So it looks like our semi-final matches for next week’s live CWC finale are going to be Kota Ibushi vs. TJ Perkins and Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Gran Metalik. I’m gonna predict ZSJ vs. Ibushi for the finals, which, given that it’s a 2-hour timeslot with only three matches scheduled, will probably have a 60-minute time limit and be a real old-school barnburner type of match. It’s certainly something they both have experience with. That final could go either way - ZSJ is the only one of the final four who hasn’t been announced for the cruiserweight division, so that might be a hint that Ibushi’s gonna win, but I could see them giving Sabre the win, keeping him off the air, and bringing him back to defend his championship next year.
Meanwhile, it has somehow only just now come to my attention that there’s a house show coming to Portland next month! They still had floor seats available, though I’m in the tenth row and won’t be high-fiving anyone this time (though the fact that I got to slap hands with almost all of New Japan’s champions, got too-sweeted by Bullet Club, and patted Kevin freaking Sullivan on the back last month kinda makes up for that.) Looks like it’s the Smackdown tour, since they’re advertising Cena, Styles, and Ambrose as the headliners. Should be a good time.
ZSJ may be the Internet darling, but he doesn’t resonate with me. He never seems to look like he’s in trouble. Whenever his opponent does something like lock both legs around his arm and clamp both hands on it and bend it backwards, he just kind of gapes for a couple seconds and then slips out with little drama. Other guys act like their careers are about to end.
Zack is to Roman Reigns like the Internet is to Vince McMahon. He can’t lose or look bad because the Internet might cry.
He was hit in the head multiple times, but he only thought to sell his knee. You can tell he’s British cuz his personality is the same as their weather: Gray.
Personally, since I’m a giant sap, I loved the end of the TJP match. As soon as the ref’s hand hit the mat for 3 he jumped and hugged his opponent, clearly saying thank you and showing his appreciation.
That’s something that only living the life he lived can teach you. I’m rooting for the kid.
Related: Did I hear THE Brian Kendrick is one of the cruiserweights? So he’s back?
Last 15 minutes of TNA was both silly and awesome. Abyss, Crazzy Steve and Rosemary crept over to the Cameron Mansion with ill intent, but the Hardys were there to chase them off with Roman Candles, with Matt chanting “delete” like he’s in a Dr. Who episode. Decay found a rowboat to use as a shield. Steve and Rosemary slipped away, and the Latino gardener drove a tractor and knocked Abyss into the lake, trapping him under the rowboat.
The Latino gardener pulled the boat back in, but Abyss was amissing. Soon, his alter ego Penn Jillette lookalike came out of the water and the gardener shocked him with a taser, then lifted him up with the tractor scoop and dumped him in a previously dug grave. Then the gardener started shoveling dirt back in, but Abyss stood up, back in his Bray/Kane/Mankind suit, and grabbed him by the throat.
Meantime, Brother Nero (formerly Jeff) and Crazzy Steve fought in a pool. Yes, a pool. All their punches are in slow motion and there’s bubbles in the way. Eventually, Nero put a choke hold on Steve and left him in the depths, then climbed out and rested by poolside with his back to the water. Nero, you fool you! Sure enough, Steve jumped out like a Freddy Krueger out-take and pulled Nero back in.
Lastly Broken Matt confronted Rosemary, but the Juggalo chick sprayed mist in his eyes. But Matt summoned his Broken powers and sucked the mist in his own cheeks (they inserted a reverse clip of Matt spraying the mist), then sprayed the mist back in Rosemary’s eyes. Rosemary screamed in pain and ran away. I think the segment ended with Decay driving off with the Latino gardener in their truck bed. I was laughing too much to pay strict attention.
I don’t really blame her. Interfering in her personal affairs and making threats. I hope they address (or threaten to address if they end up settling) the idea that she is an Independent Contractor and they don’t legally have the right to that much control over her life.
Yeah, if the rumors are true (or even some of them), I don’t blame her one bit.
The IC designation skates the line so closely that even I get surprised by what WWE can do with its performers, and I practice labor/employment law for a living. I really want to see a full trial (or at least document production and a couple of depositions).
Saw a news blurb this morning that Billy Corgan wants to buy TNA. If he does that, and has enough interest to stick it out then there’s potential to be exploited there.
Don’t know much about the Paige thing, but don’t just listen to her side of it either. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was treated badly, but it’s not always just the WWE at fault. Wrestlers are in a tough position, there are plenty of new ones ready to replace the old and they don’t ask for much to get a chance at the big time. If they did try to screw with her personal relationship with Del Rio then they ought to get smacked for it. IMHO there’s too much crossover into the wrestlers personal lives now. WWE exploits that when it’s to their advantage, but they have to live with the downside also.
And she’s trouble. She got a big head after her debut and caused some backstage heat because of it.
Her drinking is also a problem. I’m a part of a wwe fan group thingy on Facebook where most of us are locals, and for a while it was running joke/game to try and figure out which bar downtown Paige was going to get wasted at.
She would also get belligerent and violent and all that.
