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Oh, Oh, Tammy! Tammy!
The WWE has pulled funding for Tammy Sytch’s rehab. If she’s going to do have any more Sunny days she’s going to have to do it on her own.
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Hulk Hogan tweeted a picture of daughter Brooke sitting by the pool with the
caption: “Brooke’s legs.” Nothing wrong with a dad admiring his daughter’s legs, right? Nothing...wrong...at...all. Hmm. @HitTheRopes
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John Cena’s name has been linked to porn star Kendra Lust as rumors fly that the WWE Superstar had an affair with the adult star while still married. With all his Make-a-Wish appearances, doesn’t Cena get a pass (if this is true)?
Speaking of Cena, why are people so concerned with whether this is true or not? I mean, who hasn’t banged a porn star?
Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole! El Generico made his debut at NXT and was in the corner of Brodus Clay. Looks like the generic luchador got the callback for becoming the newest Funkadactyl. page 7
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WWE Studios is said to be entering into the comedy genre. Funny, I laughed at how horrible most of their previous movies were.
Kenn Doane (Kenny Dykstra) will be releasing a children’s book about anti-bullying. No word on whether the main character’s girlfriend supposedly has a playdate with a young Cena.
Shawne Merriman decided to resume (kind of) a Twitter “feud” with CM Punk
Punk
a year later. Merriman was asked about facing at WrestleMania to where the NFL player responded... Wait, Merriman is still in the NFL, right?
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It’s time to celebrate the best...and the worst of the month from the worlds of professional wrestling and MMA
CHUMPS
CHAMPS History Made
Ortiz strikes again
In a thrilling bout, Ronda Rousey successfully defended her title in the first ever UFC Women’s MMA bout.
Since retiring, Tito Ortiz has gone to his own contract disputes to preventing the super fight between Rousey and Cyborg. Nice.
Say hello to the Good guy
From King to Jester
DDP has reached out to both Jake Roberts & Scott Hall and looks to have their lives finally on the track of recovery.
Finally...
Swagger Jacker
After forever and a day, we FINALLY get rid of the spinner belt. And all we needed was The Rock to return to get it done. What’s next? A replacement for ADR?
Swagger finally returns, yawn, and as soon as he does he gets a mega push...and arrest for pot possesion. Spin WWE PR team, spin.
Who knew a lonely house show appearance would light the IWC on fire. But apparently the world’s on Taker watch as WM 29 approaches.
After having one title shot taken away, you’d think Nick Diaz would play by the rules. Nope. He misses interviews & might be yanked again.
Dead Man rising
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Despite the royal treatment in the tourney, King Mo ate a spinning backfist for a KO loss that had us all laughing.
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If you know about Evie, you should know she has star power since the day she started. The Kiwi sensation made her debut in 2007. In five years, she has become one of New Zealand’s most popular wrestlers, more popular than Elvis! In 2012 she captured the IPW Women’s Championship (Impact Pro Wrestling) by kicking the rear end of her arch-rival Britenay as well as Megan-Kate to win the gold. Also she battled “Everybody’s Favorite Girlfriend” Jessie McKay to win the PWWA Interim title while Madison Eagles was sidelined from an injury that happened to her in 2011. Her stock was rapidly increasing as she will make her U.S. debut at SHIMMER Volume 53 at WrestleCon in New Jersey; home of the New Jersey Devils and MetLife Stadium, home to the New York Giants, New York Jets, and of course, WrestleMania 29. In this awesome new interview, Evie will discuss her early years in the ring, as well as explaining every detail of her impressive milestones. Plus, she’ll talk about her rivals as well as most of SHIMMER’s historic names like Cheerleader Melissa, Saraya Knight, Kellie Skater and more. Let’s meet this New Zealand product who is skyrocketing her way to fame. Can you tell our readers about your early background? I was an active kid from an early age, as I was raised in a very sports loving family. We did a lot of school and club based sports, but Athletics was the main addiction for my family. Every weekend there would be a track and field meet that we would participate in, or a cross country race to compete in. So yeah, a pretty fit and active household! I was also a very arty kid, and loved fashion. Hence why I love getting new gear every so often! It’s an addiction, what can I say? What got you interested in wrestling? I started watching it with my younger brother. Initially I wasn’t too interested in it, but the story lines really got me hooked. I started to appreciate the athleticism more so, and loved watching all the awesome moves and the way these guys in the ring would perform them with such finesse. You made your debut in New Zealand in 2007. What was your debut like? page 12
My debut was actually December 2007, in an intergender tag team match. Funnily enough, the 2008-2010 period of wrestling is all very blurred to me, but I do remember my debut match quite well. I think I tripped in my entrance, which was amazing! I also recall being extremely nervous beforehand. The match itself felt extremely long, even though it was only about 8 minutes…I’ll put that down to nerves too. Going through that curtain for the first time was definitely something special! Not only do you wrestle for Impact Pro Wrestling in your native New Zealand, but also in PWA under the PWWA banner in Australia as well. What is it like to wrestle over there? Wrestling and being a part of the PWA/PWWA roster is really special to me. It is like my home away from home, and I’ve learnt so much from wrestling those girls over there! I look up to a few of them too, before I jumped the ditch to wrestle. Names like Madison Eagles, Jessie McKay and Kellie Skater I had seen wrestle before, and really respected what they had done. So being included amongst those girls and to perform alongside them at the shows is really mind blowing. In April you will make your debut at SHIMMER starting with Volume 53 at WrestleCon in Secaucus, NJ. What is is like being part of the famous promotion that houses stars like Kellie Skater, Jessie McKay, Cheerleader Melissa and Saraya Knight? It’s crazy! I’m so honored to be wrestling alongside these women, and to be a part of SHIMMER… I’m finding it hard to grasp what’s actually happened, to be honest! It’ll be an amazing experience to say the least and I’m hoping to gain a lot of knowledge from it. Speaking of Jessie McKay, you faced her in the finals to crown the PWWA Interim Champion. What is it like to face a rising superstar like Jessie? Jessie is one of the names I look up to. She is such an amazing competitor, and to be in the ring with her was amazing! She’s super agile and athletic, and our styles meshed together really well. I’d love the opportunity to face her again, but we also
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make a pretty rad tag team!
Do you watch WWE or TNA’s product? I catch both, when I can, now and then. It’s pretty In August of last year you were first Wom- busy for me right now though, so it’s hard for me en’s Champion in your home promotion IPW. to catch their shows! Can you tell our readers how you won the title? Diva Dirt listed you as one of their Five to It was decided via a triple threat match between Watch in 2011, but since then, your stock myself, Britenay and my ex-BFF Megan Kate. It began to rise. What was it like to be chosen was a very solid match, and us three girls gave it by their Five to Watch? our all from start to finish. I managed to get the Uhhh, pretty surprising! Mainly because, I didn’t pin over Megan, and to be the first IPW women’s really register that anyone on an international champ was amazing to say the least. The IPW fans scale would have any clue who I was. Especially had seen us girls grow and become better wres- coming from a country so out of the way, haha! tlers over those years, and their support at that But in all seriousness it was such an honor to be show was pretty epic too! It was an emotional ex- listed as one of the five to watch from a top female perience. wrestling site like Diva Dirt. Very weird to see my name on there, alongside other top female athletes What’s your take on the world of women’s :) wrestling? Women’s wrestling is definitely strong where it matters. There are so many talented women on the indy scene right now, which is great. I can’t wait to really get amongst it! Do you consider working independently or do you wish the big companies like TNA or WWE come calling to you? Right now, I’m working on gaining as much experience as I can independently. That includes my trip over to the USA later this year, as well as my regular trips over to Australia to learn from the girls there. Obviously, getting paid the big bucks to do what you love would be the ultimate goal, but on the indies there are places where women’s wrestling is respected. I’d love to focus on that aspect right now, and hone my craft. I still have so much to learn! What is your most memorable match in your career? I’ve had a few pretty memorable matches to date, but my first match against Kellie Skater stands out to me. It was my first trip outside of New Zealand to wrestle which, in itself, was nerve-wracking and exciting. Then to be facing off against someone of her calibre was pretty epic. From that match alone, I learnt so much and was pushed outside my comfort zone; I’d only ever wrestled the kiwi’s back home. She’s an amazing competitor! @HitTheRopes
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Let’s start with some name association. I say a name, you respond however you please. Jessie McKay? Agile, lovable personality and talented. Will make it, one day! Britenay? Bitchy Brawler. Takes no prisoners. My first arch rival.
Madison Eagles? Athletic and hard hitting… someone I look up to and am constantly learning from. Saraya Knight? Has a real passion for the business, and is a great (and scary!) SHIMMER Champion. Cheerleader Melissa? Amazing talent, someone I have looked up to. Would love the opportunity to wrestle her.
Megan-Kate? Ex-BFF. Traitor. Backstabbing bitch. Need I go on? But in terms of wrestling, she’s pretty ruthless Britani Knight (Paige)? and aggressive! A standout in the WWE developmental at the moment. Fingers crossed she gets called up soon! Kellie Skater? Could never get sick of wrestling her. So much (Question from Martin Bentley) What are respect to all that she has done -she really gets your dream five opponents for your upcomaround with wrestling! ing trip to SHIMMER in April? I don’t really have a limited list of 5 opponents, as I would love to face every one of them if I could! That would be the ultimate learning boost for me, and just a great experience all round. What does the future hold for you, Evie? Hopefully, a successful career wrestling. And not too many injuries :) To be happy is the ultimate goal, and wrestling plays a massive part in that. In closing, would you like to leave a last message for your fans? Thanks to all of you for taking a chance on me, and for supporting me. It’s been truly overwhelming! You guys are really the reason why we all do this at the end of the day, so thank you, thank you, thank you. #TEAMKICK Thanks goes out to Evie for her time for this interview. To learn more, follow her on Twitter @ Evie_IPW.
You can follow me on Twitter @matthewhollie as well as Wrestle Enigma @WrestleEnigma and The Color Commentator @HitTheRopes
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Last night the wind whistled in the background as my eyes were fixated on the television screen. There wasn’t a sound and dinner was barely consumed. RAW was that good, huh? Not actually, melatonin were making the final preparations, getting my body ready for slumber. Yes, the day was a long one, but the way RAW was going had me in slumped state not because I was exhausted (I was) but because there wasn’t anything good (I mean, really good). The CM Punk/Rock segment was solid as I assumed the slight fight that emerged within me to stay awake... or, at least to not change the channel. Punk’s loyalists ate that up as I checked my social networks to see other views on the events that were transpiring on RAW.
As the Punk loyalists chattered away about his megalomaniac rebuttal to the People’s Champ I was focused on Paul Heyman’s greatness. All of a sudden my posture was proper and dinner, well dinner was gone. What made it so great was the execution, it was nearly flawless. Amazing execution of anything anyone preforms is difficult. Amazing execution of something that is widely obvious, expected, or suspected is just on another echelon. Paul Heyman was of course caught red handed with video footage being linked to The Shield and Brad Maddox. It was his response(s) that showed how valuable he is to the company.
“I’m trying to become an
Even in Las Vegas, with the roulette, there was barely a whiff of gambling or taking a chance at honorable man,” he pleaded. all with the show. As always, the big boys like to save the royal flush for last after hours of pairs “I can’t tell you I’ve been a saint, I’ve never been a saint in my life...but I want to be here,” Heyand somewhat questionable hands.` man preached.
The show was stolen, stolen in such a fashion
the doors to slumber were suddenly slammed shut. No, it wasn’t The Rock. It wasn’t John Cena. It wasn’t a pipebomb. It wasn’t even the Y2J or the show stealing “Show Off” aka “Mr. Money In The Bank” Dolph Ziggler. (He sold the heck out of his Rumble elimination though). It was Paul Heyman. Paul Heyman stole the show and it was phenomenal.
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What made Heyman’s segment so golden was the fact that he was telling the truth. Perhaps not the truth about his involvement with The Shield but about himself, other bosses, managers, owners, and everyday people like us. We are not saints but we strive to be honorable or at least attempt to be.
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Whether we like it or not, truth is a good number of us lie everyday or every other day. The fans, the WWE Universe, the Wrestling Internet Community (mostly) were clamoring, drooling, and crying for prestige to be brought back to the WWE Championship. Wish granted...but was the price too steep? Sure, CM Punk was great but with so many stars as good as him on the roster how long would he have held on to the title?
sions and no matter how dishonorable they were, Heyman really orchestrated a masterful plan. The timely return of Brock Lesnar even further casts the benefits of Heyman’s vivid scheming ways in the kaleidoscopic angles of fortunate and misfortunate events in the WWE Universe. Who knows, Heyman probably recruited Brock to come back and take of Vince because he knew he was going to be outed.
Regardless, the puppeteer has struck again and as he had nothing to do with Lesnar’s return, he’ll John Cena, simply, never gives up (pun intend- probably have nothing to do with what he does ed) and Ryback, has an bottomless pit abyss for a next. The puppeteer crafted these illusions so we stomach. wouldn’t have to drown in the truth. Whatever happens going forth in, some nonsensical and disPaul Heyma n may be liar, he may be a cheater, and honorable way, will be done for us the people. no good, but he delivered what the people wanted, a champion. Prestige. Paul Heyman is the people’s champ. Sometimes you have to make tough decipage 18
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In the world of talent evaluation—or any evaluation for that matter—there is always some level of personal bias. It’s generally accepted that the evaluator must then overcome his or her own personal biases and make a final evaluation based only on available hard data and empirical evidence. Sometimes the bias is incredibly small, and the evaluator doesn’t even have to think about it. For instance, I like Jimmy Wang Yang, but not enough to seriously put him ahead of any number of other wrestlers on a given roster. Other times the bias is bigger, and the evaluator must then not only admit that a bias was in play, but he or she must then seek out and present evidence to support their ruling—especially if they feel their bias is ultimately the correct view. page 21
That sounds really complicated, but it’s very simple if you break it down: If you have a bias in an evaluation, you have to overcome it to remain objective and must admit that a bias is there. And if you ultimately still rule in favor or your biased feelings, you must present strong evidence defending your position. That being established, I need to admit something before I go into this column: If all tangible categories were otherwise equal, I would simply like Mickie James and Lita (in that order) more than I like Trish Stratus. I’ve liked both Mickie and Lita more going all the way back to my days as the defacto editor of Bleacher Report’s Wrestling section. I am biased toward them and against
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Stratus; however, I feel my opinions on the matter sion turn to her wrestling skills.” are—in this case—justified. He’s absolutely right there, and in fact, may not I co-host In the Room (ITR) with PWI’s Brady have gone far enough in his criticism of Stratus’ Hicks and Derrick McDonald. Shortly after the supporters and billing. It’s admittedly a hard topannouncement of Bruno Sammartino’s induction, ic to breach. Stratus’ name is simply accepted as we did a combined show with What’s Wrong with fait accompli in the discussion of greatest women Wrestling. Most of the night was spent—in some wrestlers. She probably shouldn’t be. form or another—talking about the Hall of Fame. We talked about names which probably shouldn’t First, we need to look at how Trish Stratus is trube in there (Arnold Skaaland, James Dudley, Peter ly remembered. Nearly every retrospective on or Maivia, etc.), we talked about obvious names still about her puts her looks first, and her wrestling omitted, and then we talked about this year’s class. second. That’s important to note because the two women I put forth as being in a class above her— At time, we had just finished discussing whether Mickie and Lita—certainly get credit for their own or not Mick Foley gets the respect he deserves. attractiveness. However, with them it’s nearly alThe discussion started with a question which was ways second fiddle to their wrestling abilities. For roughly posed as follows: “Realistically, you know Stratus’ career, the matches and titles aren’t as reonly three of the four names announced are going membered as the times where she was on screen to get their speeches aired on television; how up- as much for her sex appeal as her ability. Simply set does it make you that Bob Backlund is almost put: Number of times Trish Stratus stripped to her definitely going to be the odd man out?” underwear and barked like a dog on all fours: One. Number of combined times Mickie James or Lita That wasn’t a question I’d really given much did the same: Zero. thought to since the announcement of Sammartino’s induction, but placed in front of the entire panel it was hard to ignore. Everyone was in agreement that the premise was all but assuredly true, and that it was a great disservice to Backlund, especially given that the man whom would later fulfill the same role in the 90’s which Backlund served in the 80’s—Bret Hart—headlined his class. But how disrespectful was it? This is a pretty stacked class of inductees—any of them could have been headliners in their own classes, right? Mick Foley? Definitely. Sammartino? Indisputably. Backlund? The case could certainly be there. Stratus? Ah. That’s where the discussion, my bias, and the crux of this column, come into play. Paraphrasing my man Brady will serve as a great jumping off point for the meat of this column: “Do you guys really think Trish Stratus deserves the praise she gets? Hall of Famer? Sure, I guess she probably is, but she always gets billed as the greatest female wrestler of all time, and I just don’t think that’s even close to true. She gets those accolades, and then all the discussion is about how she looked great and only after that does the discus@HitTheRopes
Second, one must look at what happened when Trish Stratus was away from the belt. At a time when WWE was carrying a bevy of women and running multiple angles with them, what did Stratus do when she wasn’t around the Women’s title? Was she feuding with Molly Holly or Candice Michelle? Perhaps she was actively involved with a tag team? Nope. She was acting as a sultry foil to The Rock. The belt made Stratus, she didn’t make the belt. And without that strap—and by proxy a quality opponent—Stratus was simply Torrie Wilson with a little wrestling ability.
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That leads into the third, and most crucial, point. Stratus did not make the feuds she was in, her opponents did. Mickie and Lita were the true stars of the programs they were involved in with Stratus, and it’s when Stratus takes a backseat to them that the programs became their best. Lita made those feuds matter. Mickie James made that program matter—especially at Wrestlemania 22, where James absolutely outshined Stratus in every aspect. Stratus didn’t make the stars, she was merely a good, safe choice to put with the true headliners.
above names like Mickie James, Lita, Mae Young, The Fabulous Moolah, MsChif, Cheerleader Melissa, and Jazz, but lead with her looks and shy away from her career built not of her, but by others around her, are we really doing the sport and those other women a true service?
Ashley Morris over at L.E.W.D. spent time talking about the respect women’s wrestling deserves when he previewed Elimination Chamber last month. To quote: “Women’s wrestling will never get the respect some fans (self included) feel it deserves unless we give it the respect it deserves.”
And remember what it’s like to lose perspective on that.
The bottom line is this: When you’re watching the induction ceremony (I certainly will be), remember that when she’s billed as the greatest women’s wrestler of all time, it was done on the backs of women far stronger than she. That one can’t truly This isn’t necessarily a knock on Stratus. She be the best if their most remembered traits are wasn’t bad, she could do what you needed her to courtesy of wardrobe and not because of their steldo and not injure the real star in a match. She was lar work on-screen. That there are greater names essentially the women’s version of the Million Dol- from that division not yet inducted, and greater lar Man, and in some sense she certainly deserves names not of WWE out there still making their careers. commendation for that.
Ray Bogusz is the co-host of the award winning wrestling broadcast “In The Room” on thebradyhicks.com and a monthly contributor to The Color Commentator. You can contact him by That’s certainly true—and a sentiment I’ve echoed email c/o TCC Magazine or reach him via his Twita number of times over the years on various out- ter @RayITR. lets. But if we’re going to put Stratus on a pedestal page 23
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It’s been a while since we’ve seen you on TV, and we’ve heard that you had previously been contemplating retiring, but what has led you to put that on hold as you’ve been doing a lot of touring recently?
the course of 4 months, dropped 40 pounds. And how he’s doing so great, and has his flexibility and his health back and feels better than he’s felt… uh, ever. I was intrigued because this isn’t the first time I had heard this. I have friends who have acOnce you step in the door of wrestling, it kind of tually ordered the DVD workout suggest I order it gets you. And when you take a break, or even when myself. you’re injured, you miss it. You sleep wrestling… you just breathe it. It’s just in your blood and it’s But talking to Jake, he hooked me up with DDP got you. You can’t stay away from the ring too long, himself and he sent me out a complimentary packit beckons you back. age...and I started on it and the rest of it’s history. It’s really been amazing. Right, and as you said, you miss it and can’t stop. You’ve been tweeting and talking to TMZ about Is there a meal package with this? Or is it just the getting in better shape, bringing a better Amaz- physical aspect? What separates it from Insanity ing Kong. Have you gotten there as you’re adding and all of those other things? more and more appearancves. How do you feel condition wise? Well, there is a meal plan that you can follow if you It is still in the process. I think as people watch choose to. But what’s great and keep an eye out on my happenings they will about it is if you’re sufsee an evolution of sorts, as I progress. I’ve gotten fering from an injury heavily in with the DDP Yoga. And it’s been MAR- such as mine,
and disabilities from mundane VELOUS. It’s been an eye opening experience as actions, the moves are very simple yet effective. far as a journey down to better health. I have the Insanity workout too. However, with my injury, I wasn’t able to execute the moves well Yes, DDP has blown up as late. I guess his biggest enough to get the benefit from it. With this, buildthing in the wrestling realm is his progress with ing up resistance in DDP’s workout is just aweJake Roberts, the transformation and everybody some. Very simple…low impact…yet high results. knows his story…how has this (DDP Yoga) impacted you and long have you been on it? With your back injury, is the only way to get over it with surgery? It’s been about two months now. The week after Thanksgiving I did the Resistance show for the Actually, the specialist, and everyone that I’ve first time and I saw Jake there. And I couldn’t be- met, said if I want to continue wrestling, that’s not lieve how great he looked. He actually helped me really an option for me. Everyday has been about up the stairs if you can believe that or not. And I let managing my back and my pain and coping with him know how much trouble I’ve been having with living life everyday. You use your back in everymy back. I have two herniated disk from just all thing. It’s easy to take it for grant it until you hurt my work over 10 years of wrestling. And we talked it. But at least I’m on course where I can see the at length, and he told me about the program and light at the end of the tunnel already. how well it’s worked for him. And how he, over @HitTheRopes
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Okay, well take us back, as the last time most people saw you was when you were with WWE. But take us when you returned to the ring, post WWE? I know I saw you at Shine, both 5 and 6, what was it like getting back in the ring for the first time after the hiatus from the cameras.
system for all the promotions you’ve worked for, what’s your favorite?
That’s such a difficult question to answer. Because this journey hasn’t been my own, I’ve had a lot of help. Japan was an eye opening experience. Just the camaraderie there with everyone because I was It was extremely nerve-racking, believe it or not. I so inexperienced. But everyone there, they helped hadn’t been in front of ANY kind of crowd settings me evolve everyday. So that time was so precious in months…in nearly a year. And even though it to me. However, anyone who’s American, and gets was an intimate setting, it was still an iPPV and into wrestling, inspires to get on the WWE roster. I know many more people were watching online. Once I got there, I felt my career was truly, truly And that I was working with the awesome, most validated. technical female wrestler Jazz, and Mercedes Martinez and Rain. But it was a kind of a pace setter to So as we were leading up to the Rumble, and we see how far I was able to go in the future as far as saw you at Shine, were you in contact by the WWE taking on more bookings. To see if I can take on a to return? schedule like I have been lately. Well things like that I don’t normally discuss, beAwesome! Well, you were attacked by the new ing contacted by either company, but what I will group down in Shine, the Valkyrie group. What is say is don’t count Kharma out. The WWE schedyour view on the women in that group? ule…that’s a hard schedule. It demands a lot of stamina. Physically, emotionally, mentally. But They’re evil! Coming back and feeling the love all once I reach the point where feel I can maintain the fans have shown me, has made me forget how that schedule, you may see me back there. villainous wrestlers can be. But when you turn your back for a minute, that’s what happens. But if anyone can talk about villainous acts…you weren’t the nicest of people in the ring yourself. We can remember some of those Knockouts days, and I’m pretty sure the WWE Divas weren’t taking it kindly when you were interrupting their matches. That’s your opinion, and you’re entitled to it, but I, however, believe if anyone suffered a blow from my hand…they deserved it. That’s my opinion. If you made me angry enough for me to pick you up and throw you across the room, then you had it coming. Speaking of a blow of your hand, whose backfist is more dangerous, yours or Eddie Kingston? I’d say neither. I’d say Aja Kong. Okay, there you go. Let’s get this question out of the way. From John, a big fan, if you had a ranking @HitTheRopes
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Now you talk about the schedule, and we’ve heard about the release, you said it was a good thing. Was a good thing just for YOU personally…or just for the WWE?
Okay, well you said it was a health thing. Where are you on your journey back? Could you place a number on how close your return is?
I don’t have a number for that. I don’t think I will For the WWE? Uh no, I don’t think it was good know until I look back, once I’m ready, and say for the WWE. I think the WWE fans really enjoyed “Yes, now I’m ready.” I think it will be one of those the Kharma character and deserve her. However, random overnight things. You will see a BIG, big after my debut, following that, I had a very tough change in me appearance wise. That’s mostly what year. It takes a lot to recoup from that. As far as, I’m looking for. I think fans will... I think you will of course, my physical problems right now, that know before I do. If that makes any sense. schedule, I can’t maintain that schedule right now. So I think it’s best that I move on, recoup and get Okay, fair enough. Well, going back into your hisbetter and perhaps come back. If you’ve noticed, tory I’ve found while searching on the Internet, they apparently didn’t do the future endeavor on so you know it’s true, that you have had an MMA me, just moved me to the Alumni section. Which bout. Yet I can see no pictures…no videos…did this a lot of people are reading between the lines, and happen? Did you have a match? found that kind of curious, as did I. As well as a compliment. That means to me that the door may Yes I did! It’s funny, [be]cause when people ask, be wide open. But there are things that need to be “Have you ever done MMA?” “Yes, I’m undefeatdone on my end and I think the WWE took a lot of ed actually.” I don’t tell them it’s only been one heat for my release. [laughs] Very, very unfairly. match. I’m undefeated. [laughs] It was quite the People don’t know the variables that went down experience. It was QUITE the experience. A lot of people didn’t want me to do it. They said if you there. @HitTheRopes
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lose, it would put a really big dent in your wrestling career. I didn’t feel that way. I just wanted to experience something new. I felt the training was harder than the actual bout. [continues to laugh] The training was brutal. The match itself was very tiring. I grew up watching boxing, and I would always wonder why the two boxers would hug each other. You know…they were tired. Dead tired. It’s a very exhausting thing, but the girl lost graciously. Her coach had to throw in the towel. You were beating her that bad, huh? Yeah, it got to the point they had to throw in the towel for her. They had to get me off of her. But funny enough, as soon as they announced me the winner…I spotted an opponent I was in conflict with in pro wrestling-wise in the crowd. As soon as they raised my hand, I jet out the ring and I go for her! [laughing] Because hey, here’s a whole bunch of cameras around, the news is there so why not put the angle over? Let me tell you, these officials at this MMA bout did not go for that. But I got my angle over in the newspapers so I was happy. Please tell me there’s some footage out there somewhere. There used to be. There used to be online footage. I, myself, have tried to show my fiancé this bout, and I haven’t been able to locate it in about three years. I wish I can remember her name. She was a black belt in karate. They specified me as a brown belt, but it was awesome. A funny story. We had met backstage and exchanged pleasantries and she had friends with her. I guess she assumed I could not understand Japanese but I’m 15 feet away and her and her friend were talking. And her friend says, “Oh, that’s the girl you are about to face and her face looks scary.” And she says, “Yeah, she’s just a pro wrestler. And they don’t know how to fight for real.” And I was so grateful that she said that because like I said, if you’ve ever met my hand…you deserved it. And this is a new thing for me, so never coming in to this mixed martial arts, not knowing her background…and this isn’t a street fight or anything. So what has this woman done to me for me to go @HitTheRopes
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after her like that? So now she gave me a reason then. So I was so grateful for that boost; now I’m going to kick your ass now for that.
cial camaraderie.
And my senior year, my mother…she’d always wanted a cheerleader for a daughter. My older sisNow we know you’re main goal is to return to the ter was a basketball player. One day when I just WWE but is there any chance you’d go in to the happened to come home and say, “Oh, their havrealm of MMA? ing cheer leading.” I hated cheerleaders. All my friends are cheerleaders now. “All my friends were No…um. If my back was in A-1 shape, I would con- trying out, IDIOTS!” I’m just saying this in passsider it. You never know. But first thing is first, my ing and making fun. Well my mother said, “Why wrestling fans get what they’ve been waiting for. don’t you go?” I was like, “No, I hate them. They’re So let’s take care of that. all snobs and...” she said, “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll buy you a BMW if you go out and make the team.” So preparing for this interview I saw you got to I said “Well…YEAH!” raid the WWE closet upon getting signed, what is the coolest thing you got your hands on? So for a whole week you had to go to this camp and learn the cheers, and at the end of the camp An Undertaker action figure you tryout. Well, this was like two days before the tryouts. And I had a friend who was a cheerleader, Why the Undertaker of all people? her names was Erica. And I asked her to teach me the cheers and since I was on inner city drill team I I met him once when I was younger. As you know, could pick up the choreography just like that. And the WWE usually does Family Feud often; my we had to make up a routine, so I made up a roumother was the contestant coordinator for Family tine. And at the time I can tumble. So tumbling Feud back in the 80s. When the wrestlers came we went really far, because not everyone could tumble got to come to work with her. And he was there. and do flips like I could. My brother and,I, avid wrestling fans, and this was past the point where he used to torture me every So I tried out and MADE it. They only had 10 weekend, just loved wrestling. I said, “Mr. Under- spots, 100 girls tried out and 10 made it. And 3 or taker, Mr. Undertaker, I want to be a pro wrestler 4 of those girls were already on the team. Needless when I grow up.” And he looked at me, I mean, to say, people were extremely upset. They called dead serious and said, “It’s a cutthroat business, a meeting because I wasn’t at the camp the whole kid.” And at the time I had no idea what he was week. They thought I should be disqualified. And talking about. I didn’t know if that was a new fin- these are my friends mind you. They saw I had a isher….I had no idea. I know now but… And from fail on my report card. They thought I should be kicked off the team. This whole mob of females then on I had a fascination with the Undertaker. were after my blood because I beat them out for Wow. Now speaking about your time as a kid, their spot. So, in hindsight, it pretty much prewhat type of kid was Awesome Kong? What type pared me for the business that I’m in now. So it of kid were you in high school? Did you terrorize was that bad. the halls? Were you the shy kid? It wasn’t all bad, because I was still voted HomeBefore I was in my teens, very shy, quiet kid. I was coming Queen that year. So it wasn’t all bad. It was extremely quiet. More of a watch what’s going on a kind of geek to chic story. So high school was a type of deal. My mom got me into the inner city blast! drill team and that opened up my social attitude. Just being more social and outgoing. When I got So you just broke my whole stereotype of you terto high school I tried out for color guard in the 9th rorizing kids. grade. On that team I got to experience more so@HitTheRopes
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Well, I think people think because my ferocity that I don’t appreciate feminine things, but that’s to the contrary; I rather do. But I’m still a person to be recognized. So if you want some, come get it. She’s the homecoming queen that will kick your ass. This is true. Somebody hold my crown now. Hold my crown and my sash. [laughter]
childhood. Not just once, but twice. And we had to start all over again. I just remember the first time it burnt down and starting over again was hard. And it was around Christmas time and my mother didn’t have the resources to get everything on my list, so she had to solicit outside help. And I think it was the Red Cross or one of those factions that had access to toys. And one thing on my list was the Barbie and The Rockers Band. And I wasn’t a kid who asked for much, but I wanted this band so bad.
Credit: Wayne MCarty That’s funny. Now let me ask you this, I see you do a lot for others. From Toys for Tots and speaking with kids. How did that get instilled in you? Well, I’ve had a lot of experiences in my life where I’ve needed someone’s help. My mother was a very philanthropic person. She was the director for the inner city drill team, which she felt lowered the chances for young girls to have teen pregnancies. And young men from being involved in gangs and such. So that was something that was instilled in me by mother. And our house was burnt down twice during my @HitTheRopes
And one day there was box under the tree, suspiciously the same shape and size as the Barbie and The Rockers Band. And we always had someone taken in with us, who had it kinda worse than we did. Her friend Debra had her two kids with us. And her daughter Nikki, just like the snake in Eden, coaxed me into tearing a piece of the box to see if it really was. Now I was instructed not to touch the presents. But she got into my head, and I tore off a piece, although I never disobeyed. And my mother, never one to miss a beat, saw that we tore a piece despite trying to hide it with branches. And she took it back and she had actually bought
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that. Now that night I was so enraged I jumped on poor Nikki and beat her to a pulp. She made me do it. So that night I got on my knees and prayed to God, “Please just find a way to get me this the Barbie and The Rockers Band I will be a better person, and only give people what they deserve.” And the Red Cross came through and got it for me. And from then on, if anyone ever just needs a leg up, I will do all I can to help them. To pay it forward. Now let’s go back to when you began your pro wrestling career and you went to Japan to work with Aja and all of them. How long did it take you get fluent to the language and culture over there? Well, I think it took me about 6 months to get about as good as I’d ever get. [laughs] My Japanese friends say I have a speaking capacity of a toddler. Which I can still get by. I can order food and tell people when you have to go to the bathroom. Of course in Japan they teach English in the schools. So although I was eager to learn more Japanese, they wanted to practice their English on me. So it put a hindrance on my Japanese learning.
themselves, to keep this business going, of course I am definitely behind. In response to keeping wrestling alive, do you plan on getting involved with this whole movement to save Olympic Wrestling? You know as they are looking to cut wrestling from the Olympics? Wait, WHAT! I need to put down my [Downton] Abbey for a minute, and really get into what’s going on in the real world. Okay, now I have to look into this. That can’t happen! That’s a staple. That’s one of the sports that forever stays in the Olympics. Because one, it comes from Greece as the Greeks used to wrestle. And like Olympia and Greece…help me out here. [Right, it’s the oldest sport in the world.] Right? You can’t kick out the oldest sport in the world for freaking tennis table top with the…NO! You definitely…and speaking as an undefeated MMA fighter [laughs] I will definitely voice my opinion and speak out for saving wrestling for the Olympics.
Okay, most of our listeners will know more of your TNA days. It’s still talked about what you and Gail I’m assuming it’s a money thing or ratings. Kim did for that Knockouts division. How proud were you of what you accomplished back then? Oh, don’t tell me I need to train for Olympic wrestling and make it interesting now, too? They may Immensely. Just the fact that people still bring it have a hard time finding someone for my weight up, I never get tired of that. Because it instills how class, but still. I will fight for my country, the red, important it was to women’s wrestling. People white, and blue. [laughing] were so invested into it. And that doesn’t happen much anymore because a lot fans are so jaded that I think if you throw your hat in and people get a they think they know more than us wrestlers do. look at you and YouTube some of your past stuff So for fans to enjoy that, and get emotionally in- they’re going to say, “Holy hell, you know what, vested in that. So that makes me proud. I’m going to have to go watch her when wrestling comes on.” I think you can save the sport singleAnd now we see the TNA Knockouts division, sim- handedly. ilarly to the Divas division, isn’t really getting the time. How do you feel about the Gut Check Chal- You asked the question about MMA but I’m more lenge and women getting a shot in TNA? prone to save wrestling in the Olympics because people would probably watch me because I have I think it’s a great opportunity. I understand my these crazy antics out of the ring, as well as in, as friend Jay Bradley was recently awarded a contract you well know. That’s something that I would redue to the Gut Check opportunity. He is an ex- ally have to investigate. tremely underrated wrestler, so you will see great things from him. Anything that gives a wrestler an opportunity and keep them hopeful to better @HitTheRopes
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Rapid Fire Questions: Best thing to watch on TV right now? Walking Dead. If someone were to make a movie about you, who would play you and your surrounding cast? Queen Latifah would play myself…Gosh, who will we cast? Queen Latifah would play me…Who would play my hubby? Who looks nice? John Goodman would play my hubby. That’s it. We’ll that’s just it for right now. We’re just going to get the top two. What’s one thing you won’t leave the house without? My purse Favorite game show as a child? Wheel of Fortune, because I was on it. TCC Daris: You were on it? [TCC Shane: Meeee too.] You were on Wheel of Fortune? I was on it in 2002. I was on it in 2000…1 or the beginning of 2002. TCC Daris: Did you when anything? I sure did! $10,400 baby! TCC Shane: She was a much bigger winner than me. I only won $3,000. I only won one category.
Apple or PC? Apple What phone do you rock now? iPhone Favorite movie of all time? Ever After: A Cinderella Story starring Drew Barrymore. I thought you’d say Back to the Future here with all that talk lately. Well, I would watch for 24 hours, and I would take it with me if I was on that deserted island. I’m still a girl too, hello. I will leave you with this, if you could meet any celebrity in a dark alley, who would it be and why? If I could meet any celebrity in a dark alley… We’d be your alibi, if needed. Ah, it would probably be Chris Brown. Anything you’d like to say to your fans? Keep watch! ` Follow Amazing Kong/Awesome Kong/Kharma on Twitter: @Kharma.
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In professional wrestling, it has been a common conception that the finest in the sport go out with the biggest bang. In a final attempt to cement their legacies as one of the elite and most memorable men and women to grace the wrestling ring, many of the great Superstars and Divas bring their best to the table when they know the sand in the hourglass is depleting. Whether it had been the epic rivalry between Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, and Triple H, a five year work in progress, to Batista’s career turnaround beginning at Bragging Rights 2009, or even Mark Henry’s late institution to his “Hall of Pain,” it is safe to say the best always leave with hopes of being remembered in an even higher perception than beforehand. The same can be said for another former WWE Superstar, who is unfortunately remembered for all the wrong reasons. That man’s name is Jeff Hardy. If you want to talk about wrestlers departing on a high note then look no further. Prior to his return in 2006, Jeff Hardy was already an established tag team specialist. Renowned for being part of one of the most successful tag teams of the mid 90s and early 2000s, Hardy was not only a decorated tag team champion, but a reputable singles competitor. Holding 16 championships prior to his first WWE Championship victory in 2008, Hardy’s journey to the top of the ladder was one that he paid his dues for. From the very beginning everyone knew that Jeff Hardy was a rare commodity. Upon returning to the WWE in 2006, Hardy was quickly held in the hearts of the WWE fans more than ever before. Always the preferred Hardy Boy, Jeff was one of the very few professional wrestlers in his time to possess the “cool factor.” Whether you loved him or you hated him, Hardy’s relaxed demeanor and daredevil tactics made him one of the most beloved men to grace a wrestling ring throughout his entire career. He had simply been able to cheat death inside of the squared circle.
“I’m tired for being sorry…I live in a world of grey and that’s what allows me to do things that others just can’t do. That’s what allows me to fail and get back up. I have lived my whole life on pure emotion….” -Jeff Hardy to The Undertaker on November 14th, 2008 edition of Smackdown
As a matter of fact, some of his historic risks have forever been implanted in Raw’s history as some of the most, “Oh my God!” moments in wrestling history. From jumping off the Raw set onto Randy Orton to leaping off a ladder onto CM Punk at Summerslam, Jeff Hardy will forever be a household name in WWE’s history. WWE even recently did an entire feature on their website, celebrating the career of the “Charismatic Enigma,” prior to news that he re-signed a contract with Impact Wrestling. What Jeff Hardy carried with him was not ability or a mannerism that one could acquire or work years to improve on, but a particular trait that was engrained in his bloodstream from the second he was born. He was calm, cool, collected, and the closest professional wrestling equivalent to a rock star. He wasn’t a ring general, he wasn’t a captivating in ring speaker, but he didn’t need to be to find success. As a matter of fact, it is a very debatable point that Jeff Hardy was a glorified “spot monkey” that relied on astonishing crowds with never-before-seen risk to get the audience behind him. However, regardless of what it took to get a reaction, he got it and thrived in the spotlight.
“I was born a free spirit and I’ve beat to my own drum ever since because I am human, you all are human, and we have the God-given right to live life the way we choose and be who we want to be” -Jeff Hardy on the January 31st, 2009 edition of Smackdown
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But unfortunately, Hardy felt the wrath of fame and superstardom that so many rock stars have. Much like the countless rock stars that couldn’t handle the astronomic rise to prominence, Hardy faced demons throughout his upswing to eminence that would never sanction him to be who we all knew he was destined to be. The free spirited nature of Hardy made him far more susceptible to the dangers of substance abuse and poor decision making than his successor on Smackdown in 2009, the straightedge, CM Punk. Even prior to his meteoric push, Hardy had become a victim to his own iniquities and addiction. Sentenced to two WWE Wellness policy violations, one in 2007 and one in 2008, Hardy would be stripped of his opportunity to truly reach his true potential. Because of his vices, Hardy would be unable to compete at WrestleMania XXVI in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match, in which many speculated he was the odds on favorites. Demons that Hardy faced on the ascension to superstar status had proven to be a hindrance in his path to success. But with one strike left before an unquestioned termination, Hardy had seemingly overcome all of his personal struggles to prove to WWE officials that he deserved one last opportunity. And then, Hardy was moved to Smackdown. Certainly on the rise on Raw, Hardy would undoubtedly become the face of Friday nights. And he did. But just as he became a global sensation and a face of the WWE franchise, Jeff Hardy would opt to not renew his contract. After an approximate year of finally validating himself as the household name that wrestling fans knew who could be and feuding with the likes of Triple H, Edge, Undertaker, Umaga, and CM Punk on Smackdown, Hardy was a standout performer that was quickly growing larger with each and every week. Yet, Hardy decided not to renew his contract with Vince McMahon’s billion dollar enterprise in pursuit of healing time for nagging injuries and to pursue a more easygoing schedule. The Friday night after Summerslam 2009, we all knew it was over. page 37
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“This is not goodbye forever, this is only good bye for now. And if the time is right, I’m sure I will see you all in the future…Yours truly, Jeff Hardy. Yours truly, this life.” - Jeff Hardy’s final address to the WWE Universe on August 28th, 2009 edition of Smackdown And then shortly after his departure, Hardy was arrested that September. Meanwhile, CM Punk took the ball and ran with it and the wheels of WWE kept spinning without the “Rainbow-Haired Warrior.” The next step for Jeff Hardy? To jump ship and join Impact Wrestling. And to be quite honest, the rest is truthfully a blur. With no knock towards Impact Wrestling (which is rare from me), Jeff Hardy’s career only took a nose dive from there. Despite quickly becoming the face of TNA, Hardy underwent the wrath of TNA’s indecisive booking, frequent character transformations, and a lackadaisical mindset to follow suit. Sure, he’s had his fair share of good matches and championship victories during his TNA run, but it is obvious that his “it” factor belonged on professional wrestling’s @HitTheRopes
number one organization, not the minor leagues. Becoming rather content with mediocrity and dealing with the same crowd each and every week, Jeff Hardy was a mere shadow of being the mainstream attraction he was in his final days with the WWE. The sad truth is that besides his relapse on Victory Road and his consistently delayed trials from several misdemeanors, it was clear that Jeff Hardy was not able to fully overcome all of his demons and was not able to cement his legacy as one of the best of his generation as a result. To be quite frank, he screwed up on too many occasions to ever be reliable enough to warrant another chance. And once again, he’s atop the mountain top in Impact Wrestling as the TNA World Heavyweight Champion, yet he cannot appear overseas due to probation. Convincing TNA officials that he is now clean of substances and sober, Hardy rides high in 2013 trying to prove that second chances are worth distributing, yet we can never be too sure to ever trust Jeff Hardy again. And why should we? We can’t.
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“I let everybody down. I let myself down because I know I wasn’t the main eventer I know I am…I can’t change what happened at Victory Road, but I can admit at Victory Road I hit rock bottom. I can’t expect you to forgive me and give me another chance, I can’t expect everyone in the back to forgive me and give me another chance. All I can do is ask. Give me one more shot. All I can do is ask.” -Jeff Hardy addressing the Impact Wrestling audience on his next appearance after Victory Road
This fundamentally leads me to my point on examining and exploring the lost legacy of an enigma. While he once again is a World Heavyweight Champion in a floundering organization, this is not where Jeff Hardy should be at 35 years old. In a perfect world, the younger Hardy brother would easily still be a main eventer on the highest platform of sports entertainment as one of the most decorated and popular men in the 21st century.
There are not many in WWE’s recent memory that earned each and every accolade like Hardy, which makes this a far sadder case than most to the wrestling world. And that is something I can applaud him for. He never took handouts. But sadly, he’s more closely correlated to Scott Hall than he is to Triple H. A once historic family name, now a punch line to many. And because of his vices and inability to combat his demons before it was too late, Jeff Hardy will always be remembered for the legacy he could have had, not the one he possesses at the twilight of his career.
“Even if you can’t control everything, you can always control something. Your body...use it... abuse it...because one day you’re gonna lose it.” -Jeff Hardy
Unfortunately, that is not the case. And I can fully admit to having my on gripes with Hardy and never being his greatest advocate, yet I can’t help but feel disappointed that he never became more than a “What If?” Superstar. Jeff Hardy will always be remembered in the record books as good, because of his ability to captivate audiences and astound them with each and every week…but he’ll never be great. When you glance at the greatest of the decade, such as John Cena, Edge, Triple H, and CM Punk, there is no question that Jeff Hardy could have been right there with the other current/future Hall of Fame elitists. Yet he is not and never will be. The rock star was his own worst enemy, and while he has been on a road to redemption, it is too late to save the lost legacy of a once great performer. While he was not the internet’s favorite wrestler, there was no denying the “it factor” that made him such a great asset in his final run with the WWE. And ten years from now, if Jeff Hardy is able to stay out of trouble and pursue a final hurrah with the organization he made a name for himself in, it still will only be a reminder of how he could have been remembered. page 39
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Terra Calaway
West Coast grappler Terra Calaway has started Dropkick Depression after coming out in an interview with Greg Demarco late last year and stating that she suffers from depression. The incredible interview led to the idea of DD. The following comes from its Facebook page.
ing feeling of relief came over me. I didn’t know what to expect, but I felt better knowing that I had finally admitted to it.
Then the responses came in. All of my friends, fans, and even some people who aren’t too fond of me all responded positively. Everyone was and understanding. I feared that Behind Dropkick Depression: encouraging Right before Christmas, I released a series of people would view me in a bad light, thinking tweets coming clean on my current fight against I’m weak or unstable, but everyone has been by depression. Before that time, I told no one of it. my side ever since. This has made the fight a little easier to bear. It’s still hard, but knowing I My parents, my boyfriend, my friends, my fans, no one. Those tweets was the first mention of it have support keeps me climbing out of the hole to anyone. After I finished the tweets, an amaz- of depression.
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What Dropkick Depression Is About:
Dropkick Depression is here to make sure everyone knows they are not alone. Some people may have a hard time telling their friends, family, and even trained professionals about their struggles. Dropkick Depression is a forum for those people to talk to others in the same boat as them. There’s the option of anonymity, but most people are finally comfortable to admit who they are after they’ve explained it all out. So far, the responses I’ve gotten from people who have submitted their stories to the website and who have even just come up to me at shows and vented there, have been overwhelming. After talking with them and after they’ve vented, there is a huge difference in their behavior. They are no longer scared, they know they aren’t alone. That’s what Dropkick Depression is about.
Dropkick Depression Plans:
How You Can Contribute:
There are many ways you can help contribute to Dropkick Depression. • Spread the word of the website and Twitter page. • Submit your own story of a hard time/struggle with depression. • Enter a donation to help expand the Dropkick Depression reach.
Donations will ONLY be used for:
• Advertising materials (T-Shirts, wristbands, etc) • Paid advertising in printed markets (magazines, newspapers, etc) • Paid advertising in non-printed markets (online magazines, websites, etc) • Printed help materials and brochures • Website space payment • Webinars/Seminars with trained professionals and/or for those suffering to reach out together
Currently, we have a website being sponsored by Wrestling Smash, a wrestling/MMA news site. On Where You Can Find Dropkick Depression: that site, people can view the original tweets by me, www.wrestlingsmash.com/dropkickdepression hear the 45 minute interview where I finally spoke www.twitter.com/dropkickdepression about it on the Greg DeMarco Show, send in dona- www.facebook.com/dropkickdepression tions, see the company tweets, and most importantly see others stories and submit their own. What I want to do in the future is be able to provide printed/online help materials, set up webinars/seminars, help relieve pain from those who need help the most, produce advertising materials (ex. Shirts, wristbands, etc) to help spread the word and show a sense of unity, and most importantly expand the story section with stories from all over the world to bring that unity to those who are traveling down the same road of recovery. I know that I am only one person and I know that I am a small part in this world, but I feel that one person can snowball into two into five into twenty and so on.
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It has been a long time since I have had the privilege for writing for The Color Commentator. Since the last edition of Off The Top Rope, many things have happened in the world of wrestling, both in the ring, and as this return edition will focus on, out of the ring as well. For almost as long as they have been around, video games have always been seen not only as a way to advance technology, but to sell and advertise. Along with this fusion of entertainment and marketing, the advancement of technology forced game developers to adapt to a new wave of video game consoles, and then develop games that would best represent the license or brand they were creating for. It is through this ambition to keep up with an evolving market, and a gamble on unproven technology that one of the largest video game studios, THQ, made one too many mistakes and left the WWE video game license, one of the largest in the gaming industry, up for bidding.
i n t o what it is today. WWF No Mercy for the Nintendo 64 remains one of the most treasured wrestling video games from the Attitude Era. Representing the pinnacle of what the Nintendo 64 was able to do in terms of processing power, it also successfully fused the expanded WWE roster as members of WCW and ECW began to join the WWE en masse.
Moving into the new millennium, the partnership between the WWE and THQ allowed both companies to develop a familiar rhythm of development, expansion, and experimentation with various game modes. Modes like Create-A-Storyline, Road to WrestleMania, and “WWE Universe” were at one point non-existent but now are main stays and essential to the experience that each fan expects to For many years, THQ had been the company when it participate in. As the games moved on from the came to developing games based around pro wres- N64 and the PlayStation One, they were soon estling. After companies like Acclaim had stepped tablished within the next generation of gaming aside, it was up to THQ to take advantage of a wres- consoles. The popular Smackdown! series eventling industry that was red hot. During the Attitude tually evolved into the Smackdown vs. Raw series Era, the company was able to produce successful that started in the PS2/Xbox generation but betitles such as WCW/N.W.O. Revenge and Wrestle- came fully established in the current generation of Mania 2000. Featuring deep rosters and an exten- video game consoles. Ironically, THQ would partsive mode known as Create-A-Wrestler, these two ner with Yuke’s, a Japanese company that had held features became staples in wrestling game develop- a majority stake in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Last ment, and that continue on to this day. The Cre- year, Yuke’s sold their stake in NJPW to trading ate-A-Wrestler mode allowed fans to create near card company BushiRoad. duplicates of wrestlers from rival promotions, and with the Internet just starting to become a popular Just as Create-A-Wrestler and Road to Wrestlemamedium for both wrestling and video game fans to nia were huge advances in the gaming experiences unite and share information, this mode blossomed for fans back in the late nineties and early 2000s, page 43
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the ability to download, edit, and share content amongst fans was becoming the rapidly growing and advancing area for the middle of the last decade. Downloadable Content (DLC) and being able to play friends and family over Xbox Live allowed a game that would normally have a shelf life of perhaps six months before having an outdated roster, would not have the ability to appear fresh and new every time you updated the game. This allowed the WWE to remain in contact with their fans via real time updates, and the Smackdown vs. Raw marquee would last until 2012, when THQ, now starting to show signs of serious financial trouble would debut a massive shift in their approach to how to not only present a WWE game, but also how it would be played.
With Randy Orton as their cover star, WWE’12 was promoted as a massive improvement in both graphic presentation and game play. The familiar grapple system that had been the bread and butter of the previous games was gone in favor of a system that was not very user friendly. It also appeared that the single player experience was not focused on as much as the multi-player experience, and although it was an improvement on the presentation, the game was reported to feel unfinished and not living up to expectation. This lackluster reception around what was hoped to be a new era in wrestling video games seemed to be just one of many problems that THQ was experiencing both before, during, and after the release of WWE ’12. Faced with mounting development costs in creating, marketing, and then releasing games for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Nintendo Wii, the company made a series of critical and creative missteps. Starting with the failure of their big budget @HitTheRopes
first person shooter, Homefront, and the demise of their Red Faction franchise. The company, which had also held the rights to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), was forced to part with the UFC just to keep the company in operation. The main reason for the company being forced to shut down lies not with a series of failed game releases, but a reported $100 million dollar write off on a device called the U Draw. The tablet device was intended to bridge the gap between an educational game and the growing tablet market, but for all three of the major game consoles. Without software support and sales of the tablet under performing, it took only a year and a half for the rumors of THQ’s financial issues to become more than just gossip, it was turning into a waiting game.
WWE ’13 released in October 2012 to critical praise for its inclusion of the Attitude Era game mode and a vastly expanded Universe Mode. This is the game WWE ’12 was supposed to be. As the holiday season was coming to a close, it was announced that THQ had entered into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the hopes that with some private capital, the studio could survive long enough to release their new slate of games, some of which have been highly anticipated for nearly two years. Just a few weeks later, and only two weeks after the release of the final DLC pack for the game, THQ ceased operations and held an auction for all of it’s intellectual properties and licenses.
As the reports started to circulate about the demise of THQ, the rumors about where the WWE license might land started to fly around
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in both the IWC and the gaming community. An early contender for the license was EA, the powerhouse that recently acquired the rights to the UFC from THQ and holder to the NFL and NHL rights as well. Another leading rumor being talked about was the WWE actually taking the production team “in house� and starting to develop the game on their own. With the planned WWE online game (WWE Universe) on a development hold, the time might have seemed correct for the company to take the reigns from THQ. Both rumors were dismissed as a leading contender for the license emerged, 2K Games.
lation. It is believed that the main components of WWE ’14 are already well developed but the question remains, will 2K or the eventual home of WWE games push to get a new WWE game out based on the work of THQ or will they mine all of the best elements and re-launch the brand?
Another element to consider in the future of WWE games is the arrival of the PlayStation 4 and the new Xbox, along with the Wii U. The new PlayStation, code named Project Orbis, and the new Xbox, code named Project Durango, will represent a new generation of video game technology, and new ways for us as fans of both video games As of this writing nothing has been made of- and pro wrestling to enjoy our hobbies. Just as ficial about the future of WWE video games. If the stars of the past bow out, it is soon time for 2K Games were to acquire the property though; the stars of the future to take the main stage, and it would be a welcome change to the franchise. while it is uncertain what the new WWE game Publisher to franchises such as BioShock, X- might look like, if 2K Games is to be the home COM, and multi-player mega-hit, Borderlands, of the WWE franchise, the game is in very, very the company has emerged as a large player in the good hands. ever evolving and changing video game market. Familiar with how to develop infrastructure for multi-player games, 2K could provide massive support to even a potential WWE MMO (Massively Multi-player Online) game if they did decide to bring the project back from the brink of cancelpage 45
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MMA RA
Sonnen’s Mom Middleweight Division: Nearly Shot Yushin Okami Cain Velasquez 1. Anderson Silva When Okami, A 2. Chael Sonnen Junior Dos Santos Frequent Guest at 3. Vitor Belfort Daniel Cormier Mama Fabricio Werdum 4. Michael Bisping Sonnen’s, When 5. Chris Weidman Antonio Silva Training in Or- 6. Brian Stann Alistair Overeem gon, Showed Up 7. Mark Munoz Frank Mir Unannounced in 8. Luke Rockhold Stefan Struve the Middle of the 9. Alan Belcher Josh Barnett Night. 10. Yushin Okami Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Heavyweight Division: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
1.
2.
3.
Light Heavyweight Division: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Welterweight Division:
Jon Jones Jon Jones Will Go Lyoto Machida For His Dan Henderson Record Tying Mauricio Rua 5th Title Defense Rashad Evans When He Meets Phil Davis Chael Sonnen Alexander Gustafsson After The Glover Teixeira Ultimate Fighter Ryan Bader Series Wraps. Gegard Mousasi
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Georges St-Pierre Carlos Condit Nick Diaz Johny Hendricks Jon Fitch Jake Ellenberger Martin Kampmann Rory MacDonald Josh Koscheck Jake Shields
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ANKINGS Lightweight Division: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Benson Henderson Anthony Pettis Gray Maynard Nate Diaz Jim Miller Gilbert Melendez Michael Chandler Donald Cerrone Joe Lauzon Eddie Alverez
Benson May Have To Face The Ceasar Gracie Camp In Back-ToBack Fights. First A Win Over Nate Diaz, And Possibly A Unification Bout With Strikeforce Champ Gilbert Melendez
P4P 4.
Featherweight Division: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Jose Aldo Pat Curran Chad Mendes Frankie Edgar Clay Guida Hatsu Hioki Dennis Siver TJ Grant Nik Lentz Dustin Poirier
5.
Bantamweight Division:
Flyweight Division:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Dominick Cruz Since Reigning Renan Barao Champion Dominick Urijah Faber Michael McDonald Cruz Went Down With Injury...Again, Brian Bowles Renan Barao Will Eddie Wineland Defend His Interim Brad Pickett Title Against Michael Yves Jabouin McDonald Marcos Galvao Raphael Assunaco
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Demetrious Johnson Joseph Benavidez John Dodson Ian McCall Jussier Da Silva John Moraga Darren Uyenoyama Johnny Bedford Darrell Montague Shinichi Kojima page 48
The UFC had hoped to launch its newly formed women’s division with the biggest possible fight in the history of women’s fighting, Cris Cyborg vs Ronda Rousey. Rousey signed on the dotted line for her UFC contract and was given her belt. All that had to be done now was for an opponent to lend their name as well. We waited and waited and nothing. Then when talks began to surface of Cyborg’s signing, the MMA universe was hit with a curve ball as it was randomly announced that Tito Ortiz would be managing Cris Cyborg. A collective groan followed by face palming all around the world could be heard echoing through the computer speakers. A guy who couldn’t stay on the same page with the UFC with his own career page 49
now has this potential super fight in his hands? Aww, here we go. In the same instance that it was announced that Tito would be managing Cyborg, we also got word that he advised Cyborg NOT to take the colossal bout. Yes, he advised to turn down the history making first women’s MMA bout in the UFC. The one that would headlined a UFC PPV. The one that would have instantly made Cyborg a household name to those who do not even religiously follow the sport. W hat a great manager Cyborg has chosen for herself. But Ortiz was not doing it just to punish MMA fans, no there was some logic behind his madness. The reason
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being was that if Cyborg cuts the extra 10 pounds that it would take to make weight for the championship bout…she would actually die! Err, really Tito, she would die? Well, since Cyborg fought at 135 in 2008 for Strikeforce, she’s apparently been dead for the last 5 years. And since none of the Strikeforce women are zombie killers, it’s now clear why she’s been undefeated for the last six fights since her Bantamweight bout. Then again it’s probably realistic to say she would not die if she dropped to 135, seeing how her body frame once held the lower weight before. Could it possibly be that if she got off the Stanozolol she tested positive for after her last bout, that she could possibly make the cut? Because you don’t have to be a 20-year veteran weight cutter like Mr. Ortiz to know that muscle weighs more than fat. So if she drops the excess muscle, that may or may not have been acquired due to an illegal enhancement, that just maybe she could make the required wait.
could he have helped Cyborg make 135 safely, but she would have been even more destructive than she was at 145. But nope, Ortiz asked for Cyborg’s release so she can fight elsewhere. Now Cyborg will go out and crush the hopes and dreams of girls nobody has ever heard of, while the UFC presses on with the sure to grow WMMA division. Maybe after a few warm-up fights, post this UFC debacle, we will get all the hype of a Cyborg return. She comes in and meets Rousey at 135 or possibly by then the UFC will create a 145 division for her to compete in, and this will all be a part of the great storyline to add to the Rousey vs Cyborg super fight. Until then, this will be one super fail.
But it seems Ortiz would like to opt out the obvious and take his client’s business elsewhere. This is despite the UFC offering to pay for dietitian guru Mike Dolce to help Cyborg safely make weight. Dolce has come out and said that not only could he @HitTheRopes
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Performance-enhancing drugs have slowly swept over professional sports in a virus that can’t be stopped. No, I take that back. People fear viruses. They understand the dangers that come with a deadly virus. Like viruses people mostly ignore the dangers only to freak out once the problem until the issue has adversely affected them. Fans, coaches, officials and athletes all ignore the issues of PED until someone tests positive, then the “I told you so” start coming out. And after a week or two the fans come back, the coaches help train and the promoters start racking in the dough.
If officials really wanted to stop fighters from cheating then they’d institute a lifelong ban after a failed attempt. Fans would stop buying that athlete’s gear. And we can all smile as fewer and fewer infractions took place. But that won’t happen, so until then we’ll laugh at the situation. And do note, it’s not just one sport suffering from PED’s, take a look at the biggest culprit in sports today, Lance Armstrong, and MMA’s most recent big name failure. Can you tell them apart?
*Lance Armstrong
*Alistair Overeem
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1.
“I didn’t invent the culture, but I didn’t try to stop the culture. It’s hard to talk about the culture. I don’t want to accuse anyone else. I’m here to acknowledge my mistakes.”
boo is a lot louder than a cheer. If you have 10 people cheering and one person 2. “A booing, all you hear is the booing. But if I had a dollar for every time somebody
yelled, ‘dopé, dopé,’ I’d be a rich man… I don’t have to care. Nor will I care in three or four years when I’m sitting on the beach with my kids, having a cold beer.” don’t know where all [the speculation about steroid use] is coming from. I’m too 3. “Ifocused on my career, and I don’t really pay attention to these messages.”
career, 500 drug controls worldwide, in and out of competition. 4. “Twenty-plus-year Never a failed test. I rest my case.” cannot judge other [athletes], though of course sometimes you have your sus5. “Ipicions. Do I think testing should be [done] more [frequently]? Yes, I do think it
should be done more, but I think it should be applied to all athletes and not just a randomly select few.” “To all the cynics – I’m getting a bit tired of all this. Denying doping charges is a tough job, and only hard work will get you through it so many times. Still, no matter how many times you throw them at me in the future, I promise you this – I will keep on refuting them,”
6.
7.
“I’ll be tested four times in three weeks this month, so after this, there cannot be any more doubts. The thing is I’ve never tested positive.”
have accused me of steroid use since I was 17…but [I] have good genes. 8. “People Thanks mom and dad.“ passed any testing, so hopefully now with these next tests coming and the 9. “Ifactalways of me being the most tested [athlete] in the sport, the critics may be satisfied. And if not, well, that’s not my problem, that is their problem.”
you’re trying to hide something, you wouldn’t keep getting away with it for 10. “If 10 years. Nobody is that clever.”
Answers: 1. Lance 2. Lance 3. Alistair 4. Lance 5. Alistair 6. Lance 7. Alistair 8. Alistair 9. Alistair 10. Lance @HitTheRopes
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There are a number of things that will prepare for a No. 1 contender spot. Hard training, a smart diet, a good game plan and a clear mind to name a few. But one thing you want to avoid if you hope to secure that coveted spot in the Middleweight Division is to ensure that Anderson Silva is nowhere near the arena as you enter the cage for your elimination bout. Silva came to Canada in hopes in confronting GSP, but St-Pierre was nearly knocked out and his confidence appeared to be shattered after the long layoff. No title fight made. He then cruised around the corner to his native country of Brazil only to watch Michael Bisping get jawjacked by Vitor Belfort. No title match made. Now Anderson Silva is without a challenger, yet he is not without an array of challenger jumping up with their hands up in hope of being chosen to fight the champ. The challengers are many, but let’s explore the worthy few. He’s young, hungry and he’s managed to build a lot of steam behind him in a very short amount of time. That is both a positive and also a very big negative. The negative being that while he is building his name, it isn’t nearly on the level of the other challengers. Silva hasn’t quite signed that rumored 10-fight deal, so his number of fights are limited. While it’s possible Weidman goes down as one of the best to step into the cage, his biggest win to date is Mark Munoz, and there’s not any depth to his resume after that. Silva has been flirting with trying to sell out Cowboys Stadium; he doesn’t want to scale back and page 55
face a fighter who has yet to even fight on the main card of a PPV. Yes, Chris Weidman possess a solid wrestling game, the obvious kryptonite to Silva’s game. He still has question marks to answer. He dealt nicely with the submission skills of Demian Maia. Prevented the ground and pound of Munoz. But what about a fighter that can put it all together? A fighter like Vitor Belfort who has dynamic striking and a solid ground game. How would he handle the dynamic striking of Cung Le? What happens he is actually challenged? Dana White can’t throw him in with the greatest fighter of all-time before he’s fully ready. There’s no point of chancing stunting his growth with a one-sided disheartening loss. Get some experience and check back after two or three big name fights. Currently battling it out at Light Heavyweight, the rumors have been rampant that Evans will make the cut to 185. Despite being the only man to actually make it all five rounds with Jon Jones, he is not currently scheduled for a rematch anytime soon. So with that said, why not drop down and see if he can end the longest streak in UFC history? Evans possesses every tool needed to take on this monumental task. Thundering knockout power, just ask Chuck Liddell. The wrestling finesse to hold down the powerful Rampage Jackson. And the speed to float like a butterfly while stinging
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like a bee. His power double would quickly have Silva on his back, and since he doesn’t have pillow for hands like Chael Sonnen, it could quickly become lights out for the champ. All of this bundled with the big name that puts him in the top sellers club for the UFC. That is the main ingredient that should him in front of the line for Anderson Silva. The reigning Strikeforce Middleweight champion, he will bring his nine-fight win streak to the UFC along with the gold around his waist. If Silva can’t get his super fight, a unification bout may be the next easiest sell. As a twotime world jiu-jitsu gold medalist Rockhold has a decent enough ground game, a humbling rearnaked choke, in fact, to present some problems. His kickboxing training should play out as a good defensive measure. And his superstar looks will be fitting for the posters and promotions, which would fit well for the UFC. The main concern for Rockhold would be whether or not he could actually stay healthy if provided the opportunity. He’s had multiple shoulder injuries through the years, most recently causing him to be held off the final Strikeforce card last month, there’s no guarantee if booked that he’d actually make it to the fight, let alone finish it.
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Lombard had one of the biggest disappointing debut with his loss by decision to Tim Boetsch. After terrorizing Bellator’s Middleweight division with his six-year winning streak, it stumped everyone when he failed to take off Boetsch’s head in his first bout under the UFC’s banner. Chalk it up to UFC jitters, Lombard rebounded by destroying Rousimar Palhares with a firstround KO. It was the performance that fans were expecting in the first fight, and may have been good enough to have fight fans forgetting his previous disappointment. Lombard has the KO power that is scary. If he can get inside Silva’s reach he could put the champ to sleep. The two have been mentioned in the same breath way before the ink officially dried on Lombard’s UFC contract. It’s a bout fans want to see, so it’s about time the UFC makes it happen.
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Georges St-Pierre UFC Debut def. Karo Parisyan UFC 46, 1/2004
def. by Matt Hughes via UD UFC 50, 10/2004
UFC Debut def. Jeremy Jackson UFC 44, 9/2003
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def. Matt Hughes via TKO UFC 65, 11/2006
def. by Sean Sherk via UD UFC 59 4/2006
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def. B.J. Penn for UFC Title via UD 4/2010
def. Marius Žaromskis via TKO for Strikeforce title Strikeforce: Miami 1/2010
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Apparently this is the fight fans most wanted to see. While it should be amazing, it won’t surpass the hype of GSP/ Silva. With that said, the storyline is deep here. GSP felt really disrespected by Diaz, and in previous cases he actually finished those fights.
def. B.J. Penn via TKO UFC 94, 1/2009
St-Pierre vs Diaz
def. Carlos Condit via UD UFC 154, 11/2012
def. B.J. Penn via UD UFC 137 10/2011
def. by Carlos Condit via UD UFC 143 2/2012
Nick Diaz @HitTheRopes
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Although the promotion is deep into its 8th season, spanning five years, Bellator looks like a brand new company as it launches into 2013. Perhaps it is due to perfect timing of their new partnership with Spike TV, which snatched up the programming rights for the world’s second largest promotion after losing No. 1 (UFC) to FOX last year. The timing couldn’t be any better for Bellator as their homegrown talent has begun to make a name for themselves, even crossing the lips of casual MMA fans. Now they hold hands with Spike TV, who look to bring MMA to places it’s never been before. Fight fans get to sit back and enjoy the show as the new couple chase down the MMA juggernaut, UFC. The UFC is coming off one of its worst years PR wise. Zuffa had multiple cards cancelled and several top stars suspended for failing drug test. With that, we know the UFC is still a beast and all will be forgotten with the next amazing card. But as Bellator looks to buy up some property in the near MMA monopoly, every UFC setback is Bellator’s gain. But it isn’t all throwing stones and angry faces; Spike TV is doing some amazing things for MMA. They are now kicking off what could potentially be an amazing set of programs. Fight fans are currently being exposed to Bellator’s tournament on a weekly basis. Here their homegrown stars like Michael Chandler, Pat Curran and Ben Askren get to take center stage. They also have a good mixture of big names and are starting to lure more and more top talent like King Mo, and possibly page 59
Rampage Jackson. On top of that they are quickly creating original programming that will have fans tuning in. Along with Bellator, Spike is creating their version of The Ultimate Fighter…with a twist. They call it Fight Master, and it will feature Frank Shamrock, Greg Jackson, Joe Warren and Randy Couture. They look to leave out the drama of drunken fighters that has often fueled TUF, and instead hope to focus on the training aspect the built the sport. It seems to be the opposite of TUF, giving it a good opportunity to lure away fans who are tired of the house drama that now airs on FX for the competitor. In addition to the Fight Master, they are slated to produce MMA Rescue hosted by Randy Couture. Since Couture decided to jump ship, Spike TV is without a doubt making every effort to capitalize his name. The program will have Couture traveling the country saving MMA gyms from bankruptcy and their owner’s mismanagement, a la Spike’s successful Bar Rescue series. All of the new programming makes for a great time to be a MMA fan. Bellator and Spike are pulling no punches, and there is a great chance that they will pull in non-MMA fans with their innovative programming. Bellator has built a great roster of talent, spectacular programming and it’s all coming together at the perfect time.
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