This v. That - 1st Edition

Three Rounds - One Victor

Tonight's Feature Bout:

Kid Rock v. Ralph "Karate Kid" Macchio


Round 1: The Cool Factor

The Karate Kid is as emblematic of the 1980's as any film could be. The crane kick entered the broader lexicon of young men, and served to drive enrollment levels in martial arts classes across the western world. The Karate Kid predated today's mainstream MMA competitions, showcased previously unfathomed uses for chopsticks and broadened the horticultural awareness of a generation through its showcase of the grooming of a bonsai by Mr. Miyagi. Mr. Miyagi, by way of his love of trees, would have made a great environmentalist tag-team with David Suzuki. Mr. Macchio rubbed shoulders with Steve Vai, as well as the late-great Stevie Ray Vaughan during the filming of the movie Crossroads.

Kid Rock is a self proclaimed "Rock'n Roll Jesus" with years of experience inside the arena of gritty rock-rap/metal. His trademark unkempt appearance, combined with his hard partying ways have inspired a legion of devout, (if somewhat greasy) fans. Kid Rock's ascencion into the folds of the mega rockers has coincided with a sharp rise in wallet-chain ownership and
a spike in the clientele of North American tattoo parlours. Kid Rock has given shout-outs to legendary musicians including Bod Seger, Johnny Cash and Grand Master Flash and has even gone so far as a crafting a Michiganized mash-up entitled "All Summer Long". The bulk of the music is derived from Lynrd Skynrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" and the late Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London". I don't know if the Skynrd crew or Mr. Zevon would be that ecstatic at the results of this endeavour.


Round 2: Risk Tolerance

Kid Rock entered into wedded bliss with a past best-before-date Pamela Anderson, proving that love is not only blind, but that Kid Rock is just as "American Badass" wreckless about his health and wellness as his media persona portrays. He's got cred.


Ralphy (as Daniel, of course) took on the Cobra Kai - 'nuff said.



Round 3: Cultural Significance in 50 years time



Will our childrens children be interested in things from our era? I wonder if they will be any more interested in 1980's movies, such as The Karate Kid than the average person now 30 is interested in Charlie Chaplin films. Kid Rock may still be rocking in 50 years, at the ripe age of 88 - but he'll have to change his moniker to Old As Rocks or Kid Rockingchair.

Who is the winner?

Answer the Poll at the bottom of this page to decide!