Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Final: Barnett vs. Cormier Results

Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Final: Barnett vs. Cormier Results (coverage I provided for gerweck.net)

HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA

– Showtime Extreme Prelims

Bobby Green defeated James Terry via split decision (29-28 across the board)

Quinn Mulhern defeated Yuri Villefort via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

Gian Villante defeated Derrick Mehmen via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Guto Inocente defeated Virgil Zwicker via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Isaac Vallie-Flagg defeated Gesias Cavalcante via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

– Main Card

Chris Spang defeated Nah-Shon Burrell via KO @ 1:35 of the 1st Round: Burrell pushed the pace with strikes until Spang dropped Burrell with a left hook. Burrell got up as Spang rushed in and tied up Burrell with a thai clinch and landed several knees to the head of Burrell until he was dropped once more and referee Josh Rosenthal stepped in to stop the fight.

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Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier Preview & Predictions

Josh Barnett (31-5) vs. Daniel Cormier (9-0) (column I wrote for gerweck.net)

The tournament is an alluring beast that captures our imagination because it provides a sense of finality as to who is the best. The two fighters who remain have traveled down different avenues to reach the Strikeforce World Grand Prix’s finals. Barnett submitted Bret Rogers and Sergi Kharitonov by arm triangle, while Cormier was an alternate who replaced Alistair Overeem. He dominated the much larger Antonio Silva with fast and accurate punches en route to a 1^st round knockout. Fun fact: both obtained their first big win in their ninth professional fight, with Cormier beating Silva and Barnett defeating Dan Severn.

The former King of Pancrase and UFC heavyweight champion will be the toughest and most experienced opponent in Cormier’s career. Barnett is super durable and is not afraid to take a punch to clinch and tie-up Cormier to set up the takedown. On the ground, Barnett is an assassin with considerable skill who craves making people submit with his catch wrestling appliance use even though he is effective with the ground and pound option. This is the third time Barnett has made it to the finals of a tournament as he won the Superbrawl 13 honors and lost to Mirko Cro Cop in the finals of the Pride Open Weight Grand Prix in 2006.

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Monday Night Raw Going Permanently To Three Hours In July

If I was still an innocent wrestling fan who never discovered the IWC, read a newsletter or smartened up by my time on the independent scene, I would have been ecstatic about Raw moving to three hours on a permanent basis. My sense of occasion is non-existent because the company can barely write an entertaining two hour show, and three hours runs a great risk of watering down the product and burning out the fans. The ratings are always down during the first hour of a three hour Raw because people forget about the earlier start time and let’s face it, the steak and potatoes are not on the plate until the beginning of the second hour.

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Confessions of a Wrestling Superfan Chapter 3: Mom and I Attend Monday Nitro

Mother’s Day has come and gone, and one of the memories that stands out to me is the time my Mom and I saw WCW Monday Nitro at the Fleet Center in Boston.

It was my sophomore year of high school, and my best friend was grounded the Friday before the event. My Mom hinted she wanted to go, but what teenager wants to have their Mom tag along with them to a wrestling show?

I pretended not to pick up on the hints because I was sure I’d find someone to accompany me.

Yeah, not so much.

Monday arrived, and no sooner did I turn the door knob to leave for the train station did my Mom ask if I had found anyone to go with me. I shrugged it off and told her I decided to go by myself.

“Oh…well, have fun,” she replied in a disappointing tone. I immediately felt guilty. The angsty teenager in me turned to her and said: “I guess you can come if you really want to.”

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Frankenstein Alive, Alive #1 Review

The story takes places years after he “died” on a funeral pyre, and he is at peace while working as a circus freak.

Steve Niles adds another notch on his horror belt as he weaves a tale that recalls Frankenstein striving to embrace his humanity.

It’s a struggle that traces the line between truth and treachery because there may not be humanity, to begin with. Life and death can make strange bedfellows, especially when consistent torment from your creator can make you crave one over the other.

He has found balance right now but is there something that will take it all away?

Bernie Wrightson’s art truly brought Frankenstein’s lowest points to life. What makes the story stand out is that it’s not a story about a brooding monster but a monster of a man searching for a grim finality while journeying great distances for something bigger than himself.

Grade: A

Thoughts on The Ultimate Fighter Ratings Decline

The Ultimate Fighter Live

The Ultimate Fighter Live on FX is currently the lowest-rated season in the history of the series. The show has been missing that WOW factor for quite some time. Season 10 back in 2009 featuring Kimbo Slice and the Rampage vs. Evans feud was the last signs of worth wild television the show has produced. Faber and Cruz are two of the best fighters in the world but they do not produce that dynamic you want from opposing coaches in order to pop a rating. Also, the show hasn’t changed its look or presentation since its debut in 2005

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Skeleton Key Special Review: Smiles Guaranteed

Skeleton Key | Writer: Andi Watson | Art: Andi Watson | Publisher: Dark Horse Comics | Price $3.50

Have you ever felt better about everything after reading something? Andi Watson’s tale of two friends trying to find their way home brought a big ol’ smile to my face as it filled my soul with joy.

Schoolgirl Tamsin, Kitsune, a fox spirit, and Mr. Raccoon use the Skeleton Key to open any door as long as they can find a lock. The character’s positive nature never wanes, even though things aren’t always what they seem. They are clever without even knowing it, and their journey delivers a genuine sense of adventure and wonder.

The artwork is reminiscent of the funny pages.

No space is squandered as everything in every panel means something.

Emotion is depicted flawlessly, including one example of Mr. Raccoon savoring the hotel manager’s donut.

While I was unfamiliar with the previous Skeleton Key comics, there was no lack of appreciation in any way, shape, or form.

The three separate stories all have their own unique flair and imagination to them. While writing this column, I have pushed some books more than others.

This is my most heartfelt recommendation; please get this book.

The cover would have turned me away years earlier because there is not a cape in sight. This is a unique and lighthearted coming-of-age tale that everyone will enjoy. The next time you go to the comic book store, go to the shelf and read the first five pages. I’m willing to bet your wallet will be three dollars lighter.

Grade: A+

UFC on Fox: Diaz vs. Miller Preview & Predictions

(Column I wrote for gerweck.net)

UFC attempts to make their “third time’s the charm” event on the Fox network. Pay-Per-View headliners take a backseat as the objective is to create new stars with talent who present a better chance of producing an exciting fight that will leave the eyes of channel surfers glued to the action in the octagon.

Pat “HD” Barry (7-4) vs. Lavar Johnson (16-5): Both fighters bring with them aggression and ridiculous punching power fueled by an insatiable appetite for knockouts. Johnson has a chance to catch the Duke Roufus pupil if he can turn it into a wildfire fight, but he doesn’t possess the stand up pedigree of a Cheick Kongo or Stefan Struve to confuse Barry, who’s K-1 striking repertoire will be the difference maker.

Prediction: Pat Barry via KO in Round 2

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Movie Review: The Avengers

Comments such as “I can’t believe I just saw that”, “I’m definitely buying this on DVD, and I mean on release day” and “Joss Whedon never fucks up”, left the lips of movie goers as I exited the midnight showing of The Avengers. There is no amount of telling you how awesome this movie is that will prepare you for how totally freakin’ awesome this movie is. When I finished watching Captain America last summer, I wanted to find the first trash can lid I saw and throw it like his vibranium shield. Now, I want to add a hammer as well as a bow and arrow to the mix.

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Rapid Rant on Lesnar vs. Cena @ Extreme Rules

It’s hard for me to not be romantic about professional wrestling when matches like Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena come along. This was an amazing spectacle, with every element executed to perfection. Lesnar’s entrance alone with his MMA gear and bad intentions scowl screamed, “Here comes the pain.”

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