Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 09/15

#1 Randy Orton [--] (50-19-4)
All signs pointed toward a hard earned chase for fan-favourite contender Bryan Danielson, but Night of Champions will go down in history as the night the underdog made good in less than one month: Or will it?...

Having missed much of the show, I'm forced to rely on testimony that says the celebratory finish will lend itself to a reversed decision come this Monday's RAW. It makes perfect sense that corporate champion Randy Orton would stay one step ahead of Danielson this early in their conflict, but I can't say I'm a fan of this particular brand of underhanded tactic. To my mind, it is too encompassing a circumvention of the rules that are the foundation of the contest. The best heels are those that work somewhat within the rules -- to subvert, bend, or deceive them. If a master villain is free to simply undo every hero's triumph, it threatens to diminish the credibility of any future contest.

Returning to the unique heel legacy of Triple H and how it colours his role as C.O.O. [08/25/2013]; the reversed decision does have interesting, special significance. In his guest appearance, Edge recalled some of the much publicized talent biases that earned Triple H the ire of fans in his former life. If he does steal the win from Danielson, it will inevitably conjure images of similar outcomes waged against Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit in their ill fated campaigns against a domineering Champion Triple H [circa 2000]. I don't expect WWE has the wherewithal to make a meal of these kinds of details, but they add something to the tapestry, in any event.

A World Heavyweight Championship DQ keeps Alberto Del Rio from stealing Danielson's moment in the Countdown. With Sheamus still out of action, they're unlikely to have a lot of competition for the Top 3 ranks. It'll be interesting to see if Orton keeps his busy schedule. He's the first wrestler to hit fifty wins for the year -- maintaining a huge gap.

#2 [--] Bryan Danielson (43-24-1) [WWE Champion]
#3 [--] Alberto Del Rio (42-15-5) [World Champion]
#4 [--] Sheamus (36-14-2)
#5 [+1] Roman Reigns (27-8-2) [Tag Team Champion]
#6 [+1] Seth Rollins (27-13-1) [Tag Team Champion]
#7 [-2] Kane (27-21-0)
#8 [--] Dean Ambrose (26-16-0) [United States Champion]
#9 [+1] The Miz (25-11-1)
#10 [-1] Ryback (24-16-1)

#1 [--] Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins (26-8-1) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [--] Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns (20-7-0)
#3 [--] Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins (20-7-0)
#4 [--] Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso (17-13-1)
#5 [--] Kane & Bryan Danielson (14-9-0)
#6 [--] Sheamus & Randy Orton (11-3-0)
#7 [--] Brodus Clay & Sweet Tea Tensai (9-10-1)
#8 [--] Titus O'Neil & Darren Young (7-15-0)
#9 [--] Naomi & Cameron (5-3-0)
#10 [--] Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow (5-11-1)

Superstar Spotlight:
#71 Goldust (0-2-0)
Of all the ways to keep Cody Rhodes relevant during his last minute hiatus [for a legit honeymoon] -- the return of elder brother Dustin (RAW; 9/9) was not one I expected to see!

Goldust was treated to a respectable encounter with WWE Champion Randy Orton in a surprisingly substantial upgrade from his customary Royal Rumble cameos. It wasn't quite a catch as catch can clinic, or a study in ring psychology, but it got the job done. What really stood out was the lithe mobility of Rhodes: who has become one of the many aging talents clearly benefitting from DDP Yoga. It was the kind of performance that inspired a glint of hope for one more triumphant return to competition at the top level.

Obscured by the gold paint of the character he was drafted to play: the wresting pedigree inherent in the Rhodes DNA has rarely been tapped to any convincing ends by WWE. In hyping his return: they showed they are capable of making more of the Rhodes dynasty on those rare occasions they really want to. The double-edge of Dustin's career will forever be that "Goldust" made him one of the most memorable and unique characters to come from the McMahon stable, but also too specific to easily obtain any lasting measure of main event success in front of a live crowd.

As much as I believe in Bryan Danielson as the top babyface of the moment, there's a part of me that wants to see an Orton/Rhodes feud continue. The more obvious conclusion would be a Cody Rhodes return, but I'll never shake the feeling that Dustin deserved a little bit more. It's tough to picture Goldust as WWE Champion, but I like to think there's something still in store for the long serving "bizarre one" -- whatever that is. As a distraction to allow Danielson time to earn a credible second bite (should he be stripped on Monday), Goldust could be a pleasant stand-in challenger for the upcoming Battleground PPV.

Truth be told, it's much easier to see Goldust with the World Heavyweight Championship.
It wouldn't be the first time the title was used to give a charitable reign to a deserving champion not quite regarded on the WWE title level. The thought occurs that Damien Sandow's Money in the Bank contract and the existing animosity between he and former partner Cody could somehow be parlayed into the much discussed Cody/Goldust Wrestlemania feud, as well.

Again; it probably makes more sense for Cody to be the one to interfere in Sandow's World title plans, but there's always a way to get to the desired result in the end. A well constructed Cody v Goldust feud could give the Wrestlemania XXX undercard a terrific feature match that puts one of their young stars over, in the end. I wouldn't expect it to involve the World title by that stage, but you never know. We've got a long way to go before 2014 and Goldust has only had one match. Lets not get too carried away, lest we end with shattered dreams.

The Kayfabe Countdown is based on the cumulative tally of wrestler win/loss records. Tallied results only include matches broadcast during WWE 2013 programming. At present, this includes RAW (Mondays), Main Event (Wednesdays), Smackdown (Friday), and monthly Pay-Per-View events.

Songbook: Adagio for Strings

William Orbit - Barber's Adagio for Strings (1999) [Original Post (Day 75)]

Songbook: Nightmare

Brainbug - Nightmare (1996) [Original Post (Day 74)]

Songbook: Insomnia

Faithless - Insomnia (1995) [Original Post (Day 73)]

Songbook: Stay

Sash! - Stay (1997) [Original Post (Day 72)]

Songbook: Paninaro

Pet Shop Boys - Paninaro (1986) [Original Post (Day 71)]

Songbook: House of Love

East 17 - House of Love (1992) [Original Post (Day 70)]

Songbook: Everybody in the Place

The Prodigy - Everybody in the Place (1991) [Original Post (Day 69)]

Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 09/08

#1 Randy Orton [--] (49-18-4)
[WWE Champion]
It is by no means a new observation, but it needs to be said that I'm more than a little sick of seeing the same things in WWE booking again and again and again. The only thing worse than endless repetition is the constant presence of non-title matches, frequently featuring losing champions. It demeans the entire objective around which the concept of professional wrestling is run and it's fundamentally stupid. Beating the champion to get a shot at the champion is awful. Beating the champion to achieve nothing is a waste of everybody's time.

Alberto Del Rio has been in steady competition in 2013, reigning as World Heavyweight Champion for most it. With very few title defences coming in that time, it goes without saying that he has been one of the most frequently featured wrestlers in galling non-title bouts. A fact that only goes to diminish his tenuously relevant matches with the likes of Christian and Rob Van Dam, who in theory represent seasoned pros as contenders, but really just look like filler on disappointing cards.

Thanks to the hands-off nature of their rivalry and the construct of the authority figure with infinite resources; Bryan Danielson and MITB WWE Champion Randy Orton have managed to stay relatively far apart. They certainly haven't wrestled ad nauseum, favouring instead other obstacles for Danielson to overcome, and other pointless adversaries (like Christian) for Orton to not defend his title against.

#2 [+1] Bryan Danielson (41-24-1)
#3 [-1] Alberto Del Rio (40-14-5) [World Champion]
#4 [--] Sheamus (36-14-2)
#5 [--] Kane (27-21-0)
#6 [--] Roman Reigns (25-8-2) [Tag Team Champion]
#7 [--] Seth Rollins (25-13-1) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [--] Dean Ambrose (24-14-0) [United States Champion]
#9 [RE] Ryback (24-15-1)
#10 [-1] The Miz (23-10-1)

#1 [--] Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins (24-8-1) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [--] Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns (19-7-0)
#3 [--] Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins (19-7-0)
#4 [--] Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso (17-11-1)
#5 [--] Kane & Bryan Danielson (14-9-0)
#6 [--] Sheamus & Randy Orton (11-3-0)
#7 [--] Brodus Clay & Sweet Tea Tensai (9-10-1)
#8 [+2] Titus O'Neil & Darren Young (6-14-0)
#9 [-1] Naomi & Cameron (5-3-0)
#10 [-1] Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow (5-11-1)

Superstar Spotlight:
#20 Cody Rhodes (16-38-1)
Well, that's certainly one way to deal with it.
It seems someone forgot Cody Rhodes had a honeymoon coming up. As a consequence, the young Rhodes has been fairly abruptly written off TV via firing after a couple of run-ins with the one-man C.O.O power trip: Triple H. It's a means to an end -- one that, in theory, affords Rhodes an immediate point of interest upon return, but a clumsy finish to what has been a disappointing year as a whole.

I still can't help but feel Team Rhodes Scholars were better off together [06/02/2013]. By all rights, they probably should've been the team to beat Kane & Bryan Danielson a mite sooner than they eventually were. It would've been good for their careers, good for the tag team division, and good for anyone enjoying their unique brand of disdain filled arrogance. I got a kick out of Damien Sandow's leaping into the ocean, but with nothing concrete going on for either man, both have been left lambs to the slaughter. I don't buy Rhodes as a legitimate top tier contender (not with those chicken legs), which begs the question: What exactly is Cody's future in WWE? I suppose we shall see when he returns from his break! (In time to upset Sandow's MITB contract, perhaps?)

The Kayfabe Countdown is based on the cumulative tally of wrestler win/loss records. Tallied results only include matches broadcast during WWE 2013 programming. At present, this includes RAW (Mondays), Main Event (Wednesdays), Smackdown (Friday), and monthly Pay-Per-View events.

Songbook: Overland (In My Mind)

Forces - Overland (In My Mind) (2013) [Original Post (Day 68)]

Songbook: Paranoimia

Art of Noise feat. Max Headroom - Paranoimia (1986) [Original Post (Day 67)]

Songbook: Frontier Psychiatrist

The Avalanches - Frontier Psychiatrist (2000) [Original Post (Day 66)]

Fear On Film - 1982 Round Table

Take One - Fear On Film: [Part One] [Part Two] [Part Three]

I stumbled upon this while surfing trailers on YouTube and figured, if nothing else, it was worth noting for future reference. If the source description is to be trusted, it is, in essence, a piece of promotional material arranged by one Mick Garris: Host of the presentation, and Marketing & Publicity boffin for Universal Pictures (sci-fi & horror), circa 1982.

In 2013, this would undoubtedly be the kind of half-hearted, tiresome corporate material that inspires cynicism into the world. Instead, this "Take One" featurette gathers talented Directors working for Universal at the time - John Landis, John Carpenter & David Cronenberg - to speak candidly about subjects relevant to their industry. Just talking about their movies would be enough to engage fans, but they're also forming a dialogue with critical issues like censorship -- something few promo materials would even consider, today.

Yes, there is clearly an agenda relevant to promoting several motion pictures. References to The Thing, Videodrome, and An Ameircan Werewolf in London are clear and present -- but they aren't gratuitous. As a promotion, this is an admirable investment in the artists that create the pictures. It is an effort to promote the material on the strengths and merits of what has been created. A design that is all too absent in today's corporate-driven, crowd sourced industry.

Of the three directors, Carpenter is the only one I could honestly say I have a strong connection with. Cronenberg holds a definite fascination, but my exposure to his work has been almost non-existent. Landis is no stranger, but I haven't held his efforts in the same high regard I have for Carpenter. Even so, it seems like a rare treat to have the three in trio, discussing the intertwining subjects that tie some of their best known works together.

Songbook: Close (To The Edit)

Art of Noise - Close (To The Edit) (1984) [Original Post (Day 65)]

Blog: Finding Horror (Again)

Time for an introspection interlude, I suppose. I've recently been taken by themes of horror. Most specifically, I got swept up in the folklore specific to New Jersey, which unravelled in a fairly complete and well arranged manner. I want to say the local myths were complete images, even if in minimalist forms, but really, it's my imagination that's filling in very obvious gaps and stitching it all together. I think that's probably a combination of a lifetime of serial comic books and a genetic cocktail of just the right balance between art and science. In any event, horror is on my mind.

Ordinarily the occupation of a genre -- horror, or otherwise -- wouldn't be worthy of special note, but it occurs to me that I've never been much of a horror guy. Through circumstance and choice, I held a certain fascination for popcorn slasher icons, but never spent any time with them. Jason still remains a character I find very appealing, but a character I've never taken the time to sit down and watch a great deal. There have been horror films and comics that have come through my life, but I guess that ol' predilection meant the stayers were Morbius The Living Vampire and Ghost Rider, and other costumed monsters-as-superhero.

Continuing the themes, I have to think back to the mid-2000s, when I was invited to participate in a horror comic anthology for a micro press collective (I don't remember the title). [An important side note: Once upon a time I had designs for a grandiose career as a comics writer. Truth be told, I still do, working on scripts almost daily for the past decade.]

The nature of the anthology was to produce a chain effect where the conclusion of one chapter would invite the beginning of the next - each chapter created by a different writer/penciller team. Someone had dropped out late into production and my invitation was predicated on the need to insert a chapter between two completed stories. Given my penchant for connecting pieces into a larger whole, this struck me as a potentially interesting fit. Truth be told, I imagine it was desperation that led to the invitation rather than any observation of skill or talent, but the failings of the situation go much farther than that, and I'm not in the mood to slag anybody off (right now, at least).

For me, the challenge was a little less about connecting to the bookending stories, and more about the necessity to write a worthwhile horror piece. As best I can remember, the surrounding three or so stories were all fairly conventional American horrors. As I recall, the two I had to connect with were [unrelated] variations of a slasher/serial killer nature. To my mind, this was liberating, as the overall make-up of the issue could be complimented by a different type of story, or, if I really wished, could be thematically unified by another likeminded tale.

I decided, in trying to do the best possible job, I needed to think of something scary.
I can't say I thought the surrounding tales were particularly brilliant, exacerbated by the simple fact that it can be very difficult to scare someone in a comic book. You don't have the visual dexterity and control over the image a film has, but you also don't have the fear of the readers total imagination that novels have. The eye wanders. Even cheap scares -- tried and true shockers -- are limited to the turn of a comic book page. Then you're at the mercy of the quality of the visual art, as well. Much like PG-13 movies, slashers have a tough time scaring, and can easily become the anti-heroic comic book figures that Jason ultimately is. If I was going to write a horror story, I realized I needed to root it in concept.

My conceptual realization, it should be said, wasn't quite as succinct as a single phrase. I was much younger at the time and much less structured in my approach. Again, I didn't feel I had a natural inclination toward horror, either. My strongest references at the time were probably the Scream films and occasional flirtations with Resident Evil games. I'm downplaying my references, somewhat. There were certainly plenty of other horror encounters along the way, but they weren't references I kept at my younger fingertips. I suppose fear was limiting my thought process, as well. Fear of not living up to the expectations of a reader who expected a horror story! I felt the best course was to just write about something that scared me. If nothing else, it would give me the confidence to justify the story. If I were challenged, I would have an answer.

Putting it in terms of a need to have an explanation is actually quite apropos.
I decided that one of the most frustrating and terrifying scenarios in life is an inability to understand something. I'm certainly not the first person to reach this conclusion. There's a great deal of horror rooted in the nature of mystery and contradiction. To paraphrase Heath Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight, nobody's too fussed if there's a pre-established understanding. People begin to get upset when things behave in ways that aren't clearly apparent or established. When there is an agenda behind it -- one you don't understand -- I'm inclined to think that might be even scarier. A parent attacking you without cause is awful. A parent attacking you for a reason they believe - even more chilling.

Again, I was relatively young at the time. Not long out of high school. In high school, the entirety of your fate is predicated on a need to understand. If you do not understand, your world begins to twist and deform like tectonic plates beneath a surface crust. Curriculum rolls on, building on one piece of understanding after the next. If you miss something, eventually the surface will rip itself open and you'll be swallowed by the hole in your understanding. Imagery I'm sure I could use in any number of stories, but did not fit the goals I had set myself in this particular story.

The horror of not understanding would go on to inform the tone and atmosphere of the piece, which was shaped into my version of a Japanese horror story. The protagonist was a young Japanese woman who found herself surrounded by grim, inexplicable events after she witnessed the aftermath of a decapitation. The aforementioned killing was the part of the previous story I was building on. I believe it was set in New Orleans and at some point in the story had a couple of killers ferrying a decapitated body across a river or lake. I had supposed Japanese tourists were in the area and my protagonist had wandered away, witnessing the severed head from afar. Though never explicitly explained, the implication was that a social anxiety prevented the girl reporting what she had seen, and she was suffering the consequences of her guilt upon returning to Japan (almost immediately after witnessing the horror).

The story was never drawn. I believe I've published the script on the web before, but don't have it handy. Otherwise, it exists in no other published form. If I come across it, I may share it here for reference. It's a story I'm still fond of, at least from memory. I had later intended to appropriate it into the make-up of another comic I worked on before and after, The Kirby Martin Inquest. Though not a horror, it was a high concept vehicle that would have been well serviced by the 'monster' of the horror story, whose origins were much more developed than the story revealed. He was called Nanatsu and appeared frequently throughout the story, delivering coded messages via phone texts, computer messages, and toilet paper handed from one stall to the next.

If I'm examining my path to horror concepts, it should probably be mentioned that I absolutely did write a scene set in a public toilet. It was an intrusion into the main character's space. We were in the stall with her with just enough left to the imagination. She was out of toilet paper -- another attempt to find horror to relate to. As her character was rooted in social anxiety, I felt this was an experience that the reader could very much inflect their own horror into. When she musters up the courage to request toilet paper from the stall next to her -- only to realize it is her mystery tormentor (Nanatsu) -- it was all about vulnerability. The toilet ("bathroom") is a vulnerable place. Maybe you laugh now, but see how you react next time there's an all mighty bang against the closed door. You'll be in the right place, I'm sure.

In any event, I have returned to the world of horror and am again pondering what it takes to make a story scary. Having found very little in the way of what I've imagined of these New Jersey myths, I am considering it fertile ground for a new tale. I can see a few different tones. Some genuinely scary, others a bit less so. An impressive catalogue of failures has taught me not to talk about these things to any great length, but it's been nice to unpack those old ideas, which are a little less vulnerable to the pitfalls of sharing. I've been bouncing around between a lot of ideas lately, in a turbo-charged stupor of trickled enthusiasm, inspiration and hardcore allergies. Now that I know where I've been, maybe I'll know where I'm going. Probably not. Maybe sometime in the future I'll talk about the lost love of these stories and whatever form they take.

Songbook: I Love You, But...

Friendly - I Love You, But... (2000) [Original Post (Day 64)]

Songbook: Six Days

DJ Shadow - Six Days (2002) [Original Post (Day 63)]

Songbook: 16 Shells from a Thirty-Ought Six

Tom Waits - 16 Shells from a Thirty-Ought Six (1988) [Original Post (Day 62)]

Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 09/01

#1 Randy Orton [--] (47-18-4)
[WWE Champion]
It is by no means a new observation, but it needs to be said that I'm more than a little sick of seeing the same things in WWE booking again and again and again. The only thing worse than endless repetition is the constant presence of non-title matches, frequently featuring losing champions. It demeans the entire objective around which the concept of professional wrestling is run and it's fundamentally stupid. Beating the champion to get a shot at the champion is awful. Beating the champion to achieve nothing is a waste of everybody's time.

Alberto Del Rio has been in steady competition in 2013, reigning as World Heavyweight Champion for most it. With very few title defences coming in that time, it goes without saying that he has been one of the most frequently featured wrestlers in galling non-title bouts. A fact that only goes to diminish his tenuously relevant matches with the likes of Christian and Rob Van Dam, who in theory represent seasoned pros as contenders, but really just look like filler on disappointing cards.

Thanks to the hands-off nature of their rivalry and the construct of the authority figure with infinite resources; Bryan Danielson and MITB WWE Champion Randy Orton have managed to stay relatively far apart. They certainly haven't wrestled ad nauseum, favouring instead other obstacles for Danielson to overcome, and other pointless adversaries (like Christian) for Orton to not defend his title against.

#2 [--] Alberto Del Rio (40-14-5) [World Champion]
#3 [--] Bryan Danielson (39-24-1)
#4 [--] Sheamus (36-14-2)
#5 [--] Kane (27-21-0)
#6 [--] Roman Reigns (25-8-2) [Tag Team Champion]
#7 [--] Seth Rollins (25-12-1) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [--] Dean Ambrose (24-14-0) [United States Champion]
#9 [RE] The Miz (22-10-2)
#10 [-1] Mark Henry (22-10-0)

#1 [--] Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins (24-8-1) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [--] Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns (19-7-0)
#3 [--] Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins (19-7-0)
#4 [--] Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso (17-10-1)
#5 [--] Kane & Bryan Danielson (14-9-0)
#6 [--] Sheamus & Randy Orton (11-3-0)
#7 [--] Brodus Clay & Sweet Tea Tensai (9-10-1)
#8 [--] Naomi & Cameron (5-3-0)
#9 [--] Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow (5-11-1)
#10 [new] Titus O'Neil & Darren Young (5-13-0)

Superstar Spotlight:
#39 Brie Bella (6-6-0)
Of all the things I might've expected Total Divas to do for the WWE product -- elevating women's wrestling probably wasn't one of them!

It stands to reason that in order to cross-promote wrestling through a divas reality show, you would indeed need to reinstate some amount of divas wrestling to the card. WWE worked hard over a long stretch of time to set the bar for women's wrestling so low, it was finally (and fairly) excluded from competition all together. They've been given another chance to earn their place and I think I'm pleased to say they're doing it.

Given her pedigree, it might've been more obvious to praise the overdue use of Natalya Neidhart. She's done some brilliant work in the past, only to be overlooked in favour of the barbie doll brand of diva. Anecdotal accounts of the Total Divas narrative suggests that's been the crux of her story on the show, and I'm glad it could be reversed. I must say, however, during her recent feature at Summerslam [08/18/2013], it wasn't Natalya who stood out!

Brie Bella won't be confused for Kurt Angle any time soon, but I was surprised to find her more than proficient during the Summerslam singles bout. The more talented (and pretty) of the two Bellas dominated her match with Neidhart, succumbing in the end to Natalya's lone offensive manoeuvre: the sharpshooter. Otherwise - it was all Brie! Impressive in and of itself, that she could sustain a match on her own. That anything specific could be quoted is downright spectacular: and it was her leg drop that struck me as particularly crisp.

I like pretty girls as much as the next guy, and I do indeed find Brie Bella quite palatable. When it comes to women in pro wrestling, however, I like to see a modicum of grappling talent. Brie Bella seems to have taken up that challenge and I applaud it! The divas are back on the card and better still: they aren't stinking the joint up. Sure, it helps that the matches are kept short, but that can now be a genuine compliment to the booking. Short, but sweet. Onwards and upwards, Total Divas!

The Kayfabe Countdown is based on the cumulative tally of wrestler win/loss records. Tallied results only include matches broadcast during WWE 2013 programming. At present, this includes RAW (Mondays), Main Event (Wednesdays), Smackdown (Friday), and monthly Pay-Per-View events.

iChart 100: 2013 Mid-Q2 - Year 7

#1 [1571] William Ørbit - Cavalleria Rusticana (--)
#2 [1542] William Ørbit - In A Landscape (--)
#3 [1523] William Ørbit - Ogive Number I (--)
#4 [1467] William Ørbit - Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte (--)
#5 [1430] William Ørbit - Adagio for Strings (+4)
#6 [1423] William Ørbit - L'Inverno (-1)
#7 [1422] William Ørbit - Triple Concerto (--)
#8 [1402] William Ørbit - Xerxes (--)
#9 [1380] William Ørbit - Piece in the Old Style 3 (-3)
#10 [1314] William Ørbit - Piece in the Old Style I (--)
#11 [1303] William Ørbit - Opus I32 (--)
#12 [828] 菅野よう子 [Yoko Kanno] - Bad Dog (--)
#13 [730] CoLD SToRAGE - Body in Motion (+2)
#14 [697] CocoRosie - Rainbowarriors (--)
#15 [682] Way Out West - Pulse of Life (-2)
#16 [593] Moby - My Weakness (+4)
#17 [589] Thom Yorke - Analyse (-1)
#18 [576] Vangelis - Love Theme from Bladerunner (--)
#19 [569] Sasha - Wavy Gravy (+3)
#20 [566] Underworld - Two Months Off (Radio Edit) (-1)
#21 [559] CoLD SToRAGE - Cold Comfort (--)
#22 [552] Björk - Mouths Cradle (-5)
#23 [549] Björk - Who Is It (Carry My Joy on the Left, Carry My Pain on the Right) (--)
#24 [530] William Ørbit - Barber's Adagio for Strings (Ferry Corsten Remix) (--)
#25 [522] PNAU - Journey Agent (--)
#26 [520] The Future Sound of London - Papua New Guinea (+4)
#27 [496] Intermix - Mantra (+10)
#28 [493] Groove Terminator - Losing Ground (+2)
#29 [491] Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You (Radio Edit) (-3)
#30 [476] 808 State - Pacific (808:98) (+3)
#31 [472] Rob Dougan - Clubbed to Death (Kurayamino Variation) (+4)
#32 [469] CoLD SToRAGE - Cairodrome (+6)
#33 [468] Groove Zone - Eisbaer (Extended Mix) (-1)
#34 [466] Björk - Joga (+25)
#35 [463] Moby - Bodyrock (Hybrid's Bodyshock Remix) (+1)
#36 [463] Pendulum - Coma (-5)
#37 [454] Faithless - We Come 1 (+3)
#38 [447] Björk - Submarine (-10)
#39 [446] The Wolfpak - Gangsta Bounce (+37)
#40 {441] Bodyrox feat. Luciana - Yeah Yeah (D. Ramirez Radio Edit) (-13)
#41 [439] Enya - Boadicea (+41)
#42 [437] Daft Punk - Veridis Quo (+30)
#43 [437] Gerling - Enter, Space Capsule (Radio Disko Edit) (+2)
#44 [436] Supreme Beings of Leisure - Strangelove Addiction (-1)
#45 [433] Björk - Desired Constellation (+2)
#46 [428] Moby - Memory Gospel (+4)
#47 [422] Gustav - Genua (-8)
#48 [421] Madonna - Drowned World/Substitute for Love (+1)
#49 [421] Einsturzende Neubauten - Blume (-7)
#50 [420] Joy Division - Atmosphere (+11)
#51 [419] William Ørbit - Water From a Vine Leaf (+2)
#52 [413] Madonna - Frozen (-18)
#53 [412] Radiohead - Videotape (-1)
#54 [411] Moby - Porcelain (Clubbed to Death Version by Rob Dougan) (-10)
#55 [407] Björk - Oceania (+7)
#56 [406] Bjork - Pleasure is all Mine (+1)
#57 [401] Underworld - Born Slippy (Nuxx) (+12)
#58 [398] Sash! - Chill Out No. 1 (-4)
#59 [396] Bjork - Vokuro (-3)
#60 [395] Orbital - Halcyon (7" Version) (+4)
#61 [392] Luke Slater - Stars and Heroes (-15)
#62 [388] Pet Shop Boys - Miracles (Radio Edit) (-7)
#63 [386] Groove Armada - Dusk, You & Me (+7)
#64 [385] 菅野よう子 [Yoko Kanno] - Pulse (+4)
#65 [384] Sash! - Mysterious Times (+18)
#66 [384] Console - 14 Zero Zero (-3)
#67 [383] UNKLE - Lonely Soul (-19)
#68 [382] The KLF - Last Train to Trancentral (+19)
#69 [381] DJ Krush - Dig This Vibe (+2)
#70 [380] Rui Da Silva feat. Cassandra - Touch Me (Radio Edit) (-3)
#71 [379] Enya - Pax Deorum (new)
#72 [379] Cassius - Toop Toop (-21)
#73 [379] Hot Chip - Over and Over (-32)
#74 [377] Moby - Flying Foxes (--)
#75 [371] Björk - Visur Vatnsenda-Rósu (-17)
#76 [365] Underworld - Scribble (Radio Edit) (new)
#77 [365] The Chemical Brothers - Let Forever Be (-12)
#78 [365] Groove Armada - Inside My Mind (Blue Skies) (+15)
#79 [362] Todd Terry - Let it Ride (new)
#80 [362] Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out (-20)
#81 [360] Joanna Newsom - Sprout and the Bean (+15)
#82 [359] UNKLE - Rabbit in your Headlights (-7)
#83 [354] Moby - Go (new)
#84 [352] The Prodigy - Voodoo People (Pendulum Remix) (+15)
#85 [350] Faithless - Drifting Away [Paradiso Mix] (-8)
#86 [347] b(if)tek feat. Julee Cruise - Wired for Sound (-20)
#87 [345] The KLF - Stand by the Jams (new)
#88 [345] Orbital - Petrol (-10)
#89 [345] Pet Shop Boys - Opportunities (Lets Make Lots of Money) (+5)
#90 [344] The KLF - 3AM Eternal (-5)
#91 [344] Pet Shop Boys - I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give it Anymore (-11)
#92 [340] Groove Armada - At the River (RE)
#93 [337] Chicane feat. Bryan Adams - Don't Give Up (+7)
#94 [336] The KLF - What Time is Love? (+3)
#95 [336] Moby - ARP (-9)
#96 [335] b(if)tek - 3 Seconds of Her (-18)
#97 [334] Eric B. & Rakim - Don't Sweat the Technique (new)
#98 [334] Rob Dougan - Nothing At All (+1)
#99 [333] Womack & Womack - Teardrops (new)
#100 [333] Sly & Robbie - Superthruster (new)

Song Book: Human Behaviour

Björk - Human Behaviour (1993) [Original Post (Day 61)]

Song Book: Joga

Björk - Jóga (1997) [Original Post (Day 60)]

Songbook: Everything in its Right Place

Radiohead - Everything in its Right Place (2000) [Original Post (Day 59)]

Songbook: Airbag

Radiohead - Airbag (1997) [Original Post (Day 58)]

Songbook: Fat Cop

Regurgitator - Fat Cop (2001) [Original Post (Day 57)]

Songbook: The Fly

U2 - The Fly (1991) [Original Post (Day 56)]

Songbook: Crash

Mephisto Odyssey feat. Static-X - Crash (2000) [Original Post (Day 55)]

Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 08/25

#1 Randy Orton [--] (45-18-4)
[WWE Champion]
It seems like cooler heads prevailed, but for a while there - before he was shunted to the less watched Smackdown brand - a certain segment of fandom was convinced Randy Orton was equitable to "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. It's probably come as a shock, to those people, that "The Viper" is now walking a path much more like The Rock's early heel work! Worlds apart from the one-man anti-authority rebellion that was the Texas Rattlesnake!

Of course, for anyone with a memory, it's tough to ignore the deep, bitter, unresolved personal animosity that was the foundation of several Triple H/Orton rivalries. If you can juggle planes of reality to focus on the history that favourably associates Orton with Triple H, you'll get a lot more out of his appointment as "face of the company". Lord knows they've already ignored that no-turning-back bastardry a dozen times over, in the years that followed.

The comparison with Rock is by no means 1:1. As chosen 'corporate champion', Orton plays it much less overtly. He lacks the volume of persona to match Rock's glitzy arrogance. He is, however, a bigger piece in a puzzle that's unfolding around him. It was disappointing to see Bryan Danielson denied his moment in the sun at Summerslam -- but like Mankind, or Stone Cold before him, here's hoping Danielson has his day in good time. He's #3 on the countdown, with Sheamus out of action and Orton just as likely to avoid stacking up the wins now that he has nothing to prove as WWE Champion.

#2 [--] Alberto Del Rio (40-13-5) [World Champion]
#3 [+1] Bryan Danielson (37-24-1)
#4 [-1] Sheamus (36-14-2)
#5 [--] Kane (27-21-0)
#6 [+1] Roman Reigns (24-7-2) [Tag Team Champion]
#7 [+1] Seth Rollins (24-11-1) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [RE] Dean Ambrose (23-13-0) [United States Champion]
#9 [--] Mark Henry (22-10-0)
#10 [-4] Ryback (22-14-1)

#1 [--] Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins (23-7-1) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [+1] Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns (18-6-0)
#3 [+1] Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins (18-6-0)
#2 [-2] Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso (17-10-1)
#5 [--] Kane & Bryan Danielson (14-9-0)
#6 [--] Sheamus & Randy Orton (11-3-0)
#7 [--] Brodus Clay & Sweet Tea Tensai (9-9-1)
#8 [RE] Naomi & Cameron (5-3-0)
#9 [-1] Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow (5-11-1)
#10 [-1] Randy Orton & Bryan Danielson (4-2-0)

Superstar Spotlight:
#61 Triple H (1-3-0)
Sometimes it's hard to tell where the character of Triple H ends and the man "Paul Levesque" begins. At times I think there's a mad genius to what Triple H does - other times I'm not so sure.

His years of dominance as a wrestler earned him a special kind of ire from fans who weren't buying his particular brand of heel (or is that fans who were buying it?). Speculation about how he maintained that dominance - and whether or not it was responsible for diminishing other talent in a "real life" capacity -- took the outrage to a new level. It was a self-perpetuating kind of loathing, built with just enough truth to connect disparate dots to a mutual source. It's difficult to think there weren't times when the man petitioned to put himself above others. It's just as difficult to figure out how often that was out of self interest, and how often it was well meant intentions that fit within the constructs of this cultural phenomenon, this fictionalized sport, this entertainment medium we call pro wrestling.

Triple H has parlayed his reputation for domineering into a new role. As a capable, but aging talent, he's step aside (for the most part) to allow the next generation to flourish. As with many before him, this side-step means donning a suit and tie and becoming a different type of character. The lines of reality and fiction blur as he reflects what is widely reported to be a real-life grooming for a vital position within the inner workings of the promotion - a role once held in a vice grip by Vince McMahon (Jr).

Taking cues from Vince; Triple H appears to be establishing his own version of The Corporation stable that propelled The Rock to main event stardom in the late nineties. Because of his reputation and the realization of this through the suppression of up-and-coming fan-favourite Bryan Danielson - this creation hasn't been met with immediate grace. I do, however, find myself interested in seeing just how literally the concept will come to fruition.

The Shield have finally found relevance in their association with Triple H as enforcers. The black flak jackets finally get bonus points for recalling the likes of the late Big Bossman, conjuring meta-textual images of the former McMahon/Corporate enforcer realized as a three-man assault squad. Reminiscent of moments with the original Corporation -- Big Show is the reluctant muscle. He's spending much more time crying, but the belittling by his boss is there. I'd like to see him finally turn on his oppressors, but the thought that he might embrace them in a sinister turn is tasty, too. I do quite like the thought of this Corporation [COOperation?] growing -- even if it isn't in direct comparison to the original. If they can make it work, everyone will be better for it. Of course, an idea working in WWE in 2013 is easier imagined than received.

The Kayfabe Countdown is based on the cumulative tally of wrestler win/loss records. Tallied results only include matches broadcast during WWE 2013 programming. At present, this includes RAW (Mondays), Main Event (Wednesdays), Smackdown (Friday), and monthly Pay-Per-View events.

Songbook: The End is the Beginning is the End

The Smashing Pumpkins - The End is the Beginning is the End (1997) [Original Post (Day 54)]

Songbook: The Ballad of Tom Jones

Space - The Ballad of Tom Jones (1998) [Original Post (Day 53)]

Songbook: Walls Come Tumbling Down

The Style Council - Walls Come Tumbling Down (1985) [Original Post (Day 52)]

Songbook: I Still Believe

Tim Capello - I Still Believe (1987) [Original Post (Day 51)]

Songbook: If I Had a Heart

Fever Ray - If I Had a Heart (2008) [Original Post (Day 50)]

Songbook: Machine Gun

Portishead - Machine Gun (2008) [Original Post (Day 49)]

Songbook: What Time is Love?

The KLF - What Time is Love? (1991) [Original Post (Day 48)]

Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 08/18

#1 Randy Orton [--] (45-18-4)
[WWE Champion]
Although the WWE brand split was officially ended some time ago, remnants of it remain, particularly for the Smackdown side. The blue brand, for various reasons, is the less watched show. As a stalwart of Smackdown through the final year of the split, Randy Orton has been allowed to be obscured by these discrepancies in ratings, at least to a certain degree. His program has rarely been as featured as any RAW talents, which may or may not have helped make a surprise of his Money in the Bank WWE Championship cash-in.

Bryan Danielson can count himself among the prestigious college of WWE Championship holders -- but he also joins those who've had the smallest of reigns. The curse of minute-long reigns installed by the Hardcore 24/7 styled philosophy of MITB continues. At least Alberto Del Rio finally registered the necessary wins to surpass an out of action Sheamus at the top of a growing Kayfabe Countdown disparity.

#2 [+1] Alberto Del Rio (38-13-5) [World Champion]
#3 [-1] Sheamus (36-14-2)
#4 [--] Bryan Danielson (36-24-1)
#5 [--] Kane (27-21-0)
#6 [--] Ryback (22-14-1)
#7 [--] Roman Reigns (21-6-2) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [--] Seth Rollins (21-10-1) [Tag Team Champion]
#9 [--] Mark Henry (21-10-0)
#10 [RE] The Miz (20-9-1)

#1 [--] Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins (20-6-1) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [+2] Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso (16-9-1)
#3 [-1] Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns (15-5-0)
#4 [-1] Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins (15-5-0)
#5 [--] Kane & Bryan Danielson (14-9-0)
#6 [--] Sheamus & Randy Orton (11-3-0)
#7 [--] Brodus Clay & Sweet Tea Tensai (9-9-1)
#8 [--] Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow (5-11-1)
#9 [--] Randy Orton & Bryan Danielson (4-2-0)
#10 [--] Brie Bella & Nikki Bella (4-3-0)

Superstar Spotlight:
Summerslam (2013)
I've never been the biggest believer in Summerslam, as an event. It purports to be one of the original "big four" [fondly regarded as the big five, while I lament the loss of King of the Ring], but it lacks the almost infallible appeal of the Royal Rumble, the hit and miss intrigue of Survivor Series, or the sheer spectacle of Wrestlemania. The inclusion of a star like Brock Lesnar alludes to a desire to elevate this summer feature to Wrestlemania-type stature, but the end result undermines it beyond repair.

It's fair to say no WWE Pay Per View is particularly up to par. The presentation is more slick than ever before, but the wrestling showcases all that's missing in today's product. The storylines are meandering, the pay-offs confused and inconsequential, the ring style dependent heavily on the individual and their willingness to create a narrative, or feature the sport. The latter is rare. The former is just not taught enough.

It's disappointing that everything built to Bryan Danielson being screwed.
There's truth to the theory that the thrill is in the chase, but Bryan Danielson's entire career has been the chase. He lacks almost all the qualities associated with a traditional WWE star. He's small, a little on the unusual looking side, and prone to doing more than three or four moves. In keeping with the mood of the summer blockbuster, I think this should have been a celebration. The fulfilment of the underdog and the realization of a wrestling talent as WWE Champion. We don't really need to see Bryan Danielson get screwed. It's what we expect. The thrill is in his success, and for that, it appears we'll have to wait.

The return of the Inferno Match -- or at least something resembling it -- was a thrill in concept, but turned out to be a bit of a dud. Bray Wyatt's debut came with the obligatory win over Kane in a fire-type match, but the bulk of the story was the bumbling attempts of his lackeys. The controlled fire bars are always a little too small to fully live up to the visual concept, but it's never worse than when the purpose is to keep someone in or out of the ring. Kane's off to film a movie, so he follows John Cena onto the omissions list. Here's hoping they make the most of it. Guys like Ryback, Mark Henry, and other absentees from the Summerslam card will hopefully get a chance to shine. We'll see.

Recent returns Christian and Rob Van Dam further appear to be here as jobbers to the stars. It's a big ask to expect them to come back to the fore while other names are developing (Danielson, Del Rio), but it's frustrating to see them be bit players in one unconvincing contest after another. RVD in particular had all the hype in the world behind his return. Watching him bounce around the way he has is depressing. CM Punk can't catch much more of a break, but it'll be worse then Lesnar's limited dates mean there's no follow-up. Here's hoping the last couple of Lesnar wins mean there's a chance he'll face Undertaker at the coming year's Wrestlemania. I'd still like to see that.

All in all, Summerslam felt like another dud. Which is a shame, because at the behest of friends and acquaintances, I have managed to find enjoyment from more Summerslams  than I realised. I'm willing to believe the slam of the Summer can be a big four blockbuster. They just need to back it up. Until then, I'll be pining over the Summerslam '96/'97 DVD pack and wishing I had more disposable cash.

The Kayfabe Countdown is based on the cumulative tally of wrestler win/loss records. Tallied results only include matches broadcast during WWE 2013 programming. At present, this includes RAW (Mondays), Main Event (Wednesdays), Smackdown (Friday), and monthly Pay-Per-View events.

Songbook: Last Train to Trancentral

The KLF - Last Train to Trancentral (1991) [Original Post (Day 47)]

Songbook: 3AM Eternal

The KLF - 3A.M. Eternal (1991) [Original Post (Day 46)]

Songbook: Radio Ga Ga

Queen - Radio Ga Ga (1984) [Original Post (Day 45)]

Songbook: Return to Innocence

Enigma - Return to Innocence (1994) [Original Post (Day 44)]

Songbook: Sweet Lullaby

Deep Forest - Sweet Lullaby (1992) [Original Post (Day 43)]

Songbook: Deep Forest

Deep Forest - Deep Forest (1992) [Original Post (Day 42)]

Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 08/11

#1 Randy Orton [--] (43-18-4)
[Money in the Bank Contract]
With Sheamus MIA, the silver medal is ripe for the taking! Alberto Del Rio's complete inability to convert a win since turning heel denies him the opportunity, while Bryan Danielson is a bearded freight train on a collision course with the WWE title! It's nice to see Wade Barrett get a moment in the sun, even if its rays were only briefly reflected off the indomitable Danielson! Shame for Barrett to lose the grittiness of his facial hair, but if he ever learns to throw a punch (RE: Bare Knuckle Brawler), he'll be on his way.

#2 [--] Sheamus (36-14-2)
#3 [--] Alberto Del Rio (35-13-5) [World Champion]
#4 [--] Bryan Danielson (34-22-1)
#5 [--] Kane (26-20-0)
#6 [--] Ryback (22-13-1)
#7 [--] Roman Reigns (21-5-2) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [--] Seth Rollins (21-9-1) [Tag Team Champion]
#9 [--] Mark Henry (21-9-0)
#10 [new] Dean Ambrose (20-11-0) [United States Champion]

#1 [--] Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins (20-5-1) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [--] Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns (15-4-0)
#3 [--] Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins (15-4-0)
#4 [--] Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso (14-9-1)
#5 [--] Kane & Bryan Danielson (14-9-0)
#6 [--] Sheamus & Randy Orton (11-3-0)
#7 [--] Brodus Clay & Sweet Tea Tensai (9-9-1)
#8 [--] Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow (5-11-1)
#9 [new] Randy Orton & Bryan Danielson (4-2-0)
#10 [-1] Brie Bella & Nikki Bella (4-3-0)

Superstar Spotlight:
#NR Bray Wyatt (0-0-0)
Don't call him Husky! He's Bray Wyatt and he's the destroyer of worlds, the bringer of truths, the spiritual guide of The Wyatt Clan. This character was a staple of NXT programming for quite some time, and like a lot of interested but lazy fans, I'd heard the stories and wondered what it was like. In my mind, I think I'd imagined a smidgen more waltzing Leatherface, but any pre-conceived notions have melted away with the immediate impact of this intriguing new character.

Characters with gimmicks have been in dwindling supply over the past decade. This guy (and his backwater minions) might not be my sweet spot, but it's nice to see most corners of the WWE evolving beyond the blokes in black trunks who dominated just a year or two ago! He's certainly several steps ahead of Curtis Axel [05/26/2013], even if Wyatt's fast tracked significance occupies a less glamorous spot on the card.

The presentation of the three-man clan raises a lot of questions, particularly for The Shield, whose purpose has been evaporating ever since they were revealed to be hired goons for Paul Heyman [last year]. Rumors have it The Shield have been on the outs since injuring The Undertaker on his way out [04/28/2013] and while they continue to storm the ring for attacks, their reason for doing so is all but gone. If they don't find a hook soon, The Wyatt Clan may be the heirs apparent to the three-man group. If only Harper/Rowan could figure out a way to wrestle in the masks!

The Kayfabe Countdown is based on the cumulative tally of wrestler win/loss records. Tallied results only include matches broadcast during WWE 2013 programming. At present, this includes RAW (Mondays), Main Event (Wednesdays), Smackdown (Friday), and monthly Pay-Per-View events.

Songbook: I'm On Fire

Bruce Springsteen - I'm On Fire (1986) [Original Post (Day 41)]

Songbook: Democracy

Leonard Cohen - Democracy (1992) [Original Post (Day 40)]

Songbook: Iron

Woodkid - Iron (2011) [Original Post (Day 39)]

Songbook: First We Take Manhattan

Leonard Cohen - First We Take Manhattan (1987) [Original Post (Day 38)]

Songbook: All is Full of Love

Bjork - All is Full of Love (1999) [Original Post (Day 37)]

Songbook: Machines Work

b(if)tek - Machines Work (2000) [Original Post (Day 36)]

Songbook: The Giraffe

Vulgargrad - The Giraffe (2005) [Original Post (Day 35)]

Songbook: Disco Science

Mirwais - Disco Science (1999) [Original Post (Day 34)]

Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 08/04

#1 Randy Orton [--] (41-18-4)
[Money in the Bank Contract]
Like Native Americans listening to the dirt to track stampeding buffalo; the WWE Universe is watching every move Randy Orton makes in the hopes of determining just how true his intentions are for the Money in the Bank contract. The Hardcore 24/7 title shot gives him license to take his shot any place, any time, which makes it the perfect device for false starts and false hopes. Only one man has failed to win his title of choice with the MITB: reigning WWE Champion John Cena. Will he be the one to add Randy Orton to that list? Or is it just a matter of time before The Viper strikes -- taking his title?

As support grows for Bryan Danielson, it's difficult to conceive of an undermining of his rise -- especially if Cena is to take a forced side step mere months after winning the title. With Orton jobbing out to Christian in a World Heavyweight Championship contender match (also involving Rob Van Dam - Smackdown; 8/2), the signs are unclear. The thought does occur that if Orton cashed in before Summerslam, it would do wonders to re-pair Orton and Danielson against one another -- continuing the mini-feud they've enjoyed over the past few weeks.

#2 [--] Sheamus (36-14-2)
#3 [--] Alberto Del Rio (35-11-5) [World Champion]
#4 [--] Bryan Danielson (32-22-1)
#5 [--] Kane (26-20-0)
#6 [--] Ryback (22-12-1)
#7 [--] Roman Reigns (20-4-2) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [+1] Seth Rollins (20-8-1) [Tag Team Champion]
#9 [-1] Mark Henry (20-8-0)
#10 [--] The Miz (19-9-1)

#1 [--] Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins (19-4-1) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [+1] Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns (14-3-0)
#3 [+1] Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins (14-3-0)
#4 [+1] Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso (14-7-1)
#5 [-3] Kane & Bryan Danielson (14-9-0)
#6 [--] Sheamus & Randy Orton (11-3-0)
#7 [--] Brodus Clay & Sweet Tea Tensai (9-8-1)
#8 [--] Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow (5-11-1)
#9 [--] Brie Bella & Nikki Bella (4-3-0)
#10 [--] Naomi & Cameron (4-3-0)

Superstar Spotlight:
#4 Bryan Danielson (32-22-1)
As a long time fan of WWE, I question a good many of their choices for the modern product. When it comes to the naming of "Daniel Bryan" -- a man who wrestled extensively under his real name: Bryan Danielson -- it's a level of stupid I just can't abide by. So, if you've come upon The Kayfabe Countdown and been given pause to wonder -- now you know!

His partnership with Kane in Team Hell No started something few could've predicted. Their comedic love/hate relationship did things for the Tag Team Championships, both good and bad. It was a run approaching equivalency to that of CM Punk's 434 day WWE title boost, but grew to proportions that were arguably detrimental to the focus on the other teams necessary to make a serious go of rebuilding tag team wrestling.

While it might not have done much for the duos around them -- Team Hell No kept Bryan Danielson (and Kane) firmly in the spotlight and on a path to greatness. We finally got the long awaited match between the former partners on this week's RAW (7/29). A charitably minded affair that did take care of the construction of a new contender -- Danielson himself. He's on a roll, taking on all comers with a tenacity that eliminates any notion that he's a weak link. Can he beat John Cena? I'm conditioned to doubt, but I want to believe. A Summerslam contest in the spirit of great competitive match-ups is just what I want to see. If it includes the claiming of the WWE Championship -- so be it!

So, why couldn't Damien Sandow effortlessly retrieve the brief case once it was thrown into the ocean? Because he can't swim. He dived into the water any way, but he couldn't swim. Hilarious.

The Kayfabe Countdown is based on the cumulative tally of wrestler win/loss records. Tallied results only include matches broadcast during WWE 2013 programming. At present, this includes RAW (Mondays), Main Event (Wednesdays), Smackdown (Friday), and monthly Pay-Per-View events.

Songbook: Pressure Sway

Machinations - Pressure Sway (1983) [Original Post (Day 33)]

Songbook: A Real Indication

Angelo Badalamenti & Thought Gang - A Real Indication (1992) [Original Post (Day 32)]

Songbook: I Won't Tell

Kim Salmon & The Surrealists - I Won't Tell (1997) [Original Post (Day 31)]

Songbook: Twin Peaks Fire Walk With Me

Fantômas - Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (2001) [Original Post (Day 30)]

Songbook: This is Hardcore

Pulp - This is Hardcore (1998) [Original Post (Day 29)]

Songbook: Enter Space Capsule

Gerling - Enter Space Capsule (1998) [Original Post (Day 28)]

Songbook: Walk On Acid

Honeysmack - Walk On Acid (1999) [Original Post (Day 27)]

Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 07/28

#1 Randy Orton [--] (41-17-4)
[Money in the Bank Contract]
With a guaranteed title shot under his arm, it stands to reason Randy Orton might lighten his fighting load. He appeared in one bout, this week, competing against fellow MITB winner, Damien Sandow. He's beaten Sandow several times this year and the 7/26 Smackdown match was no exception. Meanwhile, over on RAW; official #1 contender Bryan Danielson was proving his worth in three back-to-back matches that included victories over Jack Swagger, Antonio Cesaro & Ryback! It sucks to be Ryback, but Danielson continues to prove his worth, and in doing so, carves a line toward the top of the Kayfabe Countdown!

#2 [--] Sheamus (36-14-2)
#3 [--] Alberto Del Rio (35-10-5) [World Champion]
#4 [--] Bryan Danielson (31-22-1)
#5 [--] Kane (26-19-0)
#6 [--] Ryback (22-11-1)
#7 [--] Roman Reigns (19-4-2) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [RE] Mark Henry (19-7-0)
#9 [-1] Seth Rollins (19-8-1) [Tag Team Champion]
#10 [-1] The Miz (19-9-1)

#1 [--] Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins (18-4-1) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [--] Kane & Bryan Danielson (14-9-0)
#3 [--] Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns (13-3-0)
#4 [--] Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins (13-3-0)
#5 [--] Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso (13-6-1)
#6 [--] Sheamus & Randy Orton (11-3-0)
#7 [--] Brodus Clay & Sweet Tea Tensai (9-8-1)
#8 [--] Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow (5-11-1)
#9 [--] Brie Bella & Nikki Bella (4-3-0)
#10 [--] Naomi & Cameron (4-3-0)

Superstar Spotlight:
#26 Damien Sandow (10-30-1)
[Money in the Bank Contract]
It was the image of Damien Sandow strolling with a brief case that led me to believe he might actually have a shot at claiming the World Heavyweight Championship MITB contract. Of the heel competitors in the bout, he wasn't the most compelling contender (none of them were great), he was just the most likely to make a meal of that simple accessory. I was glad he won it. I was glad he pulled his partner Cody Rhodes off a ladder to win it. I was glad it all went so wrong between the Rhodes Scholars partners.

The vision of Damien Sandow screaming for help before diving into the ocean will go down in history. He was chasing the MITB case Cody Rhodes had spitefully hurled into the sea. It was a scene reminiscent of The Rock & Steve Austin's tryst with hurling title belts off bridges with one vital exception -- in this segment from Smackdown (7/26), the two wrestlers were at waterside.

So, why couldn't Damien Sandow effortlessly retrieve the brief case once it was thrown into the ocean? Because he can't swim. He dived into the water any way, but he couldn't swim. Hilarious.

The Kayfabe Countdown is based on the cumulative tally of wrestler win/loss records. Tallied results only include matches broadcast during WWE 2013 programming. At present, this includes RAW (Mondays), Main Event (Wednesdays), Smackdown (Friday), and monthly Pay-Per-View events.

Songbook: Say Yes

Weirdo - Say Yes (1999) [Original Post (Day 26)]

Songbook: It's Grim Up North

The JAMs - It's Grim Up North (1991) [Original Post (Day 25)]

Songbook: I'm Deranged

David Bowie - I'm Deranged (1995) [Original Post (Day 24)]

Songbook: Open Up

Leftfield feat. Lydon - Open Up (1993) [Original Post (Day 23)]

Songbook: Unfinished Sympathy

Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy (1991) [Original Post (Day 22)]

Songbook: Don't Give Up

Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush - Don't Give Up (1986) [Original Post (Dat 21)]

Songbook: Running Up That Hill

Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (1985) [Original Post (Day 20)]

Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 07/21

#1 Randy Orton [--] (40-17-4)
[Money in the Bank Contract]
There's something distasteful about a WWE Champion choosing his next contender from a roster lined up like boys and girls waiting to be picked for a dance. I don't disagree with John Cena's choice -- the white hot man of the moment: Bryan Danielson. I just don't like that he's gone from wanting to prove himself as more than a mere weak link -- to not competing in a good old fashioned contenders match! It makes it all the more unpalatable when there are Money in the Bank contracts looming, as well. Randy Orton could very well spoil Bryan Danielson's party, even if he manages to shock the world with a title win over John Cena. I hope not, but he could.

#2 [--] Sheamus (35-13-2)
#3 [--] Alberto Del Rio (33-10-5) [World Champion]
#4 [--] Bryan Danielson (28-22-1)
#5 [--] Kane (26-19-0)
#6 [--] Ryback (22-10-1)
#7 [--] Roman Reigns (19-4-2) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [--] Seth Rollins (19-8-1) [Tag Team Champion]
#9 [+1] The Miz (19-9-1)
#10 [-1] Jack Swagger (19-11-2)

#1 [--] Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins (18-4-1) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [--] Kane & Bryan Danielson (14-9-0)
#3 [--] Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns (13-3-0)
#4 [--] Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins (13-3-0)
#5 [+1] Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso (12-6-1)
#6 [-1] Sheamus & Randy Orton (11-3-0)
#7 [--] Brodus Clay & Sweet Tea Tensai (9-7-1)
#8 [--] Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow (5-11-1)
#9 [--] Brie Bella & Nikki Bella (4-3-0)
#10 [--] Naomi & Cameron (4-3-0)

Superstar Spotlight:
#50 Rob Van Dam (2-1-0)
He's "one of a kind" and I think I probably never expected to see him competing in WWE again. Rob Van Dam made his return at Money in the Bank, where Randy Orton got the better of everyone to claim the WWE Championship contract. It's a shame. It might've been nice to see RVD face-off with Cena in a scene reminiscent of his 2006 cash-in, playing up his success, which resulted in the resurrection of the ECW Championship. There aren't many obstacles Cena hasn't overcome, and Rob Van Dam could've very easily been pitched as another demon coming back to haunt him in the same way The Rock did at Wrestlemania [04/07/2013].

In the absence of immediate title aspirations, RVD got back down to business as usual. I'm not really sure I expected him to slide back into things so quickly, but he did, earning solid wins over Chris Jericho (RAW; 7/15) and Alberto Del Rio (Smackdown; 7/19). It'll be interesting to see if he can keep the momentum going, or if it's all for naught, as is so often the  case.

The Kayfabe Countdown is based on the cumulative tally of wrestler win/loss records. Tallied results only include matches broadcast during WWE 2013 programming. At present, this includes RAW (Mondays), Main Event (Wednesdays), Smackdown (Friday), and monthly Pay-Per-View events.

Songbook: Shiny Shiny

Haysi Fantayzee - Shiny Shiny (1983) [Original Post (Day 19)]

Songbook: She's Lost Control

Joy Division - She's Lost Control (1980) [Original Post (Day 18)]

Songbook: Headlights on the Parade

The Blue Nile - Headlights on the Parade (1990) [Original Post (Day 17)]

Songbook: Atmosphere

Joy Division - Atmosphere (1980) [Original Post (Day 16)]

Songbook: Come With Me

ceo - Come With Me (2010) [Original Post (Day 15)]

Songbook: Vocal

Pet Shop Boys - Vocal (2013) [Original Post (Day 14)]

Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 07/14

#1 Randy Orton [--] (38-17-4)
[Money in the Bank Contract]
On the one hand, it comes as somewhat of a shock that Randy Orton leaps into the WWE Championship picture with his win at Money in the Bank. On the other hand, if you consider his 10 weeks as the #1 wrestler in the Kayfabe Countdown, maybe it isn't such a surprise, after all. Sure, win/loss doesn't mean the world, but success en masse does reflect a certain amount of support for a talent -- and he's been at the top throughout 2013!

Orton's tenure on Smackdown was a hot talking point when it first came about as a result of the WWE Draft. Now that the brand split is effectively ended and Orton's served his penance, it seems more than reasonable to think a return to the title picture is on the cards. The only question is -- will it come at the cost of another rising star in Bryan Danielson?

#2 [--] Sheamus (35-13-2)
#3 [--] Alberto Del Rio (32-9-5) [World Champion]
#4 [+1] Bryan Danielson (27-22-1)
#5 [-1] Kane (26-19-0)
#6 [--] Ryback (22-10-1)
#7 [+2] Roman Reigns (19-4-1) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [new] Seth Rollins (19-8-0) [Tag Team Champion]
#9 [-1] Jack Swagger (19-9-2)
#10 [-3] The Miz (19-9-1)

#1 [--] Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins (18-4-0) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [--] Kane & Bryan Danielson (14-9-0)
#3 [--] Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns (13-3-0)
#4 [--] Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins (13-3-0)
#5 [--] Sheamus & Randy Orton (11-3-0)
#6 [--] Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso (11-6-0)
#7 [--] Brodus Clay & Sweet Tea Tensai (9-7-1)
#8 [--] Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow (5-11-1)
#9 [--] Brie Bella & Nikki Bella (4-3-0)
#10 [--] Naomi & Cameron (4-3-0)

Superstar Spotlight:
#25 CM Punk (9-6-1)
For a staggering 434 days, CM Punk reigned as WWE Champion. It was a feat that took him through the entirety of 2012, and backed up his claim to being "The Best in the World". It's the kind of success that stands out in any age, let alone the fast and loose times of the "Entertainment Era". As Money in the Bank hands two any place, any time title shots to new challengers, it's a fitting time to acknowledge a Champion who restored a certain amount of prestige to the true top title.

Losing the belt to The Rock at the Royal Rumble cost CM Punk more than gold. In an unwinnable situation, with John Cena waiting to face Rock in the conclusion of a three-part Wrestlemania saga, Punk went from centre of the WWE Universe, to seat warming inconvenience. He was the perfect job guy to keep The Rock busy at the February PPV before 'Mania, with all the credibility so many "rematch clause" bouts lack. Even so, the demands of his success and the interruption of pre-existing, once in a life time plans cost CM Punk his direction.

With the weight of a top tier champion and no way to factor in to a WWE title match, Punk needed a big time Wrestlemania opponent. No better alternative could exist than The Undertaker's coveted undefeated streak. It was a step down from a four year run of excellence for The Undertaker, but it was still a worthy big time match at the biggest show of them all. It was, however, another unwinnable situation for the once undefeatable Champion.

A hometown crowd in Chicago brought Punk back from hiatus much sooner than anyone expected. He was booked without ever appearing. Paired with Chris Jericho; it was a throwback to their last feud in 2012. After starting slow, Jericho's credibility had been bolstered by a series of solid victories. It would be an a slightly awkward contest for two men who had fought to claim Best in the World status before -- but it would begin CM Punk's path to purpose anew.

The match was the brainchild of manager Paul Heyman. He spoke for Punk while he rested - on hiatus after losing to The Undertaker. It was an occasion CM Punk could rise to, even if it wasn't his first choice. The once nurturing Heyman would begin to show his old colours as the duplicitous businessman, harbouring interests other than Punk. Tensions would build between the stable of clients. Then the unthinkable. Heyman costs CM Punk his Money in the Bank opportunity and spills his blood after pushing a ladder into his head.

Just like that, CM Punk's purpose is restored. He has something better than a Championship match, for now. He has an enemy. Punk will hunt Heyman and his preferred clients: Curtis Axel and Brock Lesnar. With any luck he'll find his way back to the WWE Championship in due time. He does hold the distinction of having beaten Randy Orton on this week's RAW (7/1). For now, he has better things to do.

The Kayfabe Countdown is based on the cumulative tally of wrestler win/loss records. Tallied results only include matches broadcast during WWE 2013 programming. At present, this includes RAW (Mondays), Main Event (Wednesdays), Smackdown (Friday), and monthly Pay-Per-View events.

Songbook: African Reggae

Nina Hagen Band - African Reggae (1979) [Original Post (Day 13)]