ROYAL RUMBLE PREDICTIONS

After a long absence, I am back to doing my predictions for WWE Pay-Per-Views.  I will only predict the outcome of matches that will appear on the actual Pay-Per-View.  I will not predict any matches that appear on a pre-show.   

 

Royal Rumble Predictions

-WWE Tag Team Championship

Team Hell No: Kane & Daniel Bryan (CHAMPIONS) vs. Rhodes Scholars: Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow

 

Kane and Daniel Bryan have formed a successful but very tenuous partnership.  It is only a matter of time before Kane or Bryan’s ‘anger management’ therapy fails.  I am guessing that it will happen under the spotlight of the Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View.  Rhodes and Sandow will capitalize on this and become the new Tag Team Champions.

 

Winner and NEW WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS:  Rhodes and Sandow

 

-World Heavyweight Championship

Last Man Standing Match

Alberto Del Rio (CHAMPION) vs. Big Show

 

Del Rio scored a surprise victory over Big Show on the January 11 edition of Smackdown to become the World Heavyweight Champion.    The momentum of that big win will carry over to the Rumble where Del Rio will successfully retain his title.

 

Winner and STILL WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION:  Alberto Del Rio

 

-WWE Championship

 

CM Punk (CHAMPION) vs. The Rock

 

If the Shield interferes, then CM Punk will be stripped of the title.  That doesn’t mean Punk can’t get himself disqualified to keep his title.  The Rock will win the match, but not the Championship.

 

Winner:  The Rock

 

-Royal Rumble Match

 

The Rumble match is always difficult to predict.  But John Cena will put aside his dismal 2012 and start 2013 on a high note by winning the Rumble and going on to the Main Event of Wrestlemania.

 

Winner:  John Cena

 

 

 

TNA House Show, Akron Ohio

I went to my first TNA Impact Wrestling house show on Sunday July 29 at the Akron Civic Theater. I did not know what to expect. It turned out to be one of the most FANtastic wrestling experiences of my life! I decided to use some birthday money I had been saving to get a $50 ticket, which included a meet and greet with some of the wrestlers. I arrived at the venue at 3:50 for the 4:00 meet and greet. There was already a long line of very enthusiastic wrestling fans. At 4:00, they started letting people into the theater. There was a nice mix of ages. A lot of kids (which was kind of surprising since Impact Wrestling is not a PG show). And even some wrestling fans that were older than me. Inside the lobby of the theater was a man trying to sell some merchandise to the captive audience. One deal was a two-pack of action figures of Kurt Angle and Mr. Kennedy. They were selling the two-pack for $20, which included the opportunity to meet Angle and Kennedy at 5:30 to have them sign the action figures. This was a really good deal, considering that a two pack of action figures would cost about $16 in the store. And for $20 you got the figures and the opportunity to meet the wrestlers. I briefly considered getting the figures, but decided against it due to the fact that I am not at all a fan of Mr. Anderson. They were also selling a replica of the TNA Heavyweight Championship belt for $375. While this was way out of my budget, it was a fair price. Replica belts can be found online for $300-$600. What made this a great deal was that belt acted as a lifetime backstage pass. You could take the belt to any TNA Impact Wrestling House Show and go backstage to meet the wrestlers. A lot of fans jumped at this opportunity. The opportunity to meet the wrestlers of TNA continued to be a theme throughout the night. They were all too happy to take your money, but these experiences were very reasonably priced (like the two-action figures and opportunity to get them signed for only $20). It was nice to see the company making their wrestlers available to the fans without gouging their wallets.

The meet and greet began at 4:30. The line was long but they kept it moving pretty fast. Five wrestlers were seated at a table on the theaters stage, right in front of the ring. The wrestlers participating in the meet and greet were Christopher Daniels, Kazarian, The Pope, Magnus, and Garrett Bischoff. I was a little surprised that they did not have 8 x 10 photos for the wrestlers to sign. I was glad I brought a little notebook to take notes for this blog. I had the wrestlers sign the notebook. When I meet a celebrity, I always like to say a little something. I want the person to feel like I am there to really meet them, not to just get a signature on a piece of paper. Daniels and Kazarian were the first two at the table. It was really hard to talk to them. There was a security man at the front of the table who kept placing programs in front of them to be signed. He was trying to keep the line moving, which I appreciated. But it made it hard to talk to Daniels and Kazarian because they were signing pretty much non-stop. The Pope was next. He had a big smile the whole time. He was as charismatic in person as he is on TV. I told him “Thanks for coming to Akron tonight”. He looked at me with a big smile and said “Thanks for coming”. Magnus was next. He showed no emotion. He never smiled. He barely looked at me. And he said nothing when I thanked him for the autograph. I don’t know if he was trying to stay in character or if he just did not enjoy participating in the meet and greet. Last at the table was Garrett Bischoff. I said “Thanks” when he handed me back my notebook. He looked at me and said “Thanks for coming”. It felt like he was genuinely thankful that I had come out to see him. He came across as a newcomer to the business that really appreciated the fans coming out to the show.

While standing in line for the meet and greet, they announced that Madison Rayne would be at the souvenir table signing autographs. SO after I got Bischoff’s signature, I stood in line to meet her. While standing in line, a man came by selling really nice Madison Rayne banners. The banners were HUGE with a very nice picture of her. The banner was $10, which included the opportunity to get your picture taken with the TNA Knockout. Again, it was a good deal considering how nice the banner was. There was a father in line with a little girl and two boys. He bought the banner for his daughter but said that his boys did not need their picture taken with a female wrestler. This made me laugh. Madison Rayne had a big smile on her face the entire time she was signing autographs. When I got the opportunity to meet her, I told her “Thanks for coming to Akron tonight.” She replied “Thanks for coming. It’s good to be back”. She was extremely nice.

After getting Madison Rayne’s autograph, I made my way to my seat. The $50 ticket was worth it to get the wrestlers autographs. But when I saw just how close my seats were, it was even MORE worth the money. I was about ten rows from the stage. The ring was set up on the theater stage, which was unique.  I had not sat that close to the action at a wrestling show in about twenty years. It really is a different experience. I got to see the facial expressions, which really adds to the drama of the moves being performed in the ring. I also got to see a lot of spit flying when certain moves connected. The wrestlers really sell the impact of the moves with their facial expressions, which is something I had not had the chance to experience in a long time. Just before the show, Joseph Park showed up. He sat directly behind me. I reached over and handed him my notebook and asked for his autograph. He was happy to sign. WOW! He is a BIG MAN!!! If I was Bully Ray, I would not pick on him. Shortly after Joe Park sat down behind me, the fans that really had those tickets showed up. SO he had to move. This happened to him about five times, with him sitting down and the real ticket holder showing up shortly after. It was a nice touch to have Joe Park show up in the audience. The fans were excited to see him. After ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ blared over the PA system, the action began!

-Jeremy Borash was introduced as the host for the night. -The show began with a battle royal. The winner of the Battle Royal would get a shot at the TNA Heavyweight Championship in the Main Event of the night. The participants were: Kurt Angle, Robert Roode, The Pope, Jeff Hardy, Mr. Anderson, Magnus, Christopher Daniels, Kazarian, D’Vonn, Garrett Bischoff, and Rob Van Dam. Mr. Anderson competed wearing a baseball hat. This made me regret, just a little, not getting the action figure two pack because anyone who would wear a baseball hat and keep it on during a battle royal is cool to me! Kurt Angle won the battle royal. He eliminated Roode, who hid during the entire match and tried to surprise Angle after the last competitor was eliminated. But the veteran was too smart for this and tossed Roode over the top rope. This was a very popular victory for the fans. Angle was loudly cheered!

-Miss Tessmacher successfully defended the TNA Knockouts Championship against Madsion Rayne. When Rayne came out to the ring, she was the complete opposite of how she was at the souvenir table. She was cocky and gave a diva-esque wave to the audience, as if she was too good to even wave to the them. These women athletes wrestled a match that was every bit as good as the men. In fact, they wrested a better match than Jeff Hardy. The WWE Divas should take note, Tessmacher and Rayne were wrestles in every sense of the word, and not just eye candy.

-Earl Hebner came out to referee the next match. He took off his referee shirt to reveal a shirt that said ‘Damn Right I Did’. He then put on a pair of Bret Hart glasses and mocked Hart’s strut. -Mr. Anderson defeated Magnus in a Bound for Glory Series match. Before the match, Anderson posed in front of the ring waiting for a microphone to be lowered. Nothing happened. He posed again. Still no microphone. Anderson grabbed a folding chair, set it up and then had Jeremeny Borash stand on the chair with a microphone. Anderson posed and had Borash hand him the microphone. It was hilarious! Anderson continued to entertain the fans by announcing that he was looking for his a%holes. He kept asking “Where’s my a%$holes?” The fans cheered in response. It was a little bit uncomfortable sitting in an arena with a lot of kids as Anderson searched for his ‘donkey holes’. But this is Mr. Anderson’s gimmick, and it is the parent’s fault for taking their kids to this event knowing that Anderson calls his fans ‘donkey holes’. After the fans cheered being called ‘donkey holes’, Anderson then looked over the audience for his d%$che bags. He would ask “Where’s my d%che bags?” He made a beeping sound that got louder and louder until he looked at Magnus. Anderson said “BING! Found one!” It was a very funny bit. Mr. Anderson really went out of his way to make the fans laugh. While I am not at all a fan of the ‘donkey hole’ gimmick, I really appreciated how much Anderson went out of his way to entertain the fans. Magnus submitted to the sharpshooter. After the match, Anderson grabbed a microphone and put his arm around Earl Hebner. Anderson made fun of the fact that Magnus actually tapped while trapped in the sharpshooter BEFORE Hebner called for the bell. Again, Mr. Anderson went out of his way to entertain the fans. I really appreciated the effort he made to ensure the fans had a good time.

  -Before the next match, Jeremy Borash saw Joe Park in the audience ad called him up on stage. Christopher Daniels and Kazarian came out in gradate robes to interrupt the segment. They proceeded to beat up Joe Park. D’Vonn and Garrett Bischoff came out to make the save. D’Vonn announced that they were Daniels and Kazarian’s opponents.

-Daniels and Kazarian defeated D’vonn and Bischoff. D’vonn was very popular with the fans.

-Before intermission, Jeremy Borash announced that referee Earl Heber had recently officiated his 100,000 match and to celebrate he would be at the souvenir table to sign autographs. Miss Tessmaacher would also be at the souvenir table signing autographs. They did the same deal where if you bought a $10 banner, you could have your picture taken with the Knockouts Champion. Finally, they announced that there were a limited number of backstage passes available for $50. The pass would allow two people to go backstage where they were guaranteed to meet Angle, Anderson, Hardy, RVD, Roode and Austin Ares. That’s $25 a person, and considering the stars that you were guaranteed to meet, I thought that it was a pretty good deal. Next time TNA comes to town, I would consider getting the backstage pass. At intermission, I got in line to meet Miss TEssmacher. She is really tiny! I told her she wrestled a really great match. She said “Thanks. It hurt, I’m not gonna lie!” I then went over to meet Earl Hebner. He called everyone “Buddy”. When he slid my notebook back to me, he said “Here, buddy.”

-Robert Roode defeated RVD when Van Dam missed the Five Star Frog Splash. This was a Bound for Glory Series match. The fans were really into RVD. They enthusiastically chanted “RVD” and “Whole F’N Show” while Van Dam pointed to himself with his thumbs. This was a great match.

-Jeff Hardy defeated The Pope. Hardy was definitely the most popular wrestler of the night. He was the only wrestler to come off the stage to shake hands with the audience, which was a really nice touch on Hardy’s part. The match itself was terrible. The Pope dominated Hardy until Jeff hit the Twist of Fate to get the pin. Even the though match was bad, Hardy won so everyone was in the audience was happy.

-TNA Champion Austin Ares defeated Kurt Angle to retain the TNA Championship. This was a GREAT wrestling match. Both guys are fantastic wrestlers. The match spilled out onto the stage, where Angle threw Ares off the stage onto the floor. The audience was in shock when Ares went sailing off the stage. I can’t believe he took such a hard bump at a house show. Ares is one tough wrestler. He won after reversing the Angle Lock and hitting a muscle buster.

After the match, they gave the fans a really unique opportunity. For $20, you could go into the ring and have your picture taken with Austin Ares. A whole group could go up for $20. So if there were 4 people, it was only $5 a person. Again, TNA made their wresters available to the fans at a very reasonable price. In addition to the picture you got that night, they made the picture available online for you to download for free. I am not a big Ares fan, so I did not get my picture taken with him. But I would consider it if I ever went to another TNA house show and had the opportunity to get my picture taken with a different wrestler It was a really fun night.

TNA came across as an organization that really caters to the fans, with some wrestlers signing autographs for free and others signing at a minimal charge. The wrestlers themselves out on great matches, with most of the in ring action being pay-per-view quality (especially Roode vs. RVD and Angle vs. Ares) and they made it feel like the Impact TV show (Joe Park appearance, Kennedy’s a-hole bit). I will defiantly go to more TNA Impact Wrestling house shows.

2011 TURNBUCKLE STUFFing AWARDS

This year’s edition of the Turnbuckle STUFFing awards was surprising. They showcased the silly (favorite wrestler of the year), the exciting (match of the year), the sentimental (‘What a Sheamus), and sad (Hall of Fame) aspects of professional wrestling. This year, more than any other year, these awards show my own unique perspective on professional wrestling. I hope you enjoy!

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: MICHAEL COLE
Awarded to the wrestler who had the most impressive debut in the WWE or TNA.

Many fans were shocked when Michael Cole decided to make the jump from the announce table to the wrestling ring. And many more fans thought he would thoroughly embarrass himself when he decided to make his in ring debut at the grandest stage of all-Wrestlemania 27. Cole’s big mouth did a lot of trash talking in the weeks leading up to Wrestlemania. But he backed up his words by winning his Wrestlemania match against Jerry Lawler. Most Superstars hope to compete in just one Wrestlemania match in their career. (Cole’s opponent, Jerry Lawler, was competing in his very first Wrestlemania match, which is surprising considering his long and legendary career). And the wrestlers who do get to compete on the biggest stage in all of professional wrestling consider themselves lucky to come away with just one Wrestlemania win. Michael Cole not only made his debut at Wrestlemania, he got his first win in professional wrestling! Michael Cole followed up his impressive debut by gaining yet another high profile win in his very next Pay-Per-View match. Cole and his tag team partner Jack Swagger defeated Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross in a ‘Country Whipping Match’ at Extreme Rules. Two wins in his first two pay-per-view matches is something very few wrestlers can claim. Michael Cole has since retired from in ring action and resumed his role as an announcer. It is not clear if he will dust off the bright orange ring gear in the future. But his impressive in ring debut at Wrestlemania made him the clear choice for ‘Newcomer of the Year.”

2008 Winner: PRIMO COLON
2009 Winner: SHEAMUS
2010 Winner: DANIEL BRYAN

MOST IMPROVED WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: DOLPH ZIGGLER

Dolph Ziggler entered the WWE in 2006 as Nicky, a member of the Spirit Squad. The Spirit Squad had a short and mostly laughable career. It is hard to take seriously a group of male cheerleaders jumping up and down on a trampoline. When DX boxed up the Spirit Squad and shipped them off to ‘OVW’, most fans thought the members of the Spirit Squad would never be seen or heard from again. Nicky ditched the cheerleader gimmick and returned as Dolph Ziggler. And in 2011, Ziggler proved that he indeed had more to offer professional wrestling than a silly cheerleader gimmick. He found himself competing in a World Heavyweight Championship match at the WWE’s second biggest pay-per-view-the Royal Rumble. While he failed to gain the World title in that match, he did win the United States Championship at the Capitol Punishment Pay-Per-View on June 19. He was the year’s most dominate Champion, holding the title all the way until December 18. Nicky the cheerleader is now long forgotten and Dolph Ziggler, a main event wrestler and a dominate Champion is now how wrestling fans will see the most improved wrestler of 2011.

2008 Winner: CODY RHODES
2009 Winner: KOFI KINGSTON
2010 Winner: KANE

WOMAN OF THE YEAR: VICKIE GUERRERO

No woman had the impact on professional wrestling in 2011 like Vickie Guerrero. She used her influence as ‘Acting General Manager of Smackdown’ to manipulate the system and make Dolph Ziggler a World Heavyweight Champion. When the real General Manager returned to his job and got Edge an immediate rematch to reclaim the title, Vickie and Dolph Ziggler went to compete on Raw. While on Raw, Vickie Guerrero helped Dolph Ziggler win the United States Championship and hold onto it for 6 months. Guerrero always made sure that she was noticed with her trademark ‘EXCUSE ME!” catchphrase. But In 2011, she made sure she was noticed by the impact she made on what happened inside of the wrestling ring.

2008 Winner: BETH PHOENIX
2009 Winner: SANTINA MARELLA
2010 Winner: NATALYA NEIDHART

FEUD OF THE YEAR: RANDY ORTON VS. CM PUNK

This was a short lived feud. But what made this my favorite feud of the year was the fact that they acknowledged the history between these two wrestlers. In 2008 at the Unforgiven Pay-Per-View, Randy Orton and his faction know as The Legacy attacked and injured CM Punk. This caused Punk to vacate the WWE Championship and pull out of the Championship Scramble match that night. CM Punk decided that it was time to gain a measure of revenge against Orton by preventing him from winning the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. Punk and the Nexus continued to hound Orton up until their encounter at Wrestlemania, where the two men put together one of the best matches of the night. Professional wrestling often times ignores the history between it superstars. The fact that this feud had such a significant history behind it made it my favorite feud of the year.

2008 Winner: RANDY ORTON vs. ALMOST THE ENTIRE RAW ROSTER
2009 Winner: JOHN CENA vs. RANDY ORTON
2010 Winner: MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS VS. BEER MONEY, INC.

“LOVE TO HATE” WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: THE ROCK

The Rock shows up out of no where, having not wrestled a match in seven years, and has the nerve to criticize John Cena. Cena has been putting his body on the line day in and day out to entertain wrestling fans while the Rock has been making movies in the very controlled and safe environment of a Hollywood studio. The Rock is completely out of line to criticize John Cena. And what is the Rock’s big complaint against Cena? That he likes to wear bright colored clothes and has a fan base of kids. To quote The Miz, ‘REALLY?” That is your big criticism? Clothes and kids? The Rock has no right to criticize John Cena and there is no way that he deserves to be in the Main Event of Wrestlemania 28. The Rock needs to go back to Hollywood and leave the ring to guys like John Cena who truly want to be in there day in and day out because they love entertaining the fans.

2008 Winner: RANDY ORTON
2009 Winner: RANDY ORTON
2010 Winner: WADE BARRETT

FAVORITE WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: MICHAEL COLE

When I first decided to name Michael Cole my favorite wrestler of the year, I surprised myself. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. The one wrestler that made me want to watch professional wrestling week after week for a large portion of the year was one man: Michael Cole. Michael Cole’s antics were similar to the larger than life characters that populated the wrestling ring in the 80’s. He was over the top, completely ridiculous, and thoroughly entertaining. Michael Cole became irritated sitting next to the vastly overrated Jerry Lawler and began to openly speak his mind. CM Punk likes to pride himself on speaking whatever is on his mind, but Cole was doing so months before Punk’s famous promo on Raw. Cole provoked Lawler by claiming that the King was a disappointment to his dead mother and even brought Lawler’s son, Brian Christopher, to the ring to make Lawler face the fact that he was a failure as a father. I tuned in to Monday night Raw just to hear what Michael Cole would say next. Cole’s words became so biting that on the March 14 edition of Raw he debuted one of the funniest innovations professional wrestling has seen in a long time-The Cole Mine. The Cole Mine was a Plexiglas box surrounding Michael Cole’s announce position that would allow him to say anything he wanted and Jerry Lawler could not touch him. When Michael Cole made his wrestling debut at Wrestlemania 27, he continued to be over the top and entertaining by coming to the ring in a bright orange singlet. Michael Cole showed that he would stand behind his biting words, even if it meant embarrassing himself in matches such as ‘Country Whipping’ and ‘Kiss My Foot ’. When Lawler eventually won their feud (proving just how overrated Lawler is. A ‘real’ wresler should not have had a hard time winning a feud against an announcer), Cole turned his attention to Jim Ross and devised the ridiculous ‘Michael Cole Challenge’. Michael Cole was controversial, over the top, ridiculous, highly entertaining, and the reason I watched wrestling in 2011, making him my favorite wrester of the year.

2008 Winner: C.M. PUNK
2009 Winner: JOHN CENA
2010 Winner: JOHN CENA

PAY-PER-VIEW OF THE YEAR
(This award has been retired)
2008 Winner: UNFORGIVEN
2009 Winner: WRESTLEMANIA 25


MATCH OF THE YEAR: JOHN CENA (WWE CHAMPION) VS. CM PUNK FOR THE WWE CHAMPIONSHIP (MONEY IN THE BANK)

There was enough ‘soap opera’ drama surrounding this match to make it one of the most important matches of 2011. C.M. Punk had just cut his famous promo where he blasted WWE politics. Punk’s contract was also set to expire at midnight on the day of the Money in the Bank Pay-Per-View. Punk had already said he was not going to sign a new WWE contract and threaten to win the title and leave the company with the WWE’s most prized title belt in his possession. Vince McMahon suspended Punk, making sure that the WWE Championship stayed with the company. John Cena, standing up for what is right like he always does, demanded that Punk be allowed to wrestle for the title. Vince McMahon agreed, but declared that Cena would be fired if he lost the match. On top of all of the storyline drama, the match was taking place in CM Punk’s hometown of Chicago. The fans in attendance were extremely loud in their support of their home town ‘antihero’.

But it takes a lot more than great storyline drama to make a great match. The story has to be told in the middle of the ring. On the night of July 17, John Cena and CM Punk delivered 30 minutes of exciting wrestling action. The match was back and forth. The match was pretty even until Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis showed up to try to screw Punk out of a win. Cena, doing the right thing as usual, was yelling at Vince McMahon, telling him that Punk deserved to win or lose on his own. Punk took advantage of the distraction and got the win, leaving Chicago and the WWE as the WWE Champion.

2008 Winner: Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship: Edge (CHAMPION) vs. Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy (Armageddon 2008 Pay-Per-View)
2009 Winner: THE UNDERTAKER VS. SHAWN MICHAELS (WRESTLEMANIA 26)
2010 Winner: THE UNDERTAKER VS. SHAWN MICHAELS (WREASTLEMANAI 27)-THE STREAK VS. CAREER

TAG TEAM OF THE YEAR: BEER MONEY, INC. (JAMES STORM and ROBERT ROODE)

TNA continues to be a hot bed for tag team wrestling, with one of their teams winning this award for the second year in a row. James Storm and Robert Roode won the TNA Tag Team Championship on January 9, 2011 and held the titles until August 9, 2011. This 212 day title run made Beer Money, Inc the longest reigning TNA Tag Team Champions in the history of the company. Sadly, it looks like Beer Money, Inc will not get a chance to regain their titles. On November 3, Roode beat Storm to become the TNA Heavyweight Champion after hitting his own tag team partner with a beer bottle. The beer bottle smashing against the head of James Storm also smashed the future of 2011’s tag team of the year.

2008 Winner: JOHN MORRISON & THE MIZ
2009 Winner: DX: TRIPLE H & SHAWN MICHAELS
2010 Winner: THE MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS (ALEX SHELLEY AND CHRIS SABIN)

WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: ALBERTO DEL RIO

Winner of the Royal Rumble. Money in the Bank winner. Two time WWE Champion. Those accomplishments would make for a remarkable career. But Alberto Del Rio did ALL of that in just one year. Clearly, it was not only Del Rio’s ‘Destiny’ to become the WWE Champion; he was also destined to be the ‘Wrestler of the Year’!

2008 Winner: C.M. PUNK
2009 Winner: JOHN CENA
2010 Winner: THE MIZ

“NOW THAT…THAT’S COOL” AWARD
This award is for my favorite moment of the year.

Hulk Hogan comes to the aid of Sting at Bound for Glory

I almost didn’t even know that the ‘coolest’ moment of 2011 even took place. I was all set to name The Miz’s big win at Wrestlemania, something that is unheard of for a bad guy’, as my favorite moment of the year. I had stopped watching TNA after that company spit in the face of their fans and disrespected the sport by allowing Jeff Hardy to compete at the Victory Road Pay-Per-View. Hardy was in no shape to wrestle and Sting took matters into his own hands and ended the match in a matter of seconds. Wrestling fans pay their hard earned money to support WWE and TNA, and they deserve a quality main event. TNA showed me that they have no respect for their fans when they went ahead with that match.

Just hours before I was about to post my ‘Turnbuckle Stuffing Awards’, I picked up a copy of Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Year End Awards Issue. Brandy Hick, contributing writing for the magazine, picked Hulk Hogan’s rescue of Sting and corresponding standing ovation from the fans as her favorite moment of 2011. I could not agree more. The Hulkster will always have a special place in my heart, and I am sure that is true of most wrestling fans. To read about him coming to the aid of another all-time favorites of mine and then getting a five minute standing ovation from the fans in attendance made me smile. Hulk Hogan, no matter how long he tries to portray himself as a bad guy, will always have Hulk mania living inside of him. It was great to read that Hulkamania got to live again at Bound For Glory. When the Hulkster ‘fights for what’s right’, all is good in the world of wrestling. And that…that is cool!.

2008 Winner: JEFF HARDY WINS THE WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
2009 Winner: THE UNDERTAKER’S SUICIDE DIVE AT WRESTLEMANIA 25
2010 Winner: THE MIZ CASHES IN HIS MONEY IN THE BAK CONTRACT AND BECOMES THE WWE CHAMPION


The “What a Sheamus” Award: ADAM COPELAND RETIRES
This award is for an event that should never have happened.

I hate Edge. I will always hate Edge. He is a nasty, disgusting, dispicable character. His ‘Live Sex Celebration’ is one of the most disgusting things I have ever seen on Raw.

But Adam Copeland should not have had to retire in 2011. It was not his choice. Severe injuries forced Edge to quite wrestling. Ironically, those injuries that forced him to retire from wresting were caused while wrestling. Adam Copeland put his body on the line to entertain us wrestling fans. Edge and Christian revolutionized the ‘Tables, Ladders, and Chairs’ match. His feud with John Cena is one of the greatest feuds in the history of professional wrestling. His career has given wrestling fans many memories. But in doing so, he did irreversible harm to his own body.

No one should be forced to retire. Edge should still be wrestling. I should still be hating him. Instead, I will say “THANK YOU, ADAM COPLAND” for everything you put your body through to cause me to hate your character and, in the process, thoroughly entertaining me. You will be missed.

2009 Winner: Sheamus Defeating John Cena for the WWE Championship at the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Pay-Per-View
2010 Winner: JACK SWAGGER WINNING THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

And introducing the TURNBUCKLE STUFFing HALL of FAME
2011 INDUCTEE: RANDY “SAVAGE” POFFO
Recognizing the superstars that have made a significant impact on my enjoyment of professional wrestling.

I have been thinking about creating my own ‘Hall of Fame’ for quite some time now. With the sad passing of the “Macho Man’ Randy Savage, this seemed like an appropriate time to introduce this award.

I was never a fan of Randy Savage, the wrestler. Probably because he was such a great villain character and I never cheered for the bad guys in the 80’s. But he plays a significant role in some of my favorite memories as a wrestling fan. His Wrestlemania 3 match against Ricky Steamboat is one of my top ten all time favorite matches. And for a long time, it WAS my all-time favorite match. Wrestlemania 4, where Savage won a tournament to become the WWE Heavyweight Champion, is my favorite Wrestlemania. And the creation of the Mega Powers with Hulk Hogan and eventual breakup of the team is my all-time favorite storyline. Finally, I became a huge fan of Diamond Dallas Page as a direct result of DDP’s feud with Savage.

Randy Poffo sadly passed away on May 20, 2011. But he is very much alive in my memories. Because he holds such a prominent place in my favorite memories of professional wrestling, I can think of no other wrestler deserving of being the first entrant into my ‘Hall of Fame’.

EXTREME RULES PREDICTIONS

Prognostications from the Buckle
2011.5

I had really good results picking the Wrestlemania matches. I went 5-3. I am not counting the “What a Shaemus” vs. Daniel Bryan match since it was moved to a dark match.

After Wrestlemania, I am 10-7 and The Jelly Bean is 4-10.


EXTREME RULES PREDICTIONS



Layla vs. Michelle McCool
(Loser Leaves the WWE)

This one would be hard to predict except for the fact that there rumors of McCool taking time off. Maybe she wants to create some “mini-Takers” with her husband. So the pick here is a no-brainer. The sad part of this match is that the most entertaining story involving the Diva’s division is coming to an end. Lay-Cool was fun to watch and will be missed.

Winner: Layla
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Michelle McCool



Jerry Lawler & Jim Ross vs. Michael Cole & Jack Swagger
(Country Whipping Match)

Jack Swagger proves why he won last year’s “What A Shaemus” award. He went from being a World Heavyweight Champion to being involved in a comedy match. The WWE seems to like to make fun of JR, so his team could possibly lose. But it is time for Lawler to finally get his hands on Michael Cole and end this storyline. Get announcers out of the ring and let wrestlers actually wrestle.

WINNERS: Jerry Lawler & Jim Ross (WOW! I can’t believe I just picked Jim Ross to win a wrestling match. This is a strong contender for this year’s “What A Shaemus” award.)
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Jerry Lawler & Jim Ross



Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes
(Falls Count Anywhere Match)

Cody Rhodes got a big win at Wrestlemania. Since Mysterio got drafted to Raw, this will be the last match between the two wrestlers. So the good guy needs to win here.

WINNER: Rey Mysterio
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Rey Mysterio



Randy Orton vs. CM Punk
(Last Man Standing Match)

Like Mysterio vs. Rhodes, this will be the last match between Punk and Orton. Orton will be in the main event scene on Smackdown now. He cannot lose to Punk if he is going to be the top star on Smackdown. That would ruin any credibility he has going to a new brand. A punt to the head will lay out Punk.

WINNER: Randy Orton
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Randy Orton (to quote Jelly Bean “cause I love him”. So now Daddy is rooting for Punk LOL. No dating until your 92!!!)



Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio

The WWE spent months building up Del Rio. Christian got put in this match just because Edge retired. Putting Christian in the match was a nice little gesture towards Edge. But the WWE is not going to waste all of the build up they put into Del Rio. It is time for him to fulfill his destiny.

WINNER and NEW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: Alberto Del Rio
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Christian



WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
The Miz (CHAMPION) vs. John CEna vs. John Morrison

I really don’t see the WWE finding yet another way to cheat Cena out of winning the Championship. John Morrison has no business being in this match, other than allowing Cena to pin someone other than the Miz to win the title. That way, the Miz, in his arrogance, can claim to never have lost the title.

WINNER and NEW WWE CHAMPION: John Cena
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Cena

2011 WRESTLEMANIA PREDICTIONS

Prognostications from the Buckle
2011.4

After Elimination Chamber, I am 5-4 in my predictions. The Jelly Bean is 2-4. Emmalynn will be picking every match for this Pay-Per-View.


WRESTLEMANIA PREDICTIONS



Eight Man Tag Team Match
The Real Nexus aka The Corre: Wade Barrett, Ezekiel Jackson, Heath Slater, and Justin Gabriel vs. Big Show, Kane, Santino Marella, and Kofi Kingston

I’m not really sure why the Nexus (the group C.M. Punk put together on Raw is NOT the Nexus) is feuding with Big Slow, Kane, Kingston, and Marella. But once The Nexus was banished to Smackdown, they really came into their own as a force to be reckoned with. The Nexus goes into this match wearing a lot of WWE gold. Barrett captured the Intercontinental Championship with Slater and Gabriel holding the WWE Tag Team Championship. The Real Nexus will continue their domination over their hastily assembled opponents. And Kane will be a non-factor, since he decided to become a trombone playing comedy wrestler instead of the monster that destroyed The Undertaker last year.

Winners: The Real Nexus aka The Corre
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Big Show, Kane, Marella, & Kingston



UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP
What a Sheamus (CHAMPION) vs. Daniel Bryan

It looks like the Pasty White Grappler has broken his losing streak. Bryan’s technical skill won’t be able to overcome What A Sheamus’ power.

WINNER and STILL UNITED STATES CHAMPION: WHAT A SHEAMUS
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Daniel Bryan



John Morrison, Trish Stratus, & a Skeeze vs. Dolph Ziggler, Mrs. Undertaker & Layla

I doubt that Trish Stratus would come back to wrestle only to lose on the biggest card of the year. It is a shame that she has to share the ring with someone who is famous for doing nothing. (I refuse to give this person any kind of publicity by mentioning her name). But Trish will not lose.

WINNERS: MORRISON, STRATUS, and someone who has no business being in the ring.
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Morrison & Stratus



Cody Rhodes vs. Rey Mysterio

I have always been a fan of Cody Rhodes. He is a great storyteller in the ring. His new aggressive and paranoid attitude should take him to the next level. I would really like to see a big Wrestlemania win for Rhodes. But little Rey is one of the WWE’s most loyal and popular wrestlers. Mysterio will win on the WWE’s biggest stage.

WINNER: REY MYSTERIO
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Rey Mysterio



Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole

It is sad that this is one of the most well developed feuds on this year’s Wrestlemania card. It should be a fun match. But the outcome is predictable. Lawler CANNOT lose to an announcer, or else he will throw away any credibility he has as a legendary wrestler.

WINNER: LAWLER
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Lawler



Randy Orton vs. CM Punk

I really like the fact that the origin of this feud goes back two years to the Unforgiven Pay-Per-View (which I was at). I give the WWE a lot of credit for using its own history in building this match. Two years ago, Orton was the villain and took Punk out of the Championship Scramble match. I don’t understand why the fans are not on Punk’s side as he tries to get revenge for that brutal attack two years ago. Punk severely injured Orton’s knee on Raw. But an injured Viper is a dangerous Viper. Orton will find a way to win.

WINNER: ORTON
Jelly Bean’s Pick: CM Punk



The Undertaker vs. Triple H

I hate Triple H for using his relationship with the boss’s daughter to stick himself into the biggest match of the year. No other wrestler could be out for as long as Triple H was out and immediately get a Wrestlemania match with the Undertaker. I also don’t understand why the Undertaker is not worried about getting revenge against Kane for burying him alive. But apparently while ‘Taker was buried, he found religion. His new theme states that he will rise and meet Jesus in the air during the Rapture. That song does not fit the Deadman’s character. This whole match doesn’t make sense. But the streak will not end. Taker will take a hit with Triple H’s sledgehammer, rise up thanks to his new found religion, and get the win.

WINNER: THE UNDERTAKER
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Triple H



World Heavyweight Championship
Edge (CHAMPION) vs. Alberto Del Rio

Alberto Del Rio believes that it is his destiny to win the World Heavyweight Championship. His destiny will hit a bump in the road at Wrestlemania. It is unheard of for a newcomer to make a Wrestlemania debut in a Main Event match. There is no way that Del Rio’s first Wrestlemania win in his first Wrestlemania match is going to be for the World Heavyweight Championship. Edge, the Ultimate Opportunist, will find a way to win.

WINNER and STIL WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: EDGE
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Del Rio



WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
The Miz (CHAMPION) vs. John CEna

This may be the hardest match to predict all year. Under normal circumstances, Cena comes out of Wrestlemania as the Champ. But the Rock’s involvement makes this match anything but normal. On the Raw before Wrestlemania, Cena stood triumphant in the ring after giving the Rock an ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT. The Rock will get revenge. The question is, will it be during the match to cost Cena the title or after the match while Cena is celebrating a WWE CHAMPIONSHIP win. I am a fan of both wrestlers, so I will be happy no matter who wins. I am going to predict that the Rock will cost Cena the title. That way, The Rock and Cena can feud without the WWE Championship involved.

WINNER and STILL WWE CHAMPION: THE MIZ
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Cena

2011 Elimination Chamber Predictions

Prognostications from the Buckle
2011.3

After the Rumble, I am 1-3 in my predictions. (I am not counting the Divas Championship, since they changed the match at the last minute.) The Jelly Bean is 0-1. Emmalynn will be picking every match for this Pay-Per-View.


ELIMINATION CHAMBER PREDICTIONS



WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov (CHAMPIONS) vs. Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel

Marella & Kozlov had a fun reign as the Tag Team Champions. But their pairing was mostly a joke. The joke has run its course. Slater and Gabriel are the most promising members of the Corre. The Corre also needs something to give the group legitimacy. Right now, they are nothing more than Nexus castoffs. A run as the Tag Team Champions would give the Corre some credibility as a force in the WWE.

Winners and NEW WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: JUSTIN GABRIEL & HEATH SLATER
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Marella & Kozlov



Kofi Kingston vs. Alberto Del Rio

I don’t really know why this match is on the Pay-Per-View. It is probably here just to keep Del Rio in the spotlight since he will be headlining Wrestlemania. Because he is in a Wrestlemania Main Event, Del Rio cannot lose. It would make him look weak going into the biggest show of the year.

WINNER: ALBERTO DEL RIO
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Del Rio



WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
The Miz (CHAMPION) vs. Jerry “The King” Lawler

The Miz and Lawler already wrestled for the WWE Championship on the November 29, 2010 edition of Monday Night Raw. Lawler lost that match. To have a rematch on a Pay-Per-View, only to have Lawler lose yet again, seems rather pointless. Lawler has been very loyal to the WWE over the years, and I think that loyalty gets rewarded with a brief run as the WWE Champion.

WINNER and NEW WWE CHAMPION: JERRY LAWLER
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Lawler



Smackdown Elimination Chamber Match
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Edge (CHAMPION) vs. Kane vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Wade Barrett

Dolph Ziggler was supposed to be in this match, until he was fired by Vickie Guerrero on the February 18 edition of Smackdown. That leaves an open spot in the Elimination Chamber Match. There is the possibility of a surprise entrant in the match. I really hope this happens. The idea of any one of these wrestlers going into Wrestlemania as the World Heavyweight Champion is not very exciting. Since Del Rio has chosen to face the World Heavyweight Champion at Wrestlemania, the winner of this match has to be a ‘good guy’. Since Mysterio has a feud going with Cody Rhodes, I am going to pick Edge. But PLEASE WWE, give us a surprise entrant. Edge and Del Rio do not have an intriguing storyline going into Mania’. This year’s Wrestlemania needs a dose of excitement. There are not a lot of compelling storylines going on right now. That is probably why the Rock was brought in, to create some sense of excitement to this year’s Wrestlemania. Edge vs. Del Rio is not going to bring excitement to Wrestlemania.

WINNER and STILL WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: EDGE
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Rey Mysterio



Raw Elimination Chamber Match
Winner will go on to face the WWE Champion at Wrestlemania
John Cena vs. John Morrison vs. R-Truth vs. Randy Orton vs. Sheamus vs. C.M. Punk

As I stated in the prediction above, this road to this year’s Wrestlemania Main Events are not filled with any excitement. Orton will probably face Punk at Mania’. Shaemus still has to face the wrath of Triple H. Morrison already had his title shot on Raw. R-Truth is not Main Event material. That leaves John Cena, who can always be counted on to bring excitement and energy to Wrestlemania.

WINNER: JOHN CENA
Jelly Bean’s Pick: Cena


When you are watching this year’s Elimination Chamber matches, pause for a moment and consider how much these men put their bodies through to entertain us. There is no way to ‘fake’ being smashed into steel chains. A body slam onto steel has to hurt. Professional wrestlers are some of the greatest athletes in the world and they put their bodies through unbelievable punishment to entertain us. They deserve our respect as well as our applause.