King Cucaracha

What main events? He's in the main event all the time... ...on Velocity. He is surprisingly popular though. Probably because the WWE lets him give off the badass vibe, even if it is through taking Puder to Chop School.

Which law has personally inconvienced you? 1. Not being able to carry fuckin' fingernail clippers on an airplane. Just chew them. If you don't chew your fingernails, then the terrorists win. Those letters Justice posted are fantastic, by the way. Like Jingus said, we've dealt with stronger enemies than these terrorists and haven't backed down, we're not going to do it here and now.

Obviously you're talking TV, so it may not fit perfectly. Wrestling is not like 24 in many different ways. And besides that, to use the analogy, bad TV is bad TV. This is the equivalent of a sitcom doing a terrorism parody, because the WWE is certainly not any more high-brow than your average sitcom. TV shows should stick to what they know. When they don't, you get bad TV. This was bad TV. I don't get why this is making it okay to be all overly offended and pissy pants about the segment? It was on TV. It's not like the segment was set up to look like they jumped Undertaker (you know, the fake zombie guy) in a back alley and kept him in a prison, abusing him for days/weeks before making him sign a confession of his sins against the US before finally choking him nearly unconscious with a piano wire. It was in the ring. Hassan's manager was set up as the fall guy, sacrifice if you will, for some of Hassan's buddies to run out and jump him, attacking the wrestler who has REPEATEDLY beaten multiple guys in a viscious manner in order to weaken him for Hassan to be able to beat him when they wrestle IN THE RING. Nothing about terrorism, nothing about Jihads or Al Queada (or however it's spelled), nothing about bombing OR the city of London (Paul London was also absent). Religion was never mentioned. As far as I can remember, religion has NEVER been mentioned by Hassan (note: I have not watched RAW in over a year so I can't speak for that with absolute assurance). He's an Arab American not a Muslim (again, I think). Please re-read the thread. I've said multiple times, I'm not 'overly offended' over the segment. Just because I think it was tasteless, just because I said it was a terrible wrestling angle, doesn't mean I'm in tears over this. I really don't care all that much, believe it or not. I'll respond anyway though. Bear in mind, this is a 'pissy pants' response either. It wasn't what was said, it was what was hinted and what was meant to be construed from the angle that people are unhappy about.

Pwease? Depends if I can get through to David in time. The reception in Germany must suck.

Okay, I tried reading through the thread...I really did. Crimson Platypus has posted roughly 5 or 6 times that the WWE is just a television show. I don't know why, but I'm gonna post this again, see if he reads it this time. Obviously you're talking TV, so it may not fit perfectly. Wrestling is not like 24 in many different ways. And besides that, to use the analogy, bad TV is bad TV. This is the equivalent of a sitcom doing a terrorism parody, because the WWE is certainly not any more high-brow than your average sitcom. TV shows should stick to what they know. When they don't, you get bad TV. This was bad TV.

So C-Bacon, if Britain now bombs Iraq, they're bad? Despite the fact they have even MORE reason to do so than these terrorists had to bomb London (assuming Iraqis were responsible and stuff). After all, that is what you were trying to do, right? Give these attacks some 'reasoning'.

Well, I read the spoilers and, AGAIN, this doesn't 'offend' me so much because I know what to expect from the WWE. But the London bombings have nothing to do with how much of an abortion the segment was, both from social stance AND from a wrestling, character development stance.

Okay, this is the third or fourth time I've posted this this week. Movies =/= Wrestling.

I know. It was just the first example I could find.

If baffles me why people like this Fisk guy feel the need to create explanations and justification for sub human scum (yep, a Mike reference, I'm sorry) bombing people. It's not some sort of petty playground squabble. 'Oh, you started it by coming to Iraq'. Because of course, Iraq was a happy little paradise, home of pixies an elves before the US and UK et. all came along. The only 'justification' there can be for shit like this is that these fucks are wrong in the head. If troops pulled out of Iraq, the terrorists wouldn't just disappear. If the troops had never gone, the terrorists would still be around. If you're willing to bomb innocent civilians from innocent countries in the way these terrorists do, there's obviously something wrong with them that no amount of political back-pedalling can change.

To be fair, I doubt the British contingent on this board would be as outraged if the attacks yesterday were in France or Spain. An incident is alwys a tragedy if it happens next door. To be fair a terrorism angle should never be played out when it's sill a real threat. Wrestling should be in it's own bubble, not veer too close to real-world events, especially of this type. Unfotunately the point was made by Vanhalen, and therefore everyone is duty-bound to argue against it. That's the point I've been trying to make as well. Forget the timing, the angle shouldn't have been done, ever. From a thread way back when, also in response to Valhalen, who had dared to mention something about Sky Sports here in the UK. Now, I'm sure this has nothing to so with *his* opinion here, but it's the way some people might be coming off to others. So maybe we could all clear up that we'd be equally unoffended if this happened after an attack in America, then we'd be cool.

Whatever. If it entertained you, then I've got no problem with that. I'm not bawling my eyes out here, because I really don't care about Hassan at all. His ring-work's bland, his interviews aren't all that great. But I still think it's an offensive angle. And not just for the terrorist stuff, but for the racism involved.

Nah, dude. I'm an American but I wouldn't care anymore which way if it happened her instead of there. I thought the whole editing out the World Trade Center out of the skyline of movies and the like was stupid. I think the whole whining, bitching, and complaining about your feelings getting hurt over someone making jest of a terrorist attack is bullshit. Fuck it. That's life. Don't be a bitch. Besides, it's the WWE. This company's not exactly the epitome of political correctness. Maybe because they know they can get away with being politically incorrect, because people just shrug their shoulders when they are. Like I said elsewhere, I'm not 'offended' by the timing, I'm offended that it happened at all. But if those bombing had been in America instead of London, you can bet your ass Vince would have edited out the segment. And if he didn't, I can bet every American on the board would have their 'feelings hurt'.

Oh, well, viewer discretion advice, that makes it ALL better. Where do you want me to start? The fact they were hinted as terrorists? The fact that Hassan therefore actually knows terrorists? The use of piano-wire which I explained in the Smackdown thread? The carrying out Daivari like a martyr? The way it makes all Arab Americans seem like terrorists, because there's no parallel character? The fact Hassan is another racially stereotyped character? Feel free to stop me whenever you want.

I just realised, Daivari doesn't have an actual finisher yet. Maybe they should give him the Lionsault. They could call it The Al-Quebrada.

I know some people are just saying it was a 'normal' beat-down by a bunch of masked guys, like any other the WWE's done. But obviously, that's bullshit. Just bad timing? Give me a fucking break. THEY WERE CHOKING HIM WITH PIANO WIRE! How is there GOOD timing for that? Oh, yeah, these masked men, instead of using straps or belts to choke people like pretty much every other attack like it in wrestling history...they just happened to have piano wire lying around, and thought hey, let's use this as the choking weapon? No. It was chosen, specifically. Why? To create something which could be misconstrued as an attempted beheading, without *actually* making it look like beheading. Having not seen it, maybe I'm wrong. Hell, I'm not actually offended, because I've come to expect crappy storylines like this. But to say that it wouldn't have been bad had it not co-incided with the attack in London is ridiculous, and that it was just bad timing, is just as ridiculous. To say it's no different from a scene in a movie is complete crap too. Movies aren't filmed in front of live audiences. Movies aren't designed to make people hate the actors for any longer than the movie's run-time. The point of the storyline was to make people HATE Hassan and Daviari. And EVERYONE knows that movies are fake, because movies have never been presented as 'real' outside of documentaries. Some people get that with the WWE, it's storyline. I'm sure there's some people who don't though. Wow. And to think, I really don't give a crap. This, coupled with the terrible Rey/Eddie angle devlopment's made me turn off from Smackdown anyway.

Whether Cornette is a jackass or not, he's damn sure entertaining.

I flat out refuse to have Hoff on commentary, unless it's a Hoff/D.Hasselhoff combination. Because that's money right there. Anyway, in addition to six man tag stuff, something else involving the Wright/Bo/Blackmore trio might go down.

Well then, I'm calling opening promo.

Update-a-Palooza. Two more names have been announced. Arik Cannon is in, so is DELIRIOUS~! On recent events, Delirious could go all the way. [2000 SS16 Winner] CHRIS HERO [2004 TPI Winner] "The Phenomenal" AJ STYLES JAMES GIBSON "Wonderkid" JONNY STORM ROBBIE BROOKSIDE "The Product" MAREK BRAVE TYLER BLACK "American Dragon" BRYAN DANIELSON "The Notorious 187" HOMICIDE "Lightning" MIKE QUACKENBUSH SUPER DRAGON "Mr Wrestling" KEVIN STEEN RAINMAN MATT SYDAL "Wildcat" CHRIS HARRIS "The Next" ALEX SHELLEY "The Anarchist" ARIK CANNON DELIRIOUS

Wow, Figo has got a deal signed with Liverpool according to SkySports.com. We could really do with signing someone big, soon, especially considering Glazer says the money is there.

^ Agreed. Luckily, I'm pretty certain, there was no-one there I know in London. Hard to imagine that it's just 60 miles down the road from me. Crazy shit. I mean, it had to happen one day I guess and we probably got off lightly, considering how many people were in London yesterday. But still, terrible, terrible stuff.

Backstage we go, as Josh Matthews is standing by with Christian Wright and Bohemoth. MATTHEWS Back here on HeldDOWN~!, I'm joined by...two very...controversial figures, in Christian Wright and Bohemoth... WRIGHT HI-YAH Heavyweight Champion, Bohemoth. Bohemoth places a hand on Matthews's should, completely towering over him. MATTHEWS Uh...HI-YAH Heavyweight Champion, Bohemoth. Gentlemen, we have got exclusive word that in two weeks time, Leon Rodez WILL recieve his shot at the HI-YAH Heavyweight Title. A shot he was scheduled to recieve at the Great Angle Bash, but did not due to a vicious attack on his sister before the match. Now, you two swear you had nothing to do with the attack. But you have to admit, it is a little suspicious tha... WRIGHT Excuse me? Suspicious? Aren't the media supposed to strictly unbiased? I understand that here in America, that fact has all but been forgotten...but Josh, I would appreciate it if you showed myself and Bohemoth a little more respect. Already, you have all but accused us of attacking a defenceless female. Correct? Josh stammers a little, mainly because Bohemoth's grip on his shoulder had become a lot tighter. MATTHEWS We...well, not exactly. WRIGHT So what are you saying? MATTHEWS It's just...that...all the signs point to you two. WRIGHT Joshua, it seems you haven't yet learnt. I am a man of upmost morality. I, Christian Wright, would NEVER strike a woman, outside of the confines of a wrestling match of course. A defenceless woman? Never. The entire reason that I came to the OAOAST was to rid this company of it's immorality. Why would I compromise my beliefs just for the sake of one satisfying moment? Now, obviously, the attack on Jade Rodez was very convenient for myself. And it just happened to teach Leon Rodez a lesson...that bad things happen to bad people. Simply put, the attack on Jade Rodez DID benefit myself and my championship winning bodyguard. But we did not carry out the attack. We did not lay a hand on that filthy little urchin. Because...we didn't need to. With a little chuckle, Wright smiles and beckons someone in from off screen. WRIGHT We didn't need to...because we had someone...who was willing to carry out the sacrifice for us. Josh looks more than a little surprised, as a blonde haired woman walks into shot and stand next to Wright...who is still smiling from ear to ear. WRIGHT Joshua, let me introduce you to Serena Blackmore. MATTHEWS So, wait a minute...this woman is responsible? You hired a woman to ta... Suddenly, Josh stops talking, as Blackmore rips the microphone away from his hand. BLACKMORE Christian did not 'hire' me. We are old friends and I completely share his beliefs and his view on the wrestling business. What I did, I did of my own accord, to help out an old friend. Quite simply, Leon Rodez's actions deserve retribution. Retribution will be served through whatever source. His friends. His family. Anyone who condones his behaviour without any sort of condemnation. By showing no remorse for her brother's actions, Jade Rodez deserved the beating she recieved. It's clear from her appearance that she too has become morally corrupt. Quite frankly, she looks and acts like a slut! What she got, she deserved. MATTHEWS Was this a one-off attack? Blackmore pulls the microphone away from Josh again. BLACKMORE That all depends on whether another beating is needed. If Jade Rodez has learnt the error of her ways, then our job is part done. However, I will be around should she slip up again. It just so happens that the OAOAST has unveiled it's Women's Division since Christian arrived here. He contacted me weeks ago, but I saw no real incentive for me to come here. But now? Well, I'm an ambition woman. And my ambition is to become the OAOAST Woman's Champion...I am not just here for Christian's benefit, I am here for my own as well. WRIGHT And to the rest of the Women's Division...if you want to know how serious this woman is, just ask Jade Rodez. Oh and Leon, I'm sure you're pretty angry currently. After all, this was your sister that was targeted. You must be furious. Not to mention the attacks on Faqu and on James Blonde. You come off as such a cool, calm individual. But I'm sure deep down, you would just LOVE to get your hands on me, seek out some retribution on me... Wryly, Wright smiles. WRIGHT ...just remember Leon...you can't do a THING to me. Despite your suspect morals, I trust you won't do a thing to Serena. And if you even so much as try to seek retribution through my bodyguard, you will personally regret it. There's not a thing you can do Leon. Except change. You see, I feel deeply remorseful for the results of the attack on your sister, I really do. But Leon, as much as I do not 'condone' these attacks on your friends and on your family...the ends...shall justify the means! Blackmore slams the microphone back into Matthews' chest, winding him slightly, as the trio of Wright, Bohemoth and Blackmore stroll off.

Is the name issue just a TNA thing? Billy Gunn's been using Billy Gunn on indy shows. I can't remember any other ex-ECW worker that had to change their name either.

His grasp of grammar's not bad either. *ducks* ... Sorru if my grarmar sux, I amz soooioo dRnuk!~ LO0LZ~!