Soko

Doesn't fall under the category of wrestling autobiography, but I'm interested to know if any of you have read Paul O'Brien's Blood Red Turns Dollar Green, and what did you think of it?

I really enjoy Sabre Jr. if only for the fact that unlike so many wrestlers, he competes with the notion that his character is far better than other wrestlers at a particular thing and will utilize it to the best of his ability to win the match. He goes out there with the intention of twisting and tearing at your limbs until he gets a chance to submit you. He'll strike a bit, but mostly when it's a matter of pride. He doesn't slam or lift or fly much because his plan is to hurt your with grappling. He's not perfect but I appreciate what he's doing and enjoy his matches. His selling is really annoying. Seems to be constantly attempting a woozy look, a dead-eyed stare into the distance and a limp body regardless of the stage he's at in the match.

I don't at all like the springboard/handspring cutter used by Jay Lethal and Will Ospreay.

For a guy whose persona is based around being eccentric and unique, Ambrose sure does manage to have the most sterile matches possible.

Just remembered we'll have to sit through a likely 15+ minutes of Jericho vs Ambrose.

Wrestling fans these days don't like people for doing good things or dislike them for doing bad things. They like the guys they find entertaining and cheer them, face or heel.

What do people think of Ranallo on these pre-shows and Smackdown? I like some of his content, but he tries very hard to push submission names and Japanese terms which I don't think is all that necessary in the environment. His voice seems a bit forced but doesn't bother me much, I could imagine it sounding a bit silly to a first time viewer.

A bit surprised Lesnar is still in the running. I love watching the guy but is there really enough high-end stuff to merit him landing in the top 60?

Haven't seen East of Eden. Re-read the book a few months ago during a Steinbeck binge. Is the film worth a watch?

I'm all for having a go at some of the ridiculous thing Hogan does, but I don't think there's much wrong with him mentioning that she dated one of his closer friends back in the day if that was the case. . I suppose it's pointing to how he may have known her. Followed it up with ''beautiful soul and kind to my children'' so I think it's really nitpicking to take issue with that.

Daniel Day Lewis is a tired answer to give these days, but it's a tired answer for a reason. His work in My Left Foot, In the Name of the Father, The Boxer, There Will Be Blood and Lincoln are comfortably among the best acting performances of all time. He wouldn't be my personal favorite, but objectively I couldn't have him any lower than the top five on the strength of those performances alone. I think if you were to judge acting like that, versatility would have to be one of the biggest things to come into play. Seymour Hoffman would surely be up there, have people seen Synecdoche, New York? What a bloody mind-explosion of a film that is. De Niro has to be hovering around the top spots. Nicholson too. Haven't seen enough of Brando outside of The Godfather. Clint Eastwood would be my favorite actor were I pressed to pick one.

The one good thing this has made me realize is that the current environment in WWE – from the general attitude and behavior of the talent to the seemingly strict policing of their actions – looks like it should leave wrestlers in a healthier mental state. The in-ring style looks like it could very well lead to some badly damaged bodies in years to come but they seem to have stamped out much of the heavy alcohol / muscle relaxer use, backstage shenanigans etc. Seems as if a different kind of person gravitates toward the profession these days, and wrestling as a whole seems like an easier place to keep your mind together and hopefully that proves to be the case. It's a real pity that the lifestyle was the way it was when Chyna, and others like her, were around. RIP.

I like throwing on a few IRS matches every now and then for silly reasons. I laugh every time he puts his opponent in a completely motionless two minute headlock to kill commercial time. I love Vince mentioning a new tax book, article, magazine or newspaper at the start of every match, the idea of a former tax collector turned wrestler is pretty funny. Always get a kick out of the crowd chanting ''Irwin'' at him. His matches are generally no better or worse than decent, but his opponent usually comes out looking good enough. People often use his tie to instigate offense against him, why in god's name would he continue to wear it during matches? I suppose that might qualify as a wrestling guilty pleasure.

Juvenile idiocy. Historical fascination, similar to Lemmy's collecting of Third Reich memorabilia. A hateful gang mentality they grew out of. Again, I'm not on their side. Just not comfortable with completely slating them as humans based on tattoos I don't know the story behind and backed up by no tales of bigotry in a business full of it.

Loved Taue in this match. He's like a domestique in road cycling, working for the benefit of his team and leader. Constantly entering the fray and upping the pace and physicality to get his side in control. Taue is great.