The Tino Standard

Just got done reading the recap of the Ruiz-Oquendo title fight on ESPN.com. Nice to see the MSG crowd give it the reception it deserves. Maybe this will motivate Don King to get off his ass and find some boxers people actually care about because in terms of quality and interest, the heavyweight division of boxing has reached a new low. I honestly believe that if UFC holds it together and has a watershed-type event, it could overtake the entire sport of boxing as the most mainstream-preferred shootfight sport in the US.

Man, when Hebner came in, they teased that spot SO well... I mean, I think everybody realized it wouldn't end like that again, but they had the hold in the exact same spot in the ring, and Hebner came in and did the EXACT same mannerisms... I felt like I was watching 1997 for a minute there.

Well, then they should too.

By the way, "You screwed Bret"? GET OVER IT.

Well, if Hebner is working this match, apparently he's not doing the main event... I've noticed that more and more lately... Is he getting phased out? If so, good. Chioda's a much better ref.

Say whatever you like about Orton, but he's definitely not a pussy. That was awesome.

Looks like the Canadian faces get to actually be Canadian for one night at least.... Jericho was announced as "a native of Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada"

Yep. Dammit, I was wrong too. Must be Roseycane/La Resistance or Flair/Benjamin, I'm guessing. Yeah, they announced that Flair-Benjamin will kick off the PPV.

Meltzer said that they've got some crazy shit planned for the Foley-Orton match, so for that reason alone, I'm interested in seeing this. It's been awhile since I can remember a big-time match that wasn't in the restricted "WWE style."

Hey, I was at OU's practices too! ....... OK, that would be Ohio University, but none the less... Anyway, I cover the team for the local city paper, and I must admit, even tho it was just a series of scrimmages and practices, finished off by a 'game,' it was still a lot of fun to keep up with. College football is college football, and it kicks ass to follow. I can't wait for August.

I love Ric Flair as much as the next guy, but I think it's BS to be criticizing Foley for being a one-trick pony. If you've seen one Ric Flair match, you've seen just about all of them. Granted, he has a GREAT formula, but it's a formula nonetheless.

... and the next Super Bowl is going to be there. Yikes.

Oh my... In addition to Survivor Series being in Cleveland on Nov. 14, it was just announced that the Browns will play at home against the Steelers that day too. I should start preparing for my Nov. 15 hangover right now.

22, originally hailing from the suburbs on the east side of Cleveland, but currently residing in Athens, Ohio for my final quarter of alcoholism... er, I mean SCHOOL.

The voice thing is a complete put on that she only put on as a part of her annoying heel act. Before she went heel and ended up joining with Triple H, she didn't talk that way (and was an internet favorite in the circles I traveled in actually). How about when she was supposedly a face GM? I don't think that was an act. I think it was an act of chain smoking.

With any luck, maybe her voice will be less obnoxious... ... Hey, I can dream, right?

Actually, I'm going to nominate Chicago as the early candidate for WM 22. Think about it: XX was in NYC, a huge media market. 21 is in LA, the second biggest market. Chi-town is probably No. 3, and they've had WM there before twice. Speaking of which, I don't understand why they don't run shows at the United Center. It is right in downtown, while the Rosemont Horizon (Allstate Arena my ass) is on the outskirts of town. The U.C. is bigger, newer and they ran a PPV there once already (SummerSlam 94). Also, for ChrisMWaters, I could be wrong, but I think the last Atlantic City PPV was WM 5 (Hogan-Savage). Now then... Survivor Series in Cleveland? FUCK YEAH, BABY! Back where it belongs! That will be the fourth Survivor Series in the Cleveland area (87, 88 and 92 were at the Richfield Coliseum).

Hey, I bought a 'Hot Rod' shirt during a house show at the Richfield Coliseum in 1992.

That's actually very plausible and would make a pretty damn good match too.

Maybe it's a coincidence (but probably not), but the WWE.com picture of the day is of Chris Jericho with a Great American Bash banner prominently hanging in the rafters behind him. Let the speculation continue...

You got through all 12 levels in 30 minutes? NO WAY. And yeah, the finish is a bit of a downer, but the bright side is that they are supposedly working on more levels, so its more a case of it being "the end... for now."

Someone please bring me up to speed here... Has Chappelle from 24 always been a priest on the Sopranos? My jaw hit the floor when I saw him.

If you're referring to Bryant Reeves, he retired back when the Grizzlies were still in Vancouver, IIRC. Also, Mateen Cleaves is with the Cavs now, and while MacInnis was injured, Cleaves got some serious PT.

Anybody know where I can get a video clip of this awesome promo from Foley from last week? I missed half of Raw and unfortunately, that was in the half I missed.

There have been so many threads about this over the last year, and every freaking time, Tampa gets mentioned and every freaking time, I have to remind people of a little history: WWE looked to have WrestleMania at Tropicana Field a couple years ago (18, I think). But after WWE officials went to Tampa to survey the venue, they realized that there would be a half-mile walk from the locker room to the ring, meaning logistically, the venue was a no-go. So, one more time: Unless significant renovations have been made to Tropicana in the last couple years, SUMMERSLAM IN TAMPA IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.