Clayton Jones

One of the only nominees that when considering how he utilizes his toolbox bell to bell, you literally have to evaluate how he uses a toolbox. I'd love to vote for Pogo. I really would. I don't see it happening but I guess never say never.

Both matches are great, the 6 man is the best match I've ever seen live.

Very good veteran VS fiery youngster matchup here, a little bit of looking in the mirror at a younger version of yourself although the size difference is remarkable. That would be my main complaint too is that Azumi tries to work this match a bit too even with her suplexes and MD and such. It is a proving ground type of match where she's trying to make a statement as much as get the W so there's some room for embellishment there, but she does wear it thin. That said this was still very good with some big drama and very memorable moments. Hyuga puts it all on the line and Kyoko is really excellent in her role.

I'd love to see both of those! I'm assuming that's the match he mentions here: https://mobile.twitter.com/realkingregal/status/580865770189504512?lang=en

They had at least one more match too that I've been looking for footage of forever, does anyone know if it exists?

I'm judging 90% on bell to bell performance as objective as I can. I really like how Matt stresses the craft of being a pro wrestler and developing and utilizing a toolbox. I'm trying to incorporate that mindset as much as possible. I'm giving myself 10% leeway to judge whatever subjectively I think helps contribute to being a great wrestler. Promos, presence, innovation, influence, elevating a promotion or division or feud to something I have to watch even if it's for reasons beyond bell to bell, really whatever tickles my fancy. This is hardly an exact ratio and I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up more like 95/5, but either way it's my method to give me a sense that my personal touch can break a tie or a close call. I'm going to build up far far more than I'm going to tear down. I'm sick of dwelling on the negative. I understand the argument against positivity's for positivity's sake and the modern trend more in this direction. And I don't entirely disagree. But I'm doing this to enjoy myself, not to get worked up arguing about a hobby I use to decompress. I have a working list that is at 160 right now. When it hits 180 no more names are getting added for consideration for 2026. Even that's probably too ambitious but it at least puts some sort of limit on things. 180 was based on the rate of footage I was watching for a stretch, although after my daughter brought home a case of strep from daycare and then the worst stomach bug I've ever seen weeks before I started a new job, I realized I'm going to lose a month here and there in the blink of an eye. Which brings me to my last personal rule, which is basically Zubaz's "Don't Beat Yourself Up" rule. If I had to turn in the ballot I have right now at the end of today, I'm fine with that. I'm going to do the best I can while enjoying the project as much as possible and staying as present in my real life as possible. Some months I'll be banging footage out, some months I'll be managing a sick ward, some months I'll be starting a new job. Just trying to find a balance and keep it fun. The vast majority of that doesn't touch criteria. I'm trying to develop that more as I watch footage with GWE26 in mind, but that's still very much a work in progress. I'll check in as it becomes more clear to me.

I'd agree with pretty much everything above, a lot to like here, but a bit of a missed opportunity overall. Both women impressed but Nanae a bit moreso, Nakajima still struggles with some basic stuff at this point in her career like getting her shoulders down until the last second for nearfalls, or putting as much effort into pinning her opponent as she should at times. But the stamina and spirit of both women is impressive enough and the struggle and drama are present enough to make it hard to pick this match apart too much. Not a slam dunk but still a very worthwhile watch.

O'Reilly was someone I honestly expected to cut after my first round of watching but I think he's still in contention. And obviously a lot can happen for him in the next 5 years. The Balor matches helped round out a resume that just barely put him on my list of Maybes with his PWG run and some excellent work in NJPW. The match that kept me from crossing him off my list was actually one I didn't care for at all, him and Fish VS the Revival. But KOR was the saving grace of an otherwise too choreographed, too cute, awkward and clumsy match, and almost single handedly dragged the thing into watchable territory. Even though he's not the most charismatic (ridiculous air guitar antics and all) he has an uncanny knack for making the most out of big and small moments. His execution is usually spot on and he's very effective as a babyface and at least in tags as a heel. Once again not someone I'm advocating yet but I'm curious to see where his career goes from here.

That's pretty hilarious and about as classic self-involved Bret as you can get. The irony being the real story, that he did it to protect Austin from getting heat for violating the no color policy, actually paints Bret in an even better light.

Listened to Austin on TIJ and I noticed he always seems to mention that when Bret helped him get color it had nothing to do with him being inexperienced doing it himself. Did Bret say something along those lines in his book? I have a vague recollection he did but it's been a long time since I owned a copy.

God I love that short lived Zero 1 run. The 2000 Kobashi match absolutely floored me when I watched it for the first time a few years back. Where had it been all my life? Some No Fear stuff leaves me a little flat but other matches like VS HDA or Shinzaki/Hayabusa are everything I want from them. Then peak Tak is really an all-time peak. I expect he'll do well for me.

Awesome, that gives me a lot to work with. Thanks Reel!

I've only seen a handful of Nakajima matches and didn't have her in mind but want to give her a fair shake if there's a case she's been among the best going. What are some matches that I should be watching?

Fujinami is a fascinating candidate for me because he checks all the boxes guys in my top 15 or so do yet I have him at least twice as many spots lower on my rough draft. This discussion is highlighting some of the reasons for that disconnect and covers a lot of points I'll want to focus on with him. I'll definitely spend a significant chunk of time on Fujinami. The last time I revisited the Choshu matches I liked them even better for what that's worth.

Right before the pandemic Nakajima's title reign in Wrestle-1 was shaping up to be my favorite thing that happened in 2020. I did everything I could to stay spoiler free on the Kaz defense but the only version I saw them air was clipped and I think the attendance was ruined. That's a big What If...? match for me unfortunately.

Awesome, thanks guys. Glad I asked! I don't see it on Cagematch, is it a JWP show? Is it for a championship? Fukuoka would be Openweight Champion but then the finish wouldn't make sense.

https://youtu.be/reT-87zLOD8 Is this the match in question? Really terrific if so, and I think so based on Jetlag's review. Just making sure.

I highly recommend the WALTER Progress match which is every bit as good.

Those are great 2000s recommendations. As for ECW, in addition to the stuff covered above (really love that Eddie match), he was one of my favorite Sabu opponents and had at least one really good TV title match VS Malenko. I'd be particularly curious for some NOAH stuff to look out for, that's the one part of his career that seems well received that I've never been crazy about. But yeah I'm very high on Scorp overall.

A ton of all-time great matches to his name at such a young age. He's a really interesting candidate, I almost think he's underrated for what he's accomplished already, but I still think he'd need to build significantly on his resume to have a shot for me. But there's no reason he shouldn't be able to do that.

On my first round of watching her I thought I may have to change my opinion on Kobashi being the wrestler who wanted to be the GOAT more than any other. Jaguar emanates it just as much in the 80s at least. Can't wait to watch more, glad to hear the watch party was a hit.

I will say a lot of Kingston's puro tribute stuff felt very disconnected and iffy in execution to me until later in his career. I would agree that AIW Kingston is my favorite War King. Overall I love the guy so much though. I think he makes my ballot, looking forward to watching the footage to make the decision.

I remember poking holes in Hashimoto's case for god knows what reason. There was a lot of negativity going around, it was contagious.

I thought the Rikidozan match added quite a bit to his resume since it makes the case he was flat out great for at least a decade+. I am curious to explore what Dr X footage we have and I've honestly never actively watched any of his later AJPW legend stuff, I'd skip over him and Baba on tapes if they showed up when I was younger. So I guess that stuff could potentially really cool me off on him, but after my first round of viewing and already loving a few of his matches coming into this, I'm curious what the argument is against him? Not as a candidate, which I think is undeniable, but as a top level one? Is it just footage? It seems to me that's not really that much of an issue all things considered.