thee Reverend Axl Future

Test Of Strength!

You are correct, but it really was apparent with everyone putting over TripleHHH this year.

I noticed that Mr. McMahon was not mentioned, but that HHH was being profusely thanked as The Man. Michaels even said that he'll "get in touble for this" before telling his VKM story. Orders from Junior re. transition of (perceived) leadership, or just modesty? Savage should have been last but Hogan introing him was a shonda and Lanny's induction versifying was agonizing. Leave it to Bruno (bless him) to keep it kay fabe and dry as a bone. Zybysko's old man meanderings were, in turn, stupefying, amusing, endearing, heartfelt and then magical. I knew that the SHEEPHERDERS were going to rule. Johnny Ace was great. VKM doesn't own the footage of the wooden barbed wire cage match vs. The Fantastics? I love the HoF, RAF

Ppsssstt, Mr. McMahon- Even Sable is unimpressed with your go-home spot, and it totally deflated Brock. - sorry, RAF

I just want Nash to come out in a cloud of smoke wearing a green high-collar cape and Don Post old man mask. Shawn can be dressed as a flying monkey for the intro speech. - RAF

That's a 2002 mullet. All hail the New Breed for their successful mission to prevent the presidency of Dusty Rhodes. computer cast, RAF

Thanks, Mr. R, I will try that. I too use the Chrome w/AdBlock. - RAF

Anyone having the trouble I am embedding YouTube videos? Tried it plain and with the brackets, but no go. My browser may be wonky. - RAF

Stoopid YouTubes... sorry, RAF

Talking is about yourself in the third person is a privilege, not a right. Rasslers get to do it, this man does, and possibly few others in my opinion. - RAF

The saliva drinker is "Dirty" Buxx Belmar, a French Canuck and my new fave rave of the indies. The fellow is more than just a gross-out spot guy, and could probably do any gimmick given to him. He's pretty slick in the ring as well, tells a good story and has nice timing. I have been to at least two cards where he was the most memorable, as well as maybe the most impressive, worker there. - RAF

Prowrestlingtees.com has them. No glasses though, I checked Thanks, brudda.

Oh Sweet Baby Jeebus, if I had those shades I would wear them everywhere. - RAF

That Funk/Lawler empty arena match is ultra-brilliant. So many amazing little touches to take it over the top, not the least of it being Lance Russel's work. The match vs. KVE should be mandatory viewing on how to get your opponent over despite him sabotaging the whole match. All the Lawler/Hennig matches had great heat. The King really was an example of someone who had learned his craft well and understood the crowd. Watch any of his matches with a worker and they can point out all the things JL does that add to the match/angle/heat/story/psychology. Anyway, I had heard that WWE was seeking out the scattered Mempho master tapes and was even giving out C&Ds on YouTubes. Maybe this will be the debut. And there's gotta be some Bret stuff in there - his last great heel run!And thee Austin Idol cage hair match, ooohhh... Cheesy, Queezy and Sleazy, RAF p.s. - please Vishnu, let there be some of those music and intro videos on there too, thank you.

That was an amazing, must-read essay. - RAF

OMGlob, the pics of Jericho (Popov vodka!), Dusty (satin jacket w/no shirt is strong style, bwah) and Harley (raw-boned folksinger) are so tremendous and made my day. thank you all, RAF

The Fargo book is... quite interesting. Definitely a good read, but it's far more revealing of himself and his unique place in the business than of 'rassling as a whole. Please let us know what you think. Still, it's a good snapshot of the old territory days (which I love to read about). - RAF p.s. - I gotta shill again for thee Exotic Adrian Street autobio series: half price, autographed, on eBay!

Gotcha, thanks. Not the best choice for the champ but it could all work out. I agree with your proposed scenario. Far better to give him a Title Chase, something to overcome (a quest, perhaps?). Just don't make him get out-witted or -maneuvered at every turn, OK? And keep Cena busy, too. Bryan can take care of himself, if he must. - RAF

When thee Runnels Clan was having their post-match face off, I shrieked at the TV, "Ia Ia Azathoth - please, oh Great Cosmic Entity of Chaos, please let Dusty bump and blade one last time! Hear my plea, Great Old One!". Even the most hopeless of prayers are sometimes answered, but, alas, it was not to be. Call me a vampire but that would have been great. For the kids! I also liked the ease with which the Wyatt/Undertaker match was set up: tease, disappointment, heat, challenge, and then have the announcers point out how dangerous that was for Bray. Now he just has to add some depth and justification with some promos, have UT respond with some special effects (do the lightning bolt gimmick, please) and make a couple appearances, no contact, and it's WrestleMania. Conversely, I have no interest in Sting/HHH and the strained reasoning for that matchup. HHH was never my Face Of The WWE, nor was Sting the face of his companies. The initial concept of the match is intriguing (but decades too late), but the buildup and in-ring will be torturous. - RAF

Actually there are several reasons to think he can't have a John Cena like run. Let's start with the fact that no one besides maybe a few hundred women at each show even care about him. Then there's the fact he's no where near Cena's level of charisma, and is no where near Cena on the mic. Maybe one day he'll be a great big match worker, but as of now he's no where near Cena in that regard either. This is the most forced and unnatural push to being "the guy" that I've ever seen. OSJ, I do not get your allusion. McMahon hot-shotted SBG to the title, to be sure, but Graham was certainly over from his previous WWWF run and perceived as a viable threat. He fulfilled his duties as a transitional champ (while being arguably the first major cool heel antihero to be cheered against the faces), was awesome on the mic and had charisma out the yinyang. He was no great shakes as a ring technician and wasn't going to get better by that point, but got the psycholgy and could tell a story and sell a match (and tickets). He still is the longest reigning heel champ in the W/WWF/E and I have heard telling debates about whether Senior should have let him run with the belt. It took longer to get Backlund over with the East Coast fans. So, nu? thanks for letting the old folks talk, kiddies - now go back to your playing, RAF

Don't blame the messengers/Credit where credit is due: thank you, Mr.Mr. Wrestlemania. - RAF

Let's not forget the elaborately woven and buttressed hair to cover the bald, including the announcers and camera angles blatantly avoiding mentioning the peeks of scalp when it would collapse due to bumping. That's quite the accessory to any man's outfit. - upper story, RAF

I wish that "Upper Class Twit with a Mighty Cauliflower Ear" could be the title of my autobiography. - RAF

What exactly was the Nasty Boys gimmick? - RAF