Bray Wyatt

"He got the whole world in his hands. He got the whole wide world in his hands. He got whole world in his hands. He got the whole world in his hands."

It's been a long week for wrestling fans especially me. I still cannot believe Windham Rotunda, known as his wrestling in-ring Bray Wyatt, passed away at young age of 36. To be honest, I couldn't think of the words to say. I remember the moment he popped up on TV along side with Erick Rowan and Luke Harper (the late Brody Lee) he immediately became one of my favorite. It was his characters, the entrances, and the way he spoke drew me in. Just like his saying, "Let me in!" I accepted him in my wrestling fandom. Throughout the years I seen his character reinvented when he started out as a cult leader to a friendly host that end up evolving into a dark form known as The Fiend. I was sadden he was released for the first time then super glad he was re-hired and brought back. I still remember his return at Extreme Rules last year. Just like his one of his sayings, "Let me in!" I welcomed him back in open arms with a huge smile on my face. I couldn't wait to see what's next in store for him. Sadly it was cut short. Not even a year after his return Bray Wyatt is no longer on this earth.

I have so many memories of Bray Wyatt from his matches to his promos. My biggest one when I met him 7 years ago during Wrestlemania 32 weekend. He had a meet and greet at FYE in Irving Mall. I got in line early dressed up like him. When it came my turn he loved that I dressed up as him and signed everything I got in hands which is a card and a shirt along 8X10 he gave out. Bray Wyatt loved the fans. I got a great memory of a wonderful person at the end. It's the way he wanted it. Made sure the fans are happy and enjoy themselves.

Thank you and rest in peace Bray Wyatt/Windham Rotunda for those amazing memories. Wherever you are in afterlife you're in good company with Brody Lee up there meeting you with open arms and being surrounded with fireflies. Huge condolences to his wife and kids along friends like Erick Rowan.

Bray Wyatt moments:

Thank You Undertaker

Last night on the day he made his WWF debut 30 years ago Undertaker officially call it a career. This fan been with him in his entire WWF/WWE run. I got emotional watching celebration of his career. From the final walk to the ring with his trademark pyrotechnics and setup, the final speech, his trademark pose with a hologram of the late Paul Bearer (great tear-jerking excellent touch!) to the final walk up the ramp. I wish this was done in front of a crowd, but covid put every crowd holding plans on hold. I want to say thank you Undertaker. He is part of my growing up days from a kid to adulthood. You deserve a long rest and into the darkness. This fan will forever miss you in the ring.

I want you check out his interviews with Steve Austin on Broken Skull Sessions and docuseries Last Ride. It's a great rare in-depth look of his career and his tough final years in the ring. Also check out Meeting the Undertaker as wrestlers and personnel give details when did they first met him in the wrestling business. Another documentary to check out called The Mortician: The Story of Paul Bearer on his former late manager who been with him month after he debut and became vital part of Undertaker storyline throughout the years as well Brothers of Destruction as Undertaker and Kane spoke on infamous wrestling storyline. All of these shows are on WWE Network.

#SpeakingOut Fall Out

It was shocking week of admission in the world of wrestling that left wrestlers and fans disgusted and soul searching at same time. It started accusations of wrestler David Starr, who wrestles mostly in UK and Europe scene, sexual assaulting and raping women. Starr admitted his wrongdoings, but made it much worse calling it "grey rape" before deleting his Twitter account. It kickstarted movement known as #SpeakingOut focusing on all forms physical, psychological, emotional, and sexual abuse as well soliciting underage people in the wrestling industry. The accusations came from men and women even from within the industry who were brave enough to tell their stories and sharing screenshots of the interaction.The flood gates opened with UK wrestling scene gutted with accusations featuring wrestlers such as Jimmy Havoc (from AEW), Jordan Devlin, El Ligero, Joe Coffey (three from NXT UK), Marty Scurill (from Ring of Honor), and Mikey Whiplash to name a few. Of many names accused includes Jim Cornette and his ex-wife, former UFC fighter and current WWE wrestler Matt Riddle (which I will get to later), Velveteen Dream, Joey Ryan, Michael Elgin, and Mike Quackenbush. Former UK woman wrestler Pollyanna accused Will Osprey and Bea Priestly of getting her blackballed from a company after she came out she was raped by Will's friend which the company admitted few days later. Joey Ryan so far been accused by over 17 women (and more coming) about his sexual behavior towards women backstage. Not even Texas indies are immune to abuse allegations. Uproxx editor and writer Brandon Stroud is another been outed. He was ring announcer for indy fed in Austin til he parted ways with them in 2015. I've heard rumors afterwards he got fired from the fed and blackballed from Texas because he was caught taking nude photos of women wrestlers. It was confirmed but instead he stole nude photos from female wrestlers phone as well being manipulative. Woman wrestler Allie Kat chimed in about Stroud being a creep making unwanted advances towards her and wanting her nude for a movie. (Brandon if you are reading this fuck you and hope your wife divorces you! It's the only nice comment you will get out of me!) I'm sure nothing will be done at Uproxx because he's the lead guy on the site. The one that upsets me was Dirty Andy Dalton (NOT the NFL QB; different person with same name) who wrestles around DFW area as well various parts of the state. Screenshots of his sexual messages to a minor popped up and he admitted to it. That was just the beginning as more accusations and stories popped up that were way much worse. Jack Jameson who I wrote about last year and had unfriendly exchange with me few months ago got outed. He proceeds to lower himself pulling the late Hana card claiming he's getting cyberbullied over the accusations. He pretty much didn't get the message at all. For wrestlers that been accused (some with screenshots) they either admitted to it, denied it, and/or shut down all forms of their social media.

Face of a fan who wants get in the business to be creepy

Karma bites him in the ass. Oh yes that's his shoot name

The aftermath led companies have to zero tolerance on all forms of sexual harassment behaviors and refusing book the wrestlers that's been accused of the allegations. In the UK The West Yorkshire police been in contact on investigating the claims. WWE is investigating on all claims as well. They also fired Jack Gallagher after his name surfaced along with Travis Banks and El Ligero. Reportedly Jack admitted to the claims and rumors the claims are much worse than announced. Velveteen Dream days are rumored to be over. Matt Riddle got a lawyer involved claiming a stalker been going after him that he changed his number twice. He also let WWE management know of this before he signed. AEW issue statements on Jimmy Havoc and Sammy Guevara with Havoc going mental and drug rehab while evaluating his status. Guevara, who made a rape joke at WWE woman wrestler Sasha Banks 4 years ago, apologized for it and is suspended without pay while taking sensitivity training. Impact Wrestling terminated the contracts of Joey Ryan and Dave Crist and more likely done with Michael Elgin. Speaking of Joey he closed down his fed, Bar Wrestling, and his YouTube page. Few companies shutting down from physical and sexual abuse claims and allegations are Progress and Chikara. Mike Quackenbush gave a tearful video speech only to be mocked by fans who thinks he isn't genuine in his apology with WWE masked wrestler Lince Dorado throwing in shots. Jim Cornette denied the claims. Marty Scurill put out a statement saying it was consensual. Paige (of WWE) denied her family abused trainees. Many have been blackballed due the allegations.

Lince Dorado doesn't buy any of Mike Quackenbush apology

While this left fans stunned also blindsided were the wrestlers and promoters. Despite the locker room being "men club" many didn't knew the extent of abuse allegations. All immediately cut ties business wise. I read one promoter having spend Father's Day wiping out existence of the wrestler's involvement with the fed instead spending time with his family. It was heartbreaking for him as well most of promoters and wrestlers feeling their trust betrayed by fellow accused and admitted workers. There's most likely a chance there wouldn't be any intergender matches for potential fear of sexual harassment. There's been great deal of support for #speakingout from the wrestlers and the fans.

As much fans and wrestlers appreciate the women speaking out I also hope they are truthful. There's been few false accusations made and debunked. Those false accusations have damaging effects hurting the person on receiving end from job security and to livelyhood. It also hurt the credibility of the ones who are truthful in their claims. WWE NXT UK wrestler Trent Seven is one of them. A woman claimed he was trying hook up with she and her friends despite being underage. Then another woman who was part of her group said they weren't underage and give her side of the story. The stories have so many holes that fans dismissed it and thought the women tried to get Trent drunk so he can sleep with them. Apparently they are dealing with Trent's legal team based from a tweet from one of the accusers. Texas indy wrestler Brysin Scott was falsely accused in retaliation because he and his wife, Simply Luscious, been sharing the accusation stories as well outing wrestlers hooking up with minors. It was quickly debunked. Few years ago T.J. Perkins was victim of lies. A person started a rumor he hooked up with underage girl along story of his sex life that went viral. It end up hurting him as his standing never got higher with WWE and few indy feds would pull his bookings. Former NXT wrestler Zeda Zhang admit being part of it and apologized. Few years too late. Irony the guy who started it got busted sexting minors. Wish T.J. would have sued for libel and slander. Welcome to wrestling industry where its a dog eat dog world full of backstabbing, jealousy, and do anything get above.

Zeda Zhang Apologizes to TJ Perkins

Not only women wrestlers were brave enough to tell their stories, but men as well. T.J. Perkins admitted being taken advantage off by women when he started training at 15. Keith Lee shared his story on getting date raped. There are wrestlers helping out like Laynie Luck, Allie Kat, Machiko, Brysin Scott, and Simply Lucious sharing allegation stories from those who remained anonymous. Hopefully it will and need spark a changed in the wrestling industry forcing the crumbling of the old guard of being "men club" locker room. It's a start consider how much former owner of Ring of Honor Rob Feinstein was protected after he was busted on Perverted Justice trying solicit sex with a 13 year old in 2004. His "lol ill pretend u said 18" will always live on through internet wrestling scene. It cause me to stop following east indy wrestling scene for a long while. I believe they are scratching the surface.

Wrestling Underrated Classic: John Cena vs Kevin Owens II - WWE Money in the Bank 2015

When Kevin Owens made his main roster debut five years he immediately went at John Cena. Many fans remember the first matchup between the two which KO, who was NXT champion at the time, went over on Cena, a US champ, in a non-title match. These two would have far better match at the following PPV and its largely forgotten.

The setting is WWE Money in the Bank. In the rematch Cena put US title on the line against Owens, who is still NXT champion. A big match feel with the crowd split in half. The match told a story in the ring. You have Kevin Owens riding high from his victory against Cena at Elimination Chamber. He is salivating at chance making it 2-0 against him this time for US title. He is arrogantly pumped up and ready for fight at the ring of the bell. You have John Cena who underestimated Owens in his first match that he took the time to study opponent. The result is him opening up his wrestling movelist performing moves he never done before such as electric chair faceslam and sunset flip powerbomb. Owens took a page out of Cena's playbook hitting five knuckle shuffle in mocking disrespect. They study each other so well that they would counter each other moves especially with Owens countering superplex with his own in a twisting fashion. Both would show their frustrations as they couldn't put each other away especially Cena who hit his finisher on Owens twice. A near botch corner stunner (moment some fans only remember about the match) follow with third Attitude Adjustment to put Owens away for good with Cena exorcising his demons on getting a victory over him. Post match have Cena and Owens shake hands only for Owens to obliterate him with a powerbomb on the apron setting up Cena vs Owens III which was weaker match of the trilogy.

This match is where everything both did in the ring made freakin' sense from the moves, counters, and the emotions as both men threw everything at each other in entire match. John Cena lived up to "Big Match John" name while Kevin Owens lived up being a prize fighter. Of all WWE matches in 2015 I have this as top match of 2015. This match deserves more accolades and is slightly above their first match due the storytelling. This match was indeed underrated classic.

They Still Know How to Tug Your Heart Strings

It's no secret I watched and follow wrestling. They will always find a way to get a fan fully invested in the crazy web of storylines and have it played out in the ring on front of the audience. WWE/NXT manage hit it out of the park where it hurts from beginning to end. It started under bad circumstances. The covid pandemic pretty changed everything. For WWE the pandemic cause them to mass released and furlough wrestlers and staff back in middle of April. One of wrestlers released is Drake Maverick. Before he was released he was in the NXT cruiserweight title tournament to crown a new champion after Jordan Devlin couldn't able to travel out of UK due to travel restrictions. Once he got word of release he immediately posted heartfelt teary video with him saying tournament is most likely to be his final matches with WWE. His emotional video resonated not just with fans but to anyone who be laid off or furloughed. WWE picked up on it and put out a video of him on the importance of winning title tournament as this is final chance to remain in WWE. For next few weeks I can't help but pull for Drake in his matches. His story of fighting for his job sucked me in. After coming out on top in his bracket he faced El Hijo de Fantasma in the finals. Not only I expected to him but I wanted him to win badly. Instead happy ending in the ring he got pinned on the mat. I felt crushed for him as the fans got a sad emotional ending. Just Drake made his way to the entrance Triple H greeted him with a parting gift: a NXT contract. Drake promptly signed it remaining as member of WWE roster. A great happy ending to the storyline that ranged of various emotions tugging at the heart strings. Spoke with fans afterwards with some admitted to crying at the end. Was it a shoot, a work, or somewhere down the middle? Did WWE reconsider after watching his emotional video of his release and made it as storyline? Who knows the story behind the curtains. It did produce one of best wrestling storylines of the year. You can watch that journey of Drake Maverick fighting for his job below.

RIP Howard Finkel

Sad news on wrestling front as former WWF Hall of Famer and ring announcer Howard Finkel passed away today at 69. His legendary WWF/E career spanned from late 70s into 2000s with his final appearance at 2011 Survivor Series being CM Punk special ring announcer.

When I got into world of wrestling as a fan I was a kid, about 10, giving this a shot after playing WWF Wrestlemania for NES. Turned on WWF Superstars which was at time on local CBS station sydnicate at 6 PM on Saturday night. The first wrestling ring announcer to greet me was Howard Finkel. He introduced all the wrestlers in the ring and the winners on the show. It was his delivery approach have fans on their feet making everything important especially every WWF title change.

He would have his moments in the ring with short-lived feuds and angles first with Harvey Wippleman around 1994 then with Lilian Garcia in 2004. He did have one off against Tony Chimel attacking him over being the best ring announcer. To wrestling fans he is the best ever in-ring announcer.

Howard Finkel will forever be missed.

Royal Rumble Weekend - Part 2

Went to WWE Royal Rumble last week taking place at Minute Maid Park. I got into downtown Houston near noon. Got food at Flying Saucer as its one few places open around downtown on a Sunday.

Walked around the area which include Houston Dynamo soccer stadium nearby. I should make note of eating at Biggio's next time.

They already got merchandise stands outside the stadium including the overpass. Got in line early because of disastrous waiting in line fiasco at Wrestlemania 32. The doors were to be opened at 3 PM that fans around me did the countdown only to delayed by 20 minutes which isn't bad. Got in and witness how setup the ring. They tarp the grass which will be regrown before the season starts. Outside seats are closed off. Found out later during show the show its one of areas they shot off pyro. The roof remained closed the entire time. Made it to my seats located on third level right above the entrance. I also like bottomless souvenir cup drinks they offered.

Pre-show have Sheamus booting Shorty G Chad Gable for the win and Andrade retaining US title over Humberto Carrillo and appearance of R-Truth who didn't appear in the Rumble.

The main show started with Roman Reigns and Baron Corbin fighting all over the stadium field and ended with Reigns spearing Corbin on top of dugout for the win.

Next up is the women's Royal Rumble starting off with Alexa Bliss and Bianca Belaire. First surprise is appearance of Molly Holly under her "Mighty Molly" gimmick she had in 2001. Lana ranted on her way in and is first eliminated by Liv Morgan. Glad to see Mercedes Martinez in it after spending two decades on the independent scenes. Otis saving Mandy Rose from elimination is one of many highlights of the match. Next set surprises were Kelly Kelly, Beth Phoenix who got busted open during the match, and Santino Marella under his "woman" character Santina. Santina used the cobra on herself and stumbled out to eliminate herself from the match is funny visual to see. Naomi returned and did one of her how not get eliminated from match. I expected Shayna Baszler to win it but Charlotte eliminated her to win the women Royal Rumble and a women title shot at Wrestlemania.

Bayley defeated Lacey Evans to retain Smackdown women championship. The Fiend Bray Wyatt snuffs Daniel Bryan out in a strap match to retain WWE championship. Becky Lynch exorcise her demons making Asuka tap out to retain RAW women championship.

Then the main event of Royal Rumble. It was tale of two stories into one match. WWE Universal champion Brock Lesnar decimating and eliminating first 13 wrestlers that entered. It was one of those carnival type deals where ringmaster (Paul Heyman) daring anyone to eliminate the baddest, meanest, toughest man (Brock). Some of his past ghosts (Kofi Kingston and Rey Misterio) tried to get rid of him but they fell victim to him. See interaction of Limitless Keith Lee and Brock teasing potential of one-on-one match of the two in the future. The crowd might have got tired of Brock act later on til Drew McIntyre came out at 15. He claymore kicked Brock out of the match to big time huge cheer from the crowd. It was coming of age for him after being named "The Chosen One" was back in 2009. His elimination of Brock made the fans view him as "The Chosen One" to unseat Brock Lesnar from Universal title. That isn't the biggest pop of the night. The biggest one was return of Rated R Superstar Edge. Edge was forced to retired 9 years ago due to serious neck injury. No one thought we could see in action ever. Once entry 21 came and the words "You Think You Know Me" echoed through the speakers the crowd lost in all forms of excitement.

For any wrestling fan how can you not love this return. The bad part is A.J. Styles hurt his shoulder in the match and have to be eliminated earlier than expected. Edge lasted as final three competitors with Reigns eliminating him. He and Drew McIntyre battle on with McIntyre giving him the claymore kick and threw him out to win the Royal Rumble and title shot for Wrestlemania. As booking shows he picked Universal champion Brock Lesnar as his opponent for Wrestlemania.

This was fun evening at Royal Rumble. My voice took it rough from the screaming and yelling as it took few days to get back to normal. It's one of those "You have to be there." to experience it. Here few entrance videos I took from the Rumble