goodhelmet

Before most of the people here were born... around 1980 or so. As a kid? World Class, Georgia, WWF, NWA tv, AWA, UWF, GLOW... anything wrestling related. Now... anything wrestling related. Don't make me break out my tape and DVD collection. Ask and you shall receive Why did you hate that match? you can't leave that unanswered!!!! I agree with you 100%. I haven't seen Brock-Taker in awhile and you took me to task when I was going off memory, not real analysis. Things like that need to be done. Sometimes, a simple PM message would do. I never read HTQ's posts at TSM so I can't comment on that but if I continue to post Observer news and notes and get neither response or discussion generated, I would cease to type them. I hate, hate, hate that term... puro elitist. People who support a product faithfully will always be labelled. ROHbots, WWE Sheep, ECW mutants, Puro elitists, White Trash (WCW). If other people's love for a product is what is keeping you from exposing yourself to Japanese wrestling then you are only doing a disservice to yourself. There are hundreds of matches that are so great that you can't help but be more critical of match you once considered a ***** match. I loved Bret-Owen from WMX. Now, it probably isn't even in my top 100 favorite matches. It's called growth. At one time, my limited viewing made me appreciate the American stuff more, but I was also ignorant of the great stuff that was out there. there are always people who will look to tear you apart for being less informed. Then there are posters such as myself and loss who (at least I think we do) go out of our way to open people up to matches and styles. So, since my favorite matches tend to be Japanese matches, does that make me a puro elitist? How many times have I heard someone rip on Japanese wrestling as a whole simply because they didn't want to accept the fact that there are better performers, matches and eras than their own personal favorites. The gist is that it runs both ways. For every good Japanese match, I could show you a bad Japanese match if not 2 or 3. Smae thing applies to American wrestling. The key is to expose yourslef o it and get the most you can with what is available.

More tidbits... (I'll type up as much as I can before I need a break) - The Prime Minister of Japan named Atsushi Onita's band. He named it the "Onita Band" -Meltz talks about Dusty Rhodes' appearance on FSR's Sports Extravaganza show. In the show, the hosts asked him if he still went to wrestling matches. It seemed they had no idea he actually booked for a promotion... on the Fox NEtwork!!! Later a caller called up and asked if Susty still talked to Dustin and if he was still wrestling. Again, completely oblivious to TNA. (Will's note: I caught the last 5 minutes of this interview on my lunch break the other day and it was hilarious. Fox hosts not knowing that Dusty worked for TNA which ran on Fox. Dusty was allowed to promote his book and the upcoming PPV events and the show on Fox. when asked who he would want by his side in a dark alley, he mentioned Dusti nfirst because he was family and then threw out Terry Funk and Harley Race as true tough guys) -Meltz gave Angle-guerrero form last week's SD! a ****1/4 rating, hurt mainly by commercial breaks. -He mentions how Cena came across looking better as champion n the TV after Mania. -Meltz's impression is they are trying to get Heidenriech over as a crazy babyface, or in his words " a psychotic version of Hillbilly Jim" -Bobby Heenan told friends that Michaels-Angle from Mania was the best match he has ever seen and called both wrestler's afterwards to tell them his thoughts. -Bischoff and Jason Hervey (the Wonder years guy) are pitching a reality show for Fred Durst. Durst wants to get over as a father, businessman and a musician. -They have sent out feelers to see if bret HArt would do the 2006 Hall of Fame. Meltz also guesses they will do the Road Warriors since Mania is in Chicago. Meltz also expects another push for Dusty Rhodes since Dusty turned it down this year. -He is curious to see who will announce the ECW show since Joey Styles has been critical of the WWF product, esp. the Hassan throat-slashing gestures. Styles has had friends killed in 9/11 and hates that angle along with the Un-Americans thing they did a few years back. -For those wondering where Daniel Puder went, he is wrestling regularly on the weekend OVW house shows. -John Tenta, who is battling cancer, is being treated in Houston. He was told he only had 11-18 months to live but after the last round of chemo, the tumor has shrunken to the size of a small dot on the X-ray. (God be with you!)

Here is the reasoning Meltz feels that the ECW PPV could end up being a bad idea... -Comparing it ot the AAA When Worlds Collide PPV that WCW produced. It doesn't do good for the company to produce a show that blows its current product out of the water from a quality standpoint. -If this show manages to outdo the "B'show PPVS (I am assuming he means the Balcklashes and Badd Blood PPVs) without any WWE champions or money players than Meltz feels that the knives and second-guessing will be everywhere esp. since it will feature people not even under contract under WWE. he brings up the Invasion PPV where the Alliance team had the Dudleys, Booker T, DDP and Rhyno but none were elevated to main event status because of politics.

See, Loss used to start these at SNKT with the Wrestler of the Day threads. Unfortunately, it would be a brief bio with little or no relevant discussion afterwards. Occasionally, there would be some good debate but there were also alot of "Haven't seen much so I can't comment" type replies. In that instance, the people who posted that could have generated discussion by asking for match recommendations or what made that wrestler appealing in the ring but it harldy ever happened. Man, you really need to get out more but I do appreciate the compliment. It makes me feel like my posts don't always go unnoticed. I agree. I'll look through my stuff and see if I have enough from any one wrestler to start working on it. Have you ever seen it? If not, you really need to and I ca help you out with that. Are you not interested because of previous stuff you had seen?

More gossip on the Edge/Lita/Hardy front... -Edge's wife sent nasty e-mails to the McMahons for protecting him. -Edge wrote some emails to friends that were released by his wofe. -Edge felt Hardy slashed his tires on his rental car in Fayetteville a few weeks back but Meltz says there is no evidence Hardy did it. -Edge claimed Hardy wouldn't even look at him because he was afraid of getting the "faces" beat out of him. -Edge is laughint at internet reports that he is upset at crowd chants but is publicly staying quiet. -Edge blames Hardy for turning the situation into high school. -Internally, most people side with Hardy and are shunning Edge. -Most of the Heat has gone on Johnny Ace because he was perceived as having a grudge against Hardy for a year. Ultimately, he made the wrong call and had a grudge but Meltz thinks Vince had the final say on all of this. -Last weekend, over 11,000 people had signed the internet petition to rehire Hardy.

There are several examples of contradictions in the article that Meltz points out that I didn't include for time's sake but Meltz cuts through the BS on both sides (mainly WWE) and exposes the fallacies. Examples: The reasons WWE give for saying his old contract is unreasonable are the hand gestures and for leaving the company: The hand gestures: Austin flipped the audience off his entire WWE run. the company made millions. JBL walks like a NAZI in Germany and is rewarded with the world title. Many wrestlers have left for months, sometimes at the company's insistence to prevent burnout, so they can come back. Others such as Austin walked out but were allowed back. The fed claims that walking out cost them irreperable damage but stars have returned from hiatuses to do big business. Meltz also points out how WWE has always contended that 'rasslin wasn't its competitor but that the NFL and Disney were since they were entertainment. But there is no clause that Lesnar can't star in a Disney movie and was even allowed to tryout for the NFL.

Details about the dissenting points of the Lesnar lawsuit... - WWE denied it ran the to dominant brands in wrestling (SD! and Raw) and only admitted to owning them -WWe denied that no other pro wresling promotion provides meaningful competition to WWE in either promotion or production. -WWE said it had insufficient knowledge that Lesnar wrestled at Bismark State Jr. College where he was an All-American in '97 and nation al Champ in '98 _WWe denied Lesnar's claim he was Big 10 champ in 99 and 2000, NCAA runner-up in '99 or NCAA champ in 2000 or that he wrestled at the University of Minnesota (WTF?) -WWE admitted that Lesnar performed OVW wrestling exhibitions but denied the wording of Lesnar's claim that through March of 2002, Lesnarperformed OVW wrestling exhibitions and events throughout his contract. -Lesnar's original contract would prohibit Lesnar from working for WCW or any Turner or Time Warner company. -Lesnar claims the terms ultimate fighting and sports entertainment are not defined in the settlement agreement but WWE contends Lesnar knew the meaning of both temrs when he signed. -Lesnar claimed that while he was cvaluable to the company, he was not special, unique or irreplaceable. Meltz claims Lesnar was special and unique but not irreplaceable. Lesnar backs this up with the fact that there were 15 champions during his tenure (WWE claims 13, Meltz claims 14). WWE responded by saying that titles are not rewarded to individuals but used solely to continue storylines and to maintain fan interest and promote performers. -Lesnar claims that WWE is never dependent upon the appearance of one individual which WWE disputes. -WWE claims Lesnar diminshed his value by making vulgar hand gestures at WM XX which Meltz says is ludicrous (ie Austin). -Lesnar claims as a professional athlete, he has a limited window of opportunity to maximize his earnings. WWE denies this as well as denyting that Lesnar is 27 and in the prime of his career (?!?!?!) - -

ECW PPV notes... -Paul Heyman has a proposed script for the 6/12/ PPV and is the creative point man with Vince, Ross, Johnny Ace and Dreamer as overseers. -Heyman wants as many authentic names as possible, including TNA talent, but Ace is against using TNA-contracted guys. Vince hasn't made a decision on this yet. -Heyman wants to use old ECW referees, ring announcers, Atlas security, and the old ECW entrances and lighting. -There has been talk about Foley being apart of the PPV in a match as Cactus jack but Foley would prefer to do a promo and the Socko bit he is doing on indy shows. If he does a match, he wants significant money because he only has a few real matches left and he would be expected to put on a good match. If he appears on the show in any form, it would be considered a positive. -They are looking at reviving old rivalries but the idea is to have good matches not have an old-timer's nostalgia show like the ones in Memphis and the Carolinas. -Possible matches include Rey Mysterio vs. Psicosis (or Juvi); Tajiri vs. Super Crazy -Benoit & Guerrero would be used against other top notch workers. -Taz, RVD, New Jack (and if signed) Shane Douglas and Sandman would be limited to cameos -Lance Storm, Dudleys, and Masato Tanaka will almost def. be wrestling on the show. They are looking for appearances by as man yECW wrestlers as possible although there is very little interest in using some guys inc. Johnny Grunge. -Dreamer will probably do a weapons match since one is needed and is in charge of locating and contacting talent. -If the first show does good business (with videotapes being sold as proof) they will likely run another.

I recieved my first issue of the Observer today (Last week's was supposed to be my first issue along with two bonus classic issues. I still haven't recieved those yet but Meltz said I should have them in the next couple of days). A few comments... - There is so much information in this thing... but you need a magnifying glass to read it all. -I will post notes and info but not type it out word for word. If you want specific quotes about a particular subject, let me know. - I haven't seen any Meltz star ratings so maybe those are in only certain issues? - I liked the layout of the Torch better when I used to get that but the information here is so much better and more meaningful. No useless comedy pieces or shallow editorial pieces.

From WO:

That's the idea!!!!

It still has to be the busiest folder on the board. They were fun but there was rarely any real information shared that hasn't been said elsewhere. Occasionally, a nice little discussion would branch out but you had to wade through a bunch of nothing posts (Mine included) to get to some quality discussion. Of course, but as you have found out, there is no point in talking matches when it is a one person conversation. Both! Yes, yes and yes... BUT... this is only worthwhile if other people are there to talk about the matches. This is going to happen regardless. Now, onto the question posed in the topic. If we don't have a large population of posters familiar with puro, we can always create posst that can educate people or help people track down matches. I tried this with the Kawada Recommendations and it died a quick death. Why should I invest that time if noone appreciates it?Personally, I am willing to post Observer news as time permits when I start recieving it. I ordered last Tuesday (or Monday?) and haven't recieved my first issue. But as HTQ pointed out, why take the time to type all of that if no one appreciates it or responds to it? That is why he stopped typing them up at TSM. I think we also have to get away from generalizations.. and get to specifics. I fall in this trap, Loss falls into this trap, we all fall into it. We have an opinion on a topic and we start dropping cliches and generalizations while lacking specifics to really drive in our point. Not always, but I think as posters, we should really be aware of this. This is one of the reasons why I haven't contributed to your Hidden Gems thread, Loss. It would require me to watch the matches and try and make a worthwhile contribution so I don't become what I despise. Another thing I would liek to see from different posters is more discussion in the What Are You Watching thread and longer pieces. testing is over for me and I am coasting the rest of the way. Ishould be much more active in this folder the next month. What ever you guys do, don't just give some PBP and slap a star rating to it. That is the laziest and worst kind of writing you can do when it comes to generating meaningful discussion.

I always thought it was enjoyable because Kawada was working with a broken arm for most of the match. The ganso Bomb also made perfect sense in the scheme of the match and their feud. Also, I wasn't referring to the Misawa-Kawada match. I was referring to the Misawa-Kobashi match when comparing it to the same way you treated Rock-Ausin.I really don't hear many people talk about that '99 match at all probably because what came before it was in the mind-blowing ****-***** range. Because that would require me to watch matches from those particular years which I really haven't done in the last year or so. Most of the stuff I have watched lately has been ROH (where any match that is remotely good has been pimped to death) and older stuff. When you get to '97, I can probably throw a dozen matches or so from the Some Guy comps on there that I enjoyed the hell out of in the last week. Next week, I'll probably be able to join in on the '98 discussion. As for 2002-99, let me look at the match listings of the tapes I own and i'll drop some matches in here. I also have to remind myself that most people here don't watch puro on a regular basis so if a match has been pimped to death elsewhere, it might not have been pimped on one of the boards most of us frequent.

Can you elaborate? Agreed, but how is this different from your mention of Rock-Austin from Backlash? I could say this about Rock-Austin... Rock\Austin from Backlash has its moments, but isn't as good as their later stuff. Why would you recommend the Backlash match but not the Misawa-Kobashi match?

And this is Stone Cold's repsonse shortly after Bret left through the crowd. Stone Cold: (Austin is talking but the mic is dead. He grabs a working mic from a tech.) You gonna get me a piece of equipment that works son or am I gonna have to whip your ass?! Bret Hart, you can sit there and talk about how Vince screwed ya, how everybody screws ya, how I screwed ya. The bottom line is son.. When the going gets tough, the Harts get going... back home! (Crowd cheers) Knock it off Go on back to Canada, son, because the only person you could possibly beat is your wrinkled-ass old man in his little ol' basement. You talk about being jerked around. I've been jerked around for 7 years then I get here. I'm supposed to face Psycho Sid tonight and then some guy, a 350lb buffoon that calls himself Gorilla Monsoon the commissioner says, "No no no, Psycho SId is at home with a concussion." Psycho Sid may be at home with a concussion and an ice pack on his head but he's also got a big yellow stripe running down the middle of his back. As far as Gorilla goes, I got a big bunch of bananasand Ican tell you where to stick each and every one of 'em. You want me to face the Undertaker, you can bring his dead ass out here because Ithrew it over the top rope last night and I'll do the exact same thing right now so bring him on out. I got something for him.

Classic Bret Hart "I Quit" promo from 1-20-97, the night after Royal Rumble. Just a note, everytime Bret referenced the WWf, he would say World Wrestling Federation. Not once did he say WWF. In this transcript, I am typing WWF. Bret Hart: (to Vince) When I decided to come back to the WWF, you promised me that I would get an opportunity to fight for the WWF belt. You put me in the ring with Stone Cold Steve Austin, and said if I could beat Steve Austin, Iwould be the #1 contender for the WWF championship belt. Don't you think ti's just a little bit convenient, that for some stupid reason, Shawn Michaels finds himself at ringside, announcing in my world championship match with Psycho Sid? So Shawn Michaels jumps up and sticks his nose in my business and costs me the WWF championship belt. With blatant interference, the Boy Toy cost me the belt and they go "Oh, that's ok, Don't worry about it 'cos now you can go to the Royal Rumble to fight 29 other guys AND THEN you'll get your opportunity for the WWF belt. So I wait in the ring, and it's very, very clear to me that I won the Royal Rumble and I should be getting a WWF championship bout. (looking to Vince) Where is my opportunity?!?! The way I look at things right now, Iv'e been screwed by Shawn Michaels the Boy Toy, Iv'e been screwed by Stone Cold Steve Austin, I've been screwed by the World Wrestling Federation, and I've been screwed by you!!! I don't like to make idle threats, but the way I see things, it doesn't look like I'm gonna get my shot at the WWF belt.... SO I QUIT! (Bret slams the mic down and leaves through the crowd)

Bret Hart vs. Vader 1-6-97 Solid but unspectacular match. They brawl on the outside for awhile and exchange control inside the ring. The real gem is listening to HBK on guest commentary. His disdsain for Bret is blatant and Vince appears uncomfortable with this new direction of "real" TV. After awhile, the match becoame secondary to the commentary. In the end, vader wins aftyer interference from Stone Cold. Asutin stunners Bret on the outside. Vader rolls him in and hits the Vader splash. Great line esp. after loss pointed out that Vince would always call Vader "The Man they call Vader". Shawn: "Who's they? Are you talking about us?" Vince called him Vader the rest of the match.

Jericho is ten times the worker Angle is but that is for another debate.

On top.

RAW thoughts so far... The Jericho song sucked. I hope the match is good because Y2J is slipping although the new men-in-tights Robin hood hairdo is different. Still laughing over the You Screwed Matt chants. Chris Masters is a fuckign joke... a fucking full-nelson??? BillyJack Haynes 2K5. I don't know about Christian in the ring but his mic work was great tonight. He called John Cena fucking Marky Mark. I was dying of laughter. Vince FINALLY announces the draft so see the threads a coming. Announced for Backlash... Jericho vs. Shelton Benoit vs. Edge Last Man Standing These matches look interesting so I may watch this show.