The Highlight Reel presents This Week's Recap for May 28th

THIS WEEK’S RECAP…

Superstar of the Week: Tony Kanaan



On Sunday, the greatest spectacle in sports took place with the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500. At the end of 500 grueling miles, one driver drove into Victory Lane and able to enjoy the ceremonial bottle of milk. One driver reigned supreme. That driver was Tony Kanaan. 

Kanaan’s victory was one of the most popular wins in the history of the Indianapolis 500. On par with Dale Earnhardt’s 1998 Daytona 500 victory or Dan Wheldon’s Indianapolis victory in 2011, tears flowed all over the garage and pit road area as everybody from the fans watching to the drivers and crews who competed for the victory felt joy and elation with Tony Kanaan’s victory. After going 0-11 in his previous Indy 500 starts, including leading the most laps in three of them, 2013 was TK’s year. The popular victory aside, the 2013 Indianapolis 500 will also go down as one of the greatest Indy 500 races of all-time because of the incredible on-track action. This was the most competitive race in Indy 500 history. 

There were a record 68 lead changes among 14 different drivers, also a race record. This was the fastest Indy 500 of all-time with a final average speed of 187.433 mph. As action-packed as the race was, it ended under caution after three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti crashed in Turn Two to bring out the fifth and final yellow of the day. Mere moments earlier, Tony Kanaan went to the inside and Carlos Munoz went to the outside of then-race leader Ryan Hunter-Reay with Kanaan coming out with the lead. Franchitti’s accident with two to go sealed the deal for the driver of the #11 KV Racing Technology Chevrolet. Munoz, the top finishing rookie of the race, finished second while Hunter-Reay took third. Marco Andretti led a race-high 37 laps before finishing fourth while Justin Wilson scored a fifth-place finish. 

I have been a Tony Kanaan fan since I really started following open-wheel racing a decade ago. As if I needed more of a reason to love this victory, Kanaan’s charming self-deprecating style won me over more when his speech in Victory Lane included the quote, “Finally, they’re going to put my ugly face on this trophy.” However, the coolest part of Kanaan’s trip to Victory Lane was the story of Kanaan’s special good luck charm. A day before the 2004 Indianapolis 500, Tony Kanaan visited the hospital and met the family of a then-15-year-old Andrea Irwin, a young woman in a coma and about to undergo brain surgery in the aftermath of suffering a brain hemorrhage. He gave her family a good luck charm, telling the family that she needed it more than him. Not only did she survive that surgery, she is now married and a mother to a young son. Nine years later, two days before this year’s race, a now 24-year-old Irwin returned that good luck charm to Kanaan. She told him how he needed the good luck now and to win the Indy 500. That charm was in the pocket of Kanaan’s firesuit for all 500 miles on Sunday. 

Tony Kanaan, with Andrea and her son, days before this year's Indianapolis 500

The Indianapolis 500 is one of those events that I look forward to each year. The 2013 event will be one I will cherish forever. From the amazing on-track action and most competitive event in Indianapolis 500 history to the emotional and popular win of one of racing’s great champions, fans will not forget this year’s Indy 500 anytime soon. Congratulations go out to Tony Kanaan on the biggest victory of his legendary career.

Jerk of the Week: Sergio Garcia

“We’ll have him ‘round every night. We will serve fried chicken.”

The feud between Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods has breathed fresh air into the world of golf in 2013. While Woods is in the midst of a career renaissance after his divorce and sex scandal thanks to a rededication to the game (and dating the sexy Lindsey Vonn), Sergio Garcia is still the same underachiever that he was when the rivalry between these two started in the late 90’s. During the third round of the PGA Championship, Woods and Garcia had a public incident that made headlines and reignited the feud. Unable to let it go, Garcia finally crossed a line two weeks later when he said the above quote at a dinner in Europe in response to a question about whether or not Garcia would meet Woods at the upcoming US Open. 

Sergio Garcia went stereotypical and racial with his comments about Woods. Frankly, that crossed a line both in terms of racism and in terms of pure laziness. Garcia could say many things about Tiger Woods and get laughs. The last couple of years of Tiger Woods’ life have been nothing short of an open joke book. However, Garcia channeled that racist uncle (or, in some cases, father) who lives life based on stereotypical views of other races and genders and made a fried chicken joke about Tiger Woods. You know, because black people love fried chicken. Ugh! 

Sergio Garcia’s apology afterwards was insincere as Woods’ apology after he was caught with all of the porn stars and Waffle House waitresses. Until Sergio Garcia wins something, he should not even have his name spoken in the same breath as Tiger Woods. As fun as this catfight between two diva golfers was, Garcia ruined it with a stereotypical joke based on some deep-seeded racial beliefs. That is not cool at all.

Babe of the Week: Mickie James

Bringing respect and credibility back to the Knockouts Division - one DDT at a time.

Congrats to Mickie James – new TNA Knockouts Champion and a nine-time Women’s World Champion

A Melancholy Happy Trails to…
- Hector Garza, 43 - Mexican professional wrestler best known in America for stints in WCW and TNA (May 26th)

The Highlight Reel presents This Week's Recap for May 20th

THIS WEEK’S RECAP…

Superstar of the Week: Country Music



Over the last couple of weeks, country music has shined ever more than usual with success on the Billboard charts, at award shows, and even on reality television. 

On May 19th at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, Taylor Swift dominated the awards show. Going in with 11 nominations, Swift left the awards show with eight honors - ore than any other artist. Swift walked away with wins for Top Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album for Red, Top Female Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Digital Songs Artist, Top Country Artist, Top Country Album for Red, and Top Country Song for “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.”



Meanwhile, Lady Antebellum and Kenny Chesney are coming off back-to-back number one albums in all of music as their most recent released both topped the Billboard Top 200. Kenny Chesney’s Life on a Rock topped the charts for the week of May 18th. Then, Lady Antebellum’s fourth studio release Golden topped the charts the following week, the week of May 25th.

In addition, Trace Adkins won the All-Star Celebrity Apprentice on May 19th after raising $1.6 million for the American Red Cross and impressing Donald Trump with his ability to bring in money. Kellie Pickler is among the final four on this season’s Dancing with the Stars. 

Country music is all over the pop culture landscape right now. From reality shows to award show domination to success on the music charts for all genres, country music is winning and winning big. 

Jerk of the Week: The Internal Revenue Service

I am going to start by saying that I do not know, nor do I care, about all of the little intricate details of this story that turn it into either a pro-Republican or a pro-Democrat story. All I know is that the IRS recently showed something we all have suspected for decades - they are as corrupt and crooked as every other governmental group in existence.

Earlier this month, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration released a report confirming the targeting of Republican and “Tea Party” based groups by the IRS in recent years. IRS agents placed groups specializing in supporting conservative causes on “Be on the Lookout” lists as soon as March 2010. Among some of the stories becoming public in the aftermath of this scandal, a conservative organization named Media Trackers applied to the IRS for non-profit status and received no response after 16 months. However, when the organization’s founder reapplied with what he said was a “liberal-sounding name” (“Greenhouse Solutions”), the group was approved in three weeks. That was one of many stories to become public knowledge as the scandal became the latest black eye to the American governmental system. While claiming to have no knowledge of the corrupt actions, many are pointing fingers towards President Barack Obama as those impacted by the improper actions of the IRS were all anti-Democrat and anti-Obama groups.

I do not know if Obama was behind this in a wicked politically-based move that would make Richard Nixon gleam with pride or if he is an innocent pawn taking blame for the actions of others. However, I do know that the IRS - a group Americans despise to begin with because of their role in taking money away from hard-working Americans - is now guilty in the court of public opinion of more corruption. People wonder why it is so hard to be proud to be an American. I think it is hard nowadays simply because of how corrupt our leadership is, from the very top with the poster child of the government to the very bottom rungs of the political ladder. There is no way to change it either. The system only grows more corrupt with every generation of new politicians appealing to voters (sheep) who grow more naïve with each silver-tongued devil they let into their heads. The lies about “change for the better” continue while nothing changes at all. 

The Internal Revenue Service added a new reason to despise their group with their recent acts of cowardice, corruption, and dubious decision making. Regardless of if President Obama was involved or not, and I for the record believe the poster child of the Democratic National Party and the United States Government could not have a clue this was going on, I believe the hatred and distrust directed towards the IRS in the wake of this will all be just. Just, something one cannot say about the IRS. 

Babe of the Week: Taylor Swift

 

That t-shirt says it all. “Haters gonna hate.” Let those haters hate, Taylor. 

A Melancholy Happy Trails to…
- Ray Manzarek, 74 - American rock musician and founder of The Doors (May 20th)
- Ken Venturi, 82 - American golfer and golf analyst (May 17th)
- Dick Trickle, 71 - American stock car driver known as 1989 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year and winning over 1,200 short track races across the country. (May 16th)
- Dr. Joyce Brothers, 85 - American psychologist, columnist, and actress (May 13th)
- Jeannie Cooper, 84 - American actress best known for The Young and the Restless (May 8th)

"That's What She Said" - Saying Farewell to "The Office"

Saying Farewell to The Office…

 

After nine seasons and 201 episodes, America is about to say farewell to the gang at Dunder Mifflin Paper Company as The Office airs their one-hour series finale this week. The show that made Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, and Rainn Wilson stars ends its run on May 16th.

The series depicted the lives of the employees at the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company as a documentary crew filmed them for a documentary entitled The Office: An American Workplace. Debuting on March 24th, 2005 as a mid-season replacement, The Office quickly rose to the top of NBC’s comedy lineup through both a cult following and critical acclaim. Never among the highest-rated programs on television, The Office boasted a devoted following second to none throughout its nine-season run.  

Anybody who knows me knows The Office is one of my favorite shows of all-time. I discovered The Office during the early portion of the second season and quickly found myself addicted to the wacky personalities within the workplace. The Office became appointment television. While the post-Steve Carell seasons were not close to the magic of earlier seasons, The Office still remained one of the premiere comedies on television. Even at its most ridiculous, The Office still showed levels of heart, character, and intelligence rarely shared by its television counterparts. I laughed with, cried with, and cared for the characters on this show as if they were really friends that I visited with every Thursday night on NBC. 

The Office cast from season 4-5
L-R: Ed Helms, Phyllis Smith, Kate Flannery, Craig Robinson, Paul Lieberstein,
Rainn Wilson, Jenna Fischer, Steve Carell, Creed Bratton, John Krasinski, Oscar Nunez, BJ Novak,
Brian Baumgartner, Leslie David Barker, Mindy Kaling, Angela Kinsey

I think one of the major reasons I related to The Office so easily is that I could recognize people I know personally in every character on the show. We all know the couple who should and ultimately are together, participants in that great love story like Jim Halpert and Pam Beesley (Halpert). I cannot tell you how many know-it-alls I have encountered who are brilliant about some subjects yet are naïve to the real world like Dwight Schrute. I know many people who have the same anger management issues and flighty sense of self-direction as Andy Bernard (myself included). I have met many people so caught up in trying to have the latest in innovation or in popular trends that they become a walking cartoon character akin to Ryan Howard or Kelly Kapoor. We all know uptight and hypocritical Christians like Angela Martin, well-meaning individuals who cannot escape stereotypical comments at their expense like Oscar Martinez and dim-witted people in positions they are not qualified for like Kevin Malone. We encounter stern individuals like Stanley Hudson, lushes like Meredith Palmer, caring matronly figures like Phyllis Lapin-Vance, and eccentric individuals like Creed Bratton on a daily basis. Personally, I see a lot of myself in Michael Scott, a man who joked a lot – seemingly innocent albeit inappropriate – sometimes to the point of going too far and facing repercussions from superiors in the aftermath. The Office was not merely a wonderful ensemble comedy with a vast cast of characters. The Office was a reflection of everyday American life and the melting pot we call society.

In looking back at the 199 episodes that have aired before the final two air this Thursday night, I am concluding this retrospective on one of the great comedies in American television history with some of my favorites from The Office. The following are my favorite quotes, favorite Dwight pranks, favorite individual moments, and favorite episodes in the history of The Office. 

Top Ten Office Quotes:
10. From "Fun Run" (season 4, episode 1)
Creed: "I've been involved in a number of cults, both as a leader and a follower. You have more fun as a follower, but make more money as a leader."

9. From "Sexual Harassment" (season 2, episode 2)
Michael: "Toby is in HR, which technically means he works for corporate, so he's really not a part of our family. Also, he's divorced, so he's really not a part of his family."

8. From "Product Recall" (season 3, episode 20)
Dwight: "I grew up on a farm. I have seen animals having sex in every position imaginable. Goat on chicken. Chicken on goat. Couple of chickens doing a goat. Couple of pigs watching. Whoever drew this got it exactly right."

7. From "The Alliance" (season 1, episode 4)
Pam: "I suggested we flip a coin, but Angela said she doesn't like to gamble. Of course, by saying that, she was gambling that I wouldn't smack her." 

6. From "Sexual Harassment" (season 2, episode 2)
Michael: [On the sexual harassment policy] "Times have changed a little. And even though we're still a family here at Dunder Mifflin, families grow. And at some point, the daddy can't take a bath with the kids anymore. I am upper management, and it would be inappropriate for me to take a bath with Pam. As much as I might want to." 
Pam: [Cut to shot of Pam] "He said what?!?!"

5. From "Michael's Birthday" (season 2, episode 19)
Kelly: "I never really thought about death until Princess Diana died. That was the saddest funeral ever. That and my sister's."

4. From "Business School" (season 3, episode 17)
Dwight: "I don't have a lot of experience with vampires, but I have hunted werewolves. I shot one once, but by the time I got to it, it had turned back into my neighbor’s dog."

3. From "Diversity Day" (season 1, episode 2)
Michael: "Abraham Lincoln once said that 'If you're a racist, I will attack you with the North,' and these are the principles I carry with me in the workplace."

2. From "Diversity Day" (season 1, episode 2)
Michael: "...some burritos or some colored greens or some pad thai."
Stanley: "It's collard greens."
Michael: "What?"
Stanley: "It's collard greens."
Michael: "That doesn't make sense. You don't call them 'collard people'... that's offensive."

1. From "Sexual Harassment" (season 2, episode 2)
Michael: "Attention, everyone! Hello! Ah, yes! I just want you to know that, uh, this is not my decision, but from here on out... we can no longer be friends. And when we talk about things here, we must only discuss work-associated things. And, uh, you can consider this my retirement from comedy. And in the future, if I want to say something funny or witty or do an impression, I will no longer, ever, do any of those things." 
Jim: "Does that include 'That's what she said?'" 
Michael: "Mmm-hmm. Yes." 
Jim: "Wow! That is really hard. You really think you can go all day long? Well, you always left me satisfied and smiling, so..." 
Michael: "That's what she said!!!"

Top Five Office Pranks:
5. Vampire Jim - From "Business School" (season 3, episode 17)



In the episode, directed by Joss Whedon, a bat flies around the office and causes mayhem while Dwight finds ways to catch it. In the process, Jim starts acting weird around Dwight. Jim claims to feel “strangely powerful” after the bat bit him and displaying signs that he is now a vampire. Dwight falls for it completely as you can easily tell from the look on his face that he is all in. According to Dwight, this does not mean Jim will turn into a vampire but only that he has the vampire blood in him. He also recounts a moment where he shot a werewolf once that turned back into his neighbor’s dog by the time he got to it. The whole thing ends with Jim leaving the office in a coat, claiming to be really cold. Dwight only wishes him good luck. He does not really do anything about it. However, the fact that he believed it completely is a victory for Jim. 

4. Jim's Impression of Dwight - From "Product Recall" (season 3, episode 21)



In the cold open of this episode, Jim comes in dressed up as Dwight - from the hairstyle to the watch. At first, Dwight does not notice anything. Jim starts to speak and nails Dwight's exact speech pattern. Dwight is interested when Jim brings up bears. Then, Jim lists the three things Dwight loves most: Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica. That is when Dwight realizes what Jim is doing, but appears initially unfazed by it. Once Jim pulls out a bobble head, Dwight cannot hold it in anymore and warns Jim that identity theft is not a joke, “millions of families suffer every year.” Jim just screams “Michael” the same way Dwight does and goes into his office. Jim dressing up exactly like Dwight was incredible. However, nailing his speech patterns and getting Dwight to talk about identity theft put this over the top.

3. It was Dwight - From "Tallahassee" (season 8, episode 15)



Dwight, Jim and a few other members of the office travel to Florida for Sabre’s new project in this episode. Dwight takes it upon himself to wake everyone up at 5AM to make sure they are ready for work, work that starts at 9AM. The best part about this is Dwight thinks he is going to ruin Jim’s sleep. However, Jim gets to him first. Jim wakes up earlier than Dwight and spends his time setting up his room to look like a murder scene. Dwight and Erin walk in and are horrified at the sight, especially a message on the wall reading, “It was Dwight” in blood. As if this was not enough, Jim falls out of his closet like a dead body to freak out both Dwight and Erin. 

2. Rockin' Robin - From "The Return" (season 3, episode 14)





After Dwight shortly left Dunder Mifflin for Staples in season 3, Jim chose to pull his pranks on the also-annoying new Scranton team member Andy. Jim stole Andy's phone and hid it in the ceiling. Then, Jim and Pam called the phone throughout the day. This drove Andy closer to insanity every time he heard the ringtone of his a capella performance of "Rockin' Robin" play. Ultimately, Andy punched a hole through a wall in what he immediately called an overreaction. While it was not on Dwight, this prank was one of the finest pranks in the entire run of the show.

1. Asian Jim - From "Andy's Ancestry" (season 9, episode 3)



In the cold open of this episode, Dwight watches as Jim walks into the office like any other day. There is one difference though: it is not Jim, it is Steve - an Asian actor friend of Jim and Pam. Dwight asks what he is doing and does not believe he is the real Jim. Asian Jim sells it really well though as he gets all of Jim’s dialogue and quirks down perfectly and answers all of Dwight’s questions correctly. He even looks into the camera the same way Jim does. Dwight is about to lose it when Pam comes along and kisses Asian Jim, telling him about the reservation she made for them at a restaurant. Then, the ultimate kicker comes when Dwight takes a family portrait off the desk and shoves it into Asian Jim’s face, claiming that the person in that picture is the real Jim. Dwight turns it around only to see that Asian Jim is in that too. The level of commitment shown to mess with Dwight in this prank is truly on an epic scale. The photograph puts this on a whole other level. 

Top Jim and Pam Moments:
One of the most endearing aspects of The Office was the realistic portrayal of an office romance between Jim Halpert and Pam Beesley. From the innocent flirting in the first season through the heartbreaking rejection in the season two finale to Jim asking Pam on their first date in the season three finale and the simple yet romantic proposal in season five, fans of PB & J went along on the journey of one of television’s great love stories. I could write a book about my favorite Jim and Pam moments and still feel like I was forgetting one. 

From their first kiss in a Chili’s during the Dundies in season two to their most recent kiss after Jim let Pam know she is all he will ever want or need, their love story has set the bar for what future love stories will attempt to achieve on television. Through their ups and down, Jim and Pam have remained the couple we all root for. Their love story has been the backbone for nine seasons of magic. 

I could not choose my favorite Jim and Pam moments because there are just too many wonderful moments from which to choose. I did find two wonderful fan videos though which sum up the magic of Jim and Pam. Enjoy.





Top Ten Office Episodes:
10. “Goodbye, Michael” – season 7, episode 22 & “Garage Sale” – season 7, episode 19 (TIE)
9. “Andy’s Play” – season 7, episode 3
8. “A.A.R.M.” – season 9, episodes 22/23
7. “The Dundies” – season 2, episode 1
6. “Fun Run” – season 4, episodes 1/2
5. “The Injury” – season 2, episode 12
4. “Dinner Party” – season 4, episode 9
3. “Niagara” – season 6, episodes 4/5
2. “Safety Training” – season 3, episode 20
1. “Diversity Day” – season 1, episode 2







While I do not love some of the shows or movies that boast the most devoted fan followings, I can understand that devotion. I feel it for The Office. Even when it struggled in the initial aftermath of Steve Carell’s departure following season seven, I stayed a loyal fan. As the final season unfolded, I became glad I chose to stay as The Office finished with the same heart, humor, and awkward charm it started with so many years ago. Thank you to everyone from the cast and crew to the writers and producers responsible for one of the greatest shows of my lifetime. Thank you for The Office.

Wrestling with Emotion - What's the deal with these hostile takeovers?!?!

Wrestling with Emotion…

The Art of the Hostile Takeover – Why do so many wrestlers want to put their employer out of business?

Aces and Eights -
The latest group to want to put TNA out of business in "two, three weeks tops."

The “hostile takeover” angle is one of professional wrestling’s favorite angles to run. The angle is usually a company-encompassing angle that last months, even years, and involves everyone from the biggest of main event stars to the lowliest of curtain jerkers. Dating back to the mid-1990s and the UWF invasion of New Japan Pro Wrestling, the invasion angle is one that every promotion seems to take great pleasure in running. Some of the most famous angles in professional wrestling’s last 20 years are invasion angles – the nWo vs. WCW, the 2001 WCW/ECW invasion of WWF, the Immortal/TNA war. 

There has always existed one problem with this angle though. Maybe it is just because I am “that wrestling fan” who takes things to seriously and “overthinks things” but I cannot help it. The problem I keep having with these angles is that they all make no sense on one level – if your invasion is successful and you put the company out of business, you are going to be unemployed too. 

It doesn't matter if we're unemployed.  We made tons of money.  Thanks, guaranteed contracts!

When the nWo wanted to take over WCW in the late 90s, they repeated their intention to put WCW out of business. The same was true during the WCW/ECW invasion of WWF. If these invasions were successful, that would leave the invaders without a job. Think about it. WCW was the host company for the nWo. The nWo appeared on television shows airing because of contracts signed by WCW management (Ted Turner, at the time, owned both WCW and those networks so WCW was all under one giant corporate umbrella). In the case of the 2001 WCW/ECW invasion of WWF, WWF management signed those TV deals with Viacom. Therefore, even if that invasion proved successful under the leadership of Shane and Stephanie McMahon, the kids would be without a television deal for their brands because their father, Vince McMahon, signed the deals with the distributors. If the invaders were successful in either invasion, they would only earn themselves a spot on the unemployment line because they would lose their largest source of promotion and exposure: television. 

This little oversight of logic is a major flaw in what the professional industry considers its “go to” long-term angle and I consider the most overused wrestling angle since the Dusty Finish. 

Currently the two promotions I follow the closest are both deep into their own hostile takeover angles. Since June 2012, TNA has fought off the invasion from the biker gang known as Aces and Eights. Finally, after nine months, Bully Ray revealed himself the leader of Aces and Eights at Lockdown. Filled with disgruntled TNA employees and a few former employees (storyline-wise), Aces and Eights want to end TNA Wrestling in the same vein Immortal wanted to control TNA Wrestling from 2010-2011. Meanwhile, Ring of Honor Wrestling has a faction of disgruntled employees intent on destroying the company in the form of SCUM. Initially angered by then-ROH Commissioner Jim Cornette, Kevin Steen, Jimmy Jacobs, and Steve Corino formed SCUM with the intent of taking over and destroying Ring of Honor – a quest that has continued even with the removal of Cornette from power in the company (both storyline-wise and in reality) and the additions of Matt Hardy, Rhino, Rhett Titus, Cliff Compton, Jimmy Rave and subtraction of Steen. 

S.C.U.M. in happier times before they lost the ROH World Championship and kicked out Kevin Steen.

At this point, I have watched both angles play out for 10 and 11 months respectively. Both angles have offered some great matches, especially in Ring of Honor where Steen’s outstanding World Championship reign ran alongside the early months of this angle. However, I find myself also bored with this tired angle. Since the late 1990s, I have watched this angle play out multiple times with every invasion stopped by the heroes. The nWo imploded. The WCW/ECW invasion fell to the WWF (and Vince McMahon’s ego). John Cena killed the Nexus by himself. Immortal fell when Sting defeated Hulk Hogan in a street fight and Hogan “saw the light.” Nobody has ever successfully completed a hostile takeover of a company in wrestling. Why? Because, logically, a successful takeover and destruction would ultimately mean the invaders would only make themselves unemployed. My early point stands are the logical barrier stopping any of these angles from ever playing out in favor of the invaders.

While the nWo version of this angle was the closest to perfection, it was not perfect. Also, it was not so great that every company has to run a version of the angle every 2-3 years from now until the end of time.

Factions are great. Plenty of factions have existed in professional wrestling without the sole purpose of a hostile invasion. The Four Horseman were not intent on destroying the NWA. DX rebelled against authority without trying to take over the company. The Heenan Family, the First Family, Evolution all wanted to establish their dominance through championship gold. So, do not interpret my complaint as the idea that factions in wrestling are bad because that is not what I am saying at all. What I am saying is that wrestling needs to lose this idea that every company needs a group within wanting to take over and destroy the company. It is illogical. It is mind numbing. Most important of all, it is lazy. The wrestling world has watched this angle for almost 20 years now. Do something different so that maybe the wrestling fans around the world would do something different and stop complaining… nah, complaining is the American way. 

The Highlight Reel presents This Week's Recap for May 6th

THIS WEEK’S RECAP…

Superstar of the Week: Orb 

On May 4th, jockey Joel Rosario rode the popular colt Orb to victory in the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby. A 7-2 favorite on race day, Orb became the first Kentucky Derby winner for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey in his 34-year career. On a track of mud and slop as result of a day of torrential downpours, Orb came from the middle of the pack down the stretch to win by two and a half lengths over Golden Soul in a winning time of 2:02.89.

On May 18th, Orb will compete in the 138th Preakness Stakes. All of the sporting world will look at this colt as he attempts to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. Twelve horses have won the first two legs before failing since Affirmed turned the trifecta. At the Preakness, Orb will continue his journey. However, even if he fails there, Orb won a life of luxury and breeding bliss with his victory in the Kentucky Derby.

Jerk of the Week: Geno Smith

Perhaps the league knew something about West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith when the athletic potential first round selection dropped to the second round in the recent NFL Draft. Smith, long projected to be the first quarterback selected in the 2013 Draft, fell from the first round to the second round as everyone passed on the Mountaineer QB before the New York Jets selected Smith with the 39th overall selection. Instead of showing gratitude for being selected to play in the NFL, something thousands of college footballs would dream of, Smith showed nothing but insincerity in his “joy” about becoming a New York Jet. Then, Smith showed his outrage with his draft day plummet by firing his agents.

Sure, Geno Smith did not commit a crime. He did not even cover a hotel room in feces and urine like wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins of Clemson and Mark Harrison of Rutgers did. However, Smith showed a level of immaturity that cannot make Jet fans happy as Smith appears likely to be the heir apparent if Mark Sanchez struggles again this season. Smith is going to learn fast in the NFL that hard days come with the occupation, especially if you are a New York Jet. However, he will not have agents to throw under the bus with every bad experience. Grow up, Geno Smith and be grateful you have a spot in the league. God’s favorite quarterback does not even have that luxury. 

Tebowing 2013 - to the tune of "The Lonely Man" (the walking away theme from The Incredible Hulk)

Babe of the Week: Hillary Scott

Even with the baby bump, Hillary's gorgeous!
Get Golden - the new Lady Antebellum album - in stores on May 7th!

A Melancholy Happy Trails to…
- Jeff Hanneman, 49 - American guitarist from the band Slayer (May 2nd)
- Chris Kelly, 34 - American rapper best known as part of Kris Kross (May 1st)
- George Jones, 81 - American country singer and one of the greatest of all-time (April 26th)

A Few Thoughts on… Jason Collins



Last week, Washington Wizards center and 13-year NBA veteran Jason Collins became the first active player in the major four American sports to come out as a homosexual in an article he wrote for Sports Illustrated. This immediately led to Collins being lauded as a hero by some while others stressed their objections to homosexuality again as the debate over homosexuality crossed over into the sporting landscape with a player finally out and proud.

I looked at this story and the way it was handled and compare it to the way the media and secular world handled Tim Tebow’s Christianity. In both cases, these men became defined by something outside of their athletic ability and on the field / on the court achievement. Tim Tebow announced himself as a Christian and the majority told Tebow to “shut up about it.” Jason Collins announced himself as a homosexual male and the majority told him, “You are a hero.” In both instances, I felt saddened because everybody missed the point regarding these two men. In addition, I felt both Tebow and Collins should shut up because their announcements are nobody’s business.

I do not believe either religious affiliation or sexual orientation matter in the grand scheme of things. If someone is going to judge another -- positive or negative -- based on religious or sexual orientation, that is their issue. It is just the same as judging someone because of race, gender, etc... The sooner people stop giving bait for others to judge and start just living their own lives, the closer we may actually get to a life without bias and prejudice. However, people want to live “loud and proud” and try to make everybody conform to their own beliefs so we will never have a society where this kind of information remains privy only to the individual.

Collins’ announcement was historic in that an athlete finally came out of the closet in one of the four major sports while still active. However, this is not a Jackie Robinson situation. This is a non-story. Jason Collins is the 10th-12th man on the hapless Washington Wizards. Before this story, nobody knew who Jason Collins was -- including diehard NBA fans. The Washington Wizards’ front office said, “Collins is on our team? Really?” Collins is to basketball in 2013 what Tim Tebow was to football - a figure known for a characteristic unimportant to the sports world itself.

The fact that people know either of these men for something other than mediocre-at-best play within their sport is a sad, sad testament to how piss-poor humanity is where religious and sexual orientation matter one iota in defining a human being. Tim Tebow can keep his Christian beliefs to himself. Also, just as important, Jason Collins can keep his sexual orientation to himself. I do not care. It does not change the fact that you are about to fall out of the NBA because you are not good enough to receive playing time for the horrible Wizards. I seriously doubt that coming out will develop a brand new jump shot for you either.