Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: How Far Do You Go Back With A1???

« on: May 15, 2020, 07:21:10 PM »

Janitor invited me via email, while I was a member at 1Bob.  WCW was definitely still happening, so I'm assuming about 1999/2000.  Was a member while 1Bob and A1 were both using DC Scripts (still think that was a great type of forum software), then 1Bob died a death when it moved to a new server, and I made this my permanent home. 

I remember the front page having links to Edgecrusher's column, NY Girl's column and the archive having Edge's interviews with various wrestling personalities. 

Xavier Storm, Rage of Angels, Janitor, G_Pac.  Names that are just as memorable as some wrestlers from back in the day, you got so used to seeing them in posts.

Sentra I used to email, because like me, we both liked writing about wrestling (I haven't bothered at all for many a year now) and we set up a couple of sites together with history pieces.  Lost touch with him completely after 1Bob though.  Didn't know him beyond that really.

Jeez, I had forgotten I'd even replied to this, over 8 years ago. 8 years.

I had actually forgotten most of what I even wrote above.

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General Discussion / Re: How Far Do You Go Back With A1???

« on: May 15, 2020, 07:16:46 PM »

I was 1bob before A1, and always used the handle Titantron. Probably about 99/00 or so. I can't remember exactly.  I was definitely out of high school and it was peak MNW.

Changed my nick to my real name eventually. Don't think I was the most well-informed poster in my early days. As with all things, age can make us better...

3

Wrestling & MMA / AEW in general

« on: May 15, 2020, 10:44:13 AM »

Hi folks.

Been a long time since I've started a thread here. Must be at least 5 years or so. So, hi, first of all. Hope everyone is doing okay, and that you are safe and well at the moment.

Topic at hand is AEW. Noticed upon logging in that I don't see too many threads on AEW in the forum. Is this a reflection of general lack of appetite for it, or have we all just gotten a bit older? I know I probably spend more time on the podcasts and old clips on Youtube than I do watching current shows. I'm fast becoming a casualty of the streaming era, short clips and TikTok society.

I suppose as 'WCW guy' and even a 'TNA guy' at one point, I was probably always going to gravitate towards AEW upon it's launch though. I've always loved an alternative. 

I started watching Dynamite and got pretty hooked for the first 10-15 episodes. You can't not appreciate a red hot crowd, and they've had a ton of those. Some good matches and memorable moments already, mostly involving the key players. Yeah, there's a lot of bad too - but for the most part I've felt it to be worth watching.

Some of the attraction for me was the many similarities between AEW (at the time of launch) to Dragon Gate USA, and what they tried to do from the get go. Sort of that compendium of fresh talent and new exciting international styles of wrestling. I'm not sure AEW has necessarily "evolved" (pardon the pun) the way I had hoped DGUSA would. It's hard to tell during this current situation with empty arena shows and the roster all over the place. I've found it hard to watch, for a variety of reasons.

Anyway, just thought I'd throw that out there. Keen to hear what people think.

Niall

4

General Discussion / Re: Better Call Saul (Season 5)

« on: May 15, 2020, 09:55:34 AM »

Best season so far.

[spoiler]Only nit I might pick here is I don't think they totally justified Kim breaking bad at the end there. In hindsight, I could piece it together a few different ways, but in the moment, it felt a bit out of left field.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]I felt like this was more to do with Kim's life history feeding her fear of being alone. She wants to run with Jimmy as long as the wheels keep turning and she'll do anything to stay by his side I think. Sort of makes you feel there's tragedy ahead, as I can't see her ever leaving him. Where would she go?[/spoiler]

5

General Discussion / Re: SupTool Has Passed Away, 41 Years Old

« on: May 15, 2020, 09:54:00 AM »

I had read of his passing on Twitter through Dave's posts, but had not caught up to thoughts shared here.

As someone who posted here pretty much all through my 20s and a bit here and there since that time, I grew up remembering people's names, posting styles, characters - and you truly do remember them.

I have never met anyone from this site, but there was a reason even just as a young man coming to terms with life's responsibilities and basically growing up, that I kept coming back. SupTool was one of those reasons, as a "big character" and reason why this community was so great.

RIP.

6

Wrestling & MMA / Re: Darkside of The Ring

« on: May 15, 2020, 09:40:14 AM »

Is there a place for UK folk to watch this? Have found a few Youtube ups but most either have sound out of sync or other problems. I thought Vice had a channel of their own, but can't seem to find DSOTR.

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Wrestling & MMA / Re: Hi Everybody!!!

« on: May 29, 2018, 01:09:44 PM »

What did happen to the old original A1 posts? Were they archived or lost in transition back in the day?

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Wrestling & MMA / Re: Josh is Not All In

« on: May 17, 2018, 08:06:48 AM »

The uptake of ticket sales does seem really odd. You have to wonder just how many the touts got hold of. Was there any restriction on bulk quantity buying?

9

Wrestling & MMA / Re: Meltzer: Reigns is Bryan

« on: May 14, 2018, 05:44:01 AM »

Daniel Bryan wasn't over because of the booking. He was over because he connected with the crowd and they got into his character. Roman isn't accepted as a babyface or as a top guy mainly because they have over-actively tried to force him down people's throats. Cena isn't even the valid comparison anymore. Roman Reigns the character is essentially just dull. He's not very exciting, doesn't connect with the audience and lacks any inspiring qualities. Yes, he's capable of some decent brawls, is a bit of a hoss, but I don't see what else we are supposed to be waiting for that's going to make everyone go crazy over. He's basically Randy Orton of the mid 2000s.

Surely a top guy has to have something about him where it makes you wonder what he's going to do next. To a point where you wish you could live his life, or at least follow his career. Who would want to be Roman Reigns right now?

10

Wrestling & MMA / Re: Greatest Royal Rumble

« on: May 03, 2018, 11:05:06 AM »

The thing is also that they've actually held several events in Saudi Arabia in recent years, and each time the same rules have applied. I think the notable difference with this one though, is that it was promoted as such a worldwide spectacle, and WWE playing a part in endorsing Saudi female discrimination (or "Saudi culture" as WWE call it) on a worldwide stage looks really bad I think. But I must be in a minority as I've seen so little about it.

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Wrestling & MMA / Re: Greatest Royal Rumble

« on: May 03, 2018, 10:17:09 AM »

Levesque, before the show, defended it by saying, “I understand people are questioning it, but you have to understand that every culture is different and just because you don’t agree with a certain aspect of it, it doesn’t mean it’s not a relevant culture. You can’t dictate to a country or a religion about how they handle things, but having said that, WWE is at the forefront of a women’s evolution in the world and what you can’t do is affect change anywhere by staying away from it.

Except, see, the thing is you can - by not taking the Saudi cash to hold a souped up all-male house show you send a message that you don't support their "culture" or attitude towards gender equality.

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Wrestling & MMA / Re: Greatest Royal Rumble

« on: May 03, 2018, 10:13:49 AM »

This piece in this week's Observer sums up the way I felt about this event.

There were different controversies. The one that got the most attention of wrestling fans seemed to be running a show without any women’s matches.

That isn’t to say it isn’t a significant issue. WWE proclaims itself as a champion for women’s empowerment. Just days after the event, WWE jumped on the TeamSheis movement in encouraging women to participate in sports past the age of 13, while they had just participated n an event that banned not just their women performers, but all of their women, from having any involvement.

It wasn’t just Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair not being booked on a show, but it was Renee Young not being allowed to do backstage interviews, and Stephanie McMahon and Michelle Wilson not being on the trip nor invited to the lavish dinner the night before hosted by Turki Al Sheikh, the Chairman of the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Sport, which brought the company in, with other top stars and family members like Vince McMahon, Brock Lesnar (but not Paul Heyman), Undertaker, Paul Levesque, Shane McMahon, Kurt Angle, Braun Strowman, Mark Henry and Great Khali.

There's no point pretending to be shocked that WWE aren't actually the champion of women's empowerment that they claim to be -- BUT the decision to take Saudi cash and blatantly exclude the performers it is trying so hard to promote the liberties of, just looks so bad. It sums up how WWE Corporate sees, and anticipates it's audience. Surprised there hasn't been a bigger backlash over this issue.

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Wrestling & MMA / Re: Raw Is The Incredible Shrinking Roman

« on: May 03, 2018, 09:44:08 AM »

This current programme involving Ronda seems decidedly dull, and lacklustre. I understand she has to become part of that division going forward, but just seems needlessly slow.

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General Discussion / Re: RIP 2018 Edition

« on: March 12, 2018, 11:50:46 AM »

Ken Dodd. 90 years old.

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General Discussion / Re: Black Mirror (tv series)

« on: March 12, 2018, 11:49:47 AM »

Inadvertent plug for Inside No. 9 here, the work of Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, who were doing Black Mirror before Black Mirror was.

I've just watched their first four seasons of their acclaimed effort at anthology. Have been advised that Black Mirror is a horse of a similar colour, so will try it soon on Netflix.

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Wrestling & MMA / Re: 3/5/18 Raw is Rowdy

« on: March 12, 2018, 11:46:27 AM »

I have watched each of the Ronda segments thus far, and if anything it seems she needs some lessons on timing more than anything. She isn't too bad on the mic and her facials and reactions aren't all that bad at all. You can tell she wants to be there, and isn't just going through the motions, but she needs to be in front of more live crowds to get a better idea of how to react to them, and to time what she's saying. That's all about cadence at the end of the day, and will probably come as she does it more. They should limit her mic work now and try to focus more on some pretty intense physical segments. Steph should ideally have a (female) bodyguard present until Mania, someone Ronda can bounce around in these segments before the match eventually comes, to show off some of her physicality. Most will know Ronda, but not every member of the WWE audience will have seen her fight or know what she can do. Let her Judo throw Nia Jax around, or maybe someone less "on the up". Shayna even?  Or do they maybe wait for her to be the logical first opponent after Mania. Steph & Triple H win via Shayna heel turn on Ronda?

17

Wrestling & MMA / Re: Wrestlemania

« on: March 12, 2018, 11:42:00 AM »

Will Undertaker have a match?

18

Wrestling & MMA / Re: WWE Hall of Fame 2018 Class

« on: March 12, 2018, 11:41:20 AM »

Yeah Cornette left Impact as quickly as he came. He can’t travel to Canada and most of their shows are taped there.

Why can't he travel to Canada?

19

Wrestling & MMA / Re: Upcoming Site Changes

« on: March 12, 2018, 11:38:23 AM »

All the best with it Jarret. It's positively ages ago since I posted regularly on here, but I still log in every now and again to see what people are up to. Good to know someone is keeping things alive.

20

Wrestling & MMA / Re: Billy Corgan reported buys NWA

« on: May 05, 2017, 01:38:16 PM »

Too much looking back. If he wants to invest in something, don't put the money into a dying brand like TNA or a dead brand like the NWA. Start something new. Do something new. Make people stand up and take notice and be excited about an alternative.

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Wrestling & MMA / Re: Alberto del Rio and Paige suspended.

« on: October 13, 2016, 04:57:04 AM »

I thought wrestlers didn't do drugs these days and just stayed at home playing video games. 

22

Wrestling & MMA / Re: There's a PPV tonight?

« on: January 26, 2015, 06:23:27 AM »

A word on these types of crowds though - WWE have lost connection with their hardcore audience so badly.  There is so much resentment towards WWE from these types of crowds.  It's like they go to the show just in the hope that they can bitch and whine about something. 

Company needs an enema when it comes to crowd interaction and engagement.  Doesn't help when you've got Triple H at the helm, who made a career out of not engaging with fans.

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Wrestling & MMA / Re: There's a PPV tonight?

« on: January 26, 2015, 06:20:52 AM »

I haven't been watching for a while but just by reading results etc, it sounded as though Reigns was booked to win the Rumble about six months ago was he not?  Was this not always the plan?  For Reigns to get the big babyface push and then dethrone Lesnar to become "the guy". 

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Wrestling & MMA / Re: There's a PPV tonight?

« on: January 25, 2015, 08:14:43 PM »

Who deflated LOD?

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Wrestling & MMA / Re: There's a PPV tonight?

« on: January 25, 2015, 08:08:42 PM »

Do the Ascension deliberately have the opening noise from The Fire Burns as their theme?