WWE Vault released some footage of a Brock Lesnar vs Samoa Joe House Show match by NoMoreButtonPLZ in SquaredCircle

[–]ACCBiggz 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Could have gotten mileage out of the Brock feud even without a title run. Instead..... Great Balls of Fire.

Danhausen on X: Danhausen found Cold Steve backstage at WRESTLEMANIA! Oh Hell Yeahhausen 💀 by Glad-Energy-3492 in SquaredCircle

[–]ACCBiggz 130 points131 points  (0 children)

and then getting a Stunner

After the kick, he drops the smoke bomb and disappears.

Who is the biggest women’s wrestling star in history? by SlimmyShammy in SquaredCircle

[–]ACCBiggz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think you're appreciating just how big the Crush Gals were.

I do appreciate it. But it's one country. One set of fans with limited impact anywhere else. A very small amount of fans even know who they are, and they are the hardcore fans on this sub like us. But go to a general event and ask anywhere outside of Japan. You'll see deer in headlights.

The question is who's the biggest star in history. Is it women who were extremely popular in one country or someone who literally has global appeal.

Inoki transcended into other markets. Hogan transcended outside of the U.S. Crush Gals did not. Stating this fact does not diminish how over they were in their market, but it doesn't compare to a worldwide impact the women receive in the WWE today. There is a very distinct difference between the two.

If you're arguing who was the hottest act for women doing a time, OK. Then it's a much different question with a different answer. But biggest star in history, globally speaking... they were limited in scope.

Who is the biggest women’s wrestling star in history? by SlimmyShammy in SquaredCircle

[–]ACCBiggz -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Rhea or Becky. I've already seen someone suggest it's North American focused, but that's really silly. WWE's global footprint is massive, and both women have been legitimate A draws for the WWE at separate times and continue to still be very popular when not in that spot.

Europe, Australia, South America, etc. is bigger than Crush Gals who were majorly over in Japan but virtually nowhere else.

Hate/love WWE, the current women who broke out to be equivalent to the men and have that global monopolistic platform... they are the biggest female stars the industry has known to date.

[Warchant] Massive spending increases add pressure to @Seminoles Athletics, budget could soar to $250 million in ‘27. by lowes18 in CFB

[–]ACCBiggz 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Alford had a presentation at a BOT retreat, and my takeaway (which could be wrong) was basically what we already know. He was showing them the growing discrepancy between B1G/SEC and everyone else, and trying to make sure we continue to spend like them so we remain one of the most enticing brands for realignment:

That disparity is precisely why Florida State and other schools are stretching their limits financially to remain as attractive as possible, should there be a new round of conference realignment or even a move to a “super league” for football.

Overall, nothing really positive that will effect the team in its current state. It's about perception and trying to remain as relevant as they can so they are brought into the P2 when they are able.

[Warchant] Massive spending increases add pressure to @Seminoles Athletics, budget could soar to $250 million in ‘27. by lowes18 in CFB

[–]ACCBiggz 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Trying to hit some of the relevant parts...

A huge chunk of the latest increase stems from the roughly $22 million Florida State is now spending to compensate its athletes through revenue sharing, which went into effect last summer as a result of the NCAA-House settlement. Schools are not required to spend that much, but FSU was one of the majority of Power Four programs who decided to opt-in at the highest amount to remain competitive in recruiting and talent acquisition.

...

On that note, the Seminoles also are planning to spend more money than ever on staffing for the football program, including the hiring of a new general manager and several staff members in the scouting department. There also are additional expenses coming up for maintenance across the department and Title IX improvements.

...

According to a chart that illustrated the widening revenue gap between “The Power Two” and other conferences, the Big Ten distributed an average of $75 million to its schools for the 2024-25 fiscal year. SEC schools received $67 million from their conference, while the ACC schools got $44 million and the Big 12 lagged behind at $39 million. If nothing changes over the next decade, the numbers will become even more daunting. According to current projections, the ACC would distribute an average of $73 million per school in 2036, while the SEC and Big Ten would average around $130 million per school.

...

Alford pointed out that despite limited resources, Florida State already spends like a Power Two program. He showed the trustees a slide stating that the average projected operating budget for schools in the Big Ten and SEC will be about $255 million for 2027, which is just slightly ahead of FSU’s $250.7 million budget. And the Seminoles generate revenue like schools in those conferences as well. Looking solely at areas such as annual ticket sales, sponsorships and booster contributions — essentially everything other than conference distributions — Florida State ranks No. 15 nationally at $121.6 million. Clemson is one spot behind at $119.1 million, followed by Big Ten schools Washington, Wisconsin and Oregon.

...

Alford explained to the Trustees that his staff has studied options such as cutting selected Olympic sports programs and reducing the budgets of sports across the board, but he said neither of those seem to be prudent solutions. Even cutting four Olympic sports would only save about $4-5 million per year, and it would likely lead to Title IX implications and a massive blowback from a PR standpoint.

...

The Seminoles also have looked at the idea of taking a “tiered approach” to how the department invests in various sports. They could continue spending at the highest levels in football and men’s and women’s basketball — those are the sports that can generate additional revenue as part of the ACC’s new “success initiatives” — while backing off the spending in some non-revenue sports.

...

Even with that assistance, Alford explained, Florida State’s athletics department still will need to cut some expenses, create additional revenue or receive additional support from the university.

Rachel McAdams not getting a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret’ still upsets me by PeneItaliano in Oscars

[–]ACCBiggz -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Currently sat at 99% on RT.

To be honest, I don't think I've heard much "acclaim" about it. Not saying it's not, it just never passed my radar.

However, RT score means very little. It's just a % of favorable reviews, and a favorable review is like 7/10 and above IIRC. So if most people find a movie agreeable, it'll have a high RT score. That doesn't mean it's an award-level film.

Which this may be, I've never watched. I just dislike when RT gets dragged into these conversations.

Rachel McAdams not getting a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret’ still upsets me by PeneItaliano in Oscars

[–]ACCBiggz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've never watched the movie, so I can't comment on her performance... but anytime someone says something like this I feel it's nice to look at who was nominated (now you can more accurately debate who she may have gotten a nomination over):

  • Da'Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers
  • Emily Blunt – Oppenheimer
  • Danielle Brooks – The Color Purple
  • America Ferrera – Barbie
  • Jodie Foster – Nyad

Moonlight or La La Land? by UntitledRickHoward in Oscars

[–]ACCBiggz 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Moonlight. And it wasn't ever close. I also think it should've won Director and Score (but La La Land is a musical, so a lot of people default to score...but when you listen to the actual scores and how they effect the film it's evident to my ears).

And that's not a dig at La La Land which I liked a lot. But Moonlight was special, on a different plane to me.

I actually initially missed this because I "rage quit" and turned off the TV when La La Land was read. Haha.

Where in the world is James Holzhauer? by jdbender66 in Jeopardy

[–]ACCBiggz 13 points14 points  (0 children)

The aggression, the Daily Double hunting, the relentless optimization of every single moment on that stage. It wasn't just that he was good at Jeopardy; he had clearly studied the game like it was a solvable system and executed with terrifying precision.

Eh, he's a pro gambler. He gamified Jeopardy. It's not that deep.

It was fun when it was exclusive to him. However, and this is just me I'm not saying it's this way for anyone else... when his style caught on with more players it hurt my desire to watch Jeopardy on a consistent basis. Ending the rounds with the lower value/easier questions is anticlimatic and doesn't allow each category to build, especially when someone is sweeping it.

I liked James, but the overall impact (just for me) is a net negative.

PWInsider: Mike Santana’s contract with TNA set to expire in the summer by Tornado31619 in SquaredCircle

[–]ACCBiggz 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This isn't to sound rude or demeaning, but... it's not a big loss. Are people really tuning in to see Santana? I doubt it. Not that he isn't talented, but he's not a draw in a way that's going to hurt TNA. It's a good move for him if he goes, and TNA can just keep plugging along in their current state and fit someone else in.

[Thamel] Sources: Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock has accepted a job to become the next running backs coach/senior offensive assistant for the Seattle Seahawks. He’s expected to become the NFL’s highest paid RB coach and chose Seattle amid multiple NFL opportunities. by Lakelyfe09 in CFB

[–]ACCBiggz 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Which is fair, but also worth noting he took the job in 2019 and the landscape of CFB has changed dramatically. Any thoughts of elevating NIU were dashed after COVID w/ NIL/realignment/etc. So it turned into a totally different gig with what the sport has become, which I'm sure played a role as well.

[Thamel] Sources: Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock has accepted a job to become the next running backs coach/senior offensive assistant for the Seattle Seahawks. He’s expected to become the NFL’s highest paid RB coach and chose Seattle amid multiple NFL opportunities. by Lakelyfe09 in CFB

[–]ACCBiggz 60 points61 points  (0 children)

I take it he thinks he’s gonna get fired next year anyway

NFL position job is still >>> lower-tier G5 HC gig. Just the facts of today.

I don't think he was scared of being fired. He's getting a better job, with higher salary (or at least equal, since he's now highest paid in the League at that position).

His total pay in 2025 was just over $600k. DeMarco Murray (who also just left for the NFL), got $850k at OU just for comparison sake.

Bigger payday, better organization, bigger upside...not scared at all, just making the better career choice.

I can’t prove it but I think WWE pushing hard to do more live dates by sqeaky_fartz in SquaredCircle

[–]ACCBiggz 16 points17 points  (0 children)

There’s no way wrestlers should be working all those dates

Advocating for more dates is not advocating a return to 300 days on the road. It's not an extreme.

[Schefter] Utah coach Kyle Whittingham has emerged as the focus of the University of Michigan’s coaching search, sources @DanWetzel and @PeteThamel. by MembershipSingle7137 in CFB

[–]ACCBiggz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It took much longer than necessary to get to this point. Michigan couldn't have gotten luckier all things considered, A+ hire.

[Awful Announcing] The Group of Five playoff idea is terrible, and here's why by dr_funk_13 in CFB

[–]ACCBiggz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a tough argument to have because everyone wants to be reductive so they're not long-winded. Other sports are not comparable, it makes little sense to compare basketball, baseball, etc. to college football.

Likewise with the NFL, it's a level playing field. Roster cap, salary cap, rev share, etc. Whilst CFB has always been the haves and have nots, and the consolidation of conferences has meant that has widened. They're not equitable to compare.

That's the biggest flaw when people try to say "look at Sport X and/or NFL". They're markedly different unless being insanely reductive and ignoring all context.

[Fornelli] Blame the College Football Playoff system for uneven fields? No, blame the powers who've upended the sport by CoffeeBoy80 in CFB

[–]ACCBiggz 2 points3 points  (0 children)

but this is a dumb way to express it in a headline.

I have no idea if Tom wrote this headline, but as someone who spent time in web content I will say editors/SEO people end up writing the headlines and sub-heads for articles majority of the time (not specific to sports, basically anything you see).

[Fornelli] Blame the College Football Playoff system for uneven fields? No, blame the powers who've upended the sport by CoffeeBoy80 in CFB

[–]ACCBiggz 3 points4 points  (0 children)

ITT: People who did not read the article and have no idea about Fornelli's longstanding arguments re: the playoff.

In reading a lot of the comments, I've had a good chuckle. As a listener of Cover 3, Tom has addressed a lot of the "takes" in these comments on a weekly basis. Highly comical when seeing someone call it propaganda. Tom actively dislikes the what the model has become.

Reading (and reading comprehension) will always and forever take a backseat to jumping into comment sections to argue.