Long Live the American Dragon! Former ROH Champion (Fuck WWE) Nabs Down Burglar!

Link.

Yup. That's my boy AmDrag.

Pregnant Burglar Shot by 80 Year Old!

Link.

Was she really pregnant or was she lying?

Copenhagen 2014: Rankings of the 37, Conclusion: Final Five

All things must come to an end, and here is no exception. 32 of the 37 entries from Copenhagen 2014 have been ranked to my personal standards, and now it's down to the final five. Who got my twelve points this year? Let's find out!

Here we go!

Number 5, and six points goes to...

Twin Twin with "Moustache" (France). It seems that France has had some good, even great tunes the last few years in this event. This is a fun song and my favorite among the grand final only performances this year because of its upbeat tempo, but yet again, the mindless sheep only gave this entry a few points and finished the bottom. A big fuck you to the juries and voters across Europe for missing the boat!

Number 4 and seven points goes to...

SeBAlter with "Hunter of Stars" (Switzerland). The world's most neutral country never fails in the ESC the past few years, regardless of artist. Sinplus, Heilsarmee, you name it. And even though a Swiss entry has missed the grand final the past few years, it was good to finally see one make it in. Love this track, and I would've wished that it would've won just for Switzerland to host the 60th edition of the event (the first ESC was at Lugano 1956).

Number 3 and eight points goes to...

The Common Linnets and the "Calm After the Storm" (Netherlands). The Dutch entries the past few years were okay, but this one lived to its hype with its country vibe, something that is needed here. Remember, musical diversity for such a contest like the ESC is key and helps all Eurofans across Europe and abroad know and select the music that will best represent Europe for at least a year. One of the best Dutch ESC entries of all time, and looking forward to their new album.

Number 2, and ten points goes to...

Softengine with "Something Better" (Finland). After last year's 'disaster' (which should've never made the final in the first place), this was a wake up call to show everyone how proper music works in Raikkonenland. One of the best Finnish ESC entries ever and this one was a contender simply because it rocked. Fuck the mainstream comparisons. Alternative rock at its finest, think of U2 when you next time you hear from these guys.

And now, my number 1 song of Copenhagen 2014 and the one that gets my twelve points is...



drumroll please...


In 3...



2...



1...

Firelight with "Coming Home" (Malta). Perhaps the best non winner in ESC history, by its light emotional rock sound. So emotional, had it won, it would've topped Lordi's "Hardrock Hallelujah" as the greatest ESC champion(s) ever (in my opinion). Not just emotional, but aural as well! This one should've won, however we all know Conchita Wurst and 'his' camp actually bought votes. I think I remember reading about what (current ESC supervisor Jon) Ola Sand saying about buying votes after Farid Mammadov's camp did it last year. Where's the penalty for Austria, because Austria should be stripped of hosting it next year. Dead people from across Europe probably voted for him. Voting was rigged and we all know. Now Russia will have their own version of the ESC, a 'Soviet' version that is, possibly beginning next year. Had this song won, Russia would have changed their minds.

So to review this whole week, here are my final standings:

37. Poland
36. Denmark
35. Belarus
34. Latvia
33. Macedonia
32. Austria
31. Sweden
30. Moldova
29. San Marino
28. Belgium
27. Spain
26. Albania
25. Montenegro
24. Armenia
23. Russia
22. Great Britain
21. Israel
20. Hungary
19. Azerbaijan
18. Slovenia
17. Ireland
16. Lithuania
15. Georgia
14. Greece
13. Ukraine
12. Portugal
11. Italy
10. Romania (1 point)
9. Iceland (2 points)
8. Estonia (3 points)
7. Germany (4 points)
6. Norway (5 points)
5. France (6 points)
4. Switzerland (7 points)
3. Netherlands (8 points)
2. Finland (10 points)
1. Malta (12 points)

So there you have it for my Copenhagen 2014 rankings. Since the ESC will have its 60th contest in Austria in May, I might do some related stuff, like 'greatest ESC song ever,' 'greatest ESC winner ever,' and so forth. Stay tuned.

Until then, "keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars."

Chuck Knoblauch Arrested...Again?

Link.

Did he wore all four of his championship rings on his finger? If so, that would leave a mark!

Case Worker Dead in Suburban Philly Hospital Shooting

Link.

Copenhagen 2014: Rankings of the 37, part 6: 10-6

It's now that time. I reviewed the last 27, now it's the top ten. Who gets points one to five in this, part 6 of my Copenhagen 2014 rankings.

And here we go!

Number 10, and one point goes to...

The duo of Ovi Cernateanu and Paula Seling with "Miracle" (Romania). For the second straight year, a Romanian ESC entry is ranked in the top ten in my rankings. Why? Because of its aura level. Great song, with house beats. I like it and this is now one of my favorite ESC entries for Romania, period.

Number 9, and two points goes to...

Pollaponk with "Enga Fordoma" (Iceland). Is it just me or did this punk band stole this idea of their outfits from Dschinghis Khan in 1979 (they had multi-colored outfits when they performed on that night)? I also thought of something else: remember that EUROVISION Book of Records segment where one of the categories was "most 'la's' in a song? Should be updated with this song in it for future references. Also these guys must be either fans of Craig Sager or Don Cherry with their suit choices. Clothing beside, this is now one of my favorite Icelandic entries in the ESC, and their aura and machismo qualities lived up to it.

Number 8 and three points goes to...

Tanja Mihhailova with "Amazing" (Estonia). Like "Quero ser Tua," this was another song (in my opinion) that missed the boat for the grand final, thank you mindless mainstream top 40 music sheeple across Europe, you should all keep twerking. This was great, with the euphoric house quality you come to expect. Still one of my favorite Estonian ESC entries, last year was okay.

Number 7, and four points goes to...

Elaiza with "Is It Right?" (Germany). Germany hasn't failed a whole lot the past five years of ESC competition, all are stellar including this folksy tune here. Very popular tune in my opinion to have not won it all.

Number 6, and five points goes to...

Carl Espen Thornbjornsen with "Silent Storm" (Norway). 2013 ESC champion Emmelie de Forest picked this song to win it all, and even though I disagree with that notion, this happened to be the best ballad in the ESC since Malcolm Lincoln's "Siren" in 2010. It's all about atmosphere and hence I ranked this a whole lot higher. Also it's the second straight year I've enjoyed anything in the ESC from Norway.

With only one part remaining, here is where I stand:

37. Poland
36. Denmark
35. Belarus
34. Latvia
33. Macedonia
32. Austria
31. Sweden
30. Moldova
29. San Marino
28. Belgium
27. Spain
26. Albania
25. Montenegro
24. Armenia
23. Russia
22. Great Britain
21. Israel
20. Hungary
19. Azerbaijan
18. Slovenia
17. Ireland
16. Lithuania
15. Georgia
14. Greece
13. Ukraine
12. Portugal
11. Italy
10. Romania (1 point)
9. Iceland (2 points)
8. Estonia (3 points)
7. Germany (4 points)
6. Norway (5 points)

And in this final part, who will get my 12 points? Stay tuned as the countdown continues!

Copenhagen 2014: Rankings of the 37, part 5: 15-11

Now it's the nitty gritty time here. This is part five. Which five will miss the top ten? Let's find out! So here we go!

Number 15!

The Shin featuring Mariko Ebralidze with "Three Minutes to Earth" (Georgia). I don't understand the hate about this song, but I like it. Second straight year I've been impressed with an entry from Georgia in the ESC. Very folksy, low tempo and low fidelity, but great. So to all those bozos who have this lower than this on your rankings, go fuck yourself. Too bad it missed the final.

Come one and rise up! Nothing beat their two nights of performances of "Rise Up"--the collaboration between rapper RiskyKidd and the duo Freaky Fortune (Greece). Here it is number 14, and once again a Greek song to like in the ESC, like last year with Koza Mostra's "Alcohol is Free" (one of the greatest ESC songs ever in my opinion). The closest rap can get to in this year's edition in my opinion and worthwhile at least too. I want more from these three on some aspects in the long run.

Despite the political unrest in the Ukraine, Mariya Yaremchuk still not only made it to Copenhagen, but performed on two nights. "Tick Tock" is at number 12, but judging only for her first studio version only, not the final one that she performed live with (and is closer to what these mindless fucks listen to on modern day top 40 radio). I will say this right now: Ukraine in ESC has come on fire the last few years, including the likes of Gaitana and Zlata Ognevich (who finished third at Malmo last year), and it is a great tune. One day Ukraine will have a strong winner like Ruslana in 2004. Mark my words.

I know some might not like this, but after listening to this numerous times, Suzy Guerra's "Quero Ser Tua" (Portugal) is number 12 on my list. Why? It is such great, and to all the faux Portuguese who wished evil on her just because their favorite didn't make it to Copenhagen, this was an ideal for such a year when her country qualified for the 2014 FIFA men's World Cup in Brazil. Keep in mind, Portuguese is the primary language of Brazil and this was to pay respect to not only Brazilians but other parts of the world where the Portuguese colonized. Know some history before you talk shit. If your favorite in the national final advanced, he/she would've got lesser points, maybe lesser than what Hannah Mancini got last year for "Straight Into Love" for Slovenia. She almost made the final! It is one of my favorite Portuguese ESC entries of all time, but nothing beats the late Carlos Paiao's "Playback"! Also good to see Portugal back after a year on hiatus.

Emma Marrone at number 11 with "La Mia Citta" (Italy). Finally an Italian song in ESC to listen to since Nina Zilli's "L'Amore e Femmina" in 2012. Funky rock beat, that is all. Very disappointing final.

So there you have it, now the 27 that missed the top ten. Let's recap:

37. Poland
36. Denmark
35. Belarus
34. Latvia
33. Macedonia
32. Austria
31. Sweden
30. Moldova
29. San Marino
28. Belgium
27. Spain
26. Albania
25. Montenegro
24. Armenia
23. Russia
22. Great Britain
21. Israel
20. Hungary
19. Azerbaijan
18. Slovenia
17. Ireland
16. Lithuania
15. Georgia
14. Greece
13. Ukraine
12. Portugal
11. Italy

And now the moment of truth, who gets twelve? Who gets ten? Who gets one point? We'll see as the countdown continues!

Friday Jukebox 7.25.14

Last week, Johnny Winter died at age 70, and was such a great guitarist, I decided to put up this here: the complete 1969 album Second Winter.

Copenhagen 2014: Rankings of the 37, part 4: 20-16

Part 4 is now here. The halfway point is here. Why not waste any time...here we go!

Number 20!

Andras Kallay Saunders with "Running" (Hungary). Here's a man whose father was a jazz artist, and I like this song period. The break beat won this, and so did the atmosphere. There was no need to complain about this, even though this should be Erislandy Lara's new entrance song for his next fight (see his recent fight with Canelo for more details). Hungary never fails in the past three years of their ESC participation!

Now you're playing with fire. Dilara Kazimova at number 19 with "Start a Fire" (Azerbaijan). Same country which had a bonehead song (Farid Mammadov "Hold Me") that finished runner up last year in Malmo and could have been one of the worst ESC winners ever. Like last year, "Start a Fire" made it to the final. Great ballad, and my second favorite Azeri ESC song ever (behind Sabina Babaeva "When the Music Dies"). Enough said. Also the difference between "Hold Me" and "Start a Fire", was that this is filling, while "Hold Me" was a total letdown.

Tinkara Kovac with "Spet" (Slovenia) at number 18. Great song, unlike Hannah Mancini last year (was a good song, though only eight points. What the fuck?), made it to the grand final. It's gotta be the flute, it's gotta be the flute. One of the best Slovene entries in ESC hands down. Even last year was great.

Kasey Smith at number 17 with "Heartbeat" (Ireland). The second straight year in a row that Ireland has impressed me quality wise, since the awful shit in 2011 and 2012 (and still made the final due to the brainless teen girl population across the continent). However, this one missed the final. I felt like this song was great, but Europe missed the boat on this one. I hope somebody brings a song for 2015 that is even stronger. I have Irish roots myself.

Attention! Vilija Mataciunaite at number 16 with "Attention!" (Lithuania). Like Ireland, second straight year I've been impressed with Lithuania in the ESC since their disastrous shit with Donny Montell in 2012 (and still made the final, once again, stupid juries and voters with no brain and money in pocket). This one didn't make the final. Nevermind the dress you sick twisted fucks. I felt like it was a good performance, nonetheless.

Now attention please. This is how I stand after four posts:

37. Poland
36. Denmark
35. Belarus
34. Latvia
33. Macedonia
32. Austria
31. Sweden
30. Moldova
29. San Marino
28. Belgium
27. Spain
26. Albania
25. Montenegro
24. Armenia
23. Russia
22. Great Britain
21. Israel
20. Hungary
19. Azerbaijan
18. Slovenia
17. Ireland
16. Lithuania

And now it's past halfway. Fifteen more to go as the countdown continues!

BELLATOR MMA 122: Light Heavyweight Semifinals & Welterweight & Middleweight Tournament Finals

A big night of fights in the combat sports world including the return of BELLATOR MMA as they conclude its 'Summer Series' for 2014.

Two tournament finals and one tournament semifinals headline BELLATOR MMA 122 on Friday night. Brett Cooper takes on Brandon Halsey in the middleweight final, while Andrey Koreshkov takes on Adam McDonough in the welterweight final; both with title shots at stake.

Also the light heavyweight tournament semifinals will take place.

CARD
Light heavyweight tournament

semifinals
(205 lb/92.25 kg)

Phelipe Lins v Kelly Anundson (prelims)

Liam McGeary v Egidijus Valavicius

 

Welterweight tournament

Final

(170 lb/76.5 kg)

Andrey Koreshkov v Adam McDonough

 

Middleweight tournament

Final

(185 lb/83.25 kg)

Brett Cooper v Brandon Halsey

 

LIVE on SPIKE Friday night!

 

In related combat sport news, ShoBox: The New Generation will have its 200th episode (I think) Friday night on SHOWTIME. Some good stuff to watch combat sports wise Friday nights. 

Commonwealth Games Begins Today; No 'Common Wealth' For Katie Cleary.

Link.

Not even $0.01 (a subtle Deal or No Deal reference).

Copenhagen 2014: Rankings of the 37, part 3: 25-21

Part 3 of my rankings of Copenhagen 2014. And shall continue right now!

Number 25!

Sergej Cetkovic with "Moj Svet" (Montenegro). First time (I think) a Montenegrin entry has made it to the grand final. I have enjoyed (yes folks, and I mean enjoyed) what this country had to offer in the ESC over the past few years. Even "Euro Neuro" by Rambo Amadeus from 2012. But this ballad is so great and one of the best ballads this year. Glad it made it to the final.

Speaking of ballads, 'Aram MP3' Sargsian, a contender in the grand final is number 24 on my list with the soft-dubstep backed track "Not Alone" (Armenia). Not as good as Dorians last year, but I would say it is now my second favorite Armenian ESC entry. The dubstep killed it, but still beautiful nonetheless.

The third year in a row the UK has sent a 'name-brand' artist to the ESC. In 2012 it was Engelbert Humperdinck. In 2013 it was Bonnie Tyler. This year it was Molly Smitten Downes, the lead singer of the Stunt project, with "Children of the Universe." It is number 22 on my chart simply because of even more powerful entries this year. Great song nonetheless. I have been a big fan of hers for sometime. Any guesses for who will represent the UK in 2015? Rikki Peebles? Daz Simpson? Jamelia? Sophie Ellis Bextor? Mike Skinner and the Streets? Dizzee Rascal? Who knows?

'Mei' beer is 'Finegold' the dry beer. Get it? Unlike Rheingold Beer, Mei Finegold's "Same Heart" (Israel) wasn't really extra dry. After listening to it, it is a great song, but decided to put this at number 21. Shame she didn't make the final. Now the question, for a country that has won the ESC a multiple times, despite the politics of the past few years, will they be able to return for Austria in 2015? Let's not forget the Gaza issues as well, including the most recent attacks that could be a key ingredient for a third World War. Something to ponder in the months to come.

After three posts:

37. Poland
36. Denmark
35. Belarus
34. Latvia
33. Macedonia
32. Austria
31. Sweden
30. Moldova
29. San Marino
28. Belgium
27. Spain
26. Albania
25. Montenegro
24. Armenia
23. Russia
22. Great Britain
21. Israel

Twenty big ones to number one, including Twin Twin and the Common Linnets, as well as Firelight and Softengine. Find out where they rank as the countdown is approaching halfway!

Copenhagen 2014: Rankings of the 37, Part 2: 31-26

And we're back with part 2 of the Copenhagen 2014 countdown. Six down, thirty one to go. Let's go!

Number 31!

Sanna Nielsen with "Undo" (Sweden). Much better than the Swedish song in Malmo, but still once again I have a Swedish ESC song towards the bottom. Why? Because of the dry nature, but it is still okay. Also note to people who compare this to that rubbish song by Ciley Myrus: don't you ever compare a true European artist to mainstream trash, ever again! Show some respect punks! Also respect her for finally making it to the ESC on her seventh attempt at the Melodifestivalen, the national ESC final of Sweden.

At number 30, it is Cristina Scarlat with "Wild Soul" (Moldova). For the third straight year in a row, Moldova has sent something dry to the ESC. It is an okay song nonetheless. Hopefully next year, if it happens, would like to see Zdob si Zdub come back; they had the best Moldovan song in the ESC with "So Lucky" in 2011. Also this song was heaps better than those two craptacular songs the country had for 2012 and 2013.

Question yourself: how well would Valentina Monetta do in her third consecutive ESC appearance? I actually found "Forse/Maybe" (San Marino) her best song ever. It seems that the San Marinese ESC committee kept her and probably were thinking, "make the final or no more ESC for us." And she finally made the grand final. From "Facebook" in 2012 to "Vola" in 2013 and now this year. A huge trip in the escalator of the journey that is Valentina Monetta. Ask and you shall receive. However on my rankings, I have "Forse" number 29. Very powerful, but dry and okay.

At number 28, it's the Andres Cantor with a goatee--Axel Hirsoux--with "Mother" (Belgium). It is still better than the crap that made the final last year with that Justin Bieber look a like (simply because Roberto Bellarosa looks slightly like Bieber or any of those artists those mindless sheeple girls listen to), but why didn't it make the final? It was also very powerful, but an okay song as well. Maybe his looks the reason? C'mon Europe, you disappointed me!

Ruth Lorenzo comes in number 27 with "Dancing in the Rain" (Spain). Here's a perfect ballad, but ranked it very low because of even more powerful stuff as you'll probably see in the days to come. Okay song nonetheless.

Herciana Matmuja comes in number 26 with "Zemerini I Nje Nate" (Albania). Okay song, but not as good as last year's song. Nothing special.

After two posts, here's where I stand:

37. Poland
36. Denmark
35. Belarus
34. Latvia
33. Macedonia
32. Austria
31. Sweden
30. Moldova
29. San Marino
28. Belgium
27. Spain
26. Albania

Twenty five big ones to number one! Where will Firelight land? Common Linnets? SEBalter? Elaiza? Even Suzy? Find out as the countdown continues!

Copenhagen 2014: Rankings of the 37, Part 1: 37-32

It's been two months since the LIX edition (59th) of le Concours EUROVISION Chanson Europeenes, Copenhagen 2014 concluded. And for the third straight year, I'm doing my annual ESC review. I felt like 34 of the 37 entries were in contention to win. Some might hate this, some might love it. Without any introduction, here we go.

In 5...



4...


3...


2...


1...


And the song ranked 37th and last this year is...


(drumroll please)

Cleo with "My Slowianie" (Poland). Disappointed since Donatan, the man who produced it (or co produced it I think) is a hip hop producer. I also feel sorry for those who voted for this to make the final--not! It is among one of the worst songs in ESC history for a reason, it's similarity to mainstream R&B like Beyoncé or Rihanna. The trashy types. Very trashy song that should have never been an internal selection for Poland. The Poles should feel ashamed. I hope they either come back strong in May or just withdraw. Remember, Poland has been out of ESC since 2011, after a failed showing by Magdalena Tul in the results category with "Jestem" in Dusseldorf. "Jestem" is a far better song than this!

Just like Poland disappointed me in their return, the host country Denmark also disappointed me this year. Basim's "Cliché Love Song" is a very dry, make that extremely dry song that was too generic and mainstream. It also reflected in both the grand final tally and in my rankings, as I have this at number 36.

When it comes to song quality in the ESC, what has happened to song quality Belarus? From Anastasia Vinnikova to Litesound and Alyona Lanskaya, it was great. With Teo this year, Belarus in ESC really hit rock bottom quality wise. But once again, voters across Europe decided looks got him to the final. This is what's wrong with the contest every year, is that talent is overlooked by looks. Fucking Satanic heathens. Very lame song that should've never reached the final in the first place. Hence, at number 35, "Cheesecake" should have melted itself.

Over the years, this event has seen major disappointments. This was one of them. "Cake to Bake" by the band Aarzemnieki (Latvia) had a lot of potential, but a lot of letdown. Hence, I ranked them 34th of 37th this year. Very folksy song and one of those 34 that had contention to win it all, but failed to make the final. I still liked it and respected it anyway, should've ranked it higher, but oh well.

Tijana Dapcevic's "To the Sky" (Macedonia) is number 33 on my rankings. Why this low for an addictive song? I felt it also had good potential, but was also a letdown as well. Like Aarzemnieki's "Cake to Bake," I should've ranked it higher.

At number 32, is your winner, Tom Neuwirth, with "Rise Like a Phoenix" (Austria). Okay song, but I felt like the voting was rigged. I mean come on man, stronger songs than this and Europe chose this the most? Once again it was rigged. To me it is one of the worst winners in ESC history. Check that, the worst. He was fucking trolling since his internal selection a few months prior. He knew with this gimmick that he would be the biggest troll in ESC history and lived up to the hype. I'm also pretty sure dead people across Europe voted for him as well. I'm not homophobic, just telling the truth.

So to sum up part one so far...

37. Poland
36. Denmark
35. Belarus
34. Latvia
33. Macedonia
32. Austria

Thirty-one big ones to number one as the countdown continues!