SURVIVOR SERIES: When the 'Lone Wolf' becomes a team player

Baron Corbin
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Survivor Series 2016 is right around the corner. Chad and I will be blogging about different historical aspects of the November tradition when the event gets closer. But today I'm going to talk briefly about something the two of us joked about over social media recently.

As I write this post on Monday afternoon (Nov. 7) the Raw vs. SmackDown Live men's elimination match is still being put together. Raw will be represented by WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens, his best buddy Chris Jericho, U.S. Champion Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman and TBA. The team battles WWE Champion AJ Styles, Dean Ambrose, Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt and Baron Corbin. Yes, that's right the wrestler who's gimmick is being a loner is a part of a team.

Corbin vs. Ambrose
Courtesy: WWE

I'll admit this year's Survivor Series elimination matches differ from previous years (except for a few notable exceptions) in that good guys and bad guys (and women) are on the same team. It'll make a for a different dynamic, but I'm curious to see how Corbin as the Lone Wolf fits into the match. Full disclosure, I'm not a huge fan of his and probably would not have made him one of the Elite 5. I would say the same about Braun too. 

In my perfect Survivor Series world, there would be the three Raw vs. SmackDown Live matches. Then I'd have two more elimination matches, a Raw vs. Raw team and SDL vs. SDL team. Throw in the singles match of Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar and I'm a happy camper. I love the elimination match concept and hated it when WWE veered away from the idea as far back as 1992. 

Bad News Brown leaves in a huff
Courtesy: WWE

I imagine Corbin pulling a number like Bad News Brown did in 1989 and walk out on his team. Brown was billed as the bad ass loner type too. Don't be surprised if Corbin has some miscommunication with his team and does the same thing.

Climbing the ladder to success

Tony Flood vs. Jerry Travelstead

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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The first time I remember hearing about a ladder match in wrestling was in 1992 when Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels battled in one for the WWF Intercontentinal Championship. The match wasn't televised, but I think WWF Magazine published pictures of the event. Less than two years later, Razor Ramon and HBK would do battle in one of the most memorable ladder matches in the history of the business.

In those two decades, there have been countless ladder matches. I've even called one during my days with All American Pro Wrestling. Over the weekend I witnessed another one on the indy circuit, featuring "T-Dog" Jerry Travelstead against "The Canadian Saint" Tony Flood. The two were vying to become the first ever Stride Pro Wrestling Legacy Champion. 

Quick backstory Jerry is a school superintendent and principal here in southern Illinois. He's a huge wrestling fan and has held a few benefit shows for his school, Community Consolidated School District 204. Not only has Jerry promoted a few wrestling shows, he's also trained and wrestled several matches. He and Flood, who is an accomplished indy wrestler, have had a grudge brewing for most of the year in Stride Pro Wrestling. 

Flood's moonsault with the ladder

Saturday night's ladder match was nothing short of spectacular. Both T-Dog and Flood put their bodies on the line to show just how determined each is to win the Legacy title. The match took a huge turn when Flood climbed to the top rope with the ladder in his hands and did a moonsault. T-Dog moved just in time and Flood crashed to the mat with the ladder. The crowd let out a collective gasp in the process.

New champion

The battle continued for a few minutes and T-Dog took advantage of Flood being knocked out of the ring and climbed rung by rung to grab ahold of the Legacy Title. He soaked in the cheers of students, family members and fans. Flood, who had visible welts and bruises, had to be helped back by ring crew members. I heard one young fan exclaim "He broke his leg!" I can tell you that's not the case, but clearly, neither man will be the same after this amazing encounter. 

Be sure to join Stride Pro Wrestling on Saturday, November 12 at the Redbird Rumble at Wrest Frankfort High School. Bell time is 7 p.m.

There's a bean in my boots

Chili Cook-Off judges 2016
Courtesy: Jalah Gray

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I had the pleasure over the weekend of serving as a judge for the 8th annual Southern Illinois Chili Cook-Off. It's the first time I've done anything like this and it was quite an awesome experience. The theme this year was Disney and as a judge, I felt the need to dress up, so I donned the Jesse costume my mom made a few years ago for our trip to Disney World. My buddy Tom Harness also judged and he wore the infamous Pinocchio costume. 

The contest is a fundraiser for four different groups here in southern Illinois. The Lighthouse Shelter, Fowler-Bonan Clothes for Kids, Heartland Rotary iPads for special needs children and Kozy Kidz (coats for kids) split the proceeds from this event.

Judging was not easy by any means. The group tried 26 different kinds of chili. They were judged on things like taste, aroma, consistency and color. It was hard getting narrowing it down, but eventually, we were left with the top six. Then there was a tie so after it was all said and done we had 34 samples of chili throughout a 90 minute period. I'm still stuffed as I write this.

Jesse, John Okerson with Team RWB and Pinocchio

I would not change the experience for anything. It was a blast and getting to chat with the contestants and other friends along the way made the day even better. I'm already looking forward to next year's event either as a judge or a contestant with the Craftbeericans. We also got to try a very new version of Sam Adams beer. Look for the review on our Facebook page.  

Southern Illinois is about to get Bushwhacked

Bushwhacker Luke

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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It's not often a WWE Hall of Famer makes it to southern Illinois, but this weekend one-half of one of the most popular tag teams of all time will make his way here. Bushwhacker Luke is wrestling in the main event of a fundraiser show for Pinckneyville's Unit 204 school. Bell time is 6:30, but there is a meet and greet with Luke that starts at 5 p.m. It costs $10.

I'm excited about this because I talked with Luke a few weeks ago on My 1-2-3 Cents the podcast. He reminisced about his career and life before the fun loving Bushwhacker days. He and Butch Miller were known as the Sheepherders and were one of the most brutal tag teams of the 70s and 80s. As he mentions on the show, they were hardcore before hardcore was a thing.

There are plenty of other great matches planned for this fundraiser. Heath Hatton, Ax Allwardt and Farmer Billy Hills will also see action. And yours truly is the ring announcer for the evening. Join us in Pinckneyville for a night of great wrestling action!

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?

Trying not to gobble extra calories

Thanksgiving dinner a few years ago

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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October has come and gone and I survived the Halloween season for the most part. I did break into a hidden stash of candy prior to Halloween night, but shared it with the rest of the family, limiting myself to less than I normally binge on. I have only had a couple of fun size pieces from the collection my daughter picked up Monday night.

Now that the candy is behind me (for the most part) I'm refocusing on a few fitness and nutrition goals for the rest of the year. I have recently switched from whey protein powder to a plant-based one. I'm enjoying Vega's protein and greens chocolate flavor powder. I mix it with spinach, banana, blueberries and skim milk. 

Protein & greens

Honestly, I don't know what to look for in a protein powder. Compared to my previous go-to, Body Fortress, Vega has fewer calories, fat and sugar. But it also has less protein and more sodium. I've read that plant-based protein is better and Vega has 20 g of it along with two servings of greens including alfalfa, spinach, broccoli and kale. 

The other factor this month is Thanksgiving. Luckily it's only a day or two (with leftovers). I'll be looking for healthier options to add to the table this year, but at the same time not completely giving up on my favorites (White Castle stuffing is amazing). 

Daily running is still a thing, but so is weekly craft beer. My sleep has not improved and I haven't seen the inside of a gym in months. I'm not waiting for the new year to restart the working out. Here's to getting a jump on 2017.

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