Jingus

Mike at a TNA show? Heh. Doubt it. He tends to hate everything but the WWE, and only barely tolerates them. Yes, Greenville is an old NWA/WCW stronghold town. IIRC, it's also the where that one Flair vs. HHH match from 2003 took place, so it can still draw today.

Huh? Harry has been wrestling for, like, at least six years now, all over the world.

I remember seeing some documentary special on Rocky Horror. There was this one middle-aged woman dressed up as Frankie, and they asked her exactly why she loved the character so much. She replied, "because he IS a sweet transvestitie, such a really sweet character". Maybe she went to a different midnight show than the one I used to, where he didn't oh-so-sweetly stab Meatloaf to death with an ice pick just for the hell of it.

It's a revamped version of an old Memphis gimmick called a "trick or treat match", where there would be a box in every corner and a couple would have weapons while others would have just random objects. I think WCW did one too on Nitro in 2000.

Yeah, I already reported that in my thread in General Wrestling, check it out for some a little spirited debate over exactly which rules are stupid, plus a lot of name-calling towards the Georgia athletic commission.

Murdock's chubby and pale, Cade's shredded and tanned. Is it that difficult to figure out who the WWE would push and why?

I don't like Cena, but I've never claimed that I have any sort of mathematical proof that he sucks, because that's impossible. There's no way to factually prove any one wrestler better than another, except by matter of degree. Unless you're trying to make some kind of comparison like Jushin Liger > random backyarder, and even then there's a possibility of "that backyarder does a more intense rear chinlock than Liger ever did" or something like that.

The fact that you're a majority of one and pretty much everyone else here is disagreeing with you, that doesn't mean anything? If you stated it as a matter of personal taste, there wouldn't be a problem. If you just said "I don't like Shawn Michaels, here's why", that'd be fine. However, when you come in here claiming that "these six guys ARE objectively better than Michaels and that's a FACT" it just makes you look like a self-centered person who considers his own opinions to be more valid than anyone else's. Homophobic slurs don't help your case either.

Sounds like the taser was applied for no particular reason here, since apparently after the police got there the guy calmed down and offered zero resistance until they zapped him. See, complaining about this case is perfectly legit. Has there been any sort of public announcement about the medical examiner's report on what the official cause of death was?

I posted this at Loss's board, but I figured more people really needed to see it. The link to the official crap about this is here. Remember the stories about Georgia trying to create new athletic commission rules to oversee wrestling? Well, they're here. I understand how they feel the need to take action since Benoit lived there and all, but these rules show either a very shallow knowledge of pro graps, or it's a calculated attempt to put wrestling out of business forever in that state. Some of the highlights: -a "surety bond" of at least $10,000 must be filed before each and every show -the commission gets paid 5% of all ticket sales -a doctor, two EMTs, and an ambulance must be on hand at all times throughout the show; the promotion has to pay for it all -no blading or any other sort of cutting themselves, I assume this includes stuff like hardcore deathmatches -nobody under the age of 18 can work on the show, and everyone under 18 in the bulding must be accompanied by a guardian -the commission may send a representative to monitor the show, and the promotion must pay them $100 -all card changes and/or substitutions must be announced both in writing at the ticket window and by the ring announcer before the first match; anyone who wants a refund because of changes is entitled to one -the wrestlers can't verbally threaten the crowd -no brawling in the crowd, all wrestling must be in or around the ring -Dress codes! Every wrestler's gear must be "clean", wrestlers "may wear two pairs of trunks, one on top of the other", and there's some weird restrictions on boots. Wrestlers are forbidden to have grease or lotion on their bodies, and must trim their fingernails. The commission representative can disqualify a wrestler and stop the match if these conditions aren't perfect. -The promotion must provide professional heavy-duty barricades, at their own expense. -60 minute time limits for every match. Exceptions have to be cleared by the commission. -Every match winner will be determined by pinfalls, either one or 2/3. Submissions and other methods of winning are not addressed. According to the rules, to be pinned a wrestler must have his shoulders down for exactly three seconds, and the referee signals a pinfall by slapping the mat once like in amateur wrestling. -Heels rejoice: you now have a 10-count instead of a 5 to break illegal holds. -The rope break rules are now like MMA, where the clock is stopped while both contestants stand up and return to the middle of the ring. -Covering the nose and mouth simultaneously is banned. WTF? -Wrestlers are forbidden to use any "unsportsmanlike or physically dangerous conduct". Sorry heels, no rejoicing. -Blading is still illegal (yes, they mention this again), but they specifically say that FAKE BLOOD~! is okay. -Using any foreign object or prop of any kind requires getting approval from the commission ahead of time, including the dreaded FAKE BLOOD~!. -Double-teaming in tag matches is strictly forbidden and grounds for immediate DQ. Tag ropes are required. -Managers and valets are allowed... as long as they stay "outside the ring enclosure", that is, NOT AT RINGSIDE. -If anyone or anything gets fucked up, it's all the promoter's fault. The rules are precisely set down to define exactly what is allowed to happen, and it appears that straight-up singles or tag matches are the only kind allowed, with pinfalls or DQs being the only way to end a match, countouts and submissions aren't mentioned. It says nothing about three-ways, ladder matches, six-man-or-bigger tags, battle royals, or any kind of gimmick match at all, from a simple no-DQ on down. So, question: was this set up by some geriatric idiots who fondly look back upon the golden days of wrestling in the 50s, or is this a blatant attempt to keep any professional wrestling show to ever run in the state of Georgia again? EDIT: oh yeah, this hasn't officially passed yet, the final hearing is on December 18th. Any written correspondance about the subject must be received before December 11th.

This ain't going anywhere. So, two questions: 1. You think Michaels has truly never had a great straight-up singles match performance? 2. What WOULD you call examples of a great match, or great workers? YES. Yes I do. That's the point. I think he's probably the overall best worker in the company. Well, maybe not right this instant with his knees being all rusty lockjawed, but up until he got hurt last time, yes. He's a better bumper than Cena, better brawler than Rey, cuts better promos than Matt, plays the crowd better than Finlay, can do more different types of stuff than Umaga, is more adaptable to different situations and able to have good matches with a wider variety of opponents than all of the above. That's my point, I think Shawn is that good, to the point where I can't think of any one person in the company that surpasses him in all areas.

It's generally agreed that the HBK/Mankind match was probably the WWF's MOTY, except for the run-in ending. And the finishes for PPV main events are called by the office, not Shawn. Both the Intercontinental matches from 92 and the PPV matches from 96 were just fine, aside from the Beware Of Dog show for obvious reasons. Did you miss the part where I said "the hundreds of matches with Bret"? So you pick on the one particularly overrated one? They had matches from the Rockers/Hart Foundation stuff in '89 all the way until Bret's last match in the company, and all of them were at least good, some were downright great. It was WM11, and it was one of the few genuinely good singles matches Nash has ever had in his life. As for their better rematch, I think you're making way too much out of this "gimmick matches" point. A Hell In A Cell or an Inferno Match or a TLC is a crazy gimmick match. A no-DQ brawl... isn't. Well, that and those two awesome three-way matches they had with HHH. Well, I'm just gonna have to completely disagree with you, because I thought their match at Wrestlemania was easily match of the night, and maybe match of the year, just fucking amazing. Yeah, the match itself is overshadowed by the finish, but it's still a great match overall. Which ironically was their best match in their series, at least as far as I'm concerned. A bunch of headlocks, a diamond cutter, and an absolutely average nothing-special stomp to the head is "awesome"? No, Cena didn't carry Shawn, period. "Shawn benefitted at being at the right place at the right time, he has never ever in any era been the best wrestler in the WWE." Let me guess: you were a huge Hitman mark. "3. Cena vs. Lashley and Cena vs. Khali were great matches?!" "Yes..." Bullmotherfuckingshit. Cena is average, Lashley sucks, and Khali REALLY sucks. "Would you like to continue, smart guy?" I'll keep arguing all night long, mastermind.

Am I the only one who noticed this? Whoa.

I was ambivalent about it. Really, I didn't much recognize the difference between good and bad movies when I was a kid; there were just the kinds of movies I liked (fighting and explosions) and the kinds I didn't (most everything else). But even as a kid, I could tell when They had randomly fucked with the Masters of the Universe story, and was confused by all the changes They made to the canon and characters. Dumbass new characters like Gwildor and the one-eyed swordsman dude were just plain stupid. And of course the worst part was setting most of the movie on contemporary Earth, was that just to get around budgetary restrictions, or did the studio really think all the kids would rather watch He-man in the goddamn suburbs instead of on Eternia?

Bullfuckingshit. How, EXACTLY, were Mind Games, WM21, and Ground Zero "overbooked clusterfuck"s? Because two of 'em had DQ endings which were mandated by the bookers, not Shawn? Because they killed the spanish announce table, like every single PPV main event from 1997 to now? You didn't even try to make anything close to a compelling argument against that list of matches, and it's hardly an all-inclusive one of everything great Shawn's ever done. So, the hundreds of matches with Bret, the miracles he dragged out of Nash, carrying Sid to his best matches ever, that amazing match with Shelton, the great series with Angle, various classics with Davey Boy, his great stuff with Benoit, some just-fine matches with Edge and Orton, the only good match Hogan's had in the past five years, the non-gimmick matches with HHH, going against Jericho, and oh yeah about a thousand matches both partnered with and feuding against Mary Jannetty, NONE of those count? Really? Jesus Christ, stop it. 1. The developmental roided-up rapper wannabe made the 25-year legendary veteran look good?! 2. Shawn's offense isn't good? He uses various chain wrestling, assorted rollups, a couple suplexes, punches, chops, kicks, stomps, clothesine, flying forearm, elbow drop, superkick. Plus it's not like the dude is a Batista who never strays from his established moveset, Shawn will frequently break out some random little move which he doesn't do all the time. For the WWE, he's got plents of MOVEZ~!. 3. Cena vs. Lashley and Cena vs. Khali were great matches?! 4. Shawn went on to do more rematches with Cena and feud with Orton until he took time off for knee surgery, genius. I've never understood this argument. Shawn throws just as much if not more offense as Hogan, Austin, or Rock did, plus a few flying-ish moves that those guys didn't. And how is the superkick weak? Compared to, for example, the big leg drop, the stunner, or the people's elbow? Kicking someone right in the fucking face is the most credible finisher there is. Don't forget it's a superkick which put Bret Hart permanently out of wrestling.

Once again, this is the same company with Kevin Nash wrestling in the main event feud. Top booking guy Dutch Mantell spent half his career in Puerto Rico working for Carlito's dad. They'll bring him in.

Never said I was a fan. In fact, never was a fan. But I think the guy gets bashed all out of proportion to his actual ability. I've seen people actually claim that he was the crappier half of his tag team with Chris Masters. I mean, jesus, come on. HTQ/CTP is right about the theory that a babyface should still sell the damage even during his fiery comeback. Problem is... the biggest drawing babyfaces of all time didn't do that. Hogan sure as hell didn't, Rock didn't, Austin often didn't. Neither did Bruno Sammartino once he started the "I hate you so much I'm gonna shake my fists" routine, or Lawler once he pulled the strap down, or... It's one of those professional wrestling things which don't really work according to logic or commonly accepted smark wisdom.

Kenny Dykstra: Chinlock MASTER. Hey, I had that thought too. If handled right, it could be damned good, those two I think would work well together. Punk has yet to have a feud or important win over any of the big veterans, and Flair seems to do his best work these days with the young rookies. EFA. Dreamer. Dammit, I got bored and walked off far too soon.

Hush, don't try to talk sense into the HateBK club. While I admit that personally Shawn is a disgusting piece of hypocritical shit who never wants to put over anybody but his own good buddies, he's still just a damned amazing in-ring performer and can carry anyone to a decent match. The haterz scream "No-sell! Kip-up!" and completely ignore the fact that pretty much every single top babyface on the roster does some version of that. Hey Gogo: got any specific reasons why Jericho sucks? Beyond "well these couple of matches weren't real good" or "he blew some highspots which were highly complicated and dangerous moves which 90% of the humans on the planet couldn't even hope to do". Also still waiting on exact examples of Carlito lazing it up. "Every match ever LOL" ain't an answer.

HHH has always seemed like he had some kind of personal vendetta against Jericho. Nobody's ever been able to explain why exactly, but it sure as hell does seem like it's there. 1.TNA brought in everyone from the Bashams to Test. Billy Gunn still works there. They'll sure as hell bring in Carlito, especially with his old PR buddy Ducth Mantell on the booking committee. 2.Please provide specific examples, preferably from matches which are available to everyone on Youtube, of exactly how Carlito is lazy. I'm serious. I've heard the "Carlito's lazy" meme for months, but never seen it myself.

If you're so upset by the current status quo that you'd rather have no wrestling at all, it's a harsh opinion, but I can respect that. The ones I take issue with are the people who seem to think that new regulation will improve wrestling instead of mostly ending it. Either you can have inadequate medical care at the shows, or you can have 80% of wrestling vanish, that's the realistic choice we're looking at here.

He did look kinda gay, but Jericho often looks kinda gay. After all, this is the same guy who all in the span of one year had the "loser wears a dress" S&M-ish feud with Saturn, had the peculiar fat manservant who also wore a dress, had the strapping black manservant who wore damn near the same glittery vest as tonight (good eye, Diamonddust), traded Howard Finkel as a "bitch" to the Acolytes in a poker game, and engaged in a truly disturbing misogynistic feud with Chyna. It's not like the character is a rock-solid caricature of heterosexuality. I think the difference between him now and him in 1999 is that back then he was this bizarre flaming type of dude who thought he was a pussy-magnet rock star with all his goofy hair and clothes. New Jericho is much more sedate and Queer Eye looking with his short hair and buttoned-down vest, like he's less concerned with rockin' and much more comfortable with cockin'. (insert obligatory Not That There's Anything Wrong With That line here) I actually liked that he clotheslined the torch runner to start the segment, I expected it to be one of those "heel celebration ceremonies that go on for five days straight before a babyface busts up the party in the final thirty seconds" Austin Appreciation Nights sort of deals, but thankfully they spared us that pain. The only problem was the camera shot needed to be a little closer up and more vague so that we couldn't instantly tell who it was doing the clotheslining.

Why not? In the early 90s with the AIDS scare there was a fear that blood-transmitted diseases would soon be ruining the business, but time has proved that to be a false concern. I'd argue that giving yourself a shallow cut in a non-vital area is much less theatening to a person's health than the constant pounding that the spine, skull, and internal organs take from all the bumps. I've never understood why blading was such a controversial thing with the mainstream about wrestling. Except for the extreme Mass Transit type cases, I can't think of any time it's ever seriously hurt anybody. Plus, it's a self-inflicted injury, it's not like big mean wrestlers are kidnapping poor screaming innocent victims and carving up their foreheads with a smile on their face. If getting yourself a Prince Albert is legal in this country, I don't see why blading shouldn't be.

I'd say rules 4-8, 11, and 14 need at least a little tweaking. Plus, is stupid shit like 15 really necessary to enforce by law?

Then I hope you're willing to accept the inevitable consequence of the vast majority of wrestling companies going out of business because they can't afford the expense. I'm not trying to be a dick here about a guy getting hurt, I've landed on my head in the ring and it ain't fun. But clearly Chikara doesn't have enough money for a medical staff or they would've had them there already. And it's one of the bigger and more successful promotions out there. Would you be willing to enforce the "must have doctors" rule if it meant closing down Chikara and every other indy fed aside from the superindy ROH types?