MCMG blog for Spike.com
Hailing from Detroit, the Motor City Machine Guns, Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley, share their thoughts on everything from the Internet and music to wrestling against AJ Styles.
Chris Sabin
I've been Internet savvy for quite a number of years now, started using it when I was young, and never stopped. My Dad is a computer engineer, so I have had the fortunate opportunity to grow up in a "tech" household. Christmas of '82 was a good year. It was a beginning on two different, but related, fronts. Not only did I emerge out of my Mother's womb that year, but my Dad also acquired the legendary Commodore 64, our very first household computer. For my Dad, it was work, but for my Mom, me, and my brothers, it was the GAMES. Some of my earliest gaming memories are of Congo Bongo (which still holds up to this day), Potty Pigeon, and Forbidden Forest (which gave me nightmares as a young one). This was the first computer I ever used and I loved it. I wish I still had a working Commodore 64 right now. Ah, nostalgia.
Then came the Internet.
Boy, was I in awe the first time I heard the numbers dial and that crackling phone line sound. "What's on the Internet, Dad?" "Anything that people choose." Anything that people choose. Back then, I didn't realize how significant that really was. A place where people could share any information they choose. Information (or maybe it's a lack of information?), that is one of the most powerful elements of this world. Anyone with access to the Internet could share anything they wanted. Today, you can film your kitty doing backflips chasing a red laser dot, put it on the Internet, and it's there for the world to see--that easy.
The Internet has also affected professional wrestling in a major way, the same way it has affected everything else--easy access to information. I've been a wrestling fan my entire life, and when I first started using the Internet to find out more about wrestling, I thought it was the greatest! If I missed a show, I could check results, look at pictures from the show, and talk with others about what was happening in the wrestling business.
Today, it's evolved into a monster. When I was a fan, I admired and idolized the stars I would see on my TV, pretend to be them, dress up and do wrestling moves on the giant brown pillow we used to own, but never once thought to myself, "I wonder what he does when he's not wrestling?" Today, many, many people are interested in that type of information. It's almost become a part of the appeal of pro wrestling today. Not only can you watch your favorite superstar on TV, but you can find out who he has a beef with backstage, look at personal photos of his wife, etc. It's almost a reality show-type feel, like some fans today follow not only their favorite wrestlers week-to-week on TV, but follow their entire lives. Personally, I don't get it, but that doesn't matter. Too many people do get it, and that's the way it is.
It all comes down to what the internet really is: the free flow of information. The Internet is an amazing invention, although misinformation, propaganda, and sensationalism are very abundant. Just like everything else that exists it has come down to people being smart, logical, and analytical with what they choose to believe. It doesn't matter if you think the Internet is good or bad, at this point, it simply is.
Alex Shelley
I think everyone likes music, right? I'm hard pressed to think of someone I'm friends with or close to that doesn't have an affinity for some sort of music. Plato said something along the lines of: "Music is what feelings sound like." I think that's a pretty good analogy. The best part about it is that there's no right or wrong. You can't tell someone what sounds good or bad. In that sense, music is like food. I personally would rather staple my hand to a wall than eat fried chicken livers, but for some reason, they're still served at Ray's Pizza in Detroit. I don't know why, they taste like Play-Doh. Plato, Play-Doh, get it?! Too easy.
Anyway, music plays a role in my job. One of the first things people notice when they watch wrestling on TV is entrance music. That, and your aesthetic look and poise form the initial image. We're pretty lucky these days to have a more fitting entrance song after having one that sounded like an alternate theme from Saved by the Bell before. I mean, I love that show in all it's neon nineties-ness, but trying to convey the overall image of Detroit working class/blue collar, gritty rock 'n roll doesn't really match up.
Before I joined TNA, I wrestled in Japan and smaller independent shows in VFW Halls, armories, community centers, etc. There, you got to pick your own entrance music. I can't tell you how many people used Nickelback or Puddle of Mudd or whatever other bands that make my ears bleed. Again, no offense to those who may like those bands, but man, they ain't for me. I picked songs by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. This brings me to the entire topic of this journal entry. They have a new album coming out this month, and I am stoked. Keep in mind, with the amount of travel wrestlers embark upon, iPods filled with quality tunes are a necessity.
Not only does this band have an amazing name, which believe me, is incredibly important when you're trying to form a band, but they manage to mix a bunch of different types of music. Psychedelica, garage rock, punk, blues, folk, you name it. Straight up, they're one of the best bands ever. Don't be shy, look them up on YouTube or something instead of typing "fat kid trampoline" or "old guy bus fight" into the search engine. I recommend "Berlin," "Weapon of Choice," "Six Barrel Shotgun," or "Need Some Air."
When it comes to the work front, I reckon that A.J. Styles and Jeff Hardy are going to butt heads sooner or later. Some advice to Jeff...watch the spin kick. When I first came back to TNA in June of 2005, things were kosher as Christmas! I had a new contract, I just had the opportunity to have classic Mexican-style wrestling matches with Shocker, and I was still going on constant tours of Japan. Then came a singles match versus Styles.
I consider myself to have faster reflexes than the average bear. If I'm going to get kicked, slapped, or punched above the neck, I can usually get my hands up in time to deflect the blow or at least roll with it. Man oh man, not this time. A.J. threw his leg around with all his weight and that thing was like a giant whip. A doctor told me later that every time you hear your nose crunch on impact a little bit, it's doing permanent damage. He also said that whenever you see a flash of light, again, on impact, you're doing permanent damage to your brain, little by little. Yeah, well, both of those happened and it was like my nose turned into a blood faucet.
I don't really remember the match too well, and I've got a pretty good memory for most things despite falling on my back for a living. My eyes ended up black for two weeks. It was the sucks. I found out later that my septum was deviated and I'd have to have surgery to look forward to when I'm done wrestling. Far out.
So, yeah man. Watch the spin kick.
Spike.com
Chris Sabin
I've been Internet savvy for quite a number of years now, started using it when I was young, and never stopped. My Dad is a computer engineer, so I have had the fortunate opportunity to grow up in a "tech" household. Christmas of '82 was a good year. It was a beginning on two different, but related, fronts. Not only did I emerge out of my Mother's womb that year, but my Dad also acquired the legendary Commodore 64, our very first household computer. For my Dad, it was work, but for my Mom, me, and my brothers, it was the GAMES. Some of my earliest gaming memories are of Congo Bongo (which still holds up to this day), Potty Pigeon, and Forbidden Forest (which gave me nightmares as a young one). This was the first computer I ever used and I loved it. I wish I still had a working Commodore 64 right now. Ah, nostalgia.
Then came the Internet.
Boy, was I in awe the first time I heard the numbers dial and that crackling phone line sound. "What's on the Internet, Dad?" "Anything that people choose." Anything that people choose. Back then, I didn't realize how significant that really was. A place where people could share any information they choose. Information (or maybe it's a lack of information?), that is one of the most powerful elements of this world. Anyone with access to the Internet could share anything they wanted. Today, you can film your kitty doing backflips chasing a red laser dot, put it on the Internet, and it's there for the world to see--that easy.
The Internet has also affected professional wrestling in a major way, the same way it has affected everything else--easy access to information. I've been a wrestling fan my entire life, and when I first started using the Internet to find out more about wrestling, I thought it was the greatest! If I missed a show, I could check results, look at pictures from the show, and talk with others about what was happening in the wrestling business.
Today, it's evolved into a monster. When I was a fan, I admired and idolized the stars I would see on my TV, pretend to be them, dress up and do wrestling moves on the giant brown pillow we used to own, but never once thought to myself, "I wonder what he does when he's not wrestling?" Today, many, many people are interested in that type of information. It's almost become a part of the appeal of pro wrestling today. Not only can you watch your favorite superstar on TV, but you can find out who he has a beef with backstage, look at personal photos of his wife, etc. It's almost a reality show-type feel, like some fans today follow not only their favorite wrestlers week-to-week on TV, but follow their entire lives. Personally, I don't get it, but that doesn't matter. Too many people do get it, and that's the way it is.
It all comes down to what the internet really is: the free flow of information. The Internet is an amazing invention, although misinformation, propaganda, and sensationalism are very abundant. Just like everything else that exists it has come down to people being smart, logical, and analytical with what they choose to believe. It doesn't matter if you think the Internet is good or bad, at this point, it simply is.
Alex Shelley
I think everyone likes music, right? I'm hard pressed to think of someone I'm friends with or close to that doesn't have an affinity for some sort of music. Plato said something along the lines of: "Music is what feelings sound like." I think that's a pretty good analogy. The best part about it is that there's no right or wrong. You can't tell someone what sounds good or bad. In that sense, music is like food. I personally would rather staple my hand to a wall than eat fried chicken livers, but for some reason, they're still served at Ray's Pizza in Detroit. I don't know why, they taste like Play-Doh. Plato, Play-Doh, get it?! Too easy.
Anyway, music plays a role in my job. One of the first things people notice when they watch wrestling on TV is entrance music. That, and your aesthetic look and poise form the initial image. We're pretty lucky these days to have a more fitting entrance song after having one that sounded like an alternate theme from Saved by the Bell before. I mean, I love that show in all it's neon nineties-ness, but trying to convey the overall image of Detroit working class/blue collar, gritty rock 'n roll doesn't really match up.
Before I joined TNA, I wrestled in Japan and smaller independent shows in VFW Halls, armories, community centers, etc. There, you got to pick your own entrance music. I can't tell you how many people used Nickelback or Puddle of Mudd or whatever other bands that make my ears bleed. Again, no offense to those who may like those bands, but man, they ain't for me. I picked songs by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. This brings me to the entire topic of this journal entry. They have a new album coming out this month, and I am stoked. Keep in mind, with the amount of travel wrestlers embark upon, iPods filled with quality tunes are a necessity.
Not only does this band have an amazing name, which believe me, is incredibly important when you're trying to form a band, but they manage to mix a bunch of different types of music. Psychedelica, garage rock, punk, blues, folk, you name it. Straight up, they're one of the best bands ever. Don't be shy, look them up on YouTube or something instead of typing "fat kid trampoline" or "old guy bus fight" into the search engine. I recommend "Berlin," "Weapon of Choice," "Six Barrel Shotgun," or "Need Some Air."
When it comes to the work front, I reckon that A.J. Styles and Jeff Hardy are going to butt heads sooner or later. Some advice to Jeff...watch the spin kick. When I first came back to TNA in June of 2005, things were kosher as Christmas! I had a new contract, I just had the opportunity to have classic Mexican-style wrestling matches with Shocker, and I was still going on constant tours of Japan. Then came a singles match versus Styles.
I consider myself to have faster reflexes than the average bear. If I'm going to get kicked, slapped, or punched above the neck, I can usually get my hands up in time to deflect the blow or at least roll with it. Man oh man, not this time. A.J. threw his leg around with all his weight and that thing was like a giant whip. A doctor told me later that every time you hear your nose crunch on impact a little bit, it's doing permanent damage. He also said that whenever you see a flash of light, again, on impact, you're doing permanent damage to your brain, little by little. Yeah, well, both of those happened and it was like my nose turned into a blood faucet.
I don't really remember the match too well, and I've got a pretty good memory for most things despite falling on my back for a living. My eyes ended up black for two weeks. It was the sucks. I found out later that my septum was deviated and I'd have to have surgery to look forward to when I'm done wrestling. Far out.
So, yeah man. Watch the spin kick.
Spike.com