El-P

Okay, now it's on. I want to see shodate and Parv argue to no end.

Another proof that WWE's writing and directing style is the worst, since both these guys comes off better than they ever did at any point in WWE, and this segment murders anything on WWE TV. It's simple, they talk like real people, they don't do awkward pauses, etc. It feels "real", or at the very least, organic.

Yes, I heard Cornette and Dutch talk about it. Apparently Jarrett asked Dutch to try and keep Russo under control once he would be gone, but it took a few weeks before he managed to have Dutch fired, then Corny. It's crazy how Dixie got manipulated by this guy to the point she would rehire him secretly later. You can feel Corny trying to make sense ouf of the stupid booking and gimmicks on iMPACT like I said, it's kinda fascinating to watch. Quite fun/interesting to binge watch TNA 07/08 thus far, despite Russo there is quite a lot of good stuff, and you can really manage to see what Dutch for responsible for (the good stuff that made sense) as opposed to Russo usual bullshit (gimmick match overload, hotshotting, swerve, misogynic stuff, WWE references and copycat angles/characters). I wonder how long the balance will work out before Dutch gets fired. The build to Lockdown 2008 was clearly mostly Dutch while the Sacrifice stuff, which was mostly terrible, was typical Russo.

You said it's a "win/win". Because if it fails, "Cody & the Bucks are taken down a peg". Which would be a good thing (not because of the superkicks but because of their attitude, ok). So, a fail would be good too (either that or I don't get the meaning of the word "WIN" in that context). Ok. So, you don't want to see them fail, but you would enjoy to see them fail.

So, Sacrifice 2008 has the second very loud "Fire Russo" chant, during Roxxi Laveaux getting her head shaved. That was quite the moment, as the entire PPV (and build) reeked of Russo bullshit and tropes (the crappy gimmick tournament, partners not getting along, swerve and swerve teases, dangerous gimmick matches). The "loser gets his head shaven" after the women's Ladder match (which followed a Battle Royal, of course) wasn't a doing of the heels in storylines, it came from the office (aka Cornette). So even though the Beautiful People, who are finally named as such, are doing an excellent job trying to get heat on themselves (which was the idea that should have been worked in), the audience just reacted like the head shaving was simply Russo booking the humiliation of a women for no purpose. Hence, "Fire Russo" and "bullshit" chants. Well, "This is awesome" may be an annoying chant (moreso in today's wrestling when idiots chants it all the time), but those TNA fans had it right also at points. The segment itself was very well done, with the other women staying close from Roxxi while the Beautiful People were just harrassing her. The ladder match was actually quite brutal in a good way, Gail and Roxxy really beat the shit out of each other with the Beautiful People running in and out to prevent Love from getting her own head shaved (yeah, over complicated gimmick, as Gail had "immunity" so she couldn't lose her hair). The fans did chant "Roxxi" after the deed was done, but you can feel she got sympathy against the "writer" and not the heels. It also kinda killed the PPV atmospshere, which also had Kurt Angle not working because of a new neck injury. After the great build to Lockdown the month prior, this was Russo having his ways and fucking up the entire momentum of the company again. 2008 is quite the interesting year.

What. The. Fuck. What's wrong about pro-wrestler getting over and making money without having to be slurped into the WWE machine ? Like it or not, the Bucks (and Cody right now) are proving you can be a pro-wrestler, get over, make a living, work abroad, without dealing with the WWE bullshit. They demonstrate you can have a "business model" that's working in today's context where there's only one major mainstream company. Yeah, let's humble them because they do "too much superkix and movez", or something. Yeah, I'm with Johnny on this one (shit happens). I have no earthly idea why anyone would want this to fail, *especially* for ridiculous stylistic tastes.

That's a real problem since the monopoly days because the same guys stay in the company forever (Randy Orton is only 37, he's been there non-stop for almost 15 years. Compare how long Dolph Ziggler has been on TV with Owen or Perfect for instance) and it gives a distorted perspective on a lot of workers of this era. Agreed. This is the one really unique and memorable Usos vs New Day match. If they had one match that I can legitimately call a classic, it's the one.

In-ring work maybe, and that's debatable since the Shrinkers weren't exactly working in the workrate-friendly environnement the WWE is today. Promo, well, the Shrinkers didn't cut promos, they would grunt. Which was more effective than most of current pre-written material, really. "Character work" is a term I can't stand so I won't go there, but let's say the Shrinkers, despite the funky savage gimmick, looked like two guys who would legit chop your head off (the image of that Samu clothesline at Mania 9 remains stuck in my head forever) while the Usos look like two college guys cosplaying gangstas. Kinda like Mob Deep, when you think about it. But not as great as Mob Deep. But hey, like I said, I like the Usos, heels or faces, a lot. I do think the New Day gets a bits shortchanged in the pimping of their matches together though. Big E. is the law.

Come on now. They went from cartoony Fluokids Samoans to the Samoan Gangsta Party Redux. They are an excellent (maybe great, I wouldn't pronounce myself to that extent) in-ring team, but let's not get carried away either as they aren't as good or better as characters than their dad and uncle (I was a Head Shrinkers mark). Their heel turn in term of presentation evoques more of the Godwinns-turning-heel to me (as in, from one cartoon to another)... The pendulum effect is already looming here.

Who basically all ended up in TNA anyway.

Wow, sounds promising. I would have hoped this was a case of Prichard actually being embarrassed. The banter oughta be funny though. As a 90 fan at heart, I'm enjoying the Michaels episodes (plus I was a Michaels fan at that time)

Which ones? Keep in mind that Awesome Kong trained in Japan. You've got a point there. Well, I've not past the point of the Kong era, really, and I don't really keep track records anymore (too lazy) but Gail Kim working with ODB and girls like Angelina Love and Cheerleader Melissa already look quite good (ok, Melissa also went to Japan to work with Yoshida, but still…).

Kid Rock playing the intro, mofos. (except Taker showed up on the Anniversary Raw in his old garb, but it could be seen as a nostalgia spot)

Putting a show for the fans. Crazy concept. This. It doesn't matter if I like the style or not, it's just a good thing for pro-wrestling if it's a success. More variety = good.

In WWE and indies, no idea. In TNA, plenty. And honestly, Mickie James is a really, really good worker (not to say Trish didn't bring anything to the table, but she had her best dance partner ever here).

At least they'll be genuine.

Probably because she was already kind of the official voice of the company. Sort of. Bradshaw was just some bully tag team wrestler barely on the rader at this point. People do remember him goose stepping in Germany though.

Well, that and the immortal "9/11 is like when the Federal State attacked my dad !"

Ehh... Am I the only one who considers Trish wildly overrated? There were at least a 5-6 other women during her era who were better than she was IMO, and that's in WWE alone. The point is, Trish was the first true female star of post/late Attitude era. The only two preceding ones were Sable & Chyna. She's a success story and she's a name from when the company was hot.

This is fascinating to watch Jim Cornette in 2008, especially after the great build to Lockdown, shoot-trying to make sense of Russo's idiotic twists, turns and gimmick matches on TV and acting/actually going nuts because of the company. It's kinda like after such a successful PPV, Russo tried his best to fuck things up with his retarded ideas and hotshotting (Angle vs Joe on free TV two weeks after their most successful PPV) and Cornette's frustration actually made its way onto the screen. Since Corny is so great, he makes it work of course.

The wonderful job they did with Asuka being punked out for 95% of the match before winning in a fluke and getting punked out again doesn't inspire you any confidence ? Well, I hope Bliss retains by being a cheap bitch cheating heel. At least, Nia as a babyface can't be worse than her as a heel. Yep. Chyna knew what it was like being ganged up on.

Agreed, although he did use his "celebrity" to propagate hate speech. But yeah, Moolah actually did harm and abuse people.

She was a vile human being and the WWE narrative about her is embarrassing. And dead people don't become good because they're dead, fuck them. See also : Warrior Award.

Oh well, let me take back what I said earlier about the stuff under spoil tags... Wouldn't be preferable. Not as awful, but awful nonetheless. Stephy is the worst.

Luna Vachon being brought to tears simply talking about the various abuse of Moolah in shoot interviews was enough fo me to hate the no-talent bitch. The Mae Young classic was pretty bad, but this is downright offensive, really. Especially when you do your PR around #womensEvolution.