soup23

This was a really fun show and thanks to Scott and Justin for having me on. I still don't know how I feel about the shows overall. I think I am against the norm from most in the opinion that A. I probably like the attitude stuff a little less than most from around this time because I was still relatively young (age 11-15). Sable's handprints over her boobs were good in my eyes. Austin rebelling against the boss and stuff like the Terri miscarriage didn't resonate quite as much for me. B. I was a really big WCW fanboy that stayed loyal almost to the bitter end. Hell I had a birthday party that revolved around Road Wild 1999. I honestly do think that either as a result of the 1/4/99 show or the subsequent nonsense a lot of people threw in the towel on WCW. Again, when they return to the dome on 7/5/99 it was still a good crowd but they had lost around 40% for 6 months earlier and the atmosphere was not nearly the same as it was for the 7/6/98 and 1/4/99 shows. The Nitro was a lot better on rewatch than I had imagined going in. Most of the matches were short, but they packed a good amount of action into the time allotted. I was shocked at how good the Horace/Benoit match was for a 4 minute Nitro match. The third hour did drag and Tony's comments do come off as petty. I honestly think if you had watched the whole show it was even worse when Tony said that because the whole angle with him and Bischoff in the booth really made Tony look good, professional, and a babyface. Him saying that reversed all goodwill he had been building throughout the show. The acting in the Goldberg/Liz stuff is not good but it isn't like Mideon is going to be winning an emmy for his work on Raw either. I also think they shouldn't have announced the title rematch. That feels the most bait and switch about the whole thing. Even if they did announce the rematch ahead of time, I would have preferred Goldberg to get viciously attacked by a person and them taking him to the hospital and changing the main event right there to Hogan/Nash. The cloud hanging over the arena that Goldberg still may come back and challenge for the title hindered people as they left the building. The last point is that the context of the shows live watching needs to be established. Raw went off the air before the fingerpoke went down. That’s a huge difference in that in one show we had a triumphant surprising victory that opened up a ton of new avenues and featured the biggest star fo the era in an iconic moment. Then you flip to Nitro and we feel like we are going back to 1996 with the same people as the principals and there top star being bitched out with no one else willing to help him out. I have come to the conclusion that the fingerpoke didn't kill WCW but it sure as fuck didn't help them. On a side note, when Justin was talking about the Foley win live I was thinking if I had live wrestling moments that matched that and came up with two contenders. 1. Goldberg winning the belt on 7/6/98 - I was hoarse for days 2. Taker kicking out of the tombstone at WM 27 - I thought the streak was over This show also made me be nostalgic and realize that I have not seen a world title change hands since and I have went to 6 PPV's and probably 10 Raws since then.

I will second the October 1990 PWA match vs. Lightning Kid

40. Aja Kong, Grizzly Iwamoto & Bison Kimura vs. Honey Wings & Manami Toyota (Hamada's UWF 6/4/90) Really fun match that didn’t have the emotional impact of my favorite high end joshi, but mixed in a ton of spots and had a really hot finishing stretch between Aja and Toyota which would become an integral feud of the 1990’s. 39. Akira Hokuto & Suzuka Minami vs. Manami Toyota & Kyoko Inoue (2/3 Falls) (AJW 11/14/90) This felt like the best traditional tag in joshi in 1990. It was my favorite Hokuto and Kyoko performance. It also told a really good story and was a great wrestling match to have below the emotional cage main. 38. Barry Windham & Arn Anderson vs. Doom (Street Fight) (Starrcade 12/16/90) Ten minutes of these guys beating the shit out of each other mixing up a bunkhouse brawl and ECW streetfight. Good to see Windham look so good as he was MIA for much of 1990 and Doom really feels like a big deal in the upper card of the promotion at the time. 37. The Rockers vs. Hart Foundation (Ft. Wayne 10/30/90) I love Bret Hart in face vs. face matches. This match had a few flubs but they also worked around some severe obstacles and it features the uniqueness of the Rockers winning the titles. I especially love the tempers flaring in the first fall based around solid mat work and one upping. ****1/4 36. El Dandy, Ringo Mendoza & Sangre Chicana vs. El Satanico, MS-1 & Ken Timb (EMLL 11/16/90) I was not huge on Timbs in 1990 but this was a good showing for him. Chicana and MS-1 felt like long standing rivals in this match not willing to relinquish anything and Dandy and Satanico further their great feud being showcased in the 3rd caida. 35. Rockers vs. Powers of Pain (MSG 1/15/90) I have written a lot about this match but I think it is the perfect mixture of big vs. little and the right amount of offense was taken by the Rockers. I don’t think you could have booked a better 12 minute tag between these four than this. One of my favorite matches maybe of all time. 34. Manami Toyota vs. Yumiko Hotta (AJW Grand Prix 6/17/90) I didn’t like this quite as much as Loss but it was still really great and had Toyota showing a lot of features that she loses as the 1990’s progress. She seemed more focused and grounded in the 1990-91 stuff so far which is refreshing. Hotta is a person I never really understand why she gets the amount of hate she does and is really good in this match to and does sell well. 33. Akira Maeda vs. Masakatsu Funaki (UWF 10/25/90) Main event of maybe the best shoot style show of all time featured Funaki really feel like a big guy in the promotion for the first time on the yearbook. Maeda gave him a lot and worked in the hope sequences real well. Probably my favorite Maeda performance of 1990 and he had kind of an under the radar good year. 32. Masa Fuchi vs. Tsuyoshi Kikuchi (AJPW 7/12/90) The junior version of Misawa vs. Jumbo. Great hate and intensity is on display and we saw attributes from both men that would endear us with their work for decades to come. I love prick Fuchi so much. 31. Akira Maeda vs. Nobuhiko Takada (UWF 6/21/90) Big time main event feel that delivered a brilliant worked shoot style match. This felt like a WM main event on the shoot style stage. Takada was probably a top 10 worker in 1990. 30. Lightning Kid vs. Jerry Lynn (PWA April 1990) I came in expecting a Guerrero/Malenko respect –fest match that didn’t hold up. I was not expecting a hate filled fight filled with loony highspots that would make the Briscoes blush. This is my 2nd favorite match between these two and a match that opened my eyes to how great Lightning Kid was this early on. El Satanico, El Dandy & Emilio Charles Jr vs. Atlantis, Javier Cruz & Angel Azteca (EMLL 5/11/90) My favorite Mexico trios for the year. Up to this point, I was kind of disappointed in the work performed in the trios matches and some of the tough to follow booking. Everything came together here for a beautiful match featuring most of my favorites for the year. I again though Atlantis and Dandy were the highlights with their sequences but Azteca also interacted really well with everyone. 28. Ric Flair vs. Bobby Eaton (Main Event 1/7/90) My favorite WCW tv match of the year. Face Flair vs. a spry Eaton for 15 minutes exchanging holds. I wish this was a 3-4 match feud in the same vein of the Zbysko/Regal stuff from 1994. As a standalone, it is a great match that showed how good Flair was as a face at this point and how much of utility player Eaton can be. 27. Mitsuharu Misawa & Toshiaki Kawada & Jumbo Tsuruta & Akira Taue (AJPW 12/7/90) A sprint match for them with hot action and no breaks. Really satisfying finish given the narrative of the feud so far. A perfect cherry on the top of a feud that catapulted the promotion from the doldrums. 26. Great Muta vs. Hiroshi Hase (NJPW 9/14/90) I again was shocked at how good this match was. Blood poured but the story behind the blood was really solid and the actual wrestling was as well. Muta was certainly as capable as the big 3 in All Japan at this point in having a real good match on his own. 25. Nobuhiko Takada vs. Yoshiaki Fujiwara (UWF 2/27/90) My two favorite shoot style workers in 1990 having the first match of 2 that will be featured on this list. I really liked the strikes transitions in this and of course, Fujiwara does so many little things to add to a match.

I like that Fully LIcensed Bar and Family Friendly are the two main headlines they chose for the top border.

vs. Samoa Joe IWA-MS Philly show. Probably the match I have shown the most to non wrestling fans.

I agree that four shows in a week was a whirlwind marathon but suffered some burn out effect by the 4th show. I really liked the series of matches shown in this podcast minus mainly the last Freebirds match. The cage match seems like a top 15 lock and the Saito vs. Martel was a really good match. I also really liked the old fucks/ sons tags. Last freebirds match is in my bottom 3 so far. I also concur with you Will that many times in watching 80's footage and a submission with someone hitting the mat, I yell oh shit he is tapping before realizing what year the match took place in.

Hash vs. Kawada Feb 2004.

Davey Boy vs. Vader Slamboree 93

vs. Owen Mania 10

Interested to see if anyone else is as high on the Steiners vs. Varisty Club match as me. I was expecting something decent to disjointed and thought it was really good with everyone looking crisp. My biggest surprise match so far in going through these shows.

vs JBL Judgement Day 2004.

**** 50. Randy Savage vs. Genichiro Tenryu (WWF/AJPW 4/13/90) Loved seeing this match in context. Savage was saddled with a bunch of shit in 1990 and this was his gem from an in ring standpoint. I think 1990 is a solid case for him as an overall worker and performer because he really went all in on his promos and work regardless of the situation in 1990. This matches features him doing his Macho heel thing in japan and it working brilliantly with the crowd. Sherri also adds a lot to the atmosphere. Tenryu is on his way out of All Japan and delivers a great native performance. 49. Kazuo Yamazaki vs. Yoshiaki Fujiwara (UWF 4/15/90) This match built on the previous two on this card but featured another great 1990 Fujiwara performance and featured a finish that felt like a great upset. Again shoot style matches are usually the hardest for me to articulate but this was very well done from a story standpoint. 48. Roddy Piper vs. Mr. Perfect (MSG 12/28/90) Very hyped hidden gem WWF match that delivers. Two personalities that clash really well but actually great wrestling work with Perfect showing off his sick bumps and turning in his best performance of 1990. The finish sucked to protect both men but this is a great example of the WWF style being mixed in with really good wrestling. 47. Genichiro Tenryu vs. George Takano (SWS 10/11/90) Another great SWS slugfest match. Takano looked like a big time player in his 1990 matches and delivered a real good performance here. Tenryu looks like the ace of the promotion and this again showcased how SWS could differentiate in its main events from the other major Japanese promotions. 46. Akira Maeda vs. Yoshiaki Fujiwara (UWF 2/9/90) This is the first indication that 1990 Fujiwara would be something special. Very mat based and grounded but a lot of fun attention to detail elements that is worth paying close attention to. 45. Jumbo Tsurtua vs. Kenta Kobashi (All Japan 8/31/90) One of the narratives of 1990 going into the set was "out with the old, in with the new" that each promotion was trying to acomplish. That being said it didnt feel like to me we got as many underdog vs. heavy favorite matches in 1990 that was such a dominant narrative in 1994 (hash vs. Liger, Kid vs. Bret). This was probably the best example of that as this is Kobashi's biggest singles to date and he does a great job in being a young lion trying to prove himself vs. the ace. Even though Kobashi is below Misawa, Jumbo isn't taking any chances on another upset and cuts Kobashi off brilliantly throughout the match. 44. Ric Flair vs. Ricky Morton (WWW 3/24/90) A feud I love and their last chapter together. This also spelled an end to Flairs run as the best wrestler in the first quarter of 1990 and his great run of tv matches. The crowd was getting behind Morton and this felt like a 1986 Crockett match in 1990 which is not a bad thing. 43. Angel Azteca vs. El Dandy (EMLL 3/23/90) This feels like an appetizer to their main course match but a great match in advancing the feud and I loved the stuff with the tempers flaring up and the great mixture of wrestilng and brawling. 42. Rick & Scott Steiner vs. Nasty Boys (Havoc 10/27/90) The match that made me not hate the Steiners. Four powerhouse guys just laying it in for a huge ass brawl. I still prefer the 1994 Nasty tags but this is one of their better matches and was just a heavyweight tag team slugfest. 41. Jushin Liger vs. Aoyagi (NJPW 6/12/90) Liger had a slightly disappointing 1990 and this was another match of his with a slightly different style from the more traditional junior style that I preferred throughout the year. The rounds system built up the aggression and Liger snapping was really well done. Aoyagi was made to look strong with him trying his hardest not to give in to Ligers pounding offense.

Just want to latch on to everyone else and say this is greatly appreciated. I am hoping to plow through the Hansen/Colon feud in the next couple of days.

Really great two man show with the format allowing a lot of deep discussion on psychology and wrestling preferences. Between this and Burning Hammer, we have had two great podcasts discussing that this week. Matches were really boss to. 1. Nick Bockwinkel & Mr. Saito vs. High Flyers (3/7/85) - Have this at #3 overall and loved it. Fairly simply done, but done extremely well with an amazing FIP sequence. 2. Nick Bockwinkel vs. Rick Martel (3/28/85) - My second favorite match of these two and a solid top 25 contender. Finish was really clever. 3. Mr. Saito vs. Curt Hennig (3/28/85) - Really heated up in second half of the match before a kind of abrupt finish. 4. The Road Warriors vs. High Flyers (3/28/85) - Really liked the work here and the selling done by the Warriors to make the High Flyers look threatening 5. Rick Martel vs. Jimmy Garvin (3/7/85) - Good solid work and I liked the stuff with Baron in the match 6. Bob Backlund & Brad Rheingans vs. Butch Reed & Larry Zbyszko (4/21/85) - Still a good match. Backlund was a little goofy but no way will this be near the bottom of my overall list.

Wild Pegasus vs. Great Sasuke J Cup 1994 Final

Listened to this today. Another good show that made for an enjoyable two hours of wrestling watching. I think this was the weakest bunch of matches watched so far. Enjoyed Johnny P challenging some opinions like the Sheiks even if I really enjoyed their matches. My rankings of stuff on this podcast: 1. Nick Bockwinkel & Mr. Saito vs. The Fabulous Ones (9/30/84) - Really fun match that showcased the style of AWA tags wonderfully 2. Nick Bockwinkel & Mr. Saito vs. Curt & Larry Hennig (11/8/84) - Lesser version of the above match but still really fun ( probably will end up in middle of my ballot) 3. Nick Bockwinkel vs. Curt Hennig (2/7/85) - More than likely the weakest of their matches but still good besides some awkward middle portions 4. Crusher Blackwell vs. Masked Superstar (3/7/85) - Not a bad match but ending was abrupt. Post match was really hot though 5. Crusher Blackwell vs. Bruiser Brody (9/30/84) - Better than I expected but still fairly abrupt and one of my least favorite Black well matches (bottom 25 contender) 6. Crusher Blackwell vs. Bruiser Brody (No DQ) (10/21/84) - Pretty shitty stuff and meandering brawling (bottom 10 contender) 7. Crusher Blackwell & King Kong Bundy vs. The Road Warriors (11/22/84) - Hated this match and think if it was generic people in the match, it would get shit on. Way too many awkward sequences. Bottom 10 lock.

This is a good plan. I would recommend either going to the Smokey Mountains straight from Atlanta or preferably to go from New Orleans to the Gulf Coast back up to Atlanta (this is about a 5 hour drive) instead of cutting through Alabama. Weather will be pretty hot. Around 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit or 32.2 Celsius. It will also be very humid so expect that.

Onita vs. Tenryu 5/5/94

Haku/Barbarin vs. Rockers Wrestlemania 7

Randy Savage vs. Ultimate Warrior Wrestlemania 7.

Ill second Vader vs. Takada August 1994.

Baba after 84 had some matches that were absolute classics. He was even pretty good in 1995 in the hour long six man draw on the Carnival tape.

If it tops him pointing out to the crowd before Hennan puts on the weasel suit in the most condescending way, I will be impressed.

Really good podcast with two guys from different side of the spectrum explaining their preferences and opinions in a variety of topics and platforms. I could listen to Dylan talk about wrestling philosophy all day.