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Sunday Link-Off: The Main Event

It’s Sunday, Sunday. Gotta get down on Sunday. It’s not just any Sunday today. It’s actually WrestleMania Sunday! Are you ready for some wrestling?! I’m fairly certain the former WWE Women’s Champion Kelly Kelly is.

This year’s WrestleMania is really just an attempt by the WWE to recreate their biggest match ever. That would be Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III. This year marks the 25th anniversary of that match which made the WWE an absolute power house. (Grantland)

One of this year’s feature matches is HHH vs. The Undertaker in a Hell In A Cell match. Normally a match wouldn’t have political implications but given the WWE’s anti-bleeding policies and Linda McMahon’s political aspirations, this match is getting more attention than it otherwise would have. (The Atlantic)

Here’s a pretty good thought: Slap Shot might be the most honest sports movie ever made. It might be the only one to really grasp the fan/player/owner dynamic. (Deadspin)

After the jump, more WrestleMania links, the Leafs are a disaster and the Bohemian Rhapsody singer synced up to Queen. Continue reading →

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WWE Elimination Chamber 2012 Review

Between the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania 28, there is one very critical stop on the Road To WrestleMania. The annual Elimination Chamber pay-per-view determines the two world title holders heading into WrestleMania and helps sets the stage for the greatest spectacle in wrestling. After a lacklustre event in January at the Royal Rumble, could the WWE liven things up en route to the biggest show of the year? Continue reading →

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WWE Royal Rumble 2012 Review

Every year, the Road To WrestleMania starts with the battle for a world title shot in the Royal Rumble. In a return to tradition, 30 men did battle in the over-the-top-rope battle royal for the honour of main eventing WrestleMania. Not to be overshadowed were two world title matches which helped set the stage for the biggest pay-per-view of the year. Continue reading →

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Ten Worst Finishing Moves In The WWE Today

One thing I noticed over that short period where CM Punk made watching today’s WWE tolerable to watch again was that some finishing moves are awful. They either look like they lack punch or look ridiculous in the sense of “how can you pull that off?” I know that a key part of wrestling is for fans to suspend their disbelief like watching a TV show. But like any TV show, there are moments that you can’t suspend your disbelief through. So with that as the criteria, here are the ten worst finishers in today’s WWE. Continue reading →

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Sunday Link-Off: The Big Show

Last week was a busy week in the world. I started editing a ridiculously long Lowdown podcast. The new TV season started proper (by which I mean shows from networks other than CW started). Pre-season hockey kicked off and the Jets played a sold-out game in Winnipeg. And we were reminded that Poppy Montgomery is still around.

We all know Glee is an awful excuse for a show but have you ever really watched in depth enough to notice the depths of its ridiculousness? Someone watched the whole first season in two days so you don’t have to. (Progressive Boink)

We’ve all heard of the NFL Red Zone channel but not all of us have seen it. Apparently, it’s the greatest thing to happen to football since the invention of the forward pass. Here’s the behind the scenes story of the channel. (New York Times)

I seem to constantly be on a campaign against singers pretending to be social commentators. I do have some allies in my cause. Drew Magary recently wrote a column about how Lady Gaga isn’t really a self-help guru. (Deadspin)

After the jump, Carson Palmer’s new day job, pro wrestling’s newest stars and some special guests on the morning weather forecast. Continue reading →

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Sunday Link-Off: Kick-Off

I don’t watch NCIS:LA but I can’t fault people who do if Daniela Ruah is on the show.

With the NFL pre-season underway, that means it’s time we’re kicking off fantasy football season. Did you know that it’s a billion-dollar industry? (Hollywood Reporter)

Nobody’s asking but it’s not a bad question: How will the recent US economic debt crisis / double-dip recession affect the economics of the NHL? (On The Forecheck)

Bad news for pay-per-view providers: Cable/satellite users are buying less PPV porn. That’s what the internet does for you. (Wall Street Journal)

After the jump, Punk vs. Cena II, baseball’s fake attendance numbers and Brokeback About Nothing. Continue reading →

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Sunday Link-Off: Break The Walls Down

It’s time for another edition of the Sunday links. In honour of Comic Con, here’s Attack of the Show personality Alison Haislip.

On the heels of C.M. Punk becoming a mainstream star, Bill Simmons takes a look at the history of wrestling theme music and the best theme music since the Monday Night Wars. (Grantland)

And speaking of wrestling, a man got the 90s WWE title belt tattooed around his waist. It’s both the greatest and dumbest thing a wrestling fan has ever done. Here is his story. (Black Sports Online)

The NFL lockout is almost over… Maybe. It’ll definitely end when they actually are at risk of losing money. Anyway, here’s Drew Magary’s guide to the post-lockout NFL. (Deadspin)

After the jump, how NHL salary arbitration works, Ford has a message for GM and CM Punk invades Comic Con. Continue reading →

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Sunday Link-Off: Clear Eyes

Because of all the Friday Night Lights wrap-up links I have in here, I have to kick off with the lovely ladies of FNL that Jackie omitted yesterday. It’s Minka Kelly, Adrianne Palicki and Connie Britton.

So I was wrong when I posted a link a few weeks ago about the FNL series finale. The finale aired weeks ago in Canada but FNL just wrapped up in the USA this past Friday. In honour of the end of the best sports show ever, here’s the oral history of Friday Night Lights. (Grantland)

Part of what made FNL great was the soundtrack which helped to make it feel like a Texas football show despite the fact that all the actors were at least in their 20s and mostly from well outside the deep south. Here are the best songs from FNL’s five season run. (GQ)

Deadspin has done it again. They’ve obtained the audited financial statements of the arm of the NFL that brings in all the league-wide revenue. They only made 10 figures of profit last year. (Deadspin)

After the jump, happy 5th Twitter, the self-destruction of RIM and CM Punk is at it again. Continue reading →

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The Best of Where’s Randy Savage

I thought the best way to pay tribute to pro wrestling legend Macho Man Randy Savage was to combine it with our best of the interweb series. One of my favourite Tumblr blogs to follow is Where’s Randy Savage. This Tumblr features the Macho Man photoshopped into some great photos from movies, history and more. They’re all great but here are the twenty best Where’s Randy Savage images. Continue reading →

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Wednesday Link-Off: Quickie

It’s an abbreviated version of the Wednesday links thanks to yesterday’s minor WordPress problems. To make up for it, here’s Candice Swanepoel.

You that stereotype about Americans being idiots? Turns out that Newsweek’s research shows it might just be true. (Newsweek)

We may never really get a look inside the NFL Combine but this might be the next best thing. A documentary about Western Mustang John Surla takes us inside CFL e-Camp. (55-Yard Line)

Last weekend, TSN2 cut away from March Madness to cover women’s curling. Suffice to say, we’re officially a laughing stock. (The Big Lead)

After the jump, the Madden Madness bracket, some WWE stories and Sheen does Kimmel. Continue reading →