Chris and Jon ramble about The Human Centipede: Final Sequence, critic reviews for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Marvel’s Jessica Jones and more in this Thanksgiving Eve podcast. Trailers discussed are Captain America: Civil War and Legends of Tomorrow.
By Frank Lucci
Survivor Series was once one of only four Pay-Per-View events the WWE (then WWF) put on per year. With the unique elimination tag team setup, Survivor Series became a must-see Thanksgiving event.
However, with Money in the Bank supplanting Survivor Series in importance the event has struggled to live up to it’s own reputation.
With last year’s Team Cena vs Team Authority main event (and the debut of Sting) helping breathe life into the PPV, this year’s edition of Survivor Series seeks to up the ante with a celebration of The Undertaker’s 25 year career and the crowning of a WWE World Heavyweight Champion after Seth Rollins’ knee had enough of wrestling Kane and promptly self-destructed.
But with WWE’s uneven booking, even these high-profile events have felt fairly lackluster and the mid and lower card matches faring even worse. With that in mind, here are Spaceman Frank’s Survivor Series 2015 predictions.
Traditional Survivor Series 5 on 5 Tag Team Elimination Match (Who the Fuck Knows vs. Are We Supposed to Even Care?)
The WWE has announced a traditional Survivor Series match for this event but has given zero clues as to who will be involved, thus making this a clear time waster for a PPV.
If I had to wager a guess I would say this will be a face versus heel match that means fuck all but will be entertaining with the right talent involved.
My dream scenario is The New Day (who appear to be not defending their Tag Team Titles on the show) teaming with Sheamus (again, who has nothing going on despite being Mr. Money in the Bank) and King Barrett taking on Cesaro, Neville, The Dudley Boyz and Ryback. Regardless of who are on these teams, considering how little build this match has gotten expect the faces to win.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Tyler Breeze (with Summer Rae)
A natural pair of rivals, this match will hopefully serve as an impressive PPV debut for Breeze, who could use a win after losing to Ambrose in the Deadly Games 2: Electric Boogaloo tournament. Hopefully WWE writers have learned from NXT that an aggressive Breeze is the best Breeze and have Prince Pretty take it to Dolph and pick up the win. With Summer Rae having feuded with Ziggler in the past (and seeing his junk) it makes sense for her to help get Breeze a win that kick starts a feud that goes smoother than Ziggler vs Rusev did.
Charlotte (c) vs. Paige (Divas Championship Match)
First off, this match has been overshadowed by the controversial segment that finished the go-home edition of Raw where Reid Flair’s untimely death was brought up. While I personally have nothing against bringing a wrestler’s personal life into a storyline if they and their family is fine with it, this does not look like the case here. Both Ric Flair and Reid’s mother have said they were not aware Reid’s death would be put into the story, which is a major oversight of Charlotte and the WWE’s part.
It should also be noted however that Charlotte has been very vocal in different interviews and WWE programming that it was Reid that convinced her to try pro wrestling and considers her career a tribute to her late brother; so perhaps it should be less shocking to fans that he was mentioned on Raw. Jim Ross pointed out on his website this has lead to people talking about Reid Flair and not Charlotte versus Paige.
As for the actual match between the two, I see Paige upsetting the champ and winning the belt. Although Charlotte has been wrestling very well since coming to the main roster, she seems to be uncomfortable with the title and spotlight on her and may need to spend more time as challenger than champion.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament
Roman Reigns vs. Alberto Del Rio w/ Zeb Colter (Semifinal)
Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose (Semifinal)
Rather than predict the two semifinal matches separately I’ve decided to lump them together because the outcomes seem fairly obvious.
Long story short: Reigns looks destined to be champ and Del Rio already has the Gob Bluth “I’ve made a huge mistake” look in his eyes. Reigns wins and hopefully nukes Mexamerica out of existence.
As for Owens vs. Ambrose (which should be match of the night), as tempting as it is to say Owens gets the sneaky win for a heel vs. face final; it’s extremely unlikely. Owens already has the Intercontinental Championship and can serve as the de facto top heel of the company – but only if there is no heel turn to end the night. Which brings us to…
Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose (Tournament Final for Deadly Game 2: Electric Boogaloo)
It seems clear from the moment the WWE revealed the bracket for the tournament this match would be destined for the final.
Hell, if not for Kalisto’s upset win over Ryback most would still have a perfect bracket.
That being said, who walks out champ is a much murkier outcome.
Will Vince insist that Reigns, tall, dark and handsome as he is, walks out as a babyface champ? Will the WWE realize that nobody is going to pick Reigns over Ambrose (considering Reigns was literally handed the belt by Triple H before the tournament started while Ambrose has served as Reign’s second banana since the summer and makes for a much more interesting underdog babyface story)? Will Ambrose turn heel? Will Reigns turn heel? Will Paul Heyman show up regardless of winner and declare that Brock Lesnar will challenge for the title? Will John Cena burst through the wall like the Kool-Aid Man to remind everyone that you can’t be the man until you beat the man? Will Big Show ruin everything like he always does? Will Triple H just say “Fuck it” and declare himself champ? Will the WWE go back to the well and have a legend show up to save the day? Is that legend Rick Steiner?? BY GAWD MAGGLE WHO KNOWS!!!
…But seriously it is probably going to be Reigns and we will have to accept that.
The Brothers of Destruction (The Undertaker and Kane) vs. Two Members of The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman)
What could have been all of the Wyatt Family taking on two legendary figures and two guys who get instant credibility by standing with them somehow got turned into a normal tag match.
This is better how?
With ‘Taker and Kane’s combined 98 years of age having to take on Wyatt and the big-ass strongman this figures to be a “methodical” (i.e. slow) match. The crowd will be into it because The Undertaker is actually wrestling on two PPV’s in a row, but what was a easy layup for WWE creative has been fucked up by a combination of lazy writing and the fact that FOR FUCK’S SAKE IT’S SURVIVOR SERIES PEOPLE EXPECT A TEAM ELIMINATION MATCH.
Hopefully the Wyatt’s win because we have yet to see Strowman do much besides stand around and Bray simply can’t keep getting pinned by every babyface on the roster. Plus if Taker (and also Kane) are truly retiring soon, then they owe it to the WWE to actually put over somebody who works for the company full time. If they can’t be bothered to find two worthy wrestlers to team with, then they can lay down for two wrestlers who can use their rub.
It was no ordinary Friday the 13th in Brooklyn, NY as Lucky 13 Saloon warded off evil with a Jason Voorhees marathon in the front and a party with some sentient beings in the back.
The evening started off like any other, two beers at the office. When it seemed like the time, I hopped on the train and went down to Sackett Street – the current location of the metal bar. It used to be on 13th street in the same Park Slope region, but they moved to a bigger, livelier and more saloon type place next to a gas station earlier this year. The trek wasn’t as easy as it should’ve been, but it was my own damned fault. The call of the wild had me take a wrong turn at Albuquerque (a stop too soon) so I had a good 25-30 minute hike before I got to the bar which was just what I needed to break in my new shoes.
A quick chat with Moon Tooth’s guitarist Nick Lee and a few minutes later I was in and thirsty as ever. It wasn’t too long into my beer before I realized the end of Friday the 13th Part V was on. Unfortunately, New Line Cinema didn’t have the decency to quit there (even though this was billed in the title as “The Final Friday,” it wasn’t) and made sequels galore. Some were slightly better, most were worse – and those were yet to come.
I ordered another beer.
Shortly after Moon Tooth arrived and after a few phone calls and interviews Lee and I were meeting for the first time. I ordered the man a brew and we chatted for a bit before he went in to get ready.
I didn’t get around to seeing the first two bands as shortly after the first one started my phone rang. Kevin, a friend I had originally planned to meet at Lucky’s was down the street at The Sackett with two of his buddies. It would’ve been nice to catch the full show since the first band (either Beast Modulus or In the Presence of Wolves) had a great sound.
Down at The Sackett I was introduced to Kevin’s associates Richard and Henry. Two beers, a shot and an empanada later they proceeded to tell one of the best Mardi Gras stories this side of the Verrazano. I was starting to feel woozy so I grabbed a burger from Bonnie’s Grill and ran back to Lucky’s to catch the rest of the show as time was growing short before the Tooth would hit the stage. Inside I ordered another cold one and caught the last couple of songs from Valence, but not before some blonde gave me a glow stick (why she had an abundance of them I’ll never know).
This most if not all progressive metal band was incredible. Their playing was tight and the sound had Dream Theater elements but was not oversaturated with John Petrucci and Mike Portnoy worship – which is a very good thing. Valence was not a clone of any kind as they had the right balance of influences and originality sprinkled in. Their lead guitarist did not only play keyboards as well, but was using an Agile – one of the cheapest and most underrated guitar brands around. You can get really quality stuff from them without breaking the bank at the custom shop.
As Valence ended I complimented them on their musicanship and gave the lead guitarist a Bonesaw card. We chatted briefly about doing a podcast so there’s a possibility on the horizon.
Dead Empires took the stage and it was interesting to say the least. There were some progressive elements but there was more of an industrial feel to their sound. They were almost like a fusion of early Nine Inch Nails and Ministry with some Prog/Death Metal thrown in. One interesting factor is that the bass player was one of the driving forces of their sound as his rig was massive. Dead Empires also brought with them a big show/rave vibe with their custom lighting. When their set was up, I did some more schmoozing and shameless plugs with them so we’ll see where that goes as well.
Up next were the big guns, Moon Tooth.
While very friendly and down to earth in person, these guys are professionally trained killers on stage. Not only do Moon Tooth have the energy of a young Bad Brains, but they can keep the audience in the palm of their hands from start to finish. Singer John Carbone is a maniac that never stays in the same place twice. The man is possessed when it’s go time and on this particular day, he probably was. Carbone was throwing himself on and off the stage like a rag doll, tying audience members in tape and at one point playing drums while on the shoulders of actual drummer Ray Marte – who didn’t skip a beat all night as bassist Vincent Romanelli laid back and stayed in the pocket like a boss.
Lee on the other hand, is another animal altogether. Like Carbone, he’s a ball of energy. Unlike Carbone, he tends to stay on the stage – but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t use every quadrant of it. Lee seamlessly plays guitar (this night he was using a Reverend Sensei) while jumping off cabinets, kicking whatever inanimate object is the closest and trying to get on top of the club itself.
Moon Tooth is not just another band from Long Island, Moon Tooth is performance art.
The Tooth played what seemed like a good hour filled with catchy tunes from their Freaks EP as well as a bunch of new tracks from their debut album set to be released early next year with a celebratory show at fellow metal bar Saint Vitus in February. Some highlights were Freak’s “Ebb/Flow,” a new song called “Bats in the Attic” and a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Manic Depression” that hadn’t been seen since Carnivore’s version on 1987’s “Retaliation.”
As the night came to a close we said our goodbyes, I picked up a shirt from Carbone and that was that. At around 3:30 A.M., I crawled into bed after a train ride I’m not sure how I had gone on there was one thought that still lingers.
“That was a fucking show.”
Chris and Jon talk Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm, Arrow, The Flash and more – all while watching Crank and basking in the glorious world of kazoos. Trailers for Krampus and Marvel’s Jessica Jones are featured.
Chris and Frank discuss the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament, missed booking opportunities for The Undertaker and Bray Wyatt, Rhonda Rousey vs. Holly Holm and speculate WrestleMania 32.
Looks like we’ll be getting an unexpected guest this holiday season.
A family of grinches gets together for what’s likely to be their annual (and last) Christmas tradition when all goes dark. During their tumultuous bickering, one of the children tears up his letter to Santa and throws it out the window – presumably the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s (or Krampus’) back.
When the ungrateful family starts to come to their senses, it’s too late and Grandma warns everyone of what’s coming. Krampus is seen on the roof of the house with his sack of baddies and morbid toy contraptions before coming down the chimney to wreak havoc on la maison de dégénérés.
This looks like a holiday treat. From square one everyone but Grandma is an unlikeable character. Envy, bitterness, pettiness and disgust run rampantly in this household. The kids are fighting to the point where one angrily shreds his letter to Santa Claus – and on Christmas (for shame). You can bet that not a creature will be stirring when Krampus rears his ugly head (except Grandma, she seems nice). Krampus’ helpers are going to terrify and provide us with unique deaths that are sure to hark a few herald angels.
At this point the only question that remains is will Santa save the day (or show up at all)? Regardless, Krampus should jingle some bells and raise some hell.
Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, Krampus is coming to town.
In just a few short hours we get what may very well be Daniel Craig’s James Bond swansong.
At first glance, Spectre seems like your average 007 flick. Everyone’s favorite British spy has to save the world from a deranged lunatic (Christoph Waltz), get the girl (Monica Bellucci) and grab a few swigs of the old reliable (shaken, not stirred).
But that would be too easy.
Walt’z character Oberhauser is not just a simple villain, but the head of the evil organization the film’s title bears. Throw in Hinx (former WWE champion and Guardians of the Galaxy’s Drax Dave Bautista), and you’ve got one of the most intimidating henchmen Bond has ever faced. This time around, Bond will not just be on her majesty’s secret service – he’s going to be taking down an entire entity with him.
While it may not be as good as its predecessor Skyfall, Spectre still looks like a contender to be another great Bond film. If this is in fact the final Craig Bond film, let’s hope he goes out with a bang Ian Fleming would approve of.
Jon and Chris talk Ash vs. The Evil Dead, Halloween excursions, the returning X-Files, the new James Bond film “Spectre” and more.
We got the chance to sit down with Jimmy Bower from Superjoint, Down and Eyehategod during the New York City date of Danzig’s “Blackest of the Black” tour and had a ball!
Bower talks about Superjoint’s reformation and plans, the joys of fatherhood, which guitar company he’d like to be endorsed by and a whole lot more in this awesome podcast.
Chris Butera and “Spaceman” Frank Lucci return for another round of Manopera to discuss Hell in a Cell and Survivor Series possibilities. Also discussed are NXT Takeover and Chikara Pro Wrestling. Chris and Frank cut promos on pet goldfish and Burger King’s Black Bun Halloween Whopper.
The Bonesaw 