Just Dave

I never said the Jacksons work like the Road Warriors. I believe I said they sell like the Road Warriors. A statement I stand by and that their recent work has done nothing to disprove. I don't recall mentioning anyone's bony knees. I've said (and believe) that the lack of dudes who legit look like they could kick someone's ass in a real fight is a detriment to the business of making worked fights look legitimate. I stand by that too. @Niners Fan in CT, I think it's just genius of you to attempt to respond to what I said without reading it. I never admitted I was wrong about why Sasha took time off because a) I haven't thought about it for a single second until today, and b) Now that I am thinking about it, I don't really believe what was put in any WWE documentary anymore than I believe it when WWE produced content asserted that Vince McMahon wasn't trying to kill Starrcade by running Survivor Series. I don't recall you standing in support when Ali asked for his release, or when Jon Moxley vocalized the dysfunction in WWE's creative process. I'd respect your opinion on this so much more if you just said "I'm a huge Sasha stan and none of her unprofessional behavior bothers me." What agenda do you think I have? If I have any agenda on this board, it's the relentless and righteous crusade against flippy, tassel wearing dipshits who love to play wrestler until it's their turn to pretend it hurts. I just don't think Sasha Banks has a leg to stand on when complaining about "bad creative" when she's been in a favored spot for coming up on five years.

In this week's episode of "it's okay to be unprofessional because it's Sasha...." Sasha Banks has been one of the most protected stars on the roster since her call-up. She's been allowed to leave to pursue outside interests and to take time for her mental health. There's nothing wrong with any of that. But at what point is it okay to say "she's unprofessional?" First of all, it's a pretty shitty thing to do to two co-workers who could really use the exposure. And the "didn't feel safe" thing feels like horseshit, especially from Sasha, who's purposefully hurt co-workers in the past. Doudrop and Nikki had a chance to main event Raw tonight, and because of Sasha's hurt feelings, they don't get to. Secondly, what is Naomi thinking? Why would you go along with this? You get a chance to go over in a big match on Raw and turn it down why? Because of a pair of meaningless titles that make you the top team in a teamless division? Vince has made it pretty clear how he sees the women's tag team scene. I'm not sure why those titles exist. It's possible I'm making too much of this. Lord knows I've never made too big a deal out of my personal tastes in wrestling on this board before. But Sasha Banks of all people crying about creative while so many folks with legitimate complaints go to work and execute the shitty creative they're given strikes me as a bit disingenuous. Maybe she should ask her good friend Bayley, who was left off Wrestlemania 37 after carrying the company through the most dire time of the Covid 19 pandemic if she thinks Sasha's creative is "bad." At some point the juice isn't worth the squeeze. It's also worth noting that for all the bluster some folks make about Sasha's crossover appeal, she wasn't invited back for the current season of Mandalorian. The only other person on that list is a white nationalist, so it could be that Sasha's acting career isn't on the same fast track that Roman Reigns' is, despite certain posters insisting that she's some transcendent star. I never want to be the guy who says "shut up and do your job." I'm as anti-WWE from a creative and talent relations standpoint as I can possibly be. There are about three dozen WWE talent on the main roster at minimum who would be completely justified to walk out and go home after being given their creative. Sasha Banks has very little to complain about from a creative standpoint.

Seems to be a pattern developing with the Legit Boss…

I went Dax, mostly because he's a tag guy and is just shining in a singles role, but not voting Mox or Yuta was difficult.

I don't see how MJF is a "can't lose." It would suck to lose him, but AEW does a fantastic job of building people up. They have turned regular guys into stars (Yuta, Garcia, Page, Dante) and could absolutely slot someone into the top heel spot. MJF is great, don't get me wrong, but #1: he'd be a shitty, watered down version of himself in WWE and #2: he'd have to wrestle so much he'd start to lose his luster. I just don't see this as some huge deal for TK.

My man Bill Regal paying Jericho back for pissing in his Earl Grey some 24 years after the fact is long term storytelling…

Dax carried Adam Cole to a classic. That was awesome. Too bad Cole’s gonna shit up the whole tourney with his general shittiness. Dug Punk/Silver. I’m not sure I’ve ever wanted anything more than I want Page to retain. Im not usually a fan of long MJF promos, but every single second of that ruled ass. Wardlow is going to murder him. I hope Wardog no sells the whipping. Just stands there and takes it. Storm/Hayter felt a bit hollow. They have a better one in them. Ricky Starks & Jungle Boy could be the two biggest stars in this company within a year. I’ll say it again; imagine having these two guys on the payroll and still thinking Adam Cole needs to be on every week. Get these two on tv. Allin/Hardy wasn’t my cup of tea. I was never a Hardy guy and Darby is the least compelling of the “four pillars” to me. Oh yeah; Mox and King together is always awesome. I just hope after they stomp JAS into the dirt they get to go back and right that egregious wrong against the Jacksons….

Things I learned this week; The UK uses Freedom Fractions to measure pizza. I ran a complex operation compared to most of y'all as it pertains to action figure feds. I had standard 3.5 in GI Joes, but I also got the Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat figs in the same scale. Yeah, we ran an invasion angle, until Ken, Ryu, Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, Sonya and Chun Li defected and joined my top babyfaces (Snake Eyes, Duke, Lady Jaye, Scarlett, Roadblock) against the invading mercenaries hired by Cobra. Destro was the World Champ, but he used Cobra underlings to protect his title run. Ken and Liu Kang were the "odd couple" tag team champs after Ryu got taken out by Cobra Commander and the Cobra twins who's names escape me. IRL, his rubber band snapped and I had to find my dad's glasses repair kit to give him new life. He got the returning babyface pop and was the first good guy to accept Goro's open challenge. We had a big blowoff ppv. The final event had Baroness vs. Chun Li, Ken & Lu against Scorpion & Sub Zero, Blanka (who switched sides after Shang Tsung insulted him for accidentally costing Goro the Ring of Immortality against Col. Guile.) against Tsung in a "Realm Rules" street fight, Destro vs. Ryu for the World Title, Sonya vs. Cami vs. Cover Girl for the Women's title, some other stuff, a battle royal won by Snake Eyes (he was my Crow Sting. Hung out in the rafters, which were the top shelf of my bookcase, and intervened on behalf of babyfaces when necessary.), and the blowoff: Duke, Johnny Cage, Flint, Roadblock and Guile vs. Bison, Goro, Cobra Commander, Storm Shadow and Zangief. I had a lot of action figures. I mowed a lot of lawns. Don't judge me.

Wrong thread.

That movie ruled.

I guess I should just give my show thoughts instead of clogging the thread up: BCC is so perfect. I'd love to see them add another member or two, but if they don't, it's still the best thing on AEW tv right now. My only question is what's the endgame? HOB is treading water. They all look like massive stars. They can all work their asses off. Get them something real to do. My fear is they're gonna drop the fall to Death Triangle and then what? You're wasting Andrade. You can't waste Malakai Black, too. Hardy/Fish wasn't my cup of tea. I don't understand why we're still pretending the Hardy's are a big deal in 2022, and my thoughts on the Super Elite self-aggrandizing nonsense are well established. I thought that Joe promo about bravery was absolutely fire. I liked the Baddies segment, too. Jade Cargill is one of the biggest stars in the business right now. If they're smart they back the Brinks truck up. Same for Wardlow. Reminder that WWE had both these folks (Cargill and Wardlow) at the PC and let both get away. The payoff of Wardlow murdering MJF is going to be glorious. Felt good for Morrissey, as dude has clearly worked hard to clean his life up. I just wonder why Enzo, who has appeared to do the same thing, isn't getting the same benefit of the doubt? They could be big stars for AEW, because their "promo first" presentation is clearly lacking. AEW has twenty Gargano's. They have so many that adding the actual Gargano does nothing for you. Adding some promo guys give you a dynamic you're in short supply of. I hope TK doesn't make the mistake of taking the title off of Hangman Page. There are so many more interesting things for AEW to do with Page as champ than Punk. Didn't love the JAS stuff. Kingston and P&P are starting to look like geeks. They need reinforcements. Dante/Fenix; YES PLEASE. I'll watch those two run it back as many times as they want. That was the absolute good shit. Add me to the "put the tag belts on Hobbs & Starks" camp. It makes for a cleaner transition to FTR, elevates Starks, and clears up Jungle Boy to chase whoever takes the TNT Title off Scorpio Sky. If I were TK, one of my top priorities of the next 12 months would be getting Jungle Boy elevated to "World Champion" level. He's a prodigious worker and has become a better than average promo. His real-life story and good looks would play well for tv appearances and whatnot, too. He and Malakai Black or Miro or Adam Cole or Andrade for the AEW World Title would be my long-term goal for the end of 2023. Get Jungle Boy into the main event with an over, top level heel and get the title on him. That's his trajectory. I liked the main event. I hadn't seen much Purrazzo, but she carries like a star and is probably too good for Impact wrestling. I've always enjoyed Mercedes Martinez. I hope when ROH gets a tv situation she's able to be used more.

I don't disagree, but at least Rosa is ESL. There's an authenticity with her I think. She didn't grow up speaking English, so her english is gonna be rough.

Joe Hennig. Barry Windham’s got a couple of nephews with a lot of time on their hands. David Ben- never mind.

I feel like he’s regressed a lot. I saw him on some indies 4-5 years ago and he was really good, even cut some better than adequate promos. Even in the early days w Garrison, they had a 123 Kid/Bob Holly feel where I could’ve seen them getting a flash tag title win on a ppv only to lose them at the next tv taping. They’ve just gotten so complacent. A Ring of Honor run where they could be a higher priority would do them so much good…

I said last week that I thought Serena needs a manager. That is even truer to me after last night. Lady just cannot talk. If Tully is still making it to tv, use him.

Man, a world where Podcast Mike costs Jade Cargill the TBS Title, so she fires him and hires Stokely Hathaway to lead her to the AEW Women's Title is one I want to live in. "I used to Mine Diamonds, now I'm all about the Benjamins." Jade is so special. Adding a commodity like Stokely to her act would be a masterstroke. Sorry, just random Sunday afternoon thoughts while I get ready for work...

Lowest quarter rating belonged to the UE guys & the Jacksons. Hmmmm…

Give Stoke Lee Moriarty and Jade. Maybe Private Party.

Jeez. They were "All In" on Harland...

SRS said "nXt releases coming today." It sounds like several but if it's more than one his tweet is correct.

That sucks for Dakota Kai, though I suspect she'd hit a wall in terms of how WWE saw her. Athena, Tegan and Dakota would all help AEW very much. ROH is gonna need a women's division, too.

I remember thinking that when I first read the book. On what world would sawing those zombies in half with bullets not be effective?

I've really enjoyed the first 3 episodes of "The Offer" on Paramount+. At last count, I've spotted 5 "Band of Brothers" alumni, so that also rules.

To answer your question, Cassie & Jessie. FKA the Iiconics.

If the FTR doing homages in their match really gets to be a thing, I 100% support them coming out and saying "we choreographed it ahead of time. We're the most decorated tag team on the planet and not about to risk injury any more than we have to. We flipped a coin to decide who won ahead of time." Kayfabe within kayfabe.