WWE is always scrambling in the summer months, still trying to recover from their WrestleMania hangover, where you’re likely to see stock prices drop, only to start moving back up as the next “Road to WrestleMania” begins the following year…

This year, they took a big chance on announcing next year’s WM Main Event: The Rock vs. John Cena. I like this in some ways, but in other ways it’s unfortunate. It takes some of the build up out of the equation, as we know one third of what is ultimately going to be another triple main event has already been decided. (The other two thirds are the World Heavyweight Championship and the Undertaker Streak match). In my opinion, they “shot their wad” a bit early, and the build up has been left to Cena and Rock tweeting insults back and forth every few weeks. Still cool, but not gonna drive ratings and won’t get people excited. After all, it’s all about ratings and PPV buys!

The other big story that’s been out there in recent months is that CM Punk’s contract would be running up this July (now only a couple weeks away). Folks have been speculating on whether he’d re-sign, whether he’d jump ship to TNA or ROH, or whether he’d just take some time off like Chris Jericho likes to do. Truth be told, the answer to that question still seems to hang in limbo. WWE took the internet speculation and let CM Punk run with it. It’s now become the most exciting thing to happen on Raw in a long time. The Nexus Invasion was awesome, but doesn’t even compare.

CM Punk saw his opportunity, and he reached out for more than just another one of Vince’s brass rings… you could say this is his “Austin 3:16″ moment:

WWE has gone to great lengths to promote this angle, as they’ve now “suspended” Punk, leaving his #1 contender spot open:
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon suspends CM Punk [WWE.com]

I’ll end this post by quoting many of my Twitter followers: “Vince, don’t f- this up!”

7th row at last night’s SmackDown (taped on Tuesday). Zack Ryder and Lil Naitch signage, Cody Rhodes paper bag, and lots more nonsense! Part of me wanted to live tweet it but I’m glad I did the latter and just enjoyed the experience. Nothing beats sitting ringside at a live WWE event!

The Rock HAS COME BACK! To the WWE…

And with the help of Digital Royalty, he’s FINALLY arrived in the world of social media. With dR having been the force behind Shaquille O’Neal and UFC, I have no doubt that we’ll see some great interactions coming from The Rock. Speaking of the name, I for one am glad he’s embraced his roots and isn’t ashamed to go by either name. Call him The Rock or call him Dwayne Johnson – IT DOESN’T MATTER what his name is – he’ll steal the show. Okay, I’m done pandering. Gotta stay tuned…

The MOST ELECTRIFYING user on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/therock

And on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/DwayneJohnson

Hello, fellow rasslin’ fans. It’s been awhile since I’ve spoken to all of you; for that, I’m sorry. Since this is the week of Wrestlemania XXVI, I felt I had to break my silence and take part in the great wonderland of blogging about pro wrestling.

Specifically, what drew me out of the network of caves and tunnels I call home was a post I happened upon on Craigslist:

When I saw that listing, I decided that I couldn’t pass it up. Why? First of all, I stupidly neglected to get Wrestlemania tickets of my own. Yes, I know, I live in Phoenix and I have no excuse. Stop badgering me. Secondly, I consider myself a student of the sport of wrestling, so I think I’ll be ready for whatever combat style this weirdo might have. I’m smart, flexible, and I don’t cotton to nonsense. And finally, I have an extra ten grand kicking around from a recent inheritance, so if I somehow lose the match, it won’t be a huge loss. I can pay off student loans later; this is important.

So, mystery Craigslist poster, I’m calling you out. I’m throwing my hat, my jock, and my money into the ring. I just need to know a few things first. For instance, are you for real? I’d hate to do all my stretching, strap on a singlet, and oil myself up only to find out that this was an elaborate plan to have sex with me. This being Craigslist, you’re going to have to prove that sex-offending isn’t one of your motives.

Perhaps an even better question to you, sir, would be about the tickets themselves. How did you get them, and why are you so willing to part with them? Are informal wrestling matches so hard to arrange that you have to offer valuable prizes to find any takers? Did everyone back out of your wrestling club because you took it too seriously? I envision a long-time friend taking you aside and saying, “Look Lenny [I decided your name should be Lenny in this scenario], we’re grown men. I just had a hernia operation and can’t practice suplexes with you anymore. Personally, I got tired of it by high school. We’re worried about you, Lenny, and if you keep this up, you’ll have to find a new group of friends.”

At the moment, it appears that you’re either a sex offender, or you’ve recently lost all your friends. Are either of these good assumptions on my part? Regardless, I await your response, O masked clown. Feel free to comment on this post or email me directly. Consider the gauntlet thrown.

-Darrell

Volunteering is a great way to feel like you’re making a difference in sports / entertainment / sports entertainment that interests you!

I’ve personally helped with the Super Bowl, NBA All Star Game, and Fiesta Bowl.

I’m more likely to be playing the role of tourist at most of these events, but if you don’t have other plans, I urge you to volunteer!

Click here for details: http://phoenixsports.precisionhire.com

University of Phoenix Stadium has posted some great information on their website, in regards to this year’s WrestleMania.

In particular, I was looking for some information regarding parking. It will be general parking or VIP, with passes selling for $20 and $50, respectively. These can be purchased in advance or upon driving up in cash. Personally, I’ll be ordering one so I don’t have to worry about it when the day comes.

You’ll have to fill out a form and fax or email it. Kinda old school, but it works… Here’s a link to the PDF form:

http://www.universityofphoenixstadium.com/upFiles/WM%2026%20Advanced%20Parking_CC%20Authorization.pdf

Other details are available on the website:

http://www.universityofphoenixstadium.com/index.php?page=events&section=view_event&event_id=105

Not going to lie.. overall, I was not impressed with tonight’s PPV.

Both Elimination Chamber matches delivered, and The Miz put on a good match against MVP. Everything in between was horrible. I’m going to get the complaining out of the way, as there was a lot of good stuff tonight that I’d like to talk about as well, so please bear with me..

After a solid finish with a believable tap out by Triple H to give Cena the title, Vince came out and gave the belt away to Batista. Yes, Batista. Why, dear God… why??? The world’s most uninteresting man now holds the WWE title. Lame.

After that, I think there was an Intercontinental Title match.. some Scottish guy and Kane. Borrrrring. We ended up watching the US Hockey Team take it to the Canadians in the meantime.

I wasn’t the only one who was bored with the whole thing.. JTG via twitter during the PPV: “PF CHANGS here I come!!!!!”

The Divas match was a travesty. No title on the line, boring tag match. What’s the point? Are they trying to put us to sleep before the second Chamber match?

Then William Regal (still the 2008 King of the Ring, in case you forgot) and Edge come out to promote the Monday and Tuesday television shows. Really? I mean… really?! Come on, WWE – people paid good money to watch this, and this is what you deliver? Disgusting. Though.. it was fun to see Edge spear Regal.

Luckily for us, The Miz decided that he’d save the PPV – he and MVP put on a solid match. Yes, I said that The Miz saved the PPV’s momentum and got us ready for the last match. Hey, who’d have thought he’d have three belts, anyway? Anything is possible… I’m just waiting to see him with a fourth belt.

Finally, the last match came through and granted all of our greatest wishes. Jericho won the title, and the WrestleMania card… well, let’s put it in the words of Alter Bridge: “On this day, I see clearly…”

Here’s my updated WrestleMania XXVI card… I dare WWE to prove me wrong, because it is AWESOME:

Big Show / The Miz vs. The Hart Dynasty, WWE Tag Team Championship
Smackdown / Raw Divas Battle Royal, Women’s / Divas Championship Unification
Randy Orton vs. Legacy, Handicap match
Money in the Bank (Shelton Benjamin, John Morrison, R-Truth, Christian, Ezekiel Jackson, Jack Swagger, MVP, Kofi Kingston)
Cena vs. Batista vs. Triple H, WWE Championship
Edge vs. Jericho, World Heavyweight Championship
Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels, Rematch from WMXXV

I’m so excited for WrestleMania!

Yep, this year’s WrestleMania theme is another Kevin Rudolf hit:

Eh. I’m okay with it. Could be worse.

According to the Phoenix New Times, Chris Jericho will bring his own flavor of hair metal to Club Red in Tempe, on Friday, March 26th!

WWE has a great feature on their website right now, describing the setup of the stadium:

http://www.wwe.com/magazine/magazinefeatures10/featureoftheweek20100212/

This will be the third open air WrestleMania. Can’t wait to be there! I think I see my seat in that diagram..