David

4 hours ago, Devon Malcolm said:

Not really the point I was making with my post there, David, but you do you

Your point was that CM Punk doesn't understand what a loaded question is. I disagree. 

😉

There are different posters out there. The original gold one we see quite a bit is being used for the electronic displays on the side of buildings and casinos. There are also graffiti-style ones on a few walkways and so on, as well as other fighter-specific ones being shown in actual casinos and hotels.

On 4/2/2024 at 3:22 AM, Devon Malcolm said:

My main takeaway from the interview, which I enjoyed a lot, was that CM Punk doesn't understand what a loaded question is.

Oh, I'd disagree with that. I really doubt Punk went on Helwani's show without knowing exactly what he was going to be asked. Helwani is basically a more coherent, polished modern-day Meltzer in Air Jordans and a checked shirt. The whole interview was amazing.

Punk essentially admitted to coming into AEW, doing exactly what he wanted, choking out a fellow talent, throwing his weight around before leaving, walking back into the big company and the "real business", and becoming an even bigger star. 

The "internet fans" simply can't win when it comes to Punk. At every stage they want to see him fail, and he just keeps fucking winning. Remember when there were whispers of him going back to WWE, and everyone laughed and claimed there was no way they'd take him back? Good times. 

On 3/27/2024 at 2:38 PM, wandshogun09 said:

Alright, let’s get it out of the way. Yeah the poster is arse. Don’t know what they were thinking with that. Whatever.

While it looks shit on a screen, what I will say is that it looks really good on the side of buildings advertising the event. Maybe that's played into their thinking? Dunno.

On 3/28/2024 at 2:00 AM, Egg Shen said:

Remember the Pearl at the Palms shows in Vegas? Put them back in there if they have to stay in Vegas, a little cauldron like atmosphere, with proper fans watching.

Oh yeah, I remember those shows. I actually attended my first-ever UFC at one of those, I think. The crowd was mainly made up of people who'd been comped by various hotels, but it was a pretty good atmosphere from what I can remember.

10 hours ago, Egg Shen said:

All it would take is a slight shuffling of the deck and they could hold every show in front of an audience again. They've done it before.

The problem is that they're liable for an incredible number of shows now. It's not just the fighters; think about the team behind the scenes needed to put these shows on almost weekly. Then throw in the dealing with various athletic commissions and so forth.

As a happy medium, I'm guessing they could strike up some sort of deal with a Vegas casino to run shows in one of their smaller ballroom-type arenas like they used to do. That would maybe limit the expense.

I'm definitely a fan of the "contender" type shows that Apex events are, as they're somewhere for up-and-comers to get started and for fading vets to get a final chance, but even a small audience would do wonders, I think.

I actually watched this last night. I managed to get to this point without knowing any of the results, apart from someone being bitten.

Honestly, though, can you imagine a card like this in a proper arena? Who's paying UFC ticket prices to see this? No one. It belongs behind closed doors at the Apex.

I'm not sure that's drugs causing that. If I was his family or management team, I'd be looking to get him checked out medically.

There has to be a reason why they're going with this minimalist shit? I mean, I know it looks lazy to us, but they have a well-paid marketing team working for them? This must be what works.

See, this is what does my fucking head in. 

Does the UFC get a call from Aldo's manager saying he wants to come back, one of the UFC's biggest legends, and go away and have a discussion that consists of something like:

"Okay, we've got a legend here who wants to come back for a fight, maybe two if he looks good. What are we thinking, lads?"

"Dom Cruz? He's been inactive for a bit, but that's a good fight. Cody Garbrandt? He's fighting at UFC 300, but by the time Aldo is ready, we could match them up in a total war?"

"Is he firm on bantamweight? If not, why not see if he fancies a lightweight fight with McGregor? Imagine that—a rematch of the century and all that? Josh Emmett? That would be a barn burner! Kron Gracie didn't look great last time out, but imagine the King of Rio vs BJJ royalty? Damn!"

*Dana walks into the office with a big shit-eating grin on his face*

"Forget all of that, lads. I've got it. Jonathan Martinez!!! That's the money fight right there! Ranked 14th! Some of the folk on his street recognise him when he walks past! Who wouldn't want to come out of retirement for that fight, right? Right?!? Get it booked up!!"

Fucking idiots, man.

Well, yeah. We've all discussed that point before, but I'm meaning from a product point of view. 

I admit, I have grown a bit weary of all the chin-strap beard types who've been bulldozing the various divisions with their wrestling, but I have a soft spot for Mokaev. 

Without being all "USA! USA!" about it, he's fighting out of the UK, and I tend to like seeing our lads and girls do quite well if they're not absolute knobs, so I'm hoping he gets that title shot and goes on to win it.

6 hours ago, wandshogun09 said:

Another factor could be that they probably wanna have Mokaev in a prominent position on that Manchester card. It’s only a Fight Night so there’s every chance he might headline that one, which would be big for him on home soil.

You'd imagine they'd tell him that then. Unless he's just seen the booking and went right to the Twitter app without asking the company what the deal is. 

Meh, it is what it is, as a ruddy-faced bald man is known to say. 

They're obviously keeping these events around as a way to do two things:

• Burn the fight obligation for fighters who aren't really good enough for a PPV card
• Give up & comers somewhere to get some wins before they push them to the main card

I personally don't mind it. I'd rather these fights were all bundled together on an Apex card where I know I can give it a miss rather than have them stinking up legit cards I want to see. 

As usual, I'll have it on the iPad while I'm working, but I'll likely make a point of watching the main event and the Barbarena/Gerry fight. 

It looks to me like Parillo, in particular, is trying to push the "we're 1-1 now, let's get that rubber match down!" schtick. It likely won't work, as Vera wasn't really deserving of a title match to begin with, but they have to try. And the whole "Chito can't be stopped" is the only angle they have, I guess?

Anyway, surely it's time for Merab, right? Has to be.  

I always liked Coker. I mean, he's still a hard-headed businessman who's involved in the fight game, but he seems like he's not a reprehensible human being, which is a bonus. 

I hope he's successful. The MMA world needs more promoters like him.

A proper legend inside and outside of the cage. Didn't think twice about putting it all on the line.

7 hours ago, Carbomb said:

Depends on what circumstances you mean - I'd have said McG was the one who kicked it all off. He essentially showed MMA fighters that they didn't have to put up with the scraps from Plastic Caesar's table if they could show enough personality, or make connections with the right promoter.

As crazy as it sounds, that McGregor fight was nearly seven years ago now. Which is mental. Doesn't seem that long.

But, after that, we didn't see a ton of fighters making the jump. I think Francis has led the way in a way that McGregor didn't. There was always the feeling with Conor that it was an attraction fight because the UFC was involved. Dana's big red face was all over the promotion, and so on. 

Ngannou has made the jump to boxing proper, I think. If anything, his MMA fighting will be part-time in comparison.

Plus, we've got the bareknuckle stuff, and Game Bred bareknuckle MMA etc, all of which is giving fighters options. 

3 hours ago, SuperBacon said:

"No need to make this public. How does a 1988 Holland shirt sound to keep you quiet?"

If it's signed by Aaron Winter and Wim Jonk? Consider me silenced.

We're likely going to see a lot of this with Ngannou paving the way, aren't we? Thing is, he was lightning in a bottle, so to speak. A one-off.

7 hours ago, Egg Shen said:

So you'd rather see them have a low level boxing match?

Or none of the above

I'd rather not see either of them ever again, really.

5 hours ago, Egg Shen said:

I mean, I love both fighters but surely everyone would rather seem fight MMA?

Fight each other in MMA? Not really. Their last fight was MMA, and overhyped and overrated Diaz got his ass "pieced up."

17 hours ago, Egg Shen said:

Boxing News has clearly been waiting to and took a lot of joy creating a cover like this, hell of a picture though:

That's the same publication that commented that Fury almost lost to Ngannou because he fights to the level of his opponent. 

Interesting.

9 hours ago, Loki said:

I don't think it's in the realms of conspiracy theories that HHH knew or suspected Vince was having an affair, but not the details.

From what I've pieced together, it seems quite plausible.

After scanning the latest article, which delves into various individuals, it seems the prevailing notion is that Janel Grant was primarily seen as just another of Vince's extramarital affairs.

Brian Nurse's behaviour towards her strongly indicates frustration with what he perceives as her being there solely because of her relationship with Vince.

Even the conversations attributed to Khan and Blum about her trustworthiness hint at them viewing her more as a potential source of trouble due to her status as Vince's mistress.

The crux of the debate centres on whether anyone involved knew that Vince had hired Grant for a vague role, with the understanding that she would essentially be at his disposal for sexual purposes within the WWE, or if they simply thought he was favouring his "bit on the side."

I suspect Stephanie might have seen it the same way; it was just another of her dad's "young things" he hooked up with occasionally.

If I had to guess who might have genuinely been aware of what was happening, I'd say Vince himself and Laurinitus—the ones directly involved. I doubt Vince was foolish enough to openly reveal himself as an absolute creep and complete deviant.

People like Khan would have had too much at stake to risk covering up something like that. It would essentially mean throwing away their entire careers.

I love the fact that @Lion_of_the_Midlands made a big song and dance about putting me on ignore because I made him cry a while back, yet is still engaging in discussions regarding me. 

A bit like when Dwight put Andy on "shun" in The Office.