anglefan85
Man of a Thousand Holds 
Posts 1122
Registered 12-6-2005 Location Long Island, New York Member Is Offline Mood: Relaxed
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| posted on 8-3-2016 at 09:13 PM |
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Tonight's card:
First Round Match: Rich Swann v Jason Lee
First Round Match: Noam Dar v Gurv Sihra
First Round Match: Jack Gallagher v Fabian Aichner
First Round Match: Johnny Gargano v Tommaso Ciampa
I don't have a lot of knowledge of a lot of the guys here, but I do know enough about Gargano & Ciampa to say that they're most likely
gonna be the match of the night.
The WWE: Where no one wins, unless you like Cena, in which case you are a sad little fanboy who will never get laid, but we are happy to take your
money away-Moosehead Jack
"She is an estrogen molotov cocktail. It'd be in your best interest not to piss her off."- My thoughts on Firewoman
"Kurt Angle is like a living vortex of the surreal. On the off chance he's not doing, saying or thinking crazy things, people connected to him
act crazy by association, caught in the gravitational pull of his insanity."- Ringout from FAN Forums
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Sam Is Neat
Fella
Posts 332
Registered 2-21-2013 Member Is Offline Mood: Moody
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| posted on 8-4-2016 at 06:34 AM |
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I am going to sound like an old timer here, despite not being one, but that main event managed to make me wonder why the majority of wrestlers
can't figure out psychology.
That Air Raid Crash on the edge of the ring was BRUTAL and should have finished the match, yet Gargano kicks out. Which would have been fine if Ciampa
hadn't made it a point to IMMEDIATELY roll him into the ring for the pin, right after the move. In my opinion, a better story would have been
for the move to be hit, Gargano falls to the outside of the ring, where Bryan and Mauro could talk up the dumb luck of Gargano to regain his faculties
while Ciampa took a few moments to bask in his own glory, look over his tag team partner that he just murdered, etc.
Then, when he DOES roll him into the ring for the pin, Gargano can kick out and the story makes more sense. Ciampa WOULD have won, but his own
showboating/concern for his friend/whatever, cost him precious seconds that ultimately, cost him the match.
And not to be out done, Ciampa also hits him with a Project Ciampa (powerbomb into a double knee backbreaker) and Gargano kicks out AGAIN. At that
point, it not only told me who was winning the match, but also made me sort of roll my eyes.
That being said...still a fun match and the right guy went over.
Also, Rich Swann was a lot of fun, as was Jack Gallagher. The Brits in this tournament are killing it with their holds and counters. Prbably my
favorite part of the first round. But all the different cruiserweight styles have been on display here and I hope a ton of these guys get picked up
and plopped onto RAW, whenever that division starts back up.
[Edited on 8-5-2016 by Sam Is Neat]
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Matte
"Family Man" 
Posts 8804
Registered 12-16-2008 Member Is Offline Mood: #BROKEN
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| posted on 8-4-2016 at 04:37 PM |
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I'm kind of the opposite on Gargano/Ciampa. Thought it was fantastic and probably the best match of the tournament so far. I think Gargano
kicking out of everything Ciampa threw at him was the story of the match, more so than Ciampa's hesitancy/concern costing him. Now, if
Gargano took the apron bump, kicked out, Project Ciampa, kicked out, then took a spinebuster or something and lost... sure, I could see it being all
for nothing. But his unwavering resilience was the story and I thought they told it well.
I was never a fan of standing 450s (or moonsaults, SSPs, etc.) finishing off matches, but that's a minor complaint. Swann was fun. Really liked
Jack Gallagher and his corner dropkick was brutal. Also liked Aichner, they should've had him in a different match to advance in place of Noam
Dar or Ho Ho Lun.
Ultimate Match Showdown!
"I'm a professional. I know exactly what I'm doing." - Jeff Hardy
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anglefan85
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1122
Registered 12-6-2005 Location Long Island, New York Member Is Offline Mood: Relaxed
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| posted on 8-4-2016 at 09:53 PM |
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My notes on this episode:
� I hope that they go more into detail with Rich Swann�s backstory, because it�s quite similar to Dean Ambrose. I also love his theme song. He was
also trained by Drew Gulak, who faced Zack Sabre Jr in the first round.
� I like how they continue to bring up factors such as jet lag to add to match
� That jumping hurricanrana from Swann was insane, not to mention the follow roll-through into the Frog Splash, and the finishing Standing 450
Splash
� First match started the show off well. Lee and Swann had good chemistry with each other. Swann is a must-sign, but I wouldn�t mind them giving Jason
Lee a look.
� The second match with Dar and Sihra to me was the weakest match not only of the night, but of the tournament thus far. Very awkward and it never got
moving. However, the botching of the pendulum backbreaker was covered absolutely perfectly by Mauro and Bryan, stating that it was due to nervousness
and an excessive amount of energy. That�s how you cover for a botch.
� The Street Fighter fan in me viewed Jack Gallagher as the wrestling version of Dudley with his old-school British mannerisms and his strive to be a
proper gentleman, both in and out of the ring. Also couldn�t have picked a better theme for him to come out to. He would fit it perfectly with the
Vaudevillians.
� Gallagher makes me think of Zack Sabre Jr, but with personality
� Despite the botching the springboard spinning heel kick, Aichner impressed me, mainly with that gorgeous double springboard moonsault and the Orange
Crush powerbomb
� I never thought that I�d buy a corner dropkick as a finisher, but Gallagher looked like he nearly took Aichner�s head off with it.
� Very solid third match. Hoping that both Gallagher and Aichner get signed after this. �Thank You Both� indeed
� Just from the first elbow strike that stiffed the fuck outta Gargano, that basically made the match into �Johnny Gargano Dies For Your Sins.� There
were a few times in that match that just made cringe at how stiff Ciampa was striking.
� I have no idea how the Apron Air Raid Crash wasn�t the finish, but it helped add to the story of Gargano�s fighting spirit. I also like the
storytelling with Ciampa rolling off his knee protector about to cave Gargano�s head in with a running knee strike, but coming to his senses and being
conflicted, realizing what he�s doing to his friend
� Didn�t think I�d ever see Project Ciampa on WWE programming
� The ending hit me right in the feels. Ciampa at first being reluctant to shake Gargano�s hand leaving the ring, only to return back to the ring,
sitting down next to him and embracing and raising the hand of his friend. Just that entire match, that�s why I watch. Hands-down my top pick of the
tournament thus far.
The WWE: Where no one wins, unless you like Cena, in which case you are a sad little fanboy who will never get laid, but we are happy to take your
money away-Moosehead Jack
"She is an estrogen molotov cocktail. It'd be in your best interest not to piss her off."- My thoughts on Firewoman
"Kurt Angle is like a living vortex of the surreal. On the off chance he's not doing, saying or thinking crazy things, people connected to him
act crazy by association, caught in the gravitational pull of his insanity."- Ringout from FAN Forums
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Matte
"Family Man"
Posts 8804
Registered 12-16-2008 Member Is Offline Mood: #BROKEN
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| posted on 8-4-2016 at 10:09 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by anglefan85
Swann is a must-sign, but I wouldn�t mind them giving Jason Lee a look.
For what it's worth, Swann has been under contract with WWE for almost a year now.
That makes six of the CWC guys (reportedly) in-house. Swann, Kendrick, Metalik, Dorado, Gargano, and Ciampa. There are rumors both ways on whether
Ibushi signed or not.
Ultimate Match Showdown!
"I'm a professional. I know exactly what I'm doing." - Jeff Hardy
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cardscott5
Man of a Thousand Holds 
Posts 1196
Registered 6-28-2007 Location wherever god takes me Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 8-5-2016 at 07:06 PM |
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Round 1 was a ton of fun. Getting to know the competitors in the matches made them so much more important. Even the matches that kinda were just
there. Like the Noam Dar match, which was fine but the crowd was clearly burnt out by that point. The packages are the things that WWE should be using
more often in general, especially for the NXT call ups. They are doing it now, but for most of them, it's hey, he's on tv, care about him
forever. And it doesn't work. Giving us a reason to care about Davari's brother at least gave the match a hook.
I'm pumped for round 2. It seems like there could be some upsets in the making and there should definitely be some great matches. I kinda hope
everyone, well almost everyone, in the sweet 16 gets signed.
Visit my site: www.BearcatsBlog.com
Follow me on twitter if you want, @Cardscott5. Also @BearcatsBlog. Pretend to care.
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Sam Is Neat
Fella
Posts 332
Registered 2-21-2013 Member Is Offline Mood: Moody
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| posted on 8-5-2016 at 09:07 PM |
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Also, just to clarify, I am a big fan of Gargano and Ciampa. In fact, I kind of think that Gargano is going to win this whole thing. If you look
closely when they show all the competitors in those rapid fire sequences at the beginning and end of the shows, Gargano's face is the last thing
you see. That is used a lot in marketing to help guide the viewer/consumer. Make sure the last thing they see is what you want them to buy,
essentially. That, combined with him being an NXT talent already, and the amount of time they have already dedicated to pumping him up on multiple
programs, and I think you are seeing their preferred choice in this tournament. And if you look at his projected match ups, Gargano could very well
have to wrestle Ciampa, TJ Perkins, Rich Swann, Kota Ibushi, and Zach Sabre Jr.
If the brackets shake out that way, and Gargano wins it? That is a tremendous feather in his cap.
I do want to see a Gallagher-Sabre Jr. match up though. I envision a 15 minute match of nothing but creatively done standing switches., arm bars and
toe holds, that ends when one of them finally decides to punch or kick the other and knock them out cold with one strike.
Here are my predictions for the Sweet Sixteen:
(hardest bracket to predict, imo)
* Gallagher vs. Tozawa *Tozawa*
* Tajiri vs. Metalik *Metalik (I can see Tajiri winning, but if Metalik is signed for the new cruiserweight division and they can talk up him
getting a win over Tajiri in this tournament, it might make sense to give Metalik the victory here)*
* ZSJ vs. Gulak *ZSJ*
* Dar vs. Lun *Lun(he founded pro wrestling in Hong Kong, right? WWE is making in roads to China, right? I think it makes sense to have him go far
and show him in a good light)*
* Kendrick vs. Nese *Kendrick*
* Ibushi vs. Alexander *Ibushi*
* Perkins vs. Gargano *Gargano*
* Swann vs. Dorado *Swann*
[Edited on 8-5-2016 by Sam Is Neat]
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salmonjunkie
Best There Is Was or Ever Will Be 
Posts 11475
Registered 6-25-2002 Location Sunny Seattle, WA Member Is Offline Mood: Authoritized
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| posted on 8-5-2016 at 11:47 PM |
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I loved that Ciampa/Gargano match. That was the best of Round 1. I've had a lot of fun watching this whole thing so far, and love DB and Mauro
as the announcers.
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SpiNNeR72
Showstopper 
Posts 612
Registered 10-21-2006 Location Shetland Member Is Offline Mood: Amused!
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| posted on 8-7-2016 at 11:55 PM |
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Jack Gallagher has been the absolute star of the first round for me, if I could create a wrestler, he is what I would create. Pure entertainment and
it was very very clear we only saw a scratch of the surface of what he could do, both in-ring and personality wise.
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anglefan85
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1122
Registered 12-6-2005 Location Long Island, New York Member Is Offline Mood: Relaxed
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| posted on 8-8-2016 at 12:41 AM |
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Agreed, Gallagher was one of my favorites. The old-school style, the old-timey gentleman gimmick, the multi-colored trunks, he's such a unique
talent that I hope has some real success in the Cruiserweight division.
The WWE: Where no one wins, unless you like Cena, in which case you are a sad little fanboy who will never get laid, but we are happy to take your
money away-Moosehead Jack
"She is an estrogen molotov cocktail. It'd be in your best interest not to piss her off."- My thoughts on Firewoman
"Kurt Angle is like a living vortex of the surreal. On the off chance he's not doing, saying or thinking crazy things, people connected to him
act crazy by association, caught in the gravitational pull of his insanity."- Ringout from FAN Forums
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DKBroiler
SpeciASSl CUMedian
Posts 1315
Registered 1-25-2008 Location One Inch Right of Philly on a Map Member Is Offline Mood: Old
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| posted on 8-8-2016 at 04:30 AM |
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I've finished 3 episodes. Zack Sabre Jr is everything I hate about wrestling. I'd rather watch Ryback. Yeah, I said it.
Braun Strowman guy.
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Matte
"Family Man"
Posts 8804
Registered 12-16-2008 Member Is Offline Mood: #BROKEN
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| posted on 8-8-2016 at 04:41 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by DKBroiler
I've finished 3 episodes. Zack Sabre Jr is everything I hate about wrestling. I'd rather watch Ryback. Yeah, I said it.
I wouldn't go that far, but his match was indeed a big letdown. It came off more as an exhibition for him to showcase himself rather than as an
actual competitive match against Dux. Seemed like he was on autopilot. Hopefully he picks things up in round two and beyond when he gets some stiffer
competition.
Ultimate Match Showdown!
"I'm a professional. I know exactly what I'm doing." - Jeff Hardy
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DKBroiler
SpeciASSl CUMedian
Posts 1315
Registered 1-25-2008 Location One Inch Right of Philly on a Map Member Is Offline Mood: Old
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| posted on 8-8-2016 at 05:38 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Matte
quote:
Originally posted by DKBroiler
I've finished 3 episodes. Zack Sabre Jr is everything I hate about wrestling. I'd rather watch Ryback. Yeah, I said it.
I wouldn't go that far, but his match was indeed a big letdown. It came off more as an exhibition for him to showcase himself rather than as an
actual competitive match against Dux. Seemed like he was on autopilot. Hopefully he picks things up in round two and beyond when he gets some stiffer
competition.
The kid clearly has talent but, bleh, "escapology" isn't for me. He also looks like he should be staring in gay porn so that doesn't
really help. This is probably because Vince has brain washed me but the guy just doesn't exude believable badass at all.
I mostly either want my pro wrestlers to be believable badasses or over the top ridiculous (loved me some Anthony Bennett) but ZSJ struck me as
neither. I kind of hope he gets a deal because I haven't irrationally hated a talented wrestler in a long while.
Braun Strowman guy.
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SpiNNeR72
Showstopper
Posts 612
Registered 10-21-2006 Location Shetland Member Is Offline Mood: Amused!
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| posted on 8-8-2016 at 08:40 PM |
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I felt the same about ZSJ. Its essentially the same style ("classic"british hybrid adapted for the current product) that Jack Gallagher does so well
but ZSJ just wasn't believable. I hope he was just having a bad day.
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Matte
"Family Man"
Posts 8804
Registered 12-16-2008 Member Is Offline Mood: #BROKEN
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| posted on 8-8-2016 at 09:26 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by DKBroiler
He also looks like he should be staring in gay porn so that doesn't really help. This is probably because Vince has brain washed me but the guy
just doesn't exude believable badass at all.
I think adding knee pads for sure, and maybe some wrist tape could help with this a little. Obviously, his physique is lacking in comparison to just
about everybody on the WWE roster (could maybe even extend that to include everybody on the WWE payroll), but tweaking the attire could be a first
step in the right direction.
Ultimate Match Showdown!
"I'm a professional. I know exactly what I'm doing." - Jeff Hardy
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DKBroiler
SpeciASSl CUMedian
Posts 1315
Registered 1-25-2008 Location One Inch Right of Philly on a Map Member Is Offline Mood: Old
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| posted on 8-8-2016 at 09:50 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Matte
quote:
Originally posted by DKBroiler
He also looks like he should be staring in gay porn so that doesn't really help. This is probably because Vince has brain washed me but the guy
just doesn't exude believable badass at all.
I think adding knee pads for sure, and maybe some wrist tape could help with this a little. Obviously, his physique is lacking in comparison to just
about everybody on the WWE roster (could maybe even extend that to include everybody on the WWE payroll), but tweaking the attire could be a first
step in the right direction.
The irony of knee pads making someone look less like a gay porn star is astounding.
Braun Strowman guy.
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DKBroiler
SpeciASSl CUMedian
Posts 1315
Registered 1-25-2008 Location One Inch Right of Philly on a Map Member Is Offline Mood: Old
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| posted on 8-8-2016 at 11:59 PM |
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Holy shit. I love Jack Gallagher!
Edit: All caught up. Gargano vs Ciampa was unbelievable. Truly an amazing match. Wow.
[Edited on 8-8-2016 by DKBroiler]
Braun Strowman guy.
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anglefan85
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1122
Registered 12-6-2005 Location Long Island, New York Member Is Offline Mood: Relaxed
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| posted on 8-11-2016 at 03:28 AM |
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I think that Kota Ibushi and Cedric Alexander just put on what will be looked back on as the best match of this entire tournament. All that can really
be said is: 
Tajiri also showed that even at 46, the man can still go. He's lost a step in his speed, but he's made up for it in his ground-based
wrestling.
This just continues to be one of the best things that the WWE has done in a long time.
The WWE: Where no one wins, unless you like Cena, in which case you are a sad little fanboy who will never get laid, but we are happy to take your
money away-Moosehead Jack
"She is an estrogen molotov cocktail. It'd be in your best interest not to piss her off."- My thoughts on Firewoman
"Kurt Angle is like a living vortex of the surreal. On the off chance he's not doing, saying or thinking crazy things, people connected to him
act crazy by association, caught in the gravitational pull of his insanity."- Ringout from FAN Forums
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futurelegend91
Creepy Little Bastard
Posts 74
Registered 10-2-2007 Location Space Mountain, fat boy! Member Is Offline Mood: Meh.
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| posted on 8-11-2016 at 07:52 AM |
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Holy shit. Ibushi and Alexander were all sorts of awesome. I don't think I have been that caught up in a wrestling match since I first saw RVD
vs. Jerry Lynn at Hardcore Heaven '99. Ibushi/Alexander was right up there with Gargano/Ciampa last week. The Tajiri/Gran Metallik match was
pretty damn good, as well. It's good to see that Tajiri can still go and keep pace with guys nearly half his age.
I agree 100% with anglefan. This is the best thing WWE has going right now. Hopefully this is an indication of how the cruiserweight division will be
showcased on RAM.
(Edited for stupid typos)
[Edited on 8-11-2016 by futurelegend91]
"I hope you don't mind me hanging out all day and talking to you. I don't think you do mind. I've got a seventh sense about that
sort of thing. My sixth sense is I can tell when squirrels are afraid."
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The Hitcher
Fella
Posts 390
Registered 12-25-2008 Location Manchester, UK Member Is Offline Mood: GLORIOUS!
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| posted on 8-11-2016 at 01:34 PM |
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That match was ridiculous and if the rumors of Ibushi not being around after the CWC are done are true that's going to be a damn shame.
Luckily on the reverse of that scenario: In case you missed it: There's a "post credit" scene of Triple H coming out to take Cedric to the
back and giving a thumbs up and an "OK" to the "please sign Cedric" chants.
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anglefan85
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1122
Registered 12-6-2005 Location Long Island, New York Member Is Offline Mood: Relaxed
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| posted on 8-11-2016 at 04:58 PM |
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The post-match video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTDcQyh0cck
I can't believe that currently, the top 3 matches that I feel are in contention for Match of the Year, have all happened in the WWE.
Zayn/Nakamura, Zayn/Owens, and now Ibushi/Alexander.
[Edited on 8-11-2016 by anglefan85]
The WWE: Where no one wins, unless you like Cena, in which case you are a sad little fanboy who will never get laid, but we are happy to take your
money away-Moosehead Jack
"She is an estrogen molotov cocktail. It'd be in your best interest not to piss her off."- My thoughts on Firewoman
"Kurt Angle is like a living vortex of the surreal. On the off chance he's not doing, saying or thinking crazy things, people connected to him
act crazy by association, caught in the gravitational pull of his insanity."- Ringout from FAN Forums
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Sam Is Neat
Fella
Posts 332
Registered 2-21-2013 Member Is Offline Mood: Moody
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| posted on 8-11-2016 at 09:07 PM |
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I don't think anything is passing that Zayn/Nakamura match. But Cedric/Ibushi came awfully close. Only spot that looked a little bit off was the
top rope Hurrancanrana and Cedric did everything he could to salvage Ibushi's looseness on the execution.
And as critical as I was on the Gargano/Ciampa match for the, what I consider, unbelievable kick outs by Gargano, I have nothing but praise for the
very same sequence for this match. The story was a much better one in the ring of Alexander being the underdog, fighting the favorite in the
tournament, and one of his heroes, and coming THIS close to winning, but the best in the world finding enough grit to escape. I thought he had him on
the Brainbuster, and then the kick. What a well done false finish.
And that was probably the stiffest match I have seen all year. Ibushi's dropkick echoed like a gunshot in a canyon. And his own chest was
hamburger meat at the end of the match.
Tajiri and Metallik was damn good as well.
WWE has produced one of the best tournaments of all-time already, and we are only into the second round. Crazy.
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salmonjunkie
Best There Is Was or Ever Will Be
Posts 11475
Registered 6-25-2002 Location Sunny Seattle, WA Member Is Offline Mood: Authoritized
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| posted on 8-12-2016 at 06:08 PM |
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GotDAMN that Ibushi/Alexander match was just awesome. It was right up there with Ciampa/Gargano match for me. HHH coming out to the "Please sign
Cedric" chants was a wonderful touch. Also, The Tajiri/Metalik match was pretty darn good.
I also want to echo some people above and say that I also loved Jack Gallagher. His schtick is great, he did "escapology" with more fun than ZSJ
did, and his match against bald-meathead-guy-with-the-nice-springboard-moonsault was fun.
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SpiNNeR72
Showstopper
Posts 612
Registered 10-21-2006 Location Shetland Member Is Offline Mood: Amused!
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| posted on 8-12-2016 at 09:25 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by DKBroiler
Edit: All caught up. Gargano vs Ciampa was unbelievable. Truly an amazing match. Wow.
Storytelling. In two segments. Tag team, respect, chemistry, friends, meet in tournament. Then the match itself, so well done, could have gone the
50/50 stereotype way (which sadly I have to say is very much an indy thing) but instead, man, that was well thought out an executed.
We will see better and more entertaining pure wrestling matches in the CWC, but that was the best example of sports entertainment we will see in quite
some time.
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Quentil
Showstopper
Posts 572
Registered 5-13-2003 Location Saratoga Springs, NY Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 8-12-2016 at 10:10 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hitcher
Luckily on the reverse of that scenario: In case you missed it: There's a "post credit" scene of Triple H coming out to take Cedric to the
back and giving a thumbs up and an "OK" to the "please sign Cedric" chants.
Yeah, that was a really good moment for me. It was the perfect ending to one of the best matches I've seen in months. Hard to hate on HHH,
because something something NX err CWC.
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