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Post by Allison Reynolds on Feb 25, 2024 3:06:25 GMT -5
Asuka was synonymous with that NXT women’s title reign. It was like the perfect title reign. No one was ready for her. (my vote)
Bayley is also a good choice just for her arc when she finally won it. Insane storytelling and organic growth for her.
Shayna Bayzler also had an unstoppable reign, where she might have been the best built up “dreaded” heel women’s champ ever. Whenever her music came on, you know someone was gonna get destroyed. It’s a shame Bayzler is no longer presented as intimidating of a presence as she once was. Her killer aura was very genuine.
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Jan 14, 2024 16:51:40 GMT -5
Hawaii was at 60 degrees the other morning that’s really cold for us in Hawaii.
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Sept 19, 2023 12:34:03 GMT -5
💖💜💙
(yessir, love to see it)
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Dec 18, 2022 13:31:53 GMT -5
what a game, that was an insane final.
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Sept 8, 2022 13:11:17 GMT -5
Rip Queen Elizabeth II, thought I’d never say that tbh, she’s been around always.
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Dec 16, 2021 1:06:16 GMT -5
oy vey... what did I miss? From my POV, Xander had a hell of a final tribal. Sorry Erika, but I'm having a hard time with this one. It’s so weird that I actually been having the same opinions as you this season! Without seeing the FTC yet, I have a cutting feeling Evvie’s desire for a woman to beat a man like she talked about in the beginning of the season (where they didn’t like the man winning and getting all the credit just for being a man) may have had some influence on the outcome. Wish if a woman won they would have gotten a better spotlight, like at least Sarah had when she won, or better yet Parvati and Sandra’s wins. Erika, I guess I’ll take it, but not a very satisfying winner sadly. Not her fault at all, just her Edit and portrayal this season despite being the winner was extremely lack-luster especially for a winner. The first woman winner in a long time no less. They should have given her a better spotlight to have the viewer actually care about her more. As it is, it feels like this is the feeling of what would happen if say, Jefra won Cagayan instead of Tony. Haha. Her social game was prob on point though. They should have never let her get to FTC. Xander sadly read the jury wrong there. Social game usually trumps strategy. A more satisfying winner based on gameplay and probably would have been cemented as one of the better winners bringing in the new era would probably IMO been Ricard who hits a couple diversity demographics as well: LGBT, Deaf/hard of hearing disability, Latino/minority and one of the most ice-cold strategic gamebots I’d seen in a while. Like David from MvGX I feel like his win would have been most deserved and satisfying for season simply due to respect of how hard/good he played. Seeing as I wasn’t a fan of Ricard in the beginning and then he suddenly turned my opinion around bc he was willing to make the moves needed, he earned my respect for his play. Too bad he didn’t win, another sad just missed The Finals placer, like David W. Xander was flashy and I liked him because he reminded me of my friend, though I notice his social game probably wasn’t all there since he did come across as young/awkward at times (but hey I like awkward), and the jury were never visibly rooting on the underdog Xander while juries of the past did visibly cheer on underdogs of the past whenever they survive another round (see the winks the jury gave to Mike from HvHvH or Brett the last Galu standing in Survivor Samoa) But he also had one the most lackluster underdog edits/storyline in survivor, despite being the same rootable underdog archetype as say Spencer, Malcolm, Mike (who won HvHvH) and Michael Yerger. I guess it’s obvious now why his portrayed underdog edit was so downplayed seeing as he loses FTC with no votes to Erika of all people and also as he was the lone young white guy on the diversity season. Again Erika I accept but wished she had a better story, development and spotlight, bc it comes across like a background player won the season. (Again like say what if Jefra had won Cagayan instead of Tony lol). Edit: watching now Xander essentially handed the game to Erika. Heather and Deshawn even warned him that Erika was the main person who could beat him yet still took her. I think Erika’s social game might have actually won Xander over too. He totally read the jury wrong. Also I feel like he would have done well on a different season being a young golden boy underdog archetype, but it was weird seeing that even with his archetype he simply had no friends or Allies on the jury. Even if he didn’t take Erika I think he still would have lost even to Heather. Think if he connected/befriended some people he could have done well. Remember Social Game is probably the most important aspect of Survivor, as that’s what gets people to vote for you, having friends/allies or bringing people who don’t have any friends or allies to the end. Edit 2: I think Ricard (most respected strategic player) and Danny (most respected social player)clearly pushing for Erika during the jury’s questions might have really played kingmaker to her there as well.
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Nov 25, 2021 0:57:35 GMT -5
So what this episode, last week’s episode and the story of this season is telling me is that Ricard Wins this season.
Even though I like Xander the best for his “No, but you can have this fake idol” move on shady Liana, I do not mind this at all if Ricard wins. He absolutely needed to make this move to get rid of possibly the most threatening player in the game and his former closest ally, who started being hostile to him. Shan I disliked quite a bit so Ricard gets points from me.
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Nov 20, 2021 5:48:14 GMT -5
Just rewatched a few scenes from the past few eps since the merge.
Watching Liana’s unreasonable vitriol toward Xander seems like sour grapes that she was embarrassed by his fake idol move, that shut down her overpowered advantage that seemed designed to screw over him in particular. The way he was able to over come that and also wipe that extremely smug smile and cadence in her voice was super satisfying to see.
I gotta be honest, the alliance Shan and Liana formed based mainly off of race/skin color is incredibly off-putting to me. They both had Allies they formed and were loyal to them when they were struggling on their own tribes but the fact they turned against those same people who closely worked with them, especially Liana w/Evvie and Tiffany, (also Shan w/Ricard) just to aligned with others due to skin color makes me really dislike them along with their unlikable mean girl behavior, and the fact that they are the majority alliance that has the numbers right now.
I really want to see them have a satisfying downfall, but with the push on diversity season stuff and what not (don’t get me wrong I’m all for it) I really don’t see that happening. In fact I see their alliance making it for the long run and portrayed heroic bc “survivor history!” Or whatever. Might tune out of the season if the majority alliance wins again like other seasons with awful, boring Pagongings, like I did with the terrible ghost island, redemption Island, and similar seasons. Just doesn’t make for satisfying entertaining seasons for me.
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Nov 11, 2021 0:51:26 GMT -5
Catching up with this season, I really can’t stand Shan. Prob as much as someone else here is with Tiffany. Shan seems so entitled as if she’s the best player in the game (she isn’t) and I’m glad that the invisible Heather (and Ricard a few Eps ago) was actually able to see through her demanding BS. Her personality is awful and I do hope the way she plays continues to blow up in her face, as it seems to be happening socially.
Also the season has way too many weird gimmicks/advantages like the weird phrases that actually put target on Xander instead of helping him, but happy to see that he managed to make something work for him last episode, he’s still among my favorites this season so I hope he does well or at least outlasts the players I really dislike. Luckily the cast is really good despite things.
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Oct 6, 2021 1:53:14 GMT -5
Just finished the episode. Glad to see Xander stay even if I also liked Voce. Xander right now, is one of my favs of the season so far as he's gotten a fair amount of content/camera time. He's a decent player, just too trusting atm. Maybe he'll dial that trust down a little after this rude awakening. I mean, all the yellow team are interesting so I hope they don't lose. Maybe (Yase/Yellow) they'll be like the Brains tribe back in Cagayan, where lose a lot premerge but eventually become a unit after a lucky tribe shuffle or something, like in Cagayan how Tasha & Kass decided to spare Spencer instead of J'tia. Maybe Evvie will spare Xander (Even though Evvie completely threw him and all his advantages/secrets under the bus to a member of the other tribe) if they continue on this losing path and eventually be forced to work together like how Tasha/Spencer eventually did back in that season. Can't wait to see tomorrow's episode.
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Oct 6, 2021 1:02:41 GMT -5
Watched the episode late this week, bc of busy, but some thoughts as I'm watching:
I like the entire yellow team, so it kind of sucks that they have to go against each other due to so many challenge losses.
Evvie plays well, but I really am not a fan of the whole "Women/Girl Power" stuff that always happens on survivor. Granted they're doing good on what they think is best for their game, but I really kinda wish Evvie stuck with Xander as I thought that would be a good duo to watch.
I also don't mind the other Yase women, just wish it wasn't because of some girl power thing (Evvie's reasoning for not siding with the Xander is that Men always get the credit), that always makes me go 'ugh' every-time I see it on Survivor, it's just been done all the time. Evvie I still like, and is in a great position all around, except for tribe numbers, but yeah, not a fan of a girl alliance.
Voce has fun confessionals, so it sucks that he's getting voted off.
Edit: I liked Voce's "fail." comment when his torch was snuffed while still being a good sport. Guy had good commentary.
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Sept 23, 2021 4:29:38 GMT -5
Ok so Brad? is kind of an idiot. He reminds me of the guy who got booted first from Survivor 4 Marquesas, even looks like him a little. I feel like dude plays like an early season 1-4 contestant who is all about strength and what not and telling people to their faces who they think should go home.
With 3 tribes I don’t think strength matters as much bc a swap is more likely to happen early on to become 2 tribes.
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Sept 23, 2021 3:55:20 GMT -5
Xander being a younger player surprised me with his game intuition. His explanation, speech/presentation of his thought process behind his gameplay and risk choice to his group, makes me feel he’s quite savvy and smart while being soft-spoken (and well-spoken) + low key at the same time.
It’s evident by how much his tribe trusted to send him to the summit, that his social skills & likability are very good as well. I like him, reminds me of my friend.
Seems similar to how savvy Michael Yerger was in the beginning of his season. Young, but very observant.
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Sept 23, 2021 2:45:22 GMT -5
not to sound controversial, but I always thought the term "guys" in general context was an ambiguous, inclusive gender neutral word. But then again I'm a straight white guy, so I guess it's easy for me to say. Granted I don’t speak for everyone in the LGBTQIA+, but I always felt guys was a gender neutral term as well. It’s funny my straight white male friend disagrees, with that, but it personally doesn’t bother me much.
Also speaking of which I am still fond of this cast, as they mostly seem like likable people… also the cast is SUPER Diverse, this season and not in a forced way. It feels like how actual people within those communities really are like, from my perspective. It’s not like they were casted just to be diverse to fill quotas or certain stereotypes either it feels like this time, but for example their sexual identities are merely an extension of their persons and doesn’t define them as focus for their characters on this show and I’m liking that presentation. A lot of representation I’m seeing and I love it. Pretty even screen time for all people and I also like the showing of behind the scenes production stuff, like showing the crew and when the one girl looked directly to the camera while speaking strategy to the other guy.
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Sept 23, 2021 2:29:06 GMT -5
I’m watching it right now.
It really feels like a new era. Feels Fresh, like we’re not gonna cling on to the older seasons anymore. Totally different vibe from before.
The people seem like, decent real people and what not, rather than just casted to be crazy “Big personality” characters, that usually would make me dislike them instead.
We’ll see how I feel by the end of the episode and end of the season.
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Jun 30, 2021 8:39:42 GMT -5
It's 6/30. Last day for the Month of Pride. Always get slightly melancholy when the month comes to a close.
Though since last year's quarantine, 2020 and 2021 just seemed to fly by. Can't believe we're halfway through 2021 already. Still feels like we just left 2020 and started a New Year. @__@
Anyway, Happy last day of Pride Month My LGBTQIA+ Kings/Queens/Allies. I support you. Til Next time. Love Ya.
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Jun 14, 2021 2:56:06 GMT -5
Hm, I don't play many games anymore compared to when I was a kid/teen, but I tend to get stuck on the games that I do play whenever I get the chance to play (which is rare, as a busy now adult). But here are few that I put time into, in no specific order:
Shadow of Mordor/War (Nemesis system is no joke, it keeps you hooked, wish more games had it) Football Manager Games (hard to stop playing once you get into) Persona 5 (Amazing game. Didn't even feel long, the pacing is really good) Civilization Series ("One more turn") Pokemon (as a kid, I played and reset over & over) Fate Grand Order (convenient, bc it's mobile. Surprisingly addicting)
Love X-COM 2 but I checked my time and I actually didn't put too much hours into it as I thought.
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Jun 14, 2021 2:19:57 GMT -5
Something I've been kind of down on for a while is how lame a lot of our flags are. I like the OG rainbow flag and the trans flag is nice too but I feel like too many people got trapped in the line of thinking that every flag had to be a spin on the same concept of "bars of color" instead of being a bit more creative. The California flag, the flag of Mexico, the New Mexico state flag, off the top of my head those are some dope looking flags. I guess what I'm saying is I want a bisexual flag that's like a badass tiger riding a cloud or something. Dare to dream. We've also got the bi crescents! And tbh, the bi colour scheme applies itself to a lot of stuff well, so there's nothing to stop us having tigers riding clouds! I think that's kind of why the 'bars' thing works for pride flags, it's a simple shorthand that's easily recognisable, and can then be riffed on from there. Only one I'm not the craziest on is the pan flag (no offense to any of my pan friends out there) just because the colours are full saturation which is a bit too much for my aesthetic tastes, and the yellow doesn't really blend with pink and blue as well as the purple. My attraction could be classified as bi or pan, but I mainly stick with bi just because it's the label that helped me discover myself, to emphasise that the bi is not binary, and because I'm not a fan of the flag. I really liked the Bisexual color scheme! On IOS (Apple emojis), I always use the pink heart with the sparkle, the purple heart and the blue heart to represent it. I agree a lot of the other LGBTQIA+ flag designs aren't the most visually pleasing as they're simple color variations of the rainbow, but not as original (only my opinion, more power to those who love their individual flags!). But the Bisexual flag even as bars looks nice to me, aesthetically pleasing with the blend of the colors and what they can mean. It's a color scheme you can wear/accessorize without being too 'loud' so to speak and it goes well with plain black/monochrome.
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Jun 14, 2021 2:19:51 GMT -5
Just wanted to bump this for another week of Pride Month, just til the month ends. For those who need this sense of visibility.
I love reading/seeing the LGBTQIA+ community and also straight allies interact and share stuff here.
It's lovely, because I've never thought to see this sort of thread pop up on a primarily pro-wrestling forum, 15 years ago, when I was a young teen.
The societal progress over the last decade is so darn nice, seeing how the new generation (Gen Z) can accept and be more confident & comfortable with themselves at a young age. Millennials, & Gen X (some older), walked so Gen Z could run with the freedom to be themselves that even younger Millennials couldn't until later on in life. Might be some envy there, but in a good way. Warms my heart/soul.
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Post by Allison Reynolds on Jun 2, 2021 8:28:25 GMT -5
Yes-sir! Happy Pride Month my LGBTQIA+ Babes/Allies/Family/Community. Love ya.
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