Sammy

I read the Luke & Butch book-- I liked it, you got a sense of their personalities, and they went deep into all the territories they worked. Nothing super illuminating, but a nice read if you were a fan. I'd be curious about Steve Keirn's book, waiting to hear more.

OK-- who here has read the Pete Gas book? Is it worth $14?

TJ Perkins' reply:

They closed in 1983. Here's an article: http://www.midatlanticwrestling.net/resourcecenter/potpourri/national_hat_shop/hatshop.htm

I may be in the minority here, but I'd think that Pete Gas has an interesting story to tell. Think of all the McMahon craziness in the 80's he must have seen as a kid.

This is the Brody shirt that folks were talking about in the March photo thread worn by Chris Hero. It was sold by Blk-Mrkt.net back in the day. If it looks familiar, this is why:

When I was a mere teen, I went to a restaurant in the big city and was sat next to Telly Savalas and his extended family. They were all ugly and had facial moles.

How is Jimmy Valiant's book? Does it have a lot of content, or is it more of a coffee table book?

I'm still sore about OBJ. Why are the Giants so hapless that they couldn't get a lead going into the 4th and needed OBJ for an 80+ yard TD bomb? Goddamn it.

I'm amazed I won at all with Cutler's performance. You had a good squad, but there is a lot of parity this year. I wish we had one more game before the playoffs, as there are some deserving teams that didn't make it.

I was happy and not shocked that Matt Jones did not get you into the playoffs.

Goddamn Carlos Hyde cost me two games this week. I hope he is this year's Jared Cook-- puts up monster points Week 1 and then proceeds to disappoint all season. I'm not wishing injury on Mr. Hyde, but rather he plays each week with a stat line that goes something like 15 carries for 40 yards. Just enough that you might play him, but always regret it. Kevin, I hope my tears are salty enough for you. Good work.

As a late pay this year myself, could I suggest some sort of tax after a certain date? Ideally, the amount should fit somewhere between "whatever, it's just $___ I'm too busy right now," and "fuck it, I'm dropping out." Any bonus dues for the league could go into a bonus pot like a payout for consolation bracket, a prize for most points during the season, or a boobie prize for worst draft pick.

I have to say that some of my best venue memories are in bars/clubs for various indies. Very intimate, crowds are often rowdy, and you can get a drink. Michael's TWA used to run a rodeo bar here in San Antonio that was just fantastic. I really liked going to the Flagstaff for ECW as well. You never knew what was going to happen-- both in good ways and bad. That being said, Arena Mexico was the coolest place I've ever seen a show. Sightlines were great, there were vendors all around the building selling cool bootleg stuff, and you could feel the history in every seat.

I'm hoping the above is a Mexican remake of "Back to School." Santo will do the Triple Lindy off the top rope, and the professor will turn into a werewolf.

Are you sure about that, or are Japanese wrestling stars visiting Packers training camp?

Loves puro, hates washing his face.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him pop up as a special guest on some indies in the next few years. I think his days of making big money are over. How much was Flair getting for a Polaroid?

I haven't really been following much of this on the tee vee news or on social media, but I do get the kick out of people defending Hogan when the quoted tape has him outright declaring "I'm a racist." Just hilarious. That being said, whoever is handling Hogan did a great job with his statement. Just masterful PR.

Tully Blanchard is making the rounds of jails now. Article from the local paper. Edit: added pic for clarity-- ministering, not interred.

His vision for NXT is not necessarily his vision for WWE, though. He's running it for a hardcore audience. Really, though? He's just picking up majorly experienced guys who know how to work, have very well developed in-ring personalities and are guaranteed to be able to bust out solid matches with anyone, and come with the added bonus of having this "underground superstar" aura they can push, which I'm sure clicks with most casual viewers. On the one hand I think it's super cool to have like, FCW, but with its own (non-local) TV and PPVs, but at the same time it's a total reification (hypercommercial imitation) of independent wrestling which is the opposite of independent, inevitably dumbs down and sanitizes everything, and is making friends of mine post like, screenshots of the first Joe/"Owens" stand-off like it's some groundbreaking shit and NXT is the best thing ever. It's just a way to draw indy fans to WWE, and most of all just sign awesome, crisp, solid workers with years of experience and firmly established ring presence. The way they are handling NXT is really smart-- using it for both developing talent, and for a brand that takes market share from the indies and other non-WWE options. Kind of like how the big brewers reacted to the craft beer movement, putting out their own fake craft brands like Blue Moon.

What I liked about WCW was that the guys you cared about in the lower and mid card were booked like shit, but were given lots of time and freedom to work a match on TV. It could be a bit frustrating, but in the end, you didn't really care because you got to see them rip it up for 20 minutes once a week.

Found this gem while digging through a stack of mags I excavated from the closet.

He did wrestle without a mask in the AWA and elsewhere. Plus, I learned from Orange is the New Black that inmates follow celebrity trials in the hope that the celeb gets put in their prison. I'd assume that the Wilkes case was covered locally and his picture was on TV and the the paper. It smells a bit like BS, but it is plausible.