Microstatistics

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.

Yeah, that foul wasn't really a foul. But I thought the penalty decision was fair and was surprised that the majority of pundits were slamming it, considering penalties have been given for a lot less. Also Kante was sick I think, which explains his performance considering he was immense during all the other games (excluding maybe the second half of the semi). Agree 2014 WC was better but this one was more open in that no one apart from France looked consistently convincing (maybe Brazil but they got rattled by Belgium early and didn't recover in time) so it felt like anything could happen. While in that one the top teams were clear as was the second tier and so on.

Also France this tournament were like Alexander Otsuka or El Dandy or Tatsumi Fujinami in that they could play different styles depending on the opponent and play multiple different ways within one match.

What a weird final. Really glad France won, they have been the best team this tournament. They didn't bring their best game to the final (atleast in the first half) but they adjusted, created and took all their chances. Croatia learned the harsh lesson that domination means nothing if you can't seal the deal (a classic wrestling theme too like in Liger vs. Sano from 1/1990). Really impressive midfield play from them but they barely managed any real chances and were pretty much drained by the end. Still, an excellent performance. And good god, the vitrol towards France on places like reddit's r/soccer is unreal. They were fully on the Croatia underdog bandwagon and were so salty throughout the match. France got a bit lucky in the first half with the free kick but acting like Croatia was robbed and France cheated their way to the title is ridiculous.

MOTYC for me. Young phantom vs. the maestro. I don't usually like Riddle but he was pretty great here. I think facing Suzuki forced him to cut the crap and just play to his strengths. Loved him sneaking in strikes whenever he had an opening on the ground. Strong grappling, struggle and purposeful, intense strike exchanges. Compact layout. ****

Yeah, I'm not sure about those criticisms of Brock. WWE are the ones negotiating the deals and agreeing to the demands. They could easily say "No, this is too much money for the amount of work you are putting in" and let him go. Brock is a draw but, and correct me if I'm wrong, his departure wouldn't seriously impact revenue. Plus in this matches he has no problem putting people over and making them look strong. He just wants to be paid, a true mercenary. Having said that and as one of the bigger Brock fans on the board, I wish Roman had won at WM and Brock had moved away from the main event scene or left for UFC.