MATCHES THAT TICKLED MY FANCY: January 2018

Posted on February 1, 2018 12:58 PM by Phil

(by PHIL RIPPA)

I watch enough wrestling (but not as much as I used to) that I watch plenty of things that I really enjoy. And I watch enough of those things in a month to trick myself into continuing to watch wrestling for another month. So when up at o’dark hundred hour again – I suddenly decided that I wanted a repository for those matches I watched in a month (the biggest reason so that in three months when I watch something again and am all “HOLY SHIT! I LOVED THE FUCK OUT OF THAT!” I will realize that I had already watched it and totally forgotten about it. Being old sucks.)

A few things worth mentioning that you will totally ignore

– Since I just thought this up this morning, I remember nothing that I watched. This is what my feeble brain cobbled together. I am sure I watched other stuff that I enjoyed but who can be sure?

– Some of the matches are great. Some are not. I might occasionally leave things off just because everyone else has already beaten it to death. Who knows? It is my fucking idea.

– These aren’t matches that took place in only January 2018. These are matches I WATCHED in January 2018. And some of these I have watched plenty of times before.

– List is no particular order

I know present… 16 MATCHES THAT TICKLED MY FANCY IN JANUARY 2018

1) ROYAL RUMBLE 2008

The WWE uploaded a bunch of Rumble matches leading up to this year’s rumbles so I rewatched a bunch of them as I was working on other things. If it wasn’t for the terrible section with Roddy Piper and Jimmy Snuka – I would consider this the best Rumble match ever.

2) ANDRE THE GIANT vs. HARLEY RACE (Houston)

Doing the Houston section of the 1001 finally shamed me into watching this as it was #1 on my pile of shame. It is two of my all time favorite wrestlers. Of course I am going to love it. WHADDA YOU MEAN HOGAN DIDN’T SLAM ANDRE FIRST?!?!?!?! VINCE MCMAHON LIED TO ME!!!!

1001 Houston

3) KASSIUS OHNO vs. VELVETEEN DREAM

4) JOHNNY GARGANO VS. ANDRADE “CIEN” ALMAS

The latter is one of the best matches in NXT history. The former is another showcase for how far Dream has come in developing his character. He still needs to learn how to not take his own moves on his own neck but if he gets to keep working the caliber of wrestlers like Ohno and Aleister Black, he will do just fine.

5) KALISTO/GRAN METALIK/LINCE DORADO vs. TJP/JACK GALLAGHER/DREW GULAK

The 205 Live 6-man kickoff show match was so much fun in front of 20 people. Gulak and Gallagher’s exchange over a “high spot” might have been the highlight of the show for me. Plus, Gran Metalik almost made a PPV!

6) BRAZOS vs. ATLANTIS/LIZMARK/MASCARA SAGRADA

A review for this match will be coming soon but let me sum up. I love the Brazos.

7) SUPER DELFIN IN A BATTLE ROYAL IN A FISH MARKET WITH OTHER FISH RELATED WRESTLERS

15 years we would have made a really really really big deal out of this. I miss the 500. Dean totally would have the guy dressed like a Final Fantasy Cactuar in the high 300s.

8) DUSTIN RHODES/VADER I

9) DUSTIN RHODES/VADER II

10) DUSTIN RHODES/VADER III

The Dustin Rhodes/Vader series that isn’t really a series because they were in plenty of tags against each other plus Cagematch lists a 4th match that I haven’t been able to find yet. (Actually Cagematch only lists 3 matches because it doesn’t have the King of Cable match for some reason.) First match is the King of Cable semis. Second match is the Clash of Champions match. Third match is from Sat Night. Reviews coming soon.

11) MR. NIEBLA vs. CAIFAN

12) PAUL LONDON vs. AKIO

I just put these two on the 1001: PLAIN JANES

13) SHINYA HASHIMOTO vs. VICTOR ZANGIEV

I think I have three different versions of this match bookmarked. I was positive it was reviewed way back in the day but all I can find is DEAN pondering what happened to the New Japan Russians. This one was put on the 1001: MEDIUM ONE (As was the previously mention Clash Dustin/Vader match)

14) MIZ vs. ROMAN REIGNS – RAW (01/22/18)

15) MIZ vs. ROMAN REIGNS – RAW (01/29/18)

16) SHUJI ISHIKAWA vs. DAISUKE SEKIMOTO

Hey! Hey! Guess what? These two beat the tar out of each other! And it isn’t remotely their best match against each other!