Payback 2015 Picks

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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We're days away from another WWE pay-per-view/Network event.  I'm not exactly sure the proper phrase anymore, but as we know Payback returns this weekend.  The show has had some good build up, and even with several rematches, I'm looking forward to some great performances.

 The kickoff features the newly formed duo of Macho Mandow and Axelmania against The Ascension.  I have no idea where WWE is going with Damien Sandow and Curtis Axel, but I'm enjoying the homage to Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan.  Plus it's another tag team to get behind in a somewhat weakened division.  The Mega Powers 2.0 will win this one and eventually implode like they did more than 25 years ago.

Bray Wyatt will step into the ring with Ryback.  I'm looking forward to this match.  I feel like both men are still growing and headed to superstardom.  Ryback has been hot and cold since being repackaged a few years ago.  I've always liked Wyatt, even as Husky Harris.  He's got something special and I think it's important for him to shine Sunday night against Ryback.  

Dolph Ziggler and Sheamus will have a rematch.  I really have enjoyed Sheamus much more as the heelish bully since returning from his injury earlier this year.  I was surprised Sheamus lost the Kiss Me Arse match at Extreme Rules.  I can't see him going down in defeat two events in a row, so I pick him to win this time, setting up for a rubber match at the next show.  I don't mind repeat matches when they involve guys giving it their all.

Neville takes on King Barrett in a rematch from the King of the Ring finals and the kickoff from Extreme Rules.  Each man has a victory.  The company seems to be fast tracking Neville to big things (perhaps an Intercontental title run) so for that reason and because I'm a huge Neville mark, I hope he wins.  I won't be disappointed though if the King reigns.

The New Day will defend the tag team titles against former champs Tyson Kidd and Cesaro.  I like both teams.  I think Kidd and Cesaro's reign came to an end way too soon.  They're my favorite current team and I feel like WWE needs to stay behind them.  Again, I'm not going to be disappointed with whoever wins, but I believe the champs will retain.

Rusev will try to win the U.S. title back in an "I Quit" match against John Cena.  Both men have their submission finishers.  I think Cena will win, Rusev and Lana will split and hopefully he won't end up in no man's land as a result.  I like the concept of the U.S. Title Open Challenge Cena has been doing.  There's still some mileage to get out of that angle.  I can't wait to see who is eventually put into that role of winning the challenge.  

For my thoughts on the 4 Way, check out this week's 3 Count over on YouTube.

Snapchat Challenge: The Simpsons

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger
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The Snapchat challenge takes us to Springfield this week.  The goal quickly became the most obscure characters from the long running series, at least mine were out there.  This one was a lot of fun.  How will we top it?  Find out next week.

I Came in Like a Bowling Bowl

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger on Twitter
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By know you've probably seen NBA legend Shaq tumble and fall on the set of TNT.  The world is laughing and creating memes of the now famous incident.  It's reminding me of a similar situation I experienced nearly 25 years ago. Luckily (or maybe not) there were no smart phones or cameras around to capture the incident.  So no memes at my expense.

Picture it, a fresh (pimple) faced 18 year old, uncomfortable in his own skin but trying to make a good impression on a girl he was crushing on.  Okay, I'll stop the third person talk... Anyway I was  a senior in high school and a part of the Key Club.  The service group was celebrating the upcoming end of the school year at the local bowling alley, White Oak Lanes.  

The girl in question, will remain nameless, had a boyfriend. That didn't matter to me as I'd hoped my sweet bowling skills and witty sense of humor would be enough to woo her.  It was the tenth and final frame, and I approached the lane.  I eyed the arrows on the floor in front of me and pins at the end of the lane.  Then with all my might I prepared to send that 12 pounds of polyurethane screaming down the lane.

Not the incident in question
I don't know who that is 

But I stepped over the foul line.  I heard that annoying buzz and then my foot hit the waxy floor on the other side.  That action caused my other foot to follow.  I then went awkwardly into the air with the ball still in my hand.  At some point, it slipped away and my body came crashing down with a THUD.  I laughed for a split second before I panicked, wondering what had happened to the ball.  My fear went away when I heard it land in the gutter not far from my head. It then slowly rolled away.

Several people came to see if I was alright and as I laid there. I couldn't help but laugh out loud.  Tears streamed down my cheeks I was laughing so hard. Then I bellowed "I'm soooooooo embarrassed."  That gave everyone else approval to laugh, the girl included.  Luckily I only bruised my ego, but I didn't let that derail the good time.  But that was my last bowling excursion with that group.

 

Familiar Faces, Newcomers Join The Force

Press release from Global Force Wrestling

Las Vegas – Global Force Wrestling revealed some of its talent roster in a press conference today at the Orleans Arena. The roster includes talented international athletes, former NFL players, mixed martial artists and more.

“We have slowly but steadily been building toward this day,” said Jeff Jarrett, GFW founder and CEO. “The feedback I have received in my international travels has been off the charts. Fans are ready for the reveal of the entire GFW roster and they’re eager for their voices to be heard!”

Staying true to the GFW mission statement, the roster offers “elite professional athletes from five different continents,” as well as “real stories, real people and real meaning.” Fans will be able to see stars like the “Bullet Club” tag team of “Machine Gun” Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows; the “Killer Elite Squad,” a tag team composed of Lance Hoyt and Davey Boy Smith Jr., who have made a name for themselves in Japan as well as stints throughout the world. Also joining GFW are Chris “The Adonis” Mordetsky, South African sensation PJ Black, former NFL offensive lineman Quinn “Moose” Ojinnaka, and women’s stars Lei’D Tapa and Thea Trinidad, with more names to come. GFW has alliances with 13 promotions on five continents, including New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Mexico’s AAA and more top independent organizations in Europe, Australia and Africa.

Also at the press conference, outspoken MMA star and ESPN broadcaster Chael Sonnen announced his role as an expert analyst for Global Force Wrestling.

“As an expert analyst, Chael Sonnen is something we’ve talked about for a long time,” said Jarrett. “He’s not one to shy from speaking his mind, and we’re all eager to see what he has to say about the GFW athletes.”

The GFW Las Vegas TV tapings will take place on Friday, July 24; Friday, August 21; and Friday, October 23. Tickets for all three events will go on sale on Friday, May 15 at noon, with an exclusive pre-sale beginning on Monday, May 11 at noon. Tickets are available starting at $30 and can be purchased online at www.orleansarena.com, by phone at 702-284-7777 or in-person at Boyd Gaming box offices. VIP tickets will include a Meet & Greet with GFW talent. Join the conversation online with the hashtag #GFWVegas.

About Orleans Arena
The Orleans Arena, a Boyd Gaming facility located just west of the Las Vegas Strip, is one of the nation’s leading multi-purpose sports and entertainment facilities and the 2014 recipient of the Venue Excellence Award from the International Association of Venue Managers. Orleans Arena hosts more than 200 events each year, including nationally touring concerts, NCAA basketball conference tournaments, family shows, motorsports and other unique events. For more information, call 702-365-7469 or visit www.OrleansArena.com. Stay connected to the Orleans Arena on Facebook (www.facebook.com/orleansarena) and on Twitter (@orleansarena). Additional news and information on Boyd Gaming can be found at www.boydgaming.com. Boyd Gaming and Orleans Arena press releases are available at boydgaming.mediaroom.com.

About Global Force Wrestling
Global Force Wrestling is a privately owned professional wrestling and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 2014, Global Force Wrestling is changing the wrestling and entertainment industry with an innovative and groundbreaking approach to fan interactivity, storytelling and overall entertainment to engage audiences across television, digital and social media platforms.
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Media Contacts: The Firm Public Relations & Marketing – Jasen Woehrle // 702.739.9933 ext. 227 // jasenw@thefirmpr.com
Boyd Gaming – Samantha Roper // 702.792.7353 // samantharoper@boydgaming.com

Wrestling Globally

From Global Force Wrestling on Instagram

By Chad Smart

@chadsmart & @my123cents on Twitter

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First off, I have to admit my new year’s resolution to blog more hasn’t really taken effect. I chalk it up to a combination of busyness, laziness and general apathy towards wrestling. Even Chikara hasn’t held my attention this season like it does normally. I’m going to try and get on a schedule to blog regularly but I make no guarantees. 

So what has gotten me interested enough to type some words now? Well, the LA KISS continue to be mediocre in their game against the Las Vegas Outlaws so I need a distraction to keep my mind of questioning why I sprung for season tickets again this season. The other reason is Jeff Jarrett’s new venture; Global Force Wrestling is actually becoming an actual promotion. 

Jeff is set to have a press conference on Wednesday (5/6/15) at the Orleans Casino in Las Vegas to announce the GFW roster. The Orleans will also serve as the location for the first three GFW tapings in July, August and October. As of this writing there is still no information about a TV deal or how GFW will be distributed. 

Jeff Jarrett
Global Force Wrestling on Instagram

Having been a fan of TNA from its first press release until I got tired of seeing a company have no clue what it wanted to be or how to not make the same mistakes over and over, I have been curious if Jeff had learned anything from the negatives of TNA’s history. Since I’m writing this before any official announcement has been made, I don’t know if GFW will try and build its own legacy. I hope GFW doesn’t just snatch up every ex-WWE/TNA/WCW wrestler not currently under contract to another company.  With WWE signing some of the big free agents on the indie scene and TNA/ROH and Lucha Underground having their roster under contract, it will be interesting to see who is on the GFW roster. Should Jeff need any suggestions, I can give him a list of guys I’d like to see get some more exposure. 

There has been one announcement from GFW that makes me hopeful they won’t repeat the mistakes of TNA. Before the first taping on July 24, GFW will be holding shows at minor league baseball stadiums.  I see this as a positive for two reasons. It will allow word of mouth get out about the shows and let fans attending the taping have a good idea of what to expect. The other positive is it’ll allow Jeff and the writing staff to get an idea of which wrestlers can get the audience into the matches. Instead of simply pushing the biggest name due to a preconceived recognition, if someone else elicits a strong reaction, the future booking can be changed to play off the crowd reaction. 

I’m still going to be cautiously optimistic about GFW until more information comes to light. All I can really hope for is Jarrett has taken his time to get this promotion together and seriously looked at the reasons why TNA has the same name brand recognition in 2015 as they did in 2002. Hopefully I will be able to attend the initial tapings and will be pleasantly surprised. With Lucha Underground and NXT stepping up the televised wrestling presentation this year, Global Force Wrestling has a high bar to clear to really cement their name.

Snapchat Challenge: Star Wars

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

May the 4th marks Star Wars Day.  I try to do something fun for the blog or YouTube channel each year.  This year, it's all about the Snapchat Challenge with Sean and Chad.  We did this a few weeks ago and I figured I'd save them for today.  Also, here are a few past Star Wars Day celebrations.