Match of the Day - Zayn/Cesaro's 2-outta-3 falls NXT match

Sami Zayn vs. Antonio Cesaro - 2 out of 3 falls match - NXT TV (2013)

One of if not the best kept WWE secrets is NXT. Not to be confused with that Tough Enough-type game show, NXT is WWE's replacement for FCW, their old developmental territory. Currently it serves as the place to be for wrestlers looking to hone his or her skills, shed the indie skin, and create a good gimmick.

One of the best new talents in NXT has to be Sami Zayn, a former masked generic luchadore in the indies, who is now trying to make a new name for himself as a Canadian wrestler of Syrian descent. Regardless of his simple gimmick, he already has the ability to put on tremendous matches. Exhibit A: his series of matches with WWE "Superstar" and no stranger to Zayn in the past, Antonio Cesaro. 

The match that stands out the most in the series has to be the 2-out-of-3 falls match the two had with each other earlier this year. It's a entertaining bout that sees two former big time indie wrestlers put on a wrestling masterpiece without needed excessive flips or big spots. That's right, I said it; a masterpiece. Check it out!

Song of the Day - Murmurer

Why? - Murmurer from Golden Ticket (2013)

Indie hoppers, Why? have a new EP out that they made exclusively for their biggest fans. Everyone can listen to it, of course, but if you are really their biggest fan then you just might have a song written about you! Yep, this EP is about their biggest fans. Literally.

Why? did some creeping around on the interwebs and found this one fan in particular who happens to call himself "Murmurer" on OKCupid.

I guess it's okay I didn't make the cut.

Last.fm

Song of the Day - Swa Cwæð Eardstapa

Men As Trees - Swa Cwæð Eardstapa from Weltschmerz (2008)

 

Here's a perfect epic opener for a supah blizzard. The English translation for this song means "So Spoke a Wanderer" and features the voice of Bob Swerer Jr., who narrated Dick Proenneke and his amazing feats as he hunts and builds a log cabin all by himself to survive the cold winters of Alaska. This particular narration comes from the first documentary of Dick Proenneke's first voyage into the Alaskan woods, entitled, Alone in the Wilderness; one of the best documentaries out there in my opinion.

I meant to feature this song a little earlier (maybe on January 2nd - the date read in the opening minute of the song) but I figured I would wait until there was a really cold day leading into a severe snow storm like today.

Last.fm (song's free!)

Match of the Day - First ever match at Royal Rumble

In honor of Royal Rumble weekend, the next couple of days will be Royal Rumble related:

Ricky Steamboat vs Rick Rude - WWF Royal Rumble (1988)

Part 1

Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat and "Ravishing" Rick Rude and their epic battle here has the distinctive honor of being the first match at the first Royal Rumble in 1988.

And by epic battle, I mean long of course...

Part 2

This match is probably remembered most as that match where Ricky Steamboat forgets to keep his arm up after the two previous arm drops to check if he had passed out from Rude's Camel Clutch-type submission hold or not. Some say it was the ref, Dave Hebner's fault for this seemingly botched count as well, but as it is clear that Steamboat was not unconscious and quickly raises his arm on the fourth try it sure looks as if Steamboat may have just forgotten which arm drop he was on.

Part 3

The match ends with Rick Rude shoving Dave Hebner in the way causing Hebner to receive Steamboat's flying crossbody which led to Rude's disqualification.

Directly after this match was the Dino Bravo segment where he "breaks" a world record by bench pressing 715 pounds thanks to Jesse Ventura. Yes, Jesse "The Body" Ventura.