With this final blog post, my semester as a reporter and copy editor for Borderbeat.net comes to an end.
It’s bittersweet. Yes, we’re finished and we have no more assignments left to work on. But it’s yet another sign that our college careers at UA are done. We’ve had a lot of fun writing stories for Borderbeat. We’ve made a lot of good friends by working together to produce content for the online publication in our Marshall building computer lab. I’ve enjoyed it all. And no doubt, there will be many friends who I will miss. Together, the copy team endured many sleep-deprived nights after staying at school into the late hours of the evening to edit each of the stories. All of us worked tirelessly to write lengthy, in-depth pieces while sprinkling in bits of multimedia to enhance the product.
Additionally, we’ll all miss our dear professor, Mr. Jay Rochlin, who is retiring at the end of the semester after an illustrious career. He’s done it all. He’s done great border journalism, written strong literature, worked in radio, reported for TV news stations, taken amazing photographs, and taught students at the university level.
Professor Rochlin embodies everything we strive to become in our lives. Hopefully one day, we will accomplish as much as he has. And more importantly, we hope to be as kind, positive, and good-hearted as he is.
Being a part of Borderbeat is an experience I will always remember dearly and cherish forever. There were a number of capstone classes that we could’ve chosen. I for one am glad about the choice I made.
So thank you Borderbeat. It was a fun ride. We all learned a lot. Good luck Professor Rochlin in this new, exciting chapter in your life. And good luck to all of you, my fellow Borderbeat reporters. Whatever the future holds, may you succeed with flying colors and enjoy every bit of what comes your way.
Rey Mysterio is one of the greatest luchadors in wrestling history. His agility, quickness, and uncanny ability to pull off death-defying maneuvers have cemented his status as a future WWE hall of famer.
To rank the best matches in Mysterio’s career would take many hours of in-depth research. This man has put on many great shows in the ring with wrestlers of all skill levels. Here are five of Mysterio’s matches that are worth watching because they are fast-paced, entertaining, and the chemistry between both wrestlers in each match is clearly there.
1. Rey Mysterio vs. Tajiri on Smackdown
These two put on several clinics during Tajiri’s run on Thursday Night Smackdown. The two men had brilliant feuds over the Cruiserweight title, putting on matches that never got old for the fans.
This match was filled with suspenseful false finishes and incredible stunts pulled off out of nowhere. If you’ve never seen Mysterio wrestle, this is a good place to start.
The two luchadors had many classic encounters over the years. The best battles came during their tenure in World Championship Wrestling.
Both men were in the prime of their careers. High-flying moves, wacky pins, and quick grapples made for an exciting matchup between Mysterio and Psychosis. This match is so fun to watch, that you don’t even need to be a fan of wrestling to appreciate it.
They also sported the traditional lucha libre look with masks, elaborate costumes, and vibrant colors.
Michaels was in the latter stages of his career when they wrestled for the first time. But even so, they don’t call him the “Show-stopper” for nothing.
Michaels, whom many consider to be the greatest in-ring performer of all time, delivered one for the ages when he locked up with Rey Mysterio in the squared circle. There was a little more emotion in this match than usual, as it was done in memory of luchador Eddie Guerrero, who was Mysterio’s good friend.
The two top performers made Eddie proud with the performance they had on Monday Night Raw. Both men pulled out seemingly their entire arsenal of wrestling moves. That diversity combined with their grit and knack for entertaining the crowd resulted in an awesome match.
4. Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero on WCW Halloween Havoc
Mysterio and Guerrero were great friends in real life. They made it hard to believe, because whenever they were in the ring, the were always competing to get the better of the other. Many times, they were booked to feud with each other.
This was one of those times. In this match, Mysterio puts his mask on the line (As mentioned in a previous blog post, the mask is sacred in lucha libre.) against Guerrero who is the reigning Cruiserweight champion.
The two best friends had great in-ring chemistry. This bout, which occurred in the late 90s, was one of their best.
Ultimo Dragon was more than an athletic luchador. He also incorporated martial arts moves into his wrestling style. Innovative submission holds and spin kicks made his matches even more exciting.
And even with a mask covering his face, he was able to allow his heel persona to shine through, which added more to his matches.
His style meshed well with Mysterio’s. High-risk maneuvers can be found all throughout this match. Flips, twists, and leaps of faith put an exclamation point on this one. Check it out, and you won’t be disappointed.
The violent nature of pit fighting can still be found in the streets of the United States. It’s no-holds-barred mentality stems from street fighting and bare-knuckle boxing.
Pit fighting is as matter-of-fact as it sounds. Fights become all-out brawls. Nothing too fancy can be seen in terms of fighting style. You’ll see mostly vicious strikes such as punches, kicks, knees, and elbow strikes. There are basic grappling techniques thrown in as well, so don’t rule out the occasional body slam.
Fighters are made up of people who are not in sanctioned combat sports. Many of them fight in pits to gain respect, win money, or just battle for pride.
The most famous pit fighter is Tank Abbott, who later fought in UFC in 1995-98. He brought his bar-fighting no-nonsense style all the way from Huntington Beach, CA. Abbott has a professional mixed martial arts record of 10-14, with most of his victories coming via knockout. His last match on Feb. 13, 2009 lasted just 29 seconds when he defeated Mike Bourke with a knockout punch.
Here is a video of Tank Abbott knocking out Steve Nelmark.
WARNING: The footage is pretty graphic, as Nelmark is knocked unconscious after enduring vicious blows from Abbott. Nelmark takes numerous shots to the head during this bout.
Kapu Kuʻialua is an ancient Hawaiian martial art that emphasizes bone breaking through joint locks, throws and pressure point manipulation.
The martial art also uses a variety of strikes and several different weapons. Over time, Kapu Ku’ialua encompassed open ocean warfare and battlefield strategy. The Europeans even added the use of firearms to the martial art.
The name “Kuʻialua” translates to “two hits.”
People who were among the royal class of the nobility taught, and were taught Kapu Ku’ialua. These were professional warriors, guardsmen, and the royal families themselves.
In the middle of crisis and warfare, the common people were also taught the fundamental movements and strikes of the martial art.
The old warriors of the martial art covered themselves with a thin coating of coconut oil and got rid of all of their body hair. This would allow the warriors to be able to slip away and avoid being grappled in battle.
The word for Lua masters, “olohe” means “hairless”.
Training methods: spear catching, training in ocean waves, focusing on a life force (like the “chi” in Chinese martial arts
Jogo do Pau is a Portuguese martial art. The literal translation of the game is “game of stick.” Jogo do Pau was developed in the northern regions of Portugal. The art emphasizes fighting with the use of a staff of certain measures and characteristics.
The history of this martial art are not entirely known. However its originally intent was to primarily serve as a form of self-defense. The technique involved with the martial art required strength, precision, concentration and power.
Jogo do Pau settled hostile encounters, major disputes and questions of honor between people, families, and at times, entire villages. The martial art was quite popular in the nothern mountain region of Portugal. In contrast, it was virtually unknown anywhere else. Those who did practice it were taught by masters who hailed from that very same mountain area.
The last time Jogo do Pau was practiced by a great number of people was in the 1930s. The latter half of the 20th century saw a steep decline in the use of Jogo do Pau because of increased firearm production and the prevalence of militarism. As people migrated from villages to industrialized cities, the martial art became a more primitive, out-dated art.
Bakom is a hybrid martial art that originated in Peru. Former marine and jujutsu master Roberto Puch Bezada founded Bakom in the 1980s. Bezada was also a former convict from Villa el Salvador in Lima.
Bakom is recognized as a hybrid martial art because it mixes martial arts like jujutsu with street fighting techniques. Jujutsu involves defeating an opponent without a weapon, or with a small weapon.
The street fighting smash mouth style came from the slums at the edge of Lima. Bakom required an emphasis on power, with the attacks designed to ruin an opponents balance. There is also an element of surprise and deception as fighters can use hidden, secretive weapons in battle.
What makes Bakom distinct from other combat practices is the vicious nature of the martial art. The fighting style is made to inflict the maximum amount of pain on the opponent and become too much for the opponent to handle. A fight that takes place when Bakom is utilized, many times ends in death of one of the competitors.
Here is a slideshow showcasing various Bakom moves.
This week’s post is about a cultural dance that is the result of hand-to-hand combat.
Tinku started as a type of ritualistic combat. In the language of Quechua, tinku means “to encounter.” In another Bolivian language called Aymara, it means “physical attack.”
Tinku originated in the northern part of Potosi in Bolivia. Men and women from various communities start the ritual by dancing. The women arrange themselves in a circle and start chanting. At the same time, the men fight each other.
The story behind Tinku comes from centuries ago when the Spanish conquistadors made the people become their slaves.
These people loved to dance and enjoyed fighting without hurting each other much at all. This ritual came over to the US, and now there are several different teams such as Tinkus Tiataco, Pachamama and Los Quechuas.
A dance was created due to the rhythmic manner in which the men throw punches at each other. They also stand in crouched stances as they move in circles around each other. The Festive Tinku has an intense, warlike rhythm. It replicates traditional fighting.
The differences between the Andean tradition and the dance can be seen in the distinct costumes, the women and their roles, and the fighting/lack of fighting that occurs. The Festive Tinku developed into a cultural dance for the country of Bolivia.
Here is a link to a photo slideshow from Time magazine that illustrates the violence of Tinku
Lucha libre (meaning “free fight” in English), is a form of professional wrestling that became famous in Spanish-speaking countries. The sport is very popular in Mexico, where wrestlers tend to wear colorful masks and outfits while performing speedy, high-flying moves to entertain the crowd. Grapples are quick, and they take a lot of agility to pull off. The luchadores (“fighters”) garner praise from fans for skillful, flashy in-ring work. Lucha libre gained enough steam to develop a following in the United States.
Masks were used from the start of lucha libre in the early part of the 20th century. They have a historical significance to Mexico dating back to the era of the Aztecs. Masks nowadays can be made to evoke ideas of animals, gods, and historical heroes through intricate patterns and color schemes.
Many wrestlers and fans of lucha libre consider the mask “sacred” to a degree, so much so that fully removing an opponent’s mask during a match is grounds for disqualification.
Wrestlers who practice the lucha libre style have a deeper arsenal of high-impact aerial maneuvers than their counterparts in the United States who typically utilize power and fundamental Greco-Roman wrestling to defeat their opponents. Luchadores have an amazing level of coordination and leg strength as they catapult themselves from the ropes onto their opponents. This can be done in a variety of ways from a vaulting body press, a head-scissor takedown, or even a grappling submission move.
Salvador Lutteroth founded the Mexican Wrestling enterprise in 1933, giving lucha libre national exposure for the first time. The promotion company did very well and it rapidly became the premier place for wrestlers to showcase their talents.
Lucha libre often favors the skill set of younger, smaller fighters. Luchadores in the cruiserweight division are the most popular wrestlers in Mexico mainly because they can pull off the most difficult, sometimes death-defying spots.
In Mexico, luchadores are usually part of an extended family of wrestlers, who create famous wrestling stables. For example, Los Guerreros (Eddie Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero, is a famous wrestling stable.
Here are clips of lucha libre. The first is a classic match between Rey Mysterio Jr. and Psychosis from World Championship Wrestling from 1996. Rey Mysterio still wrestlers professionally for World Wrestling Entertainment. He is one of their top superstars.
The last clip is a comedic display of tag team wrestling.
The origins of jiu jitsu trace back to more than 400 years ago when Indian monks created a self-defense style in a time when the world was not very kind to travelers. In order to spread the good word of Buddha, the monks formed a fighting style that allowed them to subdue their opponents without killing them. This type of fighting that utilized many grapple moves made its way to Japan where improvements where the martial art was improved upon.
In 1914, Kodokan Judo master Mitsuyo Maeda taught the art of judo to Carlos Gracie of Brazil. Gracie went on to teach his children jiu jitsu as well. The rest is history. From there on, the Gracie family began the legacy of Brazilian jiu jitsu.
Carlos Gracie’s youngest brother Helio was the smallest of the bunch. Because he was smaller in stature and not as strong as most opponents, he modified Maeda’s version of jiu jitsu by switching to a style that favored leverage over pure strength. Many of the moves are executed with one’s back on the ground. No longer was the bigger, stronger fighter the one that would always be the victor.
Ground fighting is the distinctive feature of Brazilian jiu jitsu. It focuses on takedowns, ground grapples, and submission maneuvers. There is a lot of strategy involved that includes managing distance, guarding yourself well, and knowing when to switch moves, and letting the opponent work his/her way into trouble so you can take advantage.
Here is a re-enactment of a UFC fight between Royce Gracie and Dan Severn with Rener Gracie and WWE superstar CM Punk doing the re-enacting. The grappling starts at about 3 minutes into the video. This fight was a groundbreaking bout in Brazilian jiu jitsu history because Severn outweighed Gracie by about 80 pounds when the fight took place. Severn spent 15 minutes delivering powerful blows to Gracie. Severn looked to be in control until Gracie, out of nowhere, trapped Severn in a triangle choke, forcing him to submit.
Next week, my blog post will give a general overview of the origin and basics of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
This week, I will talk about a moment in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) history that caused a lot of controversy, because of a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu maneuver.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu was made famous by the storied Gracie family, who was mentioned in my post about Vale Tudo. The fighting style largely uses different grapples, including many ground submission moves. One Gracie family member, Hélio Gracie fought in a number of submission-based competitions which usually ended in him winning. One of his rare defeats happened in Brazil in 1951 when visiting Japanese judoka Masahiko Kimura made Gracie submit. Out of respect toward Kimura’s fighting prowess, the Gracies used Kimura’s surname to describe the arm lock used to defeat Hélio.
This video footage is from a WWE Smackdown! taping from 2004. It involves former American amateur wrestler and 1996 Olympic gold-medalist Kurt Angle, who issued an open challenge to the finalists of WWE Tough Enough, a reality series geared toward finding the next WWE superstar. MMA fighter Daniel Puder accepted the challenge from Angle, who was one of WWE’s top superstars at the time.
Pro wrestling is known for being fake and scripted. There was nothing fake about this wrestling match, as Puder’s actions would throw a wrench into what WWE had planned for that night.
After an exchange of a couple moves, Angle expected Puder to just lay down. Angle was supposed to win the bout quickly to show his dominance as a top heel in the company.
What happened instead is what caused the controversy. At 0:54 in the video, Puder begins to put Angle in a modified Kimura lock, twisting his arm in a chickenwing-like fashion. Angle was put in a serious bind. He couldn’t tap out because losing to an up-and-comer would make him look weak and it would ruin the WWE storyline. But at the same time, if he didn’t submit soon, Puder was going to break his arm.
Luckily for Angle, referee Jim Korderas thought quickly and made a three-count. That gave Angle the win, forcing Puder to break the hold.
What got fans wondering was that if you look closely, Puder did not have both shoulders touching the mat for three seconds. Also, Angle had plenty of harsh words for Puder when the match ended.
To this day, both wrestlers have differing accounts of what happened in that match. Angle says that Puder made a rookie mistake by practically pinning himself by getting on the ground. Puder contends that he would have broken Angle’s arm if the referee did not intervene.
“It was real. If you don’t follow fighting, Puder had Angle locked in the Kimura, or keylock as Tazz (one of the commentator in the video) called it, although Tazz didn’t let on the move was fully executed. Not only was Angle not getting out of the move, but most MMA fighters would have tapped already. Angle couldn’t tap for obvious reasons. The ref counted a three even though Puder’s shoulders weren’t fully down, trying to end the thing, because the reality was Angle would have been in surgery had it gone a few seconds longer or had Puder not given up the hold.”
Puder’s last MMA fight was in August of 2009. He currently owns a perfect MMA record of 8-0.
