Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Appreciation of a Megastar Known as Angel Blue

For one independent wrestler it was not suppose to end this way. The self-proclaimed "Megastar" Angel Blue forced to call it a career two years after her final match. 

For over a decade she been down the roads and rings of Texas indy wrestling scene especially Austin-based Anarchy Championship Wrestling. She relished on being hated by the crowd. With a smug self-absorbed over-confident look, she would get in fan's faces claiming to be the greatest and hurl insults. Before getting in the ring she swept her feet back on the apron in direction of the fans. Fans responded to her with loud boos, arguing back with her, and on occasion tossing rolls of toilet paper when she gets introduced in the ring. She continues to antagonize the crowd with insults and singing "We are the champions!" off key. She worked the fans way too well having the fans boo her for everything she did in the ring. Fans wanted her get beat only for her to win in sneaky and nefarious ways.

She shows up at ACW ready to work and get involved. She even popped up not long after being in a bad car accident to talk on the mic giving a passionate speech on showing up despite not able to work because she loved this. She's a two-time ACW Joshi champion, a TV champion, a tag team champion with Jojo Bravo (now known as Jay Serious) and 2013 Queen of Queens tournament winner. Her tag team with Jojo Bravo will always be underrated and underappreciated. The chemistry between the two as reluctant tag partners who try to screw over each other only to get a miraculous victory at the end. She wrestled in Sabotage when it started up and feuded with current AEW wrestler Leva Bates. One of her victories over her was locking Bates inside trunk of a car. It lead to Last Woman Standing match between the two. In 2018 she made her Inspire A.D. debut being surprise tag team partner of Steve O'Reno and became Inspire A.D. Twin Dragons champions with him. Things were going good for her....

Til one Inspire show in Jan 2019. She was in a match against Jenna Lynn and current NXT wrestler Shotzi Blackheart when she took one spot. It was a spot I seen done many times, but this one caused a herniated disc in her neck. Everything she worked for comes crashing to a halt for an unfortunate injury. She had surgery to repair and endure hell trying to make it back. Despite bouncing back and working hard she couldn't able to be cleared for a comeback. Not the way she wants to go out.

Angel Blue is a textbook case on being a heel from going face-to-face with fans to finding hundreds of devious ways to break the rules and win a match. She always been a solid hand in the ring. Part of me want her in the middle of the ring to say goodbye only to go "Sike! I lied! I'm back!" to chorus of boos. It would be the most perfect thing for her. A fan can only dream. Thank you Angel Blue for putting everything in the ring. When I hear Queen - I Want It All I immediately think of you coming out to the ring. You are truly a Megastar.

Some matches of Angel Blue to view:

(Rare moment of Angel Blue working as a face)




Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Paper or Mobile?

Paper or Mobile Tickets?
Last month I went to Texas Motor Speedway for Indycar doubleheader weekend. Third time going, but its also first time of me doing this to get in: mobile tickets.When I purchased my tickets for the race online I didn't have a choice as it was only option available. On that weekend I've officially join the technological world of using mobile tickets.

Mobile ticketing have become the norm. With a few taps on your smartphone you can purchase tickets to an event and be received in mobile form. For venues it's cost effective and reduces the use of paper. There's an option on getting paper tickets paying a fee the venue charges on having it printed and sent to your address. (Hello Ticketmaster) It's only free if you get it at will call, but that's at certain venues.

My only experience on mobile tickets went like this. I have log on Texas Motor Speedway app to pull it up or save the ticket to Google pay app. That also means having to pull up my phone, punch in my password, and show it to the ticket taker as they scan it. The track did offer paper tickets, but that if you walked up to the booth and purchase a ticket on race day.

For me personally I prefer having paper tickets. It's mainly to collect, brag, and show off to your friends and family on the events and venues you been to. It's a good way to start a conversation. Also on back of ticket is a coupon to free meal or beverage at a fast food restaurant. I kept most of the tickets throughout the years. I still have the ticket from 1996 Texas League All-Star game. If I find a ticket lying the floor of the venue especially a sporting event I'll pick that up. Often I wind off with few extras and using those tickets to get a free meal out of it. I spent 2018 dining at Zaxbys using a previous game ticket which had BOGO combo meal especially before going to Round Rock Express games.

What is your choice of ticket? Paper or mobile?