colonial

Akebono was getting a lot of attention in some U.S. media outlets as early as 1992 when he was closing in on his promotion. I swear I recall the Washington Post interviewing his family in Hawaii. And outlets like SportsCenter and George Michael Sports Machine would mention sumo from time to time on its telecasts. As far as Yokozuna the wrestler, his Wiki mentioned that when Samu and Fatu had their first WWE TV match as "The Samoans" in 1992, Gorilla Monsoon mentioned that a "much larger Samoan" would be joining them soon, so it sounds like there was a thought of Yoko working as Kokina Maximus (or something similar) when he debuted. Found the French-language version of said match (Samu/Fatu vs. Jim Brunzell/Phil Apollo), but I'm not sure if the match ever aired for U.S. viewers.

I believe Osprey mentioned after leaving New Japan FT was that he would be open to working from time to time with NJ depending on his schedule. I read that as he wouldn't work full tours or tournaments, but could work, say, the January 4 show or something like Dominion.

Watched part of the first night. Had to turn it off halfway through as my daughter and her friends got sick from food poisoning at a neighbor's sleepover -- had to pick her up mid-way through the Usos match. -- Loved Lynch-Ripley. The sequence leading to the electric chair drop from the outside was impressive. I was expecting a Hart-Austin double turn as the match went on, and Lynch did lean heel during the bout. Time to strap a rocket to Ripley and let her shine on her own. Lynch having portions of her book on her tights cracked me up. -- The tag team ladder match was fine -- happy for R-Truth having his WM moment -- but the last-minute (I believe) decision to essentially have two separate ladder matches for both sets of belts soured it for me. The Aussies quickly became an afterthought after winning the SD belts. -- The lucha tag was an afterthought for the two Eagles players showing up, though I liked their cameo. Still, them showing up out of nowhere grinded the match to a halt. -- Given the weather and such, I would have given the seconds for both teams, I don't know, matching jogging suits to wear. Never been a fan of wrestlers not scheduled to compete showing up in their spandex outside the ring. It's like, say, LeBron James, sitting on the bench in his uniform with a torn ACL. -- The "Battle of the Usos" was what would have happened if we watched the Young Bucks fight on super slo-mo. Not sure what in the world "Yeet" means, but I got Hack Myers flashbacks hearing those chants.

After seeing Knuckles in the crowd, I had the voice of Warner Wolf in my head ... "AND KNUCKLES WAS AT THE GAME!" A bit of nitpick, but does NXT even try with its ring announcing? No weights, no where they are from. It's "HERE'S WRESTLER A! AND THEIR OPPONENT, WRESTLER B!" This is the first time I've seen NXT matches in full -- is this par for the course? Tony D'Angelo has promise, but needs something better than "FBI Version 2" to move up. Main event was OK, but the ref bumps were a bit absurd. Also, a high knee doesn't seem like a big finisher in a main event.

NY Post reports that Norby Williamson has been given the boot at ESPN. Pat McAfee may lead an hour-long conga line on his show to celebrate.

Watched the DDT Philly show online. Saw Dan the Dad wrestle a giant baby otter mascot. One announcer said if you just tuned in and have no clue what is going on, dont worry, he has no clue either. The otter superplexed Dan through a door to win, only to be attacked by Chris Brookes, who hates giant mascots. Then Yoshihiko came out and saved the day. No clue what was happening, but it was hilarious and absurd. Andrew Everett was also on the show -- hadnt seen him since his Impact days. Curious why he has never been picked up by a larger promotion -- he was pretty talented in Impact.

Saw just now that Martin Short announced a fundraising drive last month to get a FT caregiver for Joe, who was in "failing health." Went on an SCTV binge a few weeks back ... all cast members were great, but Joe, Eugene Levy and Andrea Martin were the rocks of the show. I think they were there for every episode and could be the utility players that such shows need. Now I want to see a wrestling company adopt a Guy Caballero gimmick with a guy who only uses a wheelchair for "respect" and simply walks around because he can. Also a shame that Netflix never released its SCTV tribute while Joe was with us.

She teamed with Rachel Ellering in that womens tag tournament that aired on YT during the pandemic.

Didn't realize some of them were under contract and/or still under a deal. I think Jora Johl worked one ROH show but hasn't been seen on AEW in a year. Cagematch lists his last match as November, so I'm curious if he's hurt or moving on with his life. (honestly believed he worked on a per-match deal) Didn't understand the Grayson re-signing -- turns on DO, joins The Righteous then vanishes without a trace. Dasha was a surprise release, as I thought she was a good B-show ring announcer.

Highlights of AEW vs. CMLL from March 29 at Arena Mexico ... (2) CMLL - AEW VS CMLL / ARENA MÉXICO/29-03-24 - YouTube Highlights of Team Willow Nightingale vs. Team Stephanie Vaquer ... (2) CMLL - LA CATALINA -WILLOW N. -TESSA BLANCHARD VS LLUVIA -ZEIXIS - S. VAQUER/ARENA MÉXICO/29-03-24 - YouTube

The Bang Bang home invasion was unintentionally funny -- from Jay White arriving in a minivan to Billy Gunn leaving the TV and lights on in his house, as well as apparently only watching his own matches and storylines on his own TV. Once Jay mentioned "no pictures of Caster and Bowens," part of me wanted me to hear " ... but lots of pictures of Chuck Palumbo for some reason or another." Toni Storm now being introduced as being "from Stage 7 of the Warner Bros. lot" (I think) demands an Animaniacs cameo now if not sooner.

Wheeler Yuta has been pulled from Friday's Arena Mexico show over medical clearance issues. He will be replaced in the eight-man by Matt Sydal.

Walsh was actually in a movie that was released earlier this month. It's a Mario Van Peebles Western called "Outlaw Posse." Currently available to rent on Prime and YT.

HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON The film version of the classic children's book arrives in theaters August 2. In the book, Harold was four. In the movie, Harold is middle-aged and played by Zachary Levi. And this is why we hate focus groups, too many cooks, etc.

Lord Crewe has a nice day job ... hard not to root for him. Pro wrestler has day job driving seniors (wcpo.com)

I do recall John Tenta posting on the WrestleCrap boards from time to time. RD Reynolds would refer to Tenta as a "friend of WrestleCrap" whenever he did inductions that involved Tenta in some way.

Fightful reports the suspension is because Guevara did not follow concussion protocol by continuing the match when it was obvious that Hardy was injured. Sammy has maturity issues, though it seems he has improved in some aspects (becoming more responsible as a husband and father is a plus, and he seems like a decent person outside of the ring). Releasing him would be bad optics since he just became a dad, and it may lead to Tay leaving as well. Honestly, if I were Tony I would have an older wrestler or official.backstage (Danielson, Mox, Jerry Lynn) work with him and go over proper protocols and the like. He seemed to get that message after the Kingston fight in terms of attitude and saying stupid stuff, but now he needs to focus on in ring.

Linda is booked to speak at a "Moms for America" summit in Dallas next weekend. It is a group promoting "parental rights and patriotism." Usual suspects speaking -- Jim Caviezel, Kevin Sorbo, Ben Carson, John Rich.

David Katzenberg has been tapped to direct "Sam and Victor's Day Off," a movie about the two valets who took Cameron's father's Ferrari on a joyride in "Ferris Bueller." I remind Paramount once again that an Abe Froman origin story about his rise to becoming Sausage King of Chicago was RIGHT THERE and would be much better than this.

I have seen a few places mentioning that Scott is "independently wealthy" and essentially does the wrestling out of his love for the business. What is his business background outside of wrestling? More a curiosity question than anything.

Today's CMLL Informa has been quite entertaining, even though I don't understand Spanish ... WILLOW NIGHTINGALE will appear on CMLL's "Honoring Two Legends" show on 3/29 ... she will team with Tessa Blanchard and Catalina (that Chilean woman who was paired with the second Sin Cara prior to the pandemic in WWE a few years back) to take on Stephanie Vaquer, Lluvia and Zeuxis. We also have the Blackpool Combat Club (all four of them -- Yuta was mentioned) taking on Mistico, Volador Jr., Ultimo Guerrero and BLUE PANTHER on 3/29. Danielson cut a promo (in English) challenging Blue Panther to meet him at Arena Mexico, saying BP was his favorite luchador growing up and wants to wrestle him. Panther accepted the challenge in a live interview with the Informa host. Given how Panther looked, I couldn't see him work a one-on-one match with anyone.

I swear I remember reading Regal and/or Punk pitching a Cannonball Run reboot with WWE wrestlers over a decade ago.

Seems odd that Wheeler Yuta is not involved in this CMLL feud. Is he hurt? Given we now have 6 CMLL guys and 7 AEW guys in this feud, curious if something equivalent to the CMLL Grand Prix could be booked in AEW. Love Renee, but could she at least try to say the first names of Japanese wrestlers? Very WWE-ish and shows little effort in knowing who these guys are?

wkrp | Aw Phooey Someone recently took all of Dr. Johnny Fever's (Howard Hesseman) air checks from "WKRP in Cincinnati" and made a three-hour radio show out of it. I'd listen to this station.

If Max Caster does not appear on TV this week, this is why ... Richard Caster, ex-Jackson State and New York Jets tight end, dies at 75 (clarionledger.com)