Super Bowl XLV hype, WWE and NASCAR blunders, Saying Good-bye to "Cash", and more...

These four things I know are true…

- Life is far too short.

- The Royal Rumble was a great pay-per-view at one time. Not anymore though.

- Blake Griffin is a beast while Ricky Gervais is just sad.

- And, I’m Aaron Goins. All my thoughts on these topics and so much more (including Super Bowl XLV)… in The Highlight Reel!

NEWS and NOTES
**Super Bowl XLV is a week away and, for the first time in a long time, I was correct in predicting one of the teams involved. If you all remember, it was yours truly who said the Green Bay Packers would play in the Super Bowl on February 6th. Granted, I said they would face the Baltimore Ravens and that was a mistake but I am still pretty proud of picking one team correctly after a couple of seasons of prediction ineptitude.

The Green Bay Packers have been the hottest team in football over the last six weeks. Behind the rocket arm of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the defensive leadership of linebacker Clay Matthews, the Packers head into Dallas, Texas to face the Pittsburgh Steelers. Led by the irresistible force (at least for women in bars, even if they say “no”) that is Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers had a tremendous season and are reaching their third Super Bowl in six seasons. While Roethlisberger is the face (but not the mugshot despite his past two off seasons) of the organization, the Steelers really are a success based on the play of defensive standouts Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, James Farrior, and Aaron Smith.

I have been pulling for the Green Bay Packers since these playoffs began because of the opposition they have encountered. In the Wild Card Round, the Packers took out Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles and then they eliminated the vastly overrated Atlanta Falcons before finally dumping President Obama’s Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship. While the New York Jets were my favorites in the AFC because of my allegiance to Michelle Beadle, the Steelers did earn their trip to Dallas with victories over the Ravens and the Jets in the AFC Championship so I can’t hate on them for any reason other than the un-convicted rapist at quarterback.

Considering the reasons why I have pulled for them thus far, I will be pulling for the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV. I am pulling for the Packers but I believe that the Pittsburgh Steelers will win Super Bowl XLV. Roethlisberger forces his will onto opposing defenses in big games much like he does to young women in bars during the off-season while the Steeler defense is practically unstoppable. Green Bay will give the Steelers a fight but the Super Bowl is ultimately Pittsburgh’s victory to be had.

**On Sunday, the 24th annual Royal Rumble will take place from Boston, Massachusetts. The Royal Rumble is one of those rare pay-per-view events in professional wrestling that still means something. It is a traditional event, one of the original four or “Big Four” alongside the Survivor Series, SummerSlam, and WrestleMania, that doesn’t need a huge amount of hype or any of the gimmicky bells and whistles used with today’s 39 PPV events to make a wrestling fan excited. The Royal Rumble is important without explanation. Well, it used to be.

On January 30th, 2011, the Royal Rumble will officially be ruined forever with the first ever 40-man Royal Rumble match. Yes, a 40-man Royal Rumble match. As if the 30-man Rumble wasn’t gimmicky enough, the brain trust of World Wrestling Entertainment (i.e. Vince McMahon in the early stages of dementia) decided “Hey! Let’s put another 10 jobbers in there for Cena to toss out. Hey! Cubs win, Cubs WIN!” Yes, Vince has started turning into a Will Ferrell as Harry Carry impersonation before our very eyes. Seriously though, the 30-man Rumble match that fans loved for over 20 years has now been replaced by a 40-man Rumble match that will extend the mediocrity of the current product by about 15 minutes. Why was the change made, you ask? Apparently, Vince McMahon woke up one morning and decided to do it. There was nothing long-term about the change. All of the promotional material was already out and the match had been promoted on TV already as the traditional 30-man Royal Rumble match we all knew and loved. Then, channeling his inner Vince Russo, Vince McMahon decided to shake things up (of course, not for the better).

The move has been met with general distain by everyone not currently receiving a paycheck from World Wrestling Entertainment. Current Superstars are excited while former Superstars say the match reeks of desperation. Jim Ross is slurping the idea on his blog while secretly crying into his cowboy hat. But, one unnamed source within the company summed up this year’s Rumble match perfectly. The source said, “When you have 30 guys who are not over and you add ten more guys, it isn’t special. It’s like adding vanilla to vanilla.”

Sure, there was a time where this move could have been done and it would have been amazing. But, that time has come and long since past. When upgrading the Rumble match consists of adding such contenders as Primo, Darren Young, Yoshi Tatsu, and all of the jobber members from both Nexus Hollywood and Wolfpac (I mean New Nexus and the Corre), all that has really occurred is the WWE has turned the prestigious Royal Rumble match into the much-maligned World War III battle royal that WCW created in the late 1990s. And, I thought TNA was the new WCW. Silly internet wrestling fans, you haven’t got a damn clue either. Back to the Rumble, the addition of these additional 10 contenders have only added another 10 30-second entries who will get a pay day doing a group job session to the real Rumble potential winners: John Cena, a returning Triple H, John Cena, a returning Undertaker, or John Cena.

I am going to miss the Royal Rumble. All great things must come to an end. It’s just sad that the Royal Rumble has to end in a blaze of incompetence at the hands of an idiotic man who has made billions on the wrestling business and is now killing that same business before our very eyes.

**After watching my interest in the sport decline by leaps and bounds over the past eight years, I can now officially say it: NASCAR is dead to me. What caused this, you ask? The powers that be in NASCAR have destroyed an already raped and pillaged sport by redoing the points system and making the act of winning races more worthless than ever. Plus, the Chase has been tinkered with again to now make NASCAR’s playoffs include almost half the field as the Cup title has been watered down even more.

The new points system that will “simplify” things for the common fan, as the powers that be in NASCAR describe their fans, works like this: the winner of a race will score 43 points, 2nd scores 42 points, 3rd, scores 41 points, etc. until the last place finisher scores one single point. At the end of 26 races, the Chase begins with the Top Ten in points plus the next two drivers with the most wins not currently in the Chase. What they will do should only nine guys have wins and all currently be in the Top Ten in points is a problem they can deal with because I certainly won’t give a damn. Using this points system, a driver could win nine races and finish outside the Top 30 in one race and still not be champion if another driver finished in the Top Ten in every race during that same ten race stretch. That’s not an overreaction either, it’s basic math.

NASCAR has essentially committed suicide with this move. While the sport was never going to reclaim it’s once-promising spot among the top sports in America, NASCAR still had the potential to be the premiere auto sport in the world. Now, I don’t think even that is possible. The Indy Car Series never make these terrible moves or cater to fair-weather fans because they understand their place and understand loyalty towards the fans they’ve had for generations. That loyalty is why I prefer the action and the excitement of the Indy Car Series for my auto racing fix. NASCAR is the WWE of the sporting world: too gimmicked and run on ineptitude to a point of dying before our very eyes.

**One of the things that makes me sick when I think of professional wrestling is how the majority of fans who actually are vocal about the sport do nothing but complain and blast TNA for attempting to offer them something different from WWE. It seems as though having Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, and Ric Flair on the roster working in any semblance whatsoever completely negates all of the tremendous matches had by the Motor City Machine Guns and Beer Money or AJ Styles and Douglas Williams. They nullify talents like Ken Anderson, Kurt Angle, Matt Morgan, Samoa Joe, D’Angelo Dinero, and the countless other young athletes busting their ass trying to be professional wrestlers. Those three cancel out any spectacular efforts by women like Mickie James, Tara, Madison Rayne, and Angelina Love. Hogan, Bischoff, and Flair are apparently the devil.

That mentality is absolutely stupid as these three men are among the most important men in the history of professional wrestling. More importantly, they also have made their name and maintained their name without having to kiss Vince McMahon’s ass. They realize that Vince McMahon is NOT the end all, be all of the business and they have given TNA as much of a rub as they could in order to give fans a wrestling alternative. But, of course, because they didn’t die in the ring or job out to every single person on the roster within 20 minutes of arrival, they are the devil.

It is that mindset held by a majority of my idiotic brotherhood that have countless wrestling “fans” missing out on some of the best wrestling in the world. At the Genesis pay-per-view, Ken Anderson finally grabbed the brass ring when he defeated Jeff Hardy for the TNA World Championship after winning a number one contendership match over Matt Morgan on the same night. While Mr. Anderson’s emergence as TNA Champion has changed the face of the company, the injury bug has hit TNA in a way that is a major negative as both AJ Styles (hip) and Alex Shelley (broken collarbone) are set to miss significant ring time. But, the injury bug is not stopping the Immortal-TNA angle from finally building to a crescendo as fresh and familiar faces are making the Impact Zone feel like a war zone. Matt Hardy has debuted in TNA alongside his brother Jeff in the Immortal faction while Tommy Mercer, one of the top young faces on the Indy circuit, as debuted as Crimson in TNA. Plus, Scott Steiner has returned alongside Kurt Angle as the Main Event Mafia is beginning to take shape once again in TNA.

The longtime storyline of Immortal taking TNA and Dixie Carter and the TNA faces retaking the company is beginning to come to a head. I know a majority of wrestling fans will miss out on this angle or they will ridicule it without giving it a chance. But, the genuine wrestling fans who know what professional wrestling is all about will be tuning in for the payoff to one of the few old-school angles left in professional wrestling.

**Season seven of The Office has been hilarious. Sadly, the season has also had a bittersweet cloud hovering overhead ever since the announcement was made that Steve Carell was leaving at the end of the season. The Office without Michael Scott just seems wrong. Unfortunately, fans are going to have to get used to life without Michael Scott even sooner now as it has been announced that Steve Carell’s final episode of The Office will air with four episodes remaining in this season.

I am a Steve Carell fan. But, I believe that this move by Carell will ultimately be a move that he will regret. The Office has made him a television icon and gotten him a lot of cinematic roles that he otherwise would never have seen. He may have a few more big films left in him. But, if those films are anything like the under-whelming Date Night or Dinner for Schmucks, Carell may find those fat Hollywood paydays ending quicker than anticipated.

I just hope that The Office is allowed a chance to shine on its own merit by NBC once Carell’s departure is complete. If the show doesn’t go off the deep end completely, I think The Office has another lengthy run in it with the adventures of Dwight, Jim and Pam, Andy, and other superstars of Dunder-Mifflin.

**I am eagerly looking forward to the third (and tentatively final installment) in the Christopher Nolan Batman film series already. But, the news on the casting of Batman’s next villain has turned my anticipation level from mere eagerness to now impatiently waiting for That Ole Thang II: Electric Boogaloo (also known as The Dark Knight Rises). Anne Hathaway has been announced as Catwoman for the third installment in Nolan’s Batman saga.

I love me some Anne Hathaway. Seriously, Hathaway is right there with Amy Adams, Jenna Fischer, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Meryl Streep in terms of my favorite actresses of all-time. So, I am super-stoked that Anne Hathaway is going to be a part of what has, so far, been one of my favorite film franchises of all-time. While Catwoman is not one of my favorite Batman villains of all-time, I know already that Anne Hathaway will bring a dignity and respect to the role that has never been seen before in the storied history of Catwoman.

**The tenth season of American Idol has arrived and I’m not interested for the first time in the show’s inception. After watching years of mediocre talent discovered (sorry Jordan Sparks through Lee DeWyze), I still enjoyed the show for the harsh doses of reality delivered to delusional contestants via Simon Cowell. However, that is no longer the case as Simon and the lovely (and also honest) Kara DioGuardi are gone with Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler replacing the two in a last gasp for attention by American Idol producers. It simply isn’t going to work for me though. What was appointment television at one time has now become an afterthought as Wednesdays are now meant for Modern Family and Thursdays are all about NBC’s Comedy Night Done Right.

**A year ago, the end of Hannah Montana would have been met with children committing mass suicides like cults in 1997 San Diego or Al-Qaeda while pedophiles all over would be mourning as if Chris Hansen was waiting in all of their homes simultaneously. It is amazing what one terrible CD, one scandal involving possible drug use, and an alienation of a fan base will do for a young woman’s career and hit television show.

Hannah Montana officially ended on January 16th with a one-hour finale that saw Miley give up a movie role in Paris in order to attend college with her best friend, Lilly. I thought the episode was a wonderful finale to what was a wonderful television show that the entire family could enjoy. Considering the popularity Hannah Montana had at one time, I can’t help but feel a little disappointment and surprise though that Hannah Montana roared like a lion during it’s peak but ultimately went out with less than a whimper during its finale. However, it seems that this reaction was exactly what Miley Cyrus asked for as there was little to no promotion for the finale episode and she has done everything she could in the last 365 days to shed that good girl image. Hopefully this doesn’t spell the end for this talented young woman’s career but I fear Miley may have made an Achy Breaky Mistakey with her handling of Hannah Montana and its finale.

**The Auburn Tigers defeated the Oregon Ducks, 22-19, in one of the most ugly, boring, anticlimactic BCS Championship games in early January. Both of these teams had absolutely amazing offenses during the college football season but the dream match-up netted a combine score less than what each team individually averaged. And, that was no testament to their defenses either.

In the aftermath of the disappointing game, I was left with one prevailing thought: how long is this championship going to be recognized before the NCAA takes it away before of the Cameron Newton Scandal? Newton, this year’s Heisman Trophy winner, led the Tigers offense to the national title amidst allegations that his father pimped him out to countless universities before he settled on Auburn. Considering that Reggie Bush had his Heisman repossessed and USC suffered countless sanctions after a lesser scandal, I will not be surprised when Newton is punished and Auburn is stripped of all their accomplishments from this season. What will surprise me is if it takes five years for this to happen.

**Brett Favre has announced his retirement… again. At 41 years of age and with a sex scandal weighing him down like never before, I actually believe he is gone this time. It seems like every great quarterback has to reach a certain low before he can hang it up for good. Some are injured. Some are plagued by scandals. Some are in unfamiliar uniforms after achieving immortal status within one club’s attire. For Favre, he finally has all of these against him. It is now time for one of the all-time greats to say goodbye to the gridiron.

CHEERS and JEERS
Superstar of the Week: Blake Griffin

There has not been a bigger force in the NBA or the sporting world than Blake Griffin. While the majority of talk in the league has centered on the Miami Heat and their egotistical prick LeBron James or the hostage situation in Denver involving Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets, the reality is that Blake Griffin has been the single most dominant force in the NBA thus far in the 2010-2011 season. After missing his rookie season due to injury, the Los Angeles Clippers are on the radar and it is because of the phenomenal young stud from Oklahoma.

Through the first 45 games, Griffin has two 40+ point performances, including a 47-point night against the Indiana pacers, and has established himself as one of the league’s most exciting young players through a highlight reel of dunks that have many comparing the youngster to Dominique Wilkins and Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins already.

In a league filled with young stars yet to reach their peaks and legends enjoying the final glory of their careers, Blake Griffin is shining brightly alongside those stars as a symbol of the bright future in the NBA. Hopefully injury and ego won’t besmirch this awesome young man.

Jerk of the Week: Ricky Gervais

I think that Ricky Gervais is a funny man. The creator of the original British version of The Office, Gervais has been one of the comedy world’s leading minds for a decade. His sharp tongue and biting wit is usually done in the same comedic vein that I adore. However, after hearing the controversial remarks made by Gervais during his recent hosting stint at the January 16th Golden Globe Awards, I found myself more disappointed than impressed with the Brit.

During the Golden Globe Awards, Gervais took shots at every celebrity in the room in a hosting job that more resembled a bitter, jealous, insecure man than the roasting of fellow celebrities as Gervais later described the evening during the many appearances and interviews he gave as part of his personal damage control. While some of the jokes were funny and timely, a lot of the jokes were just inappropriate and uncalled for during an otherwise joyous occasion for Hollywood. Gervais turned the entire affair into an evening more about him than the films and televisions shows that truly were being honored and I saw those acts, then and now, as the actions of a man desperate for attention. Ricky Gervais, you’re better than that.

POWER RANKINGS - Royal Rumble Matches of All-Time
5. 2007 - The Undertaker eliminates Shawn Michaels to win an epic in San Antonio.
4. 2005 - Batista eliminates John Cena in sudden death finale after Vince McMahon blew his quads.
3. 2009 - Randy Orton eliminates Triple H in a star-studded Rumble in Detroit.
2. 1992 - Ric Flair eliminates Sid Justice in a 60-minute performance to win the WWF Championship.
1. 2001 - Steve Austin eliminates Kane to win one of the most competitive Rumble matches ever.

BIG A RECOMMENDS…
Eastbound and Down - Season One currently available on DVD; Season Two available on DVD soon


I recently watched season one of the HBO comedy Eastbound and Down. Yet again, I have a reason to curse having the Starz package on my DirecTV instead of the HBO package. Eastbound and Down is one of the funniest shows I have seen in a long time and it is perfect for anyone who enjoys their comedy with a little blue humor and rage-fueled immaturity.

Danny McBride stars as former major league relief pitcher Kenny Powers. Powers was once a star in the major leagues, first with the Atlanta Braves and then other squads. Brash, overconfident, pompous, and with a 100 mph fastball, Powers’ story loosely follows the one of former Braves phenomenon John Rocker. Powers finally returns to his North Carolina hometown to sleep on his brother’s couch and work as a substitute middle school gym teacher while deliberating a comeback. That is where season one and the hilarity begin.

Already picked up for a third season, the second season has aired on HBO and is soon to arrive on DVD nationwide. I can’t wait to see season two and can not recommend season one of Eastbound and Down enough. It is awesome.


You know that if my girl, Michelle Beadle, is stoked to meet Kenny Powers then this guy must be one awesome dude. Eastbound and Down. Watch it and laugh.

WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK…
On January 17th, I learned once again how live is way too short. I was asleep at around 12 noon when Frank came into my bedroom to wake me. He said, “Something’s happened to Clarence” and I quickly got up. Running into the living room, I saw my mom coming out of the kitchen, crying as she said, “They found Clarence dead this morning.” That was how I got a cold reminder about the briefness and fragility of life: My cousin, Clarence Cheshire, was dead at 43 years old.


Clarence “Cash” Cheshire was the son of my aunt Pat and her husband Wesley Cheshire of Eden. I never really knew Pat as she died when I was young and I never really knew Wesley either. But, I knew Clarence and his sister, another cousin of mine, Mildred well. They both looked up to my mother/their aunt after their mother’s passing and I saw them in their visits with her along with family gatherings. Most recently, Clarence and Mildred had attended some of the family reunions at Farris Park and it was always a welcome sight to see them. What I found out in the days after Clarence’s passing is that his sight was a welcome sight no matter where he went.

Clarence always wanted to work in law enforcement. Despite his size, he had a big enough heart to overcome any obstacle placed in front of him. He worked for various law enforcement agencies all over the region including the Stoneville Police Department, North Carolina Highway Patrol, 911 Emergency Response, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Department, and as deputy sheriff over the town of Reidsville. He never wanted to do anything else with his life. Most of us should be so lucky that we get to live out our dream.

We always shared a bond between us: professional wrestling. Clarence loved the Road Warriors: Hawk and Animal. He was such a fan that I remember seeing Clarence with a haircut resembling Road Warrior Hawk on many an occasion. Plus, I remember how we’d always talk about the Divas. I loved Trish Stratus and he loved Lilian Garcia. We both loved Mickie James. I never got the chance to ask him if he met Mickie when she was in Eden this past September. I certainly hope he did.

One story I told when the floor was opened up at Clarence’s funeral was the story of Clarence’s wrestling mask. In 2004 or 2005, I was taking a Spanish class and needed a wrestling mask for a project on Mexico. So, of course, I got Mama to make me one. While at the house, I was telling Clarence about this and he said, “Hold on a minute.” He went out to his car and pulled out a homemade wrestling mask of his own. It was a mask his mom, Pat, had made for him over 25 years ago. He still wore it, cherished it, and carried it with him. I wish I had a picture from that day.

Clarence’s funeral was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. In retrospect, I compared it to a scene in one of my favorite films of all-time, Big Fish. Clarence lived an amazing life full of laughter, joy, friends, family, and no times but good times. In the days after his passing, I heard all of these stories and just couldn’t believe that he’d done so much in just 43 years. Then, I saw the amount of people saying goodbye at his wake and funeral. The masses of humanity showed that every story was true. Clarence lived all of those stories and more. In this small pond of Rockingham County and in this small pond of life, Clarence Cheshire was truly a really big fish.


I am going to miss him. It’s been almost two weeks but I still can’t belief the day occurred. I will never forget my cousin and I hope that I can be a tenth of the man he was. Then, maybe I can leave this world knowing that I, too, was a good man and a really big fish.

- Aaron Goins

The 2010 Year in Review - Part Three: Overall Awards

BEST OVERALL AWARDS OF 2010
Rookie of the Year
4. The Band Perry - The Perry siblings from Alabama hit the country music scene in a big way in 2010. Kimberly, Reid, and Neil Perry enjoyed their first taste of success with the infectious single “Hip to My Heart.” Reaching the top 20 on the Billboard charts in the summer with their debut single, The Band Perry exploded onto the country landscape with their follow-up single as “If I Die Young” reached number one on the Billboard charts and was one of the biggest hits in country music in 2010. While not as phenomenal as some recent debuts, The Band Perry made a huge splash in their own right in 2010.

3. Alberto Del Rio - Alberto Del Rio debuted in World Wrestling Entertainment with tons of hype and anticipation. After months of promotional videos, Del Rio debuted in late August and immediately began a feud with Rey Mysterio. Del Rio scored a few victories throughout the fall over Mysterio while having his star rise within the SmackDown ranks. While Del Rio did not win any championships or have any huge signature victories, his star was firmly established as one of the future champions and faces of World Wrestling Entertainment.

2. Sam Bradford - Drafted first in the 2010 Draft, Sam Bradford has defied the odds of being a bust in St. Louis by leading the St. Louis Rams to their best effort since the Super Bowl Era with a 7-9 record and second place finish in the dreadful NFC West. Without a doubt, Bradford will be named the offensive rookie of the year in the NFL. His 3,512 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions were among the most impressive of the league’s top young quarterbacks. Plus, Bradford’s seven victories are more by a quarterback taken number one in the draft than any other in their rookie season. While Bradford has still got lots of room to grow, his 2010 season was quite impressive and definitely an indicator of bright things to come in St. Louis.

1. Wade Barrett - While the Nexus have been the hottest collective newcomers in the WWE in 2010, Nexus leader Wade Barrett has been the single most productive member of the group in 2010. Barrett’s fantastic 2010 began with him winning the first edition of WWE NXT in early June. Barrett immediately turned that victory into the launching point for the Nexus faction alongside his fellow NXT contestants. Barrett was the leader for the faction and the mouthpiece throughout the center stage storyline of 2010 in WWE. Barrett eventually scored big wins on PPV over John Cena and WWE Champion Randy Orton before ultimately getting destroyed by Cena in a squash at the December TLC event. While Barrett’s momentum may ultimately have stalled, his entire 2010 was successful enough to have the former bare-knuckle fighter be a runaway winner of this honor.

Feud of the Year
4. Mickie James vs. Tara - The best feud in all of professional wrestling in 2010 was a feud between two of the greatest female performers to ever lace up boots as Mickie James and Tara stole the show on multiple TNA pay-per-view events and episodes of Impact in 2010. Starting with her TNA debut on October 7th, Mickie James had a thorn in her side immediately in the form of her former WWE rival Tara. Brawls all over the Impact Zone, intense street fights and Falls Count Anywhere matches, and an epic steel cage match that left both women injured while also serving as an inspiration to future generations of young women wanting to be wrestlers made up one of the best wrestling feuds I have seen in the business in years. Mickie James and Tara should be proud of a three month war that showed fans wrestling can still be done right in the US.

3. Carl Edwards vs. Brad Keselowski - These two drivers absolutely hate one another. The lengths at which they expressed their hatred towards one another was on full display during 2010 and the era of NASCAR’s “have at it, boys” policy. On March 7th at Atlanta, Carl Edwards returned to the track with a wrecked race car with the sole purpose of wrecking Keselowski in mind. The contact results in the #12 Dodge of Keselowski airborne and into the fence in one of the most visual spectacular crashes of the decade. More words and contact led to another incident in the Nationwide Series on July 17th at Gateway when Edwards blatantly wrecked Keselowski on the final lap to claim victory after a Keselowski bump-and-run for the lead occurred one lap earlier. Eventually NASCAR stepped in and showed their hypocrisy by penalizing Edwards for his actions (even though he was well within NASCAR’s “have at it, boys” policy). While NASCAR stunk greatly in 2010, the Carl Edwards-Brad Keselowski was one of the few bright spots as it was a genuine, non-manufactured by the media, rivalry that offered a lot of bright spots to an otherwise drab sport.

2. LeBron James vs. Cleveland, Ohio - Sports stars leave teams all the time. But, never before has a star left with such disrespect for his former city as the way LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers on July 8th, 2010. After quitting on the Cavs in the playoffs for a second consecutive season, James teased resigning and leaving for weeks before requesting an hour of TV time from ESPN. Stupidly granting James this time, LeBron held the sporting world hostage with a special called “The Decision.” James said, “I’m going to take my talents to South Beach” 58 minutes into the hour as he announced that he was going to join Dwayne Wade and fellow free agent Chris Bosh with the Miami Heat. Cleveland was left heartbroken, outraged, and victimized. But, just when the city seemed to be ready to move on, LeBron James continued his provocation of the city with Nike-funded mini-movies, catty remarks on Twitter, and other outlandish actions done with the sole purpose of hurting the city that made him a millionaire as motivation. This feud will never end but hopefully, if there is a just God in the sporting world, Cleveland will be allowed to get some semblance of vengeance or redemption.

1. Conan O’Brien vs. Jay Leno and NBC - In June 2009, Jay Leno left The Tonight Show for his own prime-time 10PM show on NBC leaving The Tonight Show in the capable hands of Conan O’Brien. Jay Leno’s prime-time show was a failure and, rather than sending Leno into the sunset, NBC decided after eight months to give Leno The Tonight Show once again. After 17 years of working and earning his spot, Conan was being pushed back to 12:05AM in order to cater to the funnyman America clearly said they’d had enough of: Jay Leno. Conan decided to leave NBC instead of bowing down to Leno once again and the war was on. O’Brien was released from NBC and Leno returned to The Tonight Show. That move led to boycotts on NBC, an “I’m With Coco” online campaign still raging strong, and Conan O’Brien moving to his own show on TBS. This Hollywood feud had many linger effects that are still being felt today. Jeff Zucker, the executive responsible for this mess at NBC, was fired and NBC is still trying to recover from the backlash. Jay Leno is still struggling to find his audience. Meanwhile, Conan O’Brien is bringing TBS brand new success and looks like one of the nicest man in all of entertainment for the way he handled such a bad situation. In the case of this feud, a clear-cut winner exists and his name is Coco.

Biggest Disappointment of the Year
4. The 2010 Royal Rumble match - Very rarely does the Royal Rumble match fail to disappoint. It is one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the year and usually sets the tone for the entire year. In the case of the 2010 Royal Rumble match, it set the tone because 2010 was the worst year in World Wrestling Entertainment history. With the most talented 30-participant field in Royal Rumble history at their disposal, WWE only allowed 10 participants to remain in the Rumble match longer than five minutes with eight participants lasting in the match under a minute. Edge returned from injury and won the match. But, Edge’s triumphant return will be forever overshadowed by the heinous stench that was the garbage called the 2010 Royal Rumble match.

3. The 2010 Minnesota Vikings / The 2010 Dallas Cowboys (TIE) - There were plenty of disappointments in the NFL in 2010. The San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, and Cincinnati Bengals were all terribly disappointing. But no two teams were more disappointing in the NFL than the underachieving Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys. Both were expected to win their respective divisions and were seen as legitimate Super Bowl contenders before the season began. However, the games were played and things never looked good for the Vikings or Cowboys. Minnesota’s 2010 season consisted of another Brett Favre dramatic return, a Favre sex-ting scandal, a war that pitted coach Brad Childress against his players and Vikings ownership and ultimately saw Childress fired, and a snowstorm that led to the collapse of the Metrodome and turned the Vikings into nomads. Meanwhile, the Cowboys started the season 1-7 before owner Jerry Jones finally fired head coach/human jellyfish Wade Phillips. Quarterback Tony Romo ended up injured and the Cowboys’ dream of playing in the Super Bowl held in their home stadium ended before it even began. In a season with many disappointments, the NFL had no bigger busts than the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys.

2. Mickie James is fired by WWE - April 22nd, 2010 was the most disappointing day I have ever had as a fan (former fan) of World Wrestling Entertainment. After months of degradation from the company and returning from an almost career-ending knee injury/staph infection, Mickie James was released from World Wrestling Entertainment on April 22nd mere hours after conducting over a hundred interviews promoting that upcoming week’s RAW in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. It was the moment where I lost all love for WWE as I could no longer justify any heinous act from this once-proud and innovative company. Mickie James was released because of petty jealousy because she was attempting a country music career alongside her wrestling career and because she refused to sleep her way to the top. WWE’s pettiness and stupidity is TNA’s gain though. World Wrestling Entertainment made countless disappointing roster moves in 2010 including the releases of MVP, Matt Hardy, Gregory Helms, Maria, Kaval, and the losses of Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels to retirement. But, there wasn’t a single more disappointing move than the release of Mickie James.

1. LeBron James - On July 7th, LeBron James was the Akron Hammer. He was a good guy who played basketball for his home team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite showing signs of frustration with his team, everything was fine in the sporting world as LeBron James was basketball’s great hope: a superstar who was not a thug or an egotistical drama queen like so many of the league’s superstars had become. Then came July 8th and a little thing called “The Decision.” With one sentence, LeBron James shattered his clean-cut image and became worse than any scumbag in sports history. The Akron Hammer died and was replaced with the South Beach Scumbag as LeBron James announced in an hour-long special on ESPN (which he requested) that he was “going to take my talents to South Beach.” After that moment came a bevy of disgusting moments as LeBron James made mini-movies through Nike continuing to agitate his former Cleveland fans, comments on Twitter vowing vengeance on those who dislike him, and other moments of sheer stupidity and egotism which have revealed James to be nothing more than a 25-year old man-child without a hint of humility in his being. It is such a shame that the LeBron James who was a good man and a star to get behind was all just a façade.

Most Shocking Moment of the Year
4. The Rumble at Texas Motor Speedway - Rarely in NASCAR was a moment shocking or memorable in 2010. But, in the AAA Texas 500 on November 7th, shocking is the perfect adjective to describe what happened in the aftermath of Jeff Burton crashing Jeff Gordon. While under caution for another accident, Burton drove Gordon into the wall in a violent accident that ended both men’s day. Instead of getting into an ambulance immediately upon exiting his race car, Gordon ran down the backstretch and began punching and grappling with Burton in a seen reminiscent of the landmark 1979 Yarborough-Allison fight. While Gordon vs. Burton will never do for the sport what Yarborough-Allison did, Gordon vs. Burton was a shocking (and entertaining) moment in 2010.

3. Watermelons can be dangerous - While a great television show, rarely does The Amazing Race have a piece of video set the world on fire quite like a clip from the opening leg of this year’s fall race did. While using an elastic slingshot during a challenge in England, Claire Champlin was hit in the face by a watermelon traveling at a high velocity. Claire was stunned but able to continue and she, along with teammate Brook Roberts, ultimately finished second in the entire race. Never before has a watermelon-smashing moment brought so many smiles and amazement as the watermelon incident during this season’s Amazing Race did.

2. The Nexus debuts on RAW - On June 7th, John Cena was facing CM Punk in the main event of another boring RAW when wrestling became exciting again for a brief moment of time. During this main event match, the eight men who competed in the first season of WWE NXT attacked Cena, Punk, Jerry Lawler, ring announcer Justin Roberts, cameramen, referees, and road agents while also dismantling the ring and destroying the RAW set in an attack not seen in professional wrestling since the days of the nWo or the Four Horsemen. It was a magical moment. While WWE would drop the ball with the Nexus and leave the young stars as nothing more than jobbers to everyone from Cena and Randy Orton to Santino Marella, that one night when the Nexus debuted was a special moment that won’t soon be forgotten.

1. World Wrestling Entertainment fires Mickie James - As terrible as World Wrestling Entertainment treated Mickie James over the last eight months of her tenure there, I still couldn’t believe how shocked I was when I read the headline on April 22nd that said Mickie James was fired from WWE. The face of women’s wrestling since Trish Stratus retired in 2006 and one of the most popular performers among the locker room and the fans was released from her contract. Why? Petty jealously stemming from James refusing to sleep her way to the top like Michelle McCool or James working on a country music career simultaneously with her wrestling career led to the end of her WWE career. While Mickie is enjoying better times now working in TNA Wrestling, the shock of April 22nd is still bitterly disappointing and hard to believe that it ever occurred.

Most Overrated of the Year
4. The Twilight saga - Twilight: a young girl’s choice between necrophilia and bestiality. After watching the first film, I thought that, while it didn’t deserve the hatred most men gave it, it certainly did not deserve the praise or delirious legions of female fanatics. Seeing these cheesy films make billions while high quality films go ignored and watching the female equivalent of Star Wars develop before my eyes is enough to make one nauseous.

3. Kyle Busch / LeBron James (TIE) - Both men are extremely talented in their respective sports. However, both LeBron James and Kyle Busch suffer from one character flaw that make both men extremely unlikable: they are self-absorbed, egotistical jerks in need of a reality check. LeBron James is a two-time NBA MVP but has quit on his team in the NBA Playoffs the last two years when things got tough. Then, the whole Miami Heat fiasco/abandonment of Cleveland and James’ delusional rants on Twitter have only added to James’ new heel persona. The reality is that James is not worthy of a tenth of the press he gets because he is not a champion and may never be one despite having championship talent. The same can be said for Kyle Busch. Busch showed through his petulant attitude towards media, fans, teammates, and officials that he can not handle when things get tough. Busch could win a Cup Championship with some hard work but would rather stroke his ego beating lesser-thans on Saturday in the Nationwide and Truck Series. Of course, what makes these two men both overrated is that legions of sheep feed their egos through admiration of their potential rather than scolding of their attitudes and failures. LeBron James and Kyle Busch both are talented man-children who will only live up to their potential with a much-needed dose of maturity. Until then, they will just be overrated.

2. Dancing with the Stars - I just don’t get the appeal of this show. It is one of the biggest hits on television yet it offers nothing really of value. When the stars consist of Sarah Palin’s daughter, a Disney Channel star not named Cyrus or Gomez, and the dynamic duo of David Hasselhoff and Michael Bolton, there are certainly no stars to be found in the show. Add in the fact that it is a show about ballroom dancing and it just boggles my mind how this was put on the air once, let alone found an audience and become one of TV‘s biggest hits.

1. Justin Bieber - Without a doubt, the most overrated entity of 2010 was the mop topped, nasal-voiced, soon-to-be out of the closet crooner from Canada who stole the hearts of millions of idiotic girls age 4-16. Yes, I’m talking about Justin Bieber. This punk has nothing about him redeemable at all. His voice is grating. His songs are drivel. His attitude in interviews comes off as self-absorbed and that of an egotistic jerk. Justin Bieber doesn’t deserve one iota of the publicity that he gets and it will be a great day when his 15 minutes of fame reach 15:01.

Big A’s Fantasy Babes of the Year
(In no particular order)

Sexy Sports Babe of the Year: Michelle Beadle

Delectable Duo of the Year: The Beautiful People - Angelina Love and Velvet Sky

Country Charmer of the Year: Carrie Underwood

Blonde Bombshell of the Year: Maryse

Drop Dead Gorgeous Girl of the Year: Mickie James

Sensual Siren of the Year: Taylor Swift

Lovely Lady of the Year: Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum

Jerk of the Year
4. Kyle Busch - No doubt about it, Kyle Busch is one of the most talented drivers in the world of NASCAR. But, Kyle Busch conducts himself in such a manner that you can not respect or admire him unless you have no sense of morals or common decency. Kyle Busch bullies his own crew members, belittles officials, has no respect for tradition, and walks with a smug sense of self-worth because he believes that dumpster diving for victories in lesser series make him a champion in the big leagues. Kyle Busch is a perfect example of everything wrong with the modern athlete.

3. British Petroleum - In 2010, an oil spill occurred off the coast of Louisiana. An explosion occurred on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig that ultimately resulted in 13 worker deaths, billions of dollars worth of damage to the Gulf of Mexico, countless animal deaths and endless environment damage from which the area may never truly recover from. British Petroleum was deemed responsible for the accident and was held responsible for the damage caused when the company dragged their feet for over three months before successfully capping the gushing underwater well. BP CEO Tony Hayward’s careless regard for the lives of those living in the area where his company was drilling showed a recklessness that was disgusting. No amount of money could repair the lives of those affected by this disaster. BP and Hayward were absolutely disgusting with their attitude, inaction, and refusal to accept responsibility for one of the worst oil spills in history.

2. Vince McMahon - 2010 was the worst year in the history of World Wrestling Entertainment and there is one man to blame above all others: Vincent Kennedy McMahon. In 2010, Vince ran his son Shane away from the family company after one too many disrespectful jabs. McMahon fired crowd favorites like Mickie James, Shelton Benjamin, Gregory Helms, Matt Hardy, Maria, Katie Lea Burchill, Kaval, and Carlito while driving men like Tommy Dreamer, Chris Jericho, Dave Batista, and Shawn Michaels into retirement or simply departing for greener pastures. McMahon continued to push the same old stars right down to recycling angles involving the same people from a decade ago (see The Undertaker-Kane 2010 rivalry) and promoted PG wrestling to a point where the show has become one long toy commercial. But, the worst act of all was when Vince McMahon used WWE programming for one long political ad for his wife Linda and her ill-fated Senate campaign. Over 50 million dollars and countless hours were wasted in an unsuccessful act that tarnished the once-proud WWE even more. For his actions in 2010, Vince McMahon should be drawn and quartered.

1. LeBron James - Without a doubt, there was no worse human being in 2010 than LeBron James. The sheer amount of over-inflated ego and self-worth within this man is immeasurable. LeBron James turned legions of fans and an entire community in Ohio against him on July 8th when James held a special on ESPN to announce he was joining the Miami Heat. Instead of simply leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers, James announced, “I’m going to take my talents to South Beach” in one of the worst displays of arrogance ever captured on film. As if that wasn’t bad enough, James added a parade with new teammates Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, a constant barrage of insults and delusional remarks on Twitter, and Nike-funded mini-movies to his pokes at a wounded fan base and a disillusioned Cleveland, Ohio.


LeBron James is the excrement of when foolishness, self-worth, and a delusional ego all blend in the stomach of a sneaker company’s hype machine and are pooped out onto the sports world for all of us to see. It took seven years for the real LeBron James to reveal himself as the egotistical prick that he has been all along. Hopefully it won’t take seven years for James to leave the limelight forever.

Superstar of the Year
4. Michelle Beadle - 2010 was the year Michelle Beadle exploded onto the scene. A veteran in the world of sports reporting, Michelle Beadle’s star ascended in 2010 with the success of the popular ESPN SportsNation. Beadle landed a second hosting job, Winners Bracket, also for ESPN while becoming a media darling as she did interviews for various publications and appeared on Late Night with David Letterman over the summer. Her gorgeous looks made her an instant favorite but her incredible wealth of sports knowledge, charming personality, sassy attitude, and unwavering stance on her opinions made her the most beloved ESPN personality in 2010 as Michelle was a refreshing change over the flip-flopping boring anchors stuck in the 1990s. 2010 was great for her and the future is only looking brighter for Michelle Beadle.

3. Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift was on fire again in 2010. Swift made her debut on the big screen in the romantic comedy Valentine’s Day in February. But, her real success came from her music as Taylor Swift dominated the Billboard charts once again in 2010. Fearless won the Grammy Award for Best Album while the song “Fearless” topped the Billboard Country charts alongside “Mine” and “Back to December.” Swift had her first primetime television special on NBC in conjunction with the release of her critically acclaimed third album, Speak Now. In three months, Speak Now went triple platinum in an age when record sales are lower than ever. Plus, Swift embarked on her first world tour with sold out shows all over the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Taylor Swift’s 2010 was absolutely insane as the country sweetheart could simply do no wrong.

2. Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg - In 2010, Facebook reached new heights new imagined for a single website. Everything that mattered in 2010 involved Facebook in some form or fashion. TV and movie promotions, news, entertainment stories, global matters, what people had for dinner, and endless other topics were all a part of the continuous status updates that controlled the world in 2010. More importantly though, Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg entered the limelight in 2010 with the telling of his story in the critically acclaimed film The Social Network. Facebook was simply inescapable in 2010. But, then again, who would want to escape from the largest social network on the web? According to over 500 million users, nobody.

1. Betty White / Conan O’Brien (TIE) - When 2010 began, I don’t think anybody would have believed that the biggest stars of the entire year would be an 88-year old funny woman and a red-headed comedian who spent the majority of the year unemployed. Yet, 2010 was definitely the year of Betty White and the man affectionately known as Coco.


Betty White-mania began in 2009 when White stole the show in the hit romantic comedy The Proposal. On Super Bowl Sunday, White appeared in a Snickers commercial that captured the imagination of a generation and led to an online campaign that succeeded in having White host Saturday Night Live. On May 8th, White’s hosting gig gave Saturday Night Live its highest ratings in year. She later had guest spots on Community, The Middle, and 30 Rock while starring in her own sitcom, Hot in Cleveland, on TV Land. Despite being 88, Betty White continues to show no signs of stopping as her career is on fire and she is one of America’s Sweethearts. 2010 was an amazing year for the amazing Mrs. White.


Conan O’Brien started 2010 hosting The Tonight Show. Little did anyone know that he would be gone from the show by the end of spring. Conan O’Brien announced he was leaving The Tonight Show in mid-January when NBC decided to give Jay Leno the 11:30 timeslot. Conan left NBC a wealthy man after his contract was bought out. He was also television’s hottest free agent. Ultimately landing at TBS with the new show Conan, O’Brien first spent the summer touring the country with a comedy and music tour entitled The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour. The tour was also a success and O’Brien showed that he was not going to let even the most terrible treatment from a network dampen his spirit. That never-say-die attitude is one of the reasons why O’Brien’s fans started the “I’m With Coco” campaign that still is as popular today as in the early days of the O’Brien/NBC debacle.

Betty White and Conan O’Brien were both extremely successful in 2010. The ability to make others laugh and to not take life so seriously is a characteristic few people have. White and O’Brien both have that charming characteristic and have deserved every bit of success they have achieved in 2010 for the gifts they have given the American public. Both are the true definition of superstar.

THE FINAL CREDITS for 2010
In looking back at 2010, I can’t think of looking back at the last 12 months without thinking of one thing: emotion. Yes, I said the same thing in 2009’s retrospect too and the reality is that 2010 was just an emotional year. It was a year filled with highs, lows, frustrations and pains, pleasures and achievements. 2010 was a year of ups and downs.

I felt a lot of pain in 2010 only to have that pain turn to joy. During the year, I lost two cats (RIP Lilly and Fatback). However, I gained five with the births of Smoke, Investment, Cloud, Riley, and Uncle Ruckus. I had a few frustrating days working for the United States Census Bureau. But, there were a lot of fun days traveling around Rockingham County too that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I enjoyed substitute teaching at McMichael High School but wish I could have done more or worked other places. Hopefully 2011 will guide me to bigger and better occupations. I lost the love I once had for professional wrestling with the retirement of Shawn Michaels and the firing of Mickie James from World Wrestling Entertainment both coming within a month of each other. But, thanks to TNA, I’m learning to love the business again. Plus, in mentioning Mickie James, I can’t go without mentioning September 18th. On that day, the Beavis and I met Mickie James at Riverfest in Eden, NC and that encounter with Mickie reaffirmed my love for the greatest woman to ever grace the squared circle.

I celebrated the birth of a baby on The Office and will soon become an uncle (via no relation) as Mike and Leslie prepare to welcome their first child to the world (and it may or may not be a chupacabra). I cheered for Michelle Beadle and Mickie James in whatever they did while I willingly missed my first WWE show in Greensboro and race weekend in Martinsville in ages because of disappointment with the sports. I grew to dislike Vince McMahon, LeBron James, and Michael Vick but grew to truly hate their supporters more for those are the ones who justify to ridiculousness of the evils in society.

I’m sure I’m forgetting some important people and moments but the main point I want to make is that 2010 was definitely a year filled with emotion. I enjoyed the holidays with lots of good friends and family and have entered 2011 with a feeling of completeness in an uncompleted life. I have amazing friends and family who put up with my foolishness and read my regular rants. Without them, I would not be the man that I am today. Here’s to an amazing 2011 filled with peace, love, joy, happiness and all the great things everyone wishes to have coming true. And for me to have a hot tub experience with Beadle, Mickie, Taylor, the Beautiful People, Hillary, Jenna, Maryse, Carrie, and a couple of other ladies. That would be a great way to go in 2011. But, I digress.

- Aaron Goins

The 2010 Year in Review - Part Two: Music and Entertainment

MUSIC
Album of the Year
4. Revolution - Miranda Lambert - Three top 15 singles on the Billboard charts (including a number one with “The House That Built Me”), tons of critical acclaim, and Album of the Year awards from the ACM and CMAs have Revolution earning the number four spot on my year-end countdown. Without a doubt, this was Miranda Lambert’s best work and a wonderful album of rocking country tunes and heartfelt songs full of emotion.

3. Play On - Carrie Underwood - Play On is the best complete album of Carrie Underwood’s career thus far. Home to three number one singles on the Billboard charts (with a fourth number one pending), Play On has went double platinum and helped to establish Carrie Underwood’s songwriting skills as well as her incredible vocal talents. Fantastic album without a weak track, Play On was one of 2010’s best.

2. Need You Now - Lady Antebellum - Triple platinum, critically acclaimed, full of hits (including three consecutive number ones on the Billboard charts), and crossover success for a country trio unseen by a country act in ages. The rise to the top for Lady Antebellum has come from this incredible album. The title track, “Need You Now,” introduced the rest of the world to what country fans have known since 2008: Lady A is awesome. “American Honey” and “Our Kind of Love” only added to their success and Need You Now established that Lady Antebellum is going to be a hit marker for a long time to come. Incredible album.

1. Speak Now - Taylor Swift - The third effort from music superstar Taylor Swift is the most thorough and diverse album of her young career. It is also her best effort. Speak Now featured Swift creating 14 amazing tracks with “Mine” reaching the top of the Billboard charts and crossover success while “Back to December” is currently doing the same. The album was critically acclaimed with universal appeal from fans of all genres leading Speak Now to triple platinum status in less than two months. More important than success though is that Speak Now is genuinely a work of art. Speak Now is the best album of 2010 and is another example of how Taylor Swift is the musical voice of a generation.

Song of the Year - Top 40
4. “California Gurls” - Katy Perry (featuring Snoop Dogg) - Radio-friendly, infectious, happy, joyful, and energetic are all words used to describe one of the biggest hits of 2010. Katy Perry’s ode to “daisy dukes and bikinis on top” was one of the best songs of 2010. “California Gurls” may be one of those songs people are embarrassed to admit enjoying but triple platinum success for the single and tons of acclaim mean somebody loves it.

3. “Whataya Want From Me” - Adam Lambert - I didn’t think Adam Lambert would do much after American Idol but I was wrong. Instead of fizzling after Idol, Lambert released one of the best rock songs of 2010 as “Whataya Want From Me” worked on so many levels. Was Lambert calling out the media? Was it a cry to a former lover? Was it simply a song? Whatever it was, “Whataya Want From Me” was one of the best in 2010.

2. “Love the Way You Lie” - Eminem (featuring Rihanna) - The lyrics were intense and disturbing. The vocals were a mixture of raw hatred and soothing beauty. But, “Love the Way You Lie” was a perfect blend of everything great in Eminem and Rihanna and was one of the best songs of 2010. Rihanna’s vocals reflected her position during the domestic abuse scandal involving former lover Chris Brown while Eminem’s aggression was never more intense than in the phrases which reflected the well-publicized stormy relationship between he and ex-wife Kim. “Love the Way You Lie” was a lyrical ride from beginning to end and one of those songs that is just irresistible.

1. “Just the Way You Are” - Bruno Mars - Bruno Mars became a big name in 2010 thanks to one of the most romantic and charming songs in years. “Just the Way You Are” is an ode to the beauty and perfection that a man sees in the love of his life. From the catchy sound to the wonderfully smooth and flowing lyrics, “Just the Way You Are” was easily one of the most refreshing and addicting singles on radio all year long. I loved the song and everything it represented: kindness, love, happiness, and admiration for the woman who stole your heart. “Just the Way You Are” was my favorite Top 40 song of 2010.

Song of the Year - Country
4. “Lover, Lover” - Jerrod Niemann - Jerrod Niemann blasted onto the country music scene in a big way in 2010 with a low-key, acoustic-sounding number that sounded more beatnik than cowboy. “Lover, Lover” was a terrific debut for the singer-songwriter as Niemann reached number one on the Billboard charts in August and established his voice on an already-crowded country radio.

3. “Why Don’t We Just Dance” - Josh Turner - Josh Turner reached the top of the Billboard charts for four weeks with “Why Don’t We Just Dance.” The song was a wonderful piece of fun escapism in a year filled with a lot of epic ballads and rocking anthems. Turner’s baritone voice and playful, carefree attitude have never shined brighter than on one of the best songs of 2010. “Why Don’t We Just Dance” was a refreshing hit on country radio.

2. “The House That Built Me” - Miranda Lambert - Miranda Lambert has never been better vocally than on the amazing ballad about never forgetting where you grew up: “The House That Built Me.” Reaching number one on the Billboard charts for a month during the summer, “The House That Built Me” received critical acclaim for its honest lyrics, emotional vocals, and graceful intelligence. The song was not loud, outrageous, or overly-produced. “The House That Built Me” was just genuinely honest like the woman performing the song.

1. “Need You Now” / “Our Kind of Love” - Lady Antebellum (TIE) - Choosing between these two songs would be like choosing between my children (if I had children) as they are both equally awesome. Lady Antebellum was on fire in 2010 and these two songs were perfect examples of their greatness. “Need You Now” achieved success first on the country charts; reaching number one on the Billboard chart for five weeks. Then, it reached number one on countless other charts including the Adult Contemporary and Pop charts. “Need You Now” became the second most downloaded song in country history and also earned an endless stream of awards and nominations from the ACMs, CMAs, and even Grammy nods. Meanwhile, “Our Kind of Love” was one of the hot songs of the summer. A playful and energetic song about love regardless of what anyone else says, “Our Kind of Love” reached number one on the Billboard chart in September and stands out as one of Lady A’s songs where they truly reach vocal balance with both Hillary Scott and Charles Kelly sharing the lead and shining brilliantly. “Need You Now” was one of the top songs of 2010 and “Our Kind of Love” was one of my favorites. In either case, Lady Antebellum was responsible for the best of 2010.

Artist of the Year
4. Miranda Lambert - Miranda Lambert had an outstanding 2010 as the Texas-born singer-songwriter found herself dominating the country music scene throughout the year. Lambert won the ACM and CMA award for Album of the Year for Revolution while also getting awards for her songs “White Liar” and “The House That Built Me” throughout the awards season. Lambert also was named Female Vocalist of the Year at the ACMs and CMAs for the first time in her career. Plus, Lambert found herself finally engaged to longtime boyfriend Blake Shelton in May as Miranda’s 2010 highlights weren’t just limited to success on the charts.

3. Katy Perry - Infectious. Fun. Joyful. Popular. Those words not only describe the music but also the woman behind such 2010 hits as “California Gurls”, “Teenage Dream”, and “Firework.” Katy Perry built off an amazing 2008 debut year with a 2010 that proved she is not going away anytime soon. Perry’s three singles off her sophomore release, Teenage Dream, all reached number one on the Billboard charts while Perry’s success also has her branching out into movies with her performance in the live-action version of The Smurfs (due out in 2011). Katy Perry’s star has never been brighter and it is all stemming from an incredible 2010.

2. Carrie Underwood / Taylor Swift (TIE) - Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift continued their phenomenal careers with a 2010 that saw each blonde bombshell reaching new levels of success. For Carrie Underwood, 2010 started with a Grammy Award for the 2009 hit “I Told You So.” Underwood reached number one of the Billboard charts with “Temporary Home” and “Undo It” while “Mama’s Song” is well on it’s way to that spot too in early 2011. Underwood dominated the inaugural American Country Awards with six victories while garnering tons of nominations from other award shows throughout the year. Also, Carrie Underwood got married in 2010 and started acting with performances on How I Met Your Mother and in the upcoming film Soul Surfer. Dabbling in acting was also one of the activities Taylor Swift did in 2010. Swift appeared in the box office hit Valentine’s Day in February. But, Taylor Swift’s success in 2010 was all about the music. Speak Now was one of the biggest selling albums of the year despite only being released three months. Swift reached the top of the Billboard charts with “Mine” and with “Fearless” early in the year off the Fearless album. Swift won the Grammy for Album of the Year for Fearless; one of four Grammy Awards won in 2010. Swift also received countless other awards and ultimately was named Entertainment Weekly’s Entertainer of the Year for 2010; making her the youngest person to receive the honor. Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift continued their incredibly successful careers in 2010 with both women having an amazing 2010.

1. Lady Antebellum - Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, and Hillary Scott together had one of the best years in country music history as everything Lady Antebellum did turned to gold in 2010. Or, should I say platinum. Lady Antebellum’s 2010 release, Need You Now, went triple platinum in 2010 on the momentum of the hugely successful crossover hit “Need You Now.” The song went to number one on multiple Billboard charts and is nominated for a Grammy in 2011 while winning Single of the Year at both the ACM and CMAs in 2010. “American Honey” and “Our Kind of Love” also reached number one while “Hello World” is currently rising the charts ending out 2010. Lady A also won their first Grammy in 2010 for “I Run to You.” Plus, they walked away with four awards at the inaugural American Country Awards and headlined their first tour and played to sold-out crowds across the country in 2010. Lady Antebellum had a tremendous 2010 as nobody was more successful in the music world that Charles, Dave, and Hillary of country music’s lady: Lady Antebellum.

ENTERTAINMENT
Movie of the Year
4. Inception - Christopher Nolan is one of the great film directors of our time. After proving that with the Batman saga, Nolan added to his lore with 2010’s mind-blowing hit Inception. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as specialized spy/thief Dominick Cobb, Inception told the story of Cobb participating in one final heist that would see Cobb return to his old life depending upon the success of him implanting an idea in another man’s subconscious. While Inception clearly was a film for the intellectual type, the performances of a stellar cast (including Ken Wantanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, and Cillian Murphy) made every character valuable and every moment on the screen a rewarding experience. Inception was a tremendous film deserving of the critical acclaim and $825 million in revenue.

3. The Last Song - While not a critically acclaimed film, The Last Song was one of the most uplifting films I saw in 2010. Miley Cyrus is clearly a talented young lady and the only thing that can derail her star is herself. Her performance as troubled teen Veronica “Ronnie” Miller is absolutely fabulous. Moving to live with her father for the summer, Miller discovered what love and forgiveness mean over the course of a summer in Georgia. Liam Hemsworth was excellent as Miley’s love interest. But, The Last Song was truly made special by the interaction between father Steve (Greg Kinnear) and daughter Ronnie (Cyrus). Learning to love again and enjoying what time we have, their performances were inspirational and The Last Song was the kind of film that made you cry tears of joy as well as sadness. Sometimes a great movie is just a film that makes you feel something. The Last Song definitely made me feel in 2010.

2. True Grit - Joel and Ethan Coen can do no wrong. In re-imagining the 1969 classic, the Coen brothers took a John Wayne western many thought was perfect and turned it into a true masterpiece by telling the original story without the cliché Hollywood ending. John Wayne earned an Oscar for his portrayal of Rooster Cogburn. So, that means that Jeff Bridges should get an Oscar plus a small Hawaiian island because Bridges’ performance of the washed-up US Marshall was legendary. Matt Damon added some comic relief to the cold, harsh story of a young girl (14-year old Hailee Steinfield) putting a bounty on the head of the man (Josh Brolin) who killed her father with his portrayal of Texas Ranger La Boeuf. But, True Grit was truly a two-person tour de force as the common goal of capturing murderer Tom Chaney and the bond formed during that quest were accomplished by masterful performances from Bridges and Steinfield. I am not a western fan but True Grit is among my favorite films of all-time. True Grit should be a lock for many awards come awards season.

1. The Town - The best film in 2010 was The Town. Incredible acting, outstanding directing, vivid imagery, and tremendous storytelling are all just a handful of the reasons why The Town was the best film in 2010. Set in Boston and the surrounding Charlestown, Massachusetts area, Ben Affleck superbly directed the story of career robber Doug (also played by Affleck) and the aftermath of a robbery that changed his life. The robbery resulted in a relationship with a hostage, Claire (Rebecca Hall), and a strained relationship with his cohort in crime and best friend, Jem (Jeremy Renner). Meanwhile, FBI agent Adam Frawley (Jon Hamm) tracked the robbers in a wonderful cat-and-mouse game between the criminals and law enforcement officers. The performances of Affleck, Renner, Hamm, Hall, and Blake Lively were all remarkable while Ben Affleck proved himself again to be one of the best young directors in Hollywood with his work on this labor of love. The Town was a masterpiece and the best film of 2010.

TV Show of the Year
4. The Walking Dead - Who knew a post-apocalyptic drama revolving around survivors trying to find a future and survive the never-ending onslaught of zombies could be so much fun or so gripping? The first scripted drama I’ve seen from AMC is a masterpiece as The Walking Dead absolutely gripped America by the jugular in 2010. Debuting on Halloween night, The Walking Dead premiere gained critical acclaim while also giving the network its largest audience for a series premiere ever. Focusing on a group of survivors after an incident led to the dead coming back to life, The Walking Dead has a unique cast of characters encompassing all races, genders, and age groups with the goal of survival being their common denominator. The first season was a tremendous ride and I hope that the hiatus between seasons one and two does not stop their momentum. The Walking Dead could easily be one of the best shows on TV for a long time.

3. Community - NBC is home to the best comedy lineup with their Thursday night “Comedy Night Done Right” lineup. The night gets started perfectly with the ongoing misadventures of Jeff Winger and his study group at Greendale Community College on Community. Playing suspended lawyer Jeff Winger, Joel McHale has showed he is more than one-liners on The Soup as McHale has developed into one of television’s new leading funny men. The entire cast, including the hilarious Ken Jeong and Chevy Chase, are an ensemble without a weak link in the bunch. Community ended its first season strong and has not missed a beat during its second season. If it can maintain the level of comedy it established in 2010, Community could be a fixture of the NBC comedy lineup for years to come.

2. Modern Family - The Emmy winner for Best Comedy, Modern Family is definitely one of the best shows on all of television. Modern Family debuted in 2009 to rave reviews and 2010 was no different for the comedy about three extensions of one large modern family. Ed O’Neill was initially the big name of the cast but, as the first and second seasons went, O’Neill has been merely one of many scene-stealers. Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Eric Stonestreet have been praised for their performances on ABC’s biggest comedy. If Modern Family continues to produce shows as good as their 2010 episodes, this show will be a major player on television for many years to come.

1. ESPN SportsNation / The Office (TIE) - For me, there were only two shows that were clearly appointment television: ESPN SportsNation and The Office. Monday through Friday at 4PM on ESPN2, Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd have begun revolutionizing sports television through SportsNation. Using Facebook, Twitter, and various polls to the fans, Beadle and Cowherd debate the hot stories in the world of sports while also including the input of the audience. Filled with lots of fun and games, including costumed segments and interaction with various other ESPN personalities, SportsNation also included a great deal of serious debate and emotion in 2010. Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd are opinionated personalities with a wealth of knowledge to back up their arguments. SportsNation is Pardon the Interruption and Around the Horn without the yelling, bias, flip-flopping, and tired opinions of those once-proud shows. Plus, SportsNation is home to Michelle Beadle; one of sports television’s fastest rising superstars. Meanwhile, season six and seven of The Office have only seen the gang at Dunder Mifflin get funnier with age. During 2010, the biggest moments saw Jim and Pam have their first child along with Dunder Mifflin being sold to Sabre, a printer company. Despite the announcement that Steve Carell was leaving at the end of season seven, Michael Scott has remained funny as ever while Ed Helms and Craig Robinson have both upper their game as the characters Andy and Darryl have been amazing in recent months. Guest spots by Kathy Bates (Sabre CEO Jo Bennett) and Timothy Olyphant (traveling salesman Danny Cordray) and the return of Amy Ryan (HR representative Holly Flax) only added more talent and laughs to the already loaded ensemble cast. The Office was still as sweet, funny, heartwarming, and absurd in 2010 as it was in the days when Jim only flirted with Pam. ESPN SportsNation and The Office were, without a shadow of a doubt, the best programs on television in 2010.

To be continued...

The 2010 Year in Review - Part One: Wrestling and Sports

One year. 12 months. 52 weeks. 365 days. 8,760 hours. 525,600 minutes. 31,536,000 seconds. It looks like a lot of time. However, looks can be deceiving as 2010 feels like it has came and went in the blink of an eye. The only real difference between now and this time a year ago is that I’m writing about a brand new multitude of highlights, lowlights, rising stars, falling duds, glorious anthems, epic failures, and moments that will be forever associated with 2010.

2010 has came to an end and, for the most part, will be remembered as being an eventful year. In 2010, egotism was at an all-time high (or should I say low) with people like LeBron James and Michael Vick dividing the sports world as the argument for accomplishment vs. entitlement separated those with a conscience and those lacking the ability to tell right from wrong. Brett Favre returned for one final season and left us with memories of a broken man crawling off the field and a sex scandal to replace the one of Tiger Woods. Speaking of Tiger, all 2010 gave him was a divorce and a winless season in which he appeared to have let the golfing world pass him by. Jimmie Johnson added another Cup championship and the Ain’ts became champions while the Giants and Rangers battled in the World Series as the Yankees faded in the postseason while George Steinbrenner was busy buying a title in Heaven.

Professional wrestling suffered from the worst year in the business’ existence as Vince McMahon either fired World Wrestling Entertainment’s most popular talents (Mickie James, MVP, Matt Hardy, Kaval, Maria) or ran their popular talent into retirement (Chris Jericho, Batista) with few new stars being created in return. Meanwhile, TNA offered better matches and more talent without getting any acclaim from the majority of the wrestling world again.

Country music dominated the airwaves as Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum, and Carrie Underwood achieved tons of crossover success while a mop-topped Canadian teenager weaseled his way into the hearts of girls everywhere with some of the worst music since the boy band epidemic of the 90s. Katy Perry represented the girls of California, Eminem and Rihanna made beautiful music out of an ugly subject, and Lady Gaga grabbed attention all year with catchy songs and bizarre outfits.

Glee put a tune in everyone’s heart despite losing its charm, Jim and Pam had a baby, zombies became cool while buying gas from BP definitely was not. South Park ripped plenty of new ones and almost got bombed in the process while American Idol imploded before our eyes (Good-bye Simon and Kara). Michelle Beadle became the sports world’s newest babe (and most credible sports commentator too) while the Hollywood box office catered to children for the majority of the year. Still, bank robberies, boxing, piranhas, Mexican mercenaries, overly complicated mind-heists, and US Marshals with true grit all found ways to entertain adults at the theaters in 2010.

There were many losses and many gains, lots of glory and lots of pain. 2010 was a wild ride. The following edition of The Highlight Reel is my attempt to sum up the best and the worst of 2010. Here is the only year in review that matters (to me): The 2010 Highlight Reel Year in Review. And it begins… now.

The Highlight Reel: 2010 Year in Review

WRESTLING
Match of the Year
4. The Undertaker defeated Shawn Michaels in a Career vs. Streak No Disqualification match - March 28th - These two had the match of the year at last year’s WrestleMania. Despite knowing The Undertaker was adding another incredible talent to his long list of “job boys,” Shawn Michaels made even the most jaded believe that the streak could really end. Sadly, even with his career on the line, Shawn Michaels could not do that this time. However, what did occur was one of the most incredible performances by a single individual in the history of professional wrestling. “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels carried a broken-down, washed-up, overrated 6’10” 290 pound albatross to an incredible 20-minute match on the grandest stage of them all. Considering the pressure of the stage and what he had to work with, Shawn Michaels’ effort on that night proved that he is among the upper echelon of all-time greats in the world of professional wrestling. This match, the final of the legendary career of Shawn Michaels, was one of the best matches of 2010 solely based on the performance of the Heartbreak Kid.

3. Mickie James defeated Tara in a Steel Cage match - December 9th - Mickie James, in my opinion, cemented her status as the greatest female performer of all-time on the December 9th TNA Impact when she dove from the top of a 15-foot high steel cage to deliver a Lou Thesz press to Tara in the center of the ring. In what was the final encounter in the tremendous feud between the two Divas-turned-Knockouts, Mickie James and Tara squared off in the main event on Impact inside a steel cage and they delivered a match that will be looked at with fondness by wrestling fans for years to come. The match didn’t go without casualties as Tara ended up with torn ligaments in her right elbow and a broken tooth while Mickie James left with a knee and hip injury. But, in both ladies’ eyes, the injuries were a small price to pay as Mickie James and Tara culminated their intense feud with an epic cage match that will inspire future generations of female wrestlers.

2. TNA World Tag Team Champions The Motor City Machine Guns defeated Beer Money in a Two Out of Three Falls match - August 12th - Choosing just one match from the outstanding rivalry between these two teams was a difficult choice but one match stood above and beyond all others. At the special Whole F’n Show edition of TNA Impact on August 12th, the Best of Five Series between the Motor City Machine Guns and Beer Money culminated in a best Two Out of Three Falls match that was reminiscent of the great tag team battles of the British Bulldogs and the Hart Foundation of the 1980s. The high-flying, quicker than a hiccup style of Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin meshed perfectly with the ground-and-pound, brawling nature of Robert Roode and James Storm. Tied at one fall, both teams scored numerous near falls before Robert Roode fell to the “skull and crossbones” neck-breaker/top rope splash combo in the third fall to seal the victory for the Motor City Machine Guns. While both teams have moved onto new rivalries, this match was the one that cemented the statuses of both the Motor City Machine Guns and Beer Money as the best teams in the world.

1. Kurt Angle defeated Ken Anderson in a Steel Cage match - April 18th - Intense. Vicious. Violent. While all are powerful words, none of them quite described the war that Kurt Angle and Mr. Anderson had inside the steel cage on April 18th at Lockdown. The rivalry between Angle and Anderson was not the best booked feud as neither man really had a reason to fight. That said, the lack of motivation did not stop both men from delivering instant classics on a nightly basis. In the final bout of their war, Angle and Anderson shed blood and took years off their careers in a steel cage match that was simply epic. The image of Kurt Angle tossing the key from the cage in order to keep Anderson inside and limit the means of escape to climbing over the top was the picture of intensity in 2010. Kurt Angle’s moonsault off the top of the cage was poetic. Angle scored the win by escaping the cage but not before delivering a beating (and taking one in return) in what was the best match of 2010. Angle and Anderson inside the steel was absolutely incredible.

Tag Team of the Year
4. The Nexus - A group of virtual unknowns have not made as big of an impact in professional wrestling as the Nexus made in 2010. Led by perennial main event talent Wade Barrett, the entire group went from dark matches and working exclusively in Florida Championship Wrestling to being in the main event of SummerSlam and winning championship gold in the span of months. The Nexus won the WWE Tag Team Championships first with David Otunga and indentured servant John Cena at Bragging Rights before Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater won the titles from Cena and Otunga the next night on RAW. While I doubt the group will still be in existence at the end of 2011, 2010 was a wonderful year for the members of the Nexus.

3. The Hart Dynasty - 2010 was the year World Wrestling Entertainment finally gave The Hart Dynasty a chance to shine. And, 2010 was also the year WWE broke up The Hart Dynasty. Before WWE creative showed their collective stupidity, The Hart Dynasty had a terrific 2010. On April 26th, David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd defeated WWE Tag Team Champions Big Show and The Miz to win the titles for the first time. They held onto the championships until September’s Night of Champions event when they lost to Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre. Then, Smith and Kidd split on November 15th with Natalya Neidhart going on her own as well. While WWE dropped the ball (again) in building tag team wrestling around a tremendous duo, The Hart Dynasty had a lot of bright moments in 2010 regardless.

2. Beer Money - James Storm and Robert Roode started 2010 slowly. However, by April, Beer Money was firmly back in the TNA World Tag Team Championship hunt and were also aligned with AJ Styles, Kazarian, and Ric Flair in the stable Fortune. Beer Money entered a rivalry over the summer with the Motor City Machine Guns that breathed fresh air into tag team wrestling as their Best of Five Series provided some of the best matches of 2010 while adding prestige to the tag titles and elevating both teams to legendary status. Beer Money did not win any championship gold in 2010. But, they remained among the top wrestlers in all of TNA throughout 2010 and are still among the most elite tag teams in all of the world heading into 2011.

1. The Motor City Machine Guns - 2010 was the year Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley finally broke through the glass ceiling in TNA. For years, the Motor City Machine Guns had been extremely popular for their innovative style and charisma but were unable to win the TNA World Tag Team titles. On July 11th at Victory Road, the Motor City Machine Guns finally won the gold when they defeated Beer Money to win the vacant titles. What followed was a Best of Five Series that saw both teams revitalize tag team wresting in America as the Guns and Beer Money had five epic contests that ended with the Guns victorious. Then, Sabin and Shelley battled Max and Jeremy Buck throughout the remainder of 2010 with a series of athletic encounters reminiscent of the tag battles of the Hardy Boys and Edge and Christian a decade ago. Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley firmly established themselves as the top tag team in the world in 2010 with classic matches and success unparalleled in the tag team ranks.

Diva / Knockout of the Year
4. Tara - 2010 was an up and down year for Tara. Tara started the year as TNA Knockouts Champion after defeating ODB in a two out of three falls match at January’s Genesis PPV. Tara lost the title to Angelina Love in April and entered a real-life contract dispute with TNA management. Tara ultimately lost a Title vs. Career match to Knockouts Champion Madison Rayne on May 16th and left TNA. She returned and aligned herself with Rayne in the summer. At October’s Bound for Glory, Tara won her fourth TNA Knockouts Championship with a win over champion Angelina Love, Madison Rayne, and Velvet Sky before surrendering the title to Madison Rayne the following week on Impact. Tara then entered into an epic feud with Mickie James with culminated with James defeating Tara in an incredible steel cage match on Impact in December. 2010 was a roller coaster year with more highs than lows for the Widow Peak Freak.

3. Layla / Michelle McCool (TIE) - Like them or hate them (and I personally hate one of them), Layla and Michelle McCool of Lay-Cool had a very successful 2010 in World Wrestling Entertainment. Michelle McCool lost the Women’s Championship to Mickie James at the Royal Rumble but was able to regain the title due to James’ staph infection in late February. Injury again benefited Lay-Cool in May when Beth Phoenix suffered a knee injury just days after winning the Women’s Championship leading to Layla winning her first title. In their infinite wisdom, WWE decided to have Layla and McCool walk around with two titles and refer to themselves as co-champions throughout the summer and fall. Michelle McCool eventually was granted sole possession of the title when the Women’s and Divas Championships were unified at September’s Night of Champions PPV. Despite dropping the Divas title to Natalya Neidhart at November’s Survivor Series, Lay-Cool will be champion again sooner rather than later because Michelle McCool’s death-grip on the gold is forever a constant as long as she’s married to The Undertaker. Despite my dislike for McCool, it is hard to not recognize the success of both members of Lay-Cool.

2. Mickie James - The most talked-about woman in professional wrestling in 2010 was Mickie James. While this was a transitional year for the amazing woman from Richmond, Virginia, 2010 did not go without his share of highlights. Mickie James achieved one of the biggest pops in 2010 WWE at the Royal Rumble when she won her fifth Woman’s Championship with a 20-second destruction of Michelle McCool. Sadly, that was the end of her bright moments in WWE as she was forced to drop the title in late February due to a staph infection that sidelined her for weeks. Mickie fought back and returned from her injury early but was still released on April 22nd in a move made because of pettiness and disrespect towards one of the most popular performers in the entire industry. Mickie returned to TNA Wrestling on October 7th after wrestling all over the world during the summer. She immediately found herself in a rivalry with Tara that brought women’s wrestling back to the 21st century as both ladies battled in intense matches better than their male counterparts. Mickie’s 2010 culminated with an insane dive off the top of a steel cage onto Tara in a steel cage match that fans will talk about for years to come. While not the best year of her career, Mickie James rebounded from horrible treatment in World Wrestling Entertainment to become an inspiration once again to young women in TNA Wrestling. If the end of 2010 was an indication, 2011 is going to be an outstanding year for Mickie James.

1. Madison Rayne - Madison Rayne exploded onto the scene in 2010 as the TNA Knockout was successful at whatever she tired throughout the year. Madison Rayne started 2010 as a member of The Beautiful People. On March 8th, Rayne and Velvet Sky won the vacant Knockouts Tag Team Championship. Then at April’s Lockdown PPV, Rayne became the first woman to simultaneously hold the Knockouts Championship and Tag Team title when she defeated champion Angelina Love in a tag match with all the Knockouts titles on the line. Rayne remained a dominant force in the Knockouts division throughout the summer, ending the careers of Roxxi and Tara in Title vs. Career matches, before losing the Knockouts Championship in August to Love. It was during this time where Rayne left The Beautiful People and aligned herself with former rival Tara. This union paid off in October when Rayne eventually regained the Knockouts title after Tara relinquished the title to her following Bound For Glory. Madison Rayne entered a feud after regaining the title with Mickie James that will surely headline TNA events in 2011. While the 24-year old Ohio native is the future of women’s wrestling, Madison Rayne’s 2010 showed that the future is now.

Wrestler of the Year
4. John Cena - Like him or hate him, John Cena had another successful year worthy of respect. In February, John Cena won the WWE Championship at Elimination Chamber and regained the title again from Batista at WrestleMania XXVI. Cena proceeded to dominate Batista the following months in Last Man Standing and I Quit matches before Batista legitimately quit the company. Cena eventually lost the WWE title to Sheamus in June and started a feud with the Nexus that would preoccupy Cena for the rest of 2010. Cena’s war with Wade Barrett in particular culminated at TLC with Cena squashing the Nexus leader in a Chair match. 2010 was another year filled with frustration-inducing success in the ring for the modern day Hulk Hogan as John Cena was unstoppable for a majority of the year. While I don’t like it, I do respect the accomplishments from one John Cena.

3. Sheamus - 2010 was an impressive year for the Celtic Warrior as Sheamus showed no signs of slowing down after his meteoric rise to the top of World Wrestling Entertainment in 2009. Starting the year as the WWE Champion, Sheamus held onto the gold until February’s Elimination Chamber event. Despite losing to Triple H at WrestleMania XXVI, Sheamus gained his revenge by putting Triple H out of action at Extreme Rules after a victory in a street fight. Sheamus regained the WWE Championship from John Cena at June’s Fatal 4-Way PPV and held the title until a loss to Randy Orton in September. Despite not regaining the title, Sheamus added another accomplishment to his resume in November when he defeated John Morrison in the finals to become the 2010 King of the Ring. 2010 was a tremendously successful year for the Celtic Warrior as gold and victories were not illusive for this Irishman.

2. AJ Styles / Randy Orton (TIE) - Despite working in two different promotions, TNA’s AJ Styles and WWE’s Randy Orton both had similar years in 2010. AJ Styles started 2010 as the TNA World Champion. Styles successfully defended the title against Kurt Angle in January and Samoa Joe in February while establishing a friendship with Ric Flair. Styles’ reign, which would ultimately go down as the longest in company history, ended when Rob Van Dam pinned him in April for the title. Styles attempted to regain the gold unsuccessfully before having an uneventful summer. Styles won the TNA Global Championship from Rob Terry in late July and re-christened it the TV Championship. Then, Styles feuded with Tommy Dreamer over the title in the EV.2/Fortune feud before losing the title in December to Douglas Williams in a spectacular match. Meanwhile, Randy Orton’s 2010 started slowly. Legacy imploded and Orton defeated his former co-horts at WrestleMania XXVI. Then, Orton got involved in a feud with Edge that was short-lived due to Orton suffering a shoulder injury in May. Randy Orton’s 2010 picked up momentum over the summer with wins over Edge and Chris Jericho before ultimately defeating Sheamus for the WWE Championship at September’s Night of Champions event. While Orton lost the title and subsequent rematch to The Miz in November, Randy Orton’s star has still never been higher in World Wrestling Entertainment. While both men had periods of time less than stellar in 2010, both AJ Styles and Randy Orton had more success than the majority of the counterparts as Styles and Orton were among 2010’s best.

1. The Miz - In a nutshell, 2010 for The Miz was simply “Awesome!” as the former reality TV star broke through the glass ceiling in World Wrestling Entertainment. The Miz started out 2010 with the United States Championship. While feuding with MVP over the title, The Miz added another championship in February when he and The Big Show defeated DX for the WWE Tag Team titles. ShoMiz held the gold until late April when they lost to The Hart Dynasty. Miz would lose the US title to Bret Hart in May but would be without gold only temporarily as he regained the title from R-Truth in June. At July’s Money in the Bank event, The Miz gained the biggest win of his career to date when he won the RAW Money in the Bank Ladder match. Although he lost the US title to Daniel Bryan in September, Miz continued to flirt with cashing in the Money in the Bank contract. He ultimately cashed it in successfully over Randy Orton on November 22nd to win his first WWE Championship. Successful championship defenses over Orton and Jerry Lawler along with media reaction to his reign unseen for other members of the WWE roster have many believing 2010 was not only the Year of The Miz; it was also the beginning of the Era of Miz.

SPORTS
Driver of the Year
4. Dario Franchitti / Will Power (TIE) - The 2010 Indy Car Series revolved around two men: Dario Franchitti and Will Power. For a majority of the season, Will Power led the points standings. Power, returning from an almost-career ending injury in 2009, won the first two races of the season en route to a series-high five victories. Plus, Power scored the most points on the road courses en route to becoming the inaugural Mario Andretti Trophy winning for being the Indy Car Series’ top road racer. Still, it was not enough to be the overall series champion. Dario Franchitti won his second Indianapolis 500 in May; one of three victories over the course of the 2010 season. Franchitti scored the most points on oval tracks throughout the season and earned the AJ Foyt Trophy alongside his third Indy Car Series Championship. Both drivers had tremendous seasons in 2010 as Franchitti continued to establish himself as the premiere open-wheel driver of this generation while Power firmly established himself as a star of the future in the Indy Car world.

3. Denny Hamlin - Denny Hamlin may remember 2010 as the year he choked on the sweet air of success. But, it was still a successful year nonetheless. Denny Hamlin won eight races in 2010, including three victories in the Chase of the Championship. But, leading the Chase going into the season finale in Homestead, Hamlin’s 2010 ended in a blaze of incompetence when he choked under the pressure and finished a disappointing 14th leaving him 39 points behind eventual champion Jimmie Johnson. Still, Hamlin looked as good as possible for 35 of 36 races and had a 2010 worthy of a lot of praise.

2. Kevin Harvick - Kevin Harvick will be looked at by some as the uncrowned 2010 Cup Series Champion and it is deservedly so as Harvick had a tremendous season. Harvick scored three Cup Series victories in 2010 including wins at Daytona and Talladega. Harvick’s 26 top tens and average finish of 8th led him to an overall season performance that was championship worthy. In the Chase, Harvick ultimately finished third. Harvick’s success didn’t stay in the Cup Series as he also “dumpster-dived” with three Nationwide and three Truck Series victories in 2010. While Harvick did not leave 2010 with the championship he set out for, Harvick’s 2010 was certainly a season he could be happy about.

1. Jimmie Johnson - Jimmie Johnson won his fifth Cup Championship with another spectacular run in the Chase for the Championship. But, if anybody believes that Johnson is only a championship driver because of his mastery of the Chase format, they are sadly mistaken. Johnson started the 2010 season with victories in three of the first five events. During the summer, Johnson won his first dirk track event with a win in the Prelude to the Dream charity event at Eldora Speedway. Johnson ultimately ended the season with 17 top fives, 23 top tens, and six victories including a nine race stretch with finishes no worse than ninth on the way to his fifth consecutive championship. Like him or hate him, you have to respect him and his accomplishments. Jimmie Johnson added another page to the history book he’s rewriting with a 2010 that was simply golden.

Sports Moment/Story of the Year
4. The US-Canada War finally happens - On February 28th, hockey was the biggest sport in all of America as Team USA did battle with Team Canada in the 2010 Winter Olympics tournament final in Vancouver. Despite playing on their opponent’s home ice and being outmatched to begin with, Team USA played hard and did not let the game get out of hand. The potential was there for another “Miracle on Ice” right up to the very end. Left wing Zack Parise of Team USA tied the game at 2-2 with only 25 seconds remaining in regulation before Team Canada’s Sidney Crosby scored arguably the biggest goal of his superstar career at 7:42 into overtime. Crosby’s goal gave Team Canada the 3-2 victory. Team USA may have lost the gold medal but the game itself brought hockey renewed interest and developed national pride that remained into the summer and the World Cup. This game was a remarkable moment for hockey in America.

3. Donovan saves Team USA - The World Cup was one of the biggest sporting events in all of 2010. While America usually could care less about soccer, the country was buzzing on June 23rd when the US faced Algeria. The US was riding the moment of a tie against Slovenia five days earlier and was in need of a victory to advance into the tournament stage. Tied after 90 minutes, the game went into stoppage time when left winger Landon Donovan followed Jozy Altidore’s blocked shot and put in the rebound for the eventual game-winning goal. That kick boosted the American public’s interest in the World Cup and made Donovan one of the most popular sports figures in the country. Though the US would be eliminated in the first round of tournament play, American pride was flying high after Landon Donovan scored the biggest goal in US soccer history.

2. LeBron James stabs Cleveland and his loyal fans in the back - It will be forever known as The Decision. But to anybody with a semblance of common decency or moral integrity, the moment when LeBron James joined the Miami Heat will be forever known as a moment of disgusting egotism at its worst. The way LeBron James treated his hometown team and the fans who made him the superstar he is currently was one of the most disgusting acts in sports history. Between holding an hour-long prime-time television special, a parade a day later with his new teammates, mini-movies with the help of Nike serving no purpose other than to provoke his former community, and an endless barrage of comments meant to provoke, LeBron James shattered his once-clean cut image and became the biggest pariah in the history of the NBA. The saddest part of this entire story though is how the sports media shoved this disrespectful jerk down our throats to a point where James can not be ignored. That is the biggest injustice of them all.

1. The Ain’ts win the big one - On February 7th, most of the eastern US was snowed in. But in warm and comfortable Miami, Florida, the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts did battle in what would ultimately become the most watched game in Super Bowl history. Expected to be an offensive showcase, the Colts and Saints did battle in a see-saw match-up that went down to the final three minutes before a rare Peyton Manning mistake sealed things for the Saints. Sean Payton set the ton for the wild finish to come when the Saints opened the second half with an onside kick. The Colts fought back and were down 24-17 with 3:12 remaining when Peyton Manning threw an inception to Saints’ cornerback Tracy Porter that was returned 74 yards for a game-clinching touchdown. Drew Brees was the MVP and officially became a God to an area of the country in desperate need of something positive in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. More importantly, it was the first shinning moment for a franchise that was known for years as the Ain’ts even by their most diehard fans. Super Bowl XLIV was a victory for the little guy; a win for the team told they can’t win. The New Orleans Saints’ victory in Super Bowl XLIV was a magical moment and the best sports moment of 2010.

Athlete of the Year
4. Cameron Newton - The athletic quarterback at Auburn University had an amazing 2010 season despite a cloud of controversy that surrounded him wherever he went. Newton led the Auburn Tigers to a 12-0 record and spot in the upcoming National Championship game against the Oregon Ducks on January 10th, 2011. Newton became the first SEC player to pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a season while also becoming just the third player in college football history to pass for 20 touchdowns and rush for 20 touchdowns in a single season. Newton won the 2010 Heisman Trophy along with the AP Player of the Year honor. Sadly, Newton’s amazing season may be all for naught as his father shopped his services to other universities before Newton landed at Auburn and this scandal to eventually lead to another Reggie Bush scandal for Newton and Auburn University. That said, nothing today will take away from the outstanding 2010 campaign of Cameron Newton.

3. Tom Brady - The Golden Boy continues to get better with age as Tom Brady had a career year in 2010. Despite an early exit from the playoffs, Brady signed a huge contract extension in the off season and proved himself worth every penny with a record-breaking 2010 regular season. Brady has led the Patriots to a 14-2 record with landmarks victories coming against the New York Jets (45-3), Indianapolis Colts (31-28), and Chicago Bears (36-7). During this season, Brady has passed for 3,900 yards with 36 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Brady became the quickest to achieve 100 regular season victories with the Patriots’ 41-14 win over the Miami Dolphins on October 4th and passed the late Don Meredith’s record with his seventh consecutive game passing for at least two touchdowns without an interception on December 19th against the Green Bay Packers. Tom Brady has had plenty of record-breaking season in his illustrious career but 2010 may be his finest season to date.

2. Connecticut Lady Huskies / Duke Blue Devils (TIE) - There were two dominant college basketball programs in 2010: the UConn Lady Huskies and the Duke Blue Devils. Both were championship winners and made history as well in 2010. From November 16th, 2008 to December 30th, 2010, the University of Connecticut Lady Huskies basketball program won two national championships, two Big East titles, and 90 consecutive games in what is now the longest winning streak in the history of college basketball. Facing all comers, coach Geno Auriemma coached his girls to a winning streak that may never been seen again in our lifetime. Their success in 2010 was matched by the historic 2010 of the Duke Blue Devils. Duke won the National Championship with a thrilling 61-59 victory over Cinderella story Butler University in the tournament finals on April 5th. Along with a fourth national title for coach Mike Krzyzewski, 2010 also saw the Duke Blue Devils defeat UNC-Greensboro on December 29th for Coach K’s 880th career victory; second on the all-time coaching wins list. Both programs had tremendous success without flamboyant players or attitudes that would tarnish any of their success. Connecticut and Duke both conduct themselves like winners deserving only the utmost respect. I doubt 2011 will be any different or less successful for these two universities.

1. Roy Halladay - In 2010, there was no single pitcher in Major League Baseball more dominant or impressive than Philadelphia Phillies ace Roy Halladay. He went 21-10 with a 2.44 ERA and 219 strikeouts compared to only 30 walks in a season worthy of Halladay’s second Cy Young Award. Of course, Halladay left his mark in the annals of baseball history with two performances that won’t soon be forgotten. On May 29th, Halladay pitched the 20th perfect game in MLB history with a dynamic performance against the Florida Marlins in Miami. Then, in Halladay’s first ever postseason outing on October 6th, Halladay pitched only the second-ever postseason no-hitter when he shut down the Cincinnati Reds in Game One of their National League Divisional Series match-up. Halladay became the first pitcher since Nolan Ryan in 1973 to throw multiple no-hitters and only the seventh pitcher to have a no-hitter and perfect game in a career (the first man to do both within the same season). Roy Halladay was the premiere pitcher in a year labeled the “Season of the Pitcher” by sportswriters everywhere. In my opinion, there was no one performer more dominant in sports in 2010 that Roy “Doc” Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies.

To be continued...