Category: Written Reviews

Claire Lynch

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So Claire Lynch is infamous and possibly TNA’s best worst storyline. It was universally panned at the time and serves as a great example of Dixie’s boobery.

In 2012, TNA ran segments which implicated (married man) AJ Styles and (married woman) Dixie Carter having an affair, planning secret meetings etc. It came to a head when Dixie’s real-life husband, Serg, gave AJ one of the worst worked punches ever. Dixie and Styles came clean that they were actually helping mutual friend & crack addict, Claire Lynch.

It was a bomb. But she was also pregnant, with a crack-baby! Who’s the daddy? AJ Styles! Apparently. Top babyface AJ had been taking advantage of a crack addict, and she had photoshopped pictures to prove it. Shit-stirrer heels Kaz & Daniels even threw Claire a baby shower, which was actually pretty funny. This lead to a match with AJ vs Daniels, where if AJ won he’d get a paternity test to prove his innocence, but if he lost he’ll just admit he’s the father.

AJ won, but before the storyline continued further, it got out that TNA picked up the Olive Oil actress from Universal Studios, Orlando (right beside where iMPACT was being taped) called Julia Reilly to play this character.

This’d damage her career and would be hassled by wrestling fans, so she quit the gig and the angle was dropped immediately. On TV “the attorney of Claire Lynch” robotically recited that the whole angle/pregnancy was B.S., paid by Kaz & Daniels for shits and giggles. And so ends the ballad of Claire Lynch.

Shockingly, WWE copied the horrendous angle in 2012, with Stephanie revealing “Megan Miller”, Daniel Bryan’s physical therapist, with whom he cheated on Brie. It was killed off quickly amidst a torrent of abuse, Bryan openly calling the angle stupid. On TV, Brie said Stephanie paid Megan to lie about the affair and they left it at that.

In 2015? Turns out Claire Lynch is actually a homewrecker, cheating with a fiancé, and the scorned ex-bride-to-be made it public. Great job, very thorough!

So let’s all watch that Baby Shower segment. Any fond memories of the storyline?

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June 30, 2015
Tough Enough S6E1 “Boot Camp or Bust”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Wow, nobody is talking about Tough Enough! Here’s a review of the little engine that could, but probably shouldn’t, but is anyway.

Review of the Competition Special here

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• The première of Season 6 of Tough Enough! Originally going to be a Network exclusive, WWE managed to get a deal with USA Network. It’ll be free on either WWE.com or YouTube soon for countries without a TV deal. Austin was supposed to be the host, but the repeated delays caused him to drop out of the project (hence Chris Jericho instead). Taped at Full Sail University Studios (i.e. the same media university where they tape NXT), the live portion is shot in a condensed American idol setup; smattering of fans around the host area, which is a ring with a long desk on it, facing the titantron where the contestants are standing.
• The show is set up like the finale of S1 of Tough Enough: judges and contestants in the building live, but most of the show is pre-recorded, highly-edited footage from the past week. The judges are Daniel Bryan, Paige and Hulk Hogan; which are great choices; DB being the younger veteran, Paige being a more sincere/honest & most prominent Diva and Hogan being the hot-dogging old coot.
• The show ended up doing a 0.87 (1.2m viewers) which is about ONE THIRD of what last season’s première did, and below USA Network’s 1.5m average. So this is the “boy” of WWE TV shows! News credit: PiledriverWrestling.net
• Only about 15 minutes (of the 41) of the show is live: the hello and rules at the start, a HIGHLY OBNOXIOUS 1 minute 21 second clapping segment (I shit you not) and the end where they reveal the final three, stall for time to allow voting, and send one packing.
• A small point but the rules are poorly written! The first sentence ends with “each week” and the second sentence starts with “each week”. Convoluted explanation where the judges choose their bottom three and the least-voted for gets eliminated. Judges have one “save” per season but are asked before hearing the results, so their save could be thrown away. So let’s get to it!

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• They go through the contestants, expecting you to have already watched the Competition Special (which would’ve made for a much better 1st episode)
• Always interesting to see how WWE edit the footage to show the story they want to tell – they earmark Dianna for failure as they nab a sound clip of her already complaining (“ugh, great”) about a challenge and cut to her clucking about her fiancé. Later she gets heel heat as although she says she’s hurting, she does the best stamina drills out of the women, then sneaks off to see her fiancée and gets into an argument with the Brazilian Gabi. In the live element she complains about how the editing portrayed her.
• Physical drills at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando (site of WM24). Massive blurring, it’s like 2002 all over again, likely didn’t want to give free advertising or plug the soccer team Orlando City.
• The house they’re staying in is called “the barracks”, a basic military-style digs, not flashy like previous years. It looks pretty ghetto, but it’s different for WWE, who always want to look lavish.
• ZZ’s 18 and can’t drink, so gets in the hot-tub with Patrick instead. He makes an analogy of it being like soup. If it has only meat, it’s a stew. Amazing.
• The main story is how 4 bigger guys get jealous of MMA guy Tanner, who smoked them physically in the first drill. They come off like douchebags. There’s a great little storyline of cocky Tanner saying he can do double of what the other guys do. Patrick blows up about it (which seemed very rehearsed, much like the 4 lads getting together to bitch about Tanner). The men’s average is for drills was 8, and Tanner does 16. Suck it, everyone else!
• In the live elimination portion (3 men, i.e. gender-neutral eliminations) ZZ’s called out for being unfit. Since it’s a weekly evaluation it’s a tall order for him to get up to scratch in such a short time, hopefully he won’t get bumped in a few weeks, he’s the best contestant there. I initially thought Paige was calling out Sarah Lee (who had the least amount of screen-time of anyone – which could mean getting eliminated, or perhaps the Maven-type deal where she’s a front runner, and won’t be featured until later on in the Season) but Paige calls out the completely forgettable Joshua, who evades being cut. Hank completely ducks the “he’s the worst…including the women” suffix he made out ZZ being physically unfit. I think just Paige asking the question, and the shifty response so close to voting really hurt him, and ended up getting him eliminated. He could’ve said he meant since there are two separate contracts (one male/one female) to win but he’s the overall worst. Daria said something about risk, and the whole thing wasn’t very good at all.

Overall, the most likeable person on the show is Daniel Bryan, by a wide margin! Then ZZ, and that’s about it. Feels like a soulless contestant show, not a lot of personality, but it’s early days, and I’m still happy to watch it. This live element is new but overall it’s the same mindset they’ve always had with Tough Enough, for better and worse. I hope one time they’ll only get indy wrestlers, it’d be amazing. So it’s like True Detective Season 2, not looking great but I’ll watch the next few and see how it pans out. If you can’t be arsed watching the show, I got ya covered.

Review of the Competition Special I posted earlier today!
Latest update on the next OSW Review!
Super OSW 64 returns this Saturday![/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Cool update, Shotzi (aka Ashley, the electric red-haired model/wrestler who had to withdraw) commented about her time on our facebook page! Here’s what she wrote:

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June 24, 2015
Tough Enough Competition Special

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Thoughts on the special:

• This show was the first few rounds of tryouts at the WWE performance centre, 40 were chosen from over 11,000 entries, whittled down to a final 13.
• Trainers: Booker T, Lita, Billy Gunn (Tensai is shown in clips as well). Billy admonished a hopeful for swearing, saying it was offensive to women. Thanks, Mr. Ass, the guy who made his career saying “suck it!”
• One-legged Army vet Mike was a definite with his personality and backstory, but withdrew due to medical concerns.
• Jericho is the host, he’s so much less intimidating than Austin, always smiling with his showbiz pizazz, always sounding like a nice guy. When choosing between two hopefuls he’d talk to one and swerve, it’s the other that’s being chosen. I know it’s for the cameras but it felt very unprofessional.
• They chose unique model/indie wrestler Ashley (with the electric red hair who keeps saying “ballsy”) but she also had to withdraw.
• Same with Nick, a powerlifter who had Gears of War, Zelda AND Resident Evil tattoos. Devastated.
• There’s a black exotic dancer who looks great but doesn’t know anything about wrestling. Shockingly he doesn’t make the first cut.
• Zack Ryder’s mate The Big O doesn’t make the cut in general, which is surprising and saddening.
• Most featured are Daria (“The Jersey Devil” who came out as a lesbian during the audition, is an MMA fighter and bartender) and gator wrestler ZZ, who is awesome and is tailor-made for reality shows and WWE. They cut him (to add drama, I imagine) and slot him in after another fails his medical.
• Also of note, Georgia (Lance Storm’s student from Australia) and Gabi, the gorgeous Brazilian model who’s already shown as being a bitch.

At just over an hour long, it felt about 20 minutes too long, just a new season of the same idea, a highly-edited reality show focusing on any kind of drama. However it’s always fun to see so many different personalities vying to get into WWE. Tough Enough officially started last night, review coming tonight!

The FULL competition special can be found (legally) on YouTube! Here it is:

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Cool update, Shotzi (aka Ashley, the electric red-haired model/wrestler) commented about her time on our facebook page! Here’s what she wrote:

Click here for my review of episode 1 of Tough Enough![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

June 24, 2015
Steve Austin Podcast: Paul Heyman

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A surprising return of Stone Cold to the WWE Network, as the softball-throwing Chris Jericho had replaced him for a brace of Network interviews, and Austin’s no longer involved in Tough Enough (due to continual delays in shooting). But to keep those new Network subscribers interested, they’ve paired up two of the biggest names in wrestling for an hour-long chat. Let’s do it to it!

From San Antonio (not backstage at RAW this time). Heyman asks Austin what’s the capital of Nebraska – it’s Lincoln. Super proud I knew that! They mention they’ve both been on each other’s podcast multiple times so they had to try find something new to talk about. There’s almost no ECW talk.

Austin joining Heyman’s Dangerous Alliance in WCW.
He recounts meeting Austin and fawns over how he hit the ropes and locked up, in that it looked like a fight rather than a smooth choreographed motion. DA was supposed to be the new Horsemen but Heyman persuaded Dusty to add a 5th (Austin). Paul E. does a great Dusty impression.

Brock Lesnar
Austin asks to go hunting with Brock. Heyman mentions Lesnar always goes back to being a farmer, and loves his kids 1st, and WWE 2nd.

More clients? (Both avoid the term “Heyman guys”)
Paul smartly bats it away saying he’s Brock’s guy so it never works with other wrestlers; except for Punk, because they were friends and he can carry the ball himself (so Heyman was in a different, supporting role). No mention of Cesaro, Ryback, Axel etc. He says Punk probably wishes he joined UFC sooner, and will either shock everyone in UFC or get his ass kicked quickly, and is man enough to take his chances.

WWE’s selling
Austin uses Jake Roberts’ DDT as a springboard to rant about the STATE of selling in WWE, moreso that simple moves that used to be finishers are now ineffective. Heyman smartly turns it into pitching giving Mark Henry a headlock as a new finish, that is protected by how it’s sold/presented by commentators and keeping it up over 30 weeks. The way Heyman sold it sounded like it’d absolutely work. As long as he has to tell Orton he can’t use the headlock anymore!

WWE’s Promos
Heyman recounts getting 4 minutes to close a WCW show putting everyone over, and forgetting to sell Starrcade; Dusty asked him “Where’s the Money?” i.e. his promo drew nothing since he forgot to mention Starrcade. So “what am I selling” is the basis of his promos, telling people who he is, why he’s here and what he is getting over, e.g. Lesnar defeating the Undertaker at WrestleMania. They don’t put any specific blame on anyone; Austin just offhand mentions a pet peeve of wrestlers talking when the mic isn’t up to their mouth.

Vince McMahon Sr.
He recounts snapping a picture of Vince Sr. with Andre and making his first $50 in wrestling out of it. He absolves Vince Jr. of his ruthless territory-killing by postulating if Vince Sr. would’ve done it if he was in the position at the time. No, he wouldn’t have. Sure he was with the NWA until 1983.

Heyman leaving WWE after December to Dismember
Says the fighting with McMahon over ECW got personal, also says he was burnt out.

WCW Road stories ending in getting blacklisted from a rent-a-car in North Carolina.

Heyman asks a few questions to Austin
Cena’s Springboard Stunner: He repeats what he’d already said; it doesn’t bother him, but since everyone kicks out of it, it’s ineffective and a wasted move.
Wanna wrestle Brock at WM? : Feels very contrived, both go into shill mode about WrestleMania 32 in Cowboy Stadium and WWE flash a graphic up. WWE would want a big Texas star to get over 100,000 fans. Austin starts cutting an actual promo and pitches a Texas Death match. Disingenuous and awkward is a poor way to end the show.

Overall: A non-confrontational, easy-going chat between two friends. It lost steam with Heyman’s rambling road stories but with two extremely engaging personalities, it’s enjoyable, but not a can’t-miss listen.

If you wanna know more about Heyman’s final days in ECW (in 2006)
Paul repeatedly told Vince all day long that “the people are going to throw this back in our face” with the horrific December to Dismember booking (RVD/CM Punk out first, Lashley winning). Vince stood his ground, let his vision pan out, and it did, and was universally hated, just as Paul predicted. The following day, Heyman was sent home, still under contract, given the boot from ECW Creative. Vince cited slumping TV ratings and a disgruntled talent roster as the cause i.e. he squarely placed the blame of Vince’s failure on Heyman.
Heyman would officially leave WWE a few months later, turning down Stephanie’s offer to go back to being head of Developmental creative. The one big positive of D2D being such a failure, it cancelled all future single-branded PPVs: All specials had all 3 rosters on it from then on. From then out, under Dave Lagana and then Dusty and the WWE braintrust, ECW meandered on until it was replaced with NXT (the talent show).

Previous Podcast Reviews:
Austin with Vince McMahon
Austin with Triple H
Jericho with John Cena

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June 4, 2015
NXT TakeOver 6: Unstoppable

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NXT TakeOver 6: Unstoppable!
Wednesday 20th May from Full Sail University (FL), a 2-hour special on the WWE Network

Disappointing news, NXT oversold the event, meaning 100 or so people who had a ticket didn’t get in. Sorry @Fugoy brah! Also, Hideo Itami was injured/selling in the parking lot, and that’s the kayfabe reason for a torn rotator cuff, and being out of this next match:

TYLER BREEZE VS. FINN BALOR
Tyler had a super version of his entrance with multiple ‘models’ doing his selfie schtick, and had a furry red & yellow cape! It suits him really well. Finn did his spectacular Demon entrance – this time he had a bat wingspan and horns down his spine outfit, and spray-painted a massive eye on his back. Love how theatrical he is, it’s main event grade. The crowd shout “Holy shit!” and a dad chants along, while ear-muffing his kid. Amazing.
The match itself was what you’d expect but below what you’d hope. Finn survived a super-model kick, denied a Bloody Sunday, and dived onto Breeze from the top of the stage, which was 6 feet off the ground. He won with a double foot stomp in a decisive win and picks up the #1 contenders slot. Finn will (hopefully) be a megastar on the main roster but Tyler, I can’t see being anything beyond an Adam Rose/DJ Gabriel/(the world is) Sylvain Grenier level.

I gotta say, I LOVE how enthusiastic the NXT crowd are, they’re into everything, but they’re so obnoxious and smarky. They force themselves to chant constantly, from “please don’t die” (as Finn is 6 feet off the floor) to “you’re not counting” to the ref whilst the wrestlers are outside, to “marking out”, which is my second most hated chant (after “we are awesome”).

EMMA & DANA BROOKE VS. CHARLOTTE & BAYLEY

Emma’s dropping the dancing moron gimmick, looks much better with her new hair & outfit. Dana (as the most green) was successfully hidden and the match wasn’t anything spectacular. I’M A NOGGER! I’m always impressed with Bayley, a wrestling character aimed specifically at young girls, a straight happy babyface that is easily likeable. It was unmemorable; the finish had Bayley give Brooke the Belly to Bayley and after a Figure 8 (bridging Figure 4) and a snapmare (‘Natural Selection’) Charlotte picks up the win for the babyfaces and they do each other’s right analog stick taunts.

RHYNO VS. BARON CORBIN

Rhyno has access to R-Truth’s fountain of youth. He looks the same as he did in 2001. He was brought aboard for exactly this – wrestle with and improve younger talents, always dependable for a good match. Corbin’s gimmick of squashing people is very odd for a developmental territory (i.e. how is he supposed to improve?). He goes much longer in a 50/50 affair with Rhyno in a surprisingly decent match. They gassed out in the second half and picked up for the finish, which saw Corbin get the End of Days for the win.

BLAKE & MURPHY VS. ENZO AMORE & COLIN CASSADY FOR TAG TITLES

It’s weird how Blake & Murphy are the champions, especially when almost everyone in NXT has a strong gimmick. They’re extremely bland. That could be worked into a gimmick but they haven’t. Enzo, Can of Piss & Carmella do their SAWFT schtick (which is great). Enzo & Cassady generally have control which means they’ll get the upset loss; Alexa Bliss heels out on Carmella, and banana-peels Enzo, so he crotches himself on the top rope, and Murphy gets the win. It was alright.

SASHA BANKS VS. BECKY LYNCH FOR WOMEN’S TITLE

Becky is wearing some kind of steampunk outfit and has dyed her hair electric red. She’s running through a lot of unsuccessful looks, I hope she finds the right one before coming to the main roster, I really want her to do well. These women got 15 MINUTES, and did a great job – it’s either this or the main event for match of the night. They embarrassed the main-roster Divas, who are both shackled by Vince & Kevin Dunn’s portrayal of women, and couldn’t match the NXT females even if they did get 15 minutes, because the majority are models taught how to wrestle, not women wrestlers. Lots of working the arms; back suplex; Becky caught Banks and rushed her into the stairs whilst still selling her arm. Banks won with a top rope divorce court & bank statement (crossface) for the submission win. I love how the winners tonight got a minute or so to celebrate, to let the win sink in. Fans sang Becky’s song and gave her a standing ovation afterwards. Great stuff.

KEVIN OWENS VS SAMI ZAYN FOR THE NXT TITLE

Earlier, KO said he stepped on the US title as the NXT title is the real prize (awesome). He again warned Sami not to show up as he’ll injure him for good. Even though Sami injured his shoulder, he’s been cleared to compete, which really means ‘do the PPV, further injure yourself, and then take time off to heal’. KO comes out wearing John Cena’s tee (like a boss!). Steen’s psychology and promos are tremendous. Only drawback is seeing what a nice guy/loving dad he is on Twitter, it jars with his CM-Punk style character. They had an entertaining match (it’s KO & Zayn, how could they not!), 7 minutes in Owens powerbombs Sami into the apron, which injures him, and refs keep fending off Owen. It wasn’t stated but Owens should’ve been declared the winner by ref stoppage. He snuck in to kick Sayn in the head which was wonderful. Regal tried to get him to stop attacking Zayn and got headbutted for his troubles. Then Samoa Joe came out! Amazing to see him, looks in better shape already. His theme song sucks though, a TNA rip-off with a bit of dancing-pimp in there too. They went nose to nose but didn’t touch, Owens backed down and left. The whole thing was crazy over, with “Joe’s Gonna Kill You” and “Fight Owens Fight” chants. Joe’s still scheduled to work all his indie dates so it’s likely he’ll be like Rhyno, wrestling occasionally. Who do you wanna see Samoa Joe wrestle? And if he has to change his name, what would change it to? Besides “Joey Samoey”!

Crowd watching: The Mountain from GoT (did you know? Samoa Joe is doing a voice-acting in GoT’s Telltale games!), Stephanie, the un-named Uhaa Nation and Eva Marie.

So that was it! Good-but-nothing-spectacular undercard, but most importantly, the top 2 matches delivered; women in the ring, men storyline-wise, looking great for the future. What fate took away with Zayn & Itami, WWE’ve booked themselves out of it with Owens at Elimination Chamber and Samoa Joe (and Finn) as KO’s next opponents. Great! Crazy to think WWE has a show with Generico, Steen, Devitt, KENTA and Samoa Joe in it! I’d recommend watching the last 2 matches.

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News – TNA iMPACT CANCELLED (again!): OSWreview.com/tna-cancelled-again

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May 21, 2015
ESPN E60: WWE Behind the Curtain

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ESPN aired a 1-hour documentary centering around 3 wrestlers in the Performance Centre/NXT and their struggles to make it in WWE: Ray Leppan (Adam Rose), Austin Watson (Xavier Woods) and Matt Polinsky (Corey Graves). No kayfabe, as they look at how WWE create & develop new talent. To current fans it’s kinda dated, as half of it was shot in 2013 and the main follow-up footage ends in early 2014 – 16 months ago. Here’s my thoughts on the 3 stories:

RAY LEPPAN (Leo Kruger/Adam Rose)
The best story. Most of it is with ‘Leo Kruger’, Leppan’s original FCW gimmick, and how it wasn’t getting over. On the show they say that it’s his character that wasn’t clicking (that it wasn’t believable since he’s a nice guy), whilst in reality it was his wrestling skills. After 4 years in developmental and at 35 years old, he’s asked to completely change his gimmick. His story ends with his NXT debut of Adam Rose (which gets over) and Aitch congratulating him. Hilariously Rose looks for a double high five and H holds both his hands instead! Of course although he’s still on the main roster, he’s still struggling. I’d be worried he’s for the chop but this ESPN docu might stave that off for a while.
He’s put over as a strong family man, his youngest (at the time) being born with an omphalocele (where a defect in the abdominal wall causes intestines/organs to develop in a sac outside his body). His son Maverick is born and has many surgeries; and the piece ends with his first day of Kindergarten. This piece is easily the best thing that’s ever happened to Leppan’s character, you really hope he does well after seeing the docu.

AUSTIN WATSON (Xavier Woods)
The main point is that Woods is studying whilst wrestling, he wants to be the first wrestler with a Ph.D (in Educational Psychology), and he’s studying while being an active wrestler. At a production meeting, Cole nails it by bringing up getting him a role as a representative of the company. This is an extremely smart play by Woods – an active black wrestler with a Ph.D is huge positive press for WWE and will hopefully get him a job in the WWE for a long time. I always think of the time Woods was on RAW commentary mentioning his Ph.D, and JBL taking a genuinely surprised and inquisitive interest in it. They show a cut-out of him in TNA as Consequences Creed, and a prior gimmick like Papa Shango. It ends with his debut with the Funkadactyls on RAW…well not his RAW debut, but his singles debut the next week pinning Heath Slater (his debut was a tag with R-Truth). Backstage he denies having learnt his lines, that it’s all “off the dome”, which is hilarious for a developmental talent being called up. Great PR for WWE showing this but nothing that interesting.

MATT POLINSKY (Corey Graves)
“My character is me turned all the way up. I hate being told what to do. I’m a punk rock kid. I am James Bond”. Wow, fuck off. After a few seconds I’m rooting for you to fail.
This is pretty heavy-handed PR for WWE’s wellness testing. Graves notes that WWE’s concussion testing is “pretty much the world standard.” Vince notes “we’re way ahead of the NFL with this kind of thing”, and answers “all your guys are clean?” with “we’re way past that now”. It’s the only disagreeable/overly-corporate BS part of the docu. I kept thinking of Punk’s multiple instances explaining how the wellness testing is a joke. Although WWE is his dream, his multiple concussions label him as medically unfit, but there’s a happy ending as they stage a bit where Triple H offers him a 2-year commentating gig. I’m not a fan of his NXT commentating, but I love how he gets unnaturally angry at Becky Lynch, ragging on her for being a fake rocker chick. In the epilogue montage, it mentions he’s “got his own show on the WWE network” which is hugely generous for a 10-minute youtube show not on youtube. They did show a pic of his Hulk Hogan cake for his 3rd birthday, which is awesome 🙂 Overall, the least enjoyable and most shilly part of the docu.

Other notes:
• The wrestlers’ interviews are shot close-up through a light ring, which reflects in their eyes. It makes it look like they have this cool-looking eye disease called arcus senilis.
• Vince/Aitch mention that the biggest factor is charisma, and ESPN cut to a montage of 80s wrestlers – Hogan, Jake, Warrior, Macho, Andre. Fuck yeah! You want charisma and characters, you go to the 80s, brother. Wrestling needs coke, jack! Everyone’s far too calm and not-paranoid these days…
• WWE documentaries (and this is no different) are very careful to show Triple H in a great light, both fair, hard-working, intelligent and highly-attuned in business and creative, to make wrestling fans feel confident about WWE’s future.
• ESPN mention NXT wrestlers get paid somewhere between “$45,000 to low 6 figures”.
• Bill DeMott is the head trainer. He comes off well in the piece. Having filmed the bulk of the footage in 2013 you couldn’t really cut him out. They flash up that DeMott was fired due to abuse allegations at the end, so quick you could barely read it. Performance Centre is said to be a lot better after he left. Dusty doesn’t offer anything insightful.
• Michael Hayes (on Leo Kruger) “I wouldn’t see him with a free ticket”. Comes off as a gruff dickhead in his limited time!
• The docu ends to an epilogue footage montage, to Bruce Springsteen’s “The Wrestler”, previously used in The Wrestler.
• There was an Extra/deleted part focusing on Tyler Breeze, and the creation of the character. His re-debut is a success and the gimmick as the final missing piece. Like Leppan’s piece but not as interesting.

Overall: Always interesting to see outsiders do a piece on wrestling. I’d watch just for Ray Leppan’s segment. Good stuff.

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May 10, 2015
WWE Power Music 10 Review

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Part of WWE’s frugal push for new content on the network! The show is just Rene Young doing a voice-over to introduce wrestling themes. This week it’s WM31 entrances only. Let’s do it to it! (Grammar, that is)

10: LL Cool J’s WrestleMania Intro
– This isn’t a song! Rene says tough titties, it has LL Cool J.

9: Bray Wyatt “Live in Fear”
‘Walking dead scarecrows’ coming to life getting closer to his lantern is so friggin’ cool. It’s freaky, haunting and fits perfectly with him, and would be cheap to do! I absolutely love it. I felt bad for the crowd trying to do the fireflies/phone light thing in the daylight. D’oh!

8: The Rock “Electrifying”
I love how ridulously huge the Mania set is, the gigantic text dwarfing a massive dude like the Rock.

7: David Guetta & Skyler Grey “Rise” / Kid Ink “Money and Power”
Sandbag.

6: Stardust “Written In The Stars”
Shocked really as this segment is less than 30 seconds! Rene drops ‘comic’ and ‘Sinster’ and says it’s Stardust’s first WrestleMania match. Love the kayfabe!

5: John Cena “The Time Is Now”
I can’t look at Cena’s rag the same way again.

4: The Undertaker “Rest In Peace”
From Death Valley to Silicon Valley. Cool rising pillars during his Mania entrance, I never noticed it before.

3: Sting “Out From The Shadows”
Rene calls it the final battle between WCW and WWE. It’s so weird the week before RAW Sting admitted that dredging up a 14-year grudge would be ridiculous (that it was about Aitch abusing his power) but they went back to it for the match itself and seemingly officially now.
Was it ever revealed why Sting had a Japanese Taiko drum band? It’s really cool and different but it makes no sense for Sting?

2: Triple H “The Game”
I mentioned it on the Piledriver Wrestling WM31 episode, Terminator 2 is my favourite film and Schwarzenegger is my favourite actor (T1&2, Predator, Running Man, Total Recall, Commando etc) so doing a Terminator entrance is something I’d book! There has to be a way to have a less silly Nazi-terminator deeley that Aitch had on, but although it’s SO hokey, it was amazing. Flipped seeing Schwarzenegger on-screen saying “WrestleMania! It’s time to play the game!”

1: Rusev “Roar Of The Lion”
Rusev dadada! Rusev dadada! I completely agree here with #1. Rusev’s tank entrance may be the absolute best entrance in the history of wrestling. I FLIPPED OUT seeing it. Loved Lana beaming with pride with the fur & belt on her shoulder. Combined with the patriot gimmick of Rusev, and the “ride the lightning” of national anthems, it’s incredible! Can you think of a cooler entrance?

Overall it’s just extra content to have in a list of exclusive Network shows; this half hour episode feels quite slap-dashed, as Rene doesn’t appear on camera (nobody does!). Also sure it’s a less blatant way to advertise their themes on iTunes. However I think it’s great that WM31 gets special mention for it’s incredible entrances, as a PPV it tops the list. I wonder how this’ll work for when they’re not showcasing a PPV; like if they’ll just show their entrance videos on loop for 3 minutes.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]My Resident Evil Re-remake Review dropped earlier today, check it out 🙂

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April 11, 2015
Tough Enough S1 Final 3 Episodes

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Our final Tough Enough S1 review!

Tough Enough Pilot review
Episodes 2-3-4 review
Episodes 5-6-7 review
Episodes 8-9-10 review

To recap: After injuries, Al Snow’s Circle game, and visits with Team Xtreme and Mick Foley, Maven’s stepped into the forefront. Now that Greg and CK have bowed out, there will be no more cuts – we have our finalists: just 2 women (Nidia and Taylor) and 3 men (Nowinski, Maven and Josh).

EPISODE 11 “The Rules of the Road”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]• The gang take a 3 day trip to Milwakee & Chicago for Backlash, RAW & Smackdown tapings.
• They help set up the ring, we get to see referee/ring crew Jimmy Corderas, Mike Chiota, announcer Tony Chimel.
• Without the support of her parents, Taylor gets shit-faced drunk and tries to wear Maven, who has none of it.
• The next morning, since they live close by, they go to Nowinski’s parents house for breakfast.
• Backstage, PAT PATTERSON! Brooklyn brawler (keeping kayfabe, not Steve Lombardi) has them cut 20-second promos backstage. Nidia’s promo is standard, Taylor’s was very poor. Josh is made to cut a promo as “the sponge”, calling out Rhyno, who walks by and they watch it back together. Great stuff! It’d odd to go back to an era where you had to fight for TV time, as opposed to the lumbering 25-minute opening promos on RAW each week. They continue to haze Chris like he’s already one of the boys. Maven does the best and gets a round of applause.
• Josh gets an Al Snow wig. It’s actually really funny, complete with makeshift fanny pack!
• They eat at catering around the wrestlers. Josh nonchalantly admits he’s 130 pounds.
• We get to see some WWF Metal Tapings, Jackie vs Molly and Al Snow vs Essa Rios. Next time they tape matches with Tough Enough trainers, watch for non-regular moves – the trainees are allowed ask them to put in moves, e.g. Maven asked for a Hammerlock suplex.
• Refreshed and optimistic, the gang start their training back at “Trax” (WWF’s training facility).
The promo segments, backstage at WWF events and Josh’s Al Snow impression is great, definite up in quality from the last few.

EPISODE 12 “No Hill Too Tall, Nor Water Too Deep” with AUSTIN & DEBRA, also IVORY[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]• A limo pulls up, out pops feminine legs… Can’t be Steph… blonde hair… It’s Debra! And Austin! Oddly they filmed this right after Mania; and the stock footage is of heel Austin post-Mania.
• Stone Cold talks of starting wrestling school and spending his last money on tuna fish and eating raw potatoes. Oddly they splice a DVD extra where he tells the same story. Austin says he knows his career can’t last but would like to work in creative and merchandising.
• Josh asks about how long he spent in ECW – he circuitously admits to 8-9 weeks total. THAT PROMO ON BISCHOFF! And…THE PROMO! Austin immediately pegs Josh for high spots since he’s so small.
• Josh asks Al to learn how to do a moonsault. WWF turn this into a storyline, edited to show that everyone except Josh can do one.
• Swimming! Josh smokes everyone. Rock climbing! Maven squeaks a win. In both competition Nowinski does (relatively) poorly.
• IVORY shows up at Trax. Weird having two sets of guests in one episode. Her outlook & worth ethic is drastically different than Debra’s (which is ‘you’re there as eye candy & the men bring in the money’) She teaches forearm blows in the corner and back elbows.
• Nice to see them trying some more complicated moves & sequences e.g. hurricanrana, corner dodge and sunset flip. Moonsault without a mat – Chris nearly necks himself. Josh gets the moonsault in the end. I’m suspicious of that whole storyline, and the one-off girlfriend doesn’t want to be a wrestler’s wife, because he really hasn’t had any drama this season.
If you’ve heard Austin talk about his career it’s nothing new but it’s always great to see him talk, he has such star presence and you could easily tell the TE crew were in awe, as we’d be! Still a fun episode, and next up is the FINALE!

EPISODE 13/14 Finale: “That’s Not the Story” / “The Beginning” with Vince McMahon & Kevin Dunn![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]• Live from WWF New York! Hosted by Coach and Trish. The finalists are at dinner tables with their families. Everyone gets a polite applause, Nowinski gets notable boos.
• The show is a lot of video packages that everyone in WWF NY must watch.
• Footage from the final week: the guys create a tough enough board game; mentioning Tori hip-tossing CK, but he causes her an injured hamstring and shoulder.
• OH SHIT IT’S VINCE! AND BUCKY BEAVER! Kevin Dunn. If you’re sensitive about your teeth then CLOSE YOUR ****ING MOUTH! Kevin marvels at what they’ve done in 10 weeks creating these guys from scratch.
• Another lengthy interspliced video package: the finalists are interviewed by Vince and Dunn at WWF HQ. Always great to see footage from inside the building. Josh has been a fan since Mania 2. Nowinski hasn’t gotten close to anyone as they’re not the type he associates with (Ach, condescending, should’ve said he’s there to win a contract, which is a reason he gave before for not socialising). He suggests the heel Harvard stereotype (which they do go with). No-one else has anything interesting to say.
• 23 minutes in we get to hear the proper Tough Enough theme. Lots of “this is from MTV’s Tough Enough Soundtrack” musical montages. Lots of faff like the trainers work quite stiff with them, Jackie delivers nasty clotheslines and wow, Maven’s XFL tee. I wonder if they make failed contestants sign Non Disclosure Agreements and pay them not to release results. Fairly sure this happened in a future season where a contestant started taking indie dates whilst the show was still airing.
• When they show the male 3 contestants’ faces in one shot, someone slaps Josh and he bats it away, inaudibly shouting “fuck off!”. Hilarious.
• JR announces the winners: FEMALE WINNER NIDIA! Taz interviews loser Taylor, she’s just another victim and prods her for a reaction. She says WWF don’t want her and Taz steers her to say she won’t quit. (Her final hype video questioned if wrestling is right for her, which is a huge sign that she wouldn’t last – she stuck with doing indies for 2 years)
• MALE WINNER MAVEN! Nowinski tries not to sneer. Maven’s got a proper grateful speech prepared, and the crowd lap it up, great job. He ends it with “mom this is for you, I love you”. Taz interviews Josh, he’s pretty sad and gets past his interview. Nowinski tries a face promo, saying it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Both male losers look genuinely upset.
A fun show, great idea to have a live finale (definitely aided by the WWF New York crowd) and interesting to see the finalists’ interviews afterwards.

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Screengrabs from the last 3 episodes:

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WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SEASON 1 CONTESTANTS?
Josh Matthews (Josh Lomberger) did the best out of everyone, getting a long-time gig in WWE as a backstage reporter & commentator on their C-shows, now the lead announcer for TNA.
Jason Dayberry quit early on due to the rough road schedule. He’s a pro bodybuilder now.
Bobbie Jo Anderson & Victoria Tabor quit together due to the physicality.
Maven Huffman Tough Enough S1 male winner, best known for eliminating the Undertaker at the 2002 Rumble (which was an amazing, shocking spot). He was D-Von’s best friend in the business and was released by WWE in 2005. He worked on the indies and was seen selling things on the Home Shopping Network. He’s a NY bouncer now.
Taylor Matheny married Brian Kendrick, works as Make Up Artist in Hollywood.
Chris Nowinski quit wrestling after suffering post-concussion syndrome, and now is the exec director at the Sports Legacy Institute, a concussion research group.
Shadrick McGee was cut due to poor in-ring performance.
Chris “CK” Nifong is now a graphic designer and screen printer.
Paulina Thomas was TNA’s bodyguard for Disco Inferno for a 2 shows in 2002 and is now a Product & Market Manager in NY.
Nidia Guenard, the female winner of Tough Enough S1, best known for her Smackdown gig as Jamie Noble’s trashy girlfriend. Now works in culinary arts.
Darryl Cross is now a web graphic designer in Iowa.
Greg Whitmoyer pulled out due to herniated discs in his back, but worked for hardcore indie company CZW and a few 3PW dates.

Latest on OSW:
• New Video! Jay & V1 review THE CONDEMNED for Lionsgate: OSWreview.com/media/movie-the-condemned
• RAW & Triple H interview thoughts: OSWreview.com/raw-feb2-aitch-interview
• Wrestling News Packet (Feb 1st): OSWreview.com/2015feb1st
• OSW latest episode updates: OSWreview.com/updatejan29
• Royal Rumble 2015 & RAW review: OSWreview.com/rumble2015andraw
• Royal Rumble 2014 match review: OSWreview.com/rumble2014[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

February 6, 2015
RAW & Triple H Interview

RAW Feb 2nd Review
• Great idea to make Roman put his Rumble spot up for grabs in February (hopefully they don’t do this reguarly to make the Rumble mean much less) as his hand was forced; Bryan in the match gets some heat off Roman and gets Roman some sympy.
• Curtis Axel doing the mania point was amazing. The whiny promo wasn’t, but thanks for giving us this moment! Ambrose hoofs him out & starts talking about the IC belt, jaysus he’s setting his sights quite low but happy he’ll be on PPV with Barrett.
• Ascension vs Angel dust: Everyone has their face painted, and highly gimmicked – great! Goldust still moving and bumping like a boss. Ascension win in a short angle of a match; Stardust hisses and we have my least favourite angle, tag team dissension! Calling him Cody was actually a little shocking, good stuff.
• Blah Ryback & Harper.
• Cena cuts an in-ring promo and someone drew our Macho pic in the crowd! WOOT!
• Jimmy Uso vs Cesaro. Cole gets over some double date storyline that wasn’t on TV, why isn’t it on TV? Wouldn’t kill any of these guys to show off more character! Difficult to be heel when you’re talented, you get some cheers regardless. Maybe it’s white meat babyfaces and cool heel babyfaces.
• MIZDOW dissension! After Mizdow signs an autograph for a fan (a stagehand – they couldn’t get a fan or someone’s kid to do this segment?) Miz reads him the riot act and makes him his PA, no longer his stunt double; as Mizdow is itching to do it. Next chapter in the breakup, I don’t know where these two go after they split, their act is still great. Sin Cara wins with a banana peel, I wish he stuck Cara’s original the blue/yellow attire.
• Dear God, Cena’s blue merch is HIDEOUS. It’s blinding. He and the Vintner have a heart to heart, go away. Rowan gets destroyed by Rusev, great stuff. Also having the US title up for grabs against Cena kinda guarantees a win for Rusev, see you for a stipulation match at Mania!
• Bray beat Ziggler, glad Bray’s getting more focus but he’s far away from the level to wrestling Taker. His promos were better this week too!
• The Bellas commentate over Paige’s match. Nikki looks WHOPPER in her brown dress. Great job Cena! They spraypaint Paige’s tummy black and of course it gets nWo chants. I suppose they don’t want to use bronzer.
• Bryan vs Seth. This is the PPV match I wanted! They still have a stormer on TV. I’m thinking they should add the stip “loser has to wrestle big show” to make Bryan and Seth’s match even more urgent. The two deservingly get this is awesome chants and Bryan wins via Roman’s interference. (Roman again looks strong only doing his special moves!). I imagine this interference will be the in Seth needs to get the Fastlane match to be a three-way.
• Something I appreciate, they spend time in the ring with Bryan celebrating. It’s a small but effective thing.
Apart from the main event, it was a can-miss RAW. I’m sure Bryan & Rollins will get a PPV match one of these days.

Triple H on the Steve Austin Show
• Triple H came off quite well, I’m shocked we got such a candid interview. A couple of things Austin should’ve called him on, but on the whole I was impressed, they talked about all the important stuff. They absolutely smashed kayfabe! Stone Cold came across as basically the viewpoint of smart wrestling fans but non-confrontational, so he’d ask great questions with no follow up.
• As with every Aitch peace we get MSG Kliq reunion/getting buried for a year 6 minutes in, and mentions jobbing to Warrior at 2. No mention of losing to Henry O Godwinn in a pig pen match or letting Shelton get the surprise win, so…good?
• Austin (who fake-tanned his head) talks about weak finish of the rumble; Aitch agrees, whenever something bad is brought up about the current product he kinda throws Vince under the bus, saying it’s his vision and he’s got a great track record (well, prior to 2005 anyway)
• Aitch mentions the Attitude Era had a tight demographic; now WWE reaches every demographic. I wish Austin picked him up on this. Considering viewing figures are half of what they were in AE, eh, how is that a good thing? Also trying to reach every demographic inspires none, which is partly why the Network is 400,000 subscribers off breaking even.
• The conversation starts to circle about Reigns and H mentions how they listen to the fans, how Roman gets booed in heel towns and that’s that.
• H admits he wasn’t ready to win KOTR in 96, but was more ready in 97. So…apply that to Roman reigns and his ONE SINGLES PPV MATCH! We’re not talking about a heel midcarder winning a tournament either, we’re talking MAIN EVENT WRESTLEMANIA BABYFACE! And Roman isn’t even near H’s level in 96! But as Bill DeMott said in the Shield docu, Roman overcame not knowing.
• He admits coming to terms with having an asterix next to his accomplishments thanks to marrying Steph, something that is a real shame – he would’ve been a multi-time world champion thanks to his talent and dedication, but aul bicycle shorts had to use his clout to KILL RAW and many different talents throughout the 2000s.
• Sadly H says WWE believe there’s only one way to have a wrestling match; out fans like our play book (ie WWE’s style of wrestling). Austin lets that one go. Ever wonder why 3 hour RAWs are quite boring? Besides the obvious reason, it’s because everyone wrestles the same way. They couldn’t afford to ‘break’ wrestlers in the Attitude Era, which is a reason why it was so great, they had to take wrestlers as is (Radicalz, Jericho etc). He justifies it by saying it’s the #1 company in the world. That’s true but it’s maybe 4th most profitable with the massive network losses.
• Hilariously Austin says he loved that NXT didn’t start with a promo (as RAW did tonight!) He comes across as very in-tune with hardcore fans (knowing that’s who’s watching this interview, and says look at NXT; that’s for hardcores and more his style) and puts over the talent & it as a catch-all developmental system. It’s worth noting that NXT doesn’t do electric numbers and it’s intimite atmos is perfect for the show, and some things wouldn’t work on RAW, although RAW could take a lot of pointers from NXT. Where’s the midgets, Goddammit!
• He asks if Chyna should be in the HOF, which seemed to actually blindside Aitch. He diplomatically says he character, absolutely, but indirectly mentions her depressing porn career as the reason she’s not (‘what if an 8 year old googles her’) which is more than enough reason. I don’t think she should be in the HOF (her over-ness is a testament to WWF’s incredible booking and star-making ability – Terrible God-awful promos, terrible and un-coordinated, can’t wrestle, but great look = over massively) but that said, the hypocrisy is ridiculous, considering CONVICTED RAPIST Mike Tyson is in there, Jimmy Murderer Snuka and sure, Austin and his multiple domestic abuse charges. And also that X-Pac (who starred in the porn video with Chyna!) has signed a contract with WWE and appeared a few weeks ago on TV, and was on stage for Scott Hall’s HOF induction last year! Chyna did tweet a response saying she understands why not but would accept being inducted by herself or as part of DX.
• Wrapping up, they do word association: He’d love to wrestle Buddy Rogers (and tweeted look him up on the Network – he’s not there!) and his excuses for Punk was he was difficult to communicate and he doesn’t love the business. He breezed past the Summer of Punk (blaming Nash & McMahon) and of course firing Punk on his wedding day didn’t come up!
• Lastly, if he could change on thing about RAW, have it as 2 hours rather than 3. Good man, Aitch! He says because it’s so much harder to write and shoot a 3 hour show (as it is to watch it!).

Overall just catch the main event of RAW and the Aitch interview, it was surprisingly much more candid and engaging than I expected, obliterated kayfabe, great stuff! Next up, Stephanie?

Latest on OSW:
• New Video! Jay & V1 review THE CONDEMNED for Lionsgate: OSWreview.com/media/movie-the-condemned
• Vince’s interview on the Steve Austin Show: OSWreview.com/vince-interview
• Feb 1st Wrestling News Packet: OSWreview.com/2015feb1st
• OSW latest episode updates: OSWreview.com/updatejan29
• Royal Rumble 2015 & RAW review: OSWreview.com/rumble2015andraw
• Royal Rumble 2014 match review: OSWreview.com/rumble2014

February 4, 2015
Tough Enough S1 Episodes 8-9-10

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Our 4th of 5 Tough Enough S1 reviews!

Pilot review: OSWreview.com/tough-enough-pilot
Episodes 2-3-4 review: OSWreview.com/tough-enough-s1e2-3-4
Episodes 5-6-7 review: OSWreview.com/tough-enough-s1e5-6-7

To recap: with Darryl gone, the show’s declined – even a Pat Patterson payday didn’t help, but Kurt Angle had a great speech. We’re down to 2 women (Nidia and Taylor) and 5 men (Maven, Nowinski, Josh Matthews, “Josh lookalike” Chris, and Greg.)

EPISODE 8 “Dropping Like Flies” with The Hardyz & Lita![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]• This is the injury episode – The gang learn powerslams and Greg’s worried about the previously herniated disc in his back. I’m shocked that didn’t exclude him during the signup process. He tweaks it on an arm drag, and must stop and get X-Rayed.
• Josh picks up a bone bruise on his hip, which is a minor bone fracture that causes bleeding in or directly around the bone.
• With only two girls left, everyone’s aware it’s down to Taylor and Nidia. Nidia picks up a leg injury, and Taylor pulls ahead in training.
• It’s the HARDYZ! and Lita, who isn’t introduced for some reason. Jeff is wearing leopard print slacks. Yes.
• Their speech is mostly in the DVD extra. Matt does most of the talking going through how they were fans, dissecting and trying to figure out moves and getting signed at 19 and 16 respectively (Jeff was told just to say 18); that dedication will drive you to succeed. Lita dismissed wrestling going up until learning more about how wrestlers manipulate viewers emotions and thoughts. (She left out how she gained a notoriety of how she paid for wrestling school despite having no money! Spoiler, her mouth!)
• The show is left with Nidia getting used to the pain and recovering whilst Greg looks like he’ll have to quit.
• Oddly Taz is absent in this episode, even in the background.
Overall, blah. Aside from getting to hear Attitude-Era Hardyz talk I wouldn’t recommend.

EPISODE 9 “The Vicious Circle”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]• Greg gets positive news that it’s just a sprain, and can continue unless the MRI says otherwise.
• They drop a “CK” reference for Chris and leave it at that. (It’s explained in the next episode)
• We learn of THE CIRCLE GAME: making a circle with your hand and holding it below your waist, and getting someone to view it. Al Snow, Maven and Nowinski have a bet (Al, the crafty veteran, showed him a picture of him of him with two circles). Nowinski loses and has to go around Yale dissing Harvard. It feels like they’re hazing a guy who’s already gotten a job in WWE.
• They’ve also dropped the “Nowinski is a dick” storyline. He finds it difficult to turn off ‘work mode’ when he gf visits for the weekend.
• Josh Matthews – he was made for the 90s, brah. Check out the metal bead necklace, frosted tips and surfer look. His girlfriend Jane visits and although initially happy, blows up at him, not wanting to be a WWF wrestler’s wife. They leave it on a rocky note. By the way, their shirts match. That can’t be a coincidence.
• Maven looks to have conjunctivitis (pink-eye). If true he shouldn’t be allowed wrestle anyone for 10 days!
• The MRI results are in. It turns out not only was Greg mis-diagnosed (he actually had 2 herniated discs) he now has a small third herniation, so he has to quit (he needs spinal surgery to continue) and says his goodbyes. Well done sir, you raised my hopes, and dashed them quite expertly!
• Taz is gone in this episode too. Hmm!
Wrestlers travel a lot and have tons of free time on their hands, the circle game is a perfect time-waster. Sadly another make-shift episode until we get to the final episodes.

EPISODE 10 “Timing is Everything” with Mick Foley[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]• Chris’s nickname “CK” is explained: Career Killer, because of the mistakes he makes in the ring, ranging from blowing spots and inadvertantly knocking heads. He’s told his problem is he keeps “anticipating” ie telegraphing the moves ahead of physically doing them, messing the timing. Al loses his temper when a botched headlock takedown could’ve injured him. They don’t mention him injuring Tori until the finale.
• IT’S MICK FOLEY! Commissioner Foley . In a DVD extra, he reads from his Foley is Good biography, and playfully insults Al & Taz (recalling a casting call for a Seinfeld commercial, Taz wouldn’t go easy on him, saying “Seinfeld is taking his chances”. He reads Taz as 5’7″, 270 lbs. Come on, that’s bollocks. He’s Triple H’s weight?
• I could listen to Foley for hours, a really likeable guy. He admits it’s possible yet very difficult to have a family, but you’ll miss out on your child’s first words and steps. How you use moves is more important than knowing moves, but you need to know ’em as others do, so you don’t have an “all time four fingered stinker”.
• Maven (who’s been in the background in general) finally gets focus, his mom has bone marrow cancer and has gotten a little worse. He’s able to get some time off and see her. Maven’s complexion comes from having a white mom and black dad. He approaches this as he does his training, with his positive, calm and professional demeanour, it’s no wonder he got so far in this show. No drama. He has a quiet chat with Josh about his worries. Seeing this, it must be so difficult to pretend to be natural with multiple cameramen, boom mic and assistant filming you.
• Meanwhile, the rest of the gang have some zany fun rock-climbing. Josh kills it. They adjust to being without Maven’s positive influence and draw him some letters (like children do for astronauts).
• Despite doing really well, Josh says he’s thinking about quitting, which sounds like real TV garbage.
• The gang talk smack behind ‘big suck up’ Nowinski’s back, as he has a Tazz tee. Don’t knock it, it’s a great t-shirt!
• Chris says he’s lost something (while boom mic guy wanders into shot) and Al parlays him quitting into the show’s catchphrase “you’re saying you’re not tough enough”. Hey, fuuuuuuuuck you! Chris leaves and there’s barely any goodbyes; like everyone was secretly happy too see the back of him. Tell me a lieeeee! Say that you won’t go!
Same as the last two, best part is the interview. Maven sounds like a real lovely guy. Thankfully this lull is over and next time we’ve the last 3 episodes of TE!

That’s it! Thankfully after this we’re gearing towards the end so things heat up! Final episodes of Tough Enough S1 coming soon! Screengrabs from episodes 8-9-10:[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”flexslider_fade” interval=”10″ images=”2766,2767,2768,2769,2770,2771,2772,2773,2774,2775,2776,2777,2778,2779,2780,2781,2782,2783,2784,2785,2786,2787,2788,2789,2790,2791,2792″ onclick=”link_image” custom_links_target=”_self” img_size=”full”]tricker[/vc_gallery][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]

Latest on OSW:
• RAW & Triple H interview thoughts: OSWreview.com/raw-feb2-aitch-interview
• Wrestling News Packet (Feb 1st): OSWreview.com/2015feb1st
• OSW latest episode updates: OSWreview.com/updatejan29
• Royal Rumble 2015 & RAW review: OSWreview.com/rumble2015andraw
• Royal Rumble 2014 match review: OSWreview.com/rumble2014[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

February 2, 2015