Dub H
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Post by Dub H on Feb 28, 2021 20:17:59 GMT -5
Hopefully they build a Shida Itoh feud
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Post by AwamoriRock on Feb 28, 2021 20:18:29 GMT -5
Hopefully Ryo can work a couple of shows while she's in the US, other than just the US vs Japan final. I'd be surprised if she isn't moving full-time. The line from Emi Sakura that Ryo would have retired without AEW, plus the bits AwamoriRock has mentioned about Ryo not having any important bookings in Japan, combine into the impression that she's all-in. I think moving is very possible, but so is residing in Japan and just being in AEW for large blocks of time. I'm assuming if she moves, she will go back to Japan briefly for a farewell tour of sorts first then do it, but who knows.
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Chiral
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Post by Chiral on Feb 28, 2021 20:20:17 GMT -5
"Next Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAYYY" I thought Excalibur was gonna add "be theerrRERREERRRREReerrRRRRR" (bonus points if you get that reference)
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Celgress
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
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Post by Celgress on Feb 28, 2021 20:21:59 GMT -5
The Rosa/Riho match was great.
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Chiral
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Post by Chiral on Feb 28, 2021 20:33:20 GMT -5
WOW I did not see that winner coming.
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chrom
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Post by chrom on Feb 28, 2021 20:33:42 GMT -5
Ryo should win Wednesday, it'd be pointless for her to go into Quarantine and travel to the US just for a one off match.
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Glitch
King Koopa
Not Going To Die; Childs, we're goin' out to give Blair the test. If he tries to make it back here and we're not with him... burn him.
Watching you.
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Post by Glitch on Feb 28, 2021 21:05:28 GMT -5
That was short but fun. So much of what we're gonna see in the future of AEW.
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Post by Cyno on Feb 28, 2021 21:23:02 GMT -5
I'm a lot more interested in Shida vs. Ryo than either of the two US bracket finalists. We've already seen Shida vs. Rosa (albeit as an exhibition and without a title on the line) and we don't need Shida vs. Nyla again.
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Post by Dr. Bolty, Disaster Enby on Feb 28, 2021 21:47:17 GMT -5
I'm legitimately excited for anything that Ryo Mizunami ends up doing in AEW - from wars with Leyla Hirsch and Thunder Rosa down to comedy squashes against Dani Jordyn and Madi Wrenkowski.
I'm curious if she ends up heel, just because there are more potential matches for her that way - but she's really easy to like.
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Dub H
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Post by Dub H on Feb 28, 2021 22:49:44 GMT -5
Khan has put the tournament on youtube due to the international streams bugging
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Glitch
King Koopa
Not Going To Die; Childs, we're goin' out to give Blair the test. If he tries to make it back here and we're not with him... burn him.
Watching you.
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Post by Glitch on Mar 1, 2021 3:01:42 GMT -5
I don't know if this was posted already, but I like this fan art of the tournament.
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Mozenrath
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Post by Mozenrath on Mar 1, 2021 7:47:01 GMT -5
I strongly suspect that Nyla wins her match with Rosa, though I think both have a chance, just in so far as both of them have experience working with joshi. Nyla makes more sense to me, though, as a stepping stone for Ryo.
As for if I think Ryo wins the title, it's certainly possible. Shida could use a little rest, and it'd be fresh. We could get our first two-time champion, too, if it's for one reason or another a short reign.
That said, even if Ryo loses, I imagine they'd get some matches in with her while she's present. Got to make hay while the sun is shining, as they say.
I will say, it's rather interesting that we're looking at quite possibly our fourth champion, and it'd be with no white champions. I'm sure this isn't unheard of for a US-based promotion, but it's certainly unusual. Refreshing, too, in its way. I like when a wrestling company feels properly international.
As for thoughts on the tournament, it well exceeded my explanations. Emi Sakura has become one of my favorite heels in the whole damn company, and I say that as someone who liked her initial run. This is even better. I also loved the mention that Hikaru Shida has never defeated Emi in a singles match. Definite fuel for a match down the line, as well as an explanation for why Shida went on record as saying Emi would defeat Riho for the title, and was shown shocked when she did not. She knows what Emi is capable of.
Itoh is of course a star, but I honestly liked all of the participants. Rin and Mei were lowest, but Mei's still fairly inexperienced and Rin is a bit more reserved. Both were still capable. Aja's showing her age, but she had some fun performances and really put over Ryo huge.
I must say, VENY is someone I expect great things from. Having her kick out of the falcon arrow definitely feels like they wanted to put her over, and VENY seemed to imply that we shall see her again eventually on twitter. I was definitely impressed with her strikes and charisma.
Yuka is really goddamn good. I can definitely see why she's a two-time Princess of Princess champion. Ryo was, by design, made to look great, but Yuka put her over huge while still looking very formidable. I imagine Japan is going to be her focus for the time being, but someday, I could definitely see her becoming a champion in AEW if she wishes it, especially when travel restrictions have ceased (hopefully with good reason and not just greed/impatience).
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Dub H
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Post by Dub H on Mar 1, 2021 9:51:28 GMT -5
My top.choices didnt make it and It still deosnt bother me. I love this sensation , I may disagree but ovrerall all choices are so freaking good.
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Post by "Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay on Mar 1, 2021 11:52:10 GMT -5
If Ryo is winning, I don't really mind if Nyla beats Rosa. But I would rather Rosa win overall.
I think it is interesting that Rosa beat Riho with a roll up when roll ups are the way Riho has clinched some of her biggest victories.
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chrom
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Post by chrom on Mar 1, 2021 13:29:34 GMT -5
So is there just one match tonight?
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Post by Dr. Bolty, Disaster Enby on Mar 1, 2021 13:31:38 GMT -5
So is there just one match tonight? Not a word otherwise, which feels odd but also makes sense - any undercard they could give it would make as much sense on Dark.
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Post by "Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik on Mar 1, 2021 13:37:02 GMT -5
So is there just one match tonight? Tony mentioned somewhere (I think Observer Radio) that there would be an undercard.
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Bad Moon
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Post by Bad Moon on Mar 1, 2021 13:44:53 GMT -5
I gotta get into more joshi, this shit is lit.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2021 14:10:45 GMT -5
Khan has put the tournament on youtube due to the international streams bugging Thank you. I had a problem watching on Bleacher Report and when this popped up in my YouTube suggestions, I was coming here to ask if it was the same thing. Gonna watch this and tonight's back to back after work.
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Post by carp (SPC, Itoh Respect Army) on Mar 1, 2021 17:22:56 GMT -5
Does anyone know who had a hand in booking / agenting the Japanese matches? I suspect you don't have to do much with so many experienced wrestlers involved, but the psychology and the storytelling were absolutely excellent. It was just immediately apparent what everyone's strengths and weaknesses were, and each victory felt like it paid something off that someone set up earlier.
Excalibur deserves a big proportion of the credit for his announcing, but the matches themselves were just really tightly done. I actually wouldn't be surprised if Emi herself had a hand in things.
On a totally separate note, Mei Suruga is a horrible goblin child who will one day be a huge star. VENY's got the sex appeal and the athleticism, and they'll be in the WWE one day for sure. But Mei's got an even higher ceiling, I think.
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