Trading Maryse for Dallas & Axel

Pep talk by the Miz
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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On Monday Night Raw two relationships seemingly came to an end and a new one developed. Enzo and Big Cass have split as a tag team (a bit prematurely in my 1-2-3 cents) and it looks like Maryse has had enough of the Miz. The "It Couple" has had some trying moments over the last few weeks, in large part due to Dean Ambrose. Reports are Maryse and the Miz are through in part because of the similarities of the gimmick with newcomers Maria and Mike Kanellis on SmackDown Live.

The "It" couple as Cena &Nikki
Courtesy: WWE

Last year when Maryse returned to WWE she gave the Miz's character new life. The couple became Must See TV. Their mocking of John Cena and Nikki Bella was the highlight of that feud leading up to their intergender tag team match WrestleMania 33. Even though the two apparently won't appear on TV together anymore, I haven't read anything about Maryse's future with WWE.

The Entourage
Courtesy: WWE

Now Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel are going to fill the role of support for the Miz. The former Social Misfits are now a part of Miz's Entourage. The duo dressed as teddy bears Monday and offered a beat down on Ambrose to pay back the previous week's attack on the Intercontinental Champion.

That face though...
Courtesy: WWE

While I will miss the magic and chemistry we saw with Miz and Maryse, it's refreshing to see Dallas and Axel getting put in a prime role on Raw. These two have floundered for years with different gimmicks and groups. It's my hope they're able to work well with the Miz and spark new interests from the WWE Universe. Both of these legacies are deserving of something more than what they've done over the past year or so, so I wish them nothing but the best. As for Maryse, I'm sure we'll see more from her in the future too.

TLC 2016 Predictions

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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In all honesty, I'd forgotten tonight is the annual TLC pay per view. SmackDown Live Superstars will be battling it out on this event. I have not kept up with the blue brand (or Raw for that matter) like I should be. The last couple of weeks have been chaotic and I've not made the time to watch the DVR. I blame the Simpsons marathon on FXX for part of this. But anyway I digress. Here are my quick picks for the TLC.

AJ Styles will retain the WWE Championship in the Tables Ladders and Chairs match against Dean Ambrose. This will be a crazy match, I have no doubt. I just hope no one is seriously hurt.

Alexa Bliss will win the SDL Women's Championship from Becky Lynch in a tables match. This will be like the first time Sheamus beat John Cena for the gold. Simply going through a table protects Becky.

The Miz will retain the Intercontinental Championship in a ladder match against Dolph Ziggler. I see no point in putting it back on Dolph just weeks after having him lose it. But this is the one match I'm not 100% certain of.

Kalisto will beat Baron Corbin in a chair match. This will be the match I leave my chair for and go do something else.

Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton will win the SDL Tag Team Championships from Rhyno and Heath Slater. I like the pairing of Wyatt and Orton and having them win the gold would be an interesting dynamic to this partnership. As of this writing, that match is the only one without a gimmicky.

Carmella will beat Nikki Bella in a no DQ match. I usually never bet against John Cena or his female counterpart, but I am this time. Natalaya will help Carmella win, revealing she's the Survivor Series attacker. 

Boo Blog: Halloween 2016

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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It's a My 1-2-3 Cents tradition, sharing readers' Halloween pics. You guys were very creative this year. Enjoy.

Heath Hatton & his daughter

That's Chad as Prince Adam & friends

Tommy Roe Jackson as the Hulkster

Dylan Holderfield carved all those jack-o-lanterns

Weston White as Ken Bone

The New Day as the 3 Faces of Charles Wright
Not readers, but 2 have been on the podcast
Courtesy: WWE

SURVIVOR SERIES: The champion should be captain

Captain Nikki
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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In recent months I've tried to be more positive in my posts. This one, however, is going to take a negative tone. I'm not just letting my lack of excitement of Nikki Bella dictate my feelings here as I would be writing this same post had Natalya won the captain's spot for the SmackDown Live Survivor Series women's team.

Alexa Bliss & Becky Lynch
Courtesy: WWE

The original challenge made by Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan said "our five best vs. Raw's five best..." That being said the Women's Champion, whether it's still Becky Lynch or Alexa Bliss, should captain the team. It should be that way across the board. It's my understanding Heath Slater and Rhyno are the SmackDown Live tag team elimination match. 

The other issue I have is that Natalya isn't even on the team now, or at least for the time being. To imply she isn't one of the best on the SmackDown Live roster is ridiculous. Once again Nattie gets the shaft. I'm reminding myself to not judge these latest developments until the story plays out, but from the way things look now, I respectfully disagree with the choice in captain and the lack of Nattie in this match.

I hope this doesn't mean Kevin Owens, New Day and Sasha Banks won't be captains of their teams should they still be the champs by Survivor Series...

Hello Ladies

Charlotte, Becky and Sasha join the Divas Revolution

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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For months fans have been waiting for an overhaul or at least an update in the WWE Divas division.  I think it's fair to say that's exactly what happened on the July 13 episode of Raw.  Three of the best from NXT appeared on the big stage as a part of Paige's Divas Revolution. As I write this Tuesday afternoon, Charlotte, Becky Lynch and NXT women's champion Sasha Banks remain on the NXT roster on WWE's website and are not listed as WWE Divas.

Putting these three young and talented women on the main roster is a breath of fresh air in a often forgotten division.  During the segment on Raw, Michael Cole said "take a look at the future of women's wrestling!"  That statement spoke volumes to me because rarely do you hear the words "women" (it's usually Divas) and "wrestling" (it's usually sports entertainment) on WWE programming.  I don't think the company is abandoning its trademarks, but it was nice to hear a brief break from the norm.

While the presumed transfer of these three women to the main roster is exciting for the division, I do have some concerns.  I hope the moves mean WWE Creative will put more thought into the Divas division, as it seems they focus on just the champion and a particular challenger most of the time.  I also hope that the likes of Natalya and Emma aren't lost in the shuffle.  

Finally, if Charlotte, Becky and Sasha are all leaving NXT, what's next for the few women left there?  Overall that group is so talented but the division is small on NXT.  I understand they're just doing an hour a week as opposed to the five hours the main roster does, plus specials on the WWE Network.  Will Sasha do double duty or drop the NXT Women's title and move on completely?  Time will tell.  I'm going to remain optimistic that it'll be a win-win for everyone involved and hopefully before the end of summer there's a new Divas champion.  Wooo!

Wrestling Name Game

WWE Superstars & Divas

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the My 1-2-3 Cents Podcast here

I'm not going to take credit for this little experiment.  I saw it on Facebook a while back and thought I'd try it with my non-wrestling fan friends.  I gave them the picture you see above with 26 WWE Superstars and Divas and asked non-fans to identify each one.  If they didn't know the wrestler's name, I asked them to make one up based on the appearance.  The results are pretty fun.  (No surprises the Rock and Vince McMahon, owner of the WWE, were the two most recognized.)

Oh by the way here are the right answers:

1.  Adam Rose                 14.  Naomi 
2.  Stardust                      15.  Roman Reigns
3.  Big E                            16.  Brock Lesnar
4.  The Rock                    17.  Randy Orton
5.  Seth Rollins               18.  Dean Ambrose
6.  Damien Mizdow       19.  Fernando (from Los Matadors)
7.  Paige                            20. Nikki Bella
8.  Daniel Bryan              21. Mark Henry
9.  Vince McMahon       22.  The Undertaker
10. Cesaro                        23.  The Big Show
11. Dolph Ziggler            24.  John Cena
12. Rusev                          25.  Bray Wyatt
13. Bad News Barrett     26. Jimmy Uso  

The pic again

1. Latin Lover 2. The Meteor 3. The Crusher 4. The Rock 5. The Executioner 6. Borat 7. Dominatrix 8. Unibomber 9. The Godfather 10. Raging Cue Ball  11. Slammin' Surfer 12. Siberian Husky 13. The Caped Crusader 14. Tiana 15. Genghis Khan 16. White Russian 17. Ex Con 18. Wife Beater 19. Eduardo Corrochio 20. Tomboy 21. Fat Shaquille 22. The Shredder 23. The Bouncer 24. Shortstop 25. Swamp Ass 26. Happy Phantom

1. Rico Suave 2. Gold Dust 3. Blue Guns 4. The Rock 5. Greasy 6. Abdul Hussain 7. Pixie 8. Daniel O'Bryan 9. Vince McMahon 10. Caesar 11. California Boy 12. Rusev 13. Byron 14. Cici 15. Roman Reins 16. Brock Lessner 17. Randy Orton 18. Billy the Kid 19. El Matador 20. one of the Bella Twins 21. Tough Enough 22. The Undertaker 23. The Big Show 24. John Cena 25. Bray White 26. One of the Uso Brothers

1. I'm A Cool Dude 2. Star Thrower 3. Pecs of Steel 4. Tattoos Aplenty 5. Leather Lion 6. Fifty Shade 7. Purple Menace 8. The Savior 9. Donald Trump 10. Roaree 11. Big & Blonde 12. Stare Master 13. Ripper 14. Black Beauty 15. Roscoe 16. GI Joe II 17. Little Mike 18. Italian Delight 19. Zorro 20. Cher 21. Big, Bold & Black 22. Dark Force 23. Meat Packer 24. Hunky 25. Blues Brother 26. Ziggy

1. Ponytail Boy 2. Star Face 3. Muscles Malone 4. Baldy 5. Shiny Vest 6. Straightjacket 7. Hot Brunette 8. Can't Find My Razor 9. Vince McMahon 10. Watch Me Flex 11. Lex Lugar, Jr. 12. The Scowl 13. Count Dracula 14. Hot Nubian 15. Don't Mess with Me 16. I'll Deck Ya 17. Shawn Michaels Wannabe 18. Wife Beater 19. Douche 20. Hot Backwards Hat 21. Shaq 22. Spikey 23. The Giant 24. John Cena 25. Bam Bam Bigelow 26. Big John Stud

1. guy 2. guy 3. guy 4. the rock 5. highlights 6. sunglasses 7. violet 8. beardie 9. suit and tie 10. scream 11. thor 12. tough 13. cape man 14. toxic 15. vest 16. muscle man 17. tattoos 18. tanktop 19. luchadore 20. blue 21. security 22. death 23. how tough r ya 24. john cena 25. fedora 26. male kesha

1. chester 2. Dr Doom 3. the Rock 4. Tat 5. Nicky normal 6. Prof 7. Princess 8. Hercules 9. Out of place 10. Putin 11. Joe Football 12. Palace guard 13. Mandrake 14. Satin 15. Hair 16. Crewvut 17. Joe 18. Hey Stella 19. Matador 20. Mrs. Appeal 21. Black death 22. Obi Wan 23. Bluto 24. Marine 25. I coulda been somebody 26. Chief

1. Man Eater 2. Star 3. Brutus 4. Tooth Fairy 5. Joe 6. Achmed 7. Temptress 8. Duck Brawler 9. The Boss 10. Middle Child 11. Fabio 12. Sergio 13. Yoplait the Greek 14. Eva 15. Enforcer 16. Rocky 17. Fast & Furious 18. Fighting Irish 19. Orlando 20. Play Girl 21. Snack Shaq 22. Todd 23. Mongo 24. Pretty Boy 25. The Hustler 26. Banshee

1. Scorpion 2. Gold Man 3. Black Ice 4. The Rock 5. Trash Collector 6. Sheik 7. Kiesha 8. Michael 9. Vincent, 10. Screaming Jack, 11. Justice, 12. Rosenthal (took that off of his waistband) 13. Spartacus 14. Dash 15. Force 16. Andrew 17. Aiden 18. Rocket 19. Torro 20. Eva 21. Goliath 22. Grim Reaper 23. Jumbo 24. GI Joe 25. Beats 26. Peacock.

1. Snake Handler 2. SuperStar 3. Ice man 4. The Rock 5. The Creeper 6. Ali G, 7. Vixen 8. Mountain Man 9. Vince McMahon 10 RAHH Guy! 11. Slick Willy 12. The Russian 13. The Persian 14. Taxi Cab Kate 15. Sphinx, 16. Buster 17. Bad Boy Bill 18. The Southern Man 19. El Toro, 20. Jill 21. Bouncer Bob 22. The American Samurai 23. The Big Show 24. Captain Awesome 25. Bodega Bob 26. Billy Wallace