HarryArchieGus

Regardless of the obvious outcome, this will be a great platform for the Powerhouse to show his stuff. Mox rocks against the big boys. Shirakawa v Jay intrigues me. Curious to see what Jericho has in store for the FTW Championship. Willow's shown herself capable of cutting a promo, i hope this celebration provides a nice opportunity to further the cause. I'm down for Swerve v Fletcher ~weird style!

I like the opening production of this show. The video looks good and they've been presenting some fun promos off the top pretty regularly. Case in point the Mark Briscoe Promo from Collision. I do wish they'd show the outside of the arena of the city they're in. Solo v Keith was a nice competitive showcase. I wish Bryan Keith well in finding a stronger finish than flipping stunner. Solo is a great hand. I ffwd the Righteous/Archer squash and a lot of this show. ROH features some particularly weak promos every week, but I do like the commitment to the reps and production. Leila Grey/Diamante/Taya v HIrsch/Hogan/Adora a terrific TV match. I was hoping for a Leila win there. I sincerely hope this is not a sign of them giving up on her. She was starting to look really good before her injury/hiatus. What I saw of Lady Frost v Marti Belle looked strong. Belle seems like a fun heel. So pleased to see Lady Frost potentially on the upward. I'm not in the market for Dark Order squashes, but I did catch Uno's awesome looking run. The crowd was hot for the DOs. Garrison v Briscoe was really strong. Mark Briscoe can have a really fun to excellent match with anybody. Everyone knows how good he is yet he's still underrated. The listing of Beast Mortos v Nick Comoroto made me seek out this episode. I wasn't disappointed. Comoroto is hilarious in this new look/presentation. That said, I hope at some point he goes back to his debut look and wins a few matches (in ROH). The Beast Mortos is senesational. There are several talents on this show that I have zero current interest in, but I do appreciate the company's commitment to developing talent, and providing substantial opportunities.

Holy smokes! What an unbelievable Monday morning gift! Okada v Pac to begin and St Louis is goddamn electric! Rainmaker pose into the bird flip may have been the top highlight among many. That slo-mo of Pac's moonsault is certainly a contender. I especially loved the 'he's our bastard' Pac standing ovation. God I love Pac! That's how you start a marathon of excellence. Eddie/Briscoe/Copeland v The House follows perfectly. There were some incredible matches on this card, like this one, that will no doubt be forgotten amongst the MOTYCs. All 6 were spectacular. Loved the Briscoe step up chair dive. Here's hoping these 6 pair off in singles going forward. Julia v Willow was short and sweet. Willowmania is now running and preparing to go wild shortly. At some point in her run, Willow will be money for this company. Roddy v Kyle O Reilly was every bit as sensational as I hoped it would be. Glad the Kingdom stooges were left in the back other than Wardy's near involvement. Nice clean win. Hook v Jericho was perfectly fine, and nicely laid out. I hope that Jericho both embraces this heat and smashes the shit out of that meaningless title - Poffo/Hennig style. Rosa v Storm exceeded my expectations like most. I loved seeing Toni wrestle a bit more straight up again. And has Rosa ever looked that good? Deonna in her sparkling onesy made quite a mark. Ma-ri-ah! Bryan Danielson v Will Ospreay was pure joy. A goddamn masterpiece. Everything about this from the video package to the post match was a work of great art by two beyond great artists. No surprise that FTR v Bucks find a way to aptly follow that. And ppl complain about TV death spots. I generally hate ladder matches, but certainly there's an exception to be made for these 4 pros. Ladder matches are always marred by the pretend slow climbs, but these guys proved it's not a shitty requirement. I hope others were taking notes. Cash Wheeler wrestled like he was willing to die for his art. The inevitable Jack Perry run-in was fantastic. Loved the reaction and very much looking forward to this next run. Nothing but love for Jack. Samoa Joe v Swerve followed all that and put on a helluva bout. Not that I'm surprised. These 5 hour shows take their toll on these live crowds, and zero heat for the false finishes was a bit disappointing if understandable. That said, they were all ready to come alive for the title switch. Very happy for Swerve Strickland - even if I wanted Joe's reign to keep going. Unreal. I always love AEW on PPV, but this felt even more satisfying than usual. AEDub most definitely earned the Dean call on this one.

Spun is most definitely not in the Criterion Collection. I've never seen it, but I've also never heard a positive thing about it. Maybe I've been misled, are you a fan Curt? 1999 was a great filmgoing year. Ghost Dog, the Limey, the Straight Story, Boys Don't Cry... I wonder how Boys Don't Cry holds up? Other than the Insider, I saw everything I (knew about and) wanted to see in the Cinema that year. Including the (arguably) grossly underrated Psycho remake. There was a '99 retrospective just prior to the pandemic here in Toronto, and I was fortunate enough to see many of the screenings - The Insider, Being John Malkovich, Bringing Out the Dead, Three Kings, Any Given Sunday, Existenz, American Beauty, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Election, Magnolia, All About My Mother and Eyes Wide Shut. I actually just watched Eyes Wide again last night, and I can report that it's still a stone cold masterpiece. Nicole Kidman is unreal. One of the greatest to ever do it.

Or telling said foe 'I'm coming', and let the reply or match graphic later tell us 'it is happening'. In general, AEW could use to improve the timing of their match announcements. The turnaround of match graphics featuring two or more ppl that have immediately before said graphic been in a scrum is a bit ridiculous. Go to Renee for the update.

I totally disagree. Tho, I couldn't care less about Caster's online presence. I think if you look over the oeuvre you'll agree that Assy, Bowens and Caster are very well deserving of their status as 3 cold fish. I'm still amazed at what a rotten lecture they laid on us here in Toronto. No Anthony, not everyone loves the Acclaimed. Hoping that catchphrase catches a proper jeering starting at the PPV. Also, count me in with Mother Sue and Mikey Sydal. I'm loving every moment of this Trent/OC build. I thought the hooded Trent attack on Wednesday was totally on point. I've long loved Trent and am so pleased to see him find at least a momentary purpose. I suspect the OC/Trent series will turn some heads. I also suspect many whom are upset by the Trent turn come around to the fact that they're actually buying the emotion more than they're giving themselves credit for. It's difficult dealing with the loss of such a beautiful friendship.

I like the red shoes but am a lower voter than most. That said, I plan to revisit it soon. I’ve seen a few latter Godard and did not find much enjoyment. I don’t think it’s so sad tho, he did what he wanted to do free of constraints. I find it interesting, speaking more of his prime era, how I’ll watch a film and like it then watch it a second time and kinda hate it and then a third time and love it, or any mix of those three. Truly unique and wholly original presenting countless inspirational ideas. Of the new wave I much prefer Rohmer and Truffaut, but I’ll never stop indulging the Jean-Luc catalog. Maybe more for unique creative stimulation than entertainment.

Yeah, Script of the Bridge is excellent. It's been on rotation since around the time of this post. This album is like if the Killers had a truly great album before going overly commercial. I've read their celebrity vocalist is a fan amongst many, many others. The underrated call on this album and this band's catalog seems to have much to do with their presentation. They seem like a key study in great bands without strong aesthetic choices - they're sorta forgettable looking (that's okay) and have consistently rotten album covers (Script included). Apparently this presentation was a point of pride. One of the band members was responsible for the atrocious sleeve design. Kinda wonder what signing to Factory, with in house Peter Saville cover art, would've done for this group? They also were noted as being signed to a major label which lost them the Indie press they so needed in the UK. I always forget how much I know and dig Speaking in Tongues. It was one of the first vinyl LPs I purchased. A real old beater copy that I've long since replaced. Great album. I feel like I indulge a lot of these songs outside the massive single via (arguably the greatest concert film ever made) Stop Making Sense.

I just recently watched A Matter of Life and Death, and loved it thoroughly. I wanna see everything by Powell-Pressburger. Black Narcissus is calling to me. I've been eyeing The Ghost and Mrs Muir for a long while. Thanks for the 'leaving' reminder and terrific review. Big Gene Tierney 'mark' here.

Fantastic way to spend an early Thursday morning. Mox promo to open was pretty on point. Big Will v Mox, sign me up! Mercedes Mone promo was a huge improvement and easily earns my thumbs up. Copeland/Willow v Brody/Julia was a whole lotta fun. Willow's interactions with Brody were particularly great. Cope's consistency is second to none. Dude brings his working boots every time out. Samoa Joe promo was excellent. Swerve's retort was fair. I have questions whether Strickland's mic work is at the level of a World Champion. Not saying it isn't. The camera work during these promos was a bit ugly, but who's counting. I loved the hijacking of the Bucks/FTR package into the pre-match Bucks/Okada promo. I like seeing them poke at the boss. Bucks/Okada v Garcia/Penta/Pac was wonderful television. Garcia's t-shirt was terrible/great! La-la-loved the Superkicks into the Rainmaker finish. Okada continues to look like a king. The post match beatdown and save added nicely to the quarter hour. I felt a lot softer on the Jericho/Hook/Taz promo. I'm pleased middle of the road/jeered babyface Jericho is going towards his proper heat now. He was good here. Unfortunately, this segment kinda reminded how green Hook still is. Mariah May v Deonna was really good til the kinda lame if passable finish. Deonna's mat work is sensational. I love May's offense. I wish they toned down the Toni switches to black & white. It's great for the entrance and promos, but the switches during the match look so silly. Loved seeing Rosa smash Luther. Then Toni. The whole post match angle was spot on. White/Asses promo was terrific. Jay has come a long way with his mic game. Nice flow. The Assclaimed promo that followed smelt foul. Billy outing himself as an abusive father was an interesting choice. This is a sad, sad act. OC v Shane Taylor was strong in-ring, but this multiple cornermen bullshit is awful. At least Matt Taven wasn't out there mugging for the camera and chewing up the scenery. Spandex Taylor was great here. I loved the post match hooded Trent chair attack. This OC/Trent angle is building some nice heat. I'm All in for what will no doubt be a pretty awesome bout. Or selection of bouts. Ospreay v Claudio was a goddamn dream come true. Nothing but love for this beautiful violent artwork. So many great counters! The post match Callis Family/Ospreay/BCC angle was terrific. Glad to have Mox back in the fold. Look at that incredible line-up for Dynasty. The Joe/Swerve angle to close was one of the better go home angles they've ever done. The Swerve stomp on the Job Squad made for an excellent visual. Superstoked for the PPV. And Collision. And Rampage baby. 'Tickle Him' indeed! AEMFNDub roolin' the world!

Deonna Purrazzo is a natural heel. There is nothing about her that says babyface. That is her issue, and not anything she is doing wrong. Her in ring skill set and especially her mic skills seem pretty apparent. Further, she came in as an awkward babyface to challenge a heel champion who is seen by at least 98% of the audience as a babyface. None of that is on Purrazzo. I do sense from her promos that Deonna will be an official heel shortly, so no sweat. Fair enough you didn’t like the match, but Alvarez’s reaction was unnecessary as per usual. His weekly burial of the Division has become plainly obvious for awhile now. Im not sure I understand agreeing with him but seeing ‘More’ as the solution. I like the efforts of many in the Womens Division, but what or who is lighting the world on fire in need of more segments? This argument has been going on since the beginning. Does hindsight tell us Big Swole and the rest of the original division just needed more time? More time should be advocated for performers killing their segments and making the most of their minutes. If you’re clamouring for more from the Division, try ROH on Honorclub. So too anybody in the first three years wanting more - all your favourites are there - Nyla, Diamanté, Velvet, Kiera, Shida, Hirsch etc. I totally agree they should’ve waited on Mone’s debut. But… it is what it is, and we move on, and Mercedes promo was pretty clearly much improved on the previous weeks. That’s a positive sign no matter what the previous folly. If you, very fairly, have disliked much of Mercedes talking like the rest of us, are you sure you have a want for promo battles with Baker? That'd require as big a carry job as the match, but vice versa. No reason to fret, let's just be patient for the healing, and Hayter v Mone will be as wonderful as we both suspect.

Mercedes Mone’s promo this week was very good. One step at a time. Bryan Alvarez shitting on this and especially his weekly burial of the women’s match, in this case a pretty damn good match, makes one wonder what his deal is?

Nobody is questioning Liger’s sense of humour. He’s a terrific comedy worker when called upon. Also, interesting to see a fan of Starks/Liger and their 6 seconds on screen together. No, like you, and everyone, I didn’t expect a match with the retired legend. Seeing as Liger was a Stampede guy, and they were in Calgary, I was just hoping he’d get a proper intro and fanfare. And a proper disrespect following it. That segment played out so fast they might as well have had somebody dressed in a Liger costume. Further, Starks wins the tournament and rushes off screen rather than selling the win. Just a bit disappointing, but to each their own.

The Starks/Liger confrontation was completely forgettable. And completely awful. I really wish the Owen was handled with a lot more care. It's not special and I fear it never will be.

I rarely watch PPVs live. These Marathon PPVs cause burn out and are not enjoyable to me in one sitting. It's an exhausting overload of (high quality) wrestling that consistently results in big match main events and late show bouts facing burned out crowds. It's a bit disappointing. That said, I get down with the lengthy PPVs in next day Double Header mode, 2 parts, and am pretty grateful for the extended amount of mat action.