Jmare007

I have no issue with people not watching, trying to boycott or whatever. But as a Chilean whose family suffered the consequences of the fucked up shit the U.S pulled in the region - which pales in comparison of what they've done in other parts of the world -, I found the Tribute to the Troops shows to be as bad as the Saudi propaganda at the Greatest Royal Rumble. The amount of atrocities the U.S and their troops have done in various countries is as horrible as the shit MBS and his predecessors have done too and having a yearly show showing the righteousness of their role was as tone deaf as anything. Anyone can have a different breaking point, and the Khashoggi assassination is as good a reason to stop watching/supporting as any. But it's curious to me that it takes fucked up shit to go public for real outrage, from people who already understand how stuff works, to follow. I get it from a US citizen perspective because it would be weird to get into such an uproar with propaganda about your own military - even though you might know how horrible the whole deal is - but from an "outsider's" perspective, this feels like another stupid decision more than an unforgivable one. I wonder if I'll ever have a breaking point tbh, and that's really fucked up This might not be the time or thread to have this conversation, but what Charless posted is a very interesting line of discussion.

If they keep doing shows next year I fully expect Vince to make someone on the roster dress like Yokozuna to appease MBS.

Hogan doing one of the most Hulk Hogan thing possible http://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/hulk-hogan-saudi-arabia-wwe/#.W9DREeJRfIV

I don't think that's what matters here.

This is crazy and really fucking sad. Hope for the best for him and his family, fuck cancer.

I have no clue what report is true or not but Mike Johnson also reported that Miz was going to win at Super Showdown the night before the event, saying WWE was happy with Daniel Bryan being a "special attraction" so he didn't see him winning.

This was fine. It says a lot that it took 20 minutes for the crowd to give a shit about Takeshita, even though this was a big and unique interpromotional match - and was worked as one - the fans were mostly silent and treating it like it was whatever, which hurt it a lot because atmosphere is key for this type of match, or at least it is to me. CIMA did great as the invader heel, cheating and using every advantage he took to hurt the young Ace, his work on the leg was compelling and his cut offs were nicely done. Konosuke is still just meh in big matches, his selling of the leg was all over the place and it was frustrating because when he did sell it, he did an awesome job, but his comebacks still lack fire and everytime he has control of the action the crowd just doesn't care. This had a some cool moments and it got very good near the end, it could've been REALLY good with a hotter crowd.

That's interesting, I can't remember which interview it was (or if it was him talking about it in his podcast) but months ago he was saying how happy he was of getting a "Brock Lesnar" type deal with New Japan - very good money for "3-4 dates" - while at the same time having a good relationship with WWE, to the point he could still get dates with them. On another interview he also spoke about how much money he got for working the Greatest Royal Rumble while doing basically nothing (he also said he though his match with Taker was given back to Rusev because he was going to continue to work with New Japan).

A little update on CIMA: DDT's Peter Pan show drew 6,259 people at Sumo Hall, claimed as a sellout. Last year they did 5,900 and was also claimed as a sellout and the Sumo Hall show from March did 5,700. Even though the difference is very small, it was very likely that show was going to barely do 5k without the addition of Strong Hearts in the last month.

I had very high hopes for this match, and it delivered in spades. The performance by Togo is fucking incredible, Daisuke plays the role of "unstoppable monster" greatly, as usual, but it's Togo's job as the underdog that makes this match awesome to watch. Don't expect a bomb fest, this was one of those methodical, every move matters, type of Strong BJ match, which I fucking love. The story is as simple as can be: Sekimoto is the big dude that imposes his will and Togo has to scratch and claw to get Daisuke off him. You can feel the struggle in every attempt by Togo to get our of trouble, and the ways he finds to do it are dope to watch - like, everyone goes for a head lock to get out of the Argentine Backbreaker, but the way Togo fights to get that headlock is just on another level - and when he finally gets a chance to breathe, he's too exhausted to capitalize on it because of all the effort it took to get there. When he finally gets on top it makes sense, but it doesn't last long as he takes a risk that doesn't pay off. Once Daisuke sees his chance to get control back, he fucking goes for it, as he realizes what he has to do to finish this off, but Togo will not lay down. Awesome match. ps: there's a little kid that screams SEKIMOTOOOOOOO for 20 minutes that had me laughing at how hard he was rooting for his favorite.

WWE's version of Political Hit Theory will be can't miss fuckery. Would be cool if Dylan gets to show up on the Network special about it.

True, but WWE has pushed the idea that Edge was an "outsider" who was never seen as champion material until he had that Rated R run after the first ever cash in for a long ass time now. I think I've seen the same "nobody believed in me" story from Edge and Michael Hayes in like 3 different DVDs/documentaries Edit: Big Show with a heel turn, he's gotta have the record for a WWE wrestler, right?

Will they do it at Mania or Greatest Royal Rumble II?

You really thought he wasn't going to get the treatment he always gets?

STRIGGA has this match running 29 minutes on the results sections at Purolove, but the link I came upon on had it at 22 minutes or so. I saw a few noticeable edits at the beginning, but it didn't seem it was THAT long, 7 minutes feels like a lot of stuff left off to appreciate the match more. But anyways, onto the match. I too have been away from NOAH for a long ass time but after watching Nakajima's new gimmick and demeanor at the last Kobashi produced show, I had to see this match against Sugi, who I've always loved. This was dope as hell to watch. There's two halfs, the first one with Nakajima working as the sleamy heel and tricking the champ at every step, LOVED how the only way for Sugi to get on top was him doing a misdirection move that Nak couldn't see coming and counter. Once Sugiura gets on top he fucking lays a beating on Nakajima, to the point Korakuen went from booing the guy to cheering him on. Then we get a distraction spot so Katsuhiko can use a foreign object and regain control. From then on Nakajima unleashes a demonic ass kicking, similar to the one Shibata gave Okada last year. Dear lord at the kicks Sugi eat in this match. The final comeback and finishing sequence were fine but it kinda lacked the drama it seemed this was going for. Still, I thought the ending was suitable considering the story and match they had, it was the only way Sugi could've won.

I mean, if we are talking about being counterproductive to their interests, this part doesn't make a lot of sense either: So it's no fun anymore because you are seen as a factory worker, so fuck it and take a bigger deal elsewhere so they can at least be richer factory workers that are working more than before?

The first report doesn't undermine their bargaining position at all. It was basically "people that didn't think about leaving might think about it now", which could lead to them getting better offers so they would stay. Or push WWE to make them a good offer to finally convince them to jump ship.

True. Though him not even double checking this is hilarious.

Not sure if we can post stuff from reddit, but this whole story upped the fuckery levels even more Meji himself said Craven (the guy Dave mentioned in his story) doesn't work for New Japan and a guy from reddit said he even got death threats. That last part sounds a little too ridiculous, but wtf. https://www.reddit.com/r/njpw/comments/9nitw0/meij_meltzer_got_the_wrong_guy/

Yano about to make the jump !

So this week Dave said (or wrote, I'm not sure) this: Which clearly reads as something The Elite crew fed to him for whatever reason (put pressure on New Japan, wink at WWE or just fucking around with fans like they do every years when their negotiations come up). And then Tama Tonga tweets this I love this kind of fuckery

The show did great too, 9k in attendance for a show that didn't have a card 6 days before it happened is pretty huge.

It WAS Shingo! So glad I was wrong, great get by New Japan. I do hope he's not a Junior or if he is, he doesn't stay one for long.

I don't think that's very important to WWE at this moment. If they are sent to FS1 and do well there and still get their money, they'll be probably happy.

Taker telling some fun Mark Henry stories https://youtu.be/4mcd8BAjU0c?t=1053