Wrestlemania XXII (Written By: Maurice D. Proffit)

Wrestlemania XXII (22)

 

Date: April 2^nd 2006

City: Rosemont, IL

Venue: The Allstate Arena

Combined Attendance: 17,159

Sub-Theme: “Big Time”

Celebrities: Michelle Williams

Hall of Fame: Bret “The Hitman” Hart, Eddie Guerrero, “Mean” Gene Okerlund, “Sensational” Sherri, Verne Gagne, “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas, William “The Refrigerator” Perry

 

Completing the major city Tri-Fecta, Wrestlemania returns to Chicago, IL! For the first time since 1997, Wrestlemania is back in Chi-Town! Wrestlemania 20, 21 and 22 took a break from being in monster stadiums and went scaled back to having Mania in an arena. The WWE wanted to focus on Mania being highlighted at the 3 major cities of the United States. Sort of like Wrestlemania 2 but in 3 years. After this wrestlemania, this just may be the last time Wrestlemania will be held in an arena. If this is the case, this is the way to fly as you put this wrestlemania in arguably the hottest crowd in North America. Personally, this was my 2nd Wrestlemania attending live and we ripped it that night.

Going into this Wrestlemania; Rey Mysterio would win the 1996 Royal Rumble. Entering in at #1 and outlasting 29 other men. He would join the likes of Shawn Michaels and Chris Benoit doing this accomplishment. Due to this, Rey would challenge the World Heavyweight Champion, Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania. Due to Orton’s involvement with both wrestlers, Orton would be inserted into the championship match, making it a Triple Threat. To see who would challenge John Cena for the WWE title, Raw held a tournament to see who would be the number one contender. The finals would be Triple H vs RVD. Triple H would go on to be the victor and Wrestlemania 22 would be headlined by John Cena defending the WWE title against Triple H.

Early in Wresatlemania 22, we would see the 2^nd Money in the Bank ladder match, which has shown to be extremely popular now. Edge would be the first winner of the match, this year, the match included RVD, Shelton Benjamin, Ric Flair, Finlay, Bobby Lashley and Matt Hardy. RVD would go on to win the match and the briefcase.

Last year’s MITB winner would be in a one on one match with the hardcore legend himself, Mick Foley. This match may’ve rivaled Foleys 1998 Hell in a Cell classic against The Undertaker, because this match was pure violence, and fitting for the Chicago crowd. The match saw barb wire, barb wire bats, barb wire Mr. Socko, a million thumbtacks and if that wasn’t enough…FIRE! Lita lights a table outside the ring on fire and Edge spears Foley from the ring through the table, getting the pin and the victory.

Undertaker Note: The Undertaker would face Mark Henry in a casket match. Henry out muscled Taker, but Taker does not stop and the world strongest man could not stop the Dead Man. Undertaker would land Mark Henry in the casket and go on to victory. The Undertaker is 14-0 at Wrestlemania.

Shawn Michaels would face Vince McMahon in a street fight. Shades of WM 17 when Vince faced Shane. This was an exciting, remove your reservations, crash and burn type match which was enjoyable to watch. The match concluded with Shawn delivering a flying elbow off the top of a 20 foot ladder, crashing through Vince who was wearing a garbage can on top of the table. Mayhem after mayhem, Shawn would go on to be the victor.

The match that followed was the Triple Threat match between Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio and Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship. During Mysterio’s entrance, P.O.D. performed Mysterio’s music entrance live. At the end, Mysterio performed a 619 on Orton followed by a West Coast Pop for a successful pin fall victory. As a result, Mysterio became the new World Heavyweight Champion. After the match, Mysterio celebrated with Chavo and Vickie Guerrero.

The main event was for the WWE Championship between champion John Cena and Triple H. Triple H came out to the ring on a throne dressed as a Conan the Barbarian-type king, while Cena came out with a tommy gun and was accompanied by a group of “gangsters” (one of whom was future WWE Superstar CM Punk) in a 1940s Chicago-era vehicle. The match was evenly matched with both men getting the advantage over each other. Triple H tried to perform a Pedigree, but it was countered by Cena into an FU. After Triple H kicked out of a two-count, Cena locked him into the STFU. Triple H got to the ropes and went for another Pedigree, but was countered into the STFU again by Cena. Triple H tapped out, and as a result, Cena retained the WWE Championship.

 

Match Card

Dark- Viscera won by last eliminating Snitsky. The other participants were: Eugene, Goldust, Tyson Tomko, Rob Conway, Lance Cade, Trevor Murdoch, Matt Striker, Super Crazy, Psychosis, Funaki, Steven Richards, Johnny Nitro, Joey Mercury, The Road Warrior, William Regal, and Simon Dean in an 18 match inter-promotional battle royal.

PPV

-Big Show and Kane (c) defeated Carlito and Chris Masters to retain the World Tag Team championship

-Rob Van Dam defeated Shelton Benjamin, Ric Flair, Finlay, Matt Hardy and Bobby Lashley in the 2^nd annual MITB Ladder Match.

-John “Bradshaw” Layfield (with Jillian Hall) defeated Chris Benoit (c) to win the US title.

-Edge (with Lita) defeated Mick Foley in a hardcore match

-The Boogeyman defeated Booker T and Sharmell in a handicap match

-Mickie James defeated Trish Stratus (c) to win the WWE Women’s title

-The Undertaker defeated Mark Henry in a casket match

-Shawn Michaels defeated Vince McMahon in a No Holds Barred match

-Rey Mysterio defeated Randy Orton and Kurt Angle (c) to win The World Heavyweight Championship

-Torrie Wilson defeated Candice Michelle in a playboy pillow fight

-John Cena (c) defeated Triple H to retain the WWE Championship

Wrestlemania X-Seven (Written By: Maurice D. Proffit)

Wrestlemania XVII  (17)

 

Date: April 1st 2001

City: Houston, Texas

Venue: Reliant Astrodome

Combined Attendance: 67,925

Sub-Theme: “Houston…We Have A Problem”

Celebrities: Motorhead

Wrestlemania 17, is the 17th annual wrestlemania professional wrestling pay per view, introduced by the world wrestling federation and in my opinion (and many others), this is the GREATEST Wrestlemania of All Time!

This wrestlemania was truly a solid depiction of the success the WWF has been enduring for the past few years. The simple fact that last year’s wrestlemania drew about 50,000 more fans, screams victory for the WWF. And speaking of being victorious just 12 days before Wrestlemania 17, on a live edition of WCW Monday Nitro, for the first time ever, the show opened up and the first image you saw was Vince McMahon and him announcing that he has purchased World Championship Wrestling and WCW would be no more. It was finally done, McMahon, who was at the brink of being put out of business, was the sole winner in the Monday Night wars and was the single #1 entity on planet earth who would hold all of the power of big time professional wrestling. If this wasn’t a shot of adrenaline shooting into the arm of the WWF before going into its biggest revenue earner of the year, then I don’t know what is.

The backdrop of this wrestlemania went back to basics; with Stone Cole Steve Austin wining the 2001 Royal Rumble (for the 3rd time) and heading to Wrestlemania to face the WWF Champion…Kurt Angle. At No Way Out 2001, Kurt Angle lost the WWF Championship to The Rock. Wrestlemania 17’s main event would now feature one of the biggest rematches of all time with The Rock defending the WWF Championship against Stone Cole Steve Austin. Let the games begin.

One of the fascinating things about this mania was every championship title was on the line (6 titles) and 5 of them changed hands. The Intercontinental championship was on the line as Chris Jericho faced off against William Regal. Jericho had some significant build up against Regal on some past Raws and was able to follow through with the win to retain the title.

One match that stood out was not for a title, Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit. Excellent matchup between two technical masters. This would also be (somewhat) of a rematch from the previous wrestlemania, as the two wrestled at WM16. Kurt Angle went on to be the victor.

In an extension of last year’s wrestlemania; the McMahon Saga continued. This time it would be a Street Fight with Shane McMahon (the new “owner” of WCW) vs Vince McMahon; with Mick Foley as ref and with Linda (in a comatose state), Stephanie and Trish Stratus at Ringside. The match was complete shenanigans, but was ever so fun to watch this drama just completely unfold. With the combination of seeing Steph and Trish fight at ringside; with Linda “reviving” from her comatose state and with Lind kicking McMahon where the sun don’t shine; seeing the ending of Shane giving Vince the “coast to coast” was the fine topper as he scores the victory.

The next match would be another return match but this time enhanced. TLC Match for the WWF Tag Team Championship. Edge/Christian vs The Dudley Boys vs The Hardy Boyz.

Just like they did for Mania the year before, these guys blew the roof off once again and gave an absolute stellar contest to determine the superior Tag Team. Each team had someone in their corner as well (Spike = Dudleys; Lita = Hardys and Rhyno = E&C) so this just added to the match. One unforgettable spot would be when Jeff Hardy climbed up to grab the titles, but Christian would take the ladder fro under Jeff, which left Jeff, literally, hanging from the hook holding the titles. Edge was already perched on the ladder, parallel to Jeff and from 10 feet in the air, gave Jeff a spear to the ring. As I write this, I still get Goosebumps thinking of that spot. The match was crash after crash after crash. These men put their bodies on the line for our entertainment and disappoint, they did not. With the assistance of Rhyno, Edge and Christian won the WWF Tag Team Titles.

Undertaker Note: The Undertaker returns to Wrestlemania and faces The Game Triple H. These two gave a fight that you can never forget as they went all over the arena and at the camera structure. Absolutely breath taking match; but Taker; via the last ride; gets the victory. The Undertaker is 9-0 at Wrestlemania

 

The Main Event would showcase Stone Cole Steve Austin Challenging The Rock for the World Wrestling Federation Championship. The match began with announcing it would be No Disqualifications. Both came in with full intensity, both knowing and understanding the immediate importance of this match up.

Similar to the last time it was face vs face in the main event (WM 6 and WM 12) the crowd was divided once again as both of these men were and are fan favorites. With it being No DQ, these men had unlimited resources to try to outdo one another. Not a dull moment in this match as you witnessed much back n forth between the two. During the match, the two took the fight outside of the ring and into the crowd. When the wrestlers returned to the ring, blood was shed from both Austin & The Rock after both had hit each other with the ring bell. The Rock attempted to place Austin into a Sharpshooter hold, but Austin reversed it and placed The Rock into his own Sharpshooter. After releasing the hold following the referee’s request he held The Rock by use of the Million Dollar Dream, a submission hold best known from his former gimmick, The Ringmaster. Shortly after, The Rock used Austin’s own finishing maneuver on Austin by executing a Stunner. At this time Vince McMahon made his return to ringside. Trying to distract the Rock, Austin was able to give Rock a taste of his own Medicine by giving him the Rock Bottom and later the Stone Cold Stunner. Normally, this would be the trick to end an opponent, but just like the amount of intensity that is in Austin, The Rock had it too and kicked out from the pin. Austin besides himself and cannot piece this together. Austin is desperate to win the WWF Title. Just a week before Raw, Jim Ross held an intimate interview with both Rock and Austin, and Austin stated that he “HAS to beat The Rock; There is no other choice BUT to beat the Rock. And he will do whatever it takes.” And his words rang true moments later when McMahon handed Austin a steel chair and Austin bangs Rock with the chair multiple times to the face and the back. Austin finally goes for the cover and just like that we have a new World Wrestling Federation champion in Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austin sold his soul to Satan himself to win the World Title.

 

Match Card

HEAT – X-Factor (Justin Credible and X-Pac) (with Albert) defeated Steve Blackman and Grand Master Sexay

PPV

– Chris Jericho (c) defeated William Regal to retain the WWF Intercontinental Championship

– Tazz and The APA (Bradshaw and Faarooq) (with Jacqueline) defeated Right to Censor (The Godfather, Val Venis and Bull Buchanan) (with Steven Richards)

– Kane defeated Raven (c) and The Big Show in a Triple Threat Hardcore Match for the WWF Hardcore Championship

– Eddie Guerrero (with Perry Saturn) defeated Test (c) to win the WWF European Championship.

– Kurt Angle defeated Chris Benoit

– Chyna defeated Ivory (c) to win the WWF Womens Championship

– Shane McMahon defeated Vince McMahon in a Street Fight match with Mick Foley as the special guest referee.

– Edge and Christian defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) (c) and The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff) in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match for the WWF Tag Team Championship

– The Iron Sheik won the 19-man Gimmick Battle Royal by eliminating Hillbilly Jim

– The Undertaker defeated Triple H

– Stone Cold Steve Austin defeated The Rock (c) to win the World Wrestling Federation Championship in a No DQ match.

Wrestlemania 2000 (Written By: Maurice D. Proffit)

Wrestlemania 2000 (XVI)

 

Date: April 2nd 2000

City: Anaheim, California

Venue: Arrowhead Pond

Combined Attendance: 18,034

Sub-Theme: “California”

Celebrities: Michael Clark Duncan, Dustin Diamond, Martin Short, Pete Rose, Carrot Top

 

This was a very unique Wrestlemania. Wrestlemania, for the 2nd time is back in the Arrowhead Pond, where it was for Wrestlemania 12 (4 yrs earlier). Making up for what they missed out on 4 years earlier, the WWF made sure to bring a solid celebrity feel to the event and show all together. After all….it IS in California. So no excuse this time. Another factor that made this event interesting was, this was the first wrestlemania without 1 one on one match. (with the exception of the “catfight”) All matches has multiple people involved. Not sure if this was a concentrated effort or if it just happened to work out this way with the booking, but every match had 3+ people involved. Looking on the horizon of this show, the action should be hot and heavy.

 

The backdrop of the main event started at The Royal Rumble, where The Rock wins the Rumble and earns the right to Mania. Triple H retains the WWF title that same night against Cactus Jack. So at the time, the main event at Mania will be Triple H vs The Rock for the WWF Championship. The next month at the No Way Out PPV, The Big Show faced The Rock for the right to wrestle in the main event at Wrestlemania, and he defeats the Rock now earning him the championship match against Triple H. W few weeks later, The Rock defeats The big Show on Raw to earn back his title shot with the help of Vince McMahon. Not taking away Show’s title opportunity, the match is now a Triple Threat Match. The next week on Raw, the triple threat match came early and the three fought it out that night. Triple H went on to win the match, but now the title match at mania has been altered as Linda McMahon announced that Mike Foley would be in the match as well. Making it a Fatal Four Way for the WWF Title, with a McMahon in each corner of each wrestler. Triple H – Stephanie McMahon; The Rock – Vince McMahon; The Big Show-Shane McMahon and Mick Foley – Linda McMahon.

During the PPV, we witnessed the Triangle Ladder Match for the WWF Tag Team Championship. Edge/Christian vs The Dudley Boyz vs The Hardy Boyz. This match was shades of Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon Ladder match for the IC belt at Wrestlemania 10. The reason why I say this, is because we saw moves and situations in this match that at this time were completely unheard of. We have seen ladder matches since WM 10, but they were more grounded, were as this match was half the time on the ground and half the time in the air. They gave some incredible moments and unforgettable spots. One spot that will not be forgotten was then Jeff Hard set up a 20 foot tall ladder in the middle of the aisle way, and Bubba Ray Dudley laid on the tables in front of the ladder and Jeff commenced to do a swan dive from the top of the 20 foot ladder. Unreal. Edge and Christian constructed a self made structure using 2 ladders and a table in the middle of the ring, and used it to grab both the belts and went on to victory.

There was also a very unique match for both of the mid card titles. It was a two fall triple threat match for the WWF IC title and WWF European title. Kurt Angle was holding both belts entering into this match. The first fall was for the IC belt and Chris Benoit won that fall to win the IC belt. The next fall was for the European title and Chris Jericho won that fall and the belt. Both men left with a championship, Kurt Angel let beltless.

Undertaker Note: The Undertaker did not particpate in this Wrestlemania. Undertaker is 8-0 at Wrestlemania.

The Main event was for the World Wrestling Federation Championship. Triple H, the defending champion is facing off against The Rock, Mick Foley and The Big Show. This was an elimination match, so it would be 3 falls.

The match went very intense from the sound of the bell. The Big show was the first man to be eliminated after a chair shot to the back by Foley and a Rock Bottom by The Rock. Mick Foley was the next to go down after two pedigrees (the latter being on a chair) which “retired” Mick Foley.

The next 16 min would be between Triple H and The Rock, going all into the crowds and brawling everywhere. But not only did it take the current champion, but also the chairman of the board who turned on The Rock (after being in his corner) and gave The Rock two chair shots to the head. Triple H goes for the pin and obtains the victory. This would be the first time the WWF title was retained at Wrestlemania since WM 11.

 

Match Card

– The Big Boss Man and Bull Buchanan defeated The Godfather and D’Lo Brown (with Ice-T and The Godfather’s hos).

– Hardcore Holly won by last defeating Crash Holly (c)  in a Hardcore Battle Royal for the WWF Hardcore Championship

– T & A (Test and Albert) (with Trish Stratus) defeated Head Cheese (Al Snow and Steve Blackman) (with Chester McCheeserton).

– Edge and Christian defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) (c) and The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff). To win the WWF Tag Team Championships in a Triangle Ladder Match.

– Terri Runnels (with The Fabulous Moolah) defeated The Kat (with Mae Young). In a Catfight

– Too Cool (Grand Master Sexay and Scotty 2 Hotty) and Chyna defeated The Radicalz (Eddie Guerrero, Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko) in a 6 person intergender tag team match.

– First fall: Chris Benoit defeated Kurt Angle (c) and Chris Jericho.

Second fall: Chris Jericho defeated Kurt Angle (c) and Chris Benoit. In a two fall triple threat match for the WWF Intercontinental championship and WWF European championship.

– Rikishi and Kane (with Paul Bearer) defeated D-Generation X (X-Pac and Road Dogg) (with Tori).

– Triple H (c) (with Stephanie McMahon) defeated The Rock (with Vince McMahon), Mick Foley (with Linda McMahon) and The Big Show (with Shane McMahon) to retain the WWF Championship.

 

 

Two Kings Take Their Royal Thrones and are Etched into History.

By Maurice D. Proffit

 

I went into this years rumble not knowing too much of what to expect. The E seemed pretty numb when it came to giving details about who was going to be in the Rumble. All we knew for sure was The Miz would be the first entrant and Mick Foley would be involved in the Rumble as well. What about the other 28? Who’s in it? Who pulled what number? Did Ted Dibiase Jr. try to purchase a better number from someone? What happened to watching the wrestlers pull their number and then they cut a promo after wards? What happened to “Rumble Qualifying Matches”? So, needless to say, there was a lot of mystery behind all of this. So naturally I’m intrigued. I must say, the undercard was entertaining. I think that everyone who performed in the under card matches really showed out and brought their A game. Personally, I could’ve done without Brodus Clays match against Drew McIntyre, because it was just a Raw squash match, and in place of that match, I would’ve appreciated about 5-7 more minutes of the World Heavyweight Championship match between Daniel Bryan (champion), The Big Show and Mark Henry, in a Steel Cage match. That match has so many elements of something special, but it was way too rushed. So yeah, I could’ve done without the Funkasaurus, just for this night.

Yeah, us bitches mean bidness.

The Divas 8 woman tag match was VERY impressive. I loved the fact that the heel Divas, lead by the Diavs Champion Beth Phoenix, came out in matching colors (Emerald Green). It was symbolic of unity and had a very tradition al feel to it, which is missing in wrestling at times and I did like that (Oddly though, TNA is pretty good at that). But even though the uniformity was on the surface, it didn’t show in the match when Beth purposely tagged out her partner Brie Bella so this way she could score the victory. Brie didn’t take too well to that obvious.

It's not a Tamborine, Dolph!

The WWE Championship match was executed well showing that both Punk and Ziggler had what it took to main event one of the “Big 4”. I know people are wondering what does this mean for Dolph. Since Dolph (essentially) lost about 3 times in the match. People, this can only mean BETTER THINGS TO COME. They are developing for the future of the company and Dolph is entrenched in those plans. In fact (and I made this prediction a year ago before it was announced that there would not be a Money In the Bank at Wrestlemania), but if Dolph is going to be in the MITB match at this years  wrestlemania, he IS winning it, and he IS cashing in the briefcase , and he IS going to be the WWE Champion THIS YEAR. Yes, you heard it here first on the Proffits Piledriver, Dolph Ziggler will be the WWE Champion THIS YEAR. And a program with him and Punk this summer will be one for the books. Sunday night was a mere temperature check and they both read HOT!

I'll point to it in case the fireworks arent enough to get your attention.

The Royal Rumble was good. I did appreciate the bulk of the younger guys who were in the Rumble. I liked seeing both of the WWE Tag champions (Primo and Epico) in it, I liked that Hunico was in it, I loved that the Miz and Cody Rhodes DOMINATED the Rumble. I liked how strong Wade Barrett looked in the match, he looked super legitimate. I appreciated the comedy spots by Foley and Santino. I am very pleased to see that Kofi Kingston is still being used as a strong asset amongst the guys, despite the fact that his tag team partner lives a life as if he’s at a Cypress Hill concert 24/7. And to tell you the truth, I did not mind the winner too much. While we’re on the subject, Congratulations to Mr. Ken Coleman for winning the “TRIPLE-R” Contest (Reese’s Rumble Roulette) for the 2012 Royal Rumble. Ken has #22 and #22 was Sheamus and Sheamus went on to winning. Ken won a sealed unopened copy of Summer Slam 2009 and a copy of the 2001 WWF Royal Rumble, both on DVD. Ken, your items will be in the mail at the end of this week, enjoy. This is all brought to you by Proffits Piledriver. Ok, commercial over with. At first, I was a bit salty that Sheamus won because him and Jericho were the last in the ring and Jericho was my pick to win (if you remember last weeks’ back and forth commentary on here). And for the purpose of just “being right”, I wanted him to win. However, after I gave it some thought, the WWE NEEDED Sheamus to win. They didn’t necessarily need Jericho to win.  Jericho didn’t need the Royal Rumble Rub in order to “get over”. Smackdown is a little dry when it comes to “established” stars. They have Randy Orton, Big Show, Henry, but that’s really about it. Daniel Bryan, Wade Barrett and Sheamus are your stars for tomorrow. Bryan is the WHC, Barrett is feuding with Orton, so that leaves Sheaums needing and opening because all he’s been doing lately is beating the hell out of Jinder Mahal. So, the Rumble victory was what was needed by him to make Smackdown that much more legitimate and a strong force of a show overall. And a roster overall. However, here is my difficulty. Sheamus is a two time WWE Champion, a former US Champion and the King of the Ring. A resume like that, you would think that we’d be beyond trying to build a superstar. Once upon a time, it you just had ONE of those credentials, you were made….you were legit. Three of them and we’re STILL trying to get you over and convince people that “yeah! This guy means business”. Hmmmmmmm…makes me wonder a little bit. Sheamus has already been the WWE Champion and both of his title runs were a bit luke warm. Sheamus won the WWE Championship for the first time in Dec 2009 by defeating John Cena in the TLC match. The next month was Royal Rumble PPV, you can put him in the middle of the ring with a broom and people will still buy the PPV because they want the Rumble. Then he loses the title the next month at the elimination chamber ppv, because he was eliminated from the chamber. Later that year, he wins back the WWE Title and defends it at 3 PPV’s; MITB, Summer Slam and Night of Champions. MITB has a bonafied stacked card and a gimmick PPV. Summer Slam, he wasn’t even the headliner, and NOC he lost it within a match with about 8 other guys in it. I’m just saying. If/when Sheamus wins his next world championship whether it be the WWE Championship or the World Heavyweight championship, if he was in a one on one match with someone to headline a PPV card, would YOU the buyer, be influenced enough to purchase it? Sheamus gets the initial shock pops when his music plays and when he does get initial victories. But is he the type of champion that you can really get behind and rally for? Are you invested in Sheamus enough where whatever he says and/or whatever he does, you buy it? Yeah, I didn’t think so either. I can hope that a heel turn for him will be coming soon. Because I prefer the Sheamus that retired Jaime Noble.

  

I get the WWE “Celebrity Wing HOF”. I like how the WWE decided to put greats like Pete Rose and Bob Euker (That’s for you Matt Adams, lol) in. I was a bit tongue and cheek on the Drew Carey addition, but I let it slide. But this year’s “Celebrity” induction may have me more excited than seeing the wrestlers get inducted. Monday morning, the media circuit went crazy when it was announced that IRON MIKE TYSON would be inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame. I grew up during the Tyson Era in the late 80’s early 90’s. That was a BADASS time to be alive, if you want me to be honest. Pop culture at that time had such a cool edge to it and if you were in the know of what was happening, you were riding a high that not even pedialyte could remedy. I remember, as a kid, we didn’t have cable in our house, so I would get my Mike Tyson updates just from the 10 o’clock news. I remember the news stories of “Is Tyson good for Boxing” since his matches were only 45 seconds. I remember boxers were legitimately afraid to step in the ring with him. My older brother, Doni was in college at the time during the Tyson era and he would see the fights, get them on tape and when he’d come home to visit, he’d bring them home and him and I would watch the fights on tape. I didn’t care if his fights only lasted 45 secs, to me, he was a machine. I loved it, I ate it all up! I remember thinking “He’ll never lose!” when he was the undisputed world champion. Even when the Barbara Walters interview happened and Robin Givens made my boy look like a criminal, I still stood by his side. Even when that Dessire Washington stuff went down and he went to prison, didn’t matter, I still stood by his side. I haven’t felt this elated about Mike Tyson since it was announced in 1995 that Tyson was being paroled from prison and was making a comeback to the ring to fight Peter McNeely. My hero was back in the ring and ready to retake his throne and dominate the boxing world once again! For the next 10 years, I see Tyson rise back to the top and slowly begins to dwindle down and by 2005 in his final professional fight, he loses to Kevin McBride by forfeiting during the fight, refusing to leaving his corner. Tyson was a mere shell of himself. After that, Tyson has turned himself more so into an attraction. Did a circuit tour, some TV, charity work, movie appearances and especially resurrecting himself as a comedy character in the “Hangover” films. It’s great to see Tyson when we do see him. In the summer of 2011 Tyson is inducted into the Boxing Hall of fame. Helluva honor, and well deserved, but the announcement of him being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, instantly takes precedence! I’ll never forget when Mike Tyson was at the 1998 Royal Rumble and the next night on Raw, he comes out and goes face to face with Stone Cold Steve Austin. A chilling moment that I still remember thinking that when the “scuffle” happened with Tyson, his entourage, Austin and the WWE officials, that it was something that went wrong and I bought into it. Yup…they worked me. What Tyson did for the WWE, in my opinion was just as important as to what Austin and The Rock did for the WWE to bring fire to the Attitude Era. Tyson is what put WWE on that mainstream media wave and kept them there. Tyson was a major part of pop culture at that time and was always on Sports Center. Whatever Tyson did, the cameras were on him. Especially since during the time Tyson was working with Vince McMahon, him and Don King had the very public split, so the WWE and Tyson connection became the immediate love child for the media. This was what made the WWE a legitimate force and something that the fans who trashed it for so many years, would want to tune in to see what was going to happen next. Bait Set…CATCH! We eat good tonight. And Wrestlemania 14 Shawn Michaels vs Stone Cold Steve Austin with Mike Tyson as the special enforcer was the dream combination. And the rest, as they say, is history. So yes, hearing the announcement of Mike Tyson being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame brought me back to when I was 9 yrs old following him on the news sports segment, just to see who Mike beat and how fast. It brought me back to the countless hours I spent in front of the television playing Mike Tyson Punch out on the Nintendo Entertainment System. It brought me back to the joy I felt when it was announced that he would be released on parole and would be making a return to the ring. It brought me back to when he won the World Boxing Association title from Bruce Seldon (unfortunately the same night that Tupac was gunned down in Vegas). This announcement brought me back to when I realized that Iron Mike Tyson was indeed a machine. And though he may not be in the ring anymore, Tyson is that machine that seriously never quits. All hail the King.