Steroids in the WWE?

No way! (No kidding).

According to this AP report on ESPN.com, there are several WWE wrestlers who are implicated in the Mobile, Alabama pharmacy steroid scandal. Apparently Edge, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero (shocking), and The Hurricane were on the list.

The first 4 I understand, but The Hurricane? This seems more improbable than MannyAlexander using steroids while on the Red Sox.

Best Gaming Ever

Last night was the Royal Rumble on Pay-per-view. For the second straight year, casa-thatguy hosted the event, and it was tremendous. Gambling on wrestling is awesome.

Here's how it works.

Each participant in the pool draws an even number of #'s, 1-30. Obviously your wrestlers come out by number, and that's who your team is. Now, the great part of the Rumble is that at least 25 combatants have zero chance at winning it. Super Crazy (#13 to Bonish) isn't going to win the Royal Rumble and main event Wrestlemania. So as these losers come to the ring, you just know whether you have a shot or not.

And for quite some time last night, I was convinced my team had no shot. Here were the rosters after all 30 wrestlers entered the ring:

Team Bon
Matt Hardy
Gregory Helms
Shelton Benjamin
CM Punk
King Booker
Super Crazy
Jeff Hardy
Chris Benoit
Shawn Michaels (HBK)
Chavo Guerrero

some decent mid-level wrestlers here, with one of the favorites (HBK) mixed in. Benoit of 3 years ago would've been more impressive.

Team Thatguy
Fit Finlay
Kenny Dykstra
Tommy Dreamer
Sabu
Sandman
RVD
Johnny Nitro
MVP
Khali
Undertaker

Arguably the worst first 9 ever drafted in the Royal Rumble. Ever. Without question. Not a single wrestler had a shot at the championship until the Undertaker came out at 30.

Team Nick
Ric Flair
Edge
Kane
Randy Orton
Big Vis
Kevin Thorn
Hardcore Holly
Chris Masters
Carlito
The Miz

This team should be referred to as "team stacked."

3 of the top wrestlers in the business (Kane, Orton, edge) and a legend who you wouldn't ever be surprised if he won (Flair).

The turning point in the match came at spot 29 with Nick on the clock. thatguy had the final entrant, and the last two options were the Miz, and the Undertaker. Fortunately for the host (me) the Undertaker was the final entrant at spot #30, and thatguy took down the pot with a win.

You really can't beat it...its a great way to spend a Sunday night.

Some potential alterations for next year:
- Awarding eliminations. If your wrestling eliminates another, +$1. If you get eliminated, -$1.

It adds a sense of +/- like in Hockey. Khali is arguably one of the worst wrestlers in the world right now, but he took out 6 guys when he hit the ring. Khali ended up with a +$5. Solid contribution.


The night ended with Nick having a 50% shot to win as the final four was Edge, Orton, HBK, and Undertaker. Edge and Orton were eliminated simultaneously (lata Nick), and the Undertaker took it down.

Good times had by all.