WingedEagle

This is absolutely true. And not because anyone wants some weirdo rambling on their wrestling tv show. We just want something different then the exact same formula that's been used week in and week out for nearly 2 decades now. Creating stars is one thing, but simply changing the television formula -- to practically anything that doesn't resemble the current product outside of the matches -- would help. It almost doesn't matter which direction they take it. Just make it different.

Yep, doing my part and streaming something on mute all day at work. Can't watch but hopefully they note the numbers.

What did he say?

Awesome, will have to keep an eye out for that as well.

Thanks, will add that to to the list.

As long as it works for you it sounds like a plan. And at the end of the day you can always veer if you don't like the look of things. But its good to have a base.

Have you found anything of his outside of NJPW that ranks as highly?

Glad you're back on board!

"She said she was 18."

Forgot to add one: 5 on 5 Gauntlet Match (New Japan 5/1/1986) - Definitely a case of expectations hurting things, as I expected a MOTDC and instead just got a really good match. Highlights were the opening Yamada-Takada match which was a really terrific big vs. small showcase. I'd never seen Liger this early or without the mask but will have to seek out as much of this as I can. It seems he's gone very much under the radar for someone who's a legit top GWE candidate and that will have to change. There were some moments and flashes where things picked up as we made our way through Sakaguchi, Kido, Kosh & co., but it didn't really pick up again until Fujiwara paired off with Kimura which was super hot and moved things into the left lane. That intensity and fury continued as Fujinami came in for the closing stretch and his sprints with Fujiwara and finally Maeda were a ton of fun. Some may say its a crutch, but a little blood used sparingly goes a long way.

I was all over the place yesterday before heading out to see Spotlight and grab dinner: Chad Gable & Jason Jordan vs. Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa (AKA NXT 10/28) -- For some reason I've only stuck to watching the big NXT shows rather than the weekly tv. Its under an hour and breezy so this must change. Anyways, I have no idea what Gable's celing is but it is high. Someone who could easily be working 12-15 matches on Raw and help recreate the in-ring buzz of the Shield/Bryan/Punk days, but better off in a tag role for now while the character and support develops. So smooth and the pairing with Jordan works well for both. Just a great, fun match. Mistico vs. Black Warrior (9/19/2006) -- This was the mask match and while not at the level of the last couple, was a solid 4 stars and delivered exactly what I wanted without reaching epic levels . Your standard quick 2 opening falls with some vicious mask ripping by both and color from Mistico. Warrior was even working the crowd like a champ early on like a bastard heel. Third fall saw the dives and then a ton of basic near falls building the suspense that weren't exactly sophisticated, but had the crowd biting on every single one. Definitely curious why/when Warrior disappeared as he seemed to have a good look without the mask and could definitely work heel. Jushin Liger vs. Naoki Sano (July 1989 and September 1989) -- September was clipped though what we saw looked good, but tough to say if on the levels of July or August. The July encounter was a hot start to this feud. Loved how there was so much work on the mat and submissions even though they're juniors as it never felt out of place. They mixed in the dives and "small man" spots without a problem, but this was no spotfest. We even got a creative non-finish building towards the August match. I had this at about 4.25 stars and still want to rewatch August, which may feature the best arm work and selling you'll find in any match. That was out of this world and what prompted me to revisit this feud. Just a classic. Hardys vs. MNM (December to Dismember) - Just about through 2006 on my PPV rewatch and this was 1 of 2 matches (along with the EC) I checked out on this show. Nothing special here other than Melina looking good and being more involved than I ever recall at ringside with her screeching. Also thought it hilarious that the ref (I think Charles Robinson but don't quote me) was wearing Pradas. Hilarious. Bryan Danielson & Super Dragon vs. Excalibur & Johnny Storm (PWG January 2004) - Danielson's heel and tag work remain criminally underrated. Really surprised how solid Super Dragon looked on the mat and in some legit wrestling sequences here as well. Excalibur was a solid underdog babyface but this fell apart when it was time for him and particularly Storm to work on top. Will have to get around to writing up many more detailed thoughts on Danielson in the GWE or MDA sections but going back through his career confirms he's a top of the ballot guy.

That is some cuckoo's nest level sadness right there.

Parv, you've outdone yourself. Terrific resource.

Entirely in Camp Parv here. Sasha/Bayley is easily the best US women's match I've ever seen at ****1/4, but there are quite a number of Joshi matches that would rank much higher. Brock/Roman is at worst my #2 MOTY, one of, if not the all-time Mania match and an absolutely epic clash of the titans spectacle. Hats off to the ladies, but there's no shame in coming up short against a classic.

Indeed. Shout to Loss and GH for making this place THEPLACE. Happy and safe to everyone. Or at least most of ya

I'd also love to see it if anyone has it available.

Any classics in this batch? Haven't had an opportunity to look up those episodes yet.

Kikuchi & Kanemaru vs Liger & Inoue, NOAH 2/17/2002 Liger & Tanaka vs Kikuchi & Kanemaru, NOAH 4/7/2002 Liger & Tanaka vs Kikuchi & Kanemaru, New Japan 8/29/2002 Kikuchi & Kanemaru vs Samurai & Naruse, NOAH 9/23/2002 Parv, I believe those are where you need to start. All should be available in the ditch.

Thanks!

The stip with the best wrestlers and story coming into it.

How was the after show about taker? Have some downtime and thinking about checking it out on wifi from hotel.

What about Austin/Hart at mania? Perhaps a few others id like to see considered but that will have to wait till not on phone.