Calling Their Shot

"Brogue, brogue, brogue."

"Oh, hey Sheamus. Thanks for yelling 'brogue' with the fans while beating your chest. I'm going to go ahead and duck your Brogue Kick. You know, I don't feel losing our match improves my standing as a dominant heel."

To me, I don't understand why wrestlers call out the fact they are about to hit their opponent with their finisher. I know if I were a wrestler, I wouldn't want my opponent to know I'm about to hit my finishing maneuver. However, it continues to increase in usage.

Shawn Michaels popularized the act. He is one of my all-time favorite performers, but this simple act bothers me. He would "tune up the band" by stomping his foot on the ring before hitting his patented "Sweet Chin Music." Since Michaels inspired the wrestlers of today, it occurs more often on television. I couldn't find a video of him tuning it up, but here is a montage of kicks.

Bret Hart never yelled out "Sharpshooter" before locking in his finishing hold, and that led to him becoming one of the greatest wrestlers in history. (Photo/ Katie Vanderkolk)

The aforementioned "brogue" chant began when Sheamus turned face and the WWE creative wanted the fans to cheer with the "Celtic Warrior" turned "Great White."

Zack Ryder "Woo, woo, woo's" before hitting the "Broski Boot." Calling his shot leaves little to wonder why Ryder's opponents tend to end the night with their arm raised.

There are other instances where wrestlers audibly signal their attacks, but these are the ones that stick out to me the most.

Yes, wrestling is scripted, and it is supposed to be entertainment. At the same time, it is supposed to resemble reality. Why not taunt them silently or hit them out of nowhere?

No. Randy Orton does not hit the RKO out of "nowhere." He usually smacks the mat before striking. The announcers are fed a line, and they regurgitate it.

Announcers: that's another topic in its entirety.

So, do you think wrestlers need to being more secretive with their strikes, or am I overlooking a simple act?

Is It Cena's Master Plan?

I had an idea pop into my head while I was reading some articles on Bleacher Report. The article had something to do with possible twists and turns that could occur during Elimination Chamber on Sunday. One of these twists was a heel turn made by John Cena by aligning himself with The Shield. This would obviously resemble Hulk Hogan's turn on his "Hulkamaniacs" when he aligned himself with the nWo in 1996. Even though I don't think it will happen since Cena makes too much money for Vince, I can't help but ask myself "what if?" 

Let's look at how 2012 went for Cena:

• He began the year with what could have been the worst feud of the year with Kane.
• Kane's "monstrous" return was all but killed when Cena didn't "embrace the hate."
• He helped bury Zack Ryder in the process.
• He lost to The Rock at WrestleMania XXVIII.
• He was F-5'ed by a returning Brock Lesnar the next night on Raw.
• People who lived across the hall from me thought there was a teenage girl in my room who had Justin Bieber sign "Baby" to her.
• My brother topped my reaction by snapping his phone in half.
• Despite the winning the match, Cena was completely destroyed by Lesnar at Extreme Rules.
• I gained a lot of respect for Cena after taking that beating like a champ.
• His wife filed for a divorce which was finalized within the week.
• I know it's not wrestling related, but it still adds to his woeful year.
• He won the Money in the Bank ladder match for a shot at the WWE Championship.
• Hey look, something good happened!
• He became the first man to not win the championship after cashing in the contract.
• It was 2012, of course it wasn't going to turn out well for him.
• This happening on Raw 1000 made it even worse.
• The worst part was when CM Punk stood tall over Cena and The Rock at the end.