Sting's "Joker" Transformation Now Complete

by Brian Phelps (http://wrestlersway.blogspot.com)




It appears as though Sting has finally completed his transformation into Heath Ledger's "Joker" character. This past Thursday on Impact, Sting showed up in complete Joker face paint, but this time came sporting a red and black suit to match. The only thing left for Sting to do is revamp his theme song to fit his persona. 

Why Wrestling Fans Boo John Cena

by Brian Phelps

http://www.wrestlersway.blogspot.com

The question that a lot of wrestling fans ask is why do wrestling fans boo John Cena? In this blog post, I aim to outline exactly why fans dislike, despise, and ultimately boo John Cena.

John Cena is literally the "face" of the WWE. He is the biggest star of the current generation of professional wrestling, and one of the biggest baby faces of all-time. He has a chiseled physique, movie star good looks, loads of charisma, and has beaten the biggest stars in the sport. He is also an 11 time World Champion, 3 time United States Champion, 4 time Tag Team Champion, and the 2008 Royal Rumble Winner. He has made as much or more merchandise sales than Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin. His Rap Album debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200. He has starred in several feature films including The Marine, 12 Rounds, and Legendary. He is the the current face of the WWE, inheriting that torch from predecessors such as The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, and Hulk Hogan who came before him. So, why does arguably the biggest baby face of all-time walk into any arena in the country and get booed by half the fans? Why did fans boo him during his feud with Triple H and cheer for Triple H who was the villain? Why do fans chant "You Suck", "You Can't Wrestle" to John Cena but no one else. It's a question that WWE Executives have never really understood. This response has NEVER happened to any other "face of the company". So why hate John Cena? Here's a list of 10 reasons why.


1) Lack of Moves - People chant "You Can't Wrestle" to John Cena because he has only a handful of moves. Fishermen's Suplex, Five Knuckle Shuffle, Attitude Adjustment, STF, Top Rope Leg Drop are his only real maneuvers. Unless you count a basic clothesline, running shoulder block, or just punching someone... he really has 2 or 3 moves besides his 3 finishers.

2) Lackluster Finishing Moves - The Attitude Adjustment is nothing more than hoisting a guy on your shoulders and just dumping him off. It's not a believable finishing move in the modern era. The Five Knuckle Shuffle is nothing more than a falling punch with a taunt. Then the STF, Cena's submission move is just a poor man's Crippler Crossface.

3) Inability to Sell - His inability to sell moves and get as far as he has in the business astounds me. He never really even looks like he is in pain, he just squeezes his eyes shut... but looks like he is totally faking it. When you're a wrestler, you are supposed to sell beat downs. Cena shows no emotion when he gets beat down. He looks more like he's just tired and squeezing his eyes shut instead of a guy that is supposed to be writhing in pain from a devastating move he just received. Watch a Rock, Hogan, or Shawn Michaels match... and watch how they writhe in pain and sell injuries and moves. Then watch a John Cena match... and how he just squeezes his eyes shut and just looks sort of tired. It's just horrible acting on his part.

4) Ripped Off Character - What ticks fans off about Cena is that his entire persona is just a rip off/hybrid of two old school wrestlers, The Rock and Hulk Hogan and here's how. His take a beating the whole match, and then "magically come back" with 2-3 moves and win is a copy-and-paste of the old Hulkster Match formula. Hulk Hogan would come out and take a beating most of the match, and then "Hulk Up" (magically come back) and hit 2 or 3 moves and win the match. That worked in the '80s because wrestlers didn't have many moves back then, and matches would go 20-30 minutes so fans enjoyed that because it was different. Also, during the Cold War era it was inspiring to see an American beat down only to persevere and come back. Now, it's played out and predictable. It's stale and boring. Even Chavo Guerrero referred to it as "another BS Lazy Comeback".

Then, John Cena's Five Knuckle Shuffle to Attitude Adjustment sequence is a carbon copy of The Rock's People's Elbow to Rock Bottom sequence. So, it just seems like a cheap rehash.

John Cena's catch phrase "You Want Some, Come Get Some" is ripped off of Rick Steiner's "You Want Some, Come Get Some... You Don't Like Me, Bite Me" catch phrase. Also, "You Want Some, Come Get Some" also is essentially the same as saying The Rock's "Just Bring It" catch phrase. In other words, the running theme is that John Cena's persona from Mid 2005-Present is super lazy... and just feels like the WWE cherry picked a couple of things from the Rock and Hulk Hogan that worked  in the past and copy-and-pasted them onto John Cena. In other words, John Cena's persona was milked right out of the unoriginal "Corporate Machine".

5) WWE Forces Him Down Our Throats- From April 2005 to the present (July 2011), John Cena has headlined a staggering 60 PPV Events! (And you could argue a couple more if you include some of the matches that he didn't fight for a title, but had the most hyped about match). People are tired of seeing him fight for the World Title. It's so over done, stale, boring, repetitive, and frustrating. Who wants to order a WWE PPV when the same guy fights for the belt every month? He actually probably would've headlined more had he not had a couple of injuries over the years. It's like listening to a great song every day for 6 years. You start to hate that song. (PPV Results Information gathered from prowrestling.about.com)

6) Promos Are Mind Numbingly Repetitive - He's reached a point now where all his promos sound the same.  It's usually the same "WWE is my life... I defend this belt night in and night out... and you want some, come get some". It usually doesn't vary much from that.

7) John Cena Has to Make Everything About John Cena - He will come out and get involved in things that don't even concern him. After CM Punk got suspended, John Cena came out the next week to "call out" Vince McMahon. He told Vince "What if I speak my mind are you going to suspend me too?" and told Vince if that's how Vince is doing things he wants no part and tried to walk out. Umm.... first, why do you even care? The situation had NOTHING to do with you. How did CM Punk getting suspended end with John Cena calling out Vince McMahon and nearly walking out? Shouldn't CM Punk have called out Vince and walked out? He's as bad as Hogan about taking the spot light from situations that have nothing to do with him.

8) Why do Women and Children Cheer John Cena? Women cheer for John Cena because he has movie star good looks, and a chiseled physique. They cheer for him because he is "hot". Children cheer for him because he is a cut and dry good guy who fights for what is right, and dresses colorful. Kids respond to that.

9) Why Do Men Hate John Cena? Other than all the reasons I have already given, men hate John Cena because he's the star quarterback from your high school who had everything handed to him. He's that guy from your job or your school that does absolutely nothing and gets all the girls because of his movie star good looks. He's that guy from your job that gets the employee of the month award every single month, even though you're better at your job than he is. He's that lazy jock from your school who never had to try to do his school work because his teachers just gave him an A because he's the star of the football team or everyone lets him copy off their work, while you bust your butt studying and get a C. He's that guy from your job that gets all the promotions and accolades even though his work ethic sucks, while you bust your butt and your boss couldn't give a crap less about you. That's what men see when they look at John Cena.

10) "Super Cena" - The Internet Wrestling Community has a term for John Cena. They call him "SuperCena" because he wins 99.9% of the time, and is rarely ever even challenged. Who wants to watch a guy that gets beat down and just comes back and wins every single flipping match? Hit the snooze and let me know when his matches are over because I already know who will win.

11) John Cena Sold Out - What happened to the take no prisoners, battle rapping John Cena? Everyone loved the Doctor of Thug-a-nomics.... but as soon as he became WWE Champion at Wrestlemania 21... he changed. He became a shell of his former self. He quit wearing his hat backwards, quit wearing jerseys, and became the corporate monkey. He turned his hat forward, ditched the jerseys, stopped rapping, and started giving boring cookie cutter promos, and delivering the same lazy BS comeback match every night. He totally sold out when he became the face of the company. Gone is the edgy, gutsy John Cena... and all we're left with is this boring Rock/Hogan hybrid.

Z! True Long Island Story (ep.24)

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CM Punk Returns With a Cult of Personality

by Brian Phelps

http://wrestlersway.blogspot.com

On Raw, last night the roof blew off as a WWE Champion was crowned twice, and a 3rd returned. Rey Mysterio defeated The Miz to be crowned the new WWE Champion since you know who walked out of Chicago with the title at Money in the Bank. However, Triple H declared that Rey Mysterio would defend the title later that night against the man he claimed deserved a rematch, John Cena. Upon hearing that, the wind was completely let out of my sails. You just knew Cena would win, and he did. As John Cena celebrated his 400th World Title reign, mysterious music hit. It described someone with a "cult of personality". Then, as John Cena looked around confused... CM Punk waltzed out on the ramp with the real WWE Title around his waist, and a crowd pop worthy of insanity. As he took in the ovation, you could see a bewildered look on Cena's face. He looked like a man that saw a train coming at him from a mile away. It's like John Cena had a look in his eye like he knew his days as the face of the WWE were coming to an end, and the worst part is he can see that train coming a long way out. Punk climbed into the ring, and Cena tried to take his fraudulent WWE Title and hoist it into the air... getting some cheers and more boos. Then Punk raised the rightful WWE Title into the air to a deafening cheer. Cena then just walked out, like he was taking his ball and going home. The future is here, and it's a Cult of Personality.

Mark Henry Has Been Dominating... Who Cares?

Over the last month or so, Mark Henry has been on a path of destruction in the WWE... decimating Kane, the Big Show, and terrorizing WWE Officials. He smashed the Big Show through the side of a steel cage, but man who the heck cares? We all know that it's nothing but a fluke. We all know Mark Henry will never be WWE Champion. He is to this generation what Bam Bam Bigelow was to the '90s and King Kong Bundy was to the '80s... just a big menacing guy that's only there to look threatening but never actually amount to anything. This isn't the first time Mark Henry has been pushed. They pushed him back in 2006 when he was feuding with Undertaker and Batista. WWE only pushes Mark Henry when there is a lack of main event heels on Smackdown. He's just put in every once in awhile basically for filler.. to make it look like there are more main event heels then there really are. Whenever they get another main event heel or two, he'll be back to being VERY mid-card. Does the WWE really think we forgot that Mark Henry spent a decade being a big jobber before he was ever pushed? If you really think we believe Mark Henry as a dominant wrestler... yeah right. Pretty soon he'll be back to losing to dudes like Evan Bourne, with the occasional "King Kong vs Godzilla" confrontation with Kane or Big Show during a battle royal.

Wrestler's Way Podcast - nWo Legends Round Table

Welcome to the inaugural Wrestler's Way Podcast. This first edition is discussing WWE OnDemand's recent nWo Legends Round Table, specifically Kevin Nash and some of the comments he made during the broadcast about duping WCW out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Check it out.

CM Punk Crashes Comic Con 2011, Interrupts Triple H (with Footage)

by Brian Phelps (http://wrestlersway.blogspot.com)




At Comic-Con 2011, pandemonium ran wild as CM Punk barged uninvited into a Q and A Session with WWE Stars Triple H and Rey Mysterio. CM Punk immediately yelled out with a megaphone "How's life in fantasy land Hunter?", a jab at Triple H. Triple H retorted "How's life in unemployment land?". CM Punk asked when Zack Ryder was going to be on television. Punk then told them anytime they want a crack at the title, they can find him in Chicago. Triple H explained to Punk, that it's a different regime and that anytime he wants they can talk. CM Punk told Triple H that he was sure Stephanie (Triple H's wife) had his number. The crowd erupted at Comic-Con chanting "CM Punk". One thing is for sure is that Chicago's own is not going away quietly and that a microphone in CM Punk's hand is a pipe bomb.

There is only one WWE Champion, and no predictable tournament on RAW will change the fact that CM Punk is the TRUE WWE Champion. Of course it came down to Rey Mysterio and Miz... even though Kofi Kingston, R-Truth and others are far more deserving up and comers... but the corporate machine will spoon feed us Mysterio until we're beyond sick to our stomachs of it. Bring back CM Punk or the WWE Universe may riot.

Z! True Long Island Story (ep.23)

Mean Gene Okerlund guest stars on Z! True Long Island Story, and the Ultimate Broski takes on the Ultimate Warrior.

CM Punk Leaves WWE With the World Title

by Brian Phelps
http://wrestlersway.blogspot.com



At MITB, CM Punk defeated John Cena and prevented Alberto Del Rio from fulfilling his destiny and cashing in his briefcase as he escaped with the WWE Championship, effectively leaving WWE with it's most prized possession. In an update recently, CM Punk uploaded a picture of the WWE Title in his fridge. This was Punk's 'Hostile Takeover' moment. We'll keep everyone posted. Congratulations to CM Punk for sticking it to corporate!

Was Vince McMahon Really Let Go?

by Brian Phelps

http://wrestlersway.blogspot.com

On Raw Monday Night, a tournament was held to decide the new world champion after CM Punk walked out of the company with the title. The finals came down to Miz vs Rey Mysterio, which will take place next week. Vince McMahon came out at the end of the show to fire John Cena as the stipulation for Money In The Bank promised. He told John that no man is bigger than the business, not Hogan and certainly not him. He told Cena that he can always make another John Cena, and just as he was about to fire John Cena Triple H's music hit. The Game came out to the ring in a sharp suit, taking me back to his days in Evolution. The Game pleaded with Vince to go backstage because they needed to talk, but Vince refused. The Game informed Vince that the Board of Directors are 'concerned' with McMahon's actions as of late (i.e. letting the title leave the company, not resigning CM Punk, and trying to fire John Cena). The Board of Directors have decided as a result to appoint someone else to run day-to-day operations of the WWE. Upon hearing that, Vince began to cry. Triple H, who was choking up himself, told Vince that they chose him to relieve Vince McMahon of his duties with the WWE. He told Vince he wasn't going to fire John Cena or do anything else.Vince was reduced to tears, and slowly walked out to the fans chanting 'Thank You Vince' as he was let go by the Board of Directors. The question now, is was Vince McMahon really let go by the WWE Board of Directors?

The answer is no. In real life, Vince McMahon is still in charge of the company. Triple H is being groomed to eventually take over the company, but that is still a ways down the road... possibly several years.

Z! True Long Island Story (ep.22)

Wrestler's Way has decided to pick up Zack Ryder's 'Z! True Long Island Story', and air Zack's new episodes as he posts them!

"Joker" Sting Unleashes Clown Henchmen, Wins World Title From Mr. Anderson

by Brian Phelps (http://wrestlersway.blogspot.com)




The psychotic carnival of Joker Sting continues. On Impact last night, Sting appeared during Immortal's celebration of Mr. Anderson's alliance with them. He appeared sitting at a card table putting fear into Eric Bischoff, Hulk Hogan and the rest of Immortal. He vowed to bring back Impact Wrestling to its rightful owner... Dixie Carter. When Hulk Hogan threatened to beat him within an inch of his life, the lights went out... and when they came back on there were four clowns in trench coats holding black bats up in the rafters... It was the ace of Sting's sleeve. Throughout the show, the clowns appeared back stage taking their bats to members of Immortal. When the time came for Mr.Anderson's World Title match with Sting... it went back and forth. Just when it seemed that Bully Ray was going to cost Sting the match by hitting him with a chain, the lights went out and one more clown appeared taking out Bully Ray and distracting Anderson as Sting hit the Scorpion Death Drop and got the pin and won the Impact Wrestling World Title. Why so serious Sting?

CM Punk Demands WWE Ice Cream Bars Be Brought Back in New Contract

by Brian Phelps

http://wrestlersway.blogspot.com

CM Punk finally confronted Vince McMahon tonight on RAW, and it was worth the wait. The very first live contract negotiation did not end with the usual someone getting smashed through a table... match signings typically go... and boy was I glad. WWE actually remained unpredictable for that segment for the most part with the exception of John Cena once again interrupting so he could make it "all about Cena" like always. I'm about to call Cena 'Hogan 2.0' because he is a black hole swallowing the spotlight from all that is good.

Anyways, CM Punk was on fire on the microphone, demanding in his contract that Vince McMahon bring back the WWE ice cream bars. He also scolded Vince McMahon, telling him that he was "The voice of the voiceless". Punk said he was the voice for Colt Cabana and Luke Gallows... which actually got split "Colt Cabana"/"We want ice cream" chants. Then Cena comes out to try to make something that has nothing to do with him... all about him. John Cena called Punk a hypocrite. Punk laughed at John because John is the real hypocrite. John Cena always talked about being the underdog... and now he is no longer the underdog Punk said. He went on to say that Cena went from being the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees... that he was a dynasty now. Cena then proceeds to punch CM Punk, and that made CM Punk remember why he wants to leave the WWE and so he rips up the contract.

Now, the only thing that is getting on my nerves is how John Cena always has to come out and try to make everything about John Cena. CM Punk has the crowd eating out of his hand, but John Cena can't have that. He has to have all the attention. So, he'll come out and babble his usual crap... you know... the same cookie cutter "you think you're better than me? prove it" boring sap that Cena spews every week for the last 6 years. I'm looking forward to Money in the Bank. For ratings sake, put your money on CM Punk walking out with the title and Cena being fired.

Anderson Joins Immortal (Another Predictable Russo Swerve)

by Brian Phelps

Impact last night was surprisingly good. There were great matches along the way with moves I've never even seen as Impact showcased the X-Division. If you haven't heard of Jack Evans, find him on youtube. That guy was doing moves I haven't seen anyone do, including Sin Cara. The Fatal 4-Way between RVD, AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, and Jerry Lynn was awesome. I really felt like RVD and Jerry Lynn were telling a story as they wrestled. Sting was great again as The Joker, but there was just one problem with an otherwise great Impact.

The main event ending was soooo predictable. It was an infamous "Russo Swerve", or at least he thinks he swerved the crowd. Before the main event, Sting and Angle tell Anderson that he better make the right decision (referring to Immortal inviting Anderson to join them as Sting and Angle had to fight Immortal later that night). Shortly afterward, Hogan attacks Sting just before the match backstage... forcing Angle to take on Immortal by himself. So, from that moment it was obvious that Mr. Anderson was going to join Immortal and screw over Angle. Lo and Behold, Anderson comes out during the handicap match and appeared to be fighting off Immortal... when all of a sudden he turns on Angle and gives him his patented 'mic check' finisher and Immortal gets the win. This is a typical Vince Russo written "Swerve" designed to trick the crowd for shock value, but he's done this so many times that you can smell it a mile away as I did. There were so many things about this that didn't make any sense. For instance, why did the referee allow Anderson to just run in and just join the tag match? The moment Anderson attacked Immortal at first, Kurt Angle would've been Disqualified lol. Oh well. Anderson screws Angle after claiming he wouldn't join Immortal, and then next thing you know he's hugging Immortal. This isn't the first Russo "Swerve". He's been doing it for years. I can name a few times recently that he's done it.

1) At Bound For Glory 2010, Jeff Hardy acts like he's going to hit Bischoff with Hogan's crutch... but then turns around and at the last second turns on Angle and Anderson and beats them down with Hogan's crutches... (Immortal is formed on this night)

2) Fortune began feuding with Immortal. Ric Flair comes out with AJ Styles for his match with Immortal's Matt Hardy, and during AJ's match out of nowhere Ric Flair throws AJ off the top turn buckle and hugs Matt Hardy. (Flair joins Immortal)

3) Let's not forget the most famous "Finger Poke of Doom" from WCW, where Nash came out as Champion to face Hollywood Hogan.. and instead of the bitter battle of nWo leaders... Hogan poked Nash, Nash fell on the mat on purpose, and Hogan pinned him. Nash hugs Hogan, and the two nWo's merge.

Russo enough of the stupid "swerves". You've done it so many times, you can smell it a mile away before you do it. It's ridiculous, and beyond predictable. Here's an idea. How about a clean finish?

John Cena Confronts Vince McMahon on CM Punk Suspension

by Brian Phelps

http://wrestlersway.blogspot.com

In the after math of CM Punks suspension by the WWE, this past Monday on RAW John Cena called out Vince McMahon looking for answers. Cena said CM Punk should not have been suspended for speaking his mind. John Cena also stated that he wanted to face Punk because that's what the fans want. Vince McMahon said he suspended CM Punk because he couldn't allow Punk to walk out of the company with the World Title. It had gotten so heated that John Cena told Vince McMahon that he didn't sign up for this, and walked out. Vince yelled, "You're just gonna walk out? Like Hogan?". Eventually Vince McMahon caved in and reinstated CM Punk, and put the title match back on for Money in the Bank.

Where does this leave Alberto Del Rio, who earlier in the night had become the replacement number one contender for the World Title? I was mad in one respect because I felt like John Cena had to come out and make it all about John Cena like always, and not about CM Punk. However, it was an effective scene with Cena wondering what else WWE would begin to censor if you can't speak your mind. It almost makes you want to see Stevie Richard and the Rights to Censor faction come back. Easily one of the most engaging story lines in recent memory.

WWE's Kaval and Jimmy Wang Yang Go to TNA

The flood continues as former WWE Superstars Kaval and Jimmy Wang Yang are back in Impact Wrestling!! This past Thursday on Impact, Low Ki (Kaval) and Jimmy Yang returned to the squared circle as the International hunt for X Division competitors continues leading into Destination X. They were involved in a great X-Division Triple Threat against Matt Bentley.

Kaval left the WWE after getting sick and tired of being buried every week on Smackdown. It became very apparent that the WWE had no plans of taking Kaval seriously.

Most people don't realize it, but Kaval was wrestling for TNA long before he ever stepped foot in a WWE Ring. The same goes for Jimmy Wang Yang. It's nice to see them back and allowing a spot light to shine on them.

Sting Debuts New "Joker" Face Paint

by Brian Phelps (http://wrestlersway.blogspot.com)




The next evolution of Sting continues as this past Thursday on Impact Wrestling, Stings face paint has now fully transitioned into The Joker. No more 'Crow' design lines on his face, just Heath Ledger's Joker eye paint and red mouth paint. Sting interrupted Hogan and Anderson's argument, and cut a great promo on Hogan forcing him to actually eat vitamins. A great moment on Impact.

Is Chavo Guerrero Going to TNA?

by Brian Phelps (http://wrestlersway.blogspot.com)




Chavo Guerrero was granted his release by the WWE recently after being with the company for almost a decade. To the new generation of wrestling fans, Chavo Guerrero was nothing but a joke because of the WWE. He's been a jobber for years now. From being embarrassed in a several month long losing end of a feud with Hornswoggle, to being Edge and Vickie Guerrero's "gopher". Chavo Guerrero has been being squashed, buried, and embarrassed by WWE for years. It wasn't always this way though. At one time, Chavo Guerrero was one of the premier cruiserweights in the world, and was one half of arguably the last legitimately great tag team in WWE History-- Los Guerreros (which spawned Eddie Guerrero's legendary "Lie, Cheat, Steal" gimmick). After Eddie Guerrero died, they teased a Chavo push, but then depushed him in favor of using Rey Mysterio for the famous "Divine Intervention" story line where Eddie Guerrero was spiritually carrying Rey to the top of the company from the heavens in what was WWE's version of 'Angels in the Outfield'. After Rey was chosen over him Chavo has gone nowhere but down hill as a serious contender.

So now the question is Chavo Guerrero going to TNA? It would be a fresh start, not to mention his uncle Hector Guerrero works there on Spanish commentary. Chavo could restore his honor, and add a lot to either the X-Division or Television Title divisions. I could imagine the fantastic match-ups he could have against guys like Kaz or AJ Styles. He could also be a familiar face to help Hernandez get over more. Chavo has family, friends, and better opportunities there. I'm pretty confident that Chavo will go to TNA at some point.