CM Punk & Wrestling's Best Storyline in Years...

[Brougham33]

Can't wait, not sure where they go with Zayn and Owens, I could see either guy going over. I think the night ends with Zayn stretchered out again, but not sure if he will retain. How did your NXT catch up go battlecatmeowstab212?

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Can't wait, not sure where they go with Zayn and Owens, I could see either guy going over. I think the night ends with Zayn stretchered out again, but not sure if he will retain. How did your NXT catch up go battlecatmeowstab212?

Went great. Freezing and windy yesterday in NYC so I binged watched. On the last episode's Hideo-Balor match now. While I miss the only 2012/2013 NXT theme, this roster is incredible.

I have to say as someone who has been watching Kenta for years, he's much farther ahead with his English promos than even I thought he'd be at this point (and I always had faith he'd be great) something just seems a little off in terms of his crispness and in-ring persona/charisma.

He's still really good, so I don't know if it's just compared to how seamlessly Balor connected with the WWE machine to do some of his finest work ever, or if it's because of how much of his moveset CM Punk's already made his in North America causing Hideo to start from scratch, but something just slightly isn't on the mark.

Anyone else feel this way? I still think he's one of the absolute best in the world and I wouldn't say he's been disappointing or anything like that, and it's still super early in his run so they're understandably still plenty of time to develop, but anyone else think something feels like it's missing?

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Also, Owens has NEVER faced Balor before anywhere, so I would love for the two of them to have a program together.

I don't believe Owens has ever faced Hideo anywhere either, but I'm not certain.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

BREAKING NEWS FROM JAPAN

Sorry to triple post but

AJ STYLES WON THE IWGP BELT FROM TANAHASHI

YOUNG BUCKS WON THE IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT TAG BELTS FROM reDRagon

Both just happened today. I did not expect either result. Interesting what this means now for ROH's AJ Styles vs. Bobby Fish match in Atlanta and Styles vs. ACH at the next ROH PPV.

[907]

Besides the tag title match, and Corbin/Dempsey, this was a damn great show. Loved the ending of the main event!

[Brougham33]

Another great show. Love how they disregard the cool down match theory, and just put the best 3 matches all back to back.

-Best Itami match since joining NXT. Loved the hulk up, loved Tyler busting out the selfie stick and the Bret Hart post figure four.

-Corbin isn't working for me, he doesn't look menacing in the ring, his finisher doesn't make sense to me, and ever since some dude on reddit pointed out that his belly button is a wide smile, I can't really take his matches seriously. Bull is fine I guess, his singlet and finisher are awful, but he can be an NXT midcarder.

-Tag match was a mess. Only people on the show who came out looking weaker.

-Loved the Balor/Neville match, was paced really well. Dug the post-match faded Balor paint, reminded me of when I'd mark out as a kid when Warriors would fall off. Favorite spot was the red arrow countered into a small package. Kinda hoped they turned Neville heel at the end.

-Every single NXT live event special as had a baller womens title match. Everyone looked strong in this, especially Bayley. Less hugging, more top rope suplexes. What's up with Corey Graves shitting on Becky? I get it, she's a poser or whatever, but he's Corey Graves? Dug the nod of respect between Banks and Flair, wasn't sure if it was a quick "proud of you" moment, or if Flair is getting called up to the main roster.

-Kevin Owens wins by KO is perfect. Zayn never pinned and Owens looks like a Brock level murderer. I love the idea of a heel who cries when get wins the title, but could also give a shit about his lifeless best friend on the floor. I know they aren't letting him do the package piledriver, but that pump handle neckbreaker he uses looks way more dangerous.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Following up NXT Rival with Waylon Mercy vs. Savio Vega from 1995. Always wanted to see it (Waylon Mercy's such an underrated gimmick) and surprisingly Savio's pretty great in it as well. Really a fun contest and a glimpse into what might have been.

[Pizon]

What's up with Corey Graves shitting on Becky? I get it, she's a poser or whatever, but he's Corey Graves?

[blastmaster]

Sooooo Rhyno showed up at the NXT taping.

Ownes-Zayn was an incredible match. Again.

I would love to see a finish like that for Wrestlemania.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Rhyno and The Brian Kendrick are now a part of the NXT roster, which is awesome. Both are deceptively still really young, have had great recent runs in indies, and could teach so much to the next generation coming up.

[zappy]

Can't wait, not sure where they go with Zayn and Owens, I could see either guy going over. I think the night ends with Zayn stretchered out again, but not sure if he will retain. How did your NXT catch up go battlecatmeowstab212?

Went great. Freezing and windy yesterday in NYC so I binged watched. On the last episode's Hideo-Balor match now. While I miss the only 2012/2013 NXT theme, this roster is incredible.

I have to say as someone who has been watching Kenta for years, he's much farther ahead with his English promos than even I thought he'd be at this point (and I always had faith he'd be great) something just seems a little off in terms of his crispness and in-ring persona/charisma.

He's still really good, so I don't know if it's just compared to how seamlessly Balor connected with the WWE machine to do some of his finest work ever, or if it's because of how much of his moveset CM Punk's already made his in North America causing Hideo to start from scratch, but something just slightly isn't on the mark.

Anyone else feel this way? I still think he's one of the absolute best in the world and I wouldn't say he's been disappointing or anything like that, and it's still super early in his run so they're understandably still plenty of time to develop, but anyone else think something feels like it's missing?

i feel like kenta would go over really well on raw, he's like the opposite of adam rose's gimmick which was great in NXT but just too small for raw.

[907]

I was randomly going through my cable channels earlier, and was shocked to find a NJPW show on one of the sports channels. Better still, it was Devitt/Okada from a few years back. They're showing the G1 cup next week, I've got it set to record.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

I was randomly going through my cable channels earlier, and was shocked to find a NJPW show on one of the sports channels. Better still, it was Devitt/Okada from a few years back. They're showing the G1 cup next week, I've got it set to record.

Yeah, New Japan has a weekly show on AXS (formerly HDNet) with English commentary. It's pretty good.

I recommended everyone at least DVR it, but be aware if you're searching for it, the official name of the show is "Japan Pro Wrestling" NOT "New Japan Pro Wrestling," and searching for it with "New Japan" is going to yield zero results.

For those keeping score at home, wresting currently on American TV:

Monday - WWE Raw on USA
Tuesday - WWE Main Event on WWE Network, Wrestling with Death on WGN
Wednesday - NXT on WWE Network, Lucha Underground on El Rey Network
Thursday - WWE Smackdown on SyFy
Friday - New Japan's Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS TV, TNA Impact on Destination America
Saturday - ROH Ring of Honor Wrestling (Syndicated, Check Local Listings)
Sunday - Pro Wrestling Syndicate (Syndicated, Check Local Listings), WWE Total Divas on E!

And Championship Wrestling from Hollywood is looking for a new TV deal, but until then can still be seen on a few local station in California late Saturday/early Sunday.

[BigCat8]

I think my issue with Itami is simply that he's too expressive since coming to NXT. I've always seen him as the badass silent assassin who talks with his feet and is only a babyface or heel based on who he's beating up on a given day. I think he's being made into too much of a traditional American babyface, with appeals to the crowd and all that.

I think unfortunately they're not going to let him just kick the shit outta guys in NXT/WWE, and that's so much of what made KENTA fun to watch.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

So, I'm going through the Monday Night Wars documentary on the network and while it's a touch redundant in parts (Especially for those of us who've voraciously consumed every documentary that's touched on the subject these past 15 years) the penultimate episode about Vince Russo is staggering for condensing that last 18 month period of WCW into one hour. Like, we all know it got really bad, probably the worst any wrestling show in North America ever got, but when you have it all right after each other intercut with fan reactions and the persons responsible answering for it, it's quite a doozy.

Anybody else seen it?

[blastmaster]

That was a good episode. I honestly wouldn't be shocked if it got to the point where Russs just said fuck it and tried to tank.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

That was a good episode. I honestly wouldn't be shocked if it got to the point where Russs just said fuck it and tried to tank.

"Bro, what you have to understand is..." - Vince Russo, before every sentence, unpromoted.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

What episodes of Monday Night Wars are essential? I watched the first two, the Bischoff one, the Bret Hart on, and the Russo one. Is there much new in the Mick Foley or Chris Jericho episodes that (despite being my two all time favorites) I haven't already seen on their previous several DVD releases?

[blastmaster]

Honestly, the Vince Russo episode is the only one that didn't bore me to death.

[GUCCI CONDOMS]

[Pizon]

I thought all the MNW episodes were basically the same.

The rebellious NWO faction and what became known as the Attitude Era, bro.

[blastmaster]

The cruiser weights episode was good too.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Yeah, I was on the fence about watching the cruiserweight and ECW episodes. Any new info in that one? Good Heyman talking heads?

[battlecatmeowstab212]

WCW lost 15 million dollars in 1999.
WCW lost 60 million dollars in 2000.

Can you imagine starting 2001 with that company as an accountant or financial advisor?

[Brougham33]

First PPVs of 2001 were Sin and Greed then Vince bought us.

Enjoyed NXT last night, Owens and Neville was awesome. Neville is a freak of nature, this deadlift is crazy:

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Jon Stewart Calls Out Seth Rollins

[Brougham33]

Solid promo.

As much as I want to see Samoa Joe in NXT, I think it'd be wise for him milk thee ROH/NJPW/indie scene first.

This is promising:

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Spike TV and ROH have already both confirmed not only is that not true, but the two companies have never had any sort of talks past or present regarding everything.

[hustler]

Jon Stewart Calls Out Seth Rollins

i liked this until he started clowning on himself. i would have liked to have seen him do a straight up promo sans self deprecation. he can still give it the jon stweart flavor like that part where he calls out rollins on "not being able to decide on a haircolor."

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Anyone else following the #SayYesMadonna campaign that's trending worldwide?

Scottish cult favorite wrestler Grado was denied permission from Madonna's publishers to let him use "Like A Prayer" for his entrance on TNA tonight. So, he started a #SayYesMadonna campaign and it not only trended worldwide, but got the backing of Time Magazine, the BBC and even the Scottish Parliment.

I wrote about it for OC Weekly today here - http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentalit ... rayers.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;