This Or That (5/21/2015)

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, @JoeySplashwater and @TomBlargh 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 likely to wrestle a match at Wrestlemania 31?

Hulk Hogan – 67%, Ronda Rousey – 33%

More likely to become WWE champion again?

Sheamus – 83%, The Miz – 17%

Better anti-American wrestler?

Lance Storm – 59%, Rusev – 41%

Better game?

Air hockey – 68%, Foosball – 32%

Which Kevin Owens match will be better: Samoa Joe or John Cena?

Both will be great but which do you think will turn out the better overall match.

Tim:

The fact that both of these matches are happening is just wild to me. I’m so excited for both of them. Samoa Joe is the perfect challenger for Owens in NXT right now because it doesn’t seem like anyone else can bring him down. The first meeting between Owens and Joe in NXT was impactful just as it was with Owens meeting Cena for the first time on Raw.

Cena vs Owens has a lot going for it though. It’s Owens first main roster match and it’s on a WWE PPV against the biggest name in the company. When Cena has an opponent like Owens he always rises to the occasion and seems way more motivated. I always thought there wouldn’t be a better anti-Cena than CM Punk but the more I think about it the more I realize that the Kevin Owens character is the natural fit. I’d love a rivalry between these two to last for years.

John Cena

Joey:

John Cena vs. former ROH/PWG wrestlers tends to be instant magic. CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Cesaro, Luke Harper, Seth Rollins and a few others have had some of their best WWE matches vs. Cena because he knows how to adapt perfectly and the chemistry is always there.

With someone as precise in storytelling as Kevin Owens is, he could have a chance at being one of Cena’s best opponents. I’m thinking it will be a special match we remember years from now.

John Cena

Tom:

Good lord, what a question. The Owens / Cena PPV match is the most exciting PPV match for ages. It feels unreal that it’s happening but… well, so does Joe/Owens in NXT. I’m fascinated to see how Joe performs as an official WWE superstar but hearing the rumours about his contract being a limited deal kind of spoils things. He might have great matches, but it seems unlikely that he’ll ever be elevated past the NXT level.

On the other hand, Owens / Cena could be something else entirely. The two seem like they could be a natural fit and Cena seems to relish the idea of having a new foe who can deliver on the mic and in the ring. I’m fascinated to not only see how their match plays out, but also what kind of signals it sends for Owens’ future on the main roster.

John Cena

More exciting Steve Austin podcast guest: Undertaker or Hulk Hogan ?

Future guests on the WWE Network edition of Austin’s podcast.

Tim:

I’ll for sure be tuning in to both of these. I’m not sure what to expect from The Undertaker interview. Will he be very open? Will he be entertaining at all? Imagine the stories he could tell if he’s a REAL straight shooter. Hearing him in that kind of environment definitely piques my interest and I think that slightly beats out my excitement for Hogan talking in circles and spewing bullshit to Stone Cold’s face. That’s going to be real fun stuff if Austin decides to nudge him a bit.

The Undertaker

Joey:

Hulk Hogan lying to Steve Austin’s face and Austin’s reactions will be the most entertaining thing to come from either but as a complete guest, give me The Undertaker. I’ve heard Hogan lie for years and it’s always fun but I’ve never heard a single Undertaker interview. Hearing any of his thoughts on any noteworthy thing he’s done over the years (especially The Streak ending) is must see stuff.

The Undertaker

Tom:

Seeing Austin call Hogan out on some of his bullshit will be a good time, but I think old Hulkster’s so completely committed to the myth he’s created about himself that I can’t imagine Stone Cold will be able to get much out of him. The Undertaker one will be… interesting. He’s done so few ‘real’ interviews that him doing the Austin podcast feels much more exciting, but I don’t know if it’s fair to expect much while he’s under a WWE contract and still not retired.

I imagine Austin will be very respectful and ‘Taker will be stoic and careful not to say too much of anything, so it’ll ultimately be a disappointment. Hogan will be a load of shite but it’ll at least be entertaining shite.

Hulk Hogan

Which tournament will be better: Chikara King of Trios or PWG DDT4?

Indies.

Tim:

Chikara can usually put together a good list of participants for King of Trios. I’m a sucker for DDT4 every time though. It’s missing The Young Bucks bad this year but I have faith it’ll turn out well. The list of teams really have me ready to watch. Love Gun all of the way!

PWG DDT4

Joey:

Team Tremendous debuting aside, the lineup for DDT4 looks very lackluster without The Young Bucks. Chikara’s only team announced that I’m aware of is AJ Styles and the aforementioned Young Bucks. Basically the difference maker here is the Young Bucks. I have hope of Chikara adding more fun novelty teams too which I’ll take over what I see with this year’s DDT4.

Chikara King of Trios

Tom:

I’m fairly out of the loop on both companies. Obviously, my beloved ‘Kara is very near and dear to my heart but DDT4 is always my most anticipated PWG event, even with the lack of the Bucks. The lineup for this year’s is fairly underwhelming on paper (especially since it includes Alex Reynolds, a man who once took a VERY long time pooping in the only stall available at a school gym in Brooklyn), but I still think it should be a good ol’ time.

Please rest assured though, I will be live-tweeting King of Trios again this year, so be prepared for tears to be shed, vegan cupcakes to be eaten and the police to be called.

PWG DDT4

More enjoyable form of comedy: Stand-up or Improv?

Laughs.

Tim:

I love both and I see the merit in both. Improv requires you to be quick-witted. Something about knowing it’s unplanned is comforting. Most of my favorite comedy actors come from it and their wit really shines through in what they do in film or on television. God bless Del Close and all of that.

A perfectly crafted stand-up set is a beautiful thing. Especially when it has a message or is emotional. You can laugh and feel other feelings at the same time if you want. You can find a comedian for every feeling you want to experience, usually. I can’t think of one improvisational act that’s ever hit me the way something like Tig Notaro’s Largo set from 2012 did, for example. Crafting jokes that have to hit every night and keep people coming back for more has to be one of the hardest things to do in entertainment. It’s actually pretty hard to pick between improv and stand-up but I think stand-up has more range.

Stand-up

Joey:

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized stand-up comedy is basically just people talking about depressing moments for an hour. Improv is way more fun and creative which appeals to me more. It’s also kind of lame that most stand-up comedy tours just recite the same jokes for a year while improv is different just about every night, taking way more skill.

Improv

Tom:

WELL WELL WELL, LOOKS LIKE IT’S DOWN TO THE BIG DOG TO SET THE AMERICANS STRAIGHT AGAIN. Well, one American, at least. Improv can be great when it’s done right, but it’s frequently not. Improv sketches also have a tendency to take the same twists and build to the same punchlines, which can be a bummer. Stand-up can also be dreadful, but I am STRONGLY of the belief that the best stand-up will always be funnier and more satisfying than the best improv. If you don’t believe me then you are RUDE, but when guys like Stewart Lee, Daniel Kitson, Harry Hill and Tony Law are on the top of their game, they are the best in the world at bringing top-class chuckles.

Stand-up