concrete1992

Maybe I'm in the minority here but I think branching off into content that is WWE related but not WRESTLING focused is a real nice move. Takes it from a wrestling vault to feeling more like a NETWORK of program derived from WWE. That being said they are pulling most of this content from stuff that was popular a decade ago and not very interesting in 2015.

Parv continuing to put the hit on modern wrestling. For shame...

To be fair Parv, it looked like they had plans for Bray Wyatt as well. Big spot against Cena at WrestleMania. One of the hottest acts in WWE at the time. Not a GREAT wrestler but could have great matches against the right opponents. Lots of people didn't like his promos but lots of people also LOVED his promos. It felt like they were going to push him to the next level. Welp, that never happened. You say you agree Rusev needs to be made into a STAH but I'd be interested to hear how you would go about that in modern WWE. Beating midcard jabronies for a long ass time only does so much. Personally I'm trying to figure out that keystone win that puts him in the upper echelon, that he clearly can be in, that doesn't involve Cena or Lesnar. EDIT: I think delivering this creative direction on Twitter would be great for the #brand. Even if you just tweet out the post. Thank you.

Maybe I'm crazy but I watched Lesnar vs Reigns again and this is the first time this year I have been tempted to go the full five with snowflakes. Like, I won't right now cause I'm a weirdo with them and don't think it is quite right to Holy Grail-ing something that happened even a few months ago. But even with Ibushi vs. Nakamura and the Royal Rumble Triple Threat I've never quite felt that urged. Blame the blood.

Some thoughts I had last night: -Outside of the winner, not sure what to dislike about the Battle Royal. And I thought Show was rad in it. Amazing how they just let things unfold and it came off great. Cesaro looked like a king out there eliminating Kane with the bodyslam. Truly thought he was about to be eliminated by Kane, and they've trained me for Kane doing things that are dumb but not here. Then he comes at Show and it makes perfect sense and it looks awesome. Mizdow and Miz portion POPPED me. It is the Andre the Giant Memorial thus I'm surprised it took 2 Battle Royals to get the win. -Love how they talked about how they didn't know what Taker would show up throughout the show and then we get UNDERTAKER cosplaying as Biker Taker. Another year for the full transformation back? -Jaw hit the floor during Sting vs. HHH. Like...it was weird but it was weirder they decided for it to be NWO(WCW) vs. DX. Then post match it definitely looks like the end of a play. Was hoping everyone was gonna pat each other's backs and take a bow to all 4 sides. Someone brings them roses. Perversely entertaining at best. -Rusev may have lost but he lost after bumping into his lady. Didn't even mind him losing in the grand scheme cause it is Russia vs USA on the biggest wrestling stage possible. And it was against Cena on that stage. Wish Cena had worked a pseudo-Yano gimmick with The Marine. Match was great. Rusev had to have his stock rise with the match AND that beautiful entrance. Some people that pretty much only watch WrestleMania have to think he is one of the biggest deals in the world before the bell rang. Anyone else come out in a tank? Nah! -Lesnar vs. Reigns might be my MOTY. The ending was weird in a sense that I think they could have creatively come at it in multiple ways and I would be cool with any of them. Not sure how often in recent memory that WWE could do that. Oddily that may be a product of terrible build where everything seems even. Reigns won me over more than ever. I was all in on him winning after that beating. As good as any of the Cena performances in those Lesnar matches on first watch. Legit hopped out of my chair when Brock kicked out the second spear. Would not have been disappointed with it ending there. Lesnar is gushing, looks like he is out on his feet, he's Rocky-ing the piss out of the whole thing. Reigns is hitting his superman punches but Brock isn't going down. Reigns isn't just standing there waiting for his next punch but backed into the corner gathering himself. Seth coming out and doing what he did, no problem. Don't think Reigns is dead but on my end, didn't feel like it shot Rollins into orbit either.

This is the kicker, a ton of DVDs don't actually get made. IF they get made they are on at the very least a 9 month delay. It is truly incredible that he is allowed to keep that option on WWN. Imagine being a first time viewer on WM weekend and you're thinking it'd be a good time to get into indie wrestling. You see what the people are talking about and you're like, "Hey, I can watch this iPPV, VOD, and the DVD for $25. That ain't too bad". Then crickets.

Getting Aubrey for the last show and then sneaking on Dylan would lead to one of the great wrestling podcast payoffs.

Will is clinically insane at this point.

Who is with Famous B? Anyone catch that name?

I think PROBABLY is quite the generous term for the likelihood of it happening. It is very much POSSIBLE but I don't see it any more or less possible than Brian Cage vs Thatcher. I'm not even sure it is a lock that Thatcher makes it to the finals with his schedule. He's likely to have a match with Hero today that gets time and where he'll probably look to deliver in possibly his biggest match to date as far as generating "indie fan cred". Thornstowe is in the same bracket and always seems to be a guy people mention as someone that should be breaking out. Last night, he came off like a tatted up Devitt. That means very different things to different people obviously.

The last two matches are good but...WOOF

I got a whoopie cushion with this show's name on it.

He's everyone's hero. I think we all learned today that Parv needs to be on Twitter to blow these MARKS outta the water. Tell them about the all-time great worker that not enough people talk about, Dory Funk Jr..

I think your pride got in the way on this one!

Yeah, I wouldn't have recommended that.

AND WHAT A BATTLE ROYAL IT WAS!

I agree with the King of Indies not needing to be a ALL-STAR LINE UP and the being disappointed over that is a bit off base. The thing about DISCOVERING guys would be more interesting I suppose if I wasn't acquainted with almost all these guys to various degrees. Here's the breakdown for me: DON'T KNOW/FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH: Vinnie Masarro, El Mariachi, Luster NOT A FAN: Jeckles, Thornstowe, Ricker COULD BE GOOD, COULD BE BAD, COULD BE IN BETWEEN: BBoy, Brian Cage, Rik Luxury, Lil Cholo GUYS I LIKE(at least from what I've seen): Jeff Cobb, Rey Horus, Jody Kristofferson, Willie Mack, Dylan Drake, Timothy Thatcher The tournament could be honest to god good. But I fear a wrestler that East Coasters are acquainted with, Brian Cage, will be they guy to make to the finals. I can't say the same about Thatcher. Admittedly, have no problem with Dylan Drake coming out of that side but out of the 2 best workers on that side of the bracket, one goes out in round 1. Cage will be working as many matches but Cage is in tags and trios mostly. I think Cobb's stock, and APW's, goes up if he goes far. The "special attractions"? Dylan calls them bizarre. And I can buy that for the 3-way on N1 but that is still a match that adds nothing to that card for me. Have Hero or Kendrick(yeah, I'm ignoring HOODSLAM) or SOMEBODY that has history with APW that can add to this show. Joey Ryan doesn't do that. And Ultimo Dragon vs Juventud Guerrera? Who thinks that is a good idea? How much is it costing to fly in Dragon? There HAS to be a better way to spend money. That is an out an out dumb, uninteresting match. Ricochet was supposed to be in it but that doesn't do much for it either. I am hopeful that they find a way to turn it into a tag match but I don't suspect that will happen with all the advertising for it. Feels like they could have just done what PWR does and bring up a couple lucha cats, which Juice stood them up once, instead of selling me this broken down version of a 90's Nitro match. EDIT: Reviewing these shows on PWP so expect some VERY hot takes.

Going to end up being sad that there isn't a large scale PWO TEW13 multiplayer thread happening. *SIGH*

Could you do me a favor real quick, Bill? SHUT IT!

VERY hopeful that VanSlyke comes out better from the experience. From Twitter, you can tell he wants to work like those big men, Vader, Hansen, ect.. Live though he comes off as someone that can't quite hit those notes. If he works stiff then he would be a real dreadful wrestler. Has a lariat but not much more as far as nice offense. Working against at least a couple brutes(son of a bitch) he hopefully will take that and run with it. Fingers crossed Jay Freddie and Yusuke Kodama pair off in W-1 at least a couple times. Assume he either teams or works across Rionne but who knows. W-1 has been hotter this year it seems as far as in-ring but not sure where these two come into the mix.

Went with Somewhat Enthused despite the dirt worst build. And even then I think I'm overstating my interest. I think I've fallen into the trap once again of thinking that Vinnie Mac has changed plans and won't be going with Reigns. At this point it would be a fantastic surprise if Lesnar gets the belt back but I won't let myself commit to the match being able to easily go either way. I won't let myself get burned again. 4-Way tag looks like it'll be fun but it is really just traditional filler. Enjoyed the Andre Battle Royal last year and hope I enjoy it again. Maybe the winner will do something this year. H-Man versus Sting would be a pleasant surprise as long as it isn't complete and utter garbage. All I want from the IC match is a fun MITB. Pulling for R-Truth to do a super dumb bump. Rusev/Cena feels like the only match deserving of WrestleMania which is odd when thinking spectacle. Both of them have put everything into building this match. Cena winning will put a damper on this sadly. THE STREAK IS DEAD AND THESE TAKER MATCHES SHOULD BE TOO #GiveDivasAChance Orton and Rollins could put on a strong 20 minute piss break. Lesnar and Reigns could put on a darn good HOSS main event for Mania...or it could be a complete trainwreck. The end feels POSSIBLY in question but like I said, I AIN'T BUYIN' IT YET!

Dean Allmark is someone who I discovered only a couple years ago but once that happened I'm not sure he's a guy I can consider outside of the Top 100 in a given year (Some Top 100 in '12 '13 '14 ect.). That being said, not a Top 100 ALL TIMER. Which isn't a slight to him at all but it is hard for me to rally behind a guy that I don't think has enough marquee matches to his name and often matches at least on the cusp of greatness come with James Mason who I'm not even considering either.