Timbo Slice

30 years later, it still seems like the pinnacle of women’s wrestling; a match that so thoroughly delivered on both its promise and premise. Going in cold, it is a marvel. Knowing what led up to it only makes everything more impactful, both in Hokuto’s career and the story itself. In a time where wrestling seems so manufactured and curated to the point of dilution, this is stand-alone even with its influences. Ironically, the matches I hear about that folks point to all took place in 1985, either from an ambiance perspective (Magnim/Tully) or a layout perspective (Devil/Chig, a direct lift of the finish in homage to them having their famous rematch on this very card). Simon (Handwerk) gave a convincing argument for the St. Final match being better (and I’ve seen more talks in recent years putting it either on more equal footing or just below), but the total package here is truly singular. Very few wrestling matches ever let you feel the full range of emotions like this one does, and frankly none of them wrap it up in a package as indelible. I’m a completionist by nature, and so for me, greatness is represented by the sum of its parts continuing to add on until it feels like it has accomplished everything it set out to do. This match cannot possibly have anything else added to it to make it better. I hope another match stirs me up like this one has so many times before, but I’d be lying to myself if I told you it was within the realm of possibilities.

Which is certainly a choice given how hot the Usos/Quebecois angle has been. But it’s Cena, I get it.

Must point at it to buy.

But the Jacksons don’t do politics well, not at all.

What the fuck are they doing feeding Nicole Matthews to Jade like that

Have to imagine Danielson’s involvement will be either the ZSJ match that didn’t happen and/or some type of G-1-related match. Omega defending the US title against Ospreay, losing it, and then setting up a rubber match might be interesting.

Also, make the whole show tonight out of Roxanne and Meiko, damn it

If that’s the case, Brock whooping him in seconds is still on the table. Make it happen, Paul.

Gary Lineker for PM, amirite? Bray just needs to be Max Cady, man. Lean all the way in.

His argument is more that if Moxley was not there, the AEW machine suffers more. Reigns is driving business but his impact week to week isn’t as large. To the Bloodline story, absolutely. But not having Moxley for a time would not be good for AEW exposure.

Enough with the bullshit about the MJF drink stuff. It’s devolved into pettiness. Now Light The Beam.

Elite losing only going to fuel more of the Omega to WWE rumors so might as well lean into it

That’s why Cody left: He wanted more angle-based stuff (even if it wasn’t the greatest content) as opposed to the PWG dream match structure that dominates the booking. It’s not sustainable in a ton of ways.

See what I did there

Hell, 6/3/94 is the greatest match with a questionable booking decision of all time. By the time Kawada pinning Misawa meant something, the company was on the downturn.

He’s also talked about how Sami is also a big merch draw previously, and I think when he throws around the ratings quip it’s with the understanding that for the time being, Sami is on level ground.

Matt is half-right: they book venues well in advance, booked this angle well in advance, and had Cody written down to best Roman well in advance. When you plan something out, it’s the job of the company to make a choice to either be steadfast in their decision making or adjust on the fly. That company normally adjusts on the fly on the bottom end of the spectrum. Not the top. And this is something that a LOT of companies do because they plan things so far in advance. They don’t allow for the delta to take advantage of something hot. Tony K constantly does this with his stop/start, “Let’s put these two together because it’s good in a vacuum” booking. WWE obviously does this. NJPW and Naito not winning the title at WK. I have no idea why these companies can’t be more agile. There’s a difference between being impulsive and being quick on your feet. And wrestling is better when it’s more amorphous lest things either get unfulfilled or overwrung.

Has to be a nod to the orphanage Generico ended up in

I really don’t like that Sami, in Montréal, in that moment, essentially got pushed aside for the Jey story. Which, while logical and sound, was not practical in the moment

Paul is an absolute coward

Every fucking near fall here is on another level

I love that every time Sami comes back, Reigns hits something and has more desperation behind it

SAMI THE GOAT WIFE GUY

Talking shit in front of a man’s family while he works him over, another level entirely.

One time where the overproduction actually works out. Roman went through the gauntlet of emotions and they got every one of them in close ups. They really are getting the little things right.