Beech27

I'm a Tolkien dork before I'm anything else, so Nightfall in Middle Earth scratches my otherwise nonexistant power metal itch. There's a 10,000 word essay to be written on the adoption of Tolkien nouns by black metal bands, given his devout Catholicism that suffuses his work. But I'm not going to write that. Instead, here's a former Venom cover band that plays around with the mythology and I happen to think is really fun. Also, Darkthrone has a new album. I imagine those who are interested have listened. If not, it's what you'd expect, following Arctic Thunder. I liked it. I like this.

I know less than nothing about the Japanese stock market, but maybe this is a newsworthy thing.

It's probably the most encouraging thing you could say about Kenny that he hasn't wandered into a petulant "best in the world" twitter debate--especially considering its largely between the guy New Japan slotted into his old spot, and another guy who has name checked him a couple times while swiping moves.

Redundant and thus redacted post.

That's fair, and that is often the case. I'm sure among his myriad replies many people are just being awful. But among those with more than 18 bots for followers, everything I've seen has been reasonable. And I think this board has been as well. Anyway, Seth should think highly of himself and his coworkers; he should give voice to that however he wants. People, if they disagree, can say so. I happen to disagree with him, and think he comes across as defensive, and a rather poor reader of the room, given the show that just happened, and the match/angle he took part in on it. As noted, though, that is somewhat Seth's affect. Regardless, I don't see a problem with any of this.

If think that's the key point: he posted a debatable point on social media. That is, almost literally, the definition of inviting criticism. (If not of him and his company directly, the argument itself.) This is how the whole thing is supposed to work.

It is, insofar as people are responding to him, and he's responding to them. He created a debate on his timeline, in front of his followers, where there wasn't one. (At the very least, he made it more explicit than it otherwise would have been.) Maybe that makes the brand look stronger; I would argue that--given the present reality and that many people seem to disagree--it does not. But it doesn't stand to reason that he had to initiate this conversation, in either case. Of course he can, and he can also feel however he feels. But people can respond too.

I mean, he could have simply praised his coworkers without inviting comparisons that are, right now, not favorable, and starting an argument he's not equipped to win. I don't think anyone is being needlessly hard on Seth for being a company guy; he's just wrong. It's fair to point that out.

I remember when he left DDT that Irie wanted to avoid being tied to one promotion and to work in the United States. STRONGHEARTS gives him a cross-promotional affiliation and maybe a shot at AEW, so this seems a pretty natural fit.

This quote, combined with the fact that the Junior Heavyweight title won't be defended for months, could be... something. (Probably isn't. But.)

Doesn't look like Cornette is done.

I'm sure New Japan would love to use Moxley in Dallas, but we have no reason to believe they're angry. He got their biggest youtube numbers by far, will elevate Umino, Juice, and whomever he has buzzworthy matches with. Money well spent, so far; and probably money well spent if it never goes beyond those items. And I haven't seen any New Japan fans grumpy about or rooting against AEW, honestly; and there are plenty of folks in this thread I recognize from my time in the Japan folder.

I think it is. If AEW wants a relationship, they have to withhold something of value for now. New Japan will decide, in time, whether TNT exposure is worth complicating their relationship with AXS, whether AEW is worth leaving ROH, what Kenny/Moxley/Jericho are worth stateside, etc. I'm more curious to see how it goes than invested in any specific outcome, to be honest.

Making me and probably several other people happy, Kojima tweeted that he wants to earn a place in next year's G1. (I mean, he probably is done, barring a rash of badly timed injuries. But I will hope.)

Dave may be the least articulate professional word-combiner I've ever read/listened to--this is where the Jack Sparrow "But you have heard of me" quip would go--so he does, in some respects, make himself an easy target. His passionate engaging with trolls also spurs things on. Mostly though I think he's a victim of his own success and commensurate stature. People can cultivate a pretty substantial online following by dunking on Dave.

Two big, protected matches, in the slots that are often quasi-spoilers. And Dallas gets Okada/Tana, which is really smart, since it probably won't draw in Japan anymore but fits as a bucket list item for American fans; and KENTA/Ibushi, who both have very high profiles in the States.

Making the finals would be a step forward. Although his loss to Naito last year was just sorta fine, losing to Naito in the finals might be better and it would certainly be bigger. He could just win too, I suppose. Part of me thinks Moxley will make the finals, because you’re only going to have him this year, so you might as well. And if that’s true, you want him to lose in the finals to someone who would really benefit. SANADA would fit that role. Mostly I like how wide open this all seems. Neither block winners nor the finals are at all clear to me; but beyond that, there will be a lot of “could go either way” matches. (Ultimately though, I think Naito takes it, defends the shot and his belt, and becomes double champ. Revenge in every step.)

I think you’re probably right. Granted they’ve basically done that recently—with the same players—but Okada is too god-tier otherwise and Suzuki should react to the G1 snub. Anyway, this lineup is great, but as a nerd who has been watching their entire relevant careers, I’d have enjoyed Kojima and Makabe getting a gold watch run.

He had quite a bit of swelling, but Charlton translated/said that he was ok. Kind of an aside: if more people watched NOAH, there would (rightly) be an uproar about Kotoge shoot headbutting until his own eyes are bloodshot. (Kenoh does them too much also.)