Just John

How will DX get their heat back on Rated RKO tonight? You know those two can't hold the advantage for more than 2 shows.

Good lord. Piper makes Flair look like a Greek God. The fact that Piper could beat any of the Spirit Squad members is really testing the limits of kayfabe. At least throw a shirt on the guy for fuck's sake.

Piper hasn't belonged in a wrestling ring for almost a decade. This show sounded like a big pile of predictable garbage.

Hopefully it's Joey Crawford. I think this new rule is rather silly, but I see it blowing over in a few weeks. Eventually, the fans will complain enough, and the officials will get tired of handing out all those techs. I think this initial "call everything that might possibly be a form of protest" phase is just to get the players' attention. After a few weeks, I think you'll see things shift back closer to where they were last year. I wouldn't be surprised if somehow this rule makes its way back during the playoffs, though, further exposing the incompetence/bias of NBA officials.

An alright show, but too storyline based for my liking. Why aren't Benoit and Finlay wrestling random people? Nothing really going in the match department this week Benoit and Chavo should have good matches, but I don't like how this feud is starting. MVP and Kennedy did a great job in their tag match, though it was a bit too squashy to make it a good match. I never did like the BOD team. I think Miz and Kristal are a good annoying heel tandem. I hate the Boogeyman hope he gets fired again. Tatanka should never, ever be allowed to cut a promo again. It would not be hyperbole to say that was one of the worst I've ever heard. Granted, he wasn't given any good material, but his awkward, emotionless delivery was hard to watch. Booker was good throughout the night, and Batista went back to his evolution role which he works well in. Who were the guys that showed up out of nowhere at the end? It looked like they had ECW shirts, but I couldn't tell. Batista/Finlay will be good if they give it time and let Finlay get some offense in.

I agree. I'm glad ESPN put all their good announcers on one team.

1. Get rid of ECW, trim the fat roster wise, merge the good talent to the other brands. 2. For SD: More clean heel wins, otherwise don't change a thing. 3. For Raw: Follow the formula used for the weeks leading to Unforgiven (i.e. More SD-like) 4. Maybe throw in a good old fashioned stable war. No, DX vs. McMahons and friends doesn't count.

Misawa already put over Rikioh of all people, and while he's a legend, he hasn't had that ace-like credibility since he passed the torch to Kobashi. I see your point about using Akiyama as the sacrifice, but remember they also gave him a win over Taue as well. The way I see it, they've put over Taue and Akiyama, given him more singles and high-profile matches than anyone on the roster, and let him pick up massive amounts of winning decisions in tag matches. I can't really recall such a deliberate push in NOAH as an attempt to create a new star. You could say Rikioh, but that was more of the "shoved down our throats" variety. Unlike Rikioh, Marufuji is catching on and delivering quality matches. I really think they wanted to push Rikioh as the leader of the new generation, but when that experiment failed, they had to move to something else. Luckily, their seemingly crazy Plan B (pushing juniors) is working. It probably seemed crazy to job Jumbo to Misawa back in June of 1990, but eventually you've gotta let the new stars push the old ones aside. Misawa and Kobashi are two of the greatest wrestlers ever, but age and injuries are really catching up to them. There's just not much mileage left on those guys, and you have to put the next generation over while the old guard is at least capable of working matches. I think everyone realizes this, hence the big Maru push with the Misawa/Kawada-like rivalry with KENTA taking place.

The NBA has a shortlist of about 8 teams they select each year to play national TV games. Occasionally one of the lesser peasant teams gets to leech on one of the big guns for a national game. This year, you can count on seeing lots of: Miami San Antonio Dallas Phoenix Chicago LA Lakers Cleveland

I think Misawa will definitely do the job here. Marufuji has been given a gigantic push this year. He's way over and his match with KENTA drew a good crowd with no support from the undercard. Giving the belt to Misawa would be such huge step backwards at this point. Maru is being pushed as the next ace, and if Akiyama laid down for him, Misawa will too. Besides, Kobashi is the real ace of the old guard now. Misawa's been playing second fiddle ever since he lost to him in 03. Misawa has nothing to lose and nothing to offer the ME scene in NOAH if he wins. Maru's ace status is still suceptible to failure if not booked properly, and he has plenty to offer at the top of the cards. They've booked him well all year, and I don't see them stopping now. As great as Misawa was, you can't count on him anymore. You have to make new stars eventually, and I think Misawa, Akiyama, and co. know that they have two big ones in KENTA and Marufuji if they play their cards right. Jobbing one of them to a broken down old guarder would not be playing their cards right.

I figured once Peyton finally won in Foxboro, they'd stop sending Indy up there every year.

I'll always remember the 1999 season where the Jaguars went 14-2 (both losses to Tennessee), then losing in the AFC title game to the Titans as well. Every other game they played, they dominated everyone (including giving Dan Marino the most unceremonious retirement ever). Definitely one of the best teams to not make it to the SB, but man did the Titans ever have their number. At the risk of sounding like a loser, I'll say the Titans were Austin Aires to the Jags' Samoa Joe.

Ok, let me get this straight... 1. CM Punk gets into the EC when his feud with Knox is the only thing that closely resembles a viable ppv undercard match. 2. Hardcore Holly, a man who was never quite the strong ME face WWE wanted him to be, finally (through a stroke of good/bad luck) gets his back sliced open and gets a standing ovation, making him more over than he was at any point in the last 8 years. They capitalize on this by... Turning him heel a month later? I know he really shouldn't be allied with RVD, but a heel turn? At least Daivari is being allowed to wrestle now. And RVD is the only logical choice for the title. It's 6 months in the making (2.5 years by WWE feud progression time) and is the only thing that's been a recurring theme since the new ECW began. Not even the dumbest writers could miss this.

Tell us how his nose looks after getting drilled by that crazy moonsault in the crowd. Even if you don't care about Japanese wrestling, you should still watch that KENTA/Maru match. It is beyond crazy.

Alright, over .500 this week. Let's go. Falcons 27, Lions 10: Detroit's not good enough to win this one. Bills 16, Packers 13: Neither team is good. I'll go with the home team in an ugly mess. Giants 31, Texans 17: Hopefully the Texans will keep improving, but it won't matter here. Bears 27, Miami 0: Can history repeat itself? No, no it can't. Chicago will find a better team to lose to in the regular season. Ravens 30, Bengals 21: I'll go with the Ravens at home, even if Cincy badly needs this win. Redskins 24, Cowboys 17: Both teams are wildly inconsistent. Could go either way, but I'll pick the home team. Jaguars 19, Titans 7: Typical Jags performance. Chiefs 41, Rams 38: Offensive explosion here. I think the Chiefs are playoff material, though, just off to a slower start. Saints 21, Bucs 17: NO always gives Tampa trouble, and they're actually a better team this year. 49ers 28, Vikings 25: San Fran's due for a surprise performance, and the Vikes are finally playing like they should. Steelers 24, Broncos 21: I'm going to hold out optimism for another solid Big Ben performance to silence the critics. Denver's no easy task, though. Chargers 27, Browns 17: The Browns have the heart, but not enough talent to win this game. Patriots 31, Colts 24: Bellicheck's usually got the Colts' number, and he has a healthy team this year. Seahawks 23, Raiders 10: No way Oakland takes their winning act on the road. Without the stars, Seattle wins in less than impressive fashion.

I was thinking of just bringing in Walton and maybe Tolbert for comedy. Certainly don't want that hack Screamin' A or any of the boring, uninsightful analystis like Anthony or Legler. Tonight, I'll be curious to see how Ben Wallace fits in with the Bulls. That's a move I'm not a 100% sure how it'll work because Ben was the product of the Detroit defensive system. I really want to see how he plays out in Chicago.

Should be some decent games tonight. I'm glad they're both on TNT too. I wish the Turner networks could hire like the 2 or 3 good basketball personalities ESPN has then monopolize basketball coverage.

Ah, ok. I found theDanielson/Nigel match from Unified elsewhere, so I thought the rest might be out. Anyway, enjoy the aforementioned Danielson/Nigel match. http://www.sendspace.com/file/th81vs

Bengals 24, Falcons 17: I'm not sold on either of these teams, but I'm less sold on ATL. Bah, I was less sold on the wrong team. 0/1 Texans 26, Titans 13: Both teams are showing signs of hope, but I'll go with the slight experience edge for Houston in a weird game. Wrong again. 0/2 Bears 31, 49ers 9: Bears need another squash, and San Fran should oblige. An easy call. 1/3 Packers 27, Cardinals 14: Zona just can't find a way to win. Very true. 2/4 Chiefs 28, Seahawks 10: No Hasselbeck, no Alexander. Chiefs should be a-ok. Tougher than expected, but the Chiefs still win. 3/5 Saints 20, Ravens 17: NO edges another good team at home. Eh, this was bound to happen sooner or later. 3/6 Bucs 19, Giants 16: My weird pick of the week. I think the Bucs can contain Eli, and even the offense can do enough against NY's inconsistent D. Out of all the upsets this week, I pick a non-existant one. 3/7 Jaguars 27, Eagles 20: Both teams badly need a win, but I think the Jags are a stronger team. Did get this one, but with less scoring. 4/8 Chargers 34, Rams 31: Can't see the Rams taking this one, though they have been very solid this year. Right on. 5/9 Steelers 44, Raiders 10: Back to Earth, Oakland. Right... 5/10 Broncos 35, Colts 24: Denver in the regular season at home is tall order, and Indy's depleted D won't be up to the task. The D wasn't up to task, but neither was Denver's late game coaching. 5/11 Jets 23, Browns 14: The yawner of the week. A yawner with the wrong team winning. 5/12 Carolina 30, Dallas 15: The Panthers will rebound in strong fashion. How did Carolina manage to fuck this up? 5/13 Patriots 26, Vikings 23: NE looks to be in good shape, but this will be a test. I say they win late. Well, at least I end on a high note. 6/14 Looks like I'll have to try again next week. I need to pick above .500 just once.

Thanks for all this ROH stuff Cheesala. Any chance you can nab Aries/Strong vs. Briscoes at Unified?

I play frequently during my Journalism lab. We should add Text Twist or Miniputt, though.

I'm glad Pujols has a ring now. That's coming from an Astros fan. Anyway, there's no way you can call this a fluke. They were kind of like the Steelers earlier this year. Say what you will about them backing in, they played the best when it mattered and beat everyone put in front of them. You say any NL team could beat the Tigers, but no one could beat the Cardinals. Congrats STL.

Since my picks sucked horribly last week, I must try to redeem myself. Or maybe I'll just become the Raiders of pick 'em. Bengals 24, Falcons 17: I'm not sold on either of these teams, but I'm less sold on ATL. Texans 26, Titans 13: Both teams are showing signs of hope, but I'll go with the slight experience edge for Houston in a weird game. Bears 31, 49ers 9: Bears need another squash, and San Fran should oblige. Packers 27, Cardinals 14: Zona just can't find a way to win. Chiefs 28, Seahawks 10: No Hasselbeck, no Alexander. Chiefs should be a-ok. Saints 20, Ravens 17: NO edges another good team at home. Bucs 19, Giants 16: My weird pick of the week. I think the Bucs can contain Eli, and even the offense can do enough against NY's inconsistent D. Jaguars 27, Eagles 20: Both teams badly need a win, but I think the Jags are a stronger team. Chargers 34, Rams 31: Can't see the Rams taking this one, though they have been very solid this year. Steelers 44, Raiders 10: Back to Earth, Oakland. Broncos 35, Colts 24: Denver in the regular season at home is tall order, and Indy's depleted D won't be up to the task. Jets 23, Browns 14: The yawner of the week. Carolina 30, Dallas 15: The Panthers will rebound in strong fashion. Patriots 26, Vikings 23: NE looks to be in good shape, but this will be a test. I say they win late.

Time to reflect on my picks: Jets 31, Lions 24: The Jets aren't that good, but the Lions find a way to lose. Nailed this one. 1/1 Dolphins 17, Packers 13: Ugly game here. Neither team is any good, so I'll take Miami at home. The Pack managed to not suck as much. 1/2 Chiefs 27, Chargers 24: I like KC to rebound and win at home. They're better than 2-3. Add a FG to both sides. 2/3 Steelers: 20, Falcons 16: The Steelers are getting back in form, ATL is overrated. Whoops. 2/4 Patriots 24, Bills 14: Typical unimpressive Pats win. More impressive than expected, but at least I got the right team. 3/5 Jaguars 23, Texans 7: Coming off the bye against a weak D... Yeah I'll take the Jags. WTF 3/6 Panthers 34, Bengals 17: The Panthers are good, Cincy is very overrated. No D kills them again. Wrong again. 3/7 Eagles 17, Bucs 3: Tampa still isn't going anywhere. Eagles get back on track with an ugly win. A fuckin' 62-yard FG win? 3/8 Broncos 16, Browns 7: *Yawn* Almost perfect here. 4/9 Cardinals 38, Raiders 21: Try as they might, no way Zona can lose to the worst NFL team in years. What's wrong with the Cards? 4/10 Colts 31, Redskins 28: Washington continues to expose Indy's D, but Peyton leads his team to a late win. Close enough. 5/11 Seahawks 20, Vikings 10: Pretty standard game. Good God. 5/12 Cowboys 24, Giants 21: The good Dallas team shows up on Monday night. This is why I never make picks. 5/13

This isn't that old, and it's very trivial, but I'm curious... How did they fake the Paul Bearer cement stunt at the GAB 04?