WingedEagle

Sounds like a good thing I'm not going to any other message boards.

Main event was great. Loved how they worked the injury angle didn't have the match go too long at all. Braun went over so strongly and cleanly that you know Roman will get it back eventually, but how do you do that after Brock/Braun? Very curious to see how everything is tied together going forward. Lot of interesting possibilities along with more matches to look forward to.

It can be said often, but blood would go a long way here on a post shot like that.

Roman selling the shoulder & arm from the bell. The guy came to perform.

We might be going home early!

Is Roman/Braun all that's left? We actually going home early tonight?

Jinder throws the worst belt shot I've seen in some time.

Apparently Sister Abigail dialed 777-7777 in advance for her baby brother.

Let's just say for a minute it is intentional. Who is it designed to benefit?

Resident Evil games are usually fun. This is not that.

This is already one of the worst and most unintentionally funny things they've ever done. Won't be surprised if Three Count & Tank Abbot show up here.

That is easily the best Bliss match yet. Kudos to everyone involved for the layout and particularly Bayley for some really good looking offense. A ton of big spots that built to real near falls, particularly the running knee and Savage elbow combo. The finish was both creative and executed incredibly well as it looked *and* sounded like Bayley killed herself hitting the post on that kickout. Really good match.

Okay I definitely want to watch the Indian announce team from now on.

When The Revival are back we may actually have a legitimate tag division with real depth.

YEAH! That is an awesome angle. Love it!

This match is very much exceeding expectations.

A lot more control from the Hardy's than I'd have expected here. If they are in fact losing that may suggest they've purchased the Broken gimmick to get the titles off of them before a reboot.

This was a very fun match that incorporated a variety of unique and impressive spots without ever feeling like they were simply setting up stunts with no idea what to do in between. I'm not quite as high on this as some others, perhaps because it seemed to end in a flash without building much along the way. On the other hand, I'm a big fan of matches that don't overstay their welcome and maintain focus the whole way through. The mixture of spots were impressive but they also had some impressively organic transitions, particularly given this type of match. ***1/2

Certainly not bad, but very unspectacular and simply lacking the type of highlights you become accustomed to from Misawa over the past decade. Takayama was very much the standout here in a sign of what was to come from him over the next few years. His brief interactions with Misawa definitely left me looking forward to revisiting their singles matches. ***

Wow. Kawada! What an experience. I've got to get over there some time. Sounds like you had quite the memorable and spectacular time. Hopefully we all get the chance. Get back there and get us some more stories. That opening night of the Carnival was really something, and in Miyahara/Lee and Shuji/Suwama you may have seen the two best matches of the entire tourney. Not too often you get a pair that strong on the same show.

Great review and has me even more eager to finally get to this point as I haven't watched this match in years. The point above is a very strong one and great counter to an aspect of lucha that has always bugged me in my admittedly limited viewing.

If Vince is involved its pretty reasonable to assume he'll have significant input on the story that is told.

Lee really has a great presence and act. Love the way he carries himself as a big deal but isn't hesitant to sell and put over opponents of any size, as well as perhaps overreach a bit on offense. I find that quite endearing and impressive though. He's unusually athletic for his size and at certain times may think he's on 205 Live, but those moments are few and far enough between so that when they do happen the sheer wow factor along with his ability to pull them off, even if a bit awkwardly, add a unique dynamic to his matches. This match is an example of why I prefer when KOR is forced to work a quicker pace and pushed outside of his comfort zone. There was a lot more grappling than I want from either of these guys, and don't see why Lee should ever get mixed up in that for more than a brief spot. Incorporating elements of that style can add a lot when building a particular narrative and developing a match, but there didn't seem to be any purpose to it here beyond filling time. Add to that a finish & booking that weren't really satisfying and I wasn't quite as high on this as some reviewers, even if the all out action segments did provide some fun highlights. ***1/4

Solid match that like most Riddle outings doesn't go too long. Thatcher is very much hit or miss for me, and this was an occasion where his intensity and style added to a match, in no small part because it didn't get bogged down in killing time. Force him to work a pace and borrow a page from Brian Cage's Mr. GMSI gimmick and you have a really effective heel. Not a particularly great match but that wasn't what they were going for as this felt more like a character showcase for both to play their roles. ***1/4

I believe the match date is 12/9/78 (and it's in the All Japan archive). Well that certainly changes things. Have seen 12/9/78 so perhaps the date confusion here explain it. Thanks!