WingedEagle

Thanks, will check it out.

Post-WCW he'd be a lock for my worst 100. So slow. Has to pull everything so much that it all looks ridiculously fake. I suppose part of a few big moments and decent matches, but who with that push through the years hasn't? Pretty clear I'm in the minority but just so awkward and immobile, without any kind of stellar selling, bleeding or other hitch to make the performances special.

Parv, is this the '81 Breaks-Grey match above?

Perhaps in some circles it may validate him? He would've been a fringe candidate in my eyes before the New Japan run. That may have been entirely off base and subjecting him to the stink of Dixieland, but the last 2 years entrenched him on the list and looking back at TNA/ROH work is pushing him higher.

Here's hoping for a HOF worthy speech from Hayes.

Really enjoy Casas and never come away from a match thinking he delivered a bad performance, but usually feel that I'm watching someone excelling at playing the role of professional wrestler rather than excellent wrestler. Undoubtedly a hitch that holds back a lot of lucha for me, which in watching footage over this time is something I've come to accept. Sometimes it clicks but more often it doesn't, even if I can appreciate the level of skill. There'll be times where on the right night (Dandy, Santo, certain tags) it feels as though I'm watching one of the best wrestlers ever. But far too often it feels like a staged performance. That said he'll be one of the few luchadores I rank and don't imagine it'll be any kind of token ranking, but he won't sniff Liger territory.

He had his moments as a character and relished being a heel with heat. Also threw a stiff lariat and seemed to really enjoy roughing people up, which made for some solid moments but never really elevated the matches themselves. I also never saw the Cena & Eddie matches as classics but rather good title bouts that benefited from some all time blade more than anything else. That just doesn't translate to much memorable from his era, let alone from an all time perspective.

Will easily slot in at 5-10 here. Hopefully he's not overlooked due to a lack of discussion compared with other top of the ballot names, but it seems as though there's just not much to argue about here.

That was my big problem with Memphis. Felt like a hell of a TV run but not something that held up well in comparison with territories churning out regular classics. Midsouth's '85 wipes the floor with the decade in Memphis in my eyes. Hope you enjoy the Savage stuff. Never been as high on him as others but didn't think it was in the same league as Lawler's feuds with Dundee, Funk, Flair, Idol, Bock, Kerry, etc.

Ha much appreciated. No more translation required!

I've always liked the bios of older stars because I'm less familiar with them.

Cena, Brock, Styles and Dustin are the only locks.

Seems more like standard wrestling booking. Just the latest who management wouldn't get behind 100%. There will be others to follow.

Curious where people are on Tanahashi after another stellar year in 2015 and a 2016 already including what to me was the best Tanahashi-Okada match yet and a solid Omega match. I can't imagine anyone who wasn't sold on him when this thread was busy in '14 have changed teams here, but how high are his fans going?

Really enjoying this. Kobashi's also a strong #1 contender in my book and I've been going back to some of his NOAH run lately. While I knew it before, it was striking how big a contrast there is from GHC Kobashi to All Japan rising star. He's older, thicker and often looks like Hansen has permanently shut his eye, but is just at a completely different level from just about anyone who ever lived when it comes to selling, in-ring charisma and ability to perfectly time his big spots. It'll be interesting to see what mood I'm in when Mania comes and its time to turn in a list, as that'll be about the only way to rank my top 3.

Parv, don't forget Misawa & Kobashi.

Parv, which Kane/Big Show matches with Taker did you rate that highly?

Do we know yet if Shane is back in some capacity beyond special attraction at Mania to plug the gap created by injuries?

Absolutely subscribe to this. We give people much too much credit for things that just occur in the course of folks going about their business and looking out for themselves.

This seems plausible. But it also seems perfectly normal for the wrestling business, where bookers have their favorites and pet projects. This "political hit" talk makes it sound a whole lot more atypical and sinister than what is likely just the latest round of deciding who to push.

#whywrestlinggetstheadvertisersitgets

I've probably enjoyed most things he's done on TV. Don't know why, but he's entertained me. I also think he's a lot better choice than dozens of prior nominees. But would still kill myself rather than rank him.

Haven't made a list but would be very surprised to see him there.

Kobashi & Takayama would top this one in '04. Should also check out Misawa-Takayama from the following year. 4/15/01. A real classic. 4 3/4 in my book.

Wow times are tough. No pyro for Brock.