Phoning It In?

Before you dive into this post, please let me make one thing clear. I am a diehard fan of World Wrestling Entertainment. I fell in love with the world of professional wrestling when I was kid during the Attitude Era. Guys like Stone Cold Steve Austin and the Rock ran wild in WWE and factions like the New World Order dominated World Championship Wrestling. It was a great time to be a wrestling fan. As I watch the product now though, I can’t help but feel somewhat disappointed with what WWE has become. The lack of creativity in storytelling by WWE officials is appalling. It sometimes feels as if WWE is phoning it in until Wrestlemania season. In this post I will discuss why I feel WWE is in need of a major shakeup to make it must see television again.

A major shakeup can come very easily in two different ways. Creating better characters is probably the most obvious way of doing that. Guys like Wade Barrett, Alberto Del Rio, and Sheamus are stagnant to me. They are all fine when it comes to in ring ability, but their characters are just too boring. Much like John Cena’s babyface persona is in major need of a heel turn to make him refreshing and add depth to his character, these guys need more character development in order for me to care that they are heels. Personally, I find them pretty boring and until WWE can find a way to make me invest in them and give me a reason to truly despise these heels, I, like much of the WWE universe, will continue to see them as boring.

Another way to shake tings up is with better storylines. Team ECW versus the Wyatt Family was just thrown together, and Tyler Breeze versus Dolph Ziggler has become very bland. These wrestlers are all very talented, but poor storytelling on WWE’s part has made me care very little about them. The stories are repetitive and a bit lazy in the creative department, and WWE needs to fix this immediately.

I am not a WWE hater or a “smark.” I am a fan of WWE and while a lot of WWE programming has been bad as of late, there are some good. Guys like Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, and the New Day have well developed characters and are masters at capturing the attention of the audience. The Dean Ambrose versus Seth Rollins rivalry and the Daniel Bryan versus the Authority feud were two of the best pieces of storytelling that WWE has produced in the past few years. This proves that WWE is capable of producing intriguing stories with captivating characters that make the audience invest in them. Wrestlemania season and the “Attitude Era” are prime examples of that. If WWE could do this on a weekly basis, then perhaps its rating for Raw and Smackdown might reverse its current downward trend.

I really hope WWE smells the coffee and wakes up to the fact that its product is in a state of staleness. Something needs to be done to make it interesting again. Shake things up ,WWE. I am begging you to stop phoning it in until Wrestlemania season. Make wrestling fun again.

Bengals Recap 2015

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone recaps the 2015 season of the Cincinnati Bengals.

PO’ed: Poorly Officiated

January 9, 2016, is a date that I and many other fans of the Cincinnati Bengals would like to forget. After trailing the entire game, my beloved Bengals fought and clawed their way back into the game and took a 16-15 lead over their biggest rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, with a little under two minutes left in the game. It looked like the Bengals would finally win in the playoffs and end a 25 year postseason victory draught that dates all the way back to the 1990 NFL season. Unfortunately, the Steelers escaped with an 18-15 win over the Bengals after two stupid penalties cost the Bengals 30 yards. While the Bengals ultimately cost themselves the game, the officiating definitely played a role. Now I am not saying that the officials are the reason why the Bengals lost the game. I am saying that the officiating was so bad that the game essentially turned into a fight, and the lack of control by the referees played a key role into how violent the game became.

The head referee for this game was the same referee who officiated the second Steelers versus Bengals game. In that contest, the two teams got in a fight before the game even started. During the game, Steelers player Mike Mitchell laid a hard shot into Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert that resulted in Eifert leaving the game with a concussion. The tension only escalated from there and the officiating crew was heavily criticized for how they handled the game.

Fast forward to the playoff game for Steelers versus Bengals part three. For some stupid reason, the NFL has the same head official from the previous Steelers versus Bengals game referee the playoff game. Apparently the NFL told both teams before the game that they would not tolerate the same kind of violent play that characterized their previous meeting and at first, it looked like the officials had control of the game. Both teams were playing hard and other than an incident involving one of the Steelers coaches and Bengals safety Reggie Nelson, the game was going on without a hitch although it was a hard-hitting matchup. The officiating took a nosedive after an incident involving Ryan Shazier of the Steelers and Giovani Bernard of the Bengals.

Bernard caught a pass and took two steps before being knocked out by Ryan Shazier’s helmet-to-helmet shot that was horrific to watch. Bernard was motionless on the ground for a few minutes. Apparently the play was legal, but it was no doubt a dirty and vicious hit that could have seriously injured both players. To make matters worse, Shazier, in a display of the poorest of sportsmanship, celebrated the hit on the sideline. Things escalated quickly.

Both teams appeared to be hitting each other harder and the fans even started throwing trash onto the field. Toward the end of the game, Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict laid out Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown with a shot to the head from his shoulder that floored Brown. It was reminiscent of the hit Shazier placed on Bernard. That was called a penalty. However, the play also led to another scrummage between the two teams. This time though, Steelers coach Joey Porter was on the field and jawing with Bengals cornerback Adam Jones. There was absolutely no reason for Porter to be on the field. He is a coach and should have stayed on the sideline. Had that play in which Shazier knocked out Bernard been handled better, then perhaps Brown would not have suffered that hit and the game would have not turned into a fight with fans throwing debris onto the field. The game was poorly officiated as the referees lost control. In my opinion, the NFL has a lot of explaining to do. 

I could go on and on about how bad the officiating was, but I am still disgusted with how the game ended. It was a poor display of sportsmanship from a few coaches and players on the field and an embarrassment for the NFL.

Holiday Pickups 2015

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shows what he picked up over the holidays.

We Really Want This One

We really want this one. Who am I referring to as “we?” I am referring to Who Dey Nation which is made up of every single Cincinnati Bengals fan. What am I referring to as “this one?” I am referring to the Bengals first round playoff game this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Should the Bengals come away with a victory against the Steelers, a twenty-five year playoff win draught would come to an end and a curse that was seemingly placed on the Bengals by the Steelers a decade ago would finally be lifted.

This is the most “must win” Bengals game of my lifetime. I was born in 1992 so I missed both Super Bowl appearances and the last time the Bengals won in the postseason was during the 1990 NFL season. Since that win, the Bengals have gone through peaks and valleys with the lowest of the lows being the “Dark Ages” of the 1990s.

After that lost decade that made up the first eight years of my childhood, the Marvin Lewis era began in 2003, and the dark cloud that hung over Paul Brown Stadium began to dissipate. It seemed like rays of sunshine were finally beginning to illuminate the once dark and depressing home of the Bengals. In 2005, the team won the AFC North crown, and the horrible past of the Bengals was becoming a distant memory. A high-powered offense led by stars such as Chad Johnson and Carson Palmer seemed destined to lead the Bengals to the promised land. Bengals fever was at an all time high as the team hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2005 playoffs. All seemed right in the world. Then came a crushing sports injury that devastated the 13-year-old Bengals fan that was me a decade ago. Carson Palmer was tackled low and tore both his MCL and ACL and the dream season of the Bengals ended in nightmare fashion as the team lost the game and was knocked out of the playoffs in the first round.

Unfortunately, the first round playoff exits continued as the New York Jets, the Houston Texans, the San Diego Chargers, and the Indianapolis Colts have all ended the postseason dreams of the Bengals in the first round. Every time the Bengals lost in the first round of the playoffs, the dark cloud that hung over Paul Brown Stadium became darker. Every first round playoff loss was a reminder of the curse that the Steelers placed on the Bengals ten years ago.

All of that can change this weekend. The Bengals are different this year. They have destroyed teams such as the Cleveland Browns and the St. Louis Rams and have grinded out wins against other teams like the Seattle Seahawks and the Baltimore Ravens. They finished the regular season with a record of 12-4 and won the AFC North title. Their four losses came against four teams who made the postseason and three out of those four games were nail biters that came down to the wire. Their one crushing defeat came at the hands of the Steelers, and it was due to the fact that Dalton suffered a thumb injury on the first Bengals offensive drive and did not play the rest of the game. 

This team is different. This team can shake the curse and finally win in the playoffs. It would be so fitting and so satisfying to end the curse by beating the team that placed the curse upon them. The Steelers are the most hated rival of the Bengals. This rivalry has grown immensely over the last few years, and the pure disdain between the two teams has escalated to a whole new level. The game this weekend will be a knockdown, drag out fight that will probably come down to the wire. Hopefully the Bengals will come away with the win and end the postseason draught and curse. A decade of suffering would finally come to an end. The gorilla that has been on the back of the Bengals for 25 years will finally be shaken off with a win. This is the most must-win Bengals game of my lifetime. Who Dey Nation really wants this one. Make it happen Bengals.

Who Dey!

Autograph Page Update

#AUTOGRAPH PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/oiRAWLpVYr WITH NEW #REDS SIGNATURE #Bengals #WhoDey #LetsRoar #NFL #PITvsCIN pic.twitter.com/X2OVSm3M0w

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) January 6, 2016

Photo Page Update

PIC PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/yzF6TznxxM WITH #BALvsCIN, #Bengals Line, #BeyondTheStripes & #Reds HOT STOVE PICS pic.twitter.com/HpcdkeYH5P

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) January 6, 2016

MikeO Care Package Unboxing

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a care package from MikeO.

Give MikeO a sub: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0lnxZxSIPRJ-88XUu4g05w

Holiday Autographs

If you are a Cincinnati sports fan, then the holidays are a prime time for you to snag some autographs from some of your favorite Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals players. Most people take time off from work during the holidays and if you are one of those lucky people that get a holiday break and would love to meet some of the best athletes on the diamond or the gridiron during your holiday vacation, keep reading as I will discuss the various sports shows that take place in Cincinnati which allow you to meet players from both the Reds and the Bengals.

On Mondays, ESPN 1530 broadcasts “Bengals Line,” a Bengals radio talk show that takes place at the Holy Grail bar in Cincinnati from 6 to 9pm. Lance McAlister and former Bengals player Dave Lapham are the hosts, and during the first two hours of the three hour show, they will interview two current Bengals players. The show typically features one player from the offense and one from the defense, and fans are allowed to get autographs from the players during commercial breaks. I have been multiple times and have gotten the autographs of A.J. Green, Andy Dalton, and Carlos Dunlap among others.

The Holy Grail is also the site for Reds Hot Stove League on Tuesdays from 6 to 7pm. This is a Cincinnati Reds talk show in which Reds broadcasters such as Marty Brennaman and Jim Kelch will interview a Reds player. Guests have included Devin Mesoraco and Michael Lorenzen among other past and current Reds players.

On Tuesdays at the Moerlein Lager House from 7 to 8pm, the Cincinnati Enquirer broadcasts their web show called “Beyond the Stripes.” This is my favorite Bengals show to go to as it features a funny panel of Bengals reporters who really interact well with the guest player. Unlike the other Bengals shows in Cincinnati, “Beyond the Stripes” supplies fans with pictures of the guest player that the guest player will sign. The pictures look really nice and are a fantastic addition to any Bengals fan memorabilia collection. Guests this season have included Giovani Bernard, Jeremy Hill, and Tyler Eifert.

On Wednesdays, Bengals fans can head back to the Holy Grail for the taping of “Bengals Nation.” This is a Bengals show that is made by CBS affiliate Local 12, and it is aired on Saturday nights. The show features question and answer sessions, a trivia game, and the opportunity for autographs from a guest player. Since this is a taped TV show, it is filmed in segments and doesn’t really give a talk show like feel. It is still a fun way to meet Bengals players though, and I have gotten the autographs from multiple Bengals players and personnel such as Marvin Lewis, Chris Carter, and Paul Guenther.

On Fridays, the Bengals radio talk show called “Bengals Pep Rally” is broadcasted from various Greater Cincinnati area Buffalo Wings and Rings restaurants usually from 3 to 6pm. Dan Hoard and Dave Lapham host this show and during the last hour of the broadcast, they will interview a Bengals player who will sign autographs during commercial breaks. I have gotten the autographs of players such as Mohammed Sanu, Ryan Hewitt, and Will Clarke from “Bengals Pep Rally.”

Those are all the Reds and Bengals shows in Cincinnati that give fans the opportunity to attain autographs from some of their favorite players. They are a lot of fun to attend and if you have time off during the holidays, I recommend you go. You will be able to eat some good food, meet players from the Reds and the Bengals, and be engrossed in the Cincinnati sports culture.

Who Dey and go Redlegs!

Photo Page Update

PIC PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/yzF6TznxxM WITH #BENGALS PICS #BeyondTheStripes #WhoDey #LetsRoar #BALvsCIN #NFL #NBA pic.twitter.com/rOAwf1R31r

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) December 30, 2015

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Break Update

I will be taking a little break during the week of Christmas, so to make up for the lack of a post and a video next week, I have uploaded two posts and two videos this week. Scroll down the page to check them out or click on the links provided!

Induction Injustice

Dalton Debilitated

WWE TLC 2015 Thoughts

Bengal Graphs 2015 Part 3

Autograph Page Update

#AUOTGRAPH PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/oiRAWLpVYr WITH NEW #BENGALS SIGNATURE #WhoDey #LetsRoar #CINvsDEN #NFL #WWE pic.twitter.com/LMquj7jkN1

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) December 23, 2015

Photo Page Update

PIC PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/yzF6TznxxM WITH #BENGALS PICS #BeyondTheStripes #WhoDey #LetsRoar #CINvsDen #NFL #WWE pic.twitter.com/BB0ujfgUBq

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) December 23, 2015

Bengal Graphs 2015 Part 3

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shows the different Cincinnati Bengals autographs he has gotten.

Dalton Debilitated

What a horrible two days for Cincinnati sports fans. On Sunday, my beloved Cincinnati Bengals not only lost to their AFC North division rival the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they also lost quarterback Andy Dalton for a few weeks due to a fractured thumb. As if that was not bad enough, Rob Manfred, the commissioner of Major League Baseball, announced on Monday that he would not lift the ban from baseball on Cincinnati Reds legend Pete Rose thus essentially nullifying any hope that the “Hit King” might one day take his rightful place in the hallowed halls of Cooperstown. So why am I talking about these two topics?

With next week being the week of Christmas, I will be uploading two blog posts this week. Each will discuss either the Dalton injury or the continuation of Rose’s ban from baseball. Not jovial topics for Cincinnati sports fans during the “most wonderful time of the year,” but topics important enough to warrant discussion from me. This post is about the injury to Andy Dalton and how it affects my beloved Cincinnati Bengals.

Unless you are not a Bengals fan or have been living under a rock, then odds are you already know that Dalton fractured his thumb on Sunday when attempting to make a tackle after an interception. It was a freak play that had me go from anger over the pick in the red zone to anguish after seeing Dalton walking back to the locker room. When he returned to the field, he was no longer in his football gear and had a big cast on his right arm. The injury was later reported to be a fractured thumb that thankfully will not require surgery. According to reports, Dalton’s status is week to week and if all goes well, he could play again as early as the regular season finale against the Baltimore Ravens

What does this mean for the Bengals until then? It means that AJ McCarron will be the starting quarterback until Dalton recovers. McCarron had a prolific college career as the starting quarterback for the University of Alabama. He led the Crimson Tide to multiple national championships and had it not been for uncertainty about his NFL career due to a shoulder injury, he could have been drafted higher than he was by the Bengals and might have been on a different team. Thankfully he is a member of the Bengals, and despite looking like a true rookie quarterback when he entered the game against the Steelers, he still made some really good throws and appears to have the potential to help hold the team over until Dalton returns.

While Dalton’s injury is a devastating blow to what is a great Bengals team, it is not the end of the world. Dalton was having a career year before the injury, and should he return in time for the playoffs, I would expect him to continue playing at the new level he has reached this season. McCarron has looked good during the limited times he has seen actual NFL action, and I believe that he will help lead the Bengals to a division clinching win and a berth in the postseason. Who Dey Nation has to keep the faith and get off the ledge. The season is far from over, and I still believe in my Bengals.

Who Dey!

Induction Injustice

What a horrible two days for Cincinnati sports fans. On Sunday, my beloved Cincinnati Bengals not only lost to their AFC North division rival the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they also lost quarterback Andy Dalton for a few weeks due to a fractured thumb. As if that was not bad enough, Rob Manfred, the commissioner of Major League Baseball, announced on Monday that he would not lift the ban from baseball on Cincinnati Reds legend Pete Rose thus essentially nullifying any hope that the “Hit King” might one day take his rightful place in the hallowed halls of Cooperstown. So why am I talking about these two topics?

With next week being the week of Christmas, I will be uploading two blog posts this week. Each will discuss either the Dalton injury or the continuation of Rose’s ban from baseball. Not jovial topics for Cincinnati sports fans during the “most wonderful time of the year,” but topics important enough to warrant discussion from me. This post is about Pete Rose’s continued banishment from Major League Baseball and the Hall of Fame.

I want to start this post by saying that I am a diehard fan of the Cincinnati Reds and believe that Pete Rose deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. He had a career that many dream about and few actually achieve, and his accomplishments on the field are nothing short of legendary. I understand that Rose broke the rules established by Major League Baseball in regards to gambling. I understand that Rose agreed to and accepted the banishment from baseball and lied about his gambling for years. I understand that Rose has apparently not learned from his banishment as he continues to gamble on sports including baseball. What I cannot accept is the hypocritical nature of Major League Baseball.

MLB promotes fantasy sports gambling companies such as FanDeul and Draft Kings. They are fantasy sports sites in which users can gamble on baseball. This is clearly the pot calling the kettle black. MLB has a firm stance on being against gambling yet it promotes fantasy sports gambling companies and in turn receives revenue from these promotions.

Also, former big league stars such as Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, and Mark McGwire used performance-enhancing drugs during their playing days. This tainted the sport of baseball much like the Black Sox Scandal did in 1919. The outcomes of baseball games during the “steroid era” were in doubt not because of gambling like what the 1919 Chicago White Sox did, but because these “sluggers” were helping their teams win by cheating and not by talent. However, these cheaters are not banned from MLB and are still eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame while Rose, whose accomplishments on the field were due to pure baseball talent, is not.

In conclusion, I think it is completely ridiculous that Rose does not have the chance to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. While I understand MLB’s rule on gambling, I do not understand how it promotes fantasy sports gambling and allows former players who used performance-enhancing drugs to still have the opportunity for Hall of Fame induction. In my opinion, Rose does not even have to be let back into MLB. He should just have the opportunity to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. I believe that the commissioner could have asked to have Rose placed on the ballot. If he receives the necessary amount of votes to get in, great. If he does not, at least he was given the opportunity. The decision by the commissioner to uphold the ban pretty much guarantees that the “Hit King” will never be enshrined in Cooperstown and proves that MLB is a hypocritical baseball entity.

Autograph Page Update

#AUTOGRAPH PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/oiRAWLpVYr WITH NEW #BENGALS SIGNATURE #WhoDey #LetsRoar #CINvsSF #NFL #sports pic.twitter.com/8qtniYfUOk

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) December 16, 2015

Photo Page Update

PHOTO PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/yzF6TznxxM WITH #BENGALS PICS #WhoDey #LetsRoar #CINvsSF #NFL #BeyondTheStripes pic.twitter.com/O5TsAeR4iP

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) December 16, 2015

WWE TLC 2015 Thoughts

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shares his thoughts on WWE TLC 2015.

Redsfest 2015

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone vlogs about his experience at Redsfest 2015.

My Redsfest 2015 Experience

Redsfest 2015 came and went this past weekend and like last year, I loaded up my Cincinnati Reds back sack with baseballs and spent my entire Saturday at the Duke Energy Center meeting former, current, and future stars of the Redlegs while soaking up everything that the annual December event had to offer. If you are a Reds fan and have not yet attended a Redsfest, then you are missing out on a fantastic experience. I have been multiple times and each year I have a blast. The event is a Cincinnati Reds fan version of paradise as it features awesome exhibits, opportunities to meet some of your favorite players, and pick up some sweet Reds memorabilia. The event takes place usually during the first Friday and Saturday in December. I was only able to attend on Saturday and even though I was only there for one day, I still had a great time. In this post, I will discuss some of my favorite elements of the 2015 edition of Redsfest.

My absolute favorite part of Redsfest is getting autographs. Despite only going on Saturday, I still came away with a pretty good haul by obtaining 13 autographs from 13 different former, current, and future Reds players on 13 different baseballs. I love getting to meet them and talk to them for a little bit while they kindly write their name on one of my baseballs. I was most excited to get the autograph of Joe Oliver. He was the catcher for the 1990 wire-to-wire World Series Championship Reds. You can see his autograph as well as the other autographs I obtained at Redsfest on the “Autograph” page.

Another cool element of Redsfest I enjoy is all the exhibits. There are a ton of things to see such as the World Series trophies, game used equipment and memorabilia, and interviews with past, current, and future Reds players. There is a lot to soak in and in order to get the full Redsfest experience, I recommend going both days. My favorite exhibit is the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum section as it features a massive amount of Reds history and chronicles the careers of some of the all-time greats to have ever put on a Reds uniform.

The atmosphere of the event is another fantastic feature of Redsfest as it seems that nearly everybody there is in a great mood. Everybody I talked to and interacted with was very pleasant, and the players I met genuinely seemed happy to be there. It is really cool to see a huge amount of people gathered in one place to celebrate Reds fandom, and it is even cooler that the players actually seem like they want to be there.

In conclusion, my experience at Redsfest 2015 was amazing. I always have a great time and this year was no different. Getting autographs, checking out the exhibits, and being immersed in a world in which Redlegs culture is abundant is always fun, and I cannot wait to go back. Hopefully I can go for both days next year and once again get lost in the world of the Cincinnati Reds.

Go Redlegs!

Autograph Page Update

#AUTOGRAPH PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/oiRAWLpVYr WITH NEW #BENGALS SIGNATURE #PITvsCIN #WhoDey #LetsRoar #NFL #NBA pic.twitter.com/Jrzk5VJK9Z

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) December 9, 2015

Autograph Page Update

#AUTOGRAPH PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/oiRAWLpVYr WITH NEW #REDS SIGNATURE #Redsfest #Bengals #WhoDey #LetsRoar #MLB pic.twitter.com/x9lUU6Gi33

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) December 9, 2015

Photo Page Update

PHOTO PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/yzF6TznxxM WITH #REDS & #BENGALS PICS #BeyondTheStripes #WhoDey #LetsRoar #PITvsCIN pic.twitter.com/eRE4dUOaVL

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) December 9, 2015

Autograph Page Update

#AUTOGRAPH PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/oiRAWLpVYr WITH 13 NEW #REDS SIGNATURES #Redsfest #Bengals #WhoDey #LetsRoar pic.twitter.com/OAfa6sENLK

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) December 6, 2015

Photo Page Update

PHOTO PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/yzF6TznxxM WITH #REDSFEST PICS #Reds #Bengals #WhoDey #LetsRoar #CINvsCLE #NFL #WWE pic.twitter.com/ULP5vZZeVy

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) December 6, 2015

Bengal Graphs 2015 Part 2

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shows the Cincinnati Bengals autographs he has gotten over the course of the season.

Bengals Across the Pond

For the past few years, the National Football League has been attempting to expand the game of American football from a sport contested primarily in the United States into a worldwide attraction. There have been reports that the NFL is looking to expand the league by adding international teams to the mix with London, England, being a prime candidate as a potential host city for a new franchise. While a London-based NFL team has not come to fruition yet, London has been the host city for a number of regular season NFL games. Many teams have boarded planes and taken the spectacle that is the NFL to American football fans who live “across the pond.” Next season, my beloved Cincinnati Bengals will be one of the teams who call London “home” for a Sunday, as they will be the home team in a game against the Washington Redskins on October 30, 2016, at Wembley Stadium.

While it is cool that Bengals fans in London will get to see the team play live and in person, I am personally not a fan of it. I probably sound selfish, but I do not like the situation for two main reasons. One of these reasons is that since the Bengals have been named as the home team, they will only play seven games at Paul Brown Stadium during the 2016 regular season as opposed to the normal eight games. This means that Bengals fans in Cincinnati will have one less chance to see their Bengals play live and in person unless they plan a trip to London. Also, Wembley Stadium is not Paul Brown Stadium and as a result, there will be no home field advantage for the

Bengals as they will essentially play at a neutral site. I do not like this at all as home field advantage is a very cherished element of NFL games and the fact that Bengals will be robbed of that does not sit well with me.

Those are the two main reasons why I do not like that the Bengals will be playing a home game next year in London. I have never been a fan of NFL games being played in London, and the fact that the Bengals are playing in London next year has only fueled my dislike for it even more. However, I am happy for the Bengals fans that live in London, as they will get to see their favorite team play in person. While I was at work last week, I was listening to a sports talk show on the radio, and the host of the show interviewed a Bengals fan who was born, raised, and still lives in London. The fan was thrilled about the Bengals game in London next season and the more I listened to him, the less bitter I was about the situation. The fan was genuinely excited about getting to watch the Bengals play at Wembley Stadium. If there are more fans like that in London, than I guess I can deal with not getting to watch the Bengals play at Paul Brown Stadium on October 30, 2016.

In conclusion, I do not like that the Bengals will host the Redskins in London next season. There will only be seven games played at Paul Brown Stadium during the 2016 regular season instead of eight, and Wembley Stadium will not provide home field advantage for the Bengals. However, I am happy for all the Bengals fans who live in London and hope they enjoy the game. I will just have to set my alarm for the early morning hours on Sunday, October 30, so that I can cheer on my Bengals as they play at Wembley Stadium.

Who Dey!

Autograph Page Update

#AUTOGRAPH PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/oiRAWLpVYr WITH #BENGALS SIGNATURE #BeyondTheStripes #WhoDey #LetsRoar #NFL pic.twitter.com/KG1ld8oM1C

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) December 2, 2015

Photo Page Update

PHOTO PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/yzF6TznxxM WITH #STLvsCIN & #BEYONDTHESTRIPES PICS #Bengals #WhoDey #LetsRoar #NFL pic.twitter.com/275DnqU7zg

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) December 2, 2015

Wrestlemania 25 3-Disc DVD Set Review

Wrestlemania is the biggest wrestling event of all time. It features high profile matches, celebrity involvement, and showcases World Wrestling Entertainment’s product on a global stage. An event this big only happens once a year, but that does not mean you only have to watch it once every 365 days. WWE has released every Wrestlemania on some sort of home video format whether it be on VHS, DVD, or Blu-ray. Over the course of the next few weeks, I will review the different home video editions of Wrestlemania that I own.

The Wrestlemania 25 3-Disc DVD set is the subject of this week’s review. This Wrestlemania was shot in high definition and was released on both Blu-Ray and on DVD. The Blu-Ray version obviously has better sound and picture quality than the DVD version, but both have are able to be presented in either a 4:3 aspect ratio or a 16:9 aspect ratio. I prefer the 16:9 aspect ratio as the picture is wider, and you are able to see more things on screen as opposed to the 4:3 aspect ratio.

Disc 1 contains the first few hours of the Wrestlemania 25 pay-per-view on it. It starts with the traditional singing of “America the Beautiful” by Nicole Scherzinger and continues up to the Triple Threat Match for the World Heavyweight Championship between Edge, John Cena, and the Big Show.

Disc 2 starts with the continuation of Wrestlemania 25, which includes the introduction of the 2009 WWE Hall of Fame Inductees and the WWE Championship Match between Randy Orton and Triple H. Also on disc 2 is the preWrestlemania 25 Lumberjack Match for the Unified Tag Team Championship in which the team of Carlito and Primo took on the Miz and John Morrison. The other special features are highlights from Wrestlemanias 1-24. The highlights are fun to watch as you get to speed through the first 24 Wrestlemania events.

The third disc of the set contains the entire 2009 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and features the inductions of the Funks, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, and Stone Cold Steve Austin. This was a good class with the biggest name on the list of inductees being Austin. Even if you do not enjoy watching the induction ceremonies, every wrestling fan needs to at least watch the induction of Stone Cold, one of the biggest if not the biggest icon in the professional wrestling industry.

The packaging for this Wrestlemania is fantastic, and I think it is the best-looking Wrestlemania packaging that WWE has ever done. The front of the packaging has the Wrestlemania 25 logo and a variety of wrestlers who were in the WWE at that time surrounding it. The inside of the packaging features pictures from the event with the two most prominent being of both world title matches. The DVD discs even look good as the first two discs have a similar look to the front of the packaging. The look of the third disc mirrors that of the first two with the difference being that instead of the Wrestlemania 25 logo and the wrestlers from WWE’s 2009 roster, it features the WWE Hall of Fame logo and the 2009 inductees.

Overall, the Wrestlemania 25 3-Disc DVD set is a great home video version of the pay-per-view. The packaging looks great, there are a lot of bonus features, and the event itself was really good. Highlights that make this Wrestlemania worth a watch are the Extreme Rules Match between Matt and Jeff Hardy, Chris Jericho taking on Roddy Piper, Jimmy Snuka, and Ricky Steamboat in a match in which Steamboat showed the world that, despite his age, he can still perform in the ring, the Money in the Bank Ladder Match, the Triple Threat Match for World Heavyweight Title, and the show stealing battle between Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker, which is one of the greatest Wrestlemania matches of all time. This was a really good Wrestlemania and one that needs to be in every wrestling fan’s collection.

Keep an eye out for the Wrestlemania 26 3-Disc DVD set review!

Survivor Series 2015 Thoughts

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shares his thoughts on Survivor Series 2015.

Bengal Graphs 2015

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shows the Cincinnati Bengals autographs he has gotten through the first four weeks of the 2015 NFL season.

Wrestlemania 24 3-Disc DVD Set Review

Wrestlemania is the biggest wrestling event of all time. It features high profile matches, celebrity involvement, and showcases World Wrestling Entertainment’s product on a global stage. An event this big only happens once a year, but that does not mean you only have to watch it once every 365 days. WWE has released every Wrestlemania on some sort of home video format whether it be on VHS, DVD, or Blu-ray. Over the course of the next few weeks, I will review the different home video editions of Wrestlemania that I own.

For this weeks post, I am going to review the 3-disc DVD set of Wrestlemania 24. This is a unique DVD set in that this was the first Wrestlemania that was broadcast in high definition by the WWE. What this means is that the aspect ratio the event is presented in will change based on the television on which you are watching Wrestlemania 24. For example, if you are watching on an older “box” television with a square screen, you will see the event in a 4:3 aspect ratio. If you watch it on a television with a rectangular shaped screen like most modern flat screen TVs, then you will see the event presented in a 16:9 aspect ratio. In my opinion, this is the best way to view it, as you will see a wider picture and things you will not be able to see if you were viewing it in a 4:3 aspect ratio.

The action kicks off on the first disc as it contains the first few hours of the Wrestlemania 24 pay-per-view. It starts off with John Legend signing the traditional “America the Beautiful” before ending with the Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship between John Cena, Triple H, and Randy Orton. There are no bonus features on this disc so when you are finished with it, move on to disc 2.

The second disc picks up where the first disc left off by starting with the rest of Wrestlemania 24 with Big Show taking on Floyd “Money” Mayweather in a match that was called “the Biggest vs. the Best.” Aside from the rest of the pay-per-view, disc 2 also has the start of the 2008 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Disc 3 has the rest of the induction ceremony on it as well as the 24-Man Battle Royal that took place at Wrestlemania 24 before the event went live. The wrestlers inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame included Mae Young, the Brisco brothers, and Ric Flair. One of the coolest moments from the 2008 ceremony was the Rock cutting an “electrifying” promo before inducting his father and grandfather into the hall of fame.

The packaging for Wrestlemania 24 looks good and has the wrestlers involved in the event’s biggest matches on the front. The inside of the packaging has pictures from the event with the two most prominent pictures featuring Mayweather punching Big Show and Ric Flair making his way to the ring.

In conclusion, the Wrestlemania 24 DVD set is a good home video version of the event. It is packaged very nicely and includes a really good Wrestlemania event. Matches like the Money in the Bank Ladder Match, the world championship matches, and the retirement match make this Wrestlemania stand out as one of the best Wrestlemanias I have ever seen. The only complaint I have with the DVD set is the lack of bonus content. With previous home versions of Wrestlemania having a ton of extra features, the fact that the Wrestlemania 24 DVD set has only one extra feature is pretty poor. Aside from that lone complaint, it still a good DVD set and you should definitely pick it up for your collection. If you have a BluRay player, I recommend you get the BluRay edition of Wrestlemania 24 as it offers better sound and picture.

Keep an eye out for the Wrestlemania 25 DVD set review!

Autograph Page Update

#AUTOGRAPH PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/oiRAWLpVYr WITH #BENGALS SIGNATURE #WhoDey #LetsRoar #CINvsAZ #NFL #Football pic.twitter.com/P9PlXOIfLT

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) November 18, 2015

Photo Page Update

PIC PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/yzF6TznxxM WITH #BENGALS PICS #WhoDey #LetsRoar #BeyondTheStripes #NFL #CINvsAZ #WWE pic.twitter.com/yT8ZmjI5On

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) November 18, 2015

RD Cards Care Package Unboxing

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a care package from RD Cards. 

Give RD Cards a sub:  https://www.youtube.com/user/junkie4football

The Atlanta Screwjob - Take 2

Please note that this was written immediately after news broke that Seth Rollins injured his knee. Therefore, the results of Monday Night Raw were not taken into account in the writing of this post.

Attempting to predict anything is often difficult as there are always things outside the predictor’s control that will ultimately influence the outcome. A prime example of this happening is the knee injury that Seth Rollins suffered in a wrestling match. Last Wednesday night, it was reported that Rollins had hurt his right knee while attempting a top rope sunset flip.  I saw the video, and it was obvious that the prognosis for his knee would not be good. The next day, minutes after I posted “The Atlanta Screwjob” to this website, it was reported that Rollins suffered ACL/MCL/medial meniscus tears in his right knee and will be out for 6-9 months. The WWE World Heavyweight Championship match between Roman Reigns and Rollins was cancelled and a tournament was announced that would be held at Survivor Series 2015 to determine the new champ. While the belt will be up for grabs in a new format than what was originally advertised, I still believe that a screwjob will take place with Dean Ambrose being screwed by his former Shield brother, Roman Reigns.

In my new prediction, I believe that Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns will battle it out in the finals of the tournament for the vacant WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Before the final match, the Authority heads to the ring saying that they will present the belt to the winner of the match. Cue the entrances of Reigns and Ambrose.

After a prematch sign of respect through their trademark fist bump, the bout begins. It is a back and forth brawl with neither man being able to get the decisive fall. Reigns later begins to take control of the match but Ambrose repeatedly kicks out of pins, and Reigns becomes more visibly frustrated. This is when the screwjob goes into motion.

Ambrose begins to mount a comeback and nails Reigns with the dirty deeds before going for the pin. The Authority then makes their move as Stephanie McMahon jumps on the ring apron and distracts the referee. Ambrose gets up and tires to get the referee’s attention but Triple H enters the ring and hits Ambrose with the pedigree. The Game then leaves the ring as Stephanie lets the referee get back to the match. Reigns gets up and goes to one corner of the ring while Ambrose staggers to his feet in the opposite corner. Ambrose turns around, Reigns spears and pins him, and the referee counts to three. Your winner and new WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Roman Reigns. The Authority then enters the ring and celebrates with their new champion and face of the company while standing over Ambrose as the show goes off the air.

To me, this makes perfect sense as this scenario allows WWE to push both Ambrose and Reigns while Rollins is injured. With Rollins out, WWE is in major need of a new top heel, and Reigns is a prime candidate. While he is being cheered as of late, his reaction from the crowd in the past was negative. It is also well known that Vince McMahon is grooming Reigns to be the next face of the company. With the past negative reactions he received along with the obvious want of WWE to make him the biggest star in the company, it makes perfect sense to have Reigns be a monster heel. He could say he was tired of the negative crowd reactions and that he deserves to be the face of the WWE nay, the Authority. WWE should capitalize on this and use it as the reason why he joined the Authority.

Ambrose on the other hand is the perfect guy to challenge the Authority. He has challenged them in the past such as when he battled Rollins throughout the summer, and his character has taken on the trait of being a resilient brawler. He endures a ton of pain and can never seem to be put away in a match. Matches such as his bout against Rollins at Money in the Bank 2015 and most recently the 5 on 5 Survivor Series Elimination match on last week’s Raw showcase this characteristic. He also has that intangible “it” factor that causes audiences to naturally gravitate towards him. He radiates charisma and routinely garners fantastic reactions from the crowd. He got over with the fans without a massive push from WWE, which is the total opposite of Reigns. He is the perfect hero to battle a villain Reigns.

That is what I think WWE should do at Survivor Series 2015. It would be an exciting twist and an excellent way to push Reigns and Ambrose in a massive way. Reigns’ character would be refreshed as a dominating heel, and Ambrose would be the perfect choice to serve as the biggest threat to Reigns and the Authority. Make this happen WWE. The reaction will be nothing short of amazing, and it will be a twist that is talked about for years to come.

Photo Page Update

PHOTO PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/yzF6TznxxM WITH NEW #BENGALS PICS #WhoDey #LetsRoar #HOUvsCIN #BeyondTheStripes pic.twitter.com/X0jnV0GgU7

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) November 12, 2015

Autograph Page Update

#AUTOGRAPH PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/oiRAWLpVYr WITH #BENGALS SIGNATURE #WhoDey #LetsRoar #HOUvsCIN #NFL #NBA #NHL pic.twitter.com/TdwDpamGdn

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) November 11, 2015

Autograph Page Update

AUTOGRAPH PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/oiRAWLpVYr WITH FORMER #BENGALS SIGNATURE #WhoDey #LetsRoar #HOUvsCIN #NFL #NBA pic.twitter.com/YcZqgCJQ0s

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) November 11, 2015

Collection Additions

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shows what he added to his sports memorabilia collection.

The Atlanta Screwjob

Please note that this was written and published before WWE announced that Seth Rollins would vacate the WWE World Heavyweight Championship due to injury.

Survivor Series is one of WWE’s signature events of the year. It is considered to be part of the “Big Four” pay-per-views along with the Royal Rumble, Wrestlemania, and SummerSlam, and it has a long and rich history in the professional wrestling world. It is also a notorious scene for controversy and swerves. Infamous incidents such as the “Montreal Screwjob” at Survivor Series 1997 and the way that the Rock won the WWE Championship at Survivor Series 1998 are arguably two of the most well known examples of the chaotic nature of the event. With the 2015 edition of Survivor Series marking the 25^th anniversary of the debut of the Undertaker, I would expect a huge surprise that will leave the jaws of the Atlanta crowd on the floor. The surprise has nothing to do with the Undertaker though, as I believe it will involve Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and the Authority. I predict that the Authority will turn on Rollins and align themselves with Reigns in route to helping Reigns win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

It’s a bold prediction as Reigns has been touted as the next face of the company. That is what makes it such a huge and shocking twist as it is something that nobody will see coming. A heel Reigns would be awesome in my opinion. He will no longer have to go through the typical good guy act and can instead be a monstrous and dominant heel much like he was in the Shield. Rollins on the other hand has been heel for a long time and is starting to get stale. While he is one of the best in ring talents WWE has to offer, his bad guy antics of constantly worming his way to victory through underhanded tactics are getting old. Having the Authority screw Rollins would breathe fresh life into his character as well as that of Reigns, and it would definitely make Raw must see television.

If I were in charge of booking the match, here is what I would do. I would have the Authority come to the ring first and ban every wrestler backstage from interfering in the match. They could say they have invested a lot in Rollins and do not want guys like Dean Ambrose, the guy Reigns had been teaming up with all summer, to get involved with the outcome of the bout. The Authority then remains at ringside for the match as Reigns makes his way to the ring. He walks by the Authority, has a stare down with them, and enters the ring and waits for Rollins. The champ then makes his entrance, gives a prematch hug to the Authority, and gets in the ring to face Reigns. The referee signals for the bell, and the bout begins.

Towards the end of the match, Rollins reverses a move by Reigns and shoves Reigns into the referee knocking out both the referee and Reigns. This allows the Authority makes their move. Triple H enters the ring acting as if he will assist Rollins but betrays his former pupil by delivering a pedigree to him. Reigns gets up and sees what Triple H has done and smiles. The Game smiles back, lifts up the body of Rollins, and holds him so that Reigns can spear the champ. Reigns hits the spear and pins Rollins while Stephanie revives the referee who then makes the 3-count. Your winner and new WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Roman Reigns. The show ends with Reigns standing above Rollins with the championship belt held above his head and the Authority next to him as the “Atlanta Screwjob” is etched into Survivor Series lore.

That is how I would book Survivor Series 2015. Reigns would be the new face of the Authority and Rollins would go from villain to hero. This would allow these two wrestlers to continue feuding while at the same time shaking up the WWE landscape. This could also lead to a potential triple threat main event WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at Wrestlemania 32 between all three former members of the Shield. That is something I would love to see, and it would all start with the “Atlanta Screwjob.”

Photo Page Update

PHOTO PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/yzF6TznxxM WITH #BENGALS PICS #CLEvsCIN #WhoDey #LetsRoar #TNF #NFL #NBA #NHL #WWE pic.twitter.com/Iw49G8RmNN

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) November 5, 2015

Autograph Page Update

#AUTOGRAPH PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/oiRAWLpVYr WITH NEW #BENGALS SIGNATURE #WhoDey #LetsRoar #CLEvsCIN #NFL #TNF pic.twitter.com/zTUjIU3Dfb

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) November 4, 2015