Not Another NHL Lockout!!!

After the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2004, there were rumblings of a lockout. The CBA would be expiring in September, but like the most fans after the playoffs, I need a break from the sport. So knowing that the World Cup of Hockey was being held that summer, after the draft I took a month off and didn't keep track of much.

Reality set in on September 14th, the last day of the World Cup Tournament. Canada won and the announcer said as they were signing off, "This might be the last we see of pro hockey for a long time." Those words hit my brain and I realized that the sport that had taken up most of my time and money for the last ten years could begone for a while.

As it turned out a NHL puck didn't touch the ice till October 5, 2005. 

Fast forward to 2012. My little obsession of a sport has grown ten fold. NBC is now the the home of the NHL till past 2020. It's not embarrassing to be a fan anymore. The ratings are up, attendance is up. Life is good as a fan. 

Or we thought....

In 10 days, the CBA signed back in 2005 expires. So now in one of the hottest times for the sport, it can go away again.

As a hockey fan in general, I'm not sitting here as pissed off because I do have the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals. 

But as a die hard NHL fan, a Devils fan, I'm pissed at the NHL & NHLPA, everyone of them. I don't care what the reports say. I don't care "who's fault it is?" according to the media. It shouldn't have come down to this AGAIN.

The last lockout really tested the fans' loyalty and patience. But back then the fanbase wasn't that big. When the sport returned the action, there were sellouts across the board.

Now if there's another long lockout, all the hard work that the NHL did, NBC did and most important the fans did for this sport in this country to spread the game to the masses, will be all for not.

So to all the members of the board of the NHLPA, especially Mr. Bettman, get this mess figured out and do it fast.

Unlike in 2005, it might be as easy to rebuild again.

NFL Picks-Week 1

Here I am back for another year of NFL football. I'm still a very giddy Giants fan but as ready to start a new season.


Since it's Week 1 and for whatever reason the season starts on a Wednesday so my picks are up early. Normally they would be up on Thursday mornings (expect Thanksgiving week), with my results coming up the following Monday night or Tuesday morning.
Here we go...



Dallas at NY Giants

Indianapolis at Chicago

Philadelphia at Cleveland

New England at Tennessee

Atlanta at Kansas City

Jacksonville at Minnesota

Washington at New Orleans

Buffalo at NY Jets

St. Louis at Detroit

Miami at Houston

San Francisco at Green Bay

Seattle at Arizona

Carolina at Tampa Bay

Pittsburgh at Denver

Cincinnati at Baltimore

San Diego at Oakland

WWE Summerslam Predictions

Pre-Show Match
United States Championship
Santino (c) vs. Antonio Cesaro
Winner: Antonio Cesaro 

WWE Tag Team Championship
Kofi Kingston & R-Truth (c) vs. Primetime Players
Winner: Primetime Players 

WWE Intercontinental Championship
The Miz (c) vs. Rey Mysterio
Winner: The Miz 

Daniel Bryan vs. Kane
Winner: Daniel Bryan 

Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler
Winner: Dolph Ziggler 

Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar
Winner: Brock Lesnar 

World Heavyweight Championship
Sheamus (c) vs. Alberto Del Rio
Winner: Sheamus

WWE Championship
CM Punk (c) vs. John Cena vs. The Big Show
Winner: CM Punk

TNA Hardcore Justice Results

TNA World Heavyweight Championship
Austin Aries (c) vs. Bobby Roode
Predicted/Actual Winner: Austin Aries

Bound for Glory Series Ladder Match
20 Point Match
AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe
Predicted Winner: Samoa Joe
Actual Winner: AJ Styles

Bound for Glory Series Tables Match
20 Point Match
Bully Ray vs. James Storm vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Robbie E
Predicted/Actual Winner: Bully Ray

Bound for Glory Series Falls Count Anywhere Match
20 Point Match
Rob Van Dam vs. Magnus vs. Mr. Anderson vs. D'Angelo Dinero
Predicted Winner: Mr. Anderson
Actual Winner: Rob Van Dam

TNA X Division Championship
Zema Ion (c) vs. Kenny King
Predicted Winner: Kenny King
Actual Winner: Zema Ion

TNA Knockouts Championship
Brooke Tessmacher (c) vs. Madison Rayne
Predicted Winner: Brooke Tessmacher
Actual Winner: Madison Rayne

Chavo Guerrero & Hernandez vs. Kid Kash and Gunner
Predicted/Actual Winner: Chavo Guerrero & Hernandez

Ring of Honor Boiling Point Results

Ring of Honor World Heavyweight Championship

Kevin Steen (c) vs. Eddie Kingston

Predicted/Actual Winner: Kevin Steen

The Briscoes vs. Jimmy Jacobs and Steve Carino

Predicted/Actual Winners: The Briscoes

Eddie Edwards & Sara Del Ray vs. Mike Bennett and Maria Kanellis

Predicted/Actual Winners: Eddie Edwards & Sara Del Ray

Michael Elgin vs. Charlie Hass

Predicted Winner: Michael Elgin
Actual Winner: Charlie Hass

Jay Lethal vs. Tommaso Ciampa

Predicted/Actual Winner: Jay Lethal

Roderick Strong vs. Mike Mondo

Predicted/Actual Winner: Roderick Strong

Wrestling Afteraction: WWE Extreme Rules 2012

Hello everyone and welcome back to another edition of Wrestling Afteraction. This edition I will be covering what people are calling the best PPV of 2012 so far, Extreme Rules. This was a PPV of blood, fights and a main event that my son will not be allowed to see until he is way older. So without further ado, pop in your DVD copy and follow along...

Show Opening

• Did I turn in to a UFC fight or a WWE PPV? That was an intense opening.

Falls Count Anywhere

Kane vs. Randy Orton

• Wrestlemania Rematch #1
• Nice a pipe already! Just getting started!
• As long as they stay in the arena I love this of match. Especially with a hot crowd.
• Never mind heading backstage. now this because not as much fun.
• I think I see Zach Ryder!
• How is a back-breaker a "vintage" move?
• Hey we're back! Woot!
• Is the crowd doing "Yes" chants already?
• Yep those are definitely "Yes" chants during the chair shots.
• That was a wicked DDT onto the floor!
• "That wasn't a kick out, that was just straight out the back door"-Booker T. What the hell does that mean?
• Whoa! RKO off the chair! That was a great finish!!

Backstage

• Is that the Raw Roulette?

Brodus Clay vs. Dolph Ziggler

• The hell? I didn't know he was on the card.
• Better yet why is Hornswoggle out here too?
• Now Vickie? What is going on?
• Dolph? What did he do?
• According to Cole Hornswoggle has rabies. That's help out getting the young viewers.
• Love the announcers ignoring the massive "Let's Go Ziggler" chants. 
• Why can't more Brodus Clay matches be that exciting? Damn!

WWE Intercontinental Championship

Tables Match

The Big Show (c) vs. Cody Rhodes

• Wrestlemania Rematch #2
• Oh!!! So that's why the wheel was back there! Sorry didn't see the pre show.
• Wow this crowd is VERY pro Cody.
• Whoa! That was a great move off the table for Cody. How did that table NOT break?
• They "Yes" chants are back!
• Wait! That counts? It does! Big Show stepped on a table, it broke, Cody won!
• Cody NOW went through a table. But he still won.
• Was that like nine feet in the air through the table?
• This crowd is confusing me. They rooted for Cody the whole match then cheered when Big Show threw him through two tables and THEN give him a standing ovation when he gets up? I don't get it.

World Heavyweight Championship

2 out of 3 Falls Match

Sheamus (c) vs. Daniel Bryan

• Wrestlemania Rematch #3
• Wow. Sheamus didn't get that kind of heat when he was a HEEL! Well the 18 second shit didn't help matters.
• Sheamus actually hits submissions? Why doesn't he do that more often?
• This match is proving why Daniel Bryan is one of the best in the business.
• That was a great counter to the Celtic cross!
• What the fuck? Sheamus is up 1-0 by DQ? I thought this was No DQ! Oh well.
• Well done! Yes lock! 1-1 via pass out or submission. Either way.
• This crowd is RED HOT right now. There are dueling "Yes" and "No" chants! It is so loud I can't hear the announcers.
• Whoa! That was a hell of a Brogue Kick! How the did he kick out!?!?
• That boot was almost mightier than the fist.
• That was a war! Great match.

Ryback

• I refuse to even talk about this shit. Why is this even on a PPV?

WWE Championship

Chicago Street Fight

CM Punk (c) vs. Chris Jericho

• Wrestlemania Rematch #4
• Punk is DEFINITELY home. What a reaction!
• Damn weapons came out early. Chair and a kendo stick. Awesome!
• I was hoping showing Punk's sister would lead to something. That was a hell of a slap!
• Holy shit! Punk has lost it! That was the announce table! That was the top of the table.
• Someone just yelled "You're giving Fozzy a bad name." That was great.
• This has to be the best use of an announce table! And the table's still standing!
• I guess Y2J is thirsty? Don't waste another beer Jericho! It's not good for the beer!
• How many beers are down there? Is he going through Hornswoggle's fridge or something?
• This is total beer abuse!
• This should be included is a backstage video "how to counter the GTS".
• A fire extinguisher?? Shit! He blinded Jericho!
• No fuckin way!! Elbow drop through the Spanish announce table. Are you fuckin serious?!?!?
• Okay that was a great way to break the vice with a kendo stick. Damn!
• GTS off the exposed turnbuckle!! Holy shit. What a match!!

WWE Diva's Championship

Nikki Bella (c) vs. Layla

• Layla's back!
• This really isn't a bad match at all. Good job Layla.

Extreme Rules Match

Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena

• Wait is Brock sponsored by Jimmy Johns? Seriously this is still the same show right?
• I'm kinda shocked Brock let him do his whole entrance. Figured it would have started sooner.
• Fuck! Those are some wicked elbows!
• Nice touch with the ref wearing gloves because of the blood.
• What?! A doctor in an extreme rules match?
• Now that was getting busted open the hard way. Wow.
• No Cole in the old days this match would just continue if someone was bleeding no matter how bad it was.
• What the fuck is that move? Did his shoulder pop out there?
• I don't know what to say. This is fuckin brutal!
• Did Brock just pick up the ref with one hand and throw him in the ring through the second rope?
• Seriously who the fuck would WANT to ref a Brock match after this?
• Are you fuckin serious? How did Cena NOT break his arm during that?
• Why did Cena think hitting a move off the top rope was a good idea especially after power bombing Brock on the stairs?
• This is a surreal sight.
• That dive over the top rope was a sign of ring rust but seriously how is Brock walking after that fall?
• When did Cena get the chair back?
• I have never heard a Chicago crowd rooting Cena on this loud.
• AA on the steps!! Holy fuck!! That was unreal!!
• I don't know what to say after that.

TNA Hardcore Justice Predictions

TNA World Heavyweight Championship
Austin Aries (c) vs. Bobby Roode
Winner: Austin Aries

Bound for Glory Series Ladder Match
20 Point Match
AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe
Winner: Samoa Joe

Bound for Glory Series Tables Match
20 Point Match
Bully Ray vs. James Storm vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Robbie E
Winner: Bully Ray

Bound for Glory Series Falls Count Anywhere Match
20 Point Match
Rob Van Dam vs. Magnus vs. Mr. Anderson vs. D'Angelo Dinero
Winner: Mr. Anderson

TNA X Division Championship
Zema Ion (c) vs. Kenny King
Winner: Kenny King

TNA Knockouts Championship
Brooke Tessmacher (c) vs. Madison Rayne
Winner: Brooke Tessmacher

Chavo Guerrero & Hernandez vs. Kid Kash and Gunner
Winner: Chavo Guerrero & Hernandez