WingedEagle

Thanks, really looking forward to this as I haven't seen much at all from this era. Familiar with both names but have only seen Blears in his role reading proclamations in All Japan, so this should be very fun. It looks like you've watched a ton of joshi but not necessarily much Stardom or Io Shirai, who I think has been among the top 5-10 workers in the world in recent years. This match may have already been rec'd elsewhere in this project but hopefully its new to you. If not, I can come up with a bunch of others very easily and make sure that its available for you online. Enjoy! https://rutube.ru/video/ad1961e437db7fd81e86d81f4cb2c6d2/

Finally sat down to watch Beast's rec of Hogan vs. Savage from Detroit in 1986. Added my thoughts to the MDA at the link below, but this was a fun look at what both were doing at the time before their program heated up years later. http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/39971-wwf-world-heavyweight-champion-hulk-hogan-vs-randy-savage-wwf-detroit-042686/ Really like the idea of this as it very much breaks me out of my usual viewing habits to watch something that's not on the agenda.

This was a really fun flashback to a classic feud before its major escalations. Hogan didn't take any shortcuts putting Savage over along the way, selling for his offense and falling for the outside shenanigans with Liz when called for. Perhaps its been a while since I watched him, but Savage's offense really stood out here. He's not fast like cruiserweights or explosive like an athletic big man, but he moves and attacks with a real suddenness that projects unpredictably and makes his strikes look really strong. Sleeze noted it above, but the finish here was really strange and completely unexpected. Hogan follows a 1 count kickout with the Hulk Up comeback that leads to the finish. Except it doesn't, as Savage cuts it off before meeting a boot as he comes off the top which gives Hogan the win. You could call this the Big Boot if you want, but certainly not the one we know and there was no Legdrop. Very curious what was behind going this route as I don't recall them veering from the script for clean finishes during this era. Either way, this was a really fun watch with a great crowd and a pair of all time characters meshing quite well. They even keep a pretty nice pace while working for the local crowd. Very much worth a watch for those looking to see them in this era. ***

I think Shirai's work in the latter half of the year has generally been as strong as the first half, but she hasn't been given the same opportunities. Its generally been tag/trios matches or league matches. She brings it every single night but hasn't been asked to deliver at the level she was as champion during the first 6 months of the year. I liked the Kagetsu and Bito matches quite a bit, but found the botches and timing spots you noted in your review to be more problematic. Still very good matches, but not as outstanding as her earlier title defenses. Still at worst a top 5 WOTY candidate in my book.

Perhaps a silly question but will this be available in the US?

Thanks. I'll try to write it up later tonight. For you, I pick Io Shirai vs. Shayna Baszler from Stardom on 2/23/17. You had mentioned wanting to get into joshi, and I enjoyed this match quite a bit. https://rutube.ru/video/ad1961e437db7fd81e86d81f4cb2c6d2/ I love this match. Baszler more than held her own but this is one hell of a performance from Shirai.

Thanks, really looking forward to this! I've been looking forward to tomorrow's Wrestle Kingdom for weeks. Okada's my runaway wrestler of the year and I think his 2017 is in league with the best year any wrestler has ever put together. From some quick browsing it doesn't look like you've commented on or perhaps watched a ton of modern NJPW, so I thought I'd point you to Kazuchika Okada vs. Satoshi Kojima (NJPW 7/27/2017) from last year's G1. Its not his best match of the year or perhaps even among the 5 I'd rate the highest, but its arguably the most different and interesting performance he put in all year. Well worth watching from his intro rather than the bell as its all part of the approach he takes on this night against a vet the crowd is eager to get behind. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5v20j5

Reigns has had 3 matches that I think you can argue as among the best in company history. Along with his consistency over the last few years that puts him in discussion with the greats we've seen. I can't argue that its premature to really evaluate where he stands given how that most of his career is arguably ahead of him, but he's got a pretty strong case thus far.

Thanks, much appreciated.

Did anyone watch today's Festival show? Anything there I need to check out?

This wasn't bad, and Casas is still a wonder at his age, but at no point did it feel like a compelling stakes match. Fundamentally sound and entertaining but I kept wanting it to shift into another gear and not only did that not happen, but the finish felt rather anti-climactic. **3/4

I was also less than overwhelmed by this match. I usually enjoy Asuka's fire and offense, but thought there was too much schtick here and found her game a poor match with Alexa's size and style. One of those matches that reads better than it watches.

This was a tremendous match to open the new year. I thought Roman did a great job selling the arm throughout, and especially in the post-match which was a nice touch. Joe also looked a step quicker and more explosive in his offense than usual on this night. Easily their best outing yet and while I don't think it should be revisited too soon, would very much look forward to a main event program post-Mania. ***3/4

Its on PPV over there? Will any of it air on TV at a later date? I wasn't sure if locals had to watch on NJPW World or there were other options.

I am beyond stoked. The timing couldn't be better for Okada/Naito and the latter's coronation after the former's all time great title reign. While I've liked all of their matches, they've yet to hit a home run since Okada's first defense back in 2012. Here's hoping they deliver tomorrow but I can't see it disappointing no matter what. I also love that this match is arguably as predictable as any big main event in recent years. The result is almost a lock, but there's always that hint of doubt and even if they stick to the presumed plans I can't wait to see how they get to the finish. Very intrigued to see how Jay White looks in such a featured role and how strongly he goes over Tanahashi. The possibility of an extended feud leaves open Tanahashi winning, but that wouldn't make much sense given how strongly they built to this night for White. Not sure what to expect from Omega/Jericho but I don't see any way Omega disappoints on such a big stage. Suzuki's 2017 was quite a disappointment outside of the Okada matches, but with no interference and such a prominent slot I'm hopeful he delivers. This doesn't look like it has the potential for as many great matches as WK's of recent years, but just about everything on the show looks fun. The possibility of a snow day tomorrow means I may be able to watch this earlier than planned, but will otherwise go dark to avoid spoilers before then. Pumped!

I love when this happens as it what makes this site so great. Can't wait to watch this match.

This is the credited response. Though upon rewatching a bit this month, Naito is sneaking into consideration for #2 on my list after thinking of him as a top 10 contender all year.

I didn't participate and thus don't know what rules may have influenced rankings, but Reigns & Bryan look like the standouts who should be there.

What he said. They remain the best.

I plan on grabbing Highspots as soon as its avialable via Firestick or PS4. Stardom is currently the only one I'm willing to support without big screen access.

I'm more than game.

Love it. These are the kind of stories you don't get in the WON or in usual diehard circles. Seven years before the mask came off! How'd you close things in the third fall that night?

My understanding is all WXW shows (major events and Shotgun/TV episodes) are posted in both German and English. I believe WXW's site posts a lot of extra content / features that aren't on Highspots, but if you're looking to catch all matches you can do so on Highspots. It makes you wonder how long they'll keep the Highspots relationship in place as it would seem to cannibalize they're own service, but its not as though I've got nearly enough info to intelligently speculate.

What's their current TV exposure?

Not sure this belongs in another thread but I went to MSG for WWE's annual Christmas show and had a terrific time. Brief rundown: Bray Wyatt vs. Matt Hardy -- Matt with new Beethoven entrance music. Perhaps similar to what he had in TNA? Crowd dug him and Matt went over cleanly. Absolution vs. Sasha Banks & Bayley & Mickie James -- Solid match with a good pace. Paige was strong working the crowd as a heel. Heat on Bayley led to a Mickie James hot tag and she was quickly pinned by Paige. Elias out for a song with Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows that set up a 10 man tag. Oddly none of these threes wrestled. Rhyno & Heath Slater & Goldust & Titus O'Neil & Apollo Crews vs. The Revival & Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel & Curt Hawkins -- Pour out a little liquor for The Revival. Nothing good here, but it was quick. Enzo Amore vs. Kalisto -- Enzo is not very good at professional wrestling. They did capture the crowd for one Kalisto no near fall, but there was nothing to see here. Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor -- Joe looked absolutely huge. Fun, fast match that saw Joe go over cleanly. Asuka & Dane Brooke vs. Alexa Bliss & Nia Jax -- Not a great or good match by typical standards, but Alex & Nia are a super fun act. They have this pre-match handshake routine like you'd see from Damon Jones, Cam Payne or similar fun guys at the end of a basketball team's bunch. There's absolutely a place for this on a live wrestling show. Braun Strowman vs. Kane -- Kane DQ'd right away for a chair shot, which led to Braun putting him through a table for the easy pop. Braun ripped off his shirt and cupped his ears like Hogan afterwards. Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan vs. Cesaro & Sheamus -- They took an intermission before this match to set up the cage, then another extended pause afterwards to remove it. I found this odd because last year's Christmas show featured a cage for Miz/Dolph but it was suspended above the ring and lowered for that match. Not sure why the change in plans this year. Solid spectacle built around chase/escape spots that people seemed into. Roman Reigns vs. John Cena -- Not surprisingly these two received far and away the best reactions of the night, and the crowd was hot from intros through to the finish. They killed a few minutes early working the crowd (primarily Cena), but then ran through their big spots and gave each a great near fall before Roman won cleanly with a spear. Probably ***1/2 and easily the match of the night. There was a child in the row behind us who was a die hard Cena fan -- hat, shirt, cheering the whole night. He was losing his mind every time Roman was in control and legitimately ended up in years at the finish. Hopefully he sticks around. Roman/Cena was very much the only really good match on the show, but basically everything on the show was fun except for perhaps the 10 man tag and Enzo, and even those had their moments and didn't overstay their welcome. While I doubt such a show would play well on TV, especially given the state of commentary these days, I have to imagine any fan would have a good time at the event unless you go in expecting a show of the year.