My Wrestlemania 30 prediction - CM Punk returns

Daniel Bryan wins the WWE World Heavyweight championship, after defeating Triple H via interference from..... CM Punk!

Yes, I'm predicting that CM Punk returns at Wrestlemania 30. 

In fact, I think the entire CM Punk situation has been a work. Think about it. 

Bryan doesn't get into the Rumble and the fans crap all over the match. 

Bryan takes to Twitter to start the "Yes" movement. 

Punk suddenly vanishes after the Royal Rumble, apparently due to Bryan not being in the Rumble and winning it. 

Orton and Batista is booked as the main event, and everyone hates it. Batista isn't over. Orton isn't over. It seems like the dumbest main event in the history of Wrestlemania. It is. 

Finally, Bryan gets the opportunity to get in the main event by beating Triple H. 

This all seems like a last minute fix for terrible booking, but what if it was all a carefully planned to spawn hate, knowing that the eventual righting of the ship would draw tremendous interest. That's what's happening now. People,are interest to see how this mess is fixed. 

If Punk shows up on Sunday, then you can bet that all of this terrible booking was on purpose. To create genuine surprise at the biggest show of them all. 

WWE Network - Finally, someone gets it!

It's about damn time!

The WWE just announced their network, and it's about time that someone FINALLY understands what customers want!

The WWE network will be a live 24/7 streaming channel, distributed through the WWE website as well as apps for iOS, Android, PS3/4, XBox 360/One, Roku and various smart TV's.

WWE is going straight to the customer with this, charging only $9.99 a month. Why is $9.99 a month such a big deal? Because it includes all 12 of the monthly WWE pay-per-views, which if ordered with your traditional cable or satellite provider would cost over $600 per year. That's a pretty huge savings.

In addition to the live content, the network will also feature on demand programming from the extensive WWE video library. To start, fans will have access to every single WWE, WCW and ECW pay-per-view event. Again, HUGE!

They said multiple times that the content from the video library would be uncut and uncensored. Let's hope so, especially with the more extreme ECW pay-per-views. WWE has really toned it down in the past few years, which left me with the fear that they would censor quite a bit of the late 90's content, but this statement from their FAQ has given me hope:
"26. Will all content on WWE Network be PG?WWE Network will contain a range of programming suitable for various audiences.  Content rated TV-14 or TV-MA will be preceded by appropriate advisory messages recommending viewer discretion.  Parental controls will be available for on-demand content." FAQ

Even though the network isn't launching in Canada right away (we have to wait until the end of the year / early next year) I'm pretty excited about this announcement.

WWE Network - Announcement Tonight!

The WWE is FINALLY going to announce their plans for the WWE network tonight, live from CES in Las Vegas. With any luck, we won't get a cheesy RAW Roulette wheel to determine the networks stipulations.
My hope for the network is a Netflix style online network. It makes the most sense for the WWE for the following reasons.

1. They have complete control. No cable or satellite providers getting in the way trying to take a cut of the revenue. No negotiating a long term deal. Whatever they want to show, and whenever they want to show it, is on the network.
2. They have a massive library of content. WWE didn't buy the WCW, ECW, Stamped Wrestling and other wrestling libraries for nothing. They have over 100,000 hours of content, which is more than enough to fill up a Netflix style service.
3. They have experience with online content. Have you downloaded the WWE app yet? If not, Michael Cole is sure to give you a walk through on how to download at least twice a week. Thanks Cole! Seriously though, online makes sense for WWE. They've been getting better and better at it over the years, so let's hope they've perfected it enough for an online network.

My only hope is that they have a wide and varied enough distribution platform. In order to be successful, they will need to have this on AppleTV, Roku, XBox, Playstation, and downloadable for various smart TV's.

Let the countdown begin!

Playstation Vita fire sale!

If you've been on Kijiji lately, you may have noticed a sudden increase in Playstation Vita's for sale. You can thank TD Banks red hot deal of the day for this one.

Yep, the TD Rewards deal of the day recently was a Playstation Vita bundle including the system, the new Resistance game, and a starter bundle for $165 + tax ($186 total). That's half price.

The catch of the deal of the day is that they only have limited quantities (75 in this instance), so you have to enter into a draw to win the opportunity to buy it. I entered the draw thinking I could buy it and flip it on Kijiji. As luck would have it, I won!

I placed my order and received my Vita. I debated on whether I should keep it or put it up for sale. Finally, I decided to put it up on Kijiji.

I thought I was being reasonable putting it online for $240. I was set to make $50 profit, which isn't too bad, and people were getting a good deal at half price. Turns out, I wasn't the only one with this idea.

This guy was selling his for $298. That's way more profit than I was looking for.

This guy only wanted $290. What a deal!

$260. That's a bit more reasonable.

The bottom line is, I'm starting to wonder if anyone decided to actually keep their deal of the day Playstation Vita.

I found a lot more Vita bundles for sale, ranging from $200 to $300.

In the end, the Vita market seems saturated. Because of this, I've decided to keep my Vita. It's a pretty awesome piece of technology, it just needs some decent games.

If anyone's looking to pick up a Vita, check out Kijiji. They're every where.

The Undertaker Returns - BALD!

So the Undertaker is back, and he's definitley hiding something.... his bald head!
You see, the Undertaker shaved his head during his time off in the last year. Mist people thought he'd start to grow his hair back by this time, and maybe return with extensions. But he didn't.
Instead, he returned the night after the Royal Rumble wearing a pretty horrible wig to challenge Triple H to a match at Wrestlemania. Then he dissapeared for another two weeks, just showing vignettes of him reminiscing about last years match with Triple H. The final vignette had Undertaker so obsessed with revenge that he pulled out a switchblade and began chopping at his hair.
Which brings us to this week. Undertaker came out wearing a hood which was strategically placed to not show the sides of his head. It's pretty obvious that he's bald under there, but it looks like they are waiting for a big reveal moment.
Let's hope they do it sometime soon, because I think it will take people a bit if time to get use to a bald Undertaker.

WWE stole my camera!

Ok, so they did give it back, but I still wasn't happy about it. I had seats practically on the floor for the Tuesday Smackdown tapings (spoilers provided by yours truly can be found on http://www.prowrestling.net/). I pulled out my Canon Rebel xti with my zoom lens to see how close to the action I could get, and sure enough, I could zoom right into the turnbuckle. These were going to be some of my best wrestling pics yet.
Until the security came up to me and told me I had to take my "professional" camera to the check area.
I said, "what?" Again, he told me I had to check my camera. He said it's because it has a detachable lens and is considered "professional."
Grudgingly, I did as I was told as he escorted me to the service desk to check my camera.
I was pissed. I pulled the camera out right after the WWE announcement that photography was ok for personal use, just no video or audio recording.
Thanks to the WWE and their no "professional" camera policy, this was the best picture I could get.
Hey, don't get mr wrong, I love my iPhone, but the camera sucks compared to my Rebel. I just wanted to take some great pictures as I find they make the best souvenirs. I've sat front row at WWE house shows and TNA TV tapings with the exact same camera and never had a problem.
I was happy with the show overall, but very disappointed in this policy.
Fair warning to everyone, if you're going to a WWE show, don't bother bringing a good camera.

Smackdown

Smackdown will be coming to the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on Tuesday, September 13 and I'm going to be there!
It's Edge appreciation night, so we'll see if he makes it onto the show or not.
With any luck, I'll be giving live updates from the show.
Check back soon!