For Great Justice

It’s really hard for me to pinpoint a singular big bang moment. I remember plenty of acute moments in time from my childhood: the first RAW (the idea of a live-live wrestling show blew my mind), the end of Rumble 94, Abby getting fried in the Chamber of Horrors, the Masked Scorpion, Lex coming out of the carriage to attack Sting), but I can’t remember a single entry point. It had to be sometime in 89 or 90. I do remember our neighborhood backyard fed circa 1991. My older brother was Warrior and our neighbors were Hogan and Flair, so I was “stuck” being Macho Man. Looking back I totally won that deal.

I love both but I agree I’m concerned about Hart/Statlander. Pulling off “bigger face vs smaller heel” is a tough job even for 10+ year veterans. Christian is just so good. He’s not 2003 Rock levels of “he’s honestly too good for this”, but I get those kinds of vibes. He’s right there with Starks and Swerve as the guy who should beat the guy who beats MJF

You’re right, that’s wild. We need a “biggest heat magnet trained by the worst heat magnet” thread and I don’t think we’re topping this one unlike, like, Charlie Haas trained MJF or something Dom rules. Him 100% being more Eddie’s kid than Rey’s is some serious long term continuity and it’s great.

Barry Windham Terry Funk Paul Heyman

Surprised not to see Gable Steveson, though I guess there could be a PR element to that one

While I don’t want to see Jericho as a face, I presume we are going to get a Jericho/Omega tag team out of this for at least a while and I think that has potential.

Rucker Park

Conrad mentions the sleaze thread in passing on today’s Jarrett pod and Jeff chuckles in a way that you know that he knows exactly what that is.

Big thanks to Deion Sanders for a very fun Smackdown

I’m not gonna bump the themes thread but I know I’m not the only one hittin the Nana and swervin while I drive doing chores around the house these days

Growing up in a combination of WCCW / Mid South country (East Texas / Shreveport), to this day Adnan is one of those territory guys that is way more famous with casual fans than his actual role on the show entailed. I think every territory has guys like that. When I mention wrestling to the ~50-60 year old crowd he’s one of the first names mentioned. Along with JYD (obviously), Kamala and Dr Death. Sort of like how the older-than-that crowd (let’s call it 70-80) names Haystacks Calhoun.

Say what you want about the tenets of straight edge, dude, but at least it’s an ethos

Yoooo, a shot where the shoe comes flying in, only to see an arm reach out and grab/stop it mid-air, pause, and pan over to [debuting/returning babyface challenger] is some good shit

I know Ted DiBiase was born in Omaha, but I associate him with Mississippi and he played an outstanding Gordon Gekko

Newfound perspective hearing Kevin Sullivan talk about the Dungeon of Doom. His point: the hires were forced on him, so what did you want him to do? Sprinkle the shit all over the show, or use them all in one segment? I….yeah I can’t argue that one. Although now I’m wondering about an alternative history that had heel Hacksaw Jim Duggan in the Dungeon. And it kind of rules to be honest.

Since Mox is on kind of his own chaotic neutral plane, Samoa Joe, Christian, Swerve and Ricky Starks are the top heels in the company. That’s like 4 of my top 5 dudes. It’s awesome.

Nick Wayne definitely looks like a guy that drives a lowered S-10 sitting on 20’s with a pair of Rockford Fosgate 6x9’s in a custom box in the back

See, now we need a feud where the heel very factually tells Eddie that he’s from Westchester There is no bigger insult, and I would fear for that gentleman’s life

All In + All Out is the best possible pro wrestling double album. This was AEW’s Use Your Illusion 1 and 2. The glitz, glamour, celebrity and scale of All In. Then the grittiness, raw attitude of All Out. It’s a beautiful, artful thing. I’d get the Blu Ray set immediately if available.

If Tony REALLY wants to troll he should give out Hangman ice cream bars tomorrow I’d do it

I love it. It’s pro wrestling and “personal issues draw money”. Roll around in the mud, fam. Let’s get Tony Khan coming out to Iron Man, Hangman Page kicking off the show “for all the boys in the back” and blood baths that miss by 6 feet

I do feel bad for Starkman. Hopefully they find a path to putting him over mega-strong coming out of the PPV.

So CM Punk is basically Teddy Hart with “being a massive asshole” replacing “cats and drugs”

I’m proud of you, Tony “This is Phil Brooks talking to Cody Runnels” - can’t wait

Swerve is my guy to beat OC. Love the idea of doing it on Dynamite after he’s left for dead at the PPV