Royal Rumble Apocalypse 2015

This has got to go down as one of the most chaotic Rumbles in WWE History. Since at least 2010, the Rumble has started to lose it's luster. To add to the backlash of last year's Rumble with Batista winning, it is safe to say that the Rumble is no longer Royal. Sunday was further confirmation, with the venom that the Philadelphia crowd shot at Roman Reigns. I admit that I am not the biggest Roman supporter as a result of his recent promos and programs with Big Show, but I felt bad for him. He could not enjoy his biggest moment of his rising career. Even though the match did not turn out the way that many people wanted, I along with other fans knew Reigns would be the number one contender since last Summer. Everyone saw the writing on the wall, but many people in the IWC Clan have been in utter denial. The fans in Philly gave Roman no Brotherly Love AT ALL. He received more boos than John Cena in his match with RVD at One Night Stand in 2006. Even Roman's legendary cousin The Rock could not stop the outrage of the fans when he came out to save him from the attack by Big Show and Kane. Rock even admitted in an Instagram video that the fans booed his cousin out of the building in a humorous kind of way. There were some nice surprise entrants like DDP, Bubba Ray Dudley and The Boogeyman. Unfortunately, the fans that night ruined the experience of the rest of the match with their boos once Daniel Bryan was eliminated earlier in the match. As far as the fans go, they are the biggest reasons why the match went sour in my view. It was very immature and disrespectful to the wrestlers in the ring, along with their fellow fans who paid money just to enjoy the overall PPV.

 The Daniel Bryan zombie fans hated everything and everyone who was not Daniel Bryan. Speaking of them, the Daniel Bryan obsession has put a very bad taste in my mouth. I did not really want to express my opinion at first, because I respect how good he is in the ring. However, the craze about him has turned me sour from wanting to really support Daniel Bryan. I find myself not wanting to be a fan of his, BECAUSE of this ridiculous legion of fans. Daniel Bryan fans and CM Punk fans are the equivalent to the Kobe Bryant and LeBron James fans in the NBA. They put him on this insanely high pedestal, and discredit everyone that is not him. The world does not end, just because someone you like does not win all of the time. Daniel Bryan is very good at what he does, but honestly I don't see myself building a single brand around him. I did not cry when someone like Bret Hart or Stone Cold lost. If you ask me, they are much bigger stars than Bryan. I just cannot find myself connecting with him on that level. I understand that he represents the underdogs and the social outcasts of the world. I get the point, but this trend is nauseating. People complain about John Cena being shoved down everyone's throat. Honestly, I feel the same way when fans force feed Daniel Bryan on The Internet. You people are doing the same thing that you accuse the WWE of doing. That crowd reaction spoiled the rest of the show for the most part, because fans got so bitter and jaded that the hashtag: #CancelWWENetwork trended all over the Internet that night. Fans like these are very childish, and are humiliating to say the least. This is why I don't waste my time and energy doing RAW reviews. IWC fans cry for new talent to be pushed. Yet, when WWE finally pushes someone new, they STILL complain because it is not who THEY want. You don't always get what you want. Daniel already had his shining moment last year, when he defeated 3 Future Hall of Famers (HHH, RKO, Batista) in one night at WrestleMania 30. I thought that was WWE's way of making it up to their fans for not adding Bryan to the Royal Rumble. Unfortunately, he got injured and they needed to fill that void in some way. I have no personal issue against him or a guy like Dolph Ziggler, but at the end of the day it is about marketing value. Zigs and Bryan have a niched fanbase that clearly does not support enough with the wallet to really make enough noise. There is more monetary potential in someone like Roman Reigns. Vince McMahon's formula of ring presence and persona has never changed from the moment he purchased the company from his father. The faces have changed, but the concept has not. Besides, I don't see a guy that looks like Teen Wolf beating the man that broke The Undertaker's Streak.

Last year, Roman Reigns was on fire at the Royal Rumble, when he broke Kane's elimination record before being thrown over the top rope by Batista at the end. People were behind him at that point. Now, he wins and fans boo him to no end. People could not seem to make up their mind. He is not what everyone may want, but I am not losing my mind just because he won.

The Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship between Brock Lesnar, John Cena and Seth Rollins is what carried the show. That match was tremendous, and an early candidate for "Match of The Year". Everyone was amazing in this match, as they all kicked out of each other's Finishers. Seth Rollins nailed Brock Lesnar with a great left Elbow Drop on the Announce Table. Rollins showed his flashes of brilliance and put everyone on further notice that he will take that top spot for years to come. Cena nailed Lesnar with 3 Attitude Adjustments. Brock showed once more why he is Truly a Beast. After Rollins took care of Cena, he was ready to nail another Curb Stomp on the Champ. Then, plans changed as Brock rose quickly to catch him to nail the final blow with The F-5 to retain his WWE Championship. The stage was set for Brock Lesnar to main event WrestleMania as WWE Champion the moment that he broke the Streak, and defeated John Cena at Summerslam. It only made sense for Lesnar to hold it this long considering what he had accomplished. There have been twists and turns in the plot leading up, but overall this has been the course that WWE has set their minds on taking. At least, for once the IWC takes their hate off of Cena. He could at least relax for now. This is the marquee caliber Main Event that WWE has set in stone for WM 31. This is a battle of the Young Lion taking on the Veteran Lion. The Original Next Big Thing versus the Current Next Big Thing. Overall, I give this PPV a C+.

By the way, congrats to WWE for shutting up the haters by reaching 1 million subscribers.

Macho Man Hall of Fame Tribute

OOOOOHHH YEEAAAHHH!!!! Freak out, freak out, freak out! After years upon years of bad blood, speculation, rumors and being passed over, we can FINALLY say that the King of Macho Madness will take his rightful place in the Hall of Fame. Earlier this week, it was announced (through spoilers by the way) that "Macho Man" Randy Savage will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.  A Hall of Fame without the Macho Man is like the Basketball Hall of Fame without Hakeem Olajuwon. Imagine the Football Hall of Fame without Emmitt Smith. For years, the WWE Hall of Fame has been a laughingstock, because of undeserving names like Drew Carey, Pete Rose and William "Refridgerator" Perry being inducted instead of an Icon like Savage. Now, that void has officially been fulfilled with Savage's upcoming induction. After being practically nailed to the wall by his archrival and confidant Stone Cold Steve Austin on Austin's Podcast, Vince McMahon had no other choice but to be a man of his word and give the people what they so rightfully deserved. Randy Savage was announced as the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2015 for WrestleMania 31 Weekend at Levi Stadium in San Francisco. Macho Man is a transcendent figure in the history of wrestling and sports entertainment, with his charisma, his recognizable voice, and tremendous generalship inside of the squared circle. Besides Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels, Macho Man was one of the first guys that put great detail in his ring attire. They made sure that their threads stood out as much as their performances. Before Shawn Michaels, Randy Savage was the Showstopper. When it comes to being "Mr. WrestleMania", Macho Man was the Dr. J, to HBK's Michael Jordan. During his time, WWF/E was more about the giants (Hulk Hogan, Andre, Warrior). Macho Man broke the ice with his incredible matches, and style. He had the best quality matches at that time. You would never expect Hogan to wrestle for 20-30 minutes. Other than Steamboat, Macho Man could go the distance. Savage carried the Hulkster himself to 20+ minutes at WrestleMania V.

Macho Man's dedication and respect for the business and the fans was evident in his work. His intensity can never be duplicated. Who can forget his storyline with Ricky Steamboat where he crushed his larynx? Or his feud with Jake "The Snake" where he let the snake bite him? Everyone will remember his passion during his match with Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania 7, when he hammered Warrior with 5 Elbow Drops. Even his feud with Ric Flair for WrestleMania 8 was legendary over Miss Elizabeth. Savage was a marvel in the ring and unparalleled. Macho Man's reign as the IC Champion gave Hogan's World Title reign a run for its money. After generating great success as the Intercontinental Champion, Vince McMahon and the fans recognized how valuable he could be at the next level. When Hulk Hogan stepped down after a phenomenal run as Champion, Macho Man stepped up to the plate and did not disappoint at all. Everything he did was unique.


Savage's body of work speaks for itself. A former WWE Intercontinental Champion, 2-time WWE Champion, 4-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, 1987 King of the Ring, 1995 WCW World War 3 Battle Royal Winner. If the WWE had the same Hall of Fame induction process as the NBA and NFL (6 years for 1st year eligibility), Macho Man would have been a first ballot induction a long time ago. Sadly, they don't, but instead they run their voting process on petty favoritism, and politics instead of quality and substance.

However, in the midst of the celebration there is also plenty of criticism against WWE for who they have chosen to be Macho Man's presenter for the Hall of Fame. Hulk Hogan has also been announced as Savage's presenter. The reason why this is odd, is because Macho has been on record to say that he disliked Hogan. Savage even made a rap song dissing Hogan called "Be A Man". Others look at it as a way of Hogan being the typical politician and spotlight Hog that he is. From a personal standpoint, it is strange. However, from a career standpoint it is understanable, because of the connection that they have. In the mid to late 80's, Savage and Hogan were the two biggest mainstream stars in wrestling. Their personas were very similar, as both men did great business together. They were inseparable, with their incredible storyline as the MegaPowers. Their explosion at WM V was a great way to end with a bang. With that said, many people like to point at how much Hogan wanted his spotlight. Hogan in many ways, was Macho Man's greatest dance partner, and vice versa. The Hulkster was even the biggest reason why Savage went to WCW. Their relationship was very complicated to say the least.

On the other hand, Ricky Steamboat would have been a great presenter, because of the respect he and Macho Man had for one another. Next to Hogan, Steamboat was Savage's best rival. Next to Flair, Savage was Steamboat's best rival. Their rivalry overall was amazing. The chemistry and timing they had together in the ring was brilliant. They brought the best out of each other. The matches that they had leading up to their epic WM III showdown were great as well. The battle at Pontiac is a match that every wrestling fan must learn about and watch. If not, shame on you. What else needs to be said about this match? This match is among the top of many favorite lists (Including mine). I say Steamboat would have been a safer choice, just because of the mutual respect and without the drama from a guy like Hogan.

This induction will also be very bittersweet, because Macho Man is not alive to accept the honor. In fact, I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news about his passing. I had just gotten off from work, and I was driving to Bowie Town Center here in MD. While I was driving, I was listening to SportsTalk 980 when they broke the news. I was stunned in sadness when I heard about it. When I stopped, I called my Dad and told others around me about what happened.

Overall, I believe that this induction raises the value of the Hall of Fame going forward. I give much credit to Triple H for the way he is making the deals happen for these inductions to take place, from Bruno, Backlund, Warrior, and now the Poffo Family. Moving forward, I think that WWE will have no other choice but to become more serious about who they induct, and this is a great step in that direction. Now, Randy Savage will finally be immortalized on the biggest stage of them all during WrestleMania Weekend. It has been a very long time coming, and it is time to enjoy every last second of it. Savage was the Cream of the Crop. One last time: OOOOOHHHH YEEAAAHHH!!!!

Global Force Wrestling/Wrestle Kingdom 9 Overview

Global Force Wrestling is a new, up and coming promotion that was established in 2014 by Jeff Jarrett. As of last August, GFW has announced partnerships with Asistencia Asesoría y Administración LLC (AAA), New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and various other international promotions. Hence the name, Global Force.

On January 4, 2015 GFW presented NJPW "Wrestle Kingdom 9" in the Legendary TokyoDome in Japan featuring commentary by Jim Ross and Matt Striker. The event had an attendance of 36,000. WrestleKingdom is the WrestleMania of Japan. In the opening dark match, Yugi Nagata won a 15 man New Japan Rumble when he defeated Capt. New Japan, El Desperado, Japan legend Great Kabuki, Hiro Saito, Jushin Thunder Liger, Manabu Nakanishi, Sho Tanaka, Taichi, Taka Michinoku, Tama Tonga, Tiger Mask, Yohei Komatsu, Yoshi-Hashi, and Yoshiaki Fujiwara.

Next, reDragon (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly) defeated Forever Hooligans (Alex Koslov and Rocky Romero), Time Splitters (Alex Shelley and Kushida), and The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) to retain their IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships in a Four-Way Tag Team Match. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, and Tomoaki Honma defeated The Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Jeff Jarrett, Yujiro Takahashi) in a Six-Man Tag Match.

Mikey Nicholls, Naomichi Marufuji, Shane Haste, and Toru Yano defeated the team of Suzukigun (Davey Boy Smith, Jr., Lance Archer, Shelton X Benjamin and Takashi Iizuka).

Minoru Suzuki defeated Kazuki Sakuraba.

Togi Makabe defeated Tomohiro Ishii.

Kenny Omega (w/Matt and Nick Jackson) defeated Ryusuke Taguchi to become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.

Meiyu Tag (Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata) defeated Bullet Club Members Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson to win the IWGP Tag Team Championships.

AJ Styles defeated Tetsuya Naito.

Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Kota Ibushi to retain the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.

In the Main Event, Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Kazuchika Okada (w/Gedo) to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

If you are looking for great storytelling, nonstop action, brawls and intense psychology, WrestleKingdom 9 delivered. This was a great first impression for GFW to leave by promoting this event. WK9 has received very high critical acclaim from wrestling analysts all across the world of pro wrestling. If you are an absolute purist, this is the event to see. The event was filled with multi-tag matches, with plenty of legendary faces (Jushin Liger, Great Kabuki, Saito, etc). You also had your fair share of familiar WWE faces such as Davey Boy, Jr. Shelton Benjamin and Doc Gallows. The show was a throwback to the classic 90's wrestling with the Cruiserweights in WCW from all across the world. It also showed what the X Division could have been had it continued. By the way, I never knew IWGP had an Intercontinental Title. The biggest surprise was the English Commentary by JR and Matt Striker. As I said before, WK is to NJPW what WrestleMania is to WWE. For Jarrett's promotion to hold this event, it brings his stock higher. Overall, it is highly recommended and if things stay consistent, GFW could very well put TNA to shame.

Stuart Scott Tribute

Yesterday, as I scrolled through my Twitter Timeline I can across some very devastating news that rocked my world. My heart was broken, and it was hard for me to think of the right words. I searched for different ideas to pay tribute to a hero of mine all across Social Media. This will be my ultimate Tribute. I received the tragic news that ESPN Hall of Fame Sportscaster Stuart Scott passed away from his long battle with Cancer at only age 49. Stuart Scott meant everything to me as a Sports fan, because he was the main reason why I became a fan of ESPN and SportsCenter. Fun fact: Stuart's birthday was the day before mine. His was July 19, mine is July 20. I guess that is another reason why he connected with me. Stuart made his debut on the worldwide leader in Sports Network in 1993 just in time for the launch of ESPN 2. Before he arrived, there was no one like him. Stuart changed the voice and face of Sports Broadcasting, as he created his own dictionary for commentary. My favorite Stuart Scott catchphrase was "Boo-yah"(Clearly, Cyborg from the Teen Titans was a fan of his). Scott would also be known for other lines like "Cooler than the other side of the pillow", "Can I get a witness from the Congregation" and others. Stuart changed the culture of Journalism, bringing an urban, hip-hop element to the mainstream. He would never be afraid to represent his Alma Mater of North Carolina by giving them shoutouts whenever they would play. Stuart was a trendsetter in every way imaginable, as he raised the bar for how Sports Broadcasting should be done. He was never afraid to improvise either. However, it has been said that his delivery was originally met with hesitation, because of how unfamiliar his approach was. In the end, his style was clearly a success, as he won over many for years to come. His chemistry with the likes of Rich Eisen, Dan Patrick, Scott Van Pelt and Steve Levy was brilliant. Players are often measured by how they elevate the game of others around them. Stuart was the master of that. For me, he became the measuring stick for which Sports Anchors, and news anchors in general will be measured by. Stuart showed that in order to broaden your audience, you have to keep up with the times and be versatile. At first, some people could not understand the package, but learned to appreciate the information that was inside. You could not argue with the facts that he brought to the table. The success on SportsCenter opened the door for him to move on to other projects, such as NFL Countdown, NBA on ESPN, etc. His SportsCenter commercials were the best. He even made a cameo in "Any Given Sunday". However, the laughs would come to cease in 2007, when Doctors discovered that Stuart had a tumor. He was soon diagnosed with Cancer. The Cancer would be treated and put in remission for a brief time. However, it would come back even stronger in 2011. Stuart would fight even harder than ever before. He would even train in Kickboxing and MMA to keep himself in shape. His journey has been an incredible inspiration to others, and motivates people to battle everyday. It was tough to see him battle this disease when he was broadcasting on SportsCenter alongside his colleagues. You could go back and see that he was in serious pain. In July 2014, Stuart Scott was honored at the ESPY's with the Jimmy V Courage Award. Many people were not sure if he was healthy enough to make the trip. However, he proved them wrong as he gathered the strength to walk up the steps to accept his award. Stuart's speech will live on forever, and be played for years to come like Coach Jim Valvano's (Jimmy V) speech in 1993. His message resonated for everyone who is in the same fight that he was in. "When you die, that doesn't mean you lose to Cancer. You beat Cancer by how you live, why you live and the manner in which you live." There was not a single dry eye on SportsCenter or anywhere else. Hannah Storm and former ESPN Anchor Rich Eisen could not finish their sentences without having to hold back tears. This is something that will take a long time to recover from. Without Stuart Scott, there would be NO Stephen A. Smith at all. Stuart Scott brought integrity, respect, quality and life to the world of Sports Commentary. He has left giant shoes to fill. Mr. Scott, your legacy will transcend the tests of time. In Closing, I want to say that Stuart Scott is the Greatest SportsCaster of all-time. Not because he just passed away, but with what he brought to the table. His contributions are endless. That's the bottom line.

 

2014 Year End Awards

Athlete of the Year: Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant had another banner year. This time, he added an MVP Award to his impressive resume. Durant would also win his fourth scoring title as he helped to lead the Thunder to the WCF where OKC would fall short to the San Antonio Spurs. Durant would also be chosen as the player to appear on the cover of NBA 2k15. This has indeed been a special year for Durant.

Team of the Year: San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs added a 5th NBA Championship Trophy to their Trophy Case to their storied history. The Spurs added to their legacy as they dismantled and obliterated the Miami Heat in merely 5 games. This was the ultimate revenge for the Spurs as they were one game away from beating Miami the year before. San Antonio was an all-around machine that ran to perfection. The Spurs finished first in their division. Their playoff run was great, as they defeated the Mavericks (4-3) in the first round, ran through a young Blazers team in the second round (4-1), and theiincce rival OKC (4-2) in the Conference finals before the rematch. San Antonio redeemed themselves in great fashion as they defeated Miami with technique and execution. The Heat were exposed with no help from shady calls by the refs in their favor. The Spurs destroyed the Heat on the boards, as well as on the perimeter. It was a textbook victory that basketball purists could be very proud of. Aside from LeBron's cramps, Kawhi Leonard neutralized him fairly well. Leonard won the Finals MVP. This series reminded me of the first title win over the Knicks in 1999, and the series against LeBron's Cavs in 2007. The Spurs added to their legacy as a Dynasty. The Spurs are currently 4th in most championships in NBA History.

Game of the Year: Super Bowl 48 (Seahawks vs. Broncos)
This was the ultimate surprise of the year. No one expected the Seahawks to not only win, but to murder the Broncos in the process. The Seattle Legion Defense lowered the Boom on MVP Peyton Manning and the Denver Offense by giving him no preparation time at all. The momentum was set from the first safety of the game. The Seahawks continued to bring the pain like Method Man with their swarming blitzes, and how they shut down the receivers. Denver was a heavy favorite. In this game, they were greatly exposed. Peyton Manning's Record-Setting MVP Season went up in flames, as the Seahawks spoiled his comeback story. This game was the closest thing to the 1985 Bears 46-10 wipeout of the Patriots in Super Bowl XX. The Seahawks won their first Super Bowl, as they mutilated Denver, 43-8.

Most Improved Team: Washington Wizards
Recently, the Washington Wizards have been the feel good story of not only the NBA, but Washington, DC overall. As a native Washingtonian, I am impressed and thrilled to see the success of this team. For years, the Wizards have been overlooked and practically irrelevant in the scope of the NBA. However, they have made a quiet rise and progression in the East. John Wall has emerged as an upper echelon Point Guard as he leads the way. The Wizards defeated the Chicago Bulls in convincing fashion in the playoffs before being eliminated by the Pacers. With the addition of Paul Pierce, the Wizards will look forward to building on the previous success.

Surprise Team: Dallas Cowboys
Out of all teams in the world of sports, the Dallas Cowboys have played above their recent mediocre standards. It is ironic that a team as decorated as the Cowboys has now become a surprise. Recently, Dallas has become a laughingstock in the NFL, as they have registered consecutive seasons ending in 8-8 or worse. However, the Cowboys have proven the skeptics wrong as they have gone 12-4 to clinch the NFC East. Along the way, Dallas has knocked the December monkey off of their back by going undefeated for the entire month. Along the way, QB Tony Romo has broken Troy Aikman's record as the Franchise All-Time Leader in Passing Yards. Running Back DeMarco Murray broke Emmitt Smith's Single Season Rushing Record. Pro Bowl Wide Receiver Dez Bryant also broke the Team's Single Season Record for Receiving Touchdowns. All three have made great cases for NFL MVP. Not only that, but four players from the Cowboys have been named to the All-Pro Team. How bout them Cowboys?!

Breakout Athlete: JJ Watt
JJ Watt has been the heartbeat of the Houston Texans since his arrival in 2011. After two straight All-Pro Seasons, Watt continues his run of excellence as he has recorded his second 20 Sack Season in his 4 year NFL Career. Watt also recorded 5 fumbles this season, which led the NFL. JJ has earned unanimous votes in multiple positions for the All-Pro Team. Watt's play has earned him an MVP Nomination.

Headline of the Year: Ray Rice assaults wife in elevator/Donald Sterling
These two stories share the spot for Top Headlines of 2014, because of how detrimental they have been to their respective sports. Ray Rice truly gave a black eye to the NFL with the assault of his fiancé who is now his wife. The video was disturbing to say the least. Rice was not only suspended, but he was even taken out of the Madden 15 Video Game. Donald Sterling proved that the racist 1950's mentality is still alive and well, although it is dying out. Sterling would go on to say that he did not want any black people at his games. New Commissioner Adam Silver would have a massive problem within his first term as Commissioner shortly after David Stern retired. Silver moved quickly as he dropped the hammer like Thor, when he banned Sterling for life from the NBA. Players would orchestrate a protest during the playoff series between the Clippers and Warriors, where they would wear their warmup shirts inside out. Sterling would fire back with a lawsuit. However, the NBA would nail a counter blow as Sterling would have to sell the team for $2 Billion. Steve Ballmer would go on to purchase the franchise.

Inspirational Athlete of the Year: LeBron James
In the wake of the devastating defeat at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs, LeBron James started to reflect on the direction of his career. Following the season, LeBron became an unrestricted free agent. As a result, the LeBron Sweepstakes would begin once again as they did in 2010. Questions swirled all across the media as to where LeBron would end up. Fittingly, one of the candidates was Cleveland. The Cavaliers made a very strong bid to bring back the hometown hero that they villified because of how he made his exit four years earlier. They pulled strings left and right, from signing Kevin Love, to having the number one draft pick (Andrew Wiggins). The stars were lining up in Cleveland. Meanwhile, LeBron scanned the roster of Miami, and realized that the well that he drank from for championship glory had now run dry. The glamour and mystique of Miami faded away. The magic wasn't there for him. The party was officially over in South Beach. Pat Riley even held a Press Conference practically begging LeBron to stay. He even put his rings on the table, challenging LeBron to be loyal. Riles made the wrong move doing that, because he basically called out LeBron for being a quitter. LBJ saw the writing on the wall as he did before in Cleveland, and knew his days with the Heat were numbered. During the Summer of 2014, LeBron made his triumphant return as the proverbial Prodigal Son to his hometown of Cleveland. LeBron made peace with the same owner (Dan Gilbert), who said that the Cavs would win a title before he would ever win one in Miami. Gilbert was the same owner who behaved like a spoiled child when LeBron left for a better opportunity. Now, they have buried the hatchet as they say. The same fans who burned his jersey when he made his "Decision" have now welcomed him back.

Most Improved Athlete: DeMarco Murray
Cowboys Running Back DeMarco Murray has been a quiet success story. In the midst of low to mediocre expectations for Dallas, DeMarco is shining brightly. This season, Murray has made a strong case for the MVP Award, as he has picked up the ball and carried it well in the absence of Adrian Peterson. Murray has had a groundbreaking season, as he has helped to spear head the recent success of the Cowboys. With an impressive offensive line, Murray has been brilliant this year. With consistency and being healthy, only time will tell what else he can do.

Play of the Year: Odell Beckham's catch vs. The Dallas Cowboys
What else can you say? Nothing compares to how spectacular this catch was by Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr., even if it was against my Cowboys.

Documentary of the Year: 1984 NBA Draft
The story about this draft is enough for me to give this the "Documentary of the Year" Award. This has to be arguably the best Documentary that NBA TV has ever done. The 1984 NBA Draft is what is considered to be by many (myself included) as the greatest Draft Class in NBA History. The class included a total of 5 Hall of Famers (3 were selected in the Top 5). This draft is legendary for the quality that it produced. The draft starts out great with Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon as the 1st Overall pick for the Houston Rockets. Olajuwon stayed in the same city where he became a star in College. It also had its classic punchline with Sam Bowie as the 2nd Pick for the Blazers right ahead of Michael Jordan at number 3 for the Chicago Bulls. Jordan's college teammate Sam Perkins was selected 4th to the Dallas Mavericks, as Sir Charles Barkley went 5th for the Philadelphia 76ers. John Stockton was the quiet coming in the draft. Brazilian Legend Oscar Schmidt was drafted, but stayed in Brazil to dominate. This draft also had great role players such as Otis Thorpe, Sam Perkins and Kevin Willis to name a few. Even Coach Rick Carlisle was drafted. What fascinates me the most is how these careers connect with each other. This draft bridged gaps from the Magic-Bird Era to the Era of Duncan, Kobe, etc. This draft has made a major mark, and the story is incredible.

Milestone of the Year: Payton Manning becomes NFL All-Time TD Pass Leader.
Peyton Manning continued to make history as he became NFL Career Leader in Touchdown Passes. The rate that he reached this milestone is even more impressive considering how efficient he has been throughout his career. Manning continues to decorate his career as he nears the end of his journey.

2014 Year End Awards (Wrestling)

Happy New Year Everyone! As we close out a very noteworthy year, I would like to present my Awards for the best performers in the last year. I would like to recognize who stood out the most, best matches, etc. My criteria for the awards are as follows:

Consistency
Match Quality
Storyline Quality
Innovation
Rivalry Chemistry

I am doing my best to model my awards after the blueprint of PWI, while adding my own creativity with my own twist. May you enjoy. 

Diva of the Year: Paige
Paige has done an incredible job carrying the Divas Division from day one when she made her debut the night after WrestleMania. That night on RAW, Paige put herself on the map when she scored an upset victory over AJ Lee to become the new WWE Divas Champion. The win ended AJ's 295 day title reign, the longest of the Modern Era (Women's version of CM Punk's title reign). Paige continued to carry the ball with her ongoing feud with AJ, along with strong performances to hold up the sinking ship known as Women's Wrestling.

 

Tag Team of the Year: The USO's
This was an undisputed choice. In an Era where the Tag Team Division is a shell of what it once was, the USO's have been the most consistent team in an otherwise lackluster era. Jimmy and Jey started their year of dominance by defeating the Legendary, Hall of Fame New Age Outlaws to become the new World Tag Team Champions. They would go through the Wyatts before losing the titles to the Dust Brothers. Not long after they won the Slummy for Tag Team of the Year, the USO's would defeat The Miz and Mizdow to regain the belts. The USO's would end the year strong as Tag Team Champions.

 

Dominant Performance of the Year: Brock Lesnar winning the WWE Title

This deserves recognition. We have NEVER seen a WWE Champion lose the title this way in his prime. Not Austin, Rock, Hogan, etc. Brock Lesnar continued his momentum from breaking the streak by demoralizing and dismantling John Cena. When you watch this match, you would think that you were watching a longer version of King Kong Bundy vs SD Jones at WrestleMania I. Lesnar wiped the ring and Staples Center with Cena. John only got at least four moves of offense as Brock drilled him with 16 German Suplexes and 2 F-5's to become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Lesnar made Cena look like  This is clearly the start of the change of the guard as Cena became the transitional champion. Brock will now be the channel that the title passes through once Wrestlemania comes around.

 

Surprise of the Year: Brock Lesnar breaking the Streak

The Superdome in New Orleans was dead silent the night of April 6, 2014 at Wrestlemania XXX. There were many surprises this year, but this stands out because of the historical impact. Brock Lesnar did the unthinkable. He CONQUERED hallow ground, as he ended the Undertaker's Wrestlemania Streak. The Streak was the last larger than life, heroic spectacle that fans had to look forward to. The match itself was subpar, but the finish is what elevated it overall. When Brock hit the F-5 for the last time as the ref counted to three, the world stood still. The victory was earth shattering. This is not a lame cliché, but it is how things really were in the world of wrestling. This made headlines all over the globe. The Internet went insane. Brock Lesnar made history on the 30th Anniversary of Wrestlemania. Not only was it historic, but career redeeming for Lesnar as well.

Inspirational Wrestler of the Year: Daniel Bryan

Daniel Bryan without question was the biggest inspiration this past year. He had the watershed Wrestlemania Moment when he defeated Randy Orton and Batista in the Triple Threat Main Event of Wrestlemania to become WWE/World Heavyweight Champion. This moment was made even more special, because of how Bryan was excluded from the Royal Rumble. The WWE eventually gave in to the momentum of Bryan because of the demands of the fans.

Return of the Year: Ultimate Warrior's Return

This was something we as fans had all been waiting to see for 18 long years. When the Ultimate Warrior returned to WWE with his commercial for WWE 2k14, it was the moment where the seeds were planted for him to make his long awaited return. After years of bad blood against each other, Warrior and WWE finally made peace. WWE had made the pitch to him before in 2010 for him to return for WM 26 in Arizona (his hometown). However, Warrior refused, because of his displeasure for their Self-Destruction DVD. By the end of 2013, WWE promised Warrior that they would rewrite his story and tell it right. Warrior finally agreed. The events of Wrestlemania weekend were amazing. His Hall of Fame speech was tremendous as well as his journey to make peace with Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan and others. His last appearance on RAW was the perfect way to top off his momentous return. Even though he passed away the next day, Warrior made amends and WWE repaired the bridge that they burned.

 

Rookie of the Year: Rusev

There was no one better to win this award than Rusev. His momentum has been strong from his feud with America. Rusev's wave of heat was rewarded when he won the US Championship.

 

Heel of the Year/Most Improved: Seth Rollins

Seth Rollins did the unexpected as he turned his back on his comrades Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose. The night after an epic match where they were victorious over Evolution, the Shield were destroyed. Rollins took a major step in his career by joining the Authority. Rollins was very consistent in his run as a heel in 2014. After winning MITB, Seth scored a number of noteworthy victories over the likes of Dean Ambrose as well as John Cena. Rollins elevated his heel status on the final RAW of 2014, when he forced John Cena to bring back the Authority by threatening to break Edge's neck permanently. Thankfully it never happened, but the torch was passed that night. Rollins has garnered comparisons to Edge, so it was only fitting for Seth to make his mark at the expense of his legendary predecessor.

Babyface/Most Popular Wrestler: Daniel Bryan
It speaks for itself.

 

 

Who's Next? Award (Breakout Show of the Year): NXT

This award is appropriately named after legend Bill Goldberg. This goes to the show that has had the biggest breakthrough impact. NXT wins this award, because of the moves that they have made this year with the acquisitions of Kevin Owens, Hideo Itami, and Finn Balor. Triple H deserves plenty of credit for the time that he has invested to make this product. NXT has fired on all cylinders as the place to be for you to get your pro wrestling fix without the bells and whistles from RAW and Smackdown. The show delivers when it comes to the pure quality and in-ring substance that the wrestling purists crave. The pinnacle of NXT came at NXT REvolution. This was the Wrestlemania of the show. From start to finish, the show was incredible. The show ended in great fashion with Sami Zayn defeating Adrian Neville to win the NXT Championship. Kevin Owens would go on to attack Zayn to make his heel turn. This is only a sign of things to come.

 

Breakout Star of the Year: Dean Ambrose

Since the breakup of the Shield, Dean Ambrose has found a way to make his presence known. Ambrose has been involved with the biggest feuds of this year. From the Shield vs The Wyatt Family, Shield vs Evolution to his feuds with Seth Rollins and Bray Wyatt. Ambrose has been a great improviser with his incredible mic delivery. He main evented HIAC with Rollins and TLC with Bray. No matter what, Ambrose knows when to deliver no matter who he is with.

 

Interview of the Year: CM Punk on Colt Cabana's "Art of Wrestling" Podcast

There is no debate about this award. This was the biggest bombshell of the year away from the ring. After 10 months, CM Punk shattered the Internet with this ground shaking interview on his best friend's podcast. Punk aired his grievances and exposed the inconsistencies of WWE for the world to hear.

Feud of the Year: Dean Ambrose vs Seth Rollins
This was the premiere rivalry of the year and will be in the future. The seeds were planted when Seth Rollins betrayed The Shield causing the breakup. Immediately, Ambrose was on his path. Dean would hinder Seth's cash-ins every chance that he got. They had a trilogy of matches that were showstoppers (BattleGround, Summerslam, Night of Champions, Hell In A Cell). The natural chemistry between them made this feud even more intense and amazing.

 

Match of the Year: The Shield vs Evolution (Payback)
This match stole the show and the year in general. The match cemented The Shield as not only the best faction of their era, but one of the best factions ever. The match was phenomenal from start to finish, as both factions fired all of their guns at each other. This cemented an incredible run of dominance by The Shield. The match was Falls Count Anywhere, as they literally went everywhere in this battle. The action was simply electrifying (if I may use The Rock's line). Evolution showed that they could still go at a high level together, with their natural brutality with how they whipped Roman Reigns. The Shield rallied back as Ambrose and Rollins showed what kind of madmen they can truly be. All three members were dynamic as they swept Evolution by eliminating all three members. This was the ultimate pinnacle of The Shield's success as they took down three future Hall of Famers. Trips, RKO, and Batista have a combined 31 world championships between them. This was also the last night that both teams were together. Talk about ending with a bang.

 

PPV of the Year: Wrestlemania 30

The 30th Anniversary of the Greatest Event in Wrestling History. The Celebration of an Empire that has stood the test of time. When you look at marquee value, match quality, characters involved, and historical significance, nothing surpasses the pomp and circumstance of Wrestlemania. This show was a great way to commemorate such tremendous history. The show kicked off to a great start. Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold, and The Rock all in one ring. That was the segment of the year. The three megastars that built Wrestlemania into what it is today. The stare down with Austin and the Hulkster was epic, as all three men celebrated. In the opening match, Daniel Bryan defeated Triple H to earn a spot in the Triple Threat Main Event. John Cena would defeat Bray Wyatt. Brock Lesnar would silence the wrestling world by Breaking Undertaker's Streak. In the main event, Daniel Bryan captured the WWE/WHC in a thrilling match. The night ended on a very high note.

 

Wrestler of the Year: Seth Rollins
When you come down to it, this is the most deserving choice. When you look at the variables, no one has been more consistent than Seth Rollins from bell to bell. Rollins has been the consummate workhorse and ring general. He has been the most successful heel as Mr. MITB. Seth was also part of the MOTY (Match of The Year: Shield vs Evolution), along with candidates such as Shield vs Wyatts and his match vs Dean Ambrose at Summerslam. He was in the Main Event of HIAC with his chief rival. Rollins emerged victorious in each match with Ambrose. He has also scored a huge victory over John Cena. No one expected Seth to be this great when The Shield disbanded. Greater things await him and his fellow comrades.

 

 

I hope that you enjoyed this presentation. I look forward to doing more of these in the future.