strobogo

I thought it was pretty good and probably more entertaining going the way it did as opposed to a normal match

I don't think so, looks like Joe got pissed at Johnny elbowing him directly in the face to open the match as he was going for a tie up. Then Joe gave him a receipt, and they spent the rest of the match going back and forth with each other

Who would have guessed Joe vs Johnny Nitro would be super chippy and at times bordering on uncooperative

Jokes and satire on TV and movies are not the same thing as someone doing it in private as something to send to friends, either as a joke or actually in support. This shouldn't have to be explained to you multiple times, although I'm sure you know there's a difference. I think most of us agree that Cater probably isn't an anti-semite or neo Nazi. However, optics matter, especially in a public company (both in terms of being an entertainment company and also publicly owned). Pretty much any company is going to get rid of an employee who has pictures of themselves as Hitler in just about any context other than as part of a stage/TV/movie production.

Sasha has kind of felt like she's had one foot out ever since she came back from that hiatus from severe depression due to WWE beating her love of wrestling out of her. She's had a lot of great performances since then, but the spark has been out of her eyes ever since. She's had the rug pulled out from her and consistently pushed aside in favor of Charlotte/Ronda/Bliss. If they really were going to have both Naomi and Sasha job to the singles champs (on the same show no less) while the tag champs, I can see why they'd be like "why the fuck are we even the champs then" and leaving.

Personally, I think more talent should reject shitty creative and leave. The wrestlers need to take some power back.

Oh, Uce definitely should have been fired. Is there nothing in the wellness policy about driving under the influence and associated criminal charges? They at least should have made him go to rehab like they would with Hardys.

I think I'd actually agree that WWE's hypocrisy should be the bigger story, but dude chose to be a public figure, and public figures are going to get scrutiny for "dumb things they did when they were 20" in a public way. "X has done worse" is not a good justification for Y's behavior being brushed off.

I dunno, but "she's put up with far worse, Sasha must be a bad influence" is an interesting take

The American education system being what it is, I suppose it is possible he hadn't learned much about the Holocaust, but man that statement makes him come off as an ignorant moron. I think most companies, particularly public companies, and especially ones in entertainment, are going to get rid of employees having pictures of them just doing a little Hitler impression in their free time. I'm sure you can see the difference in a satirical stage show/movie by a Jewish creator who participated in the Battle of the Bulge, and someone from the cast doing the HH with a toothbrush mustache at home, even if as a joke.

I don't remember them acknowledging Punk at all until Steph made a dig about his UFC fight.

That's got to be the most aggressive "fuck this talent" statement WWE has put out since the Austin walk out. Think of all the stories of people walking out or refusing creative and the show having to be rescheduled over the years, and how many times can you remember the announcers openly talking about it on TV and putting out a multiple paragraph statement. I actually can't remember any other than Austin.

I like goofy, mostly comedic mid card stooge EY. I've not liked any of his serious heel runs, especially the psycho stable leader EY from Sanity through VBD.

NXT signings is fine and good because most of them are some of the most talented folks around and it'd be dumb not to pick them up if you have the chance. Booking them the same or redoing feuds is not good. A Gargano/Cole redux would be bad.

I'm truly amazed Darby hasn't had a catastrophic injury on live TV

Jay White did absolutely nothing for me until the G1 in 2020 and he ended up being the MVP and most entertaining guy on the roster.

Well yeah, why would he put titles on people who don't work for him?

I'm convinced that "health issue" Jericho had a few months back was liver related and his doctor told him he needed to stop drinking immediately. Anyway, the look Hangman had after that promo on the floor that wasn't commented on seemed like he didn't really want to say that stuff but needed to hype himself up because he's nervous.

This seems pretty out of nowhere

Also when 205 Live started, Finn Balor was suddenly billed as 206 pounds

There was definitely a lot of awesome stuff on 205. There was a string of multiman matches every week that were great, the Ali/Murphy series, Lio Rush vs Cedric Alexander. In general, Ali was probably having the best face run in WWE since Bryan in 2013.

The energy is always off, both in the crowd and performers. Like the last show of tapings at Full Sail would always be.

Rampage desperately needs to either be live or at least taped separately from Dynamite.

I'm pretty confident Midway going under had nothing to do with the TNA game and everything to do with they were basically only making licensed games and Mortal Kombat games for the entire 2000-2008 period and bad leadership that went through like 3 CEOs in 3 months.

What the hell is Tony doing with the TNT Championship? Shit is the WCW Championship in 2000.