Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 6/5/16

3 Up

1. Muhammad Ali Legacy - While this easily could have gone in the "down" section, there is a part of me that felt like Ali's legacy was provided an awareness to many who weren't aware of his impact beyond the ring. I touched a bit on what Ali meant to me (How I Will Remember Ali), and the time allowed us all to reflect on the loss of a true cultural icon. 

2. Roots - I began watching the remake of Roots and am half way through - it's absolutely phenomenal. It's a story that needs to be told, of not only the truths of how this country came about, but the injustices which still have lasting impact today. 

3. Mookie Betts - It pains me to say this, but the streak that Mookie Betts went on this week was just, absolutely insane. Betts had three homeruns in a game, and followed that game up with another multi-home run game for an impressive stretch of five home runs in seven games. 

3 Down

1. UCLA Murder Suicide - Why has mass shootings and murder suicides become so common in our culture? Really, as a nation, we need to examine this and curtail it. Big time. 

2. Former Stanford Swimmer - Brock Allen Turner received six months - SIX! - for being convicted of raping an unconscious student on campus. Six months! Just another example of how the rules and laws are different for the white and privileged in this country. 

3. Trump Comments - "Look at my African-American over here". I'm not even going to comment on this. How does he get away with this? How do supporters defend these comments? 

Recent Favorites

Quick Ponder: Free and Guarded

Stay free. But keep the gate to  your peace, guarded.

WWE Wrestlemania XL Review: "I absolutely loved this Wrestlemania"

It's easy to get caught up and become a prisoner of the moment. Especially in today's world where the latest moment is ostracized, super-analyzed, and hyperbolized - it's very much the clickbait, social media, microwave society we live in.  Yet, even after acknowledging that (as well as my Tribal Chief, of course), I still come to this feeling that Wrestlemania XL is one of the best Wrestlemania's, ever.  Yes, ever!  I don't need Triple H's metrics and benchmarks to influence me. No, no, no! In terms of hype, storylines, payoffs, match quality, and just overall fun - this entire weekend was amazing.  I'm slightly skewed in my preference as well. This was my son's first Wrestlemania as a pro wrestling fan. Having him at my side cheering on his favorites, getting caught up in the drama, and even crying at the end of the night because his Tribal Chief lost to "that no good Cody" added to the overall appreciation of the event.  So yeah, I have some

NXT Stand and Deliver 2024 Review: 'For super casual NXT fans like me - no complaints here'

It's become officially a tradition that NXT Stand and Deliver makes Wrestlemania weekend feel like the ultimate wrestling weekend - as if it isn't already. There is just something about a major show being held midday on a Saturday, among the hype for the already dual night of Wrestlemania - that just emanates and screams - wrestling fans, don't go anywhere all weekend.   Nonetheless, NXT Stand and Deliver 2024 for this super causal NXT viewer was entertaining. I was well aware (and followed) the story of Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes (more on that in a bit) more so than the other happenings, but that didn't matter. The show offered many reasons to check out Shawn Michaels' project on Tuesday nights.  With that said, here are some quick thoughts on NXT Stand and Deliver 2024:  - Baron Corbin is amazing on the NXT brand. For many reasons, he just never clicked for me on the major brands - and that very likely might not even be his fault. I didn't think Axiom an