The next Star Wars animated series, Star Wars: Rebels, will debut on Disney XD in fall 2014. The show will debut with a one-hour special on the Disney Channel before the series continues on Disney XD. It will be executive produced by Simon Kinberg, who will also write the premiere episode, Dave Filoni, who was the... ]]> By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

The next Star Wars animated series, Star Wars: Rebels, will debut on Disney XD in fall 2014.

The show will debut with a one-hour special on the Disney Channel before the series continues on Disney XD. It will be executive produced by Simon Kinberg, who will also write the premiere episode, Dave Filoni, who was the supervising director for Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and Greg Weisman, who has worked on Young Justice and The Spectacular Spider-Man.

The show will be set between Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV – A New Hope, an era where the Empire has risen to power and continues to hunt down the last of the Jedi Knights.

Like The Clone Wars, the show will be computer-animated. In a video posted on StarWars.com, Filoni said the look of the show would be somewhere between Ralph McQuarrie’s original concept art for the original Star Wars, and what was eventually committed to screen when the movie hit.

The initial press release indicates those in attendance for Star Wars: Celebration Europe this July will get a sneak peek at Rebels.

Source: StarWars.com
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The build-up for this year's Extreme Rules has seemed lackluster. But perhaps that's not fair. WWE apparently wants to cast Ryback as their new lead villain. But CM Punk is such a tough act to follow, especially after all the controversy generated by his Wrestlemania angle with the Undertaker. ]]> By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

The build-up for this year’s Extreme Rules has seemed lackluster. But perhaps that’s not fair. WWE apparently wants to cast Ryback as their new lead villain. But CM Punk is such a tough act to follow, especially after all the controversy generated by his Wrestlemania angle with the Undertaker. Then we’ve also got the inevitable comparisons being made to last year’s red hot Extreme Rules main event between John Cena and Brock Lesnar. It’s not easy to be Ryback these days. But given time I’m sure he’ll be an effective lead villain, if in fact that’s the direction WWE wants to keep going with him. With luck, this main event match with Cena will help him in that respect.

Let’s see what we’ve got to look forward to…

PRE-SHOW MATCH:
The Miz vs. Cody Rhodes

The Miz has had some issues getting on pay per views this year. This is the second consecutive big event he’s been relegated to the pre-show. Granted, he took a bit of time off to do a movie, so there wasn’t necessarily much time to work him into anything. But if this trend continues, he might want to consider a return to his heel roots. It’s nice to see Cody Rhodes getting a somewhat high-profile singles match. I’m ready for him to resume his singles career, especially after that match he had with Randy Orton a few weeks back. But this night belongs to the Miz. Unless maybe they want these two to start a program together, which might be interesting.

Rob’s Prediction: The Miz
WINNER: The Miz

Chris Jericho vs. Fandango

The outcome of this match likely depends on how long Chris Jericho will be sticking around. If he’ll be here another month, then I say let’s give this one to him, and wrap it up with some kind of gimmick match in June. If he’s leaving soon, then let’s give this one to Fandango and keep his upward momentum going. I’m going to hazard a guess that Jericho’s sticking around, so let’s give him a win.

Rob’s Prediction: Chris Jericho
WINNER: Chris Jericho

WWE UNITED STATES TITLE MATCH:
Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Dean Ambrose

What was it I said back when Kofi won the title? “So Kofi Kingston wins the United States Title from Antonio Cesaro. Why? So he can drop it to a different midcard heel?…So the question isn’t really about what Kofi’s going to do with the US Title, but who the next champion is going to be.” Apparently, it’s going to be Dean Ambrose. And good for him! He deserves to be the Shield’s breakout member, because he’s got the most charisma, and the most star power out of the three. Or at least that’s how it seems right now. Let’s toss the strap on him and see what he does.

Rob’s Prediction: Dean Ambrose
WINNER: Dean Ambrose

WWE TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH:
Team Hell No (c) vs. Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns

I had originally predicted Team Hell No’s run would end back at the Royal Rumble. But they’ve lasted well into the spring. And they won those belts back in September! But I do believe Extreme Rules is the end for them. Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns aren’t exactly a dream team. But for storyline purposes it makes sense to put the belts on them. Hopefully this will open the door for a babyface tag team (The Usos, Tons of Funk, or maybe even the Prime Time Players) to work their way up the card and challenge the tyrannical Shield, ultimately becoming the first team to beat them.

Rob’s Prediction: Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns
WINNERS: Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns

EXTREME RULES MATCH:
Randy Orton vs. The Big Show

I don’t have high hopes for this one. But making it an Extreme Rules match definitely opens some interesting doors. I keep waiting for Orton’s inevitable heel turn to happen. You’d think Wrestlemania would have been the perfect chance to turn him, and put him against Sheamus. But instead we’re keeping this story with Big Show alive. Orton’s ring work is always solid, but it’s definitely time to freshen him up from a character standpoint. I understand WWE is reluctant to invest a bit more in him right now, as one more wellness policy strike means they’re obligated to let him go. But he’s been back awhile, and apparently things have been fine. So I saw use him while we’ve got him. I’m going with Big Show on this one, with the theory that it’ll be another step toward an Orton heel turn.

Rob’s Prediction: The Big Show
WINNER: Randy Orton

STRAP MATCH:
Sheamus vs. Mark Henry

As an older fan, I like this one. When was the last time we saw a good ol’ fashioned strap match? I can’t even remember. When I think strap match, I tend to think of Steve Austin vs. Savio Vega from 1996, Triple H vs. The Rock from 1999, or Eddie Guerrero vs. JBL from 2004. Didn’t Randy Orton and Dusty Rhodes have one a few years back? Either way, I like this one. It’s a good way to play up Mark Henry’s size and strength. Let’s just hope we don’t get a stupid tug o’ war spot. I like Sheamus as the conquering hero here. I imagine this will probably go another month, though.

Rob’s Prediction: Sheamus
WINNER: Sheamus

“I QUIT” MATCH TO DETERMINE #1 CONTENDER:
Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger

No big mystery here: It’ll be Del Rio. We were building to a Dolph Ziggler vs. Alberto Del Rio match anyway, right? Jack Swagger crapped the bed by getting arrested for marijuana possession in the middle of the biggest push of his career. But let’s take nothing away from his athleticism, and indeed, there’ll likely be some great athleticism on display here. No doubt we’ll also see Ricardo Rodriguez and Zeb Colter involved in some way. But in the end, it’s a win for Del Rio, likely with the cross arm-breaker, and he goes on to face Ziggler at the appropriately named Payback pay per view.

Rob’s Prediction: Alberto Del Rio
WINNER: Alberto Del Rio

STEEL CAGE MATCH:
Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar

So…it’s got to be Brock Lesnar, right? After that rant Triple H had this past Monday about Lesnar’s mystique, and that essentially another loss would make him just another guy. If Brock is going to be a special attraction, the last thing they want him to be is just another guy. Triple H got his big Wrestlemania win, and proved his still an ass kicker. So let’s go ahead and let Lesnar have this one. Let him be the “beast incarnate” that WWE needs him to be.

Rob’s Prediction: Brock Lesnar
WINNER: Brock Lesnar

LAST MAN STANDING MATCH FOR WWE HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE:
John Cena (c) vs. Ryback

The best advice I can offer to Ryback for this one? Watch out for duct tape. We all remember what Cena did to Batista in their Last Man Standing Match a few years ago, right?

For me, the biggest question surrounding this match is whether Ryback will join the Shield, and as such win the title. It would make sense, wouldn’t it? The company’s would-be lead heel, in-league with the hottest heel faction they’ve seen in years. Still, he doesn’t necessarily have to join them at Extreme Rules. If it does happen, I see it being in the final segment of a Raw. Cena handing Ryback yet another major defeat might be the last straw in terms of finally pushing him onto the ranks of the Shield.

Rob’s Prediction: John Cena
WINNER: No Contest

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“You know, they had a rough beginning," Whedon said. "They’re interesting to me because they sort of represent the part of the world that wouldn’t necessarily agree with the Avengers. So they’re not there to make things easier. I’m not putting any characters in... ]]> By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

In a recent interview with IGN, Joss Whedon, director of The Avengers, confirmed that the characters Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch will indeed appear in the film’s sequel.

“You know, they had a rough beginning,” Whedon said. “They’re interesting to me because they sort of represent the part of the world that wouldn’t necessarily agree with the Avengers. So they’re not there to make things easier. I’m not putting any characters in the movie that will make things easier.”

In the Marvel comics universe, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are the twin children of Magneto. They made their debut in 1964′s X-Men #4, by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The characters have been Marvel mainstays ever since.

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A prequel to the best-selling Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City games, Origins sees eight of the world's best assassins come to Gotham City to hunt the Dark Knight. While the Joker is conspicuous by his absence, the game will feature familiar characters such as Alfred Pennyworth... ]]> By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

Batman and Deathstroke do battle in the first teaser trailer for Batman: Arkham Origins, which hit the web this week.

A prequel to the best-selling Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City games, Origins sees eight of the world’s best assassins come to Gotham City to hunt the Dark Knight. While the Joker is conspicuous by his absence, the game will feature familiar characters such as Alfred Pennyworth, James Gordon, Black Mask and the Penguin.

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The show, which takes place in Marvel's cinematic universe, stars Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson, who recruits a team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to investigate, and at times combat the new, the strange and the unknown. The show also stars... ]]> By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

The first full-length trailer for Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. hit the web this week.

The show, which takes place in Marvel’s cinematic universe, stars Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson, who recruits a team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to investigate, and at times combat the new, the strange and the unknown. The show also stars Brett Dalton, Ming-Na Wen, Ian De Caestecker, Elizabeth Henstridge and Chloe Bennett.

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As someone who has worn a 14/16 their entire adult life, I was neither shocked nor appalled when Jeffries and the company were recently accused of being exclusionary toward larger body types, and any imagery which isn't sexy or cool. Specifically, Business Insider quoted retail analyst Robin Lewis, who said... ]]> By Becky Luksa
Contributor

I have never shopped at Abercrombie & Fitch and I never intend to. I had actually decided this before the statement made by their CEO, Mike Jeffries.

As someone who has worn a 14/16 their entire adult life, I was neither shocked nor appalled when Jeffries and the company were recently accused of being exclusionary toward larger body types, and any imagery which isn’t sexy or cool. Specifically, Business Insider quoted retail analyst Robin Lewis, who said: ”[Jeffries] doesn’t want larger people shopping in his store, he wants thin and beautiful people. He doesn’t want his core customers to see people who aren’t as hot as them wearing his clothing. People who wear his clothing should feel like they’re one of the ‘cool kids.’”

Business Insider referred to a 2006 Salon.com interview, in which Jeffries said his business was built on sex appeal. “That’s why we hire good-looking people in our stores,” he said “Because good looking people attract other good looking people, and we want to market to cool, good looking people. We don’t market to anyone other than that. ”

As a 14/16, this is really the way I have subconsciously been made to feel by just about every single clothing store I have walked into my entire life. Even stores that do offer, ummm…extended sizes do not exactly make you feel good about having to shop in that department. Often, the four or five racks that offer larger sized clothes are shoved into the back corner, out of the sight. The clothes are not nearly as cute either. Most of the time, clothing in the plus-sized department is very, very different than what you see offered in smaller sizes. And not in a good way.

Oddly enough, my reaction to Jeffries’ statement more along the lines of, “Well, at least someone admits it.” Was his statement somewhat malicious and uncalled for? Yes. Was it honest? Yes.

Let’s face it, Abercrombie & Fitch is not the only store which offers a limited size range. There are plenty that do exactly the same thing. They may go a little past size 10, but it’s not exactly a wide selection. American Eagle, another store that caters mostly to teenagers, only offers up to size 14. Sure, they offer sixes 16 and 18 online. But that’s it. If you happen to go past that, you can’t buy their clothes. This type of tomfoolery sends the message: “Oh sure, you can wear our clothes. We just don’t want you physically in the store.”

I understand the plight of those who feel hurt by these statements. I’ve been there so many times. There have been times I’ve gone into a store, and their largest size doesn’t fit, and it hurts. I am not a small person. I have had to do some serious body image work over the last several years, especially because I am someone who likes fashion.

But even so, protesting at Abercrombie & Fitch stores is not going to change their minds.

Remember, Jeffries didn’t upset the demographic they are aiming for. If anything, the “cool kids” are going to feel more entitled shopping there, as if they are part of some special club. He did call them the cool kids, after all. He aggravated a demographic that was probably never going to set foot in their stores anyway. Being angry, and focusing all this energy on Abercrombie isn’t going to change anything.

So, instead of attacking one store that participates in many of the same practices as other large chains because their CEO opened his mouth, let’s focuses on trying to fix the problem that his comments bring to light: Body image issues for young girls and boys. Let’s not forget Jefferies wasn’t only talking about women here.

In the end, is what he said going to have any worse effect than all the photoshopping and image distortion done by media outlets and advertising companies to achieve that “perfect” look? No. In fact, what Jefferies said is noise which will be forgotten in a couple of weeks. It’s the subconscious images that really get to you in the long run.

Instead of protesting Abercrombie for Jefferies’ words, they people who are upset should continue not shopping at his stores. They should find stores that make them feel comfortable, and ignore the ones that don’t. They need to talk to their mothers, daughters, sisters, brothers, about body image and educate themselves about warning signs that things may not be right. Support laws that change the ways advertisers can manipulate images. Work for the things that are going to change the way we perceive the human body.

That is far more important than protesting a store you were never going to shop at anyway.

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Nice to see Dean Ambrose rewarded for his work these past few weeks. He had a solid showing with the Undertaker, and then a really good match with Daniel Bryan. And now he's set to have his first singles match on a pay per view against a star like Kofi Kingston, for the United States Title... ]]> By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

Thoughts From Raw:

- Nice to see Dean Ambrose rewarded for his work these past few weeks. He had a solid showing with the Undertaker, and then a really good match with Daniel Bryan. And now he’s set to have his first singles match on a pay per view against a star like Kofi Kingston, for the United States Title no less. He’s unquestionably the stand out member of the Shield, not only because of his work in the ring, but his stellar work on the mic.

Meanwhile, we’ve got Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns challenging Bryan and Kane for the tag belts. I had originally pictured Rollins and Ambrose getting the shot, with Reigns acting as the bodyguard/enforcer. But it’s worth it if Ambrose can get a shot as a singles star.

Speaking of which, tonight former WWE writer Seth Mates tweeted: Question for all of you: @drtompritchard & I are making a bet – will Ryback join Shield on Sunday? I say yes, he says no. What should we bet?” Doesn’t seem too far fetched does it? Also, if you’re keeping score at home, hat = heel Ryback, no hat = babyface Ryback.

- Wait, is Triple H not C.O.O. anymore? Michael Cole said the Triple H/Lesnar rivalry began “back when Triple H was C.O.O. of WWE.” When did he stop being C.O.O.? I’m so confused…

What happens to Paul Heyman after Extreme Rules? CM Punk is on break, and Brock Lesnar is probably going away for a little while. So Heyman’s got nobody left to manage unless he takes on a third wrestler, which I don’t see happening. WWE TV is damn sure going to miss Heyman. Without he and Punk, we’ve got nobody to cut those long, masterful heel promos. No offense to Ryback, but I don’t exactly see him stepping up to that plate.

Triple H did a nice job selling the cage match at Extreme Rules with his point about Lesnar’s mystique. That’s actually something the internet wrestling community has done its share of talking about since Lesnar lost to John Cena at Extreme Rules last year. Brock has had three pay per view matches since he’s been back, and has lost two of them. If he loses this one, well…we’ve kind of neutered the beast, haven’t we? Wrestlemania was one thing. But it’s time to give Brock back his status as that spine-chilling killer.

- No Dolph Ziggler at Extreme Rules? Ugh, that sucks. As I said last week, that triple threat ladder match would have been a show stealer. The “I Quit” match between Jack Swagger and Alberto Del Rio could be good, of course. But that ladder match could have been one for the ages. I suppose as long as Ziggler gets better, that’s the important thing. Lord knows after all he’s put in to get that belt, it would be a shame for his run to be cut short.

- That Natalya/A.J. Lee match was the first divas contest in a long time that I’ve had any interest in whatsoever. granted, I had to mute my TV because the Bellas were on commentary. But it was certainly nice to see Nattie get to wrestle on Raw for once. Also, a great maneuver by AJ to end the match. More please.

- I have to say, I was a fan of Fandango’s trippy rainbow-colored attire this week. The best thing about what went down with that whole dance competition between he and Chris Jericho? There was very little actual dancing. #wewantwrestling

- A fairly predictable elimination match featuring John Cena, Team Hell No and the Shield. But it was still well done. There’s always room for great drama in those types of matches, which is part of the reason why the Survivor Series pay per view has stayed alive for so long.

- Hey, did you guys hear WWE has an App? #enoughalready

- Thank you! Finally the Prime Time Players get a win on Raw! From a charisma standpoint, there are few wrestlers I enjoy watching more than Titus O’Neil.

All images from WWE.com.
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