Jump to content
Pro Wrestling Only

G. Badger

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    1186

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Everything posted by G. Badger

  1. G. Badger
    Isami Kodaka vs Kenji Fukimoto - 3/5/17 BJW Gusset Plates & Sawed Off Cans 2-Sided Death Match Stumbled across this match online and the sawed off cans (as in tin cans) caught my attention. Surprisingly un-gory (as modern death matches go) and tons of fun to watch. A ladder shows up and the tin can board spots are cringe inducing. As an infrequent deathmatch watcher, I would highly recommend this
  2. G. Badger
    Pretty darn good big time match that brought the offense. Nice twists and variations to standard moves. The strikes were excellent and played a key part in the match. I complained in another match post (a Kobashi-Vader one) that they booked Mr. White as too much a monster but, here it looked more even. I have seen Misawa vs Vader in the '99 Carnival and their match later in '99 and an early NOAH match (12/2000, I think) but, this is their best. As much as I love the 2/2000 Kawada vs Vader, you can't go wrong with the off the top rope, dives to the outside, and variety that Misawa brings to the big man. Its a fun thing to watch every time! Probably not on par with that Kawada/Vader match but, a great match nonetheless, glad I finally saw it!
  3. G. Badger
    This is probably the best singles match Vader had in AJ...that I've seen. Haven't seen the 5-2 Misawa match. (Edit: just watched 5-2-99, that was pretty good stuff) A really stiff slug-out. It was kind of what wanted in Vader's infamous 1990 match against Hansen. Awesome strikes & both guys sold the stuff very well. Geez...it's probably not that hard to do considering the blows being dealt. Kawada showed himself superior to his peers by getting so much out of Vader and structuring the match so it told a believable yet suspenseful story. Vader isn't a slouch but because of his size it's up to his opponent create the tension & drama. Having a match with him is like going up against a steam shovel, so what are you, his opponent, going to do to make it something special? Misawa & Kobashi do fine, Taue fails but, Kawada truly excels. It was just a smart match that peaked at the best time and one of Vader's best in Japan.
  4. G. Badger
    A very overlooked match in a overlooked period of AJ. This is first time or place that I've seen other speak highly of it. I've had this on a Vader comp for nearly a decade so here's my take from then: Vader & Dr. Death are a hell of a team and Akiyama was ready to bring it. Kobashi dogged it a bit but, took some good shots and nice bumps so it didn't matter too much. A great tag match & really the place where Vader & Dr. Death (at this point in their careers) shine. ****1/4
  5. G. Badger
    It became clear that the style & direction of the promotion had changed after Giant Baba's demise. It seems that Kobashi turned himself into a hulkster as he restricted his selling & seemed to rejuvenate like that of a tanned, bandanna wearing, spray-on beard sporting fella. Kawada on the other hand was still great albeit a little thinner but maybe even a little stiffer...at times. He took the Japanese Sterling Golden to town with his kicks & didn't let up until he was concussed by Kobashi's deadly suplexes & powerbombs. At 18 minutes it was criminally short but seeing how the match had little build-up, it ended just in time for it to be a real winner. Stylistically one could consider this an interpromotional AJPW/NOAH match, as in spirit it was. It was Kawada vs. Noah Kobashi...and was very enjoyable.
  6. G. Badger
    Agree with everything stated above. Really every Kobashi - Vader encounter is the same with an excess of splashes, Kobashi in pain, lariat or 2, moonsaults. The stuff in between never is that memorable though...its good but not great. We never get a full on beat the crap out of each other exchange in strikes for instance. Kobashi is always working from underneath and I'd think we all wish there was a match where they'd be equals. I think by '99 Vader should have been booked a little less unstoppable.
  7. G. Badger
    Pretty much agree with everything Big Van has said up until the overall rating. Maybe these don't age well or perhaps the spots are too obvious in their setup but, in terms of this being an all out war...it doesn't really come across. Personally there isn't enough chair action 😀 and not enough creativity put into the spots. It looks like stunts rather than combat. Better than TLC 1, a fun spectacle, classic moments of the Attitude era but, not a classic match. Highly recommended it to those who missed it back in the day (like myself) or maybe if you want to watch wrestling with some friends who were fairweather fans back in the late 90s-2000s.
  8. G. Badger
    I'm probably in the minority but most of my stuff is on DVD. Disc binder or two from office supply store sorted by promo, style and years. YouTube and DM for the rest especially when exploring. I've moved a lot in the last 5 years so, its made me take stock in what's worth hauling around and storing. If I'm going to want to revist a match or arc then its worth having it saved...but, shoot! be honest if you're not loving it then you're not going to come back to it so, let it go into the wind. Something else will take its place in a couple weeks... Keep your classics and near classics, scrap the rest. That's my recommendation 😀
  9. G. Badger
    Hell yes man! Ditto to what Pete says. This was a damn good match. I might even say this was a classic match with everyone performing fully to their potential- great mat wrestling and counters/escapes. ****1/4 probably more. This is a match more folks should check out especially those into original NJPW strong style.
  10. G. Badger
    A few months ago, I watched the GLOW doc on Netflix. It was a low risk feel good doc about the promotion. Very much promoted the women and the community and life direction that a sleazy cash-in provided to them. Very punk rock in that the women turned a weird situation into something meaningful for themselves and others. Saw that flick around the time this thread was on the first page of the board so, the doc's (re)appearance wasn't coincidental. That said I was looking forward to the "show." First 15-20 minutes are good. Liked Meron's part lol etc....saw where the comedy part was coming from in a dark comedy but, the sex scene turned me off...no pun intended. Like wtf, you're trying to intro the show and main character and then boop! She's having sex drama. Ya know because, having a show about women in a male dominated entertainment industry during its arguable zenith isn't interesting enough and having Brie & Meron isn't funny enough, we have to let people know there will be some boobage and ancillary romance crap to tune in for ??? I might give it a 2nd chance based off others opinions but, sheesh that got cheap real quick in episode one...
  11. G. Badger
    This was a great match...perhaps a classic as they fought at a good pace, had a very solid in-ring storyline and surprisingly dangerous action. Both men got caught up in the ladder and/or ropes numerous times. This was a very organically fought match...not something I thought I'd see from Hall or Shawn. I think that is what makes this great, the spots were not too telegraphed and the callbacks from WMX (I've not seen it in full) made this feel like a real fight and isn't that what pro wrestling is going for? People may call the finish botched but, it think it played into the story of the match. Shawn did take the big beating so, he was clearly not a 100% with his leg and his brain was rattled. It worked for me...totally one of the better WWF matches of this era.
  12. G. Badger
    Perhaps there is too much wrestling out there? Every time I start a concerted effort to watch a block matches or promotion, I get side tracked by some other match, DVD, online video etc. Seriously on the past 2 months have gone from Steamboat to Smokey Mountain to Attitude era to ECW & WCW Eddie G. to fucking Edge matches but, what I've been wanting to do is watch 2011-2015 AJPW... This is unrelated to the WWE business stuff but, on a whole there is a ton of wrestling available... More than ever before so, people cannot help but have a short attention span especially when there is only so much time in the day/week to devote to wrestling. So whatever is more "worthwhile" or trending is going to grab viewers perhaps even for a week or 2 and people are going to flip a wig over it and give it awesome reviews or shit on it and then a week or less later it'll be forgotten. Its like even on the match discussion boards there a tons of new matches being added for 2017 and that's great but, I'm honestly curious if 80% of those will stand the test of time or if most of us will get around to watching them to give our opinions.
  13. G. Badger
    Man, totally surprised that no one has chimed in yet... I'm somewhat familiar with IWA Japan & W*ING due to their death match stuff. The infamous King of the Death Match of course but, I felt these 2 promotions had a grittier take on the style than FMW. I actually felt someone might die during some bouts...moreso due to execution issues rather than gimmick alone. I'm with ya though, there is a charm there. I know the Headhunters had a glass match that's been touted in IWA but, I've never had the stomach for. Cactus vs Funk Duel of the Wilds from '95 in IWA also..thought it was a gritty unpretty death match classic if there ever was one. Señor Foley's account of the prep and match were highlighted in my copy of his first book. Thought the match sounded worth a watch...was not disappointed 😀 I know I've seen some W*ING matches on VHS but, can't be sure of dates & cards. I just remember how different it was to call a company W*ING!! Lol WWF, WCW, ECW then we've got W-star-ING but pronounced wing!? Oh Japanese wresting! This is where/how Kanemura picked up his name prior to jumping to FMW I believe...
  14. G. Badger
    Well this was another awesome Bat Bat hybrid style match mainly because you had Ishikawa & Yone going up against all around grump Ikeda & the well under-ranked Hidaka. So you know Ikeda was going to have to really go at it against his arch-rival & Yone...that MFer who's coming up the ranks and isn't backing down. Great match or perhaps a hidden gem classic. See some other BA matches of the time to fully appreciate this. Yone was never more awesome than in BattlARTS...believe it. Why he & Ikeda were wasted in NOAH is still a mystery to me.
  15. G. Badger
    Here's another old review for those thinking of checking this match out: A pure 20 minute plus spree of excitement and nearfalls. Ace has never looked better, and his chemistry with Akiyama is what made this match so great. Doc once out of the singles limelight really showed his strength as a brilliant tag wrestler. He and Ace were such a standout team because of their dynamics. Akiyama played his role brilliantly and Misawa was ace but also teacher/big brother. It was masterful as ever and touched an emotional nerve. I will say the interactions with Doc and Akiyama was rough in the early going but as it became more heated, one forgot this segment of the action. It was clear this match was for Ace and Akiyama to shine and they did not disappoint. Classic stuff!
  16. G. Badger
    My review from few years back when I was watching the Jumbo-Misawa stuff for the first time: Now if you want a viable AJ MOTYC for this point in 1991, this would be one of mine. So, far nothing except 4/20/91 has been a blow-away classic unlike the 1990 stuff but, there's been a lot more singles matches & more matches in general that I've watched so, that could be misleading. Anyhow, this is the Triple Crown match of the year thus far & top singles match. It's more Gordy's style than Misawa's but, those aren't too different other than the pacing. The beginning & middle are fairly basic but each transition is pretty seamless & the ending gets great but, in a little different way than Misawa's King's Road style he was developing. Reading Ditch's AJPW comments, I agree that this was Misawa's match to step out from underneath Jumbo's shadow, showing he could have great matches without him. The same kinda goes for the Hansen carny match. It shows he didn't need the feud's heat, his ringwork could get attention for him. Gordy's a real pro too. Best AJ singles match thus far in '91. ****1/2
  17. G. Badger
    Did Triple H take all the ladder bumps because he was going over and Rocky juiced?? Hunter was very Foley-like in being a giving wrestler for the sake of the match...Rocky eh not too much. Not that I was looking for a Hardy Boys crash of death but, he was a little too safe in his approach...even in falling from the ladder. In terms of the match, it didn't look like he "got" what Hunter "got" yet, Trips won...not a giant gripe b.c. the nutshot finish worked and the crowd was insane. Would have like one instance where Rocky looked like he really got clobbered. Perhaps having HHH roll off the ladder at the last second and Rock People's Elbow the steel!!! I feel this style and presentation (including the live DX theme in ring) was more representative of the Attitude stuff rather than the puppies, and other cheap stuff. Highly recommend this match esp. if the Hardy boys and E&C stuff is too outlandish for ya.
  18. G. Badger
    They knew they couldn't out do the Hardy's so, this was more back to basics with raised stakes. Superplex off the ladder, diving headbutt attempt, backbreaker across the ladder etc. This was good shit..I mean Benoit backdrop suplexed Jericho over the top rope!! I highly recommend this match. True there may have been a glut of ladder matches at the time but, this is a fun one with the Canadian boys going at it. Second BigVan's take on it.
  19. G. Badger

    Edge

    G. Badger replied to stro's topic in The Microscope

    Am watching some of the more memorable ladder matches with E&C...remembering now what my problem with him was...he is bland as saltine crackers. His move set was odd for a guy of his build especially the freaking Spear. Goldberg - hell yeah! Rhino - sure thing! Edge - huh? Dude's got a swimmer or baseball player's build and he does the spear?? As a finisher? Besides that he doesn't look or act that gung ho in his matches... At least the '99-00 ladder matches. He does alright and hangs in there but, nothing where its stood out as an "Edge moment."
  20. G. Badger
    Matt and Devon's bumps are insane as is Jeff's homage from hell to Sabu. It was as if I was watching him plummet to his death! Not to scoff at Bubba's but, that I saw that one coming. A big thing of note, Edge and Christian were a pretty good albeit vanilla tag team then, right around this time they became a jerky "we're too cool, too funny" heel team. They were still vanilla as all hell but, now they were annoying. Sadly this match encapsulated that. Dudleys and Hardyz are going all out taking career shorting bumps and Edge & Christian sorta just do their "we're here but only like 70% of the way." Edge is a guy I've never really cared for and his performance here was forgettable. I had high hopes for this but, really it was a bunch of guys falling off the ladder. No creative use of the tables, ladders or chairs...this is coming from a person who's only seen 2-3 ladder matches chronologically later than this (at the time & date of this post). Really...its just we've got baby ladders then poppa ladder. Watch everyone fall... Its a nice spectacle but not much of a match...
  21. G. Badger
    Ditto to what everyone has said. It is still a worthwhile match. It's simplicity is what makes it hold up pretty well. No one tries to build with the ladders or get too crazy. Its a mid card ppv match...both teams do their thing but keep it short and to the point. Matches like this were instrumental in getting ECW fans to tune in or buy PPVs...more so than the Hardcore title matches or other gimmicks. ECW had RVD, Jerry Lynn, Super Crazy, Tajiri...guys that were redefining ECW with athleticism as well as using weapons, crazy dives, etc. These teams especially the Hardy's were WWF's answer to that...good call as history shows us. This wasn't quite on par with what those ECW guys were doing at the time but, it was a good start.
  22. G. Badger
    I don't get the Joey Styles hate...All in all ECW was an East Coast Indy promotion. We can't hate they guy for hyping the company... Also, the commentary was dubbed after the fact...in his or Heyman's basement IIRC. So, he's the mouthpiece for Heyman especially with this match & others like it that defied mainstream US wrestling in '95. A 30 min technical match with no shenanigans or gimmicks in a bingo hall in 1995...I mean there's a reason why people got signed by WCW. ECW was that platform for talented guys who were being overlooked. ROH, PWG, Evolve being the launch pad for today's superstars is due and in large part to the culture of creativity that ECW created. Match in 2017 is fun but, not super great but, significant for the reasons above. The end
  23. G. Badger
    I'm a fan of both guys so, I was going to like this right from the get go. Found it odd that Eddie used the brainbuster and frog splash so early on but, eh in this period of ECW moves weren't logically built up to...some could argue this case for the promotion in general... I digress. Fun match with Scorp tossing some nice superkicks and hitting a Hurty looking Tumbleweed. Eddie was coming into his own execution and charisma wise. Nothing to sneeze at though. A big plus: this finishes up in an appropriate fashion and time! Recommend it esp. if you're a Scorpio fan b.c. he actually gets to work a clean match with another athlete.. Not something that happened very often during his ECW career.
  24. G. Badger
    This was pretty much what I expected. Nothing too deep, nothing too dramatic but, plenty of their signatures. Very psyched on the fact Otani was ok'd to bust out all his springboard moves! Very good match and a nice match for what is was...loved the finish. Nice taste of mid-90s NJ Jr. Style
  25. G. Badger
    Man! I love that lariat!!! Off the top of my head, I think the Steiners dominated Hase too much for this to be as dynamic and surprising as intended. My review from a few years back: "This was one of the first Japanese wrestling matches that I saw and it really wowed me. Having gone past my novice stage, I can see the faults with this match & it certainly can't really be the match of the year. The big problem is that there never was any back and forth drama, the Steiners never honestly looked in trouble. The finishing portion was quite awesome ; especially the tag turnbuckle moves. The reason for this is the fact that they had 13 minutes to do a tag title match! This is stupid! What they could do in that time span was a move exhibition. There just wasn't enough time allotted to build up drama for those great moves & it came off kind of flat. If given enough time, I'm sure it would have been great and maybe that MOTY. I think they had to give time for the infamous Flair/Fujinami "Dusty Finish" match. Whatever...I haven't seen many matches from '91 but I'm sure something from AJPW or AJW was better mainly because they focus on providing the fans with an exciting card from top to bottom; not throwing the other matches away for some screw-job main event. In other words this match should have been given more than 13 lousy minutes." I've seen more '91 bouts since then and can say there are better BUT if you haven't seen this one, check it out! Its cool stuff for sure.
×
×
  • Create New...