How D'ya Like Them Grapples - A Wrestling Thread

posed_by_models · Post by **posed_by_models** » Thu Dec 26, 2013 08:41

This may well end up being a place where I hum the John Cena theme to myself whilst sobbing softly but I figured there should be somewhere for potentially like-minded Anorak folk to discuss wrestling new and old.

Plus wrestling seems to be in good shape these days with the WWE having a stacked roster (including what is on offer on their mostly more entertaining NXT show), the US indies like PGW, ROH, etc still going strong and Revolution Pro Wrestling leading a healthy field in the UK. That's without touching on New Japan Pro or anything going on in Mexico.

So.. any other rassling fans out there?

Wheatabeat · Post by **Wheatabeat** » Thu Dec 26, 2013 22:58

Is 'The Model' Rick Martell still going? I liked him.

posed_by_models · Post by **posed_by_models** » Fri Dec 27, 2013 07:22

Wheatabeat wrote:Is 'The Model' Rick Martell still going? I liked him.

If by "still going" you mean here on earth as a living, breathing, sentient human being then, yes absolutely. Which is more than can be said for a lot of the wrestlers from that generation. He is no longer in the business though as far as I know.

My stand out memory of Martel from my youth was some ridiculous feud with Jake Roberts over the misuse of cologne which culminated in a blindfold match at one of the PPV's.

Wheatabeat · Post by **Wheatabeat** » Fri Dec 27, 2013 13:17

posed_by_models wrote:
Wheatabeat wrote:Is 'The Model' Rick Martell still going? I liked him.
If by "still going" you mean here on earth as a living, breathing, sentient human being then, yes absolutely. Which is more than can be said for a lot of the wrestlers from that generation. He is no longer in the business though as far as I know.

My stand out memory of Martel from my youth was some ridiculous feud with Jake Roberts over the misuse of cologne which culminated in a blindfold match at one of the PPV's.

Yeah. I was bored once ages ago and started trawling Wikipedia to look up wrestlers from the era I watched it (1982-1992). It seemed nearly all of them either turned out dead, anonymous or rabid drug addicts. Or all three.

I used to love the daft rivalries they'd generate which nearly always manifested itself into a head at Royal Rumble or something. Hilarious pantomime stuff.

alongwaltz · Post by **alongwaltz** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 15:10

I figure Anorak is an unlikely place for wrestling fans but, hey, I'm here!

I follow WWE and Ring Of Honor consistently and I'm just starting to look into New Japan and Lucha Underground.

posed_by_models · Post by **posed_by_models** » Thu Apr 02, 2015 18:58

Didn't realise this had been, albeit fleetingly, resurrected.

Came here to post my pleasant surprise at how solidly entertaining the Wrestlemania which must not be numbered was. Perhaps helped by the lowered expectations courtesy of the zero assed build going in but there wasn't a single stinker of a match in the whole 5 hours and at it's best (THAT rko, Rusev on a tank, anything Brock) was out-of-seat thrilling.

alongwaltz wrote:I'm just starting to look into New Japan and Lucha Underground.

Really need to catch up on Lucha Underground. Got as far as the Aztec Warfare episode (which was, as every episode typically is, wonderful) but lost track due to living in the UK and not having it televised here.

paukl · Post by **paukl** » Thu Apr 02, 2015 22:12

It was a pretty great mania. I was a little disappointed with HHH vs Sting, I'd have liked a little more actual WRASSLIN before the beautiful nonsense started but I guess the guy is 55, and he's gotta keep something in the tank for 'taker next year (that has to happen, right? Career vs career? Has to.)

posed_by_models · Post by **posed_by_models** » Fri Apr 03, 2015 07:32

The only reason I could justify them Not doing Undertaker v Sting this year is they have their hopes set on breaking attendance records at Mania 32 in Texas and that will be a big draw in selling tickets.

Was mildly amused by people losing their shit at photos of Sting and 'taker talking at the airport the day after though. As if that was conclusive proof they will definitely fight and not, you know, just a couple of old dudes having a conversation. No, no, Definite Contract Signing right there!

darren · Post by **darren** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 15:10

*BUMP*

does anyone here go to shows in London? I've been to a good few Progress shows but haven't been to one for ages now. Also been to a good few Rev Pro shows at the York Hall including Sabre vs Angle recently. I'm thinking about going to their show at the Cockpit on Sunday too as I've never been there and it looks like a good lineup.

other wrestling stuff I enjoy: Wrestling Observer newsletter & podcasts, WWE (I only really watch big PPVs or NXT shows and random old stuff on the network), New Japan - I just watch some big matches on New Japan world when I have the time.

Life is short...and there's a lot of wrestling out there. But it is the greatest sport in the world.

posed_by_models · Post by **posed_by_models** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 20:03

I, personally, am northern based so haven't been to any London shows but have been meaning to attend one of the Progress shows they have put on in Manchester without ever actually doing so because my life is mostly about making promises to myself that I somehow never deliver on.

I have, however, been to some of the Futureshock and Great Bear shows up here and seen the likes of Jack Gallagher and Zack Sabre Jr in action which has never been disappointing.

On that note - how amazing is the forthcoming cruiserweight tournament on WWE going to be?? Worth the price of the network alone, that.

Carys · Post by **Carys** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 23:30

darren wrote:*BUMP*

does anyone here go to shows in London? I've been to a good few Progress shows but haven't been to one for ages now.

If you count the hipster wrestling in Peckham that I went to tonight, then yes.

http://www.halfnelsonwrestling.com/#!tickets/c1o5

Also probably going to the Colt Cabana live recording of his podcast at the end of the month. Maybe.

I'm not exactly an aficionado but R's a big fan and is sharing it with me.

darren · Post by **darren** » Fri Jul 01, 2016 10:05

posed_by_models wrote: On that note - how amazing is the forthcoming cruiserweight tournament on WWE going to be?? Worth the price of the network alone, that.

It looks like it cold be good alright. I read the spoilers for the first few shows - sounds like a decent start building towards some excellent matches later between the best guys.

Carys wrote: If you count the hipster wrestling in Peckham that I went to tonight, then yes.

http://www.halfnelsonwrestling.com/#!tickets/c1o5

Also probably going to the Colt Cabana live recording of his podcast at the end of the month. Maybe.

I'm not exactly an aficionado but R's a big fan and is sharing it with me.

I've been invited to some hipster wrestling shows but haven't actually been yet. If I do go then I hope my inner wrestling snob doesn't kick in! I did see Lucha Britannia at Glastonbury years ago and it was fun. Looking at the lineup for that show the only person I recognise is Marty Scurll. But he is amazing. I presume on these shows he enjoys getting paid whilst not having to break his neck doing flashy moves to impress the hardcore fans.

darren · Post by **darren** » Wed Jul 06, 2016 13:59

Revolution Pro at the Cockpit Theatre verdict: the most perfect venue for wrestling. 150 capacity - you can hear the ring creaking and every bump sounds incredible. Shows are monthly(ish), recorded for tv (aka YouTube) and very easy to watch.

sweepingthenation · Post by **sweepingthenation** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 22:20

So, much as it sounds far too reaching to turn a wrestling thing back round to Anorak climes, Bayley is basically Indiepop The Wrestler, right? Faux-naive exterior, hard-headed interior, does her best work in the shadows of the majors...

darren · Post by **darren** » Tue Sep 13, 2016 14:40

sweepingthenation wrote:So, much as it sounds far too reaching to turn a wrestling thing back round to Anorak climes, Bayley is basically Indiepop The Wrestler, right? Faux-naive exterior, hard-headed interior, does her best work in the shadows of the majors...

recently signed to a major label. seems to be going ok at the moment. no doubt it'll all go to shit within a year after one decent album that doesn't live up to her earlier work.

anorak