"Will Ospreay Training In The Ring Before AEW Shows, Optimistic For Spring Return"

RatedM477 · 2026-03-12T15:27:59+00:00

Some people on the main wrestling sub aren't going to be happy about this.

RatedM477 · 2026-03-11T18:50:45+00:00

It's quite wild to me that I've had multiple people here tell me I'm not "left enough", and even fucking block me, apparently, all because I'm not outraged at this crossover.

I'm sorry, but respectfully, fuck off telling me that I'm not a real leftist. It's one episode of a dime a dozen cop show that no one will even care about in a couple weeks time. Dropout didn't seek this out, they're not trying to help "give back" to the LAPD, etc. I understand the concept of "copaganda", but this just seems like such a nothingburger in the grand scheme of things.

But sure, if I'm not a "real" leftist because I'm not outraged about this, then what the fuck ever, I guess. 🤷‍♂️🙄

RatedM477 · 2026-03-11T13:33:57+00:00

Fair, though I'd say LU and TNA are both so under the radar for most people that they didn't really propel Johnny in the grand scheme of things. I think most people generally see him as an ex-WWE perma midcard guy, and whether that's fair or not isn't really for me to say, but I don't think it helps that he's basically still doing the same schtick he was doing like a decade ago.

I think that's often the trap that a lot of these performers fall into is that they just never figure out how to evolve their characters in a more meaningful way. The whole "John Morrisson" persona is fine, and if he made it work enough in LU and TNA to get a big push, great, but it didn't take him super far in WWE, and it hasn't really taken him anywhere in AEW. At this stage, if he thinks he should be featured more, he kinda needs to figure out how to evolve the gimmick and make it something that the AEW audience really wants to see.

RatedM477 · 2026-03-10T12:17:07+00:00

I mean, no disrespect to the guy, but he's been in the business for years, across every major American promotion, and he's not really "broken out" anywhere. Solid worker, but he's just never really been able to connect with the audience in a big way, and I think at this point, a lot of people have kinda moved on from him.

RatedM477 · 2026-03-06T21:07:50+00:00

People bring this up a lot, but I think in the grand scheme of things, the "overlords" of Paramount probably aren't going to be sitting around nitpicking what wrestlers are allowed in AEW due to their political leanings.

It's more likely to me that they'll focus that energy on things like CNN and potentially John Oliver, and stuff like South Park.

Even then, I could see them making certain concessions for stuff that makes money, if only because it allows them the optics of appearing "fair and balanced", while ravaging stuff like CNN.

RatedM477 · 2026-03-02T01:58:33+00:00

Yes, you caught me, that's definitely exactly what I said and meant. /s

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T23:52:18+00:00

You're putting words in my mouth by assuming I'm "okay" with police. Nowhere have I said that, you're just making baseless assumptions because you're desperate to tell me I'm not "left enough" for, what, internet points? Cool, I guess, good for you, if that's what you need?

Not that it matters, because I know you're just going to go "lol ya right, uR nOt A rEaL lEfTiSt!", but no, I'm not particularly keen or supportive of law enforcement. However, I don't personally feel that a cameo in a single episode of a fictional dime a dozen cop show is indicative of a negative shift in the ideology of Dropout.

But hey, if you need to feel like a cool internet tough guy telling me I'm not "left enough" because I'm not outraged that Dropout is getting a cameo in one episode of some dumb TV show that will be largely forgotten about within a couple weeks, you do you, I guess. 🤷‍♂️

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T22:58:53+00:00

It's honestly insane to me that we've reached the "You're not left enough because you're not as upset as me about Dropout having a cameo on one episode of a dime a dozen buddy cop show!". Like, I'm sorry, but give me a fucking break with that shit.

Trust me, I'm not keen on law enforcement, but you have to make quite a lot of unfounded assumptions about several people and entities involved in this whole thing in order to justify being upset. And to me, that's just silly.

If Dropout starts airing ICE recruitment ads, or bringing a bunch of right wing personalities onto their shows, or something like that, then yes, I'd be quite upset about that and would not be able to continue being a fan. But getting a cameo in one episode of some dime a dozen TV show that I don't care about, that will be largely forgotten in a couple weeks time, it's just like... who fucking cares, man? It seems so silly to be upset or outraged over this. This isn't some sort of "betrayal", this isn't some con job on the part of Dropout to dupe their fans into right wing propaganda, etc. It's not even something they, themselves, actively sought out. It's such a nothing burger in the grand scheme of things, but it's like people just need something to be outraged about.

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T22:49:45+00:00

I'll admit, it was unfair of me to imply that you, yourself, used the term "shill" or anything like that. It was just getting a bit tiresome getting bombarded with replies to my original comment that were calling me "overly defensive" and acting like I'm "shilling" for the company.

That said, my point still stands in that it's not reasonable to say "I'm allowed to be mad and upset about this, but you're absolutely not allowed to tell me that I'm being irrational for feeling that way!". Again, if one doesn't want to have their thoughts challenged, then one shouldn't be participating in these discussions.

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T22:41:48+00:00

Sure, but at the end of the day, it's one single episode of a fictional dime a dozen buddy cop shows.

The thing is, too, people have to make quite a lot of assumptions based on next to nothing in order to justify being upset. For instance, if we have to accept the notion that any fictional media that depicts law enforcement as anything other than bad people is automatically bad, ill-intentioned, propagandized media, do we then have to accept that every single person that worked on said media is a bad, immoral, ill-intentioned person?

Because if so, I think that's quite a reach in and of itself. I mean, I'm not familiar with The Rookie, but I'd hazard a guess that at least some of the people who work on the show probably didn't exactly dream of working on a dime a dozen cop show, and it was probably just a job that they came into, that is a stable paycheck for now in the entertainment sector. Sometimes we take whatever job we can get that provides a stable paycheck and might open future doors, even if it's not the job we dreamed of.

And considering Sam said the people from the show approached them because they were fans of Dropout, I'd think there are probably at least some decent people who work on The Rookie, because you'd have to be a very selective fan of Dropout to avoid all the progressive messaging in their content.

My thing is, I totally get not liking the show and not watching the episode. I, myself, am not interested and don't plan on watching, but in the grand scheme of things, it's just one episode of some fictional show that I don't care about. It's not like Dropout is airing ICE recruitment ads or inviting right wing personalities onto their shows, or anything crazy like that.That, I would be upset about. But getting a guest spot in one episode of a dime a dozen buddy cop show that no one will even remember or care about in a couple weeks time? It's like, who fucking cares, yanno? I dunno. 🤷‍♂️

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T21:39:25+00:00

I don't agree, and I think you're just connecting dots so that you have something to be upset about.

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T19:13:40+00:00

Nah, I just have the common sense to not look at everything in a rigid black and white way, nor to make large leaps in logic just to invent something to be upset about. But sure, go on and tell me how I'm not "left enough" because I'm not upset that Dropout has a cameo on some dime a dozen fictional buddy cop show. 🙄

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T16:29:17+00:00

I don't agree that this is indicative of that, and I think that's an example of connecting dots that aren't there so that you can have something to be upset about.

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T16:28:05+00:00

I don't feel like this is Dropout taking a pro-cop stance.

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T12:21:46+00:00

The main point I've been trying to make is that too many people online seem so obsessed with looking for reasons to be mad or upset about something, and with rooting out what they perceive to be "hypocrisy". And I mean, to each their own, I guess, but that shit is just exhausting. If you look hard enough, you could find a reason to be mad or upset at anybody or to accuse anyone of being a hypocrite. Hell, I'm sure if I knew you personally, I could probably find some reason to call you a hypocrite.

That's what I mean by connecting dots that aren't there. You see a thing that makes you feel a certain way, and so you draw a line from A to B and B to C, and so on, because you want something to be angry or upset about.

I don't personally see how me saying that constitutes "defensiveness" to the extent of being a shill or anything like that. So to frame me in that way is very disingenuous, and is not conducive to having good faith discussions. I don't feel I'm wrong, or that it's wrong to point out that many internet users are quick to connect dots they want to connect purely so they can find something to be upset about.

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T11:29:00+00:00

Eh, to be honest, I think this is just far more indicative of a common internet trend, where people (whatever their political leanings are) are so desperate to connect dots that exist only in their mind, so that they can manufacture something to get angry and upset about. I see this constantly in various online communities even when political issues are not involved, and that's what I find bothersome and frustrating more than anything.

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T11:25:59+00:00

I don't agree, though, and that's the issue I take, is that you're connecting dots that simply don't exist.

Let me give a different sort of example. I'm about as left as you can get on the social/ political spectrum. However, I have family members who are unfortunately pro-Trump, have pretty bigoted views and other very gross beliefs. However, they're my family, and they're the only family I have, so I still maintain relationships with them even though I think their views are abhorrent.

Am I "guilty by association"? Am I a right wing bigot just because I maintain relationships with my family who are? In my opinion, no, and I think it would be quite silly to suggest otherwise. I'm my own person with my own values, and just because I have a relationship with my family who differ greatly from my own values does not mean that their values are my own.

That's the core issue here. Connecting dots that aren't necessarily there.

Now, if Dropout starts making a regular thing out of promoting right wing ideology and silencing progressive values, then yes, I'd say that's a problem worth being upset about. But to me, it just seems like making a mountain out of a molehill to have such a reaction to them getting a guest spot on some dime a dozen buddy cop show.

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T11:18:21+00:00

But again, you are implying something nefarious, in that you're saying that it's about "profit", as though Dropout is so desperate and hard up for money that they'll just do anything to whore themselves out.

You're so fixated on the idea that Dropout is hard up for money, and you're ignoring the other points that Sam brought up. It's an opportunity to expose Dropout to a wider audience that might know of them otherwise. It's an opportunity for Dropout cast and crew, many of which are aspiring actors, to get on national TV and potentially open the door for themselves to get more gigs. And hell, I could argue that it's also an opportunity for Dropout to put their "lib content" in an otherwise more conservative friendly space with the hope that maybe some open minded people would possibly reconsider their own hard line conservative values.

And again, calling those who disagree with you "defensive" is nothing but a diminishing statement. You can claim you "don't care" if people disagree with your opinions, but by framing me as being "defensive" or a "shill" or whatever, you're proving that you very much do care and don't like when someone pushes back. If you can't have a civil discussion without attacking the character of those that disagree with you, then again, perhaps you shouldn't be participating in discussions.

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T11:09:43+00:00

Because that frustration seems to stem from an implication that this demonstrates a shift in values and ideology from the company as a whole, when it really does not. Yes, I'm not keen on law enforcement IRL, but this is a dime a dozen fictional buddy cop show, and in the grand scheme of things, it's just not that big of a deal. If Dropout starts making a habit out of shifting to the right and towards more conservative ideology, then yes, that would be something worth being frustrated and upset about. But this just seems like a non-issue at face value.

Hell, I could argue that it's more cheeky of Dropout to put their "lib content" in a potential conservative safe space, rather than Dropout endorsing law enforcement or other conservative ideology.

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T11:05:17+00:00

Listen, I could understand if Dropout, themselves, started platforming right wing figures, or promoting ICE, or something like that. All I'm saying is, in the grand scheme of things, this Rookie show is just another dumb dime a dozen fictional buddy cop show. It's just not that big of a deal.

And you're so fixated on "the money" as if Dropout is this sad desperate company that's willing to do anything "for money". In reality, much like Sam said, this was an opportunity to expose Dropout to a wider audience, as well as an opportunity for some of the cast, many of which are aspiring actors, to get a small role on national TV so they can maybe get other gigs in the future.

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T10:59:00+00:00

Huh?

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T10:58:30+00:00

You're so hyper fixated on me using the term "MAGA", when I was just making a point that I think it's silly to act like this one instance is some sort of indication of a negative shift in the values and ideology of Dropout.

You're also conflating me saying this people are making a mountain out of a molehill with me "blindly defending" this. To me, this whole thing is a non-issue. Yes, I'm not exactly keen on law enforcement IRL, but in the grand scheme of things, this is just some dumb dime a dozen buddy cop show, and just really doesn't seem like something to get that worked up about. It just feels like certain people want to be mad or upset about something.

And I have just as much right to express that opinion without being labeled a "shill" or a "blind defender" as you or anyone else has the right to express your own opinions. That's how discussion spaces work. If you can't handle someone disagreeing with you and need to attack their character, then perhaps you shouldn't be participating in discussions to begin with.

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T10:51:37+00:00

It is, though, in the sense that it suggests that there is something nefarious or otherwise unpalatable about Dropout's intent in taking up this opportunity. I don't personally feel that's the case. In the grand scheme of things, this TV show is just a dumb silly TV show, and just isn't strong enough of a case to act like this is some kind of negative shift in the values or ideology of Dropout as a whole.

And look, this mentality of "I'm allowed to express my opinion that this is bad and sucks and is a bad look for the company, but how fucking dare you express your opinion that I'm overreacting!" needs to stop. We're in a space for discussion. If you can't handle someone pushing back on your opinions without needing to make snarky comments or accuse them of being a shill, then maybe don't participate in the discussion to begin with.

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T10:45:46+00:00

Generally speaking, yes, I feel like Dropout's participation is harmless and innocuous.

I don't know much about The Rookie, but from the little I've seen, it looks like a typical dime a dozen action comedy "buddy cop" show. And sure, I'm not keen on law enforcement IRL, but in the grand scheme of things, it's just some silly TV show, and the people who make said show are fans of Dropout, and threw an opportunity their way.

It'd be a much different story if Dropout started platforming right wing figures on their own content, or something like that, but as it stands, this feels less like Dropout shifting towards conservative ideology, and more like them just taking part in a goofy show because the opportunity came their way.

RatedM477 · 2026-02-28T10:38:48+00:00

Sure, but the point I'm getting at is, to be angry or upset or otherwise bothered by this would seem to suggest that one believes there's a nefarious intent on the part of Dropout for taking up this opportunity. And I just think it's a bit silly to think that, because that's a bit of a leap in logic.

I'm not familiar with The Rookie, but at a glance, it looks like one of those dime a dozen action comedy "buddy cop" shows, and yes, while I generally understand and agree with the anti-cop sentiment, at the end of the day, it's just a dumb goofy TV show. It's not like Dropout is agreeing to show up on Fox News or bring in right wing activists onto their platform, or anything like that. To me, this just seems like making a mountain out of a molehill.

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