There were lots of problems with the WWE’s Greatest Royal Rumble. The First Gent of the Small Business Administration entered into a deal with the Saudi government to put on a huge wrestling spectacle in the kingdom, meaning that he not only did business with one of the world’s most cretinous human-rights violators, but he met all their demands — one of which was good (one of the Saudi princes apparently demanded that Nashville treasure Rusev appear) and most of which were reprehensible (despite the laudable strides the Dub has made in its women’s division, there were, of course, no women allowed on the show). But there was one positive: The show aired at brunch time in America. The fact that brunch and pro graps are two of the USA’s greatest contributions to civilization is without dispute, and that’s something the good folks at Southern Underground Pro Wrestling and The Basement East knew before Vince’s deal with the devil. S.U.P stages an early-Sunday-afternoon card each month at the Woodland Street venue, and its low ceiling and murky darkness hint at the good old days when your grandma cussed at Tojo Yamamoto. The work is good, the promos (and the drinks) strong, and the early evening hangover is of the normal variety instead of the metaphysical type the WWE often leaves behind. J.R. LIND
Best Place to Catch Some Rasslin’
The Basement East
