Did you guys know ESPN.com has a video games section?  They do.  Thats where I found the picture to the left.  Right here.  The greatest wrestling game to ever come home to the consoles, barnone was WCW vs NWO Revenge.   Ninterndo 64, FTW again. I have bought several of the Smackdown vs Raw offerings and none have ever really stacked up to that epic title.  For some reason, wrestling games seem to have gotten worse as technology has progressed. WWF Wrestlefest in the arcade, anyone?  Hard to get much better than that. 

Despite my griping, the idea of a game revolving around the classic characters throughout the history of the WWE sounds pretty damn good to me.  These are guys that could entertain and perform in the ring.  They were not given their jobs because they had 8 pack abs and a chiseled jaw.  As dreamy as that sounds, it has harmed the industry more than it has helped.  Anyone believe Chris Masters would have ever been on Raw if he looked like the Big Bossman?  This all ties into why I am pissed with this cover to the left.  The choice to have Hogan and Andre on the cover makes perfect sense.    Jimmy Hart and The Brain are perfect as well.  It’s the other two gentleman that don’t add up.

What the shit are Austin and The Rock doing on the cover of a “Legends” game?  Both of those guys still appear on WWE programming from time to time and both of them are not even 10 years removed from competing on WWE programming on a daily basis.  I love Stone Cold and I love the Chosen one, but they don’t belong anywhere near the cover of this game.  Where is The Macho King?  Where is Hacksaw?  Where is the Warrior?  JYD?  Honky Tonk Man?  Ted Dibiase?  King King Bundy?  Superfly?    The list is endless.  If they make a “Wrestling used to be really good in the late 90’s and early 2000’s” game,  then Austin and Maivia deserve to be on the cover with DX.  Until then, keep them out of my childhood, because they were not there for it.

I love Randy Savage.  Who doesn’t?  When Hulk Hogan turned on Savage to start the nWo, my life was never the same.  Remeber when we would come down to the ring in that giant throne on wheels? The Macho King.  The Madness.  The guy is classic.  This picture is a little shocking, because the last time I remember seeing Savage, he had jet black hair and bulging biceps.  It should not be considered a negative.  We all age, so why are any of us casting stones?The guy that runs THIS blog agrees.  Judge for yourself:

Generally I have a fondness for older actors/athletes as well.   I do not buy into our youth obsessed entertainment industry that constantly sacrafices skill, experience and talent in exchange for youth.  The Disney Channel model of celebrity makes me want to fucking puke.  Throw any hot pre-teen jailbait ass on television and make them out to be the next Madonna.  Vanessa Hudgens?  The Jonas Brothers anyone?  I’ll never understand the thought process that if you look like an ugly chick, that makes you a hot dude.  I’ll take Harrison Ford, Clint Eastwood, AC/DC, Jack Lambert, Randy Couture and The Stones over Hannah Montana and her big gums anyday.

M1’s offical statement MMA Junkie:

M-1’s Official Statement on Brock Lesnar’s victoryM-1 would like to congratulate Brock Lesnar on his UFC heavyweight title victory as well as acknowledge Randy Couture’s return to active competition after a layoff that lasted over a year. 

Couture and WAMMA heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko had publicly acknowledged a desire to fight each other multiple times over the course of the past year. While M-1 and Fedor remain interested in a match against Couture, we would also like to publicly state for the record that we would welcome a superfight between Fedor and Lesnar that would be held as a co-promoted event between the UFC, M-1, and Affliction Entertainment.

We’ve invited the media to speak with us today to not only make it clear we would welcome a Fedor vs. Lesnar matchup but to act in a preemptive fashion to address the possibility that UFC officials will try and position Lesnar as the No. 1 heavyweight in the world, much like they have tried to use a marketing ploy to brand Anderson Silfva as the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

In the past, UFC president Dana White and Zuffa, LLC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta have tried to claim that Fedor was “overrated” and that his “record was irrelevant.” They make these claims in spite of the fact that Fedor holds career victories over UFC champions past and present. While we have tremendous respect for the contributions Mr. Fertitta and Dana have made to this sport, we do not believe they are sincere in their statements.

It is the position of M-1 that the UFC has adopted an anti-Fedor policy because multiple attempts to sign him have not been fruitful. For a company that has tried to market itself as the number one promotion in the world, they are unable to accept the fact that the number one fighter in the world does not reside on its roster of contracted fighters.

We believe that the UFC has determined that it’s much more inexpensive for them to use their marketing resources to use smoke and mirrors to brand a fighter as the pound-for-pound best as opposed to actually paying the pound-for-pound best what he is truly worth on the open market.

While Brock Lesnar is an accomplished athlete and a talented fighter, we do not consider him to be the number one heavyweight in the world. Until someone beats him, we strongly believe that Fedor should continue to be recognized as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. In a match between Fedor and Lesnar, we do not feel that at this stage Lesnar would be able to make it out of the first round.

For those who feel our statements in regards to Fedor are self-serving, we’d like to refer you to a video interview on the website RawVegas.tv in which at his UFC 91 after-party Couture himself acknowledges that “Fedor would probably tear Brock up at this point.”

Jerry Millen, M-1 Vice President

This will not happen for many reasons.  Firstly, Fedor would likely beat Brock Lesnar.  How would that benefit the UFC?  Dana’s policy on hating Fedor is based mostly on his contention that Fedor hasn’t fought any of his heavyweights.  That makes him unproven in White’s eyes.  What happens if a fighter not under UFC contract smashes the new golden boy?  Not only does that prove Fedor’s status, but it shows the UFC isn’t the only game in town for the best fighters on the planet.  Dana has shown he is all about having total control.  That is why the UFC is still still relegated to Spike and not on a major network.  He will not relinquish control, nor should he.

What control would Dana White have over Fedor Emelianenko?  If Lesnar lost to him, who in the UFC stable could beat him?  Fedor has half the notoriety but is twice the fighter.  He has a huge reputation with the MMA hard cores but hardly any mainstream recognition.  That means the PPV numbers might not even top Couture/Lesnar.  I would be the first to savage my privates if a Fedor stepped into the cage with Lesnar, but Dana won’t do it.  Under the current circumstances, he shouldn’t do it either.  Get Fedor under contract with the UFC.  Then spread out some paper towels for MMA fans all over the globe.

Thanks to Combat Lifestyle for the photos.  I’ve been a really big mixed martial arts fan for over a year now.  It’s not too long, but in that year I have watched every fucking fight that has been on television.  UFC, WEC, EliteXC, Affliction, hell even Yamma Pit Fighting.  I have been to half a dozen fights live including UFC 88 in Atlanta.  I got to see Rich Franklin, Dan Henderson, The Iceman and a slew more fight up close and personal.  For the past three to four months I have been making a few picks and placing a few bets on MMA fights.   I’m no mastermind, I’m clearly no expert. However, my record is such that I am fairly confident in my general knowledge of the sport.  Knowing all of that, how the hell can you pick this fight?  We are talking about one of the most cerebral fighters in history going up against the damn Cloverfield monster.  It’s Captain America vs The Hulk live and in person. 

I picked my winnner midway through this past week.  Brock Lesnar is a monster.  I’ve never seen a real life human being who is built like this freak that can actually move around.  You expect to see him on stage with Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler posing awkwardly and smeared with orange tanning cream. The difference being those guys can barely walk.  Lesnar can certainly do more than that.  Couture started out as the favorite in this contest but as of today (thursday), many sports books have him as an underdog.  Lesnar can wrestle, scramble, strike and has proven he has the endurance to finish a fight.

That being said, we here at The Fukerton are picking Randy “The Natural” Couture to win the fight via TKO in the second round.  When have we seen Lesnar take a punch?  When have we seen Lesnar on his back? When has we seen Lesnar against the cage?  I think we will most certainly see some of those things come Saturday.  Lesnar is big, but Couture has fought big men before this.  Put eloquently by Betus.com:

On March 3, 2007 Couture entered the Octagon at 6′ 2″, 220 pounds and the +110 MMA betting underdog at UFC 68 in hopes of reclaiming his title against a mammoth 6′ 8” and 268-pound Maine-iac named Silva who wore the belt, priced at -135 by BetUS UFC odds experts.

For 25 minutes the two went to war in what was one of the best fights in UFC history. What the 45-year-old Couture lacked in size, he made up for with heart, determination and raw fighting skills in warrior like fashion. Couture initiated the striking as the aggressor versus Sylvia, taking him to the ground in the first round clearly frustrating the Maine-iac. In the best fight of his Hall of Fame career, Couture dominated throughout much of the bout to score an unanimous decision victory for his third championship.

Randy isn’t going to have his skirt blown up Lesnar that can bench press more weight.  Brock is completely overrated in my eyes.  I know why he is getting this shot, I agree with him getting this shot, but he has not earned it.  Selling PPV’s makes you good for buisness. It doesn’t make you a champion.  I love watching Lesnar fight, but I smell wax wings.  Icarus learned the hard way and so will this man.  I have no doubt in my mind that Brock Lesnar will be the UFC heavyweight champion one day, and most likely one day soon.  I just don’t see it being this Saturday.

Why not?  I was thinking about this while my eyeballs were drying out playing Gears of War 2 all night.   What would be the biggest slap in the face for a fighter with an ego as big as Tito Ortiz?  Losing to a professional wrestler.  Who would love to give Tito Ortiz a huge slap in the face? Dana White.  Dana White, who has proven he’s not adverse to giving a former amateur/professional wrestler a shot at a former UFC Champion.  Dana White who has seen what publicity his faith in Brock Lesnar has provided his company.  This actually makes so much sense I can’t believe I’m the first person to have discussed it.  It’s a win/win for The UFC.  If Tito wins, Dana is happy because he’s paid and a professional wrestler with delusions of granduer is put in his place.  If Angle wins, Dana is happy because he is paid and Tito lost to a 40 year old MMA rookie.  I should be made General Manager of the UFC.  You think this isn’t impossible?

Bloody Elbow is reporting that Tito wants to fight again in July. Kurt Anlgle thinks he deserves the winner of Lesnar vs Couture.  What better way for the Olympic wrestling gold medalist to prove he is worthy of title shot this early in his MMA career?  To be honest, I’m not sure if Tito would move up in weight or Kurt would drop down, nor do I think it really matters.  If Randy and Brock is the biggest fight in UFC history then Kurt and Tito maybe one of the most intriguing.  The UFC has some monster cards coming up and they have been getting more and more coverage from the mainstream media.  A fight like this would ensure them press into the summer and beyond.

If Tito wins, he goes can go up in weight for a superfight with Brock or at least prove he is still a threat in the light heavyweight division.  If Kurt wins we have the carnival that would be Angle vs Lesnar for real.  I am filling the cup with the thought of it.

Noted communist and DC snob Luke Thomas covered on Bloody Elbow an interview with Olympic gold medalist and current professional wrestler: Kurt Angle.  Kurt has flirted like a tramp with MMA before and it seems he is batting his eyelashes again.  Who he wants as his first opponent is comical, but Dana White is a big fan of baptism by fire.  The question would be is that if Kurt Angle gets a shot at any champion in the UFC, how long till  Cain Velasquez or Frank Mir shows up at UFC headquarters waiving a pistol? Putting asses in seats is damn important so anything could happen, but what do you make of this?

Kurt Angle just appeared on the Max Kellerman on 1050 ESPN Radio to announce his intentions of shopping himself around for an MMA fight. He stated that he is in great physical shape, planning on getting a physical for MMA on Tuesday and that his intentions are to get himself a high paying fight due to the itch to test out his skills in the MMA ring. His ideal fight would be facing off against the winner of Lesnar and Couture, and he further stated that in a backstage fight against Lesnar he was able to get the better of the bigger man thanks to his quickness and center of gravity.

I personally have interviewed Kurt a few times and I heard the story of him mopping the floor with Brock.  I think Kurt could do very well in the UFC or any other MMA promotion for that matter.  The clock is ticking though.  He needs to stop toying with the idea and sign a deal.  If Lesnar can come into the UFC and demolish Heath Herring in his second fight, I think Angle could do well.  He isn’t the monster Lesnar is, but he’s smarter and a  better wrestler.  The only issue here is I can’t see Dana White allowing former WWE superstars fighting in his heavyweight ranks.  I have to say it’s a it’s a PPV I would buy then give my genitals an indian rug burn.

Wrestling geek Dave Meltzer seems to think so.  The former WWE superstar turned MMA-er lost to Frank Mir after dominating him early on a few months back, and Meltzer seems to think he will lose marketability if he loses again. I disagree, but I am not a wrestling nerd that has some how landed a job at Yahoo.com.  Peep thusly:

But as he heads into Saturday’s UFC 87 showdown against rugged veteran Heath Herring, he runs the risk that his headlining fame will be over just as quickly as it started.  Lesnar can’t afford a second straight loss on a major pay-per-view event and still be considered a long-term main eventer.

I think Lesnar needs a win and I think the Texas Crazy Horse is a good opponent.  He should have been Brock’s FIRST opponent.  Lesnar has credibility in the wrestling scene and is a big name draw that doesn’t have the freak show factor that Kimbo Slice does.  I think Brock could lose a decision to Herring and still garner another match down the road in the UFC.   He is a monster and isn’t hated by the MMA puriest like Slice is.  It’ll be interesting to see if all this hype pays off in the long run for Dana.

Autoblog.com has more details on the Nike Hyperdunks that I would club a dolphin to strap around my dogs.  There is a better picture of the actual shoes a few posts down, but Kobe climbing out of Doc Browns greatest invention is epic. 

The perennial All-Star posed for pics and signed shoes for the first 10 fans lucky enough to score a pair. Lest you think a special-edition sneaker launch like this is no big thing, know that there were people lined up outside the joint for as long as 24 hours.

This totally makes up for Kobe cheating on his wife, getting accused of rape, running Shaq out of town, demanding a trade on the radio then taking it back, and flopping in the finals this year.  If I could get a video of Kobe smashing into a truckload of manure, the circle of life would be complete.

UGO.com has compiled quite a list.  The ten most patriotic moments in professional wrestling.   I would like to say that the finest paragraph in written language was included in said list.  Walt Whitman and Bill Shakespeare are envious of this passage:

When you think of wrestlers who have never turned their back on the good old U.S. of A, the name that springs to mind is “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. The somewhat simple-minded former football player was notorious for lugging not only an American flag but also a well-worn 2×4 to the ring to beat down his opponents.

If you don’t like Hacksaw Jim Duggan, head to a Celine Dion conert followed by a ralley in Tiananmen Square.  What I am inferring is that you are either a commie or Canadian.  Some people don’t get me.