Time for a comeback...

Nearly 18 months ago, my goal with this blog was to give it new life. At the time however, I wasn't able to give it the time or dedication it takes to consistently come up with original content. That, along with unreliable equipment, made this a task that just couldn't be done in the correct way. So the blog was left by itself.

However, many things have changed in that time span. Reliable equipment has been acquired, time has freed up (to an extent), and I feel that now is a great time to announce that the blog is coming back. The first thing that will restart will be a trademark of the old days. "Sounds of the Squared Circle" and the "YouTube WWE Throwback Zone" will restart starting on June 25th. New things will also come to the blog. Firstly, there will be more of a focus on prep sports in Georgia and Alabama, and that coverage will start with my "Predictions YOU Can Take To The Bank," starting in August, leading to opening night on August 22. Also, you can find scores and highlights from the games in the Chattahoochee Valley when the season starts, taking you all the way to the state championships at the Georgia Dome and Jordan-Hare Stadium in December.

The blog will also get a facelift as well, because seeing the same design for 2 years can be tough on the eyes.

As times change, you change with them. It's time we caught up. Stay tuned with the blog over the next couple of months, as we make our comeback!

-Jack

Follow me on Twitter @jp_mediamvp!

The Rundown: 2-13-13

Here's the stories you need to look out for:

• Hawks in Orlando for last game before All-Star break
• Kentucky freshman Nerlens Noel done for season after tearing ACL against Florida
• Real Madrid-Manchester United tie; "Real Story" is Gus Johnson called the match
• Magic's Turkoglu suspended 20 games after positive steroid test
• Big Rivalry Night in College Hoops: UConn-Syracuse, Miami-Florida St. and UNC-Duke
• Toomer's Trees poisoner has bond revoked after video surfaces of fight at store

Any stories you feel I missed? Tell me in the comments or @jp_mediamvp on Twitter!

The Rundown for 2-12-13

Here's the Top Sports Stories in The Rundown:

• Power in the SEC is on the line as Kentucky heads to Gainesville to battle Florida
• Four Alabama football players arrested, face discipline
• First Rondo, now Barbosa tears ACL as Celtics face major injury concerns
• IOC drops wrestling from 2020 Olympics, Kurt Angle and TNA vow to fight, call on WWE to fight
• After tragic death, X Games Tignes cancels snowmobile freestyle
• Indians, former Brave Bourn agree on 4-year deal
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway to get improvements, possible Brickyard 400 night race in 2015

For all your breaking news, follow me on twitter @jp_mediamvp!

The Debut of The Rundown

We are back on the Sports Minds blog and here's a new feature, The Rundown. The Rundown gives you the top stories to follow for the day or games to watch tonight.

• The Fallout from the upset of the year in College Hoops: TCU over #5 Kansas
• Recapping National Signing Day: Tide consensus #1 class, Ole Miss nabs #1 recuit Knemdiche
• Gregg Williams reinstated to NFL, signs as Titans assistant
• King Felix and Seattle Mariners agree to $175 million contract
• Reigning MVP Peterson played second half of the season with sports hernia, has repair surgery
• Kobe, Lakers face KG and the Celtics in a renewal of one of the NBA's greatest rivalries in Boston
• Clippers get Paul and Griffin back for tomorrow's game, as well as the season debut for Billups

Keep a close eye on these stories and games and follow late-breaking developments on my Twitter page.

Sounds of the Squared Circle: The Biggest Party of the Summer!

Here we are again folks, it's another edition of the SOTSC and this time, it's summertime!

Today, we cover the themes that are apart of the 25 year history of the summer spectacular, WWE SummerSlam, and the first one wasn't in 2001, either...

SummerSlam 1998
Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
Theme: Highway to Hell by AC/DC

Rating: 10 out of 10
Bet you didn't see that coming. This in my opinion is the best promo ever done in WWF/E. Point blank.

SummerSlam 2001
Compaq Center in San Jose, San Jose, CA
Theme: Bodies by Drowning Pool

 

 

Rating: 9.5

If "Highway to Hell" was #1, this may very well be #1A. It fits every criteria we follow on the countdown.

SummerSlam 2003

America West Arena, Phoenix, AZ

Theme: St. Anger by Metallica

 

 

Rating: 7.5

This isn't a bad theme, but look at what it goes against!

SummerSlam 2004

Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON

Theme: Summertime Blues by Rush

 

 

Rating: 6

I personally like this song, but once again, faces steep competition.

SummerSlam 2005

MCI Center, Washington, D.C.

Theme: Remedy by Seether

 

Rating: 7.5

Same as St. Anger in 2003, it is a great song, but it has tough competition.

SummerSlam 2006

TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA

Theme: The Enemy by Godsmack

  

 

Rating: 7.5

I sense repetition here. That's 3 songs that otherwise recieve 8.5-9 on just about any other countdown.

SummerSlam 2007

Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ

Theme: Whine Up by Kat Deluna feat. Elephant Man

 

 

Rating: 6

It is good pop song, and a good summer song. Keeping in mind that since this PPV, only one rock song has been used, a new era was launched. But it doesn't remotely touch Highway to Hell.

SummerSlam 2008

Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

Theme: Ready to Roll by Jet Black Stare

 

 

SummerSlam 2009

Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA

Theme: You Gotta Move by Aerosmith

 

 

Rating: 3

Didn't like it then, don't like it now. No way this should have been a PPV theme.

SummerSlam 2010

Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA

Theme: Rip It Up by Jet

 

 

Rating: 4.5

Like this song, but competition is hell for this.

SummerSlam 2011

Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA (AGAIN!@#>@!)

Theme: Bright Lights Bigger City by Cee-Lo Green

 

 

Rating: 1.5

This has absolutely no business as a WWE PPV Theme, even by PG Era standards.

SummerSlam 2012

Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA

• Unrelated side note: If SummerSlam 2013 happens in LA, I'm gonna scream! Move the PPV already! Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Missoula, Montana for all I care, get it out of LA already!!!

Theme: Don't Give Up by Kevin Rudolf

 

 

Rating: 2

What were the execs thinking coming up with such a great poster, yet not matching it with a great song?! Funny thing is, they did the opposite with the Royal Rumble in 2012. Tragic...

And for those of you who have not seen it, RAW has a new set of graphics and a new song, Tonight is the Night, which is the brainchild of WWE's music genius, Jim Johnston.

 

NEXT ON THE SOTSC Countdown: September PPV's

Some of these themes will be "Unforgiven".

Until then, am I the Media MVP?

 

Side note: If you seriously watched the entire length of this video, which is 10 hours, you have either:

• A] No Life
• B] Serious Issuea
• C] A Unhealthy Obsession/Crush over Daniel Bryan
• D] A family relation to AJ
• or any combination of the above. 

On that note,

 

And you just got slammed...

 

 

The Slam Diary: Sound of the Squared Circle- The June PPV's

In my opinion, this is one of the best month's for PPV's and themes and is why I had so much fun doing this "Sounds of the Squared Circle for the June PPV's, which there have been 10 different PPV's in 10 years:

• King of the Ring (June 2002- last King of the Ring on PPV)
• Bad Blood (June 2003-2004, rebirth of old PPV where 1st Hell in a Cell match took place, RAW branded)
• Great American Bash/The Bash (June 2004, rebirth, former NWA/WCW PPV and June 2009, final until SmackDown special in 2012)
• One Night Stand: Extreme Rules (June 2007-2008, evolved from ECW One Night Stand)
• Extreme Rules (June 2009, evolved from (you guessed it) One Night Stand: Extreme Rules, moved to April in 2010.)
• Vengeance/Night of Champions (June 2005-2008)
• Fatal 4-Way (June 2010, only PPV)
• No Way Out (June 2012, rebirth, was February PPV from 1999-2009, replaced by Elimination Chamber)

June 2004's Great American Bash had a theme that, to this day, no one knows. You'll see...

June 2011's PPV, Capitol Punishment, had a production theme and thus will not be counted in the countdown...

So now that you know the PPV, let's move to the music...

June 2002

10th Annual King of the Ring

Nationwide Arena- Columbus, OH

Theme: Ride of Your Life-Neurotica

Rating: 7

For it's time period, its a great song. The Rock returns, Lesnar wins King of the Ring and Taker vs the Game. The Ride of Your Life.

June 2003

Bad Blood

Compaq Center, Houston, TX

Theme: Headstrong by Trapt

Rating: 9

This was a great PPV theme. Doesn't it just make you wanna fight?

June 2004

Bad Blood

Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH

Theme: Sold Me by Seether

Rating: 6

I like the song, but you are following up the previous 2 with this? Stiff Competition...

Great American Bash

Norfolk Scope, Norfolk, VA

Theme: Do you know?

June 2005

Vengeance

Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV

Theme: Happy by Mudvayne

Rating: 9.5

The only reason that this doesn't get a 10, is that there is one other song in this countdown that deserves the 10.

June 2006

Vengeance

Charlotte Bobcats Arena (now Time Warner Cable Arena), Charlotte, NC

Theme: Victim by Eighteen Victims

Rating: 7

Great for the era and the Return of DX...awesomeness...

June 2007

One Night Stand: Extreme Rules

Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, FL

Theme: Famous by Puddle of Mudd

Rating: 10

In my opinion, the best theme to fit a PPV. Period. 

Vengeance: Night of Champions

Toyota Center, Houston, TX

Theme: Gone by Fuel

Rating: 9

This sadly fits this PPV. Great PPV but will be forever overshadow by the man we knew as Chris Benoit. (And no, I am not about to get into that argument)

June 2008

One Night Stand: Extreme Rules

San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego, CA

Theme: Hell Yeah by Rev Theory

Rating: 8

If this fits like a charm, give me a Hell Yeah!

June 2009

Extreme Rules 

New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA

Theme: You're Going Down by Sick Puppies

Rating: 9.5 

Its the same reason for Vengeance 2005.

The Bash

ARCO Arena, Sacramento, CA

Theme: Whyyawannabringdown by Aranda

Rating: 8

It fits very nicely, its like a party type theme.

June 2010

Fatal 4-Way

Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY

Theme: Showstopper by TobyMac

Rating: 7

Only reason it doesn't get higher is that it doesn't really fit the PPV.

June 2012

No Way Out

IZOD Center, Newark, NJ

Theme: Unstoppable by Charm City Devils

Rating: 9

This was a perfect theme for No Way Out to return to, and a overall good PPV.

Stay tuned for next month's countdown and the rest of your sports news and follow us on Facebook!

Big Announcement!

Hello everybody! This week has been a whirlwind for Matt and myself, and we have a big announcement. Beginning this month (debut date 6/14), Matt and I will host a show on BlogTalk Radio! The show will be called "The Main Event" and will be a extension of the blog! You got something to say? This will be the place to speak your mind about any and everything sports! Stay tuned to the blog, Facebook and Twitter for the details on the debut!!!

"The Slam Diary": Countdown to WrestleMania- 11 to go!

What's up everyone? J.P. here running solo today because Matt is pissed off...literally. But all jokes aside, this is dedicated to Matt getting well again and because today is his birthday.

So in honor of the other half of "The World's Greatest Journalistic Tag Team," we debut a new feature!

Today marks 11 days until "The Showcase of the Immortals," WrestleMania 28. So over the next 11 days, we are going to go back and look at the last 11 WrestleManias. First up is...

WrestleMania X-Seven

April 1, 2001

Reliant Astrodome- Houston, TX

In my opinion, the greatest 'Mania of all time. Many say it was the end of the "Attitude Era." (if you don't know what that is by now, check out this.) If it was, it went out with a bang. Let's rundown the match card...

1. Chris Jericho vs. William Regal for the WWF Intercontinental Championship

Before the Invasion angle, this was Y2J's best feud in the WWF. I mean who could forget this...

Jericho would go on to win this match and ride a wave of momentum through the rest of 2001 and into WrestleMania X8 (you'll find out what happened there tomorrow).

2. Tazz and the APA vs. The Right to Censor

Ok, for those you who may not get this rivalry, let me put it this way. Tazz and the APA are like Skinamax--um, sorry, I mean Cinemax After Dark, and the Right to Censor was the Parents Television Council. Now, which side would you choose?

By hook or crook, Tazz and the APA beat the living hell out of ROC, and the group started to fade out afterwards.

3. Kane vs Raven vs The Big Show for the WWF Hardcore Championship

Ok, this was extreme, even for "Attitude Era" standards. Fighting all over the arena, hitting each other with everything, including the kitchen sink, and this...

Kane won after pushing the Big Show and Raven off the stage and jumping off the stage afterwards for good measure.

4. Eddie Guerrero vs. Test for WWF European Championship

Yes, I know most of you had no freaking clue what the European Championship is, was or ever existed. Google it. And yes, even in 2001, Eddie was lying, cheating and stealing...

And Eddie stole that match and that belt too. RIP Eddie and Test.

5. Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit

Ok, first off I have to put this disclaimer out. 

**Yes, I know Chris Benoit died in a murder-suicide, taking the life of his wife and son. No, I do not agree with his actions at all and mental or not, should not be taken lightly. But, in the ring, do I think he was the best technical wrestler of his time? You are damn right. All the legal stuff aside, I was and still am a huge fan of the man who was called the "Rabid Wolverine" and the "Crippler."**

Now, that's done, what do you get with a "Rabid Wolverine" facing an Olympic Gold Medalist in wrestling? An classic, an epic 'Mania match.

Angle won this one, and the two would fight many more times, including the 1st Ultimate Submission match.

6. Chyna vs Ivory for the WWF Woman's Championship

Before Chyna became a pornstar, she was the "9th Wonder of the World" and the most dominant diva of the "Attitude Era." In her return to the ring, Chyna faced Ivory of "The Right to Censor" (damn, I thought we passed that part of the review...).

And oh my goodness, did Chyna ever beat down the woman that tried to end her career, and took the title in the process.

7. Shane McMahon vs. Vince McMahon in a Street Fight with Mick Foley as Special Referee

This is like Family Feud on steroids. Shane bought WCW under his father's nose. Vince commits several infidelities including Trish Stratus. Linda is comatose after Vince says he wants a divorce. Sounds dysfunctional to me. And who better to ref the match, than the most dysfunctional man in the WWF, Mick Foley.

Shane would win the Street Fight, but Vince would win the war in November.

8. Edge and Christian vs The Dudley Boyz vs The Hardy Boyz for the WWF Tag Team Championship in TLC II.

This is one of those matches that was so good. You just need to watch.

Edge and Christian win one of the greatest matches in WM history.

9. The Gimmick Battle Royal

Oh, God where do I start? Hillbilly Jim, The Iron Sheik, Doink the Clown for Heaven's sake?!

The Iron Sheik wins, and we get "Mean Gene" and "The Brain" on commentary. We're good.

10. Undertaker vs Triple H

Ever wonder where this rivalry that has spanned two 'Mania's now started? Here's your answer:

If you don't know who won this match, there's no hope for you.

11. Stone Cold-The Rock II for the WWF Championship

Stone Cold won part one at WrestleMania 15 in Philly. Many predicted that Rocky would get round 2 in Houston. But what happened at the end of this match, no one saw coming.

Stone Cold joined his enemy as he screwed The Rock to win the title. But Rocky got payback at the 2001 Survivor Series and WrestleMania 19.

Believe me now? Best PPV of all time! Every match had a point and everyone was on their game.

Join me (and hopefully Matt) tomorrow as we look back at WrestleMania X8 from Toronto. But until then...

"Like" us on Facebook!

"Follow" us on Twitter!

And remember to 

Oh, and you just got slammed.

Several Projects On Deck for MOSM blog...

Many of you may have been wondering why we have been off the blog the last couple of weeks. Here's a couple reasons:

• Both Matt and Jack have been battling illness (we're ok :) )
• Matt dealing with Midterms

And the most important reason we've been off is to focus on bringing you the best content and opinion on the blogosphere. With that being said, here's some of the things we are working on over the next 6 months...

• Complete WrestleMania 28, Extreme Rules, Over The Limit, Money In The Bank, No Way Out and SummerSlam coverage
• Coverage of Opening Day for the Atlanta Braves (and the other 161 games too)
• Capability to Live Blog
• Several YouTube Original Series
• Interviews with on the rise athletes in Georgia
• Hawks coverage including the playoffs
• and Much More!

So stay tuned here for more details, including what our YouTube address will be. But until then,

"Like" us on Facebook...

"Follow" us on Twitter...

And always remember to...

Oh, that reminds me, one of those things we might be working on (if things fall into place), will be M! True Piedmont Story (and yes, it's a Z! True Long Island Story parody)!

Now...

(always wanted to do that!)

Daytona Speedweeks: The Year of the Unknown and Downright Insane

I have been watching NASCAR since the 2005 Busch (now Nationwide) Series race at Talladega Superspeedway and this past week's Daytona Speedweeks were the most crazy week of racing I have seen in my life, and rivals some of the craziest events I have seen in sports period.

So let's recap it!

Saturday, February 18 (seems forever ago): Brandon McReynolds runs out of gas off of Turn 4 on the final lap and Bobby Gerhart wins the ARCA Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 AGAIN.

Later that night: Kyle Busch nearly wrecks twice and somehow wins the Budweiser Shootout.

Ok, we all know Kyle Busch is one of the most aggressive drivers in NASCAR history. We also know he is about a good of a finesse driver as there is. But what he pulled off on this night left even the most hard to impress person saying "Damn, How in the hell did he do that?!"

After all that, the kid from Las Vegas (ironic enough) does this...

Friday Night: John King wins the Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250.

Ok, if Friday afternoon you asked me who would win this race, I would put out names like Jason Leffler, Todd Bodine, Matt Crafton, Johnny Sauter, Tim Peters, even Jason White. But what transpired in the wreck-fest that ensued had even the winner stunned...

John King (I still don't know who he is and can't find much about him) wins the race in his 8th Truck Series start.

Saturday Afternoon: James Buescher wins the Nationwide Series Drive 4 COPD 300.

Tony Stewart has dominated this event. In fact he has only lost 1 Daytona NNS February race since I have started watching. Didn't matter if it was for JGR or Hendrick, Childress or Dale Jr., the man won in just about everything he's been in at Daytona (excluding the 500 of course). And coming off Turn 4 on the final lap, he was about to make it another win. Then all hell broke loose.

Ok, talk about twist of fate in less than 24 hours. That last wreck in the Truck that sent Joey Coulter into the catchfence started when James Buescher got turned into Coulter. Then he gets left out to dry on the final restart in the NNS race and is 11th, by himself going into Turn 4. Wouldn't you know that the entire top 10 gets wiped out in a wreck and Buescher gets his first NASCAR win.

Then the grand finale of Speedweeks came on Sunday Afternoon...

Ok, the grand finale of Speedweeks came on Monday Afternoon...

Ok, can anyone say "Are you ready for some racing?!" Monday Night NASCAR it is! Unfortunately, we didn't make it 3 miles before we saw yellow.

Ok, for those of you who wondered, Dave Blaney (who was the leader of the 500 under caution) did not pay off Juan Pablo Montoya to do this...

And 5 days later, even though he couldn't be anymore in the throttle than he already was, I'm still heartbroken that my driver (Greg Biffle) was 2nd on the final lap of the Daytona 500 didn't win. Instead a repeat driver did it again...

Biffle's teammate, Matt Kenseth, wins his second Daytona 500 in four years.

Off to Phoenix, where Tony Stewart, Mark Martin and Greg Biffle are the favorites in the Subway Fresh Fit 500 Sunday.

2012 GHSA Traditional Wresting Championships- Results

Here are the GHSA A State Championship Results from The Arena at Gwinnett Center from Duluth:

A
Team:
Champions: Bremen- 154 points
2. Gordon Lee- 138.5
3. Holy Innocents- 122.5
4. Commerce- 87
5. First Presbyterian Day- 65
6. Social Circle- 56
7. George Walton Academy- 55
8. St. Francis- 45
9. Darlington School- 44
10. Bowdon- 37

Weight Class:
106- Johnny Ragsdale, Gordon Lee Freshman
113- Cody Legg. Commerce (Classification Not Given)
120- Zac Young, Bremen Senior
126- Brock Cooper, Bremen Freshman
132- Cory Morgan, Bremen Junior
138- Preston Steen, Chattahoochee Co. Senior
145- Kannon Madden, Bremen Junior
152- Spencer Jones, Darlington Senior
160- Ethan West, Gordon Lee Sophomore
170- Jason Grimes, Holy Innocents Junior
182- Lee Davis, Holy Innocents Senior
195- Cory Jewel, Gordon Lee Junior
220- Chance McClure, Commerce (Classification Not Given)
285-Joe Baxley, Bremen Junior

Congratulations to All State Winners!

2012 GHSA Traditional Wrestling Championships- Results

Here are the GHSA AA State Wrestling Championships Results from The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth:

AA
Team:
Champion: Jefferson- 232 points (most in any classification and biggest margin of victory)
2. Greater Atlanta Christian- 88
3. Lovett- 87
4. Morgan Co.- 85.5
5. Elbert Co.- 79
6. Jackson Co.- 68.5
7. East Laurens- 67.5
8. Calhoun- 61.5
9. Blessed Trinity- 60
10. Toombs- 59

Weight Classes:
106- D'Angelo Damsaw, Dublin Sophomore
113- David Sobasky, Jordan Senior
120- Zach Moore, Jackson Co. (Classification Not Given)
126- Tyler Marinelli, Jefferson (Classification Not Given)
132- Brandon Owens, Elbert Co. Senior
138- Donnell Anthony, Calhoun Junior
145- Dyllan Greene, North Oconee (Classification Not Given)
152- Brandon Siffles, Chattooga Senior
160- Nick Simmons, Morgan Co. (Classification Not Given)
170- Chip Ness, Buford Sophomore
182- Jordan Przybysz, Jefferson (Classification Not Given)
195- Julian Houk, Westminster Senior
220- Louis Corona, East Laurens Junior
285- Destry Walker, Cook Senior

Congratulations to All State Winners!