David

Just now, WeeAl said:

@Davidis going to be delighted at that news! DDP will have to sit out a while in that case, he may not be back in there until February or March, if Adesanya fights in September. 

I hope Strickland wins and then only ever defends the title in the Apex. 

Aw, shit. I was looking forward to that. Sandhagen is a tough test for anyone, and like you say, seeing Umar in a five round fight against someone of that level would have been interesting.

Makes me hanker for the old ways of doing this kind of thing.

A short video of Juande Ramos emerging from the tunnel at White Hart Lane with David Bentley, quietly exchanging unheard words while Ramos points to various parts of the stadium and Bentley nods in agreement, all while the clacking sound of photographers cameras can be heard.

You can almost smell the freshly cut grass and feel the summer sunshine on your face if you close your eyes. 

I have zero idea why they've used the "prospects vs veterans" angle on this series. What it basically is, is guys who have fought previously in the UFC going up against guys who haven't.

McGregor's fans are using the "prospects vs veterans" angle as an excuse for Connor's pathetic attempts at "coaching" by claiming that Chandler has guys who are older and more experienced, while Connor has been stuck with young guys who are raw and inexperienced.

Not the biggest names on the card, I agree, but when you look over who's there you know that it's very likely going to be worth watching. Not many fighters there that I'd classify as boring.

So, according to Jake Paul, backed up by Helwani, there's some confusion over what Ngannou is earning for this fight with Fury. It's been widely reported that it's $8 million. Both Helwani and Paul are saying that's wrong. They're saying it's actually an 8 figure sum, not $8 million.

So we're looking at $10 million minimum. 

Just now, Infinity Land said:

There is no brand split. There's just some people that don't want to work both shows for different reasons. MJF has already wrestled and appeared on Collision.

Yeah, but that was a one-off, wasn't it? Is he going to appear on Dynamite during a feud with CM Punk when the guy he's feuding with isn't allowed to compete on that show? This situation with CM Punk being almost exclusively on Collision is eventually going to run out of road I think. 

I'm just going on the fact that he seems like he isn't really interacting with anyone who isn't in the small group of wrestlers who are on Collision. How would they build a feud with him and Max? Eventually? Move Max to Collision? 

This whole brand split is starting to annoy me.

Just now, Vamp said:

Really? I can't really imagine Punk doing the job on free TV to Starks. 

Last weeks awful "chant for Owen" promo has confused the whole thing for me. It came across as really desperate, which doesn't really seem to suit the character. Punk winning it and playing a bullshitter who says the right things "I want to wrestle the younger guys," "I'm being myself," "I did it for Owen," but doesn't mean them has a lot of potential, and makes sense with his "tell me when I'm telling lies" stuff but I think they're more likely going for the more boring Bret Hart rip off. 

I think Starks has to win it, right? Surely? It is all confusing at the moment though, you're right. If Punk continues as this actual babyface that's going against much of the crowd reaction then I have no idea where they go next with him.

The idea of him being a bullshitter and saying all the fan favourite stuff but being a sneaky prick would work.

You know what's mental? It's been over five years since Holm was in a UFC fight where she wasn't a main event or co-main. 

I think this CM Punk match tonight will give us an idea of where they're taking him as a character. I'd be surprised if he actually wins this thing, but how he reacts when he loses will tell us a lot.

If he cheap shots Starks and turns full heel I'll be more than happy. If he does the whole handshake and best man won thing, you have to wonder what's next? Where do they go with him after that?

Just now, wandshogun09 said:

It’s not ideal and Pereira’s done literally nothing to warrant it but given the mess the division is in currently, fuck it, I wouldn’t have a problem with it.

Plus, Pereira being a two-division champion  will no doubt rile the fuck out of Izzy, and I'm all about that.

Just now, Accident Prone said:

I'm not watching AEW as if it's business that I'm invested in. I'm watching AEW because I'm a message board pro wrestling nerd, and AEW hit a certain sweet spot when it came to scratching those wrestling nerd itches.

In case there was any confusion here, I am also one of those wrestling nerds. I'm right here on this message board with you, and have been for far too fucking much of my adult life, like many on here. 

Just now, Accident Prone said:

So I don't care about what "people in the business" say. I'm not going to watch some sub-par cheesey garbage whilst faking a smile and muttering some empty-pleasantries about casual fans. I'm not watching for anybody else but myself.

Here's the thing, if I thought what they were putting out there was "sub-par cheesy garbage" I wouldn't tune in. Fuck, there's more than enough shit to watch these days without labouring through something if you think it's sub-par. 

I'm not muttering anything, I'm simply explaining that while people like you and me will watch for the most part (I know you said you don't watch, but most of us wrestling nerds will watch, then moan like fuck afterwards) the company needs to appeal to those casual viewers if they want to grow. It's that simple.

And those casual viewers like the kind of cheeseball nonsense that you're talking about. What do you think fans are talking about after the show on Wednesday? How good the matches were? Or the "hilarious" segment between MJF and Adam Cole? 

Personally, I'm happy to have it all. It's only when the comedy skits are replacing the excellent in-ring matches that I'll start to really grumble. That hasn't happened yet. Not in my opinion anyway.

Just now, Accident Prone said:

Also, it's weird how these arguments about not catering to the internet nerds get trotted out only a few weeks after the critical and commercial success that was Forbidden Door. Almost like people will recognise a good wrestling show as a good wrestling show regardless of how "nerdy" it is. Fuck Max Landis and his "wREStliNG ISnt WREStlinG" bootlicking bollocks.

Look, you don't need to convince me about the brilliance of Forbidden Door. I ended up paying over the odds for a ticket for it, so I'm all-in (pardon the pun) when it comes to excellent wrestling shows. But, I also realise that just like Christmas, this event comes along but once a year, and there's a reason for that. 

Just now, Accident Prone said:

Clearly working? That's something you're going to have to explain. You got some stats to go with that? Clearly working as in "Well they're still on the air..." or clearly working as in "Well RATINGS ARE THROUGH THE ROOF for MJF and Adam Cole's segments that are filmed like a run-of-the-mill porno!".

If you've been bored enough to read any of my posts on ratings you'll know I don't put much stock in them, but what I do put stock in is the interest of television companies in a product as a whole, and there's a reason why AEW got another slot at a good time on a Saturday night, and why apparently they're being pushed by WBD to increase PPVs to become a monthly concern as part of a new television deal. 

Because as a whole, what they're doing now is working. And why working I mean they're clearly appealing to advertisers and TV execs. I know that may not be your criteria, but outside of personal preference, it is THE criteria that matters.

Just now, Accident Prone said:

How many times did you hear that argument; "It doesn't matter, you'll still watch regardless". Trust me when I say, I've got no qualms with dropping AEW like a dribbly catshit kebab if the product continues down this path of emulating WWE and NXT (not even GOOD WWE and GOOD NXT, for fucks sake).

Sadly, AEW will be quite happy to lose one fan in you if it means they attract multiples of the other type. Although, I don't think they're emulating WWE all that much. I stopped watching the 'E a while back due mainly to it being shit, but I'm honestly finding AEW the most entertaining it's been in ages at the moment. I like the fact they've diversified a little and went with some comedy skits and suchlike alongside the excellent wrestling. Maybe that's because I've now got my other half watching along with me for those "big laughs" instead of scrolling on her phone, asking when she can stick Below Deck:Sailing Yacht on the telly or whatever.

The thing is, I think most people on here who post in these AEW threads on the reg are being entertained by what they're seeing. Me included. I'm not gonna say you should be watching or anything as mental as that, and fully understand that if it's not for you it'll be a case of turning off and moving on. 

To each their own and all that.

Nabbed some tickets to see the Jays play the Diamondbacks tomorrow. At less than £11 a skull you can't really go wrong.

It looks like Franco Ibarra's agent didn't explain to him exactly how the trade system in Major League Soccer works. He's being moved from championship-chasing Atlanta to the drizzling shits of Toronto FC, and he's not happy at all:

Quote

Two days after Atlanta United informed Ibarra he would be loaned to Toronto FC, so ATL could comply with MLS’s Under-22 initiative, which offers clubs salary cap flexibility but limits teams to just three players, the Argentine is still coming to grips with his new reality.

“I’m trying to accept all of this,” Ibarra told The Athletic. “I have thousands of questions. But there’s no point in dwelling on this. That’ll make it worse for me… If I’m highly valued then send me to a better team. Don’t send me to the worst team. I understand that this is a business, but send me to another team.”

A casualty of Atlanta’s roster mismanagement, Ibarra was the player forced to make way, despite playing an important role for head coach Gonzalo Pineda. Colombian winger Edwin Mosquera returned from his loan at Argentina’s Defensa y Justicia which is what put Atlanta United over the allowance with Mosquera, Ibarra, Santiago Sosa and Erik López all signed as U-22 initiative players.

Atlanta sporting director and former USMNT captain Carlos Bocanegra was the one to break the news to Ibarra on Wednesday evening. Ibarra refused to accept the situation.

“Carlos told me that he was going to close the deal that same night and that I had to go,” Ibarra said. “I told Carlos that he didn’t have to close that deal. That I wasn’t going to leave Atlanta. I’m not going to that team.

“I didn’t know when I had to leave for Toronto, where I’m going to live, what I’ll have to do with my visa. I was completely in the dark. I told Carlos that I understood that there are rules. I get it, but I’m not going to Toronto.” 

Ibarra turned up at Atlanta’s training ground on Thursday morning for a normal day of work. He was not allowed to participate and told to go home.

“I was told that I didn’t need to change because I was already a Toronto player. That Atlanta had closed the deal,” Ibarra told The Athletic. “Carlos told me that he was really sorry. He said he needed to cut the roster down. I reiterated that I wouldn’t go to Toronto. It doesn’t benefit me at all from a football standpoint. It’s obvious where Toronto is at the moment versus Atlanta.” 

As much as Toronto FC fans don’t want to hear that an incoming player is upset about joining the club, it is easy to understand why the 22-year-old feels that way. The Reds have been a disaster this season, with just three wins from 22 games, despite having the highest payroll in MLS and two of the most marquee names the league has ever had. Ibarra may grow to enjoy the club

“I’m hurt and it bothers me how you’ve done this and where you’re sending me,” Ibarra revealed about his conversation with Bocanegra. “You can’t call me out of the blue to tell me that I have to move to another country. If you tell me a week ago that there’s a problem and that I no longer have a U-22 slot, that’s different. But instead I found out last night that (Bocanegra) had to get rid of one of the four U-22 players.”

According to Felipe Cárdenas of The Athletic, Ibarra spoke with Toronto FC general manager Jason Hernandez who empathized with the player’s situation. Ibarra was told that Atlanta would work diligently to improve his chances for a European transfer upon the end of his TFC loan. 

“I mean, are you serious? I still don’t know when I have to be in Toronto,” said Ibarra about his conversation with Bocanegra. “These are things that should be talked through. Is it good for me? Is it a bad move for me? But instead I showed up to train and they didn’t let me train. I had to turn around and go back home. Legally I have to go. I have to show up there. I’m a Toronto FC player now. Even if I wanted to try and stall the deal by saying that I didn’t want to go to Toronto, I couldn’t. The deal was already closed. It bothered me how they did this.”

Ibarra bid farewell to Atlanta fans with a heartfelt Instagram post on Friday admitting he was filled with “pain and sadness” and that he had “insisted on staying in Atlanta.”

On 6/15/2023 at 9:28 PM, BomberPat said:

Grew a bad tache, wore a stupid shirt, look like I haven't slept in days (which is broadly accurate)

I've just realised who you remind me of...

EDIT: And just to clarify, that's not a slight at all. Usyk is a legend and is very cool and stylish.

Just now, wandshogun09 said:

Had to double check that this was actually an edit.

It is an edit. He was actually talking about Aljamain Sterling, not Kevin Lee.

Just now, SuperBacon said:

Go with her to the gym as I absolutely guarantee some smelly wrestling fan will see her t-shirt and before you know it, will be quizzing her on her thoughts on Crockett Promotions and offering her a can of Monster. 

Never thought of that. I may actually go and sit a little bit away, phone at the ready for the approach of said neckbeard type. I'll upload here if it happens.

Just now, Accident Prone said:

I don't watch AEW for skits and comedy segments and backstage angles, I watch it because they used to promote the important chunks of the card with in-ring storytelling, proper interviews, post-match angles and video packages. They had silly shite every now and again, but it was mostly relegated to guys who weren't important. But now we have the world heavyweight champion dabbling in segments that even NXT staff would scoff at, and we've got the most over tag team in the company (who have been cooled off a lot since their peak) embroiled with the instant death that is QTV.

There's still good stuff up and down the roster, but having your World Heavyweight Champion wasting his time with this Vince McMahon-engorged guff is such a waste.

I guess it depends on who they're trying to market to really, doesn't it?

I'm much like you, in that I want to see in-ring storytelling, proper interviews, and so on, but as we've been told numerous times by people in the business, AEW can't survive on just appealing to the nerds who post on message boards and mark out at NJPW appearances. 

Case in point, my other half has always had pretty much zero interest in wrestling in general. WWE, Impact, you name it. 

But, she's went from a curious casual watcher of AEW, seemingly digging the Orange Cassidy stuff, and really liking the Ruby Soho character, to absolutely loving the MJF/Adam Cole stuff.

I was absolutely shocked to see a payment from our bank for Pro Wrestling Tees when it's not my birthday or Christmas etc, and when I asked she told me she's ordered one of those shirts MJF and Cole are wearing. Why? Because she thinks it's great and wants one for going to the gym. 

I can only go on what I'm seeing, but what they're doing is clearly working. And the truth is, guys like you and me are gonna be watching regardless. People like my other half? They will just stop watching if shit gets too serious or nerdy. 

Just my take on it.

Just now, Dead Mike said:

Bones is gonna finish him quickly and they're both gonna retire.

With any luck.

If this title fight between O'Malley and Sterling was happening off the back of both fighters coming in with proper rest and training camps I'd likely favour Sterling very heavily. As it is, this fight is happening three months after his five round fight with Cejudo, which isn't ideal in my opinion.

I still think Sterling gets it done, but by fuck does the UFC love itself white fighters to get behind and favour. Especially if they have a hint of Irish about them.

12 hours ago, Silky Kisser said:

The video I saw showed him jumping out the Octagon to make a beeline for him though.

Not really, if he watch the footage you'll see that he makes a beeline for Dana, and while he's shaking Trumps hand he's actually engaged in a conversation with Dana, who can be heard saying something like "hell of a fight" and "you're next in line" which I assume means the title shot that was announced a few minutes later.

I think Trump was simply there, rather than Du Plessis heading over to see Trump. 

In actual fact, Adesanya is a bit of Trump fanboy. There's photos of them together, and he's talked about how Trump has messaged him personally to tell him he's his favourite fighter and that he can't wait to see him fight again.

17 hours ago, Carbomb said:

Maybe I'm overthinking this, but I don't really see where Big Fran succeeds where Deontay Wilder failed. I'd love it if Ngannou did win, just for the sheer fucking Lost Ark-style meltdown Plastic Caesar would have, but as Fury has demonstrated in three matches with Wilder, a puncher's chance is at an even lower percentage against him - and even if he does get hit, it's not necessarily going to get the job done.

Oh, there's next to no chance of Ngannou winning. Not if Fury takes the fight even close to seriously. The one chance he has is based entirely on the fact that Fury is known to box to the level of his opponents a lot of the time. If he comes in and starts fucking about, trying to mug it up for the cameras he could easily get clipped. We've seen him get clipped and wobbled before.

But the odds are heavily in favour of him winning.

I'm honestly chuffed to bit for Francis. He basically walked away from the UFC, with Dana, Jon Jones and all the Zuffannies telling him he was making a mistake and that the UFC is the best he can possibly get.

I hope he makes a fortune in this fight with Fury, and I hope he really does put in a good showing. I don't expect him to win, but I hope he looks half-decent.

Then I hope Fury gets hold of a replica UFC title and walks around absolutely everywhere with it, claiming to be the "lineal UFC heavyweight champion!"

Just now, Silky Kisser said:

But if Israel hadn't popped off, does DDP get the heat because he's a Trump fan? 

Is he a Trump fan though? I've not seen him say anything about Trump. Or is this all stemming from the fact that he jumped the cage and went over to Dana White, and shook hands with Trump who happened to be sitting next to him?

I haven't seen Du Plessis share anything about Trump on his socials, although I do admit I'm not on socials as much as others may be. Does he endorse Trump? If he is a Trump fan he'd surely be retweeting the shit out of that video capturing his handshake? But there's absolutely nothing I can see on any of DDP's social channels to highlight it?

I personally believe that Trump being friends with Dana and being at some events puts some fighters in a tough spot. When Dana is standing there beaming his big shit-eating grin like a proud father, and Trump is telling you he loved your fight and offers his hand and poses for a photo op, what do you do? Tell him to get to fuck and risk the wrath of the boss man?