kas

Tanahashi is my working number 1, and the only people who could challenge him for that spot are Kobashi, Okada, Bryan, and Hokuto. He was good as a YL, and ever since the Nagata series in 2007 where he found his formula, he's been one of the best big match workers in the world. That fact remains to this day - even with a completely broken down body, he's produced 4 of New Japan's best 5 matches this year. He's also really great at subtly changing his offence depending on the situation, even if the formula is still there.

Takumi Iroha Lack of footage hurts her but in every match I see from her I come away thinking she was the stand-out performer. She's probably the best offensive wrestler in the world today, with good mat-work, great striking, a varied moveset, and excellent execution (she's a contender for best superkick ever). She's great at changing up her moveset to fit the situation, sometimes going strike heavy and other times emphasising her size and power advantage with big power moves. She's also incredibly selfless and generous, often giving her opponents enough time to shine and bumping big to get them over. Matches w/Sareee and Nanae Takahashi vs Maria, Mei Hoshizuki, and Mikoto Shindo 07/22/2019 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viV75EHK_JI vs ASUKA 08/19/2018 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fKIurblUj0&t=1272s vs Mayu Iwatani 02/08/2020 - https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV147411F78Z/

The full version of this was posted to YT last week Anyone with knowledge of puro should watch this, it's so much fun

If this is the end, it's sad to see it go

https://mobile.twitter.com/JRsBBQ/status/1451940807833964550?t=O3iKsNVa-nZcNE_5KI1x6A&s=19 Not the nicest news to see, hoping he comes through it alright

Maybe this could be a blessing in disguise for him. People's reaction to his 4th straight G1 final was negative. However I have no doubt people will miss him. For now though, to lose both him and Naito to injury is a heavy blow for New Japan, I can forsee them making zsj and possibly SANADA a more permanent fixture in the main event scene at least until they come back

Fuck, that's so sad

AAAAAAH! I HOPE THIS MEANS WHAT I THINK IT MEANS

I really think it's down to oversaturation as well - this year they've only increased the number of shows they're putting on and have run multiple stadium shows. And now the three-night WK is gonna make it worse...

Thought that Cobb Vs Okada was the best of their three matches.

First time diving into this trilogy. Punk wrestles a smart match based around headlocks and overall keeping the pace slow and did some really entertaining heeling, and I thought Joe's selling and overall mannerisms were awesome. A few dead stretches and some stalling keep this from being in the upper echelon of 60-minute draws, but it's a great start to a famous trilogy. Side note, who was on commentary for this? Because it was awful, the lead guy kept talking about how much these guys were sweating and did his absolute best to telegraph that they were going for a 60-minute draw.

I'm a lot higher on Seth than others here but I'd still put him at the bottom of the 3. As Dav'oh says, has all the tools but can't put it together. It doesn't help him that his best matches lack variety and that he favours a style that is significantly neutered in WWE, but when I compare it to Roman and Moxley's output it's not even close. Great TV worker though. As for Roman vs Mox, I'd confidently go Mox. I think Roman's big matches are slightly better, but he doesn't have the nearly volume that Moxley has.

Her match against Aja Kong at Destiny 1995 is awesome.

Agree with the sentiment of GOK. He's really proven that beneath the shitty gimmick there lies a good wrestler. As for the whole Ibushi vs Bryan vs Kenny thing, I think that he is the most creative in his matches of the 3 and is equal in terms of work rate. I think the big thing is that he lacks the narrative that both Kenny and Bryan have had in their careers where they felt like the hottest thing in pro-wrestling (Kenny's rise to the top from 2016-2018 and current title run, Bryan's ROH title run and road to WMXXX). Had he won the title at WK 2020 things might be different.

If anyone has the time/patience for it, check out the Martinez Vs Blanchard 75-minute iron woman match. For my money the 2nd best US Women's match ever.

I'd argue Ambrose was by far the most over of the SHIELD guys in WWE. The reactions he would get from 2014-early 2016 were insane, and I can only remember him being booed as a babyface once (his match with AJ Styles at Backlash 2016)

Really fascinating looks into a promotion I am basically completely blind on. Sabu is even crazier than I thought.

First time watching and I was not prepared for just how brutal this match would be. I thought this would be more of a spotfest, but this was actually a completely out-of-control brawl involving cars, dustbins, and plywood and it absolutely ruled.

Yeah ZSJ has had a terrific tournament so far, that Shingo match was fantastic. Also rewatched Shingo vs Ishii and I was slightly harsh on it, definitely a top-tier match.

The STARDOM 5* GP is over and it was an overall very good tournament with 3 matches I'd call bonafide MOTYC (Momo/Mayu, Takumi/Syuri, and the final).

Bryan vs Omega is the best AEW match so far and it's incredible to think that they were held back by the TV format.

I love Kingston

Death, taxes, Tanahashi and Okada having a banger. Surprisingly good show all round.