Results, Review, Recap of WWE Hell in a Cell 2016

Tonight was the annual Hell in a Cell event for WWE. It was promoted as a triple main event due to three matches being inside the demonic structure. On paper this looked far better then No Mercy a couple of weeks ago but could this highly promoted pay-per-view live up to the hype? Before I begin with my thoughts here are the results of WWE Hell in a Cell

-Pre-show: Cedric Alexander/Lince Dorado/Sin Cara defeated Tony Nese/Drew Gulak/Ariya Daivari

-Roman Reigns defeated Rusev to retain the WWE United States Title

-Bayley defeated Dana Brooke

-Karl Anderson/Luke Gallows defeated Enzo/Big Cass

-Kevin Owens defeated Seth Rollins to retain the WWE Universal Championship

-The Brian Kendrick defeated TJ Perkins to win the WWE Cruiserweight Championship

-Cesaro/Sheamus defeated The New Day by DQ, New Day retains the Tag Team Championships

-Charlotte defeated Sasha Banks to win the WWE Women's Championship

The show opened up with the United States Championship match inside the Cell. Reigns and Rusev have had two physical encounters prior to this and they both were really funny to watch. It's hard getting into the cell matches because they can't be as violent as they use to be. This was a normal match for them but just inside the cell. Nothing really stood out to me except for a couple of kendo shots, and a steel chain being used. Another disappointment lately has been Dana Brooke and Bayley and their feud. Dana has made a lot of mental errors and she needs more work before she's going to get to the elite level.

One thing that's not disappointing is the energy and the mic skills of Enzo and Big Cass. They are so entertaining. It's a good mesh of how serious Gallows and Anderson are. In my opinion this would be a great Wrestlemania feud if it was done right. I think right now they are holding Enzo and Cass back until Wrestlemania season so they can to do something big at Wrestlemania 33. From a wrestling standpoint The Club is great and from an entertainment standpoint Enzo and Big Cass are great, The second Hell in a  Cell match was for the WWE Universal Championship, This match was way better then first cell match of the night. This match had some decent brutality for a PG Hell in a Cell match. Two referees got injured, Chris Jericho interferes and Kevin Owens went through two tables. What more could you ask for in a modern day Cell match?

I really enjoy the fact that there was a story behind the WWE Cruiserweight Championship match. A lot of people think the Cruiserweight Division has no character and no stories. This matched proved that those statements couldn't be further from the truth. I love the match that Kendrick and Perkins had because of their history and the fact Kendrick is getting his redemption. Speaking of interesting stories I think the team of Sheamus and Cesaro has been very interesting. As someone said they are Team Hell No 2.0 and it's a big thing to fill. I say that because I don't think anyone will ever top Kane and Daniel Bryan in terms of odd couple tag teams. I love that they didn't totally job out Sheamus and Cesaro and made them look strong.

The Main Event tonight was history in the making. It was the first time in WWE history that two women have been the main event of a pay-per-view and the first time two women have been inside the Hell in a Cell. I was very intrigued, interested and concerned how this match was going to go down. Hell in a Cell has made and broken careers over the last twenty years so could they live up to the hype? This match started out fast pace and then Charlotte powerbombed Sasha through a table and it seemed to be legitimately hurt. If she's legit hurt then she has a lot of guts going through with this match. If she's not hurt then that's the best selling of an injury I've seen in a long time. As much as I respect the women of WWE I wasn't sure if this is the type of match they should have made history in because the problem is that Rollins and Owens kind of set the bar earlier in the night. I almost would have much rather seen a Ladder Match out of the women. The match was decent but I hate the booking of the rivalry right now. Sasha can only win the title on TV but is not good enough to keep it on a pay-per-view? I really don't know what they are doing with this division but right now it's not good. Sasha and Charlotte did endure a lot of punishment so I will give them a ton of credit for what they went through tonight. I'd have to give the Hell in a Cell show a 6.5 out of 10. Smackdown continues to deliver the better matches and stories. Next pay-per-view we get to see Raw vs. Smackdown at Survivor Series. Reigns, Owens and Charlotte survived tonight but in three weeks time who will survive at Survivor Series?

Marching Bands Deserve More Recognition: Thoughts on East Kentwood Invitational

Olivet H.S. Matching Band

This past weekend on cool fall day I sat in the bleachers at the East Kentwood High School Football Stadium to watch twenty four High School Marching Bands take the field. The East Kentwood Marching Band Invitational has always been near and dear to my heart because it was the last time I played in a Marching Band setting during my time in high school. Growing up I couldn't play sports so when I go to 6th music really came into my life and I joined the band in the percussion section. I had an awesome band instructor at Wayland. She made me feel part of a family, made me realize I could achieve whatever I wanted to achieve and gave me realization that if I put my heart and mind to it I could be a leader. Mrs. Stephenson was one of three teachers I had that really had an impact on me during my school years. Even though I left band my junior year my love for music never died. It's ironic that I left band to take on more responsibilities in journalism and here I am fourteen years later writing about an band invitational that took place this past weekend. 

As I sat and watched each of the twenty four bands play and perform I kept thinking to myself what a lot of hard work and effort by each band. Each band had it's own unique look, sound, color and theme. There were some bands that even brought some crazy pops that you would have never seen fifteen years ago. When I was in high school the halftime show was just a time where people went concessions and didn't pay much attention unless you had a kid in the band. It was so great to see the stands packed at East Kentwood. I think it was great to see that there was so much respect and admiration for each band that performed. These kids pour their heart out when it comes to the hard work and many hours preparing for performances like these.

Even though I played on the sidelines in the three years I was in Marching Band I remember how hard we all had to work to put on a great performance. A lot goes into the movements, the music and making sure the theme that the bands are performing are well represented. It takes a lot of skill and coordination to do what these kids do. It's these very reasons why I don't think Marching Bands don't get the credit they deserve. While most high schools focus on their athletic programs they should focus on their marching band programs and give it equal treatment. It takes a special group of people to be able move on a field the way they do and play an instrument the way they do. I think more attention and more focus should be given to marching bands and I am not talking just about the high school level either.

I think Universities should give out equal scholarships with equal value that they would to an athlete. Based on what I saw at East Kentwood there quite a few kids that deserve a scholarship to a university to have a great education in music or what ever career path they decide on. I also think more professional sports teams should use local and state high school bands for their halftime shows. Marching Bands, fine, arts, performing arts or what ever you consider deserve more promotion and awareness. I think playing an instrument is a beautiful thing. East Kentwood was just one invitational with twenty four bands. Can you just imagine how many great musicians there are in Michigan, in the United States and around the world? I am so grateful I got to experience twenty four unique colors, unique sounds and unique presentations. I would like to recognize all the schools the participated in the East Kentwood Marching Band Invitational. Those schools are:

Hartford 

Whitehall

Brandywine

Freemont

Lee

Dowagiac

Lakewood

Wayland Union

Gull Lake

Charlotte

Plainwell

Otsego

Ionia

Vicksburg

Spring Lake

Berrien Spring

Muskegon

Kenowa Hills

Wyoming

Olivet

Kalamazoo Central 

Portage Central 

Grand Haven 

East Kentwood

If you are in the West Michigan Area I encourage to pay attention at the football and I recommend going to an invitational even if you don't have a student in the band. They are so much fun to watch and be apart of it. If you have a child and you find that they love music get them into band and encourage to get into marching band once they get into high school. It is a lot of hard work but it was also very rewarding and tons of fun. Long live music and long live Marching Bands. 

For more info on Michigan Marching Bands and where you can check out invitationals go to Michigan Marching- http://www.michiganmarching.com/

Portage Central H.S. Marching Band

East Kentwood H.S. Marching Band

Wayland Union H.S. Marching Band

The NHL-Dallas Stars Send the Right Message Unlike the NFL

This past Thursday Night during the Dallas Stars home opener the team honored the Dallas Police Officers that were killed on July 7th. Those officers were DPD Senior Cpl. Lorne Ahrens, DPD Officer Michael Krol, DPD Sgt. Michael Smith, DART Officer Brent Thompson, and DPD Officer Patricio "Patrick" Zamarripa. They and their families were honored by helmet decals and a pregame ceremony. It was a very emotional and very classy by the Stars, their fans and the NHL. I think it's great that the National Hockey League does not have any political agendas and knows who protects us, fights for us and put their lives on the line so we can have our freedoms and safety. 

Just a few months earlier the Dallas Cowboys wanted to pay tribute to the fallen officers as well. The NFL said no way and blocked all attempts for the Dallas Cowboys to pay tribute during their home opener. The NFL has proved to be hypocritical this year. The won't allow a tribute to men and women who protects our cities, communities and neighborhoods but they will let people kneel, sit, raise their fists and disrespect the American Flag in whatever way they want. The Dallas Stars tribute to the fallen Police Officers actually stood for something. The movement that Colin Kaepernick started in the preseason has no meaning and hasn't stood for anything. All he and other players have done is make a scene and bring attention to themselves because they wouldn't be relevant in any other way. They have not taken any action in their communities or educate to youth on the issues that are plaguing this country. At least the Dallas Stars are trying to unite the city, pay respects to the families who were effected and showed that everyone in this country matters know matter what race, religion or background you come from. 

The other point hypocrisy of the NFL is that kneeling, sitting and other disrespectful acts toward the flag are considered freedom of expression but what about Antonio Brown's freedom of expression? Antonio Brown has worn special cleats honoring his kids and athletes who have passed away this year and what has he gotten from honoring people that meant something to him? He's been fined, been told to remove his cleats and has been threatened with other punishment if he continues to wear them. I really believe that the NFL has no class and is probably the most hypocritical sports organization in this country. I have never seen this type of hypocrisy in the MLB, NBA or the NHL. Whenever we lose troops, police officers, firefighters or anyone else that serves this country these three organizations are always very classy. I have never been a big fan of hockey. I'll be the first to admit that it's never been my main focus in sports. However on Thursday Night they made me a fan. They made me want to focus on their sport more. Hopefully someday the NFL will learn a lesson from the NHL and drop the political agendas. For now I'll be happy the other three sports organizations are great about doing the right thing when the situation arises for them to do so. God Bless the NHL and Dallas Stars for paying tribute to the fallen. God Bless the families for being the true Stars of Dallas on Thursday and allowing the city, the team and the NHL for allowing them to show their love, respect and gratitude. 

The family of DPD Sgt. Michael Smith and DART Officer Brent Thompson participated in last night's ceremonial puck drop. pic.twitter.com/juEZKhWpqI

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) October 15, 2016

Results, Review, Recap of WWE No Mercy 2016

Tonight for the first time in a long time the WWE Championship was not the Main Event of a solo brand Pay-Per-View. It also marked the first time in history that the WWE Championship Match was the first match on the card. The reason for the changes is due to the Sunday Night Football game and the Presidential Debate. I was very curious to see how this would come across after I heard this news. Before I get into on how the show went here are the results of the return of No Mercy.

-PreShow: American Alpha/Hype Bros defeated The Ascension/The Vaudevillians
-AJ Styles defeated John Cena and Dean Ambrose to retain the WWE Championship
-Nikki Bella defeated Carmella
-Rhyno/Heath Slater defeated The Uso's to retain the WWE Tag Team Championships
-Baron Corbin defeated Jack Swagger
-Dolph Ziggler defeated The Miz to become the new WWE Intercontinental Championship
-Naomi defeated Alexa Bliss
-Bray Wyatt defeated Randy Orton

Tonight's show kicked off with the what is usually the main event of a show. AJ Styles defended the WWE Championship against Dean Ambrose and John Cena. This was an incredible match to open a show. I guess it's a good idea it went on first because this was too good of match to be missed for the Presidential Election. The heck with Clinton and Trump. Styles, Ambrose and Cena had a better battle tonight. Styles retains and proves why he is more phenomenal then anyone on the roster or any presidential candidate. How do you follow a WWE Title Match? John Cena;s girlfriend Nikki Bella took on Carmella in a feud that's been highly entertaining. Carmella has been great as a heel considering she wasn't getting over as a face. I think Carmella has a great future in the women's division but for now Nikki Bella is still the woman.

When it comes to faces of divisions The Uso's have been the face of the division for quite some time. Even though they haven't had the tag titles in quite sometime they are one of the best teams to ever come around. I was actually very surprised to see Heath Slater and Rhyno retain the titles. The other thing that was surprising is the great chemistry between Baron Corbin and Jack Swagger. Both are great athletes in their own right. I hope to see more of Swagger and Corbin in the future. Speaking of futures it's great to see that the dirtsheets were wrong and Dolph Ziggler is the new Intercontinental Champion. This is definitely a match of the year candidate. Usually the best of friends have the best chemistry and The Miz and Dolph Ziggler are no different. Even though they are no Shawn Michaels and Triple they are the closest thing to what they were in this generation of WWE.

One thing that obviously disappointing was the fact that Becky Lynch was injured and couldn't compete against Alexa Bliss. Naomi ended up being Alexa's opponent. They had a solid little match but I thought it was a bad booking decision to have your number contender lose a match considering the champion wasn't there. Another booking decision that I question is putting on Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton on last. The last image of No Mercy should have been Dolph Ziggler holding the IC Championship high and celebrating the crowd.

Smackdown has been the better show with better matches and stories. Their pay-per-view and TV show consistently keep moving and are not as drawn out as Raw usually is. I got to give this pay per view an 8 out of 10 because of World Title match and Intercontinental Title match. All the title matches on Smackdown have been great as of late. With that being said lets see what Raw does in three weeks for Hell in a Cell!

Cam Newton Still Hasn't Gotten Over Super Bowl 50

This past February at Super Bowl when the Carolina Panthers faced off against the Denver Broncos many people thought that this was an easy win for the Panthers. After all they went 15-1, set a lot of records and were healthy on both sides of the ball. The Broncos hobbled their way into the playoffs with a Quarterback who was a shell of himself when he was in his prime. However the Broncos defense did what no one else had done all of last season. They got to Cam and got to Cam Newton early. I truly believe after the first half the Cam gave up. All of his life he's been about winning, performing under pressure, and putting his teams in a position to win got the better of him. He won the Heisman, won a National Champion, and did a lot of great stuff leading up to Super Bowl 50. I thought this loss would have motivated him to come and shred teams more so then last year but that has not happened.

The first regular season game of the year was a rematch of the Super Bowl against none other Denver Broncos. The Quarterbacks had changed but the defense for Denver remained intact if not better then before. Cam took some brutal hits some of which were very questionable. In the first half, Cam and the Panthers looked like they were going to steamroll right through Denver but it wasn't so. The 2nd half Cam looked like he had no confidence, no control and he did not look like the Cam Newton of 2015. The Broncos ended up winning by one point and I believe this loss triggered everything Cam went through in the Super Bowl.

Here we are at the end of week four. The Panthers are 1-3, having been dominated by the Vikings and Falcons. Cam has lost control of his team, and now has a concussion due to poor decision making with the football. For me it goes back to February and week one against the Broncos. I think teams watched what the Broncos did to him and they are taking notes. If Cam is going to be the fierce leader he was last year he needs to make adjustments, quit worrying about his image and focus on football. I know there is pressure from the media and fans to take a stance on social issues and be a political activist but he's not being paid to do those things. He's paid to be a great football player and right now he's not playing great. The past is the past and that's where Cam needs to leave it. Quit worrying about the games you lost and worry about the ones you need to win.

If the Panthers are going to be contenders again then Cam needs to step up and play with no fear like he did last year. If he can get his confidence, his swagger and his fierceness back then the Panthers could be legit contenders for the next several years. If Cam chooses to play the way he has and make poor decisions with the football then the Panthers will continue to be the mediocre team that they have been in the first four games of this season. Only time will tell to see what Cam Newton we will get.