Bush's PR team have already played the disabled card. "holds his arms quite low due to his wheelchair use", "physically unsteady and may reach out for support"

Waiting for the first Trump "as PotUSA" allegation now.

On a separate note...Sean Hannity vs Keurig. 

Quote

Keurig announced on Saturday that it had pulled advertising from Hannity after several Twitter users questioned the company’s support for the host, citing Hannity’s coverage of allegations against the Republican Alabama US Senate candidate, Roy Moore.

Moore has been accused of having sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl 40 years ago.

It is unclear when Keurig stopped advertising on Hannity, but the move has prompted several people to destroy Keurig products in protest, or at least consider doing it, and post videos online.

Hannity reposted one of the videos on Twitter with the comment: “Love it.”

Can't find the quote but apparently Hannity is going to buy "hundreds" of them to smash up. Logic failure

Saw some discussion around precedent for sanctions. Apparently the event was under sanction of the Mohegan Commission, and their head is the head of the association of commissions, and well respected. So it would appear any punishment given by them would be upheld by everyone (NYSAC, New Jersey, Nevada etc). He should be looking at a year for the push on Goddard, based on what's come before. For slapping a Bellator employee, heck, sky's the limit. As I heard someone say, it's assault, and if he did it on the street, he'd be arrested.

As much as UFC wouldn't want to lose him, I think some hard discussions need to be made, and contingencies put in place. 

I want to say work, but can't give WWE that much credit. If it is work, sets up the go home show nicely, what with the Cena situation.

But, as Titus showed, Vince can be a thin-skinned isolationist. If Sami didn't get approval for the script, more that possible Vince took offence

I get the feeling, with HHH appearing at ICW and the wealth of talent in the tryouts, if they aren't going ahead with a full blown separate show, perhaps an expanded faction. Something happens to Regal, he "makes a call" and have 4 or 5 brought in as his protection. Regal's promo skills would mask any weaknesses, and add a needed shot in the arm into what I think has become a plateau'ed tag division in NXT. 

I'm fully aware my vision, and what WWE would probably produce are two very different things. Just don't call them the British Invasion.

Gotta hand it to Jericho. Gets told "we don't play well with others", books Young Bucks et al for the cruise thing, and negotiates a marquee match against Omega, which apparently WWE only found out about when it was announced. Shades of Pillman and the WCW contract release for me, and a definite thumb in the eye for WWE.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-41653471

Quote

Daughter seeks memories of wrestler father Mal "King Kong" Kirk

The daughter of a wrestling star who died in the ring when she was three has been looking to the wrestling community to help build memories of her father.

Mal "King Kong" Kirk had a heart attack in front of hundreds of spectators as he faced Big Daddy at the Hippodrome in Great Yarmouth on 23 August 1987.

Daughter Natasha Kirk joined a Leeds Wrestlers Reunion event to find out more about her father.

She said: "I don't remember my dad so I'm grateful for these memories."

Ms Kirk said people had recounted stories about her father's sense of humour and how hard working he was.

She said: "He was a household name and I think sometimes I forget that because I've grown up out of that limelight."

Sharing his memories, fellow wrestler Tony "Banger" Walsh, described Kirk as a "big lump" who was "just a lovely, lovely guy".

A former coal miner and professional rugby league player, Kirk was was born in Featherstone on 18 December 1936.

Described by Big Daddy as the "pitman's Hercules", he started wrestling as "Mucky" Mal Kirk after his sporting career ended - spending time in Germany before returning to the UK and changing his ring name to "King Kong" Kirk.

He always wrestled as the "baddie" and was often tagged with the superweight Giant Haystacks in matches against the "good guys".

Unlike a number of wrestlers at the time, he did not rely on a gimmick, rather his 25 stone frame was considered intimidating enough in the ring.

Kirk's death, aged 50, came just after Big Daddy, whose real name was Shirley Crabtree, had delivered his signature "big splash", which saw him jumping down on to the body of a fallen opponent.

An inquest into his death found Kirk had a pre-existing heart condition and cleared Mr Crabtree of any responsibility.

Speaking to the BBC at the time of his death, Mr Crabtree said: "He was a tremendously powerful man. He was as strong as three man.

"As long as I live I'll never forget seeing him down there on the canvas instead of on his feet, raging and flying about."

Ms Kirk said of meeting the wrestlers: "I can't have my dad in my life and I've grown up without him, so it's the next best thing because people are telling me what he was like."

Wondered if anyone on here would have any info or contacts they could help her out with

(No connection, found it while on BBC)

So, where do we go from here? What does having Sami help Kevin achieve? Apart from retconning the whole "former best friend" stuff? I'm with you, Supremo. I welcome them using him, but can't see how they will.

Shane's bump looked like a great trajectory, bad landing. On the replay, the table didn't collapse clean and I'm fairly sure Mike Chioda's reaction was more shoot than kayfabe.

The tag match was everything it set out to be and more. The usual New Day comedy with mulitple trombones, and Big E "seeing red". Gratuitous kendo stick use and believable handcuffs for once.

Corbin is like a half-deflated balloon. Briefly entertaining, now hanging around and just shit. Dillinger impressed, and still seems over, can see a good run for him coming off the back of this.

Can we send Nakamura back to NXT and forget this whole main roster thing ever happened? I don't know if it's the shine coming off, or just all round shit booking, but he's nothing now.

Natalya's intentional DQ...I don't know, and frankly I don't care.

And I don't know if it will be mentioned, but where was Daniel Bryan at the end? As GM, he was conspicuous by his absence.

EDIT: AJ moving into a program with KO? Addressing the elephant in the room and offering Shane help to beat up Sami and KO. (In before Wooly offers odds on the tag match at the rumble)

10p for every minute over 3hrs?

"Hailing from Horni Police, in the Czech Republic, weighing in a over 500 pounds of red tape....Cease and Desist"

For reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Unusual_place_names

Has the C&D letter been released or leaked? It could be that they are only C&Ding its use in merch. I'm fairly sure the WWE legal team are smart enough to not go after something intangible as just a hand signal. Or are they akin to yes men?

There's an old adage about letting sleeping dogs lie, not poking a hornet's nest, not headbutting a Samoan etc...

Bravery beat stupidity in this one. Did the YBs really think that goading WWE to "do something" was going to turn out well?  Now their bluff has been called and they're getting all pissy about it. Trademark law aside, you stick your business in Vince's face, he's gonna bite.

Part of me wonders if they will keep teasing the Shield reunion, but never pay it off. I've had a thought if maybe they'll keep Reigns in a holding pattern til Joe comes back, not verbatim but wasn't there a promo line tying the two's Samoan heritage in some way? Bring Joe back as heel against Reigns face til Rumble rolls around

Quote

Puerto Ricans became citizens of the United States as a result of the passage of the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917. Since this law was the result of Congressional legislation, and not the result of an amendment to the United States Constitution, the current U.S. citizenship of Puerto Ricans can be revoked by Congress,

Taken from Wiki, they are full citizens in a similar way that Channel Islanders are British citizens, but that last bit about revoking by Congress is interesting.

To get in before Woolybot, Forbes have an article up "5 things we learned"

Braun Strowman's Momentum Has Been Halted

The Cruiserweight Division May Be Coming To An End

Raw's Midcard Still Needs A Lot Of Work

Brock Lesnar Will Hold The Universal Title Until WrestleMania 34

John Cena Vs. Roman Reigns Is Likely One And Done

And I find nothing to argue with.

Strowman is back to midcard purgatory, with it looking like Miz taking a feud with Reigns potentially. What do we do with Balor, apart from continue the story with Wyatt ad nauseam. Lesnar not set to appear before the Rumble, further devalues the belt. 

8 hours ago, bigfoote said:

Reigns beats Cena, postmatch Cena promo and handshake. Brock retains via Heyman distraction leading to F5 quick pin. Post match destruction and flying chairs "putting out" Lesnar. I'd love Strowman to win, but THE PLAN must continue. Ambrollins to retain. Wyatt/Balor, don't care. Neville beating Enzo, hopefully by massive squash. Bliss to retain (usual multi-woman match shenanigans). Can see Miz dropping the belt to Angle, I mean Jordan, probably the usual booking of a screwup by the Miztourage.

 

Really feels like outside of the top two matches, nothing matters in the results tonight. 

 

EDIT: Yeah, I had to Google the card to check what was booked.

I'll break the ice here...

So THE PLAN won out. Brock/Braun started out well, but I can't help thinking this might sink Braun's run. One F5 finished him. 

Reigns continues to be the chosen one, and looks like Cena is going away til next year.

Enzo's cheap win stings, but again, he shifts merch and shouts loudly, perhaps the most marketable gimmick in 205

Props to Cesaro, the finish leaves the door open and can see him and Sheamus taking the titles back when mini-Shield inevitably implodes

Standard multi-woman match, they need to show more of Nia and her strengths. Asuka coming in might be a much needed shot in the arm, it's all rather stale.

Is there anyone who has matured and grown in their time with WWE as much as the Miz? And where does the Angle feud end up? Kurt/Miz at mania?

All in all, the show has shown THE PLAN can not be changed.

PS: Emotional Cena on Raw Talk is uncomfortable to watch talk so candidly about passing the torch.

Reigns beats Cena, postmatch Cena promo and handshake. Brock retains via Heyman distraction leading to F5 quick pin. Post match destruction and flying chairs "putting out" Lesnar. I'd love Strowman to win, but THE PLAN must continue. Ambrollins to retain. Wyatt/Balor, don't care. Neville beating Enzo, hopefully by massive squash. Bliss to retain (usual multi-woman match shenanigans). Can see Miz dropping the belt to Angle, I mean Jordan, probably the usual booking of a screwup by the Miztourage.

Really feels like outside of the top two matches, nothing matters in the results tonight. 

EDIT: Yeah, I had to Google the card to check what was booked.

I looked...thought, that's an interesting card...then I saw it. Wow. 21 shillings top price is a robbery!

Oh, and yeah, it was so casually written I missed it. Jesus wept.

21 minutes ago, wooly said:

The match between lesnar and strowman will end up with lesnar still as champ and Lesnar will carry the belt to wrestlemania and drop it to maybe Reigns. Strowman won't get pinned it will end up with a countout/DQ  result. for lesner. If Strowman does get pinned it will just kill all his momentum. Hopefully after NO MERCY they will book Strowman right and maybe put him with Reigns for a program and not lose him in the shuffle. 

Ignoring the sheer lack of grammar, a couple of things:

You really see Lesnar/Reigns at WM? Personally I think it's much more likely to be nearer to a Lesnar/Braun rubber match, or Cena/Braun (c) for the title. I think if they continue to book Braun as a proper monster, as they have, with a title win at maybe Survivor Series, or even the Rumble match (dreams of flying midcarders and cruiserweights), he can go into Mania as champ vs Cena, or the title shot vs Lesnar in something gimmicky (Last Man Standing, 3 stages of Hell, lumberjack).

There is a good chance No Mercy won't end clean, be it a no contest stoppage, double countout or Lesnar retained from Heyman interference, but it's ridiculous to say that a pinfall loss would kill Braun's momentum. Part of me would love to see Braun go apeshit on Raw and just rampage on everyone (more flying midcarders and cruisers), to keep him fresh when Lesnar isn't around. Just not Reigns, that would "kill all his momentum" in a segment.

The mark in me wants Braun to no-sell the first German, then just destroy Lesnar and pin him clean. The smart me knows WWE will screw this up due to either Vince's whim a couple of hours before showtime, or the usual blind booking "plan".

I think the best we can hope for is either a ref stoppage KO/No Contest (giving Heyman the chance to claim Braun never beat Lesnar/early stoppage/inept referee/bias against his client), or Lesnar retain via DQ when Braun puts him through the announce tables, or throws a chair and hits "someone". 

I have been really impressed at Lesnar's selling for the most part, I can't remember the last time he showed that much arse for anyone. Does he have the pull to push for Braun? Or is his parttimer contract negating that?

https://twitter.com/ryansatin/status/905530012320669696

If the embedding doesn't work: 

Plan for a Network

24/7 Wrestling Channel through Pluto TV 

Extension to the PopTV contract

Negotiations ongoing to return to TV in Germany, Austria and Switzerland via a 3.99EUR add-on.

Apparently LadyShanni had to be restrained due to something separate in the match. Is it ego? From what I could tell from the awful English commentary, this was Sexy Star's big return to AAA after "conquering" Lucha Underground etc., she has the strap, was by all accounts booked to win. Is she really seen as this huge star in Mexico? She better hope she is, because I don't see her getting much work north of the border.

Watched it live, and something seemed off. But then a lot of Triplemania seemed off. 

Seems to have been "confirmed" as a shoot by Rosemary, after a lot of pros (the likes of Joey Ryan, Gail Kim etc) had a go on Twitter.

I'm not going to get into it all, but personally, to go into business for yourself, at the biggest show of the year for AAA, is a real easy way to get blackballed. Chances are though, nothing will happen.

Just now, d-d-d-dAz said:

All I imagine Joe/Lesnar to be is a 2017 version of the Joe/Kobashi match from ROH; just a festival of stiff punches and chops, with a crowd reacting to every strike like they're at a '94 Def Jam comedy special.

With Brock and Joe laughing insanely a la Taker/Lesnar? Heck if they're going that route, recreate Joe/Necro and get a couple of chairs centre ring.

It may be my jaded mind, but the really dumb finish to the IC title match took me out of the zone for the rest of the night. Compounded by the stips in the tag match, which as far as I remember, have never been both at the same time. Telegraphed the Jeff spot as soon as he escaped, but the pre-show didn't help that.

There were good seeds sown. Joe/Lesnar is a potential wet dream match, as long as it doesn't descend into Coquina clutch --> Standing switch --> German Suplices ad nauseam. Again Miz shows why he just gets it with his tangle with Renee post-show, will this lead to a more public acknowledgement of Renee and Ambrose?

In my sleep deprived state, is Miz/Ambrose Vince booking "Sports Entertainment" vs 'rasslin?

And then there's this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGJi0DsaNHM - Joey Ryan and 11 title changes.

I stand by my belief that wrestling needs humour. DDT do it right with this title.