My Name is Vexx, V-to-the E-Double X

Shawn Vexx calling it a career

"Allow me to re-introduce myself my name is Vexx, V-to-the E-Double X. I enter the ring to the max. I throw down slams so I can be champ of A-C-W, Vexx." - lyrics changed from Jay-Z - My Name is Hov

After his match against Masada at ACW From Innocence to Insanity Shawn Vexx got on microphone calling it a career ending long journey of Infamous one in the rings of Anarchy.

Mainstay of ACW, Shawn Vexx is one of hardest working wrestlers giving it his all throwing down slams feuding and having wars with Darin Childs, A.C.H., Davey Vega, and Evan Gelistico. His entrance one of the best getting fans pumped up before his match. Throughout the way he battle through adversary in and out of the ring yet he popped back up ready to battle in the ring. Throughout it all he became a champion becoming two-time ACW heavyweight champion, a TV champion, and U-30 Young Guns champion.

Being a wrestling fan is a strange thing. Wrestlers do something horrible getting you invested to boo at them. Later they do something good getting you invested to cheer at them. Shawn Vexx manage get me to do that. I went from a guy that  had "Vexx Must Die" sign during his feud with Davey Vega to "Vexx Lives" sign at 2013 Lone Star Classic battling his way in the tournament. All of this in span of 10 months in between.

I remember the first time watching him for first time. It was 2011 Delusions of Our Childish Days (my first ACW show) and he turned heel at previous show after months of foreshadow. He took on Gregory James in the first match of the show and had decent bout. Later in the show he popped out destroying referee Donny Davis with a chair within few feet in front of me. I was hooked.

I spent 2012 booing him and getting invested in his feud with Davey Vega trying steal Athena from him. During this time he got best out of super fan name Tommy in very fun moment.

 
In 2013 cheering him on in a battle against Evan Gelistico culminating to first ever steel cage match in ACW history which he took ACW Heavyweight title away from him.

At the end Shawn Vexx enter the ring as a fighter and at the end left as survivor and a winner in front of the crowd. Thank you Shawn Vexx for giving the fans all you got in the ring. In honor of Vexx a familiar Jay-Z classic.

A champ in front of fan's eyes

EXCUSE ME! - Ode to Vickie Guerrero

After shimmering her way out to the back its possibly last time fans saw Vickie Guerrero on WWE TV. Vickie Guerrero is one of my favorite characters and personality come out of wrestling. She played her roles well when given a platform overpowering bitch while running Smackdown or Raw to her screaming and screeching voice when she's mighty pissed to being love interest of Edge, Big Show, Eric Escobar, or Dolph Ziggler. Her catchphrase "EXCUSE ME!" drew insane amount of heat quickly outclassing every diva that was on the roster at the time and tried to find on a game show-like format. Took her shares of bumps in the ring along Wrestlemania match which she ended up pinning her opponent after splash from top rope. In truth in all she was that damn entertaining and made the best of it. She's a Guerrero by marriage and like them its natural of them to entertain the crowd. I will miss Vickie Guerrero and her "EXCUSE ME!" on TV. Thank you Vickie Guerrero for the moments, times, and memories! Viva la raza!

Parade of NBA Champions

On Wednesday I was down on the Riverwalk watching 2014 NBA Champions San Antonio Spurs parading around the river in barges celebrating their championships. Photos of heavily attended event

This fan showed what's up and how much a crying baby LeBron is

 Cinnabon got in the act

Matt Bonner waving to the crowd

Marco Belinelli capturing it all

 Holding that trophy

 Raising that trophy high and above

 Spurs coyote mascot out with one of the titles

Legendary group of Spurs fans Baseline Bums. Their stories are legendary.

Five-time, five-time, five-time, five-time, five-time NBA champions with Kawhi Leonard

Parade not complete without the cheerleaders

Boris Diaw gives a big thumbs up to the crowd of hundreds thousands

Pops always being non-emotional

Tony Parker and Tim Duncan

 

This fan's truck decked out in full Spurs support

RIP Tony Gwynn - My Memories of Him

It was day of sadness yesterday for baseball fans. One of greatest hitters to play Mr. Padre Tony Gwynn died. He spent his entire career with San Diego Padres with long list of credentials of multi-time All-Star, gold glove winner, leading the league in hits and batting average, and a Hall of Fame selection. Never got a chance to watch him play live, but I got a chance to watch get honored.

The date was August 31, 2002. MLB and players were on verge of striking til they able struck a deal at last minute to avert the strike. I was in San Diego for a wedding. Relief they didn't strike I decide catch a game when they playing at Qualcomm Stadium. It was free hat night and starting pitchers was Clay Condrey, making his first career ML start, and Aaron Cook. Little did I know before the game the team honored Tony Gwynn into team Hall of Fame. It was great night to watch him get honored by the team.

Took few photos of it with early Sony Cybershot digital camera in digital zoom form. This was way before I knew difference between optical and digital zoom.

 

 RIP Tony Gwynn. You will be missed.

This is Frowned Upon in Wrestling Drama - what gives?

A Facebook page tearing down indy wrestlers from wardrobe to conditioning to moments in the ring made a mention of this photo. What follow a long list of laughable comments calling it disgusting and how it should not be in the allowed the ring calling for this wrestler to be blackballed. I will get back on this later on.

The wrestler in picture is Texas-own J.C. Bravo. He teams up with fellow wrestler Stan "the Sinner" Summer calling themselves Lil' Crazy. Their gimmick consist of drinking, partying, and having a good time in craziest ways as possible. At last Anarchy Championship Wresting show (I was there) he got crazy during a match using a toy syringe to "shoot" himself up only to "pass out" and get pinned. Remember that.

Back to laughable comments they were outraged this was part of entertainment in the squared circle. Since they made this into big drama let me explain few things.

1) I mention when he shoot up and pass out he got pinned. There's a story behind this. Use drugs you lose. It tell fans "Say No to Drugs. Drugs are for losers." even in a very dark way.

2) family show schamily show. I been indy shows where its "family friendly" only have wrestlers and fans cuss and yell. The words "Fuck," "Shit," "You fucked up!," and "Holy shit!" chants still echo through these "family" wrestling shows.

3) this is entertainment. Fans enjoy not just in-ring actions but the comedy and storyline out of it. Sure its dark portrayal, but wrestling fans have seen much worse than this. Remember Fritz Von Erich and Ric Flair heart attack angle? How about Katie Vick where Triple H had sex with a dead body? I still remember clips of J.R. Benson ESW from 90s and aspects of XPW where they pushed the envelope. I could go on and on about this but you know what? Fans get a kick out of it and will still be there at next show yelling the wrestler "Don't Do It!" with a few signs mentioning drug rehab. Fans know its a show to entertain.

Final thing as this caused a big stink I can say controversy creates cash. Thanks to this Facebook page you gave J.C. Bravo his fame. Now promoters are knocking on his door.

J.C Bravo busted his ass hard around Texas indies especially around Austin (Anarchy Championship Wrestling and Inspire Pro Wrestling) working hurt everywhere he go. Despite the usual bumps and injuries he can still go. To all future promoters say hello J.C. Bravo and he will put on a show for you whether as a junkie or follower of the unholy. Also if you listen to any of these negative yahoos on not booking him you miss out big time.

Blast From the Past Made Me Pick This Up

I was down at Dollar Tree picking up few items. I checked the sport cards selection on what they offer. After looking through 5 card packs of baseball, football, basketball, a pack of 20 random cards caught my eye. Going through through the packs this card caught my eye:

Who and why? Justin Lehr is a player I watched in person in the minors playing for Oakland A's AA-affiliate Midland Rockhounds back in 2002. Great see these players work their way up to the majors and get official MLB card. Once I saw that card I knew I have purchase the pack. Lehr spent time up and down from AAA-club to the majors with his last appearance in 2009 with Cincinnati Reds. Last recorded stats was in 2012 playing in the Mexican Leagues.

Ultimate Warrior ruled

After almost two decades of animosity Ultimate Warrior and WWE are back together with him going to WWE Hall of Fame. About time they put it to rest. Truth I liked Ultimate Warrior. He was one of guys along with Hulk Hogan, Undertaker, Jake Roberts, and Earthquake I grew up watching. He stood out for energetic vibe he brought when he came in the ring and the crazy promos. With Hogan you have say your prayers and eat your vitamins shtick clamoring his Hulkamanics running wild. For Ultimate Warrior he was truly running wild going to the ring at full speed, shaking the ropes, and soaking in the energetic vibe from the fans. As a fan you could feel the energy flowing from the second his theme music played through the start and end of his match. At schools I went when I was a kid the ones that was watching wrestling liked Warrior more than Hogan. Who can anyone forget his promos? Today you might think its silly hear him rambling. But as a kid I enjoyed it. He brought intensity in his promos saying some wild out of the world things makes you think he might be smartest man alive. Chris Jericho said it best when it comes his promos. "I don't know what he said, but it sounded cool so yay!"   Looking back at his promos I can't help, but drawn in to it. So what his matches isn't up to par? Whenever Warrior is around expect energetic flow all over the place all the way from parts unknown. Ultimate Warrior ruled.