Just an Observation

[Rassling2]

Just now, lisa morales said:

There are plenty of us who love the sport but don't know this forum exists.

That’s my point Lisa - Intermat needs to start promoting its forum brand better - if at all. This is really the only non-denominational (so to speak) wrestling forum I know of vs all the other brand specific ones. Maybe they should start “poaching” participants in other forums …lol! Glad you’re here Lisa!

[MPhillips]

Evil Villain standing on the mat.

Here come the Great American Hero wrapped in an American flag.

Evil Villain doesn't make way for the American flag draped underdog.

Crowd boo's. Tension builds.

Greatest American Hero upsets evil champion.

Camera pans to President and then to Hero and then to an All American family in tears over the All American goodness that this represents.

Hero salutes President. President hugs American flag draped hero who just defeated evil and then the President whispers in his ear, "Thank you, 'Old Shoe'."

Wag the Dog

[jackwebster]

2 hours ago, MPhillips said:

Living a movie

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wag_the_Dog

I think you're kidding, but how much? I know I watched Hendrickson REALLY fight for that high-c, but I kinda wonder how much I REALLY believe it happened for REAL. 

Edit: I mean, as others have pointed it, the set up is pure Hollywood. Plus, you got a guy involved to wanted who become a professional actor-wrestler and a reality TV star with unlimited funds and power. It's too ridiculous.

Edited Sunday at 04:14 PM by jackwebster

[Rassling2]

6 minutes ago, MPhillips said:

Evil Villain standing on the mat.

Here come the Great American Hero wrapped in an American flag.

Evil Villain doesn't make way for the American flag draped underdog.

Crowd boo's. Tension builds.

Greatest American Hero upsets evil champion.

Camera pans to President and then to Hero and then to an All American family in tears over the All American goodness that this represents.

Hero salutes President. President hugs American flag draped hero who just defeated evil and then the President whispers in his ear, "Thank you, 'Old Shoe'."

Wag the Dog

Ok, that was AWESOME!

[NormMacDonald]

10 hours ago, wrestle87 said:

Dude go back to reddit.  This is a forum for wrestling.

@Husker_Du can you zap this thread pleeeease, for all of us.

THANK YOU!

[Konquest]

1 hour ago, MPhillips said:

Evil Villain standing on the mat.

Here come the Great American Hero wrapped in an American flag.

Evil Villain doesn't make way for the American flag draped underdog.

Crowd boo's. Tension builds.

Greatest American Hero upsets evil champion.

Camera pans to President and then to Hero and then to an All American family in tears over the All American goodness that this represents.

Hero salutes President. President hugs American flag draped hero who just defeated evil and then the President whispers in his ear, "Thank you, 'Old Shoe'."

Wag the Dog

The MIC has been funding performative patriotism in the NFL for decades.  There is always going to be that little voice in the back of my head that wonders if the HWT finals last night were some kind of "patriotic" script that was paid for by President Musk (who stood there with his arms folded all night and looked butthurt that the athletes weren't flocking to him).  Steveson clearly has money on his mind and is willing to debase himself for it (WWE, which is run by a member of the Presidential cabinet), and the whole saving the heavyweight match for last...there is always going to be that quiet little suspicion, like with Mijian Lopez.

Burroughs, OTOH, obviously listened to the criticism and was WAY more subdued re: talking about himself in terms of accomplishments and "What I would do" -type commentary.  Good on him.  Sometimes what makes someone good at one thing, especially in combat sports, makes them struggle with another.  JB took the feedback and honed his skills on the mic, and he should be commended for that.

 

[WrestlingRash]

imagine complaining because the President of the United States came to watch the finals. WTF is wrong with some people? 

[Tripnsweep]

6 hours ago, WrestlingRash said:

imagine complaining because the President of the United States came to watch the finals. WTF is wrong with some people? 

I don't think it's bad that the president did. I think it's more his reasons for attending that I don't like. 

For our current president, everything is transactional. Everything is about trying to sell something, his own image, etc. So him appearing isn't because he actually cares about wrestling. It's because he wants to sell the image of himself as some kind of tough guy who represents the values and ideals of wrestling. Keep in mind he's a guy who was born rich, has never had to work a real job, and was handed everything in life. 

Whereas other presidents we've had, maybe I don't like their politics, but they don't come across as disingenuous pandering narcissists. Like if George Bush went while he was president, I wouldn't have a negative view of it. But somebody who privately has disdain for non rich people? F--- him. 

[Scouts Honor]

you know his reasons? lol

um buddy, actions are TRANSACTIONAL for every president.

if you dont know this, you dont know much.

you hated bush too, and would have said the same as many did.

you only became magnanimous about him b/c he doesn't like trump

[Rassling2]

13 minutes ago, Tripnsweep said:

I don't think it's bad that the president did. I think it's more his reasons for attending that I don't like. 

For our current president, everything is transactional. Everything is about trying to sell something, his own image, etc. So him appearing isn't because he actually cares about wrestling. It's because he wants to sell the image of himself as some kind of tough guy who represents the values and ideals of wrestling. Keep in mind he's a guy who was born rich, has never had to work a real job, and was handed everything in life. 

Whereas other presidents we've had, maybe I don't like their politics, but they don't come across as disingenuous pandering narcissists. Like if George Bush went while he was president, I wouldn't have a negative view of it. But somebody who privately has disdain for non rich people? F--- him. 

Trip you’re a trip man. Do you really feel this way or just trolling as well? What about the NASCAR racing event he attended? He actually road in his protected vehicle around the track. What were your thoughts about his attendance there?

[Scouts Honor]

anyone of these complainers complain about obama going to bball? he still does... 

[monkeybanana53]

3 hours ago, Tripnsweep said:

I don't think it's bad that the president did. I think it's more his reasons for attending that I don't like. 

For our current president, everything is transactional. Everything is about trying to sell something, his own image, etc. So him appearing isn't because he actually cares about wrestling. It's because he wants to sell the image of himself as some kind of tough guy who represents the values and ideals of wrestling. Keep in mind he's a guy who was born rich, has never had to work a real job, and was handed everything in life. 

Whereas other presidents we've had, maybe I don't like their politics, but they don't come across as disingenuous pandering narcissists. Like if George Bush went while he was president, I wouldn't have a negative view of it. But somebody who privately has disdain for non rich people? F--- him. 

You do know Trump wrestled in high school, right? He’s been a huge fan of combat sports for decades—helped the UFC in its early days, attended old-school UFC events before it was mainstream, and has been a regular at major boxing matches.

 

Almost everything humans do is transactional to some degree, so I’m not sure what you’re getting at here. He showed up to bring eyes to the sport and support wrestling—something he has a long-documented history with. If that bothers you, it seems more like a personal issue than an actual critique of his presence at the event

 

Let’s also not ignore the fact that Trump has never attended an NCAA Basketball championship, a sport which dwarfs the NCAA wrestling championships in terms of viewership and media attention. Wouldn’t you think he’d attend that instead of a niche NCAA wrestling tournament with maybe 50k viewers if he was simply seeking attention?

Edited Monday at 04:01 AM by monkeybanana53

[CHROMEBIRD]

12 hours ago, Rassling2 said:

That’s my point Lisa - Intermat needs to start promoting its forum brand better - if at all. This is really the only non-denominational (so to speak) wrestling forum I know of vs all the other brand specific ones. Maybe they should start “poaching” participants in other forums …lol! Glad you’re here Lisa!

I like this board and the old themat forums, but USAW had the right idea. Message boards tend to draw folks of a certain age and older. The convos are happening on Reddit or socials.

[pokemonster]

7 minutes ago, CHROMEBIRD said:

I like this board and the old themat forums, but USAW had the right idea. Message boards tend to draw folks of a certain age and older. The convos are happening on Reddit or socials.

Whatcha mean by USAW had the right idea?

[CHROMEBIRD]

1 minute ago, pokemonster said:

Whatcha mean by USAW had the right idea?

Energy better exerted towards their social media and other channels

[Boring]

On 3/23/2025 at 5:26 AM, blueandgold said:

There are some posters on this board who sure don’t like Starocci, Steveson, JB, DC, and Rock in the commentary booth with comments calling them “narcissists” and suggesting they lack humility among other things as they keep go on and on about a “blue room”  and wanting “good role models for children” while cheering on a literal 34-time convicted felon and assailant found liable as he interrupted the first, and possibly only, five-time NCAA Division I Champion’s interview in history. It’s even more ironic that he shows up to a school event while trying to dismantle the Department of Education. It’s less of criticism and more of an observation. These guys who’ve done great things for the sport and are great ambassadors of it are judged harshly yet a literal felon and civilly liable assailant is being cheered in a room where wrestlers who fit a certain image are praised as “heroes.” Why is that?

I think it may be time to remove loudmouths like Cormier from the commentary booth. The guy has diarrhea of the mouth and he flat out sounds stupid much of the time. Yeah, nice guy, blah blah blah, but I'd rather have a dude that comments only when something relevant happens (aside, maybe, from 'color" on the wrestlers, which I usually enjoy) rather than a guy who can't shut his ever gaping yap.  To be honest I wasn't overly impressed with JB's commentary either, but at least he had the skills to pay the bills as a wrestler (multiple world titles). 

Edited Monday at 06:59 AM by Boring

[Tripnsweep]

5 hours ago, monkeybanana53 said:

You do know Trump wrestled in high school, right? He’s been a huge fan of combat sports for decades—helped the UFC in its early days, attended old-school UFC events before it was mainstream, and has been a regular at major boxing matches.

 

Almost everything humans do is transactional to some degree, so I’m not sure what you’re getting at here. He showed up to bring eyes to the sport and support wrestling—something he has a long-documented history with. If that bothers you, it seems more like a personal issue than an actual critique of his presence at the event

 

Let’s also not ignore the fact that Trump has never attended an NCAA Basketball championship, a sport which dwarfs the NCAA wrestling championships in terms of viewership and media attention. Wouldn’t you think he’d attend that instead of a niche NCAA wrestling tournament with maybe 50k viewers if he was simply seeking attention?

Yeah he "wrestled". Doesn't mean much. Also he got into the UFC after Dana White took over, not before when it barely existed. And it had nothing to do with his interest in MMA. He had been shut out of boxing, remember he was the guy who wanted fellow convicted rapist Mike Tyson to still be allowed to box while incarcerated. His casino was floundering and he only reached out to the UFC to bring them to his casino because he thought it might help him drive interest. He ended up losing his casinos in bankruptcy anyway. His fragile personality needs to be associated with something tough and masculine that appeals to the dimwits that comprise his base of voters. Because if he is viewed as anything but tough and aggressive then he gets mad and defensive. 

It would have been different if Paul Wellstone become president because he actually was a wrestler and considering his success in wrestling, it would have been a much more personal connection to seeing him at NCAAS. 

Trump just wants to be seen as tough and associates himself with what he or his advisors around him tell him is. 

I would even go so far as to say McCain was more of a wrestler than Trump, only because McCain admitted more than once he wasn't very good and saw the gym ceiling lights in every school gym in his area. I don't think Trump is capable of admitting he wasn't the best at something.

[Tripnsweep]

8 hours ago, Rassling2 said:

Trip you’re a trip man. Do you really feel this way or just trolling as well? What about the NASCAR racing event he attended? He actually road in his protected vehicle around the track. What were your thoughts about his attendance there?

Same thing. He has actual disdain for people unless they're rich or can do something for him. 

[Boring]

5 hours ago, monkeybanana53 said:

You do know Trump wrestled in high school, right?

Calling BS on that. Prove it. 

[Rassling2]

1 hour ago, Tripnsweep said:

Same thing. He has actual disdain for people unless they're rich or can do something for him. 

Ok we’ll just have to agree to disagree, plus I can’t give you a hard time after the interesting history you provided on one of my favorite food items - the artichoke! 

[gimpeltf]

1 hour ago, Boring said:

Calling BS on that. Prove it. 

I suppose it depends on your definition but here- The bracket is from 1962 Nat Preps

[Boring]

20 minutes ago, gimpeltf said:

I suppose it depends on your definition but here- The bracket is from 1962 Nat Preps

Awesome, thank you! When I looked at the bracket and saw he got pinned in the first round I realized it WAS HIM! 

[BloodRound]

19 hours ago, WrestlingRash said:

imagine complaining because the President of the United States came to watch the finals. WTF is wrong with some people?

Found Minnow's burner account.

[Scouts Honor]

6 hours ago, Tripnsweep said:

 

Trump just wants to be seen as tough and associates himself with what he or his advisors around him tell him is. 

 

is that why you are here?

btw, has trump ever said he was a good wrestler? 

[NotThatDave]

On 3/23/2025 at 12:26 AM, blueandgold said:

There are some posters on this board who sure don’t like Starocci, Steveson, JB, DC, and Rock in the commentary booth with comments calling them “narcissists” and suggesting they lack humility among other things as they keep go on and on about a “blue room”  and wanting “good role models for children” while cheering on a literal 34-time convicted felon and assailant found liable as he interrupted the first, and possibly only, five-time NCAA Division I Champion’s interview in history. It’s even more ironic that he shows up to a school event while trying to dismantle the Department of Education. It’s less of criticism and more of an observation. These guys who’ve done great things for the sport and are great ambassadors of it are judged harshly yet a literal felon and civilly liable assailant is being cheered in a room where wrestlers who fit a certain image are praised as “heroes.” Why is that?