THEORY: IS "OLD-SCHOOL" SUPERMAN COMING BACK TO DC IN JULY?

Superman in Batman/Superman # 22


In July, DC will present Superman in a whole new way after their two-month convergence event. Starting in July Superman will get a makeover. Gone is his spandex suit and cape. Now Superman will wear a T-Shirt (with the "S" symbol on it) and jeans but what if the costume isn't the only thing that Superman loses?


In the picture above Superman is shown riding a motorcycle into Gotham City. Why would Superman need to ride a motorcycle if he can fly or run at super speed? What if he can't do either of those things?


My theory is that something happens that causes Superman to lose his powers and return to one of  his early incarnations where he could only leap tall buildings in a single bound, had super strength and invulnerability to bullets and knives. One piece of key evidence is the Superman shield on his T-shirt. Hardcore fans know that particular symbol is from the Fleischer Superman cartoons that ran during the 1940's


If Superman does have only some of his powers then fans of the hero will wonder what happened and what caused this change in the status quo.


Critics of Superman say that he is so powerful that it's tough to relate to him because he can't be put in life or death situations like Spider-Man or Batman. If my theory is correct then that may all change.


We can only wait and see what happens in July.


Class Dismissed
THE PROFESSOR

THE ONE

RONDA ROUSEY

Back in the 1980's Hulk Hogan was "The One." In the late 1990's Stone Cold Steve Austin was "The One". In 2001 The Rock became "The One" and his career has gone where no other wrestler's career has ever been. All these men have some things in common: charisma and believability.

In MMA right now Ronda Rousey is "The One". No one else has her skills or charisma. She beat her last two opponents in under 30 seconds. Her career is taking off with mainstream roles in movies like, "Fast and Furious 7".

In WWE Brock Lesnar is "The One," not just because he beat the Undertaker but because fans believe in him due to his background in amateur wrestling and MMA. He also has a magnetic personality.

WWE needs to decide who they want to be "The One" in women's wrestling. They need someone who is believable and has a skillset that is unique. Natalya Neidhart could fit that description. She has the family legacy and the skillset. WWE doesn't seem to trust her in the title picture. They want someone who looks more like a model like Nikki Bella.

TNA wrestling had someone who could have been "The One" in Awesome Kong back in 2007. She had the look and the skillset that fans were attracted to. TNA misused Kong and she left the company. She's returned now but hasn't gotten the same momentum of her first appearances.

I hope WWE is serious about it's women's division, it could be one of the best parts of WWE programming if handled correctly.

THE PROFESSOR

SETH ROLLINS IS THE NEW WWE CHAMPION

SETH ROLLINS

Last night at WrestleMania, Seth Rollins became the new WWE Champion when he cashed in his Money In The Bank contract and beat Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns in an impromptu triple threat match. 

Rollins has proven over the last year that he is one of the best young performers in WWE today. His matches with Dean Ambrose, Daniel Bryan, and John Cena have proven his ability in the ring. At the Royal Rumble he impressed everyone in the triple threat match against Brock Lesnar and John Cena which was considered by fans and pundits as match of the year.

Rollins is an old-school champion in a new school era who's a combination of Ric Flair and Jeff Hardy with wrestling moves and breath-taking aerial maneuvers.

A new era in WWE has begun.

THE PROFESSOR

BROCK LESNAR IS THE WRONG OPPONENT FOR ROMAN REIGNS

Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns

At this year's WrestleMania, Brock Lesnar will face Roman Reigns for the WWE title. Lesnar is a former NCAA Wrestling champion, former WWE Champion and former UFC Champion. Reigns is a member of one of the largest wrestling families in the industry which includes Superstars like The Wild Samoans, Peter Maivia, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, and The Rock. He is also a former football player.

When you compare their credentials, Lesnar clearly outshines Reigns and has more credibility than Reigns. That in itself is the problem. WWE over the last year hasn't done anything to help Reigns gain more credibility as a wrestler. He doesn't use submission maneuvers like a Kurt Angle or a Bret Hart which would at least make him look like he could win  against Brock in that respect. If Reigns had some martial arts skills like a Ricky Steamboat, even that would help him look like a stronger threat in the eyes of the fans.

Reigns hasn't shown anything in his skillset that could help him beat Brock. So far, he has been marketed as an underdog who still has a fighting chance to win, but hardcore fans aren't buying into it. Because he's simply seen as a big, imposing, tough guy hardcore fans don't believe he can beat Lesnar. Lesnar has defeated many big, imposing, tough, men in WWE and UFC including Big Show, Mark Henry, and Shane Carwin.

It's not that Roman Reigns doesn't belong in the main event, it's that Roman Reigns shouldn't be in the main event with Brock Lesnar.  Fans see Brock as "The Real Guy" while Reigns is a product of sports-entertainment. If Reigns was in there with anyone else he wouldn't be experiencing as much fan backlash.

As a fan myself, I don't care who wins at WrestleMania, I'll still watch WWE. I watched during the  early 90's so there's nothing they can do to scare me away now. I just hope that whatever happens the fans enjoy the event and have plenty of memories.

Class Dismissed,

THE PROFESSOR

REY MYSTERIO HAS SIGNED WITH AAA WRESTLING PROMOTION

REY MYSTERIO

Rey Mysterio who left the WWE a few weeks ago without much fanfare has officially signed with AAA according to WRESTLEZONE (read the article here). Rey will make his debut in AAA on March 15th during their Rey Des Reyes show.

It is expected that Rey will also appear on AAA's sister promotion, Lucha Underground sometime this year. This is a major acquisition for AAA as Rey has international star power and can help AAA break into the U.S. market.

Class Dismissed

THE PROFESSOR

ALUNDRA BLAYZE IS GOING INTO THE WWE HALL OF FAME IN 2015

Debra "Madusa" Miceli a.k.a Alundra Blayze

It was announced last night on RAW, that Alundra Blayze aka Madusa Miceli would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2015. What made Alundra Blayze stand out was that she could wrestle like Bret Hart or brawl like Stone Cold Steve Austin. She was beautiful and athletic.

As a longtime fan of wrestling I remember when Alundra Blayze entered WWE around 1995. At the time her main rival was a Japanese female wrestler named Bull Nakano. They would trade the WWE women's title many times during that year.

During that time women's wrestling was not popular and much like today WWE and Vince McMahon used it more as a novelty attraction than as a main attraction.

The first time I saw Madusa, she wasn't wrestling rather she was the manager of Ravishing Rick Rude in WCW. At the time Rude was the U.S. Heavyweight Champion and Madusa would interfere in matches when Rude would get in trouble against opponents like Sting or Nikita Koloff.

After 1993 she left WCW and appeared in WWE in 1995 as Alundra Blayze.  She would return to WCW during the Monday Night War in 1997 and  throw the WWE Women's championship into a nearby garbage can. That became one of the most memorable moments of that era.

I've always believed that moment happened because WWE and Vince McMahon has never truly loved women's wrestling. Yes, WWE has more women in its ranks than it did in 1995 but Vince and company has never really supported women's wrestling with any epic feuds. I've always believed that Vince sees women's wrestling as a novelty attraction and not a mainstream attraction.

The women in WWE today are expected to be pretty and powerful but not to have any real substance or character development. It's why Nikki Bella is the champion and not Natalya Neidhart. In order to add real credibility to the title you would need two women in the division who have the reputation of being good wrestlers. In wrestling, perception is reality. Natalya Neidhart comes from the hart family which has the reputation of a family of great wrestlers.

Back to our regularly scheduled blog post, Madusa is one of the pioneers of women's wrestling due to her technical ability and amazing athleticism. She has worked for all of the major promotions including WWE, WCW, and the AWA. She is someone who truly deserves to be inducted into the 2015 WWE Hall of Fame.

Class Dismissed,

THE PROFESSOR

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT ISSUE 2015: MY 4 FAVORITE MODELS

Hannah Davis on cover of SI Swimsuit 2015

Every year the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition comes out and everyone talks about who's on the cover. This year the stunning Hannah Davis was on the cover but I'd also like to mention four of my favorite models from this year's issue that may not get as much attention.

1. Jessica Gomes

A natural beauty and a veteran of SI for many years. Ever since she debuted she has been a favorite among readers. Jessica has appeared in GQ and Maxim Magazine becoming an international sensation.

2. Emily Ratajkowski

She exploded onto the mainstream stage in the "Blurred Lines" video. Emily has been on the rise as one of the most beautiful and talented model/actresses. Her appearance as a rookie in last year's SI proved that. Emily also appeared with Ben Affleck in the movie "Gone Girl".

3. Ariel Meredith

Ariel Meredith is one of the most beautiful women to ever appear in SI. She can be the girl next door and a bombshell in the issue. She is a favorite among readers with her tempting curves and beautiful face, Ariel is one model I always look forward to seeing. Ariel can also be seen on "Guy Code" on MTV 2.

4. Rose Bertram

Rose Bertram debuted as a rookie in the 2015 swimsuit issue. According to the magazine, she lives in Paris but is originally from Belgium. When I first saw her, I immediately had the same thought I had when I saw Kate Upton in 2011 when she was a rookie, "Who is that?" and "She deserves a cover in the future".  I hope that my prayer becomes reality. Rose has a star quality about her where she seems like the girl next door that grew into a bombshell.

These are my favorite models from this year's issue. I can't wait to see what SI has in store for us next year.

Class Dismissed,

THE PROFESSOR