3 WrestleMania options for John Cena

The Road to WrestleMania closed?

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Once again John Cena has come up short in finding his Road to WrestleMania. He failed to win the Royal Rumble in January, which would have insured him a shot at the Universal or WWE Champions. Cena lost his effort to be the number one contender for the Universal Championship after losing at Elimination Chamber in February. And it was seemingly 'strike three' for the16-time heavyweight champ when he couldn't win the gold in the six-pack challenge at Fastlane. 

Where does this leave Cena for the biggest event of the year? I've got a few options in mind. Since 2004 Cena has been in a championship match or a high profile match at WrestleMania. Even in 2016 when he was out hurt, Cena appeared during the Rock's impromptu match against Erik Rowan. Cena is as much a part of WrestleMania as Superstars like Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan and the Undertaker.

Undertaker
Courtesy: WWE

Speaking of the Dead Man, he's my first option for Cena. I'll admit I don't like how WWE ended last year's show with Undertaker losing to Reigns and the unanswered questions about Taker's future. But Undertaker seems to be the most logical choice in this scenario. He's the one guy who Cena hasn't faced on the big stage. Even with the Streak long broken, in my 1-2-3 cents this would still be a compelling match and if they don't push Undertaker past the limit the work rate will be great.

Bobby Lashley
Courtesy: Impact Wrestling

I would have much rather seen Bobby Lashley enter and win the Royal Rumble and go on to face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania, I think the former ECW Champion coming in to do battle with Cena could be epic. I know Lashley is no spring chicken in the business, but he has come a long way since leaving WWE a decade ago. There's still plenty of gas in the tank and Lashley facing Cena (win, lose or draw) at WrestleMania would be an amazing comeback and boost to his career.

Buddy Murphy
Courtesy: WWE

NXT is full of great talent. Usually, a handful of Superstars are called up to the main roster at the Raw after WrestleMania. However, how great would it be to see one of these men come up early and face the biggest Superstar of them all on the grandest stage of them all? Admittedly, I don't watch NXT like I should. If I was forced to pick someone, I'd go with Buddy Murphy. I know he's on 205 Live at the moment, but this guy looks like a million bucks and I like the 'best-kept secret' gimmick they're doing with him. Cena could come out on Raw and complain about not having an opponent and then Murphy bursts onto the scene and reveals the secret is out and he's ready for Cena. I know the likelihood of this happening is next to null, but it would be something unexpected and give an up-and-comer the ultimate rub.

Who do you think Cena should face at WrestleMania? Weigh in here. 

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Fun Fact Friday: Roger Matheus

Roger Matheus
Courtesy: Jonathan Barnhart

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion "Big" Roger Matheus has been on roll for most of his career with the company. He battled Chris Hargas in his first major feud and took the upper hand in those matches and then quickly became the number one contender to the Stride championship. In May he beat Heath Hatton in the company's first TLC match to win the belt.

Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Since becoming champ, Matheus has beaten Hatton, Jay Spade and Red Daniels in a fatal four-way match, along with Farmer Billy Hills and Cash Borden in separate title defenses. This Saturday night, Matheus teams with his former rival Farmer and they battle number one Spade and JD Wilk. They'll have Sarah Summers in their corner for that contest too.

Now for some fun facts about this incredibly gifted brawler, who even after interviewing for the My 1-2-3 Cents podcast, intimidates the hell out of me.

1. Roger Matheus has competed in Primo's Slave to the Death Match tournament in Denver, Colorado. This doesn't surprise me, as Matheus is one of the toughest men I've ever met in this business and beyond.

MMA Days

2. His experience goes beyond the wrestling ring. Matheus has an extensive history as a mixed martial artist. He actually trained in those ranks with current Global Force Wrestling star and former WWE Superstar Bobby Lashley. 

3. Matheus is belted in Brazilian jiu-jitsu by Alvin Robinson under Royce Gracie, who of course is a three-time MMA champion.

So there you have it. Between his military experience (that I've written about before) and his time in MMA, you can see why Matheus is nearly unbeatable in the wrestling ring. He and Farmer will no doubt take Spade and Wilk to the limit Saturday night. Be sure to join us.

Foreign Object Friday: Finlay's shillelagh

Hornswoggle & Finlay with their shillelaghs
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's St. Patrick's Day so it only makes sense to talk about Irish Superstar Fit Finlay and his shillelagh in today's Foreign Object Friday. The official definition of a shillelagh is a thick stick of blackthorn or oak used in Ireland, typically as a weapon.

Lashley tastes the shillelagh
Courtesy: WWE

Like Jimmy Hart's megaphone, Mr. Fuji's cane and Jim Cornette's tennis racket, Finlay's shillelagh was often at his side. He used it more than a time or two against opponents both big and small. Bobby Lashley tasted the shillelagh after Little Bastard (eventually Hornswoggle) slid him the weapon. That blow helped Finlay capture the U.S. Championship. 

Little Boogie Man gets hit
Courtesy: WWE

Little Boogie Man was also abused by the shillelagh. Finlay used it during he and Hornswoggle's feud with the Boogie Man and his diminutive counterpart. Even the World's Strongest Man Mark Henry has been whacked with the wooden stick too.

Father and son
Courtesy: WWE

Eventually, Finlay and his son turned good, but that didn't necessarily mean an end to the shillelagh shenanigans. It was used among several other foreign objects during Finlay's Belfast Brawl match against JBL at WrestleMania 24. There were even times Finlay relied on Hornswoggle as a weapon too, launching his pint-sized partner on unsuspecting foes.

The time I watched Donald Trump wrestle Rosie O'Donnell

"Donald Trump" vs. "Rosie O'Donnell" in 2007
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Since everyone is talking about our new President-elect, I figured I would too. I've mentioned before Donald Trump is in the WWE Hall of Fame. Chad and I were inside Madison Square Garden in 2013 for The Donald's induction ceremony. As we watched and listened I don't think either of us ever imagined he (or anyone else from WWE) would ever be elected President of the United States.

WrestleMania IV at Trump Plaza
Courtesy: WWE

Trump's history with Vince McMahon and WWE is rich (pun intended). In 1988, Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, New Jersey hosted WrestleMania IV. That was the night "The Macho Man" Randy Savage won the WWF Heavyweight Championship. A year later, WWE returned to the same location for WrestleMania V and Hulk Hogan's recapturing of that very belt. It was the first time in the short history of the event that a new champion was crowned back to back years.

Cake to the face
Courtesy: WWE

Years later, Rosie O'Donnell and Trump started a real life feud. Always looking to capitalize on things in the mainstream media McMahon booked a match on Monday Night Raw in January 2007 between "Trump" and "O'Donnell". Chad and I along with our friend Randy were in the crowd that night as the "match" took place in St. Louis. Of course, it wasn't the real Trump nor O'Donnell. Instead, wrestlers Ace Steel and Kiley McLean played the roles of the celebrities. "Trump" won after hitting "Rosie" in the face with a Fudgie the Whale ice cream cake and a "hairbutt" from the second rope. (McMahon also booked a Barack Obama-Hillary Clinton match during the 2008 primary race.)

Donald wins again
Courtesy: WWE

Later that same month the real Trump got involved again with WWE, by interrupting Mr. McMahon's Fan Appreciation Night. McMahon was giving away money to fans, both in the crowd and at home. This lead to "The Battle of the Billionaires" a WrestleMania 23. Trump's guy Bobby Lashley beat Vince's guy Umaga and as a result McMahon was shaved bald. Had Lashley lost Trump would have had the same fate. Can you imagine?

WWE Hall of Fame induction
Courtesy: WWE

So while the world is either celebrating or mourning the election of Trump to the White House, I found it a good time to share the story of his history with wrestling and recall the night I saw a likeness of him get in the ring and do battle. 

Finally making an impact

By Chad Smart
@chadsmart & @my123cents on Twitter
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Towards the end of episode 87 of the My 1-2-3 Cents podcast, I stated Impact Wrestling has been on a roll lately and encouraged listeners to give Impact another chance. Based on this week’s (7/21) episode, I stand by that assessment. Coming off the criticism I’ve leveled at Impact (and yes, I prefer to say Impact instead of TNA) over the past four years on this blog, if I’m now giving Impact credit, it’s done because I firmly enjoy the product.

I don’t know what’s changed since Impact moved from Destination America to Pop earlier this year but the company seems more focused with specific plans in place. Impact has lost several wrestlers over the past year which now seems to be a blessing more than a curse. The loss of top level talent such as Bobby Roode, Austin Aries and Bully Ray, created spots for fresh new talent to take the ball and run. Drew Galloway and Ethan Carter III have been on point to where one has to wonder why WWE didn’t do anything productive with either guy when they were with the company. The biggest shock to me though has been Bobby Lashley.

Lashley
Courtesy: Impact Wrestling

During Lashley’s run in WWE and his first run on Impact, I thought he was nothing more than a jacked up muscle head. Over the past month though something has clicked with him both in the ring and on the mic that engages me when he’s on TV. His current run as badass champ who’ll fight all challengers has me curious to see who’s next.

The Bromans
Courtesy Impact Wrestling

Impact has also done a decent job of re-building the X-Division and Tag Team Division. The mid-card also features fresh talent who if given a chance, I think can become long term players. Most off all, as I mentioned earlier, there seems to be long term planning to story lines. There’s not as much just throw something at the wall and see what sticks then do something different next week.

The Knockouts
Courtesy: Impact Wrestling

The Knockouts Division features a mix of new and established talent who are all doing a good job to keep the women’s revolution going. I would like to see more talent brought in, as right now there are only five competitors.

"Broken" Matt Hardy
Courtesy: Impact Wrestling

Shockingly the biggest asset to Impact right now is “Broken” Matt Hardy. When Matt first started with the "Broken"character, I doubt anyone saw potential in what he was doing. Now, maybe because it’s so different or just so out there and Matt plays it 100% serious, I can’t wait to se what he’ll do week after week in his quest to belittle and rule over the “Obsolete Mule” Brother Nero (Jeff Hardy). I will also stand by my critique the WWE ripped off Matt and Nero’s “Final Deletion” match with the compound battle between the New Day and Wyatt Family. Only WWE’s version wasn’t half as entertaining.

Of course not everything Impact is doing is praise worthy. They still run too many gimmick matches for my taste. My personal dislike of the American Wolves also has me wishing Davey Richards’ recent injury had lasted longer. Although I will give credit to Eddie Edwards for his matches against Bobby Lashley the past two weeks as being two really good title vs. title bouts.

Overall, Impact still has some areas to improve as no company will ever be 100% perfect. Compared to Impact from 2012-2015 though, 2016 Impact is quickly become my must see wrestling show of the week. I hope I haven’t just jinxed them. I don’t know what’s going on backstage and I don’t care. I’m enjoying the product on the TV screen and at the end of the day that’s the most important thing.

Wrestling with politics

Donald Trump & Hulk Hogan
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Through the years there have been staged runs for the White House in the world of professional wrestling. "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan once declared his candidacy for President of the United States on Monday Nitro. Mr. Bob Backlund had done the same thing, even calling out a Bill Clinton impersonator prior the 1996 election.

Trump & Jesse Ventura

Then there's the real side of wrestlers getting involved in politics. As you see by the main picture Donald Trump is going to be discussed, just hang on, I'm getting there. Jesse Ventura served as the mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and eventually ended up running as the Reform Party candidate for Governor. He won the race and shook up things in the Land of a Thousand Lakes. He's teased runs at the White House in the past, but has never made the move. Most recently he's endorsed Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson as he runs for President again.

Ventura is clearly staying away from Trump, who at one time seemed to be an ally of the Body. In 2004 after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, Ventura told Trump during a ringside interview "we may need a wrestler in the White House in 2008." Donald told Jesse then that he's support him 100%.

Trump at WrestleMania 23 with Vince McMahon & Bobby Lashley
Courtesy: WWE

Trump is now the Republican nominee for President. But did you know he has more of wrestling connection than his interview with Ventura 12 years ago? Trump Tower hosted back to back WrestleManias in the late 80s. And in 2007 he actually got into the ring and scuffled with WWE owner Vince McMahon. The two each had a wrestler represent them in a match in which the losing billionaire would also lose his hair. Trump and his man Bobby Lashley prevailed and Mr. McMahon looked like Daddy Warbucks in the weeks that followed.

In 2013 I was on hand in Madison Square Garden as Trump was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. If you're not a wrestling fan and still reading this, thank you. But also for clarification, many years ago WWE created a celebrity wing to honor those non-wrestlers who have helped to give the company main stream media attention.

Donald Trump's WWE Hall of Fame induction
Courtesy: WWE

Trump was a good sport that night. You could tell he was a fan of the business or at least WWE. In the past, WWE has done a campaign called Smackdown Your Vote in an attempt to get members of the WWE Universe (wrestling fans) involved in the political process. Candidates have been invited to tape messages to air on the flagship shows. It'll be interesting to see if WWE does anything extra this year since a member of the Hall of Fame has made it to the final ballot.

Others who have served or attempted to serve in politics after life in the ring include B. Brian Blair who served as a Hillsborough County Commissioner in Florida. Jerry "The King" Lawler wanted to rule Memphis politics, but came up short in his bid for Mayor of that city. And Linda McMahon, the now former WWE CEO, ran two unsuccessful campaigns for the United States Senate. She wanted to represent Connecticut in Washington, D.C.

A Salute to Wrestling Vets

Today is veterans day, so I decided to to dedicate this post to the men and women who serve our country.  I'm also having a little fun remembering some of the more memorable military wrestling characters, and others who were real life heroes.  Let's start with them.

He may not look like it in that picture or in any of his ring attire for that matter, but Jesse "the Body" Ventura was a member of the United States Navy for about six years.  This was during the Vietnam era.  Ventura was a part of the Underwater Demolition Team.

Of course the "Body" went on to have success in the ring and on the mic as an announcer before becoming the governor of Minnesota.

Thanks Jessie for your service.

The Road Dogg was more than just a member of the DX Army in the late 1990's.  He served in the United States Marine Corps too.  Six years to be exact.

Brian James was also a platoon sergeant during the first Gulf War in 1991.  He was responsible for 33 men during that conflict.

Thank you Road Dogg for your service to the United States.

Jesse Neal is a member of Ink, Inc. in TNA.  But before he hit the ring he was putting his life on the line for our freedom.

Neal spent four years in the United States Navy.  He was also on board the USS Cole in 2000 when it was attacked by a suicide bomber in Yemen.  17 sailors died that day, including Neal's best friend.  If you look close enough, Neal honored his friend's memory with a tattoo on his forearm.

After that experience, Neal suffered from post traumatic stress disorder.  He finished his service to our country and joined the ranks of professional wrestling.

Thank you Jesse Neal for putting your life in danger for our country and God bless your fellow sailors who died or were hurt that day in October 2000.

Thanks also to my friend Chad for pointing this story out to me.

Sgt. Craig Pittman served our country in the Marine Corps.  After his time there was done, "the Pitbull" joined the ranks of WCW.  He came in as a heel and feuded with the patroitic "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan.

Pittman's character in the company was a tough as nails kinda guy.  The storyline said he had left behind one of his men while serving in the Gulf War.  That man was Cobra and while he was abandoned, he learned to wrestle and made his way to Atlanta to sign a contract with WCW.

Crazy, right?  That's the fun of wrestling.

Pitmann would eventually turn face but never really achieved anything more than the midcard status.  He left WCW in the late 90's.

Thanks to Sgt. Pittman for serving our country.

Other real life veterans include the late Bryan "Crush" Adams.  He joined the military after high school and served in Japan.  That's where he also started training for a career in the ring.

Former ECW champion turned MMA Fighter Bobby Lashley served in the Army.

Sgt. Slaughter of course is probably the most memorable and most popular wrestling "veteran."  In the 1980's, while this country was at odds with Iran and Russia, Slaughter became America's hero.

He stood toe to toe with the evil Iron Sheik and his side kick, the big Russian brute Nikolai Volkoff.  Of course in that feud, the sarge was in charge.

His popularity lead to a G.I. Joe action figure and a cameo on the cartoon series.  That made Slaughter a real American hero as they used to say.

In 1990, something happened to Slaughter.  He returned to the WWF, but this time he was anti American.  It was the start of the Persian Gulf war.  Slaughter embraced Gen. Adnan (an Iraqi) as his manager and Col. Mustafa (the Iron Sheik) as his second.  He even won the WWF World title, but lost it to the company's resident patriot and all around do gooder, Hulk Hogan.

Of course this change of heart didn't last forever.  It was about two years later that Slaughter broke his ties with the villians and taped several vignettes proclaiming "I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!"  If I remember right, a tear even streamed done his check.  In the years that followed, Slaughter retired and has come back from time to time to plenty of admiration and fan fare.

When Sgt. Slaughter left the WWF in 1985 or so, we needed a new hero.  So we got this guy, Corporal Kirchner.  He was no sarge.  That's for sure.

But I'm not going to knock the guy.  He resumed battles with Sheik and Volkoff, but ended up jobbing to them a lot more than Sgt. Slaughter ever did.

Probably the biggest highlight of his run in the WWF was a victory over Volkoff at Wrestlemania 2.  That was in a flag match, perhaps the first one ever.  I don't know about that.

When he left the company after a suspension over drug use, Kirchner changed his persona and became Leatherface.  He's wrestled off and on through the years and most recently was thought to have died.  WWE had written a statement on their website a few years ago memorializing the former superstar.  But Kirchner is indeed alive and well.

As I wrap this up, I decided to include the Misfits in Action.  Basically just so I'd have an excuse to post a picture of Major Gunns.  Sorry, it's true.

This band of mid card guys included GI Bro (Booker T), Gen. Rection (Hugh Morris), Lt. Loco (Chavo Guerrero), Cpl. Cajun (Lash LeRoux), and Major Stash (Van Hammer).  This was a lame gimmick I thought and of course it didn't last long.

The group started crumbling when Major Gunns turned her back (and her guns) on Gen. Rection and joined Team Canada.  Lt. Loco went loco a short time later and turned heel too.  That led to the demise of this group.  And with the expection of Chavo, you don't hear much about any of the others involved.  There's probably a reason for that.

So there you have it.  Some seriousness mixed with a little comedy.  My salute to the men and women who really do (and did) serve our country and to those who played veterans on TV.