The Rock Vs. CM Punk: Will It Be Good As Advertised?

With all the talk of a potential title change, it appears the IWC's response to the upcoming Rock/Punk encounter to be a failure...Or will it be epic? With The Rock returning for the Royal Rumble, it appears that CM Punk's days as WWE Champion are completely numbered, considering he has held it since November of 2011. Although I think it's a great accomplishment, it kind of sucks that he held on to it way too long. And with Paul Heyman by his side, Punk wants to assert himself as the greatest champion in WWE history. I don't blame him, but no one seems to care. Punk got in hot water recently about trashing one of the greatest men in wrestling history, Bruno Sammartino; aand it got “Superstar" Billy Graham mad. Talk about rubbing people the wroneg way. You're talking about one of the all-time greats and you knock him down, no wonder he won't go to the WWE Hall of Fame after this. The Rock however is still regarded as one of the all-time best and he puts his best work behind the mic and in the ring. And while the war of words might continue, the brawl on the 20th anniversary of Raw was the most memorable. If you think he has lost a step, think again. If the match is as good as advertised, fans should have no problem, considering The Shield will probably interfere at some point. But all in all, this should be entertaining to watch.

The Awesome Days and Nights of Nicole Matthews

In just her sixth year in the wrestling industry, Nicole Matthews has made quite a name for herself. Not only is she the most hated by SHIMMER fans, she is very well respected.  Nicole is currently 1/2 of the SHIMMER Tag Team Champions with her long-time partner Portia Perez, and her career is getting on the fast track.

“I’m not here to amuse SHIMMER fans anymore. I’m here to be the best and to be SHIMMER champion,” Nicole said in an interview with dirtydirtysheets.com.

For die-hard women’s wrestling fans, Nicole’s top priority is not to amuse or pander to the crowd. She does things for her best interests.

Let’s take a look back at Nicole Matthews early career, shall we?

Nicole Matthews was originally convinced to try a career in professional wrestling by her friend, male wrestler by the name of Sid Sylum. She made her professional wrestling debut in February 2006 alongside fellow trainee Veronika Vice. In March and September 2006, Nicole began wrestling for SuperGirls Wrestling, part of NWA: Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling.

Matthews sent a demo tape to Shimmer Women Athletes in December 2006, but was not signed to the promotion. In October 2007, however, Matthews was called to join the company when Portia Perez needed a tag team partner. Matthews teamed with Perez in Shimmer Volumes 15 and 16. After three singles matches with Shimmer, Matthews once again began teaming with Perez as the Canadian NINJAs (National International Nation of Jalapeño Awesomeness), the group that spread awesomeness to the SHIMMER Faithful. Sometimes fans would even buy what they’re selling.

On October 27, 2007, Nicole defeated Nattie Neidhart (Known in the WWE as Natalya and the daughter of Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart) and Vice in a three-way match for the SuperGirls Championship. She defended the championship against Vice and Aurora in the following weeks. Vice, however, defeated Matthews for the title on April 21, 2007. During this time, Nicole also formed a partnership with Sid Sylum, wrestling with him in mixed tag team matches and occasionally acting as his valet. Nicole continued to feud with Vice for the remainder of the year. In March 2008, Nicole regained the SuperGirls Championship in a match against Penni Lane. She, however, lost the title to Veronika Vice on February 7, 2009.

On October 19, 2008 on Volume 22, the NINJAs challenged Ashley Lane and Nevaeh for the Shimmer Tag Team Championship, but were unsuccessful. On Volume 23, taped on May 2, 2009, she fought Daizee Haze to a 20 minute time limit draw, before losing to her in a rematch on Volume 24.On May 3, 2009, at the tapings of Volume 26, Matthews and Perez defeated Ashley Lane and Nevaeh to win the Shimmer Tag Team Championship.On November 8, 2009 Matthews came back as a singles competitor by losing to Cheerleader Melissa as part of Volume 27, but winning against Allison Danger as part of Volume 28. After a reign of 692 days, Matthews and Perez lost the Shimmer Tag Team Championship to Hiroyo Matsumoto and Misaki Ohata on March 26, 2011.

During her career, Matthews has wrestled in both Australia, Japan asnd her native Canada. In Australia she faced competitors including Madison Eagles and Jessie McKay. She toured Japan with her Canadian NINJAs partner Portia Perez, with the duo facing opponents includng Hiroyo Matsumoto and Saya.

Nicole had this to say about this experience:

“It was definitely in my top 5 favorite matches I’ve had. Something clicked with the three of us, and I hope everyone picks up that PWWA DVD, because it was a match that I feel wasn’t like a typical three-way dance. I don’t usually like that kind of match, but with the talent in the ring that night, something clicked, and we hit it out of the park.

…The jet-lag and travel was something that I haven’t experienced to that extent before, but I learned to adapt fast since September was the month of travel for Nicole Matthews. I’m glad I didn’t feel jet-lagged for the SHIMMER title match, because I didn’t want any excuses for a poor performance for myself.

…Being in a SHIMMER title match gave me a taste of being a main eventer. The expectation of delivering gave me such a rush. I can, and will, most definitely get used to it.”

And about her trip to Japan:

“REINA was a great promotion to work for. They really made the experience a great one. The Japanese fans were awesome too. It was a bit of an adjustment working in front of a more quiet crowd, but I think we adjusted pretty well. And we did get streamers. I think it was mostly because on the first night, we were pissed that we didn’t when Mia Yim did, and let the fans know our displeasure.

…I was really happy with our first outing against Mia and Sara. Weirdly enough, since I’ve been working at SHIMMER with both of them, it was my first time wrestling either Mia or Sara. We beat them, so what isn’t there to be happy about? Not many female wrestlers out there can boast a victory over Sara Del Rey, but now you can put Portia and I on that short list.

…It was disappointing losing to Zeuxis and La Comandante, but we didn’t let them win the belts easily. It was personally my first time wrestling two wrestlers who wrestled the lucha style, so I’m not ashamed to admit it threw me for a bit of a loop. Not a good excuse to lose, but at least I’ll be more prepared next time.

…My favorite match of the tour was our match with Hiroyo and Saya. I knew what Hiroyo would bring, but Saya was a mystery. For someone who is so new, she more than held her own. Even though the match was pretty back and forth, at the end of the day, the Ninjas came out on top. Plus, I got to do a snow angel in the streamers. WIN!”

On May 30, 2010 it was announced that Matthews was to make her debut for NCW  Femmes Fatales (NCW: FF) as a participant in the tournament to declare the first ever NCW: FF Champion, replacing the injured Kacey Diamond in a match against Cheerleader Melissa. Matthews, however, wasn't able to get the win in her debut on June 5, and Melissa advanced to the semi-finals. She continued to compete for NCW: FF, facing wrestlers including Mercedes Martinez in singles competition, while continuing to team with Perez.

On October 2, 2011, the Ninjas failed in their attempt to win back the championship, losing to Ayumi Kurihara and Ayako Hamada, but later that evening, Matthews attacked Cheerleader Melissa from behind after Melissa had won the Shimmer Championship from Madison Eagles. It even angered the loyal SHIMMER fans who had supported Melissa through the years.

But as always, Matthews has her way with words.

“Awww, did I ruin everyone’s special moment? Boo hoo!

…There wasn’t a better time to make a statement. She’s going to disrespect me? I gave it right back.

…More than that though, it was a message to the locker room and to the fans. The Nicole Matthews who faced Shark Girl and who drank out of Big Gulp cups no longer exists. It’s my time. It’s time for Melissa and some of the other SHIMMER ‘originals’ and ‘veterans’ to realize there’s a new breed coming up, and if someone like Melissa won’t give me the respect I deserve, I’ll take it from her.

…Bring it on. I’m younger, faster, and smarter. In fact, I’m just plain better than her.”

As a result, Matthews received a championship match against Melissa on March 17, 2012, at the Volume 45 tapings but was unsucessful. Before this, after I backed Melissa up after she attacked her months ago before that Nicole just tweeted;

“Ain’t no big man in control of my life. I rule my own world and control my own destiny. No curbstomp will stop me.”

Didn’t seem like it during her match with Melissa, unfortunately.

The following night, at the tapings of Volume 48, The NINJAs participated in a four-way elimination tag team match, but were the final team eliminated by Courtney Rush and Sara Del Rey, who won the Shimmer Tag Team Championship. On July 7, The NINJAs defeated Rush and Del Rey at an NCW Femmes Fatales (NCW FF) event to win the Shimmer Tag Team Championship for the second time.

So what do we learn from this experience?

Nicole Matthews is one of the best, period. Love her or hate her, you have to respect her.

When asked about if 2013 will be better than 2012, she responded, "What was wrong with this year?" But as she said after this columnist said she never had a bad year and 2013 will be her year, she simply said, "Every year is my year."

Take it from her. She is the one who demands excellence in the ring and out. Her message to her loyal fans is pure and simple;

“I don’t care if you like me, but stop praising mediocrity. Praise greatness AKA Nicole Matthews. Thank you!”

No, thank YOU, Nicole.

But there a lot of people who hate you. And there are a lot of people who love you. And there are a lot of people who respect you.

But for Nicole Matthews, she wouldn’t have it any other way.