Dylan Waco

I agree that the top ten is the most reasonable part of the book in terms of rankings. I honestly have enjoyed it, but it has not been something I've plowed through like I do with most wrestling books for a variety of reasons.

If you look at the trend lines there is really no reason to believe Brody had as much meaning to that card doing what it did (good for the AWA at the time, but a disappointment in terms of what they were looking for) as Hansen v. Bock or even Race v. Martel

Steve Austin's credentials are forever sullied by his epic sonning at the hands of journeyman "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan. Seriously though, I think we can agree that for upper-mid card guys that the amnesiac approach to booking sort of works both ways. People on the net don't seem to have any problem thinking Ziggler should go over in whatever big match he's booked for that month even though he's been treated like a loser more often than not. Crowds don't have a problem getting behind Santino on the odd occasion he's treated seriously. In WWE the build-up to big matches will be as effective as the immediate lead -- as long as Swagger is treated like as a guy who was in a slump but is now a xenophobic threat who is now inspired by Alex Jones to get the job done, people will tend to regard him as such by the time of the big event. It's not what's preferable for anyone who enjoys being awarded for paying attention week-to-week, but sometimes you have to acknowledge you're on the wrong side of history There is a reason house show attendance goes down when Cena isn't on the shows (which it did recently even in Mania season to the point of falling below SD attendance numbers which rarely ever happens). To one degree what you say is true short term, but long term I can't see how it's a winning formula

I will transcribe the Blackwell story later. It also involves Andre. It's just a cool wrestling story.

The funny thing is I don't even like Rheingans that much. I thought he was really great in that match which I watched fairly early in the process and after that most of the rest was a let down.

I get Will's point about wanting to hear why people think a match is great, good, shit, in between whatever more than wanting to read it. That's perfectly valid. But I'm not sure why that entails watching the matches in sync up mode or what that has to do with people going to DVDVR after the matches.

I object to this on multiple levels. I think it's far worse for Del Rio and Swagger than it is for Henry to be honest. Swagger has already been pushed this way once and it flamed out and led to him being a guy who regularly lost to Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd for what seemed like forever. Del Rio is a guy who they have already royally fucked up once on a strong main event push. To me throwing them together with weak build, Swagger having not been developed at all and Del Rio needing a more impressive win at Mania is a recipe for disaster. I hope i'm wrong because I like both guys.

I knew why Johnny didn't like the match from reading his thoughts in the DVDVR thread, which is why I knew he would shit on it during the podcast. I have zero problem talking matches on a podcast whether I have written about them or not. I still don't understand what the point is about some people not venturing into the DVDVR threads until after they have watched the matches. It's probably true in many if not most cases, but I don't think it's a bad thing and there are things people can learn from reading others thoughts.

General confusion cleared, but I do want to address what's in bold because I'm not clear what you mean here and/or what that has to do with what I have written or these shows

I am almost done with this. I'm in the middle of the Kiniski bio. I would recommend the book tentatively as the bios are good and there are some fun stories in there I'd never heard (Blackwell freaking out the NHL players was outstanding....plus I like that Larry puts over Blackwell and Patera strong a couple of times including in the Stevens bio). On the other hand I disagree a ton with his thoughts and reasoning on these guys. I found it really funny that he criticized the WWE's top fifty list as pure marketing and then had Orton on this list (and possibly others) entirely because his publisher thought it would help selling the book. His constant digs at Memphis and Lawler are highly annoying and unconvincing. I also think he applies standards differently to favorites than he does to guys he doesn't care for. To be fair we all do, but you've got things like Larry claiming that Brody was the reason Wrestlerock drew well and then turning around scoffing at The Sheik for blowing up towns. I won't pan the book hard because it is an enjoyable read and it is basically what I expected in terms of a book on the subject from Larry.

He has one great match with Owen

I'm not even sure it qualifies as a C Show. They do angles on the show and matches with top stars

Yep. I think there will even be some Dream Team tags in there too.

Bummed I don't want to blow off Tim who I talked to a month ago about doing the show.....ok? Also.... "The big disappointing thing about Dylan not joining in is that he helped select the matches." I've commented on every match thread at the DVDVR, some of them multiple times, often times explicitly talking about the justification for why marginal matches made the set. I've worked hard to sell certain guys who I have really enjoyed in other threads. I don't think there is a great mystery about where I stand on these matches.

I'm doing a show with Tim Noel tonight anyway. Planned it a month ago. And if you were going to get me onto one of these shows no way in hell this would be the show I would come in for

They've got a match or two from Montreal that will probably make some set

Not gonna happen

I have to share this quote from Dutch Savage on a Portland Disc I was watching yesterday "Ever been hit with a wet leather thong? Bull Ramos used to lay it to me, about a half inch thick"

Santino was being sold as a fluke/luck guy. Swagger is being sold as crazy badass....but he's done nothing to get that rep. They should have just had him beat Kane or someone credible, but worthless leading up to the show and he should have gone over in a meaningful way in the Chamber.

Apologies

And the return of Xanta Claus to go along with them.

Swagger has won what, two or three tv matches prior to winning the EC which he won on a roll up. The idea that that is exactly like Henry's run before winning the belt is comical.

Cesaro's gimmick is the worst part about Cesaro. I don't hate it, but it's a mid-card gimmick and he's got main event potential

I don't hate the Roadies but I grew up in the 80's and 90's. If I had grown up in the 00's like Exposer I imagine I would fucking hate them

Sorry Johnny. It's a blast!