STEPPENWOLF WILL BE THE VILLAIN IN JUSTICE LEAGUE

DC NEW 52 JUSTICE LEAGUE

Warner Brothers have released details on the upcoming Justice League movie as reported by Newsarama. The movie will pick up where Batman vs. Superman left off. Batman and Wonder Woman will work together and form the Justice League. The rest of the League will include Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg facing a much bigger and badder enemy. That enemy was revealed to be Steppenwolf, from the planet Apokolips. 




DC NEW 52 STEPPENWOLF

Steppenwolf is a new god on the planet Apokolips and he is the uncle of its ruler Darkseid. He is also Darkseid's general in his battles with New Genesis and leader of the parademon army on Apokolips. The parademon army was featured in the vision of the future that Batman had during Batman v. Superman. With Steppenwolf as the main villain of the Justice League movie then how long until we see Darkseid himself.


DARKSEID

I think that these new details lend credibility to the speculation that Superman will turn evil and serve Darkseid's in the Justice League movie. Superman could be brought back from the dead by Darkseid and used as a tool to conquer earth. This would create a battle of epic proportions featuring The Justice League vs. Superman and the forces of Apokolips. This has happened before in the comics specifically during DC New 52 Earth 2 comics.



Superman as Brutaal

Superman was killed during an invasion by Apokolips on Earth-2 but he was resurrected as a member of Darkseid's army named Brutaal. If the Justice League movie follows this scenario then I think it could be very successful.

We'll have to wait until 2017 to find out what happens.

THE PROFESSOR

BRUCE WILLIS TO STAR IN DEATH WISH REMAKE

BRUCE WILLIS


Another movie is getting a remake. Bleeding Cool reports that Bruce Willis will star in a remake of the 1974 film Death Wish directed by Eli Roth.


The original movie was based on a 1972 book and starred Charles Bronson as a man who goes on a vigilante streak in New York City after his wife is killed and his daughter is assaulted during a robbery.


Bruce Willis is known for the "Die Hard" films and is one of the biggest movie stars in the world. Eli Roth is a great director. This could be an interesting re-make if it's not done exactly the same way as the 1974 movie.

Time will tell. 

THE PROFESSOR

R.I.P. KIMBO SLICE

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Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson


Last night it was announced that MMA fighter Kimbo Slice had passed away at the age of 42. ESPN reports that Kimbo had been waiting on a heart transplant. 

Kimbo Slice came to national attention as a backyard brawler who became a YouTube sensation who with his captivating look and great personality became someone that people could identify with. 

Kimbo was an immigrant from the Bahamas that came to Miami at a young age. He was homeless. He worked as a bodyguard for a porn company. His fights whether on YouTube, UFC, or Bellator were all efforts to feed his family. Kimbo Slice was a father of six and a husband. 

Kimbo Slice was the American dream. A man who worked hard and used his talents to achieve success. In the end no matter what you think of him as an MMA Fighter, Kimbo Slice was an attraction wherever he appeared. 

Thank you Kimbo. Rest In Peace. 

THE PROFESSOR

BROCK LESNAR RETURNS TO MMA AT UFC 200

Brock Lesnar

ESPN reports that after nearly 5 years away, Brock Lesnar will return to the Octagon at UFC 200 on July 9.  The former UFC Champion's opponent has not been named but that doesn't matter, the return of Brock Lesnar to the octagon will make UFC 200 a must-see event. The card was already stacked with Jon Jones Vs. Daniel Cormier for the undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship.

According to MMAJunkie, Lesnar is the biggest star in UFC's history becoming it's biggest PPV draw.  Lesnar's first foray into the UFC saw him lose to Frank Mir and win against Heath Herring. Lesnar beat Randy Couture for the Heavyweight title in August 2008. Lesnar defended the title twice against Frank Mir and Shane Carwin but lost it to Cain Velazquez at UFC 121 in October of 2010. He lost his last fight against Allistair Overeem by TKO. Lesnar returned to WWE in 2012 and has been one of their top stars ever since.

Lesnar is still signed with the WWE  and they describe this as a "one-off opportunity" for Lesnar to compete in the UFC. I'm sure Vince McMahon see this as a great opportunity to do cross-promotion as WWE has a brand split coming in July that Lesnar will probably be a part of. 

Hopefully Lesnar wins this fight and goes out on a high note in MMA. If he loses then I think UFC will benefit more than WWE as a loss at UFC 200 could damage his "unstoppable force" persona in WWE. 

All we can do is wait and see what happens on July 9th. 

THE PROFESSOR

R.I.P. MUHAMMAD ALI

Muhammad Ali, one of the most recognizable sports figures of the 20th century died on June 3, 2016. He was 74. His impact on American history as well as sports will never be forgotten. 

In February of 1964, a young boxer named Muhammad Ali defeated monster heavyweight champion Sonny Liston and changed the world of sports forever. Ali proclaimed himself to be "the greatest" in a post-fight interview and over the next ten years he would have a profound impact on American history. 

Muhammad Ali became a social justice warrior in 1967, when he was stripped of his title after refusing induction into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He refused induction citing his religious beliefs as a Muslim. His faith would not allow him to go to Vietnam and kill innocent people. America turned on Ali and branded him a draft dodger. White Americans hated Ali, while black Americans continued to support him seeing him as a strong voice for civil rights and equality during the turbulent 60's. By 1970 the Supreme Court overturned the government's decision to suspend Ali's license and he was allowed to enter the ring once again. 

Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali

By now "Smokin" Joe Frazier had won the title vacated by Ali. Frazier did loan Ali money during his time away from boxing and lobbied for Ali to get his license back even going to the White House to speak with President Nixon. Ali turned on Frazier calling him an "Uncle Tom," a negative term in the black community. On March 8, 1971, Ali and Frazier met in Madison Square Garden in a fight dubbed "The Fight of the Century" which attracted stars such as Frank Sinatra, Woody Allen, Burt Lancaster, and others. Both Frazier and Ali were undefeated and when the smoke cleared Ali had lost by decision to Frazier. These two titans would fight two more times including the Thrilla' in Manilla in 1975 with Ali beating Frazier on both occasions. 

Ali would regain the heavyweight title in 1974 in Zaire after beating George Foreman who was the most dominant heavyweight at that time. Foreman won the title from Joe Frazier in 1972. Ali vowed to conquer Foreman and win the title. He would employ the rope-a-dope strategy by laying on the ropes and letting Foreman wear himself out while punching Ali. 

Muhammad Ali retired from the ring in 1980 and in 1984 he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He became an advocate for Parkinson's disease and fought it with the same determination and heart he showed in the ring. 

Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest athletes ever. He became a legend because of his ability in the ring and his gift of gab outside of it. His impact on American culture and civil rights made him one of the most recognizable figures in the world. He shook up the world so that young African-Americans like myself can prosper in it. 

R.I.P. Champ and Thank You.

THE PROFESSOR