Michael_3165

Jesus, Angle has the body of a 90 year old man. At least an in shape one. His arms are fucked. 

Gosh I appreciate the honesty on here with this subject. It is hardly the easiest topic to talk about.

I come at this from a different perspective... the concerned family member. I will be as gentle as I can be whilst also highlighting my own experience and what I have found works for people, having worked with people w/ alcoholism as an adult.

Firstly, I never realised how hard it is to have a problem with alcohol. I can relate to food addiction though I'd never say I am fat, but alcohol and drugs have never been a big thing for me personally. I was extremely anti-alcohol-drinkers in my early dating years and whilst I would binge on weekends, I lost a number of relationships through my (relatively) irrational fear that someone I dated would end up as an alcoholic. My grandfather was the alcoholic; tonnes of embarrassing introductions to friends, aborted social events and a fair amount of anger and hostility all round. He would hide cans around the house and when they were discovered and bought to his attention he would flat out deny that they were his. In his own coat pockets, behind the cistern, in the garden behind the shed - all the cliched places. I was often frustrated that he simply - in our opinion at the time - lied so outrageously and seemed to believe he was being honest. He would spend HUGE sums of money on booze and gambling and yet would never admit that the reason he was in debt was because he couldn't stop. My grandmother cried, begged, threated to leave him (several times) and nothing. We were as a family driven to despair and there were many nights when the screaming, slamming of doors and crying went well into the early hours. 

Then something changed. He got ill. Like REALLY ill. He got taken into hospital and had to admit that he was an alcoholic - primarily because he was withdrawing and needed medication to dampen down the hideous physical effects. At the same time he didn't want to stop. It was only because he was stuck in hospital for months that he came to the realisation that he couldn't continue. He had been to the GP many times before but ignored the blood tests - live damage, kidney failure etc - and didn't seem to give a shit if he lived or died. It was a mix of deeply sad and utterly infuriating for those of us watching him withering away slowly. 

When discharged from hospital he just stopped. It was like a lightbulb turning on. He never went back. It is about 7 years since he became sober and he knows he can't even have one drink. Not a single beer. He averaged at 8+ cans of strong lager a day, almost every day, for 40 years. The doctors said he should have been dead. He was incredibly lucky. 

Soon he became his old self again - before the alcohol addled his brain. His memory improved and he became my old grandad again - humour returned, he was jovial, interested and actually awake to his experiences. He forgot most of the events in my life and that saddens me, but at least we now have him back. 

In terms of what I have found helpful...

• Abstinence seems to be one of the biggest factors if you are an alcoholic. I've met many people who say "I can just have one" but it seems to be MUCH harder to get out of the habit that way. Of course, this needs to be done with doctor advice given the huge risks of seizures and withdrawals. My grandad can see that he can't just have one. He likes to think he could but he knows that it simply isn't a wise option. He doesn't want to delude himself into believing that he hasn't got an alcohol problem - for him, he will always be addicted. 
• Mindfulness can be wonderful. The idea is to observe ones cravings/urges, notice when emotions and other prompt events may lead to unhelpful patterns and then doing the opposite of the urge. The idea is noticing when you are moving into mindless, alcohol related behaviour and asking (compassionately) "what is going on in this moment?" I find many people with alcoholism don't stop, think about what is going on and then move forward mindfully. 
• Sort out your emotions. All behaviour is caused - including excessive alcohol use. Much of the time it is a way of either 1) decreasing our anxiety or 2) making us happier when we are miserable. Unfortunately this simply doesn't work in the long-term and we have to bring the long-term consequences to the front of our mind EVERY time we want to engage in that behaviour. It is painful, hard going and never-ending though the alternative is much more dangerous. Seeking alcohol counselling is likely to be more helpful though the group approach that AA has - including maintaining accountability - is also good. 
• I find with AA you just need to believe in a higher power. It can be ANYTHING. For people who dislike the religious connotations with this, the power could be nature. Fate. The purpose isn't indoctrination but to give you a place to "put" your misery rather than feel like you have to hold onto it. Prayer is a common way in which people off-load their misery, because you can then "leave it to" that power to sort it out. This is incredibly helpful when your situation is unchangeable and you have no control over it - though problem solving when you can change something is certainly not discouraged. 

So that's my thoughts. Hope this makes sense and doesn't sound brutal or disrespectful 

Also good shout re: Shuggie Bain - massively deserved winner of the Booker Prize too.

Gotta be Austin v Cena surely? The two defining figures over the past 25 years. Be fun to see Austin steaming down to the ring, stunning Cena and doing some whacky segments. Cena can rip into him on the mic too. 

On 11/7/2022 at 1:49 PM, wordsfromlee said:

Vince could be the new face for Just For Men

I think he needs a new face tbh.

I suspect he hasn't got long left til he dies. He looks bloated and ill and likely to have some heart disease going on. He has looked shit for several years now and when old people retire they often get worse physically. 

17 minutes ago, Vamp said:

Once upon a time I thought Punk would go back just to have that Mania main event he was hung up about. But now I think he's possibly too bitter to allow himself even that. Rightly so in a lot of ways but I always thought it was more important for him to have that moment than it was for the WWE.

Maybe he's perfectly happy to be miserable at home. Presumably if AEW never popped up that's what he'd be doing. 

Even the start of Punk's AEW run felt a bit off. Him coming in after all those years and beating the hottest home grown star in the company while selling how rusty he was seemed to set the tone really. I know people excuse it because you have to put Punk over in his first match back after spending all that money but you don't have to put him against Darby that night.

I do wonder if Punk and wrestling just have a toxic relationship. He's had world titles, main events, creative freedom, Vince and John Cena put him over huge, he even got to wrestle The Rock, and I know its say this, because who really knows how he actually sees it, but it's never felt to me like he was ever able to be happy with that. 

It seems that he has a toxic relationship with most people tbf. I've never found him particularly likeable and suspect he has some major personality issues. When you have as many problems w others as he does, you have to start wondering if its you. Its likely he hasn't the self awareness to look internally. His levels of entitlement are rather astounding and he isn't half the name that he thinks he is (comparitively). 

This type of personality is often antisocial, a bit narcissistic, distrusting, terribly bitter etc. I also suspect he enjoys being miserable. 

I may be doing him a disservice,  I've never met him. I just imagine he is a pain in the arse to be around and impossible to make happy or work with. 

I loved the main event and Shota matches, though the ending came out of nowhere. The other matches were average but the crowd bought it up. Female match wasn't well received  the crowd died. I liked the opener. 

I'll be spitting feathers if they put someone decent against ishii tomorrow. I always get the shitter of the two shows when promotions do weekends! 

Anyone got any info on where is best to park? The venue seems to have shocking parking.

I'm trying to stay positive about this show (night 1) though I was expecting a card that looked like Royal Quest 1. If I'd wanted a load of Rev Pro guys I'd have gone to one of their shows. I haven't watched njpw consistently in a few years though I liked their last event...

Night 1.

Gabriel Kidd Vs Dan Maloney - no idea who these two are. 

Gideon Grey and Great O Khan Vs Michael Oku and Ricky Knight JR - only seen limited O'Khan and more RK Jr.

Kanji and Jazzy Gabert Vs Alex Windsor and Ava White - no idea, may be okay

Hiromu Takahashi, Sanada and Tetsuta Naito Vs Douki, El Desperado and Zack Sabre Jr - never a Douki fan but I'll take this. Likely a throw away tag.

Tomohiro Ishii and Kazuchika Okada Vs Bad Dude Tito and Jonah - I'm assuming Tito and Jonah are jobbers? Never heard of them. 

Jado, Hikuleo, Tama Tonga and Hiroshi Tanahashi Vs Gedo, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson and Jay White - Tanahashi and White are the ones for me in this. Last time I saw Hikuleo he looked like a kicking/punching giraffe. 

FTR Vs Aussie Open - THIS is more like it! This is saving this show for me. 

Will Ospreay Vs Shota Umino - Ospreay is fine though its a very flat main. They could have replaced Umino w Tanahashi, Takahashi, White, Naito or even Sanada and this would have worked. 

Maybe I'm being too harsh or expecting too much. After that beautiful Okada v Suzuki match at RQ1 I'd have expected more. This may be my last unless they give more next time.

Is that Gok Wan!?

The Goldberg one seems a tad threatening 

Meet and greets for each night are around £230. Ouch! 

On 9/4/2022 at 1:09 PM, Carbomb said:

I just came to the realisation that, as of a few days ago, I've been keeping a journal for two years now.

So, for me, this is a big deal. I never thought it would ever be possible for my ADHD-riddled mind to ever let me do something as simple yet disciplined as keep a journal ever, and to know I've kept one for two years, cheers me up massively. 

Thanks for posting! I may have to try that. I have ADHD and although I can just about function at work (everything i have to focus on is draining and I rely on lists, endless lists and notes which I then lose anyway!) at home I am a bit of a mess! 

12 minutes ago, RedRooster said:

Ultimately, he's done damage to his own brand here. It'll be fascinating to see how people react to him on Wednesday, and subsequently how he reacts to that. I can't imagine that he won't be suspended if all of this is true, perhaps after dropping the title to someone at Arthur Ashe. 

Oh come on, what is anyone supposed to do in that situation? Bollocking him in public would be a bad idea, and in itself would have been inappropriate, particularly if The Bucks really had leaked false stories about Punk. It's the kind of thing that needed to be managed in private, unfortunately it boiled over before that could happen. And let's not give Vince more credit than he's due here. Yes, he was good at keeping that kind of thing out of the public eye - but he didn't do press conferences. But we know that kind of thing happened - Jericho fighting Goldberg, Booker T and Batista, the plane ride from hell. In addition, Vince was a known bully who thrived on the humiliation of others. WWE hasn't been immune from this. 

He needs a severe consequences so he doesn't do it again.. I'd have told him to mind himself. 

I've only just read what happened here. If it's not a work the Khan needs to grow some balls and start kicking people's arse. The way he responded I that media scrum was pathetic. For all his faults I can't ever imagine McMahon tolerating any of that shit in public. 

Punk needs to wind his neck in. The others need to know their places too. I find people like Punk always name everyone else, but he is the key denominator w every sour relationship he's ever had w employers. Have problems w one company. Fine maybe it's an issue w the promoter. Once you start having multiple issues I'd suggest he reflect a bit..

Khan needs to simply say "if you fuck w me or my company, you're done. Fights? No. Not ok. Taking liberties? No chance. You're fired if you fuck w me".but then he must follow through. That or fine them. A month's pay if they mess around.. they will learn

Probably Kamala vs Umaga! I'm sure Umaga would hold up his end Kamala was never Randy Savage. Though I'd love those two for the characters alone (out savaging each other!) I can just imagine Kamala bug eyed as Umaga does a table run splash spot! 

On 8/4/2022 at 11:35 PM, Hugh Thesz said:

I have cried at this as I though Buff Bagwell would be a casualty of wrestling.

Looking amazing and, seemingly, another DDP success.

Stay healthy mate.

https://mobile.twitter.com/Marcbuffbagwell/status/1553193360843804672?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^tweet

That can't be Bagwell! he looks about 60! 

Nakamura in WWE. Honestly thought he would be a megastar, putting on classics every ppv and being a multi time world champion. Been a damp squib really  given the beautiful work he did in njpw. He has all but given up, sadly. 

Cesaro. I Was convinced he'd be world champion and have a nice run on top. 

Both sad cases really. 

Also thought Ahmed Johnson was going to be a huge star in WWE circa 1997. I also,  as a 12 year old, thought he wwasa great wrestler. Yes, I was very wrong! 

Finally JBL. Midcard tag wrestler turned one of the best heels of the 2000s. I didn't "get" it at first but what a great gimmick. 

On 7/3/2022 at 6:15 PM, Devon Malcolm said:

You have to hear voices you may not agree with. I also listen to Ferrari too though I find him puke inducing.

I listen to James O'Brien religiously on LBC. The guy is sanctimonious at times though I mostly agree with his stance. 

He started doing a "bit" on his show called "Woke Watch" - a mocking 5 minutes similar to that on GBNews though from a left leaning perspective.

The term woke has gathered steam over the past few years and I still don't "get" how being "woke" is a bad thing. In principle, its being aware of and challenging inequalities re: race, gender, sexuality etc. I know its been co-opted by the right as some sort of insult though by saying "anti-woke" you are saying you are "anti-politeness" surely?

I suppose I "get" why people don't like being confronted with their own reflection and/or find it threatening to have things pointed out that may make them feel guilty/uncomfortable. At the same time, it feels so playground. Grown adults running around screaming "go woke, go broke" and "woke...aaaaaaaggghhhh!!!" all the time. Social media is a cesspit of these types and I struggle to understand how they cannot see their own behaviour from an outside perspective. Its beyond ludicrous. 

I point to the Halifax bank telling customers that if they don't like the company's values they are welcome to go elsewhere. This is in relation to an absurd twitter-storm over Halifax allowing staff to choose to put their gender pronouns on their name badges. GBNews, The Mail etc screeched about it for hours, banging on about how the Halifax will lose customers. All for a bloody name badge that doesn't effect 99% of employees and none of the customers anyway! Then customers being "furious" that they have been reminded that they have the right to choose another bank.... a right they have always had. They weren't told they must move banks. They were gently reminded that they can if they like... Of course this was met with narcissistic fury "how dare they tell me where to go if I don't like what they value!?!?!" before bleating on about freedom of speech and cancelling.

So! What are your thoughts on this trend? Do you think it has been going on for decades? I certainly can't remember many other examples other than "snowflakes". What is the function of this nonsense? Can't we all get along!?

Moths don't have eyes. 

3 hours ago, Love-Wilcox said:

I wholeheartedly agree. I just think we should be able to ask questions on a public forum like this without it being insinuated that those who do are somehow nonce apologists or the like.

That isn’t really an environment where healthy debate can happen IMO.

You'll get used to it! 

On a side note, I'm extremely concerned if any jury is made up of most people on here. The subject is emotive and rightly so. And at the same time, we must look at FACTS not claims. Ban people w convictions from jobs involving vulnerable people. Lock them away. Though you MUST have evidence to support that.

I don't imagine any person here wants a trial by social media and/or without a fair process. People lie...on all sides. I'm not making assumptions about anyone. 

On q side note, I have worked w serial killers, rapists, molesters, arsonists, armed robbers etc. I have to be neutral whilst also having strong emotions about people I work with. I do have a unique perspective which brings nuance, something that isn't all that fashionable in 2022.

On 6/28/2022 at 8:49 PM, Hannibal Scorch said:

He’s working at Disneyland in California.

@Keith Houchenthe replies are interesting. A few people saying he should be “aloud to work and earn a living”. And I agree. Like Jimmy Havoc if you’re blackballed from wrestling you should be able to still work. Just not around minors.

Has he got a criminal conviction that bars him from working around youngsters? 

Ah just seen previous post

7 minutes ago, Matthew said:

Not great news, but probably not a surprise to anybody, been arrested for DUI, driving without licence etc.

Watching her at the convention over mania weekend, it was clear even then he was on something. Shame for the guy.

I think the only thing he is going to understand is a jail sentence. It's incredibly sad but he will eventually kill someone. 

On 5/20/2022 at 1:22 PM, Ultimate Hitman said:

I don’t know how a wrestling fan of 30+ years liking Ric Flair (and The Undertaker) is trolling. I genuinely find it strange many others on here act like they don’t. Wrestling fans not liking one of the undisputed top 3 GOATs is trolling.

If the match can be done safely which it will be I don’t see the problem. Also, pretty much every single poster on here will in one way or another either watch, check out highlights or read the match reviews.

Simply not having that one allegation on a documentary that was made to be controversial suddenly makes Flair the worst person to ever live.

I think people's ability to weigh up offenses has all but disappeared in 2022. Some people would have you think Flair was some sort of mass rapist on the scale of Jimmy Saville. 

If he was doing that shit in 2022 then by all means.