Cod Eye

1 hour ago, Devon Malcolm said:

Watching Kevin Pietersen's batting masterclass on Sky. Still love KP, I'm convinced he would still be scoring loads of runs for England if he was still in the teams. Ridiculous that he's not still in it, really.

Completely agree. Got to still be one of the most naturally talented batsmen around. Certainly one of the most entertaining...  

The best one I did, was in the local one night. We were having a lock in where there was only really our group of 15 or so in... 

It had one of those long metal urinals that pubs used to have with them yellow blocks that stop it stinking of piss too bad. My mate is shocking for pissing a least once a pint when drinking, and it really gets on out titts. So we asked the landlord if he had any 9v batteries, you know the square ones? I slinked to the lav and placed about 6 of them, terminal down in the metal urinal and covered them with fresh yellow blocks. The idea was that when his piss stream hit the batteries it would send a bit of a buzz up his cock.

After three trips to the pisser, he was clearly in discomfort. But being wankers, we didn't say anything. After going 3 pints without pissing, he finally broke down in tears, thinking he had clap or something. Being cunts, we decided not to tell him, thinking that when he pissed in a normal toilet he would realise. But no, my mate went to his next day and he was in agony because he hadn't dared have a piss all night or morning...

15 hours ago, Lion_of_the_Midlands said:

@Chrismorrisbits on twitter surprisingly it's bits of The Day Today and Brass Eye. I didn't know it was 16 years ago today since the Pedogeddon episode of Brass Eye. 

I remember watching that live, and had a falling out with my Mam. She walked in on a bit and though I was pissing myself at a proper documentary about "kiddie fiddling". Didn't talk to me for a month until I made her watch the recording of it I'd made...

Has anyone seen what Philander is suffering from anywhere? All I've heard is it's a stomach bug, but would they really keep him in hospital with just a stomach bug?

2 minutes ago, Really Big Shoe said:

With the Rock star comparisons, Nak has said he's influenced by Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury. In essence his persona is a amalgamation of both. You have the flamboyance of Freddie and the hand gestures, ring attire etc are all MJ. How this all works within a pro wrestling framework is what the main issue is. You have a great gimmick, entrance but something just isn't clicking.

Booking retrospectively do you debut him at last years Mania?. Somehow Nakamura debuting at the conclusion of Takers match and going up against the Dead Man makes sense. Why? because both have unique one of a kind gimmicks. Plus it could have put Nak over as a superstar if he retired the Undertaker. That would have solidified him in the fans eyes.

Then have him as a special attraction. Maybe mix in some supernatural type stuff even to explain his eccentricity. Right now there's no explanation about who Shinsuke Nakamura is and why he's such a big deal. Putting him against Corbin et al makes little to no sense. Maybe trade him to Raw instead at least then he can work against Brock, Joe etc instead. Plus if they do trade him put some vignettes up to help put over who Nak is. I think switching anything up gimmick wise is a mistake. With the right booking and storytelling I think he could crossover as the Rockstar of WWE. Have him turn up on MTV etc and on talk shows to promote himself and WWE. Do a 24 special on him and get the gimmick over. Right now he's just who he is with no rhyme or reason. It makes no logical sense to sign Nakamura and don't utilise his uniqueness and talent. He's just another guy in the mix when he should based on prior glory a main eventer or in the least a upper midcarder on the cusp of the main event.

Now, a simple sit down or in ring interview where this was explained would have helped loads.

I mean, the MJ outfit makes a lot of sense now I think about it, but the arm gestures I would never in a million years have accredited to Freddy Mercury or the like. Also, seeing as the product has a fair percentage of its audience who weren't even alive when MJ died(an even bigger percentage when Freddy went) it would help them to link it. My kids know all about Micheal Jackson and Freddy Mercury as we have their albums on in the car sometimes, but I know for a fact they wouldn't have linked Naka's clothing with MJ's....

1 hour ago, The Cutting Edge said:

Not comparng them as such but I saw Russel Brand work the other night (I work at a theatre) he has a similar 'rockstar' look and swagger to him, its part of his charm and appeal.

Not everyone needs a gimmick or character but have characteristics, loads of guys are gimmickless if you try to explain them out of context or knowing them, what was Triple H's gimmick that can be explained? Bret Hart? some guys are more real than a Police man or Zombie 

I'd say Naka is similar to Macho Man, both quirky and eccentric but compelling and it works for them.

Your right, not everyone needs a gimmick and I'm sure Nakamura would(should) be one of them. But my issue(not saying everyone thinks like this) is that they seem to be shoehorning that Rockstar nick name on him.  If he was given Jeff Hardy's "Charasmatic Enigma" for example, then it would explain who he is a lot more(again, in my opinion).

Bret Hart is a cracking example. His "Excellence of Execution" name described him perfectly. He was a technical wrestler who executed his moves excellently(which also tied into his Hitman name..). Even Triple H's "Cerebral Assassin" told someone new tuning in that he was dangerous and calculating(granted, he never assassinated anyone though).

9 minutes ago, Supremo said:

Not that I want to defend WWE's buzzwords, but if that really is the crux of your problem, then there's loads of Nakamura's act that fits the monicker of "Rockstar." 

Effortless charisma, an aura of unparalleled confidence, a striking, unusual look, flamboyant to an almost ridiculous level, get in somehow works, bizarre mannerisms that catch your eye and set him apart from everyone else, an iconic pose that looks great in silhouette form. If you look at the roster as a whole, he's by far the most suited to that nickname. Or at least he was before they booked the shit out of him and seemingly either knocked his confidence or made him stop caring.

Not everything has to be so ridiculously literal and in-your-face as Elias Samson's guitar.

BomberPat - That's an excellent comparison. Absolutely spot on.  

But his character still isn't a Rockstar...

But I do get you and Bomber's points. But the truth is I'm still completely indifferent to his WWE persona and WWE career in general, but that may say more about me and my tastes(and maybe intelligence) than it says about the bloke himself.

2 hours ago, Supremo said:

I'm blown away that anyone would use Balor's entrance as a way to criticise Nakamura's. Even at its very best, when he's in full makeup, with all the bells and whistles, Balor's entrance always feels super phoney. He comes across as a guy uncomfortably doing what he's been taught to do. Like a kid in a school play. It doesn't look or seem natural at all. Especially when he whips the dreadlocks off at the end and his hair is oftentimes sticking up. Standing there in the makeup, with his hair sticking up a bit, he looks like a five year old going to his first Halloween party.

Nakamura's entrance, for all his weird mannerisms and random poses, it comes across as completely authentic. He never feels like someone has sat down with him and meticulously rehearsed what he should do. With Finn, you can see in his eyes that he's doing his routine and performing his act. I never see that when I look at Shinsuke. 

Plus, I've seen Nakamura's entrance live and, fuck me, it was up there with the best I've ever seen. Proper spine-tingling. He felt on a level above almost everyone I've ever seen, oozing confidence and charisma like very few in the business.

I'm also fascinated as to why people feel the need for Nakamura's character to be, "explained." People complaining that they don't understand what he's supposed to be or why he moves and acts the way he does. I'd never seen him until he debuted in NXT and not once did that thought cross my mind. Why can't someone just be a super confident, super charismatic, super flamboyant, weirdo oddball? Why has everything got to be explained? 

The very reason he felt like the biggest breath of fresh air when he came to NXT was because of how weird and different he was. It was ridiculously compelling to see this guy talking, wrestling and moving unlike anyone else. Him doing all these strange, subtle, weird things was what made him stand out. You couldn't take your eyes off him and had no idea what he was going to do next. Requiring for him to be, "explained," or to have his act boiled down, like they've attempted to do by calling him, "The Artist," or whatever, does nothing but take away from his act.

Real people act in strange, subtle ways. The best characters can't be boiled down into one sentence. That people want him explained and boiled down is dishearteningly indicative of how everyone's been raised on Vinny Mac's vision of how to write and portray characters. That approach is why most characters in WWE are such one-note, boring bastards that are impossible to invest in. Instead of just being an arrogant dickhead, displaying loads of subtleties that make you hate him, Dolph Ziggler has to be called the "Show Off," he has to constantly tell everyone he's showing off, the commentators have to keep referring to him showing off and Jesus-fucking-Christ how could anyone possibly give a shit by that point? It's the difference between the genuinely funny guy in your office and the, "whacky," guy who keeps telling you how funny and mad he is.

I don't want the character explaining as such, I'd just like some of the confusion clearing up. 

Like I mentioned the other day, what makes him a "Rockstar?" I know the WWE like to give their performers "Buzzwords" as knick names, but I can usually see the reasoning behind them. The likes of "The Big Red Machine" for Kane and even that nob  Ziggler's "The Show Off" are self explanatory and most fans will understand them. But nothing about Nakamura is Rockstar-ish really, is it? And just for balance, I feel the same way about Balor's "Demon King" rubbish. The bloke simply puts paint on. If he actually changed his performance bell to bell while wearing the paint, and gave the Demon character its own unique and distinct offence and mannerisms then fine, but as it stands it's not for me...

I DO get that he has charisma by the bucket loads and his entrance music can be spine tingling good(that debut violin player was amazing), and since this little debate has gone on, I've watched some highlights of him in Japan and I agree, he can really go between the ropes. I particularly liked the bit where he shuffled into view on a chair, hidden behind a newspaper while his opponent was making his way to the ring. 

Personally, I REALLY want WWE to sort his booking out, and for the lad to make it big, as the more megastars at the top of the card, the better the product can be...

That Survivor Series match he had with all the different "Warriors"(Ultimate, Road Warriors and the Tornado) showed why he isn't thought of as well as others. The Warrior and LOD made him look about as charismatic as Lance Storm in comparison...

Also, I can't remember any matches or storylines he had in the WWF that would stand out as a classic, unlike Perfect, Million $ Man and Rude etc...

9 minutes ago, sj5522 said:

They've tried in a bumblefuck manner to get his character over with that dreadful Ziggler promo with a crowbarred Simpsons reference. The rock star thing is weird and inaccurate. Tanahashi is Japan's "rock star" while Nakamura's thing was always that he had the effortless charisma of Michael Jackson in his prime. Even calling him a pop star would be a step in the right direction, so newcomers don't wonder why he's nothing like Man Mountain Rock

They need Graves getting him over on commentary I think, that "James Dean cool, John Wayne tough" line he's got for Balor is simple and effective and makes me like Balor a bit more than I would. JBL as much as he does genuinely try, only really talks about achievements in Japan which he gets mixed up a lot of the time

You might be right, and a decent colour announcer on Smackdown might be the answer to explaining and getting his character/gimmick over...

I've said it before on here, but I have no idea what Nakamura is supposed to be. I've never watched any Japanese wrestling, so barring small clips had never seen him before NXT, but all I hear is him called the "Rock Star", but no explanation of why he is a rock star. he doesn't sing, or act, like one and the only link is that he looks off his head all the time. He hasn't even got a rock music entrance theme, so I'm completely lost.

For me, he needs some vignettes or sit down interviews to explain his character to those of us that had no knowledge of him before he moved stateside....

51 minutes ago, Kaz Hayashi said:

Nailed it @BomberPat. Copyright laws have full dictation over this. 90% of the time it will be a record label if it's for an established act, it purely depends on the contract they have in place with musician. As Pat also mentioned, some contracts have 3rd party ownership/license agreements in place. It's effectively the one area in which WWE can't own in regards to a characters likeness. They can add face paint, cut hair, change names and own the product/gimmick, but if the wrestler has tats of Pepsi etc, can't do much about it other than create an attire which hides such tats from the get go.

Saying that, I'm not sure about how this rule works with video. For example, the Pepsi tattoo... WWE have produced a number of recordings/DVDS/live broadcasts in which that logo has been visible. They will be making profit from the event (much like they would an action figure), but it would seem they don't need to jump through the same hoops.

Am I missing something obvious here, or is it a case of they have just 'gotten away with it'. If Pepsi clocked on and had an issue, will Vince have to get the blurs out for punk that were required because of WWF and the pandas?

Could it be something to do with it being on the performer's skin before any contracts etc were signed? Or could it just be that the copyrights don't extend to tattoo's? Again, I've no actual idea and just throwing these out there, as it seems that WWE in particular have had loads of folk with band/brand tattoos over the years and nothing has ever come back on them as far as I am aware?

Strowman is the latest I have noticed, with that Superman tattoo on his arm. With the company having experience of dealing with comic book trademarks from back the the Hulk/Marvel days you would think they would know if his "S" would cause an issue...

P.S. I know that it isn't actually supposed to be a letter "S"...

Thats a shame, I remember me and the mates loved the Max Headroom show as kids. I remember the origin story TV film freaked more than a few of us out at the time...

One of the best sights in cricket that...a part time bowler that comes on to bowl a bit of filth and ends up breaking a big partnership. Brilliant!

Samson has quickly become my personal favourite! The lad is great...

One guy I'm not getting at the minute is Big Cass. I mean, his feud with Enzo is decent, and he and 'Show might have an entertaining big bloke match but he doesn't come across as a monster heel to me. Not sure if its the shit facial hair, or wanky stringy, slapped back long hair but barring the size he just isn't intimidating enough to me. Better gear might help though, as those big, Simon Cowell high pants do nothing for him...   

11 hours ago, garynysmon said:

Sadly, there is no weekly TV from pre-1993 on the Network, apart from the Saturday Night's Main Events. I suggest the Monsoon Classic youtube channel.

I'll give that a try! Thanks garynysmon!

We have to book for Santorini in Greece for next June as my Mrs' brother has decided to get married there. Not been abroad in about 9 years, so I'm a bit out of the look with websites etc. A few questions though, if someone would be so kind as to help:

a) Where is the best online to book?

b) If anyone has been to Santorini, is there any recommended hotels? We will be a family of 5 going(2 Adults and 3 Kids), and I am disabled, so have mobility issues, so a kids club would be ideal, and we would like half board at the very least... 

Slightly off topic I suppose, but would the majority of bands be against their logos being applied on toys like this? I mean, barring bands like KISS who would claim a licensing fee from someone who smelt a Gene Simmons fart, wouldn't a lot see it as a bit of free advertising and a chance to get kids into listening to their music? 

Morning all!  

After reading the scan of the WWF magazine that was put on here, it's got me itching for a bit of nostalgia from when I was younger. I really fancy watching the evolution of Savage into the "Macho King" up to his match with Warrior at 'Mania 7. Where on the Network is it best to start and, more importantly I suppose, will there be the vast majority of shows uploaded from that era?

As a dad myself, I honestly can't get my head around what you(Ricky) and the family must be going through, especially with it all happening so far away...

I can understand the fame bit though and having to read things that have been said and written about a family member in the public eye. My Brother in law is a footballer at Championship level, and although nothing as high profile as this has been played out, we have to read about his "supporters" criticising his every move both on and off the pitch. It's something you have to take though as the flip side is the pride which is felt when something good is said about them or they achieve something...

5 minutes ago, DJM said:

Apparently Mattel are releasing a James Ellsworth figure:

The boy has finally "made it"!

Keith, bit of a long shot(and you have probably looked into it anyway), but have you had a word with the council to see if they can house you on illness grounds?

I'm just asking because I had a very similar issue. I had to give up work due to a physical disability, and the changes in lifestyle had a massive effect on my mental health. I was forced to leave my family home(which I owned) and a local landlord agreed I could live in one of his houses without credit checks etc. Unfortunately he was a complete scam artist who saw I was mentally ill and took advantage. He moved me into a slum(no other word for it), and put the rent up every month until I couldn't afford it any more and got into £1000's of debt with him(my mental state meant that I just put up with it). He used to come around and take me to a bank to draw out any benefits I had and took it all as well as let himself in to take my belongings to sell. He even used to give me a kick in if I had spent more that £5 worth of food for the week(he said it was because I owned him so much). When I looked at the tenancy agreement, it was just a fake document that I hadn't noticed in my mental state, and so didn't want to tell anyone as I thought it was my fault I hadn't noticed.

Anyway, after my fourth attempted suicide a friend decided he was going to stay with me(I wouldn't tell anyone about the issues I was having) and witnessed what was going on first hand and got me out of the property to safety, and went to the council. They agreed I was at risk and after 3 weeks of living on a couch was offered a council home. It's been the best thing to ever happen to me, as I didn't have to worry about rent or council tax while I got myself sorted, and they made sure the living conditions were up to scratch.

Not sure how the social housing situation is where you are, but it might be worth a bash?

Ballance has been ruled out of the third test with an "injury." I hope they use it as an excuse to bring in a new opener to partner Cook, and either move Jennings to 3 or give Root a talking to and persuade him batting at three is best for the team...

4 minutes ago, Gus Mears said:

The idea that it's because he doesn't like the new ball is laughable too. He's at the fucking crease by about the 5th over most of the time anyway!

I know it's part and parcel of being a captain, but this from Root a minute ago:

That's just patently absurd. We give it away like Safestyle UK. 

Best thing is, he's the textbook example of an international No.3. Unless someone makes the breakthrough at County level, then he will have to accept the position eventually, in my opinion...

I'm not decided on Jennings yet, as it is still early days, but Ballance has had his chance now(and as a Yorkshireman, that is hard to say).

I was thinking to myself today about that troublesome No.3 slot and, taking into account Joe Root's strange aversion to playing there, was wondering in Bairstow could make a go of it? He's right handed(so breaks up the plethora of Lefties at the the top) and is aggressive enough to counter attack should an early wicket go down, but can play a steady game to accumulate if he comes in with a few hundred on the board. What do folk think?