WingedEagle

Definitely still watching here. Haven't seen last week's yet but even on a down week, this show flies by and is very enjoyable as a change of pace from any other wrestling out there. Fingers crossed for another season.

I happened across some 80s AWA this weekend that included some Henning and now see why some say this is an argument. Will need to see what top end stuff is there and in Portland but if Henning's volume from that decade is substantial he definitely has a shot as Bret's stuff hasn't held up nearly as well as others from the era.

I absolutely get your points and what you said about Becky's offense gives me something to keep an eye out for on a rewatch. My biggest issue was that we got some great, focused arm work from Banks that was vicious and should've been a constant theme throughout the rest of the match. But then Lynch completely stopped selling it on her comeback and that really took me out of it. I still dug the match and thought it was very good and a terrific performance from Banks. But that's what keeps me from thinking about it as even near MOTYC level.

This is a really great comp. Objectively I know I could write out a much longer list of good Dustin matches, and his list of great matches might be longer as well. But we're not here to be completely objective and there's no way I'd pass on an Austin career comp for Dustin's so he takes it.

I don't think the Total Divas audience has any interest in wrestling or ever will. Its into a reality show that follows a certain formula and is presented in a familiar style and forum. Its wrestling. Some women will like it but any notion of building a significant female audience outside the margins of historical norms doesn't strike me as remotely realistic. Perhaps more women are watching Ronda Rousey in UFC than were watching Anderson Silva, but Rousey is a success because men will pay to see her. If you make the female product appealing to the base it will succeed. Trying to carve out some completely new audience for it will likely backfire in every sense.

There is none. It's just a thought, since they don't get many women viewers. Has an increase in female viewership ever been attributable to female talent? Have they ever treated women talent well? I'm referring to any promotion ever. Outside of joshi groups in Japan, when have female fans packed the house to see female talent? At the end of the day wrestling is more like sports than other TV/entertainment, which mean its going to attract a heavier male audience.

There is none. It's just a thought, since they don't get many women viewers. Has an increase in female viewership ever been attributable to female talent?

Are there any good comps ROH put together cover some highlights from the last 5-7 years? Plan on checking out their Memorial Day sale later but hoping someone else has already done the dirty work of ID'ing some worthwhile DVDs.

Seconding the request that this thread be pinned. Great reference.

Thanks, really looking forward to this.

No issues with Banks selling the arm, but Lynch used it to prop herself up on the ropes, ran with it like there was nothing wrong, and braced her fall on the dropkick with it as well. But more importantly. JOE!

Lynch/Banks was great, but Lynch completely dropping her selling of the arm when on offense, after Banks went out of her way to work it so well, brought it down a bit.

Are there any good online stores for wrestling memorabilia?

Locks: Styles, Cena, Bryan, Lesnar, Tanahashi, Nakamura.

Okay, definitely intrigued now. Not sure if this is the beginning of the end of NXT as the standalone entity as we know it, Owens graduating a lot sooner than anyone expected or something in between, but its interesting.

That Owens debut was phenomenal. Really, really interesting how they've positioned him, Zayn and the NXT brand at this point but are perhaps hesitant to promote them. For all we know this is setting up Cena stepping in on Wednesday if Zayn is injured, as it feels way too soon for Owens to leave the territory.

Thanks for the recs. I've seen the Suzuki and O'Reilly matches but this gives me quite a bit to work with.

Apparently the Undertaker is lined up as a guest for an Austin podcast in the coming months. Never, ever thought I'd see them break kayfabe there, much less before calling it a day on his career.

Those are some hideous highlights.

Do not like the new chyrons they're using for wrestler names during intros. Way too pow zap kerplunk for me.

Ryback vs. True Blood - This was better than any Bray Singles match since the Cena LMS and Bryan matches last year. And it was all due to Ryback. Holy shit, can this guy sell. He should not be a gatekeeper for this NXT project they're determined to have near the top of the card, but absolutely belongs there himself. Swap him into the Kane or Show spots as the Authority's muscle for a bit and enjoy the matches coming after his face turn. Instead he's here.

I hated the New Day as babyfaces, and yet love them now as heels. So cocky, always playing the characters just perfectly and only going over the top when obviously trolling the audience. They've also been terrific bases for Cesaro's strengths while Kidd has been great for bumping for Big E all over the place. Terrific match and better than Extreme Rules, maybe ***3/4. Would've liked longer but I'm not complaining. If anything tops it tonight I'll be impressed.

It definitely looked hardway. But blood that looks hardway has happened a few times recently, and before this year I can't remember the last time blood happened where they didn't immediately hit pause to address it. And certainly not on every big show.

Prior to the last 2 months, how much accidental blood has been spilled in WWE rings in lets say the last 3 years? Is Sheamus that sloppy or are they trying to use it on every big show?

At a minimum. I could see a really harsh reaction if something sudden happens to him.