Lurker > Strife2

Wild win again. Staal is amazing. Wish they had him in his prime.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

First Wild shift in almost a month, and they are actually winning games. Has me hopeful. Work is work, but the vibe is always better when winning.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Pro version when? Fucking Nintendo.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

The Wild falling slightly back to earth, losing the last two. Question is what they end up doing with themselves going forward.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

I mean, it took splitting the rosters, AND working with total jobbers, AND Batista...but it's an improvement.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Shadow Dino posted...

Fair point, the West doesn't have teams as atrocious as the Red Wings, but the blob at the Wild Card race in the West is just full of meh. I guess if it means all a team needs to do is go on a heater they can get themselves into a playoff spot, it keeps things interesting.

About that...

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Oh hey, the Wild finally lost...

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

All because of a fucking t-shirt. This guy and Antonio Brown should hook up and become a Twitter tag team of quitters.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

That person is going to die via chop.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Gee. What should we do to push new stars?

Vince:Give him 2-3 weeks of TV, but 50-50 him, and get squashed by AJ in a pre-show match.

*doesn't get over*

Vince: SEE? No one new is over. Now, about that big Keith guy? When is he ready?

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Either Tampa Bay fell off a cliff, or the Wild just can't be stopped. They hold the 2nd Wild Card somehow.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

It's kinda hard to not have Jericho, Moxley, Omega, PAC, and Cody as the top 5 (In terms of in-ring experience and TV exposure). Page/MJF fit in at top 6 just fine I suppose. The issue is how fast they exhaust those options while building up other people at the right time. I always maintain that WWE's major problem is they DON"T feature a Top 6 tier, and just have maybe 2-3 go tos per division and just cycle through people like they don't matter. At best, 1-2 top guys per brand....not enough (hence all their booking issues).

Just have a world title feud, and then that 1-2 major grudge feud storylines to center the show around, and things fall where they need to. Allin probably fits in that next tier down, but I wonder just how long this Inner Circle thing will go for. They would be smart to let it die off sooner rather than later, if NWO or Aces and Eights are anything to go by. You can just bet the whole Hager thing either leads to him turning on Jericho or vice versa. They wouldn't have "super big MMA badass" bodyguard there and not build him up to that top tier eventually.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

I may actually get a break to watch AEW for a change. It'd be nice. At least this week isn't the BUTCHER AND the BLADE reveal. It sounds like they avoid pitfalls like that and rebounded a bit.

I"ve been meaning to watch the Irishman though...dang.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Steiner posted...

they've still never beat AEW once

...ratings wise or quality? Because 800k > 650k.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Keith Lee is Mr. Sandman from Punch Out. Dear God.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Joy...

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBXH1PYT6qA

Seth playing "somewhat" diplomatic about Twitter wrecking his standing with the fans, but it's actually an understandable position he takes. Obviously, they've taken this character and run with it on TV, but I can't fault him when he comes across way better and level headed than a derp on his phone. He doesn't really play up the recent "turn" at all. Eit.her he knew WWE was a safer space than a third party interview...or maybe he learned something (doubt it)

Still, stay off Twitter. It's not good for him at all. Being passionate is no excuse for being a social media whore in the wrong way.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Wild win 4th in a row, 17 points in last 10 games.

I would have loved to see this EARLY in the season. Sheesh.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

The Demon is dumb because they never DID anything with it. The Fiend is actively Bray's in ring character now, so it is easier to buy in.

But as usual, the real strength comes later. Say Bray drops the title to Roman (because of course he fucking will) the situation then becomes what his ceiling is with his next feud and the power level of his opponent.

Faces
Roman
Bryan
The Gulf of fucking Mexico
Miz, Ali, SHORTY G (FuckyouVince), etc.
New Day...maybe?

Turn him face, and well

Heels
Corbin (blargh)
Nakamura/Zayn
Roode/Ziggler (fucking what?)
Sheamus...?

Like, outside of Roman and Bryan, Fiend shouldn't have any trouble hoklding serve over SD as "not Kofi plummeting to fucking death in weeks" obscurity

Just put Bray as the defacto "top grudge/non-title feud" guy and just have him win each one, correcting the previous mistake, until WWE decides they actually have a new shiny toy.

The problem last time always was Bray BEING that gut already, but Vince preferring other people. SD's current landscape is sparse enough that (maybe) WWE isn't dumb to fuck up again...

...

"Stop supporting WWE"

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

They hated on Tensai because "Japanese based gimmick in American show", and the whole, "Goes from wrecking Alex Riley to CM Punk in one week..."

Yeah no. They Jinder'd Tensai, which is different from the Fiend. They gave the Fiend MONTHS of time to build the character. I think fans can buy Wyatt as a top guy. They wanted to the first time. WWE just never wanted to, and still might not. The worst part is the idea that "When is WWE going to fuck it up?" is the default, not, "Oh hey,, they have something now. That's cool."

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Nothing is wrong with the Fiend, when you consider it combines Taker, Kane, and Mankind's darker things, with the added benefit of an extra character that "can" cut promos normally or work social media. Of course, there's always the issue of suspension of disbelief that is almost impossible in today's wrestling culture. But, when almost no other character other than "fighting tough guy" exists in WWE, Bray/The Fiend stands out (like he did even in Swamp Jesus" form years ago). The issue now seems to be WWE allowed him to actually...WIN *gasp* when the fans had enough of their bullshit.

Is it perfect? No, but WWE is at such a low bar, the Fiend sounds like the best thing because everything else IS so bad. I doubt The Fiend would be champion without the brand split and Lesnar being scurried off to Raw obscurity, but whatever.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

I know, and yet we can never seem to escape, can we?

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

It was a good video. Kept some of the old, "The Bard...can get the fuck out of my party" jokes, while speeding right along. It covers what it needed to cover (since FFV is all about the job system and Gilgamesh). Enjoyable 20 minutes, which is par for the course with these things. Jared seems to know that Youtube is a smoldering crater waiting to die, so moved onto Twitch. Which is fair.

Still though, can't really do a video review like this other than Youtube...maybe.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

God. The Wild just getting points for days.

Can they win in OT for once in a blue moon?

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Axl_Rose_85 posted...

Yessss

Oh yeah. Give me more Tophat Time Lord shenanigans!

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/koivu-1000-games-113019/c-311984022

You know, I want to say it is impressive that Koivu made it to 1000 games with the Wild, and other than Gaborik (who didn't last nearly long enough), Backstrom (who was REALLY fucking good for a couple seasons on a bad contract), and Parise/Suter, Koivu really is the best player the franchise has had long term...

BUT UGH. So much money for a "great" two-way center who amounted to, "Best player on a bad AHL level team, 2nd/3rd best guy behind Parise/Suter, and now, Staal is just plain better for half the money." Still, I don't know what I'm supposed to think. It's not his fault he was giving $7.5 million forever. I just don't think he ever justified it

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Shadow Dino posted...

lol Blackhawks getting smoked by the Avs. Yo Strife, I get the feeling the Wild won't be last in the Central for much longer. Sorry, the Hawks have a shittier coach.

I don't blame them. I blame every other team letting the Wild get points for two straight weeks.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

That is absolutely disgusting...which I think is the point. But my god...I love the Fiend, but no one would ever buy that.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Ottawa keeping the Wild's point streak alive by being the Sens.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Yay

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

I know. Let's see if the get to the top of the conference, and then trade for Hanzal

Oh wait...

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

SmartMuffin posted...

NO. STOP. YOU DO NOT WANT THIS. THEY NEED TO TANK. THEY NEED TO TANK NOW.

I'm joking.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Twitter being a place to air your dirty laundry causes nothibg but trouble.

I understand this "Cancel Culture" thing can happen and it can blow whistles on shit behavior, but it just seems like "Social Media" is just rife with people bitching about things they should handle privately. Vent with coworkers or talk to your bosses about that shit, not dweebs like is.

Graves comes off like an ass, instead of a defender of Nigel and Beth. For all we know, they may not give a shit. And if they did, I bet they would...TALK to Mauro about it.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

I work at GNC open to close Friday-Sunday, no help. It might be good in terms of making more money, but could be rough. Depends on the foot traffic.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Thanks Corey...

I wish I knew why WWE employees were such assholes to Mauro. He is probably the best announcer they have, and they should know better than to fuck with mentally ill people.

As the meme here said: stop supporting WWE.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Holy mediocrity, but if it means the Wild have a chance to slip past everyone who falls and gets a Wild Card (after the shitstorm first month), that'd be a surprise.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Yet again, the Wild getting point happy. It's almost as if the first month never happened, and someone on the team said, "FUCK IT! ME SCORE NOW!"

That or Dubnyk's injury allowed Stalock and Kaaponen to get opportunities and they didn't suck.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Oh no. Some players think I don't work hard enough *cries into piles of money* WOE IS ME!

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

I think it increases friction in the team, but it's not some unheard, impossible to believe mental trick. Babcock's job was to get the team to play better. If he felt that they were overpaid, underperforming dipshits (Gee, I know that feeling), then it's just some tactic he's going to try. The issue probably is that most of them make so much money, they weren't going to listen to ANYBODY. It probably just fell on deaf ears.


---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Wild continuing to get points.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

I wish I knew if there was a way to block an entire message board from existence. I always find myself drifting to PWB when bored on a train...and then I remember why this place is SOMEHOW less toxic.

I can't tell what I could do without more: Sasha/Alexa nerds, every topic being about AEW in some way (THAT STUPID PORCH LAUGHING PIC IN EVERY TOPIC), or the "internet cock syndrome" being present in every post or "argument,"

I've had my issues with people here, but at least it feels like actial human language.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

That means Reigns' vest will finally have tactical use. Unless WALTER'S hands are made of stone or steel, Reigns had the right idea.

Maybe he can chop off Gable's shitty basketball jersey and kill the gimmick dead though.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

The fact that the Wild (and many others) are in the at 21-23 point range is kinda sad. The team was just dead in the water, and now closing in on Wild Card contention.

How bad is the league this year?

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Wild getting points, but still proving they are shit at OT


---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

It might be too much to ask for Purdue to channel Illinois and punk Wisconsin out. It would be nice to wrap up the division without issue.

Fucking Iowa game...

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Gophers are letting Northwestern back in it.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

What's wrong with the redesign?

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

That belt design is insane.

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

I would say the best choice is the Rumble or EC winner goes after Bray and it be someone else, but Brock is in the same boat.

No one really stands out on Smackdown (laughs at Braun and Miz), so it is Roman's spot to lose at this point.

I think Ricochet or Drew have outside shots at Rumble pushes...but it is really slim pickings given WWE's landscape.

Rollins and Becky were easy Rumble picks last year. Not sure about this year. Besides, Roman occupies that "Last guy to lose to eventual winner" spot like a glove. I think he was winner or final four 5 years running before the cancer diagnosis.

WWE might think he's due.

Besides, the heel of choice if Bray turned would be Corbin. I would rather Roman than that dumpster fire..

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass

Wild win again...yay?

---

"Evening caress, Always yearning, I must confess, The stars aren't burning"
Copernicus - Candlemass