Dear Undertaker, Thank You.

When one discovers their passion for a certain genre, they eventually find that one individual or character that they admire and sometimes even live through vicariously. For me, that passion is fake fighting and the character is a dead wizard with supernatural powers.

I’ll never forget the Undertaker’s first appearance, which occurred at the 1990 Survivor Series in Hartford, CT. It would be the final time the event was held on Thanksgiving night as the demise of a tradition brought about the genesis of an indelible legacy.

This imposing figure was the mystery partner of Ted DiBiase’s Million Dollar Team. As a kid who cheered every good guy and booed every bad guy, I was impressed. A year later, Undertaker won his first WWE Title from Hulk Hogan. I didn’t bat an eye when this evildoer who represented death stole the championship from an American hero.

Two months later, Undertaker prevented Jake Roberts from blindsiding Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth with a steel chair. OMG, was the Undertaker now a good guy? No, No, No. It was a simple misunderstanding…right?

Continue reading “Dear Undertaker, Thank You.” →

My Next Wrestling Endeavor is called ‘Champions Carnival’

I’m putting my promoters’ hat on once again and putting on an independent wrestling event on April 29th called ‘Champions Carnival. ElkMania Promotions has grown over the last four years to the point where we’ve expanded beyond putting on one show a year.

This event is a fundraiser for the Beverly/Salem Elks Tools for Schools (TFS) Program. Established in 2015, TFS has served students in the Salem, Massachusetts Public School system by providing those in need with school supplies. This past August, TFS was able to give away approximately 300 backpacks filled with school supplies to Salem students in all grade levels.

Champions Carnival will emanate from Beverly/Salem Elks Lodge, 39 Bow Street, Beverly, MA. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Bell time is at 7:00 PM.

Tickets are $10.00 in advance and are on sale at Silver Moon Comics & Collectibles located inside of the East India Square Mall, Salem, MA. Tickets will be available at the door for $12.00.

There will be seven championship matches including a four-team tournament to crown our inaugural New England Tag Team Champions.

Champions Carnival

Bay State Championship: Derek Simonetti (c) vs. “Tough Talk” Tony Spencer

All-Star Championship: “The Maniacal” Jack Krueger (c) vs. JT Dunn (PWG & Impact Wrestling)

Liberty States Championship: Christian Casanova (c) vs. “The Unequaled One” Todd Sople

New England Tag Team Title Tournament: The Middlesex Express vs. The Heavy Hitters

New England Tag Team Title Tournament: Black Gate Mercenaries vs. The Epidemic

New England Tag Team Title Tournament Finals: ????? vs. ?????

Also appearing on the card will be the meta-human super-villain Insane Dick Lane along with so much more. If you’re in the area, come check out the show and say hello. It will be a great night of Pro Wrestling action for a great cause.

Shinsuke Nakamura has landed on SmackDown Live

In a long overdue move, Shinsuke Nakamura is finally on the WWE main roster. Nakamura debuted on the post-WrestleMania edition SmackDown last night following a segment involving The Miz and Maryse.

As the couple was finishing up their mockery of John Cena and Nikki Bella, a violinist was in the aisle way and Nakamura came out to a huge reaction. He did his signature poses in the ring without speaking a word to the audience tunes of “NA-KA-MURA.”

Continue reading “Shinsuke Nakamura has landed on SmackDown Live” →

Report: Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns Scheduled to Close out WrestleMania

One thing that you got to love about WrestleMania weekend is the rumor mill regarding the event. Earlier in the week, the WWE Universal Championship between Goldberg and Brock Lesnar was expected to close out the show on Sunday.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer is in Orlando for all of the festivities going on around town. According to the famed reporter, the probable match to close out WrestleMania will be Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns.

My first reaction is what about Randy Orton? You know, the winner of the Royal Rumble? Then I calmed down and remembered that the Rumble winner hasn’t really been guaranteed the main event spot for several years now. Besides, the Orton/Wyatt feud has cooled down considerably.

WWE is notorious for changing their plans at the drop of a hat, however, Taker vs. Reigns getting the nod means that confidence is low in Goldberg vs. Lesnar being anything special. Goldberg probably can’t go more than ten minutes, and doing a squash match in Lesnar’s favor to get his heat back, is not a suitable scenario for the main event of WrestleMania. Continue reading “Report: Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns Scheduled to Close out WrestleMania” →

Smackdown Women’s Title Match Back on WrestleMania Main Card

The card for WrestleMania 33 is always changing. Due to popular demand, WWE has shifted the SmackDown Women’s Championship match from the kickoff show to the main card. Alexa Bliss defends the title against Becky Lynch, Natalya, Mickie James, Naomi, and Carmella in a Six Pack Challenge.

Upset over the match’s placement on the show, fans started using the hashtag #GiveSDWomenAChance on social media to campaign for the change. The WrestleMania lineup on WWE.com no longer has the match listed on the kickoff show. Becky Lynch took to Twitter and confirmed the change. Continue reading “Smackdown Women’s Title Match Back on WrestleMania Main Card” →

Favorite Matches #7: Ricky Steamboat vs. Randy Savage

Today marks the 30^th anniversary of what many have called the greatest wrestling match of all time. Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat put on a performance that stole the most important show in WWE history that was sold by the biggest match of all time in Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant.

While there is some controversy about the preplanned nature of the match by industry elitists, 78,000 fans inside the Silverdome were in awe over the Intercontinental Title match at WrestleMania III. Lots of preparation was made for a classic that we’re still talking about today. Continue reading “Favorite Matches #7: Ricky Steamboat vs. Randy Savage” →

Industry Moves: Will WWE Buy ROH?

The wrestling world is buzzing after Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet broke the news that WWE has been in secret talks with Sinclair Broadcast Group since January about the potential acquisition of Ring of Honor. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer elaborated on the report stating that WWE made their initial inquiry about purchasing ROH back in August.

While there is no deal on the table as of yet, WWE’s plan of acquisition seems to include the tape library, talent contracts and closing down the company. This move indicates that WWE is attempting to completely monopolize the professional wrestling market in the United States.

WWE purchased WCW and acquired ECW’s assets in 2001 because all three companies were competing for the same audience. In 2017, groups such as ROH and Impact Wrestling are competing with WWE for talent due to sub-genres in wrestling being more pronounced and defined. Continue reading “Industry Moves: Will WWE Buy ROH?” →

Dean Ambrose vs. Baron Corbin is on for WrestleMania

The Intercontinental Championship has officially found its seat on The Ultimate Thrill Ride, WrestleMania 33. Dean Ambrose will defend the title against Baron Corbin as the match was made when Ambrose accepted Corbin’s challenge on SmackDown.

“The Lone Wolf” versus “The Lunatic Fringe” will mark the first WrestleMania singles match for the IC title since The Big Show pinned Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 28, five years ago. This is now the twelfth match added to the six-hour event. Continue reading “Dean Ambrose vs. Baron Corbin is on for WrestleMania” →

Southpaw Regional Wrestling is Awesome

I have given WWE much flak for their lame attempts at comedy. Well, I’m eating my words today as they released on YouTube a four-part mockumentary of 80’s southern territorial wrestling called Southpaw Regional Wrestling.

Those who watched regional wrestling will enjoy seeing various WWE stars in a creatively comedic light. Some aspects are aggregated while others are hilariously accurate. The VCR filter, events at the county fairgrounds and autographs from the wrestlers at the local KFC augments the old school aesthetic. Continue reading “Southpaw Regional Wrestling is Awesome” →

Styles vs. Orton: A Wrestling Lesson

I apologize for being late to the party with one, but I watched a really, really good wrestling match last week. It won’t go down as an instant classic or awarded five stars among journalists, however, the wrestlers took their time telling a fun and engaging story.

Whatever do I mean? Well…

Wrestling is an art form like any other creative and entertaining means of expression. Sometimes, in a particular space, certain nuances fall by the wayside, looking to be picked up again. In wrestling matches, it’s the little things that can make all the difference.

Over the last few years in WWE, punches, kicks, submission holds, and selling has been devoid of any real intensity and effort. Also, the action in the ring is too fast and does not leave enough time for anything to properly marinate with the audience.

Instead, back-and-forth matches, where the wrestlers take turns delivering big moves, appear to be a substitute for an arbitrary application of the smaller moves that support the assembly of a match.

Now, I know I sound like that older guy that emphatically claims it was better in my day, but stay with me. Continue reading “Styles vs. Orton: A Wrestling Lesson” →