My Top 10 Superhero Films

In a very short time, Christopher Nolan will deliver the final chapter of his Batman Trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises. Nolan’s trilogy has represented a new dawn for superhero movies, much like George Lucas’ Star Wars Trilogy did for science-fiction. Amidst this new-found admiration and appreciation for superheroes, Hollywood has been overrun with a smattering of superhero films. So I feel I must take a moment and share the 10 superhero films that I consider personal favorites. Before we go any further, I must specify my criteria for judging these films.

Ultimately, more important than the film itself, is the hero it is about. There are movies that are exceptionally well-made that you will find totally snubbed from this list, and the simple explanation for that is that I either don’t like, or legitimately dislike the superhero it is about (cough-Spiderman-cough). To me, Superheros are idealistic representations of mankind. They personify the myths of old- our modern day Hercules, Achilles and Perseus. They are awe-inspiring, thought-provoking, and oftentimes genuinely bad-ass. Next is the film itself, and how much care and concern the filmmakers, actors and the rest of the crew show for the subject matter.

1) SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE (1978)

Directed by Richard Donner

The forerunner for anything minutely related to superheroes, is Superman. Even the phrase “super”hero wouldn’t exist without Superman. In 1932 Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created the most popular fictional character of all time. In 1978, “Superman: The Movie” was released, and it’s phenomenal success would pave the way for future superhero films. Richard Donner, the film’s director, spearheaded the film with a mantra of verisimilitude – to make the film appear as real as possible. He wanted kids to believe in Superman like they did in Santa Claus. This dedication to such a fantastic ideal is what makes the movie incredible. Amongst the phenomenal cast was Marlon Brando as Superman’s biological father, Jor-El; and Gene Hackman as the film’s villain, Lex Luthor. And in the title role was a young unknown actor by the name of Christopher Reeve. The epic film featured the origin story of the infant Kal-El, his adoption as Clark Kent, and his destined role as Superman. It featured a diabolical plot by Lex Luthor, and a rousing finale. John Williams created one of his most masterful compositions for the film’s soundtrack, a score  that has become synonymous with Superman, and superheroes in general. Donner made the film as bright and colourful as possible, paying tribute to the iconic character on whom it is based upon. Everything about the film, even the tagline – “You’ll believe a man can fly” – was filled with the same idealised, almost naive positivity that Superman is known for. And it delivered on all it’s hype with overwhelmingly positive reviews and a huge box-office intake. The most thrilling part about the film is Christopher Reeve’s performance. To step into the role of the most iconic character of all time is no easy task. But to see Christopher Reeve totally transform himself and deliver a committed, brilliant portrayal of both Superman and Clark Kent is truly extraordinary. I don’t even hesitate when I state in my opinion, that it’s the greatest performance in film history.

2) BATMAN BEGINS (2005)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan is a name that will be whispered with awe amongst fanboys all over the world. In 2005, Nolan breathed new life into the Batman film franchise, that was abandoned after Joel Schumacher took a giant dump on it and called it “Batman and Robin”. With Batman Begins, he brought a gritty realism that echoed that old mantra of verisimilitude. Except that realism is a bit different for Batman than it is for Superman. Batman is finally adapted with a reverence that we have never seen before. With Batman Begins, Nolan did something that very few directors do when handling a superhero film- He took it seriously. Revamping the characters origin story, the film depicts in vivid detail Bruce Wayne’s physical and psychological training that eventually shapes the Batman. In the title role, Christian Bale delivers a powerhouse performance as the Caped Crusader. I’ve heard several criticisms of his portrayal. However, as a dedicated fan of the comic, I know that Batman’s voice is described as “each word resembling a piece of glass cutting his throat on the way out”. So Christian Bale, unlike so many actors before him, shows true dedication to the character. In supporting roles are great performances from Gary Oldman as Lt. James Gordon, Michael Caine as butler Afred Pennyworth, and Liam Neeson as the mastermind villain, Ra’s Al Ghul. The dedication shown towards this film is reflected by the positive reviews it recieved, and Batman’s evolution into one of the decade’s most popular iconic characters.

3) THE DARK KNIGHT (2008).

Directed by Christopher Nolan

The Empire Strikes Back to Batman Begins’ Star Wars. Darker, grittier and more downright villainous. And Batman Begins was already full of all those things. Chris Nolan settles on The Joker, comics’ greatest villain, as the antagonist for Batman this time around. The clown price of crime is played by Heath Ledger. Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Christian Bale return in their respective roles; and Aaron Eckhart joins the cast as Harvey Dent/ Two-Face. Chock full of chase scenes, action sequences and puzzling schemes “The Dark Knight” was prime box-office fare. And it’s incredible success at the time showed a new reverence for superhero films, from both audiences and critics alike. The film recieved tremendous praise for its visual effects, storyline, and performances. the most alluring part of the film for me is the deep psychological drama that it depicts between Batman and The Joker. The image of a man taken to the brink of chaos and his ideals terribly shaken by another who “just wants to watch the world burn” is chilling. It’s a vintage comic archetype that is characteristic of Batman and The Joker, and it’s perfectly captured in the film. And finally there’s the Academy-Award winning performance from Heath Ledger. What more praise can I deliver that hasn’t already been heaped upon him?

4) THE AVENGERS (2012)

Directed by Joss Whedon

Speaking of prime box office fare… The world is still shaking from the thunderous success that Marvel’s master plan “The Avengers” has had. I first heard talk of an Avengers film when “Iron Man” came out in 2008. The sheer enormity of such a project was enough to get fanboys around the world scoffing at such a preposterous idea. In a short 5 years, however, Marvel found huge success through it’s “Iron Man” franchise and moderate success with “Thor” and “Captain America”. It then hired geek-god Joss Whedon to helm the project, and I’m sure even the most skeptical of fans dared to hope for success. To say that “The Avengers” exceeded expectations would be an understatement. Whedon spearheads the project with all of the wit and charm that he is known for, and he creates a rousing film that is  totally appealing. With jaw-dropping action choreography, and phenomenally well-written dialogue, The Avengers is all a fanboy could ever hope for, and much-much more. It also features the whole doggone cast delivering strong performances. Robert Downey Jr. is as charming as we’ve come to expect as Iron Man, and Tom Hiddleston is wonderfully cunning as Loki. Even Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans, portraying Thor and Captain America, are more likeable in this film than in their solo films- It’s a testament to Whedon’s ability to create truly fascinating chemistry for his characters. Mark Rufallo steals the show with his performance as Dr. Bruce Banner/Hulk, capturing the character better than anyone before him has done. As a final note, I must state that I never was much of a Marvel fan. And I would never thought I would say it, but The Avengers deserves all the praise that it has and continues to recieve.

5) WATCHMEN (2009)

Directed by Zack Snyder

Anyone who claims to be a fan of comic books will have read Alan Moore’s masterpiece “Watchmen”, or else they’re pathetic hypocrites. Sorry if that was harsh. But that’s exactly what Watchmen is. It’s a seminal work to the medium of comics. It is to comics what “The Godfather” is to film. So I’ll be the first to say I had no faith in Zack Snyder when I heard he was adapting this masterpiece into a film. The story takes place in an alternate reality where superheroes are real, and have provided aid to the government. However in the midst of the escalating Cold War, paranoia has led to distrust of the the costumed heroes. And in the late eighties, at the height of the Cold War, a conspiracy emerges that revolves around the murder of a costumed hero. I expected a bit of a train wreck, but upon seeing the film, I was quite impressed. Upon re-watching it, I was further impressed, and I realized that it could very well be as good an adaptation as we will get. It’s not perfect, certainly. But I don’t see anyone “perfectly” adapting the comic book, because quite frankly, I don’t think it would be a good film.  What makes the comic great is unique to the comic, and it’s medium. But Snyder finds his own unique ways to make his film great. Contrary to what I was expecting, the movie has a much more campy feel to it. It’s still the same dark storyline, but it features the gloriously stylized action that Snyder made famous in “300”. I realized that this reflects the oddly colorful and bright artwork that is present in the comic. In the end, the film is what I would expect if the panels in the comic could move. There are some clear issues, but they’re ones I feel cannot be resolved in a film. Snyder does his best, and in my opinion, its good enough. Also, the movie features the best opening titles of all time.

6) SUPERMAN RETURNS (2006)

Directed by Bryan Singer

Sadly underrated, and sadly misunderstood. “Superman Returns” was supposed to do for Superman what “Batman Begins” did for Batman. However, WB was disappointed with its $391 mil. box office showing. The sad thing is, “Returns” recieved positive reviews upon release, but has since been overlooked. I really feel like Singer’s Superman (one not so different from Donner’s original vision) just didn’t appeal to modern audiences. Singer delved deep into the character’s iconic status, and using astoundingly gorgeous visuals, crafted the most majestic image of Superman that we have ever seen. But I’m sure modern audiences just wanted to see him kick some ass. However, Singer showed sincere dedication and appreciation for the Man of Steel. He kept true to all the moral uprightness and stoicism of Superman, demonstrated in action sequences that were shockingly understated. There’s very little flash or flair to Superman’s movements or his character. He’s the humble, unassuming and sensitive hero of old. Kevin Spacey does a great job as Lex Luthor, conveying equal amounts of humor and intimidation. In the lead role, is another unknown by the name of Brandon Routh, and he does a great job, proving he’s a worthy replacement for the legendary Chris Reeve.

7) BATMAN (1989)

Directed by Tim Burton

DC’s first attempt to bring their other popular hero to film (independent from any TV shows) was a rousing success. Tim Burton is the perfect choice for director, bringing a Gothic flair to create a dark and grim Gotham City. Michael Keaton was originally berated and bemoaned by fans as a poor choice for Batman, but he proves them all wrong with a very strong performance. Jack Nicholson plays the Joker with a great theatrical and campy flair, perfectly capturing the Silver Age representation of the character. Danny Elfman contributes with a rousing score that I still find myself humming restlessly. It’s a truly entertaining and honest interpretation of the Dark Knight.

8) IRON MAN (2008)

Directed by Jon Favreau

The start of Marvel’s phenomenal collection of home-run films, and the comeback of a lifetime for Robert Downey Jr. Director Jon Favreau hits all the right buttons to create an explosive, entertaining vision of Iron-Man. The film features an origin story that is probably one of the very best for any superhero film. Robert Downey Jr. is fantastic as billionaire Tony Stark, bringing an irrevocable charm and wit to the character, making him instantly likeable. In a strong supporting performance is Jeff Bridges as antagonist Obadiah Stane. It also features some awe-inspiring visual effects and a butt-load of cool gadgets that will continue to evoke “ooh”s and “aah”s from audiences. The film brought a new vision for Marvel superheroes, and it continues to be a measuring stick for all films to follow up in that cinematic universe.

9) SUPERMAN II (1980)

Directed by Richard Lester

The second installment of the Superman franchise features a more existential Kal-El, and an epic set of supervillains. Superman faces off against a band of lost Kryptonian criminals with a desire for vengeance, led by General Zod- portrayed in iconic fashion by Terence Stamp. I understand there was a string of production issues with the film, including a change in directors, so its’ incredible that a great film can still come out of it. I normally wouldn’t be a fan of a Superman who approaches a near angsty state, but Christopher Reeve does an incredible job, portraying the character with a genuine emotion that would be hard to ignore. And the film also features a smattering of epic action scenes just like it’s predecessor.

10) BLADE (1998)

Directed by Stephen Norrington

Pure, unadulterated fun. Not only is Blade one of my favourite superhero films, but it would easily make it into a list of my favorite vampire films as well. In an inspired casting choice, the highly talented Wesley Snipes portrays the daywalker, Blade. Fairly different from the comic version, Snipes’ Blade is a more imposing, fearless, and downright bad-ass representation. Kris Kristofferson provides a strong supporting performance as Blade’s mentor, Abraham Whistler. Wesley Snipes in the lead role means two thing that instantly make the film appealing: A deep bone-chilling voice that I could listen to recite the phone book, and some ass-kicking action scenes and fight choreography. Add to that the visceral directorial style employed by Stephen Norrington and David S. Goyer’s fascinating storyline, and you’ve got a genuinely thrilling superhero/vampire/action film.

Special mentions: Batman Returns, Blade II, X-Men: First Class, Spider-Man, X-Men, Spider-Man 2, The Green Hornet.

The Post About Everything

So I realized I haven’t posted anything all week following my week-long WrestleMania geek-fest. During this week there has been a load of stuff that all warrant a post entry. I’m talking movie reviews, insightful attempts, and an unhealthy amount of personal anecdotes. So I’m gonna attempt to blog about all of it. If you meet me on the street sometime soon and slap me across the face, I shall know it’s because you are bewildered by this post. And then we shall be forced to throw down fisticuffs.

• WrestleMania was awesome, as I expected, The Rock beat John Cena, which I did not expect but totally enjoyed, and my friend really damaged his throat yelling at the screen. He’s a metalhead. I still laugh at his misfortune, but really, I’m glad he enjoyed himself so much.
• I watched “What’s Up Tiger Lily?”, which is director Woody Allen’s debut. Its a Japanese Crime movie that’s been dubbed over with shoddy American dialogue. It’s hilarious, and gives me hope that being totally silly can still lead to an enlightened career.
• I started watching “Sons of Anarchy”, and I’m very impressed. I will someday ask Ron Perlman for a hug while secretly hoping he punches me in the face instead. And then we shall be forced to throw down fisticuffs.
• I watched “Take Shelter” recently as my parents scratched their head. I then spent the rest of the day looking outside my window putting off going outside because it was cloudy.
• I also watched “Warrior”, and I had to turn on my subtitles to understand what Nick Nolte was talking about. I marked out when I saw Kurt Angle, and I can’t wait to see Tom Hardy as Bane. The guy’s a tank.
• What else did I watch? “50/50”, and I nearly cried. Seriously. But again, i was very impressed. I think the ideal time for me to try marijuana would be with people triple my age who have it prescribed to them. Or with Seth Rogen in a parking lot.
• You read correctly. I have not smoked marijuana.
•  This changes almost on a weekly basis, but as of today, I want to marry this girl:

• ^That girl^ is Peggy Olson. She’s on “Mad Men”. She’s cute, funny, and assertive. And she dresses like she’s from the sixties (coz she’s from the sixties….) Watch “Mad Men”!
• I also watched “The Passion of the Christ” and even as I write this I’m trying to think of ways that I can avoid controversy. I really liked the movie.
• Happy Easter! this post is related to the last one, in case you missed my poor attempt at subtlety. I ate a lot of chocolate over the past 24 hours. If you see me sometime soon, please knock whatever sugary item I am holding out of my hand. Unless its a Cadbury Creme Egg. Because then we shall be forced to throw down fisticuffs.
• As I write this I’m watching a show on FOX called “Excused” Its about some girls that get to pick mystery dates, and they’re really sassy. The host is really funny. I’m actually enjoying it, and I feel kinda guilty about it. And as my parents just walked in the front door I hastily changed the channel

Ratings for the movies I mentioned:

• “What’s Up Tiger Lily?”: 4/5
• “Take Shelter”: 4.5/5
• “Warrior”: 3.5/5
• “50/50”: 3.5/5
• “The Passion of the Christ”: 5/5

Notice how I made the whole post about me? That’s because it’s MY blog. Also clear after that blog, is that I watch a lot of movies and TV. It happens to be what I want to do with my life, so lay off. But seriously, I need to get out more. As soon as those clouds pass…

WrestleMania 28 – Preview, Predictions, and Preferences – 1 Night Away

One night away. I don’t know if I’ll get any sleep tonight. For this final blog post, I shall preview Sunday’s card, share my thoughts on the matches, and give you my predicted as well as my preferred outcome. Let’s get right into it:

 

Divas Tag-Team Match – Kelly Kelly and Maria Menounos vs. Beth Phoenix and Eve Torres

L-R: Maria Menounos, Kelly Kelly, Eve Torres, Divas Champion Beth Phoenix

Trust me, I’m not being sexist when I say this is the most pointless match on the card. Poor creative decisions have made the once great Divas division nothing more than a joke these days. Why would you include the talented Divas Champion in this match rather than have her defend her title? Beats me.The only reason this match is on the card is because WWE felt they needed a last minute celebrity presence so they booked Access Hollywood’s Maria Menounos. Whoop de doo.

Predicted Winner: Kelly Kelly and Maria Menounos

Preferred Winner: Couldn’t care less.

Team Teddy: Santino Marella, R-Truth, Kofi Kingston, Zack Ryder, The Great Khali, and Booker T w/Hornswoggle vs. Team Johnny: David Otunga, Mark Henry, Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger, The Miz, and Drew McIntyre w/Vickie Guerrero

L-R: Background: John Laurinaitus, Theodore Long; Foreground: Team Johnny: Jack Swagger, Drew McIntyre, David Otunga, Mark Henry, Dolph Ziggler, The Miz; Team Teddy: Booker T, The Great Khali, R-Truth, Santino Marella, Kofi Kingston and Zack Ryder

Bear with me because this might be confusing. Theodore Long is the General Manager for WWE’s Smackdown! brand, and John Laurinaitus is the Executive Vice-President of Talent Relations and the General Manager of WWE’s RAW brand. At WrestleMania they will each lead a team of six wrestlers that they assembled. The winning team will have its General Manager take complete control over both brands. Some of the talent in this match is very impressive, namely Jack Swagger, Dolph Ziggler, R-Truth, Zack Ryder and ‘The Awesome One’ The Miz. However, I’m only mildly interested in this match. Its matches like this that make me wish WWE still did their annual Money in the Bank match at WrestleMania.

Predicted Winner: Team Johnny

Preferred Winner: Team Johnny

Randy Orton vs Kane

L-R: Kane, Randy Orton

This is a bit of poor booking on WWE’s part, as it features two great talents simply being thrown into a match together. The story revolves around how Kane feels he “became human” when he shook Randy Orton’s hand last summer. It’s something he’s regretted ever since, and when he made his comeback earlier in January, he was his usual twisted, masked monster self again and he was gunning for Randy Orton. It’s a silly story and makes no sense, no matter how much Kane’s mic skills sell it. I really hope they put on a great match to make up for the poor story.

Predicted Winner: Randy Orton

Preferred Winner: Kane

Intercontinental Championship Match – Cody Rhodes (C) vs. Big Show

L-R: Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes, Big Show

Cody Rhodes had a tremendously impressive year, beginning with his upset victory over Rey Mysterio last year at WrestleMania 27. He has been Intercontinental Champion for a very long time and has vowed to bring some prestige back to the IC title. Big Show is one of the WWE’s longest running competitors, and at 7 feet tall and 500 pounds, is the self-proclaimed “World’s Largest Athlete”. Earlier this year, Cody began this feud by pointing out that Big Show has had a reputation for under-performing at WrestleMania, even going so far to show clips of the infamous failures, including Big Show getting knocked out by Floyd Mayweather and his embarrassing Sumo Match with Akebono. This will be a great match to watch, and it will be interesting to see how the much smaller Rhodes deals with Big Show’s diverse talents.

Predicted Winner: Cody Rhodes

Preferred Winner: Big Show

World Heavyweight Championship Match – Daniel Bryan (C) vs. Sheamus

L-R: Sheamus, World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan

What makes this match so exciting? Just last year at WrestleMania 27, the same match was booked, with the United States title on the line. It wound up being a dark match (non-televised). And this year it’s a headliner. I’m extremely glad that these phenomenal wrestlers have come a long way I honestly would be glad with any outcome (though I would secretly be doing a dance if Bryan retained). There was a brief version of this feud that existed last year, when Bryan was a face U.S. Champion, and Sheamus was the heel challenger.  Sheamus got the better of Bryan during that brief feud. This year their roles have been reversed, and the stakes are totally larger. But Bryan’s been on a role of pulling of upset victories (mainly through shady means) and he just might do it again.

Predicted Winner: Sheamus

Preferred Winner: Daniel Bryan

WWE Championship Match – CM Punk (C) vs. Chris Jericho

L-R: WWE Champion CM Punk, Chris Jericho

Another exciting facet of this year’s WrestleMania is that CM Punk and Daniel Bryan have both come from the same humble beginnings in the independent wrestling circuit, with particularly successful stints in Ring of Honor Wrestling.  And this year, they headline WrestleMania as World Champions. It’s the dawn of a new era in wrestling, and it looks extremely promising. As for CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho, I believe it will be the show-stealer. As big as Rock/Cena  and the Hell in a Cell match are, I truly believe Punk and Jericho will put on an awesome performance that will steal the show. Their outstanding mic skills have allowed them to create a palpable tension going into this match, and their remarkable in-ring talent should provide us with a quality match.

Predicted Winner: CM Punk

Preferred Winner: CM Punk

Hell in a Cell Match – Triple H vs. The Undertaker – Special Guest Referee: Shawn Michaels

L-R: The Undertaker, Special Guest Referee Shawn Michaels, Triple H.

There is sooooo much to get excited about in this match. Its three wrestlers that I hold in my personal top 10 in the ring together at the same time. It’s the rematch to one of my favorite WrestleMania matches. It’s Undertaker’s 19-0 streak on the line once again. A word on exactly what “Hell in a Cell” Match is. It’s a match with no rules; the only way to win is by pinfall or submission. The “Cell” is a towering structure that will surround the ring, encaging the wrestlers. It stands 20 ft. tall and weighs five tons. The cage extends outside the ring as well, so wrestlers have space to move outside. And the Cell is enclosed on top, so the only means to escape is through a locked door (which has happened multiple times before). Shawn Michaels and Undertaker competed in the first ever “Cell” match. Shawn has also faced Triple H in the cell. Triple H and Undertaker combined have competed in 19 of the 24 Hell in a Cell matches since its creation. But they have never faced each other under its confines. This match is billed as “the end of an era”, and I firmly believe it will be just that. It’s entirely possible that this will be the last match for Triple H and certainly for Undertaker. The fan in me is weeping with excitement. The kid in me just peed his pants.

Predicted Winner: The Undertaker

Preferred Winner: The Undertaker

The Rock vs. John Cena

L-R: John Cena, The Rock

Certainly the main event, and certainly the last match of the night. A lot of fans have been critical of WWE’s decision to book this match a year in advance and have the feud stretched out over a year. To quote Bilbo Baggins, it felt thin “like butter scraped over too much bread”. However, I wouldn’t go so far as some fans to deny my interest in the match altogether. This is still the first match The Rock is competing in in over 7 years. And boy have I missed him. I’m excited to see him in the ring again, even if it is against a guy who isn’t worthy to lace up his boots. The outcome to this match is one that I’ve known ever since it was first booked. It happened when Hulk Hogan faced Andre the Giant, and it happened when The Rock faced Hulk Hogan. It’s called a ‘passing of the torch’.  And I’m certain that the final image of the night will be of The Rock congratulating John Cena and raising his hand in victory.

Predicted Winner: John Cena

Preferred Winner: The Rock

If you’re watching WrestleMania, I wish you happy viewing. If you aren’t, whassamattawitchya?! Expect an in-depth review the morning after. Good night world!.

WrestleMania 28 – My Top Ten WrestleMania Matches – 2 Nights Away

As I’ve already stated in an earlier post, I’ve been watching my WWE DVD’s to get geared up for WrestleMania 28. I tried to find my absolute favorite matches at WrestleMania that i could then re-watch before Sunday. And I decided to share them with you. It also gives me a chance to explain what exactly makes a good match if wrestling is fake. You’ll find it’s a lot like watching a good movie.

10. The Undertaker vs. Triple H – No Holds Barred – WrestleMania XXVII

This stellar match that took place at WrestleMania just last year was a prime example of wrestlers using their strengths and finding chemistry in their differing skills. Triple H and ‘Taker was a match that just came about simply because it had too. As two of WWE’s most tenured wrestlers, it was only a matter of time before they met on the grandest stage of them all. The match was fantastic, and had me seriously wondering if the streak would come to an end. The match was brilliant because it perfectly utilized both superstars’ unique styles. Triple H was every bit as brutal as he has come to be known, even under PG rules. The match also features what I seriously consider to be the greatest endings to any match ever, and I still feel would have been a fitting conclusion to Undertaker’s career. It was brutal, entertaining, and an unquestionable show-stealer. Winner: The Undertaker

9. Mick Foley vs. Edge – Hardcore Match – WrestleMania 22

Why is it that I consider Mick Foley as one of my absolute favorite wrestlers? It’s not because he’s an incredible physical specimen, or that he’s an incredible technical wrestler. No, Mick foley is one of the best of all time because no other wrestler has worked harder than Mick to make their opponent look good. And that is one of the most vital components of a good wrestling match and of a good wrestler. If it wasn’t for Mick, guys like Randy Orton or Triple H would not be the stars they are today. They both got their big break after beating Mick Foley in thrilling encounters. And the same is true for Edge. The classic hardcore match at WM22 was arguable the dawn of the “Rated-R Era”, and the best part of Edge’s career. When sitting down to watch a hardcore match featuring Mick Foley, you can only expect one thing: utter violence. After all, he’s not called the “Hardcore Legend” for nothing. And this match had all kinds of violence: hundreds of thumbtacs embedded in Edge’s back, a barbed wire covered baseball bat, and an incredible spear through a flaming table. The Wrestlemania moment for both Mick Foley and Edge. A classic hardcore experience. Winner: Edge

8. The Dudley Boys vs. Edge and Christian vs. The Hardy Boys – Triangle Ladder Match (WWF Tag Team Championship) – WrestleMania 2000

I don’t think the ladder match has ever been the same after these guys were through with it. The match featured three tag-teams that are still considered the best ever, and the tag-team division hasn’t been this good since. The champions the Dudley Boys were hardcore maniacs that had just come over to the WWE from ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling) who I don’t believe have ever stepped into an arena without fans chanting “Tables! Tables! Tables!” After all, The Dudleys got a reputation for putting just about anything with a pulse through a table. The Hardy Boys were brothers from North Carolina that at first glance looked like a ploy to capitalize on a 90’s boyband craze. But then they got in the ring and jumped from places that most men wouldn’t climb up to- they’re still regarded as some of WWE’s best high flyers. And Edge and Christian? Well let’s put it this way: As far as I know, and I encourage anyone to correct me if they know different, Edge and Christian are the only tag-team that debuted as a tag-team but had both members go on to win World Titles. They had incredible individual talent, and as a team, they entertained outside of the ring and kicked ass in the ring. WrestleMania 2000 was the debut for all six competitors, and they had the best match of the night. Tables were broken by human bodies (a lot of tables), and ladders as tall as small buildings were climbed and jumped off of. And when the smoke had cleared, two bonafide stars were born. Winner: Edge and Christian

7. Hollywood Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock – WrestleMania X8

Icon vs Icon. Could there be a simpler tagline to one of the biggest matches in wrestling history? Hulk Hogan had not competed in a WrestleMania in 9 long years. During his absence he spent a long time in WCW trying to put his former boss Vince McMahon out of business. Meanwhile The Rock, along with men like Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple H were ushering in a new era of wrestling that would eventually topple WCW. When Vince McMahon finally bought over WCW, he asked the Hulkster to make his comeback. Hogan vs. Rock seemed inevitable. It was a dream match come true. Boxing fans may never get to see Ali vs. Tyson, but wrestling fans got to see Hogan vs. Rock, and that’s exactly what the match was like. It was larger than life, and as 68,000+ fans at the Toronto Skydome got to witness, it was a once in a lifetime experience. Hogan went into the match as a heel, but the deafening roar of support he received from the crowd let him know that he was still a megastar. The Rock was the face, and sure enough he got booed by the sudden Hulkamaniacs at the Skydome. The outcome of the match was one that was truly poetic. A graceful passing of the torch and the cementing of a legacy. Winner: The Rock.

6. Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon – (WWF Intercontinental Championship) – WrestleMania X

I’ve mentioned before that my earliest memory was watching wrestling. I did some research and found out that the match I remember watching was this one, in 1994, making me 3 and a ½ years old. So call it nostalgia if you wish, but how could I not love this match. It was WrestleMania’s first ever ladder match, a concept that was almost totally unheard of in wrestling. The goal of the match is for the wrestler to climb the ladder and claim the title hanging above the ring, in order to be crowned the winner. For a match that had never been seen before, it’s shocking to see the groundbreaking moves that Shawn Michaels pulled during this match. He still holds the title for being an innovator of the ladder match, and after seeing this, it’s easy to see why. He hits Razor with a diverse arsenal of unique moves. The match winds up being incredibly dramatic- the first in a long series of WrestleMania matches where Michaels creates a thrilling in-ring story that leaves his audience on the edge of their seat. Winner: Razor Ramon

5. Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 21

It was around the time of this match in 2005 that Shawn Michaels came to be known as “Mr. Wrestlemania”, and who could debate that. If there is ever another man than the Undertaker that is a defining figure of WrestleMania, it’s Shawn Michaels. Pro Wrestling Illustrated is an insider magazine that hands out annual awards, one of which is the “match of the year” award which Shawn has won a record 11 times. 9 of those matches have been at WrestleMania. It’s another quality that makes for a good wrestling match, and a good wrestler. You have to go out wanting a good match, and that’s all. Wrestling’s fake. It’s not about winning titles; it’s about putting on a show. And no one put on a show quite like Shawn Michaels. This encounter with Kurt Angle stands out in his legendary career as one of his absolute finest. Kurt Angle was arguably the best pure athlete wrestling has ever seen. After all, he happened to win an Olympic Gold Medal in 1996 for wrestling (real wrestling). His incredible conditioning is like nothing the business had ever seen. He had the ability to keep going like an indestructible wrestling machine, and his performance in the ring was entertaining to boot. WrestleMania 21 was a fierce contest between two of my absolute favorites, and I had no idea what to expect when I watched it. Two incredible competitors worked together to create a thrilling experience, from Shawn’s surprisingly strong mat-wrestling to the torturous concluding Ankle Lock. Winner: Kurt Angle

4. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Bret “The Hitman” Hart – “I Quit” Match – WrestleMania 13

The match that made Stone Cold Steve Austin. If there was ever a match that completely defined everything that Austin stood for, it’s this one. Bret Hart had just come back from an injury, and found the WWE to be in a different state than when he left it. It was the early signs of the “Attitude Era”, and Hart suddenly seemed a tad out of place. However his in-ring skill was as excellent as ever.  His opponent was in many ways the polar opposite of him. If Bret maintained moral beliefs, Stone Cold flaunted the rules every chance he got. If Bret displayed traditional in-ring technical skills, Stone Cold used plain brawling to beat his opponents senseless. The match was destined to be pure dramatic emotion, and it delivered in an extremely violent manner. An “I Quit” match has simple rules: no disqualification, no pinfalls, no countouts, the only way to win is to beat your opponent until he says the words I Quit. Stone Cold Steve Austin is known as the “toughest S.O.B. in the WWE”. He earned that moniker after this match. Because, as this match showed us, Stone Cold will not quit. The iconic image of a bloodied Austin locked in Hart’s signature move the sharpshooter is flashing in my head even as I write this. The disturbing amount of blood that flowed down his face, into his teeth, as Austin screamed in agony, all the while fighting the two words that would have cost him the match. After a solid 2 minutes under the sharpshooter, Austin eventually passed out from the pain, in a sickening pool of his own blood. He lost the match without ever having said the words “I quit”. And a legend was born. Winner: Bret “The Hitman” Hart

3. “The Macho Man” Randy Savage vs. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat – (WWF Intercontinental Championship) – WrestleMania III

When people talk about WrestleMania III, they talk of Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant, and they rightly should, as it was an incredible encounter. But true wrestling fans know the best match of the night was contested between Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat. See, wrestling has its share of hipsters too. Sure we enjoy the big blockbuster match like Hogan/Andre just like we would The Expendables. However, we know pretty clearly that Steamboat/Savage was the better match, just like Black Swan. Ricky Steamboat was a young man from Hawaii boasting martial arts and high flying talent. His skill remains some of the most graceful stuff you will ever see in a wrestling ring. And Randy Savage? Well… snap into a Slim Jim Oooooooh Yeaaaah! Dig it! He’s one of wrestling’s biggest icon from the Eighties, and a lot of people have fonder memories of him than they do of Hulk Hogan. However the Macho Man is not simply a guy with a riveting voice and a charming personality. He happened to possess an arsenal of awesome wrestling moves that have inspired wrestlers for generations. Savage and Steamboat had an incredible match and it still holds up as one of the finest matches of all time. Winner: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat.

2. Bret “The Hitman” Hart vs. Shawn Michaels – 60 Minute Ironman Match (WWF Heavyweight Championship) – WrestleMania XII 

To go 60 minutes in a wrestling match is no joke, and there is an extremely short list of competitors who can even attempt to compete in one. Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart lead that list. And at the end of this match it seems like they could go for a whole other 60 minutes. I could write a mini-novel on the storied rivalry that Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels had, but it really isn’t necessary. Through some miraculous display of in-ring skills, this match does a better job of telling a story than I ever could. It’s paced perfectly- slowing down when necessary and speeding up to a breakneck pace when necessary. Over 60 minutes. I still get chills thinking of it. The rules of the Ironman match was that whoever attained the most points at the end of a 60 minute time-limit would be declared the winner. Points are attained through pinfall, submission or disqualification. At the end of the 60 minutes for this match, the score read 0-0. Bret Hart, the champion, believed the match was over and started to leave. However, it was quickly ordered to continue under sudden death rules. How terribly dramatic. It continued, and finally concluded after Shawn Michaels hit 2 of his patented superkicks on the Hitman and got the pinfall. Vince McMahon’s voice rings “the Boyhood Dream has come true!” and I am left with my fondest WrestleMania memory, and my favorite WrestleMania match… until 13 years later. Winner: Shawn Michaels

1. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels – No Holds Barred – WrestleMania XXVI

And

The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels – 25^th Anniversary of WrestleMania

I’m known to be quite a cheat when it comes to picking an absolute favorite for anything. It’s normally always a draw. And it’s no different with wrestling matches. These matches are simply masterpieces, and are comparable to the Godfather parts 1 and 2. It’s a duology that is inseparable. The first match is a clash of titans, but also sets up a concluding arc for both men’s careers, leading to the bittersweet sequel. Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker are my number one and two favorite wrestlers. Of all time. So there is a clear and obvious reason for me to be passionate about these matches. And they also happen to take place at WrestleMania, with the legendary streak on the line. How could ‘Taker ever lose? But sure enough, when WrestleMania 25 rolled around, I was shook. I started to wonder if Shawn was going to be the one. Then I watched the match, and my wonderings became a certainty. Surely it would be Shawn. And then ‘Taker emerged victorious. And then WrestleMania 26 rolled around, and a dire stipulation came into play. If Shawn lost, his career would be over. And I had a new certainty going into that match. Of course ‘Taker would be the one to end Shawn’s career. And really I wouldn’t have it any other way. See in wrestling, when it comes time for a wrestler to hang up his boots, he wants to ensure he goes out on a high note, after a final match that will stand the test of time. So it would be perfect for my absolute favorite wrestler to have his career ended by my second favorite wrestler. So of course ‘Taker would win. Then I watched the match, and my certainty was shook all over again. And I asked myself, “Man, how do they do it?” Shawn lost on both occasions, and WM 26 was one of the saddest things I’ve seen in a movie theater. But it was perfect. Both the matches were sheer perfection. And I don’t know if they will ever be topped. Winner: The Undertaker and The Undertaker

WrestleMania is often called the “showcase of the immortals”, and these matches explain why that moniker is true. It’s the chance of a lifetime for a wrestler to put on a show unlike any other, and live on in the minds of fans forever. Good luck boys.

WrestleMania 28 – The Players of WrestleMania 28 (Part 2) – 4 Nights Away

What’s this? I have more to say about WrestleMania? Of course I do. Here’s a few more important wrestlers to watch at this years Mania. Which the majority of you will not be watching. Whatever.

Daniel Bryan: In the same vein of hard-working superstars as CM Punk is the ‘Submission Specialist’ Daniel Bryan. Just like Punk, Bryan is a kid who made a name for himself as Bryan Danielson, touring the world and finding great success in the independent circuit. He’s frequently won Insider awards for best wrestler of the year, and as a storied 10 year career before even stepping foot in the WWE. So needless to say, he was a hot prospect when WWE finally acquired him and he debuted as Daniel Bryan just two years ago. Since his debut Daniel Bryan has been fired for being ‘too violent’ and then quickly rehired due to fan’s demands. Bryan has risen through WWE’s ranks fairly quickly, finally winning the World Heavyweight Championship in December of last year, though by questionable means. He’s taken on the role of a heel (bad guy) and developed a self-righteous attitude that is an extension of his real life vegan lifestyle. I have been consistently entertained by Bryan, both in his silly antics outside the ring to gain fan’s hatred, to his stellar talents in the ring. He’s a first class performer, and calls to mind the pure wrestling talent that men like Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit utilized. At WrestleMania 28, Bryan puts his World Heavyweight Title on the line against the brute ‘Celtic Warrior’ Sheamus.

Sheamus: Another young wrestler that has quickly risen through the ranks to become a major talent in the WWE and a representative for the future of the business. Sheamus hails from Dublin, Ireland and in 2009 became WWE’s first Irish-born world champion. Since then, Sheamus has had his ups and downs, but looks to be on an incredible roll leading into WrestleMania. He maintains an in-ring style that revolves around his sheer brute force and brawling ability. His win at the 2012 Royal Rumble gave him a guaranteed spot to challenge any World Champion at WrestleMania. Sheamus chose Daniel Bryan, and vows to come away from his match as a champion again. Sheamus has a bright future ahead of him, and he’s become a man who could easily be molded into WWE’s next superstar. His road to superstardom could very well begin at ‘Mania after being crowned World Heavyweight Champion.

John Cena: WWE’s premier poster-boy, and one half of the main-event for this year’s WrestleMania. John Cena is a wrestler who has become this generation’s Hulk Hogan. He’s become the most popular name associated with the company, and they couldn’t be any prouder. After all he adheres to a code of ‘hustle, loyalty, respect’ and believes in ‘rising above hate’. He’s a model champion. Cena is a guy who was slowly crafted into the character he is now, and has changed considerably since his Vanilla Ice wannabe gimmick that he originally used. He salutes the troops and preaches American ideals. Now it would be remiss not to mention the curious reaction that Cena receives from fans. There is an undeniable portion of the audience that cannot stand John Cena, and I’m one of them. After all, wrestling is fake, and when this becomes clear, Cena’s high ideals become something we can smell him shoveling. After all, this has happened in the past. Face (good guy) wrestlers often get booed for being too goody-two-shoes. The end-result is often the wrestler turning heel to change up their character. Cena refuses to do this, stating that he wishes to ‘rise above hate’. Once again, keep in mind wrestling is fake. At WrestleMania 28, Cena goes one on one against The Rock. It’s a dream match that has been one year in the making, and promises to be a ‘once in a lifetime’ event.

The Rock: It is entirely possible that you may have heard of this man. One of the most successful wrestlers both in and out of the ring, The Rock has become a legend in the WWE. His career for the company was a triumphant one, that saw him capture numerous world titles and create a character that has become a beloved icon in wrestling. Born a third-generation wrestler, after his grandfather Peter Maivia and father Rocky Johnson, The Rock had a lot to live up to. He has since managed to surpass the careers that Maivia and Johnson had. His mic skills are still acclaimed as being the best in the history of the business. Following his success in the WWE, The Rock would eventually leave to join Hollywood and make his living as a movie actor. Seven years after what many believed would be The Rock’s final match, he returned live on Raw. The response was almost deafening. He mentioned how excited he was to be back, how he would be hosting WrestleMania, and how much he hated John Cena. The last one seemed to come out of left field. And so The Rock/Cena feud was born. At WrestleMania 27, The Rock stepped out of his professional role as the host to interfere in John Cena’s main-event title match, and cost him the championship. The next night on RAW, The Rock and Cena made a vow to meet again in a match at next year’s WrestleMania in what appears to be an Icon vs Icon match. The Rock should be no stranger to this type of match, having competed against Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 18. That match ended with Hogan passing the torch to The Rock. Will we witness a similar outcome this WrestleMania?

Wrestlemania 28 – The Players of Wrestlemania (Part 1) – 5 Nights Away

It’s past midnight, so that title isn’t entirely accurate. I just had a heated discussion on facebook over why John Cena refuses to change his character. For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, read on. I figure I would explain who the key players of this year’s WrestleMania are in this blog entry.

I must take a moment to explain exactly what a ‘wrestling character’ is. Wrestlers in this day and age all play a role. That role is either that of a face (a good guy) or a heel (a bad guy). Characters can range from an anti-establishment rebel to an Irish Leprechaun. The characters that wrestlers play are usually extensions of their real life. For example, Stone Cold Steve Austin isn’t really a beer swilling redneck who loves to beat up his boss, but he has had some problems with management, he is from Texas and he does enjoy a cold beer occasionally. So without further ado, here’s a lowdown on some of the important performers at WrestleMania 28.

The Undertaker: It’s only fitting that I begin this list with a man whose name has become synonymous with WrestleMania. Since his debut at WrestleMania 7, Undertaker has wrestled at 19 WrestleManias, winning every match at them. He holds a record of 19 wins, 0 losses.  Yes wrestling’s fake, but this is still a big deal. It represents the company respecting your talent enough to put you on an insane winning streak. It would be like winning the Oscar 6 years in a row. The Undertaker has wrestled in a main-event capacity for over 20 years, and has come to be known simply as “The Phenom”. And that is truly who Undertaker is. He is a living phenomenon. At WrestleMania 28, ‘Taker once more puts his legendary streak on the line against Triple H, a man he’s beaten on 2 previous WrestleMania encounters. As always, WWE has added more thrills to the match. It will be contested inside Hell in a Cell- a tortuous match that has become the forte for both Undertaker and Triple H. And serving as the special guest referee is the Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, who on two separate occasions delivered match-of-the-year performances in his attempts to end Undertaker’s streak.

Triple H: Alongside Undertaker, Triple H stands as one of the WWE’s most tenured competitors. Following his debut in 1995 as ‘The Connecticut Blueblood’ Hunter Hearst Helmsley, there were few who could identify him as a future superstar. However, his stellar in-ring talent speaks for itself, and today, ‘The Game’ Triple H has had 13 world title reigns to his name. Triple H also plays an important role in WWE’s backstage operations, taking on the role of Executive Vice President of Talent. Now it would be ignorant of me if I neglect to mention Triple H’s personal life and his marriage to Vince McMahon’s daughter Stephanie. However I don’t buy that this is the sole reason for Triple H’s success. He’s an awesome competitor in the ring, and it shows in his matches. At WrestleMania 28, he challenges Undertaker for his legendary undefeated streak a third time.  The match shall take place in Hell in a Cell, match that Triple H considers his ‘proving ground’. The special guest referee also plays an important part. After all, Shawn Michaels has always been Triple H’s best friend. Will this affect the outcome of the match? WWE never gives us a clear answer, and the only certainty is that Triple H and Undertaker will deliver a brutally entertaining match.

CM Punk: A man who represents the future of the WWE, last year was the most important one of CM Punk’s career. After defeating John Cena in his home town of Chicago, CM Punk did the unthinkable and left the WWE as World Champion, earning the title of the “Best in the World”. The truth is, CM Punk backs up his claims with his phenomenal ability both in the ring and on the mic. As it was made obvious last year, when CM Punk picks up a microphone, the world listens. He’s developed a reputation as an anti-establishment upstart, saying things on-air that very few people would dare to say, occasionally blurring the line between fake and real (such as criticizing WWE management for letting talent like Brock Lesnar go and criticizing the “idiotic” antics of Stephanie McMahon). This character that Punk has developed is really the end result of a man who has fought and clawed to find success in this business. With humble beginnings in independent wrestling promotions and adhering to a strict straight-edge drug and alcohol free lifestyle, Punk finally made it to the WWE in 2005. Punk is a man who identifies the injustice of the “model champion”, and the talent that gets ignored along the way. It’s one of those statements that blurs the line of reality and fantasy, and as a certain brand of wrestling fans know, Punk speaks a version of the truth. So CM Punk has risen through the ranks as a “voice for the voiceless”, a “savior”. At WrestleMania 28, CM Punk defends his WWE Championship against a returning Chris Jericho, who has pulled every dirty trick in the book to make this feud a personal war.

Chris Jericho: After reading Chris Jericho’s acclaimed autobiography, it became obvious to me that the man was a genius wrestler. Jericho is a guy who has travelled the globe, amassing a wealth of experience. He has a great knowledge of how the business works. He holds the wrestling tradition of respecting storyline in high regard, and prides himself on being a step ahead of the fans. Jericho frequently makes sure that he is always moving forward, always thinking of new means of making his character interesting. Jericho made a huge comeback earlier this year, in confusing fashion. He quickly explained that he was turning his back (yet again) on his “wannabe” fans, and criticized the “wannabe” wrestlers who have plagiarized the ideas he created during his career. Jericho is yet another wrestler who proclaims himself to be the “Best in the World”, a moniker that lead to his feud with CM Punk leading to WrestleMania. However the fued has quickly escalated, as CM Punk has called out Jericho for ignoring the WWE and focusing on his personal pursuits (including Dancing With the Stars), and Jericho taking cheap shots at CM Punks family by calling his father an alcoholic and his sister a substance abuser. The feud between these wrestlers will reach a boiling point at WrestleMania, and only good things can come of it. Because at the end of the day, both Jericho and Punk are outstanding performers, and their match could be one of the best of the night.

Wrestlemania 28 – What is Wrestlemania? – 6 nights away

Hello and welcome to the first in a series of blog entries that no one will read. I am a huge pro-wrestling fan, particularly the WWE. And in just six nights is the biggest wrestling event of the year, WRESTLEMANIA. Weird things happen to me during this period of the year. I seem to be in a daze when people or talk to me, or I use statements like ‘that’s the bottom line’, ‘I got two words for ya’ or ‘OOOOOOOHHHHH YEAAAAAAH!’ in everyday conversation. During this time of the year, I live, breathe and sweat wrestling. I’ve been watching my wrestling DVD’s, reading my wrestling mags and having heated online discussions. I know, geekiest stuff I have ever admitted to. But with all the hoopla surrounding ‘Mania, and how much it’s on my mind, I figured I might as well blog about it. So I decided I would drop one blog entry a night leading up to the show of shows, and conclude in my review of the event. So here’s entry #1: What is Wrestlemania?

Wrestlemania is wrestling’s equivalent of the Superbowl, the Oscars, or the Stanley Cup. It’s an annual event that represents an end to the fiscal year of pro-wrestling. Storylines are wrapped up, rivalries put to rest, and all hell breaks loose on Wrestlemania.

Wrestlemania began in 1985 when Vince McMahon Sr. had the dream of holding a wrestling extravaganza and charging people to watch it. It was the birth of Pay Per View, and Vince Sr. is still regarded as one of the fathers of PPV in general.  That Wrestlemania was held at the mecca of sports arenas, Madison Square Garden in New York City. And from the onset, it was clear that it was not going to be any average show. Guest celebrities were involved, from Cyndi Lauper and Liberace, to Billy Martin and Muhammad Ali. The main event featured the tag team of Hulk Hogan and Mr. T vs ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper and ‘Mr. Wonderful’ Paul Orndorff. The event was an insane success, and Wrestlemania was born.

28 years later, and some of wrestling’s finest moments have been at Wrestlemania. Wrestlemania X holds the distinction of being my earliest memory. Ever. The event has frequently set attendance records for every arena it’s been in, and Wrestlemania 3 held the indoor attendance record of 93,000+ for more than 20 years. Celebrities like Lawrence Taylor, Donald Trump, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Motorhead and Mike Tyson have been involved in the event in some way. It’s the pinnacle of sports-entertainment. It’s the granddaddy of all shows.

I have to address the most obvious question: Isn’t wrestling fake? Yer damn right it is. But boy is it real sometimes. ‘Wrestlers’ have to be athletic, and they have to be able to act. It’s pageantry, pomp and circumstance. It’s a circus act: it’s theatre at its base. And to me, it’s the greatest show on Earth.

So yeah, I can be criticized for being a geek, but I have to take a moment to explain why I respect this business so much. Because I seriously believe that wrestlers are the hardest working performers in the world – More than any sport or entertainment industry. There is no off-season in the WWE. They don’t win the Stanley Cup then take 4 months off. They have to go right back to work. Most of them wrestle for upwards of 300 days a year. But simple athleticism is not enough. They have to be able to entertain. You can be the most athletic person on the roster, but if you don’t have the ability to entertain the audience both on the microphone and in the ring, you won’t have a job very long. Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura described the life of a wrestler as a life of pain. And he wasn’t kidding around. No other competitor in the world will dedicate his blood sweat and tears to their job at the level that pro wrestlers do. So how can I not respect them? How can I not be a fan.

This year’s Wrestlemania is the 28th entry and it takes place at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida on April 1st, 2012. There are eight wrestling matches on the card, and at least four of them promise to be class acts. It’s only six nights away, and it’s all I can think of.

I’ve been a wrestling fan my entire life. My earliest memory was watching wrestling. And this time of year is like Christmas to me. I am more excited for Wrestlemania than I am for any movie that has ever come out in the history of film. I like wrestling more than I like any TV show, movie or band. This is the epitome of entertainment for me. So prepare yourself for a week of gushy fanboy blog entries. It’s Wrestlemania, baby!

SUPERBOWL XLVI

February 5th, 2012

The Superbowl comes around once every year as a conclusion to the National Football League’s season. I’ve found myself watching it annually, even though I’m not the biggest football fan. It even hurts me to call it football. Soccer has always been the real football to me (anyone who thinks different is an ignorant ass). All of this nonwithstanding, the Superbowl is an event that I cannot miss, like the Oscars, or that show of shows, WrestleMania.

This year’s Superbowl featured the New York Giants taking on the New England Patriots. I immediately registered watching their first encounter four years ago, when New York snapped a season-long winning streak that the Pats had going for them. It was a huge upset, and now the Giants were once again the underdogs of sorts. So I knew that this would be a game of high tension. I was hoping for a killer show. Lets face it, the Superbowl is not just about the football game. There’s also the halftime show, and the commercials. So going into this Superbowl, I was looking for a couple of characteristics for a truly entertaining show: A killer halftime show, a bunch of entertaining commercials, and a thrilling game that hopefully comes right down to the wire. This year’s Superbowl did not disappoint one bit.

The Game

Just like the last time they met at the Superbowl, I decided to cheer for the Giants. Simply because I loved watching them win the first time around. The final score of the game was Giants 21 – 17 Patriots, so I was pretty pleased. The game had all the thrilling action I could hope for. With New York scoring the first touchdown and the score at 9-0, I was happy. After New England made their slow but sure comeback to set the score at 9-10, I was slightly pissed, but I hoped for the Giants to comeback. The Patriots then went to 9-17, I was concerned. However, in the back of my mind was this burning desire to see a great comeback. The one that rides on high emotions. And when the Giants brought the score to 15-17 at the end of the 3rd quarter, I began salivating for the comeback. And in the final quarter, Eli Manning came out guns blazing. A couple of astounding passes and astounding catches later, the score stood at 21-17, with 50 or so seconds to go until the end of the game. That last minute lasted for about a half an hour- at least it seemed like it. But the score stood, and I wound up with the result I hoped for: a truly thrilling game, with an awesome outcome.

The Half-time Show

Madonna. I can’t be the critical voice here, because I’m not entirely familiar with Madonna. I was never a huge fan, but I never really listened to a lot of her songs either. So I did not quite know what to expect when I heard she would be the performer for this year’s halftime show. I wasn’t expecting an incredible show by any means. Then she came out, in ridiculously flashy fashion, on a ridiculously flashy stage. I started to get into the performance when I realized how much work goes into that show. The stage, the lights, the FX, wait is that LMFAO? They wound up being one of a bunch of guest stars, that also included Nicki Minaj, MIA, and the always entertaining Cee-Lo Green. They definitely helped make the show cool. However, I think it was at the point when I saw Madonna and LMFAO engage in a little shufflin that I was seriously impressed by the Queen of Pop. She’s 53 years old. Damn that’s impressive. So needless to say, by the time she got to “Like A Prayer”, I was completely entertained. Madonna kinda rocked that show, totally exceeded my expectations, and may have found a new fan in me.

The Commercials

Now I must first and foremost express my serious disappointment with Canadian Television, since they do not air the same ads that the United States airs during the Superbowl. So I can’t really watch the Superbowl commercials, until I look for them online. Which I did, and I was pleased with what I found, but I would love to have an unabridged Superbowl experience that includes the commercials. As we all know, advertisers, tend to pull out all stops when the Superbowl comes around, since its viewed by an insanely large audience. So Superbowl commercials wind up being classics. This year featured a bunch of great ones, such as M&M’s clever “Stripping” commercial, or the exuberant commercial for Samsung Galaxy S. A commercial that deserves a special mention of course, is the now infamous “Ferris Bueller” Honda CRV commercial. But the one that I found the most impressive? That would Chrysler’s new “Imported From Detroit” commercial- a sequel to the one they did last year featuring Eminem. So who did they cast in this commercial? whose gravelly, gritty voice did they use to hook you? The most iconic man alive, Clint Eastwood.

“This country can’t be knocked out with one punch. We get right back up again and when we do the world is gonna hear the roar of our engines. Yeah, It’s halftime in America. And our second half is about to begin.”

Talk about stirring words. I have no idea who wrote this ad, but they knocked it out of the park, just like Clint Eastwood did. Simply incredible.

The Show

So to sum up, this was one hell of a show. It met all my expectations. and even exceeded a few of them. The Superbowl is most definitely not just for football fans. It should be seen by everyone. It’s a huge spectacle that will make sure it pulls out all the stops in order to provide unbridled entertainment. This year’s show did just that for me. So I must offer some final words of congratulations. To Madonna, to Matthew Broderick and Clint Eastwood, and to Eli Manning and the rest of the Patriots.

Enjoy your place in history.