Back Porch FanHouse

Finally, Cris Collinsworth Has His Own Video Game

Ryan Wilson — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST

And now something for the discerning fan: Collinsworth NFL 10.

It makes perfect sense, really. Cris Collinsworth replaced John Madden in the NBC Sunday Night Football booth, and Madden is responsible for changing the face of gaming. So naturally, Collinsworth should have his own video game too.

It doesn't have the bells and whistles of the latest Madden offering, but if you're partial to old-school, hard-nosed football, it'll be right up your alley. It also helps if you still have an Atari 2600 laying around.

Video preview after the jump.

"And there are so many plays to choose from. You can run it up the middle, run it to the side, run it backwards, and even unlock bonus features like passing."

Save the part about passing, it sounds a lot like the Redskins offense.

via Football Outsiders

Finally, Cris Collinsworth Has His Own Video Game originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crabtree Fumbles in Madden Debut

Michael Katz — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video Games, NFL

Coverage of Michael Crabtree's deal with the 49ers has largely ignored an important and interested demographic: gamers. Fear not, Madden fans. Happy Crabtree will be added in the latest online update. Just don't expect him to hold onto the ball.

Crabtree gets an 82 rating, making him San Fran's top receiver. But given the newest Niners' online debut, it appears his avatar needs to shake off some rust.

Video after the jump.

Coincidence or omen?

Hopefully for Crabtree, the Madden jinx applies only to cover boys, and not to diva receivers who miss the first quarter of the season in pursuit of Darrius Heyward-Bey money. Though, unlike Heyward-Bey, Crabtree caught the pass.

That aside, no word yet on a Madden update for Junior Seau. Nor if he'll be dressed as a rodeo clown.

Crabtree Fumbles in Madden Debut originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Phil Jackson Is Going to Scare Hipsters Away From the New T-Mobile Android

Will Brinson — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blogs, Video Games, Sports Media, Current Events

Google and T-Mobile have a lot of work to do in terms of PR if they want to catch up with RIM and Apple for a share of the smart phone market. The BlackBerry -- in all its forms -- and the iPhone are, clearly, head and shoulders above anyone else. Which is why T-Mobile busted out the big dogs for their newest myTouch Android commercial.

And yes, by "big dogs" I mean "a rather terrifyingly unhip group that features Whoopi Goldberg, Phil Jackson and Jesse James." Look, they're big names, but when a 60-something NBA coach is the most relevant celeb in your commercial, well, you've probably got a marketing problem or two. Via Techcrunch.

Phil Jackson Is Going to Scare Hipsters Away From the New T-Mobile Android originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cody Rhodes No Chip Off the Old Block

Tom Herrera — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video Games, Pro Wrestling, FanHouse Exclusive

On the surface, WWE's Cody Rhodes doesn't remind you of his father, the legendary Dusty Rhodes, and that's a good thing. With interests ranging from video games to superheroes, Cody seems to connect with a young generation of viewers, not just the tradition or "Legacy" in which he follows.

FanHouse recently spoke with the 24-year-old about THQ's WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 game, the honor of wrestling at SummerSlam, and his in-depth thoughts on the professional wrestling industry. Read our complete interview after the jump.

I wanted to ask you an offbeat question to start, because being a huge video game fan I found it fascinating that you actually have a Triforce from The Legend of Zelda on your boot?
Cody Rhodes: The Triforce, man, yeah! I tell people all the time, I was part of The Wizard generation, I love video games. When I was younger, instead of reading books I played video games and one of the things I genuinely thought I could apply towards my life was the meaning of the Triforce -- the power, courage, and wisdom -- so I slapped it on my boots.

Speaking of video games, I wanted to get your take on WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010. What are you looking forward to the most?
I know the game is taking a page out of Madden's book, in terms of going for a hyper-realism. And the gameplay itself might slow down, but the realism and graphics and the collision detection, they're trying to improve it greatly. The game is a real, real fun game, but it hasn't always been a pick-up game. I think this year might be the first time that it's easier to pick up and play, and it's for the casual fan as well.

I heard there's this new paint tool in the game so you can create logos and tattoos for the characters. Would you give yourself a Triforce tattoo? What kind of tattoo do you think Shawn Michaels and Triple H should get?
Well, you know what, I absolutely would give myself a Triforce tattoo if I had the opportunity. Shawn Michaels has that questionable heart on his arm with the sword and all that. If we're going with game references and I'm putting a Triforce on my body, I think maybe a Kirby would be a good fit for them. Shawn could have Kirby on the other arm.

(laughing) That works. You'll also be able to share content like story lines in this year's version. Do you play any fans online generally? And what's the weirdest thing a fan has ever sent or gave you?
On Xbox Live I have an ambiguous gamer tag like anyone else, so no one really knows they're playing me usually. And that's probably a good thing, because I'm a pretty ruthless trash-talker online and my game never follows, ever. I'm never as good as I say I am, in Halo, Madden, especially Madden it's miserable. I'm OK at Fight Night Round 4, I'm picking that one up. I had the chance the other day to redeem my THQ challenge from this past WrestleMania and punked out Kofi Kingston with Mike Tyson, so I feel a little better.

I have to admit I was a little jealous when I found out that you actually have the original X-Men arcade game in your garage? I pumped a lot of quarters into that one back in the day.
(laughing) Yeah man, it's in my garage! It's the original, original. It's all six players. It's unreal. The problem is though, it will stay in my garage, because it is too big to get in the house.

That and WrestleFest were definitely the two best arcade games. So when you're playing wrestling games, who is your favorite character to use other than yourself?
I enjoyed playing as my father on the recent Legends of WrestleMania game, that was unique. I like playing as some of these unsung heroes. I played as Rick Rude a lot in the Legends game, guys like that.

You know, when I think back to wrestlers like Rick Rude, Ultimate Warrior and a lot of the old WWE personalities, they seem straight out of a comic book. Being a big comic book fan yourself, do you think that kind of cartoonish character could get over with fans today?
The WWE universe is very fluid. Once you think you know what they like, they like something else, or they dislike something else. In my opinion, I don't think so. Since the rise of Steve Austin and since a character like John Cena came across, I think wrestling and sports entertainment go in these circles where fans want a little more grit. A little more reality. I actually laughed out loud this week when I looked at a picture of Warrior, "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan. I loved it, but today I think they'd be perhaps laughed out of an arena just because fans are looking for more of a -- and they always are -- but more of an emotional connection with the different superstars, you know?

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Latest WWE Photos

In this image released by the Los Angeles Dodgers, WWE wrester and actor John Cena gestures while attending a Los Angeles Dodgers Major League Baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Los Angeles Dodgers, Juan Ocampo) ** NO SALES **

Los Angeles Dodgers

Snapshots of WWE Stars

In this image released by the Los Angeles Dodgers, WWE wrester and actor John Cena throws out the ceremonial first pitch at a Los Angeles Dodgers Major League Baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Los Angeles Dodgers, Juan Ocampo) ** NO SALES **

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 20: WWE Superstar John Cena throws the ceremonial first pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they play the Chicago Cubs on August 20, 2009 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jacob de Golish/Getty Images)

Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 20: WWE Superstar John Cena reacts after throwing the ceremonial first pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they play the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium on August 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jacob de Golish/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Cena

Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - AUGUST 20: WWE Superstar John Cena throws out the first pitch before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on August 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Cena

Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - AUGUST 20: WWE Superstar John Cena smiles after throwing out the first pitch before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on August 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Cena

Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - AUGUST 20: WWE Superstar John Cena smiles before throwing out the first pitch before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on August 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Cena

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Yeah, I completely see that. Another one of the differences is I think the heels (aka bad guys) appeared to be bolder types in the '80s and '90s, with fans truly hating these guys. When I spoke to Honky Tonk Man, he said that nobody wants to be a real bad guy anymore. Do you think that's true these days?
It's tough when you classify, but Honky Tonk Man knows what he's talking about. A lot of guys, it's not that they don't wanna be bad or edgy, but there are just a lot of guys who want to be the next Rock. They want to be the next John Cena. And when you attempt to be the next anything, you're going to fall flat on your face. When we walk into an arena, if the fans boo us out of the building, and the fans go ballistic when John Cena gives us an attitude adjustment, or when Triple H tries to give one of us the Pedigree, that's what the experience is about. It's about putting smiles on the fans' faces. In my case, and I can speak for Ted (DiBiase) and Randy (Orton) in this instance, we are three guys who are pretty rough around the edges and genuinely don't mind being bad guys.

You have such a great heritage rooted in wrestling, with your father Dusty and your brother Dustin, and you're even the nephew of Jerry Sags formerly of The Nasty Boys. Is it harder to break out of the mold because of that?
It can be ... You walk in the door and there's a bull's-eye slapped on your back. There's the, of course, readied statement that he or she is only here because of he or she. That's why I get along with Ted DiBiase, because right when we walked in that was just motivating. It wasn't a burden, it was motivation. It was, hey, well there's no shame in saying I wanna be better than "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, and in his case, I wanna be better than "The Million Dollar Man." That's why I think we've gotten this far. Now we're gonna have the opportunity to wrestle D-Generation X at SummerSlam and we're gonna tear the house down. And that opportunity has been given to us because we didn't want to be juniors. I can remember Ted DiBiase's first day. He came in and they announced him as Ted DiBiase, Jr., and he said "No thank you, I'm Ted DiBiase." I was sold on him then.

You mentioned teaming with DiBiase against, I guess what is this, the fourth incarnation of D-X at SummerSlam? Do you think the outcome will be any different now that the playing field is level and Triple H has a partner?
This is my take on D-Generation X. The shtick is as funny as ever. These videos we see backstage, the things they did with the McMahon family the last time, those things are as funny as can be to me. But these two are aging superstars, and they are the tops in their field, but nobody lasts forever. I think the outcome will be different than it has been in the past. We would like to be on the top of the business, and we're willing to do the legwork to be on the top of the business. Their jokes are just as funny, but I'm not sure they can hang in the ring with The Legacy.

I think the age difference between Shawn Michaels and you is almost like two decades. That's pretty unreal, no?
(laughing) All I can say is this: I very much am looking forward to wrestling with Shawn Michaels, whether he likes it or not, because Shawn Michaels was my favorite wrestler growing up. My poor old dad had to hear that countless times. In the ring, to be billed on the same card as him, I could go nuts and be a fan over it, but I'm gonna approach it as a competitor in the game that I'm in.

When do you see a wrestler like Michaels or Triple H retiring? Has it changed these days, where guys have to start thinking about how long they can really do this before their bodies start to break down?
Well, Triple H is just a model of how to take care of yourself. Everything from his diet to his passion for bodybuilding, his lifestyle is the model. Other professional wrestlers in the past may not have taken appropriate care of themselves. That's what is kind of scary about Triple H, and in some respects, Shawn Michaels, even with the injuries he's sustained in his career. Those guys aren't going away until somebody says, "I wanna have your spot." So I don't see it happening anytime soon.

How does it feel to be a part of SummerSlam -- one of the storied, original four WWE pay-per-views?
Ahh, I get angry when young talent doesn't realize how big of a deal that is. When I grew up, SummerSlam 1992, I must've gone to a Blockbuster every week and rented that, and re-rented it. Now I'm on SummerSlam wrestling two guys who have been on countless of the big four shows. You can get as excited or giddy about the match as you want, but all they are for me and for most of the superstars, is they're an opportunity. They're the chance to submit -- and no pun intended -- your legacy ... to say this is what I was capable of on that night.

You rose quickly from your Ohio Valley Wrestling roots to WWE stardom. You were a tag-team champ just months after a TV debut. What or who do you credit the most for that rise?
You mention I rose very quickly from OVW to the Monday Night Raw show, and I'll be the first to state it -- I rose too quickly. In the past year, I've made so many improvements from my physique to my in-ring ability, and sought out the best -- from a strength trainer to some of the best in-ring technicians to teach me. Initially, I didn't have all those tools. I just had the want. I guess if I had to credit somebody, oddly enough, I would credit Vince McMahon. He saw something in me and I won't let him down.

When do you see yourself breaking off the tag-team circuit and establishing yourself as a solo star?
I always get told this from my father, and as much as I don't want him to be, he is right about this ... when it's time. One thing we have been very fortunate of, is we have not been rushed. We have been allowed to grow, and that's a real treat. I know that Ted has ambitions to be a singles superstar and I have ambitions myself. I would say that, perhaps in the year 2010 you might see, not so much a split of The Legacy, but different paths being taken.

Many claim there hasn't been kind of a breakout solo star in a while. Do you think it's tougher to establish stars today? And not naming yourself, who can make that jump in your opinion?
I personally think that when people say stuff like that, when people say there hasn't been a breakout, I ask them if they saw the last breakout coming. Did anyone foresee "Stone Cold" Steve Austin? Did anyone see John Cena coming? If anyone tells you yes, then they're lying to you. Monday Night Raw is like a varsity team. And it's filled with freshmen. Very talented, very young, but it's something the fans are now getting to grow with. It's a cool experience. I can remember watching Michaels go from tag to Intercontinental Champion to taking the longest run possible to the WWE championship. I think it might be a while till somebody becomes that breakout star, but I know that you have a lot of hopefuls. You have a United States Champion who's more talented than most in Kofi Kingston. You have a legit All-American in Jack Swagger. You have a guy who can do things that Cirque du Soleil can't do with wires and walls in Evan Bourne. And you have me and Ted DiBiase, who will spend our dying breath on trying to make sure that we're remembered for something else than being the sons of "The Million Dollar Man" and "The American Dream."

Final question. I read you're a big T.O. fan, but have been committed to the Cowboys. Are you sticking with the Cowboys now that T.O.'s moved on? And give me your Super Bowl pick for this season.
Here's the issue. My sister was a cheerleader for the Cowboys for two seasons. It was her life ambition and she now sits at home and watches that CMT show, and we're still die-hard Cowboys fans. But I have to support who I think is the best player, and just most entertaining player in the NFL, so I have to support Terrell Owens. If I'm giving you my Super Bowl pick ... it's gonna be the Buffalo Bills.

(laughing) Nice.
Yeah, I gotta support him.

Cody Rhodes No Chip Off the Old Block originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is Erin Andrews Getting Married?

Will Brinson — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Blogs, ESPN, Video Games, Sports Media, Current Events, FanHouse Exclusive

Those of you who follow my work here at FanHouse know that I am the furthest thing from any sort of gossipmonger there is. Obviously. And I usually refrain from writing too much about Erin Andrews; she's awesome, of course, but she gets a lot of coverage.

However, my colleague and podcast partner Ryan Wilson pointed out to me that during Andrews' recent interview with FanHouse, she was flashing some serious bling. Bling that just happened to be placed on her left ring finger (close-up after the jump) while she was telling Ariel Helwani that she wasn't interested in him.

Now, this could be completely and totally wrong. I'm purely speculating, but ... it is odd that Andrews would rock out such a shiny ring on her left ring finger at a hugely televised event sponsored by a major media company, no?

And of course, if I am in fact wrong, and Miss Andrews is in fact still single, I wholeheartedly apologize and welcome her to join us on the 'HausCast to chide me for being erroneous. (If you're interested either way, EA, feel free to holler.) Blogosphere, start your speculation engine.

Is Erin Andrews Getting Married? originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Grappling With Honky Tonk Man About WrestleMania, Legends and Losses

Tom Herrera — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: TV and Movies, Video Games, Pro Wrestling, FanHouse Exclusive

It's not easy being the bad guy in professional wrestling. Just take it from one of the legends of World Wrestling Entertainment, Honky Tonk Man, who drew the ire of thousands of fans as an infamous "heel" throughout the late '80s and early '90s.

Legends of WrestleMania

Honky Tonk Man, pictured here in his virtual form, is just one of the many pro wrestling greats featured in the new video game 'WWE Legends of WrestleMania'. Click through the gallery to see how other memorable wrestling legends from the 1980s and '90s were depicted.

THQ

Hulk Hogan

THQ

Jake "The Snake" Roberts

THQ

Ultimate Warrior

THQ

Iron Sheik

THQ

Bret "The Hitman" Hart

THQ

Andre the Giant

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"Rowdy" Roddy Piper

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"Stone Cold" Steve Austin

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Sgt. Slaughter

THQ

I had a chance recently to talk with Honky Tonk Man about his thoughts on pro wrestling, Sunday night's 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania and THQ's new Legends of WrestleMania video game. We also touched on sensitive topics like heated feuds and pro wrestlers dying before their time.

Tom Herrera: You've had some memorable WrestleMania matches of your own, including feuds with Jake "The Snake" Roberts and Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake. What would you say is your favorite WrestleMania match or moment in history?

Honky Tonk Man: Oh gosh, it would probably have to be the Jake Roberts match with Alice Cooper in his corner and 93,000 people at the Pontiac Silverdome.

TH: OK, what would you say is the worst match you've ever been a part of in your entire career? I'm guessing it would be losing the title in less than a minute at SummerSlam to Ultimate Warrior?

HTM: Yeah, that wasn't one of my most memorable moments if you want to put it that way. But you know, with this Legends of WrestleMania game, from what I see, you can go in and mix and match and set up your own matches and do what you wanna do with this thing, and hopefully the kids will start playing with the Honky Tonk Man and have me beating the Ultimate Warrior.

TH: One of the cool features I thought in the game is the ability to match up legends of the past with superstars of today if you also have the Smackdown vs. Raw game. With both wrestlers in their prime, what match of a past legend versus a current star would you be thrilled to see?

HTM: Oh gosh, I would have to want to see maybe [Hulk] Hogan against [John] Cena, or maybe Hogan going against The Undertaker to take away his long string of victories at the WrestleManias.

25 Years of WrestleMania

** FOR USE ONLY WITH THE WRESTLEMANIA ANNIVERSARY STORY BY RANDY PENNELL ** In this image released by the World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Hollywood Hulk Hogan, right, faces The Rock, also known as Dwayne Johnson, during WrestleMania X8, on March 17, 2002 in Toronto, where The Rock defeated Hogan. (AP Photo/2009 World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.) ** TV OUT, NO SALES, ONE-TIME-USE ONLY, ARCHIVE OUT **

** FOR USE ONLY WITH THE WRESTLEMANIA ANNIVERSARY STORY BY RANDY PENNELL ** In this image released by the World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Wendi Richter, center, and singer Cyndi Lauper celebrate after defeating Leilani Kai and the Fabulous Moolah, in the women's championship of the first Wrestlemania, March 31, 1985, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/2009 World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.) ** TV OUT, NO SALES, ONE-TIME-USE ONLY, ARCHIVE OUT **

** FOR USE ONLY WITH THE WRESTLEMANIA ANNIVERSARY STORY BY RANDY PENNELL ** In this image released by the World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Bret "Hit Man" Hart, left, battles Stone Cold Steve Austin in a submission match during WrestleMania 13 on March 23, 1997 in Rosemont, Ill, where Hart defeated Austin. (AP Photo/2009 World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.) ** TV OUT, NO SALES, ONE-TIME-USE ONLY, ARCHIVE OUT **

** FOR USE ONLY WITH THE WRESTLEMANIA ANNIVERSARY STORY BY RANDY PENNELL ** In this image released by the World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., boxer Floyd Mayweather, left, goes up against 440-pound Big Show in a no-disqualification match at WrestleMania XXIV, on March 30, 2008 in Orlando, Fla., where Mayweather defeated Big Show. (AP Photo/2009 World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.) ** TV OUT, NO SALES, ONE-TIME-USE ONLY, ARCHIVE OUT **

** FOR USE ONLY WITH THE WRESTLEMANIA ANNIVERSARY STORY BY RANDY PENNELL ** In this image released by the World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., boxer Floyd Mayweather, top, goes up against 440-pound Big Show in a no-disqualification match at WrestleMania XXIV, on March 30, 2008 in Orlando, Fla., where Mayweather defeated Big Show. (AP Photo/2009 World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.) ** TV OUT, NO SALES, ONE-TIME-USE ONLY, ARCHIVE OUT **

** FOR USE ONLY WITH THE WRESTLEMANIA ANNIVERSARY STORY BY RANDY PENNELL ** In this image released by the World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Shawn Michaels prepares to splash Razor Ramon in a ladder match at WrestleMania X on March 20, 1994 at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/2009 World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.) ** TV OUT, NO SALES, ONE-TIME-USE ONLY, ARCHIVE OUT **

** FOR USE ONLY WITH THE WRESTLEMANIA ANNIVERSARY STORY BY RANDY PENNELL ** In this image released by the World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Hulk Hogan, right, faces the undefeated Andre the Giant for the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania III on March 29, 1987, in Detroit . (AP Photo/2009 World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.) ** TV OUT, NO SALES, ONE-TIME-USE ONLY, ARCHIVE OUT **

WWE Champion Triple H attends the WrestleMania 25th anniversary press conference at the Hard Rock Cafï¿½ on March 31, 2009 in New York City. WrestleMania 25th Anniversary Press Conference The Hard Rock Cafï¿½ New York, NY United States March 31, 2009 Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagic.com To license this image (57095256), contact FilmMagic.com

George Napolitano/FilmMagic.com

WWE wrestlers "Big Show" (L) and "Edge" mock each other during a press conference for the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania in New York March 31, 2009. The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania will take place at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas April 5. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY)

Reuters

WWE Wrestler Edge speaks during a news conference for the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania in New York March 31, 2009. The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania will take place at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas April 5. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

TH: Have you gotten a chance to play the game yet and what do you think about the way they captured your likeness in the game?

HTM: It's the neatest thing out there. As far as games go, THQ, they've outdone themselves with this game. I mean, the graphics are fantastic, all the characters look like the real people. And it's so interactive, that's the best part about it.

TH: You were selected to induct Koko B. Ware into the WWE Hall of Fame. Can you tell me about that honor and your thoughts on a wrestler like Koko? Does he still have the macaw [Frankie] on his shoulder?

HTM: Well, the original Frankie I understand was killed in a house fire. Koko's house burned a few years ago, but I'm sure he's gotta have a Frankie Jr. with him. A funny story about Frankie was that Frankie could talk and could understand language, and some of the boys would notoriously go in the locker room and teach Frankie bad language. (shared laughter) So that was a big part of Frankie.

TH: I'd say wrestling has changed a lot since the days I grew up mesmerized by these characters who seemed larger than life. How do you feel about the present state of wrestling? What would you change, if anything, about the way shows are put on today?

HTM: I think I would probably just have more real bad guys. For some reason, nobody wants to be a real bad guy like I was and be hated by all the fans. Wrestling should be good versus evil, and right now I don't think they have enough evil guys.

TH: At WrestleMania 25, we'll see Chris Jericho, who's a bad guy in his own right, take on Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat and Jimmy Snuka in a handicap match. What do you think of those three aging legends? You think they have a shot against Jericho?

HTM: Oh of course they do. Any of them could take on Jericho by themselves if need be. But that's gonna be an interesting match, and why Jericho wants to pick on the legends or pick on the Hall of Fame guys I don't know.

HTM: He should pick on someone his own age.

TH: In another gimmick match we'll see a 25-diva battle royal. Did you ever think 25 years ago we'd get to the point in wrestling where you'd have a diva battle royal?

HTM: Uh, no I never thought that would happen and I hope to be right at ringside looking up at the divas, so to speak.

TH: Some of the legends that are actually depicted in the game like "Ravishing" Rick Rude and Davey Boy Smith have passed away. Out of the wrestlers that have left us, who would you say you miss the most and do you have any thoughts about the trend of wrestlers who have died at an early age?

HTM: There's been so many, and so many were all my friends and guys that I traveled with and had fun with in the locker room, in the hotels, or at the restaurants and bars. I couldn't point out any single one ... because I miss them all, and it's a tragic thing that they're passing away at such a young age. I don't know why ... I don't know if it's the fact that they can't deal with not being in the spotlight anymore or not being on the main stage anymore. What these young fellas have to understand nowadays is that this is show business, it's sports entertainment, and the ride only lasts for a certain amount of time and when the ride's over you've gotta go back to being a normal person.

TH: How does a wrestler know when it's his time to hang up his boots and tights? I mean, you're 56, and from my understanding you're still wrestling for various promotions. How much longer could you see yourself in the ring? What would you like to do with the rest of your career?

HTM: Hey, take it easy now. I'm like a diva, you shouldn't mention my age. (shared laughter) Anyway, I suppose injuries are the thing that makes most guys hang it up early. Mostly, the older legends, they never wanna stop. I tell people I'm not stopping till the phone stops ringing. I'll do a 100 shows a year, and if no one calls me, then I guess I'll stay home.

TH: Have you gotten a chance to see that movie The Wrestler? If you have seen it, did you think it was pretty accurate, or a kind of sensationalized look at what it's like?

HTM: I haven't had a chance to see it. I saw bits and pieces of it from a bootleg internet site, I'm sorry that's what I did (shared laughter), before it came out into the theaters. From what I saw, the bits and pieces, it looked like it was about 90 percent on target. The other 10 percent, of course, was Hollywood made-up nonsense.

TH: Are there any legends that you could continue to watch -- even if they're 60, 65 -- that you could still see them in the ring, doing their thing?

HTM: Oh, I love to watch all the legends. In the game, you can go back into history and relive some specific moments that's in your mind, and that's what this is all about. It's about being a kid again, you know, it's about reliving history.

TH: Where can fans check out more about what the Honky Tonk Man is up to, and what you're doing with your career right now?

HTM: I just opened a new Web site, a fella in England did it for me last week, it's HonkyTonkMan.net. And that kinda tells everyone what's going on with me, but people who know me they know how to find me. I'm out there somewhere every weekend across America and around the world.

TH: On the old site, there were some feuds and harsh words exchanged back and forth. Do you think there will be a similar pull-no-punches attitude with the new site?

HTM: Well, I never throw the first punch. These guys, they always take the shot at me first, and if you back me into a corner, I ain't got no choice but to come out fighting.

TH: I read an interview from years ago about your thoughts on Jeff Jarrett and guys who have taken a similar persona and brought it into the ring. What do you think about the rehashing of ideas or storylines?

HTM: Yeah, it's very similar. If you look back in history, even with the Chris Jericho thing now with the legends, that's rehashed from a Randy Orton storyline they did a few years ago where he was called a "Legend Killer", and he was bringing legends in and destroying them. The thing about it is, I've always had professional courtesy with my fellow wrestlers. If they were wearing a skirt, like Roddy Piper, I didn't wear a skirt. If they were toting a snake like Jake The Snake, I didn't carry a snake. So as far as the Jarrett thing ... if you can't say something good don't say anything at all, so I'm not gonna say anything.

TH: Back to WrestleMania 25, are you looking forward to any specific match at the show?

HTM: I just wanna be part of it. I wanna see each and every one of 'em because it is WrestleMania, it is our Super Bowl of professional wrestling. Each match that's on the card, each one of 'em, it's been a long time in the making, it's taken some of them a year to come together. The whole show itself is gonna be historic.

Grappling With Honky Tonk Man About WrestleMania, Legends and Losses originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Sun, 05 Apr 2009 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Make With the Funny: A FanHouse Caption Contest Starring a Very Chubby Mike Tyson

Will Brinson — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: TV and Movies, Video Games, Sports Media, Celebrity Boxing

Occasionally there are photos in ye olde Getty Images account that have no real story behind them. That, seemingly, makes for a perfect time to bust out a caption contest. So, um, yeah, Make With the Funny.

Mike Tyson is universally regarded as "sane." Oftentimes "bankrupt." And, sometimes, "imprisoned." Most recently though, he had to have been recognized by the folks attending the annual (?) Video Game Awards as "fat as hell".

Yes, that's right. The man you see to your right is indeed not Big Mike from the hit NBC show "Chuck" (thanks for the joke, Wilson). That man is Freaking Iron Mike Tyson. And as if being in the poor house, being clinically insane and tossed in a jail a few times wasn't bad enough, he's now tremendously overweight.

At this point I suppose I could make a "Ohmigod he really did eat Lennox Lewis' children" joke, but I think I'm just going to plug my Nintendo in and have a good cry.

Best caption in the comments for Fat Iron Mike wins a free, autographed Sexy Bloggers of FanHouse 2009 Calendar*.

Props to Butter Team for the heads up.

*Still in production

Make With the Funny: A FanHouse Caption Contest Starring a Very Chubby Mike Tyson originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kevin Garnett Talks About Being NBA 2K9 Cover Guy, Using AOL

Randy Kim — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: Video Games

Thanks to the good people at 2K Sports, I recently got the chance to sit down with Celtics star Kevin Garnett. While we spent most of the time dishing about hoops (you can read the full KG interview here), I also talked to KG about what it means to him to be the new NBA 2K9 cover guy. Here's what he had to say, as well as an unprompted shout-out to his history with AOL (he just offered it up, I swear).

FanHouse: "What was a bigger honor, being on the NBA 2K9 cover or being on the NBA Live 2001 cover?"

Kevin Garnett: "2K9 because, you know, you got the number one NBA video game simulation since, what, the last seven years, so it's only fitting that you put a member of the NBA champions on there, so it's, for me, like the perfect year. It's perfect. It's a huge honor, especially where video games are today, man, it's like ... have you seen the game?"

FH: "I haven't ..."

KG: "They've got chest-beating, and obviously, 2K is known for the detailing and the sweat and the HD look and it just seems so real. But this one is even scarier. It's so, so, so detailed, and it's almost like it's real, almost like you can put your hands through the television type of real."

FH: "And you're a video game guy?"

KG: "I'm definitely a video game guy. Absolutely."

FH: "What other games do you play?"

KG: "I play FIFA, Call of Duty ... those are my favorites. I actually got the guys on the team to posse up, and we started our own little thing online, and that's cool. I'm huge in the online stuff, because you can be whoever you want to be, which is kind of good sometimes. I like to play that role."

FH: "Being anonymous?"

KG: "Yeah. Just like when I started with AOL! (Laughs)"

FH: "Oh yeah? Talk about that."

KG: "It was a while ago. My man T-West ... Tyrone West ... he was a close friend of mine, and he taught me how to chat, do all this stuff on AOL."

FH: "When was that?"

KG: "Gosh, it was '92, '93 or something like that? It was my first moment where I was really like, 'Wow, I like this!' You know, the whole 'You got mail' and interaction and everything."

FH: "So do you still use AOL?"

KG: "No, not as much. I'm being honest, not as much, but when I do pull up my computer, AOL is the first thing that pops up."

FH: "Wow, I'll hook you up with our marketing people, so maybe you can do some endorsements or something ..."

KG: "My manager is right outside. You should talk to him and tell him what's up."

Kevin Garnett Talks About Being NBA 2K9 Cover Guy, Using AOL originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Sat, 04 Oct 2008 13:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wii Fit: Healthy Fun (But May Say You Are Old and Fat Even if You're Not)

Stephanie Stradley — Wed, 21 May 2008 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Video Games, Random Acts of Sport

At 9:00 am this morning, about 10 ~~overweight~~ fluffy peoples and I were standing in line in front of the local Best Buy to purchase the new Wii Fit. They honored my pre-order, so I came right back home, gave it a try, and now I am giving you a mini-review.

It's fun. Not fun enough to pay more than retail for on the eBays, but I could see it being something that might help people get healthier and get their entire families involved.

Set up was easy, including getting it out of the carrying case box it comes in. That really shouldn't be a notable thing, but have you opened many toys from China lately? Between the plastic and the wires, it's amazing if you can get through a Christmas or birthday without your hands mangled. But I digress.

After set up, the Wii Fit game that comes with the Wii balance board gives you a body test that measures your center of balance, body mass index (BMI) and body control. The representation of you in Wii Fit is what Nintendo calls your Mii. (My smiling Mii is pictured above, after crushing the ski jump game.)

The body test gives you a Wii Fit Age. The bastidge game said my Wii Age was 52! Fifty Freaky Two!!!! Aiiiiii!!!!

Okay, I know I am a pasty blogger and all, but I'm in pretty good shape and can destroy all the cardio in the gym. But the Wii age looks at your BMI (mine was fine) and your balance and body control (I gooned on this part).

I'm guessing that this is like the game Big Brain Academy, where it focuses on measuring things that the game tests, and by grading rough at first, it gives you incentive to improve your scores by repeated play and practice. Even so, I take offense at the Wii Age of 52. Not that being 52 is a bad thing, but it is if you really are younger than that.

Some other people might get offended on how the BMI measurements label them. If your BMI is high, the system will label you overweight or obese. In addition, the BMI information may not be terribly accurate for those who are heavily muscular or under 20 years old. Already, some obesity experts believe that the Wii Fit can be damaging to children by labeling them obese or overweight based on BMI measurements that aren't accurate for kids.

The booklet that comes with the Wii says that the BMI measurement may not be accurate for growing kids, but it probably is something that should be highlighted by parents.

One thing that the Wii Fit does is keep progress of the user's weight over time. If you are interested in losing weight, there are studies that say that stepping on a scale once a day can help in weight maintenance. In addition, it has a "Fit Bank" that measures how much activity you accrue and opens up new games and activities based on the amounts in your fit bank.

The nice thing in Wii Fit for those who are shy about sharing their weight with others is that you can password protect your weight data.

The Wii Fit has training in different areas: Yoga, Strength Training, Aerobics and Balance Games. You can make it as challenging as you want based on your fitness levels.

The balance board requires you to be barefoot to use it, and some of the activities involve some actual coordination. I am sure there are going to be plenty of people that will be submitting Wii Fit injuries to the entertaining Wii Have A Problem blog that documents people hurting themselves doing Wii.

Overall, Wii Fit isn't quite the home gym I wish I could fit in my house, but it certainly takes up tons less room and gives you a bit of competition to keep your brain involved when you are exercising. Basically, for the price of one or two personal training sessions, you get a game that just about everyone in the family can play.

If you want to get a better sense of what I'm talking about, check out this YouTube of Stepford-looking people blissfully playing Wii Fit:

I am terrible at that soccer-heading game.

Wii Fit: Healthy Fun (But May Say You Are Old and Fat Even if You're Not) originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Wed, 21 May 2008 13:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA Sports Releases NCAA Football '09 to Polite Applause

Matt Ufford — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:53:00 EST

Filed under: Video Games

The notion of a fancy party for a video game seems odd -- why dress up and go out for something best enjoyed while wearing ratty gym shorts in your own home? But EA Sports apparently knows what they're doing, and they hosted a party at Marquee -- a trendy Manhattan night club -- last night for the release of NCAA Football '09.

Several college football stars in town for the draft attended the party, including cover boy Matt Ryan (pictured), Arkansas running back Darren McFadden (interview here), West Virginia fullback Owen Schmitt, California WR/KR DeSean Jackson, and #1 overall draft pick Jake Long.

The release also included a full demonstration of the game on large flatscreen TVs, an upstairs lounge dedicated to press interviews, and -- most importantly -- free drinks! Huzzah!

(l-r) Long, Jackson, Schmitt, some guy, McFadden, and Sparty search the crowd for Matt Long

All the prospective draftees got face time on stage after the game was introduced. Most made a quick, quiet entrance, but when the master of ceremonies called Owen Schmitt to the stage, there was nothing. "Owen?" the emcee ventured. "Well, if he were here, we'd know it," he added.

It was at this point that someone with the physique of Ram-Man let out a long "WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Awwriiight!!!" distinctive of people who have attended West Virginia University. Sure enough, Schmitt was just behind me, harelip stretched into a grin as he embraced the spotlight. He parted the crowd with the wide swath of his mohawk and went onstage.

Of course, the supposed point of the night was to introduce a video game to the crowd of white men wearing blazers (including me, masquerading as a grown-up) and a handful of shabbily dressed guys who didn't see the need to shower beforehand. I assume they were either die-hard video game fans or bloggers. Or possibly the lowest form of human life: video game bloggers.

These two guys performed the demonstration, and while one played a mock-up game of Florida-Tennessee (the Gators led 17-0 in the first when he exited the game), the other described its new features: crowd interaction (it gets louder when the home team plays well, and its reactions are designed to affect teams' performance), the addition of mascots and cheerleaders, and the ability to play against other people online. And just as he assured the crowd that this was EA's "best looking title yet" and praised the game's "completely new look," Dewey Hammond of Yardbarker leaned over to me and said, "It looks just like every other year."

Another completely new feature of the game was "Mascot Mash-up," which pits teams of school mascots against each other. In the demo presented to us, eleven Michigan State Spartys took on eleven Brutus the Buckeyes, and the arcade-like gameplay allowed the Sparty returning the kickoff to do flips on the field. It was unclear, however, if there was a function that allowed him to use the bathroom without assistance.

EA Sports Releases NCAA Football '09 to Polite Applause originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ESPN Would Like You to Watch Other People Playing Video Games

David J. Warner — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: ESPN, Video Games

I enjoy games as much as any American male who grew up in the 80s. Just last night, I went to a party where everyone was playing Rock Band for the Xbox 360. Afterwards, I went home and fed my unhealthy addiction to Geometry Wars Galaxies for the Wii. I've played video games for decades and will probably keep playing until I'm entering Wii Bowling tournaments at the old folks home.

ESPN knows there are tons of people like me, too, and they want all of us to put down the gamepad and watch.

On the heels of the first televised season of DirecTV's "Championship Gaming Series," which featured live professional video-game tournaments, ESPN has entered into a multiyear content agreement with Major League Gaming to provide extensive online coverage of MLG's 2008 Pro Circuit competitions, including exclusive streamed matches, player interviews, scores and stats. ESPN will also feature MLG content in short segments on its existing TV programs.

Perhaps some of you out there were enthralled by Madden Nation, but honestly, I can't think of a less compelling endeavor than watching other people play video games.

After all, the joy of a video game is in the playing -- pretending that you're Tom Brady throwing touchdown passes, or that you're a battle-hardened space marine blasting aliens to save the world, or that you're a hungry little yellow circle just trying to get a bite to eat in a small world filled with faceless ghosts. You can do it yourself. Why watch other people do it?

On the other hand, ESPN did just fine with televised poker, didn't they? Plus, there is a certain appeal to watching the best of the best excel at something that anybody can do. Anyone can play football and basketball, but we still pay good money to watch the best players in the world do that.

So maybe there is an audience out there for this sort of thing. Personally, though, I'd rather pick up the Wiimote and do the blasting myself. It's just more fun that way.

(H/T: Techdirt)

ESPN Would Like You to Watch Other People Playing Video Games originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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