Boss Rock

The press conference brawl was also really good. Apart from Goto getting another shot at the NEVER title as opposed to Juice, really digging this WK card.

I like the idea of having a couple of bigger moves that could possibly end a match even if it's not all the time. Effective when wrestling lower-card opponents and can create drama when working an opponent higher up the card. I still support the use of an actual "finisher" which would 98% of the time be a match-ender. Basically, save your biggest shot for last. But at the same time, I think It would be cool to see a match end as a result of accumulated damage separate of the finisher. In so many indy matches you see a guy take an apron piledriver, a move off the top rope, and then some other big move and that STILL doesn't end the match. But as soon as that finisher is hit, boom over. I'm not necessarily against that style and think it CAN be done right, but not when it happens in every single match on a card in so many different promotions. And I'm not even opposed to finisher kick-outs if it's necessitated or fits the story. My only issue is when you get to the point when you're surprised John Cena actually wins with just one AA as opposed to two or three. I dunno, I feel like I'm rambling here.

For some of us, yeah. But I'd guess there are more fans out there who mark out far bigger for the sick moves. I like violent looking strikes as much as anyone but I don't think it's that simple. Context is important. Sometimes a dragon suplex on the apron is necessary over an elbow strike so in that situation, the sick move is better. Also, I'm not a fan of stiffness for the sake of stiffness but I think the punches that actually land are usually better than worked punches. Not many people do worked punches well, the obvious exception being Lawler. Even Satanico (the GOAT puncher for me) punches seem like actual strikes to me based on the fact the you can actually hear the impact. Great call on Satanico.

For some of us, yeah. But I'd guess there are more fans out there who mark out far bigger for the sick moves. One of the reasons I love A.J. Styles. Can throw a good strike and still do all the cool moves.

Watching CMLL and Negro Casas still has terrific kicks and chest slaps.

Danielson-McGuiness totally slipped my mind. Another great one.

The Bryan-Authority run from about late 2013 to Wrestlemania 30, late 2016-early 2017 Smackdown Live, and the first season and a half of Lucha Underground really stand out.

I was under the impression he was still working with them under WWE Studios.

Question about Sangre Chicana. I've only delved into his stuff a bit and I agree he's great but I don't know much about him beyond that. Does he meet any other requirements for the WON HOF besides in-ring work? What's his status as a draw or influence on lucha in general? Is he like a Fujiwara to Japanese wrestling?

Would have certainly thought TNA would try!

Surely, me being in Chicago is good for at least a dozen tickets sold, but whatever dude. Same!

As far as current NJPW goes and the guys on the ballot, Naito is definitely someone who will have a case in a few years if he remains a top draw and high-level wrestler. And as controversial as Kenny is, he could be another guy in a few years with a better case. Okada will inducted his first year eligible and unless he absolutely tanks from here on out, he will deserve it.

Amen.

I do love the Lawler-Funk stuff. Funk calling Lawler a "lover of chickens" has to be one of my favorite promo lines ever.

Maybe not MOTYC stuff, but the two Ibushi matches and most of the Okada matches were great. He was also regularly delivering bangers in the G1. Was really one of the most if not the most consistent volume + peak worker in the world the year and-a-half he was there.

Punk is talking with Dana this weekend about his future in UFC. Even if UFC passes on him I could easily see Bellator scooping him up leading to another year or two of promoting a fight.

Punching has seemingly become sort of a lost art. Not a ton of wrestlers today have good-looking punches. Mostly the territory folks back in the day. Dutch Mantell is another guy who stands out to me.

Some other favorites: Bryan-the Authority: Never have been more invested in a feud than this one. The literal WWE machine trying to hold back Bryan made for excellent TV and had the most satisfying conclusion of any feud I've seen. Misawa-Kobashi: Some incredible matches and an amazing multi-year story of Kobashi FINALLY besting him in a 1-on-1 match after years of falling oh so short. Misawa-Kawada: Great matches and odyssey for Kawada even if he ultimately fails in the end. Hansen-Kobashi: Another great multi-year story of Kobashi coming closer and closer every time to beating Hansen (Kobashi is one of if not the greatest underdog of all time). Hansen-Colon: Tremendous brawls and violence. Hansen was great as the despicable heel and Colon was a terrific fired-up face. Okada-Tanahashi: While I wouldn't go as far as some who say it's the best feud of the 21st century, had some great matches and was an awesome battle for supremacy. Kamaitachi/Takahashi-Dragon Lee: Match for match might be the best feud I've seen, at least when it comes to the 21st century. Flair-Steamboat: Classic series of matches. Flair-Funk: All-time great brawls and showed Flair's range as a fired-up face. Funk was also terrific. Tenryu-Hansen: Violence. Pure, unbridled violence. Satanico-Dandy: Arguably the best lucha feud and best aspuestas match of all time.

Not sure if it's my absolute favorite, but I loved the Matt Hardy-MVP feud of 2007-2008. Maybe the last slow-burn midcard feud WWE has ever done. Lots of twists and turns with Hardy first chasing him in title matches, then needing to overcome ridiculous challenges like basketball, burger eating, and boxing (Evander Holyfield!), then joining together as a tag team, then MVP turning on him when he realized Matt was getting too close to the U.S. title. Matt costing him MITB at Mania and then finally beating for the title the following month was super satisfying.

If it ends up being Chicago I will definitely try to attend.

I really admire the ambition and think it would be really cool if an indy could pull a number like that, but I don't see it happening unless they get Bryan, Punk, or both.

Oh no worries at all and that makes a ton of sense.

Quick, violent, and exactly what it needed to be. Continued to make Lars look like an unstoppable monster and made Kassius look good as the first guy to give him a real test. The gatekeeper role is really what Ohno has always been best at. Give him sprint matches like these to test new talent against. And Lars may very well be NXT's answer to Braun Strowman. ***1/2.

His storyline brother? I always got the impression that Taker was a more credible attraction and when guys lost feuds to him, it seemed more like an inevitability than a straight-up heat killer like Kane. I've also always thought Taker was a better wrestler even if he wasn't great.

Could be wrong, but I thought I saw in one of Foley's books that Funk's punches were like actual strikes.