RUMORED BRAND SPLIT

Apparently there have been some rumors floating around regarding the WWE "splitting the brands" again. With Shane McMahon returning and there being at least a momentary power struggle story line wise, it isn't hard to see why this rumor exists. Personally, I am on the fence in regards to how I feel about splitting Raw and Smackdown!.

I still remember when the first split occurred. I was a young man, new father, and wrestling was still running strong. The initial brand split was needed in a sense. WWE had won the "Monday Night Wars" and there wasn't any competition to fill the voids left by WCW and even ECW. TNA was in it's infant stages, having PPV shows, instead of a television product including a monthly PPV. Different story for a different time. The split was needed to maintain interest as well as fit all the top quality performers into the mix. Sure, WWE hadn't picked up every WCW and ECW star, but there were enough to make the WWE roster crowded. WWE had even done everything the "right way" during the early days of "brand splitting". There was a draft, and the roster was split in two. And it was an even split in regards to star power and quality shows. They were able to create competition within themselves, and some to most fans had a preference as to which show they preferred. And it wasn't always Raw. Smackdown! was a legit competitor to Raw. To keep it "fresh" the WWE would "shake things up" via the draft now being annual. And it worked too, for a time. After a bit, it became quite apparent that Smackdown! was becoming a feeder show to Raw. A talent develops and gets over with the Smackdown! audience? They ended up on Raw. It is what happened with John Cena. What made that situation worse, is that with the show change came the end of Thuganomics, and the beginning of the Cena we see now.
The past is why I am hesitant to fully embrace this, however there are obviously reasons I would love to see this happen. Preferably, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship would be split into two titles, or a new title would be presented for the other brand. One title would almost make for an easy to predict outcome of the title matches and/or repeated matches for the title. Think of guys like Dolph Ziggler, and others who are over with the audiences, but may never be in the top tier with guys like Brock Lesner. Sure, Seth Rollins is a "smaller" guy, but not everyone can play the sneeky heel, or everyone be the triumphant underdog. Gets repetitive and takes away from guys like Brock Lesner. Look at Big Show, he shouldn't have really put anyone over until this phase of his career. He put too many guys over, and not all of them deserved it or made any sense. Rey Mysterio? Yes. One time ever though. Everyone else should've "earned it" like JBL at No Way Out 2005.

Guess I will have to wait and see, much like with everything in life. Can't wait for Wrestlemania 32 though. Card is shaping up pretty good, and with Vince looking to set another attendance record, I can't wait to see what he has up his sleeve for us. He may not be able to wrestle, but Daniel Bryan has to be involved so we can hear and feel the massive crowd chant YES!

I've come realize that I now have my own little set of real life "Gotham City Sirens". As I've mentioned before, named my youngest daughter after Harley Quinn. Which was what my girlfriend was, until it just seemed weird to have her as my Harley Quinn regardless of my Jokerized brain. So, I've decided to go with her as my Catwoman haha Which works given the raven colored hair, and her stealing my heart (Brownie points, peeps. All about them brownie points). And to finalize my set, when I asked my oldest daughter to pick a favorite character (as it can be hard to get 2x Harley Quinn items at once sometimes), and she opted to go with Poison Ivy. She's my Nerdy so she is knowledgeable of the character, but picked for also being most powerful (or close to being) of Batman's villains.

One day of course I hope to take this beyond what it is, and have the 3 of them cosplay as their characters. Myself as either The Joker, or even Batman. Works either way really. We've done the Halloween thing every year, to the point where the youngest see's anything Harley Quinn and proclaims, "It's me!". But, I would like to go to a Comic Con, with professional level costumes and make-up. For the experience, but also it would be nice to dress-up sans "winterization". Canadian, so Halloween tends to be chilly as heck. Of course there would need to be pictures. Another thing I would love to get professionally done. Majority of the pictures we have hanging up are from past Halloweens. Would love to get a professional to "bring us to life". I have ideas a plenty, but for starters would be the traditional Family Christmas Card photo. Us in costume, Santa hats, in front of the Christmas Tree and possibly a fire place. In my crazy brain, it looks epic haha Actually tried it years ago, but poor make-up, costume, and photo skills took away from the experience. But, beyond that it was kind of neat to get over 1,000 people join a group so that my girlfriend would agree to do it. Most importantly, pretty sure my oldest had fun doing it.

Maybe in a couple years. Take that time to prepare for it. I do wish to learn how to sew at times, as it would be handy to be able to make costumes and whatnot. My girlfriend has picked up some basic skills, after I have strongly encouraged her and her grandmother to make Harley Quinn costumes for the baby of our family the last 3 years (this year will be no different haha).

My Attempt To Plan Out Rest Of My Ink

It started with laughter,well inspiration of the ink work from Jared Leto's Joker from "Suicide Squad". It was simple, looked good, and gave me something to see if I "could do it' being my first tattoo and all. And figured if it was "too much" I had a simple ink job, if I could handle it then the start of something bigger. And since I think I can given the butcher job I experienced (compared to others, including my gf who got a bigger piece in half the time....and scabbing). What I thought was the hard part, was over.

Now, the truly difficult part. Planning out the rest. Why is it hard? Too many ways to go with things. All I know for sure is that the "HA"'s will wrap around my shoulder and "blend" into The Joker. On my other arm, it will be my favorite Batman logos that will bland into Batman. Half Batman, half Joker.That was the easy part. Hard part is "how". Full body? Half? Busts? Just faces? Should they face eachother? Same head, split down the center?
Even after I decide on that stuff, I am left with the questions of what style Batman and Joker? You don't really think about just how many different types that there are. TV Show (live action or animated), movie, video game, or comic book style. Even then it isn't easy to narrow it down. For example, loved all live action versions of The Joker, loved Batman TAS' Joker, and many types of comic book style, and loved the Arkham video game styles.

To make things worse, I have decided that I also want at least one sleeve. Girlfriend wants me to go both, but baby steps haha All I know about the sleeve is that it will obviously have the inital "HA" but then add "villain" stuff to it mainly Joker and Harley Quinn (diamonds and hearts), but also on my forearm, "Harleigh Quinn" (and my oldest daughters name on my other forearm). I've decided I want the Joker and Harley "skulls" from "Suicide Squad" advertising included in the piece. Beyond that, no idea yet. Luckily, tattoos are a tad pricey (good ones are) so I have more than enough time. Just itching, and brain has been focusing on it lately.

TRYING TO BLOG

I keep approaching this as if it is an article and not a blog entry. Reason being is I did attempt to make a mini-site combining various blog pages (can find it HERE). The only real difference the replacing "we" with "I". So, since that is how I am supposed to do this part, so be it haha

Not sure what to really write about, often wondering why since majority of todays nerds n geeks use podcasts to get their opinions and thoughts out there. Well, in terms of skills, I rank much higher in written than verbal. Plus, depression is a real biatch and just don't feel like it. Depression, now there is a topic I've never had to discuss in regards to my "nerdism". Usually I am able to use comic books, tv shows, movies, and video games to get out the funk/rut. Not the case as of late. This bout has been something new for me. Quit my job, which is fine except I didn't wait to have another lined up to replace it. To make it worse, I actually planned on growing within the company. But, it just became too much with non-work bullshit mixing in with work bullshit. Only positives are that I was immediately happier, still depressed but better. I no longer had to pick up the slack because of piss poor hiring choices by weak management. Why would I want to be "mentored" by them when I only respect 3 out of 10-11 of them. I liked more than that, but only respected few. Almost made it out onto the sales floor, but couldn't hold on passed the agreed 3 week mark. And when someone wants out of an area, what moron gives them even more shifts than normal in that area? Ah well, I am rambling about none important stuff and  life goes on. Another job will come about. Has to, "Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice" comes out in a month. Need money to go see that with my woman and oldest daughter. Who I absolutely must take, as she wasn't old enough to join for "Deadpool". Which is okay by me, as some scenes would have been awkward watching beside my kid haha

There are quite a few movies coming out for my comic book family to watch this year. Some will be in theaters, but some will also be a "wait for it on Blu-Ray" viewing. Will definitely be going to see "Suicide Squad" in theaters. Big Mr. J fan and have been waiting since "The Dark Knight" for his character to return to the big screen. And of course to see, Harley Quinn making her live action movie debut. Margot Robbie looks and sounds great to me. Hot to be honest, which makes for another awkward thing for me as I named my youngest Harleigh Quinn (fem version and looks prettier). And anytime I point to a picture or clip of Harley Quinn (any version) and ask who that is she replies, "That's Me!" haha
On the fence about going to see on the big screen is "Captain America: Civil War". Looks amazing, but not really a fan of going to the movies. Loud people talking and eating. Kids. Bad seating. Crowded. On a good day it isn't like this though and I do enjoy things until I have to pee and don't want to miss anything haha
Might make a date night out of seeing "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles". May only be because of the cartoon and movies, but it is one of the few comic book things she actually likes on her own haha
Everything else coming out like "X-Men: Apocalypse", "Gambit", and "Dr. Strange" will be viewed a la Blu-Ray whenever they come out. Don't have much hope for X-Men universe, except for "Deadpool" (obviously) so in no rush to see any of them.

Then it will be a wait for 2017 kind of thing with "Justice League Part 1", "Wonder Woman", and "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2" coming out. God I hope "Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice" is as good as I hope.
Fantastic 4 2? This got a green light? hahahahaha

WWE. WHAT HAS IMPROVED OVER THE YEARS

Majority of the IWC tend to have more negative things to say than positive. Which is okay. Negativity tends to attract more attention. However, this time around we'll try to focus on the good. Why not? WWE does do a pretty good job of things if you think about it. Once again there is an "injury bug" floating around, taking out all levels of performers. And although we may not always agree or "approve", they keep things going despite the depleted roster.

The Bellas

Yes, one could say they are where they are because of who they are with. Hard not to given each Bella has adopted some of their significant others style into their own. But, regardless of where it has come from, Nikki and Brie have become legendary compared to The Bella Twins of yesteryear. May be late giving the props, with Nikki rehabbing after neck surgery and Brie likely to follow Daniel into retirement and start their family, but still giving props. Some may scoff at this, but easy to compare them to WWE HOF Trish Stratus. Who also began as purely eye candy, and developed quite the formidable in-ring game.

The Women's/Divas Division

Regardless of what you prefer to call it, WWE has begun to truly bring female performers to the forefront. Not just that, it has zero to do with appearance. Beauty is always a matter of opinion, but viewers are left with no option but to judge these women based on in-ring ability. Sure, one can argue that we can thank people like Ronda Rousey for all of this, but honestly all the thanks falls on the females in WWE and NXT for showing they are just as good as, and in some cases better, than the men.

Concussions

Daniel Bryan retiring sucked. But, as most would agree it was for the best. And we may see this happen more and more often in the future. Hopefully independent companies will deny performers who are "outted" as being "unfit" for in-ring performances. We now have a higher chance of meeting and seeing our favorites after they are retired. Comic-Cons, Signings....Hall Of Fame Inductions. We may never know what truly happened with Chris Benoit, but a lot of things suggest it was from concussions and the damage they do to the brain. We will likely never (and real fans know just how rare it is to use that word in this business) see Benoit inducted. We've lost too many to the addictions, time to praise WWE for trying to eliminate losing any to concussions.

Bleeding

This one may get some flack. Understandably. Blood added some realism to the product. However, during and for awhile after the Attitude Era, there was blood everywhere. The independents were just ridiculous in some cases. Promotions that truly didn't understand ECW's product, instead only imitating and escalating the violence. No story, just blood. With WWE "eliminating" blood actually helps the product.  Have we seen "color"? Yes. And after they stopped pausing the matches, it made bleeding more meaningful. Like in the golden years of the 1980's and early 90's, where "color" was usually reserved for the main event (with exceptions). Flair and Hogan almost always had those rights reserved.

NXT And WWE Performance Center

Triple H gets the credit for this, but it is amazing in many ways and good for the business as well as WWE. The territory days are dead, and other promotions are...good and bad for ones career. Sorry TNA fans, but Jarrett has a new promotion, and AJ n Joe are in WWE. Now, independent stars and undiscovered talent have a place to learn, improve, and prove they are WWE worthy. Even the developed talent have a place to shake off the ring rust after injury or make improvement on their characters before returning to the main roster. Sure, there will still be "cuts", but now there is at least a chance the hopefuls have opportunity to improve before being future endeavored.

You may have noticed that the "product" itself wasn't really mentioned. That is because it is also something that is a matter of opinion. Again with the injury bug, WWE is doing pretty good quality wise. FAstlane jjust happened last night, and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship wasn't up for grabs and things were pretty good. Even the obvious "let's try The New Day out as baby faces for a second".

FRANCHISES THAT SHOULD SIGN WITH ROCKSTEADY

If not Rocksteady/Rockstar, then at the very least a "Grand Theft Auto" or "Batman: Arkham..." style/concept with another gaming company. Most notably "free-roaming" as this became a personal must have after playing "Grand Theft Auto III" on PS2 back in 2002, and the GTA games that followed. And after daydreaming of "GTA IV" being "Batman-ized" it became reality with "Batman: Arkham Asylum" and company.
Now some of the may have possibly have had a video game with the same idea, not a "hardcore gamer" but personally haven't played them. But, if  they have appeared before, then let us simply add them to the "remake, and release on the almost baron PS4 platform" list. And sorry to the X-Box peeps, but this is basically Playstation focused. But, hey most if not all would be available to you as well. (yes, well aware of Spidey. But, Batman "won" this battle thus far...well a matter of opinion for sure).....

Ghostbusters

This may have happened on an earlier platform, but with the new remake coming out, why not revisit and improve on the video game side of things? Either a customizable "noobie" joining the squad, or if they have to use movie characters as the playables, then make it a mixture of the original and the new.

Green Arrow

Pretty much every DC Comics and Marvel Comics character could fit here, and they do, but loving the CW television series "Arrow" so we're going with Ollie. Batman has shown it can work, some would need something extra to make it work for them (Superman, etc), but needs to happen.

Mega Man

Haven't played these since the late 80's and early 90's on the original NES, but thought it would have been cool to see Mega Man at least in a manner similar to Mario in Mario 64 on the Nintendo 64. And yes, have mentioned Nintendo twice but am still pushing for a PS4 platform. But, this would be a cross between N64 3-D style meets Grand Theft Auto realism. Still "cartoonish" though.

Street Fighter

Has there been a style done like this before? I know that there has always been a "story" to it all, but it was generally a head to head fighting game. What if the fighters traveled the globe training, developing their trademark abilities, and of course fighting. Except the fights will be part of the story. For example, say Ryu has to fight and defeat the disiples of the master who taught him the Hadouken. All this leads up to the "Street Fighter Tournament". Each player has a different path, but develop at the players own pace and direction. Just an idea.

Star Wars

No. Not a racing game. No. Not a movie adaptation. No. Not "The Force Unleashed". But, something that would be the beautiful offspring of GTA and Knights Of The Old Republic (X-Box). Free roaming. Decision based, to head towards the lightside or darkside of The Force. Most importantly, on a Playstation console.

Underworld

Not as Selina or any other main player in the movies, but as a freshly turned Vampire or Lycan. Looking to climb the ranks of any faction, perhaps a neutral "third party" as well. Grand Theft Auto style for sure, with random citizens actually being members the opposing "team", who turn and start to fight you. Perhaps the ability to "turn" others would become an option as you progress and develop your characters. Cross-over DLC's would include versions of Van Helsing and Bufy. Who of course are playable in game, but are hunters.

Sons Of Anarchy

Sure, we basically seen this with "GTA IV: Lost And Damned", but it would be different in the way the it would be loosely based on the television series, not directly. And it would be about progressing and developing your character, climbing the ranks from earning your "cut" until you are President of the club. Perhaps somewhat decision based in regards to path to the top as well direction of the MC.

There are plenty more of course, almost anything one likes in entertainment could apply here. Almost. And of course a matter of personal preference. Perhaps another day, more will be listed. Until then.....stay Nerdy!