Streaks are meant to be broken

Cubs win!

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I'm not a huge sports fan. But I did get caught up in the buzz of the Chicago Cubs quest for a World Series championship. By now you know they won the trophy after a 108-year drought. Growing up in St. Louis I've always been a Cardinals fan. However, I tip my hat (if I was wearing one) to the Cubs and their fans. 

One thing I don't understand is the snark on social media. Yes, the Cardinals have more championships under their belt. But how could you not be excited or at least happy for a team that has not played in the World Series since World War II? Rivals or not, I'm proud of the Cubs and happy for my many friends who have rooted for the Cubbies through the tough times.

Undertaker's streak ends

The breaking of that World Series winless streak got me to thinking about other streaks (in wrestling of course).  The most impressive streak in the business is, of course, the Undertaker's WrestleMania streak. In March 1991 he beat "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka. Year after year (except 1994 and 2000 when he didn't wrestle at Mania) the Undertaker was victorious. Then in a move that still kinda baffles me, Brock Lesnar beat the Undertaker at WrestleMania XXX. The Deadman is now 23 and 1. Still impressive, but that one little one is the fly in the ointment.

Charlotte Flair wins again
Courtesy: WWE

Another streak that I'm loving right now is that of Charlotte Flair. The Raw Women's Champion has not lost in singles competition on pay per view since debuting on the main roster last summer. Charlotte is 13 and 2 on PPVs, with the only two defeats happening in tag team competition. She has the best record of any WWE Superstar on pay per view. It's impressive and word on the street is WWE plans to continue it until WrestleMania.

Goldberg
Courtesy: WWE

Goldberg once touted a streak of 173 (alleged) victories before finally losing to Kevin Nash at Starrcade 1998. It was done in less than stellar fashion and could have been so much more.

So there you have it, a few streaks that have been broken and one that remains intact. What are your favorite streaks in sports and wrestling?

Streaking into June

Selfie break with the Big Muddy Monster

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I promise there will be no nudity in this post.  That's not the streaking I'm talking about.  I've had plenty of ups and downs with Operation Find My Abs through the years.  In fact, I'm still looking.  I'm hoping 2016 is the year I finally get into better shape (and round doesn't count).

May started off with the launch of a running streak for me.  I have run at least one mile every day since then.  I racked up just over 75 miles for the month.  The Yellow Donkey running group I'm a member of is the source of inspiration for this streak.  I blogged before about losing my passion for running after I completed my first marathon in October.  I'm not ready for another long distance race, but I am gradually regaining my love for the sport.

Another streak I started is the #22KILL push-up challenge.  I wrote about it the other day, so I won't repeat myself.  But I will say this is an important streak because it's raising awareness about veteran suicide.  Plus it's another way to get in some extra exercise.

I've also started a planking challenge.  It's a 30 day thing, but there are rest days involved. This is another one courtesy of those crazy running donkeys.  I know I'm not going to sculpt abs of steel with this, but the challenge will help in the process. One other streak I've started is a blogging streak.  You're reading this, so it must be working.  Actually I have seen some growth on the page as a result of the consistent content.

Other things I did in May, I was hit or miss with the gym over the course of the month.  My eating habits were pretty good, but I still have an out of control sweet tooth some days. I haven't had a soda (I'm addicted to Vanilla Coke Zero) since the end of April.  I'm not going to lie, I will resume the soda drinking but just one day a week.

My hope for June is that these healthy streaks start having a visual impact on the task at hand, which remains finding at least a trace of my abs. 

Don't Crush Rusev

Rusev & Lana
Photo Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

There's been a lot of buzz on different wrestling websites that Rusev's streak of not being pinned or forced to submit will come to an end at Wrestlemania 31.  While I don't want that to happen, it's the man people are saying will end that streak that bothers me: John Cena.  I have nothing against Cena, but I think making him the man to beat Rusev is not "what's best for business."

Dominating Big E
Photo courtesy: WWE

Again this is just a rumor, and even if it's not true, I wanted to take the opportunity to talk about one of the fastest rising stars on the main roster right now.  I'll be honest, I wasn't a big fan of Rusev's in NXT.  I was disappointed when he ended up being the pick to represent the brand in the 2014 Royal Rumble.

Winning the U.S. Title
Photo courtesy: WWE

But over the last 12 months Rusev and his manager Lana have grown on me.  In fact, they've become one of the highlights for me on Raw each week.  I've enjoyed the dominance Rusev has displayed, eventually beating Sheamus for the United States Championship.  Having John Cena end that doesn't benefit anyone, at least in my opinion.  Who should end Rusev's reign?  I'm not sure that I have an answer right now, but I don't see anyone on the current roster I'd like in that role (including Ryback).

Kozlov vs. Shawn Michaels
Photo courtesy: WWE

I realize I'm being quick to judge, but I'm reminded of other guys who were first brought into the WWE as dominate monster heels.  Lord Tensai and Kozlov immediately come to mind.  In fact, at one point I was so convinced about Kozlov, I thought he could have been a serious threat to the Undertaker's Wrestlemania streak several years ago.  Kozlov then turned face and joined Santino as a comedic tag team before he was eventually "future endeavored." Tensai picked up some key wins on TV against Cena and Triple H, but it wasn't long before he was dancing in the ring with Brodus Clay before disappearing only to resurface on the announce team of NXT.  

The Rock lays the smack down
Photo courtesy: WWE

I don't want to see Lana and Rusev subjected to a similar fate. I believe he's still got a ton of untapped potential and  I fear that if Cena or anyone else on the current roster (or a part-timer coming back) ends Rusev's streak, he'll be lost in the shuffle.  Eventually the time will come for him to lose, but who that person is to pick up the win is critical to the future of Rusev and the man who wins the match.