Random Autograph Card: Quintin Berry

Quintin Berry featured as my random autograph card. After seven years of toiling in the minors he finally got the call last year with Detroit Tigers two months into the season. The speedy outfielder made impression with the team as he stayed on the roster as the team made it to the postseason and into World Series losing to the champs San Francisco Giants.

Quintin Berry became one of cuts of Tigers in spring training as he gets sent down to Triple -A club missing opening day opportunity. He will be back up soon hopefully.

I got the card signed when he was playing for Padres Double-A club.

Random autograph card: Cesar Carrillo

While digging through a pile of autograph cards I obtained in person I ran into this one.

Cesar Carrillo been in the news last week as the league suspended him 100 games for violating minor league drug and prevention program. He's the first player from Biogenesis documents to be suspended which includes the names of Ryan Braun and Nelson Cruz.

I obtained this few years ago when he was playing for Padres Double-A affiliate San Antonio Missions.

Why Some Fans Like Heels

Wrestling is interesting concept to the fans. There are faces (good guys) you must cheer and heels (bad guys) you must boo. For few fans they rather cheer on for the heels. The love em' not because they are "bad and evil."  They cheer em' on because for plenty of reasons. Several reasons why some fans like heels.

Size

My first favorite wrestling "bad guy" is Earthquake John Tenta. I took a liking to him because of his huge wide frame using his size and body squash his opponent. The kicker is his finisher where he run to the ropes in full speed before he sat down in full force on his opponent chest and face. Being 10 at the time I thought it was coolest thing ever. A wrestler's size gives off a buzz to the fans. Whether the wrestler is big, wide, or tall to fans' mind they think this wrestler is big, strong, nasty and very dangerous capable of taking down any of their wrestling heroes anytime. To heel fans they like to see this large heel become a menace of seeking and destroying anyone. This works as long the is being booked right. Example is The Great Kahli who was big time heel before becoming a joke on TV. When I went to WWE house show Kahli debut on TV obliterating Undertaker two days before the show. The buzz of him followed as fans in attendance talking how large and tall Kahli and his manhandling of Undertaker. He appeared on the house show and its a sight behold. The crowd, while booing, amazed at his tall frame and squashing Scotty 2 Hotty in under a minute. Kahli, despite being heavily limited, looked very dangerous to the fans and was booked to look like a monster heel for few years. Now he got neutered of being a face he turned into a giant joke.

I Tell the Truth Even When I Lie

I have use "Scarface" quote for this. It's a case a wrestler go against the grain off majority with him/her being a minority. This is when a heel wrestler cut a promo/vignette spouting off related events playing devil's advocate stretching the facts to make a point. Unfortunately what the heel saying does not commute what the majority believed in thus having the fans boo him/her. For the heel fans they would sit down and think hard seeing his point of view. In most cases the heel is likely right. One example of this is JBL promo against Eddie Guerrero as he blast the liberal media and ties it on his dislike to Eddie and what he plans do to him at Great American Bash.

I'm Cocky, But Cool

The rise of "cool" heels. They are big time jerks in the ring and backstage being cocky and assholes. At same time fans can reflect to them because they can and are assholes themselves wanting to act bad like them. The fans view them as guys you can go out and have a beer. In almost all the cases the fans turned them to faces. Example of those are New World Order and D-Generation X.

Kicking Ass And Taking Names

Heel wrestler would go in and just beat the shit out of face often for no reason. Fans would cheer on the heel wrestler on doing this because he/she acting like a badass and backing it up. The more the heel does it the more fans take notice suddenly garner cult-like following before turning to full-blown face by accident. Sheamus is example of it.

Skills

This is a case of wrestler playing heel, but end up getting cheered because the fans enjoy the wrestler putting on a clinic and/or producing a damn good match. No matter how bad the wrestler will act like a bad guy the fans go nuts cheering for him/her just as thank you for the impressive match. 

In wrestling cheering on a "bad guy" not really that bad after all.

Rebel's Top 5 Wrestling Events

Here I am with five wrestling shows of the year. It features shows I saw whether in-person or on TV. My five are:

5. ACW Evolution of Revolution 

When a show held outdoors and it rains you expect a cancellation. Not in land of Anarchy Championship Wrestling. Despite the pouring rain ACW put on a show. Yes you read that right. They did not cancel; they put on a show as scheduled in the rain storm. Every wrestler on that night's show went out, risked their necks and busted their asses hard on the wet mat giving the paying fans in attendance a show to remember about. I was there live, in awe and amazement watching these wrestlers put on a performance in the rain. On that rainy night I saw something special in the ring. This show lived up to the name in every way. Pick up the DVD (at their shows or at Smart Mark Video), sit back and watch the art and athleticism performed from each and every single wrestler in the ring on that wet night. It's an Evolution of a Revolution indeed.

Note: To Darin Childs and every single wrestler on the show of that night let me say thank you for giving fans amazing show and a wonderful time to cheer, boo, and talk about.

4. ACW Lone Star Classic 

Lone Star Classic is one of few annual tournaments Anarchy Championship Wrestling holds. This tournament features 12 wrestlers including heavyweight champion with the belt on the line throughout the tournament. That means whoever walk out as champion in the first round have to defend it in the semifinals and the same thing happens going into the finals. The heavyweight title could change hands two or three times at the show. First round matches are three-way while semifinals and finals are one-on-one match ups.

From top-to-bottom this amazing show with solid hard-hitting matches and surprises in the tournament. There were too many matches of the night that you can't pick one. One of the matches of the night is Matthew Palmer and Jason Silver in non-tournament match as they put on hell of a hardcore title match which TV got used. Another match of the night is Rachel Summerlyn and A.C.H. in the LSC semifinals. For Summerlyn she became Jerry Lynn's replacement after he bowed out due to injury he suffered in the first round. She just wrestled in three-way joshi match before intermission. Both showed their athleticism in the match as they matched up very well with Summerlyn taking the victory moving on to the finals. In the finals Summerlyn took on Evan Gelistico who became heavyweight champion in the semifinals. Before the match she brought a ladder to the ring symbolizing her rise in ACW. Both put on hellacious battle with all over the ring. At the end Summerlyn shocked the fans winning LSC tournament and heavyweight title after making Gelistico tap out then pinned him a minute later. A feel good moment for a solid show all-around.

The ending surprised the fans and it left hardcore Fanarchists thinking what was (if there was) original plan, but that's another story. When this DVD comes up pick it at their shows or at Smart Mark Video.

3. ACW Guilty By Association 6

Anarchy Championship Wrestling flagship show delivered and saw feuds and careers ended and started along with a rise to the ranks, a returned of "familiar face" and new champions emerging. This is show featured two of my match of year candidates as in Robert Evans/Portia Perez and Matthew Palmer/Masada along good war of matches around the card such as solid four-way between Scott Summers (champion), Davey Vega, Jerry Lynn, and Matt Fitchett for TV title, Rachel Summerlyn/Jessica James, and A.C.H./Gary Jay. It featured Takeover rise to dominance again, hated manager Chris Trew getting beat up most of the show, Angel Blue shocking win giving her monster heat when she appeared on shows, Barry Breeze retiring and proposing in the ring and J.T. LaMotta announcing 2012 is his final year of wrestling (LaMotta if you are reading this one more match please). If you want start watching ACW this is one of DVDs to pickup. You can pick this up at their shows or at Smart Mark Video.

2. WWE Extreme Rules

Remember in 2000 WWE followed up Wrestlemania with PPV that end up on par or even exceeding Wrestlemania itself? Similar thing happened here with Extreme Rules having to follow up Wrestlemania 28. The show produced two match of year candidates and solid card all around. Sheamus and Daniel Bryan follow up their 18 second Wrestlemania match with a longer and show stealing match in 2 out of 3 falls match. CM Punk/Chris Jericho and Randy Orton/Kane have impressive matches with each other. John Cena/Brock Lesnar stepped away from cookie-cutter WWE mold producing a different, but beatdown match where Brock destroyed Cena throughout the match with Cena luckily getting the win. Extreme Rules ended up on par with Wrestlemania 28.

1. WWE Wrestlemania 28

The show lived up Wrestlemania hype unlike the year before. The show had two aging legends going at it in a brutal war inside a cage, end of a year long hype build which they delivered, very short match that end up being best thing that happened to both wrestlers long term, a wrestler finally getting his singles win at the show, and very good match between two wrestlers despite playing second fiddle. What else more can I say about Hell in a Cell battle between Undertaker and Triple H other than its my match of the year? Rock/Cena delivered in the year long making of match. CM Punk/Chris Jericho put on a good match and so did Kane/Randy Orton. Big Show finally got a Wrestlemania singles win and it was for intercontinental title. Despite Sheamus/Daniel Bryan being 18 seconds little did it know it built a character and a catchphrase. After lackluster performance the following year, Wrestlemania 28 delivered and lived up the name as THE show to watch.

Rebel's Top 10 Wrestling Matches of the Year - Part 2 (1-5)

This is part 2 of my 2012 Top 10 wrestling matches of the year. They are based on matches and shows I saw throughout the year. You can part 1 here. This list ranked no. 1-5.

 5. John Cena vs Brock Lesnar - WWE Extreme Rules

This match is far different than the cookie-cutter matches WWE puts out. The entire match had a big time fight club feel with a cocky Brock overpowering and completely destroying over-confident Cena most of the match. At the end over-confidence prevails over cockiness. I haven't questioned the finish.

 

4. Robert Evans vs Portia Perez - ACW Guilty By Association 6 (Grudge Match)

  

This match filled emotional hatred and it showed throughout the battle. Short story of a year long build Robert Evans confessed his love to Portia Perez and she responded with a superkick splitting up the team. While Evans gone marching, Portia terrorize ACW til fall of 2011 when Evans came marching back costing her matches. After Evans first match in ACW in almost year Perez return the favor back superkicking him and issuing a grudge match challenge at Guilty by Association 6. What a match they produce. Before the match I could feel the hate between these two as Evans stared down at Perez. Once the bell rang they fought, battle, brutalize each other all over the ring trying to break each other will for almost 30 minutes. After the brutal hard-fought battle Evans came out on top in one of best emotionally invested hatred of a match....and its not the end to this saga yet.

 

3. Sheamus vs Daniel Bryan - WWE Extreme Rules (2 out of 3 falls match)

After 18 second match at Wrestlemania 28 these two got another go this time at Extreme Rules in a 2 out of 3 falls match.This time crowd nearly split based from aftermath of their Wrestlemania match. They were for happy-go-lucky tough guy Sheamus because he's the good guy to sympathetic Daniel Bryan who felt got cheated out of his moment.This should have been their long Wrestlemania match, these two put on amazing performance as they traded falls before Sheamus came out on top.

 

2. CM Punk vs Daniel Bryan - WWE Over the Limit

 This match has classic written all over way before their PPV encounter. Both battle to two non-finish matches on RAW which they tore down the house each time. Their third battle took place at Over the Limit this time for WWE World Title. They gave fans another masterpiece this time for near 30 minutes with a finish. They were times you thought either man would win. At the end CM Punk took victory and kept his belt.

 1. Undertaker vs Triple H - Wrestlemania 28 (Hell in the Cell)

My 2012 match of the year. One hell of a battle in this hard-hitting slugfest between two legends with a third legend involved in this match. I watched this live at friend's place and on edge our feet each moment, each move, each pin. There were times when you thought Undertaker streak would end throughout the shear brutality inside the Cell. Undertaker prevailed again pinning Triple H. This match far exceeded their Wrestlemania 17 and 27 matches. The post match of Undertaker, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels embracing in the ring and on stage gave a good lasting image. Dubbed "End of Era" they gave the fans are memorable last hurrah.

Rebel's Top 10 Wrestling Matches of 2012 - Part 1 (5-10)

 Almost end of the year and I saw doses of wrestling in-person and on DVD. There were plenty of good, average, and bad matches and shows.There are selected few the leave you more than enjoyed. I'm giving you my top 10 wrestling matches of the year. These are match I seen personally of this year. If I haven't watched it its not going be on the list. That means PPVs, DVDs, and shows I missed or haven't seen despite the praised it got like PWG or A.C.H./Davey Vega match. Here is my list:

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10. Big Show vs Sheamus - WWE Hell in the Cell

Raise your hand if you were looking forward to the match on a PPV. If your hand still raised you must be a big Sheamus/Big Show fan or just lying to yourself. It's one of those matches that look ok on paper, but turned out quite good live in-person. In a surprise these two have good in-ring chemistry producing barnburner of a match with Big Show taking the belt away from Sheamus. Lesson learned is never let looks fool you on a match.

 

9. Jun Kasai vs Masada - Freedoms 8/12 (Pain Limit finals)

These are two familiar with each other. In this match both fought each other at finals of Pain Limit tournament featuring no mats, panes of glass, and gusset plate board. They brutalized each other with one insane spot after another with Jun Kasai taking victory and winning the tournament. My mouth was literally dropping throughout the match.

  

 8. Matthew Palmer vs Masada - ACW Guilty By Association 6 (Scaffold Match)

Masada on the list again this time at Anarchy Championship Wrestling taking on Matthew Palmer in a scaffold match for ACW Hardcore title. I was in-person to watch the carnage unfold. Highly underrated Matthew Palmer was in his "Son of Anarchy" phase throughout 2011 after winning ACW Heavyweight title. After losing it he targeted Masada who is reigning hardcore champ at the time. The match started on top of the scaffold with chairs being used and Masada using skewers on Palmer before tossing him off to the ring. The brutality continue in and outside the ring with Palmer taking a beating. Palmer fought back against Masada with both going up and fighting on top of the scaffold once again. This time Palmer got the best of Masada sending off the scaffold and down to the mat of chairs. He revealed his "Centerfold" tights and hits Centerfold Splash from top of the scaffold ending Masada two-year reign as ACW Hardcore champion. I seen hundreds of hardcore style matches, but this is first I saw in person. It left me lasting impression on both Palmer and Masada as both busted and nearly killed each other throughout the match in jaw-dropping insane way.

7. Rachel Summerlyn vs Jazz - ACW Queens of Queens

Anarchy Championship Wrestling has their annual women tournament called Queens of Queens. In the first round strong-style Rachel Summerlyn took on former WWE Women champion Jazz. In the match both of these women trade each hold for hold and move for move with Summerlyn coming on top in possibly the best women match within past few years. This was just first round of the tournament.

 

6. Rock vs John Cena - Wrestlemania 28

A year in the making this is a dream match lived up to its billing.  Both of these guys put on entertaining match with the crowd helped the match pumping up to big time feel. The ending left me surprised with Rock coming on top of Cena. Looks like on a verge of getting Cena vs Rock part 2.

Part 2 coming up with matches 1-5. Stay tuned.

Let the Rantings Begin

Welcome to my blog. This is Rebel Coyote and I will rant and ramble on random stuff. It will most likely on baseball, auto racing, wrestling, or whatever that perks my interest. So sit down while I go on and on on random life like I always have.