WingedEagle

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!

Does anyone know if this one is online? I can seem to find just about every other match in this feud but am having trouble tracking this down.

Looking forward to this.

Fair point, I guess it just comes with the territory. I'd understand it more if he was knocked for being touted as more talented than he is, but it feels like some of the criticism is to say he's outright bad, which is a point I can't see. Perhaps I'm misreading it. Can easily see why some of his matches, particularly this year, may drag a bit for some. Hit that spell briefly in the Suzuki match, but otherwise I've found them all compelling the whole way through. If they're thinking about pushing 40 with Fale then everybody needs to slow down, but I can't imagine anyone is thinking those thoughts. The one thing I think they need to slow down on, and its a minor quibble, is the spot where Okada maintains a wristlock on his opponent and keeps it gripped to build to another Rainmaker. It was one of the biggest spots at WK10 because it hadn't been done before, but I think they've done it in every title match this year. It was a great callback at the Dome, but not sure you want to make it run of the mill.

Okada is having such a ridiculous year that I can only make a case for AJ Styles as a distant number 2 for Most Outstanding this year. And AJ is dragging much lesser talent to compelling and varied TV matches and now carrying a 2 hour show on his back. Not looking to debate Okada/Omega as I understand why those aren't a fan are not fans, but I thought it was an incredible match that felt absolutely flew by despite its length. I still can't wrap my head around the point that Omega made the match as from my seat Okada very much held it together and controlled the narrative even if Omega absolutely left his stamp on the most memorable moments of the match. The Suzuki & TM W matches were also terrific main event title matches in their own right, and most impressively, so different from each other and Okada's other big matches this year. The Suzuki outing did feel a little long, but he's such a unique character who can easily work what they were going for between his act and his offense. Haven't gotten around to commenting on the Shibata match yet but that's easily my MOTY to date, and I'll go further and say that while watching it without spoilers it felt like the best match I've seen since the WK10 main event and a legit all timer. He seems to get an unusual amount of criticism from someone with so many highly touted matches, but I get that the epics aren't for everyone. He's pulled them off in such a fashion that they not only haven't gotten dull but have individually and collectively made a hell of a statement about his diversity as a worker and ability to get over challengers by strongly and persistently putting them over throughout each match before prevailing. Hell, if you go back even a few months further and add in the Ishii, Tanahashi & Marufuji G1 matches its been a remarkable run. Big Naito fan, but I don't see him as near Okada's level. May be my own island there and I can appreciate why others may value his approach more, but its not a contest here.

JBL's gimmick change certainly came out of nowhere and was pushed to the top overnight, but if we're being fair Jinder has been used as something approaching or possible less than a comedy jobber whereas Bradshaw was always a "tough guy" even if in the midcard or doing APA comedy.

I'm not sold that Jinder isn't a placeholder for an upgrade before the PPV, but the nature of their business model now means its absolutely plausible this will be a PPV title match. Unless he wins the title or benefits from a strong angle that somehow establishes him as a real player coming out of the show I'm baffled as to the process and execution. No meaningful rep or creative coming into this, and frankly if it were the title match on an episode of TV it'd very likely be a throwaway. Its plausible they don't want to hype a legitimate contender or title match before the Bray PPV match, but the counterargument there is they could just as easily not get into this situation in the first place. TBD. Hopefully we're left with something more than a shoulder shrug at some point. It is also worth noting again how lucky we are to have AJ Styles as a regular performer. He is so good and somehow puts together fun, varied matches regardless of his opponent's talents without taking shortcuts or coasting. Not even sure what situation they could put him in where he wouldn't deliver and make the show a better one.

I thought it was really intense, well constructed and had a very interesting dynamic . Murdoch was the bull, adding cool heelish touches and throwing amazing strikes and just trying to pulverize Fujinami. Fujinami tried to control him with holds and technique but was more than willing to fight back with fire. Even the finish and post match were super intense. The match had a lot of energy. I have it around **** - **** 1/4. Probably wouldn't be a MOTYC in most years but I thought 1982 was kind of a weak year in general so it was good enough. Worth checking out Flair/Kerry and Andre/Killer Khan from that year. Probably others as well but those are what come to mind first.

Let's not forget Luger's '89 or his various classics with Flair before and after that year, the Clash & Superbrawl tags and a host of other fun TV matches -- squash and otherwise. Orton isn't necessarily bad, he just almost routinely fails to deliver outings commensurate with his push and reputation. Countless main event opportunities for over a decade with basically every star that's passed through the company, and only handful of memorable matches.

Couldn't agree more. He was exciting when he was new and quickly elevated up the card...precisely because he was a fresh face on the main event scene. No one with the opportunities he's been given against basically every top name and worker on the roster has produced so little in the ring. Very much a worker who's driving in the right lane unless forced out of his comfort zone, which has been a rarity.

It's really remarkable how Io sells through and through in her matches to put over every opponent as a credible threat before prevailing, and does so without compromising her aura as well. Great things happen when booking and performing gel this well.

I was really digging how Charlotte's debut was presented as a big deal until they cut before she reached the ring to lord over the rest of the division. Seemed a bit flat given how it was set up. But still looking forward to some fresh matchups for her. Smackdown women could certainly use it and it'll be good to break her away from Bayley & Banks for a while.

Elgin and Walter are my favorite Riddle opponents thus far. Think he meshes very well with a powerhouse that pushes him and forces him to work from underneath.

This was a really great match that I think exceeded what they did in WXW's 16 Carat tourney earlier in the month. Whereas that match saw a more focused attack on Riddle's leg and resulting selling, it was basically a sprint the whole way given the tourney and card layout. This was a much more explosive match with incredible strikes, comebacks, a few meaningful transitions and a hot as hell stretch run that featured enough near falls to have you popping for false finishes but not so many that they overdid it. Walter is a freaking beast and probably my favorite new discovery of 2017, even if he's anything but a new face on the scene. These two probably have a bigger, more epic match to deliver at some point if the opportunity presents itself, but this was a fun progression from the last match and engaging on every level. ****1/4

Thats just wrong. Both statements are incorrect. Like just about everything, its not that black and white. In many fields there are likely countless anecdotes suggesting that performers are not fans, and others suggesting they very much are. But people like big, loud statements and aren't on board with exceptions or contrary evidence that adds any kind of nuance to such discussions.

Where does this rank among in Sid's career? Hell of a start with some really nice lockups, which I always appreciate. We quickly move to Sid's strengths with a power game featuring a lariat on the floor and a nice front suplex toss. It all looked really nice and tight, but undoubtedly much of the credit for that goes to Benoit and how strongly he bumped and put it over. What really shocked me here was Sid actually selling the leg throughout the match as Benoit focused his attack there. We're talking dropkicks to the leg, a figure-four, even a dragon screw to *SID*. Some great action down the stretch including Sid taking a German and putting over Benoit as his equal before hulking up and hitting some big spots of his own. Perhaps I'm being harsh here, but the finish really held this back for me even if I loved the match until then. Simply wish all the leg work would've played more into the finish, or that the tap out wasn't quite so quick without any struggle. Fully recognize that I'm picking nits here, but a finish can -- strong or weak -- can really take a match up or down. ***1/2

Still waiting for CMLL to knock my socks off. This was a solid match with good heat for the heels and a few nice dives at the finish, but lacking any real substance to raise it beyond that. **3/4