Beyond the Kayfabe: Introduction

Today is an exciting day for everyone here at the best corner in the game, The Corner 3. We're introducing a new segment called "Beyond the Kayfabe", emerging from a simple hypothesis that American sports are the most intricately constructed reality show in history. In pro wrestling, "kayfabe" is the story that fans tune in and watch. It's possible to regard it as a real, unadulterated plot; you can believe that Daniel Bryan, despite efforts to the contrary, really toppled the Authority at Wrestlemania 30 and that Kane is really a demon who would rather wear suits and lose at every Monday Night Raw than do whatever it is demons usually do. But wrestling, like The Wire, Seinfeld, Mad Men, and the NBA under David Stern, is scripted. It doesn't take away from the enjoyment of a pay-per-view knowing that the outcome is predetermined by a writing staff; we just have to understand the spectacle in a different way.

But maybe we don't. Maybe the way we should understand these shows is exactly the same way we should understand sports.

Imagine tuning into Breaking Bad every week to see the progression of the narrative you've come to cherish. The writing and characters are enough to draw you in, right? Now let's add one more element to the mix: pure athleticism. Imagine Breaking Bad is now live, and Walt and Gus settle their differences with a high-flying, winner-take-all game to 21. Or a game of HORSE...with no backboards allowed. They know who's going to win, just like they did when they filmed season 4. But you don't. All they did was add basketball. Is that not better?

That's what tuning into sports should be. Think about the best season of any sport you've ever witnessed. I guarantee the players weren't better than they were in previous years or years since. The difference, always, is the narrative, and what's at stake. Consider the 2007-08 New York Giants, one of my favorite experiences as a fan. The Giants' underdog story was brilliantly written, clearly at work long before they spoiled the Patriots' quest for perfection in Super Bowl XLII. Big Blue started 0-2 with losses to their division rival Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers. In a 16-game season, that's a very deep hole. But they fought it out, winning their next six games to finish 6-2 at the midpoint of the season. Just when we thought they turned it around, they dropped their final four home games, against Dallas again, the Vikings (who intercepted Eli Manning 4 times, returning three for TDs), the Redskins (division rivals), and...the Patriots, who clinched their perfect regular season record with the win.

Luckily for New York, they paired their four home losses with four road wins, earning themselves a playoff spot and the title of "road warriors." This was, again, excellent writing: as the wild card, the Giants would have to play every one of their games on the road, so their experience in winning off their own field would carry some weight. Despite this reputation (and the fact that they came within three points of defeating New England in a meaningless game), everyone picked against them. They were not a trendy upset pick, but rather the perfect kind of underdog: one that is never given a chance despite their success at proving their doubters wrong.

Not only did they prove their doubters wrong, the NFL writing staff, power be to them, had it such that the Giants would encounter the two teams responsible for their early-season struggles, the Cowboys and Packers, along their road. And boy, did they beat them.

Final: NYG 21, DAL 17. They made a grown-ass man like Terrell Owens don sunglasses the size of planets to hide his tears.

Final/OT: NYG 23, GB 20. They proved more adaptable to historically biting cold than a team that played over half of their games in Wisconsin.

All on the way to beating a team that could not be beaten. 

The story of the 2007-08 World Champion New York Giants had everything. A believable and flawed hero. A menacing and apparently unstoppable villain. A moment that changed everything. It's common in the light of this kind of season for sportscasters and sportswriters to say "you can't script an ending like this!" Except that you can. And maybe someone did.

So stand up, writing staffs of the NFL, NBA, and MLB. This column understands you, respects you, and will give you the praise (or criticism) you deserve, just as long as you give us the narratives that our sports deserve.

2014 in Review

Here’re my highlights, Corner3 style, of 2014 sports year.  Enjoy.

That was Spectacular

Spurs defeat the Heat in the NBA finals

Jeter's final at bat

Tim Howards 16 saves vs Belgium

That was Promising

Mike Trout MYP

Steph Curry becoming the most entertaining player in history to watch

Islanders third in the eastern conference.

       Hopefully the Islanders will make something happen for their last year in the Nassau Coliseum.

That was Entertaining

Richard Sherman post game

Jameis Winston steals crab legs.

Lance Stephenson Blows into Lebron’s ear

Plays of the Year

Damien Lillard’s 3-pointer clinches the series.

Ohio State wide receiver, Evan Spencer, throws this ridiculous touchdown pass in the Sugar Bowl.

            Yeah so this is awkward.  This actually happened on New Years 2015 so i guess it shouldn't make the list.... But it was still 2014 somewhere right?!?!   Probably not.

Cleveland's Chisenhall throws out Salvador Perez on a ground ball

                    Probably wouldn't make a SportsCenter top ten, but it's still an amazing play and deserves to be appreciated as such,.

Thanks for the Memories

Derek Jeter

Rex Ryan

       The Rex Ryan era is officially over in New York.  It's scary to be a Jets fan right now, but at least we can look back on those two great years and remember how fun it was to follow the 2009-2011 Jets.

and Kyle Orton

       Kyle Orton, what would we do without you.  You're not the Quarterback anyone wanted, but you were the one the NFL needed. You will be sorely missed.  Godspeed Kyle, and remember, there will always be spot for you in the WWE.  

And Resolutions for the baddies who have to clean up their act in 2015

Roger Goodell, 2014 was tough, no way around it. But hey guess what, new year means new you.   Your still the guy in charge and with your resolution you'll be able to command the respect of everyone around you.  

Your 2015 resolution: Retire

Steve Nash, in the wise words of Jalen Rose, just keep gettin 'em checks

And for the love of God, Hollywood, all you had to give us this year was Draft Day? Really?   Probably the worst sports movie year ever. 

Hollywood's reolution:  Make Grudge Match part two, except this time have Kevin Hart's character arrange the fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao and have Stephen A Smith play Mayweather and Skip Bayless play Pacquiao.  an instant classic.

Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year.