Top Ten Cases: WWE 2010 Year-End Awards - Most Shocking Release

Realizing that I offered 10 categories for you to vote on for my Year-End Awards, I thought instead of revealing the results in one exceptionally long post, I'd draw it out over 10 days in the latest edition of Top Ten Cases. Today, I reveal my pick (and your vote) for the Most Shocking Release.

My Pick: Daniel Bryan
This year, WWE had a whole lot of releases and departures. Probably no more than any other year, but there a lot of top names were included in the list. This is likely due to the mindset that TNA is in no way a threat, so there’s no need to hold onto talent that don’t want to be there. I ultimately went with Daniel Bryan, but this was in no way a given. Some of the releases were expected because of legal reasons (Hurricane, Tiffany) or because of complete lack of use (Kung Fu Naki, Jillian, and a few others), or because of a generally disgruntled attitude (Matt Hardy, Carlito). But, to me, the releases that genuinely shocked me were Daniel Bryan, Mickie James, Kaval, and to a much, much lesser extent, MVP and Shelton Benjamin. Kaval because they had invested a fair amount into him (with the NXT season two victory) and Mickie James because, despite her occasional poor treatment, she was always pushed really strong. But I guess at the end of the day, Daniel Bryan’s release – just days after his huge attack against John Cena with the rest of the NXT season one rookies – was the one time my jaw really hit the floor. It seemed like the one time everybody was contemplating if this was a legit firing or just part of some elaborate storyline. And once it became obvious that this was real, fans universally became fired up, creating theories on how Mattel or Linda McMahon’s campaign must be responsible. Quite simply, no other release elicited such a universal and long-standing reaction. If there’s one thing that makes me reluctant to award this to Bryan, it’s that he was rehired months later.

In a strange way, getting released was the best thing that could have happened to Daniel Bryan. Instead of potentially getting lost in the shuffle in Nexus – where he’d have to compete with Wade Barrett and Justin Gabriel in particular – he got to return as a babyface (which is a far better fit for him) and in a grand fashion (the mystery partner for the highly anticipated SummerSlam main event, in which he was the second to last person to remain on his team). Along with that, he’s one of the most protected guys on the roster, with a remarkable win/loss record, and everybody he beats, he does so in a convincing manner. He seems to be going through a bit of a dry spell right now, but I definitely think he’s in a better position now than he would have been had he stayed with Nexus.

What you said – Daniel Bryan
MVP and Mickie James each receive a vote, which I think makes sense. Mickie James’ release was very abrupt and surprising – certainly when you consider the Divas that survived the cut, despite the fact that they were used far less and not nearly as favorably – and despite consistently losing, MVP was a fixture on Smackdown. Nonetheless, Daniel Bryan blew away this category with over 60% of the votes. Nobody saw this one coming, and the news of his release elicited a heated and long lasting reaction.


Check back tomorrow to find out which Superstar had the best debut year.

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Top Ten Cases: WWE 2010 Year-End Awards - One Time Internet Darling Who Most Turned off his IWC Fanbase

Realizing that I offered 10 categories for you to vote on for my Year-End Awards, I thought instead of revealing the results in one exceptionally long post, I'd draw it out over 10 days in the latest edition of Top Ten Cases. Today, I reveal my pick (and your vote) for the One Time Internet Darling Who Most Turned Off His IWC Fanbase.

My Pick: Matt Hardy
Actually, this was a really, really tough one as well, because a lot of people really came off badly in 2010. In the end, it basically came between Matt Hardy and Shane Helms, and the reason I gave Hardy the nod was because, initially, I think he had a stronger relationship with a larger fanbase. When you compare the outrage over his release in 2005 to the complete indifference to his situation in 2010, it’s rather remarkable. In his YouTube videos, Hardy was practically pleading with the IWC to chant his name (whether positively or negatively) at live events, and people responded with legitimate disdain. People (myself included) really, really wanted this guy to just shut up and go away. Aside from his (I assume) blind army of followers, when Matt was finally released, the reaction was either silent, or a sigh of relief as people hoped he was done stuffing himself down our throats.

And as much as Matt wants to act like he was just attempting to get himself fired, or he was trying to keep his name in the news during his no-compete period, he really came off as egotistical and borderline delusional. When he went on and on about protecting his “brand” and being mistreated and disrespected (despite appearing on television and PPVs more than most talent in his position), people were legitimately wondering if he had a firm grip on reality. And it also made some retroactively look back at the Matt/LIta/Edge situation – in which virtually everybody viewed Matt as the victim – and started to think that maybe Edge was onto something when he said Hardy is a total mark for himself, and that he’s constantly playing the “Matt Hardy character” in his personal life.

Don’t get me wrong, that doesn’t Matt any less of a victim, and there’s nothing wrong with displaying your professional accomplishments in your home (nobody would bat an eyelash if you displayed your medical diploma….but put up a replica title belt and you’re an egotistical mark). And I’ll be the first to admit that if there was ever an action figure likeness of myself, I would be the first person on line to buy it. The issue with Matt, I think, is when he posts YouTube videos as “Matt Hardy the person” and he’s speaking like he’s doing a wrestling promo. And how about all of those person pictures he posts, where he’s hanging out with friends, but still doing the “Version 1” or “Hardy Boys” figure pose? Those are instances in which I say, “Man, this guy is a total mark.”

Oh, and then there’s the “my weight gain was due to my intestinal issues” – wall while posting photos of hamburgers and other healthy food on Twitter. As well as the CM Punk rant video in which he’s drunkenly stuffing his face with French fries.

Matt debuted at TNA earlier this month, and it’s rather astonishing what a non-story it has turned out to be. Had this happened years ago, people would be chastising WWE for letting go of somebody with so much potential.

What you said – Matt Hardy
Surprisingly, Hurricane didn’t get any votes. Matt Hardy had the most, Jeff Hardy earned two votes, and Ric Flair earned one. There are a few people I wanted to include, but forgot, such as Joey Styles (who has also suffered to an extent due to his unfiltered Twitter comments, such as his outspoken political beliefs and spoiling the ending of one NXT episode) and Mick Foley (who tore apart WWE rather ruthlessly – and not completely justifiably – only for the company to turn around and help him promote his book without any profit or benefit to gain from it). But honestly, I don’t believe either of them would have won. And for what it’s worth, in the near future I do plan on posting my detailed thoughts on the Shane Helms/Shawn Michaels one person war of words.

Check back tomorrow to find out which WWE release was most shocking.

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Top Ten Cases: WWE 2010 Year-End Awards - Superstar with the Most Disappointing Year

Realizing that I offered 10 categories for you to vote on for my Year-End Awards, I thought instead of revealing the results in one exceptionally long post, I'd draw it out over 10 days in the latest edition of Top Ten Cases. Today, I reveal my pick (and your vote) for the Superstar with the Most Disappointing Year.

My Pick: Kofi Kingston
This was perhaps the hardest decision for me to make, because there were so many different ways of thinking. While Kofi Kingston didn’t have an outwardly bad year – he likely won more than he lost, and he participated in virtually every main PPV – but the expectations were so high for him at the end of 2009, and he came nowhere near achieving that level this past year. Last year I indicated that I felt WWE was showing respectable restraint by not putting the title on Kofi immediately (like they did with Sheamus), instead doing a slow burn that would build up his win thus making it more significant and special. Well, things REALLY slowed down for him in 2010, and at one point it felt like he might be left off of the WrestleMania card altogether. Things have picked up for him following this summer, but overall it doesn’t seem like he gained any ground from where he was a year ago.

What you said – Ted DiBiase
Ted DiBiase earned 50% of the votes, with CM Punk, Kofi Kingston, and Zack Ryder (as a write in) also earning votes. While I was a little surprised that DiBiase earned so many votes, I can also understand the argument. As 2010 kicked off, Legacy was imploding and it seemed as if a DiBiase face turn was in the cards (and based on his initial matches with Orton, it seemed like the crowd might really get behind him). However, instead the fans began siding with Orton, which resulted in it being a mega year for the Viper. Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes moved over to Smackdown and reinvented himself to very positive results. DiBiase, meanwhile, sorta floundered. The use of the Million Dollar Man gimmick and the reintroduction of Virgil seemed promising, but ended up not really going anywhere. And his pairing with Maryse has been a dud. It’s actually difficult to see what 2011 has in store for DiBiase. A face turn? A heel United States run? More jobbing? It’s tough to say.

Check back tomorrow to find out which one-time IWC darling most turned off their fanbase.

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Top Ten Cases: WWE 2010 Year-End Awards - Superstar of the Year

Realizing that I offered 10 categories for you to vote on for my Year-End Awards, I thought instead of revealing the results in one exceptionally long post, I'd draw it out over 10 days in the latest edition of Top Ten Cases. Today, I reveal my pick (and your vote) for the 2010 Superstar of the Year.

My Pick: The Miz
When WWE had their Slammy Awards, I was initially reluctant to name Miz the Superstar of the Year. And part of that is because I soured on Miz’s routine during the latter part of the year. It just felt like he was being overexposed, and many of his promos were much of the same thing repeated over and over again. But quite honestly, if you look at his resume over the past year, he really does deserve this accolade.

The Miz was a two time United States Champion, a Unified Tag Team Champion, the Money in the Bank winner, and, finally, the WWE Championship. Quite simply, he won every single achievement possible for his brand. Amazingly, his stock rose so much that he was able to convincingly put over Daniel Bryan (a physically unimposing newcomer) numerous times, and still had the credibility to capture the WWE Championship. Not too shabby.

However, the thing I respect most about Miz is his refusal to rest of his laurels. He has taken the initiative to improve his game in every imaginable facet. He’s taking acting classes to improve his promos and character work, and his in-ring style has improved immeasurably.

The Slammy Awards acknowledged John Cena as the Superstar of the Year, and WWE Magazine gave the nod to Randy Orton. But when fans and industry-types look back at 2010, I think the Miz is the Superstar who will stand above the rest.

What you said – The Miz
This was the ONLY question in which 100% of the participates voted in unison. It was unanimous – everybody agreed that 2010 belonged to the Miz. Perhaps he is awesome after all.


Check back tomorrow to find out which Superstar had the most disappointing year.

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In case you're interested...

It seems a little early to me to be determining what shows are going to be canceled NEXT season, but here's EW.com's survival guide. Virtually every show I watch is a sure thing or have strong odds, so my TV viewing shouldn't be too different next year. But, for those of you interested, here's the list:

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/01/13/tv-scorecard-renewed-cancelled/

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LIVE Raw thoughts

11:11 - Raw was a mixed bag tonight. Some curious booking decisions (Morrison/Sheamus, Truth/Del Rio again), and I'm not thrilled that we're going to be seeing Orton/Miz again -- nor am I pleased with the repeated use of Jerry Lawler -- but the Punk/Nexus stuff was intriguing. I do hope that Gabriel and Slater are reintegrated into Nexus last week, because without them, it really does begin to resemble the nWo B-team. What did you all think?

10:55 - It didn't make all that much sense when Alex Riley continued carrying around the Money in the Bank briefcase. It makes even less sense that he's now carrying around a regular briefcase.

10:51 - I love the Cena/Punk feud, but damn....can Cena quit it with the "CM Sucks" stuff? So forced and lame.

10:48 - CM Punk gets to wear TWO t-shirts, and nobody could lend David Otunga a new one?

10:45 - Nobody could get David Otunga a new t-shirt?

10:44 - "I'm wearing a harness!" Careful Punk, that didn't work out too well for the last guy.

10:33 - An INCREDIBLY well deserved Hall of Fame nomination. On top of being the greatest of all time (note I said "the" and not "one of the"), Shawn Michaels is a legitimate happy wrestling story. Somebody brought up an interesting scenario a while back: Imagine Shawn Michaels never returned after his initial retirement in the late 90's. I would say that, in 2011, Shawn Michaels' reputation amongst his peers, the fans, and his employers has been overwhelmingly positive. And it's 1,000% because of his actions and behavior since his return. All of the good will he's developed with those around him was achieved over the past seven or so years. If he never returned, he'd forever be remembered as this impossible person to work with. And to many people, his backstage behavior would overshadow his stellar ring work. It's genuinely nice that he was able to turn his life and career around.

10:19 - Another interesting development in the Nexus initiation. And, to their credit (given their relative greenness), Gabriel and Slater did a great job of building realistic tension and drama and capturing the emotions of the live crowd. I do hope that these two aren't out of the group, as they're two of the more established and credible characters (especially Gabriel). To tell you the truth, when the initiations began, I thought Punk would accept the members that were UNWILLING to attack their own. My guess is that Gabriel and Slater retain their spots by saving Punk from Cena.

10:12 - In the category of "Duh!" - The Rock?!?!?

10:09 - So based on all this talk about the Hall of Fame inductee being "the greatest of all time"....it's gotta be Shawn Michaels, right? The only other person I could think of is Sting, should they decide to keep it decidedly WCW. But Arn Anderson -- with all due respect to his amazing talents -- would be a let down for many casual fans due to this big build. Maybe Jake Roberts? Another long shot - The Undertaker? Maybe the Flair route of being inducted while still active.

9:58 - Not sure how I feel about pitting Sheamus and Morrison against each other once again. For one, it's a match we've seen an awful lot over the past couple of months. Secondly, does either man stand to benefit? Morrison has already beat Sheamus the past couple of times, so does a victory really help him? On the other hand, losing to Morrison AGAIN, in addition to losing the triple threat last week, DOES hurt Sheamus. But does winning help? Not entirely. It just levels things out. And after losing the title match last week, losing to Sheamus doesn't do Morrison any favors, either.

9:54 - I really thought Otunga would be the one to fill that unenviable last initiation spot. I was initially worried about having one of the Nexus guys get decimated by the Big Show (way to make the individuals look weak), but they made it clear that Otunga wasn't fighting back. He was just supposed to instigate a fight and then take a beating. That's okay.

I'm undecided on Punk and Nexus coming out to the classic Nexus music. Part of me feels like they should come out to Punk's music when he's with them (with the classic music reserved for any combination of the other five members). But for the moment, I'm mostly unbothered by it. I won't like it if Punk ditches his music altogether, though.

9:37 - For these Nexus initiations, I think I'd like to be the second to last person to go. You gotta figure that with each initiation, one person is "eliminated" from initiating the others. And you also have to figure that whoever goes last is going to get the least attractive offer (you have to end things on a high note for the fans). So, the second to last person is going to be in the best position.

9:34 - "It still works." Okay that was pretty good.

9:33 - Do we really need to spend this much time on two announcers bickering?

9:12 - An interesting open to Raw. By the way, I like Punk's Nexus-ized t-shirt. and I don't really have a problem with all of Nexus wearing it. The initiation idea is interesting, and I liked each person's reaction to having to attack McGillicutty. Harris was the most reluctant, which makes sense given their NXT season 2 connection. Otunga was most open and aggressive, which is also consistent since he seems to have the least emotional connection to any of the other members. And Gabriel's hesitation opens the door for a face turn later on. And there's no cooler visual than when Punk gets on a knee and his minions place the victim on his shoulders so that he can give the guy a GTS. Carrying McGillicutty out on their shoulders was a nice touch as well, showing that he's not just another victim. Interested in seeing what else is in store tonight. What are the chances of this Punk/Cena feud lasting until WrestleMania? Well, I can hope!

9:01 - Starting off the show with Santino & Vladmir, eh? Surprising. I'm still hoping Tamina turns on Santino and helps the Usos win the titles. As far as the first inductee to the Hall of Fame? My guess: Shawn Michaels. Most predictable guess? Arn Anderson. Long shot? Sting.

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The Final Push

I'm going to be analyzing the results of the WWE 2010 Year End Survey over the few days, so if you haven't already participated, please do. I want as many people's insight as possible. The questions are pretty straight forward and simple:

1. Who was the Superstar of the Year?

2. Which Superstar had the most disappointing year?

3. Which one-time Internet darling has most turned off their IWC fanbase?

4. Which WWE release was most shocking?

5. Which Superstar had the best debut year?

6. Which is the best/most entertaining announce team?

7. What was the most shocking event of 2010?

8. Which Superstar is most likely to win his first World Championship in 2011?

9. Best/most entertaining WWE program?

10. Will the WWE Championship and World Heavyweight Championship be unified in 2011?

So be sure to participate! Thanks!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3HZ6G5M

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Dive Bar Shirt Club: Lucky 13

I just got my fourth Dive Bar Shirt Club t-shirt, and we've infiltrated the West Coast with Lucky 13 in San Francisco! Here's what the bulletin had to say about the bar...

You expect to see it all at the edge of the Castro. This one shows its fangs early with retro graphics and a taste for red punch. Inside it's big and dark with candles casting shadows on the mysteries of getting lucky. The scuffed linoleum is a checkered flag to the racy walls postered in punk bands and painted with people and pets. It's an alternate cartoon universe where the bowser boy can eye the dark feline over a cool martini. The bar is long with beefy bartenders who purvey strong drinks and hundreds of esoteric brews at fairly tasty prices. They have free popcorn to keep you thirsty for more and a photo machine that makes mug shots as a reminder.

Or, as their Facebook page says more succinctly:

One of the best - booze,broads & beer joints in the city. Trashy,cool & a cheap date - ya can't beat this dive. . .

Lucky 13 (on Facebook): http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=131247160437

Dive Bar Shirt Club: http://www.divebarshirtclub.com/Default.asp

Dive Bar Shirt Club T-Shirt Gallery

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Top Ten Cases: Hottest Women on Television (2010-2011 TV Season)

Back in 2008 I created a video of the ten hottest girls on television (check it out, and you can also see how far I've come with my video making skills), and while I stand by that list, it was a bit of a cop out. Women like Rachel Bilson, Elisha Cuthbert, Kristin Kreuk, and Mila Kunis were included despite the fact that their shows had already been canceled, or they were no longer regulars on the shows the once appeared on. So I decided to revisit the list, but this time I tightened the criteria. Each woman needs to be a series regular on a television program that airs during the 2010-2011 television season. And in order to spare myself some sanity, I restricted myself to a certain age range. Many of the same names from my prior list appear, but you'll see some shuffling (including the greatest jump possible), mostly due to my tastes changing or my opinion of the show altering my opinion (and for that matter, 7-10 ranked the lowest because I don't watch the shows they're on). So, enjoy!

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LIVE Raw thoughts

11:07 - I made it clear what I didn't like about the match, so let me tell you what I did like. I'm glad they had Punk cost Barrett the match. If Barrett had lost cleanly, Nexus turning on him would have lost a significant amount of its luster. I think it needed to be clear that Nexus was picking Punk OVER Barrett. Now that's been made clear (presumably, assuming they attack Barrett next week on Raw). And I can't resist mentioning this....but Orton in a title match AGAIN???? Couldn't we have done Miz/Morrison Falls Count Anywhere at the Rumble, and then done the (assumed) title switch to Orton at Elimination Chamber?

11:06 - I don't know about you, but when my opponents are incapacitated, and my arm is all messed up, and I'm standing next to the door, I like to limberly attempt to climb a cage.

11:03 - Talk about a moron. Both Sheamus and Orton are down. Barrett is near the top of the cage. Instead of exiting, he goes for an elbow smash. In a match that you can't pin people.

10:55 - Okay, that was the most offensive one. Orton and Sheamus are tied up together at the top of the cage. Barrett is on the opposite side of the ring. Instead of just climbing out and winning the match (Sheamus wouldn't be able to let go of Orton, as Orton would drop and win), Barrett rushes across the ring, leaps to the top, and grabs onto Orton as well. Everyone looks like a moron.

10:50 - Again, Orton was at the top of the cage and Barrett was already trying to stop him. Sheamus runs over to help. Why? Why not just run to the door? Granted, they are making an effort to take advantage of this logic gap, but still, they can't work around the inherent flaw.

10:49 - See, right off the bat, the match doesn't make sense. Barrett had the right idea by immediately trying to escape, but why didn't Sheamus just head to the door after Orton tried to stop Barrett?

10:44 - The entire concept of a three way steel cage match in which you need to escape the cage is ridiculous. Any time two people are fighting, why wouldn't the third person just escape? And if two guys are climbing out of the cage, why doesn't the third person just use the door? Logistically speaking, the match just CAN'T work. There is no strategic advantage to even grappling. You're better off just standing there and waiting for somebody else to make their move. If the two other guys go for the cage, you go for the door. If they go after each other and you don't have a clear path to the door, start climbing the cage. It's silly.

10:36 - So we all agree, Nexus is going to beat the crap out of Wade Barrett, right? By the way, I love Punk's character of calling people out on their crap, but still coming off as a great heel.

10:18 - "I'm just the man to send you there." Isn't R-Truth not allowed to cross the border?

10:08 - That was a fun segment. I just loved the small nuances, like Punk's air of confidence and Barrett's feigned bravado. The only thing that sucks is that they're almost certainly not going to do a heel/heel match, especially with guys that likely aren't going to turn face, so it looks like we're stuck with Orton/Miz. Who wants to see that? And will their match be any more exciting than Miz/Morrison?

10:00 - Looks like this is playing out just as I had hoped. Punk is wearing his own attire and coming out to his own music, and he's revealing that his alliance with the Nexus is a new development. Bravo! Now, let's see what happens with Barrett.

9:53 - Punk is wearing his t-shirt. Looks like they're taking my recommendation! Also, is it me, or is NXT like a million times tougher to watch now that it's no longer a comedy show with Michael Cole and cute Divas?

9:51 - Wow, that Vladmir elimination was BRUTAL! But with the Usos becoming contenders, I do hope we see the Tamina turn happen.

9:47 - What are the chances that Tamina turns on Santino to help the Usos win the tag titles? At least it would be something different -- how many times do we have to see this Odd Couple romances with Santino and a muscular Diva?

9:42 - That ending was a bit unexpected. Not only because Melina was pinned, but because she was pinned by somebody who isn't even involved in the Divas title feud. Having said that, I feel like Eve Torres is a highly underrated Diva. She's incredibly hot, capable in the ring, and she has a unique style. On top of that, she's well spoken and willing to do promotional work. I actually wouldn't mind seeing an Eve/Melina feud for the Divas Championship.

9:40 - Really weird seeing a match with only one of the Bella twins.

9:35 - Mila Kunis reference on Raw. Okay by me!

9:24 - That was a great match, and I really admire Morrison's willingness to put his body on the line in a Raw opening match. That Starship Pain off of the turnbuckle (which has less give than the ropes) to the outside, right near the stairs, was risky. Both men brought it -- but, again, why couldn't this exact match happen at Royal Rumble? It would have felt more legitimate. Right now it just seems like Miz retained against an upper midcarder in a Raw match. It could have been "Miz retained his title at the Royal Rumble."

9:23 - Everybody is kicking out of Starship Pain!

9:16 - The more I think about it, the more disappointed I am that this match isn't happening at Royal Rumble (although it may, depends on how the match ends). People don't buy the Rumble for the title match, they do it for the Rumble itself. So why not give Morrison the rub of a major PPV title match, while also rewarding your audience with a fresh match? Because the alternative is Miz/Orton....and we don't need to see that AGAIN. Imagine a PPV WWE Title match that didn't include Orton or Cena?

9:11 - Alex Riley gets more air time than half of the Raw roster....and he's still not on the Raw Superstar page.

9:03 - An interesting way to kick off Raw, with a close up shot of Michael Cole explaining Cena's injury, shilling what's to come on tonight's show, and asking the questions that were prompted last week. I do have to wonder why WWE didn't just blame Cena's injury on the Punk/Nexus attack. It adds a little severity to the onslaught. Along with that, by mentioning that Cena fought Wade Barrett, it takes away some of the mystique of what happened to Barrett. Anyway, for my thoughts on the Punk/Nexus alliance, check out my prior post:

http://acaseoftheblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/cm-punk-nexus-whats-next.html

And also, vote in my 2010 Year End Survey. I'm a little disappointed with the number of participants so far. So if you haven't voted yet, please do. And if you have, spread the word!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3HZ6G5M

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