concrete1992

I do NOT need this right now.

Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar A match that is appallingly built to, to the point that the only option seems to be to keep the belt on the wrestler the WWE has just locked down but will only wrestle a few times a year. The thing is, I forgot one key element of wrestling and that is despite some of the rockiest stories it can attempt to tell, when wrestlers step in the ring they can transcend the story. Roman Reigns is a fine wrestler and when Brock Lesnar is put in position to do so, he is one of the best on the planet. I was expecting a good match. Though I also expected it to mean the end of any chance Roman Reigns has of being the top WWE guy that has seemed inevitable for a while now. Via one match, Reigns has gotten a new lease on life…or a new lease on the opportunity to be that top face. The match is the greatest WrestleMania main event that I have ever seen. Both wrestlers brought a level of stiffness that I don’t see being matched until maybe the next time these two meet in the ring. Whereas the Cena matches are Cena matches that are awe inspiring because of the incredible beating he takes, Cena does not quite dish it out as well as he takes it. Reigns does not get a great deal of opportunities to bring the heat but when he does it is scorching hot. He throws his forearms with force that would make you fear for his opponent’s safety except that he is throwing him them against Brock Lesnar. Reigns also throws nasty kicks to Lesnar’s chest and delivers a knee that brings a tear to Wanderlei Silva’s eye. The match as far as I’m concerned is a near masterpiece and I could see myself removing “near” from that description sooner than later. Lesnar is suplexing Reigns but when it is clear there is something in Reigns tank; he’s fighting it until he is on his back. The cut that Lesnar gets early on reminds you that this monster of a man is still a man. And almost as a reminder to who he is, he delivers the F5. Lesnar doesn’t go for the pin. It is too early for that. Now is solely the time for punishment. Reigns, a 250+ pounder, attempts to run through Lesnar with a series of clothesline but Lesnar not only takes it but wants more before putting him away with another German suplex. The facial expressions in this match are off the charts. Reigns smiling amidst his decimation is fantastic. Clearly something that could come off extremely cheesy, is plugged into the match at various moments that perfectly fit. Lesnar’s facial expressions though are some all-time elite level stuff. You literally can not teach the intensity in his eyes. The slight smirk he has after the F5 kickout is just too perfect. A great warrior who has finally found someone who may test him. There is no doubt in his mind that he’ll win but he may have to work for it. The gloves literally come off. It is subtle. Not much in wrestling is yet they’ve laid the ground so perfectly that that does not really matter. Lesnar smacks the taste out of Reigns’ mouth but that goes to elicit a blood-soaked smile that almost can only exist from someone who is in great pain but does care. It feels pulled almost directly from Fight Club. Reigns is destroyed for what feels like an uncomfortable amount of time and then he finds an ounce of strength on the outside to push Brock Lesnar headfirst into the steal post. What followed introduced an element to the match that took it from a great match to an all-time spectacle, and that is blood. Try as you might to say that the color red does add to the match, this match is distinct proof that in 2015 you are still incorrect. In real time there was a split second where Brock was standing there dazed with blood covering more and more of his face that I wasn’t sure if he was going to get back into the ring. A man can only but feel his mortality as sees the fluid that pumps through his heart. The small cut showed a chink in his position as invincible but the blood tripping from his head was the ultimate sign of vulnerability. In the ring, almost solely on adrenaline, Roman Reigns starts going to his Superman Punch. The way Reigns would hit the punch and keep himself standing on the ropes was perfect. The way Lesnar sold the punches was perfect. Lesnar not staying down after the punches or even the first Spear was perfect. It felt like it fit directly into a Rocky movie in the best way possible. For this match you must mention the ending. For some it was a match killer or at least a match hinderer. I can not say the same. Felt that Seth Rollins’ involvement did not boost the match, an extremely difficult task, but was so in tune with his character as well as doing a great job of teasing his possible loss worked for me. Even Reigns stopping the F5 felt logical in the scheme of the match where a war has taken place and he has his blinders on. An incredible spectacle. A masterful match. The perfect WrestleMania match in a way. from https://matchoftheyear.wordpress.com/2015/03/29/brock-lesnar-vs-roman-reigns-vs-seth-rollins-from-wwe-wrestlemania-3292015/

I'm going to watch the piss out of Corey Graves trying food ALL OVER THE WORLD! As someone who genuinely enjoy's No Reservations, this show could fill that niche with some wrestling bits mixed in. Not sure if it'll be mini-segments or full-on shows though if it is the latter then I already am not having high expectations for decent new content that doesn't involve lazily approaching decade old pop culture people. Also, any news on what stuff they're going to do for Rivalries? I know they'll have new episodes was just interested in what since I'm pulling for non-WWE ones.

Was just going to post links in the 2015 MOTY thread but figure that would probably get bothersome. So, if anyone thinks it'd be better to post it over there too, lemme know. The blog is something me and TJ Hawke are working on. It is the DEFINITIVE guide to the MOTYCs in 2015. Okay, maybe not. But we pool recommendations to post on and will be doing so more regularly in the coming weeks. Right now, the latest post is on Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar from WrestleMania. https://matchoftheyear.wordpress.com/

LEMME TELL YOU...I rated it ****1/4 and I'm right there with you as fare as it being PRETTY DARN GREAT! Wrote about it in my review for the show on PWPonderings.

It is more wrestling vault than an OTT streaming service with varied content.

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!