THE WRESTLING REPORT
WWE is making changes on the eve of the big move
Oct 2, 2019, 5:13 am
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Born with a comic book in one hand and a remote control in the other, Cory DLG is the talent of Conroe's very own Nerd Thug Radio, Sports. Check out the podcast replay of the FM radio shows www.nerdthugradio.com!
NXT kicked off singing its own praises, letting everyone know how good they did last week. They opened with a good match featuring a large guy by the named of Keith Lee, who has some moves for a big dude. NXT has stayed consistent with WWE's devotion to promoting the women athletes with the second match being a great women's match where Dakota Kai coming back from an injury. Finishing up with a great street fight where Matt Riddle came out on top, the thing you notice about NXT that you don't see in the rest of WWE is they're delivering matches and not promos. This is the way to sell a new brand.
WWE launched into their new season with Brock Lesnar going to the old bag of tricks of throwing around people smaller than him. It's one of my least favorite bits, attacking the son of Rey Mysterio, adding an extra dramatic element to things. I know they needed to build up Sasha Banks but having her beat Alexa Bliss one on one without interference is annoying. Heavy Machinery losing to Roode and Zigler is a surprise considering how they've been building them up but maybe this is the start of a new rivalry. Watching Ric Flair and Hulk troll the fans before announcing their 5 on 5 match at Crown Jewel, was painful, these guys are done although they did finally give Randy Orton something to do. Also, quick question, is Seth Rollins the only guy who works here?
With Smackdown moving to Fridays on Fox Sports there isn't as much on this week to talk about yet although Raw's new looks were pretty sweet. It's always interesting to see what changes get made season to season and it'll be more interesting to see the tone that Smackdown goes for this Friday on its new home FS1.
Feel free to check out my brand-new comic book Another Day at the Office email me for details or buy a shirt from Side Hustle Ts where some proceeds help people struggling with cancer or listen to Nerd Thug Radio. Thoughts, complaints, events and comments can be sent to corydlg@gmail.com.
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Cam Smith brought three dozen Shipley's glazed donuts to his Houston Astros teammates Thursday morning before his major league debut.
Then he really delivered, with an opposite-field single on the first pitch he saw in the major leagues to help Houston to a 3-1 win over the New York Mets.
“They all liked it, so that’s a good thing," Smith said of the donuts, a sentiment that could also apply to his second-inning hit that set up the first run of the game.
The 22-year-old prospect reached the majors after playing just 32 minor league games. Batting seventh and starting in right field, he became the second-youngest Astros position player to make his MLB debut as a starter on opening day and the youngest since Rusty Staub was 19 in 1963.
With one out in the second, Smith grounded a single to right field on a sinker from Clay Holmes to get his first big league hit in his initial plate appearance. Jeremy Peña dashed from first to third on the play and later scored on a groundout.
“I was just looking for a pitch and I wanted to ambush it and I got lucky with that base hit,” Smith said.
The poise he showed in his debut impressed his coaches and teammates.
“He's amazing," Jose Altuve said. “He went the other way on a tough pitch and he set the tone to score the first run. I know he's going to help this team a lot. He's going to be out there getting better and better. He's just so talented.”
Most believed that Smith, the 14th overall pick in last year’s amateur draft, would need more time in the minors when he was acquired in December from the Chicago Cubs along with Isaac Paredes and Hayden Wesneski as part of the Kyle Tucker trade.
Instead, Smith hit .342 with a triple, four homers, 11 RBIs and a 1.130 OPS this spring to earn a spot on the major league roster.
The Astros announced he’d make the big league roster earlier this week, with manager Joe Espada inviting Smith's mother into the clubhouse to deliver the news. Video of the moment shared by the Astros captured the touching exchange.
After the trade, Smith moved from third base, where Paredes is starting, to right field, where he replaced Tucker.
Still wearing his dirt-stained uniform long after the last pitch Thursday, the kid who was playing college ball at Florida State at this time last year said he hadn’t had time to reflect on his whirlwind journey to the big leagues.
“I have not,” Smith said. “I was just out there with my family on the field appreciating this day and ... good thing we got done early so I can go home and get my feet under myself and think about it.”
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