Dome Pondering

3  Up 1. Albert Pujols - 700 homeruns is insane. Even through a generation of steroids, the number is incredibly exclusive (sans, you know, Bonds). So much props to Pujols who literally puts himself in some rarified discussions among the game's greatest.  Here are some quick thoughts from yours truly on Pujols hitting 700 .  2. PATHFINDER - The fight against cancer just got a smidge better. GRAIL announced results from their PATHFINDER study that may have found ways to provide early detection screening to significantly enhance the discovery of cancer well before symptoms begin.  I accidentally ran into this story - why isn't this more headline news? SMH.  3. Pandemic Over? - The World Health Organization (remember them, before everyone suddenly became public health experts) described COVID as an "acute global emergency". Going even further, announced that 20M global deaths were avoided last year due to vaccines. Just outright amazing.  3 Down 1. Brett Favr...

It almost feels like the negative vitriol that surrounded Major League Baseball and its labor issues have dissipated into an air of forgetfulness and forgiveness. A season that has brought us old-school lore with the chasing of historical numbers by way of Aaron Judge and Albert Pujols, and the likes of a modern-day Babe Ruth, in another dominant season by Shohei Ohtani, would ultimately do that. Sprinkle in some amazing rookies on the rise, and all of sudden it's, what did I say about baseball's treatment of fans? It's been some season... In this post, I want to focus on Albert Pujols...the "King", the "Machine", one of the greatest ever. After hitting a historic 700th Home Run ( by the way, I definitely predicted that back in March  - just humble-bragging a bit), I wanted to drop five (fitting, yeah?) thoughts on Albert Pujols:  GREATEST EVER?! - Pujols' career often feels like the Angels' years were some sort of nightmare or a bad edition in a...

3 Up 1.  Yvon Chouinard - Nothing says big baller like announcing you're donating your company's worth to the mission of fighting climate change. Sure, there are some tax benefits (let's not be silly), but that's still a pretty damn impressive thing to do. Wish we saw that more from billionaires.  2. Aaron Judge - Well, the big fella is on his way to breaking the record of 61 home runs (whether you think it's just the American League record or the in fact still the single-season home run record is up to you). I just hope he does it over the next two days at Yankee Stadium, on YES, with Michael Kay on the call. It'll be a damn shame if it happened on Apple TV where it happens in a vacuum and most fans will be unable to experience history. That would be awful for baseball.  3. How The Word is Passed - This is a selfish "Up" from me because I finally finished this book that has been on my list for a while - and it is a must-read for all. I'm a big ...

I've always found the pro wrestling press conference to be an interesting dichotomy of the essence of the art form. In an era where kayfabe is dead (or not what it used to be) and the lines are immensely blurred between real life and storyline, or at times, mixed in for engagement, interest, and controversy, the press conference schtick, and the pre-show round tables, sit in this odd space.   Does it live within the space of the pro wrestling world through the illustrious glory of kayfabe? Or is it a real, authentic, full-access medium to the real matters pertaining to the business of the product?  Maybe, I'm the only one being worked. Possibly.  As you can imagine, this is where my thoughts sit in regard to the now infamous CM Punk presser following AEW's Double or Nothing pay-per-view (or premium live event, if that's your vocabulary). I can't help but ask myself multiple times, "Why?" in response to the entire ordeal. And not in an intriguing way, but o...

3 Up 1. September 11th - A forever "Up" to those we lost, to those we ended up losing to the after effects, and to the loved ones who endure every year. It doesn't get any easier. Of course, I'll never forget that day in NYC.  2. Uvalde Community - All of the schools in Uvalde, Texas returned to school today. I can't even imagine the thoughts, courage, and heartache of parents, kids, and everyone in that community for the start of the school year. Especially at the Elementary School.  2. Meghan Markle - After everything that has gone down, and the way she is seen (and treated) by those within the Royal family (and those who are loyal supporters), Markle showed up. And she didn't have to. That takes some serious guts, some confidence, and ultimately, massive integrity.  3 Down 1. Queen Elizabeth II - I'll just say it....I don't get the hype around the Royal Family. It's just not my thing. And considering the world history there from that bloodline, ...

I haven't jumped completely in on the Triple H era mainly because I've already found myself "out-of-practice" in making the WWE part of my typical routine. Just when the product got bad enough,  I called it quits on the weekly watching but still would check in for big shows. Then, Vince hung it up and Trips has taken the wheel, and now, it's obvious there is substantial momentum in the product. I felt it - and it's easy to do so. Yet, after watching Clash at the Castle , I'm here to tell you that I may just give the company a chance once again. The WWE has that kind of equity with me (and really, it will forever be so for many of us pro wrestling fans from the 80s). This event was just outstanding from start to finish. Quite frankly, it was my favorite event of the year thus far.  Is Triple H that good at this point and moment in wrestling history, or was Vince McMahon that bad at this point...and moment in history? Something has to give.  Regardless, here...

3 Up 1. Serena Williams - Well, the GOAT finally ran out of steam this weekend in her US Open loss to Ajila Tomljanovic. Williams made that last set all kinds of dramatic with her refusal to be put away. Not sure what else there is to say - she's one of the greatest athletes of all time. And if you've followed this blog, you know that she's been one of mine.  If this is it, thanks for the memories, Serena.  1A. Ajla Tomljanovic - I'm also giving Tomljanovic some MAJOR props as she handled being a part of this moment perfectly. From not giving into the moment and remaining competitive, to displaying amazing poise while being asked tough questions about Serena following a victory - her victory! How can you not be impressed by her? 2. Labor Day Weekend- While summer is unofficially over (why does summer have unofficial beginnings and end in Memorial Day?), I just felt like this Labor Day was needed for everyone. Summer, and the intense heat, provided a summer unlike any ot...

3 Up 1. Vanessa Bryant - In the top spot is the justice that Vanessa Bryant got for the despicable acts by some officials who thought it was cool to take photos of the bodies of Kobe and GiGi Bryant. Sick people in this world.  Though...instead of the individuals who will suffer and have to pay $16 million, it is the state of California. Because, of course.  2. Madam CJ Walker Barbie - Mattell is now making a Madam C.J. Walker doll and that's pretty cool. Good to see a diverse set of women getting dolls that can inspire other girls to learn about their contributions to history and women's empowerment.  3. Mack Rutherford - This dude is seventeen - SEVENTEEN! - and just became the youngest pilot to fly around the world. That's just crazy.  3 Down 1. Continued Extreme Weather - A new week, and the extreme weather continues. In some areas, it's droughts and dry weather, in other places it's wildfires, and in others, it's a crazy amount of waterfall that is floodin...

3 Up 1. FDA Hearing Aids Over Counter - Yay accessibility! With the FDA approving hearing aids for over-the-counter sales, the valuable tool will become more accessible and affordable for millions. Think about that - such a simple move opened it for millions! At the core of all of this is a peak into health care and how such small needs, when made more accessible, can be for the greater good.  2. Gas Prices - Well, the price continues to drop. It's nice seeing a 3 in front of the price of gas. Hopefully, the trend continues. Can we get it under $3?  3. Albert Pujols - I predicted it in my MLB Crazy Predictions post, but who takes that seriously? I certainly don't. But seriously, as much fun as it is hoping Judge can chase down 61 home runs, is not Albert's run at 700 just as much fun? Even more so, a remarkable story considering his age and improbability? 3 Down 1. Random Floods - It's easy to put the crazy hot weather and heat waves across the globe here as a "d...

It probably won't come as a shock to anyone who follows this blog that I will say the following statement: Impact Wrestling may just be the most consistently entertaining and fresh - very important adjective here! - wrestling product that I've engaged with over the past two years. It's just always there, as solid as it can be. No real highs, or lows that push me away as a fan - just good, consistent, thorough, solid pro wrestling enjoyment.  Now, make no mistake about it, over the past summer, I found myself a whopping thirteen weeks behind this solid product in favor of the still new (and intriguing) AEW product and my on-again-off-again hope in the WWE due to nostalgia. However, trusty-work-from-home days have allowed me to binge watch (and work, of course) and it certainly opened my eyes to a new experience when it came to wrestling. Removal from the episodic style habit, and the feel of episodes bridging together seamlessly.  Also, remove from the internet culture of we...