WingedEagle

That photo makes me want to hear about KILLAH KHAN

Arguably Liger's best opponent. This definitely matters.

Pure speculation, and I wouldn't attempt to put some kind of timetable on it, but Cena here sounds like someone speaking with a finish line in sight.

The world title would mean so much more if only guys at that level held it. It would also be pretty boring and stale. How many guys in WWE are at that level? Cena, Lesnar and who? Orton? I think the idea is then they'd be forced to book and push guys so that they're cemented at that level with a title win, rather than hoping the title establishes someone you've had driving along a road with staggered lights in the run to the belt. Not everyone can be Cena or Lesnar. They're generational talents in different ways. But look at Ryback. There is nothing about him that ever screamed money except an unbeaten streak where he looked like a boss for a few months. That's it. You apply that formula to almost anyone and you'll have done a better job setting someone up to at least credibly fill one half of a main event than anything that's been done with Rollins, Ambrose, Wyatt, etc.

My wife probably wouldn't let Rusev in the house. She wouldn't be happy about Trips but would take him if he were the only alternative. Then again she puts up with me so perhaps all bets are off.

You are not the top guy in the business if you main event WrestleMania. You are the person who won the Royal Rumble. Anyone can win the Royal Rumble and there is a huge pick of luck that goes into it (random entry). If you win the title than you are the best person in the business. Sure, winning the title at Mania is better than at any other show, but main eventing Mania and losing is not better than being the champion. At least it shouldn't be. That's all well and good in a vacuum, but not so much happens there. Situations matter. Look at Mania 27. Miz closed the show and left with the title. But you could easily argue that he was only marginally more relevant to that main event than the referee. Putting a name or title on someone doesn't make it so.

Except it doesn't. Taking out TV rights fees, when was the last time a month of business did more than Mania in a single night? A hot show like Summerslam '98, Rumble '02 or the Invasion PPV (and 2 of those 3 didn't draw because of the title) did better business than some weaker manias in the mid-90s. Other than that the Super Bowl is still the Super Bowl.

He's not wrong about that. How many title matches on other shows have drawn bigger than Manias?

Not a ton of talk about it so I don't know where consensus is, but my initial reaction was that I preferred their shorter match from last week. This was a lot of fun, but at times it felt like they were throwing stuff out there just to fill the time.

Some of the most interesting things Austin says are about protecting his position, whether it's with Jarrett or with other people. Also, how much he regrets walking out and at the very least losing the years of income. I do think you occasionally see hints of insecurity with him. That's the thing about these podcasts. You just see a LOT of the person as a human being in what they say, in what's not said. Austin can be more guarded since he's not shitfaced, mind you. Oh absolutely. He's protective of his position and isn't much for self-reflection outside of some jokes unless its talking about a match that may have been awful for whatever reason. But you never even seem to see anonymous whispers about how he was difficult to work with or a jerk.

Who exactly is this Conrad fella? Just a long-time friend of Flair's? The show is pure gold and world's better than I would've imagined.

I feel a little sad for Piper as its sounded like he's never been able to get his life together and always looked a bit frazzled even when on top. On the other hand, outside of Austin's domestic issues you really don't hear much criticism of him -- that may be somewhat due to his status -- but where there are stories to be found they trickle out about names big and small. Probably too late at this stage of his life but it would do Piper a bit of good to disappear for a while.

Yeah, not sure how I left Montreal all out. This is everything. Not as impactful as LBJ in '10 because neither team has more than 2nd round upside barring injuries, but today may have been more fun than that day.

So this Deandre Jordan story has entered a whole new realm. Some combination the Radicalz leaving WCW (factoring in the Konnans/Douglases/etc who tried but weren't welcomed), the Tod Gordon poaching ECW story and god knows what else. Pure madness. NBA 4 life.

Vince does not go online much.

I haven't finished the Sullivan podcast yet, but damn near had to pull the car over I was laughing so hard at the candle story.

These were picked with the express purpose of showing Flair's range, but they're all tremendous matches IMO. The most accessible Flair/Steamboat, for novitiates, is Chi-Town Rumble (2/20/89). Thanks for the reminder. I haven't watched the long matches with Steamboat from '89 in a while, but feel like the Jumbo match is more accessible at that length for a rookie. Good call, Parv.

Dude the story writes itself (minus the slum lord chapter). Her V Stiviano is Vince Russo!!

I read it as saying he he was best overall for that 10 year stretch.

Full schedule from VOW: http://www.voicesofwrestling.com/2015/07/06/njpw-g1-climax-25-full-tournament-schedule/ How do people see this turning out? B Block looks set to come down to Okada vs. Nakamura on the final day. Nakamura either goes over or wins it with a draw and goes on to win the finals and set up a title match vs. Okada at WK 10, which feels like the biggest main event they could deliver for the show at this point. What about A Block? Styles vs. Nakamura would be a fresh match we haven't seen yet, but if he's not committed for 2016 then giving AJ that rub is unnecessary. It feels way too soon to rush Naito back to that level with his new heel character. Tanahashi is a safe bet and one they can probably count on to sell out Sumo Hall. Ibushi would be a great story getting his rematch after WK 9 going for the big win, but if he's not getting it here I don't know you want him taking another loss. If they have a plan to rebuild Ibushi and set up getting his win back over Nak in early '15 I can see him getting the call, but for now I'd put my money on Tanahashi after taking a backseat since February. What do you predict/want?

Harsh! But fair. Post-Sterling should be like a clean break as though TNA were sold by the Carters to to Spike, but that ain't happening in this lifetime

Not arguing the history, but they had the Cassell/Brand squad that came close to knocking off the Nash Suns and then the last few years of CP3/Blake/Deandre. That'd be TNA moving to Monday nights and competing with WWE, not running for the hills as fast as possible.

Tim, one point that bears consideration there is that 1998 Dave wasn't watching Japanese wrestling live. He was always catching it on tape knowing the results and finishes in detail whereas he's going into today's NJPW shows live the same way he would Raw or a WWE PPV.

If I missed something similar in the first 12 pages my bad. But, if you were to point someone in the direction of 5 Flair matches to make the case for him as #1 where would you go? We're obviously talking about someone who's not really familiar with his work pre-monday night wars era and the tribute videos that came with it. Presumably don't want to load it up with 60 minute classics but I want this person to come away understanding why he belongs in the discussion.

Clips strike me more like WCW because they had higher highs than TNA. Now how about Chris Paul? Dude basically came into the league anointed the point god and lived up to that billing. Minus anything more than a second round appearance. Made his way to LA with Blake & Deandre...to the second round. Now it sounds like at worst he was a big reason Deandre bolted for Dallas and at best simply not a factor in keeping him in town. LAC will clearly take a step back this year with the question being whether its to the 7-8 range or if they slip to the lottery in a stacked west. Either way I'd sell any remaining CP3 stock.