El-P

Dylan was too good and too smart for us and the board, that's pretty much the feel I got from him in the end... Hey, that's Twitter gain I guess. (yeah, it's sarcasm)

Oh, I do agree about that. They did nothing with Chucky T, the wedding really wasn't good (come on ! a wrestling wedding ! so much they could have done). His booking has been mostly a miss, but there's still plenty of time.

Except he hasn't even been in the company for six months and most of the focus hasn't been on that wedding angle at all, actually there haven't been much angles about this (which is part of why it failed, although the wedding itself hasn't been good), the focus has been on a tag team feud against Best Friends and Orange Cassidy.

Well, Dreamer can still cut one hell of a babyface promo. Really cool of IMPACT to have him main event that special for the title against Swann. Pretty cool too to also have AEW talents send happy birthday wishes, of course MJF and Jericho totally shit on Tommy ! Black Taurus being the third person is Decay in really the perfect fit, he'll get one of the best intro too that way. I had not seen him for more than a year now, he still looks as awesome as ever.

Ok, so I just googled that one. Holy shit ! This is the way... out of the set. The irony of *Disney* firing someone for being antisemitic though... Times, they are a-changin'

Yes. I do. Because the fact DDT has its roots on comedic wrestling or the fact their finisher had a sexualized name doesn't mean it was not a genuine relationship/frienship story that came off very real, more real than most thing in pro-wrestling. Probably because it was. Now, I'll say this, the very first times I saw Omega, I hated him. I'm sure I would find old posts of mine from a few years ago and I would slap myself around the face for saying those things then, because the switch had not happened in my head and I was stuck into that viewpoint of "oh, it doesn't look like the pro-wrestling I know so it's sucks". Same things for the Bucks BTW. At some point I basically gave in and realized I was wrong (basically when I began to watch more and more and understand what was going on today).

He hasn't been there for 6 months. They were not gonna TNA themselves and have him show up in the promotion and run over everyone despite him being a JTTS in WWE. And it's not a case of FTR which had this buzz of them vs Young Bucks going on for years. They need to rebuild him. Granted, although I did enjoy some of his stuff, I admit the booking has not been the best with him, but he's displaying another side of his personality which is much closer to his real self, so the best is yet to come I'd say.

Sorry, but to say that Omega doesn't convey passion is so wrong. The entire storyline arc with Ibushi or within the Bullet Club with the Cody feuds conveyed more real emotion than whatever the Rock ever was involved in. He had people crying in Japan when he won the title from Okada. Funny thing, no Austin vs Rock match was really that important anyway. And the biggest one they had actually marked the end of the WWF peak because f the worst idea ever (turning Austin heel and shaking Vince's hand) Anyway, you know which one I'm referring to. Without Omega vs Jericho in NJ, there's probably no AEW (Tony Khan has stated many times that the fact this drew so much US viewers to subscribe to NJ World is what showed him there was an audience who wanted something else and ready to pay for it), which has totally redefined the landscape of the business.

Honestly I think you are. I'll tell you this, I'm not a fan of seeing Brodie Jr. on TV (apart from the tribute show) mainly because I don't care for kids on TV (and I never cared for kids on TV including when I was a kid, I did not want to see fucking brats on TV, I wanted to watch adults and monsters and robots). If this becomes regular thing (which I don't think it will at all, plus there was one spot on Dark and one on Dynamite and not much else I believe, I've not seen other social media stuff), yeah, I will probably not gonna like it for many reasons. But until now, to me they come off as making this kid's life as "fun" as it can be in this dramatic context, plus it's gonna be some nice memories to balance the tragedy of losing your father.

Chapter 3 : The Road to the main-event WrestleMania XII (1996) – Undertaker vs Diesel The first really big time Taker match at Mania, as Diesel had been the legit n°1 guy in the company for the last year and a half. Interesting as Nash was already on the outs yet he shows up as his best version of Diesel yet, displaying the snarky cool heel attitude that would basically make the nWo the hottest angle in the months to come. The difference of pace with other Mania matches is obvious from the very beginning, as there is maybe more action in the first five minutes than in all Taker matches thus far combined, as they go for the familiarity approach and counter each other again and again, including on big spots like Taker’s flying clothesline and even teasing a finish (that's big match mentality right there). They pretty much establish themselves as equals, with is also a first as Taker was either the no-sell zombie earlier on either overwhelmed by a big monster. The rope-walk spot gets sold perfectly by Nash who just doesn’t go down like an idiot. They clearly do a whole lot early on to heat up the crowd until Nash takes over after Taker fucks up a chair spot outside. From then, Nash slows down the pace but also uses his heel charisma a lot to keep the audience involved. The heat segment is slow but engaging and you can really feel Nash’s work on Taker’s back is leading toward his finish. Nice double big boot spot and it’s time for a selling transition, as this match as been quite good. By that point, even the zombie sit-up spot has nothing to do with Hogan’s hulking up anymore, as here he does it yet has to grab the ropes to really get up and Nash gets back on top... with a bear hug that kinda hurts the pace a bit. That being said, it doesn’t last too long, still makes sense (back work) and from there they work a side-headlock spot into a side-suplex from Taker, which is another new spot for him. I must say Taker’s incoming comeback is a little weak to me, as I do find his offense, outside of the big spot, to be a bit tedious, repetitive and to be perfectly honest, kinda sloppy. He punches a lot but apart when he does the super quick body shots, his punches are quite mediocre. He’s just not super compelling on offense during his comebacks and also kinda *looks* sloppy. On the contrary, anytime Nash counters him, you can feel the *weights* of the shots, that’s something Nash is very good at, much better than Taker’s whose celerity worked better when it was a contrast to his immobility during the early days. I’d go so far to say this is more of a Nash match, especially towards the end when he does not one, but two jacknife spots where he *doesn’t cover* Taker and acts like a total douchebag, sure of his victory, taunting the fallen Taker. Kind of a masterpiece of protecting his finisher too (although it has been pointed earlier on that it happened a lot during Taker's matches then, but Nash really made it like a big moment here) as Taker is not gonna kick out of it. Another interesting twist is Nash going for the pin only for Taker to grab him by the neck so Nash has to punch him down, and they do this bit three times before Nash can’t counter anymore. Except he actually does by applying the same side suplex Taker used earlier on. Ok, this has gotten really good. Ending stretch sees the flying clothesline Taker had missed earlier on, the chokeslam and the Tombstone for the win. Quite interesting that they managed to have this big match feel without working any real nearfall at all (replaced by the taunting part after the jacknifes). Tons of credit to Nash who had one of his best performances in WWF on his way out and finally gave Taker his first good match at Mania after five years. 1-4

Except it's really not, as demonstrated by his actual track record. Whether one enjoy his work or not, he's been a star in Japan for years, has main-evented the biggest events and buildings for NJPW, was one-half of the most important match or the last 20 years, is currently a star in AEW and at the center of the hottest angle going on today, not to mention the fact he's considered by many as one of the greatest wrestlers ever (again, whether one enjoy him or not, the facts are there in term of delivering the kind of match that an audience, both in Japan and in the US, considers great, and that for years and years now). Plus, in all honesty, and taking in consideration all notions of subjectivities involved, let's think back about Ricky Steamboat and his totally overexagerated body gestures and facials every time he would register a shot (not to mention his infamous "karate" offense) or Flair and Hennig pinballing around and taking goofy-ass bumps; this was all theatrical as fuck, and way more than anything Kenny does (Kenny looks and works much more "dangerous" than any of these guys, even taking account of the context and eras). Now, people are gonna talk about goofy facials but again, Randy Savage and his bulging eyes and coked out maneurisms say hello. I don't see how any of this is different (FTR, I love all of these guys who are all all-time favorites of mine) Cornette's "valid" criticisms of Omega are baseless, both in term of aesthetics and actual working ability.

Well, that's a downer. I thought he was just disinterested with pro-wrestling these days.

I did not say anything then because that would probably not have gotten over well with some people, but basically I was in awe of all the people who magically got their Master's degree in language science and sociolinguistics... (basically I thought this whole "boo Brandi you're doing code-switching it's offensive" thingy was completely ridiculous). And to quote Luchasaurus, I have a Master's degree (in language science). I'm basically of the unpopular opinion (especially in France where everyone is apparently a grammatical genius...) that people who aren't specialist in the field of language should just shut the fuck up about language matters ! But anyway, Brandi is not wrong. As far as her getting pissed off, she basically said went off Actor's Studio style, channeling real anger and real emotion to cut her promo. Which is probably why she's such a great promo. It's just too bad her booking had been all over the place, really.

That Tay Conti squash this week was excellent, the submissions, the stiff kicks (she sure ain't kicking her tighs) and that knee in the face in the corner ! She is slowly but surely becoming a favourite of mine... She is so much better now than when she debuted a few months ago (sure speaks a lot about Dustin & QT, while it says a lot also about the four years she spent in NXT learning not that much apparently). Her, Anna Jay & Britt Baker, at the rate they improve, can be something really big in just a few years.

The funniest thing is that I did not know of Maki Itoh's existence (she was announced but was a part of a bunch of japanese wrestlers I had never heard of because I don't follow the scene), but now whenever she'll show up either on Dark or Dynamite (even on a taped match from Japan), she'll already be over with me for having owned Cornette on Twitter. And I'm probably not the only one.

I had to google that, I had no idea what that meant (although I guesses it was an insult toward Omega). So pathetic.

She is the actual worker, whom he actually had called out earlier (I guess because someone linked her account to him since she's gonna be in the AEW tournament).

Corny getting out-worked and out-trolled by a 25 years old Japanese woman pro-wrestler...

So, she sucks at humor too.

He was a "star" during the Cena era, for whatever that is worth. But let's be real, no one except Cena past 2004 is worth being called a legend in WWE. I don't remember if he pulled numbers when he came back the first time, but he's nothing new anymore, he's just another old guy from 20 years ago coming back at this point. And he won the Rumble and will point@sign and main-event Mania, probably against a guy who was working in the company 12 years ago already. Meanwhile, Jericho, who was never considered as big a star as Edge in the WWE (and I would think the fact he was a WCW guy, although a young one, played a part), will end up a much, much more important figure when all his said and done, and that includes drawing younger viewers at age 49... The only guy from the Cena era who would have made a difference if they had played their cards right instead of fucking up like they do is CM Punk. I wonder if he doesn't regret getting that AEW money now, as he was the other former WWE guy Tony Khan wanted initially.

This is crazy. Legit insanity, especially considering they are idiot proof (which is a real issue creatively) on a financial level and have raided the indies for the sole reason of preventing competition, which is a move that has totally failed. Where are the Andrades, the Aleister Blacks, the Ricochets, the Keith Lees and whatnot, all those can't miss prospects from a few years back ? They can book Bad Bunny all they want, considering the terrible number post-Rumble RAW pulled, it's obvious the millenials and zoomers aren't gonna be watching a famous rapper on a boomer show. That's how the promotion should be renamed actually, WBE for World Boomer Entertainment. Orton, Jeff Hardy, The fucking Miz, Sheamus ? I can give a pass to Drew McEntyre because it's his first main event stint in the company, but really now, this gives stale a whole new definition. No wonder why the women are so much more interesting, because they are fresh *by default* (well, not of all them, as some have already overstayed their welcome obviously, but in the big picture they are all much fresher to watch) Speaking of which, and as far as Nia goes, I first watched without the sound, so I already kekw (see, I'm the old guy talking like kids on Twitch) at that ultra-pathetic legdrop, but wow, the sound gives it another level of fucking embarrassing. That Nia girl should be glad she was born in the right family, she's been the drizzling shits for years, hasn't improved one bit since she debuted (she actually looks like she has regressed over the years), and now she'll be turned into a gif. Black hole indeed.

WrestleMania XI (1995) – Undertaker vs King Kong Bundy So, Taker was not at Mania X, which ironically was also the first Mania without Hogan, and in a way the first "workrate" Mania with two matches that would eclipse the entire card, one of which actually changing the game for the long term. And I’m telling you, Face Taker was Hogan slaying monsters, expect he was doing it in the midcard. And here we are a year later and since we’re at it, might as well bring a washed up guy from the Hogan era, because yes, this is deep into the 90’s now (actually the really down period, as showed by the visible spots of empty seats in an already smaller building), New Generation and stuff with super modern lights effects. And by the way, the production is the most notable thing here, because it’s the first Mania occurrence of the classic Taker entrance he got at SummerSlam 94 upon his comeback, with the lights out, the classic theme, the thunder and lightning and the purple glow (as Taker has the black and purple color scheme now, as he gave up the grey stuff to Brian Lee). Pretty awesome, really... and that's about it... ... gawwd there’s a match.... but no one seems to care as Todd Pettengill sporting a mullet (my eyes are burning !) is interviewing some football player at ringside. Also there’s some baseball umpire as the special referee. Ok, whatever. No one gives a flying fuck, why should I ? King Kong Bundy certainly doesn’t. He still can do the wibbly-wobbly sell like he’s somewhere in Texas in the 80’s but hey buddy, since then we had already seen Vader having killer matches everywhere. His entire « powerful » offense consist of some of the worst and softest clotheslines ever that would make Lex Luger blush with shame (hitting the guy with his wrist, basically) and yeah, boring restholds because it worked for him in the 80’s when everything was so much better because of pSyCHoloGY, as they say... Bundy really brings jackshit to the table in 95 (if he ever did). Hey, a rope-walk spot (awful landing and bumping though, because Bundy is so lazy he can't even place himself at the right spot apparently)... Taker no-sells a bunch because he’s Hogan, fuck he’s actually doing the bodyslam spot now because he’s Hogan. Much drama about Bearer getting back the big urn with a flashlight inside (yeah, you know, maybe The Fiend is not *that* bad after all...) then the Million Dollar Corporation (remember that godforsaken stable ?) stealing back the urn with a flashlight inside (which leads to Jim Ross interviewing Kama, expert in MMA & hoes, while the match is going on... yeah, no one gives a fuck about THIS match, that’s so obvious). Not even a tombstone for obvious reasons (and yeah, guessed it, no chokeslam either), the match ends with yet another awful flying clothesline. Terrible match and segment altogether once the classic introduction is over. 0-4

This is fascinating. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Funny, as I was watching the show I was thinking how the board was gonna shit on that failed wedding segment (apart from having James Mitchell, which was awesome, and a few funny lines here and there, and Penelope looking like only she can) and then, that fucking main event (Fénix was out of this world, and the fact the Good Brothers could hang on with these people is telling, no matter what they showed in WWE for years) and KENTA !!!! Well, that wasn't expected. I was really thinking they were gonna get back that US belt without much fanfare on that NJPW Strong show and AEW would never address it, well, I could not have been further from what happened there. I've been thinking about how fascinating the whole Good Brothers story is (basically, if they just sign with AEW from the get go, they are part of the roster and what have you, but ending up signing with WWE then being fired during the pandemic then signing with "not relevant lol" IMPACT ended up making them much more interesting and hotter than they ever were in the US scene) and really KENTA is another one. Here's this guy who was a star and great worker in Japan, signs with WWE, wastes a bunch of years in NXT under a fake name because they are still in "no one knows who KENTA is anyway and we need trademarks" mode, gets injured un-learning how to work because there's only one way, loses his confidence and gets hurt more, comes back to Japan and re-invent himself working around his current physical limitations and shows up a few years later in the show that basically has been kicking NXT's ass for a year and a half straight to much HYPE. Kinda crazy when you think about it how things turned out. Also, I have no idea what happened with Britt Baker but it doesn't make any sense that someone who was as green and tentative as she was a year ago just breaks her leg and comes back about ten times better, that match with Rosa (remember she's under NWA contract ? Yeah, no one does, really) with terrific, they really beat the shit out of each others. Gotta love some Bear Country, these guys have been super impressive on Dark, push them. Gives a great contrast with Private Party & Top Flight too. Don't really need more of the Acclaim though, especially not Max Caster who's about as impressive a worker as he is a rapper. He gives me Buff Bagwell vibes.

Not only that, but people talking about him being the next Brock Lesnar when he hasn't even begin to train is completely ridiculous. Also, he's a football player, not a wrestler. And... I know it's unfair and totally gratuitous, but there's a vibe about how the guy looks... yeah... I won't say more.... he'll probably fit right there in NXT.