AVM

I can Parker winning on points, but can see Whyte rocking Parker at some point. Whyte's best chance is to go in there all guns blazing, he won't outbox Parker.

Great looking card tonight, nevertheless, even in the absence of Kel Brook.

What Hearn has been able to achieve has had me engaged in boxing for the first time - first through his roster and the way his stars carry themselves (though, not sure you can put that down to Hearn himself at all) and secondly how he’s managing to drag boxing to the 21st century, making use of digital and social media. It’s a relatively straight forward business model, but he’s doing a phenomenal job. Looking forward to seeing who Matchroom USA can attract.

Agree on the Riddle love. He’s genuinely got time for everyone, a top bloke, knows exactly how to market himself he oozes charisma and is a top, top athlete. Literally the only things holding him back is the wellness policy and apparently no real desire to head to WWE.

6 hours ago, Philjax said:

https://www.si.com/wrestling/2018/03/26/major-league-wrestling-bein-sports

MLW is now available in 50 million homes from April 20th, and they getting paid.....

Can genuinely see them as the no. 2 promotion within five years. Their business model is sound, their production is excellent and the format is fresh and fits in with the 21st century. I’m a big fan. Some amazing talent also in Riddle, Pentagon Jnr, Lawlor, Cobb etc.

Not a Roman fan personally, but I’ll cut him some slack. The WWE’s target audience is so vast than you can’t possibly appease everyone. In this case, the vocal part of the audience, the real hardcore fans generally don’t like him, however the kids love him, he sells a fuck tonne of merch, I appreciate how WWE have concluded they need to push him to the moon.

Personally, though, as I say, he’s not for me and generally WWE as a product isn’t really for me anymore.

Is Joey Styles still about? Tony Schiavone?

7 hours ago, Louch said:

No idea where this should go, but fucking hell this feels wrong. Yeah it has a couple of laughs, but knowing today’s arsehole crowds bound to chant for Elf, can see this making tv at some point or other and just fucking his monster image 

 

 

As a general rule, whenever WWE says something is HILARIOUS... it fucking isn’t.

Quite surprised MMA hasn’t been considered. It’s a fairly saturated market, but a buyout and rebrand of Bellator could be an option?

As for XFL, I’m stunned that Vince is considering reviving it, but on the other hand it is Vince!

Security is pretty much standard for some of the bigger venues in London TBH. I’ve never had an issue with it.

Not the best venue in the world, but not the worst either.

I actually think he is HOF worthy when you consider how much his themes have contributed to the spectacle of WWE.

That Cell match is pretty iconic TBF. For me an enjoyable match is an enjoyable match, wherever it’s a spot fest with a million false finishes, a spectacle like Andre/Hogan or a car wreck like the cell match.

I do still prefer his cell match with Triple H a couple of years later to be honest but I can see why KOTR 1998 is so notorious.

Really enjoyed War Games and Dream/Black. Really fun show, reminiscent of PPVs from years gone by.

I can see WWE going for Omari and Ridgeway from that tryout. Maybe Eddie Dennis will catch their eye too. Fairly unfamiliar with the rest other than Big T and Sexsmith.

He’s already of a really good standard, though- better than most of the people just starting out on NXT TV. As has been pointed out he needs to sort out a couple of pieces, but developmental TV is the right place for him to hone his craft. Whilst he’s doing that his weakenesses will be apparent.

Might do that Victoria Warehouse show. I’m in a bizarre situation where that show is more appealing to me than the Ally Pally weekender due to venue... and I only live an hour south of London.

Lio Rush is an indy guy, young, his inexperience shows, but he's pretty fun. Not keen on the spot mentioned above, but he is decent.

That Sister Abigail segment was prime wrestlecrap material (is that still a thing?)

5 hours ago, Louch said:

Wrestling fans have a moan and a sense of entitlement like no one else. How do these people get anywhere in life? Want a 2000 capacity venue set up just for their own needs only. Awful 

Not really (well not in this case anyway, agree in general wrestling online do say self entitled things), by not liking the venue I'm only expressing my opinion. I'll go either way and will go to future big Progress events there. I don't expect them to change anything, however, if loads of fans had a problem with a venue, I like to think a sound organisation like Progress might take it under consideration and show preference to London's wealth of other venues of that size range- for example, I'm heading to the Coronet tomorrow for Lucha Forever. 2,600 capacity, not far from Waterloo and London Bridge, lots of other things to do nearby in Lambeth and Borough- decent location for a weekender.

Referring to that tweet, though, Progress really need to sort their social media out. Their snarky comments taints what is otherwise an absolutely superb, fun organisation.

Well yeah it's possible to get up there, but it's not nearly as convenient as other venues in London. In fact it's probably the least accessible indoor venue of a decent size in London.

Like I'm still gonna go because SSS is always ace, but I think it's a crap venue compared to some of the other options due to its location, rubbish bar and the flat seating. 

Demand is there and I totally applaud what Progress has achieved to this point and to be able to run Allie Pallie and Wembley, but man oh man, really don't like the venue choice. Gonna be a pain doing the pilgrimage up that hill three days running, followed by obligatory half hour wait for beer. Would have preferred another venue in London in the 2,000-3,000 capacity range- Coronet?

I think it's definitely worth keeping an eye on. The NWA still has some brand value. Will be interesting to see how he adapts the old territorial model to the 21st century- indeed, if he goes with the territorial model at all.

Quite like the idea of Johnny Combat.

Sounds like an Action Man knockoff.

Or New Japan maybe? He'll be super expensive anyway. Would Smallman fork out for a big expensive import?

With Wembley, I think there are smaller configurations- one of which is 5,000-6,000 which I believe is about the level Progress should be targeting as a one-off, and I reckon they'll come close.