Dome Pondering

Wrestlemania XXXI happened, and it is now over. And I can't help but wonder why the WWE waits until now to really bring a truly entertaining feel to it's product. Well, duh! It's Wrestlemania - the biggest show of the year! I know, I know. It's almost like the "It's Wrestlemania" is an overall answer to any of wrestling's questions of curiosity.  Nonetheless, it's no secret that I haven't been thoroughly into the WWE product for sometime now. But Wrestlemania XXXI pulled me back in with a fantastic show. Despite the frustration of the company shifting gears in urgency in entertaining it's fans (at least in my opinion), I'm on board again. After all, it's Wrestlemania season, time to deliver. And they did. They so did. Here are some other thoughts from the biggest wrestling show of the year:

From fan, to player, and now to administrator. Being around this game is always AWESOME! 

What is it about? A man goes back into his mysterious past and ways of life after meeting a girl who is wrapped up in a ring of Russian gangsters. Who is in it? Denzel Washington - Robert McCall Marton Csokos - Teddy Chloe Grace Moretz - Teri

Giving some love to one of the "other" bridges in NYC - The Manhattan Bridge

3 Up 1. John Oliver Rant on NCAA - This was epic, and in many ways, brilliantly explained much of the hypocrisy that is Division I athletics, specifically, basketball and football. If you're up for a good laugh, Oliver's rant is worth it.  2. Chris Borland - Yours truly touched on this a bit this week as Borland's early retirement is admirable. Forgoing millions at the risk of long term health risks is something many of us won't have the guts to do, but Borland was able to prioritize the important things in life. Kudos.  3. Children Bracketology - This was just hilarious to me. So yeah, it made the ups for this week. And if you do watch it, how about the cute kid who keeps mentioning "Tate...his sister"? Too funny.  3 Down 1. Pregnant Woman/ Craiglist - This story is just so sad and horrific to think about. A woman who was answering a craigslist ad in Colorado had her fetus cut out by an attacker. What. In. The. World. Is. Wrong. With.

Yup. I'm running late on filling out and revealing my bracket. Actually, very late in comparison to years past. Nonetheless, better late than never! And really, because of my awe for this year's Kentucky team, it really doesn't matter.  I've seen three Kentucky games this year (though their opening obliteration game against Hampton shouldn't count, but furthered my opinion) and I have been thoroughly impressed. Not because of their overwhelming undefeated record, though that is the result, but because...well...they're just so good! So damn big! I'm very sure opposing players are telling their coaches mid-game against Kentucky that very line from Ivory Christian in Friday Night Lights... "They're fast, they're big, they're dirty...plus they're fast!"

What is it about? The true story of Jordan Belfort who rose to fame, enormous wealth on Wall Street, and enjoying a outrageous lifestyle before it all came to an end due to illegal crime, corruption, and the pursuit of the federal government.  Who is in it? Leonardo DiCaprio - Jordan Belfort Jonah Hill - Donnie Azoff Kyle Chandler - Agent Patrick Denham

I've always said that the NFL is indestructible because quite frankly, it is. It is the largest and most prominent entertainment company in our nation, and continues to expound upon it's already massive and ridiculous revenue stream. And that statement rings true even after the NFL went through the public ringer on various cases of domestic abuse and other forms of league-wide player discipline. So after today, when San Francisco 49ers linebacker, Chris Borland, a budding superstar in the league, decided to hang it up at the young age of twenty-four, I was thoroughly surprised. And then when he stated that super real statement, "...health is more important than a career in football", I knew things were about to get heavy really quickly on this topic.

It's no secret that I am very critical of top Division I NCAA athletics. I find the hypocirsy and the ethical culture of the bigger schools and their programs - heck, the entire NCAA governance - at this level to completely out of hand. Again, hypocrisy is the only word to truly describe it.  With the NCAA tournament beginning, all of America gears up again for the tournament that drives gambling, business, sponsorship, and revenue for just about everyone except for those playing and providing the games in a totally screwed up system. One big sham I tell ya!  Though, I am not completely all for paying college athletes outright, I am very much in agreement with John Oliver's latest twenty-minute monologue on the NCAA's hypocrisy and it's system. Also, the rant is epic. Absolutely epic. Give it a listen as it is completely eye opening and very funny.

3 Up  1. Coach Steve Lavin - On the brink of the NCAA Tournament, Coach Lavin suspended one of his key players, Chris Obekpa, for two weeks after violating team rules. Not many would do such a thing, and you have to love the transparency and discipline Lavin is using here, regardless of the timing. Ethics - it's a beautiful thing in college sports when used.  2. Impact Wrestling - Pro Wrestling getting the nod here at number two this week as Impact Wrestling delivered quite the show this past Friday on Destination America. A show that was truly entertaining and warranted comparisons to pay-per-view television.  3. Leigh Castergine - Castergine, who works for the New York Mets,  wrote a very insightful piece on CNN.com about the need for more women in the sports industry. As someone in that field, I can concur, and even support her claims that the inclusion of women and minorities are severely needed.  3 Down 1. 70 Year old Nun Gang Raped - Do I even need to

Alright, so I know that what some of these political pundits on the typical political/news (or rubbage, whatever you want to call it) is for us to actually listen and take credence to their statements. They love and crave the attention, regardless of what is at stake.  Nonetheless, I have to admit the comments made on the "Morning Joe" show regarding hip-hop and it's culture/influence on students who participated in the SAE racial chants at The University of Oklahoma is utter ridiculous. Actually, quite unbelievable.  The crew went off the absolute deep end of the argument cliff in blaming hip hop for it's influence on white America, and one pundit even claimed the student's racial chant was on equal footing as songs using the N-word.  I'll be honest, I don't feel I have to even begin to discuss why this is wrong on so many levels. At this point, if you don't see the issue with such statements made by this morning crew, then you really sho

3 Up 1. Russell Westbrook - After Kevin Durant went down again to an injury, Russell Westbrook not only responded to the challenge of carrying the Thunder, but he notched four straight triple-doubles, and had yet another one tonight. The guy has been insane as of late.  2. MLS Opening Weekend - I was crazy enough to watch all three Sunday games today, and I really haven't regretted it. The MLS opening weekend has been amazing and should be another season of growth for the budding league.  3. Cute Four Year Old - This video was so cute, and her response to a four year old boy calling her ugly was a nice touch. Sure, kids are mean and that little boy will probably never remember saying what he did, but the little girl's poise in that response was nice. Kudos to her parents as well - the true foundation of the response.  3 Down 1. Curt Schilling Daughter's Social Media Attackers - Those who decided to go after Curt Schilling's daughter on social media

SSDD - Same Seat. Different Day. 

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.

It's been a while since I've had the opportunity to really dive into the Ring of Honor product. Quite frankly, that's not due to being turned off from the product, but just from the fact that there are so many options right now in pro wrestling (a good problem to be honest). ROH, for me, was unfortunately the product to fall through the cracks. I've tended to be really into TNA, NXT, and Lucha Underground (I really like Lucha!) as of late, with the occasional WWE browse because of Wrestlemania season. I know, I know. Because of my childhood, the WWE will always own a piece of my wrestling fandom, regardless of how bad they are.  Nonethelss, this pay-per-view was my chance to dive in to ROH again, and I have to admit, I was thoroughly pleased. Actually, ROH's 13th Anniversary celebration pulled me back into the overall product and forced me to make more of an effort to catch it more often. With that said, here are some thoughts on the celebratory pay-per-vie

3 Up 1. Rhonda Rousey - Another fight, another quick win. Like fourteen seconds quick. Thanks for coming Cat Zingano. Who is next for Rousey?  2. Garnett's Return Home - Not only is it really cool to see Kevin Garnett return to Minnesota, but the whole entire ordeal has been a lot of goodness. From the Timberwolves intro video for him and Garnett buying 1000 tickets for fans, it's been really nice to see the return unfold. I wish we see more athletes stick with franchises for the duration of their careers.  3. Josh Hamilton Transparency - I touched base on this earlier this week ( Josh Hamilton's Recent Relapse Great Lesson in Human Vulnerability ), but to see Hamilton turn himself in and continue to ask for help is honorable. His transparency with his addiction is very respectable.  3 Down 1. Derek Rose - Another season, another injury. It seems Derek Rose can't catch a break, and neither can Bulls fans who await the year when they will have their