El-P

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...

I'll be honest : it actually hurts my perception and any enjoyment I can get out of this match. Let me watch the fucking match already !

Isn't calling Becky "The Man" kinda.... you know.... sexist ? (yeah, I'm stirring the pot)

Well, I must say also I'm glad I'm gonna switch to my TV to French announcing (although not really *live*, as always)...

No.

So it's the first time I've watched a WWE show since, well *that first show over there* (I barely watched Evolution, really). Watching the pre-show matches, fuck me if I forgot about the brain damaging camera work. Kill me already. The setup looks great though. The absence of ramp gives a cool old-school feel to it. Reminds me of the first Mania I ever saw, which was 8. Nak in the pre-show. Well, that's the story of his year. Rusev & Lana in the pre-show, because you know Shane O Mac gotta have a spot in the main show. It's been a long day, there's no way I'm staying awake 'til 5 am. I'd like to see one Rumble before going to bed...

Kushida is ending his NJPW contract on January 31 I believe.

You actually got a laugh out of me.

Amazing how Gargano/Ciampa last year was like "OMG it's the greatest thing EVER in pro-wrestling" to "fuck this... boring...". I guess NXT ain't the shit anymore at all. I remember loving Bianca Bel Air from the tournament two years ago. I would guess she only got better. When does she sign with AEW already ?

Yeah, that struck me too when I was doing the WCW Highway to Hell. There was this idea at one time that the Morrus push had been long overdue and that he was finally getting a shot and that his stuff was some of the only good in-ring work of WCW at the time. And really.... No. Storm was having good matches with everyone. A way past his prime, banged up Douglas was making chicken salad out of chicken shit most of the time. And yet Demott could not have a good match with either of the two. He sucked as a promo. It's a clear case of "This guy was underrated" when infact he wasn't. At his best, Morrus was a decent big guy with a moonsault. Good use of him as a JTTS and doing tag matches in the undercard. As far as training goes, no fucking clue why.

One thing is for sure, they have no Wellness Policy in Hollywood. Dwayne is 46...

That's pretty sad. It's also pretty ironic. #empowerment, ya know… And really, the FOX deal ? Good thing is, the Saudis probably don't care too much that she won't be available for their next Greatest Whatever show, so there's that.

Well, Rush came out like a star again. I don't know what's not to get about him. The guy clearly has It. Maybe the match against lanky Roh guy #6372 (yeah, I'm being mean, but neither the name nor the look nor the work, apart the damn spinebuster, registered with me) was a bit too competitive, but since I have no idea of the rankings of the promotion… I did enjoy Silas Young vs Beer City Bruiser a whole lot though. Silas has a great 80's look without pushing the revivalist card it seems. And I always like a fat guy who can work. And garbage spots when done right. That indierrific guy landing straight on his head on a poorly caught dive was something else… Of course he didn't sell it because it wasn't supposed to happen...

ECW 1999 then, when it became tired, past its prime and cliché already, with the occasional really good match. But yeah, the trainwrecky, not boring aspect of it reeks of the 90's. All stables and no good match make Konnan a dull booker. All stables and no good match make Konnan a dull booker. All stables and no good match make Konnan a dull booker. All stables and no good match make Konnan a dull booker. All stables and no good match make Konnan a dull booker. All stables and no good match make Konnan a dull booker.

I actually kind cracked up when he took off his mask, because he looks exactly like you said. WTF ? I guess he wants to look younger or something. Did Blue Demon call him a mediocre luchador ? The irony... I don't mind a AAA show once in a while. It's always such a hot mess... Intergender matches. Clowns masks galore. Garbage matches. Two La Parkas. Plus a La Parka Negra. Shitty looks and... Dave the Clown ? Really ? And bad announcing (yeah, you can feel it despite not speaking spanish), camera missing spots... I wonder how that company managed to be that bad with so much consistency for so long... Well, the first two trios matches I enjoyed. From there it was not very good at all (though never boring, except the awful four way) until the main event. Which wasn't good either, but had a train wreck appeal to it. Also, El Hijo de la Parka sounds like a kid (which he is, but it kinda kills the gimmick). One thing, neither CMLL nor AAA give a fuck about copyrights I guess. There's no way they have the rights to all those classic songs. (Oh, and fuck the Shield for making bulletproof vests fashionable. I hate it. I hated it when Bossman came back in 99 with that look. It's not only a bad look, but it makes the body shots look stupid. Callihan at least does the deal where his opponent open it to chop him, but still...)

Thank you !

Can anyone point me to the TV episode where Rush has made his debut ?

Yeah, it's a new year, so whatever, let's try this *again*. I'm gonna do the way to Mania (big PPV only, who am I kidding), if only because I'm interested in watching the big women's matches (and that's pretty much it, honestly). Then in the Spring they'll do another Saudi bullshit show and I'm gonna get disgusted again and drop this shit down the drain again probably... Oh, I'm not paying for it anyway. Gonna kill time until AEW becomes a thing.

Yeah, Abyss leaving iMPACT, ever, is really unexpected. Surprise Rumble spot anyone ?