Wrestleknownothing

For those interested in a longer view, here are the lists of three-for-three timers and three-for-four timers: Three Times A Charm Three Outta Four Aint Band

Let's play at some mental gymnastics this morning. Perhaps even a mental back flip. Where would you rank Gable Steveson's career among three-timers? I am going to assume that if he wrestles this year, and wherever that may be, he will replicate his 2022 season. That means 17-0, another title, and another Hodge. Tangent 1 And another boots on the mat? God, I hope not. I hope he has a sense of humor and figures out a way to lampoon his premature (in this scenario) "look at me" move. Let's start by updating my table derived from wrestlestat.com data: Steveson suffers from low usage. With only 97 projected wins he is on the low end of the group. But I am not sure how much that matters in the current age of wrestling less. But with only 2 losses (and unlikely to see a third) he is the leader in the clubhouse here. Tangent 2 Does Anthony Cassar pop a bottle of champagne in a reverse 1972 Miami Dolphins celebration move every time Steveson wins another title? "That's right. I beat that guy. Twice. And no one gets a third shot at the title." Even though Steveson is not a pinfaller, he has a very respectable bonus rate driven by a lot of majors. But the guys he is pinning and majoring are not the highest ranked. However, he does tech fall some very tough dudes. Tangent 3 Does it help Steveson's case for dominance that he never has any problem with Mason Parris and the one year he left Parris goes undefeated and wins he Hodge? Based on numbers alone Steveson would rank somewhere around fourth best of the wrestlestat era (plus Dieringer's freshman year) behind the three headed Lion monster of Nolf, Nickal, and Retherford: Every Heard of the Hodge Trophy? But in my world Steveson has three Hodges and those three only share three among them. That has to count for something. And probably a lot. But is it enough to say he is the best three timer of the wrestlestat era? All That Glitters is Gold Before you answer that question let me tell you a story about 13 seconds in Tokyo. Can you still hear John Smith saying "fake, snap, fake, snap, fake, snap"? So...........? So we have a three timer who is also a three time (two and a half?) Hodge winner, one time Olympic Gold Medalist who was quiet dominant in folk. I have to put him at the top. But wait, what did Mars Blackmon say? Oh, yeah, "It's the shoes." That top ranking is now contingent. I going to require an act of contrition for the shoes on the mat thing if he wants to keep that ranking.

It might take that. Bloomberg had a story today about the Wagner Groups business interests in Africa. Gold mines, breweries, and much more. They provide forces to back whatever local despot in exchange for a free reign to crush competitors (i.e. fire bomb a competing brewery). All of it endorsed by the Russian government as they try to increase their influence and control in sub-Saharan Africa.

Flexibility is weakness. Rigid-ize all rules.

I just broke the world record for eating pistacchios on my porch while watching TV.

What is your criteria for this opinion?

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/9-year-old-signs-six-figure-nil-deal-with-sports-agency/ Which nine year old wrestler is in line to cash in on NIL NOW? How about eight years old? Will anyone pay for the naming rights to a wrestler's child, before the child is born? Conceived?

But who pays those troops? They are mercenaries. They are in it for the pay. With Prigozhin in exile he certainly isn't collecting from the Russian government. So were does the money come from to keep those troops "loyal"? And it cannot help that Russia is offering those who did not participate, contracts to join the Russian army. This is one of the things that was said to have set off Prigozhin in the first place. It threatens his control/power.

The wife and I think the same thing. Armed insurrection is always bad for someone's health.

But NIL doesn't come from the school.

Take me for example.

Who will impose a salary cap? And what payer(s) will they impose it upon? And how will it be legal in the absence of collective bargaining? And how will students unionize in order to collectively bargain if schools insist they are not employees? And how will it be enforceable?

I know, I know. But every now and then one gets through my filter. I will do better.

one does not imply the other

Now, if you are not on a bourbon budget, I would highly recommend Calumet Farms 15. If you are a rich rye guy, check out Whistle Pig 15. And if saving on scotch is unimportant, the Lagavulin 16 is my pick.

As much as I like tequila I prefer mezcal. For Christmas one of my sons got me a bottle of Mal Bien. That boy was raised right. As for the green, yellow, and red dot I am a big fan of those as well. But with the Whistle Pig, the Dots, and especially the Pappy we are getting into some real money. So, what are your value plays?

My old boss owned a bar where they gave it away free.

@fishbane I am loving the call for advanced stats for wrestling. And on the previous board I did a normalization of past champs by looking at percentage of perfect score. I will see if I can dig that up.

I have long suspected you were the reincarnated spirit of Donald Rumsfeld. And now I have my proof.

Speaking of which, how is Pat Downey's PhD coming along?

I will allow Ron Swanson to state my position: I think we need a thread to share good whisky/whiskey recommendations. I have spent a god awful fortune on scotch, bourbon, and rye in my days, but what I am looking for is true value picks. I will start with two: Kirkland Islay Single Malt $38. If you like the peat/smoke/burnt bandaid taste/smell of a good Islay at 38 bucks this stuff holds up well against other Islay's costing $55-$60. Hopping across the Irish Sea check out Red Breast Single Pot Still 12 year $31. Very smooth, little to no burn. If you are trying whiskey for the first time this is a good, accessible way to start. So, let me here it. What are you drinking these days that won't break the bank (or peel paint off my car)?

These guys are elite athletes known for their strength, balance and spatial awareness. But @Jason Bryant and @ionel want me to believe they lose because they just fell down? I'm not buying it, and they shouldn't be selling it.

Finally, Big Ern and I are above the law.

Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology....Better, stronger, faster.

you take your dream crushing somewhere else. we deal in fantasy here.