WingedEagle

I think your point about good vs. great matches in Takeaway #1 is a great one, although I'm not sure how people would go about reconciling it or if that's even necessary. But a greater understanding of how we all approached and weighed that would go a long way towards at least understanding what people value in their wrestling and how that carried over to the thought process in making their list. For example, I cared more about a wrestler's classic matches -- how many, how frequently, against whom -- then his good matches. That's not to disregard the latter, which certainly enter into the equation, but were not my base in most cases. Someone approaching it differently may end up with wildly different rankings and a number of the podcasts that came out of this process clarified that and made for fascinating listening and points to think about. I wouldn't always agree with these points, but they made total sense and it was great to understand where someone is coming from in a way that's just not possible from a quick blurb. Why not just bombard this place with all the wrestling that interests you? Hopefully everybody takes the time to do that. My biggest issue there has always been opting to watch something else rather than hit pause and say something.

This was a lot of fun and I could read it forever.

I thought this was a terrific read that summarized many points and thoughts along the way throughout the GWE process. Perhaps I'm alone, perhaps many agree, but I found myself nodding in agreement at various points throughout and appreciate the thought and sentiment that went into it.

Glad this was bumped as I wanted to add a few things here. More to come when I stop watching this CHIKARA tag, have dinner & a drink and then catch Spurs/Thunder on tape. Long night ahead!

I love that on the day the results come out a Funk match I'd never seen comes out showing him in my absolute favorite form. Somehow feels appropriate that even though I hvae him behind Flair, I see one of the best cases possible for his greatness.

A deserving #1. You know how it goes, and no one could beat The Man.

My thoughts on the match from the MDA -- Wanted to add that here as well, as this match is *exactly* what I love and want from Terry Funk. In this setting, working this style he is right there with those I consider the best wrestlers ever. The wobbly selling and punch drunk route his selling often goes doesn't have as much mileage for me as does his work against Orton here. Or against Jumbo in '76, Flair '89, other babyface in Japan. I want more of this! Its gross to think about how much outrageously fantastic Funk material from the 70s we don't have on tape. Where are more matches like this one?? Hit me up.

Wow! Talk about a match that came out of nowhere. No need for a detailed review as Sleeze hit the nail on the head, but this match was a textbook example of escalation and progression. The clean start with contested lockups and attempts for control. The handshakes that soon became slaps. The wristlock and arm twists that became vicious elbows to the back of the neck by Funk or big bombs from Orton as Funk was draped over the apron. After delivering the scientific start and the brawling, they deliver the limb work as well with Funk's Spinning Toehold weakening the leg and playing a factor down the stretch. Like near falls? I do. We had a great one here on the Orton Piledriver, but they weren't overdone. It was a big moment in the match rather than part of any finisher spam that might take some out of the moment. This was a real treat and one hell of a find as I'd never heard about this from even the most ardent Funk fans. I can't go quite as high as my man Sleeze given the finish, as those kind of snowflakes usually require a hot and convincing conclusion that builds upon the match, but we're splitting hairs here and this just below. ****1/2

Weird, since two if three made the majority if their cases in Japan. By that logic, Bret Hart is American

Bash '89 is one of the most enjoyable matches for me to watch. Others rate higher, but not sure how many are more fun. From the entrances to the match and everything they do their utilizing both rings, to the post-match it is the kind of spectacle that gets you cheering along for your man while loving every second of it. The Funker was an early gateway for me into ECW and that whole world back in the day. Which means you can indirectly give him some credit for getting me back into the game in high school after falling out for a year or 2, and never looking back. While the AJ 90s crew were what first led me into Japanese wrestling, it was hearing about Funk's work in '70s and '80s All Japan, and my familiarity with him by that point, which led me to jump deeper down that rabbit hole. This means the wife may not love him, even if she has no idea who he is. I was too young to watch NWA Ric Flair during his prime. After-40 Flair was still a legend to me because of how he carried himself, how he wore that robe, how he nailed Piper with that chair and then how he won the Rumble no matter how much 11 year old me wanted Hogan to win. I still have the '92 Rumble on PPV from taping it that day even though I haven't had a VCR for years. When I finally dove into his older work he made everyone else look like a world-beater. People I'd written off or never given a chance from every corner of the country looked like they belonged in the role of world title challenger. His NWA squashes were not the time-fillers I remember growing up on WWF Superstars, but showcases for the champ and an opportunity to put forth something special even in a nothing situation. Its more subtle, but he's also the wrestler who first made me appreciate doing little things to make a match.

Folks did say Flair would lie down too willingly, so you never know.

Bash '89 for the Title! Here's hoping the post-match is just as awesome.

Definitely, his top 10 and top 3 votes really stood out. Can't complain about showering him with love though.

Honestly, I'm baffled that of all the AJ guys, Misawa is the one who actually *gained spots* since 2006. Considering the criticims thrown at All Japan style and NOAHism, considering the fact Misawa is actually the one who died because of it, considering his NOAH work really isn't talked about with much enthousiasm, I really thought he would be the one who would drop he most out of the 4 pillars. I'm kinda stunned. Totally pulling for him though. Can't say I understand it either. Love them all but would've expected them to move as a pack. I suppose that may very well be the case though with 3 in the top 10 and 4 in the top 11.

The Misawa Vengeance Tour continues.

Not everything in his run is a classic or on par with AJ's best if you're high on it. But it absolutely doesn't feel dated, even the early stuff from '01-'02 where he was essentially learning on the job and developing his game. Then you watch how his work develops and the wrinkles he adds at various junctures along the way in ROH and the Indys before reinventing himself in WWE. Don't think the Eddy comparison is a fair one at all, as even if you don't rate his run as highly as those of us who go gaga for it, Eddy looked to have written many matches off. I'm not sure you can argue Bryan did that even if you don't appreciate the output.

I ranked Kobashi #1, so no surprise that I think he's pretty great. But how do 6 people that vote for him not vote for Kawada at all? Have no idea what it says about those ballots, the overall process, nothing. Its just mind-boggling.

I think this is a great point, and am also interested in the notion that this may be a disadvantage for Flair as as it pertains to discussing rather than ranking workers.

I'd swipe right. Show the man some love!

Very much where I was on him as well, as he felt like someone who would've been a top 10-15 lock, but I have no idea if that's based on the best output of his career, the best post-prime anyone's ever had or something in between. One of the biggest question marks for me even with as much footage as we have. Hell of a showing for him.

Matt, what pre-80s Bockwinkel is available and readily accessible? Would really like to check that out at some point.

Eddie definitely needs to drop. Madness! I never connected with Steamboat on the same level as those who placed him so highly, but I've always understood what people found so appealing and engrossing about him. A bit surprised there wasn't more discussion about him along the way given the strong and broad support he ended up receiving.

Yeah there are plenty of wrestlers or styles I haven't ranked because of a lack of exposure (shoot style, some lucha) versus others that just really didn't rank super highly for me (Savage, Lawler, other lucha). Which is probably the case for everyone. Most of us have some blind spots, some more than others. Will fill them in eventually. Or manage to avoid divorce

Buddy Rose Good call. But I'll still give Arn the nod. William Regal is another one. Regal!! He loses points here though because he'd literally get me laughing with his facials and sometimes make it difficult to flip out of that mode. Just too strong a comedian.