The Difference Between Memorial Day and Veterans Day

I asked myself the other day what the difference is between Memorial Day and Veterans (no apostrophe) Day? So I consulted with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Website:

Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. While those who died are also remembered on Veterans Day, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty. A complete history of Veterans Day, and why it is observed on November 11, can be found on the Veterans Day History Web page.

LeBron James' Powder Throwing vs. Triple H's Water Spitting

So who has the better pre-game or pre-match routine: Cleveland Cavs' superstar LeBron James or W.W.E. perennial top dog, Triple H? The YouTube video of Hunter Hearst Helmsley's entrance is before his match against Batista at Wrestlemania XXI and shows Motorhead performing Hunter’s theme song, “The Game."

Separated at Birth?

I got to see Terminator Salvation over the weekend and the question came to mind, are one of the film's stars Sam Worthington (top picture) and New York Rangers' pest Sean Avery separated at birth?

Rest in Peace Owen Hart

It's hard to believe it has been 10 years since the death of Owen Hart, but I still remember the great wrestler that was Owen Hart. My friends over at "The Steel Cage" blog did a fantastic job remembering Owen here.

R.I.P.

Owen James Hart

(May 7, 1965-May 23, 1999)

Will W.W.E. Invade The N.B.A.?

Let’s face facts, Vince McMahon is and will continue to milk this whole debacle with the Denver Nuggets; smartly and rightly so. He’s already said that his wrestling character, Mr. McMahon, will have some sort of confrontation with someone posing as Denver Nuggets' owner Stan Kroenke on this Monday’s Monday Night Raw.

Vince McMahon had threatened to show up with his trucks at the Pepsi Center before this mess was resolved and the W.W.E. agreed to move its flagship show to the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

So that brings me back to 1998 when D-Generation X, led by Triple H, invaded rival Ted Turner’s World Championship Wrestling. The above YouTube video showing the "invasion" is hysterical.

It's Official: W.W.E. Raw Goes To Los Angeles

The W.W.E. will be holding Monday Night Raw at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and will follow up with a show on Tuesday night, as well.

"WWE is extremely grateful to the Lakers and the Staples Center for the hospitality and professionalism shown to WWE during this whole situation," said Vince McMahon, Chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment. "We apologize to all of the WWE fans in the Denver area who have been inconvenienced by Kroenke Sports Enterprises. We look forward to bringing two consecutive nights of WWE excitement to Staples Center this Monday and Tuesday night."

W.W.E./Denver Nuggets Solution?

Apparently, the W.W.E. has received offers to put on May 25th’s Monday Night Raw at either Madison Square Garden in New York or the Staples Center in Los Angeles, this according to WWE.com.

Of course, most folks, by now, probably have heard about the conflict that has arisen for this Monday night. The W.W.E. booked this Monday's show at the Pepsi Center in Denver last August, but the Nuggets are scheduled to play the L.A. Lakers in an N.B.A. Conference Finals game as well. The above video is of Vince McMahon appearing on ESPN with Jonathan Coachman and discussing the situation.

Yankees Winning Inspired By W.W.E. Championship?

OK so the New York Yankees are playing some good ball lately and many people are wondering what the reasons are for the recent surge? Well, perhaps it's because the team is having a little more fun these days. After each game the hero for the Yankees gets to hold a replica W.W.E. Championship belt (similar to the one pictured) which was actually a gift from A.J. Burnett's son to Johnny Damon. The New York Post has more here.

"When You're Strange" Trailer

I previously posted here about The Doors' Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek performing with Daryl Hall at Live From Daryl's House. Above is the trailer for the documentary about The Doors, "When You're Strange," which is coming out this fall.

I'm looking forward to seeing this documentary, I liked Oliver Stone's movie, though I'm sure it was twisted and exaggerated. As I mentioned earlier, Jim Morrison was a tremendous poet, singer and song writer. A few people put down poetry and writing poetry, but as the expression goes....those that can't....hate!

Drew Barrymore and The Who's "Squeezebox"

Every once in a while on YouTube I find something that is really unique, albeit out of left field. Thus, is this montage of actress Drew Barrymore with The Who’s “Squeezebox” playing. Yes, I know what the song is about; heck it’s off probably my first or second favorite album by the band, By Numbers. Anyway, it is what it is.

Inside The Squared Circle: Judgement Day Thoughts, Flair's Return, E.C.W., Is Smackdown The Better Brand?

The first four matches of Judgement Day were good to great: CM Punk-Umaga was stiff and reminds me of how great those Punk-Samoa Joe matches were in ROH a few years ago; Shelton Benjamin-John Morrison was a match of two extremely good athletes; Jack Swagger-Christian featured two guys that worked extremely hard and used a diverse set of moves; while Chris Jerich-Rey Mysterio was also a fun match.

Then we had The Miz do his schtick in the ring, in which he went after Alfonso Soriano, who was sitting ringside. Miz used the tried-and-true method of attacking the hometown team, which in this case was the Chicago Cubs.

The next couple of matches included Randy Orton-Batista, in what was a slow moving match. Ric Flair showed up to a huge pop from the crowd. But quite honestly, I really wish Flair would stay retired. Big Show dominated John Cena and then out of nowhere Cena hit his finishing maneuver for the win. OK, whatever.

The pay-per-view finished off with Edge retaining his World Championship with a win over Jeff Hardy. Surprsingly, CM Punk did not cash in the Money in the Bank suitcase.

Last night on Monday Night Raw, we saw more of Ric Flair teasing a return to the ring. Initially I’m sure it will be great, but three months from now, we’ll all be groaning.

E.C.W. tonight features David Hart Smith.

Meanwhile, I think Smackdown is probably the best brand right now. The Chris Jericho-Rey Mysterio feud is just starting and should be a good one.

The Who News

One of the best interviews in rock and roll is Pete Townshend. This link is a very good interview with PT about Quadrophenia hitting the stage and growing older. Here is a link to one of my favorite acoustic versions of "Drowned" that Pete has ever done.

Happy Birthday Pete Townshend

Happy Birthday Pete Townshend, born 64 years ago today in Chiswick, England!

Live From Daryl's House: The Doors

There are many different incarnations of live music at people’s homes: Rachel Fuller’s In the Attic; Montgomery Delaney’s Monty’s Room and Daryl Hall’s Live at Daryl’s House.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Daryl invite Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek of The Doors into his home to play together. Manzarek’s keyboard play is mesmerizing. I was a much bigger Doors’ fan years ago, but have always loved the lyrics of the late Jim Morrison and Manzarek's wizardry. Click this to watch.

N.H.L. Conference Finals Predictions

I know the Detroit-Chicago series has already started, however, since the Red Wings are up 1-0 and I am picking the Blackhawks, I figured it wasn’t too late to throw out my two cents.

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Carolina over Pittsburgh in 6.

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago beats Detroit in 7.

More Lunacy From Ric Flair

Ric Flair says he is tired of signing autographs and is ready to step back into the ring, according to a report on The Orlando Sentinel's Flying Elbow blog here.

Just like Brett Favre, Flair has been vacillating (awesome word by the way) on whether or not he should wrestle again. The former 16-time World Champion says he is better than 90% of the guys in W.W.E. right now.

I’m sorry but those last few months of watching Ric wrestle were painful and let’s make no mistake about it, Shawn Michaels carried their match at Wrestlemania XXIV last year. Stay retired Ric, your son Reid who has been arrested multiple times over the past year might just need you more than the squared circle.

Big Difference Between Hot and Attractive

This is why I don't really go for lists or rankings of any kind. Maxim.com has released their 2009 Hot 100 List and First Lady Michelle Obama is ranked number 93. The fact that she was put on the list just reeks of an editor wanting to irk enough people that it will draw attention. The First Lady is attractive, but hot? I don't think so. Former W.W.E. Diva and Dancing with the Stars contestant Stacey Keibler (pictured) placed 77th on the list.

Incidentally, Olivia Wilde edged Megan Fox for the top spot if you happen to be scoring at home.

Borrell Leaving With The Girl He Brought?

Calvin Borrell will ride Kentucky Oaks' winner Rachel Alexandra at Saturday’s Preakness, this instead of Mine That Bird which Borrell galloped to victory the day after the Oaks at the Kentucky Derby.

How does the expression go? You leave with girl you brought. The thing is that Alexandra is a filly so in essence Borrell is leaving with a girl, except that knowing how superstitious some of these jockeys are, isn’t it a little bit strange that Borrell would switch horses. Borrell (pictured with Rachel), though, says that she is the best horse he has ever ridden. Anyway, Mike Smith will ride Mine That Bird on Saturday at the 134th Preakness Stakes.

Bruce Springsteen Sings "My Generation"

This is a solid cover by Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band of The Who’s “My Generation” at the Bryce Jordan Center on the campus of Penn State University this past Friday.

Predictions For Three N.H.L. Game Sevens

Tonight Washington beats Pittsburgh, tomorrow Detroit defeats Anaheim in overtime, while Carolina wins in Boston.

"Rangers In Seven" friend Rob Adams said on "The Pres Box" today that the league is stupid for allowing two game sevens to be played simultaneously tomorrow night. I agree. For the good of the N.H.L. they should move one game to Friday night.

Let Me Tell Ya 'bout Ooh Poo Pah Doo!

I like to live in the past sometimes – at least concerning music – and absolutely love this truly rare footage of The Who (temporarily known as The High Numbers) performing "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" and "I Gotta Dance To Keep From Crying" at London's Railway Hotel back in 1964.

NHL.com Poll Has Me Curious

The latest poll over on NHL.com asks which 7-game playoff series is the greatest in NHL history?

A- 1942 TOR/DET (Cup Final)
B- 1979 MON/BOS (Conf. Final)
C- 1986 CGY/EDM (Div. Final)
D- 1994 NYR/NJD (Conf. Final)
E- 2002 DET/COL (Conf. Final)
F- 2009 WSH/PIT (Div. Final)

Here are the results currently:
TOR/DET11.32%
MON/BOS 11.75%
CGY/EDM 11.77%
NYR/NJD 13.02%
DET/COL 22.56%
WSH/PIT 29.57%

My vote? Rangers-Devils. The final game in that epic series was one of the best games I have ever seen in my life. That game along with the three-game 1987 Canada Cup series are my favorite hockey games I have ever watched. Each game between Canada and the U.S.S.R. ended 6-5 and Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky were in their primes, while the Russians had Igor Larionov in his prime. The animosity between Canada and the Soviets was very strong, you don't get that passion as much these days. Thankfully, Canada won.

Getting back to the poll…

The Rangers were the best team in the N.H.L. in 1994 and the Devs were second. Three of the seven games in the series went to double overtime. Meanwhile, I’d put Calgary-Edmonton as number two on the list; those games between the two teams that hail from the province of Alberta were wars. Think Joel Otto vs. Mark Messier!

The Who News: Quadrophenia Opens In London

Last night, Quadrophenia hit the stage in London and was received warmly by the critics - some calling it 'stunning.' Here is a link to a review.

The above video is of late bass player John Entwistle doing a solo during "5.15," a song from the Quadrophenia album.

Of the two surviving members of The Who, only Pete Townshend has a hand in the current stage production.

Former Rangers Still Playing

It’s fun for me to check out which former New York Rangers are still playing at this time of year, so here’s what we got as of today:

Chicago: (0)
Detroit: Mikael Samuelsson
Anaheim: (Todd Marchant
Boston: Marc Savard, Aaron Ward
Carolina: Matt Cullen
Washington: Michael Nylander , Tom Poti
Pittsburgh: Pascal Dupuis, Petr Sykora

If I left anyone out, please remind me. So would I like to have any of these guys back on the Rangers? Matt Cullen, without question. Watch Game 7 tomorrow night against the Bruins and you’ll see why. Cullen was a key factor for Carolina in 2006 when they won Game 7 over the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Finals. He can score, kill penalties, play the power play, take faceoffs and has got really good speed.

The Hart Foundation Debuts On E.C.W.

The “new” Hart Foundation finally came together on E.C.W. last night. During a match between Tyson Kidd and Finlay in which Natalya was banned from ringside, David Hart Smith interfered in the match by beating up Finlay.

Smith looked bigger than the last time I saw him, which was in a squash match about a year ago against Umaga. Smith/Kidd most recently held the tag team titles in the W.W.E. developmental league, F.C.W, and were rumored to be brought up to the Smackdown roster for a while, until that idea was scrapped.

Another move that was nixed was having Smith join “Legacy,” however, it appears that Ted DiBiase’s brother Brett will be the newest member of the faction. The table may now also be set for Finlay to team up with another F.C.W. product, Sheamus O'Shaunessy (S.O.S.), against the Harts. S.O.S. has been on the road with the W.W.E. lately working dark matches.

Tommy Dreamer continues to lose, last night he fell to Mark Henry. Dreamer could become the new E.C.W. GM if he decides next month to step down from active competition.

Kozlov is being built up very well right now. The W.W.E. rushed him and paid for it when his matches with Triple H didn’t go over very well. Now they are rebuilding his character and doing a good job of it.

A solid close to the show with Jack Swagger and Christian going back and forth in hyping their match on Sunday at Judgement Day.

Good overall show, currently I think E.C.W. is much better than Raw because there isn’t as much wasted time as we see on Monday Nights.

The Who "They're All In Love"

It’s hard for me to rank my favorite albums by The Who, but By Numbers has stood the test of time for me and if it isn’t my favorite it is a close second. By the way, Quadrophenia is hitting the stage in London and will be touring for six months. I would not be at all surprised if the show makes its way to Broadway.

Here is a good interview with Pete Townshend about Quadrophenia and other things.

Meanwhile, "They're All in Love" is a song from By Numbers that I don't know if the band ever played live, but here is a video that someone put together on YouTube.

I Always Say

"I Always Say" another brilliant Pete Townshend demo and a song he later did on his first solo album, Who Came First.

I'm Passing Out with Glenn Beck

I’ve been meaning to post this YouTube video of Columbia University professor David Buckner passing out on Glenn Beck’s show on the Fox News Channel in April. The video is funny because Buckner didn’t get hurt, but mostly because he did his own commentary. “I’m passin’ out….I’m passin’ out….gone!”

Back In The Press Box

Rob Adams was good enough to have me on "The Press Box" today. We talked about horses, boxing, hockey and tiddly winks. No we didn't talk tiddly winks (which I really don't even know what it is), but we would have if we had time. Thanks again to Rob. They already have the show up in the archive section, which you can listen to here.

Please listen to today's show and tune in every day to Rob Adams at 2 o'clock and also listen to some of the other good shows they have on the Lifestyle Talk Radio network by clicking the "listen live" button here.