Mr. Wrestlemania?

A good nickname can become synonymous with a performer, even taking the place of their in ring name completely. The Rattlesnake, The Phenom, The Hitman, The Heartbreak Kid, The Million Dollar Man, The People's Champion. Think about it. However, some nicknames are given incorrectly and they hurt the reputation of the wrestler.

Shawn Michaels has many nicknames: The Showstopper, The Headliner, The Heartbreak Kid, and for some reason, Mr. Wrestlemania. Now, I guess I understand the reasoning behind Mr. Wrestlemania. He always has good matches and steals the show. But here's my gripe: He always loses! Off the top of my head, I can only name 3 times he's won: Wrestlemania 12 against Bret Hart, Wrestlemania 19 against Chris Jericho and Wrestlemania 24 against Ric Flair. Off the top of my head on the other end, I can name numerous losses: Wrestlemania 9 against Tatanka, Wrestlemania 10 against Razor Ramon, Wrestlemania 11 against Diesel, Wrestlemania 14 against Stone Cold Steve Austin, Wrestlemania 21 against Kurt Angle, Wrestlemania 23 against John Cena, and Wrestlemanias 25 and 26 against the Undertaker. So, without looking anything up, HBK has a Wrestlemania record of 3-8. Now, before I go any further, Michaels is and always will be my favorite wrestler. That does not mean, however, I can't be subjective and point out his flaws. Let's take a look at his definitive record below:

Wrestlemania 5 - The Rockers vs. Twin Towers (winners)
Record so far - 0-1

Wrestlemania 6 - The Rockers vs. Orient Express (winners)
Record so far - 0-2


Wrestlemania 7 - The Rockers (winners) vs. Barbarian and Haku
Record so far - 1-2

Wrestlemania 8 - Shawn Michaels (winner) vs. Tito Santana
Record so far - 2-2. Finally at .500!

Wrestlemania 9 - Shawn Michaels vs. Tatanka (winner)
Record so far - 2-3

Wrestlemania 10 - Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon (winner)
Record so far - 2-4

Wrestlemania 11 - Shawn Michaels vs. Diesel (winner)
Record so far - 2-5

Wrestlemania 12 - Shawn Michaels (winner) vs. Bret Hart
Record so far - 3-5

Wrestlemania 14 - Shawn Michaels vs. Steve Austin (winner)
Record so far - 3-6


Wrestlemania 19 - Shawn Michaels (winner) vs. Chris Jericho
Record so far - 4-6


Wrestlemania 20 - Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H vs. Chris Benoit (winner who killed his family)
Record so far - 4-7


Wrestlemania 21 - Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle (winner)
Record so far - 4-8

Wrestlemania 22 - Shawn Michaels (winner) vs. Vince McMahon
Record so far - 5-8


Wrestlemania 23 - Shawn Michaels vs. John Cena (winner)
Record so far - 5-9


Wrestlemania 24 - Shawn Michaels (winner) vs. Ric Flair
Record so far - 6-9


Wrestlemania 25 - Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker (winner)
Record so far - 6-10

Wrestlemania 26 - Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker (winner)
Final Wrestlemania record - 6-11

Really?! 6-11 gets you the nickname "Mr. Wrestlemania"? If anyone should have that nickname, it should be the Undertaker, who is 19-0. That is Mr. Wrestlemania. Just simply having a great match doesn't mean much. Not for nothing, but Reggie Jackson wouldn't be "Mr. October" if the Yankees lost the World Series in 1977. Just saying. They don't ask how pretty the wins are, they ask how many you've got.

The (Should be) WWF Hall of Fame Class of 2012

With all the hype around WrestleMania reaching its boiling point, I thought I would look to the WWF Hall of Fame ceremony for my first blog post. The class this year is a solid one, headlined by Shawn Michaels and Jim Duggan. But, in my view, next year the WWF should make one mega class for their Hall of Fame. Here are my picks for that mega class.

Demolition (Bill Eadie & Barry Darsow)

In the late 1980’s there was no more dominant a tag team as Demolition. The forming members, Ax and Smash, won the WWF Tag Team titles on three different occasions from their arrival in 1987 to their departure from the WWF in late 1991. Their first title reign spanned 478 days, still the record for any tag team champions in WWF history. Of all the holders of the WWF Tag Team titles Demolition holds the record for holding the titles the longest, a span of 698 days over three title reigns. Demolition was one of the most popular tag teams in WWF history, mostly due to their aggressive style and popular gimmick. The red, black and silver face paint along with the black studded leather outfits really grabbed the attention of the WWF audiences. They certainly belong in the WWF Hall of Fame due to their dominance over the WWF Tag Team division in its heyday.

Owen Hart

This one is a no-brainer in my opinion. Owen Hart was by far one of the more gifted wrestlers that the WWF has ever seen. His WWF career started in 1991 and lasted until his tragic death in 1999. Over that time Owen became one of the best heels in WWF history, beginning with his feud with his brother, Bret Hart, and continuing with his involvement with Camp Cornette. During his career, Owen would go on to win the WWF Intercontinental title two times, the WWF European Championship once and the WWF Tag Team Championships four times, with Yokozuna, Davey Boy Smith and Jeff Jarrett. Owen was also the 1994 King of the Ring, defeating Doink the Clown, Tatanka, the 1-2-3 Kid and Razor Ramon in the process. For his in-ring prowess, accomplishments in the ring, and character in and out of the ring, “The King of Harts” more than deserves to be in the WWF Hall of Fame.

“Macho Man” Randy Savage

All personal differences that Vince McMahon may have aside, Randy Savage should have been a WWF Hall of Famer long ago. Along with Hulk Hogan, Savage carried the WWF in the mid to late 1980’s. First as Hogan’s teammate and tag team partner, then as one of the main foils to Hogan and the rest of the WWF as “The Macho King.” Savage, in my opinion was the ultimate company guy. To me, he always took a backseat to guys like Hogan if it were for the benefit of the company. Savage did, however, have his time to shine. He won the WWF Intercontinental Championship in 1986 and held the title for over a year when he lost the title to Ricky Steamboat at WrestleMania III. He then won the vacated WWF Championship at WrestleMania IV, defeating four men to do so. He would win the WWF Championship again at WrestleMania VIII, defeating Ric Flair. By the time he reached WCW, Savage was an established star in sports entertainment. He would go on to win the WCW Heavyweight title on four occasions. Randy Savage is a legend in professional wrestling. His matches with Steamboat and his retirement match with the Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VII are still talked about today. His flare in and out of the ring is remembered by throngs of fans around the world and, for that, he deserves to be in the WWF Hall of Fame.

Now in my opinion, it is hard to argue the Hall of Fame case for any of these Superstars. All were instrumental in the WWF's growth into the company that it is today. If, by some miracle, the WWF decides to make this the Hall of Fame class, it would be one of the greatest induction classes of all time. None, however, is better than the inaugural class of 1993, when the late great Andre the Giant was inducted by himself.

The Top 5 Lamest Finishers in Wrestling History

A devastating and well thought out finishing maneuver can mean great spots, great moments in matches and also become synonymous with their innovator. However, not all finishing moves are created equal.

Number 5: JBL’s Clothesline

    You know what makes JBL’s finishing clothesline different from every other clothesline? NOTHING! He just throws his arm out and mows down the poor bastard in front of him. Big deal. They learn that on Day One of Tough Enough for Christ’s sake. To sum up this lame move, I must quote a wise and enraged fan, “IT’S A FUCKING CLOTHESLINE!”

Number 4: Meng’s Tongan Death Grip

    In WCW, Meng (Better known to WWF fans as Haku) used to have a finisher where he would use his index and middle finger and jam them forcefully under the chin of the unfortunate victim and...that’s it. It was billed as a nerve hold on a pressure point or some nonsense. I’ll tell you what it really was: LAME. The victim should just grab Meng’s wrist and take his hand away from his chin. What should he do to capitalize? Maybe JBL’s clothesline. Or not. Moving on.

Number 3: Crush’s Heart Punch

    Imagine having your left arm held behind your head and then being punched in your chest. It would hurt a little right? Well, that minor discomfort is what Crush (dead) counted on as a finishing move. He just hauled off and popped you in the left side of your sternum. Come on! Really? You’d do more damage if you punched him in the face. Sometimes Crush would even let go of the arm behind the head and expect them to just keep it there. Oh, also an interesting note: Right arm? TOTALLY FREE! Cover your chest you stupid asshole! Idiocy on both sides of this stupid move.

Number 2: Jake “The Snake” Roberts’ DDT

    Jake “The Snake” Roberts is credited with the popularization of the DDT. Much of what applies to JBL’s clothesline applies to Jake’s DDT. It’s a regular DDT! It happens in every match! The Rock used to swing around his opponent’s body before grabbing his head and dropping his noggin into the mat. I guess the power of Jake’s DDT lay within that stupid swing of his arm before he drops his opponent. But that just may be the booze. NEXT!

Number 1: Hulk Hogan’s Atomic Leg Drop

    Last but not least, we have the finisher of the most popular and well known superstar in wrestling history. Hogan’s leg drop is probably the most memorable spot in wrestling. Irish whip, big boot, hit the ropes, leg drop, 3 count, WWF/WCW championship. But there’s just one problem. It’s only a fucking leg drop. Every wrestler does it. The Undertaker uses the leg drop and jumps about 6 feet in the air before landing. Hell, Yokozuna (dead) employed a leg drop and one of his legs weighed about as much as a Volkswagon and wrestlers still kicked out. But there is one thing that I’m forgetting. Hogan’s leg drop was an ATOMIC leg drop. That makes all the difference.