Matt D

I could write a few thousand words about this seven minute match, easily. It's beautiful. It's so simple and so rushed because it was pouring and they just wanted to get the hell out of there, but it's so primal and perfect. First off, I'm SURE there had to be some Sullivan and Andre in Florida, but I've never seen or read about it, so to see Lewin and Sullivan up against Andre in any way is totally awesome. Then there's Bundy as the third member of the group and Bundy is awesome in that role, just in general. You could just see him emerging out of the depths or through the mists or whatever, with Fallen Angel or Luna hanging over him as he talked into his hand and bellowed with dead eyes. The match is structured exactly as it should be. Collins gets destroyed from the get go, with a bit of Andre interference letting him get a hope spot and then the hot tag to Mosca. Mosca can handle Sullivan and Lewin (and Sullivan's selling is hilariously great), and even Bundy a bit, but he goes for the slam, fails, and Bundy takes over. This only lasts a minute or so because Mosca wasn't about to look bad in a seven minute match. Bundy's selling for him was nuts by the way. Anyway, he manages to tag in Andre and Andre beats everyone up, including the necessary triple squish in the corner spot. They set up for a finish with Andre about to toss Collins on people, but Sullivan tosses the powder for the DQ. They try to beat up Andre afterwards but he fights them off and that's your match. Obviously some of it could have breathed more but it was frigging pouring and it was great not despite its simplicity but because of it.

Wasn't the deal there that they uploaded the first bunch to tease people who were doing the free trial and they'll do the rest once it's over?

The match itself was a little frustrating. They were building to something a lot of fun but then everything just sort of petered out in Niebla comedy spots, which are fine in the right place (see: most matches actually) but here felt really disjointed with the primera, where you had Sombra biting Niebla's face and what not. There wasn't really a comeback to the beatdown in the beginning (which in and of itself had a way more back and forth finish than you'd expect in a match like this) as they just came back from break with Casas' team having the advantage. Then Niebla got payback by biting Sombra on the ass. I guess they have to pace this a bit since we'll probably see six more or these matches before the hair match. Ah well.

Without rewatching any of this, I love how fiery Ax' comeback in that match was. The pop for the slam was huge and he basked in it. Berzerker is awesome. Make that my title on the board. I don't care to hide it. I hate that we didn't get Honky vs Valentine in 91 after Greg turned face. The match where he does is out there. It's from MSG and the crowd is so confused when he does. We got Quake vs Valentine instead, and it was built up on the Barber Shop or something which was sort of surreal. Meltzer shit hard on some of those Giant vs Shark matches which are actually really cool. Workrate dogmatism. It's a thing. I wish that Brunzell vs Superstar match was about twice the length. They had some weird Brunzell vs Adnan feud going on for PWUSA. Jeff Gaylord is the very last wrestler I would ever want to watch. Maybe blonde Dino Bravo beats him.

I loved Sombra/Rush/Mascara's entrance this week with the all black and Mascara doing the introductions. Such jerks.

We're just watching the Lego movie now and it's basically just Fry and Leela, right? Down to the empty mind as a super power and purple hair.

It'll be an ongoing thing. Not just a momentary one. Thor is also a way bigger deal now than ever.

I'm camping here, but someone introduce my theory about how you really only learn how good someone after their physical skills have diminished please.

Does she know you spend all your time here?

I can't get Brian to read Aaron's Thor.

How the heck do you have over 600 posts with questions like that?

Gotham Academy is something alright. That's what at least one third of the new52 books should have felt like on launch.

I enjoyed going through this, but i do wish we had picked up a few more people. It's not too late to jump in.

My gut says that it's Jane and that Thor somehow merges with her to save her.

You don't need it for the final fantasy games.

Plus I had my twelve year old play chrono trigger a year or two ago.

I only really have time to play games when on the bus for my commute now. I have no idea how some of you people fit it into your life. The FF remakes on the GBA/DS were a lot of fun for someone who had played through a lot of those games a dozen times.

What to say about this? Alright, it was a perfectly wrestled match for the setting and the style. The narrative was excellent. The execution was brilliant. The selling was perfect and it all built into the story. Was it a little bloated? Sure, but it had to be because this match wasn't wrestled in a bubble. It followed up upon the previous matches. There's a point midway through the match that if I was watching this in a bubble, then I would have wanted them to take it home. Maybe two points. That clearly happened in the first of these tag matches. Here, though I was prepared for it and they didn't lose me like they did in previous matches. The narrative, though I don't really need to recap, was this. It was even to start, like most of these matches, with Kobashi and Misawa having a bit of an edge. Kobashi made a mistake and they worked over his damaged leg. He made the hot-ish (never hot enough) tag to Misawa. They started to damage the orbital bone and then use Misawa's body to damage Kobashi's leg to really take over. They beat on Misawa's orbital bone for a while. Kobashi finally came back and was utterly unleashed, shrugging off everything, making these crazy facial expressions, just an unstoppable dynamo. For a while they went tit for tat, with the hurt man recovering at a key moment to break things up. Misawa and Kobashi had the ultimate advantage and it all came to a head with Kawada down and Taue trapped in the corner unable to break up the pin. I guess that would be the start of the finishing sequence in a normal match. Kawada WOULD kick out and they would go around in a circle or two until they hit that moment again and this time, he didn't. In this match though, it went like this: Kawada and Taue were just too much. They weren't too much for Kobashi and Misawa in general, but given their opponents natural fighting spirit, it took too long for Misawa and Kobashi to beat them, and because of that, due to the weaknesses they had coming into this match, that meant that they ultimately could get overwhelmed. It felt like the result was inevitable before the match even began. Kobashi got nailed in the leg. Misawa got nailed in the eye again, and the momentum shifted and this time, finally, it was Misawa that lost the battle of attrition. It was compelling in leading up to a rematch on fair footing; on that level it was absolutely brilliant, but it felt cheap as a pay off to "THE BEST TAG MATCH EVER" and in that context I'm a little shaky on it. They sure protected the hell out Misawa. I'm not sure they really made Kawada and Taue look better in the process, though. The biggest real issue I had with the match was the Kobashi superman run. That's exactly what it felt right. It's funny that I've always heard that this stuff was somehow "more real." Personally, I don't mind it all that much. It felt like something out of a cartoon or comic book or sci fi, but I like those things. Actually it felt like the kid who got the Charles Atlas correspondence course and beat up the guys who kicked sand at him, or even more like it should have come after a montage with "Simply the Best" in the background. What it felt like most of all was some sort of kung fu movie (and Kung Fu Hustle came to mind) where the hero finally found his inner power and peace of mind and was able to develop super powers. It was hugely entertaining and kind of emotional, but not in the same way 99% of wrestling, even comebacks like Hogan's and Cena's are. It felt anything but real. The issue to me wasn't even that, but that it ultimately didn't really matter. Kobashi had this once in a lifetime comeback, this sort of thing that stretches credulity so far past the breaking point that his hair should have turned hot blonde and energy waves should have been coming off of him, and it was awesome, and ultimately, they still lost. It just seemed like a story element that belonged in another match, maybe? Not the one where they were finally putting Kawada/Taue over. I had thought I might talk about how the escalation here was the sort of thing that could burn out a territory and set impossible expectations. From what I understand, that eventually happened. It's a fair thing to judge a match on, I think, since they were breaking a bunch of "rules" and stretching things further than ever to accomplish what they were trying to do. It's really more than that here though: Everything had to be wrestled perfectly in this match to work. Things had to be balanced. Each move had to mean the right amount relative to the other moves in the match and the promotion in general and the fans had to buy into that. It's like exchanging currency. The edifice of the match needed every part to support it or else the entire style of wrestling would collapse, and frankly, it took both a miracle and genius performers to manage that. They did it here far, far more than they should have been able to but I almost don't think it was worth it. That's the tragedy of this match to me. They have such attention for detail, such thought in the layout, such care in their selling, such intensity and willingness to just give themselves to pro wrestling. If they worked this match in a style I actually like, it could be like nothing I'd ever seen before, because of the talent and the work put into it. Instead, we get something that is exquisitely beautiful, but that manages to succeed despite its loudness and brightness and not because of it. -Goodear watched this twice and only took notes the second time. I wanted to do that too but I just don't have time this week and I really want this out. -I like how they point out that Misawa has the green tights. -You think they could have come up with a better looking proclaimation. -Kawada is looking a but too well shaved. I kind of like how none of these guys look like they want to be there at all, like they know what they're getting into. -Misawa's little shimmy and shake to warm up is a lot of fun. Ok, I'm going to try to pull back on these and just enjoy it, but we'll see if it happens. I can't really help myself. -Kobashi is the sort of guy who gets beat up enogh that it's not a good sign if he's coming in with an injury to begin with. -i liked the wristlock fight a lot. I like tests of strength more than most people and the look on Kobashi's face when Taue went for his leg was great. Taue has no shame and that's what makes him such a great foil in these matches. -Kawada knocks Misawa off the apron and Kobashi is shocked and appalled. Taue has no shame but Kawada is just past the point of caring. You just walk into the wrong part of town whenever you face up against him. -It was a great way to introduce Misawa vs Kawada into this particular match though. He pearl harbored him. Can I even say that anymore? I want to say that. -They block eachother's stuff andthen Kawada, just to piss off Misawa, kicks Kobashi off the apron for no reason. I laugh. -Misawa looks like he's aged a lot in a couple of years to me. -This is a bit of a shine, I think, with Kobashi and Misawa getting a real advantage once they're able to finally go toe-to-toe. I love Taue's sell of Kobashi's chop. -Taue makes a great stoogy vulnerable (but dangerous) heel here. i don't think Kawada could play this role nearly as well. I love Kobashi's dedication to selling after something happens to him bu before he hits his own move. -Definitely a sense of human chess with these guys. Misawa going high then low and keeping Taue guessing. Teasing the dive and then having Kobashi do it. Then doing it himself. All of this stuff feels totally organic and i'm glad I saw the matches in the build or else it wouldn't mean nearly as much. -Kobashi is so vulnerable in these that he should really not do high risk stuff. Again with the high low. Kawada looks like he's going to go to the damaged leg and kicks him in the face. It was a good transition and earned by Kobashi trying to fight back but having to sell the leg. -I could totally go for 8 minutes of heat here, so I hope we get it. -Taue is in and you know he's going to slunk around the ring just crushing that leg. The resistance is so good. Kobashi blocks the scorpion deathlock one way so he just turns the other. -I hope the announcers are talking about how Kobashi just can't get enough power behind his fighting-back chops with the bad leg. We're getting some proper hope stuff with it at least. That's what was lacking in the last match i saw. -Man, just four minutes of heat or something before the tag? I know we'll probably get multiple FIP in this but come on. Kawada taking a powder so Misawa couldn't get him was good though, especially with the payoff a minute later. -Misawa is very much ow you should book an Ace. It's how they book Cena now and everyone who would love this stuff complains, maybe even more indestructable. Maybe the problem is that Cena gives TOO much to get sympathy before his comebacks? Anyway, Kawada kicks him out of nowhere and breaks the hold and TAue gets to take over. Let's see if it lasts. -Yeah, so now that I know to look for it. I see the orbital bone selling. It's hard to miss. I wouldn't have realized why this was happening otherwise. And the bastard fights back anyway. Geez. Oh Taue clawing him is beautiful. -Hey, it's the one time I actually buy the Kawada kicks. And Misawa sort of undertaker ups anyway. Forget the Cena reference. He's the fighting spirit Undertaker. -Kobashi tries to help out and get his legs nailed. Oh! The choke toss onto the leg is the most beautifully dickish thing ever! And then they just keep on it. -Yeah, sorry Goodear, you are my brother-in-arms on this journey, but the targeted offense on that eye sock is insane. It makes every bit of Taue/Kawada's usual offense all the more poignant and impactful. -I really, really want Misawa to go for a tag and Kobashi to just not be there. We need a hope spot with that. Maybe Kobashi can scramble and just get there a second too late. -The short FIP on Kobashi works because it sort of set up this longer one on Misaway. Taue's belly to back forward throw is my new favorite move, btw. kobashi tried to get up and Taue just kicked him down. That let Misawa try to fight back but he got clotheslined huge. He clotheslined him high too. He targeted the face. I love that they're not escalting things yet. They're just letting the story play out. -As soon as I say that, he went for the power bomb but kobashi was back to stop it. He got taken out. Holy crap. TAue just tossed him onto the guardrail even as Misawa was kicking out. -Now the stretch plumb attempt after one Power bomb. Here comes Kobashi again! Plucky, but Taue tries to stop him. He bounces off the rop and has the craziest comeback face ever as he breaks up the stretch plumb. -Ok I'm typing everything. Sorry. -Kobashi's moment to shine was really pretty, ending with that double clothesline. -now he gave Misawa the chance. The crowd comes alive and this is playing out like a real narrative. Where the plucky young guy gives the hero a chance to fight back. And he makes the tag, which is okay i guess, but I was sort of ready for them to go home. Let's see where they're going. -Back to the leg. Kobashi fights back though. -It's like Kobashi's reached Misawa's level of power. Like in Dragon Ball or something. -He's just too hurt though. Kawada makes the tag to Taue but Kobashi cuts him off with a dropkick to the leg. If Taue just gets his hands on him this is over though. But it's not! He's still going super powered. i don't know. This is all a little much. It's almost worth it for the facial expressions. This isn't even a wrestling match to me. It's like watching a super hero movie where the kid who has been picked on all his life has finally unleashed his inner power after training in the mountains or something. Or he took the charles Atlas Program. My suspension of disbelief that this is a pro wrestling match is just gone. It's like I'm watching Kung Fu Hustle. It's entertaining but it's just so over the top. -Anyway Misawa and Kobashi do a fun little double tiger driver and then take Kawada out, but he recovers and nails Kobashi on the way in evening the sides. I think Kobashi could only channel that power while Misawa was down. Maybe they had pooled their power to become one, merged warrior like Voltron! -kobashi makes the tag and Misawa beats on Taue, making sure to sell the eye now and again. They're SO good at doing block spots and what not. no one in wrestling history has ever been better. Misawa hits the tiger driver and as ridiculous as Super Kobashi was, they still sort of have me in this, so that's a testament to the match. -Kawada breaks up that crossface, but before he can nail misawa in the eye, Kobashi locks a sleeper on from the outside and Misawa goes back to the crossface. They love these ultimately futile double submissionmoves and the crowd really goes for them. -Misawa fights off both guys and I keep waiting for his eye to get nailed, and maybe he's trying too hard to protect it, because he gets dangerous back dropped by Kawada. Kobashi's there to knock him off the apron before Taue can make the tag though. Misawa makes the tag and Kobashi hits the German. Part of me wishes that they took it home with the SUPER KOBASHI segment. Maybe had him slip on a banana peel because he got too furious or maybe he taged back to Misawa too quickly and they lose because of that. They're still going though. -I think Kobashi wentfor the moonsault, but Kawada pulled him off and it's a bit of a bitchfest here. "I'll get you. No you'll get me." with the guy from the outside recovering enough to come back in. It's kind of a fun story but it has a limited shelflife. -Kobashi reverses the back drop. He's really holding his own. He's pretty damn likable. A nice guy. -Taue tries to interfere but Kobashi is on it and Misawa gets to hit his splash. I could see them going for the finish now. Kawada is up though. Misawa in and senton. NOW The moonsault, and this should finish it since it was SO built up. But nope. Kick out even. -Now they have to cycle around and getme back because that was a moment. I kind of love how Misawa tries something. I tdoesn't work. He nails him and tries the back version. Desn't work and turns around to nail the back version again. -I am a litlte frustrated by this match at this point. In a tag setting, if you go to the trouble of really countering the second guy to set up a pin, I'm not comfortable with too many kick outs. It's sort of lessens the drama of that moment for matches to come. You can do it, but it has a cost on matches in the future. Taue finally breaks up the second tiger driver and finally gets Misawa in the eye. That allows Kawada to recover enough to get Kobashi in the leg. Alright that was all sort of cool. I think I get how I feel this narrative to be, and but let's see how the rest of the match plays out. -Kawada kicks the eye. Taue goes for the apron chokeslam. Kobashi breaks it up but gets nailed in the leg for his trouble. That lets Taue hit it after a clothesline from Kawada. -Kobashi desperately hanging on to misawa to block the power bomb was great. -And I'm sort of acclimated. At this point I'd say that shouldn't be the finish. But that it's a problem with the style, not the match itself. i believe at this point that consistent to the world they've created, it would take more to end Misawa. -Kobashi covering Misawa is beautiful, beautiful stuff. -they finally kill him dead. This should lead to a last ditch chance for Misawa to fight back. There it is! Kobashi's sacrifice wasn't in vain! But he eats the kick. It's too late. -My god are they protecting misawa here. Hopefully the next thing puts him away. I get what they're doing but it's not sustainable. Yes. Ok, there you go.

I just finished the tag. Thoughts later. I need a bit. And to reread Goodear's thoughts too.

And with Heath Slater as Redneck Tully.

I want to see Bray Wyatt try to steal Flair's soul since the HOF ring outline is now embedded in his skull and he has gained its power.

Agree for the most part. I'm not really a fan of his thoughts on wrestling but let's not pretend it was anybody but Vince that decided what direction the company was going. Dunn is a guy I badly want on Austin's podcast. It's been mentioned as a possibility before.

No one's using the cobra now. They just call it the "Asiatic Cobra" instead.

We didn't make it through the "Finding its way" era of Hannibal. I really like Fuller, but i'm done with serial killer type shows for the near future unless they're comedies. I just got burnt out. I would have much rather Fuller's Munsters revival had gotten off the ground instead. Or, you know, that we were in season 9 of Pushing Daisies right now.