Category Archives: Smackdown

Review: WWE SummerSlam 2017

After last night’s NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III, the WWE main roster had to put on a PPV to follow up that amazing show. I wouldn’t say they failed to do so, but the show was too damn long.

If you count the pre-show and the main card, it was SIX HOURS LONG! You could watch two NFL football games, or roughly four football matches (I didn’t want to exclude my International readers). It wasn’t as long as Wrestlemania and thank God.

SummerSlam had five title changes, which could be a record. I know Michael Cole mentioned that this show has the most title matches in one night in the history of WWE. It may or may not be correct since WWE announcers have spewed bullshit records in the past (I’m looking at you Matt Striker).

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Toy Crazy: Mattel’s WWE Elite Series 52

I’m a self-confessed vintage toy nerd. I collect vintage wrestling action figures from the 80’s & 90’s. I started purchasing some vintage toys out of nostalgia. Well, WWE and Mattel sucked me into their new stuff. I now buy a few figures a month. You can view photos of my collection on my Instagram account.

The lineup in Elite 52 is pretty good. It updates some current guys and two long-awaited flashbacks from the Attitude Era.

The WWE Superstars included in Elite 52 are Braun Strowman, Ken Shamrock, D’Lo Brown, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Seth Rollins.

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Sports Crush: Maria Kanellis

We’ve written over a dozen ‘Sports Crush’ posts since we launched AmericasWhiteBoy.com. We have spotlighted a ton of WWE Divas (Becky Lynch, Lana, Sasha Banks, Alexa Bliss, Emma and others). The response has been fantastic, so we decided to profile another WWE women’s superstar, Maria Kanellis

Kanellis was first hired by the WWE in 2004 as a member of a ‘Diva Search’ contest. She was released in 2010. She went on to appear in Ring of Honor, New Japan and Impact Wrestling with her husband, Mike Bennett.

Well, she is back in the WWE again, but this time with her husband. I have a feeling she’ll end up on ‘Total Divas’ pretty soon.

Kanellis appeared in Playboy Magaine in 2008…but I chose to not post nude pictures on the site (sorry guys).

Check out our picture gallery, and a very special .gif, to see why we are crushing on Maria Kanellis.

Please click on the thumbnail images to see them full size.

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Toy Crazy: Mattel’s WWE NXT Series 1

The NXT lineup was announced either at last year’s San Diego Comic-Con or Ringside Fest (I can’t quite remember). Collectors have been anxiously waiting.

When it comes to store exclusives from Mattel, they just all of the sudden appear there without any announcement. That happened with the NXT series at Target, with both elites and basic figures.

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Toy Crazy: Mattel’s WWE Elite Series 51

The lineup in Elite 51 is above average. Any set after Elite 50 was going to be a little underwhelming. That set was fabulous.

The WWE Superstars included in Elite 51 are A.J. Styles, Mankind, Scott Hall, Roman Reigns, Berzerker and Sami Zayn.

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Toy Crazy: Summer 2017 WWE Funko Releases

We covered some upcoming Funko releases back in April. Those figures are already in my collection and look fantastic.

We have reviewed a lot of Mattel’s WWE Elite figures, but Funko has also released some pretty solid figures in the past. I’m a big collector and you can see some of my collection on my Instagram, @vintagetoybob.

I’ve plugged another site in my previous Mattel posts, but if you’re looking to order Funko figures, I’d trust intheringcollectibles.com. I’ve bought a ton of stuff from them and they always pack shipments very well. You can use code ‘paulyp‘ for a discount.

Here are some pictures of Funko’s Summer 2017 WWE POP! vinyl releases.

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Toy Crazy: May 2017 WWE Funko Releases

We haven’t covered any Funko releases on this site, but it’s about time we do.

Here are some pictures of Funko’s May 2017 WWE POP! vinyl releases.

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Toy Crazy: Mattel’s WWE Elite Series 50

The lineup in Elite 50 is overall pretty darn solid. Four in the series are the wrestler’s first ever elite and the accessories are fantastic…especially and entire announce table with Shane.

The WWE Superstars included in Elite 50 are Shane McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Baron Corbin, Rhyno, Warlord and John Cena.

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Toy Crazy: Mattel’s WWE Elite Series 49

The lineup in Elite 49 is pretty good. Five out of the six figures are the wrestler’s first elite. There are some awesome figures in this set, but I question a few accessory choices.

The WWE Superstars included in Elite 49 are Becky Lynch, Enzo Amore, Big Cass, Apollo Crews, Randy Orton & Brutus Beefcake.

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Sports Crush: Nikki Bella

We’ve written over a dozen ‘Sports Crush’ posts since we launched AmericasWhiteBoy.com. We have spotlighted a ton of WWE Divas (Becky Lynch, Lana, Sasha Banks, Alexa Bliss, Emma and Liv Morgan). The response has been fantastic, so we decided to profile a WWE women’s superstar, Nikki Bella.

Nikki, whose real name is Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace, signed with WWE in 2007 with her twin sister Brie. She was mostly a valet for the early part of her career. They both took a year off in 2012, but came back stronger in-ring competitors. She is a two-time WWE Divas Champion and stars in two reality shows, ‘Total Divas’ and ‘Total Bellas’.

She is dating WWE superstar John Cena and rumor is she will become a part-time performer soon due to a nagging neck injury.

Check out a picture gallery, and a very special .gif of her entrance, to see why we are crushing on Nikki Bella.

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Sports Crush: WWE’s Liv Morgan

We’ve written over a dozen ‘Sports Crush’ posts since we launched AmericasWhiteBoy.com. We have spotlighted a ton of WWE Divas (Becky Lynch, Lana, Sasha Banks, Alexa Bliss, Emmalina and others). The response has been fantastic, so we decided to profile a WWE women’s superstar, who is currently in NXT, Liv Mogan.

Morgan, whose real name is Gionna Daddio, signed with WWE in 2014 after years of being a competitive cheerleader and Hooters girl.

She made her NXT television debut in the Summer of 2015 after only a year at developmental, which is pretty fast these days for those without any previous wrestling experience.

The women talent down at NXT is a little thin, so I expect a lot more television time for Liv Morgan in the near future.

Check out a picture gallery, and a very special .gif, to see why we are crushing on Liv Morgan.

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Sports Crush: WWE’s Emma

We’ve written over a dozen ‘Sports Crush’ posts since we launched AmericasWhiteBoy.com. We have spotlighted a ton of WWE Divas (Becky Lynch, Lana, Sasha Banks, Alexa Bliss and others). The response has been great, so we decided to profile a WWE women’s superstar known as Emma.

Emma, whose real name is Tenille Dashwood, has been wrestling since 2007. She wrestled in her native Australia and North America before signing with WWE in 2011.

Emma was in NXT back when women’s wrestling was first gaining momentum there. She actually wrestled Paige in the first ever NXT Women’s Championship match. She was going to change gimmicks and be called Emmalina, but after months of vignettes, they changed their minds and went back to the Emma name.

Check out a picture gallery, and a very special .gif, to see why we are crushing on Emma.

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