C.S.

The Funk anecdote doesn't apply to anything I said though, because that was in Texas. I wasn't commenting on anything he did there, because I didn't see it. If you were a 15-year-old watching Texas wrestling, fine, you win - I can't argue with your perception in that case because you saw it and I didn't. Just to be clear, I was referring strictly to his WWE gimmick(s). The Hulk bit is more damning, I'll admit, but that's still one faint example. Lanny wasn't in a position to turn down the #1 wrestler and draw in the entire industry at that time. If Hulk Hogan in that era tells you to do something, you're going to do it. Lanny got a tremendous rub being in the same ring, which is something he admitted and was repeatedly thankful and grateful for his entire life. I personally think Lanny underrated himself, but that's neither here nor there. I still wish we had gotten to him do the Gorgeous George shtick in WCW. That company really deserved to go out of business, paying him for five years to sit at home. Nice work if you can get it, but I'm sure he was frustrated from a professional standpoint. Still waiting for you to list all the tag teams that did "homophobic" gestures like putting their head near a partner's crotch - I'm genuinely curious, because if Hogan can tell Lanny to "f-slur it up like Jim Barnett," I'm willing to concede tag teams might have done the same. I mean, okay, I'll defer to your expertise on this one, I guess. I won't sit here and claim I'm an expert when it comes to *cough* cowboy gear.

What was homophobic about it? That he was intelligent, a good writer, and did flashy high-flying moves long before it was the norm in WWE? You've completely lost me here. Which heel teams are you referring to? As for Demolition, okay, but we all thought it was a "tough guy" Mad Max deal. Sometimes shit like that doesn't age well and appears to be something else decades later. Your metric is THE thing. Seriously though, Shawn Michaels wore assless chaps, cried, lost his smile. In no way was that the rugged wrestling definition of "masculine." ASSLESS CHAPS But, sure, okay, Lanny Poffo was the one saddled with a gay stereotype - even though, as @ohtani's jacket helpfully pointed out, most of this was Lanny's own doing. I'm not arguing that Shawn was a gay stereotype, BTW, but if you're making that argument for Lanny Poffo, you better make it for Shawn.

Then Jim Cornette was and is an even bigger embarrassment, if we're going by that metric. Edit: I still can't get over what utter hogwash @El-P posted, probably influenced by Meltzer's backwash. This is WWE we're talking about. What you're describing would be very subtle. WWE has never done subtle, especially back then. If a wrestler was effeminate and/or a homosexual, WWE made that pretty clear. There was never any secret about it. Goldust, anyone? By your metric, Shawn Michaels was way more "effeminate."

This one hurts. What?! Why? How? No more "embarrassing" than being a plumber, race car driver, etc., and I'd say significantly less so. Childhood me always thought it was a cool gimmick having a wrestler who was a good writer (something I enjoyed doing too), was intelligent and articulate, and didn't sound like a good ol' boy whose mouth was filled with marbles or grits.

Speaking of the WWE HOF, Bob Ritchie (AKA Kid Rock) is a certified piece of shit. https://www.indiewire.com/2023/01/pamela-anderson-kid-rock-flipped-out-over-borat-cameo-1234805650/

Rhea being not the captain but the fourth wheel in the NXT WarGames match (or some other multi-woman stipulation match - I can't remember exactly what now) tells you how damaged she was just a few short months after the Charlotte reign of terror. If I recall correctly, Shotzi was the captain.

Which invalidates Dav'oh's point that Sami would be a bad idea for those reasons when Cody is the other option for that spot.

And none of that - none of it - paints WWE in a favorable light. Instead, it shows that they're still - once again, as always, business as usual - a rigid, inflexible company that forces its own agenda while ignoring the hot hand they've been dealt organically over and over and over again. So, they're buying for it Cody? Look, I love Cody - probably more than anyone on this board - but really?!

You post a lot of ridiculous shit - yes, I know I do too - but this takes the cake. Sami Zayn is a Syrian-Canadian who runs a major charity - Sami for Syria - and would be an awesome representative for WWE and check all the boxes when it comes to diversity, hard work, being inspirational, etc. He's absolutely the type of representative you bring to meet potential buyers and media players. In fact, as you yourself pointed out, Sami was the go-to guy for one of those media types - Johnny Knoxville. You don't trust a celeb with just anyone. The only crimp - and the real reason Sami isn't main eventing WrestleMania - is because of the Saudi blood money deal.

Remind me again: Why the hell are we getting Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes? This is the match everyone wants to see!

Women's Rumble was pretty dull the first half, but it picked up in the second half and got red hot toward the final stretch - Nia notwithstanding.

Why would Lacey be thrilled to see her?

UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Too late. She broke something. A record. Quickest elimination. WTF was that?

PIPER NIVEN No more Doudrop bullshit. I honestly hope she wins - Piper vs. Bianca would be a banger because they've had bangers before.

This match has been a colossal bore so far.

If not Mami, I think it'll be Bayley.

Mami has to win this, right?

Sub attacked him and took his mask.

Seth's marriage to Becky must be on the rocks if he's taking her to Applebee's.

I completely zoned out, so you're probably right.

I don't want to hear another word about Mauro's forced pop culture references - Pat McAfee comparing this neon abomination to "The Last of Us" is a bad joke.

"THIS IS AWESOME!" "YOU'VE STILL GOT IT!"

Austin Theory being in the final four - BLAH!

This feels like a massive mistake and the beginning of fans turning on Cody - if not tonight, then soon. Should've called an audible and had Sami enter and win.