CI Wrestling Thread #56

[Nightwish84]

Not sure I'd buy anything Nash has to say tbh. I've listened to clips of his podcast and got nothing out of it. He admits to trolling guys like Punk on his show to get clicks and then when discussing the death of his son, which I can't imagine how difficult that is to deal with, he talked about sticking a gun in his mouth and ending things. Of course that lead to the police doing a wellness check because fans were worried and afterward he joked that he wasn't serious and if you knew him personally you'd understand he was being over the top for a reaction. After the death of Daffney I don't think it's a great idea to joke about killing yourself and then act like it's the fans fault for being too worrisome. I liked past shoot interviews with him but his podcast makes him seem similar to Hogan - just a bullshitter.

 

[TheBlueCat]

 

[Nightwish84]

According to reports, WWE had planned for Jey Uso to beat Gunther for the WWE Intercontinental Championship on last night's Raw.

The report from WrestleVotes states “multiple people within the company [were] under the impression Jey Uso was winning, some even out right being told he was.”

WrestleVotes reports plans changed a hour before the show started.

If Sapp doesn't report it or confirm it, don't buy it. In the new regime, WWE is putting out false info to some of these more random sites. "WrestleVotes" even sounds janky. I think Raw and SD do need the occasional title change but they've built Gunther and the IC title up too much to let Jey win it on a random Feb. Raw the same week of an Australian PLE when everyone is so focused on Rock/Roman/Cody. Now the first Raw on Netflix? Yeah, you might have some big legend returns or a title switch that night.

 

[K-mac18]

35 years ago today Ricky Steamboat beat Ric Flair for the NWA World's Title.

 

[AmericanDragon]

Not sure I'd buy anything Nash has to say tbh. I've listened to clips of his podcast and got nothing out of it. He admits to trolling guys like Punk on his show to get clicks and then when discussing the death of his son, which I can't imagine how difficult that is to deal with, he talked about sticking a gun in his mouth and ending things. Of course that lead to the police doing a wellness check because fans were worried and afterward he joked that he wasn't serious and if you knew him personally you'd understand he was being over the top for a reaction. After the death of Daffney I don't think it's a great idea to joke about killing yourself and then act like it's the fans fault for being too worrisome. I liked past shoot interviews with him but his podcast makes him seem similar to Hogan - just a bullshitter.

That man REALLY struggles to stay on topic too. I’ll sometimes watch the clips that get uploaded on YouTube. It could be like a seven minute clip and he’ll address the question answered for like a minute at best then talk about something completely irrelevant to the question. I’d get so frustrated hosting that podcast. Like man just talk about what brought up!

Podcast host: So tell us about the decision making behind the finger poke of doom

Nash: Well it happened. No one liked it. But you got to go out and do what they tell you to do.

Nash continues for minutes on a new restaurant he tried: But I tried this new burger joint out the other day ago and it was pretty good. Bread was fresh, the beef was really juicy and had a nice charbroiled flavor. I forgot what cheese it was, but they put two slices of it on there and it was amazing. The toppings on it were also fresh, tasted like they just went out back and picked them out of a garden this morning. Perhaps the best tasting tomato I’ve ever had! And they have their own house made sauce they put on it that tastes unlike anything I’ve ever had before. I was able to get two sides with it, got the sweet potato fries and some mac and cheese. And I tell you what, best damn fries this side of the Mississippi! And the Mac and cheese wasn’t too shabby either! Met the owners afterward. Turns out they were big nWo Wolfpack fans back in the day so I let them take a picture with me for free.

 

[krazykats]

If it’s not good on podcast there is no need to show us in a post that’s worse.

Thanks tho!

 

[Wesley91581]

So what do yall think about them posting the wwe2k24 ratings at the start of the matches?

 

[UKWildcatT]

According to reports, WWE had planned for Jey Uso to beat Gunther for the WWE Intercontinental Championship on last night's Raw.

The report from WrestleVotes states “multiple people within the company [were] under the impression Jey Uso was winning, some even out right being told he was.”

WrestleVotes reports plans changed a hour before the show started.

Dear god. What an absolutely horrible idea. If that’s true, everyone that suggested that should’ve been fired.

The only two ways he should lose the title

1) some good guy gets unbelievable hot
2) they’re ready for him to win the world title and after he wins, he vacated the IC title

I can’t even wrap my head around why the scenario of Uso beating him was brought up

 

[krazykats]

I can see why. Gunther is as vanilla as Eric Wright, Steven Reagal, Dustin Rhodes etc of the same build. His mic work is very good but he and his bland arsenal are average to slightly above average as it gets.

I understand keeping the strap on him too, but at a PPV I could see a change.

 

[Wesley91581]

I can see why. Gunther is as vanilla as Eric Wright, Steven Reagal, Dustin Rhodes etc of the same build. His mic work is very good but he and his bland arsenal are average to slightly above average as it gets.

I understand keeping the strap on him too, but at a PPV I could see a change.

Don’t disrespect dus wunderkid Alex wright or were you referring to Erik watts who literally came out to the ring in a UL letterman jacket?

 

[krazykats]

Yes Alex Wright. What a chump!

 

[AmericanDragon]

Looks like uncle Dave is back in

Dave Meltzer on the current state of #AEW:

"They appear to have some momentum. Last week, Rampage did their best number of the year, best number in a long, long time. Collision did their best number of the year.

"Dynamite did not do their best number of the year, but considering the night, did freakin' great. They beat everything on television except for CBS and ABC head-to-head. So they had a great number on Wednesday. We'll see if the momentum continues.

"To me, the real sign is when you start seeing ticket sales go up. And, we monitor that stuff close, it's not there yet. It has not happened. Ratings-wise, yes, there appears to be some momentum there. But the key still to me is getting people to come out for these shows.

"The show this week, first time ever in Tulsa, and they're under 3,000. They may top 3,000 by Wednesday, but to me, first time in Tulsa should be 4,500 people. And obviously there'll be more than half of that, but it may not even be two thirds."

Dave’s opinion changes more than the weather

 

[specialkd24]

According to reports, WWE had planned for Jey Uso to beat Gunther for the WWE Intercontinental Championship on last night's Raw.

The report from WrestleVotes states “multiple people within the company [were] under the impression Jey Uso was winning, some even out right being told he was.”

WrestleVotes reports plans changed a hour before the show started.

I just don't believe any of these "report" sites. There are too many of them and most of the time the info seems bad.

They were never letting Gunther end a 2-year reign on Raw. He will only drop on a PLE. And heck, no titles (besides the women's tag titles) ever change hands anyway.

 

[Nightwish84]

 

[Wesley91581]

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Ugh

 

[CrittendenWildcat]

If Sapp doesn't report it or confirm it, don't buy it. In the new regime, WWE is putting out false info to some of these more random sites. "WrestleVotes" even sounds janky. I think Raw and SD do need the occasional title change but they've built Gunther and the IC title up too much to let Jey win it on a random Feb. Raw the same week of an Australian PLE when everyone is so focused on Rock/Roman/Cody. Now the first Raw on Netflix? Yeah, you might have some big legend returns or a title switch that night.

Sp, SRS says it, I believe it, that settles it? Okay then.

 

[Nightwish84]

Sp, SRS says it, I believe it, that settles it? Okay then.

He's legitimately the best in the business. I don't sub to any of his stuff but he never says outlandish things, he's careful with predictions, and will hold back when others don't until he's able to get more sources. In the silly world of wrestling journalism, that's what you want.

 

[K-mac18]

Gallows and Anderson on NXT? Guess they found something for them to do.

Dynamite for this evening, as of 11:20 am.

AEW Champion Samoa Joe & Swerve Strickland & Brian Cage vs. Hangman Page & FTW Champion Hook & Rob Van Dam
*Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli vs. FTR
*AEW Women's Champion Toni Storm in action
*Deonna Purrazzo in action

 

[MegaBlue05]

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So guy that’s portrayed as a big time ass kicker who is so tough he doesn’t sell on AEW TV … is fighting a very small girl.

I must be missing something culturally. Maybe I severely lack understanding of Japanese wrestling.

 

[Strokin_Bandit]

Luckily, you get to choose which form of abuse you're cool with in wrestling culture.

 

[Wesley91581]

Gallows and Anderson on NXT? Guess they found something for them to do.

Dynamite for this evening, as of 11:20 am.

AEW Champion Samoa Joe & Swerve Strickland & Brian Cage vs. Hangman Page & FTW Champion Hook & Rob Van Dam
*Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli vs. FTR
*AEW Women's Champion Toni Storm in action
*Deonna Purrazzo in action

Page on dynamite? Guess they found something for him to do.

 

[Wesley91581]

So guy that’s portrayed as a big time ass kicker who is so tough he doesn’t sell on AEW TV … is fighting a very small girl.

I must be missing something culturally. Maybe I severely lack understanding of Japanese wrestling.

Waiting for dragon to explain this one…

 

[CrittendenWildcat]

So guy that’s portrayed as a big time ass kicker who is so tough he doesn’t sell on AEW TV … is fighting a very small girl.

I must be missing something culturally. Maybe I severely lack understanding of Japanese wrestling.

Look up Minoru Suzuki vs. Asuka (then known as Kana). It was consensual (Asuka wanted him to be brutal), but it looks horrible. I'm afraid he's going to do the same to Maki Itoh (consensual or not, it is still violent and distasteful to watch a man beat up a woman).

 

[MegaBlue05]

Look up Minoru Suzuki vs. Asuka (then known as Kana). It was consensual (Asuka wanted him to be brutal), but it looks horrible. I'm afraid he's going to do the same to Maki Itoh (consensual or not, it is still violent and distasteful to watch a man beat up a woman).

Thanks for the heads up. Not my cup of tea to watch what you described.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Waiting for dragon to explain this one…

Yes.

@AmericanDragon, can you tell us the significance of this kind of match in Japanese wrestling culture? I am legitimately curious.

Inter gender wrestling where the guys can hit the girls has been kind of been off limits in the US for at least 20 years.

 

[AmericanDragon]

It’s not uncommon for there to be intergender matches in Japan despite many of the promotions largely being gender segregated.

Both are also fan favorites and Maki Itoh and Suzuki have a long-standing friendly relationship behind the scenes and on camera. TJPW tends to lean more towards the comedy style of wrestling, though there are exceptions.

As far as the story behind the match, I haven’t a clue aside from the fact Maki Itoh originally wanted to tag team with him for the match. I’ve seen like two TJPW shows in my life so don’t know if anything else led up to it.

I do believe this is a pretty big TJPW show (Sumo Hall shows tend to be that for Japanese promotions) so they normally do some stuff different than they normally do on those.

 

[AmericanDragon]

Yes.

@AmericanDragon, can you tell us the significance of this kind of match in Japanese wrestling culture? I am legitimately curious.

Inter gender wrestling where the guys can hit the girls has been kind of been off limits in the US for at least 20 years.

Off limits for major TV wrestling. It certainly isn’t off limits on the indies. Billie Starkz, Maki Itoh, and several of the women in TNA frequently do intergender matches in the indies, and TNA doesn’t exactly shy away from it.

The women generally love the opportunity to show they can compete with the male talent.

 

[AmericanDragon]

AEW just hired the recently departed WWE writer who was tight with Mercedes. Believe this makes the first writer they’ve hired.

 

[Wesley91581]

Yes.

@AmericanDragon, can you tell us the significance of this kind of match in Japanese wrestling culture? I am legitimately curious.

Inter gender wrestling where the guys can hit the girls has been kind of been off limits in the US for at least 20 years.

The only intergender I’m familiar with is Andy Kaufman which was pretty much a comedy thing and Chyna bc she was built like a house and that was the attitude era.

This girl looks very tiny.

 

[Nightwish84]

I don't know what to make of Japanese wrestling. I grew up assuming it was a prestigious thing over there and that Japanese fans took their wrestling seriously. Obviously there's different promotions doing different things but it seems as a whole, they've really leaned into absurdity and comedy. If you listen to Cornette's stories, he does respect Japanese wrestling from the 70s and 80s. Feels like the country copied the WWF Springer model of silliness while leaning into the uber colorful anime cartoon genre and now we've got American fans obsessed with Japanese culture celebrating man vs literal blow-up doll and mean looking, scarred up old vet vs tiny girl who looks like a 12 year old Japanese school girl from a futuristic movie about hackers.

 

[K-mac18]

Wow that match between Madison Rayne and Deonna was not good at all.

Odds of Flair turning on Sting for the 1,235 time?

 

[Wesley91581]

Wow that match between Madison Rayne and Deonna was not good at all.

Odds of Flair turning on Sting for the 1,235 time?

Dragon having a bad week

 

[AmericanDragon]

I don't know what to make of Japanese wrestling. I grew up assuming it was a prestigious thing over there and that Japanese fans took their wrestling seriously. Obviously there's different promotions doing different things but it seems as a whole, they've really leaned into absurdity and comedy. If you listen to Cornette's stories, he does respect Japanese wrestling from the 70s and 80s. Feels like the country copied the WWF Springer model of silliness while leaning into the uber colorful anime cartoon genre and now we've got American fans obsessed with Japanese culture celebrating man vs literal blow-up doll and mean looking, scarred up old vet vs tiny girl who looks like a 12 year old Japanese school girl from a futuristic movie about hackers.

Clearly you are pretty uninformed if you think as a whole Japanese wrestling has leaned into absurdity and comedy. DDT and TJPW are the only ones of the 7 major promotions that lean into it a lot. The other 5 - All Japan, Dragon Gate, New Japan, NOAH, and Stardom - do it pretty sparingly.

 

[AmericanDragon]

Dragon having a bad week

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Why am I having a bad week?

 

[AmericanDragon]

Wow that match between Madison Rayne and Deonna was not good at all.

Agreed. Every match Madison Rayne has had in AEW has been shit. TK tweeted near start time that there were a bunch of availability issues so I assume she had to sub in for someone that wasn't available given they never announced ahead of time who the opponent would be.

I'm amazed that TNA put their women's title on her five times because she is not good at all. And it's not like she is a geriatric, she's only 38, so age not really an excuse for being that bad. I'm just going to give TNA the benefit of the doubt that it was their Divas era so the in-ring skills were near non-existent.

 

[Strokin_Bandit]

What Japanese organization had one of their dudes wrestle a sex doll? Or the one that had a dude wrestle a mop? Pretty serious shit.

 

[AmericanDragon]

What Japanese organization had one of their dudes wrestle a sex doll? Or the one that had a dude wrestle a mop? Pretty serious shit.

DDT

 

[AmericanDragon]

All is good with Hangman, per Fightful

Hangman Page had the wrestling world worried at the end of AEW Dynamite this week, but as it turns out he's just very good at his job.

At the conclusion of his match on the February 21 AEW Dynamite, Hangman was holding his ankle and encouraging the cameras to not film him. He was helped to the backstage area and limped there, but we're told that this was an angle, and he was fine once he got backstage.

We're told this could be worked into the show now, but upon returning to the backstage area, Page was completely fine. One talent used a phrase that has often been used in situations like this "yeah, he's okay. He's just good at his job."

AEW did not provide an update in an official capacity.

 

[Wesley91581]

Sounds like wardlow had a good promo but without a sustainable push it’s meaningless.

 

[WildcatFan1982]

there are face value tickets for Smackdown at the Yum Center for $600. Not resale. Face. Of all the things in the world I could spend $600, a ringside seat at a random smackdown.

If I could, for example, go back and witness something historic like Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat in person I'd probably pay $600.