tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40327474829576733012024-03-14T00:40:23.145-07:00Push CesaroA wrestling blog cultivated by Willow Catelyn and CJ RoyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806302084419011539noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4032747482957673301.post-12517114780220635752015-10-25T14:27:00.000-07:002015-10-25T14:27:00.641-07:00A Look Back at Hell in a Cell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Back in the day Hell in a Cell was WWE's version of the death match. When commentary crews and old workers said it was a match that changes people it actually used to carry that weight. In recent years it's become an annual event with a hokey fake cage that requires an unbelievable amount of suspension of disbelief to buy into the violence of the structure. Today's roster does their very best with the PG-limitations of working a match that cannot possibly be fully realized in that censored environment, and there have been good PG Hell in a Cell matches, but the days of Hell in a Cell being a death match are over. In lieu of the Hell in a Cell pay per view tonight I've decided to look at all of the Hell in a Cell matches leading up to 2008 before Hell in a Cell became a yearly organized event. <br />
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<u><b>Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker-
Bad Blood- 1997- **** 1/4</b></u></div>
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The first Hell in a Cell is the only match in this structure to be awarded five stars from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, and while it's not that good it's an admirable introduction to the Hell in a Cell gimmick. You'd be hard pressed to find a worker better at delivering in terms of narrative in WWE than Shawn Michaels, and he's tremendous here. The match also served well to introduce a more violent Undertaker, as the match gimmick and his character became synonymous with each other. Both men do good work here with the majority of the narrative being about how much damage Shawn Michaels can take and Undertaker can deliver. There's plenty of blood and the reality of Hell in a Cell as a dangerous match is felt here in spades. The introduction of Kane is also handled well and Michaels gets away with a cheap victory after Kane interferes. Great match and only really brought down by the feeling out process of both men with the introduction of the Cell gimmick. </div>
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<u><b>The Undertaker vs. Mankind- King
of the Ring- 1998- **** ¾ </b></u></div>
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This is the match that WWE wants you to think of when they bring up Hell in a Cell, for good reason- It's the best Hell in a Cell match performed to date. Mick Foley is one of the great death match wrestlers and he already had plenty of experience putting his body in complete peril prior to this match so of course he'd be the one to want to be thrown off the top of the cage, and god bless him for it. In terms of <i>death match wrestling narrative </i>Foley is the greatest I've ever seen, and this match tells a simplistic story, but a perfect one. Foley takes a few spots that are completely absurd, but like nothing else in the Hell in a Cell format, and he keeps coming back for more. At the risk of his own health he still wrestles Taker after being off and through the cell, he's obviously not well, but he's Mick Foley so he's going to do whatever it takes. This match is more a test of will, and it's like nothing else in the history of WWE and for good measure. They pushed the format as far as they could here. There won't ever be a Hell in a Cell match better than this one. </div>
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<u><b>The Undertaker vs. Big Boss Man-
Wrestlemania XV- 1999- *</b></u></div>
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It's a miracle that this match didn't kill the Hell in a Cell format. It's a relic of the Attitude era in the worst way possible, and ends with a mock execution. Everything prior to that moment is just two men punching and brawling each other to no fanfare. The match exists for the mock execution, and appeals to the worst kind of bloodlust of wrestling fans. It's in especially poor taste considering wrestlers have actually died in the ring. </div>
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<u><b>Triple H vs. Cactus Jack- No Way
Out- 2000- **** ½ </b></u></div>
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To find a Hell in a Cell match not featuring The Undertaker or Triple H is a near impossibility, and this was Triple H's first one. It was also meant to be Mick Foley's retirement match, but Foley went on to wrestle for years to come in guest appearances for WWE so some of the drama of Foley fighting for his career is nullified here, but otherwise this is a stellar Hell in a Cell match. They recreate Foley being thrown through the cage and Foley and H somehow equal their viciousness of the previous month's Royal Rumble match which was no small feat. Triple H gets put over as hard as Foley possibly could and Foley goes off into retirement for a little over a month. </div>
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<u><b>Kurt Angle vs. The Undertaker vs.
Triple H vs. Steve Austin vs. Rikishi vs. The Rock- Armageddon-
2000- ** ½ </b></u></div>
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This match is a huge mess. The big Rikishi spot looks really poor and the camera work cannot contain the action of six men working inside and outside of the Cell for over 20 minutes. Rikishi and Undertaker have no real business being here. The majority of goodwill I have for this match comes from the segments that focus on Triple H and Steve Austin. Austin never had a proper single fall Hell in a Cell match so to see him work in this environment is interesting, and he has fantastic brawling chemistry with H. They would show that again in their remarkable Three Stages of Hell match in 2001. In the end Angle gets the pin. No reason for this to have been performed in the Cell. </div>
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<u><b>Triple H vs. Chris Jericho-
Judgment Day- 2002- ** 3/4</b></u></div>
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A totally fine, mostly unremarkable Hell in a Cell match due to some weirdly placed overbooking with a referee who later was part of a suicide angle. Never let anyone tell you wrestling is good, folks. Wrestling is very very bad. Aside from that weird bullshit this is a fine Cell match, but doesn't really stick out among the other Cell matches in a good or bad way. I do have quite a few quibbles with the match ending on top of the cell which never feels realistic unless someone is going through the roof of the Cell. The work inside the Cell is solid, but H and Jericho have this weird stilted chemistry that can never quite get things out of gear. </div>
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<u><b>Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker-
No Mercy- 2002- ****</b></u></div>
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This is the bloodiest Hell in a Cell match which makes me actively worry about what may go down tonight between Undertaker and Lesnar. Lesnar and Undertaker have fantastic chemistry with one another (outside of WM30) and their brawling feels realistic even though they're faking punches. This one is mostly great for the mauling. It feels less like a wrestling match and more like two men just beating on each other until one finally falls. There's some good storytelling here with Undertaker's cast and a fun Paul Heyman bit as well. This is a sneaky pick for most undervalued Hell in a Cell, but I'll get to my pick for that one later. </div>
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<u><b>Triple H vs. Kevin Nash- Bad Blood-
2003- * ¼ </b></u></div>
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As I said on twitter this match more closely resembles two big baby men going "weeehhh" at each other while blood drips down both competitors. Finishers are traded and both men are protected and nothing matters anymore. Kliq forever motherfuckers! </div>
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<u><b>Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels- Bad
Blood- 2004- ****</b></u></div>
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The longest Hell in a Cell match also happens to be one of my favourites. No one is ever going to call Triple H subtle, and too often he goes for plodding "masterpiece" wrestling rather than actually just fucking going, but Michaels can reel him in, even at 47 minutes. Lesnar/Taker is the better version of this match, because it's more condensed and there's less bullshit around their "life" ending brawl, but sometimes Triple H being overwrought and just bleeding like a beautiful, long haired angel of viscus is something to appreciate. </div>
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<u><b>Batista vs. Triple H- Vengeance-
2005- *** ½ </b></u></div>
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Remember how I said Triple H or Undertaker have competed in like all of these fucking things? Yeah. Batista and H are better suited to wrestling with props, blood and fake violence than actually putting on a wrestling clinic so their styles mesh well here and deliver a hard hitting, physical Hell in a Cell that's missing the theatricality and narrative of previous best of Cell matches to really put it over the top. This is also the Cell match where they started fake-choking each other with a chain! Fun stuff if you're fucked up like me. </div>
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<u><b>The Undertaker vs. Randy Orton-
Armageddon- 2005- ** ½ </b></u></div>
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This match is overbooked to hell after an otherwise appropriate start. Randy Orton is the "Legend Killer" and this is Undertaker's revenge so he just brutally wrecks him with a steel chair to start. Orton's an underrated bleeder. If there was anything the guys in Evolution did consistently well it was bleeding. Ric Flair taught them something I suppose. But then Orton starts to get some offense in and his dad gets into the ring and the urn is important and it's a huge mess. This one ends up being a big missed opportunity. Their 'Mania match is better. </div>
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<u><b>D-Generation X vs. Vince McMahon,
Shane McMahon and Big Show- Unforgiven- 2006- ***</b></u></div>
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This match is the jumping the shark moment for Hell in a Cell, but it's fun. It is completely obsessed with butts, balls and cock and Triple H and Shawn Michaels are bleeding EVERYWHERE. The D-X crotch chop and Vince McMahon ass kissing club are the big spots here. Big Show is only here, because he has the biggest ass and Vince McMahon loves him for that reason. Shane is here to die. Poor Shane. This match is bananas though, and I was almost positive I'd hate it, but then it just got so stupid I found it endearing. THREE STARS. </div>
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<u><b>Batista vs. The Undertaker-
Survivor Series- 2007- *** ¼</b></u></div>
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This is the last TV-14 Hell in a Cell. After this match the blood would be put away and a lot of the more dangerous spots would be minimized. In some ways it feels like a eulogy to the structure in this form, because a Hell in a Cell would never be worked this way again. Curiously it has the same uneasy feeling present in the first Hell in a Cell match. Hell in a Cell becomes cyclical then as Batista bleeds and bleeds, but we changed and the crowd isn't into the bloodletting anymore. WWE would go through some transitional years shortly afterward, and matches like this would rarely be seen again. This match suffers from some unsureness from the workers and a feeling of dead-air throughout the building, but like the Triple H-Batista Cell match it showcased The Animal's greatest strengths and Undertaker got to be appropriately brutal one more time. </div>
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A BONUS MATCH! </div>
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<u><b>The Undertaker vs. Edge-
SummerSlam- 2008- ****</b></u></div>
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Hell in a Cell has evolved over the years to mean something it didn't mean in the 90s and early 00s, but even with limitations to the brutality of the work it doesn't mean that a Cell match is inherently bad. Undertaker vs. Edge at SummerSlam is the best worked Cell match from a technical perspective and the narrative is beautiful. Edge is psychotic, but terrified of Undertaker coming back. After he destroyed Mick Foley leading up to the event he felt like he was going to take down the Dead Man. Edge comes out guns blazing, dodging Undertaker's offense and laying in his own and for the majority of this match he controls the offense, but Hell is the Undertaker's domain, and the gimmick will always call for Undertaker to be invincible in this structure. Edge pushed Taker too far, and after Taker gained some level of control he gets revenge on Edge by repeating the same moves he did to Taker during the match, the Con-Chair-To (awful pun), the spear, the steps. Then he takes Edge and chokeslams him from the top of a ladder, using Edge's fame-making weapon to his own use and sending him to literal Christian hell, because wrestling is very silly. </div>
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I am hoping that tonight's Hell in a Cell show is a good one. The Cell isn't useless, but workers have to do more with it than its godfathers by proving its destruction without a blood crutch. It has been done before, and I'm optimistic about the 2 Cell matches tonight. Reigns and Wyatt have had a good build, and Reigns has been money on pay per view this year. Lesnar/Taker offers a conclusion to a year long story, but even scarier the possibility of violence. Undertaker is 50 years old and his match shouldn't be happening on paper, but if SummerSlam is any indication he still has something left to prove. It's ironic considering his gimmick is that of a zombie that he'd still be wrestling this late into his life. Oh, and Daniel Bryan might be coming back tonight. That'd be cool. </div>
Willow Maclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16743087522299241283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4032747482957673301.post-43922778081013923812015-09-30T17:25:00.001-07:002015-09-30T17:25:23.362-07:00A Conversation about Night of Champions <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>(We here at Push Cesaro apologize for the lateness of this post. We tried to figure out how to display Tweets properly and were to stubborn to admit defeat when this writing might have been relevant. We still didn't figure it out. Please help us. We are so sad about our failure.)</b></div>
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WWE kicked off their fall season last night with Night of Champions. The pay-per-view where all belts must be defended, because <i>reasons</i>. Your overlords at Push Cesaro sat down and had a conversation about the show. Agree or disagree with us? Let us know. We'll be lurking somewhere on the internet.<br />
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<u><b>Adrian Neville & The Lucha Dragons vs. Stardust & The Ascension</b></u><br />
Willow: **<br />
CJ: N/A<br />
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<b>Willow: </b><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858011605=2fa5c2de5c115369a21.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858011605=2fa5c2de5c115369a21.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">Did you watch the pre-show match between Stardust and his lackeys against Neville and his lackeys?</span></span><br />
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<b>CJ: </b><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858080729=2b39649a58bce8c4e59.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858080729=2b39649a58bce8c4e59.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">I was grabbing food and setting up for the rest of the evening so I only caught glimpses.</span></span><br />
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<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858080729=2b39649a58bce8c4e59.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858080729=2b39649a58bce8c4e59.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858080729=2b39649a58bce8c4e59.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858080729=2b39649a58bce8c4e59.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858290951=2ca4dfcf75fc8044692.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858290951=2ca4dfcf75fc8044692.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">I'll talk about that one for a bit. I was also getting ready for the night by making some pizza, but I did see that entire match. So, Stardust and Neville are still feuding over super hero things or something or other. Not a whole lot to talk about on this one. The Ascension are like a void and I'm still not sure what to make of the Lucha Dragons. Kalisto can do moves, but I never remember anything he does the day after. I was glad Stardust picked up the win, because I like Cody, but I really would like for there to be less BS in this feud and have Neville and Stardust have a singles match, because right now this feud just feels like an excuse to get extra guys on a PPV. And I know Neville and Stardust could potentially do something cool. </span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858473779=203bf3099c58c6e3e97.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858473779=203bf3099c58c6e3e97.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">I did think it was humorous that Neville pulled the ropes open wider on the one big spot in the match so Sin Cara wouldn't botch the suicide dive through the ropes. That's mostly what I remember</span></span><br />
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<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858473779=203bf3099c58c6e3e97.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858473779=203bf3099c58c6e3e97.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>CJ: </b></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858473779=203bf3099c58c6e3e97.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858473779=203bf3099c58c6e3e97.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858570066=2d14d8c7ca494608189.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858570066=2d14d8c7ca494608189.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">They've had quite a few singles matches on Raw and SD from what I recall. I think there was three leading into the Amell match? Kalisto really needs to break out from Sin Cara and start his singles career. If you want him to remain in a team, why not have him an Neville work together? Neville could teach him some valuable things and you'd have two hot tag machines in one team!
I just..don't get how The Ascension are so soft. I just can't figure it out. I did see them throw one nice knee though so this is progress!
Only thing I remember Sin Cara doing is botching something on the ropes but I can't recall what it was. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858473779=203bf3099c58c6e3e97.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858473779=203bf3099c58c6e3e97.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858570066=2d14d8c7ca494608189.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858570066=2d14d8c7ca494608189.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">Have they had singles matches? I haven't been watching Raw as consistently as I should I suppose. The last episode of Raw I saw had the non-match between both of these teams which was disappointing.
I completely agree about Kalisto and Neville being in a team together. They both seem to be languishing at the moment, so it could give them both guidance. Wonderful hot tags from both. I don't know how anyone can make anything work with Sin Cara as your partner. He's just so prone to messiness. He has such a history that watching him work is distracting, because you're just waiting for the botch. I'm hopeful about Kalisto though. I think he could be cool.</span></span><br />
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<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"> <u><b>Kevin Owens vs. Ryback (c)</b></u></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">Willow: *** 1/4</span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">CJ: *** 1/4</span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><br /></span></span>
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>CJ: </b></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859072151=2a9249a9ad60f0e8e69.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859072151=2a9249a9ad60f0e8e69.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">So Ryback vs Kevin Owens for the Intercontinental Championship is the shortest match on the card by 12 seconds! I still can't believe that the driving narrative WWE is taking for this is "Kevin Owens hates The Secret.". I kind of love it? A lot of writing has been done about Owens as the only real human being in this universe, even if he is a huge jerk, but he is great. I might be under watched but I consider him one of the best characters on all of TV right now. Ryback gets a lot of good will from me now since his return promo and talk with Axel. He had a pretty good match with Rusev a few month back on TV if you missed that.
That aside, Owens is on an incredible roll and could make The Great Khali look decent right now.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859072151=2a9249a9ad60f0e8e69.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859072151=2a9249a9ad60f0e8e69.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859072151=2a9249a9ad60f0e8e69.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859072151=2a9249a9ad60f0e8e69.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859309833=254777c4d66ceb0cc04.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859309833=254777c4d66ceb0cc04.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">I've been a big Kevin Owens supporter ever since he showed up in NXT. I was also a fan of him in ROH, but this is something different. I actually love his character. He really does feel like the only real person. Like he doesn't feel like he's playing a character? He's been on fire lately.
I feel like his match work has diminished a little bit lately, but that has more to do with his opponents not being John Cena than him not working as hard.
Ryback and Owens crossed paths in a 6 man on Raw a few weeks ago and I felt like they had strong chemistry so I was excited for this match. What did you think of this one?</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442858739463=26c191bbf430f0b6049.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859072151=2a9249a9ad60f0e8e69.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859072151=2a9249a9ad60f0e8e69.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859309833=254777c4d66ceb0cc04.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859309833=254777c4d66ceb0cc04.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>CJ: </b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859707736=298b06bfb98dd716366.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859707736=298b06bfb98dd716366.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">I firmly believe certain performers should be given 15 minutes every major show if they want it. Kevin Owens and Cesaro are those guys for me right now. It's a smart way to open the show, give the crowd a KO win and let them work a safe, slow pace. Ryback gets to look good with his big spots and Kevin gets to be a wrecking ball who will take the smart way out unlike a certain other weasel later on in the show. It's not memorable and I won't revisit it but it was fine. Maybe they'll get a Smackdown to turn it up?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859707736=298b06bfb98dd716366.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859707736=298b06bfb98dd716366.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859707736=298b06bfb98dd716366.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859707736=298b06bfb98dd716366.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860098200=24f9734b84ef0171d01.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860098200=24f9734b84ef0171d01.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">I was initially surprised by this match. I thought it would be a match of two giant men throwing each other around for a good ten minutes, but then Owens started to work the arm. It's smart though. It neutralizes Ryback's "Feed Me More" (I'm calling it that now instead of the meathook clothesline). Ryback looked good too. He got to be the babyface and I believed in what was happening in ring. It was logical. Owens taking the easy way out when Ryback was starting to make a comeback was great. I don't think it says something that he can beat Cena clean by had to beat Ryback dirty. I think he saw an opening and went for it. Solid stuff. I'm excited for Owens IC reign. There's a lot of opponents they could pair him with after Ryback. That being said, I hope that this feud doesn't go to another pay per view, because I'm worried about WWE's 50/50 booking practices. Ryback doesn't need his win back. Have Owens put him away on Raw some time and actually push KO. This is currently a good spot for him. I'm crossing my fingers for a Rusev feud, though he'd have to be a babyface....and that leads us into Ziggler/Rusev.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfsu3F_uuUTr505IoNQHR-Kxh9aidfUsakyUzK68-L-6pPe1ycdr5S3Y4ckUY1vW8ohp6Uwmy1jd9ezXc0FzsACQaisYfCd3xozUAwMb4rYv9D6nr1jR94VY7zSZjOqP_Sm3AU671abiW/s1600/rusev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfsu3F_uuUTr505IoNQHR-Kxh9aidfUsakyUzK68-L-6pPe1ycdr5S3Y4ckUY1vW8ohp6Uwmy1jd9ezXc0FzsACQaisYfCd3xozUAwMb4rYv9D6nr1jR94VY7zSZjOqP_Sm3AU671abiW/s400/rusev.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859707736=298b06bfb98dd716366.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859707736=298b06bfb98dd716366.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860098200=24f9734b84ef0171d01.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860098200=24f9734b84ef0171d01.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"> <u><b>Dolph Ziggler vs. Rusev (with Summer Rae)</b></u></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859707736=298b06bfb98dd716366.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859707736=298b06bfb98dd716366.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860098200=24f9734b84ef0171d01.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860098200=24f9734b84ef0171d01.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">Willow: * 1/4</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859707736=298b06bfb98dd716366.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859707736=298b06bfb98dd716366.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860098200=24f9734b84ef0171d01.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860098200=24f9734b84ef0171d01.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">CJ: * 3/4<u><b><br /></b></u></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859707736=298b06bfb98dd716366.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859707736=298b06bfb98dd716366.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860098200=24f9734b84ef0171d01.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860098200=24f9734b84ef0171d01.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><u><b><br /></b></u></span></span> </span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859707736=298b06bfb98dd716366.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442859707736=298b06bfb98dd716366.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860098200=24f9734b84ef0171d01.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860098200=24f9734b84ef0171d01.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>CJ: </b></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860665205=2483373c4d2c30cd868.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860665205=2483373c4d2c30cd868.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">So let us get this out of the way quickly, everybody knows that this feud is bad. Dolph Ziggler is worse then usual. Lana is god awful right now and her injury might actually be fortunate to separate from Zigman. I'm really surprised Lana has stayed so over with the crowd. Summer was doing decent work but I really hate this Lana 2.0 thing. Sweet baby Rusev needs out quick. We've all read this before about a thousand times.
I really love the way Rusev works and those matches with Cesaro, triple threat with Owens and Cesaro, US Open with Cena, and fighting Cesaro, Cena & Orton alone have proven the dude can work with anybody. The match they had at Summerslam was fine despite that awful finish.
I just can't care about this feud though. It's toxic. And it isn't toxic for the reasons most people bring up. I know you and I are in agreement and I think we should dive into it.
Dolph Zigmoon is bad.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860665205=2483373c4d2c30cd868.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860665205=2483373c4d2c30cd868.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860665205=2483373c4d2c30cd868.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860665205=2483373c4d2c30cd868.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861129383=22fccadbb1b72165087.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861129383=22fccadbb1b72165087.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">I completely agree. And I think I should state upfront that I hate Dolph Ziggler. Like extreme hatred. I can't watch a match of his without getting pissed off to some degree. I think part of it is his character, but it's also that he is the worst offender of my biggest pet peeve in wrestling, and that is loosey-goosey offense. If I don't feel like a move is connecting then I can't get into the performer.
The feud is killing any potential for good work for either performer though. I can't stand what they're doing. It's the sort of thing that nullifies any claim of a revolution for the women on the roster, because they're being treated as prizes. Setting that side the alignments are all out of whack too. Many people have written about Rusev being a secret babyface, and he is. Ziggler is a natural heel, but he's the face here. It's just gross.
This match didn't do anything for me. There were a few particularly egregious moments. One of which had nothing to do with the match. At one point the camera zoomed in on a Ziggler DDT that didn't connect at all and completely took me out of the match. Ziggler bumping about 2 seconds before he is supposed to also pissed me off. I didn't think it was a good match. Both guys are trying, but they have little chemistry, and it's a shame, because Rusev is one of the best workers on the roster and I feel like this feud is sapping all heat from him. They need to move on. I think it's now safe to say breaking Rusev and Lana up was a terrible idea.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860665205=2483373c4d2c30cd868.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442860665205=2483373c4d2c30cd868.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861129383=22fccadbb1b72165087.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861129383=22fccadbb1b72165087.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>CJ: </b></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">Every time I think about this break up meaning Lana can't take cute pictures with Rusev in Nashville I get really agitated.
I think Dolph's offense as it is exists in a bubble and it is only effective under those circumstances. That bubble is "absolutely huge moments that rarely happen".
It worked at Survivor Series. It worked during his cash-in. It would work in a Royal Rumble if he was going to win from #1. Going wild and throwing yourself like a moron into everything makes sense when it is DESPERATION. Every single match having that same amount of desperation is going to make you look stupid. Dolph needs to look in the mirror and fix himself. He will never be the guy he thinks he is capable of being the way he is right now.
When he was rumored to be leaving the company I could only think of two places he'd fit. One is TNA. The other is the Bullet Club as a heavier, less talented, Young Buck. That's it. Dude is damaged assets. I really wanted Rusev to end this feud by kicking the shit out of Dolph's head and gaining his heat back like a one night Del Rio.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862015564=2901e6c99f9cc3ba886.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862015564=2901e6c99f9cc3ba886.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">It's strange because he is a natural heel, but his offense is based on desperation like you said. That aligns easier with a babyface. I feel like his one perfect moment was Survivor Series last year. I *got* Dolph then, but for the most part I think he's really unsuccessful at narrative within the ring, because he only wrestles in one mode lately.
I was rooting for a double turn. I'm not sure how they would have executed it. Perhaps have Summer Rae leave with Dolph. Rusev cuts a promo on being heart broken about everything and Dolph making fun of him? This could all be done on Raw. It'd help both guys I think.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodNcTnWhYdijybb9qIE7ESHT8D_Tjla666cqTarrEdYTM9OPfmy84XjUjzBoJCl-8M63TzIF8NDzU0dABKmoDlxxyXVtMKcyGGtUuOg3IA1Q7_OOtBd6q_A8X-ruddLVwV_79a5967oOJ/s1600/dudz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodNcTnWhYdijybb9qIE7ESHT8D_Tjla666cqTarrEdYTM9OPfmy84XjUjzBoJCl-8M63TzIF8NDzU0dABKmoDlxxyXVtMKcyGGtUuOg3IA1Q7_OOtBd6q_A8X-ruddLVwV_79a5967oOJ/s400/dudz.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862015564=2901e6c99f9cc3ba886.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862015564=2901e6c99f9cc3ba886.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"> <u><b>The Dudley Boyz vs. The New Day (c)</b></u></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862015564=2901e6c99f9cc3ba886.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862015564=2901e6c99f9cc3ba886.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">Willow: *** 1/4</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862015564=2901e6c99f9cc3ba886.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862015564=2901e6c99f9cc3ba886.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">CJ: ***</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862015564=2901e6c99f9cc3ba886.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862015564=2901e6c99f9cc3ba886.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>CJ: </b></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862015564=2901e6c99f9cc3ba886.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862015564=2901e6c99f9cc3ba886.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862376904=2da2ea7c66d3ec95847.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862376904=2da2ea7c66d3ec95847.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">Enough of Assman Jr, let us talk about the god damn New Day! I watched their episode of Table for 3 twice on Sunday, before and after NoC. I love everything the three of them are doing in ring and out of ring. When I found out Xavier was a cosplayer I was wondering how long it would take before he snuck that in and it was a lot sooner then I anticipated.
I've never been into the Dudleyz. Never found them fun to watch and the Hardyz/Edge & Christian were way more fun to play in the Smackdown games. I'm really hoping the Dudleyz are back to eventually put over New Day and Primetime Players in a TLC match though.
What did you think of the match? You weren't watching wrestling when they were dominating, how do you feel about the Dudleyz?</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862015564=2901e6c99f9cc3ba886.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862015564=2901e6c99f9cc3ba886.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862376904=2da2ea7c66d3ec95847.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862376904=2da2ea7c66d3ec95847.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862850551=2aabbf2b0343e84dd73.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862850551=2aabbf2b0343e84dd73.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">The God damn New Day!
It's no secret that they are the best thing going in WWE right now. I've felt for the longest time that Big E is their biggest potential crossover start on the roster, along with Ambrose, and I'm hoping this is the start of that. Really love them.
To answer your question on the Dudley Boyz though I am somewhat familiar with them. Their entire schtick is very attitude era, but not in a gross way. I adore their TLC matches with Edge and Christian and the Hardy Boys, as everyone does. They're cool. I popped for their reapperance. I was excited for them to feud with the Wyatts, but then Rowan got hurt. Feuding with the new day is better.
I really liked this match. It wasn't like the greatest tag match of all time or anything, but I felt it was perfectly booked and the New Day getting a DQ and retaining was marvelous. Big E shouting at Bubba to go home old man, Xaver playing the trombone. I'm so into it. Like you I hope they are there to put them over at TLC. I definitely think they could feud for that long.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862850551=2aabbf2b0343e84dd73.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862850551=2aabbf2b0343e84dd73.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>CJ: </b></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862850551=2aabbf2b0343e84dd73.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862850551=2aabbf2b0343e84dd73.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442863446286=2e50d0ae92ef1ab2f37.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442863446286=2e50d0ae92ef1ab2f37.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">If they don't give Big E a massive push when they decide to break the New Day up, I might have to walk away from WWE. Big E deserves to be a major player in this company.
I'm really hoping we start seeing the tag division getting more time since New Day is so over everyone wants to see more. Neville & Kalisto would be fun and it'd be a great way to give Braun some more experience with Harper.
I absolutely loved the New Day bringing in the tables. They really need to do things like this to remind everyone that they are actually heels and not just goofball heels. I still have a dream that they will become the new Shield in terms of being so good together that no one can stop them and they dominate the whole roster.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862850551=2aabbf2b0343e84dd73.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862850551=2aabbf2b0343e84dd73.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442863446286=2e50d0ae92ef1ab2f37.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442863446286=2e50d0ae92ef1ab2f37.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442863667439=29dfe088cda5e54dd79.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442863667439=29dfe088cda5e54dd79.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">Big E has such a presence. I mentioned it on twitter forever ago, but when Randy Savage was going into the hall of fame someone off hand said there's no one like Randy Savage today. I think that's false. Big E is that kind of guy. Not a carbon copy of Savage, but the kind of promo work he does and the kind of character he can be is that kind of crossover guy. I'm rooting so hard for him.
Sometimes it's easy to forget the New Day are heels because they're so much fun, but I adored the table spot too. And the Dudley Boyz fighting em off and putting X through a table was the right call.
How great would it be to see New Day and The Vaudevillains feud?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442863667439=29dfe088cda5e54dd79.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442863667439=29dfe088cda5e54dd79.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>CJ: </b></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442863667439=29dfe088cda5e54dd79.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442863667439=29dfe088cda5e54dd79.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">It would be pretty wonderful. Maybe they'll come up sooner then we anticipate and get a chance?</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442863667439=29dfe088cda5e54dd79.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442863667439=29dfe088cda5e54dd79.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b>I hope so for the sake of that feud alone.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62E_N7uM650RTbQ0EKkDvKZygaqDSsirXywJdqPx3HpFVUwXNuVeFR5oD52PlYfEXWY52iwO_GMmwhx9U9jDfb2YoK3wQ9zKBirGQ4ePuxHyLV8FFM5MuHoo-ZWg2jOZ4Nr8KTsgLnsp_/s1600/nikki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62E_N7uM650RTbQ0EKkDvKZygaqDSsirXywJdqPx3HpFVUwXNuVeFR5oD52PlYfEXWY52iwO_GMmwhx9U9jDfb2YoK3wQ9zKBirGQ4ePuxHyLV8FFM5MuHoo-ZWg2jOZ4Nr8KTsgLnsp_/s400/nikki.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442863667439=29dfe088cda5e54dd79.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442863667439=29dfe088cda5e54dd79.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"> </span></span> </span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862015564=2901e6c99f9cc3ba886.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442862015564=2901e6c99f9cc3ba886.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"></span></span> <u><b>Charlotte vs. Nikki Bella (c)</b></u></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">Willow: *** 3/4</span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">CJ: *** 3/4</span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><br /></span></span>
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>CJ: </b></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">Moving on to Nikki Bella vs Charlotte, it isn't on the same level as some of the recent NXT classics, but this is the best Women's match I have ever seen on the main roster by a large margin. I might be missing some major stuff from earlier in the companies history but this was really great. A lot of criticisms were aimed at Charlotte no selling the leg work at the end of the match and bridging into the Figure 8 for the submission victory but I don't have too many issues with for a couple reasons. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">A) It sure did seem like maybe Charlotte actually injured herself (not necessarily a serious injury) and they had to shift the game plan. That would explain the sudden two moves into finish after Nikki dominated.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">B) Even if she wasn't injured, I actually really like flash victories when they are used well. Charlotte catching Nikki with two of her strongest moves makes sense. Nikki made a huge mistake and couldn't get out. These types of finishes should happen every once in awhile to sell the legitimacy of finishing manoeuvres. We always expect the first submission to not matter and that is problematic. Besides, Charlotte sold her leg the entire match and even post-victory. She didn't Cena it.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">C) I believe someone with a worked knee could temporarily bridge into their submission more then Ibushi can do a million flips. The difference is gutting through pain for that ONE moment, not 30 more.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864887164=25b4340bda24e28f060.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864887164=25b4340bda24e28f060.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">There are some better women's matches in the history of the company though not many. I tink the Alundra Blayze/Bull Nakano SummerSlam match is probably better, and I like the atmosphere of the raw main event between Lita and Trish, even though that match is sloppy. Otherwise I agree. This isn't on the level of NXT mains, but this is such a good step in the right direction.
Like you I don't have too much of a problem with the finish. This is my favourite match on the card, because of how it was presented. Some of the drama wasn't there because the record wasn't on the line, but what are you going to do? I think this ends up being a better match if it goes another two or three minutes, but I like it for what it is. Nikki Bella was tremendous here and as a recent fan of her work I was proud of what she accomplished here. She controlled the match, and Charlotte did some great work as a babyface selling an injury. I thought catching Nikki in the spear was vicious. I was a little bit confused at her using the figure 8 on Nikki and ignoring the leg work, but I like your explanation. I think this is good enough. Now this needs to be the first chapter in the future of the booking instead of it being a one off.
There's a lot of cool things they could do here. Nikki has a rematch clause and Sasha has made Nikki tap so technically they're on the same level. If I'm booking I go triple threat at Hell in a Cell between those women. What I don't want is Paige turning heel and feuding with Charlotte. (UPDATE: Paige turned heel, womp womp)</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442861721766=2ccb50bf7932e76b160.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864404548=2b45876086c73af9903.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864887164=25b4340bda24e28f060.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442864887164=25b4340bda24e28f060.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>CJ: </b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865487190=2c0c9ae62b68cd91b24.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865487190=2c0c9ae62b68cd91b24.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">I never watched NXT when Paige was champion but I really don't like her. It feels like she got disillusioned with everything since her rough feud with AJ. Maybe a heel turn would light a fire under her again? I really don't like her work right now and attempts at catchphrases. Ugh.
Nikki Bella has been pretty good for awhile though she does have moments of sloppiness. This was none of that and the best we have ever seen her. Anyone who is still hating on Nikki at this point but loving only the NXT ladies should probably reevaluate what is going on there.
I'm really excited for the future of the division! I want to see Alicia Fox and Becky Lynch suplex everyone! I want Nikki to forearm everyone to hell! I want Naomi and her sweet shoes to stomp fools! I want Brie and Tamina to stay away from everyone and take a few months to work on their stuff! I want Sasha to interrupt Seth Rollins and challenge him for the WHC Title!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865487190=2c0c9ae62b68cd91b24.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865487190=2c0c9ae62b68cd91b24.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865487190=2c0c9ae62b68cd91b24.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865487190=2c0c9ae62b68cd91b24.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865746740=22075057beb9b652762.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865746740=22075057beb9b652762.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">Paige was pretty solid in NXT. Her best work was probably with Natalya (where is she btw?!) and Emma. I've seen her work as a heel in Shimmer. She has a lot of instinctual bad guy qualities that come from growing up in the Knight family so it could suit her, but I don't think now is the time.
The dirty secret in the room is that Nikki is as good as Charlotte if not better. Charlotte is still pretty green and needs someone to guide her. Basically all the NXT women can do that. Nikki did it last night.
I'm so excited to see where things go though. I'm feeling less disillusioned after this match.
Sasha Banks should become WWE Champion. Beat Charlotte then Seth. Then Lesnar. Just all day long Sasha Banks. Let's do that. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVLmzWQ98h2_F_o2U4br0sfYcd7vPKN1Zj-Y2EcxOiUb0w_a7UTlezO1Nzirlh_ofoK8gVjleLN49SMt1yZFEjl7b7eRk7Vw3H3g4e45LercnoimKKolaP8VnlG1SwuwDXl5EZQ-QiK6Y/s1600/shield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVLmzWQ98h2_F_o2U4br0sfYcd7vPKN1Zj-Y2EcxOiUb0w_a7UTlezO1Nzirlh_ofoK8gVjleLN49SMt1yZFEjl7b7eRk7Vw3H3g4e45LercnoimKKolaP8VnlG1SwuwDXl5EZQ-QiK6Y/s400/shield.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865487190=2c0c9ae62b68cd91b24.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865487190=2c0c9ae62b68cd91b24.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865746740=22075057beb9b652762.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865746740=22075057beb9b652762.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"> <u><b>The Shield (almost) vs. The Wyatt Family</b></u></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865487190=2c0c9ae62b68cd91b24.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865487190=2c0c9ae62b68cd91b24.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865746740=22075057beb9b652762.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865746740=22075057beb9b652762.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">Willow: *** 1/4</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865487190=2c0c9ae62b68cd91b24.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865487190=2c0c9ae62b68cd91b24.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865746740=22075057beb9b652762.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865746740=22075057beb9b652762.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">CJ: ***</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865487190=2c0c9ae62b68cd91b24.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865487190=2c0c9ae62b68cd91b24.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865746740=22075057beb9b652762.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865746740=22075057beb9b652762.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865746740=22075057beb9b652762.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865746740=22075057beb9b652762.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">Mystery Partner time! How did you feel about the reveal and the following match? I was very excited for this, but I want to know your thoughts</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865746740=22075057beb9b652762.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865746740=22075057beb9b652762.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>CJ: </b></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865746740=22075057beb9b652762.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865746740=22075057beb9b652762.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866124824=2c2b02b350e78580c15.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866124824=2c2b02b350e78580c15.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">I was assuming it was Erick Rowan if he was healed up, but I had already read Jericho was in attendance so that kind of took away the surprise. It was nice to see cool dad looking crisp like his match with Neville in Japan! Jericho has always been one of my favourites since I was a kid, especially since he had this awesome toe kick strike in the Smackdown games that you could use to set up standing finishers instantly with. Yep.
Thought the match was totally fine, given the time. It isn't up to the standard of a lot of those old six man Shield matches but that's pretty damn lofty. I liked Braun, even though he is still very green. I liked the Shield Bros team work and dismantling of Braun until cocky Jericho ruined everything. Pretty excited about Jericho v Shield if he keeps working like this.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865746740=22075057beb9b652762.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442865746740=22075057beb9b652762.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866124824=2c2b02b350e78580c15.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866124824=2c2b02b350e78580c15.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">I hadn't spoiled myself so right before the shield came out I was full of anxiety. I was so worried it was going to be Baron Corbin or Finn Balor, both of whom I dislike a great deal. Being the big Shield mark that I am I was emotionally invested in this. I needed it to be someone okay. Best case scenario was Daniel Bryan, but I was totally fine with Jericho.
I thought the match was good too. I'm not expecting the shield/Wyatts matches we got back in 2014, because I feel like it's impossible to get to that level of quality without Seth. BUT there was a lot of cool shit here. The entire match was worked around Braun being big as shit and strong and bricks and they just couldn't take him down. The team work of Ambrose and Reigns was on point, but Jericho didn't click. He was the weak link. He just couldn't gel. That was the downfall. I liked that narrative. And if we're getting heel Jericho as a stop-gap for Ambrose until they do a final Shield/Wyatts at Survivor Series I'll be really happy with that. I feel like he and Ambrose could have great chemistry, Fine match. I probably won't be revisiting it, but it was fun and told the right story.</span></span><br />
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<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>CJ: </b></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">It's nice to have a giant super powerful dude who isn't Brock Lesnar and isn't expected to carry matches or be a main event player. The Wyatts are the perfect fit for that kind of dude and I'm glad they can maybe gain some momentum back now. I wonder if Rowan rejoins when he is cleared and Bray takes on a super powered manager role? I'd really like that actually and could see him regaining some of what he had.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"> </span></span></b><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">I don't think you have to have Bray Wyatt wrestling all the time. In some ways I think he's a special event type of guy. I think this feud with the Shield is building him up a little bit. I hope Rowan joins back. I'd love for him to make Luke, Braun and Erick do all the dirty work. I've enjoyed this feud and I like Braun too. He's a monster and I think he should be treated as such. What he can't do is go down to Reigns in singles anytime soon. Which is what I'm worried about. </span></span> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDmNr6SYx6jqaYUhZrLY0x6EgZN8Ds-N4ebg7Ke0inSjfJvX8egTFUoZiDBT51aY_aRw7Zz96BEJDx39DTbket0ignfyHqtn3wff2CH0lbFOCp-se0qHsb8MMNVWuaL28zXpfgjkrF5eG/s1600/Cena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDmNr6SYx6jqaYUhZrLY0x6EgZN8Ds-N4ebg7Ke0inSjfJvX8egTFUoZiDBT51aY_aRw7Zz96BEJDx39DTbket0ignfyHqtn3wff2CH0lbFOCp-se0qHsb8MMNVWuaL28zXpfgjkrF5eG/s400/Cena.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"> <u><b>Seth Rollins (c) vs. John Cena</b></u></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">Willow: *** 1/2</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">CJ: *** 1/2</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>CJ: </b></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866570530=2264a1dee5620d1e060.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">Onwards to Seth Rollins vs The Authority! I know you aren't supposed to think to hard about these things but...I really can't figure out why he didn't just walk out on both matches and tell The Authority to fuck off.
I really liked their first encounter and white attire Seth is my favourite look right now. What did you think of this first match with Cena?</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442866959687=23d386015b35bb1c123.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b></span></span></span></span>I'm sort of confused about the booking of the matches. The Authority, specifically HHH and Steph keep going back and forth between heel and face on Raw depending on the segment so whatever. I'm not sure why Steph didn't tell Cena to fuck off when he asked for a rematch. Why does she have to play by the rules?
Anyways, logic aside I thought this was good. Weaker than their SummerSlam match, but the ending is better. Putting Cena over is the right call. That's a weird sentence to type, but it's true. Things need to start cracking if you're going to have HHH vs. Seth Rollins in the future and bringing back the open challenge is good for everybody. As long as someone beats Cena clean for it and Cena lets the win happen, unlike what he did with Owens. One thing of importance: Major props to Cena for finally hitting the Yoshi Tonic.</span></span><br />
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<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>CJ: </b></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">More important to note, he didn't do the springboard stunner! </span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">I've been loving Cena this year and think he is a pretty strong WOTY contender but when he just decides to use these wacky indie moves as transitionary moves, I get forget why. That Yoshi Tonic should be a once in awhile thing, not a staple. I can't remember who said it on twitter but I wonder if we will ever learn the origins of 2003 Indie super worker John Cena. What triggered that?
I agree with all of the above and I really hope they are going with that logic and actually book Seth v HHH. I hope that match is either WMXXX super worker HHH or they both only use pedigrees for 15 minutes with gigantic pauses in between.
I know a lot of people were upset that Cena AA'd Rollins on the floor after that match because it is the most heel thing to do and it makes Sting look bad if he loses but I couldn't stop laughing. It is the most Cena thing ever. I wish he would just own up to that side of his character and be this face with tendencies to be the worst human ever. I'm glad they addressed how illogical it was for him not to bail right away.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">A match between HHH and New HHH with just them using pedigrees would be hilarious. I sort of want that. HHH inspires the most cynical fantasy booker in me. I adored his match with Sting at WM31 because it was everything everyone didn't want.
Anyways, Cena! Cena has been the man this year. I get occasionally fed up with him winning all the damn time, but there has not been a better worker in WWE this year. Sasha Banks is the only person who has an argument. To answer your question about super worker indie Cena. It had to start with Punk right? Punk came in, then Bryan and he wanted to prove he could hang with internet faves. God bless him though, because he's worked his ass off to a point where I actually look forward to seeing him on tv which is something.
I thought his match with Rollins was pretty good. It wouldn't even crack Cena's 20 best matches this year, but once again he put on great work and working with Cena brings out the best in Seth because he gets to do some of the aerial moves that got him over with the shield.
I loved that JBL fucking called him out on it. I thought it was hilarious. I sometimes just want to see Cena be the biggest dickbag in the world. He does things like this. He always has. When it is as overwrought it as it was at Night of Champions it is comedy gold. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6i9aBw9jvGLqSrrWkF0JHJPoHhBwaqpSdRZeD27Y6N56BIYc2UOeMIjOLu18BlXef6FY7cgycvnZU1S4GHE35dmPZHoV-5tQ-Usd4qfALpJQjN2N1eqEoJ1ywJ5jb88EQxWhO8_RKHe6/s1600/STING.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6i9aBw9jvGLqSrrWkF0JHJPoHhBwaqpSdRZeD27Y6N56BIYc2UOeMIjOLu18BlXef6FY7cgycvnZU1S4GHE35dmPZHoV-5tQ-Usd4qfALpJQjN2N1eqEoJ1ywJ5jb88EQxWhO8_RKHe6/s400/STING.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"> <u><b>Seth Rollins (c) vs. Sting</b></u></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">Willow: ***</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">CJ: ***</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>CJ: </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">So I never grew up with Sting and I still haven't watched any of his matches other then his recent ones in the WWE. Have you seen any old Sting?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">To answer your question about Sting I've seen some. I've seen the classic time limit draw he had with Ric Flair which you should watch immediately. That's the one big Sting match I'd recommend. Otherwise he doesn't do a lot for me so I was rooting for Rollins heading into this match. I just can't root for a 56 year old guy. I don't even think I could root for Austin if he came back, and Austin's my boy among the old fucks.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>CJ: </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869156739=2a1ded331ee53076617.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869156739=2a1ded331ee53076617.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">Despite not having any past allegiance to Sting, this match was waaaaaay beyond my expectations. I was expecting smoke and mirrors or a match under 5 minutes or a DQ/Distraction or anything other then a straight up match! After all this time that Seth has bent ducking and dodging, he defends both titles back to back with CLEAN FINISHES. Let's keep this going!
I also can't believe Sting let him do everything he normally would do and then went for that huge dive to the outside. Seth caught him well but I was surprised he got up from that. I'm hoping the injury he sustained wasn't serious but I'm not so sure I want to see him wrestle anymore. He gave everything he had and did just fine, but he can't keep that up and I hope he considers his health.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869156739=2a1ded331ee53076617.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869156739=2a1ded331ee53076617.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869156739=2a1ded331ee53076617.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869156739=2a1ded331ee53076617.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869491601=245d489b865dbd75f97.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869491601=245d489b865dbd75f97.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">I think he honestly tried to go as hard as Undertaker did last month against Brock Lesnar. Now, the big difference there is Taker is 6 years younger, and 6 years in wrestling years is a long time. Sting has nothing to be ashamed of with this match. I think he did as much as he could. I think he got injured on the buckle bomb. That's what everyone keeps saying. He did stagger and stop afterward and go to the mat. I hope he's alright. He can't have too many more matches left in him and if this was his last one then he really put Seth over.
I think I respect this match more than I actually like it. Sting's work is commendable, even though I don't particularly care about him. I think he brought real sympathy out of the crowd for the bumps he was taking and Rollins proved himself to be crafty enough to get by and vicious enough to put Sting down. I think it does more for story than anything great on a technical level. I think that's the recurring theme of the show. Night of Champions was good for narrative and the wrestling was fine.
A part of me wanted to see Seth wrestle 3 times and go another ten minutes with Sheamus. How did you feel about the conclusion?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869156739=2a1ded331ee53076617.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869156739=2a1ded331ee53076617.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869491601=245d489b865dbd75f97.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869491601=245d489b865dbd75f97.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>CJ: </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869156739=2a1ded331ee53076617.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869156739=2a1ded331ee53076617.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869491601=245d489b865dbd75f97.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869491601=245d489b865dbd75f97.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869763368=25ccf2538c8e4f98219.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869763368=25ccf2538c8e4f98219.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">I really liked Sheamus until recently, I don't know what has happened but his work has plummeted the last few months. That said, this show was so consistently surprising I was 100% down for a third match against Sheamus. It would set up a face turn for Seth against HHH win or lose and nobody gives a fuck about Sheamus right now as the guy with Money in the Bank.
Was stopping a Sheamus title reign right now worth a Rollins v Kane match at Hell in a Cell? Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh. Maybe? I'm sure the shows leading up to the next PPV with convince me otherwise but Seth could get something out of Kane. Maybe? Perhaps Team Hell No is right around the corner? Maybe?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869156739=2a1ded331ee53076617.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869156739=2a1ded331ee53076617.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869491601=245d489b865dbd75f97.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869491601=245d489b865dbd75f97.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869763368=25ccf2538c8e4f98219.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869763368=25ccf2538c8e4f98219.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><b>Willow: </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867420781=208e22d3bdd22ac9249.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442867649826=28e1c0efb1b00155638.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868191777=2279ae706c31477a760.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442868635716=25513f012cc932f3f76.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869156739=2a1ded331ee53076617.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869156739=2a1ded331ee53076617.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869491601=245d489b865dbd75f97.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869491601=245d489b865dbd75f97.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869763368=25ccf2538c8e4f98219.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442869763368=25ccf2538c8e4f98219.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442870125883=20b20be07e73f257184.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".13.1:$mid=11442870125883=20b20be07e73f257184.2:0.0.0.0.0.0">I'm also in a similar place with Sheamus. I think he's solid as hell in the ring, but something is off right now. He's playing to the crowd too much and his stiffer style isn't really currently gelling in his matches. I have no interest in him at the moment.
It was weird. I think picking Sheamus as the MITB holder is going to end up backfiring. I would have been down for a third Seth match, but only with the caveat that he retained clean.
I'm not sure if Kane/Rollins is going to end up being good. They've been working this storyline for what seems like an eternity. However, your mention of Team Hell No has me thinking. What if HHH vs. Seth Rollins is set up by having Seth lose in a tag team match with HHH against Bryan and Kane? That is something to think about. That is likely a pipe-dream, but it would be an interesting route to go down.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span><br />
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Willow Maclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16743087522299241283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4032747482957673301.post-32655246199856146422015-08-18T19:58:00.000-07:002015-08-18T19:58:13.104-07:00A Quick look at the G1 Climax: 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgbzSCrYJvp5GBo83vbRivI52o-lOscGuiObqYbxNvP5bYPgtEiGUGWH6agitdR0yLB-hp8ERBgRD89Z4hsF36nZOsv0llJfr-dm_mNMj_DI3zv1JChvDH0sLINX0rB_y4iPUOei9l7B1/s1600/vlcsnap-2015-08-17-18h25m21s88.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgbzSCrYJvp5GBo83vbRivI52o-lOscGuiObqYbxNvP5bYPgtEiGUGWH6agitdR0yLB-hp8ERBgRD89Z4hsF36nZOsv0llJfr-dm_mNMj_DI3zv1JChvDH0sLINX0rB_y4iPUOei9l7B1/s400/vlcsnap-2015-08-17-18h25m21s88.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>*This is meant to be a quick round-up or a guide to which matches you should check out from the New Japan Pro Wrestling G1 Tournament. I did not watch the tag team matches before the show or most of the matches featuring Yujiro Takahashi (I have no time for the male gaze in my wrestling viewing if I can help it) or some of the lesser important members of the Bullet Club like Bad Luck Fale. All that being said, here are my general thoughts on the G1*</i><br />
<br />
The G1 Tournament is perhaps the purest example of wrestling as sport in this entire industry. This years tournament functioned around a point system where each competitor was separated into 2 different blocks each consisting of 10 wrestlers. Each wrestler was then given 2 points for every victory. The two wrestlers with the most points at the end of an 18 day period of wrestling would square off in the finals to crown a winner. It's all very simple, and if it were easier to acquire in North America it would represent the best possible way to introduce someone to a wrestling company.<br />
<br />
The G1 is about the spirit of competition. You'll find less shenanigans here than in WWE or any second tier North American companies. There are factions and wrestlers who are present to offer something different than pure wrestling like Toru Yano or The Bullet Club, but for the most part the G1 is presented as a straight forward wrestling tournament consisting of contests between two men where only one can come out better. What separates it from the types of tournaments present in WWE is the nonexistence of jerkaround booking. We all know how awful Wrestlemania 4 turned out to be and The King of the Ring tournament is largely something WWE will tell you is masterful, but oftentimes pitiful in it's complete dismissal of tournament style booking. G1 is clean. That's what is key here and for fans of wrestling as a pure artform between competitors it is refreshing and while 2015 doesn't have the sheer depth of quality matches present in last year's tournament there is plenty to admire. I'm new to NJPW for the most part, but based purely on the amount of wrestling presented and the respect they treat the tournament the competition appears the be bulletproof. Which is rare in professional wrestling. The G1 isn't without it's problems, but since addressing them in the preface this will only be about what I loved about this year's G1.<br />
<br />
When the G1 began it was clear that Block A had more to offer this year while Block B dealt with injuries to Shinsuke Nakamura and the relative uninterest of Kazuchika Okada to work his matches at full speed. All of this meant Block B felt severely limited compared to the impressive work being done in the A block. This would change in the final days of the tournament when Nakamura seemed to be on and when grouping that with raised stakes Okada found his footing as well. Michael Elgin turned into the stealth MVP of the inferior block and Tomohiro Ishii who is always consistently enjoyable turned out some of his best work with the already mentioned Elgin along with perpetual loser Tomoaki Honma. Block A was the sterling example of NJPW throughout this tournament though with Katsuyori Shibata delivering multiple 4 star contests and Tetsuya Naito's new gimmick unleashed a flurry of incredible matches with Shibata, AJ Styles, Kota Ibushi and Hiroshi Tanahashi. Shibata has a no-nonsense moveset that feels relatively old school, focusing on kicks, forearms and chokes that was always believably violent and essential to being drawn into his work that proved to be magnificent throughout. I suppose one could argue that Tanahashi put out the best work as well, but it'd be easy to pat him on the back since he won the entire thing. God bless Shibata. If only Yano hadn't tricked him. He was never the same after that, and when his chances of winning the G1 went away along with Naito the B block rose up to prominence.<br />
<br />
Shinsuke Nakamura's arc throughout the G1 was held up from an apparent elbow injury. He had to forfeit a match he was surely scheduled to win against Michael Elgin, but curiously the elbow injury added some extra depth to a push that was going to position him against ace of the company Hiroshi Tanahashi. The elbow made him vulnerable. His matches were noticeably weaker in the middle stretch of the tournament and his offence seemed significantly muted. The "thwack" that normally echoes through the halls just wasn't there, but he kept finding ways to deliver enough damage to get by. Shinsuke didn't find his confidence again until day 14 against Honma. The whipping post his opponent was gave him enough reason to see if he could let loose, because honestly in kayfabe Honma can't even touch Nakamura, so the King of Strong Style delivered blow after blow and his ability to kill was present once more. He needed it because he was about to face the man he lost to last year in the G1 finals, Kazuchika Okada. In what ended up being one of the best matches of the entire tournament, Nakamura proved craftier than his opponent and he moved on to face Tanahashi. Tanahashi and Nakamura delivered magic. The game plan was set up early when Tanahashi went for Nakamura's legs and that first chink in Shinsuke's armour was exposed. This foreshadowed what was to come. Shinsuke never gave up though and even as his body was covered in sweat and his hair dangled lifelessly atop his head he stared down Tanahashi and gave it his all. He made it believable that he would win. When he landed an armbar on Tanahashi late in the match it signaled his effort and his guile to push forward. Shinsuke did everything he possibly could, but he couldn't beat Tanahashi and moments later after kicking out of Tanahashi's finisher he ate another one that looked like it broke his lungs. He was finished. Tanahashi won. Shinsuke raised the better man's arm and the G1 was over.<br />
<br />
Match Scores (matches above 4 stars in bold)<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 1</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Katsuyori Shibata vs. AJ Styles-
**** ½
</b></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi
- *** ¾
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 2</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Yuji Nagata vs. Tomoaki Honma- ***</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Karl
Anderson- *** ½
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Micheal Elgin vs. Kazuchika Okada
- *** ¼
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 3</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Toru Yano vs. AJ Styles- *** ¼
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Katsyori Shibata vs. Tetsuya
Naito- **** ½
</b></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan- ***
½
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 4</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Satoshimi Kojima vs. Michael
Elgin- *** ¼</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Yuji Nagata-
*** ½</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomoaki Honma-
*** ½
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 5</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Toru Yano vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan- **</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Togi Makabe vs. Katsoyuri Shibata-
*** ½
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Kota Ibushi vs. AJ Styles- **** ½
</b></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tetsuya
Naito- **** ¼
</b></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 6</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Satoshi
Kojima vs. Kazuchika Okada- ***</span></b></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hirooki
Goto vs. Tomoaki Honma</span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;">
- ***</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 7</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Kota Ibushi vs. Katsoyuri Shibata-
**** ¾
</b></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bad Luck Fale vs. Hiroshi
Tanahashi - **</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Tetsuya Naito vs. AJ Styles- ****
1/4</b></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 8</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Michael Elgin vs. Tomoaki Honma -
*** ¼
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tomohiro
Ishii- *** ½
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Kazuchika Okada vs. Hirooki Goto-
*** ½
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 9</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Togi Makabe vs. Tetsuya Naito -
*** ½</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Katsoyuri Shibata vs. Bad Luck
Fale - ** ½</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
AJ Styles vs. Doc Gallows - ** ½</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 10</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Hirooki
Goto- *** ½
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Yuji Nagata-
*** ½
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Kazuchika Okada vs. Karl Anderson-
** ¾
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 11</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Toru Yano vs. Katsoyuri Shibata-
n/a- fun though</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
AJ Styles vs. Togi Makabe- *** ¾
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Tetsuya Naito vs. Kota Ibushi-****</b></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 12</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Satoshi Kojima vs. Hirooki Goto-
*** ¼
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomohiro
Ishii- ****</b></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 13</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
AJ Styles vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan- ***
¼
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Katsoyuri
Shibata- **** ¾
</b></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 14</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Satoshi Kojima vs. Yuji Nagata-
*** ¼
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Kazuchika Okada vs. Yujiro Takahashi- *
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tomoaki
Honma- **** ¼
</b></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Tomohiro Ishii vs. Hirooki Goto -
**** ¼
</b></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 15</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Katsoyuri
Shibata- *** ¼
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Togi Makabe-
** ½
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 16</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Hirooki Goto vs. Michael Elgin-
****</b></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Satoshi Kojima vs. Shinsuke
Nakamura- *** ¾
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Kazuchika Okada vs. Yuji Nagata-
*** ½
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tomoaki Honma vs. Tomohiro Ishii-
*** ¾
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 17</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Doc Gallows vs. Katsoyuri Shibata-
** ¼</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Toru Yano vs. Bad Luck Fale- * ½</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Tetsuya
Naito- ** ¾</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Kota Ibushi vs. Togi Makabe- ** ½</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. AJ Styles-
**** ½</b></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 18</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Yuji Takahashi vs. Tomoaki Honma-
* ¾</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Tomohiro Ishii vs. Michael Elgin-
**** ¼</b></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Yuji Nagata vs. Hirooki Goto- ***
¼</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Satoshi Kojima vs. Karl Anderson-
** ½</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Kazuchika Okada vs. Shinsuke
Nakamura- **** ½
</b></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
G1 Finals</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Young Bucks vs. reDragon- *** ½
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Kushida vs. Ricochet- *** ¼
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bullet Club against The Kingdom &
Kazuchika Okada- * ½
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Hiroshi
Tanahashi- **** ¾ </b></div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
(Editor's note: The rest of us here at Push Cesaro embrace Toru Yano and think every match is worth viewing. We wash our hands of Willow not even watching all of them. For shame!)Willow Maclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16743087522299241283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4032747482957673301.post-52844230246857744992015-02-10T02:10:00.001-08:002015-02-10T02:10:40.772-08:00Top 50 WWE/NXT Matches of 2014: #47. Kevin Owens vs. Adrian Neville (December 18, 2014)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilMtvbpMNsQmMKlhStjNx5r956z5cE-hBbJ4GsfwMw-JY3CB1gWTTLX9n9hibtsnMBM87EJX9cMDt4ats_OQTC58A6t6dT1p8PB0eXyLMHGou7wvIXHRNbkA8AGHCjVydcagwzMOV6mhl/s1600/vlcsnap-2015-02-10-06h08m36s0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilMtvbpMNsQmMKlhStjNx5r956z5cE-hBbJ4GsfwMw-JY3CB1gWTTLX9n9hibtsnMBM87EJX9cMDt4ats_OQTC58A6t6dT1p8PB0eXyLMHGou7wvIXHRNbkA8AGHCjVydcagwzMOV6mhl/s1600/vlcsnap-2015-02-10-06h08m36s0.png" height="226" width="400" /></a></div>
A match that flew completely under the radar as it aired with about two weeks left in the year, but upon reflection is one of the very best matches performed in all of NXT in the past year. Kevin Owens had to get over as a heel here, and he and Neville's main goal in this match was to play up both his violent, dangerous capabilities, and to undo any sort of support the crowd would have for Owens. This wasn't an easy task as Kevin Steen was something of a legend on the independent circuit, but they accomplished everything they set out to achieve in this match, because the crowd would boo upon the referee's ten count at the close. <br /><br />Owens has been a master manipulator ever since he powerbombed Sami Zayn into the apron at the close of his championship victory. He's a snake, but a very smart snake, and it's pleasurable to see those qualities come through in his ring work as well. Owens refuses to do much with Neville at the beginning of this match. His motto of "I'll fight anyone" works in direct contrast with his near constant retreats at the start. Neville hits a move or gets too close and Owens slides out, but his entire gameplan here was to get Neville to come towards him and become aggressive to the point where strategy goes out the window and fighting ensues. Owens gets exactly what he wants when Neville comes sliding out the ropes to attack, only to have his offense countered with a vicious forearm. Owens takes control after this with a series of chops, and blows to Neville's body that would effect his aerial offense. Owens maintains control until the final moments when Neville's fighting spirit lets him wiggle out of a carry, and land a few kicks. His speed helps him get the better of Owens once more, but right when Neville seems ready to close the match Owens slides out the ring again, and in a dazed state sends Neville into the side of the ring for a countout.<br />
<br />
Aside from being a great match the ending is brilliantly booked. By having a countout ending you keep both men strong, and you legitimize Owens because he just went toe to toe with the former champion and nearly won. In a repeat of what he did to Zayn he hit a powerbomb on Neville at the close of the show as well, and now these men have history, and a reason to fight. Adrian Neville is in line for a possible title shot if he can defeat Finn Balor at the next NXT Special event, and if he and Owens win they have even more reason to go to battle with each other, because of this match. Willow Maclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16743087522299241283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4032747482957673301.post-80291512879214352622015-02-05T18:41:00.001-08:002015-02-05T18:54:46.209-08:00Top 50 Best WWE/NXT Matches of 2014: #48. Bayley vs. Sasha Banks (ALL)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwigeeRsawzgBys-YoQ4xEfmsMp58NSidD00m-SPgeW4FJRKzQiv3BhVo4lGsYLUIQBzTenSKwfhDWCG3HwmkTxGvf1Q1cOC7l7ZNVlciTiW5fXF9yB9LkKUoXo5-CBUv38sBm40Lihsow/s1600/bayley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwigeeRsawzgBys-YoQ4xEfmsMp58NSidD00m-SPgeW4FJRKzQiv3BhVo4lGsYLUIQBzTenSKwfhDWCG3HwmkTxGvf1Q1cOC7l7ZNVlciTiW5fXF9yB9LkKUoXo5-CBUv38sBm40Lihsow/s1600/bayley.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
One of the greatest things about NXT is how refreshing it is to see women treated with respect in terms of talent and booking. While many of these women go on to flounder under the thumbs of regressive man children Vince McMahon & Kevin Dunn on the main roster they can at least be proud to know that they are helping carve out a place for women in WWE through NXT, and hopefully one day this translates to the main roster so we do not see the complete hijacking of otherwise talented women (Emma, Paige).<br />
<br />
The greatest feud in the women's division in NXT had no one true standout moment last year, but instead used their time wisely in a constantly evolving showcase of progression in counter based wrestling as seen through the perfect heel/face dynamics of Bayley and Sasha Banks. It was a series of matches that was based upon callbacks to previous matches, and since they've wrestled each other so many times there was plenty to build upon. It was always slight variations that brought something new to the table that kept this feud fresh. In April Bayley won with a Belly to Bayley suplex, One month later they wrestled again, but Sasha countered the Belly to Bayley with a backstabber crossface. When they picked their feud back up in August Bayley goes for the Belly to Bayley again, Sasha counters it again with the backstabber crossface, but Bayley, knowing this is coming, ends up countering that move with a roll up. It's little things like this that make watching the two very interesting. <br />
<br />
As an aside I would just like to get on my soapbox for a moment and just talk about why these two (and Charlotte) are important. Women's wrestling is not given the respect it deserves in WWE, and to be truthful I'm not sure if it ever has. The closest it has ever come to being equal with the men was in the mid 90s when Bull Nakano, Alundra Blayze and Aja Kong were representing women's wrestling in the company. The attitude era saw the dissolution of this, and the arrival of Playboy matches shortly afterward. WWE has never recovered, but I respect that they are trying with NXT. The Women still aren't equal down in NXT, because if they were they'd be going after people like Athena as hard as they went after wrestlers like KENTA, but it brings me an infinite amount of joy knowing that there's at least one area of WWE programming that's giving women a spotlight. Women have always been as good as men at wrestling, but there's always been a stigma that they can't do it for whatever reason, and I think WWE is a big reason for that stereotype existing. I don't know if things are ever going to change on the main roster, but as a Woman I can at least take solace in knowing that Bayley, Sasha Banks, Charlotte and to a lesser extent Becky Lynch are ushering in what will hopefully become a new era for Women's wrestling in the biggest Wrestling company in the world. Willow Maclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16743087522299241283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4032747482957673301.post-19202105935425380712015-01-22T05:25:00.002-08:002015-01-22T05:26:08.136-08:00Reflections on a Year as a WWE Fan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUy-dN-01zAYIsx8_ZcNny9V5pliVFCaXt5TcVyhrsVjnawMKgmz_n4dS_-rZF9f1NzeCPvpA0DCZ5NJyobs4t2CIMcwlV60kzKI_zC-gj4iQpbt_IBdqnNVmBDZK3SKbwAG35lAZ9Q6nD/s1600/batista.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUy-dN-01zAYIsx8_ZcNny9V5pliVFCaXt5TcVyhrsVjnawMKgmz_n4dS_-rZF9f1NzeCPvpA0DCZ5NJyobs4t2CIMcwlV60kzKI_zC-gj4iQpbt_IBdqnNVmBDZK3SKbwAG35lAZ9Q6nD/s1600/batista.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...BLRRRRMP</i><br />
<br />
And the boos reigned down from the heavens, and I became a wrestling fan. My coming out moment with professional wrestling was born in chaos, and complete disillusionment over Daniel Bryan's absence in the Royal Rumble. <i> </i>I knew that he was a fan favourite and others were passionate about him, because I recall my boyfriend and my best friend having intense reactions over the ending of SummerSlam. I remember remarking back to my boyfriend that I thought the SummerSlam ending was "stupid:. It was because of those two people that I took an interest in the art as I wanted to get closer to each of them. I never expected it to take over my life, and become one of my favourite avenues of artistic appreciation, but that's exactly what happened.<br />
<br />
The 2014 Royal Rumble, as frustrating as it was, may go down as one of the more important events in the history of the WWE as it showcased the power of the fan in a way that completely shifted the gameplan of the company heading into Wrestlemania. It was my first ever pay per view, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way, because I feel like it was the absolute perfect time for a newcomer to come on board. I was watching matches here and there leading up to the Rumble, but I was almost wholly unfamilair with the roster. Most of my education came in going back and viewing matches from Mick Foley, Undertaker, The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, but I was ready to love Daniel Bryan, because he was loved by the people I cared about most. His match against Bray Wyatt turned me into a disciple of his work, and now I consider him possibly the greatest North American Wrestler of all time. It still stands as one of best WWE matches of 2014, and it also made me a Bray Wyatt fan. Funnily enough I hate him more than any other wrestler now, but Daniel Bryan has a way of making others look like superstars, and he did there. I understood why we loved Daniel Bryan with that match, and I was ready for him to win the Royal Rumble. I was told he was coming. He had to be win it. There is no way he wouldn't be in the Rumble.<br />
<br />
And then he wasn't, and the Titanic happened. The entire match dissolved before our eyes. Everyone became a heel, because these men were not Daniel Bryan, and for that one night he was the only man that mattered. It would only rub salt in the wound further when Batista won the Rumble, after we had collectively settled for Roman Reigns taking out the Animal. After the event was over I was hooked by the drama of it all, and the beauty within the ring recalled another art of movement that I was in love with; dance, and that settled it. I was a fan, and I wasn't going to miss anything from this point forward.<br />
<br />
In hindsight I was spoiled rotten with the run from the Royal Rumble up through Payback as the company was extremely hot, had consistent booking, and a wealth of bubbling talent. It's too bad they would squander almost everything that turned me into a wrestling fan in the back half of the year. The Shield imploded with a chair shot, The Wyatt Family crumbled with a whimper, Daniel Bryan gave us all true happiness at Mania only to become injured and miss out on the fruits of his labour, and Cesaro....well, let's not talk about that. Everything that I fell in love with at the beginning of the year was gone, but then WWE surprised me again, and I became more invested than I have in my entire life even though the good year they had built up was crashing down to earth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelNScG17KyMKe4hvUzPvLPTBWlKPaBg9nqR0AsiiRt2CKJSz74q7Lt_lK50etBvLqLcGmJToBMtp_aRaYDnGqPGJ5Sc9FUyrKqu-hDiwP9byUz2I8EjQHhOUfRxLsIg2HCeCEO5dhrKtN/s1600/ambrollins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelNScG17KyMKe4hvUzPvLPTBWlKPaBg9nqR0AsiiRt2CKJSz74q7Lt_lK50etBvLqLcGmJToBMtp_aRaYDnGqPGJ5Sc9FUyrKqu-hDiwP9byUz2I8EjQHhOUfRxLsIg2HCeCEO5dhrKtN/s1600/ambrollins.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
On June 2nd, the new Kings of my Wrestling world, The Shield, were no more. Seth Rollins sold out, and destroyed his family. He broke Dean Ambrose's heart, and mine too. I still shudder at watching the video where he turned on his bretheren as I'm too invested in these characters to relive moments that actually brought me physical pain. Nevertheless, in that moment of tragedy saw a new level of my fandom in a man I now call my favourite wrestler, Dean Ambrose. He was the catalyst for the revenge that was needed on Seth Rollins, and in his attacks on Seth Rollins he started to become a top guy for not only me, but for many others. The Seth Rollins/Dean Ambrose feud was something intricately layered and built upon years of ring chemistry, and story that dated all the way back to FCW, through the Shield, and to the present. They became combustible, and now they can't exist near one another without violence occurring. Ambrose was hurt too much from the attack, as we'd later find out he never had a family. So this was it for him, and that hurt that came from losing his only real blood was too much to bear. He'd destroy Seth Rollins, and I wanted to see him do it. I lived for those moments when he'd charge across the ring and brawl with Seth, turning his trademark sloppy fists into something of pure rage. Suddenly, it all came together for me with Ambrose and I was so deeply in love with professional wrestling, and more specifically him that I'd spend hours watching his matches, reading interviews, and unraveling my hero. When he uttered "We're All Going to Die Tonight" before their match at Hell in a Cell I practically swooned. My fandom was at it's peak. This was the most I had ever loved wrestling, and I needed to see him win. That pinfall was important and as the match progressed I was so ready, and I was loving every second of a PG era Hell in a Cell, something I didn't think possible, and then it cut to black. I didn't understand what was happening, and then I heard Bray Wyatt's voice, and the feud was over, unfinished, cut off, missed, and my heart was torn out.<br />
<br />
I'm still chasing that feeling, and I've been disillusioned with WWE ever since. This hasn't been the end of my wrestling fandom though, not by a longshot, because I've grown attached to the indies, and NJPW. I found more to love in SHIMMER, ROH circa the mid 00s, the hopeful future in NXT, and even the women's action in TNA. I'm evolving as a fan, but I wonder if I'll ever feel that rush that I felt with Ambrose and Rollins again, and as the Royal Rumble approaches this weekend I'm doubtful. It seems like Roman Reigns is well on his way to headlining Wrestlemania and it might be with Seth Rollins, and I wouldn't really care, and that bums me out. But as I come into the Royal Rumble one year later I like the symmetry of rooting for Daniel Bryan once more, and this time he's certain to be in the event. It may even end with a parade of boos and taking an eraser to Vince McMahon's Wrestlemania dry erase board like last year. Ironically Roman Reigns would become the man we hated last year, and he'd get the exact opposite reaction he experienced alongside Batista. I'm not exactly sure what's going to happen in WWE in 2015, but I'll be watching even if it stays as wretched as it has been the last few months, because I've seen the highs, and it's unlike anything else in the world of art. I am grateful that those two people I mentioned in the first paragraph as they gave me reason to check out wrestling, because I love it more than almost anything. I don't know how many times I cried watching wrestling this year, but I hope I will be on Sunday, as Daniel Bryan moves on to headline Wrestlemania 31.<br />
<br />
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<br />Willow Maclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16743087522299241283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4032747482957673301.post-46229463481086659772015-01-16T14:18:00.002-08:002016-10-27T11:22:16.880-07:00Tomohiro Ishii vs Katsuyori Shibata: Camaraderie in WrestlingWas there a greater moment of camaraderie between rivals in any medium this year then in Tomohiro Ishii vs Katsuyori Shibata at the G1 Climax?<br />
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At some point (I believe two matches before this one) during this years G1 Climax (a two week tournament), Ishii legitimately separates his shoulder and continues to wrestle on it. He doesn't want the fans to know how banged up he is and he doesn't want to be pulled out of the tournament, so he bandages up his shoulder and <i>still</i> puts on some amazing performances. Bandages limbs aren't uncommon, though in Japanese wrestling they are generally used for legit purposes as opposed to something like WWE where much of the time the injuries are sometimes non-existent or quite minor. Injuries are especially common in the G1 as it is an incredibly gruelling workload and schedule.<br />
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So Ishii finally runs into his rival, Shibata, in a rematch from last year where the two beat the hell out of each other. Basically, the matches they end up having are less wrestling and more let us literally take turns kicking and chopping each other until someone backs down. These are incredibly brutal matches. It's the epitome of the Japanese "Strong Style" of wrestling which helped open the door for MMA acceptance world wide.<br />
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About halfway into the match, Shibata puts Ishii into an armbar and when Ishii finally breaks the hold, he rolls out of the ring. This is important because Ishii is buying himself time because he is hurt, Ishii <i>NEVER </i>does this. His whole schtick is "I am a human fridge. You can not hurt me. I will punish you with my impossibly hard head" and for him to do this in this match which is essentially to prove who is the toughest human being is pretty substantial. Shibata rolls him back in (he yells something like "Get back in there!" or some other tough dude thing) but Ishii rolls out again! This shocks even Shibata! Obviously this is exaggerated to make a story here, he isn't more seriously injured (I mean, he's probably a bit more injured considering the punishment here), but it's a great, simple dynamic.<br />
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During this, a doctor comes out and starts checking Ishii's shoulder. What does Shibata do here? He doesn't want to win by count out, this doesn't prove that either are tougher and even though Ishii is injured, it wouldn't be the honorable thing to do to just let him get counted out or have a doctor stop the match.<br />
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He ends up rolling Ishii back into the ring and taking an unusually casual climb back into the ring before kicking Ishii in the shoulder. He's kind of testing him to see if Ishii will rise back in a rage like he usually does and keep on battling. When he doesn't, he tells the doctor to check on him.<br />
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So Shibata decides to do something unexpected, he handicaps himself. Shibata respects Ishii so much that he'll restrain his killer instincts.<br />
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This continues for awhile until Shibata gains the upper hand and goes for his incredibly devastating spinning face chop that looks like this<br />
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But Ishii surprises everyone by ducking it and using both arms to deliver a huge german suplex. It's a great ending to a sequence that serves to put both men on more even terms. Now we believe Ishii could rise against the odds and beat Shibata despite the shoulder. Shibata also gets a boost by not taking any easy outs, you couldn't have faulted the guy if he just decided to kick Ishii shoulder clean off his body but you could be disappointed at what could have been.<br />
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They salvaged the match with simple storytelling and simple wrestling.<br />
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This is also one of my favourite images of the year. I don't know much about classical art, but the manner in which the lines of Shibata's head and face disappear into the head and grimace of Ishii make me think of some sort of painting. I dunno everybody, it's just great photography. Like when people talk about the great action directors (McTiernan, Mann, T. Scott etc) and cap images of faces slipping into frames between limbs or lights finding cracks in bodies, wrestling is filled with a lot of this raw imagery.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806302084419011539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4032747482957673301.post-73947388339529389242015-01-02T19:33:00.001-08:002015-01-02T19:35:28.116-08:0050 Best Matches in WWE/NXT- #49- Elimination Chamber match <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't like Eric Bischoff in the slightest, but I've always been a fan of the Elimination Chamber match. It's not always stocked with the greatest wrestlers but eliminations make for easier drama, and allows for wrestling to be more consistently engaging, because with six guys there is hardly any stoppage in action. I'm honestly sad to see it go in 2015, but if this is the last Elimination Chamber match for a while they went out on a pretty good one. It's marred by iffy booking towards the end, but that was a trend throughout all of WWE in 2014.<br />
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The biggest reason why the Chamber match is featured on my list is the work of Sheamus and Cesaro who basically do all the heavy lifting in this match (Christian really pulls his weight too). Sheamus and Cesaro just maul each other, using the cage and chambers to their advantage. The trio of uppercutting mad men is one of my favourite moments in the match as Sheamus, Bryan and Cesaro all start using European Uppercuts shortly after Bryan comes in and the match slows down. The European Uppercut is a hell of a move and all three men put a good deal of force behind it, creating a feeling that this move is doing real damage. Some other little things I love in this match are Bryan sneaking in and hitting a German Suplex on Cena midway through an AA, Sheamus Brogue Kicking the Chamber as Orton plays up the cowardly heel, and Christian wriggling his way up the cage as often as possible. Not enough was spoken of Christian's solid in ring work before he got hurt, but in my own budding fandom in the early parts of 2014 he was a joy to watch on many occasions. He knew his strengths in this match would be to let the other wrestlers obliterate themselves so he waited for his spots. That's how he eliminated Sheamus.<br />
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It's really fucking great for a while, but as I mentioned above it wouldn't be 2014 without some shitty booking. Cesaro weakly tapping out to the STF is a low point of the match, and wholly uncharacteristic of both what he was doing in this match and his personality as a wrestler. The Wyatt Family using magic to get inside the Chamber is also frustrating, and even more in hindsight as I consider Cena/Wyatt to be the worst feud of 2014 in WWE. They got it just right at the end though, and having Bryan lose here only intensified how badly everyone wanted to see him win at Mania. It also gave us these beautiful reaction shots. Wrestling is real.<br />
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<br />Willow Maclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16743087522299241283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4032747482957673301.post-15787907466620942022015-01-02T03:00:00.001-08:002015-01-02T03:02:32.473-08:00A Quick NJPW Primer for Wrestle Kingdom 9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is a little bit late for a primer, but I know there are some people who are on the fence about watching Wrestle Kingdom 9 on Saturday night (11PM Pacific) and would love to watch if they only knew a bit of information beforehand. It is pretty intimidating to jump into a massive event with so much hype when you don't know a damn thing about the wrestlers, the organization or even the style of wrestling! <br />
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That's why I am making this short primer. it isn't meant to be very in depth but hopefully it serves well as a quick summary of events or an introduction to some cool wrestlers you'll like! I myself just started seriously watching wrestling again around March of 2014! I am still very new to puro (a common name for Japanese wrestling) but I can't imagine being without it now.<br />
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Couple of quick rule explanations!<br />
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Closed fist punches are not allowed! This is why slaps, palm strikes, chops and forearms are so prevalent.<br />
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To be counted out, the ref has to hit 20 seconds not the 10 used in most western wrestling.<br />
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You can't get DQ'd from being hit with a chair or something like that.<br />
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<a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x22lrf2_g1-climax-24-block-b-match-aj-styles-vs-minoru-suzuki_sport"><span style="font-size: large;">AJ Styles vs Minoru Suzuki</span></a></div>
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Let us start off with one of my absolute favourite things of the year, let alone wrestling. This happened during an amazing yearly tournament called the G1 Climax. We're going to see a lot of it in this list because hosts an incredible amount of great match ups and is another great starting point for anyone interested in NJPW.<br />
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This is the first time these two meet and they somehow pull off an incredible match. Suzuki and Styles are both the leaders of two heel stables. AJ Styles leads a group of foreign jerks called the Bullet Club. They are basically a ridiculous cover band of the classic 90s bad guy groups (NWO, DX). They like to make finger guns and shoot people. At the time, AJ Styles is the IWGP Heavyweight Champion and the first foreigner to hold the championship since Brock Lesnar in 2005. AJ Styles was very influential on the indie scene and then joined TNA (WWE's primary rival since WCW/ECW were bought out) where his athleticism won him a lot of admirers. <br />
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Despite his chops, fans in Japan weren't sold on Styles reign as he won it using typical western heel tactics (run-ins, interference, being disrespectful) and many worried his run would be a failure. The G1 was the perfect opportunity for AJ to prove his worth and finally win over the fans. <br />
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Minoru Suzuki leads a group called Suzuki-gun. Suzuki is basically the meanest human being on the planet. He used to be a really great Pancrase (early MMA) fighter before injuries took their toll. He might be one of the most underrated performers in wrestling history in terms of ability and showmanship. His facial tics, his incredible entrance, his haircut, his asshole trolling nature, his legit ability to beat the shit out of anyone you know and his love of One Piece (his crew used to have their own versions of One Piece posters on their video) just make this beautiful mixture of wrestling. Just look at his entrance! I can't get enough of his entrance. Suzuki's finishing manoeuvres are a pile driver variation and a vicious rear naked choke (sleeper hold) where after you weaken he flips you to the ground. It's really brutal and I wince every time he does it.<br />
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The atmosphere is tense as everyone expects a full out war between the two groups. They enhance the tension with Suzuki's entrance in such a simple manner. It's a great example of how camerawork can enhance wrestling in the simplest of ways. A bit into the match, Styles makes the horrible mistake of making a finger gun in his usual Bullet Club manner. Suzuki fucking hates those signs and begins an obsessive quest to break AJ's fingers. <br />
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Suzuki wrote a pretty serious "Don't make that sign unless you are willing to die" piece on his blog just before the match. The beginning of this article has a <a href="http://puroresushop.com/blogs/news/16917547-minoru-suzuki-talks-about-his-match-with-aj-styles">translation of that post</a>.<br />
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The best part of this match is you don't need to know any of that! The match speaks for itself! It shows how wrestling can tell stories very simply. Action filmmakers could learn so much from this kind of wrestling.<br />
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Also, remember that Suzuki is 46. Hell of a guy.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x238aql_g1-climax-24-final-match-kazuchika-okada-vs-shinsuke-nakamura_sport">Kazuchika Okada vs Shinsuke Nakamura</a></span></div>
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That's Shinsuke Nakamura on the left and Kazuchka Okada on the right. They are pals and pretty cool.<br />
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The G1 finals is this amazing tournament hosted once a year where a large group of wrestlers get split into two groups, A and B. Everyone in Group A wrestles each other and same with B. The winners of A and B face each other to win a title shot at Wrestle Kingdom, the most prestigious show in NJPW (their Wrestlemania). Okada and Nakamura won in their groups. They are also a part of the same loveable bad guys with swag crew, CHAOS. <br />
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Nakamura is basically the leader of the group. He is also the coolest person in the world and has won a ton of titles and accolades including being the youngest person to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at 23 years of age. He's sort of gained a reputation as the guy who brings a lot of people to NJPW since he is not only a fantastic wrestler but his character is much more theatrical and eccentric then his peers. His finishing manoeuvre is that he drives his knee into your skull as hard as he can. Pretty awesome.<br />
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Okada is the young gun (27) who has become one of THE names of Japanese wrestling. He's been hailed as the best wrestler for two straight years in Japanese papers (an incredibly rare feat) because he puts on consistently amazing matches and lost the title this year to AJ Styles. He has a gigantic chip on his shoulder and wants that god damn title back. His nickname is "The Rainmaker" and his entrances involve bills with his face rain from the ceiling. He's basically M. Bison if he decided to become a playboy wrestler instead of a dictator. Okada's finishing manoeuvre is a swing dance-esque short arm lariat takedown. It is awesome.<br />
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Nakamura entered at last years Wrestle Kingdom with an amazing stripper-esque dance stage. Okada once entered with a giant sword and an animatronic god damn raptor.<br />
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A major narrative going into this match that might be missed is Okada trying to cement himself as the greatest in NJPW. Despite the accolades and the titles at such a young age, the doubt still lingers. Nakamura beat Okada a few years back when the Rainmaker persona was fairly new, cementing Nakamura as the de facto leader of CHAOS and showing Okada was still the protege with much to learn. Now Okada has a chance to prove to himself that he can run with the man who has taught him so much and erase any doubts that creep into his mind since losing the title to AJ Styles.<br />
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Nakamura's character is something actors should study as a way of truly BECOMING a character. Look at every motion he does. Think about how he is still a character in the smallest of ways. Now think of how hard it would be to fully embody a character while 20 minutes into an exhausting match where you still have to execute your spots safely AND sell the moves of the opponent AND measure how a crowd reacts AND not fuck up AND this goes on forever.<br />
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<a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x22671w_g1-climax-24-block-a-match-hiroshi-tanahashi-vs-katsuyori-shibata_sport"><span style="font-size: large;">Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Katsuyori Shibata I</span></a></div>
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In WWE we are used to people "hating" each other. It's usually some forced drama like "You stole my wife" or "I'm a demon" or "You have this championship I want so I kidnapped your dog" blah blah blah. <a href="http://yottsumepuroresu.blogspot.ca/2014/05/njpw-hiroshi-tanahashi-talks-about-his_22.html">These two legitimately have beef with each other</a>. NJPW doesn't usually build matches using anything other then "I want your title" or "I want to prove I am better" so this is a bit out of the norm. Going into this match, everyone was going crazy with hype that I haven't seen achieved very often with such a simple build.<br />
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Shibata is sort of a throwback to the older era of Japanese wrestling where people were generally MMA/shoot fighters (Shibata had a short lived MMA career) who would really lay into each other with strikes and generally use them as the primary moves in a match, even moreso than now. He has this quality to him that even though we all know wrestling is choreographed and planned ahead and isn't actually filled with superheroes trying to murder each other for gigantic belts, he makes it feel like he is actually trying to murder people and will eventually succeed. He's great! His finishing manoeuvres are a Go 2 Sleep (picks you up on his shoulders and then knees you in the face) that leads into a brutal soccer kick to the chest.<br />
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Tanahashi gets compared to John Cena and Hulk Hogan a lot because of how he carried NJPW out of a dark era and into the light, becoming maybe its most popular star since the 00's. The difference between Tanahashi and the aforementioned legends is he is widely considered one of the most consistently great workers in the world and can go with anyone (not to say Cena can't wrestle, he's just much more limited and inconsistent). Tanahashi really just wants to excite as many people as he can and constantly thinks of new fans, which is why I think his matches have these really great and easy to follow narratives that are noticeable for newer viewers. Like working a limb that is an important weapon in his opponents arsenal. He's also amazing at reading a crowd and bringing the most out of a match. He isn't afraid to subtly become a heel if it is to the benefit of the match or the crowd, most wrestlers won't do these things because they are selfish or can't do these things because they aren't knowledgable enough to recognize these things. Tanahashi's finishing manoeuvre plays into his want to please the crowd, both new or experienced, by using a frog splash which is where he dives off the top rope and lands on his prone opponent.<br />
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He also loves to air guitar.<br />
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I digress, the match is an amazing clash of two different styles with Shibata trying to shatter Tanahashi's style. This is a great example of NJPW camera work as well. Look at how the camera and editing sells the intensity just during the entrances! I didn't need to tell you any of this shit because you can UNDERSTAND A LOT OF IT INTUITIVELY. Oh man! Wrestling can be so cool!<br />
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Also, check out their second match if you dug this. It is just as good and has a really unexpected twist after the match that is one of the great moments in any art form this year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fJCAx12lC1TW_uCJe8jc9TSTncLutVKHRoXeZ8WAmB9Ci2-lFow5Gn2yyDu7E4FWC11ZjIdFHK7PP3HrJX3WRejzU4b9hq-rSAvrlYWjHm4j-IPLRerWqD-slYHHFrx3gce3nQm2xFRz/s1600/ishiinaito.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fJCAx12lC1TW_uCJe8jc9TSTncLutVKHRoXeZ8WAmB9Ci2-lFow5Gn2yyDu7E4FWC11ZjIdFHK7PP3HrJX3WRejzU4b9hq-rSAvrlYWjHm4j-IPLRerWqD-slYHHFrx3gce3nQm2xFRz/s1600/ishiinaito.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1mr42x_njpw-invasion-attack-2014-part-3_sport">Tetsuya Naito vs Tomohiro Ishii (c) III</a> </span></div>
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This is the third match in a series these two had in the first half of the year. They are all worth checking out but aren't necessary to enjoy this one, though they add to the understanding of counters.<br />
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In 2013, Tetsuya Naito was on the roll of his career and getting pushed to the moon. He won the G1 Climax and challenged Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 8. The company wanted Naito to become the fourth titan of NJPW along with Okada, Nakamura and Tanahashi. Somewhere along the line, he never got completely over with the fans despite his performances and hype for the WK8 main event began to waver. NJPW decided to poll the fans what they would rather see headline, the Heavyweight Championship match between Okada and Naito or the Intercontinental Championship match between storied rivals and legends Tanahashi and Nakamura.<br />
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Nakamura and Tanahashi won.<br />
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Despite this, Okada and Naito arguably owned the show and delivered a great championship match in which Naito came up short. Despite his effort, Naito's standing wasn't so certain now. Was he ready to be one of the main guys? Was he capable of it? Could he win over the fans? Naito went from winning the G1 Climax to losing his main event spot at Wrestle Kingdom to defending his championship which ranks below the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and the Intercontinental Championship. He was losing a lot of momentum and needed something to put him back on track or who knows where he could end up.<br />
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Enter Tomohiro Ishii. Ishii was this scrappy underdog who was riding this gigantic wave of fan support after his amazing performances during G1 and his hard hitting, never die style. In the first match between the two, Ishii forced Naito into fighting him in his style. Stiff as hell striking competitions. Ishii embodies fighting spirit more then anyone else possibly. Fighting spirit is exactly what it sounds like, it is when someone just will not back down and keeps stepping forward. When two people fight each other like this, it usually devolves into them taking turns beating each other until someones will wavers.<br />
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Ishii might have saved Naito from dropping out of favor by forcing him to show another style. Naito, riding that gigantic chip on his shoulder and having everything to prove and nothing to lose, decided he would not bow to Ishii and he would prove that he can play Ishii's game. He did incredibly well and showed that he wasn't just the highflier he thought he was, he was multi-dimensional and that is terrifying. You wouldn't be able to tell this from the audience reactions though as everyone was in Ishii's corner despite Ishii being a member of the vaguely heel stable, CHAOS. To be fair, the fans even booed perennial favourite Tanahashi in his match against Ishii. This is the moment Naito won me over completely.<br />
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Just stop and think about it from his perspective. Despite getting the biggest chance in your career, so much went wrong. You are losing momentum and a poor performance, let alone a loss, could seal your career. What do you do? Do you drop your title to this up and comer who is stealing your limelight? Do you change your alignment mid match because you are reading the crowd and know that is what will push this match higher? Do you do it even though your opponent will get all the focus and outshine you? Do you do it knowing that if you are wrong or make a bad decision, you could fuck this whole thing up and bury yourself?<br />
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Naito was on point and completely unselfish and finally, things finally worked out for him.</div>
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Ishii got a gigantic push from this. He proved he was one of the best workers around and when given the opportunity to probe himself he ran with it. His title reign in early 2014 was one of the most impressive things of the year and had people whispering comparisons to people like Flair in '89 and Danielson in '06. Consider this, those guys did it with the top championships in their respective companies. Ishii did it with the THIRD ranked championship in his. He elevated it to a level of prestige it had never had.<br />
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This match is a great example of how wrestling can showcase subtle storytelling. Over the course of this series, they both learned from each other and began implementing counters and learning to counter the counters. When good wrestlers pulls this off it is one of the most rewarding things for the fan that pays attention and it still works for someone doesn't pick up on the history between the two. In this match it is things like ishii's clothesline on the apron or Ishii's insane DDT counter on Naito's suplex or amazing counter chains. Seriously, that DDT counter is one of the greatest things I have ever seen. Or how the headbutts in this match call back to the prominence of the headbutts in the first match.<br />
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And then Naito suddenly changes the entire face of this match by grabbing Ishii with a submission. Not even a single attempt at one in the first two matches, but Naito knows Ishii isn't expecting this and it showcases the differences between the two brilliantly. Ishii is single minded. He will bash you and drag you into his shot for shot style and he won't stop until you kill him. Naito on the other hand, has proven he can hang with Ishii's brawling style these past two matches and he doesn't want to lose the series. He calls an audible now to now test whether or not Ishii can prove himself now.<br />
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These are just a sample of some of the great stuff that has happened this year, I don't want to overload since discovering the unexpected is one of the most exciting things about diving into a new art form. My advice is to find something you like, whether a championship or style or wrestler, and begin to explore. You never know what stuff is going to jump out to you!<br />
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"https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEio5f0u7vp2DN3zyxfecaxXujuIQlsrmJ7Q4UoZEzfiMhvKd0oIuWOgImfl6ZRhuYD5kYKWa5xYTiv1es2fN0hM4mnacAhmrkPbyLNO4M0kgjwBHjYHgwCh22cna42-dlxbIF98tFuTscPYpzYip5P-PZhoDHrwze5hiCSHMLzqwzD2cDeWVLLR1jLYDpBwsiNLN_WooNMjE4Nnqrg=" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806302084419011539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4032747482957673301.post-52165792448477995232014-12-30T21:00:00.001-08:002014-12-30T21:03:49.281-08:0050 Best Matches in WWE/NXT- 2014: #50. Dean Ambrose vs. Alberto Del Rio (Beat the Clock Challenge)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXyu4QwaIeP7ts5NN_iGcKebOwwCwxutq96EXKoBcFlS8dRfre-kOJMMbXrjtPHxYGNtxjUJ4BkhY2hezv6cGqppItccufSxgq6oXTm4SqPI5X0qDcTlkYVHnMCDDcAfN2Y6CSHXQD7zx/s1600/ambrose+del+rio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXyu4QwaIeP7ts5NN_iGcKebOwwCwxutq96EXKoBcFlS8dRfre-kOJMMbXrjtPHxYGNtxjUJ4BkhY2hezv6cGqppItccufSxgq6oXTm4SqPI5X0qDcTlkYVHnMCDDcAfN2Y6CSHXQD7zx/s1600/ambrose+del+rio.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></div>
Beat the Clock challenges are inherently flawed in that the winner is almost always the second guy. The only real drama in the stipulation comes at the pace the first wrestler sets, but setting all of that aside this is just a damn fine wrestling match between two of the very best workers in WWE at the time. Ambrose was beginning to get over in an escalating way that now sees him headlining pay per views, and Del Rio, while being fired shortly afterward, was always a reliable hand in ring.<br />
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In setting the scene up for this match, you find Ambrose's shoulder damaged and going up against a man whose specialty is the arm bar. His finishing move at the time (Headlock driver) was also dependent upon his arms so he comes into this match at a disadvantage. However, Ambrose was never going to submit to Del Rio, and lose his chance to make the rules for his match with Seth Rollins at SummerSlam. He wanted more than anything to get his hands on Seth, and this match specifically was a roadblock so as much damage as Del Rio could possibly create was never going to stand up to Ambrose's desire to win this match.<br />
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The match is paced very well, and I like forgoing the usual quick victory in Clock Challenges to create a sense of drama in the match in taking too long. Ambrose even showcases this as his face gets more panicked as the clock keeps ticking. In the match the two men move around eliciting almost non stop action, countering attempts at submissions and squeaking out of position for finishers. It's characterized by moments where Ambrose is trying his best to get his hands on Del Rio, but Alberto finds a way to slip out of the ring just in time or use Dean's over-exuberance to finish the match quickly to his advantage. Dean puts himself into bad positions throughout the entire match leaving his shoulder open, and he finds himself both in arm bar submissions of various kinds, and being thrown shoulderfirst into the ring post quite often. Del Rio's gameplan was about letting Ambrose beat himself and he had enough pride that he wanted this victory despite it not pushing him forward in any significant way. The sheer force of will of wanting Rollins eventually leads Ambrose to picking up a victory as he just doesn't quit under any circumstances. He hits Dirty Deeds with his one good arm when Del Rio taunts just a little too long, and it's just enough to pick up the victory, but not before Del Rio put him through nearly sixteen minutes of action, spelling doom for Ambrose's chances of picking the stipulation at SummerSlam. That is if Rollins hadn't lost to Heath Slater after Ambrose distracted him via JBL's hat. Wrestling is kinda silly sometimes, and I love it. <br /><br />You can watch the full match <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6tlAREr9xI">here </a>Willow Maclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16743087522299241283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4032747482957673301.post-28957613610834366852014-11-28T10:38:00.000-08:002014-11-28T10:39:34.617-08:00More Than Anything You Could Ever Imagine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEEAmjuFx08j2tM3feLHhSI8c1W-7LMeAmit2kZhFO_CbIBDBdNMH0pvbCNNh18BJkPIgoXoMDCpeEkbHvWDjJEzIeQaf2uLBpIPJocmleszk1TYUDMVvuHwvX75AvSn4kJrvVP7gUyWY/s1600/vlcsnap-2014-11-28-02h34m43s85.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEEAmjuFx08j2tM3feLHhSI8c1W-7LMeAmit2kZhFO_CbIBDBdNMH0pvbCNNh18BJkPIgoXoMDCpeEkbHvWDjJEzIeQaf2uLBpIPJocmleszk1TYUDMVvuHwvX75AvSn4kJrvVP7gUyWY/s1600/vlcsnap-2014-11-28-02h34m43s85.png" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Leading into Wrestlemania X-7 Stone Cold Steve Austin would utter the words "You've got the WWF title, and I want it. I need to beat you Rock, I need it more than anything you could ever imagine." in a promo with The People's Champion. It showcased the intensity and sheer desire Austin had in winning the belt. It's literally all that mattered to him at the cost of everything else. The following match is considered to be one of the greatest in wrestling history, and in one short promo and one glare from Austin in this segment he sold the story of how badly he needed to win. Sami Zayn is showcasing that same force of will leading into his "Road to Redemption" on NXT and on last Thursday's show he had his "I need it more than anything you could ever imagine" moment and his greatest promo to date when calling out current champion Adrian Neville.<br />
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<i>"You have nothing left to prove.</i>" - Adrian Neville<br />
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<i>"You don't need to tell me what I need to prove and what I don't need to prove,</i><br />
<i>because the proof is in the pudding, and it's on your shoulder right now, and the fact that you are nxt champion and I am not...you don't need to tell me what I need to prove. This is my life and I am living it. and if I can't beat you for that then I don't need to be here." </i>- Sami Zayn<br />
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These are words you'd hear any performer say when discussing their status and career in relation to something major (Michaels did it against Taker leading into WM26 for example), but what makes these words pop are the way they're delivered by the performer. Sami Zayn has always been a more subdued speaker on the microphone, but Neville pinched a nerve last week when he said Zayn has nothing left to prove. He blew up in front of Neville. He raised his voice, opened his eyes and showed through his facial reactions that he this title means everything to him. Neville doesn't have the same demeanor of Zayn so he doesn't understand how this one thing could mean everything to him that he'd risk his entire career, he's more calculated than Sami, less reckless. It also calls back to him putting all of his heart and soul into just winning Cesaro's respect back in January. Zayn is the most confident ring performer on North American shores in selling the emotions of a match, but he often hasn't opened up that level of craftsmanship in his promo work. However, when he told Neville exactly why he needed this title more than anything, that he had to prove himself, he recalled Austin, and finally brought his microphone skills up to the level of his in ring facial and body work.<br />
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The look that I love specifically is the reaction in his eyes after he finishes the above thought. He just stares at Neville with the same covetous desire to be champion of Austin in X-7. The stakes are so much smaller due to the difference in WWE and NXT, but it's the same principle. One man willing to do anything to reach his goal. For Zayn it's to prove himself and win the title, and due to his convictions I don't believe he'd ever dip into Austin or Neville's playbook for that belt, but this look,and those eyes make me think he's a man possessed . A man who would tear him self apart just to be called the best, and we'll find out on December 11th if he really can overcome those past hang ups and win the big one.I think he will, because he has nothing left. <br />
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<br />Willow Maclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16743087522299241283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4032747482957673301.post-60427912120815230302014-11-28T10:28:00.000-08:002014-11-28T10:28:11.063-08:00The Little Things<div style="text-align: center;">
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This isn't meant to be a summary of the entire match or even all the moments I think are great, this is just highlighting specific moments I think might get overlooked or just stand out for whatever reason.<br />
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Stills obviously aren't the ideal way to convey the ideas of any art form that has lots of movement, but I find they highlight and clarify specific moments very well that otherwise might get lost in motion.<br />
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Be sure to watch the match, especially since seeing everything in motion will give you a better idea of what I mean.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ziggler (c) v Cesaro v Kidd for the Intercontinental Championship (Smackdown Nov. 14, 2014)</span><br />
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Cesaro countering a double team attempt into a double vertical suplex. Watch how Kidd doesn't get all the way over and he has to one arm muscle him the rest of the way. Cesaro is pulling off that herculean feat with the greatest of ease. I bet it passed by most people because of how damn smooth he makes it. (We) Love you Cesaro.<br />
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After Cesaro gives Kidd a uppercut in the corner, look at how Kidd tries to grab the ropes as he is pulled away. It's futile and sells the damage well.<br />
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This superplex spot! My big problem with the superplex is that it has been overused to the point of oblivion. It's hard to look at it as an effective power move when everyone does it, especially since it is usually used to just fill in a spot. That's not how it should be and this is a great example of how to do one of these superplex/Tower of Doom by a turnbuckle scenarios.</div>
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Look at how Kidd dangles from his powerbomb position. Usually Kidd would roll over and plant his feet to powerbomb Cesaro, but this variation is pretty effective. His feet only graze the ground because Cesaro is holding him up for an extended moment which adds a vicious impact usually lacking from those spots.<br />
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Cesaro covering Ziggler while in a sharpshooter. That's just clever and fun. Not sure I have ever seen anything like it.<br />
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Cesaro applies a crossface while Kidd has a sharpshooter. Kidd gets pissed off and drops the sharpshooter to attack Cesaro. Now, this looks like a real dumb decision (and it sort of is) but it shows a couple things.</div>
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A. Kidd's character. He doesn't want help. He wants to earn this victory in a way that can't be attributed to anyone else. He's good enough to get it done himself and to hell with Cesaro.<br />
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B. You could also see it as evidence of Kidd's intelligence and game plan. Cesaro is hossy has been destroying Kidd and Zigler frequently throughout this entire match because he's a god damn beautiful wrestleman. Maybe he's more comfortable going one on one with Ziggler.</div>
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After Ziggler hits a tilt-a-whirl Zig Zag on Cesaro (a great counter), Kidd sneaks back in and throws Ziggler out, scoring the pin on Cesaro himself. This is great realization of narrative threads from earlier.<br />
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He doesn't want the help from Cesaro, it offends him. He has too much pride. But any opportunity to score a pinfall? He'll take it. Real simple heel characteristics shine here.<br />
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Benjamin v HBK spot. I like how this isn't stealing a spot, but sampling it intelligently by bringing it down a notch. If they decide to just replicate and have the same distance as the HBK/Benjamin match, they'd run the risk of lessening the impact. <br />
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If Zig doesn't pin Kidd, you are just pointing out how much worse he is (kayfabe) then HBK and your match is just blowing big spots for no reason. <br />
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If Zig pins Kidd, the match looks pretty weak just taking that sequence. Also, Kidd would potentially look weak getting pinned from Ziggler's superkick since it isn't one of his finishers.<br />
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This sampling works pretty well. Less distance, still a good spot and it sells both guys well.<br />
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Aside from that, this spot shows how Smackdown can use the fact that it is taped to separate itself from Raw. Really simple editing here a moment before Zigglerès kick makes impact (if you edit on the exact moment of impact, you risk losing your audience. Always subtly lead into it) really punctuates this moment in a way that Raw can't do easily.<br />
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Raw is exciting because it is live and anything can happen! Smackdown should be exciting because of how formally precise it is.<br />
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Dolph rolls through the Sharpshooter, forcing Kidd to let go and deliver the Zig Zag. This is the kind of spot that they could build on in later matches, adding cool psychology. Or at least I hope so. It'd be tragic if these guys didn't get to run another singles match after this.</div>
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^ Wrote that before Ziggler lost the IC championship to Harper (lolol).<br />
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The match has a bunch of other great moments like Kidd's quick offense outside the ring and some real nice combination work from the three. The pacing is great and they manage to avoid using the typical "one dude lays outside for an hour" trope these matches usually suffer from. Great focus on constant movement and moving in and out of each wrestlers threat zones,<br />
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Check it out!</div>
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