Super7 Big League

Topps Big League is here and nowhere around here have it in stock. Target and Walmart been super bare with their selection that I have buy this box direct from Topps. It's the collector box I purchased as it comes with 5 packs and one figure. I was hoping to pull Jose Altuve figure out it. Instead I got.....

Cody Bellinger which isn't bad at all. There is a bend on the cardboard so do not expect "mint on card" figurine when you open a box. As for the cards no big hits, just base and inserts with Bo Bichette and Nico Hoerner rookie card. Just realized Nico Hoerner only played in single A before getting called up to the majors. I do like the bat flip inserts as I got Wilson Contrearas and Rafael Devers. I do enjoy the photo selection of Keston Hiura and Tim Anderson BL card. There's my Topps Big League starter set and need to collect 260-270 more base cards for the set.

#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.

2000 San Angelo Colts Team Set

Another independent team card set. I bought at card shop in Austin few years back from the $2 bin. San Angelo Colts were part of Texas-Louisiana League for two years before the league changed its name to Central League. They moved to United League playing from 2006-2010 then resume play in 2014 which is UBL final season before shutting down. Most familiar name from the team was former Indians manager Doc Edwards who manage the team from 2006 til its final seasons. 2000 was Colts inaugural season. Their mascot is a grey colt name Casey. All the players on the set finished their careers in the indy leagues. Few went on to be coaches or a scout or gone into real estate.

One of few players played in AAA level before playing for Colts.

Not the first time seeing Tredaway on here. He was seen last month on 2008 Fort Worth Cats team set as he was manager of the team for three season. His previous managerial experience was for Edinburg Roadrunners (Central League) winning two titles. This would be his final year of playing. Currently coaching for 18U team.

Last season of playing. Prior to playing for Colts he played in Indians organization peaking at AAA. Currently a coach for LeTourneau University.

Stayed in San Angelo and opened up facility called Sports Level Next.

Final year of playing. Currently sports director ambassador of Bafa Academy

Went on become a real estate agent

Manage the team for two seasons. He went on becoming a scout for Boston Red Sox.

Remains in San Angelo as staff of Angelo State University

Is there any more "obscure" independent team sets out there?

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.

B Stands For Blackball (and 99.9% end of TCW)

Shocking news came out of Texas indies. Wrestler and promoter of Total Championship Wrestling "Mr. B" John Peterson got outed for making predatory advances on a minor. Wrestler Brysin Scott, who been busting wrestlers who go after minors, received and posted the screenshots of conversation between Peterson and the minor. Follow it up with another coming out he chased another minor before. The news of his public outing sent shockwaves throughout Texas indy wrestling scene then stretched with emotions of shock, disappointment, and anger. I texted a friend from South Carolina about it and how I felt. She mentioned she saw it on her Twitter feed and she isn't a wrestling fan. Wrestlers and feds immediately distanced themselves from him and his company especially with DreamCon Wrestling banning him. Wrestler Reggie Lincoln, who Peterson blackballed from his fed, had fun with making "B. Kelly" memes as both are from Chicago. The ones that hurt are the talents who consider him a mentor and/or wrestled for his company. They have found out the person they receive in-ring advice isn't who he really is. Imagine them trying get booked and are refused because they worked mostly for him as form of guilty by association. What's more painful is his daughter having deal with the fallout. She received unwarranted insults and abuse from angry wrestlers and fans for his actions. One talent mention she called him in tears over it. It's a horrible situation all around. Here's a guy I watched in the ring as well attended one of his shows turns out to be a 180 from what was he perceived out of the ring. Consider that few years ago he publicly called out a guy who scammed him and few others and later found out is a registered sex offender. Now he got caught making advances on minors. He once had a gimmick of him chasing after white girls. Turns out it was not a gimmick at all. Apparently the B in Mr. B stands for blackball from wrestling scene.

Tragic week in wrestling

It's been tragic filled week in wrestling with three deaths. Former WWE wrestler Shad Gaspard,
411 Wrestling writer Larry Csonka, and Stardom wrestler Hana Kimura passed under different circumstances.

- Shad Gaspard was in WWE with his tag team partner JTG known as Cryme Tyme. After their WWE release both would continue to tag in the indies. Behind the scenes he's a heavily well-liked man toward his co-workers helping them out. He always put family up in front especially his kids.
Shad Gaspard was at the beach with his family. He was part of group along with his son when he got caught underneath a tide. As lifeguards rushed to save the group his last words was telling the guards to save his son before being swept out to sea. His body was washed ashore few days later. Lost is a family man who puts his kids in front of him and would have your back. Support from wrestling community poured with JTG sharing final text from him as well tributes from many wrestlers such as Kofi Kingston, Byron Saxton, and Triple H. A tribute at beach where he lost his life held few nights ago. To help out his family you can donate at GoFund Me (https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-shad-gaspard-family-fund) or purchase a t-shirt (https://store.collarandelbowbrand.com/collections/mens/products/beast).

- 411 Wrestling writer Larry Csonka is one of few guys I read for show reviews. I was shocked when I heard he passed away on Monday. One of his reviews was up on the site the previous day. I didn't know he was dealing with health issues in his life. He passed away from it leaving behind a wife and two daughters who were love of his life. His writings on wrestling not only the fans but the wrestlers. Of the many wrestlers leaving outpouring of support is WWE wrestler Kevin Owens. A GoFundMe page is up to provide for his two young daughters. To contribute here's the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/larrymania-living-on-in-his-girls

- The shocking death of Stardom wrestler Hana Kimura turn to various forms of angry once details trickled in. Japanese woman wrestler was targeted after her appearance on reality TV show. She was cyberbullied with on social media platforms with assholes telling her to either catch covid-19 or to kill herself. The threats made her post pictures of her doing bodily harm of herself before committing suicide. Seeing few screenshots of the threats made me angry. How can these scumbags live with themselves that their cyberbullying  made her commit suicide? So much being in friendly towards each other during this time. Sad Hana died but angry was lead her to it. Just horrible people...

Not been good year and five months in we are ready to be it over with. My thoughts, condolences, and prayers toward the families and friends of Shad, Larry, and Hana.