BigBadMick

Really enjoyed this lads. Shelley, Styles, Joe, Briscoes, Edge, Michaels, Steen - Thanks for the memories! I've recently rewatched Cena's 2007 ppv run and it was spectacular.

Enjoyed this one a lot guys. Also really liked Justin laying into sanctimonious souls that wonder how you could possibly find time in your life for tv/games/whatever. As if their pathetic dull wretchedly dreary lives of quiet desperation are any less pathetic dull and wretchedly dreary than ours.

You're not a fan of Jericho's pre-interview stuff either then?

Wait, don't shoot! Here's the thing, I'm not ashamed that I watch wrestling. I don't scream it from rooftops but don't go out of my way to hide it either. This is a slightly different issue... I sometimes wonder if the (considerable) time I devote to wrestling could be better spent reading, watching films/documentaries, learning something about the world. I suppose part of it is the fact that I'm a painter, so I've little intellectual stimulation during my days. Anyway, whatcha all think? Does too much wrestling ever make you feel guilty. Again, please don't shoot - just asking!

2005 was very good, no question. I'm halfway through 2008 ppvs and it's another top contender already

Really laying into Meltzer there Chad!

Cool, and well argued. A gentle reminder that this is a best PPV thread. Best tv is another kettle of fish for another thread.....

I'll make the case for 07. Cena had his best year ever imo. Obviously Orton, Edge, Michaels and Umaga brought the goods, but he had shockingly strong matches with Khali and Lashley too. The Benoit-MVP trilogy, the 4 Batista-Taker matches, 2 Orton-Michaels matches (really vicious limb work by HBK), Hardys-Cade Murdoch were all highlights too. The No Way Out main was far better than I remembered it, and Edge-Batista series was really solid. Oh, and that last section of the Royal Rumble - glorious! The Orton-HHH last man standing was as good as anything I've seen those two put together. And HHH-Umaga street fight was intense. And a really solid Survivor series elimination match. AND finishing out the year with HBK-Kennedy and HHH-Hardy

I've been going through the decade on and off since the middle of last year. Before starting to rewatch, I would have thought 00 and 01 were obvious choices, but 07 made a big impression lately. 08 and 09 have a lot of fond memories for me too, looking forward to rounding out the rewatch. I think WWE had strong matches here and there in 03 and 04 but complete shows were weak. 05 was a better year, but I feel they faltered slightly in 06 (DX-McMahons, no thanks). Oh, and 02 was a glorious mess, as the p2b boys are cataloguing. Anyway, I'd be curious to hear everyone's opinion.

Could agree more. No interest in hunting, but Bisch and Austin kickin back with a beer or two makes easy listening. And makes me thirsty....

' Vince probably went into "WHO THE HELL DOES HE THINK HE IS?!!? I'M VINCE MCMAHON DAMMIT! I CREATED HIM!!" mode. Brock probably wanted less days on the road, better travel accommodations (I think it was reported he either wanted to fly on the private jet or have his own small private plane), better payoffs....not entirely unreasonable things, and Vince felt like he was being held hostage and forced to negotiate with a terrorist. ' Among my friends, if this was an email it would be a keeper!

It struck me as unusual too.

Why's that, Johnny?

http://www.belfasttimes.co.uk/are-you-ready-for-wrestlinbelfast-royal-rumble-special-at-strandcinema/ Just wondering if this thing goes touring round the UK? I was at the January event listed above and another one on 6th April. The January event had highlights from most of the Rumbles, and the complete Rumble '92 and Hardys v Dudleys and HHH v Cactus from 2000. It lasts about 2 1/2 hours altogether with 15 minute intermission. The WrestleMania one had highlight videos covering mania 1-20 (lot of clips from True Story of WrestleMania) and full matches were Flair v Savage and HHH v Benoit v Michaels. Pretty cool to see on the big screen!

Nicely put. And seconded.

Thanks for all that jdw. Recently came across a good write up of his in August 2002 praising Hogan for his selfless work that year with Lesnar, Angle etc.

Hi, just listened to the KotR episode and agree that 2002 was frustrating to watch week in and week out, but looking back on it there's an absolute treasure chest of really good stuff. Makes a nice change from fond memories that evaporate upon closer inspection

Listened to the Q and A with Bischoff today. I thought it was hilarious when the both smirked about Foley's continuing annoyance over Schiavone's comments on the 4th Jan '99 Nitro. To be fair to Foley, I think he's mellowed a lot over the years and isn't as inclined to hold grudges as he once was. Still, the glee in Austin's voice discussing it was funny.

Have to mention this. Bruce and Wade were discussing wrestler payoffs in the new wwe network era, and how uncertain things appear financially as ppv bonuses will have to be restructured. They got going about the old days and wrestlers being more assertive, having the option of competition to get leverage in negotiating etc. Then Bruce came up with a scenario in which, about 4 hours before Wrestlemania, a group of wrestlers come together and demand more money or refuse to perform. He wasn't discussing it as a realistic proposal but - oh boy - imagine if that happened.

Nice collection of matches there, something savage. I'd say 2012 was TNA's best year since 2006.

I liked their matches at SummerSlam and Extreme Rules. The Wrestlemania one was a bit dodgy. That's coming from a single viewing of each though.

Anyone else get a bit uncomfortable when Dave and Bryan start arguing? It's not as bad now as January, but still.....

With that 4-5 hours of older stuff, are you picky there? Girlfriend is another limitation on my wrestling watching too

I know what you mean - I've a Toshiba drive thingy that I plug into the flat screen tv. Much, much more convenient. RIP DVD

I've been thinking about my own viewing habits and wondering if it's typical around here. For the life of me, I couldn't imagine watching all of Raw. I usually get through it in 60 to 90 minutes. If a match on Smackdown takes my fancy, I'll watch that match too, and maybe an angle or two. I watched the Shield v Wyatts from Main Event a few weeks ago - can't remember when's the last time prior to that I watched any Main Event. Similarly with ppvs, Wrestlemania 30 was the first one I've watched end to end since Wrestlemania 29. If there wasn't so much product, and if so much of that product wasn't getting trashed here and there all the time, I'd be more inclined to get the build up to everything. As things are, I'm more likely to seek out hot matches and angles. Also, another aspect of my impatience comes from preferring to take on a big season of viewing. Right now I'm rewatching matches from wwe ppvs. I started with July 04 and I'm up to WM 23 now. I get the impression this picking and choosing approach with current WWE puts me in the minority here. Does it?