Foreign Object Friday: Green mist

Muta, Kabuki and Tajiri
Courtesy: Superluchas.com

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I'm not exactly sure who was the innovator of the mysterious green mist in the world of wrestling. I believe it's a tradition that started in Japan and the first wrestler I remember seeing do it was the Great Kabuki in World Class Championship Wrestling. According to some sources, Kabuki was the first to do it, so I guess my recollection is accurate.

Muta & Kabuki

Kabuki was managed by Gary Hart and would spray the mist in his opponents eyes to get an unfair advantage. The top baby faces in the company experienced a blinding from time to time against Kabuki. Then he and Hart split and Sunshine took over the contract of Kabuki and the bad guys were sprayed. For me, one of the most memorable moments during his face run was spraying One Man Gang in the eyes after Gang wrapped a chain around Kabuki's neck and lifted him off the mat. Kabuki passed the mist tradition on to his son, the Great Muta. He too would spit in the eyes of his opponents, sometimes during the match, sometimes it came after. Muta used it in contests against Sting, Ric Flair and Arn Anderson.

Before Muta's mist debut in WCW, Killer Khan was spraying opponents in WWF rings in 1987. For some reason, a match with Outback Jack sticks out to me with Khan using the mist. He also battled Hulk Hogan for the WWF Championship and while researching this piece, I found the plan was for Khan to spray mist in Miss Elizabeth's eyes to set up a feud with "Macho Man" Randy Savage. An interesting idea, but I like the Honky Tonk Man angle better.

Tajiri vs. Viscera
Courtesy: WWE

Long after Khan left WWF, Tajiri showed up in WWE and kept up the mist spraying tradition. Black mist was used by the Superstar and Nidia ended up going "blind" after a shot. Various colors were used during this time and I found on a Wiki fandom site a breakdown of the implications of each color.

Green- The commonly used mist which is said to obstruct the opponents vision.

Red- Quite often used but is said to Burn the eyes. Used by Gangrel which was known as Blood Mist.

Black- Said to blind the opponent for several weeks. 

Blue- Sends the opponent to sleep.

Yellow- Paralyzes the opponent.

Purple- Cause momentarily distraction and memory loss (once used by Roxxi Laveaux).

Who (not Neidhart) is Kurt Angle involved with?

Angle & Graves
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Admittedly I've been half-assing my mainstream wrestling, ahem, sports entertainment following in recent weeks. I did, however, catch the most recent episode of Raw, which ended with Kurt Angle on the phone. He was involved in a very deep conversation with someone who has been presumably texting Corey Graves during Raw broadcasts. There's plenty of speculation about who is on the other end and in a few days, we'll allegedly find out who it is.

So here are my 1-2-3 cents on who this mystery "lover" could be. I put the word lover in quotes because the conversation ends with Kurt saying, "I love you." That's lead many to assume it's an affair that will come to light and ruin Angle's life. But it could be a family member, even a so-called love child for the Olympic Hero.

Kurt & Steph
Courtesy: WWE

I've seen plenty of names brought up for who this person could be. Most are speculating it's Stephanie McMahon. That's where my money is right now too. With rumors of a Kurt Angle-Triple H match coming up at SummerSlam it would make sense. Angle and Steph have a long history too. Part of me hopes it's not Steph because honestly, I've enjoyed the break. 

Angle & Dixie
Courtesy: TNA Impact Wrestling 

Dixie Carter's name has been mentioned a lot too. The former TNA owner was part of the recent Network special on Kurt. While I'm not opposed to seeing her on WWE programming, I'm not convinced it's her. Her character work on Impact was horrible, but maybe WWE has worked with her. A plus to it being her is she would be fresh for what many consider stale WWE programming.

Courtesy: WWE

Corey Graves has been put into the mix. I'm not against this idea either, but in my 1-2-3 cents, WWE won't do the angle justice. It's an interesting premise and would explain why he's been involved in the storyline. But I am not going to put any money on that idea. 

Vince, Kurt and Hunter
Courtesy: WWE

The child conspiracy theory has lead to Chad Gable of American Alpha. I've also seen a few people suggest Gable's partner Jason Jordan. Vince McMahon's name has been dropped as a father figure "I love you." So as you can see it can be anyone. There are all kinds of theories. As long as it's not Katie Vick or Claire Lynch, I'll be happy.

Sami Zayn has a picture of me in his house

What a night
Courtesy: Brian Kelley

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Despite what some may think, the title of this blog is not #FakeNews. And in telling this story I realize I sound like a huge mark, but I couldn't resist. July 12 is Sami Zayn's birthday so I'm using it as an excuse to share the details of when I met his good friends El Generico, PAC (Neville), Colt Cabana and Matt Cross.

It was January 2012 and I was doing commentary for All American Pro Wrestling. It was our "super show" Main Event and I was also making my in-ring debut that night. Generico, PAC, Colt and M-Dogg were our guests that night and helped make the evening more memorable. Calling the match between Generico and PAC was surreal and I became a fan of both men instantly. 

After the show ended, our guests wanted to take a photo with my AAPW buddies Chris Hagstrom and Adam Testa. I was still buzzing from the match I'd had about 45 minutes earlier. I didn't think much of it when Brian Kelley from Missouri Wrestling Revival snapped the photo. But after he emailed it to me, it became one of my favorite wrestling pics ever taken. Then I heard this story...

A friend of mine (who I'm not sure if I should name, so I'm not going to) was a referee that night. He now works in Orlando and met Sami Zayn during WrestleMania weekend. Main Event was brought up in the conversation and Sami talked about how much fun he had that night and told my friend he has the abovementioned photo in his home. The story got relayed to me and of course, I popped like a bag of Orville Reddenbacher.

I know some WWE Superstars and Legends have read my blog before. Here's to hoping Sami reads this. Happy birthday man and please tell Generico I said "hola." It's been a long time.

Neville rules WWE Cruiserweights

Neville
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Late last year when Neville returned from an injury with a new look and a new attitude I was all in. I've been a fan of the WWE Cruiserweight Champion since meeting him in January 2012. I've written many times about that and other encounters through the years. It's been pointed out though that Neville recently hit a milestone.

Courtesy: WWE

He is now the second longest reigning WWE Cruiserweight Champion, although the latest incarnation of the title does not have the same lineage as the championship WCW established in 1991 and WWE brought in after the purchase of World Championship Wrestling in 2001. That title remained active until 2007. Anyway, Neville has held the belt for 163 days (as of this posting). That's more than the three other previous champions combined. 

Gregory Helms
Courtesy: WWE

That milestone has also surpassed Tajiri, who held the old championship for 162 days. Neville still has a way to go until he beats the record which is held by Gregory Helms. The former Hurricane held the championship for 385 days. Neville still has a long way to go, but the way WWE has booked him as a dominant force in the ring, I won't be surprised if he sets a new record. WWE has a huge void to fill now that Austin Aries has left the company. But I'm confident with the roster on 205 Live a new batch of top competitors will be challenging Neville soon.

Is Roman Reigns finally a bad guy now?

Roman takes the wheel
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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The Internet Wrestling Community is imploding over the actions of Roman Reigns at the Great Balls of Fire event. After he lost to Braun Strowman in an ambulance match, Reigns locked the big guy in the back of the vehicle and took off to the backstage area. While there, Reigns put the ambulance in reverse and slammed it into a semi trailer.

Crash!
Courtesy: WWE

The WWE announce team of Michael Cole, Booker T and Corey Graves did a great job selling the severity of the situation. Strowman was finally saved by EMTs and the jaws of life. He stumbled away with the announcers calling it a miracle that the bloodied and battered Strowman even survived the impact of the crash.

A battered Braun
Courtesy: WWE

Up until that moment, despite the fans' reactions, Reigns was being booked as the good guy. Strowman was supposed to be the big, bad heel. But because many fans have such disdain for WWE and being "force fed" the big Samoan as the second coming of John Cena the natural reaction has been to boo.

Reigns actions Sunday night were more in line with a bad guy while Strowman was clearly getting sympathy from the announce team. It'll be interesting to see what's next, but in my 1-2-3 cents WWE is finally listening to the WWE Universe and pulling the trigger on the long-awaited heel turn for Reigns.  What do you think? Weigh in here or on social media.

The DR Party's benefactor revealed

J. Wellington Beauregard is now with the DR Party

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Seven months ago two men wrestlers appeared at the Star Wars themed Stride Pro Wrestling show. Both wore suits to the ring. At first, I thought Dexter Roswell and Brian Richards were going to remove the dress clothes and wrestle in traditional gear, but I was wrong. After cutting a scathing promo on illegal immigrants in our country, Roswell did battle with Jose Magnifico. It was clear then that Richards was going to be the bodyguard and roughed up Magnifico from outside the ring.

Dexter Roswell's debut
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

As the months passed, Roswell campaigned to 'Make Stride Great'. He grew the party by another member and the trio of Roswell, Richards and Nathan Brag did what they could to make life miserable for the likes of Magnifico, JD Wilk, Farmer Billy Hills, Chris Hargas and even Heath Hatton. 

It's finally been revealed who has been funding this campaign of chaos. J. Wellington Beauregard, the man behind current tag team champions, Maximum Overdrive is spending his fortune on the DR Party. The now-public association with J-Wells has already paid off. Brag and Richards picked up a win over Hargas and Magnifico shortly after revealing their new manager. 

It will be interesting to see what happens next with this relationship. It's possible Beauregard is looking to put a stranglehold on Stride Pro Wrestling as Roswell has been in the hunt for the Legacy Championship. Now with the public support, it may be enough to earn Roswell his first title. Brag and Richards can work together as a team or on their own. This new association could spell disaster for the Stride Pro Wrestling roster. Find out what's next on Saturday, Aug. 5. 

I'm over Brock Lesnar being champ

Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I try to keep my blog posts positive and this one will be for the most part as I explain in my 1-2-3 cents why it's time for Brock Lesnar to no longer be the WWE Universal Champion. He, of course, is defending the Championship against Samoa Joe Sunday night at the Great Balls of Fire event.

Not only has Brock not defended the title since winning it at WrestleMania 33 on April 2, but the champ hasn't even wrestled in that time. I understand Brock is an attraction and a part-time performer. So that is reason number one why I'm over Brock being champ. 

Courtesy: WWE

Up next, since learning Lesnar was suspended from UFC for what are essentially Wellness Policy violations, but WWE doesn't or won't test part-time performers is strike two for me. I've written about this before. It sets a horrible example to make exceptions for anyone who is under a talent contract for the company. I know it's a business. WWE is cashing in on Lesnar's fame. That doesn't mean I have to agree with or like that decision.

Samoa Joe & Lesnar toe to toe
Courtesy: WWE

And strike three, it's time for something fresh and new at the top. It doesn't have to be Samoa Joe, but of everyone on the current roster, Joe poses the biggest threat to beat a monster like Brock. Lesnar can still be a part of WWE and do attraction matches on the big four shows. Bring him in for a star-studded Raw event a few times a year. But there's no reason in 2017 for Brock Lesnar to be the program's top champion. Perhaps a screw over by Paul Heyman and the creation of a new Heyman Guy to keep Paul on TV regularly would be good.

Here are my quick picks for the rest of Great Balls of Fire (remember these are who I think will win and not who I want to win):

Despite the above blog, Brock will likely still retain the title.

Roman Reigns will beat Braun Strauman.

The Miz will retain the IC title against Dean Ambrose.

Alexa Bliss will retain the Raw Women's title against Sasha Banks (PLEASE)

Sheamus & Cesaro will keep the tag team titles against the Hardys.

Bray Wyatt will beat Seth Rollins

Big Cass will destroy Enzo.

Neville will leave with the Cruiserweight Championship against Akira Tozawa.

My predictions have no title changes happening, unless what I want to happen in the main event. None the less, this card is pretty impressive. The name though, well we'll save that discussion for another time.