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TOTAL PROFILE - KURT ANGLE
Born: 9 December 1968 Hometown: Mt Lebanon, Pennsylvania Professional wrestling debut: 1998 Trained by: Dory Funk Jr and Dr Tom Prichard Titles: WWE Championship (4 times) World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) WCW Championship (1 time) WCW United States Championship (1 time) WWE Intercontinental Championship (1 time) WWE European Championship (1 time) WWE Hardcore Championship (1 time) WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) TNA World Heavyweight Championship (6 times) TNA World Tag Team Championship (2 times) TNA X Division Championship (1 time)
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Simply put, Kurt Angle is the greatest pure wrestler in the history of this business. He is an Olympic gold medallist and can out-wrestle just about anyone on this planet. Talk about the Ric Flair’s and Shawn Michaels’ of this industry all you want, but neither of them come close to Angle when it comes to in-ring competition. They may be better “sports-entertainers” than him, but as far as professional-wrestlers go, Kurt Angle is in a league of his own. His intensity inside the ring is unmatched, his technical skills unparalleled. His never-say-die attitude led him to a gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games to certify himself as a true American hero. Angle completely dominated the amateur wrestling scene before eventually making his professional debut with WWE in 1999. There he would become one of the greatest superstars the company has ever seen. He began his athletic career as a wrestling star in his home state of Pittsburgh, soon becoming one of the best amateurs around, winning two NCAA titles. Angle captured the heart of a nation in 1996 when he won the Olympic gold medal for freestyle wrestling with a broken neck. Wrestling has always been Kurt’s true passion in life. That passion saw him turn down the chance to play American Football for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Just weeks after his WWE debut, Angle won the now-defunct European championship. Soon after, Angle had more gold around his waist as he added the prestigious intercontinental championship to his growing list of accolades. In 2000, Kurt Angle won the King of the Ring tournament, defeating Hall of Famer Rikishi in the finals. Angle’s career soared to new heights later that year when he beat The Rock to capture his first WWE championship.
Angle’s passion for professional-wrestling shined through
and in 2003 he wrestled Brock Lesnar in the main event of Wrestlemania 19, knowing one wrong move could very well have paralysed him due to the severe state his neck was in. Just one week later, Angle underwent successful neck surgery. Incredibly, Angle returned four months later to recapture the WWE championship in an emotional main event at Vengeance. Throughout his WWE career, Angle beat some of the greatest superstars this business has ever seen and has had many classic bouts in his career. In 2006, Angle shocked the wrestling world when he left the WWE due to creative differences and personal problems. Many thought his career was over, but how wrong they were. He later showed up in TNA and during his stay, Angle has competed in some tremendous rivalries against the likes of Samoa Joe, Sting, Christian, AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy and more. But his most personal and controversial feud came against Jeff Jarrett, due to Jarrett legitimately marrying Kurt’s ex-wife, Karen. It could be argued that Angle’s TNA run has been more successful than his previous tenure in WWE. Becoming a multiple-time world champion, a hall of famer in the process as well as accomplishing pretty much everything in TNA. He even formed the Main Event Mafia. A faction that consisted of such legends as Angle, Kevin Nash, Booker T, Scott Steiner and Sting. Angle recently lost the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to Ethan Carter III and will undergo surgery on his neck shortly. No one knows if or when he will return, but one thing’s for sure: Kurt Angle has done it all in this business and has truly lived the American Dream. It’s true, its true.
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TOTAL DIVA - DANA BROOKE
WWE has always had a thing for fitness models throughout their illustrious history. Just look at WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus who came from that world. In fact, female WWE talent signed during John Laurinaitis’ reign in talent relations were typically non-fans who joined the company with aspirations of becoming a celebrity, with a few notable exceptions. Current NXT women’s competitor, Ashley Mae Sebera is not a fitness model, but she comes from the world of fitness, participating in gymnastics for 15 years before competing in bodybuilding competitions such as the Arnold Classic and the Arnold Sports Invitational, prior to getting noticed by WWE. No WWE diva has ever accomplished that feat and with Triple H, the man now calling the shots on who is signed, known to be a huge fan of these events, it seems obvious that Sebera was a natural choice for a WWE contract. Sebera was signed by the Stamford outfit in 2013 and was assigned to NXT given the name Dana Brooke. The avid viewer of NXT programming has probably noticed this lovely lady slowing rising up the ranks. While it’s way too early to tell if Brooke will have a Hall-of-Fame career like the one Stratus produced, we definitely shouldn’t dismiss the idea. After all, how many fans felt Stratus would go down as one of the greatest divas in history when she managed the tag team of Test and Albert? In recent months, Brooke has teamed with Emma on numerous occasions, including a noticeable outing in a losing effort to Charlotte
and Bayley at the most recent NXT special,
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DANA BROOKE TakeOver: Unstoppable. Teaming with Emma could be
Along the way, she also developed supreme confidence in herself.
from someone who’s already experienced the main roster.
mirror as she has gone so far as to declare herself “The Total Diva.”
invaluable to the growing Brooke and she could learn a lot
You might say Brooke’s biggest fan is staring back at her in the
WWE has seemed pleased enough with
WWE have always loved women that
been rather heavily featured in recent
the ring. Brooke has this, bringing an
sided affair with Kassey, which showed
a unique combination of skills that very
the progression of Brooke that she’s
are easy on the eyes and athletic inside
months. She was placed in a very one-
element of serious strength, giving her
Brooke is someone the company may
few, if any divas have had previously.
Kassey in right around three minutes.
Brooke is sure to make noise on the
For Brooke, the big test will come when
much is inevitable. With several good
in one-on-one action. A feud seems
Bayley, Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks
and a match that is given the proper
enormous amount of potential and a
have big plans for, as she dismantled
main roster of WWE at some point, that
she is given the chance to face Charlotte
potential opponents such as Charlotte,
to be brewing between the two ladies
on the NXT roster, Brooke has an
time, allowing for a story to develop,
wealth of decent talent to hone her skills.
order in the NXT women’s division.
Many fans have been screaming for
Getting a win over Charlotte would be
shot on the main roster and rightfully so.
held the NXT Women’s Championship,
the next to be heralded as a potential
could
help
determine
the
pecking
Banks, Lynch and Charlotte to get their
massive for Brooke. Not only has Charlotte
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Brooke was
she is one of the most successful divas
next WWE diva on the main roster. Unlike
in NXT history. Tag that along with the fact that she is Flair’s
most of the divas on WWE’s roster, she doesn’t have a famous
daughter and it would be one hell of a feather in Brooke’s cap.
father or a storied wrestling career on the independent circuit.
A match between these two women could take place
What is working in Brooke’s favour is she seems to be picking
as soon as the next NXT special event. That is, if the match is given any priority, which it deserves.
up the WWE game quickly and there’s no doubt she has
all the attributes necessary to be a star, only time will tell.
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FANTASY WARFARE
Imagine
a world in which two all-time greats could face one another at the peak of their careers. Imagine the possibilities as two eras collide, two generations clash and two different philosophies, ideologies and emotions are brought to life.
Welcome
to
TW Fantasy Warfare.
THE ROCK
DUSTY RHODES
Competitiveness
Mind Games
Rhodes was one of the masters of getting inside people’s heads and making them think he wasn’t a threat. People saw a semi rapping big blonde guy and decided to take him light only to regret it later in the ring. Is that a trap The Rock would fall into?
Big Fight Guy
Crowd Favourite
No matter where Dusty wrestled he was always loved by the fans as proven when he got over in WWE wearing polka dots. Having seen Rock booed in several of his big matches it’s possible Dusty would have the crowd chanting Rocky sucks.
Resilience
When it comes to the Rock we’re talking about a performer who has been in five Wrestlemania main events and also faced Hulk Hogan on the grandest stage of them all. The Rock is a big time player and when the pressure is on he rises to the occasion.
Move Set
Rhodes has been in some real wars over the years and while that must have taken a toll on him he has always bounced back. Bare knuckle, Texas death or steel cage, the Dream has done it all and won it all.
T
The Rock, being a third generation wrestler, has wrestling in his blood and would be inspired by a match against one of the icons of the business. The Rock is a verbal virtuoso and would no doubt enjoy the challenge of going back and forth with the dream.
The Rock has finished opponents with the people’s elbow, rock bottom and figure four leg lock. Throw in moves like the Samoan drop and cross body block, he used as Rocky Maivia, and it becomes clear Rock could win this match in any number of ways.
IC
D16 minutes would have been ample for these two to light a fire under the crowd with big exchanges at the start with Rock pushing the pace,
R VE
like he did with Hogan. Both would afforded to kick out of big moves but in the end I think Rock would want to put the Dream over and thus would go down for the three after a second or third bionic elbow.
WINNER - DUSTY RHODES 8
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KEVIN OWENS
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Kevin Owens’ victory over John Cena at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view this past May not only cemented his status as WWE’s breakout star of 2015, it served as the culmination of an improbable journey to Vince McMahon’s sports entertainment empire that took the polarising performer from Quebec to Ring of Honor, the height of independent wrestling to the potentially humbling experience of WWE developmental. Now, after two straight Match of the Year candidates against Cena, and a critically acclaimed run in NXT as the brand’s champion, Erik Beaston takes a look at Owens career as the 31 year old has the wrestling world in the palm of his hand, ready to rule over it as the lead villain in McMahon’s live action morality play of good versus evil. AN IMPROBABLE STAR Kevin Owens never should have made it to World Wrestling Entertainment, let alone achieved any measurable success there. He was very much an indy darling, the type of performer touted heavily by the keyboard warriors that make up the Internet Wrestling Community. His style borrowed heavily from that seen in bingo halls and municipal buildings across the country. It was fast, lacked selling and was the bane of existence for fans of more traditional wrestling. He certainly did not resemble the type of worker the company looked for. Worse yet was his appearance, which certainly did him no favours in the eyes of fans. He was round and overweight at a time when the company was looking for the cut, bodybuilder physiques. He did not possess movie star good looks and was hardly voted most likely to serve as a member of WWE’s Be A Star Movement. Especially with a catchphrase like “Kill, Steen, Kill,” which featured his real last name at its centre. For every criticism, though, there
was one attribute that could not be denied: Owens had a connection with the audience that could not be manufactured or manipulated. Owens looked like the fans who jam packed the venues that he competed in. He had the same nonchalant attitude and, more times than not, his thoughts about the business and some of the biggest and most respected stars echoed those of the fans. Regardless of whether he was a heel or babyface, he had the support of the people. In many ways, he was a meaner version of the late, great Dusty Rhodes. He may not have looked like a star but his personality shined through, his passion was evident and his attitude fuelled his popularity. He approached each program and match with an intensity that other performers could not replicate. He was passionate, even if his nonchalant demeanour did not necessarily reflect it. Add all of those together and you have the recipe for a huge star, no matter what stage he performs on or whom he performs in front of. Now, WWE is reaping the rewards of that star. The framework for the Kevin Owens character was laid during the performer’s time in Ring of Honor. Despite having the opportunity to perform in Combat Zone Wrestling and Guerilla Pro Wrestling, it was in ROH that Owens (Steen at the time)
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KEVIN OWENS
WANT TO S
GET TOTAL WRES HE HTTPS://SELLF FOR JU 12
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REVIEW: DANIEL BRYAN, JUST SAY YES,YES,YES
DANIEL BRYAN, JUST SAY YES, YES, YES COMPANY: WWE WEB: WWW.WWEDVD.CO.UK
It’s not very often that you can describe a pro wrestling storyline as anything resembling a fairy tale, but the narrative of Daniel Bryan’s lengthy ascension to the top of the business in 2014 is certainly one time that you can. Having originally appearing to be heavily resistant to the organic nature of his rise in popularity, this DVD set captures the story of the former “American Dragon’s” career up to his WWE World Title win at WrestleMania XXX. Unintentionally released with some very unfortunate timing, this DVD could realistically end up being forming part of a swansong for the 15 year veteran, as he is sidelined with injuries that could ultimately threaten his ability to continue wrestling altogether. Presented across three discs, the feature of disc one is an extended version of the WWE Network special that aired in 2014 covering Daniel’s Journey to WrestleMania. Without veering too much towards the sentimental side, the documentary shows the softer side of Bryan as a humble everyman, student of the game and incredibly hard worker who is somewhat bemused by his massive worldwide popularity with wrestling fans. Footage of Bryan travelling with partner (and now wife) Brie Bella is interspersed with talking head footage from the likes of Miz, Shawn Michaels, Pat Patterson, William Regal and many others who have had a hand in his wrestling career. His time wrestling for Ring of Honor is accompanied with some interesting footage of the promotion, and an even older look at his time at the Shawn Michaels wrestling academy in the later 1990s. Differences between Bryan and the larger superstars of earlier eras of pro wrestling are contrasted with his striking similarity to John Cena in terms of work ethic, even if he feels uncomfortable participating in the media circus of WrestleMania. Overall the documentary is an interesting look at the other side of a wrestler’s life, and captures the essence of the Road to WrestleMania for Bryan. Disc 2 offers a selection of Bryan matches, and whilst the Ring of Honor footage agreement doesn’t extend to full matches here, we get to see an interesting collection of his WWE matches. The first of these is a fascinating look at his tryout match on Smackdown in 2000, teaming up with Shooter Shultz to take on Brian Kendrick and the late Lance Cade. For those fans who are unaware, Bryan looks incredibly different to the long haired grappler of the modern day. Viewers are treated to another match against Jamie Noble is 2003, before things really kick into gear with his memorable match against Chris Jericho from NXT in 2010. It wasn’t long before he would be associated with WWE gold, and this is highlighted in matches against Miz and the Big Show from the next two years, and Bryan’s very real versatility is captured in contests against Seamus and CM Punk in 2012. Disc 3 segues nicely into Bryan’s slow march towards WrestleMania, with his gauntlet match win on Raw in July 2013 and bait and switch world title win against John Cena at SummerSlam the following month. Of course WWE don’t mention that they genuinely had no plans to have Daniel anywhere near the world title in 2014, but the YES movement was able to highlight that the hand was somewhat forced into adding Bryan to Randy Orton-Batista World Title match at WrestleMania 30. This match is of course there in it’s entirely, but it’s a little odd to see the HHH encounter from earlier in the evening being omitted, especially as it was significantly better than the main event encounter. Daniel Bryan’s injury in 2013 followed by his return and enjoyable bout against Roman Reigns at Fast Lane this year close things up.
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The Daniel Bryan story arguably should have restarted for real with a Royal Rumble win and World title match at this year’s WrestleMania, but it was not to be. Given the subsequent injury and now indefinite amount of time on the shelf, the disappointment that many fans felt may well have been for the best. No matter what, and if this genuinely is the end for Bryan, then he’s left behind an incredibly body of work and an inspirational story of a wrestler who was smaller than the vast majority of his peers, but had a big enough personality to raise wrestling fans to their feet in unison night after night. His WWE career may not have included as many fantastic wrestling encounters as his indie days, but there are a reasonable amount, and this set highlights some of the best. Wrestling fans are recommended to just say yes to this release, and certainly won’t be disappointed. Neil Topping
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