Microstatistics

Man, I hate when people follow up a finisher with a submission hold. Even Minoru Suzuki is guilty of that. This might seem like an exaggeration (and probably is) but there is a semblance of truth to it. Carmella is a pretty good worker, good to see her get some recognition.

Not to derail this thread too much but Brazil completely Kawada'd against Belgium last month. They really should have won that QF and I think start as favorites next year. But yeah, managing expectations is important for everything. Styles vs. Joe blew me away and I enjoyed it a ton mainly because I didn't expect much. Looking forward to how they deal with that aftermath tomorrow.

Isn't Brazil hosting Copa America? So that makes sense

Better than their WrestleMania match thanks to some sort of narrative but that's hardly saying anything. More finisher spamming to start off, the front facelook stuff was unengaging. Braun's presence saved it though as, storytelling wise, Brock tried to be proactive and get rid of him while finishing off Roman but ended up losing it all. The chair rebounding onto Brock's face at the end pretty much summed it all up. **1/2

I don't know, I think that's limited to the PWO circle. In the larger scheme, current NJPW is seen as a golden age of wrestling (similar to 90s All Japan) and many ratings and comments mirror those of Meltzer.

KawadaSmile, I admire your optimism about everything

Yeah and the Roman coronation. Though I agree with your main point, that the fact wrestling fans are reduced to this is sort of sad.

I don't know, it's more like a "thank god it's finally over" than a "they paid everything off satisfactorily" reaction

Good point, bringing Braun in at the beginning also kept the crowd invested

That was just as bad as their WM 34 match. I get the logic of the storytelling (If you chase two rabbits, you'll lose them both) but the body of the match was garbage. The difference between their 2015 classic and their 2018 series is like night and day. Still Roman finally won and the chase is complete so kudos and mission accomplished.

That was like a shitty version of a Hashimoto vs. Naoya Ogawa match

That would be irony personified

Why? Three of those people can't wrestle

Honestly, I still don't get the hype behind the Miz. Mediocre wrestler at best. Disappointing match. They wrestled a Miz match rather than let Bryan take the lead. But even Bryan's selling was iffy, which was unusual.

Really good match. Expecting 2005 TNA level stuff was unrealistic but that was a compact, hardhitting match with a cool dynamic. I would have preferred AJ losing it costing him his title rather than a DQ but the finish was pretty great regardless. Great storytelling.

Agree

This nails it.

That finish was a middle finger to everyone watching.

Different characters, different roles Heel Michael Cole was cancer

I'd argue Carmella is actually pretty good, she nails her role well. Having said that, no way she should have been the first person to pin Asuka.

Shawn Michaels should sue Ziggler for defamation

That Brock beatdown was encouraging since it was sort of unique. Hopefully they approach the match on Sunday differently and not do the suplex/superman punch/finisher spamming like in April.

Tanahashi winning is an interesting booking decision and one I didn't see coming. I thought they were surely gonna do Omega vs. Ibushi for WK. And Naito not even reaching the semi finals is sort of disappointing.

Bumping this, since participation has waned.

In terms of availability of footage from different eras and regions, then no. This is definitely the golden age. But in terms of quality of wrestling, absolutely yes.