Chasing The Championship

March 31, 2016April 6, 2016 / Alex Doriot / Leave a comment

(It’s WrestleWeek on POP GOD! In celebration of WrestleMania 32 this Sunday we’ll be looking at the intersection of faith and wrestling. You don’t have to be a fan to hop in the ring on this journey. Read on to see how this fake sport provides real lessons for anyone who’s ever grappled with God.)

WWF Belt “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. Jake “The Snake “Roberts. The “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase. Razor Ramon. Mr. Perfect.

What do these wrestlers all have in common?

They’re all iconic performers. They’re all WWE Hall Of Famers.

And none of them were ever World Champion. Continue reading →

The Run-In

March 28, 2016April 6, 2016 / Alex Doriot / Leave a comment

Screen Shot 2016-03-27 at 10.17.26 PM

The momentum in a wrestling match can swing in an instant.

All it takes is one right move or one reversal to bring a competitor back from the brink of defeat to a momentous victory.

Sometimes though a wrestler is so exhausted they can’t fight anymore. Their only hope comes from a run-in. Continue reading →

Do You Think Like A Loser?

September 12, 2014September 26, 2014 / Alex Doriot / Leave a comment

The Boston Red Sox used to be a bunch of losers.

Look – I know my team The Braves aren’t lighting up the world right now. And this year’s Boston team is stinking up the joint. But nothing compares to The Red Sox epic streak of futility.

For 86 years losing was their identity. The Curse Of The Bambino kept them out of the World Series year after year after year.

Yet, despite their pitiful postseason record, the Red Sox developed a legendary fanbase, possibly the best in all of baseball. In fact, the Boston fan culture was so legendary Hollywood made a movie about it.
Continue reading →

The Wednesday War

July 3, 2013July 10, 2013 / Alex Doriot / Leave a comment

It’s Wednesday.

The week is half over.

It’s also July 3, 2013.

It’s the 184th day of 2013; the year is half over.

What have you done this week? What have you done this year?

What will you do in the second half?

Whatever you’re doing, don’t give up. Wednesdays can be the longest day of the week. But press on. You’re halfway there. Keep fighting.

Follow the lead of Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar.

UFC, Newsday

Continue reading →

What’s Your Main Event?

June 19, 2013November 8, 2013 / Alex Doriot / Leave a comment

Everything must end.

So many moments on WWE Raw this past Monday pointed toward finality.

Daniel Bryan and Kane calling off their partnership. CM Punk and Paul Heyman ending their business relationship. Alberto Del Rio abandoning the fans. Mark Henry nearly retiring (before going back to being the most awesome man on the planet).

Nothing lasts forever in wrestling. No title reign. No undefeated streak. No partnership. No physique. No popularity. Nothing.

All manner of factors contribute to the fluid nature of wrestling. Constantly shifting storylines. Expiring contracts. Flip-flopping fans. Injuries. And, all too often, death.

The heroes and Hulks of my youth no longer stand tall. There are no Stones or Rocks which won’t be tumbled by time. If you enjoy something in the world of wrestling, enjoy it while it lasts.

God is eternal. We are not. Continue reading →

Outgrowing God

April 8, 2013April 10, 2013 / Alex Doriot / Leave a comment

WWE.com

Sometimes I wonder if I’ve outgrown all this wrestling stuff.

That’s kind of how I felt last night watching Wrestlemania XXIX. I spent all week blogging about my excitement for the event. I ordered a hundred chicken wings and invited all my friends to the house. I drank unhealthy amounts of Cheerwine out of the giant Hulk Hogan mug I found at a flea market a few months ago.

All the elements were there for an epic night. Then the show started. Continue reading →

Hall Of Fame

April 3, 2013April 4, 2013 / Alex Doriot / 1 Comment

(It’s Wrestlemania week on POP GOD! Join us everyday this week as we count down to Wrestlemania XXIX this Sunday with new posts searching for God in the squared circle.)

4,040 days – the length of time Bruno Sammartino held the WWE (then WWWF) Championship in the 60s and 70s.

20 years – the length of time the WWE Hall Of Fame has existed and ignored Bruno Sammartino’s unmatched accomplishments.
At this year’s WWE Hall Of Fame ceremony, one of the great injustices of professional wrestling will finally be righted. After over two decades of feuding and refusing to appear, “The Living Legend” Bruno Sammartino will take his rightful spot in the WWE Hall Of Fame.

This is a momentous occasion for wrestling history. Sammartino has been at odds with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon since the 80s over the way McMahon commercialized and sexed up the wrestling industry. But the WWE’s new PG attitude seems to have bridged the gap between the two sides.

WWE is finally recognizing Sammartino’s incredible contributions to sports entertainment. A new generation of fans who never heard of his legend will get to see Sammartino’s accomplishments on TV, DVDs, and the internet.

To many pundits Bruno’s career, and his legend, will not be set in stone until he is granted his gold ring. This despite the fact that people like Koko B. Ware are already enshrined. (Also, so is Drew Carey. What?)

Does Bruno Sammartino need the Hall Of Fame? Would his legend die out without it? Continue reading →

You’re Right To Fight

April 2, 2013April 3, 2013 / Alex Doriot / Leave a comment

(It’s Wrestlemania week on POP GOD! Join us everyday this week as we count down to Wrestlemania XXIX this Sunday with new posts searching for God in the squared circle.)

What if Hulk Hogan never fought Andre The Giant?

What if instead The Hulkster was just handed a championship?

What if instead of bodyslamming the behemoth, Hulk Hogan just traveled the world talking about what a great athlete he was?

If Hulk Hogan was just a great speaker and never engaged in any battles, he would not have been my hero growing up.

Unlike so many people in the real world (and so many of today’s WWE stars), Hulk Hogan didn’t just talk about being the best wrestler in the world. He went into battle every night in arenas across the country to back up the words he said.

Hulk Hogan faced down conflict when it came after him – even in the form of a giant. Continue reading →