WingedEagle

I think the belief is that Dave's influence is so massive among hardcore wrestling fans that his star ratings will either turn them on or turn them off to watching or caring about lucha libre, and I don't disagree. And if you are like me, when you see something great and appreciate it, you want others to see it and appreciate it, because at your core, you like seeing other people experience joy and happiness, especially when it's for the same reason you experienced joy and happiness. And when you see something awesome that no one has talked about, after you get past the initial reaction of, "Wow, it's awesome that we discovered this", there is a little disappointment that the performers were not celebrated for the greatness of the match when it actually happened, a process that Dave has more or less controlled for nearly 40 years. But anyway, it's not so much about one guy having a divergent opinion as much as it is about the weight that opinion carries. When people like the things we like, it's a nice reminder that we aren't alone in this world, it gives us a sense of community and it fulfills the human need to connect with other human beings, using professional wrestling as a medium to do so. I think that's generally true of any hobby with a social component. Totally understand that, but using a single tweet as a launchpad seems a bit of a stretch, especially when CMLL's in-ring product has received more praise than just about anything other than NJPW from Dave in recent months, but on Twitter as well as in the Observer. Shouldn't these hardcore fans be interested in more than just the 5 star / best picture / GOAT candidates? I would think/hope fans at that level are looking a bit deeper, but perhaps my expectations are out of whack.

For the win!

Why is there an issue with one person's subjective match ratings? They're right for him at the time he watches them. For some they'll be too high, others too low, and still more people may agree with them. Not sure why Grimmas is ascribing any type of objective bias to to this. Its not as though there's anything dishonest about opinions.

Thanks, that certainly makes sense.

Saw this as well and it was really quite the downer as Stardom had quickly become one of my favorite promotions. What's the connection / speculation with Mayu and SEAdLINNNG? Hadn't heard that but am also not familiar enough with the joshi scene to make heads or tails of these things. Any thoughts on who they push after the exodus or on the possibility of working more with other groups? They've done such a great job of putting together diverse cards with the strong main events featuring talent at the top while also developing and moving up the Jungle Kyona/Konami types and introducing the literal kids to the card. AZM is what, 14? 15? In a month's time she's gone from looking like someone who won a contest to hang with wrestlers on spring break to credibly working as the rookie who's learning the ropes but actually belongs in the ring. It makes such a huge difference and hasn't compromised the six man tags she's been a part of. Add to all of that the efforts they put into making Stardom World and the shows accessible for Western audiences and I really hope they find a way to eventually thrive after this big blow.

Its always interesting how blame is placed in these situations. This all happens so quickly and with such little time to react, along with the fact that most of the roster is now trained not to react but to follow a script. Total wild card what'll happen when someone does miss a line in those situations.

This was simultaneously terrific and frustrating. The pieces of a great match were very much here to be tied together but I don't think they quite got there. Hase's arm was so focused, so persistent and at times so light. It didn't always look that vicious, but they stuck with it so rigidly and for so long that you can't help but be drawn into the psychology. It didn't look or feel at all like your peak AJPW-style big match. The comeback built really well with a lot of drama behind Misawa's efforts to remain the man and Hase's cuttoffs. At the same time, I don't think Misawa sold the arm nearly enough to put over all of the work that led up to that stretch run. You could've built to this particular comeback & the finish in a number of ways. I just think they set the table for something very different. Tie those two pieces together and you've got something very special. Still very good because this is freaking Mitsuharu Misawa and Hiroshi Hase. But it could've been so much more. ***1/2

I absolutely love Takayama. His offense looks so explosive and aggressive, just sheer brutality. While not fast, he has a sneaky suddenness to his game that adds another unique wrinkle. This match was about as great as can be given roughly 10 minutes to work with. You had Tak work as this destructive force who Akiyama tries to pick apart through limb work when not getting toyed with. They even build a really great near fall, all the more impressive by having so little time to get there. The finish worked for this particular match and the direction they were going, but I"m a finish guy and this finish will almost always hold a match back a bit for me. Still one of the most fun watches of the month. ***3/4

That was the best Orton match I've seen in at least a couple years.

I still remember the Beefcake angle more than most from that era. I must've been 8 or 9 years old and that big red X they put on the screen was just incredible. Kayfabe me absolutely thought I shouldn't have been watching.

What does a wrestler's mask have to do with body shaming someone? I concede my UFC point, I haven't watched it in a decade or so. The point of a wrestler's mask is that it is pure aesthetics rather than their performance in the ring. Much like ring gear and boots, haircut, facial hair, music, and much as it seems to offend you, all other aspects of a wrestler's appearance. Each wrestler will undoubtedly have more, less or zero control over some of these elements -- perhaps some can't grow their hair long. Others at all. Some can support a given weight, or perhaps 30 pounds heavier or lighter. It doesn't strike me as unreasonable to consider that all of these characteristics can contribute to an overall act, and even less unreasonable to think that's possible without simultaneously passing judgment on a wrestler. Strip away enough components and at some point you're no longer watching.

To follow on rzombie's coment, Grimmas, you're a big lucha fan. Do you watch lucha blind to a given performer's mask? Certain fighters in UFC have undoubtedly gotten opportunities based upon their look and personality/charisma. But I don't think anyone there would lose an opportunity because of their look. Regardless of the promotional machinations that may drive shows, at the end of the day it is a sport and thus very different professional wrestling. If a given fighter goes on a run of wins like Jon Jones did en route to his first title challenge, that fighter is getting a title shot regardless of their look. Many fighters are pretty cut and fit because of their training, dieting and other measures they take to make a certain weight. This is less so the case at heavyweight, where not everyone exactly looks the part of a Brock Lesnar or Overeem. That's what happens when contests are not predetermined -- you do not get to choose which package or presentation comes out on top.

Aesthetics are unquestionably a part of professional wrestling. There are many other factors that drive opportunity and success, but it seems odd to discount or ignore any one factor -- whether it be appearance, various qualities in the ring, charisma, mic work and other intangibles. Perhaps it'd be preferable if we could say that only certain factors were relevant, but its just not that simple.

I'm not at all a fan of the four way, but I think it more reflects wanting to get the 4 legitimate female players onto the card rather than simply hit pass on coming up with a creative idea. Post-brand split, the women's roster isn't really deep enough to present that many compelling PPV matches. You could certainly split this up, but between the nostalgia acts, New Day-type segments we'll get this year, musical performances and other filler, its arguably a tighter show than most. In that sense I don't see it as all that different from tossing the guys without a program into a ladder / MITB match.

The same 4 way that's been earmarked for Mania for quite some time. Bayley/Sasha, presumably with a heel Sasha, will have to wait till summer.

I thought the women's title match was pretty damn good until the convoluted finish. On the one hand, I don't mind them getting Charlotte's PPV streak out of the way because it could've become a hindrance sooner rather than later without much payoff so this way you remove that millstone. On the other hand, the only beneficiary of that finish would seem to be the internal plan to shoehorn multiple women into the Mania match. Just not sure it did any favors to Bayley, Charlotte or Sasha. A nonsense countout or DQ may have been worse, but just about anything else clean would've been better.

I think Braun took more than enough of the match, particularly the impressive high spots, that the loss didn't set him back at all. If Reigns is in the bigger match at Mania he should've gone over. Can debate that lineup all one wants, but this wasn't a win Braun needed based on what we know about the next show. He'll be fine.

Roman wearing basketball sneakers tonight rather than traditional boots? Odd look.

So that CW title match started off a bit vanilla, but from that whipping German suplex to the finish it was just excellent. Great pacing and timing, with every strike and big move looking terrific and given time to matter. Plus a finish that that was earned, strong and put the champion over as a vicious ace while not taking much away from the challenger. Match of the night thus far. ***3/4

I actually thought this was a bit underwhelming. Joe is one of the most impressive guys on the roster before the bell, but his matches of late somehow don't convey the same intensity and violence. This wasn't bad but outside of Cesaro selling the leg it felt very much by the numbers. Joe should be booked to dominate and overpower people when he's in control at this point rather than work with the same energy as the rest of the roster. The finish also wasn't that exclamation point I'd have wanted. **3/4

Should be able to find quite a few to select from here: http://bfy.tw/AIo5

Not yet.

Nonsense, just get your 150 hours and wing it. Good luck!

I definitely enjoyed Strowman vs. Show. The opening with Braun stealing a page from Bryan Danielson was outrageous and such fun. Now I'm not looking to pour cold water on it, but outside of that opening and some of the power spot teases down the stretch, it didn't come across like a match that the crowd was outrageously hot for. I thought it was a fun match that strongly put over Braun heading into the PPV and Mania season (although what they're going to do with him there at this point is a legitimate question), but as a standalone match it didn't resonate as particularly great. Probably Braun's best match thus far and hopefully a meaningful marker in his push and development, but nothing I'd hail as that outstanding of a match.

Awesome. I'm pretty much up to date on Stardom but undoubtedly have gaps elsewhere to fill in.