Raw is Jericho.

After weeks of mysterious videos and messages, the mystery man has finally been revealed.

Chris Jericho is back and I have a feeling he is better than ever.

The internet was in an instant uproar about how he made his return. He came out and didn't say anything. I thought it was genius. Jericho is a master on the microphone and is one of the best talkers ever in the industry. If he came out and started speaking right away, it would have taken away from the 'magic' of his return. He is another example of what the wrestling industry needs. People need to settle down and let a story develop, he will speak next week and then it will officially begin.

My big prediction is that he will feud with CM Punk. In his previous WWE run, he prided himself on being the best in the world at what he does. CM Punk now uses the 'best in the world' slogan on one of his new shirts. These two would cut some of the best promos anyone has ever seen and if the WWE doesn't see the potential then they are going to miss out on some great television. They will either face each other at Wrestlemania 28 for the title or face each other to see who the best in the world really is. The fans are in for a real treat and some great television and matches.

I am already looking forward to next week...

Road Trip to Wrestlemania.

In just a few short weeks, the WWE superstars take the first steps on the road to Wrestlemania. It is always the most exciting time of the year for a wrestling fan, it begins the build to the biggest night in sports entertainment. Wrestlemania is more than just a pay-per-view, it truly is a showcase of the immortals. Separating the good from the great, every person in the WWE works to make this even spectacular.

There is no doubt in my mind that the draw of this event is the epic confrontation between The Rock and, my favorite, John Cena. Anyone who knows me is aware that I'm not a big Rocky fan. The man can draw a crowd like no other and he can talk like the best of them but I just think his passion for the business is lacking. This can be attributed to the fact that he made several appearances via satellite instead of actually showing up to the Raw tapings prior to the last Wrestlemania. People notice things like that. If the WWE Universe meant as much to him as he said, I feel like he should have made the effort to actually show up. I'm just saying...

It was quite a gamble to have the big draw match for WMXXVIII announced a year in advance but it will pay off. This is something that is very unique to the WWE and the realm of sports entertainment. The Rock and John Cena had a good back and forth thing going for a while, teaming them together at Survivor Series was a genius move. It fueled the fire even more and helped build interest for their bout in April. What will be interesting is seeing how the feud is built heading into the event. I do think that the Cena-Kane angle could be entertaining but they need to use The Rock. He can't just come in two weeks before the pay-per0view and start teasing him or building the angle. It needs to start at Royal Rumble or Elimination Chamber at the very latest. It also can't be done mostly via satellite, which was my pet peeve when they first introduced this angle. To me, if he cared he would have showed up a bit more but that's a different issue. A few of the 'call-in' appearances are fine but he needs to be there to interact with the fans and ramp things up. It's not like the ratings would be hurt, he would probably make them go through the roof.

As for what is happening with Cena right now, I think a full heel turn is a terrible idea. Cena is the superman of the WWE, the guys who always does good. It's really hard to ignore that fact. It is also really hard to ignore the people who hate John Cena. He takes it all in stride it seems, just letting it roll off his back and the money flowing into his pocket. No matter how loud they cheer that they don't like him, the ones who like him cheer louder. People like Dave Batista have to face the fact that this guy is what represents World Wrestling Entertainment. He didn't ruin the WWE, he is one of the faces that is propelling it into the global juggernaut that it is. Those 'Did You Know?' facts prove it, WWE is worldwide and growing by the moment.

The other hot topic in the WWE is CM Punk. I think that he is a genius and one of the hottest properties that the company has ever had on its roster. He is the breath of fresh air that the company needed and he is (obviously) a HUGE hit with the fans. You can tell by the reaction that they give and the constant selling out of his merchandise, I have been trying to get a 'Best In The World' t-shirt for months, to no avail. The big draw may be the Rock versus John Cena but the main event will be whatever match Punk is in, this will be another Steamboat versus Savage type of moment. He will steal the show from these two guys. His matches are always top notch and of the highest quality. He is the essence of what a true entertainer should be. Whoever he faces better keep their eyes open and watch out for the Anaconda Vise.

January 29th is the day that the path to the showcase of the immortals starts. Wrestlemania is the moment that every superstar and fan looks forward to. It is the biggest event of the entire calendar year for the WWE Universe and this fan will be sitting on the edge of her seat.

TLC: A Turning Point in the WWE.

Last night was a first, John Cena was NOT featured in a pay-per-view. It was time for some TLC. Tables, ladders, and chairs. The pay-per-view was something special. It was more than just wrestling, it was a chance for the under appreciated and 'mid-card', as they are often labelled, superstars to show what they had to offer.

In my opinion, Zack Ryder stole the show. His match was not only the highlight of the entire event, but he finally got what he rightfully deserved. Being relegated to backstage bits and average matches, Long Island Iced Z got to show that he is a fantastic wrestler with a HUGE following. Someone in WWE creative must have gotten a clue because this was one of the best decisions that has been made in a long time. I was sick of seeing Ziggler get the belt and having to hear Vickie whine and scream. Dolph is one hell of a competitor but Vickie is dragging him down.

I jumped up off the couch when he won, I have been waiting for months for this moment. Hopefully he gets to keep the title and this means that he will move on to bigger and better things. He wasn't handed the belt, he earned it. The best moment of the entire night was seeing him celebrate with his father. Ryder's winning of the United States Championship is yet another turning point in the WWE. Much like the speech CM Punk gave a couple months back, something monumental is happening. They are creating room at the top of the wrestling food chain for guys other than the John Cena's and Randy Orton's.

There is a revolution happening. The WWE can't keep relying on one or two top guys. Sooner or later, the top guys will have to retire and then there will be a large void to fill. By building up other superstars now, they have a constant pool of talent to turn to. Guys like Daniel Bryan, Zack Ryder, and even people like Evan Bourne can still be promoted alongside the bigger names. It really is refreshing to see and they are gaining even more popularity than they had before.

I also like to think that me wearing my 'Broski' t-shirt had something to do with his win. A girl can dream...

Why I Love the WWE.

In the last two weeks or so, I've had some people pick on me for my love of professional wrestling. I have heard everything they had to say. It's fake, it's scripted, they aren't athletes, and blah, blah, blah. I usually don't let it get to me and I just brush it off. However, I feel the need to tell people why I love it and why I am so passionate about it.

I'm sure I have mentioned this before but I have literally been watching wrestling since I was born. I think I was a day or two old and my dad brought me home from the hospital and we watched my very first episode of Superstars together. From that second, I was hooked. To me, it is much more than watching something on pay-per-view or television. It's spending time with my dad, enjoying something together. Wrestling is something that we share and it ties us together even more. Some of the best times of my life have been spent with my dad on the couch watching our favourites compete in the ring.

The people who step between those ropes are not only entertainers, they are athletes as well. They train hard and they work hard. I always take offense when people say they are just actors. These men and women train every day, they put their bodies on the line, and they do it because they love it. It is all for the fans, they may not make 28 million dollars for a year contract, but they put on a show like no other. I have been to a few live events and I have never had more fun. The crowd is electric, you can literally feel the excitement in the air and coursing through the entire building. I find the fans of wrestling have an unspoken bond, I always end up chatting with everyone that sits in whatever section I'm in, either before or after the show. It really does bring people together.

I have also been witness to some of the biggest and most shocking moments in sports entertainment history. I have seen my favourite wrestlers be triumphant, be screwed over (I don't even have to explain this one), get beaten down, and sadly pass away. I remember where I was when Bret got screwed over, when Chris Benoit died, when Owen Hart had his tragic accident, and pretty much everything else. Even when I talk about my favourite moments and superstars, I get emotional and fired up. These people who step between the ropes each and every week are a integral part of my life. I watch them, I cheer them, I boo them, and I enjoy each and every step of the way.

And this, is why I love the WWE.

Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart: DVD Review.

The rivalry between Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart is easily the most storied rivalry in all of sports entertainment. The incident known as the “Montreal Screwjob” is a sore spot for a lot of fans and it is something that still resonates with people today. Fans stay divided and each man, Hart and Michaels, has their fair share of support. Fans never forget, I witnessed this personally at a Monday Night Raw taping in Calgary, Alberta about two years ago. It was when Shawn Michaels was being “searched” for by Triple H. I have never heard a man get booed so loudly in my entire life. His picture came on the screen and the fans just lost it.

‘WWE’s Greatest Rivalries: Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart’ is the new DVD set that sheds light on one of the most talked about incidents in WWE history and the fans finally get to see how the two men really feel about what took place before and after the infamous moment. It was an eagerly anticipated box set that has set the bar for future DVD’s from the company. The setting is very intimate, with just Bret, Shawn, and Jim Ross sitting down and having a round table type discussion. Nothing is left untouched by anyone; they air everything out which will provide fans with some context for how and what happened at Survivor Series in 1997.

It is interesting to note that both men still have a mutual respect for one another and are honest about how they feel now and how they felt at the time everything went down. Personally, I’m on Bret Hart’s side throughout this entire matter. I have no problem in admitting that as a fan and a writer. This DVD is extremely fair in presenting both cases.

It moves in phases, going from the very beginning of each mans career and leading right up to their touching moment in the ring on January 4, 2011 on Monday Night Raw. I would have LOVED to have heard what they said to each other in the ring that night. It was turning the chapter in a very painful story and the two men seem to have a new respect and admiration for each other. Everyone knows the story of how Bret and Shawn battled on television and in their personal lives, how Bret left for WCW, and Shawn climbed the ranks to be known as ‘The Show Stopper’.

One of the best parts of the DVD was seeing how each perceived the infamous ‘Montreal Screwjob’. Shawn acknowledged that he did have a bad attitude and he was more than a little egotistical going into it. Both acknowledge their shortcomings and strengths of each other and themselves. This event certainly put a strain on their friendship and made them enemies for over a decade. Bret seems a lot more honest and sincere; Shawn seems to hush some things perhaps out of shame for what happened. I would too if I did what he did. Both individuals seem to have truly grown and learned from what happened and repaired their once close friendship.

As of the writing of this article, it has been reported that the WWE is planning on creating more ‘Greatest Rivalries’ DVD sets for future release. It is the hope of this fan that they mirror the quality and earnestness of this one. No one does it better than the WWE.

Just a Note.

I just wanted to make a quick post about Johnny Ace. This has been something that has been bugging me for a while.

I always enjoy when there is a fresh face on WWE television, even if I don't necesarrily like them. I just have to ask whose idea it was to give this man a microphone? I want to say that I have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Laurinaitis and he is a very nice man. However, his television persona has the charisma of a wet mop. There's nothing exciting about him, perhaps he's trying to be another Vince McMahon but it is just not working. It's getting to the point where it is actually getting painful to watch. Hopefully they appoint a new Raw General Manager soon, Johnny Ace is getting stale...

I also wanted to let my readers know that I will be posting on Wrestling News Source so be sure to keep up with their news and columns by visiting their website.

Hell in a Cell.

So sorry for the lack of posts, I started school last month and things have been more than crazy. I'm working hard towards my dream of sitting next to Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler at the announcers table. Anyways, I'm back and ready to share my thoughts on the events of the last few weeks...
I thought that HIAC (Hell in a Cell) was a pretty decent pay-per-view, it did lack the excitement of the last couple of events though. I was so shocked at the crowd. I can't even watch WWE on television without screaming like I was right there in the crowd, so I don't understand why you could hear a pin drop in the arena. I was watching at home and it was basically a dead crowd. The only reaction that came from them was the usual "Let's go Cena/Cena Sucks" chant that always breaks out, and the finish to the ppv that saw Miz and R-Truth in handcuffs (but more on that later).

I just have to say that the Sin Cara versus Sin Cara match was probably the most boring thing I have ever seen on television in a while. I'm just not engrossed in this character at all, I do understand why the kids would like him but I think that even they are becoming bored of it. I get what they are trying to do, similar in some ways to the Undertaker versus Undertaker storyline of the early to mid 90's. When he first flew into the ring, Sin Cara was something special but the novelty is quickly wearing off and they need to do something to spice up that angle.
As for the women's match, I am so glad that Beth beat the snot out of Kelly Kelly, who I can't stand. I was never a fan of the cookie cutter barbie divas. They seem boring and like they are just churned out of the developmental territory. Beth and Nattie are an excellent foil for them but they don't necessarily need to the seen as the heels in the divas division. Beth should have won her title in her hometown but, then again, I'm not the booker for WWE. If I was, i would have had Beth win with some dignity and class, instead of making her win of the belt look cheap and tawdry. That being said, I do hope that this opens up the door for women who can actually wrestle to be given a chance to dominate in the ring.
Out of the two HIAC matches, I enjoyed the triple threat between Cena, Del Rio, and Punk a lot more than the one between Orton and Mark Henry. It's not that the Henry/Orton confrontation was boring or anything like that, I'm very much enjoying having Henry as the champ. It just didn't have the same sizzle as the triple threat match. I was shocked that Del Rio got the win, but how he achieved it was pure genius. Locking Cena out? No one saw that one coming. All Del Rio needs to do is get rid of Ricardo and it will be smooth sailing for him. The ending of the match was good but there was an odd feeling to it.

My friend and I had a feeling that Mick Foley would return in some capacity, seeing as it was kind of his event in a way. Instead, Miz and Truth attacked everyone in the ring, and when help came down the ramp, the cage mysteriously lowered. It was exciting to see everyone pouring out of the back to help the men in the ring but it felt like something else was supposed to happen. Either way, it was a good play into the current storyline of Miz and Truth being fired and having a grievance with the Chief Operating Officer.
I'd also like to note that the ppv ended about ten minutes early. The first time I've ever seen that happen in my twenty-two years of watching WWE ppv's.
No on to Monday Night Raw....
I always enjoy the post-ppv Raw's. The main topic on this show seems to be the alleged unhappiness of several of the WWE superstars with how Triple H is running the show. I, speaking for myself, am quite happy with the way he is running things. It's new life, a breath of fresh air, and is going to shake things up even more than when CM Punk gave his famous promo a few months back (something I count in my top five promos of all time). What the hell is their problem? What I see is a bunch of whiny babies.
Someone call the waaaaaaaaaaambulance.
I'm not even going to comment on the divas match because Kelly Kelly's voice annoys the crap out of me. What a waste of television time that could have been spent actually doing something.

I really enjoy the interaction between Johnny Ace and Hunter. Accusing Johnny of being the one behind the angst and working against him sets up a whole new world of possibilities. I don't really enjoy listening to Johnny Ace speak on the microphone but I do think that this opens up a whole new creative avenue for the team over at WWE, they may have their faults sometimes but no one does it better than they do. It will be interesting to see what happens in the weeks to come, especially with the build to the next ppv, Vengeance, in three weeks.

The big shock of the night came when the WWE roster walked out on Triple H and essentially every fan that has ever cheered them on. I don't think it was right but, if what I hear is correct, the roster from Ring of Honor will be more than happy to fill the void on television. What will Triple H do without the superstars of Raw and Smackdown? How will the next edition of Raw pan out? So many questions to be answered...