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Post by Superb Owl 🦉 on Mar 4, 2014 8:56:07 GMT -5
I had a dream last night that I worked backstage for WWE and was invited out to the bosses for a visit. According to Owl dream logic all of the extended McMahon-HHH family live in one house that looks like the Braverman grandparent's home and Vince spends his weekends wearing fuzzy Cosby sweaters.
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Post by Jon Pertwees Shameless Gurning on Mar 4, 2014 22:12:55 GMT -5
Why wouldn't you watch this? Best in the World v Best in the World, WWE Title
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Post by GhaleonQ on Mar 5, 2014 14:48:32 GMT -5
Speaking of lucha libre, the mask v mask match is the ultimate way to blow off a long-simmering feud. Mistico y Black Warrior put on an excellent example here. I may be Del Rio's biggest fan (he pointed at me at Smackdown!), so I wasn't so sad that Mistico failed in WWE. (Supposedly, Sin Cara or his goons pulled a gun on Del Rio back in Mexico over something stupid.) Do you have any thoughts on his past matches or his WWE tenure? Was he really that wonderful?
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Post by Jon Pertwees Shameless Gurning on Mar 5, 2014 15:30:55 GMT -5
I'm not really aware of his WWE work, so it's not really for me to say. Actually, I'm still basically dipping my toes into the world of lucha libre, as most of my attention during the period of my last focused interest in wrasslin' was centered on puroresu and the US indy scene. I took quite a few years off, and it's really this thread that has me looking back on the last five years or so, not necessarily to play catch-up, but at least to find some of the good stuff I missed during that time. As I said earlier in the thread, just learning about a year ago of Misawa's death was a pretty big shock for me.
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Post by GhaleonQ on Mar 9, 2014 22:43:40 GMT -5
Sorry for the garbage post, but I needed a break from spreadsheets today and found this: So, now I'm doing alright. Compare to the WWE-Scooby Doo crossover and you'll see why I still watch NJPW despite WWE being the best it's ever been.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2014 8:23:48 GMT -5
For all you wrestling fans out there, just saw that the Ultimate Warrior passed away: RIP, WarriorHe was one of my favorites as a kid.
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Post by Nudeviking on Apr 9, 2014 9:16:39 GMT -5
For all you wrestling fans out there, just saw that the Ultimate Warrior passed away: RIP, WarriorHe was one of my favorites as a kid. RIP Warrior! Hope you're shaking the ring ropes vigorously wherever you are now!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2014 13:58:35 GMT -5
His spaceship was all loaded up with the rocket fuel and he blasted his way into the heavens. RIP Warrior!
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Post by GhaleonQ on Apr 10, 2014 12:59:15 GMT -5
Some person was trashing American professional wrestling in The A.V. Club's obituary, but I think a prime signal that we're out of the carny era of professional wrestling is that he gave THOSE speeches at the Hall Of Fame, WrestleMania, and Raw, but didn't commit suicide by drugs or weapon. I was really fearing the worst.
It's also pretty hard to look at his onstage picture with his daughters, especially because they look so much like him. Oof.
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Post by Jon Pertwees Shameless Gurning on Apr 10, 2014 13:35:08 GMT -5
Yeah, so Warrior's passing has taken the spotlight, but how do we feel about Mania? The Streak ends at the hands of... Brock Lesnar? The ascent of Bryan complete (for now)? Trips and Bryan stealing the show in the very first match of the night, like I knew they would?
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Post by GhaleonQ on Apr 10, 2014 17:01:28 GMT -5
Yeah, so Warrior's passing has taken the spotlight, but how do we feel about Mania? The Streak ends at the hands of... Brock Lesnar? The ascent of Bryan complete (for now)? Trips and Bryan stealing the show in the very first match of the night, like I knew they would? I mentioned this elsewhere, but I really miss Japanese selling of exhaustion during late-match submissions in WWE's style. I watched a 2010 Nakamura match where they exchange submissions and they look like tennis players or soccer players do at the end of a grueling match. Bryan did an excellent job of selling (though probably not acting) his fatigue when moving to Batista at match's end, but the actual tapout was acted poorly by both he and Bryan. WWE does this a lot. It's either "look up in the sky and grit your teeth to sell exhaustion" or "yell really loudly to sell pain/intensity." There are more emotions, people. Otherwise, I really didn't like the card (all of my favorites except Ambrose were in the rumble), but I'd be hardpressed to criticize anything about the booking, especially given this week's television confirming why some stuff happened at WrestleMania. And as someone who always liked Helmsley (elitist, prissy douches are my favorite characters, so I loved him back as Hunter), it was so wonderful to see him not just be carried to a spectacular match, but add so much to Bryan's work before, during, and after, on mic, backstage, and in the ring. I'm not a Bryan superfan, but no one can ever complain about his booking ever again. That was easily the kayfabe most dominant performance at a WrestleMania. He is over for life. End of story. Also, I just want to be public about how much I love weird, goofy, complaining Randy Orton (who's been awesome since the Christian feud, in my view). The only thing missing from his repertoire was reminding everyone that he's tough in real life, and him landing on that monitor checked that last box. If it was his upper spine or tailbone instead of just his lower, pretty well-supported spine, he could have had his career derailed. Also, Renee Young and Dolph Ziggler remain amazing. www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5Qt4nAeUr4
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2014 18:30:11 GMT -5
Yeah, so Warrior's passing has taken the spotlight, but how do we feel about Mania? The Streak ends at the hands of... Brock Lesnar? The ascent of Bryan complete (for now)? Trips and Bryan stealing the show in the very first match of the night, like I knew they would? It got me back into WWE...... for now. For the past few years I've kept up with checking results now and then or reading the best and worst of RAW column on Uproxx. The only show of WWE's I still watch every year is the Royal Rumble, because of course! Back in January though, I was pretty sure WM was going to be another pass for me this year, because WWE had Daniel who the fans loved and is the best guy they have in the ring by far, but putting him in the Wyatt family for..... reasons? I figured WWE was just going to keep on that trajectory, since CM Punk in 2011 was like the only time WWE really pushed someone else than the already established guys(even though Punk was already around for over half a decade at that point). Then CM Punk quit, the fans kept being vocal against WWE, and WWE finally got their head from out of their ass and was able to retroactively form a great story for Daniel Bryan's rise. They just actually had to go through with it. So, because my fandom to WWE and wrestling in general has been burned many times in recent years I decided to wait to watch WM till after it happened. I didn't want to watch it and then end up getting pissed off for getting my hopes up. Turns out WWE is on the right track for once and WM was a smashing success! I watched it monday and loved it. The Daniel matches were great(especially the HHH one). The Shield not getting much to do was disappointing, but they still were awesome(WITH MASKS!). Cesaro won the Battle Royal by being awesome(and that Kofi spot YOU GUYS!). Bray vs Cena was an entertaining match, albeit with a disappointing finish. Lesnar vs Taker sucked, but I don't care for Taker or the streak, so yay losing and people going batshit over it! Divas were sadly the divas, WWE really needs to fix them. Then the main event ending in the right decision, it was just great. I really have no complaints, yeah some of the matches could be better, but this was more about WWE getting back on track with booking and hopefully it isn't a one time thing. They have some nice pieces on the roster and can be set from here on out, and Daniel can truly be the face of the company if they let him. The last thing I want to add is that RAW the next night was pretty great as well. The opening speech by Bryan was unlike anything I've seen, the dude has everyone in the crowd on his side going nuts for him. It was the anti x-pac heat. Sure guys like Stone Cold or The Rock have gotten big reactions before, but I've really never seen a crowd be truly happy for a wrestler like it was for Bryan. Oh yeah, the ending was great! Bryan+Shield vs Evolution(with Kane) is hopefully going to be great!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2014 9:46:29 GMT -5
Wrestlemania + Raw + Warrior thoughts:
HHH-Bryan is a match of the year contender and maybe the best WM opening match ever. Made perfect sense for it to open and the assault at the end by the HHH was a nice touch storyline wise. I know it's cliche but him winning it all drew shades of Benoit-Guerrero from a few years ago. Him simply being in WWE was considered a major accomplishment. Winning the WWE title at WM in the main event and then getting married today - has anyone ever had a better week than Bryan Danielson?
I didn't like the idea of the battle royale initially but it was enjoyable and served as a way to push a rising star in Antonio Cesaro. I also like the pairing of him with Heyman as that will lead to some fun verbal battles between Heyman and Colter. Jack Swagger may never live up to his full potential but he's still useful and capable of putting on a good match.
I wish the Shield had more to do but love the prospect of a feud with the Authority/Evolution. I know Reigns is tabbed as the next big thing but I think all 3 have main event potential. This some major fantasy booking, but the masks they now wear could serve as a great way to introduce a 4th mystery member if they ever wanted to go that route. Maybe a certain former champion who left a few months ago...
Bray Wyatt and Cena had some fantastic psychology to their match. It was a good match but I wasn't thrilled with the ending. Not necessarily Cena winning but how he won. Wyatt bring out Cena's "dark" side could be a theme to explore down the road. The Wyatts have totally gotten over with the crowds and Luke Harper could be a surprise breakout star. I seriously think he has Kane-potential.
Paige getting the win was a shock but the Divas division is so stale I'm perfectly fine with it. And it's someone really talented so there's that too.
I didn't like the streak ending but not because it was Lesnar, but because it was a really mediocre match. I know people are upset but if you want to blame someone blame the Undertaker. He gets the final call and no way they end the streak without his approval. Either Taker knew this was his last match (and from watching him at WM he looks dunzo) or no one else wanted to be the streak ender. Taker and his streak have earned near mythical levels of reverence, that's a heavey burden to carry for any wrestler and I'm not sure anyone else would want it. Lesnar seems disconnected enough from the wrestling biz that I don't think it bothers him as much.
Not impressed by Rusev or Bo Dallas, but Adam Rose is a fun NXT character. I like the idea of bringing up the young guys and hope Sami Zayn and Adrian Neville are next. I just hope they don't forget guys like Ziggler, Rhodes, and Kofi who are still young and still capable of doing great things.
Raw was really well booked and the future seems really bright. But then again we've been down this road before.
Ultimate Warrior was my favorite wrestler as a kid and him beating Hogan at WM6 remains a beloved childhood memory. I know since leaving WWE he became a raving right-wing lunatic and asshole who burned lots of bridges. But from what I've read it seems like his HOF induction and everything leading up to that was the result of trying to mend things (being on the McMahons is a must, thus Randy Savage still not being in the HOF). I may loathe the things he has said but I can't fault a person for trying to right their wrongs and I certainly am saddened for his family.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2014 12:07:59 GMT -5
HHH-Bryan is a match of the year contender and maybe the best WM opening match ever. Owen Hart vs Bret Hart - WM X
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Post by DisgracedFormerFootModel on Apr 11, 2014 12:55:02 GMT -5
The other night I ran into a friend whose job is to set up for all these events coming through New Orleans. He had done Wrestlemania and told me some scoop about the Streak ending. I'm sure the Internet knows all of this by now, but he told me*:
1. Taker wasn't supposed to lose (obviously) 2. He was slated to retire in two years (which would've culminated in his streak ending) 3. Suffered a concussion 4. While attempting his finishing move, he dislocated one of his implanted hips 5. Dad was in the crowd, and accompanied him to the hospital straight out of the Super Dome 6. That's it for Mr. Calloway
*I actually trust his word because he's not a fan.
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Post by GhaleonQ on Apr 14, 2014 17:16:29 GMT -5
The other night I ran into a friend whose job is to set up for all these events coming through New Orleans. He had done Wrestlemania and told me some scoop about the Streak ending. I'm sure the Internet knows all of this by now, but he told me*: 1. Taker wasn't supposed to lose (obviously) 2. He was slated to retire in two years (which would've culminated in his streak ending) 3. Suffered a concussion 4. While attempting his finishing move, he dislocated one of his implanted hips 5. Dad was in the crowd, and accompanied him to the hospital straight out of the Super Dome 6. That's it for Mr. Calloway *I actually trust his word because he's not a fan. I know Lesnar can be rough (not necessarily unsafe at this point in his career, but rough), but I think even Undertaker would agree that his injury was his fault. He was underconditioned twice before this but managed really phenomenal matches, but he wasn't doing anything interesting on offense or defense at any point in the match. Lesnar was trying to make something out of nothing, but the ring general was clearly out of commission mentally and physically.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2014 17:35:59 GMT -5
The other night I ran into a friend whose job is to set up for all these events coming through New Orleans. He had done Wrestlemania and told me some scoop about the Streak ending. I'm sure the Internet knows all of this by now, but he told me*: 1. Taker wasn't supposed to lose (obviously) 2. He was slated to retire in two years (which would've culminated in his streak ending) 3. Suffered a concussion 4. While attempting his finishing move, he dislocated one of his implanted hips 5. Dad was in the crowd, and accompanied him to the hospital straight out of the Super Dome 6. That's it for Mr. Calloway *I actually trust his word because he's not a fan. If he wasn't supposed to lose, why was there a handy 21-1 graphic up like 3 seconds after the match?
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Post by GhaleonQ on Apr 14, 2014 18:26:56 GMT -5
The other night I ran into a friend whose job is to set up for all these events coming through New Orleans. He had done Wrestlemania and told me some scoop about the Streak ending. I'm sure the Internet knows all of this by now, but he told me*: 1. Taker wasn't supposed to lose (obviously) 2. He was slated to retire in two years (which would've culminated in his streak ending) 3. Suffered a concussion 4. While attempting his finishing move, he dislocated one of his implanted hips 5. Dad was in the crowd, and accompanied him to the hospital straight out of the Super Dome 6. That's it for Mr. Calloway *I actually trust his word because he's not a fan. If he wasn't supposed to lose, why was there a handy 21-1 graphic up like 3 seconds after the match? Assuming THE SHEETS are correct, he was, but no one knew, probably even the friend. www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2014/0407/572932/the-undertaker-reportedly-injuredThat said: www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2014/0413/574144/more-on-a-22-0-graphic-displayed-at-wrestlemania-xxx
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Post by DisgracedFormerFootModel on Apr 14, 2014 21:23:47 GMT -5
I'm just telling you what I heard.
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Post by Nudeviking on May 18, 2014 20:10:07 GMT -5
So I saw Extreme Rules last night (foreign lands...WWE on a several week delay due to translations and whatnot...never have to pay for pay per-views). I thought it was pretty okay. The fire and forklifts of the Daniel Bryan/Kane match almost made me feel like it was the late 90s Attitude Era all over again. Shield vs. Evolution 2.0 was pretty good. Ladyviking continued to lust after 2/3rds of the Shield (I am tempted to show her Jon Moxley CZW deathmatches to put the kibosh on that). Paige's match was good only because the Korean announcers were like, "Is there no sun at all in the UK? How is she so pale?" and then Superfly's daughter smashed her into a guardrail.
My one gripe was the steel cage match. I'm old. I remember when steel cages were big blue steel barred things that Superfly Jimmy Snuka jumped off. The only way to win was to go over the top. Anyway the John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt match bugged me because they never really attempted to go over the top, just exit some door that didn't even seem to be locked and the ref audibly told random guys not to hold the door shut so Cena could escape. Like I could understand if it was plot (some random dirty beard guy uses bolt cutters or something), but it just seemed like all they had to do was walk out of the damn cage to win, which kind of bugged me.
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dLᵒ
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𝓐𝓻𝓮 𝓦𝓮 𝓒𝓸𝓸𝓵 𝓨𝓮𝓽?
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Post by dLᵒ on May 18, 2014 21:45:56 GMT -5
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oppy all along
TI Forumite
Who's been messing up everything? It was oppy all along
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Post by oppy all along on Feb 26, 2015 3:46:38 GMT -5
Part half-naked sweaty men grappling, part carnival sideshow, part soap opera, part thrilling staged competition, part incredibly destructive backstage culture and lifestyle that completely wrecks the poor bastards that perform it. Who here is a fan of the wrestling?
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Post by X the Anonymous Zeus or Odin on Feb 26, 2015 3:50:25 GMT -5
I know I am, although I don't really watch the stuff happening nowadays. But I do go back and watch some of the old classics now and then.
Also, I totally bought a handmade and autographed Mr. Socko earlier tonight. I'm not sure how I feel about it.
On second though, I know exactly how I feel about that, excited to Socko Claw some people.
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Post by Nudeviking on Feb 26, 2015 8:01:50 GMT -5
I've had an off and on relationship since the early 80s. I was there for Hulkamania, kind of checked out in middle school when Mantaur and crap of his ilk appeared in the WWF, started watching WCW Nitro a week or two before the entire nWo thing began, started watching Nitro live and taping Raw to watch the next day, started watching Raw and taping Nitro, stopped watching Nitro, stopped watching Raw during the "THIS IS GOING TO BE SO GOOD....what the fuck? Does Vince McMahon hate money?" Invasion storyline, moved to Korea, started watching Raw again, because it was one of like 3 things on TV that was kind of in English (they had Korean announcers but promos were subtitled), got married and stopped watching Raw, started watching Raw again when my wife went back to school had had a night class, got the WWE Network...and cancelled the WWE Network after the Royal Rumble...renewed my subscription to the WWE Network because it expired in the middle of me watching the last NXT PPV, and that's where we are now.
These days the only thing I actually watch regularly is NXT. I'll check out PPVs on the Network if there's some kind of gimmick match (survivor series, royal rumble, etc.) or the card is otherwise awesome. Raw and Smackdown I'll usually just read reviews of, and will occasionally watch on Korean television with the Korean announcers because they are better than the American guys, but the show airs like 2 weeks later than it does in America, so I usually know what the results are before hand.
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Post by Murray the Demonic Skull on Feb 26, 2015 9:10:02 GMT -5
Isn't wrestling all fake anyway ?
::ducks to avoid thrown chair , gets thrown off the ring unto a table ::
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Post by Nudeviking on Feb 26, 2015 9:49:46 GMT -5
Isn't wrestling all fake anyway ? ::ducks to avoid thrown chair , gets thrown off the ring unto a table :: As fake as Game of Thrones, or Breaking Bad, or Simpsons or Major League Baseball or any of the myriad of other things people watch on TV.
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Post by Murray the Demonic Skull on Feb 26, 2015 9:51:14 GMT -5
Isn't wrestling all fake anyway ? ::ducks to avoid thrown chair , gets thrown off the ring unto a table :: As fake as Game of Thrones, or Breaking Bad, or Simpsons or Major League Baseball or any of the myriad of other things people watch on TV. Yeah it was a stupid joke I didn't mean to criticize its entertainment value.
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oppy all along
TI Forumite
Who's been messing up everything? It was oppy all along
Posts: 2,767
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Post by oppy all along on Feb 26, 2015 9:52:12 GMT -5
Ohh, you're gonna get such a staged pummelling. NUDE! GET THE TABLES!
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Post by Nudeviking on Feb 26, 2015 10:05:33 GMT -5
Ohh, you're gonna get such a staged pummelling. NUDE! GET THE TABLES! Can I also bellow, "WASSUP?!" while waggling my tongue comically?
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oppy all along
TI Forumite
Who's been messing up everything? It was oppy all along
Posts: 2,767
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Post by oppy all along on Feb 26, 2015 10:07:13 GMT -5
Ohh, you're gonna get such a staged pummelling. NUDE! GET THE TABLES! Can I also bellow, "WASSUP?!" while waggling my tongue comically? I'd be disappointed if you did anything else.
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