With RVD, Jerry Lynn, Mike Awesome, Masato Tanaka and Lance Storm, ECW had a solid group of wrestlers on their roster in '99. They should have been able to book better cards around this time.
Kind of odd seeing the "big man" and the "little man" are more or less the same size. I kind of expected more of a Vader-sized bruiser in the big role. Still a very good match, mind you.
I think the problem is there aren't many giants left for wrestling. The proliferation of basketball as a global sport means any guy who's 6-9 or taller and moderately athletic can probably play in Europe for a living. Wrestling just isn't necessary for them. As such, the "big" role is redefined as the average wrestler is smaller.
I really didn't like seeing both men no-sell forearms like they did about 5 minutes in. I know it's a common puro spot, but if this is big/little, the shots by the big should have more of a consistent impact. Bryan/HHH comes to mind from WM30.
After the massive lariat to end it, though, the match really gets into its rhythm. (Note to John Cena: THAT'S how you crank on the facelock portion of an STF.) I don't think you'd see them using submission holds like that to establish one man as more powerful than the other in the WWE or TNA -- you can't afford to burn a submission hold the way you can in Japan, where the sport aspect is so much stronger.
***1/2, and the finish made me think of how Shawn Michaels made an art out of winning matches without making the other guy look too bad.
I just wanna wish everybody out there good luck tonight. Nothing special over here, just got a few high life's, making a couple of sandwiches and watching Grabd Budapest Hotel. After that I plan on watching the SNME with Hulk vs Harley. WHAT A NIGHT!
I recently watched two matches: Lesnar vs. Cena from Extreme Rules 2012 and Punk vs. Cena from MITB 2011. The latter still holds up well, and the former was a very good, 4 star match. Cena shouldn't have went over in that match.
Lesnar/Cena was one of the most unique matches WWE has done in a long time. One of the few matches where I thought Cena was in serious peril. Especially at the beginning.
Really, an "attack" would have been more like : "You're a fucking moron if you think Vince was going to, or should have, pushed a mediocre jobber just because he had a popular Youtube show."
I thought Cena going over could have worked if it was setting up a rematch and Cena took some time off. Cena won the battle, Lesnar won the war. Plus, Lesnar was too overzealous in his Cena match, but by having Heyman as his manager, Heyman can guide him through matches.
It was refresher training for my state job. I didn't have the rental car at my disposal so I was in my hotel room the whole time. Rather boring and I ate at Chili's more than one night in a row.
I thought Lesnar dominating but getting caught in a flash was, intended or not, a cool callback to his first fight with Frank Mir. No issue with Cena going over, but that A) needed a stretcher or assisted job walking back and B) Cena's promo NEEDED to be an off-camera, non-canon thing.
Just found out a guy I went to grade school and high school with killed himself. Wasn't close to him or anything but feel freaked out since I grew up with the kid.
That's definitely a bit surreal. It also makes me glad that I never went through with a suicide attempt about five years ago; although I thought about the ramifications of my family, I never thought about how it would affect my friends or people who had known me pre-college.
From 2002-03 and 08-09, I looked forward to it way more than RAW, since in those select years, it would usually just be two hours of solid-to-fantastic wrestling. My favorite type of SD would be ones without long, story-telling promos and just be a wall-to-wall two-hour card with a backstage segment here and there for pacing.
I don't even get why they bother with so many B-Shows when they've shit on Smackdown anyways. PRolly TV rights, but are they really getting that much? Not to mention they have a smaller roster anyways.
Well, he said that he was going to take time off. Then the next time, he's feuding with Johnny Ace. He jobs to Ace and then feuds with the Big Show. Like, instead of giving the guy that needs time off more than anyone, they thought those two feuds were more important. That they were just going to rock people's socks off.
I don't think I've ever felt the same whilst watch a match live, I was genuinely wondering if Brock wasn't just fucking up Cena for the hell of it. Especially after he busted open Cena's head almost straight away. Such a great "what on Earth am I watching?" feeling.
Same, although that was a big reason I voluntarily checked myself into psychiatric help, because in my sane mind, I wouldn't be capable of it (and indeed, even when getting close to going through with it, just the thought of the physical pain was enough to stop me even in that frame of mind). I'm thankful I did and got diagnosed with what was ailing me -- social anxiety disorder -- and got me the therapy, medication, and support I needed to get my life back on track.
Smackdown's a necessity, but I don't think Main Event or Superstars is. IF they had a bigger roster (or if they used everyone instead of randomly sending people to the doghouse), then they could justify that like VElocity and HEat in 02/03
So this epidosde of Smackdwon is the one after WrestleMania X-7, after Shane purchased WCW. And the week before, Jeff and Matt Hardy were seen "talking to rival promoter Shane McMahon." So of course Commissioner Regal decides he's going to punish Jeff by having him wrestle..... The Big Show.
The Big Show -- punishing people with his wrestling since 2001.
Satire is the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.
The selling wasn't what one might want it to be, but I fell for a few of the near-falls, although some of those near-falls seemed to be three-counts the ref had to postpone while the wee dude took too long to kick out.
I might suggest that Yoko vs. 1-2-3 Kid is better, but admittedly it's been a while since I saw it.
Most smarks I know are convinced that Cena is the reason Ryder is a jobber, and that he also sabotaged Riley who, according to them, was set for some big push.
Of course like all the other times where X wrestler was suppose to be holding down Y wrestler they never actually produce evidence and also seem convinced Vince doesn't have a mind of his own.
After the win Monday I jokingly said to myself that Ryder was getting future endeavored, and this was the the wwe's way of saying "sorry for how we treated you . . even though you weren't even a b+ player"
Zach Ryder got over the same way Cena did, let's be honest. Yeah, Cena was alot better, but still, if they made him Brock Lesnar's little buddy who wanted some piece of ass, and Brock fucked said piece of ass, and then A-Train beat him up every week, and then he got back with the chick and ate a nutshot, and most of all, he couldn't change a tire....
It wasn't my final straw b/c I'm one of those guys who'll probably always watch no matter what, but I agree in that it just felt really mean spirited. Say what you will about Ryder but people got behind the guy and wanted to cheer him and WWE basically said, "fuck you, we don't like this guy and here's a bajillion reasons why you shouldn't too". I'm a big believer in booking trumps a guy's overall ability for the most part and Ryder is a perfectly passable guy in the ring and on the mic but how can anyone get over when you're booked to get your g/f stolen, beaten up week after week, pushed off the stage in a wheelchair and then get humiliated by your ex g/f at WM? Ryder is the very definition of WWE's self-fulfilling prophecy in my opinion.
Molly Lambert is awful. Her tabloid stuff was a ripoff of jezebel and she wrote an absurd column comparing Woody Allen and R. Kelly. I don't read any of the pop culture stuff.
Night 4 has been 'FANTASTIC' (as KENTA would say).. Ishii/Honma & Styles/Naito in particular so far.. Okada/Anderson about to start.. Holy shit, this show..
I really came around on Ryder once I listened to his episode of the art of wrestling around Summerslam 2011. What made me like him is that he's a bigger wrestling nerd than just about any of us and that when he wasn't getting any TV time he decided to do his YouTube show and get himself over. I was never so much a fan of his character as I was him as a person.
I don't think this is necessarily true. When Punk, Ziggler and Daniel Bryan (Other guys the smarks had clamored for) finally got pushed and won the title, I don't remember anyone complaining. While I'm sure a certain few will complain no matter what, this is not true for most of us.
With RVD, Jerry Lynn, Mike Awesome, Masato Tanaka and Lance Storm, ECW had a solid group of wrestlers on their roster in '99. They should have been able to book better cards around this time.
ReplyDeleteTaker vs Rey at royal rumble was very good. Would of liked it to go another 10 mins then we might be talking all-time classic
ReplyDeleteKane/Mysterio SummerSlam 2010 is always my goto Big Man/Little Man match
ReplyDeleteKind of odd seeing the "big man" and the "little man" are more or less the same size. I kind of expected more of a Vader-sized bruiser in the big role. Still a very good match, mind you.
ReplyDeleteI think the problem is there aren't many giants left for wrestling. The proliferation of basketball as a global sport means any guy who's 6-9 or taller and moderately athletic can probably play in Europe for a living. Wrestling just isn't necessary for them. As such, the "big" role is redefined as the average wrestler is smaller.
I really didn't like seeing both men no-sell forearms like they did about 5 minutes in. I know it's a common puro spot, but if this is big/little, the shots by the big should have more of a consistent impact. Bryan/HHH comes to mind from WM30.
After the massive lariat to end it, though, the match really gets into its rhythm. (Note to John Cena: THAT'S how you crank on the facelock portion of an STF.) I don't think you'd see them using submission holds like that to establish one man as more powerful than the other in the WWE or TNA -- you can't afford to burn a submission hold the way you can in Japan, where the sport aspect is so much stronger.
***1/2, and the finish made me think of how Shawn Michaels made an art out of winning matches without making the other guy look too bad.
Exactly. Hence "jobber to the stars".
ReplyDeleteI'm watching Smackdown.. the one from after Wrestlemania X-7.
ReplyDeleteI just wanna wish everybody out there good luck tonight. Nothing special over here, just got a few high life's, making a couple of sandwiches and watching Grabd Budapest Hotel. After that I plan on watching the SNME with Hulk vs Harley. WHAT A NIGHT!
ReplyDeleteThe Brewers are going to make up for the Tribes terrible effort last night. Asshole Indians ruined my winning-streak.
ReplyDeleteThe Rock's first words about class when the bookmark/timer begins came to mind. So, I posted it. I don't get the need to talk stuff about other fans.
ReplyDeleteWassup BoD? I'm back from the business road trip and ready to concede the AL East this season.
ReplyDeletehttp://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Eyg1YlUg--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/xye7xymwcyrlszrwxuqc.jpg
ReplyDeleteStephan A Smith doing something tons of fans wish they could do.
I recently watched two matches: Lesnar vs. Cena from Extreme Rules 2012 and Punk vs. Cena from MITB 2011. The latter still holds up well, and the former was a very good, 4 star match. Cena shouldn't have went over in that match.
ReplyDeleteHow was the trip?
ReplyDeleteLesnar/Cena was one of the most unique matches WWE has done in a long time. One of the few matches where I thought Cena was in serious peril. Especially at the beginning.
ReplyDeleteGood evening all! Drink of choice tonight is SAM ADAMS
ReplyDeleteAn "attack"? You don't think that's a bit much?
ReplyDeleteReally, an "attack" would have been more like : "You're a fucking moron if you think Vince was going to, or should have, pushed a mediocre jobber just because he had a popular Youtube show."
Unique match indeed.
ReplyDeleteI thought Cena going over could have worked if it was setting up a rematch and Cena took some time off. Cena won the battle, Lesnar won the war. Plus, Lesnar was too overzealous in his Cena match, but by having Heyman as his manager, Heyman can guide him through matches.
ReplyDeleteIt was refresher training for my state job. I didn't have the rental car at my disposal so I was in my hotel room the whole time. Rather boring and I ate at Chili's more than one night in a row.
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say, I''m glad to be home.
Evening
ReplyDeleteOh, I thought that would be a pic of him beating Bayless with a baseball bat.
ReplyDeleteImpact ratings up again and up huge in the 18-49 category.
ReplyDeleteUgh, I'd imagine. Too much hotel time can be cabin fever.
ReplyDeleteLink?
ReplyDeleteAnd speaking of HHH/Brock, I was not a fan of any of the matches they had together.
ReplyDeleteHaaaayyy
ReplyDeleteI thought Lesnar dominating but getting caught in a flash was, intended or not, a cool callback to his first fight with Frank Mir. No issue with Cena going over, but that A) needed a stretcher or assisted job walking back and B) Cena's promo NEEDED to be an off-camera, non-canon thing.
ReplyDeleteJust found out a guy I went to grade school and high school with killed himself. Wasn't close to him or anything but feel freaked out since I grew up with the kid.
ReplyDeleteDamn, I've already lost about 4 pounds in 5 days. DDP Yoga really does work.
ReplyDeleteIt was actually pretty good! Much getter than the trailers suggest.
ReplyDeleteI remember the days when Smackdown used to be a "must see" show like RAW used to be.
ReplyDeleteI once stopped a stray cat from entering my house illegally. #IAMDanielBryan
ReplyDeleteThat's definitely a bit surreal. It also makes me glad that I never went through with a suicide attempt about five years ago; although I thought about the ramifications of my family, I never thought about how it would affect my friends or people who had known me pre-college.
ReplyDeleteWent away went the brand split ended and even was getting shitty before the split too.
ReplyDeleteCesaro/Ambrose sounds must see. That's about it.
ReplyDeleteSmackdown used to be so good.
ReplyDeleteThe good reviews (60%+ at RT) definitely has piqued my interest.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/330007/TNA-Impact-Rating-Ticks-Upward.htm
ReplyDeleteYou too!? I was in a similar position a little under five years ago and just feel so selfish when I think about it.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to the "Smackdown Six" era in late 2002, Smackdown's best period was from its debut up till about WMX7.
ReplyDeleteA whole percent!
ReplyDeleteFrom 2002-03 and 08-09, I looked forward to it way more than RAW, since in those select years, it would usually just be two hours of solid-to-fantastic wrestling. My favorite type of SD would be ones without long, story-telling promos and just be a wall-to-wall two-hour card with a backstage segment here and there for pacing.
ReplyDeleteThe Cubs song they are playing is hilariously bad.
ReplyDeleteIt deconstructs the whole myth pretty well without being condescending. And the action is really good.
ReplyDeleteI don't even get why they bother with so many B-Shows when they've shit on Smackdown anyways. PRolly TV rights, but are they really getting that much? Not to mention they have a smaller roster anyways.
ReplyDeleteIt really does!
ReplyDeleteNice. I'm at 8 pounds in 5 weeks doing my own thing, so props to you, and of course, DDP.
ReplyDeleteUp to a 0.5 in the 18-49. That's the key demo. They were getting BELOW 0.4 a couple months ago.
ReplyDeleteI've been there. Last year a guy who I despised in high school killed himself. I felt terrible.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, there were some damn good matches on the show in 2003. It's too bad that 2003 was one of the worst years in WWE history creatively.
ReplyDeleteWell, he said that he was going to take time off. Then the next time, he's feuding with Johnny Ace. He jobs to Ace and then feuds with the Big Show. Like, instead of giving the guy that needs time off more than anyone, they thought those two feuds were more important. That they were just going to rock people's socks off.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever felt the same whilst watch a match live, I was genuinely wondering if Brock wasn't just fucking up Cena for the hell of it. Especially after he busted open Cena's head almost straight away. Such a great "what on Earth am I watching?" feeling.
ReplyDeleteSame, although that was a big reason I voluntarily checked myself into psychiatric help, because in my sane mind, I wouldn't be capable of it (and indeed, even when getting close to going through with it, just the thought of the physical pain was enough to stop me even in that frame of mind). I'm thankful I did and got diagnosed with what was ailing me -- social anxiety disorder -- and got me the therapy, medication, and support I needed to get my life back on track.
ReplyDeleteI also asked why they even bother with Smackdown at this point.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're still with us DBSM. But I'm still whuppin that ass in the best of five on BOD RAW.
ReplyDeleteIn fairness, even Smith has admitted Bayless could take him in a fight. Bayless works out like 5 times a week; he's jacked.
ReplyDeleteNot as bad as the Indians. I felt Cleveland's decades of pain in one night.
ReplyDeleteI hear you.
ReplyDeleteYou got....NO CHANCE *dunnuhnuhnuhnuh* NO CHANCE IN HELL!
ReplyDeleteBut thanks =)
Smackdown's a necessity, but I don't think Main Event or Superstars is. IF they had a bigger roster (or if they used everyone instead of randomly sending people to the doghouse), then they could justify that like VElocity and HEat in 02/03
ReplyDeleteGood points.
ReplyDeleteSo this epidosde of Smackdwon is the one after WrestleMania X-7, after Shane purchased WCW. And the week before, Jeff and Matt Hardy were seen "talking to rival promoter Shane McMahon." So of course Commissioner Regal decides he's going to punish Jeff by having him wrestle..... The Big Show.
ReplyDeleteThe Big Show -- punishing people with his wrestling since 2001.
I remember this show.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to get behind with this stuff. I had no idea Night Three had even happened.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, I got back into TEW 2005 this week and am currently running a present day NJPW game. Waiting for Punk to come off his hiatus.
Stranger things have happened - Hogan/Beefcake main evented Starrcade after all!
ReplyDeleteScreech didn't actually get beat up though. Zack started the rumor that slater did so people wouldn't cheer slater
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was just getting good, and it was over. I remember enjoying that, and having no real expectation for it.
ReplyDeleteWell there's ECW booking before 1998...and everything after,
ReplyDeletereally cool realistic finish with the reverse while awesome thought it was in the bag
ReplyDeleteR-Truth and the Miz main evented a Survivor Series.
ReplyDeleteR-Truth main evented a PPV. Miz main evented a WRESTLEMANIA.
Yes I know that. Yeesh.
ReplyDeleteMistakes in Lowe's X's and O's breakdown? Are you serious? Lowe watches endless amounts of basketball and researches it for a living.
ReplyDeleteBut I guess your local YMCA play makes you a bigger expert.
You do understand the character is satire?
ReplyDeleteWhoops, sorry - forgot who I was talking to.
Satire is the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.
The selling wasn't what one might want it to be, but I fell for a few of the near-falls, although some of those near-falls seemed to be three-counts the ref had to postpone while the wee dude took too long to kick out.
ReplyDeleteI might suggest that Yoko vs. 1-2-3 Kid is better, but admittedly it's been a while since I saw it.
This was on one of ECW Pioneer home video DVDs. Fantastic match.
ReplyDeleteMost smarks I know are convinced that Cena is the reason Ryder is a jobber, and that he also sabotaged Riley who, according to them, was set for some big push.
ReplyDeleteOf course like all the other times where X wrestler was suppose to be holding down Y wrestler they never actually produce evidence and also seem convinced Vince doesn't have a mind of his own.
After the win Monday I jokingly said to myself that Ryder was getting future endeavored, and this was the the wwe's way of saying "sorry for how we treated you . . even though you weren't even a b+ player"
ReplyDelete"Woo woo woo, you know it" is "perfectly acceptable?"
ReplyDeleteNever quote Matt Striker commentary... OK, maybe one more... "I'M MARKING OUT, BRO!"
ReplyDeleteWhat is this spam BS doing on the blog?!?
ReplyDeleteGreat username on that video.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the two or three match series he had with Christian was really quite good for TV matches.
ReplyDeleteZach Ryder got over the same way Cena did, let's be honest. Yeah, Cena was alot better, but still, if they made him Brock Lesnar's little buddy who wanted some piece of ass, and Brock fucked said piece of ass, and then A-Train beat him up every week, and then he got back with the chick and ate a nutshot, and most of all, he couldn't change a tire....
ReplyDeleteCheck out the following year's Brock/Angle/Show - IMO, an even BETTER match, and still one of my absolute faves of all time.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't my final straw b/c I'm one of those guys who'll probably always watch no matter what, but I agree in that it just felt really mean spirited. Say what you will about Ryder but people got behind the guy and wanted to cheer him and WWE basically said, "fuck you, we don't like this guy and here's a bajillion reasons why you shouldn't too". I'm a big believer in booking trumps a guy's overall ability for the most part and Ryder is a perfectly passable guy in the ring and on the mic but how can anyone get over when you're booked to get your g/f stolen, beaten up week after week, pushed off the stage in a wheelchair and then get humiliated by your ex g/f at WM? Ryder is the very definition of WWE's self-fulfilling prophecy in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteZack was definently ahead by a little over half a year.
ReplyDeleteThey even moved his show to they're chanel when it opened to try and get people subscribed
Lowe
ReplyDeleteMolly Lambert is awful. Her tabloid stuff was a ripoff of jezebel and she wrote an absurd column comparing Woody Allen and R. Kelly. I don't read any of the pop culture stuff.
ReplyDeleteBill Barnwell is unreadable. Simmons can still bring it when he wants to, but this summer has not been kind to him.
ReplyDeletethe dude is the dude that's what you call him
ReplyDeleteNight 4 has been 'FANTASTIC' (as KENTA would say).. Ishii/Honma & Styles/Naito in particular so far.. Okada/Anderson about to start.. Holy shit, this show..
ReplyDeleteI really came around on Ryder once I listened to his episode of the art of wrestling around Summerslam 2011. What made me like him is that he's a bigger wrestling nerd than just about any of us and that when he wasn't getting any TV time he decided to do his YouTube show and get himself over. I was never so much a fan of his character as I was him as a person.
ReplyDeleteI don't think this is necessarily true. When Punk, Ziggler and Daniel Bryan (Other guys the smarks had clamored for) finally got pushed and won the title, I don't remember anyone complaining. While I'm sure a certain few will complain no matter what, this is not true for most of us.
ReplyDeleteCena and Rock main-evented a Survivor Series. Truth & Miz just happened to occupy the ring at the same time
ReplyDeleteThey couldn't. And they didn't. Rock & Cena main-evented that show.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah Ryder
ReplyDeleteThe last decade of Wrestlemanias say "Yes"
ReplyDeleteAgreed. It hasn't been "can't miss TV" in over a dozen years
ReplyDeleteOr el Duderino, if you're not into the whole brevity thing
ReplyDeletetalking about AJ Styles, he had some kickass matches vs big men like Joe and Abyss (Lockdown 2005)
ReplyDeleteHell, even the Attitude Era proved that: Val Venis, NAO, the Hardyz/Dudleyz/E&C, Too Cool, The Godfather, and so forth.
ReplyDeleteJust found it on YouTube and downloaded it, so I can watch it soon.
ReplyDelete