|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on Jun 8, 2018 14:04:12 GMT -5
Honestly, I just buy the odd figure from NECA a couple of times a year. I only buy figures as display pieces for favourite fictional characters. After stopping buying WWE figures a good 7/8 years or so ago, I used to buy 1:6 scale Doctor Who figures from Big Chief Studios, but due to a lack of space, drop in quality, long production time, and poor customer service, I no longer buy from them.
Now that the main line of NECA figures I used to buy (Heroes of the Storm) has since come to an end, it looks like I won't really be buying anything else in the future, unless a line I have interest in is announced.
I did buy NECA's new Half Life 2 Gordon Freeman figure this week, and am somewhat tempted to buy the upcoming Crash Bandicoot NECA figure. I also bought the complete set of WWE Retros Series 3 this week, due to my interest in the WWE Mayhem mobile game, but given that it looks like the line is dead in the UK, with Series 3 the last to be sold in the UK, it doesn't look like I'll be buying anymore of them.
Tl;dr: Only a couple of times a year.
|
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on Jun 8, 2018 13:05:48 GMT -5
I wish NECA or Diamond Select could make the WWE figures. These are figures that are truly made with the most realistic attention to detail. I've literally never gotten a Diamond Select or NECA figure and been unhappy with it. I don't look at any of those figures and go "man what horrible deco" or "these parts are all wrong".....they simply just get it right the first time. As someone who has bought numerous NECA figures and been extremely happy to have them displayed on my shelf, I would very much welcome and would very happily buy some NECA WWE figures. However, it would be incredibly foolish to have them replace Mattel, given that toys are mostly produced with the intention of being played with by children. Personally I would just like to see NECA be given a license to produce a few high-quality collector-only figures every year, while Mattel still retain the license to continue as they are. |
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on Jun 8, 2018 11:56:03 GMT -5
As superstars continue to qualify for each of the three upcoming Elimination Chamber matches at Final Stand, SmackDown Live rolls on!
After months of inactivity after he was taken out of action, "the Game" Triple H returns! Both he and Matt Hardy will have a chance to qualify for the World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber match when they battle in the main event, tonight.
Following the announcement by RAW General Manager Shane McMahon that Sasha Banks will put her title on the line at Final Stand one-on-one versus Carmella, rather than against five superstars in the Women's Elimination Chamber match, what will unfold tonight between these two superstars? With such animosity between the two, it's quickly reaching a boiling point.
Speaking of the Women's Elimination Chamber, which is now for the number one contendership, tonight AJ Lee and Natalya face off to earn their spot in the Chamber match. Becky Lynch, Paige and Alexa Bliss have already qualified. Who will join them, AJ or Nattie?
Last SmackDown Live, CM Punk aired his grievances after defeating Andrew Hunter. Feeling mistreated by management, Punk demanded a spot in the World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber. Will General Manager Stephanie McMahon give it to him?
After months of tirades and assaults against Sin Cara, it looked like Alberto Del Rio was finally ready to bury the hatchet last SmackDown Live. However it turned out to be a trap, as Del Rio blasted Sin Cara with the microphone and looked ready to continue the beatdown. However much to Del Rio's surprise, Rey Mysterio and Kalisto came to Sin Cara's aid, and the three left Del Rio lying. The three have promised to explain their new partnership tonight.
After unsuccessfully challenging Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship, we've not seen the United States Champion, Jeff Hardy since. However, Hardy will appear to make an announcement tonight.
Now that the New Day have arrived in WGE and will challenge the Tag Team Champions, Awesome Perfection, for their titles at Final Stand, is the title reign of Miz and Ziggler in jeopardy? Awesome Perfection are in action tonight as they face the Golden Truth.
Confirmed Match Card:
The Golden Truth VS Awesome Perfection
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match:
AJ Lee VS Natalya
Bo Dallas VS Kane
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match:
Matt Hardy VS Triple H
|
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on Jun 7, 2018 7:49:57 GMT -5
What's the deal with the Retros? Recently got into the WWE Mayhem Mobile game, so been looking at buying the Retros that come with an in-game code. But when I look at UK sites that sell wrestling toys, it appears that Series 3 is the latest series in the UK. Yet when I look at Ringside, they're up to Series 5, with Series 6 & 7 releasing shortly! Did they stop selling Retros in the UK? Are the later series simply yet to arrive in the UK? ...it's not looking good - sounds as though Smyths won't be stocking any more Retro figures (Series 4 onwards): forum.wrestlingfigs.com/thread/351539/where-next-wave-retros?page=6I think the only other place that stocked them was Sainsburys (although I never saw any myself there). Looks as though we'll have to import the figures ourselves now...  It's weird, even online retailers like Kapow Toys, T&M, and even Wrestling Shop don't have any further series in-stock. WS have S4 & S5 "Coming Soon", but no date. Wrestling Shop look to be the only shop, online or offline, that even plan to stock further series. |
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on Jun 7, 2018 6:10:44 GMT -5
But if they wanted to broadcast WrestleMania on TV, surely Sky Sports would be the channel they would choose for the UK? Not a chance. They’d put it on box office. But that's a pay per view system, not a TV channel. |
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on Jun 7, 2018 6:07:52 GMT -5
I feel like this is inevitable in the future. With the rate that the women's division continues to grow every year, eventually there isn't going to be enough room for both male and female divisions on each brand. Plus, eventually they're going to bring back Women's Tag Team titles, and there are already plenty of titles on each brand, some say too many. While separating men and women might seem like a step backwards, it will probably eventually become a necessity. There is only so much room on a show. So unless they cut a lot of male talent, they're going to have to make space for female superstars, and an all-female brand seems the most realistic solution.
A simple way of doing it would be to replace 205 Live. But then that seems unfair to the audience to only have female superstars on one brand. Perhaps they could also scrap Main Event and have two episodes taped per week, one on RAW, one on SDL? Or half an episode taped on RAW shows, the other half taped on SDL shows? Or they could find a specific venue to call home, like how NXT has Full Sail.
I am all for this idea, and I am excited for the moment in which it happens. I'm a huge fan of women's wrestling, I will always support it, and I strongly believe that the women deserve the exact same spotlight as the men. And if that means that they require their own brand because there's no longer enough room on the spotlight of RAW and SmackDown Live because of how much the women's division has grown, then so be it.
|
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on Jun 6, 2018 16:45:10 GMT -5
No! Keep it on the WWE Network! I don't have access to Sky Sports, and I'm not buying a whole package for the sake of one channel. I already can't watch RAW or SmackDown Live, I don't want them taking the greatest show of the year away from me as well. Horrible idea for me. However on the other hand if this is just a specifically US deal and WrestleMania would be shown on the WWE Network internationally regardless, doesn't matter at all to me. WrestleMania hasn’t been on Sky Sports since 2004. It’s been on Sky Box Office since and it’s £19.95 now. God bless the Network because I wouldn’t pay that much for a single PPV. But if they wanted to broadcast WrestleMania on TV, surely Sky Sports would be the channel they would choose for the UK? |
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on Jun 6, 2018 7:36:01 GMT -5
What's the deal with the Retros? Recently got into the WWE Mayhem Mobile game, so been looking at buying the Retros that come with an in-game code. But when I look at UK sites that sell wrestling toys, it appears that Series 3 is the latest series in the UK. Yet when I look at Ringside, they're up to Series 5, with Series 6 & 7 releasing shortly! Did they stop selling Retros in the UK? Are the later series simply yet to arrive in the UK?
|
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on Jun 5, 2018 16:34:42 GMT -5
Nice to see the case is finally over, and as a fan of Punk, I'm happy to see him win.
As incredibly unlikely as it looks, at least now it's possible that Punk will either return on TV, be inducted into the HoF, or be included on merchandise. I know how incredibly unlikely it seems, especially right now, but at least it's possible now. There was no way any of that would happen while the court case was still ongoing, but now that it's done, at least there's a tiny little possibility. In the end, everybody comes back.
|
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on Jun 4, 2018 1:57:23 GMT -5
I've got tickets to RAW and SmackDown Live in Manchester. After how great the shows were last year, I'm hoping the shows this year will be equally as good.
|
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on May 30, 2018 13:02:09 GMT -5
No! Keep it on the WWE Network! I don't have access to Sky Sports, and I'm not buying a whole package for the sake of one channel. I already can't watch RAW or SmackDown Live, I don't want them taking the greatest show of the year away from me as well. Horrible idea for me.
However on the other hand if this is just a specifically US deal and WrestleMania would be shown on the WWE Network internationally regardless, doesn't matter at all to me.
|
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on May 26, 2018 5:11:04 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm almost certain that Rousey will be the pre-order bonus. Seems like a no-brainer to me.
|
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on May 23, 2018 8:02:33 GMT -5
The road to Final Stand continues, as we have more Elimination Chamber qualifying matches. To qualify for the Women's Championship Elimination Chamber, we kick off RAW with a one on one match between Layla and Alexa Bliss. Later in the show, Finn Balor and Christian will compete to qualify for the WGE Championship Elimination Chamber match.
After defeating Sami Zayn last time on RAW to become number one contender to the Intercontinental Championship, currently held by Cody Rhodes, Neville has promised to address the WGE Universe concerning his upcoming title match.
Last time on RAW the New Day made their debut, challenging the Tag Team Champions, Awesome Perfection. The New Day make their debut tonight as they face the Ascension.
After losing her Elimination Chamber Qualifying match on SmackDown Live following interference by the Women's Champion Sasha Banks, a furious Carmella plans to address the situation tonight. Both women have now wronged each other, with Carmella making her debut last RAW by assaulting the champion. With Carmella out of the Chamber, how will she settle her differences with Banks?
Confirmed Match Card:
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match:
Alexa Bliss VS Layla
The Ascension VS The New Day
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match:
Christian VS Finn Balor
Samoa Joe VS Zack Ryder
Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn
|
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on May 20, 2018 13:30:06 GMT -5
Honestly, the game mode I most want back over anything else is Create a Story. As someone who edits together a CAW league (a virtual wrestling federation), it's really problematic to create ever since they took out Create a Story, with simple segments such as backstage interviews and tag team promos being impossible to create in 2K18, and Create a Video is a really pathetic substitute. Unfortunately I'm not sure most people touched the mode, so I'd be surprised if they did bring it back.
Plus, nL Storytime is the one thing missing from all our lives.
|
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on May 19, 2018 16:19:02 GMT -5
Found E58 Matt, Braun, Sheamus, Cesaro and Ambrose in Smyths. No Mickie, so I assume someone already bought it (only one of each, except Matt which had two).
|
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on May 17, 2018 12:50:19 GMT -5
Of the games I started playing with the intent to finish and haven't yet (or perhaps never will):
- Return to Castle Wolfenstein
- Doom 3
- Lord of the Rings: War in the North
- War for the Overworld
- Halo Wars: Definitive Edition
- Middle-Earth: Shadow of War
- Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
Of the games I bought in a Steam sale and still haven't got round to trying (because what else is a Steam sale for?):
- Black Mesa
- Red Alert 3
- Dead Island
- LEGO Harry Potter
- LEGO Lord of the Rings
- LEGO The Hobbit
- The Witcher 1 & 2
|
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on May 17, 2018 4:37:10 GMT -5
They announced WWE 2K19 today. That means we're only 4 months off getting our first screenshot. Yay! Seriously, is this finally the year that 2K realises that they have to promote their games adequately before release? Highly doubt it, but there is always hope. |
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on May 7, 2018 10:36:27 GMT -5
Definitely think this one is a kayfabe injury to put an end to the Bliss/Jax storyline and give Alexa some time off.
|
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on May 7, 2018 9:19:59 GMT -5
I don't know how I'd book it, but I love the idea of an all-woman's PPV. As I see it, there is simply not enough room to do the women's division the justice it deserves at the rate it's going. Women's tag team titles seem to be the next goal and a popular idea, but how can they possibly do that, given that there are already too many titles in WWE? In addition to that, the women's roster continues expanding every year. The only solution I can see is to give the women their own brand, unless they make their divisions intergender, which I cannot see ever happening. Scrap 205 Live, put Triple H in charge of the women's brand, and it would be fantastic.
|
|
|
|
Post by ahunter8056 on May 7, 2018 8:48:27 GMT -5
I do agree that they push it too far, but I think it's good for that to remain part of her character. As horrible as it is, fat shaming is very much alive. You only have to go onto any comments section to see that, even for someone who's just large and heavy rather than physically unfit. Having a role model there to say "even if you're bullied, you can still achieve your dreams", has got to really lift the spirits of audience members who don't have the same level of self-confidence that Nia does, and give them a confidence boost. I think that having stars who serve as inspiration to thousands of people whilst entertaining them, is one of the greatest things about wrestling. It's heartwarming, and if someone really needs that in their life, it can make a big difference.
But I think the biggest problem is that the first month of her reign has been so poorly booked. Her first night as champ was spent in a 6 woman tag rather than showcasing her as the new champion in 1v1. Week after that, she just showed up to do commentary. Week after that, she was stuck in a 10 woman tag. RAW before Backlash, she just showed up to chase Bliss. Before Backlash, she'd only had two matches as champion, and they were both in multiwoman tag team matches. She wasn't given time with the spotlight on her, despite being the champion of the brand. That's a huge misstep for anyone's first reign, in my opinion.
I think if they were to retain the role model aspect of her character while booking her as the woman, rather than a woman, we wouldn't be seeing so much criticism of Nia Jax. But the fact that they refuse to shine a spotlight on their champion is a terrible booking decision.
|
|
![Rated [R] NinJa Avatar](http://storage.proboards.com/530008/avatar/IDIYNeRTVZulhCPXFiqx.png)
