Mark Henry would probably actually have good matches with the cruisers. He always had competitive matches with Punk and Bryan and actually bumped for them.
Vince and Bischoff were both good at commentating, mostly because it was their product, so they were especially passionnate about it. That can make a big difference.
Promos are just wrestlers' personalities ramped up to 11. Seriously, compare the best promo of the past 15 years to one of the 80s, or even one of Flair's. No contest.
I understand that, but it was a totally different time. With so many hours of live TV, plus tons of PG related sponsors, and investors involved, it really does have to be micro managed now. We just all need to accept it, I'm afraid.
There's a difference between people going nuts on the mic like Scotty Steiner, and allowing people to be looser and more creative while still being given points to get across.
A cruiserweight division would be great for the network. Smarks would subscribe to see the work rate they so crave and casuals would be entertained by the flippy floppy madness. Definitely bring them new subscribers, and it's not a silly expensive idea like I've hears suggested by many people.
Just as a reminder, the cruiserweights as remembered were all Eric Bischoff's doing. The WWE doesn't do cruiserweights because they suck at cruiserweights. Same principle as WCW and gimmick matches (Wargames aside).
Meh, I get that, (both made up names, and "WHATAMANEUVER"), but I guess I'd rather have a passionnate non-expert, than a boring guy who knows every move known to man. Just their tone of voice made it exciting.
From the brief Meltzer notes in this weeks newsletter, it does seem like unless things take an unexpected turn, there definitely will be a TNA in 2015.
Some site reported he was in New York finalising some deal, then a few days later some other site reported that he'd been back at Dixieland the whole time. And now this!
There's a difference between "booked" and "scripted". Wrestling used to be booked. Wasn't til the past decade or so that wrestlers were literally given bulk scripted lines to remember. Time was they'd just tell you to "go out there, cut a five minute promo on (x)."
I always liked Gordon Solie, and I used to correct kids at school about how to say suplex. Though I was never 100% sure about super-plex. Super-lay?
I also miss announcers who didn't try to be funny and sold it like a real fight, or at least a real sport. The WCCW guys were great at that. When someone won by pulling their opponents tights they weren't just upset. They were morally outraged!
I figure I repost this from yesterday morning about the Cavs. Before they lost the Utah game.
There's only 2 reliable good players on Cleveland right now, and that's LeBron and Love. Everybody else is either young, injury prone, or isn't actually any good.
I picked Cleveland to go to the Finals because it doesn't matter right now. What matters is post All-Star Game. If they are still playing badly, then there are major problems. LeBron himself said this was going to be a long process. People forget Miami didn't really truly gel until 2012 when Bosh was out with the ab strain, and LeBron played the 4. Miami let LeBron dominate the ball from the high and low posts, and he DESTROYED the Pacers and Celtics. He also had his way against OKC, although the games were all close until game 5. It took Miami almost 2 full years to fit everything properly. Spoestra figured out letting LeBron operate from the high post was simply too much for most teams to deal with.
San Antonio figured it out after they lost to the Heat in 2013, and they adapted to play more like Miami with Diaw or Leonard at the 4 for extended minutes. Pop insisted on all of the team learning to play that way so they can play that way all the time. Miami actually reverted to a more traditional line-up, expecting to have to match Indiana's big men. Then the Spurs got hot along with an extremely great version of small ball that the Heat had previously mastered but moved away from (to match Indiana and to protect James from wear and tear in the post areas), and they rolled the Heat.
Cleveland's offense isn't very good, but I expect that to be fine as they play together more and more. But their defense is awful. They can't guard the pick n roll, they have no shot blocking, the perimeter players are letting opposing players into the lane far too often, and Cleveland is playing without much effort. If Rose can't get back to form with Chicago, then Cleveland should be okay and make it to the Finals. Miami might give Cleveland some trouble since Miami is playing more like their championship run in 2013 with Bosh taking the place of LeBron, but Cleveland's offense should be better than Miami's come Playoffs.
I also think LeBron is taking is easy and letting the team lose a bit on purpose. I think he realized already he cant change Irving and Waiters. They have to want to change when the team is still sucking. I think LeBron is trying to re-create the Heat up in Cleveland, but the Cav's defense is much poorer than the Heats. Love is a superior offensive player compared to Bosh, but Bosh is far better on the defensive end.
I don't think it would be the worst idea in the world to develop specific themes for shows, so long as you don't outright gimmick them as such. Turn Main Event and Superstars into cruiserweight-heavy shows, and run a title feud on Raw. Let your lower and mid card guys continue to develop on Smackdown.
Of course, it doesn't really solve the presentation problem on Monday night, which is why I think they should institute an 'intermission' from like 9:30 to 10:00 where the Network guys could recap what's gone down thus far (sparing us 6 million replays and the announcers constantly harping on it), and look forward to the last hour.
There's all sorts of ways you can do it, too. Use the break to do an intimate sit down interview like they used to do so well. Air a video package for a highly touted rookie on the way in. Break up the monotony of three hours so that it doesn't feel like three hours, and you've got something.
I'd imagine they'll at least do the UK tour since those are supposedly profitable. I wonder if TNA could survive as a sort of super indie fed if they cut their costs dramatically.
What makes me happier than lebron going 1-3 back in Cleveland? Well a certain underdog franchise that everyone hates and is completely against beat thr clippers by 17 last night to improve to 4-0 (sssssshhhhhhhh not too much noise about this though)
If Thompson is going to play at this level all the time, then Golden State becomes very dangerous. He tended to let the game come to him instead of imposing his well. Clippers can't really guard him with anybody. Redick is solid, but he can't match Thompson's size. Barnes is getting older and lacks lateral quickness.
I'm not paying super close attention to any team just yet, but I don't think Clippers have anybody else suited to guard Thompson.
Please. God no. Do not bring back the cruiserweight division. Yes it was awesome in wcw and it had its moments on smackdown but under this current creative reigme it will be just another thing that makes most of us embarrassed to be fans. Vince will have talented lightweights jobbing to Hornswoggle in a alligator suit within no time. I'd bet this is all just get heat for another bull vs gator midget match (ugh please don't let this happen)
Jalen Rose suggested last night that the Cavs move LeBron to the 4, but I'm not sure that accomplishes anything. An Irving-Waiters-Marion-LeBron-Love rotation doesn't make them better on offense or defense. The solution is for Irving to stop the Gilbert Arenas impression and start acting like a point guard.
To defend Cole (I know, I know), there were 2 times where he was really good at this in the past few years. When Rock won the title from Punk, he was outraged that the Shield interfered when the lights were out, and trying to tell the ref that he saw them.
That, and when Daniel lost in the Chamber to Orton, Cole went on a great "How many times will Daniel Bryan get screwed over?" rant, which set up WM 30 perfectly.
You completely ignored the entire point of the idea. Things would be going on, be it talking heads at the Network desk in the arena, or an interview segment, or a match from NXT that 'OMG ppl should check out!'. It simply gives us time away from the announce team and provides a breath of fresh air for a show that's way too long.
I'm not sure how I feel about this. WCW was able to use the 1st hour to show off some awesome lucha stuff. I don't really trust WWE to do that. Plus they would have to hire another 10 wrestlers, cut 5 of them, repack some of the existing ones, and then we might have a good division.
And then we still have to hope that Vince doesn't kill it like he did with tag-team wrestling.
Last year I got too high early on and was devastated all year when they couldn't put it together and then angry when they were more worried about standing with the clippers over the sterling stuff then winning that series. So I'm only going to enjoy the ride. I don't really know how to handle my team being good because they've been garbage most of my life.
I believe the phrase "shut up homo" was tossed around a bit.
Another tip - don't try to get your teacher to accept the Apter mags as an appropriate topic for a book report. It won't work and they make you see the school counselor
I was also thinking that GS went all-in too soon. They picked up Andre Iguodala. Although he's good, he's also past his prime, isn't a good shooter, and might have messed up GS's chemistry. He worked out pretty well overall though, and having him come off the bench actually makes a ton of sense when Curry or Thompson gets a rest.
Although I like David Lee, they should move him for some picks or generic big men that can defend and rebound a little. GS can't small ball properly with him in the game with Bogut.
They're the hickory high of the NBA. You know what it's like having a loser team as your favorite more than most. And thr nets have had far more success than the warriors until the last 2 years. Let's all just walk on egg shells about this until I believe this is really happening.
They want Rey to be around still, so hire 5 Mexicans and 5 Japanese guys plus tyson kidd and any other smallish guys they have hanging around and let Rey book it. Call him the Cruiserweight GM or something like that
I really like Lee but trading him would make tons of sense, however he's also their most durable big man, and his game has been picked apart so much (IMO because of his run on the Knicks) he's almost actually underrated so the warriors might just keep getting lowballed for him. He kept a stiff upper lip through some ruthless seasons so I wouldn't mind seeing him along for the ride but if someone was willing to trade a Tyson Chandler type guy for Lee it would help the warriors a lot.
You know what? Fuck it. I'm tired of fighting it. Bring on Torito vs cruiserweights, Orton as a face with no mention of the vines, and Kane involved in every main event. More talking, less wrestling, and *much* more Cena. Book Reigns in the main event of WM right the fuck now. And please, Please, PLEASE drag out the Bellas feud for as long as possible.
It's kind of sad that TNA can only exist--and its fans only even accept them--if they are on TV. I mean they could be out there now, set up in a modest facility, or touring some area, doing weekly shows, perhaps taping matches for their website or YouTube; mainly just establishing a fanbase. Problem is their own fans won't even show up if there aren't TV cameras there. You never hear the TNA defenders address that sobering fact. The grim reality is TNA isn't a wrestling promotion, it's a variety show set in a wrestling ring, and its own fans will only watch it if it's free on TV. If there really was demand for it they'd be out there, in front of crowds, scraping by til they signed a new TV deal. TNA fans can be all "why you gotta be a hater, brah?" but it's them and the company that's failed and abandoned each other. The rest of us are just kind of sick of hearing about it.
Are Steen, KENTA and Devitt spot-monkey acrobats like the majority of the Indy wrestlers out there who would be booked as cruiserweights? Did Triple H ever say he had no interest in those three?
I remember being really upset 2-3 years ago when Irving was the up and comer and Wall was looking kind of bad.
I've always under valued veteran know how until Wall started improving with Nene and others. I liked the Nene trade, but I was pissed off at getting Okafor (because why pay for a backup center, but they played together). Getting Ariza was a great help as well with the Okafor trade. Wall was playing at only one speed, and was very obvious when he wanted to score or play.
Although it seems Irving is a scoring PG, his assist numbers have been pretty good overall. He just needs to learn to trust his teammates better.
I mentioned the Apter mags a minute ago, and there's something I've wondered about. When they had an interview with a wrestler, did they actually talk to the guy, or did some writer just make up the questions and the answers? The latter seems more likely to me, but did they at least have to run it by the wrestler or promotion to get it approved?
kayfabe wrestling reporter must be the absolute lowest rung on the journalism ladder
You know what I took away from that post? Gregg Popovich is probably the second greatest coach of all time in my opinion, even besting the two contemporary choices (Phil Jackson and Pat Riley). Look at his track record: eleven division titles, six conference titles, five NBA titles, and he's posted a winning record and a playoff berth for his team in every season since '97-'98. That is seventeen years of consistent excellence, where the Spurs have never finished lower than second in their division and never lower than fourth in the conference.
I have enormous respect Jackson for what he accomplished, and would take him as the coach of my team any day and twice on Sunday, but he had the luxury of coaching two teams with pairs of all-time greats (Jordan and Pippen, O'Neal and Bryant) and major supporting pieces that developed elsewhere and then came into bolster the squads (Rodman in Chicago, guys like Robert Horry and Glen Rice early on and Pau Gasol later). Popovich had that luxury from 1997 to 2003; afterwards, he cultivated talent exclusively for his team (picking late in the draft almost always, mind you). Popovich is perhaps the most prodigious of coaches when it comes to developing players, which is why we just watched the best player on Earth get thrashed by Kawhi Leonard last June.
Again, I completely understand the argument for Jackson; eleven titles is mind-boggling, and there's something to be said for keeping a harmonious locker room with so many star personalities for as long as he did (even if it collapsed in Los Angeles for a time). But when I look at the intangibles for Popovich (coaching in a smaller market, less star power for longer periods of time), I just can't not choose Popovich. I spent the better part of the last fifteen years watching his team thrash the poor Suns (while the Hornets were in exile in New Orleans) and my all-time favorite player, Steve Nash, which probably helps the respect factor too.
Why are they randomly adding 3 ECW Arena shows and not the ones in between like Hostile City Showdown, Heat Wave or December to Dismember? Good news about the new footage, but the gaps are frustratingly predictable!!
Good points. I went to BFG 2013 (the biggest TNA ppv of the year) and even though they claimed their were 2500 tickets sold there weren't 1,000 people in that building. So really the only people who will go to a TNA show now are the impact zone regulars who just want something free to do at universal studios.
Holy shit, can I sympathize. I had the fortune of growing up when my town's team was just coming into existence, and we were the mid-level team that could get halfway into the playoffs, but no further (I took enormous pride back in the day that we had TWO players in Space Jam, plus Kendall Gill showing up on a Nickelodeon show called My Brother and Me that was set in Charlotte).
Then I watched the owner of my favorite team steal it away to New Orleans, then watched an incompetent narcissist name his new team after himself and proceed to use it as a prop for a failed cable network, then let it flounder in the wind for years. I cannot adequately express how cathartic it was to have the Hornets name back, and to sign Lance Stephenson away from Indiana for a hamburger and fries.
I hate it when a city loses a team, gets a new one, and names it like the old team. (Examples? Cleveland Browns, Charlotte Hornets, Winnipeg Jets). It's like, MOVE ON. It's not the same team. Time to stop living in the past, this is a NEW team you have. Start some new history.
I'd also really like more mentions of the network on WWE programs, more of the announcers doing a horrible job, and Steph screeching like a mannish banshee.
Smarks like 10's of wrestlers smaller than Orton even when they wrestle wwe style. Zayn, danielson, noble (he was a darling right?), Mercury, Morrison, Itami, Tajiri, punk, Bourne etc. I could go on but for brevity's sake I'll stop there.
The Hornets are unique to the other two examples that you mentioned, because it's not a new Hornets team. It's an Oakland Raiders-type deal, where the Raiders went from Oakland to Los Angeles, then back to Oakland. We inherited the records from the Hornets' time in New Orleans, so technically the New Orleans Pelicans are the brand new enterprise, and the Hornets 'moved' back to Charlotte, even though the team rosters weren't transplanted.
Umm... It's not like the Raiders at all. It's exactly like the Jets and the Browns.
1- Their team moved somewhere else 2- Got an expansion team 3- Named it like the old team, trying to pretend like their original team never moved.
It's like, were Mugsey Bogues and Larry Johnson part of this Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets lineage? Or are they part of Pelicans history? Just a pet peeve of mine.
If these are real monkeys you're talking about I'd quit my job and follow the WWE around from town to town like people used to do with the Grateful Dead.
I think they did actually talk to the guys, as they were usually there in arena to snap photos. There'd be someone in the promotion they coordinated with--a PR rep, booker, road agent, whoever--to craft what the point of the story was. Basically hype in exchange for continued access. So there probably were occasions where stuff was just made up. But generally Apter and guys like that were the hugest fans of the biz and wanted to make the guys look like huge stars while respecting kayfabe. Its how Paul Heyman got started too.
As far as the league is concerned, they are. The Charlotte Hornets of today trace their roots back through New Orleans and Charlotte all the way to 1988. I can respect your opinion, but I cannot physically stress how awesome it was to get our name and history back. The Hornets were a big deal back in the day, and now the fan base is coming alive again, which makes me ecstatic. Charlotte is the perfect small/mid-market basketball city, with such a rich heritage in this area/state; there's no reason why an NBA franchise shouldn't succeed here.
Yeah, I agree 100%...it's one of the reasons that JR is so great (the passion, not being a non-expert). It was just funny to hear Eric go out of his way to call a dropkick a "jumping front leg back kick" or something like that.
There used to be a soccer team (maybe there still is, I can’t be bothered to look up stuff about soccer) called the “Wiz”. It was dopey reference to The Wizard Of OZ and that “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore line”. Corny, but fair enough I guess.
It would make more sense in the team actually played in Kansas. Kansas City is in Missouri. But still, calling the soccer team “The Wiz” is a little dorky, but not objectionable…until you realize that they play the team from St. Louis called “The Burn”. So several times a season there would be commercials or sport talk radio guys saying stuff like “Wiz and Burn tonight at the stadium…” They should have thought of that before they named the team.
I think Pop is the best current coach, and he might be the best x/os guy ever.
However, Pop has advantages as well. He has heavy input into personnel, his small market shields him from criticism, Spurs scouting are completely in-tune with coaching.
Leonard wasn't just some scrub that Pop coached up. He was a very accomplished player that many teams had their eyes on.
Pop also had what was probably the luckiest thing of all. Landing Tim Duncan with a low %.
I've always had alot of respect for Pop and the Spurs. They're probably the most consistent team in the last 15 years. But they're always overlooked and viewed as the underdogs, but i think last season changed all that when they broke all kinds of records AND gave Miami a beating in the finals. Not to mention having a roster with so much depth that they probably won't skip a beat once the Big 3 (Parker, Duncan and Ginobili) retire
No cruiserweights. Because they'll be viewed as lesser guys to abuse, and if the NXT roster becomes the feeding ground for it then you almost guarantee none of those guys being able to elevate on the main roster.
I'd say have the NXT champ come on RAW once a month to defend the belt in a showcase match, and if that gets over have a weekly NXT match, with the champ in a non-title bout one week, his challenger in a match the next week, then the title match the third week. Do a tag or women's match one week and that's the month filled out. Use the showcase matches to hype the NXT brand--available exclusively on the Network for $9.99! Keep the NXT show pretty much as it is, just add emphasis of the wrestlers wanting to stand out to earn that shot on RAW, which brings viewers back to NXT, which hopefully leads to them getting on the main roster. RAW wins, NXT wins, the fans win, and the barrier between the two is lessened because the RAW fans start seeing them as equals and future stars, rather than jobbers in training.
1. I thought he was good as part of the Shield, but at this point, I'm still not sold on Roman Reigns. I do not see what all the fuss/hype is about (if there is any to speak of).
2. Remember what happened the last time WWE had a Cruiserweight division. It was good for a time, but it was turned into a joke. Of ALL the things they need to do to "fix creative" or whatever, bringing back another division should not even be up for discussion.
Well, idi Amin's reign had several positive effects on Uganda. He saw Uganda as an extension of himself (because he was fucking nuts) and dedicated more than 60% of the countries resources to beautify (but not enrich) the nation. Typical narcississm but on a grander scale. So yeah, Uganda is gorgeous though after Amin passed things were a bit ravaged in the vacuum he left. Still lovely in many parts though.
Whst sucks for him, and Colt Cabana before him, is that they aren't big and immense like Rikishi or Brodus where they seem like monsters. They're just guys with too much body fat. Steen isn't very big in person.
Raven in his prime would have been able to get a hell of a match out of Reigns. Talk about a brawl! I also think AMBROSE would have had amazing chemistry with the Honky Tonk Man.
The only thing that's more uncomfortable and lasts longer than the NBA regular season is pregnancy. They play for six months to eliminate Sacramento, and then we start over.
Saying Roman Reigns will flop in the long run is perfectly acceptable, considering the problems he has are very real and could lead to a backlash down the road. Saying that people will revolt upon seeing him or boo him out of the building when he comes back is wholly unrealistic.
I cannot stress enough how badly I wish they'd cool their jets on Reigns. If they'd just let him develop and find his game before getting shunted up the card, he'd be fine.
The Lakers are quite high up on the Shit Team-o-Meter for me, so their grieving faux-fans and their hideous tear-stained yellow and purple jerseys are my sustenance. The Lakers could lose 60 games this year and it still wouldn't be enough for me.
I have absolutely no issue with a cruiserweight division. On paper, it's something different that should give us some fresh matchups with motivated guys.
Or they'll just make Cena and Orton feud for the Cruiserweight title.
Fuck a cruiser division, that never works. But an all cruiser show? That would serve the pupose. Think about it, you never see people complain about GSP or Floyd Mayweather being "too small" because they are matched up against people of their own size and there's?no comparison. When you show them on the main show where they could compete against anyone they look too ineffective to be worthwhile.
I dreamed up a shitty idea once; create a monthly show where the best wrestlers on the roster are given little 'golden tickets' to compete at a special showcase event, kind of like a V.I.P. club for mat technicians and high-flyers. I was on pain meds at the time, though.
and at least in theory, a "Kevin Nash vs. X-Division" type of angle would be great for putting over the division and especially a few chosen particular workers.
but I added "in theory" because I think in reality the WWE wouldn't be pulling it off either.
I loved the '90s WCW cruiserweights and '90s NJPW juniors, but i think the idea has outlived its usefulness. I wouldn't want the potential next Daniel Bryan to get pigeonholed, when fans are more than capable of being smaller guys as true main eventers now.
They do need to focus on making new stars. Part of that is making sure that people won't fail. Reigns has potential, but needs to be seasoned. Best way to make a new star is to give him the best chance to succeed, is it not?
Those ECW monthly shows might be enough to reel me back in.
ReplyDeleteIrving's stat line was incredible.
ReplyDelete34 points, 1 rebound, and 0 assists. That is your starting point guard
You know, the real stars.
ReplyDeleteMark Henry would probably actually have good matches with the cruisers. He always had competitive matches with Punk and Bryan and actually bumped for them.
ReplyDeleteAnyone else want them to say 'Kevin Owens has a lot of hart' like ten times a match?
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Cruiserweights are "too rasslin" for WWE. Hornswoggle would be champion in 2 months.
ReplyDeleteSomething something Great Plains, something something Roman Reigns.
ReplyDeleteSorry, my heart's not in it.
Only one thing to say to that!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/embed/XQmBXEZEYtg
Uh, I mean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMviaymhLKg
If it weren't for this Blog... I'd have forgotten about Roman Reigns by now.
ReplyDeleteRemember, Remember, the fifth of November. (damn it, why didn't you post that yesterday???)
ReplyDeleteThat's 59 days too many for Vince's taste.
ReplyDeleteRoman.
ReplyDeleteRO. Man.
Rooooooooooo MAN.
Mike Graham died? But who will claim credit for Hulkamania and WCW adding more ppvs on their documentaries? WHO?!
ReplyDeleteI thought the private workout bit was a little dirty. Like HHH is over in the corner like Maynard from Pulp Fiction.
ReplyDeleteAnd its no surprise that line wasn't scripted, so WWE creative had nothing to do with it.
ReplyDeleteGood old Mike Graham. Up there in heaven
ReplyDeletenow, explaining how he created the sun, the sky and the earth.
I never heard of that.
ReplyDeleteAnd seriously, I love this new thing about "scripted things suck". IT IS PRO WRESTLING. 99.9% of it is scripted, people!!
HHH to Steph, during Steen's workout.
ReplyDelete"It's like a lava lamp. "
We need Old Vince back for Reigns' return.
ReplyDeleteTHERE HE IS, THE REIGN MAN HIMSELF! I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT SOME MONGOLOID DUSTIN HOFFMAN CHARACTER, BUT BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG, BEEFY ROMAN REIGNS!
Vince really was just a loud Perd Hapley.
God, nailed it. Heath Slater, Hornswoggle,
ReplyDeleteEl Torito and the Bunny feuding over the cruiserweight belt in the PPV death
slot.
Modern stuff might be... but pretty much any classic promo... hell, any promo before... 2002? 01? was bullet points + wrestler's talent.
ReplyDeleteVince and Bischoff were both good at commentating, mostly because it was their product, so they were especially passionnate about it. That can make a big difference.
ReplyDeleteUhh wasn't the newz about gaburik refuted last week because he was really in Memphis?
ReplyDeletenew newz
ReplyDeleteWould the bunny make weight? If he needs to shed a few lbs, I would suggest a diet of mostly carrots and lettuce.
ReplyDeleteOrndorff using his WCW music was the best part of that segment.
ReplyDeletePromos are just wrestlers' personalities ramped up to 11. Seriously, compare the best promo of the past 15 years to one of the 80s, or even one of Flair's. No contest.
ReplyDeleteDid Kevin and H have a ring workout or was it WHADDAYA BENCH, KEVIN?
ReplyDeleteThere's your comedy skits right there! I can hear Cole laughing already.
ReplyDeleteI understand that, but it was a totally different time. With so many hours of live TV, plus tons of PG related sponsors, and investors involved, it really does have to be micro managed now. We just all need to accept it, I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteHe is over with the crowds though. He is not however over with the smarks.
ReplyDeleteTrue, but then we have to remember David Crockett.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, to an extent. I don't want to hear Road Dogg calling someone a P word on live TV, but they can train them to hold their own.
ReplyDeleteYou must mean DEAL WITH IT!
ReplyDeleteNah, I'll have fun potshotting from the side, while enjoying other things.
Front leg back jump kick.
ReplyDeleteThere's a difference between people going nuts on the mic like Scotty Steiner, and allowing people to be looser and more creative while still being given points to get across.
ReplyDeleteCrockett was awesome. He was as smart as he was a cheerleader.
ReplyDeleteWHIP HIM LIKE A DOOOOOOOOGGGG!!!
ReplyDeleteI would NEVER give BPP a live mic. Studio? Hours of time.
ReplyDeleteA cruiserweight division would be great for the network. Smarks would subscribe to see the work rate they so crave and casuals would be entertained by the flippy floppy madness. Definitely bring them new subscribers, and it's not a silly expensive idea like I've hears suggested by many people.
ReplyDeleteJust as a reminder, the cruiserweights as remembered were all Eric Bischoff's doing. The WWE doesn't do cruiserweights because they suck at cruiserweights. Same principle as WCW and gimmick matches (Wargames aside).
ReplyDeleteA cruiserweight division would be cool, as would an idea for a new division called the angles division, where there would be angles that make sense.
ReplyDeleteSo no Kurt allowed?
ReplyDeleteHe or any white Protestant would be banned.
ReplyDeleteSPEED FORCE BABY!!!
Smarks would only be drawn in by the kind of people Triple H has already said he has no interest in hiring.
ReplyDeleteWWE cruiserweights in 2014 means "people who are smaller than Randy Orton, but wrestle just like Randy Orton, except with a top rope finisher."
I always assumed Eric was making those up on the spot b/c they got to sound so ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteMeh, I get that, (both made up names, and "WHATAMANEUVER"), but I guess I'd rather have a passionnate non-expert, than a boring guy who knows every move known to man. Just their tone of voice made it exciting.
ReplyDeleteApparently they are proper judo (or something) names for things but they do just sound stupid.
ReplyDeleteI'M SICK OF THESE TWINKS I LIKE MUSCLE BEARS PAL!
ReplyDeleteNo interest in hiring like Kevin Steen, KENTA, and Devitt?
ReplyDeleteJoking aside, there should be a high-flying tag team called Speed Force.
ReplyDeleteThey could be the new Rockers!
Hogan?
ReplyDeleteAHEM - his Snidley Whiplash mustache would like to have words with you (and yes it is a living thing).
ReplyDeleteFrom the brief Meltzer notes in this weeks newsletter, it does seem like unless things take an unexpected turn, there definitely will be a TNA in 2015.
ReplyDeleteThat always annoyed me, like when Larry would show off his karate terminology. It's not martial arts.
ReplyDeleteStock showed no gains with Roman Reigns.
ReplyDeleteNailed it.
"It's like the Lava Lamp we bought from http://lavalovers.com"
ReplyDeleteFTFY
Great Plains? The Microsoft Accounting Software?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if WCW1987 will suddenly take Meltzer's word as gospel this time?
ReplyDeleteI was away last week but what was reported then about the situation?
ReplyDeleteSome site reported he was in New York finalising some deal, then a few days later some other site reported that he'd been back at Dixieland the whole time. And now this!
ReplyDeleteIt can be something about (not) getting paid, works for me.
ReplyDeletePain & Gain should have starred Roman Reigns.
ReplyDeleteIt's about damn time. It's been what, 6 months, since they stopped uploading ECW episodes in the middle of 1995?
ReplyDeleteHopefully they mean TLC 2015 and not the one this year. Reigns blows, that's not a comeback I'll be excited to see.
ReplyDeleteThere's a difference between "booked" and "scripted". Wrestling used to be booked. Wasn't til the past decade or so that wrestlers were literally given bulk scripted lines to remember. Time was they'd just tell you to "go out there, cut a five minute promo on (x)."
ReplyDeleteSo hopefully the 40 plus new episodes will include filling in the ones they skipped and then take us at least through the ECW lucha period.
ReplyDeletePlus I'm excited because I've never seen N2R or Hardcore Heaven 95 or Cyberslam 96. Can't wait to watch them.
Best news of the day is more ECW on the network. Now if they could just load all the episodes of world championship wrestling they aired on 24/7../
ReplyDeleteI always liked Gordon Solie, and I used to correct kids at school about how to say suplex. Though I was never 100% sure about super-plex. Super-lay?
ReplyDeleteI also miss announcers who didn't try to be funny and sold it like a real fight, or at least a real sport. The WCCW guys were great at that. When someone won by pulling their opponents tights they weren't just upset. They were morally outraged!
I'm surprised they didn't go with HHH's original idea of Chunky Charleston for Steen.
ReplyDelete"HAW HAW MAGGLE! HE'S EATING HIS GREENS!! AWW HE'S JUST HAVING FUN!!!
ReplyDeleteI figure I repost this from yesterday morning about the Cavs. Before they lost the Utah game.
ReplyDeleteThere's only 2 reliable good players on Cleveland right now, and that's LeBron and Love. Everybody else is either young, injury prone, or isn't actually any good.
I picked Cleveland to go to the Finals because it doesn't matter right now. What matters is post All-Star Game. If they are still playing badly, then there are major problems. LeBron himself said this was going to be a long process. People forget Miami didn't really truly gel until 2012 when Bosh was out with the ab strain, and LeBron played the 4. Miami let LeBron dominate the ball from the high and low posts, and he DESTROYED the Pacers and Celtics. He also had his way against OKC, although the games were all close until game 5. It took Miami almost 2 full years to fit everything properly. Spoestra figured out letting LeBron operate from the high post was simply too much for most teams to deal with.
San Antonio figured it out after they lost to the Heat in 2013, and they adapted to play more like Miami with Diaw or Leonard at the 4 for extended minutes. Pop insisted on all of the team learning to play that way so they can play that way all the time. Miami actually reverted to a more traditional line-up, expecting to have to match Indiana's big men. Then the Spurs got hot along with an extremely great version of small ball that the Heat had previously mastered but moved away from (to match Indiana and to protect James from wear and tear in the post areas), and they rolled the Heat.
Cleveland's offense isn't very good, but I expect that to be fine as they play together more and more. But their defense is awful. They can't guard the pick n roll, they have no shot blocking, the perimeter players are letting opposing players into the lane far too often, and Cleveland is playing without much effort. If Rose can't get back to form with Chicago, then Cleveland should be okay and make it to the Finals. Miami might give Cleveland some trouble since Miami is playing more like their championship run in 2013 with Bosh taking the place of LeBron, but Cleveland's offense should be better than Miami's come Playoffs.
I also think LeBron is taking is easy and letting the team lose a bit on purpose. I think he realized already he cant change Irving and Waiters. They have to want to change when the team is still sucking. I think LeBron is trying to re-create the Heat up in Cleveland, but the Cav's defense is much poorer than the Heats. Love is a superior offensive player compared to Bosh, but Bosh is far better on the defensive end.
Great Plains, something something Roman Reigns....riding in the carpool lane
ReplyDeleteI don't think it would be the worst idea in the world to develop specific themes for shows, so long as you don't outright gimmick them as such. Turn Main Event and Superstars into cruiserweight-heavy shows, and run a title feud on Raw. Let your lower and mid card guys continue to develop on Smackdown.
ReplyDeleteOf course, it doesn't really solve the presentation problem on Monday night, which is why I think they should institute an 'intermission' from like 9:30 to 10:00 where the Network guys could recap what's gone down thus far (sparing us 6 million replays and the announcers constantly harping on it), and look forward to the last hour.
There's all sorts of ways you can do it, too. Use the break to do an intimate sit down interview like they used to do so well. Air a video package for a highly touted rookie on the way in. Break up the monotony of three hours so that it doesn't feel like three hours, and you've got something.
I'd imagine they'll at least do the UK tour since those are supposedly profitable. I wonder if TNA could survive as a sort of super indie fed if they cut their costs dramatically.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes me happier than lebron going 1-3 back in Cleveland? Well a certain underdog franchise that everyone hates and is completely against beat thr clippers by 17 last night to improve to 4-0 (sssssshhhhhhhh not too much noise about this though)
ReplyDeleteEveryone hates Golden State?
ReplyDeleteKevin Owens? Jesus. Kevin Steen was a perfectly good wrestling name. They pay guys to come up with this stuff?
ReplyDeleteCongrats, you are the first one! I was quite shocked last week when it was met with mostly positive feedback.
ReplyDeleteHave to own the "Kevin Owens" intellectual property to control the millions and millions of dollars he'll be worth.
ReplyDeleteMeltzer says this week that Steen is the biggest Owen Hart fan and it's partly in tribute to him.
ReplyDeleteA designated time when nothing happens doesn't seem like compelling tv to me. I can get that with the TV off
ReplyDeleteI've seen fatter guys in owen hart t-shirts
ReplyDeleteThat moral outrage is why Lance Russell is my favorite. He just did not accept the shenanigans going on around him.
ReplyDeleteIf Thompson is going to play at this level all the time, then Golden State becomes very dangerous. He tended to let the game come to him instead of imposing his well. Clippers can't really guard him with anybody. Redick is solid, but he can't match Thompson's size. Barnes is getting older and lacks lateral quickness.
ReplyDeleteI'm not paying super close attention to any team just yet, but I don't think Clippers have anybody else suited to guard Thompson.
It's that Bay Area inferiority complex.
ReplyDeletePlease. God no. Do not bring back the cruiserweight division. Yes it was awesome in wcw and it had its moments on smackdown but under this current creative reigme it will be just another thing that makes most of us embarrassed to be fans. Vince will have talented lightweights jobbing to Hornswoggle in a alligator suit within no time. I'd bet this is all just get heat for another bull vs gator midget match (ugh please don't let this happen)
ReplyDeleteHow did the other kids react to this piece of information?
ReplyDeleteBe honest, even if it brings back very painful memories.
Owens is fine, but it seems kind of bland.
ReplyDeleteIt's better than Finn Balor, unless the gimmick of Finn Balor is ridiculous and over the top.
Jalen Rose suggested last night that the Cavs move LeBron to the 4, but I'm not sure that accomplishes anything. An Irving-Waiters-Marion-LeBron-Love rotation doesn't make them better on offense or defense. The solution is for Irving to stop the Gilbert Arenas impression and start acting like a point guard.
ReplyDeleteYup. Everyone in the whole world. Especially you. You're all against us. (I'm with the warriors like your with the wwe)
ReplyDeleteTo defend Cole (I know, I know), there were 2 times where he was really good at this in the past few years. When Rock won the title from Punk, he was outraged that the Shield interfered when the lights were out, and trying to tell the ref that he saw them.
ReplyDeleteThat, and when Daniel lost in the Chamber to Orton, Cole went on a great "How many times will Daniel Bryan get screwed over?" rant, which set up WM 30 perfectly.
Yeah that's news to me. The Warriors have been one of my favorite Western teams since the Hardaway/Mullin years.
ReplyDeleteGolden State is an underdog?
ReplyDeleteYou completely ignored the entire point of the idea. Things would be going on, be it talking heads at the Network desk in the arena, or an interview segment, or a match from NXT that 'OMG ppl should check out!'. It simply gives us time away from the announce team and provides a breath of fresh air for a show that's way too long.
ReplyDeleteFinn Balor vs Shark boy feud, PLZ.
ReplyDeleteOnly in the same world where Cena is an underdog, lulz
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how I feel about this. WCW was able to use the 1st hour to show off some awesome lucha stuff. I don't really trust WWE to do that. Plus they would have to hire another 10 wrestlers, cut 5 of them, repack some of the existing ones, and then we might have a good division.
ReplyDeleteAnd then we still have to hope that Vince doesn't kill it like he did with tag-team wrestling.
So I guess I agree with you
Key word is "BIGGEST" fan. #LOLFAT
ReplyDeleteI think Kevin Owen is a better name. For some reason, the 's' on the end screams TBS jobber to me.
ReplyDeleteLast year I got too high early on and was devastated all year when they couldn't put it together and then angry when they were more worried about standing with the clippers over the sterling stuff then winning that series. So I'm only going to enjoy the ride. I don't really know how to handle my team being good because they've been garbage most of my life.
ReplyDeleteI believe the phrase "shut up homo" was tossed around a bit.
ReplyDeleteAnother tip - don't try to get your teacher to accept the Apter mags as an appropriate topic for a book report. It won't work and they make you see the school counselor
Its been a pretty bleak 23 years since that short little 4 year window (where they didn't even make the playoffs all thr time anyways)
ReplyDeleteI still think static has that beat.
ReplyDeleteGolden State is definitely the underdog.
ReplyDeleteNo they're not. A lot of people were very high on them this year
ReplyDeleteSo now we'll be able to watch ECW programming, angles and payoffs. That's a good start. Now on to WCW and WWE!
ReplyDeleteTheir depth is ridiculous right now.
ReplyDeleteYeah the clippers do have a good bench.
ReplyDeleteHahaha. Fair enough.
ReplyDeleteI was also thinking that GS went all-in too soon. They picked up Andre Iguodala. Although he's good, he's also past his prime, isn't a good shooter, and might have messed up GS's chemistry. He worked out pretty well overall though, and having him come off the bench actually makes a ton of sense when Curry or Thompson gets a rest.
Although I like David Lee, they should move him for some picks or generic big men that can defend and rebound a little. GS can't small ball properly with him in the game with Bogut.
They're the hickory high of the NBA. You know what it's like having a loser team as your favorite more than most. And thr nets have had far more success than the warriors until the last 2 years. Let's all just walk on egg shells about this until I believe this is really happening.
ReplyDeleteThey want Rey to be around still, so hire 5 Mexicans and 5 Japanese guys plus tyson kidd and any other smallish guys they have hanging around and let Rey book it. Call him the Cruiserweight GM or something like that
ReplyDeleteI really like Lee but trading him would make tons of sense, however he's also their most durable big man, and his game has been picked apart so much (IMO because of his run on the Knicks) he's almost actually underrated so the warriors might just keep getting lowballed for him. He kept a stiff upper lip through some ruthless seasons so I wouldn't mind seeing him along for the ride but if someone was willing to trade a Tyson Chandler type guy for Lee it would help the warriors a lot.
ReplyDeleteYou know what? Fuck it. I'm tired of fighting it. Bring on Torito vs cruiserweights, Orton as a face with no mention of the vines, and Kane involved in every main event. More talking, less wrestling, and *much* more Cena. Book Reigns in the main event of WM right the fuck now. And please, Please, PLEASE drag out the Bellas feud for as long as possible.
ReplyDeleteAaaahh...much better.
The Nets play HHH's theme to start the 2nd half. That's the highlight of the season
ReplyDeleteA lot of times, in life, they say you don't get what you ask for. Here, sad to say, you can have everything you just listed!
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of sad that TNA can only exist--and its fans only even accept them--if they are on TV. I mean they could be out there now, set up in a modest facility, or touring some area, doing weekly shows, perhaps taping matches for their website or YouTube; mainly just establishing a fanbase. Problem is their own fans won't even show up if there aren't TV cameras there. You never hear the TNA defenders address that sobering fact. The grim reality is TNA isn't a wrestling promotion, it's a variety show set in a wrestling ring, and its own fans will only watch it if it's free on TV. If there really was demand for it they'd be out there, in front of crowds, scraping by til they signed a new TV deal. TNA fans can be all "why you gotta be a hater, brah?" but it's them and the company that's failed and abandoned each other. The rest of us are just kind of sick of hearing about it.
ReplyDeleteAre Steen, KENTA and Devitt spot-monkey acrobats like the majority of the Indy wrestlers out there who would be booked as cruiserweights? Did Triple H ever say he had no interest in those three?
ReplyDeleteNo to both, you say?
Huh. OK, then.
I remember being really upset 2-3 years ago when Irving was the up and comer and Wall was looking kind of bad.
ReplyDeleteI've always under valued veteran know how until Wall started improving with Nene and others. I liked the Nene trade, but I was pissed off at getting Okafor (because why pay for a backup center, but they played together). Getting Ariza was a great help as well with the Okafor trade. Wall was playing at only one speed, and was very obvious when he wanted to score or play.
Although it seems Irving is a scoring PG, his assist numbers have been pretty good overall. He just needs to learn to trust his teammates better.
Steen named his son Owen.
ReplyDeleteI mentioned the Apter mags a minute ago, and there's something I've wondered about. When they had an interview with a wrestler, did they actually talk to the guy, or did some writer just make up the questions and the answers? The latter seems more likely to me, but did they at least have to run it by the wrestler or promotion to get it approved?
ReplyDeletekayfabe wrestling reporter must be the absolute lowest rung on the journalism ladder
unless you count foxnews.
You know what I took away from that post? Gregg Popovich is probably the second greatest coach of all time in my opinion, even besting the two contemporary choices (Phil Jackson and Pat Riley). Look at his track record: eleven division titles, six conference titles, five NBA titles, and he's posted a winning record and a playoff berth for his team in every season since '97-'98. That is seventeen years of consistent excellence, where the Spurs have never finished lower than second in their division and never lower than fourth in the conference.
ReplyDeleteI have enormous respect Jackson for what he accomplished, and would take him as the coach of my team any day and twice on Sunday, but he had the luxury of coaching two teams with pairs of all-time greats (Jordan and Pippen, O'Neal and Bryant) and major supporting pieces that developed elsewhere and then came into bolster the squads (Rodman in Chicago, guys like Robert Horry and Glen Rice early on and Pau Gasol later). Popovich had that luxury from 1997 to 2003; afterwards, he cultivated talent exclusively for his team (picking late in the draft almost always, mind you). Popovich is perhaps the most prodigious of coaches when it comes to developing players, which is why we just watched the best player on Earth get thrashed by Kawhi Leonard last June.
Again, I completely understand the argument for Jackson; eleven titles is mind-boggling, and there's something to be said for keeping a harmonious locker room with so many star personalities for as long as he did (even if it collapsed in Los Angeles for a time). But when I look at the intangibles for Popovich (coaching in a smaller market, less star power for longer periods of time), I just can't not choose Popovich. I spent the better part of the last fifteen years watching his team thrash the poor Suns (while the Hornets were in exile in New Orleans) and my all-time favorite player, Steve Nash, which probably helps the respect factor too.
Sure, but I don’t understand the “smarks would only be drawn in by… …. spot-monkey
ReplyDeleteacrobats” point. Who’s called for spot-monkey indy acrobats?
Pretty sure they did go to the deep jungles of Uganda to have an inside scoop on Kamala and Kimchee, yes.
ReplyDeleteSo like how ROH survived between tv deals.
ReplyDeleteWhy are they randomly adding 3 ECW Arena shows and not the ones in between like Hostile City Showdown, Heat Wave or December to Dismember? Good news about the new footage, but the gaps are frustratingly predictable!!
ReplyDeleteGood points. I went to BFG 2013 (the biggest TNA ppv of the year) and even though they claimed their were 2500 tickets sold there weren't 1,000 people in that building. So really the only people who will go to a TNA show now are the impact zone regulars who just want something free to do at universal studios.
ReplyDeleteIt's not his offense that's the problem. His defense is terrible.
ReplyDeleteThe other issue is when he posts up, the offense stalls.
I was thinking Larry Sanders from Milwaukee. I think the salaries are close enough, but I didn't check.
That's a hilarious title.
ReplyDeleteThey could paint him green and call Kevin Steen the grandson of Frankenstein.
ReplyDeleteThat may seem dumb now, but in the mid 80's that idea would have gotten me a writing job with the WWF
Everyone. Everyone is always saying this.
ReplyDelete"This guy ain't SKINNY FAT, he's just FAT FAT."
ReplyDeleteIt's only 3% more silly than how they use GM's now.
ReplyDeleteHe was in New York trying to finalize a deal for tna TV, then it was reported he was really in Memphis all along lol
ReplyDeletePlease stay tuned for 'Royal Pains', now here's some Roman Reigns.
ReplyDeleteHoly shit, can I sympathize. I had the fortune of growing up when my town's team was just coming into existence, and we were the mid-level team that could get halfway into the playoffs, but no further (I took enormous pride back in the day that we had TWO players in Space Jam, plus Kendall Gill showing up on a Nickelodeon show called My Brother and Me that was set in Charlotte).
ReplyDeleteThen I watched the owner of my favorite team steal it away to New Orleans, then watched an incompetent narcissist name his new team after himself and proceed to use it as a prop for a failed cable network, then let it flounder in the wind for years. I cannot adequately express how cathartic it was to have the Hornets name back, and to sign Lance Stephenson away from Indiana for a hamburger and fries.
I hate it when a city loses a team, gets a new one, and names it like the old team. (Examples? Cleveland Browns, Charlotte Hornets, Winnipeg Jets). It's like, MOVE ON. It's not the same team. Time to stop living in the past, this is a NEW team you have. Start some new history.
ReplyDeleteNicely done.
ReplyDeleteI'd also really like more mentions of the network on WWE programs, more of the announcers doing a horrible job, and Steph screeching like a mannish banshee.
ReplyDeleteSmarks like 10's of wrestlers smaller than Orton even when they wrestle wwe style. Zayn, danielson, noble (he was a darling right?), Mercury, Morrison, Itami, Tajiri, punk, Bourne etc. I could go on but for brevity's sake I'll stop there.
ReplyDeleteHe can then incorporate bites into his moveset!
ReplyDelete"He's doing the Charleston Chew, Maggle!"
There's video footage that 100% proves that Mean Gene tracked Kamala down, so I don't see why other reporters couldn't have done the same.
ReplyDeleteUganda looks like a beautiful country, by the way . It almost looked like someone's backyard.
Sort of like Moe being called "Ugly ugly"
ReplyDeleteThe Hornets are unique to the other two examples that you mentioned, because it's not a new Hornets team. It's an Oakland Raiders-type deal, where the Raiders went from Oakland to Los Angeles, then back to Oakland. We inherited the records from the Hornets' time in New Orleans, so technically the New Orleans Pelicans are the brand new enterprise, and the Hornets 'moved' back to Charlotte, even though the team rosters weren't transplanted.
ReplyDeleteUmm... It's not like the Raiders at all. It's exactly like the Jets and the Browns.
ReplyDelete1- Their team moved somewhere else
2- Got an expansion team
3- Named it like the old team, trying to pretend like their original team never moved.
It's like, were Mugsey Bogues and Larry Johnson part of this Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets lineage? Or are they part of Pelicans history? Just a pet peeve of mine.
If these are real monkeys you're talking about I'd quit my job and follow the WWE around from town to town like people used to do with the Grateful Dead.
ReplyDeletelol.
ReplyDeleteYes, the character is taken from an unpopular syndicated show starring a D-celebrity in the 90's. Nailed it.
I think they did actually talk to the guys, as they were usually there in arena to snap photos. There'd be someone in the promotion they coordinated with--a PR rep, booker, road agent, whoever--to craft what the point of the story was. Basically hype in exchange for continued access. So there probably were occasions where stuff was just made up. But generally Apter and guys like that were the hugest fans of the biz and wanted to make the guys look like huge stars while respecting kayfabe. Its how Paul Heyman got started too.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the league is concerned, they are. The Charlotte Hornets of today trace their roots back through New Orleans and Charlotte all the way to 1988. I can respect your opinion, but I cannot physically stress how awesome it was to get our name and history back. The Hornets were a big deal back in the day, and now the fan base is coming alive again, which makes me ecstatic. Charlotte is the perfect small/mid-market basketball city, with such a rich heritage in this area/state; there's no reason why an NBA franchise shouldn't succeed here.
ReplyDeleteMidget Teddy Long has that job. Holla holla holla lil' playas!
ReplyDeleteThe reason Winnipeg even got a team was because of 15 years of "bring back the jets" campaigns.
ReplyDeleteCalling them anything else would have been awfully anticlimactic.
Their logo is atrocious, but damn do I love their backcourt.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I agree 100%...it's one of the reasons that JR is so great (the passion, not being a non-expert). It was just funny to hear Eric go out of his way to call a dropkick a "jumping front leg back kick" or something like that.
ReplyDeleteWas that seriously his idea? If so, I have newfound respect/loathing simultaneously.
ReplyDeleteVince only wants Rey around so he can have Rusev permanently cripple him.
ReplyDeleteThere used to be a soccer team (maybe there still is, I can’t be bothered to look up stuff about soccer) called the “Wiz”. It was dopey reference to The Wizard Of OZ and that “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore line”. Corny, but fair enough I guess.
ReplyDeleteIt would make more sense in the team actually played in Kansas. Kansas City is in Missouri. But still, calling the soccer team “The Wiz” is a little dorky, but not objectionable…until you realize that they play the team from St. Louis called “The Burn”. So several times a season there would be commercials or sport talk radio guys saying stuff like “Wiz and Burn tonight at the stadium…” They should have thought of that before they named the team.
I think Pop is the best current coach, and he might be the best x/os guy ever.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Pop has advantages as well. He has heavy input into personnel, his small market shields him from criticism, Spurs scouting are completely in-tune with coaching.
Leonard wasn't just some scrub that Pop coached up. He was a very accomplished player that many teams had their eyes on.
Pop also had what was probably the luckiest thing of all. Landing Tim Duncan with a low %.
I really want to see Pop coach without Duncan.
that's good too
ReplyDeleteHired, buried, whatever.
ReplyDeleteHah....cause you're an ape.
ReplyDeleteYep. That's why I'm waiting until I start watching them chronologically.
ReplyDeleteRusted Root FTW!
ReplyDeleteI've always had alot of respect for Pop and the Spurs. They're probably the most consistent team in the last 15 years. But they're always overlooked and viewed as the underdogs, but i think last season changed all that when they broke all kinds of records AND gave Miami a beating in the finals. Not to mention having a roster with so much depth that they probably won't skip a beat once the Big 3 (Parker, Duncan and Ginobili) retire
ReplyDeleteThere's only like 3 teams that could be bigger underdogs than the Warriors.
ReplyDeleteBucks
Kings
Hawks
Possibly the Clippers, because Sterling + Clippers = 34 years of epic fail.
I would even rate the Jazz has higher on the underdog scale, considering 2 Finals trips 17 years ago.
No cruiserweights. Because they'll be viewed as lesser guys to abuse, and if the NXT roster becomes the feeding ground for it then you almost guarantee none of those guys being able to elevate on the main roster.
ReplyDeleteI'd say have the NXT champ come on RAW once a month to defend the belt in a showcase match, and if that gets over have a weekly NXT match, with the champ in a non-title bout one week, his challenger in a match the next week, then the title match the third week. Do a tag or women's match one week and that's the month filled out. Use the showcase matches to hype the NXT brand--available exclusively on the Network for $9.99! Keep the NXT show pretty much as it is, just add emphasis of the wrestlers wanting to stand out to earn that shot on RAW, which brings viewers back to NXT, which hopefully leads to them getting on the main roster. RAW wins, NXT wins, the fans win, and the barrier between the two is lessened because the RAW fans start seeing them as equals and future stars, rather than jobbers in training.
1. I thought he was good as part of the Shield, but at this point, I'm still not sold on Roman Reigns. I do not see what all the fuss/hype is about (if there is any to speak of).
ReplyDelete2. Remember what happened the last time WWE had a Cruiserweight division. It was good for a time, but it was turned into a joke. Of ALL the things they need to do to "fix creative" or whatever, bringing back another division should not even be up for discussion.
Nobody hates the Warriors dude, but nice try with that victim complex.
ReplyDeleteHaha, you could be dead before they finally get everything up and in order!!
ReplyDeleteHopefully it returns to the quality of the show when it was on Thursdays.
ReplyDeleteI like TNA but you are totally right
ReplyDeleteNow I can not watch it on Thursdays instead of not watching it on Fridays! YAY!
ReplyDeleteWell, idi Amin's reign had several positive effects on Uganda. He saw Uganda as an extension of himself (because he was fucking nuts) and dedicated more than 60% of the countries resources to beautify (but not enrich) the nation. Typical narcississm but on a grander scale. So yeah, Uganda is gorgeous though after Amin passed things were a bit ravaged in the vacuum he left. Still lovely in many parts though.
ReplyDeleteWhst sucks for him, and Colt Cabana before him, is that they aren't big and immense like Rikishi or Brodus where they seem like monsters. They're just guys with too much body fat. Steen isn't very big in person.
ReplyDeleteRaven in his prime would have been able to get a hell of a match out of Reigns. Talk about a brawl! I also think AMBROSE would have had amazing chemistry with the Honky Tonk Man.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that's more uncomfortable and lasts longer than the NBA regular season is pregnancy. They play for six months to eliminate Sacramento, and then we start over.
ReplyDeleteCould this be the new record for the ultimate "WHOOSH"?
ReplyDeletePrediction: Super-show card on January 15th on the NEW AND IMPROVED SMACKDOWN.
ReplyDeleteJanuary 22nd: Back to the RAW clipshow.
"But I'll sure to come back, when the Lakers beat the Kings in May...."
ReplyDeletePoor Rock. No way either team makes it to May this time. (then again, 4-1 for Sac Town)
Saying Roman Reigns will flop in the long run is perfectly acceptable, considering the problems he has are very real and could lead to a backlash down the road. Saying that people will revolt upon seeing him or boo him out of the building when he comes back is wholly unrealistic.
ReplyDeleteI'd say the Pipebomb but that just kinda proves my point.
ReplyDeleteI cannot stress enough how badly I wish they'd cool their jets on Reigns. If they'd just let him develop and find his game before getting shunted up the card, he'd be fine.
ReplyDeleteThe Lakers are quite high up on the Shit Team-o-Meter for me, so their grieving faux-fans and their hideous tear-stained yellow and purple jerseys are my sustenance. The Lakers could lose 60 games this year and it still wouldn't be enough for me.
ReplyDeleteThis is how canines take over the planet.
ReplyDeleteCan someone explain why the remake of Major Payne will star Roman Reigns?
ReplyDeleteI have absolutely no issue with a cruiserweight division. On paper, it's something different that should give us some fresh matchups with motivated guys.
ReplyDeleteOr they'll just make Cena and Orton feud for the Cruiserweight title.
"Steen also had a private workout in front of HHH two weeks ago"
ReplyDeleteWell that's super heterosexual.
Nash is already training to be able to get Steen up for the powerbomb.
ReplyDeleteThere can only be one Kevin in professional wrestling!
Fuck a cruiser division, that never works. But an all cruiser show? That would serve the pupose. Think about it, you never see people complain about GSP or Floyd Mayweather being "too small" because they are matched up against people of their own size and there's?no comparison. When you show them on the main show where they could compete against anyone they look too ineffective to be worthwhile.
ReplyDeletelol, good luck!!!! (meaning Steen is fat. Just in case it wasn't understood)
ReplyDeleteThat's SUCH a good point.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns510OqKgKA
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, what were you saying?
I dreamed up a shitty idea once; create a monthly show where the best wrestlers on the roster are given little 'golden tickets' to compete at a special showcase event, kind of like a V.I.P. club for mat technicians and high-flyers. I was on pain meds at the time, though.
ReplyDeleteand at least in theory, a "Kevin Nash vs. X-Division" type of angle would be great for putting over the division and especially a few chosen particular workers.
ReplyDeletebut I added "in theory" because I think in reality the WWE wouldn't be pulling it off either.
I loved the '90s WCW cruiserweights and '90s NJPW juniors, but i think the idea has outlived its usefulness. I wouldn't want the potential next Daniel Bryan to get pigeonholed, when fans are more than capable of being smaller guys as true main eventers now.
ReplyDeleteBut I thought WWE desperately needed to focus on making new stars. So why is there so much backlash when they actually try to?
ReplyDeleteIf they find a way to train dogs to have bees in their mouths for when they bark they shoot bees at you, we're FUCKED!
ReplyDeleteThey do need to focus on making new stars. Part of that is making sure that people won't fail. Reigns has potential, but needs to be seasoned. Best way to make a new star is to give him the best chance to succeed, is it not?
ReplyDeleteThis type of television might CHANGE thursday nights!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'd say strapping the rocket on him would give him a good chance to succeed. But that's just me.
ReplyDeletebtw: if I had to choose I would much rather have a good tag team division than a cruiserweight division.
ReplyDelete