El-P

Maybe they simply watched the Samhain PPV and thought "hum, nope".

Vince selling stocks is, interesting. The more it goes, the more it seems the evil plan to get back into full power is blowing in his face. Well, money wise of course, it's ridiculous. Apparently gets him 700M$. Who the fuck needs that kind of money anyway (no to mention at his age, but at any age really) ? Give 699 millions back to the community already. But anyway, what a year for Vince, that Netflix show should be put on hold forever, because the story ain't finished yet.

Yep. That was peak AEW in term of feeling uniquely different. Totally got me through the pandemic too.

The Bunny gone. Talk about a waste. She did a few things early on, but they never even began to tap into what she was able to be. That's the perfect picture illustration of what has been one issue with the women division focusing on only two of three names at a time because there's just no TV time for more. I hope she goes back to TNA where she can actually shine as a character.

Lucha Underground was basically a studio wrestling show and it looked like the coolest shit ever. AEW does not even has to do that, but the issue with pro-wrestling is that the presentation is always the same, pretty much has been for 25 years. The first AEW design looked a bit different from WWE and it was cool, with the TNA tunnels and such, but they never went back to the WCW themed show production either (although I understand it takes money to throw out). When they switched to blu and red with a giant screen, they felt more than WWE-lite even from a visual standpoint, and now that they book half-empty building, well they definitely look second rate. We're not even talking about reinventing the wheel here, but there's no out of the box thinking in term of pro-wrestling presentation, because WWE has just monopolized not just the market, but the minds too. It's kinda boring. Maybe the new TNA will try new stuff, it's not like they have the same pressure.

I was thinking about that. I would love to see AEW in smaller places with truly hot crowd. That would give them this "cult" atmosphere which is much more fun than them having a "WCW circa 1991" feel. Hell, bring me AEW in the old IMPACT Zone (which they used for the early ROH tapings). Give it a very distinctive look and feel. They are in a TV rights business, not a live event business. Make big live events an event every time and make the TV the best and most cool they can. I loved the early AEW shows at Daily's Place. 'member, when AEW was cool, young fresh and new ?

Even worse in execution than on paper. Especially after Ospreay vs Umino went from being 25 minutes of already awesome pro-wrestling to the last 15mn pushing it toward all-time great, career defining stuff. Gedo has his head so far up his own ass it's not even funny. Show was excellent though, fun undercard with a great second half. Mox vs O-Khan was a hoot, the six-men title with the dream-team vs TMDK was excellent, the junior tag league was very good (this is a rare case of House of Torture bullshit kinda working because of the result, like EVIL vs Okada at G1, although not nearly as heated), Takahashi vs Ishimori was excellent and Ospreay vs Umino was yet another MOTY level match by Ospreay (how many at this point, in how many different promotions ?).

When PPV business mattered, of course not. Now, it doesn't at all. The money is with the Saudis. Vince said it was their "home". Major UFC attraction are gonna take place over there. The latest Crown Jewel already felt like a major event, with LA Knight, their new big merchandise draw, getting the main event against Roman. And hell, Roman being at Crown Jewel but not at Survivor Series is telling. Add in Kairi Sane making her comeback over there and not on RAW, Smackdown or a US based PLE. The timeframe is much better for the European viewers, and their European presence for PLE is only gonna get bigger too, with at least Germany next year and maybe France (and I would guess the UK too). With WWE becoming more and more a real global entertainment company getting a huge part of the money deals from the Saudis, there's no reason not to do one eventually. Unless MBS gets bored of it and looks at much bigger, more mainstream things (hello World Cup). The one issue would be the fly-in audience of course. Going to Dubai is one thing (although Dubai is disgusting too, don't get me wrong). Going to Saudi Arabia is another. TBH, they absolutely don't *need* to do it, and they get so much money from cities around the US to bring Mania/SummerSlam/Rumble they have no particular reason to do one of the major PLE over there. But there's no reason not to either considering the Saudis is the most valuable business partner this side of US tv deals.

That's the Idol culture for you. When you think back at the old rule of retirement at 25 in Zenjo, it sounds so completely ridiculous on all levels. I think the "oldest" one who gives her age is Syuri, born in 89. I wonder if that's their choice or the promotion though. Mina Shirakawa is gonna turn 36 at the end of the year, she looks basically 10 years younger then she is, so I guess not giving her birth date plays a role, not that it should make any difference. It kinda blows my mind how good she became in the last two years or so, because when I started watching some Stardom it was obvious she was there for reasons that had nothing to do with in-ring talent (she wasn't bad, but). Then again, she started wrestling at 30, which is way late, especially in Japan. But even in the US, who started that late and became really good ? I can think of DDP off the top of my head, but not that many. Yeah, Maika is a good one to give a strong push too. Then you have the AZM/Starlight Kid/Suzu Suzuki who are ridiculously awesome. It's not like Stardom is not loaded with talent if Giulia leaves (although apparently, that "news" was kinda nothing solid, the try-out isn't happening as long as she's under contract and WWE had their eyes on her since 2019. Of course it's like Ospreay, a case of contract ending soon).

Tiffany Straton's outfit is nothing. You want something really actually trashy ? There : This my friends, is trashy as fuck. Everything in this picture is.

Yes, we simply aren't meaning the same thing. Of course a guy like Logan Paul for instance has "legit heat" with me and he's a huge turn-off that's one many reason I won't give WWE the time of day. Plus I did not even bring up "legitimate heel heat" since like I said I don't really believe in it anyway, and @sek69 pretty much nailed it down talking about the "despicable heel" vs "cool heel", which is where I was going about Bully. But I must say, when he showed up, I was yawning in a very much "oh no, not him" way, after the stupid shit he said (about Mox and his rehab mots notably). But his work sure won me other.

With NXT moving to CW, I wonder what's up with coked up NWA. Don't laugh Court Bauer, it happened to you too !

That's not "legitimate heat". That's "I don't like this person/worker". It has nothing to do with heel work. Bully Ray was a tremendous heel during the Josh Alexander feud, and he also was tremendous in taking his comeuppance, including taking more than most would from Josh's wife, who had been involved in those "legitimate heat" moments. Although I must say, I don't believe there's anything like "legitimate heat" as opposed to whatever "play-along heat" would be. *everybody* is playing along, whether they want to admit it or not. However there's absolutely something about wanting to play "cool heel" as opposed to "legitimate heel". Christian Cage and Don Callis are absolutely playing legitimate heels right now, but you won't convince me for one second that *anyone*, apart from children maybe if they even watch, has "legit heat" with them. Bully Ray was like that in the last big program he worked in TNA. He was just super efficient as a performer. That's about it. With the talk of making things innovative and faster, not too sure where he would fit nor if he's in the plans to begin with, although I wouldn't be negative about it like I was when he first was brought back (and proven wrong in the process).

Speaking about companies grabbing talent, TNA signing Leon Slater is telling of the company getting more aggressive in building something fresh and exciting. Slater is the UK 19 years old prodigy than many think of as a future WIll Ospreay. Now, that's ridiculous unattainable praise at this point, but he's indeed already great for his age. I think I'm more interested for this TNA "relaunch" than anything else on the horizon right now.

There was this story back then than Rossy wanted to give Tam a title run as he felt it was deserved and before she got past her peak (she's what ? 35 or something ? I always get a kick out of the age never being mentioned for women past 34 or something, I think Mina is like that too. Some stuff never change). But surely it reads differently now. BTW, I wonder if Mina is gonna get the big push to the top if Giulia is a goner. Yeah that story is quite odd. Plus if Megan Bayne really was under contract with AEW, in the wake of losing Jade Cargill, I would pretty much not have waited long to just introduce her as a new monster star of the roster. Then again, AEW and its women division is an story into itself. Can't blame Giulia for wanting to go to WWE right now. Personally I'd love to have her in TNA, but oh well. What the hell ? I really enjoyed her when she was touring the US some months ago. She's supposed to work MLW I believe, but then again, MLW be like...

We already have a president who thinks he's some kind of king and who is slowly but surely turning our country into an illiberal democracy. And by 2027, probability is that France is going the way of Italy, Hungary and such. By that point, it will be as shameful doing business with France as it is with the Saudis. (well, France is already a shame, really, we're like the top 3 weapons seller in the world or something) Them chanting Seth Rollins theme for 10 straight minutes blew everybody's mind, and rightfully so. If they do a PLE in France, there's no telling what this crowd will do. They are fucking rabid. Again, credit goes to Agius & Chereau.

Fuck that. The only thing I acknowledge about him is that he is the corporate lapdog for the Bloodmoney era. And fuck Paris if they give that shady company any money. The one person they better acknowledge is Christophe Agius. He and Philippe Chereau are the reason why WWE are still big in France and have been since the late 00's. I swear they would get the biggest pop of the night. And Giulia going to WWE would be kinda depressing as a non-WWE pro-wrestling fan (see also, Will Ospreay). WWE getting bigger is hurting pro-wrestling worldwide it's not even funny. They are like the Starbuck of pro-wrestling companies, making it worse and more difficult for everybody else. STARDOM was really all about Giulia becoming this big star for them, and she really did not had that big time title reign yet. Of course the WWE money and reach would not be even comparable, so for Giulia herself, it would be a no-brainer, but really, selfishly I'd rather have her work pretty much anywhere else.

That's hilarious. And then this : Which is funny as hell when you actually watch the match, which was quite bad and had stuff like chairshots to the head, apron spot, Kamille getting bumped in a terribly timed spot, and an awfully executed finish to boot. The only thing that EC3 works efficiently at this point is syringes. This whole "wE Do pSYchOLoGY nOT wORkrATe" bit is so fucking laughable. But hey, gotta control your narrative.

Will Ospreay in a three-way at the Dome is a complete waste, after the year he's having in 2023. Even if he's going away (and he sure is playing all of his cards in every directions), they could make a big deal out of him vs Yota Tsuji in a return match or something as he puts over the guy who should be the IWGP champ right now. Dave Finlay is doing a good job for what it is, but he's not AJ/Omega/White/Ospreay. He's just not, not even close. He would be better than SANADA as champ, because anyone would really, but his megapush reminds me of EVIL (expect his matches are actually much better, because no Dick Togo), it just feels forced as hell. They're also putting way too much effort in finding "the next big foreign star", as they will eventually go away for greener pastures eventually anyway if they get really great (White was supposed to be a NJPW lifer at one time, oh well). I still don't get the SANADA push to the top though. That for me is even more incomprehensible. Maybe they thought the conjonction with Muto's retirement would bring him something, as Muto's student. But he clearly doesn't have it at all, I can't remember such a dry figure as champ in forever. There's no way him and Naito follow Okada vs Danielson. The Vegas show this week looks a lot more fun that the Dome thus far (yeah, Hiromu vs Despy is gonna be terrific, but haven't we seen that one too many times already ?), with ZSJ vs Mike Bailey which is gonna be ridiculous, CMLL talent galore (Stephanie Vaquer vs Miyu Iwatani !), Kingston vs Kojima, Shingo vs Beretta, the WTF pairing of Joey Janela vs Toru Yano.

It was a perfectly easy to watch episode of AEW Thunder. AR Fox vs Swerve made me feel old thinking back at their LU INSANE match (nice to have Swerve refer to his LU past during his promo about Penta). Archer vs Darby was exactly why Archer needed to be on my TV instead of Wardlow. I dunno about Jake the Snake cutting promos in 2023. Suck for the guy he can barely talk anymore. Give me more Righteous too (but where the fuck is Stu Grayson ? He joined them on ROH, then they had that match against Dark Order and then... he vanished again). Main event was fun. Rush needs to be pushed as a single guy rolling over people like he's Bruiser Brody. He overshadowed everybody in there. Emi Sakura on my TV is always welcomed. The 6 men with Sabian & the Workhorsemen vs Mark Briscoe, Dustin & Keith Lee was wonderfully random. More of this shit please. Acclaimed vs Castle & the Boys could have been an actual program, but hey, fun nonetheless I guess. What this show did was set up tons of really cool (even fucking great on paper) stuff for Dynamite next week. Yeah, that's what I want. Cool matches and random shit (and no Flair needed). Be an enjoyable and fun distant number two pro-wrestling promotion for hardcores, let WWE have its ways being this global entertainment conglomerate opening stores in Djeddah or whatever.

A PPV that also included : _a match where the stip was that if you don't get a three count, you gotta drink a shot (involving the HeadBangers. Yes. The HeadBangers. Doing the exact same act as in 1997) _a Halloween gimmick match ending with Violent J pinning Vampiro (and Jerry Only of "getting fucked up by Dr. Death is my pro-wrestling legacy" fame, this is REALLY WCW 2000 now) _a "King of the Round table match", where you can only win by putting your opponent through... a round table. Now this is brilliant, right ? So they broke about a hundred tables (including a small table to put a midget through it, get it ?) but it did not count. Oh yeah, this was Mike Knox & Trevor Murdoch vs two guys LITERALLY cosplaying Doom, one of which being a 53 years old Rodney Mack. Oh, and Aaron Stevens dressed as a Knight of the Round Table too. This shit is brillant is its complete dumbfuckery. Somewhere Russo was probably drooling with envy. Thom Latimer & Kamille cosplaying as Randy Savage & Elisabeth was kinda cool I guess. EC3 was cosplaying, I dunno, Action Andretti maybe since he sported that godawful zoomer douchebag broccoli hairdo that will make an entire generation embarrassed in like 10 years (like every generation, let's be fair). The idea that *this* product would get a TV deal of any sorts only speaks of Corgan having a name in show business and contacts, because really now... Court Bauer must be so jealous.

Quality content right there : The funniest part to me is learning that Corgan actually had entirely paid for the reality TV show. Which is about himself. And his wedding. Yeah, you know, one thing is for sure, none of that stuff would get 5*, even at the Tokyo Dome.

That's actually hilarious. Take about taking that "old school rassslin" feel a tad bit too far.

Rey Mysterio Jr. could have ended his career doing stuff like going to Arena Mexico regularly and pay homage to lucha libre having matches with legends and stuff. Instead he's doing a job for a tried and true dirtbag on a show sportwashing human rights violation abuse galore. That's certainly an unexpected arc. Choices be made an all. Logan Paul winning a title on a Bloodmoney show is, on the other hand, absolutely fitting.

Conspiracy theory of the day : Richard Holliday is now the Devil. Him and MJF go back to the MLW days as part of The Dynasty. Holliday just came back from battling cancer, and although he was part of a WWE try-out (or visit at the performance center) some time ago, there's no news about him being hired. And MJF posted a picture of him in bed with Alicia Atout... who a few months back was still Holliday's IRL girlfriend. I could see them playing on real life stuff and trans-promotions history (like they do with Adam Cole and the Kingdom), considering the Cole storyline is clearly on hold for a while. Plus, the MJF Holliday dynamic was very much gold, and it would be pretty cool to see them together again. (hey, I hear Alexander Hammerstone asked for his release from MLW, which has not been granted yet but hey, the Dynasty was pretty much the highlight of MLW's peak alongside whatever Salina de la Renta was doing. Get Atout in the mix and you get a winning combo)