Dome Pondering

The "Money in the Bank" concept is a really, really cool one. It has spawned other versions in other companies, and has made for some interesting moments in the WWE. However, in my humbled opinion, over the past few years with the two briefcases, the concept became a bit watered down. Now with one title (or is it still two?) and one briefcase, hopefully, the case should seem more valuable.  As for tonight's Money in the Bank (A really terrible name when you think about it) pay-per-view, in all honesty, it was decent. Yes, decent. Okay. Not terrible, but not great. I enjoyed several matches, but there seemed to be some content on here that really made me wonder ponder how much wasted time WWE has in their programming every week. Regardless, here are some quick thoughts on last night's show:

3 Up Amy Adams - Kudos to Amy Adams on giving up her first class seat and offering it to a solider returning home. It's unfortunate we can't do more for our troops returning home, but Adams showed that even the smallest of gestures can go a long way.  NBA - It's been a week of good deeds, and what's there not to love about this story? After Isiah Austin had his dream ripped away from him due to Marfan syndrome, the NBA decided to draft Austin during the NBA draft. With his family in attendance, Adam Silver still called Austin's name and gave the kid the moment he deserved.  NYC TNA Wrestling Tapings - As you can see from the posts this week, yours truly attended the TNA Tapings on Wednesday and Thursday nights here in NYC. Such an awesome time, and Thursday was one of, if not the best wrestling event I've ever been to.  3 Down Immigration Situation - The ongoing situation at the South Texas border has become a huge issue with parents fro

I've been hoping (really hoping!) for the longest time that TNA would bring a batch of TNA tapings to this wonderful city. Every time they decided to take an Impact broadcast on the road, or hype the announcement of the location of a future pay-per-view, I genuinely think in my head - OK, this is it, they're coming babaaay! NYC! Ummmmm, yeah. Not so much. And I'm left disappointed whenever the announcement is made. Sometimes it's a city that I just tip my hat and say, "Alright, enjoy the show chicago!" Or I just end up shaking my head in annoyance while I'm raging inside with comments like - Miami?!!! Seriously! That's where you're going? Over us?!

Pondering with Plumtree  is a column on the popular blog, TNAsylum, that is written by yours truly. The blog is focused towards being a fan site for TNA Wrestling fans where they can get news, rumors, opinions, and any and everything else, TNA Wrestling. Known as "The Haven for TNA Wrestling Fans", I'm hoping to bring some of my thoughts to an already impressive roster of columnist for as long as the site will have me. You can read the latest column  here , or in the text below.

391. If you were to describe the worst poverty you have ever seen, what would you say? Easy. It would have to be where my father is from - Byera Hill on the island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I've been to a few cities and in some pretty rough neighborhoods, but without a shadow of a doubt, Byera was the worst I've ever experienced. All the homes were shacks or broken cinder blocks with makeshift roofing. No indoor plumbing in any of the homes with outside and shared community bathroom areas. Mostly everyone, including children were walking around with very little clothes and no shoes.  Makes me appreciate the success story of my dad leaving home at the age of sixteen, eventually making it to the United States, and creating the American dream for himself and his family.  392. If you could impose a heavy tax on any single item, what would it be? A heavy tax on businesses that outsource over 25% of their positions overseas. I think the United States needs to

Venice, Italy I miss Italy. I don't know why, but I do. Awesome country. Had a great time. 

I have to start by saying it is tremendous for us wrestling fans to have Ring of Honor on pay-per-view. Whether you believe this part of the industry is a dying aspect or not, for ROH to secure a deal to further their awareness is awesome. Wrestling fans really have a large amount of options with WWE, TNA, ROH, and New Japan. And if you're more of an addict than I am, all of the Mexican companies and indies as well.  There are so many options, that we really need to quit complaining.  Nonetheless, I was hoping for ROH to deliver a show that not only stayed true to who they were, but also provided a platform to bring casual fans or intrigued buyers up to speed on the product. After all, Best in the World had a very little buzz going as the dial hit 8:00PM Eastern Time.

3 Up Team USA - This team is slowly captivating the nation after picking up it's first win in the World Cup as well as hanging tight to a 2-2 draw with soccer powerhouse, Portugal, and of course, the best player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo.  Alex Torres - Safety has become a huge issue in sports, especially head injuries. After the amount of line drives pitchers have fallen victim to in recent years, MLB has taken precautions by offering protective hats for pitchers. Only, noone wants to be the first because of ridicule and well, awkwardness of the look of the cap. Kudos to Alex Torres for taking that step and putting his safety first, and of course, breaking the ice for others to do so now. I'm sure the technology, and look, will only get better.  Camouflage Leopards - No reason for this "up" other than it's such a cool story about camouflaging leopards. Check out the link and try to find the animals. I'm sure it'll amaze you.  3 Do

381. If you could have anyone in the world stop by for a visit, who would you want it to be? Wow, anyone in the world, huh? How about if I go with Anderson Cooper. Wouldn't mind having dinner with a guy who probably has tons of stories to share, but doesn't seem like someone who would be completely into himself.  382. If the world were to turn to one single source of energy tomorrow, what would you want it to be? Positive. 

What is it about?  After not being able to control her powers, Elsa accidentally traps the kingdom in eternal winter. Her sister Anna, Kristoff, and a snowman named, Olaf, venture to find her and restore normalcy to the kingdom. Who is in it? Kristen Bell - Anna Idina Menzel - Elsa Jonathan Groff - Kristoff

To say it was a tough night tonight for TNA Wrestling to host Slammiversary is very accurate. Maybe even understating the situation. With plenty of options on a Sunday night which also included Game 5 of the NBA Finals - not to mention on Father's Day - TNA had plenty of built in excuses which could have crept in mentally for all involved in tonight's event.  With that said, kudos to the staff for delivering a fun night and not giving in. The Texas crowd was fantastic and really seemed to just have a good time with the product. There was a lot of pressure for TNA going into this show to lay the foundation for the product heading into the summer. In my opinion, they did just that. Here are some quick thoughts from tonight's event:

3 Up 1. Hockey - The sport really grabbed some casual viewers and made such an impression to possibly keep them heading into the 14-15 season. The Stanley Cup playoffs were remarkable, and the Finals were even better. As I stated yesterday after that amazing Game 5, Hockey is definitely on my radar moving forward.  2. The World Cup - How awesome has the opening games been? This month is going to be lots and lots of fun.  3. Yoenis Cespdes - This finalizes the sports trifecta for "ups" this week. No words needed. Just watch this video of what Cespedes did...and also, a follow up later this week in doing this . 3 Down 1. Mass Murders in Iraq - The recent mass murders by the ISIS terrorist group is causing a large concern in the country, and also placing the United States in a peculiar position after years of investment. 2. Mass Shootings - Say what you want about gun policy or even your opinion on the President - you have to admit what he said in re

So let's talk hockey. What?! Yes, hockey. That sport played on ice that is often ignored by many. As one of the many who participated in the longtime wave of the hand towards hockey, I write these words with such a different outlook, a different feel, a different interest in the game. For in the year 2014, I've watched more hockey than I've ever done in my life, probably even more so than a combined lifetime total, and can honestly say I've enjoyed it all.

What is it about? An ordinary Lego construction worker who struggles with attempting to fit in is accidently "prophesied" as being the "special one". He is then selected to lead the charge against an evil tyrant who has plans to glue the Lego universe into an eternal stasis. Who is in it? Chris Pratt - Emmet Brickowski Will Arnett - Batman/Bruce Wayne Elizabeth Banks - Wyldestyle/Lucy

I've always wanted to go to England, especially, London. Besides the fact that a great portion of my family resides there, I have been enamored with the city and lifestyle. With much of the Caribbean having British customs and culture because of their once colonization under Great Britain, one would think the homeland f said culture would be awesome, right? Following our trip to Italy, we figured since we were on that side of the world, we would simply hop on over to London for several days. After all, why not? Why make it several trips? And I was very much glad we did so. London is fantastic, and is easily my second favorite city - after New York City of course.  You can read about the trip to London, England in the latter entries of The European Chronicles . 

After another wonderful vacation in Barbados, the wife asked on our plane ride home, "so, where should be our next vacation?" I briefly looked at her, thought about it and said, "let's do Italy!" It wasn't a far reaching idea, but one that I knew was a now or never proposition before us. We both wanted to go, and have never been, and with that dreaded age of thirty approaching as well as the prospectus of beginning a family, we figured why not?  We decided to plan our trip to Italy, and as you can read via the European Chronicles , it was a very fun and exciting trip . Glad we did it. 

Day Fifteen. Brooklyn, NY.

Day Fourteen.  London, England.

Day Thirteen.  London, England.

Day Twelve. London, England.

Day Eleven.  Positano, Italy (Amalfi Coast)

Day Ten.  Capri, Italy.

Day Nine.  Pompei, Italy.

Day Eight. Assissi, Italy.

Day Seven.  Venice, Italy.

Day Six.  Pisa, Italy.