WingedEagle

Shock because it didn't feel like the finish, rather than at the result. It came out of nowhere, and then went on endlessly. Every other match on the show at least built towards a finish. Not sure what it is about Asuka but I thought this was Bayley's worst big match in quite some time. Not bad, by any stretch, but the Nia Jax and Carmella matches were both better. There wasn't a whole lot of meaningful selling. Even after a lights out finish, Bayley was up pretty quickly. Asuka's offense also didn't stand out at all. Nothing looked particularly impactful or on point.

Not one to get carried away and say anything I just watched was the greatest thing I've ever seen, but did want to again note that Samoa Joe was incredible last night. His performance should not be lost in the hysteria of Nakamura being Nakamura in front of a rabid US crowd. Probably Joe's best performance since....AJ Styles in TNA? Maybe the Angle cage match if you love that? Either way, very comfortable saying you can count on one hand the number of nights he had in TNA approaching this level. He was an absolute force of nature and should have walked out with the title unless he's going to continue this path on Monday night.

1) Its a good thing Brock isn't watching this because if he saw them stealing his match on Sunday he'd be pissed. 2) Props to Samoa Joe for making a last-minute pitch for GWE ballots.

I loved the music. If Delilah would play it then its not good for Shinsuke Nakamura.

Only think I didn't care for -- Nakamura's new music was way too subdued.

How long can they really keep Nakamura in NXT? The blood, the selling throughout, big moves. Nakamura hitting every note in front of an American audience dying for him to do just that? Hadn't thought much of anything Zayn has done in a while but this was tremendous.

The show starts at 10 eastern, correct?

Outstanding work on those.

There is no such thing as too high a spot for Brock Lesnar.

It really is the Super Bowl. A week ago I had minimal interest in the lineup, but I'm still beyond amped for the show on Sunday, NXT tomorrow and the entire weekend. Even if its not an amazing show I just don't see how it won't be a ton of fun.

Is anyone not voting for names that have been discussed as top of the ballot contenders?

Parv, how much of this is list is who you think is greatest vs. who you enjoy watching?

Amazing recall to put this together so quickly without having to pore over notes or the set list in greater depth. You diving right into '98?

Pete, love your recaps as always. Great, quick summaries of the year and I'm still beyond impressed at how quickly you get them out after finishing the footage. Feel like I've been dragging my feet on '94 forever, nevermind having stopped posting in mid-93.

I'd love to see an Anthony Bourdain-style travel show starring Brock. Except every episode ends with Brock giving an F-5 to his local guide and immediately going to the airport and back to Minnesota. Forget wrestling. This would be the best comedy on television until Veep & Silicon Valley return. Maybe even then, depending on Brock's temper.

I'd pay another $9.99 a month if they added a show that covered Brock being transported to and from every show. I can only imagine the shit fit he must throw dealing with traffic going to Barclays Center. It would legit be the best original programming on the network.

Apparently if I'm in the minority, but I thought Shawn a terrific actor. Especially for his environment. Always dug him. All that being said, I've almost come full circle on Shawn. I'd like to add a few more things in detail about him once the list is turned in, but essentially I started out thinking he'd be one of my highest ranked American workers, and couldn't see him falling below top 15-20 overall. Going back through some early comeback work I thought he was incredibly overrated. Not at all bad, but nothing to really make a case for as an all-timer. Really dug him the last few years (a bit in '07 and then lots of big matches going forward), but looking back the tag work, especially the AWA classics, bumped him well back up for me. Now he's not going to sniff the top of the list, but top 30? 40? That feels like a floor. But I also never had any of the vitriol for him that some did.

Haven't seen in it forever so can't comment, but outside of the 2 Wargames, I'm not sure how many matches Arn's been in that people would rate as all-timers. When people talk about their top 10 candidates, be it a Flair, Misawa, Fujinami, Liger, Bockwinkel, Casas, whomever the case may be, they can point to some (or many) matches that are legit classics. I'm not sure Arn has a list of those. That's just fine. Not everyone needs to be Michael Jordan. Whether its working squashes, picking apart or feeding a hot babyface, secondary title matches or brawls, he generally made the most of any situation and never really overstayed his welcome. How often during an Arn Anderson match do you find yourself checking the time? Maybe akin to a James Worthy or Klay Thompson depending on when you were a basketball fan? Maybe never wins a ring on his own, but he damn sure helped aces get over the hump.

I said this last month, and have since watched a little Horsemen-era stuff and a lot of Brain Busters. I don't know that I'd call a single Busters match great, but I absolutely love Arn in every one of them. He is always interesting and solid at worst. Still haven't thought about a list past the top 10 but hard to see how he's not in the top 25-30. Can only really justify placing him below those who have a metric ton of classics.

Awesome, many thanks. Slotted these angles in on the playlist and hopefully get to it ASAP. Will also have to check out much of the Banderas stuff.

Aztec Warfare really was a tribute to the power of booking. I have no idea if Jeff Cobb is any good as this is the first time I've seen him, but he looked like an absolute monster and star in the few minutes hes was out there and a force for the rest of the roster to reckon with. Still amazing that there isn't room for this kind of booking, or something Goldberg-esque on the babyface side in the majors.

Boricua, you are the man. Thanks for the background info. First things first -- is the angle with Colon's wife on youtube? Want to make sure I include that if available. Love hearing about feuds I'm unfamiliar with, but anything around a bump like that is vital information. Just one of the craziest spots I've ever seen, and all the more impressive because I had zero clue it was coming. Would you highlight any of the Banderas matches above as standouts or all generally worth checking out?

Martel probably made the biggest jump for me of anyone. I considered him a back-end candidate, at best, when this started. He's now likely top 40 at worst.

Sounds good, have all 4 matches saved in hopefully right the order. Looks like the Texas Death is JIP?

Have you watched him against Bock or Jumbo at all?