BruiserKC

The officiating all across the board in every sport seems to get worse and worse every year. NFL, college football, college basketball, NBA, baseball...I've always said that if I know the official's names, they're not doing their jobs. It seems as if they want the spotlight, when we pay our hard-earned tickets to see the players...not the officials. With baseball right now the big problem is the inconsistent strike-zone...not so much from game to game but from inning to inning. Pitches that were strikes back in the 1st and 2nd inning become balls in the 7th. And I'm sure the inevitable cry will come, "Baseball needs instant replay." No it doesn't...instant replay has no place in sports since all it has become is a crutch for the officials. Refs need to be held accountable for their work. I understand they're going to miss a call once in a while...but if they miss too many they need to find other work.

The series is only 2-1 Stros...why the fuck does it sound like ESPN's Baseball Tonight posse is almost handing this thing to Houston?

I'm happy the Bears won...they needed the pick-me-up against the Vikings. Of course, next week they take on the Ravens and will probably stink up the joint.

I mentioned this in the "Matches forgotten post"...but I'll put it here. Two matches from the NJPW/WCW challenge stand out...Ohtani vs. Eddie Guerrero and Liger vs. Benoit.

Take heed, O thou lying Girgashite, for you will be swallowed by a whale with excessively bad breath!

Yeah, why should Howard Finkel vs. Lilian Garcia get to monopolize the market. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> So...which do I prefer...a wrestler pretending to be an announcer or seeing Finkel's red Fruit of the Looms? I like the Kennedy gimmick...it's different, it's not serious, it's refreshing. It just seems that the gimmicks seem to wear thin faster. I don't know if it's by design but we've seen this quite a bit. Perfect example is Eugene...once they pushed Eugene to the moon people were howling to not see him on TV anymore.

I've noticed that ever since the Ravens-Giants Super Bowl in 2000 they've gone out of their way to make it all about offense. Apparently they were embarrassed to see a team do it with strictly defense for the most part (granted they had a good running back in Jamal Lewis but he hadn't blown up to be a franchise RB back then. ) It's always been about the running and defense really that really makes a champion in the NFL. "Offense sells tickets, defense wins championships." At least we can take consolation in January that remains the same no matter who ends up playing.

Steamboat-Rhodes vs. Arn/Larry Z was Clash in November '91...also the night Rude debuted in WCW and beat Sting for the US title. Some other matches I had forgotten about.: Liger vs. Pillman @ SuperBrawl 2 in Feb. 92-Pillman regains the WCW Light-heavyweight title. Magnum T.A. vs. Tully Blanchard for the US title at Starrcade '85 in "I Quit" match Two from Living Dangerously '99 RVD vs. Jerry Lynn for the ECW TV title...match was to end in a time-limit draw but Lynn asks for 5 more minutes and RVD wins. Taz vs. Sabu-ECW World Title-FTW Rules...a main event lot of people forget about Two from the Starrcade '95 card from the NJPW/WCW challenge- Ohtani vs. Eddie Guerrero and Liger vs. Benoit Eddie G vs. Syxx (aka Sean Waltman) @ Souled Out '97 in their ladder match for the US title...on a PPV that sucked balls, that was a solid match On RAW when they had Davey Boy Smith vs. Owen Hart in the final round of their tournament to declare their first European champ. Benoit-Jericho best of 3 falls match @ Summerslam 2000.

I give credit to PWTorch.com for this article...which caught my eye and rubbed me the wrong way. The Specialists -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPECIALIST - TNA: Time to score points by addressing the Jim Ross situation on Impact By Paul Madavi, Torch Team Contributor Oct 14, 2005, 08:18 Point The Finger TNA has a reputation as a talent friendly organization. The TNA locker-room is said to be one of the happiest, lacking many of the political machinations often associated with wrestling promotions. In fact, one of the best things TNA has going for them currently is that they’re refreshing environment to be in for wrestlers, and pro wrestling industry workers in general. There’s no ridiculous schedule. There’s no constant driving back and forth to arenas all over the country. Wrestlers are allowed to work their respective styles. And, perhaps most importantly, there are no on air “firings” of individuals who have given their lives to the business. There are no nut shots for company men who have literally worked themselves sick. In a business where it is seldom given even to the deserving, respect exists in TNA. They should say as much. Next Saturday, I would like nothing more than to have Mike Tenay kick off Impact, stand in the middle of that six sided gem of canvas and cable, look the camera square in its bulbous glass eye, and speak the truth about what happened to Jim Ross. Ross, who was demoted from calling TV matches for the other company, who became inflicted with Bells Palsy from the strain of his work and had it resurface twice while he was on the job, who is widely considered the best at what he does, was removed from his position, in one of the most vile, crass ways possible. Mike Tenay should say as much. Ross, who spent years and years putting over the other company’s stars and product, who never missed shows, who took part in angles that humiliated him on TV, who took taunts from his employer through his telecasting partner’s mouth on live TV, who did it all for the love of the job and the fans, was sent off the air, not with a warm farewell, streamers, and the deserving adulation of the fans and wrestlers. He was sent off the air on his knees, when he should have been lifted upon shoulders. Mike Tenay should say as much. Ross, who was tossed in the mud like pearls before swine, who was fired more than once, who can call a match like no other, who will no longer have a contract in roughly one year’s time, who so sorely deserves respect as the best at his job, would be most welcome in TNA. There would be no jokes about his face, a reminder of his dedication to the business. There would be no call to humiliate him on TV. There would be the honor and respect owed a person after 30 years of work in the business, after accolades upon accolades of excellence. There would be always a prominent position for Jim Ross in TNA. And Mike Tenay should look right into that camera, look every last viewer right in the eye, and promise as much. TNA must point the finger. They need to call out the other company on their inability to do what’s right for their employees, for the fans, and for their business. They need to let everyone know they are different than the other company. They respect their wrestlers and staff. They respect their fans and want the best for them. They know the fans love Jim Ross. They want Jim Ross because he’s the best announcer there is. They want Jim Ross because TNA is the future of wrestling, and Ross needs to be a part of that. TNA needs to point the finger at the other company, because they need to let everyone know just how different they are from them. It’s not just business. It’s the right the thing to do, for someone who has been wronged so often. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maybe it just seems that most reporters at the news websites have a vendetta against the WWE and anything Vince-related. They want TNA to succeed so we have an alternative or something that puts WWE out of biz. (I know the latter ain't happening anytime soon but I'm sure a lot of the IWC would cheer if it happened). So why after only two weeks on the air with Spike they want to give Vince an excuse to put TNA squarely in his sights. Yes, TNA has put on some solid shows the first couple of weeks and after watching the tape of yesterday's show as I lay sick here with stomach flu they seem to have an idea of what the fans want. That being said, three weeks is too damn soon to put TNA into a ratings battle with the WWE, especially since Vince has destroyed all other competition in his path over the last 20 years. In their quest to put something right up against Vince, they might do more damage to TNA than good.

Dude, where'd you find them? The N? I thought they only showed Next Generation. I've been looking for Junior High episodes for years. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Sunday through Thursday nights starting at like midnight Eastern they're running the old-school reruns in blocks...plus I guess they show old Degrassi High ones on Friday and Saturday nights right after the new episode of Degrassi TNG.

Please translate that into proper MLA format. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> And show your sources...very important you don't steal some other troll's lines without giving them proper credit.

I enjoyed myself Muta-Windham at SuperBrawl III in Feb. 1993, when Windham took the NWA World title from Muta. Also...when they mention Flair-Steamboat matches Triple H talks up their Wrestlewar '89 battle when Flair regained the title. However, I point to their best match at Clash of the Champions VI at the Superdome when Steamboat beat Flair 2-out-of-3 falls to retain the NWA title...of course Vince will never mention it since it took place on the same day Wrestlemania V happened.

The other night I'm up with my son who had a little bit of the stomach flu...I flipped on just whatever the hell was on out of boredom and ran into re-runs of the old Degrassi Junior High from the late 80s, lol. They were responsible for the dream I had last night. I have just showed up at Degrassi with my friends from high school and Dwayne (the bully who made Joey's life miserable) decides he wants to start a fight with me...I slap him upside his head and as he looks like he's going to hit me my friends stand right next to me and I say, "Partner, you fight me, you fight all of us." But, he challenges me to a fight the next day after school. Come fight time at the park I show up with Tyrone (black kid who was one mean SOB but a great guy once you got to know him) and Mike (he was about 6'5", 400 pounds). They stand next to Dwayne's two cronies to make sure they don't get involved. The fight starts by me trying to kick Dwayne but he catches the foot...I suddenly nail him with an enziguri kick to the back of his head and down he goes. I had already planned my strategy that if I got him down I was going to try to finish it in a hurry. I immediately leap on him and slap on a judo chokehold (I am a judo black belt IRL) and I suddenly start screaming, "TAP OUT! GOD DAMN YOU YOU PUNK BITCH TAP OUT!" One of Dwayne's cronies decides to get brave and starts toward me only for Tyrone to drop him with one punch. The other one heads for Tyrone only for my friend Mike to grab him with one hand by the scruff of his neck and throw him the opposite way like a rag doll. I'm finally about to give up on getting Dwayne to tap and just choke him out but suddenly he hits the ground three times to tap out. I break the hold and get high fives from my friends. Suddenly, Joey, Wheels, and Snake start the crowd up in a chant of "YOU TAPPED OUT! YOU TAPPED OUT!" and the whole crowd of students is doing it EC Dub style,

Judging from the play, it looked like it was tough to call. It's like a trapped ball in the outfield or when a wide receiver traps the football and you have to decide right then, did it hit the ground or didn't it? I don't knock Pierzynski for making the dash to first...he's playing heads-up ball and if he hadn't heard the ump saying that was the third out. And as a catcher from the days of Little League and high school the rule for me was always, "When in doubt on a third strike, tag the runner or throw to the base." Scioscia also showed a lot of class, he could have ripped the umps a new one but it's past, they're going back to Cali and their work is cut out for them. Finally, the umps though shouldn't have acted like they knew the call when it really seemed like they didn't. Then again, if I know the official's names, they're not doing their jobs correctly.

The Patriots had their scandal back in 1990, when Lisa Olson (sportswriter) was basically harrassed and just shy of molested by players in their locker room. When it was brought to ownership's attention, Victor Kiam (aka the Remington dude and owner of the Patriots at the time) wrote it off as just boys being boys. Of course, the Pats went 1-15 that year and that was right before Parcells came aboard.

While we're at it let's take out Rainbow Brite too <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This morning the TSM Air Force was sent on a three-pronged bombing run of Strawberry Shortcake's town, Rainbow Brite's fortress, and the kingdom of Care-a-lot to take care of the problem once the Care Bears became stronger as a result of our devastation of the other fantasy lands.

As a Bears fan, I must say the NFC North sucks balls and Bears-Vikings is only good because of the rivalry. I can't remember a time, even back to the days of Erik Kramer and Barry Sanders (because usually then the Bears or Packers were better) when we could say the Lions were the best in that division. Makes me wonder if 8-8 might be enough to win the North this year.

1989-Michael Hayes upsetting Lex Luger to win the NWA United States title. They were booking Luger as a monster that eventually was to become the man...so Hayes beating "The Total Package" at that time, considering where they were at that stage of both of their careers was a surprise.

The way our troll friend Gravemeister makes it sound like, I wake up every morning and greet my children with a beating. He is apparently too blinded (or too ignorant) to see that I say spanking is a LAST resort...L-A-S-T, meaning final. I don't go looking to spank my children, I try other avenues of punishment first but always reserve a swat on the behind if all else fails. It's like fighting. I hated to have to fight as a kid, but I realized sometimes it was the only way to solve a problem after all other efforts failed. Then, once the fight began, you bet I'd be kicking that person's ass all over the school yard or the park or wherever the brawl was taking place. This way he would think twice about starting shit with me ever again. So, Gravemeister...put down the Kool-Aid and not just blindly buy into the Dr. Spocks of the world.

We knew it was only a matter of time before Gargamel got his hands on WMD.

I'll go a bit further back with a couple of upsets that stand out. 1985-"Mr. Electricity" Steve Regal and Gorgeous Jimmy Garvin upsetting the Road Warriors for the AWA World Tag Team titles...there was no way anyone saw it coming as Animal and Hawk had steamrolled all competition for over a year. 1987-Ronnie Garvin defeating Ric Flair for the NWA World Title in the cage in Detroit, Michigan. No real major threats at that time to Flair's title...but the "Hands of Stone" shocked the world.

Vince clearly hates the Internet fans. Why else would he want to start shuffling his family out there every single week. This ain't 1998 and 1999, it's no longer fresh Vinnie Mac. In fact, it's more lame than "The Rick" commercials for Sportscenter. What we should do next week is when we're told when Vince is coming on with his brood, we all switch the channels to UFC or Monday Night Football. Hell, give Greta Van Susteren or Cheap Seats a watch if needed. When he sees ratings way down for them, maybe they'll stay in the background and off camera.

Cardinals won 105 games last year and were supposed to steamroll through the World Series...look what happened. That and the East Coast media bias begged for the Red Sox to win.

It only makes sense he quotes the part he claims to agree with...to actually use logic might blow out his remaining brain cells. I'm pretty much done laughing at troll-boy now and more or less shake my head out of pure pity at how mixed up his world is. If he can get his point across to his kids without having to resort to spanking, so be it. But if it becomes his only possible option when all else has failed...maybe he'll see the other side. On second though, nah...not so much.

As a Cardinals fan I would love to say that the Astros are our bitch and that they'll be lucky to win one game. However, I was more concerned about facing them in the NLCS than Atlanta. Pitching becomes a great equalizer in post-season play. You have Clemens...arguably the best pitcher of this generation and one of the greatest of all-time. Pettite had a reputation in New York of being a big-game pitcher in the postseason and his appearance in game 1 of the NLDS plays that out. Oswalt will eventually become that. When Lidge comes out of the bully, you have that feel the way we did in the late 90s when Rivera came out for the Yanks, or Eckersley for the A's in the late 80s...time to fire up the bus this one's over. Even though they don't have Beltran this year and Bagwell is just a pinch-hitter, they still have some dangerous parts of their lineup. Biggio, Berkman, Ausmus...they match up very well against the Cardinals. Cardinals in 7...it won't be easy and will be a fight every step of the way.