The Kraig

51 minutes ago, Benjamin said:

Craziness in both second legs already. Cresswell gets sent off, and Rangers are suddenly leading against Leipzig. 

Rangers winning at home is pretty much expected, is it not?

42 minutes ago, VerBlue Christmas said:

I mean, this may not end being a graphical marvel though. Which is fine, I think if you provide a wrestling game that is just fun to play you'll be alright (the metaphorical you ). 

Look at Fire Pro Wrestling, very minimalist on graphics but wrestling fans still find their way to it. And I guess you could argue that appeals more to hardcore wrestling fans, but even still if the game is fun people will be happy. 

Edit - whoops, did I misinterpret your point? I think may have...

The graphics look like the strong point so far. The gameplay looked awkward, but it's clearly unfinished. That's why I wouldn't have shown it yet.

I'm all for recreating that feeling the old AKI games gave me.

Fun fact: Sting appeared in the first Japanese and American releases from AKI (VPW/WCWvsWorld), and seems to be lined up to be featured in this successor title. There are a few others with outside shots of doing the same such as Paul Wight. Very long shots are Taka, Togo, Tenzan and Mutoh. Regal, Onita, DDP and Malenko may also feature as legends.

A guy who featured in the second VPW game? Minoru Suzuki. 

Looks pretty rough at the moment. Personally, I wouldn't have shown this at all, but AEW fans have been starved of game news for so long, at least they can see the models look brilliantly detailed.

What the fuck happened? I was following the game and got distracted (as usual).

5 hours ago, Baddar said:

Raiola has died.

Seriously though, RIP. Wonder who inherits all his millions.

Can't lie guys, I avoid spoilers very easily for most films. I feel like Multiverse of Madness has been spoiled about 18 times over already. Why can't people just wait for the film to be released?

If it's about Rinson López, he played for El Nacional (a club), not the the national team.

55 minutes ago, Pooker said:

Just bought the game. Don't remember the last time I owned a WWE. I think it was 2012? It's been a while.

I know some of you guys have mentioned who the best CAW creators are, but don't want to look back through the thread to find them. Would any of you be so kind to post them again? Please?

Also, any tips for somebody that hasn't played a WWE game in forever?

Defract's CAWs are mind-blowing.

Also heard there's a lot of changes to the control, so the tutorial guide is likely going to be a good starting point even for old players.

That uppercut...good lord.

M'on the Lichties! I just love their story. I'd like it if Killie win, then Arbroath make it through the play-offs for maximum drama.  

20 hours ago, damhausen said:

Sean Dyche was just sacked too. Suspicious

I'm still pretty shocked at this news. I guess we'll have to wait and see if Burnley fall like a brick now.

Is Rangnick heading somewhere?

Saw this on a random Twitter browse, thought you guys would need to know. Now NXT 2.0 has arrived!!

23 hours ago, The Kraig said:

Well, I can honestly say, I'll be happy whoever wins.

Well that sentiment didn't last long.

1 hour ago, Colly said:

Just like Wrestlemania 10. Wales could in theory play their U21s for the Nations League game mind...

True, but I think they would be slaughtered for it, especially if they end up eliminating Ukraine. Wales doing a heel turn, no one wants to see that.  

This has been a fiercely competitive tournament so far, really chuffed for my Rangers supporting pals (and West Ham, my mum's a Hammer). I was secretly supporting Atalanta and they got dumped by Leipzig, so now I'm just gonna enjoy what will be some big stakes semis. I think we'll see West Ham and Leipzig in the final.

4 hours ago, Lineker said:

 

Well, I can honestly say, I'll be happy whoever wins. Wales play Poland (Nations League) on the same day, in case people think Wales are getting a distinct advantage.

Has to be shared.

Rest in peace, you fuck.

This Trump thing is highly enjoyable, especially in retrospect:

11 minutes ago, Malenko said:

He means in 2026 and OFC gets a direct spot under the new format.

Whaaaat. Well that's just daft. Think they would entertain the idea of an intercontinental qualifying league? That would separate wheat from chaff before the finals.

Maybe FIFA just want to ensure OFC have one representative so that interest doesn't die off in that region.

4 hours ago, Bobfoc said:

My main takeaway from this is that we'll still see a fair few decent European teams miss out. New Zealand, ranked 101st, will probably qualify every time unless Australia rejoins OFC. You can expect teams like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Panama to be decent contenders each time as well.

I think it gets particularly interesting when you look at the Asian nations. Japan, South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Australia ought to be lock-ins, but you've then still got three other qualifiers left over. It's a chance for the likes of China, Qatar Bahrain, UAE and Iraq, with the likes of Kuwait, Syria and Oman possibly in the frame. I imagine FIFA is hoping that India gets in on it as well because that's a potentially massive audience.

Actually, the OFC are the only region not guaranteed a representative. They need to go through a play-off, currently with a CONMEBOL team, whose region are almost all heavy hitters. Peru will be hard to beat, and if they do beat Peru, I take that as enough evidence of being deserving to be there.

It's difficult to compare rankings in things like this, since NZ don't have much chance to pump up their rankings like other countries. I think it's why I find the play-offs so interesting, it's the only good example we get to see non-seeded teams face off with high stakes.

I don't think a change in format will change OFC's qualification route, since their rankings are so low.

I'm backing UEFA Qualifier, no matter which team eventually qualifies. And New Zealand if they somehow get past Costa Rica.

Please be Scotland, please be Scotland, please be Scotland, please be Scotland, please be Scotland, please be Scotland...

The idea of Scotland getting past Ukraine, then Wales and likely going to a deciding final game against England is too good a story not to happen.

15 hours ago, Lineker said:

The opening game of the tournament will be hosts Qatar versus Ecuador.

Um, apparently it will actually be Netherlands vs Senegal at 1300 opening the World Cup. Weird.

14 hours ago, The Kraig said:

Who knows, maybe the Solomon Islands will shock us.

Well, maybe not. New Zealand spanked them 5-0 to win their region and qualify for the play-off, most likely with Costa Rica. We'll find out today, America-time.

2 hours ago, Bobfoc said:

The Senegalese fans using laser pointers to distract the Egyptian penalty takers were disgraceful.

He also had bottles thrown at him, and I believe other players did. The Egyptian FA have complained about racist slogans, some of them were directed towards Salah directly.

Baffling stuff, I wouldn't mind seeing Senegal disqualified.

The final African qualifiers are complete. I feel especially bad for Egypt, who were beaten by Senegal in the African Cup of Nations final, and have been denied the World Cup by Senegal as well.

Egypt v Senegal (after penalties)
Cameroon v Algeria (after extra time)
Ghana v Nigeria
DR Congo v Morocco
Mali v Tunisia

Most of the European play-offs are now complete.
Poland v Sweden
Portugal v North Macedonia
Scotland/Ukraine v Wales (as soon as Ukraine can continue)

Asian qualifiers are almost complete, Japan and Saudi Arabia join Qatar, South Korea and Iran. Play-off winner faces South American team.
Australia v United Arab Emirates (June).

South America's table is finished, Ecuador and Uruguay join Brazil and Argentina. Peru are the play-off qualifier.
Peru v Australia/UAE (June)


Today's deciders:
OFC winners to be decided, whoever wins qualifies for a play-off against CONCACAF play-off qualifier.
New Zealand v Solomon Islands.

North American qualifiers Canada will likely be joined by USA and Mexico unless* Costa Rica hammer the USA. Costa Rica would then face the OFC winners.
Costa Rica* vs New Zealand/Solomon Islands (June).

Rounding up to be a tournament with no newbies, other than Qatar. Who knows, maybe the Solomon Islands will shock us.

3 hours ago, Daddy Magic JasonM said:

This is the one, right?

  

 

I loved that. This is Rolling Stone's last interview with him...it's hard to read some of it in retrospect. He talks about his relationship with his son, having an enlarged heart, stage fright, the gap in touring causes by the pandemic, avoids discussion of his overdose, his unique brotherhood with Dave, the sheer physical toll of shows, etc.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/taylor-hawkins-interview-foo-fighters-dave-grohl-nirvana-drumming-1327228/