Eat, Drink, Wrestle

Steve Austin's Broken Skull IPA

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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By now you've probably read that WWE Hall of Famer "Stone Cold" Steve Austin has teamed up with El Segundo Brewing Company for a new craft beer.  It's called Steve Austin's Broken Skull IPA.  The company says right now the beer will be sold in California, but it sounds like they have plans to distribute. Hopefully this goes nationwide sooner rather than later.  

Endorsing Chipotle Ketchup (as Bobby Heenan)

Austin isn't the first in wrestling to have a food or beverage created in their likeness.  Of course Jim Ross has a whole line of barbecue sauce and condiments out there.  In addition to the sauces there's also beef jerky.  So far all I've had is the chipotle ketchup, but I highly recommend it.  It's available on several websites.  I plan to pick up some Main Event Mustard at Wrestlemania Axxess in 2016.  Click here for details.

Roddy Piper's "All Out of Bubble Gum" soda

A few years ago a soda called "All Out of Bubblegum" was released in honor of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and the movie They Live.  Piper's famous line "I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass, and I'm all out of bubblegum." I've never tried the soda, but it's still available on BevMo!'s website for $1.99 a bottle.  

Lucha beer!

South of the border, Jose Guizar has come up with cerveceria sagrada.  This "lucha" beer is inspired by stars of the ring in Mexico.  Flavors include Rey Negro (Imperial Stout), Guero Gomez (Lager) and El Hijo del Vampiro (Red Ale).  You can learn more here. 

The Rock's pie

Not sure how successful these items are, but I'm surprised The Rock hasn't been approached to endorse a line of pies and strudels.  How about dog food based on The British Bulldogs, Junkyard Dog or The Road Dogg?  Or Bob Backlund chicken wings?  What wrestling inspired food lines can you come up with? 

WWE: You're Upping the Game

Shemaus, Triple H, Steph & Rusev
Courtesy: WWE

By Chad Smart
@chadsmart & @my123cents on Twitter
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After Survivor Series 2015, I was not impressed with the direction WWE was going. If you listen to the My 1-2-3 Cents the Podcast Episode 52, (cheap plug) you can  hear Kevin and me explain why Sheamus winning the title wasn’t a fulfilling ending to Survivor Series.  However, 24 hours later, I may be changing my opinion. 

RAW opened with the required dull promo by the Authority. This wasn’t enough to even pique my interest. Then towards the end of the promo, after Sheamus and Roman Reigns got involved things started to pick up.  Reigns tried to show he wouldn’t be intimidated by the Authority only to turn around and eat a superkick from a returning Rusev. This set up a main event of Reigns vs. Rusev with Sheamus in the Bulgarian Brute’s corner. 

Sheamus taunts Reigns
Courtesy: WWE 

During the latter part of the match, after Sheamus was kicked to the back by the referee, King Barrett did a run in and attacked Reigns. Sheamus, Barrett and Rusev have had a loose association over the past couple of months before Rusev went out with an injury. It appears that group is sticking together now that Sheamus is WWE Champion. My interest in this group is at a crossroad. 

If WWE wants to push the group as a dominant force and not be the Jobber To The Stars the three Superstars have been over the past year, then I’m interested to see what happens next and could get behind a lengthy Sheamus title run. 

We like this new faction
Courtesy: WWE

If WWE keeps the group as job fodder and use Sheamus as a transitional champion, I don’t have any interest in the group. The Euro-Connection could be compared to the Wyatt Family. Each is comprised of wrestlers who are capable in the ring and who fans, I think, want to support. The problem is how the creative team uses them. 

With all the injuries currently plaguing the WWE roster, now is the time to get behind a new stable and push them to the top. WWE shouldn’t be waiting on John Cena or Randy Orton to come back. WWE shouldn’t rely on bringing in Brock Lesnar or any other former star to carry the company. The crossroads where the WWE currently rests shows this is the time to look forward at who is going to carrying the company into the third decade of the 21st Century. Stop relying on the old and go with the new. 

The pieces are in place for the Euro-Connection to be a formidable force. Will WWE complete the puzzle or will they stay the course they were on before Seth Rollins’ injury? Time will tell. For now, I’m willing to see where the road leads.

NHL Quest for 30: Pittsburgh

By Chad Smart
@chadsmart & @my123cents on Twitter
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It’s been awhile since I last wrote. I had planned on writing more this year but then life came along and decided that wouldn’t be the case. Hopefully, over the next few weeks I can get back on track. 

Anyway.

Long time readers with good memories may remember how two seasons ago, I  started a descent into hockey fandom after a friend proposed the idea of going to all 30 NHL arenas.  If you need to refresh your memory or missed it the first time, you can catch up here.  After a season of traveling coast to coast getting baptized into the church of hockey, I tried to determine which team I should pledge my fandom. The team I was leaning towards due to having been an unofficial fan already was the Pittsburgh Penguins. Much to their credit, the Pens twitter operator responded and encouraged me to make my fandom official.  

It didn’t take much twisting of my arm for me to go with the Penguins, though I still consider myself a fan of hockey in general and simply want to see a good game no matter which arena I happen to be visiting. The second season of the QUEST FOR 30 saw trips to Dallas, Florida, Tampa Bay, Edmonton and Chicago. With the 2015/16 NHL season a little over six weeks old, there’s already been a trip to Vancouver that would rank in the Top 5 experiences so far. But this week is the moment I’ve been looking forward to since I fully immersed myself in the idea of the Quest. I finally get to step foot into Consol Energy Center and watch the Penguins battle the St. Louis Blues. Then two days later, it’s a trip to the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio to see the Penguins tussle with the Blue Jackets. 

Iceburgh

While I’m excited to make my second trip to Pittsburgh, the first was back in 1998  when I really could have used a GPS unit to navigate all the one way streets, I have some concerns about the game against the Blues. Over the past two seasons, I have seen the Blues play three games. In those three games the Blues are undefeated. Not only have they not lost, in the first game against the Minnesota Wild, I witnessed TJ Oshie record his first hat trick. In the second game against the Dallas Stars, Vladimir Tarasneko scored thrice to get a hat trick of his own.  A month ago in Vancouver, there were no hat tricks just a solid win for the Blues. On one hand, I am rooting for a Penguins home win. On the other, if the Blues remain unbeaten in my presence,  this could boost my negotiating role when I offer my services to attend all Blues games during the Playoffs. 

The Penguins haven’t gotten off to a great start this season. However there is still plenty of season left. Nevertheless, being in the home arena surrounded by Black and Gold will make the game exciting enough. Add in a quest to get a photo with Iceburgh to keep the streak of mascot photos alive and you’ve got the 
makings for a good night. 

I have heard only good things about the Blue Jackets arena so I’m looking forward to seeing if it lives up to the hype. Whatever the scoreboard says after the games, I’m just hoping my expectations aren’t too high and both experiences will rank high on the list when I get around to compiling my “Best” lists when 
recapping the Quest. Now, where’s Iceburgh?

Surviving This Year's Survivor Series

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I'm not going to lie, I'm kind of disappointed with this year's Survivor Series card.  I've always preferred the elimination style matches that at one time only existed on this yearly pay per view.  WWE has announced there will be one five-on-five match, however the show is less than 30 hours away and no participants have been listed (as of this posting).

The main focus, as it should be, is the crowning of  a new WWE World Heavyweight champion.  As long as it doesn't end a "screw job" I'll be happy with any of the four contenders in the tournament.  If I were to rank them in order, I'd go Kevin Owens, Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Alberto Del Rio.  I don't think Reigns will win as I believe they've been building him up to capture the title in a more dramatic fashion than winning a tournament.  Will Sheamus cash in and win?  Anything is possible and I do like that unpredictability factor right now.

This year's event also marks 25 years of the Undertaker (and the Gobbledy Gooker).  I wish WWE was doing something more with he and Kane than a tag team match against two members of the Wyatt Family.  This one too could have easily been made an elimination match too, but I digress... I hope they go old school with his costume and even bring Brother Love out for good measure.  However, I don't think that'll happen.

I will watch the show of course and have a delayed podcast with some analysis with Chad.  It'll be interesting to see who survives and goes along the Road to Wrestlemania.  Check out this infographic by Jake Sharpless at the website Rukkus.  He always does a good job capturing the history of a WWE PPV in a visual format.

Created by Jake Sharpless
rukkus.com

Controversy Creates Cash or Cry Babies?

Contract signing
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I realize the title is probably a bit harsh and while I'd like to say it's not my intent to offend anyone, I'm not sure that's totally true.  There's a broad message here, but I'm tying it to a specific wrestling-related event.

Charlotte strikes
Courtesy: WWE

Recently on Monday Night Raw a verbal battle between Divas champion Charlotte and number one contender Paige fired up the Internet Wrestling Community.  Charlotte brought up her brother Reid Flair (not by name) who died in 2013 of a drug overdose.  She told Paige she was in WWE to fulfill his dream.  Paige retorted with "He didn't have much fight in him, did he?" The comment sent Charlotte into a rage and the two Divas brawled around the ring.

The comment seemed to impact fans even more.  The backlash against Paige and WWE has dominated social media.  Fans claimed to be insulted and offended by the remark and that WWE was out of line using another wrestling death to put over an angle.  Some even plan to boycott the company and this weekend's Survivor Series event.

Reid Flair

I don't offend easy.  The remark didn't bother me.  But as a father, I could see where Ric Flair (who says he had no knowledge the remark was going to be made) and Reid's mother Beth are owed an apology.  In my opinion they're the only two who really truly have a dog in the fight.  Considering Ric's relationship with Triple H (WWE COO) I think he was owed the courtesy of knowing the line was going to be dropped.   My question is this: Are fans really offended by the comment or do they feel like they SHOULD be offended?

Craig Kilborn
Courtesy: World Wide Pants & CBS

I remember the day after Owen Hart, who was dressed as the Blue Blazer, plunged to his death in Kansas City, Missouri Late, Late Show host Craig Kilborn made a tasteless JOKE about the incident.  Fans came unglued, but this was long before social media was around. Kilborn and CBS did apologize and we all moved on.  I bring this up because I feel like the Paige-Charlotte incident wasn't meant to insult or degrade the memory of Reid Flair.  It was clearly being used to create heat for Sunday's match, which I don't really think this feud needs, but I digress.

Today's society is looking for things to be offended by.  Skin color, religion, sexual orientation, politics and heck now even coffee cups seem to have divided many of us online. As Ric Flair said on Woo Nation, this "controversy" is nothing in comparison to the events currently happening in the world right now.  So instead of being butt hurt and offended every time something happens that we disagree with, take the high road, turn the other cheek and do something to make the world (or at least your community) a better place.

Our Survivor Series

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I am a fan of the traditional elimination style matches that made up the first several Survivor Series events. With the 2015 pay per view looking less and less likely to feature this format, Chad and I have come up with the matches he'd like to see this year. 

Note: we did not use any injured Superstars or those who are off for the time being.  That takes a lot out including Seth Rollins, Rusev, Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan, John Cena and Brock Lesnar.

Chad's teams

WYATT FAMILY                 VS.            DARKSIDE DEMONS

Bray Wyatt                                            Undertaker

Luke Harper                                          Kane

Erik Rowan                                            Viktor

Braun Strowman                                   Connor

MILLIONS OF UNICORNS   VS.         U SO LUCHA

Kofi Kingston                                        Jimmy Uso

Big E.                                                    Jey Uso

Titus O’Neil                                           Kalisto

Darren Young                                       Sin Cara

NXT MIZ THING            VS.                 NOVEMBER REIGN

Kevin Owens                                        Roman Reigns

Tyler Breeze                                         Dean Ambrose

Bo Dallas                                              Dolph Ziggler

Miz                                                        Neville

ONE WORLD                VS.                 SWAG

Alberto Del Rio                                    Jack Swagger

Stardust                                              Cesaro

Sheamus                                            Ryback

King Barrett                                        R-Truth

Kevin's teams 

WYATT FAMILY            vs.               BROTHERS OF DESTRUCTION 

Bray Wyatt                                         Undertaker

Luke Harper                                       Kane

Erik Rowan                                        Jey Uso

Braun Strowman                               Jimmy Uso

WORLD POWERS      vs.                THE SUPER SHIELD 

Alberto Del Rio                                      Roman Reigns
Kevin Owens                                          Dean Ambrose
Sheamus                                                 Dolph Ziggler
King Barrett                                           Ryback

COSMIC WASTELAND   vs.        SWISS AIR 
Stardust                                                  Cesaro
Tyler Breeze                                           Neville
Konnor                                                   Sin Cara
Viktor                                                     Kalisto 

THE BIG UNICORNS      vs.       PRIME TIME DUDLEYZ
Big E                                                       Bubba Ray Dudley
Kofi Kingston                                        D-Von Dudley
Xavier Woods                                        Darren Young
The Big Show                                        Titus O'Neil 

MIZ USED                            vs.      AXED TOO SOON 

Miz                                                          Curtis Axel

Bo Dallas                                                Damien Sandow

Adam Rose                                             Fandango 

Heath Slater                                          Jack Swagger 

PAIGE TURNERS             vs.         WOO! NATION 

Paige                                                Charlotte 

Nikki Bella                                         Becky Lynch

Sasha Banks                                     Natalya 

I made the Divas a three on three because the current roster doesn't have enough face Divas and to keep within the rules of only using main roster talent I didn't want to bring Bailey up for this, although that would have been the way to accomplish this.

You've Run a Marathon, So What's Next?

A SnapChat finish

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I'm writing this not to brag or to whine, but instead to reach out to other runners who may be in the situation I find myself in right now.  Just over two weeks ago, I completed my first marathon.  I say first because I do intend to run another, but for the last 17 days I've found myself feeling rather blah about running.

I've run eight times since crossing the finish line on the marathon.  The furthest run to date is just 5.29 miles.  I can't seem to motivate myself to go beyond that point right now.  I have several friends who are planning a 50-mile ultra later this month.  I've been invited to join them, but I have no desire to compete in such an event.

The elusive Disney marathon medal

I have my eyes on other marathons down the road, most specifically the race at Disney World.  Seeing those Mickey Mouse medals has awakened the kid in me.  Plus what better scenery to run through is there than the "Happiest Place on Earth"?  But until that becomes a reality (at least a few years from now) I'll try to find the happiness in running again.  I don't hate doing it, but I do feel different since finishing the marathon.

So if you've felt like this after a big race, how did you cope?  What advice can you give a guy going through a midlife crisis and using running as he way to get through it all?

We Wish You A Cheesy Christmas

The Night Before Lighted Christmas
cheesychristmassweater.com

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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It's been said that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. We all have different traditions and views, one of my favorite aspects of it all is the chance to spread the spirit the holiday.  Many groups and individuals do that by providing gifts and meals for the less fortunate.  Churches will host living nativity scenes or hold a Christmas pageant to share the reason for the season.  People will put up a Christmas tree, hang lights outside their home and bake lots of Christmas cookies.  I like doing all these things.  But one of my favorite things to do is wear an ugly Christmas sweater.

2014's homemade ugly sweatshirt (w/my buddy Tom Harness)

To be honest these novelty items are not cheap.  I've seen them online for more than a hundred dollars in some places. They're so popular these days you can't pick them up at Goodwill or thrift stores like you used to be able to.  Being a cheapskate, I've either borrowed an ugly Christmas sweater or taken pieces of holiday decor and created a one-of-a-kind design, which truly hold up to the ugly part of the equation.  There's even a day dedicated to these horrendous creations, this year it's December 18.

I recently received a sweater from the British company Cheesy Christmas Sweater.  You can read more about the company here and check out their awesome designs.  When I first opened mine, called The Night Before Lighted Christmas, I didn't realize it lit up.  Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised.

With its glittery popcorn baubles, shiny bows on the gifts under the tree and a peaceful angel perched on top, this sweater had my attention immediately. But then when you switch on the battery pack and the tiny lights embedded in the tree start to glow the cheesy factor increases like Santa's waistline.  Those lights blink and change colors from red, green, blue and yellow.  I can not wait to wear this on Ugly Christmas Sweater Day and to the many holiday festivities I plan to attend.  My family is sure to disown me before December 25.

Inside the sweater

The sweater I received costs $77.56 and is one of three light up sweaters offered by Cheesy Christmas Sweater.  Sometimes when I wear a sweater I find it hot and itchy, but that's not the case with this one.  I do wear an undershirt, but that's out of habit.  Without one, the lights inside are covered with a soft piece of material that didn't bother my skin. The company sent me a medium, which is a bit snug.  But I see it as motivation to not overindulge on Christmas cookies this season.  It did not come with washing instructions, but because of the lights I've already deduced it's hand wash only.

The Twosie: Nutcracker (sold out)

There are regular ugly sweaters that start at just over $44 and Christmas cardigans for less than 70 bucks.  All of the designs are fun and festive and are in line with the cheesy/ugly Christmas theme.   The site offers something I'd never seen until I was introduced to them a few months ago and that's the "Twosie."  As the name suggests, it's a two headed Christmas sweater.  The designs include The Nutcracker and Believe in Magic.  They are by far the most popular as both designs are sold out at this time.

If you're planning to order from Cheesy Christmas Sweater, I'd act fast.  Ugly Christmas Sweater Day will be here before you know it and because the company is located in England, it may take it a little longer to arrive.  Check with them when you place your order.  Thanks for reading and Merry Christmas.

Banking on Tag Team Gold

Sheamus & Barrett
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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This idea has been swirling around in my head for a while now so I finally decided to put it out there for all of you to read.  Sheamus is the current holder of the Money in the Bank briefcase.  He's also recently struck up a friendship and partnership with "King" Wade Barrett.  I like the duo and when Rusev comes back, I hope he's added back into this mix.  They could have some epic battles with Cesaro, Neville and Tyson Kidd when he returns.

Courtesy: WWE

There's talk of Sheamus eventually replacing Seth Rollins in the Authority and cashing in and winning the gold that way.  But to quote Daniel Bryan, "NO! NO! NO!"  Try this instead...  have Sheamus AND Barrett cash in the briefcase and win the tag team titles.  Ideally it'll be a transition team after New Day loses the belts (which I don't want to happen anytime soon, but this is short attention span theater these days).

Tag team turmoil
Courtesy: WWE

I'm not the biggest fan of Sheamus having another WWE World title run, but I'm certainly not opposed to him wearing gold again.  I still think WWE needs to work on the tag team division and having a MITB winner cash in on those titles would lend some credible.  It's an outside of the box idea and I'm sure others have discussed it.  What do you think of Sheamus or future MITB winners cashing in on a title other than the World heavyweight championship?  By the way I'm not advocating for him or anyone else to cash in on the Divas champion.

Remembering Doris "Von Erich"

Kevin, Kerry, Doris, Mike and David Von Erich
Courtesy: The Von Erich Family

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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The matriarch of one of wrestling's greatest families has died.  Doris "Von Erich" Adkisson died last month in Hawaii surrounded by her son Kevin and his wife and children.  She was 82 years old.  There's a wonderfully written piece by Robert Wilonsky that includes interviews with Kevin and his daughter, Kristen.  Mrs. Adkisson will be laid to rest November 11 in her home state of Texas.

World Class Championship Wrestling was one of the first promotions I started watching at age 10.  The Von Erich brothers, especially Kerry,  hooked me immediately.  The family had just started a feud with the Fabulous Freebirds that remains one of the greatest rivalries of all time.  

Family photo
Courtesy: The Von Erich Family

I don't recall Mrs. Adkisson ever being written into the storylines, but I do remember seeing her on TV at some point.  When I think of all the tragedies she endured as a mother, I've concluded she was one of the toughest people on the planet.  Five of her six children preceded her in death.  She and Fritz lost a son named Jack when he was just a boy.  Then as adults we mourned with the family as David, Mike, Chris and Kerry all died.

The next generation
Courtesy: TNA

The family continues to stay in the wrestling world.  Several years ago granddaughter Lacey (Kerry's youngest daughter) tried her hand at the business.  Now Kevin's two sons, Marshall and Ross Von Erich continue to make a name for themselves.  I'm sure Mrs. Adkisson is with her boys and smiling down on her family beaming with pride as they carry on the family name.  Godspeed to the entire family as they remember a mother and grandmother who appeared to be as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.  Rest in peace Mrs. Adkisson.