Thursday 1 March 2012

Foley is Good: Comedy Tour Review

Bang Bang: Nights in Red Flannel a Hit
Written by RY2J
On Tuesday night, the Just Blog It team ventured down to Sheffield to once again see the Hardcore Legend himself Mick Foley and his UK comedy tour, Nights in Red Flannel. After driving around Sheffield for the good part of an hour trying to find the damn place, we finally arrived.
We attended the same event last year, only in Manchester, but once again the demographics of the audience were the same. A large amount of 20-to-40 something’s, 95% male, and all keen to come out of the closet for this one night and proclaim their love for all things wrestling.
Opening Acts:
Chris Brooker was the host of the night (@TheBrookerMan) as he was last year as well and once again the long haired ginger man managed to warm up the crowd perfectly. With a range of wrestling related comedy at his disposal, Brooker soon had the audience eating out of his hand, and the man who came out to CM Punks music knew it.
Steffen Peddie was the first support act to be introduced to the stage, and after being outed as an ex-wrestler himself, was always going to go down well with the crowd.
The big Geordie gave comical insight into past experiences of his in ring action, and from start to finish was able to engage the audience. A man who can make you smile with just the accent, Peddie went down well and was a good choice for a support act for Foley.
We were then introduced to the second support act of the night. Now, if Steffen told the odd story that may have been a bit edgy, it was just about to get a lot edgier. Ladies and Gentlemen: Mr Martin Mor.
To say that the Northern Irish comedian is a tad controversial with his act is an understatement, but at the same time, it works. From prison rape jokes to outrageous sex puns and everything in between, Mor’s style of comedy fitted in perfectly with the testosterone filled crowd, and deservedly left the stage to a loud ovation.
Foley Time:
After a short interval, it was finally time to see the man himself. Coming out to his traditional wrestling music, Foley was greeted with rapturous applause, and it was evident from the very start of the show; no matter what Mick said, the crowd would love it.
A witty insight into the world of a professional wrestler mixed with comical remarks about wider issues such as politics, the hardcore legend was able to appeal to a wider crowd than just us wrestling fans.
Now, I don’t want to ruin the show for anyone who is reading this and planning to go themselves, so I will just leave it by saying it is a definite must see for any wrestling fans.
From the start of the night with a meet and greet, through to the Q&A at the end, the show went down without a hitch. Even when there was one person who was talking too loud in the audience, he was soon put in his place by Mick himself!
A fantastic night out for all comedy and wrestling fans, Nights in Red Flannel will have you laughing from start to finish, and in my personal opinion, has even improved from last year’s show. Some new material mixed in with the better bits of last year’s tour means that Foley has found the formula for a great night of comedy.

Sunday 26 February 2012

Highway to Hell (in a Cell)

Will HHH v Undertaker steal the show... again?
Written by RY2J
On WWE Monday Night Raw this week, the announcement we all thought was going to happen finally happened… but with a twist.
When The Undertaker was initially turned down by Triple H for a rematch at WrestleMania 28, we all had an inkling that it wouldn’t be the last we saw of the two; and sure enough, it wasn’t.
After a fantastic Shawn Michaels-Triple H promo, followed by seeing the Undertaker apparently go for the Stone Cold Steve Austin haircut, the feeling that the ‘big match’ was going to be happen was getting stronger and stronger until finally, The Game said you’re on.
The announcement that these two legends of the business were once again going to be locking horns on the grandest stage of them all was enough to get any WWE fan excited, but the COO had one more trick up his sleeve.
Throughout the history of the WWE, the Hell in a Cell match has produced some of the greatest moments in the businesses legacy. From seeing Mick Foley flying onto an announcers table, to R-Truth and The Miz barricading themselves in the structure and striking everything that moves; the proclaimed ‘demonic structure’ has had some momentous occasions associated with it.
On April 1st 2012, it is very likely that another bout will be added to this impressive list as The Undertaker faces Triple H in a match likely to steal the show, even from the People’s Champion himself.
The Deadman has survived nineteen matches at WrestleMania and come out of everyone victorious, but there is just that little feeling that perhaps this year, Taker could meet his maker.
Whatever happens between the two, it is sure to be one hell of a slobberknocker. Their match at last year’s WrestleMania was the highlight of the PPV, and adding a celled structure to these two already combustible elements is sure to create sparks.
The Undertaker is the master of the Hell in a Cell match, but against the man who will do just about anything to win, the matchup should leave the WWE Universe in awe, regardless of the outcome.
(Have your say on who will win by voting on the poll on our site!)