#might legit need to start a poetry tag

[graboidfarmer]

Yoooooooooooooo! CONGLATURATION!!! I am honoured on your behalf :P. Since you're taking drabble requests, I had a really out-of-left-field idea: something involving Mouse and Robbie (because it occurred to me that I don't think they've interacted much in the main fic, if at all, and I wanna see your take on insecure emo boy. :V)

Thanks for the request, this was so much fun! I love getting to stretch my nerd muscles. (Also this turned out hella long.

It’s another typical day at the library: filling hold requests, reshelving books, selecting others to be put up for sale. There’s a certain point when it becomes mindless busy work, and you fall into a trance. At first you don’t even notice the teenaged boy standing in the middle of the Romance section.

He’s tall and skinny, with jet-black hair that covers eyes rimmed with smudged liner. You recognize him as the boy who dated Wendy and terrorized Dipper last summer; Dipper’s drawings of him are shockingly accurate. Robbie Something. He’s hunched over a paperback sporting an image of a muscle-bound man and a scantily-clad woman riding a wild-eyed stallion. Poor horse must be in agony.

The kid’s expression is that of mingled bewilderment and horror. You decide to take pity on him. Trying to be as unobtrusive as possible, you walk quietly over to him.

“Hi, can I—“

The book nearly flies out of his hand as he jerks in surprise. “Holy shit!” he gasps. “Where’d you even come from? You snuck up on me like a little…”

“Mouse?” you supply with an apologetic smile. “Sorry. You just looked like you might need some assistance.”

The teen narrows his eyes. “What, do you work here or something?”

In answer, you tap the name tag on your chest.

“Oh,” he blurts. “Right. No, I’m good. This?” He gestures at the lurid novel in his hands. “This isn’t— I don’t read this kind of stuff. This is just for… research. I’m working on a project.”

You pretend to ignore the obvious avoidance tactic. “Oh, what kind of project?” you ask with interest.

“Composition. I’m a musician.” He leans against the bookshelf behind him, the very picture of directionless youthful rebellion. “Indie punk rock. You probably wouldn’t be into it.”

You shrug. “I don’t know, I like the Ramones, and the Pixies. Are they punk?”

The kid’s eyebrows shoot upward, clearly not expecting that response. “Yeah,” he says slowly. “Yeah, those guys are legit.”

You suppress a smile. “So, you’re writing a punk love song?”

The boy — Robbie — immediately goes on the defense. “Maybe, so what?”

“No, that’s great,” you tell him. “It’s just… Harlequin romances may not be the best resource. From what I understand, punk is about defying stereotypes and cultural norms, and those books kind of perpetuate outdated, sexist ideas of love and gender roles.”

He gives a scoff. “So you’re some kind of love expert?” he asks skeptically.

You nearly let out a laugh. “Wow. Uhh, no. Quite the opposite, actually.” A harsh, bitter quality seeps into your voice, against your wishes. “I just read a lot. Librarian.” You clear your throat. “Anyway, I’ll be over here if you need help.”

You start to walk away, but Robbie calls to you. “Wait.”

Turning, you find him wringing the old paperback in his hands. “Okay, look,” he says in a low voice. “My girlfriend broke up with me over this stupid fight. I’m writing a song to get her back. Not like… get her back, like I want revenge,” he amends quickly. “I just… She’s super important to me, and I don’t want to lose her.”

He looks so genuinely remorseful, you can’t help feeling sorry for him. “I think a song would be a really sweet gesture,” you tell him quietly. “What sort of things does your girlfriend like to read?”

He reaches up and scratches the back of his neck. Fingerless gloves. Oof. “She’s… really into poetry,” he replies at last. “Shakespeare and Dickinson and Keats and crap like that.”

A smirk finds its way onto your face. “Okay, well, people wouldn’t still be performing Shakespeare’s plays four hundred years after he’d written them if they were crap, but anyway. Let’s check out the poetry section.”

He follows you like a lost puppy, the cheesy romance novel still clutched in one hand. “You know, writing songs is a lot like writing poetry,” you say as you scan the shelves. “They’re both about rhythm, flow, expression, hidden meanings.”

“Pshh, I know that.” His eyes dart around, as if expecting someone to challenge his claim.

After a moment, you find what you’re looking for. “It sounds like your girlfriend has an appreciation for Gothic poetry. How familiar are you with Poe?”

For the first time, Robbie smiles. Well, almost anyway. “I’ve read some of his stuff for school. He wrote The Tell-tale Heart, right? That was sick.”

“He also wrote a lot of poetry. Not just ‘The Raven’, but some beautiful love poems. They’re full of such vivid imagery and loss and melancholy, and his use of rhythm is masterful.”

Ah, dream too bright to last!

Ah, starry Hope! that didst arise

But to be overcast!—

You shake your head. “I’d recommend ‘Annabel Lee’, ‘A Dream within a Dream’, and ‘To One in Paradise’, for starters,” you say, handing him an anthology of poems. “Just don’t copy out of them, because I can almost guarantee your girlfriend has already read them.”

Robbie’s cheeks turn red. “Yeah, no, I learned my lesson. I write all my own songs now.”

You check his book out for him at the front counter, glancing at his full name on the computer screen. Robbie Valentino. Appropriate, you think with a smile as you slide the book back to him.

“Thanks,” he mumbles.

“No problem,” you reply. “Good luck. Oh, hold up!” you add as he starts to leave. He frowns, but stays where he is as you run to the Fiction section and grab an additional book: High Fidelity. “This isn’t poetry, but I think you might find it interesting. It’s about a guy who works in a record store and loves music. He goes through a breakup and has kind of an existential crisis, but he learns a lot of things about himself. And his name is Rob.”

Robbie blinks a few times. “Uhh… okay, I’ll check it out.” You quickly scan it and hand it to him. “Later.”

His manner is amusingly furtive as he leaves, as if he’s terrified that someone he knows will see him carrying around a book of poems. But at least he took them. There’s hope for him yet.

The next time Robbie comes in to the library, he makes a beeline to the counter just to inform you that his girlfriend loved the song, and they’re back together. He invites you to come hear his band play at the all-ages club in town, and that you had better not “lame out”. As you watch him go with another armful of poetry, you feel strangely smug.

You may have been a nerd in school, but it’s finally paying off.

[skvaderarts]

I'm literally one weak moment from making V in Elden Ring and going for the bad ending just for the fuck of it. Anyone want to follow that story? I'm legit thinking of making like a in-game diary and being like:

"Dear diary. I woke up on the floor today in a hail of mist and I set it to follow some creepy yellow light through a doorway. I have no idea where the hell I am, and I don't think I have any powers here, so it looks like I'm going to have to start over from the beginning. Also, apparently I'm "maidenless" and a "lowly tarnished". Whatever that means. Anyway, I just want stuff to stop stabbing me for 5 seconds so I can figure out where the hell I am. I'll update you later."

"So diary... Everything here wants to kill me. Like everything. Some dude turned into a bear, and I'm pretty sure a tree just tried to beat me to death. Looks like calmly offering to read them poetry isn't going to cut it here. I'm going to need some way to defend myself. But hey, some creepy doll offered me a bell that can summon spirits, and I have a magic horse. Still better than how most of my days start!"

"Well Diary... Today I roasted an entire plateau of these godless illiterate psychopaths. I still don't know what I'm doing here, but I know what's going to happen. And everyone here is going to regret the day they tried to kill me unprovoked."

"Well well well, diary. It appears that no one knows who William Blake is in these lands. I must educate them. After they stop stabbing me."

"Oh diary. After a month of being nearly stabbed to death, I have awoken and chosen violence."

"Diary. You have no idea how close I am to burning this entire kingdom to the ground. If one more lobster or giant crab attacks me just going to be held to pay. And the magic college here? Raya Lucaria?! It's run by complete and total hacks, and they wouldn't even look over my admittance paperwork! Looks like I'm going to have to go straight to the dean! There has to be some sort of mistake! This is probably the only place in this kingdom I actually belong! And they have some kind of creepy iron maiden that snatches her soul out patrolling the courtyard? And a giant bowl that tries to roll over you on the way to class? And a dog with a giant sword? Not to mention that the school uniform is a little bit unorthodox... But it literally is the only school in this entire kingdom, so I guess I'm short on choices. It's either that or go pick a fight with the trees again... Or open another chest and get teleported to God knows where. Anyway, it's been a productive day! I'll get back with you soon."

"I'm not even going to start my entry with a greeting today. I can't die. Well, I can die but I don't stay dead. Let me out of this endless death loop! My life consists of nothing but endless suffering! Well, at least some things never change. But that spell yesterday that made me shoot yellow fire out of my eyes? Can't recommend it. So far I'd rate this day a 4/10, and the only reason it isn't lower is because a giant lobster hasn't killed me for a few hours and I found a snazzy outfit on a dead guy. Wouldn't be the first time I procured my clothing by ill gotten means. Guess I got to take what I can get!"

... Omg part of me really wants to do this now holy shit. Would you guys want to see posts about it? Because I would have so much fun writing them!

Not going to lie I'm kind of desperate for somebody to want me to do this now lol! Sounds like I could be a blast! Also, check my stupid tags if you want more ideas has to what I might be planning.

Sorry for any spelling errors. Did this at 4:00 in the morning with speech to text. This is what happens when you stay up this late thinking about two different games... But hey, I did this in Bloodborne, and I can do it again! (Oh boy did the Bloodborne one go completely off the deep end. I ended up platinuming the game with my V character and that one... I mean, have I finished my first playthrough of Elden Ring? Absolutely not. But this might just be the most fun I've had in a while, if you guys are behind it.

[sweetlittlevampire]

Hi! I've come across your girlfriend tag, and I don't know if someone already asked it in the past, but would you mind share your story? How did you two meet, how did you realize you were a couple etc. Also, if you're comfortable with it, please share a picture of the two of you! :)

Hello, and welcome! :D

So the girlfriend and I are actually high school sweethearts! Our story often gets described as lesbian enemies-to friends-to lovers highschool AU, and - what can I say? It kinda fits. XD 

Her name is Jill. She’s nine months older than I am. I was born in June 1987, she in September 1986. 

The school year starts in September for us, so often children who are born in September get to stay in Kindergarten a year longer than others, which was also the case for her.

So I started high school in 1999, at age 12, alongside Jill. We didn’t know each other previously. I came from a background with a very strict abusive father, and high school was...how can I say? It was the place where I could escape his supervision, where I could let loose. I was a pretty bright kid, so I showed off like crazy, tried to make friends real fast, and to have fun in general. I was super annoying tbh. XD

Jill had been more like that in elementary school, so she had decided since she was joining the Grown Ups™ (pfffft), she would become all serious and study hard and focus (mostly) on only that. 

I was the art and language kid. She was the science kid.

We clashed like waves on a rock. We hated each other during that first year; we even got into a legit fist fight with each other, in which she trashed my glasses, lol.

She failed that class and had to retake the year because she was shit at French...and I failed the following year and had to retake it because I was shit at Maths, so we ended up back together in the same class. That was when I was fourteen, and that was when the teacher put us next to each other, and we pulled out the very same book out of our backpacks to read during recess.

We bonded over Star Trek and Harry Potter. As soon as we noticed that we had common interests, we began opening up to each other - reluctantly, but still. Come spring, we were already inseparable friends, and she invited me to visit her father in Switzerland.

Turns out she likes modern art, and French poetry (poetry in general), and traditional Chinese music. She approaches cooking with such a scientific scrutiny that she was, for a while, convinced the Rules Of Cooking were never to be broken, lest the kitchen might explode (adding more spice than written on the package? Add salt to taste? Unthinkable! Also I like Arabic cuisine and she can’t handle spicy stuff, so yeah).

Turns out she has warm eyes and does laugh much if you know what jokes to pull.

(That was the year we became a couple, on a school trip to Germany. She wore her hair short and dyed red back there, and I was way slimmer, lol. I was fifteen, she was sixteen.)

Now the year after, when I was fifteen, things changed. Our high school was an all-girls school (they do accept boys too since a couple of years), and many of the girls were early bloomers and had their first boyfriends and crushes, picking them up after classes. She and I, we were still single, and joked around that we could still date each other, if we wouldn’t find a boy for us to date. We didn’t think much of it at the time.

If I was already feeling something back then, I was totally oblivious. No idea at all. If she was already feeling something, she never let it transpire.

Then we went on a short trip to the Netherlands in February. She, her mum, her cousin, and me. The cottage had two rooms with a double bed in each, and her cousin shared a bed with her mum, and Jill shared a bed with me. We proceeded to talk until the wee hours of the morning each night.

The night before we were scheduled to drive home, she asked me whether I had ever thought about kissing a girl. I replied that I had not, and that I had, in fact, never kissed anyone in my life. She asked if I would be willing to try. I said: “Sure, why not?”

We both hesitated, but she was bolder than me, and kissed me.

I - it’s hard to describe what happened. It’s as someone had flipped a switch, and everything fell into place, as it always should have been. It’s like I had seen the world in black and white only, and suddenly everything was bright and colourful and saturated. That was when I realised I was in love, and that’s when she did too.

It was the morning of February 17th, at around 02:15 am, 17 years ago as I am typing this in June 2020.

We were both...unsure about how to proceed, but we decided we would just let everything run its natural course. If this was to end in a month, so be it; if it was to last longer, so be it. I was terrified to let anything show at home, because my father was that kind of person who told me to my face that “people like that” should be, in his opinion, “lined up against a wall and shot one by one” - he died before he could find out. There were definetely things we had to learn, like - we used to be glued at the hip in the beginning, but I sometimes need some time to myself, just to think and reflect and breathe. In the beginning, whenever I requested that time, Jill thought I didn’t enjoy her company, or that I was angry with her. It took a while for her to realise that she was allowed to request time on her own, too. These days, we do many things together, but not everything. Sometimes we sit in the same room, and do wildly different things at the same time. I can completely be myself with her.

I’ve never looked back. Never regretted anything. I fall in love again and again each time we meet.

There aren’t many pictures of the two of us together, for reasons we both cannot comprehend, but  there’s a selfie of me, and below it there’s a picture I took of her last September, on the train to the Steampunk Festival (hence the costume). It’s one of my favourites.

[adampage]

twenty questions

I was tagged by @cowboyshit 🥰

what do you prefer to be called name-wise?

I prefer Emiliana, Emi/Emmy, or Em. Mimi is fine if your name is ryan @adam-page

when is your birthday?

one month exactly from today :)

where do you live?

georgia

three things you are doing right now?

cooking food, texting a friend, typing this questionnaire up

four fandoms that have peaked your interest.

we’re back on our bullshit, lads. supernatural, qwrestling, red dead redemption, and also black sails which is SUPER recent and all thanks to ash 😌

how has the pandemic been treating you?

like shit. I’m very exhausted of it and I’ve had many bouts of sadness in recent months and I’m just ready for it to go away

a song you can’t stop listening to right now?

Forever After All by Luke Combs

recommend a movie.

Sonic the Hedgehog

how old are you?

the way I forgot how fucking old I am. lemme think for a minute. I should be 25. what the fuck I’m 24 legit was thinking 23 at first omg

school, university, occupation, other?

nope I work 70 hours a week and I don’t wanna talk about it.

do you prefer heat or cold?

cold. ya can’t shed your skin off it gets too hot but you can always find more blankets or sweaters :)

name one fact others may not know about you.

my husband and I almost got t-boned by an eighteen wheeler once at 3am

are you shy?

I’m shy with people I find intimidating. if I don’t find you intimidating I’m annoying

preferred pronouns?

she/her

biggest pet peeves?

when someone says one thing in a conversation and then immediately says the opposite three minutes later in the same conversation because I don’t know what you fucking want from me. so you want/believe the former or the latter? beats fuckin me 🤷🏻‍♀️ and it pisses me off :)

what is your favorite “dere” type?

what is this

rate your life from 1-10, 1 being crappy and 10 being the best it could be.

7, I think. I don’t want for much but I feel like I’m not free.

what’s your main blog?

this one!

list your side blogs and what they’re used for.

@hangmox is my edit archive. I also started posting my gifs there once I finally caught the archive part of it up. @lagenerica is my Sami Zayn blog. @thesamiandkevinshow is my Sami/Kevin blog. @cahir-mawr-dyffryn-aep-ceallach is my Witcher blog. @softarthurmorgan is my reference blog where I reblog shit I think is informative to me as a person that I used to use as a poetry blog.

Is there something people need to know about you before becoming friends?

I’m not good at keeping conversation. At the beginning, I’ll tell you anything and everything because I feel like I have to catch you up. Slowly though, I lose confidence in myself and my worth as a friend so I stop telling you everything. I feel like I’m being annoying. And I stop starting the conversations and things that I would’ve told you before, I don’t. It might feel like I’ve stopped being your friend and that’s not true. But the more insecure I feel, the less likely I just say whatever pops into my mind. It’s no one’s fault. I’m just big idiot. I only have like one person or two that I consistently speak with.

Tagging: @kyleoreillysknee @wardl0w @snarkandsarcasmftw @rampagewriting @catchpoint @champbucks @tetsuyainthesky @adam-page 💙💙💙

[la-simulacio]

Once I was in a branding group on Facebook. I remember showing one of my Pinterest boards to the admin and she described it as soft grunge. 

So naturally, I had to google that shit and I discovered all sorts of pictures and aesthetics. 

I have to admit I’m kind of obsessed with aesthetics. I’m obsessed with like the philosophy of aesthetics and like the visual component. Creating a visual iconography.

I usually use my intuition when picking colors and pictures. If I’m like I really like that I need to add it. But sometimes I’ll think: does this really represent my vision? Who I am as a person?

Anyway here are some references to the stuff I was thinking about while putting this together. 

References 

I Am Not A Human Being by Lil Wayne (I legit just listened to this song. I had read about this album/song on the Wiki and it resonated with me. I think I like this song, but it might have to grow on me.)

Mystery Girl by Alexandra Savior (I read that this was described as ‘if you ever wanted to hear Alex Turner’s take on Lana Del Rey. This is it.’ I’m trying to broaden my musical palette and listen to other genres besides pop. Like classic rock. Surf rock and jazz fusion/jazz hip hop. There are so many genres. I don’t want to limit myself.)

Title

I named this board: Viva La Vida because I like what it means in Spanish. “Long Live Life.” I first heard of this term from Coldplay’s 2008 album of the same name. I listened to that album over and over again.  Here is a look at my top 5 list from my old last.fm profile. https://imgur.com/gallery/quPPU3f (Sidenote: idk why but I’ve been irrationally scared of uploading stuff on Imgur for some reason. I think it’s because I heard they roast people there or something. Idk!)

I just read this quote from Chris Martin about the title: 

Frontman Chris Martin told Rolling Stone that he christened this song and the album "Viva la Vida" - meaning "long live life" or more literally, "the life lives" - after he saw the phrase on a painting by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. He explained: "She went through a lot of s--t, of course, and then she started a big painting in her house that said 'Viva la Vida.' I just loved the boldness of it."

This resonates with me bc I really adore Frida Kahlo. I look up to her. I love her strength. How she took her pain and turned it into beautiful art. I aspire to do that with my art one day. Turn all of this sadness and doom into beautiful art. Beautiful poetry. 

Coda

Well, you’ve reached the end of the line cowboy. This was an attempt to define my aesthetics through photos and words. I’m not the greatest artist. I want to paint better, but I think I’m naturally better at photography. I want to write novels, but I think I excel at poetry. I want what I don’t have. It reminds me of that t.A.T.u. song.  

S/O

💖 rules*:

look up (your name) + core + aesthetic on pinterest get 9 pictures and put them into a moodboard style tag anyone you want to do this!

I was tagged by @blackcatsims. I’d like to tag:

@silverspringsimmer 

@emperorofthedark

@ellemant

@cinamun

@katsujiilove

I’d like to peer into you guys’ thought processes. All great artists have their influences and I’d like to think you guys are some of mine. Lots of love!

And please feel free to do this if you see it and tag me in it! I’d like to see other people’s moodboards too. 🥰😘😍

*I almost forgot the rules lol. I’m such a neurotic person but like idk. 

[codenamecynic]

Alternative Ethics Masterlist (Master...post? wtf are these called)

So it turns out that @perahn, @bettydice, @dakoyone and I have written a fuckload of fic related to our ongoing d&d game run by the very excellent onemooncircles, but I did not realize just how much. Also none of it was in timeline order AT ALL so here’s an attempt at that, and yes I did stalk all of your tumblrs for fics not on AO3 YOU ARE WELCOME.  (* for NSFW)

[[pre-game backstory]]

The Swordmaster's Son* (early Harper through the beginning of our game; mostly Harper/Cort but also a good amount of Harper/other people)

Helplessness (Harper + Cort - referenced in SS, but takes place before) Dissonance (Harper + Cort - takes place during SS) Jealousy* (Harper/Cort - takes place during SS) Upend the Sky* (Harper/Cort - takes place during SS) All the Happiness You Need* (Harper/Cort) Powerful* (Harper/Cort)

The Shaping of a Red Wizard (early Khem)

The Captive Sorceress (early Katy diary)

The Rules (early Harper + Katy friendship)

Alt Ethics ficlets, will think of real title later, Chapter 2 (early Harper + Katy)

A Quiet Reminder from the Brambles of Your Heart (early Harper + Katy)

Better (early Harper + Katy friendship)

[[during the course of our game]]

Khem's Codices (I'm only tagging this Khem/Harper because of @jadesabre301, but mostly just Khem/hating that she loves her friends)

Emotional Discharge* (Shay/Jeremy Bonk... kind of)

Khem Tells a Story (Khem)

Like Darkness Impenetrable* (Harper/Jarnath)

Motivation* (Harper/Jarnath)

Untitled (Harper/Jarnath...?)

A Leash Around Your Heart* (Harper/Cort, but mostly just Harper)

Wherever You Go* (Harper/Vigo, background ref to Harper/Cort)

Alt Ethics ficlets, will think of real title later, Chapter 1 (Katy/Shay, Katy + Harper)

Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones (Khem + Shay)

Love and the Art of Knowing Better* (Harper/Vigo, background ref to Harper/Cort)

Coward (Khem)

Attention* (Harper/Gerald, background ref to Harper/Cort)

Names You Never Speak Out Loud* (Harper/Vigo, background ref to Harper/Cort)

[[AUs, crossovers, and other]]

Untitled (Katy/Shay soulmate AU)

Caught (Harper/Cort mer...man AU, and one of the most legit stories ever written for me)

Melodrama and Mushrooms (Katy/Shay modern AU)

Not Your Average Leg Day* (Harper/Cort modern gym AU)

No Kind of Atmosphere (Red Dwarf AU)

I Rolled a Nat1 For Cool Titles, and I had a -3 Modifier To Start With (Khem, some Katy/Shay, some of Perahn's poetry, and a truly horrific Shay/Cort crackfic that has scarred us all)

Reflections (Poetry)

The Sun 1/Untitled (Khem, AU of what might have happened during a fight IT’S CUTE IT SHOULD BE CANON)

The Sun 2 (Khem/Harper, I don’t care)

[stateweeder8-blog]

Cryo Em.

Moles & Skin Tag Treatments.

Content

testimonial examination.

The Hifu full Face and Also Neck Lift therapy

reserve a Consultation.

What Are The benefits Of A Facelift?

My Skin Tag( S) Has.

Mini Facelift surgical Treatment.

lumps, Bumps as Well As lesion removal.

evaluation consultation.

The contemporary OED lists 'couth' as a 'humorous' word, meaning cultured or refined, as well as a 'back development from the word 'rude' meaning crude, which by the 1500s had actually ended up being a more popularly used meaning of tacky. This 'back formation' puts on the current significances, not the word's beginnings. Initially, concerning 1300 years ago 'couth' meant acquainted or understood. It was originated from the previous participle of the old English word cunnan, to know. An old version of uncouth, 'uncuth', suggesting strange, is in Beowulf, the considerable old English message of c. 725AD.

This definition seems to have actually assembled with the Celtic words 'Taob-righ' (' king's celebration'), 'tuath-righ' (' partisans of the king') and also 'tar-a-ri' (' come O king'). https://dollarbail4.webgarden.cz/rubriky/dollarbail4-s-blog/high-intensity-concentrated started calling themselves 'Traditionalists' in 1832, however the Tory name has actually continued to stick. toe the line - conform to guidelines or plan, act as required - from very early 1900s, initially stemming from armed forces use, pertaining to parade drill, where soldiers' foot placements were needed to line up with a real or imaginery line on the ground. tit for tat - vengeance or retaliation, an exchange disrespects or attacks - 'tit for tat' developed from 'idea for tap', a middle English expression for impact for strike, which also implied a trade of spoken insults.

The Hifu full Face and Also Neck Lift therapy

These mottos, words and also expressions origins as well as derivations show the ever-changing complexity of language as well as interactions, as well as are optimal complimentary products for word problems or tests, and team-building video games. Cliches and expressions are detailed alphabetically according to their keyword, for instance, 'save your bacon' is detailed under 'b' for bacon. Some expressions with 2 key words are listed under each word. worth his salt - a valued participant of the group - salt has long been related to a man's worth, given that it made use of to be a much more beneficial asset than now.

What are the negative effects of CoolSculpting?

Some common side effects of CoolSculpting include:Tugging sensation at the treatment site. Pain, stinging, or aching at the treatment site. Temporary redness, swelling, bruising, and skin sensitivity at the treatment site. Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia at the treatment site.

Walk is English from around 1800, whose origins oddly are unidentified before this. The alliterative top quality of words hitchhike would definitely have actually motivated prominent usage. walking - elevate or require up dramatically - according to Chambers, hyke and also heik first appeared in colloquial English c. 1809 definition stroll or march vigorously. The meaning included hitching up a pair of pants/trousers during the mid-late-1800s as well as was very first recorded in 1873. And also expanding from the above, around 1904, hike was very first taped being utilized in the feeling of dramatically raising wages or rates. The same use is initial videotaped in American English around 1930.

What is the best procedure for neck tightening?

Top 4 treatments to lift, tighten and rejuvenate your neck 1. Thermage® or Ultraformer III – to tighten and lift skin. 2. Laser Genesis™ – to smooth wrinkles. 3. Chin sculpting injections – to reduce a double chin. 4. Anti-wrinkle injections – to reduce platsymal bands.

Tat evolved from tap partially because of the alliteration with tit, however also from the spoken argument aspect, which drew on the impact of the Middle English 'tatelen' implying prattle, which additionally gave rise to tittle-tattle. ( eg 'tip and also run' still describes a bat and also ballgame when the player hits the round and runs, as in cricket). Tit for tat was certainly being used in the mid-late 16th century. As with lots of these old expressions, their usage has actually been strengthened by similar seeming international matchings, particularly from N.Europe, in this instance 'dit vor dat' in Dutch, and also 'tant pour tant' in French. Skeat's 1882 dictionary of etymology recommendations 'tit for tat' in 'Bullinger's Functions'.

book a Visit.

The Sonablate is amongst one of the most advanced HIFU modern technology available for prostate cells ablation.

Once ready to head to theater you will be provided a basic anaesthetic.

You will certainly have been encouraged not to eat or drink for several hours ahead of arrival.

You may have discomfort in the peritoneal and also anal area after HIFU and also you will receive pain-relieving drugs for this together with precautionary prescription antibiotics to prevent feasible infection.

A catheter will usually be fitted in advance of treatment to manage pee circulation.

Your expert will certainly advise which sort of HIFU is finest fit to your problem.

You will be inspected by a registered nurse upon arrival and also given an enema to empty your bowels.

Paradoxically much of this use is as an alternative for words rude, for example in referring to crudity/rudeness/impoliteness as "not really couth", and comparable variations. Alternate poetry jargon are cream crackers and lotion crackered, which gave rise to the expression 'creamed', suggesting exhausted or beaten. a pet cat might view a king/a pet cat might take a look at a king/a pet cat may poke fun at a queen - humble people are qualified to have as well as to share point of views concerning allegedly 'premium' people. The different variants of this older saying are based upon the first variation, which is first referenced by John Heywood in his 1546 book, Proverbs. The origin is unknown, but it remains an excellent example of how effective sayings can be in sharing quite complicated definitions utilizing very few words. is normally that no-one is in fact above criticism, or immune from having a good time poked at them by 'minimal' people for behaving wrongly, regardless of their condition.

What Are The conveniences Of A Facelift?

The expression originates as far back as Roman times when soldiers' pay was given in arrangements, including salt. The modern day variation possibly expanded from the one Brewer references in 1870, 'true to his salt', meaning 'faithful to his company'. tories - political Conservative event and also its participants - the initial tories were a band of Irish Catholic outlaws in Elizabethan times. The word derived from the Irish 'toruigh', from 'toruighim', indicating to plunder instantly.

on tenterhooks - extremely distressed with expectation - a metaphor from the very early English cloth-making process where towel would be stretched or 'tentered' on hooks positioned in its seamed sides. ' Tentered' derives from the Latin 'tentus', meaning stretched, which is likewise the beginning of words 'tent', being made of extended canvas. teetotal - abstaining from alcohol - from the early English tradition for a 'T' to be included after the names of individuals that had actually vowed to stay away totally from alcohol. Likewise, people who had actually signed the abstaining promise had the letters 'O.P.' (for 'Old Pledge') included after their names. If anybody understands anything concerning the abstinence pledge from early English times please tell me.

Maker in 1870 suggests for 'tit for tat' the reference 'Heywood', which must be John Heywood, English playwright (not to be confused with an additional English playwright Thomas Heywood ). According to James Rogers thesaurus of quotes as well as cliches, John Heywood made use of the 'tit for tat' expression in 'The Spider as well as the Flie' 1556. thunderbolt - imaginary strike from above, or an enormous shock - this was old folklore and also astronomy's effort to discuss a lightening strike, prior to the appreciation of electricity. The original old expression was 'thunderstone' which originated from puzzling thunder and also lightening with meteor strikes and also shooting stars, as well as was later on superseded by 'thunderbolt' (' screw' as in the brief arrowhead fired from a cross bow). Words 'thunderbolt' provided surge directly to the much more recent cliche meaning a huge surprise, 'bolt from the blue'.

Which is better Emsculpt vs CoolSculpting?

While Emsculpt can disrupt adipocytes (fat cells) leading to a reduction in circumference, the golden standard for non-invasive fat reduction remains CoolSculpting. Furthermore, CoolSculpting can target bulges from a double chin down to fat pockets above the knees.

Third, and also possibly more probably, dual cross stems from an old definition of the word cross, to rip off or fix a horse race, from the 1800s (the term evidently shows up in Thackeray's 'Vanity Fair', to define a fixed horse race). Dual cross specifically described the practice of pre-arranging for a horse to shed, yet then reneging on the repair and also allowing the horse to win. couth/uncouth - these words are really interesting due to the fact that while words uncouth remains in preferred usage, its favorable and stemming opposite 'couth' is not popularly utilized. Lots of people think it is no more a 'appropriate' word, or don't know that the word 'couth' ever existed in any way. In fact 'couth' is still a perfectly legit word, although it's not been in usual English usage because the 1700s, and also was noted in the 1922 OED as a Scottish word.

My Skin Tag( S) Has.

Neither 'the bees knees', nor 'huge as a knee' appear in 1870 Maker, which shows that the expression grew or became preferred after this time. Based on Nigel Rees' well investigated and trusted dating of 1923 for very first recorded use, it is most likely that earliest real usage was maybe a few years prior to this. The money vernacular section contains cash vernacular and also word beginnings and also definitions, and also English cash background. Cliches and also expressions give us numerous terrific figures of speech and words in the English language, as they advance using use and also mis-use alike. Many mottos as well as expressions - and words - have fascinating and unusual origins, as well as several preferred presumptions about definitions and derivations are incorrect.

It deserves noting that playing cards were a really substantial aspect of enjoyment and also enjoyment a couple of hundreds of years ago before TV and also computers. cake stroll, piece of cake/takes the cake/takes the biscuit/takes the bun - simple task/wins - from the tradition of giving cakes as rewards in country competitions, as well as probably people origin. Brewer informs of the tradition in U.S.A. slavery states when servants or totally free descendents would certainly walk in a procession in sets around a cake at a social gathering or party, one of the most stylish pair being granted the cake as a reward. The variants of bun as well as biscuit probably mirror previously definitions of these words when they defined something closer to a cake. On which factor, I am recommended that the American variation expression 'takes the cake' arguably comes before the British variation of 'takes the biscuit'. Possibly, possibly not, since 'takes the biscuit' appears to have a British case dating back to 1610 (see' takes the biscuit '). This all elevates additionally interesting concerns about the various as well as altering definitions of words like biscuit and bun.

How much weight can you lose with fat freezing?

CoolSculpting can naturally diminish between 20-25% of the fat cells in the areas it covers. It will not help you lose weight, however, it can improve the shape of your body, making it appear as though you've dropped pounds. This is because a 20-25% reduction can make a huge impact on the appearance of stubborn bulges.

Contributing also to the meaning of the cliché, black canines have have for centuries been fiendish and threatening symbols in the superstitions and folklore of different societies. Bees have long been a symbolic sign due to the fact that they are symbols everybody can identify, just as we have many phrases consisting of likewise appealing icons like cats as well as dogs.

he's/ she's a card - an uncommon or noteworthy person - point of views are divided on this one - likely 'card' in this sense is based upon based upon playing cards - suggesting that an individual is a tricky one (' card') to play. Maker discusses that the complete expression in common usage at the time (mid-late 1900s) was 'card of your house', meaning a differentiated person. If the Shakespearian root stands this meaning probably mixed with as well as was ultimately more popularised by the playing card allegory. Remarkably Brewer lists numerous other currently out-of-date expressions comparing individuals and circumstances to cards.

Wilde kept names of criminals in a book, and also together with those who earned his defense by offering him with beneficial information or paying adequately he marked a cross. When they stopped to be of use Wilde included a 2nd cross to their names, as well as would certainly transform them in to the authorities for the bounty. Apparently Wilde was eventually betrayed and mosted likely to the hangings himself. Another description is that it associates with the name of a British intelligence team in The second world war, participated in tricking German spies to problem.

Biscuit in America is a different point to biscuit in Britain, the latter being equivalent to the American 'cookie'. Bun to lots of people in England is a basic bread roll or cob, yet has numerous older organizations to sweeter baked rolls as well as cakes. Early Scottish use of words cadet, later on caddie, was for a task kid.

How many cycles of CoolSculpting do you need?

How Many Coolsculpting Treatments Will I Need? Good news: In general, most patients only need about one CoolSculpting treatment to see results. That's because one hour-long CoolSculpting procedure is enough to treat about 24% of fat cells within the targeted area, leading to exciting results.

The initial definitions of couth/uncouth (' known/unknown and also 'familiar/unfamiliar') modified over the following 500 years to ensure that by the 1500s couth/uncouth referred to polite and also courteous as well as crude as well as clumsy. At some phase in this process words ended up being much rarer in English. Double chin removal was maintained in Scottish, which enabled the 'back development' of uncouth right into common English use of today. Sadly during the 1800s and also 1900s couth lost its popularity, and also its status as an 'main' word according to some thesaurus. Technically couth remains a proper word, indicating cultured/refined, however it is not made use of with great self-confidence or sentence for the reasons provided over.

brass neck/brass-neck/brass necked - daring or impudence/audacious, rude, 'audacious' - brass neck and brass necked are combinations of 2 metaphorically used words, brass as well as neck, each separately meaning impudence/impudent, audacity/audacious. As regards brass, Maker 1870 lists 'brass' as meaning insolence. Some of these definitions connect to brass being a cheap replica of gold. Some of the significances additionally relate to brass being an extremely tough and also resistant product. Phonetically there is likewise a similarity with brash, which has similar definitions - discourteous, vulgarly self-assertive. At some stage throughout the 20th century brass and neck were incorporated to develop brass neck as well as brass necked. black dog - clinical depression or sullen state of mind - an expression extremely old beginnings; the cliché was made renowned in current times by Britain's WWII leader Sir Winston Churchill referring to his own clinical depressions.

[bdamantherapper]

Off The Clock: Raw After ‘Mania ‘17 “It’s Time To Shake Things Up Again”

What’s up, world? BDaMan (@BDaMan612) of The Payback Bros. (@ThePaybackBros) here: Welcome to the (re-) debut of the “Off The Clock” series! This series is meant to fill in for days and nights where I am unavailable to live tweet about Pro Wrestling, Entertainment and more. What better way to kick off the (re-) debut than with an editorial about the 2017 Raw After ‘Mania?

*Raw Results are courtesy of WrestleZone’s Lovell Porter* The crowd chants “Undertaker” as the show starts. Alternating “Undertaker/Roman sucks Chants” break out.

In Ring Segment: Roman Reigns

Reigns walks around the ring and doesn’t say a word. The crowd starts chanting “Delete” at Reigns. Reigns lifts the mic to talk, but the crowd boos. Reigns lifts the mic to talk again, and the crowd boos louder. They will not let Reigns get a word out. Reigns points at his hand and says he has them in the palm of his hand. Reigns says this is his yard now. Reigns drops the mic and leaves. Talk about nuclear heat… BDaMan’s Reaction: Out of the 15 years I’ve watched Raw, this was the craziest beginning to Raw I’ve ever seen! I personally loved the aura of the crowd starting the show with a good five minutes worth of chants to honor the great Undertaker. It almost put us right back at that moment from WrestleMania when The Deadman slowly walked away. Right when Roman’s music hit, it went from “0 to 100” – as they say. In contrast of the many cheers and thanks for Undertaker, there was just as much of a negative reaction for Reigns. Me personally – I loved every minute of the negative reaction Reigns got. It not only showed how much Undertaker’s loss affected fans, but it showed the hatred that half of the fan base has for Reigns. It was very wise for Reigns to keep it short and simple. If Reigns would’ve went a longer, drawn out promo – it may have gotten very ugly.

Raw Tag Team Title Match: The Hardy Boyz (c) vs Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson

Anderson kicks Jeff in the gut and whips him into the ropes. Jeff floors Anderson with a shoulder block. Jeff tags in Matt. Two count after the spin cycle. Matt slams Anderson’s head into the turnbuckle. Side-effect by Matt for a two count. Matt sets up the twist of fate, but Anderson reverses it. Matt sends Anderson over the top rope. Gallows hits the ring and Jeff sends him to the outside. After a short break, Gallows and Anderson are working over Matt. Backdrop/neck breaker combo by Gallows and Anderson for a near fall. Anderson Gallows stomp Matt in their corner. Jumping knee by Anderson for another two count. Anderson locks in a side headlock. Hardy tries to fight back but Gallows almost decapitates him with a big boot. Gallows misses an elbow drop. Matt tags in Jeff. Jeff cleans house.

Gallows rolls out of the ring. Jeff uses the stairs and hits poetry in motion off the ring steps. Jeff goes up top, but Anderson cuts him off. Gallows picks up Jeff in a fireman’s carry. Gallows and Anderon hit the Boot of Doom. Jeff manages to kick out. Jeff hit the Twist of Fate on Gallows and leg drops Anderson at the same time. Jeff tags in Matt, who hits a second Twist of Fate on Gallows. Jeff goes up top and hits the Swanton. Matt pins Gallows for the win!

Winners and STILL Raw Tag Team Champions, The Hardy Boyz BDaMan’s Reaction: This match was a perfect balance of speed vs. power/technicality. Jeff & Matt tend to shine a bit more as a team when they’re up against that specific combination of wrestlers (i.e. vs. The Dudleys). That being said, this was a great first title defense and a great way to get The Hardys re-introduced to the modern day Raw crowd. Personally, I was excited to see the signature moves performed by the duo tonight. Spin Cycle, Extreme Combination (Twist Of Fate/Swanton Bomb), Poetry In Motion – all of the things we’ve grown to know The Hardys dig out. When Gallows and Anderson hit the Boot Of Doom – I legit thought we were gonna see the titles go right back to them. This seems to be a clear indicator that we’re gonna see plenty more of The Hardys going forward, as they DELETE any team that comes in their way – making all teams obsolete, and that’s not a bad thing.

In Ring Segment: Neville 

Neville says he did everything he said he was going to do. Austin Aries is clearly a better talker than he is a fighter. You may not like his tactics, but you can’t deny the results. On 205 Live there will be a proper celebration. Tonight Neville is gonna… um.. we don’t know because Mustafa Ali interrupts him.

WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville vs Mustafa Ali

Ali tries to shake Neville’s hand, but Neville pushes him away. Ali lands a shoulder tackle, but Neville nips up immediately. Neville whips Ali into the ropes, but Ali does a cartwheel into a backflip Ali takes Neville over with a Hurricanrana. Ali lands a spin kick and Neville tumbles to the outside. Ali hits a splash off the top to the outside. Ali rolls Neville back into the ring. Ali hits the ropes but Neville tosses him in the air for a high flapjack. After another break, Neville is working a side headlock. Neville attempts another flapjack, but Ali reverses it into a dropkick. Rollins neck breaker through the second rope by Ali for a two count. Neville chokes Ali on the bottom rope. Ali hits the ropes, misses a clothesline and eats a backdrop driver (shades of Takeshi Morishima) Ali stumbles to his feet and Neville destroys him with a lariat. Neville sets up Ali on the top rope, but Ali reverses it into a top rope springboard Spanish fly! Ali and Neville trade strikes. Neville kicks Ali in the gut but misses his shining wizard attempts. Ali hits a Superkick followed by a reverse Hurricanrana. Satellite DDT by Ali for a two count. Ali misses the Inverted 450 splash. Neville climbs the ropes for the Red Arrow. Neville shakes his head, climbs down, and locks in the Rings of Saturn for the submission victory.

Winner- Neville

BDaMan’s Reaction: So far, this is the 2nd showing between Neville and Ali. It’s looking like Ali could possibly be the next up in line for the Cruiserweight Championship. These two have been connecting very well with in-ring work and the brief non-wrestling work they’ve done. I would like to see Ali get more time on the mic to speak on how he’s gonna take the title from Neville. Contrary to the belief of many, we do need some of these Cruiserweights to get more mic time. How are we supposed to get invested in these guys otherwise? I’m not saying they need a drawn out segment (i.e. Gallgaher/Ariya), but they do need something small to keep us hooked. I’d even like to see the split screen promos they show during entrances – something small like that might be effective. I understand some may not want them to talk much, as WCW’s Cruiserweight Division and the X-Division, but WWE does operate on a different wavelength (as TIMELESS would say). If mic time has helped Neville’s heel turn flourish – then why can’t it help the rest of the Cruiserweight Division? Let the rest of the division start touching the level of Neville.

Backstage a limo pulls up. Vince McMahon gets out and walks into the arena.

In Ring Segment: Vince McMahon

The crowd chants “Roman suck” at Vince. Vince says he doesn’t say this often but thank you for being the most passionate fans in the world. WrestleMania is over and the world keeps on turning. Vince says he has spoken to the representatives of both Raw and Smackdown and next week we are going to have a superstar shake up! Vince says tragedy struck last night when Stephaine McMahon was sent through a table. Steph is going to be on the shelf for a while. The show must go on. We have no GM or commissioner. Vince says it won’t surprise you that the new general manager was just inducted into the hall of fame. Teddy Long’s music hits and he dances out on the stage. Vince yells at them to cut his music. Vince says it’s not Teddy. Teddy says, “my bad! Holla holla holla!” And dances away. Vince announces that Kurt Angle is the new General Manager! Angle comes to the ring and shakes hands with Vince. Angle says he only has one thing to say, “It’s great to be back on Monday Night Raw! It’s true, it’s DAMN TRUE!”

BDaMan’s Reaction: When Vince McMahon comes back on TV, you know something major is gonna happen. As that limo pulled up, there was no doubt in my mind that it was none other than Vince McMahon. With the circumstances that have left Raw without power – everyone added up the dots fast as to why Vince was there. It was a nice build-up by announcing it was a Hall of Famer from this year, considering you had two former GMS in Teddy Long and of course, the one who actually got announced as new Raw GM – Kurt Angle. Seeing the crowd reaction change so much once Teddy came out was hilarious. As many have said, Kurt looked to be genuinely happy that he was back on weekly TV – in a role where he can give back to the future in multiple ways. It’ll be interesting to see which of the Raw Heels will verbally step up to Kurt’s authority before Stephanie or Hunter return on screen.

The New Day walk to the ring. Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston are wearing Legion of Doom pads… for some reason. Big E. has a backpack the shoots Booty O’s. Big E. says WrestleMania was thrilling. So thrilling that all of the blood rushed from his head down to his.., Kingston cuts him off. Kingston says hosting Mania was great, but they are disappointed that they didn’t get a chance to put a whooping on anyone last night. Woods issues an open challenge to anyone in the back. The Revival’s music hits! As they get to the ring, Wilder and Dawson kick over and stomp the New Day’s ice cream bike (HA!)

The New Day vs The Revival

Wilder distracts Woods as Dawson attacks him from behind. Wilder tags in and sends Woods into the ropes. Woods hits spinning head scissor. Woods rolls up Wilder, but Wilder tags in Dawson. Dawson grabs Woods and takes him down with an arm breaker. After a break, Dawson floors Woods with a right hand. Dawson and Wilder cut off the ring and beat down Woods. Wilder tries to superplex Woods off the top, but Woods pushes Wilder of the top. Missile dropkick by Woods. Woods crawls to tag in Big E. but Wilder tags in Dawson, who cuts Woods off. Woods slides through Dawson’s legs and tags in Big E. Big E. hits multiple belly-to-belly suplexes. Big E. tosses Dawson out to the apron. Big E. goes for a spear through the ropes, but Dawson moves out of the way. Woods fights off both Wilder and Dawson. Woods goes for the Honor Roll, but Dawson and Wilder reversed it into the Shatter Machine for the win!

 Winners- The Revival

After the match, The Revival beat down Kofi Kingston. Dawson grapevines Kingston legs as Wilder stomps Kingston’s ankle off the top rope. BDaMan’s Reaction: After a superb Triple Threat Tag Team Elimination match at TakeOver: Orlando – The “Top Guys” have arrived to Raw! I was actually furious that I inadvertently read the spoiler that they were backstage at Raw. I really wanted to be surprised. Although, once I heard the “Say Yeah!” portion of their theme song – my excitement was still high once they came out and got in New Day’s face. Knocking over the ice cream truck was a nice touch, too. Having New Day face another serious Tag Team in contrast to theirs is a very big plus. It challenges New Day to move away from their usual stuff and move to more serious promos and in-ring work. They’ve been challenged when they were against The Wyatts, Gallows & Anderson, Sheamus & Cesaro and now, The Revival. I’d love to see New Day and The Revival continue to feud, just as long as the “Superstar Shake-Up” doesn’t cease this from happening.

Backstage, Angle is moving into his office. Enzo and Big Cass walk in. Enzo tells Angle that he is a certified G and you can’t teach that. Angle response that no, not in any college he has heard of. Enzo says that Big Cass is seven foot and you can’t teach that. Angle says you sure can’t. Enzo asks how Angle is doing. Angle says he is great! Angle asks how they are. Big Cass complains about not being tag champs. Enzo asks why the Hardyz were in the match. Angle tells them they will face Cesaro and Sheamus tonight in a number one contender match. Big Cass calls Cesaro and Sheamus Sawft. Enzo and Big Cass leave. Angle looks confused and says, “that’s not how you spell soft…”.

BDaMan’s Reaction: This was a great way to re-introduce modern fans to the humor that Kurt Angle’s character can bring. To longtime fans: it was reminiscent of times Kurt Angle had with Edge and Christian. To current-day fans: It was a nice insight of what else Kurt brings to the table. This wasn’t overdone by any means. Perfect length of a segment.

Six Women Tag Match: Raw Women’s Champion Bayley, Dana Brooke, and Sasha Banks vs Charlotte, Emma, and Charlotte

Brooke and Emma start the match. Emma drives Brooke into the corner head first. Emma slams Brooke head first on the mat. Basement dropkick by Emma. Emma tells Bayley that she wants her. Brooke tags in Bayley. Emma locks in an arm wringer. Emma whips Bayley into the corner, but Bayley tags her down with a drop toe hold. Bayley rides Emma’s back. Charlotte distracts Bayley long enough for Emma to attack her from behind.

 After the break, Emma, Jax and Charlotte are taking turns beating down Bayley. Charlotte sets Bayley up in the tree of woe. Emma chokes Bayley from the outside. Charlotte lands a few chops. Bayley back body drops Charlotte to the outside. Bayley tries to tag in Banks, but Charlotte pulls her Banks off the apron. Bayley manages to stretch and tag in Banks behind Charlotte’s back. Banks dives off the top with a double knee strike. Banks knocks both Emma and Jax off the apron. Spinning head scissors by Banks followed by running double knees in the corner. Banks drapes Charlotte across the second rope and crushes her with a leaping double knee strike. Emma attacks Banks from behind. Brooke hit the ring and hits Wasteland on Emma. Jax runs into the ring but gets double dropkicked to the outside by Banks and Brooke. Bayley dives off the apron and takes out Jax with a splash. Banks tries to hit a back stabber on Charlotte, but Charlotte reverses it Charlotte sets up Natural Selection, but Banks reverses it into the Banks Statement for the win!

 Winners- Bayley, Dana Brooke, and Sasha Banks

After the match, Charlotte gets in Emma and Jax’s faces and yells at them about not being there. Jax tosses Charlotte into the corner and splashes her. Jax blast Charlotte with a jumping elbow drop. Charlotte is out in the middle of the ring.

BDaMan’s Reaction: First off: My reaction about Emma being back was something of a hybrid between Byron’s and Graves’. Take that as you will. I personally wish she would’ve returned sooner – as Raw needed another woman in the frey who was not three out of the Four Horsewomen. With Summer still injured, Paige’s future being questionable and Nia being the only other heel – Raw’s Women’s Division has run a bit ragged. This match was probably a bit on the lower end of excitement for me tonight, but the ending was something intriguing. For the first time in quite some time (if ever), Charlotte was completely down and out – in the middle of the ring. No rage of words after, no struggle to get back up. Could we be seeing a shift in Top Woman Heel on Raw? It makes for an interesting power struggle between the Nia and Charlotte – something to keep the two busy while Emma moves to title contention, perhaps.

Backstage, Sami Zayn tells Angle that he hopes to have a similar relationship with Angle as he did with Mick Foley. Angle says just by talking to Zayn he knows Zayn embodies all of the three Is. Zayn thanks Angle and asks if Angle has spoken to Stephanie because Zayn isn’t on of her favorite people. Jinder Mahal barges in and says he should have won the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Zayn and Mahal argue about who interrupted who. Angle tells them to settle it in the ring. BDaMan’s Reaction: Is it just me or do they keep making Sami seem more awkward and annoying nowadays? Don’t get me wrong – I’m still a fan of the guy, but I also can tell when one of my favorites starts to fall off a bit (i.e. When I felt Rollins’ title run was starting to wane a bit). For Zayn’s sake, I hope he gets traded to SDLive, as he won’t have to worry about a relationship with good friend Daniel Bryan. As for Jinder, it’s nice to see him get some more TV time while Rusev is off TV.

In Ring Segment: Universal Champion Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman

Heyman says they are going to do something different tonight. Lesnar has authorized him to tell the WWE Universe a personal bedtime story they both share with their children. Heyman talks about how there was once a man who fancied himself a superhero. One day this superhero took his spear and jackhammer into town. Goldberg was known as the badest man in the village. Heyman goes on to say Goldberg took everything from the villagers, including the Universal title. Lesnar leans in and says something to Heyman. Heyman says that is the best part. Goldberg took a left turn through a thrill ride that led him to Suplex City. When the superhero went to Suplex City, he got his ass kick. Don’t fret, the story has a happy ending- you won’t be seeing Goldberg around here again. Thank you Taker, and thank you, Brock. Heyman says Lesnar is looking for new challenges. Lesnar names Rollins, Matt Hardy, or Jeff Hardy as potential opponents.

 Lesnar is the disrupter of the status quo. It’s time here and not that they talk about the two in 23 and two. It’s time that they face each other to determine who’s yard this really is. The crowd yells “we want Bálor”. Heyman says if Reigns is “The Big Dog”, Lesnar is “Animal Cruelty”. Heyman says it’s time to give the Raw after WrestleMania crowd something special. Let’s do this right here and right now! Braun Strowman’s music hits and Strowman marches down to the ring. Lesnar and Strowman go face-to-face. Strowman says Reigns has Lesnar’s attention but after he (Strowman) is done with Reigns, maybe Strowman with have Lesnar’s attention. Strowman pushes Lesnar and says because Lesnar damn sure has his attention. Lesnar lays the belt on down in the ring and tells Strowman to come on. Strowman shakes his head and walks away.

BDaMan’s Reaction: Now that Lesnar is Universal Champion, we’re back to where we were not too long ago. Just like the Mixed Tag Match from WrestleMania, this result is exactly what we expected. “It is what it is.” For me, this segment didn’t pick up until Braun Strowman came out to meet Lesnar face-to-face. I personally think that Strowman is the one that should beat Lesnar, come WrestleMania 34. The story of Lesnar/Strowman might have more appeal than Lesnar/Reigns – which we’ve seen quite often in the past few years already. What else can be done with those two?

Backstage, it is announced that Chris Jericho will get his rematch against Kevin Owens for the United States championship. Jericho list all of the international friends of Jericho. Cheer him on, maaaaaaaan! Jericho says this is the perfect place for him to get his revenge on Owens tonight. Jericho is going to start with the tip of Owens’ finger. Owens escaped last night because Owens managed to put his finger on the rope. Jericho puts the tip of Kevin Owens finger on the list. Owens attacks Jericho. Joe appears out of nowhere and helps Owens’ beat down Jericho Owens powerbombs Jericho through a table.

 Backstage, Angle leaves the training room. Seth Rollins walks up to Angle and asks how bad is Jericho hurt. Angle tells Rollins that Jericho is no condition to fight. Angle promises to find Rollins a new partner.

BDaMan’s Reaction: If this promo took place during the Attitude Era or even the Ruthless Aggression Era, that “the tip” reference would’ve went completely different. Jericho and Owens put on a damn good match at WrestleMania. It’ll be interesting to see how the two do at Payback, in a United States Championship rematch. I also like how the mystique of Angle promising Rollins a new partner lead to a certain somebody’s return. I’ll touch on that a little later.

Raw Tag Team Title Number One Contender’s Match: Cesaro and Sheamus vs Enzo and Big Cass

Cesaro floors Enzo with a shoulder block. Enzo responds by taking Cesaro over with a spinning head scissors. Sheamus tags and as Big Cass does the same. Big Cass and Sheamus beat each other down in the corner. Running wheel kick by Sheamus. Sheamus goes up top but almost falls off. Sheamus collect himself and dives off, but Big Cass catches him with a punch to the gut. Big Cass tosses Enzo into Cesaro, then Sheamus. Cesaro and Sheamus are outside the ring. Big Cass gorilla press slams Enzo and tosses him over the top rope onto Cesaro and Sheamus.

After the break, Sheamus and Cesaro are taking turns beating down Enzo. Cesaro lands a European uppercut on Enzo. Cesaro swings Enzo, then locks in the sharpshooter. Big Cass big boots Cesaro to break the hold. Big Cass boots Sheamus off the apron. Big Cass hits the Empire Elbow followed another big boot. Big Cass sets up Boomshakalaka, but Sheamus Brogue Kicks Big Cass. Sheamus tosses Enzo off the top into a Swiss Death Uppercut for the win!

Winners and NEW Raw Tag Team Number One Contenders, Cesaro and Sheamus

BDaMan’s Reaction: “Sheamus and Cesaro! Hey, hey, hey!” -Crowd on Monday This match could’ve went either way. Either of these two teams would’ve been a good fit against a returning Hardys Champions. However, I think WWE is smart by holding off on The Hardys vs. ‘Zo & Cass. Both of those teams are highly over right now, whereas Sheamus and Cesaro are finally cohesive as a team and rising in popularity. As I mentioned earlier, Hardys do some of their best work when they face off against bigger opponents. Another question to ponder on: Could this open the door for ‘Zo & Cass or Gallows & Anderson to join SDLive through the “Superstar Shakeup”? With SDLive’s Tag Division being a bit light – this may be the opportunity to spark it up a bit with either of those teams.

Sami Zayn vs Jinder Mahal

Before Zayn can get in the ring Mahal attacks him. Mahal sends Zayn into the ring steps. Mahal tosses Zayn back into the ring and tells the referee to ring the bell. Mahal stomps on Zayn and chokes him with his foot. Dropkick by Mahal for a two count. Multiple jumping knees to Zayn for another near fall. Leaping knee by Mahal. Zayn stumbles into the corner. Mahal charges in and walks right into the exploder suplex into the corner. Zayn hits the Helluva Kick for the win!

Winner- Sami Zayn BDaMan’s Reaction: There’s not much of a reaction I can give to this, as it was a short match. As I mentioned earlier, I’m wondering if the lack of storyline direction for Zayn means that he’s headed to SDLive.

Samoa Joe and Kevin Owens vs Seth Rollins and Finn Bálor

Rollins and Owens lock up. Go behind by Owens but Rollins locks in an armbar. Owens kicks Rollins in the gut. Rollins kicks Owens in the gut. Rollins almost superkicks Owens, but Owens moves out of the way. Owens tags in Joe. Rollins and Joe tear into each other. Joe forces Rollins into the corner and pummels him with multiple jabs. Rollins roars out of the corner with multiple chops. Joe floors Rollins with a kick to Rollins’ gut. Joe tags Owens back in. Rollins hits the buckle buster on Owens. Rollins tags in Bálor.Bálor and Owens trade strikes. Sunset flip attempt from Owens, but Bálor rolls through and dropkick Owens in the face. Head kick but Bálor. Bálor climbs up top, but Owens rolls out of the ring. Bálor follows Owens and destroys him with a running missile dropkick. Rollins dives hits Owens with a suicide dive to the outside. Joe comes over, Rollins runs back into the ring, hits the ropes and front flips over the top onto Owens and Joe.

Rollins sends Owens back into the ring, but Owens catches Rollins with a DDT. Joe tags in and hits a running back elbow followed by a falling reverse enziguri. Owens and Joe cut off the ring and tag in and out- working over Rollins injured knee. Rollins tries to jump to get to Bálor, but Joe catches him and hits the kneecapper. Joe hits a senton on Rollins. Joe goes for another, but Rollins moves out of the way. Rollins tags in and cleans house. Rush combo followed by a running dropkick to Owens. Bálor puts Owens on the knife edge chop train? (if that’s not a thing, I think I just made it one) Owens kicks Bálor in the face and mounts the top rope. Bálor pops up and kicks Owens in the head. Owens falls to the mat. Bálor calls for the Coup de Grâce but Joe charges him on the outside. Bálor penalty kicks Joe’s head off. Owens moves out of the way of the Coup de Grâce and hits Bálor with a modified version of white noise. Owens sets up the Popup Powerbomb, but Bálor hooks the ropes. Bálor sling blades Owens. Bálor attempts the torpedo dropkick, but Joe appears out of nowhere and locks in the Coquina Clutch. Rollins saves Bálor by hitting Joe with the springboard knee. Owens superkick Rollins. Owens turns around and eats a torpedo dropkick from Bálor. Bálor hits the Coup de Grâce for the win!

Winners- Seth Rollins and Finn Bálor BDaMan’s Reaction: The Demon King has come back to Raw! Quick Side Note: During the brief months that I got my older stepbrother, B.Allen (@B_AllenMn) back into wrestling, he quickly became a fan of Finn Balor and his entrance. Balor was his go to on WWE 2K16 & 2K17. As Rollins and Balor are fresh off of injury returns, this was a good bout between the two and KO/Joe. The theme of tonight (small vs. big) continued in this match – as the size and speed of Rollins/Balor dethroned the similar styles of speed/power/technicality in KO/Joe. It was an exciting main event that ended an exciting Raw After ‘Mania night. One thing that stood out following their win was the brief staredown between Finn and Seth. Could we see those two revive their feud later down the line (pending “Superstar Shakeup”)?

*Raw Talk Results are courtesy of WrestleZone’s Bill Pritchard* After Raw goes off the air on the USA Network, Goldberg comes out and talks about the huge opportunity he was given these past few months, and says they could cheer or boo him, but he worked his ass off to get here. Goldberg talks to his wife and son and says he knows this was for them and talks about the work he put in, saying he wanted to get back to being a glimpse of who he used to be. He invites his son in the ring and says a lot has changed in the past few years, but he took his WWE Universal Championship to his son’s school, and that’s immeasurable.

Goldberg says they can take that away from him, and cheer or boo, they still care in some way, and that means he’s done something. Goldberg says this might be the last time they see him in the ring, and some might appreciate that, but he’s here for his family, and he’ll keep fighting for them. He says he’ll keep fighting to be him, then he references ‘the debacle’ at Wrestlemania XX, and says he and Brock Lesnar did pretty good last night. Goldberg says he saw a glimmer of the old Goldberg, and he’s still one of the biggest son of a bitches on the planet, so they never know what or who is next.

Goldberg celebrates with his son and plays to the crowd as his music plays, then stops and says ‘never say never’ before they leave.

BDaMan’s Reaction: I’m glad that WWE gave Goldberg an opportunity to give a farewell speech this time around. We didn’t get that after WrestleMania XX, so it’s a nice contrast to receive that now. Goldberg stressed wholeheartedly that this wasn’t “part of the script” and that he had no script for this. You could tell, as Goldberg’s speech contained a hubris that was amazing to see and hear. Whether you’ve liked, loved, hated or “somewhere-in-the-middle” Goldberg, you can’t deny how honorable it was to know he came back for his family. When you break down the work ethic of all wrestlers we’ve watched throughout our lifetime, you’ve gotta consider how much of their own motivation comes from their own family. For the first time ever, we saw a tiny glimpse of it with Undertaker back at WrestleMania. We’ve seen it from some of our top favorites when their family is at ringside. No matter how the five-month run of Bill Goldberg made you feel – one point is crystal-clear: the run made him happy and his family. That’s truly what matters. BDaMan’s Final Raw Grade: B+/B While some of the matches had minor bumps, this year’s Raw After ‘Mania show was fun to watch. From The Revival’s debut to the Raw Returns of The Hardys, Emma and Finn Balor – there was excitement in the air. I, for one, can’t wait to see how big this “Superstar Shakeup” will affect Raw going forward. As always, I hope the momentum of Raw continues to move forward. @BDaMan612 of @ThePaybackBros – signing out! Did you know that BDaMan (@BDaMan612) is also a Hip-Hop artist? Check out his material on Bandcamp at: https://bdaman.bandcamp.com/