Boss Rock

I actually wouldn't be all that surprised if they don't go more than 60 and are just using the "no time limit" stip to ensure that the match will have a definitive winner. But there's probably still a good chance they get super ambitious and go longer.

I could see them using him as they did before he was let go: Wrestlemania or big ppv nostalgia appearance. Which I normally wouldn't mind (the Mania 30 segment with him, Austin, and Rock was great, as was his birthday celebration angle with Brock), but it's probably just best to leave things as is. Don't whitewash him from history, maybe interview him for a Network special regarding someone he knew or angle he was a part of, but no reason for him to be on TV.

Well said. I'm expecting at least a third of the match to be unnecessary padding and the other two-thirds to be best in the world-level stuff.

One thing I will say about Jarrett is that the guy knew how to make you hate him. I think it got to levels of "go away" heat with how often he dominated the title picture (at least to me anyway), but he was still a terrific scumbag.

Him struggling with the mask is hilarious. It's like he's transitioned from "cool dad" to "drunk uncle".

I'm excited for Dominion but I'm still disappointed with how Naito's been handled. It's one of those things where yes, the company is still doing great business with Okada on top (although slow ticket sales for G1 Special may be proof they're over-saturating the U.S. market), but I can't help but think they could be doing even better with Naito as the ace. Not to mention the fresher angles they could be doing instead of rehashing Okada-Tanahashi one more time and putting the IC title back on Naito. I've also still enjoyed a lot of the matches even if they're not quite firing on all cylinders as last year when they seemed to be putting on an arguable MOTYC every other month. Hopefully Dominion acts as a sort of reboot for the last few months.

This was rather dull and disappointing compared to their overachieving, borderline great match at Wrestle Kindgom. The feeling out process was too long and even with the occasional cool spot like the double foot stomps through the table, the slap exchange, and Ibushi's guardrail-clearing cross body weren't enough to keep this heated for more than a few minutes. Cody is a main event-level character but not a main-event level wrestler.

I actually liked this quite a bit even if it required a lot of flash and a few hardcore spots to make up for Page's shortcomings. The aforementioned hardcore spots on the outside such as Cody's attack before the match started and the table spot gave this a bit of a hotter start than you see with most NJPW main events. Page working heat spots isn't really the most exciting thing but it wasn't terrible either. Kenny's comebacks featured a lot of his more flashy moves (including a knee that legit looked like it knocked Page loopy) and helped heat up the proceedings until the end. While I think this was proof Page isn't a main event-level talent, the smoke and mirrors in the beginning and the big move offense near the end were enough to help make this a pretty enjoyable bout.

Owens is a great call. I do think a good chunk of his stint in WWE has been lazy and uninspired, but he's also not exactly turning in clunkers every single time either. Dude just gets in his own way too often with the chinlocks and trying to be "cute". But he's also had some legitimately really good stuff sprinkled here and there.

The Dads are usually a lot of fun in tags. Their feud with the NOAH guys in 2016 was a hoot.

Liked this episode quite a bit. Not a fan of Gargano-Ciampa continuing as I don't see how you can top their Takeover match, but Candice was tremendous. The match with Bianca was a real showcase for the latter while showing that the former clearly wasn't in the right frame of mind. Heavy Machinery-War Raiders should be a hoot and a half. Looking forward to a possible heel turn for TM61, as they're just Generic Indy Tag Team to me as faces. Street Profits are stars. Dakota is getting some really nice character development and even if Vanessa is just going to put her over, they seem to really use her a lot considering how bad she is. And it's good to see we're getting more women's feuds like Lacey-Kairi. Dunne-Strong was very good and looking forward the eventual six-man tag with Burch and Oney.

Cena's tough because I'd wager the majority of his best stuff was around 2007. He still delivered some great matches here and there, but being a part-timer also hurts him compared to more consistent wrestlers.

I haven't seen enough of Kenny's DDT or early NJPW stuff to say one way or the other, but if he keeps delivering like he did last year I think he'll have an argument.

Unbelievably fun and hard-hitting tag match. Everyone got their time to shine and there were several fun little touches like Hino hurting his foot kicking the guardrail and Joe dancing a bit to the chants for Shingo. Jun also played a great face in peril and the back-and-forth chop exchanges were brutal. ****1/4.

You are absolutely right. JVK mentioned Ted, and I agree. Might also have the nicest sounding voice in pro-wrestling history, too. Magnum TA in his prime was quite a looker - not so sure how the 'stache stands out in a more modern setting. Also, no one mentioned Ibushi yet? I agree that Tana is this weird, fabulous mix of handsomeness with gorgeous hair, but Ibushi is also himself really cute. But to me, the best looking guy in professional wrestling today is Dr. Wagner Jr. Just breathtaking. Forgot all about Wagner. He's handsome as hell. Minoru Suzuki in his younger days was pretty good-looking as well.

Tough one as there's loads I haven't watched. I think when it comes to a pure in-ring standpoint, AJPW and it isn't even close in my book. Angles and characters? WWE.

I think Roman Reigns comes into consideration as well. Doesn't really have anything until end of 2013, but lots of great Shield tags from then till 2014, two great singles matches in 2015, and tons of bangers in 2016 and 2017.

Definitely curious what other prominent work he's had that I'm missing. It may be pure envy, but Tanahashi certainly has some terrific hair. I'd put that on my head any day even if I could never pull it off I think Daniel Bryan was pretty good and normal looking pre-beard. Tanahashi is absolutely one of the most handsome men in all of wrestling. Rush is also incredibly handsome and Naito definitely has that roguish charm about him. Those are probably my top 3.

In no order and the first ones that come to mind: A.J. Styles Daniel Bryan Tomohiro Ishii Tetsuya Naito Hiroshi Tanahashi Kazuchika Okada Chris Hero Kota Ibushi

While I haven't watched everything, I have to say this was a really good tournament. Some really fun match-ups with some four star-caliber affairs sprinkled here and there leading to a fantastic stretch of final matches (Shingo-Shuji, Marufuji-Jun, Kento-Hino, Kento-Marufuji). Definitely a step-up from last year.

I usually prefer a great and ambitious match even if it has some fat around the edges in favor of a "good" or "fun" match. Good, fun matches happen all the time, but an ambitious epic, if pulled off correctly and doesn't drift towards self-conscious territory, is usually something special. But variety is also the spice of life and I like a series of really enjoyable, shorter matches that build up to that main event spectacle.

A fitting final match for a great tournament. It was almost as if the more battle-hardened Marufuji was looking at a younger version of himself. The two are rather similar with their fast-paced offense and reliance on knee strikes. Some really great offensive sequences and inspiring comebacks from Kento, who's as good a babyface as he is a cocky dick. Experience won out for Marufuji, but Kento made him earn it as he survived multiple kicks, knee strikes, an apron piledriver, and even a Shiranui before Marufuji had to resort to the Fisherman Flowsion. Am interested to see the direction this goes in as Marufuji is not quite ready to challenge for the Triple Crown (he has a GHC match with Sugiura coming up) but offered to face Kento on his turf. Either way, a fantastic match to wrap up the tournament. ****1/2.

Great match and perfect way to close out the B Block. It's been a while since both guys have faced each other, so there's a bit of a feeling out process until Marufuji attempts to step up and even disrespect the veteran. Bad idea, as Jun spends the majority of this match punishing Marufuji with vicious knees, suplexes, and a devastating curb stomp. A spot in the finals isn't the only thing on line: it's pride. Marufuji's pride is too much for Jun to put him away, leading to a callback to Jun-Kento where Marufuji blasts him with knee after knee and Jun does all he can to stay with it. In the end, Marufuji is victorious and the two bump fists as a sign of respect and perhaps an end to hostilities between Noah and AJPW. ****1/4.

Good Lord this was awesome. In my opinion, the best match of the entire tournament. Simple yet effective story of the bigger Ishikawa trying to bully and overpower the smaller yet resilient Takagi. Loved the long-term story of Takagi working over the arm and Ishikawa's frustration at his inability to put him away. The fighting spirit spots, kick-outs, and comebacks were executed to perfection and I really believed that Takagi was putting every ounce of energy he had (and then some) to hold on just a little bit longer and land a few more shots on Ishikawa. Legitimate MOTYC. ****3/4.

Definitely agree with Flair in regards to his charm and charisma. I wouldn't say he was the most handsome dude, but he certainly carried himself well.