This Or That (3/25/2014)

Everybody loves binary decisions, especially wrestling fans! In This Or That, we’ve forced ourselves to choose between two options that relate to wrestling.

Over four questions, @TimWelcomed, @typicalROHfan and @TomBlackett will have to choose one of two options and give their reasoning on each of their choices. You can then vote on which one you’d choose, giving you the false impression that you’re somehow involved and we care about your opinion chance to join the conversation!

Before we start, here’s last week‘s results:

More exciting concept in wrestling?

Tournaments – 79%, Battle royals – 21%

Better defunct WWE title?

Hardcore – 76%, European – 24%

More likely to keep their TNA push for the rest of 2014?

The Wolves – 79%, Tigre Uno – 21%

Better dessert?

Pudding – 64%, Jello – 36%

Better historical Wrestlemania match: Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart at Wrestlemania 13 or Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock at Wrestlemania 18?

Two of the greatest Wrestlemania matches of all time, which was better?

Tim:

I prefer the Steve Austin vs Bret Hart match and story the most out of these two choices. There are multiple things about Austin vs Hart at Wrestlemania 13 that make it stand out to me as historical for Wrestlemania. It sent Austin over the edge as a big star. It as a huge stepping stone in his career. It even created one of the most popular iconographic pictures in Wrestlemania history when Austin was bleeding and screaming trying to not tap to The Sharpshooter. We all remember that image and have seen the picture countless times. On top of that it was a great match.

I think if it was the end of the Austin/Hart feud and had the crowd reaction of Rock vs Hogan it would be the perfect Wrestlemania match in a historical sense. However, it didn’t… and while The Rock vs Hogan wasn’t the greatest in-ring battle it had what I think makes a match on the biggest stage more historical. Two of the biggest names one-on-one, a crowd reaction like hardly any other, and it was the blow-off to the program between the two. It’s not my favorite but it’s definitely more historical.

Hogan vs The Rock

typicalROHfan:

On some level, I feel like I should say Bret vs. Austin due to how impressive it was of a story. Not only great wrestling and brawling but it helped tilt Steve Austin into a more likeable character on the road to being arguably the most successful wrestling star ever and made Bret Hart a great villain. That being said, I’m going with Rock vs. Hogan.

That match represented what Wrestlemania is in my eyes. The biggest stars. The hottest crowd. A complete spectacle of magical wrestling moments coming to life. Very few matches in the history of wrestling are as easy to watch at any moment as it stands the test of time. From the opening bell where the fans turn on Rock to the post match where Hogan turns face and both men celebrate beating up Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, it’s such a wonderful match.

Hogan vs. Rock

Tom:

This is really a question of what matters most with a match – what comes before or what comes after. Rock / Hogan was really the ultimate example of a ‘final chapter’ match, acting as a cap on both of their careers. Sure, Rock had a couple of big matches afterwards with Brock and Austin, but nothing that was ever quite on the level of this match. For Hogan, it really was his last hurrah before plummeting into total self-parody.

With Bret / Austin though, it’s all about what came after. The match itself is incredible but I always come out of it wanting to just bing-watch all the Raws that came after to follow how Bret and Stone Cold grew into their new roles. As satisfying as Rock and Hogan’s match was, I think wrestling’s most fun when it’s building towards something new, rather than just settling things.

Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart

Which one man show featuring a Jim would you rather attend: Jim Ross or Jim Cornette?

Hosting one man shows telling stories and answering questions, which would you attend if having to pick one?

Tim:

I can’t stand Cornette and I don’t even think he’s funny in a catastrophic way anymore. I just want him to go away. I don’t agree with JR on a lot of things and I think some of his tweets have given me reason to believe he thinks every wrestling fan is stupid but alas, we’re best friends, and he can tell some really odd stories about nasty things. I would hate listening to them but they’re still better than whatever Cornette has to say.

Jim Ross

typicalROHfan:

Jim Cornette is a complete douchebag. Most of the things he says is toxic and promotes negative aspects of life. I never in a million years would pay to see his show. All those factors noted, if I had to watch either of them in full without the spending of money, I would pick Cornette. It’s a like car crash hearing his lunatic ways but sometimes you just have to watch as terrible as it may be because it’s entertaining.

Meanwhile, as much as I respect Jim Ross, he sounds so condescending when referencing wrestling fans on his podcast. Also, reports say he tells A LOT of poop and vomit stories on his shows. I have a weak heart. Those two factors are not things I can deal with at a 2 hour live talk show.

Jim Cornette

Tom:

I think Jim Ross can be a tremendous interviewer, but I don’t know that I’d be able to sit through one of his one-man shows. Based on his Twitter feed and podcast, he seems to be a little burnt out on fan interaction / discussing wrestling with anyone outside of the business. After so many years of having to deal with dumb questions, it’s perfectly understandable, but it doesn’t make the idea of watching him particularly appealing.

However, while JR might come off a little jaded, he’s still able to provide some interesting insights into things. Jim Cornette just seems like a silly old man that’s constantly on the defensive, and I don’t know that I ever need to hear his thoughts on things ever again. Well, unless he ever makes an appearance on The Kevin Steen Show, but I can’t imagine we’ll see that anytime soon.

Jim Ross

Better show idea: Steve Blackman Bounties or WWE Pros vs. Joes?

Two reality based shows WWE is considering for the WWE Network, which do you like more?

Steve Blackman Bounties is a show following Steve Blackman and his team of bounty hunters on missions.

WWE Pros vs. Joes features wrestlers competing against average fans in athletic and non-athletic competitions.

Tim:

I think both ideas are cool but let’s be honest, we all are yearning for more Steve Blackman and this is our chance. There’s only one thing I would want more than to have a reality show based around Steve Blackman bounty hunting and that is a late-night talk show with your host, Scott Steiner (in a tux but still wearing the chain maille headdress).

Steve Blackman Bounties

typicalROHfan:

Forgive me, Steve Blackman gods but Pros vs. Joes is so cool! The show happened with past athletes and it was a very entertaining watch. Seeing a WWE version of The Great Khali running an obstacle course or JTG in a trivia contest is too much to pass up. Perhaps we can campaign enough to get Brad Ward on there!

Plus with Steve Blackman’s show, it’s his group, not just him. We may get stuck with too much goons and not enough Lethal Weapon.

Pros vs. Joes

Tom:

It’s got to be Blackman. It’s GOT to be. The Pros vs. Joes idea is… okay, but I just don’t think it would really deliver as we’d all want it to (i.e. we won’t see Ryback throwing a genuine tantrum after losing in a hot dog eating competition). As for Blackman, he’s a mystery that needs to be unravelled. For one, I HAVE to know what his skincare routine is because that man has NOT aged in the last 13 years.

Steve Blackman Bounties

Better Mexican food option: Burritos or tacos?

As seen in past editions of This Or That and our popular feature Wrestling With Food, we love food here on Earth. Which is your go to at Mexican restaurants?

Tim:

This is a topic I hold close to my heart. It took a long time for me to admit to myself that I’m over the things tacos have to offer. The stress that a taco can bring to one person’s life is almost deplorable. You don’t realize it until you’re on the verge of insanity.

I cried a little and even let a flock of caged birds loose at the local pet shop because of the trials and tribulations that came from my realization that I may not be in good standing with the aspects of a taco.  Finally I went down the enlightened path of The Burrito Lifestyle. It was the best decision I could have ever made. I’ve never been excited about tacos the way that I am now excited about burritos.

Burritos

typicalROHfan:

Always a difficult choice for me as I absolutely LOVE both but it usually goes like this. If I am eating out, I go with the burritos. Tacos are easily broken and by the time I get home with them, they tend to be a mess. However, eating in, 90% of the time, I go for the tacos. They are just glorious things that remind us how beautiful of a world it is.

Tacos also are way more fun to make. My younger cousins once asked me to make spaghetti tacos like they did on that Nick show iCarly and I must admit, it was awesome. Tacos can’t fail you. My go to tacos have chicken, pinto beans, any respectable shredded cheese, sour cream and sriracha.

P.S. Here’s Jim Ross chiming in:

Tacos

Tom:

Amazing question. I do tend to go for tacos over burritos in general – the risk/reward factor is higher, but I am a MAVERICK so I’ll generally be happy to roll the dice.

However, after a number of bad taco experiences (the stained shirts! The sticky fingers!), I’m starting to reconsider my position. There’s only so much a man can take, you know? I’m almost thirty! It’s time to settle down and find myself a nice, safe burrito.

Burritos