Tag: Roman Reigns

“Are You Ready?” (Mania XL thoughts…) 🤔🛎️💙

I just had to use that quote because of Stephanie McMahon’s return to kickoff night 2 of WMXL as that was spoken by Triple H in the past. She introduced the “new Paul Levesque era.” My guess is she will be back soon but we shall see…

So, what will I start with first? I think I’ll go in order a little here with the topics of choice. First up~~~ the Warrior Award. No real statement from WWE regarding its official end but really, they don’t need to do that. Yes, it would’ve been great seeing it reach 10 years, but that wasn’t meant to be. 🥹 Some recipients were very deserving in my opinion (those Warrior probably would approve) but others, not as much. We never had a little girl win.. 😔 With Dana’s release back in September, it would not make sense to see anyone different present, right? Fans are allowed to express their disappointment but we have so MUCH more in Ultimate Warrior and Warrior memories worth cherishing. I find it interesting how very fickle some “fans” can be. OK, times change along with people – this can be true. There are those who are ripping Triple H to shreds because of this decision. Those same “fans” were the ones praising him for being very instrumental with Warrior’s return. I get how mad we are at times but for this? Nope. It’s fine to be a little nostalgic or even bittersweet but mad at Triple H? That shouldn’t be and yet it is for some. A point to add here… Sue Atchison who was 2019’s recipient was recently just released from WWE after 38+ years. I bet she’ll be very missed… 😟

The next part of 40 is the new IC champ. I bet many expected Sami Zayn to end Gunther’s reign of 666 (crazy number…) days but there are always surprises. I figured that would happen just like the big team match of The Rock and Roman defeating Cody and Seth. We have some other NEW*** champs as titles changed hands and of course Cody, who proved he could #finishthestory that his Dad never got to do. Hard to forget a few legends that came out during the “Bloodline Rules” match which made fans go crazy!

I kept going back-and-forth as to my personal prediction on that ending match but you know what was “running” through my mind? Was it Cody’s dad Dusty never winning the belt? Nope. It was Hulk Hogan’s streak and IF WWE would keep it intact or keep Roman’s “reign” going. I really wasn’t sure until I heard about the possibility of special appearances by some others. Were they there to make XL the best ever? Yes but I also think it was to prepare for the next champ, Cody Rhodes. I guess WWE still does love Hulkamania after all, but records are meant to be broken. Just not this time. The Rock or #TheFinalBoss will be back as well so get ready Cleveland forSummerSlam! I wonder if Vince was watching? 😬So very unfortunate on such a momentous milestone but I saw a pic of Linda there…

A few more things to add. Just my point of view here so take it as you will. To backtrack a bit on the Hall of Fame, I have my take. Do I think The Rock’s grandmother Lia Maivia should’ve been inducted? Yes, at some point because of what a pioneer she was as a woman in the business. It’s amazing what she did BUT because of #TheFinalBoss being in the position he’s at, she got in. Again, I think she does deserve that honor, but his influence made it so. The WWE though has always had much respect for the Anoai Family. Also, I believe Hulk should’ve inducted Muhammad Ali, NOT Undertaker? What was that all about? Not the choice I’d make. There are so MANY I would love to see inducted as Demolition comes to mind at the top of my list. We NEED these people in here before everyone is in posthumously. Let’s hear their voices accepting and not their family. I do hope changes get made in that category.

Whew, that’s my list and my rants. I hope everyone loved Mania 40 but I am moving away from that for the rest of this post. Look at the photo below. I don’t even know if any of you do but it’s another first for me, so I guess it gets “roped” in with Mania in a way, ha ha! I have never used a pic of U.W. with only one color of paint- ever. It just came to mind as you will also notice next week (spoiler alert!) with yet another first time type of pic for me. So, just had to use that one today. 

This last part will just be a reflection of my feelings about April 8 coming and going. I kid you not, I genuinely expected to have a big cry fest because after all, we hit double digits and a new decade since Warrior’s passing. I had to do that, true? Well, not so much as you might think. That date was also marked by the beautiful solar eclipse ya know… 🫣😎🌑 Like other events, the hype gets built up (I wrote on this) and then when it’s here, the reaction may not be as emotional. It’s like when my son graduated high school a few years back and now my daughter will be very soon. It was super hard on me for months, hearing “Pomp and Circumstance” as Randy’s theme on my DVDs without losing it through tears. 😭 When the day came, I was emotional but not like I thought. I rarely am in front of crowds anyway. Guess I get it all out of my system before hand.

I read all the social tributes to Warrior like I always do and some truly got to my ❤️ . I wanted to leave my own but decided not to in that way. My memories resurface every year just like all you fans AND I have so many personal family stories of that time as well. All have been shared. Perhaps I’ve made more peace and progress on his passing. That’s a lot of P words. I know I have and he doesn’t want his warriors as crybabies all the time. We all have evolved on that, at least I hope so. I had my rituals but maybe I needed this huge number to go through instead of fearing it getting nearer and nearer when the year began. Like I have said~ I’m stronger than I know and you dear reader are too. We need not cry buckets to remember or have guilt because we don’t. That’s a myth that needs to be clotheslined. I will cry happy tears because I KNOW without a doubt he is always around. “Are you Ready” to always believe? To use WWE’s slogan: Then

Now

Together

Forever

P.S. For any wondering, my one purple blooming tulip I believe got eaten by a deer. 🦌 I will have to transplant them somewhere else for next year! 😠🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Solid as a “ROCK.” 🪨💪🏻💙

I just need to mention real quick about last week’s date being 1-24-24. Yes, we will have that every month like last year but January brings the first of course. I love repeating numbers AND this is it for the first month of 2024. Wasn’t it just New Year’s Day?

OK, WRESTLING fans~~~ I’m BAACK…. Did you miss that topic? Sometimes, I need to focus my energy on different areas or there isn’t much of a story from the wrestling world waiting to be explored by ME. Now, there is yet again. (***BTW- I wrote this post after finding out about “The Rock” but BEFORE the most recent scandal broke the following day… ***)

You’ll notice if you read to the end (as I HOPE you do) that pic of Ultimate Warrior. It involved a tag team match between him and “King” Duggan (Hacksaw) versus André the Giant and “Ravishing” Rick Rude in 1989. The good guys won albeit by cheating a little, oops~~~ ha ha! As fans of U.W. know- he was part of two tag teams with Sting being the “Freedom Fighters” and then “Blade Runners.” Jim Hellwig’s name with the Blade Runners was “Rock.” . Fans may also know a few others by that name. We had “The Rock” Don Muraco who was “Magnificient” and then “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson years later. His Dad’s name doesn’t count as Rocky.

That takes me to the real topic at hand here. Any guesses? Come on. IYKYK. DJ has hinted at “possibly” stepping in the wrestling ring once again only this time as part of WrestleMania 40. They need something BIG right? It is rumored he will be facing none other than his cousin who is the universal champ- Roman Reigns. The Rock also just recently signed onto the WWE Board of Directors, while securing the rights to his name. That second part sounds a little like with someone else years ago did in a way to secure HIS name, only legally and not with WWE. What DJ is doing means nobody in the business can use “The Rock” as a moniker anymore. Well, we’ve had others in the past so let’s move on from the same name. That is similar to WWE over using (at least in my opinion…) “the King” moniker many times hence part of the pic again below. Yes, they had the “King of the Ring” tournament for years but I mean just the name like with Jerry Lawler, Harley Race, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and of course, Haku, who lost the crown he won from Jerry to none other than Hacksaw. Yes, I had to re-look all that up about Haku and Hacksaw as it’s very vague in my memory. And to think weeks ago, I just took a photo from a U. W. tag team match. Wow, the connectors that “tag” in are crazy! Writing brings out details I never had originally thought of quite often. 😜

Also, in WWE news is the recent announcement beginning next January 2025, how RAW will be moving to Netflix. My brother informed me of this before I read it on social media. It’s a HUGE multi year deal. Plus, my 80s podcast guys also covered some of that info on their episode of last week. Both SmackDown and NXT will be switching cable networks in October as well. Can you just imagine how RAW will change the face of Netflix? The guys were trying to determine the increase of viewers. I believe it will skyROCKet, 🚀 how about you? WWE will also be moving their PLE’s (paid live events) to Netflix too. Those used to be PPV’s as I always called them. No idea on that name change. How decades have evolved, that is for sure. At this time next year, they will know how viewership increased as I’m sure it will, by a LOT. It’s all business and moving through the eras WWE will always do. The Internet and streaming are the NEW now.

So, what’s your opinion as I get back to the topic of The Rock at WrestleMania 40? Yes, his appearance earlier this month drew BIG ratings for them as it would, nostalgia and all. Who knows how this will play out with a title on the line. I cannot predict what they will do and obviously with him now being on the board, he will be more involved. Is he stepping away from movies and Hollywood for a while to strap on the boots? He is generational with everyone, but is this just a one time thing? So many questions with WWE always leaving us guessing. To have a brief run for him again would be monumental but a LONG run, I actually don’t want that. Sure, he can still perform and entertain as many wrestlers continue into later years like U. W’s old tag team partner of Sting. He will be retiring this year from AEW. I just feel personally that like Warrior said in his HOF speech, you will know when it’s time to move on and pass that torch to the next generation. I understand how different it is these days with veterans still wanting roles in the business. They don’t just want to mentor or be backstage, they want to be in the ring if they still can at whatever capacity. If this continues though with the current roster, nobody would ever retire and the HOF would just honor past legends of yesteryear. The Rock of course will be part of a class one year and he is still so young (my age!) but when is it time to fully step away? I believe they should push some of the existing talent who work tremendously hard at that level. We can’t relive the past, but is it great for the Bloodline story? Of course.

Roman is close to beating Hulk’s “reign” as I’ve mentioned. My brother does not want this to happen. He was a huge Hulkamaniac. It would be more near SummerSlam if it did so if The Rock takes the title, what then? He’s on the BOE so he can maybe help Triple H with creative, ha! It would be great to see DJ back in action now that he is more part of the business end and he has the family legacy just like Roman. A brief run is what I’d like as I’m sure more movies will be calling his name. It would be that huge revenue WWE can do to make Mania 40 but we shall wait and see. Wait and see…..

All those guys with The Rock as their monikers lived or have lived up to being solid. Solid in word, solid in action. However you define it but it worked for them with the ways they needed and still is for one. Let’s just not have any more “kings” shall we? 👑😐😬

P.S. Also- most recently came THIS news. Unless you’ve been living under a rock- pun intended- you know…

***For the first time in over 50 years no McMahon will be involved in WWE. Vince’s resignation (once again) stemmed from more recent graphic allegations. All before WrestleMania 40. *** SIGH**As he always said though : “the show must go on.” Will he be back once again? I’m finally thinking NO… This hit me in a different way as I cried for many various reasons… 😞💔

My Wrestling Confession

Yes, I do have a wrestling confession to make is it may surprise many of you loyal readers on here. I’m not entirely sure what you could be thinking so I’ll tag you in. 😉🤔You probably have heard me say countless of times that I don’t watch any wrestling anymore and haven’t regularly since the Ultimate Warrior disappeared from my TV in Nov. of 1992. That pretty much has remained the same despite some little moments here and there. You all can possibly guess what those were all about. I have watched RAW more lately. There, I said it. The big reveal! The whole 3 hours? No. SmackDown or NXT? Not so much but again, some content on occasion. AEW Dynamite isn’t on my list either although Sting being there is awesome! My bro loves Chris Jericho.

Once in a while, I will be interested in a certain match and might catch a few minutes. I know for most wrestling fans, 3 hours brings so much entertainment and excitement but it seems very loooong to me. Once you get into a storyline or character, I’m sure the time flies but personally that’s even longer than watching a movie! I heard “The Batman” movie is that long but in a theater, I would need more cushion support to sit! 😜 I gotta give you WWE fans (or any other organization) credit for watching all that you do.

I guess after all, I have more to confess. Once WrestleMania XXXVIII ended, I knew videos would be posted. Yes, I looked up all the results but of course some matches intrigued me more than others. Boy, did they top themselves on this one! *** SPOILER ALERT HERE*** I also had to see The Undertaker get inducted. Despite my earlier posts of years past, that character has had an incredible run as the Phenom, Deadman, and of course Taker among other names. Thank you Mark for gifting WWE with over 30 years in the business. How about his hug with Vince? Too sweet… The Ultimate Warrior’s name should’ve been listed at the top since he was Taker’s first big name opponent, just sayin’! Never say never from him. We’ll see what happens... 😬🪦⚱️⚰️

Speaking of Vince, his win in the ring was a first at a WM and then the encounter with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin making a return. Legendary, just legendary. The Stunner wins again! Hard to believe WM runs two nights but with all those divisions, guess that’s a must. Everyone was talking about Cody Rhodes as well and we can’t ever forget all the amazing women Superstars. I’d stay out of Bianca’s way with all that hair, yikes! Oh, I’ve always loved Roman Reigns too. Oops, I never liked “heels” back in the day but he didn’t start out that way. Another confession.

Who is this girl going on and on about WWE? Clearly, she isn’t me but maybe this time, she came out to play a little. Does anyone old enough remember the other WWF shows back in the day? We had Superstars on Saturday A.M. at 11, Challenge on Sunday A.M., and then later on Primetime Friday at 10 P.M. I think– at least where I lived anyways. Let’s not forget SNME, The Main Event, and back when they only had a few PPV’s each year. There was just The Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and The Survivor Series. I do recall In Your House and King of the Ring but look at all the many more they do now. RAW used to compete with WCW’s NITRO and I remember WCW being on Saturdays after WWF at noon on a different channel. So, one could watch both if you wanted those two hours. Yep, just an hour each.

I added up some math here and get this. All 3 WWF (later WWE) shows at an hour a piece equates all 3 hours of RAW now. Crazy, isn’t it? You can watch 7 hours of WWE entertainment each week plus catching up with Peacock or even their Wrestling Network. SmackDown and NXT equally 2 hours each. I bet most of your fans do ALL that but in pure honesty, it’ll never be me.

Back in my day, an hour actually was enough— emotionally speaking! Unless I was watching SNME which took Saturday Night Live’s time slot being 1.5 hours. I’m not a night owl so staying up until 1 A.M. was always like a submission hold but I’d never tap out! Sometimes, I’d be babysitting until 2 A.M. and couldn’t keep my eyes open. 😳😴 There were those times like I’ve said before where that hour show became “continued” in a way with a match starting 5 minutes or so before the end! We were just left hanging until next week.

I believe I’m all done getting caught up lately but still know this. With social media these days, I know what’s going on and with always having my big Bro to let me know “important” stuff, I’m in the wrestling loop. You’ll not catch me watching one of their entire shows but if my WMVI DVD wasn’t skipping over parts, I would watch ALL of that and not just the Ultimate Challenge! That’s what I get for buying a used DVD, ugh… My old school girl self is always there or these warrior writings wouldn’t exist. She has evolved though and appreciates it all. Just think, Vince will be close to 80 when WrestleMania XXXX comes around! That’s only two years away– wow!

P.S. (Of last week…) I forgot my OWN number 8 connector this year. I got my Warrior logo tattoo on my daughter’s 8th birthday. She’ll be 16 soon...

P.P.S. So glad the crowd also acknowledged Triple H! He is an outstanding guy (:

www.spiritandbelief.com

*** Find me here for book info on how Warrior’s energy got my intuition stronger with signs! It involves dreams, meditation, psychic traits, and MORE! *** I thank everyone for their support. You can follow me as well over at Twitter, YouTube, and a U.W. fb group. 📗⚡️🙋🏻‍♀️💪🏻✍🏻💙🙏🏻