The late Ryan Gracie always had a reputation for being a bit of a nutjob. But this time, it may have been too much.

In the summer of 2002, the never ending feud between the Japanese and the Brazilians in PRIDE escalated on August 28th, 2002 at K-1 and PRIDE’s joint mega event: Dynamite 2002. 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist Hidehiko Yoshida, a beloved Japanese athlete, made his MMA debut against MMA pioneer Royce Gracie in one of the feature bouts on the card. Yoshida won via submission, but Gracie protested claiming he never tapped out. The Gracie’s were known to never tap out. Ever. In fact, Royler and Renzo Gracie BOTH got their arms broken by Kazushi Sakuraba for not tapping out. Royce later alleged that there was a conspiracy, because the referee and the judges were Japanese, they screwed Royce and gave the win to Yoshida in front of 91,107 people at Tokyo National Stadium. Needless to say, the Gracie family was already not too happy.

As the fight between Ryan Gracie and Shungo Oyama drew closer, tensions began to build from both camps. Oyama was seen as a rebel and already had a win over Ryan’s brother Renzo. Word got out that Oyama challenged Ryan Gracie to a street fight before they stepped into the ring for their scheduled bout on September 29, 2002 at PRIDE.22. Ryan’s short fuse is legendary, as stories of him challenging people to bar fights on the streets of Brazil were commonplace in MMA circles. He was more than happy to grand Oyama his wishes, but fortunately for the integrity of the sport, that never manifested. Ryan Gracie, in an interview with Stephen Quadros, claimed that after the fight in the ring at PRIDE, he’d be more than happy to rematch him in the hotel room. He was dead serious when he said it.

Heat.

Before the fight began, you could see the rage in Gracie’s face. He blew Oyama a kiss during the staredown, basically proclaiming this would be easy. Once the bell rang, Gracie quickly shot in and took down the Judoka swiftly and with ease. He began to mount and search for an opening. Oyama, clearly lacking in the submission defense department, started to feed Gracie his arm. Big mistake. Gracie grabbed the arm and yanked back. Like the Gracie’s, Oyama was notorious for not tapping and he didn’t this time. Guess what happened? Yep. Snappy Snappy. Ryan made Oyama his bitch and took his arm with him. Humbled~!

Ouch.

So kids, today’s lesson: DON’T BE AN IDIOT: TAP OUT OR ELSE SOMETHING WILL BREAK!

It’s been 10 Years since Wrestlemania X-Seven, considered by nearly everybody to be the greatest Wrestlemania of all time, and the buzz around this one is centered around a man who main evented that particular show: The Rock. WWE’s failure to make a star on the level of the Rock can’t really be blamed solely on them: they come along once in a blue moon. Still, there have been even more stacked lineups to Manias in the past few years (last year is a great example) and even THEY have not been able to touch X-Seven.

Today we present the Ultimate Wrestlemania XXVII preview, featuring everything you need to know about Wrestlemania, detailing the big matches, predicting the winners and losers, and maybe speculating on what surprises may come.

This Year’s Panel Includes:

Emperor Big D – Future Fight Game Blog Hall Of Famer, Founder of SuperfriendsUniverse.com
GG - Fight Game Blog Creator and Reigning Dictator
Alan – Fight Game Blog International Heavyweight Champion (Yes, the same belt Sting and Rick Rude had)
Duan – Fight Game Blog Superhero from Across The Pond
Mr. Eddie – President of Edmerica, Co-Host of Pixels N Bits
Chessarmy – Co-Founder of SuperfriendsUniverse.com, Host of Wrestling Roundup Radio
JP Nichols – Host of Free Admission, Indy Legend.

The following match order is what I THINK will be presented, although likely won’t be quite like this:

Match #1: The Anti-Corre of Kane, The Big Show, Santino & Koslov vs. The Corre of WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett, Ezekiel Jackson, and WWE Tag Team Champions Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater.

Since Money in the Bank is officially no longer a Wrestlemania match, why not scrunch midcarders together into a wacky 8-man? The one consistent thing here is that there actually is… um.. somewhat of a story… I guess between The Corre and the babyfaces. Big Show has been feuding with them for a long time, so that makes sense, as well as Santino and Kos losing the belts to them (and seriously Kofi loses his Mania spot to these jabronis). Kane ONCE AGAIN retreads into his yearly “we don’t know what we’re going to do with Kane” role that he always has. Seriously, the last time Kane was in a match you could remotely consider major was against the Undertaker. Every other time its a wacky multi-man or the GREAT KHALI FEUD with the GRAPPLING HOOK! REMEMBER THAT? Anyways, in my opinion, if this opens, the babyfaces go over. If they put it later on the card, Corre goes over. Let’s see what everybody thinks:

Emperor Big D – Corre
Mr. Eddie – Anti-Corre
Chessarmy – Anti-Corre
GG – Anti-Corre
Duan – The Corre
Alan – Anti-Corre
JP Nichols – The Corre

It’s not a match people care about, but its split down the middle. I can totally see this as a buffer for something else.

Match #2: Rey Mysterio vs. “Not Dashing Anymore” Cody Rhodes

Other than Cole/Lawler, this has truthfully been my absolute favorite feud in WWE right now. It’s funny because while I consider Rey Mysterio one of the stalest characters in the business, nearly every year he is put with these awesome heels in fun programs. This year, the program is as old school as it gets, including borrowing a bit from the 1992 Marty Janetty vs. Shawn Michaels feud. Rey fucked up Cody Rhodes “Dashing” face and now he’s become this pseudo-Phantom of the Opera-type ghoul character, who wears this rag over his head because he’s ashamed of his look, decimates his enemies with his face protector, and wants revenge. I LOVE it. I don’t know who’s idea it was, but this is the kind of wacky coolness that drew me into pro graps as a kid. Throw in his father Dusty Rhodes, one of the best promo guys in the history of the sport, to do promos for him and this is a winner. Cody needs this win, but it ain’t happening. We can always hope for a rematch at Extreme Rules where he gets a win. At least I think it’ll be a fun match and I look forward to ANY interaction between Rey and Dusty.

Emperor Big D – Rey Mysterio
Mr. Eddie – Rey Mysterio
Chessarmy – Cody Rhodes
GG – Cody Rhodes
Duan – Rey Mysterio
Alan – Cody Rhodes
JP Nichols – Rey Mysterio

This one’s pretty evenly split. If this opens the show, no doubt Rey wins. He brings the perfect crowd fire. If it doesn’t, I could see Cody advancing to continue the feud for the next 2-3 months.

Match #3: Randy Orton vs. CM Punk (w/ Nobody)

I love CM Punk as much as I hate Randy Orton. It’s not like I despise the guy personally, but he’s basically mini-Triple H, burying everybody and never losing clean to anybody. In the past 3 months, Orton has single handedly wiped out the entire Nexus faction, which in 2010 was named as the most dangerous in history. Punk took over the group and used them to get at Randall because Punk is still pissed over being punted September of 2008 at Unforgiven and having to forfeit the World Title during his first reign; which is a plot twist that I actually LIKE because I can’t recall Punk EVER getting revenge. CM Punk is the only reason I want to watch this match and he will make it work.

Emperor Big D – Randy Orton
Mr. Eddie – Randy Orton
Chessarmy – Randy Orton
GG – Randy Orton
Duan – Randy Orton
Alan – Randy Orton
JP Nichols – Randy Orton

Nobody thinks Punk has a chance, but WHY WOULD YOU!? ORTON IS FREAKING INVINCIBLE!!!!! GG believes Orton gets laid out after, but I don’t think we’ll be that lucky.

Match #4: United States Championship: Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan

Even though the match has been in the books for quite some time, it was thrown together on TV at the last minute. Daniel Bryan won the United States Championship from Miz way back in September and had been the longest reigning champ in WWE for years. Sheamus won the King of the Ring in December and went on a losing streak unlike no other, which was bad for him being a former 2 time WWE champ. On the March 7th Raw, Bryan defeated Sheamus via count out (how a loser gets a title shot, I’ll never know). Sheamus challenged Bryan for a rematch and claimed if he did not win the title, he would retire (yes, again). On the March 14th episode of Raw, they had an outstanding match where Sheamus won the US title and broke his losing stream. Old school booking where they trade wins to build to a rubber match. No question that this will be a great in ring match and while it WILL be remembered by many hardcores as the Wrestlemania debut of “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson, there’s little doubt in MY MIND that he’s looking at the lights.

Emperor Big D – Sheamus
Mr. Eddie – Sheamus
Chessarmy – Sheamus
GG – Sheamus
Duan – Sheamus
Alan – Sheamus
JP Nichols – Daniel Bryan

It looks like Daniel Bryan’s future is to be the next Jamie Noble/Val Venis type to put over the up and coming guys. I just can’t picture him having much else to do in this WWE climate. However, since Sheamus went over on the go home Raw, maybe they will give Danielson the belt back. Definitely a dark horse.

Match #5: John Morrison, Trish Stratus, and Nicole “Snooki” Pollizi vs. Dolph Ziggler, Michelle McCool and Layla

This is your traditional “let’s put a popular celebrity at Wrestlemania” segment. I laugh at a lot of these loser wrestling nerds who wonder why WWE would put Snooki into a match, obviously not paying attention to the past oh… TWENTY SEVEN YEARS or so of the business when hundreds of celebs have been involved on the “Grandest Stage of Them All”. The build up to this match is simple: Vickie Guerrero and Laycool weren’t happy with Snooki guest hosting Raw, so they got into a big brawl and challenged Snooki, who accepted (swiftly taking Kelly Kelly’s spot in this match) As a fan of both pro wrestling AND Shore and as a person who understands the value of trainwreck television, I’m looking forward to the trainwreck that this will provide. Naturally, Morrison and Ziggler will carry the in-ring stuff. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If you watch professional wrestling, where grown, oiled up men in their underwear fake fight, and have the audacity to wonder why Jersey Shore is popular or to insult its viewers or cast: hang yourself immediately.

Emperor Big D – Morrison, Trish, and Snooki
Mr. Eddie – Morrison, Trish, and Snooki
Chessarmy – Morrison, Trish, and Snooki
GG – Morrison, Trish, and Snooki
Duan – Morrison, Trish, and Snooki
Alan – Morrison, Trish, and Snooki
JP Nichols – Morrison, Trish, and Snooki

Snooki ain’t comin’ in to job.

Match #6: John Cena vs. The Miz (w/ Alex Riley)

This is one of the most underwhelming main events in Wrestlemania history. I watched The Miz ten years ago on the Real World, and like most who did, were very happy when he actually won the WWE Championship. The issue is like with most heel champions of the PG era, Miz has been booked like a complete joke before AND even after he won the title. Since 2006, WWE has built up The Miz as a complete laughing stock, from his goofy “Host of Smackdown” gig, to his tag team with Morrison, he’s been all about the fun and games and never as a credible contender or a tough guy. In the past months, WWE has apparently realized this and has been putting a lot of work into making Miz credible… and yet he can’t get a CLEAN PIN over the Great Khali. They just don’t get it and probably never will. The general consensus among fans is that he does not stand a chance against the monster Cena, who is YET AGAIN walking out with the title at Wrestlemania. Stale doesn’t begin to describe this. The big story though is between Cena and Rock. Lots of different possiblities here. Will Rock help Cena win ala Mike Tyson at Mania 14? Will Cena win and then Rock lay him out? Or will Cena win and then lay Rock out? Will they set up a match for Summerslam in Los Angeles or perhaps even Wrestlemania 28 next year? Regardless, SOMETHING will happen with the Rock, which I feel will HURT the match because the near falls won’t mean a damn thing because everybody will be waiting for Rock. However, who gives a damn if the near falls don’t count because this is again – meaningless. The only way that I could possibly care about this is if Miz wins clean (or by Rock attack), and there’s a better chance of me becoming the President of Chile than that happening.

Emperor Big D – John Cena
Mr. Eddie – John Cena
Chessarmy – John Cena
GG – John Cena
Duan – John Cena
Alan – John Cena
JP Nichols – The Miz

(See Orton vs. Punk)

Match #7: Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole (w/ Jack Swagger) w/ Stone Cold Steve Austin as Guest Referee

WWE has put a lot of work into making Michael Cole the most hated character on television. I could sit here and argue logistics about why having your lead play by play guy as a top heel is a bad idea (even though Cole is VERY VERY VERY good at it), but that really has nothing to do with the match itself. For weeks, Cole has been insulting Jerry’s family, bringing his own son up to bury him, mocking him, and getting him beat up by Jack Swagger. Not just that, but Cole has also beat up Jim Ross. This is Jerry’s long awaited Wrestlemania match. Expect TONS shenanigans here, specially since Cole is anything but a trained wrestler. I expect Swagger to take a stunner, as well as Cole, Jim Ross to appear and maybe slap that “Yankee Bastard”, and HOPEFULLY reclaim his chair as THE VOICE of World Wrestling Entertainment. If he doesn’t, then this is kind of a waste of time.

Emperor Big D – Jerry Lawler
Mr. Eddie – Jerry Lawler
Chessarmy – Jerry Lawler
GG – Jerry Lawler
Duan – Jerry Lawler
Alan – Jerry Lawler
JP Nichols – Jerry Lawler

Unanimous.

Match #8: World Heavyweight Championship: Edge vs. Alberto Del Rio (w/ Ricardo Rodriguez and Brodus Clay)

Unlike Miz, Alberto Del Rio is proof of the right way to book a heel. Despite having a creative, less obnoxious, gimmick, the guy has credible wins over main eventers and upper mid carders like Rey Mysterio, John Morrison, Edge, Big Show, Kofi Kingston and really very few losses, most of them not memorable. He’s gotten one of the fastest pushes in WWE history, something the company has veered away from since Brock Lesnar. Point is, Del Rio has been booked like a champion and has a very interesting gimmick where he takes the best parts of JBL, Nick Bockwinkle, and heel Eddie Guerrero, mixed with some MMA moves and good looks, and has become a bonafied superstar. This is the match that will make ADR. If he loses though, then it’ll be just like Swagger, Sheamus, Barrett, and every other guy who they’ve stop/started and he’ll fade away. It’s do or die for Dos Caras.

Emperor Big D – Alberto Del Rio
Mr. Eddie – Alberto Del Rio
Chessarmy – Alberto Del Rio
GG – Alberto Del Rio
Duan – Alberto Del Rio
Alan – Alberto Del Rio
JP Nichols – Alberto Del Rio

I expect a finish filled with fun shenanigans, but I really doubt Del Rio isn’t winning here. I mean, for the past FOUR years, the Rumble winner has failed at getting the title. I think its time.

Match #9: No Holds Barred Icon vs. Icon: The Undertaker vs. Triple H

As of right now, this match is scheduled to go on last. It’s pretty much become solidified by most that Undertaker’s Wrestlemania streak is more important now than any championship. It’s no secret that I absolutely despise Triple H and think he’s probably a bigger mark than any of the fans who watch this. I’m sure the reason this is going on last is because both of these guys are certified top guys and legends and icons and all of that, but will they REALLY be able to top the Wrestlemania 17 match? I think not. While I AM looking forward to this because I know it won’t be boring, I’m predicting it won’t hold a candle to either of the HBK matches from the past 2 years either. I DO love the simple build-up and think that WWE needs to do this more often than not. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If Triple H takes the streak, I will be so infuriated that I will cease watching WWE ever again other than Wrestlemania. Not kidding. So what’s more important? The Streak, or keeping the Emperor Big D as a fan??

Emperor Big D – The Undertaker
Mr. Eddie – The Undertaker
Chessarmy – The Undertaker
GG – The Undertaker
Duan – The Undertaker
Alan – The Undertaker
JP Nichols – The Undertaker

Again, Triple H can’t win this, and if he does… well you know.

Other notes:

- Will Shawn Michaels interfere or appear for the Taker/HHH match?

- Keri Hilson will be singing America The Beautiful. NO JUSTIN BIEBER!

- Kevin Nash may be involved in something.

- There is a Bob Barker and Drew Carey segment rumored.

- There will likely be a 27 Man Battle Royal before the show stars.

- Jim Ross is scheduled to call 3 matches (YAY!)

- As of this writing, Undertaker vs. Triple H is scheduled to close the show, but Miz/Cena could also close according to Dave Meltzer.

Well thats it. Definitely not as appealing as the last few years, but heres hoping Wrestlemania will entertain. Whether you are in Atlanta at the Georgia Dome or at home on HD PPV, have a good time!

Shelton Benjamin: Sad man. Shelton started pro wrestling in 2000 and joined up with OVW at the time and teamed with current UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar there as the Minnesota Wrecking Crew, a gimmick thought up by Jim Ross since he discovered both Shelton and Lesnar at the University of Minnesota. Shelton was considered the best pure athelete in the WWE and alongside Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar, one of the few truly scary shooters in the business. Shelton debuted with Charlie Haas (who was released a few months ago) as Team Angle and later the World’s Greatest Tag Team on Smackdown. In 2004, Shelton would be drafted to Raw and in his first match, score a huge upset over Triple H, which to this day may be his biggest win ever. Shelton would compete in all but one Money in the Bank Match and for the first few, would easily steal the show. Shelton is an incredible worker, but many felt his charisma is what held him down. From just being a good wrestler, to bringing in his ‘mama’, to being the Gold Standard, he never really broke out.

Sho Funaki: Yes, Kung Fu Naki is gone. After TWELVE YEARS of being a signed talent in WWE, he was let go. He began his career as a member of the Japanese stable Kaientai alongside Dick Togo, Mens Teioh, and TAKA Michinoku. Afterward, he formed the infamous INDEEEEED version of Kaientai with Taka. Once Taka left, Funaki was used as a comedy figure and enhancement talent sparingly on WWE TV.

Jimmy Wang Yang: I guess with Yoshi Tatsu being there, they didnt need Wang or Funaki. Hell of a worker – works hard everywhere he goes. He used to be in a stable with Tajiri ages ago and came back as the redneck countryboy Jimmy Wang Yang. Basically an enhancement talent for most of his career, he had notable great undercard matches with Hurricane Helms, Billy Kidman, Chavo Guerrero, and Paul London.

Slam Master J: He used to be Jesse from Jesse and Festus but is known to most insider fans as Ray, the son of the legendary Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy. After Festus split off from Jesse to go to Raw for a brief time (now he’s CM Punk’s lackey Luke Gallows), Jesse formed a team with Cryme Tyme and called himself Slam Master J – essentially another white rapper (since Cena hung up his chain and is a Marine now). He hadn’t been on TV in quite some time and with the split of Cryme Tyme, naturally creative had nothing for him.

Katie Lea Burchill: Katie Lea Burchill started with WWE in 2006 and was sent to OVW to feud with Beth Phoenix – but that never really materialized. Katie Lea was brought up to the main roster in 2008 alongside her kayfabe brother Paul Burchill, which was originally set to be an incestual angle, but that was dropped soon after. She later was moved to ECW and did absolutely nothing. In fact, he hasn’t done anything for a long time, which is sad because she’s a much better worker than a lot of the divas who get pushes. She was seen as a good girl who didn’t look for trouble.

Mickie James: This comes as both a surprise, and no surprise. Mickie started in the WWE at the top of the women’s division, in a program with Trish Stratus as the lesbian stalker. She soon turned babyface and became a pretty popular figure near the end of Trish’ active career. Mickie is a multi-time women’s champion and has had notable feuds with Beth Phoenix, Candice Michelle, Melina, and most recently was involved in a somewhat offensive feud with Michelle McCool where she was essentially made fun of for being fat. Mickie James is not fat, she just has a big fat ass, which is a thumbs up in my book. Mickie was recording a country music record AND going to college – taking online courses – during his time as a full-time WWE star. WWE most likely felt that with her pursuing other ventures (see Stacy Keibler or Maria) she would most likely leave anyways.

Update 11:01 PM Eastern: Mike Knox becomes the seventh man released by WWE today.

He was born right outside of Edmonton, Alberta Canada and played college football and wrestled. Kininski portrayed a villainous heel for most of his career and had a legendary feud with “Whipper” Billy Watson early in his career. Kininski will most be remembered by wrestling fans as the first Canadian man to hold the recognized NWA World Heavyweight Championship and a favorite amongst Canadian sportswriters of the era. He defeated Lou Thesz in 1966 in St. Louis to become the Champion and held the title for three years non-stop until he would lose to Dory Funk Jr in Tampa, Florida at the legendary Armory. He was honored in the 1992 Cauliflower Alley Club festival.

We wish his family the best.

Syfy will be paying 30 million dollars for Smackdown. We expect an official announcement made by WWE and Syfy later this week. Syfy already airs Tuesday Night’s WWE NXT program. Smackdown has never been on a cable network, so this is a first. As it stands, Smackdown is the final “original” program on MyNetwork TV and the first episode, back on October 3rd, 2008, scored a 3.2 rating – the highest in network history.

Update April 13th, 2010: According to F4WOnline.com, NXT will be cancelled in the fall and Smackdown wi ll remain the network’s only wrestling programming.

Cactus Jim
Thumbs in the middle.
Best – Grove versus Munoz
Worst – Gracie versus Hughes

The show started off great with the first 3 fights delivering quality entertainment. The Hughes versus Gracie fight stunk things up and stalled any momentum the card had gained. Penn versus Edgar was fun to watch, although I didn’t agree with the judges scores. The first few rounds of the main event were entertaining, although not at all competitive. The last 3 rounds were just terrible. The fights I was looking forward to failed to deliver, but the earlier fights saved the card from being a complete debacle. So next fight we’ll see Silva cut to 170 rather than see Georges come up. It’ll be interesting, but not as interesting as Georges at 185 or a catch weight somewhere in between. Penn should get a rematch in his next fight. I have a feeling that he and Edgar will each fight someone else before they meet again. Bring on Strikeforce on April 17!

GG

Thumbs down
Best fight: Kendall Grove vs. Mark Munoz
Worst fight: Anderson Silva vs. Demian Maia

If we could’ve ended the show after Phil Davis sunk an arm bar onto a pasty foe, I would’ve been happy. Would it have been $45 worth? No. But the last three fights were worth less than the first three. I don’t have any reason to dislike Frankie Edgar. He and his team had a brilliant plan. But now, I can see other contenders deciding to play patty cake with champs and hoping to fool the judges like he fooled the judges. I really wonder what the deal with BJ was though. He decided to play counter puncher all night long with no impulse to even try to finish the fight.

It’s Matt Hughes, wrestler extraordinaire. It’s Renzo Gracie, jiu-jitsu specialist. And they’re going to box like 4th street bums. Live on Pay-Per-View! And the less I say about Anderson Silva, the better. My 9-year old thought he was hilarious in the first and second round. And by the fourth he said, “This is the worst fight I’ve ever seen.” Anderson Silva can’t even entertain 9-year olds.

Duan
4 Thumbs Down
Best fight: Grove versus Munoz
Worst fight: Anderson Silva vs. Demian Maia

The last few UFC cards that I was critical of had nothing on this one. None of the major fights delivered at all. I will give Penn/Edgar a pass just because it was so close and there was an element of tension throughout, but it was a pretty mundane five rounder. Hughes/Gracie only showed us that both these guys need to retire immediately, and the Silva fight was a complete fiasco. An awful show. AVOID

Alan4L

Thumbs in the middle
Best Fight: Edgar vs. Penn
Worst Fight: Silva vs. Maia

I was more than fine with everything leading up to the main event, and I REALLY liked the LW title fight (thought it was a classic game of chess). So even the shitefest that was Silva’s fight couldn’t force my thumb down.

Big D
Thumbs Down
Best Fight: Kendall Grove vs. Mark Munoz
Worst Fight: Silva vs. Maia

Okay so, Hughes and Gracie are both old and I predicted this fight being boring numerous times. Renzo Gracie hasn’t been anywhere near his peak since 2004 and Hughes is on the decline, but at least they had an excuse. Words cannot describe my anger with Anderson Silva tonight and quite frankly it seems like the MMA world is echoing my thoughts. Dana White, for the first time ever, threw down the UFC Middleweight Title and walked out in the fourth round watching Silva dance around like an idiot. Dana White said it best about Edgar/Penn “BJ fought Frankie’s fight” and that was certainly true. Frankie was the MAN standing and scored 2 very awesome takedowns. BJ is definitely worthy of a rematch. Grove and Munoz entertained as did Don Anjos. Regardless, the main event left a sour taste in my mouth. UFC has only had one good show this year thusfar: not good.

Let’s hope UFC 113 is better.

There is also no word as to whether or not he will be the final special guest host, but I suppose it would make sense considering the fact that he’s the last super huge star to not be on live TV in 6 years, including the Anniversary/Homecoming special shows and because it would be almost one full year since Trump purchased Raw and started the guest host thing.

I can sadly tell you that it is true. Chris Kanyon (real name Chris Klucsaritis), known as Kanyon, Mortis, and a few other alter egos, passed away due to what is believed to be a suicide late last evening in his New York apartment. It appears to be a suicide due to an overdose. He just turned 40 two months ago.

Kanyon worked in both the WWF and WCW. His biggest moments in the business were when he came out as the character Mortis, managed by Jim Mitchell in WCW in the late 90s when WCW tried to capitalize on the Mortal Kombat craze. Mortis was supposed to be a copy of Reptile from the video game; a reptilian ninja. Later on, Kanyon became a member of Raven’s Flock and the Jersey Triad stable with DDP and the late Bam Bam Bigelow. He created the infamous “Who better than Kanyon” catchphrase that would follow him his entire career. When WWF bought WCW in 2001, Kanyon had a brief stint there as US Champion and partner to DDP during the “stalker” angle. Kanyon was sent to OVW along with a number of WCW stars and was eventually brought back in 2003 for one or two TV appearances before being released.

We wish the best for the family of Chris Kanyon in this difficult time.

This is the biggest all-star cast of Godlike action heroes in the history of cinema, including heroes from Combat Sports:

- Sylvester Stallone
- Jet Li
- Jason Statham
- Mickey Rourke (Star of The Wrestler)
- Danny Trejo
- Stone Cold Steve Austin (WWE Legend)
- Dolph Lundgren
- Eric Roberts
- Arnold Shwatzenegger
- Randy Couture (UFC Legend)
- Bruce Willis
- Aaron Aguilera (Jesus from WWE)

All they need is Chuck Norris and Jonny Bones Jones!