n e n i e

Itˆ‚s an annual tradition here at nenie.net (along with the NCCA Pool that Alphasarah is ROCKING) my Wrestlemania picks.

Yes, I know Iˆ‚m the only one interested.

I donˆ‚t care.

Seriously though, itˆ‚s getting harder and harder to actually make real picks the way WWEˆ‚s been spoiling things by releasing commercials that tell you EXACTLY whoˆ‚s going to win MONTHS in advance.

Itˆ‚s enough to drive a man crazy. But without further adieu, here are my picks for Wrestlemania 22, LIVE from Chicagoˆñ

(One more adieu. After writing and revising these picks, the degree to which Eddie Guerreroˆ‚s death changed the industry is amazingly evident.)

* denotes reigning champion.

Torrie Wilson v. Candice Michelle
Playboy Pillow Fight
Wow, do I even care who wins this one? Wow, two women whoˆ‚ve been naked in Playboy fighting with pillows over which oneˆ‚s hotter. *yawn* What the hell, I say Torrie, just because sheˆ‚s the face and sheˆ‚s due for her sweet, sweet revenge.

Winner: Torrie Wilson

Boogeyman v. Booker T & Sharmell
Who did Booker piss off to end up in this feud? Seriously, I donˆ‚t get it. I mean, I get that the Boogeyman is Shane McMahonˆ‚s lame-ass idea for a gimmick. I just donˆ‚t get why heˆ‚s in a feud with Booker T, whoˆ‚s coming off a lukewarm and uninspiring program with Benoit.

The WWE really, really needs to find something to do with Booker. Theyˆ‚ve had some flashes of brilliance in the past, but theyˆ‚ve always managed to mess it up somehow. I really like the fraidy-cat heel theyˆ‚ve turned Booker into. That part works, but theyˆ‚ve yet to put him in a sold program with anyone. That said, itˆ‚s time for Boogeyman to show he can win matches, not just eat worms soˆñ

Winner: Boogeyman

Womenˆ‚s Championship
Trish Stratus* v. Mickie James
Iˆ‚ll admit it. I LIKE womenˆ‚s wrestling. Theyˆ‚re like cruiserweights only different. Seriously. I also really like Trish as Womenˆ‚s Champ. Iˆ‚ll even forgive her whole hypocritical ˆ¨Iˆ‚m not eye candyˆÆ gimmick. But why, oh why do the writers seem to take a nap when it comes to this division? There could be a really great feud here, now thereˆ‚sˆñthis

Winner (and still champion): Trish Stratus

World Tag Team Championship
Kane & Big Show* v. Carlito & Chris Masters
If a tag team belt was being contested at this PPV, it should have been the WWE Tag Titles, not the World straps. At least that one is being mildly contested. The World Tag Titles have been MIA almost as long as the Democratic Partyˆ‚s spine. Now, we have them brought for Wrestlemania.

I like Show and Kane as tag champs, they amuse me. And if the WWE isnˆ‚t really going to have a real tag division on Raw, the least they could do is make it a comedy belt. And, well, Show and Kane are really, really funny as tag champs. And I mean this in a good way. Putting the straps on Carlito and Masters doesnˆ‚t make sense and it would kill the build-up they have on Kane and Show. Besides, theyˆ‚ve been doing a slow-burn/tease/slow-burn/tease thing with the Carlito/Masters feud and ˆ´Mania is where theyˆ‚re going to have it blow up and run through the summer.

You heard it here first; THIS will be the feud of the summer. And it all starts with

Winners (and still champions): Kane & Big Show

United States Championship
Chris Benoit* v. JBL
I donˆ‚t get why Iˆ‚m not that into this match. JBL is the new heel I love to hate; Benoit is as solid an in-ring performer as the WWEˆ‚s ever seen. So why donˆ‚t I care? Probably because the build-up to this has been so uneven and the WWE has forgotten one of the most important rules about championships, ˆ¨sometimes the man makes the belt; sometimes the belt makes the man.ˆÆ

Right now, the United States Title is neither making Chris Benoit, nor is Chris Benoit making the United States Title. As a result, it all feels rather pointless. I guess Iˆ‚m just not convinced by this feud, which is sad. That said, I think theyˆ‚re going to keep it going for a little while longer, or at least until they figure out what to do with both JBL and Chris Benoit. In order to do that you have to have the heel winˆñ

Winner (and NEW champion): JBL

Edge v. Mick Foley
Hardcore Match
This is the match Iˆ‚m waiting for. I know, I know, Iˆ‚m such a fanboy, Foleyˆ‚s MUCH better on the mic than in the ring and Mick Foley is SO 1999. But I just canˆ‚t help myself. Iˆ‚m geeked up for this one.

It also doesnˆ‚t hurt that I love me some Edge. Always have, always will and as much as I didnˆ‚t want to see him win the belt off of Cena a few months ago, Iˆ‚ve always wanted to see Edge hold the strap for a good, long time. So yeah, two of my favorite wrestlers going at it in a hardcore match at Wrestlemania? No matter how poorly this one turns out, itˆ‚ll be a classic to me.

Edge goaded Foley out of retirement by saying heˆ‚s never had a defining Wrestlemania moment, which is completely true and is something that Foleyˆ‚s many fans (Seriously have you HEARD this guyˆ‚s pops lately? People still love this guy beyond reason.) have wanted to see their guy get for a long, long time.

Yes, part of the Foley mystique is that he doesnˆ‚t win the big one. But, well, and Iˆ‚m picking with my heart here, I think this is the year he gets it. Foley is one of the few guys who can make someone look brilliant in defeat, and I think thatˆ‚s what happens here. Foley brutalizes Edge, makes him look tougher and continues Edgeˆ‚s push while simultaneously giving the fans what they want.

Winner: Mick Foley

Undertaker v. Mark Henry
Casket Match
THIS is why steroids are bad. Because it leads to bizarre injuries that force storylines to premature ends.

THIS is why alcoholism is bad. Because it leads to death that forces storylines to premature ends.

THIS is why we have this match.

Had Eddie Guerrero not died Batista would have gone on the DL sooner and would be back by now. Had Eddie Guerrero not died he would have carried the BIG GOLD BELT (tm ) while Batista was out, allowing Randy Orton and ˆ´Taker to continue their program into Wrestlemania.

As it is, Eddieˆ‚s dead and Batista hurt himself worse putting Orton in the main event and ˆ´Taker into this turd of a match with Mark Henry. Seriously, do you see ˆ´Takerˆ‚s undefeated streak being broken by a guy on his way out of the company? Do you see it broken by MARK HENRY! Freaking Mark Shale and Max Azria couldnˆ‚t beat ˆ´Taker in a handicap match, the manˆ‚s stroke is so good (and well deserved.)

Winner: Taker (now 14-0 @ Wrestlemania)

Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Rob Van Dam v. Shelton Benjamin v. Ric Flair v. Matt Hardy v. Finlay v. Lashley
How glad am I to see that this match is back? SO GLAD!

Itˆ‚s a brilliant concept, a 6 man ladder match whose winner gets a free shot at either of the big titles, any time, any place, in the next year.

Plus, it allows a few top tier guys (RVD and Flair) to put some mid card (Hardy and Benjamin) and new up and comers (Lashley and Finlay) over and into the spotlight.

That said, itˆ‚s gonna be awesome. Or, at least, I hope itˆ‚s awesome. It has ever right to be. But, itˆ‚s also a rather predictable outcome. RVD, Flair and Benjamin are in a feud over Benjaminˆ‚s IC Strap. Lashley and Finlay are starting off their feud. I see both of those feuds being intensified by the outcome of this match which leaves only one uncommitted wrestler to win it. (Though I reserve the right to say ˆ¨I told you soˆÆ if RVD wins and Hardy goes into a tag program in the next two months)

Winner: Matt Hardy (who will challenge Edge after he beats Cena this summer)

Mr. McMahon V. Shawn Michaels
No Holds Barred
I have to believe two things

1) This match was designed to have Bret Hart interfere in.
2) The McMahons firmly believe that Wrestlemania isnˆ‚t Wrestlemania without one of them in it (thankfully itˆ‚s JUST one. Thank you Mrs. Shane McMahon for being 9 months pregnant)
3) Thereˆ‚s ˆ¨No Chance In HellˆÆ Bret Hart is involved in this one

Which

a) is three things
b) makes this match a total waste of time and energy

Honestly, I think itˆ‚s the prelude to a swan song for HBK. After this match heˆ‚ll disappear for a while only to come back and seek his vengeance before retiring in a dignified manner. Or not.

Winner: Vincent Kennedy McMahon

World Heavyweight Championship
Kurt Angle* v. Rey Mysterio v. Randy Orton
A few weeks ago Mick Foley called himself ˆ¨the greatest transitional champion of all time.ˆÆ With all due respect to Mick, he isnˆ‚t; Kurt Angle is. Kurt gets the honor because heˆ‚s the transitional champ who most deserved a big, long, successful run at the top. Seriously, Iˆ‚d love to see him hold onto the strap for a year or more. But thatˆ‚s not going to happen.

Wrestlemania is the PPV where you can count on belts falling like youˆ‚re at a Weight Watchers meeting. So Angle must part with the belt he won because Eddie Guerrero died.

Which sucks, because he deserves the belt more than just about anyone else on the roster, but theyˆ‚ve tweaked his character too much, itˆ‚s just not working anymore. Too much has changed, heˆ‚s a caricature of himself, which is odd to say, because heˆ‚s a pro wrestler, but I stand by my statement.

So who picks it up? I may be thinking with my heart again (see my Foley pick above) but I donˆ‚t think itˆ‚s Ortonˆ‚s time. His time comes at the end of an epic feud with Batista, not a watered-down three-way dance at Wrestlemania. Plus, do we really need another big white guy with the BIG GOLD BELT (tm )?

No, and with the new steroid policy causing guys to shrink like scrotums in subzero temperatures the WWE needs a small guy with the big belt. That way, the (smaller) big guys will still look huge and no one will be the wiser. Plus, itˆ‚s the Latinos who are keeping Smackdown afloat in the ratings, itˆ‚s time we were rewarded with a champion who looks like us, even if we donˆ‚t know what he ˆ¨looks like.ˆ¨

Winner (and NEW World Heavyweight Champion): Rey Mysterio

WWE Championship
John Cena* v. Triple H
Question:
What do you do when your target demographic is booing your lead guy, but your ancillary ones are growing because of him?

Answer:
Run a series of ˆ´tweener feuds the likes of which the world has never seen.

And thatˆ‚s exactly what the WWE is doing. Theyˆ‚re running guys against Cena that people can simultaneously get behind and boo.

Now, a few political things. First, Triple H puts guys over at Wrestlemania. Itˆ‚s what he does. Itˆ‚s how he can defuse charges that heˆ‚s holding other guys down, by putting them over at the biggest event of the year. Second, the WWE has spent too much time building up Cena to deflate the balloon now. Theyˆ‚re going to use this feud to sell Cena a bit more. Third, and this is a predicated on my second point, Cena has won titles at the last two Wrestlemanias (US Title at XX and WWE Title at XXI) which means now is the time when he successfully defends a title at Wrestlemania. Which, yknow, is almost ever done, which makes the accomplishment that much bigger. Yup, thatˆ‚s my story and Iˆ‚m sticking to it.

Winner (and still WWE Champion): John Cena

Posted by nenie at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Yup. I'm Catholic. I did 9 years of parochial school outside of Chicago. Can you tell?

You're 60% Irish

You're very Irish, and most likely from Ireland. (And if you're not, you should be!)

Posted by nenie at 01:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Itˆ‚s that time of year again. Time for this yearˆ‚s NCAA Tournament Pool. Or, as weˆ‚ve been calling it around the nenie.net (nn) world headquarters ˆ¨nenie.net madness 2.6.ˆÆ

Our traditional site for these bad boys Bracketmanager.com has gone belly-up, and it looks like theyˆ‚ve been bough out by CBS Sportsline. So, thatˆ‚s who weˆ‚re gonna run the tournament through this year.

As always, join even if you know nothing about basketball. Seriously, itˆ‚s a good time, yo.

The rules? Simple.

Go to nnm26.mayhem.sportsline.com, make an account and pick your bracket.

Scoring?
2 points per game in the first round
4 in the second
8 in the Sweet Sixteen
16 in the Elite Eight
32 in the Final Four
64 in the Terrific Twos (Nenaˆ‚s contribution to this endeavour)

Upset Points?
A nn staple throughout the years has been the upset points. In past years players have been awarded the difference between seeds in the case of a first round upset. This year, youˆ‚ll get the seed added as points.

Translation?
Pick a 12 to beat a 5? Get 12 extra points for picking that game.

As always, upset points are only allowed in the first round.

Deadline?
By the tip-off of the first game on Thursday. None of this bullshit Tuesday Play-In garbage.

Prize?
To the winner, your very own Indianapolis shot glass.

Purpose?
Talk shit, have fun. Yknow, what we do every year.

Posted by nenie at 07:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)

ˆñThere is no place like home.

After a six month hiatus, nenie.net is back. Iˆ‚d like to say that itˆ‚s better than ever, but thatˆ‚d be a lie. I wanted to relaunch completely free of SPAM and with all new graphics and stuff. But that didnˆ‚t happen.

Instead, I have this lonely little message saying Iˆ‚m back. Because I am.

Over the next few weeks Iˆ‚ll finish de-SPAMming (2000 comments removed, 3000 to go), Iˆ‚ll repost what few articles I can find floating around out there and generally go about the project of putting this blog back together.

(Quick aside. For those of you who donˆ‚t remember, the hard drive that houses this particular site ate itself back in September. Since then Iˆ‚ve been waiting for the hard driveˆ‚s keeper to fix the site and give me the green light for going live again. Since heˆ‚s got other stuff going on, I gave myself the green light.)

Right, so the blogˆ‚s back. Enjoy, rock out, rock on, rock hard.

Yup, I wanted to relaunch with something meaningful, I guess this is what youˆ‚ll have to settle for.

Posted by nenie at 07:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Yup, the third annual pool is coming, but due to weather and my normal hosting site going down...give me a day, but get your brackets ready

Posted by nenie at 09:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I am writing to register my profound dissatisfaction with the level of service that I have been receiving on my latest United flights. As a native Chicagoan and a long-time patron of your airline I am saddened to see what this jewel of the airline industry has become. Your pride in being "Chicago's hometown airline" is poorly placed as no other major carrier flies into or out of their hub as poorly as you do. There are many lessons you could learn from one of your unnamed competitors as they long ago figured out how to use O'Hare as a strength rather than the liability it has become for you.

Last night, Friday, March 10, my wife and I were passengers on UAL Flt 7036 from Kansas City to Chicago. For the second time in as many trips from KCI to ORD my plane landed in Chicago only to have no gate to go to. For the second time in as many flights we were made to sit on the runway for over 30 minutes waiting for a gate. Whereas last time this could have been blamed on the weather, last night there was no such excuse. Flight 7036 arrived on time, after a Herculean effort on the part of the pilot to do so. But, your ground crew was somehow caught by surprise to see us arrive as they had no gate for us to pull into. As a result, we sat on the ground for over 45 minutes waiting.

During this time, our flight crew made no efforts to make this experience any less bothersome. Could you please tell me when beverage service on your Kansas City to Chicago flights was canceled? In the five years I have been living in Kansas City and making regular trips from my new home to my home town I cannot remember any time when I couldn't at least get a glass of water in flight. It is such a small thing, but spending over two hours on a plane, most of it on the ground does have a way of draining you and something as simple as a beverage would have made your passengers' night that much better. However, you've managed to fail in this endeavour as well.

The situation was made worse by your poor decision to abandon real airplanes on this run and resort to the Matchbox Canadair Regional Jets you currently employ. I did not pay to fly on one of these toys, rather I remember the days when you proudly flew A320s on this route, pampering your customers with comfort and excellent service. Now, I routinely spend two hours in a model airplane that was designed to have someone in it for no longer than 45 minutes. I exit your planes sore and clausterphobic, wondering why I didn't listen to my wife and book a fight on one of your competitors. The answer is always pride. Pride in an airline that provided jobs to the parents of so many of my friends growing up. Pride in a world-class city that used to have a world-class airline to call its own.

I fear that we will have to find a new airline to pride ourselves on. I am afraid that I will have to find another way to get home to visit my family, because this latest experience was the last straw. United is one airline that I will not be utilizing on my next trip home.

-Nenie

Posted by nenie at 01:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)