Evil Otto

Yes, I am aware of that, which is why I mentioned the two of them. The Vendetta, if I recall. Once you add tag titles to the promotion, they immediately have a legitimate reason to team back up again. It wouldn't be too hard to picture them as eventual champions as well.

TayJay, Skye Blue-Julia Hart, Megan Bayne-Penelope Ford, even Deonna & Taya, all tag teams who should be fighting over a title, and can all get more screen time if this concept can finally come to pass. There's other names that could added to that list, as previously discussed. They (the tag titles) have to be coming soon, right? RIGHT?!? (Niners Fan, by the way, no disagreement on what you posted. Just wanted to make a slightly tangential point, so thanks for the list!)

Tanahashi Jam spoilers:

Play-in matches kicked off tonight. Drilla v. Ishii: pretty much awesome! Callum Newman vs. Taichi: not nearly as awesome, but also highly enjoyable. Oh, and if Oiwa doesn't beat Fale, what are we even doing here?

I have thought the same exact thing for many years now. He's only 36, it's still not too late.

Holy smokes, Bandido v. Mascara Dorada from last night's (6/17) Arena Mexico card was truly top-notch stuff. Insanity. Bandido is back in peak form, and gave Mascara Dorada every opportunity possible to look like an absolute star. Dorada pulled out things I didn't know he could do, which is of course a great sign for the guy's continuing upward trajectory. Go out of your way to try to see it. Overall, CMLL kicked off their three-night international spotlight in stellar fashion. The question will now be if AEW tonight and FantasticaMania on Friday can top it. That's a great problem to have, if you know what I mean. Red Velvet v. Persephone was a little rough at times, and being the opener certainly didn't help. Not terrible, but the only match on the card you could easily skip. Too bad really, as I like both of them. Velvet still needs to be a bit more snug, and the crowd let her know. Persephone is a star in the making but also seemed a little unwilling to clobber Red Velvet, but she should have. Sensing a trend here? Just an off night, but they'll both bounce back. I'd like to see Persephone v. Statlander or Hayter, someone she could really cut loose with. Maybe someday. Los Hermanos Chavez v. Cru was really solid, maybe the sleeper match of the night. Really fun with some interesting, truly creative sequences. Not a must see, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, mostly just to see how these teams would work together, which turned out to be quite well. Neon v. Hologram was interesting; to see how they flubbed a few things in the beginning, yet by the end they finally got the crowd fully invested. Perhaps some nerves and trying a little too hard for the young guys. Once they settled in, it was solid. Hologram wore a very noticeable knee brace, which made me wonder how ready to go he actually was. Atlantis Jr. v. Josh Alexander was intriguing for a few reasons, one being the boos Atlantis Jr received; a pro-AEW crowd or continuing residual heat for Atlantis Jr, or perhaps both? Seemed a bit unwarranted, as everything in this encounter was smooth and well-executed, and Alexander brought the pain. Really good mid-card match, no complaints. The final two matches were bonkers: the eight-man tag was just a wild ride, the Callis Family are just incredible these days, Hechicero got loud chants despite being on the rudo side; super fun, highly recommended. Once again, the main event was something else. The last two matches should not be missed, but honestly, for what it was and the uniqueness of it all, the whole card was fully entertaining, from top to bottom.

Yeah, they are a tremendous trio. Chaotic and wild mixed with classic heel schtick, especially by Zandokan Jr, and Difunto really puts them over the top with some legit crazy spots.

It's a great podcast, and I really enjoyed Kris and Naylor's Cover 2 Cover podcast they had going there for awhile as well. You can tell they just enjoy shooting the shit with each other.

Ahhh, once again, Best of the Super Juniors + Yoyogi Gymnasium #2 = pro wrestling magic. Things just tend to get wild here. The 5/17 all-BOSJ show kicked off with a fun Ninja Mack v. Wato match, went on cruise control for next three matches, picked up significantly with Clark Connors (and his inexplicable tire-based offense) v. Robbie X, then the last five matches were one hell of a final stretch, from really good to excellent. If you have to only watch two, make it Kushida v. Fujita and MAO v. Desperado. The former gives you Bloodsport and the grappling arts, the latter gives you DDT (or PWG) crossed with New Japan junior style. Kushida has seemingly not aged one bit in the last 20 years. Uncanny. Fujita comes to the match hoping to be taught a lesson by the older master...and well, that's kinda what happens. It was tremendous. MAO v. Desperado firmly occupies the modern / abstract / surrealist wing of pro wrestling as an art form. Whoever gave these two the main event slot knew exactly what this could turn out it be, and well, whatever it was, it surely was that! I know that sounds vague, but this was not a match that words do justice. Two lunatics, equal parts hilarious and violent, just going insane together. I absolutely loved it.

I've been super busy lately, but still trying to fit in a match here and there as this tourney starts to move forward. Early thoughts: -MAO likely won't be the victor in this tournament, but he's already won it, in a sense. Undeniably a star. -The fans also took quickly to Nick Wayne, despite his corny theme song. This is where being on AEW tv tied to Christian Cage really pays off for Nick, as most of the the crowds already seem to know him and see him as someone they need to watch. This tournament will do wonders for him, I think. -If you haven't seen the most notable highlight from the Ninja Mack v. Robbie X match, you really should. The whole match is surprisingly great as well. Very sporty, very entertaining. -Desperado really carries himself and performs at a level that few can match in all of wrestling at this point. He's amazing and brings everyone else up. -The fans are crazy for Fujita. He does seem like a plausible candidate to take the whole thing, or at least a finalist. MAO v. Ishimori, MAO v. Titan. Nick Wayne v. Desperado, Hiromu's last two main events against Fujita and Akira. There's plenty more, but those I can certainly recommend.

The greatness of it is that almost everything was never outright stated, only implied. They clearly didn't have the budget to do fancy magic tricks, so instead they leaned into the cult-like nature of it by utilizing the mind games. Fear of the unknown. Sullivan subtly and very briefly rolling his eyes into the back of his head when doing interviews was so simple but so creepy. Oh, and I had no idea what a "cosmic cookie" was all about back then, but with King Curtis Iaukea wailing about it, I was intrigued. Women with mohawks in 1984? I'm in.

I'm glad to hear that you actually went! They went full-on Kyushu-friendly on night two, I thought that was really cool on New Japan's part.

Relatively brief thoughts on May 3rd and 4th: