Brian Elliott

On history alone, a really sad day for pro wrestling.

Cole is outstanding at filling the air with words in the utterly unfeeling and unmemorable manner that WWE encourages.

I don't have anything to add except that Grey is phenomenal and someone whose work everyone here should know.

Very well summed up.

It always matters.

It's a good match. I love the minimal BS approach, and that this comes off like a fine contest. That said, Brisco tries to work some entertainment in, rather than give Inoki nothing in the way you'd expect if Inoki was really trying to take him off his feet. I watched and thought, "Inoki could never get Brisco down that easily if Jack wasn't trying to do the right thing." Not unusually, Inoki is more interested in looking skilled than he is in having a good match, At 30 minutes the match isn't absurdly long, but there's a lot of matwork and I'd certainly have preferred more action to stem from the grappling. My rating really reflects how I felt about the presentation as a whole. ***

Despite all evidence to the contrary, people think he's funny.

I couldn't be less interested in New Japan right now, and I can't say the pandemic has that much to do with it. It flew the flag high for pro wrestling until 2017 or so, and then started declining fast. I cannot believe I am saying this about Okada, who by the age of 30 had had more classics than any wrestler I'd ever had the pleasure of seeing contemporaneously. New Japan dropping off so badly has had a devastating effect on my fandom as a whole.

At house shows, Bret cared about having logical matches, not great matches.

Not even close to the same level of patterning, especially since Flair always TOOK the same offence - a key difference.

Bryan's in-ring peak was the mid-to-late 2000s, and although there've been big high points since then, he hasn't consistently come close to his best work.

This match is way better than it was given credit for at the time. Very enjoyable match that also did a lot for the Nasties.

I always assumed it was to prove that Undertaker could be damaged. Previously, chair shots, piledrivers on the floor etc had never appeared to cause him lasting harm.

It's been longer than I thought since I posted about Fighting Spirit Magazine! Unfortunately, the magazine went to press for the last time in 2019, but I did want to let you know that I just released the first episode of my new podcast, Riffing on Wrestling, bouncing around all manner of topics from the WWF 1989-1994. In particular if you began your fandom in this period, you'll really enjoy the conversation! You can stream the episode (click here) or download it from via your favourite podcast app by searching for Riffing on Wrestling. Thanks!

I look at this as more of an angle than a match. When you add it all up, it's incredibly dramatic, but for in-ring content the 1986 re-match is far superior.

Watched this today. A fantastic tag team dynamic at a perfect pace. @InYourCase had it right about being an underrated classic.

I'm generally not much of a snob for A/V quality, but a high-quality version of this appearing from somewhere really would be wonderful.

I love this match, though I admit my awe is in part due to knowing the real nature of the injury, as naturally everything then has a lot more meaning.

Interestingly, the announcer also referred to him as "Nature Boy" Ric Flair.

Always glad to see something taken on so earnestly. Best wishes!

Issue 151 of Fighting Spirit Magazine is now available! In this month's edition, we have feature-length articles on: - Characters in today's WWE, as FSM argues that pro wrestling needs to re-embrace a form of kayfabe to create the next generation of superstars. - The Montreal Screwjob, as FSM travels back 20 years to have the final word on the most discussed moment in the sport’s storied history. - Rosemary, as FSM explains why Rosemary can be the Knockouts division’s next centrepiece star. - Insane Championship Wrestling, as FSM spoke to owner and promoter Mark Dallas about how he’s built his company from the ground up. All of this, plus our usual news, PPV and TV reports, and DVD and videogame reviews. This month's issue also includes Jim Cornette recalling the career of his idol, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan; Nick "Magnus" Aldis bemoans one wrestling writer's complaint about a performer's hard work in the gym; and 30 years after the duelling Starrcade and Survivor Series PPVs, Rob Naylor recalls both events with the benefit of hindsight. The cheapest and easiest way to subscribe to FSM is via our website, here: http://www.FightingSpiritMagazine.co.uk/magazine/subscribe Upon subscribing for 12 issues as a UK customer, you will receive a FREE gift. Please check the above link for more details. UK subscribers will receive their copy of FSM before the shops, subject to an efficient postal service. Still, if you prefer to pick up FSM at your newsagent, WH Smith and Eason are the main stockists in the UK and Ireland. For other outlets, please consider asking them to reserve your copy each month, at no extra charge. FSM is also available on PC/Mac, iPhone/iPad, Android, Kindle Fire and Windows Phone from http://www.tinyurl.com/PocketFSM. A free sample issue is also available at http://www.tinyurl.com/FSMFree, although you can also download this issue via your device’s app store. Another advantage of the app is that it links to many hours of relevant matches, promos, and shoot interviews that you do not get with the print edition. Each month, Fighting Spirit Magazine attempts to bring the most interesting stories in pro wrestling, and the most challenging insight. If there’s a subject you’d like us to cover, please tweet editor Brian Elliott at @FSM_Editor or visit our Facebook discussion forum at http://www.tinyurl.com/JoinFSM to offer your thoughts. Thank you!

POSTING FOR POSTERITY Issue 148 of Fighting Spirit Magazine is now available! In this month's edition, we have feature-length articles on: - WWE's damning UK TV ratings, as FSM breaks down the statistics and argues that the company is in growing danger of losing its Sky Sports deal. - Bayley, as FSM analyses how WWE has made such a mess of one of its most popular talents. - Bram, as FSM chats to the TNA star about his past indiscretions, and how the business has changed in his eyes. - Tetsuya Naito, as FSM reports on how he has found his calling as the leader of Los Ingobernables de Japón, arguably the finest faction in all of pro wrestling. - Seamus Dunleavy, as FSM discovers a life that has had more than its fair share of action, both in and out of the squared circle. - Mad Man Manson, who tackles FSM questions on how young wrestlers should deal with promoters. - Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor, as FSM previews potentially the biggest fight of all-time, and deciphers what each man stands to gain – and lose – from the Las Vegas showdown. All of this, plus our usual news, PPV and TV reports, and DVD and videogame reviews. This month's issue also includes Jim Cornette’s memories of just how much the month of August meant to Smoky Mountain Wrestling, while on the anniversary of the infamous Born To Be Wired match, Rob Naylor pays tribute to the man who took the 1990s by storm, Sabu. Issue 149 of Fighting Spirit Magazine is now available! - The Hardy Boyz, as FSM analyses how the tandem has faired without the ability to play their "Broken" characters in WWE - Jinder Mahal, as FSM argues that in pushing him to World championship level, WWE is poorly executing a bad idea. - Diamond Dallas Page, as he chats to FSM about his incredible life and the remarkable people he’s worked with down the years. - The 2017 G1 Climax tournament as FSM describes the classic matches, and ponders how New Japan Pro Wrestling hosted the greatest tournament of all-time yet again - CZW's Onita vs. Tremont, as FSM discovers that the event was surely a night to remember, even if not necessarily “Once In A Lifetime”. - Len Ironside, as FSM talks to the former Scottish grappler about a greatly accomplished life, in and out of the ring. - Mad Man Manson as pro wrestling's straightest shooter returns for Part Two of a frank Training Ground interview in which he discusses his experiences in the business. All of this, plus our usual news, PPV and TV reports, and DVD and videogame reviews. This month's issue also includes Nick Aldis' suggestion that many people have underestimated the value of pro wrestling as a morality play; Jim Cornette explaining what it is that makes pro wrestling’s authority figure draw at the box office; and Rob Naylor penning his thoughts about SummerSlam 1992 that was 25 years ago this month. Issue 150 of Fighting Spirit Magazine is now available! - Braun Strowman, as FSM shows how he turned the corner, and states that WWE can no longer deny that he is the hottest star in the company. - Asuka, as FSM assesses why “The Empress of Tomorrow” is the real deal, right now. - Grado, as Britain’s most popular wrestler describes a turbulent 2017 to FSM. - Pro Wrestling:EVE as FSM talks to the Read family and others about how EVE has changed, and what avenues this brings forward for the promotion. - Sebastian Suave, who discusses what talent can do to grab his attention as the promoter of Canada's Smash Wrestling. All of this, plus our usual news, PPV and TV reports, and DVD and videogame reviews. This month's issue also includes Jim Cornette on his 25-year anniversary of being in the business, as "The Louisville Lip" goes into detail about his first few months in Memphis. Rob Naylor also takes you inside WWE developmental to explain why the time is now right for Adam Cole to make his mark.

The site is still up, the free matches are still playable, and there's still a signup process for the other matches. I really hope this stuff can remain available in some form.

Issue 147 of Fighting Spirit Magazine is now available! In this month's edition, we have feature-length articles on: - Samoa Joe vs. Brock Lesnar, as FSM describes why Joe is an unlikely dream match opponent for Lesnar, and why the bout has that visceral big fight feel - The WWF's Summer of '97, as FSM time-travels 20 years to explain why the period was so hot, and how it was the beginning – and the best year of – great changes for all of professional wrestling. - Jimmy Havoc, as FSM tries to get to grips with the mind behind the blood and the beer before he took part in the 16th annual Tournament of Death. - John Kenny who, as FSM explains, he had a fine, storied career during the World Of Sport era before becoming a trainer. - Michael Bisping, as FSM sits down with the UFC's first British champion to ask about the state of the promotion, including whether a superfight with Georges St-Pierre will actually happen. - Iestyn Rees, as he offers advice to FSM about looking after your body while going through the rigours of the ring. All of this, plus our usual news, PPV and TV reports, and DVD and videogame reviews. This month's issue also includes Nick "Magnus" Aldis' plea to Jim Cornette, Vince Russo, and Eric Bischoff to call a truce between them; the very same Jim Cornette’s explanation of how “smart” fans were different when they had to really work to get the fix of the sport they loved; and Rob Naylor pays tribute to the man who time and time again honored the moniker of “The Best There Is, The Best There Was, and The Best There Ever Will Be.” The cheapest and easiest way to subscribe to FSM is via our website, here: http://www.FightingSpiritMagazine.co.uk/magazine/subscribe Upon subscribing for 12 issues as a UK customer, you will receive a FREE gift. Please check the above link for more details. UK subscribers will receive their copy of FSM before the shops, subject to an efficient postal service. Still, if you prefer to pick up FSM at your newsagent, WH Smith and Eason are the main stockists in the UK and Ireland. For other outlets, please consider asking them to reserve your copy each month, at no extra charge. FSM is also available on PC/Mac, iPhone/iPad, Android, Kindle Fire and Windows Phone from http://www.tinyurl.com/PocketFSM. A free sample issue is also available at http://www.tinyurl.com/FSMFree, although you can also download this issue via your device’s app store. Another advantage of the app is that it links to many hours of relevant matches, promos, and shoot interviews that you do not get with the print edition. Each month, Fighting Spirit Magazine attempts to bring the most interesting stories in pro wrestling, and the most challenging insight. If there’s a subject you’d like us to cover, please tweet editor Brian Elliott at @FSM_Editor or visit our Facebook discussion forum at http://www.tinyurl.com/JoinFSM to offer your thoughts. Thank you!

It's really important that the footage is available in some manner.