NintendoLogic

I've never watched so much as a millisecond of BTE, but I don't have a problem with them using it to develop angles. I mean, where else are they supposed to do it? New Japan doesn't have a weekly program and nothing ever happens on ROH TV. And it's not like watching it is a necessity since pre-match video packages are a thing.

Vince thought they were too old and their salaries were too high. Also, the WWF wanted both of them to move to Connecticut to save on travel expenses and they both refused.

I didn't like the back work becoming an afterthought, but that was a fantastic match otherwise. Not only was it the MOTN, it felt like the best possible Kenny Omega match. All the Elite guys jobbed, although I figure Tanahashi would have kicked out of the One Winged Angel if they were definitely on the way out. Most of the show felt forgettable, but the last two matches delivered, so I give it a thumbs up.

Jericho/Naito would've been better with blood and felt a bit WWE-esque with the Chekhov's gun spots, but it was the match of the night so far. I suspect I'd like it more on a rewatch.

Okada/White should've been worked as more of hate-filled brawl given the build, but I guess they worked the right match for the result they wanted. Okada was the first guy the crowd reacted to like a star. Jericho/Naito was the match I was most looking forward to coming in. Here's hoping it lives up to its potential.

The junior title match felt like a bit of a styles clash. KUSHIDA couldn't be too technical and Ishimori couldn't do a balls-out spotfest. Okada/White looks like it'll be the first match the crowd gives a shit about.

Cody/Juice was another match that didn't have enough time to really get going, although that's probably for the best given that it's Cody. The undercard so far seems like a total afterthought. Another decisive job from the Elite.

The effort was there in the tag match, but the lack of heat hurt it a lot. The Bucks practically having to beg the crowd to react was pretty sad. The Flamboyant Juice Robinson as a nickname reminds me of The Unpredictable Johnny Rodz. Let's see if Cody drops the US title.

ZSJ/Ishii seemed rushed. Good finish, though. I like the double arm octopus. The Young Bucks are up now, so hopefully we'll get some indication of the All Elite crew's relationship with New Japan.

Who's watching? I tuned in and the first thing I saw was Kota Ibushi being stretchered out. Also, Shingo Takagi and BUSHI are the new junior tag champions. ZSJ/Ishii up now.

It should have been obvious that I was being sarcastic. Someone here may be dumber than dumb, but it isn't me.

I always liked the singlet/cargo pants combo Sgt. Slaughter and the Bushwhackers would use.

How dare anyone who hasn't watched every single Battlarts match on tape attempt to offer an opinion on pro wrestling.

Before this thread goes completely down the shitter, I just want to point out that the only Observer subscribers questioning things on Dave's forum are confirmed trolls and people who have no idea how journalism works.

What sort of disclaimer should Dave provide when covering the Elite? That he really likes their matches? That the Bucks named a move after him? It's obviously a different story if he does have some sort of paid consultant role, but again, there's zero evidence that such is the case.

That's the thing, though. What would the Bucks gain from paying him that he isn't already giving them for free?

I'm pretty sure it became a thing after the HBK/Undertaker match at WM25. It worked in that match because Shawn kicking out of the tombstone was a genuinely shocking moment that warranted a reaction of stunned disbelief. But of course WWE couldn't leave well enough alone and had to turn it into yet another cliched big match spot.

WWE has made a habit in recent years of drawing the wrong lessons from their top stars. The Rock taught them that babyfaces have to inject comedy into their promos. Cena taught them that audience reaction doesn't matter. Bryan taught them that you can get someone over by jobbing them out repeatedly.

Bryan defended the title against Cena a few days ago at a house show in Long Island. Apparently, the crowd was completely behind Cena. Imagine how you would have reacted if someone had told you that a year ago. My guess is that the plan for Mania is Cena beating Bryan for #17 to go along with WWE's plans to promote him as the GOAT.

Like I've said in the past, Bryan virtually single-handedly changed how WWE evaluates talent and how WWE matches are worked.

See, this is an example of how even the most dire material can be salvaged if the delivery is good enough. I actually kind of want to sign up for cougarlife.com after listening to this.

For HeadCheese:

So much for closing the book on 2018. In fact, I ended up going full contrarian with my MOTY pick. NOAH the Reborn, indeed.

That's the case for every one of these polls, though. All of these wrestlers are great on some level, and ranking one over the other is purely a matter of personal preference. It's not like we're being asked to compare Ric Flair and Raja Lion.

It's from the 9/30/90 Misawa/Kawada vs. Jumbo/Taue match. https://imgur.com/r/squaredcircle/18RptGN