2015 Pro Wrestling Year End Awards

2015 Pro Wrestling Year End Awards
January 7, 2016
By Ryan Porzl

With the year coming to an end, it's time I give my year end awards for what I considered both the best and worst in American and Japanese wrestling.

Motörhead - Too Good To Be True

A very underrated Motorhead song from an underrated Motorhead album.

Can't believe it. Absolutely heartbroken that Lemmy of Motorhead passed away. He just turned 70. I knew he wasn't in the best of health but can't believe it. Lost a lot of favorites this year. Leonard Nimoy, Christopher Lee, Dusty Rhodes, Roddy Piper, "Philthy" Phil Taylor, and now Lemmy. Hard to believe another legend is gone. On the plus side, I proud to say that I got to see him and Motorhead twice. While I wish I could've seen him more, I'm proud to say I got to see him at least once than never like Gary Moore. Godspeed Lemmy. Thanks for 20+ albums, 40 years of Motorhead, and two great performances I got to see.

Blue Oyster Cult: White Flags

Yesterday (thought it was today) marked the 30th anniversary of Blue Oyster Cult's Club Ninja first being released. Though not a popular album since it was one of those albums that tries to cater to the times, I like it. It's also the only album of BOC not to feature Allen Lanier on keyboards and the last to feature Joe Bouchard on bass guitar before he left.

Debunking Jordan Breen's Article on Mirko Cro Cop

Debunking Jordan Breen's Article on Mirko Cro Cop
November 26, 2015
By Ryan Porzl

On November 13, MMA reporter, journalist, and host Jordan Breen wrote an article on the recently retired MMA legend Mirko Cro Cop. The article could pretty much be considered a hit piece criticizing Cro Cop's career and his achievements at a time when Cro Cop announced his retirement after admitting to using human growth hormone to treat a shoulder injury for his November 28th fight against Anthony Hamilton before pulling out. Being a Cro Cop fan, I decided to debunk the article because I refuse for a legend I'm a big fan to be tarred and feathered as he potentially retires which could damage his legacy to newer fans.

Dokken - "The Hunter" (Official Music Video)

I forgot. Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of the Dokken album: Under Lock and Key.

Well, it's been a sad week regarding celebrities in my opinion. Sad to hear "Philthy" Phil Taylor from Motorhead and wrestling legend Nick Bockwinkel passed away last week while former game show host Jim Perry passed away this weekend.

Taylor was the longtime drummer for legendary heavy metal band Motorhead from 1975-1984 and again from 1987-1992. The lineup with him, frontman Lemmy, and guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke is the most famous lineup. Taylor was 61 and sadly the second Motorhead alumni to pass away with former guitarist Wurzel being the first in 2011.

Bockwinkel was a wrestling legend best known for his time in the now defunct AWA (American Wrestling Association) from 1970-1987 where he was a four time World Heavyweight Champion and three time World Tag Team Champion. He also worked backstage for the WWE from 1987-1989 and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2007. Along with his wrestling skills, Bockwinkel was also known for his elegant promo style. He was 80 and three weeks shy of his 81.

Finally, Perry was a former emcee but eventually became known for his time as a game show host as he was the original host of Card Sharks from 1978-1981 and $ale of the Century from 1983-1989. He was also a successful game show host in Canada to the point where he and Alex Trebek were both hosting game shows in both countries simultaneously. He had just turned 82.