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Wrestling

THE AFTERMATH: WRESTLEMANIA 37 ​

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I like that WrestleMania is broken up into two nights. Because WrestleMania 35 went so long in 2019 I was falling asleep before the main event started. WrestleMania 37 was great, lots of good wrestling matches. Rollins-Cesaro, Sheamus-Riddle, Banks-Belair all stole the show. I could’ve done without the steel cage match with Shane and Braun. But a great show overall.

NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver was also two nights. In night one Walter and Ciampa told a good story, Walter chopping the announce table hurting his hand and working around it while Ciampa did more damage to it. I like seeing Walter chopping people, this match had some but not as many as I wanted. 

I haven’t seen much from Karrion Kross outside of WWE-NXT, but what I been seeing it’s great. He’s intense and can put on a good match. Balor didn’t have a chance winning the NXT Championship.

Hogan getting booed every time he would speak, you wouldn’t be a wrestling fan if it wasn’t for him.

I enjoyed some of the Hall of Fame speeches. JBL, Kane, and RVD to name a few. You can tell some of these people needed a crowd to feed off of and the piped in chants… Hate it!

The celebrity involvement was good this year. Bad Bunny put on a good performance and I was so glad Logan Paul didn’t do a run in on Owens-Zayn. To be honest, he really wasn’t needed. The E just needed that extra buzz.

I’m looking forward to Monday Night RAW and SmackDown. Mainly to see what Edge is going after Mania, maybe another match or take time off.

Lastly… Congratulations to Jimmy Lloyd for joining the Hurt Business.

Wrestling

WrestleMania 37 Night Two

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The night started with Titus O’Neil and Hulk Hogan dressed as pirates, giving a rundown of tonight’s event. Every time Hogan would get on the mic the crowd would just boo him. O’Neil was the crowd favorite. 

The opening match is one I been waiting to see. Orton came to the ring first but it was the Fiend who made a spectacle of his entrance by coming out of a jack in a box. The Fiend didn’t sell much but he got distracted by Alexa Bliss and got RKO’d and picked the L.

Enchantress.

Night one at Mania Natalya and Tamina won the tag team turmoil match so they could face the champs at night two. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler walked in and out with the belts. This match was a cluster, you can hear spots being called for days and Natalya’s Jericho style hair was a bit distracting.

The rivalry between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn I been following for years. Whenever you put them in the same ring together it’s always gold. The factor in this match was the celebrity guest, Logan Paul (thank the Wrestling God, JBL who was on commentary for this match.) who was just a spectator but got a stunner by Owens after the match… The match itself was great, Owens took some wild bumps and took a nasty helluva kick. This match had that ROH feel at times.

The match that stole the show at Night One was Rollins-Cesaro, yes I went back and watched the match. I was so happy Cesaro won and the world got to see the UFO spin. The match that stole the show at Night Two was Sheamus-Riddle for the US Championship. I thought for sure Riddle was walking out as champ since he’s been on a roll since facing the Hurt Business, but Sheamus won with a brogue kick to a spring boarding Riddle. Now I like to see where Riddle goes from here, maybe rematch or new storyline.

The Nigerian Drum Fight match was basically a hardcore match with drums and a gong surrounding the ring. Big E got screwed by an assailant who attacked him to help Crews win to become the new IC Champion. Big E did do his spear through the ropes and Crews hit a DVD on the hardest part of the ring. I wish this match was a bit longer and without it being hardcore. These two can go and want to see more from them. 

Rhea Ripley took on Asuka and became the new RAW Women’s Champion. I wasn’t really feeling this match. I stopped supporting Ripley about a year ago, I just don’t find her character entertaining. She’s just a punk rock chic… At least Lita was entertaining. Asuka did come to the ring wearing a F13 inspired hockey mask.

The main event was the triple threat match for the SmackDown Championship. I been on a Roman Reigns kick as of late, he’s been a great heel. It was great seeing Edge back in the ring too, and yes it did feel like Daniel Bryan was a third wheel. Edge did his greatest hits when it comes to moves and finishes. Even hit a conchairto on Bryan. The highlight in the match came when Edge and Reigns both went for a spear and collided in mid air. Reigns had a lot of help from Jey Uso and because of that Roman walked out with the W. He pinned both Edge and Bryan.

The Big Dog.

On a side note… I loved Orton and Edge’s ring attire. Both wearing white and red. Also, since Rhea Ripley is called the Nightmare, and Asuka had a F13 mask… So, Freddy vs Jason? Just a thought.

Wrestling

WrestleMania 37 Night One

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The night started off with Vince McMahon giving a speech thanking every WWE Superstar for their hard work during the 2020 pandemic, and thanking the WWE Universe for their support.

Probably the best image to come from WrestleMania 37 Night One.​

The first match was for the WWE Championship. Drew McIntyre taking on champion Bobby Lashley, but the opening match got delayed because it started raining. For thirty mins while waiting for the storm to pass we got backstage interviews. Thirty mins later we finally got the first match and it didn’t end as I thought it would… You see, Drew McIntyre is all about his WrestleMania moment and wanted that moment to be defeating Lashley to becomes champion again but it didn’t turn out that way. Bobby locked in the full nelson and Drew passed out, not tapped out passed from the pain. Referee called for the bell and Lashley is still your WWE Champion. I thought for sure Drew was going to win but Bobby is untouchable right now in Vince’s eyes.

The second match tonight was a Tag Team Turmoil match to name number one contenders for the Women’s Tag Team Championships at Mania night two. It looked like the Riott Squad was going all the way but they got defeated by Natalya and Tamina.

Harley and the Joker.

AJ Styles and Omos beat the New Day to win the RAW Tag Team Championships. Omos was made to look like a powerhouse throwing around New Day all over the ring. AJ even hit a springboard forearm off Omos’ shoulders. 

The cage match between Braun and Shane McMahon was filled to me. It was a cage match with Shane getting the upper hand with help by Elias and Ryker, but Braun limped out the winner. Shane did do a Van Terminator and Braun threw Shane off the cage into the ring. High spots.

Okay… Shut up! I know what I said in my Top Five Overrated, Overplayed WrestleMania Moments about celebrities getting into the ring, BUT! Bad Bunny was actually good and looked good pulling off moves. I heard he’s been training in the PC for weeks and it showed. I was impressed. He and Damian Priest defeated Miz & Morrison. 

The main event of Night One was champion Sasha Banks putting her belt on the line to face the 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble winner Bianca Belair. This match blew me away. I’ve seen Banks put on damn good matches but this one tops everything she’s done in the past. Belair gave it her all and left it in the ring to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship.

It’s Boss Time!

The one match I missed out on tonight was Seth Rollins v Cesaro, I was cooking dinner around that time. But I will go back when the replay is available. 

WrestleMania Night One was good, not great. It felt like Mania, and I’m glad to have fans back at live events. Because I can’t stand those piped in crowd reactions.

Wrestling

Top Five Overrated, Overplayed WrestleMania Moments

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Everyone has their favorite WrestleMania moments or matches. I even did my Top Five, but today these are my least favorite Mania moments because they are overrated, overplayed, and just overall bad.

5. Celebrity involvement or celebrity matches. Big Show vs Floyd Mayweather, or Akebono. WrestleMania with Hogan and Mr.T vs Piper & Orndorff. To me these matches are bad, you know the celebrity will go over and the E is just doing it to get the views and get people talking.

4. Brock Lesnar defeating Undertaker at WrestleMania XXX. I watched those Last Ride episodes and know why Taker lost. But the streak was something special, something that probably will never happen again. Taker should’ve won and retired with it. But the E needed that shock feature to get buzz. 

3. The Rock vs John Cena at WrestleMania 28 and 29. I liked the build to these matches but the matches itself wasn’t that good. I think I hyped myself up to much, knowing that their first match was bad the second one could be better but it wasn’t. 

2. Hogan-Andre… I don’t mind this match, I know why it was done. To get Hogan over as the super babyface, but it’s WWE go to whenever they want to tell the story of “WrestleMania.” A lot was riding on WM but a lot more was riding on WM III. 

1. If I get heat from this so be it. I said this for years and I won’t back down from saying it again, Savage-Steamboat is overrated and overplayed. It’s the greatest WrestleMania match in WrestleMania history, I don’t think it is. There was a time in WWE when they were all about WrestleMania and it’s history and the one match that was always talked about more than Hogan-Andre was Steamboat pinning Savage to win the IC Championship. The E hyped this match to death and it’s why I can’t stand it, plus I’ve seen it so many times prior the E running it to the ground. I need a good ten to twenty years before I can watch it again.

I bet you didn’t expect those matches making my top five list. Do you have any Mania moments you can’t stand to watch or just find bad? Comment below. Also, look for my coverage of WrestleMania 37 right here at Geek Nerdery. And for more wrestling related talk or if you’re into action figures visit Doiner dot com. Massive!

Wrestling

Top Five WrestleMania Moments and Matches

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You know it’s WrestleMania season when the Massive One returns to… Geek Nerdery! 

WrestleMania 37 this year, like last year is a two night event. Moments will be made and history will be written. Only difference this time around there will be some people in attendance. I can’t stand the piped in crowd chants. I digress… I’m here to tell you my top five WrestleMania moments or matches.

5. WrestleMania 9 is known as one of the worst Manias in history, but one match stands out from all the rest and that’s the Steiner Brothers v The Headshrinkers. The Steiners went over, but it was the first time I saw the frankensteiner and I was blown away. I never seen a move like that, flipping someone over while you yourself is doing a backflip roll through.

 4. The build to WrestleMania XII and the iron man match between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. I was so invested in Hart winning because I knew he was the better wrestler but it didn’t turn out that way. Overtime was needed and Michaels walked out champion. What got me hyped was the thirty min pre-show Free for All before the Pay-Per-View started. It recapped the build to Hart-Michaels. 

3. At WrestleMania X-Seven the second TLC match was held. You couldn’t find a bigger Hardy Boyz fan than the Massive One at the time. I didn’t have my own backyard promotion but I was jumping off ladders with the neighbors kids. Hardys and Dudleys sadly lost to E d and C but that didn’t stop me from being a fan.

2. The Undertaker v Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 25… I probably watch this match twice a year, it’s that good. The false finishes had me on the edge of my seat. This was the first time Undertaker had a chance at losing at Mania because I can see HBK going over, but that didn’t happen. 

1. WrestleMania VIII Hart-Piper… I’ve known Piper as a brawler throughout his career but he and Hart put on a damn good wrestling match with a little bit of color. The pin fall at the end was a beauty, Piper had Hart in a sleeper but Hart walked the turnbuckles to flip head over heels to lock in a pin fall.

There you have it my top five Mania moments and matches. I have another one of these top fives in I’m mind, look for it in the next few days… Massive.

Wrestling

Pre-Taped Mania 36 Night Two

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The Firefly Fun House match was a crazy fever dream on LSD and I loved it. It wasn’t even a match mostly a bunch of segments put together highlighting John Cena’s wrestling career through the eyes of Bray Wyatt. All the little inside jokes from Wyatt or from the video packages had me H-A-R-D. I mean, this “match” is a call back from a match they had at WrestleMania 30. Cena’s biggest failure was his Ruthless Aggression gimmick, but when Bray said, You can look but you can’t touch that’s a gut buster calling back to Cena’s relationship with Nikki Bella. How about the video package towards the end when they showed every wrestler Cena held back or buried throughout the years, tell me you didn’t see CM Punk blowing that kiss. I popped when all the WCW stuff aired, talking about an alternate reality. WCW winning the Monday Night War and John Cena leading a new version of the nWo. Dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria! In my Night One write up I said, the vision Vince McMahon has for Sports Entertainment was the Boneyard match. You can now add Firefly Fun House match to said vision.

 I been all over Twitter reading IWC tweets and this “match” is split down the middle. Some likes this goofy mini masterpiece and other thought it was killing the business. As much as I love wrestling on one hand and bash it with the other… (See Benoit meme) I enjoyed every bit of this match because it was for the smart marks like me who’s been watching wrestling for decades.

Now that’s out of the way, how about that Edge-Randy Orton Last Man Standing match? That’s another match the IWC wanted to end because it went far to long, but I didn’t think it did. I enjoyed every bit of Orton and Edge putting on a They Live style street fight and Edge won at the end. Sure everyone wanted to see Edge in a ring wrestling but give it time you’ll get it.

Brock Lesnar and Drew McIntyre had a “Brock Lesnar, Goldberg” type of match with finish after finish after finish until Drew hit another claymore kick and got the 1 2 3 and became the new WWE Champion.

Everything I just wrote about I liked, well that Lesnar-McIntyre I didn’t. My point is Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley was my match of the night. The selling Ripley did when Flair was working over her knee was on point. Charlotte is the new NXT Women’s Champion and I know both Ripley and Baszler both lost but Baszler just became a main roster wrestler and Ripley has a long career ahead of her and will get that victory over Flair.

The build to Otis and Ziggler I didn’t pay attention to but I was fully invested in the match and wanted Otis to win and he did and got a kiss from Mandy Rose. In my opinion I feel like if you’re connected to Dolph Ziggler your career won’t go anywhere, so get Sonya Deville as far away from him as possible.

The rest of the matches went something like this… Aleister Black defeated Bobby Lashley. The Street Profiles defeated Garza & Theory to keep the RAW Tag Team Championships. And Bayley won the fatal five way to keep her SmackDown Women’s Championship.

WrestleMania 36 is in the books. It was a different type of WrestleMania without all the hype and Hall of Fame but it’s Mania and I enjoyed it. 

Wrestling

Pre-Taped Mania 36 Night One

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Night One of WrestleMania 36 ended with the Undertaker defeating AJ Styles in a Boneyard match. This match took place at a cemetery with AJ arriving via hearse with a couple cloaked figures who were probably Gallows & Anderson. Undertaker road in with style on a motorcycle and we got a mixture of Biker Taker and Deadman all rolled up into one. The match itself is what I picture when Vince McMahon says I want Sports Entertainment and not wrestling. Some say this match felt like a cut scene from a video game or mini fight movie. I thought it was great. Sure the match was heavily choreographed and some of the edits didn’t make sense but for a match where Undertaker didn’t get hurt by his opponent I didn’t mind this match at all.

Everyone thought Shayna Baszler was going to make Becky Lynch submit but that didn’t happen and Becky got the pin fall in the same style as Hart pinning Piper at WrestleMania 8. The match was good and at one point I didn’t know who was going to win but Becky did it and from what I been seeing the IWC is mad that she did. Baszler is good but not that good.

Sami Zayn somehow defeated Daniel Bryan to retain the Intercontinental Championship. The match was a brawl and Zayn got the snot beat out of him. I like where this storyline is going and hopefully last a few more weeks.

The ending of the triple threat tag team match between Morrison, Kofi, and Jimmy Uso was a big strange. Morrison did fall with both belts in hand but landed on a ladder, his feet didn’t touch the ground but won anyway. The match was good and different because I’ve never seen a empty arena ladder match.

My favorite match from night one was Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins in their No DQ match. It was a back and forth but Owens got the victory and his high risk elbow to Rollins from the WrestleMania sign, wow! It was sick.

The opening match was a tag team match between the Kabuki Warriors and Bliss & Cross. I enjoyed this match but the camera edits were so bad. One minute you see Bliss on the outside selling and boom she comes off the top rope. Bliss and Cross won the match to become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champs.

So! The King Corbin and Elias match was awful. Elias was wearing the same ring gear when he fell off the balcony. Put some thought into this, change it up. Elias won by the way.

Goldberg and Braun Strowman had a Goldberg type match with high number of spears and running powerslams for about five mins. Strowman won and is the new WWE Universal Champion. I’m glad he has gold now, yea he doesn’t need it to get over but it’s a good pat on the back. 

That was night one of Wrestlemania 36 and I liked it for the most part. Night two is tonight, what is this a PWG show! Ha! 

Wrestling

Pre-TaPed Mania 36

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I been enjoying the empty arena shows for the most part. AEW has been consistently good each week and WWE as well when it’s not segments heavy they had some decent matches. With that said, WWE has been building to WrestleMania 36, I been loosely keeping up with their storylines but I have my predictions and favorites to win. 


WrestleMania this year is broken up into a two night event on the WWE Network, Saturday and Sunday. And what some people don’t know is that WrestleMania has already been taped with multiple endings to matches so no one can spoil the outcome. I think that’s a good idea for the situation we are in.

Back in January Drew McIntyre won the Royal Rumble and that gave him an opportunity to face WWE Champion Brock Lesnar for the belt. Brock has been a dominating champion for a while now and it’s getting old. Entrance, suplex, three minute match… It’s time for the Chosen One to get gold.

Roman Reigns is out of action and won’t be facing Goldberg for the WWE Universal Championship, but Braun Strowman will be taking his place… This match could be good if Goldberg could keep up and not blow up or get winded. Braun doesn’t need a championship to get over but give it to him at least once. 

Becky Lynch has been looking weak in her build with Shayna Baszler. Baszler distorted her opponents at Elimination Chamber, took a chunk out of Becky’s neck and so on. If Becky is gonna keep her RAW Women’s Championship she needs to knockout or submit her. 

Bray Wyatt and John Cena… Haven’t seen John Cena in action for awhile and it shows having Big Match John not in the title picture. But facing Wyatt again or the Fiend, what’s gonna be different this time? Wyatt strong style and not sale Cena’s five moves, lights out and Wyatt wins. This match, anyone one of them can win.

Seeing Undertaker cutting promos feels like we are getting Biker Taker again. I’m looking forward to this match, AJ can keep up and hopefully a classic match comes from this. I do see Undertaker winning in the end.

I saw Edge return at the Royal Rumble and his return to Monday Night RAW has been handled perfectly. Heel Orton is great. The whole build up has been fire! But Edge needs a win after what Orton put him through. 

Charlotte Flair going to NXT challenging their champion is something different and new and I liked it. This is kinda like a dream match between her and Rhea Ripley. I want Flair to win but Ripley besting her would make her stock shoot through the roof! It’s a toss up. 

I Those are the matches I’m looking forward to. This two night event has like 18 matches I thought last years WM was long. Also, I like the empty arena setup or is it I don’t care if there’s a crowd. I watch a lot of wrestling on mute, I get more invested that way without the crowd chanting something stupid every few mins. I hope everyone enjoys Mania tonight and hopefully soon everything can go back to normal. 

Wrestling, WWE

WrestleMania 35 Predictions

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The build to WrestleMania has been interesting. Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Ronda Rousey will be in a triple threat for the RAW and SmackDown Women’s Championship. I hope Becky wins it all because Rousey has been running her mouth far too long. As for Charlotte I feel like she’s a third wheel.

Seth Rollins is going face to face with Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Championship. I believe it’s time for Lesnar to drop the championship. He’s been doing nothing with it, a match every three PPV’s. It’s time for Rollins to hold gold and try not to reunite with the Shield every other month.

Triple H and Batista came out of nowhere. I didn’t even know Batista was coming back until I saw him attack Ric Flair, and why would he face Hunter? He already beat him at WrestleMania 21. This match is a toss up and… Batista wins.

Kurt Angle will have his last WWE match at WrestleMania and he announced on RAW that his last opponent will be Baron Corbin. A lot of disappointed IWC fans when Angle said who his opponent was. A bit underwhelming. I think Angle will do the job for Corbin.

Shane McMahon turned on Miz at Fastlane. This is another toss up match I can see both men winning but I’ll pick the Miz. Him winning would make a nice Mania moment with him and Papa Miz in the ring together.

Since his return Rey Mysterio hasn’t had a bad match. His series with Andrade might rival anything the SmackDown Six has done in the past. But he’s facing Samoa Joe for his US Championship. I see Joe dominating and since he just won the championship he’s going to leave Mania with it.

Randy Orton-AJ Styles should be good. I haven’t been high on Orton in a while. As for AJ, he keeps getting better and better with each match. AJ will walk away with the W.

I don’t watch much 205 Live but Buddy Murphy has been stepping up as of late and what I’ve seen he’s not losing that Cruiserweight Championship anytime soon, sorry Tony Nese maybe next year.

As for the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal… Top pick is Braun Strowman, I guess he’s going to win. But if I had to fantasy book the winner, Zack Ryder or Curt Hawkins.

Is it time for Kofi Kingston to become WWE Champion? I think so! Over his eleven year career he’s comes close, just coming short being a top guy. As for Daniel Bryan, I like his heel character. Hopefully this feud continues after Mania.

I’ve never been high on Bobby Lashley, his TNA Impact run was probably the highlight of his wrestling career. Keep Lio Rush out of the match and Bálor will become IC Champion again.

I want McIntyre to win because I’m over Roman Reigns as a singles wrestler. But he’s the Big Dog and Vince’s boy. He’s going over.

Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection vs. Divas of Doom vs. The IIconics vs. Samoan Slaughterhouse… I’m just glad Beth Phoenix is back in the ring and from what I’ve seen with the build to this match Phoenix hasn’t lost a step. We getting new Women’s Tag Team Champs with the Divas of Doom.

WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal… I know Asuka got screwed out of her championship to make the triple threat match have higher stakes. As for the winner, I want to see Nikki Cross win. Her work has been great since coming to the main roster.

The Usos will put their SmackDown Tag Team Championships on the line in a fatal four-way match against Ricochet and Aleister Black vs. The Bar vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev… This may be a fast paced match to make time for other matches, but I hope Ricochet and Black get time to make a Wrestlemania moment out of this match. But I’m going with Nakamura and Rusev to win gold.

As of publishing my predictions John Cena, Undertaker, Dean Ambrose, and the Revival hasn’t been booked. Maybe one of them will interrupt Elias or a rematch will happen between Cena-Taker from WM34.

Wrestling, WWE

WWE WrestleMania 34 Predictions

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It’s WrestleMania week and sure enough I’m still not hyped for Mania. Something about this years build isn’t getting my blood flowing like past years. Back in January when Shinsuke Nakamura won the Royal Rumble and announced he wanted to face AJ Styles I was onboard. But in the past few weeks Style was and or is injured and may miss his Mania match… And look at Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns story, the whole no show, showing up when your suspended and still get distorted, I’m not buying it. But it’s WrestleMania this Sunday and of course I’ll be watching it and like every year past, here are my predictions.

I do believe it’s time for Reigns to go over and win the WWE Universal Championship.

Cena will call out the Undertaker at Mania and they’ll have their match. Cena did a lot of trash talking in the lead up and it’s time for Undertaker to shut him up. Hopefully we see American Badass gimmick return.

Daniel Bryan announced his in ring return… Don’t see him losing at Mania. As for Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle facing Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, I’m giving to the Authority. But we all know Rousey and Angle are going over… as for the other matches…

AJ Styles

Fin Balor

Bobby Roode

Nia Jax

Charlotte Flair

Braun Strowman

Toys

One Last Trip To Toys “R” Us

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I probably made my last trip to Toys “R” Us before they close down. As of writing this everything was 10-30% off. My main goal was WWE action figures and anything TRU Geoffrey related.

When I made it to the WWE figure aisle there wasn’t much, lots of empty pegs and SummerSlam two-packs featuring Ultimate Warrior & Honky Tonk Man. At this point, stop making Warrior figures. Save those figure slots for someone else. I did pick up a WrestleMania build up playset. It came with a basic Brock Lesnar figure which isn’t bad.

After about an hour searching the store for Geoffrey stuff I finally ask for help. Talked to one guy about plushies or Pop! figures and he said, the Pop! figs went fast and as for plushies, we don’t have any. He added, everyone has been coming in asking if we have that type of stuff since we are closing. He built it up as nostalgia.

I spent a couple hours in TRU taking pictures, SnapChatting, and giving play by play to Sometimes Mike about my adventure. So as I walked to the counter to checkout I spotted a row of Geoffrey gift card plushies, jackpot! I ask the lady behind the counter, those for sale? Yes they are… Give me two! And I got’em. I saved a couple dollars noting outrageous. The cashier said, the big sales will take place closer they get to closing the store.

The atmosphere wasn’t all that chipper. Sure I got the, hello when I walked in but it was kinda a ghost town. Saw maybe six customers and four employees. What I remembered the most is how hot it was in there. I’m guessing they shutoff the AC to save some cash… It’s sad seeing a store that’s been there for ages just closing and trying to get rid of everything. I remember going to TRU as a kid looking for wrestling figures and I’m still going to TRU looking for said action toys!

Toys, WWE

Living the #FigLife Top 5 WWE LJN Figures

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I been really enjoying writing about wrestling figures and I’m gonna finish this series with the LJN line. Big chunks of rubber and paint crashing into each other! They are really indestructible sometimes. What makes the LJN figs playable are the poses the superstars come in. And you can forget about Rick Rude making this list. Worst LJN ever!

5. Greg Valentine

Valentine was a figure I got much later in life from a family friend. I didn’t use him much since Hasbro was popular at the time. He mostly stood on a shelf.

4. George Steele

Talk about a brick of rubber. Maybe a bulldog or Japanese arm drag but in all reality he could splash a laying opponent. I liked Steele growing up so this fig has a lot of sentimental value.

3. S.D. Jones

The longest IC Champion when I was booking my fantasy league. SD could do it all. I gave him a chokeslam finisher.

2. Ricky Steamboat

Perfect hand for an iron claw submission or something simple as a drop kick.

1. Hulk Hogan

From leg drops, diving elbow to an hurricanrana. The Hogan fig could do it all.

The one LJN that never crossed my path was Randy Savage. Never saw one in a store or yard sale. What are some of your favorite WWF LJN figures?

Toys

Living the #FigLife Top 5 WWF Hasbro Figures

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The WWF Hasbro line are classics! So many figures with action packed moves, what can go wrong? Other than half my figures got broke over the years of play and a bit of yellowing years later. But let’s look back at my top five!

5. Jake The Snake Roberts (Blue Card – Python Punch) What made this fig cool was his punching action, pull back and let it fly.

4. Lex Luger (Red Card – Narcissistic Action) I found this figure at a yard sale years after Hasbro stop producing WWF figures. I bought it just to add it to my collection. It’s always fun finding wrestling figures in the wild.

3. Brutus Beefcake (Blue Card – Sleeper Hold) This style Hasbro isn’t very popular with the jumping action. But I didn’t mind it, Beefcake was colorful in my eyes with pink, black and white paint job he stood out.

2. Andre The Giant (Blue Card – Giant Jolt) My first Hasbro figure I remember getting, Andra toward over all the other figs and his arms made it easy to tie him in the top and middle ring ropes.

1. Randy Savage (Blue Card – Elbow Smash) One of the hardest figures to find around town. I remember going store to store looking for Savage and didn’t have any luck until I found him in my local mall and the rest was history. Savage won majority of my fantasy booking matches.

The only figure I wish I had was Bret Hart since he is my favorite wrestler. As for the WWE Mattel Retro figs, I’m not collecting. They look cool but not for me.

Toys

Living the #FigLife Top 5 WWE JAKKS Figures

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When it comes to JAKKS my collection is an impressive one. From bone crushing action to the Classic Superstars series. But today I’m focusing on the basic Ruthless Aggression – Classic Superstars era.

Brooklyn Brawler (Classic Superstars 12) Brawler was a job guy with lots of gimmicks but having him in action figure form was a treat. He was a day one for me.

John Cena (Ruthless Aggression Series 3) This was Doctor of Thuganomics era Cena and at the time he was the coolest figure around to make up your own raps against your other figures.

Jesse Ventura (Classic Superstars 21)This figure mirrors the LJN Ventura with his blue bandanna and pink flowery tights. Once I saw the resemblance it was a must have.

Kevin Thorn (Ruthless Aggression Series 31) Who doesn’t want a gothic vampire wrestling figure. The likeness is spot on and put him next to Ariel you got yourself the Brood 2.0 or a good Twilight spin-off.

Jim Neidhart, Marty Jannetty, and Tito Santana (Classic Superstars Series 3 Three Pack) When building the Hart Foundation you really need an Anvil and at the time the only Jannetty figure was a two-pack Rockers. With Tito you could build Strike Force with a Rick Martel model fig. Finding this set was a real get because it was hard to find.

Wrestling

Living the #FigLife Top 5 WWE Mattel Action Figures

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I been buying and collecting wrestling action figures since the LJN era. My collection of JAKKS I’m very proud of but backed off when I found out Mattel took over the WWE license and thought I might as well stop with JAKKS because I really don’t want to rebuy all these figures over again… Until I bought my first Mattel and I was hooked once again. My first figure came from WWE Legends Series 5 with Macho Man Randy Savage. JAKKS never had a Savage figure and I couldn’t pass him up!

These are my Top Five favorite WWE Mattel action figures.

5. Becky Lynch (Elite 49)

I’ve always been 50/50 on Lynch but came around a year ago. I picked up her Elite 49 figure on clearance, it just looks good. She has her steampunk top hat, goggles and duster.

4. Razor Ramon (WrestleMania 32 Basic)

When I was looking for a Razor there’s a Defining Moments figure with purple ring gear, but I wasn’t looking to get anything fancy. So I found a basic with black and gold ring gear which to me is the classic Razor look. Sure he didn’t come with a vest but still a nice figure to add to my Kliq/New Generation Era collection.

3. D’Lo Brown (Elite 52)

D’Lo was my favorite wrestler in the Nation and he’s a bit underrated, he’s one of a few people in the Attitude Era that wasn’t named Hardy doing high flying moves. The Elite 52 figure is spot on, down to the protective vest.

2. Dusty Rhodes (Target Exclusive)

I skipped on buying WWE Legends Series 1 Dusty Rhodes to buy Randy Savage, years later when Target had Rhodes packaged with the WCW ring I couldn’t pass it up. Rhodes was in his NWA era ring attire with the big gold belt and by this time I was already three rings deep and having one more couldn’t hurt. But it’s the classic Dusty that I like about the figure. Cowboy ring boots, birthmark and one elbow pad. Classic!

1. Bret Hart (Defining Moments 5)

I gotta have my all time favorite wrestler. This figure is from In Your House: Canadian Stampede. Everything about this figure is awesome, he comes with a Canadian flag, sunglasses, and a leather jacket with the Hitman skull logo on the back. Everything you need to make a perfect Bret Hart figure.

Who’s Next? At this point Mattel is making everyone, as of this year X-PAC has four figures floating around and one of them is Syxx from his WCW run. But I really want to see a Gorilla Monsoon figure because Bobby Heenan has a figure out and one on the way, and I need a Prime Time Wrestling duo. Another figure I would buy is Haku in his King of the Ring attire.

And now a word from Lawrence of The Awesome 80’s Podcast on his top 3 favorite wrestling action figures.

Thanks Doiner for including me in this column. I was a hardcore collector from 1990-2005. Although I do have some of the early WWF figures they didn’t capture my heart at the time. After I was collecting for a few years I stopped opening all figures and kept them in their packaging. If I really wanted to open one I would buy doubles but even then I found I would have a tough time allowing myself to open the package. I found I got more joy out of holding the unopened package and looking at them than I did playing with an opened one.

If anyone is looking for gift ideas I have always regretted opening the 1990 WCW set and am willing to take donations of any of those figures. Enjoy my Top 3 list below and feel free to comment about your favorites. My favorites are all about sentimental value and not which ones looked the coolest or had the best moves.

3. Shawn Michaels (Road to WrestleMania 22 – Series 1)

Shawn Michaels as Hulk. This figure makes me laugh and reminds me of the promo HBK delivered right before their 2005 Summer Slam match where Shawn over sold everything and made Hulk look like an asshole. If you haven’t watched this match or haven’t watched it in a while as a wrestling fan you owe it to yourself to check it out.

2. Mick Foley’s Triple Threat

I was a huge Foley mark since his 1991 WCW run. So I was the worst to be around when he was at his peak in WWF from 1998-2002. I loved everything Foley did and I wasn’t shy about telling everyone I saw. When this set got released I was full on mark mode. It is of course still sitting in my collection, unopened.

1. Jim Ross (Ringside Collection Series 2)

I was also a big JR mark. This is my #1 because I searched for over 6 months to find this figure. Every Wal*Mart or Toys R Us I passed I had to stop to try to find it. The fleeting moment of joy I had when I found it and held it in my hands was a euphoric feeling for all of 10 seconds. I have four of this figures currently sitting in my basement you guessed it all unopened. Special shout out to my college girlfriend who also had to stop at everyone of those Wal*Mart’s, Toys R Us and oh ya I forgot we also stopped at every K B Toy stores.

Honorable mention to the WCW 1990 set. This was the first set that I hardcore collected. I still have the entire set in my collection but I opened them all to book shows using the WCW ring I had. Special shout out to the spring loaded ring platform.

Wrestling, WWE

WWE Royal Rumble Aftermath

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The women’s Royal Rumble match went on last and what a match it was. Asuka eliminated Nikki Bella to become the first woman to win said match. Before she could choose which champion she wants to face at WrestleMania, Ronda Rousey made her appearance staring down Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss and Asuka. She event had a stare down and handshake with Stephanie McMahon.

Some of my favorite highlights was seeing Beth Phoenix wrestling again, I miss her in ring work so bad. Natalya Neidhart eliminated Phoenix. Another person I was surprised to see was the number thirty entrance, Trish Stratus and she still can go. She and Mickie James faced off reuniting their feud. A couple other names appeared was Molly Holly and Lita. Lita got some ring rust. Torrie Wilson and Michelle McCool were good. And entering at number nineteen was Kelly Kelly… What a joke!

Let me get this out there… Jason Jordan is the Marty Jannetty in every tag team he is in. The Bar defeated Seth Rollins to win the RAW Tag Team Championships. Jordan got taken out early by Cesaro by slamming him face first into the ring post. The match was basically a two on one match and Rollins worked his tail off.

The men’s Royal Rumble match was good but it was a bit fast. Shinsuke Nakamura eliminated Roman Reigns to win the match. I and everyone watching the Rumble was happy Reigns didn’t win. A one point it could’ve came down to Cena-Reigns and if that have happened everyone in the crowd would’ve rioted.

Rey Mysterio, Adam Cole and Andrade Cien Almas made surprise appearances. Mysterio shocked me the most since he’s been in Lucha Underground and the way he left the E wasn’t on good terms.

Brock Lesnar retained the Universal Championship in a brutal match with Braun Strowman and Kane. Strowman kneed Lesnar in the head and got a punch in the face receipt for it. Strowman looked a bit shaken by it. This match was spot heavy, from getting hit by chairs and destroying three announce tables and two additional tables. Just watch the match it’s worth it.

AJ Styles defeated Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn to retain the WWE Championship.

The Usos defeated Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin to retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.

Royal Rumble (2018) was good but I still say NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia was a better show when it comes to in ring work.

NXT, Wrestling, WWE

NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia Results

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Mix reactions for tonight’s NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia but I thought it was a solid show top to bottom. Sure there were a few hiccups in Ohno-Dream but still a good match. The Royal Rumble tomorrow night has a lot to live up to.

Authors of Pain taking on Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly is the best tag team match I’ve seen this year. Undisputed Era working over the knee of Rezar really showed how good Fish & O’Reilly are when it comes to facing someone bigger than them, when size and strength isn’t on their side. Fish & O’Reilly retained the NXT Championships.

Ohno and Dream had an okay match. They could’ve slowed it down a little and paced it out. And I still can’t get over how big Kassius Ohno has gotten but he can still movie around the ring like a hero.

Ember Moon put on one hell of a fight reversing the arm bar from Shayna Baszler to get the pinfall. The match was one sided with Baszler dominating but Moon hit the eclipse and a handful of kicks. I don’t see this feud ending anything time soon. Baszler attacked Moon after the match.

Aleister Black defeated Adam Cole via pinfall in an Extreme Rules match and it’s probably one of the best hardcore matches I’ve seen. Other than CZW or some indie show you don’t see extreme wrestling anymore other than the E and this match had everything.

The match between Andrade “Cien” Almas and Johnny Gargano is being called match of the year by some on Wrestle Twitter. Was it a good match, yes. Five stars, argument could be made. I thought it was a good wrestling match. Would I put it next to Omega-Okada, nope. But it was still a damn good match. Gargano is someone I been following since his days in Pro Wrestling Ohio and I’m very happy to see him get an NXT title shot but he came up short.

Wrestling, WWE

#RAW25 Is In The Books

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I was hyped more than anyone for #RAW25 and it had its moments but fell flat when it came to the Manhattan Center and the fans let everyone know by chanting “bullshit”.

I would be pissed too because the Barclays Center was getting all the top names and segments like John Cena, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Godfather. Where the Manhattan Center got the Undertaker cutting an in ring promo which came off bad and two short matches with Wyatt-Hardy, and Bálor Club-Revival. Sure D-Generation X and Razor Ramon segment went over well, but it took Triple H putting over the fans to get them back on his side.

What you didn’t see was during the commercial breaks the Manhattan Center was getting 205 Live matches and even those went short.

The E tried to do something good but couldn’t really pull it off. I did kinda like the original format, one hour will take place at the Manhattan Center and the next hour Barclays Center and have the third hour rotate. I did like seeing Brooklyn Brawler, Brother Love, the return of the Peep Show even though Christian became a background character. The Manhattan crowed chanting 1 2 3 for X-PAC that hit me in the feels. And let’s not forget the fan dressed in drag like Bobby Hennan did.

Here’s to another 25 years of Monday Night RAW… I said in my Royal Rumble predictions that there may be a setup for a Bryan-Miz match and tonight the seeds were planted again! Miz became the new IC Champ defeating Roman Reigns.