Superstar Sleeze

Why Cesaro has not been turned face is one of the great mysteries of the past year? I echo everything you say and on top of that he just flat out is not a very good heel. He would be an excellent power babyface spot monkey. John Cena vs Cesaro w/Real Americans - RAW 2/17/14 Much like the Bryan/Cesaro RAW match from 2013, I thought this match was overhyped initially by the commentary I was reading. The difference here was that upon rewatch, Cena and Cesaro lived up to the hype of being one of the best matches on free TV for the year of 2014. It is true testament to both competitors that even though the match was a showcase for Cesaro's strength spots, it never descended into an exhibition. On the surface level, many would attribute that Cesaro's creativity in setting up his own strength spots such as: 1. Using a Cena leapfrog (very typical Cena spot) to hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Almost never see Cena's leapfrog countered and an excellent transition to Cesaro controlling the match. 2. Catching a Cena cross body block into an incredible fallaway slam. 3. Reversing the STF into a deadlift gutwrench 4. Using an uppercut to block Cena's top rope legdrop to setup his middle rope suplex from the apron. Cesaro really does come off as the Swiss Superman in this match and this is not against Rey Misterio, but against John Cena. It is not just Cena's presence that makes it all that more incredible, but how Cena sets Cesaro up to look amazing. Cena is purposefully wrestling smaller to make Cesaro look larger than life. He tried to match strength and power with Cesaro early, but two mistakes (leapfrog and crashing & burning over the top rope) put him in a bad position as Cesaro is content to lean on him with chinlocks. Cena tries to pull unexpected tricks like the hurricanrana and the cross body block in doing so he magnifies Cesaro's strength. Of course, Cena's most important role in this is to maintain that this is a sporting contest not an exhibition for Cesaro, which could have very easily devolved into with a more mindless performance. Cena was always on Cesaro fighting from underneath and making Cesaro earn every inch. I enjoyed the Giant Swing teases because it gets a rise out of the crowd, but also I see the move as the ultimate grandstanding, hot dog move. He could win with the Neutralizer, but the Giant Swing shows off Cesaro's strength and humiliates Cena. You see that Cesaro's hubris almost costs him twice: STF and a DDT. He finally takes Cena on the Merry Go-Round, but that does not get it done and now it is time for the Neutralizer. This is of course the perfect position for the FU, wait, Cesaro lands on his feet. Wicked Cesaro big boot and WHATTA CLOTHESLINE, MICHAEL, BY CENA! Cena fireman's roll through into a FU for the victory. Great ending because at the end of the day, Cena can beat Cesaro at his own game because he is still John Cena and power is his game. Cesaro pushed Cena hard, but came up short because he became obsessed with the Giant Swing and not just winning but proving he is The Man. I really liked the champion veteran against hungry up and comer dynamic throughout the match and how Cena was so selfless throughout the match. Selflessness is something I like to see in my heel because it is his job to shine up the heel. Cena walked the perfect tight rope to make Cesaro look like a million bucks, but he himself never lost his luster. Say what you will about Cena the promo or Cena the character (and I have my issues), but inside those ropes, he knows what he is doing. My slight qualms with this match. This match could have benefitted from body part psychology because Cesaro would go for chinlocks, which is fine, but the match could have used a little more spice. Even thought, I liked the ending, Cena did to readily get into the FU position from the Neutralizer. If you look at his selling and body language during his standard comeback (shoulderblocks), you see a man fighting through pain and exhaustion to win. The Cena at the end was a little too fresh. Regardless of these qualms, on the surface, the match showcases Cesaro as a Swiss Superman on the cusp of main event stardom, but if you look closely you see why John Cena is The Man and has been The Man for all these years. ****1/4

The Shield vs Wyatt Family - WWE Elimination Chamber 2014 I watched this match and RAW rematch back to back and came away so thrilled about the rematch's chaos that it actually overshadowed this match initially. I went back and rewatched this one and just absolutely loved it even more when paying attention to all the little details. To me, this is the match to beat for WWE match of the year. It is crazy to think that if they pulled the trigger on a Dean Ambrose/Bray Wyatt feud at this point, I would have lapped it up. By November, I was actively rejecting it as one of the worst things on TV. It tells you how cold the product has gotten and cooled off these two molten characters are now. Ambrose was just rocking it as the firebrand that was the trigger for the chaos. I loved when everyone was turning to go to their respective corners, Ambrose just jumped the Wyatts. The tag wrestling in this was better than in the rematch. I loved how strongly they emphasized getting their opponent into their corner. That's the Shield to exploit the numbers game, but they may have met their match in the Wyatts that will throw that strategy right in their face. Rollins opening with speed to get Rowan into the Shield corner was perfect with Rowan bowling him over to escape. It put over how much strategy mattered in this match. Roman Reigns versus Bray Wyatt felt huge during their showdown and I loved how Reigns fought through everything. Nothing was given, he had to go through the Wyatts. The beatdwon of Harper in the corner was just classic Shield. That's tag team wrestling baby! They do a great transition where Ambrose's temper gets the best of him as he takes a swipe at Bray on the apron and eats a Harper dropkick. What follows is just badass. Ambrose bites Rowan, Harper steps on Ambrose head and claws at his face. I love it, Michael! The swinging neckbreaker transition is super weak though. Rollins was a great house of fire with great speed moves and climaxing on an excellent suicide dive that got the crowd rocking. He gets the drive by knee, but whiffs on the Curb Stomp and eats a swinging powerslam. The Bray Wyatt senton on the outside looked nasty. My favorite spot of the match was Harper had Rollins by the hair just playing with his food and Rollins slaps him in defiance and Harper slaps the taste out of his mouth. That was powerful shit. People talk up Ambrose's fighting from underneath prowess, but Rollins should not be underestimated as he fights in the corner with great urgency only for nasty Bray headbutts to keep him at bay. This match utilized Bray better as the game changer for his team. I like the idea of him letting his heavies do the dirty work, but if ever gets out of hand, he is there to keep in check. Ambrose makes the save for Rollins and eats a hellacious big boot from Harper. Rollins hits an enziguiri to get Reigns in the match (I am not digging these transitions). Reigns is so great in these hot tag situations and not just the typical Reigns offense, there is a nasty back elbow to Rowan that keeps you on your feet. In an electric moment, Reigns is thrown outside and just runs around the ring to kick Rowan's head in. AMBROSE SWARM!!! KATIE BAR THE DOOR! There is a pier-six brawl a brewin'! Harper suicide dive and Rollins says two can play at that game. Ambrose and Wyatt tumble into the crowd and Rollins gets double chokeslammed through the table. Hey, come the monitors did not explode when they were ripper out of the announce table. After more than a year of The Shield picking their opponents off one by one, The Wyatts gave them a taste of their own medicine. Now Reigns was left alone surrounded by the Wyatts just as he surrounded so many others. Luke Harper serves a beaten Reigns to his master. I loved how Reigns blocked Sister Abigail and turned it into a test of strength. SUPERMAN PUNCH! Reigns goes for the spear on Bray, but Harper takes the bullet for his leader. In the chaos, Bray hits his wicked cross body and Sister Abigail to win. I loved the finish. The Shield's strategy was predicated on two tenets: create chaos and divide and conquer. The Wyatts took out two members of the Shield leaving Reigns alone and then in the chaos that ensued Bray Wyatt took advantage to win the match. The match weaknesses: the transitions were lame & uncreative and I would have liked more chippiness. They were too willing to just let one guy have his segment and that be that. The rematch thrives on that chaos and full court press by both teams. I think if you could combine the best parts of this match and the rematch, you would have all-time classic that really could rewrite how North American tag team wrestling is executed and presented. As is, it is still an incredible match from both an action and storytelling standpoint as the Shield essentially get beaten at their own game. ****3/4

The Shield vs Wyatt Family - WWE RAW 3/3/14 It was around the Harper double stomp to break up an Ambrose bridging FIgure-4 that I thought to myself if the WWE produced something better in 2014, I must have a really foggy memory. The sense of struggle and urgency in this match from all six combatants was unparalleled in the WWE this past year and was downright All Japan-ish in nature. Harper was the God King Prick of the match. With the chippy big boot to Reigns' face when he was on the apron, clawing Rollins' face and stepping all over Ambrose's face, Harper did everything he could to get under their skin and hurt his opponents. It was not about entertaining the fans, it was about inflicting pain and proving the Wyatts were the top faction in this turf war. His counterpart was the crazy, violent Dean Ambrose. It is amazing that in nine months, I find Ambrose to be this lame, moody, and sulky spaz. This Dean Ambrose in this match. He is the fucking man. The Ambrose Swarm is the greatest thing ever. He is just bowling people over with his boundless rage. Even the little shove he gave Bray had me and my brother marking out on initial watch because it is so atypical in the neat, orderly WWE matches. I want it rough around the edges, I want it RAW, goddamnit. Ambrose gave that performance. From the craziness that was Ambrose, there was the high flying excitement of Seth Rollins. I watched a lot of 2013 Shield matches at the beginning of 2014 and remembering being impressed by Rollins' ring awareness and movements in the tag settings. In this match as a babyface, he was finally set free and opened the match up with gangbusters, but unfortunately a skirmish between Ambrose and Bray caused him to lose his balance on the top rope. Ambrose losing his cool and Reigns being belted cost Rollins the ability to make a tag, but is finally able to tag Ambrose. Ambrose is just a burst of energy onto Rowan and does some quick, but effective leg work on Rowan to set up a figure-4, where he bridges on his head for more pressure!!! HARPER DOUBLE STOMPS AMBROSE!!! I LOVE THIS MATCH! Let's talk Rowan, dude was a beast dismantling Ambrose and keeping him contained. Harper is the firebrand like an Ambrose he is going to get shit started and be a jerk. Rowan is there as a heavy hitter that is going to pummel you. Crowd chants for CM Punk, fuck them! If you want pro wrestling, watch what is going on in front of you, numbskulls. Ambrose hits a JBL-Orgasm-Inducing clothesline, but Harper hangs on to tag in Bray Wyatt. Ambrose with a DDT. Wyatt comes in and wipes Reigns out. Ambrose hits a DDT on Wyatt. Rollins is all pissy and leaves Ambrose hanging because of what happened earlier. Fine be a bitch, I am going to go destroy everything. Roman Reigns is an amazing ring clearing presence. The Superman Punch is just fucking cool. He just goes to town on the Wyatts. Ambrose holding Harper down for the Reigns dropkick was awesome. The Spear onto Rowan was badass and Harper wipes Reigns out with a suicide dive then sends Reigns flying. Somewhere in there, Ambrose was just swarming muthafuckas with punches. Wyatt picks his spot and hits his wicked cross body block on Ambrose and hits Sister Abigail as Rollins watches. Finally, lets talk about Wyatt, who carefully waited in all the chaos with all the bodies piling up to attack Ambrose and swing the match in their favor. At Elimination Chamber, the Wyatts were able to out-Shield the Shield by taking out one at a time. Here, the Shield collapsed on itself and the Wyatts took advantage of the chaos to win the match. Rollins and Reigns were used perfectly to get the crowd hot as hell at the beginning and end. Ambrose anchored the middle and showed why he is an incredible face in peril. He can sell, but he is always fighting. It is always chippy. That's what made this match special was the constant struggle and urgency everyone displayed. This sounds shocking, but I thought this was a bit too short. I think they could have added more to the beginning and more to why Rollins was pissed to really drive home the point. Still if anything can top this I will shocked. Cena/Lesnar had the big match atmosphere and the Bryan Wrestlemania matches will have emotion, but I don't think they can top the chaotic and violent feel of this. ****1/4

WCW Cruiserweright Champion Juventud Guerrera vs Kidman - WCW Nitro 9/14/98 Gotta commend the WCW booking team on this one, exactly how you build on a hot babyface turn. They parlay the heat of Kidman's face turn and give him a run with the cruiserweight title and it gets a lot of fanfare. The match itself is a good match, but to me this one is more about the evolution of the Kidman character from misguided junkie to cleaned-up babyface making the most of his second chance. The crowd responded in turn by cheering him throughout and popping huge for his victory. It was a little weird that Kidman took most of the offense when he really did not have enough offense to carry a match at this point and plus as a sympathetic, underdog character you think getting some heat on him would make sense. I really liked Juvy's offense in other matches and would have him to get a couple more memorable spots in. Overall, it was paced as an even back and forth bout with Kidman in charge for the most of it and did not really kick in until Kidman reversed some Juvy's aerial moves into some sick suplexes. The reverse suplex out of the Juvy Driver was a great nearfall. I thought the finish was good shit, but did not really much else to support it. Still a great victory for Kidman and strong booking by WCW. They mentioned Juvy had a match with Silver King the night before at Fall Brawl and that piqued my interest. Is it any good?

Eddy Guerrero/Chris Jericho "Eh & Wey" tag team should have been a full-time tag team for at least a couple years if not more. As babyfaces they were the second coming of the Rockers (see Faces of Fear match). As heels, they were the late 90s version of the Midnights (see the Brian Hildebrand Tribute). WCW were ultimate cockteases. Faces of Fear being pushed as the dominant ace WCW tag team of the late 90s would have been awesome. They deserved more time to shine and be remembered as one of the all time great tag teams. Personally, not going to Wrestlemania XXX. I went to XXVIII and XXIX and had a ball, but neither card was all that great. The decision whether or not to go to Mania is always decided at the Rumble and the prospect of Batista/Orton meant fuck this shit. I am going to save my money. Of course, it goes on to be one of the best Manias of all time and the ultimate feel good story. Fucking WWE, you suck! :p

WCW Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman vs Juventud Guerrera vs Rey Mysterio - WCW Starrcade 1998 Juventud Guerrera LOVES Dave Penzer. How do I know this? On his way to the ring, he points to Dave and exclaims "I LOVE YOU!". I have many wants in this world, add partying with Juvy Juice to them. I really liked this triple threat when I almost always hate them, but they definitely went past their expiration point. The heat was just rapidly dissipating towards the end. They could have been gassed. Rey was wearing a huge brace and years of partying may have caught up to Juvytud. I was little worried for the next match with Kidman since he looked fatigued here, but who am I to doubt Kidman? For a little background, Juvy is LWO 4 Life, Kidman is a gringo with their belt and Rey is begrudgingly in the LWO, but undermines Uncle Eddy at every turn. Rey Rey & Kidman foreshadowing their team that would last until the end of WCW team up to take it to The Juice. Juvy is such a funny stooge. Rey hits the nastiest Bronco Buster ever on Juvy. However, when he accidentally forearms Kidman it is on. Juvy is in the background egging them on so they deck him again. Awesome! My favorite spot was probably Rey on Kidman's shoulders ducking a Juvy top rope crossbody and then Kidmamn slamming Rey on Juvy with Rey getting a two count before Kidman yanks him off. JUVY CHOPS WOOOOOOO!!! This match needed more badass Juvy offense. Juventud hits a monster springboard splash to the outside. Two things really separate this from a normal triple threat. First is that everything is organic and sensible. All three men are almost always involved and there are a ton of saves and rhythm breaks. I loved how everyone was going for covers and they using the third man to make all these saves. It stayed true to the spirit of pro wrestling. There are no elaborate spots, it is just people trying to execute their own shit, but then a third man comes and fucks it up. The other is that there is actually a progression of selling by all three men rather than weird I sell for a stretch then I am fine, rinse, lather, repeat. Tony has this badass line, "In essence every man is wrestling a handicap match." I have never thought about a triple threat match like that, but it is so true. I miss Tony! Mike Tenay, on the other hand, is such a putz as he totally falls for Bobby's "Bill is here" joke with an exasperated "BILL WHO?" I had a good laugh. The finish has all the makings of a hot one, but just felt flat the way it was executed. Everyone gets a chance to shine Rey (Top Rope Asai Moonsault, Springboard Rana), Juvy (Juvy Driver) and Kidman (Shooting Star Press to the outside). Eddy wanders down to ringside to ensure a Juvy win and flips the cradle position. Rey dropkicks Juvy, but instead of breaking it up Kidman ends up on top and Rey just does not have strength for another save. Eddy's reaction at ringside is priceless with a great NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I really the liked the finish and this was a very fun match that is a departure from the usual triple threat bullshit. **** WCW Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman vs Eddy Guerrero - WCW Starrcade 1998 Eddy cuts a scathing promo berating Juventud and Rey for their loss to a "sissy boy" and that they are morons. Eddy says when you want something done you have to do it yourself and challenges Kidman. However, when Kidman is ready to accept challenge right there and then, Eddy begs off and Kidman calls him a sissy. Eddy was so fucking awesome! "Eddy sucks!" fills the arena. Juventud is in Eddy's leather jacket and is still totally LWO 4 Life, Love it! STOP THE PRESSES! EDDY POWERBOMBED KIDMAN! They work a killer heat segment with Kidman peppering in hope spots and Eddy just bringing the violence (chops) and dickishness (ab stretch with some help from Juvy, but Rey breaks it up twice). Eddy shoves Rey, but then shoves Juvy too, great dynamic. Juvy still holds Kidman for Eddy to punch now that is sickening unwavering loyalty. Kidman starts to really mount a comeback, which leads to an awkward exchange in the corner eventually Eddy gets his workman's boot (steel-toed of course) and wallops Kidman. Eddy tries to put his boot back on and thinks better of it and chucks it at Rey. Eddy then wrestles quarter of the match in one boot and a sock, so badass! Eddy dropkicks the knee in a sock! On a bridging toehold, Rey bops Juvy on the top of the head with the boot and then hits Eddy. Too funny. I notice towards the end of this there is no heat, but I can't figure out why. Eddy has been stellar. The finish much like the last one features some great symmetry between Juvy and Rey crotching their respective enemies. Shooting Star Press and Kidman pulls the improbable task of beating the three best cruiserweights in two straight matches on the same night, quite the feather in the cap. Kidman was fine in his role of selling and hope spots, but this was the Eddy show and we were just on the ride. He was spectacular in this. ***3/4

Eddy Guerrero & Chris Jericho vs Faces of Fear - WCW Nitro 2/24/98 The Faces of Fear are my boys! Faces or heels the tag team of Eddy Guerrero & Chris Jericho rules! This reminded me of a sprint version of the Rockers vs Powers of Pain only you just subbed the Warlord for fucking Meng! Jericho avoiding an early Kick of Fear and then hitting a nice dropkick to the knee. This is the best Jericho has looked in watching him in WCW. Yes, he flubbed one move, but everything was so explosive and urgent. Eddy goes into orbit thanks Barbarian. Meng crushes him with a powerbomb. I am a powerbomb mark. The Jericho face in peril is incredible. Barbarian hits a ridiculous OVERHEAD BELLY TO BELLY OFF THE TOP ROPE! HOLY SHIT! Meng backdrops Jericho into a powerbomb! True to WWF tag formula it takes three spots for Jericho to EARN the hot tag. First he uses the Lionsault to a standing Meng then an enziguiri and finally it is a missed elbow that brings the red hot Eddy. Guerrero and Jericho go all Rockers awesomeness by doubling up all their moves even busting out the double dropkick. They are looking Lionsault/Frogsplash combo on Barbie. Meng pulls the ropes down and Jericho flies out. Malenko pushes Eddy off the top right into the KICK OF FEAR!!! HOLY SHIT WHAT A FINISH! The Faces of Fear in a different era with the proper push would be a greatest tag team of all time candidate. Guerrero & Jericho should have been a permanent tag team. So many missed opportunities. Why did not we see this match get 15 minutes on PPV? Oh WCW, you cocktease. Awesome TV match. ****

WCW World Television Champion Ultimo Dragon vs Steven Regal - WCW Slamboree 1997 What a beautifully constructed, fundamentals-based match that starts off very lo-fi and builds perfectly to the high spots. God, I miss crowds like this. They are patient and hang on the action. They are rooting for Regal and eagerly wait chances to exhort him on or revel in his glory. The late 90s were not perfect and there were crowds that did chant "Boring" at WCW events, so I don't want it misconstrued that I have some naive picture of late 90s WCW crowds. We almost never a get a crowd like this anymore. The chain wrestling at the beginning is both beautiful and strenuous. Regal has the advantage being larger, but Dragon as a Japanese luchador is no slouch. They do a great job establishing equality through struggle like on the Regal gutwrench or Dragon drop toehold. There are some nice tit for tat moments like Regal stepping on Dragon's face only to have Dragon step on his face. Both men establish that they are looking to win early and often. It is a championship match with no hatred behind so the exact perfect strategy for the setting. Regal is looking for his Regal Stretch often, I counted him attempting four times with Dragon making the ropes each time. Every counter or move was working towards the finish and I just loved that strategy. That is how you put over and protect a submission finish. Dragon focused on using wicked stinging kicks to Regal's back to control the match. I loved Regal countering Dragon's cross-armbreaker by catching one foot into a leg scissors and then countering into a Regal Stretch attempt. Dragon responds by kicking Regal's back really hard. These two have amazing chemistry. Regal is the exact opposite of Malenko in that inhibits Dragon from indulging in his worst habits. Regal is also a lot more charismatic. I am disappointed Dragon did not do his hip swivel on the deathlock bridge. Regal chants and the announcers are in shock! Regal is on the outside and Onoo gets his licks in, but Dragon is not happy about that so he admonishes him to set up that angle. I can't tell if Regal was selling fatigue or if he was blown up. He was working hard. Dragon takes advantage and starts to rattle off his highspots. I love the escalation in this match. The Dragon moonsault misses, everybody repeat after me "Regal Stretch attempt", I fucking love it. Makes so much sense! Just when you think this match is all meat and potatoes, Dragon busts a crazy rana from a butterfly suplex position. Hot damn! At this point in the match, they are both selling fatigue and it is reasonable because they have been working over time. Regal blocks Dragon's Tiger Suplex finish. Dragon is able to hit the Asai Moonsault, but Onoo and him get into it and Regal is able to take advantage to finally apply the Regal Stretch to a massive pop. I loved the fans giving the peace symbol back to him, like everyone in the camera shot was doing it. So cool! This is a just badass, old school match that features great wrestling from the early chaining to Regal desperately working from underneath to get the Regal Stretch while Dragon controlled with kicks. If they had a hotter, better finish, this would be talked about as one of the classic WCW matches as it I would hazard to say this is the best WCW Dragon match and the last great Regal WCW match. ****

Ric Flair/Roddy Piper/Kevin Greene vs Wolfpack (Kevin Nash/Scott Hall/Syxx) - Slamborree 1997 I am a total sucker for feel-good matches like this. Flair in this is just a cure for any malady. From the entrance to the finish, I just had a huge smile on my feet. Hell, I was stamping them and watched the match standing for the most part. Hall and Syxx were just the best damn scuzzballs ever. I loved Hall mocking the Flair strut and Syxx, 220 lbs of disrespect, poking fun at Piper's injured hip. Those were three guys not trying to be cool. They were obnoxious pricks and you wanted to see them get beat up. How about that Charlotte, North Carolina crowd! THEY ARE JAAAAAAACCCCCKKKKEEED! The opening Flair segment was fucking electric. There are too many awesome moments to name. Flair chopping Syxx when Syxx was in mid-strut was badass. The strut, the chops and the pelvic thusts, what more could you want from a Flair shine. Kevin Greene as a Carolina Panther was just the perfect celebrity for this situation. You gotta love his enthusiasm. Greene and Nash actually work a pretty damn strong segment with Greene looking like a powerhouse. The double clothesline got a massive pop and sent the Wolfpack reeling. The NWO has to regroup because the hometown boys are on fire. Hell even fucking Piper was fine in this. I thought his heat segment would go longer since he had the injury, but this night was all about Flair. HOLY SHIT! What about Hall fucking catching Flair from the top and hitting the fallaway slam. That was crazy! I loved the chaos on the outside. It felt so real and organic with Greene tackling Syxx. Nash just hitting Flair with a nasty drive-by big boot to the face while Hall held his hair. I loved the Bronco Buster as the ultimate fuck you spot in front of this crowd. The finish stretch is bedlam and just the most awesome possible decisive, crowd-pleasing finish. Flair, you bring me up when I am down. Best NWO match ever! Hidden Treasure! Watch this! ****1/4

You have made this point before about Tanahasi German , but I kept forgetting to respond. First off the German is Human Capture style with his arms not just waist locking but also locking the arms of his opponent at their side. This is key for two reasons. This suplex is in response to a person breaking free of the Dragon Suplex. This is a key set up move for High Fly Flow. If you are hit with a Dragon Suplex by Tanahashi your prospects of winning go down considerably. Thus it is reasonable for the opponent to struggle hard to break free of the Dragon Suplex. Since Tanahasi is the one of best modern wrestling strategists (DaWho5 would you back me up on that?) he counters with the Human Capture Suplex. Moving onto reason number two, the objective if pro wrestling is to pin a mans shoulders down for three. Knocking him out is just one way. A tight cradle or a bridging Suplex with your arms clasped to their side is also a great way. If you think about the chances of kicking out of Tanahashi Human Capture in reality is damn near impossible. The whole point of the move is not knock someone out, it is to pin him! The problem is he does not win any matches with it. That's a New Japan problem. Tanahashi's human capture Suplex is a brilliant counter that stays true to the spirit of pro wrestling. My wrestling pet peeve right now is people backlashing against Tanahashi because he is overpraised. Dave Meltzer & Co. can you please chill out so we don't have such a severe backlash against a great wrestler. Thanks in advance, brutha. The issue isn't him knocking a guy out, it's that he places a guy down like he's setting a glass of soda down on the table. Plenty of guys have used the Dragon Suplex, German Suplex, Straightjacket Suplex, etc. and managed to both hold a pinning position and make the move look like it carries impact. It goes beyond that though, because you have moves like his Moonsault where again, he floats onto the opponent in such a way that there's zero believability of that move causing any damage. I've already covered the strikes, but really when he throws his shitty Forearm strikes it's about as convincing as me winning a beauty contest. There needs to be some impact present, not knockout impact, but some impact so that I don't immediately think, "Well, that guy is a really shitty play actor." I'd also contest the whole Tanahashi being a great wrestling strategist, or him being great at anything really. I've actively disliked the guy since the moment I first watched him wrestle and find him to be an actively terrible professional wrestler. But, those are points for another topic. The objective is to pin the man. I have no idea why it matters how forceful the throw is in this situation. Does La Magistral Cradle have to be executed to wrench a person into place? I agree with you 100% that shitty or light strikes are awful and work against the match. I honestly can't think of a Tanahashi moonsault. If you are talking High Fly Flow, I think he hits that with pretty good impact, I love the urgency with which he gets into position for the move and how he doubles it up. What about his somersault from the middle rope, he fucking slams down on the opponent! I happen to not find his forearms as offensive as you do. They are not Misawa's but they connect. The only time I was taken out of a match of his was against Nakanishi and it was his stomps to the knee that clearly were not connecting. The fact you could immediately evaluate a wrestler on first sight is totally foreign to me, but more power to you, brutha. I'll post in Tanahashi microscope or GWE thread from now on.

In defense of Bill, I always thought he was in on the joke of his forced narratives and they were supposed to be cute and funny. Then he hired a bunch of self-serious clones that push these awful narratives with none of the levity. The fact that HHH uses the Reality Era is just so eye-ball roll inducing. He must be trolling. The PG era is probably what will stick to this past decade, but I prefer the Cena era personally.

You have made this point before about Tanahasi German , but I kept forgetting to respond. First off the German is Human Capture style with his arms not just waist locking but also locking the arms of his opponent at their side. This is key for two reasons. This suplex is in response to a person breaking free of the Dragon Suplex. This is a key set up move for High Fly Flow. If you are hit with a Dragon Suplex by Tanahashi your prospects of winning go down considerably. Thus it is reasonable for the opponent to struggle hard to break free of the Dragon Suplex. Since Tanahasi is the one of best modern wrestling strategists (DaWho5 would you back me up on that?) he counters with the Human Capture Suplex. Moving onto reason number two, the objective if pro wrestling is to pin a mans shoulders down for three. Knocking him out is just one way. A tight cradle or a bridging Suplex with your arms clasped to their side is also a great way. If you think about the chances of kicking out of Tanahashi Human Capture in reality is damn near impossible. The whole point of the move is not knock someone out, it is to pin him! The problem is he does not win any matches with it. That's a New Japan problem. Tanahashi's human capture Suplex is a brilliant counter that stays true to the spirit of pro wrestling. My wrestling pet peeve right now is people backlashing against Tanahashi because he is overpraised. Dave Meltzer & Co. can you please chill out so we don't have such a severe backlash against a great wrestler. Thanks in advance, brutha.

WCW Crusierweight Champion Eddy Guerrero vs Rey Mysterio - WCW Halloween Havoc 1997 Title Vs Mask When people talk about matches that you need to see before you die, this is near the top of the list. In fact, I think even non-wrestling fans could appreciate the athleticism and execution on display from these two high caliber wrestlers. From a pure execution standpoint, you will be hard-pressed to find a better match. It was two of the greatest wrestlers ever at their absolute peak just both having the night of their lives and coming together to make violent, yet graceful art. Rey was absolutely poetry in motion. Not one single flub in a performance that featured some of the most complicated moves you will ever see while not coming off as a forced spot. The springboard DDT counter and the somersault plancha into the hurricanrana are just mind-blowing. Then you have to remember, he had to do this having just taken a shit kicking from Eddy. Eddy was just at his violent best. Everything was just so crisp and nasty. His chops and strikes reverberated around the building. His backbreakers and whips into the steel were violent. His holds stretched Rey to his breaking point. Ripping at the mask, he was just adding insult to injury. The mask was attached to the bodysuit because of a previous incident where Eddy ripped off Rey's mask, which caused a Rey loss. The Las Vegas crowd was with them in lockstep. "Eddie Sucks!" filled the ring during every brutal hold on Rey's back. They bit on Rey's nearfalls desperately hoping he would win the title and keep the mask. Eddy never let the match get out of hand. For every breath-taking Rey counter, he literally had a breath-taking counter which would evacuate the air from Rey's lungs (wicked double leg whip or back suplex) or knock him senseless (violent dropkick to the back of the head and HOLY SHIT powerbomb). Rey, though he screamed in agony, never quit. At first his fancy footwork was his downfall because Eddy anticipated his movements and could counter at will, but slowly he was connecting with more and more. Finally as he pulled himself from the Tree of Woe and Eddy slid into post, Rey took control and the crowd was cheering him on with each incredible move, the hurricanrana out of the tilt-a-whirl backbreaker is one of the best false finishes of all time. Eddie still would get his when he turned a springboard hurricanarana into a backbreaker. Eddy was poised to win with a frogsplash, but Rey moved and Eddy rolled through. Eddy looked to polish him off with Splash Mountain and just when it looked like Rey ran out of escapes he pulled out his best the hurricanarana out of Splash Mountain. You know until I watched it this time with a critical eye, it was the first time I noticed with was sub-15 minutes. They pack so much action in there that feels like a 20 minute match, but it is still so well-paced that you never feel like it is tiring. I was going to say it felt abbreviated, but now reviewing it and remembering just how amazing it is, I am going all the way. Eddie is just the meanest man in this match. He may have the best sneer in wrestling history and to think he may also have the most charismatic smile makes me miss him all that much more. Rey is the ultimate underdog. That is it, he is the best underdog ever. You know how much the mask means to him and here is Eddy ripping it at and just being a total prick. They just could not fire a bad shot in this match. *****

WCW Crusierweight Champion Syxx w/Kevin Nash vs Rey Mysterio - WCW Nitro 4/21/97 After a prolific breakout year in America in 1996, Rey Mysterio had a bit of a sophomore slump. Yes, he would have the best WCW match of the late 90s in 1997, but there was a wide chasm between the Halloween Havoc classic and his next best match. That is what happens when you feud with Prince Iaukea and basically given shit in the summer. I did not think the Dragon match at Spring Stampede was all that special so I would hold this up as my second favorite Rey match of 1997. As for Syxx, depending on how the Eddy ladder match goes, I have this only behind the tremendous Slamboree Six-Man for his tenure in WCW. It is so disappointing they were given such a short time, but they sure packed in a lot of action. Syxx was great at feeding Rey so fun spots early to get the crowd invested. His transition was great using Rey's speed against him by tossing him up and throwing him down. After being in the land of the giants in WWF, it must have been so cool for Syxx to finally be the bigger man in a match. You kinda forget that Syxx is a normal size human when he is always wrestling these behemoths. Syxx kicked some serious ass, but also kept it heel with the Bronco Buster (never liked that as a face move) and the cheating on the ab stretch. Rey crawling away from Big Sexy was a great visual. Rey's comeback off Syxx's missed Bronco Buster was great, but left you wanting so much more, a beautiful rana followed by maybe his best somersault plancha ever. Just when Rey Rey looked poised to win, Nash came in quick as a cat to stick him with the Jacknife. I actually liked Nash's involvement as it made the Crusierweight Title mean even more with the elite of the New World Order taking the time to be at ringside and ensure his buddy's victory. It would have been better if it set up for a kickass rematch on PPV. Imagine Flair/Rey vs Nash/Syxx on Nitro to build to it. WOW! I have said it before and I'll say it again, if only I could have been booker of WCW in 1996-97 what a talent pool! Awesome TV match! ***1/2

DId anybody think the sound effects for this match were a little quiet for this match? That took me out of it ever so slightly. I'll post a full review soon.

I first read about this angle on wrestlecrap in the early 2000s. It was definitely a standout angle that sounded humorous. When Harold & Kumar went to White Castle, I was so confused. I was old enough to know they couldn't possibly looking to enter Vader's lair, but having no idea it was a burger joint I was amused at the idea. Never seen the movie or been to the Restaruant. If I ever worked at a White Castle, I would end all customer orders with "Do you know what a strap match is?"

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo I am switching mine to Badstreet USA!!!

I am really looking forward to Nikki's matches with the current NXT crop. I hope they don't put her out to pasture too soon. My favorite wrestler in WWE right now.

Vader & Barry Windham vs Sting & Dustin Rhodes - WCW Saturday Night 1/30/93 Twenty two years and nothing has changed, Dustin Rhodes is still the best face in peril in the game. Holy shit what an incredible performance from him throughout this match. It is too bad he got saddled with a crippled Rude. Windham vs Rhodes throughout the year would have been money. Vader and Windham were simply awesome in this. Windham was perfect early on being overwhelmed by Sting and Dustin. He tried different ways to get the upper hand, but Sting & Dustin were always one step ahead. I loved Dustin trying to meet Vader head on. It looked like it might work, but a wild Vader right turned Dustin inside out. The heat segment was just textbook with Dusting staggered but mixing in hope spots and the heels just staying on top of him. Dustin crawling for the tag and Vader literally squashing him was awesome! Windham was on fire with his suplexes and rights. Vader was just a force even hitting a flying body attack. Sting's hot tag whipped everyone into a frenzy and it looked like he had Windham right where he wanted him. However, with Dustin taken out by Vader and Harley on the outside, Vader annihilated Sting with a lariat and Windham hit his elevated DDT. This allowed teh heels to whip Sting like a dog. Well, now I am all revved up for SuperBrawl III. Obviously a better buildup than the White Castle of Fear, but I am glad that exists. Lets go to SuperBrawl III! LETS GO STING! ***1/2

This was hilariously awful. Sting and Harley were just so horrible to was hilarious and the cuts were so random and weird. Why were so many things repeated? Sting do you know what a strap match is? LOL! I loved Vader's robe though legitimately.

Sting vs Vader - WCW Starrcade 1992 "That's got to be depressing as hell when you do the move and the other guy's up first" - Jesse Ventura, Vader covers on after a Sting Suplex. There was a period of time when this was my favorite match of all time and still is one I will just give it a spin when I need a pick me up. A couple years ago, one of my cousins (11-12 years old at the time) was getting feisty about whether pro wrestling was real and was on the verge of ruining it for my younger cousin. I played this match and he was totally hooked all over again and thought Vader was the toughest badass to ever walk the planet. He still talks about Vader to this day. I love this match. It is almost the ideal David vs Goliath match with Sting giving his career performance in this match.From there the very beginning, he conveys the daunting task that stands before him. He is not going to cower, but he also realizes the gravity of the situation. When he tries to unload with punches early and Vader shouts back the classic "NO PAIN!" "NO PAIN!", I still get chills. Unlike the Great American Bash, there is no hot start for Sting. Vader is going to bulldoze him and throw him around at will. Sting tries to run at him and is that awesome Vader body attack. It is one of my favorite spots in wrestling. Vader takes a page out of Akira Taue's book and Vader drops him throat first across the ring ropes. Sting starts to stick and move. He avoids the clotheslines and hits a Kappo Kick, jumping Kawada kick! Vader was really good at selling the missed clotheslines and the beautiful German suplex and making it believable. They both spill to the outside and the crowd is rocking! Vader takes off the match and starts swearing. The front row loves this and gets on his case. Sting comes flying over the top to crash down on Harley and Vader. This brings me to my favorite part of this match and that was Sting's strategy. Jim Ross starts off the broadcast explaining Sting was going to try extend the big man and fatigue him. Jesse pointed out if the victory presents itself you got to take it. Sting amalgamates both points into a perfectly wrestled match. When the opportunity was present after the Kappo Kick, he was absolutely suffocating Vader. It was a full court press, giving Vader minimal time to recover. Sting simply would not be denied as he fought through Vader's counters to hit DDTs and apply the Scorpion Deathlock. It was only Vader's size that saved him from a quick exit. It is crucial how urgent Sting's actions are because it sets up the big turning point. He goes for the Stinger Splash on the railing and eats steel. Now that full court press has backfired and Vader smells blood. What follows may be one of the greatest exhibitions of selling in wrestling history as Sting was just so on point with modulating selling throughout the rest of the match. Vader dominates Stinger, but not all the credit can go Sting's way. The fact that Vader was selling the effects of Sting's offense allowed for the comeback to make more sense. Vader was beating the shit out of Sting with clotehslines, strikes and splashes, but Vader was not staying on Sting as well he should have because he was recovering from the attack. Sting looked resilient and the finish was not jeopardized by overkill in the heat segment. I loved Vader being overzealous on a pinfall after a splash that basically pulled Sting's shoulders off the mat. My favorite moment of the match and my favorite Ventura call (quoted above) was Sting finally gets a suplex, but it takes so much out of him that Vader is able to cover him. That is a totally ingenious spot! Sting now executes the second part of his strategy as he retreats to a corner and puts his arms up to block. Vader is throwing heavy blows, but is not landing as much damage. This whole segment is so dramatic. You can actually see the shift in Vader and Sting. Vader is being sapped of his power and Sting becomes emboldened as Vader no longer has much behind his punch. Now Sting is punching Vader in the face. He has him rocking! He has him reeling! He knocked him down! Samoan Drop! FLYING STINGER SPLASH! 1-2-NO! Can David do it? Harley is nervous for his investment and tries to buy time for his charge. It works as Vader clobbers Sting from behind. Damn, it was a good run. Vader splashes Sting from the middle rope, but he bounces off instead of hooking a pinfall. Vader is beside himself. He goes again, but this time from the top and Sting is able to catch him with a slam and cradle to win! Sting wrestled the match of his life. His offensive strategy was pitch perfect as discussed and his selling was even better. At beginning, he sells the enormity of the task, in the middle he sells the beating, but he is still defending himself. Then as he is staggering around with his arms up trying to drain Vader was absolutely perfect. Then when the moment was right he mounted an electric comeback. Vader was no slouch himself and was timing his offense perfectly for great damage, but also to make a Sting comeback credible. My slight qualm that keeps this from the tippy top is that the finish is clearly just Vader doing a flying somersault. It takes a bit of steam out of the match, but still one of the best matches in the history of pro wrestling. ****3/4

TIME TO PLAY THE GAME!

Kane is very mediocre and boring, but he does tend to connect with most of his offense unlike Kofi and Sin Cara. Stardust just drives me bonkers. Cody was developing into a really nice hot tag, but changing his entire moveset for Stardust has made him damn near unwatchable

That's a good one. I had forgotten about Sin Cara too, who blows spots left and right, but apparently he did have a great match with Cesaro.

First thing's first, Tag Teams Back Again is the realest. WOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!! WE ARE COMBINED 3-0 ON BRAINBUSTER, DADDY! My main man, Kelly, if you ever need me to take care of your light work, just tag me in, brutha! Best episode yet and I was on the first two. Johnny's Savage impression was fucking awesome and made that segment great. The Headlines segment was straight cash money. Then at the end of the day, the right person won. I may be biased. Really strong episode, glad it is really starting to gel.