Ricky Jackson

I'm hyped for the big two matches for sure. This should be a fun card. I've enjoyed most of the Raw shows from this year, and really most of the PPVs outside of the bloated major shows

Yeah, the whole deal with Hart-Doink-Lawler, with also Bruce and Owen at ringside, is very entertaining

As I've said time and again, this pod is consistently awesome, and this week Peter has crafted a great tribute to Bobby Heenan http://placetobenation.com/greetings-from-allentown-32-bobby-heenan-tribute/

Happy 71st birthday to this man's amazing hair Also happy 66th birthday to the Hammer!

Just saw this and I really liked it. Not on the level of some of the top WWE women's matches of the last few years, but really good. Liked the body part psychology and Baszler's selling, and everything played into the finish. Sane is a star and Baszler is great too. ****

One of the greatest performers wrestling has ever seen. The man did it all. Thanks Bobby. RIP

Not a gimmick that has produced a ton of classic matches, but I like the concept. Basically it's similar to a cage match where previous matches in a feud have ended indecisively, usually by contout, precipitating a stipulation that will "contain" the wrestlers. But unlike the cage match, the Lumberjack match has the added element of the wrestlers at ringside, which opens up intersting booking options, such as allowing for the losing wrestler to be screwed out the match by outside interference or a new feud to begin when a lumberjack mixes it up with one of the participants in the match. The Hogan vs Savage match from 2/86 MSG cited above is actually a perfect example of a well booked Lumberjack match. Savage is tripped by George Steele at ringside, costing him the match and furthering a feud between them, and Hogan is attacked outside the ring by King Kong Bundy, helping set the stage for Mania 2. I actually really liked that match the last time I watched it and gave it ***1/2. Another Lumberjack match that I would recommend based on good usuage of the stip is believe it or not Bob Backlund vs Superstar Graham from 12/82 MSG. It's a fun match, and a minor miracle considering how poor physical shape Graham was in at the time

It's been a few years but I remember quite enjoying it. Adonis and Backlund have a really, really great Lumberjack Match at the March 1982 Capital Centre show that I remember catching me completely by surprise. That match is awesome. They also have an under the radar really good match from 3/82 Philly

Pre-Mania 3 was added in the original post. Another classic from the Backlund-era I just rewatched a few days ago is Backlund vs Hansen from 2/16/81 MSG. Amazing brawl ****1/2

Yeah. She went by the name Rita Marie

This spot is probably as good as any

Pretty solid no Dq bout between Itami and Ohno too. ***

I *sniff* got something in my eye while watching Asuka's farewell ceremony

Braun will get his time on top, people don't need to get hung up on him being champ RIGHT NOW

And yeah, watching the second batch of shows, the commentary is mostly the shits

Baszler vs LeRae was a great match

Episode #3 http://placetobenation.com/world-cast-a-wccw-review-episode-3/ February 6, 1982 People complain about the Mae Young Classic having bad commentary. Please. It's nothing compared to the nightmare team of Gene Goodson and Armand Hussian from this episode. This is BAD commentary, folks. Pete, Johnny, and Kelly try to ignore it long enough to analyze the action, which features Richard Blood (not one of the great Richard Blood's, but he's alright), Jose Lothario, Big Daddy Bundy, Bugsy McGraw vs. Al Madril in an American title match, Larry Higgins (?), Tony Torrez (???) and El Negro Assassin (?!?!?!?). Sit back and enjoy another waltz across Texas with the boys!

Haha...yeah, any time here or in the past when I forget to properly break for ads I try to find a natural moment to insert them. If you thought this was good, wait until the next show for an almost perfect unplanned ad break

Really enjoyed the first four eps. Sure, not every match was a winner and not every wrestler is a future star, but I was impressed with a lot of the talent and really look forward to the rest of the tourney. JR and Lita were fine. Lita clearly cares a lot about this and I'm fine with a more subdued JR who isn't shouting all the time

Episode #2 http://placetobenation.com/world-cast-a-wccw-review-episode-2/ January 9, 1982 Papa Fritz is Here! The master of the Iron Claw invades the commentary booth and poor Gene Goodson wishes he was back doing ads for North Central Ford in Richardson, TX. Tonight's big main event is Kerry Von Erich vs. The Great Kabuki, and in addition to that Pete, Kelly and Johnny talk about Fritz, Bill Irwin, Armand Hussian, Jose Lothario, Killer Tim Brooks and Captain Frank Dusek. Sit back and enjoy another fun episode of World Cast!

Don't be so sure. Ellsworth interference could lead to Carmella cashing in her briefcase and becoming the first female world champion. Think of the headlines!

I remember Test being as fun to watch as paint dry most of the time, but I haven't seen any of his run since I watched in real time

I was going to comment on the fact that I'm not sure how far back I trust my opinion on favourite/best matches, but the last comment above caught my attention too. Ricky, was it a conscious decision to avoid rewatching stuff? I agonize with myself over whether I should do less rewatching and more brand new to me stuff all the time... Just not enough time to rewatch. Between work, life, new wrestling and other interests, I have to prioritize

Basically, the only time I watch my fave matches is if I'm showing them to someone who hasn't seen them before or I happen to watch one for a podcast I'm watching footage for. Otherwise I'm all about watching stuff I haven't seen before

Nothing that hasn't been stated before, but NXT is the antithesis of main roster WWE. One hour of TV a week and five big shows well spaced out throughout the year, no bloated nonsense like Mania and Summerslam, titles mean something, wins and loses matter, the roster continually changes so nobody gets stale...in short it's like an old territory and I love it. I'm interested to see where they go with the new additions. I'm sad to see Asuka's run end, and also Roode's, but they have Black, Gargano, Ohno, Strong, Nikki, McIntyre, Lorcan, the ROH faction, plus hopefully more of the UK crew and women from the Mae Young classic. I'm totally looking forward to the rest of the year