WingedEagle

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?

Definitely need to find more Banderas. Why is there never a comprehensive playlist out there for times like these? Ladder Match: Really enjoyed the early portions with the brawling in & outside the ring, as well as how they incorporated the ladder and did so judiciously. Back half of the match it felt like they fell under the spell of the ladder needing it for every spot and having someone (typically Shane) always regenerate their life bar in time for a save. Fun watch but nothing all that standout. Remember reading about Colon/Ayala in Apter mags back in the day but haven't watched any. Where do I start if that's a fun place to pick thing sup?

No. Believe I checked out a couple a while back and didn't love them, but really don't remember at all. Where do I start assuming the Banderas run is over?

So Banderas vs. Slash Venom from October 2003 was an insane, incredibly fun brawl with a spot at the finish that legit qualified as homicide. *THAT* was a money brawl. Also checked out Banderas & Vampiro vs. Venom & Apolo in a cage from January 2004. This was fine but suffered a bit with the dubbed commentary replacing all noise from the building. A few solid spots and blood, but nothing outstanding. Shane ladder match is on deck, but what's next after that? I know its the Mesias/Banderas thread, but that first Banderas/Venom match was sick. Open to any and all PR that are in the same universe.

What are his best PR matches?

I was also dead wrong saying Fujinami would be my highest ranked NJPWer. That honor goes to Mr. Liger.

Sylvester Lefort for one. They wanted to bring him up as a manager but he wanted to wrestle. Now he's in TNA. Ouch. Hope he's content with his current options.

Today I watched Tanahashi & Nakamura vs. Sasaki & Minoru Suzuki from 12/04 to take a look at younger Tana & Nak, and always find something fun in a Suzuki outing. Well, I was absolutely blown away by this. Tanahashi was laid out early and having his knee iced outside like a Kobashi tribute, while Nakamura spent the bulk of the match playing face in peril getting absolutely destroyed, with Sasaki in particular looking like a brutal powerhouse. Great stretch run with the crowd completely behind the young babyfaces, which was all the more impressive given this was in a real low point in New Japan's history. Terrific near falls along with spots building upon work from the early portions of the match led to really fun finish. Not sure why this wasn't nominated on Ditch's best of the 2000s project, as it felt like a legit high-end candidate. Big feather in Sasaki's cap as well as Nak's, as I'd never seen him play such a sympathetic babyface.

If you're in NXT and making six figures, you came in with the understanding that you're not going to the main roster absent some unique circumstances or making enough money that, financially, it probably doesn't matter what letters are on the ring apron.

Or in just about any other company.

That's my understanding as well, with the Joe/Aries types getting paid differently than truly developmental workers, and folks like Nak/Balor getting different money to come in as well. Nak reportedly got legit upper card money, whatever that may mean, while Balor is undoubtedly making more than developmental but perhaps not "big" midcard money. I will happily dismount my unicorn and bend the knee when someone making developmental money says no thanks to the WWE brand and associated pay raise so they can continue enjoying tapings at Full Sail University.

Brock's lower legs do look unusually small given how massive he is otherwise.

Which few have turned down a pay raise? Not inquiring about those who are happy in NXT and not in love with the idea of leaving, but rather the wrestlers who said no thanks to being called up and the bump in pay that comes with it.

Entirely possible that she's making more than the latest signee, and hopefully so. Especially with merchandise money. I don't believe its been reported that anyone other than Balor & Nakamura were given deals commensurate with those on the main roster, but a couple names could be escaping me. If they're not on a psuedo-developmental deal then its potentially a very different decision.

Its cool, everyone in NXT is a virtuous purist who only cares about the art of wrestling. They're all going to seek out those opportunities that maximize their personal and professional satisfaction, except for what they earn. If that makes sense to you that's really great.

People in NXT have said they would rather stay down, because of what happened to guys like Tyler Breeze. Not buying it for a second. They want to earn a living like everyone else does. So... they are lying then? Ok?? Like Matt said, Bayley would probably make more in merch working for NXT then when she goes on the main roster and that goes away. I'll believe the starving artist bit when they walk from the perpetually danging carrot that exists with employment at NXT. They may very well be happier working in NXT, but get back to me when one turns down a call up and pay raise.

People in NXT have said they would rather stay down, because of what happened to guys like Tyler Breeze. Not buying it for a second. They want to earn a living like everyone else does.

I can't imagine for a minute that anyone wants to stay in NXT. As great a time as they may be having, its still the minor leagues regardless of the politics and other issues in the majors. That whole paycheck thing also comes into play.

Just watched his match from the '85 Young Lions Cup. Don't know how many official matches he had under his belt at that point, but my god was he really good even that early. It still amazes me how someone that small and fast often wrestled so big. At no point in his career as the preeminent junior heavyweight did he feel like a stereotypical flyer.

Fair enough, will limit it to the post-Joe stuff. No appetite for the snuff film tributes.

How much of his work is crazy brawling as opposed to death match stuff, with which I associate light tubes, glass panes or similarly homicidal foreign objects? Could be completely off base there but my impression has been he primarily works in that sphere and am curious if that's accurate. If not, definitely someone to look into more down the road.

It seems like there are a handful of Necro matches people tout. Maybe 5-7. Are there other standouts? Joe, Super Dragon, Ki, a couple others cited in the thread so I'm curious if he's ranking for people on the basis of top-shelf material or if there's a greater depth supporting it.

Really enjoyable read. Could read a much longer version as well -- never gets old seeing interesting folks talk about wrestling.