El-P

Also in a weird way, or not, the TNA debut on AMC almost felt like closure to me too. I started an insane TNA watch a decade ago basically at the time to distract me from a depressive state, and then actually became of legit fan of the promotion during the D'Amore/Callis days after LU went down, then it got mixed with my favorite promotion ever in AEW during the Covid days. It was like the perfect storm. And then, ya know, NXT relationship, product turning into a boring dreg, with ridiculous astroturfing from WWE and their army of grifters to weaponize it... And then this AMC debut which, if tried to put together the most LOLTNA show ever, I would not have been able to reach the ridiculous level of incompetence and shit-ass booking, production gaffes and pathetic clown show quality that this hour and a half of pro-wrestling TV did. It's like after two years of being renamed the infamous three letters, TNA had finally circled back entirely, like the Ouroborous of shit pro-wrestling wrestling worthy of the worst hours of WCW 2000 (and I of all people know what I'm talking about), only more boring (but still hilarious at times). Maybe like quantic physics tells us, the present, the past and the future don't actually exist, and TNA being actually fun for a minute was like a bizarre Covid fever dream, in the grand cosmic scheme of things, TNA is always LOLTNA.

In a weird way, or not, WK and Tanahashi's retirement almost felt like closure to me. Although I really did not watch Tana's first prime as it happened, I did catch up while I was following the Okada years, which were the one that got me back into the current (at the time) pro-wrestling (alongside Lucha Underground back then). So it's been like a bit more than a decade for me of slowly closing the gap stylistically and witnessing what I consider the greatest era of professional wrestling, basically the NJPW golden days of Okada's peak with Tana alongside for the ride and then AEW and CMLL last year. Like, how lucky I was to be able to watch this has it happened, in the best conditions of access and material quality since I've been watching pro-wrestling (35 years now, holy hell). And really, that Okada vs Tanahashi last match was easily one of the best match I've ever seen. Right up there. Incredible performance from both, with an incredible setting. It's like, after this, if I was to be done for this or that reason, I've witnessed the best of the best. Been there, done that. (of course who the hell knows what's coming) In the end Hiroshi Tanahashi might just be the greatest pro-wrestler I ever had the joy to watch.

So CMLL sold it's millionth ticket for Arena Mexico this year last week. This is insane. And with Soberano Jr. coming back and looking like the biggest star, the sell outs may go on for a few more weeks. Haven't watched the Soberano vs Mistico match from last week yet, but this feels like a major match. The AEW involvement, JeetSpeed, Claudio and such, has been nothing but a blast too. 2025 has really been the year of CMLL.

I wouldn't say overnight though. It took him a little bit of time. He was basically in ROH for a while developing himself, he won the ROH TV title, has that great match with Lee Johnson, but he did not have that aura and great heel character yet. I'd say he really blossomed with the Ospreay feud and the CC late last year. From there, yeah, it's crazy how great he became on every aspect. I honestly did not think the lanky guy from Aussie Open would become *that* guy either. Kinda hard for Mark Davies, who's one hell of a Stan Hansen/Terry Gordy like worker. All of this happened because he got hurt basically and they had to do something with Fletcher.

Finally caught up with Winter is Coming. Holly hell what a show. I feel Babes of Wrath were the right choice. At this point Toni Storm doesn't even need a belt and Willow surely deserved that one, she needs to be either TNT or World champ in 2026 too. I enjoyed Raven-esque heel Jack Perry, but he's ten times better as a babyface, let's be real. And thus far he hasn't missed a beat either. The CC is a good opportunity to re-establish him at this level. Yeah, Speedball vs Kyle was nuts. What these guys are doing takes *so much* in term of ability, timing, creativity, cardio *and* they do a great job character wise in term of involving the crowd too. I'm SO glad Speedball signed with AEW when he left TNA. Between this and the Arena Mexico (where he's actually great as a rudo) stuff, what a year. And Kyle, oh well, Kyle is the present and the future. It's been amazing to see him develop from the lanky super worker in Aussie Open to this guy who's bound to be one of the biggest star of the next ten years. I also believed Eddie could have won. The good thing about this, is that he looked good, which wasn't a given after his lastest performances (understandably so, he was off for so long after a horrific injury). He's a guy who can always get back at this level of support because of his character and promos, so I hope he's actually gonna get his one day, likewise Mark Briscoe. And meanwhile on the ROH show, there was some terrific stuff, including Mercedes Moné doing yet again her best Flair impersonation and did what she does best : make other people look great. Best match of Velvet's career. And that main event of Athena vs Persephone was also terrific. That Persephone girl is gonna get that double contract.

Yeah, he is on a Legend's deal. Good for him. https://www.instagram.com/p/DSVFwQxjZmC/ While I have been concerned about WWE‘s close relationship with Donald Trump for several months — especially in light of his administration’s ongoing cruel and inhumane treatment of immigrants (and pretty much anyone who “looks like an immigrant”) — reading the President’s incredibly cruel comments in the wake of Rob Reiner’s death is the final straw for me. I no longer wish to represent a company that coddles a man so seemingly void of compassion as he marches our country towards autocracy. Last night, I informed @WWE talent relations that I would not be making any appearances for the company as long as this man remains in office. Additionally, I will not be signing a new Legends deal when my current one expires in June. I love WWE, will always treasure my time with them, and I am deeply appreciative for all the opportunities they afforded me. But, in the words of Popeye the sailor, “I stands all I can stands, and I can’t stands no more.”

Oh yeah. I can keep Christian Cage, really. But Hurt Syndicate they can have in exchange for nothing. That fucking MVP on announcing *burying the fuck* out of Speedball before the PPV. That guy is the dirt worst. They can have Wardlow too in exchange for, I dunno, whomever doesn't suck. Ya know, JDC (that's Fandango, I know you ain't watching TNA) is having a better retirement road than Cena, really...

I wonder if this would make Jericho reconsider... I mean, looking at this (and after the Goldberg debacle), is that really the people you want to be in charge of your retirement road ? Not to mention Triple H probably still being bitter at Jericho for being better and immediately more over than him when he showed up after all these years... (no, I'm not asking for it, you can gladly go back. Really, you can, it is gonna be ok...)

Ok, if the card announced is the actual card, then it's obvious NJPW is cooked, because Gedo can't book for shits anymore. They have the biggest show in 25 years and THIS is the card ? A 4 way contender match for the IWGP title ? A random 10 men tag ? No Umino ? No Uemura ? No ZSJ ? No big match for Gabe Kidd either ? This is a totally baffling card.

Maybe so to some extent, but still, the sells jumped and really put it over the edge when Okada vs Tanahashi was announced. The real test with Aaron Wolf will be the following months and how he's employed and how he's actually doing as a worker (thus far the reports are he's a charisma vacuum).

Clap clap clap. Peak PWO post there, this is glorious. I haven't seen the clips of Cody crying (because of course !) and Jey Uso being drunk but holy shit every new thing I learn about this stuff makes it better and better. I mean, it's nothing new really, Jey Uso was known for showing up drunk to drive... And really now. John Cena's retirement post show got AEW chants, from *this era*'s WWE audience, ponder that for a second or two. The energy it probably took TK to *not troll* on social media.

John Cena saying his goodbyes to sports-entertainment. By kissing... Riyadh Season. I fucking can't.😂 This is indeed, absolute cinema.

I saw the clip. Holly shit, this product is such SHIT it's insane. The tap out with the zoom in on Cena doing that corny-ass smile was so fake and manufactured. It's the "Sorry I love you" syndrome. It's the "community theatre Roman Reigns Bloodline lines of dialogues galore" syndrome. And people go out there "OMG THIS IS ABSOLUTE CINEMA". Holy fuck. 😂 EDIT : well, Levesque got "A-E-W" and "Fuck the Saudis !" chants during the post-show. Wonder if he's gonna have to apologize for the later. 😂 EDIT 2 (because I don't wanna spam) : holy shit the clips are hilarious. Levesque and Stephy coming out to HEAT BOOS and "you fucked up" chants while CM Punk and Cody enter the ring to give him some retirement belts. This is *classic shit* here. Reports were funny as hell. Actual clips have me rolling.

I mean, Jericho coming back to a Bloodmoney show is hysterical. Can't wait for the obligatory CM Punk feud. But let's be serious. Everybody knows Jericho is actually showing up at Genesis and winning the TNA title there, Hogan at Mania 9 style, to propel TNA as the real #2 promotion. As far as that Cena retirement, the reports are quite funny to read indeed. The entire retirement road has been an incredible botch. Has there ever been such a terrible retirement road for such a major star (and yeah, I know the obvious answer is El Hijo del Santo, who retired exactly the same day and no one gives a flying fuck, cubsfan did a great article about that story) ? I can't think of one. I'm sure Adam Copeland is so sad by the career move he made now and that he'll retire in the company that had that Sting retirement... Knowing Levesque, he's gonna take that reaction well, obviously... 😎

No idea when his contract is up, but if it is, there's a chance he would debut today. Which would be hilarious for many reasons. Don't think it is yet but who knows. And even better, who cares. The discourse is gonna be pure comedy anyway.