My return to the X Games has been awaited since I left last year. While last year ended on such a high note with Slug and Ant, of Atmosphere, doing their thing to close things out at the park in front of US Bank stadium, the action picked right back up a year later with Prof out front of the stadium performing live in front of Vert Course (photos from the Kick off Party available too). And while the music is always at the forefront for me, there has always been a connection between action sports and hip hop. Skateboarding and Hip Hop have always been counter-cultures that thrived within your face attitude and creativity.

Best of the Weekend:

Best Event:

For myself, this is the easiest category. From Rodney Mullen to Ryan Sheckler to youngsters like Jagger Eaton, the Men's Street Skate is one of the most exciting events of the games. This did not disappoint even with the skaters of my era being absent. A newer, and in my opinion better, course than last year allow for more versatile flows and lines with my favorite part of it being the rail gap.

Winner: Nyjah Houston

Best Trick:

This is a difficult category as I can't do any of them. To me, difficulty doesn't always mean best as seen by the Double Back Flip that has won Moto X in the past. I tend to be a lover of the ingenuity that comes from an athlete like Rodney Mullen. This creativity was at a peak on Saturday at the Dave Mirra's Best Trick BMX competition, but none more impressive than Alex Haim's Tailwhip to Footchain Tailwhip. Not only that he pulled it off, but it was his first attempt in the competition.

Winner: Alex Haim

Best Reaction:

I'm not sure if the phrase applies to action sports, but in poker being tilted is when you get frustrated at the table and it leads to carelessness and mistakes. This can be frustrating for an athlete but for a fan, it can be enjoyable. The best reaction is a tie between the joy of winning and the frustration of seeing it slip between your fingers.

Co-Winners: Alex Sorgente Winning Men's Skate, Pamela Rosa Missing the Podium in Women's Street

Worst of the Weekend:

Worst Event

While every event has its merits, one has to be towards the bottom and for me, that's MotoX Step Up. There is a thrill and excitement about launching 40' into the air, but for me, that's where the excitement ends. The only saving grace to this particular weekends lineup was that one athlete had sought another thrill in asking his girlfriend to spend her life with him on live television.

Worst Trick

The BMX backflip. It didn't matter the event, this trick seemed to get used the most. Not that it isn't impressive, and not like I can do one, but of all the tricks that can be done this one seemed to be the favorite. After three days of events, I was definitely overseeing this one.

Most Memorable:

Women's sports seem to get overlooked a lot, especially when they are paired up alongside Men's, but for me, the Women's Park finals were one of the most memorable events of the weekend if not for the talent, then the comradery. Sportsmanship is always a pleasure to see and watching the women rush to congratulate Mariah Duran was heartwarming, but the talent can't be understated. Two talented Brazilians in Leticia Bufoni and Pamela Rosa didn't even place on the podium, and that just reaffirms how hard it was for USA's Mariah Duran to take home the Gold and how exciting the finals turned out to be.

Biggest Let Down:

The biggest let down for me was Pat Casey in Dave Mirra's BMX Best Trick. Being a fan not only of this competition but of Pat Casey as well, I admired his attempt to go big. Ending not only in the last place but with a 0.00, his performance in this event definitely left something to be wanted, but the great thing about that is that with his track record and unique style I know that something is coming soon for him.

The X Games has a historic and memorable past, one that I am happy to have etched my name into covering the past two years and hopefully the next two as well. If you are in the Minneapolis area I urge you to stay tuned and come out next year to see some of the most dangerous and exciting events to come to the twin cities before they pack up and head to the other parts of the world. Next up is Sydney, Australia.