Blog Archives
Farewell Houston Astrodome, Home of the Greatest Wrestlemania in History
(Source) “HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astrodome was a technological marvel when it opened in 1965. Dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” it was the first domed and air-conditioned stadium and became Houston’s defining landmark, a symbol of the city’s can-do spirit.
But eventually, bigger and sleeker stadiums took its place, leaving the iconic structure that once hosted both professional baseball and football games empty and dilapidated, its future in limbo.
After Texas voters on Tuesday rejected a referendum that would have authorized up to $217 million in bonds to turn the Astrodome into a giant convention and event center, the stadium is likely to be demolished.
“We can’t allow the once-proud Astrodome to sit like a rusting ship in the middle of a parking lot. This was the best effort (to revamp the stadium), and voters have turned it down,” Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said. Fifty-three percent voted against the referendum.
Emmett said a final decision on what happens to the Astrodome will be up to the commissioners court, the group of local officials who manage the county. But he said the stadium’s future was pretty much sealed with the referendum’s failure. He said a decision would have to be made quickly but didn’t say exactly when that would happen.”
The Houston Astrodome was home to many events over the past 48 years, but nothing compares to the event it held on April Fools Day, 2001. That was the night the Astrodome hosted Wrestlemania XVII, the greatest Wrestlemania of all time. WWE was in it’s heyday; the roster was stacked, and everyone who competed that night had one goal in mind: to steal the show.
Check out this ridiculous card:
Shane McMahon vs. Vince McMahon in a street fight, with Mick Foley as the special guest referee.
Hardys vs. Dudleyz vs. Edge & Christian in a TLC match for the tag team titles.
Undertaker vs HHH.
The main event: Stone Cold vs. The Rock for the WWE Championship.
You could live three lifetimes and never see a wrestling card with that much star power. If you get a chance, watch some of those matches. Every single one delivers in a big way.
Thanks for the memories Astrodome, and thanks for the greatest Wrestlemania of all time.
– Ryan
P.S. It also gave us the greatest wrestling promo of all time.
As Expected, Saturday Night Live Has the Best Parody of “The Fox”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foMQX9ZExsE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
It was only a matter of time before SNL got their hands on the weird sensation that is “the fox”. As usual, their parody of a viral hit is smart and hysterical. Nobody cheats on Kerry Washington and gets away with it.
– Ryan
P.S. Full SNL review will be here Wednesday.
Charlie the Kitten’s Bedtime Routine Getting You Ready For the Weekend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n-NBkV1OP8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I’m a dog guy through and through, but Charlie the Kitten is a stud. No other word to describe him. Living the life some of us can only dream about. If this doesn’t get you ready for the weekend, then I completely understand, because this video really just makes me want to take a bath.
– Ryan
Tyler The Creator: 5 Things You Didn’t Know
– via BuzzFeed
One thing we knew before this, is that Tyler is definitely insane, but he’s sure as hell fun to watch. The guy never stops working, and now he’s teaming up with Fox to create the animated short 5 Things You Don’t Know About Me. Creativity never sleeps, and I’m glad to see someone with his talent spreading his wings.
– Ryan
Meet The Chief, Jake Peavy’s Good Luck Charm
It’s been clear to me for awhile now that Jake Peavy is insane. Not serial killer insane, but yell at yourself on the mound/carry around a native american statue with a fake beard insane (not sure which is more troubling). Peavy brings “The Chief” everywhere the Red Sox go, shades of Pedro Martinez’s little friend Nelson that accompanied the Sox on their 2004 world championship run. This team is full of characters, and it looks like Peavy might be driving the crazy train with two feet on the gas. Whether it’s “The Chief”, the beards or a perfect combination of skill and luck, these Red Sox are sure as hell fun to watch. Another day closer to the parade.
– Ryan
Craig Robinson Seems Like He’d Be Fun to Party With
(Source) “NASSAU, Bahamas — NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Comic actor Craig Robinson was detained Wednesday for drug possession as he tried to leave the Bahamas and was ordered to pay a fine, authorities said.
The actor best known for his role as Darryl Philbin on NBC’s “The Office” was stopped as he tried to board a plane in the capital, Nassau, and head back to the United States. Customs agents found a small amount of marijuana and pills deemed suspicious, said Supt. Stephen Dean of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
“It was nothing major,” Dean said.
Robinson, who was in the Bahamas for a comedy show, was taken into custody and appeared before a magistrate, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of drug possession. Prosecutor Ercel Dorsett told the court that Robinson had a half gram of marijuana and 18 ecstasy pills.
The 41-year-old actor, who appeared calm in a shorts and T-shirt and was not accompanied by a lawyer, told the court he brought the drugs from the United States and did not know they were illegal in the Bahamas.
Magistrate Andrew Forbes ordered him to pay a $1,000 fine and directed that he be turned over to authorities and removed from the country. He could have faced four years in prison.
A publicist for Robinson, Nicole Chabot, declined to comment. Blair Berk, a Los Angeles lawyer who represented the actor after a previous drug arrest, also declined comment.
In June 2008, police in Culver City, California, arrested Robinson on suspicion of possessing MDMA, also known as ecstasy, and methamphetamine. The charges were later dismissed after he completed a diversion program.
Robinson is familiar to many for his portrayal of Philbin, a warehouse foreman on “The Office.” He has also appeared in movies such as the “Pineapple Express,” ”Zach and Miri Make a Porn,” and “Hot Tub Time Machine.”
Hey Craig we’re going to the Bahamas for a few days, think we should bring 18 ecstasy pills and pretend we’re from outer space? So many actors are nothing like the characters they play in movies or on TV, but I think Craig Robinson is exactly who we thought he was: a weed smoking, ecstasy dabbling funny son of a bitch. He just seems like a guy you’d wanna play fluffy fingers with.
Bruce Willis Singing “Under The Boardwalk” Because Why Not?
When he’s not busy being a world weary cop, Bruce Willis is busy jamming with The Temptations. The man can do it all. Have a great weekend.
– Ryan
Duke “The Dumpster” Droese Is Doing Well
(Source) At Centertown Elementary School in McMinnville, Tenn., Michael David Droese was a hulking figure, someone to look up to. The special education teacher holds the frame — 6 feet, 6 inches and 340 pounds — of a man with a famous past.
Indeed, a Google search for Droese will expose you to a life two decades ago spent in the wrestling ring, under the lights and in front of thousands — a life that seemed impressive to students and teachers both, Warren County Sheriff Jackie Matheny said.
But, at least for now, Droese is missing from the halls of Centertown. Matheny says Droese illegally sold pain medication to a police informant, and on Friday a grand jury indicted him on three counts of delivery of a controlled substance.
On July 1, according to the indictment, Droese sold oxycodone and buprenorphine. The next day, he again sold oxycodone. Droese was arrested Friday, Matheny said, but he left jail about two hours later after paying a $10,000 bond.
Until Droese’s case plays out, he will be suspended from his job at Centertown without pay, Director of Warren County Schools Bobby Cox said. Droese, 45, did not return a call seeking comment on Wednesday.
His mugshot shows a middle-aged man with an evaporating hairline. But 20 years ago, back in the ’90s, Droese wore his brown hair down to his shoulders. He was known as Duke “The Dumpster” Droese back then, a rough-around-the-edge trashman who hailed from “the garbage heaps of Mt. Trashmore, Fla.”
Droese spent much of his career wrestling in lesser-known, independent organizations, but from 1994-96 he was a member of the World Wrestling Federation. The Dumpster fought some of the greats: Bam Bam Bigelow, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Jerry “The King” Lawler.
His time with the biggest wrestling promotion in the world was brief. According to the company, Droese and President Vince McMahon agreed to part ways because life on the road wore The Dumpster down too much.
But many of his matches still are available online. Matheny, who teaches the Drug Awareness Resistance Education program at Centertown, said everyone knew about Droese’s past life, and everyone was impressed.
“He used to be a wrestler, a very good wrestler,” the sheriff said. “He was in the WWE, and you can look him up on the Internet and watch all his matches. He wrestled with the best.”
When he learned a couple of months ago that Droese was suspected of selling pain pills, Matheny said he was surprised. He said Droese carried a good reputation: “Everybody has a lot of good things to say about him.”
Not the greatest life story. I’d give anything in this world to become a professional wrestler, but I can’t say I’d be thrilled to play a garbage man. Then you go on to become a special ed teacher who sells drugs. To be honest, the most heartbreaking part of this story is that his real name isn’t Duke Droese. Playing a garbage man on national TV that turns into a drug peddling special education teacher is obviously a sucky life, but a cool name could make up for that. Michael Droese is not a cool name. If I’m his attorney I suggest he change his real name to Duke, and let the chips fall where they may, which is probably in jail.
– Ryan
