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Trent? is recovering from neck fusion surgery, I believe, so I'd rather he take the time to make sure he is absolutely 100% before coming back - he's had a horrible time of it the last year or so with injuries.

RoH are in an interesting spot, and it's intriguing to think about what Sinclair may do with the property. I hope they come back properly in Q2 next year, but we'll see.

I'm not sure who will be left to go back to RoH at that point, but I do hope they're able to survive somehow.

It will probably be a few veterans who didn't sign exclusively with anyone else, a lot of cross-promotion and, maybe, a lot of new talent as well...

@Dysartes: Yikes, I hope Trent's back on his feet again soon. At first I didn't even get the connection between the Best Friends and Rocky Romero. Thankfully Excalibur filled me in.

@Alpharius: Yup, that'd be my hope too. No idea in which shape they're going to go on, but the main thing is they do.

Just came across this and immediately thought of you guys...

On a slightly different note - I just checked if Lacey Evans was still with WWE. Turns out her kid was born just one month ago. Congrats on that. Remember when the sill storyline in which her pregnancy was announced happened? Feels like it was ages ago, doesn't it.

Oh good. Happy for her. If she does come back I'm not sure where she'd fit in, but we'll see what they do.

Pregnancy return is always a good time to rejig a character?

So, WWE gone and WWE'd itself again...

Eight more roster cuts on Thursday

Somehow they couldn't find a use for...

- John Morrison
- Isaiah "Swerve" Scott
- Ashante "Thee" Adonis
- Top Dolla
- Tegan Nox
- Drake Maverick (again)
- Jaxson Ryker
- Shane Thorne

"Budget cuts" quoted as the reason again - no comment.

Hit Row were apparently a cursed stable...

Yeah, it sucks.

Funny though how they chose that night to also show the WWE 2k22 trailer. ("we said we'd have updates in January.... but we couldn't wait!"). Why is it that companies/entities who are obsessed with PR are so bloody bad at it? Or it's just when they suck that we notice the PR, I guess. It's like with referees.

I can't imagine how low morale is among the designers working on WWE 2k22. How many hours of work do you think they've had to throw out after GW fired the wrestler they were working on getting into the game?

Indeed. But hey, on the positive side, there'll be microtransactions!

I know that the build to Survivor Series was a bit of a lame duck this year, but why was a random prop more important than the brand vs. brand nonsense?

I won't see SuSe until Thursday, until then I'll try to dodge any spoilers. As for your question, I assume that even WWE realize that the whole 'brand warfare' thing is very silly, especially right after a Draft.

 Dysartes wrote:
I know that the build to Survivor Series was a bit of a lame duck this year, but why was a random prop more important than the brand vs. brand nonsense?

Because it was connected to The Rock.


Who didn't turn up.

Right, tonight I'll finally watch Survior Series. I'm kinda hyped, simply because i had to wait for so long and I managed to avoid any spoilers (apart from the Rock thing, but I didn't expect him to turn up anyway). I just hope the battle royale is on the main show. I like a battle royale.

Anyway, until then I'm watching last night's Dynamite!
.) CM Punkt - MJF: Gooood. Funny. Slightly heavily leaning on references to WWE things, but that's okay.
.) LET EDDIE EAT HIS CAKE!!!!!1
.) I have to admit that I'm intrigued about Dante Martin in Team Taz.





Also, I watched Survivor Series last night, and had a lovely time. I will NOT watch Red Notice, because why would anybody. I will not eat Pizza Hut pizza, because why would anybody. It reminded me though of when we watched Full Gear the other week and one of my friends who watched with me (who'd never watched an AEW PPV before) was confused as to who sponsored the event and why there were no commercials.

All that aside though, I kinda enjoyed all the matches. I think I found out how to make Survivor Series enjoyable: It's basically Eurovision. You choose a team, have drinks and work yourself up (not into a shoot, brother, but up) to see them win. Without know ing the card, I chose team Raw because Kevin Owens is on team Raw. Turns out I was lucky in my choice. It was also the first time I saw Austin Theory in action proper. Well, more or less. But I love the sound of that name. Shame he's got a bloody selfie gimmick. I was okay with it on Typer Breeze, because for him it makes sense. For Austin Theory it just makes him one more cockwomble who takes selfies (don't take selfies. It's undignified, everything that comes with it actively sets back humanity). Either way, I cheered him, because #teamraw.

The main event was quite something. It's interesting how Roman Reigns matches always kinda work the same, but still there are points at which it looks like the opponent may just take away a victory. Also, Roman Reigns is really good at showing the weakness of his character. It may sound silly, because it's so on the nose, but he needs that validation from everybody. The match heats up, Roman makes a comeback after the initial babyface offence, the crowd starts booing Roman, Roman gets irritated and looks at them weird, the match goes on, he can't put away the babyface, gets angry at the audience, shouts, basically asks them to acknowledge him, they don't, he gets angry (defiant, even), and talks back to them in a cocky manner, then some more babyface action, then Roman wins. Or something like that. It's just interesting to see. Also: Big E is really strong. Roman Reigns is really strong. it's crazy.

However, I was very surprised that nothing happened in the end. Either way, good show. Watching with friends and drinks makes things better.

Aye, seems like we're in that pre-christmas Wrestling slump. So Johnny Gargano and Kyle O'Riley are out of NXT. Care to wager a guess where they'll turn up next? I really hope that neither of them will be a surprise entrant for Royal Rumble.

Hook got his debut match on Rampage last night, against Fuego del Sol.

Full match is available on YouTube - Hooks looks like a great prospect, and Fuego deserves a lot of credit for making him look so good.

Seems Jeff Hardy is out of the WWE, having walked off on a televised match?

Jeff is out of WWE, but I think it was a tour/house show match, not a televised one.

 Dysartes wrote:
Jeff is out of WWE, but I think it was a tour/house show match, not a televised one.

Jeff apparently has substance abuse issues (again).

Allegedly was offered help but declined?

On the show in question left an in progress tag match to go into the crowd.

Aye. I hope he'll be fine. He's amazing.


@Dysartes: Yeah, one of the youngsters I don't find annoying. Nah, I don't find the young'uns generally annoying. Darby Allin I don't get, but that's okay. It's just a phase he's going though. I absolutely HATED Sammi Guevara first few times I saw him. Jericho did a lot of good there. Anyway, with Hook I'm fine, and I really like the submission move. And the hair. Appreciate your hair, young man! He reminds me of Vincent Ventresca in the invisible man tv series, so I'm fine with him.

I also enjoy the change to Brian Cutler. Not that I'm the biggest fan of the stooge character, but anything's better than a pro wrestler with a "look, I play dungeons and dragons" gimmick, even if he loses all the time.

Like Nakazawa, Cutler does do a good stooge - and that's a stereotype that tends to work well with a heel group.

And the times he gets his comeuppance will always be good - see the costumed 8-man tag, for example.

As for Hook? Given he is Taz's son, bringing back the Tazmission makes perfect sense - even after renaming it to Red Rum.

Agreed. It's a good way for the goodies to triumph for a bit without hurting the important baddies.

Yeah, and it's generally good to have some non-flippy young dude. Especially a heel.



That Dynamite last night, eh? That title match was quite something, all culminating in Danielson taking a NASTY looking landing after that last buckshot lariat. Also: Wardlow's storyline getting a bit furthered, funny Superkliq promo. I like angry Shida. Cool main event, looking forward to Penelope Ford vs. Tay Conti. Neat.

 Dysartes wrote:
Like Nakazawa, Cutler does do a good stooge - and that's a stereotype that tends to work well with a heel group.

And the times he gets his comeuppance will always be good - see the costumed 8-man tag, for example.

As for Hook? Given he is Taz's son, bringing back the Tazmission makes perfect sense - even after renaming it to Red Rum.

Plus Red Rum is a great name for a finisher, so long as the commentary doesn't do a TNA with Rellik

I'm just watching cultaholic's 9 pitches for WWE for 2022, and one of the guys pitched an idea which I've been a great fan of for weeks now, not only for WWE, but also AEW: Getting rid of the word 'bitch', especially in women's promos. The word is unnecessary, and has little meaning. It doesn't add gravitas to promos, or make anybody look good or clever. It's overused, hollow, and a joke. I very much could so without it. Especially in the 'positive' way it's often used in AEW promos.

Anyway, I like the wrestling. Watching Day 1 tomorrow, New Year's Rampage was fine. Dang, that street fight was something. The Bunny is great. All the people in the match are, but the Bunny and Tay Conti to me are the stand-outs quite clearly.

Are we looking forward to Wrestle Kingdom? Over the past 2-3 years they kinda fell off the map a bit, didn't they? Strong didn't quite live up to what I hoped for either and honestly, I'm not quite sure if the prospect of THREE days appeals to me that greatly. (not the least because I know nothing about PW Noah, so the third day possibly doesn't play much of a role for me?).

Still, I'll have a look at the card and share with the world who I'd like to win:


DAY1:

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
Shingo Takagi (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada - Funny thing about Shingo Takagi is that I just don't know him. He's a dragon and he looks pretty regular as far as menacing Japanese wrestling guys go, right? I'd say Okada wins, so NJPW can try to get things back on track again a bit.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
El Desperado (c) vs. Hiromu Takahashi - Oh, that'll be crazy, won't it. Hiromu Takahashi for the win.

IWGP Tag Team Championship
Dangerous Tekkers (Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi) (c) vs. Chaos (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) - I will love this. It features three of my absolute favourites of mine of New Japan (and Yoshi-Hashi). I have a feeling that Dangerous Tekkers will win, but I want Chaos to win, because of Goto and him being a really good babyface. I insist for Miho Abe to be there though. Always loved Taichi's entrance. What a great concept for a heel.

NEVER Openweight Championship
Tomohiro Ishii (c) vs. EVIL - Ishii to win. I don't like EVIL much.

Special Singles Match
Catch Wrestling Rules Match Katsuyori Shibata vs. ??? - I don't know. It's Shibata's miraculous return to in-ring action, right? I think Suzuki isn't on any card until a 3-man tag on day #3, so why not Suzuki? Shibata beats him for the babyface return, they'll have another match with regular rules, so Suzuki can beat the snot out of him.


Six Man Tag Team Match
Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito, SANADA & BUSHI) vs. United Empire (Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan) - Love the return of Ospreay, do not love the United Empire, but maybe they'll grow on me. Sucks for Naito and Sanada, but I think the United Empire got that.

Six Man Tag Team Match -
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Rysuke Taguchi & Rocky Romero vs. Bullet Club (Kenta, Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo) - Phew. hard to tell. But it's Wrestle Kingdom and it's bloody Tanahashi! He's good, isn't he. The whole match will be a great showcase for Ishimori and Phantasmo especially, but the good guys will win. It sucks for Bullet Club, but what can you do. Can't beat Love and Energy.

Special Singles Match
YOH vs. SHO - Uhm. Sho. Yoh is a bit less of a star, is he.

Kick-Off:
KOPW 2022 New Japan Ranbo - I have no idea. They'll have a ton of participants, right? I don't HAVE to see Toru Yano win this, I have to say.


DAY 2:

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
Shingo Takagi or Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Will Ospreay - Based on my prediction it'll be Okada vs. Ospreay, but I just can't quite tell who will win this one. It would be nice to see Ospreay pick up where he left off, but if New Japan try to get back to their glory days (which I have a feeling they want to), combined with the travel and pandemic situation I'm inclined to say that Okada wins.

IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship
No Disqualification Match
KENTA (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi - Oooh, the sequel to Day#1's 3man tag match. Kenta's got that one. A no-DQ singles match against a possibly hurt Tanahashi (they'll make sure of that during the first night's match) sounds like something that would favour Kenta.

Special Singles Match
Tetsuya Naito vs. Jeff Cobb - Cobb. I hear he's been great lately.

Special Singles Match
SANADA vs. Great-O-Khan - Phew. I'll say Sanada. People love him, he can do all the things, Great O Khan still feels a bit meh to me.

NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship
House of Torture (EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi & SHO) (c) vs. Chaos (Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & YOH) - Yikes, this doesn't look good for Goto, but I'll stick to him, even though he's got yoshi hashi and yoh with him. Does anybody really like House of Torture? Btw, I demand to see Pieter on the entrance.

KOPW 2022
4 Way Match
??? vs. ??? vs. ??? vs. ??? - Well, I'll say ??? wins. If Tama Tonga is in that match, I wanna see him win. Otherwise: Chase Owens.


Stardom Special Match
Mayu Iwatani & Starlight Kid vs. Tam Nakano & Saya Kamitani - It's great that we get the Stardom match on the proper card now. More of that, please! I'll readily admit that I know nobody in Stardom. I watched some Tokyo Yoshi Pro, but no Stardom at all.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
Flying Tiger (Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask) (c) vs. Bullet Club (El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori) vs. Mega Coaches (Ryusuke Taguchi & Rocky Romero) - Robbie Eagles started out in Bullet Club, right? (possibly as the Sniper of the Skies or something like that?). Anyway, I'll say that the Bullet Club team will win this one. Somebody aligned with Tiger Mask won't win at Wrestlekingdom, and the Mega Coaches don't really need the win more than the Bullet Club guys.

Kick-Off:
??? - Yeah, well, who knows.


I won't put down any predictions for night#3, because I don't know most of the people. But going through the card made me look forward to Wrestle Kingdom a bit more, so that's good. What about you? looking forward to the event?

Watched Wrestle Kingdom's Day 1, and it was good fun. I have to admit that I didn't pay very close attention to all the matches because I had stuff to do, but I watched the main ones. Well, Goto and Yoshi Hashi vs. Dangerous Tekkers.

Other findings:
.) Covid sucks and I'm getting tired of it.
.) El Desperado looked cool
.) Yoshi Hashi is growing on me.
.) I actually like the New Japan Ranbo matches. It's like a mini-rumble with a big fight at the end on the next day.
.) Ospreay is a great heel.
.) Hate to say it, but Tanahashi is getting on a bit, isn't he. And ever since his return the New Japan, I haven't seen Kenta do anything that really impresses me. He has that legacy and a good face and all, but I have yet to see why his run as the Bullet Club boss would leave much of a mark.

So, WWE have released William Regal. I think that puts the final nail in old NXT's coffin.

I didn't see that coming!

Wow!

I've been done with WWE for a while now, but still - wow!

 Alpharius wrote:
I didn't see that coming!

Wow!

I've been done with WWE for a while now, but still - wow!

Yeah, Regal will be a great catch for whatever company picks him up. He's got a great mind for the business and is also able to mentor others and help them find their own character and voice.

All of which is no longer wanted in modern WWE. They don't want people who understand wrestling psychology or have their own character ideas and voice. They want people they can insert into feuds with no continuity or long term plan, who will play the character they tell them to (including whatever stupid name and ring gear Vince is hot on at that moment) and whose voice is what is written for them in a script which was only finalised 5 minutes before the show went live.

EDIT: Samoa Joe is gone as well now. Something is seriously rotten in Titan Towers.

The word from "sources at WWE" seems to be this latest batch of releases is almost entirely to do with removing people brought in by - or with some loyalty to - HHH.

Doesn't explain the cruelty of what has happened to Alison Danger, though.

Note that this wave of releases was bigger than just Regal and Joe.