El-P

Wow. So either you absolutely refuse to understand the point on purpose just to aggravate people on this board, or you're just dense as all fuck. What the fuck does that even means ? Wow (again). Have a cookie.

Enough. Please stop this shitty-worker shaming now.

No shit. If Nia isn't from Da Rock Family, she gets dropped to the bottom of the card until she disappears from the WWE Universe.

No shit.

That was Sid worthy line right there ! The cats look adorable though. LA Park vs Sami Callihan falls count anywhere was yet another case of Callihan delivering the goods. His reaction to Park's first chop was priceless, as was Salina grinning like a bruja. Later on, his rendition of the LA Park strut was pretty great too. Really old-school (as in, very 90's) brawl going down to the lobby for a while, tons of hitting each other with stuff, but with selling and purpose and few big spots. The finish was awesome and one of the coolest I've seen in a while. Yeah, Park still rules it when he wants to and Callihan is just the best garbage brawler in the business today, and a dirty-ass heel to boot. Loved it, one of the best Fusion match.

Finally got to hear the Souled Out 97 episode. Yeah, Conrad sounded salty as fuck on here. Not a whole lot to say more about this episode that hasn't been said. The defense of the Miss nWo contest and the garbage truck opening was kinda too much though, although Eric admitted than basically nothing worked, which is always pretty refreshing. Still, I'm with him on the fact they tried something different and on that part alone, it was not a complete miss. I remember watching it on a german channel back then and being quite intrigued by the whole thing. And it looked so different from anything the WWF was presenting at the time. Wishing you to get much better soon, Thread Killer.

Thanks. Funny, it doesn't look or sound *that* brutal. Which I guess is both good and bad...

That being said, I'm curious to see how it translated on TV. Yeah. Chop-porn, that's my new name for this kind of stuff !

*looking at the picture again* Yeah, it's disgusting and dumb as fuck. If you can't establish a one move killer without having to resort to *this*, well... Time to dig up the old "What is the worse business : porn or pro-wrestling ?" thread. (although pro-wrestling has probably evolved much more in the right direction lately, contrary to porn which is only getting worse and worse)

Hey, there you go, suffer for my sadistic pleasure. That's a way to look at things, and I am totally guilty of it at times. Doesn't mean I don't find it dumb as fuck and really low-brow.

Except you can get the same exact effect by throwing a stiff chop that looks great without busting the other guy's chest. That's not "minimal effort here", that's hitting the other guy as hard as you can. I remember people shitting on Sid back in 2000 because he didn't want to take Benoit's chops, but you know, there's always the argument : its' supposed to look like it hurts. Same as the ridiculous real headbutts or Foley asking Vader to bust his nose for real. It's even more stupid when you're actually a really good worker. Oh anyway, I would probably have popped for the chop if I just saw it... (didn't mean I would not think it's stupid though, I do react to stupid stuff)

Well, if that's true, it's ridiculous. I admit I was in awe of Walter vs PCO, but that was also the very first Walter match I've ever seen, and the resurgence of PCO came from such nowheres that it was amazing to see as a spectacle. But that being said, this is as stupid as the worst excess of garbage wrestling. The Kobashi vs Sasaki chop war was great because it was unique. Working stiff chop sequences for big match purpose in the right context telling the right story : good. This is just bullshit and completely idiotic. I can only picture some old timers shaking their head at this, and they would be right in that case. Give me a 50 year old Jeff Jarrett punch or a great current acrobatic flippy sequence over this, which requires no talent nor ability, just someone stupid enough to take it and wear it with "pride". (it's a very spontaneous reaction to that disgusting pic BTW)

It's not the issue. The issue is you trying to put yourself over constantly as being super connected and having tons of friends in the business. No one gives a fuck. If you want to report news because you have good sources, that's cool. But you come off pretty obnoxious with your constant "Hey, I'm such a good friend with so and so" stuff. Kinda like Conrad Thompson comes off like a giant douchebag with his constant bragging of owning this robe and that belt and shit. That's pretty much what annoys people around here, I think...

It's trendy but not hip anymore. Five, ten years ago, it was stuff for people working in graphic design office, hipster tatoo parlors and vegan food store. Now every douchebag on the street (or soccer player, which is essentialy the definition of a douchebag) is sporting the same beard and haircut (you know the one). Rene is gonna love announcing her husband jobbing to that waste of space that is Nia. And maybe get punched in the face and concussed in the process. Am I the only one shocked by the fact Jeff Jarrett has actually been signed (sources : Meltz) full time for a backstage job ? I guess really *anyone* can come back. It's been 20 years since Jarrett left on very bad terms.

KENTA is banged up as all hell, probably peaked ten years ago after a grueling decade in NOAH. It's not like he's Kota Ibushi in 2019 (both are the same age more or less I believe). He's got to work as a veteran in a friendly environment. As far as his status go, well, let's see if by virtue of having worked in WWE alone, he's a "bigger star" now than he was before in Japan (the answer is, probably not).

Latest BTE with a really funny line about Joey Ryan signing anything without reading, like that "lifelong contract with Lucha Underground". Also, Cody is falling in love with MJF, or so it seems...

KENTA had a struck of bad luck with all the injuries. But it's not like they would have done anything with him anyway, he could never have been KENTA when he came. Today, things may have been different. Let's see what they do with Kushida... Maybe he's homesick too and wants to go back to the country. I guess a veteran spot in All Japan or Noah is always a possibility.

I saw what you did there.

Hum... TNA signed Jeff Hardy, who was a main eventer. They signed Mr. Anderson, who was a main eventer (sorta). I agree a big name (sorta, because Ambrose really isn't a *big name* in the grand scheme of things, Jericho and Omega are much bigger names in the pro-wrestling landscape today) jumping from WWE to a fresh AEW is a positive sign you send as far as your product being hot and attractive, but AEW should be careful and really know what they want to do with this kind of guy. As long as they don't sign Jake Hager... (honestly, the one name AEW needs more than anything is Tessa Blanchard to anchor their women's division)

If AEW wants to be different, they really should think twice before signing the first WWE reject that gets available. Not to say they should not touch him, but they absolutely need to *not* be TNA circa 2010.

She hasn't killed any of her boyfriends at least. That's one over her father.

The more I think of it, the more the women Rumble looks bad, but in a so-bad-it's-good. So much awful spots (the idiotic hat spot, Hornswoggle basically chasing down Vega in a very creepy way), botches (big up to James & Evans), bad workers (that Peyton girl which I only know thanks to the "Meltzer is a sexist pig" debacle last summer sure looked awful, at least the other Ilconic was kinda funny, sorta). Not to mention very poorly thought out timing in term of out the spots were put together. And from a production standpoint, tons of missed stuff and fuck ups, at points I thought I was watching AAA on Twich. The fact the last third had Charlotte with Becky and Bayley again was really telling in how these three are in another league with most of the girls here (not counting Shirai & Sane). Also, the men's rumble was rushed as all hell at some point, I swear there must have been some 60sc intervals… Also, Bobby Lashley is amazingly unover, no one gave a flying fuck about him. Looking back at it, these two rumbles probably don't fare very well in the grand scheme of things.

She always was (I always thought she kinda looked like her too). But Chyna was actually useful and unique at one point.

So I came back in a fairly better mood after a fairly easier day. .... to watch a match involving Shane O-Mac. Ok. Back to boycott Ok, so... Sasha vs Ronda Rousey. And holy shit this was the Banks of old, remember when there was this talk about how she was a Top 5 worker in the world. Yeah, yeah, kinda overstating a wee bit. But here she was again, doing torture like arm work and shit like she's Oz (Mayumi, not Kevin Nash). Rousey is ridiculous. Of course this is a super scripted, heavily prepared environment, but you can't hold that against her. The way she does little things, the way she moves, her execution (yes, it matters), her facials... She's clearly one of the best rookie ever (I can put Mika Akino right next to her in term of women). I'd be tempted to go all the way to great match. MOTN anyway. Loved this. Women's Rumble. Well... not like last year. First half was essentially not very good. Or even bad at points. I guess Lacy Evans is gonna get some big push. Yeah, WWE loves their tall blonde with good looks still. Speaking of which, after months of not watching any WWE and watching tons of other stuff, it really struck me how badly glossed up most of the girls are there. To the point of making them actively unattractive, which I don't think is the point. Why do the men worker don't wear a dozen cover of makeup ? Anyway... Hey, Maria Kanellis is a surprise, to assure she will not jump to AEW. Damn Twitter rumours. Second half was better, but still nowhere as good as last year's masterfully booked first edition. Damn, Nia Jaxx also sucks at working the Diesel part. Her clotheslines are now sub-Luger level. Damn she's the Kane of this match. Gotta love how everyone here hates flips and shit, but a gymnast shows up and does gymnasts tricks and everyone is loving it (not to say it was not super cool to watch)... And I know Alexa gets no love around here, but she's still so good at being a petite bitch heel. Glad she was involved, she shined. Also, when did Carmella became good like that ? I had some other thing in mind, but too much happened since that point of the night. Oh yeah, the Mandy fucking over the save spot by Miss Glow was all kind of great. So, ok, the last part of the match was great, although the whole "Becky gets injured" was overdone and overdramatic to me, but that's WWE. Anyway, I guess they learned their lessons from the Bryan debacle. They lucked into Becky getting over like crazy, and she should main event Mania against Rousey (I accept a three way with Charlotte, who's too good to be denied, but still, Becky deserves the Stone Cold moment at Mania). AJ Styles vs Daniel Bryan. Ok, so this is TNA vs ROH, basically. Yes it is. They haven't learned to work that way by watching HHH's matches, ya know... Well, it was wonderfully done and way too subtle for a WWE dome show audience. Would have worked wonder in Korakuen Hall or something. Great minimalistic work by Bryan, AJ Styles danced along masterfully (that's how you sell something, Rollins, you dummie). And.... a total fuck finish which killed any notion of this match being great. Erik Rowan ? Da fuck ? Gotta love WWE also for its backward view of society. The vegan guy concerned with the state of the planet has to be a heel. The guy with a bad haircut and ugly looking beard who's a real life homophobic and probably more of the same ilk is the babyface. But I mean, Erik Rowan ? Da Fuck ? By this point, I just wanted my men's Rumble, anticipating the big time surprise that was the reason why it was closing the show... Ok, so, Lesnar vs Balor. Damn, best Lesnar match in forever (I haven't seen the AJ match, just sayin'). It shows how good Lesnar is when he wants to be. The way he really put his body on the line to catch Balor on these topes also shows the respect he got for him (as opposed to, well you know). More of this kind of Lesnar please. Can I get a 60sc time Rumble ? Fuck me, Double J. Hey, did someone made fun of the fact he was fat ? And old ? And no one to cry foul and run to Twitter to complain ? Damn. And more old guys with Angle. And between them, Nakamura in the Karen spot... Ok, I thought this Ruble was mostly quite good, with tons of cool surprise entrants, no real dead time, some fun comedy or cool spots (Titus - the conga line being killed by Drew). The Kofi save spots have officially became totally stupid and annoying though. The whole "two feet have to touch the floor" just don't mean jack shit if your entire body on the floor doesn't count. Oh, anyway. Corbin in the Kane spot. This guy still employed ? And the big surprise is... Nia fucking Jaxx ? So let me understand, being a shitty and dangerous worker who doesn't get over despite being protected as fuck because you're from a famous family gets you *that* spot ? That was the big plan ? Holy shit, that sucked. Awful. Well, her taking the finishers was fun at least. Wait, Ziggler is in the final four ? Rollins wins after being forgotten forever outside ? Ok, that whole last part sucked a whole lot. WWE never fail on ruining what could have been a super hot show (and no, that Shane O-Mac match did not happen). Still, the two hottest spots were Ronda vs Sasha and the final stage of the women's Rumble. Asuka vs Becky was at least very good (haven't re-watched it). Lesnar delivered. AJ & Bryan work went ahead of everyone's head seemingly, but then got a completely stupid fuck finish involving Erik Rowan ? Da fuck ? So yeah, too much great stuff to hate on it. But waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too fucking long. Rusev should have been in the Rumble instead of, I dunno, NIA FUCKING JAXX or DOLH FUCKING ZIGGLER... And gotta love a tag-team revival (pun intended) that has the 50 year old son-of as a champ. But the great stuff was worth it. See you at Mania, hopefully during the live broadcast, so I can mumble drunk shit with my keyboard at 5 in the morning. (you smart asses still entertained me reading the thread tonight though)

Tap out to shitty cam work & directing. My head actually hurts after a hard day of work and this won't help getting a good night of sleep. Asuka vs Becky was a very good match, but nothing special either. I dunno... Enjoy the Rumbles, people...