- Michelle Beadle is wicked awesome at everything she does.
- Randy Couture had a fantastic August.
- Stephen Strasburg didn’t have a fantastic August.
- And, I’m Aaron Goins. All my thoughts on these topics and more (including a WWE double standard)… in The Highlight Reel!
NEWS and NOTES
**One of my main criticisms with World Wrestling Entertainment in the last two years has been the mismanagement and destruction of uniqueness within the WWE Divas. The company seems hell-bent on pushing the ideal that all successful girls should be tall, blonde, anorexic, uncoordinated, and with fake teats. Plus, of these generic blondes, only the ones with notoriety for sleeping with backstage brass or top-tier stars could actually become champions and/or would be forced down fans’ throats until the end of time. Gone are the days of beautiful women who can wrestle as well as turn heads like no other. Instead of Trish Stratus, Mickie James, Lita, Victoria, Jacqueline, Ivory, and Molly Holly, we now have to settle with Michelle McCool, Kelly Kelly, Layla, Maryse, Tiffany, and Melina. This is a major downfall in terms of beauty and talent. As WWE Management is finding out also, it is a major downfall in terms of class too.
In 2010, WWE has fired three Divas for “perceived” behavioral problems. At least, that is the excuses used to describe the dismissal of Mickie James, Maria, and most recently Serena Deeb. All three were popular with fans, beautiful beyond belief, didn’t sleep their way to the top, and in the case of Mickie and Serena tremendously talented in-ring competitors. Of course, Mickie and Maria had musical endeavors outside the WWE and Mickie and Serena were both voluptuous women in a company that lusts for Olive Oil. But, they were fired for “behavioral problems” and nothing petty at all because petty is not how WWE rolls.
Recently, token blonde Tiffany was arrested for a domestic situation with her husband Drew McIntyre; a real behavioral problem. Yet, Tiffany remains employed. Meanwhile, rumors are abundant that there are other issues among the Divas involving public incidents that have made the company look bad in recent weeks. Yet, the three non-conformist with “behavioral problems” not seen are the ones released. Again, can’t be petty at all.
All of this is a precursor to the announcement of Season Three of WWE NXT. For the first time ever, NXT will be an all-Diva edition with six of the girls from Florida Championship Wrestling getting called up to the main roster.
Now, you would think this would be a great time for the WWE Divas as they will have an entire hour weekly to shine, right? Wrong. Instead, this is a message to the current Divas roster that they are expendable unless they are a blonde favorite of management. What better way to let the girls know how important they are than to have a show with six rookies for the simple point of showing that they can be replaced in the snap of a finger. It’s sad to think this is the same company that had, and at one time properly used, Trish Stratus, Mickie James, Lita, Victoria, Jacqueline, Ivory, and Molly Holly. Now, the WWE Divas are nothing but sad jokes. Of course, the biggest and most unfunny joke comes in the sexism of the company with the statement below:
“Officials are very strict regarding the public image of its talent because of promises to corporate sponsors that World Wrestling Entertainment is a wholesome company.”
Of course, if you’re Randy Orton, Mark Henry, Chris Jericho, Wade Barrett, Santino Marella, Ted DiBiase, or another male performers though, your mugshot is looked at as a badge of honor and your employment and push are safe. Randy Orton has crapped in luggage, spit in faces, and destroyed Holiday Inns. Mark Henry has physically assaulted autograph-seekers. Chris Jericho, Wade Barrett, Santino Marella, and Ted DiBiase all have mug shots for public drunkenness/DUI. None have even been rumored of having their job in danger. And, the reality is that any blonde Diva popular with management is also safe. But, if you are the least bit unique and female, you should consider yourself working for WWE on borrowed time because being unique and popular is definitely a “behavioral problem.”
**Michelle Beadle seriously just gets more awesome with every day. This week, she totally killed it on Late Show with David Letterman while more articles come out every week profiling the fastest rising star on ESPN. She’s sexy as can be but is getting ahead in the business with a winning personality, a sports knowledge second to none, and a carefree attitude that is refreshing in an age of yelling sports commentators who take things way too seriously. Michelle Beadle is charming, sassy, intelligent, and… oh-my-gawd sexy.
Michelle Beadle is obviously my crush of the moment and this moment is going to last for a while. I’m an addict and the only thing that can quench my fix is more Beadle!
**The 2010 Emmy Awards came and went with a whimper. Modern Family was one of the big winners of the evening, taking home Best Comedy and Best Supporting Actor for Eric Stonestreet. I like Modern Family and actually feel it deserved the nod over The Office and 30 Rock. However, I still don’t see how Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson, and Ed Helms can go without being nominated for anything. But, that is the Emmy Awards making a mistake by not recognizing great talents. Jane Lynch being named Best Supporting Actress for her work on Glee was an obvious nod and I’m glad the committee didn’t make a mistake. Other than the comedy categories, I really did care enough to notice. Mad Men won again but it still doesn’t make me want to rent the DVDs and watch the series and I was puzzled at how Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie could win for Best Children's Program when it was a movie and not a TV program. But, I digress.
**Washington Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg entered the major leagues earlier this year with all the hype and momentum worthy of either a Hall of Fame pitcher or the second coming of Christ himself. After a couple of months though, I feel very confident in saying the Stephen Strasburg Era in Major League Baseball is over before it truly began. Strasburg went 5-3 this season (which makes him the most successful Washington National ever). However, those numbers were hardly what was expected of the almighty Strasburg. Now, Strasburg is scheduled for Tommy Johns surgery and will be sidelined for 12-18 months. A lot of pitchers have came back from Tommy Johns surgery to have good careers. However, considering Strasburg was supposed to revolutionize the game, a good career would be a disappointment for baseball’s “chosen one.”
**A few weeks ago Kyle Busch made history at the Track Formerly Known as Bristol Motor Speedway when he won the Trucks, Cup Light, and Cup Series races on the same weekend. According to Kyle Busch fans and the brainwashed members of NASCAR’s media still supporting the sport, this was a tremendous accomplishment. However, to certain smart members of the sports media and society as a whole, Kyle Busch’s three-peat was nothing to celebrate.
“Would the professional sports world give two hoots if a Phil Mickleson or Tiger Woods went out and won a seniors golf tournament on Wednesday, a Nationwide tournament on Friday and a PGA event in Sunday? The answer is a resounding no. In fact, guaranteed, there would have been widespread condemnation in the stick-and-ball sports media that Mickleson or Woods was hustling the elderly and the kids for the sake of a record.”
I couldn’t have said it better than Dean McNulty of the Toronto Sun. Meanwhile, this NASCAR story even made SportsNation and was put in its place quickly. During the Pop Culture game, Michelle and Colin asked: Who was the weekend’s Bigger Winner - Kyle Busch’s three-peat or Neil Patrick Harris’ two Emmys at the Creative Emmy Awards. My beloved Michelle, somewhat-liked Colin, and 84% of the Nation (which I’m indifferent to) all made the right choice: NPH! NPH! NPH!
This three-peat, the first of probably many, and Kyle Busch’s success in the Trucks and Cup Light series are nothing to celebrate. Neither is the success of Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, or Joey Logano in these series. These men are racing these series without respect for the competitors who can these divisions of NASCAR home. How would they have felt if their development had been hindered by the late Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, Dale Jarrett, and the stars of a decade ago doing what they are doing now? I bet they’d be pretty mad and disgusted despite the facade drivers always put on when the cameras are rolling.
**Rest in Peace, Luna Vachon. Best known as Bam Bam Bigelow’s main squeeze in the early 90s WWE New Generation era, Luna passed away last week at the age of 48. While not confirmed, it is believed that Luna will be another drug-related wrestling death.
Sometimes it is a tough thing; being a wrestling fan. Watching people perform and evolve before your eyes before Vince McMahon casts them aside and takes their fame along with their youth, leaving only a shell filled with memories and desires for more. Many turn to drugs to keep up with the rigors of McMahon’s scheduling and many lose fights to those demons. All because they wanted to entertain us: the fans.
CHEERS and JEERS
Superstar of the Week: Randy Couture
UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture had an awesome August. First off, “the Natural” was one of the many to star in one of the biggest films of 2010: The Expendables. After being part of the $90 million film alongside so many cinematic and professional ass-kickers, it was time for Couture to go back to what he does best: kicking ass. In a first of its kind “boxer vs. MMA” match at UFC 118, Couture defeated James Toney 1:41 into the first round by submission. Inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2006, Couture is still winning fights and looking good as ever at 47 years old. Awesome few weeks for “the Natural” Randy Couture.
Jerk of the Week: Jay Mariotti
I was a huge fan of Around the Horn once and Jay Mariotti was one of the reasons why. I respected some of his opinions. However, I really respected Jay Mariotti because he expressed his opinion regardless of what fellow journalists, fans, and sports personalities thought of him. With that kind of brash personality though comes those looking to knock one off his pedestal. In the case of Jay Mariotti, he knocked himself off his pedestal with a knockout shot to his girlfriend on August 21st in Los Angeles.
Mariotti was arrested and booked on suspicion of a felony after a domestic altercation with his girlfriend. As a result, he was suspended from Fanhouse.com, where he was a top writer, and ESPN, where he still appeared on Around the Horn, until the matter is closed.
While I respect Jay Mariotti: the columnist, I really don’t like Jay Mariotti: the man. The saying “those who live in glass houses shall not throw stones” really applies to Mariotti. He has adamantly blasted athletes who have done far less than he has if these suspicions are proven true. I respect the passion in his strong opinions. But, to have those opinions, you must also have the strong personal morals to back them up. Jay Mariotti clearly does not have those morals.
POWER RANKINGS - Top 5 ESPN Personalities
5. Colin Cowherd - ESPN SportsNation and The Herd / Tony Kornheiser - Pardon the Interruption
4. Bob Ryan - Around the Horn and Pardon the Interruption
3. Skip Bayless - ESPN’s 1st and 10
2. Jim Rome - Jim Rome is Burning
1. Michelle Beadle - ESPN SportsNation and Winners Bracket
BIG A RECOMMENDS…
The Killer Inside Me - Now available for rental at Blockbuster Express; available on DVD on September 28th
Based on the 1952 novel, The Killer Inside Me stars Casey Affleck as Lou Ford, a West Texas deputy sheriff who is also a serial killer. Kate Hudson is wonderful as Amy Stanton, Ford’s girlfriend, while Jessica Alba seriously has one of the best performances of her career as prostitute Joyce Lakeland. The film shows Ford’s mental stability slowly deteriorate as the dark side of her personality gradually takes over at the expense of others. The violence, especially violence on women, in this film has drawn controversy while the story and first-person narrative coming from a cold blooded killer is chilling at times. The Killer Inside Me is one of the best films of 2010 and definitely a must-see for anyone who enjoys great storytelling, especially from the colder side of the psyche.
WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK…
Not much. I’ve learned little to nothing I haven’t already known. I’ll try better next time. Promise.
- Aaron Goins
I think to learn something new you'll have to try harder next time.
ReplyDeleteTruer words have never been spoken, lol.
ReplyDelete