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For historical value, the 04 TPI is great cause it's a who's who of that era of indy-tastic guys.

I thought Punk-Henry was probably the best TV match I've seen this year, but I liked Taker-HHH and Punk-Jericho from WrestleMania better than both of them. Though I'll admit Taker-HHH was more about story than any actual wrestling.

The few live ROH shows I have been to, Todd Sinclair worked his ass off.

Who said anything about worldwide TV? I'm talking about local TV for a local market, preferably one proven to be a hotbed for wrestling -- there are some. The bigger problem is that it's hard to find TV slots that aren't on a cable-access type of channel or in the wee hours of the morning.

I definitely think a version of the Memphis model would work well today on the independent-show level. Run TV every weekend building to a live show -- either in the same building or one of a few -- and run the live event either Tuesday or Thursday, when WWE is not on TV. This allows you to do some especially crazy shit on any given week just as a one off for the next live show. Also, "name" indy guys are typically dirt cheap on midweek dates making it easy to bring in Special Guests.

The 2004 Ted Petty Invitational has a who's-who of all-stars from that era of indy wrestling.

Pretty sure footage does not exist.

Anyone else having trouble getting to DVDVR?

Only after he wins the Rumble... preferably by strolling into an empty ring at No. 30.

As another pro writer myself, I could not agree more with this post. Even a mediocre editor who looks at style rather than content would rip most of Dave's stuff to shreds.

Nope, that's me! Last night, I watched two October episodes of NWA Smoky Mountain's TV on their youtube channel. It's an interesting program. They do a 30 minute show that revolves around selling their house shows. Very old school, like watching SMW (of course). It's pretty much all talking, with the announcers standing with a mic and also promos from the feud-du-jour. They also include some clips from their shows, but I didn't see a whole match on either episode. They also have been using Ricky Morton of late. Interestingly, the Oct 8 program was pimping a Chikara taping that night in TN. One of NWA's guys was scheduled to be on the show, so they pumped it endlessly. They even played a promo from Sara del Rey, who was scheduled to wrestle KANA on the taping. (Incidentally, SDR vs KANA and Jessie McKay vs Madison Eagles means I may have to get that show and ease my personal ban on chick rasslin.) I like what they're doing, even if the promos could be a bit better. I might order some of their recent DVDs. McKay and Eagles didn't happen because Eagles was hurt,

WrestleMania III has to be on the list, doesn't it?

Daniels-Ki-Dragon should be on there if only for the historic value. Angle vs. Rey from Summerslam 2002, perhaps my favorite PPV opener of all time. I also really dug the tag title match on that show. Red-hot crowd, and Goldust working the tag formula at his best. Rock vs. Lesnar, again, for historic value. At least include the finish. Another definite Taker vs. Lesnar HIAC from No Mercy that October. Still my favorite of the Cell matches. Just a great cage match without relying on the "bump off the top" gimmickry.

Add me to the "hadn't seen this before" list. Not sure whether I enjoyed the German more, or the announcers losing their shit over it. Inoki takes an absolute beating here, and Vader did a fantastic job as the superheavweight gaijin monster. Lots to like here. The pomp and circumstance surrounding it just give this an epic feel.

One of the central debates on the aesthetics thread right now, in my opinion, is about the contrast between good work and effective work. And this match was very very effective. It didn't have all the bells and whistles and flashy moves and near-falls of Liger/Kanemoto, but what was here was very tight, and told a very effective (there's that word again) story with a sound structure. I loved the finish, where Hashimoto basically said "screw it" and beat Yamazaki down with one authoritative flurry of moves. Great stuff, and the first Hash match I've seen.

To be fair, how many people out there live paycheck to paycheck? Bunches. Ninety percent of us working stiffs are one bad break away from food stamps.

An insane but awesome rant from the Nature Boy that, sadly, has devolved into self-parody as he's still doing the same schtick on TNA. Here, it's great. Now, just sad. Still a fine promo from my favorite era of wrestling, from any company.

One is fixed. One is not. Ridiculous statement.