Croquemitaine

Points Rankings: The League - Season 11 Week 7 Cro's Thoughts: - Nuke breaks the 1,000 point mark! - De'siree Mitchell, despite her quality performances, is experiencing the "losing streak freefall". The upside is that she's positioned for big gains if she can pull off a few wins. - Mastodon holding his fourth place spot based on last year's strong performance and, ironically, a weak showing in season nine (minimal points dropoff). However, he's now got Lucas Molina coming up hard in his rear-view. - Speaking of... Lucas Molina has the momentum right now. If the second half of the season follows current trends, he should pass both Priest and Mastodon in short order. - Nocturne enjoying the "second season bump", where points are gained but never lost. Scott Stevens and Lance Heartilly are largely wasting their similar opportunity. - We have a clear Top Three in the League right now, and it looks like a clear pecking order has developed within that top three. My pre-season bet on Nuclear Templeton is looking very safe.

WEEK SEVEN CARD ALPHA DIVISION (1) Nuclear Templeton (5-1, OVR 552) vs. (5) Brian Blackfield (3-3, OVR 577) - That wall everyone says Blackfield is going to hit? It's name is Nuclear Templeton. (2) George Mastachas (4-2, OVR 542) vs. (3) Jean-Paul Ouilette (4-2, OVR 536) - JPO has earned my respect, but defending champion is still defending champion. (4) Brandy McDonald (3-3, OVR 530) vs. (6) Mel O'Hallister (3-3, OVR 540) - They've been trading wins, and it's Brandy's turn. (8) The Mastodon (1-5, OVR 528) vs. (7) De'siree Mitchell (1-5, OVR 507) - I wanted to pick Mitchell here, but I suspect an adrenaline rush will be the difference maker. BETA DIVISION (3) Christian Priest (4-2, OVR 588) vs. (6) Reverend Johnny Gross (3-3, OVR 517) - I predict a glorious evening for the First Church. Possibly even a return to MOTN territory? (7) Blood River (1-5, OVR 507) vs. (5) Billy Norris (3-3, OVR 523) - This time it's River's turn. (8) Angela Wassermann (1-5, OVR 482) vs. (2) Yoshii Nakamatsu (4-2, OVR 526) - Wassermann always puts up a good fight and always loses. Maybe a spell in Gamma will rejuvenate her career. (4) Pulsar (3-3, OVR 492) vs. (1) Lucas Molina (5-1, OVR 497) - Pulsar is on an impressive run, but he's about to be grounded. GAMMA DIVISION (1) Monty Dhillon (6-0, OVR 546) vs. (2) Kichi Hida (5-1, OVR 482) - By all rights this should be a clash of two undefeated wrestlers. I give Monty the edge because he's actually more versatile. (8) Terrance Stevens (1-5, OVR 491) vs. (3) Diego Rodriguez (4-2, OVR 524) - Both need it, but Rodriguez is just better. (4) Markus Clay (3-3, OVR 491) vs. (7) Indigo Rose (1-5, OVR 498) - Absolute must-win for Rose, but Clay's been making the most of his relegation reprieve. HARDCORE MATCH: (6) Lance Heartilly (2-4, OVR 453) vs. (5) Big Scott Weathers (2-4, OVR 500) - Both men are still too close to the relegation zone for comfort. Could go either way. DELTA DIVISION (6) Diamond (3-3, OVR 492) vs. (7) Mickey Steele (2-4, OVR 410) - Optimism springs eternal! (3) Nocturne (4-2, OVR 445) vs. (5) Scott Stevens (3-3, OVR 431) - A few weeks ago I'd have said this was a lock for Nocturne. Now I'm not so sure. (2) Leon de Ramos (4-2, OVR 418) vs. (4) Sterling Silver (3-3, OVR 457) - Going with experience. (1) Rock Sheridan (5-1, OVR 423) vs. (8) George Stevens (0-6, OVR 403) - Two rookies heading in opposite directions.

Points Rankings: The League - Season 11 Week 6 Cro's Thoughts: - Big movers going up: Ouilette, Molina, Pulsar (?!?), Heartilly, Diamond - Big movers going down: McDonald, Yakamatsu, Wassermann, Clay - Can Nuke break the 1,000 point barrier? (note: a win in week seven should do it!) - Mastodon holding position due to last season's strong performance and, ironically, a poor performance in the first half of season nine.

WEEK SIX CARD ALPHA DIVISION (4) Brian Blackfield (3-2, OVR 578) vs. (5) Jean-Paul Ouilette (3-2, OVR 533) - Juggernaut does Juggernaut things. TABLES MATCH: (3) George Mastachas (3-2, OVR 539) vs. (2) Brandy McDonald (3-2, OVR 529) - Mastachas may not be in championship form, but he's still a top-tier guy. EUROPEAN RULES MATCH: (7) De'siree Mitchell (1-4, OVR 506) vs. (1) Nuclear Templeton (4-1, OVR 546) - Mitchell is tough. So she just may be able to walk away from this one without assistance... (6) Mel O'Hallister (2-3, OVR 535) vs. (8) The Mastodon (1-4, OVR 527) - Two absolute monsters with something to prove. This one will be loud. BETA DIVISION (4) Billy Norris (3-2, OVR 522) vs. (3) Christian Priest (3-2, OVR 583) - Slow start to the season for Priest, but a win here is good for second-place and back in the promotion race. (1) Yoshii Nakamatsu (4-1, OVR 524) vs. (2) Lucas Molina (4-1, OVR 493) - Winner takes outright lead in the division, and my two bucks is on Molina. (7) Blood River (1-4, OVR 507) vs. (5) Pulsar (2-3, OVR 490) - There's no safe bets in a flier battle, but Pulsar is the less unsafe. HARDCORE MATCH: (8) Angela Wassermann (1-4, OVR 481) vs. (6) Reverend Johnny Gross (2-3, OVR 512) - Gross puts himself back in the picture with a win, and completely punts the season with a loss. GAMMA DIVISION HARDCORE MATCH: (3) Diego Rodriguez (4-1, OVR 524) vs. (1) Monty Dhillon (5-0, OVR 542) - First real test for Monty this season. (5) Big Scott Weathers (2-3, OVR 500) vs. (2) Kichi Hida (4-1, OVR 478) - Could be a short, ugly, beat-down. (8) Terrance Stevens (0-5, OVR 487) vs. (4) Markus Clay (3-2, OVR 490) - It's been a pretty one-sided match-up so far, and Stevens has done nothing this season to suggest he's ready to turn it around. (7) Indigo Rose (1-4, OVR 497) vs. (6) Lance Heartilly (1-4, OVR 450) - Who had this pencilled in as a relegation bout? DELTA DIVISION (6) Sterling Silver (2-3, OVR 455) vs. (4) Scott Stevens (3-2, OVR 432) - Silver does surprisingly well against large opponents. Except when she doesn't. SUBMISSION MATCH: (5) Diamond (2-3, OVR 488) vs. (8) George Stevens (0-5, OVR 402) - Diamond actually has a Submission finisher. CAGE MATCH: (7) Mickey Steele (1-4, OVR 407) vs. (3) Nocturne (4-1, OVR 445) - The longest of all long-shots. (2) Leon de Ramos (4-1, OVR 417) vs. (1) Rock Sheridan (4-1, OVR 419) - This match has probable promotion implications. It could go either way.

Points Rankings: The League - Season 11 Week 5 Cro's Thoughts; - Fairly static this week as workers are starting to settle in where they belong. - Hida back on the rise after last week's controversy. I shudder to think of the carnage if she'd been left in Delta for another season. - Mitchell dropping down the rankings as most expected. Ouilette, however, is not. - Poor Monty wins his match and still drops points and two ranking positions. That's what beating Terrance Stevens is worth, I guess. If he can pull off wins the next two weeks, he'll finally see some upward progress. "If". I'm already smelling another three-way-war for two promotion spots. - Mastodon/Priest/McDonald somehow holding down the same 4-6 positions for a fourth straight week. Given the gap above and below them, they may hold position for another week or two even if they continue their sub-par seasons.

Points Rankings: The League - Season 11 Week 4 Cro's Thoughts: - Not a lot to say this week, other than this is a good example of what happens when the points from older seasons drop off. We see here people going up or down based on what no longer counts from Season 9 Week 4 as much as what did happen in Season 11 Week 4. - Mostly a lot of bouncing up and down this season, but a few workers are clearly trending upwards: Yoshii Nakamatsu, Kichi Hida, and Nocturne are potentially having statement seasons.

WEEK FIVE CARD ALPHA DIVISION LAST ONE STANDING MATCH: (5) Brian Blackfield (2-2, OVR 572) vs. (3) Mel O'Hallister (2-2, OVR 534) - A Scotsman and an Irishman walk into a ba... why isn't this match happening in a pub?!? (2) Nuclear Templeton (3-1, OVR 541) vs. (8) The Mastodon (1-3, OVR 525) - I think Mastodon missed his window last season. (6) Jean-Paul Ouilette (2-2, OVR 528) vs. (1) Brandy McDonald (3-1, OVR 528) - Both have exceeded expectations this season, but that still leaves Brandy higher on the food chain. (4) George Mastachas (2-2, OVR 534) vs. (7) De'siree Mitchell (1-3, OVR 505) - Mastachas is stumbling, but I don't think he's ready to fall. BETA DIVISION (1) Christian Priest (3-1, OVR 583) vs. (3) Lucas Molina (3-1, OVR 489) - Priest hasn't been giving off that dominant aura he had last season, but maybe this tough match-up is just what he needs to get his mojo back. (4) Pulsar (2-2, OVR 489) vs. (2) Yoshii Nakamatsu (3-1, OVR 521) - Pulsar's got a chance. Just not much of one. (8) Reverend Johnny Gross (1-3, OVR 507) vs. (7) Blood River (1-3, OVR 506) - Going out on a bloody limb, here. (6) Angela Wassermann (1-3, OVR 481) vs. (5) Billy Norris (2-2, OVR 518) - I like Wassermann, but she keeps falling farther behind every season. GAMMA DIVISION (8) Terrance Stevens (0-4, OVR 485) vs. (1) Monty Dhillon (4-0, OVR 538) - Monty respects the kick. He doesn't fear it. (5) Markus Clay (2-2, OVR 487) vs. (4) Big Scott Weathers (2-2, OVR 499) - In a contest between two of the biggest jerks in the League, always bet on the bigger jerk. (7) Indigo Rose (1-3, OVR 497) vs. (2) Kichi Hida (3-1, OVR 474) - Poor Rose is going to pay the price for last week's fiasco. (3) Diego Rodriguez (3-1, OVR 521) vs. (6) Lance Heartilly (1-3, OVR 450) - Diego's been doing this longer. DELTA DIVISION (5) Diamond (2-2, OVR 487) vs. (2) Rock Sheridan (3-1, OVR 415) - Rock beats rock. (1) Nocturne (4-0, OVR 444) vs. (2) Leon de Ramos (3-1, OVR 413) - De Ramos is a future star, but Nocturne has something special going on this season. (8) George Stevens (0-4, OVR 402) vs. (6) Sterling Silver (1-3, OVR 452) - She's gotta round into form sometime, right? (4) Scott Stevens (2-2, OVR 430) vs. (7) Mickey Steele (1-3, OVR 407) - It's getting harder, but I've got to stick with my guy.

I really wish they hadn't done that "Swerve and Nana invade Hangman's house" segment. One, because it's stupid that Swerve and Nana aren't in jail after committing a felony and broadcasting it on national TV, but mainly because it was such a heinous heel act that Page needs to make him pay for it, but ... Swerve is so freakin' over right now, and with, let's be real, Face heat. Everyone is ready for Swerve to be the next World Champion, but Page losing to Swerve three times in a row after that home invasion... will always leave me with an unfulfilled angry place in my soul. Another issue is... are we even ready for Joe to lose the belt? Maybe not. Joe is pretty over right now too. So maybe what they do is give Page his win over Swerve now, have him lose the title match to Joe, and then Swerve gets the next title shot and wins the belt at the PPV after Revolution.

WEEK FOUR CARD ALPHA DIVISION (1) Brandy McDonald (2-1, OVR 524) vs. (4) Brian Blackfield (2-1, OVR 572) - Blackfield has proved he belongs in Alpha. Now to prove he's a top dog. (3) George Mastachas (2-1, OVR 533) vs. (2) Nuclear Templeton (2-1, OVR 537) - Quite frankly, the second most important match in the entire season*, and I'm ride-or-die with the Jersey Bomber. LAST ONE STANDING MATCH: (7) The Mastodon (1-2, OVR 523) vs. (8) Jean-Paul Ouilette (1-2, OVR 522) - Not for the squeamish. (6) Mel O'Hallister (1-2, OVR 527) vs. (5) De'siree Mitchell (1-2, OVR 503) - Mitchell has Mel's number. BETA DIVISION CAGE MATCH: (1) Christian Priest (2-1, OVR 577) vs. (2) Pulsar (2-1, OVR 488) - Priest will use the cage the way it's meant to be used... as a tool for violence. (3) Yoshii Nakamatsu (2-1, OVR 518) vs. (6) Blood River (1-2, OVR 507) - River has dominated this match-up historically, but Yoshii won the last encounter and appears to be on the upswing. (7) Billy Norris (1-2, OVR 515) vs. (8) Reverend Johnny Gross (1-2, OVR 507) - Is Season Nine Johnny back? We'll see. (4) Lucas Molina (2-1, OVR 485) vs. (5) Angela Wassermann (1-2, OVR 480) - As usual, Wassermann will put in a strong effort but come up just short. GAMMA DIVISION (4) Diego Rodriguez (2-1, OVR 516) vs. (3) Big Scott Weathers (2-1, OVR 498) - If Diego wants to finally promote out of Gamma, he needs to win matches like these. (6) Lance Heartilly (1-2, OVR 450) vs. (2) Monty Dhillon (3-0, OVR 536) - Dhillon remains the top Canadian in the Division. SUBMISSION MATCH: (7) Indigo Rose (0-3, OVR 493) vs. (7) Terrance Stevens (0-3, OVR 485) - Match type favours Rose, and she needs the help. SUBMISSION MATCH: (1) Kichi Hida (3-0, OVR 473) vs. (5) Markus Clay (1-2, OVR 482) - Is it possible to submit to repeated knee strikes? Let's find out! DELTA DIVISION (3) Diamond (2-1, OVR 486) vs. (1) Nocturne (3-0, OVR 441) - Nocturne is crushing it this season. (7) Sterling Silver (0-3, OVR 448) vs. (6) Mickey Steele (1-2, OVR 407) - Neither is having a good season. This may be Silver's week, but I have to support my boy. (4) Scott Stevens (2-1, OVR 428) vs. (2) Rock Sheridan (2-1, OVR 410) - Could go either way. (8) George Stevens (0-3, OVR 401) vs. (5) Leon de Ramos (2-1, OVR 410) - Technician bias. * #1 will be the re-match.

Cro's Thoughts: - Nuclear Templeton storms back into first place! ... or ... George Mastachas drops the ball! Either way you read it, the Greek again fails to hold the #1 ranking for more than one week. - The Juggernaut moves into a tie for second place. - Mel O'Hallister rises from the dead! - Other big movers are Kichi Hida and Angela Wassermann. One of these two is likely to continue climbing. The other is Angela Wassermann.

WEEK THREE CARD ALPHA DIVISION (5) The Mastodon (1-1, OVR 523) vs. (7) Brian Blackfield (1-1, OVR 568) - Tough pick, but as I see it, Mastadon is the #3 guy in Alpha, and that's where I see Blackfield eventually slotting in. (8) Mel O'Hallister (0-2, OVR 523) vs. (1) George Mastachas (2-0, OVR 533) - Mel's gotta figure things out. Until then, he's not beating the champ. (4) Nuclear Templeton (1-1, OVR 533) vs. (6) Jean-Paul Ouilette (1-1, OVR 521) - The beatings will continue until mora... well, they're just going to continue. (2) Brandy McDonald (1-1, OVR 519) vs. (3) De'siree Mitchell (1-1, OVR 501) - Brandy's a little better, a little more versatile. BETA DIVISION (5) Blood River (1-1, OVR 506) vs. (4) Christian Priest (1-1, OVR 574) - And a good time was had by all. (7) Reverend Johnny Gross (0-2, OVR 503) vs. (2) Yoshii Nakamatsu (2-0, OVR 518) - Yoshii's got the hot hand. The Reverend has been looking shell-shocked. (6) Billy Norris (0-2, OVR 510) vs. (3) Lucas Molina (2-0, OVR 484) - Molina seems to be back in form this season. (8) Angela Wassermann (0-2, OVR 477) vs. (1) Pulsar (2-0, OVR 487) - Picking history over recency bias. GAMMA DIVISION (1) Monty Dhillon (2-0, OVR 531) vs. (8) Indigo Rose (0-2, OVR 492) - Monty's first test against one of Gamma's technician twins. This one will set his expectations for the rest of his season. (5) Markus Clay (1-1, OVR 481) vs. (4) Diego Rodriguez (1-1, OVR 512) - Rodriguez should have this one in the bag. (6) Big Scott Weathers (1-1, OVR 495) vs. (7) Terrance Stevens (0-2, OVR 485) - Sure, why not? (3) Lance Heartilly (1-1, OVR 449) vs. (2) Kichi Hida (2-0, OVR 468) - This was not my initial pick, but I'm thinking Hida has picked it up while Heartilly is stagnating a bit. DELTA DIVISION (2) Leon de Ramos (2-0, OVR 409) vs. (3) Diamond (1-1, OVR 481) - Riding the hot hand or technician bias. Either way, I'm picking de Ramos. (7) Sterling Silver (0-2, OVR 447) vs. (1) Nocturne (2-0, OVR 436) - Nocturne's on a roll. Silver... isn't. (7) George Stevens (0-2, OVR 401) vs. (6) Scott Stevens (1-1, OVR 425) - Scott's got a full season in the new League under his belt already. (4) Mickey Steele (1-1, OVR 405) vs. (5) Rock Sheridan (1-1, OVR 405) - Steele's going to kick him in the face... if he's allowed to bring a step-stool...

Points Rankings: The League - Season 11 Week 2 Cro's thoughts: The big news is that Nuclear Templeton has dropped out of the top spot for the first time since Week 6 of last season. Whether new #1 George Mastachas can hold the position for more than one week this time remains to be seen. Elsewhere we're seeing early favourites for promotion and relegation developing in each division which mostly match pre-season expectations. Delta remains a wild-card due to half the participants having no points history. Leon de Ramos already looks like he's making a legitimate run at promotion. Last year's rookies, Heartilly, Nocturne, and Scott Stevens, should move up steadily this season as they fill out their points card. Sterling Silver is in the weird position of having a season's worth of points already, but they're going to drop off week by week leaving her in the same boat as this season's rookies by season's end. If she doesn't start winning soon, she could drop all the way to zero.

Oh yeah. He lost a match to the world champion. Now he's completely buried! Dead in the water! Get out of here with your pathetic 29-2 record, ya bum! 😜

WEEK TWO CARD ALPHA DIVISION (5) Brian Blackfield (0-1, OVR 562) vs. (1) De'siree Mitchell (1-0, OVR 500) - Going with conventional wisdom here, but honestly, I'm not really sure. (3) The Mastodon (1-0, OVR 522) vs. (4) George Mastachas (1-0, OVR 529) - MOTN contender (2) Nuclear Templeton (1-0, OVR 533) vs. (5) Brandy McDonald (0-1, OVR 515) - Nuke has moved past this one-time rivalry. (7) Jean-Paul Ouilette (0-1, OVR 516) vs. (7) Mel O'Hallister (0-1, OVR 522) - It's possible I fell down and landed on my head before making these predictions... BETA DIVISION (7) Christian Priest (0-1, OVR 570) vs. (7) Angela Wassermann (0-1, OVR 476) - The First Church gets back on track. HARDCORE MATCH: (3) Yoshii Nakamatsu (1-0, OVR 513) vs. (5) Billy Norris (0-1, OVR 509) - History favours Norris. FIRST BLOOD MATCH: (4) Lucas Molina (1-0, OVR 478) vs. (1) Blood River (1-0, OVR 504) - Shooter-tech grounds the flier. Probably. Otherwise it's anyone's match. (5) Reverend Johnny Gross (0-1, OVR 502) vs. (2) Pulsar (1-0, OVR 484) - "Too good for Beta but not good enough for Alpha" beats "Not even supposed to be here this season". GAMMA DIVISION (4) Big Scott Weathers (1-0, OVR 494) vs. (2) Monty Dhillon (1-0, OVR 527) - There will be violence. (5) Indigo Rose (0-1, OVR 492) vs. (8) Diego Rodriguez (0-1, OVR 508) - Could totally go either way. I just have a feeling that Rose has inched ahead of Rodriguez. (1) Kichi Hida (1-0, OVR 464) vs. (5) Terrance Stevens (0-1, OVR 483) - Candidate for shortest match of the week. (3) Lance Heartilly (1-0, OVR 449) vs. (5) Markus Clay (0-1, OVR 477) - Unlike Blood River above, Clay doesn't benefit from a match type that gives him a chance. DELTA DIVISION (6) Sterling Silver (0-1, OVR 447) vs. (6) Diamond (0-1, OVR 479) - That intangible feeling that these two are trending in opposite directions. (2) Nocturne (1-0, OVR 432) vs. (1) Rock Sheridan (1-0, OVR 405) - Going with experience. TABLES MATCH: (3) Scott Stevens (1-0, OVR 425) vs. (4) Leon de Ramos (1-0, OVR 406) - Match type should favour Stevens, but there are a lot of ways to use a table. (8) George Stevens (0-1, OVR 400) vs. (5) Mickey Steele (0-1, OVR 402) - Homer pick.

Daphne Ellis: Hello again, everyone. Today we're talking with one of The League's newest competitors, Mickey Steele, along with his manager, Roxy Rose. Welcome to the show, both of you! Mickey Steele: Thank you, Miss Ellis. I promise our investigation won't take too much of your time. We'd just like you to answer a few questions. DE: Actually, asking questions is my jo... MS: What can you tell me about Project Phoenix? DE: Excuse me? MS: Project Phoenix. We know you're involved. We've checked your financials. DE: You've what? Roxy Rose: Just answer the question, honey. Agent Steele is a busy man. DE: Agent Steele? I thought you were his agent? MS: Alright, I can see you're afraid to talk right now. Here's my card. Call me when you're ready to cut a deal. DE: err... Thanks, will do. But what I really wanted to talk about was your upcoming match with George Stevens. MS: Look, everyone knows the Stevens Clan are dangerous, both individually and as a group, but I refuse to be intimidated. I won't stop until I uncover the truth, and this so-called "League" is going to see justice... Steele looks right at the camera MS: STEELE Justice!

SEASON ELEVEN, WEEK ONE CARD Note that I haven't read anyone else's predictions yet... ALPHA DIVISION (7) Brian Blackfield (0-0, OVR 561) vs. (1) George Mastachas (0-0, OVR 524) - The Juggernaut shocks the world by taking down the defending champion in his first Alpha match! (5) Mel O'Hallister (0-0, OVR 522) vs. (2) Nuclear Templeton (0-0, OVR 529) - Nuke is the top dog, and whatever edge O'Hallister had over him has passed. (4) Brandy McDonald (0-0, OVR 514) vs. (3) The Mastodon (0-0, OVR 517) - These two have split every season. This is the most pick'em match of the season. (6) De'siree Mitchell (0-0, OVR 496) vs. (8) Jean-Paul Ouilette (0-0, OVR 516) - Week One, and already Mitchell is in a "must win" match. It's gonna be a long season for her. BETA DIVISION (2) Yoshii Nakamatsu (0-0, OVR 509) vs. (7) Christian Priest (0-0, OVR 570) - New Division, Same Message. (3) Billy Norris (0-0, OVR 507) vs. (6) Pulsar (0-0, OVR 479) - Close call, but Norris is just a little better. (1) Reverend Johnny Gross (0-0, OVR 501) vs. (8) Lucas Molina (0-0, OVR 473) - Not sure on this one at all. Gross hasn't faced any pure technicians yet. That doesn't neccessarily mean he's going to have problems with them. (4) Blood River (0-0, OVR 501) vs. (5) Angela Wassermann (0-0, OVR 476) - Inconsisten? Meet Unreliable. I'm sure you'll get along wonderfully! That said, River's had the edge so far. GAMMA DIVISION (5) Markus Clay (0-0, OVR 477) vs. (6) Monty Dhillon (0-0, OVR 524) - Gotta admit... fliers worry the hell out of me. They're so unpredictable. (3) Diego Rodriguez (0-0, OVR 508) vs. (8) Kichi Hida (0-0, OVR 461) - Hida has difficulty with technicians. Welcome to Gamma! (1) Big Scott Weathers (0-0, OVR 491) vs. (2) Indigo Rose (0-0, OVR 491) - Rose has something to prove this season, as well as a legitimate shot to promote. Weathers is here for a paycheck. (4) Terrance Stevens (0-0, OVR 483) vs. (7) Lance Heartilly (0-0, OVR 445) - Evil Canadian beats Good Canadian. Yay for By-Tor, I guess? (obscure reference) DELTA DIVISION (3) Scott Stevens (0-0, OVR 420) vs. (1) Diamond (0-0, OVR 478) - Gonna go with experience on this pick. (2) Nocturne (0-0, OVR 429) vs. (4) George Stevens (0-0, OVR 400) - Again with experience. TABLES MATCH: (8) Rock Sheridan (0-0, OVR 400) vs. (5) Sterling Silver (0-0, OVR 446) - It kills me to pick against Silver, and against "experience", but how is she going to put a giant through a table? (7) Leon de Ramos (0-0, OVR 400) vs. (6) Mickey Steele (0-0, OVR 400) - Gotta support my boy, even though history and all intelligent analysis says de Ramos takes it.

"They think they own this city. Hell, they think they own the whole world! But as long as I hold breath, someone is going to hold them accountable. Someone is going to speak for their victims. And someone is going to make them face... justice. Steele justice!"

If Scotty Juggs thinks he's taking my spot, he got anutha thing comin'!

Je suis touché par la confiance que vous m'accordez.

Welcome back!

Glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. The absolute last two I wanted to see in the final. I swear, I'd have preferred Garcia vs. Briscoe. Hell, Garcia vs. Lethal. Or, they could be sane, and have Danielson vs. Swerve or White and have an actually good match to help sell the PPV.

If we're going with "sound-alike", then Monty's theme sounds a lot like this (but imagine it with actual bagpipes for the high parts): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjD544XjhPM After his inevitable face turn, he will switch to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-qXWLGlY08 Mickey's Steele's theme is literally this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_C9E9tOaSU

I'm disappointed that nothing* was revealed regarding the MJF/Joe/Devil storyline, but we shouldn't be surprised that the match didn't happen given that Max has a torn labrum. Cage/Copland was never going to have a clean ending. That'll have to wait for a PPV match. Ben Mankiewicz > CM Punk. Happy to see Riho back. I know I'm probably alone one this, but I'm so so sick of Super-Mox and his super-booking. Is he a top star? Sure. Should he be the most protected guy in the whole freakin' company? Not even close. * I was hoping at least one flunky would be unmasked, although it's probable that revealing even one of them will give away the whole show.

I would have agreed with this... but then WWE trotted out the Undertaker on their development show just to beat AEW in the ratings for one week. An utterly pointless and frankly, pathetic move for a company that's clear and away #1 and trending hotter. I've actually lost a bit of respect for the Undertaker for agreeing to do it. Seriously dude, stop being such a company man. You should be insulted to be asked to appear on NXT.