Flash
The Great One 
Posts 3364
Registered 4-22-2005 Location Ontario, Canada Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 3-25-2012 at 05:03 AM |
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The little things...
I don't know if this is a dumb idea for a thread, but at the same time there are occasionally little things I notice that just don't
really fit in any other thread so I thought I'd give this a whirl.
I'm thinking some little character trait that a particular "superstar" doing, something the WWE is trying to push, or a cool throwback
"spot" like the recent return of the stage platform interview they did with Orton this past week...
I'll start...
I'm digging the over the shoulder shots they do with Mark Henry's entrance.. The one where he kinda seems to walk out from the back and
the cameraman is right behind him. Its a little thing, but it also makes Henry seem absolutely huge and as if he's looking down on the audience
and ring. I also find its a very effective little difference that sents his entrance apart from most other's where they go for really loud
noises or pyro.
On the flip side, and on the short list of things that kida irk me because I have no idea what they are trying to do with it is David Otunga's
coffee thermos. At first I thought maybe it was going to be something that he could cheat and hit people with, but enough weeks have gone by that this
doesn't seem to be its purpose at all. Instead I can only surmise that the WWE wants us to hate David Otunga for drinking coffee... Yes
that's right, despite a global addiction to Starbucks, Tim Horton's, or whatever your particular brand is, we are to overlook that this
beverage is amongst the most popular in the world and hate Otunga for drinking it. I guess the argument could be made that he's being a little
too relaxed; While most pro-wrestlers are supposed to be shouting coke fueled rants about snapping their enemies in two, this guys content to sip his
java... which might work if you know he acted like a wrestler the rest of the time, which he does not as he only seems to do his coffee thermos bit
when he's in his lawyer mode or apparently after this weeks "Be a star" plug, while talking to young children.
So anyone else notice some other "little thing" that helps make or break a character? Some other little thing that makes the show better, or
irritates you?
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mark markham
Showstopper
Posts 988
Registered 6-24-2003 Member Is Offline Mood: 20% cooler
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| posted on 3-25-2012 at 05:29 AM |
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The Otunga coffee thing is supposed to be another cliche, much like the sweater vest and bow tie. I for one find it hilarious. It reminds me of Bill
Lumbergh from Office Space. In WWE terms it's like the King Booker gimmick or Lanny Poffo becoming the Genius just because he wears the robes
and mortar board. It's definitely a 'little thing', but I think it's one of the little things they are doing that I like. I
would really like it if they sobered up Clarence Mason, how many remember him?, and did a law commercial for the firm of Mason, Otunga and Associates.
It may only be for an audience of one, but I would totally enjoy it.
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Jumbie
Showstopper
Posts 786
Registered 9-22-2010 Member Is Offline Mood: Hopeful
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| posted on 3-25-2012 at 05:51 AM |
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Someone on the boards here said that Otunga's recent use of his belt as a foreign object in his last match seemed to be an audible after he
couldn't find his coffee mug to use as a weapon.
I like that Orton or someone managing him has cut his speaking time and opportunities. The character benefits from not being talkative, even if he
were good at talking to begin with. I think Kane needs to follow suit.
I mentioned this a while back, but I like the way face Orton throws people into the ropes for his hangman DDT instead of just waiting for them to get
to that position.
I enjoy the pause that Sheamus uses before his 10th hit when he's got opponents tied up in the ropes and is hammering their chests.
I enjoyed seeing teamwork between Sheamus and Punk in last night's tag team match. Teamwork moves and even team finishers have been making a
comeback in tag team wrestling in WWE. Their recent push of the tag division seems to have stalled with Truth and Evan Bourne shooting themselves in
the feet though.
Punk has this midmatch taunt where he sarcastically does his opponent's catch phrase/celebration that works for me.
I'm ambivalent about their continued use of Ace's phone for characterisation. On the one hand, it is a distinct and assholish trait but
on the other hand it ties back to he whole dumb 'who texted' crap from last year.
Santino doing the cobra windup in his entrance annoys me, because he's overusing it. The cobra is half the reason people like him and he needs
to keep it fresher.
Punk used Macho Man's raised fists elbow the night of his death I think for the first time. He's kept it as a signature move and I think
that's cool.
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desjr001
Showstopper
Posts 639
Registered 9-18-2004 Location Tampa Rasslin City USA Member Is Offline Mood: kiss my assable
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| posted on 3-25-2012 at 04:44 PM |
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Having finally gotten to watch ROH on a more regular basis, I am really digging "the little things" that I see Kevin Steen do. For example...on the
pre-match handshake, he licked his palm before extending it to his opponent, then saying "What? You don't want to shake my hand?". Or the time
he had a streamer wrapped around his neck that was also stuck on the ropes. When he moved away and it pulled tight, he sold it like he was choked,
even though it was just thin tissue paper. On the last ROH, he addressed the 5 wrestlers, one manager and Cornette (who were all in the ring pumping
the Blind Destiny Challenge) as "a circle of jerks". I LOL'd on that one! Steen is quickly becoming a favorite.
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Hootie McBoob
rOOkie
Posts 35
Registered 5-14-2010 Location Deepest Darkest Africa Member Is Offline Mood: Vintage
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| posted on 3-25-2012 at 08:22 PM |
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- The return of the vignettes. Nothing makes me happier than a build to a debut instead of hotshotting someone right to television. Now if WWE can
just work on the follow through after the debut.
- Primo and Epico as tag champs. These two can work and they have an old school team feel to me. Please push them (and the other tags) in a
rebuilding of the division.
- Interviews occurring away from the ring or backstage interview position. I specifically like it when they occur from the Okerlund position. The
luxury box extended pieces with Barrett and Bryan were refreshing.
- Despite the flawed execution at times, I appreciate the WWE for trying to give the Divas a little character development. It's not enough to
overcome the poor in ring product, but it helps.
- Not having to deal with Rey Rey or Sin Cara for months now. I understand what they bring to the table, but...
- A dialed back Michael Cole. Still not great, but much better than before.
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theflammablemanimal
American Dream 
Posts 7586
Registered 9-2-2008 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 3-25-2012 at 09:22 PM |
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Some little things I love:
ADR kicking his opponent away from him after they tap. Shows such contempt and arrogance
Austin Aries's entrance. No pyro, no great music, but it's a thing of beauty because of all twirling, preening, and posing that defines
his character as an arrogant prick
The extra bounce Aries does before a slingshot or elbow drop. Plus his wine and popcorn.
YES! YES! YES!
The way Cena pops to his feet after an FU and some other moves. He goes from his shins to a standing position. Even with the bounce of the ring,
it's still damn impressive. (Same when RVD used to do it for his kicks, only he made it look so easy I never thought about it)
The way Mark Henry talks trash during his matches and the way he like roars during and after the Worlds Strongest Slam.
http://epitomeofmasculinity.blogspot.com/
@EofMasculinity
The first undisputed OO draft champion of the world
Get the pistons pumping and let the pigeons loose on my yambag
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Stu
Caledonian Crippler
Posts 3548
Registered 5-17-2005 Location Glasgow, Scotland Member Is Offline Mood: Scottish
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| posted on 3-25-2012 at 09:32 PM |
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I like how when he's in a segment with a lot of people, Punk doesn't just wait for his turn to talk when the focus is on someone else, but
actually puts in entertaining or noticeable reactions to what's been said or done that you can spot in the background without taking away from
the guy speaking. More guys should just try to remain in character and be natural with it like that at all times.
The once in a blue moon acknowledgment of TNA or ROH or the existence of any other currenly running wrestling promotion, just because it shows a teeny
bit of humility on WWE's part that they can admit they're not the only source of wrestling out there and that there talent don't owe
their success entirely to them. I particularly liked when last year Vince was cancelling Punk's title shot, and Cena used the veiled threat of
going to TNA to get him to change his mind.
Also rare, but references to past gimmmicks/continuity are welcome too. It's nice not to be treated like an idiot about something that's
not really a big deal. Given the emphasis on WWE being "entertainment" instead of a sports organisation, it makes sense that the same superstar
would have tried presenting themselves with different names and playing up different personality traits in an effort to get noticed. It's just a
more extreme version of real life athletes having nicknames and over the top personas that make them marketable.
[Edited on 25-3-12 by Stu]
"WWE's like Sable's f***y: it's not been any good since 1998, and it's been fucked by Vince McMahon"-Billy Kirkwood
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Flash
The Great One
Posts 3364
Registered 4-22-2005 Location Ontario, Canada Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 3-25-2012 at 11:26 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by theflammablemanimal
ADR kicking his opponent away from him after they tap. Shows such contempt and arrogance.
You know for all the shit ADR gets about the destiney promo's over and over, the guy does do a lot of the little things right...
I love how you'll see him just lose if for a second and get really super pissy, but then kind of catch himself and plaster on that shit eating
grin of his. Its a nice little touch that makes him look phony, or not in control for a minute, and thus all the more dangerous.
I like how during his entrances, and occasionally during matches Cena will talk to the camera. The big entrances play well to the crowds, but that
little step to the side and whisper to the camera helps draw in the home crowd in a lot of ways. When he does it mid match its almost a form of trash
talking, which in terms of seeing the product as realistic does feel like something athletes would do... Of course all of this depends on what exactly
he's saying during these little asides, but overall its something different and something for the tv audience.
I can't quite remember if he does it all of the time, but I'm pretty sure Punk is one of the few guys who still uses the old tag ropes
fastened in the corner (a little thing in and of themselves as those really harken back to a different day).
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Paddlefoot
Rocco Rock of Jabroni
Posts 7330
Registered 1-19-2008 Location Stupid Idiot Section Member Is Offline Mood: ChinceMcMahon
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| posted on 3-26-2012 at 12:26 AM |
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I liked it when Santino used to do a John Cena/Marine-like salute in mid-air whenever he tried to do a flying headbutt on an opponent who was laid out
on the mat. He usually failed with the headbutt but it was still worth a laugh for the salute.
You know, everyone says it's not supposed to make sense, like that's the whole point, dude. And I'm just saying, you know,
that's like an excuse for lazy storytelling. Just don't sell me shite and tell me it's gold, all right? I might be stoned, but
I'm not high. You know what I mean?
- Cassidy from Preacher, commenting on The Big Lebowski and/or professional wrestling
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knuckleballschwartz
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1043
Registered 5-24-2006 Member Is Offline Mood: on strike
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| posted on 3-26-2012 at 06:25 PM |
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I'll second the comments about ADR doing a lot of these little things right. He (together with Punk and Bryan) is also one of the few guys these
days that will work a body part and tell the submission story well in matches (rather than just slapping his submission straight on and getting a tap
instantly eg the cena STF).
Other little things I like:
Punk's pre-match in-ring wrist stretches/loosening exercises - he actually looks like he's about to do a sport.
Regal's wrist across the face pin - I think there was a thread on this.
People who sledge their opponents during a match - from memory Christian and ADR both do in-match trash talk pretty well as does Jericho.
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CamstunPWG187
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1585
Registered 5-2-2010 Location Harbin, China Member Is Offline Mood: Barbeque
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| posted on 3-27-2012 at 01:06 AM |
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Whoever mentioned Kevin Steen and the little things, go you, because I agree.
I wanna give the nod to El Generico and his selling. No one really ever mentions it but the guy takes the most brutal bumps i've ever seen.
Not only that, he does it in a cartoonish way that's JUST ENOUGH to not be 'rock taking the stunner', but still enough to perfectly
mesh with his goofy character.
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Dominator
Dominated by my love for Randy Orton
Posts 1686
Registered 7-5-2007 Location Florida Member Is Offline Mood: RKOFree Since 4/9/13
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| posted on 3-27-2012 at 10:15 PM |
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I always bring up the importance of the little things... Punk & Cena are the best at doing it nowadays.
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Flash
The Great One
Posts 3364
Registered 4-22-2005 Location Ontario, Canada Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 3-30-2012 at 06:11 PM |
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Little thing, but something immensely important that I don't see many guys doing any more with the exception of Wade Barrett when he's on
commentary from time to time and that's PUTTING YOUR OPONENT OVER!
Jericho touched on this in one of his books, but in a nutshell if you bury a guy in a promo that you're about to face then you've
essentially beaten a nobody. If they beat you, then you've been beaten by a nobody. If you bury a guy on commentary then really its you that you
are damaging in the long run.
Barrett sitting at ring side for guest commentary actually looks like he is watching the match and paying attention to the opponent he is supposed to
be "scouting" is doing. He also makes comments about what they do right, or how dangerous they are... all while still confidently telling us that
he's going to beat them. The commentators and many other guys cutting promo's don't really do a good job with this as they generally
just keep burying guys.
Not saying Barrett does it exclusively, I just see him doing it the most consistently. I'm starting to like Rhodes a lot more as he goes along
as well because he's been doing this as well in his feud with Big Show... Yes he's completely shitting on his WM record, but he's
also regularily careful to talk about what a monster Show is the other 364 days a year.
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Jumbie
Showstopper
Posts 786
Registered 9-22-2010 Member Is Offline Mood: Hopeful
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| posted on 3-31-2012 at 07:42 AM |
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A little thing that upsets me: when a referee doesn't start counting until maybe a second or two after the pin starts. I know the ref's
job is hard but this still makes me feel like breaking kayfabe when they take too long to get into counting.
A little thing I enjoy: Hornswoggle! And not just to make a bad size joke. He clicked with DX and before that he was a good sympathy grabber with
Macmahon/JBL (?). I know he gets dismissed as wrestlecrap and often is wrestlecrap, but he's one of those things like Funkasaurus which just
feel old school in the carny zaniness they bring to wrestling and he's great for heels to play off of, like McIntyre & Otunga a couple weeks
back.
On top of that, he bumps and sells skillfully.
So yeah, to sum up, I enjoy that WWE beats up on their resident dwarf from time to time.
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Lono
rOOkie
Posts 40
Registered 8-24-2006 Location Indiana Member Is Offline Mood: Chuffed
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| posted on 4-2-2012 at 12:18 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Jumbie
I enjoy the pause that Sheamus uses before his 10th hit when he's got opponents tied up in the ropes and is hammering their chests.
I don't remember who or which match it was, but I watched the 3-disc Edge set last week, and someone did the same thing. Maybe Bubba Dudley?
Anyway. Fun to see, since I haven't seen it used much otherwise.
quote:
Punk used Macho Man's raised fists elbow the night of his death I think for the first time. He's kept it as a signature move and I
think that's cool.
I love that he still raises his arms and points straight up like Savage on the turnbuckle before the doing the elbow drop.
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Figure Foreskin
Prefers punkerhardcore Penis 
Posts 2651
Registered 5-4-2004 Location 5-4-2004 Member Is Offline Mood: Paper > Rock
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| posted on 4-4-2012 at 12:44 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by theflammablemanimal
The way Mark Henry talks trash during his matches and the way he like roars during and after the Worlds Strongest Slam.
And TV-PG trash-talking as well. I've never heard them have to drop the audio for him. One would think someone would get lost in the moment and
drop an F-bomb occasionally, but he never does.
"Any time you agree with Krydor, you're wrong."
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Jumbie
Showstopper
Posts 786
Registered 9-22-2010 Member Is Offline Mood: Hopeful
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| posted on 4-4-2012 at 04:27 PM |
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Henry was pretty good with this during the Punk match on Monday.
*hit*
"Who told you to get up?!"
*hit*
"You get up when I say you get up!"
*hit*
"Now, get up!"
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Jumbie
Showstopper
Posts 786
Registered 9-22-2010 Member Is Offline Mood: Hopeful
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| posted on 6-21-2017 at 03:56 AM |
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Kevin Owens walking around his Floortron entrance portrait so he doesn't step on his own face.
"I'm a team player."
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janerd75
The Great One 
Posts 3766
Registered 1-28-2013 Member Is Offline Mood: Lantern kick'n
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| posted on 6-21-2017 at 04:25 AM |
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I liked Enzo and Cass' use of old timey boxing mics for their promos. 
I know what I miss though. The element of danger emanating from any given wrassler, either physically and/or promo-wise. Sure, Back In The Day there
was a seething undercurrent of coke, booze, and pill fueled madness energizing the proceedings that's all but gone now. And CM Punk and Daniel
Bryan kinda are exceptions to my theory, even though in the case of the former the danger was much more apparent. But I miss true maniacs in the ring
or on the mic that cause me to get on the edge of my seat wondering what they'll say or do next.
Right now, I'm totally digging Joe's literal in-your-face attitude towards his opponents thus far. Betwixt Brock and Roman, he
doesn't do the chickenshit heel thing at all. He just walks up to guys used to (re: booked) standing in the ring while their opponent tucks tail
and makes the first move by chest-bump head-butting them out of the ring.
"Well, life's a bitch n' then you marry one. Alls you know now is you're goin' into the bar tonight to get just fuckin'
interplanetary." - Wayne (Letterkenny)
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lz4005
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1498
Registered 11-12-2003 Member Is Offline Mood: Oolitic
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| posted on 6-21-2017 at 05:07 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by janerd75
I liked Enzo and Cass' use of old timey boxing mics for their promos.
Mr Kennedy (kennedy) had a boxing announcer mic. Those can be almost anything that drops from the rafters on a cable.
Enzo and Cass have been using modern Shure 55's with added wireless transmitters in little leopard covered dildo looking holsters.
55's have been used as ring announcer mics, but they're more famous as early rock era vocal mics. Elvis and rockabilly type stuff.
[Edited on 6-21-2017 by lz4005]
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Jumbie
Showstopper
Posts 786
Registered 9-22-2010 Member Is Offline Mood: Hopeful
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| posted on 6-22-2017 at 01:55 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by lz4005
quote:
Originally posted by janerd75
wireless transmitters in little leopard covered dildo looking holsters.
What are nine words that have never been used together in history, Alex?
"I'm a team player."
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janerd75
The Great One
Posts 3766
Registered 1-28-2013 Member Is Offline Mood: Lantern kick'n
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| posted on 6-22-2017 at 02:11 AM |
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As much as I'd like that quote ascribed to me, t'was lz whut produced it. 
That was a good eye and catch by him though as I had the vague idea a while ago that it could be the Elvis mics 'cause I 'member those and
Letterman having a faux one (or something like it) sit on his desk for a while. But I immediately dismissed it because 1) this is wrasslin' and
it would make more sense for it to be the boxing ones (like the aforementioned Mr. Kennedy Kennedy used and b) I'm profoundly
dumb.
"Well, life's a bitch n' then you marry one. Alls you know now is you're goin' into the bar tonight to get just fuckin'
interplanetary." - Wayne (Letterkenny)
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lz4005
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1498
Registered 11-12-2003 Member Is Offline Mood: Oolitic
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| posted on 6-22-2017 at 02:25 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by janerd75
That was a good eye and catch by him though as I had the vague idea a while ago that it could be the Elvis mics 'cause I 'member those and
Letterman having a faux one (or something like it) sit on his desk for a while. But I immediately dismissed it because 1) this is wrasslin' and
it would make more sense for it to be the boxing ones (like the aforementioned Mr. Kennedy Kennedy used and b) I'm profoundly
dumb.
Naah, I'm just super fucking nerdy about audio production. And dildo holsters. But mostly audio production.
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First 9
The Rowdy One
Posts 2374
Registered 1-22-2013 Member Is Offline Mood: Doing the Emma Dance
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| posted on 6-22-2017 at 03:30 AM |
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I like how cheap and petty Dario Cueto from LU is with booze. He hatches an evil scheme with another heel and while he drinks fine scotch, hands over
one Miller Lite to the other guy. Then we they were knocking on his door to get booze to revive the resident beer drinker, he handed out a bottle of
water. It's a fun character quirk.
From WWE's side I love the running story of Neville not wanting to use the Red Arrow because the crowd enjoys it but certain opponents push him
to use it. The face of disdain or desperation before going to the top rope is great.
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janerd75
The Great One
Posts 3766
Registered 1-28-2013 Member Is Offline Mood: Lantern kick'n
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| posted on 6-22-2017 at 03:49 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by lz4005
quote:
Originally posted by janerd75
That was a good eye and catch by him though as I had the vague idea a while ago that it could be the Elvis mics 'cause I 'member those and
Letterman having a faux one (or something like it) sit on his desk for a while. But I immediately dismissed it because 1) this is wrasslin' and
it would make more sense for it to be the boxing ones (like the aforementioned Mr. Kennedy Kennedy used and b) I'm profoundly
dumb.
Naah, I'm just super fucking nerdy about audio production. And dildo holsters. But mostly audio production.
Back in the real world, I adored everything Jericho and Owens did while they were buds. Mostly just nuances in dialogue when they were fucking with
people or when CJ would faux fop it up with hand gestures or the scarf. It's insane what good can happen when two of the best workrate
psychologist wrasslers there is, was, or ever will be get put together.
I wish they'd allow more of those types of interactions to happen, but I have a sneaking suspicion that they're the last of a dying breed
that can interact freely and with relatively little inhibitions with each other or the crowd. They both earned those skills the hard way travelling
the world before they ever set foot in WWE. Same with A.J., Joe, Sami, Seth, and Dean. As good as the trainers may be at the Performance Center,
ain't no substitute for real world experience like the kind they got.
"Well, life's a bitch n' then you marry one. Alls you know now is you're goin' into the bar tonight to get just fuckin'
interplanetary." - Wayne (Letterkenny)
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