Hofstra Wrestling Looks Toward Second Season in EIWA

Originally written for the Hofstra Chronicle

By John Napolitano

     Former two-time NCAA Division I National Championship qualifier and new head coach of the Hofstra wrestling team, Dennis Papadatos, looks to work hard, develop new talent, and parley the team’s determination and optimism into a run for a spot in the national tournament. 

In the transition from last season to this season, the Hofstra Wrestling Team bid farewell to seven key veterans of the squad in David Heitman, Jermaine John, Cam Tessari, Zeal McGrew, Jamie Franco, Luke Vaith and Joe Booth.

     Eight accomplished freshmen have since joined the team, but there is a considerable loss of experience in this transaction. “There is a huge toll in overall experience on the team. Not only are we losing six or seven veterans, but three or four of them were ranked Top 15 in the nation,” explained coach Papadatos.

     The three most notable losses were Vaith, Booth and Franco, who went a combined 87-32 last year. The trio had plenty of NCAA tournament experience between them, with 10 total NCAA qualifications.

     Despite the disadvantages that come with losing three great wrestlers, Papadatos said that there are some positives in this changing of the guard. “The departing seniors learned a lot from the old regime,” he explained. “I have the opportunity to teach different things to all of these young, moldable minds.”

     The newest warriors on the Hofstra wrestling team include Cory Damiana, Bryan Damon, Bobby Fehr, Aaron Hartman, Connor Muli, Michael Oxley, Travis Passaro and Demetrius Zissimos. 

When asked how the team looks as a whole thus far, coach Papadatos commented, “We just finished our pre-season so it’s hard to tell this early, but we definitely have a lot of talent.”

     The Pride is going to need to utilize every ounce of that talent in order to compete this season, as they have extremely tough competitors. Lehigh University, Sacred Heart University, Columbia University and Princeton University, to name a few, are all out to curb the progress of the Pride.

The matches will be especially challenging considering it has been years since the Pride has gone up against a number of these teams, but Papadatos assured that would not be an issue.

“I know teams like Lehigh and Sacred Heart very well, that’s my job,” Papadatos said. “In fact, I’ve recruited most of their players over the years.”

     When asked about his game plan for each respective opponent, Papadatos said, “We’re not going to change our approach for each match; we will prepare, but the game plan will not change.”

Some of the Pride’s standout returnees include Jamel Hudson, Cody Rugirello and Jahlani Callender. Both players are promising red-shirt sophomores with potential to emerge as leaders of the Pride’s relatively inexperienced roster. After struggling in the Eastern intercollegiate wrestling association (EIWA) last year, Papadatos hopes to return to prominence as one of the NCAA’s most successful programs.

     Coach Papadatos is proud to be a part of the wrestling team’s rich history. His plan for his the Pride this year is to expand capabilities, finish in the top three of the EIWA, and ultimately secure a spot in this year’s national tournament.

Graham & John: The Boo'Kings'

Graham & John: The Boo‘Kings’

A Rattlesnake’s Scorn

By Graham Mirmina and John Napolitano

           

            All wrestling fans fantasize about what could have been or what could be inside the confines of the squared circle, whether they're realistic or not. When the current Creative Team fails to intrigue us as an audience, we ask ourselves, "What if we were the bookers?" We then take it upon ourselves to plan out storylines, feuds, matches and more the way we think they'd make sense; the way fans want to see it happen. In this multi-part series, Graham "GSM" Matthews and John Napolitano, collectively known as The Boo'Kings', take complete creative control of WWE and do some "beast booking" of their own. In this edition, they break down how they'd like to see Stone Cold Steve Austin's in-ring return executed and everything else that would come along with it.

June 13, 2011. The night Stone Cold Steve Austin was last seen on an episode of Raw. He was fresh off hosting the revival of Tough Enough and granting the competition's winner Andy Leavine a contract (I still wholeheartedly believe Luke Robinson should have won, but I digress). He also booked that night's main event: then-WWE Champion John Cena vs. CM Punk, a match that would set the stage for one of the biggest WWE feuds in years. Beforehand, Austin appeared in a backstage segment with Punk, a man he had never crossed paths with prior to this point (and no, Punk calling out Stone Cold on the disappointing 800th episode of Raw doesn't count). The two had a fun verbal exchange, planting the seeds for a dream match that would never come to fruition. Until now.

In the last three years, Stone Cold has made only one appearance on WWE TV, that being at WrestleMania 30 alongside two fellow legends in The Rock and Hulk Hogan. But not on Raw. Stone Cold has yet to confirm or deny the rumors of him returning to the ring one last time, and as it turns out, they're true! Austin is indeed coming back to compete at WrestleMania 32 on his home turf of Dallas, Texas, the same location he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame over WrestleMania 25 weekend in 2009. It's one night removed from WrestleMania 31, and Austin has been confirmed to appear on Raw for the first time in nearly four years. By this point, it is very well known that Austin is set to announce his intentions to wrestle again at 'Mania the following year. But the real question is, against whom?

            It is 10:53 p.m. and the WWE Universe explodes with vigorous and passionate awe as the sound of glass shattering fills the arena and so too does a famous attitudinal guitar rift. Stone Cold Steve Austin emerges from ‘Gorilla’ all business, clad in faded blue jeans and a brand new leather jacket. It is clear that he hasn’t returned for a pointless plug or a putrid publicity promenade; no, he is here to stomp mud holes and walk them dry. The “Texas Rattlesnake” grabs a microphone and cuts off both his entrance music and the adulation from the adoring fans. He begins to rant about how sick he is of hearing that John Cena, according to Michael Cole, is the greatest WWE Champion of all time, seeing as the now 16-time champ won the strap the night before at WrestleMania XXXI. He proceeds to demand that Michael Cole come in the ring for some one on one time with the rattlesnake. Michael Cole hesitantly enters through the second rope, microphone in hand, and attempts to reason with the six-time WWE Champion. As Michael Cole approaches Austin, Austin embraces him with a stunner and the arena goes haywire. As the crowd continues its frenzy, Stone Cold grabs his microphone and demands that John Cena get down to the ring immediately.

            John Cena emerges to the biggest chorus of boos he has ever received in his entire career, but he is stern and intense with his eyes locked on Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austin does not even give Cena the respect of a silent entrance; he is verbally tearing Cena apart with each step Cena takes towards the ring, and it becomes apparent that Steve Austin is livid. As the WWE World Heavyweight Champion enters the ring, Stone Cold chirps that he’s disgusted at the notion of John Cena being the greatest WWE Champion of all time. He explains that winning that title 16 times means Cena lost it 16 times and there ain’t nothing great about that. Before Cena can remark, Austin reminds him that he’s no “Dwayne” and he refuses to wait a year to open a can of “whoop ass” on him. As the show goes off of the air, Austin finishes, “And you can bet your ass you’re gonna get beat for a 17^th time,” and he slams the mic into Cena’s chest as he exits the ring.

One week later on Raw, Cena comes out to the ring in Cleveland, lacking any intensity whatsoever. After a few untimely punch lines and undesired humor, he develops a serious tone when announcing that Stone Cold Steve Austin is not in the building tonight, causing the crowd to uproar with disappointment. They weren't booing because they resented Stone Cold, but because they were looking forward to seeing him open up a can of whoop ass on the Cenation leader right then and there. Cena goes on to talk about how Steve Austin is a fair-weather superstar exactly like “Dwayne” in that he has become too “Hollywood” for the WWE. He wasn't back “for good,” he'd only show up when it was convenient for him.

            At that very moment, Stone Cold Steve Austin appears on the titantron to the delight of the WWE Universe. He immediately mocks John Cena's smirk and strongly advises him to wipe it off his face. Stone Cold goes on to explain that he has been rehabilitating an injury for quite some time now following another surgery on his right knee and wouldn't be allowed to engage in any physicality for the foreseeable future. Otherwise, he would have showed up in Cleveland that night in person to give him the beating of a lifetime. But then he makes a challenge. Austin announces that he will be medically cleared by SummerSlam in August, and proposes that he and Cena face off at the biggest party of the summer. Cena accepts the challenge, and the stage is set.

            Two weeks shy of the biggest party of the summer an unfortunate aggravation of Stone Cold Steve Austin’s knee occurs and the entire WWE Universe is disheartened to hear that he will not compete at SummerSlam against the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, John Cena. The COO of the WWE, Triple H, attempts to right this wrong by announcing a Gold Rush Tournament at SummerSlam where the winner will contend for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the main event. Despite the magnitude of this announcement from the Authority, the WWE Universe is not exactly thrilled with the concept. The idea of seeing John Cena and Stone Cold Steve Austin do battle was one that casual and hardcore fans alike had their hearts set on. Nevertheless, Triple H announces the participants of this Gold Rush Tournament later that night including Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Kurt Angle, and CM Punk.

            SummerSlam has finally arrived and there is a disheartening atmosphere in New York as the WWE Universe was promised the match of a lifetime and given a tournament that seems almost rushed and thrown together at the last minute. The WWE Universe may not be witnessing Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. John Cena for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, but they are damn sure getting an action-packed night of professional wrestling as the card is stacked from top to bottom with main event caliber matches at every turn.       

The night is kicked off with Sami Zayn squaring off with Dean Ambrose in a fast-paced 10-minute opener. Dean Ambrose would come out on top and face Dolph Ziggler, who just barely beat Bray Wyatt, in the semifinals. On the other end of the bracket, Roman Reigns would defeat the Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle via count out and meet the “Best in the World,” CM Punk who put his first round opponent Seth Rollins to sleep in an all time classic match. The semifinals would see Dean Ambrose go over on Dolph Ziggler in a great 15-minute bout and CM Punk defeat Roman Reigns via disqualification. The finals of the Gold Rush Tournament would showcase Dean Ambrose vs. CM Punk with the winner going on to face the WWE World Heavyweight Champion only minutes later. Ten minutes into the clash, Roman Reigns would make his presence felt by spearing CM Punk when the referee’s back was turned and give Dean Ambrose the victory. The crowd did not appreciate Ambrose’s method of victory and they let him know it, but Ambrose would ignore their jeers and celebrate his newly acclaimed number one contention. The main event of SummerSlam would witness John Cena vs. Dean Ambrose for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

As John Cena and Dean Ambrose scratch and claw at one another, a familiar and highly unexpected sound of glass shattering rings throughout the arena and the WWE Universe screams in utter jubilation. Stone Cold Steve Austin is at SummerSlam and he is making his way down to the ring equipped with crutches for better mobility. Cena and Ambrose are too fatigued to take notice of this surprise visit from the “Texas Rattlesnake.” Ambrose goes to clothesline John Cena who ducks it and allows the referee to take the brunt of the bump. Almost instantly after the referee is knocked down, Austin throws Dean Ambrose a crutch, and Ambrose shatters it over the cranium of John Cena. Stone Cold shakes the referee awake, who then counts Cena’s shoulders to the mat one, two, three.

“The winner of the match, and NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Dean Ambrose.”

The WWE Universe bellows a mixture of cheers and jeers towards the newly turned heel Dean Ambrose, but the cheers overtake the jeers when Stone Cold Steve Austin enters the ring and raises the new champ’s hand. Dean Ambrose has aligned himself with the ultimate antihero, Stone Cold Steve Austin.

The autumn months would witness John Cena attempt to regain his coveted WWE World Heavyweight Championship to no avail. Dean Ambrose paired with Stone Cold Steve Austin is just too awesome of a force to overcome for the 16-time world champion. His succession of failures would cause Cena to take time off from television and as Dean Ambrose’s legitimacy grows, Stone Cold too would begin to slowly fade off of television. That is, until one night after the 2016 Royal Rumble.

For the first time in months, Stone Cold Steve Austin was back on Monday Night Raw. The crowd’s reaction to his return was a little stale considering he had been frequenting WWE television all fall, but excitement was in the air nonetheless. Before Austin can even address the WWE Universe, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Dean Ambrose interrupts him with a clear resentment for his previous number one supporter. In Austin’s absence, Ambrose had gotten over as one of the biggest heels in WWE history. The WWE Universe genuinely despises him and it seems as though Stone Cold has created a monster. Ambrose grabs a microphone and begs the question,

“How could you leave me high and dry like that Steve? We were on the hottest runs of our careers and when the going got tough Steve Austin got going, like you always do! This place has been a circus for the last three months and you’ve been home bitching and moaning about your damn knee.”

“Hey Dean, good news! My knee’s all fixed!”

Stone Cold Steve Austin stuns Dean Ambrose in the middle of the ring and the crowd jumps up in perfect unison. Finally, the Steve Austin of old is back! But Steve Austin has unfinished business in the form of John Cena. The next week on Raw, John Cena calls out the “Texas Rattlesnake.” These two icons go nose to nose in the center of the ring and the perfect visual is created. Steve Austin admits that he respects John Cena and that he is one tough “S.O.B.” Cena appreciates the kind words and he has respect for Stone Cold Steve Austin too despite his actions at SummerSlam; but he’s not looking to mend the past, John Cena wants a match with the six-time WWE Champion at WrestleMania 32. Stone Cold gives Cena a quaint smirk and whispers, “You sure about that champ?” The two legends seal their fate with a handshake and for the first time ever in Dallas, Texas, at WrestleMania 32, the face of the Attitude Era and the face of the PG Era will clash in the biggest matchup in WWE History.

Who do you think would win at WrestleMania 32, Stone Cold Steve Austin or John Cena?

Tweet @HeelByDesign to voice your opinion! 

John's Jargon: 9th Edition

John’s Jargon

From Professional Wrestling to Baseball and Everything In-Between

The Mt. Rushmore of World Wrestling Entertainment

By John Napolitano

            Three million tourists travel to Keystone, South Dakota, every year where lies one of the most recognizable national landmarks in the United States, Mt. Rushmore. A gargantuan sculpture carved into the granite of the sacred Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore displays the faces of four of the most iconic and influential presidents in United States history. The faces include that of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. This grand homage to some of the most instrumental figures in our country’s history has set them apart as four of the greatest presidents ever – atop the mountain if you will.

            The term “Mt. Rushmore” has almost taken on another context entirely in reference to the four greatest individuals of a certain discipline. One may often hear devoted New York Yankees fanatics discussing the “Mt. Rushmore” of the franchise. Further north it is not uncommon to hear Bostonians debate the four greatest Celtics of all-time. Across the reaches of the Internet Wrestling Community, many a hardcore fan delight to dispute the “Mt. Rushmore” of World Wrestling Entertainment. I would like to cease the arguments for I have found the four most iconic and influential representations of the WWE and would like to present them to you. As a quick disclaimer, I would like to note that I will not be discussing the “Mt. Rushmore” of professional wrestling as a whole. That is another conversation for another day.

            The first face on the Mt. Rushmore of World Wrestling Entertainment is, similar to George Washington, the founding father of what would become a global juggernaut. Yes, the first granite representation of the WWE is none other than Hulk Hogan. Debuting in the WWE in 1983, Hulk Hogan would lead the charge in transforming professional wrestling into sports entertainment. This epic reformation would reinvent the WWE as no longer a mere New York territory, but the undisputed industry leader with Hulk Hogan at the forefront of this revolution. In reference to the inaugural President of the United States and the American Revolution, Hulk Hogan turned the WWE, a small colonial territory, into an independent country with a brand new set of ideals and credos. Like President George Washington to the United States, Hulk Hogan is perhaps the most influential figure in the WWE’s history, as without him, the landscape would be drastically different.

            Thomas Jefferson is the second face of the iconic Mt. Rushmore; his term on top followed that of George Washington’s and proved that the ideals of the United States could withstand adversity as he verified the country’s legitimacy. When I hear this description of the second face of Mt. Rushmore, I automatically envision the second face of the WWE’s Mt. Rushmore as “The Heartbreak Kid’s” Shawn Michaels. Shawn Michaels was not the immediate incumbent to Hulk Hogan as the face of the WWE, but he was one of the most influential. He really emphasized the aspect of “sport” in sports entertainment and regularly put on “Broadway” classics with some of his greatest opponents. He was the first WWE Superstar to get over as a self-absorbed heel and transition into the number one babyface. He innovated the ‘tweener’ persona while garnering countless championships and cementing his legacy into WWE history. Without question, Shawn Michaels is the second face of the WWE Mt. Rushmore.

            The third face of the iconic Mt. Rushmore is that of Theodore Roosevelt. As the most recent of the four presidents atop Mt. Rushmore, his legacy compares to that of John Cena’s. The most shocking comparison to be made between the 26^th President of the United States and the 15-time World Champion is that they both took on all challengers and adversaries to defend what they so dearly cherished. Teddy Roosevelt was known as a trustbuster, meaning he took on big businesses and monopolies in order to preserve competition within industry and look out for the small businesses. John Cena has been a babyface ever since his debut and has never slighted his slogan of “Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect.” Neither of these gentlemen have sold out to further their career, they have simply stuck to their guns and represented themselves in an inspiring and admirable manner. Had President Roosevelt let big business run amuck throughout his presidency, his legacy would be similar to Seth Rollins’ who sold out to the Authority to further his career. But because he stayed true to himself and his country, he shall be represented by John Cena as the third face of the WWE Mt. Rushmore.

            We cannot forget the fourth and final face of Mt. Rushmore; and that is none other than Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln is widely regarded as the greatest president in the history of the United States because he kept the country together despite the South threatening its bonds. In a true test of our country’s mettle, Lincoln made it through a Civil War in order to make a more perfect Union. Lincoln’s resumé is eerily similar to the “Texas Rattlesnake” Stone Cold Steve Austin’s. Stone Cold Steve Austin reached the height of his popularity during the Monday Night War. The Monday Night War was a primetime battle between the WWE (North) and WCW (South) for ratings supremacy. The WWE emerged from this war as the undisputed destination for sports entertainment with Stone Cold Steve Austin to thank. Both Abraham Lincoln and Stone Cold Steve Austin had short tenures on top, but their contributions saved this country and more importantly the WWE.

            There you have it ladies and gentlemen. Similar, in more ways than one, to their political counterparts, the four faces on the Mt. Rushmore of the WWE are Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, John Cena, and Stone Cold Steve Austin. Tweet me @HeelByDesign to let me know what you think!

           

John's Jargon: 8th Edition

John’s Jargon

From Professional Wrestling to Baseball and Everything In-Between

Return of the Rattlesnake?

By John Napolitano

         Cue the glass shattering and the classic Stone Cold pop as the eighth edition of John’s Jargon dives into the world of the always-enthralling idea of another possible “Texas Rattlesnake” return; however, I’m not referring to the same old Austin returns of the last decade that, albeit, we have come to know and love. No, I would like to discuss the possibility of Stone Cold Steve Austin lacing up his boots one more time, returning to that 20-foot by 20-foot squared-circle, and stunning the competition one last time at WrestleMania XXXI.

            Allow me to take you back to a simpler time during the glory days of World Wrestling Entertainment, a time period synonymous with beer swilling, finger raising, Zamboni driving, and content thriving. The epicenter amidst all of this chaos of the Attitude Era was none other than the “Texas Rattlesnake” himself, Stone Cold Steve Austin. Being a King of the Ring, three-time Royal Rumble winner, a six-time WWE Champion, and one of the most iconic WWE Superstars of all-time, Austin mesmerizes the masses anytime he is in the public eye.

            But Stone Cold Steve Austin has not competed in the ring, due to his overall health, since March 30, 2003, at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington, against his long-time rival, The Rock, at WrestleMania XIX. Since his departure from the ring, Austin has participated in non-competitive roles such as Raw’s Co-General Manager, the Sherriff of the WWE, and as a special guest referee on more than one occasion. He has undoubtedly produced some of his best material during his post-retirement tenure, but many fans lust to see the “Texas Rattlesnake” hit the ropes one last time.

            Three telltale signs of a potential in-ring return for Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania XXXI have been made apparent to the Internet Wrestling Community in the last week or two.

Firstly, on the season premiere of Monday Night Raw, the WWE plugged Steve Austin’s podcast, available on PodcastOne, which is an indication that they are having talks with Austin in some capacity.

Also, there have been reports that Austin has returned to the gym and has been working out frequently. This is significant because he has been quoted in saying that if he were to ever make his in-ring return, he would need six or seven months to get back into ring shape. It just so happens that we are seven months away from WrestleMania at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Finally, World Wrestling Entertainment has ordered the production of a new batch of “Austin 3:16” shirts, which tells me they want the WWE Universe to be appropriately clad for the return of one of the biggest legends in WWE history. 

            Having said that, who could possibly be bestowed the honor of taking on Stone Cold Steve Austin in his second final match? There is a plethora of names racing through my head as I comb over this question. Superstars like Daniel Bryan, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, or even a returning CM Punk come to mind when I attempt to illustrate the perfect poetic sendoff for Steve Austin.

            At this point in the current state of the WWE, the only logical adversary for a returning Steve Austin at WrestleMania XXXI would be John Cena. In a concept similar to John Cena vs. The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin and John Cena would have the potential to paint an even greater picture as the true faces of their respective eras. The concept seems a little raw and inorganic at the moment considering Cena is in the midst of a fantastic rivalry with the current WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar, but once the Royal Rumble roles around, it would not be out of the question to see a program between Cena and Austin ignite.

            Personally, I would love nothing more than to see Stone Cold Steve Austin defeat his successor as the face of the WWE, John Cena, in the main event of WrestleMania XXXI, and you can expect Graham ‘GSM’ Matthews and I will book this epic program in an upcoming edition of Graham and John: The Boo‘Kings’. Cue the glass shattering and a “steveweiser” celebration.