2015 SummerSlam Predictions

After five weeks, the WWE Network will finally get another main roster pay-per-view event when SummerSlam airs live on the 23rd of August from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. "The Biggest Event of the Summer" now can bolster that claim, for WWE has decided to extend the broadcast time to four hours, a time slot that has only ever been given to WrestleMania. In addition to the duration of the event, a predicted TEN matches are set to be on the card, that of course being highlighted by Brock Lesnar vs The Undertaker, but as Brandon Galvin of RingRustRadio once said, we'll get to that. Let's jump into the card.

Dolph Ziggler (with Lana) vs Rusev (with Summer Rae)
What is predicted to be the relegated to the obligatory pre show match, Dolph Ziggler is yet again looking to steal the show. He returned to Raw this past Monday after weeks of Rusev running his mouth and disrespecting his girlfriend, Lana. Albeit, not really anyone knows what he is saying with his hooligan scream/Russian/Bulgarian noise he makes. The Ravishing Russian, though, has picked up her own beef with Rusev's female counterpart Summer Rae, calling her a "wannabe Lana". Summer Rae responded with stuff along the lines of Lana being upset just because she is jealous that Summer is with her old man. In terms of in-ring work this should be a good match. Dolph can work with pretty much anyone and Rusev is extremely agile on his feet for being such a big guy. Since it is Ziggler's first match in a month or so, having a face win to start off the night is never a bad idea, but in terms of advancement of any storyline moving forward with Ziggler/Rusev, or even Lana/Summer, the heels would likely have to pick up a win.

Winner: Dolph Ziggler

Team Bella (The Bella Twins and Alicia Fox) vs Team PCB (Paige, Charlotte, and Becky Lynch) vs Team B.A.D. ["Beautiful and Dangerous"] (Naomi, Tamina Snuka, and Sasha Banks) in a Divas Triple Threat Elimination Match
In an angle which has been labeled a "Divas Revolution", nine female wrestlers will get a legitimate match to showcase their abilities. Backed by Stephanie McMahon, this "Revolution" features three former Divas champs, the current one, and the NXT Women's Champion (as of now until her match with Bailey the night before... *wink wink*). With none of these titles being on the line, it makes for an interesting booking decision for the higher-ups of the company: do you have the face anti-Diva team win? The heels? The veterans that can't decide whether they are faces or heels? With all of those questions, and countless heel/face turns possible, the one saving grace of the match is the stipulation: whoever gets pinned, their whole team is eliminated. What I think is most likely to happen, is Team PCB is going to pin either Brie or Alicia Fox for the win. Tamina would've taken the pinfall earlier in the match to have Team B.A.D. eliminated. This way the champion, Nikki, doesn't look so bad in the loss and Sasha Banks can catch a break as well following her title match (still winking). Multiple wrestlers from each team will shine in this format, since everyone will be involved some way or another, especially Paige and Charlotte. And as always, Tamina will be a nonfactor.

Winners: Team PCB (Paige, Charlotte, and Becky Lynch)

Kevin Owens vs Cesaro

If you like Indy wrestling, this is your match. Two former Pro Wrestling Guerrilla competitors square off in the WWE for the first time on pay-per-view. As far as a technical wrestling match goes, not only does this match have a very high chance of being the best one of the night, it very well could be the best match all year. Knowing these two have extensive careers dating before their time in the WWE, the intensity of this match will be crazy, and a usually hostile New York crowd will love this contest. For the past few weeks Kevin Owens has walked out of matches with his reasoning being they are not worth his time. Cesaro, who's undergoing a long overdue face turn, has since called out Kevin Owens for said walk outs and tells him it is disrespectful to the WWE Universe. The promo work here has been alright, since Cesaro is a 5/10 in the mic skills category, but we all know what a good in-ring worker he is, so we get the gist of what he's going for. I'm excited to see where this angle will go after this match. A clean finish win will help propel Cesaro back into the US Championship hunt and work his way to the main event scene as a workhorse, but on the other hand, Kevin Owens cannot take yet another pay-per-view loss. He is on a two match PPV slide as of late thanks to John Cena, so using that as aggression towards Cesaro could lend itself right into the hands of the great heel that Owens is.

Winner: Kevin Owens

Neville and Stephen Amell vs Stardust and King Barrett

I couldn't be less excited for this match. The outcome is more predictable than the sun rising tomorrow. Barrett should change his name to King Jobber because now all of a sudden he is inserting himself into a Neville/Stardust feud per a loss on Raw or something? Anyways, Neville will be working basically this whole match until he hits the Red Arrow on Stardumb and tags in the Green one for the win. With poor build up over the last few weeks, the comic book aspect of Neville being a "hero" is going to waste. One good thing that can be taken away from this storyline is the fan art they showed on Raw. The stuff was really well done and with the right build, it could've meant something. Hopefully this is the end of this angle and the Stardust character for that matter. Cody was much better... oh and the King thing really isn't working either.

Winner: Neville and Stephen Amell

One of the sample fan art pieces done by Danny Hass featuring "The Arrow" Stephen Amell vs Stardust.

The Prime Time Players (c) vs Los Matadores vs The Lucha Dragons vs The New Day in a Fatal Four-way for the Tag Team Titles

Vince just must love mulit-team tag matches. Or maybe it's the fact that their are no legitimate teams in the tag team division besides the New Day. Either way, this match is a bathroom break for me. There's not much I'm really looking for in this one besides The New Day picking up the win and the Lucha Dragons gaining some credibility through some acrobatic spots. In a dream scenario, after the match and a New Day win, NXT stars Enzo and Cass' music hits and they come out to the ring and point at the titles setting up a feud for the two groups. Since they are not being given a chance to compete really at all for Blake and Murph's NXT Tag Team Titles, it would make a whole world of sense for them to get a main roster debut in the city from which their characters get their edge. As mentioned earlier, look for some fun spots from Lucha Dragons and probably the Matadors. Both of these teams have done well in this format of a match before and won't be effected storyline-wise by taking a loss since they don't have much direction anyway. That being said, New Day rocks.

Winner: The New Day

Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns vs Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper

Two thirds from each of last year's Elimination Chamber competitors will step into the ring and hopefully end the Reigns/Wyatt feud that has been brewing for the last month. What started as a 1v1 scenario escalated over the course of "Ordinary Time" between the two PPVs. Bray opened the feud by costing Reigns the Money in the Bank ladder match and sending cryptic messages towards him the next few nights on TV. Wyatt used pictures of Reign's daughter in early promos and really seemed to walk the thin line of reality well, using the "anyone but you" montra. Since Roman Reigns is terrible on the mic, his rebuttal promos were weak at best, screwing himself and Wyatt out of what started as a good feud. I hate being so critical of such a gifted athlete and the obvious future of the company, but he doesn't bring really anything to the table in that category. To counter that, WWE Creative injects Luke Harper back into the Wyatt Family, forcing Reigns to call on his Shield brother Dean Ambrose to even the odds. Luckily for Reigns and Wyatt, both Ambrose and Harper are GREAT in the ring and will make up for the deficiencies in that area their teammates present come SummerSlam. A scenario I was thinking about was yet another former Family member get involved and ultimately interrupting the match: Erick Rowan. His goofy character change from silent enforcer to Rubik's cube guy from last year's Survivor Series event was good for short time, but since he has not been featured on television for months, it would be a great surprise return. If that were the case, the match would be over, but a 3-on-2 attack from the Family to what's left of the Shield would be just enough to bring out The Rock. Yup, the Great One. Roman Reigns was interviewed on Fox Sports' show "The Buzz" with Jimmy Traina and when asked about whether the fans in Brookyln (and live on the Network) will get to be "electrified". After slight hesitation, Reigns responded with, "I wanna tell you, but I don't want to give anything away." That being said, I think its more than likely we see Reigns, Ambrose, and the Rock laying the Smackdown together at SummerSlam.
Winner: Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose by DQ

Ryback (c) vs The Big Show vs The Miz in an Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat Match
Surprisingly enough, the creative team hasn't screwed this one up even with the champion out for a few weeks with a staph infection. Ryback, the current Intercontinental Champion, is trying to give the title some credibility after it essentially turned into a jobber's title and being completely irrelevant. The Miz and Big Show have definitely done their part on the mic to progress the storyline through taking shots at Ryback on MizTV and commentary segments. As far as technical wrestling goes, you really won't see much, even though the Miz does do a pretty good job at it. Just as the announcers have been suspecting on air, it is most likely that the Miz will let Ryback and Big Show go to work on each other and slither in for a win late in the match. Such a heel move, right? At least a Skull Crushing Finale would get a pop.
Winner: The Miz

Randy Orton vs Sheamus
What seems to be the 400th match between these guys has been hyped minimally. With both of them being involved in tag team matches with guys like Kevin Owens and Cesaro, it felt like this match was forced out of the picture. Orton, would love to get a win over Sheamus here because he has cost him singles matches throughout the past few weeks. What makes Sheamus' position in this match interesting though, is the Money in the Bank briefcase which he won at the MitB PPV back in July. It has been rumored that there may be a cash in by the end of Sunday night. With Sheamus' heart not fully invested in the match with Orton, he very well could walk out like we have seen him and Kevin Owens do recently. But as always, I would love to see an RKO. Preferably out of nowhere.
Winner: Randy Orton by countout

John Cena (c) vs Seth Rollins (c) in a "Winner Take All" Title For Title Match
This title vs title setup allows the WWE Universe to find out whether Seth Rollins has what it takes to go up against "Big Match" John, who is in position for his record-tying 16th World Title. Cena has elevated the United States Title back to relevance in the past couple of months thanks to great matches in his open challenges on Raw with the likes of Neville, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn. Even Stardust gave John Cena a run for his money. Seth Rollins, on the other hand, has been booked poorly, and ran extensive promos to start the show for like five weeks straight.
Neither man really wants the other's title though, they just want to shut the other one up. Kind of a funny approach to a main event caliber match, but it works in this angle being that John Cena has been content with his US Championship. When the bell rings, Seth will be on the offensive, looking to go after Cena's broken nose. Even though John is medically cleared, we all know it has a big target on it, ever since Rollins broke it on Raw three weeks ago.

The in-ring work is going to be great in this match. John Cena will continue to pull out all of the tricks (hopefully will do a stunner right) and continue to impress the doubters, putting the "5 Moves of Doom" rumor to rest. I would love to see Rollins try and copy some of Cena's signatures and finishers as it would go hand-in-hand with his new "U Can't See Knee" t-shirt. For an outcome of this match, I don't see either man taking home a victory. Its hard to look up and down the card and see a scenario of four matches having false finishes, but if thats what it takes to progress a storyline, I'll take it. After either a loss or disqualification to Randy Orton earlier in the night, I think Sheamus will head to the ring, briefcase in tow, double-disqualifing the competitors, and cashing in the contract on Seth Rollins, becoming the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. This allows both guys a way out. It gives Cena an opportunity to go back to US Title challenges and putting over a younger talent and Seth Rollins to feud with Sheamus/The Authority as an anti-hero face (kinda like CM Punk, just not as cool, obviously). I threw in the Authority as a possible opponent because it would be a great change of pace to have Triple H disown Rollins and accept Sheamus as the new "it guy" for the Authority. This could start out as 1v1 Seth vs Sheamus feud and escalate to a HHH versus Seth Rollins match at WrestleMania. Pretty crazy right? But that is really far in the future and for now we have to worry about whether John Cena's nose will stay intact during this match or not.
Winner: N/A (no contest as a result of double-DQ from Sheamus)

Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) vs The Undertaker
The Beast vs the Phenom. A WrestleMania moment turned into a sold out SummerSlam. To look at this feud, a wrestling fan must suspend disbelief. We know this is fifteen months overdue. We know Undertaker already avenged his WrestleMania streak (kinda?). We know this probably was a "Plan B" option for Vince. But we also know Undertaker was concussed for the majority of the match at 'Mania and if you think Brock Lesnar is going to go easy on a guy EVER... than you just don't know Brock Lesnar. What makes Lesnar so great is he approaches WWE as if it was UFC. Even though he knows the outcome to the match before it begins, he lives his character. That's what makes him so believable. The ability to do so is practically unrivalved in the company... outside of maybe the Undertaker. When given the death and destruction angle back in 1990, he ran with it. Mark Calaway truly is the Undertaker. To get at what I was saying earlier, we are going to put away any false notion that this won't be a brutal match. We are going to see Undertaker get beat up. Really badly. It is likely he suffers another concussion thanks to the plethora of suplexes that will be handed to him. Plus I hope to God 'Taker's knees hold up, because seeing him pick up Brock for those tombstones looked rough.
Another aspect of this match that is necessary to examine is the roles these guys are playing. Brock Lesnar is the face. I think? It is hard to tell because so many people love the Undertaker, even though he gave Brock two low blows, a classic heel move. For Lesnar to take a loss, on his limited schedule, it would create another opportunity to go away from television for a little while, and return around the Royal Rumble where he can pick up and start new with someone else (the Rock maybe?). If he were to gain a clean pinfall win, he could boast he beat the Undertaker for good and can turn his attention back to Seth Rollins if he is still holding the title. Countless possibilites, but it is shaping up to be a match "Too Big For WrestleMania" no matter how you look at it.
Winner: Brock Lesnar

Lesnar and 'Taker are in the match of their lives come Sunday night.

SummerSlam is available for purchase on pay-per-view and the WWE Network on Sunday, August 23, 2015. Like my picks? Don't? Tweet at me @simon18williams and @SBCHive to get a conversation going. Who knows, by the time you tweet me, Big Show may have turned face again.

"Hollywood" to Hollywood Just Might Work

If anyone was to tell me before the season started that Cole Hamels was going to be traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, I would've had to do a double-take. Not necessarily because seeing the ace of one of the worst teams in baseball leave to play for a contender would shock me to any degree, but more so the elite level of caliber the contender's rotation would be. Kershaw, Greinke, and Hamels. All are number one starters for any team in the majors, and this trio is somewhat similar on paper to a 2011 Phillies team that boasted a Roy Halladay/Cliff Lee/Cole Hamels rotation.
The Phillies-Dodgers exchange seems logical on all angles, especially when the focal point of the deal is Cole Hamels. The lefty has a proven track record with playoff experience. In thirteen postseason games he has seven wins (BaseballReference.com), and the Dodgers, who are in "Win Now" mode, desperately need somebody reliable to call on come October. Also Hamels brings to the table a contract which a team can work with. He signed a seven-year deal in 2012 which carries him to 2018 with a team option for 2019 worth 159 million dollars. Having been a few years already into his current deal, the Dodgers would owe him around 79 million over the course of two and a half years. Now, most teams would cringe at the extensive amounts of dollars and the reported "high asking price" from Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., but Los Angeles, as most of us would imagine, is how do I put it... financially secure and they have some prospects that could suit the Phillies' needs.
One minor leaguer that comes to mind is catcher Julian Leon, of the Dodgers' single-A affiliate, the Great Lakes Loons. Leon, currently in his first full season with the Loons, is batting .204 with a .255 on base percentage. While the numbers so far don't look like a potential major league starting catcher, take into the account that he is nineteen years old, so ceiling is high for this prospect. Noted by MiLB.com has having "natural power to all fields" and "plus raw arm strength", Leon is expected to arrive in the Big Leagues by 2018. The Phillies, in comparison, have a starting catcher in Carlos Ruiz that they are perfectly fine with for now. He is aging though, being thirty-six, and with declining numbers, a long-term replacement is necessary. Leon, as mentioned earlier, has the capability of being a starting catcher, and being ranked eleventh in the Dodgers' farm system shows that the team holds high regard for him. You can see an example of Leon's power being shown off from a game from last year with the Ogden Raptors, a Dodgers' short season affiliate.

Another player rumored to be involved with a Cole Hamels deal is Yasiel Puig. A player who has shown the abilities a team would look for in a star, his locker room presence is what most people have cited as being the reason he is brought up in discussion. Local Philadelphia sports radio hosts tossed the idea of Puig coming to the Phillies and the general perception was positive from the fans, but almost every one of them came to the general consensus that a team that is rebuilding around young players should be cautious about bringing in a guy with "baggage", per say. Keep in mind, the Dodgers did trade starting center fielder Matt Kemp to the in-division rival San Diego Padres, so moving big names is not of concern to the team. The Phillies can only benefit from adding Puig to the roster, for they would get a major boost to the outfield offensively and defensively. Just watch his highlight tape and you will understand why the glove of Yasiel Puig can marvel the fans.

All in all, Cole Hamels to the Dodgers can bring both teams success in the future. LA would snag an ace for this year and years following and with Hamels' recent no-hitter, The Phillies could get three top prospects and a player like Yasiel Puig in return for the left hander. Even though there are some teams possibly in the mix for the three-time All Star, Cole Hamels would be best suited in Dodger blue.

Round Table Talk Episode 3

Three shows in six nights? Might as well call them the Chicago Blackhawks of sports podcasting! Simon, Brock, and Ari keep the latter hours of the night fun with yet another upbeat episode of Round Table Talk live via Google+ Hangouts on Simon's YouTube channel. The guys continue to talk NBA free agency (with a special guest appearance) and wrap up the show with MLB All Star Game predictions and analysis. Remember to subscribe to the channel and check back here for more from the squad. Follow them on twitter to talk about the show or just talk sports! Oh, and if you like Star Wars shoes, this is the episode for you.

Round Table Talk Episode 2

Just when you thought you could catch a break from the RTT crew, they drop another video! This second installment of Round Table Talk starts with a continuation of the previous episode's topics, the NBA Draft and Free Agency. In the midst of the pro football offseason, Russell Wilson has emerged in the conversation over his contract and whether or not he should be given a twenty-five million dollar extension. Also currently going on is a terrible baseball season in Philadelphia. With each loss, Phillies fans grow restless and demand change. The RTT squad touches on this and what the signing of Andy MacPhail as president for 2016 and beyond would mean for the organization. Finally, the ESPYs are around the corner, and the guys hit on the category Breakthrough Athlete of the Year and debate on who should win this award. Stay connected in with the boys on twitter by following and tweeting any questions you have to them! Follow Brock @brock_evan28, Chris @moosethatbull, Ari @arithesavage, and Simon @simon18williams. Your questions can get read on air! See the podcasts live streaming on Simon's YouTube channel, and make sure you keep checking out the Hive for the latest from the team.

Round Table Talk Episode 1

Tonight was the first edition of Round Table Talk, a live video podcast talking sports. Hosted by myself, I bring in good friends Brock Landes and Chris Brown to talk all things NBA from draft review to free agency. You can find the videos live streaming via Google Hangouts on my YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/SimonHWilliams) or here on the Hive. Stay tuned for more Round Table Talk!

John's Jargon: 15th Edition

John’s Jargon

From Professional Wrestling to Baseball and Everything In-Between

WrestleMania XXXI Predictions

By John Napolitano

Seven months ago I wrote my inaugural John’s Jargon column, which featured my predictions for, in my opinion, the hottest, no pun intended, pay-per-view of 2014, SummerSlam. When one revisits that iconic card, the first thing that stands out is that from top to bottom the night was stacked with high profile match after high profile match. From Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins squaring of in a lumberjack match, to Paige and AJ Lee furthering their celebrated rivalry, and all the way to John Cena losing to Brock Lesnar in dramatic fashion for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. I challenge someone to find a more succinctly superb show in recent memory, but I digress. After the “Biggest Party of the Summer” concluded, this hashtag heel ended the night four for four in predictions. I’ll be the first one to admit that was not my best work in the prediction department; however, I consider it a testament to the shock value and entertainment quality of the phenomenal show we were given.

Fast-forward 283 days later and the WWE Universe is presented with an equally, if not more, promising card that is WrestleMania XXXI. The 2015 Road to WrestleMania has followed the trend of years past in that it’s had plenty of ups and its fair share of downs. Gone are the days, so it seems, of a full-fledged creative bull rush from the Royal Rumble to the “Showcase of the Immortals.” The Road to WrestleMania is complete with a lot more bumps and detours than is suitable for my taste. I don’t want to completely discredit this year’s build to WrestleMania. Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Paul Heyman, Triple H, and especially Sting have done an incredible job of hyping up WrestleMania XXXI. The card is shaping up to be one of the most memorable in recent years. The execution of each matchup will be instrumental in having the show go off without a hitch, but who will be on top of the mountain when the clock strikes midnight on March 29, 2015? Here are my predictions for the show of shows, WrestleMania XXXI.

R-Truth vs. Luke Harper vs. Stardust vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Bad News Barrett in an Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match

Kicking off the show should be the multi-man Intercontinental Championship ladder match. This match will be key in setting the tone for the show and starting the night off on a high note. Expect stellar performances from Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler, and Daniel Bryan, as they are always looking to steal the show. It’s fair to say that R-Truth and Luke Harper will put on some great action but are ultimately nonfactors in the potential title change. I would add Stardust to that list of nonfactors, but I foresee a possible angle where he wins the strap and battles over it with his brother, Goldust, in the coming months. The final combatant to make mention of is the Intercontinental Champion and my pick to win, Bad News Barrett. My main reasoning for picking Barrett to successfully retain his title is that in this game of hot potato that the participants have been playing over the Intercontinental Championship in last several weeks, BNB has been highly overlooked. No one expects him to retain the strap. Add in the fact that he’s only held the gold for a little over two months, and he seems like an obvious favorite to me. Wade Barrett has yet to have a WrestleMania victory, much less a WrestleMania moment in his career. If he is to remain a valued member of the WWE roster, I suggest you give him one this Sunday.

Predicted Winner: Bad News Barrett

The 2^nd Annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

As far as the second annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, I’m less than thrilled that it’s making a return at WrestleMania XXXI. I assumed that the match was going to be special to WrestleMania XXX as a means of honoring Andre at the thirtieth installment of an event he helped build. Don’t get me wrong; I’m all in favor for giving as many people as possible a WrestleMania payday, and this is the perfect to way to get everyone on the card. My main issue with this bout is that it means absolutely nothing. Sure, a win’s a win, especially on the “Grandest Stage of them All.” But last year’s winner, Cesaro, gained absolutely no momentum after his victory. In fact, he lost traction and began to fade into obscurity. If I’m correct, the trophy that was awarded to Cesaro was shattered the next night on Monday Night Raw, and the “Swiss Superman” hasn’t mentioned the incident since. Despite the obvious flaws with the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, it will be an advantageous means of calming down the crowd and preparing the WWE Universe for the next high profile match. I predict that we’ll see an entertaining encounter between The Miz and Damien Mizdow, a good showing from Curtis Axel, and the win from the “Big Guy,” Ryback.

Predicted Winner: Ryback

           

John Cena vs. Rusev for the United States Championship

One of the more personal matchups that is set to take place this Sunday is the newly turned mid-carder, John Cena, versus the “Bulgarian Brute” and United States Champion, Rusev. Many a mark claim that the outcome of this match is set in stone, and John Cena is, without a doubt, walking out of Levi’s Stadium with the United States Championship. More importantly, it appears that Cena may hand Rusev his first official loss by way of pin fall or submission. Tellingly enough, the same people who claim that Cena will be victorious on Sunday are the same people who didn’t give Brock Lesnar a chance last year against the Undertaker. Look how that turned out. I’m not saying that it’s completely out of the realm of possibility that John Cena defeats Rusev at WrestleMania XXXI. If history has taught us anything it’s that John Cena is the perfect man to completely derail someone’s momentum and send them into obscurity (i.e. Umaga). This might come across as naïveté, but I just don’t believe that the shot callers of World Wrestling Entertainment would give the face of their company a pointless United States Title victory over a young, hungry Rusev. Cena’s at the point in his career where he has cemented his legacy as one of, if not, the greatest WWE Superstar of all-time. His current role has less to do with amassing victories on the grand stage and more to do with giving back to the young bucks of tomorrow. If the creative team steers clear of their short-term memory loss, they’ll remember that Bray Wyatt’s loss to Cena last year didn’t do his character any good. It would be even more detrimental to Rusev if he were to lose to Cena at this juncture. Plus, imagine the magic an undefeated Rusev could create with a certain “Beast Incarnate.” I predict that Rusev defeats John Cena and retains his United States Championship at WrestleMania XXXI.

Predicted Winner: Rusev

Seth Rollins vs. Randy Orton

         The matchup that is going to steal the show, in my opinion, is the highly anticipated clash between the “Viper” Randy Orton and “Mr. Money in the Bank” Seth Rollins. These warriors have history dating back to June 2^nd of last year when Rollins abandoned the S.H.I.E.L.D. and joined the ranks of the Authority. The iconic image of Triple H embracing both Orton and Rollins on that fateful night acted as a perfect ironical foreshadowing of the implosion that would take place later that year in November. Seth Rollins, with the help of the Authority, would turn on Randy Orton and take him out of action for three months. The footage of Rollins curb stomping the “Apex Predator” on the steel steps, as disturbing as it might be, was all it took to get the WWE Universe excited for their inevitable confrontation. When Orton returned at WWE Fastlane in February, everyone assumed that he would stop at nothing to get his hands on his assailant. But he managed to lure Rollins in and gain his trust before ultimately flying of the hinges and decimating the “Undisputed Future of the WWE.” The beating that took place on Monday Night Raw when Orton finally pounced on Rollins was one of the most graphic scenes to ever be showcased on WWE programming. Seemingly, that was just an appetizer for the ever-hungry “Viper.” The only way to truly shut the mouth of the treacherous turncoat and suckling sellout is to pin him on the grand stage. These two talented technicians have undeniable chemistry. The in-ring action will be as smooth as it will be brutal. When WrestleMania XXXI is said and done, I predict Randy Orton will stand victorious over his double-crossing rival, Seth Rollins.

Predicted Winner: Randy Orton

Triple H vs. Sting

Without a shadow of a doubt, the program between the “Game” Triple H and the “Icon” Sting has been the best-built feud on the Road to WrestleMania. When Sting debuted in the WWE at the 2014 Survivor Series and cost Triple H his authority, pun intended, I, like many others, was not thrilled with the idea of them doing battle at WrestleMania. I was much more partial to the idea of Sting and Undertaker meeting at the show of shows in a picture-perfect dream match. It was still amazing to see Sting at Survivor Series, and I was just happy that he had finally made his way to the WWE. When Sting debuted on Monday Night Raw this past January and assisted John Cena in sticking it to the Authority, I was on board with the idea of he and Triple H clashing at WrestleMania. After their physical encounter at WWE Fastlane, I could not wait to see these legends go toe to toe. The WWE Universe will be white hot for this match and for good reason. This program has not disappointed once on the Road to WrestleMania. I know better than to bet against the Stinger. I predict he’ll defeat Triple H in a phenomenal match.

Predicted Winner: Sting

AJ Lee & Paige vs. The Bella Twins

            Many of you may not be expecting much with this Divas tag-team bout. Nothing in recent memory should give you any reason to be excited about a Divas match at WrestleMania. I’ve ordered every WrestleMania on pay-per-view (with the exception of WrestleMania XXVII) since WrestleMania XXIII in 2007. I can’t remember a single show where I have not gotten up to use the bathroom or get a snack when the women came on. I plan to change that this year. I will watch every second of this Divas match, as I predict that the action will be amplified tenfold at WrestleMania XXXI. The hashtag Give Divas a Chance has been making its rounds on social media, and the McMahon regime has promised that the ladies will be given more action and more screen time, as they should be. These four women are extremely talented and have the potential to create magic in that squared circle. Since AJ Lee and Paige have always been a combustible tandem, I predict that the Bella Twins will come out victorious.

Predicted Winner: The Bella Twins

Bray Wyatt vs. The Undertaker

            Who will be the “Face of Fear” when the final bell tolls? That’s a great question. To be perfectly honest, I don’t know if I can answer it. This has got to be the toughest match to predict on the card. I never thought I would see the day that the Undertaker would be defeated at WrestleMania, let alone make a return to the ring the following year. In a perfect world, the Undertaker would have retired after stealing the show with Triple H at WrestleMania XXVIII and improving to 20-0 on the grand stage. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world, and all things must come to an end, even the undefeated streak of the “Phenom” at WrestleMania. Now that the “Deadman” is 21-1 at WrestleMania, there’s no telling what could happen when he takes on the “Eater of Worlds,” Bray Wyatt. Wyatt has done an impeccable job of hyping this match with no physicality and on his own, no less. This is the first time in 15 years that the Undertaker has been absent from the Road to WrestleMania, but Bray has still managed to make their impending encounter feel equally as epic as any other match on the card. I have gained unlimited respect for Wyatt, as his promos and long-winded rants are legitimate works of art. Bray Wyatt has been on the role of his career, and back-to-back losses at WrestleMania could severely damage his character. The match itself won’t be a five-star classic, but it will host seamless storytelling from bell to bell. As much as I love Wyatt, I just can’t picture the Undertaker losing two years in a row. I’ve got the Undertaker reclaiming his yard at WrestleMania XXXI and beating the self-appointed “New Face of Fear,” Bray Wyatt.

Predicted Winner: The Undertaker

Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

            I don’t know if there has ever been a more controversially reached main event than the one presented at WrestleMania XXXI: Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar. Legions of fans have expressed their lack of excitement in seeing Roman Reigns, the newly turned singles star, compete in the main event of WrestleMania. This Sunday will be Roman Reigns’ third one-on-one match at a pay-per-view. He’s never spent as much as one second in the mid-card, much less held a mid-card title. Ever since the disbanding of the S.H.I.E.L.D., Roman Reigns has been groomed to be the next megastar of the WWE. Roman Reigns, a white meat babyface, won the 2015 Royal Rumble in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the biggest chorus of boos I’ve ever heard. If one takes all of these factors into account, it’s no wonder Reigns leaves a less than favorable taste in the mouths of the WWE Universe. Brock Lesnar has been on the role of his career over the last year. He’s defeated the Undertaker and John Cena one more than one occasion in dramatic fashion. Lesnar has never played the badass heel role so perfectly. He also just signed a multimillion-dollar contract extension with World Wrestling Entertainment, to many a fan’s delight. What’s not to like about the “Beast Incarnate?” I have a feeling that the atmosphere will be very unusual in Levi’s Stadium this Sunday, as Brock Lesnar will likely reap the admiration of everyone in attendance. Roman Reigns will be lucky if he gets a pop at all. That’s been my biggest concern on this Road to WrestleMania; the man who may very likely dethrone Brock Lesnar isn’t widely loved or widely hated. The WWE Universe just feels indifferent towards him. It’s become status quo for the WWE Universe to sit on their hands during any segment having to do with Roman Reigns. The purpose of being an in-ring performer is to elicit a response from the audience, and he has difficulty doing that. I don’t hate Roman Reigns. I think he’s an extremely gifted athlete who would be much better off main-eventing WrestleMania XXXII. There’s no one to fault except for whoever decided that Roman Reigns was ready to close WrestleMania XXXI. I have thought of every possible outcome that could take place this Sunday. In my pondering, I came up with a scenario that might sound like a stretch at first; however, it’s as likely as any other ending to the “Showcase of the Immortals.” I predict that somehow, someway Roman Reigns will best Brock Lesnar and claim the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. In a fit of rage, Brock Lesnar will decimate the new champ. Lesnar’s actions will be met by the music of a certain “Great One.” The Rock will come to Reigns’ aide and sideline the “Beast Incarnate.” Just as Roman Reigns begins to celebrate his title victory, cue the music of Seth Rollins. Rollins will come down to the ring and cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase on the vulnerable champion. In a quick three-minute spar, Seth Rollins will pin Roman Reigns and become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. The headlines will read, “Rollins Reigns Supreme.”

Predicted Winner: Roman Reigns

99 Problems but a W isn't One

    While the Knicks continue to trudge along in the debacle of a season this one was, one thing stands out to me like a sore thumb with this team. Melo needs to go. Plain and simple. Phil Jackson recently made the worst trade imaginable by ridding J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert. Those two guys could have been the foundation to building a better team in the 15-16 season. But no. Phil Jackson needed to clear cap space immediately it seems like. Well Phil, if I were in your shoes, here's what I would have done differently.

    1. Keep Shumpert. He was the best defensive player the Knicks had, and was still on his rookie contract. Yes he is injured, but he could have been the building block for success for this potentially up and coming Knicks team. But no. Knicks need the cap space NOW! Losing Shumpert and Smith dumped $20 million in luxury and salary tax, which makes $35 million available for free agent shopping this summer. Lamarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Kawhi Leonard, and DeAndre Jordan are just some of the names they can pursue this summer.

    2. Trade Melo. Jesus god almighty. As much as I love Melo, HE NEEDS TO GO! All he's doing right now is taking up cap space! With Shumpert and Smith gone, there's no one for Melo to work with. So keeping Melo means that he'll take all the work onto his shoulders, make all the other players un happy and un willing to play with him. On top of that, he's injured. Melo has a 5 year contract, for $124 million through 2018. A team like the Hawks, with the most cap space in the league, can maneuver some players around and make a big trade to acquire Melo, and send some players to New York. Someone like Paul Millsap and Kyle Korver would help the Knicks out substantially.

    3. Play for 1st (pick). Let's be real here. With a 10-45 record as of February 24th, there's nothing left to look forward to for the Knicks besides 1st pick in the draft. By doing that, they can build and get younger. Jahil Okafor or Emmanuel Mudiay can help the Knicks tremendously

    4. Make a splash in the Free Agent Pool. How about some fresh talent in NY huh? It seemed to work when the Knicks brought in Carmelo, Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler in back in 2010. If I was in Jacksons shoes, and Melo was already traded, the first thing I would look for is the SF position. Guys like Luol Deng or a Kawhi Leonard (at the right price) could serve great in NY as Anthony's replacement. The next desperatley needed position would be Center. With the power forward position potentially locked down with Cleanthony Early in the D league, the Center would be the next need for the Knicks. If we're going to be honest, the Knicks haven't had a reliable center since Patrick Ewing in the 80's and 90's. A reliable guy like Omer Asik, who is great on defense, and scores when he needs to is just what they need. Or, if the room is there, Lamarcus Aldridge or DeAndre Jordan will be potentially shopping for new teams.

   This Knicks franchise needs a complete revitalization. Phil Jackson needs to realize that the way he has constructed this team is not fit for winning more than 20 games in a season. Getting Shumpert back, trading or dumping Melo, building through the draft and shopping for Free Agents will help this team take a 180 degree turn talent wise, and maybe even record wise. Lord knows they could use it. 

John's Jargon: 14th Edition

John’s Jargon

From Professional Wrestling to Baseball and Everything In-Between

Bubba’s Bounce Back?

What’s Next For Bully Ray?

By John Napolitano

Is there anyone out there who remembers Bully Ray? Strike that. In the words of Bully himself, “Do you know who he is?” Of course I am talking about the innovator of the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match, the 25-time World Tag-Team Champion, and the first ballot hall of famer, Bubba Ray Dudley. Whether you recognize him as the viciously, vitriolic villain Bully Ray, or as Bubba Ray Dudley, one half of, arguably, the greatest tag-team of all time, you definitely noticed him when he blew the roof off of the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia this past Sunday at the Royal Rumble. Bubba Ray was the number three entrant in the 2015 Royal Rumble matchup, and he shocked the entire world as he appeared on WWE programming for the first time in nearly a decade. If you have seen his latest interviews or follow him on twitter, you should know that he is elated to be back with the company and even referred to the WWE as his “home.” As farfetched as that comment may be, the WWE Universe is certainly delighted to have Bubba back in our midst. But will this one off appearance lead to a full or part-time run with World Wrestling Entertainment? Unfortunately, I would imagine that the suits of WWE’s upper management are not aware of Bubba’s work in TNA as Bully Ray and will likely reunite him with his half brother Devon Dudley somewhere down the line. Don’t get me wrong. I, like many members of the WWE Universe, would love to see a Team 3D reunion. But at a time when there is such a glaring lack of heels in World Wrestling Entertainment, who better to take the reigns than Bubba “Bully” Ray Dudley?

Bully Ray was one of the greatest villainous characters in TNA history; now that may not carry much weight with some of you, but his mic work and in-ring skills were second to none when he eventually broke out in TNA. For the entirety of his career, he was known as one half of Team 3D, but Bully Ray really turned heads when he proved that he did not need to be type casted as a tandem wrestler and could cut it on his own. His condescending and egocentric mannerisms were what made him an utterly despicable figure, and that persona is very much needed in WWE today. Bad News Barrett, Rusev, Big Show, Kane, Seth Rollins, and the soon to be departing Brock Lesnar are the only noteworthy heels on the roster as of now, and no one quite has that rugged, gritty, loud-mouthed, and self-centered attitude that Bully Ray is capable of displaying on a weekly basis. His thick New York accent is sure to get under the skin of all members of the WWE Universe, and if you put him in the ring with the WWE’s best and brightest, he is sure to give you one hell of a match.

If he were to start a full-time schedule with World Wrestling Entertainment, he could have amazing bouts with current mainstays of the company, John Cena and Randy Orton. Bully Ray going over on two of the most decorated WWE Superstars of all time would give him the ultimate credibility in order to return the favor to the handful of up and comers. Imagine the clashes this legend could have with the young blood of the current WWE roster. Daniel Bryan, Dolph Zigger, and Roman Reigns could create some real in-ring magic with Bully Ray, while Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt could more than hold their own on the mic with him. These young bucks feuding with Bully Ray would give them a worthwhile program and enhance their in-ring resumés at the same time.

Bubba “Bully” Ray Dudley could be a huge asset to the WWE if he is used correctly. He is a surefire hall of famer and someone who genuinely loves this business. Hopefully, his appearance at the 2015 Royal Rumble was not his last on WWE programming. I think it is safe to say we are all ready for Bubba to bounce back into World Wrestling Entertainment.  

15 in '15 (Final 4)

After a few weeks of contemplation I have found four in college basketball teams that are on the highest watch in the new year. As a reminder, this isn't predictions of standings, or the actual Final Four predictions (those may come later), but a list of the top fifteen teams in the country that should be on the basketball fan's radar. We start off the Final Four with #4...

#4 Iowa State Cyclones
Most recently, ISU handed Kansas their first Big XII loss of the year in convincing fashion: an 86-81 victory at home where they have struggled against the Jayhawks, having two losses in their own building. What propelled them to this win was all five of the Cyclone starters collecting a double double and when they run an extremely fast-aced offense that averages the most transitional points out of any major conference, it shows. Iowa State, also the nation's leader in assists per game, took the court in an aggressive fashion the whole season, only falling to one of the best teams in my opinion, Baylor, South Carolina, and the Maryland team that has made it's mark on the B1G. A test of the team's true grit will come when they play five straight games against ranked opponents starting off with Oklahoma on the 9th of February and ending with a contest with the Baylor Bears on the 25th. Freshman Georgies Niang is one part of a triple threat poised to make some noise come March with Naz Long and Bryce Dejean-Jones, the teams top scorers. With almost the exact same PPG, minutes played, RPG, and FG%, expect these three young men to power Iowa State into the Elite 8.


#3 Arizona Wildcats
A preseason Final Four candidate, the Wildcats have been extremely determined to remain that way. After a surprising upset in Vegas to UNLV, the 'Cats rebounded for two dominating wins over rival Arizona State and Oregon. Following a loss to Oregon State, it was easy for Arizona to stick to what they did before the game against the Running Rebels and win. Early season padded games against Oakland and Cal State Northridge were not surprising, but it was nice to see competitive victories against a few ranked squads like San Diego State and a very good Gonzaga team that was extremely impressive when I saw them play last year. (Now obviously some seniors left and they added some guys, but it is pretty much the same team as last year's Maui Invitational tournament championship contender). Chester High School product, Rodae Hollis-Jefferson has proved to Arizona that he is one of the best young athletes in the country. As a sophomore, he averages a double double and is a legitimate threat at the forward position. His strength as a defender and a shooter will match up well against future Pac 12 opponent Jordan Loveridge of Utah. Personally, I see a possibility of an exit of the tournament in the Sweet 16 even though to a team like Northern Iowa but an Elite 8 birth is not out of the question.

#2 Michigan State Spartans
There are a handful of elite coaches in the business. Names like Coach K and John Calipari come to mind but MSU head coach Tom Izzo is definitely on that list of great coaches. With over twenty players in the NBA who came out of Izzo's program, his legacy in East Lansing is legitimate much like his current team's chances of a B1G Championship. Even though they have suffered six losses, only one draws a lot of concern, the L to Texas Southern at home. TSU, by the way, has a losing record and has only won three away games all year (one of which was against the Spartans). That loss shouldn't define a team, but it should be remembered and used to build off of, and that's exactly what Izzo did. Denzel Valentine and Travis Trice, two of the leaders of the team are excellent shooters and need to keep their hot hand and propel their team through the remaining parts of their B1G schedule to try and get to face Maryland again in the conference tournament. If MSU beats Maryland on the road to Chicago, don't be surprised if a 9 seed gets handed to the Spartans.

#1 Duke Blue Devils
The 2014-15 Duke Blue Devils were in an interesting position going into the season; they recruited three stellar athletes that would be starters as freshman. It has happened before, but Coach K is notorious for giving playing time to seniors and veterans of the roster, so having two starters as freshman is a scenario more accustom to John Calipari Kentucky who seem to have endless freshman every year. The adversity was obviously handled well, for the Blue Devils went on a 14-0 run to start the season where they won their games by an average of a little above 21 points as well as they were one of the last three unbeaten teams in the country. This season, Duke has beaten three ranked teams (Micigan State, Wisconsin, and Louisville) plus the defending nation champion UConn Huskies. Tyrus Jones, Jahlil Okafor, and Justice Winslow have all solidified the fact they belong in Cameron Indoor. The trio is impressive for sure, scoring a combined 674 points. Okafor is a projected first overall selection, but with the continued success of the team, it would make sense for him to stay at school and develop. NC State and Miami were two schools that knocked Duke off of their track for an undefeated season. The perfect record wasn't going to happen, but it was a bit surprising when the Wolfpack was able to halt that dream early. The more surprising piece of it all is that the Hurricanes added a second straight loss, especially at Cameron where Duke is historically dominant. Duke holds the top four longest home win streaks in the ACC and the longest non-conference home win streak in the NCAA so obvious dominance in Durham as the Crazies often call it the #HardestRoadGame. Either way, Duke has found a way to win this season, and they will continue on to a national championship, or well, that's at least what this Devils fan thinks.


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