Cartridge Chronicles: Super Mario Bros. 1,2, & 3

Perhaps the most iconic face of gaming, and the title that literally put gaming back on the map, is none other than the fat, lovable plumber, Mario. Mario actually got his name from Shigeru Miyamoto’s landlord at the time. For those of you noobs who don’t know who Shigeru is, he is the guy that not only created Mario, but also Zelda, Donkey Kong, and many more of our favorite Nintendo pals. In the words of Ron Burgundy, he’s “kind of a big deal”. But I’m not here to talk about Shigeru Miyamoto and his illustrious career and vast fortunes, I am here to talk about my favorite video game of all time, the first Super Mario Bros (or SMB for short), and its two sequels on the NES, SMB 2 and SMB 3.

To this day, there is no video game in my life’s 23 year span that I have played more times than the original Super Mario Bros. It is also a game that over the years I have gotten down to a science and can literally beat in 10 minutes or better. The easiness to pick up, the fluid controls, and the downright fun and replayability make this game tops in my book. If I have some time to kill and I’m feeling nostalgic, I will plug in that old game cartridge, remove it, blow the dust off of it, and repeat until I stop getting either a flashing blue screen or pixilation. Once the technical difficulties are over, which occur with literally any other game on the system, it is time to play. One thing I really love about the original SMB is the ability to cheat and use warp pipes, which is admittedly the way I beat the game so fast. Since learning the locations of the warp pipes I actually can’t remember the last time I played on level 1-3.

Second on my list is SMB 2. This game was not only frustrating to me as a child because of its seemingly never ending gameplay and ridiculously hard levels at about world 3, but because it was nothing like its predecessor. There is, however an explanation for this. The real sequel to SMB was only released in Japan because marketers believed the game to be too repetitive of the first SMB and they also felt it was too difficult for American players. So what was Nintendo’s solution to this dilemma? Nintendo used another game they had already released and pasted the Mario characters in it. Yes, you heard me, the game was called Doki Doki Panic and literally the only difference between SMB 2 and Doki Doki was the sprites of the main characters. The characters went from some Arabian guys to Mario, Luigi, Peach, and the useless Toad. The music, enemies, and levels all stayed the same, including the main bosses. The SMB 2 that we know in America was released in Japan as Super Mario USA. We would not see the true SMB 2 until Super Nintendo came along and released Super Mario All-stars, in which Japans SMB 2 was labeled Mario: the Lost Levels.

Last but certainly not least, and possibly my second favorite game of all time, is SMB 3. This game brought Mario fans back to a familiar gameplay style. No more picking plants from the ground or unfamiliar enemies. This game brought back the enemies we came to know and love from the first SMB, but this time, Mario has an arsenal of outfits that give him various powers. Some features are a little ridiculous such as the frog suit or the giant shoe, but even though picking up a feather and turning into a flying raccoon doesn’t make any sense, the game was pretty epic. The worlds now had an overview map and bonus areas such as Toad’s little huts, memory games, and match up games (which I fail hard at). My favorite part of this game is the music. Some of the most memorable Mario music, aside from those of SMB 1, came from this game. My personal favorite track is the flying ship music. It is one of the toughest games I own on the NES and I am proud to proclaim that I have, in fact, beaten it. My heart raced as I battled Bowser in the final castle and when I beat him I felt like I had run a marathon. The sense of accomplishment was immeasurable.

Mario’s adventures thankfully did not end with the NES, he would go on to make many, many spinoff titles and sequels, which are still being made to this day. He, along with his buddies Link and Donkey Kong, have stood the test of time and prove that oldies are definitely still goodies. Even though there are games with epic graphics that are more difficult with longer storylines, I still feel the need to take a step back and play SMB. It is one game that never seems to get old, no matter how old I get.

-Rob Franzese

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WWE Raw Wrapup 8/6/2012

We're getting further into the three hour Raw era.  How WWE fills this air time is going to determine their business moving forward - whether they stick with a three hour format or go slinking back to two after realizing that the same content across another hour was a poor choice.  Or maybe they come to a realization that people would happily see the superstars of NXT in the first hour of Raw?  Nah.

Raw opens with its new General Manager, AJ Lee skipping down to the ring in a suit.  Odd contrast.  AJ immediately announces Big Show vs Randy Orton for tonight.  Daniel Bryan will face John Cena.  AJ starts to announce match #3, but CM Punk's music hits to interrupt and bring the WWE Champion out.  Punk says he lives with no regrets and is man enough to know when he has made a mistake.  Punk wants to right a wrong from last week that he cannot take back - He lost his temper and wants to apologize to AJ for screaming at her to close the show.  Punk continues that the Raw GM, just like the WWE Champion, should not be disrespected.  AJ accepts the apology and Punk says they can be friends and he can help her fix mistakes, like the triple threat WWE Title match for Summerslam.  AJ switches to sassy smile face and says Punk is right - She is new at this, but the triple threat is not a mistake.  Her decision, and the match, stands.  CM Punk asks if this is revenge for turning down AJ's marriage proposal?  Punk says he's willing to take Big Show or Cena on in a singles match, and this draws John Cena to the ring.

Cena says that Punk has become "one of those guys" that comes out week after week demanding respect.  Cena tells Punk to earn respect instead of demanding it.  Cena answers a "Let's go Cena/Cena sucks" chant by saying he fights for respect.  John tells AJ she smells great and introduces himself.  Well, he IS divorced...Punk blames Cena for being jettisoned into him at commentary last week.  Punk will not be disrespected by anyone.  Punk says he saved Cena's life - No way he's strong enough to deliver an Attitude Adjustment to Big Show!  (what?)  Cena reminds Punk that champions don't do well in triple threats and Big Show interjects himself into the conversation.  AJ says things are not going to get out of hand on her show - Cena and Show need to save their aggression for their opponents tonight.  Punk says he should be in the main event tonight.  AJ says he has a match, but she doesn't know against whom - that decision lies with the WWE Universe and Raw-action via Twitter.  The crowd immediately starts an "HBK" chant.  The choices will be The Miz, Kane and Rey Mysterio.  AJ says voting starts now because the match is next.

Fair enough, well handled and AJ shows that she won't be pushed around.  Problem?  CM Punk, the WWE Champion, opens the show as usual.  The good part of this is that it's not just ludicrous "pro-cena" booking now; it's part of a storyline, fueling Punk's change of heart and attitude.  Which makes it perfectly fine.  Anything that furthers storylines, as opposed to being odd booking, is a good call.

Jerry Lawler stands up at ring side and says that the winner of the Twitter voting is...Rey Mysterio!

Match 1:  CM Punk (WWE Champion) vs Rey Mysterio, non-title
Winner:  CM Punk via pinfall

A renewal of a rivalry from the last time CM Punk was a foul-mooded gent.  The vocal crowd is strongly behind the champion.  Rey grabs at the leg to start out, but Punk transitions to a hammerlock.  Mysterio hits a jumping snapmare and kicks to the leg.  Rey whips Punk to the ringpost and runs in after him, but comes empty, allowing Punk to take charge with a scoop slam and leg drop for a two cout.  Punk settles right into a headscissors on the mat.  Rey rolls out but runs into a tilt a whirl backbreaker for two.  Punk delivers a belly to back suplex and heads to the top rope, but Rey dropkicks him off and to the floor.  Mysterio is on the apron and delivers a diving senton to Punk on the floor - Michael Cole somehow calls this as "off the second rope", which makes not a lick of sense.  Both men on the floor, so we're off to a commercial.

Back to action, both men are on the mat, but Rey is first to stir.  Mysterio heads to the top and lays forearms into Punk's chest from above.  Punk is dragged to the middle rope, but delivers a mongolian chop and hits a superplex for a near fall.  Punk continues with a bodyscissors that Mysterio tries to fight out of, but gets a bevy of elbows to stop the comeback.  Lawler says that Punk is wearing the "young man" down; apparently anyone short is young to The King.  Punk throws Rey to the floor, but he lands on his feet and hops up to the apron to fight back.  Mysterio hits a senton from the top and Punk tries a sunset flip, but Mysterio rolls through and tags him in the head with a kick for two.  Rey kicks his way out of a corner, but ends up in a fireman's carry; Rey avoids the GTS and lands a 619, then heads to the top rope, but lands on Punk's knees off the splash.  Punk scoops him up and hits Go To Sleep to win. 

 

Nice to see Punk go over Rey clean; no garbage, no nonsense.  Rey is always the underdog who manages to pull it out in the end, so Punk getting this win is a good sign.  Solid match, if not a bit expected - Mysterio can only do so much anymore and he's definitely doing his damndest to not get injured yet again.

Alberto del Rio arrives and gets a special parking spot for his car.  Ricardo hops out to let him out of the driver's side and ADR shoves him off, telling him they need to get going.

Wade Barrett appears in a vignette, to reintroduce him.  A focused contrast between his ability to speak well and his bare knuckle fighting background.  The Barrett Barrage returns soon.

AJ is in her "office" and del Rio enters to brown nose a bit.  ADR reminds her that he shouldn't have to compete before Summerslam.  She says she had nothing planned and ADR says he was worried AJ would do something "crazy".  AJ's face shifts and she decides to put him in a match tonight; so much for not competing before Summerslam!

Match 2:  Christian vs Alberto del Rio
Winner:  Alberto del Rio via submission

Christian is in the ring as Raw comes back from commercial, which means only Alberto gets his entrance.  Ricardo rushes out from the back to give del Rio his entrance and sells being out of breath, hence a much shorter "Albertooooo" than normal.  ADR finishes taking his dress clothes off as he emerges.  These two really can be incredibly entertaining when they just let them a little loose.  Christian opens up with slaps and punches in the corner, but Alberto bails to the floor and drags his opponent out, then throws him into the ring post and the barricade.  Back into the ring, Christian kicks out in one and ADR goes to work on the arm.  Christian fights out of an armbar, but gets a headbutt and single arm DDT for his trouble.  Christian fights back with his good arm with a forearm and a slap to the face.  Christian hits a top rope cross body and wants to follow with the Killswitch, but ADR kicks him.  Christian avoids the double knees to the arm with a jackknife pin, but ADR takes back over, ultimately whiffing a top rope back senton.  Christian bounces in the corner, wanting the Spear, but del Rio tags him with a kick to the jaw on his way in.  Christian avoids the Cross Armbreaker with a Killswitch attempt, but ADR fights out of that as well.  Ricardo runs interference, allowing Alberto to crack Christian with his boot (after taking it off his foot) and slap on the Cross Armbreaker for the win. 

Sheamus appears on the Titantron and says that ADR was right - Sheamus is beneath him.  Sheamus wants to class up his act.  Ricardo apparently left the keys in the car.  Sheamus gets in and says he's going sight seeing.  Sheamus proceeds to steal Alberto del Rio's car.  Now that's not what "good guys" do!  Good, straight forward match and a different ending, with ADR taking off his own boot as a weapon.

Match 3:  Randy Orton vs Big Show
Winner: No contest - Double countout

Orton ties up with Show and gets tossed backwards, then takes body blows in the corner.  Big Show tells the crowd to shush for a frying pan chop and Randy Orton punches his way out of the corner.  Orton with mounted punches in the corner, but Show shoves him off, then delivers a side slam.  Show says that Orton is in over his head and delivers a headbutt, then says this is "too easy".  Orton fights back with right hands, but runs into a back elbow.  Big Show settles into a chinlock, but Orton quickly fights to his feet and gets boots into the face of Show.  Orton hits two clotheslines, then dropkicks Show off his feet.  Randy coils up on the mat, wanting an RKO, but Show hits a surprise Chokeslam.  Orton is out at two and rolls to the floor.  Show lifts Orton to the apron, and he drops Show across the top rope.  Orton slides in, but Show shoulder tackles him right back out, then follows to the floor.  Orton tries to fight back, but Show keeps control and rolls him into the ring.  Show wants another Chokeslam, but Orton kicks away at the midsection - He ends up driven over the top rope by his neck to the floor.  Show chops Orton on the commentary table, then tries to slam Orton into the ringpost, but ends up taking it face first.  Show counters an RKO on the floor with a spear and both men end up counted out. 

Show is first to his feet and is angry.  Show rolls Orton back in the ring and wants the WMD; Orton ducks and hits an RKO.

So the crowd goes home happy, getting to see an RKO.  But in the same moment, they take a man who has been a monster obstacle for everyone in the company and show him get bested by one man who has been out of action for two months.  Doesn't really make sense, but who doesn't love seeing an RKO?

Match 4:  Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins vs Ryback
Winner:  Ryback via pinfall

Ryback has another busted up eye - He had the same thing a couple months ago.  Ryback explains that his hunger consumes him and it is never satisfied, in an old-school inset promo.  Nice change of pace for him.  Reks opens aggressively, but takes a huge powerslam.  Reks escapes a second one and tags in Hawkins, who runs right into the pinning boot of Ryback.  Reks gets tagged in accidentally and tossed in forcefully.  Hawkins runs distraction and Reks hits two big boots and a huge clothesline.  Hawkins tags back in and keeps the attack going.  Reks quickly tags in again and clubs away.  Another quick tag and a double gourdbuster for a one count.  Hawkins with a chinlock on Ryback, who fights up quickly and tosses Hawkins to the mat.  Reks grabs the foot from the floor and Ryback ends up back body dropping Hawkins over the top onto Reks.  Hawkins gets thrown back in and takes a huge spinebuster and lariat.  Time to "finish it" and Ryback takes Hawkins up for Shell Shocked.

Quick tags back and forth made the match a bit different than a normal Ryback 2v1.  Not quite sure why Hawkins and Reks aren't used as the tag division is reinvigorated.  Both guys are solid in the ring and they actually look like a tag team.  Ryback is dominant as always.

Match 5:  Primo and Epico vs Primetime Players
Winners:  Primo and Epico via pinfall

AW does the usual intro for PTP.  Young jaws at the Colons and gets dropkicked for his efforts.  Titus opens aggressively on Primo and tags in Young.  A double shoulder block keeps the control with PTP.  Primo gets back dropped in the corner, but does a headstand on the middle turnbuckle for a headscissors counter.  Young carries Primo to the corner and tags in O'Neil who throws Primo across the ring.  Titus now chokes Primo in the ropes and delivers a big front slam.  Young tags in and Titus gives him a gourdbuster onto Primo.  Young puts Primo in a chinlock and rips at his face.  Primo gets to his feet and counters a belly to back suplex, but can't make it to his own corner for a tag.  Young stops another attempt with a powerslam for two.  Primo fights out of a corner and rolls to tag Epico, who opens up on Young with a flurry.  Epico hits a triple belly to back and Titus drags Young to the floor.  AW says that PTP have had enough and the Tag Champs' music hits, bringing them out to block the way.  Young ends up chasing Epico into the ring and Epico hits a Backstabber while Young jaws at Kofi and Truth.  It's good for the win. 

Fun tag match and AW managed to not put his foot in his mouth this week.  PTP continue the "running away" gimmick and the Tag Team Champions show that they don't approve.  The Colons get a win, which makes this the most active tag division in a long time.

A video recaps Damien Sandow getting beat up by DX at Raw 1000 and Sandow's follow up, beating up Brodus Clay.  Sandow says he will not stand for foolishness or ridiculous activity, so he will dispose of Brodus Clay.  We're welcome.

Match 6:  Damien Sandow vs Brodus Clay
Winner:  No contest

As Clay dances out, Sandow clips his knee from behind and attacks.  Clay tries to fight back, but Sandow stays on him and the knee.  Sandow works to injure Clay, stomping the knee off the entrance ramp.   The refs break it up and attend to Brodus while Sandow gloats.  Sandow tells Clay that he did this to himself.

AJ is in the back with a contemplative look on her face.  Daniel Bryan is sitting across from her and AJ says he has anger management issues.  Bryan blames AJ leaving him at the altar.  Bryan says he's calm now; he agrees with the decision to have him face Cena tonight.  Bryan says if he beats Cena tonight, the triple threat at Summerslam should be a fatal four way.  AJ says that Bryan will face Kane at Summerslam.  He says no, she says yes.  Well then...what the hell's his motivation to not cheat or get himself disqualified here?

Match 7:  Kelly Kelly vs Eve Torres
Winner:  Kelly Kelly via pinfall

Kelly hasn't been on Raw for a couple months and her taking on Eve randomly is kind of...well, random.  Eve pushes K2 to the side and goes to leave, but Kelly drags her back in and lays in with a Thesz press, then bashes Eve's head into the turnbuckle.  Next is the handspring back attack and an attempt at a stink face leads to Eve bailing from the ring.  Kelly gives chase and whips Eve into the barricade.  Kelly heads to the top rope and hits a cross body for two.  Kelly tries to counter in the corner with a headscissors, but Eve piefaces her into the mat, then chokes her in the ropes, drawing an unnecessary scream from Kelly.  Cole talks about Eve's jiu-jitsu accomplishments, which unfortunately never gets integrated into her wrestling repertoire.  Eve settles into a chinlock and Kelly screams bloody murder.  Kelly comes "off the ropes" (she definitely didn't work on this with all that time off, which is a shame) and hits a hurricanrana pin for the win.

Same old sloppiness from Kelly and Eve doesn't use her jiu-jitsu knowledge in the wrestling ring.  Guess you need these matches to keep the division alive.

HBK, Shawn Michaels approaches the ring and struts and poses as only he can, delighting the San Antonio crowd.  Lawler and Cole give him a standing applause; Cole's heel nature has definitely been toned down in recent weeks and it's welcomed.  HBK talks up Raw 1000 and the DX reunion.  HBK says that the locker room is abuzz with talk of HHH vs Lesnar.  Before Shawn can get any further, Lesnar's music hits and Lesnar and Heyman head out.  Lesnar has no idea how to get in a ring and NOT hop around like he's about to fight.  Heyman says it's not surprising that people want to hear HBK's opinion on Lesnar vs HHH.  Heyman says HBK is the best in-ring entertainer in WWE history.  Heyman says that Shawn's opinion on this one isn't valid:  Lesnar won't be an entertainer at Summerslam, he's going in for a fight.  Michaels says that he's not here to dispute Lesnar's attributes.  Any other time, Lesnar would be the guy - This time, however, they made it personal and attacked his kids and wife.  They messed with HHH's family.

HBK says he'll give his opinion, whether Heyman wants it or not.  Shawn sides with HHH in light of how personal this has gotten.  Michaels says he wants to be at Summerslam to see the outcome personally - Michaels will be in HHH's corner.  Heyman says this is the clip that will be played when people analyze the end of HHH's career.  Lesnar takes the mic from Heyman and says that the only reason HBK thinks HHH can take him is because Shawn has never been in the ring with him...until now.  Lesnar closes in on Michaels and HHH comes out, hands taped.  Lesnar laughs it off and steps to the apron, grabbing the mic from Heyman.  Lesnar says he'll see HHH at Summerslam and he'll see Michaels before then.  People have been expecting Lesnar to take Shawn Michaels out at some point to get HHH over the breaking limit for this fight.  Now they extend the possibility of that for another week, building interest and suspense.  Good!

Michael Cole plays a Tout from Sheamus at the Alamo with Alberto del Rio's car.  This is the best use of Tout WWE has managed so far.  Much better than random reactions from people that speak in catchphrases.

Match 8:  Alex Riley vs Dolph Ziggler
Winner: Alex Riley via pinfall

Chris Jericho is on commentary and immediately trash talks Cole - Already a winning segment.  Vickie Guerrero enters to introduce Ziggler like only she can.  Ziggler struts and shows off to start.  Alex Riley overpowers Ziggler early on.  Cole goes over Jericho's inability to "win the big one" since returning in January.  Ziggler forces Alex Riley into a corner and lays into him.  Ziggler jaws at Jericho from the ring and Riley is able to fight back, but runs into a perfectly placed dropkick to the face.  Ziggler continues on with his jumping elbow.  Riley tries to fight back again, but Ziggler kicks him to the mat.  Ziggler continues pounding Riley who fights back with a hip toss into a neckbreaker.  Riley tries to tackle Ziggler in the corner, but runs into the ringpost.  Ziggler hits a neckbreaker and imitates Jericho's "cocky pin".  Jericho stands on the table and says he'll film the action and Tout it.  Riley schoolboys Ziggler and gets the three.

It's a shame that a cool move like Riley's hip toss into a neckbreaker went completely unnoticed by the commentary team, but it was for the greater good as Jericho jawing at and distracting Ziggler was the focus of the segment.  This feud is great even before it gets in the ring.

Match 9:  Kane vs The Miz (Intercontinental Champion), non-title
Winner:  Kane via pinfall

The two men not selected to face CM Punk earlier tonight face one another, much higher on the card.  Ok.  Kane opens up aggressively, as usual.  Miz dodges a boot in the corner and clips the knee, then keeps on it.  Miz escapes a slam attempt and continues on the knee, then hits a snap DDT.  Miz pounds on Kane in the corner and Kane fights out with a shot to the face.  Miz hits a low dropkick to the leg off the ropes, then kicks Kane in the face.  Kane fights out of a chinlock and takes Miz off his feet with a right hand.  Kane with a big scoop slam and low dropkick for two.  Kane clotheslines Miz in the corner and wants another, but misses.  Miz wants the Skull Crushing Finale; Kane counters, but gets dropkicked in the knee, sending his head into the turnbuckle.  Miz runs at Kane in the corner and ends up taking snake eyes.  Kane with a Chokeslam.

Kane beats a champion clean, but Big Show and Randy Orton fight to a double countout?  Sure.  Kane with a bit of momentum heading toward Summerslam and his match with Daniel Bryan.

Sheamus returns del Rio's car, smoking, with food and leaves all over it, borderline destroyed.  Sheamus, you're supposed to be a good guy, that's not nice!

Match 10:  Daniel Bryan vs John Cena
Winner:  John Cena via pinfall

So Daniel Bryan has switched t-shirt, entrance and catchphrase just in time for THQ's WWE '13 to be out of date.  Just like every year.  Del Rio finds his car and blames Ricardo, then leaves him to clean up.

Cena and Bryan tie up and have a clean break.  Bryan takes exception to a "Lets go Cena/Cena sucks chant" saying this is about him.  Bryan hops to the floor and jaws with the crowd.  Bryan slides back in and runs into a hip toss and chinlock from John Cena.  Bryan breaks out but runs into a shoulder block and a headlock takeover.  Bryan fights up from a headlock and transitions to an arm wringer.  Bryan forces Cena to the mat, using control of his shoulder.  Cena stands up and sends Bryan to the ropes, who bails from the ring.  Bryan runs back in as Cena gives chase and delivers a low dropkick, sending Cena crashing to the floor.  Bryan measures from the apron and hits his jumping knee.  As they go to commercial, Bryan gives a front row fan a thrill and gets in a No/Yes argument with him.

Back to action, Cena is fighting out of a hold, but takes a kick.  Bryan delivers kicks in the corner and lands the running dropkick for two.  Bryan stays on the attack, but takes a back body drop off a reversed whip by Cena.  Cena tries to follow but gets a drop toe hold into the turnbuckle, then the rope kicked into his face for another near fall.  Bryan with a grounded hammerlock, but Cena fights up and out.  Bryan escapes an Attitude Adjustment attempt and lays Cena out with another kick. 


Back to the hammerlock now and Cena gets to his feet again.  Cena starts the comeback routine and hits shoulders and a spin out bomb, calling for the Five Knuckle Shuffle and landing it.  Cena wants the Attitude Adjustment, but Bryan shifts to a guillotine.  Cena drives Bryan into the corner, but can't break the hold.  Cena drops to his knees, but stands up with Bryan in hand and rams him into the corner, this time breaking the hold.  Cena with a drop toe hold, but Bryan escapes the STF.  Now a big kick to the head from Bryan for two.  The crowd chants "yes" and Bryan starts to lose it.  He heads to the top rope and hits a diving headbutt clear across the ring for two.  Bryan is teasing a bit of insanity as he contemplates how to end this.  Bryan with kicks to the chest of a kneeling John Cena.  Cena counters the headshot kick and locks in an STF in the middle of the ring.  Bryan counters right into the newly dubbed Nolock.  Cena powers out and deadlifts Bryan up to his shoulder, then into a fireman's carry for the Attitude Adjustment and the win.

CM Punk's music hits before Cena can celebrate and he heads right for the ring.  Punk holds the WWE Title up in front of Cena.  Cena shoves Punk to the side as Big Show heads to the ring.  Cena tries an Attitude Adjustment, but Punk hits Show, sending both men to the mat.  They're harping on John Cena "not being able" to deliver an Attitude Adjustment to Big Show.  I really hope that's not foreshadowing for Summerslam.  Punk gets on the cans and tells Jerry Lawler that Raw ends with CM Punk standing tall as WWE Champion.  Punk tries to kick Big Show to punctuate the night and gets his leg caught, leading to a WMD.  Cena gets to his feet and gets a WMD of his own.  Last week?  CM Punk stood tall.  This week?  Big Show does the same.  Next week?  Bet your money that John Cena gets the best of Punk and Show.

Now this was a good three hour Raw.  The focus all night was action and moving programs forward.  Damien Sandow continues to focus on Brodus Clay, the champions were in action and the social media was kept to a happy minimum.  If this is the pattern we can rely on, then three hour Raw might not be such a bad thing.  Glad to see that AJ hasn't been stripped of her personality in her new position and that her existing relationships with wrestlers are taken into account on the show.  The WWE Championship picture is now strongly zeroed in on CM Punk's anger and jealousy that he does not main event shows as a champion.  Even tonight he was the first match, while John Cena main events against one of CM Punk's rivals.  Interesting to see a chief complaint of the "internet fan" addressed as part of a story line, since that sect of fans tends to get ignored in the bigger picture.

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Thou Shalt Kill With Finesse: Homage to Sam Fisher

Thou Shalt Kill With Finesse
Spoilers for the Splinter Cell franchise follow!

Over the years gamers have logged onto whatever game that they may be playing to chop down, cut out, slaughter, massacre, and whatever else adjective you can think of to convey the word for "kill" the virtual enemies that have plagued us for so long. In current games the developer gives us an insane amount of choice as far as taking down our prey with a variety of weapons in our kick-ass arsenal. Well I am here today to pay homage to one secret agent that has haunted my victims nightmares and does it with an impressive amount of finesse. I am speaking of course of the one and only Sam Fisher.

For years he has been lurking in the shadows and hanging from pipes, waiting for the perfect time to deliver the killing blow and liberate an entire nation in one fowl swoop. And with Splinter Cell Blacklist just being announced and all I figure this is the perfect character to kick this column off with. I have been playing Splinter Cell since the very fist one and have been loving every second of it.

Now, Sam is a very tortured character in the world of gaming. He has given 3rd Echelon (the agency that he used to work for) everything and anything at the drop of a hat...including his very own daughter. However, that was the last straw and Sam got pissed! Really, really pissed! In Splinter Cell Conviction, Sam was single handidly responsible for bringing down an organization that tore his own life apart. And Sam does this with extreme prejudiced!

Sam is the good guy that goes bump in the night, Sam is the one responsible for our good night sleeps and is on call round the clock to make sure that the boogie man never even makes it to under our beds. He has mastered the way of killing with finesse and making it look easy.

In addition to all of that, in the new game, Splinter Cell Blacklist, the president gave Sam full reign of 4th Echelon; successor to 3rd Echelon. In Blacklist, a terrorist group has gained access to list of names that could compromise our very national security. So, naturally it is Sam's job to get these list of names back and do it in the most bad-ass way possible!

In the video below there is the E3 demo showing off the new killing in motion mechanic that is brand new to Splinter Cell. This new mechanic bring the mark and execute that was introduced in Conviction to a whole new level. In addition to marking and taking down your targets, you can now move and interact with your environment while you do it. Not only does this add a whole new level of gameplay (and a breath of fresh air quite frankly) to the Splinter Cell franchise but its looks freaking awesome while you it as well. Splinter Cell Blacklist hits shelves on during Q2 of 2013.

Sam Fisher is getting old. But not too old to kick the ass of ultra-national terrorists and look good while doing it.

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Cartridge Chronicles: A Look Back At Vintage Gaming

Retro is a word we use in today’s society to describe something that is old and no longer part of today’s standard but is still considered cool. Video gaming is one of those categories that consider the oldies as still very much goodies. Perhaps the most iconic video game system that has ever graced our geeky childhoods was none other than the Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES for short.

Before the NES was created, video game systems were hard to obtain due to cost and the graphics were…well…basically your character was like a dot. The colors were flat and so was the gameplay. The game art on the box made every game look epic, even circus Atari. This, however, was not the case for every game (no pun intended). The NES greatly improved on the limited graphics of systems like Atari 2600 or Intellivision, making a more entertaining, fluid, and visually appealing game. The NES started on solid ground with one of my all-time favorite video games, and a game that has not only stood the test of time, but has launched a franchise that still lives to this day, Super Mario Bros. If it weren’t for the Super Mario Bros. and the NES, I am almost positive video games would have never made it this long and I would not be sitting here talking to the masses about being a gaming geek.

It was 1988, my first Christmas, when my family purchased the NES. The massive box came with the NES, two controllers, a gun, a run mat, and a cartridge containing the games Super Mario Bros., Duck Hunt, and World-Class Track Meet. My earliest memories playing the NES were with my older brother in the basement playing Mario Bros. 3 and being afraid of the ghosts that chased you. The castle in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade also freaked me out. It was lucky my brother was there to complete these parts of the games or else it would have been game over for me. The NES not only provided some great games, it also brought my brother and I together. It bridged the 10 year gap between us and we always joked that we were the Mario Bros.

Since the NES’ time, gaming has made amazing strides that I still can’t believe. The realness of a video game was only a pipe dream (yet another unintended pun) back in the early 90’s. Gaming has changed for the better, and worse. For the pluses more and more people are getting into video gaming because of the entertainment value they provide and the realness makes you feel like you are participating in a movie. The one downside of today’s gaming that really gets me is that my brother who I look up to still to this day, and showed me the way of video gaming, can no longer play them because of headaches related with motion sickness. This is perhaps why the NES will always hold a special place for me. It was the first system that I ever played and it was one of only 3 that I was able to play with my brother where we were on an equal gaming level.

Once a week I will be picking one iconic video game from gaming’s history and doing a personal review on it both on the front of gameplay and entertainment value. I will be starting with my favorite NES games. Some titles to look forward to are Super Mario Bros 1, 2, and 3, The Legend of Zelda, Castlevania, Metroid, and many others.

-Rob Franzese

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Redlaw, Real Innovation with Vampires.

One look at the cover of this book and you see a really pissed off individual.  That individual is John Redlaw, or if you look it could be Ray Winstone or Mickey Rourke but who knows.  The reasons that Redlaw is so angry are explained in great detail on the pages between these red covers.  I know though that if Redlaw was privy to the horror show that the modern vampire sub-genre has become he would be just as angry.  Vampires are monsters, not sexy.  They aren't Edward Cullen (it disgusts me to call him a vampire) they aren't rednecks, they don't run around hanging out with their brothers.  They are monsters created as a monster to be a monster.  Sometimes that monster is given an attractive shell to make them a better hunter.  It is called a disguise, or a piece of evolutionary work at play.

James Lovegrove delivers another masterpiece with Redlaw here taking a new approach to the overdone vampire theme.  Instead of lovers he made a sub-class.  A caste system where Vampires are equivalent to that of untouchables.  They are confined to ghettos and treated very poorly by humans.  John Redlaw is a member of SHADE which is a police organization set to monitor the activities of the vampires.  SHADE is in existence to protect both vampires and humans alike.  Where things tend to get crazy is that this book is really not a vampire book after all.  That is the beauty of Redlaw.  The book is an attack on politics, policies, the treatment of middle class individuals, and how corporate greed, money and power are the driving force behind any government issued program.  Only those passing the laws actually care who is benefited and who suffers from policy.

Redlaw finds these things out through a string of very unpleasant situations.  He is removed from the force, uncovers a Vampires Lord (or lady) that is a bit more evolved than her dead counterparts, learns about the origin (or possible origin) of vampires and later discovers he has been back stabbed more times than a comic book hero teaming up with a villain.  Everyone is responsible for one form of betrayal or another and Redlaw has to go against his normal self and operate outside the law.

Our hero here does some pretty amazing feats himself in this book.  He undergoes some heavy abuse and keeps on rocking and fighting.  It is almost inhuman or superhuman but so far Lovegrove has not hinted that Redlaw is anything more than a human who was all fired up on adrenaline and anger.  Regardless of the origin of Redlaw's crazy physical ability we must give poetic license where it is due.  Taking Redlaw and making him a little above the rest isn't something that really is going to bother me when the idea and plot is so fresh and new.  New plot old genre. New spin to an old horse, (I don't even know if that reference makes sens).  Vampires were becoming dull and I can't even begin to do justice to the amazing details that Lovegrove put into this story to make it as wonderful as it was written.  From food supply, to light, housing to treatment Lovegrove is a master story teller and his brilliance shines through yet again

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WWE Raw Wrapup 7/30/2012

Raw 1001 will set the tone for Raw as we continue into the three hour era.  Tonight, CM Punk addresses his actions from last week, AJ begins her new role as General Manager and John Cena makes 12 year olds happy.  Earlier tonight there was a pyrotechnic mishap and the Titantron caught fire.  People filed in late, but that's got pretty much no bearing on the show itself...or maybe it's an omen.

A recap video of last week's Raw 1000 plays to open the show; they're absolutely getting mileage on this video.  The video of course ends with CM Punk's attack on The Rock, which will lead to Punk's show opening promo about his actions.  For the record, the video ends 8 minutes into the show and the WWE Champion makes his entrance.  Crowd is still receptive, if not a tiny bit of boos mixed in.

CM Punk says that everyone wants their "Wrestlemania Moment"; last week, he had a "Raw Moment" that was bigger than some Wrestlemania Moments.  Punk will explain last week, but he wants to say something first.  Punk was uncomfortable with the way Raw 1000 ended, with Jerry Lawler yelling "CM Punk has turned his back on the WWE Universe".  Punk gives Lawler a stern look, then steps to the floor and approaches the commentary booth.  Punk swings his legs over and sits cross legged on the table, directly in front of Lawler.  Punk says he's used to hyperbole on commentary, but that was a huge jump.  If anything, it was Lawler who turned his back on Punk - The Rock is not the WWE Universe.  The Rock is one man, who came in and showed the WWE Champion a lack of respect.  First off, he interrupted Punk with his shtick, ignoring the Champ.  Then he "lowers himself" to address Punk and acts as if he'll just take the title from him.  Punk showed him respect afterwards by not hurting him.  At the end of Raw 1000, The Rock tried to make it all about himself; which is when Punk showed him the type of man he's dealing with.  This is not a popularity contest, it's the WWE and Punk is it's champion (this draws a very mixed reaction).  Now The Rock has "found his silence" and Punk says he knows what that means.  Punk says every episode should end with the focus on the WWE Champion, just like last week.  Right on cue, to disobey the champion saying nobody should interrupt him, Big Show's music hits and he heads toward the ring.

Punk returns to the ring to meet him with a determined look on his face.  Punk wants the music off.  Big Show says it's not hard to steal the spotlight from CM Punk.  Yes, at the end of Raw 1000, the focus was on Punk, but the episode itself was all about Big Show.  He's the one that cost Cena the title and his Money in the Bank briefcase.  Show says if Punk is the best in the world, how come he couldn't beat Cena after he was knocked out?  Big Show vows to be the next WWE Champion.  This amuses Punk, who says Show always loses lately.  The conversation draws John Cena at a full sprint to the ring.  Cena lays into Big Show, who shoves him off and bails from the ring.  Apparently, since AJ is the General Manager, they use her surname - The announcer welcomes AJ Lee out.

AJ is here to announce the main event of the evening:  Big Show vs John Cena.  The winner faces CM Punk at Summerslam for the WWE Championship.  Cena is livid with Big Show, Big Show is happy to bail and AJ has made a logical booking choice.  If you're going to open Raw without actual wrestling, this is the way to do it.  Punk doesn't outright say that his actions last week were due to his jealousy of not being in the spotlight, even as Champion, but that definitely seems to be the path they're taking.

Daniel Bryan is in the back, teasing knocking on the Raw GM door, but he walks away.

Match 1:  Santino Marella (United States Champion) vs Alberto del Rio, non-title
Winner:  Alberto del Rio via submission

No car for Alberto tonight due to the Titantron fire; he enters from the stage.  Santino opens with rights, but del Rio levels him with a clothesline, then follows with repeated boots.  Santino fights back, but gets caught by a headbutt and snap suplex.  Del Rio follows with a jumping stomp, then backs Santino into a corner and strikes at him.  Santino dodges in the opposite corner and backdrops ADR to the apron, then dropkicks him to the floor, leading to commercial.
  
Del Rio is working the arm as Raw returns.  Santino fights to his feet, but quickly gets leveled by del Rio, who follows with a double stomp to the midsection.  More boots to Santino, followed by an armbar.  Santino fights to his feet yet again, but ADR wants a headlock; Santino counters with a saito suplex.  Santino now lands jabs and a forearm and does the splits to lead to a hiptoss; del Rio kicks him while he's on the mat to put a stop to the attempt.  Del Rio hops to the middle rope and tries a double stomp, but comes up empty.  Santino pulls out the Cobra, but gets booted and thrown into the ringpost.  Del Rio with double knees to the arm and rolls over into the Cross Armbreaker.

I feel like I've seen ADR make Santino tap for weeks now; much longer than an average Santino match.  Perhaps an attempt to give a little bit of prestige back to the US Championship?  Del Rio stands over Santino, mic in hand and says he destroyed the US Champion without issue.  Santino Marella is beneath ADR, as is Sheamus.  All of the WWE Universe are beneath him.  ADR says if a match is not for the World Heavyweight Title, he will not compete; he says he will not compete until Summerslam.  Interesting twist, but we'll see ADR in some form in the coming weeks, even if it's not official matches.

Daniel Bryan approaches the Raw GM door once again but can't bring himself to knock. 

Back from commercial, Brodus Clay's dancers are mid-routine.  First time that they haven't televised Clay's entire intro.  Vickie Guerrero asks if they really call that dancing, because it looks like a disgrace.  Vickie wants the little girls to step aside so that the "queen diva" can show her how to dance.  Vickie repeats her dance contest moves.  This is not a good sign; we're already filling time and we're one hour into a three hour Raw.  Damien Sandow's music hits and I, for one, am thrilled to have him stop this.  Sandow introduces himself as the martyr of the WWE Universe, after the actions of Degeneration X last week.  Sandow immediately attacks the knee of Brodus Clay and begins to beat on him.  Sandow delivers his knee strikes and pounds him on the mat.  He breaks Brodus's gold chain, which of course, means war.  Sandow seems quite content with his actions - Good sign to have him beating up Brodus Clay unopposed.  Sandow just needs longer matches to show what he can really do in the ring, since he has his character down to a science.

A recap of Dolph Ziggler mouthing off to Chris Jericho on Raw two weeks ago, followed by Ziggler not cashing in on Sheamus on Smackdown.  Tonight, Chris Jericho and Christian team against Mr. Money in the Bank Dolph Ziggler and the Intercontinental Champion The Miz.  That certainly seems to point to a face turn for Jericho.

Bryan barges into the GM's office and AJ says it's nice to see him.  Bryan sasses her and asks if she's insane; AJ tells him to shut up.  She's not his bride-to-be anymore, she's his boss.  AJ mentions the men in white coats that were scurrying about in the back prior to the nuptials last week that Bryan was conferring with.  Bryan says he was committed to AJ; he wasn't going to commit her.  AJ says she'd like to start with a clean slate; Daniel Bryan has a match with Sheamus tonight.  Bryan asks if it's for the World Heavyweight Title and AJ says no...no...NO.  NO.  NO!

The same recap of HHH/Heyman/Lesnar that was played on Smackdown is shown.  Glad to see we've made more time to recap previous shows.  We're over an hour into the show and we have one real match and one quick in-ring fracas.  Not good.

A WWE poll is to take place on Twitter via hashtags to determine the type of match Bryan and Sheamus will have:  No holds barred, Falls Count Anywhere or Street fight.  Those are all pretty much the same match, so although the fans get to make a "choice", nobody has to make much of an adjustment.  Sheamus says he's happy to see that the power was put in the hands of the fans, then asks if Striker if he feels alright tonight, as he looks nervous.  That must be some foreshadowing.

Match 2:  Daniel Bryan vs Sheamus (World Heavyweight Champion), non-title Street Fight
Winner:  Sheamus via pinfall

Bryan wants the WWE Universe to stop chanting YES, only he can chant YES.  The crowd chants YES at him and he screams NO back.  With the hobo beard and the yelling at the crowd, it's entirely possible that they're building toward a minor insanity angle with Bryan.  AJ mentioned the men in white from last week, maybe they eventually catch up with Daniel?

Lawler grabs a mic and says it's time to reveal the Twitter poll results:  A Street Fight.  Bryan immediately opens with a running knee and kicks to the chest.  Sheamus fights back with big rights and lefts.  Bryan backflips over Sheamus from the corner, but runs into a tilt a whirl backbreaker, which Michael Cole calls the Irish Curse.  Bryan drop toe holds Sheamus into the middle turnbuckle, then kicks the rope into the face of the World Heavyweight Champion.  Bryan drops a knee to the back of the head and bars out the arm of Sheamus.  Sheamus powers out and away and strikes back at Bryan, then follows with a back elbow.  Sheamus with repeated knee drops and a cover for two.  Bryan is deposited on the floor and Sheamus follows, then throws him into the barricade.  Sheamus continues by throwing Bryan into another barricade.  Bryan kicks at Sheamus, but ends up taking a back body drop onto the steel ramp.  Sheamus fights Bryan up to the stage and throws him into the WWE symbol.  Bryan recovers and knees Sheamus in the head, then dropkicks the knee.  Bryan delivers kicks to the chest then a running dropkick, which sends Sheamus off the stage to the floor.  Bryan follows with a running knee from the stage to the head of Sheamus.

Back from break, Bryan has Sheamus in an armbar back in the ring.  Sheamus powers up to his feet and delivers elbows to the face of his opponent, but runs into a knee to the gut.  Bryan dropkicks Sheamus to the floor and tries another running knee, but gets caught and takes a fallaway slam into the barricade.  Bryan ends up in the timekeeper's area, which allows Sheamus to bend him backwards over the barricade and deliver forearms to the chest.  Sheamus then suplexes Bryan back to the main floor area.  Sheamus rolls Bryan into the ring and gets out a chair and kendo stick.  Bryan tosses both objects out of the ring, but gets clotheslined to the floor where they landed.  Sheamus gives chase, but gets a kendo stick shot, then more to the arms and midsection in the ring.  The crowd chants YES with each strike.  Bryan grabs the chair and sets it up in the opposite corner (rule of thumb:  If you set it up, you're gonna get hurt by it!).  Sheamus counters a kendo stick shot and headbutts Bryan away.  Sheamus lays into Bryan with the kendo stick, but Bryan dropkicks him into the corner, where he hits his head on the prone chair - That's rare, since Bryan was the one who set it up.

Bryan is on the floor with the steel chair, but Sheamus bowls him over with a shoulder block, then whacks him with the chair.  Sheamus disassembles the steel steps and picks Bryan up, but he escapes.  Sheamus lifts Bryan again, but he slides down Sheamus' back and pushes him shoulder first into the ringpost, while upside down...very cool.  Bryan puts the stairs in the ring and then whips Sheamus into the barricade.  Bryan throws Sheamus into the ring, then readies the stairs for use.  Bryan wants the kendo stick, but Sheamus grabs the other end.  Sheamus uses the stick to drag Bryan in and lifts him for a fireman's carry.  Sheamus steps onto the stairs, wanting White Noise, but Bryan escapes and pushes him off, but Sheamus returns with a surprise Brough Kick, landing Bryan on the stairs.  Sheamus drags him flat to the mat and pins him.

Excellent street fight.  The champion comes out on top, Daniel Bryan is made to look incredibly tough.  I'm usually pretty against a random Brough Kick to end Sheamus' matches, but this was all around well done.

Back from a commercial break, Bryan is still on the mat but gets his hands on a mic.  Bryan says he hurt his neck and needs a doctor.  He screams NO into the mic and fights off the refs who are trying to help him.  To be fair, if his neck was actually hurt and these dumbass refs were jostling him around, that would be a major problem.  Given that he's crawling around the ring on his side, his neck seems pretty fine to me.  A replay of the open of the show plays, which is necessary, because we all know that we can't remember what happened an hour ago.  Bryan is still asking for a doctor, and Kofi Kingston's music hits, bringing out the Tag Team Champions.

Kofi says he knows that Bryan is having a rough time, but he should just leave.  R-Truth makes a rhyme.  Bryan laughs and addresses Little Jimmy in the corner, then place kicks him clear out of the ring.  Truth is visibly distraught.  Bryan says that Truth is out of his mind and he needs to go.  Men in white come toward the ring for Truth and AJ enters the scene.  She says that Truth isn't the one who needs help; it's the little guy in the ring.  AJ says that Bryan seems a bit mentally unstable tonight and in the interest of a safe working environment, he needs a psychiatric evaluation.  Bryan comes face to face with AJ with a livid look in his eye, but continues to the back.  Well, I called that one!

Courtesy of http://ilovewrestlinggifs.tumblr.com/

Friday night, Mr. McMahon will name the new General Manager of Smackdown.

R-Truth sits Little Jimmy in a chair next to the commentators. 

Match 3:  Kofi Kingston (1/2 of the Tag Team Champions) vs Titus O'Neil
Winner:  Titus O'Neil via pinfall

Classic speed/agility versus power.  Titus takes quick control, but Kofi fights back with boots and a cross body, but gets caught and driven across Titus' knee.  Titus tosses Kofi around, but he tries to fight back.  Titus with a scoop slam for one.  Titus settles on a chinlock, but Kofi slips out, only to get pounded back to the mat.  Titus holds Kofi and tries a slam, but Kofi swings himself out and lands a DDT.  Kofi hits double chops to the chest followed by a dropkick and a jumping clothesline.  Kofi lands the Boomdrop and Darren Young hops on the apron.  Truth takes out Young, AW hops on the opposite side and screams "Yo mamma" at Kofi then throws his shoe at him.  Kofi throws the shoe back at AW, but turns around into Clash of the Titus.

The heels cheat and deceive, but a win is a win.  We'll soon see Primetime Players vs Kofi and Truth for the tag titles, likely at Summerslam.

CM Punk is in the back with Cena, saying he was close to the ropes last week.  He admits that he took advantage of Show's interference.  Punk says he has no issue with Cena, but he is always brutally honest:  He doesn't wish Cena luck.  Punk's new "brutal honesty" will be the angle that gets him into fights moving forward, as Cena looks about ready to deck him one.

Michael Cole apologizes for AW's remarks during the last match, where he made a joke in poor taste.  This is where we're at as far as immediate apologies?  Sad.

Match 4:  Heath Slater vs Randy Orton
Winner:  Randy Orton via pinfall

Now that the legends have gone back to the retirement home, it's time for Slater to get his career back on track.  He is challenging any current superstar to come out for a match.  Randy Orton's music hits to bring back the Viper.  Orton has shaved clean and lost some muscle mass.  Slater opens up aggressively, but runs into a pair of clotheslines and a snap powerslam.  Orton puts Slater on the apron and readies for the spike DDT; he connects.  Orton coils, ready for the first RKO in two months and strikes.

Pretty standard "welcome back" match for a star, consisting of mainly his signature spots.  Orton is all smiles after the match; not sure what the plan might be for him moving forward.

Daniel Bryan is in the back, and he doesn't want to answer questions.  He's in a small room with a "doctor".  Bryan answers a flurry of questions with YES's, then YES's at nothing with a psychotic look on his face.  Should be interesting to see where this goes; perhaps a ploy on his part to get people to stop chanting YES, as he told the crowd not to do so earlier tonight.

Match 5:  Chris Jericho and Christian vs Dolph Ziggler and The Miz (Intercontinental Champion)
Winners:  Chris Jericho and Christian via pinfall

Interesting dynamic:  Two veterans against two younger guys, one a champion and the other a future champion (in theory).  Ziggler and Christian start out and Ziggler shows off by out wrestling him.  Christian slaps Ziggler then delivers a flapjack for one.  Ziggler fights back and tags Miz in, who runs into a double leg takedown and a flurry of punches; Miz immediately tags back out.  Christian tags Jericho in, and Ziggler tags Miz in.  Jericho delivers a hip toss and clothesline for one.  Jericho with a scoop slam and elbow drop for another quick nearfall.  Jericho with a chop into the corner and another one for good measure.  Jericho chases Miz in the opposite corner, but runs into a boot.  Miz tags Ziggler back in, who delivers rights to the head.  Jericho runs Ziggler over with a shoulder.  Jericho ends up on the apron and quickly ascends the top rope to deliver an axe handle.  Ziggler and Miz end up on the floor and Christian delivers a cross body from the top to the floor on both men, leading into a commercial.  Wasn't that how Christian hurt his leg and lost his title a week ago?  And for that matter, his leg is all healed up already?

Back to action, Jericho is fighting out of a chinlock.  Jericho rolls Miz up for two, but takes a clothesline for two on the other side.  Miz settles back into the chinlock, but Jericho delivers a belly to back suplex.  Tags on both sides and Christian delivers clotheslines to Ziggler and a forearm.  Christian springs to the floor and delivers a right, then a second rope back elbow.  Christian wants the Killswitch, but Ziggler throws him to the corner.  Christian lands a kick and a springboard sunset flip for two.  Christian fights out of the enemy corner but ends up taking a Ziggler dropkick to the mouth for two.  Ziggler tags Miz in, who lays stomps and a boot to the face of Christian.  Miz chokes the former IC champ in the ropes and Ziggler lands a cheap shot.  Miz slingshots Christian into the bottom rope and gets a two count.  Miz goes back to the chinlock and Christian fights to his feet.  Christian tosses Miz to the floor.  Christian wants a tag, but Miz drags Jericho off the apron, leading to Ziggler and Miz both stomping Christian in their corner.  Ziggler tags back in and lands his jumping elbow drop for two on Christian.  Ziggler with a chinlock of his own and a headstand.  Christian fights up to his feet yet again, but falls victim to a neckbreaker.  Ziggler wants the Fameasser, but completely misses:  Safe to assume there was a miscommunication there.  Ziggler resets to try again and Christian hits a sitout powerbomb, which he should have hit 20 seconds ago.

 Somebody had a brainfart here - Courtesy of http://ilovewrestlinggifs.tumblr.com/

Tags on both sides and shoulders from Jericho, then a springboard dropkick to Ziggler on the apron.  Jericho lands a facebuster and the Lionsault, but Ziggler breaks up the pin attempt.  Christian hits the spear on Ziggler, but gets tossed to the ringpost by Miz.  Jericho grabs Miz and wants the Walls of Jericho, but Miz spins out and boots Jericho right in the face.  Miz wants the Skull Crushing Finale, but Jericho counters.  Miz ends up in the corner next to Christian - He delivers a thumb to the eye of The Miz to return the favor from Smackdown and Jericho hits the Codebreaker for the win.

Ziggler cracks Jericho with the briefcase from behind, leaving him out on the mat.  The Ziggler/Jericho program will continue, and everybody should be happy about that.  It can only lead to good matches and good things for Dolph Ziggler moving forward.

Daniel Bryan is still in the back with the "doctor", ready to take a Rorschach test.  Airplane, crown, space ship.  The space ship is a goat, which sets Bryan off on a tirade.  He says if anything is "goat" about him, it's that he's the greatest of all time.  Bryan asks if Charlie Sheen has put the doctor up to this and goes off on another tirade.  I still absolutely abhor the idea of Daniel Bryan's in ring talent squandered on a celebrity feud, but brink-of-insanity Bryan is looking to be incredibly entertaining.

Match 6:  Tensai vs Tyson Kidd
Winner:  Tensai via pinfall -> Reversed to Tyson Kidd via DQ

Tensai doesn't get an intro, but Kidd does.  That's always a good sign.  Kidd lands kicks and an enzuigiri, but runs into Tensai's shoulder, then gets avalanched in the corner.  Tensai slingshots Kidd into the middle rope and drops two elbows.  Tensai now pounds the back of the head and slaps on a nerve hold.  Kidd fights to his feet and kicks Tensai in the head, then rolls him up for two.  Kidd lands another enzuigiri from the apron, then lands Code Blue for two.  Kidd keeps on Tensai, but ends up taking a choke bomb and senton.  Tensai pins him.

Tensai continues to attack Kidd after the match.  Tensai lands a backbreaker drop and the ref reverses his decision.  Tensai takes his aggression out on Sakamoto, who seems all too happy to get his ass beat.  So Kidd was allowed to let loose in this match a bit, even landing what is sometimes his finisher.  Tensai still comes out on top, but is technically the loser.  Weird feud, but Tyson Kidd absolutely deserves time on Raw, so it's welcome.

Back to Bryan and the doctor:  Bryan has been found to be bitter and ill tempered, but sane.  Bryan is free to go.  The lights go red and Kane grabs Bryan by the throat, saying he's Bryan's anger management therapist, then tosses him around the room.  Daniel Bryan is having a terrible week.

CM Punk heads to the commentary table for Raw's main event.

Match 7:  Big Show vs John Cena, Number one contender's match
Winner:  No contest

Punk says he doesn't care who wins this match tonight.  Big Show jaws at Punk while he awaits the arrival of John Cena.  Punk says he was too close to the ropes to have tapped to the STF last week.  Punk is very snappy and indignant with Lawler; definitely a more aggressive WWE Champion.  He says that he doesn't appreciate Rock showing up once in a blue moon to soak up some spotlight.

Cena opens up with rights on Big Show, but takes a shot to the gut and sells it like death.  Cena can only do "out cold sell" or "no sell"; there's just no middle ground for him.  Show whips Cena to the corner and follows ass-first.  Big Show with another big shot to the gut, followed by a headbutt.  Show continues with a frying pan chop in the corner then one in the opposite corner.  Cena dodges a third and tries a sleeper hold, turning Big Show bright red.  Big Show backs into a corner to break it and then tries a crossbody, but gets caught.  Big Show throws Cena, but ends up back in the sleeper.  Show drops to his knees as Punk and Lawler verbally spar.  Cole is calling the action in a straight forward fashion.  We are officially in bizarro Raw.  Show "passes out" and Cena pins him for a two count, but gets tossed out to the floor, which he once again sells like a stab wound...

Back from the default "guy on outside" commercial, Big Show is in charge.  Cena fights back with rights and tries a running shoulder block, but bounces off of Big Show.  Show steps on the midsection of Cena.  Big Show once again whips Cena to a corner and chases with an ass attack.  Show tries it one more time, but Cena gets his feet up.  Cena comes back to life and strikes Big Show with karate movie back fists and shin kicks, then runs into a Big Show bearhug.  Cena elbows out and tries to scoop slam Big Show, but ends up crushed beneath him.  Show calls for the Chokeslam, but Cena counters into a DDT on a 450 pound man that somehow made no sound and had no impact.  It boggles the mind.

Cena gets to his feet again and runs into a side slam.  Big Show heads to the second rope for a Vader Bomb, but comes up empty.  Cena lands a diving shoulder and leads to the Five Knuckle Shuffle.  Big Show gets to his feet and lands the Chokeslam, but Cena kicks out at two.  Cena ends up on the floor, crawling away from Big Show.  Cena gets back in the ring, then gets punched right back out.  Show wants to slam Cena into the ringpost, but Cena slips down the back and slams Show face first instead.  Cena rushes Big Show, but gets tossed clear over the commentator's booth and into CM Punk.  John Cena barely beats the 10 count and rolls into the ring.  Big Show signals for the WMD punch and Cena ducks, then lifts Big Show for the Attitude Adjustment.  Punk attacks from behind, causing Cena to drop Big Show, then delivers a kick to the skull of Big Show, leaving Punk the only man standing.

Punk grabs a mic and declares nobody to be the winner - They're both losers.  Punk heads to the back, passing AJ.  AJ says they're not losers; they're both winners.  At Summerslam, CM Punk defends against Big Show...and John Cena in a triple threat match.  Punk says AJ can't do this to him and demands that AJ show him respect, so she grins right in his face.

So the predictions were true:  We get an extra hour of TV, but barely any extra wrestling.  I don't think anyone really expected it, but most were hoping for it.  Nice to see Tyson Kidd on TV, entrance and all, even if it meant a loss and oddly continued feud with Tensai.  Randy Orton returns to beat up a punching bag.  Nothing else of enormous consequence.  Hopefully there's something better in mind for Bryan than a feud with Charlie Sheen.  Not a terrible episode, but I'd be much happier with two hours of TV and not seeing the same recap three times in one episode.

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The Age Of Odin

Odin is not just Anthony Hopkins or "that One-Eyed god" or Thor's dad.  He is the All-Father of the Norse Mythology.  If you were like me and had a minimal knowledge of Norse mythology then reading this book is an awesome wake up call.  I myself knew some of Norse mythology but nothing to the extent of what author James Lovegrove details in this magnificent book.  Most of our knowledge of Norse mythology revolves around Thor and his love/hate relationship with Loki.  Well let me say that Thor is in this book, and he is important.  Loki is in this book and he is essential to the plot.  The epic beatdown that the Hulk delivered is not in this book as none of the Avengers are in this book either, sorry to be the bearer of bad news there.  What this book does is it captures how important Odin is as a character and that Marvel only focuses on one of the champions of the Norse leaving some of the other amazing characters out in the cold winters of Jountheim.

SPOILERS!
The main plot of this book is different from the previous two "Age of ______" novels put forth by Lovegrove.  This one centers around Gid, a down on his luck loser who is trying to put his life back together and finds an add offering good pay for military work which Gid has plenty of experience.  What he doesn't know is that he is joining an army of Norse gods and soldiers to go and prevent Ragnarok.

Gid has a fist fight with Thor, he woos (if that is the right word here) a beautiful Valkyrie, and ends up becoming the hero of his own story.  What I found outstanding is how Lovegrove was able to tie in the epic deaths of the Norse gods (Thor and Odin as two examples) using modern day machinery.  Fenrir the great wolf is instead a rolling fortress that has been designed as a wolf and it takes Odin's life.  The giant serpent that Thor puts down is a mechanical one made from science and again it and Thor take one another life.  Even the ending where Heimdal kills Loki is done poetically  Of course there is that whole unpleasant business where one character is blood eagled.  (If you don't know what it is, look it up because it is disgusting.)     

Where Lovegrove almost lost me was in the last 5-10 pages.  He began to take a path that had me screaming NO NO NO...but unlike so many authors he fixed it with only a couple of sentences.  He was traveling down the path of the cliche ending.  Where was it a dream, was it real?  That ending I HATE fervently.  He went down that path but then gave a solid answer.  He didn't need to say it was real for you to know it was very real.  Lovegrove showed you a side of this hidden reality fiction that I haven't encountered too often.  Many times authors force you to sit there and think what the hell happened here and why did it happen?  What Lovegrove did was explain why it happened and gave you only an element of speculation to really grasp why and how it went down.  Overall this book is phenomenal and if you have read any of his other novels you know what magic this man can do with mythology and science.  An A+ from me.

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WWE Smackdown Lowdown 7/27/2012

We open Smackdown with a recap of Raw 1000 - expected, but one more reminder of  Smackdown being the B-Show, especially with a revamp to Raw's look.  Tonight, we determine the number one contender to Sheamus' title in a fatal four way match.

The show proper opens with your new Intercontinental Champion, The Miz and a recap of his victory on Raw 1000.  New haircut and some scruff has done wonders for this man to change his look.  Miz thanks Christian's peeps for voting for him to defend on Raw.  Miz readies his catchphrase and Christian heads out to put a stop to it.  Christian mocks Miz's "Awesome" catchphrase and says he wants his rematch tonight.

Match 1:  The Miz (c) vs Christian, Intercontinental Championship
Winner:  Miz via pinfall

Miz with the early headlock and shoulder block.  Miz puts Christian in the corner and hammers on him, but Christian turns it around and lands a back body drop.  Miz is thrown over the top but lands on the apron and shoulders Christian in the midsection.  Miz wants a suplex to the floor, but Christian slides out and drops him face first on the apron.  Christian with a low dropkick to the outside.  Back in the ring, Miz counters a tornado DDT attempt and knees Christian in the gut then stomps away.  Big right hand puts Christian on his back, but he fights back with rights.  Miz whips him to the corner and lands his leaping clothesline, then an axe handle from the top for two.  Miz settles into a chinlock.  Christian fights out, but Miz hits the ropes, then runs into a flapjack.  Miz rolls to the apron and backdrops Christian over the top to the floor, leading to a commercial.

Back, Miz is stomping Christian then lands a running boot to the face for a close two.  Christian fights up from another chinlock and lands rights, then a sunset flip for two.  Miz hits the backbreaker/neckbreaker combo and gets a two on his side.  Miz chokes Christian in the ropes, then rushes him in the corner, but runs into Christian's feet, and then he heads to the top rope.  Miz puts a stop to it and clubs away, then climbs up wanting a superplex.  Christian punches Miz off then tries the Frog Splash, but lands on Miz's knees, who quickly hooks the leg for two, then again to wear the challenger down.  Christian hits a right and a second rope missile drop kick from out of nowhere, leaving both men on the mat.  Christian hits a forearm, then a drop toe hold onto the middle rope, then the big jumping-to-the-floor slap.  Christian climbs up top for a cross body, getting a two count.  Miz rushes him in the opposite corner, but Christian dodges and hits the diving reverse DDT for two.  Miz throws Christian into the corner, but Christian hits the springboard sunset flip - Miz rolls through and they exchange nearfalls back and forth.  Christian lands a diving back elbow and starts clapping, wanting the Killswitch.  Miz counters and Christian backflips out of a suplex attempt, but Miz kicks the knee and hits a snap DDT for two.  Miz hops to the second rope, but Christian grabs his foot and slams him down.  Christian heads to the opposite corner, wanting a Spear this time.  Miz bails to the floor, then baits Christian back in, who runs into a boot.  Christian counters the Skull Crushing Finale into a Killswitch attempt, which Miz counters and then thumbs the eye while the ref is in the fray.  Miz schoolboys Christian and holds the tights for the win. 

 

Fun match - Much like other guys who have been gone for a month or two, he looks crisp and fresh after having some time out of the ring.  It gives people time to miss him (or miss hating him) and gives him a chance to regroup and gather himself.  Good showing from both men and a great way to open Smackdown.

Match 2:  Jinder Mahal vs Ryback
Winner:  Ryback via count out

So Ryback has fully moved on to WWE Superstars from local goofs.  I guess that's good.  And I'm all for Jinder Mahal getting wrecked.  Ryback says it's "feeding time" before the bell.  Mahal ties up with Ryback and gets driven to a corner and called stupid.  Mahal hits a knee lift and clubs to the back, but runs into the boot to the mat.  Ryback then lands a fallaway slam.  Mahal rolls to the apron, but thumbs Ryback in the eye, then shoulders him in the gut and kicks his head.  Mahal hits a knee lift to the head for a quick pin attempt.  Mahal now drops a knee, but gets tossed outside.  Quickly back in, Mahal hits a boot to the head for one.  More knee drops and an elbow drop and now Mahal wants the Camel Clutch.  Ryback immediately lifts him, calls him stupid and hits a backpack chinbreaker.  Ryback says it's his turn and slams Mahal into the mat, then hits a spinebuster.  He warms up the arm, but Mahal ducks the lariat and bails from the ring.  Ryback wants him back in the ring, but Mahal runs the clock out.

A squash match with no squash?  That's new.  Of all the people to put into a feud with Ryback, Jinder Mahal is a weird choice, but any kind of growth or change is good, so I'm all for it.  Maybe Mahal uses his wealth and hires people to fight Ryback?

Recap of Punk attacking Rock on Raw 1000 and then hitting the GTS.  Punk seemed apprehensive before and after, even though he was willing to mimic Rock's usual set up position for a big move.  Not exactly sure how this plays out, but I'm sure it will play into the "overshadowed" angle that they've mentioned on TV.  Then we get Tout responses to the action.

Daniel Bryan is looking pensive in the back and Sheamus walks in and says he knows Bryan has had a rough week.  Left at the altar, his now-ex is his new boss, taking a Rock Bottom and Charlie Sheen trash talking him.  Bryan says Rock won't be back for six months and nobody cares about Sheen.  Sheamus presents Bryan with a gift:  "How to Last More Than 18 Seconds".  Nice wedding gift, Sheamus.

Match 3:  Sheamus (World Heavyweight Champion) vs Cody Rhodes, non-title
Winner:  Sheamus via pinfall

Not quite sure why the champion faces somebody in a non-title in the middle of the show.  But Cody Rhodes matches are always welcome.  Sheamus opens up with power and puts Rhodes in the corner.  Rhodes goes behind, but gets elbowed to the mat, then bails to the floor.  Rhodes jaws at the ref, thinking the elbow was a cheap shot.  Back in, Rhodes kicks Sheamus in the gut, but ends up shouldered to the mat for one.  Sheamus wrenches the arm and Cody reverses, focusing on Sheamus' arm.  The champion lands a tilt a whirl backbreaker for two.  Rhodes fights back again, but gets elbowed to the apron.  Sheamus wants the forearms to the chest, but Rhodes elbows out and takes a lap around the ring.  This time, Sheamus stands on the apron and hammers on Rhodes' chest while he's in the ring.  Sheamus reaches down and picks Rhodes up, wanting a suplex to the floor.  Rhodes lands on the apron and shoves Sheamus into the ring post shoulder first.  Sheamus is on the floor outside and Rhodes is standing tall in the ring while the ref count.  At 9, Sheamus rolls back in.  Rhodes stomps Sheamus and Dolph Ziggler's music hits.  He slowly makes his way to the ring; so people are allowed to cash in during a match?  Wouldn't it be smarter to wait for the end?  Let's see what happens...after the commercial.

Back to action, Ziggler is poised at the ready to cash in.  Rhodes is still in control, but Sheamus turns the tide with an axe handle, then takes a dropkick right in the mush for two.  Rhodes lands a knee to the skull of Sheamus, sitting on the mat - He gets another nearfall.  Rhodes continues to wear down Sheamus on the mat.  Rhodes drops to the floor and lays into Sheamus, laying on the apron.  Rhodes rolls in for a pin, but Sheamus is out in one.  Rhodes wants a full nelson on the mat and cinches it in, but Sheamus immediately fights up and out, then throws Rhodes.  Rhodes with a kick to the knee and a right hand, but Sheamus hits a back body drop.  Sheamus continues the assault, but gets kicked in the knee.  Sheamus fights back with a tilt a whirl slam for two.  Sheamus misses a short arm clothesline and runs into a back elbow and a drop toe hold into the turnbuckle.  Rhodes climbs up top and Sheamus is way out of position for a moonsault, so h runs awkwardly under it to dodge; that could have ended REALLY badly.  Sheamus hits the Irish Curse and gets a near fall, then lifts Rhodes into a fireman's carry.  Rhodes elbows out and shoves Sheamus to the floor.  Sheamus lands one big shot and climbs to the top rope, but Cody throws him off.  Rhodes lands a Beautiful Disaster, but Sheamus kicks out in two.  Rhodes wants another, but gets caught on Sheamus' shoulders and takes White Noise.  Sheamus heads to a corner, wanting the Brough Kick.  He lands it and wins.


There's that HHH booking - The guy that is deemed infallible will always fight back, land a finisher and win clean.  I like a clean finish, but once in a while, there has to be something different.  Ziggler is teasing a cash in, but thinks better of it, waiting for a more opportune time.  Chris Jericho runs to ringside in a Dolph Ziggler shirt and throws Ziggler into the ring, leaving him prone for a Brough Kick.  Jericho smirks, happy with the result.  A program with Jericho can only be a good thing for Ziggler.  Jericho casually enters the ring as Ziggler rises and hits a Codebreaker.  Ziggler, being Ziggler, sells it like a shotgun blast, which looks amazing.  I look so forward to this program.

Match 4:  Antonio Cesaro vs Santino Marella (United States Champion), non-title
Winner:  Antonio Cesaro via pinfall

Cesaro gets the "back from commercial" entrance treatment and still has his ludicrous upbeat music to boot.  WWE is so damn slow to pull the trigger on positive changes, it's painful.  Cesaro out wrestles Marella to start, but a slap to the back of the head makes the US Champ mad.  He lands a shoulder throw and Cesaro offers a handshake.  Instead, he gives a shot to the head and then traps Santino's arms to deliver Al Snow-style headbutts.  Cesaro deadlifts Santino for a gutwrench suplex and settles into a chinlock, but Santino counters with a saito suplex.  Santino hits jabs and followes with the headbutt.  Santino gets out the Cobra, but Aksana hops on the apron to run interference.  Santino hits the hip toss, but Cesaro dodges the cobra and hotshots him on the top rope.  Cesaro follows with the Neutralizer and wins.

Ok, Cesaro just pinned a champion, so I guess that's a good thing.  Now get him new music and a proper match and I think we're all set!  Cesaro is definitely the type that WWE is always happy to push, so here's hoping for him.

A replay of Damien Sandow getting beat up by DX on Raw 1000; he's in action next.

Match 5:  Yoshi Tatsu vs Damien Sandow
Winner:  Damien Sandow

So we're going to have two matches in a row with a new guy beating someone in 2-4 minutes.  Not how you book a show.  Sandow opens aggressively and throws Tatsu to the floor, then into the barricade multiple times.  Sandow rolls Tatsu back into the ring, then lands a russian leg sweep, rolling up to his feet, followed by his "elbow of disdain".  Next he locks up Tatsu and delivers knees to the midsection and finishes with the Cross Arm Neckbreaker.

Dominant as hell, which is great, but we're over a month into these types of matches; now we need more.  We know the character, we know the mannerisms, we know the bit.  Now give us real matches so we can see what he can really do.

Sandow grabs a mic and addresses the crowd, calling them many mean things - He says that for everyone who enjoyed his beating at the hands of DX, he is their martyr.  You're welcome.

A recap video of the confrontation between HHH and Paul Heyman, featuring Stephanie McMahon and even Brock Lesnar!  Fair warning, if you have epilepsy, this video could set a seizure off.  Lots of flashing from color to black and white at the end.

Another session of Touts about Raw 1000.  I thought this was just going to be on three hour Raws...now it's on Smackdown.  Ugh.

Match 6:  Rey Mysterio vs Kane vs Daniel Bryan vs Alberto del Rio, Number One Contender's Match
Winner:  Alberto del Rio via pinfall

Big action to open, with Bryan hitting a dive on Kane and Rey hitting a senton to the floor on Alberto del Rio.  Mysterio and Bryan are in the ring and Mysterio hits another senton, but runs into a running forearm from Bryan.  Del Rio takes out Kane on the floor and Bryan gets run into ADR, allowing Mysterio to roll him up for a nearfall.  Bryan lays into Mysterio with kicks then wants a powerbomb, but Rey lands on his feet and dropkicks Bryan low.  ADR stops the 619 with a clothesline and Bryan hits a leg lariat on ADR, then walks into an uppercut from Kane.  Kane hits a side slam on  Bryan for two.  Kane heads to the top and hits the diving clothesline on Bryan.  Kane grabs Bryan by the throat and kicks ADR away, then Bryan and Mysterio try a double suplex - Kane reverses, suplexing both men, sending us to commercial.

Kane is still in charge as we return, but Alberto del Rio attacks from behind.  Bryan kicks Kane and ADR breaks up the pin.  He now lays into Bryan in the corner, who reverses a whip to the opposite corner and lands kicks into del Rio.  Bryan goes to the opposite corner, but comes up empty on the running dropkick.  Del Rio hits an enzuigiri and then rolls into the Cross Armbreaker.  Bryan is fighting it and Mysterio heads to the top rope, dropping a guillotine leg drop on ADR for two.  Mysterio follows with a low dropkick to a prone ADR in the corner and Kane reenters the picture, hitting Mysterio and sending del Rio over the top to the floor.  Kane whips Rey to the corner with authority and gets a two count.  Kane follows with his low dropkick and gets another two.  Rey fights out of a chinlock then kicks Kane in the face from the corner twice.  Mysterio tries to go over Kane, but he catches him - Rey spins out to a big DDT, but everyone is down and out.  Rey heads to the middle rope and tries a diving hurricanrana.  Kane catches him, leaving him hanging upside down, which allows ADR to dropkick him in the face, then attack Kane.  Kane wants a Chokeslam, but del Rio enzuigiri's his way out, then lands a Backstabber.  Bryan breaks up the pin and kicks ADR in the chest on the mat, but misses the headshot and ADR schoolboys him.  Bryan rolls this through into a Yeslock and ADR is about to tap; Kane grabs the hand so that he can't and then slaps the hell out of Bryan and clotheslines him over the top.

ADR puts both knees into the arm of Kane and wants the Cross Armbreaker, but Kane stands his ground and hits a Chokeslam - Rey is in to stop the count with a dropkick.  Bryan lands a knee off the apron, sending Kane over the barricade into the timekeeper's area.  Back in the ring, Rey lands a huge kick to the head of del Rio, but he just barely kicks out.  Mysterio wants the 619, but Bryan runs interference.  Rey ends up hitting 619 on both men, then climbs up top and hits the splash on Bryan.  Ricardo Rodriguez drags Mysterio out of the ring and ADR hops on Bryan, picking up the win.

Your number one contender is Alberto del Rio.  We've seen Sheamus and ADR many-a-time now; I'm about ready for something else.  The build will be towards who Dolph Ziggler cashes in on; there's no way he doesn't successfully cash in, what with Cena failing to do so.  I'm liking the current bit of Ziggler always being at the ready to cash in but something going wrong to foil his plan.  Six matches, but aside from the number one contender match, kind of a nothing show.  Cesaro and Sandow continue to win quickly, which stunts their growth as on screen characters - Even Ryback seems to be showing more growth.  Moving forward, Raw 1001 needs to be a strong episode, or the three hour show experiment could become a failure.

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