C.S.

I've never wanted anything more in my life than I want that.

Because most rasslin' fans are deep in the bubble. Even I have to admit I had no idea he was commentating Tyson/Jones. I would've ordered it if I had known that. But yeah, there's definitely a whole wide world outside of WWE. I can see him ending up in AEW down the road, if that's what he wants. But he may not, since he's a professional sports broadcaster too, which is a role that gives him more credibility and presumably less BS and less mental health triggers to deal with. It sometimes feels WWE is run like a frat house instead of a professional organization.

The greatest commentator of this or any generation, Mauro Ranallo, addresses his exit from WWE. https://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezone/news/1213230-mauro-ranallo-wwe-became-too-much-for-me-calls-nxt-his-vision

Exactly how I felt. They all would've benefited by having 5 minutes or sometimes as much as 10 minutes shaved off the running time.

Even by that metric, he'd be a good counter-punch to PAC if AEW ever completely loses its marbles and gives that guy its World Title. I used to love Gargano, but like Ciampa, he's stale as hell now in the NXT setting and would benefit enormously from a change of scenery - even if he inevitably isn't used as well.

Well, we both know Raw and Smackdown would be pipe dreams for Dunne to be built around, but it could be done. He'd be a great NXT Champion, and I'd be surprised if at least that isn't in his future. He's still very young and is only going to continue to improve and refine his game. People are going to wander into this thread tomorrow and be outraged by our "hot takes" on Thatcher and Dunne, respectively, but I think people are used to me having opinions outside the "norm."

As much as I hate extra shit in a match that doesn't need it, individualized tables with the UE members' names on it is a hilarious touch.

Dunne can work with a wide variety of opponents and adapt to different styles. Thatcher is only as good as someone who can adapt to his style. Also, Dunne is someone with infinite potential who can actually be built up as a top guy - Thatcher's ceiling is #3 goon in a stable on Smackdown or the champion on 205 Live. Any flaws Dunne may have can be attributed to how young he still is. Remember, he's only in his early 20s. Thatcher has a good decade on him - or at least looks like it, lol. I'm calling 10:10.

Not a fan of Priest's name or gimmick (what there is of it), but he has really impressed me in this match. Looks awesome in the ring and great character work. So, of course, they go with the stalest possible outcome and have Johnny regain the title. Ruff's underdog reign should've continued to legitimatize him. The ghostface gimmick and this goof saying "Austin, it was me all along!" like he's an extra on BTE is the shits.

Unique style that stands out, but he can only work his kind of match. With that said, I agree he'd be good as the #3 guy in a stable. I wonder if he was originally pegged for the McAfee group before the infinitely superior Pete Dunne was able to return. Lumis vs. Grimes (and I'm not exactly a fan of Grimes, who looks like he belongs in the NWA wrestling Thomas Latimer and Royce Isaacs in front of 25 fans) and Ruff vs. Gargano vs. Priest (so far at least) have been far more interesting to me because they have good character work, story, and stakes. Good rasslin' alone will never, ever impress me because that's the bare minimum requirement and something I already expect from anyone in WWE or even NXT (TV). In this case, the jury is out on Thatcher, who is great with someone who can wrestle his style or adapt to it, but completely out of his element in any other scenario.

Fair enough. But the current main roster schedule is more than doable, especially with the future of house shows in doubt, no? Even a temporary call-up during the pandemic would do wonders. He's so stale in NXT. He deserves to work WrestleMania at least once in his career. (I know NXT wrestlers have had matches at Mania - Rhea Ripley last year being the primary example - but it's very rare and sporadic.)

The best thing I can say about that match is that it's now over. Thatcher brings nothing to the table - nothing - and Tomasso Ciampa desperately needs a refresh of some kind (a call-up and change of scenery maybe?).

Now there's blood in a match that doesn't call for it. Hard way? I hope so, because this having blood and the first (and presumably second) WarGames not having it is pretty fuckin' ludicrous.

Thatcher is a very limited worker. Yes, I said it. He's a colossal bore in any match that doesn't cater to his very specific style. Why hire this guy? He barely has star power in NXT, and definitely isn't someone who can be built into anything on the main roster. (But even if he could, good luck getting Vince and Bruce to try.) If he ever gets out of NXT, I see 205 Live as his future.

Thatcher better hope he's never called up. If anyone epitomizes NXT-only, it's him. On Raw, Thatcher would be Terrific Timothy Thatcher, managed by Terry Taylor.

Ciampa cosplaying as Triple H.

Yeah, I can't even keep the teams straight and do not care about anything that's happening or anyone it's happening to. WarGames really works best when at least one of the sides is the hot heel stable of the day.

I'm not feeling this match. The fact that a heel has to wrap a chain around the cage door just to "lock" it tells me that everyone in this company has completely lost sight of what a cage match - and WarGames - is supposed to be. Edit: And why does there need to be a ladder and other plunder? The stipulation is strong enough to stand on its own. But that's modern WWE for you, I guess.

At first I thought it was odd that Shotzi was the team captain instead of Rhea Ripley or literally anyone else on her team, but then I realized, none of them need it. They're all already big stars in NXT (and WWE in some cases). Shotzi is not (yet) in comparison.

Women's WarGames starting things off... I miss Mauro.

WarGames Match: The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly, and Roderick Strong) vs. Team McAfee (Pat McAfee, Pete Dunne, Danny Burch, and Oney Lorcan) WarGames Match: Team Shotzi (Shotzi Blackheart, Ember Moon, Rhea Ripley, and Io Shirai) vs. Team Candice (Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai, Raquel González, and Toni Storm) NXT North American Championship: Leon Ruff (c) vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Damian Priest Strap Match: Dexter Lumis vs. Cameron Grimes "Battle of the Tough Guys": Timothy Thatcher vs. Tommaso Ciampa

Could be a good one... His first good one in a while, according to some of you.

Good riddance.

I think it works better for Dawkins, or at least isn't distracting. With Kassius Ohno, his gear was an eyesore and a distraction. But pointing that out here got people accused of fat-shaming. No, but he is a big, beefy, meat-slapping man, so it's not fat-shaming to suggest that he'd be better served in gear more suited to his look and body-type. There have been similar discussions about Keith Lee since he got demoted to Raw and had his gear changed for no reason.

Well... If Ric Flair or a critical/internet darling like Becky Lynch did this, everyone would be jumping over each other to praise their "dedication to the BIDNESS!" But because it's Lana, and "she can't work, BRRRRRRRRROTHER," everybody mocks her.