My gf (23) and I (m24) have been together since I was 19 and as you might expect, I have gotten to know her family very well. We commonly go to their weekly dinners, seeing almost all of her family every other week - and most of them are amazingly kind, good-mannered people who are fun to hang out with. However, since I have been my gf for nearly 5 years, I am starting to realize some of the men in her family are truly fucking detestable. Notably her father and her younger brother.
Her dad and mom have been in a terrible relationship that should have ended years ago. He has continually been a manipulative, gaslighting, narcissistic asshat that has made her angel of mother think she is crazy. Unfortunately, he also uses his manipulative behavior in the way he interacts with the kids. He takes ANY slight or criticism against him as an attack and then proceeds to give his own kids the silent treatment. Then they feel terrible since THEIR DAD IS IGNORING THEM so then they are the ones who have to reach out and try to find an understanding. It is painful to see. Especially because he is skilled at making others think he is the victim too, even though he was an ass, and was just being called out for it. But because he can make others think he is the victim too, it can cause strife between the kids too, when really all of their anger should be directed at him. On top of this, he treats his kids wildly differently. His favorite (who we will get to shortly) ROUTINELY gets more lenient and respectful treatment. My gf recalls a story when she and her brother, the favorite, both did the same thing to each other within a month's time. She was grounded for a month, and her brother got no repercussions. When he brought it up to him, he said some sassy response along the lines of "he didn't get punished bc he's my favorite" and then later proceeded to tell her he just told her that to make her angry.
But on to the favorite. My god is this kid just fucking despicable. It is obvious he has just gotten away with shit his entire life. He speaks over everyone and demands he gets his way constantly. And his family lets him. It is fucking terrible to deal with. What almost makes it worse is that he knows what the right thing to do is and there are times when he will do what is right - but he always gets a standing ovation for doing so - instead of just having it be expected.
Interestingly, I used to kind of "hang out" with him for a while because we played the same video games but even there I could only handle so much cuz he just plays like a toxic douchebag - but the moment someone does the same shit he does to them - he fucking loses it. One time he ragequit and said I was being a dick because I teabagged on him in-game. When literally he teabags on me constantly anything he does anything kind of cool and I just keep my cool and take it in stride.
One of the things that just drives me crazy is that whenever he is in town for their weekly dinner he immediately goes up and grabs his dad's wallet and takes whatever money is in there. His dad pretends to fight it but always lets him have it. When my gf calls him out for this wack-ass move he always just says"I'm a broke college student, I need it!" He does not. He works an ok job for a college kid, his parents pay his rent and he has a $2,000 pc. But still here he is demanding that he gets money straight from his dad's wallet without asking, without saying thank you, and without any remorse. Worst of all, this kid wants to become a fucking cop because he thinks cops get a bad wrap and he wants to help change that. Yet you say anything bad about cops and he literally threatens you. Fucking classy. He's gonna become a fucking piece of shit brutalizer and there is no way around it.
Just needed to get this off my chest. My gf understands but, of course, since it is her family, she still struggles to hear how terrible some of them are.
Tl;dr: My gfs dad is a manipulative, narcissistic asshat who created a manipulative, narcissistic asshat son who demands the family to follow his every whim.

Date: Sunday, 05 May 2024
KO: 18:45 UK time
Competition: Women’s Super League
Venue: Kingsmeadow
TV/streaming: Sky Sports UK
Welcome to the /chelsealadiesfc match thread for our final home match of this season, as the Blues look to bounce back from a loss to Liverpool that may well have cost us a fifth consecutive WSL title. Here you will find a match preview, squad notes, and updates once we kick off in front of a sellout crowd in KT1.

MATCH PREVIEW

As even amateur gardeners know, things get harder to pull up as their roots grow deeper and deeper.
A bitter loss to Liverpool midweek has Chelsea fans staring at the stark reality that we are likely being uprooted from our four-year stay as WSL champions.
And at our final home match of the season, Blues fans will have a chance to say farewell to legendary manager Emma Hayes and long-serving players Fran Kirby and Maren Mjelde, who have been firmly-planted members of this club through some truly incredible years. As these women (and the departed Ann-Katrin Berger) prepare to uproot their own lives, the team will battle for every point possible to avoid seeing Manchester City yank Chelsea from the title of WSL champions after it has been ours for the last five out of six seasons.
Three matches remain before this chapter of the WSL comes to a close. This one is the season’s final match at Kingsmeadow, and it comes after a 4-3 loss to Liverpool on Wednesday that saw four goals in the final 10 minutes of the game, plus stoppage time. Despite the thought of this glittering Chelsea era coming to a close, and also despite Man City losing to Arsenal in their match earlier today, the Blues need to keep focused on the task at hand and push forward.
Aggie Beever-Jones opened the scoring on nine minutes at our midweek match, and Chelsea held that 1-0 lead until Sophie Roman Haug equalised in minute 51. Hayes brought Sophie Ingle and Maika Hamano on in response, though Liverpool kept the momentum up. The Reds pulled ahead on 66 minutes through Gemma Bonner - scored off a corner with a touch from Erin Cuthbert - and the match really started percolating. Fresh legs helped Chelsea break Liverpool down, as Beever-Jones scored again on 80 minutes (her tenth of the season) to make it 2-2. Two more quick goals ensued with Leanna Kiernan slotting home an excellent pass, then Cat Macario’s shot rebounding off Liverpool’s goalkeeper into the goal to make it 3-3 by minute 83.
A frantic nine minutes of stoppage time began, and Bonner lanced through our defence again with another header, this one decisive - and a battered Chelsea were at the wrong end of the see-saw when the match whistle blew.
Today’s opponents Bristol City are bottom of the table on six points with one win and three draws, and will play for pride especially knowing they will be relegated next season. Chelsea have put five or more goals past the Robins in past matches. Lauren James, Erin Cuthbert, and Sam Kerr scored for us in the reverse fixture back in December, while Hannah Hampton made her Chelsea debut in the 3-0 win.
As of publishing, there is no news on the fitness of Melanie Leupolz, Lauren James, and Mayra Ramirez, all of whom missed Wednesday’s match with injury. Mia Fishel, Sam Kerr, and Aniek Nouwen remain sidelined, as do Jorja Fox and Nicky Evrard. The visitors will be without defenders Chloe Mustaki and Satara Murray.
Closing out the season
Chelsea have a bit of a break before visits to Tottenham (15 May) and Manchester United (18 May) to finish the year; if we win out the season, we could finish with 55 points. Arsenal have just done us a favour by beating the Sky Blues 2-1, so now Gareth Taylor's side remain at 52 points. Chelsea have 46 before this Bristol City match, with Arsenal currently ahead of us in the table on 47 points after their victory Sunday afternoon.
City would need to lose and/or tie both matches – with Chelsea winning the remaining three – for us to win the title outright. Should City win their final match against Villa, they would end up on 55 points but are currently seven ahead of Chelsea on goal difference.
HOW TO WATCH
This match has been selected for broadcast on Sky Sports.
As always, the CFCW Twitter account will provide live updates.
The game will be broadcast on the FA Player in some countries. When the match is on Sky, a lot of countries stream it on other services like ESPN Sur, W-Sport, Paramount+, and Sky Deutschland. Click here and scroll to “Is the FA Player available outside the UK?” to look.
LINE-UPS
CHE: Musovic, Perisset, Bright (c), Bjorn, Charles, Ingle, Nusken, Cuthbert, Reiten, Hamano, Beever-Jones.
Subs: Hampton, Carter, Leupolz, Macario, Lawrence, Kirby, Mjelde, Kaneryd, Buchanan.
BRC: Bentley, Bull, Struck, Connelly (c), Powell, Morgan, Syme, Jones, Rodgers, Napier, Thestrup.
Subs: Clark, Yanez, Harrison, Hayles, Stratigakis, Evans, Ward, Slocombe, Kendell.
MATCH UPDATES
1' Away we go! COME ONNN!!
3' Early chance from Sophie Ingle!
5' PENALTY to Chelsea after Charles is brought down just inside the box. Reiten to take.
6' GOAL!! Guro slots the penalty past a diving Bentley and we lead one-nil!
10' Quick reaction from Musovic, as former Chelsea player Jamie-Lee Napier lays off a pass to Jones, who fires low at the left corner.
11' Chelsea corner is good, Nusken's header is wide of another goal.
16' Bristol City have a free kick, and a volleyed shot flies over Musovic's goal.
17' Lovely dribble in from Beever-Jones, whose shot curls past the far post.
20' Chelsea have another corner, but the visitors deal with it. Another is soon to follow, and Sjoeke Nusken is there to bundle it in!
24' GOAL!! Sjoeke Nusken capitalises on a loose ball after Beever-Jones' shot is saved. 2-0!
30' Free kick to Bristol City after Cuthbert is called for a foul on Powell.
34' Beever-Jones can't quite make it to a quick-moving pass. Ingle gives the ball away poorly and Bjorn has to kick the ball out for a throw-in.
40' Chelsea are still pressing here, but starting to look a bit tired.
41' Across the halfway line, Napier surges forward but is called offside.
45' CLOSE!!! The ball comes in and Aggie almost scores on an overhead kick.
45' + 2' Thestrup comes down with an injury from a Chelsea corner, but looks ok to continue as we head into the dressing room.
HALFTIME: Chelsea lead by two!
CHE sub: Kirby on for Nusken - her final home match in Blue.
46' We're back underway!! COME ONNNN, CHELSEA!
52' GOOOALL!!! Aggie Aggie Aggie makes it three! Well-worked between her and Cuthbert.
56' GOOOOALLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Reiten scores again!! Emphatic strike to make it 4-0! Bjorn on the assist. Goal difference with City down to three at the moment...
62' Hamano on the attack here, the target of a Guro Reiten pass and then some more build-up play.
64' CHE subs: Kaneryd and Macario on for Ingle and Perisset.
66' A break in play here as Powell receives some treatment after a corner; Macario's shot was over the bar after Bentley kept an Olimpico from happening.
69' Thestrup takes a good opportunity, but it's pretty easy for Musovic to grab. We've got a corner down the other end - Hamano ends up sending it all the way back to Z.
71' GOOOOALLLLLL and a hatty for Guro Reiten! Beautiful pass from Macario and Guro absolutely blasted it past Bentley on the near post. 5-0!
74' GOAL!!!! Charles snatches a sixth, beat her marker off a set piece and we're up 6-0. Macario on the delivery again - two assists for the American.
75' Hamano looking for the seventh and takes a quick shot that was just off target.
76' Crowd is chanting "we want seven" as Reiten steps up for another corner
77' REITEN WITH FOUR!!! Hit the jackpot with our seventh goal in the seventy-seventh minute. Golden Guro!
82' CHE sub: Mjelde on for Bjorn! A big ovation for the Norwegian, as there was with Fran earlier tonight.
84' Kirby's shot well-saved by Bentley, who has stood up as well as she could amid this onslaught.
86' A short break in play as Rogers and Cuthbert collide.
88' GOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!!!!!!!! ABJ makes it eight with a collapsing header, beautiful ball from Kirby to Reiten, then across to the young England international.
90' Six minutes added. Chelsea have been appealing for handball in the box and the referee doesn't heed the protests.
90 + 3' CHE sub: Lawrence on for Beever-Jones. BRC sub: Stratigatkis on for Jones.
90 + 5' Bentley does well to save and we take a corner, which is deep.
FINAL SCORE Chelsea 8-0 Bristol City!! This title race is going down to the wire!!!

To what's left of you quarter, piece, and part powerful gentlemen and to the appearance of an extreme degree powerful “women” of this penny parade continent, this five and dime celebration, this dollar store revelation, this world-wide cultural instantiation and its jubilation, from factories in Fiji, to factories in China, to the world itself as if a great, round, roving, marvelous factory to print colored bits of paper and tin cans, shells and bombs to burst in midair – confetti for every beach and ocean in this ever-expanding tidal future of ours!
It is nearby somewhere my own hunger urged me from mine and your wilds alike, and in the emergence of a lucidity from the depths of yon trash heap (and my longstanding work therein), which predates not just my meeting you, and its tending endlessly to your children, but every and all conception of me for eternity and more; I came to you and allowed you to mistake yourself for me, as there was no mistaking me for you - for what's left of life in your eyes reveals to me what you know that you both know, and don't know, you need, what you can only ever imagine is lost or out there to be found or bought in your world, what has been conditioned into you so as to preclude seeing and especially the strength of “not seeing,” and it is with every momentarily wakeful glance you give in my direction, every question you hear, every call answered, that ensures me all is not forsaken despite the ceaseless attempt on “all’s life” to the contrary, a tryer of the reigns finds reigns, a fisher finds fish – in the depths of this land, and what clings to it on all fringes and fronts, fits you as your highest metaphor of a culture’s soul: a prisoner’s home for a lost vagabond, the destitute, overdosing on richness, dressed nicely if in the most poorly-fitting and disheveled clothing, as when a child too small tries to don the clothes (i.e., attitude, appearance, nature, purpose) of his absent father – he was looking into a future, and now he is this “future,” much less a “future” anyone would desire, utterly abandoned in hope, deed, action, and almost word, but for everything effeminately subtle and indirect, one thing is said, another is done, and no value may be found in the schizoid feeding frenzy to the tune of perhaps the most psychotic ruling herdsman type who have ever had the unfortunate chance (for every living creature) to love at all, but as anyone here only ever understands such things on meticulous spreadsheets of numbers that can never add up (Remember 2008? Whoops!), as if a sort of simulation of life, or in many cases, simulation of a simulation, of life, or something resembling some sort of denizen of some sort of strange land’s strange life, or similarly, a home that can’t house anyone at all, is only understood in familiar commercials where, a large volume of words, images, and bright colors are lauded and leveraged as a subliminal jackhammer, and of course, the less they mean, the less bearing, therefor reminder of and on reality, the better, so long as one message is clear (desire - what is missing and sought? How to twist the knife into the lonely and afraid?); I can state without undue excess and absolutely zero excitement, that the vault is empty, the account reads zero, rather, your vault is empty, and zero would be an improvement, for its implication would be that of an animal who, having a glance in the mirror, has had a profound and terrible revelation, not the ghost and mummy and living skeleton, the standing ruins that stand and stare back, but, had instead, possibly relearned to create beyond itself, or unlearned, to take pride in everything it IS, and to feel longing and despair and especially contempt for everything that it ISN’T; not a goal, or a destination, and yet would be a road as if so? Feign one more pointless yet needy life, lived as long as possible, forever taking more than can ever give, in service of the greatest number of pebbles and papers, and for itself, its own little day? When is this day? No, let us not see beyond the day – things are too good, your future is already in the water, don’t let anything, least of all yourselves, stand in the way.
Yet it wasn't for any of this I was glad or sad, as the tepid radiations and hopeful evacuations of a life on the wondrously vapid factory clone farm are often quite touching, and at times, seem to reveal the confessions of a beautiful animal, or the image of what once was, now reminiscing on their own or someone else’s golden years, some creature lost to winter everlasting, and astonishingly absent and completely unaccounted in a strange game of 'the most numbers' (as if creating for an audience, what you know as consumer groups and shrubbery, that doesn’t even exist, at least previously, without even realizing it) - once more, let us congratulate this species on its wildest success - it is rare that anyone changes anything, such as, even the most minor character of nature, culture, and being, let alone channeling, cultivating, and hobbling an entire species' psychic domain, with a success not unlike Malaria (and its nature), be it with prescription methamphetamine or the other panoply of assorted multi-colored poisonous candies and treats, largely advertised in yellow and red, like warning signs one finds on a deadly viper, you know (they really catch the eye), and though the medicalization of the future, a sort of savaging by the greatest of shorts never even conceived, but like a carcass that is just there, waiting for the bloated and their bloated feast, because as wisdom will teach anyone who lives long enough, success with or without awareness, as with all success, is classified as Victory under the great auspices of Nike, of which Nemesis never fails to find conscious or unconscious compensation. That’s the thing about the “unconscious” – the unknown is most feared, but just because it is unknown, does not mean it is wrong, unreal, or “not there,” nor does it make it chaos, merely, beyond you, before you, after you, your aftermath – to quote a wise woman, “funny that, humans can be ruins too, and that ruins can stand so long!” - and with these digressions aside, all these matters of which I speak need not in fact be recorded by anyone (even me), it is merely sufficient that they occur. Things are revealed, and those beings who are being revealed to, are helpless, but TO BE revealed to. Whether they see or understand what they are seeing, at all, is another matter. What emerges can’t not emerge, what is revealed, can’t not be revealed, or not witnessed. Like flowers and bees (and spiders) – the world is beautiful and many-legged, bites and stings and sometimes even smells nice.
For, to attempt to comprehend - what it means, for life to mean nothing? It would mean to truly understand this precipice – that, for time itself, mankind itself, ceases to exist, or have any reason, meaning, purpose, or even justification - but that is not our numbered and enumerating way, for, as a nation of decadent accountants, as nation of creditors and debtors even to one’s own family and friends, a nation of strangers and government agents who are primarily bound by their need to sell products and services in plebian, repeated, undifferentiated-as possible-like fashion, all of whom have many guns, are coerced by many guns, under auspices of those guised as ‘the educated’ even, it is the number here that matters most, and nothing else, but it was seeing the real nature of that number, and to what it applies (and how the code is woven through data to reveal all the ugly facts of life) that has us clapping ourselves on the back, or at each other’s throat, both of which are great opportunities for enterprising individuals, for, in a country and culture of mercenaries and prostitutes, the accountant who promises the most, wins, which is to say that the world’s oldest profession has taught all great and small American alike, how much the world, a family, a son, a daughter is worth: nothing. Love has no monetary value, happiness, contentment, the fact that a human being is born is complete, has no value, and if you market to them while they are bewildered, frightened, and alone, coming as they are from a culture conditioned to be sick farm animals, vacuous watchers and consumers and food and sacrifice and disposable animal, then one’s success is eventually guaranteed – and it is this sort of flagrant and glamorous prostitutions and illustrious illusions that has dominated our culture, to allow the most mediocre types to not just attempt to inherit the world, but to continue to assume that they are entitled to it, and to entreat themselves to all therein as if disposable possession, an entire world, increasingly filled with this singular, totalizing, delusion. Sadly, it is this sort of brainless extroversion, and disease, that dominates and continues to pass as leadership in what is already a totally medicalized, encapsulated, and strait-jacketed culture.
Which is really humorous, when you know then the term “business leader” is an oxymoron, and unfitting. After all, a pimp and a butcher do not have followers of loyalty or even duty, they don’t own minds or hearts, they own a line to the bank and paying bills – they have animals employed under pressure, under duress, under the knife, performance, art, feeding the hungry and the needy. The sort of deprecating and depredating effects one finds in such miasma and gore are what is known in the slammer as prisoner conditions—not just immediate depression that conduces to deep, dark, dreamless sleep – and not just that animals in captivity will act out violently as a matter of vital Will and its need to prove to itself, that it is indeed alive in some capacity, but to race to the bottom of the behavioral sink. But everything comes and goes, so it is that which went down the drain has washed back up on our shores, like dumping and leaking perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene, which, as deadly solvents seep directly to the bottom of the groundwater table, some things are just like that – an avalanche – unstoppable, indelible, ineffable, unstoppable, inevitability as it is – fate weaving itself, the basilisks of the new dawn cawing, and then their coming home to roost – leaving the question, who or what was this all for? The state, the herd, and the people are indeed “one,” even if many. Fascism with a good conscience, is to say, civilization is for the survivors, the good, the moral, and the just; and every judge, jury, and executioner agrees, especially when they elicit the confession from the condemned, all of which is fortunate and convenient for the survivors (cowards), so long as one takes their place in the orgy and circle-jerk chain of pity (which is all pity for self, projected outward as cover) of which, all the strangers with guns agree as well, yet despite all these plain as fact appearances, behaviors, and communications that anyone can see, read, and almost even understand, I know others don’t yet know or share my excitement at proposals of an updated and appropriate lexicon, and it is here that we visit terminology that is apt for a soulless, blood-sucking age that would rather see man as docile sheep, than become anything different, more, abd superior.
So it is, henceforth, all those conspicuously inconspicuous nobodies who always hunger more than they can Will - you are not known as the “the managerial elite,” but the “Malarial Elite.” Not the “business class,” but the “boring class.” Not the “political class,” but the “parasitic class.” Not the “leaders of tomorrow,” but the “pillagers of yesteryear.” After all, who would want health - when sickness is so profitable? Rather, how could the healthy even bother with the sick, how could they understand them? The entire medical profession’s creed, to this day, is “please don’t bother us,” as, everyone needs their papers. Yes, while even Dr. Frankenstein and his murdering monster appear naïve and juvenile compared to the sort of psychos who run most wards and hospitals, not to mention any of its direct connection to the state, this is the nature of miasma, no one could choke through it even if they wanted, - so who could ever stand on the shoulders of giants or titans, when the entire country from top to bottom, can only beg, borrow or steal from around the ankles? And the need is locked in – slavery, the most wealth and power ever created in the history of the world, wasted on a dying, decrepit ruling class of pseudo-human being who sound and appear as if they couldn’t have a genuine thought or feeling in their bodies, even if needed to prevent a nervous breakdown, even if needed to mitigate the breakdown of an entire civilization, or imminent death and war around the globe.
And this is perhaps the most astoundingly marvelous thing about a long-extricated, tortured-out diffusive chain of irresponsibility – the one who conceives of the bottom, the lowering of the bar, is not the same as the one who enacts it, is not the same as the one who installs it, is not the same as the one who tills it, is not the same as the one who owns it, all of which beleighs the truth that, most everyone is happy to disappear, they are happy that so little is ever asked or expected, that nobody remembers their name, or asks more. Yes, aloneness, and dangerous aloneness therein is the only real condition, but so it is for everyone. You see, take heart, you’re not alone here. It was only illusion. One or many, many or one – you’re the same thing, desire, create, act and enact the same thing – like addict and supplier, and that’s how and why you have built precisely what it is you have built - and the isolation also serves a purpose – as it makes your domination precipitously convenient (a civilization of people taught to be helpless, passive, watchers and consumers, and bad actors for bottomless pits of crowds at that). People are easy to manipulate, coerce, and control, when alone. The solution that knows how to answer for all problems- as both Socrates and the rapacious, long-annoying American salesmen, marketers, and spammers of all inboxes humanly known, know – you look for the self-conscious weakness, and then you twist the knife as insidiously and compellingly as sublimely [terrible and frightful yet divine distance between desire and reality] possible. Imagine doing this to an entire lower class – like raising rabbits for disposal and harvest.
And while our most acrimonious of orders is, pertaining to the supposedly beloved objects of one’s and one’s culture’s desires, first to try to masticate it, if not, fornicate with it, if not, buy and sell it with the purpose of others enacting the former and/or the latter behaviors upon it, it strikes me that even the larger, stunningly clueless population is beginning to scratch their heads as they watch time stand still in perpetuity, rather, as they watch time leak, fume, and die, to their detriment, on their dime (they pay for it), which, if you’re wondering why is an alarm to you and them, is because this is not what they were promised, and, that first Boston Tea Party is a simpleton's joke compared to the tyranny that rules happily and without remorse today. And so it is, what is being witnessed, interpreted, spun, and sold, is not what they are being promised right now (they see the very opposite in fact – reality, right under their nose, and they can even almost “read it”), and as with right now, Victory demands compensation, and it isn’t just coming, it is already here. Oh no, the best is yet to come, you assure me? I’ll agree, but only because it is in my language and on my terms, and you have no idea what that means.
Even then, despite my great love for this land and some of its most rare and valuable individuals (because the rest is corporate, i.e., state-sanctioned, wasteland), despite knowing all of you far, far, far too well, I am left with no pity in common with you, and if you’ve been reading the stars and the wind and the times (it stands still, slow enough to read for even the illiterate, in some regards, after all), you know then that you have all but nickeled and dimed away everyone else’s pity too, and those left parroting the party line are dead already without knowing it, fail to see they are alone, the target, the victim, the product, as well – but there’s hardly an accountant alive who can cook these books, even a Jew, or maybe someone from the Chinese Communist Party, of which, our own leadership shares beds, and a future as insect-overlords of a placated, wasted, dying populace of a poisoned land.
Yes, our way of life is incidental, a waterwheel in the river of misery for most that is called human biology – so nobody can help themselves against their own (intentionally) weakened and morbid Will and better interest, for instance, the people who once lived here were helpless to crave the steel and alcohol Spanish merchants advertised – and once this poisoned stream had traveled for centuries, found its way into my mouth and after a lifetime of ripping it out, to see what is beyond it, a life-time of sickness and its convalescence, exactly as everyone here intentionally and unintentionally designed, and with perspective on asylums and institutions from both deep inside and far beyond their walls (these are funny conceptual and imaginary designations, walls, barriers, doors, etc.), inside or outside of it, it is fear and hatred and pain – and a recirculation of dollars and pity, with its requisite shame, sympathies, and pities. The price for playing the game? Your eternal soul? No, that was marketing, so you didn’t notice your body was being used, abused, and consumed, by little camouflage predators who have the appearance of ‘ordinary’ human-beings (now its sublimated into the market, god being dead and all), but, alas, are not Apex, but incidental, happenstance, a laugh, a gas, mediocrity given its day since the real predators are medicated, surrounded, and killed off, and ultimately, as ape is to man, this homo sapien is to a better humanity of present and into the future – a (blind) laughing stock. An emperor and empire with no clothes at all. Just as neanderthal did not understand why homo sapien laughed at him, homo sapien doesn’t know how bad the joke is, and the exacting ways in which he and she are the joke (yes, presuming entitlement, and to be the goal, and what's to be preserved).
Even as I have watched, and continue to watch, the most basic and mediocre types of animals reach majority, in all human arenas, whose vanitous parents, teachers, and policemen, all profiting, even forming a way of life, based on their own absence in these future ‘derelicts’ lives, starting in their most vulnerable precatory age, of their own wisdom, persuaded them, having generally only paper or medications to offer, in manners not dissimilar to business in Italian mafia or other gangland activity, to become physicians, psychiatrists, lawyers, sociologists, and even justice-fighters, or freedom fighters (at least on TV, or social media) for an entire society that was conditioned to be ineffectual, hapless, resentful dependents, a dollar farm, a low-wage servant class, buckets of frozen fish consumer voting blocks to market sickness to, tossed to the dust and wind as fertilizer for future pennies, all vegetating on an American-factory-farm-scale organized lunatic asylum, or, as is well known, the streets, and other similar institutions such as prisons and schools, whom all get their French fries from the same governmentally relevant contracted organization, aka business, aka American business, aka corporation, aka, the State as nation, and the state of its affairs – an entire population missing in action, on vacation, tending tiny, totalized, cog-size gardens and planting for their own promised day alone, or sick on the job, owned as it were, by the people who own the entire country, and in some sense, the world, with our closest business partners, in both industry, and way of life, being the Chinese State, of which all Americans should be horrified.
—all of which conduces towards a feeling, or, thought of tremendous weight and burden, which is to say, what can anyone expect in a land where one doesn’t have friends and neighbors or even a husband or wife, but predatory yet desperately needy and dependent associates (nothing is more depraved than businessmen in rut, when they see only paper dollars with starry, religious-eyed zeal), all of whom can, do, and will continue to charge each other by the minute, to get the most out of every serviceable transaction they can name for a surcharge, or convenience fee, or tax, or service fee, of which, the original stamp act which was one of many matchsticks that helped founded this country, is a farce and a joke compared to the sort of brigands, actors, and ugly celebrity that is our body politics – a society where brutal taxation and its repression is culture, is the way of life, occasionally exemplified by “kill dozers” or small business owners flying their small airplanes into local tax offices (see Texas), of which we can say, the genius of America wasn’t a recreation of the old slave pyramid, at least two or three times in a row, as merit turned to money, that is gold, which turned to paper, which turned to non-existent ones and zeroes, nor is the genius the ever-present image and its parading and campaigning of forgettable faces and non-existent personalities and all its pretense of the removal of what sadly passes for aristocracy these days – the genius of America was to monetize every part of the body, every aspect of culture and life, to scrape the human being down to the bone, not of any human value, not of any real value that they themselves feel or want to represent in the actual world, in any remotely authentic, sincere, and even needed manner, but strictly: monetary value. There is no value outside paper money zero and ones values. Which is to say, the modern human soul is a worthless copper penny stretched between the crude, well-armed yet hapless Europeans of America, those eroded basalt Pillars of the West, and the equally hollow and vacuous Chinese Communist Part of the East, whatever facsimiles are left from their origins derived – between the two, like the upper and lower clamps of a vice grip, humanity are a great mass of herd animal, ready to be flambéed, roasted, crispen and woolied, ready to be turned into garment, and dinner, and pointless, disposable sacrifice (for the people that own them, but not for gods, greater purpose, men, or connection to the Earth and environment).
And how much value may be derived from this worthless penny? When the game is the bait and switch, it is never enough. And then how much can you charge for the sickness you create? Each layer of skin is a few cents more, and every American businessman, who becomes wealthy, knows that every penny adds up, because for most American business men, when it is, was, or becomes their time to rob anyone and everyone blind, we see the American for what they are (an empty, pitiless, stomach, no brain) and the most powerful nation in the history of the world – which proves, not just how blind great power is, but also states, the more one wants, the more one must debase one’s self, thus the entire human future, had to be sold out to satiate the money printers - where lavish expense in both cheap thrills and their curtailing, are incurred, inflicted, endured, yet loved with Barnum and Bailey advertising appeal of a culture that can’t decide whether it wants to be most pitiless master or most pitiful slave, prude or whore, noble Paladin or gutless Brigand – a nation not of refined or even rudimentary taste in appearance, behavior, and communication, but of tawdry delight and intoxication, angry politics, fear, and hate, not two minutes, but 24/7 – the assailing and travailing of the world against the senses, against reason, against purpose, against humanity, and harder will it become still. Not just against better, superior senses, but all senses, but that is nonsense for you, and as with yesteryear, today, nonsense rules – the lack of sense, the utter lack of reality. And when it’s clear, when you can quote a man, speaking of a past that hasn’t happened yet, who once said, “even if this country had been twice as big, it still wouldn’t be enough,” and, “the love of possessions is a disease in them” - What can you then truly say to a nation of dependents and liars all suffering under the same physiological sicknesses, whose condition is to admit, buy, sell, or permit everything, except for the Truth, and by design? Cowardice, that is generally called, “healthy fear”? And, the straightforward truth? The simple Truth? All of which precludes the complex, take lifetimes-of-vigorous-activity-to-understand-and painfully destructive-to-swallow-Truth? This isn’t s dog and pony show nation, it is a dollar-leash nation. And where reason and logic fail, passion prevails, therefor, a poem to end, in your honor:
Your life, on a leash, how much can you pay? Therapy, credit, lease no money down today
Your life, on a leash, it isn’t worth a thing
Humans have no value, but for the pennies
They might bring, but them alone, isn’t enough,
Together, a few bucks, but none are left That’s right, not a dime for you or for your kids
Sell it all before the fall, retirement commune called “to live” When nothing to give, but everything with a price No tomorrow, don’t think twice, wondering why
There's no ovation to your ending, fearful but
Just pretending – for, behind all that is corporate nice
Are strangers with guns, aplenty at small price
But the cost is wrought, you broke it, you bought
If you’re so smart, how come you aint rich?
One shouldn’t ask such clueless questions
In culture’s nihilistic pitch – few flown
To the top of the roost of the coup
When one is oh so unconcerned,
Rich, and hidden without a peep
This dollar harvest continent
Then demonstrates, by all such
Empty imagistic reprobates
What was sown was
salted stupid, to be easy
then well reaped
Buy and sell an empty shell
shooting fish in a bucket
Or herding sheep
But this sickness
It lingers
Trade coins
For every
Finger
squeeze
And lie
you
Paid
The
true
Price
That you’re nice
That you deserve it
That you can actually afford it
Selling dependence as codependence
the people are stupid and so deserve it
But your dull, dusty harvest, you made it, is here
I don’t know how you tolerate it through the smell
that anyone would be appalled
scrawled floor, ceiling, wall, stinking worms can't stumble, only crawl
Or how people will live through the coming years
of ever-worse, ever-harder, all-consuming and producing horrid fears
A sold-out nation of no rank and station, a parasite full of parasites
Not providence, but lots of guns and hatred
Of course would make so much noise, it’s simply what you can get away with
when men are all absent, resented, and hated - but this is the price for your fascist consumer statist corporate paradise of low-rent, low-class dread and vapid, empty, paper-money doll pretty, petty pointless penny-talking heads
***After it was written, this poem was titled - “Squeeze [the fun out of it]”

Why TF not you sh-tty mod?!
Cuz it is really hard and I want to take it easy?
You mean you want to be lazy.
Ugh.
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Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening!
I am CPC_Alice
I said I was not going to do a weekly round up. I really don't want to. Then I got curious and actually scrolled down.
Why do I do this to myself?
I feel sorry for LAM.... Now, to be fair, I wasn't there when the negotiations and back and forth was happening nor do I have a copy of the agreement to actually draw that abomination of a costume for Vox... I still feel that It isn't fair for LAM really...
That is a horrible decision to have requested it to be like that. It even triggered that De-evolution meme.
Now, I am a self admitted Hololive fan, so you all should know my biases at this point. Really tho, I can tell when something is in my "I like this" and "I don't like this" category. Vox's new design is firmly in the "not it" category. I can tell when facial hair would hit within my strike zone and when it wouldn't (not gonna say if I do like em on guys or not tho :P) on the eye candy. This really REALLY was NOT IT.
Moving on before I just turn this into a whole rant about how horrible that is (wait, can't I just turn it into that... hey... where are you going??? HEY!!!)
Oh, an anon (?) with a viscous red pen absolutely marked up a Nijisister's little blurb. I hadn't seen someone get absolutely marked up since I saw a friend's own essay get absolutely ripped apart by Sensei. To be fair, my friend wasn't exactly that strong in English. Tho there was me who was always been really good in English... To not out myself (I don't remember if I shared it before in public), I won't state why I think I was always good with English... but the cause would have absolutely made people either be amusedly shocked or boggled.
Oh, for those who may have seen my early postings in the whole Nijisanji debacle and Selen Shock, i was quite active in looking and analyzing stocks because it is a concrete, number-based, litmus test for how things are. Anyways, AnyColor stock continues with its steady downward trend. Big surprise huh?
Nijisanji did some oopsie on their merch? I honestly don't care because no-one should be buying any merch from them right now anywho.
Anime Impulse just shows HoloStars absolutely thriving while Nijisanji is drowning.
Oh Elira is also on Bilibili. This is also while her Youtube sub count continues to bleed. Yikes.
Oh yeah! Mint Fantome also got her Silver play button! Yay!
OffKai will smell of Coffee and Fish this year tho. Why? That's because H2oSakana, the CEO of Phase Connect (a coffee company that employs Vtubers to advertise their coffee /jk) has covered all the Booth and Table Fees for all the Vendors in the Hall.
What does that mean? In Conventions, if you want to sell merch that you made (mostly by artists who made keychains, acrylic stands, HQ printed copies of their work, etc etc) you will have to register with the Con and reserve your spot. In addition to that, you need to pay an upfront fee for the booth and table you'll be occupying.
These fees go towards making money for the Con. After all, hosting and running a convention isn't free OR cheap. That just means that these fees go into the calculations for these artists who wants to make some money to support themselves while doing something they like to do. I don't think anyone is really against Artists being able to support themselves while doing something they love right? These fees make up a substantial cost to the artists (and any helpers they have) on top of the other costs (material, labor, time, etc etc) that they have to bear in mind while selling their merch.
What H2oSakana did was basically wipe off that aforementioned substantial cost to all the artists in the Hall. This is BIG. Like "standing ovation" big. Remember when Nijisanji tried to do that coordinated social media push to send love and support to artists? H2oSakana saw that, scoffed and told his talents to "hold my beer", and flexed those fins like a boss and actually did something SUBSTANTIAL and HAS MATERIAL BENEFIT to artists. What a Gigachad of a Fish. People might be smelling coffee and fish in the vendor hall, but the artists there will no doubt be thanking H2oSakana in their hearts!
Moving on, I did a poll asking for people's Time zones via asking for their World Region. This just confirmed for me that we are a truly GLOBAL subreddit! People even commented and gave me more data! I would like to really express my heartfelt thanks for the votes and comments!
Oi, you dumb mod, why did you have to collect all those data points anyway?
^{Ugh... shut up already....}
*cough* I'll get to that at the end! Lets go!
Well... a channer pointed out something that should have been obvious to everyone's hearts and the hate mob that rose from the whole Sayu/Kenji situation forced Sayu to lock up her socials for a while....
Oh! Some people tried to go after Holo... pffft. Good luck with that.
Right! The NEXAS situation! So i actually got a x-twitter ad from them (which I promptly blocked without reading cuz I don't like ads :P) once. The tl;dr is that it is Nijisanji's ACCELERATE program taken to a ridiculous degree. 27 Talents debuting within a short timeframe while also promoting this in-house video streaming app thing.
I don't really care for it but I do wish the talents in their umbrella the best of luck.
Vox Akuma's Bday CCV dropped in a "Negligible" degree. Kusa
Oh yeah, NijiFes (NIji's version of HoloFes) is delayed until 2025. I think they saw what HoloFes and Hololive Expo did and saw the writing on the wall (read: they are gonna get mocked and mogged hard by everyone around them) and decided to give a year for people to forget things and hopefully they can have a better one at 2025. Too bad they failed to realized that HoloFes 2025 and Hololive Expo 2025 is a thing wwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
Then there is Virtual Rhapsody SG. For those who might remember, I did An Admittedly Unfair and a More Fair Comparison of Virtual Rhapsody HK. For VR-SG, their comparison is the DreamHack Down Under Concert that Hololive did. In paper, you can even say that VR-SG has the advantage for being a Sole-focused event for Nijisanji while Down Under is basically tacked on to what is really a Gaming-centric Event/Convention.
Just like how the preface is, the paper theory gets absolutely bodied by the actual reality. Empty Seats (to a ghastly degree tbh), a high price tag where you ALSO have to pay for your M&G session, copyright issues.... At the end of it, it really is just an over glorified Live2D Karaoke event in a very big screen.
In comparison, DreamHack Down Under Concert is a PROPER 3D Concert! Original Songs! MC sections! All the Jazz! The Hype! The ticket price for it is also cheaper than VR-SG AND you get into a lottery to win a M&G just by having a ticket!
VR-SG was absolutely MOGGED and HUMILIATED by Hololive's Down Under concert. The Nijisisters (who btw, has proceeded to shittify 4chan's /vt/ board... I took on the task to monitor them there... ^{send help}) were huffing and puffing some high concentration graded Copium and making some absolutely crazy mental gymnastics to down play Down Under and explain away VR-SG's shortcomings. It would have been impressive if it didn't give me a constant headache reading their words...
.... We made it at the end. Still quite a ride! Not as emotionally charged I'd admit but it is still quite something!
You said you're not gonna do a weekly round up, you dumb mod.
^{Shut up!}
Anyways... to end this off, I would want to say that I did make the poll for *something\* and I used it to determine the best time to actually do it. Now, it is still \not quite ready yet** but we are working on a certain thing in collaboration with a certain someone in the community. It is something that, hopefully, shows the kurosanji mod team's commitment to transparency on our actions while still keeping OpSec and certain things close to our chest so we can effectively mod the subreddit! Something that is clearly lacking from Nijisanji :P
What I can tell you is that it'll involve an AMAA (Ask Me Almost Anything) from yours truly *bows*
Noone wants to listen to you ramble, you sh-tty mod
I-I mean... I know that already... but I have to make it interesting at least?! Mou.....!!!
More specific details will be made during the actual time on both what we are working on and on the AMAA but we, the moderation team, hope that you'll be there with questions and lend us your time for it!
Thank you very much for reading!
Truly yours,
CPC_Alice

Listen, this match has gone on for a long, long time. Hefty got the prompt wrong and booked a Bryan Danielson title reign. I tried to follow the prompt, but I realized a Danielson reign would be more fun, so that’s what I’m doing. I’m also gonna jump back to when he SHOULD have won the belt. Time machine type shit.
Let's set the scene, shall we? It's Winter is Coming 2022, and MJF is the AEW World Champion. He has just defeated a fellow Pillar, Jungle Boy, in the main event. After the match, he stands above his adversary's lifeless body, holding his Championship high above his head, talking trash. That is, until we hear THIS. Bryan Danielson wants another shot at the AEW World Title, and MJF looks petrified! They share a staredown, and Danielson points at the belt, at himself, and leaves the ring. We have ourselves a feud in the making!
Bryan cuts a few promos, calling MJF out for hiding behind The Pinnacle. MJF refuses to comment, which only fuels the American Dragon, who takes to calling Max a coward. It seems like the Champion is sick of this, as when Bryan Danielson walks into the backstage area at New Year's Smash Night 1, he's ambushed by The Pinnacle, who slam his leg with a car door!
For weeks after that, MJF talks mad shit about Danielson. He actually utters the words "I guess the Dragon got his wings clipped." However, in early February, FTR have a match against the Varsity Blonds, with MJF at ringside. They win. However, a video comes in on the big screen. Shawn Spears with a chair around his leg, and Danielson standing over him!
"MJF, I'm back. And I don't have much to say. But if you keep dodging me, this will keep happening."
He stomps right on the chair, breaking Shawn's leg! Bryan winks at the camera before the feed goes out! MJFTR are left in the ring, shocked! Bryan still doesn't get the match he wants, so he blindsides Dax Harwood, locking him in the Cattle Mutilation on concrete for over a full minute! MJF then tells Cash Wheeler to deal with him, which results in Bryan vs. Cash.
That match ends with Danielson hitting repeated stomps, prompting a ref stoppage! But the American Drsgon continues to stomp him out, and MJF runs in, attacking Bryan! After knocking him over, he finally makes the match at Revolution official: Bryan Danielson vs. MJF for the AEW Championship.
AEW REVOLUTION - MARCH 4TH, 2023
MJF (c) vs. Bryan Danielson - AEW World Championship
MJF comes out without The Pinnacle by his side, as they've all been injured at the hands of his opponent tonight, Bryan Danielson. He's going to have to get this done all by himself.
Bryan Danielson has over 20 years of experience, while MJF has less than 10. However, MJF is a prodigy, and the World Champ, so Bryan isn't exactly in for an easy time.
The bell rings, and Friedman is hesitant to lock-up. Once he eventually ties up with Bryan, Danielson immediately gets control and drags him to the mat! MJF struggles, and starts to panic. Could Bryan lock some sort of match-ending submission right off the bat? No, MJF gets a foot on the ropes, and the ref forces Bryan to break the hold. The two men get back up, and lock up once more. This time, Danielson immediately turns MJF into a Hammerlock, and the champ actually looks confident here, as he cartwheels, somersaults, and pops back to his feet with a grin! But Danielson kicks his legs out from underneath him and starts stomping on his shoulder! This is brutal! As MJF writhes in pain, The American Dragon picks him up once again. But Maxwell sneaks in a headbutt, knocking Bryan to the mat! He smirks, flips off the crowd, and runs the ropes, looking for some sort of Splash. But Danielson kips up, and kicks MJF HARD in the leg! MJF drops and has to roll out of the ring, limping!
The champ doesn't have anybody left from The Pinnacle to confer with on the outside, so he limps back up to the apron. Danielson gets a little over-eager, kicking him through the ropes, while MJF is on the apron! Two kicks catch him flush in the head! But MJF catches one! HE DROPS TO THE FLOOR, AND BRYAN'S KNEE BENDS OVER A ROPE!!! He falls to the mat, and now both competitors have a sore leg. MJF struggles to the top rope, and Bryan climbs to his feet using the ropes. MJF dives off, STOMPING ON BRYAN'S ARM! A SALT OF THE EARTH COULD END HIM LATER!!!
As Bryan holds his arm and grits his teeth, MJF laughs and lightly kicks at him, like he's a toy. The champion lifts the wounded Dragon to his knees, and hits a Snap DDT! Cover! 1, 2, kickout! This one is far from over. MJF gets up, angry, and starts to stomp relentlessly on Bryan's arm! Danielson tries to cover up, but Max finds a way to continue driving his boot into his elbow and bicep! This is becoming very one-sided!
MJF picks him up again, and goes for a Suplex, but Danielson lands on his feet, grabs a one-armed waistlock, and manages to hoist MJF up for a German Suplex!!! Bryan darts over to the champ, and tries to apply the LeBell Lock! But his arm fails him, he's not strong enough to put it on at the moment! MJF transitions into Full Mount and starts to raise down elbows and hammerfists on the challenger, who can't block them!
Bryan rolls out of the ring, weathered, and MJF decides to show off. He steps out to the apron, bounces off the middle rope, and HITS A PERFECT MOONSAULT ON THE FORMER WWE CHAMPION!!! MJF CAN TRULY DO IT ALL!!! He then picks up Bryan, who's in a bad way, and plants him with a POWERBOMB ON THE APRON! The Champ very well may be able to win this alone!
He lifts Danielson up again, and starts punching him, but Danielson starts to block them, and throws some body shots of his own! MJF tries to kick him away, but Danielson has it scouted, catches it, and hits a Dragon Screw! Danielson has the upper hand for the first time in quite a while, but he's still damaged, hobbling around because of his leg and back. He puts it aside for a moment, and as MJF gets up, Bryan runs forward! BUSAIKU KNEE, SENDING THE CHAMPION OVER THE RAILING!!! DANIELSON HAS THE UPPER HAND AGAIN!!!
Danielson limps over to the Timekeeper's Area, where he grabs a rolls of tape. The American Dragon slowly tapes his arm up, taking over a full minute to insure that his sore appendage is guarded From MJF's offense. Then, he marches back towards the guardrail, where he reaches over and grabs MJF in the Guillotine position. Balancing the champion on the railing for a moment, Bryan pauses. DRAPING DDT! RIGHT ON THE FLOOR!
Soaking in the cheers, Danielson lifts up the lifeless MJF, trying to lug him into the ring. With his arm taped up, it's a little difficult, but he managed to elevate the champ enough to get him onto the apron, before pushing him in. Danielson walks up, taking the steps, and halfway into the ring, MJF bounces up to his feet and cuts him off! Gets him in position! HEATSEEKER PILEDRIVER!!!! He desperately drags Bryan into the ring! 1, 2, Thr-NOOOOO!!!!!!!! THIS IS STILL GOING ON, MJF LOOKS HELPLESS!
MJF looks demented now, as he starts to stomp on Bryan's taped up arm even more! He plunges into Full Mount! Elbows and elbows, over and over! BUT BRYAN IS A TREMENDOUS GRAPPLER, AND HE THROWS UP A TRIANGLE CHOKE! MJF quickly lifts him up, GOING FOR A POWERBOMB, BUT DANIELSON ROLLS THROUGH WITH A HURRACANRANA! Both men back up now, and Max goes for a Lariat, but Bryan kicks it away! CLUBBING SHOT TO THE HEAD WITH THE STIFF, TAPED UP ARM! Friedman is rocked badly, but he jumps up and hits a Dropkick! BOTH MEN DOWN!!!!
As the crowd shows their appreciation with chants, the two competitiors get up to their knees. Exchanging slaps, each one harder than the last! Bryan has experience with this kind of hard-nosed fighting, and he starts to gain an advantage, hitting 3 slaps in a row! MJF GRABS HIM AND FORCES HIM DOWN TO THE MAT, HITTING HIM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD REPEATEDLY! With his concussion history, this could be VERY dangerous! The champ unravels the tape on Danielson's arm frantically! SALT OF THE EARTH! IT'S LOCKED IN ON THE DESTROYED ARM, DANIELSON MAY HAVE TO TAP! BUT HE MANAGES TO ROLL MJF OVER! ARMS HOOKED! BRIDGE! THE CATTLE MUTILATION IS IN! IT'S TIGHT, MJF'S ARMS ARE FLAILING AROUND! AND SUDDENLY, THEY GO LIMP! HE'S OUT, THE REF STOPS THE MATCH! THE NEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWW AEW WORLD CHAMPION, "THE AMERICAN DRAGON" BRYAN DANIELSON!!!!!!!!!!
Bryan Danielson def. MJF (c) (19:32)
AEW Dynamite - March 8th, 2023
Bryan Danielson addressed his future after winning the World Title.
"After so much time, I almost forgot what it feels like to be a World Champion. What it's like to be the man, what it's like to be the guy holding the top belt. And it feels damn good. But on Saturday, I was reminded of what it's like to be the challenger. Clawing, trying to make a statement and etching my name in the history book. I forgot how fun it is. I wanna give that opportunity to other people, guys that haven't been able to yet."
"I sure as hell am not here to pity young guys. I'll go all out against them. But I still wanna give them the chance to figure out what it's like to face off with the best, hoping to hell that you can pull off a victory. And I'm that guy that can give it to them, because I'm the best. So I'm putting out an open contract for Rampage next week. Whoever answers it: good luck. You'll need it."
AEW Dynamite - March 15th, 2023
Daniel Garcia is backstage.
"For a while now, people have been calling me the future of AEW. I hear it, and you'd think it makes me proud. But no. It pisses me off. Because I'm not the future, I'm the damn present! I'm ready now! So Bryan Danielson, I signed your open contract. You just signed your death warrant. Get ready for a Red Death."
AEW Rampage - March 17th, 2023
Bryan Danielson (c) vs. Daniel Garcia - AEW World Championship
Danielson comes into this one with a confident, somewhat cocky demeanor. Garcia makes him pay for that, stretching him, nearly managing to submit the champ and take his belt on the very first defense! However, Bryan is a better striker, and takes advantage of that, chopping at his legs and slowing 2point0's Favourite Son down.
Garcia continues to fight, but the expertise shown by the American Dragon proves to be too much for the young star. After a methodical dismantling of "Red Death", Bryan applies a Heel Hook for the win. That's 1 defense down.
Bryan Danielson (c) def. Daniel Garcia (14:09)
AEW Rampage - March 24th, 2023
Bryan is on commentary for the entire show. Max Caster picks up a win over Shawn Dean, and Bryan picks up a mic.
"Max, I didn't expect that from you. You won that match the right way, and I salute you. So on next week's Dynamite, I'd be willing to give you a Championship Eliminator Match. If you win, you get a title shot."
Max nods eagerly. Why is Bryan doing this? Such an unorthodox choice.
AEW Dynamite - March 29th, 2023
Bryan Danielson (c) vs. Max Caster - AEW World Championship Eliminator
Max Caster's entrance goes like this:
"YO, LISTEN
WE ARE THE ACCLAIMED, SPIT STRAIGHT FIRE
MAKE DANIELSON WISH HE COULD RE-RETIRE
YOU STAY AT THE BOTTOM, WE AT THE PEAK THOUGH
MAKE YOU BLEED LIKE MY EARS WHEN I HEAR BRIE MODE
AIN'T BOUTTA LOSE TO NO GERIATRIC DRAGON
YOU NEED A DAMN CANE AND YOUR FACE IS SAGGIN'
REMEMBER THE NAME, BECAUSE MAX IS THE BEST
AND HE MAKES BRYAN'S WIFE SCREAM "YES! YES! YES!"
After that crude line, the match gets underway. Bryan hits a Busaiku Knee, locks in the LeBell Lock, and Max taps! This is over already! What a quick win!
Bryan Danielson (c) def. Max Caster (0:17)
Homicide on Twitter - April 2nd, 2023
Former ROH World Champion Homicide, who ended Bryan Danielson's extraordinary reign in 2006, posts this on his Twitter page.
"FYI=I ended the greatest title reign of Bryan Danielson's career, and I could do it again."
AEW Dynamite - April 5th, 2023
Bryan Danielson sits backstage, belt draped over his shoulder.
"Homicide wants to face me, huh? All these years later. He beat me in a hell of a match in 2006, and never had a bigger moment since. Wrestling is a business about doing shit lately, and are you doing shit, Homicide? No.
However. I've said that I'm here to give opportunities, right? Well, you'll get one. 17 years later, you get one. Our feud is old enough to drink in some countries, and we're about to rekindle it. In 2 weeks. Dynamite. Championship Eliminator Match. Let's turn back the clock."
AEW Dynamite - April 12th, 2023
Homicide vs. Fuego del Sol
This is just a match to introduce fans to Homicide. It's a fun little back, that sees Fuego show off some agility. However, he gets worn down by Homicide's pure, distilled brutality. He just can't take his punches, and he sure as hell can't take the Cop Killa that puts him down for the 1, 2, 3.
Homicide def. Fuego del Sol (7:34)
After the match, Danielson and Homicide share a staredown.
AEW Dynamite - April 19th, 2023
Bryan Danielson (c) vs. Homicide - AEW World Championship Eliminator
Bryan seems just as good, if not better, than he did in 2006. However, Homicide's got some miles on him, and it shows. He manages to put up a damn good fight, though, managing to bust open Bryan's chest with chops! However, over the course of the duration of the match, as Danielson starts to control the pace more and more, the Dragon seems to get very frustrated. "Come on, show me something!"
Something seems to snap in him as the contest progresses. He seems to develop a sense of mortality. He realizes that one of his greatest rivals isn't the fighter he once was, and that one day, Bryan won't be either. And all of a sudden, he seems to get a feeling of superiority. That he's on top of his game, even after 20-plus years. That he's the AEW World Champion.
That he's The Best.
Eventually, he wriggle out of a Cop Killa, keeping the arms hooked, and he locks in the Cattle Mutilation for the tap. But Bryan doesn't celebrate, preferring to get up calmly.
Bryan Danielson (c) def. Homicide (16:16)
The champ demands a mic.
"Man, that was disappointing. Homicide truly isn't what he once was. And you know what? That's not ok. His time here, tonight, could've been used to serve a younger talent. Someone that isn't broken down. But no, he had to have his spotlight. So I'm going to make sure that he never has it again."
He prepares to kick Homicide's head in. But at that very moment, Eddie Kingston comes rushing down the ramp to make the save! Danielson rushes out of the ring to a chorus of boos as the Mad King checks on his friend.
AEW Dynamite - April 26th, 2023
Eddie Kingston has something to say.
"You know, Bryan Danielson is a guy that I've never liked. But he took things to a whole new low when he insulted Homicide. That man saved me countless times, and last week, I saved him. That's the least I could do. But I think I wanna do the most. Bryan Danielson, American Dragon, Champ, whatever you wanna call yourself. It's all a front. You pick on young dudes like Caster and Garcia, guys you know you can beat. You go after guys that beat you decades ago, knowing that you can beat them now. Well, why don't you pick on someone that can pick back, huh? Someone like me. I'll be waiting. Don't bitch out, because I swear you'll regret it."
AEW Rampage - April 28th, 2023
It is announced that on Dynamite, we'll get a Championship Match between Eddie Kingston and Bryan Danielson.
AEW Dynamite - May 3rd, 2023
Eddie Kingston vs. Bryan Danielson (c) - AEW World Championship
It's the American Dragon's second defense of his World Title, and it's a tough one. Eddie Kingston looks determined, not only to win the belt but also to avenge Homicide after the disrespect shown to him by Bryan Danielson.
This isn't a match, it's a fight. We see more brawling from Bryan than ever before in his AEW run. His chest gets busted open once again, but he manages to do the same to the Mad King with some vicious Roundhouse Kicks. Eddie throws the smaller Danielson around a bit, and Bryan twists the New Yorker into knots with hate-filled Kimuras that Eddie shrugs off!
Eddie hits a Uraken, and it connects flush, but Bryan tumbles through the ropes, leaving Kingston without an opportunity to make the pin! Eddie looks frustrated, and he rages for a moment, giving Danielson precious time to recover.
The champ eventually gets back in, and he starts really locking in submissions, but Eddie refuses to tap to any of them! Eventually, he has a Crucific Lock in, and Kingston, screaming in pain, still doesn't submit! Bryan starts throwing Elbows and his unblocked skull, and after over a dozen, Eddie goes limp! The ref has to stop the match, Danielson is still the AEW World Champion!
Bryan Danielson (c) def. Eddie Kingston (21:50)
AEW Dynamite - May 10th, 2023
Bryan Danielson stands in the middle of the ring. He soaks in the boos. Bryan smiles, and raises the mic to his lips. But before he can get a word out, we hear THIS! Jon Moxley is here!
The Death Rider steps into the ring, and stares the champ down! He looks like he's about to say something, but instead, he plants Danielson with a Death Rider! The American Dragon has been put on notice!
AEW Rampage - May 12th, 2023
Jon Moxley explains his actions.
"I'm cut from the same cloth as Eddie Kingston and Homicide. Those are my brothers. And to see Bryan Danielson dismiss them, the fact that he thinks he's better than us, it pisses me off.
Bryan Danielson isn't better than me. He's the Champ, yeah, but I was too. He was WWE Champ, yeah, I was too. I've done the same shit he has, and I've done it without being a prick with a superiority complex.
So I spoke to the boss. And he said that if I want a shot at his belt at Double or Nothing, I got it. Well guess what, Dragon? I want it. See you on May 29th."
AEW Dynamite - May 17th, 2023
It is announced that on next week's Dynamite, the go-home episode to DoN, there will be a contract signing for the AEW World Championship Match between Mox and Bryan.
AEW Dynamite - May 24th, 2023
A table is set up in the middle of the ring, with Mox and Danielson on opposite ends. Each has a contract in front of them. Danielson speaks first.
"Well, Mox. We crossed paths a few times in that other place, and I was never scared of you. But I heard a lot about how fearsome Jon Moxley was, how you're the Purveyor of Violence. I look at you, and all I see is the same man. Scared, putting up a front, pretending to be a badass. Same as Eddie Kingston, same as Homicide. You guys don't wrestle the right way. You brawl, you cut corners. I'm a pure wrestler, and I'm gonna show that I wrestle the way all wrestlers should when I beat you at Double or Nothing."
Mox looks unfazed. He picks up his own mic.
"Bryan, there's something you're not getting. We aren't fronting about being tough dudes. That's us. That's our life. I wouldn't have won the belt if it wasn't for my past, alright? You learned to fight in a gym, I learned to fight on a street corner in Cincinnati. On Sunday, you're gonna see unfiltered violence the likes of which you simply aren't used to. I'm going to make you wish you stayed in that other company. Who knows, maybe I'll send you back there."
He signs the contract before leaving the ring. All we can do now is wait for Sunday!
AEW Double or Nothing - May 28th, 2023
Bryan Danielson (c) vs. Jon Moxley - AEW World Championship
Jon Moxley has a crazed look in his eyes as he makes his entrance, not saying a word or engaging with the crowd on his way to the ring. Bryan Danielson, on the other hand, panders (I hate this word) all the way down the ramp, talking shit about brawlers like Mox.
The bell ring, and Mox charges right at Bryan, who immediately dips under the ropes and to the floor, prompting a shower of boos in his general direction. He raises his arms, which makes the jeers even louder. But he doesn't see Moxley diving through the ropes! TOPE SUICIDA TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! With Danielson's concussion trouble, that can't be too good for him.
Mox throws him around, into the barricades and ring posts, which gets the crowd fired up. Danielson tries to kick at him to create distance, but Jon slips all of them, and then continues to get closer, throwing punches continuously. Bryan tries to slide back into the ring for refuge, but the Death Rider doesn't let him, dragging him back out and hitting a Snap Suplex right on the edge of the Timekeeper's Table! It doesn't break, instead holding strong and toppling, causing the American Dragon to fold high up on his shoulders! Mox is already inflicting hell on the champ's head and neck!
Wary of the ref's count, both men get back in the ring, much to the delight of the World Champion. But it seems like he still can't get a rhythm going against Mox, who tees off on him. The former champ bites down on Bryan's head, angering the ref but delighting everybody in the filled arena! Blood begins to trickle out of his head! The champ pulls away in disgust and pain as Jon continues to run wild!
Stomps now, on the legs, midsection and head of Danielson! He keeps switching up his target, making it very difficult for Bryan to block the hellacious boots! Moxley backs off, but Bryan isn't out of the woods yet, as the moment he gets up to a solid base, Mox rushes forward and connects with a HUGE REGAL KNEE! Bryan looks like he's out! An early cover! 1, 2, Thr-NO! It was a kickout, but that was dangerously close this early in the match! This has been extremely one-sided so far!
Mox is undeterred, and he picks Bryan up, putting him in position for an Underhook DTT! The grip is strong, and he tries to lift, but Bryan has the awareness to hook a leg, preventing himself from getting hit with the Paradigm Shift. Moxley starts throwing knees right to the body, and after a dozen of them, Danielson starts to falter again, which tells Jon that it's time to go for the Paradigm Shift again. He's up! But Bryan pushes himself off, lands on his feet, and throws a Roundhouse Kick that lands with a thud on the side of Mox's head! The Purveyor of Violence falls to the mat for the first time in the contest, and Danielson takes a much-needed respite.
Mox starts to get back up, and Danielson kicks at his legs to keep him on the ground. Jon throws a right hook, but the champ has him scouted, and ducks out of the way. Bryan wipes the blood off his face with his hand, and stares at the crimson on his palm. He slaps Mox across the face, leaving a red handprint on the Death Rider's cheek! There's a pause for a moment as the crowd recognizes the disrespect shown, and then Mox tackles Danielson to the canvas! Punch after punch after punch after punch after punch, repeat times infinity! Something has snapped in Mox's head, this onslaught is absolutely vicious!
Bryan helplessly crawls away, and Mox throws hatred-filled, furious soccer kicks at his ribs! Each one makes a sound that echoes throughout the venue, reverberating in the ears of each and ever fan! And Danielson can't stand it, but he gets up and chops Mox! Mox chops back! Danielson! Mox! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! OVER AND OVER, THIS MATCH IS A SPRINT AND THE CROWD IS LOVING IT! BOTH OF THEIR CHESTS ARE RED AND BLOODY, AS THEY TRANSITION TO FOREARMS! REPEATEDLY, ONE OF THEIR HEADS IS ABOUT TO BE CAVED IN! SLAPS NOW! AGAIN AND AGAIN! Finally, each man throws a headbutt! THEY BOTH COLLAPSE!!!!
After a bit of a wait, the two men stir for a moment, and try to use each other for balance. Quick as a cat, the Dragon applies a GUILLOTINE! It's tight, because it was so unexpected! The crowd is in a frenzy wondering if Mox will tap! But the Death Rider forces himself to his feet, and swings back and forth for momentum, before LAUNCHING THE CHAMPION IN THE AIR! EUROPEAN UPPERCUT, THE CHAMP IS OUT! Mox takes in the ovation for a moment, before lifting Bryan up and hitting a non-elevated Paradigm Shift! Pin! 1, 2, kickout! Mox wastes no time at all, picking him up yet again! PARADIGM SHIFT! IT DOESN'T WORK, BRYAN LANDS BEHIND MOX AND HOOKS HIS ARMS, FORCING HIM DOWN! BRIDGE! CATTLE MUTILATION!!!!
Mox scrambles, trying not to pass out, as a bloody, crazed Danielson squeezes harder and harder! Jon shimmies all the way over to a rope, getting up to his knees a bit, and BARELY drapes a toe over the bottom rope, breaking the hold! As he gets up, Bryan runs the ropes and goes for a BUSAIKU KNEE! BUT MOX DROPS DOWN, AND DANIELSON FLIES OUT OF THE RING!!!! Mox darts to the top rope! CROSSBODY TO THE OUTSIDE!!!!
He rolls the champ back in, and quickly looks for another Paradigm Shift attempt, but Danielson sweeps his legs out from under him and starts stomping on his skull! This is BRUTAL! He picks Mox up! Runs the ropes! BUSAIKU KNEE!!!! But he's not done! Lifts the Purveyor of Violence to his feet again! A SECOND BUSAIKU KNEE! AND HE STILL WANTS ANOTHER ONE! MOX STRUGGLES TO GET TO HIS FEET, AND DEFIANTLY FLIPS BRYAN OFF, BUT HE CAN'T STOP A THIRD BUSAIKU KNEE!!!! COVER! 1, 2, 3! THAT'S IT, BRYAN DANIELSON IS STILL YOUR AEW WORLD CHAMPION AFTER A SHORT, BUT VIOLENT WAR!!!
Bryan Danielson (c) def. Jon Moxley (15:00)
(Authors's Note: Lee Moriarty won the Casino Battle Royale to win a shot at the AEW World Championship.)
AEW Dynamite - May 31st, 2023
We get a Lee Moriarty promo, hyping himself up.
"A lot of people saw me for the first time on Sunday, so yeah, it may have been a shocker that I won. But not to me. Nah, I wasn't surprised at all. I'm a strong believer in the fact that I'm one of the best wrestlers in the world. People talk a lot about the American Dragon, yeah? But soon, they'll be talking about the Tiger. Mox, Eddie and Homicide brought the Street Style. I'm bringing that TIGA-STYLE. All I need is one good night, and that belt will be coming home with me. Bryan Danielson, you better be ready. Because there's a very real chance, you'll just be an answer to a trivia question: Who did Lee Moriarty beat to become the AEW World Champion?"
AEW Rampage - June 9th, 2023
Lee Moriarty wins a match and the moment he goes backstage, he's ambushed by Bryan Danielson! The American Dragon throws him into the concrete wall, and as Moriarty slowly gets to his knees, Danielson knees his skull into the concrete! Medical staff check on Lee as Bryan gets ushered away.
AEW Dynamite - June 14th, 2023
It's announced that Bryan Danielson will have a non-title match against Carlie Bravo on next week's Dynamite.
AEW Dynamite - June 21st, 2023
Bryan Danielson (c) vs. Carlie Bravo
This is a non-title match, but Danielson flaunts his belt all the way down the ramp. He looks a bit different, wearing white boots, white trunks, and a white jacket with "The American Dragon" written in red cursive print. He looks regal, and he projects cockiness.
The match itself is an absolute squash. Bryan only needs 2 minutes to win, and he finishes Bravo off with a simple Roundhouse Kick, but the message is simple: Bryan Danielson is not to be fucked with.
Bryan Danielson (c) def. Carlie Bravo (2:10)
AEW Rampage - June 30th, 2023
Bryan Danielson enters the building in a limo, but is immediately rushed by Lee Moriarty, who chokes him out and stuffs him right back into his car! Before closing the door, he tells Danielson, who is still unconscious, "I'll see you at Fyter Fest Night 1, bitch."
AEW Dynamite - July 5th, 2023
With their AEW World Championship Match taking place next week, we get a sit-down confrontation via satellite between Moriarty and Danielson.
BD: "Well, Lee, you got one over on me last week, good job. Make sure you savour your little 15 minutes of fame, because after what I do to you next week, you'll never reach those heights again."
LM: "Tough talk from someone that got choked out 5 days ago, but whatever."
BD: "You blindsided me, do that in a real match."
LM: "You blindsided me a few weeks before, it's the same shit! You know, when you beat Homicide, you talked about how you wanted the spotlight to go on young dudes. Now that I'm a threat, you switch up on me, you attack me and all that shit! You're a hypocrite. You talk about all the things you want, but you only want one thing, and that's a spotlight for yourself."
BD: "You know what, Lee? Maybe you're right. I want the spotlight, and I don't wanna share it. But that's because I'm the BEST. Nobody here can touch me, especially not someone like you who hasn't proven himself yet."
LM: "I won the Casino Battle Royale, I beat 20 guys to get this spot. All I need is to beat one more. You're just another pin to knock over, Bryan. That's it."
AEW Dynamite: Fyter Fest Night 1 - July 12th, 2023
Bryan Danielson (c) vs. Lee Moriarty - AEW World Championship
Danielson comes out, and he has a grand entrance. An orchestra to play his theme, throngs of fans to welcome him. He treats this like a huge event. Meanwhile, Lee Moriarty has a simple entrance, throwing his Tiger mask into the crowd.
The match itself is very technical, with Danielson being VERY overconfident. He does surfboards while flexing, kicks while talking trash, and many other cocky things. Lee, however, fights like his life depends on it, hitting big combos, targeting Bryan' ribs a lot! Abdominal Stretches seem to be working out pretty well for him, but after a solid run by Moriarty, Danielson manages to take control again. A LeBell Lock with one fist raised in the air, and even with the braggadocio shown by the champ here, Lee has no choice but to tap out.
Bryan Danielson (c) def. Lee Moriarty (18:46)
AEW Dynamite: Fight For The Fallen - July 26th, 2023
Jay Lethal is backstage.
"Bryan Danielson has reverted back to his ROH days, it seems. Similar offense, same gear. He says he's the best, and he cosplays as his Ring Of Honor self to prove it. He fancies himself as the face of ROH. But he abandoned that company. I didn't. I was with it for longer than he ever was, and I loved it more. Basically, I'm trying to say that one of the things that Danielson hangs his hat on? I did it better. So I want a chance to prove that I can be better at being the AEW World Champ, too."
AEW Dynamite - August 2nd, 2023
Bryan Danielson has a response for Jay Lethal.
"You brought ROH up for no reason, and that's hilarious to me. The most important shit you've done was in a company that you're not a part of anymore. This is the present, and I'm doing much better than you. If you want a shot at this belt, you gotta earn it. In 2 weeks. Championship Eliminator Match. I'll be there."
AEW Dynamite - August 16th, 2023
Bryan Danielson (c) vs. Jay Lethal - AEW World Championship Eliminator
If Jay wins this one, he gets a shot at the AEW World Championship. But Bryan hasn't lost in 2023 yet, and he's not looking to start now.
This is an absolute back-and-forth battle, a struggle. Danielson twists Lethal into knots, but Jay shows off his athleticism and gets the upper hand by overpowering Danielson, whether it's with shoulder tackles, lariats or spinebusters.
The finish comes when Bryan starts to piece Lethal up with kicks. To the leg, to the ribs, a few land to the head, and Lethal is slowing right down! Another big Roundhouse puts him on his back, and the American Dragon starts to laugh. He knows he has this under control! The champ backs up to his corner, he looks like he's about to line up a Busaiku Knee! Darts forward, dives into the air, AND JAY LETHAL CONNECTS WITH A SUPERKICK OUT OF MID-AIR! Scrambles to lift him up! LETHAL INJECTION! Doesn't go for the pin, preferring to pick him up again for good measure! A SECOND LETHAL INJECTION! COVER! 1, 2, 3!!!!!!! JAY LETHAL HAS HANDED BRYAN DANIELSON HIS FIRST LOSS OF 2023, EARNING A SHOT AT THE AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!
Jay Lethal def. Bryan Danielson (c) (17:33)
AEW Rampage - August 25th, 2023
Bryan Danielson sits backstage, looking angry.
"Well, Jay Lethal, you did it. You beat the great Bryan Danielson. Good job. You got yourself a shot at this belt right here. But here's the thing, Jay. I've been performing at the highest level for over 10 years now, and I haven't crumbled. You wanna know why I left ROH behind? I was onto bigger and better things. But you? You couldn't handle that. You could've left, but you didn't. You were content. I am NEVER content. That's the mark of a true Champion! At All Out, I'll show you why I made it out. It's because I'm the best wrestler to ever live! You're just the next guy to fall."
AEW Dynamite - August 30th, 2023
Jay Lethal airs a video package of him speaking spliced in with clips from his ROH days.
"You say that my ROH days are tainted, Bryan Danielson. You say I could've moved on, and that I didn't because I couldn't handle the pressure. But you know the truth? I didn't move on because it was home. ROH was my domain, the place where I was the ROH World Champ and TV Champ at the same damn time! But a little while ago, I showed you that I'm more than just hype. That's when I pinned you in the middle of the ring. On Saturday, history will repeat itself! You'll see that I am the competitor I am today, simply because I am also...a man of Honor."
AEW All Out - September 2nd, 2023
Bryan Danielson (c) vs. Jay Lethal - AEW World Championship
Jay Lethal comes out looking as confident as ever, knowing that he can beat Bryan Danielson, as he's done it before. Meanwhile, the champ looks a bit shaken, a bit off-guard.
The bell rings, and Jay steps into the centre of the ring, ready to lock up. Bryan looks tentative, but engages, and Lethal immediately shows that he's physically stronger than the champ by pushing him back towards the ropes. We get a clean break between the two, and they step back into the centre. Lethal gets a Hammerlock, but this is amateur hour for Bryan Danielson, who easily cartwheels, somersaults, and spins into a wristlock. Now that he's has control, he's a bit more at ease. But Lethal is no slouch, and he rolls out of it and hits a perfect dropkick, sending Bryan crashing to the mat!
The champ is frustrated, and Lethal eggs him on, telling him to "get your ass back up here." Danielson comes in with more force this time, and gets met with a high armdrag, executed perfectly. The Dragon gets up again, this time even more angrily, and runs right into a second armdrag! A third time, he gets up and charges forward, but stops just before he makes contact with Jay. Jay goes for the armdrag anyways, accidentally falling on the mat as a product of his own doing! Bryan goes for an Elbow Drop to capitalize, but Lethal deftly rolls out of the way, and Bryan hits the mat. Jay gets up roughly at the same time as the Champ, and throws a Discus Elbow that hits the American Dragon directly in the jaw! Cover! 1, kickout! This one is still getting going.
Bryan is even angrier now, pissed that he's getting outwrestled by Jay Lethal. He throws a Roundhouse to the body, but Lethal catches it and drives the point of his elbow right into the knee of the champ, causing him to shriek in pain! A few kicks to the knee, and Danielson rolls out to avoid further harm.
We can see the gears in his head turn as he thinks of a way to outsmart Lethal. Finally, a big grin appears on his face. He roots around under the ring, and picks up a Kendo Stick. Is he about to disqualify himself? As the ref pleads with him, Bryan reluctantly agrees and throws the weapon to the mat. But as the official turns to pick it up and throw it out of the ring, Bryan POKES JAY LETHAL RIGHT IN THE EYES! A takedown, and now he's free to throw Haymakers from Full Mount! What a dirty tactic! As the crowd chants "No! No! No!" the champion jokingly does "Yes!" motions to the dismay of the audience. Lethal reaches for his leg from the ground and he stomps on the challenger's hand!
Now that Bryan has the upper hand, he goes for his usual strategy of piecing his opponent up with kicks. To the legs to slow Jay down, to the body to make him less likely to hit power moves, and a few to the head in hopes of knocking Jay out. Danielson hits one of those Head Kicks, spinning Lethal around! Full Nelson! DRAGON SUPLEX! BRIDGE PIN! 1, 2, NO! Danielson is going to have to do more damage if he wants to win this match.
The American Dragon seems to be exploring creative options to put Jay away, and he climbs up to the top rope. He waits for Lethal to get up, he could be lining up for a Missile Dropkick! But Lethal quickly vaults up to the top, grabs Danielson's head for leverage, twists, and SENDS THE CHAMPION CRASHING DOWN TO THE MAT! The crowd knows what to expect here as Lethal is perched high above his opponent! MACHO MAN GESTURE! ELBOW DROP!!!! It takes a lot out of Jay, but he crawls to make the cover! 1, 2, KICKOUT! IT'S JUST NOT ENOUGH!!!
Jay is in a bad way, those deadly kicks from Danielson screwed him up pretty bad. But he lifts the champ up, wanting to keep fighting, needing to keep fighting. He puts Bryan in a Pumphandle Slam position, looking for something big here! Lifts him up! BRYAN LANDS IN A PERFECT SPOT FOR A DDT, AND HITS ONE! TRANSITIONS INTO A GUILLOTINE CHOKE! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MOVE!!! Lethal gasps for air, reaching for a rope! He's not gonna be able to get one! But he punches the champ right in the jaw, shocking him enough that Lethal can nudge his head out from Danielson's grasp. That was a close call!
As Jay gets up, Bryan goes for the patented Busaiku Knee! But like in their last match, Jay has it scouted, countering with a SUPERKICK OUT OF MID-AIR! PICKS THE CHAMP UP, LINES UP FOR A LETHAL INJECTION, JUST LIKE THE LAST TIME!!!
JAY BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES WITH A HANDSPRING, AND DIVES FOR A CUTTER! DANIELSON DIVES AS WELL, AND CATCHES HIS ADVERSARY WITH A CROSSFACE CHICKENWING OUT OF THE AIR!!!!! IT'S IN TIGHT!!!! Jay fights the hands, and manages to barely pull them off off his throat, managing to give himself JUST enough space to throw headbutts with the back of his head! He gets free!
They're back up now, and of course, Jay goes for another Lethal Injection! DANIELSON GRABS ONTO HIS SHOULDERS, PREVENTING HIM! Hooks the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION ATTEMPT! BUT LETHAL BREAKS FREE! ENZUIGIRI! HIT HIM SO HARD THAT DANIELSON ROLLS RIGHT OUT OF THE RING!!!!
Lethal musters up all of his energy for a Tope Suicida! PERFECT! BRYAN SMASHES UP AGAINST THE BARRICADE, AND GETS THROWN INTO THE RING! SET UP FOR A THIRD LETHAL INJECTION ATTEMPT!!! BOUNCE! HANDSPRING! CUTTER! IT CONNECTS!!!! BUT HE DOESN'T COVER HIM, NO!! HE WANTS TO HIT ANOTHER FOR GOOD MEASURE!!! BOUNCE! HANDSPRING! CUTTER! NOOOO, DANIELSON CATCHES HIS ARM!!!! INTO A LEBELL LOCK FROM THE CHAMP!!!!!!
Jay is struggling, but slowly inching towards the ropes! HE'S GONNA BREAK THE HOLD! NO, DANIELSON IS A TECHNICAL GENIUS, HE ROLLS LETHAL BACK TO THE CENTRE OF THE RING AND TIGHTENS THE LEBELL LOCK! HE'S IN TOO MUCH PAIN TO GO ON, LETHAL TAPS!!!!! AND STILL, THE AEW WORLD CHAMPION, BRYAN DANIELSON!!!!!!!!!!!
Bryan Danielson (c) def. Jay Lethal (20:23)

​
We are Firebreathing Kittens, a podcast that records ourselves playing a different tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) every week. This week we have a free actual play podcast of Dicing With Death. This two hour long recording, called “The Show Must Go On”, demonstrates three players and a Game Master actually playing so you can listen to what it’s like and maybe try it yourself.
The Show Must Go On:
Embark on a thrilling journey with Demyan, Nugh, and Maeve in a Dicing with Death adventure! Watch as they cast roles, conquer fate, and spice up the stage to save the play!
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XLJNowZQNc
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5OyKQx1Ea2a1ei4l1KCTMp
• Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-show-must-go-on-dicing-with-death/id1459051634?i=1000653405812
About us, Firebreathing Kittens podcast:
Firebreathing Kittens plays a different TTRPG every week. Four of the rotation of cast members will bring you a story that has a beginning and end. Every episode is a standalone plot in the season long anthology. There’s no need to catch up on past adventures or listen to every single release; hop in to any tale that sounds fun. Join as they explore the world, solve mysteries, attempt comedic banter, and enjoy friendship.
If you’d like to play with us, please visit FirebreathingKittensPodcast dot com and read the new members tab.
If you’d like us to play a completed tabletop roleplaying game you designed, please email us at FirebreathingKittensPodcast at gmail dot com. We reply to all emails within three days, so if we haven’t replied, then we haven’t seen your email, send it again.
Plot Summary of The Show Must Go On:
The adventure begins in the guild hall. Nugh and Demyan are playing some music and Maeve joins in on spoons. Soon they hear Nulisag talking to dwarf woman who seems to be his friend. The woman introduces herself as Dai Lapetus and says she is puttting on a play at The Leroux Theatre in Niqamui. The problem is, all her actors seem to be getting injured/having bad life accidents. She wonders if the guild members can help her find new actors to take the stage (or if they themselves are willing). Our intrepid explorers are more than willing and they follow Nugh to the science convention scenter to Meet Professor Spark.
On the way, they run into a run away barrel. Meave reacts and doesn't save the barrel. It blows up in her face literally.
At the convention center, the party finds Professor Spark hocking a immortality machine with her golem Sandy. But she needs some help putting pieces back into place. Demyan immediately gets to work and easily puts her machine back together. (He is a mechanic you know.) Meanwhile, Nugh gives Sandy a book of poems about autonomy hoping they will choose to leave the professor. Based on the professor's comments, Maeve is barely holding it together to not punch the woman. After the machine is fixed, Demyan volunteers to test it out. Turns out, it makes you "immortal" but the cost is damage to Sandy. (Again, Maeve is righteously angry.) After getting assurances the professor will act, they head to the Fae realm to recruit Maeve's previous employers.
In order to get there, they have to find a portal. They find it, but with fairies who they do not bribe to open the portal. They bargain. Then they are in the fair real where they find the two kings doing what they love best, arguing. Maeve interrupts them and smoozes them (and their massive egos) and they agree. On one and a half conditions 1. Meave helps them stop the fairies that are letting in people willy nilly. .5 Maeve doesn't come back. (She was fired you know.) They leave and warn the fairies to get out of dodge before they are arrested. The fairies change their colors and leave, but not before giving Demyan a gold paperweight.
Once having everyone agree to act, the party makes their way back to theatre to investigate. Turns out there has been someone tampering with the trap door. Maeve and Nugh try it out after Demyan fixes it. They also learn the author of the play will be in the audience watching the play go on. The part decides that Demyan is going to be on the lights, Nugh in the orchestra pit with their ukelele, and Maeve backstage helping the actors.
Everything goes awry when one of the actors is darted and starts to faint off the stage. Maeve improves until she can see the person who shot the dart. Then she goes to chase after him. Demyan also discovers someone has re-messed with the trap door. Nugh takes care of the fallen king. Turns out Bartok, the author of the play, does not want the play to go on because it is a tragic retelling of him losing his lover to a gang war crime. And if the other family finds out, he could be killed.
A new hooded figure appears on stage and is fighting King Echo with real and not prop swords. Meave and Demyan quickly ride the chandelier down. Nugh follows behind via the stairs. They fight the new hooded figure and discover it is the very same enemy that the author was talking about. He does end up escaping, leaving a body suit behind.
The play is given a standing ovation. The party is paid, everyone takes their bow and goes home.

Boy, did I choose the wrong week to quit sniffing glue go out of town for a work conference. With seminars during the day, open bars and catered food at night, and getting sick for a day, there was little time to write the Three Stars of the Game, however I did manage to find another Mets fan and we watched the games together on our phones.
I am not doing full game recaps for this retrospective wrap-up because while I can spin a yarn about a game at a time, I am not prepared to write the next great American novel.
To summarize this week of New York Mets baseball, it seems that someone finally replaced the rum they stole from Jobu because the Mets are playing some absolutely dominant ball. We are 12-3 after starting off 0-5. We are tied with the Barves for the longest active win streak across MLB. We have crept up the offensive standings while still having the best ERA in the National League. And if you don’t love that, you don’t love New York Mets baseball.
Naturally, after sweeping the Pirates and taking a series from the Dodgers I expect ESPN to drop us in the power rankings and Michael Kay to say something like the Mets are obviously cheating.

4/16 - Pirates @ Mets - 3-1

I found the only other Mets fan at the bar during the 9th inning of the game - I had no service as it was in a basement venue - and he pulled the game up on his phone. We watched together and spent a lot of the rest of the conference together. LFGM!

1. Reed Richards Garrett is a surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one. Earning his second win of the season, he only allowed 1 hit over 2 innings while striking out 6 batters - an absolutely dominant performance. He threw 31 pitches before getting the cane. If he is able to maintain this performance across the season, he is an absolute case study for our pitching lab and a go-to validator for why pitchers should want to join our organization for a second shot of a career and a big contract. Those 2 innings he threw were crucial to our victory, earning him a first star.
2. Jose Quintana had his work cut out for him, throwing 93 pitches through 5, but still battled through it showing why he is amongst the best contact pitchers in the league. His line for the night was 5 IP 4 H 1 ER 3 BB 4 K. While he allowed our only run of the game, he still boasts a 3.05 ERA and kept us in it earning the second star of the game.
3. Pete Alonso was the only Met with more than one hit. That alone earned him the only offensive star of the game. He also scored on a balk - rules below if you need a reminder. That’s it for the third star write-up.
4. Honorable Mentions: Jorge López and Drew Smith threw 2 shutout innings combining for 3 Ks. Jeff McNeil hit a clutch double in the bottom of the 7th to drive in our final insurance run.

Balk Rules

1. ⁠You can't just be up there and just doin' a balk like that.

1a. A balk is when you
1b. Okay well listen. A balk is when you balk the
1c. Let me start over
1c-a. The pitcher is not allowed to do a motion to the, uh, batter, that prohibits the batter from doing, you know, just trying to hit the ball. You can't do that.
1c-b. Once the pitcher is in the stretch, he can't be over here and say to the runner, like, "I'm gonna get ya! I'm gonna tag you out! You better watch your butt!" and then just be like he didn't even do that.
1c-b(1). Like, if you're about to pitch and then don't pitch, you have to still pitch. You cannot not pitch. Does that make any sense?
1c-b(2). You gotta be, throwing motion of the ball, and then, until you just throw it.
1c-b(2)-a. Okay, well, you can have the ball up here, like this, but then there's the balk you gotta think about.
1c-b(2)-b. Fairuza Balk hasn't been in any movies in forever. I hope she wasn't typecast as that racist lady in American History X.
1c-b(2)-b(i). Oh wait, she was in The Waterboy too! That would be even worse.
1c-b(2)-b(ii). "get in mah bellah" -- Adam Water, "The Waterboy." Haha, classic...
1c-b(3). Okay seriously though. A balk is when the pitcher makes a movement that, as determined by, when you do a move involving the baseball and field of
2) Do not do a balk please.

4/17 Pirates @ Mets - 9-1

I’ll be honest, I didn’t watch most of this game other than on statcast and the corner of my iPad screen while I was in various panels. This is based on a shoddy recollection of the game and the box score.

1. Luis Severino wants you to remember that he is an ace-caliber pitcher. With only the third time a Metropolitan has gone six and a quality start, he put up a line of 6 IP 5 H 1 R 3 BB 4 K 96 pitches and has lowered his ERA to 2.14. We can only hope that Sevy can keep up this production and remain healthy. A good Sevy makes for a happy fanbase. After starting with an ERA North of 5, he has now earned a first star of the game.
2. Tyrone Taylor - T2: Judgement Day. Continuing to show that Stearns knows ball and had something going in Milwaukee, he went 3-4 with 2 RBIs, 1 SB, and a run. That’s pretty much all I have to say about the second star of the game.
3. Brandon Nimmo was sad I hadn’t charted him in a while, so he went 2-5 with 2 ribbies to earn third star.
4. Honorable Mentions: Darth Bader drove 2 RBIs and scored a run off a home run. Marte went yard! But he also did nothing else. López, Diekman, and Hartwig all had shutdown innings.

4/19 Mets @ Dodgers - 9-4

Yamamoto must have been like GOB Bluth after the game staring into the camera going “I’ve made a terrible mistake.”

1. Harrison Bader. He’s here, he’s there, he’s every fucking where! 4 hits, 1 RBI, 1 Run, 1 Stolen Base, and unfortunately 1 K to ruin his otherwise perfect night. He’s knocking a .333 BA and a .788 OPS as we all expected going into the season and definitely expected that first week. His defensive skills are also on display as he keeps having to remind Nimmo that he’s the Center Fielder now. Darth Bader earned the first star of the game.
2. Francisco Lindor is back, baby! The lefty slump was kicked to the curb with a 2-run lefty long ball no doubter and then a follow up hit. He wasn’t done showing off after that, though. He also stole a base. To quote one of his heroes (nobody knows if this is true) “I’m thinking we’re back.” Second star, boom!
3. DJ Stewart went to the grocery store last week and remembered how much diapers cost. That’s the only explanation for his insane run lately - .241 BA and a 1.031 OPS. If he was a qualified hitter, that would be the 10th highest OPS across all of MLB. He kicked the doors open on Yamamoto with a solo rhino blast in the top of the 2nd. He came around again with a just-too-short sacrifice fly to the back of the warning track in the 4th to bring Marte home. Going 2-4 with 3 RBIs and a run, he earned the third star of the game.
4. Honorable Mentions: Reed Richards Garrett came in for Manaea after 5 IP and then threw 33 pitches to battle through the heart of the Dodgers batting order while only allowing 2 unearned runs and earning the win. Adam Ottavino made a rare 4-out appearance with 2 Ks. Starling Marte put 2 runs on the board himself and accounted for 2 RBIs. If DJ Stewart wasn’t our lovable Rhino, Marte would have likely snagged third star. Agree, disagree? Sound off in the comments!
5. Dishonorable Mention: Joey Wendle has to be some sort of secret agent. We killed off Luis Guillorme to bring on dEfEnSivE sPeCiAliSt Joey Wendle join the team and so far he has been charged with 3 errors this season, 2 of which game from this game. If we tossed him in the LA River, I don’t think anybody would mind. This is a one time stat that will hopefully never resurface.

4/20 Mets @ Dodgers - 6-4

1. Estarling Martes had himself a day. During the off-season, I often said that a resurgence of Starling Martes was going to be one of the linchpins of a successful 2024 campaign and boy was I right. He was the offense. With 4 RBIs, a Stolen Base, and 2 runs, there was only one Mets run that was not due to him. He golfed a three-run bomb to the deepest part of Dodger Stadium to retake the lead in the 6th inning. Listen to Joely Rodríguez as we celebrate Estarling Martes earning his first first star of the season and welcome him back to dominant baseball!
2. Francisco Lindor has gone woke. And by that, I mean his bat has woken up. Remember how about 4 sentences ago I said Marte participated in all but one run scored? Lindor drove in the other. After batting approximately -.300 from the left, he went 2-5 last night with 2 RBIs driving in Nimmo for the first run of the game and Marte for an insurance run, poetically driving in both the first and last runs of the game. Since the standing ovation, he has gone 11-for-33 (.333 BA) mostly from the left. Be better, Lindorks and weep as he receives the second star of the game.
3. Edwin Diaz may not have walked in to trumpets, but he still saved the day. Up by only two runs, he replaced Jorge Lopez with Mookie Betts on first. He proceeded to walk Ohtani and then Freeman to strike out Tesocar Hernandéz and Max Muncy. Basically, that was the winning formula of the day; walk 1-2-3 and deal with the softer bats.
4. Honorable Mentions: Reed Richards Garrett is making an argument that he should be our close on days where Diaz is not available. He’s also making an argument to be our long reliever. He’s also making an argument to become one of your favorite New York Mets. He narrowly missed third star because Diaz had the harder lineup, but he came in after throwing 33 pitches yesterday and still showed dominant stuff. Jose Butto may not have had his best stuff, but still continues his trend of having 0 wins on the season yet the Mets win every game he starts. Francisco Alvarez - he died for our sins.

Check out the Google Spreadsheet to track the Three Stars of the Game power ranking!

FINAL: Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona (Cuthbert 40')
Date: Saturday, 20 April 2024
KO: 12:30 UK time
Competition: Women’s Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Venue: Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium
TV/streaming: TNT Sports 2 (in the UK); DAZN.com
Welcome to the /chelsealadiesfc match thread for this first semi-final leg against Barcelona in the Spanish sunshine. Here you will find a match preview, squad notes, and updates once we kick off.

MATCH PREVIEW

The Champions League crown is one Chelsea have only glimpsed, and did so in person back in May 2021 – our first trip to the finals on the European stage, which ended in bitter defeat to none other than today’s opponents. The stadium for today’s clash is where the Barca men’s side have been playing while Camp Nou is under renovations.
Chelsea also faced Barcelona at the semi-final stage last year, and the Catalans emerged victorious after a hard-fought pair of matches with a 3-2 result over matches at the Nou Camp and Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have an unbeaten record in the Champions League this year, winning nine matches across the group stage and quarter-finals. Ajax was our opponent over the last two-match stage, and Chelsea struck an emphatic tone in the first leg with a 3-0 win before drawing 1-1 with the Dutch club at Stamford Bridge.
Barcelona are also unbeaten in the competition this season, having topped their group with five wins and one draw.
This will undoubtedly be a tough battle, and Chelsea have shown signs of exhaustion after juggling fixtures across four competitions, and with key players on and off the injury list. A midweek result against Aston Villa put Emma Hayes' side back atop the WSL table, but losses in the FA Cup and Conti Cup competitions exposed the cracks in Chelsea's underbelly. Now only in the hunt for two trophies, the beleaguered Blues will need to show their hunger and fuel a fire that can blaze their trail to European glory.
The team will be buoyed by the fact that the long-injured Millie Bright travelled with the squad, as did young forward Lauren James, who missed our game midweek against Villa with an injury. Bright, our captain, has not played since November.
The reverse fixture is at Stamford Bridge next Saturday at 17:30.
HOW TO WATCH
As always, the CFCW Twitter account will provide behind-the-scenes photos and live updates.
The game will be broadcast by DAZN on their website.
LINE-UPS
BAR: Coll, Batlle, Paredes, Engen, Rolfo, Bonmati, Walsh, Guijarro, Hansen, Paralluelo, Caldentey.
Subs: Panos, Jana Fernandez, Pina, Torrejon, Putellas, Bronze, Vilamala, Brugts, Dragoni, Lopez, Arias, Martina Fernandez.
CHE: Hampton, Lawrence, Carter, Buchanan, Charles, Kaneryd, Cuthbert (c), Nusken, Leupolz, Ramirez, James.
Subs: Musovic, Bright, Ingle, Macario, Reiten, Kirby, Perisset, Beever-Jones, Cox.
MATCH EVENTS
1' KICKOFF!! COME ONNNNN CHELSEA!!
6' Good effort there from the (Eton) Blues running at the Barca goal - Charles finds James who is off on a run but can't quite get to it.
17' Cuthbert clears a Graham Hansen corner.
21' Hampton takes a goal kick after Barca have an attacking run against us.
33' Great spark for Chelsea there, Ramirez carries the ball into enemy territory and lays it off to Charles, whose dangerous-looking shot fizzes wide.
35' The Blues have focused in on Barca and we have a corner now! More great play from our young Colombian. Coll scoops it up.
40' GOAL!!!!!!! ERIN CUTHBERT!!!!! Composed finish from our Scottish international!!! Nusken on the assist. COME ONNN!
45' HALFTIME: Chelsea lead 1-0 in Catalonia after a well-won strike from Erin Cuthbert. Phenomenal work from Sjoeke Nusken to turn on the ball and pop it to Cuthbert, who finds the right angle for an emphatic strike and takes us into the dressing room with a lead.
46' Back underway in the sunshine!!
47' Barca offside.
51' PENALTY to Barca for a handball is NOT given because a player was offsides in the run-up!
57' Carter a little winded after catching a ricocheting ball in her shouldeneck. She checks back in eventually.
60' Ramirez down now clutching her left foot. VAR looking but no foul in the box.
62' BAR subs: Putellas and Bronze on for Battle and Engen.
69' Putellas immediately showing her threat as we are forced to concede a corner.
73' BAR sub: Lopez on for Caldentey.
73' CHE sub: Macario on for James.
75' Ahhh so close for Ramirez, a brilliant tear into the box and she does get just by her defender and blazes it over. Phenomenal work from Mayra, whom Barca clearly can tell is a threat to them.
79' Patri booked for a pull on Ramirez.
83' Card comes out for a challenge on Nusken, Paredes the culprit.
86' Good play from Barca where CGH feeds a poised Paralluelo. Shot is wide.
87' Ramirez has another scorching run up the pitch and lays the ball into the middle, but no teammates are high up enough the pitch to connect.
90' Nine minutes added to see it out!
90 + 1' Reiten on for the brilliant Ramirez, who deserves her ovation as she exits the field.
90 + 8' The home side are throwing everything they have at our back line here, and we've got players crowded in to lift each chance back out of the area.
90 + 9' Barca will have a free kick here after Leupolz makes an overly-enthusiastic tackle. Come on...
90 + 10' SO close there from Putellas... AND THAT'S IT!!!!! CHELSEA TAKE A LEAD BACK TO THE BRIDGE!!!!!!!

How do I know what’s real anymore? Or, does it even matter once the damage is done? When I look at him I see double. I see him, but I also see the addict. They look the same. They are the same. I don’t know who’s in the drivers seat anymore, and I don’t know if that even makes a difference. Even if he is genuine, if he really is recovering and doing it for himself… I will always be collateral damage, won’t I? I never had a chance.
I loved him unconditionally, I still do. I thought that’s what marriage was about, but now I don’t think it is. I don’t think that’s enough to save it anymore. In fact, I don’t know if staying is more selfless than selfish at this point. And I don’t know if walking away would be enough to save me anymore.
Two graves, one gun, and I’ve never been a straight shooter.
Is there ever really a happy ending to this story, or are we doing the same dance over and over? When I think about the future, it’s like I’m attending a performance I’ve seen a million times. I buy the ticket for myself, I like to think I have some independence in my life. It makes me feel like I have control over something, anything. I pretend I don’t know the ending and try to enjoy the show with fresh, understanding eyes. That’s my job as a wife, isn’t it? To live on faith and see what my husband sees? My eyes are not mine, they belong to him, and I must see the world as he does. He made sure of that. So, even though I don’t want to, I will always see the world, and women, and myself, through his hungry, hungry eyes. I hand him my ticket as he shows me to my seat. He has a stash of all the chances I’ve given him before. They’re the souvenirs of his descent to rock bottom. Someday he will show them off as a harrowing testament of his own strength. To him, they line the road to recovery, a yellow brick road to discovering himself. To me, they are debt manifest. Like yellow sands of borrowed time, my life is held in these ephemera. They drop from me like the trickling truths he spills and fall into his open, grasping hands. He leaves to weigh his recent bounty against his insatiable craving for something that doesn’t exist. Is it enough to sway him this time? Or can he offer himself just
one more time
in exchange for the sanctity of his marriage… the vows made and the life of his so-called “wife” “soulmate” “moon and stars?”
Inevitably, the curtain rises and the show begins. I watch as I lead him through every step, through every stumble, until I dance myself to death. Sure, there will be moments of bliss and euphoria. After all, the drama of the fall depends entirely on the height of the precipice. There is no tale of hardship worth telling, no recovery worth seeking, if the stakes are not grave. This is a tale of tragedy, is it not? But these moments of love, the “what could have beens,” will always be tainted, poisoned by the past. A musical reprise of impending doom, the tempo to our duet will stutter with every misstep he makes. Every mistake is necessary for his journey, it is a part of life- his life. There is no intermission, and the labor is too much. I cannot keep pace to our song anymore. It’s out of tune, and it’s become a dance for one. Maybe it always was, I just haven’t accepted that yet. I will lay there, lifeless, on the ground worn by our feet. He will keep going with someone new. His practiced and perfected routine will demystify what he means when he says the words “I love you.” His strides will afford him the magic of a trusting, empathic, and unconditional love. He deserves it.
But, did it have to be at my expense?
Didn’t I deserve a love like that, too?
The curtain falls and I am the only one in the audience. Of course, he would never stick around to applaud my performance. I get no standing ovation for the devotion I give. That is reserved for the addict in recovery.
If I take this path, I am accepting that my pain is a necessary sacrifice for his recovery. He will get the chance to be whole, and that is all I’ve ever wanted for him. But, if I stay, the only way to get there is to lose what little is left of me with every disclosure, every slip, and every milestone in his recovery.
My future in this marriage is an exercise in thought. I am merely a ship destroyed and rebuilt while battling an addiction I do not possess. I existed before him and I will exist after him. But to be with him will tear me apart. The wear and tear of his addiction is all-encompassing. If I stay, and every piece of me is replaced by replicas stained from his addiction, what do I become? Am I whole? Am I still me? Or was I lost when the last shred of myself before him was discarded?
He will feel the weight lift from his chest with every admission, and that heaviness will bury itself into my heart, instead. He gets to feel happiness, trust, and love in recovery, but it means unloading his addiction onto me. He may free himself from the chains of his porn addiction, but it’s like a supernatural entity. It demands a human sacrifice, doesn’t it? That’s what makes it so powerful. It’s terrifying and menacing and vindictive and tormenting. And if I stay… for him to fly into the safety of blue skies, I must be the one to jump into the mouth of the volcano and satiate this demon’s hunger. I know what’s at the end, that all-consuming fire of grief and betrayal. Even now, I can feel the heat rising and I haven’t even jumped yet. Maybe I did when I married him. Maybe I’m already falling. Maybe its just the view from halfway down. Someday that fiery pit will swallow me whole. Is it enough to know that he will finally fly?
Edit: general grammar and I reworked some areas as I’ve processed things a little more.
UPDATE: If you find yourself stuck in these feelings and this mindset loop, I want to offer some more perspective that I’ve gained so far in my own recovery (only a few days later, I know, but time is a curious thing). It’s not our fight, it’s not our burden, and it’s not our responsibility. You do not have to take on the emotional weight of their addiction, even in their recovery. You cannot be a martyr for them. These feelings I’ve shared in this writing are from a place of denial, fear, and hurt. I was, and in many ways still am, in denial of the true stakes. I cannot save him, I cannot lead him to recovery. And if I try to, I cannot save myself, and I will never make it in my own recovery. If I try to sacrifice myself for his recovery, we will both suffer.
You can choose stay, if that is what you want, and accept the work it takes to heal. Or, you can choose to leave, if that is what you want, and accept the work it takes to heal. Whatever you choose to do, choose you. Always.
I’m starting recovery, my own 12 step. I’m struggling with the first step, to accept I am “powerless.” How can I be powerless, how can HE be powerless, when we have direct control of our actions and our behaviors and our choices. Sounds like a cop out, right? But, the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. I felt powerless to my husband’s addiction, that’s what caused the trauma: the loss of identity, the hysteria, paranoia, obsession, dysmorphia, depression, isolation, all of it. I felt no control and that scared me. When I think of his recovery, I have no control and that scares me. And you know what? It’s true. I AM powerless to his addiction. I have no control over his recovery, and that IS scary.
But that doesn’t mean I have no control in my life at all. I have the power to choose me, and I can choose to let go of the weight of his addiction because it is not mine. That is not to say that it won’t be hard, and painful, and scary. I will have to confront my fears of intimacy and betrayal and sexuality, and it will not be easy. But it is MY recovery and I DO have control over that, whether my husband is in my life or not. I can choose myself, I have to if I want to survive. And I do want to survive. And I hope you will want to survive, too. I did not choose to be hurt the way I was, and I didn’t deserve it, but I have the choice, a responsibility to myself, to heal. And so do you. So, I hope you choose yourself, and know that you don’t have to stay in this place of pain forever.

Dear [agent],
Leah Labeaume hears the world differently. Having suffered from hearing loss since birth, Leah has fought hard to succeed–and finally, her efforts have paid off. Fresh out of her doctorate program, Leah lands a job working with superstar otolaryngology surgeon Dr. Kelly Bishop.
Dr. Bishop–an innovative pioneer in auditory science–has developed an AI-enabled hearing device set to revolutionize the field. AuraLink, a tiny surgical implant, not only restores hearing but enhances it. The device analyzes millions of sounds heard in a day and distills what’s actually worth the mind’s attention, muting the rest and freeing brainpower to focus elsewhere. Dr. Bishop says AuraLink is the future, and the world is all ears.
Everyone–from wealthy elderly tired of fumbling with hearing aids to tech bros obsessed with enhancing mental performance–clamors for AuraLink implants. Leah assists with surgeries and sees patients for follow-up visits where they gush about how their lives have changed because of AuraLink. She gets involved in the development of AuraLink’s features and even comes up with the new slogan–AuraLink: Hear for You. Leah is thrilled to be in this role. So why doesn’t she undergo the procedure herself? Something about the patients seems odd after AuraLink, but Leah can’t quite figure out why. While the waiting list grows, so does Leah’s hesitancy. The weird occurrences begin to escalate, from personality changes to suicides (plus the one guy whose wife found him wide-eyed and naked in a park overnight).
Leah brings her concerns to Dr. Bishop, who chalks it all up to coincidence and makes it clear that this will not be discussed again. Leah reassures herself Dr. Bishop knows what she’s doing, until the day a patient shows up to the clinic with a self-inflicted knife wound to the stomach, seemingly responsive to voices inside her head and unable to hear the outside world. Leah realizes she must stop AuraLink in order to protect patients like herself–but soon discovers that the malfunction is far more sinister than she ever could have imagined, and the forces she’s up against have no intention of listening.
HEAR FOR YOU is a 72,000 word commercial thriller with elements of horror, for fans of [comps].
[bio]
Thank you for your time and consideration,
[author]
First 300:
One year before the medical board began their investigation, Dr. Kelly Bishop beamed on stage as the crowd’s thunderous applause made the spotlights tremble. The AuraLink logo quivered just slightly on the screen behind her as she stood with her hands clasped across the podium, chin tilted upward in a practiced expression of confidence. Power in a pantsuit.
The crowd of mostly male surgeons–those who once criticized her ambition but now clamored to be associated with her name–continued their cacophonic praise for eight whole minutes.
“A prodigy,” one surgeon from Stanford whispered to his colleague, tucking the day’s program under his arm to free his hands for clapping.
“Just incredible,” came the hushed reply from the professor in tweed. “This will change everything.”
AuraLink executives sat in the front row, eyes fixed on Dr. Bishop. They nodded along with the academic crowd as if they were impressed by the scientific advances rather than daydreaming about how they were going to outfit the yachts they would surely be able to afford with this quarter’s bonuses.
I watched from the back where it was so dark I couldn’t see the printed program in front of me. The standing ovation quickly obscured the view of my boss on stage and I stood to leave, taking advantage of the commotion to escape the inevitable coming onslaught of Dr. Bishop’s admirers asking me what it was like to work in close proximity to such a brilliant mind. Predictably, their eyes would dart toward the true target of their fascination standing across the room sipping white wine. How did she do it? they would ask.
Instead, I slipped out the back door of the amphitheater in the darkness.
__
Hi pubtips! Thank you so much for your help on previous queries. Per the advice of many of you, this is the next project I am working on in an attempt to distract myself from the horrors of querying the previous project. Any advice appreciated, especially looking for comps and where to cut.

Venue: Bell Centre (Montreal, QC)
Attendance: ~12,000

Winner	Loser	Match Finish	Stipulation
Sheamus	Ivar	Brouge Kick
DIY	The New Day and The Creed Brothers	Meet in the Middle	#1 Contenders match for the World Tag Team Championships
Indi Hartwell and Bull-Le Rae	Maxxine Dupree and Ivy Nile	Big Boot
Andrade	Dominik w/ JD McDonough	The Message
Chelsea Green and Piper Niven	Katana Chance and Kayden Carter	Crossbody
Jey Uso	Finn Balor	Uso Splash
Sami Zayn (c)	Chad Gable	Helluva Kick	For the Intercontinental Championship

IMPORTANT NOTES

• Kickoff with Rhea Ripley coming out with her arm in a sling. She says obviously you guys know what's going on right now, after the attack by Liv Morgan, she's stuck on the bench for quite a few months. She also says she's been informed and stumbles over her words, saying she's flustered and pissed off because she has been told she has to relinquish her Women's World Championship. A bullshit chant starts and Rhea agrees that it is. She says this championship means the most in her entire life, which is why this is so painful and lays the title down on the mat. She says this is all because of Liv's stupid little revenge tour. She could have had respect for her if she faced her face to face but instead she blindsided her like the coward she is. Rhea says this is a warning for whoever wins her championship, when she comes back she's coming back for blood. Rhea says she won't just be gone because of an injury she'll be gone because after she finds Liv back there she's going to be locked in jail. Liv Morgan makes her way out as security tries to hold her back. Rhea tries to rush towards Liv but security holds her back as Liv is led to the back. Rhea headbutts a security guard.
  
• Rhea is walking backstage and finds The Judgement Day and gives them a group hug. Priest tells her that Rhea is going to come back stronger than ever and remind Liv who she messed with before saying that they love her. She thanks them and tells them to keep Judgement Day on top.
  
• Triple H makes his way down to the ring where Adam Pearce is waiting with a pedestal in the middle of it. He says it's hard to believe that it was only 8 days ago that they were in the midst of the biggest Wrestlemania of all time, kingdoms fell, nightmares began, and a whole new era started. Adam Pearce says a new era for the tag division certainly started with two new sets of tag champions and welcomes out the Awesome Truth. Truth and Miz make their way down and HHH asks them what's up and offers congratulations. In the biggest tag match in history, the two of them made history and says from a personal perspective, it was awesome to see Truth have that Wrestlemania moment. He says if they are going to represents this division they have to do it in a way that represents a whole new era and says from now on they will be referred to as the World Tag Team Champions and reveals brand new title belts! Truth says he's seen a rabbit get pulled out of the air and a woman get cut in half and walk away but he's never seen title belts appears out of thin oxygen and calls Triple H a a magician. Truth has to explain he isn't a magician. Truth says he doesn't trust magicians after Little Jimmy and asks what else he's hiding. Miz takes control and says this is their chance to elevate the tag division, that's why Adam Pearce and Triple H wants them to take these titles. Truth asks where Triple H is and calls him a crafty little Houdini and says that's Tomaso Ciampa. Miz says he'll try again and since they're in Montreal he explains in French and Truth understands and shouts oui before asking if we can take it. Triple H asks if he can go before taking the old Raw Tag Team Championships and placing the World Tag Team Championships on Truth and Miz's shoulders and then leaves. Adam asks why they made the boss leave, but now that some of them still have brain cells left they have to get on with the triple threat to determine who will be their first challengers.
  
• During the show a QR code appears leading to this link.
  
• Drew McIntyre is interviewed backstage after chuckling watching the footage of CM Punk screwing him out of a title shot. After he stops chuckling he claymores the TV and storms off.
  
• Backstage Priest tells the rest of The Judgement Day that they still Raw and tells Dom he's going to teach Andrade who runs things around here and tells JD to back him up and they walk off hyped up. Finn asks Priest why they aren't trying to win back the tag titles back but Priest explains to him that he's got to teach Jey what it means to lose tonight then at Backlash he'll teach him the meaning of pain.
  
• Chad Gable is interviewed after training with the Creed Brothers. He says this victory tonight would be vindication for his 10 years in WWE. He says he is used to going against hometown favorites but by training with Sami the past few weeks he has seen all of Sami's weaknesses and Master Gable is coming out tonight.
  
• JD McDonough attacks Andrade after his victory and Dom joins in to double team him until Ricochet runs in to make the save for Andrade.
  
• Backstage Jey Uso is asked about Tama Tonga and Solo attacking Jimmy. Jey says messing with the Bloodline is going down a dark dangerous road. He says he told Jimmy to come with him, but he's gotta focus on Finn Balor tonight and giving him this Yeet-down.
  
• Liv Morgan is interviewed backstage, she says she's confused by the reaction and says she isn't the bad guy here and asks where the sympathy was when Rhea took her out for 8 months last year? She says this is karma and Rhea got exactly what she deserved. Liv says this is just the beginning of her revenge tour and it ends with her as Women's World Champion.
  
• WWE Champion Cody Rhodes comes down to the ring and asks the fans what they wanna talk about in French. He thanks Adam Pearce for letting him hang out on Raw despite technically being Smackdown's champion. He says he can't look back on Wrestlemania 40 forever and has to look forward to his challenger at Backlash, either LA Knight or AJ Styles. Cody does say there is one thing he wants to look back on and that is that man who said he'd be his Shield and gives a very big thank you to Seth Rollins. Cody says another friend of theirs did some reflecting yesterday, The Rock. Cody says it's news to him that The Rock went through a 10 week training camp with the best in the world and believes Rock has more than just one more match in him and says Rock may make him bleed again but nothing will stop the fact if he makes him bleed, then Rock is going to bleed with him. Cody says he's a little confused with the Bloodline with Tama Tonga appearing without Roman appearing. He brings out his good friend Jey Uso. Cody says Jey is the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship and tells him no one deserves it more and since Jey had his back at Wrestlemania he'd be happy to have his back against Finn Balor since he knows the Judgement Day doesn't come alone. Jey says he appreciates it but he's gotta do this on his own. Cody asks if he's sure but says he totally understands and wishes him luck before hugging him and going to leave but he says just one more thing...until they yeet again and they both yeet at each other.
  
• Nia Jax says there are two types of people in this world, those who care about Rhea and those who want to see her get her revenge and she is neither. Nia declares the title is hers and dismisses Becky Lynch and Liv Morgan saying last time she saw either of them they were hers.
  
• Following Jey's victory, Priest enters the ring and goes face to face with him while holding up the title as Dom and JD ambush Jey from behind. Jey is able to fight back and makes his way to outside the ring where he hits Dom with a superkick and exits through the crowd, throwing JD into Finn as he tries to pursue. Jey leaves up the stairs and through the concourse until he meets up with Sami Zayn who is standing outside the arena. Sami says 25 years ago he saw his first WWE show coming through these doors and he is returning here as a champion. He makes his way through the concourse hyping up the fans on the outside as he heads back down the stairs Jey came up from to make his entrance abd tgeb walks around the entire crowd to a massive ovation.
  
• Next week a new Women's World Champion will be crowned!
  
• Before the main event Bronson Reed confronts Gable and tells him whoever wins tonight they won't be champion for long because they will have to answer to him.
  
• Following the main event Sami offers to help up Chad Gable after he is feeling distraught over the loss. Gable raises Sami's arm and goes to leave as Sami celebrates with his wife in the front row. However Gable approaches Sami from behind and suplexes him on the outside! He throws Sami away at ringside before throwing him on top at the ring apron and twists Sami's leg in the top turnbuckle and locks in the Ankle Lock as he taunts Sami's wife.
  

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I have decided I'm tired of renting and want to check airplane ownership off my bucket list.
I've been window shopping planes for the last year or so and had narrowed it down to several models:

• Cessna 182/R182
• Cessna 206
• Bonanza A36

I did the normal Cessna transition from a 150->172->182. I have about 20 hours retract time in a R182. I am working on my instrument certificate. My mission is flying for fun - short trips to visit family, weekend adventures, etc. Would like to occasionally take four people (usually two kids) and go somewhere. I want to be able to take a plane a few hundred miles and park it without worrying about daily minimums.

• 182: simple, relatively easy to maintain/operate, and will have a UL of 1000-1200 depending on what model I find. Does everything I need reasonably well, but doesn't excel in any one area. Feels kind of boring to me since almost all my time is in Cessnas, but that simplicity can also be a good thing.
• R182: similar useful load, adds some speed, reduces flexibility a bit with the tiny wheels, adds maintenance/operating cost due to gear, but is also cheaper to acquire. It was an easy transition for me and I'm comfortable flying it - the extra speed over a straight leg 182 is nice.
• 206: appealing because its a big 182. I don't think I'd need a 1400-1500 lb. UL often, but sort of a nice to have. Gets more expensive in terms of purchase price and operating costs (takes lots of gas to go 145 kts).
• Bonanza A36: an all around great single engine plan. Balance of speed, useful load, Cadillac feel, etc. Operating costs will definitely be higher. This is more than I want to spend, but its easy to get feature creep.
• Cirrus: I talked with one group of ppl looking for another partner. they had a late model cirrus sr22t - awesome plane, but the insurance and maintenance costs they shared were pretty eye-opening. Turbo issues, parachute repack coming up, FIKI, oxygen, etc. Very expensive hull value in a fast plane so expensive insurance, still experience fairly rapid depreciation. Lots of positives, but expensive to own unless you fly it all the time. Sort of halfway on the list only because of this partnership opportunity.

Mooney - I had never really considered Mooney's because my perception was that they were too small without enough useful load. I've recently found a few late 90's ovations with 1050-1100 useful loads, lower time engines, and near fully upgraded avionics for the same price or less than I can get a nicer 182 for. I'm very intrigued.
The only real issue I've found is the possible lack of parts going forward due to the Mooney's on-again/off-again relationship with bankruptcy, which is a real concern. I assume this has driven down values, along with the retractable gear costs vs. a fixed gear plane.
I have budget flexibility for the right solution, but it feels like I can get something pretty darn nice for 200k-300k. I'd rather spend more up front and not have a bunch of maintenance/cost issues down the road (among others, I eliminated the T210 for this reason - decent up front cost, but I had a friend with one who said there were frequent five figure surprises at annual time. he loved the plane though).
What am I missing? Is a Mooney stupid to consider? Should I be looking at something else? Thank you!
Edit: Thanks for all the feedback, really appreciate it. A lot of very knowledgeable people in this sub. I'm still thinking about the Mooney, but adding an F33A back into the mix. Trying to build instrument/retract hours in the meantime to hopefully help manage the future pain of insurance costs.

I’m going to tomorrow’s game and when Lindor comes up for his first AB let’s give him a fucking standing ovation if you’ll be there too. The guy works hard as hell for us and no one wants him to play better more than he does. Back to back 6 WAR campaigns, 30/30, .800 OPS, platinum glove defense. He’s the greatest shortstop in Mets history. The other day at his press conference he talked about feeling alone. Let’s let him know we have his back. He deserves it.

AJPW Summer Action Series II 1993 #1 (20/8/1993)
Holy Demon Army (Toshiaki Kawada, Katsuhiko Nakajima, Akira Taue) Vs Super Generation Army (Mistuharu Misawa, Kenta Kobashi, Jun Akiyama)
Two of the biggest factions in pro wrestling clash in front of a rabid crowd, with both teams having personal pride in the balance alongside seismic shifts in the potential World title scene. All 6 men lay it all out on the line, but the experience and sheer hunger on the side of the Holy Demon Army seems to overwhelm SGA as the match reaches past 30 minutes. Misawa and Kobashi hold off their own till the end, but Akiyama starts making more and more mistakes, eventually getting caught by a GAMENGIRI, followed by a BRUTAL STRETCH PLUM. Both Kobashi and Misawa try to rush in and break the hold, but Taue locks Misawa in a COBRA TWIST, while Nakajima puts on the MANJI-GATAME on Kobashi, trapping the two long enough for Akiyama to tap out.
Holy Demon Army (Toshiaki Kawada, Katsuhiko Nakajima, Akira Taue) def. Super Generation Army (Mistuharu Misawa, Kenta Kobashi, Jun Akiyama) (36:40)
AJPW Giant Series 1993 #13 (14/10/1993)
Super Generation Army (Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi) Vs Holy Demon Army (Akira Taue and Katsuhiko Nakajima)
World Tag Team Championship
Having suffered a crushing loss against Misawa in their most recent encounter, Nakajima looks to defend his lengthy tag title reign with Taue by his side. But the odds couldn't be further stacked against Holy Demon Army, as they walk tonight into enemy territory. They walk into Sendai, the land of the Burning as the crowd is scorching hot for their boy Kobashi. Taue seems particularly annoyed with the crowd’s love for Kobashi. Nakajima lacks the usual smirk he has against Kobashi going into these encounters. Instead, he has a tense face, his eyes filled with determination with a hint of anxiety. Taue spots this and gestures to Nakajima that he’ll start the match-up. Nakajima agrees as he stands up on the apron, his eyes stalking Kobashi out of the corner, but it’s Taue who makes the pounce. Rushing in for an attack, Taue catches Kobashi off guard with a knee to the gut, forcing him into a neutral corner. He grabs a hold of Kobashi’s neck and drives it down while slamming large blows to his upper back. Kobashi fights out of it and lands an elbow of his own before chucking Taue into the corner and landing A FEW THUNDEROUS CHOPS. The crowd is electric as loud “KO-BA-SHI” chants break out in the arena. He IRISH WHIPS Taue from corner to corner, but Taue reverses it and follows Kobashi into the corner for a BIG BOOT. Kobashi is dazed from the strike as Taue grabs his wrist and pulls Kobashi in for a SHORT ARM LARIAT.
Taue regains himself, looking back at the crowd, disgusted by their love for Kobashi. Taue locks in a SEATED DOUBLE WRIST LOCK on Koabshi, driving his knee into Kobashi’s back for maximum discomfort. The harder Taue tries to break Kobashi, the louder the crowd shouts for him. Kobashi grits through the pain and slowly gets back to his feet. Kobashi runs on Fight No Flight, so that’s what he does. Kobashi uses all his might to try and turn the Double Wrist Lock around, but even with all this effort, Taue just uses his height to drive Kobashi back into the ground and halt his attempt. Taue is trying to cut the flow of the fans from the match, but they just keep screaming for their boy. Kobashi pushes himself back up and tries again. Taue struggles to keep Kobashi in the double wrist lock, AND EVENTUALLY, KOBASHI REVERSES IT, forcing Taue into one. Taue himself tries to escape, but Kobashi is way too strong and could’ve perhaps kept Taue in one for a long time if only NAKAJIMA DIDN’T JUST WALK INTO THE RING AND ROUNDHOUSE KICK KENTA RIGHT IN THE FACE. MISAWA RUSHES THE RING AND TRIES TO ATTACK NAKAJIMA, BUT TWO-ON-ONE IS A FAR GREATER ASSAULT AS HDA THROW MISAWA OUT OF THE RING.
As Kobashi lies on the mat, the referee checking his eye as he simmers in pain, Nakajima and Taue rush to the outside. The crowd is livid as Taue and Nakajima lay the boots in on Misawa, the smirk back across Nakajima’s face. He tells Taue to hold Misawa up as he steps back for a running start, AND DASHES IN FOR A VICIOUS PK TO MISAWA. Taue rolls back into the ring, darting back over to Kobashi in the corner. He spots Kobashi’s bruised eye and goes to work. He lands two sharp OVERHEAD CHOPS on Kobashi’s head and eye, before IRISH WHIPPING him into the HDA corner. Taue tags Nakajima in, who immediately toys with the crowd by pressing his boots against Kenta’s face and resting upon the middle rope for some SHOWTIME. He has a shit-eating grin on his face as the crowd rain down boos on him, at a point even urging them to do so. He pulls Kenta right off the floor, and straight into a NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX. ONE…TWO…, Kobashi powers through. Kobashi rolls towards the bottom rope, still fighting to pull himself back up. Lying against the bottom rope, he looks up at Nakajima, who drives a boot right into his face. Kobashi tries to push the boot away, but Nakajima pours onto the humiliation by joining in on the “KO-BA-SHI”, chants while scraping his boot against Kobashi’s face. Kobashi slowly tries to get back up, ONLY TO EAT A LOW KICK RIGHT TO HIS CHEST. BUT KOBASHI DOESN’T DROP. HE JUMPS BACK TO HIS FEET AND LANDS A THUNDEROUS CHOP OF HIS OWN. Nakajima retors back with a HIGH KICK TO THE STANDING KOBASHI’S CHEST, but another CHOP from Kobashi forces Nakajima to revalute with a FRONT KICK RIGHT TO KOBASHI’S EYE. KOBASHI STUMBLES BACK, FALLING ON THE BOTTOM ROPE AS HOLDS HIS EYE. Nakajima isn’t done with the assault, as he grabs Kobashi in a MUAY THAT CLINCH AND DRIVES KNEE RIGHT INTO HIS FACE UNTIL KOBASHI LOSES HIS FOOTING AND STUMBLES OUT OF THE RING.
Taue drops from the apron and rushes at Kobashi, as Nakajima signals Taue directions from the ring. He steps out onto the apron, lining up his sniper precise kick, with Taue holding Kobashi up. But before Nakajima can land the hit, Misawa jumps in from behind and drags Taue away. For the briefest moment, Kobashi looks behind to see his tag partner pull away Taue, and Nakajima pounces at his opportunity. HE RUSHES OVER AT KOBASHI TO TRY AND LAND THE BRUTALITY KICK, ONLY FOR KOBASHI TO CATCH IT, ABSORBING THE BRUNT OF THE IMPACT IN HIS BICEPS AND SHOULDERS. Kobashi tries to pull Nakajima off the apron but Nakajima latches onto the top ropes, his arms over-hooking them. Nakajima uses his free leg to kick Kobashi in the eye yet again, dropping him to his knees as Kobashi continues to try and nurse the pain away. Nakajima drops down and IRISH WHIPS KOBASHI INTO THE GUARD RAIL. He tries to follow up, rushing towards a presumably prone Kobashi, BUT WITH A SUDDEN BURST OF WILL, KOBASHI DASHES RIGHT AT NAKAJIMA AND LANDS A SHOULDER BLOCK AKIN TO A STONE WALL. Nakajima falls back on the mat immediately, with Kobashi walking a few steps before dropping to his knees and planting face-first on the mat.
Kobashi slowly crawls back into the ring, half-blind, he searches for The Ace. His good eye finally spots Misawa reaching out to him, tipping over the top rope, looking for a chance to even the playing field. Hearing the pleas of the crowd, Kobashi stumbles onto his feet and starts walking over to Misawa, collapsing at the very end, his arm stretched out for the tag, but there isn’t anyone there. Before Kobashi could tag Misawa in, TAUE WALKS UP BEHIND MISAWA, AND PULLS HIM BY HIS TIGHTS, OFF THE APRON, HEAD AND BACK FIRST INTO THE GUARD RAIL. Taue looks extremely pleased with himself, looking over at the groaning crowd. But the groans soon become cheers, AS KOBASHI TAKES A RUNNING START AND DIVES OUT OF THE RING, LANDING A TOPE SUICIDA ON AN OBLIVIOUS TAUE. The eye continues to bother Kobashi, but for the briefest moment, he can see clearer than ever. Those eyes are filled with rage and contempt. All towards Taue, and it all culminates in Kobashi landing a VICIOUS PILEDRIVER ON TAUE, ON THE FLOOR. Kobashi raises his fist to the crowd, acknowledging the responsibility they’ve bestowed upon him. Kobashi spots Nakajima rolling back in the ring, so he slides in too. As it worked on Taue, Kobashi tries to rush at Nakajima, hoping to catch him off guard, but all he caught was a LOW SPINNING LEG SWEEP. Nakajima successfully trips Kobashi, who in turn crashes against the middle rope, his eye perhaps catching some whiplash from the impact.
Nakajima has the eyes of a killer, walking up to his wounded prey and dragging him by his ears back to the centre of the ring. Nakajima warps in a tight face lock, the sharp end of his wrist dragging across Kobashi’s bruised eye. Nakajima drives his knee against Kobashi's back, to further tighten the hold. Kobashi flails his arms around in the air, trying to catch Nakajima with an errant shot, but Nakajima is too savvy to be caught by such desperate manoeuvres. Though no matter what hell Taue and Nakajima drag Kobashi through, Sendai doesn’t leave his side. They get louder and louder with each shudder and scratch from Kobashi. With the promise he made to his fans still fresh in his mind, Kobashi tries to gut through this yet again. He tries to will himself back to his feet, trying to shrug off the pressure Nakajima is applying. At first, Nakajima seems amused, but the amusement turns to annoyance and then horror as Kobashi refuses to stay down. Finally, HE LEAPS BACK TO HIS FEET AND TRIES TO CATCH NAKAJIMA OFF GUARD WITH A BACKDROP DRIVER, BUT HALFWAY THROUGH HIS ASCENT, NAKAJIMA SNEAKS A PUNCH INTO KOBASHI’S EYE. Kobashi screeches in pain, stumbling back, his hand taped over his battered eye. Still determined, however, Kobashi once again tries to rush Nakajima, only to get caught up with a BODYSLAM. The referee reprimands Nakajima for his actions, as the fans chime in too, but Nakajima shrugs em all away as he points his finger to the sky. With a grin on his face, Nakajima tries to further humiliate Kobashi BY GOING FOR KOBASHI’S MOVE. THE MOONSAULT. BUT THERE’S NO ONE HOME AS KOBASHI SENSIBLY ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY. With Misawa back up on his feet, hopped up on the apron, begging for a tag. Nakajima still reeling from the impact of his error. Taue trying to pull himself back up on his apron. Kobashi makes the crawl, dives towards his corner…AND TAGS MISAWA IN.
The Ace rushes the ringing, running past Nakajima and DROPKICKING Taue off the apron and back on the floor. Nakajima jumps back to his feet, but before he can regain his bearings, Misawa leaps forward and starts raining down right and left ELBOWS. Misawa pushes Nakajima up against the ropes and IRISH WHIPS him off em. Nakajima reverses it, sending Misawa running against the ropes, but a miscalculation over Misawa's next move catches him off guard for a RUNNING CROSSBODY STARIGHT INTO A COVER. ONE…TWO…Nakajima kicks out. Nakajima rushes back up, blocking an oncoming ELBOW STRIKE from Misawa, KICKING the other away as now he’s back up to his feet. Nakajima goes for a ROUNDHOUSE KICK but Misawa ducks under, now behind Nakajima, he latches onto his waist AND RAISES HIM FOR A RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX. HE CAN’T LAND IT HOWEVER, AS NAKAJIMA LANDS ON HIS FEET, AND AS SOON AS MISAWA TURNS BACK AROUND, NAKAJIMA LANDS A STEP-UP ENZIGUIRI THAT STAGGERS MISAWA. He pushes Misawa back against the ropes and IRISH WHIPS him. Nakajima pushes up against the closer ropes to spring him forward and build momentum for his LARIAT. BUT MISAWA DUCKS UNDER THE LARIAT, AND IT’S NAKAJIMA THIS TIME WHO GETS CAUGHT OFF GUARD WITH A SPIN KICK FROM THE ACE. Misawa drops down to one knee after the kick, taking a deep breath before continuing his assault on Nakajima and landing a SOMERSAULT SENTON. ONE…TWO…T, Nakajima powers through.
Misawa straps Nakajima right into the FACE LOCK. The same move that once made Jumbo tap, now grinding up against Nahakima’s jaw and nose. Taue knows the danger of that manoeuvre, so he rushes to the ring trying to break it up, BUT KOBASHI HAS HIS PARTNER’S BACK, RUSHING IN AND TRAPPING TAUE IN A COBRA TWIST. Nakajima’s outstretched arm, trying to grasp at the ropes; but Misawa keeps the hold wrenched in. Misawa’s trying to squeeze Nakajima’s head till it pops like a watermelon. The life seems to be fading from Nakajima’s eyes as his hand starts to slowly drop. Taue meanwhile continues to struggle and finally breaks free from the COBRA TWIST with a HIP TOSS. He rushes over to Misawa and boots him right in the face, prying the hold open. He grabs ahold of Nakajima’s arm and drags his limp corpse back over to their corner. Taue tags himself in and rushes over a now-standing Kobashi, LANDING A DYNAMIC KICK THAT DROPS KOBASHI AND SENDS HIM STUMBLING OUT OF THE RING. Taue brings his attention back over to a now kneeling Misawa. Misawa tries to push up at Taue, but he can’t build enough momentum so Taue just catches him in a FRONT CHANCERY. Taue chokes the life out of Misawa, before transitioning into a DYNAMIC SUPLEX AND DRIVING HIM BACK FIRST INTO THE MAT. ONE…TWO…T, MISAWA KICKS OUT. Taue is breathing heavily by this point, his body exhausted, but the sound of this electric crowd keeps his heart burning. He shakes his head before picking the World champion back up. He signals the end as he GOES FOR THE DYNAMIC BOMB, but Misawa successfully grounds himself. Taue smashes Misawa’s back with a couple of Forearm strikes but Misawa refuses to go up.
Taue releases Misawa and quickly lands some OVERHEAD CHOPS, FOLLOWED BY A BABA CHOP. After softening up Misawa, Taue tries to Scoop him up for a GUILLOTINE WHIP, BUT MISAWA ESCAPES OUT THE BACK. HE GRABS A HOLD OF TAUE’S WAIST AND TRIES TO LIFT HIM FOR A GERMAN SUPLEX BUT TAUE LATCHES ONTO THE TOP ROPE. Before Misawa can pull him free, Taue Stomps at Misawa’s foot, losing him enough so he can pull him in for the COCONUT CRUSH, DRIVING MISAWA’S HEAD INTO HIS KNEE. Misawa drops back down to the mat, with Taue trying and failing to regain his composure. The crowd chanting for their heroes counties to madden and fuel Taue, as he rushes to pick Misawa back up. Perhaps attempting a CHICHIBU CEMENT, TAUE LIFTS MISAWA FOR A VERTICAL SUPLEX BUT MISAWA DROPS A KNEE FROM THE TOP AND ESCAPES OUT THE BACK YET AGAIN. Taue turns back around and eats left and right ELBOWS, BUT DUCKS UNDER THE FINAL ROLLING ELBOW AND PICKS MISAWA UP, DRIVING HIS SKULL INTO THE MAT WITH A BACKDROP DRIVER. ONE…TWO…THR, MISAWA KICKS OUT.
Taue stares up at the ceiling, the roar of the crowd ringing in his ears. He pushes himself back up, looking down on Misawa, and chucks the referee away. He grabs ahold of Misawa from his hair and drags him to the neutral corner. Taue lifts Misawa up on the top rope, with Misawa trying to fight him away, but one OVERHEAD CHOP, followed by a KARATE STRIKE to Misawa’s neck to shut that down. Taue grips Misawa’s throat and looks to finish this match once and for all. TAUE CHOKESLAMS MISAWA OFF THE TOP ROPE FOR THE NODOWA OTOSHI, BUT MISAWA COUNTERS IT IN MID-AIR WITH AN ARM DRAG. Once again the crowd is overjoyed, briefly distracting Taue as he rushes back to his feet. He turns right back to Misawa and riches him, ONLY TO BE HALTED A FEW STEPS IN BY A THUNDEROUS ELBOW FROM MISAWA. TAUE COLLAPSES TO THE FLOOR AS HE’S BEEN SHOT, THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED FROM HIS EYES. MISAWA DRAGS HIM OVER TO TAUE AND GOES FOR THE COVER. ONE…TWO…THRE, NAKAJIMA BREAKS THE PIN BY BREAKING MISAWA’S HEAD WITH A PK. Nakajima tries to pick Misawa back up, but Kobashi slides back into the ring and tackles Nakajima up against the ropes. Kobashi lands a VICIOUS CHOP, and NAKAJIMA RETORTS BACK WITH AN OVERHEAD CHOP. KOBASHI RETURNS WITH AN EVEN HARDER CHOP, AND FOR THE BRIFEST MOMENT, NAKAJIMA REALISES THAT KOBASHI AIN’T NO YOUNG BOY NO MORE. Nakajima goes low with a LOW KICK to Kobashi’s thigh, BUT KOBASHI TRUCKS IT AND KEEPS MOVING FORWARD, LANDING CHOP AFTER CHOP, BACKING NAKAJIMA UP IN THE CORNER. Nakajima fires back some ELBOWS, but they only seem to further heat up Kobashi AS HE PROCEEDS TO LAND 15 MACHINE GUN CHOPS ON NAKAJIMA, ENDING WITH A DISCUS CHOP TO NAKAJIMA’S FACE THAT SPINS HIM BACK AROUND. Kobashi clenches his fists before bellowing out a huge roar, only matched by the sound of the crowd itself. Kobashi picks Nakajima up and places him on the top turnbuckle crotch first. Kobashi gets ahold of Nakajiam’s arms and lifts him up by gripping his triceps. Kobashi walks a few steps to the centre of the ring, still holding Nakajima up in the Crucifix, HE LOOKS TO LAND A CRUCIFIX BOMB, BUT NAKAJIMA STRUGGLES ENOUGH TO FREE OF KOBASHI’S GRIP. He drops right behind Kobashi, and the moment Koabshi turns back around, Nakajima lands to SUPERKICKS that drop Kobashi to his knees.
Nakajima tries to quickly capitalize and land a ROUNDHOUSE KICK, BUT KOBASHI DUCKS UNDER AND SENDS NAAKJIMA SPINNING. HE JUMPS BACK TO HIS FEET AND TRIES TO PICK NAKAJIMA UP WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX, BUT NAKAJIMA SENDS KOBASHI REELING WITH A BACK ELBOW RIGHT ON THE DISMANTLED EYE. Kobashi stumbles back, the eye now temporarily shut, he looks up at a figure walking closer to him. When asked about it years later, Kobashi said, “All I saw was darkness on one side, and a death in the other.” Nakajima closes the distance as he lifts Kobashi in a Muay Thai Clinch, AND JUST KEEPS KNEEING HIM IN THE EYE TILL IS RAGE IS QUENCHED. Finally, after Kobashi goes limp and drops to his knees, Nakajima looks down at him and flips him off. HE PICKS KOBASHI BACK UP FOR THE VERTICAL SPIKE, BUT KOBASHI SLIDES FROM BEHIND. HALF BLIND, KOBASHI SWINGS HIS ARM IN THE AIR BUT NAKAJIMA DUCKS UNDER, ONLY TO BE CAUGHT IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH A WILD LARIAT THAT IMMEDIATELY KNOCKS HIM OUT COLD. Kobashi tries to catch his breath, trying to find Misawa, anyone, but everything looks blurry by this point. He gets back to his feet but immediately feels the grip of Taue around his waist. TAUE TRIES TO PICK KOBASHI UP FOR A BACKDROP DRIVER, BUT MISAWA SAVES KOBASHI WITH A CHOP BLOCK THAT DROPS TAUE. Misawa shouts at Kobashi to just run, bounce off the ropes, and hit the first thing he can find. TRUSTING MISAWA, KOBASHI RUNS THE ROPES WHILE MISAWA LINES UP TAUE FOR A TIGER SUPLEX. KOBASHI BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES AS MISAWA SHOUTS, “NOW!!!”. KOBASHI SWINGS HIS ARM BACK AND SLAMS IT BACK IN FOR A LARIAT ON TAUE, AS MISAWA CHUCKS HIM BACK OVER WITH A TIGER SUPLEX. ONE…TWO…THREE…
Super Generation Army def. Holy Demon Army (41:34)
The crowd lets out a huge roar in support as The Ace lifts the hometown boy back up from the mat. Medical officials rush in to check on Kobashi, but all Kobashi wants to hear is the love and adoration his crowd is showering on him. Misawa and Kobashi are presented with their trophies and the World Tag Team championships, with Misawa saying that the Demons that have run rampant around All Japan have finally been put to rest. Taue walks to the back before hearing Misawa’s closing statements, but the bruised, battered and broken Nakajima heard all. For a moment, he decides to rush back into the ring, but he decides to wait. The demons shall rise again he thought, and next time, they’ll drag SGA back down with them.
Real World Tag League 1994
NamePoints Misawa & Kobashi0 Akiyama & Takao Omori0 Nakajima & Kawada0 Akira Taue & Dr. Death0 Baba & Hansen0 Johnny Ace & Dan Spivey0
Real World Tag League Finals
Holy Demon Army (Katsuhiko Nakajima & Toshiaki Kawada) Vs Super Generation Army (Kenta Kobashi & Mitsuharu Misawa)
In this tournament, Nakajima and Kawada run rampant through the whole tournament, suffering a loss only to Taue and Dr. Death, meanwhile drawing with the fiery youngsters Akiyama and Omori and Kobashi and Misawa. This leads to a rematch between the Holy Demon Army and SGA, with Kawada replacing Taue this time. The complexion of the match is a lot more different this time. Without an insane crowd to distract HGA, Nakajima and Kawada lay out a methodical attack on Misawa and Kobashi. SGA keep fighting back against the onslaught, but some of the bombs Kawada throws in this encounter devastate SGA, with Nakajima ruthlessly following up on these bombs with inhuman precision. In the final moments of the match, Nakajima once again looks down on Kobashi. It seems like no matter what Kobashi does, he can’t shake off this weight standing atop his shoulder. Even though Kobashi showed a lot of fire by surviving a VERTICAL SPIKE, A NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB PUTS THE LIGHTS OUT, WITH NAKAJIMA REGAINING THE WORLD TAG TITLES HE LOST BACK IMMEDIATELY, albeit with a different partner this time.
Holy Demon Army (Katsuhiko Nakajima & Toshiaki Kawada) def. Super Generation Army (Kenta Kobashi & Mitsuharu Misawa) (32:10)
AJPW New Year Giant Series 1994 #8 (12/1/1994)
Holy Demon Army (Toshiaki Kawada, Katsuhiko Nakajima, Akira Taue) and Steve Williams Vs Super Generation Army (Mitsuharu Misawa, Kenta Kobashi, Takao Omori, Jun Akiyama)
With Taue pinning the world champion in the world tag league block match, his recent record-setting tag title reign has earned him a shot at the Triple Crown. In the leadup to that match, Taue can pick up the win here for his team, firing on all cylinders, Taue is able to take Takao out with a BACKDROP DRIVER. After the bout, the big and dangerous aura, HGA and Steve Williams exude over the ring is enough to make the mightiest kneel, but SGA stand tall against them. Misawa makes the proud declaration, that All Japan stands behind them, and HGA will never touch the Triple Crown as long as he stands in the way.
AJPW Excite Series 1994 #1 (19/2/1994)
Super Generation Army (Jun Akiyama & Takao Omori) Vs Holy Demon Army (Katsuhiko Nakajima & Toshiaki Kawada) (c)
World Tag Team Championship
Having forced a draw against the tag champions, Akiyama and Omori lay out the challenge against the HDA. Unluckily for them, this time HDA aren’t already at the top of the leaderboard, cruising to a finals spot. Nakajima and Kawada are fully serious from the minute go, and regardless of how tough of a fight Akiyama and Omori give them, the result of this match was never in question. Once again, Kawada forces Akiyama to tap out to the STRETCH PLUM.
Holy Demon Army (Katsuhiko Nakajima & Toshiaki Kawada) def. Super Generation Army (Jun Akiyama & Takao Omori) (19:01)
AJPW Excite Series 1994 #5 (24/2/1994)
Akira Taue Vs Mitsuharu Misawa (c)
Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship
Taue has had an incredible run this past year and a half and has truly earned this World title shot against the Ace of the Company. We see an extremely mean side of Taue in this match, a similar one that showed up during the Sendai tag, as he tries to bully Misawa in the ring. But in the end, Misawa pulls out THE TIGER DRIVER 91’ to take out Taue yet again, the punishment from the move too unbearable to handle.
MItsuharu Misawa def. Akira Taue (27:17)
AJPW Champion Carnival 1994 (16/4/1994) Block A: Kawada Kobashi Nakajima Akiyama Hansen
Block B: Dr. Death Misawa Taue Omori Johhny Smith
In the tourney, we see Nakajima start the tournament string with a victory over his stablemate Kawada. The match felt like a friendly competition, with minimal animosity after the bout. Akiyama put up a much stronger fight against Nakajima next, but once again succumbed to the pressure Nakajima could exert. After this, Nakajima suffers back-to-back losses to a LARIAT, a loss to Hansen showing he still can't be the Cowboy, and a loss to Kobashi meaning that Kobashi had finally all caught up. In the end, it was Kawada from Block A and Steve Williams from Block B, facing off, with Kawada winning the Chmapion's Carnival, and immediately calling out Misawa for a fight for the Triple Crown.
AJPW Super Power Series #16 (3/6/1994)
Misawa Vs Kawada
Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship
In the most famous match from this period of Japanese wrestling, these two generational rivals put on an epic for the ages. But the man who walked out victorious this time, as KAWADA. DROPPING MISAWA ON HIS HEAD WITH MULTIPLE POWERBOMB, KAWADA FINALLY WON THE WORLD TITLE, AND HE WAS NOW...UNDISPUTED.
AJPW Summer Action Series 1994 #17 (22/7/1994)
Katsuhiko Nakajima & Toshiaki Kawada Vs Akita Taue & ‘Dr. Death’ Steve Williams
With a victory over the tag champions, Steve Williams was able to convince Taue to take on his stablemates for a slice of the gold. But the action of the match takes a backseat to Kawada’s reaction to the love the crowd was showering on Nakajima. Perhaps after all these years, even they’ve begun to realise that there’s a method to the madness. It’s not that Kawada’s jealous, it’s just that he’s seen this before, and he won’t let his pot be snatched away again. After a back-and-forth encounter, Nakajima is able to secure the win with a NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB on Dr.; Death, for a huge ovation from the crowd.
Katsuhiko Nakajima & Toshiaki Kawada def. Akita Taue & ‘Dr. Death’ Steve Williams (26:55)
AJPW Summer Action Series II 1994 (20/8/1994)
Katsuhiko Nakajima Vs Stan Hansen
#1 contender
The man Nakajima has never beaten in a Singles match. Every time Nakajima has secured a victory over Hansen, it’s been with the help of Taue. But now, if he wants a shot at the top prize of his company, he must take on the Unsinkable Battleship. The Last time Nakajima fought for the gold was about a year ago, since then he’s been running the tag division. But Nakajima is capable of more than that. The people know it, but they also know that Stan Hansen has been hungry for gold. As the match goes on, Nakajima’s tactics continue to fail. The sheer punishment he takes at the hands of Stan Hansen makes people wanna look away, but Nakajima sticks with the game plan. At first glance, it seems like Nakajima’s plans are failing. But him tiring out Hansen, constantly attacking the legs, and having the toughness to stick on for a long time helps in the finishing stretch of the match. Just like last time, Hansen tries to end it all with the WESTERN LARIAT, BUT NAKAJIMA BLOCKS IT WITH A DROPKICK TO THE ARM. Hansen tries to swing his other arm at Nakajima, but he ducks under and LOW KICKS Hansen, taking him apart limb by limb. Hansen tries to rush up at Nakajima, ONLY TO EAT A BRUTAL KNEE TO THE FACE AND SHELL SHOCKS HIM. NAKAJIMA ROARS TO THE CROWD WHO ROAR BACK TO HIM, AS HE LIFTS HANSEN ON HIS SHOULDERS AND DRIVES HIS SKULL INTO THE MAT WITH A DIAMOND BOMB. ONE…TWO…THREE…
Katsuhiko Nakajima def. Stan Hansen (26:33)
Having finally conquered the monument of a man, there was only one final obstacle in his path. His sworn brother, Kawada.
AJPW Giant Series #17 (22/10/1994)
Toshiaki Kawada (c) Vs Katsuhiko Nakajima
Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship
Brother Vs Brother. Demon Vs Demon. Champion Vs Champion. These two men have defined puro in their own ways, in the past 2 years. Nakajima, running the tag division, was supposed to be the saviour of Tsuruta-gun, which led to its demise. Having failed to capture the Triple Crown once before, many of his critics have dismissed him as an exceptional tag wrestler, but a failure of a singles star. Kawada on the other hand, having just regained his World title, finds himself in a similar spot as his last World title reign. One defence in, if loses it to another stablemate, Kawada will always be referred to as the Sidekick. Forever the bridesmaid, never the Ace. Both men have a lot riding on this match, and they fight like it. Whatever gameplan they had, they chucked out the window when Kawada slapped Nakajima right in his face in frustration over his sharp kicks. Nakajima returns fire with a SLAP that completely rocks Kawada. The two start throwing bombs from the minute go, setting the pace of this match to frantic.
In the final minutes of the match, Kawada frantically tries to POWERBOMB Nakajima, but Nakajima refuses to go up. Kawada pulls Nakajima out AND STARTS LAYING IN KAWADA KICKS, BUT KAWADA JUST UPS AND SHOUTS RIGHT IN KAWADA’S FACE. KAWADA BRINGS HIS HEAD DOWN AND LANDS MORE KAWADA KICKS, BUT NAKAJIMA GETS BACK UP, GRABS KAWADA’S HEAD IN A MUAY THAI CLINCH AND STARTS LAYING IN THE KNEES. KAWADA IS STAGGERED, BUT HE PUSHES RIGHT BACK WITH MORE KAWADA KICKS. ANOTHER ROUND OF KNEES FROM NAKAJIMA BUST KAWADA OPEN. AS BLOOD OOZES DOWN HIS FACE, HIS EYES START FADING. KAWADA TRIES TO GRAB NAKAJIMA’S HEAD TO BRING IT DOWN FOR THE KICKS, BUT HIS ARM’S LOST IT’S STRENGTH. NAKAJIMA HEADBUTTS KAWADA RIGHT IN THE BUSTED HEAD, BEFORE LIFTING HIM ON HIS SHOULDERS AND DRIVING HIS SKULL RIGHT INTO THE MAT WITH A DIAMOND BOMB. ONE…TWO…THREE…
Katsuhiko Nakajima def. Toshiaki Kawada (30:01)
He’s finally done it. Walking into this company as a Demon, perhaps he has found a place in heaven. But still, the heaven that Nakajima carved is filled with blood and broken bones. But to him, that’s home. Instead of celebrating, Nakajima helps Kawada back up, and instead of pushing him away, Kawada embraces Nakajima. He nods towards Nakajima, before raising his hand in victory. The Holy Demon Army stands tall, even if the Devil has a new face.

We pick up in the wake of the formation of the Holy Demon Army at the end of Spring 1993, sending us into the heat of summer - where Katsuhiko Nakajima’s stablemate Toshiaki Kawada will seek to dethrone the unstoppable Triple Crown Champion Mitsuharu Misawa. With Nakajima now on the same page as all his allies, and acting much more aggressively to boot, the Holy Demon Army stands as the biggest threat to Misawa’s Super Generation Army to date, making for an absolutely electric battle for dominion over All Japan.
The battle officially begins on the first show of the Summer Action Series, where the first ever elimination match in AJPW history will take place, pitting Nakajima, Taue and Kawada against Misawa, Kobashi and the newest Super Generation Army member, Jun Akiyama. With all six men being nigh unbeatable, at least three of them will have to fall short at Korakuen Hall, and nobody can wait to see this one unfold.
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Summer Action Series 1993, Night 1 - Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Elimination: Holy Demon Army (Katsuhiko Nakajima, Akira Taue and Toshiaki Kawada) vs. Super Generation Army (Jun Akiyama, Kenta Kobashi and Mitsuharu Misawa)
The energy is unparalleled in Korakuen Hall, with Toshiaki Kawada and Mitsuharu Misawa on a collision course and the Holy Demon Army striving to cement their status - but picking up a win here means pinning or submitting not only AJPW’s top rookie in Akiyama, not only its hottest rising babyface in Kobashi, not only the untouchable forever champion Mitsuharu Misawa… but all three. Kobashi and Kawada kick things off, Kawada taking the fight to Kobashi and highlighting his newfound brutality with a wild flurry of kicks, followed by a BOOT OFF THE APRON TO MISAWA! Korakuen explodes as Misawa rushes in, but Taue grabs him by the throat, only for Akiyama to blast Taue with a forearm before hoisting him up with an EXPLODER SUPLEX! It’s the first time anyone’s seen that, and Taue sells it like death, dropping to the floor as Akiyama roars out before EATING A SUPERKICK FROM NAKAJIMA! Nakajima stares down Misawa, giving Kawada the opening to take him down, but Kobashi gets back on Kawada before tagging in the Triple Crown Champion. Here we go.
Misawa and Kawada circle each other, Kawada lunging in with a gamengiri that Misawa blocks with a forearm, but that’s just fine by Dangerous K, who immediately targets the arm with some vicious offense. He tags in Nakajima, Nakajima working the arm over with more kicks before locking in a Fujiwara Armbar, forcing Misawa to the ropes. He tags in Taue before charging at Misawa, Misawa low bridging Nakajima over as Taue goes on the attack, bearing down on the champion with relentless force. He goes for a powerbomb, Misawa barely fighting free and diving for the tag to Kobashi, but Taue holds him steady before eating a ROLLING ELBOW! Misawa tags in Kobashi, who levels Taue with a Burning Lariat, going for the MOONSAULT PRESS AS MISAWA TAGS BACK IN… TAUE ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY, AND NAKAJIMA BLINDSIDES KOBASHI WITH A MAWASHI-GERI BEFORE AKIYAMA SENDS HIM PACKING! Kawada runs in, Misawa dropping him with an elbow as well before hooking Taue’s arms… TIGER DRIVER! ONE! TWO! THREE!
Akira Taue is eliminated
Nakajima rushes straight in before Kawada can make himself legal and trip himself up on emotion alone, catching Misawa off guard with a palm strike to the ear and a STRAITJACKET GERMAN! ONE! TWO! THR-KICKOUT! He goes right back to work on the arm, focusing his kicks towards the head and forcing Misawa to keep blocking. Once Misawa gets in the rhythm of ducking, Nakajima goes straight to the leg, depriving him of mobility and forcing him to rely on blocks. The crowd is awestruck, Nakajima methodically and maliciously picking apart the company’s ace, but soon enough, he learns the same lesson as everyone else… Misawa’s elbow is god. Misawa nails a rolling elbow to drop Nakajima like a sack of potatoes, but as he goes to tag Kobashi, KAWADA PULLS HIM OFF THE APRON! Kawada lunges at Akiyama, but Misawa NAILS AN ELBOW SUICIDA, ROLLING BACK IN TO TAG AKIYAMA! Misawa makes a beeline for Kawada on the floor, both men brawling around ringside as Akiyama squares up with the man that he once called a friend, but who eventually capitalized on his absence in the Champion Carnival, stole his shine, became the heralded rookie in his stead.
Nakajima smirks, and BOTH MEN START SWINGING! Akiyama is clearly levels below his former tag partner Nakajima, but he gives Nakajima a ton of trouble, assaulting the neck with a barrage of suplexes and stiff forearms to keep him on the ropes before GOING FOR THE EXPLODER AGAIN, BUT NAKAJIMA FIGHTS FREE FOR A PALM STRIKE AND A MAWASHI-GERI! ONE! TWO! THRE-NOOO! He goes for the Brutality Kick, Akiyama evading it and going for a BACKDROP SUPLEX, BUT NAKAJIMA FLIPS OVER TO LAND ON HIS FEET, BRAINING AKIYAMA WITH ANOTHER PALM STRIKE… BUT AKIYAMA FIRES BACK WITH A FOREARM TO DROP NAKAJIMA TO HIS KNEES! He delivers a knee lift to Nakajima’s face, letting out a battle cry before hoisting him up for another Exploder attempt, Nakajima reversing desperately into a cradle… ONE! TWO! THRE-NOOO! AKIYAMA SPRINGS UP, THROWING A FRANTIC LARIAT, BUT NAKAJIMA INTERCEPTS FOR A VERTICAL SPIKE! ONE! TWO! THREE!
Jun Akiyama is eliminated
Exhausted, Nakajima collapses, Kawada not in the corner to receive him, and he’s immediately met with the onslaught of physicality that is Kenta Kobashi, who FLIES OFF THE ROPES WITH AN ELBOW FOR TWO! Nakajima is entirely depleted after his showdown with Akiyama, desperately firing back with the odd stiff and brutal kick to the head or body, but Kobashi’s a brick shithouse, absorbing the blows before backing him up into the corner for a series of chops. With the air driven out of him, Nakajima can hardly fight back against the devastating backdrop suplex Kobashi hits him with, followed by a BURNING LARIAT! ONE! TWO! THRE-KAWADA MAKES THE SAVE! Kawada nails a high boot on Kobashi, calling for Nakajima to make the tag, and Nakajima slowly crawls towards the ropes before his boot is grabbed by a defiant Kobashi. Kobashi pulls him back, Nakajima kicking his way free before DIVING FOR THE HOT TAG, BUT MISAWA TURNS THE TIDES BY GIVING KAWADA A TASTE OF HIS OWN MEDICINE, HEAVING HIM OFF THE APRON AS NAKAJIMA TAGS THIN AIR! Nakajima pivots, accepting his fate and going out swinging with a HUGE KICK TO THE BODY, BUT KOBASHI FIGHTS THROUGH THE PAIN TO FLOOR HIM WITH A SPINNING BACKHAND! NOW A DROPKICK TAKES NAKAJIMA DOWN COMPLETELY, AND KOBASHI FINISHES IT OFF WITH A VERTICAL BRAINBUSTER! ONE! TWO! THREE!
Katsuhiko Nakajima is eliminated
Stuck in a two on one against the company’s two top faces, it’s pretty elementary for Kawada, who gives it all he’s got and manages to further injure Misawa’s arm ahead of their Triple Crown showdown, but he’s eventually shut down by a tag team flurry and a Tiger Driver that grants a hard-fought win to the Super Generation Army.
Super Generation Army def. Holy Demon Army (42:13)
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Summer Action Series 1993
The rest of the tour sees more tag team action for the Holy Demon Army, Kawada and Taue getting their reps in as Nakajima goes back to work teaming with Fuchi. However, Nakajima also gets some singles shine, insisting he wants to climb the ranks and earn a shot at the Triple Crown - but also saying he stands by Kawada’s pursuit no matter what. He goes undefeated in singles across the entire tour, established as a true breakout star, and the Holy Demon Army fares remarkably well in tag action, setting the stage for Night 22, the final event on the tour, where Mitsuharu Misawa defends the Triple Crown against his onetime best friend, Toshiaki Kawada. Nakajima corners Kawada at the Budokan for the biggest match of his life, but in the end, Misawa has to dig deep into his bag of tricks. Kawada kicks out of everything he can throw, until… TIGER DRIVER ‘91! ONE! TWO! THREE!. Kawada failed, and is left to lick his wounds as Misawa, aided by Jun Akiyama, raises the gold and poses with the trophy. Barely able to stand, Kawada’s helped to his feet by the Genius of the Kick, who stares at the champion with looks of pure contempt.
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Giant Series 1993
It’s time for the final non-tournament tour of 1993, and Nakajima’s singles prowess only grows, notching increasingly major wins over the likes of Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, Johnny Ace and even a huge victory over Ted DiBiase. He works alongside the Holy Demon Army in a series of tags as well, the team building momentum out of Kawada’s unfortunate loss to Misawa by regaining the AJPW Tag Team Titles for Kawada and Taue, while also recruiting a new member in rookie Yoshinari Ogawa. The end of the tour sees the announcement of the 1994 Asunaro Cup, a round robin tournament designed for All Japan’s newest and youngest stars to compete with one another. Jun Akiyama is slotted as the favourite to win, especially as Nakajima is too experienced to be included in the field, but he declares that he debuted in All Japan on the same day as Akiyama, and should be afforded the same opportunity at the trophy. He says with the Junior Heavyweight Title and Tag Team Titles already belonging to the Holy Demon Army, his only hope is the Triple Crown or the Asunaro Cup… but regardless, it’s high time he notch an accolade.
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Real World Tag League 1993
Nakajima spends his Real World Tag League teaming with Masanobu Fuchi as the Holy Demon Army’s secondary team, the defending champions Kawada and Taue running roughshod over their foes as the tournament kicks off. Nakajima and Fuchi also fare remarkably well, Fuchi’s veteran instincts and submission prowess pairing perfectly with Nakajima’s striking and burgeoning mercilessness. They start off with a loss to Misawa and Kobashi, but otherwise dominate, racking up win after win as they hurtle towards the final night. In an intra-faction battle, Taue pins Fuchi to set Nakajima and Fuchi back, but Nakajima rebounds with a huge win over Stan Hansen’s team with Giant Baba. On the final night, Nakajima and Fuchi are sitting in third place, but a win could just rocket them into the lead. However, their last opponents are the Super Generation Army’s Akiyama and Kikuchi, and, in the end, Akiyama does the unimaginable and pins Nakajima with an exploder suplex, Nakajima apoplectic with rage as Misawa and Kobashi end up winning the tournament and the AJPW Tag Team Titles. Misawa’s unstoppable, and now a double champion, and Nakajima knows he needs a decisive win if he’s to have a hope of stepping to the Emerald Ace in Kawada’s stead. It’s made official - he’ll have his chance at revenge against Akiyama in the Asunaro Cup.
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New Year Giant Series 1994
The Asunaro Cup sees Nakajima fucking dominate. The first tour of 1993 is simple - Akiyama and Nakajima always win. They both beat everybody else. They both go undefeated, save for one draw… against each other, battling to the time limit on the opening night. However, when all is said and done, they’re the two top scorers, and they have to meet in the Final on the last day of the tour to determine who takes home the trophy. It’ll be Nakajima vs. Akiyama once again, with Akiyama looking to take down his onetime friend and Nakajima looking to progress into the main event scene for good by putting down Misawa and Kobashi’s trainee, while also joining Toshiaki Kawada as one of two men to win the Asunaro Cup, keeping the accolade exclusive to the Holy Demon Army.
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New Year Giant Series 1994, Night 20 - Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Asunaro Cup Final: Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Jun Akiyama
It all comes down to this - in the same place they both debuted for All Japan on the same night a year and a half prior, Jun Akiyama and Katsuhiko Nakajima square up in the battle heralded as the future of the Holy Demon Army and the future of the Super Generation Army colliding. The crowd is at capacity, and they’re deafening as Nakajima enters, his hair having grown into an unkempt copper coloured mane in the time since he teamed with Akiyama. Akiyama’s out next, and as he steps through the ropes, NAKAJIMA LAYS HIM OUT WITH A BOOT! HE’S NOT WAITING! Akiyama tumbles to the floor, Nakajima in rapid pursuit with another high kick and a thunderous shoot kick to the chest, whipping Akiyama into the barrier for a series of forearms and a MAWASHI-GERI! He takes in the crowd’s jeering with a smirk, gesturing that he’s got his eyes on the camera as well as the Asunaro Trophy before laying into Akiyama with a PALM STRIKE, FLUSH ON THE EAR! Jun is rocked, stumbling through the barrier gap and into the rows of seating as Nakajima follows him out, battering him with forearms before Akiyama roars in his face and NAILS A SUPLEX INTO THE FRONT ROW OF CHAIRS!
Returning the action to the ring, it’s a war of attrition between both men, Nakajima looking to simply beat Akiyama into submission, but the Supernova refusing to give in to the punishment while still dishing out his own, laying Nakajima out with a high knee lift before paying homage to his mentor Kobashi with a flurry of chops in the corner. He calls for a powerbomb, Nakajima reversing with a back body drop before dishing out a SPINNING HEEL KICK, DROPPING AKIYAMA TO HIS BACK! He wraps up Akiyama’s arms, following it with a BRIDGING STRAITJACKET SUPLEX! ONE! TWO! THR-NOOO! With a smirk, knowing he’s in the lead, he hits Kenta Kobashi’s signature taunt, drawing a sea of boos from the crowd as he clambers to the top rope to go for a MOONSAULT PRESS, BUT AKIYAMA MEETS HIM UP TOP! Everyone is anxiously holding their breath as Akiyama clobbers the back of Nakajima’s head, Nakajima turning around as AKIYAMA CALLS FOR AN EXPLODER SUPLEX! NO! NO! Nakajima desperately kicks out his leg, following it with an ELBOW TO THE HEAD, FORCING AKIYAMA DOWN TO THE MAT! Akiyama scrambles back up to his feet… MISSILE DROPKICK FROM NAKAJIMA SNIPES HIM RIGHT ON THE JAW! ONE! TWO! THRE-NOOO!
The Genius of the Kick is completely in the driver’s seat, and now he’s relishing in dishing out punishment to Akiyama, talking smack as he lays in devastating kicks to the body. The Supernova is coughing and wheezing, clutching his ribs as Nakajima rushes at him with a BRUTALITY KICK, BUT AKIYAMA HAS THE WHEREWITHAL TO ROLL UNDER THE ROPES! Nakajima follows with a few needlessly petty stomps to the body on the apron, the referee insisting he back up before Akiyama reenters the ring, only to be tossed into the turnbuckles for a BIG BOOT IN THE CORNER, FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER SERIES OF FOREARMS TO SIT AKIYAMA DOWN! He digs his boots into Akiyama’s face, lying across the ropes for SHOWTIME! Making direct eye contact with the camera as Akiyama squirms, Nakajima talks some more shit, finally dropping down at a four count before going for a VERTICAL SPIKE, BUT AKIYAMA COUNTERS INTO A NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! HE GOT HIM! KORAKUEN HALL LEAPS UP AS THE REFEREE MAKES THE COUNT… ONE! TWO! THRE-KICKOUT! Akiyama can’t believe it, but he has to earn this comeback, knowing he’s still taken more cumulative damage than Nakajima. He wraps him up for an Exploder Suplex, letting out a battle cry as he HOISTS HIM UP, BUT NAKAJIMA CRACKS HIM SQUARE ON THE NOSE WITH A HEADBUTT! Dazed and confused, Akiyama staggers momentarily, giving Nakajima room for A SUPERKICK UNDER THE JAW, AND NOW A BOOT TO THE FACE! AKIYAMA’S ON THE ROPES… MAWASHI-GERI LANDS! ONE! TWO! THREE!
Katsuhiko Nakajima def. Jun Akiyama (18:09) to win the 1994 Asunaro Cup
There’s a sickening smile on Nakajima’s face as he crouches next to the Asunaro Trophy, Kawada coming down to the ring to congratulate him on his victory. Kenta Kobashi and Mitsuharu Misawa usher a dejected Akiyama out of the ring as Nakajima celebrates, both he and Kawada eyeing up the Triple Crown Champion. Nakajima’s done with the bush leagues - he’s ready to move up.
​
Excite Series 1994, Night 1 - Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Holy Demon Army (Katsuhiko Nakajima and Toshiaki Kawada) vs. Super Generation Army (Jun Akiyama and Mitsuharu Misawa)
The 1994 Excite Series kicks off with a huge main event, Akiyama and Misawa teaming up against Nakajima and Kawada in a straightforward tag match. Kawada and Misawa spend much of the bout brawling, seemingly out of obligation as Kawada tries to prove himself worthy. Akiyama looks to avenge his Asunaro loss against Nakajima while Nakajima turns his focus towards the Triple Crown Champion, leading to a heated showdown between them, everyone frantically tagging in and out to try and secure the upper hand in the match. Kawada and Nakajima finally show some real chemistry, managing to piece Misawa up and make him look mortal for a few minutes, but Misawa breaks through the armour with a rolling elbow and a tag to Akiyama. Akiyama runs wild, rebounding from the Asunaro Cup Final with a flurry of shots to both Nakajima and Kawada before ejecting Kawada from the ring with an EXPLODER SUPLEX! He scrambles to get to his feet, but NAKAJIMA PUNTS HIM SQUARE IN THE FACE WITH A BRUTALITY KICK! Blood gushes from Akiyama’s nose like a faucet as Nakajima follows it with a VERTICAL SPIKE! ONE! TWO! THREE!
Holy Demon Army def. Super Generation Army (20:44)
It may not have been the pinfall over Misawa either of the Holy Demon Army tandem were hoping for, but it’ll most certainly do. However, Nakajima has an idea on how to send a message to Misawa, staking his claim to the gold by pie-facing Akiyama and using his blood as gel to slick back his own mane of hair. With a chuckle and a half-smile, he eyes up the Triple Crown Champion, letting Akiyama roll out of the ring while Kawada stands his ground beside the Genius of the Kick, proud of the win but clearly upset that he once again failed to break the curse by pinning Misawa for the first time.
​
Excite Series 1994
The rest of the tour continues as a series of multiman tags, but it’s made official that at the end of the tour, Asunaro Cup Winner Katsuhiko Nakajima will face off with Triple Crown Champion Mitsuharu Misawa in singles competition for the third time, this time for All Japan’s top prize. Misawa’s beaten Nakajima to end his Trial Series on a loss, he’s beaten Nakajima to end his first Champion Carnival run, but this time, Nakajima intends to get revenge by ending the most legendary title reign in All Japan’s history. He seems to be a new man and deeply daunting challenger, and while there’s tensions with Kawada as a result of Dangerous K’s desire to dethrone Misawa, he’s still got the Holy Demon Army on his side. The unit is dominant on the road to the Budokan, racking up multiman wins over the gaijin units and the Super Generation Army, but Misawa still remains an insurmountable obstacle for them. They can go around him by pinning his partners, but nobody can go through him - so it’s up to Nakajima to see if he can be the first.
​
Excite Series 1994, Night 12 - Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
Triple Crown Title: Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (c)
The Genius of the Kick has a pretty good track record at the Budokan, but this is a whole different ball game. Misawa is shown pacing backstage with his three championships, the crowd erupting as he appears before greeting Nakajima with a much more mixed response, the challenger displayed stretching out his legs with his jacket’s hood swung over his eyes. He’s out first, the capacity crowd clamouring around him as he makes his way to the ring at a light jog, a confident smirk on his face as he pulls the hood back on his new entrance attire. He has new ring gear, too, with red stripes running down the sides of his trunks. Looking ready for battle, the only question is if he’ll be able to pull off the shock of the century with a win over the Ace, who blows the roof off the Budokan as he comes into view. Rushing down to the ring, he hands over the titles, the pageantry going through and the streamers flooding the ring before Nakajima’s first Triple Crown Title bout begins. MISAWA! NAKAJIMA! THE TRIPLE CROWN! HERE WE GO! The opening lockup is a tense one, Nakajima knowing Misawa was able to get control on the mat in short bursts in their first meeting, so he simply backs Misawa into the ropes, permitting a clean break by lightly clapping Misawa on the side of the face, drawing an “ooooh…” from the audience. They lock up once again, Nakajima sending Misawa into the ropes but being shoulder checked to the canvas, Misawa’s size advantage paying dividends. Nakajima’s quick to get up, perfectly executing an arm drag to take Misawa down, only for the champion to reverse with a headscissors, both men scrambling up for Nakajima to nail another arm drag, followed by another headscissors counter as BOTH MEN SPRING TO THEIR FEET AT A STALEMATE!
Misawa looks for another lockup, feeling confident he can outgrapple his foe, but Nakajima’s learned from his mistakes last time, realizing he can’t beat Misawa at his own game. He tentatively approaches for the lockup before promptly throwing a kick to the leg, the champion’s knee buckling momentarily for Nakajima to get an opening for a MAWASHI-GERI! ONE! TWO! THR-NOOO! Misawa rolls straight out to the floor to clear his head, the crowd buzzing as Nakajima follows him out to the apron, winding up for a PENALTY KICK TO THE CHEST, BUT MISAWA REVERSES WITH A DRAGON SCREW OFF THE APRON TO THE FLOOR, NAKAJIMA CRASHING AND BURNING TO THE OUTSIDE! Misawa staggers over to Nakajima to go for a rolling elbow, Nakajima ducking to avoid catastrophe and slipping behind to attempt a straitjacket german, Misawa rolling forward to buck him off before HOOKING BOTH ARMS FOR A TIGER SUPLEX, THE CROWD ERUPTING BEFORE NAKAJIMA LANDS AN INSIDE STOMP TO THE KNEE TO GET OUT OF THE HOLD! Both champion and challenger have taken heavy damage early, but Nakajima doesn’t seem to be out of his depth, connecting with focused, precise kicks to the knee and body, each blow sounding like a gunshot. He rolls Misawa back in, scaling the ropes for a MISSILE DROPKICK! ONE! TWO! THR-KICKOUT BY MISAWA, BUT NAKAJIMA’S FOUND HIMSELF IN CONTROL!
Continuing to work on the leg, Nakajima sinks in a single-leg crab, soaking in the heated response as Misawa manages to contort his way out, prying Nakajima’s leg up off the canvas before rolling under and BLASTING HIM WITH AN ELBOW ON THE JAW! The challenger stumbles into the ropes, cobwebs filling his head as Misawa goes on the offensive with a ROLLING ELBOW TO TAKE NAKAJIMA DOWN! ONE! TWO! TH-NOOO! Knowing his leg has limited mileage, Misawa tries to get all his power moves in early, leaning over and deadlifting Nakajima into a BACKDROP SUPLEX FOR TWO! Now it’s Nakajima’s turn to roll to the outside, Misawa winding himself up in the ring before RUNNING THE ROPES FOR AN ELBOW SUICIDA, BUT NAKAJIMA KNOWS HIS PLAYBOOK, INTERCEPTING HIM WITH A HUGE ROUNDHOUSE KICK! Nakajima drops to a knee clutching his shin, but Misawa clearly took the brunt of the impact, slumping through the ropes and tumbling to the floor in a crumpled heap. Nakajima grins, winking at the camera before hoisting the champion up, the entire Budokan gasping in shock as he delivers a VERTICAL SPIKE STRAIGHT ONTO THE FLOOR! NOBODY’S EVER KICKED OUT OF THE VERTICAL SPIKE, AND HE JUST NAILED ONE ON THE OUTSIDE! He sends Misawa between the ropes once more, hooking a leg and planting his palm squarely on the champion’s chest, a look of pure confidence on his face as the referee counts… ONE! TWO! THRE-MISAWA KICKS OUT!
It’s clear that we’re still too early in the match for Misawa to have accumulated enough damage to go down, but he’s quick to evacuate the ring, Nakajima left to seethe in the middle of the squared circle as Misawa makes the most of every second of recovery time. The referee’s count crosses ten, Nakajima content with a countout victory, knowing All Japan’s rules dictate a twenty-count countout can still force the title to change hands. At fourteen, Misawa begins to stir, and at fifteen, he tries and fails to get to his feet. Sixteen sees him drag himself up on the guardrail, the fans willing him on as he struggles to remain vertical. Seventeen has the crowd screaming, wanting to see Misawa’s fight continue, and then at eighteen, he makes a final burst to GET BACK IN THE RING AND BREAK THE COUNT! Nakajima goes straight for a BRUTALITY KICK, BUT MISAWA AVOIDS IT, SLIPPING BEHIND FOR A TIGER SUPLEX! HE GOT ALL OF IT! ONE! TWO! THRE-NOOO! Misawa’s taken far more damage than Nakajima, but he’s back in control, Nakajima barely able to get to his feet as Misawa looms over him, limping towards his challenger before rooting his bad foot and pivoting on it for a ROLLING ELBOW! ONE! TWO! THRE-ANOTHER KICKOUT!
Nakajima is propping himself up on the bottom rope, fighting back to his feet as Misawa lines him up for another rolling elbow, Nakajima only able to sidestep and HOTSHOT MISAWA INTO THE TOP ROPE, JUST AS MISAWA DID TO TSURUTA SO MANY TIMES! Misawa’s stunned by the quick impact to the throat, and Nakajima manages to capitalize with a low dropkick, taking the champion to a knee before going for a SPINNING HEEL KICK, BUT MISAWA DUCKS, HOOKING THE ARMS FOR ANOTHER TIGER SUPLEX ATTEMPT… NAKAJIMA LACES HIS FEET IN THE ROPES, HOLDING HIMSELF IN PLACE UNTIL THE REF FORCES A BREAK! Misawa releases, raring to go as Nakajima turns around, the Genius of the Kick connecting with a BIG BOOT AS MISAWA RUSHES HIM! HE BAITED HIM IN AGAIN! He goes for a second Vertical Spike attempt, Misawa countering with a drive into the corner, followed by a FLURRY OF ELBOWS TO THE JAW, ALL CATCHING NAKAJIMA SQUARE! ROLLING ELBOW CONNECTS AGAIN! He hooks the leg… ONE! TWO! THR-KICKOUT! Astonished, Misawa covers again, this time for another two count before hooking both of Nakajima’s arms… HE’S GOING FOR A TIGER DRIVER! NAKAJIMA’S WEAKNESS IS ON FULL DISPLAY! IF HE’S HIT WITH THIS, IT’S OVER… HE GETS HIS HEAD FREE, REVERSING INTO AKIYAMA’S NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! ONE! TWO! MISAWA POWERS OUT! Nakajima swivels around to try and get a shot off on the champion, but Misawa drops his head, uncorking a SPINNING HEEL KICK OF HIS OWN THAT NAKAJIMA NARROWLY AVOIDS, SNAGGING MISAWA FOR A STRAITJACKET GERMAN! ONE! TWO! THRE-MISAWA GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
“Fuck it we ball” mode has engaged for Nakajima, who came in with a brilliant strategy and now gets to reap the rewards by leading a fairly one-sided bout against the best in the world. However, he wasn’t expecting Misawa to keep kicking out, so he leaps right into a flurry of offense, throwing caution to the wind in the hopes that he can knock Misawa out before Misawa can manage to find a Tiger Driver sized opening. He lights him up with a series of kicks, suplexes him right on his head, but nothing’s enough, forcing him to once again call for the Brutality Kick. He makes his way to the corner, Misawa lying prone as he CHARGES IN, BUT MISAWA ROLLS ASIDE, SWEEPING OUT HIS LEG BEFORE NAILING A BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! He follows it with an axe kick to the back of the head, a spiteful look on his face reminiscent of Jumbo Tsuruta’s as the crowd get to their feet - they’re about to watch the true Ace come out, Mitsuharu Misawa having been pushed up against the wall until he had enough. He’s about to show Nakajima there are levels to this game, and he delivers a TIGER SUPLEX ‘85! ONE! TWO! THRE-NAKAJIMA KICKS OUT! Incredulous, Misawa hauls him up by the arms, hooking them as he drags him into position for a Tiger Driver. He knows that Nakajima can’t kick out of a powerbomb variant, nevermind one as powerful as the Tiger Driver, but Nakajima refuses to say die, stomping on the foot to try and earn a reprieve before grapevining Misawa’s leg with his own, trying to force him to the mat… MISAWA WITH AN ELBOW STRIKE TO THE BASE OF THE SKULL, AND NOW A TIGER DRIVER! ONE! TWO! THRE-NAKAJIMA IS STILL IN IT, AND THE NIPPON BUDOKAN HAS EXPLODED!
Letting out a roar of frustration that’s lost in the deafening cheers of the crowd, Misawa lifts Nakajima up by the trapped arms once again. If one didn’t do it, two will, but Nakajima lets himself go limp, Misawa unable to stabilize him on one good leg. Dropping the barely conscious Genius of the Kick back to the canvas, Misawa pounds some feeling back into his leg with a few punches, firing himself up before trying again, but NAKAJIMA LAUNCHES HIMSELF SKYWARDS WITH A HEADBUTT TO THE BRIDGE OF THE NOSE! Agony sears across Misawa’s face, just as it did for Akiyama, and Nakajima immediately hooks his head for a VERTICAL SPIKE, BUT MISAWA FLOATS OVER, LANDING ON HIS BAD LEG! NAKAJIMA KICKS THE KNEE, AND NOW THROWS A MAWASHI-GERI… MISAWA GRABS THE LEG, TRAPPING NAKAJIMA FOR AN EXPLODER SUPLEX! THE LEGACY OF AKIYAMA HAUNTS HIM FROM AFAR, MISAWA SCRAMBLING INTO POSITION TO DELIVER A SECOND TIGER DRIVER! ONE! TWO! THREE!
Mitsuharu Misawa def. Katsuhiko Nakajima (27:27) to retain the Triple Crown Title
Heartbroken after coming so tantalizingly close, Nakajima can only struggle to his feet and watch as Misawa celebrates with Kobashi and Akiyama. Kawada is there to comfort him, nobody on Earth knowing Nakajima’s pain better than Dangerous K, but something has clearly switched in Nakajima’s brain. He came within milliseconds. He’s gotten better every time, but that time… if he’d only done a few tiny things differently, he’d be champion, and he knows it. He knows he has what it takes to be Triple Crown Champion, as does the Budokan… and as does Misawa, who extends a hand to the vanquished challenger. Kawada looks at the champion with gritted teeth, telling Nakajima he can do as he chooses. Nakajima looks Misawa in the eyes and snubs him, taking the loss hard and rolling out of the ring, clutching an ice pack to his neck. Both he and Kawada, on behalf of the Holy Demon Army, were so close… yet so far.
​
Champion Carnival 1994
With the Excite Series wrapped up and Nakajima’s bid for the Triple Crown having come and gone without success, his next best bet is to rebound in the Champion Carnival. His Budokan main event served as his coming out party, and now he’s seen as one of the favourites to take the tournament home, alongside stablemates Kawada and Taue, rivals Misawa and Kobashi, and old foes turned top gaijins, Stan Hansen and Dr. Death Steve Williams. His matches with any midcarders are fairly elementary, picking up wins over Doug Furnas, The Eagle, John Nord, Johnny Ace and a hard-fought victory in the next chapter of his rivalry with Jun Akiyama. He even earns a forfeit victory over Mitsuharu Misawa, who sustains an injury early in the tournament, opening up the field for everyone else to take home the trophy. He fights Toshiaki Kawada to a violent thirty minute time limit draw, impressing the crowd by going the distance while also impressing Dangerous K himself, both men shaking hands after the bell to show there’s no ill will in their competitive pursuit of All Japan’s top prize. He defeats Akira Taue in a massive intra-stable collision, and even manages to defeat Kenta Kobashi, making him the sole competitor in the tournament to notch a clean sweep over the Super Generation Army in the tournament, albeit on a technicality against Misawa. However, his luck runs out against Dr. Death, who lays him out with a powerbomb for the win, and then finally against Stan Hansen, who delivers two unfathomably stiff lariats to take the Genius of the Kick down and eliminate him on the final night of the tournament with an astonishing 17 points, just two shy of the eventual victor, Toshiaki Kawada.
Following Kawada’s victory, Nakajima is naturally disappointed he didn’t get the win himself, but he still comes off as completely sincere as he congratulates his stablemate, Kawada’s stoic demeanour slipping for a moment as he raises his arms and fights back the tears on the shoulders of both Nakajima and Taue. He shakes Williams’ hand to an ovation, the crowd lauding his efforts as he stands alongside the trophy, saying that he’s ready to take the championship from Mitsuharu Misawa and finally pin him for the first time… and he’ll meet him on a date all puro fans know - June 3rd, 1994. Nakajima stands alongside Kawada, patting him on the back as the revelry continues, nobody in the world ready for what’s to come.

Venue: Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia, PA)
Attendance: 18,436 - SOLD OUT!

Winner	Loser	Match Finish	Stipulation
Ilja Dragunov	Shinsuke Nakamura	T orpedo Moscow
The Awesome Truth and John Cena	Finn Balor, Dominik, and JD McDonough	Triple AA's
Roxanne Perez	Indi Hartwell w/ Candice LeRae	Pop Rox
Chad Gable and Sami Zayn	Iperium	Chaos Theory
Jade Cargill	Chelsea Green	Jaded
Jey Uso	Drew McIntyre, Ricochet, and Bronson Reed	Uso Splash after CM Punk prevents Drew from hitting the Claymore	#1 Contender's Match for the World Heavyweight Championship

IMPORTANT NOTES

• (Just a side note before this recap, I just got home from Philly about 2 hours ago. This weekend will be something I never forget and I still am feeling a buzz knowing I witnessed something special. My voice is still shot from basically shouting for 20 minutes non stop from the end of the main event until the ring was cleared but I couldn't be happier.)
  
• Kick-off with Triple H coming down to the ring to a massive ovation! After getting a Thank you Hunter chant he says he came out to thank the fans because 24 hours ago they made something really special happen and says last night was the greatest Wrestlemania ever and he simply wanted to say thank you. On Saturday he had the privilege of welcoming everyone to Wrestlemania and tonight he gets to welcome everyone to Raw. He says this is a new time and a new era and welcomes out the man who will lead us into this new era, the New Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes! Cody makes his way to the ring and shakes hands with Triple H as the crowd chants you deserve it. Triple h tells Cody congratulations on bringing an end of one of the most incredible title reigns of all time and main eventing what is now the greatest Wrestlemania of all time. Triple H says before he goes, he got a call from two people at their studio who said they had something special made for Cody and he wanted to show everyone. He plays a video package going over Cody's rise from his earliest days through Starust, leaving WWE, his run outside the company, and his return all the way to his title win last night and ending on still shots of him with Brandi, Liberty, and a photo of Dusty with the WWWF title. Cody hugs Triple H with tears in his eyes as Hunter whispers something to him before leaving the ring. Cody lays the title on the mat and kisses it before composing himself and asks the crowd what they wanna talk about with his voice quivering. Cody said he felt he knew what he wanted to talk about and turns his attention to Samantha and says he's sure she knows what he's going to ask and she does his introduction again announcing Cody as new Undisputed WWE Champion. Cody says two years ago he came out here and laid out his goals and last night that dream became reality. He's been told the altitude in Philly is 39 feet tall but he feels like the air is a bit thin because right now he's standing on top of the mountain! He says he acknowledges what Roman did during his reign and says he may be the most important superstar of this generation as the crowd chants thank you Roman and Cody thanks him as well. Cody says he was the man destined to defeat him. A big thing people ask you when you get into wrestling, is why do you do it? Cody says he wants to show one of his main whys and plays a video of his daughter Liberty saying "Papa finish the story." He says he wanted to show his Libby that when Papa goes to work he's going to fight as champion. He says he has always been in the line but now the line is for him. He says ladies and gentlemen, his name is Cody Rhodes, once undesireable, became undeniable, and now Undisputed WWE Champion. The Rock appears! He comes down to the ring holding his People's Championship as the crowd chants Undertaker at him. As he goes to speak the crowd boos him and chants Rocky sucks. The Rock tries speaking again and gets shut the fuck up chants. The Rock says he's a lot of things but sucks isn't one of them. He says before they begin The Rock came out here to deliver flowers to Cody Rhodes and say that Philadelphia broke another record, for the largest gathering of trailer park trash so chant shut the fuck up now, which they do. Cody raises his title and they cheer, Rock raises his People's Championship and it gets booed. The Rock says he came out without any fireworks or blood being spilled and tells Cody he did it and this is between the two of them, Cody completed his story by beating Roman in the middle of the ring 1 2 3. The Rock made him bleed, split his skin, and still Cody survived even after getting whooped with the belt he had specially made with Mama Rhodes written on it. He says Mama Rhodes had a big smile on her face, as did his daddy Dusty in heaven. Rock says Dusty was his hero and that his father was good friends with Dusty as well. Rock says he's not sure if his dad would be proud of all the bad stuff he did to him but he doesn't really care. Rock says Cody did it and he's got a brand new belt with those new nameplates. Rock says his People's Title means a lot to him but he asks Cody if there's anyway The Rock could hold that title? Rock says he loves titles and has held everyone he's come across, but he's never held that one. The crowd chants no as Cody says he can hold this one for moment, as long as he can hold his. Rock agrees and says he'd be honored to let Cody hold the People's Champ Title and the two exchange titles. Rock looks over the WWE Championship and puts it over his shoulder and says this just sorta feels right before handing it back and says it meant a lot. Rock says as many people know, he's got to go away for a little while now which gets a massive cheer. Rock says he doesn't want to leave again after he made professional wrestling cool again as the crowd sings Nanana Hey Hey Hey Goodbye. Rock tells Cody that when he returns, whether Cody is champion or not he's coming for him. Cody tells The Rock he's looking forward to it. The Rock says he has one last thing to say, last night Cody beat Roman in the middle of the ring 1 2 3, but less than 24 hours before, The Rock beat Cody in the middle of the ring 1 2 3. His story with Roman Reigns is over, but their story has just begun and takes off his sunglasses. Cody says he believes that because Rock is literally his boss, but he is THE Champion, he is THEIR champion, and boss that means he's YOUR champion. The Rock says Cody is his champion, but there's one last thing before he rides off into the sunset, he has something to give him and reaches his pocket and passes something to Cody. He says Cody doesn't have to open his hand to know what this is and warns him to never break his heart again, if he smells what the Final Boss, is cooking.
  
• Ilja Dragunov is here!
  
• The WWE Draft will take place on April 26th and 29th, Dragunov is confirmed to be a part of it!
  
• The Judgement Day come down to the ring and Finn says to all the haters and all the doubters who thought Rhea couldn't beat Becky Lynch or who thought Damian could never be Senoir World Champion he wanted to show them that they were all wrong! Dom introduces his Mami Rhea as he is showered with boos. Rhea makes her way to the ring and says they have a couple new problems to take care of but Mami is still on top and this is a new era for the Judgement Day. Finn introduces the new World Heavyweights Champion, Damian Priest! Priest comes down to the ring with a new theme and entrance as Judgement Day giving him a standing ovation before giving him a group hug as he enters the ring. He says damn right he deserves it and they always said to all rise for the Judgement Day as he and Rhea hold up their titles but they are soon joined by R-Truth standing between them holding up his Raw Tag Team Championship. Truth says it's full circle and he knows they're picky about new members but he's only one half of the tag team champions. Miz comes out and says he doesn't want to be in Judgement Day and he knows Truth doesn't want to be either. Priest says he isn't in Judgement Day as Truth argues he is. Miz pull Truth aside and introduces themselves as the new Raw Tag Team Champions The Awesome Truth! Finn tells Miz if he thinks he's so funny then something real funny is going to happen when they have the shortest tag title run in history. Truth says they can't have a tag title match because there's three of them so it'll be a 6 man tag team match. Truth says it will be him, Cena, and the guy you can't see against The Judgement Day as Miz tries to make sure Truth isn't talking about Lil Jimmy. JD McDonough welcomes the challenges against Miz and Truth and their invisible partner before Judgement Day puts the boots to Miz and Truth and throw them to the outside.
  
• During the Awesome Truth vs Judgement Day John Cena runs in and joins the match on Miz and Truth's side!
  
• Backstage, the winner of the Andre the Giant Battle Royal Bronson Reed warns the other competitors in the fatal four way that they are going to learn what a real heavyweight is like.
  
• Backstage Rhea tells Dom that Cena isn't their problem, he put his trust in Andrade and he betrayed him and he has to deal with it. Dom walks off as Liv Morgan ambushes Rhea with a steal chair and attacks her until officials pull her off.
  
• Roxanne Perez makes her Raw debut!
  
• Backstage Jey Uso congratulates Sami Zayn on winning the Intercontinental Championship and Sami thanks him and tells him he had a hell of a victory too. Jey daps him up and for old times sake Sami calls Jey my dog.
  
• Roxanne Perez is walking backstage when Natalya approaches her and says she'll see her tomorrow on NXT but Rox corrects her and says she'll see her tomorrow on HER show.
  
• The new Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn makes his way to the ring! Sami says he can't tell the crowd how much the ovation means to him and says he can't imagine how lucky he's been the past few years at Wrestlemania and this year he got to something historic. He says the person who really made history though was GUNTHER since you can't take away his 666 day reign, but he beat him! The crowd chants ole and Sami says he had a lot of help from everyone in the crowd who believed in him even when he didn't believe in himself. Seeing his wife and son before he went out along with Kevin Owens helped too and is about to thank someone else when he is interrupted by Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser. Ludwig says over the past two years GUNTHER put in all his work in making the Intercontinental Championship the most prestigious title in WWE and it breaks his heart to see someone like Sami holding that title while looking like one of these peasants in the crowd. Ludwig tells them not to worry though because they are there on behalf of the ring general to make things right and surround the ring. They get on the apron as Chad Gable runs in to give Sami some back up.
  
• We get a return vignette for Sheamus!
  
• Jey Uso says everyone else in the fatal four way is getting YEET down.
  
• Backstage Andrade signs with Raw. Nick Aldis congratulates Adam Pearce on signing him but says he may be coming to Smackdown during the drafts. Ava says you also never know who may show up on NXT during the draft. Chelsea Green storms in and demands to know why Adam left her off of Wrestlemania. Pearce tells her this was clearly an oversight but says he spoke with Aldis and she'll have her moment in the spotlight right now against a worthy challenger so she should get to the ring.
  
• Backstage Sami thanks Gable for the help and says after tonight they can call it even. Chad tries to argue his case but Sami says he's just joking and he knows what Gable wants. He says it'd be his honor to defend the Intercontinental Championship next week in his hometown of Montreal. The two clasp hands as Gable says he can't wait.
  
• Drew storms to the ring and says what happened last night was complete and utter BS! His moment lastest five minutes and 46 seconds but when the crowd laughs he says it's 5 minutes longer than they could last in bed. Drew says despite his problems with Seth he stuck to his convictions unlike that bondage Undertaker Damian Priest. He says Money in the Bank is a joke and it's screwed him twice and warns Priest he's coming for him. Drew blames what happened on CM Punk and says he warned him that he was going to rub the title in Punk's face and he was in Punk's face but it wasn't until he turned his back that Punk attacked his knee and smashed him with that metal brace. Drew warns Punk that the next time he sees him it's on sight and he'll be targeting the weakest part of him which at this point is every part of him.
  

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HOLOCAUST INVERSION
Holocaust inversion is the act of depicting Jews and/or Israelis as Nazis, crypto-Nazis, or “worse than Nazis.”
Holocaust inversion is a rhetorical tool used to portray Jews as morally equivalent — or worse — than Nazis. It’s often employed in discussions about Israel-Palestine and is frequently used by anti-Zionists. Holocaust inversion is a form of Holocaust revisionism, and, as such, is inherently a form of Holocaust denial.
Holocaust denial takes many forms. Its most common iteration comes through the distortion of established facts about the Holocaust.
Holocaust inversion is revisionist because (1) Jews inherently cannot be Nazis or morally equivalent to Nazis, because Nazis considered all Jews, regardless of their political views, to be the inferior race; (2) Holocaust inversion inherently minimizes the Holocaust; (3) the vast majority of Holocaust survivors have been supportive of Jewish self-determination (i.e. Zionism), and equating Holocaust survivors with their oppressors is repugnant and antisemitic; (4) the Nazis were ardently anti-Zionist; (5) the Nazis persecuted all Jews, regardless of their political views; and (6) the Arab leadership in Palestine actively collaborated with the Nazi regime during the Holocaust, which fundamentally shaped the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict as it exists today.
HOLOCAUST INVERSION: A HISTORY
It’s important to understand that Holocaust inversion actually predates the end of the Holocaust, the establishment of the State of Israel, the 1947-1949 Palestine Civil War and Israeli War of Independence, and the Nakba.
Holocaust inversion has its roots in the British Foreign Office during the period of the British Mandate of Palestine. In March of 1945 — about two months before the Nazis even surrendered — the High Commissioner of Palestine, Lord Gort, told the Colonial Secretary in London that “the establishment of any Jewish State in Palestine…will almost inevitably mean the rebirth of National Socialism [i.e. Nazism] in some guise.”
Sir John Bagot Glubb, who later became the British Commander of the Jordanian Arab Legion during the 1948 war, wrote in a 1946 memorandum to the British government that the “new Jews” (i.e. Jewish refugees) had copied Nazi techniques and adopted Hitler’s master race theory. Unsurprisingly, Glubb was a virulent antisemite who considered Jews “unlikeable, aggressive, stiff-necked, vengeful, and imbued with the idea of [being] a superior race.”
Other British officials that engaged in Holocaust inversion included Lord Altrincham, who stated that Zionist youth groups were “a copy of the Hitler Youth,” and Sir Harold MacMichael and Sir Edward Grigg, both of whom equated Zionism with Nazism even while Jews were being slaughtered by the millions in Europe.
Following the end of the war, renowned British historian Arnold Joseph Toynbee disseminated Holocaust inversion to a wide audience, claiming in “A Study of History” that the Zionists in Palestine were “disciples of the Nazis” but were much worse than “their Nazi teachers.”
HOLOCAUST UNIVERSALIZATION
Holocaust universalization is the tendency to treat the Holocaust as “public property,” stripping Jews of their unique experience. Instead, the Holocaust is treated as a tragedy that befell onto mankind, rather than a genocide that specifically and intentionally targeted Jews. It’s the tendency to use the Holocaust as a rhetorical tool, a tool of comparison, or political football. Some in the right says vaccines are just like the Holocaust. Some in the left says Israelis are Nazis. And then the right and the left denounce each other, accusing the other of exploiting the memory of the Holocaust. Meanwhile, Jews are silenced when we actually try to speak for ourselves.
According to Holocaust historian Dr. Elana Heidenman, Holocaust universalization turns the Holocaust into “a joke, a mere moment in history that is no longer relevant unless through an exaggerated comparison, [and] terms of reference that have lost all depth and all substance.”
The universalization of the Holocaust erases Jews’ “right” to the memory and understanding of the Holocaust. The world largely treats the Holocaust as a “lesson to be learned,” rather than a genocide that decimated the Jewish community, which I will address in a later slide. How many people who invoke the Holocaust actually care about the plight of Holocaust survivors today? How many people who invoke the Holocaust are committed to unlearning their own antisemitic biases?
HOLOCAUST UNIVERSALIZATION: A HISTORY
You might’ve heard that 11 million people — 6 million Jews and 5 million others — perished in the Holocaust. It’s a myth that has been repeated by a number of influential sources over the decades: Jimmy Carter, the Trump administration, even the Israeli Defense Forces. The problem is that the 11 million figure actually has no basis in reality.
So where does the 11 million figure come from? In the 1970s, Holocaust survivor and Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal felt frustrated about the non-Jewish world’s lack of care about the Holocaust. So he created a figure to de-emphasize the Jewish nature of the genocide, knowing that the world would likely be more interested in the plight of others. Historians who knew him say that he chose the figure carefully: 5 million was a large number, but not a number large enough to obscure the 6 million Jewish victims.
35 million people died in World War II as a result of Nazi aggression. That said, no more than half a million non-Jews were exterminated in death camps. Unfortunately, the fictitious 11 million figure is now used by antisemites to minimize the Jewish-specific nature of the Holocaust.
Similarly, the Soviet Union infamously began distorting the history and the facts of the Holocaust even before the war was won. The Soviet propaganda machine never acknowledged the specifically antisemitic nature of the Holocaust, but instead, depicted all Soviets (as well as communism) as the main victims of the Nazis. An example of this is that when the Soviets built a memorial to the Babi Yar massacre, where 34,000 Jews were slaughtered over the span of two days, the Soviets did not recognize the antisemitic nature of the massacre and instead labeled it a massacre of “the peaceful Soviet people.”
HOLOCAUST (MIS)EDUCATION
A 2021 survey conducted by the University of Arkansas found that people with higher education are more likely to hold Jews to double standards. Something in the education system is very broken, and we need to do something about it before more Jews get hurt.
Scholars who have dedicated their entire lives to studying how propaganda works have noticed one thing: propagandists keep terms loose or undefined; in other words, vagueness is a telltale sign of propaganda. When concepts are vague or loosely defined, they are essentially rendered meaningless.
When terms like “Holocaust” are loosely defined, everything people dislike becomes “just like the Holocaust.” When terms like “Nazi” are loosely defined, anyone people dislike becomes a Nazi — even Jews. When the Holocaust is loosely defined, Holocaust education shockingly fails to educate students on antisemitism. This is how we end up with people who erroneously think there were aid trucks going into Auschwitz, just as there are now aid trucks going into Gaza.
Holocaust miseducation is how we end up with Jonathan Glazer’s speech at the 2024 Academy Awards: though he won an Oscar for a Holocaust film, his speech not only completely ignored Jews, but also the current plights of Holocaust survivors, who surely could use influential people to raise awareness for their issues. Of course, Glazer got a standing ovation from the largely non-Jewish audience. On the other hand, a speech that actually centered Holocaust survivors and victims likely would’ve made the non-Jewish audience uncomfortable.
WHY IS ACCURATE HOLOCAUST EDUCATION IMPORTANT?
As of 2023, 23 states have mandatory Holocaust education. These states include California, Illinois, New Jersey, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Rhoda Island, Connecticut, Kentucky, Texas, Oregon, Colorado, Delaware, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Arizona, Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Missouri. Of these 23 states, 17 of them passed laws regarding mandatory Holocaust education after 2016, in response to skyrocketing antisemitism.
But there’s a problem: antisemitism continues to skyrocket to the highest levels since the Anti-Defamation League began recording antisemitic incidents in the 1970s. It’s pretty clear that we are not teaching the Holocaust effectively, considering prejudice against its primary victims — Jews — continues to surge.
Unfortunately, Holocaust education largely universalizes the Holocaust. In Poland and Russia, for example, the education system centers Poles and Russians as the Nazis’ victims, respectively, and in many ways Jews are an afterthought. In Poland, Polish saviorism is overemphasized — and Polish collaboration is minimized or denied altogether. But you cannot effectively educate on the Holocaust without centering the issue of antisemitism. Everything the Nazis did — absolutely everything — was driven by antisemitism. In the Nazi hierarchy of race, Jews were situated at the very bottom. The Nazi persecution of other groups was also rooted in antisemitism. For example, the Nazis persecuted homosexuals because they associated homosexuality with the “perversions” and “vices” of the Jews. They persecuted communists because they believed communism was inherently Jewish. For centuries Germans even theorized that Roma came from “Jewish blood.”
The Holocaust shouldn’t be taught, at least exclusively, as a moral lesson for humanity. It should be taught as a cautionary tale on the dangers of unfettered antisemitism.
This is what happens when you obfuscate the meaning of words. Words lose their meaning.
When everything is the Holocaust, nothing is the Holocaust.
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