CamstunPWG187
Man of a Thousand Holds 
Posts 1477
Registered 5-2-2010 Location Harbin, China Member Is Offline Mood: Barbeque
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| posted on 8-14-2016 at 07:36 PM |
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My god, I saw Ibushi Vs. Alexander this week, along with the rest of the episode, and yes, it really was all that and a bag of po-ta-to chips.
It was seriously a perfect pro wrestling match. Definitely deserved all the praise it's been getting.
The brainbuster was ridiculous!
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salmonjunkie
Best There Is Was or Ever Will Be 
Posts 11477
Registered 6-25-2002 Location Sunny Seattle, WA Member Is Offline Mood: Authoritized
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| posted on 8-19-2016 at 02:20 AM |
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That Jack Gallagher/Akira Tozawa match was so much fun. I love Gallagher's whole shtick, and the dude moves around the ring like butter. His
technique is so good that it's perfectly ok for such a skinny, scrawny, pale guy to be able to keep up with Tozawa. I really wish he got the
upset victory because I would've loved to have seen more. Hopefully he gets a contract to go to the main show's cruiserweight division,
or even NXT.
Brian Kendrick vs Tony Nese was pretty great. Kendrick/Ibushi is going to be awesome. I am looking forward to that matchup.
Ho Ho Lun / Noam Dar was ok. Ho Ho is really green. He knows moves and is clearly athletic, but he seems like he's thinking about what
he's doing too much and has stilted transitions. He's young, though, and he could be really good one day. I love his attitude and wish
he went over on Noam Dar anyway. Even though Dar is better in almost every way, he just doesn't connect to me at all, and might be one of my
least favorite guys in the second round (and will probably be my least favorite in Round 3).
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anglefan85
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1127
Registered 12-6-2005 Location Long Island, New York Member Is Offline Mood: Relaxed
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| posted on 8-19-2016 at 04:15 AM |
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I may be in the minority, but I feel that they should give Hoho Lun a shot in the Cruiserweight division. Like you said, he's green but the
potential is there. Put him in the Performance Center, give him a year or 2 in NXT, they could have something there.
Also, really loved the performance that Tony Nese put on. He's a local talent from Ridge, a town on Long Island that's about 10 minutes
from where I live, so it was pretty cool to see a fellow Long Islander getting a shot like that.
[Edited on 8-19-2016 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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OORick
Intellectual Savior of the Masses 
Posts 3482
Registered 12-27-2001 Location - The Birthplace of Aviation Member Is Offline Mood: Flyered Up
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| posted on 8-19-2016 at 06:47 AM |
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FYI: Triple H has confirmed that the cruisers will multi-task as both RAW and NXT stars, and left open the possibility that the title itself could
cross brands.
I view this in two ways: (1) WWE wants to have a nice stable of 10-12 cruisers, but knows there's only room for 4-6 of them as Going Concerns on
RAW, or (b) WWE has already given up on the cruisers as a major part of RAW, but is happy with the success of the CWC, so they are keeping the title,
anyway.
Take your pick.
For now, I choose to be optimistic. That Cedric Alexander moment was not scripted, and proves that the current regime of WWE is happy to pounce on any
money making opportunity. And WWE is going to great lengths to "brand" cruiserweights a bit differently this time around: yes, they must weigh less
than 205 lb (or 215, which I thought I heard bandied about as the new cut-off), but it's not longer about a "style." And if you force cruisers
to be good at EVERYthing, instead of just being a high flying gimmick act? Well, that's when your Daniel Bryans and Finn Balors can
happen....
To that point: I agree with everything said about Jack Gallagher. He's one of the guys I hadn't seen a lot of before the CWC. But I hope I
have not seen the last of him, now that I have....
Rick
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salmonjunkie
Best There Is Was or Ever Will Be
Posts 11477
Registered 6-25-2002 Location Sunny Seattle, WA Member Is Offline Mood: Authoritized
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| posted on 8-19-2016 at 08:51 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by anglefan85
I may be in the minority, but I feel that they should give Hoho Lun a shot in the Cruiserweight division. Like you said, he's green but the
potential is there. Put him in the Performance Center, give him a year or 2 in NXT, they could have something there.
Actually, I agree with this completely. I really like his positive attitude - he seems like he's willing to work really hard to become great.
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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 8-20-2016 at 02:05 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by anglefan85
I may be in the minority, but I feel that they should give Hoho Lun a shot in the Cruiserweight division. Like you said, he's green but the
potential is there. Put him in the Performance Center, give him a year or 2 in NXT, they could have something there.
He might be on their radar simply because he's Chinese, they're real big on appealing to foreign markets.
That being said: I agree he should probably get a chance to train up just because he seems likable and industrious.
One small complaint, and it is a small complaint since he sold like a damn beast for the rest of the match: Id've liked Tozawa to have fought a
bit more against the early "being tied in knots" spots. As fucking awesome as that "stuck in a ball" moment was, his compliance with the setup
kinda took me out of it. I'm also not entirely sold on that finisher, it's a cool move, but it kinda lacks a bit of oomph for me.
Good match though and, unsurprisingly, Regal's a fan of Jack: He'll be back if he wants to be.
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CamstunPWG187
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1477
Registered 5-2-2010 Location Harbin, China Member Is Offline Mood: Barbeque
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| posted on 8-26-2016 at 02:44 AM |
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I think the recent episode was the best yet!
Swann and Lince had a fun spot fest opener, and that double big boot spot was amazing. Swann's Phoenix splash murdered Lince!!
A lot of different reviewers are back and forth on Gulak/ZSJ as being better than the main event. They had an extremely intense wrestling match. The
reversals and submissions were timed with perfection. Someone here said they hated ZSJ, and all I can ask is this: how can he be someone who is
everything you hate about pro wrestling? He's got a great, European chain style, he's super smooth in his transitions, and he's so
quick that his reversals actually look like they hurt. I don't think you can find a better 8-minute match!
TJ Perkins and Gargano had a great little battle. It's crazy watching these guys since both of their respective rises in the indies (Perkins
made a name for himself in 2006, and I saw Gargano debut on the big stage in Dragon Gate USA live at their first show). They did what they do best -
really fun and intense wrestling, with Gargano ESPECIALLY seeming like he wanted to impress. That reckless dive from the apron told a story of a man
who didn't give a fuck. He will do anything to win! I was actually extremely surprised by the ending. I even yelled out "noooooooo" when
Gargano tapped. Not because I have any qualm about Perkins (I don't), but because I could see Garganonwas really putting his all into that
performance to impress the higher-ups.
Another class episode of CWC
Best thing going in WWE at the moment.
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OORick
Intellectual Savior of the Masses
Posts 3482
Registered 12-27-2001 Location - The Birthplace of Aviation Member Is Offline Mood: Flyered Up
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| posted on 8-26-2016 at 04:19 AM |
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Speaking purely for myself, I'm not one to "hate" Sabre, but I know I don't like him nearly as much as many indie diehards. I
"appreciate" what he does, and does very well, but there is definitely something that doesn't click with me, in terms of credibility and
gravitas. His is, at this point, a very "slick" (tm, Daniel Bryan) exhibition of moves that never quite convinces you to give a shit about it as a
competition.
To that end, Sabre won the match (and continues to have the indie rep and pedigree to be considered a favorite to advance to the final four), but for
me, Gulak actually stood out as the rock star outstanding performer, who scored some points with me to the extent that I know believe his game "plays
up" in way that could be of value to WWE's non-niche products.
Maybe some of that's that Gulak comes with fewer expectations. Maybe some of that is that Sabre's body and facial countenence reminds me
of the Create A Wrestler version of Conan O'Brien from this awesome skit from a couple
years ago, which instantly makes it harder for me to take him seriously. But either way, it still all adds up to me not enjoying Sabre as much
as I enjoy other guys in this field.
After the first round, I made a vow to be as spoiler-free as possible (I still talked to one of my peeps to get an overall sense of things, what
matches impressed, any injuries/news, that kind of stuff, but asked to not be told winners and losers), and Perkins/Gargano made that effort entirely
worthwhile, all by itself.
WWE definitely pushed Perkins as one of the feel good Olympic style human interest stories, but that was more than offset by the fact that Gargano is
under contract, and probably wouldn't lose to anybody NOT under contract (iin this case, Rich Swann).... so I was into the match, feeling like
Gargano was the favorite, but not entirely sure, so it was an upset -- but not an outrageous one -- when Perkins won. Great match, surprising finish,
everything (for my money) that Sabre/Gulak was not.
Rick
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CamstunPWG187
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1477
Registered 5-2-2010 Location Harbin, China Member Is Offline Mood: Barbeque
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| posted on 8-26-2016 at 05:07 AM |
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Yes, I definitely enjoyed Perkins and Gargano the most. Both of them have really earned their stripes and I love that Perkins moved up to the final 8.
In terms of actual wrestling ability, he might be the best of anyone in the field. He's the kind of guy who will be second or fourth on the card
and have the out-of-nowhere best match.
He's pretty awesome
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anglefan85
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1127
Registered 12-6-2005 Location Long Island, New York Member Is Offline Mood: Relaxed
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| posted on 8-26-2016 at 05:52 PM |
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No doubt that was the best episode to date. All the others have had 1 or 2 solid matches on them, but each of them also suffered from what I refer to
as the Second Match Curse, where every week, the second match on the card would always stand out as the weakest. This week, though, Gulak and Sabre Jr
just tore the house down, that was the Zack Sabre Jr that's been hyped up as being a technical god.
Also, I looked at Perkins/Gargano and wondered to myself, why was a man of Perkins' talent so utterly wasted in TNA? He never showed anything
like that when he was there as Manik. I know I'm basically like the resident TNA-basher, but this isn't me bashing on TNA, I'm legit
wondering why he wasn't showcased like this.
[Edited on 8-26-2016 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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The Hitcher
Fella
Posts 390
Registered 12-25-2008 Location Manchester, UK Member Is Offline Mood: GLORIOUS!
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| posted on 8-28-2016 at 02:59 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by anglefan85
Also, I looked at Perkins/Gargano and wondered to myself, why was a man of Perkins' talent so utterly wasted in TNA? He never showed anything
like that when he was there as Manik. I know I'm basically like the resident TNA-basher, but this isn't me bashing on TNA, I'm legit
wondering why he wasn't showcased like this.
[Edited on 8-26-2016 by anglefan85]
I'll bash TNA for you: He was probably not utilized in an interesting fashion: Because TNA.
On the CWC: That was a good way to write Gargano out while making him look good. Tapped out to the finisher Perkins already put a guy away with due to
previously being in an outstanding tag title match where his legs were smashed to powder by the champs. Good continuity.
I like ZSJ and his style doesn't necessarily need it but: I kinda feel he could do with getting to the size of at least one of the TM61 guys
just for a little bit of beleivability. I'm sure he'll do fine either way but it'd probably help and wouldn't be massively out
of his current body type's realm of possibility.
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GodEatGod
Man of a Thousand Holds 
Posts 1008
Registered 1-14-2004 Location Monroe, LA Member Is Offline Mood: Weird
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| posted on 8-28-2016 at 04:24 PM |
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TJ was a really great wrestler while in TNA, but probably the most high profile things he did were - being revealed as TJ when Austin Aries stole the
Suicide costume in order to get the X-title and cash it in for a World Title shot (which TNA allows once a year at the Destination X show). TJ got a
tepid Hogan endorsement out of it and a gimmick shift which...didn't really do very much for him. He had a couple of X title runs of his own,
but, as usual in the post-Hogan era, the X-division didn't mean very much.
He was also part of The Revolution, James Storm's Wyatt Family ripoff. He was pretty much the squad jobber.
"It is an impressively arrogant move to conclude that just because you don't like something, it is empirically not good. I don't like
Chinese food, but I don't write articles trying to prove it doesn't exist." - Tina Fey
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Columbo
Showstopper 
Posts 947
Registered 11-2-2004 Location @columbo527 Member Is Offline Mood: GodDamnWOOO
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| posted on 9-1-2016 at 03:50 AM |
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Burning Hammer on WWE produced show.....2016 everyone.
"The North Cafeteria, named after Admiral William North, is located in the western portion of East Hall, gateway to the western half of North Hall,
which is named, not after William North, but for its position above the South Wall. It is the most contested and confusing battlefield on Greendale�s
campus, next to the English Memorial Spanish Center, named after English Memorial, a Portuguese sailor that discovered Greendale while looking for a
fountain that cured syphilis."
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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 9-1-2016 at 04:08 AM |
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Not even a cop out "flip off the shoulders" burning hammer either he dropped Ibushi right on his head. Mental.
With some of the moves that are being busted out I'm wondering if they're just doing shit without asking or they've loosened the
reigns a little bit. I half expected Tozawa to actually follow up on that "BRAIN BUSTAH" shout from the top rope...
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Matte
"Family Man" 
Posts 8808
Registered 12-16-2008 Member Is Offline Mood: #BROKEN
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| posted on 9-1-2016 at 04:09 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Columbo
Burning Hammer on WWE produced show.....2016 everyone.
Seriously. And the slow-mo replay... straight head drop. Flabbergasted.
Emotional ending with the tears and hugs. Is this Kendrick officially retiring as an active competitor, or could he still be a part of the division
once it's announced?
Ultimate Match Showdown!
"I'm a professional. I know exactly what I'm doing." - Jeff Hardy
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CamstunPWG187
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1477
Registered 5-2-2010 Location Harbin, China Member Is Offline Mood: Barbeque
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| posted on 9-1-2016 at 04:52 PM |
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Burning Hammer...Called legit and with the history to boot. Really put over how serious that spot was, to what was probably the best match of the
tournament.
Tozawa and Dorada had an outstanding match, as well. Perfect opener and I was really pulling for Tozawa. I think he's one of the guys who
should be signed and it felt sad seeing him get taken out. Seriously, that was my most legit "NOOOO" moment of the year. I couldn't believe
how much the crowd finally began to dig into his shouting and overall charisma. Oh wait, yes I can, because Tozawa has been the man for about 6 years
now.
More on the second match though, because it was so damn good that I can't wait to go back and watch this tournament again, or at least the
highlights. The avalanche German was a great comeback spot, and Kendrick CONTINUING to work the neck was great. One thing I notice with these
matches are guys are working as smart as they possibly can (IE. Tozawa selling his first tope through the ropes before going for his signature next
one), which just goes to show how much they want to impress. They know WWE isn't looking for spot monkeys.
After THE move, I really wanted to see Kendrick take the W. I can't believe he busted that out, given I have NEVER seen him do it before, and
he did it as puro and legit as he possibly could. Bravo to Ibushi for taking it legit. Kobashi smiled after seeing that, no doubt. The fact that it
did not end the match and the crowd reacted that way to it when it happened told me that should have been the ending. I'm shocked that it
wasn't, because when that move has ever been performed when it actually mattered by guys who aren't scrubs, it has never been kicked out
of. Points down? Nah, fuck it, I'm not gonna let that bother me in the slightest. I marked out hard.
This stuff is gonna give BOLA a run for it's money this year.
Speaking of which, can no one spoil the BOLA winner in the same way the Kenny OMega G1 victory was announced via topic title, pretty please?? For
example, it'd be nice to not see "***** is the 2016 BOLA winner." That's like my little personal Wrestlemania and I really don't
want someone spoiling it for me.
Just a favor.
Oh, and that was the new best episode ever.
[Edited on 9-1-2016 by CamstunPWG187]
[Edited on 9-1-2016 by CamstunPWG187]
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niles81
Fella
Posts 376
Registered 1-16-2013 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 9-1-2016 at 05:16 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by CamstunPWG187
Speaking of which, can no one spoil the BOLA winner in the same way the Kenny OMega G1 victory was announced via topic title, pretty please?? For
example, it'd be nice to not see "***** is the 2016 BOLA winner." That's like my little personal Wrestlemania and I really don't
want someone spoiling it for me.
Just a favor.
[Edited on 9-1-2016 by CamstunPWG187]
I said it once but I will say it again - all apologies for that spoiler. I was hoping to draw interest to the G1 seeing as I very rarely see New Japan
posts on here and wasn't aware there were people actually following it.
I would also appreciate no spoilers on BOLA this year but I'm not too concerned about it from these boards. I would suggest avoiding Cageside
Seats though - they announced last year's winner on the front page.
Also - to keep it on point - CWC this week was the best episode yet. I liked Towaza vs Metalik best out of the two matches but Kendrick vs Ibushi was
so awesome that the margin between the two is very very narrow.
Seriously - a burning hammer... on WWE produced content. 2016 rules.
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Matte
"Family Man"
Posts 8808
Registered 12-16-2008 Member Is Offline Mood: #BROKEN
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| posted on 9-1-2016 at 07:28 PM |
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Aw yeah!
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 1127
Registered 12-6-2005 Location Long Island, New York Member Is Offline Mood: Relaxed
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| posted on 9-2-2016 at 12:38 AM |
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Vince probably had a stroke when that happened, especially due to Kota Ibushi's recent neck surgery.
My main issue with that was that the Burning Hammer is a death move, you don't kick out of it. If you had it where Kendrick was so worn-down
from the rest of the match that he was unable to capitalize on it, it'd be better, but having him go right for the cover and Ibushi kicked out,
just didn't feel right.
[Edited on 9-1-2016 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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First 9
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1977
Registered 1-22-2013 Member Is Offline Mood: Doing the Emma Dance
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| posted on 9-2-2016 at 12:51 AM |
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After that post-match Kendrick/Bryan moment, I'm thinking we found a guy who can definently represent DB in his feud against the Miz.
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bopol
Showstopper 
Posts 600
Registered 1-18-2013 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 9-2-2016 at 01:11 AM |
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I love Ibushi (probably my #2 guy in Japan behind Omega over the last few years), but damn, he can be dangerous.
I only signed up so I can read the forum.
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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 9-2-2016 at 06:28 PM |
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That was probably the best match of the tournament from a psychology point of view. Kendrick trying to fight, rather than wrestle because he knows he
is at a disadvantage against Ibushi. Using tactics like pinning his foot into the guardrail in hopes of getting a count out win, and using the entire
ring to help target the neck of Ibushi (the neckbreaker on the metal turnbuckle was quite a nice piece of storytelling) and topping it off with a
burning hammer, was insane.
Ibushi needed to go over, but Kendrick has been lights out this entire tournament and the character of his that I can only describe as "desperate
redemption" is coming through with his ring work. Really fun to see him put this all together.
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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 9-4-2016 at 12:31 AM |
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I was genuinely surprised to see Ibushi win, since he is the only one (I know of at this point) who won't immediately be part of the WWE roster.
Yes, another great episode, I am almost over the elimination of Gallagher now..
The only thing with this format is, if these guys are going to perform as part of the main roster and not just for TV, the just can't keep it at
this level 7 days a week.
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Foxcalibur
Fella
Posts 450
Registered 12-18-2014 Location San Francisco Member Is Offline Mood: Paid for the drivel
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| posted on 9-4-2016 at 04:28 AM |
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Just caught the latest episode. Aside from raising all my issues with the relative values of moves, it's been a mostly magnificent series thus
far. Everything Ibushi-related has been hot fire, and his match with Kendrick was very powerful. It would've been more powerful if Daniel Bryan
understood a thing called "building tension" but his performance against Ibushi and his tearful curtain call were magic.
Unfortunate-like for ol' Foxy, nobody I like besides Ibushi now remains in the tournament. Maybe I'm a bad Jew, but Noam Dar is deeply and
thoroughly bland, as is Perkins, while Swann reeks of jobber and Sabre's work is mostly unpleasant to watch, to the point that I'd skip
the final match if he were in it. I'd easily have traded Sabre for Gallagher, Swann for Cedric Alexander, Perkins for Tony Nese, and Dar for a
longer run for Kendrick or Gargano.
So here's hoping Kota Ibushi carries this thing. May the influx of awesome Japanese dudes keep on rolling.
And I actually believe Ibushi already debuted on NXT a few weeks back, no?
NXT: It's like WWE, but fun!
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Matte
"Family Man"
Posts 8808
Registered 12-16-2008 Member Is Offline Mood: #BROKEN
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| posted on 9-8-2016 at 02:53 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Foxcalibur
And I actually believe Ibushi already debuted on NXT a few weeks back, no?
He has, but guys have debuted without contracts being involved (Eric Young, James Storm, etc.) and Ibushi still says he hasn't (and isn't)
signing with them.
Maybe the upset of the tournament tonight with TJP going over Rich Swann.
Ultimate Match Showdown!
"I'm a professional. I know exactly what I'm doing." - Jeff Hardy
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