The Final Deletion: Hardy vs. Hardy

Chyna (1970-2016)

KEEFER MADNESS: CHYNA TRIBUTE

Franchise Fours

Red Sox

Ted Williams, Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez

Patriots

Tom Brady, Ty Law, John Hannah, Rob Gronkowski

Celtics

Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Bob Cousy, Paul Pierce

Bruins

Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque, Phil Esposito, Zdeno Chara

WWF/WWE

Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Stone Cold, Undertaker

WCW

Sting, Ric Flair, Hollywood Hogan, Kevin Nash

ECW

The Sandman, Tommy Dreamer, Sabu, Rob Van Dam

Marvel Heroes

Spider-Man, Hulk, Wolverine, Captain America

Marvel Villains 

Magneto, Green Goblin, Red Skull, Apocalypse 

DC Heroes

Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash

DC Viilains

The Joker, Lex Luthor, Darkseid, Two-Face

RIP American Dream Dusty Rhodes

New Name, New Game?

B.J. Upton is no longer.  Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for Melvin. Upton. Jr.  .... You there?   Well good old Melvin is not the only one out there who has changed their name with a hopeful push towards greatness.  Who did it best?

Wrestling (a million obviously)
Papa Shango - Kama - The Godfather
Cactus Jack - Mankind - Dude Love - Mick Foley
Thurman "Sparky" Plugg - Hardcore Holly
Razor Ramon - Scott Hall
Diesel - Kevin Nash
Dr. Issac Yankem - Kane - Corporate Kane
Rocky Maivia - The Rock
1-2-3 Kid - Syxx - X-Pac
Mike Rotunda - I.R.S.
Mabel - Viscera - Big Daddy V
Ron Simmons - Farooq
Johnny Polo - Raven
Aldo Montoya - Justin Credible
Many, Many More

Baseball
Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Tampa Bay Rays
California Angels - Anaheim Angels - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Joey Belle - Albert Belle
Fausto Carmona - Robert Hernandez
Leo Nunez - Juan Carlos Oviedo
Johan Santana - Ervin Santana
John Paul Bonser - Boof Bonser
Mike Stanton - Giancarlo Stanton
B.J. Upton - Melvin Upton, Jr.

Basketball
Lew Alcindor - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Lloyd Bernard Free - World B. Free
Chris Jackson - Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
Ron Artest - Metta World Peace
Akeem Olajuwon - Hakeem Olajuwon
Olivier Saint-Jean - Tariq Abdul-Wahad
Brian Williams - Bison Dele
Bill Walker - Henry Walker

Other
Cassius Clay - Muhammad Ali
Bobby Moore - Ahmad Rashad
Chad Johnson - Chad Ochocinco
Domanick Davis - Domanick Williams

CM Punk Joins the UFC

I'm a CM Punk fan. I'm a UFC fan. (I'm still a reluctant WWE fan.)  So needless to say I am wildly intrigued by this move.   We've known Punk was interested in MMA for awhile based on his attendance at a few events and his relationship with a number of fighters and trainers including Rener Gracie.  But Punk as a fighter?  Well it's happening in 2015. 

News came out last night at UFC 181 that CM Punk signed a multi-fight deal with the company. He also did a 20 minute interview with Ariel Helwani (Google that, solid stuff). 

I know the immediate reaction by many will be "He's going to get killed."  "Does he know this is real?" Etc. etc.  But he's not stupid.  And neither is the UFC.  I do question if they are struggling with PPV numbers and with the loss of Brock Lesnar (more on him in a minute) and the long lay off of Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva, they're just trying to add a popular figure.  

Is it a publicity stunt a la Kimbo Slice?  To be fair Dana White put Kimbo through the reality show before his chance in the octagon and he's not nearly as popular, however a guy who many felt didn't belong and turns out they were right. 

I think Punk is different.  And maybe that's the fan in me talking, but his training in ju jitsu and knowledge/passion for the sport gives him a leg up (in my mind) over a dude who beat the shit out of guys in his back yard. 

Punk has seen countless fights and knows what those fighters go through leading up to and during the fight.  He won't be surprised and he won't be expecting to land a one-punch KO (see Slice, Kimbo). 

As optimistic as I am, there are still a number of questions and concerns.  CM Punk is 36 years old. He has never had a mixed martial arts fight and his first will be at the highest level.  That's like you playing your first football game in the NFL.  

He's listed at 6'2, 218 pounds.  (Where I found it.)  Of course Ultimate Warrior was from Parts Unknown so...

What division will he be in?  He mentioned in his interview with Helwani it might be Middleweight (185) but didn't rule out Welterweight (170). 

For those not familiar with MMA but may recognize names...

Middleweights include: Chris Weidman (champ), Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort. 

Welterweights include: Robbie Lawler (champ), Johny Hendricks, Georges St. Pierre. 

He's obviously not fighting those guys anytime soon (perhaps ever).  Who does he fight?  Do they throw tomato cans at him for awhile?  Are they looking to protect him?  

He will be a big name and help with pay-per-views. He told Helwani that his first fight would definitely be on a PPV (UFC sprinkles in free fights on FOX channels as well.) But he's here for PPVs.  

How long can you have him fight bums?  Probably a little while, assuming he wins. If he goes 0-2, 0-3 he's probably done. Although the UFC emphasizes wins, they also demand entertaining fights.  If he loses a thrilling fight by decision that could keep him around we well. 

Good news is the UFC is not revolving around him.  Not to keep bringing up Kimbo Slice but we all remember EliteXC and all the eggs they put in the Kimbo basket.  Well a loss on free TV to Seth Petruzelli (who was an injury replacement for Ken Shamrock) all but shut down the company.   Again, this won't be an issue with Punk.  Good gamble by the UFC and great challenge for Punk.  

So he's old, inexperienced, and uncertain of weight class.  What about others who have gone from the WWF/WWE to the UFC?

Brock Lesnar (5-3, UFC)

Far and away the most success for a wrestler turned mixed-martial-artist. He was a dominate collegiate wrestler which made the transition smooth.  In fact almost all the best guys in the UFC are exceptional wrestlers or ju jitsu practitioners.  Lesnar was at one time the UFC Heavyweight Champ, but lost his last 2 fights in brutal fashion and returned to the WWE.  Rumors swirl of a possible UFC return however.  

Bam Bam Bigelow (0-1)

The late great Bam Bam Bigelow had one career MMA bout.  He got choked out by the legend Kimo Leopoldo in the 1st round. He was 35 at the time. 

Bart Gunn (1-1)

One half the Smoking Guns took his success from "Brawl for it All" (forget the Butterbean fight, he doesn't remember it and neither should you) and had two MMA bouts.  He beat Cabbage Correira via TKO (cut) in 2006 and followed that up with a loss to Ikuhisa "The Punk" Minowa by decision at Pride Bushido 13 (I have the DVD, need to go back watch that one.)

Bobby Lashley (12-2)

Lashley, another elite college wrestler, has had MMA success.  He has not faced the level of competition that Brock Lesnar has, in fact all 14 of his fights have been outside the UFC. He had some bouts in Strikeforce and is currently signed to Bellator.  He's taking this smart and not going after the biggest names right away. If he continues to win a move to the UFC makes sense. 

Batista (1-0)

All due respect to something called Vince Lucero, Batista had one MMA fight where he picked up a 1st round TKO win. He was 43 at the time.  This counts I guess.  

Obviously a mixed bag here.  Lesnar and Lashley have made that transition and looked good doing it.  The others?  Not as much.  The big challenge for Punk is coming from the wrestling world while not having that elite wrestling skill.  He has his work cut out for him.  

I'll be rooting for him and I'll be watching. Say what you want, but you have to respect a guy for getting in there.  I hope he does well, and who can difinivedly say he won't?  I haven't seen him train and neither have you.  Be skeptic all you want but I'm not going to rule him out.  

WWE Podcast

Rich Keefe joined James Stewart (producer of Felger & Mazz and The Sports Hub wrestling expert) to discuss the state of the WWE following last week's "Night of Champions."

CLICK HERE FOR THE SWEET PODCAST ACTION

Seth Rollins Turns on The Shield

Junes 2, 2014 on Monday Night Raw... Seth Rollins turned his back on Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose... The Shield.  After beating the pants off Evolution the night before at Payback, Batista quit, but then bam!  Rollins joins Triple H and Randy Orton.

Did not see that coming.  But worse than that, it shouldn't have happened.  No need.

The Shield was not going to last forever.  They all should move on to great individual careers at some point.  But they couldn't have done that together or continued their faction for a little longer?  Yes they could have.  They didn't need to only have 6-man tag matches.  Push them all for individual belts, but they all help each other retain, why not?

Rollins is bad-ass.  Reminds me of a Hardy Boy meets CM Punk.  Not bad.  I still think all three will be good, but there was still more to be had here.  Either the individual careers while staying together or a long program vs. the Wyatt Family (I know they fought before).

If this is just an idea to keep Triple H and Randy Orton at the top of the card, then it stinks.  If they really showcase Rollins and give him a big push while also pushing Ambrose and Reigns, then ok, we'll see.

Why do this on a boring edition of Monday Night Raw?  I know it was after a PPV, but it seemed lack luster.  A faction of this magnitude should have split at SummerSlam at a minimum.

Some surprises are great in wrestling, but I'm not sold on this one.  Couple questions...

• Do Ambrose & Reigns stay together?
• Do Ambrose & Reigns add a 3rd guy?  Maybe a 3rd and 4th (Usos?)
• How long does this "new" Evolution stay together?
• CM Punk coming back or what?
• Is Randy Orton going to be in a lot more main events? Bo-ring.

So we'll see how this all shakes out.  I'm going on record that I'm not a fan, but I'll be watching and hopefully proved wrong.  

Top 10 Tuesday: Favorite Tag Teams

WWE Network has a solid show called "Countdown" where they have people votes on Top 10s for a number of categories such as Best Entrances, Infamous Characters, etc. And the other day I saw Best Tag Teams. 

Rather than create a Best list I'm going with my Favorite. 

1.  The Hardy Boyz

2.  Edge & Christian

3.  The Acolytes

4.  The Dudley Boyz

5.  The Outsiders

6.  Money, Inc. 

7.  The New Age Outlaws

8.  Harlem Heat

9.  The Steiner Brothers

10.  The Smokin' Gunns

Honorable Mention: The Rockers, The Godwinns, 1-2-3 Kid & Marty Jannety 

R.I.P. Ultimate Warrior

Perhaps the defining moment of the Ultimate Warrior's career. Winning the main event AND the title against Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania VI.

Ultimate Warrior: Dead

Saddened to announce the passing of the Ultimate Warrior. Icon and friend. My sympathy to his wife Dana and his daughters

— Triple H (@TripleH) April 9, 2014

I can't believe this. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday, at Wrestlemania on Sunday, at Raw on Monday... dead on Tuesday.   What a sad story. 

I (Finally) Bought the WWE Network

I decided to purchase the WWE Network this weekend after an internal debate that lasted for a couple weeks.  I don't love what is going on right now in the WWE (see my thoughts on CM Punk's non-return), and I'm leery of how Wrestlemania will play out.  But should that really matter?

Yes, I'm giving money directly to the people responsible for the questionable product right now, but what about the years of awesome stuff?  That's what I'm paying for.

WWE Network = $9.99 a month (minimum 6 MONTH commitment)

So, 60 bucks gets you what exactly?

Every PPV past and current.  Meaning you have access to every WWF/WWE, WCW, and ECW pay-per-view (this is the best part).  You want to watch the 1991 Royal Rumble, go for it.  And the quality is solid.

You also get the current PPV events.  Next month's Wrestlemania?  You got it.  That's really the selling point.  I mean I love the old stuff, but the fact that I'd spend $50-60 on Wresltemania and probably the Royal Rumble, why not just pay for the Network over a 6 month span that encompasses those sweet events.  Sold.

I can watch all this on my TV (thru my XBOX 360), my computer, or even my iPhone.  Not bad.

I am a little concerned over how the stream will be the night of Wresltemania when everyone and their brother will be logged on and watching.  We'll see.  But for now, it's sweet.

One of the negatives is the recent episode of RAW is not available the next day and isn't for sometime.  (They have a deal with Hulu I guess).   That's really the only significant drawback I have found so far.   As long as the streaming holds up it looks like a great investment.

In addition to the old and new PPVs, there is NXT stuff, other Network only shows, Pre and Post Raw Show, and cool stuff like "Best Entrances" and what not.

It's all good.  Now only if they could get CM Punk back...

CM Punk Does NOT Return At Monday Night Raw In Chicago

The show opened on Monday with CM Punk's music, but it was his former manager Paul Heyman who made his way out to the ring in front of Punk's hometown.  Well played WWE.   Heyman did his thing.  He mentioned CM Punk, the first time the name has been uttered on a WWE broadcast since he left the company.  Heyman said Punk was NOT in the building.  He blamed the fans for why Punk wasn't there and referenced his loss last Wrestlemania to the Undertaker, which allowed him to introduce his current guy Brock Lesnar.

Solid start to the show.  I was still thinking Punk would arrive and blow the roof off the place.

First match was for the Tag belts where The Usos beat The New Age Outlaws to become the NEEWWWW WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!   Good for them.

Big E and Cesaro have a match.  Fine.

The Wyatts vs. The Shield is next.  Once again it's terrific.  Without these two factions, I'd be out on the WWE right now.  Bray Wyatt is the best on the mic (since Punk is gone, remember) and Dean Ambrose isn't bad himself.  All 6 can wrestle and put on great matches.  Crowd chanted "This Is Awesome" a few times for this one, even before it started.

First hour of the show was great.  No CM Punk, but his name was mentioned and the crowd chanted it a few times.

Then a bunch of crap matches follow including Sheamus vs. Christian.  No thanks.

Jesse (Aaron Paul) from Breaking Bad comes out with Dolph Ziggler for his match with Alberto Del Rio.   Gotta promote that movie.

John Cena comes out, says he won't be wrestling and then talks about the Wyatts.   Least the WWE realizes Bray Wyatt is legit, as he is in TWO rivalries/ storylines right now.

Main Event time:  Batista vs. Daniel Bryan.  And of course Randy Orton is out too.  He's the champ.

Looks like Bryan will win and then shockingly Orton comes in and it's a DQ.  Next thing you know Triple H, Stephanie, and Kane are all in the ring beating up Bryan.  This would be a pretty good time for CM Punk's music to hit again... but it does not.  The WWE knew it was the perfect time and once again ended the night with Triple H and Steph reigning victorious.  Weak sauce.

Remember when the WCW had too many of their wrestlers (Hogan, Nash, NWO, etc.) in charge of creative and the whole operation went in the trash?  Well Triple H is doing a hell of a job trying to recreate that mess.

Daniel Bryan not being good enough is getting tired.

Triple H and Steph as the lead villains is getting tired.

Randy Orton sucks.

Batista sucks.

Sheamus sucks.

I'll probably still watch through Wrestlemania, but they are making it tough.  If I had the feeling that they were setting us up for something awesome it would be one thing, but the storytelling/ writing is so bad there is almost no hope.   Do they write this stuff day of?  How much of a long-scope do they have?   Remember when Kane was kidnapped by the Wyatt Family?  What about Daniel Bryan?  Do they remember?

I'll end with a quick Pros vs. Cons list of the current state of the WWE.

PRO:
Daniel Bryan
The Wyatt Family
The Shield
CM Punk
Paul Heyman

CON:
Randy Orton
Batista
Triple H/ Steph as the main heels
Writing
Sheamus
Christian
Kane
Lack of CM Punk
IC Belt
Divas Division

And John Cena probably lies somewhere in the middle.

Mabel aka Viscera aka Big Daddy V: Feb. 14, 1971 - Feb. 18, 2014

Another one of the all-time greats has left us too soon.  Nelson Frazier, Jr., better known as Mabel or to many Viscera, or perhaps Big Daddy V has died of an apparent heart attack at the age of 43. 

I'll remember him for his impressive King of the Ring run where he was then known as "King Mabel."  He and Mo (Men on a Mission) were a sweet team.  Add this poor guy to the long list of dead wrestlers...

The Good and Bad from the Royal Rumble

First WWE PPV of the year took place last night and there was plenty to like and perhaps even more not to like.  

Good:

Bray Wyatt vs Daniel Bryan was not good. It was great.  Seriously one of the best matches I've seen in awhile.  The great Pittsburgh crowd chanted "This Is Awesome" a few times and even "Holy Shit."

I love Bray and the world loves Bryan.  Their match was high paced and extremely entertaining. 

New Age Outlaws beat the Rhodes Brothers.  Let's see where this goes.  

Dean Ambose tried to eliminate Roman Reigns, who in turn bounced both Ambrose and Seth Rollins.   It was inevitable.  Also interested to see where this goes.   

Reigns sets a record by eliminating 12 dudes from the Rumble.  Finished 2nd. 

Brock Lesnar picked up the Big Show and hit him with a chair 188,755,992 times.   What did you expect from this one?  I'll take it. 

Kevin Nash was a surprise entrant. 

Wyatt Family interrupts Orton-Cena. 

Antonio Cesaro did that spin thing a few times.  Don't hate it. 

Bad:

John Cena vs Randy Orton, snore.  NO ONE CARES!

Rey Mysterio at #30 was anti-climatic to put it nicely.  

Even though they wrestled earlier not having Daniel Bryan, Bray Wyatt, John Cena, Brock Lesnar in the Rumble is a missed opportunity.  

Everything after Bryan-Bray looked like it was in slow-motion.  

Batista

Batista winning would have been "ok" if he was a surprise entrant.  He was awful.  And if its Batista vs Orton at Mania I have no use.   (It can't be.)

Sheamus is back, don't care.  

The Ideal 30-Man Lineup For This Month's Royal Rumble

Looks like John Cena and Randy Orton will be squaring off for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the Royal Rumble (Sunday, January 26).   It doesn't mean they can't be in the Rumble, but for the purposes here I am going to keep them out.

One of the best parts of the Rumble every year is the old dudes they trot back out there.  (Diesel and Booker T got the loudest ovations a few year's back when I was at the event in Boston.)  So, I throw in a couple of old-school guys with the current-school (?) guys and see if we can get the 30 most deserving/ entertaining wrestlers going... This is my wish list, as of now.  And not the order they'd enter, I don't care who comes in when...

1. CM Punk
2. Daniel Bryan
3. Bray Wyatt
4. Luke Harper
5. Erick Rowan
6. Dean Ambrose
7. Seth Rollins
8. Roman Reigns
9. Goldust
10. Cody Rhodes
11. Dolph Ziggler
12. Big E Langston
13. Damien Sandow
14. Big Show
15. Ryback
16. Mark Henry
17. Rey Mysterio
18. Kofi Kingston
19. Brodus Clay
20. Antonio Cesaro
21. Kane
22. Batista
23. Brock Lesnar
24. Triple H
25. Chris Jericho
26. Sheamus
27. Alberto Del Rio
28. Bo Dallas
29. Shawn Michaels
30. Vince McMahon

Boom. Best 30-man Rumble money could pay for.  No need to trot out the likes of The Miz, Jack Swagger, Wade Barrett, or Curtis Axel.  I'll pass on those scrubs.  

Top 10 Tuesday: Favorite All-Time Wrestlers

Honorable Mention: "Wild Man" Marc Mero, Papa Shango, I.R.S., Tatanka, Farooq, Diamond Dallas Page 

10. Raven

9. Shawn Michaels

8. Jeff Hardy

7. Sting

6. Diesel

5. Chris Jericho

4. Bray Wyatt

3. Razor Ramon

2. The Ultimate Warrior

1. Edge (Vampire version)

Throwback Thursday: 98 King of the Ring

In honor of Jim Ross announcing his retirement yesterday we go wrestling in Throwback Thursday.  The 2nd best bracket style competition (now that Pride is extinct). 

It's King of the Ring.  Here is how it shook out back in 1998. 

Goldust Back On Raw? Goldust Back On Raw!

Clearly they can bring back any WWF guy from the 90s and it is a good thing in my book.  Even this piece of work.  Goldust was a classic.  Why not?

Oh, also one of my favorites from all-time, Edge, is back as well.  ("You think you know me, you know me?") 

Two Monday Night Football games, Old school guys on Monday Night Raw, and a nice little Bruins doc on NESN (I'll catch it later.)  That is one hell of a TV night. 

Keefer Madness: Name Dropping Old WWF Stars

A sports anchor dude in Louisville thought he would spice up his highlights by mentioning as many old wrestlers as possible.  This clip has made the rounds on the world wide interwebs, and Keefer Madness was no exception. 

Job well done sir. 

CLICK FOR TUESDAYS KEEFER MADNESS