Sunday, August 15, 2010

WWE Summerslam 2010 Predictions

Tonight is the 2010 edition of the of the big four WWE PPVs, Summerslam. This year's show is pretty stacked and has a HUGE elmination tag match that has been the most hyped and over storyline of the summer, maybe even the year.

Team WWE (John Cena, Bret Hart, Chris Jericho, Edge, John Morrison, R-Truth and ???) vs. Nexus (Wade Barrett, David Otunga, Justin Gabriel, Heath Slater, Darren Young, Michael Tarver and Skip Sheffield) (Elmination Match)
Wow Nexus has come a long way since the NXT Finale back in June. They went from little known Rookies to a major faction. Now comes this major 14 man tag match that I thought they would have saved for Survivor Series but I guess they wanted to end this storyline sooner so they has something new and fresh for the Series in November. Back to this match though. The big story going in is who will be the seventh man on Team WWE since the Nexus took out The Great Khali on Raw last Monday night. They hinted at The Miz which would be pretty cool but I'm going to say that this is where Triple H makes his big return. With that being said...
Winner: Team WWE

WWE Championship Match
Sheamus (c) vs. Randy Orton
Didn't we do this match back in January at the Royal Rumble? But things are different now. Back then both men were heels and it was more or less a setup for the implosion of Legacy then about the title. Now Orton is mega babyface and Sheamus has actually turned into a credible champion. The added stipulations actually add alot too which is needed to help both mean. If Orton loses, there will be no rematch PLUS is anyone interfers, they will be suspended by the GM so that makes it a 100% guarantee that we will have a clean winner. While I would love to see Orton win the belt, I think the champion needs this victory, especially with possibly Triple H, or even The Miz, right around the corner so...
Winner: Sheamus

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Kane (c) vs. Rey Mysterio
Is this match even about the title at all? The whole storyline has been about the Undertaker, it's been really pathetic to be honest. I have to say that it is very awesome to see Kane with a world title after all these years. As for this match the ending really depends on when Taker comes down to get involved. If it's during the match, Rey will win back the belt, but I see Taker make his return after the match which means...
Winner: Kane

Intercontinental Championship Match
Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Kofi Kingston
If you asked me what IC title match I expected to see at Summerslam a few weeks ago, I would have actually said Kofi vs. "Dashing" Cody Rhodes. But they (storyline) Dolph started dating Vickie Guerrero and that led to Dolph getting a big DQ win over Kofi which led to him winning the belt the following week on Smackdown. So now here we are, Dolph is champion for the first time as a singles competitor and Kofi has a huge new rage edge to his character. I will say that if this is the start of the young stars getting massive pushes and storylines, I'm all for it. As for the match itself, I love Kofi but this title reign is too new and it took over a year to get to this point so...
Winner: Dolph Ziggler

Divas Championship Match
Alica Fox (c) vs. Melina
I said a few weeks ago on my Twitter account that if the main reason that Alica Fox won the title was to hold on to it till Melina's big return, then I had no problem with. Well here's the match that I've been waiting for. So, because as much as I don't like Fox and think she's a terrible wrestler, to keep this short and sweet...
Winner: Melina

The Big Show vs. The Straight Edge Society (CM Punk, Luke Gallows and Joey Mercury with Serena) (Handicap Match)
When this storyline started I figured it would have led to a Show-Punk match. But then Punk got injured so the storyline had to change. That led to Punk being de-masked and Mercury being de-masked and shown as the fourth member of the SES. The only thing I can see is Gallows turning on Punk, but honestly I don't see the happening. Officially I picked the Big Show but I don't think that would good for the SES so for storyline purpose and the the fact that the faction needs some major credibility...
Winner: The Straight Edge Society

WWE:NXT (8/10/10)

This past Tuesday the newest NXT Rookie poll came out and there was yet another elimination.

1. Kaval
Yes!!! Kaval won this week and then moved back up to the #1 spot. If things go the way they are going, he should be able to win this show. Why do I have thoughts of a Rey Mysterio-Kaval World Title match?

2. Michael McGillicutty
This is the one man that can very easily steal the show from Kaval. He dropped down a spot, but it doesn't really stop him momentum.

3. “Showtime” Percy Watson
Wow, I actually thought that a couple of rough weeks for him would have dropped him down the poll little lower. I almost thought he could have been on the block. But I guess his contagious personality is just keeping him a float at this point.

4. Husky Harris
Wow, this was a HUGE surprise. Fine he's not as bad as I made him sound the last poll and he does look a little better in the ring but he really needs a better finisher, or else he will definately hurt someone or himself.

5. Alex Riley
This was the biggest shocker of the show. This I didn't expect at all, and by the reactions no one else did either. I figured he would have been in the top three for the remainder of the show. I guess this is the first time that it's majorly obvious that the fan voting actually means something this season.

6. Lucky Cannon
Well, it was only a matter of time I guess. He was good in the ring but not good enough to last long on the same stage as Kaval, McGillicutty and Riley. I really wanted Harris to go before him but this really isn't too big of a loss.
 
This coming Tuesday is a huge double elimination, which means the show is reaching the end, as quickly as it started.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

American Idol Judging Disaster

Wow. What a difference a few months makes. At the end of May I blogged about the finale of American Idol. On that night it was a question in my mind if I would watch the show after Simon left. I was set to watch Season 10 with an open mind, especially since at least they would just be replacing one judge, even though it was their biggest one.

Then Ellen announced she was leaving the show. It's no real big loss even though I thought she did a really good job last season. With that in mind I figured that just means that there would be a three person panel, like the old days.

Then word came around that Kara got fired. She was not only good looking but very intelligent in the music industry and did a great job judging the show the last two seasons.

So now what? That leaves Randy Jackson and some random celebrities to make the new panel?

I'm trying to figure out now before January comes around again, do I care or not? Do I want to tune in? If I tune in and the judges are terrible, do I stick it out because I might miss something special? Do I just give up on a show that I've watched for 9 years and even went to a few concerts over the years?

These are the questions that I don't have the answers to. Hopefully I will by January when the show's 10th season starts up, but for now I just don't know what to do about a show that has been ranked as one of my favorite for the better part of the last decade.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Hell's Kitchen:Final Four (7/27/10)

Alot of people don't even realize that I'm a big Hell's Kitchen fan. I haven't missed a season since Mandy got me started on it when I moved here. I think Gordon Ramsay is awesome at what he does and this show is always entertaining. This season has been a wild one, random eliminations and just craziness all the way around. But after last night, the show came down to the final four. So much like I always do, here are my thoughts on them at this point.

1. Jay
This guy is my pick to win the show. He's improved majorly over the last few episodes and is finally developing himself as a leader. He communicates and hasn't had a bad service in weeks. He was a dark horse weeks ago but now he could win the whole thing.

2. Autumn 
How the hell has she made it this far? She's been on the chopping block too many times to remember, she's had some terrible service. In my view she doesn't belong here. Maybe Ramsey sees something we aren't seeing on TV, but at the moment she doesn't seem to really have a chance in hell of winning.

3. Benjamin
Oh Ben. I can't stand this guy. He's arrogant and annoying. I thought for sure with all the communications problems they have had with him this season, he would have been gone. Ramsey gave him an undeserved pass this week. I won't be surprised if it's Jay vs. Ben in the finale in two weeks but he can't lead and run a kitchen on his own, thus then doesn't deserve to win this show.

4. Holli 
Now finally, Jay's little "g/f". I think she's really good in the kitchen, definitely stronger than Autumn. The only problem I see is that she's not consistent enough. She seems to always come through in the end but she seems to choke when it starts up. I don't think she's going to win this show, but I won't be surprised to be honest if she makes it to the final 2.

WWE:NXT-Good Riddance to Bad Wrestling (7/27/10)

Last night the latest NXT rookie poll came out and the latest elimination went down. Overall, I wasn't surprised at all but said elimination but I will give my latest opinions on the rookies and where I think they will end up as we go on in the competition.

1. Michael McGillicutty
This cracked me up this morning because they made this big deal out of him winning the immunity last week and he ended up not only not needing it, but ended up jumping to the #1 spot. It doesn't really surprise me, he is undefeated and word is finally getting to the fans that he is Curt Henning's son. He deserves to be here.

2. Kaval

Former #1, dropped down a spot. Weirdly I don't mind him dropping because it adds major realism to the ranking system. He's my personal favorite and the dark horse for this competition. I just wish he'd win more often.

3. Alex Riley

Ah, Michael Cole's favorite rookie. The guy that alot of people have ranked to win the show. I give this guy credit because he had a near-death concussion three weeks ago at FCW and is still not only wrestling but putting on very good matches. I won't be surprised if he becomes a major force to be reckoned with.

4. Percy Watson

Showtime is so entertaining. The problem I have is that he tries WAY too hard to get his gimmick over. He's a good wrestler and great on the mic, he's just got to turn the energy level down a tiny bit. Being too over-the-top might turn off alot of people at home and lead to an earlier exit than expected.

5. Lucky Cannon

The only issue I have with Lucky is the fact that he's boring. He doesn't have a great personality or even that good in the ring. I hope he improves but right now he has no chance to even be a dark horse.

6. Husky Harris
I was sooo hoping he was going home this week. I don't like this guy. He tries to be the "everyman". He says he's overweight and not in shape as part of his gimmick. I think it's pathetic. Also he's extremely sloppy in the ring and he's going to really hurt someone one day.

7. Eli Cottonwood

If Husky wasn't going to go home, I'm glad it was Cottonwood. He doesn't belong in a WWE ring. Go back down to FCW and get better please. He's sloppy in the ring, he can't talk and he's just blah. I'm happy to see him go and I'm glad the fans are realizing we have to start trimming the fat and getting to the GOOD wrestlers, not the crappy ones.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

New Look, New Attitude, New Future

Yesterday, Lou Lamoriello dropped a stunning bomb that completely changed the face of the New Jersey Devils.


Ilya Kovalchuk signed a 17 year contract worth $102 million. 17 years? That part is still going through my head.


17 years is such a long time, it's just hard to even clinch how far ahead that is.


But this is turning point for this franchise, and in my opinion about time. This is the first time since the salary cap era started after the lockout that the Devils did something like this, and Lou again showed how much of a genius he truly is. He took the hottest free agent in the league and made him a $6 million cap hit. That means that they can very easily sign RFA Zach Parise sometime before July 2011. This means that Lou is looking ahead to the future. This means that for the first time, that little team in New Jersey are actually on the center stage with more than just an all-star living legend goalie.


For the first time, the Devils have multiple offensive threats and even after Elias's contract expires in 2012, they will have two stars who can guide and lead this team into the future in this wide open league.


In a sport that is more prone to parody then any other than football, is it time for the Cup to come home to New Jersey for the first time in 8 years? I hope so! I want a reason to celebrate!!!!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

2010 Emmy Nominations

The 2010 Emmy Noms came out today and I figure I'll do my predications early, mainly because I have nothing to really write about lately and it's definitely worth having some fun with.


OUTSTANDING COMEDY
Glee-My Pick
Modern Family
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Nurse Jackie
30 Rock 
The Office
OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Lea Michele (Glee)-My Pick
Tina Fey (30 Rock)
Toni Collette (The United States of Tara)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine)
Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie)
Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)
OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)
Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
Matthew Morrison (Glee)-My Pick
Steve Carell (The Office)
Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) (but he really deserves to win eventually)
Tony Shalhoub (Monk)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Chris Colfer (Glee)-My Pick
Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother) (won't go home empty handed)
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family)
Jon Cryer (Two and A Half Men)
Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family)
Ty Burrell (Modern Family)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Jane Lynch (Glee)-My Pick (is there a doubt?)
Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live)
Jane Krakowski (30 Rock)
Julie Bowen (Modern Family)
Sofia Vergara (Modern Family)
Holland Taylor (Two and A Half Men)
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Mike O’Malley (Glee) (tough call, won't be pissed either way)
Neil Patrick Harris (Glee)-My Pick
Fred Willard (Modern Family)
Eli Wallach (Nurse Jackie)
Jon Hamm (30 Rock)
Will Arnett (30 Rock)
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Christine Baranski (The Big Bang Theory)-My Pick
Kathryn Joosten (Desperate Housewives)
Kristin Chenoweth (Glee) (doesn't deserve it)
Tina Fey (Saturday Night Live)
Betty White (Saturday Night Live) (would be awesome but won't happen)
Elaine Stritch (30 Rock)
Jane Lynch (Two and a Half Men)
OUTSTANDING DRAMA
Lost-My Pick
Breaking Bad
Dexter
Mad Men
True Blood
The Good Wife
OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife)
Mariska Hargitay (Special Victims Unit)
Glenn Close (Damages)
Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)
January Jones (Mad Men)
Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights)-My Pick
OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights)
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)
Hugh Laurie (House M.D.)
Michael C. Hall (Dexter)
Matthew Fox (Lost)-My Pick
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA
John Slattery (Mad Men)
Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)
Martin Short (Damages)
Terry O’ Quinn (Lost)-My Pick
Michael Emerson (Lost)
Andre Braugher (Men of a Certain Age)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Sharon Gless (Burn Notice)-My Pick
Christine Baranski (The Good Wife)
Christina Hendricks (Mad Men)
Rose Byrne (Damages)
Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife)
Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men)
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Beau Bridges (The Closer)
Ted Danson (Damages)
John Lithgow (Dexter)
Alan Cumming ( The Good Wife)
Dylan Baker (The Good Wife)
Robert Morse (Mad Men)
Gregory Itzin (24)-My Pick

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Mary Kay Place (Big Love)
Sissy Spacek (Big Love)
Shirley Jones (The Cleaner)
Lily Tomlin (Damages)
Ann-Margret (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)-My Pick
Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost)
OUTSTANDING REALITY SHOW HOST
Ryan Seacrest (American Idol)
Phil Keoghan (The Amazing Race)
Tom Bergeron (Dancing with the Stars)
Heidi Klum (Project Runway)
Jeff Probst (Survivor)-My Pick
OUTSTANDING REALITY SHOW COMPETITION
Project Runway
Top Chef
The Amazing Race-My Pick (safe bet)
Dancing with the Stars
American Idol
OUTSTANDING REALITY PROGRAM
Antiques Roadshow
Dirty Jobs
Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List
Mythbusters-My Pick
Undercover Boss
OUTSTANDING VARIETY, MUSIC, OR COMEDY SERIES
The Colbert Report
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Real Time With Bill Maher
Saturday Night Live

The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien-My Pick
(why else would it get a nom if it's not going to win)
MINISERIES OR MOVIE
The Pacific (HBO)-My Pick
Return to Cranford (PBS)
OUTSTANDING TV MOVIE
Endgame (PBS)
Georgia O’Keeffe (Lifetime)
Moonshot (History)
The Special Relationship (HBO)
Temple Grandin (HBO)
You Don’t Know Jack (HBO)-My Pick