|
Post by corndog on Feb 24, 2021 13:14:43 GMT -5
They definitely exaggerated his age. But considering Monsoon started wrestling in the late '50s, he just felt much older than Ventura who debuted in the mid 70s and retired early. What is even more ironic, is with some of the aging wrestlers WWF signed in the early/mid 80s to put over the younger talent, I am sure he called quite a few matches with people older than himself.
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Feb 12, 2021 13:32:26 GMT -5
My question is would American wrestlers in Japan in the 1950s during pro wrestling's rise in Japan mention Hiroshima?
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Feb 12, 2021 13:10:10 GMT -5
I enjoyed G.O.D and the Tekkers as a match but, heaven above that finished SUCKED. It made sense, Taichi snapping once he got the iron fingers back, as he's been obsessed with them much more so than the titles. But obviously I, as most, are disappointed that G.O.D. retained the titles, as they have been boring champions in the past. On the somewhat bright side this opens Taichi and ZSJ up for singles opportunities, especially with the New Japan Cup on the horizon.
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Feb 9, 2021 13:03:20 GMT -5
While the door may not be kicked wide open, I think this is the beginning of a relationship and I think it will continue to grow as long as things work out. ROH has completely failed New Japan as a US partner ever since MSG and AEW is the logical choice. Also, I think Meij failing and possibly even blocking that relationship is a strong reason for his departure. AEW does have things to offer New Japan, especially for excursion, having their young talent work on a major television production. Where as New Japan can offer the same with their LA Dojo and in Japan when things open back up. They both have major stars to offer the other side. Either way, it will be interesting to see how things go moving forward. I agree I think when things do become "normal" there is a good chance you get Tana coming to AEW for a match. I will repeat that this is more so heavily favored to AEW then it is NJPW but for NJPW maybe it isn't about talent but just another territory to help send talent and I would think they would be able to get help on non televised tours with some of the bigger stars It really just depends how the deal works out. If they can do some joint shows in the US, it could definitely help them out. After Kenny and the Bucks left for AEW, they really lost their drawing power in the US. Also, putting Japanese stars on Dynamite gives New Japan exposure they aren't getting in the US right now. As long as we don't get situations like Omega winning the IWGP title, but rarely working Japan, it shouldn't hurt New Japan. Either way, it has to be better than ROH, who kept shooting themselves in the foot and their drawing power at this point is less than indies like Impact and MLW. But I do think things will move slow with this relationship and we will just have to see where it goes.
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Feb 5, 2021 12:55:06 GMT -5
I think first of all, Meij was the biggest roadblock for New Japan/AEW. Then the pandemic giving both companies more incentive to do so, but also making it more difficult in some ways. I'm glad to see it though, hopefully down the line some Young Lions get excursion in AEW and vice versa, with some greener talent from AEW working with Shibata in LA. Eventually we can see some supercards and dream matches once things open back up. This probably leaves ROH in the dust, maybe they get to stay as a background player in all of this, but as far as they are concerned they screwed up pretty big at MSG and haven't done anything to redeem themselves. Also, what about Impact? How will they be involved, if at all? New Japan Strong has used talent from Impact and even advertised that the talent was from there, using their logo. So they will probably remain another background player in all of this.
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Feb 5, 2021 12:36:22 GMT -5
Yeah, after the absolute farce that ROH made of their side of the MSG show, it seems New Japan have slowly distanced themselves. A red flag on this I've been thinking about is New Japan's relationship with CMLL. Is it possible that they could be unhappy working with a company partnered with AAA? Genuine question here, lucha is a big blind spot for me. Politics in Lucha Libre can get pretty ugly. CMLL threw a fit in 2019 during The Battle of Los Angeles because Pentagon and Fenix were on it and so was Dragon Lee. They didn't face each other or even interacted but CMLL fired Dragon Lee in response and threatened other promotions to not use him or his Brother Rush. New Japan used Dragon Lee after that period, but CMLL did not threaten their relationship. Although at this point, CMLL and New Japan haven't done much lately, but a lot of that has to do with the current situation. It's a question mark, especially if the AEW/New Japan relationship continues to build. But at the same time, CMLL and New Japan have been working together for a while and for the most part, it's been a healthy relationship for both of them.
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Feb 5, 2021 12:32:41 GMT -5
I still say Charlotte. Dont matter her skill level, she should not be anywhere close to already tying her dad's reign amount It’s certainly not Charlotte. She’s a hell of a worker. Being Ric Flairs daughter certainly got her foot in the door and some extra push but she can straight out go. Greg Gagne could work also, he wasn’t anything great and looked like your friends dad who is assistant manager at Stop and Shop but he did his best to earn his keep. Erik Watts though... almost everybody hated his fathers leadership and then they get this dud thrown at them. I think Watts redeemed himself a little bit with his work in early TNA I always disagree when people put Gagne in this group. Verne never pushed him to the top, and yeah he didn't have a great look, but he was a solid worker and still managed to get over. Also from what I heard from wrestlers that stuck around in the later years of the AWA, many even wanted him to take over because Verne had lost his touch and Greg had more modern ideas.
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Feb 5, 2021 12:14:45 GMT -5
Storyline-wise, KENTA isn't friends with the former BC members and is only doing whatever he can to mess with Moxley in the lead-up to their title match. KENTA straight-up told Omega to "shut the f*** up" and that he wasn't his friend, with no interest in repping the American Club. Jay won't care, just like how Tama apparently didn't care, since all this does is put Bullet Club in a better position to win more gold. Reality-wise, I think this is a trade-off between Gedo/Rocky & Tony Khan regarding getting Moxley to drop the belt on US soil. Which definitely required a contract carve-out in these extreme circumstances to happen. Rocky is peacemaker with all sides, and something needed to give on the US Championship after a whole damn year. After next week and the 2/26 bout, I'm sure it will be the end of any temporary partnership and major talent sharing. I agree with this The door isn't kicked open but there is def a crack and it will be interesting what if anything happens moving forward. While the door may not be kicked wide open, I think this is the beginning of a relationship and I think it will continue to grow as long as things work out. ROH has completely failed New Japan as a US partner ever since MSG and AEW is the logical choice. Also, I think Meij failing and possibly even blocking that relationship is a strong reason for his departure. AEW does have things to offer New Japan, especially for excursion, having their young talent work on a major television production. Where as New Japan can offer the same with their LA Dojo and in Japan when things open back up. They both have major stars to offer the other side. Either way, it will be interesting to see how things go moving forward.
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Feb 5, 2021 12:05:54 GMT -5
Crazy how it all worked out (and seemingly will continue to..) quite serendipitously. I think first of all, Meij was the biggest roadblock for New Japan/AEW. Then the pandemic giving both companies more incentive to do so, but also making it more difficult in some ways. I'm glad to see it though, hopefully down the line some Young Lions get excursion in AEW and vice versa, with some greener talent from AEW working with Shibata in LA. Eventually we can see some supercards and dream matches once things open back up. This probably leaves ROH in the dust, maybe they get to stay as a background player in all of this, but as far as they are concerned they screwed up pretty big at MSG and haven't done anything to redeem themselves.
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Jan 27, 2021 12:13:45 GMT -5
I really didn't expect Tenzan to have any real chance in this match, but now I really hope he wins. I know he doesn't have long left in his career, but that would hurt to take that away from him. This is as much a legend passing off "Excalibur" to the next generation as you're ever going to see in wrestling. This is going to be sad if Tenzan loses. Although I definitely seeing him go all out in this match and I think it will be better than people expect.
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Jan 27, 2021 12:02:32 GMT -5
I remember when this was happening and Flair was saying he would love to face Austin and be the corporate champ. I think Flair would have been fine, especially since once again it would make WCW look bad and Vince loves that kind of stuff. Also, the main event scene was still fairly thin at that point of time.
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Jan 26, 2021 13:35:41 GMT -5
Ospreay wanted it and he's gonna get it. Him vs Kojima is No DQ Also, whoever loses in O-Khan vs Tenzan must retire from doing The Mongolian Chop I really didn't expect Tenzan to have any real chance in this match, but now I really hope he wins. I know he doesn't have long left in his career, but that would hurt to take that away from him.
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Jan 21, 2021 13:21:44 GMT -5
O-Khan, in a show of disrespect has started using Tenzan's tombstone finisher It's been years since I have seen Tenzan bust out the TTD. Crazy enough, with his messed up feet, he's done the moonsault last year fairly regularly. I wonder if he brings it out for this match, that would be fun.
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Jan 17, 2021 11:52:24 GMT -5
Might as well put the titles back on Dangerous Tekkers Tag titles getting switched at New Beginning is almost always a given Do it! They're awesome. Only team I've liked in the past like, three years other than Juice & Finlay. I will be very sad if Tekkers lose here. I loved what Taichi said after the loss, "Now the belts are worthless after all of the hard work we have put into them." I have a feeling we see Iizuka's glove and Taichi losses his shit.
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Jan 11, 2021 12:55:24 GMT -5
I have Frontier, no complaints really.
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Jan 11, 2021 12:11:50 GMT -5
I'll also add I love the character development. Each character has a really good arc and their actions and motivations make perfect sense. Also {Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}That the Cobra Kai dojo took a huge downturn quality wise when Kreese came in. Think about it, Johnny took Miguel, Hawk, and Aisha from having no martial arts experience and Aisha might have been the only one to have any athletic experience, and in a few months all 3 reached the quarters of the All Valley. Aisha lost to the freaking defending champion 3-2, Hawk made the semis and got disqualified, and Miguel won it. Three people with no experience, and in a few months Johnny turned them into fantastic fighters. They only start regularly losing when Kreese comes back in, and Hawk starts to get sloppy because of Kreese. People are mad that Cobra Kai gets their ass kicked a lot, but they didn't get their ass kicked when Johnny was in complete control. That only started with Kreese coming back. It's one way they're showing that Johnny's Cobra Kai is superior to Kreese's.
And this season Kreese brings in Kyler and others to Cobra Kai, because he says they need natural athletes. Johnny didn't need those guys. {Spoiler}{SPOILER: CLICK TO SHOW}Interesting to look at the aspect of Johnny as a teacher. Never really thought about that, but you are correct. I feel like Johnny is a much better motivator. He uses a lot of Kreese's methods, but he is more patient and actually connects with his students. Kreese soley relies on fear and hate to control them with no other motivating factor.
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Jan 3, 2021 13:08:08 GMT -5
Yeah to me, Hawks "turn" was formed more out of desperation and seeing how his attenpts to curry favor were always spurned more than genuinely wanting to fix things I would have liked to have seen more introspection from Hawk as the season progressed. I mean, it's one thing for him to accept that his friendship with Demetri fell apart. It's a shame, but it happens. But then Aisha is gone, Bert is gone, Miguel is gone and wants nothing to do with him, "Assface" is gone (what was his real name?), even Stingray is gone. Now he's forced to hang out with douche-nozzle Kyler and Robbie, who Kreese has spent weeks telling him he was the enemy. To him Cobra Kai is basically Theseus' ship. We got some of that, but it really felt glossed over, so his "face turn" felt rushed and like it was done simply because he felt sorry for Demetri and not because he realized there was nothing left in Cobra Kai to be loyal to. {Spoiler}{SPOILER: CLICK TO SHOW}I actually enjoyed Hawk's face turn. You could see he was conflicted about breaking Demetri's arm. Then Kyler joining and eventually Robbie joining. Also was it just Demetri or Miguel as well? Hawk never attacked Miguel and his reason to support Kreese was due to what happened to Miguel. When Johnny and Miguel disagreed with his alliance to Kreese and their reasoning why, it did seem to have some impact on him and cause him to question it, but still going back to him. You could tell he was conflicted throughout the season. Many have compared Robbie to Anakin in Star Wars turning to the dark side, where Hawk could be like Vader turning back, but doing so before it was too late. The question is where will Robbie lie in the end? Will he have any sort of redemption or will it be too late?
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Dec 29, 2020 19:23:13 GMT -5
I will agree with that much, that's fair, even if I think the actual matches he'd be having would be essentially the same, so the Kojima complaint some have wouldn't really be any different, the match would likely still happen. That said, I do wonder if this would be as much of an issue if the IC title wasn't being used in the world title angle for, at this point, no particular reason. Then that could be being used to give another match of substance on the card. The matches would no doubt be the same, I agree with that Also that's part of my problem cause of the IC title. You had this time to really step it up. They were off to a right start with finally having talent like Minoru go after the title. The biggest problem in general right now is Gedo lack of care for the midcard titles. The IC title should not be attached to the IWGP HW title anymore SANADA/EVIL should have been for the IC title. I'd be lying if I said i'm excited about any person in the company right now with any title right now besides Naito. Dangerous Tekkers are fun but I expect another tired G.O.D. reign. Love Takahashi but he's about to get another status quo reign. Junior tag titles are always lost in time. Anybody other then Ibushi winning the IWGP title is a failure. I love Dangerous Tekkers as the tag champs, they have been a breath of fresh air. If G.O.D. regain the belts for another tired, directionless reign, I'm going to lose it. But I think there is a chance that they retain, Taichi was livid after the press conference and I think he is going to snap and beat the hell out of them, since Taichi's story has been if motivated he can be dangerous. The US title has clearly just disappeared, but KENTA has been fun. I'm looking forward to his match with Kojima.
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Dec 23, 2020 11:37:51 GMT -5
Really? Then who was it who told Vince he was too stiff and couldn't hang? I coulda swore it was X-Pac. I know somebody did. I feel like those names aren’t out there. The way Jericho tells the story Vince ran him down about how much he sucked and his contract wasnt worth the paper it was written on and then said “You’re wrestling X-Pac, if you can’t have a good match with him, you can’t have one with anyone”. So someone between his debut and a Raw match with X-Pac. I've heard Jericho tell the story before. The Vince quote sounds about right, and after being put with X-Pac Jericho asked him what Vince wanted. X-Pac laid out the matches and also explained what Vince wanted to see in his matches. As you said, Jericho credits X-Pac for saving his job and putting him on the right path with Vince.
|
|
|
Post by corndog on Dec 18, 2020 13:31:50 GMT -5
If RVD was a full time WWF guy in 1999-2000, he probably would have been pushed a lot more. After WCW was bought out, that is when Vince started his "I'm going to do whatever I want" mindset (after being more desperate/openminded in 1997-00), and that mindset has existed ever since. RVD might have been the first example of not pushing who the fans really wanted post-WCW. This is true, but what really made the RVD situation weird was Vince giving him wins over top guys, like Austin in his Hardcore Title defenses, but then getting squashed by HHH. The common theme around this time period was Vince feeding guys to HHH, despite being much more over. Jericho is another example of this, getting wins over Austin/Rock in one night to win the unified title, but then looking weak during his title reign and just being a casualty of HHH at Wrestlemania. I don't think HHH has more clean wins over anyone than Jericho.
|
|