van Lente | Artist: Max Dunbar | Colorist: Aikau Oliva | Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment | Release Date: February 12, 2014 | Price: $17.99 | From my column @ Forces of Geek.com
I have watched many a role playing game in my day.
Notice that I said “watched” and not “played”.
I’m the guy at the table with his head buried in the rule book, delaying the game while highlighting my apparent lack of skill.
Continue reading “Review: The Mocking Dead Volume 1”
It seemed like only yesterday when Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi was the definitive dream fight being wished-for among die-hard MMA fans. However, fate had other ideas. Within a three-week time span, an out-of-shape Mousasi lost the Strikeforce light heavyweight title to King Mo, and Machida had the UFC light heavyweight title unconsciously taken from him by Shogun Rua. A new weight class and four years later, we have the combative chess match we’ve been waiting for. Continue reading “Calling the Shots of Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi”
In honor of the RoboCop reboot hitting movie theaters today, I feel it’s only appropriate to reminisce about one of wrestling’s greatest moments. Ok, I’m joking. People hated it and its widely considered the most preposterous publicity stunt in the history of wrestling. As a nine-year-old kid who thought wrestling was real, I loved it. My imagination ran wild with possibilities as the cybernetic law enforcement officer found a new partner in a man called Sting. Continue reading “RoboCop Saves Sting From The Four Horsemen”
I respect Jon Jones, the talented athlete, and extraordinary fighter but I have a hard time liking Jon Jones the personality. His apparent lack of humility rubs people the wrong way. Jones will tell you he’s not cocky, just extremely confident. The fine line between the two, however, makes it difficult to tell if Jones’ self-critique is fact or fiction. As a result, he gets little benefit of any doubt when he voices his opinion. Continue reading “I Agree with Jon Jones”
The Body Slam Podcast is back with luckiest episode in the world, number thirteen. Atlee Greene, Todd Graham, and Shane Daly take a break from the hot topics of the week and discuss
– The difference between Daniel Bryan’s popularity versus Zack Ryder’s popularity.
– Where did the love for Rey Mysterio go after being one of the original internet favorites.
– Championship belts are pro wrestling’s most coveted prize and The Body Slam crew reveal their favorites.
The Body Slam Podcast would like to give a shout to Familiar Strangers who will bring a night of wonderful music to the Walnut Street Café in Lynn, MA on Saturday February 8th at 7:30 pm. There will be No Cover Charge, All money collected will be donated to Team Munchkin. Click here for more information on this great cause.
Click here and feel the Body Slam at gerweck.net
Snowpiercer Volume 1: The Escape | Writer: Jacques Lob | Artist: Jean-Marc Rochette Lettering: Gabriela Houston | Publisher: Titan Comics | Price: $19.99 | Release Date: January 29, 2014 | From my column at Forces of Geek.com
Snow and deadly subzero temperatures have blanketed the globe, killing off most life on the planet. What remains, lives aboard a train in perpetual motion. Continue reading “Review – Snowpiercer Volume 1: The Escape”
Originally written for and published by Camel Clutch Blog February 2014
Jake “The Snake” Roberts will be inducted into the 2014 class of the WWE Hall of Fame. Roberts’ trials and tribulations over the years are well documented and it’s inspiring to see that he has battled back from the point of no return. The Hall of Fame is an honor that is long overdue for the snake man, but I didn’t always think that way.
As a kid, I was the prototypical fan who booed every villain and cheered every hero. However, I was lukewarm about Jake Roberts. The DDT was cool and it was fun to see his pet snake Damien, but I didn’t believe he could beat up anyone. His feud with Andre the Giant going into WrestleMania V validated my belief. The only way Jake had a chance against Andre was to capitalize on the big man’s fear of snakes.
Fast forward twelve years later to 2000 and I’m training to become a professional wrestler at Slamtech: The Wrestling University. Learning ring psychology is a crucial element in putting a match together. Without it, there is no story being told and it’s just fake fighting.
My instructor, “Brutal” Bob Evans would list various wrestlers whom we were to find tape on and study what they did in the ring. Jake Roberts was one of them. I scoffed at the notion. Of course, I did this mentally because doing so out loud would have resulted in a plethora of Hindu Squats.
I got home from training that evening and watched Best of The WWF Volume 8. The main event featured Jake Roberts vs. Ricky Steamboat. The match was fantastic, but what I was blown away with is how Roberts performed. He played the crowd like a fiddle without throwing a single punch. The way he responded and retaliated to everything Steamboat did was simply brilliant. I was in awe and humbled by his mastery of the craft.
As good as his work in the ring was, his promos were a on another plane. Jake Roberts’ interview before his match with Ted DiBiase at WrestleMania VI will go down as one of the best ever. He didn’t yell and scream and simply promise revenge. He instantly brought their feud to a whole new level by stating
“Everything you stand for is on the line.” DiBiase’s hubris was the Million Dollar championship and losing it would have been his undoing. Of course, the nine-year-old me couldn’t appreciate the brilliance at hand, but the twenty-one-year-old me marveled at his genius. He spoke softly and carried a big stick as he lowered his voice so people would have to open their ears and really pay attention to his words.
Jake “The Snake” Roberts and the WWE Hall of Fame go together like peanut butter and jelly. He is one of the all times greats that is easily identifiable and a fair amount of non-wrestling fans are familiar with his character. Every move he executed in the ring and every word he uttered into a microphone meant something. Nothing was wasted and his performance shined because of it.
While his time in WWF is his most remembered, his stints as a heel in Mid-South Wrestling and in Mexico was some compelling stuff that is worth going out of your way to see. His body of work over the years is a perfect example of how beautiful professional wrestling can be when it’s done right.
Alistair Overeem is receiving criticism for his post-fight interview at UFC 169. Following his unanimous decision victory over Frank Mir, Overeem said, “I heard there’s word that Brock Lesnar is about to come back to the UFC. Well I’ll be here waiting for him.” The resentment is reasonable but you can’t blame him for taking advantage of a situation that could mean a high-profile fight. Continue reading “Alistair Overeem is the Smartest Guy in the Room”
