Modern day Heenan Family

The Heenan Family

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I'm moving forward with another tribute to the greatest manager in the world of professional wrestling, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. Managers have become a much less common part of the business, however, in my 1-2-3 cents they play a huge role and have through history. We know Heenan managed some of the all-time greats, including Andre the Giant, Mr. Perfect, Rick Rude, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard and advised Ric Flair. So today I'm putting together a modern-day version of the Heenan Family. 

The monster heel
Courtesy: WWE

Braun Strowman. The Heenan Family always had some big men to back up the Brain. Andre, Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy are just some of the behemoths that signed with Bobby. Strowman has developed into a main event player on his own. I can see Heenan confidently leading the big man to the ring in his upcoming battle against Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman. 

The Glorious One
Courtesy: WWE

Bobby Roode. In his current "Glorious" incarnation, Roode reminds me a lot of "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff and "Ravishing" Rick Rude, two mainstays in the Heenan Family. Roode is an excellent performer who is destined for continued greatness in WWE. But imagine if Heenan was there with Roode. I believe he'd manage him right to the WWE Championship.

The Cocky One
Courtesy: WWE

Dolph Ziggler. He's up and he's down. Ziggler reminds me a lot of Mr. Perfect, who we saw Heenan work with as well. The Brain and the ShowOff together would be a great combination. In general, most Superstars these days are expected to get over on their own. Dolph has done that, but a manager can be that cherry on top. That's exactly what Heenan would do in this situation.

The Tag Team
Courtesy: WWE

The Bar. The Heenan Family always had strong tag teams too. From the Islanders to the Brain Busters to the Colossal Connection, the Brain was a major player in the division.  Sheamus and Cesaro have gelled well together as a team, actually much better than I had expected. Both are big, tough and strong and would be excellent at keeping the Brain safe after running his mouth too much.

The Confident One
Courtesy: WWE

Carmella. I debated this choice, but the Heenan Family never had a female member. When I say I debated, it wasn't about putting a female in the family, but instead which one. I originally was going to go with Charlotte Flair, but Carmella has really grown on me this year and in my 1-2-3 cents Heenan could have helped her get over even more so than she has now. 

The Raw Talent
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Red Daniels. This is another choice I struggled with because I don't want to overlook or leave anyone off the Stride Pro Wrestling roster. There are several men who could have reaped the benefits of The Brain and Red is one who fits the Heenan Family mold as far as being a big guy with a bad attitude. Heenan could have harnessed that aggression and used it to take Red to new heights.  

I love the Brain. I still consider myself lucky to have met and interviewed him nearly 20 years ago. It was a surreal moment and one I cherish now more than ever before. Godspeed, Brain.

Extreme Rules predictions

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Extreme Rules is set for Sunday night. For the last month or so my viewing of Raw has been minimal. I told the story already about the bunny chewing the cord to our DirectTV box. Once the company sent a new one, I was ready to go. But a storm moved through on Memorial Day night, knocking out the signal to our satellite. I did get to see part of the show and I've of course kept up online with what's happening. So here are some quick thoughts...

Rich Swann and Sasha Banks will beat Noam Dar and Alicia Fox. I have no basis on this call, other than I don't usually bet against Sasha Banks. 

I want Neville to retain the Cruiserweight Championship against Austin Aries in a submission match. But my gut tells me they're going to put the title on A Double. I don't have a problem with that, as I'm sure this will be another outstanding match between these two.

Alexa Bliss will retain the Raw Women's Championship against Bayley. These two are battling it out in a kendo stick on a pole match. I'm all in for Alexa and switching the title again this quick is not a good thing.

The Hardy Boys will lose the tag team titles to Cesaro and Sheamus. I love both of these tag teams, with Cesaro and Sheamus really coming into their own. Their evolution has been impressive through the last several months. Many believe (myself included) if the Hardys lose in the cage match, this will set them off to begin singles careers. I haven't read up on the lawsuit over the Broken gimmick, so I don't know what will be next for the duo.

I'm split on the Intercontinental Championship match. Until Elias Samson got involved in the angle I figured the Miz would beat Dean Ambrose and regain the gold. Now I'm not so sure. Of course, I thought Baron Corbin was going to win the title at WrestleMania, so my ability to successfully call IC title matches has been limited.

When it comes to the five way to determine the number on contender to the Universal Championship, it's literally anyone's match to win. I've read that each of these men will eventually face Brock Lesnar for the championship up until WrestleMania, it just depends on what order they want to go and how dominant Lesnar will remain. To me, the WrestleMania matchup should be Samoa Joe and Lesnar. But WWE thinking will be a rematch between Lesnar and Roman Reigns. I like Finn Balor a lot, but I don't see him being the guy to beat Lesnar for the belt, so I'm going to go with him to win this match at Extreme Rules and be fed to the Beast at Great Balls of Fire.

What are your picks for Extreme Rules? Weigh in here or on the My 1-2-3 Cents social media pages. 

Post Andre the Giant battle royal success

The trophy
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

WWE introduced fans to the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania XXX and I was in the crowd watching live. I figured The Big Show or Sheamus would be the winner. I was pleasantly surprised when Cesaro tossed Show over the top rope to win the event and the enormous trophy with Andre the Giant perched on top.

Cesaro and the big trophy
Courtesy: WWE

In the weeks and months that followed the victory I expected big things for Cesaro. Sure he had already held the U.S. Championship, but I thought the win would line him up for a run with the Intercontinental Championship or in my fantasy land of booking, a series of matches against the newly crowned WWE World Champion Daniel Bryan. Instead it seemed winning the battle royal was a curse as Cesaro went on a pretty big losing streak, missing opportunities against the secondary champions and other Superstars on the card.

Finally in early 2015 Cesaro and Tyson Kidd formed a pretty awesome tag team and won the championships. They held the belts twice before Kidd ended up getting injured. Cesaro toiled on the mid-card with little success before getting hurt himself and spending some time of television. I popped like everyone else in the crowd at the Raw after WrestleMania 32 when The Swiss Superman returned. 

He had a promising run coming back, but was still unable to capture singles gold. Then Raw General Manger put he and rival Sheamus together and the duo pulled off a big win, ending the New Day's record breaking tag team title run. Their title reign was short lived though, but they remain in the hunt and go for the gold (or copper) this Sunday at WrestleMania 33. 

Baron Corbin in 2016
Courtesy: WWE

Another Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner, Baron Corbin gets a shot at gold in what will be his second WrestleMania match. Winning the trophy at 32 was a huge accomplishment for his debut. The followup hasn't been shabby for the former NXT star. He's getting a crack at Dean Ambrose's Intercontinental Championship. I'm still not sold on Corbin, but I do believe he will unseat Ambrose Sunday. It gives me anxiety to think he'll be 2 and 0 at WrestleMania and could be building a streak before you know it...

Big Show celebrating at Raw
Courtesy: WWE

The Big Show is the other Superstar to win the battle royal. He's actually competed in all three and is set to appear again in this year's. That's probably a big indication that WWE Creative has nothing much for Big Show who has become more of an attraction in the last few years anyway.

Braun will win this year
Courtesy: WWE

I never expected Show to go on to win gold again, but I figured since he won the Battle Royal in 2015 they'd at least do something to showcase him. WrestleMania 33 was supposed to feature the (not so) much anticipated battle with Shaq. Now it appears they're grooming him to pass the torch to Braun Strowman who I have no doubt will win Sunday's battle royal. With that win I predict an even bigger push than he's seen, simply because he's a "big bastard" and we know how Vince McMahon feels about those kinds of Superstars.

So while two past winners are going for championship gold at WrestleMania and one is looking to pass the torch, I still find the battle royal interesting. Yeah it's filler to get everyone on the show or at least almost everyone, but I don't really have a problem with that. It is the biggest night of the year and Superstars all deserve a moment to shine.

Rumble Ramblings: #7 Daniel & the Giants

Daniel & the Giants
Courtesy: My 1-2-3 Cents

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Since the 2017 Royal Rumble is right around the corner, I've decided to countdown to this year's event with my 10 favorite non-Rumble Royal Rumble matches. 

In late 2011 Daniel Bryan took advantage of Mark Henry and the Big Show and cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase, winning his first World Championship. The odds were stacked against Bryan a short time later at the 2012 Royal Rumble as he defended the gold against both giants inside a steel cage. 

My son & I were there!

Unlike the previous matches I've chosen for this series of blogs, this one did not really advance to much of anything else after it was over. But I picked it because I'm a Daniel Bryan fan AND I was live in the crowd for this event with my 10 year old son. It was his first pay per view event and the first Royal Rumble I'd ever attended. This Rumble also marked the 25th anniversary for the event and featured the return of the inaugural winner "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, but I digress. I should also note this was the best incarnation of the Mark Henry character through his career. I was big fan of his championship run leading to this match.

Caught!
Courtesy: My 1-2-3 Cents

My son wanted Big Show to win, I wanted Bryan to retain, which is what happened. Bryan was heelish in the match, and in the closing moments broke up Big Show's pin attempt on Henry. Then he scaled to the top of the cage only to be captured by Show. The champ struggled to escape and Big Show grabbed him again. Eventually Bryan dropped to the arena floor and gloated with the big gold belt in his hands. 

Winner!
Courtesy: WWE

That may had been his most impressive win up until that point and only to be reinforced after he dropped the belt to the Rumble winner Sheamus in 18 seconds at WrestleMania 28. Obviously things would change in the coming years and Bryan would grow to be one of the most beloved Superstars of this era of wrestling.


10 Favorite Non-Rumble Royal Rumble matches

10. Super Posedown

9. Harts Broken

8. All fired up

SURVIVOR SERIES: Favorite team number 10: Team New Day (2015)

Number 10: The New Day, King Barrett & Sheamus
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I'm counting down to the 30th annual Survivor Series by looking back at my ten favorite teams in the history of the event. Survivor Series ranks among my favorite events every year and if you've read this blog in the past you know I'm a fan of the traditional elimination matches. 

Number 10 The New Day, King Barrett and Sheamus:

I was most interested in this match because I thought the duo of Barrett and Sheamus were going to end up feuding with the New Day and beating them for the WWE tag team titles at the next pay per view. Of course, I like New Day (even if their schtick is getting a little stale). King Barrett was without a doubt one of the most misused Superstars in the company. I've had fixed feelings about Sheamus through the years, but after interviewing him on the phone a few years ago I've had nothing but respect for him. 

Courtesy: WWE

This team came up on the losing end in their effort against The Usos,  The Lucha Dragons and Ryback. It was the way the match ended (Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston walked out after Big E was eliminated) that I thought we'd get the tag team feud with Sheamus and Barrett. However, Sheamus went on later that night to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase and win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Roman Reigns. 

I should also note this team is the only one in the last decade on the list, proving again I'm a fool for Old School. Stay tuned for the rest of the countdown.

Cesaro NEEDS to win the Best of 7 series

Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin


When the Best of 7 series between Sheamus and Cesaro was announced several weeks ago, I predicted Cesaro would win the series after starting off as the underdog. Tonight, in just about 90 minutes the, the finale happens on Clash of Champions. The series is tied up, three matches a piece.

It was originally stated the winner would get a shot at the WWE Universal Championship at some point. Not knocking Sheamus, but he's been the champ a few times before. While I don't dislike, I think it's time for some new faces in the title hunt. That's been the way it's been going since the "New Era" started in the weeks that followed WrestleMania 32.

Cesaro has toiled for years in WWE and much longer before even signing with the company. It's time for the company to finally go all-in on the guy. He's over with the fans. He has the talent. Cesaro not only needs to win this Best of 7 series, but also the Universal Championship. 

Courtesy: WWE

Win or lose, I'll still be a Cesaro guy. He's more than deserving to be on the top tier of either brand. If he's verbal skills are what's holding him back, fix that by bringing in a manager. Wooo! 

There's no business like monkey business

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin 

Don't worry, this isn't another post asking for your help in naming the My 1-2-3 Cents monkey. I've received lots of great suggestions, but the best piece of advice came from someone who's opinion I respect immensely. He told me make the name something personal for me, but conveys the message I want to deliver. So I'm doing some soul searching as we speak.

I wanted to use today's post (Blog Streak Day 43) to do some self promotion. If you haven't already, please check out my podcast. It's on the Jittery Monkey Podcasting Network and iTunes. Every Monday there's a new My 1-2-3 Cents podcast. Catch up on the latest wrestling news and opinions right here. There's also plenty of great guests to hear too.

Here's a few of my guests from the indy scene, current WWE roster and legends.

Heath Hatton

"Golden Boy" Greg Anthony

Pokerface

Princess Kimber Lee

Farmer Billy Hills

Daniel Eads

Kofi Kingston

Sheamus

Xavier Woods

Jeff Jarrett

Kamala

Honky Tonk Man

Hacksaw Jim Duggan

Mick Foley

Not only does Jittery Monkey feature the My 1-2-3 Cents podcast, but the site's co-found Greg Mehochko has a show called Nerds United. He talks all about comic books, movies and TV shows. Greg has also started blogging about these topics too. Check out his shows, as he has guests in the industry too.

The end goal is to build a network of "nerd" related topics that listeners will enjoy tuning in to each week. Thanks for the support. Please share this and let me know what you think of the show. I'm only 14 episodes away from triple digits and am planning on another big guest (Terri Runnels was the one year anniversary guest).

Happy (Greg the Hammer) Valentine's Day

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin 

Happy Valentine's Day!  I came across some funny cards created by fans much more clever than I am.  Sorry I don't know the original sources for these, but the Neville one is my favorite.

Is it 2016 or 1998?

Courtesy WWE

By Chad Smart

@chadsmart & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast
Follow my blog with Bloglovin 

I’m probably in the minority but I hated the main even to the 1/4/16 RAW. I will admit the main reason I hated the WWE title match between Sheamus and Roman Reigns with Vince McMahon as referee was because it wasn’t fresh.  It was paint by number rehash. Sort of the same way I’m not going crazy over the new Star Wars movie, but more on that in a future blog. 

I get what WWE is trying to do with Roman Reigns. The problem is anyone who watched wrestling during the Attitude Era saw this same storyline of the evil owner McMahon not wanting the “popular” (I use quotes only because I’m not sure how popular Reigns really is at the moment) face to be champion. It worked back in 1998-9 because it was something new and because Steve Austin had the charisma and popularity to get the audience behind him. Right now, Roman Reigns doesn’t’ have that organic support. I don’t know how many people are clamoring for Reigns to be champion. 

A big problem from a logic standpoint, and long time readers know how much we talk about wrestling logic here, is if the McMahon’s don’t want Reigns to be champion why do they put him in situations to earn title shots? Or, why even have him employed in the first place? Vince and Stephanie don’t like that Roman beat up Triple H, strip Reigns of the title and banish him to Superstars in a never-ending feud with Fandango. Just don’t insult my intelligence by having a title match where the special referee refuses to count a pin fall for Reigns while doing fast counts for Sheamus. 

I am intrigued by the stipulation of Reigns defending the title in the Royal Rumble match. I wonder if this is being done because for the first time that I can remember, the Royal Rumble is going head to head with either the AFC or NFC title game. By putting Reigns in the actual Rumble match there is now some uncertainty into the outcome.  Will Reigns retain and face a challenger to be decided at the next monthly special or will he lose and have to earn the chance to regain the title at Wrestlemania? Personally, I hope Reigns doesn’t lose at Royal Rumble and then regains at Wrestlemania. I’m not a fan of titles changing that frequently. 

I’m going to sound like a broken record but whatever direction WWE decides to go with Reigns, as a fan, I simply wish they would ditch the authority figures. Austin-McMahon happened nearly 20 years ago. If WWE hadn’t been trying to redo the same story every 2 years since then, maybe I’d feel differently about the McMahons trying to sabotage Roman’s reign. Right now though, I’m tired of the same old same old. 

On another note, can Fozzy finally become a big enough band to keep Chris Jericho from making another WWE comeback? Talk about played out.

Tripping the Other Heels

Triple H attacked
Courtesy WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin 

Just wanted to weigh in real quick on the ending of WWE TLC.  Roman Reigns destroyed Triple H after Sheamus and his fellow League of Nations buddies celebrated in the ring.  Of course I'm speculating and doing exactly what I hate from others, but it appears this is leading to a Triple H-Reigns match at either the Royal Rumble, Fast Lane or Wrestlemania.  

I don't like putting the cart before the horse and I know everything is part of a bigger picture, but I have to share My 1-2-3 Cents on the situation as I see it right now.  To me, putting Triple H in the ring with who the company is selling as the biggest baby face shows there's something wrong in terms of developing new characters, especially heels.

The League
Courtesy: WWE

Seth Rollins injury wasn't expected so I can cut them some slack on that.  When I look at the rest of the "bad" guys on the roster, no one stands out as being a credible top guy.  Even when Rollins was champ, I feel like he wasn't booked as the top guy.  I don't dislike Sheamus, but I'm still having trouble buying into him.  Rusev, King Barrett, Alberto Del Rio and Kevin Owens are all on the cusp of greatness.  Don't forget about Bray Wyatt (even though it seems creative has) either.  However I feel like for whatever reason WWE simply isn't pushing them.

My pick for top heel
Courtesy: WWE

We've seen a lot of guys go down with injuries this past year, including Rollins, Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan and Cesaro.  I'll continue to harp that the time is now (actually yesterday) to start building a more solid foundation for the talent that's there on a regular basis.  That's not to say Triple H can't and shouldn't do a couple matches a year, I'm just not sure I like where this is headed with Roman.  It seems too similar to 2014 and the triumph Bryan achieved at Wrestlemania XXX.

Time will tell.  Maybe I'm wrong.  But I still think more needs to be done to help the younger guys excel as Superstars and not just hold that label because it's the company's buzz word.

WWE: You're Upping the Game

Shemaus, Triple H, Steph & Rusev
Courtesy: WWE

By Chad Smart
@chadsmart & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast
Follow my blog with Bloglovin 

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.