WingedEagle

AJ bladed a touch early.

You're right. As soon as you mentioned that it rang a bell. First thing I came across -- https://wrestletalk.com/features/story-jackass-summerslam-match-didnt-happen/

Its amazing to think they didn't lean into the Jackass crossover 20 years ago. That being said, the half gallon of milk that is this match is long past its expiration date.

Lashley/Omos was 2x as long as it needed to be. As someone who has to show up for work before 8PM tomorrow I'd appreciate a little more consideration but not expecting it.

I'm not out here making promises, bets or even holding my breath. Just enough smoke out over the mountains to come back and warn the village here.

Lot of chatter tonight that Looking forward to seeing how things play out. I had low expectations for last night and they were blown out of the water. Now I'm expecting a good show tonight and fully prepared to be disappointed. Let's go!

Unless plans weren't finalized until the last few days, why would they opt to promote Austin/Owens around a talk show rather than the match?

I imagine Austin is getting something resembling Saudi money for this because it looks exactly like what he always said he wanted to avoid.

Given the way he's moving on the stage, I'm not remotely surprised that Austin wasn't up for a match.

Also supposedly New Day vs. Sheamus/Holland. I forgot about that one too.

Here's the thing. Rollins could literally drop a deuce in the ring instead of kicking out of a planned near fall and Austin could botch his stunner later. Becky vs. Bianca was amazing and nothing else matters. The night is a win when you get something like that.

Maybe? But to be fair, short of something like Brock/Roman at 31 I don't know what would reflate the crowd right now. New Day vs. Sheamus/Ridge should've been the palette cleanser after Becky/Bianca.

That is how you deliver someone. Minus the association with Vince and Seth's whining & preening leading up to the match. But great unveiling.

That match was an absolute all timer and I've got no hesitation saying the best women's match in the company short of perhaps Sasha/Bayley in Brooklyn or the 30 minute rematch. Just phenomenal work, pacing and storytelling throughout. They both crushed it and made this a great night no matter what happened earlier and what comes later.

One of the announcers just said "this match rolls on" and like the Pavlovian dog that I am I fully expected a commercial break.

Roman vs. Brock Charlotte vs. Ronda Becky vs. Bianca AJ vs. Edge Seth vs. Cody (maybe?) RK Bro vs. Street Profits vs. Alpha Academy Choose your own adventure for 1 or 2 more matches. That's a solid Mania lineup and a show I'm looking forward to. I'll always prefer the full weekend over a 6-7 hour night, but they don't have the booking for compelling back to back nights.

We're nearly an hour in and only 2 matches in the books. One of which was apparently cut short due to injury. This does not bode well.

Mania! There are enough interesting matches to make for one really solid show and enough filler that each night has ample bathroom, refreshment and other appropriate breaks. But at the end of the day its still Mania and that's as good an excuse as any to hang and hopefully enjoy a couple big shows. Surprised at the opener but let's hope Shinsuke can turn the clock back....over a half decade at this point?

Is there actually a money mark that makes this some kind of a cash grab or just a bunch of meatheads finding someone to make memes and content that amuse them?

Call me crazy but I thought Cobb vs. Yoshi-Hashi was one of the tourney's best matches with Okada/Despy. Tana/Naito was good but I thought very underwhelming given their history. At ***1/4-***1/2 its not a waste of time but hardly the standout it looked like on paper.

Seconding the praise for ZSJ vs. Douki. Great energy from both and one of the tourney's most fun matches thus far even if it was perhaps just shy of great. Boss Rock nailed it that Ospreay/ElP had a great finish. Good match even if not at the level you expect from big show Ospreay.

Not exactly a high bar but was that the best ever preshow match?

I was thinking about trying to make the MSG show but it would've been tight due to family plans yesterday. I've never been more grateful for family. Now they're taking dumps on MSG and expect to draw at Barclays soon and when returning to the Garden? I know TV contracts are all that matter but they have really lost the plot.

Good luck that that's the theme for most entries.

I haven't watched their 2012 match in years but I'd put today's outing as their 2nd or 3rd best. Easily behind 2020 WK and likely behind 2012, but this was a fantastic showing from both with dueling neck work and your prototypical stretch run with a few unusual, fun wrinkles. That last counter leading into the finish was so well executed. Hell of a match. Really intrigued to see what's in store for the NJ Cup.