brockobama

I'll echo this and add John Cena vs. Umaga in that Last Man Standing match for Royal Rumble 2007. Cena is broken and vulnerable, both mentally and physically. "Shook" as the kids say. Every one of his movements evidences how resolute he is as the defending champion, but he'd never been as beaten as he was in this match and hasn't since, and it shows every step of the way. He sells the stipulation and outcome incredibly well, making for something of a haunting moment after the bell. Lovely stuff.

Hey lads, I'm Brock. Turn 23 in a month. Born in and currently live in central Indiana, though I've spent years in eastern Kentucky, the south coast of Texas, and the Tampa Bay area. Didn't get into wrestling until my teenage years, which certainly fueled a desire to stay in the "underground" of independent wrestling, but I've done my best to branch out in the last few years and keep an open mind. Big into deathmatches and Dragon Gate, but don't hold it against me. Think I first discovered PWO while I was in college and lurked for a bit, then managed to wander back in just as the GWE was ending, sadly. Wish I could have participated in that, but instead I guess I'll just have to subject everyone to bad opinions in the usual manner.

Couldn't you argue that territory wrestling had tribal elements? Cheering for your local heroes, booing the evil outsiders, wanting to see the traveling champion from far-off lands dethroned by your hometown guy, etc etc. Or does it not work because you're still taught to hate the heels regardless of where they come from? But even outside of territories, you see similar situations with invasion storylines in old school NJPW.

I'll echo the Shawn and Angle sentiments for the obvious reasons. Still enjoy them quite a bit, but it's a more reserved and complicated enjoyment. Mine is probably Kenny Omega. While I wouldn't ever say I formed a deep emotional connection with his work, he used to be one of my favorite guys to watch in the world about six to eight years ago. Suffered from the same problems a lot of indie guys these days suffer from, but he was fun and goofy without annoying me, had a fairly unique way of moving around the ring, and always entertained. Even with his jump to DDT he managed to keep me interested. However, since joining NJPW, his style and character have changed in just the wrong ways to make me totally 180. He's become just another overly dance-y, finisher-crazy, somewhat nonsensical NJPW main eventer. Even his character's changed, becoming just another too cool for school Bullet Club guy. I'd never call him a "great" wrestler, but anything I once found enjoyable in him has been driven out of late.

If only, the interference while the referee is hugged is my absolute least favorite spot in Dragon Gate. Yeah, even as a big DG fan (maybe not the best thing to out yourself as a big DG fan in your first post, eh?) it's a curious, overwrought, and infuriating spot.