My 1-2-3 Cents : The Rock

WrestleMania has been a staple not just in pro wrestling but pop culture for 35 years now. I’m proud to say I was around for the first one and have enjoyed the event each year since 1985. That includes the very unique version of WrestleMania 36, held over two nights and in an empty arena.

However, there are some moments in WrestleMania history that fans like to rewrite. That’s the inspiration for an annual tradition I’ve got going here, called WrestleMania Redo. This week Tyler ‘Heath’ Hatton of Stride Pro Wrestling and I talk about a couple of WrestleMania matches that we would rebook.

You can listen here!

Friday, March 20, 2020

The Ultimate WrestleMania

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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With the fate of WrestleMania still in flux and so many of us at home for the weekend and potentially for the next several weeks, I thought it would be fun to talk more about past WrestleManias. So I posed the question if you built the Ultimate WrestleMania, what 12 matches would you put on the show. 

Turns out this was a bigger challenge than I anticipated as there are hundreds of matches to choose from. The other caveat, no duplicate Superstars for me. But you construct your list however you see fit. These aren't necessarily the best matches of all-time, just ones that entertained me.

Oh, my list is in no particular order, other than the first, which is my all-time favorite Mania matchup.

💪Ultimate Warrior vs. Randy Savage: WrestleMania VII

💪Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton vs. Batista: WrestleMania XXX

💪Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels: WrestleMania XXIV

💪Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant: WrestleMania III

💪Roddy Piper vs. Adrian Adonis: WrestleMania III

💪The British Bulldogs vs. The Dream Team: WrestleMania II

💪Trish Straus vs. Mickie James: WrestleMania XXII

💪Undertaker vs. CM Punk: WrestleMania XXIX

💪Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart: WrestleMania X 

💪'Stone Cold' Steve Austin vs. The Rock: WrestleMania XV

💪Chris Jericho vs. Edge vs. Christian vs. Kane vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Chris Benoit (MITB): WrestleMania XXI

💪Doink the Clown vs. Crush: WrestleMania IX (yes, I'm serious, I love how this played out.)

Because I limited myself on one Superstar only, I would have had other matches as well. So let me know your card.

Friday, July 19, 2019

VIDEO: Go Figure Friday: Rock Rumbler

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Since San Diego Comic Con is in full swing, I thought I'd share an exclusive figure from the event from 2012. My buddy Chad Smart (Positive Cynicism) picked it up for me when he attended. Take a look.

Friday, August 3, 2018

Cheers to International Beer Day

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

August 3 is International Beer Day. Beer and pro wrestling seemingly go hand in hand. On the My 1-2-3 Cents podcast, I've started a series called Wrestling Under the Influence, which reminds me, I need to get another episode of that up soon.

Cheers to Broken Skull IPA

In recent years I've started drinking more craft beer and enjoy visiting breweries whenever we're on the road. It's part of my experiences with the Craftbeericans that has opened my eyes to many different kinds of beer. Thanks to my buddy Tom Harness, I've even had "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's Broken Skull IPA. I'm not a huge fan of IPAs usually, but this one is pretty damn good.

Ax Allwardt and Heath Hatton
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

For this post, I'm going to chat about a few wrestlers I'd enjoy sharing a beer with. It goes without saying my friends on the Stride Pro Wrestling roster are all on that list. But someone I am really looking forward to having a beer with and doing a podcast is Ax Allwardt. He's a man's man when it comes to swigging brews. He's a master with the 12-ounce curls but puts the work in the gym throwing the heavy weight around too. I know we'll get together sooner rather than later when our schedules allow.

Of course Stone Cold is on my list too. What? Austin is a goal to have on an episode of 'Another Round with Tom and Kevin' too. He's arguably the biggest Superstar of all-time and sitting down with him just for one beer would be a once in a lifetime experience. I'd love to pick his brain on a number of topics, but just having a chance to sit and talk with a legend like Austin would be amazing.

The Rock

The same can be said for the Rock. To me, there is no one cooler in the world than the Rock. He's come so far in his career and has become a major influencer in not just pro wrestling but Hollywood and beyond. Who knows, he could become a player in the world of politics in the future. I thought I was the shit when he liked a tweet of mine a few years ago.

Who's on your list of sharing a beer with? And don't forget, Stride Pro Wrestling returns Saturday night, Aug. 4 at John A. Logan College in Carterville. Bell time is 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Who will induct Goldberg?

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

I typically do not report rumors on My 1-2-3 Cents. In fact, I don't do much 'reporting' at all. But I do share links from time to time on the Facebook page. This blog was set up seven years ago to be a platform for me to share my thoughts on the world of pro wrestling. Instead of my 2 cents, it's my 1-2-3 cents. Get it?

Courtesy: WWE

Anyway, I've seen several sites resharing the rumor that Paul Heyman is going to be the man to induct Goldberg into the WWE Hall of Fame. I guess I can see the connection in that Goldberg's two (short) WWE runs featured feuds with the biggest 'Paul Heyman guy' on the planet, Brock Lesnar. But honestly, I figured Paul would be the man to induct The Dudley Boyz into the Hall of Fame.

So who would be a suitable Goldberg inductor? My first thought was Eric Bischoff. He seemingly makes the most sense, being the man who helped create the Legend we know today. Other candidates would be Hulk Hogan (I know), The Rock (he 'brought' Goldberg to WWE) or Triple H.

Don't get me wrong though, Heyman is a great speaker and will do the duty justice, assuming the rumor mill is right on this. After all, they got the Double J going into the Hall of Fame right...

Saturday, February 10, 2018

When wrestlers retweet

Roddy Piper, The Rock and George Steele
Courtesy: WWE

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

I'll start this off with a thank you to my buddy Tom Harness for the topic idea. Social media has given everyone access to their favorite celebrities like never before. Twitter has been one of the easiest ways to make that connection. As a lifelong wrestling fan, I mark out each time a pro wrestler likes, retweets or responds to one of my messages on social media. When I get a follow back, I get especially excited. (name dropping Neville, Titus O'Neal and Brodus Clay here.)

Sometimes a Superstar or Legend will retweet a blog I've written and mentioned them or a podcast interview they've done with me. I always appreciate those moments because the post gets extra engagement. Fans of these Superstars and Legends will like and retweet too and it creates a new chain reaction. But here are a few standout moments via social media and Superstars.

WrestleMania
Courtesy: WWE

1. In the Spring of 2015, I wrote a very personal blog about a friend of mine who died when we were 12. It was days before the first WrestleMania. Going to another friend's home to watch that event helped me in the grieving process. It was the first time in days that I hadn't cried. I tagged "Rowdy" Roddy Piper in my tweet and Hot Rod retweeted it. Part of me wants to believe he read that blog too. As wrestling fans know, Piper died a few months later. That retweet meant the world to me and it's something I'll be forever grateful for.

The Rock and I

2. Several years ago I posted a picture of myself and a wax figure of The Rock from Madame Tussauds in Hollywood. I included @TheRock in the message talking about how I failed to do the People's Eyebrow like the Great One. He actually liked the tweet, which made my day.

3. LinkedIn is a social media platform I'm still trying to figure out the best way to use it. Years ago, I was part of WWE group where fans would post their blogs or podcasts. On a couple of different occasions, George "The Animal" Steele commented on my posts. I know for sure he read the blogs because he sited specific things I had written. Again, it was another mark out moment for me.

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Royal Rumble winners

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's hard to believe the Royal Rumble has been around 30 years. So ahead of next week's show, I came up with some fun facts, mostly about the winners, but I had to stretch on some of them. Most of these I knew, but full disclosure, I had to look some info up.

1988 - Jim Duggan: First Royal Rumble winner

1989 - "Big" John Studd - Went on to WrestleMania 5 to be a special guest referee and not wrestle.

1990 - Hulk Hogan: First time a WWF Champion won the Rumble.

1991 - Hulk Hogan: First Superstar to win back to back Royal Rumbles

1992 - Ric Flair: The first heel to win the Royal Rumble and for the first time the WWE Championship was awarded to the winner.

1993 - Yokozuna: First Superstar to win the match under the stipulation that the winner gets a championship match at WrestleMania.

1994 - Bret Hart & Lex Luger: First (and only) co-winners of the Royal Rumble.

1995 - Shawn Michaels: First Superstar to draw number one and win the Rumble.

1996 - Shawn Michaels: Won the match a second time and had the same number of eliminations both years (8).

1997 - "Stone Cold" Steve Austin: First time a Superstar was eliminated from the match and came back to win the Rumble.

1998 - "Stone Cold" Steve Austin: Went toe to toe the night after winning the Rumble with Mike Tyson on Monday Night Raw.

1999 - Vince McMahon - First non-Superstar to win the Rumble.

2000 - The Rock: First time a Royal Rumble winner went on to WrestleMania to face three other competitors for the Championship.

2001 - "Stone Cold" Steve Austin: First three-time winner of the Rumble.

2002 - Triple H: First time the winner challenged for the "Undisputed WWE Championship".

2003 - Brock Lesnar: First winner of the Royal Rumble under a brand split.

2004 - Chris Benoit: Won the Rumble as a SmackDown! Superstart but switched brands to challenge the Raw Champion (Triple H).

2005 - Batista: Won the Rumble and for the first time, the second runner-up challenged the opposing show's champion (John Cena challenged JBL).

2006 - Rey Mysterio: First Superstar under 200 pounds to win the Rumble.

2007 - Undertaker: First Superstar to draw number 30 and win the Rumble.

2008 - John Cena: First time a Superstar no one could see won the Royal Rumble.

2009 - Randy Orton: First time the final two men in the Rumble went on to face each other WrestleMania. Triple H won the WWE Championship the next month at No Way Out in the Elimination Chamber.

2010 - Edge: Up to that time the Superstar who spent the least amount of time in the match to win the Rumble (7:19).

2011 - Alberto Del Rio: First Superstar to outlast 39 other Superstars.

2012 - Sheamus: Yes, Sheamus won. But this marked the first time all three members of the commentary team also competed in the Royal Rumble (Jerry Lawler, Michael Cole and Booker T).

2013 - John Cena: First year an NXT Superstar competed in the Rumble (Bo Dallas).

2014 - Batista: Eliminated Roman Reigns moments after the "Big Dog" set a new record for most eliminations in a single Rumble match (12).

2015 - Roman Reigns: First time a Royal Rumble winner was pinned in the Championship match by a Money in the Bank winner cashing in (Seth Rollins).

2016 - Triple H: First time the WWE Championship was defended in the match. Reigns came in as champ and lost the title that night, only to go on and regain it from Triple H at WrestleMania 32.

2017 - Randy Orton: Announced he was giving up his Championship match after Bray Wyatt won the gold at No Way Out, but it turned out to be a swerve by Orton.

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Topps & BOOM! Studios joins forces with WWE

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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For decades, people have been able to pick up a comic book at their favorite shop and read it. When I was a kid, I never really got into this trend. However, I did buy a few comics in my day, but I would never consider myself an expert on the subject. For that check out Greg Mehochko's Nerds United podcast on the Jittery Monkey Podcasting Network. Baseball cards also have a rich history but are another medium I never invested in. However, I still have a TON of WWF trading cards from the mid-1980s.

On Wednesday afternoon, I received a press release from The Topps Company that they've teamed up with BOOM! Studios on creating a WWE Comic Cover Card Set. Instead of going to the store to pick up cards or comics, they're now available on your smartphone or tablet. This week Topps debuted seven "Then, Now, Forever" covers. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, the Rock and Dean Ambrose are among the Superstars included.

The company goes on to say starting in September, fans can get new covers each month from BOOM! Studios WWE comics. Classic covers will gradually be added to the collection too. Topps WWE Slam is an official trading card app of WWE and is available in the App and Google Play Stores.

The comics by BOOM! Studios look amazing. Even though I don't buy or read comics, I appreciate the work that goes in to putting them together. The story of a recent copy did make me chuckle, as this was the synopsis: "With the help of Sasha Banks, the Lunatic Fringe embarks on his own fury road to snag the Money in the Bank briefcase that is rightfully his." I'm curious how the story ends.

The card collecting seems timeless still as well. Topps has more than just baseball and WWE cards. There is even a collection hyping the upcoming match between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor. It's definitely worth taking a closer look at on these links.

BOOM! Studios
The Topps Company

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Bayley is the modern day Rocky Maivia

Bayley & Rocky Maivia
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Perhaps a bold headline, but let me explain. When Bayley was on the NXT roster she was beloved by fans. She was a big fish in a small pond. I actually saw this analogy after I had the idea for this post (I swear). After hearing the reaction to Bayley's interview about being injured for SummerSlam, it's clear the crowd isn't into the hugger like they once were.

Courtesy: WWE

Bayley's initial popularity reminded me of Rocky Maivia 20+ years ago. He was a cookie cutter babyface, who took the time to slap hands with the crowd. But just like it appears with Bayley, fans grew tired of the goody-two shoe persona. Eventually, he turned heel and took on the role of The Rock. The rest, as they say, is history.

In my 1-2-3 cents, Bayley isn't likely to become a megastar like the Rock did. But I definitely believe a gimmick change will help her. She's talented in the ring and played the role of the girl next store, sweetheart, very well. But it doesn't seem to work in 2017. Or at least on the grand stage of WWE.

Bayley's announcement
Courtesy: WWE

I must admit I like the fact that so many young girls look up to Bayley and appreciate what she's doing. However, a change of character could be what's needed to take her career to the next level. Many of the NXT refugees on Raw and SmackDown Live have had similar experiences. Bo Dallas, Tyler Breeze and Neville all had growing pains on the main roster. Their gimmicks have all been tweaked and it appears to be helping their individual situations.

This blog is just scratching the surface. I wish I had the time and energy to go into more details about my thoughts, but you guys get it. WWE Creative needs to do a better job in helping the talent get over when they arrive on the main roster. Likewise, the talent needs to know how to react to the crowds. I enjoy Bayley's wrestling, but her overall character needs something new. Maybe showing Sasha who's Boss is the next step in the evolution of this Superstar.

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Look to my right and I see the Hollywood sign...

Hollywood!

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter