El-P

Also one thing that is very seldom talked about in reference to the "everything called in the ring" : a lot of matches really sucked back then too. Of course the great workers were having great matches, but man, watch a random WWF or NWA big card from the mid 80's and the bad stuff is sooooo bad. Nothing today is as bad as the bad shit from back then. Like, not even close.

Honestly, this was already the case 20 years ago.

I believe all the big All Japan matches from the 90's were carefully laid out beforehand too. There's no way you put that much deep psychology and so many intricate sequences without planning them. Too me there's a total over romanticization of the "call everything in the ring" stuff. It's easier to call everything in the ring when the matches and the spots are that much simpler. I also don't believe for a second the whole "every night was a different match because we listened to the crowd" discourse. Sure, it may not have been *exactly* the same match moves for moves but really, when every match is built around super simple spots (headlocks, dropkicks, armdrags) and a shine/heat/comeback structure, it's not like you're playing free jazz either.

So yeah Tessa was totally ghosted on this week's show, which is kinda old-school. The company does hurt though, because Elgin & Tessa were two of the main-eventers and Tessa had been their biggest and hottest name, and all of a sudden these are not there anymore with zero mention on TV. And then you get a Super Eric tease at the end of the show, which is probably the worst tease they could have done with me... Highlight was Locker Room Talk with Bravo, Taya and Rosemary. Slammiversary still looks like a pretty good card on paper.

This is all a matter of perception and bias. No one can watch a Hogan match and pretend it looked like anything other than a complete cartoon. All of John Cena's big matches totally came off scripted as all hell, no matter how good is selling was. Once you've done an irish whip or done a spot off the ropes, it's completely ridiculous to talk about struggle. Some worker bring more of a sense of struggle, for sure, but as a form as a whole, pro-wrestling always kinda looks like a dance, because that's what it is. The major difference is that spots have became much more complicated and athletically demanding. And there's also a lack of learning the basics in the US, whereas in NJPW those Young Lions are just hammered with it for years, which is why there are so above everyone else. I mean, I do like Private Party, but I gotta chuckle at the guy doing a standing moonsault as his very first offensive move in a match !

Pimping ain't easy. Really, that's the first thing that come to my mind. I mean, "available" for WHAT ? And.... "finance" a relationship ? WHAT ? Not to mention the obvious elephant in the room here in term of racism. Honestly none of the women in WWE has really talked yet (and probably won't). I mean, those stories about Randy Orton hazing and harassing women should have resurfaced, right ?

Really enjoyed the show. Opening tag match was excellent, Penelope Ford really has improved by leaps and bounds and her match with Shida was as good as it could be at this stage. Hager did a good thing by having his wife at his side, because he canno't look more bland by himself (WTF were those trunks ?). A good gimmick for them would be the annoying parents. You know, the kind who just can't shut the fuck up about their kids. hager has been at its best during those vignettes and I thought the "We love you" spot was quite funny, therefore this idea. Plus Catalina the Uncrown Miss USA is gold as a gimmick, kinda Debra McMichealish. Match was really good too and I like Cody going all Bret Hart on the finish. Private Party vs Santana & Ortiz was much better than expected to me. I credit Santana & Ortiz, because PP still are spot workers basically. Improving though, but there was no reason to push them after they upset the Young Bucks months ago, just not ready. Glad they got new music. Taz dropping "we're not running a sloppy business" had me pop hard. This is vintage Taz from 1997. That Darby Allen spot was insane. The guy is gonna hurt himself outside of the ring though at some point doing this stuff... Main event was very good too, Page looked like a star again, and it's obvious that's the whole point of this whole tag-team anyway. Omega is just great doing what he does but not overshadowing anyone. Understated best worker of the year, really. As always, enjoying the old "Bash at the Beach" feel of the show with the set ups and Schiavone & Ross wearing the flowery hawaiian shirts. Jericho on announcing was gold, but yeah 4 is too much. They've done a really good job with the first night. Felt like a bigger show than the usual TV for sure, everything seemed special and important, and *different*.

Damn, I tried my best when you were all down on Asuka. Then you got to your senses. Then you said Mauro Ranallo was the best announcer. I tapped out right there ! For sure, I've always hated that look, no matter who wears it. A fucking bulletproof vest in a pro-wrestling ring, really ? Roman is a clear case of being both underrated and overrated to me.

So, Kane also sucks as a mayor. Yeah, I have no idea where that whole thing come from, really. People in the US will fight for the "freedom" of carrying a gun and not wear a mask during a pandemic. And then wonder why the rest of the planet think very poorly of them... Force et courage to everyone having to live alongside those people, really...

And Aries would get up right after the finish. That is, if he could.

Dream match of 2020. Masked Kawada kicking Ki into oblivion and Masked Kobashi chopping Aries into pieces.

Isn't that cute. The houlier than thou vegan douchebag doesn't want to wear a mask. Oh, the irony.

Hogan, that shooter... In Japan, no less.

It's nobody else's business but theirs. Private life is just that, private. Yes, it is puritanism to judge what other people do with their love and sex life. We agree on both points there.

Completely ridiculous and this is the puritanism noise I was talking about. Fuck that shit, really.

Sorry but this is ridiculous. People do what they want and it's their private lives and nobody's business and nobody's to judge. This has nothing to do with anything.

Well, even if he did nothing wrong relating to that story that is out, which still remains ambiguous to say the least, fuck him seven ways to Sunday for saying shit like this because it shows that he doesn't understand the issue at hands at all.

She did a photo shoot with Salina de la Renta earlier this month. No idea where it took place, but you can see her and Salina promoting it on their Twitter. Meltz mentioned WWE is interested in Tessa. Of course, Tessa vs Charlotte writes itself and honestly, even I would make an exception and watch *that* match.

Our leader our chairman our CEO... "Join the Dark Order..." He's lying his ass off with "we're testing everybody" too. I won't even go to the "frontline workers" line. Can't decipher if Charlotte's nods were her being kinda awkward about the load of bullshit or if she's a total WWE Bot at this point.

I know it shouldn't, but it made me legit laugh out loud. Sounds like a great name for some grindcore band or something.

Ok then. I get it. Thanks. Had to google Kate Goesslin though, no idea who she is. Well, from what I know, a Chad is like the overtly sexual alpha-male, fraternity type douchebag.

Ok, you'll have to enlighten my French ass here as it's twice today I stumble onto the "Karen" thingy and I have no idea what that means. The first time I thought it was refering to Karen Jarrett (as she would be some sort of a bitch or something), but I guess that would be me stuck in the wrestling bubble. So. I know what a Chad is (yes I do), but I have no idea what a Karen is.

"COVID is a work" is pretty much the only thing lacking is this beautifully stupid and selfish "argument". He's ready for the E'. Wait, no, he burned that bridge a long time ago.