To: Michael J. Jordan, Charlotte Bobcats

From: Captain Ron Johnson, The Last Call

RE: The Miami Big Three

Mr. Jordan:

I am writing to let you know that I am shocked by your comments towards LeBron James' decision to join Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade in South Beach. In all fairness, I expected you to be the first to shake his hand and welcome him to reality. This is the reality of the matter, my friend. James wants a ring. He feels that he will achieve this success with Wade, Bosh and the Heat. Now if this does not happy, c'est la vie.

But what if it does? Let's be reasonable, MJ. You are truly the last person to be talking about disappointing considering that you thought baseball was a better career path than basketball. We won't go there, but we will go into the fact that you left the city you vowed never to leave for...DC?! You joined the Wizards and quickly went from legendary status to laughing stock. You didn't get along with your teammates, and you thought that we all owed you something.

You had six rings....if anything you owed us something.

But we let you continue to fly under the radar...that is until your name came up in conversation about the Charlotte Bobcats. But even with your name, it wasn't enough to bring the big time players and coaches there. It was so bad that One Tree Hill was cancelled because of their allegiance to your team. But maybe you should have seen if anybody on the show could hoop...then sign them to a deal. That would have taken care of the credibility.

In regards to your relationship with both Magic Johnson and Larry Bird...well we all knew that wouldn't happen. The Bulls could only handle one ego per quarter, and Dennis Rodman was taking care of that just nicely. As for Magic, if most players in the NBA are scared of homosexuals in the locker room, how would they react to a man who has been battling AIDS? And for the record, how does Magic feel knowing that the city he once owned a major portion of is rallying around Kobe and Phil? As for Bird, well, let's be honest: No one liked playing with or for Bird.

Michael, there is a reason that no one takes you seriously anymore. You weren't enough to keep Phil in Chicago, and when the "boss" left for good, so did you. Did you even offer your services to the Bulls before Charlotte came calling? Did you at least focus on the good of this deal with James before you called it a disappointment?

No, what is the disappointment is the fact that there are people out there who still value the opinions of the fossils whose times have come and gone. It's no disrespect to you, but if you're going to make your opinion count, remember that a guy you played against (Charles Barkley) sounds like he has peanut butter in his mouth all the time. The coach you honored and respected (Phil Jackson) would rather take a pay cut than call it a career. And those players and fans who rallied around you in Chicago wanted King James in Chicago.

How would you feel if James went to the Windy City? Would that be a disappointment? Would that be "terrble?" No it wouldn't be...until they start chanting "Michael who?" Think about that the next time you try to bash a good business idea. Because when it comes down to it, you haven't made a smart business move since basing Space Jam off the second half of your career.

And Bugs Bunny is still making more than you off that movie!!

With Sports Regards,

"The Captain" Ron Johnson

I just submitted this on Facebook for a good reason that I cannot divulge just yet. And since this is the first one I have written since my accident, I would like as much feedback as possible. This is for all of those who want to write something but are not quite sure where to begin. Hopefully this helps you out! And to my bros down in South Florida, don't worry. I am still a Bleacher Brother 4 Life!

For those of us who eat, sleep and breath sports, we are told that the mecca of a great sports coverage career is ESPN. However, I am proof that this is indeed not the case at all. It has been brought to many of our attentions that only the best work for the conglomerate out of Connecticut.

But I have had the pleasure of working with not one but two great entities in sports coverage and sports writing. Thanks to the efforts of Bleacher Report out of San Francisco and Bleacher Brothers out of South Florida, I have been able to work my craft to the point where even tennis and golf are getting the recognition they deserve. But unlike ESPN, they don't just throw you to the wolves and tell you, "Don't screw up."

Thanks to the Two Bleachers, you can work on becoming a great sportswriter, cover the specific sport that lights you up in the dark, work on turning your love for sports into a very impressive television career or even be able to impress the local sports pages enough to have them wanting you. 

With the help of a talented group of people, I have been able to stake my claim as one of the best sports minds on the indie circuit. I didn't have to rely on ESPN for my know-how, but they did manage to give me enough motivation to become one of the best in the world at what I do. So what makes a great Sportswriter?

Talent for starters. Sportswriters have to have the ability to make themselves known and stand out above the monotony of the competition. They also have to be able to show why they should get the big moments. No one hands you the coverage of the big sporting events without knowing that you can deliver. 

What makes an impressive Sports Columnist? An opinion...plain and simple. You have to be able to take the brass ring and work it to the best of your knowledge and ability. Take this answer for instance. Sure it's a little longer than what you expected, but it at least educates you on the biggest difference between writers and columnists.

Writers have to always be on their "A" Game and deliver something that fans will enjoy reading. Columnists have to be on their "A" Game too to prove that they belong at the top of the food chain. So I thank Bleacher Report and Bleacher Brothers for giving me the opportunity to be both. And also for seeing the talent I possess and letting me have the ability to make it better.

Last night it was official, long winded and no surprise. LeBron James finally gave the decision that no one ever saw it coming. The King is joining Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami to create the South Beach Big Three. Now I will try to refrain from telling all of you in Ohio that "I Told You So" (even though I did). But I will say that the backlash is insane! 

For starters, Cleveland is feeling a severe case of deja vu. It only seems like yesterday that the city dealt with the loss of their beloved Browns to the city of Baltimore. On top of all that, they had to suffer through a set of losses from their beloved Cleveland Indians. But with all that has happened, nothing could have prepared them to lose their hometown boy once and for all. 

But in all honesty, who cares? It's over now!

The Cavaliers did nothing to help their cause. What moves did they make to keep LeBron there? None. They replaced Mike Brown with who? Byron Scott. Big whoop, The Cavaliers are in trouble. They didn't get a decent free agent when they had the chance, didn't even entertain the thought of having either Wade or Bosh on their roster, and the best they can do is...give him more money?

Cleveland, are you flat out retarded? 

No, that isn't why you're retarded or idiots. It was the fact that you expected him to stay loyal...even though despite having the best team out there your team choked in the postseason. Even worse, your owner has vowed to win the NBA Crown before James does. So what the hell happened in the past seven seasons when James was with the team? Was that just explaining to him that if he could find something better, then go for it? Seriously, you can't be mad at LeBron for going for the money (since he took a paycut) and for not staying loyal (because the Old Browns didn't). 

In all fairness, the only ones you can be mad at is...yourselves! Sounds hard, but it does work.

The Indians lost the World Series on several occasions, the Browns dropped the ball twice to the Broncos that kept them from the Super Bowl and then there's Michael Jordan's shot that killed the Cavs dreams in 1989. So after all that, is it safe to say that the state is cursed? Look at their track record. Even in college, the curse creeped over. Texas, USC, Florida and LSU all had one thing in common: They owned Ohio State. Even now, they still own Ohio State.

So what is the problem now? Am I expecting people to burn their Cavs jerseys and pictures of LeBron come next season? I wouldn't expect anything less. So what? You should blame the franchise for not buzzing Wade while he was in Chicago, or Bosh while he was entertaining the thought of being in Cleveland. But instead you put all your eggs in once basket, got the short end of the stick and loss your most prized possession.

So with all this being said, what will happen next year? I will tell you. The Cavs will not be in the Eastern Conference Finals. Hell, short of bringing back Mark Price, the Cavs will most likely switch places with the Heat. So until we get to next season, tell Gilbert to have a big cup of shut his f'in piehole. Because he can't blame James for going to South Beach. He can't blame the public for cheering his decision. In fact, he can only blame himself for not doing what Cuban did...or what Wade did...or what Bosh did.

And the thing they did was...talk to LeBron.

Well, today is the day. The NBA Free Agency Draft has officially began. And the remaining teams vying for the services of King James are all on the clock. LeBron James, who is currently in a meeting with Jay Z and the Nets, has made it clear that he wants his legacy to culminate with an NBA Championship. Well, now he has several teams eyeing to give him what he wants. 

Out of these teams, there is no true telling as to who will have enough stroke to sway the King from his Cleveland Kingdom. Even better for them is that James has been very quiet in regards to his future in Cleveland. The Cavs are slightly sweating because of the fact that James is keeping his options open. Even worse for them is the fact that everyone who has a mouth is saying that LeBron is heading to the East Coast. Whether it is New York or New Jersey is yet to be decided. 

So what does it look like now that free agency has officially begun? And suck it Stern. You can't fine me now.

Los Angeles

The City of Angels is going to lose their shot at James for one reason: Kobe Bryant. As long as Kobe is in LA, there will be no need for LeBron to be there. It has already been proven that two Giants in the land will not work well for anyone involved. There are those closet Clippers fans who may actually like the thought of LeBron playing alongside their poster child Griffin, but any intelligent being will know that the odds of James going to LA are slim to none (and maybe worse). So, LA, your egos will keep LeBron James out of both a Lakers and Clippers uniform.

Dallas

The Mavericks may want King James, but can they afford him? Even more, is James the key to keeping Dirk in the back pocket of Mark Cuban? For all the smart business decisions that Cuban has made during his reign in Big D, having LeBron would be one of the smartest business decisions he has made. James would more than assure that not only would Dirk stay in Dallas, but it might be enough to bring in the likes of Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade as well. But having Dirk, Bosh and Wade, alongside James…does that bring an NBA Championship to a city that is starving for their first championship since America’s Team?

Chicago

What team needs leadership the most? What team needs a new King of Midway? What team would possibly benefit the most from having Wade, LeBron or Bosh? All the answers to those questions are simple: DA BULLS!!!!! Chicago got into the playoffs due to youth, but that is the same reason why they got tossed in the first round. The Dynamic Duo of Noah and Beasley have proven beneficial to the resurrection of the Chicago Bulls. Adding either of those three would definitely give the Bulls a legitimate run for the postseason. For those who are claiming that having LeBron doesn’t automatically guarantee deep postseason runs, consider this: With LeBron as lead actor and with a good supporting cast, the Cavaliers were a force to be reckoned with as they wreaked havoc all over the NBA last season.

Cleveland

This is by far the hardest place for James. After coming up short time and time again of the ultimate prize, he hasn’t even acknowledged that Cleveland has a shot at keeping him. It’s almost as if he has already ruled them out of the running for his services. So instead, they fire Mike Brown and blame the fall of the postseason on him…and not their lovechild, LeBron. But even bringing in Byron Scott most likely won’t be enough to keep him in the only home he knows. The Cavaliers need LeBron to stay so that people will continue to take them seriously. Without LeBron, can the Cavs remain the dominant team that has come up close year after year but has nothing to show for it? But even if LeBron opts to stay, how will this affect the decisions of Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh…as well as Joe Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal?

New York

The Knicks used to be a dominant franchise. Even when all of us were glued into the OJ Simpson Chase happening on the other side of the country, the fans in The Garden were focused on their beloved Knicks. But those years are long gone, and now they are focused on someone else: LeBron James. King James has already been rumored to be donning a Knicks uniform next season. Not since the Presidential Election has the country been so on the edge of their seats. Even better, we all know that people in New York are not that bright when it comes to predictions. These are the same people who said that A-Rod would be a bust. That Eli Manning would win a Super Bowl before his brother. That the Rangers were unstoppable…and would be in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year. Sorry, Knicks fans, but LeBron James isn’t coming to play in The Most Famous Arena in the World as a Knick. He’s coming to beat the Knicks again.

Miami

Now we travel to South Beach, where everyone is all about the Wade and James Show. In fact, they are already saying that this will be the era of The New James Gang with the acquisition of James, resigning of Wade and possible addition of Chris Bosh. In all honesty, Miami has a good shot because of the bond between James and Wade. It also doesn’t hurt to have the guy you won a gold medal with as your go-to guy. Add Bosh to the mix, and you got the makings of the Miami Heat no longer dwelling in the basement of the Eastern Conference. In fact, it’s almost assured that adding James and Bosh could have an immediate impact in South Florida. With all that being said, the only reason this deal will not happen is because if LeBron doesn’t get the deal he is looking for. In other words, Pat Riley better open his checkbook and make sure that he has the talent to give LeBron what D-Wade already has: An NBA Championship.

Newark/Brooklyn

This is not a typo. We all know that the ultimate plan is to bring professional basketball back to Brooklyn. We all know that if Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has his way, not only with the Nets be Brooklyn-bound, but King James will be leading the charge there as well. The Nets have been told that they have no shot of getting James, but they have a better shot than the New York Knicks. LeBron wants a championship. The Nets need a bigger and better fanbase. In this case, one of these will not happen overnight. Take a wild guess which one it will be. But having LeBron would raise the stock on the Nets considerably. Seriously. We are talking about a team that had the worst record in the NBA year after year. Now staying in Newark may not be a high priority on their to-do list. But winning more than 20 games next season is. And with a cold as ice owner and a hip hop mogul leading the charge, is LeBron just buying time before he is singing Empire State of Mind next to Jigga and Alicia Keys?

This is it! The biggest weekend in sports has finally arrived. And we have the biggest championship fight capping the weekend off! Brock Lesnar returns after an injury almost cost him the title and his career. But he has some serious thunder waiting for him when he finally returns to the Octagon.

With that, here is the rundown of this weekend’s UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin!

Brendan Schaub (6-1-0) vs. Chris Tuchscherer (18-2-0, 1 NC)

One of the most smashmouth fighters in the UFC, Chris Tuchscherer brings the noise in every way possible. Forget about whatever nickname Mike Goldberg will give him. This guy is a bonefied Iceman. Hailing from Fargo, North Dakota, Tuchscherer took care of business in his last fight against Tim Hague and bounced back after a bad loss against Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 102. Now he has a huge fight on the horizon as he faces an Ultimate Fighter veteran.

            The Hybrid returns to the Octagon after grabbing a win against Chase Gormley. However, it was his first fight since losing the 10^th Ultimate Finale to “Big Country” Roy Nelson. Brendan Schaub returns in the hopes of improving his standings and being next in line to battle for some serious hardware. Now with a vicious opponent on the horizon, can The Hybrid get it done again en route to a possible rematch with Big Country? Or will Tuchscherer turn The Hybrid into a gas guzzler?

George Sotiropoulos (12-2-0) vs. Kurt Pellegrino (21-4-0)

At UFC 110, an underrated fighter proved that it was time for people to take him seriously. At UFC 110, George Sotiropoulos took down Joe “Daddy” Stevenson via Unanimous Decision. But George hasn’t fought since the Stevenson fight back in February. Since his loss to Shinya Aoki, Sotiropoulos has been on a tear, winning his last six fights. But is seven his lucky number this weekend?

            Following a loss to Nate Diaz, Kurt Pellegrino has returned to his dominant status with victory after victory, including a win at UFC 111 over Fabricio Camoes via submission. Now Pellegrino returns to the Octagon eyeing victory #22, but Sotiropoulos is no pushover. For Pellegrino to pull off the win, he will need to bring the noise and take the fight to the ground. Both men are impressive on the ground, but who will get that one moment that allows them to here Goldberg say “IT IS ALL OVER?!”

Krzysztof Soszynski (20-10-1) vs. Stephan Bonnar (14-7-0)

If you’re looking for a fight for the ages (besides Lesnar-Carwin), this is the one to aim for. Two Ultimate Fighter Alumni will step foot into the Octagon with something big on the line. After picking up the Ultimate Finale with a win over Shane Primm, The Polish Experiment got himself a pair of wins before falling to Brandon Vera. However, this weekend, he has a rematch on his hands with one of the toughest guys in the UFC.

            After having his last battle with Krzysztof stopped by the ref, The American Psycho returns looking to reverse his current fortunes that has him a losing streak, including losses Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Jon Jones and Mark Coleman. Now Bonnar aims to get himself the victory he feels he got robbed of the last time these two juggernauts met. So in the second coming of a pair of Ultimate Badasses, who will stand atop the world as the victor?

Chris Lytle (38-17-4) vs. Matt Brown (13-8-0)

The last time it was Lights Out in Chris Lytle’s favor was when he took down Kyle Bradley at UFC 81. But that hasn’t stopped him from piling on the victories as he is on a two-fight win streak, his most recent victory via submission against Brian Foster at UFC 110. But Lights Out is looking to get back to what made him one of the most dangerous guys to step in the Octagon with. But to do that, he has to face one of the most intimidating fighters in the UFC.

            The Immortal was known as a dangerous fighter on the seventh season of The Ultimate Fighter. And those were Dana White’s words. Now Brown has a chance to show why he is intimidating and why fighters fear him. But he is looking for a win after tapping out to a Rear Naked Choke against Ricardo Almeida at UFC 111. With two fighters that are evenly matched on paper, who will come out on top when the lights are on hot and bright?

Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-1-0, 2 NC) vs. Chris Leben (20-6-0)

This is by far one of the biggest and best fights on the card. You have two of the best fighters going toe to toe for a shot at infamy. First up is Akiyama, who has been on a hot streak since his only loss to Jerome LeBanner…over FIVE YEARS AGO!!! Since then, he has been on a hot streak, and that’s not counting the pair of No Contests in between. After a win over Alan Belcher at UFC 100: Lesnar-Mir 2, Akiyama returns to the Octagon to go against the man vying to be the Ironman of the UFC.

            The Crippler has been busy lately. After taking down Jay Silva at UFC Fight Night 20, he returned at the 11^th Ultimate Finale to dispatch Aaron Simpson in the 2^nd Round. But Leben apparently isn’t done yet as he steps back into the Octagon…less than two weeks after the Finale. But this will indeed be his biggest test of his career as he faces a man who hasn’t lost in five years. Is Leben fighting too soon? Or will he be able to do what no one has done…which is hand Akiyama his second loss.

UFC Undisputed Heavyweight Championship

Brock Lesnar (4-1-0) vs. Shane Carwin (12-0-0)

This one is going to be one for the ages. After battling a severe illness that almost cost him his career, Lesnar returns with a chance to once again unify the UFC World Heavyweight Championships. But to do that, the man who is in the history books as the only individual to hold the WWE and UFC World Championships now has to face his biggest and most dangerous opponent since his first fight with Frank Mir.

            How do you describe Shane Carwin? Undefeated in twelve fights…and all of them were finishes. The fact that he is from the country like his opponent is not that big of a deal. In fact, Carwin hails from the foulest smelling city in Colorado that it is no wonder why his fights stink so good. So in all honesty, Carwin is the equivalent and mirror image of Lesnar.

            This will be a slugfest. This will be an all out brawl. This will be bloody and violent…gotta love this country for the liberty and freedom to watch two of the biggest titans and goliaths in the sport do battle and beat the hell out of each other for the right to become the Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion of the World!!!

            Can it get any better than this? Let’s try.

Stick around after the fights to see Kendall Grove, Gerald Harris, Daniel Roberts and Jon Madsen will all be in action in the undercards! It’s UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin,,,for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship. This weekend LIVE from Sin City and only Pay Per View!

After a hectic week where it was a bad time to be an authoritive figure in the pro wrestling industry. First it was Vince McMahon feeling the wrath of the NXT Seven. Then it was Matt Striker getting dropped by one of the NXT Season Two Rookies. On top of that, Hulk Hogan was forced to take back his Hall of Fame Ring by Abyss. The only highlight was Teddy Long getting the best of Drew McIntyre.

So with Victory Road and Money in the Bank on the horizon, what will this week hold?

WWE RAW

Last week’s RAW ended almost like it started. It ended with the NXT Seven dominating the broadcast and its stars. Sheamus didn’t have much time to celebrate his WWE Championship victory at Fatal 4 Way before being chased off by the NXT Seven. So John Cena had to suffer the wrath of the Group of Radicals, and they didn’t stop there.

            After the altercation, they turned their wrath to the one man they wouldn’t want to cross: Vince McMahon. After McMahon took the credit of the constant ambushes from the Seven, they decided to show their appreciation…by beating the holy hell out of the Chairman and leaving him for dead. The Anonymous GM, who was appointed by McMahon last week following the absence of Bret Hart, has made it clear that there will be “Hell to Pay” for the NXT Seven for their actions on the Chairman.

            Speaking of Sheamus, we still don’t know who the Celtic Warrior will face in his first title defense at Money in the Bank. In fact, we don’t know who from RAW will be at the pay per view. We do know that John Cena’s rematch did not end the way neither Cena nor Sheamus wanted. Will Cena get a new match against Sheamus? Or will the NXT Seven get their first taste of gold now that they have their contracts?

            In one of the most intriguing of moments from RAW, The Miz helped Edge get the upper hand over Randy Orton. The United States Champion has made it clear that he will be next in line to face Sheamus and not Cena nor Orton. But Orton has made it clear that he is next in line…but so has Edge…and so has Chris Jericho. But in all fairness, this battle can only be settled one way and one way alone: By beating the hell out of each other. And just to sweeten the pot, they should put the United States Championship up for grabs.

WWE NXT

Husky Harris and Cody Rhodes made one huge impact on last week’s episode of NXT. First Rhodes took down Lucky Cannon in an impressive showing by both the NXT Rookie and the man voted “Most Handome”…although that is nothing I would brag about.

As for Harris, he was determined to make an impact heading into tomorrow’s Voting Results. It’s actually funny that Harris, who is Rhodes’ Rookie, took a page out of his protégé’s book by taking down NXT Host Matt Striker…one week after Rhodes sucker punched Striker. It seems that Striker has become a complete punching bag for NXT as he was assaulted during the raid of the NXT Seven several weeks ago on RAW, and now he is getting his jaw jacked by the Season Two Rookies as well.

What will the next move of the NXT Seven and the Season Two Rookies be? What will “Dashing” Rhodes and Husky Harris have in store for Striker this week? On top of all this…who is enjoying their last week of WWE and NXT Fame?

TNA iMPACT

Abyss is still on a rampage…and he gets a shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship as a result of the anarchy. After taking down Jeff Hardy two weeks ago, Abyss continued the assault by decimating Mr. Anderson after their bout last week. But he still has a pair of obstacles en route to Victory Road and the Fatal Four Way. He still has to handle Rob Van Dam…and the man he turned his back on, Hulk Hogan.

            In their quest to improve their rankings, four of TNA’s Heavyweight Championship List will have themselves some fun on Thursday night as Samoa Joe battles AJ Styles, and The Pope returns with a new opponent waiting for him: Kurt Angle. What more could you ask for? How about some Knockouts?

            Sticking to her plan to take down The Beautiful People “one snotty bees nees at a time” Angelina Love will have her chance to continue the plan when she battles Velvet Sky. And with Lacey Von Erich down for the count, will Madison come to save her TBP Sister? Or will she protect her own hide as well as her Knockouts Championship?

Beer Money sealed their fate after defeating Ink, Inc. to become the team that will face the Motor City Machine Guns at Victory Road for the vacated Tag Team Championships. But it was much because of an assist from Brother Ray who is still suffering from PNS (Past Neal Shiznit). What is in store for both Beer Money and for the Guns heading into Victory Road and the gold?

Speaking of Brother Ray, his longtime partner Brother Devon has had enough of Ray’s issues with Jesse Neal. After making it clear that he had better fix this or suffer a fate worse than death, what will Brother Ray, let alone Jesse Neal, do this Thursday night for an encore of their epic rivalry?

            After the assault on his brother last week, what will Jay Lethal have in store for Fourtune? In fact, what will Hernandez have in store for Matt Morgan after The Blueprint took down fellow LAX brethren Homicide in his absence last week? But it doesn’t stop there. After getting ambushed by a pair of Icons, will Jeff Jarrett finally get some closure and a victory over Sting after getting stopped by Sting’s black bat last week? So many ambushes…so little time for payback. With two weeks until Victory Road, who will come out on top and stand alone atop the mountain?

WWE SmackDown

The wildest destination on Friday night has been SmackDown! Despite the vegetative state of The Undertaker, SD continues to raise the bar for show supremacy, holding a close lead over both iMPACT and RAW. Now they look to continue their climb to ultimate supremacy.

            After claiming the World Heavyweight Championship, Rey Mysterio found out that he will have to defend the gold in just a few weeks against the man he defeated to get it: Jack Swagger. Swagger showed lack of Swagger as he turned into a man possessed when he took down the Big Show with a devastating Ankle Lock. With Show out of the picture, one has to wonder if maybe Kane is after the wrong man.

            Speaking of Kane, the Big Red Monster singled out CM Punk as the man responsible for the assault on The Undertaker. He then proceeded to take down The Straight Edge Leader via several tables and a few barricades. Has Kane given enough to Punk to have him confess to his own sins? Or is the Monster just getting started?

            As we all know, Money in the Bank will be at the end of the month, and on top of all that, we will have ourselves our first ever Money in the Bank Ladder Match outside of WrestleMania as eight SmackDown superstars will get the chance to compete for a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. Last week, Teddy Long and Vickie Guerrero announced that starting this Friday night, they will start searching for superstars to compete for the briefcase. Don’t be surprised if we see a little Boom Boom action.

            And did we mention that Kelly Kelly may become the new #1 Contender for LayCool’s Womens Championship?

On occasion, it is imperative to take a step back and look at the possibilities that are looming in the world of professional wrestling. This happens to be one of those times due in large part to the direction that both the WWE and TNA are aiming to take in the second half of 2010. With half the year gone, it is that time again. It’s time to hand out grades to the shows/brands from the first half of the year.

WWE RAW

Thanks to the NXT Seven, Sheamus is once again the WWE Champion. But is this move good or bad for the direction of RAW in 2010? The Celtic Warrior made more than just a whisper last year when he defeated John Cena to become the WWE Champion within his first year of competition at Tables, Ladders & Chairs. However, the reign was tainted not only because of the way the belt was one but also by his supposed unstoppable abilities.

            Rumor has it that it will be Sheamus facing NXT Winner Wade Barrett for the WWE Championship at Money in the Bank, but it is all about The Game…and how you play it.

            With Batista gone for good and Triple H on the Disabled List, it is up to John Cena to carry the torch for the flagship show. And with Miz, Edge and Orton battling for the US Championship, as well as Chris Jericho turning Evan Bourne into a legitimate main eventer, Cena may have to battle the NXT Seven on his own. But after handling The New Corporation (led by UFC Champ Brock Lesnar), The Cabinet (led by JBL) and the WWE Universe (led by The Quinterns & Timmy K), can the Chain Gang Commander even stave off seven brash and cocky upstarts?

            The Tag Team Division is alive and kicking @$$ thanks in large part to the rivalry between the Unified Tag Champions, The Hart Dynasty and the potential #1 Contenders, The Usos. And with new tag teams forming on both RAW and SmackDown, it is only a matter of time until we once again are graced with the Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match at WrestleMania that made The Hardy Boyz, Edge and Christian and The Dudley Boyz bonefied legends in the industry.

            Here’s a pair of bold predictions for you: Either Edge or Randy Orton will be the United States Champion by the end of the year. Chris Jericho and Evan Bourne will join forces and win the Unified Tag Team Championships. Want one more? Either one or more of the NXT Seven will be SmackDown Bound at next year’s WWE Draft.

Grade: A- (Notice I didn’t even mention the Divas? There’s a reason for that.)

WWE NXT

When this show first came out, everyone was on board with the concept. It was the resurrection of the Tough Enough competition that brought us The Miz, Maven and Nidia. Don’t even mention Daniel Puder because he was a waste of douching. Anyhow, this show has picked up steam thanks to the NXT Seven. Now these rookies have to prove themselves massively to earn the respect (as well as the votes) of the WWE Universe and the WWE Pros.

            This season is highlighted by a former TNA Superstar making his mark in the competition. We all know who it is, so don’t play stupid. And the WWE Pros proved right off the bat that they are not taking any garbage from them following the attacks from the NXT Seven. Now they have a chance to take it up a notch by having either an all-Divas NXT or adding Divas to the roster for Season Three. No one truly sticks out the way that Daniel Bryan did in this season.

            But since we’re on Bryan, I see Bryan returning later this year and taking on his former NXT Seven Brethren for their betrayal of going on without him. In fact, I see Bryan dropping the hammer on Michael Cole as well (which is a blessing in itself). Not only will this season bring us a new breakout superstar, but expect Bryan to be a huge part of the next season if not this one. And NXT will get some help in October when SmackDown makes its long awaited debut on Syfy.

Grade: B+ (It has the flizzle…but does it have the complete shizzle?)

TNA iMPACT

When word got out that Hulk Hogan was coming to TNA, the wrestling world was flipped on its axis and given the ultimatum: Lead, Follow or Prepare to Get Run Over! At this point, the only downside I see is the fact that Bobby Lashley and Rhino are no longer a huge part of this “revolution” of Eric Bischoff, Hogan and TNA President Dixie Carter. Even worse for TNA, they are treating their founder like my brother in law.

            But still, TNA is not just relying on their beginners to get the job done. They are relying on the people that got the huge contracts and help make things happen. With Rob Van Dam as TNA World Heavyweight Champion, TNA has seen a severe rise in their fanbase. On a Thursday night, it sure beats the hell out of watching Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice reruns. However, I see another battle between the Young Guns and the Elders on the horizon considering that Kevin Nash doesn’t like playing second fiddle to anyone.

            The X-Division was the obvious highlight of TNA for many years. But with Doug Williams as a “win at all cost” champion, it might have the firepower to propel TNA to that next level. In all fairness, the reason that TNA’s X-Division is successful is because of the budding success of Jay Lethal, one of the Originals. Lethal has snagged victories over submission guru Desmond Wolfe and former TNA World Champion AJ Styles. But Lethal has found himself in unfamiliar territory as well: Ric Flair’s.

            Despite losing all of their matches at Slammiversary, Fourtune has made it their mission to show that they are not only the elite of TNA but they will own all the gold before the season is over. Sorry to tell you boys, but Beer Money will not win the TNA Tag Team Championships in a few weeks. In fact, no one from Fourtune will win a title let alone a match without a few tricks up Flair’s sleeves.

            In regards to the TNA WHC Rankings List, I feel that if I don’t talk about Kurt Angle’s bold predictions and relinquishing the #2 spot in the Rankings, then I would suck as a writer. A huge arsenal of contenders keeps the rankings idea alive. With Mr. Anderson (…ANDERSON!!),  and Jeff Hardy leading the charge, followed by The Pope and Samoa Joe, it is no question why TNA is the place to be on a Thursday night. Van Dam will not be World Heavyweight Champion by the end of 2010.

            The reason? It’s simple really. Kurt Angle. Angle has been on a tear since returning from his brief hiatus. And after forfeiting his ranking to take down all ten contenders for the TNA World Championship, Angle has been on a severe rampage. First came Kazarian at Slammiversary, and this past Thursday night, he took down Desmond Wolfe. Now he has The Pope in his crosshairs, which would catapult him to the #7 spot in the rankings. But I see Angle once again hoisting the TNA World Heavyweight Championship above his shoulders. In the end, TNA will continue to get better with time, but in order for them to get to the caliber of WWE RAW, they need to return to Monday nights and take the fight straight to Vince McMahon’s second love child.

WWE SmackDown

Once again, The Leader of the 619 Nation is on top of the world as after outlasting Big Show, CM Punk and Jack Swagger, Rey Mysterio once again became the World Heavyweight Champion. Taking the reigns of the SmackDown Kingdom for the first time since his epic WrestleMania encounter with Kurt Angle and Randy Orton, Mysterio now has his work cut out for him as he will defend the gold at the upcoming Money In The Bank…

 …The catch is that he will have to survive Jack Swagger...again!

            The Championship Picture is pretty stacked in all fairness, with Jack Swagger and Big Show battling back and forth for possession of the top spot in the Contender’s List. But CM Punk and Kane are quickly making their way atop that list as well. But there is another face that will be making an appearance on this list pretty soon if he gets the airtime. That man is Shad Gaspard.

            But on the subject of Gaspard’s former running mate, JTG should make some serious noise in the future as both men will be vying for their first “official” championships in WWE. Gaspard is most likely eyeing a World Championship, while JTG could go for either Tag Team Gold or the Intercontinental Championship currently held by Kofi Kingston.

            The not-so-pleasant orgy of Teddy Long, Drew McIntyre, Matt Hardy, Vickie Guerrero and Dolph Ziggler has had its fair share of wild moments. This past Friday on SmackDown, a reinstated Hardy returned to take down the Brash Scotsman, and Long entered to inform all of us that Mac’s Visa had expired, forcing him to vanish without a trace. As for Vickie and Dolph, well this weird arrangement has its own fair share of ups and downs. Vickie wants another superstar to be arm candy, which she feels she found with Ziggler. But Dolph is determined to pull an Edge by using Vickie’s power to catapult him to the top…and a potential title shot against Mysterio.

            And with the history of Mysterio and The Guerreros, it’s clear that Rey’s reign as champion could already be in jeopardy and could be short lived if Vickie has her way. But in order for SmackDown to continue being neck and neck with RAW, it’s clear that Rey has to continue his return to Ultimate Underdog status and face some heavy hitters. Maybe some matches with some old rivals will do the trick. And with several superstars, including Christian, MVP, Hardy, Swagger, Big Show, Ziggler and Gaspard all vying to become either the new #1 Contender or earn a spot in the upcoming Money in the Bank Ladder Match at the PPV of the same name next month, trouble is indeed around every corner for The Maestro of the 619.

            Which brings us to this current situation with The Brothers of Destruction. Kane has been on a mission to find out the culprit(s) behind the attack on The Undertaker that left him in a vegetative state earlier this month. Behind the scenes, this is clearly a sign that The Deadman could be enjoying his Last Ride with WWE as retirement has become a hot topic in regards to the Phenom. Now, I’m not saying that he will retire, but if he does, he has nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, his impressive undefeated streak at WrestleMania is enough to have everyone chanting Hall of Fame for next year.

            Undertaker has already done what the Patriots and Colts couldn’t do, which is go 18-0 in the epic showcase of the Immortals. After having his most recent championship reign dropped to Chris Jericho, the Deadman now takes time off for obvious reasons. However, if this is the end of the Undertaker’s storied career, we can be happy about one thing: He won’t pull a Hulk Hogan and keep coming back over and over after his time.

            The show itself is still at the top of its game, and if the rumors about The Great One making an appearance in the future, that should boost the ratings up a notch or ten. The show has been in the top spot mainly because most fans are getting turned off by John Cena as WWE Champion. They obviously would like to see a great heel (Edge or Jericho) or a great face/heel (Randy Orton) hoist the gold. Because of RAW’s current situation, it is SmackDown’s gain. Both brands have lost some powerhouse superstars (Batista and Undertaker), but SmackDown is continuing its own power trip with the pushing of its younger stars.

            While NXT is focusing on the stars of tomorrow, SD is focusing on the stars it already has. Teaming MVP and JTG together is almost criminal (no pun intended), but it can work. MVP is a former Tag Team Champion, and JTG has the credentials to one day become a champion in any division. Kofi as IC Champion is showing that the WWE is not holding its minorities back from holding gold. But with a slew of contenders on the horizon, it’s clear that now that Drew McIntyre is out of the picture (for now), someone else will be eyeing to face Kingston.

As for the Divas, it’s clear that having Layla as Women’s Champion is a great idea…on paper. But it would require them to kick Michelle McCool to the curb. Michelle doesn’t have the same charisma and sex appeal she once had (and no I’m not saying this because she’s a Seminole).

            If Layla can hold on to the Women’s Championship without the help of Michelle (who is hogging the spotlight anyway), then Layla can join the ranks of Eve Torres, Lita and Trish Stratus. But if all she will be is a sidekick to Michelle’s antics, then they might as well give the gold to Kelly Kelly. In fact, it’s clear that all this rides on the return of Beth Phoenix from injury. But until then, they should continue the war between LayCool and Kellifany. It is entertaining (although dumb at times), but when the main staple of your audience is preteens and teenagers, you go with what got you to the dance in the first place.

Grade: A+ (Continuing to build mediocre stories into phenomenal ones benefits greatly)

After a wild week capped with the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Lakers snagging their respective league championships, the week is finished off with one of wildest and biggest cards on LIVE TV! After a season that saw plenty of twists and turns, it all comes to an end tonight LIVE on Spike! This is the beginning of the end for this season's Ultimate Fighter!

Welcome to The Ultimate Finale!

Ten huge fights! Twenty fighters looking to move one step closer to achieving their dreams of contracts and championships. Does it get any better than this?

But there are several key fights on tonight's card that will leave the fans wanting more. And we have decided to check them out ourselves.

Spencer Fisher (24-5-0) vs. Dennis Siver (15-7-0)

When The King enters the octagon, you are always on the edge of your seats. After taking time off following his loss to Joe “Daddy” Stevenson at UFC 104, Fisher returns to the Octagon to face Dennis Siver who is coming off of a loss to Ross Pearson from UFC Fight Night back in March.

Now on paper, these two look evenly matched. Fisher’s standup game is evenly matched for the punching power of Siver. Siver’s biggest strength is his takedowns, something that Fisher can defend when necessary. The loss to Pearson was Siver’s first in four fights. But has Siver become better due in large part to his tendency to get overpowered and punched out quickly? And can Fisher exorcise his own demons after tapping out to Stevenson?

Chris Leben (19-6-0) vs. Aaron Simpson (7-0-0)

While many feel that wrestling is dead, there are those who honor the tradition. Like Josh Koscheck, Aaron Simpson takes much pride in taking guys down to the mat and making them work harder than they need to. And considering his opponent for tonight’s Finale, he will need to bring all the wrestling skills he’s got. After taking out four undercard fighters, three of them via knockout or TKO, Simpson now eyes the biggest fight of his career when he faces The Crippler.

Chris Leben is a member of the original TUF cast, and he also has a short fuse that is always on display in the octagon. Whether through victory or defeat, Leben knows how to turn heads and get the job done. After suffering a pair of losses, Leben bounced back with a unanimous decision over Jay Silva at UFC Fight Night back in January. Now The Crippler eyes to finally take down the one demon he has yet to exterminate in the form of a fighter who loves to wrestle.

Matt Hamill (9-2-0) vs. Keith Jardine (14-8-1)

Two fighters who are trying to get back on the right track and return to championship contention. For Matt Hamill, it’s all about getting back to what made him a dangerous threat. A fighter who loves to slug it out, but is able to keep his composure against bigger opponents, Hamill has truly earned his nickname as “The Hammer.” But now, he returns after a DQ victory over Jon “Bones” Jones to face his toughest adversary to date.

For Keith Jardine, it’s all about recovery. After three tough losses, including a UD loss to Rampage Jackson, Jardine looks to get back on the winning track when he faces The Hammer tonight at The Ultimate Finale. Jardine needs to get his chin back because he’s been knocked out in his last two fights, and considering that he battled Forrest Griffin (considered one of the toughest Ultimate Fighter participants and winners) and took him down, it’s fair to say that if Jardine loses this fight, he might have to take some time off of his own.

The Ultimate Finale

Court McGee (10-1-0) vs. Kris McCray (6-0-0)

He’s brash. He’s cocky. He’s bold. But he has good reason to be. One of the baddest individuals to step into the octagon, Court McGee has a strong chin and is well-rounded. But even he knows that tonight’s fight is about more than earning his six-figure contract…it’s about proving his doubters wrong. McGee has all the skills to win The Ultimate Finale, and he doesn’t need to open his mouth to get people’s attention.

For Kris McCray, this is the fight that he has been waiting for. He is the perfect fighter out of this finale…and it’s not just about his unblemished record. Great takedown ability, topped off with body slams and ground and pound, make McCray the complete package and the perfect pick for tonight’s Finale. But they said the same thing about another fighter who was the complete package heading into the finale: CB Dollaway. But with all that McCray has, there is no question as to if he will bring the pain…it’s more of a question as to when he will drop the hammer.

If you are looking for a night of great fights, then look no further. This is the night where we find out if any of the departed Tito Ortiz (whose temper got the best of him during the season) has rubbed off on Kris McCray. It's The Ultimate Finale! TONIGHT!! LIVE!!! AND ONLY ON SPIKE!!

We all saw this coming, and if you didn’t see this coming, you’re an idiot. The Big XII is slowly sinking into its own grave. On top of that, it’s all because of the two teams in the higher states: Nebraska and Colorado. And it is only getting started…

Because from coast to coast, this is shaking the foundation of the college football world.

As learned early this morning, the University of Colorado Buffaloes announced that they will be stampeding out of the Big XII Conference and into the Artists formerly known as The Pac-10 Conference. At this moment, no one knows how far this rabbit hole is going, but we do know that things are getting shook up all over the place.

As far as Nebraska, the rumor is that they are heading to the Artists Formerly known as The Big Ten Conference. Despite their attempts to remove the Independent label from Notre Dame, they are close to put The Sea of Red on a collision course with the Ocean of Buckeyes or Sea of Blue.

But the ultimate plot twist is that the rumor is no longer just that. It’s more than confirmed that these two teams have opened Pandora’s Box and unleashed a shockwave that has the Big XII being buried along with its predecessor, the Big Eight. And Texas A&M is rumored to be heading South to join the most dangerous conference in the country, The SEC.

So you have two conferences vying for the teams in the Big XII. Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and all the Texas teams are being eyed for relocation to the new Pac Conference. If indeed this happens, it’s most likely that the Big XII is done. And with the Mountain West passing on the opportunity to increase their revenue and ratings by including Boise State, it’s clear that the offseason moves will continue.

Now let’s get to the Pac Conference.

The workhorse of the Pac Conference, the Southern Cal Trojans suffered a severe setback, which possibly prompted the quick move to bring in Colorado. The Trojans can finish perfect all they want this season and next season, but they won’t get the chance to play for the National Championship. Thanks to Reggie Bush and O.J. Mayo’s antsy actions to look and feel like a pro, USC will now have to not only lose the right to play the postseason, but they also have to vacate a ton of wins…including their National Championship during the controversial season.

This leads to another question that was being asked by everyone: If USC has to forfeit those wins and that championship, does this mean that the Heisman Trophies will have to be relinquished as well? My answer: You bet your @$$ they should be. If they cheated their way to the top, they should lose it all. The trophies, championships and wins should all be vacated…end of story.

So the Pac Conference is now on its way to attempting to make things right by making the push for teams with the likes of the Sooners, Buffs, Aggies and Longhorns. All four teams have had successful campaigns, three of them have recently won the National Championship and two were the most recent teams in the National Championship Game. Add those factors in, plus the fact that 85% of the teams in the conference have dominating programs in sports other than football, and even in football, you increase the chances of having the Pac Conference playing for a National Championship.

But the downside of this is simple: The small market schools get swept further under the rug. The move is good for Colorado is good considering Arizona and Arizona State both are in the conference. However, the Pac Conference’s less than great programs will suffer.

Washington has a terrible football program, but they’re basketball and diamond teams have been in tournaments the last two years. Washington State also has a mediocre football program, but they flourish in other sports. Bringing in the likes of Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado, who all have split their programs in regards to wins, tournaments and championships, will definitely either light a spark for the rest of the conference or cause a bigger push for the playoff system.

We all enjoyed the great moments provided by the movie The Hangover. We were all excited at the announcement that there will be a second installment of the movie coming out later next year. But for now, there is only one question that can be asked heading into the final week of May:

Can you survive The Sports Hangover?

Five huge events that are guaranteed to rock you out of your penny loafers. Three games and two fight cards that are guaranteed to have you losing your Oxford and Brooks Brothers button ups. Either way you describe it, this weekend promises to leave you breathless, speechless and with the biggest headache you’ve ever received.

So here’s the rundown of the biggest kickoff to the summer!

Friday

NBA Eastern Conference Finals

Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics (Celtics lead 3-2)

A few nights ago, the Boston Celtics were poised to sweep the Magic right off of the playoffs. It was so bad that Paul Pierce even told the fans of Orlando that “we’ll see you next year” before giving a wink and walking off. A few nights later, the Orlando Magic and their fans had a message for Mr. Pierce:

In the words of the late Richard Pryor: “I ain’t dead yet…”

Now clawing back from elimination, the Magic can now tie this series and send it back to Orlando for a pivotal Game 7 on Sunday night. For the Bostonians, it’s déjà vu all over again as they have gone through this twice already. The sports world in Boston is dreading a repeat of the Flyers-Bruins series from oh…about a few weeks ago.

Is this the end of the Magical Run of Orlando? Or will Boston suffer the biggest collapse since…the 2004 New York Yankees and dare I say it? The 2010 Boston Bruins?

WWE Friday Night SmackDown

Just a few days removed from WWE Over The Limit, the WWE hits the airwaves once more with the aftermath of the pay per view continuing to send shockwaves through the industry.

Kofi Kingston got retribution from Drew McIntyre after McIntyre used his powerful connection (aka Vinnie Mac) to reacquire the Intercontinental Championship one week after being stripped of it and fired by GM Teddy Long. However, McIntyre has vowed to get even by any and all means. What does Drew have planned for Kingston and Long?

Big Show and CM Punk suffered severe setbacks when Show didn’t get the World Heavyweight Championship and Punk lost his hair. Since the pay per view, no one has seen Punk, and Show has vowed that he is not done with Jack Swagger? What is next for the World Heavyweight Champion and the former #1 Contender? And will the leader of the Straight Edge Society finally show his new look?

Oh, and did we mention that a certain Phenom is slated to return on SD as well?

Saturday

Stanley Cup Finals

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Chicago Blackhawks

After three mad rounds, it all comes down to this. The Stanley Cup Finals are set, and we have two of the hottest teams in the postseason battling for the early lead.

The Flyers were the team that barely got in, and they haven’t looked back ever since. They took down Jersey (Soprano style), made history against Boston (overcoming 3-0 deficit, both series and Game 7) and dispatched the other hottest team in the Eastern Conference, Montreal (topped off with three shutouts by Michael Leighton.

The Blackhawks were the team that was so injury riddled that they were slated to lose quickly in the playoffs. But they overcame two tough opponents in Nashville and Vancouver before delivering some Sweep Emotion to San Jose to clinch the Campbell Bowl. On top of that, Chicago is one win away from clinching the all-time record for most consecutive road wins.

Now the two Davids of a Goliath-style postseason will lock up with the chance and opportunity to hoist Lord Stanley’s most prized possession. Who will get the early lead when the punk drops tonight?

NBA Western Conference Finals Game Six

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns (Lakers lead 3-2)

Just when you thought it was safe to change the channel, the Lakers and Suns give you reason not to change it. Despite dominating the Suns in the first two games in LA, the Lakers needed a savior after Phoenix clawed back late in the second half. But their hero wasn’t wearing #24 or sporting a bald head.

Their savior came in the form of the most hated man in the NBA since…Rasheed Wallace.

Thanks to Ron Artest’s quick reaction, the Lakers survived the Suns to regain the series lead. But now that Phoenix knows what it will take to defeat the Lakers, they will have to take down LA in two straight games…which is funny, seeing as how that’s all the chances they got left.

With Game Six on the horizon, will the Suns rise to the occasion and keep the fight going? Or will the Lakers show all of us that as long as Phil and Kobe are active, they will continue giving all of us the worse hangover in sports history?

UFC 114: Jackson vs. Evans

Forget about everything you thought you knew about animosities and rivalries. Forget about the fact that we could be looking at one of the wildest and most vicious night in the history of MMA. What we have is a rivalry that has been in the making ever since a chance encounter inside the octagon following Rampage Jackson vs. Keith Jardine at UFC 96.

Like Kit Cope vs. Cameron Dollar back in December of last year, Rampage and “Suga” Rashad Evans have a rivalry that can only be solved with fists and blood. But unlike Cope and Dollar, Evans and Jackson have a hatred that has made the UFC the complete mainstream for complete sports entertainment.

But the thing is that if it wasn’t for people keeping them apart during their rounds on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs. Team Evans, this fight would have happened during the show.

Now being on TUF has proven beneficial for Evans as he fought his way through the cream of the crop to win the show and even become UFC Light Heavyweight Champion by defeating fellow TUF Winner Forrest Griffin. Rampage on the other hand is anything but lucky in regards to the show. After getting almost swept during the show, Rampage’s two appearances have not been kind to him.

He lost to Griffin when he was Light Heavyweight Champion, and due to his obligation with the production of “The A-Team,” this fight didn’t happen at the most recent UFC pay per view. So the question is, will this be the end of the war? Probably not. Will this be the fight of the year? Quite possibly.

But the big question is: Can you survive…The Sports Hangover?