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John: This Sunday night at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, WWE presents WrestleMania 29. It's their biggest show of the year. With a reported $11 million gate, it's already the most successful WWE event ever in terms of ticket sales. I don't need to sell the event to you considering that WWE has run approximately 473 video packages about the show in the last month.
If you want to purchase the show in HD on Pay-Per-View it will cost you $69.95 in USA or Canada (non-HD is $59.95). That's the most expensive WWE show ever. There's also a one hour pre-show before the four hour broadcast and there's even a post show. If you think a three hour Raw is too long (and I certainly do) then try to sit through this whole event. I doubt I'm going to watch all of the pre-show. I may end up watching the last half of it.
If you're reading this you're either watching it just like you do every year because for us "crazy" wrestling fans this is the one event we all seem to watch. Of course some don't because something on the card bothers them and that's fine. Your call. What we're here to do is run down the whole card, give our opinions on the storylines heading into the matches and of course pick the winners too. This is the part where I also complain about talented people like Antonio Cesaro being left off the card. A pre-show battle royal isn't good enough. He deserves more.
Joining me for this preview is TJRWrestling's Christian Michael and Andrew Johnson. Christian covers Main Event for the site and Andrew writes his Smacking of Smackdown column every weekend. Both of them are going to be at WrestleMania while I'm watching from home this year after going to the last two. Let's get to the preview.
(Note: All graphics are from WWE.com. The banner is courtesy of our friend Steve Melo.)
Intercontinental Championship: Wade Barrett (c) vs. The Miz (Pre-Show)
Christian: "From Main Event to Pre-show: The Mike the Miz Story". There's your next film Lifetime. I don't love this feud at all. Wade Barrett bores me and The Miz just isn't clicking as a babyface. With that said, this match should be on the main card. It's the Intercontinental Championship. Think of what that title has meant to WrestleMania. Steamboat/Savage. Warrior/Rude. Michaels/Ramon. Piper/Hart. This list goes on. Will this match be any of those? Most likely not but you still can't move the Intercontinental Championship to the pre-show. I can see Miz winning since this will likely be the first match of the night and they'll want to get the crowd into the show early since it's going to be a long night. Prediction- The Miz wins the Intercontinental Championship
Andrew: Jesus, so it's come to this huh?
I used to get upset at the fact that the Intercontinental Title was never defended at Mania. It bothered me to the point that I honestly wrote WWE an email about it after WrestleMania 23. I couldn't understand why a belt with such history and prestige was being ignored on the biggest show of the year.
Now the belt has lost all of its prestige that right now I don't even care if the champion has a match on the show. Enjoy Pre-Show Mania, Miz and Barrett, the biggest Pre-Show of the year! Winner: The Miz
John: Did you hear Miz on Raw on Monday trying to say that this was the "most must-see pre-show in WrestleMania history" because he was on it? Dude, you're trying too hard. The babyface act already comes off as forced and then he says ridiculous things like that. We saw this match a couple weeks back on Raw. Miz won clean in a non-title match that was pretty underwhelming. Perhaps that will lead to a title change here, but I don't care that much either way. I'll pick Barrett to retain although even if he loses it I doubt there will be a boost for the title by being on Miz. Winner: Wade Barrett
Tons of Funk & The Funkadactyls vs. Team Rhodes Scholars & The Bella Twins
Christian: Two fat guys, four hot chicks and two talented but underutilized wrestlers equals me going to the bathroom. Well, I shouldn't say that, Diddy is performing I might go to the can and buy a t-shirt during that. The Funkadactyls are much better in the ring than I ever thought but that doesn't mean this match is going to be any good. Tons of Funk and their cheerleaders win because it's WrestleMania and they always book babyface wins when the result doesn't matter. Prediction- Tons of Funk and the Funkadactyls
Andrew: Team Rhodes Scholars win or I riot. That's going to be the fastest doused riot ever.
Look, I know this match is dumb but it gets my favorite wrestler and his best friend on the WrestleMania card. Not even the pre-show, the legit card. I can't hate it completely, no matter how stupid it is. Winners: Team Rhodes Scholars & The Bella Twins
John: This is the official bathroom break match of the show. I really feel bad for Damien Sandow & Cody Rhodes having to be a part of this brutal match. I don't care much about the other six people involved, but I like those two a lot. The babyface team will go over, they'll dance and Jerry Lawler will think it's the greatest thing in the history of WrestleMania because if you want to work for WWE for 20 years those are the kinds of things you say. This will not be highlight of the show, that's for sure. Winners: Tons of Funk & The Funkadactyls
Chris Jericho vs. Fandango
Christian: I almost threw up when I read that this match was on the books. Then I wanted to put my foot through my TV when the match was finally announced. I understand Jericho's role in WWE now. He is the babyface legend that comes back to have great matches and put over the young heels. That's great and every roster should have a guy willing to do that, but Fandango? When pairing Jericho up with someone you need to ask yourself this "can this guy main event WrestleMania"? In my opinion, Fandango and his "Dancing with the Stars" gimmick will never be a big draw for the company.
There's a guy sitting on the sidelines and his name is Antonio Cesaro. You want Jericho to put over someone? What about him? He's one of the best wrestlers on the roster and he needs a boost like beating Jericho to take him to the next level. As for this match, the build has been all Fandango which would lead you to think Jericho is going over. I can see that happening and then the dancing wonder can take Y2J out on RAW. This way Jericho doesn't have to lose to Fandango at WrestleMania and Fandango still wins the feud by beating Jericho in front of more people on RAW. Prediction- Chris Jericho
Andrew: It bothers me that all of the Mania previews I've read (TJR included) have mentioned that they hope Fandango won't botch on his debut. Johnny Curtis has been wrestling for a long ass time, it's not like this is WCW and he just graduated from the Power Plant. He's seasoned, he's talented, and he's ready. I don't get why people are dogging on him for this.
Granted, I think the Fandango gimmick is atrocious, but that's not a bad thing. I at least have a reason to boo him now, and considering I usually root for the heels (because as some of you like to point out in the comments I'm apparently a wrestling hipster, whatever that means) that's a nice change of pace in my viewing experience.
Just go out there and wrestle, don't let Y2J Jericho talk, and this will be fine. Winner: Chris Jericho
John: Why are they feuding? Because Chris Jericho didn't say his name properly. Yep. That's the legit reason. But I don't mind it that much. Like Andrew said, it's not like Fandango is some rookie wrestling his first match. Johnny Curtis first signed with WWE over six years ago. He's been working his ass off to get this opportunity and if you watched NXT like me in the last few years then you know he's a good talent. Throw him in the ring with one of the best ever like Chris Jericho and I think they have the potential to have a really good match.
My original opinion on the booking would be that Fandango will win because he's the "new" character that needs to make a big impact on the big stage. Jericho doesn't need wins. He can lose 200 matches in a row and still be considered one of the best ever because he is. However, if I use my "lose or get up on TV/win on PPV" theory then that would suggest a Jericho win. In this case, though, I'm going against the theory. I think they had Fandango dominate because he needs the heat just like he needs the win. If Jericho does win I'd expect Fandango to win a rematch on Raw or something like that, but the win at WM would mean more. That's why I'm picking that.
In addition to all that, keep an eye on this match as a "sleeper" because if they get 10-15 minutes it could be really good. Fandango/Curtis is pretty good. And Jericho does not disappoint. It could be a lot of fun. Winner: Fandango
Ryback vs. Mark Henry
Christian: YES!!! I'm so excited for this match. I love big man matches when you know the two guys are monsters and are just going to smash each other for ten minutes. This won't be a classic but should be a lot of fun. I just hope that they practice the Shellshock beforehand because you'd hate for Ryback to screw up what is going to be a really awesome WrestleMania moment. Prediction- Ryback
Andrew: HOSS FIGHT HOSS FIGHT HOSS FIGHT HOSS FIGHT
I'm pretty stoked for this. I don't even care about the outcome, I just want to watch these two dudes hit each other so hard every car alarm in a 20 mile radius goes off. I want them to create so much damage Hurricane Sandy looks like a windy day. I want them to turn MetLife into a crater, because 1) That would be awesome, and an awesome way to die and B) F**k the Giants, I want them to get stuck playing football in a damaged parking lot.
Winner: Ryback, probably
John: I'm not as excited about this as my two friends up above. I don't mind Mark Henry matches against big guys. I enjoyed his feuds with Sheamus and Big Show the last few years. The difference with this is I don't think Ryback is as good as those guys. With that said, I have liked the build up to it and I think it will be a fun to see a physical match like this one. I think the finish is obvious with Ryback hitting Shellshocked for the win to give people that "did you just see that?" kind of moment. I think the win for Ryback is one of the most sure thing predictions on the card. Winner: Ryback
WWE Tag Team Championship: Team Hell No (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler & Big E Langston
Christian: Should Dolph Ziggler and Daniel Bryan be in singles matches that will let them shine and make their marks at WrestleMania? Duh, but I'll settle for this. This is a really weird WrestleMania in that Big E Langston is the second Superstar making his WWE TV match debut at WrestleMania. That's not something you expect.
What I like about this feud is that they haven't forgotten about the fact that AJ was involved with Bryan and Kane last summer. I don't see NXT in my neck of the woods so I'm interested to see what Big E can do in the ring. I think that he'll be the deciding factor in the match and will score the pin in his first match. Prediction- Dolph Ziggler and Big E Langston win the Tag Team Championship
Andrew: You have no idea how relieving it was to see that this match wasn't the one that was moved to the pre-show. Daniel Bryan has suffered more WrestleMania set-backs than someone with his level of talent deserves. I'm genuinely just excited that he's going to get a legit WrestleMania match for once, but I guess there's still time to push this back to the pre-pre-show dark match so they can add another ten minutes to Triple H's barbarian themed entrance or whatever.
As for the actual match, I'd prefer to see Team Hell No finally implode on itself like a dying star, and WrestleMania would be a good place for that, but in reality it's not the right time. Kane and Bryan are pretty secure in their unique partnership right now, and with the addition of Kaitlyn and AJ in the storyline I doubt we'll see a title change. Then again, 18 seconds into the match Sheamus could come down and Brogue Kick Daniel Bryan for the hell of it and pin him while everyone else watches in complete shock, and somehow win both tag team belts. I know that sounds silly, but WWE once had Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus in a match for the US title that was won by The Great Khali, only he didn't win the belt, so I wouldn't put this kind of thing past them. Winners: Team Hell No
John: My wish of a Daniel Bryan vs. Dolph Ziggler WrestleMania match is on hold for at least this year, but at least we'll see them in the same match in a tag team setting. Of course we saw them in a match on Raw although that's not the same as being in a big WrestleMania is it? Langston is making his WWE TV debut although again if you watch NXT you would know he's had plenty of experience in his career. He's actually worked as a babyface on that show, so it's different than what we'll see here when he's doing his heel act.
I think it's time for a title change. My feeling is that the whole point of the match is to put over the Ziggler/Langston/Lee trio going forward. They are a good act, so it makes sense to give them some gold. The act of Bryan & Kane was really fun in the fall and even into the winter, but now that we're in the spring it's time to move on them on to something else. I'm actually impressed that they've held the tag titles since September and were given a significant reign. But that's going to end here. Look for some kind of distraction by AJ Lee leading to Kane & Bryan screwing up and that will lead to Langston hitting his finish on one of them to win the tag titles for his team. This could be a very good tag match if they get the 10-15 minutes I'd expect. Winners: Dolph Ziggler & Big E Langston
Randy Orton, Sheamus & Big Show vs. The Shield
Christian: The Shield has been the biggest surprise in WWE over the last six months. It's a surprise as to how awesome they've been and how great they've been booked. This is not The Nexus. These guys are actually a threat and have the wins to back it up. They've had three matches thus far and they've all been great. You'd like to see them do something different than just be in a six man tag but I won't get upset over great matches.
The difference in this match is that their opponents can't seem to trust each other although they have been playing nice recently. I think a lot of people are expecting an Orton heel turn in this match. I don't. What sense would it make here? The bigger story is putting over The Shield. Orton doing anything to help them win takes away from that. I can see Orton getting pissed and snapping either after the match or on RAW. This match is going to be about just how tough The Shield is and that no matter how hard the three former champions try to stop The Shield they just can't. This should be another really fun fight just like all of The Shield's matches have been thus far. Prediction- The Shield
Andrew: Part of me wants to see The Celtic Snake Show to get the win here, because I think The Shield is kind of played and want to see something different happen with them. At the same time I hate the idea of 3 "rookies" getting trounced by a bunch of vets with nothing better to do. So I'm kind of torn.
Ultimately I think someone on the babyface side is going to switch. Orton is the easy answer, but it could realistically be any of them. Either way, I don't see The Shield losing here, and in reality they probably shouldn't. Winners: The Shield
John: This will be fun. I'm such a fan of The Shield and the way they've been booked since they debuted in the fall. They have an act that works because they have been booked like winners. There are too many acts in WWE that are booked inconsistently, which hurts them. The way that Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns have been used is how we want to see young performers.
The build to the match has seen the babyface team (I guess Show counts) look like a united group that has been able to prevent The Shield's attacks. Will it happen on Sunday? I doubt it. I think The Shield has to go over. The face team has established veterans who are going to be over no matter how many times they win or lose. That's why Shield has to win and they will.
There are a lot of rumors heading into this match too. I don't think Orton turns heel here. However, I think something will happen in the finish of the match that leads to Orton as a heel on television in the weeks and months to come. Perhaps Sheamus accidentally hits him, which leads to Orton snapping and that could set up their rivalry. Of course they could do the obvious thing with Show acting out against his partners since he's a heel. But I'm thinking it's Orton that will be the cause of defeat for his team. That means a win for The Shield, which is what really matters. Winners: The Shield
World Heavyweight Championship: Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. Jack Swagger
Christian: Yawn. I don't think there's been a more lackluster World Title Match in WrestleMania history. The best part of the feud is when Alberto Del Rio got destroyed with the crutches on RAW and had those nasty welts on his back.
Listen, I get what they're doing, they need a top Spanish babyface. Rey Mysterio is old and Sin Cara has been a bust. From a business standpoint I have no problem with that. I like Del Rio. I just think this is the wrong feud to make him into that star. Let's be honest here, how many people watching WWE actually agree with what Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter are saying? It's probably at least half the Americans watching. I don't hate Jack Swagger's character, I just don't think it has legs past a feud with Del Rio. Given 15 minutes these two can have a good match. I think it's fair to say that most people won't be paying attention as they'll be waiting to see if someone is here to show the world and I think he will be. It's the perfect way to make a forgettable title match unforgettable. Del Rio wins, Swagger attacks and here he comes…
Prediction- Alberto Del Rio retains the World Heavyweight Championship
Andrew: I'd be pleasantly surprised if this didn't turn out to be the curtain-jerker. The past two years WWE has done everything they can to turn the World Heavyweight title into what the Intercontinental title used to be at Mania, which was the title match that got the crowd hot for the rest of the show. I hate that the belt isn't taken seriously because it's now the belt that all my favorite wrestlers win (Christian, Mark Henry, Del Rio) and it's become less and less important since the Triple H smell has been washed off it.
Honestly that's a petty complaint, because honestly I'm STOKED for this match and not a whole lot can ruin that for me. I've written a lot about how great Del Rio is, and despite his arrest record I'm a pretty big fan of 2013 Jack Swagger. It helps that the dials have been turned up to 11 and they haven't been afraid to get super violent on each other. Del Rio's back looked like Kunta Kentei's after that beating he took at the hands of a crutch wielding xenophobe. The violence makes this match have a true aura of danger around it, which is super enthralling to a guy that watches gory war movies for their "cultural impact."
My biggest fear going into this is that Ricardo is going to cost Del Rio the title intentionally, and join up with Jack Swagger's America and turn on his own culture. I think this would be a mistake, because a big part of Del Rio's charm comes from the fact that he legitimately cares about his best friend Ricardo, and is willing to go to great lengths to support him. If you take away Ricardo you've just got a Mexican version of Sheamus, which is the worst thing I've ever typed about Del Rio.
Still, the story would be stronger with a loss, so I'm going with Swagger on this one. Winner: Jack Swagger
John: I like both guys a lot, but I don't think the feud is working. I'm also worried about the crowd completely turning on the match, possibly even chanting for Ziggler during much of it and becoming the focal point of the show instead of the actual match. Del Rio had a lot of crowd support in Florida and Texas when he first turned face. It's been a different story at shows in the Northeast like Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Washington. The support isn't as strong. This WrestleMania crowd won't be much different.
If Swagger wins the title that likely means the feud will continue, but I think the way the story has been told would mean a Del Rio because he has to avenge the broken ankle of his friend Ricardo Rodriguez. I don't think the story has the legs to carry on for another PPV considering that Extreme Rules is in mid-May this year. They'll probably have a solid 15 minute match that will be pretty good, but not great. Again, the crowd heat may not be as strong as they like and that will hurt things a bit. I expect Del Rio to show the heart of a babyface to win the match. Winner: Alberto Del Rio
After the Del Rio win I think Swagger will attack him and then Ziggler will come out to cash in the Money in the Bank briefcase. He'll be the first man to cash in MITB at WrestleMania and leave WrestleMania as the new World Heavyweight Champion. He'll also have the tag titles with Langston. I also think AJ Lee could be Divas Champion soon, so that's a lot of gold for that trio. Coming out of this show I think a lot of people will be talking about Ziggler. And that's a great thing if it happens. The Del Rio/Swagger feud can continue as a non-title feud or they could move Del Rio into a feud with Ziggler. Winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: Dolph Ziggler
No Holds Barred With Triple H's Career On The Line: Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar
Christian: I hope they take a different route in this match than the one they took at SummerSlam. I didn't hate that match, it was just too slow. I just want to see these two destroy each other for 20 minutes. It's great that Shawn Michaels is going to be in Triple H's corner. What would WrestleMania be without HBK?
It's hard for me to predict this match because on the one hand Lesnar should not lose to Triple H. On the other hand, you know Triple H isn't losing to Lesnar again. I guess HBK being there can give HHH the win and still keep Lesnar strong. He could lose with a Sweet Chin Music/Pedigree combo and then Paul Heyman could always say that it took two Hall of Fame former World Champions to beat Lesnar. I'd still put Lesnar over especially if the plan is for him to face The Rock next year. All I ask is that I get to see a kick ass fight. Prediction- Triple H
Andrew: For my feelings on this bout, please refer to what I wrote on last week's Smacking of Smackdown:
One of the biggest criticisms I've had about the Triple H/Lesnar match is that the consequences are minor. Triple H put his career on the line, but that's not so bad for a guy that has like two matches a year. But because Paul Heyman took five minutes to come on TV and deliver a brief concise addition to the narrative, the whole thing now seems dire. It's not about just taking away Triple H's ability to get in a wrestling ring; it's about infecting his mind. Heyman points out that he knows Triple H will grow to resent his position as COO if he has his passion taken away from him, and the resentment will ultimately destroy his corporate career.
This is why Paul Heyman is a valued necessity in the business of professional wrestling. He did more for Triple H/Lesnar in five minutes than The Rock did for his match in f**king twenty. The man isn't in the business of getting himself over but in the business of getting moments over. The guy has a bald head and a ponytail in 2013; he's clearly not interested in looking cool.
I think this sums up my feelings on this match pretty well. Before Heyman's promo (and before Shawn Michael's camo) I didn't have a whole lot of interest in this match. I thought it was silly for a guy that never wrestles to be upset at the idea that he wouldn't be allowed to wrestle anymore. Heyman fixed that with five minutes of words and some much needed passion. I still don't think Mr. Haitches is going to lose, but I think there's at least a chance it could happen now, which means I'm a lot more invested in this match then I was a week ago. Winner: Triple H
John: I think this has the potential to be the match of the night. The No Holds Barred stipulation will definitely help it and I expect it to be better than their match at Summerslam was. That's the right setting for any Lesnar match. Fans don't want to see him applying rest holds in a regular match. He's a brawler, so let him do what he does. Triple H is also very good in that kind of situation. That's why I have hopes for it.
Since there are already other big babyface winners on the card, I would love to see Lesnar walk out of this one as the victor. Do I expect it? No. I think Triple H winning is very predictable because he has to avenge what Lesnar did to Hunter's father-in-law Vince McMahon when he "broke his hip" on Raw a month ago. I also don't think there's any need for Hunter to retire in his early 40s when he's playing a major role in the company. He's a part-timer that will continue to wrestle a couple of times per year. I'm okay with that.
This week on Raw it was announced that Shawn Michaels will be in Triple H's corner. I don't think it's a necessary addition, but I see it as a situation where Michaels hits Paul Heyman with a superkick at some point to keep him from interfering in the match. That will ultimately set up the victory for Triple H.
They'll probably get 20-25 minutes, Lesnar will dominate a majority of it and Hunter may even kick out of a F5 in a memorable spot because it's not like a lot of people have kicked out of that move before. It will be a great nearfall spot late in the match. Like I said, though, a Triple H win is very likely. If it doesn't happen I'd be very surprised. Winner: Triple H
The Streak On The Line: The Undertaker vs. CM Punk
Christian: The moment that The Undertaker made his return at Old School Raw was the moment I finally made up my mind to go to WrestleMania. As I lifelong wrestling fan I needed to see The Deadman make his WrestleMania entrance at least once.
As for this match, they really botched the build, huh? This story could have written itself instead they do a Fatal 4Way to see who faces The Undertaker and then Paul Bearer dies and that's been the focal point of the feud. What would they have done if William Moody didn't tragically pass away? I would hate for these writers to have to use their brains.
Punk wiping the ashes on his face this past Monday was sickening but in a good way, if that's possible. It just goes to show what a dirty scumbag he is and it makes you want to see him get his ass kicked. It brings a different dynamic to an Undertaker match because the last four years he faced babyfaces so there wasn't that intense hatred for Taker's opponent like there is this year. I don't know what Taker has left. I don't know if he can give us a performance like he has in the last five years but if he's got something left, Punk will get it out of him. People wanting The Undertaker to lose clearly need their heads examined.
The Streak is so special and shouldn't ever be touched. 21-0. Prediction- The Undertaker
Andrew: Next to the main-event this match is the one I'm looking forward to the least. I know I'm probably going to lose my Internetz card or whatever for not being super stoked for a CM Punk match or an Undertaker streak thing, but I have to be honest, the streak bores me. Ever since like WrestleMania 22 it's been the central piece to every single Undertaker match, all the way up until they decided to forego the title matches and blood feuds and just made THE STREAK the most important title in WWE history.
I think why it doesn't work for me is because I've never been convinced that it's ever really in jeopardy. Admittedly the Paul Bearer subplot has made this whole thing WAY more intriguing, but at the end of the day it's still all about Taker's streak and that means it will end as it always does.
Hey, I'd love to be wrong. But I'm not.
Winner: The Undertaker
John: First of all, it should be noted that on Twitter on Thursday, CM Punk stated that Living Colour would sing "Cult of Personality" for his entrance at WrestleMania, so that will be an awesome experience.
I think Undertaker winning this match is the biggest lock of the event. It's a sure thing. I think before the death of Paul Bearer it was a sure thing too, but after that happened and they used it as part of an angle it's an even bigger lock in my opinion. Of course I'm sure there are some of you reading this thinking there's still a chance Undertaker could lose. I really don't see it happening.
The build for the match has been pretty good. It's the first WrestleMania in five years where Undertaker is in a babyface vs. heel match instead of the babyface vs. babyface setting of the last four. I expect it to be an excellent matchup because when it comes to Undertaker matches at WrestleMania he's delivered great ones every year. Punk is an elite talent who has proven to be the best in the world the last couple of years, so I expect a great performance out of him on Sunday. Remember, Punk has an arm injury that has kept him out of the ring in the past month. I think he'll be able to fight through it during the match, but it is worth keeping an eye on.
This should be fun. It's my favorite match going into the card. I don't know how many matches Undertaker has left, so I'm going to enjoy it while he's still doing his thing. I'd expect a 20 minute physical match that ends with an Undertaker Tombstone piledriver. Then we could see that symbolic urn one last time as a tribute to the late William Moody/Paul Bearer. Oh yes. Winner: The Undertaker
WWE Championship: The Rock (c) vs. John Cena
Christian: The magic is missing from this match this year. I think there are two reasons for that. The first being that "Once in a Lifetime" is now happening again. We've already seen this enormous battle of generations. The second is that Cena's reasons for needing to win are nothing but garbage. He tells us that his career went into a tailspin after losing to The Rock last year but then managed to beat Brock Lesnar, The Big Show, win Money in the Bank and The Royal Rumble and beat CM Punk. He main evented PPV after PPV and only lost when someone cost him the match. Some tailspin. That's Cena's problem. We can't feel sorry for him. He is all "whoa is me" but he still had an incredible year.
Many people think it's a foregone conclusion that Cena is winning the title and getting his win back from The Rock. I don't. Cena acted very "heelish" in the Hall of Fame Q&A a few weeks ago. It was to the point that I can see him losing and then snapping on RAW the next night.
They need to do something with Cena. He's staler than moldy bread. The other factor in making me think he could lose is that The Rock is booked for Extreme Rules. Cena could always get his win and title there. You know the New York area crowd won't be very supportive of Cena and I don't know if Vince McMahon wants the lasting memory of WrestleMania XXIX being Cena getting booed as the new champion. Prediction- The Rock retains the WWE Championship
Andrew: Just... ugh. Do I have to do this one?
Here's what's going to happen: John Cena and The Rock will wrestle, and I'll be out getting a pretzel or some merch or hanging with interesting folks, because I am over this. I'm over Cena wanting to beat The Rock, I'm over The Rock being The Rock, and I'm over the WWE title looking like a giant class ring. I'm over it. I plan to go goof off during the brunt of the main event (you know, where Rock is gassed for like 20 minutes after going full force for like 3) and make it back to see the finish.
That's what I'm doing during the main event. What about you?
Winner: John Cena
John: Last year was more special. There's no denying that. It was Rock's first WM match in eight years and it was in his hometown of Miami too. The build to Cena/Rock was a year old, they had done numerous promos against eachother and it felt like an epic showdown in a lot of ways. Being at the match last year it really had a big match feel to it. The crowd was hot for most of it. The ovation when Rock won was enormous. It was a match with one year of build and for the most part it was a success. Was it an all time great match? No. But it was good enough.
With that being said, this year's match will likely be better. Rock was winded last year. He wasn't in the best wrestling shape of his career. This year he's had a couple of big matches with CM Punk at Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber, so I think he'll be more ready this time around. It's not easy to just get back to it after being off for so long. Now that he's back to working those 20+ minute main events I think he'll be ready. Their chemistry should be better too. I'd rate their match last year at about three stars out of five. I think it can reach four stars this year.
Who did I pick to win last year's match? John Cena. I was wrong. Why? Because I thought that would be the only match that Rock would wrestle. If I knew he was going to wrestle more I'd have picked Rock. This year I'm picking Cena to win because I think the whole point of this three year arc with Rock coming back as the host of WM27, then beating Cena last year and now having a match this year is about putting Cena over the "greatest" WWE star ever.
The crowd reaction for the match will be interesting. As I wrote in my 29 Questions & Answers about WrestleMania earlier in the week I think the crowd is going to be anti-Cena for the most part. I also think some may not like Rock either. That crowd reaction could make this match even more memorable. Remember, those fans will be in those seats for over four hours by that point and it will likely be a cold night, so chances are they may not be in a great mood. The crowd will be a big part of the story of this match.
I know there are rumors of a Cena heel turn. I think they're just that - rumors. It's fun to think that the character of Cena might change because that's the only way for him to beat a guy like Rock, but I don't see it happening. I know he has said he "needs" to win and that we won't believe what he might do. I think it's just a cliché, though. It's a selling point. It's a way for him to say he's going to go all out to win the match just as he should say. But if he does turn heel? It will be a huge deal. It could make a big impact on WWE as a whole because it would generate the kind of buzz that they haven't had in a long time. I don't think it's going to happen. I wouldn't mind it, though.
I think the night will end with John Cena winning the match, being handed the WWE Title by Rock (similar to Hogan/Warrior at WM6) and The Rock giving him a hug as a sign of respect.
Winner and NEW WWE Champion: John Cena
Final Thoughts
Christian: I won't say that this WrestleMania card is weak. It's just that the matches aren't all too exciting especially since we've seen three of the four main event matches already. I'm still excited for The Showcase of the Immortals. I'll be attending my first WrestleMania and I'm ready for the experience. I've been a wrestling fan for almost 25 years and I can't wait to be inside chilly MetLife Stadium to witness all the action. If any members of TJR staff or the readers of this site want to meet up I'll be tailgating all afternoon. You can tweet me @Christian_973 or email me email@example.com if you want to meet up in the lot, have a beer and shoot the breeze. I hope no matter where you are that you enjoy our Super Bowl. This is the night as wrestling fans we wait a whole year for.
John: I think it will be a good show. I don't expect it to be the best WrestleMania ever, nor do I think it will be one of the worst. It should be above average. Hopefully there are some memorable moments that give us talking about after it's over and in the weeks ahead.
Is it a predictable show in a lot of ways? Yes. It is. But that doesn't mean it will be bad.
Nearly 7,000 words later I think we've said enough. I'll be writing about the show live on Sunday night at TJRWrestling.com so check that out during the show or come back after it's over. If you're going to the event I hope you enjoy it because it's a great event to witness live.
On behalf of Andrew and Christian, thanks for reading.
Follow all of us on Twitter at the following places.
Christian - @Christian_973
Andrew - @TheAEJohnson
John - @johnreport
If you want to send an email, send it to me at firstname.lastname@example.com and I'll make sure the other guys see it too.


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The Holly and the Ivy
By Jill Gallina
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The Holly and the Ivy arranged by Jill Gallina. For Choral (2-Part). Choral. 12 pages. Published by Shawnee Press (HL.35028210).
The cherished English carol has been united here with an original melody and lyric by the arranger. Sublime and elegant with simple harmonies and vocal play between parts, this choral will sparkle amid your holiday concert. Available: SAB; 2-Part; StudioTrax CD.

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News, trends and ideas we're tracking today.
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Prescribed burns set for Conroe's Jones State Forest
Smoke spotted around Jones State Forest in Conroe this month might not be a bad thing. The Texas Forest Service will conduct "prescribed burns" through Feb. 16 (weather permitting) to cut down on brush and debris, and reduce the risks of wildfires, Montgomery County Police Reporter says in a story on its website. About 400 acres […] [Read More]


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On September 6th 2012 food banks across the country participated in the "Go Orange" campaign to raise awareness of the problems of hunger and food insecurity that 49 million Americans struggle with each year. With employees, volunteers and supports alike wearing orange, the symbolic color of hunger, over 200 food banks across the country shared their support for ending hunger in their communities and nationwide. This slideshow only shows a portion of those that participated, see if you can pick out The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts! For more information on Go Orange and Hunger Action Month, click here.Comments Off
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Central Boiler's newest model line is the perfect combination of value and performance.
The E-Classic leads the industry in performance and features.
The Classic is the outdoor wood furnace that set the standard for quality and performance and revolutionized the industry. Rebates up to $550 end August 17. Availability is extremely limited so contact your Central Boiler dealer today!
The Maxim is the safe and efficient way to heat your home, garage and more with wood pellets.
ThermoPEX insulated piping saves energy and maximizes efficiency.
Stryker log splitters offer quality workmanship that is second to none.
Central Boiler has all the parts and accessories you'll need to complete your installation.


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Some pools Melbourne are of the vinyl liner type so unlike concrete type swimming pools these types have vinyl membrane that seals in the water. These pools typically are outfitted with either metal or thermoplastic walls underneath as well as around the perimeter, but the floor underneath is usually thin cement or sand. Some people prefer this type of pool because they are quicker to build and most of all less expensive than gunite pools.
Vinyl liners will fade over time due to the chemicals used in treating the water and of course the sun. Water sanitizers can strip off properties in the liners that reveal their resiliency but today there are available pool liners on the market that are manufactured to be more resistant to chemicals used in cleaning pools. Moreover, swimming pool liners these days are thicker and sturdier compared to the old ones. If you think that your pool might have a leak, you can ask your builder to check for holes and have it patched up as soon as possible or you can DIY by purchasing a dry or wet patch kit.
If your vinyl swimming pool has a leak, do not drain the water for the reason that the water holds the liner tight against the pool walls. If the pool is drained, then expect that the liner has to be reset. The no water condition of your vinyl swimming pool can lead to large creases and folds that will let the water seep in the rear that will cause the backside of the sand to wash out and the walls to collapse. This is due to the alteration in pressure. So if you have to go this far with your pool then it is wise to consult an experienced pool technician.
Vinyl liners come in all sorts of colours and styles, thickness and shapes. It is very important to buy a liner with the size that's according to the dimension and form of your pool so it doesn't come out of the track. This usually happens when the liner isn't centered or small for the pool. Inground pool liner replacement should be done by the professional pool contractor because they have the necessary tools and skill to install the liner correctly. Usually they empty the pool first then they make sure that they measure the length, width and depth carefully from the wraps around the wall. They then, remove only the necessary bolts and the liner lock that clamps down the liner. After this process they will cut, remove and make sure to recycle the liner appropriately.
Pools Melbourne come in various forms, shapes, looks and make. It is vital for you to determine what you and your family think will suit your way of life as well as the level of maintenance that you can afford so you get to enjoy your swimming pool for many years problem-free.
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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Room Of Rewards trophies
Successfully complete the indicated task to unlock the corresponding trophy:
Unlockable How to Unlock Characters Cup Meet all 58 characters in Hogwarts Defense Against The Dark Arts Cup Cast all defensive spells in six duels House Ghost Cup Find all four House Ghosts Nature Trail Cup Find all animal footprints
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Puddin's Training Tips
La Trenda lives with 4 dogs, all rescues who came to her with special needs. She spent 8 years volunteering and working for various shelters and rescues. She now spends most of her time going to dog training classes and studying training and behavior books to learn about better ways to connect with her dogs.
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Clicker training. Part II
How to "mark and reward" [Read More]
Picky Eaters Part III
Try asking your picky eater for a trick. [Read More]
Clicker Training
Happy Birthday, Karen Pryor! [Read More]
Dog Training Tip – Capturing Behaviors. Part I
Is your dog doing something you like? Mark and reward [Read More]
July 4th and crate acclimation
Keep your dogs safe on July 4th and every day. [Read More]


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In trading on Tuesday, the SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) is outperforming other ETFs, up about 2.8% on the day. Components of that ETF showing particular strength include shares of XOMA (XOMA), up about 17.7% and shares of Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (IRWD), up about 11.5% on the day.
And underperforming other ETFs today is the iShares Mortgage Real Estate Capped ETF (REM), off about 0.7% in Tuesday afternoon trading. Among components of that ETF with the weakest showing on Tuesday were shares of Northstar Realty Finance (NRF), lower by about 6.9%, and shares of iStar Financial (STAR), lower by about 0.9% on the day.


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Does your plan for healthcare data management include adoption of a Vendor Neutral Archive (VNA)? You may be surprised to learn that standard VNA offerings do nothing to protect stored images. In fact, those images remain vulnerable to disk failures, silent disk corruption, and erroneous file deletes. Request your copy of our new white paper to learn:
- The critical gaps in functionality found in standard VNA offerings
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A lot of interesting facts were revealed about Selena Gomez in her new Harper's Bazaar cover interview. Topping that list is the fact that going to Hooters is a family tradition. But it's not what you think. "My mom and dad had me when they were young, and when I was seven, my dad would go to Hooters to watch Spurs games, "she explains. "But he started noticing that when I would come, with my little pigtails, all the waitresses would be like, 'Hey!' So he ended up half spending time with me but with all those cute girls coming over. And that kind of became our thing." That's … nice? And then, she discusses her split with Justin Bieber, as expected, and muses about love. "… To me, love is normal. Of course, you see Jay and Beyoncé and you're like, 'Oh, my gosh, they're perfect for each other,' but at the end of the day their love is just like everybody else's love. They have problems, I'm sure, and they solve them, like anybody else. So to make it as normal as possible—in such an abnormal lifestyle—was super important to both of us. Which was great … That's how it should be," she says. Read more…
Magazine Covers
Kim Kardashian Talks Everything Kanye (Of Course) To Cosmopolitan
We actually really like Kim Kardashian's April cover for Cosmopolitan. She may be a brunette but it has a bit of a sexy, throwback Brigitte Bardot vibe to it. Now if only her interviews would get a tad more interesting and less predictable. Of course she's talking Kanye West and her baby with her. But we did totally giggle when she gave a sage sound byte about marriage, saying, "I saw fast marriages like Khloé and Lamar's and that was what seemed to work. [Now] I say give it a good six months before you commit. Feelings change, even if it seems so lustful." Six months is all you need, folks. Courtesy the good Kardashian folk. The good news is that she says that she and Kanye are going to take the easy route to the altar, admitting, "Sometimes you're just not ready. A person could have it all, and you're not ready for it all. But this is where I probably always should have been…[marriage] is something I know that we both want in our future, but I don't have this sense of urgency about it. I have this best friend who understands me and helps me through all my tough experiences, and vice versa, you know? It just feels like this is it for me." Cute. Dear God, let this be true. We actually really want the two to go to the distance and can't wait till baby Kimye to get here!
[Photo via Cosmpolitan]
Vogue Hurriedly Releases Beyonce's Amazing Cover After It Leaks
What is it about Beyoncé 's magazine covers leaking? Actually, what are we saying? Should we be surprised? Not really. This is one of the hottest, most successful women on the planet, so it's no wonder people are scrambling to get whatever they can, before anyone else does. Does that make it right? Nope. But we see why. Bey's ridik awesome GQ cover was leaked a month ago, and that gave some filchers the cojones to try the same stunt with her March Vogue cover. And they succeeded. The gorgeous singer gracing the magazine's face, in Givenchy, arrived, before schedule, just as the weekend kicked in. Vogue hurriedly then released the cover officially and we were absolutely floored by the spread of pictures. Quite aptly, she's heading the "power" issue, where the magazine states she's a, "Chart-topper, glamour wife, style icon, filmmaker, new mom, business mogul—Beyoncé is at the height of her powers and writing her own script." And yes, famous friends like Timbaland and Gwyneth Paltrow do make appearences in the interview. Gwyneth's quotes are in there — talking about BeyMamma and her baby Blue Ivy — relating, "Blue was sleeping in her arms, across her body, and B was listening back to what she had been working on. I thought, This is how you do it. You do what you love with who you love included" and later in the piece, "When she is working onstage, she has more power than any woman I've ever seen. She would never say it and has never said it, but I feel she knows with every fiber of her being that she is the best in the world at her job." It's a nice, long interview, and there's a lot more insight into the superstar's life, so settle in with a nice cup of tea with your read.
[Photo via Vogue]
Emma Stone, Bradley Cooper, Ben Affleck Cover Star-Studded Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue
This one's going to be a collector's item. The legendary photographer, Bruce Weber, has shot Vanity Fair's 19th Hollywood Portfolio (out in March) which not only features Emma Stone, Bradley Cooper and Ben Affleck on the cover, it has a gorgeous spread of stars — 75 in all — in vintage poses inside as well. All of them were photographed in spots that have been featured in some memorable movies making the areas themselves legendary, much like the films they were spotted in. The bed on the cover, for instance, is the bed that's part of that famous scene in The Godfather (1972), where the movie producer wakes up with his horse's head in it. And the bed's in the mansion used in the film as well, so you have the real deal. Some of these photographers are truly breathtaking. Kerry Washington looking like a gorgeous Old Hollywood singer, Olivia Wilde in vintage showgirl gear, Armie Hammer like a lonely '50s naval captain with a couple of hours to spare before he has to set sail again — Weber's put together a portfolio that has the sepia tint of Hollywood nostalgia firmly, but perfectly in place. Bella Heathcote and Eddie Redmayne dressed up (and dancing) like Fred and Ginger with a gorilla in their midst is another sight to behold. Make sure you check out the behind-the-scenes shots of celebrities like Selena Gomez and Brad caught between shots.
[Photo via Vanity Fair]
Is Dakota Fanning's Glamour Cover Too Sexy? Not As Much As Her Marc Jacobs Campaign At All!
We're finding this cover shot of Dakota Fanning for the March issue of Glamour completely startling. Shot by fashion photography stalwart, Ellen Von Unwerth, the shot, and the spread inside the magazine, has Dakota looking like an artfully dishevelled disco doll. Tumbling curls, huge blue eyes, a red pout and a slinky, yet retro wardrobe all add to the look beautifully. While the interview focuses a lot on fashion and her sister Elle Fanning and so on and so forth, there's a certain section that really caught our eye. Do you remember Dakota's fragrace campaign for Marc Jacobs from 2011? Taken when she was 17, it had a whole Lolita vibe to it with Dakota sitting with the bottle (which has a large rose for a cap) between her legs. While a poll we posted revealed a number of you though it was okay, we still think it was super sexual for someone so young and it seems the U.K. agreed with us, banning the ad for being too provocative, pushing it in our list of the most controversial celebrity campaigns. But the actress herself thinks that the whole kerfuffle had no base, telling the magazine, "Yeah, I was! If you want to read something into a perfume bottle, then I guess you can. But it's also like, Why are you making it about that, you creep? I love Marc and trust him, and we just laughed about it." Which makes us the "creep", but whatever.
The point is, Dakota's now 18 (19 next month) and this extremely sexy shoot is deemed "high-fashion" and not creepy, leading some to ponder on whether industry standards are hypocritical. How does this shoot differ from that shoot? Well, the Jacobs fragrance was called "Oh Lola" which is a clear reference to Lolita, so let's not be coy about the not-so-subliminal messages, especially with her wearing that babydoll dress. Dakota is older now and this shoot is sexy but in an exaggerated, almost caricatured way. There's a deliberate sense of artifice, while the fragrance campaign was stripped down and "real." We can appreciate the Glamour shoot as a look, and not because things are placed between her legs. And yes, she's legal now which does make a huge difference. Don't get it twisted.
[Photo: Glamour Magazine]
Rihanna Takes On, Not One, But SEVEN Covers For Complex Magazine
She really doesn't do things half-way, does she? Rihanna is on — wait for it — seven covers for Complex Magazine's February to March issue. Each cover is an homage to an album. For instance, the cover you see on the above left is in tune with her very first album — Music Of The Sun — released back in 2005. Notice the sweeter, more innocent vibe. The one on the above right is for Good Girl Gone Bad. The one on the lower left is inspired by Rated R, and the lower right is for her latest album, Unapologetic. You can see a slideshow of all seven covers here, and tell us what your favorite is.
There's also a major interviewto go with the covers, of course. She brings up her Instagram, often half-naked photo habit — we all know how much Rihanna posts, right — saying, "It's narcissistic, but whatever—everyone does it. I'm capturing personality… Everybody has their thing they like or don't like to see. It's all in your head. That's why people take their own pictures, because it's difficult for someone else to capture what you seek." There's a sense of bravado while talking about the making of Unapologetic that appeals most to us. "When I was making this record I had no intention except the truth. So whatever is there is real. It's raw. That's why the album is called Unapologetic," she says. And this is the part we like, "I held back before. I didn't show a lot of myself. I was very guarded. I needed to be open and free and fearless. Basically say, 'F— it.' What's the worst that can happen? They'll hate me? They've done that before."
[Photos via Complex]
Beyonce's Leaked GQ Cover Is The Hottest Thing E.V.E.R.
Ed. note: After the leaked pic went viral, GQ finally gave in and posted the official version of the cover.
Move over, Rihanna. Step aside, Kate Upton. Because their brand of sexy just paled in comparison to what Beyonce is bringing to the table. Earlier today, this new GQ cover of the singer that was supposed to be revealed as the magazine's February lead leaked online and is in the process of going completely viral. What can we even say about this picture (that for legal reasons, we can't show you anymore)? Steamy doesn't even begin to cover it. We're just amazed at the Beyonce-body that seems to defy genetics, considering she had baby Blue Ivy just last year. Not a hint of mummy-tummy because that stomach is as washboard as it can get. This is also one of the sexiest photographs we've ever seen of Bey, who, as we all know, can werk it like it's never been werked before, but never looks anywhere close to trashy. So to see miles of skin and a purposeful hint of under-boob is a bit jaw-dropping. Her face and that tumbling hair looks beautiful and she's got curves that makes those leopard-print briefs look better than they actually are. But we want to know what your reaction to this shot is? Do you think she looks hot or is it too over-the-top and in-your-face? Let us know in the comments section! And check the bigger version below:
Read more…
Jennifer Lopez Covers Harper's Bazaar, Talks About Her Infamous Grammy Dress
This woman is so diva we can hardly handle it. But that's Jennifer Lopez — impossibly gorgeous and larger than life — as is most evident from her February cover for Harper's Bazaar, shot in Istanbul. Her interview cracked us up because we love how she thinks she sounds so everyday and normal but really isn't. For instance, she brought up what happened to her infamous green Versace slashed dress, worn to the 2000 Grammys — you can get your memory check from the picture on the right. "I have that at home. The other day, my housekeeper put it on a mannequin in my spa, where I get my hair and makeup done. She sent me a picture. She was like, 'You like this dress?' Um, yeah, but I don't know if I like it out in the house!" she says. Her boyfriend, Casper Smart, who's also around, says, "But it's famous! It's the most famous dress you've ever worn." Out of all of this, we basically got that J.Lo has a whole spa in her home just for hair and makeup. Of course she does. The other quote that made us giggle was, "I make it as simple and as beautiful as I can because my life is kind of big. So I pack my luggage, or dress myself, or comb my kids' hair, pick up their clothes—that makes our life beautiful, you know? There's something very elegant in that." Oh, Jennifer. Never change!
[Photos via Harper's Bazaar and Getty Images]
Julianne Hough Covers Cosmopolitan, Opens Up About Past Abuse
We could go into how pretty Julianne Hough looks on the February cover of Cosmopolitan magazine, but we're not going in that direction. We were reading her interview and she drops quite a bombshell in there, which is what we'd like to talk about and give due importance. Julianne says she was abused when she was younger, when she lived in London, and it's only something she's just starting to talk about. She moved to London to study at the Italia Conti Academy of the Arts when she was ten, and brother, Derek Hough, was already there. "I was 10 years old looking like I was 28, being a very sensual dancer. I was a tormented little kid who had to put on this sexy facade because that was my job and my life. But my heart was the same, and I was this innocent little girl. I wanted so much love," she starts. And then comes the drop. She continues with, "While I was in London, I was abused, mentally, physically, everything" adding that it got worse when she "started hitting puberty, when I started becoming a woman and stopped being a little girl."
She's not revealing any names because she doesn't, "want to hurt anybody. What's past is past … This is the farthest I've ever gotten into my London situation. I was told if I ever went back to the United States, three things were going to happen. One: I was going to amount to nothing. Two: I was going to work at Whataburger. And three: I was going to end up a slut. So, it was like, I can't go back. I have to be this person." Okay, that's not only shocking, but we wish she would talk about who did this because those people deserve every piece of humiliation that comes their way. We can't help but think that Julianne wasn't the only one to suffer. It's a good thing she's sharing her story and we respect her for doing so, but girls reading this and going through the same need to know how to react. They need to be told not to keep quiet, but to speak out and get help.
[Photo via Cosmopolitan]
Thank You, Drew Barrymore, For Not Making Your Post-Baby Photo Shoot All About Weightloss
We know, we know, it's like every other headline on this site lately is about new moms — not our fault! It's the news cycle! But we just wanted to take a moment to thank Drew Barrymore. After all the talk about how stars like Jessica Simpson and Beyonce shed the pounds after giving birth, we're so relieved to see that Drew's first magazine appearances are about things other than her diet. Last week she gave the requisite "miracle" quotes to People, and this week, she's glowing from the cover of Allure, where the camera focuses on her flawless face and her quotes are all about how she's grown up and settled down.
She talks about how "incestuous" it is that her friend Kristen Wiig is dating her ex, Fabrizio Moretti, and how Steven Spielberg scolded her when she posed for Playboy in 1995. "It's embarrassing to go through any rebellious stage in front of people that you love and respect, and yet I'm glad I did," she said. "I'm glad I lived such a full life before I settled down into a family, because I got to enjoy it and get it out of my system."
Read more…


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Paul George is happy where he's at, not looking for real estate in L.A.
Paul George is home in Los Angeles for the offseason and Tuesday morning he made an appearance on the "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" on ESPN Radio. The first-time All-Star wasn't asked about his growth, where he wants to improve or the Pacers making it to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The five-minute conversation centered around his future with the Pacers, who drafted him at No. 10 in 2010.
Next summer, after George's fourth season as a pro, he'll become a restricted free agent — meaning the Pacers have the right to match any offer. Both sides, however, are hoping to reach a long-term agreement that presumably will be a maximum deal for George.
During this month's free agency, particularly given the future of the Los Angeles Lakers after failing to re-sign center Dwight Howard, some have thrown out the idea of George staying home to join his idol, Kobe Bryant. While George grew up a Clippers fan, he was always looked up to Bryant's game and has previously said, "one day I'm going to be like him." Brian Shaw, the Pacers associate head coach the past two seasons, shared all kinds of Bryant stories with George and taught him about his work ethic.
So when George joined the show, the first question sent his way, of course, was about changing teams.
"My heart is still in Indiana," the 23-year-old said. "… I'm still a Pacer, and hopefully I remain a Pacer. I'm happy where I'm at."
George said that him hypothetically joining the Lakers would certainly be a "family-favorite team."
"Of course it would be tough (to say no to Kobe). You're talking about playing [at] home."
George was then pressed as to what makes his situation in Indiana, with a great locker room, so special.
"Everyone is some comfortable with one another that before our practice or our day starts, everyone in our locker room has a conversation with one another," he said. "We enjoy one another's company outside of basketball."
His decision won't be an easy one. The Pacers will be able to offer him the largest deal. Though David West is the heart and soul of the team, Paul George is the face and the future.
"I definitely want to win," George said of what he desires. "I want to be a champion. I want to get a ring. I think all of that should be in my future as an NBA player. I think that'll be the case of if I want to leave or stay in Indiana. I think the only thing that will change that is who's on the roster and who's with me. Now, I know what I have with me now and that's more than enough to win a championship. Again, where I'm at — I'm a happy player and I'm in a happy place right now."
Pacers officials, who one agent recently described to Pacers.com as "the best people in the world to ever do business with," have talked with George and his camp about their intentions.
"It's still early," George said, "but we've talked and I think we're on the same page. It's mutual where we're at.
"It's all about loyalty and that's what I'm strong on is being loyal."
Concluding the interview with a straight-forward question, Cowherd asked George why he's spending his summer in Los Angeles and whether that might be a hint.
"Well, this is where I grew up at," George explained. "A lot of guys like to vacation out to other places and other cities. This is where I love to vacation and come back home. All year, I don't get to see my family so this is how I'm able to work out, still see family, enjoy nice weather. It's got a lot of positives to be out here in California but the last thing is looking for real estate. That's the last thing Indiana has to worry about."


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Now I won't recognize him as easily on the field.
Just look at the game analysis on nfl.com and Herring's name is not listed as having any tackles. Either he didn't play any snaps on defense or he just sucks. Maybe he only played special teams in this game.
Did Will Herring even play yesterday? I didn't notice him. I certainly didn't hear his name called.
If only we could get a safety who could play the run as well as Harper but play the pass as well as Sharper, then we'd have the perfect safety. Unfortunately, there just aren't that many guys like that out there.
Are the Saints better with Coltson? Yes. Will they be fine without him? Yes.
"all of you melodramatic band wagon retards"
LOL! Love it!
"That coaching courage - Advantage Saints."
That coaching courage has failed the Saints more than once, but of course then everyone is not calling it courage, then everyone is blaming the coach for being too "cute" with his play calling.
I believe turnovers will decide this game. I know this is cliche but things become cliche for a good reason. ESPN.com does a good job of comparing several offensive and defensive stats of both teams. These two teams are very close in nearly every category.
Can't blame you for thinking the Packers will win. The way the defense looked in the last three preseason games has me worried. Also I'm a little worried about how well the o-line will protect Brees. Obviously, Brees isn't as good when he constantly being pressured. Still, I do think the Saints have a shot and I could help but pick them. After all, the Packers' o-line is supposedly weak which will allow the Saints to pressure Rodgers and limit his effectiveness. Maybe, just maybe we will see the defense play more like they did in the first preseason game against the 49ers. I'm cautiously optimistic for a Saints victory.
Damn dude. Take a deep breath. Relax, it's going to be alright.
"covering Jermichael Finley is a big concern"
Agreed, renton. How do you think the Saints will handle him? Will they use a LB? Harper? or will they use a CB like Robinson or Torrence? Still have to slot to worry about too.
"the Packers O line is the weakest part of the team"
rantin, that's what I've been hearing too. I read that Rodgers got sacked six times in preseason and he only played what amounts to about one game's worth. GW may be looking to bring the heat more than ever in this game. Would love to see the Saints defense pummel the crap out of Rodgers.
Ah, now I see that after clicking the link in the Saints section that I ended up in the Tulane Sports Central section. Must mean that Forte played for Tulane, yes? No matter, I still don't care. For me it's all about the Saints.
I'm going to guess that Forte is from NOLA or atleast LA. Of all the news from around the league, can't figure out why this ONE makes it's way here.
However irrelevant this news is in a Saints section and to Saints fans, it is curious that the Bears are seemingly in no hurry to lock-down their starting RB. It seems to imply that Forte's services aren't greatly appreciated by the team.
The way everyone talks about this guy Jermichael Finley you'd think he was the greatest TE ever. He is most certainly a good player, over-hyped or not. Let's discuss how the Saints might best defend against him. Who might the Saints assign the cover Finley? Perhaps coverage is not the only way to defend against him. If the Saints can put consistant pressure on Rodgers, getting sacks, hits, and hurrys, then the Packers may be force to keep the TE at the line of scrimage to assist in pass protection. Of course they may bring in their other TE for pass protection which would still leave Finley free to run routes. So again, who's going to cover him? Robinson, Torrence, Harper a LB?
Ditto. I watch at home. Too much noise and too many distractions at a bar. Plus I like to rewind the DVR and watch certain plays in slow motion then fast forward during comercials to get back to real time.
I went with 11-5. Just seems like a reasonable expectation. I know most people are analyzing the schedule trying to figure what games should be a win; however, I decided to forego all that and make a wide guess. After all, no matter how much time you put into it, it's still just a guess. If we knew how each game would play out then we'd make tons of money in Vegas.
In a word, winning.
Let's not take something simple and turn it into a thesis project. Franklin, Rogers Kreutz have been interviewed. They all state why they took less money to come here. Their statements have been published here for you to read.
"With a young, unproven defense"
EZRider, while you maybe correct about the defense struggling, I have to contradict your opening statement. I will start with the line. Ellis has been with the team a while now. Franklin and Rogers are anything but young and unproven. Will Smith is an eight year veteran. McBride and Charleston are five year veterans. Both have shown solid play in the past. Now the Linebackers, the core of the LBs is intact with Vilma and Shanle. Dunbar now has four years and many reps behind him. Herring is a five year vet. Cornerbacks are also intact with starters Greer and Porter backed with great depth by Robinson. Safeties Harper and Jenkins also return.
So yes, while there are young, unproven players mixed in, mostly in backup roles might I add, the core of the defense is still made up of solid, proven veterans.
My surprises: Humber at LB and only two TEs.
I wish that I could feel that way. The Saints should have been more dominate in preseason when the starters were on the field. I am not confident in the Saints ability to stop the other team from scoring.


text:
Nicole Chance
Study Abroad Advisor
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Brazil, Cameroon, Japan, Russia, and Spain
Nicole Chance received her BA in English and Modern Foreign Languages and Literature from Kenyon College (1998) and a Master's in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt University (2000). As an undergraduate, Nicole studied abroad in Grenoble, France. From 2000 to 2002, she taught English at the University of Kankan in Guinea as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Nicole has worked at Middlebury College since 2003. As a study abroad advisor, Nicole acts as a liaison between study abroad students and Middlebury College's Schools Abroad in Spain, Russia, Japan, Cameroon and Brazil.


text:
Yellen for cheap, easy cash
Janet Yellen made history last week when she appeared before the House of Representative's Committee on Financial Services as the first female chairman of the Federal Reserve.
Appearing well versed in her subject, Yellen hit hard at any suggestion by the committee members of blocking a debt ceiling increase. Overall, she assured the committee and the world of continuity and avoided even hinting at any important change in Fed policy. Stock markets soared on her reassurances of continued easy money. Bond markets were less certain. Gold closed up, but off its peak price of the day.
As was widely anticipated, the centerpiece of Yellen's remarks was her continued commitment to the enormous cheap and easy money experiment of her predecessor, Ben Bernanke.
After praising former chairman Bernanke, Yellen said: "… Let me emphasize that I expect a great deal of continuity in the (Federal Open Market Committee's) approach to monetary policy. I served on the committee as we formulated our current policy strategy, and I strongly support that strategy, which is designed to fulfill the Federal Reserve's statutory mandate of maximum employment and price stability."
This statement was well-received by enthusiastic stock investors. Clearly, investors were relieved to hear that the Fed saw no major problem, blaming bad weather for the recent weak job figures. Further, they were relieved as certainty was restored to the flow of cheap, synthetic money into the economy and financial markets.
Many, however, seem to be looking past the reality of the situation. Despite more than $3 trillion of Fed support, economic growth has been anemic, with about 48 million Americans on food stamps. Weak corporate revenues are also cause for concern. Meanwhile, price-to-earnings ratios have risen, largely because companies hoarding cash rather than investing in their businesses have bought back their own shares. The result has helped boost the Standard & Poor's to a level about 173 percent above its 2009 low.
These factors led certain Congressmen to raise questions of a potential bubble. In response, Yellen said, "Our ability to detect bubbles is not perfect, but looking at a range of traditional valuation measures doesn't suggest that asset prices broadly speaking are in bubble territory."
Bond market reaction was mixed. Gold prices rose, only to fall later. This price "capping" suggested heavy Fed-led manipulation as supposedly accompanied previous tapering announcements. Yellen hit hard at the suggestion that the government should adhere responsibly to its legal debt limit.
Responding to requests for a proper audit of the Fed, Yellen said the Government Accountability Office already audits "almost every aspect of our financial affairs." The key word there is "almost." Who knows what huge international currency swaps the privately owned Fed has engaged in or what monies have been spent on stock and gold market manipulation? Most importantly, who knows how much gold is left in Fort Knox or who are now the beneficial owners?
Yellen assured markets of continued monetary stimulus without a full Fed audit. Citizens should hope she knows how to deal with the unraveling.
John Browne, a former member of Britain's Parliament, is a financial and economics columnist for Trib Total Media. Contact him at firstname.lastname@example.com.
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text:
Buffalo's Miller-Vanek conundrum
Aug 2, 2013, 9:38 AM EDT
Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek have been Sabres their entire career and both players are unrestricted free agents at the end of the season. Both players have been stars in Buffalo but now head into this season with a lot of uncertainty.
Buffalo appears ready to move ahead in goal with Jhonas Enroth and Matt Hackett (acquired in the Jason Pominville trade). With Miller on the brink of free agency, some thought GM Darcy Regier would deal Miller to a team in need of a starting goalie.
Instead, Regier played it close to the vest and held onto Miller, making the situation in goal a bit crowded.
Enroth showed during World Championships in May he may be ready to see more starts and even challenge for the starting job. With Hackett waiting in the wings, it would seem Miller's future in Buffalo isn't long. That doesn't play out well to make a solid trade.
Vanek, meanwhile, is a player the Sabres love. If he had a long-term deal he'd be a candidate to be the new team captain. Instead, his current deal and fat salary cap hit made him nearly impossible to deal this summer and puts him in a position he's not exactly comfortable with.
Regier and Pegula might want to extend Vanek, but he'd likely be the top free agent available this summer and could fetch a huge return at the trade deadline. For a team that's hoping to win their first Stanley Cup, this isn't the kind of talk that comes off as encouraging.
It might take the Sabres pushing for a playoff spot in the new Atlantic Division to keep Vanek interested in staying but that could also hurt their ability to deal Miller during the season if need be. Being between a rock and a hard place like this isn't enviable to anyone, least of all Darcy Regier.
- ashtongronholz8 - Aug 2, 2013 at 9:58 AM
After we lose heatley next year I wouldn't be surprised if we took a shot at vanek. Only time will tell.
- rsmaggiemae - Aug 3, 2013 at 8:04 PM
Is Heatly going to be ready for training camp?
Get rid of him as soon as the Wild can, I never was a fan of Heatly anyway……
Get Vanek as he lives here in the off season anyway might as well play for the Wild with Pomanville… Have to get Pomanville signed but he stated that no one from the Wild organization has yet to confer with his agent……
Went to the scrimmage today for Defending the Blue Line and it was great to see hockey in August…..
Hope the Wild will give Langenbrunner a look at training camp could be valuable in the locker room to the much younger players….
Cant wait for hockey to start…….
- porkchopexpress1969 - Aug 2, 2013 at 10:12 AM
Good going Wild. Get rid of Hackett, and stuck with a old mediocre goalie.
- kaptaanamerica - Aug 2, 2013 at 10:45 AM
vanek and miller need to be traded at the deadline for first rounders and prospects so the team gets the talent it needs to compete against the likes of the Bruins, Habs, Sens and Wings. Tampa is a pretty solid threat in that division as well so the Sabres are in tough.
- hockey412 - Aug 2, 2013 at 11:38 AM
I agree that they need to get something for these players, and Vanek should be a target of any team that is looking to make a run and can fit him when the deadline comes around.
But I have to think they missed their best shot to get value for Miller. Not too many teams go looking for a starting goalie at the trade deadline, at least not one with a contract that expires a few months later. There was a market to move goalies (not much of one, but it was there) earlier this year, but it's died down. It will be interesting to see if they can move him.
- jpelle82 - Aug 2, 2013 at 11:48 AM
i was thinking the same thing, if he was gonna get moved it shouldve been before the draft. miller's value is falling and if he has a bad start and plays less games, he's looking at a paycut and maybe even a backup role going into free agency 2014-2015.
- wikidpissah - Aug 2, 2013 at 1:13 PM
If there is 1 or more contending teams, like the Flyers 2-4 years ago, that think they're only a solid goalie away, a deal could be made. Iginla brought talent despite being a rental.
- jpelle82 - Aug 2, 2013 at 1:57 PM
when's the last time a goalie was traded at the deadline to a contender though? if you're making a playoff run you better have the guy in net already. there's a scenario where an injury could merit that kind of move but man if you're a bubble team, you cant in good confidence think that ryan miller will pull you through and deliver the cup for that kind of 1st round pick price. he's just not that good anymore and you would want to see something spectacular from him beforehand. i dont see his stock rising playing with buffalo another season getting lit up every night in that division.
- longcutskolvikes - Aug 2, 2013 at 10:46 AM
I'd wager on Vanek coming "home" to Minnesota.
- govtminion - Aug 2, 2013 at 11:12 AM
Do they have the cap space to make a deal like that? I'm honestly asking, I don't know their situation, but after the big signings last summer I'm wondering if they could make it work and still build a decent team around these guys.
- ThatGuy - Aug 2, 2013 at 3:42 PM
Not to trade for him. IF he makes it to free agency, Heatley's 7.5 million contract will be off the bucks. They will try replace it with a similiar one for Vanek.
- micklethepickle - Aug 2, 2013 at 11:56 AM
Shouldn't they be focusing on getting some blue line support so that Suter doesn't have to play 45 minutes/game?
- illogic87 - Aug 2, 2013 at 2:19 PM
He's from Austria, numnuts. Just lives in MN in the offseason.
- ThatGuy - Aug 2, 2013 at 3:40 PM
What do you think the quotation marks around "home" were for. Its because he Went to College in Minnesota, ma Minnesotan, and offseasons in Minnesota. For all intents and purposes, Minnesota is home to him.
- ThatGuy - Aug 2, 2013 at 3:41 PM
ma should of been Married a Minnesotan
- jimeejohnson - Aug 2, 2013 at 9:49 PM
That's numb nuts to you, bro.
- thesportsjudge - Aug 2, 2013 at 1:03 PM
Does anyone know if Regier is Gillis' protege?
- bullwinkle88 - Aug 2, 2013 at 1:45 PM
Let's face facts. Vanek will be dealt at the trade deadline, but Miller will walk.
- zetaone - Aug 2, 2013 at 5:56 PM
That's my biggest fear. If Regier lets either of them walk without getting something (ANYTHING) in return, it only cements his ineptitude as a GM.
- longcutskolvikes - Aug 2, 2013 at 3:13 PM
Hence the " " around home…
- jimeejohnson - Aug 2, 2013 at 9:47 PM
Somebody should let them know they will never get Buffalo wings that good anywhere else.
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WSJ Contributor Michael Clerizo's new book, "The Art of Contemporary Watchmaking"
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With a wide-open field and some of the most likely contenders still weighing whether to run, Republican fundraisers appear to be holding off on investing in possible presidential candidates. According to a front-page story in Sunday's New York Times, major bundlers (fundraisers who can put together large numbers of donors who will give the legal maximum of $2,500 to candidates allowed by campaign law) have adopted a wait and see attitude toward the 2012 GOP hopefuls.
The reasons for this are not exactly a secret. Some are waiting to see whether heavy hitters like Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels will decide to run. Others are simply unimpressed with the current crop of candidates. And then there is the competition for conservative dollars that is coming from groups like Karl Rove's American Crossroads group whose aim is to advocate on issues rather than help specific candidates.
The result is that the gold rush of donations that might otherwise be heading to the campaigns has yet to begin. Investing early in a candidate, as opposed to hopping on the bandwagon once it becomes clear that victory is possible, is the best way to earn points with a future president. At this point in the election cycle 12 years ago, Republican donors were putting down payments on possible ambassadorial or other presidential appointments with the George W. Bush campaign. Four years ago, there was no certain front-runner but the leading candidates were still raking in more money to squander on the long run up to the first primaries and caucuses.
It is way too early to consider the current level of fundraising to be as significant as the Times seems to think it is. The GOP race has yet to define itself and once it does, you can bet that big money donors will be lining up to back the candidates. Once Daniels, Bachmann, Huckabee and Huntsman make their decisions, it's likely that we'll see the usual rush to get in on the ground floor of future presidential administrations.


text: Patient Prep You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for your CT exam. Metal objects can affect the image, so avoid clothing with zippers and snaps. You may be asked to remove hairpins, jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aids and any removable dental work that could obscure the images. Women should always inform their doctor or x-ray technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.Please restrict your diet to clear liquids for four hours prior to the exam. Additionally, an oral contrast prep will need to be taken before your exam.E-Z CAT oral prep:E-Z M is a premixed barium oral contrast. You will be given two bottles of the E-Z M. The day of the exam you will be asked to drink one bottle an hour and a half prior to the exam. Thirty minutes prior to the exam you will then drink ¾ of the last bottle. Finally, then minutes before the exam begins you will drink the last ¼. Test Procedure The technologist will position you on the padded table and make you as comfortable as possible. It's very important that you remain still during the CT scan. Even slight movement can result in blurry images and may make it necessary to take more images. However, the table itself will move during the exam to position you for the next image.The scanning chamber is open at both ends. You will enter the chamber either head-first or feet-first, depending upon the area of your body to be scanned. Claustrophobia is usually not a problem in CT scanning, because the opening in the CT machine is relatively large, and the entire body is never totally within the chamber. Please tell the technologists if you experience any uneasiness, and they will take whatever steps they can to help you feel less anxious.If your physician has requested it, a contrast solution will be administered through an intravenous injection, similar to what you experience when you have a blood test. You will probably feel a warm flush throughout your body, and you may have a funny taste in your mouth as the solution is injected.As the scan begins, you'll hear some humming, buzzing or clicking sounds and feel the table move. Do not be alarmed. The noise and table movement are a necessary and normal part of the exam. During the test you may be asked to hold your breath for short periods of time. The entire procedure will take approximately 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the type of exam being performed.


text:
Candice Baldwin
Contact Information
|(585) 475-2290
Office HoursTuesday 4-6pm Wednesday 4-6pm
Mailing Address
Multicultural Center for Academic Success
138 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623
B.A. in Political Science (Hampton University)
M.P.P in Public Policy (The College of William & Mary)
Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership (The College of William & Mary)
Candice P. Baldwin is the Director of the Multicultural Center for Academic Success at Rochester Institute of Technology. This position presents a unique opportunity to design a nationally recognized retention model as well as implement and assess new programs that represent her educational philosophy and dedication to working with diverse student populations.
Prior to her arrival at Rochester Institute of Technology, Candice Baldwin served as the first Director of Multicultural Affairs at Mount Ida College. During her tenure, Candice created the Balfour Peer Leader & Mentor program designed to assist in the recruitment, retention, and graduation of multicultural students on campus as well as an adjunct professor in the Math department.
Throughout her career, Candice has worked in the political, government, and education field. Candice served as a campaign coordinator for numerous campaigns including the Mamie Locke for Mayor, Chuck Robb for Senate, and Al Gore for President. Additionally, Candice had the opportunity to work on Capitol Hill and in the local office as a policy fellow for Rep. Robert C. Scott. While at William & Mary, Candice was a doctoral fellow for the Sharpe Community Scholars Program, a service-learning program. During this time, Candice also worked as a faculty advisor for the National Young Leaders Conference and a math consultant for University Instructors.
Candice served on the Board of Directors for Emerge America and Emerge Massachusetts. She also served as the regional advisor for the Youth and College Division of the NAACP as well as the Secretary for the Boston branch. Candice is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Delta Pi, Pi Sigma Alpha, Golden Key National Honor Society, the Association of African American Women in Higher Education (AAWHE), and the Urban League.
Selected Publications
Baldwin, C & Griffin, M. (2013) Frames of Black Women in the Academy: The Challenge of Race, Education, and Gender, Disrupting the Culture of Silence: Women Navigating Hostility and Making Change in the Academy, Vanderbilt University Press. (citation in progress)
Baldwin, C. Fisler, J., & Patton, J. (2009) Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf: Demystifying the Black Male College Student. Black American Males in Higher Education: Diminishing Proportions, Diversity in Higher Education, 6, 181-205.


text:
Guide to Stamping Out Junk Mail
Return to sender
Returning junk mail to the sender is an effective way of dealing with unsolicited mail that is difficult to stop, such as letters addressed 'To the Occupier'.
The basics
There are certain types of junk mail that are difficult to eliminate. In particular letters addressed 'To the Occupier' and leaflets from companies that ignore 'No Junk Mail' signs are pretty much unstoppable. If you don't want to put up with such unsolicited junk mail you got just one option: send it back. It's an informal way of stopping junk mail but it can be effective. And, if we would all send back all the junk mail we're not interested in we would soon have a lot less rubbish coming through our doors!
Is it any good?
Most senders understand there's no point in continuing to target you with advertisments and leave you alone. It's a waste of their time and money and it's not in their interest to keep annoying you. Some organisations may need a couple of returns though; dealing with returned junk mail is often not much of a priority for bulk mailers.
It's true that there are also senders that won't even bother looking at returned junk mail. Unfortunately, there's little you can do to about this. It's not unlawful for an organisation to keep targeting you after you've returned their junk mail; only an 'official request' is legally binding (see Contact the sender). Returning junk mail to the sender is no more than an informal, polite request.
That said, returning junk mail is a lot easier and less time-consuming than sending letters of e-mails to individual junk mailers. It's also a good antidote for junk mail frustration. And, if we all returned all junk mail we're not interested in junk mailers would very quickly become a lot more careful sending out junk mail in the first place…
Making them pay?
Junk mailers don't pay for items returned to them directly. However, indirectly there's a cost. The more junk mail Royal Mail has to return to senders, the more expensive its bulk mail service becomes. In other words, returning unwanted advertisements to senders affects the spectacular discounts junk mailers get from Royal Mail.
There's another cost for junk mailers; they need to spend resources on dealing with items that are returned to them. However, it can be argued that returning unwanted advertisements actually saves the industry money. By sending back unwanted junk mail you let them know that they're wasting time and money targeting you. Senders that respect your wishes and remove your details from their mailing lists save themselves money in the long run.
Freepost envelopes
Senders do of course pay a (reduced) postage fee for any freepost envelopes that are returned to them - sometimes more than once. Do make use of any freepost envelope enclosed with junk mail!
Business-to-Business junk mail
If your business (or any other type of organisation) is getting lots of junk mail your only option is to send it all back to the senders. Organisations can't register with the Door-to-Door Opt-Out, Your Choice, and the Mailing Preference Service, nor can they stop junk mail by sending data protection notices to individual junk mailers. No opt-out scheme for junk mail send to organisations exists; there's nothing in the self-regulatory framework set up by the junk mail industry that can help organisations prevent unwanted mail; and there's no legislation that can help.
Return to sender labels and stampers
If you're getting lots of addressed junk mail and you want to make sure the senders get your message you should consider buying return to sender labels or a return to sender stamper. Incidentally, you can get them on this website :). A pad with 20 organic 'lick & stick' labels costs £1.25; the stamper costs £10.
- Buy return to sender labels or a return to sender stamper (Sticker shop)