Professional Wrestling

Reigns beat Hunter Friday night, and Hunter beat Jinder today, because of course.

I feel bad for Jinder.

The sad, REAL American dichotomy

I should note men getting good heat isn't exactly rare.

Just look at how that MDA crowd reacted to Silver King.

It's more so availability issues and the particularly leanings of ROH crowds that make Bullet Club poor candidates. They want Bullet Club to be baby faces, and that's kind of what happens when you introduce a group alongside the return of AJ Styles and then have Karl Anderson duplicate the heroic one on six+ Necro Butcher match. I'm guessing they decided to see if Omega and The Bucks turning on Styles would get them heat, but really only in Japan, "honor nation" are too invested in Bullet Club itself at this point to care.

That's why he wants you to have the money. Not so you can buy 14 Cadillacs but so you can help build up the wastes

So I'm a little late on this one, but Rich Swann has been arrested for Domestic Abuse, and got suspended from the WWE.

Is this for real? What the hell happened?

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Looks legit. He and his wife got into an argument about her performance at a nightclub (presumably in her career as a wrestler). He dragged her into the car in a headlock as she struggled. As they drove off, they both exited the moving car, which crashed into a light pole. I don't think it was staged.

As far as I can tell, it's been a week since the Swann incident and both he and Yung seem to be in good health. Physically. It's kind of surreal. I "know" about all the traits of the two described in the news report I saw, but they were being described in a horrifyingly different context. When I read about a battery charge involving motor vehicles I feared the worst.

If I'm remembering correctly, Yung was in a 'pickle on a tree match' in the promotion that previously had Sami Callihan challenge her for its title belt. I haven't watched any of her matches there, didn't have any immediate plans to, but I'm tempted to just look over what she did in the ring last week that could have warranted an argument,. (Not feeling experimental, given how gift shopping has cut into my luxuries budget, but maybe next pay check)

I guess I should add that Diosa Quetzal was fine, at least by the time of the aniversario, although her debuting opponent was national women's champion and CMLL/REINA crossover star Zeuxis...promoters must really like serving Quetzal up on a platter. Still, no reports on her getting shot on again(or charges of battery related to the event picked up by ABC news).

Uh, I know it's not related but The Peacock Party Boy crushed Cody and has a more worthy opponent waiting in the wings: The Last Real Man!(if ROH doesn't mind going back to that well. I'd fine with it). I was afraid they wouldn't go through with it, but just like Cole and O'Reilly they delivered...now hopefully it's a reign that lasts longer than one defense... for now my interest in ROH, which was waning, waxes.

Also, ROH's Puerto Rico fundraiser got me looking back at the island's wrestling scene, which I didn't even bother checking on after the hurricane. But The Kingdom, being The Kingdom, asked for bookings, and wrestling cards are indeed running again, and World Wrestling League is even trying to come back, again, this time with Konnan opposite of Savio Vega. Negrin apparently isn't running things, again, but just switching out the executive is definitely a step up from another total company hiatus. I don't speak much Spanish but some of the fans seem to have been accusing WWL of copying AAA and Lucha Underground, especially now that Perla Negra is substituting for one of Los Favoritos(the one who isn't White Shadow or Brown Sugar). That's hilarious to me, because I remember when WWL was trying to be a world league rather than the second coming of IWA PR and as such worked pretty closely with AAA, among other Mexican feds. Especially Ivelisse on the dream matches tour, who critics almost certainly have in mind for her Underground trio. Still the crowds seem to be happy with the product for the most part. They look smaller but I don't know whether to attribute that to displeasure or the natural disaster. My gut says the natural disaster, though.

That's why he wants you to have the money. Not so you can buy 14 Cadillacs but so you can help build up the wastes

Checking out Clash of Champions.

Not bad so far: Dolph Ziggler gets revenge on Baron Corbin for all the bullshit the latter heaped on him that lead to his Face–Heel Turn and is now US heavyweight champ.

And the Uso Penitentiary is still in business.

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I was right or half-right on all my predictions.

I was also right all along about Jinder - he's not to blame for bad matches earlier. He's capable, win or lose.

The sad, REAL American dichotomy

Wonder what's gonna happen with Daniel?

I'm kinda hoping he just doesn't play games with Shane and just quits. He's all like, I'm not going to jump through hoops or anything. I'm leaving now, and if you're gonna ban me like you were them, do it, but I'm keeping my dignity.

Cause I don't want to see him forced to do a bunch of nutty shit to keep his job. He went through being messed with by a Mc Mahon, and he deserves better.

One Strip! One Strip!

Remember when EVOLVE was the Danielson promotion? No?

EVOLVE's another one my enthusiasm has kind of waned on, and in this case it's not necessarily an outcome to a match but WWN Live launching a new subscription service, that has rekindled my interest. It's WWN Live Club, which is free until January 31st, no catch. After that date, well it doesn't have as much content as Flo Sports, especially outside of pro wrestling, but it's also a half the price alternative.(There's also the chance Flo Sports won't renew with WWN after 2021...New Japan's efforts, and the fact these devastated areas are still managing to run cards have convinced me pro wrestling won't implode by 2020)

I guess they're betting on no one being able to watch all their good content before that date, and admittedly, the WWN family has a lot of good content in its archives. Besides that, SHINE is still on my viewing schedule, because of Las Sicarias and am interested in comparing the reign of FIP's new champion to Yehi's.

That's why he wants you to have the money. Not so you can buy 14 Cadillacs but so you can help build up the wastes

HAPPY RUSEV DAY, BITCHES!

The sad, REAL American dichotomy

Figures after I finally update the Bullet Club page explaining they didn't reunite with Balor... they reunite with Balor on the next Raw.

Also, both Women's and IC titles stayed put, despite featuring opponents who really should have those titles...

I'm still gonna make a Broken Brilliance page eventually. Probably today. It feels that Matt needs some of his supporting characters to play off of, though. Otherwise he's just going to fall into the same rut of repetitive filmed promos where nothing changes that Bray is in.

Ah well. Happy Rusev Year, everyone!

edited 2nd Jan '18 10:24:22 AM by wanderlustwarrior

The sad, REAL American dichotomy

Updated the Bullet Club page again in order to shorten and organize its lengthy intro. It's still quite long, particularly the Kenny Omega Era section. The other sections are about 3 paragraphs each: formation, expansion/changes, and end/transition.

...and after New Year Dash 2018, I'm going to wait until the fallout clears before I update it again.

edited 6th Jan '18 11:01:31 AM by wanderlustwarrior

The sad, REAL American dichotomy

Recent rumors out today regarding WWE's future plans next year. Bear in mind these are rumors and are not to be accepted as fact, but the rumors seem too big to ignore.

It appears the relationship between USA Network and WWE has been strained and they might not renew their contract for RAW and SmackDown when it goes up in 2019. WWE has apparently begun discussions with FOX Sports for a potential broadcasting rights deal should FOX decide not to renew their UFC partnership when it expires this year, though it's possible FOX could run the two shows side-by-side if the UFC is OK with it. These rumors also suggest that FOX could decide to buy WWE outright as it prepares to set up its future following the offloading of its entertainment assets to Disney (sans the FOX network), though that scenario is farfetched since the McMahons would probably ask for something in return.

But the bigger picture here is that RAW could return to its original two-hour format, should it make the jump to FOX, instead of its current three-hour series.

Note that it's possible USA Network might try to mend fences with WWE and renew their contract. But still, the implications are huge.

edited 11th Jan '18 2:47:40 PM by Mario1995

"The devil's got all the good gear. What's God got? The Inspiral Carpets and nuns. Fuck that." - Liam Gallagher

For those who haven't noticed, I became a Miz mark a couple years ago, and I was curious where the Miz ranks among the men who debuted in WWE after the [[Characters/WWE Invasion angle/era]], specifically for their in WWE career

I think the only people around his level are:

1. John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Rey Misterio
2. Batista, CM Punk, Kofi Kingston, Randy Orton, Sheamus
3. Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler

Honorable mention to Balor, Styles, and Strowman, who will be this same tier in time. I'd had hopes for Bray, but that's unlikely now.

At Tier 1 are the people who are unquestionably going to be above Miz in the history books. Cena for all-around, Brock for best in-ring and natural talent since invasion (though I'd argue he benefits from booking and Miz is better all-around), and Rey for the hope he inspires.

Tier 2 is the level I would put Miz himself at. They are people who have objectively Hall of Fame Worthy careers, but there's one specific thing that puts them below Tier 1 or brings them up from Tier 2.

• Batista would probably be Tier 1 if he had the consistency and longevity of anyone in that tier, but he's not as reliable as them or the rest of Tier 2.
• CM Punk is the reason many people, myself included, gave wrestling a second chance after the Attitude Era. But he also burned so brightly he burned out of WWE quickly.
• Kofi could be a hall of famer off of his tag team resume alone, but he's also great all around, and only one major title away from a grand slam. Unfortunately, the thing holding him back from Tier 1 is the same thing putting him above Tier 3: he's the "Great Black Hope". He has everything, but between being black and Randy sabotaging his booking, he hasn't had the backing necessary for the top.
• Orton and Sheamus... I've got nothing against Sheamus, and both are future hall of famers, but both he and Orton would not be at this tier, let alone the Tier 1 the history books will put Orton at, if not for their preferential booking. Sheamus at least has done much more without as much in his corner. Randy's just coasting off of being hand picked.

Tier 3 are the individuals who history will look kindly on, who have all or almost all of the tools, and for Seth and especially Roman the books will probably have them above the Miz, but at this point I don't think any of them has built as much as the Miz or the other tiers have on their own.

The sad, REAL American dichotomy

And Paige is apparently done.

Side note, I will be seeing Rey Mysterio Jr. in the ring against D.J. Z for Night of the Superstars 2017 for IWC Wrestling. Kind of bummed I missed out on the Hardies last year, and Jake the Snake had to cancel the year before.

Paige has been dealt a rough hand. Her injury that caused her over a year hiatus from WWE was neck related, and reputable sources report that the accidental injury sustained at a live event (which I do not blame Sasha for, these things sadly happen in contact sports) is neck related, and may be the same type of injury that caused Edge's retirement.

WWE apparently had mended their relationship with her around her return (her splitting up with Alberto probably helped), and they apparently still want to work with her in non-wrestling capacities.

Meanwhile, plenty of shitty wrestling "fans" are still giving her a hard time over last year's video (she was the victim of a crime), or are attacking Sasha. Because lots of professional sports fans are entitled little shits who refuse to acknowledge that athletes are performers putting their lives on the line for our enjoyment.

The sad, REAL American dichotomy

Man. That's lousy timing. The first ever women's royal rumble is two weeks away, and not only is she down, she's permanently out. And after just coming back from an injury too. That's terribly rough.

And now I'm wondering who they are gonna bring in to fill her spot, since they are now one woman short for the rumble (as I'm assuming they were going to bring in some other people for the remaining spots since they didn't have enough women even with Paige).

But yeah, that's a harsh fate for her. She's still got so much in the tank.

One Strip! One Strip!

What do you guys think was worse? Booker T losing to Triple H at Wrestlemania XIX? Or Christian losing the World Heavyweight Title to Randy Orton on Smackdown two days after winning it at Extreme Rules? I'd say Booker losing was worse due to the build.

Well, easiest solution is for them to bring someone else in. Sure, there will be no history involved, but there's no end of talent out there aching for a chance to be seen on the big stage, and they get the "surprise entrant" bit. I wonder if Daizee Haze has kept in shape since retirement...

I suppose. There are plenty of women from the Mae Young Classic who we haven't seen much of except on NXT. This might be their time to shine. Well, it already was, but now we have another slot open.

One Strip! One Strip!

Booker. Unquestionably.

The sad, REAL American dichotomy

You mean first ever royal rumble as in first women's match on the pay per view, or first women's match of such type done by WWE? Because women in a gauntlet battle royal" has been done numerous times before.

Enough times to be parodied!

That's why he wants you to have the money. Not so you can buy 14 Cadillacs but so you can help build up the wastes

Considering how white-hot the VI and X-8 crowds were, why is Vince so hesitant to have PPVs, or even Raw/SD shows, in Toronto?

I've heard that Vince doesn't like the smarky crowds in Toronto and Montreal (and looking at how the fans cheered heel Hogan and booed babyface Rocky at X-8, can you really blame him?) and knows the crowds would just savage Cena/Reigns.

I've heard that MLSE charge outrageous rents to clients who want to rent out the ACC.

I've heard that it's hard to schedule events in the ACC when space is squeezed between Leafs and Raptors game—same with the Skydome squeezed in between Jays and Buffalo Bills games. (Does Buffalo still play home games in Toronto anymore?)

One or more of the above could be true.

Come to think of it, why does the WWE hate the Pacific Northwest, too? In the summer of 2017, there was a Summer Slam Heatwave Tour event (SmackDown house show ^{Event card} Usos/New Day/Breezango tag team triple threat, American Alpha/Sin Cara/Mojo Rawley-Ascension/Rowan/Epico tag, Natalya vs. Charlotte, U.S. Champion KO/Zayn/Rusev triple threat, Baron Corbin vs. Tye Dillinger, SD Women's Champion Naomi/Becky Lynch vs. Carmella/Tamina, WWE World Champion Jinder Mahal (w/Singh Brothers) vs. Seth Rollins (filling in for Shinsuke Nakamura, who had visa issues trying to enter Canada)) at Rogers Arena, as well as three NXT house shows: PNE Agrodome (Vancouver), Paramount Theatre (Seattle), Theatre of the Clouds (Portland). I think there was an additional NXT house show in Abbotsford that summer, and a second WWE house show in Abbotsford later in October. To my knowledge, these have been the first WWE events in the PNW (including my hometown of Vancouver) in many, many years. I remember how stoked my 12 year old self was for Mania XIX in Seattle.

edited 14th Jan '18 7:22:00 PM by 773202luna

WWE preferences the New York area (and Florida) since that's home base, but events need to time well with actually touring parts of the world, plus the various cities of the US and Canada. Plus, one has to consider what else the venues host that they may compete with (football, basketball, concerts, hockey), or what they think they can pull in numbers - ratings, live attendance, hard cam facing attendance... but then again, given a cursory view of the below numbers...

Hmm... some locations of PPVS:

• 1 in Colorado
• 1 in Oklahoma (City or State)
• 2 in Vancouver (In Your House era)
• 2 in Portland OR
• 3 in Seattle
• 6 in Dallas (and 1 Mania in Arlington)
• 7 in DC
  • 8 in Baltimore, which is an hour north of DC
• 9 in Detroit
• 11 between the Carolinas
• 14 in Rosemont IL, which is not Chicago, but borders it. The Allstate Arena is otherwise home to "Chicago's" WNBA and AHL teams.
  • This year's Money in the Bank will be only the second ever WWE event in Chicago proper.
• 14 in all of Canada, including the 2 in Vancouver listed above

There's several states and population sparse areas that haven't seen any PPV events. More events were booked in So Cal than Nor Cal.

So yeah, it seems to lean towards the map, numbers and scheduling.

edited 14th Jan '18 9:10:01 PM by wanderlustwarrior

The sad, REAL American dichotomy

There hasn't been a Raw or Smackdown in Edmonton since the death of Chris Benoit.

We had one pay per view just after he won the belt, and there was a Smackdown show just a bit before the first ECW One Night Stand, but after that...

No wait. There was one other time they came after Chris' death. I remember it because they had a show in San Diego the week before, where poor Rey Mysterio got beat up in his home town. For one reason or another, I was unable to get tickets to that one, something I greatly regret.

But yeah, since the Crippler...did what he did, Edmonton hasn't seen many WWE Raws or Smackdowns.

One Strip! One Strip!