First off the Top 10 Podcasts of 2012 became the first entry to surpass 200 views since starting the Report. Thank you so much to everyone who read it. On Twitter this week I have to thank @MJCupach, @bigbrothrgossip, @ashes2ashes13, @travlord, @eastcoastcast, @BBGossip and @apartofhim for a the retweets and responds this week. While our Facebook page hasn't taken off yet, we are alive on Twitter and it's exciting to see.
That being said let's get into this week's issue...
This was an interesting show that really felt like two separate shows in one. It also felt like one show was based in reality while the other in fantasy world.
We start at McKinley, where we picked up right where we left off with Marley passing out. This lead to New Directions being disqualified and The Warblers winning Sectionals. This lead to what was one of the most real moments in the show, the reminder that they are indeed a high school club and their season was over. Sue in turn took over the choir room and the auditorium leaving ND without a homebase. The group quickly fell apart and scattered into different sports and groups. Brittany and Sam though found each other, singing Something Stupid, and the get together. Honestly I really liked everything about this. It's a reminder that you're not always going to win and yes in high school there are actual seasons and New Directions has been lucky to be able to stay running as long as they did because they kept winning.
Meanwhile in New York, Rachel got an invite to the Winter Showcase, something very rare for a freshman. Fine, I'll go with that. Besides that led to the awesome dance off between Cassandra and Rachel to All That Jazz. During all this Kurt trying to get a second audition with Carmen Tibideaux to get into NYADA but was shot down, which left him distressed. Then we get to the Winter Showcase and Rachel announced she was going to just sing for them and performed Being Good Isn't Good Enough and O Holy Night. Did she sound amazing? Yes of course she did. Did she deserve to win? Based on the story they were telling, especially in this episode, no she didn't. But this is the Glee fantasy world where Rachel can do no wrong, so of course she won. I'm sorry I can't go with that. It's not realistic and makes zero sense. She is a freshman in a tough performing arts school and she wins in her first competition? It actually makes me angry. Despite that, I am able to accept that Kurt got into NYADA after Carmen pulled him on stage by surprise and he performed Being Alive. It makes story sense and was his second chance! Plus I really enjoyed the performance, it's rare Kurt just sings his heart out.
This led to, for some reason, Rachel calling Finn to encourage him that the Glee Club wasn't dead. That whole phone call didn't make much sense, and almost looked like she was bragging, but it did inspire Finn to send out an email to reunite at a location that Marley found. This brought everyone back together for a snowglobey performance of Don't Dream It's Over.
Seriously they should have done the spinoff with Rachel and Kurt because their storyline doesn't belong on this show. I just doesn't fit the show. This would have been a perfect episode if they just stuck to the McKinley storyline. It's almost like they want to prove they could do better than Smash.
Next week is the final Glee of 2012, the annual Christmas episode. I look forward to that one every year.
James Storm defeated Kaz
Rob Van Dam defeated Kenny King to retain the TNA X Division Championship
Chavo Guerrero & Hernamdez defeated Joey Ryan & Matt Morgan by DQ when Morgan yanked the ref out of the ring
Austin Aries defeated Bully Ray after Brooke and Hulk Hogan distracted Bully outside the ring
Tara defeated Mickie James to retain the TNA Knockouts Championship
Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Wes Brisco & Garrett Bischoff defeated Aces & Eights when Angle pinned masked man #2
Christopher Daniels defeated AJ Styles with the Styles Clash
Jeff Hardy defeated Bobby Roode to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, Aces & Eights attacked both of them after the match
Quick Thoughts:
So really not much happened. No title changes, no real surprises, no turns, nothing. Going into the new year, I'm not even sure what to look forward to, and I'm not sure how I feel about that.
It was a nice surprise to see Daniels beat AJ, that's about it for me. I really hope that leads to him getting a legit title shot against Jeff Hardy down the road.
Hoping things are better on Impact this week than on this show.
This PPV has always been an up and down show. This year the main event got changed because of CM Punk's injury, so this card feels very thrown together. Despite that it's a very good show.
Alright here ya go. This is how I see this ending. Sheamus is going to beat the hell out of Show with chairs and after White Noise pin him.
Winner and New World Heavyweight Champion: Sheamus
Then as Sheamus is celebrating, Big Show will get up and hit the knockout punch and then Dolph Ziggler's music will hit and he will cash in MITB, hit the Zig Zag and...
Winner and New World Heavyweight Champion: Dolph Ziggler
This will lead to Dolph backstage bragging that he won the title and that means he doesn't have to fight Cena. Vince then tells him that the ladder is still in but for the World Heavyweight Championship.
This match will be a war. The finish will come with Cena climbing the ladder and AJ coming out. AJ will get in the ring and Cena will be distracted, Dolph in turn will push the ladder and Cena will fall on the outside. Dolph will then climb the ladder and retain the title.
Winner and still World Heavyweight Champion: Dolph Ziggler
After the match AJ goes to check on Cena, helps him up but then slaps him. Then she turns around climbs into the ring and makes out with Dolph.
This match can only end by pinfall or submission. Honestly I don't expect Ryback to be pinned and hopefully they let Rollins & Ambrose do their thing. Shield has to win here, so Rollins will pin Bryan.
Winner: The Shield
Winner and new Intercontinental Champion: Wade Barrett
Winner and still United States Champion: Antonio Cesaro
This might be one of the most random tables match ever. To be honest Rey/Sin Cara will never get a shot while Team Hell No are champs so...
Winners and New #1 Contenders for the World Tag Team Championship: Team Rhodes Scholars
There's only three people in this match that make sense to win and it's too early for AJ...
Winner and new #1 Contender for the WWE Divas Championship: Kaitlyn
I'll be honest, if I didn't have to work on Sunday afternoon for the first half of this show, I would totally consider ordering the IPPV. This has to be one the most stacked cards ROH has put together in a long time. It's a very solid lineup, with most matches have been setup for close to a year, and the main event is actually close to three years in the making. All things being said, let's get into the card...
ROH World Heavyweight Championship
Ladder War
Kevin Steen (c) vs. El Generico
I don't remember the last time there was a major match with a great rivalry setup and one of the guys doesn't even show up on TV. That's how this has been. Despite that, this is going to be unreal. These two have insane chemistry and are willing to tear each other apart. I think this is the time for a huge change...
Winner and New ROH World Heavyweight Champion: El Generico
ROH World Tag Team Championship
S.C.U.M. (Jimmy Jacobs and Steve Corino) (c) vs. Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. Caprice Coleman and Cedric Alexander
Stipulation: To win the titles, the tag champions must be pinned
Alright, personally I love the rules of the match. I think it's about time S.C.U.M. finally dropped the titles. The only thing is which team beats them. I'd love to say Coleman/Alexander will finally break through and win the belts, but I just can't...
Winner and New ROH World Tag Team Champions: The Briscoes
American Wolves (Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards) vs. Kyle O'Reilly & Bobby Fish
This is just exciting. The Wolves are back! Davey & Kyle have been feuding all year, especially since Best in the World, but have yet to actually have a match. I'm convinced Fish was added just to make this a tag match. Is there any doubt?
Winners: American Wolves
Michael Elgin vs. Roderick Strong
This is finally the explosion of the House of Truth. I'm not sure how Truth Martini is going to interfere but honestly I don't think it will matter...
Winner: Michael Elgin
Charlie Hass & Shelton Benjamin vs. Rhett Titus & BJ Whitmer
NYC Street Fight
I feel bad for Rhett Titus. Ever since Kenny King left he's been stuck I this feud, when he deserved to get a push, at least to the TV title. As for this match, it should be good.
Winners: Rhett Titus & BJ Whitmer
Adam Cole vs. Matt Hardy
I still don't fully get what the point if this match is, but on paper it should be fun. I don't see any way the result isn't...
Winner: Adam Cole
Jay Lethal vs. Rhino
This is simple, Lethal feels this match is below him and wants a title shot. That being said, I can see him losing his cool.
Winner: Rhino by DQ
Prince Nana vs. R.D. Evans
I'm not sure why this match needs to happen but at least it could be quick and painless...
Winner: Prince Nana
Jerry Lynn vs. Mike Bennett
This is Lynn's last match in ROH before his retirement in March. At least they have him a good opponent. It's a shame Jerry is retiring but this will give him a chance to leave ROH with class.
Winner: Jerry Lynn
I actually forgot about this show till the weekend so I never got to make predications. That being said, I never expected the show to go the way it did.
On Monday WWE will have the annual Slammy Awards. Since there are no official nominations yet, I'm going to guess the winners based on how I think it will go.
Superstar of the Year: CM Punk
Breakout Star of the Year: Ryback
Trending Now Award: #Raw
Comeback of the Year: Jerry "The King" Lawler
Kiss of the Year: John Cena & AJ
Tell Me I Did NOT Just See That: Kane and Daniel Bryan Hug It Out
LOL Moment of the Year: Kane and Daniel Bryan goto anger management
Match of the Year: Triple H vs Undertaker Wrestlemania XXVIII
You would think that if you have a two goal lead after two periods of play, you'd win. Not if you are the Admirals in 2012.
After being down 1-0 after 1, Michael Latta, Gabriel Bourque and Victor Bartley scored in the second period and the Ads went up 3-1. But in the 3rd they couldn't hold on to the lead. Nick Leddy, Ben Smith, Brandon Pirri and Martin St. Pierre all scored in the 3rd and the Icehogs took the game 4-2.
12/9/12-Milwaukee at Charlotte
In the first if two games vs. the Checkers in three days, the Ads won 5-2. Gabriel Bourque scored two goals and Michael Latta assisted on three. Magnus Hellberg continued his personal undefeated streak with 26 saves.
12/11/12-Milwaukee at Charlotte
The Ads just can't seem to get on a roll this season. Chris Mueller scored a rare power play goal early in the first then they just couldn't get any more offense going all night. Tim Wallace broke a 1-1 tie in the second and the Checkers held on to win 3-1.
This week is a busy one for the Ads. It starts with a three pack over the weekend, Friday night home against Rockford, Saturday night at Peoria and back home on Sunday afternoon against Hamilton. Then on Wednesday night, Rockford comes back to town.
For the second consecutive week one team started off the game on a 5-0 run. This time it was the Wave as they were able to solve the Rochester Lancers keeper with a three point strike from defender Josh Rife. Shortly there after a 2 pointer from veteran Marcello Fontana. Rochester were able to put themselves on the board when the teams leading goal scorer and the oldest player in the league at 43 Doug Miller finished one off on the powerplay as the wave had been sent to the box for too many men on the field. With minutes remaining Nick Perera hit a three point goal to put the wave up 8-2. Just 48 seconds later, Joe Hammes also finished from three point land. That brought the score to wave 11 Lancers 2. Goals from again Doug Miller and Brayton Knapp brought the lancers closer before Marcello Fontana, finished off his second goal of the evening to make the final score Wave 13 Lancers 6. Midway through the third, Rochesters Rey Martinez was issued a red card when he would not sit down for his time out in the penalty box. He also shared some unfriendly for kids language with the referee and official Rich Grady sent him for an early shower. Wave go to 3-2 and will face Chicago again Friday in Chicago.
Wrestling Newsbytes
Tribute to The Troops
WWE Tribute to The Troops airs on Wednesday night on USA in a two hour special and next Saturday on NBC in a one hour format. It's one of my personal favorite shows if the year.
Randy Orton Injured
It is being reported on various sites that Randy Orton injured his wrist during the Tribute to The Troops taping over the weekend.
Quick Hits
- This past week on Jay & Silent Bob Get Old, Kevin Smith announced that Hit Somebody, the hockey film that was meant to be his last before retirement, will now be a TV mini-series. I've been looking forward to this movie for over a year now so hopefully a station like AMC picks it up so I could see it first run.
- After the Hit Somebody news broke, Kevin took to Twitter and announced that Clerks III will be his final film, hoping to come out in 2014 around the 20th anniversary of Clerks. He then took to the podcast Hollywood Babble-On Supersized Annual #1 to explain the details. I'm still trying to process all this so I'm not sure how to feel about it yet.
- The NHL officially cancelled all 2012 games. Yeah that's all I got on that, I'm just so sick of this lockout at this point.
- In a surprising turn of events, Dave Hester of Storage Wars is suing A&E and Original Productions for wrongful termination. Yes Hester got fires by A&E! He accused them of committing fraud by staging storage lockers with interesting items to make for good TV. He is seeking $750,000 in damages, and now the show will be a little less fun without him.
Grade: A+
Favorite Song: Jingle Bells
Grade: B
Favorite Song: Missing You
That's it for this issue. If you would like to read more insight, it has been a busy week in this blog. Check out my NFL Week 15 picks, my rant on the NHL Lockout, Falling Into The Podium Trap and the latest year end special, The Top Sports Moments of 2012.
Next week, there will a review of the Glee Christmas special, WWE TLC, ROH Final Battle and whatever other stories break this week. Also Scott will be attending the Wave/Soul game in Chicago on Friday night and I will be going to Sunday's Admirals/Bulldogs game with my son, so we will be getting pictures together from those games.
Now as always you shoot an email over to entertainreport@gmail.com, like us on facebook, follow me @Reilly21106 and Scott @ScottFellows23 on Twitter. Please continue to vote in the year end polls, there will be new ones up all week. Thank you for reading and spread the word!
