Author: Padraig Fahy

  • WWE Bash in Berlin & NXT No Mercy 2024 Predictions

    WWE Bash in Berlin & NXT No Mercy 2024 Predictions

    WWE are holding their first Premium Live Event in Berlin, Germany this evening, titled Bash in Berlin.

    This will be the ‘homecoming’ for an Austrian-born champion in GUNTHER who made his name in Germany in wXw.

    5 matches on this card, including 3 title matches.

    And then the next day, we go back to the US for NXT No Mercy as TNA star Joe Hendry looks to defeat the NXT Champion Ethan Page.

    6 matches on that card, with 5 of them being title matches.


    Bash in Berlin

    Non-Title Matches

    • Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley vs Dominik Mysterio & Live Morgan in a mixed tag team match.
      • PREDICTION: Damian and Rhea are going to run roughshod on Dom and Liv. There is no way that Damian and Rhea can lose. Damian and Rhea to win.
    • CM Punk vs Drew McIntyre in a strap match
      • PREDICTION: This may be the match of the night. A lot of personal animosity between these two. Drew winning would make sense but you cannot count out CM Punk. CM Punk to win.

    Title Matches

    • The Unholy Union (C) vs Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill in a tag team match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
      • PREDICTION: Alba and Isla are really hot right now, so pairing them up with Bianca and Jade won’t be a complete squash that we have seen previously. But given it is Bianca and Jade, they probably will put the titles on them. Bianca and Jade to win and become champions.
    • GUNTHER (C) vs Randy Orton in a singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship
      • PREDICTION: This is going to be brutal. Chops and welts are going to be aplenty in this match. And Randy is not going to win in Germany over the biggest star from the German wrestling scene in GUNTHER. GUNTHER to win and retain the title.
    • Cody Rhodes (C) vs Kevin Owens in a singles match for the Undisputed WWE Championship
      • PREDICTION: Kevin didn’t deserve this match and he knows it, but he is going to take every opportunity that he can get. As noted on SmackDown, he has not held a title in 8 years. And I predict that they want to rest Cody for a while before coming back at Rumble or perhaps Survivor Series, so let’s have some fun. Kevin to win and become champion.

    NXT No Mercy

    Non-Title Matches

    • Wes Lee vs Zach Wentz in a singles match
      • PREDICTION: This is going to be a Match of the Night contender. Wes and Zach are going to work very hard and both will go over. But you cannot have a TNA star win over a WWE star, so Wes to win.

    Title Matches

    • Chase U (C) vs Nathan Frazer & Axiom in a tag team match for the NXT Tag Team Championship
      • PREDICTION: I think this is going to be the end of Axiom and Nathan Frazer. They are not going to hot potato the titles any more, and one of them (Probably Nathan) is going to turn on the other. Chase U, are pretty hot right now and they need someone new to feud with. Probably Gallas. Chase U to win and retain the titles.
    • Kelani Jordan (C) vs Wendy Choo in a singles match for the NXT Women’s North American Championship
      • PREDICTION: I have a bad feeling that Kelani is going to lose this with thanks to shenanigans from TNA’s Rosemary. Rosemary has sided with Wendy, and I feel that is going to be enough for the titles to switch. Wendy to win and become champion.
    • Oba Femi (C) vs Tony D’Angelo in a singles match for the NXT North American Championship
      • PREDICTION: No one can beat Oba. It’s just not possible. Not unless Stacks or Luca can get involved and cost him the title, but if there were no outside distractions, then Oba would destroy Oba. He is still going to do it anyway. Oba to win and retain the title.
    • Roxanne Perez (C) vs Jaida Parker in a singles match for the NXT Women’s Champion
      • PREDICTION: Rocket strap Jaida to the moon. She has become a face for the women’s division on NXT, and it really shows after her NXT Battleground match when she was in the 6-woman ladder match for the Women’s North American Championship. Jaida to win and become champion.
    • Ethan Page (C) vs Joe Hendry with Trick Williams as Special Guess Referee in a singles match for the NXT Championship
      • PREDICTION: Just like the Wes/Zach match, a TNA star ain’t winning the title. Trick is probably going to be screwing both men, like what Seth did with Punk/McIntyre at Summerslam. Should be a good match and should make Joe look strong regardless. Ethan Page to win and retain the title.

  • Gaming News – 27th August 2024

    Gaming News – 27th August 2024

    • FOAMSTARS will go free-to-play starting October 4th for PS4 and PS5 users.
    • The trailer for SONIC 3 has been released. In Cinema on December 20th. Shadow is voiced by Keanu Reeves.
    • Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on November 7th. It was originally released on Switch in September 2022. Demo is available now.

    Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase + Indie World Notes

    No notes regarding the Switch successor.

    • The Witcher, Vampire Survivors, Among Us and Dave the Diver decks are coming to Balatro today.
    • NEVA from the creator of GRIS is releasing on October 15th.
    • Moth Kubuit announced. It will be released in Spring 2025.
    • Coffee Talk Tokyo announced. It will released in 2025.
    • Sea of Stars Throes of the Watchmaker DLC releasing for free in 2025.
    • Powerwash Simulator is getting Shrek DLC later this year.
    • Morsels announced. Releasing in February 2025.
    • Date Everything releasing October 24th.
    • Peglin is out today exclusively on Switch. Other platforms at a later today.
    • Wobby Life is releasing December 2024.
    • Pico Park 2 is out later today.
    • Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope DX releasing in 2025.
    • Europa releasing October 11th with a demo available now.
    • Cuisineer releasing January 28th 2025.
    • On Your Tail releasing November 21st 2024
    • Metal Slug Tactics is available this Autumn.
    • The Plucky Squire releasing September 17th.
    • Pizza Tower is releasing later today on Switch.
    • Tetris Forever has been announced and will include 15 playable versions of Tetris that has not been made available outside of Japan until now. Available later this year.
      • The games are:
        • A recreation of Tetris on the Electronika 60
        • Tetris (1988 Famicom)
        • Tetris 2 + Bombliss
        • Tetris Battle Gaiden
        • Hatris
        • Super Bombliss
        • Super Bombliss DX
        • Super Tetris 2 + Bombliss
        • Super Tetris 3
    • Tetris (NES) is available later this year for Nintendo Switch Online
      • Tetris 99 Maximus Cup – Tetris 40th Anniversary is available this winter.
    • Star Overdrive will be out in 2025.
    • Goat Simulator 3 is available for the Nintendo Switch later today. Physical release in November.
    • The Legend of Heroes: Trials in the Sky the 1st is releasing in 2025.
    • Star Wars: Hunters Season 3 begins on September 26th
    • S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Legends of the Zone Trilogy will be out in November.
    • Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition will release on September 26th
    • SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game announced. Out October 4th.
    • Fitness Boxing 3 releasing on December 5th.
    • Capcom Fighting Collection 2 announced. Will include Capcom vs SNK 1 +2, Project Justice, Capcom Fighting Evolution, SFA3 Upper, Plasma Sword, PowerStone 1 + 2 – Available 2025.
    • Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection is available September 12th digitally. Physically on November 22nd
    • Atelier Yumia announced. No release date
    • Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster releasing March 6th.
    • Dragon Quest 3 HD releasing November 14th – Preorder available today on eShop.
    • Castlevania Dominus Collection (Portrait of Ruin, Order of Ecclesia and Dawn of Sorrow are available later today.
    • Sid Meier’s Civilization VII will be released on Switch on February 11th 2025
    • Tales of Graces f Remastered announced. Out on January 17th.
    • MySims Cozy Bundle (Original and Kingdom) available November 19th.
    • Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 is out this winter.
    • Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed releasing September 24th
    • Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game out this winter.
    • Just Dance 2025 Edition out on October 15th.
    • Funko Fusion out this winter.
    • EA Sports FC 25 out on September 27th
    • LEGO: Horizon Adventures out this winter.
    • Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma announced. Out in Spring 2025.
    • Yakuza: Kiwami coming to Switch on October 24th 2024.

  • Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024 Notes

    Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024 Notes

    Here are the notes that I took while watching the Opening Night Live from Gamescom 2024

    Gamescom – Opening Night Live Notes

    • Trailer for 2K game from Gearbox for Borderlands 4 – Coming 2025 for Xbox, Playstation and PC – Trailer
    • Extended campaign gameplay trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6Trailer
    • Trailer for Goat Simulator Remastered coming to consoles and PC – Trailer
    • Trailer for Persona 3 – Episode Aigis including Joker from Persona 5 DLC – Trailer
    • Trailer for Dying Light: The Beast coming to PC, Xbox and Playstation – ” a self contained zombie survival adventure offering a new setting, new set of gameplay features and new story, culminating in a standalone, 18+ hours adventure” – Trailer
    • Launch trailer for Black Myth: WukongTrailer
    • Ad for Dragon Ball Z: Sparking Zero – Releasing October 11th 2024 – Ad
    • Trailer for King of Meat from Amazon Games – Coming to consoles and PC – Trailer
    • 1st game from FuzzyBot – Lynked: Banner of the Spark – Action Hack’n’Slash roguelite – Trailer
    • Trailer from Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Releasing: February 18th 2025 – Trailer
    • Ad for No More Room in Hell 2Trailer
    • Trailer for ARC Raiders – Action Survival Shooter – Coming 2025 – Trailer
    • Ad for Infinity Nikki – Closed beta sign up available now – Trailer
    • Ad for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II – Releasing September 9th – Trailer
    • Launch trailer for PredecessorTrailer
    • Trailer for Path of Exile 2 – Early Access Date: November 15th for consoles and PC – Trailer
    • First gameplay trailer for MMO Dune: Awakening – Release date: Coming to PC early 2025 – Trailer
    • New game from the studio that made Little NightmaresReanimal coming to console and PC – Trailer
    • Trailer Genshin Impact – Natlan Gameplay – August 28th – Coming to Xbox on November 20th – Trailer
    • Trailer for Monster Hunter: Wilds – Releasing 2025 for console and PC – Trailer
    • Lara Croft is coming to NARAKA: Bladepoint – Available August 28th – Trailer
    • Trailer for Fatal Fury City of the Wolves – Releasing: 24th April 2025 – Trailer
    • New ad for Mecha BreakTrailer
    • First look trailer for Monument Valley 3 releasing later this year – Releasing 10th December – Trailer
    • Gameplay trailer for Civilization VII – Releasing February 11th 2025 – Trailer
    • Trailer for Starfield DLC – Rev-8 buggy – Free update available tonight. Shattered Space DLC releasing September 30th – Trailer
    • Trailer for Marvel Rivals – Winter Soldier and Captain America revealed – Release date: December 6th 2024 – Trailer
    • Tim Miller (Love, Death & Robots) on stage for Secret Level – Coming to Prime on December 10th – Trailer
    • Trailer for Age of Mythology Retold – Releasing September 4th – Day 1 on Game Pass – Trailer
    • Gameplay trailer for Towerborne – Releasing September 10th – Trailer
    • Trailer for Delta Force: Hawk OpsTrailer
    • Trailer for Kingdom Come Deliverance II – Releasing 11th February 2025 – Trailer
    • Trailer for Zenless Zone Zero – New characters revealed – Trailer
    • Trailer for Honkai: Star Rail x Fate Stay Night event – Coming Q3 2025 – Trailer
    • Trailer for Batman: Arkham Shadow [VR] – Releasing October 2024 – Trailer
    • World premiere trailer for Little Nightmare IIITrailer
    • Trailer for Herdling from Panic – Coming 2025 – Trailer
    • New game from Peter Molyneux (Dungeon Keeper, Black & White, Fable) – Masters of AlbionTrailer
    • Trailer for official Squid Game: Unleashed game from Netflix for mobile – Trailer
    • Live Action Trailer for Unknown9 AwakeningTrailer
    • Trailer for Arena Breakout: Infinite – Full release coming at the end of the year – Trailer
    • New collab between Overwatch 2 x World Of Warcraft – Slyvannas skin for Widowmaker
    • Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred expansion releasing October 8th – Trailer
    • Trailer for The First Berserker Khazan from Nexon in Early 2025 – Trailer
    • Launch Trailer for Ara History Untold – Releasing September 24 2024 – Trailer
    • Trailer Dark and Darker MobileTrailer
    • Trailer from Netease Games – Floatopia – Coming 2025 – Trailer
    • Trailer for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – Releasing December 9th 2024 for Xbox and Steam. Coming to PS5 in Spring 2025 – Trailer
    • Reveal for Mafia: The Old Country for PS5, Xbox and PC – More coming later this year – Trailer
    • The Game Awards – December 12th 2024.

  • [The JukeBox] #96 – BABYMETAL x Electric Callboy – RATATATA

    [The JukeBox] #96 – BABYMETAL x Electric Callboy – RATATATA

    Back in May, hit Japanese female metal band, BABYMETAL, collabed with German electronic-metal band, Electric Callboy for their song RATATATA.

    Who are BABYMETAL?

    Originally, there were part of an idol group called Sakura Gakuin. These idol groups are formed whenever a student joins a club (an after-school activity) and they are taught music with like-minded individuals ran by talent agencies rather than the schools.

    A club can have multiple members. With Sakura Gakuin, there were approx 10–12 members at any one time. Within these clubs, there would be ‘units’.
    This would be a collection of specific students who perform together under a dedicated name. In 2010, the “Heavy Metal Club” was formed with 3 of the Sakura Gakuin club, Suzuka Nakamoto (12), Yui Mizuno (11) and Moa Kikuchi (11). This would become BABYMETAL. The girls would perform under the names of Su-metal, Yui-metal and Moa-metal.

    Traditionally, idol music tends to be very ‘poppy’, ‘positive’ and ‘light-hearted’. A clear example of this would be AKB48’s Colorcon Wink (below).
    Like Sakura Gakuin, AKB48 is an idol group with a lot more members, and they would be older. AKB48 would be one of, if not the most popular idol groups in Japan. So much so, they have many many many spinoff groups using the 48g name. AKB means Akihabara, which is an area in Tokyo, Japan. (Seriously, the rabbit hole on 48g groups goes very, very deep)

     

    In 2018, Yui departed from the band due to poor health. In 2023, former Sakura Gakuin member, Momoko Okazaki joined the band. She performs under the name of Momo-metal.

    BABYMETAL also have a backing band, “Kami Band” who are not officially recognised as members, but they are recognised and appreciated at their live concerts.

    In the west, BABYMETAL became popular for their performances from their music videos and the fact that most bands in the west are 16+, when these girls were 12 and 13 when they broke America.

    WWE featured their song KARATE for their show NXT Takeover: The End back in June 2016. They announced last night at WWE Summerslam, that BABYMETAL’s RATATATA will be the official theme for their upcoming show WWE Bash in Berlin on August 31st 2024.

    Who are Electric Callboy?

    Electric Callboy (fka. Eskimo Callboy) are an ‘electronicore‘ band from Germany. They were also formed in 2010 and are known for creating comedic songs, shows and videos.

    In 2021, they submitted their song “Pump it” for the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, but they were not included.



    Lyrics:

    Every night when the sky turns red up above
    I feel the beat in my veins
    And I’m searching for love
    You know that hips don’t lie
    I leave you hypnotized
    Just give me one more try
    To make you feel that vibe
    And it goes

    Ra ta ta ta ta ta!
    My body is a weapon
    Ra ta ta ta ta ta!
    We’re gonna hit the floor
    Ra ta ta ta ta ta!
    We’re gonna make it happen
    Ra ta ta ta ta ta!
    Now gimme some more

    I will push it to the limit
    And everybody’s feeling the sound of the night
    I don’t wanna stop
    We push it to the limit
    Together we will crash the morning light

    ブ·チ·ア·ガ·レ!
    Bun Bun Bun Moving
    Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun
    Bun Bun Bun Shaking
    Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun
    Bun Bun Bun Jumping
    Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun
    Bun Bun Bun Stomping

    Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun

    アゲ!
    キラっとしちゃうアゲ!
    フワっとしちゃうアゲ!
    ドキっとしちゃうアゲ!
    小悪魔しちゃうけど大丈夫?
    瞳に映した 笑顔の魔法で罠に誘い込む

    And it goes
    Ra ta ta ta ta ta!
    My body is a weapon
    Ra ta ta ta ta ta!
    We’re gonna hit the floor
    Ra ta ta ta ta ta!
    We’re gonna make it happen
    Ra ta ta ta ta ta!
    Now gimme some more

    I will push it to the limit
    And everybody’s feeling the sound of the night
    I don’t wanna stop
    We push it to the limit
    Together we will crash the morning light

    ブ·チ·ア·ガ·レ!
    Bun Bun Bun Moving
    Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun
    Bun Bun Bun Shaking
    Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun
    Bun Bun Bun Jumping
    Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun
    Bun Bun Bun Stomping
    Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun

    I’m here for the moment
    Here for the beat
    Here for the love
    And the friends I need
    You know that I’ll be there for good

    I’m here for the moment
    Here for the beat
    Here for the love
    And the friends I need
    You know that I’ll be there for good

    RA TA TA TA!
    I go fucking crazy ‘cause I’m waiting for the drop
    Are you ready?
    Let’s GO!
    So tell me baby can I get a
    Fu! Fu!
    So hear me now
    Fu! Fu!
    You know what I want
    Fu! Fu!
    Now everybody’s getting down

    I will push it to the limit
    And everybody’s feeling the sound of the night
    I don’t wanna stop
    We push it to the limit
    Together we will crash the morning light

    ブ·チ·ア·ガ·レ!
    Bun Bun Bun Moving
    Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun
    Bun Bun Bun Shaking
    Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun
    Bun Bun Bun Jumping
    Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun
    Bun Bun Bun Stomping
    Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun

    Everybody!
    Fu! Fu!
    Out of control
    Fu! Fu!
    Everybody!
    Fu! Fu!
    Out of control
    Fu! Fu! Fu! Fu!
    Now everybody’s getting down


  • WWE SummerSlam 2024 Predictions

    WWE SummerSlam 2024 Predictions

    Rev your engines as WWE heads to Cleveland for SummerSlam.

    8 hours (😭) featuring 7 big matches with 6 of them being title matches.

    We have been told that there could be stipulations be added to the title matches, but at the time of writing (before SmackDown airs), there hasn’t been any changes. I will update if any have changed.

    Let’s go!


    Non-Title Match

    • CM Punk vs Drew McIntyre with Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins as special guest referee in a singles match.
      • PREDICTION: This should be close to main event. CM Punk should win this to get the one up on Drew. Drew should win as revenge for Punk screwing him over at multiple PLE’s. CM Punk to win.

    Title Matches

    • Logan Paul (C) vs LA Knight in a singles match for the United States Championship
      • PREDICTION: It’s the end of Logan’s reign in his home town. LA Knight to win and become champion.
    • Sami Zayn (C) vs Bron Breakker in a singles match for the Intercontinental Championship
      • PREDICTION: Bron is going to murder Sami in the ring. This probably will be a squash match. Bron to win and become champion.
    • Bayley (C) vs Nia Jax in a singles match for the WWE Women’s Championship
      • PREDICTION: I don’t see Bayley losing this title to Nia in this match. Nia is only got this for winning Queen of the Ring, but I feel that a bigger opponent should challenge to take on Bayley. Bayley to win and retain the title.
    • Liv Morgan (C) vs Rhea Ripley in a singles match for the Women’s World Championship
      • PREDICTION: This is going to be a bloodbath. Rhea is going to rip the title from Liv. Expect Dominik shenanigans. Rhea to win and become champion.
    • Damien Priest (C) vs Gunther in a singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship
      • PREDICTION: I am sorry Damien, but you are not leaving with the title. The reign of Gunther begins tomorrow night. Gunther to win and become champion.
    • Cody Rhodes (C) vs Solo Sikoa in a singles match for the Undisputed WWE Championship
      • PREDICTION: Guaranteed Bloodline interference. It’s very up in the air as to who wins this. I am going to go out on a limb and say that Solo Sikoa is going to win. Solo Sikoa to win and become champion.

  • Gaming News – 2nd August 2024

    Gaming News – 2nd August 2024

    • Gamestop owned Game Informer magazine is set to close after 33 years.
    • Bungie has laid off 220 employees and cancelled the development of the upcoming Destiny 3 codenamed ‘Payback’
    • There is going to be a Civilization VII gameplay deep dive on August 20th at 9pm GMT
    • The release date for Dragon Age: The Veilguard is going to be announced next month.
    • Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team (GBA) is coming to Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack on August 9th.
    • GAME has ended their reward system as of July 31st.
    • Paris 2024 is the first Olympics in 30 years with no console video game. There is a Web3 mobile game though.
    • The trailer for the Like a Dragon: Yakuza TV show on Prime has been released. Trailer
    • THQ has a games showcase: