WWE Honorable mentions

    I previously wrote an article covering surefire WWE hall of fame omissions, that need to be rectified very soon in the near future. In this article I will cover members of professional wrestling history who deserve an honorable mention, in regards to be inducted into the hall of fame.
  First up Miss Elizabeth, the “Macho Man” Randy Savages valet. While she never wrestled during her career, she was an integral part of storylines involving Macho Man. Her most notable storyline was playing a part in the “rift” between Macho Man and Hulk Hogan. She was also the first “pretty” face in WWF and sole job was to stand by Macho Man and look attractive. She should be inducted solely off being the first true valet, and the first “diva” before WWF started using that term. Sadly the circumstances of her unfortunate death are what I believe are keeping her from being inducted.
   If Miss Elizabeth was the first diva, Sable was the first superstar diva. At the height of the Attitude era Sable was what came to mind, when people thought of WWF Divas. She was attractive, had sex and crossover appeal, and had enough wrestling training to do what was asked of her. She was also the first WWF diva to make the cover of Playboy. She had some mainstream crossover appeal and surely contributed to the popularity of the WWF during the attitude era. It could be debated who was the first diva her or Sunny, but Sunny has been inducted and so should Sable.
   Lex Luger deserves a honorable mention to be in the hall of fame. While never the most technical wrestler, he displayed power moves in his arsenal which made him exciting. He may have failed when WWF gave him the honor of being the “top guy” but that was not his strength.  His strengths were his look, his power moves, longevity, and the ability to be a good bit player in some good moments in wrestling history. He was a Horseman, a WWF and WCW champion, bodyslammed Yokozuna, was a front line player in WCW battle against NWO, and was a member of NWO Wolfpack. He even managed to stay somewhat relevant in WCW dying days, by rebranding as the Total Package. I believe his role in Miss Elizabeth’s death, and his lifestyle before turning it around is holding him back.
    Big Van Vader as he was known in WCW, or simply Vader in WWF is next on the list. He may never be in the conversation as a true legend, but he was just as damn good to be on the next tier. When he was “the mastodon” in WCW, his size made him scary enough when he walked to the ring, throw in the mastodon helmet that breathed smoke he was damn near terrifying. Once he was in the ring he was even scarier, very agile for his size, vicious, and a devasting powerbomb he was unstoppable. He didn’t make much of an impact in WWF, truthfully because they probably didn’t understand him but he deserves consideration based on his body of work in WCW and in Japan.
   WWE has started acknowledging the guys who made ECW what it was by inducting the Dudley Boyz this year, and with that Tommy Dreamer deserves a spot in the hall. Plain and simple he was ECW and what it stood for. His feud with Raven is a classic, and not just the matches but the whole backstory of their history as youths. Their story included childhood bullying, acceptance, and love triangles pretty much one of the greatest and relatable storylines in wrestling history. A bland persona, and ok skill set didn’t stop his determination. He was very loyal to ECW and lived and breathed it, he was also a great teacher of younger wrestlers. To this day there are so many people who give credit to Tommy Dreamer for teaching them so much about the business. With a great mind for the business, and being the epitome of ECW he should be inducted.
   While we’re on ECW you can’t leave out “Mr. Monday Night”, “The Whole F’N show” Rob Van Dam. He had a laid back Mr. Cool demeanor about him, and a Arsenal that had you on your feet, he produced hundreds of exciting bouts in ECW. His five star frog splash, rolling thunder, spilt legged moonsault were just some of his signature moves that had folks anticipating when it would come. Just like Tommy Dreamer, Rob Van Dam was ECW even if people never saw a ECW show they knew Rob Van Dam wrestled for ECW. When you talk about ECW, his name is one of the first that come up. During his heyday he was the personification of a human highlight reel. For that he deserves to be in the hall.

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Black Panther is Here

  Black Panther is HERE!! The culture can celebrate as it hits on all cylinders. This isn’t a review of the movie, but why I think it’s so important for the culture.           
   First this movie is special because it was crafted with love and appreciation. A majority black cast, and major players behind the scenes being black. Having the deeppppp pockets of Disney and Marvel offered the filmmakers a opportunity to create a world unlike any other and they don't disappoint.
   Honoring traditional African customs and culture. Celebrations of African culture, and spirituality of the culture. All the while implementing the possibilities of a future way of life improved by technology, but not “enslaved" by the technology. It’s a perfect blend of the past and present in this fictional country. Even though Wakanda is a fictional Country , hopefully it inspires people to take a trip to culture rich Africa.
   Representation is another important factor in this film. Besides a black superhero who is first and foremost a royal and second who kicks ass, there’s the Dora Milajae fierce female warriors who display you can be a female and take care of yourself. T’Challa sister Shuri who encompasses the STEM (Science Technology engineering mathematics) trait and mentality, she is a role model to show young girls they can become inventors and much more in those fields. We have Killmonger one of the MCU’s better villians, his ideals whether right or wrong will resonate with a lot of people.
   The underlying message of Black Panther is very important. The importance of family, humanity being humane to one another. Past transgressions affecting future progress. Issues that are very much contemporary and will be for the foreseeable future.
    We’ve had Black superhero movies before. Blade, Spawn, Meteor Man, Steel. While for the most part they are good movies, those movies are what they are. Much like the new CW show Black Lighting,  Black Panther is released at a time when there is a cultural awakening so to speak, a new found appreciation of us as black people, where we came from, where we been, and where we’re going. Black Panther taps into all that energy to make something that will be talked about for years to come. Wear your dashikis, your Kentes, embody black excellence and shout Wakanda with pride.

    

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Say goodbye to compact disc

  Compact disc simply known as CD’s have been dying a slow death since the introduction of iPods and mp3 players. Once technology improved and streaming music became more common, everyone knew the clock was ticking for CD’s.
  CD’s are now on life support as Best Buy recently announced they would no longer sell CD’s beginning July 1st. At the same time Target announced a change in how they will work with distributors and labels, and carry CD’s in their stores.
  While streaming music has definitely taking over with services like Pandora, spotify, and Apple music among others. As well as home devices such as Alexa, Google home, and the forthcoming homepod, the majority of the population just isn't using cds any longer.
  However there is a still a good portion of the population who still prefer physical CD’s. Whether their collectors, don't want to use streaming media for certain reasons, not receptive or not familiar with new technologies, or just plain old school. They still want their CD’s.
That had me wondering once CD’s finally get the nail in the coffin. Will labels and distributors think outside the box and start selling music on USB drives or find another physical medium?
  Usb devices would cater to those who still prefer physical media, at the same time embracing the future and staying in business. Packaging cost would be significantly lower and special offerings and features could be included on the USB device, to entice buyers.
   USB slots are built into every device now Tv’s to cars and everything in between. If done right USB's would become the go to physical media for music. Let's see how record labels respond.
   It will definitely be a interesting time seeing how much longer CD’s are around. Just don't toss any CD’s you currently have, 20 years from now CD’s will experience the nostalgia comeback that vinyl and cassettes are currently experiencing.

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WWE Hall OF Fame

   It’s that time again where the WWE selects their hall of fame class. While not a physical hall of fame, and some question the authenticity of it, year in and year out there is still consistent debate about who hasn’t been inducted that should. While the WWE has began to announce their inductees for this year, I’m listing my top 5 who need to be inducted sooner rather than later.
   First up Arn Anderson “The Enforcer”, it can be difficult to really shine when your standing next to Ric Flair. Which I believe is a major reason Arn Anderson was so underrated, he wasn’t as charismatic as Naitch but he had enough charisma. He got the job done in the ring, and was responsible for naming the Four Horseman. His spinebuster finisher always looked devastating, and he was a master of the tag team game with Ole Anderson and Tully Blanchard. His work behind the scenes with younger talent shouldn’t go unnoticed either. While a Hall Of Fame member via the Four Horseman, it’s time he’s inducted as a individual.
   The “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith should be inducted as well. In all honesty he should have been WWEs first UK born world champion. Big, strong, and quite agile, he wasn’t the most technical, but had brute strength and enough charisma to keep folks engaged in his presence . His Summerslam match against Bret Hart for the Intercontinental championship is a classic. Sadly drug abuse held him back, but he was consistent if not spectacular and left a mark on the world of wrestling.
   Paul Heyman...the manager of the Dangerous Alliance, the advisor to the Beast Incarnate, the founder of ECW! One of the greatest talkers in the game, one of the best minds for the business, and a eye for talent Paul Heyman is one of a kind. ECW pretty much was the inspiration for WWEs attitude era, he brought several “smaller” guys like Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, and Rey mystero to ECW before WCW swiped them. Along with Brock Lesnar he advocated for and helped groom Stone Cold Steve Austin,Tazz, RVD, and CM Punk among others. When he was the head writer of Smackdown during the first brand spilt, it was consistently better than Raw. His financial management skills of ECW was his biggest downfall, but it’s a crime he hasn’t been honored yet.
    Vince McMahon’s biggest competitor is next on the list, Mr. Eric Bischoff. The guy who challenged McMahon head on and started Monday Night Nitro to go head to head with Monday Night Raw. He turned WCW from a afterthought to the premiere wrestling company in the world at one time. The guy who bought luchador style wrestling to the mainstream. The man who created the NWO and nearly put Vince McMahon out of business. Eric Bischoff deserves a spot in the Hall Of Fame, if for nothing else simply off the intense competition between him and McMahon during the Monday Night Wars. Sadly his letting the inmates run the asylum mentality was his downfall, and lighting could not strike twice when he tried to turn TNA around. However he contributed a great deal to some of the most iconic moments in wrestling history and should be rewarded for that.
    With the divas revolution, the first woman’s hell in the cell, and the first woman’s Royal Rumble, one woman initially broke that ceiling CHYNA. The fact she has not been inducted yet is beyond a crime, and I think it was more of a personal issue than anything else. Chyna evolved from a brooding mute bodyguard of Triple H and DX to a superstar in her own right, making the cover of playboy and a few acting gigs outside of wrestling. Winning the Intercontinental title, being the first female in the Royal Rumble and King of the Ring tournament , she also was a number one contender for the WWF championship where people legit believed she could be the first World Champion. While most of the woman superstars of today credit Lita and Trish Stratus as their inspiration, Chyna really set the standard for Woman being talented wrestlers paving the way for them to be taken seriously. One of a kind, it’s time WWE grows up and gives Chyna her rightful place in the hall.

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Diddy, Vince McMahon, & the NFL

  It’s playoff time in the NFL, and after a rough season fueled by protests, fans picking their sides in the protest and choosing to stay away, 45 and his vendetta against the NFL, over saturation, and fan remarks that the product has fallen off. The NFL is hoping for some very good playoff matches that will bring fans back.
  In the meantime there are two things that are possibly brewing that could change the NFL, or provide some stiff competition. I’m talking Diddy's bid to buy the Carolina Panthers and rumblings that Vince McMahon is angling to bring the XFL back.
  Diddy buying the Panthers would be a event of historic proportions that would deserve all kinds of praise and parties. I truly believe it would put Diddy over the hump to Billionaire status, but for the culture having a black owner in a league dominated by black players could really help address several issues between players and owners. Throw in Diddy becoming the second youngest owner in the NFL, he would be able to connect to a lot of the players, more than the current owners ever can. He may be able to convince the powers that be, to bring a little more showmanship to the game. It could also help usher in a new age of sports ownership, I believe Diddy is smart enough to let football people do football work. But he surely would put his spin on the Panthers, and breathe new life into it. He’ll face opposition from other owners of the “old guard” but I’m sure he’s ready for that.
  Vince McMahon revitalizing the XFL, if done right could bring serious competition to the NFL. The first time around it tried to go overboard with the extreme aspect of football, which ended up injuring some players unnecessarily and suffered from having mostly second rate players or has-beens. The anticipation for the XFL was initially high, but quickly deflated as the season went on.
   There are a few things that were successful the first time in the XFL, the overview camera angle which years later the NFL implemented, and letting the players place nicknames on the back of their jerseys to stand out. In today's NFL where players are often punished for standing out and showing personality that would be a welcome change.
   There are several players still in their prime who are out of the NFL preview, but still have more than enough in the tank. If the XFL can acquire enough playmakers, tone down the extremeness of their rules which was the wave the first time around, and make player safety a priority. They would actually have a chance at being more successful this time around and being an true alternative to the NFL. Of course there will be people who will doubt it because it’s not the NFL, and others who will use Vince McMahon’s association with wrestling as knock not to watch it, but if there is quality, consistent gameplay those factors will become nonexistent.
   Vince McMahon is a very competitive guy, and he wants to be known as more than just a wrestling promoter. A revamped XFL could be his chance to show he can be successful businessman outside the NFL.
    Diddy is the man, ambitious, a go-getter, game changer and a motivator. If these two gentlemen get what they want, professional football will definitely change...for better or worst only time would tell.

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Change

  Change, one of the few things in life that are constant and consistent. Change is a guarantee in life, depending on the circumstances it can be a change for the better or the worst. As we move closer to a new year making changes is always brought up. People want to make changes for the better in their personal life.
  Along with change being consistent, it is also one of the hardest things in life to do. Not sure if it’s because of fear of what will happen if the change is not successful. Change can bring a sense of uncertainty especially in the beginning stages. Change also brings strong resistance, some people are just purely unwilling to really make a change.
   Right now our society is experiencing that resistance in several regards. No matter how many cry’s have been heard for gun reform after multiple acts of senseless violence, there are still people who oppose any type of gun reform for any reason. No matter how much fight there has been for an improvement in race relations, there are those who oppose that. Either due to their own ignorance or own insecurities, they attempt to stand by their opinion in the name of patriotism. People have been asking for school reform for years, much of it in the way students are taught or the curriculum they are taught, to better prepare them for the game of life and to relate to them better. Yet there are still decision makers who stand by the out of date and out of touch curriculum.
  There are a few changes that appear to be occurring for the better. People are becoming more conscious about what they eat, and how important maintaining a healthy diet and exercise is. Taking control of our finances and proper budgeting is something a lot of people are becoming more aware of. The recent Hollywood scandals of predators seems to be changing the course of Hollywood wheelers and dealers. Alternative forms of medicine that actually assist in curing ailing patients is becoming more accepted. Homosexual relationships and marriages are becoming more accepted.
   I often wonder is society change a case of the “old guard” being the primary decision makers, and as younger generations come along the tune will change? Or do the majority of the population have a “it’s always been done this way” approach to things. The same rule applies to individuals, some people have a thought process that they’ve always ate like shit and never been sick and will continue to do so.
   One thing to keep in mind change is very important to promote evolving not just as a society, but as people as well. This new year let’s vow to make our own personal change for the better, but also find a cause society needs to make a change for the better on and champion that change. Like the great Michael Jackson said if you wanna make a change, look in the mirror.

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Critics vs. Word of Mouth

   This past weekend Netflix released their most ambitious original film yet “Bright". A 90 million dollar film starring Will Smith and directed by David Ayer who wrote films like Training Day, the 1st Fast and Furious film, S.W.A.T. and Dark Blue. He also directed Street Kings, End of Watch, and Suicide Squad. The film was also written by Max Landis who wrote Chronicle. A pretty impressive pedigree for this film.
    Reviews came out and critics absolutely slandered the movie. Calling it the worst movie of 2017 and a dud. I watched the movie and enjoyed it, I enjoyed the action, the concept, the world that was built and teased enough without giving away to much. Reading social media and message forums, a lot of other people enjoyed the film as well. It had flaws, but what film doesn’t?
   That poses a question while critics have a job to do, can you really take a critics recommendation seriously? Now there are some projects that are flat out terrible and can be agreed upon throughout every part of the critic/audience ecosystem.
     But there seems to be a consistent divide between what critics and the general population view as good films. The average person when they sit down and watch a film want escapism for a few hours. Critics are paid to dissect films, sometimes they can go overboard on their dissection. Thus destroying films that don’t deserve the hate.
     When it comes to films that one may be iffy about, I think sometimes you have to take word of mouth from average people opinions , wayyyy more than you would a critic. If not you run the risk of missing a film that is actually very good.
    Critics are needed, they can provide a account of what to expect before people spend their money and time invested in something that may not be worth it. However often times they are not the intended audience for the film their reviewing. General audience members may be blindly loyal to a particular brand or actor/actress, but for the most part they won’t steer you wrong. In my opinion when your unsure of a movie, ignore the critics and listen to word of mouth you’ll make out better in the end.

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