Curtis Axel (Joe Hennig) is the future of WWE. The company is showing tremendous faith in him by putting him in the ring with stars like Triple H and John Cena.
He has won matches against both by count out and is managed by Paul Heyman. A recipe for success as a bad guy.
Some have said that he doesn't have the charisma that his father (Curt "Mr. Perfect" Hennig) did but that's why Paul Heyman is there. Also he is being booked as an angry, intense, young man who is mad about being looked over. Having an abundance of charisma could work against his bad guy character.
Things are looking up for the son of Curt Hennig and the grandson of Larry "The Ax" Hennig. I hope he has a lot of success in WWE.
THE PROFESSOR
NEWSARAMA reported last week(read the article here) that the rights to "Daredevil" have returned to Marvel after being at Fox.
Marvel can now decide if it wants to make another "Daredevil" movie or even a TV show.
Personally, I think Marvel would be smart to do a TV show. With "Daredevil" as a second tier character a weekly TV show could give him a much higher profile in the eyes of the casual fan.
If you like this article let me know @SEMScorpio.
THE PROFESSOR
Back in November 2012, I wrote a blog on the feud between Hulk Hogan and Matt Morgan (you can read it here). I predicted that the feud would lead to Morgan winning the World championship.
That could still happen but it's interesting to note the circumstances that could happen. Last Thursday(April 25th) Morgan said that he would take care of Aces and Eights in exchange for being named the #1 contender for the World title match at Slammiversary. Hulk Hogan declined and said that Matt was offering his help for the wrong reasons.
As a fan, it makes me wonder. Morgan is currently a villain who hates Hulk Hogan and TNA for not giving him more opportunity. This could all lead to Morgan becoming an anti-hero like Stone Cold Steve Austin in his early WWE run circa 1996-1998. At that time Austin was portrayed as a character that didn't like anyone or need anyone's help but would work with people if it served his agenda. The fans loved Austin's attitude and slowly he became a hero to the masses. People do like Morgan for his size and attitude so he might make a great anti-hero.
Morgan has put himself in the crosshairs of the Aces and Eights. I wonder if they will attack him and cause him to team up with men like Jeff Hardy, Samoa Joe, or Kurt Angle? Morgan can keep his heat by saying he's only working with them for revenge against Aces and Eights and once the match is over he can leave them behind if the odds become too overwhelming.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the coming weeks. Morgan could be working toward a great feud or even a World title or mid-card title. We just have to wait and see.
The Professor
In celebration of Superman's 75th Anniversary I want to talk about some of my favorite iterations of Superman in movies and TV.
This is where it all started for me. Growing up in the 1980's, the Christopher Reeve was the definitive Superman. His Superman was, powerful, majestic, and a man who fought for truth and justice. His Clark Kent was awkward, gawky, and clumsy. He played the straight man and comedic foil in one character as one movie critic(I think it was the late Joel Siegel) once said. As a kid who wore glasses and was awkward, I could relate to Clark and dreamed of being Superman.
From 1951-1957 George Reeves played Superman in the TV show, "The Adventures of Superman." Unlike Christopher Reeve, he played both Clark Kent and Superman as self-assured, confident, charming men. Superman could also hit bad guys and he even used a nerve hold on gangsters before the famous, "Vulcan death grip." Like the old west heroes of that era, Reeves Superman was tough and he stood up for what was right and good in America.
From 1993-1997, "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" featured Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher as the title characters. The show was a romantic comedy and like George Reeves, Dean Cain played Superman as a confident, smart, coordinated, funny, guy who uses Superman as his disguise so he can have a life as Clark Kent. Teri Hatcher was beautiful and smart and a great Lois Lane.
Smallville ran from 2001 to 2011 and focused on the journey of a teenage Clark Kent to his ultimate destiny of becomimg Superman. At a time when Superman was deemed "unrelatable" viewers liked it because it combined the teen angst of growing up with the added responsiblity of superpowers.
Superman has been around for 75 years and there is an interpretation for every generation. In the summer of 2013 we shall see what cultural impact "Man of Steel" has. If it's anything like these shows and movies, it will be great.
THE PROFESSOR
Last week marked 75 years since Superman debuted in Action Comics #1. I just wanted to talk a little about what Superman means to me.
I can't remember exactly how old I was when I first saw Superman: The Movie but like most kids I loved the wish fulfillment that Superman granted viewers. As a kid you wish you were strong and brave and could handle anything.
Well Superman really can and he wanted to help and save people. He also had a part of him that was awkward and clumsy that had to wear glasses. As a kid that also wore glasses, Superman became my favorite superhero.
I also have to admit, I loved the costume and it's the reason that my favorite color is red.
Through all the years and the many different actors that have portrayed Superman, the one constant that I love is that Superman is someone who is constantly trying to fit in eventhough he never really can. He builds his own family and his own life on his own terms.
Superman is my favorite Superhero and he always will be. Thanks Superman for all of the great memories.
THE PROFESSOR
According to EW. COM (read the article here) the kickstarter campaign for the Veronica Mars movie has raised 5.7 million dollars.
Over 91 thousand passionate fans contributed to make this project happen and I can't wait to see what creator Rob Thomas creates with this support.
THE PROFESSOR
Last Night on RAW, Dolph Ziggler (Nick Nemeth) became World Heavyweight Champion according to CAGESIDE SEATS . Ziggler cashed in his Money In the Bank briefcase and beat Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio had just finished a match with Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger and had an "injured" ankle.
Ziggler has been with WWE since 2004 and has been a U.S., Intercontinental, and World Champion before but this is a big win with it coming in the aftermath of WRESTLEMANIA 29.
Ziggler is respected by the fans for his work ethic (even as a heel) as was evident of the reaction he received last night.
Congratulations to Ziggler.
The Professor
