I made it on The Rock's YouTube channel...

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin 

I have been waiting on pins and needles for nine days to find out if I was one of 32 finalists in the Rock the Promo contest on the Rock's YouTube channel. Contestants had to submit a 45 second video with a character and make certain points in their promo. The field was narrowed to the final 32 which were revealed earlier today on YouTube. As I watched the video I got excited for a minute when a quick cut of my character made it on screen. But I was part of the rejects, much like the early episodes each season on American Idol.

My character is one I've actually been wanting to introduce to the My 1-2-3 Cents supporters for some time. His name is LuchaDad. Up until now I had no creative way to make that happen. But thanks to the Rock's contest, LuchaDad and his 10 year old LuchaDaughter are out in the open. Doing this forced me out of my comfort zone (yes I have one believe it or not) and has got my creative wheels spinning for future projects. My 45 second submission is below.

I chose the bathrobe instead of a fancy wrestling robe because I'm a dad. I told a cheesy "dad joke" thanks to my high school friend Jodi for that one. And I used the belt as my intimidating look because who didn't fear a belt spanking as a child? The Padre Island reference is to keep with the dad/Latino gimmick I'm working. 

While I didn't make it into the top 32, I did make it onto the Rock's YouTube channel which not many people will likely ever be able to say. Take a look at the others involved, my one second of fame comes in at 1:28 on the video below. Thanks to the Rock and his team for the opportunity and for using part of my video in the montage. Also thanks to my "LuchaDaughter" for being such a good sport. Also good luck to the final 32!

Hey Roman, shut up

Roman Reigns
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin 

The intention of this post isn't to be mean spirited.  When I tell Roman Reigns to shut up, I actually mean it in the nicest way possible.  Wrestling fans seem to love to critique the current WWE World Heavyweight Champion to no end.  Many of these same fans were marking out for Roman when he was in the Shield.

The Shield
Courtesy: WWE

I've thought about what's different now, other than the obvious he's no longer affiliated with Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose.  Roman's skill set has changed.  Superman Punch and the spear are his two big go to moves still.  The difference now is he's talking.  If the WWE Creative Team isn't going to turn him heel (and I don't think they have to) then they should return to Roman's roots and make him the strong, silent type.  

Many will argue you can't have success in wrestling or sports entertainment if you can't talk.  I don't believe that. Leave the talking to those who can do it.  Make Roman Reigns a destructive ass kicker who doesn't speak or is just a man of few words.  When he cuts a promo these days there's little emotion involved.  He's repeating lines someone has written for him.  That works for some people, but not everyone.  Fans pick up on this and that's part of the reason he gets booed.

Roman & The Rock
Courtesy: WWE

While he's trying out this new style, work with him behind the scenes on promos.  You can't teach charisma, but you can teach someone how to fake it long enough to get a point across.  He's from the same bloodline as one of the greatest talkers of all time, so let the Rock work him.  And please, stop trying to make him the second coming of the Rock or John Cena.  Let Roman be Roman.