Do not ask me what today’s high is in New York City because it’ll just make me angry that it’s now almost May and Spring has not yet arrived. If I was in college right now, I’d be FURIOUS about this unseasonably cold weather putting a damper on day-drinking season, especially if I was a senior. So, to all the students out there, don’t let the weather get you down: keep partying outside at all costs, because once you’re an adult, day drinks are few and far between.
Anyway, on to COED’s Quick Fix: Everything You Need To Know Today —Wednesday, April 18, 2018.
Pop Culture
– Calling all comic book nerds! Check out this dope 10-year Marvel Studios featurette:
– Harry & Lloyd reunited on Conan last night:
Sports
– The Pelicans won both games in Portland to take a 2-0 lead over the Trailblazers back to New Orleans:
– Tonight’s NBA playoff schedule:
– Tonight’s Stanley Cup playoff schedule:
News & Politics
– Barbara Bush, the 41st First Lady of the United States of America, passed away at the age of 92-years-old.
The Sigma Pi fraternity at Penn State University decided to do some impromptu philanthropy over the weekend after they housed a lost pig in their home on Friday, April 13.
According to State College, a lost pig (yes, pig) wandered into the backyard of the Sigma Pi house on Friday, April 13. The pig arrived at the house at 303 Fraternity Row around 11 a.m. on Friday. State College Police say that the fraternity brothers did “what any responsible pet owners would do and took in the pig as one of their own. They fed the pig, gave it water, and even allowed it to stay the night in their backyard.”
State College reports that a Sigma Pi fraternity brother called the police about the lost pig at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 15. That same day, the Centre County volunteer nonprofit “Pets Come First” relieved the fraternity of their pig-watching duties.
Because the pig did not have any identifying characteristics, Pets Come First is currently holding the pig without any idea who it’s own is, waiting for it to be claimed.
Ya know, I’ve always heard that pigs are smarter than dogs & that some people actually own pigs as pets, but I never saw the appeal. However, I gotta admit … this little guy is pretty damn cute:
Pets Come First
Normally, when Penn State fraternities are in the headlines, it usually isn’t a good thing, but this time the guys at Sigma Pi nailed it.
In just over a week the ultimate cinematic experience arrives that will change the fate of Marvel Studios as we know it. Heroes will fall. A villain will rise. Fans will writhe in their seats. Popcorn will fly! Here’s a recap of the events leading up to Infinity War — a decade in the making.
Phase One:
Iron Man (2008)
YouTube/Marvel
The first film in a huge undertaking by the studio, Iron Man exceeded the odds and expectations of fans and critics alike. This was also a massive career boost for Robert Downey Jr. Ten years later, I can’t imagine anyone else playing the role of the billionaire playboy philanthropist. Iron Man per Marvel:
A billionaire industrialist and genius inventor, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), is conducting weapons tests overseas, but terrorists kidnap him to force him to build a devastating weapon. Instead, he builds an armored suit and upends his captors. Returning to America, Stark refines the suit and uses it to combat crime and terrorism.
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
YouTube/Marvel
Many fans would love a Hulk movie with Mark Ruffalo, especially since the 2008 installment left much to be desired. Maybe it was the CGI quality at the time or just the overall story, but regardless this film has the lowest score of the bunch on Rotten Tomatoes. The official Marvel synopsis:
Scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) desperately seeks a cure for the gamma radiation that contaminated his cells and turned him into The Hulk. Cut off from his true love Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) and forced to hide from his nemesis, Gen. Thunderbolt Ross (William Hurt), Banner soon comes face-to-face with a new threat: a supremely powerful enemy known as The Abomination (Tim Roth).
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Flickr
The second installment in the Iron Man trilogy was a bit meh, but it set up some important pieces that later would attribute to the world-building to come. According to Marvel:
With the world now aware that he is Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) faces pressure from all sides to share his technology with the military. He is reluctant to divulge the secrets of his armored suit, fearing the information will fall into the wrong hands. With Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and “Rhodey” Rhodes (Don Cheadle) by his side, Tony must forge new alliances and confront a powerful new enemy.
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Thor (2011)
YouTube/Marvel
The best part about Thor is without a doubt Asgard. This installment really takes the MCU away from robots and tech and dazzled us with ethereal realms and space travel. Thor really broadened the landscape, explaining the connectivity between the nine realms in the cosmos and how Earth fits into the larger galactic scope. As Marvel puts it:
As the son of Odin (Anthony Hopkins), king of the Norse gods, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) will soon inherit the throne of Asgard from his aging father. However, on the day that he is to be crowned, Thor reacts with brutality when the gods’ enemies, the Frost Giants, enter the palace in violation of their treaty. As punishment, Odin banishes Thor to Earth. While Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Thor’s brother, plots mischief in Asgard, Thor, now stripped of his powers, faces his greatest threat.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
YouTube/Marvel
Captain America introduces a smorgasbord of game-changing elements, including the Tesseract, aka the first Infinity Stone, to demonstrate its power on screen. This also unveiled the ever-present threat of HYDRA to SHIELD, a battle for control that spans far beyond this one film. I love Cap, and I definitely will be sad to see him go. The official Marvel synopsis:
It is 1941 and the world is in the throes of war. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) wants to do his part and join America’s armed forces, but the military rejects him because of his small stature. Finally, Steve gets his chance when he is accepted into an experimental program that turns him into a supersol dier called Captain America. Joining forces with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), Captain America leads the fight against the Nazi-backed HYDRA organization.
Marvel’s The Avengers (2012)
YouTube/Marvel
The Avengers was the first spectacle in the coming together of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. This was truly the make or break film to determine whether or not the world building came together as planned. Not only did it blow the box office away, fans and critics were ALL swept up in Marvel mania! Added bonus, a new infinity stone is introduced. As Marvel puts it:
When Thor’s evil brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), gains access to the unlimited power of the energy cube called the Tesseract, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), director of S.H.I.E.L.D., initiates a superhero recruitment effort to defeat the unprecedented threat to Earth. Joining Fury’s “dream team” are Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner).
Tony Stark did not handle the events of The Avengers well at all. Between learning of galactic threats and how vulnerable Earth is, he tries to pull out every tool in his toolbox to prevent something like that from ever happening again. Spoiler alert: it happens way more times. The official Marvel synopsis:
Plagued with worry and insomnia since saving New York from destruction, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), now, is more dependent on the suits that give him his Iron Man persona — so much so that every aspect of his life is affected, including his relationship with Pepper (Gwyneth Paltrow). After a malevolent enemy known as the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) reduces his personal world to rubble, Tony must rely solely on instinct and ingenuity to avenge his losses and protect the people he loves.
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
YouTube/Marvel
The second Thor installment was a lot to digest. It definitely was the least fun out of all the three films. There is a looooot of science talk, however, we do get introduced to a new infinity stone. Again, the beauty of the Thor films is their ability to explore different planets and introduce new alien species in a way that we are always reminded we are simply not alone, but we are far from the most powerful beings in the galaxy. Per Marvel:
In ancient times, the gods of Asgard fought and won a war against an evil race known as the Dark Elves. The survivors were neutralized, and their ultimate weapon — the Aether — was buried in a secret location. Hundreds of years later, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) finds the Aether and becomes its host, forcing Thor (Chris Hemsworth) to bring her to Asgard before Dark Elf Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) captures her and uses the weapon to destroy the Nine Realms — including Earth.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
YouTube/Marvel
The second installment of the Captain America films has almost everything a fan could ask for. Not only does Cap gain a new ally in The Falcon, he and Black Widow develop a deeper friendship and sense of loyalty that most definitely will carry over into future films. Also, the return of Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier was incredible. This is one of the most action-packed high adrenaline additions to the MCU – as Marvel puts it:
After the cataclysmic events in New York with his fellow Avengers, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America (Chris Evans), lives in the nation’s capital as he tries to adjust to modern times. An attack on a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague throws Rogers into a web of intrigue that places the whole world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and a new ally, the Falcon, Rogers struggles to expose an ever-widening conspiracy, but he and his team soon come up against an unexpected enemy.
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Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
YouTube/Marvel
This movie was so much fun. There’s something about the absurdity that makes it that much more enjoyable. Guardians remind me of how I felt when I read comics as a kid: picturing all these crazy colors and creatures jetting around space to save the day. Yay! Another infinity stone found! Director James Gunn really got to the heart of these crazy characters, not to mention impeccable casting (and soundtrack) for a film that many thought would be a bomb. Per Marvel:
Brash space adventurer Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) finds himself the quarry of relentless bounty hunters after he steals an orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain. To evade Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with four disparate misfits: gun-toting Rocket Raccoon, treelike-humanoid Groot, enigmatic Gamora, and vengeance-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when he discovers the orb’s true power and the cosmic threat it poses, Quill must rally his ragtag group to save the universe.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
YouTube/Marvel
The second Avengers film brought about the creation of Ultron, the cyber/robot villain they’re forced to destroy once Tony Stark tried to fiddle with the Tesseract to create artificial intelligence as a means of preemptively protecting the planet. While the country of Sokovia got demolished, we got to add Scarlet Witch to the team along with the creation of Vision through use of the mind stone – yay, another infinity stone found! According to Marvel:
When Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) jump-starts a dormant peacekeeping program, things go terribly awry, forcing him, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and the rest of the Avengers to reassemble. As the fate of Earth hangs in the balance, the team is put to the ultimate test as they battle Ultron, a technological terror hell-bent on human extinction. Along the way, they encounter two mysterious and powerful newcomers, Pietro and Wanda Maximoff.
Ant-Man (2015)
YouTube/Marvel
Ant-Man, like Guardians, was another risky move by Marvel that paid off big time. It doesn’t hurt that Paul Rudd is a national treasure that never seems to age, but the introduction of particle physics and the quantum realm opened a new playing field for future Marvel films. I saw Ant-Man in London and maybe it was the proper culture rubbing off on me, but when the film concluded, all I wanted to do was start a foundation to save and preserve ant colonies. I eventually came back to New York and left my fondness for insects across the pond. Per Marvel:
Forced out of his own company by former protégé Darren Cross, Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) recruits the talents of Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), a master thief just released from prison. Lang becomes Ant-Man, trained by Pym and armed with a suit that allows him to shrink in size, possess superhuman strength and control an army of ants. The miniature hero must use his new skills to prevent Cross, also known as Yellowjacket, from perfecting the same technology and using it as a weapon for evil.
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Phase Three:
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
YouTube/Marvel
The Russo Brothers did something amazing and unique with Civil War which earned them the privilege to take charge of Avengers: Infinity War. It is not easy to have so many characters engaged in battle at once, but I’m sure once we see Infinity War, Civil War will look like a post credit scene. This film brought humor, heart, action, and most of all, conflict. It was an extremely humanizing direction to go to for heroes who… aren’t all entirely human. This film was heralded as the best of the MCU but I’m pretty sure Black Panther is giving it a run for its money. The official Marvel synopsis:
Political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability when the actions of the Avengers lead to collateral damage. The new status quo deeply divides members of the team. Captain America (Chris Evans) believes superheroes should remain free to defend humanity without government interference. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) sharply disagrees and supports oversight. As the debate escalates into an all-out feud, Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) must pick a side.
Doctor Strange is such a visual treat — no matter which dimension it takes us to. Usually, origin stories are a snooze fest, but with the cockiness that rivals Tony Stark, Stephen Strange embarks on a mystic quest to fix his physical self and winds up channeling a much deeper power within. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t wait to see the battle of egos between Stark and Strange in Infinity War. Also, his use of the time stone (woooo another infinity stone!) brilliantly saved Earth once, so maybe he’s got more mystic arts up his cloaked sleeves when we see him again. The official Marvel synopsis:
Dr. Stephen Strange’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) life changes after a car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he looks for healing, and hope, in a mysterious enclave. He quickly learns that the enclave is at the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying reality. Before long, Strange is forced to choose between his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
YouTube/Marvel
The second Guardians film brought the space flare with a side of heart. This movie was all about strangers becoming a family, a theme Marvel uses a lot since many of our beloved heroes are semi-misanthropic outsiders who secretly yearn for a place to belong. We learn that Peter Quill is in fact, part god, and we add the empath Mantis to the team while we bid a fond farewell to our favorite Ravenger, Yondu Udonta. The official Marvel synopsis:
Peter Quill and his fellow Guardians are hired by a powerful alien race, the Sovereign, to protect their precious batteries from invaders. When it is discovered that Rocket has stolen the items they were sent to guard, the Sovereign dispatch their armada to search for vengeance. As the Guardians try to escape, the mystery of Peter’s parentage is revealed.
The best part of Marvel’s Spider-Man was that we didn’t have to watch Uncle Ben bite the dust for the zillionth time. Also, it’s perfectly cast and for once Peter Parker is a young kid like he’s supposed to be. His mentor/apprentice relationship with Tony Stark is another strong allegory of how the MCU values the connections between the people who become our family or members of our team. Per Marvel:
Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, young Peter Parker returns home to live with his Aunt May. Under the watchful eye of mentor Tony Stark, Parker starts to embrace his newfound identity as Spider-Man. He also tries to return to his normal daily routine — distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just a friendly neighborhood superhero. Peter must soon put his powers to the test when the evil Vulture emerges to threaten everything that he holds dear.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
YouTube/Marvel
I love everything about this film and I don’t care what anyone says. Tessa Thompson is a brilliant addition to the MCU and Cate Blanchett’s Hela is possibly the best villain besides Loki, so… Asgard FTW! Cutting Thor’s hair was long overdue and bringing Loki into the fold at the end felt like all the back and forth between the brothers finally got some closure. Which probably means Loki’s not long for this world, come Thanos. Director Taika Waititi takes the Thor franchise to the next level and I never wanted it to end. The official Marvel synopsis:
Imprisoned on the other side of the universe, the mighty Thor finds himself in a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against the Hulk, his former ally and fellow Avenger. Thor’s quest for survival leads him in a race against time to prevent the all-powerful Hela from destroying his home world and the Asgardian civilization.
Black Panther broke the mold on a cultural level, visual level, and of course, technological. This film was so beautifully crafted to develop the African nation of Wakanda it was an immersive experience just watching. The beauty of Wakanda is only rivaled by its resources. Also, the women are badass. Now that Wakanda is opening up to the rest of the world… is it too early to plan my trip?
After the death of his father, T’Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. When a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king — and as Black Panther — gets tested when he’s drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people.
Avengers: Infinity War is going to take a while to digest. You’re going to need to hold on to that knowledge for when Thanos arrives because believe me, the Avengers will need all the help they can get.
Howard Schultz is the executive chairman of Starbucks and a former owner of the Seattle SuperSonics. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Schultz was a member of the Board of Directors at Square, Inc. In 1998, Schultz co-founded Maveron, an investment group, with Dan Levitan. In addition to Starbucks, Schultz is a significant stakeholder in Jamba Juice
Schultz served as Starbucks CEO until his resignation on December 1, 2016, Schultz announced his resignation as CEO of Starbucks, effective April 2017. Currently, he is executive chairman, with Kevin Johnson taking his place as the new CEO.
Howard Schultz Net Worth 2018: $3.1 billion
Howard Schultz, the executive chairman of Starbucks and a former owner of the Seattle SuperSonics, has a reported estimated net worth of $3 billion.
In 2016, Forbes magazine ranked Schultz as the 232nd richest person in the United States, with a net worth of $3.1 billion as of April 2017.
Business Career
In 1979, Schultz became a general manager for Swedish drip coffee maker manufacturer, Hammarplast, where he became responsible for their U.S. operations with a staff of twenty. In 1982, Schultz joined Starbucks as the Director of Marketing.
Schultz decided to leave Starbucks in 1985. In 1986, Schultz raised all the money he needed to open the first store, “Il Giornale”, named after the Milanese newspaper of the same name. In 1988, the original Starbucks management decided to focus on Peet’s Coffee & Tea and sold its Starbucks retail unit to Schultz and Il Giornale for US$3.8 million.
Schultz renamed Il Giornale with the Starbucks name, and aggressively expanded its reach across the United States. On June 26, 1992, Starbucks had its initial public offering.
On January 8, 2008 Schultz returned as CEO of Starbucks after an eight-year hiatus.[16] At this time, Schultz was earning a total compensation of $9,740,471, which included a base salary of $1,190,000, and options granted of $7,786,105.
In 2018, Starbucks has a revenue of $22 billion.
Seattle SuperSonics Career
Schultz is the former owner of the NBA’s Seattle SuperSonics who was criticized for his naïveté and propensity to run the franchise as a business rather than a sports team.
On July 18, 2006, Schultz sold the team to Clay Bennett, chairman of the Professional Basketball Club LLC, an Oklahoma City ownership group, for $350 million.
Adam Schefter has a way of setting the Twitter world on fire, and he did just that when he reported that Tom Brady has yet to commit to playing in 2018. The ESPN report suggests that Brady has not given official word on his status, but that people close to the Patriots quarterback believe he will play. Brady has not reported to OTAs, and Rob Gronkowski’s return is still up in the air which could have sway on whether the future Hall of Famer returns. Not participating in OTAs is not all that uncommon as Brady was mostly absent in 2008, 2009, and 2010.
To me, this just seems like a slow news day for Schefty, so he threw out some speculation on the Goat not returning to the field. When your report states that all the sources say he is returning you are really grasping at straws to create a storyline, at least that’s my opinion. Nevertheless, Twitter reacted in typical Twitter fashion and supplied us with some entertaining tweets.
Let’s start with the Schefter tweet that caused the stir.
Patriots’ QB Tom Brady still has not committed to playing in 2018, even though people who know him believe he will back coming season, league sources told ESPN.
This is also my personal opinion. Brady saw the dynasty being built in the city of brotherly love and went running with his tail between his legs. Who would’ve thought Doug Pederson and Nick Foles would be the two to put the final nail in the coffin of the Patriots dominating run? If you can’t beat Foles you sure as hell aren’t beating Carson Wentz next season.
Oooooorrrrr maybe it was because Brady got caught up in the Stormy Daniels and Donald Trump drama.
Stormy Daniels sketch of man who threatened her in 2011…and Tom Brady in 2011. pic.twitter.com/oRCyDLVSSr
Most people are not buying it though and believe he will be suiting up for the Patriots next season.
There is a better chance of Tim Tebow getting traded to the Red Sox, stealing Andrew Benintendi's starting job then beating up David Price in a clubhouse brawl than Tom Brady not playing for the Patriots in 2018.
I'm pretty sure Tom Brady would have enough integrity to let the #Patriots organization and their fans that he's retire three months ago than drag it on until after FA and the draft. He's going to play.
Syracuse University has suspended the school’s Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity chapter, often referred to as “Sammy,” after a months-long investigation into hazing allegations.
Syracuse’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs publicly posted the fraternity’s suspension on its website last week. Sigma Alpha Mu is the third SU fraternity suspended for Code of Student Conduct violations during the 2017-18 academic year.
According to The Daily Orange, the alleged hazing incident occurred at the fraternity during December 2017 and was reported to SU’s Department of Public Safety two days later. At this time, the details of the chapter’s violations and the length of the suspension are unknown.
“Syracuse University has a zero-tolerance policy for hazing and is committed to fostering a safe and healthy community. We take violations of our Code of Student Conduct seriously and any behavior contrary to our values and community standards is met with swift action, ” a Syracuse University spokesperson said in a statement on Friday, April 13.
According to FASA, Sigma Alpha Mu is now one of nine Greek organizations currently banned from operating at SU,
In response to incidents like these, fraternities such Phi Kappa Psi have made numerous changes to their code of conduct in an effort to address the issues that have arisen. In addition, schools such as Texas State have introduced new Greek Life rules to try and prevent these problems.
These reports come amidst similar allegations that have been made against fraternities nationwide, including Sigma Alpha Epsilon at East Carolina University, who were shut down for hazing and the Lamda Chi Alpha chapter at the University of Arkansas which has been accused of taking sexually explicit photographs of women without their permission.
In response to incidents like these, fraternities such Phi Kappa Psi have made numerous changes to their code of conduct in an effort to address the issues that have arisen. In addition, schools such as Texas State have introduced new Greek Life rules to try and prevent these problems.
Syracuse University has suspended a fraternity after videos surfaced showing racist, sexist behavior, the chancellor said.
According to Chancellor Kent Syverud, the videos of members of the SU chapter of Theta Tau showed offensive behavior which he described as racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, sexist and “hostile to people with disabilities.”
“I am appalled by this and deeply concerned for all members of our community,” Syverud wrote in a message to students, faculty, and staff. “There is absolutely no place at Syracuse University for behavior and language that degrades any individual or group’s race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, disability or religious beliefs.”
According to Syverud. the university’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities immediately suspended the fraternity once the video was confirmed. They have been banned from any activities or scheduled events.
The evidence was given to the Syracuse’s Department of Public Safety, which will investigate and recommend disciplinary action.
When Legion first came out last spring there was a great deal of speculation about whether David Haller’s parentage would be true to the comics. This was largely because of his father, the powerful telepath and X-Men founder Charles Xavier. And sure enough, after some misdirection, both scenes from the final episode and confirmation from the Legion crew confirmed the familial connection and even hinted at the possibility of Sir Patrick Stewart reprising the role for television.
David’s mother, however, has so far remained a mystery. Though the character, Gabrielle Haller, is well established in the comics there is no guarantee that this will carry over into the show or cinematic universe for a variety of reasons. Here’s what you need to know about Gabrielle and the two other characters most likely to be David’s biological mother.
Gabrielle Haller
As previously mentioned, Gabrielle Haller is David’s mother in the comics. A Holocaust survivor, she met and fell in love with Xavier in Israel at the same time he first encountered and befriended Magneto. After he left and she realized she was pregnant she never reached out to him again, instead raising David by herself until his powers activated and his mental health began deteriorating.
David and his adopted sister, Amy Haller / FX
The show seems to have already widely deviated from this story, having David be raised from infancy by adopted American parents alongside a sister, Amy. While Gabrielle could still make an appearance as his bio mother, some complications remain. Her history as a survivor calls for a great deal of delicacy and respect in any adaption of her character, something the Legion team might rather avoid altogether in favor of a previously established character.
Moira MacTaggert
Moira MacTaggert (Rose Byrne) In X-Men: Apocalypse / FX
If Legion goes the route of using a previously established character, Moira MacTaggert is the most likely choice. In First Class she was the tentative love interest of Xavier throughout the film, and while at the end he erased most of the memories she had of their time together the exact nature of their romantic relationship is discreetly left to the viewer’s imaginations. The timeline of both the show and the cinematic universe is tentative enough that Moira could have possibly been pregnant with David shortly after the events of First Class. While Legion points to Xavier’s knowledge of the infant and role in placing him up for adoption, there’s still a chance that he could have reconnected with Moira or found out about the baby through other channels.
Additionally, there’s preexisting precedent for Moira being David’s mother. In the comics she developed an extremely close, mother-like relationship with him after Gabrielle brought him to her lab for treatment. In Ultimate X-Men (an alternate universe in the comics) Moira is also the biological mother of Xavier’s child, an almagation between David and Moira’s own powerful mutant son Proteus that she had with her ex-husband.
Lilandra Nermani
David’s final possible mother is something of a long shot but could ultimately connect to the upcoming X-Men: Dark Phoenix movie: The Empress of the galactic Shi’ar Empire and one-time consort of Xavier, Lilandra Nermani. The Shi’ar have an important role in the original Dark Phoenix storyline and have a heavily rumored cameo in the film adaption. Originally actress Jessica Chastain seemed to be cast as Lilandra, though sources recently denied this. And perhaps more importantly last week’s episode of Legion name-dropped the Shi’ar as an existing presence in their universe.
Lilandra is also one of Xavier’s greatest loves throughout the comics. While they only have children on alternate universes, not the main comics, it’s entirely possible that this could be changed up for the show. And though this would make David half alien this could have something to do with the fascination the Shadow King has for him and the magnitude of his mutant abilities.
The identity of David’s mother may never truly be explained in Legion. Mothers in media notoriously take a back seat to the father’s identity, and with such a prestigious parent who could blame the showrunners for focusing solely on Xavier? In the meantime, we can speculate on who she may be and how she could be a tie to the greater X-men universe.
Round 1, Game 2 action continued on Tuesday, April 17. The Raptors (and Drake) took on the Wizards, the Celtics handled the wounded bucks, and the Blazers struggled to disarm (diswing?) the Pelicans. If you’re on the East Coast, it was all worth staying up late for. If you fell asleep, we’ll fill you in.
Jrue Holiday, Playoff Rondo, and the Pelicans Are Embarrassing the Blazers
We need to start with Blazers/Pelicans. It may have been the nightcap, but without a doubt, it was the most watchable game of the week. Unless of course you’re from Portland, in which case you may want to keep scrolling.
Home-court advantage means nothing to the Pelicans, who finished up the 2017-18 regular season with the fourth-best road record in the NBA. The 6-seed Pelicans stole Game 1 at the Moda Center in a thrilling finish punctuated by a defensive miracle by Jrue Holiday, and that New Orleans magic carried over into Tuesday. If you figured the Pelicans would feel fine splitting their first two playoff games in three years, you don’t know the Pelicans. How ludicrous.
This team has pulled every rabbit out of the hat in the past three months: losing DeMarcus Cousins and being immediately counted out of playoff contention led to the acquisition of Nikola Mirotić and the awakening of Anthony Davis. Alvin Gentry, their engineer of a coach, has reformed his offense over and over since acquiring Cousins, this time filling in the Boogie-sized gaps, keeping ball movement fluid, and ensuring that Davis gets the touches he needs despite debilitating double-teams. Through February and March it felt like the Pelicans were storming back from 19-point deficits on a nightly basis, exhausting opponents into overtime collapses, and appropriating the void of a superstar into the most improbable Cinderella story. The Pelicans shouldn’t have won 48 games. They shouldn’t be leading a playoff series 2-0. They aren’t supposed to be here–not without Cousins. And yet, they’ve put the NBA on notice.
Game 2 started almost precisely the same way Game 1 did: on a perfect midrange pullup by Anthony Davis. But it was the early offensive aggression of Jrue Holiday that truly set the tone for Game 2, and on a night where Davis struggled to get open, Holiday’s 70% first-half shooting and lockdown defense on Damian Lillard were lightning rods to Portland’s confidence. Holiday is one of the most effective pick-and-roll defenders at his position, akin to a lethal injection to Portland’s offense. In the series, Lillard and backcourt partner C.J. McCollum have combined for 76 points on 36.3% shooting; for context, Holiday and his backcourt partner Rajon Rondo have combined for precisely the same amount of points on 51.6% shooting. Lillard and McCollum have a combined 19 assists and 15 rebounds over the two games, totals Holiday and Rondo have nearly doubled with 37 assists and 28 rebounds.
In a simple twist of fate, the New Orleans guards are outplaying Portland’s marquee duo. Holiday and Rondo are unconventional, pass-first, old-school guards who are happy to do the dirty work: crucial offensive rebounds, timely steals, defensive awareness, and in Jrue’s case, block after block after game-saving chase-down block. They benefit greatly from playing around their superstar Davis, but have gained even more in this series from performing with chips on their shoulders. Rondo is the tradeable hothead whose capacity to gear-grind has continually overshadowed his champion blood and otherworldly playmaking; Holiday, the inverse of a star NBA point guard, plays with little emotion and flair–to the point of casual fans questioning his effectiveness next to Davis, let alone his paycheck. The narratives matter little. Holiday and Rondo believe in the Pelicans more than they believe in the hype, and it’s showing.
Lillard and McCollum are shooting cold, defensively disoriented, and don’t have an Anthony Davis to defer to. They looked exhausted at the end of Game 2, and let Holiday and Rondo hammer the nails into their home court coffin. Through Games 1 and 2, the Pelicans have proven that they simply want it more.
With 3:20 to go in Game 2, the Blazers took their first lead of the night. The Pelicans were missing free throws, Lillard had converted a momentum-swinging four-point play, and with an entire building behind the Blazers, a comeback home win felt imminent. Somehow, the Pelicans converted the Moda Center’s energy and some New Orleans magic into diesel fuel. They responded immediately: a Mirotić rainbow three, relentless rebounding leading to a Holiday three, a steal by Davis off of Lillard, even more heart-stopping offensive rebounding off of free throw misses by E’Twaun Moore, and finally Rondo’s dagger to Portland’s heart. With grit and pride, the Pelicans got stops, came through offensively, put trust in unlikely heroes, and pulled off the unthinkable.
The Pelicans head home with confidence and a lot of house money. Will they bring out the brooms?
The Raptors Are Enjoying Killing the Wizards
The Toronto Raptors can, for the first time in franchise history, call a 2-0 playoff series lead their own. Silencing speculative doubters everywhere, the Raptors’ postseason is indeed living up to their historic regular season. They’ve rectified the Game 1 curse, Kyle Lowry is locked in and making the right plays, and DeMar DeRozan is exploiting Washington’s distracted defense. As a team, the Raptors are shooting 44.6% from three over both games, and are relying on an even scoring distribution from bench players and starters alike. Meanwhile, the Wizards may have wanted us to believe that they aren’t an everyday 8-seed, but over two games, they’ve done little to convince anyone otherwise. As the teams descend upon Washington for Game 3, the Raptors are far from worried. If DeMar and Kyle’s giddinessto the point of hysteria at the podium over a Matrix reference is any indication, the series will be short. The Playoffs are a lot lighter when you’re in comfortably in control and driving your opponents to the brink of sanity.
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Early in the third quarter of Raptors/Wizards on Tuesday night, NBA TV cameras caught Washington’s John Wall, Marcin Gortat, and Bradley Beal with a Renaissance painting-esque portrayal of their rough season. Wall and Gortat are seen arguing on the bench during a timeout, while Beal appears exasperated, if not about to flee Canada. Wall would churn out 29 points and nine assists in his Wizards’ losing effort, but the next man up was sixth man Mike Scott with 20. All-Star Beal was in foul trouble all game long, scoring just nine points on 27.3% shooting. Gortat was held scoreless. If Wall and Gortat really settled their differences back in February, they have some work to do, because nothing about the woeful Wizards is deserving of optimism. Coach Scott Brooks often looks ready to keel over and die on the sideline. If this franchise is serious about winning, Wall and Beal are going to have to sit down together this summer and weigh their future as a backcourt.
Let’s just blame Drake.
Point Guard Beef: Terry Rozier vs. Eric Bledsoe
The Milwaukee Bucks are down 0-2 to the Celtics, and Milwaukee point guard Eric Bledsoe is so disillusioned, he doesn’t even remember the name of the guy kicking his ass. When asked to evaluate matching up with his defensive liability, Kyrie Irving replacement Terry Rozier, Bledsoe had little to offer: “Who? … I don’t even know who the f**k that is.”
In case you missed it, Rozier is the guy who made absolute shambles of Bledsoe in the final seconds of Game 1. If not for Khris Middleton bailing him and the Bucks out on an absurd game-tying three half a second later, Bledsoe would have had to deal with even more negative publicity for his blunder. Did Eric think Terry would drive? Was he expecting help? Did a Nerdluck get him? Is Rozier thatscary?
Terry Rozier is relatively unknown, but a specific cult of Celtics fans would probably die for him. He’s helped carry a champion’s city to an unlikely 2-seed and hasn’t cowered in the face of adversity. Rozier and the inexperienced players around him have had to grow up quickly under the green lights. Stepping up and into the challenge of filling an elite point guard’s role, Rozier’s scored 23 points in each of his first two playoff starts. Jaylen Brown became the youngest Celtic to score 30 points in a playoff game on Tuesday, while Jayson Tatum is learning first-hand the gravity of the NBA postseason after a disappointing Game 2 output. Along with veteran leaders Al Horford, Marcus Morris, and Greg Monroe, the depleted but optimistic Celtics are pushing an even more vulnerable Bucks team to the edges of their identity crises. Maybe Bledsoe’s stab at Rozier is tactical. This junior rivalry could bring out the Bucks’ best–whatever that means–in Game 3.
Following a tough home loss to West Bromwich Albion, Manchester United head to Vitality Stadium to take on Eddie Howe’s scrappy Bournemouth side, who are also coming off of a difficult weekend loss to Liverpool. Manchester United’s lineup is expected to see some changes as they prepare for this weekend’s matchup against Tottenham Hotspur.
Both teams are coming off weekend losses as AFC Bournemouth lost 3-0 at Anfield to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, while Manchester United lost at home to relegation-bound West Brom. While Bournemouth are likely safe from relegation, they will be desperate to earn a result at home to continue their impressive year under manager Eddie Howe. Both teams will be looking to bounce back after tough weekend losses, so expect a hard-fought game on both side.
Find out how to live stream Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth Premier League Matchweek 34 Game online streaming below!
Manchester United vs Bournemouth Viewing Details
Date: Wednesday, April 19, 2018 Time: 2:45 PM EST Location: Vitality Stadium | Bournemouth, England United States TV Channel: NBC Sports United Kingdom TV Channel: Sky Sports Live Stream: NBCSports / SkyGo
How to Live Stream Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth Online
United States: You can live stream Manchester United vs Bournemouth on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports Live Extra app, which is available on Google Play and iTunes. A cable subscription is required to log into the service.
United Kingdom: You can live stream Man United vs Bournemouth on the SkyGo website. You’ll need a cable log-in and password to access the stream.
How to Watch Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth Live Stream on Mobile
United States: United vs Bournemouth will be available for live stream on the NBC Sports Live Extra app, which is available on Google Play and iTunes. A cable subscription is required to log into the service
United Kingdom: Mobile users in the United Kingdom can watch the Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth game on the Sky GO app, which is free to download from the iTunes or Google Play store. You’ll need a cable subscription to log in.
When a Southwest Airlines jet suffered an explosion, resulting in a broken window that almost sucked a woman out of the plane, many of the passengers wrote on social media to their loved ones that this might be their final moments; one man, Marty Martinez, paid $8 for WiFi so that he could say goodbye to his loved ones on Facebook Live.
What happened?
Martinez had been sitting a few rows away from Jennifer Riordan, the woman who had nearly been sucked out of the window who, unfortunately, ultimately lost her life.
Fortunately, pilot Tammie Jo Shults contacted air traffic control and managed to perform an emergency landing in Philadephia, while the plane was flying from New York to Dallas. Riordan is believed to have been the only casualty of the incident, with early reports saying that she had died of a heart attack.
Who is Marty Martinez?
Martinez, who was 29 years old at the time of the incident and worked as a digital marketing entrepreneur, paid $8 for WiFi so that he could contact his loved ones as the plane was going down.
In a video uploaded to Facebook Live, seen above, Martinez wrote the following caption:
“Something is wrong with our plane! It appears we are going down! Emergency landing! Southwest flight from NYC to Dallas!!”
On his Facebook account, Martinez also issued the following updates of what was going on, including photos of the incident:
“Flight 1380 From NYC to Dallas crash landed in Philly. Engine exploded in the air and blew open window 3 seats away from me. Explosion critically injured woman sitting in the seat next to the window. Oxygen masked deployed.”
“I literally bought WiFi as the plane was going down because I wanted to be able to reach the people I loved…thinking these were my final moments on earth.”
“And put in a position to have to prioritize the people I loved to send them my final words was an absolutely gut wrenching feeling. So I thought to Facebook LIVE my experience, thinking this would be my last communication with the people I loved and my team back home.”
“Just found out the woman on the flight who was injured didn’t make it. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. I feel very lucky to be alive.”
According to The Toronto Star, Martinez gave a firsthand account of what happened, including witnessing Riordan being injured during the incident:
“A man was helping — there was blood all over him. She made no noise at all. I could see the blood all over that gentleman’s hands.”
“It was only when we had hit the ground and you could tell the plane was slowing down — there just a sign of relief and cheers across the plane. Everyone was just so grateful to be alive.”
He also issued the following text to his loved ones:
“I want you to know that I love you all and thank you for all that you’ve done. I’m so sorry!! Planes going down. I love you guys!”
José Bautista, 37, is a Dominican professional baseball right fielder and third baseman. He has played in the MLB for 14 seasons for the Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Toronto Blue Jays. “Joey Bats” has been an MLB All-Star selection six consecutive times, he has won three Silver Slugger Awards and two Hank Aaron Awards.
In April 2018, he signed a one year, minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves. The Braves say Bautista has reported to their extended spring training complex and he will play third base for the team.
José Bautista Net Worth As Of 2018: $35 Million
Like many others, this off-season the former Toronto Blue Jays slugger struggled to find a landing spot and settled with Atlanta on a minor-league contract. He will reportedly make $1 million should he reach the majors.
Early Life
Born in the Dominican Republic, Bautista attended a private high school, De La Salle High School, in Santo Domingo. He was recruited by the MLB coming out of school and tried out for several teams. He accepted an offer from the Cincinnati Reds for $300,000, but before the contract was finalized, ownership changed and the offer was rescinded. Bautista made a highlight tape of himself using a camcorder to send to U.S. colleges. Unfortunately for him, no one bit. He eventually ended up playing at Chipola College, a junior college in Marianna, Florida. There, Bautista played for two years until being drafted.
2000-2007
The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted José Bautista in the 20th round of the 2000 MLB draft. After bouncing around several minor league teams, he made his MLB debut with the Baltimore Orioles on April 4, 2004. He quickly learned that the majors is a business and the players a commodity. In the 2004 season, Bautista was traded, traded, then traded some more. After it was all said and done, he appeared on five different MLB rosters, the first player to do so in one season. He settled down in Pittsburgh for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. He showed some promise there; during his two-year stint, he averaged a .245 BA while raking in 15 HRs and 56 RBIs.
2008-2016
José Bautista will always be remembered as a Toronto Blue Jay. It’s where he spent 10 seasons, grew as a player, and for an impressive stretch was one of the most dominant hitters in the league. He was also paid for his efforts. After his breakout 2010 season, the Blue Jays gave him a five-year contract extension worth $64 million before the 2011 season. He rode that out until 2017, where for the first time in almost a decade his future home field was uncertain.
2017-Present
After some negotiation, Bautista confirmed in January 2017 that he, who was 36-years-old at the time, would be returning to Toronto for one more season. He and the club agreed to a one year deal worth $18 million for the 2017 season. In August, Bautista reached the 20 home run mark for the eighth consecutive season. But other than his consistent long ball, Bautista struggled with his hitting. The Blue Jays officially declined his option to extend his contract at the end of the 2017 season. He remained unsigned into the 2018 season, while continually denying reports that he was going to retire. He proved the speculators wrong late in April, when he signed a one year, minor-league contract with the Atlanta Braves.
WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino has passed away at the age of 82 on Wednesday, April 18. Sammartino, also known as The Italian Superman, is widely considered to be one of the greatest wrestlers of all-time. In 2013, Sammartino was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Sammartino grew up in Abruzzi, Italy, living under Nazi occupation during World War II. Sammartino and his family moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1950. He was eventually discovered by Vincent J. McMahon, the father of Vince McMahon, the current CEO of WWE. Sammartino was the WWE Champion (then WWF) for more than 11 years across two reigns. His first remains the longest single reign in the wrestling promotion’s history at 2,803 days. Sammartino retired from in-ring competition in 1981 before joining Vince McMahon in the booth.
Over the course of his extensive career, Sammartino had famed rivalries with wreslters such as George “The Animal” Steele, Gorilla Monsoon and Killer Kowalski.
Bruno held the WWE Championship for nearly eight years — by far the longest reign of all time, and a record for all professional wrestling champions, no matter the organization. A household name all over the country, the beloved hero defended his title in legendary rivalries against WWE Hall of Famers Killer Kowalski, Gorilla Monsoon and George “The Animal” Steele.
In early 1968, Sammartino headlined the first wrestling event at the brand-new Madison Square Garden, just eight days after it opened. The Garden truly was the house that Bruno built, as he sold it out an astounding 187 times. When he lost the title to Ivan Koloff in 1971, grown men in the crowd were seen weeping, but on Dec. 10, 1973, Sammartino became the first two-time WWE Champion and held the title for an additional three-and-a-half years.
On Aug. 9, 1980, Sammartino defeated his former protégé, Larry Zbyszko, inside a steel cage at New York City’s Shea Stadium in front of more than 35,000 people. The heated grudge match broke box-office records for wrestling events, and Bruno retired from the ring the following year. Bruno returned to WWE in the mid-80s as a broadcaster alongside Mr. McMahon and as a mentor for his son David, who was just beginning his grappling career. Now known as The Living Legend, Bruno also engaged in several rivalries with a generation of WWE’s greatest villains, including “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, “Macho Man” Randy Savage and The Honky Tonk Man.
During his career, Bruno Sammartino helped sell out Madison Square Garden 188 times. Sammartino is survived by his three sons and four grandchildren.
One of the finest men I knew, in life and in business. Bruno Sammartino proved that hard work can overcome even the most difficult of circumstances. He will be missed. #RIPLivingLegendpic.twitter.com/PNDuQ31Phd
The MLS has been looking to expand, and good news for FC Cincinnati because their City Council just approved infrastructure plans for a new MLS stadium. The Council is providing $34.8 million in infrastructure costs. The decision to go forward with this plan was nearly split among the Council. However, it was passed with the requirement that FC Cincinnati is responsible for building and paying for a 21,000 seat stadium. The cost is expected to be $212.5 million. The team will be announced as MLS’s next official expansion team.
Back in December, this title was awarded to Nashville, who is expected to officially begin to play in the league in 2020. The league certainly won’t stop with the addition of Cincinnati. As it continues to grow in popularity, the MLS will continue to spread far and wide. Here are three cities the MLS should consider next for expansion.
Raleigh, North Carolina
The MLS hasn’t even touched the Carolinas yet which is all but a shame. North Carolina is a booming place for soccer. With major colleges such as Wake Forest University and UNC Chapel Hill, there is a lot of talent that MLS is overlooking here. There is an overwhelming amount of alum who have continued on to become players and coaches in the MLS. You have Tyler Deric of the Houston Dynamo, Head Coach of Columbus Crew Gregg Berhalter, and former Philadelphia Union player Brian Carroll.
Women’s soccer is equally as popular in NC. Out of UNC, you have Tobin Heath, Heather O’Reilly, Kristine Lilly, and let’s not forget the soccer-god herself, Mia Hamm. The state is oozing with soccer brilliance and having an MLS team present would draw in huuuugeee crowds. Quite frankly, it’s a no-brainer.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
If you look at a map of the current MLS teams, you’ll notice there’s this giant gap between Texas and California. It’s just a stretch of nothingness aka the perfect place to put an MLS stadium. The city already has a soccer team, the Albuquerque Sol FC. Founded in 2013, the team is looking to go pro and hoping for a new stadium. Not only that, but right next-door is Mexico, a country so rooted in soccer culture that at this point, it can be classified as a religion. So it certainly wouldn’t be a problem getting a fan-base in Albuquerque.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Meet the Las Vegas Lights FC. They’re the city’s new professional soccer team that just became a team this year. The team has a lot of potential and MLS should capitalize on this. As a new team, the Lights are drawing in many supporters who are excited to see a professional soccer game. Vegas is a place created for escapism and fans at these games are eagerly flocking to escape into a world of entertainment, excitement, and clinking beers with new friends. For this specific community, it wouldn’t be about their team winning or losing, but rather about being involved in the soccer culture, something that the MLS has been striving for in America.
Bruno Sammartino was a world-renowned professional wrestled, noted for being the longest reigning WWE Champion in history and with two title reigns that lasted over 11 years. Sammartino’s first reign with the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship went on for 2,803 days, which means that he spent more than seven years as champion. On April 18, 2018, this legendary brawler passed away at the age of 82.
Sammartino’s lifelong legacy isn’t limited to the ring. He was married since 1959 to a woman named Carol, remaining with her up to until his death. Together, they raised three sons, David and two fraternal twins, Danny and Darol.
No one has ever topped the success of Bruno Sammartino in the squared circle. He spent three decades entertaining the fans and setting records between the ropes. And during that time, he accumulated a very decent net worth and income.
Bruno Sammartino Net Worth as of 2018: $4 Million
Bruno Sammartino’s net worth clocks in at an impressive $4 million. This legendary Italian strongman also has an annual income of $140,000, according to whatnetworth.com,. He made his pro wrestling debut in December 1959, defeating his opponent in 19 seconds flat. His popularity continued to rise throughout the years, earning Sammartino the recognition he holds as one of the leading pioneers and legends of professional wrestling. His career came full circle in 2013 when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Bruno Sammartino’s Early Life
Sammartino was born on October 6, 1935, in Pizzoferrato, Abruzzo, Italy. He was the youngest of seven children, four of which didn’t survive. As a child, he hid with his family in a mountain called Valla Rocca, out of fear of the Nazi German soldiers during the later part of World War II. By 1950, Sammartino and his family made their way to the United States, settling in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where his father had been living for years.
The young Bruno picked up an interest with bodybuilding while living in America. In 1959, he achieved a world record in bench pressing, lifting 565 pounds. Around this time, he competed in numerous bodybuilding competitions, earning the title of “Mr. Allegheny”. Later that year, he was recruited to become a professional wrestler.
On December 17, 1959, Bruno Sammartino made his pro wrestling debut, quickly dispatching of his opponent Dmitri Grabowski in a mere 19 seconds. His popularity grew from there and he found himself regularly appearing on local broadcasts of the Pittsburgh-based Studio Wrestling.
1960 – 1972
“The Italian Superman” wrestled his first of many matches in Madison Square Garden on January 2, 1960. During the time, he wrestled in the Capitol Wrestling Corporation. In February 1961, Sammartino legitimately (and accidentally) killed his opponent with a body-slam in a wrestling match that proved fatal. Sammartino was later interviewed during the film Legends Never Die and said that it took him a while to get over the incident that left another wrestler dead.
After leaving Capitol Wrestling Corporation, Sammartino wrestled for various promotions, battling some of the top wrestlers in the industry, including NWA World Champions Buddy Rodgers and Lou Thesz. Sammartino would wrestle Rodgers again in WWE, this time defeating him for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship in 48 seconds.
As the reigning WWWF World Champion, Sammartino battled the top bad guys in the industry, including Killer Kowalski, George “The Animal” Steele, The Sheik, “Classy” Freddy Blassie, and Ernie “The Big Cat” Ladd, among others. He would hold onto his title for almost eight years before dropping the belt to “The Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff on January 14, 1972.
1973 – 1988
Sammartino regained the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship on December 10, 1973. He defeated Stan Stasiak, who had only won the title nine days prior from Pedro Morales. The Italian strongman held onto the world championship until April 30, 1977, when he dropped the belt to “Superstar Billy Graham in controversial fashion.
Although Sammartino had many long and hard-fought rematches with Graham, he was never able to regain the title. He then toured various promotions, wrestling top stars such as Harley Race, Blackjack Mulligan, Dick Murdoch, Lord Alfred Hayes, and many more. In 1980, he engaged in a note-worthy feud with former student Larry Zbyszko. They wrestled in front of a crowd of 36,295 fans in Shea Stadium.
He briefly toured Japan before retiring from full-time wrestling in 1981. Sammartino later appeared at the inaugural WrestleMania, appearing in his son David’s corner in a match against Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake. He later returned to the ring, teaming up with his son David against the likes of Beefcake and Johnny Valiant.
Following his return to the ring, Sammartino engaged in high-profile feuds with the likes of “Macho Man” Randy Savage and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. He later participated in a 20-man battle royal at WrestleMania 2. He wrestled his last match in 1987, teaming up with Hulk Hogan to take on the team of King Kong Bundy and One Man Gang. After officially retiring from the ring, Sammartino transitioned to the commentator table on the program WWF Superstars of Wrestling up until March 1988.
1988 – Present
After departing from the WWE (then WWF), Sammartino was highly-critical of the company and his former employer, Vince McMahon. He was offended by the use of illicit drugs and steroids within the industry as well as the presence of obscene storylines. He appeared on talk shows and news programs such as The Phil Donahue Show, Geraldo, and CNN, speaking out in opposition against the WWE.
Despite being a retired wrestler and critic of WWE, Sammartino still continued to involve himself with the wrestling industry, but on a much smaller scale. He appeared on the 1989 NWA pay-per-view Halloween Havoc, acting as special guest referee for the “Thunderdome” cage match main event. During the match, he brawled with The Great Muta. The retired pro wrestling was also a color commentator for a brief time with Jim Ross on WCW Saturday Night in 1992.
In 2013, Sammartino officially mended his relationship with the sports entertainment conglomerate, WWE. That year, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by fellow bodybuilder Arnold Shwarzenegger. He later appeared on an October 2013 episode of Monday Night Raw, receiving a warm home-town welcome by the Pittsburgh crowd. Two years later, Sammartino inducted an old rival, “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko into the WWE Hall of Fame, Class of 2015.
Bruno Sammartino is a true legend in the global industry of professional wrestling. He will be remembered fondly by many who were able to witness him wrestle and entertain the masses worldwide.
R.I.P. Bruno Sammartino (October 6, 1935 – April 18, 2018)
April 17, 2018, is the 64th birthday of iconic WWE wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. Piper is a classic wrestling character who has captured the hearts of many fans around the world with his trash talking, in-ring ability, and classic wrestling angles. A pioneer of the “Heel”(bad guy) in wrestling Piper had taken his villain persona to a new level that has left a mark on the industry with how eccentric a character can be. Piper was the first Heel to get his talk show, which is a wrestling segment that is used up to this very day.
Pipers Pit
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper is a WWE Hall of Famer, and for a good reason, Piper had revolutionized wrestling promo’s from being cheesy and scripted to absolute virement and uncomfortably aggressive. Roddy Piper was a fantastic and convincing talker on the microphone in which he oozed personality and confidence. What made Roddy Piper stand out from many other wrestlers was his quick wit and off the cuff remarks which gathered hatred from the wrestling fans who, in the 1980’s took wrestling very seriously and believe that many of what they saw was real. Piper took his character to a whole new level when he was gifted with his talk show that would air during the WWF television show. The name of the show was called “Pipers Pit” where Piper would have a different guest on every episode. The premise was that he would berate them constantly until they could not take the embarrassment anymore, or Piper himself would be frustrated and attack them. The show was a huge tool in making Roddy Piper a massive star which leads him to feud with the biggest names in the wrestling industry at the time like Andre “The Giant,” Hulk Hogan, and Jimmy Snuka.
Classic Moments
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper and Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka
Roddy Piper has had classic wrestling feud that is referenced to this day. His most famous feud is with fellow wrestler Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka. This feud began when Roddy Piper invited Snuka onto his show. Immediately Piper started to insult him, calling him stupid, and that he cannot understand what he was saying. Piper ripped into Snuka so much it became uncomfortable to watch. The segment came to a climax when Piper smashed a coconut over Snuka’s head which sent him into the set behind him, knocking it down. Piper continued to beat down on Snuka and even at one point shoving and smearing a banana into his face. The segment ended with Jimmy Snuka chasing Roddy around the backstage area until Piper finally got away.
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper and Andre “The Giant”
Piper was known for insulting almost every wrestler that he comes in contact. This was also evident when he came face to face with “The Eight wonder of the world Andre “The Giant.” The segment started like most, Piper beginning with interview questions that quickly turned into him making fun of Andre, calling him dumb and slow. This segment was significant because it not only helped Piper get over as a heel but also help gain sympathy for Andre. Piper was angry because Andre told him that no one would be able to pick him up and slam him. Piper continued berating him until he had enough. Andre picked him up off the ground by his shirt and threw him down. This segment was influential because it set the notion forth that Andre was not able to be slammed, which was a big moment used in the future at Wrestlemania 3.
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper vs. Goldust
Piper was known to be wild and crazy. There was no better moment to showcase that when he has a “Hollywood Backlot Brawl” against new WWF star Goldust. That was a wild segment as Piper battled Goldust in an outrageous streetfight behind an alleyway where there were garbage cans, baseball bats, and cars being used as weapons. Roddy Piper at one point used a baseball bat to destroy an all golden car from Goldust, which was eventually used to hit Piper. They battled onto the highway at one point and eventually into the area where the fight concluded in the ring as Piper beat Goldust to submission. This was a ridiculous fight that should be seen by all wrestling fans.
“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey
The “Rowdy” name lives on in 2018 as former UFC Champion Ronda Rousey now uses that nickname, formally UFC career as well as now in current WWE career. She had stated that she was a huge wrestling fan when she was young and was a big fan of him. She had asked permission to use the nickname which she got the okay for and had run with it ever since. The day after Piper died Ronda had dedicated her fight that night to him. In her WWE career, she has adopted the same lettering in her name as well as the signature kilt. At Wrestlemania 34 she also wore his jacket to the ring, which was given to her before by his son. It is great to see a modern star continue Piper’s legacy in a way that pays tribute to his greatness.
Game 1 was a wake-up call for Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
It’d been 21 games since Lebron had lost a first-round game, dating back to 2012 when the big 3 Heat team lost a road game 4 to the Knicks and a hot Carmelo Anthony. Since then, Lebron has won 3 championships and changed sides. Throughout a good deal of his career, mainly from 2009 onward, Lebron has been mostly indestructible in the first round of the playoffs, overmatching inferior teams who have no answer for him. He had never lost a round 1 game 1 in his career, boasting a 12-0 record.
It has furthermore helped that Lebron’s teams have been seeded first or second in the east, thus avoiding tougher teams until later in the spring. It’d been ten years since a Lebron James led team has been seeded lower than second. It’d also been ten years since Lebron lost a round 1 home playoff game.
On Sunday, in Game 1, many of these streaks snapped, some of them dramatically. Going in, the Cavs were (and still are, apparently) a 4 seed after a chaotic season with high in-season roster turnover. Unlike most other Lebron round 1 opponents the Pacers are no slouches with 48 wins and the fifth seed. Whereas the Cavaliers underperformed preseason expectations, the Pacers significantly outperformed them after a controversial offseason trade that sent franchise player Paul George to the Thunder. Many thought George’s departure would spell doom for the franchise, but instead, led by Victor Oladipo, who was the centerpiece in the return package for George, the Pacers have been a force on both ends of the floor and a formidable foe for all in their way.
Still, many expected the Cavs to take care of business against the Pacers because of their Lebron advantage. When they tipped off Sunday afternoon, the Cleveland crowd was raucous and rocking, expecting a cruise to victory as has become par for the course this time of year. Instead, the Cavaliers came out extraordinarily flat while the Pacers pounced. Even the rudimentary appeared difficult for the Cavs, routine passes were off-line, basic dribbles disjointed, shots vigorously contested and late in the shot-clock. The Cavaliers looked like a taped together group of players, many of whom only indeed acquired two months ago, while the Pacers appeared a connected, motivated team. They moved the ball crisply, found good looks at the basket and communicated adeptly on defense. Frustrated, Lebron, who had initially made an effort to get all his teammates involved, decided to take the whole game on himself. He was able to get to the rim and knock down a few jumpers as the game progressed, but it was not nearly enough as his teammates stood around and watched. They were never able to stop the Pacers on the other end, and the Cavs lost by 18, a stunning result for any home team in the playoffs; especially so for a team led by Lebron James.
With the Cavs down 0-1, game 2 looms massively. If they lose tonight, the series may be over. It will be imperative for the team to get on the same page on offense. Lebron’s teammates looked clueless and unprepared with the ball in their hands at times in game 1, moving in random, spastic directions off the ball and acting surprised when the ball was finally flung in their direction. It will be hard for them to figure it all out as many of these players only arrived in February.
If the Cavs do somehow sitch it together, the Pacers will have to weather the storm with Victor Oladipo, Myles Turner Darren Collison and Lance Stephenson replicating their hot shooting performance from game 1. To be honest, if the Pacers can stay hot and motivated, it’s hard to imagine the Cavs putting it together in this series. It could very well be the end of an era, with Lebron rumored to be leaving the Cavs this summer, perhaps to the LA Lakers.
New Girl rivals with some of the best sitcoms of our generation. The Office, Parks and Rec, Always Sunny: each of these shows carved out their own niche in 2000’s comedy well before New Girl debuted in 2009. The Office poked fun at the mundane 9-5, Parks and Rec made use of political satire with a small town backdrop, and Always Sunny follows four crazy narcissists where pretty much anything is fair game.
Fox’s New Girl is a bit different. At the surface, it’s a cliche Friends-type show about a few guys and a couple girls maturing through their early 30’s. They date, break-up, get back together, switch jobs, suffer loss, get pregnant, etc. And there are certainly no episodes where their crew almost dies from drug, mafia, sex trafficking-related antics.
New Girl has fewer antics, a less complicated make-up, but is still super funny. It’s as simple as that. The jokes and writing are amusing for sure, but like in all great sitcoms, the characters truly carry the show. They’re all hilarious and complement each other seamlessly. One of the pieces to this great comedic on-screen team is Hannah Simone, who plays Cece.
Cece shares duties as the best friend and wife of two other leads, who are a bit less-stable and more prone to crazy outbursts than she. As a result, Simone is often tasked with playing it straight, which can be tough on a sitcom where most of the writing and jokes go to the more obvious comedic characters.
Simone never disappoints though, and always has a presence on the show. She’s funny, entertaining, and has carved out an impressive role for herself on a show that’s filled with some of the funniest characters on television today.
New Girl will wrap with seven seasons in 2018, and it’ll be sad to see ’em go. If they’re not already, add them to your Netflix list of watch, repeat, watch, repeat, and so on.
The ‘Empire Legend’ literally made the comic-addicts drop to their knees and count down a historic film in the makings. Let’s all salute the iconic producer and director, Steven Spielberg, for producing a never-seen smashing story, DC Blackhawk, on how “Superheroes” take-down Nazis during World War II. So, it’s safe to say, Spielberg officially has a new gig. And maybe, a new fan base as well. All we have to do wait is for the release date so it can be marked on our calendars already.
An Inside Look At The Film
With all the hype and talk about the success of Spielberg’s latest Amblin-Warner Bros. movie, Ready Player One, now there is a new movie that fans will be psyched for.
Okay, so what is DC Blackhawk, even about? Well, the movie is a remake of our history dating back from 1939-1945. And ironically so, there was also a comic book debuted in 1941 that featured the name, Blackhawk, as well.
In this film, Blackhawk has one simple mission: His job is to fight back against supervillains and Axis powers. Blackhawk — who is not only a leader of ace pilots — but he is also classified as a “war-hero.” Doesn’t this movie remind you of Indiana Jones in some way, that Jones was up against Nazis and he had to be the man that saved the day, while also searching for treasure?
During the time when there was mayhem and all “hell” broke loose, the Blackhawks needed a safe-haven destination. And they found one. They were stationed on an island — this place contained their secret weapons and any other additional military equipment — including their planes, laboratories, and barracks.
Waiting For The Official Word
According to The Telegraph,USA Today, and Variety, Spielberg will be directing DC Blackhawk. However, there are some sites, such as; Slate, Los Angeles Times, and Hypable that mention Spielberg “might possibly direct” the film. Time will tell when all the sites confirm the truth that Spielberg is directing DC Blackhawk.
History In The Making
Spielberg reached a huge milestone in his film-making career already. What’s that? How about surpassing the $10 billion mark at the global box office since making his first movie, The Sugarland Express in 1974. But better than that, he has no plans to retire from Hollywood anytime soon. Spielberg said, chuckling, “I have no plans to quit. Clint Eastwood is one of my best friends.” He added, “Clint’s like 81 and I always go, ‘OK Clint are you ready to retire this year?’ And I always reply back, No!”
It Keeps On Coming
Movie fans should hold onto their seats… Because the best movies are still yet to hit theaters like Indiana Jones 5 — which is set to release on July 10, 2020.
The Las Vegas Golden Knights not only have been killing it in the playoffs but on their social media account as well. Every game night when the account live tweets, I live for their comments! I’m a retweet machine when it comes to the Golden Knights. Here is a list of my top ten recent favorites. They’ll have you rolling on the floor laughing!
Just another tweet about my favorite team bragging about why they should be everyone’s favorite team. I mean maybe I’m biased but I do like to sport my Fleury jersey around town on game day!
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The Golden Knights swept the Kings
(File that under tweets nobody expected to see from this account on April 17, 2018)
When the Golden Knights swept the Kings and even they were shocked themselves. I should file this tweet under something I knew was going to happen. Let’s file the next tweet under what will the Kings do on their offseason, shall we?
Who said I needed a prince charming to bring me a glass slipper, a Golden Knights player would be even better. I mean I’ll take a Stanley Cup trophy over a glass high heel any day!
be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool be cool
A perfect example of what goes on in the team huddle in the locker room before and during the break in the middle of the game. “Be Cool” should be the Golden Knights motto at this point. They are the definition of the smiley face sunglass emoji.
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Night in, night out, he gave the team a chance to win the round 1 series
I feel like this tweet is self-explanatory, have you seen Flower out on the ice. Marc- Andre Fleury is a true gift. There aren’t enough retweets in the world that could showcase that! He has defined what the flower emoji means to me.
If we're looking for a way to describe our emotions 10 minutes before puck drop
This tweet is actually my emotions before the puck drop, I can’t even tell you the level of nerves. I got through all the emoji stages, to be honest. I feel like I’m there on the ice with them. I love how relatable this tweet is.
This is just a small example of the team spirit, this little munchkin is dressed up like the Golden Knights mascot, Chance the Gila monster aka my one true love.
This tweet is literally just showcasing what everyone already knows. How truly good-looking the Knights players are. I love that they just a slow-mo gif of the players walking into the arena.
James Neal is the real deal…is there anything more to say? Other than the fact that if you haven’t seen James Neal in action you’re missing out. He is fully taking advantage of his time on the ice! We saw that first hand during the start of the playoff games.
These are just the top ten most recent tweets, if I were you I’d definitely consider following the Las Vegas Golden Knights twitter account. If you’re a super fan like me, then I’d put on my tweet notifications too. I can’t wait to see how the Golden Knights tweet their way through the playoffs.
