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I have some uncomfortable things to tell you about Catholicism.

Very happy for Eddie Kingston.

In one corner, you've got a nepotism hire boring me to tears night after night for years, and in the other is Greg Gagne

Nothing could have prepared me for what’s in that spoiler tag

When I first moved to Lousiville in '05, Mordecai and some other OVW guys (the Tolans and Daniel Pruder) lived in my apartment complex. In fact, we signed our lease with his then-fiance. One summer, a few days after 4th of July, some jackass was lighting off fireworks way too late in the evening. Mordecai's (sorry, can't recall his real name) fiance/wife/whatever went out to tell them to knock it off. I'm seeing this from my balcony on the second floor. The fireworks guy is drunk and starts giving her a hard time. Then Mordecai comes around the corner. Now, he wasn't a huge guy for a wrestler, but he's normal-people huge. The drunk guy shut up really quick and gathered up his fireworks and left.

After the chants he got at Royal Rampage, I have a pitch for a Daddy Magic face turn but the endgame is Menard/Wight vs Parker/Comoroto at the All In pre-show, so I doubt anyone is on board.

If I got current Jack Perry vs. 2003 Chris-Hero-Has-Been-Lending-Me-His-World-of-Sport-and-BATTLArts-tapes Ian Rotten I would throw money at it guilt-free. Doubly so if it was in front of 20 people in Tweaksville, IN and the staph stain on the canvas visibly grows from a Pollock to a Rothko during the match.

If Jack Perry wants some heat (and a good reaction from Taz), he should promise to defend his belt against a former ECW champion and it's Matt Hardy.

When Mordecai wrestled, you definitely heard a lot of silence.

The opener took a little while to get cooking, but once they did, it was killer. OC is on an all-time run, and I'm really excited to see what Fox can do with The Embassy - like a lot of us, agree this wasn't an all-timer episode, but one thing I thought was awesome was the way they wove the Darby/Swerve issue, the opener, the BCC promo, and the main together. Perhaps it's fresh in my brain from the JERRY FN LYNN promo, but it felt a little ECW

Random thought: People who hate Toru Yano are a blight on humanity.

That spot where Darby did a roll over the ring steps, and Swerve ran up it and hit Darby with a kick... *chefs kiss* Perfect spot of that style. And darby, please.. I want you to still be wrestling in 2025.. aw forget it, that superplex/brainbuster on the apron? OW.

Oh man, a dream match we all wanted to see is currently penciled in for All In

Speaking as a babyface play-by-play announcer, I would say that you're not really pulling for individual wrestlers, but you're basically being an advocate for the promotion and its rules.

Britt Baker needs a vacation. Just to go freshen herself up, take time off, I dunno. She has been consistently awful lately, and this match against Taya might have been the biggest example of that. Six months off to go rest up and refresh herself would do her a world of good before the backlash against her turns into a tidal wave (if that hasn't already started).

Damn, Britt vs Taya failed to live up to my very low expectations. I think that might have been the worst match in Dynamite history. Slow and awkward. I legit hope they are both OK because they did NOT look OK in there. Remainded me of Ibushi in B and G. Swerve vs Darby and Anger/Regret Fox vs Orange were both really fun, with innovative spots and interrelated storytelling. Ishii vs Kingston was GREAT. Everything I wanted it to be. Two guys I love to watch just going 100%. Reminded me in many ways of Bryan vs MiSu, and I have no higher praise to give. Cobb vs Zack and (surprisingly, to me) Finlay vs Tonga were also really good. Still enjoying the hell out of Fight Forever. Possibly sinking too much time into it. Made Shinsuke, Okada, and Cobb CAWS. None of them are note perfect, but they are all fun to play with. Nice random-ass Rampage coming up in two days. I am stoked for Shida vs Nyla! Enjoyed Hook's "training" video. Chuck should team with Allin. The Kentucky Darby.

TK: "So Bret, we want to do a program with MJF and Miro, any suggestions?" Bret: "MJF should come out and call him a big stupid dummy and then Miro should respond saying he's heard MJF isn't exactly a jam up kind of guy and go from there" TK: "oh, ok then, I guess we can make that work. We're thinking of putting the belts back on the Bucks, how do see that working out?" Bret: "I don't like it at all, to tell you the truth I don't think truckers and lumberjacks who come home from a hard day's work want to see these scrawny little guys do the same moves in the same order, every single match, looks fake y'know, but could also hurt someone, and I know I never hurt anyone I stepped in the ring with.." TK: "Bret, why are you trying to apply a Russian legsweep on me?" Bret: "Sorry, force of habit." TK: "what about the Lucha Bros instead?" Bret: "they could wrestle each other and their twelve other Lucha brothers could be all conflicted about whose side they're on." TK: "I don't think they've got twelve other brothers" Bret: "Use some of mine then. You have Hypnosis and Serpentico side with Rey Fenix, you could call them the high flyers of the highest magnitude on the bill, and on the other side Penta sides with the lousy Bruce and Smith Hart."

That was Chuck; he’s had that for a while now. The springboard seated Spanish Fly thing? That’s “Lo Mein Pain.” Pretty sure she’s had an ongoing back problem. She really should just take time off and get whatever care she needs. That match was rough. Makes sense Fox turned to join Swerve. They fought together in Afghanistan. I read a lot of the roster was on vacation with this being one of the last opportunities to do so before AEW gets really busy again. Jericho’s stuff, for example, was taped last week. MJF ripping Dax’s corny promos was wonderful.

They just had sabu out there. I’m sure if Jerry Lynn gestured to the back and rvd came out it would get a monster pop.

Midway through.. Fox vs Cassidy was smooth and full of some great counters. I wouldn't want to see that specific pairing every week but as a one time thing I enjoyed it a lot. Great emotion out of Fox post match as you could just see him seething. The Perry stuff worked ok and the fans went up for the ECW ideal but I'm not sure what the payoff is here. I loved Perry coming out in orange and black. He really needs the 90210 theme yesterday. Britt's promo was kind of painful but it was interesting that she noted that TBS was named for her when that was Jade's thing. That would be a good "cold" All In match that would feel big. MJF killed Dax dead. He should wrestle with a big chip on his shoulder on Saturday. I'm curious where the Roddy stuff is going. FOR INSTANCE, you could do a deal where Roddy helps Cole beat MJF against Cole's wishes and then where does the story go from there? That sort of drama might actually draw... I liked a lot of the specific moments of Gravity vs PAC. Gravity's slow walking thing cracks me up for some reason. Transitions were kind of weak in the match though. They went to commercial with Gravity in charge and then PAC just rushed in and got a shot in and took over so he could control during the break. Really needed one more go around at the end where Gravity got a nearfall or something. It's just the expectation of the house style. When that's not there, a match seems lesser. That's ok if you really want to put over a guy or a story (like House of Black beating Acclaimed/Gunn without that last rotation to show Gunn as weak).

Surprised by the AR Fox turn but loved the whole storytelling there of Darby being the one to set up the AR/Orange match and then coming out after to confront AR about what he did, leading in to later AR officially turning on Darby. Darby/Swerve was awesome. I hope the BCC always stick together like this. Orange seemingly heading towards Moxley next, love Mox but would hate to see that be the end of Orange's reign. Pac/Gravity was fun with the Pac reminding Gravity who he is spots. Bring on Jack Perry vs ECW! Was excited by what sounded like a match for Lynn but then advertised as a face to face made me hope at least someone different from ECW will show up to get involved. MJF and Cole remains my favorite story in wrestling at the moment. "Listen to me, you default CAW!" had me dying that was absolutely hilarious. MJF's Dax impression with the hand to the forehead was funny too. Really wish they wouldn't do an obvious turn on either side and actually run the MJF/Cole rematch that MJF promised him as a face vs face match and just keep this as it is, it's too good.

Our local theater went Full Monty and is actually doing the double feature of Barbie and Oppenheimer -- and they put "Barbenheimer" on the billboard outside. Yep.

I really don't want ECW retreads in AEW. I hope it's a more modern deathmatch guy, or a protege. Colby Corino perhaps?

Starlight kid gets her own 16D figure https://www.goodsmile.info/en/product/14723/16d+Collection+031+STARDOM+Starlight+Kid.html

Bring Rockin Rebel in, the fans can turn their backs on the match as a silent protest, but then shake his hand afterwards to prove it's not personal.

Looking through Cagematch on a whim and I saw that Pitbull Gary Wolf has had a couple of matches in 2023 as well. I wouldn't mind seeing RVD, Tajiri, Super Crazy or Little Guido accepting the challenge. Someone mentioned Masato Tanaka -- he appears to be coming to the U.S. on a tour in October (including a show with DEFY) -- I'd be open to him fighting Moxley.

I still say the answer is MJF/Cole vs Omega/Page with MJF vs Cole at All Out.

Vacation? Vince would be rolling in his grave if he heard about wrestlers taking vacations.

He looks old as shit but he's still out there doing the Hamrick bump. E:

The 90210 theme would obviously be hilarious, but how on earth can you not love Beethoven's 5th!?! I want to be with you on Gravity's slow walk, but it's dying an unruly death out there. Kinda surprising how many ppl were expecting something special from Gravity v Pac? Not to say Pac can't carry a guy, but for all of 5 of us watching ROH weekly it's clear GRAV is green as grass. He's clearly athletically gifted, but has a ways to go. Mr Aguila? What does Chris Hamrick look like in 2023. He may have just slipped passed Van Dam and Tajiri into my number 1 hopeful. But surely, there's room for a short RVD run. Hope that potential legends deal doesn't get in the way. Wha? BCC's recent run includes a pretty excellent B&G bout, fun 6 and 8 mans vs the Hung Bucks, Chaos, Bandido/Lucha Bros, Bandido/Besties, and one of the best Forbidden Door matches v Elite/Kingston/Ishii. This run also includes Mox v Ishii and Claudio v Pac. Wait, what run are we talking because before that they had an Anarchy in the Arena match with the Elite that was pretty fucking rad - mind you, on mute due to that beyond shitty blackface led band for the first however many minutes). And that's before even mentioning the fucking awesome promos week to week. Especially high marks for Danielson's 'we are professionals' after returning to the fold and brutally spiking Hangman in the eye with a screwdriver. All that to say, strong disagree.

As someone said on Twiiter, it's like if someone from the AWA had come out to confront Randy Orton in 2007.

An incomplete list of other ECW folks who have wrestled in the last year or so: Pablo Marquez Rodney Mack Nova Blue Meanie Little Guido Cham Pain DeVito Danny Doring Chris Hamrick HC Loc Mr Aguila Way more than I would have thought were still at least semi-active.

There's no way that TK brings in RVD and doesn't pay for Walk unless Pantera wants a billion dollars for it or something.

Both Tajiri and Super Crazy are still active. If you're gonna bring in RVD just nut up and pay for "Walk"

Iron Claw - the Von Erich movie with Zac Efron as Kevin - has been given Dec 22 release date

Why? Is Penelope Ford going to be special ref? Oh, sorry - I read that as Jim Ross strokes......nevermind I can't hate a show with OC, Darby and Swerve all over them - all 3 of these guys seem like they're weaving themselves into multiple angles and stories and it just intrigues me, even if the rest of the show was just there.

One on one? Never. In a tag? Never. I think they were both in Casino-type matches together before, but that's it. Mox matched up extremely well with Darby in the past. Mox won both of their singles matches but Darby came out of them looking like a future star. (Edit: Mox and Darby also had a singles in North East Wrestling, per Cagematch. Not surecifvI have ever seen that one). I have high expectations for Mox v Orange.

Sinead had so many bangers. She was one of the most gifted musicians of her time.

Firstly, Thanks @Curt McGirt! If I ever change my signature, I'll be considering the "Finnish PAC" reference as my personal highlight of wrestling fandom! Yeah, this was a bit of a filler show. I have a strong (heh) feeling that Roddy will play a very important part in the eventual fall of MJF/Cole combo, but I have no idea HOW that will end up going? But he will be very important part of that story. Yeah, looks like Mox vs OC! That will be the test for OC to see how much he has levelled up during his reign? Have these guys faced each other one on one before? Once at least, right? I wasn't expecting a 3-way match to come out of the main event, but instead a 3-way trios match between BCC, Death Triangle and Best Friends/OC. Maybe that's for later? I guess we'll be seeing Darby vs Fox pretty soon, right? Jericho has alienated the whole JAS now, even if he doesn't join Callis, he's probably screwed now. It will be interesting to see how the All In and All Out cards fill up in the coming weeks! You better make both of them BIG!

Come on, dudes. Perry came out in a heel t-shirt in the tradition of Ole Anderson's "Damn, I'm Good" and Greg Valentine's "I Broke Wahoo's Leg." He should get a few cool points for that. The AR Fox heel turn was a bit too telegraphed. I kinda knew he'd snap during the Darby / Swerve match. Timing was too close. Darby took a DVD spine first on the ring apron. He is bugfuck crazy. I love that dude.

Funny you should mention that... I would say Russo and Ed Ferrara are ghost writing Stardom, but Mina is way too invested for this to NOT be her idea.

They were in Albany. "Steamed hams" American is an Albany expression. It's a near-perfect reference, in my opinion. I popped for it. Edit: Casey beat me to it. I should have known Casey was at the bat. Edit: since I have already made a post: Mox and Cassidy should form a team: Blood Orange. Mad King should do a thing where he got addicted to caffeine fighting off jetlag in Japan: "Coffee" Kingston. Final edit: Those who are fans of Jake Hager style hat-based psychology NEED TO watch the first few minutes of Naito vs Haste. I felt like that was booked specifically to make me happy.

I think "MJF and Cole did some well-received funny skits" has turned into "everyone on the roster wants to be an actor" and that's working out about as well as you would expect Loved AR Fox turning and joining up with Swerve. Hated that they couldn't let OC lay dead for more than 5 seconds without Darby running out like an idiot to protest the heinous act. Jerry Lynn, who was never ever regarded as a good promo being the one to teach Jack Perry mic skills? That is quite the choice.

Damn, even @Gordlow hated this show so much that he turned it off halfway through, watched some G1 stuff and then played a video game.

So should I just watch Darby/Swerve and OC/Fox?

Yep, Barbie was fucking amazing. Went in thinking I'd get some kids film with massive amounts of winks to the adult audience, ala Lego Movie, Wreck It Ralph etc. Nah, it's a critical look at hegemony and patriarchial power structures in the context of an existential crisis, and everyone seems to be having an amazingly fun time while they do it. It's a brave movie to make in the context of literal billions of toy sales on the line, and they've done a great job. Nice to see brave script writing be rewarded, when they could have easily done a Super Mario type movie here instead.

CMLL announced the teams for its annual Men's Grand Prix on August 18: TEAM MEXICO: Averno, Dragon Rojo Jr., Angel de Oro, Ultimo Guerrero, Templario, Mascara Dorada 2.0, Volador Jr., Mistico TEAM WORLD: Baliyan Akki, Francesco Akira, Adrian Quest, TJP, Rocky Romero, Samuray del Sol (Kalisto), KUSHIDA, Hiromu Takahashi

It’s just because they were in Albany, man.