Grimmas

I've wanted to write some fantasy booking on here for a while. Just for fun, you know? I tried to focus on WWF, but nothing seemed appropriate. After the Vince stuff came out, I thought maybe pick a year that would hurt him the worst, but you know what? Fuck that. Let's just go with WCW instead! Set-Up On January 8th, Kip Frey took over Jim Herd's role as WCW executive producer. In this scenario, instead of Frye, it's a time-traveling Grimmas instead. Why this time, though? There are a few reasons. One is that this is one of the rare times there is no Benoit, Flair, or Hogan involved. I don't want to use them, so not having them here is a cool bonus. A change of leadership always makes sense for a spot to come in. WCW was in a cool state of flux now and was looking to find a new identity. Finally, from a certain wrestler's book, that person was looking to jump ship in January 1992. If that doesn't sound like a perfect spot for me, then what does? Current Champions as of January 8th, 1992 WCW World Heavyweight Champion: Lex Luger WCW United States Heavyweight Champion: Rick Rude WCW World Tag Team Champions: Ricky Steamboat and Dustin Rhodes WCW World Television Champion: Steve Austin WCW World Light Heavyweight Champion: Jushin Liger WCW United States Tag Team Champions: Steve Armstrong and Tracy Smothers One good thing is the NWA deal hasn't come in yet, creating way too many titles, and the second World Champion thing I really hate! The champions are interesting, although Luger only has one match left at SuperBrawl in February. Note: If anything great happens in real WCW I will try to recreate it here, so you'll see your War Games, Iron Man, and Vader-Stings in 1992 just with changes all around it. January 1992 All of the TV leading up to Clash of the Champions was recorded before January 8th, so we'll just start at Clash of the Champions! Note that there is a lot of TV, though, and I haven't figured out what I will do with all of that. Booking like four shows a week might be too much of a chore, but we'll see. We'll keep the card as is, but make some changes that will be noticeable. Clash of the Champions XVIII Expocenter in Topeka, KS January 21 Commentators: Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone 1. The Steiner Brothers defeated Big Van Vader & Mr. Hughes w/ Harley Race. This is already a fun match, which we'll keep as is. Don't worry; Vader is protected here, as there are big plans for him later. 2. Brian Pillman & Marcus Alexander Bagwell defeated Terrance Taylor & Tracy Smothers. There were some injuries or something that led to these weird teams; either way, we got to keep Pillman strong. This was an okay match. 3. Richard Morton defeated Johnny B. Badd. Badd wins this squash in real 1992, but I have other plans for Morton, and I don't know what to do with Badd yet. * Brian Pillman confirms he will get a WCW Light Heavyweight Title shot against Jushin Thunder Liger at SuperBrawl II. 4. PN News defeated Diamond Dallas Page. We'll keep the same squash as real 1992 here but with an added twist. Afterward, Vinnie Vegas debuts to help DDP and crushes News. I'll need that Vegas squash match time later for something else. * Tony Schiavone introduces the new Commissioner of WCW, Bad News Allen. He is here to be the voice of the WCW Championship Committee and has a few announcements. WCW World Heavyweight Champion Lex Luger will defend the title against Sting at SuperBrawl II. After the great response of WCW fans to our partnership with NJPW, WCW has decided to partner up with AJW, and the amazing stars of AJW will appear at SuperBrawl II in a six-person tag. Finally, a new commentator will debut tonight as Allen brings out Jesse Ventura! 5. Cactus Jack defeated Van Hammer in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. Abdullah the Butcher where a cowboy hat, what is not to love? * The Freebirds debut their new single "I'm a Freebird (What's Your Excuse?" 6. The Freebirds defeated Big Josh & Brad Armstrong. It's short; I don't want to push The Freebirds, but a lumberjack and an underused Brad Armstrong. This will take some work. * The Steiners are back and are looking for gold and to suplex fools. * Paul E. Dangerously says The Dangerous Alliance will disfigure Ricky Steamboat. 7. Barry Windham, Dustin Rhodes, & Ron Simmons defeated Arn Anderson, Bobby Eaton, & Larry Zbyszko w/ Paul E. Dangerously This is a really good match; if you haven't seen it, go watch it. * Tony Schiavone brings out the newest international talent to WCW and introduces Bret "Hitman" Hart, who says he is here to prove himself. 8. Ricky Steamboat & Sting defeated Rick Rude & Steve Austin w/ Paul E. Dangerously. It's a fun match that sees Austin getting pinned. After Rude uses the US Title to destroy Steamboat, but Sting dives ontop to save him before security pulls away Rude. Note: Bret was ready to jump to WCW for this show, but either he dropped out at the last minute, or a clerical mistake led to his contract rolling over; it never happened. Bret in WCW in 1992 is going to be fun. Next up we have SuperBrawl II to build up with only a few matches signed. WCW World Heavyweight Champion Lex Luger vs Sting WCW Light Heavyweight Champion Jushin Liger vs Brian Pillman AJW six person tag match

I recently started watching CMLL again and Mistico is back under the Mistico name seems to have got even better and is still massively over. Probably someone we should all consider.

UPDATED!

From club: I’m not much for Toryumon or 00s NOAH juniors, but I could watch this dickhead stomp and punch all day long, and it’s a crying shame he didn’t have a longer career. I’d really like to take a look into his Toryumon stuff - hoping people here better versed in it can signpost me to the good stuff. Dragon Kid vs SUWA - 24/08/00 KENTA vs SUWA - 09/18/05 SUWA vs Mitsuo Momota - 07/16/06 Mil Mascaras, Ultimo Dragon, Kazuchika Okada & Marco Corleone vs Ultimo Guererro, SUWA, Yoshihiro Takayama & Minoru Suzuki - 05/13/07

From HowtobeaMark: I don't think I have ever seen a bad performance from Ilja. His selling is often great, his offence looks fantastic and his presentation is very serious which has become a breathe of fresh air in modern American wrestling. Almost without exception, if every current wrestler was a bit more like Ilja they would improve their work. He always brings passion to his matches which always makes his matches feel important. vs Walter vs John Klinger (10th March 2018) vs Walter (29th October 2020) vs Walter (22nd August 2021) vs Bron Breakker vs JD McDonagh (22nd October 2022) vs Dijak (28th May 2023) vs Carmelo Hayes (30th July 2023) vs Carmelo Hayes (30th September 2023)

From El McKell: He's better at presenting himself as a monster than really any other big man going today. He made his AEW dark squashes entertaining, he's good at making his opponents look good, and it's funny as hell that way back in 2005 he was super over in the Impact Zone because he went out drinking with the fans. vs AJ Styles 2014/08/03 vs Will Ospreay 2019/07/06 vs Adam Page 2022/02/10 vs Warlow 2022/04/27

From El McKell: Someone with a sneaky good long career, pretty good in early PWG, Evolve, peak early 2010s PWG, probably the 2nd best guy in the cruiserweight classic (which for my money is one of the best things WWE ever produced), quite a few sporadic really good Impact matches, and then a really good Best of the Super Juniors this year. vs Kyle O'Reilly 2013/08/09 vs Kota Ibushi Cruiserweight Classic vs Gran Metalik Cruiserweight Classic vs Josh Alexander Iron Man 2021/06/03 vs Hiromu Takahashi 2023/05/19

From El McKell: Shocked nobody has nominated him yet and someone's gotta want to vote for him. Got himself super over in Lucha Underground with his personality and aura. Always carries himself like he's a star even when he's mired in mediocre booking. Not as spectacular as his brother, but still pretty adept at doing cool shit. In his best bloody/violent stuff he comes across really dangerous. vs Kairi Hojo, Mayu Iwatani & Io Shiari Lucha Underground - Season 3 Episode 13 vs Kenny Omega All In 2019 w/Fenix vs Young Bucks All Out 2021 vs Villano IV Mas vs Mask in 2022

From El McKell: A tiny man, a technical wizard, more fun for me to watch than any of the old French heavyweights. I like that he can be this kind of base or whatever in the matches against Le Petit Prince where he grounds his opponent but he also gets to show one of the most athletic wrestlers in his place and time in other matches. Michel Saulnier vs Jo Marconville (1959/12/11) Michel Saulnier vs Jean Rabut (1965/06/20) Michel Saulnier vs Le Petit Prince (1967/09/30) & (1969/04/10)

From fxnj: One of the best joshi workers of the overlooked late 2000s-early 2010s period. Very diverse worker who could do solid matwork sections, work an uncomfortably violent brawl, and also be a trailblazer for intergender deathmatch wrestling. vs. Abdullah Kobayashi 7/30/2006 vs. Meiko Satomura 12/3/2006 and 3/11/2015 vs. Kana 8/16/2008 and 3/4/2014 w/ Command Bolshoi vs. Arisa Nakajima & Kana 3/2/2014

From Microstatistics: To me, the most impressive wrestler from all of the French footage. Great as the technically gifted stooging heel who could big bump AND violently rough up opponents. w/Inca Peruano vs. Gilbert Cesca/Ben Chemoil, 3/12/1965 vs. Walter Borders, 8/29/1967 vs. Jon Guil Don, 4/18/1976

From CFØS. on discord: Incredible Amaresu guys working mainly XGF and nkw and sometimes WALLABEE, doing hardcore/backyard matches but is still able to put some incredible matches with no rules. There is some big GME level in that list. Recs : Great Zako vs. Mr. Money - nkw - 20/02/2010 Crazy Zako vs. JJJJ = Shiofutei Tsurube - Nukuigusa Pro - 22/12/2012 Masked Holiday (Keita Yano) vs. Great Zako - UEW - 21/10/2018 Great Zako vs. Mr. Money - nkw - 19/05/2019 Minoru Kido vs. Great Zako - nkw - 01/01/2021 Great Zako, Mr. Money, KISHIDA & Asuka the World vs. Sasaki Complete Jr., Chocott Shitainer, Dick Zlater & Shinichiro Tominaga - CWP/nkw/AZW - 06/06/2021 Great Zako vs. Survival Tobita - XGF - 29/08/2021 Great Zako vs. Sasaki Complete Jr. - nkw - 25/09/2021 Great Zako vs. Sasaki Complete Jr. - CWP - 24/10/2021 Great Zako vs. Dick Zlater - AZW - 05/03/2022 Great Zako vs. San Francisco Xavier - XGF - 08/10/2022 Crazy Zako vs. Monster Halloween - XGF - 04/01/2023 Crazy Zako vs. Hooligan aka Sakai - XGF - 27/05/2023 Crazy Zako, Heroic Del Pachira & Mr. Money vs. KISHIDA, OSAMU & Asuka The World vs. Futokute Katai No Hoshino Kankuro, Ben-P & Necra Butcher - CWP/nkw/AZW - 11/06/2023

Although this started off a little slow, with Muto trying to keep grounded, it sure ended up delivering. After Norton got control, the match was a classic. The offense by Norton was just vicious! The hope spots were so well planned out, and the cut-offs by Norton were perfect. The crowd was rabid for Muto. He got in some nice nearfalls as the match built to the finish, with some that had me bite. The finish was so well done, with Norton just having enough of Muto, who wouldn't go away, so he goes to the top. Must watch match. Rating: 9.25/10

I've watched a lot more and Norton is so fucking under rated. He may be the best smart working big gaijin ever. His timing of cut offs is unreal. His power offense is a thing of beauty, no moves that don't make sense for his size. He's like wrestling a big tree that hits back and it's awesome. His matches with Muta at the 97 GI Climax and from February 3, 1995 are both top 100 matches of all time too.

Here too: https://forums.prowrestlingonly.com/topic/54421-command-bolshoi-send-in-the-clown/

Going in, Taue is someone I am considering for #1

This is my next year to focus on! I don't know if I can get behind Misawa, but we'll see!

UPDATED and sorry for the delay!

Control21 said: “The Real Baki the Grappler,” Naoyuki Taira was a talented shootboxer that eventually tried his hand at pro-wrestling, and was quite good at it. Taira spent most of his time in BattlArts, but also appeared in RINGS for a handful of shoot matches. Taira distinguished himself with flair and style and often appeared quite competent in terms of building match structure. Perhaps he falls in a Kohsaka-esque category of wrestlers who were just really good with a small body of work. vs Alexander Otsuka (5/11/2000) vs Carl Malenko (7/20/2000) w/Kazunari Murakami vs Yuki Ishikawa & Carl Malenko (9/7/2000)

Control21 said: Making his debut in Kiyoshi Tamura’s U-Style, Hiroyuki Ito was a talented grappler and shoot-style underdog. He was quite decent and had several worthwhile matches with Kiyoshi Tamura, Kyosuske Sasaki, and Ryuki Ueyama. After U-Style’s closure, Ito would go on to further ply his trade in NJPW, Futen, Battlarts, and Big Mouth Loud. His output remained consistent and is probably worth a closer look. vs Kiyoshi Tamura (8/18/2004) vs Manabu Hara (4/24/2005) vs Yuki Ishikawa (4/19/2006) vs Ryuki Ueyama 10/6/2003)

Control21 said: One of the more talented junior heavyweights in wrestling since the mid-2000s. Ishimori has made a name for himself in NOAH and NJPW. He has combined his considerable athleticism with technical skills and a knack for inserting a ton of energy and excitement into his matches. While other wrestlers like KUSHIDA and Hiromu Takahashi may overshadow him, he still has quite a resume and continues to deliver worthwhile matches. His consistency and output warrant at least a conversation. Recommended matches – vs Hiromu Takahashi (6/4/2018) vs Hiromu Takahashi (6/21/2022) w/KENTA vs Kota Ibushi & Naomichi Marufuji (7/15/2007) w/Naomichi Marufuji vs Kotaro Suzuki & Atsushi Aoki (6/13/2012) vs Dragon Lee (5/3/2019)

Control21 said: The archetype of the burly strongman from the Soviet bloc. Zangiev would become one of the most recognizable and impactful foreigners from the late 1980s for Puroresu. Even influencing video games such as Street Fighter. Zangiev would make his debut in 1989 for NJPW after Antonio Inoki visited the Soviet Union and negotiated access to two Russian amateur wrestlers (Salman Hashimikov was the other). Zangiev was perhaps the more charismatic of the two and was capable of having good matches. Seemingly a natural, Zangiev became one of the most formidable outsiders in 1989. Zangiev would later work on several UWFi shows. Recommended matches – vs Shinya Hashimoto (4/24/1989) vs Nobuhiko Takada (10/8/1994) w/Vladimir Berkovich vs Naoki Sano & Yoji Anjo (8/18/1994) w/Salman Hashimikov vs Kazuo Yamazaki & Yoji Anjo (6/10/1994)

Control21 said: Karl Gotch’s unheralded student and “son.” Kido was a proficient technician and became a staple in NJPW from its conception all the way into the 1980s and 1990s. Kido was also a key piece in the early years of the UWF revolution, participating in its first iteration. Later in the 2000s, Kido would make a stop in Big Mouth Loud and had a hand in training Shinsuke Nakamura in the NJPW dojo. A very underrated wrestler and one that probably merits his own thread based on a very consistent body of work. Recommended matches - vs Yoshiaki Fujiwara (9/6/1985) w/Akira Maeda vs Kengo Kimura & Tatsumi Fujinami (8/5/1986) w/Keith Haward vs Akira Maeda & Pete Roberts (12/5/1984) w/Akira Maeda vs Antonio Inoki & Yoshiaki Fujiwara (12/10/1986) vs Tatsumi Fujinami (2/6/1991)

Control21 said: Ueyama was one of the last UWFi dojo trainees along with Daijiro Matsui. Both would become JMMA-focused guys but Ueyama had some runs in the squared circle as well. After the end of UWFi, Ueyama would try his luck in KINGDOM, RINGS (although most of these matches were probably shoots), U-Style, DDT, HEAT-UP, and even a match in AJPW! As you would expect from someone who was trained in the UWFi dojo, Ueyama was technically proficient and capable of working a sound match. Another guy who I think deserves some examination here. vs Seichi Ikemoto (10/9/2004) vs Hiroyuki Ito (2/15/2003) w/Seichi Ikemoto vs Kiyoshi Tamura & Takaku Fuke (12/7/2004) vs Ryuji Hijikata (4/12/2003) vs Daisuke Nakamura (3/19/2015) w/Kiyoshi Tamura vs Hidehisa Matsuda & Yuki Kotake (6/29/2007)

Control21 said: Sakata was a RINGS dojo product and spent most of his career in shoot-style before working Zero-1 and HUSTLE in the 2000s. He wasn’t the flashiest of wrestlers but was a solid hand for the RINGS undercard for several years before becoming a similar roster member for more diverse promotions. He went from facing the likes of Tsuyoshi Kohsaka, Nikolai Zouev, and Kiyoshi Tamura to going face-to-face with CW Anderson, Jun Kasai, Tenryu, and Super Crazy. Certainly a colorful career worth examining. Recommended matches – vs Hiromitsu Kanehara (6/20/1998) vs Kiyoshi Tamura (7/20/1998) vs Masayuki Naruse (12/13/1997) vs Naohiro Hoshikawa (12/15/2002) vs Genichiro Tenryu (3/12/2006)