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strongislandsuperfan · 1 year

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The Prophecy of the Pipebomb

There's a saying that goes, "Everything eventually comes full circle." Its never been more true than this point in pro-wrestling.

Any pro-wrestling fan, whether casual viewer or lifelong fan remembers the night of June 27, 2011. A day that will always live in sports entertainment history & infamy.

CM Punk has never been one to hold his tongue, but he does it in such an articulate manner that it makes you sit and think....and sometimes cringe, depending on your perspective.

To give some backstory on this moment, CM Punk had secured a one-on-one match with John Cena for the WWE Championship at the next pay-per-view, Money in the Bank. With his contract just weeks away from ending, CM Punk made it clear that he had no intentions of resigning. Instead, he planned on walking away from WWE as the company’s champion, potentially taking the WWE championship belt to another wrestling promotion.

When the promo starts off, it sounds like a typical build up to the anticipated match with John Cena, but things quickly turn south, going into an epic tirade of disgust over the WWE roster, the WWE stars of the past, and utter contempt for the McMahon family, while giving shout outs to Paul Heyman, Brock Lesnar, his then-friend Colt Cabana, and the Ring of Honor Wrestling promotion. Disillusionment at its finest, but I don't blame him.

The most important part of this promo was the venting, which felt all too real, as if years of animosity had been building since CM Punk's arrival from the independent circuit. First, he was thrown into WWE's developmental promotion, Ohio Valley Wrestling. Then, with the renewed but poorly handled rebirth of ECW, then a move over to the main WWE roster. A move to the main roster should have been the golden ticket to the big time but, he wasn't given the shine he deserved. If so, then he would have been promoted in the main title sequence on Monday Night Raw, as CM Punk stated.

Another important aspect of this promo is how he verbally laid into the McMahon family & John Laurinaitis. It's no secret that CM Punk is not fan of the non-sensical aspects of backstage politics, but understands that it is a reality that has to be met head on. Valid points were made, regarding legacy, broken promises, talent being taken for granted & not getting its proper due respect, simply because a wrestler doesn't look "main event" enough to get over with the fans. CM Punk was not only right, but proved the old-timers wrong, by becoming the main event draw that the fans demanded, but up until that night, he was still being denied.

Let's be frank about this; if it wasn't for CM Punk bringing that point up, guys like Kofi Kingston and Daniel Bryan, two men that don't exactly fit the mold of the main event talent we all watched in the 80's and 90's, wouldn't even touch the WWE title, let alone be in the conversation for a shot at the WWE championship belt. To further add to his case, CM Punk took the Kobe Bryant approach in pro wrestling and spent hours, sometimes days, honing and perfecting his craft. There's a reason why he's been voted independent wrestler of the year, before signing with WWE.

Just when CM Punk was about to get going on the McMahon’s legacy and how Vince’s death won’t fix anything, even if it is put in the hands of his son-in-law, Triple H and his daughter, Stephanie McMahon, the mic gets cut. The audience, left in disbelief and excitement.

The now infamous pipebomb promo generated the kind of buzz wrestling promoters could only dream about. It shocked the pro wrestling world as a whole, ranging from praise to threats to conspiracies and skepticism. Some heard this pipebomb promo and dismissed it as a "work", meaning that it blurred the lines between fantasy and reality. Others, fully agreed and took a stance with CM Punk. Others within the WWE and some hall of fame stars of the past, were either angered or put off by the rant. I believe this was due to the fact that the wrestling industry as a whole, as well as the WWE was losing the power it once had. The industry wasn't ready to change just yet.

Pro wrestling fans had now become MMA fans and the talent from the independent circuits were not seen as appealing or as a "top guy" that could carry the company, reminiscent of the days of Hulk Hogan. The talent that the old guard was relying on, such as Goldberg and Brock Lesnar, also had to contend with their egos. John Cena was the go to option, while relying on superstars of the 90's, such as The Rock, to make their guest appearances for an immediate million-dollar box office draw. Nostalgia is fine, but it gets tiresome after a while. Fans just don't want to see heroes of the past. We want to see what's fresh and new & still relatable as well. That was another point that CM Punk was trying to make.

However, to be fair, this is still a business and no matter how many moonsaults you can do or catchphrases you have, you still have to draw a crowd and generate a box office draw that'll leave the fans wanting more and if the new guys can't handle it, then the best interest of business has to take over and protect the namesake of what it was built upon. That was the point the WWE was also trying to make.

Both perspectives are not wrong. They just needed to put their pride aside and hear each other out.

I can look back and say, this was more than just a promo. It was a prophetic word, that told of what was wrong with the sports entertainment industry, who would be proven wrong & whose futures would or could meet a self-inflicted end. Now, things have come full circle....sort of. I am no oracle, but its astonishing how this has played out.

As it was spoken, Triple H & Stephanie McMahon have taken the reigns of the WWE, bringing about major changes to the company. Since Triple H has taken over creative control, surprisingly, the quality of the WWE has gotten better. Not to mention, that the athletes that were either treated as an afterthought or never seen as a main event draw, were finally given their shot at the main roster and as a main event draw. This has drawn praise not only from the locker room in WWE, but even from former stars as well.

On the other spectrum, the microphone master, CM Punk, became the main event draw in AEW Wrestling, a status that should have been given in the WWE. After his end in 2014 in the WWE, he made his way through the MMA circuit, then back to WWE as a TV commentator while dabbling in acting and writing, then, on a fateful August night in 2021, made his much anticipated return in AEW. This brought back fans of Punk and pro wrestling, witnessing their favorite folk hero return again, in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois.

Every aspect of those words spoken that night has manifested.

Fast forward to 2023.

Vince McMahon retires from his long standing position at WWE, now taken over by a new generation, only to be taken back, again, put up for sale and daughter, Stephanie McMahon stepping down as CEO of the company. This caught everyone off guard. I cringe at the thought of the WWE being sold to an entity that might not have its best interest at heart. It happened to WCW and ECW in the early 2000's. We would hate to see history repeat itself. We all grew up watching these pro wrestling superstars give us the type of heart-pounding moments that you would only see in comic books or science fiction films. To think of anyone else to have control of this is bewildering and sad, like a child watching their father walk out, only to be introduced to a stepfather that could never replace the bond created by the biological entity that helped make life and childhood in general, fantastic. I still don't know what to make of it. Who would of thought that you can put a price tag on one's ego?

WWE was our pre-school. Our live-action hero story. Our Saturday day care, once the cartoons went off at 12 PM and we were switching between Soul Train on WPIX channel 11 and whatever exploitation film that was broadcasted on channel 9, before it became the UPN network. We can't imagine this company as anything else, let alone in someone else's hands. Unfortunately, its happening.

While the complete opposite of wishful demise has not happened to the forever reigning, now up-for-sale powerhouse, WWE, the career of a once promising, generational talent, has taken its own turn. Whether it was for better or for worse, is depending on your point of view. Some argue that CM Punk has become the very thing he spoke out against on that June night in 2011. In some aspects, that might have been the case. In other aspects, maybe it was justified. Regardless, due to months-long controversies within AEW, the main event status has since dwindled due to a toxic backstage culture & a self-inflicted observation that CM Punk spoke over himself during his epic rant in 2011. It was not only the jealousy of others that took him out. His ego became his number one enemy.

For the record, I have nothing against CM Punk. I don't agree with all the perspectives or personal politics he carries, but, I get him. His persona motivates me. His rise in the ranks of the independent wrestling world to the big time is almost Rocky Balboa-like, filled with awe and wonder. I only wish that his time with the WWE and AEW could have ended on a more peaceful note, going out like a warrior, on his own terms, with a roaring ovation as his swan song. I still want that for him. His fans still want that for him. Even if he doesn't want it, I don't blame him. His disillusionment is understandable. CM Punk was the rebel with a cause, who came at the right time, even if the powers that be weren't ready for it.

June 27, 2011 was more than just a controversy. It was prophecy, spoken into existence. Many of us didn't understand it then, dismissing it as a work or off-color controversy. Now, we see that it has manifested. Both these perspectives have one commonality; sometimes, its our love and passion that can take us out rather than our hate or grievance of being treated as an after thought that's constantly taken for granted and not appreciated until its gone out the door.

The pipebomb promo, in all of its unbeknownst and unassuming glory, has stood the test of time, bringing changes to a proud industry that would only give the "Hulk Hogans" of the wrestling world the spotlight while eerily consuming the egos & passions of those that we never expected to be in the positions that they are in. Whether you see it as a positive or a negative, again, its all perspective.

Both futures remain hanging in the balance. As a fan, I hope that it reaches a certain peace that many can walk away happy with.

#wwe raw #wwenetwork #wwe superstars #pro wrestling #sports opinion

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darkwood-sleddog · 2 months

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i cannot stress enough that even if you intend to do sports with your dog, even if you intend to work your dog you should get a type of dog you can enjoy living with WITHOUT sports and/or work. Dogs cannot do sports/work forever. Sometimes they need a break from sports/work due to injury. That is just a reality and you are going to have to live with that sportless/workless dog (even if temporary).

#dogblr #dog opinions #look. i just think people get dogs to DO sports #rather than get dogs they enjoy and do sports because they enjoy said dog #my enjoyment of my breed's quirks (including negatives) does not falter if they are unworked #me: again getting on my 'teach sport dogs to live regular dog lives' pedestal #there's a balance yall #anyways my breeder posted videos of slash's mom and grandma at 11.5 and 13 respectively still looking amazing and having fun #just doing walkies and zoomies and stuff #old lady things #and there's just as much enjoyment in THAT as there is in that accomplishment of good work/good sport

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strollist · 13 days

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people are delusional if they think that lawrence will let go of his own son. don’t try and bring the show “succession” into this bc it has nothing to do with lance and lawrence’s father-son relationship.

we have seen first hand how much lawrence stroll loves his children and would do anything for them. i’m sure if my parents or other people’s parents were as rich as the stroll family, they too would buy you things and get you places you desire.

lance will probably stay with aston until he believes that he’s finished with f1 but i doubt that will happen anytime soon. he will keep racing.

people fail to see this though and assume just because he races poorly at times. like i have said before, lance could finish p20 every race if he felt that good about his seat and not give a shit about f1. but it’s clear lance cares about racing and is trying to improve.

the media and fans will always paint him out as a villain who’s biggest crime is having a father who loves him.

#lance stroll #f1 #sports #aston martin #aston martin f1 #fernando alonso #my opinion

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idiopathicsmile · 3 months

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gonna get perhaps a little controversial for this site and say i think it's generally kind of a weird move to be proud of yourself simply for not liking something.

if you are boycotting a work for political reasons and it brings you some measure of peace or clarity to critique its messages, by all means go ahead; that isn't what i'm talking about.

but patting yourself on the back just for not deriving the happy chemicals from a potential source for them, in this world so full of pain and struggle, where sometimes it seems like we all have to fight to enjoy anything in the first place...why?

all of that said, i think i would care about the superbowl more if it had clearer dramatic stakes and better dialogue.

#and to be clear when i say dialogue i am not critiquing post-game press conferences or interviews with players or whatever #i am saying i want the players to be micced *during the game* and to say scripted one liners at dramatically important moments #and to be clear i would still not *love* it. but i would like it a little.#(wrestling. i am just describing wrestling.)#the important thing is i know these opinions are bad & dweeby! i would put fast-paced overwritten banter in every sport; i must be stopped #(but also: uh hey let's maybe do something about all those concussions huh??)

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vyeoh · 8 months

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What if I make a good omens figure skating au but instead of making them go to the Olympics they're literally just regular skaters at some club in Indiana or something

#vio.txt #im soo traumatized i need some traumatized skater representation #aziraphale's a coach who maybe has had a few skaters go pro but these days mostly does learn to skate #crowley is the former golden girl who quit skating after an injury put him at odds with the tides of club politics and opinion #can aziraphale use crowley's begruding love of children and urge to flex on everyone out of spite to reignite his love of the ice?#find out this christmas on the hallmark channel #inspired by me trying to read a figure skating au on ao3 and clicking off because i have too complex of feelings about the sport to #read a glamourized version of it oops #good omens #ineffable husbands #anyways i got new skates so im about to get back on ice after like 4 months 🤪🤪

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race-week · 3 months

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Apparently I’m not allowed to express my dislike about things on my own blog because other people have issues with it.

#ffs I’m allowed to have my own opinions and I’m allowed to mention them #I can still enjoy the sport without having to love or even like everything about it #and yes a lot of the race suits and liveries have been a let down this season - I’m not the only person that thinks so

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valyrfia · 1 month

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i'm like n1 lecfosa but i have to say some of the anons i've seen in other people's inboxes because they think that charles could've driven better today or that carlos deserved the win....have not been it. if you have an opinion to say, please just post it on your own blog and put your own name to it rather than going to terrorise and spit on someone who doesn't agree with you while retaining the luxury of hiding behind an anonymous icon. or even better, if you're upset, stick to the blogs that you know share your opinions.

#do not give the lecfosi a bad name we may not be particularly ethical people but we are fair #bonus points if you get that reference #but seriously guys......i was as upset as the next person but at the end of the day it's one race and charles is still p2 in the standings #with a suzuka upgrade coming that will make the front pointier #and carlos did win after getting his appendix out literally two weeks ago it is an impressive narrative people are ALLOWED to be impressed #blogs you enjoy can have differing opinions from you and that's okay!#but if you're upset about it there is no reason to send those with differing opinions a barrage of “CHARLES DESERVED BETTER DON'T YOU SEE”#like do i think charles deserved better. yeah. am i going into the inboxes of people happy for carlos and taking that away from them. no #if you have something to say that could be controversial put your name to it #like i'm fully aware my opinions are not everybody's cup of tea and that's okay #i have mutuals i really enjoy content from celebrating carlos and that's also okay end of the day it's a SPORT #if you come into my askbox and tell me that charles leclerc is washed i will be snitty because that's my territory #but the beauty of tumblr is you can curate your space - USE THAT BEAUTY #okay rant over just a psa i have been a little upset seeing some ppl i like content from get upset

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celestialrealms · 17 days

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I honestly feel like Diavolo is too good of a character and too multifaceted for this fandom. It's actually so insufferable how much people will overly focus on like, one aspect of his character to be all "see, he's toxic!" or "see, he's abusive!" or "see, he's a manchild!" or "see, he's a sexyman daddy top!"

and it's like................ i think we all know why lmao

#obey me #obey me diavolo #feeling silly + so am going to tag it since you guys put your bad opinions in his tag like it's a sport.#pls. i'm just trying to enjoy my pookie

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theanticool · 18 days

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Would love to watch the USA wrestling Olympic qualifiers next week. Too bad they’re on flowrestling.

#grow the sport my ass #wrestling #Olympics #opinions

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strongislandsuperfan · 2 years

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Time to Say Goodbye, Mr. Brady

You honestly should of left after your Super Bowl win with Tampa. Now, you look just as washed up as the quarterback you came off the bench for when you played with the Patriots. Normally, I do not wish bad things on those I can't stand, but now, its to the point where I can't even bring myself to take joy in the misery of an adversary that I prided myself on rooting against. Now, this is just plain sad.

On Sunday, October 23rd, 2022, both the franchise that you brought to the promise land & your legacy has reached a new low.

Tom Brady and the Bucs fall to 3-4.

The last time Brady fell below .500 was in 2002.

(h/t @albert_breer)

The decision to come out of retirement, while met with excitement from football fans, was marred with controversy, both on a professional and personal level. I mean, why come back? What more is there to prove? You have proven yourself as a non-system based quarterback and won 7-Super Bowl championships & brought two football franchises back from obscurity to respectable franchises with multiple championships. Now, not only is it costing you your legacy, it has cost you the morale of the locker room, the respect of pure football fans and now, your own marriage. To prove what? That you can defeat the expectations set for men your age and go out a winner, when that has been done already?

Clearly, you haven't watched enough Rocky Balboa movies or learned any real life lessons from athletes that felt they had something else to prove & ended up going out on their back, with sprawls of blood & tears trickling down their face. No matter how much you work out, how much you prepare, or how many more championships you think you need, the one opponent that better men than you have tried to conquer & ended up succumbing to is...time. Time remains undefeated. Mr. Brady, it is safe to say, time has already caught up to you. You're just too stubborn and egotistical to realize it. Or maybe you do, but you choose to remain in denial.

Either way, time is no longer on your side.

It's time to take a bow, Mr. Brady. You have nothing more to prove. Get out, while you still have a legacy that your fans can respect & we can continue to debate and root against. Try to pick up the pieces of your personal life as well. Winning the heart of your family is an even bigger and better legacy than winning one more Super Bowl ring.

That is all.

#nfl #tom brady #football #sports opinion

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kazoologist · 16 days

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okay those series logan and oscar binged together were like the ill fated and much missed runs of real housewives of miami and melbourne right?

#logan sargeant #ls2 #oscar piastri #op81 #zoomies posting #kazoo noises #sports posting #i realized like an hour ago that these two both have housewives franchises not too egregiously far from home and im still giggling about #that factoid paired with the clips editing. whoever edited that. banger job.#logan buddy what are ur opinions on rhoa. i havent seen miami yet meet me in the middle here

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strollist · 8 days

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as much as i love defending lance, it is tiring seeing people use the same excuses:

“he’s a nepo baby, billionaire, privileged, etc”, majority of the grids come from some type of former involvement with f1 and have good money. in order to participate in certain levels of sports you need good money.

“his dad [insert rest of the sentence]” yes lance’s father played a huge role in him getting into f1 but so did almost every driver’s parents. i don’t understand why people are treating this as lawrence gambled or placed bets on his son’s career because ive seen parents do that before.

“he hasn’t been told no and doesn’t take accountability”, there is always multiple sides to every story. lance has taken accountability for things he’s done in f1. i’m sure he’s been told no by people before regardless if he’s a billionaire or not. sure lance did not take accountability for this crash, but that is his belief. but don’t go saying that lance is the only driver to do this when there have been tons of drivers who believed they were in right for something but were actually in the wrong.

“he’s a brat” and “i don’t like him!”, this has to do with the fact that lance has money and is considered privileged. you can’t just tell how someone is based off of what you see over the internet. it’s very easy to lie and pretend to be someone you’re not on the internet. it’s exactly like acting. saying you don’t like him is your own opinion but when you run out of things to argue, don’t revert to that.

finally, the slurs and death threats. sure these are privileged billionaires but that doesn’t mean they’re immune to death threats and gross things said about them. they could be suffering with their mental health in silence or speaking publicly about it. as someone who’s been down a dark path and has received death threats during it, it’s hard not to give in. you’re told you need to focus on the support you have but sometimes there’s always those lingering thoughts.

for me, it’s the refusal/denial to see lance as a proper driver and see that he wants to be good and improve but yet people are blind to that because they believe that lance will just be a dick and refuse to improve. if lance felt that way, why don’t we see him recklessly driving, finishing p20, etc every week? why do we see him having the most overtakes at the moment in this season?

just my opinion abt it all since i see f1 twt mostly pr3 stans crying and babying the grown musty looking rat. and yes i am well aware as a lance fan that his father had a huge role of getting lance into f1 and without him lance would not be there, but let’s not dismiss that lance can drive.

and if i said im lowk glad lawrence is there for lance whereas daniel has to kiss horner’s bum which has allegations and misogyny all over it, i would get canceled on f1twt and the pr3 fans would probably leak my address.

#f1 #lance stroll #sports #aston martin #aston martin f1 #defending him is draining bc ppl say stupid things #stupid excuses #my opinion #rant

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