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Stockcar86

red terror

The Hammer.

antipodean

I'm genuinely astonished people still watch this.

JK

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="414859" data-time="1392543278">
<div>
I'm genuinely astonished people still watch this.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Why?
 
It's a very well run piece of entertainment.

antipodean

I guess I just don't find it entertaining. I appreciate the skill and athleticism some of what they do requires, but that's true for men's synchronised diving and I don't watch that either.

JK

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="415021" data-time="1392610727">I guess I just don't find it entertaining. I appreciate the skill and athleticism some of what they do requires, but that's true for men's synchronised diving and I don't watch that either.</blockquote>
 
Makes perfect sense as to you why you don't watch it. But was more interested in why you were genuinely astonished that other people still watch it. 
A bit like coronation street....Huge amount of followers but I don't find it entertaining so I don't watch it. But I'm hardly astonished why other people watch it. I understand it entertains them, so they watch it.

red terror

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="415021" data-time="1392610727">
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I appreciate the skill and athleticism some of what they do requires...
</div>
</blockquote>
 
The skill and athleticism is less than half the reason why most people watch. (You could make the argument that arguably the most famous wrestler of all time -- that would be the Hulkster -- had neither skill nor athleticism. What he had was a character and a story -- and that gives you drama.)
 
Watch this clip of Bert Sugar (0:50) explaining how Cassius Clay wins an Olympic gold medal and stands on a street corner hoping somebody can recognize him, and then, especially (good stuff starts at 1:06) trainer Angelo Dundee talking about how young Muhammad Ali gets a clue real-fast:

"We always schemed up gimmicks -- his whole career."

red terror

Cena fought Antonio Cesaro in an awesome match on Raw tonight (whole show was pretty good). I was surprised how much bigger Cesaro was than Cena, he looked several inches taller.

Godder

RIP Nelson Frazier aka Mabel/Viscera/Big Daddy V, aged 43.

red terror

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Godder" data-cid="415882" data-time="1392986406">
<div>
RIP Nelson Frazier aka Mabel/Viscera/Big Daddy V, aged 43.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
I was surprised at his age. He must have been elevated at a young age, 'cos I thought he was about a decade older.

Godder

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="red terror" data-cid="416131" data-time="1393092626">
<div>
I was surprised at his age. He must have been elevated at a young age, 'cos I thought he was about a decade older.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Vince loves himself a Hoss, or a Fatguy...
 
Elimination Chamber wasn't bad - Shield vs Wyatts was a brutal brawl, and fun all the way. I hope they have a rematch in a cage... The ending missed a trick, I think, but if it somehow leads to Bryan winning at WM, all will be forgiven.

red terror

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">Former WWE announcer Jim Ross fielded several Daniel Bryan-related questions at jrsbarbq.com following the latest WWE PPV to conclude with Bryan's character screwed out of the WWE Title. Ross maintained his belief that Bryan will get his ultimate victory at WrestleMania 30 and is taking a wait-and-see approach to see if WWE changes the current WWE Title match of Randy Orton vs. Batista at WM30. "It's possible that any one can mishandle a slow burn storyline but I don't think so with Daniel Bryan. It's seemingly stopped and started again and I'd speculate that it will be brought full circle at WM30," Ross wrote about the booking since Summerslam. Specifically about Bryan, Ross wrote: "IF Bryan is going to go to the top of the mountain it should be at WM30. I don't know but I do know that time will tell." Ross added, "I think that WWE is waiting on WM30 to create Daniel Bryan's moment in the sun. TBD." Regarding potential title match changes at WM30, Ross wrote, "I expect some intriguing, creative changes to occur in WWE on the road to WrestleMania and they could start tonight on Raw." Ross added, "I think that WWE listens and will react accordingly. How could any one NOT hear what we all hear? They can't. Just hang around and be patient or turnoff the shows and wait until things are to your liking." In summary, Ross wrote: "I expect MANY major twists and turns between now and WM30."
 
</blockquote>
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_76599.shtml#.Uwu2XOMxXho'>http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_76599.shtml#.Uwu2XOMxXho</a>

Godder

As the first week of the WWE network finishes, apparently it has been a bit bumpy at times with the volumes, but is steadily improving. The online reviews I've read are generally very positive, particularly about the size of the library. Looking forward to it here in NZ!
 
Meanwhile, the road to Wrestlemania sees the card solidifying. CM Punk may be on Raw tomorrow, potentially to be put in the main event. It looks like D-Bry will face HHH. Undertaker vs Brock Lesnar was "signed" last week. Bray Wyatt vs John Cena is firming up. There's talk of Dean Ambrose vs Big E Langston to unify the IC and US belts, and the rest of the Shield vs the rest of the Wyatts in a tag match.

red terror

The rumour mill on Punk has been in overdrive the past week, but nobody knows what to think because he's been Radio Silence.
 
Can't wait to get the Network. I'm not even sure if it's available here in Canada yet, but my intention was always to buy it instead of Wrestlemania PPV (which is included) and get all that fantastic bonus stuff plus all the PPVs. The library is going to be massive.

red terror

Wherein the role of Bran O'Driscoll is played by the Nature Boy.

Everything sounds better with Jim Ross describing the action.
 
(Btw - BOD plays his last-ever home test this coming weekend.)

Godder

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="red terror" data-cid="417255" data-time="1393839319">
<div>
The rumour mill on Punk has been in overdrive the past week, but nobody knows what to think because he's been Radio Silence.
 
Can't wait to get the Network. I'm not even sure if it's available here in Canada yet, but my intention was always to buy it instead of Wrestlemania PPV (which is included) and get all that fantastic bonus stuff plus all the PPVs. The library is going to be massive. 
</div>
</blockquote>
 
End of the year, supposedly. Scott Keith (Netcop) lives in Canada and he has it, albeit through the usual nefarious means.
 
Any Tana/O'Driscoll clips need J.R.'s commentary from Hell in the Cell at KotR from the piece where Undertaker throws Mick Foley off the cage through the announce table.

red terror

If you haven't heard, I recommend bookmarking Stone Cold's <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://podcastone.com/Steve-Austin-Show'>weekly podcast</a>.

Stockcar86

My New Japan Pro Wrestling t-shirt arrived today - stoked with it
 
<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41hYQa2gkIL.jpg" alt="41hYQa2gkIL.jpg">
Hoping to get to a show when over in Tokyo next month

red terror

The <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://podcastone.com/Talk-Is-Jericho?showAllEpisodes=true'>Talk Is Jericho</a> podcast is also highly recommended (tho' unlike Stone Cold, Jericho features both wrestling and non-wrestling guests, ie. singer for Anthrax, a gold medal bobsleigher, and even his father who was a 14-year NHL veteran). 
 
I was just listening to Jericho's interview (pt2) with Steve Austin, and Stone Cold asks him if he'd seen the documentary "ECW: Barbed Wire City."
 
Jericho hadn't seen it (neither have I), but Austin highly recommends it. Here's an extended trailer.

Am I correct in thinking that WWE Network is going to have all the ECW PPVs?

red terror

(ESPN Grantland's) Bill Simmons and David Shoemaker have just spent the first 10 days using the WWE Network subscription.
 
They like it. Here's their report:
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://grantland.com/features/welcome-to-the-wwe-network/'>http://grantland.com/features/welcome-to-the-wwe-network/</a>
 
Money quote:
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">I would have charged $14.99 a month to start, and even that would have been a deal. This feels too cheap. I feel like Iâ€™m stealing money from Vince McMahon, actually. Wait, Iâ€™m stealing money from Vince McMahon!!!
 
</blockquote>

The Silver Fern

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