UFC 148 Silva vs. Sonnen II Preview and Predictions

The atmosphere of tonight’s big fight is unlike any other in professional sports. Casual spectators and avid followers know with absolute certainty that two veteran warriors will do battle in an encounter that’s not to be missed. This is the type of occasion that only combat sports can produce.

The MGM Grand Garden Arena will host the biggest fight in MMA history as the UFC tries to replicate the success of its Pay-Per-View predecessor, the WWE. The promotion kicked off its inaugural International Fight Week extravaganza on Thursday, leading up tonight’s championship bout. Make no mistake about it, this event is the UFC’s equivalent to the first WrestleMania.

Continue reading “UFC 148 Silva vs. Sonnen II Preview and Predictions” →

Movie Review – The Amazing Spider-Man

One IMAX midnight release and 18 hours later, The Amazing Spider-Man movie left me thinking, meh. It didn’t wow me at all, and I was waiting 136 minutes for it to do so. This was an uninspired retelling of an origin story that we saw done ten years ago. Continue reading “Movie Review – The Amazing Spider-Man” →

MMA’s Evolution Can Be Found In The UFC’s Welterweight Division

The apples and oranges argument of MMA vs. Boxing makes me roll my eyes sometimes. Some feel caged combat is overrated and deprived of any athletic craftsmanship. In contrast, others say clashes of the pugilistic variety are too one-dimensional and archaic to be considered real fighting. It’s easy to understand how MMA can sometimes look like an uneducated brawl, but you have to remember the sport is currently in its golden years.

Boxing’s organizational roots can be traced back to 1743, and the Marquess of Queensberry rules, drafted in 1867, have governed It ever since.

The first organized Mixed Martial Arts bout took place in 1989 in Japan for the Shooto promotion, while the Ultimate Fighting Championship held its inaugural event in 1993.

Continue reading “MMA’s Evolution Can Be Found In The UFC’s Welterweight Division” →

Star Wars: Darth Vader and The Ghost Prison #2 Review

**Star Wars: Darth Vader and The Ghost Prison #2** | Writer: Haden Blackman | Art: Agustine Alessio | Cover: Dave Wilkins | Publisher: Dark Horse Comics | Price: $3.50

I’m having a hard time articulating my feelings on this review because my brain went into sensory overload as a result of what I just read. If George Lucas was ever going to make a movie about the time frame between episodes III and IV, this would be a hell of story to see on the silver screen.

Continue reading “Star Wars: Darth Vader and The Ghost Prison #2 Review” →

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of TNA Impact

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of TNA Impact (Blog I wrote for gerweck.net)

The Good: The opening segment with Austin Aries delivered on all accounts, mainly because of Austin Aries. Yes, I know Vince cut him from Tough Enough before it began and some critics feel he is too small to be in a main event world title match on pay-per-view, but his in-ring work and charisma makes you forget about those things. He is one of the best workers on TNA’s roster and I expect him to take full advantage of his opportunity at Destination X which will be the most important match of his career.

Continue reading “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of TNA Impact” →

Fedor Retires Following KO of Pedro Rizzo in Russia

Fedor Emelianenko knocked out Pedro Rizzo at 1:24 of the first round at the M-1 Global event in St. Petersburg, Russia. The 35-year-old Emelianenko leaves the sport with an overall 34-4 record in 12 years of professional competition. Despite never finding his way to the UFC’s octagon, The former Pride heavyweight champion is consensus greatest heavyweight in the history of mixed martial arts.

M:1 Presents: Fedor vs. Rizzo 6/21/12
St. Petersburg, Russia

Main Event
Fedor Emelianenko defeated Pedro Rizzo by Knockout (Punches, 1st Round, 1:24)

Heavyweight Title Bout
Kenny Garner defeated Guram Gugenishvill by Stoppage (Doctor, 3rd Round, 5:00)

Lightweight Title Bout
Musa Khamanaev defeated Daniel Weichel by Submission (Heel Hook, 1st Round, 1:57)

Heavyweight Feature Bout
Jeff Monson defeated Denis Komkin by Submission (North-South Choke, 1st Round, 1:58)

Undercard Bouts
Marat Gafurov defeated Mairbek Taisumov by Split Decision
Mikhail Malyutin defeated Renat Gasanov by TKO (Strikes, 1st Round, 3:16)
Ramazan Emeev defeated Alberta Duraeva by TKO (Strikes, 1st Round)
Vugar Bakhshiev defeated Jerome Bouisson by Submission (Heel Hook, 1st Round)
Pavel Vitruk defeated Radoslaw Piechnik by Unanimous Decision
Akhmed Sultanov defeated Denis Goltsov by Submission (Heel hook, 1st Round)
Abdulmazhid Magomedov defeated Davreka Isakova by TKO (Strikes, 1st Round)

UFC on FX 4: Maynard vs. Guida Preview & Predictions

Gray Maynard (10-1-1) vs. Clay Guida (29-12)

Just like Nucky Thompson did many years earlier, Clay Guida and Gray Maynard will try their luck on the Atlantic city boardwalk in pursuit of UFC glory. While both fighters are coming off losses, they fall under a different set of circumstances. Guida’s loss to Benson Henderson cost him a title shot while Maynard’s knockout defeat to Frankie Edgar denied him the lightweight title and gave him the first loss of his career. Pre-fight drama has uncharacteristically in their case, reared its ugly head as Maynard’s camp filed a protest with the New Jersey Athletic Control Board complaining about Clay Guida’s hair. To avoid any commission entanglements to focus on the fight, Guida will braid his hair. Maynard told MMAJunkie.com “I never filed a complaint” and “This was the first I’ve ever heard about it.”

Continue reading “UFC on FX 4: Maynard vs. Guida Preview & Predictions” →

Savio Vega: Wrestling’s Worst Mystery Partner Ever

In the spirit of No Way Out this Sunday, I’m reminded of the very first installment of this pay-per-view happening back in 1998. It was the twentieth event under the In Your House banner, and the company changed the name two weeks out to No Way Out of Texas. Jeff Jarrett defended an NWA title on WWF TV against Bradshaw, Taka Michinoku wrestled a rock band, and Brian Christopher was almost fired on the spot for calling him a “jap” on commentary.

The eight-man tag team main event was scheduled to be Stone Cold Steve Austin, Owen Hart, Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie against Shawn Michaels, HHH, Road Dogg and Billy Gunn. WrestleMania 14 was on the horizon and with Mike Tyson’s involvement in the Austin/Michaels title match, there was very little interest in this event. No Way Out was the first event that my friends and I didn’t care to see which is shocking if you knew how much we loved wrestling when we were in high school.

Continue reading “Savio Vega: Wrestling’s Worst Mystery Partner Ever” →

Before Watchmen: Minutemen #1 Review

**Before Watchmen: Minutemen #1** | Writer: Darwyn Cooke & Len Wein | Art: Darwyn Cooke & John Higgins | Colors: Phil Noto & John Higgins | Publisher: DC Comics | Price: $3.99

Some have been waiting with bated breath, while others have cursed the existence of this prequel. No matter which side of the fence you stand on, DC Comics summer event has arrived, and everyone is treated to more Watchmen. My first impression after reading this was it’s good, but it’s not Alan Moore good. Please, don’t take this as an insult or as a sign not to read it. Moore’s original has certain je ne sais quoi that no one will ever match.

Continue reading “Before Watchmen: Minutemen #1 Review” →

Cow Boy: A Boy And His Horse Review- A Wild West Classic

**Cow Boy: A Boy** **and His Horse** | Writer: Nate Cosby | Art: Chris Eliopoulos
Colors: Chris Eliopoulos | Publisher: Archaia

Cow Boy follows the story of a bounty huntin’ 10-year-old named Boyd Linney who is looking to collect by bringing a certain set of criminals to justice…his family.

Armed with his hobby horse-shaped peashooter, Boyd travels throughout the Wild West looking to right the wrongs his family has perpetrated.

Nate Cosby brilliantly captures Boyd’s innocence as he hides behind the economics of collecting bounties, but inside is a hurt child who just hates seeing bad things happening to good people.

The fact that it’s his family doing the hurting is what drives his incorruptible spirit. There is a vulnerability to this tough-as-nails child that will absolutely make you cheer for him.

Chris Eliopoulos’ art does a fantastic job of conveying a whirlwind of emotions, thoughts, and feelings the script tries to convey.

The entire creative team’s collaborative efforts have produced a heartwarmingly clever novel that people of all ages will thoroughly enjoy.

The four bonus side stories added to this extraordinary tale of the little boy Linney make this, without question, a can’t-miss book. Please, believe the hype. It’s all good!

Grade: A