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Craig Ballantyne

@universalcynic.bsky.social
991 followers 2.7K following 2K posts

Be more skeptical

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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 12h
Since the timeline's understandably a bit down, here are some sleepy animals I saw at the zoo #Animals #Photography 📸
Pygmy hippo mum sleeping next to her calfYoung capybara lazily munching on hayYawning red panda Armadillo sleeping next to it's hut
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 14h
With more and more in the wrestling asking fans to stop making AI images of them, or worse, deceased friends and family, how about people just stop it? #WrestleSky 🤼
Matt Rehwoldt: Please do not make Al images of our friends and colleagues "in heaven"

Not only does Al suck in general but it's insulting and unnerving to see
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
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maffew going to wXw Grand Prix @maffewgregg.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
It started raining so me and @thetomcampbell.bsky.social got PAC a hat and scarf
PAC memorial at Monument
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SNAKEMAN @kingserpentico.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Live for those who aren’t with us anymore.
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
This is horrible news. RIP Pac #WrestleSky 🤼 www.instagram.com/p/Ddz-NOYDYM...
All Elite Wrestling is saddened to announce the passing of Benjamin Satterley, aka Pac. A native of Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Satterley began his wrestling career in 2004 and went on to perform for wrestling organizations all over the world, captivating fans with innovative high-flying moves and incredible in-ring ability. Pac signed with All Elite Wrestling in 2019 and held multiple AEW Championships and competed in some of the most memorable matches in AEW history. Our condolences go out to Satterley's family, friends and fans. less
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Oh, ffs, wondered why Perry and Shibata were wrestling in the background of the panel. MyAEW in the UK just had three seperate options with the same start time and no explanation It's a terrible and unnecessarily confusing way of doing things. #AEW #WrestleSky 🤼
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
static.klipy.com
Doctor Who: Matt Smith's Regeneration
ALT: Doctor Who: Matt Smith's Regeneration
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
"To have Undertaker come here and revitalize Lucha Libre in Mexico and take it to a level that it hasn’t seen maybe ever, it’s incredible." We're expected to believe The Undertaker saved lucha libre. In Mexico. With the biggest AAA feud being between an American and a German. #WrestleSky 🤼
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
AEW should re-sign Bowens asap and get properly behind him, there's a ton of potential for the Pride of Pro Wrestling #AEW #WrestleSky 🤼 www.fightful.com/wrestling/co...
New details on the AEW future of Max Caster and Anthony Bowens.

Fightful Select reports, “We recently reported that the Acclaimed AEW contracts are set to expire at the start of October. In following up on Anthony Bowens and Max Caster’s contract status, @FightfulSelect was told that there haven’t been negotiations about a new deal, or word that new deals will be offered, or not offered for that matter.”Anthony Bowens yelling (with Pride)
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Ibushi's given an update after his surgery. He started by hinting at retirement, then claimed he's fully recovered after 2 days, and will definitely return to the ring, even if it takes years. It's a rollercoaster 😂 #AEW #WrestleSky 🤼 www.instagram.com/reel/DdjALyu...
Ibushi in his hospital bed saying: I've completely recovered after just two days since the surgery!"Ibushi holding what I assume is a similar metal joint to the one in his leg and saying, "I will definitely return to the ring."
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Ew, AI announcing is completely unnecessary, can't TV Asahi not just use Charlton and Stewart's commentary? (I'm assuming this is for Asahi broadcasts and not to replace the World team) #njpw #WrestleSky 🤼 www.reddit.com/r/njpw/s/ynd...
TV Asahi has strengthened its commitment to global expansion by making New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) a consolidated subsidiary in June. With CyberAgent, their combined stake now reaches 46.3%, positioning NJPW as a major international IP the company intends to grow across North America, Europe, and Asia.

A key part of this strategy is multilingual broadcasting. Since May, TV Asahi has assigned two young announcers to train specifically for English play-by-play commentary, aiming to build an in-house team capable of delivering live coverage for international audiences.

Looking ahead, TV Asahi is exploring the use of Al-driven multilingual commentary and real-time subtitles, allowing NJPW events to be broadcast simultaneously in multiple languages. This includes English, but also other markets where NJPW is gaining traction.
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Fujita did some photos for Anonymous, not sure how random it is, but his answer for why he became a pro wrestler was great if it was off the cuff! #njpw #WrestleSky 🤼 www.instagram.com/reel/DdOap8b...
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Oh. Fuck Brian Cage then. #WrestleSky 🤼
“Even when it happened… I wasn’t taking any steroids then but right away, I go, ‘That’s not a roid rage thing,’” Cage said about Chris Benoit’s double murder and suicide. “First of all, like I said, I don’t fully believe in it but also, a roid rage thing wouldn’t be a three-day, premeditated setup; kill your wife, kill your son. A roid rage thing, on paper, would have been (that) they would have been in an argument and he would have beat the f*ck out of her. That would have been a roid rage moment, you know what I mean?
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Turns out Hiromu and Nakamura are ideal teammates, shame it didn't happen somewhere else though. Still holding out hope that Hiromu's big dream is to bring Nakamura home to NJPW #WrestleSky 🤼
Hiromu Takahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura looking cool
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Kenny Omega's all in on Ospreay being the top guy going forward, he went out of his way to make sure he has everything he needs to be in that top spot #AEW #WrestleSky 🤼 www.fightful.com/wrestling/ke...
If we have a champion, you know, that can beat me, if we have someone that the fans have adulation for, have an admiration for, cheer for him or her, that’s something special and that’s something that needs to be protected, I believe. Because it’s so hard to find new stars, and when you do, you have to make sure that you’re gonna give them an environment where they can thrive,I can’t do that schedule anymore. I just can’t do it, and I do feel that if there is a champion and someone who can beat me in the ring, if there’s someone like that out there and I sort of had made my mental choice that it’s gonna be Will Ospreay, I wanna make sure that they can not only have the greatest of performances but they can capture the fans’ imaginations and they could have them cheer for them, more so by just the sheer heart that you possess in your performances but also, just by the volume of workload. I want as many cities and as many countries to see Will Ospreay as champion as possible. In that moment, absolutely, that was the best choice that I could make was having Will be the next guy.
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I'm glad the proceeds go to charity, but this is ghoulish #WrestleSky 🤼
Mens black WWE remembers t-shirt Description
In one of sports entertainment's most poignant moments, the WWE Universe united for the first public assembly in the nation following the events of September 11, 2001, and you can pay tribute to that powerful solidarity with this WWE Remembers T-Shirt. This commemorative tee serves as a solemn reminder of that historic SmackDown taping, an evening that provided a beacon of resilience for a country in mourning.
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HANGMAN PAGE @hangmanpage.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
youre probably looking at this fruit and thinking ‘wow, that must grow on a tropical island somewhere’, and you’d be WRONG AS HELL. its a pawpaw, the largest edible fruit native to north america. this is our first one and it tastes like banana, vanilla, and cantaloupe made a weird ass threesome baby
a pawpaw fruit still clinging onto the tree outside my bedroom door, but it’s gonna fall soon and im gonna eat it and pretend to everyone that i love itthe pawpaw has been sliced open revealing its mushy yellow private innards.  if you eat the seeds or the skin something bad happens, and might happen even if you just eat the mushy part too idk, the internet is full of rumors.  i will find out the truth the way nature intended: just eating it anyway and seeing if i shit myself at dinner.  stay tuned.
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
A 9500 seat venue apparently, reckon they could get a legit sellout
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
History's repeating in the UK. Fuck. Feels like things are escalating. The fascists are becoming organised and co-ordinated, it's only a matter of time before they become violent. They're still a small minority, thankfully, but that doesn't mean they aren't dangerous.
Oswald Mosley matching past British Union of Fascists blackshirtsFar-right thugs dressed in all-black lined up in Dover
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TAIGASTYLE @theleemoriarty.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Andy Williams was so kind and easy to have a conversation. Passionate about his different crafts and just so cool. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts, prayers and every other source of good will and energy right now. All love, and rest well.
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
That's sad news, 48 is far too young #WrestleSky 🤼 www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/and...
Andy ‘The Butcher’ Williams passes away at 48
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Walker Stewart is one of my favourite commentators, I love this for him. He's not allowed to leave New Japan though...
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Fake list, I can't see any #WrestleSky representation
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Some pictures from All In, had an amazing view of the stage! #AEWALLIN #WrestleSky 🤼
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
In his latest instagram video, Ibushi spoke to Kidani about his venue project. This is a bit of a surprise considering everything that went down at the end of his NJPW run. Looks like any ill will with NJPW management went with Ohbari. #njpw #WrestleSky 🤼
Screenshot from Ibushi's Instagram feed captioned, "A partnership with former owner Kidani?!"
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Watching All In back, the one thing missing from being there live was hearing just how psychotic Kenny had been, the trash talk is amazing 😂 #AEWALLIN #WrestleSky 🤼
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
I really haven't, still can't get over how great All In was. From start to finish, the best event I've ever been to. #AEW #WrestleSky 🤼
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Does any other sport or entertainment event bother about turnstile count? I've only ever seen used as a stick to beat AEW with, it's bizarre #WrestleSky 🤼
Fightful headline: "AEW All In Records 41,102 Turnstile Count Attendance"
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Tony Khan needs to keep the Pride of AEW by any means necessary #AEW #WrestleSky 🤼
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Anybody who thinks Ospreay v Omega was bad last night isn't even an entertainment fan, never mind wrestling. Contrarians for the sake of it, all of them.
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
And in the presence of the Wrestling Good! #MickFoley #WrestleSky 🤼
Mick Foley telling stories onstage
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
In the presence of a Wrestling God #ALLIN #WrestleSky 🤼
Kenny Omega holding up the AEW World Championship during entrance Kenny Omega entrance Kenny Omega salutes his fans with raised fosts in the foreground
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
#newprofilepic #KennyOmega
Me and Kenny Omega
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Going to meet Kenny Omega 🤯
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Stewart Lee's really let himself go
Ratko Mladić, the 'Butcher of Bosnia', dies in The Hague
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Last night was the first time Adam Copeland's wrestled in Scotland since 2010, and the first time on TV! #AEW #WrestleSky 🤼
Adam Copeland making his entrance Adam Copeland standing with AEW Tag Title belt on his waist
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I don't think I have a best of all time pick, but some I'd put in the conversation (I haven't watched all of wrestling): Kenny Omega Kurt Angle Bret Hart Kazuchika Okada Will Ospreay Bryan Danielson
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Dynamite/Collision were fun, but I think Glasgow was short-changed with no Omega, Page or Darby Allin. Especially on the go home shows for their biggest event of the year. There's a chance one of them turned up after I left (public transport sucks), but looked unlikely #AEWDynamite #WrestleSky 🤼
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Nearly Dynamite time! #AEWDynamite #WrestleSky 🤼
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Nearly Dynamite time! #AEWDymite #WrestleSky 🤼
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
On the bright side, I'm going to Dynamite in Glasgow tonight!
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Me going into my job interview
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Pfft, they're years behind Suzuki with this
Picture of balding man with most of his head shave except a big tuft of hair at the back

Caption: BALDING MEN NOW HAVE A HAIRCUT OPTION DUBBED *THE WOODPECKER' AND PEOPLE CAN'T DECIDE IF IT'S GOOD OR NOTMultiple angles of Minoru Suzuki's hair when he had a shaved pattern and random tuft of hair at the back
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Remember you used to just go to a website and read it? Now ads pop up everywhere, you have to decide on cookies every time, prove you're not a robot and there are so, so many logins. And now they want me to WATCH AN AD TO READ A TWO LINE ARTICLE?! Can we just reset the whole thing and try again?
A screenshot of PWInsider's homepage, the least usable active website known to manPWInsider asking me to watch an ad to read their content. No. I shall not.
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Dragon Lee after seeing Hiromu's in WWE #WrestleSky 🤼
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
AEW's first show in the EU is in Paris. For all the crowd-checkers (eg. Me), the Adidas Arena holds around 9,000 people, so I would hope it's a sell-out! #AEW #WrestleSky 🤼
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
He should really have kept going on the indies for a while before getting put in the spotlight. There's going to be a ton of pressure put on him from the off, I'm not sure it'll end well.
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Ahead of AEW coming back to the UK this week, here are some of the best pics I took at Forbidden Door in London last year! Not sure I'll have my camera at Wembley this year since I'll be ok the floor and taking photos might get in peoples' view #AEW 🤼 #Photography 📸
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Craig Ballantyne @universalcynic.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
If you're in Edinburgh for the festivals, I recommend going to see YOAH. First circus/acrobatic show I've been to at the Fringe and it was fantastic! #YOAH #EdFringe www.broadwayworld.com/scotland/art...
broadwayworld.com
YOAH by Cirquework to Return to Underbelly Circus Hub at…
Japanese contemporary circus company Cirquework will bring its production Yoah back to Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows, blending acrobatics, aerial…
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