Category Archives: WWE

A Writer on Wrestling (7/3/12): How C.M. Punk Saved My Life

Posted by Joe Hansen on

A Writer on Wrestling

“A Writer on Wrestling” is a weekly column that takes the world of the WWE and sports entertainment beyond the eye test. As the name suggests, the article looks through the eyes of an author, focusing on the storytelling aspect of sports entertainment and the “soap opera for men.”

To say June of 2011 was a rut for me would be a poor excuse for verbal irony, if not a gross understatement. I was living on my own for the first time, not in the “oh, fun, I’ve moved out of my parents’ house” way, but in the “crippling, anxiety-filled loneliness” way. Fueled by the stress of graduating college, relationship drama, and what can best be described as a lack of self-worth combined with a quarter-life identity crisis, my life was spiraling out of control. Insomnia filled the nights that weren’t already brimming with alcohol and an ever-creeping desire to see how many of the pills my doctor prescribed to battle my sleeplessness would cause a more permanent solution.   Continue reading →

A Writer on Wrestling (6/11/12): TNA Delivers, but Still Has Room to Grow

Posted by Joe Hansen on

A Writer on Wrestling

“A Writer on Wrestling” is a weekly column that takes the world of the WWE and sports entertainment beyond the eye test. As the name suggests, the article looks through the eyes of an author, focusing on the storytelling aspect of sports entertainment and the “soap opera for men.”

I sat down and watched an entire TNA (Total Non-Stop Action)/Impact Wrestling* event for the first time in likely years last night as it presented its tenth anniversary show live on pay-per-view, Slammiversary. While I have long been a proponent of success for TNA, I have also long been one of their biggest critics. Last night, they delivered a perfectly acceptable wrestling program while still showing that they have a long way to go.

*The company was born TNA, a branch of the National Wrestling Alliance ((NWA)) in 2002 before breaking off somewhat in 2004 and entirely to become TNA Entertianment in 2007. Last year, its weekly show “TNA Impact” was rebranded as Impact Wrestling. There’s a lot of confusion, even clearly among the wrestlers themselves, as to whether or not the product is still TNA or if it is Impact Wrestling, a brand of the larger TNA promotion.

While TNA’s talent and employees have seen each milestone as an excuse to pound their chests and say “Look at us now, look at us now,” I have seen each milestone as another chance for TNA to prove itself to a new audience. From its humble debut on pay-per-view to the debut of weekly television to live television and now to ten years of existence, TNA finally embraced an opportunity to “show off” to a new audience at Slammiversary X. Continue reading →

Points & Prattle (6/8/12)

Posted by Joe Hansen on

Points & Prattle is a weekly round-up of noteworthy links and stories, first developed during my time at the “Voice of the Saints” blog. Expect some sports, some pop culture, and some general thoughts.

If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I went out in search of the sun yesterday, and got more than I bargained for. Despite my crisply toasted skin, I’m back at it today with your ten links for the week:

  • By now, you’ve heard of the Miami Heat’s biggest fan, the “Good Job, Good Effort” kid, but you can find out more about him  straight from the horse’s mouth, thanks to Sports Radio Interviews.
  • Sports Illustrated polled over 200 Major Leaguers on who they thought was the most overrated pitcher in the Bigs. The results are less than surprising.
  • It’s too bad that the Celtics didn’t have their newest players, KJ and Hondo, as appointed by Boston’s mayor, because they might have been able to help in their Game 6 loss to the Heat last night.
  • If a WWE “Diva” takes time off, and no one notices, does it really happen? That remains to be seen, as PWInsider reports that the 25-year-old Kelly Kelly has been granted time off and may never return. Somehow, the universe remains intact.
  • After becoming a Twins/baseball fan during his heyday, I’m as big a Johan Santana fan as the next guy, but the price of a commemorative ticket from his no-hitter is probably more expensive than a lot of actual tickets for the game were. I think I’ll pass.
  • Speaking of the Mets (and former Twins), Rob Neyer of SB Nation wonders aloud if R.A. Dickey’s recent stretch – He’s the first pitcher to nine wins this season – is the best ever for a knuckleballer.
  • There’s no way this North Dakota woman’s marriage will last.
  • In a follow-up to last week’s P&P, it appears that Drew Brees found himself a more steady gig than commercial acting should he continue holding out from the Saints.
  • Thought Catalog is always dropping truth bombs, but few have hit as close to home as  “Things You Should Know Before Dating a Writer.”
  • A downer note to end the week: legendary Minnesota-Duluth Bulldog superfan Dick Stewart passed away at the age of 92 earlier this week. Fans were known to chant “We love Dick!” to him at the games. Crass as it may be, they actually meant it.

Enjoy the weekend, sportsfans.

Joe Hansen is the Blogger-in-Chief of Eye Exam Sports. He is a 2011 graduate of The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota and a published author of short stories. He can be reached on Twitter via @thejoehansen.

A Writer on Wrestling (6/5/12): Who’s The Boss?

Posted by Joe Hansen on

A Writer on Wrestling

“A Writer on Wrestling” is a weekly column that takes the world of the WWE beyond the eye test. As the name suggests, the article looks through the eyes of an author, focusing on the storytelling aspect of sports entertainment and the “soap opera for men.”

Who’s the boss?

No, this isn’t a discussion of the ’80s Tony Danza classic. I’m legitimately curious as to who is the boss on WWE programming right now given the announcement last night that the Mr. McMahon character, played by real-life owner Vince McMahon, would be returning on next week’s three-hour episode of Monday Night Raw. Continue reading →

Wrestling in Real Life: Indians Closer Perez Taunts Royals Outfielder

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Indians Closer Chris Perez pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning on Monday afternoon to finish off the Royals and earn his league-leading 17th save of the season. This is not altogether noteworthy if not for the gesture Perez made upon striking out Kansas City outfielder Jarrod Dyson.

Now, Dyson is best known around these parts for being someone Twins play-by-play man Dick Bremer described as being “fast  but not any good at baseball”* (*slight paraphrasing may have occured) during a broadcast last year, but that does not excuse this unabashed use of pro-wrestling taunts during a baseball game. Continue reading →