Ricky Jackson

What a great match! The perfect mix of long-term story, in-ring story, and outside the ring story in one match. The long-term story is the Strong life story/quest for the NXT title tale that has unfolded over the last month or so. If you haven't watched NXT TV regularly lately please watch the pre-match video for the Coles Notes (Canadian expression) recap, because knowing the context going in is important. The in-ring story is great, with Strong hurting his leg early on and struggling through the rest of the match, as Roode (as has been the story of his success over the months) capitalizes on the injury and targets it throughout. The outside the ring story is that both Strong's mother and fiance are front row cheering Roddy on, which really amps up the drama. The finish is also great, as Roddy thinks he has won, but Roode had his foot under the rope as the ref counted three. The ref realizes his mistake immediately and rushes over to tell the announcer the match isn't over. However, Roddy thinks he has won the title and in his excitement goes to embrace his fiance at ringside. Roode again capitalizes and takes advantage of the ref being distracted to take out Roddy and score a controversial pin. Roddy's fiance screaming "you cheated" at Roode after the match was great and overall she was superb in conveying a rollercaster of emotions throughout. This match really takes you on an emotional ride like few from the WWE do these days. In a way, with the storytelling and drama, the match was a throwback to the old days. This wasn't about getting "this is awesome" chants from the crowd, this was about getting an emotional reaction from the crowd. And they succeeded in that regard brilliantly. I loved this match. Yes, I'm not sure Roddy was consistently selling the same leg, but I really don't care. Roddy has been great as a babyface lately and I think Roode is actually making a solid case for wrestler of the year. Everyone, watch this match. Easily top 5 WWE match of the year, and I think my favorite match of the year so far ****1/2

Roode vs Strong on NXT tonight was awesome. Maybe my favorite match of the year so far. Great story told in the ring and out. Fuck it, I'm going ****1/2

I hear one that many here will find very interesting is being recorded tomorrow morning...

Thanks brother, I've been looking forward to this one for a while. But always remember to include a link to the show

I'm a WWF homer, I know Bob Backlund 79-82 Hulk Hogan 84-87 Bret Hart 92-97

Would it kill Meltzer to spoiler tag stuff in the WON, such as when leading off the WWE section in this week's issue with basically two months of NXT spoilers out of nowhere

Asuka forever

Yeah, I probably rated the show too low, but the last hour killed me with that horrible time limit draw and affected my overall rating. Tito vs Savage and Jake vs Steamer are both matches to seek out

DiBiase ep was great. Parv would love it

Watching the show right now. It's awesome. Great cast

Reigns vs Cena at Mania feels like a true epic main event. I totally want to see Reigns vs Lesnar again, but they should probably get that done before Mania. They could also bill Reigns vs Cena as Cena going for #17 and the record

In Japan yes, as was expected of gaijin back in the 60s and 70s. Never in North America to my knowledge

I don't watch ROH so no clue how the Bullet Club have affected things there, but considering they are an NWO tribute act, being cool heels is kinda the whole point, no?

I think Bryan still has well over a year left on his contract

Works fine for me

Planning to watch as soon as the wife and I piggyback a new Netflix account

Glad to see you here. I'm Titans TV on youtube btw

This podcast is 3 hours of Bruno talk, all about the recent Network collection. Beat that Y2J! http://placetobenation.com/mount-olympus-summer-2017-sammartino-the-legend-lives/

I think it's pretty clear Ohno is going to feud with Itami and be away from the title picture for a while, so it makes sense that he puts over Black, someone who is likely going to be in the title picture going forward. The next Takeover isn't until Brooklyn in two months, so I think you have to do something more with Black than have him win squashes until then. And I'm sure he'll be featured prominently at that show based on how he's been booked so far. Maybe even a title match with Roode

If someone can't appreciate Bruno as a wrestler, that's their loss, because he was so great, in-ring and as a promo. I will always bang the drum for the man. Fuck, maybe I should just do an all-Bruno podcast. I guess I already kinda did with At the Garden. (sorry for not finishing his story for those who listened) Speaking of which, he's on the latest Jericho pod

Firstly, this is not necessarily Titans 2. Lineups will be fluid. Two or three people tops each show. At least that's how I envision it. Second, get with the program Matt, I've been dropping snowflakes on the Place to Be Podcast for several months now. Thirdly, yes Titans was the greatest podcast in wrestling history. Fourthly, maybe we'll do a show about Harry, Kaufman, Warhol and Dr. J going to WWWF shows at MSG in the 70s and compare the wrestling scene to CBGB'S or something

Looks like we're getting a dump of MSG shows for the first time in years

Outside of the three mentioned up front I've only seen the Florida match and felt about the same as you did. I'm not really a fan of this pairing, although I recall seeing a match between the two I really liked from Japan years and years ago on youtube that I'm sure wasn't one of those three. Not sure of the date though

I haven't even seen any of this, but the Cass turn is so much more meaningful precisely because they NEVER held the titles. That was one of the main reasons for the turn, no? Because Cass was sick of not being a champion?

Thanks man. Collections seem to be all there, but maybe they've removed some over the years