Just My Opinion: WrestleMania XXX: Breaking The Streak

5/5/2014 7:49:14 AM

(Yes, apparently, this is a very super duper late post) 

Who could have though the streak would come to an end…his way? Well, if you wonder and asked “what the hell am I taking about?” better check out this video.

Yes, of all the men who tried to stop Mark William Calaway, it was only Brock Lesnar who went successful in defeating him. After 22 years.

Calaway, known popularly as the wrestler “The Undertaker,” has been on a roll since his very first WrestleMania match in 1991. Several superstars from the past have tried to contain him, but to no avail. Even the likes of Shawn Michaels (who battled the Taker twice), and even Triple H (thrice) can’t weather the deadliest storm, with that horrific entrance regardless if there’s a bunches of smog-liked smoke, fire, horrendous acts or gestures, and even coffins.

But the Deadman, 49, already crossed paths with Lesnar, a 36-year old from Minneapolis, numerous times during their career. And specifically it happened during the WWE’s “Attitude era,” and even during one of Lesnar’s fights at the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

And frankly speaking, it was Lesnar who lord over the Undertaker way back then. So, shifting a few years in a fast-forward speed, if everyone (including yours truly) shocked on his sudden loss, there’s a reason to back it up.

Or maybe, it was the Taker who wants to put his streak into an end, just like his revelations during his matches against Tripe H a few years back.

Let’s face it: age plays a different factor here. Plus the almost five-decade old boxer from Death Valley is now just a “part-timer” with the WWE. Like it’s a sign to either retire from playing the sport. 

Maybe it’s really a “high time.”

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

Playback: Kid Rock - "Celebrate"

4/29/2014 5:59:26 PM

Honestly speaking, as much as I want to post something new today (which includes a series of current issues tirade, a set of WrestleMania posts, and an NBA Playoff second round predictions since I failed to make one in the first round), I’ll end up doing this: how about a post about this WrestleMania theme?

Honestly speaking, my ears have been hooked up to this one for already a long time. It’s Celebrate by the American rock musician called Kid Rock.

The Atlantic Records talent produced his ninth studio album in 2012 titled Rebel Soul, with  the majority of his tracks used for sporting and entertainment events such as NASCAR and the WWE’s Tribute to the Troops 2012.

But, let’s go more over to Celebrate. The four-minuter track was placed eighth of the 14-track, 65 ½ minute record.

According to Wikipedia, the beat’s samples, particularly the organ intro, came from “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man by Bob Sefer.

The track served as the main theme for the 30^th annual edition of WrestleMania held April 6 at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Aside from Celebrate, Eminem’s “Legacy,” Mark Collie’s “In Time” and even Imagine Dragon’s “Monster,” were also used for the WWE’s flagship event.

And as much as I want to continue my saga of takes for the past WM30, nah, I’d better make it quick. Things are getting stale. But meantime, just enjoy the music.

Sources: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebel_Soul_(Kid_Rock_album)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kid_Rock

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WrestleMania_XXX

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

Just My Opinion: WrestleMania XXX

4/15/2014 7:28:14 PM

For over three decades, the world of sports and entertainment had its huge convergence by the name of WrestleMania.

30 years (and a mere half month ago), the very first professional wrestling’s biggest extravaganza was set at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.

And who will thought that after thirty years, three legends emerged to get along in the Big Easy?

I’m talking about Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

Photo credits: The Big Lead

Now that is an epic moment for Wrestlemania XXX!

I’ll gave the entire review of those big-card matches in separate posts.

Now, if you asked me about Cesaro’s superior reign for the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, it was a shocking yet epic moment.

WWE.com

Yes, considering that a modern-day giant like the Big Show was tagged as the top favorite to win it all. But that’s cool respect at the end. Cesaro was always known for being the darkhorse of the entire WWE roster. I mean, this guy has an extreme talent and can emerge superior among other elite names in their line-up. Who would have thought this guy made it to the six-man elimination chamber match with the WWE World Heavyweight champion is at stake?

http://dailywrestlingnews.com/

I haven’t seen the Usos’ match against three other duo-crew competitors for their title defense, so I’m leaving the words ‘no comment’ on it. And in case you wondered on why is that the four-way fatal tag team match hasn’t been seen in the entire coverage of Wrestlemania XXX, it’s because they were scheduled to take place at the pre-show hours.

http://www.wwe.com/

The DIVAS invitational? Nah, I think that is something predictable at will. AJ Lee emerged victorious on Sunday, extending her reign as the Divas champion for at least another one (aside from the previous 265 days). But heck, is there something new about that?

sethrollinsfans.tumblr.com

The SHIELD collided against the WWE Director of Operations (and one-half of the formerly known as “Brothers of Destruction”) Kane and the new Age Outlaws? Nah, the entire match suck, but I love the sudden outstanding performance by Roman Reigns. Believe me, guys – he is the next big thing in pro wrestling.

It was clearly a one-sided show made by the Hounds of Justice. Now, if only the Authority managed to step their clashes aside and put the Wyatts (instead of Kane+NAO) in that trio-versus-trio match. Their last showing at the Elimination Chamber was so motherfucking epic. Yes, so epic it could almost headline Wrestlemania and became the 2014’s Match of the Year.

Now, speaking of the buzzards, its patriarch Bray Wyatt clashed with Josh Cena for a prophecy-versus-legacy match. It almost lived up to its hype. And as much as I want to tackle that game on a separate post, I think this moment is something I will name as the trashtalking act of the evening.

It’s like John Cena saying that “You can’t see me” phrase; while Bray, on the other end, answers a horrendous-like move which states “oh, yeah?” I remember tweeting that piece during the WM day itself and it earned a hundred retweets (minus the clip though)

CENA: You can't see me. WYATT: Oh, yeah? #Wrestlemania #WM30 #WMXXX
— SlickMaster (@slickmasterph) April 7, 2014

And I am pretty sure almost no one expected to watch an ending… like this!

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Yes, I am talking about the streak-breaker Brock Lesnar. Who would have thought that this 36-year old former world champion-slash-former UFC heavyweight titlist had that capability to conquer ‘The Deadman’ and his living legendary 21-Wrestlemania winning streak?

I’ll have more of it soon.

Oh, you want to move on? Then don’t read that shit, simple as that!

Moving on, it’s Daniel Bryan versus Triple H in a step-ladder battle for the triple threat match with the big one’s at stake. That match actually kicked off the entire main Wrestlemania cards. Some people said it was the match of the year (and by the way, that’s according to a Facebook group where I belong).

Though my point stands differ from them, it’s not hard to see why the Bryan versus Hunter match was the best of the evening. But anyway, I’ll put my take on that soon, as well as the entire championship match.

www.zimbio.com

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

THE PRE-TAKE: WRESTLEMANIA XXX (PART 2)

4/2/2014 11:05:28 AM

Now, let’s move to the four main event cards of Wrestlemania XXX: first, it’s John Cena versus Bray Wyatt in a singles match. Yet, a singles match which seems to defy prophecies, generations, and… yes, the word ‘legacy’ itself.

http://www.wwe.com/

Wyatt has been a superb monster during his WWE NXT days. Before he left the developing league to enter the main one, his crew Wyatt Family was the three-man dominating cultist-like crew packed with total weapons of destruction. And I’m sure when they debuted for the WWE last year, you once hated them, especially the patriarch him self – for bringing nothing but wreak havoc on several superstars.

And now, they menaced on the big one who seems to be the most-popular star in WWE for the last decade (yes, during the post-Attitude Era). Talk about crushing heroes in the eyes of those kids, eh?

And come to think that John Cena has been on a downside spiral for almost the previous three years, eh? First he lost to the Miz in 2011; then to the Rock in 2012; before his revenge worked out in 2013 to spill the jinx out of him. However, the last time he was at the grandest stage (which was by the way, situated at the Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford), turned out to be a stellar one on his part as he grabbed the WWE Championship from Dwayne Johnson.

But now, it’s not for the title – it’s for the legacy. Will John Cena’s era prevail anew, or a new one emerges in Bray Wyatt. Well, let’s hope though this will turn out to be real messy for either one of them.

http://www.catchpresse.com/

Moving on, it’s the Phenom clashing with the Beast. Yes, the Undertaker will roll on his 22^nd Wrestlemania Battle once again; with this time around, a certain Brock Lesnar will be his rival.

As Lesnar’s advocate Paul Heyman expressed his disbelief for the former’s non-inclusion to join the WWE World Heavyweight Title clash at Wrestlemania, the latter said he was offered by the Authority to post an ‘open challenge’ for the evening.

And much to anyone’s surprise though, the Deadman rose from out of nowhere to take that ‘challenge.’ Mark Callaway has been on a roll since 1992. He has beaten almost everyone: legends and superstars alike.

And even Mr. Wrestlemania himself.

In 2012 at Miami, the WWE universe witnessed the most harrowing entrance of a WWE player and it turns out to be an instant 50-minute classic: the END of an ERA clash against Hunter, with Shawn Michaels as the guest referee in the match.

In 2013, The Undertaker avenged the total humiliation made by CM Punk against him and his late manager Paul Bearer (whom, by the way, will be entering the Hall of Fame this year).

And now, a beast incarnate will try to halt the Undertaker’s winning run. And indeed, he is capable of doing such, considering he broke Shawn Michael’s arm as well as Triple H’s for twice. Lesnar also sent Chairman Vince McMahon to a hip replacement surgery when he threw a thunderous F5 on him. Plus recently, he threw Mark Henry out of his way and even broke his shoulder.

This guy can really defy death and broke his legacy in terms of abilities. The question though: is that enough to put the game in his favor? I’ll say the Undertaker would still prevail in this one.

www.veooz.com

Now, for the championship wars: it’s Daniel Bryan versus Triple H. The Hunter appeared to have his era diminished after losing to Undertake in 2012, but vowed revenged and eventually emerged victorious in 2013 when he send Brock Lesnar to his toes on a no-holds barred battle in 2013.

Now, he’s back in the squared circle once again, with another reason: put the YES MOVEMENT into a stop. And this means staging a war against Daniel Bryan. Prior to their much-awaited clash, the Hunter staged a set-up to strip the championship title from Bryan on Summerslam. He then awarded it to the Money in the Bank winner Randy Orton.

And despite Daniel Bryan’s even skyrocketing popularity, the Authority was still at helm to deprive him any chances to win the most coveted WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Kane, once his former tag-team partner cost him the chance to steal the belt against Orton in Elimination Chamber. Bryan also berated Triple H’s crew from also depriving him a chance to participate at the Royal Rumble.

Well, for now, it seemed like Daniel Bryan finally got what he wish for; when he staged an OCCUPY RAW movement at one point during the WWE’s flagship program. But he also suffered a massive consequence a week after though.

The winner of the match will take a step from their ladder to the biggest battle of Wrestlemania XXX – the title match itself.

http://www.wwe.com/

At first, it was supposedly a Randy Orton-Batista clash, since Orton has been holding on to the title after defeating John Cena for twice (First, at TLC [Dec. 2013]; and second, at the Royal Rumble [Jan. 2014]). We can’t count the Elimination Chamber though even if the Cenation leader was part of that 6-man event title battle, since it was Bryan whom came even close for that ‘big one.’

However, as for that “best for business,” motto, which Triple H and Stephanie McMahon always used to say, it turned out to be a triple-threat.

By the way, Batista won the Royal Rumble in a not-so-convincing fashion. Maybe, if Roman Reigns managed to hold his ground.

Now, should that be another exciting. Well, please do so? ‘Cause this ‘business talk’ is getting boring little by little. And honestly speaking, I don’t care who wins for the title.

Now… that’s my pre-Werstlemania post looks boring either. Adding insult to injury is that one local channel isn’t airing WWE shows anymore, leaving questions from us on where should we resort every now and then? Aside from a cable channel, though.

But if you asked me what should be the match of the night, I’ll pick three potentials. Either which of them will fall on that namesake.

-          SHIELD versus KANE + NEW AGE OUTLAWS

-          UNDERTAKER versus BROCK LESNAR

-          30-MAN ANDRE THE GIANT MEMORIAL BATTLE ROYAL

Yeah, where am I should now look for to watch Wrestlemania XXX?  Sucks to be me.

www.youtube.com

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

THE PRE-TAKE: WRESTLEMANIA XXX (PART 1)

4/2/2014 11:05:23 AM

http://www.wwe.com

What you’re gonna do if Wrestlemania runs wild on you, brother?

Well, it’s barely half-week to go before Wrestlemania 30 rolls along at the Superdome in the Big Easy. Now, let’s just hope that the professional wrestling’s grandest annual event will not be another bust nor bullshit on our part as fans and spectators.

Well, I can really say I am still a spectator, since I only managed to get a hold of witnessing this thing since 2012 (though when I was a kid, I do watch several wrestling programs such as the precursor WWF).

First, the 59-year older Hulk Hogan returns to the sports entertainment world as the host for the evening.

But, moreover, let’s see what we can say about the upcoming cards in the Wrestlemania XXX.

http://www.wwe.com/

Kicking off the evening will be a fatal-four way clash for the Tag Team Championship. Just barely a few weeks (I think more than a month) after the Samoan-brother tandem known as the Usos took the title away from the reemerging New Age Outlaws, here they ago in the biggest night of their wrestling lives: Jimmy and Jey Uso will battle three other two-man crews whom are also potential title dethroners. Namely: Ryback and Curtis Axel; the Real Americans (Jack Swagger and Cesaro); and the Los Matadores (Diego and Fernando).

The Real Americans can be really a powerhouse, though I think Cesaro (who dropped the first name Antonio from his stage name) is more destructive than his partner.

Meanwhile, Ryback and Curtis Axel were not the much-favored to win the title in my word. Yes, they look like a demolition crew, but still ain’t enough to dethrone the Samoan brothers.

While, oh, Los Matadores? Are you serious about this? This may appear like a friendly match for damn sakes. Plus they have deal themselves at one point during the Main Event, right (it was also their title defense)?

Nah, I’ll pick the defending champs to retain their belts. However, the Real Americans can really stand a chance, considering that one is a former ECW and World Heaveyweight Champion, and another one is a total journeyman and also a one-time United States Champion.

Let’s move on to the trio-versus-trio clash between the members of the Shield against the Kane and the ex-tag team champs NAO.

www.smarkoutmoment.com

So, the Director of Operations teamed up with Road Dogg and Billy Gunn to throw a punishment anew to Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, eh? They clashed a few episodes back in both RAW and SMACKDOWN lately, where it seems the Hound of Justice is now imposing their will and power against one top member of the Authority.

But nah, it may be exciting. But still, I would rather see the Wyatts as their opponent instead. Seriously, it was one heck of a match. Plus Roman Reigns is living on his own super potential (it can’t be denied), though the stability of their partnership with Ambrose and Reigns is still have to watch considering these guys have their own sets of misunderstandings as well.

If Kane’s trio wins though, I’ll say ‘that’s what’s best for business!’

fight4warrior.blogspot.com

How about the Vickie Guerrero Divas’ Championship Invitational? It seems like similar to the Battle Royal’s objective – every man for himself. Well, let me rectify that for you, guys – every diva for herself. So AJ Lee will be on her own when she battles the other 13 female WWE wrestlers.

Though I would think either Natalya or Tamina Snuka can snatch the belt away from her.

www.fanstalkwrestling.com

Next in line will be the 30-man battle royal in memory of Andre the Giant. Yes, and ironically it’s his rival Hulk Hogan whom announced this huge card; where stars and even champions will clash with fellow players and another in the over-the-top-rope battle to win that memorial trophy.

Honestly speaking, I can’t tell who will win this. And I can’t even enumerate them all since this post is getting longer if I do so. But certainly this should be another exciting war field to take on.

Now, let’s move to the four main event cards of Wrestlemania XXX!

(see next article, which will be published before noon time of Friday, April 4, 2014)

http://www.wwe.com

WWE Wrestlemania XXX will be airing live from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 7 PM Eastern Time / 4PM Pacific Time.

In the Philippines, it will be 7AM live; though Fox Channel Philippines has the exclusive rights to broadcast the four-hour extravaganza. The show starts by 9:50 PM.

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

Lookback: WrestleMania 29's Triple Main Event

3/15/2014 3:31:50 PM

It’s only few weeks before the wrestling’s biggest stage will take centerstage at the huge venue the Big Easy peeps known as the Superdome.

And much as I am expressing my dismay on my local TV channel for not airing the WWE’s flagship program RAW, the only thing I can do at the moment is to do a flashback review: and I am talking about the three huge main cards of the WWE WrestleMania 29 held at the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey last year.

http://www.thewrestlingmania.com/

I remember, I used to be on the multi-tasking mode then when my ultimate-fave-but-now-defunct Studio 23 aired its Philippine telecast during that one fateful Wednesday night of April. I was working in front of my computer, and at the same time – was watching the 240-minute event (you do the math, please?) on my Cherry Mobile phone (yes, I’m proud to say that. U mad?). At that time, I was a team leader in my graveyard shift (10 p.m. – 6 a.m.) which did not really had much problem with me.

And what more can I say? Aside from those 80,676 patrons from East Rutherford whom witnessed this event, which is considered as the second largest all-time Wrestlemania event in terms of attendance?

But only three things really stuck my mind. What are those?

THE UNDERTAKER VS. CM PUNK |
DISRESPECTING THE STREAK

First: The Undertaker versus CM Punk match. The so-called ‘Deadman’ did not have any single defeat in two decades of Wrestlemania matches. But after few months of feuding with the so-called “Best in the World,” the rivalry intensifies even higher due to the death of William Moody, known popularly as the “oh yeeeeesss” chant-maker Paul Bearer.

WrestleMania 29 - The Undertaker vs... by chainarongikeda

It was during one RAW episode when the Undertaker led the WWE in paving its tribute to the 58-year old ‘unique’ manager (as chairman VinceMcMahon describes it). Until a huge act of disrespect came along. And… you guess that right, it was Punk and his advocate – whose also a ‘Paul’ by first stage name.

But fast forward to April 7 evening (the real Wrestlemania event before the S23 broadcast it in the PH shores), the dead man wants respect. But Punk did not want to do so. And the straight edge superstar went even beyond expectation in his aim to deliver that “1” in a 20 and 1 record.

But with that one fiery look (more than a tiger nor even a zombie), the old school wrestler was totally got the hand in the game, and he got his 21^st win in the same number of battles.

I called it ‘disrespecting the streak,’ but honestly, after reviewing the match during one Saturday midnight, damn it’s not just the streak. It’s the term itself – disrespect. And the Death Valley-native totally avenged the humiliation he got from his last nemesis.

Now, he is about to face Brock Lesnar, (which by the way, is another Paul Heyman talent). The question now is can the Beast destroy the Dead? Or will the Deadman tame the Beast Incarnate?

I only saw the match for fewer times; but I think it will be the match of the night… if we’re talking about the level of emotion here. Actually, another huge Wrestlemania match came close (by a very slim margin) to the Undertaker-CM Punk tussle.

TRIPLE H VS. BROCK LESNAR |BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION

Triple H vs Brock Lesnar Wrestlemania 29 No... by anthonywalker24

And I am talking about Brock Lesnar versus Triple H. The Hunter wanted revenge as his anger level brought the demon in him after suffering broken arm injuries for twice, as well as for Shawn Michaels and even sending to Vince McMahon to a hospital stretcher which requires him to have a hip-replacement surgery. All that came from only one man, err, beast (should I say)… and that’s Lesnar for you.

And it went even brutal with that so-called ‘no holds barred match.’ After those steel steps, barricade, steel chair and sledge hammer shots, it was the now-COO who won the game. For 38-something minutes full of gross-like action.

I think I can call it the match of the night for being ‘too ugly.’ It’s also too personal. But maybe, some bits  of predictability was present in the storyline.

JOHN CENA VS. THE ROCK FOR THE WWE CHAMPIONSHIP |CHAMPIONSHIP AND REDEMPTION 

The championship match between John Cena and Dwayne “The Rock’ Johnson seemed to be much souring, considering that Tock has been the people’s champ, and Cena, though always a fan favorite, was tagged as the ‘heel,’ after suffering huge blows in the past year (2012). Cena lost to the Rock twice in the same stage before their ’13 face-off. And even the ‘U Can’t See Me’ superstar has been on the verge of pulling a comeback following his Royal Rumble triumph, still he’s been owned in terms of history book records.

The Rock vs John Cena  Wrestlamania 29  WWE... by markinho-inter2011

It was the battle of popularity. The Rock may ended up conceding the match after being pin-falled by Cena, but it also gave fans something they forget when they watch such wrestling matches: sportsmanship. Seeing them shaking hands and praising each other despite trash-talking their hatred on each other is just proving to you that even in the world of sports entertainment, where one must act like a more alpha male than the other to be entertaining, it’s still a sport. Yes, wrestling is still a sport after all.

Maybe, I’ll do a recall more on Wrestlemania 28 matches soon if I had time. But I recommend their promo soundtrack which is titled "Civil Twilight," a track made by the band Letters from the Sky.

But if you asked me, I think we should see the upcoming matches the same way as how the Wrestlemania 29 really rolled. Some of the pay-per-view fans have been ended up in dismay after series of matches did not met their expectations. Like Orton taking the W via the Authority’s distraction against The Big Show in the Survivor Series, Batista defeating an emerging Samoan wrestler Roman Reignin the Royal Rumble, and just recently, the Elimination Chamber which Cena lost to another Wyatts’ distraction, as well as Daniel Bryan’s to the disrupting element known as the Kane, the WWE director of operations.

Now, if you asked me? Nah, I can’t tell which wrestler should win or go home in April. Maybe we’ll tackle that soon.

Before I leave you all guys, here's a bit of rumors-slash-news (depending on how would you perceive this thing; I just got it from the internet):

ABS-CBN has its contract with the WWE expired, according to an unknown source. The agreement between the Philippine television network and the Connecticut-based sports entertainment promotion has reached its two-year agreement.

Well, so we should not wonder why after the finale of WWE Tough Enough, we had not seen any clip from any of their four programs slated on their UHF channel ABS-CBN Sports + Action. Let's just hope FOX Philippines will carry over the RAW and other programs as well as the Philippine primetime telecast of WWE Wrestlemania XXX!

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions