Shoe's ongoing MOTYC for 2016

[Grimmas]

 

1/1/16 CMLL Kamaitachi vs Maximo Hair vs Hair 4 1/2*

Man this was really good. The 1st fall was all Kamaitachi. He starts with a low level drop kick. Then begins working the leg.Loving Kamaitachi playing with his hair to get over the stip. Maximo gets in a chop to try to get some seperation from the leg work. It would be for not. An awesome Dragon Screw followed by a Figure Four for the 1st fall.

The 2nd caida and Kamaitachi is right back on the leg. His limb work has been really good here. On top of that Maximo's selling has been great. Maximo's steals the fall with a 1/2 crab.

The 3rd caida and we see Kamaitachi go back to work on the leg. Maximo is putting over the leg work. Big back Senton to the floor by Kamaitachi. Again he's focusing the attack on the leg. Maximo gets a great flash pin. We see Maximo hit 3 dives, but they are staggered apart because he was selling the leg. Maximo hits a rana off the top. Maximo is making it look like it's taking very ounce of strength to move. We get a run of nearfalls. Kamaitachi teases that he was fouled. Then rolls him up for a super heated near fall. Maximo returns the favor, then we get the deciding fall. 4 1/2*

 

I loved this too. Maximo is one of the most under rated guys around. Moved into my number 3 match of the year.

[shoe]

1/24/16 Progress Zach Gibson vs Mark Haskins 4 1/4*

 

We some back and forth on the mat early. I really liked Haskins fire throughout this match. I loved Gibson's shoulder seperator. Gibson follows up and posts it. Gibson is really great at working the arm. He mixed in unique arm work, along with some basic arm work. Haskin's comeback is of course full of fire. We get some really credible nearfalls . Haskin's fucks up Gibson's leg with some wicked kicks. This pays off in the finish. Gibson with a dropkick that is picked and turned into a ankle lock. To stop the momentum Gibson went back to the arm. Then we get this amazing sequence with cross arm bars and the like. Their was some finishing spam here which hurt the match a bit for me. Part of me liked the Haskins winning with the stretch Muffler. It paid off on the leg work, but didn't like that Haskins had to put extra torque on it with his worked over arm. Still this match told a great story with some really strong limb work from both guys.

[shoe]

2/10/16 aired LU LLSM KIng Cuerno vs El Fenix 4 1/4*

 

Man I really enjoyed this. I think I liked this more than most. I loved both guys in this for completely different reasons. Cuerno treated this like a street fight and just brought it to Fenix. Cuerno brought the hate. To counter the brawling Fenix used some awesome highspots to get back into the match. To counter Fenix's finesse,,Cuerno hits his stiff Hunter's bow tope'. They build to this incredible ladder spot finish. It was straight out of a cartoon. 4 1/4*

[Grimmas]

1/24/16 Progress Zach Gibson vs Mark Haskins 4 1/4*

 

We some back and forth on the mat early. I really liked Haskins fire throughout this match. I loved Gibson's shoulder seperator. Gibson follows up and posts it. Gibson is really great at working the arm. He mixed in unique arm work, along with some basic arm work. Haskin's comeback is of course full of fire. We get some really credible nearfalls . Haskin's fucks up Gibson's leg with some wicked kicks. This pays off in the finish. Gibson with a dropkick that is picked and turned into a ankle lock. To stop the momentum Gibson went back to the arm. Then we get this amazing sequence with cross arm bars and the like. Their was some finishing spam here which hurt the match a bit for me. Part of me liked the Haskins winning with the stretch Muffler. It paid off on the leg work, but didn't like that Haskins had to put extra torque on it with his worked over arm. Still this match told a great story with some really strong limb work from both guys.

You liked this more than Robinson vs Webster and Scrull vs Ospreay?

[shoe]

Yes. I thought Ospreay's selling was terrible in the match, and didn't like the structure of the Webster match.

[Grimmas]

Yes. I thought Ospreay's selling was terrible in the match, and didn't like the structure of the Webster match.

I might need to rewatch the first match, because I thought it was good but nothing special (3 1/2 ish) while I liked Webster's match more. Mid way through main event now, so can't comment.

[WingedEagle]

 

Yes. I thought Ospreay's selling was terrible in the match, and didn't like the structure of the Webster match.

I might need to rewatch the first match, because I thought it was good but nothing special (3 1/2 ish) while I liked Webster's match more. Mid way through main event now, so can't comment.

 

 

You're able to objectively rate a big match while stopping midway through to do other things?

[Parties]

Everyone should sincerely enjoy what they enjoy, but to my mind Ospreay is the biggest goober in wrestling right now. I really have nothing against the guy, but his offense couldn't break a condom and he's the kind of dude who Blackjack Mulligan would have stabbed in the hand with a fork early and often. If you think he's a better worker than Roman Reigns, go pet your exotic fish collection.

[shoe]

2/14/16 NJPW Kushida vs Bushi 4 1/4*

 

Man I loved this bout. Bushi has been a real standout in his tags recently as this real cheating bastard. So match he really got to show off these skills here. Pretty much the story of the is Bushi cheapshotting Kushida throughout the match. He also targeted Kushida's neck throughout. Even when Bushi's crew would get involved they'd go after Kushida's neck. Kushida even survived 2 mistings. When Kushida was on offense he targeted Bushi's arm and shoulder. I thought both guys targting the limbs was done very well. I loved the finish of Taguchi and Jay White countering Naito and Evil making it one on one. I thought this match helped both guys. It established Bushi as a player. It gave Kushida an edge, and showed the heart of a champion.

[shoe]

2/14/16 NJPW Tanahashi vs Kenny Omega 4 1/4*

I liked this one too. It had a ton of drama. I liked Omega targeting Tanahashi's shoulder. The work was very nasty and precise. Tanahashi's selling was great as well. The 2nd 1/2 of the bout Tanahashi would work over Omega's leg. This was well done as well. Omega sold the leg work right on. Their was interferance down the stretch which I thought gave the match more chaos. This matched helped both guys in that bout since they both looked good. This match and the previous 2 angles did a ton to establish Omega as a player. 4 1/4*

[Grimmas]

I had Mike Bailey vs Sami Callihan from CZW on Saturday at **** 1/4, so you might want to check that out. Currently my number 4 match of the year behind EVOLVE tag and the two Kamaitachi matches.

[Childs]

Everyone should sincerely enjoy what they enjoy, but to my mind Ospreay is the biggest goober in wrestling right now. I really have nothing against the guy, but his offense couldn't break a condom and he's the kind of dude who Blackjack Mulligan would have stabbed in the hand with a fork early and often. If you think he's a better worker than Roman Reigns, go pet your exotic fish collection.

 

But there's always been a place for that kind of flashy babyface. I'm pretty mixed on Ospreay; he really needs to be in there with the right guy. But he's very young, and I do think he could become a star.

[shoe]

I had Mike Bailey vs Sami Callihan from CZW on Saturday at **** 1/4, so you might want to check that out. Currently my number 4 match of the year behind EVOLVE tag and the two Kamaitachi matches.

I've been planning on it.

[Luchaundead]

Everyone should sincerely enjoy what they enjoy, but to my mind Ospreay is the biggest goober in wrestling right now. I really have nothing against the guy, but his offense couldn't break a condom and he's the kind of dude who Blackjack Mulligan would have stabbed in the hand with a fork early and often. If you think he's a better worker than Roman Reigns, go pet your exotic fish collection.

You might have dropped a few comical one liners but really you didn't critique much about Osprey in-ring except his striking which are never really put over as strong to begin with the only strike he does that has any heat is the turnbuckle head tucked super kick that always looks devastating. Most of the time in his matches his strikes are used to get momentum rolling and half the time are no sold anyway so I'd say they work with his weakness in a way that plays in to your opinion of him so that's hardly a complaint if, his strikes looked weak and were put over as death sure but they aren't. Otherwise I can accept that you think he looks soft that's your opinion and maybe he does but Ricky Morton made a legendary career from looking soft and selling.

[AstroBoy]

Glad to see a few kind words about Omega/Tanahashi. Upon first watch I thought it was really solid and avoided any stupidity (besides the interference, which was a fine, designed stupidity). Hopefully Omega can put it together and have a string of successful showings in a bigger role going forward.

[shoe]

Glad to see a few kind words about Omega/Tanahashi. Upon first watch I thought it was really solid and avoided any stupidity (besides the interference, which was a fine, designed stupidity). Hopefully Omega can put it together and have a string of successful showings in a bigger role going forward.

I'm a mark for when guys target a body part and go after it. That match did it really well.

[Luchaundead]

I feel slightly spoiled now for the podcast but I was going to rip into you if after your Osprey tirade you didn't give Omega full credit for his magnum opus of selling in this match

[shoe]

I feel slightly spoiled now for the podcast but I was going to rip into you if after your Osprey tirade you didn't give Omega full credit for his magnum opus of selling in this match

Sorry to spoil you.

[Luchaundead]

Haha I'll have to remember to stay out of this thread until after we record

[shoe]

2/13/16 TWE Fred Yehi vs Colby Corino 4 1/4*

 

I was on the fence on this one. In the end I think it deserves a spot. Yehi is having a WOTYC type year. Being associated with Evolve is going to help his standing along with being The IWC World Champion will make sure he gets opportunity to have his matches make tape. This match reminded me of the match from the Memphis set between Sonny King and Ricky Morton. We get some grappling early to set the stage. Yehi using his grapple fuck while Colby was using a more traditional southern style baby face style. The key spot was Yehi going after Corino's fingers, and he snaps them. Corino sells this big. He takes a powder and tapes them up. Yehi follows up with a belly to back suplex on the ring apron. This allows Yehi to focus on 2 fronts. The fingers and the back. Corino was great selling in the 2nd half. He showed glimpses of Ricky Morton. Colby was great selling, and the guys do a good job of sprinkling in hope spots and comebacks. He gets a full blown one at the end, but gets stopped cold and into the finish. 4 1/4*

[shoe]

Last year he had a great series with Slim j

[NitroFan]

where do you watch Rev Pro and Progress stuff?

[shoe]

I stream Progress from their streaming service and order Vimeo from the Rev Pro show from their website.

[Luchaundead]

2/13/16 TWE Fred Yehi vs Colby Corino 4 1/4*

 

I was on the fence on this one. In the end I think it deserves a spot. Yehi is having a WOTYC type year. Being associated with Evolve is going to help his standing along with being The IWC World Champion will make sure he gets opportunity to have his matches make tape. This match reminded me of the match from the Memphis set between Sonny King and Ricky Morton. We get some grappling early to set the stage. Yehi using his grapple fuck while Colby was using a more traditional southern style baby face style. The key spot was Yehi going after Corino's fingers, and he snaps them. Corino sells this big. He takes a powder and tapes them up. Yehi follows up with a belly to back suplex on the ring apron. This allows Yehi to focus on 2 fronts. The fingers and the back. Corino was great selling in the 2nd half. He showed glimpses of Ricky Morton. Colby was great selling, and the guys do a good job of sprinkling in hope spots and comebacks. He gets a full blown one at the end, but gets stopped cold and into the finish. 4 1/4*

 

Why is Colby in the ToPT again?

[Parties]

 

Everyone should sincerely enjoy what they enjoy, but to my mind Ospreay is the biggest goober in wrestling right now. I really have nothing against the guy, but his offense couldn't break a condom and he's the kind of dude who Blackjack Mulligan would have stabbed in the hand with a fork early and often. If you think he's a better worker than Roman Reigns, go pet your exotic fish collection.

You might have dropped a few comical one liners but really you didn't critique much about Osprey in-ring except his striking which are never really put over as strong to begin with the only strike he does that has any heat is the turnbuckle head tucked super kick that always looks devastating. Most of the time in his matches his strikes are used to get momentum rolling and half the time are no sold anyway so I'd say they work with his weakness in a way that plays in to your opinion of him so that's hardly a complaint if, his strikes looked weak and were put over as death sure but they aren't. Otherwise I can accept that you think he looks soft that's your opinion and maybe he does but Ricky Morton made a legendary career from looking soft and selling.

 

 

If your strikes look terrible and non-threatening, why do them? It becomes merely a "rev up" (no pun intended) to flashier stuff. This would be more forgivable if his flying wasn't so acrobatically choreographed. I've said this in discussion of many other matches, but flying where you're doing Cirque de Soleil gestures and landing on your feet from the top rope just doesn't seem devastating or in any way logical. Give me Akira Taue awkwardly landing like a sandbag on Kawada's head over this. In great lucha for instance, or even a lot of strong Japanese matches, guys hit dives with the look of crushing their opponent. It helps if you have a good base. I personally find Ospreay's stuff too cooperative and too anemic. Nothing about him feels like a killer. Ricky Morton was an accomplished mat worker with great energy. Soft is not at all how he's ever come off to me. You can sell and be vulnerable, but in Morton's selling he conveys power: the will to overcome a terrible beating. He was also 1000x better at selling than Ospreay is. To use him as a comparison only further exhibits Ospreay's shortcomings as this type of babyface.

 

One thing I'll add (and this is not to say that you need a particular look or body to be a great worker): Ospreay's look is a real shortcoming. I'm sorry, but the guy looks like the third strongest Help Desk technician in your office. I'd say he looks like Mike Von Erich, but Mike was actually more intimidating. He's terribly awkward on camera and on mic. His fans seem to overlook all of this because he does jazzy flying and because people want to believe that any nerd can be a credible worker post-Danielson. Which is a real misunderstanding of Danielson's charisma, talent and credibility. Here's my review of Ospreay-Skuril from my own 2016 thread:

 

Will Ospreay vs. Marty Skuril [#1 Contender's Match] (RPW High Stakes, 1/16)

Haven’t liked anything I’ve seen from either of these guys, but let’s give it a try. Hated the opening standoff of bows and curtsies. The loose chain wrestling and over the top mannerisms just felt like two kids cosplaying some wack steampunk noise. Everything Ospreay does looks horribly fake and contrived. Just so much “clever” (meaning terrible) wrestling. Skuril’s “Villain” tights as some kind of tribute to Regal are the kind of meta-disgrace usually reserved for Coachella. To give some credit where it’s due: I liked Skuril’s rolling surfboard and Ospreay’s corkscrew flying elbow. So much dung from bonafide dweebs. I hate to use the new cliche, but this was two geeks who were - wait for it - “playing pro wrestler.” Endless, endless finishing sequence of a million finishers that all look lame. If this is what we learned from 2007 ROH, then we learned nothing. 30 minutes that feel like an hour.

But again, I say all of this with a degree of apathy. I can give him the business here and still say that I hope Ospreay continues on and becomes a big star. I hope he improves and think he can. And anyone who likes what he's doing should enjoy it wholeheartedly. With all sincerity, I say more power to you.