The Road To Wrestlemania Has Bumps In It

Wrestlemania
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Ed Webster

So, here we are, a few days from Wrestlemania, on Sunday, March 29, 2015.  It's a big day, and as some people are aware, I've been trying to make predictions for the last couple of WWE Pay Per View Events, with mild success.

I consider myself to be a bit of a wrestling aficionado, so my picks are often correct.  In my last two attempt, I tried to predict the results of this year's Royal Rumble Match, and later, WWE Fastlane.  I was very confident in myself, but the results were mediocre, at best.

Fatal 4-way tag team match, between, Tyson Kidd and Cesaro, Los Matadores, The New Day and the Usos

winner: The Usos

I was shocked when The Usos lost the belts as Fastlane, but I immediately saw it as a chance for them to get it back at Wrestlemania.  They have a big rivalry going with Kidd and Cesaro, along with Jimmy Uso's wife Naomi and Kidd's wife, Natalya.

More importantly, the other two tag teams in this battle are lower cards, so they won't win.

The big thing here is, the tag-team division is weak, and needs a little more power.  I'm not sure anyone, at the moment, is more polarizing than The Usos.  They need more powerful tag teams.  Bring on The Ascension, Lucha Dragons and The Realest Guys in the Room.

Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

This is the second year Wrestlemania has featured this event, and I believe there will be 30-men in the ring for this match.  I'm not sure of all of them, but here are a couple names I'd consider favorites--Kane, Erick Rowan, Ryback and Big Show.  Big Show was eliminated second to last last year, to the winner, Cesaro.

However, I'm going with a wildcard.

Winner: Damien Mizdow

My reasoning is, I just can't see The Miz/Mizdow thing continuing without Mizdow getting some kind of success that will further strain the relationship with The Miz.  I think it's time for Mizdow to rise up, and gain a little confidence.  For him to take a shot at The Miz--maybe even eliminate The Miz.  Now, there's an angle.

Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns, WWE Championship Match

Roman Reigns, WWE
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Miguel Discart

Winner: Roman Reigns

Sorry, but I just can't see all this build up not leading to Reigns getting the belt at Wrestlemania.  Reigns is the RIGHT NOW GUY, and there's no reason why the WWE can't manufacture another controversy to strip The Samoan of the belt, and give it back to Lesnar to continue to defend from afar.

They've been pushing Reigns so hard, I just can't see him losing, at this point.  The other angle is Seth Rollins cashing in his Money in the Bank, but with his match against Orton on the same day, I just can't see it happening at Wrestlemania.

Sting vs Triple H

This one's kind of got me baffled, but so far, I really can't see the Stinger losing.  It doesn't really behoove him, Triple H or the WWE.

Winner: Sting

If Sting loses this match, he goes away, and I just can't see that happening.  I believe he wins, but I'm really not sure how this one's going down.  I guess the bat and sledgehammer will come into play, but I'm not even sure, at this point, if an actual match will take place.

The bigger picture is, what does it mean for the WWE if Sting does win.  Does the battle continue?  What of The Viper and The Stinger?  I'm eager to find out.

7-Way Ladder Match For the Intercontinental Championship (Bad News Barrett, R-Truth, Stardust, Luke Harper, Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler and Daniel Bryan)

Daniel Bryan, WWE
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Krystal Bognar

I am really looking forward to this match more than any other.  If nothing else, this will be a crazy slugfest, full of all kind of insanity from Dean Ambrose, Stardust, Luke Harper, R-Truth, and the others.  It's really more about the show, here.

There's a lot of reasons to think this is a two-horse race.  It's really either Dolph Ziggler or Daniel Bryan, and I'm sure a lot of people see Dolph Ziggler as the front-runner, but I'm not one of them.

Winner: Daniel Bryan

Daniel Bryan is the leader of the Yes-Movement, and no one gets the crowd jumping like he does.  He just lost the battle to take a shot at Brock Lesnar, to Roman Reigns.  He's a former Heavyweight Champion, and one of the most exciting performers in the WWE, at the moment--not to mention, he's a wiz on the microphone.

Imagine The Beard as the IC Champion, for a moment!

I know, I just got goose bumps, too.  But, do you know what I'm thinking?  Eventually, Seth Rollins will cash in that briefcase, and I doubt he does it on the WWE Champion.  I just can't see him winning, right now.  But I can see him using his Authority goons in an assist to take the IC belt away from the worlds strongest Vegan.

Think about that for a moment.

Bella Twins vs AJ Lee and Paige, Tag Team Match

Paige, WWE
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Anton

This one's a toughy, because AJ Lee and Paige are clearly better than the Bellas, but they've been a little more unstable.  The thing is, this isn't a title match, so it's more of a message sending match than anything else.

Winner: AJ Lee and Paige

I'm thinking this turns into a fairly decent scrum between the ladies, and all hell breaks loose.  So, my money is on the ladies who already seem to have some screws loose.

I'm also thinking this is just another lead in for Paige to get another crack at the Divas Championship at another Pay Per View Event.  She's just too good, not to have the belt.

The Undertaker vs Bray Wyatt

Bray Wyatt, WWE
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Anton

I would be surprised if this didn't turn out to be a coffin match.  It just seems fitting.

I'm also sort of struggling to decide who I think will win.  Wyatt has been all over Raw and Smackdown, talking about ending The Undertaker, and how The Undertaker is weak, after last years loss to Brock Lesnar.  That says to me, Wyatt is the clear favorite.

However, the fact that Wyatt is the favorite should give the picture that more will go down than that.  And this is clearly no ordinary match.  So, who will win, who will win, indeed???

Winner: Bray Wyatt

I can't help but go with my gut here, and Wyatt just seems like the likely choice now, since this is more of a torch passing battle.  However, I actually wouldn't be surprised if this were less of a match, and more of a ceremony, where The Undertaker literally passes a torch to "The New Face of Fear."

So, go ahead and mark that down.  If Wyatt wins, I get one-point, but if he wins, and The Undertaker passes him a flaming piece of wood, I totally get some kind of bonus points.

Rusev vs John Cena

What to say, what to say???  Well, each of these goliaths have had their way with each other, at one time or another.  Rusev as the United States Champion just makes sense in the way it works, because, let's face it, he's some kind of Russian Super Athlete, and that just rubs redneck America the wrong way.  So, WWE would be stupid to change it.

Winner: Rusev

However, I do have a few other ideas about this match.  Where has Lana been?  What's going on there?  There's no chance of her not being in attendance at the Show of Shows, right?  She'll show up, at some point--possibly as a distraction.

There's also been rumors of Sheamus, The Celtic Warrior's, return.  Do you know what happened to him?  He was a part of the Cenation team trying to take down The Authority, but The Authority targeted him, and injured him, so he couldn't compete.

You could say The Authority is to blame for his injuries, but the actual men who were sent to injure him were Mark Henry and Rusev--the Russian being the one to deliver the debilitating blow.

Are you seeing where I'm going?

It's likely The Great White will exact his revenge.  How and where I don't know, but a title match versus Cena would be a good spot.  He'd take out Rusev, annihilating the Russian, Cena would lose by disqualification after brutalizing him and then Sheamus and Rusev could begin a feud towards eventually seeing Sheamus crowned the next United States Champion.

There you go.  It almost writes itself.

Randy Orton vs Seth Rollins

Seth Rollins, WWE
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Anton

Seth Rollins matches are the hardest to predict.  One thing you have to know is, J&J Security will be at ring-side causing problems for Randy Orton.  That is for certain.  But Orton hasn't had any problems, yet, handling the smallish security detail, causing Rollins to run and hide for cover.

Winner: Randy Orton

The variable here is, will Rollins have any other help at ring-side?  Big Show and Kane will be in the Battle Royal, so they probably won't be there.  Triple H goes against Sting, so he probably won't be there.  J&J won't be able to handle The Viper.  The real question is, will Rollins take any type of beating, or will Orton just take out his aggressions on the security team, and allow Rollins to get away.

I believe Orton will chase Rollins, this time, and the two will have a brawl in a back area, or  parking lot, or something crazy like that.  I'm just saying, look for something crazy.  Is that specific enough for ya?  I mean it is Randy Orton, The Apex Predator.  Who knows what the voices in his head are telling him to do.

Notes:

Sheamus, WWE
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Simon Q

Sheamus is due to return at any time.  It's probably at Wrestlemania, and it will probably be in some capacity that leads us to believe he's turned bad-guy, and he is eyeing one of the belts.

The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal will have one entrant from the winner of an NXT (the development territory for the WWE) tournament.  I'm thinking, high-flyer, Adrian Neville will be the guy.

Who else will be in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.  It's a 30-man match, that so far, has only about 20-men listed.  There appear to be some openings.  At the Royal Rumble Match a couple of months ago, there were a few surprise entrants, including  Diamond Dallas Page, The Boogeyman and Bubba Ray Dudley, from TNA Impact Wrestling.  Who could surprise us this year?  Do you know who AJ Styles is?  Look him up.

After his incidents in Mexico, could Ray Mysterio be returning for the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal?  I'm thinking the answer is, YES!!!

Earlier, I suggested that Bray Wyatt would take The Undertaker's mantle.  Would this mark the end of The Undertaker?  I think not.  The idea of a match between The Phenom Undertaker and The Vigilante Sting is too good to pass up, for the WWE.

Here It Comes, Raise a Pint!

Drunken Leprechaun
by Jackson Thom

It's just a few days away now.  Tuesday, March 17, is St. Paddies Day, don't you know.  So, why not don just the right shirt, while you raise a few pints this year?

Why not head over to my Zazzle store, and check out my St. Paddies Day shirts.  Here's one, with the drunken leprechaun, that reads, "Cheers."

Or, how about this one, that says, "Get Drunk and Carry On."

Or, if t-shirts aren't your thing, how about a drunken leprechaun water bottle or an iphone 5 cover.  There's plenty of things to choose from, so why not take a look.

Vortex and Guns
by Jackson Thom

But, that's not all that's going on.  I've been hard at work at another drawing, so why not head on over to my DeviantArt Gallery and take a look at Vortex and Guns.

If you like it, while you're there, you can even pick up some prints.

Or, if you really like, it, hey, why not pick up a t-shirt with it on it, at my Zazzle Store.  Hey, you can have Vortex and Guns on a t-shirt.  How cool would that be?

Top Five NXT Divas

Summer Rae, NXT Event
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Taryn

If you haven't already heard, NXT is where the WWE develops their new young talent before they're ready for the big stage.  Or more likely, they prune out those they can't see making it all the way.

NXT is kind of like the minor leagues of the professional wrestling ranks.

It began as kind of a reality show on SYFY Channel, but was later moved to the WWE Network, and converted from a reality show format, to a more general wrestling format that allows the performers to develop their personas and rivalries, more like in the WWE.

Each episode is filmed in Florida, and it's producing a good amount of interesting talent.  It's where they found such stars as Bad News Barrett, Titus O'Neil and Paige.

They have both the male superstars, and the Divas Division, just like in the WWE, so let's take a look at the top five most interesting Divas in NXT.

5. Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch is one of the clear brawlers, rather than a finesse performer, and she came over from Ireland, with another NXT superstart, Finn Balor.  She seems like the kind of chick that would go to a rock concert, and get into the mosh pit, throwing up the devil signs.

She's been well received as a bad-girl, and she just got a title shot, in a fatal-four-way.  She didn't win, but she put up a great showing.

4. Dana Brooke

Her real name is Ashley Sebera, and she began as a fitness model, dancer and gymnast.  She's got plenty of moves, and one of the hardest bodies in NXT.

Dana will be around awhile, and she'll be in some interesting matches.

3. Carmella

Carmella is a hell of a hotty.  She's playing up the whole Staten Island, New York thing, which makes her the female version of Zack Ryder.  He's not exactly the most popular, but at least he has a schtick, and he's in the WWE.

Imagine if Ryder was a hot chick like Carmella.

2. Sasha Banks

If you were thinking, what the WWE really needs is a wrestler just like J-Lo, then here she is.  Sasha Banks, is the current reigning NXT Champion.  She defeated Charlotte, Bayley and Becky Lynch in a fatal-four-way.

She's loud, boisterous, doesn't play well with others, and she's go the booty to handle it.  She's also the cousin of rapper Snoop Dog.

1. Alexa Bliss

Alexa Bliss is a super hot little blond cheerleader, with a background in gymnastics and bodybuilding.

She was initially used as a ring-announcer, and later used in a few skits, such as Triple H's entrance into Wrestlemania XXX.  It wasn't until May 8, 2014 that she had her first match, but she made quite an impact.

So, there they are!  The top five Divas of NXT.  Let me know what you think.  Did I leave anyone out?

This World of Bones

Sugar Skull Portrait
by Jackson Thom

What happens to us in the end?  There are those who believe we can live forever.  There are those that believe we can be reincarnated.  There have been pharaohs, who believed they could take it all with them.  But they were all wrong.

This has all happened before, and it'll all happen again.  Rise and fall, rise and fall, like the phoenix from the ashes, we all rose from nothing, but dust.  The same is true for me.

This is a world of bones under feet, covered in dirt and rock, and decorated with the prettiest flowers and green grass, to forget what they cover.  But some of us are not fooled by the bright pleasant colors.

The human race is speeding towards its destiny, but where should it all come to an end.  No one knows--oblivion.

"Follow the buzzards."  -- Bray Wyatt

And if that didn't put you in a good mood, I've been busy with some new art.  I guess it's my own revolt against Google trying to enforce the no mature content policy, and police what is and is not art, kind of thing.  This just kind of brought the best, or the worst, out of me.

You decide.  Have a look.

Bound and Judged
by Jackson Thom

This is the cleaned up version.  There's an X-Rated version, fully nude, that is, not for the kiddies on my gallery on Deviant Art.  If you'd like, please take a look and tell me what you think.  I'd love to hear some opinions.

Come Get Some Queen's Blade

Melona From Queen's Blade Fanart
by Jackson Thom

It's not ecchi if they don't show the bods, and Queen's Blade brings it in spades.  Queen's Blade is the royal standard as far as ecchi anime's go.

The story revolves around a Queen's Blade tournament that occurs, oh, I have no idea how often.  I suppose about often enough for this tournament to make sense, which is fine.  Anyway, any busty beauty with a weapon can enter, and it involves them getting a call from some ominous force, and reporting to the one-on-one battle, to have it out with an equally busty beauty.

No one dies, and there's no real consequences of losing, other than that they're out of the tournament.  But there's no reason for them to not give it their all, including every shred of clothing.  The final prize is a battle with the queen of the land, and the chance to become the next queen.

The story revolves around the main character, Reina, a busty blonde, who's lived a sheltered life cooped up in a castle, while her eldest sister has become one of the world's greatest warriors, and her closest sister has become a lusty lesbian, who desires her body.

During a robbery of the castle, Reina is taken by the burglar, and she decides it's time for her to start learning to defend herself, so she enters the Queen's Blade tournament.  She bonds with her captor, as well as another woman who wears a snake instead of panties, and they go on to train her for the tournament.

Echidna On Reina From Queen's Blade Fanart
by Jackson Thom

There are all manor of hot chicks in this one.  Like I said above, there's an assassin girl, who doesn't where much clothing, but she has a pet snake that she wears as her bottoms, instead of anything.  There are perfectly angled shots of her releasing her snake upon her prey, so that you only get a glimpse of her back-side, while not actually seeing anything too revealing.

There's also some kind of demon girl, who wears a see through pink night-gown, and her hair looks like two hands that dangle down, and keep her breasts in place.  They frequently come loose, however, revealing her nipples.

There's a holy woman, who attacks her enemies with her holy poses, which are just erotic poses revolving around spreading her legs or sticking out her breasts.

There's one woman who carries a sentient staff for her power, that has tentacles that will now and again force there way into her mouth and ejaculate some fluid into her, for strength.  Ya know, that old chestnut!

Then there's Reina's sister, who never quite comes clean about her lesbianism, but always lusts after her, and finds ways to be in the bath with Reina.

I won't ruin it all for you, but there are several other great women, and each of them better than the last.  There's probable one or two total males in the entire series.  It's female centric, and it does benefit from this.

The actual story is kind of mindless, and it doesn't really matter anyway.  The Queen's Blade tournament is just an excuse to put the women into precarious positions on top of one another rolling around, while shredding their clothing, and breaking their armor, to expose more skin.

There have been two seasons of Queen's Blade that I've seen.  They've both been dubbed, and are uncensored.  There is a second series, called Queen's Blade: Rebellion, which has been released as only a subtitled version, and it is severely censored.  I haven't seen this one.

To learn a little more about Queen's Blade, or its adaptation from the manga, check out Queen's Blade on Wikipedia.