So AEW Full Gear is tonight and I have to admit…I just ain’t feeling it. That’s very weird for me as I believe I have watched every AEW PPV ever. It’s always a safe bet, they always deliver the goods on these shows. And yet, the build for this one just feels blah. I think Tony works in cycles, and builds up to certain times, not necessarily to certain shows. For instance, when AEW was negotiating their new TV deal, you could tell he was loading things up and making each week special. Now? Not so much. And that’s disappointing as someone who has supported them. I also think they really, REALLY missed the boat by not pulling the trigger on Ospreay a few months back when he was nuclear hot. I’m sure he’s happy to be helping elevate his buddy Kyle Fletcher, but while Fletcher is a great worker, he ain’t Ospreay and sometimes you have to play the hot hand. Now Ospreay is cooling off and it’s not always the easiest thing to reignite something organic like what was taking place earlier this year. Rumor is Kenny Omega may be returning and believe me, he is badly needed. The company needs a kick start obviously, so we’ll see if they get it tonight. And we’ll see if I even order it. Like I said, it’s not screaming must buy to me. Onto the mailbag.
Chad A kicks us off with…”What Matches that you used to think were bad but now you enjoy watching them? Mine would be Jake vs Martel at WM, just a fun little match with Heenan and Gorilla on their A game”
I think Hogan-Warrior II is my favorite. Like it’s still a horrible match, but it’s so horrible it’s almost an art form. Actually, that’s true with a lot of Warrior matches. Heck, one of my favorite SQUASH of the Weeks was that one where Warrior went to throw an elbow drop and somehow dropped his entire BACK onto the poor jobber.
Yep, that was a good one for sure.
Jarvis G wants to know…”Sorry we couldn’t catch up in Indianapolis. I enjoyed Easy Rider Diner on Virginia Avenue. Ever try it?”
Haven’t tried that, will add to the list. Generally if I am downtown I like to eat at The Eagle. I know it’s a chain, but it has without question the best fried chicken I’ve ever had. Great, now I’m hungry.
Matt S continues to bring the hunger pangs with…”Best place to get a pork tenderloin sandwich in Indianapolis? I was out there for work in September. There was a little place by the hotel called Gatsby’s that served them. Absolutely mind blowing!”
I like New Bethel Ordinary just south of Indy. I prefer their pizza, but they do not only tenderloin sandwiches but also tenderloin strips with an incredible horseradish and ranch sauce. That’s nice, because then I can get both. Fat like Santa, here I come.
Sean B asks…”Do you think that Pat McAfee will be a surprise entrant at the Royal Rumble in Indy?”
Would make sense and prior to this week, it would be a super easy pop. These days he’s feuding with several Colts players. The way this season has gone I honestly don’t know if that makes Pat more or less popular in this town.
Mike M ponders…”What’s your most-regretful hairstyle choice?”
Believe it or not, I once, for a brief moment in time, had a RAT TAIL. I do believe I also had a mustache at the same time. Horrible. Also wore my hair feathered back and parted in the middle. Always tell Mrs. Deal if I still had hair, that’s exactly how I’d have it today. She always tells me how glad she is I am now bald. What can I say? I loved that Han Solo look.
Cemal C inquires…”Who in the fuck are the Costco boys?”
You’re asking me, a 55-year old geezer, to explain social media sensations? To quote my pal Vince Russo, “Are you serious bro?”
Aaron M asks…”What was your favorite non-branded wrestling arcade game?”
Oh man, you threw me when you said ARCADE game, especially as I was just shipping out some NES Pro Wrestling coasters this morning. But as a coin op, hmmm…I always loved Mania Challenge. It plays super fast and the controls are great. It’s an oldie, but it is a lot of fun and an incredible follow up to the original Mat Mania.
Richard S reflects with…”You probably don’t have the time to do it but… wish you would do a wrestlecrap style podcast. especially this time of year with halloween, american thanksgiving, black friday and christmas. this is the time of year i really miss you and blade doing podcasts. miss your black friday adventures and your holiday trip to the grocery.”
I miss those too, I always had such fun with Blade, just one of my best friends. The challenge with doing a new WrestleCrap podcast as I just don’t see it as being anything close to what the two of us had together. Like I had a lot of fun doing Joker’s Mustache with Russo, but that was nothing to do with wrestling and just kinda a fun side thing. Rest assured though I always post about any Black Friday shenanigans on my Facebook, even though they are far fewer due to the fact that companies have minimized what Black Friday even is any more.
Arya W asks…”Whatever happened to Triple Kelly?”
She’s doing great. I hear from her every now and again as she’s out and about and watching stuff from stuff like 80 years her younger. A fascinating person.
Brian J goes back to the food with…”What’s the best cologne, and why is it Long John Silver’s malt vinegar?”
Recently the local Big Boy’s in the Cincinnati area known as Frisch’s have started to go under, which is sad to see. My buddy and I are doing what we call the farewell tour of restaurants that we either know are vanishing or we think WILL be gone soon. So we hit Frisch’s and this past week the local Long John Silver’s which has been around for like 40 years. It’s crazy that both were still really good. Now we are kinda looking around and pondering where else we should go that might not be around long…anyone got any suggestions?
And with that, I am going to call it a week. I wish everyone in the US a happy Thanksgiving week ahead, with a turkey of an induction scheduled for this Wednesday night!