Pew Pew Shootmania 42

 

Phil Brooks is angry everyone. The Punker hasn't been this upset since he challenged known tough guys Matt and Nick Jackson to fight him after AEW All Out 2022. Using his promo time on Raw to call out TKO Head honcho, Ari Emanuel, along with The Rock, Pat "MAGA-fee," and last but not least, his Wrestlemania opponent Roman Reigns. Who are we kidding, this is just latest speed bump on a hungover road trip back to Vegas for Wrestlemania 42. 

With attendance reportedly down 20% in Allegiant Stadium, home of THEEEE RAAAAIIIIDAHS, from last year's show, WWE is cooling down from their latest hot period that started post-pandemic. The idea to try to heat up Wrestlemania by having worked-shoot promos from Pat McAfee, Cody Rhodes, and CM Punk in a 4 day window, from Friday's Smackdown to Monday's Raw was certainly a choice. 

The problem with Punk cutting this promo in 2026, as opposed to his famous "Pipe Bomb" from 2011 is that the fans watching WWE now actually like they product. Since the birth of AEW, disenfranchised fans like myself just stopped watching WWE. We've gotten a US based product that delivers the type of wrestling we always wanted WWE to be, and stopped caring if WWE changed their presentation. 

Just a couple weeks ago, Punk told fans that the marquee at MSG said wrestling and not cinema. Unfortunately, the current fanbase doesn't want to see actual wrestling on a wrestling show. They'd rather Yeet and hold up their index finger for the OTC.

The one person who does think WWE sucks now is Pat McAfee. Returning as Randy Orton's mentor in a much maligned segment, the ESPN host told fans how much better things were in The Attitude Era (we really have to move on from things that happened almost 30 years ago), before telling Cody Rhodes that he's a business failure as champ. That led to another unhinged Rhodes promo later in the show, which reportedly was a response to the negative feedback of Pat's opening segment. 

Apparently, the decision to bring McAfee back was above Triple H's head, with someone in TKO wanting brand synergy with ESPN. With so many big egos in play, this is turning into Succession. Finding out who the puppet master pulling the strings is has become more interesting than the actual TV product (which is something plaguing WWE for a while).

With just 8 days left before the Grandaddy of 'Em All, it's going to be interesting to see how they try to land the plane.

In a complete contrast from Wrestlemania, AEW's Dynasty PPV is taking place Sunday, with another show loaded front-to-back with great wrestling. I believe that AEW pay-per-views delivers at almost a 100% rate, and this show should be no different.

Kenny Omega vs MJF - AEW World Heavyweight Championship

Can the "God of Pro Wrestling" unseat the Devil as the World Champion? AEW essentially walked back last week's angle about Kenny dealing with diverticulitis on Dynamite this week, and instead is asking if MJF can beat Omega at 100 percent. The 42-year old challenger is looking for his second reign as champ after losing the belt almost 5 years ago.

I've enjoyed MJF's run with the belt this year, as a more mature peformer than his first reign in 2023. While I'd like to see Kenny win the strap to cap off his comeback, the timing isn't right. AEW still has a strong backlog of babyface challengers, like Darby Allin and Will Ospreay, heading into their big summer shows. That's not to say that Khan wouldn't be able to book strong angles with Omega in that role either, it just feels too soon to move the belt again.

With only eight matches on the main card, I expect this match to go long, maybe even teasing a one-hour time-limit draw with MJF retaining.

Will Ospreay vs Jon Moxley - AEW Continental Champion

The story of co-main event is pro wrestling 101. Ospreay was taken out by the Death Riders before undergoing neck surgery, and now he wants revenge against their leader. Holding this match under Continental Clasic rules, the Death Riders won't be able to interfere, and we'll get a great match between two of the best performers in the company.

I feel the end game here is Will winning tthe World Title at Wembley this year, and it's time to start heating him up by beating Mox.

Cope and Christian vs FTR - AEW Tag Team Championship

The first match between these teams at All Out was a little too gimmick heavy for my tastes, and expect these two teams to put on a more basic match here.  Much like the previous match, I think the result here is leading to something bigger down the line, with a three-way involving the Bucks. The local Canadians make the hometown crowd happy and complete their comeback.

Jamie Hayter vs Thekla - AEW Women's World Champion

AEW has struck gold with Thekla. She brings great charisma to her character, and has been a breath of fresh air for the women's division. I could do without some of the outside interfence her matches typically have. After retaining, I think we see the return of Mercedes Mone.

Andrade El Idolo vs Darby Allin - #1 Contenter's Match

Since returning with a chip on his shoulder, AEW has given Andrade a superstar push. Meanwhile, Darby has felt a little stale since Sting retired, something he even hinted at during a hearfelt promo on Dynamite. The winner of this match telegraphs who will win the main event, since Andrade beat Omega in February before losing to Hangman in a #1 Contender's Match.

Since I picked MJF to retain the title, I think Darby wins and you have your main event for Double or Nothing.

Chris Jericho vs Richochet

This will be a good test for the returing Jericho, who has come back in great physical shape. Ricochet has been a tremendous heel, and can bump with the best of them, to make Jericho look great in his first match in almost a year. After his overly happy babyface promo on Dynamite, with the return of The List, it seems like something is up with Jericho's character and I'm curious to see where it goes. He has to win here.

Young Bucks vs Okada and Takeshita

It seems like we're finally getting to the end of the Okada and Takeshita feud, as the Jordan and Pippen of the Don Callis Family. The reluctant stars have to team up one more time here against Okada's former Elite stablemates. I think we'll see some great action, typical of any Bucks match, before some infighting leads to the Jackson's win.

Casino Gauntlet - AEW TNT Championship

Tony Khan's making the best of a bad situation with Kyle Fletcher's knee injury, booking this match to crown a new champ. I think we get another Don Callis Family member winning here, leading up to the eventual DCF Civil War they're teasing when Fletcher returns. Give me Mark Davis or a returning Wardlow.

The Promised Land

When asked about new Quarterback Geno Smith during a media scrum on Tuesday, Aaron Glenn told reporters that "I just feel like he's the guy that's going to lead us to the promised land." In the iconic words of Breece Hall, "Teams will shoot themselves in the foot and we come back and shoot ourselves in the head."

The New York Football Jets just can't stop themselves from giving dumb quotes to the press. From Woody Johnson saying "If we can just complete a pass," to another AG classic " I’ve never said that we’re going to be proud of them right now," the guys leading this franchise must have great gallows humor.

The usual suspects came out with their Same Old Jets jokes that the Promised Land Glenn spoke about is the first overall pick and Arch Manning, but as a fan, the promised land is just giving me a reason to go to Metlife for a game after Halloween. With the additions to the roster in free agency and four picks in the top 44 of the upcoming NFL Draft, it's not unreasonable to think that Gang Green could be close to .500 by the midpoint of the season this year.

Bringing in a veteran Offensive Coordinator in Frank Reich, the offense should turn from The Nightmare on Route 3 to somewhere in the 20th overall range. While Geno fails to generate any true excitement, he has thrown for 4,000 yards twice in the past four years, something that this franchise hasn't seen Joe Namath in 1967. 

I'm still advocating for taking a shot on Ty Simpson with the 16th overall pick. The former Crimson Tide leader was neck and neck with Fernando Mendoza on most draft boards until a late swoon in the SEC Title game against Georgia and a CFP game against Mendoza's Hoosiers. It was later reported that Simpson lost over 20 pounds battling gastritis during that period. 

Now's the perfect time for Mougey to throw a Hail Mary with three first rounders in the 2027 Draft, where if disaster strikes we can still have a chance to draft Arch or another top QB in a loaded class. The next 3 weeks of rumors leading up to the Draft will be fun to sort through.

Last night's Dynamite continued the Road to Dynasty, along with the shocking return of the Ayatollah of Rock N Rolla, Chris Jericho. Jericho interrupted the beginning of the show in his home town of Winnipeg, ending months of speculation where most pundits suspected he'd return to WWE for a retirment tour. The Demo God was a man of few words on Wednesday, just saying "I'm home," before dropping the mic. 

The AEW sickos were getting tired of Jericho's act when he left almost a year ago, but I'm sure the man known for reinvention has some tricks up his sleeve for his character on this run. Maybe a return match against his Learning Tree proteges Big Bill or Brian Keith is on the table for Dynasty. 

The rest of the show was a mixed bag for me. The matches themsevles, including the opening trios match and MJF-Speedball main event were good, but some of the angles of the top feuds heading to the PPV left a little to be desired.

I'm not a big fan of Kenny Omega's promo style and thought MJF's delivery was much better in the contract signing. It's getting a little tiring hearing how the top babyface's are in near death peril, which was repeated later in the show when the Death Riders attacked Will Ospreay's surgically repaired neck.

The Don Callis Family angle with Darby Allin feels clunky to me, with Don choosing a reluctant Andrade to face Allin at the PPV, as he continues to be in MJF's pocket. The stip that if Darby wins he'll get a shot at the World Champion feels like it spoils the main event, and will set up Darby against MJF at Double or Nothing.

It seems strange that was only fourth match announced for Dynasty, along with MJF vs Kenny Omega, Mox vs Ospreay, and FTR defending the the tag titles against Cope and Christian, with only one Dynamite left. 

A lot of top players feel directionless or are just spinning their wheels at the moment after a hot build to Revolution. Frenemies Okada and Takeshita are in a seemigly never ending feud, same with Ricochet and National Champion Jack Perry. Thekla might be defending against Jamie Hayter, and Willow has an open challenge on Collision that might lead to her defense at Dynasty. The Young Bucks should be added on the show to get a win before a possibe 3 Team Ladder match in an homage to the match that defined Cope and Christian's career. On top of that, Kyle Fletcher may miss the show after appearing to get injured during Collision on Saturday. 

Opening Day

I'm getting tired of all the complaints about sporting events moving more and more to streaming services. This past week, it was the Yankees having their Opening Day game against the Giants on Netflix, that had George rolling over in his box. I could do without a Yeet-ing seal, Cousin Itt throwing out the first pitch, and Bert Kreischer, surprisingly keep his shirt on, hosting pre-game ceremonies. Netflix is only paying top dollars for MLB to showcase their other properties, and keep you subscribing.

I can sympathize with Ebenezer, who's been watching Opening Day on his 16 inch black and white TV for the last 80 years, but anyone under the age of 70 should easily be able to pull up the Netflix app on their smart TV. 

The broadcast itself, led by play-by-play man Matt Vasgerian and color guys CC Sabathia and Hunter Pence was well done. The only two noticeable issues I had was the design of the score bug and the green screen ad behind homeplate that was whitewashing out the centerfield camera. Other than that, it was great seeing the Yankees win in a laugher, winning their first game of what would become a sweep of their first series of the season.

As for the Yankee season itself, I have mixed expectations. I hate to come off like a "27 Ring" Yankee fan, growing up in the Core Four Dynasty spoiled me and the rest of my generation of fans. At what point is a perennial 90+ win playoff team that falls short of the World Series a disappointment? While most fanbases would love to see that type of consinstency, and as a Jets fan I'd die for even a season that isn't over before the Yankees first playoff series, this franchise has set unrealistic goals.

The hardest part is that it's hard to quantify what's holding this team back from reaching the mountaintop again and hoisiting their 28th World Series trophy. Aaron Judge is a monster and is putting up historic seasons, we had 6 other batters mash 20+ dingers last season. When your first 6 batters in the lineup are all All-Star caliber, you should be able to look past guys like Volpe and Wells, who can still provide the occasional clutch hit.

On paper, the rotation should also be towards the top of league. Max Fried has been pitching like a Cy Young winner for us while Cam Schlittler might be the most exciting young pitcher not named Paul Skenes. Carlos Rodon is more than servicable as a middle rotation guy, on top of the hope that Gerrit Cole can even 75% of what he was in 2024 after coming back from Tommy John surgery later this summer.

In a perfect world, I'd like to see some younger guys like Spencer Jones, George Lombard, and Jasson Dominguez play with the major league club, but the impatience of the fanbase has already tried running Anthony Volpe out of town.

I'm not going out on a limb, thinking that we'll see a similar story to the Yankee season as we've had in the past decade. A strong start will lead to a midseason swoon before righting the ship heading into October. if we luck out like we did in 2024, we can beat up on the weaker AL Central teams in the playoffs before getting smashed by the Dodgers in the World Series or we'll just get knocked out by our division rival, whether it be the Red Sox or Blue Jays, before getting that far.

Farewell Darnold

 

"Today is a day that will live in infamy"

Sleepy Joe Douglas did it again. A year after trading our defensive MVP in Jamal Adams and not bringing back Robbie Anderson, Douglas gives up on our franchise QB for a 2nd, 4th, and 6th round draft picks. It's like deja vu all over again with the Jets. This is a never ending ferris wheel, where we hitch all our hopes to the hot young QB instead of building a foundation for our current quarterback to grow.

After seeing the haul the Dolphins got for the third overall pick, I find it hard to believe that a team with Zach Wilson is better than Sam Darnold and three first round picks. Fun fact, even though Darnold is entering his 4th season in the league, he's 6 months younger than Bengals rookie Joe Burrow. 

The solution seemed easy to me, you let Darnold play out the fourth year of his rookie contract and trade the 2nd overall pick for a huge haul. The worst case scenario is that LaFluer can't turn around Darnold's career, we go 4-12 and have a top pick again to take Brock Purdy or whoever the analysts are loving next season. Instead, we find ourselves in the same position as we were in 2018 when the hot young QB wasn't taken by the Browns or Giants but actually fell to the Jets for once.

It seems fairly obvious that since Douglas inherited Darnold, and he wasn't his draft pick, he never wanted to build the team around him. Last season he let his favorite weapon in Robbie Anderson leave over less than what Woody Johnson pays his butler. Everyone said this offseason would be different with Douglas, but with the 2nd most cap space in the league the Jets still went shopping in the clearance aisle, never going after one of the top free agents.

I hope Sam Darnold wins MVP next season after reuniting with Robbie, Sir Purr, and Matt Rhule, in a Bizzaro World Jets team in Carolina. Gang Green never gave him the support a franchise quarterback should have, and instead undercut him at every step, with terrible coaching a worse supporting staff. The Goddamn Jets

Whatever It Takes

 

It's not very often that a franchise Quarterback in the prime of his career asks to be traded from his team. It's even rarer that the player lists your favorite team at the top of his list of intended destinations. It's even more rare when that happens for the Jets. It took Robert Saleh all of 2 weeks to power wash the stench of Gase off the team, and Deshaun Watson is giving the Jets a second chance to have him wear Gotham Green.

Sit down kids, and let me tell you a story that begins in 2017. The Jets held the 6th pick in the draft, and Watson was coming off a National Championship with Clemson. The Jets QB room at the time had Ryan Fitzpatrick and the sophomore Christian Hackenberg. That was enough for Mikey Mac to pass up on both Watson and this snooch from Texas Tech Patty Mahomes who were taken 12th and 10th respectively. Instead, the Jets drafted Jamal Adams, who in his own right had a solid career as a Jet before forcing his way off the team last offseason for 2 first round picks and a 3rd round pick.

Now, ironically enough, the Jets have enough draft capital, including the 2nd overall pick due to our incompetence last season, to put together a package that should rival any other team's in a trade for Watson. We also won't be compromising the future, since we would essentially be trading Jamal Adams and our first pick this year to get a bonafide stud at the most important position in the league.The best part about it, is that Gang Green also has the 3rd most cap space in a season where almost half the league is in the red before they start cutting players.

It's up to these three men to do whatever it takes to get Deshaun Watson to the Jets. Three firsts, a 2nd, and Darnold.... whatever it takes. Three firsts and Quinnen Williams... whatever it takes. We can even get creative and trade the 2nd overall picks for more first rounders and send the Texans a package that includes four 1sts... whatever it takes.

Being realistic, however, there is the possibility the Texans ignore Watson's trade request and either force him to sit out the season or deal with his fate when he signed his contract last year. That gives the Jets a few options at the QB position.

Keep Sam Darnold and improve the skill players. 

Darnold has shown flashes of brilliance during his three years in the league, however the good has often been outweighed by the bad. The most damning thing the franchise has done in the past three years is that they never gave Sam a good enough team to prove if he can hang in the league. There will always be that what if with him, and we can help fix that this season. You give Matt LaFleur the reigns, and draft and sign any combination of Devonta Smith, Ja'Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, Allen Robinson, Kenny Golladay, Juju, Travis Ettiene, Chuba Hubbard, and run it back with him one more time, before deciding if they want to sign him long term to be our franchise QB. Worst case scenario is that you find out Darnold's not the guy, and our next QB will enter with a loaded offense.

Draft Justin Fields or Zach Wilson and Trade Darnold

In my opinion, neither Fields nor Wilson are can't miss prospects. The Jets missed the boat on drafting a can't miss prospect in Trevor Lawrence when we beat the Rams. The knock on Fields for me is that he's on a powerhouse Ohio State team that can run up the score on inferior teams, but when he had to play top defenses like Indiana, Northwestern, and Alabama, you saw the weaknesses in his game. Zach Wilson on the other hand hasn't had to face any top teams since BYU is an independent school and plays an easier schedule. That isn't to say that neither guy can be a franchise QB, but with the 2nd overall pick you want to make sure you make the right choice. I think Douglas can still get a 2nd round pick for Darnold as there are still a lot of teams with questions at QB for 2021.

Draft Justin Fields or Zach Wilson and Keep Darnold

This is the most unlikely scenario, but it can also work out. This gives the Jets a chance to let the new coaching staff work with Darnold in camp and see if he can shine in the preseason. Then, you wait for a team that becomes desperate when their QB gets injured and needs to give you a bigger haul. Or, you can let the season play out with the rookie sitting their first season and then weigh your options.

Week 11 Picks

NFL Season 33-28-1

Last Week 3-3

Hit with two of the worst all time bad beats last week, but still finished .500, and 54% overall for the season.

Falcons +3.5 @ Saints

Taysom Hill hahahahahaha. Sean Payton will regret this decision and if I'm being duped by all the reports I'll take the L. 

Patriots -1.5 v Texans

The Pats can run the ball better than almost any other team in the league, and Houston has trouble stopping the run. As much as I hate it, you can never count out the Pats.

Eagles +2.5 @ Browns

This line is fishy. The Browns are one of the worst 6-3 teams in NFL history, and I see Wentz bouncing back after a bad performance against the Giants.

Dolphins -4 @ Broncos

Drew Lock is questionable with a rib injury, and Miami is hitting their stride on both sides of the ball. Give me the better team with the points.

Colts -1.5 v Packers

The square betters are lining up to take Rodgers getting points here, but the sharps know better. Indy is a better team and will control the clock with their three-headed rushing attack.

Rams +4.5 @ Bucs

I think Brady's bedtime is 8 PM since he's looked awful in prime time this season. Tampa has struggled when they play better defenses, and Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey and company need a win to keep pace with the Seahawks out west. 

Week 10 Picks - Home Teams Prevail

NFL Season 30-25-1

Last Week 2-4

Browns -4 v Texans

The Texans defense stinks, and I think Cleveland is actually better without Odell. The Browns are also getting Nick Chubb back on Sunday, and should be able to run all over Houston.

Giants +4 v Eagles

I love taking home dogs in divisional matchups. Both New York and Philly know each other well, and typically place close games. The Thursday night a few weeks ago was no exception, and I see this matchup playing out very similar.

Panthers +6 v Bucs

I'm going to keep riding Teddy Bridgewater as an underdog. I like the game better now that McCaffery is out since the line shifted two more points in our favor.

Cardinals -2.5 v Bills

Kyler Murray is putting together an MVP season, and might finish with over 4,000 passing and 1,000 rushing yards. Neither team's defense is playing as well as we expected going into the season, and this game should be a shootout. I just trust Kyler more than Allen to make that one extra play to win. 

Dolphins -1.5 v Chargers

Not going to lie, this line scares me a little. Miami should be at least 3.5 point fIavorites in this situation, but I can't pass it up. If it loses on Sunday then so be it.

Rams -2.5 v Seahawks

The public is still in love with Seattle, but even with Jamal Adams back their defense can't stop a nosebleed. I think the Rams are back in form after a Super Bowl hangover and are well rested off a bye. Sean McVay had an extra week to gameplan some offensive schemes to get Jared Goff cooking.