SpoonMan Abrams X

https://www.tmz.com/2022/03/14/wwe-legend-scott-hall-dead-63/ R. I. P. Scott Hall EDIT: A great tribute video

AEW Revolution tomorrow. I don't think I am as hyped for it as I have last couple AEW shows, but it should still be really good. Tony Khan supposedly still has another big ol' announcement of some sort, imagine it's some sort of streaming deal, which was the popular theory before the RoH announcement. AEW on HBO Max, anyone?

Big ol' news announcement, Tony Khan has bought Ring of Honor

Not worth wasting any more my or your time trying to even fathom debating any of this. Clearly you're going to just keep doubling down on your bad takes. I would say it's fine, but it's not really lol. Nothing is stopping you or anyone from enjoying what you want to enjoy with pro wrestling. In fact you would probably enjoy it a lot more if you didn't worry so much about what other people are enjoy & just focused on what you may like. Not espousing about how garbage it is now because there is more then just "men being men" schtick, but again I already know that you won't lol. Regardless not going to waste any more time & genuinely hope you are doing well. It was something else. He's been in matches since then so seems he really dodged a bullet. Man is damn lucky. Also a good theory, and might almost be better then what they actually have planned, which is Sami Zayne vs Johnny Knoxville lol. Also apparently VINCE GODDAMN 70+ YEAR OLD MCMAHON is having a match at Wrestlemania lmao

In other news, Blood/Oil Money Saudi "Elimination Chamber" has come and gone. It was, from a purely in ring and performance perspective, okay. Thoughts on the show; Moving out of spoilers here, but holy hell I'm glad that Moss is ok. That was a scary as hell botch. I don't think it was Drew's fault, or Moss' own fault, just a combination of things and some over compensating? You can be the judge. Be forewarned this is a bit of a rough watch, though ultimately it seems Moss is doing fine. Seriously, Viewer Discretion is advised. https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2022/2/19/22942576/madcap-moss-slam-drew-mcintyre-wwe-elimination-chamber-2022 for updates that he is doing fine. Again, just holy hell. Props indeed to him for continuing regardless. Also props to Corbin's taking action to give him time to recover.

Was gonna say, I'm pretty sure we are the IWC/Smart Fans, just by virtue of posting in threads like this lol. Though I think saying "smart fans/IWC sucks" is like saying "Nintendo/Star Wars/[Insert Thing] Fans suck", it has a lot more to do with individuals and smaller subs then the communities as a whole, but I digress. I'll get to the elaborated point in a bit, but I think overall and from both sides (fans and those actually involved in the business) it overall is an improvement that we're "informed" more of what goes on in the business, regardless of the negative. That's even with the real fans attacking the performers (Actual mobs & riots, Piper getting stabbed, etc.) as well as the masquerading and adherence to it (David Schultz being a prime example of this). It reminds me of, and is related, to Undertaker's interview a year or two ago, when he compared the locker rooms from back when to today. That's a wholesale positive in my opinion, irregardless of Taker's alleged opinions, if for no other reason they are healthier, happier, and the bad shit doesn't get covered up like it used to. Also I ask you, who else would want to get involved beyond those who are in the know? It's expanded the diversity & quality of the product in all respects. I can't fathom any business or job anyone would want to get involved in, especially Pro Wrestling, if someone wasn't allowed to know what was going on, and completely forbidden from talking about it. But that may just be me. I agree with this 110%. Nothing I can really add beyond this, besides maybe preferring other generations of Pro Wrestling. Any refusal to enjoy at least some aspects of the product or trying to just say anything is objectively worse then another is, imho, the wrong way to be. Again, I do think overall the positives of being informed brings to the product and it's performers far outweigh the negatives, but I can get where you are coming from. My point from before stands, it's much more individual cases & smaller groups within that do more then just the "smart fans" in general, much more then I think you may be giving credit for it. I think the existence of a thriving independent scene is entirely indicative of this. It isn't just limited to Carny-esque grifters & con artists anymore. People can and are succeeding in making it a legitimate business venture, and I disagree with any observation other then it being a great thing. As for "taking it seriously" that's entirely on the individual, nothing to do with "smart marks" or any amount of being informed. That's just shitty people being shitty. People that need to not take themselves or their opinions so seriously, thought that can be said of many more things but it still stands lol

There's been a lot of hubbub in the last 24~ish hours since then. It seems like while "reports" of him falling out with the rest of the Elite was overblown, it seems like was potentially due to fallout with Tony Khan. He had a 1 year option to extend his contract (like the rest of the EVPs plus other Year 1 signings) which was not picked up by Tony, unlike the rest. So his departure may not be all that willing on his part, but rather Tony's refusal to continue employing him. Also supposedly Brandi was not popular backstage, but that's dirtsheet speculation and I don't entirely buy it. All that said I don't think the "Codyverse/Codyzone/Cody Island" or w/e you want to call it was entirely him not wanting to do Elite stuff (I recall him making mentions of it a few times in promos, notably his feud with Brodie Lee). I think it probably had more to do with him dipping in and out so much with all his other outside endeavors, charity work as well as The Go Big Show and Rhodes to the Top (the latter even being renewed for a second season not long ago). I just don't think they were willing to necessary put him into other top programs going on, in case he had to be pulled out randomly. Would've been interesting to see him in the Omega/Elite & Hangman feud, but I'm fine with having not been there. That all said I won't discount that it isn't a work, but I also won't believe he is going back to WWE until he shows up on RAW or something. Especially with after how they treated him, Dustin and their name & dad's legacy... though also never say never in pro wrestling. I consider the term "return match" with as big of quotes as you can imagine lol. It'll be, I imagine, somewhere in the realm of Bret Hart's "return" in 2010. At the very least he seems in considerably better shape & health then Bret, and Sting (at 62 years, mind you) is still going pretty good all things considered. The only concern would be his lack of ring rust, but it his style at the end of his career also wasn't the most intensive either. Seems like they're going forward with it after KO's promo on RAW. I suppose we'll wait and see. It feels more likely to happen then Cody returning to WWE at this point, for me at least lol

So, uh, Anyone miss the news? The IWC losing their minds today lol I'm not sold anything has actually happened until he shows back up on WWE programming. This besides news of a widely reported potential Stone Cold return match at Wrestlemania versus Kevin Owens What do you all think?

Heck yea Also can't help but have appreciation for Tony Khan's hustle here, though I thought his hyping was fine. "The Forbidden Door" is bit overrated at this point lol

Well that was certainly a Royal Rumble The non-Rumble matches were all better matches.

Royal Rumble this Saturday. Feels like there are a few directions they could go with this. That said I hope they don't just stick Brock Lesnar in the match after Reigns costs him the WWE Title or some shenanigans. It would exactly be the thing WWE does lol Also, the best thing has happened lol Great to see the reaction, too. So many people voicing their support, and I agree; no one more deserving of getting their big break. Also the lulz already

WWE has since dropped the application to trademark, and WALTER is simply known as GUNTHER as per the WWE website

It's only a matter of time, imho. Especially with all the excess ActiBlizzard has, I'm fully expecting a not insubstantial amount of studio closures as they consolidate. It's just too damn big. I'm surprised it isn't EA. Though it makes a lot of sense. TenCent has their hands in a lot of pies lol Also if anyone is curious about Bobby Kotick's future; TL;DR He will reside as CEO until the buyout is finalized, then he will get a phat quarter billion ($250 million) pay out. Because of course.

Holy crap WWE https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/01/wwe-receiving-criticism-for-apparent-walter-name-change/ https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-walter-reveals-new-controversial-name-nxt-2-0 https://wrestlingheadlines.com/keith-lee-and-lance-storm-react-to-apparent-wwe-name-change-for-walter/ TL:DR This after Vince & co. essentially dismissed all of Triple H's team from NXT and have been stripping down the roster fairly regularly. Just, holy cow

Came to see if this had been posted about here. Glad I wasn't disappointed lol This is an interesting development. Maybe not the worst thing to happen, especially considering the hot water ActiBlizzard has been in for the last number of months with ongoing Allegations/Investigations/Lawsuits. The timing of it is certainly interesting. M$ posting about it https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2022/01/18/welcoming-activision-blizzard-to-microsoft-gaming/ I'm almost sure Activision is a resounding yes. They have more then a few skeletons in their closet (I don't remember specifics off the top of my head, and not the level of EA but all major studios have this to some degree) I'm sure regardless there will be some exciting announcements in the near-ish future regarding a few old revivals though Sure, it looks good now, but M$ track record, mostly outside the gaming sphere but within it too, is not great in those regard when acquiring other companies & assets "Embrace, Extend, Extinguish"