Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a National Bobblehead Hall of Fame Gold Jersey bobblehead.
Monday, December 30, 2019
Monday, December 23, 2019
Mr. Redlegs World Series Championship Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Cincinnati Reds Mr. Redlegs World Series Championship bobblehead.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
2014 Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum Barry Larkin Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a 2014 Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum Barry Larkin bobblehead.
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
2014 Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum Sparky Anderson Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a 2014 Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum Sparky Anderson bobblehead.
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Ready for Redsfest 2019
It's
the most wonderful time of the offseason for members of Reds Country! Redsfest
2019 will happen this weekend at the Duke Energy Center. Cincinnati Reds fans
from all over the country will gather for the one of a kind fan fest that
celebrates the very first franchise in Major League Baseball history.
The
fun gets started on Friday, December 6, and will continue through Saturday,
December 7. Fans can buy passes for either one day or both. In order to get the
full Redsfest experience, I recommend purchasing the two day pass. If you are a
Reds Hall of Fame and Museum member or a season ticket holder, your two day
ticket pass is free.
Once
you check in at Redsfest, you will receive a Reds lanyard to hold your ticket
as well as a free Reds swag bag with a free gift inside. Past gifts have
included a winter hat, socks, and an ornament. After you check in, you can
finally enter the convention center and behold the glory of the Redsfest event.
Inside
are tons of Reds memorabilia such as jerseys, autographs, bobbleheads, and even
the World Series Championship trophies. There is a stage area where you can
watch Reds Family Feud, ask the players questions, and get your picture taken
with the mascots. There is a game area, wiffle ball fields, and booths where
you can get your picture taken with players. You can play Redsfest Bingo and
participate in the Reds Community Fund Poker Tournament that features current
and former Reds players.
It
wouldn't be a fan fest without autographs, and the signing sessions are my
favorite part of Redsfest. You can get autographs from current players and Reds
legends. There are multiple signings happening at the same time throughout the
event so you are pretty much guaranteed to get at least one autograph during
your time at Redsfest.
I
cannot wait for Redsfest 2019. I have a free two day ticket because of my Reds
Hall of Fame membership, and I plan on being there from open to close on both
days. I'm hoping to get a lot of autographs and maybe a few bobbleheads if I
can find some good deals. If you see me, come say hi!
150th Anniversary Ernie Lombardi Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Cincinnati Reds 150th anniversary Ernie Lombardi bobblehead.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Monday, November 25, 2019
Survivor Series 2019 Thoughts
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shares his thoughts on WWE Survivor Series 2019.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Minneapolis Miracle Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Minnesota Vikings Minneapolis Miracle Case Keenum and Steffon Diggs double bobblehead.
Friday, November 8, 2019
Football Frustration
The Cincinnati Bengals are beyond a shadow of a doubt the
most frustrating team to be a fan of in the Queen City. The team is often
regarded as stale, stubborn, and behind the times. Last Tuesday showcased that
sentiment in spades.
With the NFL trade deadline approaching at 4PM on 10/29, the
only news to break from the Bengals front office was that quarterback Andy
Dalton would be benched after the bye week in favor of starting rookie Ryan
Finley who was taken in the fourth round of the draft. I support the move.
Dalton is essentially a lame duck quarterback at this point and the Bengals
need to see what they have in Finley before the 2020 NFL draft. Unfortunately,
that was the only move the Bengals made.
Reports were swirling that other teams had reached out to
the Bengals regarding Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins, Dre Kirkpatrick, Tyler
Eifert, and A.J. Green. Some serious draft picks could've been acquired in
exchange for any of the guys listed and yet the Bengals did not pull the
trigger on a single trade. Green alone could have garnered a first round pick
and considering how he can walk away at the end of the season, it is baffling
that this team did not move him as there is no guarantee he will sign another
Bengals contract.
Coach Zac Taylor was heard multiple times throughout the
week leading up to the trade deadline that they want to evaluate the current
roster. I really hope somebody was telling him to say that, as bad as that
sounds. When your team is 0-8, what is there to evaluate? The Bengals suck this
season. That is your evaluation. Expecting something different with the same
aging cast of characters next season? That's insanity. What's more insane than
that? Being a Bengals fan.
Despite all the frustration the Bengals give me every week
and the absolute incompetence demonstrated by the ownership and front office, I
am still a fan. For some stupid reason, I am still invested in this franchise
and want to see them succeed. That is why it is beyond infuriating to watch
this franchise do nothing at the trade deadline. Instead of trading away
players to gather draft picks that can help rebuild the
franchise, the Bengals stayed stagnant and appear consent with the way
things are.
Obviously, the fans are not content. The city of Cincinnati
is not content. There needs to be a big change or shakeup within the Bengals
organization. Something that would revitalize the fanbase and take this team to
the next level is desperately needed. Whether or not that happens remains to be
seen. As for now, expect more of the same old, incompetent Bengals.
Who Dey...
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Pat Moran Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum Pat Moran bobblehead.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
George Wright Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum George Wright bobblehead.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
150th Anniversary Mr. Redlegs Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Cincinnati Reds SGA 150th Anniversary Mr. Redlegs bobblehead.
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Geno Atkins Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Cincinnati Bengals Geno Atkins bobblehead.
Monday, October 7, 2019
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
And This One Belongs to Marty
Ever since before I was born, the voice of the Cincinnati Reds has been radio broadcaster Marty Brennaman. Known for calling it as he sees it and for his trademark "and this one belongs to the Reds" catchphrase after the Redlegs get a win, Marty has become a local legend in Cincinnati.
He came to Cincinnati in 1974 and was paired up with "the Ol' Left-Hander" Joe Nuxhall. Together the two were tagged as "Marty and Joe" and became Cincinnati celebrities as they called games together until Nuxhall retired in 2004. Marty continued to call the action from the Reds radio booth and was paired up with "the Cowboy" Jeff Brantley. The two formed an on-air chemistry similar to that of Marty and Joe and became a new fixture on Cincinnati Reds radio broadcasts. The talent of the team might have fluctuated, but Marty's presence on the radio was consistent.
This week marks not only the end of the Reds 2019 season but also the career of Marty Brennaman. The Hall of Famer will call his final Reds game on Thursday, September 26. It is only fitting that Marty's final game is the Reds' 2019 home finale during their 150th anniversary season.
I have gotten to meet Marty a few times throughout the years, and I can honestly say he is one of the nicest sports personalities I have ever met. He always greeted me with a smile, and in my option, he was one of the greatest representatives of the Cincinnati Reds organization. I was fortunate enough to get a baseball signed by both him and Joe when I was a kid. I won a contest to announce the leadoff batter during one of the innings of a game in 2002. Back then, the kids got to go into the PA booth which is right next to the radio booth which is how I was able to get their autographs. I still have that baseball in my collection.
Marty is not only a legendary figure in Cincinnati Reds history, but he is also part of the city of Cincinnati's history. He has been in numerous commercials for local businesses and is often regarded as the voice of the Queen City. He will be truly missed by Reds fans and Cincinnatians alike. Thank you and enjoy retirement, Marty. It really does belong to you.
Domata Peko Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a 2012 Florence Freedom SGA Cincinnati Bengals bobblehead of Domata Peko.
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
The Boo Birds and the Bengals
This past Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals dropped a massive turd on the field for their 2019 NFL home opener when they were waxed by the San Francisco 49ers 41-17. I was in attendance and stayed for the entire game. I can honestly say it was the worst Bengals game I have watched in person. Fans justifiably booed this team and left the game early.
I had to have been one of maybe 200 Bengals fans left in the stands. The 49ers faithful stayed until the end and greatly outnumbered the remaining fans of the Bengals. Chants of "Let's go Niners" echoed throughout Paul Brown Stadium. It was a deflating loss that drained me of all optimism that I had following the encouraging performance the Bengals turned in against the Seattle Seahawks.
During post game interviews, quarterback Andy Dalton and running back Joe Mixon said they did not like the fans booing. My first thought on this is for both Dalton and Mixon was to grow up and not complain about it. Fans have a right to boo. It comes with the price of admission. If I spend some of my hard earned money on a ticket to see my favorite football team play in person, I will boo until I have no voice left if they play like absolute garbage.
Another thought that came to mind was that if they don't want fans booing, don't give them a reason to boo. There was very little to cheer for on Sunday. On the other hand, there was a ton to boo. Dropped passes, an interception, a fumble, blown coverage, and a missed field goal are a few of the many reasons fans had to boo the Bengals. You know what? I'm also going boo Dalton and Mixon's comments. Boooooooooooooooo!
Don't get me wrong. I love Dalton, Mixon, and the Bengals. I have been and always will be a faithful member of Who Dey Nation. But if this team gives me a reason to boo, I'm going to do just that. In conclusion, if the Bengals want to hear cheers over boos, then give the fans a reason to cheer. If not, expect the boo birds to continue to circle Paul Brown Stadium.
Clash of Champions 2019 Thoughts
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shares his thoughts on WWE Clash of Champions 2019.
The Wednesday Night War
A few weeks ago, I wrote about All Elite Wrestling's television deal with TNT in which the new wrestling brand will be broadcasted live every Wednesday night. I mentioned that while not the start of a new Monday Night War, it was definitely the beginning of a television battle in the professional wrestling industry with AEW having fired the first shots. World Wrestling Entertainment did not take long to retaliate by announcing that NXT will move to the USA Network from the WWE Network on September 18.
What was a staple of the WWE Network, and in my opinion one of its biggest selling points, was NXT as it showcased some of the best future stars WWE had to offer. Wrestlers such as Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Beat Wyatt, Kevin Owens, Becky Lynch, Sami Zayn, and Alexa Bliss among others spent time in NXT before being called up to the main WWE roster. It is literally a who's who of current WWE talent that were developed in NXT.
Aside from changing networks, the run time and taped format will change as well. The show will be expanded to two hours and will be live every week. It will then be made available for on-demand viewing the next day on the WWE Network.
NXT has long been considered the best WWE television show for hardcore wrestling fans as it generally does away with goofy segments and instead focuses on the action that takes place in the ring. That idea also appears to be the main focus of AEW so it makes sense that WWE would position NXT in a head to head competition with AEW. Whether or not the expanded run time or change to a live show every week has an effect on NXT remains to be seen. Hopefully Triple H remains in charge of NXT and focuses on the in ring product. If not, AEW might grapple NXT into submission.
If you are a fan of pro wrestling, this is easily the most exciting time in the industry since the late 1990s and early 2000s when the battle between WWE's Monday Nigh Raw and WCW's Monday Nitro was at its peak. AEW is real completion for WWE. NXT could be a viable threat to AEW. The Wednesday Night War is about to begin, and I cannot wait to sit back, relax, and enjoy it.
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Miami Marlins Speaker Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes an Alexander Global Promotions Miami Marlins speaker.
Follow Alexander Global Promotions on Twitter: @AGPBobbleheads
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Cincinnati Bengals 2019 Season Outlook
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone previews the Cincinnati Bengals' 2019 season.
Battle of I-75 Helmet Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes an Alexander Global Promotions Battle of I-75 helmet.
Follow Alexander Global Promotions on Twitter: @AGPBobbleheads
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Mike Eruzione Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes an Alexander Global Promotions Mike Eruzione bobblehead.
Follow Alexander Global Promotions on Twitter: @AGPBobbleheads
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
PandaRay Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes an Alexander Global Promotions bobblehead of PandaRay.
Follow Alexander Global Promotions on Twitter: @AGPBobbleheads
Follow Alexander Global Promotions on Twitter: @AGPBobbleheads
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Shots Fired
All Elite Wrestling recently announced that it will air a
two hour television show every Wednesday on TNT. While not the start of a new
Monday Night War, it is definitely the beginning of a new battle for wrestling
viewership.
World Wrestling Entertainment has long dominated the
wrestling indusrtry ever since World Championship Wrestling closed its doors in
2001. Total Nonstop
Action Wrestling was once seen as a potential competitor but
has since fallen into near obscurity and airs on Twitch. Ring of Honor is on
television via syndication, and New Japan Pro Wrestling is on tape delay on Axs
TV. What has truly halted these promotions from becoming legitimate WWE
competitors is exposure. That is what separates AEW from the rest of the pack.
The promotion made headlines with its signings and first
ever pay-per-view, and has seemingly shaken the wrestling industry to its core
with it newly announced television deal. Starting on October 2, 2019, AEW will air
love on TNT from 8-10pm from the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. This is
massive. AEW's roster depth, which features stats such as the Young Bucks,
Cody, Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, and Jon Moxley, was already considered to be
a massive strength of the new Wrestling promotion. A live weekly television
deal on a nationally broadcasted cable network will only bolster its popularity
and attract more fans.
For the first time since 2001, WWE has real competition and
that is fantastic for wrestling fans. Competition brings out the best in
people. The Monday Night Wars featured the highest ratings for wrestling
television shows in history. With AEW set to make its television debut in
October, WWE will be forced to step up their game. A few shots have been fired
by AEW in this new wrestling television war. Let's see how WWE responds.
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
"Thoughts on Wrestling" Update
As you may have noticed, my last "Thoughts on
wrestling" video was posted on Tuesday as opposed to late Sunday night or
very early Monday morning. That is because I have decided to no longer make
those videos immediately after the wrestling event goes off the air.
A few months after I started Cincy Fan Zone, I started
posting wrestling review videos immediately after pay-per-views. After about
five years of following this schedule, I have decided to post my "Thoughts
on Wrestling" videos on Tuesdays like all my other videos. The reason for this is the lack of sleep I
get that night is beginning to take it's toll. Factor in the amount of views
that each "Thoughts on Wrestling" video receives, and it becomes
pretty apparent that the effort that goes into publishing these videos as quick
as possible is not worth it.
In conclusion, the "Thoughts on Wrestling"
Videos" should be published every Tuesday like all the other videos on my
channel. Also, there might be more wrestling videos now that All Elite
Wrestling has burst onto the scene. There should be a "Thoughts on
Wrestling" video after every AEW event, however I might also make combo
videos reviewing both WWE and AEW events should they happen in the same week.
If you are one of the few people who watch these videos, thank you for your
support and for continuing to watch them.
Cincinnati Cyclones Jay Kruz Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Cincinnati Cyclones Jay Kruz bobblehead.
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
FCC Fan Fest
Can't get enough FC Cincinnati soccer? Well the orange and
blue have you covered. FCC will host their very first fan fest on August 4 at
Nippert Stadium. The event is free and will start at 6 p.m.
Every player on the FCC roster will be available for autographs
which is more than enough reason to go in my opinion. There will also be a
kid's mini clinic as well as bubble soccer and skill challenges. Other
activities include a locker room tour and playing the FIFA video game on the
stadium video board.
To me, this sounds like a great experience for all FCC fans
as this will be the most access to the team that the club has offered.
Autograph sessions, locker room tours, and other activities should make the
night a fun one. Hopefully this event becomes a yearly tradition like Redsfest
has for the Cincinnati Reds. It will keep current fans engaged with the team
while creating new ones at the same time.
Reds Heads Mascot Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a 2018 Reds Heads mascot bobblehead.
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Bengals Training Camp 2019
With the Cincinnati Reds and FC Cincinnati dominating the
Cincinnati summer sports scene, it is easy to become mesmerized by the action
that unfolds on the diamond and on the pitch. Soon though, Cincinnati sports
fans will be able to take in the action of the gridiron as the Bengals
officially start their 2019 training camp.
Training camp starts on Saturday, July 27, in Dayton. It will
then move to Cincinnati on Sunday, July 28, and last until Monday August 12.
Gates will open 30 minutes before practice starts with most practices starting
at 3 p.m. The only exception is when practice starts at 2:30 p.m. on July 27 in
which case gates will open at 1:30 p.m. The Family DEY practice on August 3
will also have an earlier entrance time beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Practices are held on the practice field right next to Paul
Brown Stadium. The only practices not held on the practice field will be the
one in Dayton and the Family Day event on August 3. The Family Day practice
will be held inside Paul Brown Stadium and will feature a lot of activities and
a giveaway for kids. If you are an autograph hunter like me, the family day
practice is the best training camp session to attend as every player is
available for autographs once practice concludes.
The Cincinnati Bengals training camp is a great way to check
out the team up close and personal. It is really cool to witness the current
players mix it up the rookie draft picks and see how well they mesh together.
It is also a great opportunity to get some autographs from your favorite
Bengals players! Attending training camp is something that I highly recommend
as every true Bengals fan needs to experience it before the season starts.
Who Dey!
Bengal Graphs 2018
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shows the various Cincinnati Bengals autographs he got during the 2018 NFL season.
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
AEW Fight for the Fallen 2019 / WWE Extreme Rules 2019 Thoughts
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shares his thoughts on AEW Fight for the Fallen and WWE Extreme Rules.
Danny Graves Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a 2001 Cincinnati Reds SGA Danny Graves bobblehead.
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Who Dey Draft 2019
New Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor's first NFL
Draft has come and gone and it became clear that his main focus was to select
players that could revamp the run game. So who did Taylor and the Bengals add
to the team in hopes of making a Super Bowl run? Let's take a look.
The first ever NFL draft pick of the Zac Taylor era was
Jonah Williams. He was taken with the 11th overall pick in the first round.
Williams is an offensive tackle out of the University of Alabama and should
help protect quarterback Andy Dalton while also opening up running lanes for
running back Joe Mixon.
In the second round, the Bengals selected Drew Sample. He is
a tight end from the University of Washington. Considered to be one of the best
blocking tight ends available, you can see why the Bengals selected him despite
bringing back both Tyler Eifer and C.J. Uzomah. If he lives up to his
reputation, he could be another asset to amplify the rushing attack.
The third round saw the Bengals pick up OLB Germaine Pratt
from North Carolina State. The linebacker position was a weakness for the
Bengals in 2018, so it is easy to see why the team went with Pratt in round
three. He is a former safety and his versatility could be a great asset for the
Bengals' defense.
The first fourth round pick of the Bengals was quarterback
Ryan Finley. The team traded up six spots to snag Finley. While Andy Dalton is
apparently still their quarterback of choice, Finely will most likely take over
backup duties from Jeff Driskel and could perhaps challenge for the starting
job when Dalton's contract expires in two years.
The second fourth round pick of the Bengals was Renell Wren.
He is a defensive tackle out of Arizona State University. He is a nose tackle,
and his size has already garnered him the nickname of Mt. Wren. He can help
bolster the defensive line and contribute to the pass rush.
The third fourth round pick of the Bengals was center/guard
Michael Jordan out of Ohio State University. Jordan's ability to play either
guard or center gives the team the flexibility it needs to make sure that their
five best lineman are in the field. This enables them to both protect Dalton
and open up the running game.
The Bengals wouldn't pick again until the sixth round when
they selected running back Trayveon Williams out of Texas A&M. The team
needed another running back after they released Mark Walton due to off field
issues. Williams is a versatile player and can play various positions for the
Bengals such as kick returner.
The teams' second sixth round pick was Deshaun Davis. He is
a linebacker out of Auburn. With the Bengals needing help at the linebacker
position, it makes sense that they would pick up Davis. He is considered to
have a high football IQ which is never a bad thing.
The Bengals had one more pick in the sixth round and drafted
another running back. Rodney Anderson played for the Oklahoma Sooners and had
injuries in 2015, 2016, and 2018. It is hard to say where he could fit in with
the Bengals system, but based on the numbers he was able to put up in college,
Anderson has a lot of potential.
The Bengals' final pick of the 2019 NFL draft was in the
seventh round. They selected cornerback Jordan Brown out of South Dakota State.
He might have trouble finding playing time behind Darqueze Dennard and Dre
Kirkpatrick, but his stats from college suggest he could be a suitable backup
for the time being.
Those were all the Bengals' 2019 NFL draft picks. They
addressed their offensive line woes and really made an attempt at boosting the
rushing attack for the offense. A lot of people (including myself) wanted them
to take quarterback Dwayne Haskins out of Ohio State, but you can see why they
decided to go with Jonah Williams in the first round instead. Hopefully all
these picks pan out well and help make the Bengals a contender in the AFC North
Division once again.
Who Dey!
Pete Harnisch Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Cincinnati Reds 2001 SGA Pete Harnisch bobblehead.
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Mox on the Move
Jon Moxley has seemingly made more news in a few weeks than
he had during his entire time with World Wrestling Entertainment. After his
contract with WWE expired, a cryptic video appeared on his usually inactive
Twitter account. That sent the wrestling world into a frenzy and for good
reason.
Only May 25, 2019, All Elite Wrestling had their first
official show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Speculation was running wild on whether or
not Moxley would make an appearance. After the main event between Chris Jericho
and Kenny Omega concluded, Moxley appeared came through the crowd, hopped the
ringside barricade and proceeded to take out Jericho and the referee before
battling Omega up the entrance ramp. He would Omega off a stack of poker chips
on the main stage of the set and end the show standing tall as chants of Moxley
echoed throughout the arena. It was revealed after that Moxley had signed a
full time contract with AEW and will be part of their roster.
So how do you capitalize on an unbelievable debut in a
company perceived to be a real threat to WWE? You go to New Japan Pro
Wrestling. About a Week after Moxley's AEW debut, another video appeared on his
twitter account. This one revealed that he would be heading to NJPW to face
Juice Robinson at Best of the Super Juniors Finals in what would be Moxley's
first match since leaving WWE. Robinson's IWGP United States Heavyweight
Championship was also on the line. After a brutal bout which saw the use of a few
weapons, Moxley emerged victorious and captured the belt from Robinson after
hitting a modified version of his Dirty Deeds finisher which is being called
the Death Rider. With the win, Moxley became the first man in history to have
held both the WWE United States Championship and the IWGP United States
Heavyweight Championship.
Needless to say that Moxley has been on the move ever since
he left WWE. He's booked a few indie shows and has signed contracts with both
NJPW and AEW. The number of dream matches this can create are endless. A match
with Omega in AEW seems inevitable as does a rematch with Robinson in NJPW.
Bouts against Kota Ibushi and Kazuchika Okada among others are also in the
realm of possibility. The current IWGP United States Heavyweight Champ is
creating a ton of buzz in the wrestling world, and it would appear that he is
not finished yet.
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Sunday, June 23, 2019
Stomping Grounds 2019 Thoughts
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shares his thoughts on WWE Stomping Grounds 2019.
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Reds Rockin' 150
The Cincinnati Reds are in the midst of their 150th
Anniversary season and to celebrate, they will be throwing a party on July 5
that will be sure to rock the Queen City. The Redlegs will host Reds Rockin'
150 at Great American Ball Park. The event is a combination open house,
concert, fan fest, and fireworks show to celebrate the first ever professional
baseball franchise.
Doors to the stadium will open at 5:00 pm and the event is
scheduled to conclude at 11:00 pm. At 8:00 pm, a concert featuring Phillip
Phillips, X Ambassadors, and Three Doors Down will start and will be followed
by a fireworks show to close out the event. There will also be other live music
options before the main concert starts including a performance by the Bronson
Arroyo band.
Aside from the music and fireworks, fans will also have the
opportunity to meet Reds players and alumni, run the bases, take a few swings
in the Reds batting cages, and check out exclusive areas of the ballpark.
Mascots and circus performers will also be scattered throughout the stadium for
additional entertainment. Available concessions in the stadium will be 50% off
as well.
Tickets to this event are free, and at the time that this
post was written, are available on the Cincinnati Reds website. I think this is
a great way to celebrate the very first professional baseball franchise in
history, and the fact that it is free should be more than enough reason for
every member of Reds Country to try and attend. There will be live music,
current and former Reds greats, fireworks, and 50% concessions. Kudos to the
Reds for hosting this event and further cementing Cincinnati as a baseball
town.
A.J. Green Flathlete Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Cincinnati Bengals A.J. Green flathlete.
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Shaking Things Up
FC Cincinnati might only be in its fourth year of existence
and first year in Major League Soccer, but the young franchise is not afraid to
pull the trigger on making big moves. Following the team's loss to the San Jose
Earthquakes, FCC dismissed head coach Alan Koch and named assistant coach Yoann
Damet as interim head coach.
Under Koch FCC attained a record of 2 wins, 2 draws, and 7
losses totaling only 8 points in the MLS eastern standings through their first
11 games. The club had gone winless in their last seven matches in a row and
had not scored in their previous five.
Signs of Koch's dismissal were pretty apparent. After the
team's fell to the Philadelphia Union in a Wednesday night match, Koch said he
needed additional players in order to win. The comments essentially threw FCC's
front office and roster under the bus. Following the team's next loss to the
Earthquakes, a few players such as Fanendo Adi voiced their frustrations with
Koch's coaching style and lack of team identity. The club released a statement
saying that Koch was dismissed because of "a series of recent issues and a
team culture that had deteriorated."
At the time that this post was written, FCC had only played
one match with Damet at the helm. The team earned a 2-1 victory over the
Montreal Impact as Allan Cruz ended the club's 528 minute scoreless streak
early in the first half. Fatal Alashe scored his first goal of the season in
the second half. It is still early, but the team looked very different under
Damet. They were passing the ball more and creating more opportunities on
offense. Whether or not that is a result of Damet's style or a lack of film on
it remains to be seen but for now, everything seems to be copacetic in the
Queen City.
Will Damet be the permanent coach for FC Cincinnati? Let's
see him coach a few more games first. Rumors are that Gerard Nijkamp has been
hired by the club to be the new general manager, and he will make the final
decision as to who the next head coach of FCC is. If Damet can actually turn
the team around and string together some wins, then I could definitely see FCC
naming him as head coach. If not, then I really hope the team conducts an
international search and brings in the best coach possible that can lead this
team to a future MLS Cup victory.
Bobblehead Collection 2018
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone recaps the 2018 additions to his bobblehead collection.
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
USMNT to the 513
Nippert Stadium has been the home of FC Cincinnati since their inaugural United Soccer League season in 2016. Fans saw the team host Crystal Palace F.C. in 2016, the memorable Open Cup victories over the Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire in 2017 were under the Nippert Stadium lights, and FCC’s first win in Major League Soccer was in front of a packed home crowd on St. Patrick’s Day 2019. This Sunday, another memorable soccer moment will happen as the United States Men’s National Team will play Venzeula in the team’s final preparation match before the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup.
The game is set to begin at 2 PM on Sunday June 9 and marks the first ever visit to the Queen City by the USMNT. It will be broadcasted nationally on FOX and will further show why Cincinnati is Soccer City, USA. Tickets are currently on sale via ussoccer.com.
In my opinion, this is one of the coolest sporting events to come to Cincinnati. The players on the USMNT are supposed to be the best that America has to offer and getting to see them play in my own backyard is incredible. I bought tickets to this game a few weeks ago and have been counting the days until kickoff.
I believe that we will win!
Wally Post Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Cincinnati Reds bobblehead of Wally Post.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Just Play Ball
Baseball has a set of codes that players usually follow.
It's the only sport I can think of that pretty much governs itself. Players and
coaches should act certain ways and if they don't, expect some sort of
retaliation. To me, that is unbelievably stupid.
When the Cincinnati Reds played the Pittsburgh Pirates in
Pittsburgh for the first time this season, Derek Dietrich blasted a home run
out of the ballpark and into the Allegheny River. He stood there at home plate
and watched it sail out of the stadium. Apparently that broke one of baseball's
unwritten laws and his next time up to bat, Pirates pitcher Chris Archer threw
a ball high and behind Dietrich as a way of retaliation. The umpire issued a
warning to Archer and both benches. This upset Reds manager David Bell who came
charging out of the mound and was complaining that the Reds can't retaliate
against the Pirates. A big brawl broke out after that and players from both
teams were ejected and suspended. Is this Major League Baseball or Little
League?
Baseball is a game. It is supposed to be fun. I had no
problem at all with Dietrich watching his ball fly into the river. I would have
done it also. If Chris Archer didn't like Dietrich admiring his home run shot,
then Archer shouldn't have thrown a pitch that Dietrich could power out of the
stadium. Also, Archer is notorious for celebrating strikeouts and has even
moon walked off the mound. What is the difference between watching a home run
and celebrating a strikeout? If you can celebrate a K without retaliation, you
should be able to celebrate a home run without retaliation.
The whole retaliation aspect of baseball is stupid in my
opinion. I watch the sport of baseball because I love the game. I want to see
players celebrate when they do something great. What I do not want to see is a
petty retaliation that makes everybody involved looked childish. It can
seriously hurt a player, and brawls, ejections, and suspensions usually occur as
a result. That ruins the game in my opinion as it takes away the opportunity
for fans to see some of their favorites play. Just get rid of retaliation and
play ball.
Redlegs the Snowman Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Redlegs the Snowman bobblehead.
Monday, May 27, 2019
Double or Nothing 2019 Thoughts
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shares his thoughts on AEW Double or Nothing 2019.
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Mox is Back
Dean Ambrose's contract with World Wrestling Entertainment appeared to expire on April 30, 2019. Around midnight on May 1, his twitter account,which is notorious for its lack of activity posted, a video of him breaking out of a jail cell, climbing over a barbwire fence, escaping through a city, and training inside a wrestling ring. At the end of the video, the word Mox appears and suggests that Dean Ambrose is no more, and Jon Moxley has returned.
For those who are unaware, Jon Moxley was Ambrose's name before he joined WWE. He made a name for himself on the indie scene as one of the best talkers in the wrestling industry and was known for his violent and hardcore matches. The fact that he would reuse the Moxley moniker makes sense as he is no longer a WWE employee. What has people excited and adding fuel to the fire on whether or not he joins All Elite Wrestling are the subtle messages hidden within the video.
Many people claim that Moxley breaking out of the jail cell is symbolic of him breaking free from the "Ambrose Asylum" and WWE. Others are also saying that the pair of dice with the numbers 2 and 5 that are painted on a wall he runs by is a subtle nod to AEW's Double or Nothing pay-per-view which will be held on May 25 in Las Vegas. Las Vegas is also where Moxley currently resides.
Whether or not these subliminal messages are hinting at an AEW debut remains to be seen. Some wrestling fans are even speculating that this is a big storyline from WWE which oddly does make sense. The production value of the video is top notch, and WWE uncharacteristically gave Ambrose a nice exit from the company. Whatever the case may be, it is clear that the return of Jon Moxley has shaken up the wrestling industry and generated an enormous amount of buzz. So where will Moxley end up once he finally decides to return to the ring? We will have to wait and see.
Monday, May 20, 2019
Money in the Bank 2019 Thoughts
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shares his thoughts on WWE Money in the Bank 2019.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
2019 Cincinnati Reds Themed Bobbleheads
For the past few years, the Cincinnati Reds have been
teaming up with various companies to produce special themed giveaway items that
are exclusive to certain ticket packages. Some of these items are bobbleheads
and have featured characters from Star Wars, Peanuts, and Marvel among others.
So who will the Redlegs team up with this season and what unique bobbleheads
will be distributed? Let's take a look.
The first themed bobblehead of 2019 is a Game of Thrones
Queen Rosie bobblehead. Last year the Reds and Game of Thrones gave out a King
Redlegs bobblehead, and it was a very good looking bobble. The Queen Rosie
bobble looks just as good and will make a fine addition to anybody's bobblehead
collection. This will be given out during the 5/15 game against the Chicago
Cubs.
The next themed bobblehead is of Woodstock. He is the little
yellow bird from the Peanuts comic strip and cartoon. The previous years have
seen the Reds give out bobbleheads of Charlie Brown and Snoopy. This bobble
will be given out on the 5/19 game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
It wouldn't be baseball season without a Star Wars themed
giveaway, and the Reds are teaming up with the juggernaut movie franchise on
5/31 against the Washington Nationals when they give out a bobblehead of Darth
Vader. The bobblehead features Vader standing on a Reds baseball and continues
the partnership that Star Wars and the Redlegs have had for the last few years.
The fourth themed bobblehead giveaway of the year is the one
I am looking forward to the most. For the third straight year, the Reds and
Marvel are teaming up to distribute a bobblehead with the 2019 season featuring
a Black Panther bobble. This will be the fourth Marvel bobblehead the Reds have
given to fans with the previous three being Rocket Raccoon, Iron Man, and
Captain America. Im a big super hero fan and have all three in my collection,
and I will definitely be getting tickets for this game. It will take place on
6/14 when the Texas Rangers come to town.
The fifth bobble is of All-Star-Sam, the bald eagle. This is
a joint promotion bobblehead between the Reds and the Cincinnati Zoo. Last
year's zoo themed bobblehead was of Fiona the hippo. This will be given out
during the 6/18 game against the Houston Astros.
The next themed bobblehead game is on 7/19 when the Redlegs
take on the St. Louis Cardinals and ties in Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. In
honor of the 30th anniversary of "Off to See the Lizard," this
bobblehead will be of the Lizard.
The last themed bobblehead the Reds will give out in 2019
will be in conjunction with the Grateful Dead. Members of Reds Country who are
also Deadheads will get a kick out of this bobblehead as it will be of the
Dancing Bear. This will be given out on 8/16 when the Reds host the Cardinals.
Those are the themed ticket package bobbleheads the Reds
will give out during the 2019 season. Ranging from Star Wars to the Zoo, there
is sure to be a bobblehead that will capture the interest of every Reds fan.
I'm looking forward to the Black Panther bobblehead the most. More information
on these bobbleheads can be found the Cincinnati Reds website.
Harry Wright Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a 2018 Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum Harry Wright bobblehead.
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Double Video Weeks
This is a quick update on the Cincy Fan Zone website. If you are a frequent visitor of my website or my YouTube channel, you know that I publish one video a week. This has been the case ever since I first started Cincy Fan Zone in 2014. I thought having one video a week and one post a week supplied the Cincy Fan Zone website with ample content, and it was easy enough for me to manage. However, there will be a few times this year in which there will be two videos a week.
I enjoy making wrestling pay-per-vew review videos for WWE shows such as the Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania. Those are published the night of the pay-per-view. Other videos are usually published on Tuesdays. With WWE slowly releasing their pay-per-view schedule this year, I have had to rearrange and reschedule various videos on my website every time a new pay-per-view was announced. For a one-man crew, it is a very time-consuming process. At the time that this post was written, WWE just released the rest of the pay-per-view schedule for 2019, and if I were to keep up with the one video a week schedule, it would have required a massive reshuffling of videos.
Bobblehead unboxing videos would have been pushed back even more, and the bobblehead collection recap video would most likely not have been published until August or September. That would have thrown 2019 bobblehead unboxing videos further down the schedule as well. To save myself time and to ensure that the 2018 bobblehead recap video actually gets published before 2020, there will be a few weeks in which Cincy Fan Zone will have two videos published. To compensate for that, there might be a few weeks in which no new content is published. This is to provide balance and not overwhelm frequent Cincy Fan Zone visitors, and it is also a way to give myself a break.
Thank you for your understanding and for continuing to visit the Cincy Fan Zone website.
Los Rojos Eugenio Suarez Bobblehead Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a 2018 Los Rojos Eugenio Suarez bobblehead.
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
What Paul Brown Can Learn From Lucas Oil
I love going to Cincinnati Bengals games. Getting to watch professional football live and in person is one of the best sports events that all fans of the National Football League should try to experience. The atmosphere is phenomenal, the action on the field is usually constant, and getting to watch the game with a bunch of fellow football fans is always fun. Until this past season, I have only watched NFL games at Paul Brown Stadium. I always have fun cheering on the Bengals, and Paul Brown Stadium is a fine place to watch a game. However, my eyes were truly opened when I went up to Indianapolis to watch the Bengals take on the Colts in their 2018 season opener at Lucas Oil Stadium.
I have seen Lucas Oil Stadium on television multiple times but being there in person was a breathtaking experience. The Colts have a gorgeous stadium. From the Peyton Manning statue that greets fans outside the main entrance to the championship banners that hang from the ceiling, Lucas Oil Stadium is a palace when compared to Paul Brown Stadium. The stadium pays tribute to the city’s racecar heritage with various NASCAR and Indy Car models and it blends together nicely with the Colts décor that fills Lucas Oil Stadium to the brim. It was a cold and rainy day in Indianapolis so the roof was closed, and I believe that helped make the stadium louder. The retractable roof structure of the stadium also allowed the team to shoot off pyro and fire off streamers every time the Colt scored a touchdown. Lucas Oil Stadium was truly an experience that I wish Paul Brown Stadium could replicate.
I know that stadiums in Cincinnati is a touchy subject considering how the Reds and Bengals stadium deals are regarded as some of the worst of all time, and FC Cincinnati’s bait and switch and three site rotation stadium saga was nauseating. However, should the Bengals decide that they need a new stadium, I would hope they model it after Lucas Oil Stadium. I love Paul Brown Stadium, but Lucas Oil Stadium is without a shadow of a doubt much better. A new Bengals stadium could feature statues of franchise legends and also pay tribute to the city’s heritage. A retractable roof would be nice during the winter and for whenever it rains during a game and having orange fireworks go off whenever the Bengals score would be awesome.
Those are just some of the things that I think the Bengals could implement into a new stadium should one be built. It would greatly enhance the game day experience, and the franchise could host a lot more events. Final Fours, College Football Championship games, state championship football games, concerts, Super Bowls, and WrestleMania among other events could all emanate from a new Bengals stadium that followed the Lucas Oil Stadium model. Maybe one day a new state of the art Paul Brown Stadium will see the Bengals not only host the Super Bowl but win it as well.
Who Dey!
Redsfest 2018 Commemorative Ornament Unboxing
Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Redsfest 2018 Commemorative Ornament.
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
My Reds and Marvel Bobblehead Wish List
Once again, the Cincinnati Reds and Marvel are joining
forces to give away a themed ticket package bobblehead of a super hero. This year's bobble will feature Black Panther. This
is the third consecutive year in which the Redlegs and Marvel have teamed up to
give out a bobblehead. 2017 saw the Reds give out bobbleheads of Rocket Raccoon
and Iron Man, and Captain America was given out last year. With an entire
Marvel Universe of characters to feature as bobbleheads, who should the Reds
immortalize as a bobble next? Here are my top five choices.
Let's start with the mighty Thor. The Asgardian god of
thunder would make for an excellent bobblehead. Have him stand at the plate
with his hammer instead of his bat and you've got an awesome crossover bobble
that would make Odin proud.
Fourth on my list is Thanos. The ultimate villain in the
Marvel Cinematic Universe would look awesome as a Reds bobblehead. One hand
could have the infinity gauntlet and the other could feature all five Reds
World Series Championship rings.
Third on my list is Wolverine. He has always been my
favorite X-Men character and is one of the toughest characters in the history
of Marvel. I'd love to see him in either his traditional blue and yellow gear
or in a red and white themed Redlegs outfit.
Second is the Incredible Hulk. The big, green rage monster
has been one of Marvel's most popular characters and has been featured as a
bobblehead by a few different teams already. A bobblehead of him smashing
through Great American Ball Park would be epic.
My number one choice for a Marvel Reds bobblehead is
Spider-Man. Not only is he my all time favorite super hero, but he is one of
the most popular super heroes in the history of comics. He could also be
featured in a variety of styles such as his Venom costume, the Miles Morales
outfit, or his traditional red and blue gear. The possibilities are seemingly endless.
That's my list of Marvel characters I'd like to see featured
as Reds bobbleheads. I've collected every one the Reds and Marvel have given
out so far, and I already have my tickets for the Black Panther game. If this
partnership between Marvel and the Reds continues, you can bet that I will be
heading to Great American Ball Park to assemble my collection of Marvel and Reds bobbleheads!
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