What I Am Thankful For In The Wrestling & MMA World

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for those around you, while also stuffing your face with food, and watching great sports programs. One thing I am thankful for is being a part of the Double G family, and all I get to discuss with you. In the wrestling/mixed martial arts world, there is plenty to be thankful for. Here are my top 5 things to be thankful for, in no particular order.

• Conor McGregor – “The Notorious One” is considered one of the most outspoken fighters in MMA history. The interim UFC Featherweight Champion is 18-2 in his career and is currently the coach of the twenty-second installment of The Ultimate Fighter TV show. His antics compare him to a professional wrestler; he loves to be cheered no matter how he does it. If he wasn’t a fighter, he would definitely fit into the world of professional wrestling. Going one-on-one with The Mountain from Game of Thrones is also an added bonus. I was skeptical at first, but when he faces Jose Aldo to unify the Featherweight title, I know I’ll be team McGregor.

• The New Day – A gimmick that was never supposed to work, The New Day is one of the best things WWE has going for them today. Kofi Kingston, Big E and Xavier Woods were stuck with nothing to do, and WWE gave them an interesting opportunity. Normally their antics/this type of gimmick would be another example of Vince and Co. not staying current with the times, but the three went along with, innovated and succeeded in making The New Day a smashing success. If they joined up with Team B.A.D. to make a super group that would be amazing. WWE struck gold with this unit, and hopefully the time we still have left with the group together is as great as they are now. If not, at least Xavier Woods has a future playing the trombone somewhere. As always: New…Day Rocks!

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwnUoZVyiFo

• Lucha Underground – If you are looking for something different in the wrestling world, look no further than Lucha Underground. Produced via the El Rey Network, this promotion is like nothing you have ever seen. It is a refreshing style of lucha libre mixed with the right amount of drama. The passion is undeniable from “The Believers” (not The Universe) inside The Temple. While it can be cartoonish, especially with its spiritual storylines, LU puts together the best matches you have ever seen in your life. The athletic Prince Puma, the sinister Mil Muertes, and the ultimate rudo (heel) Johnny Mundo (former John Morrison) are one of several factors that make this a must watched program. Women competing against men in competent, serious matchups, and non-stop action make this show a force to be reckoned with. Season 2 is already taping and I can’t wait for The Temple to open back up for some lucha.

• Women in Sports – For years, WWE hasn’t been able to multiply the magic that was Trish Stratus or Lita due to the weird obsession for what a woman should be like. Diva doesn’t seem like a compliment at all. While it’s still the standard there, they have improved, as have other sports. Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm and the rest of the women fighters in MMA are all athletically gifted. A renaissance of talent has emerged to take the sport by storm. Ring of Honor, Lucha Underground, TNA and others all have a piece of the puzzle that makes women’s wrestling work. The Four Horsewomen of WWE (Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks and Bayley) along with Paige are trying to change the way a women is utilized in WWE. In today’s day and age, we have women who take names and create a buzz not quite seen in the industry for a long time.

• NXT – If you were to watch an episode of Raw and then watched NXT, you would assume these are totally different companies. NXT has transformed from a game show into a powerhouse in the wrestling industry. Triple H has breeded a new generation of wrestlers to succeed in the world, and its all business. No fluff or convoluted storylines are involved in NXT. The best wrestlers from all over the world, who have made household names for themselves, have come to give NXT a chance. If it wasn’t for NXT, who knows if we would have ever had Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Bray Wyatt, or even The Shield grace the WWE Network. Some of the best matches are produced by the women, specifically the aforementioned Four Horsewomen. If you are looking for the undisputed future, look no further than NXT.

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMG9r32zBW4

There is so much to be thankful for. Hopefully next year there will be more to discuss as we pass the stuffing. Just make sure the Gobbledy Gooker isn’t invited.