Johnny Nitro (now known as John Morrison) w/ Melina vs. Carlito vs. Shelton Benjamin
This is a great Triple Threat match, and these 3 really proved why they deserved to be in the WWE. Unlike the short Intercontinental Championship matches we have now, this one actually went for 12 minutes. Watch the match and enjoy the three well-known Superstars battle it out in high-flying action. If you think one of them is not talented, you must be blind or you just haven't watched the match yet. Rating: 3.5/4
Avril Lavigne just released her fourth album, Goodbye Lullaby earlier this March, and coming from an Avril fan, let me tell you, the wait was worth it! It is definitely more laid-back than her third album, and it almost felt like she made this album in a lab because she combined aspects from her first three albums to make this record. So, from worst to best, here is the analysis for each track on this album:
A finisher is a signature move of a wrestler, where it almost always finishes the match once the move is execeuted. Here is a look of the seven deadliest finishers the WWE roster uses: (Remember to click 'Read more')
7. Future Shock DDT (Drew McIntyre)
This is ranked number seven because it looks painful. Also, it is hard to get out of this maneuver because the person traps your arms so you can't escape. This video was on TLC 2009, when Drew won the IC Championship by using the Future Shock DDT.
Today's Match of the Day is a Triangle Ladder match which features Edge & Christian, The Dudley Boys & The Hardy Boyz competing for the World Tag Team Championship:
This was the time when the tag team division actually mattered. Now, it's almost a shock that WWE was capable to produce this masterpiece. If you're looking for more high-flying action among these three teams, look for TLC I and TLC II at WM17, which featured Spike Dudley, Rhyno and Lita. Overall, this match is great for its content and it definitely raised the bar for ladder matches. Rating: 4/4
Hey guys! It's time for the second installment of "The Road to Wrestlemania XXVII".
Only a couple of days away...
So last time, I told you two out of five things wrong about the Road to Wrestlemania this year. Here are the other three:
3. Predictability
Possibly the most hindering thing about Wrestlemania 27 is its' predictability. Aren't you looking forward to Cena beating Miz to have a 7-1 record in Wrestlemania? How about Alberto del Rio winning against Edge? Undertaker keeping his undefeated streak? Stratus/Snooki/Morrison over Laycool/Ziggler? Lawler defeating Cole to be #1 Announcer? Or Cody Rhodes getting a dashing win against Mysterio? The way the WWE Team booked these couple of weeks make it seem so obvious who is and who is not gonna win come April 3. Also, we are in the "Internet Age" of wrestling, where we can get any information/spoiler about just about anything. Because of this, Alberto and Cody winning seem pretty... obvious.
4. No Money in The Bank Ladder Match
Probably one of the most talked about topic this Wrestlemania season is if there is going to be a Money in the Bank match or not. With just a week away, it really seems unlikely that there will still be a MiTB match. Since its' incorporation in Wrestlemania 21, everyone looked forward to 6-8 superstars battling it out in a ladder match. Not only has all Money in the Bank matches in Wrestlemania been thrilling, but I personally look forward to who's going to win it to see who WWE is going to push next.
The main reason I think MiTB is not in WM27 is because it already has its own PPV. In my opinion, having this match two times in a PPV is not good. Sometime, the bumps and spots in this match will become old. Two matches in one night may jump the shark... I'm just saying. I think they should take-off the PPV and just go with one a year in Wrestlemania.
The Money in the Bank match does feature rising stars whom we love to see, and there may be only one or two whom we don't want to win at all. Unlike in the MiTB PPV, this match features no main-eventers at all! Throughout the years, the likes of Shelton Benjamin, RVD & Jeff Hardy helped define the match to become what it is today. The fact that this match won't happen this year is just sad because all these Superstars who don't get their Wrestlemania moment, shine and steal the show... which leads us to...
5. Where Are The Deserving Superstars?! Why Are Ziggler & Morrison There?!
WWE's Power Couple... not so powerful
It's like we're playing Hide-and-Seek with the WWE Team. Every year, they hide the deserving Superstars from us, and we can never find them!
WWE could've really booked some of the great Superstars in matches that are sure to be classic. The decision to exclude Money in the Bank this year is really disappointing for us who are fans of the mid-card Superstars. If there is going to be a MiTB match this year, I would love for these 8 Superstars to compete:
1. Daniel Bryan
2. Evan Bourne
3. Zack Ryder
4. Yoshi Tatsu
5. Tyson Kidd
6. Ted Dibiase
7. William Regal
8. Drew McIntyre
Instead of having a MiTB ladder match this year, how about another gimmick match with 6-8 Superstars that gives them a guranteed title shot at... say, Summerslam? A Gauntlet match would be nice... but it's too time-consuming. How about a 15-minute match where the last guy to get a 3-count or submission wins the title shot? Kind of like the Championship Scramble, but all competitors will start the match at the same time. Even with or without a no-DQ stipulation, I'm sure the eight people I mentioned above will put on an incredible match. I'm just saying... there are a lot of possibilities to replace MiTB at this Wrestlemania which could be a surefire hit.
Also, I would like to talk about the Mixed Tag Team match involving Trish Stratus. First of all, I feel Ziggler and Morrison should have their own 7-9 minute match at Wrestlemania instead of being involved in a joke match with the Divas. Just this January, both of them were the Number One contenders for the world titles, and it's sad and a pity for them to be stuck in this match where the main focus seems to be on Snooki.
Trish Stratus... when she came back at Elimination Chamber, everyone was sure she would team up with Kelly Kelly against Laycool at Wrestlemania... what happened?! All of a sudden, Snooki comes along and steals Kelly's spotlight. If I were an employee at WWE, I would be downright pissed that a celebrity comes down and steals my chance to be at The Showcase of Immortals. I guess Divas aren't just respected that much. Also, with Snooki being promoted like hell over the other five competitors, it seems like Trish has been put at the side. I mean, it doesn't feel like she is a returning future Hall-of-Famer. (come on... she's the Golden Girl!)
Instead of this mixed tag team match, I think I like these alternatives more:
A. John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler in a 9-minute match Trish Stratus (w/ Kelly Kelly & Snooki) vs. Michelle McCool (w/ Layla and Vickie) in a 5-8 minute match B. John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler Trish Stratus and Kelly Kelly (w/ Snooki) vs. LayCool (w/ Vickie)
C. John Morrison (w/ Trish, Snooki & Kelly) vs. Dolph Ziggler (w/ LayCool & Vickie) in a Lumberjack match D. John Morrison, Trish Stratus & Kelly Kelly (w/ Snooki) vs. Dolph Ziggler & LayCool (w/ Vickie Guerrero)
Well that's it for the day! I hope you enjoyed my insights on this year's Road to Wrestlemania. I'll be posting Match of the Day in a bit.
Big Time... Super Bowl of Wrestling... Granddaddy of them All... Showcase of Immortals... all of these things are associated with...
And it's only a couple days a way...
But people have been criticizing about the "Road to Wrestlemania" being wobbly and just plain bad. I for one slightly agree.
Wrestlemania is where all main-eventers and rising stars shine. It is the time where superstars place their marks. It's also the time when big feuds end and a moment that will make a fan go "HOLY $%@#" (censoring makes for a good PG moment) or make him cry (WM24 Flair-HBK match, WM22 Mysterio win).
Considering what Wrestlemania is, has it been set that WMXXVII will be a lackluster PPV? Well, there has been five things that's been bugging me since the Royal Rumble concluded that might affect how much I enjoy Wrestlemania... in a bad way of course.
1. The Royal Rumble Winner... Is He Ready?
Just to be clear, I don't really care for Edge. I don't love him... nor hate him. He's just... there! The only time I really looked at him for more than a second was when I was watching the TLC matches of WM16 and WM17. And of course, New Year's Revolution '05 when he won his first major title. (US and IC are not major... these days anyway) But one event made me care for him.... when the Royal Rumble ended... I was mad... no... furious!
I quickly Google'd who won the RR after school. My classmates and I were predicting on who could win. I only said two names: CM Punk & Wade Barrett. In my mind, I knew they could, but they should, in my opinion. Wouldn't it be nice to have a Punk/Miz heel/heel feud? Or a Wade/Edge fresh feud? But nooo.... WWE threw a curveball and let DEL RIO win it.
Now, I didn't watch WWE for a long time simply because it was not on in my TV. The last time I really followed it was 2007. Imagine my shock when Alberto won it. I mean... what the hell?! A new guy comes in and wins it. I understand what they're trying to do with "The Youth Movement" but really?! No one was pushed faster than Del Rio. (Sheamus is debatable since he went downhill after losing the WWE title)
Del Rio is talented, no doubt. I respect him for that. He draws heat, too. But his promos... yeah. I'll leave it at that.
Rumors are flying that with Christian might be in the mix in the WHC title match, but there's a big chance Del Rio will win the title because it's his "destiny". I'd hate to see the Mexican Superstar win, when Edge should retain it. Better yet, Christian wins it.
I guess half of my anger from Del Rio winning stems from the Ziggler-Edge rivalry conclusion last month. Had WWE not given Ziggler the belt, I would not be this mad about Del Rio possibly winning the title. I mean Edge is now a 11-time world champion (7-time WHC) because of what happened last month. Add the fact that Edge has been what people consider a "transitional champion"... yeah. Edge really needs a good loooong title reign. If Alberto wins at Wrestlemania, Edge would yet again have another short reign. And he is sure to win a world title before he retires!
So is Alberto del Rio ready to win the World Heavyweight Championship?
2. One Underhyped Match, One Soon-to-Be Underhyped Match, Two Overhyped Matches
First, the soon-to-be underhyped match... a rumored Divas match may take place at Wrestlemania. This is just disrespectful to the Divas. I've forgiven WWE for the Cole interrupting the Divas thing after this week when it was hinted that Eve (and other Divas as well) will get involved in the Lawler-Cole match. I think if they are going with the Divas interfering thing, it is a wise move to not have another match for the Divas. If there will be a match for the sexy, smart and powerful people, I bet it will be a crappy 3-minute lumberjill/gimmick match which will just bore the audience. Those three minutes could be just added to any match to make it better. Now, if the WWE people wake up with minds more efficient than a squirrel's and give us a 5-6 minute match involving either Gail, Melina, Beth, Natalya or Eve (to make it a title match) only, then I will change my mind on all this.
Next, I could not stress enough how underhyped the Smackdown main event is. Instead of Edge-Alberto, we're getting Christian-Alberto. Call me a pessimist, but I think Christian will only play a limited role in the match. I think the triple-threat match rumor is false. Instead of focusing on having recaps of RAW on Smackdown, how about giving us more time for the feud between Edge-Alberto — instead of the: Edge wins, Edge celebrates, Alberto does the armbar pattern — or better yet, how about more time for the Divas?
One of the... no. The most overhyped match of this year's Wrestlemania is... you guessed it! Lawler vs. Cole! I don't know about you, but for me, it's getting stale and boring. Add in the predictability of the match and you got me not caring. Plus, the competitors for the match are not really good in terms of wrestling especially for their age. However, I am anticipating what happens at the commentary table after Lawler wins their match after Stone Cold gives Cole the Stunner. (So, I'm not really betting my life savings on Lawler winning, because there is a possibility Cole will win after Swagger does something to cost Jerry the match and Austin gives both Cole and Swagger the Stunner after the match)
The second overhyped match in my opinion is the Undertaker vs. Triple H II Wrestlemania match with Taker's streak on the line. It's just... it's so obvious who's gonna win this match. Yet, they show promos and recaps of this match a zillion times like it's gonna be a 5-star match. Reality check: it's gonna disappoint lots of fans. Trust me. It's not going to be like Taker-HBK or Taker-HBK II or Taker-Orton or even Taker-HHH at WM17! Sequels are never as good as originals. I also dislike the fact that there is also a No Holds Barred rule here much like their match at WMXVII. There is also the fact that Undertaker just isn't as good as he was before, and he probably has ring rust. Let's just cross our fingers that this does not disappoint us.
Part 2 is coming soon with three more wrong things about the Road to Wrestlemania XXVII...
There is a new feature I'll be introducing. It's called the Match of the Day. I don't promise on updating it every day, but I hope I can... especially because it's summer time here! Basically, I'll be posting a match that entertained me. Some may be well-known, some are hidden gems, some from Divas, some from the week of posting... just something that entertained me. Here is today's Match of the Day:
Here is the list of things that I will discuss this week:
Monday (tomorrow): WWE Talk: The Road to Wrestlemania XXVII (Part II)
Tuesday: Album Analysis: Avril Lavigne's Goodbye Lullaby
Wednesday: Diva Deliberation
Thursday: WWE Talk: The Top 5 Superstar Finishers
Friday: American Idol 10: Reviews, Results & Rankings for Elton John Week
Saturday: Random Thoughts of Mine
Sunday (next week): WWE Talk: Final Wrestlemania XXVII Predictions
Hope you enjoyed the WWE Talk! Sorry I've been on a long hiatus. I just lost interest in reviewing stuff... but BleacherReport has reignited that writing in me! Plus, with WWE and AI, I have something to talk about now. So, what's going on in my life right now is:
I like WWE again. I think about it all the time. For the Superstars I like now, it'd have to be (in order from best to worst): Maryse, The Miz, Daniel Bryan, Gail Kim, Justin Gabriel, Wade Barrett, CM Punk, Tyson Kidd & John Morrison's moves.
For American Idol, I'm really feeling Paul McDonald right now. My secondary pick would be Naima Adedapo. I really used to like Lauren, but she has been shrinking on me for weeks.
It's summertime! WOOHOO!
I just recently got a PS3 so expect some reviews. I've been nagging my parents about getting me a new game (specifically Heavy Rain and Uncharted) but it keeps slipping off their minds! Grr...
I am going to be playing soccer as my summer activity in a couple of weeks, so expect fewer write-ups.
I hate Glee now. It used to rock... then the second half of Season 1 came on.
It's been a really long time ever since I've posted something but... I'm here! I felt bored and Saturday nights aren't really fun because the television puts on some crappy shows during these times. I mean seriously, I do a channel-surfing and my eyes were set on some flocks of sheep at Disney. Do they actually think children watch shows this late? So annoying. I am really upset that Glee is now popular all around the Philippines. I already got tired of Don't Stop Believing. But man, the (mid) season finale was awesome! That brings me here... reviewing the pop masterpiece of 2008, It's Not Me, It's You by Lily Allen.
Everyone's At It:
This song, as the opener, should be replaced by a happier tune, but I guess it pretty much sets the mood of the album. I was really shocked when I heard this. I was saying something probably like... nah, Lily Allen didn't write this. Then I came across a performance on Larry King? Not sure. But, anyways, the host said she wrote/co-wrote every song. Wow was my first reaction. Lily's songs aren't Lily songs if it doesn't involve humor in any way (this album doesn't produce much of those) but four lines made me laugh and say "True." at the same time. Allen sings:
"So you're daughter's depressed / Well get her straight on the Prozac / But little did you know / She already takes crack"
Not Fair: This is probably the boppiest(?) song out of all. The track is somehow like Not Big, a song from her original album. Basically, she's insulting her boyfriend who "made her feel so quite secure" but "there's just one thing that's getting in the way". And it's when they "go up to bed, he's not just good it's such a shame". Allen says that it's not fair because she "spent ages giving head". Okay, I admit. I didn't get the sexual references at first, but when I learned that it got censored in radios, I had to search for what 'giving head' means. Funny, funny song. Reflects the younger Lily. I really don't get why critics pan this song. It's dance-able and the lyrics aren't so bad! The country twang she puts into it makes it clever. And so I say, it's not Lily, it's them.
Rating: 8/10 22: For all the old people out there, I bet you'd think Lily searched your soul for some lyrics! I'm not a fan of this song because I can't really relate to the song and I just don't like it. It doesn't quite catch my attention at all. There's really nothing to say about this except why release this instead of a better track from the same album: 'Chinese' or the next track, which is...
Rating: 6.5/10
I Could Say: This song grew on me, and I didn't like this at first. When someone in songmeanings.net said that this song could be better released a single, I listened to it again, and I was amazed. The rhythm and tempo of the song was perfect. Lily Allen sang the hell out of that song and promises to be more mature with this. Although it lacks some lyrics, I like the way she delivers it that it comes off as sincere in a "Stay away from me, we've broken-up" way. Amazing. One thing that threw it off was the electronica phase into it, although it didn't take away much.
Rating: 9/10
Back to the Start: I was so touched and in joy when I heard this song. It's better than all of those "I'm sorry" songs, because it's actually filled with poppy goodness. The fast chorus is addictive and Lily executed this brilliantly. Everyone knows I hate all of those electronic crap used by many artists today (*cough*Lady Gaga*cough*) that not a single student cares about, but I thought that this song cannot be good without it. The lyrics also touched me because of a personal experience, and I have to add some bonus points for this.
Rating: 8.5/10
Never Gonna Happen: I was attracted to this song because it reminded me sorta of Lily's first single, Smile. This is just so bitchy and stuff that it's great! Although I admit, the lyrics are mean and over-the-top, Lily makes it fun to be a bully. I couldn't help but smile and laugh about the boy Lily was talking about. The instrumentals were great and suited the lyrics' mood with its sarcasm and jolly mood. It does remind me of Not Fair kind of, but it's as good.
Rating: 8/10
Fuck You (Guess Who Batman):
So everybody who knows me well... knows that I love Lily's songs! I sing them anywhere, anytime. Even when the teacher is pulling her hair out. This album really fails to disappoint and I bought the first album, and I was impressed. When I learned that she had a second album, I listened to the first single, which was this and... I wasn't really... into it. To be honest, the first time I heard the album, I was like: Is this Allen for real?! Then, when I listened to the album, giving it another go, I appreciated this song VERY MUCH. Anti-GWB? Check. Anti-nerdstryingtobecool? Check. Good beat? Check. Funny lyrics? Totally Lily!
Rating: 8.5/10
Who'd Have Known: This song is the BEST! Out of everything on this album. That's saying a lot because this masterpiece of an album is the one I listen to the most. Okay, I admit I do listen to Breaking Benjamin and Avril a bit more often but what hte hell? From the friend-to-lovers lyrics that could suit just about any relationship on TV nowadays to the breathtaking beats and excellent vocals, this is a must! The music video is kind of... weird, and I appreciate Lily for doing something like that, but the song is just too good for that. When I did hear that the chorus was taken from Shine by Take That, I was disappointed, but that didn't stop me from singing it. (Take That is also awesome, and English too)
Rating: 9.5/10
Chinese: When I browsed at the album's song titles, I was kind of afraid that the song would be racist towards Chinese people and maybe Asians in general. But I was wrong. Dead wrong. It was actually the opposite with it being about motherly love and about "getting a Chinese" which is a British slang for ordering Chinese food, I guess. I was shocked when I first heard the lyrics along with the instruments that came with it. It isn't what you define pop music with nowadays. It's different. It's unique. It's Lily Allen. Rating: 9/10
Him: This song is about God Himself. This was kind of... relaxing. You won't get amazed by anything. It was just good. Not bad. Just good. I expected more from Lily, but what can you do with a boring melody that doesn't pick-up in the middle? Oh well, I guess I get used to those kinds of songs. Curse the radios. I do give it credit though for the addictive chorus but other than that, there is one more line I like: "I don't imagine He's ever been suicidal / His favourite band is Creedence Clearwater Revival"
Rating: 7/10
He Wasn't There: This is it. The album main event. The closer. Once again, the closer has been a song about somebody from Lily's family (last time was Alfie, which was about her brother) and this time, it was about her dad. This song was kind of a disappointment, especially when it comes up after loads of great songs. However, I do love it for what it is: its simple lyrics that come into a great happy tune. I heard that this was all sarcasm? If it is, then I would believe it. It's Lily Allen after all.
Rating: 8/10
OVERALL: It's Not Me, It's You is probably the best out of all the pop albums that came during the 2008 year, and all tracks may have been big hits since I can see them being radio-friendly. Lily Allen proves to us that she's not all humor and comedy, and she's grown-up now. She's definitely matured. You can see it on her lyrics. If you didn't like everything at your first hearing, give it another try. I did, and I loved it! Try it and you'll see the pop beast that is Lily Allen. Both of her albums are definitely better than whatever Katy put out.
