Neglected Waterfront Architecture

While clearing away some old e-mails, I came across a question from someone who used the question box gimmick on the blog, back when that was a thing. For those who don’t know, I used to do an audio thing called the DTM-Cast and every so often, I pull out a few questions that would be submitted via this gimmick. I may revive the thing if there’s interest, but otherwise, it really doesn’t matter.

So this person asks if I still watch Billy Corgan’s NWA program, to which my answer would be no. For those who don’t know, Smashing Pumpkin frontman William Patrick “Billy” Corgan had acquired the National Wrestling Alliance a few years back after a failed attempt to acquire TNA. He gave the promotion a reboot that featured a throwback to the glory days of the old NWA shows, but with more modern stars. The first year or so showed some problem and was the launching pad for a lot of names you might know today.

And then COVID happened and things got derailed.

Nowadays, NWA has a show on the CW app that you can watch… and that’s why I’m not watching the show… but even the few clips I’ve seen them post on Youtube hasn’t really inspired me to follow the promotion. Even before that one PPV with the James Mitchell bit – if you don’t know, here’s some musings to kinda bring you up to speed – the show had lost a bit of its luster. Going from Nick Aldus to the former Brodus Clay as your reigning World Champion soured things (not necessarily due to politics, but mostly because the Brodus Clay of the 2020s was nowhere near as good as the Brodus Clay of the 2010s… and he wasn’t even all that great in the first place!) The matches nowhere being as good, lots of unknowns, other things… eh, it was a show that I enjoyed when it started, but eventually went in directions that soured me on the product.

It’s worth noting that since that one PPV, the NWA has never held another PPV event. While they still do things like Crockett Cupp or the NWA Anniversary Shows, those end up airing as episodes of their main show, Powerrrrrrr. And since those are on the CW App… well, zero chance of me watching, is there?

(Apparently, they’re also on Twitter, but fuck off if you think I’m spending time on Twitter looking for whatever version of NWA exists now.)

So… I guess what I’m saying is… the answer is no.

Later.

Hulk Hogan

Anyone who knows me or has frequented this blog knows that I was never a Hulkamaniac. Seldom few times where I was a fan of his act and his exploits both backstage and outside the ring have tainted my views on the man as time went on. Hell, you could probably argue that Terry Bollea is one of the few people on this earth that I’ve grown to hate over the years through reputation alone.

And yet here I am writing some sort of tribute post… go figure.

It’s no secret that he’s had his share of controversy and it’s no secret that he hasn’t been seen or greeted in the best of lights… and yet no matter what you thought of the man or his beliefs, you cannot deny that he played a MAJOR role in bringing professional wrestling and the idea of sports entertainment to heights that the business had not seen before. Anyone who was around in the 80s knew the name Hulk Hogan, regardless of whether they watched wrestling or not. You knew who he was and nine times out of ten, he was the first guy that came to mind when someone thinks of the word “wrestler.”

Yes, the man has had his demons. Yes, he has done some pretty shady and shitty things. Yes, he has said some things that goes against common sense and decency… but he was also a man who was adored by millions. No one can deny the impact that he’s had on this business. To some people, he was the scummiest man on earth. To others, he was a superhero on the same level as other big 80s stars. Others will perceive him as a good family man or best friend. All of these are equally valid. And for anyone to celebrate his passing because he did or said a few things he didn’t agree with… man, I don’t know what to tell you other than… that doesn’t work for me, brother.

That’s all I have to say. My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

RIP Hulkster.

Crabby…

Empty space because I have nothing of note to say at the moment… I have some time off and some of it is being considered on an extended out of town trip where I will be as far away from people as possible… okay, that’s a lie. I’ll likely be in a hotel room in a crowded city that’s riddled with construction cones and closed off roads… but at least everyone will speak proper English.

For what it’s worth, I’ve been doing… well enough. I’ve done my injections for the Crohn’s and I’m supposed to set up a time for a scan somewhere down the line.  For now, it’s been relatively quiet. I’ve been relatively healthy. And I haven’t killed anyone… on purpose or otherwise.

Should I let that hang or do I put a disclaimer in the event people think I’m being serious about that last bit? It’s the Twitter age; everyone’s a goddamned moron by choice… I’d use stronger wording, but I’m trying to be nice here.

In any event, I’ve been getting some stuff ready for future video fodder. Mostly in the bang some shit off the bucket list because that’s mostly done. There’s also some stuff being prepped for the future and there’s quite a bit of holes I need to fill beforehand. So let’s just say that there’s stuff being worked on.

I do want to do a live show before I leave… should I leave… I’m still on the fence on that.

WCW Road Wild 1999

So here we are… the last WCW Road Wild PPV event from Sturgis… the last WCW biker rally PPV before Eric Bischoff was turfed from his role as WCW President and replaced by office accountant Bill Busch, who would bring it a couple blokes from WWF to head creative. And with WWF at an all-time high, it seemed like a good idea at the time… but we all know how that turned out and so I will spare you the bloody details… because they bare no relevance to Eric Bischoff’s last WCW show at a biker rally.

Listen, I’m going to refrain from the one positive about these shows – the outdoor setting, because at this point, it’s a broken record. Yes, it’s a neat visual for a wrestling show, and honestly I wish more shows these took place in these weird outdoor settings just for the visual variety – AEW being more likely to do this stuff, honestly – but after three years of WCW holding these shows at a biker rally before a largely apathetic crowd that didn’t give two fucks about this rasslin’ stuff unless it involved big, burly Americans or something didn’t exactly pan out. But Eric loves his motorbikes and they kept booking the show until he was no longer in power.

And also let’s be honest; this isn’t going to be a fair show.

Continue reading “WCW Road Wild 1999”

Atari To Release Pac-Man… Again

“Hey, Atari! When are you guys releasing a new Atari 5200+?”

“Did you say new 2600+? Here’s a new 2600+ with PAC-MAN!”

“Aw hell nah.”

Yes, they’re putting out another 2600+… but it comes in a Pac-Man color scheme and also includes a new 7800 port of Pac-Man… that also includes the original 2600 port of Pac-Man that everyone hates.

On the flip side, however, they’re also re-releasing the 7800 versions of Galaga, Dig Dug, and Xevious, so if you’re looking to fill those gaps in the 7800 collection, you’ve got a more convenient way of doing it… no love for Pole Position, though. I’m kind of shocked at that since the pack-in title for the 7800 was Pole Position II.

Maybe they’re saving that for the 7800+ recolor.