Boo: Reader Photos

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

It's Halloween and as tradition with the Boo Blogs, I like to end it with your Halloween pics.  This year I opened it up to just more than wrestling costumes.  Thanks to all who read this and share it with their friends.  Happy Halloween!

Erik Stensland as Bray Wyatt

Dakota as Jeff Hardy

My work crew

HBK & a monkey

Duke Raoul, The Red Queen, Alice in Wonderland and Irish Joe Nuggets 

Me, my daughter, and her friend in 2012

Before Doink the Clown, I was Dork the Clown 198?

Boo: Way Back WhensDay: Grimace

Grimace today

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Kids today probably know who Ronald McDonald is, but I think he's the only character that's really on the forefront of the McDonald's marketing efforts.  When I was a kid there was a whole gang of characters, including Mayor McCheese, the Hamburglar, and Grimace.  That giant purple whatchamacallit was my favorite of the characters.  But little did I know his past is a bit spotty.

When he was first introduced to the world in the early 70's, Grimace was more monster like.  He had four arms and used the extra appendages to steal those yummy McDonald's milk shakes.  Until recently, I had no idea the lovable creature had such an evil streak.  However, clearly he was dimwitted in those early days too.

Evil Grimace

Like I mentioned, all the characters from those early days seem to have disappeared.  Ronald is the sole face now, but I will always remember the days of the cast of characters, including my favorite Grimace.  He proved that we all make mistakes and just because he had a shake addiction, he wasn't such a bad guy after all.

Boo: Scared Ya, Didn't I?

Haunted house collage
From Brennan Woods Elementary yearbook

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents

When I was in elementary school, my parents were very active in the school's parents' group.  My mom severed as the president for several years.  Anyway, each year, this group known as the Brennan Woods Backers, held a Chili Supper and Haunted House fundraiser.  It was exactly what the title implies.  Each year, the volunteers would transfer a portion of the school into a haunted house on a Friday night.  Chili, crackers, and brownies were served before the frights started.  There was also a cake walk for the weak at heart.

I wish I had some actual color photos from the haunted house, because my memories of it are so vivid.  I'd love to be able to share those images with you, but after 30 years, I can't find anyone who has any pics.  You're looking at a couple of collage pictures from the yearbooks I have.

Each year, the Backers would have the standard scary stuff in the haunted house, there was a mad scientist lab complete with floursant paint.  I can still see that bright yellow glowing wall with the "bloody" streaks going down it.  The house also featured something current in pop culture. One year they did the scene from Gremlins in the kitchen when the creatures attack Billy's mom.  I can still remember the blender with a pair of paper mache Gremlin legs spinning around.

Haunted house collage
From Brennan Woods Elementary yearbook

That same year, I got to be in the haunted house.  I played Elliot, opposite a classmate who dressed like ET.  We were at the very end of the house, there to provide something light hearted for the kids coming through.  We handed out Reese's Pieces to everyone who exited.

My final year at Brennan Woods, there was a Return of the Jedi portion.  There were many adults and kids who dressed up for this scene.  I was a Gamorrean Guard from Jabba the Hutt's lair.  My little brother who was only in fourth grade and pretty short to boot was Chewbacca.  Oh the irony... One of the talented and creative art teachers, Mr. Tamme made a life sized paper mache (I think that's what it was made from) version of Han Solo encased in carbonite.  Again, I wish I had the photos to share, because these were amazingly awesome displays.

Those days are long gone, but they stand out in my memory as some of my favorite things about elementary school.  The haunted house made Halloween fun and I'd like to think others who participated had a good time doing it too.  I don't think schools would be able to do some of the displays we had back then, and more importantly, our schools don't have parents groups as active as the Backers were back in the day.

Boo: Hell in a Handbasket

Hell in a Cell 2013
Photo by WWE

By Chad Smart
@chadsmart & @my123cents on Twitter

A few months ago, Kevin started branching out and making my123cents more of a pop culture blog instead of strictly a wrestling blog. I’m thinking I should probably start to follow in his footsteps and write about anything other than wrestling. Last week, I wrote about how I was done watching TNA because I didn’t want to watch WWE-lite.  After watching this year’s “Hell In A Cell” pay per view, I think I don’t care to watch WWE. This show encapsulated the majority of what’s wrong in wrestling today.

Before I get all negative and cynical, I’ll mention the few positives of the show. The opening Tag-Team Title match was, as expected, really good. Goldust is making the most of his return to WWE. Goldy and Cody are working well as a team and their feud with The Shield has provided several exciting matches. 

Summer Rae dropkicks Nattie
Photo by WWE

Summer Rae had her WWE debut match in a mixed-tag match. Summer teamed with dance partner Fandango to battle Natalya Neidhart and The Great Khali.  Anyone who watches NXT knows Summer Rae can deliver inside the ring when given the chance. While she and Nattie had a decent match last night, I can’t get my hopes up too high for the future as WWE is not known to give the Divas much time nor do they let the talented Divas really showcase their talents. 

Now lets move onto the cynicism.  While Summer Rae had a good debut, I couldn’t help but wonder why this match was on the PPV. This wasn’t anything more than what you’d find on RAW or Smackdown. In addition to this match, Hell In A Cell also featured The Real Americans vs. Los Matadores and an impromptu match between Big E. Langston vs. Dean Ambrose that ended in Dean being counted out. Originally Big E was supposed to face Curtis Axel on the YouTube/WWE App pre-show match, but due to Curtis being injured the match was scrapped and the match with Dean was set up during the pre-show. Due to the not being originally scheduled, I anticipated a count out to end the match as I couldn’t see Dean losing the US title nor would it make sense for Big E to lose when he’s starting to get a push. If WWE pulls and audible and continues a feud between these two then the ending to the match could be justified. This match served no purpose other than to fill 15-minutes of airtime on a show with too much filler if it doesn't lead to an extended feud.

Ole! It's El Torrito
Photo by WWE

While Los Matadores and The Real Americans was set up for the PPV over the last couple weeks of RAW and Smackdown, my issues is the match was more about getting El Torito over than anyone else in the match. I may be wrong, but I’d be willing to bet the commentary team spent more time talking about “the bull” than talking about anyone else in the match. This is one of WWE’s biggest problems right now, in my opinion. No wrestler is getting built up to be a major player. Wrestlers are either becoming mid-card comedy/humor fodder (Santino, Fandango, Tons of Funk) or simply stuck into mid-card purgatory (Ziggler, The Miz, Sandow).  This was evident in the two main title matches.

The Champ is here! Again
Photo by WWE

John Cena returned after a two-month hiatus for elbow surgery and promptly won the World Title from Alberto Del Rio.  There was no warm up match to see if Cena was healthy to compete. There was no, he’s been away for two months so now he has to work his way back to the top story. John Cena simply walked into American Airlines Arena and regained the “Being John Cena” title. It’s almost like WWE wouldn’t know what to do if John Cena wasn’t holding a title. Instead of using Cena to help elevate new main event talent, he has to be the man on top. After nine years, it’s time for Cena to not be the main focus. I strongly believe if Cena were gone for at least a year, his return would negate the “Cena sucks” jeers.

Orton wins
Photo by WWE

As bad as Cena winning the World Title is, it’s overshadowed by Daniel Bryan once again looking like a joke. Thanks to a super kick from guest referee Shawn Michaels, Daniel Bryan failed to become a three time WWE champion in the span of two months. After the match, I commented on Twitter that WWE should stick a fork in Bryan, as he’s officially been Zigglered. Even if he wins the title in the coming months, the current storyline has devalued him to the point where I don’t know if fans would buy into him being a credible champion.

In the last five years, how many legitimate main event wrestlers has WWE created? The only name I can think of that may fit the bill is Sheamus. But I’m not even sure if he’s at that level. The lack of trusting anyone other than Cena or Attitude Era wrestlers to be the focus of shows is hindering WWE’s enjoyment factor for me. Maybe I’m the only one who feels this way.

Last week, I said I was done watching TNA. This week, I’m going to say that with the exception of NXT, I think it’s time I take a break from WWE programming. I’ll still keep up to date on what’s happening and will still make plans to attend Wrestlemania 30, though that’s more for the chance to hang out with friends from around the world than about the show. But as for watching RAW or Smackdown on a regular basis, I’m done.

So look for more pop culture blogs in the future. At least until the return of Chikara. 

Boo: Getting Misty

Kabuki vs. Jimmy Valiant
Photo by WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

When I was a kid World Class Championship Wrestling was one of my favorite things to watch.  I'm not talking just wrestling, but TV in general.  WCCW featured some of the best talent and I seemed to connect more with the product than I did with the WWF in those early days.

One of the many characters to come through Texas, included the Japanese superstar The Great Kabuki.  While he was no giant or a muscled monster, there was something creepy about Kabuki.  Maybe it was his face paint, or maybe it was the way manager Gary Hart had trouble controlling his charge, but Kabuki was one of the most intimidating guys on the roster.

In addition to the long hair, pre-match masks, and face paint, Kabuki was the first wrestler to blow that mysterious green mist into the eyes of his opponent.  Because of his association with Hart, Kabuki wrestled as a heel, but eventually he turned face.

Kabuki
Photo by WWE

He wrestled briefly in the NWA, again with Hart and was touted as the father of the Great Muta.  Kabuki spent most of his career overseas in Japan, but did do a spot at the 1994 Royal Rumble.  He was one of the henchmen who took out the Undertaker during his casket match with Yokozuna.  Kabuki also appeared in the Rumble match itself.  To my knowledge it was his only time in New York.

Although retired now, Kabuki shows up on list on the WWE's website from time to time.  It's good to see this interesting international star has not been forgotten.

Boo: Casper the Friendly Ghost

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Growing up, one of my favorite cartoons to watch was Casper the Friendly Ghost.  Sure, it was hokey, but it was good wholesome fun for kids.  The cartoon carried a valuable message: don't judge a book by its cover.

We've always been taught that ghosts are scary.  Casper tried to break that stereotype.  He did good deeds everyday.  Casper helped lost puppies find their way home.  He stood up for kids who were being bullied.  He was exactly what we needed in as a role model.

The Ghostly Trio did everything in their power to undermine the efforts of the heroic Casper.  As the threesome tried to put the fright in folks with their antics, Casper did everything he could to thwart their efforts.  He enlisted the help of friends, including Wendy the Good Witch.

Movie Casper

In the mid 90's, Hollywood came up with a film version of Casper.  I'm not going to lie, I never saw it, so I can't comment on how it was, but I believe there have been several direct to video sequels made, so I'd imagine there was some success.

None-the-less, 80 years later (he started off in the comics) Casper can still be find on cable channels spreading his lessons of kindness, love, and friendship.  You can't go wrong with that.

Boo: Hell in a Cell 2013

Courtesy: WWE.com

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Another Hell in a Cell pay per view is nearly here.  Like previous HIAC PPVs, the this one features two of the trademark cage matches, Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan will battle for the WWE Championship and CM Punk takes on Paul Heyman and Ryback in a handicap match. I don't read dirt sheets or spoiler reports, so I'm basing my predictions on just what I've seen on Raw and through highlights of SmackDown!

Courtesy: WWE.com

I'll start with the championship match.  Regular readers know I'm not a huge Randy Orton fan.  While I can't exactly pinpoint my disdain with him, I do know I'd rather see just about anyone as the "face" of WWE other than him.  Daniel Bryan on the other hand is probably the fastest rising star the company has had in recent years.  He's not your typical WWE cookie cutter Superstar, and that's what I like about him.  I would love for him to really get a chance to stay at the top of the card for a length of time, but I don't see it happening.

I smell a Shawn Michaels screw job (he's the special guest referee).  With all the "tension" they're showing between Orton, Triple H, and Stephanie McMahon and Shawn, I just think it'll go down that way. They're setting us up to believe that HBK is going to be Bryan's advocate, since he trained him, but I predict Shawn delivers some Sweet Chin Music on Bryan and Orton wins the match and the vacated title.  Big Show, who's being built up as the sympathetic hero, will avenge it all and beat Orton for the championship eventually.

Courtesy: WWE.com

CM Punk has had his history with Ryback before.  I think they even met in last year's HIAC with Brad Maddox screwing over Ryback as the referee.  Punk is looking for revenge on Heyman for the loss he suffered.  I would be really surprised if the former WWE Champion lost this contest.  I still gotta wonder if Brock Lesnar is going to be brought back in to finish the story with Punk.  Maybe that chapter continues Sunday night.  I'd love to see Punk get his mojo back and I think this is just the feud to accomplish that.

Courtesy: WWE.com

John Cena makes his return on Sunday against World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio.  I want to start off saying I like John Cena.  I think he's great for business, but I wonder if the company is rushing his return.  I also wonder why in the blue hell (sorry Rock) is he getting the WHC match?  Sure he's John Cena, but I find throwing him right back into the title picture is exactly what's wrong with the company.  Guys like Dolph Ziggler continue to toil and put over other talent, while guys who have been around a decade or longer enjoy the main event picture.  I was once told never bet against Cena.  So for that reason, I look for him to win the title, but I have nothing else to base that prediction on.

Courtesy: WWE.com

Big E Langston has suddenly become a contender for the Intercontinental title.  I wouldn't be surprised to see him win the belt Sunday night.  But really, to make the Curtis Axel Project work, he needs to retain.  I really don't think the WWE has done a good job with the development of the Axel character.  I predicted months ago that he was going to be the next Paul Heyman guy, but I feel like he's just kinda there.  Personally, I think they put the IC title on him way too soon, and never really gave him a chance to develop.  He went from not being on TV to almost being over exposed.  I wonder if he's headed down the same path Zack Ryder took.

Courtesy: WWE.com

I love that Goldust is back in the WWE.  I think he and Cody Rhodes make a great team.  I wonder though how long term this deal is for Dustin and whether this is all leading to that much anticipated Cody vs. Goldie match at Wrestlemania.  The Rhodes' Brothers will defend the tag team titles against the Shield and the Usos.  While I don't like to see titles hot potatoed, I do prefer Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins as the tag team champions.  The Usos were under utilized for so long, I still can't buy into them as contenders.

Courtesy: WWE.com

Brie Bella challenges AJ Lee for the Divas Championship.  I'm not going to bash the Bellas in this post, but I'd much rather see AJ in a program with Natalya or even her new bodyguard Tamina Snuka.  Even though the Bellas are getting fan support again, they're a duo I just can't get in to either.  I understand why they're keeping Brie in the spotlight now since she's engaged to Bryan, but I wonder if he loses Sunday, what does that mean for her?  My hope is that AJ retains and Natalya gets another shot at redemption.

As of this writing that's all the matches announced.  Would love to see guys like Ziggler, Damien Sandow, and the U.S. Champion Dean Ambrose involved.  I suspect there will be at least another match or two added, maybe tonight on SmackDown or Sunday on the show.  Let me know what you think.