i watched sonny two rivers vs. cobra...both japanese.....
Haha I actually watched that the other day. Stomper Gouldie YouTube channel or jack sabbath?
Some wrestling fans might know Sonny better in his masked gimmick as Super Strong Machine but the sonny character was supposed to be the son of an actual first nations wrestler they had. Stampede sure loved their kayfabe families that made no sense...Athol Foley cracks me up every time I see him, same with Volkan Singh and Jeff Gouldie.
I was really impressed with Cobra when I first saw him so I looked him up. I knew his name but had no idea his little bro was Shunji Takano, who was one of the biggest japanese dudes (physically...he was like 6'
back in the day but could work like a little guy. Ive mostly seen him as Super Ninja in AWA. He was in Stampede for a while too, I just haven't seen any tape of it yet. Cobra was a really good worker too, very smooth style. I assumed he was a luchador because of his complexion and the mask so it was surprising to find out he was japanese but it turns out their father was an African American marine and they got a lot of shit growing up for being mixed blood because Japan was (is?) racist as hell. Same story with Aja Kong. Pretty rad they were all able to become extremely accomplished and even legendary in Aja's case.
It was tough at first but I’m just trying to take it in right now. On another note, Collision looks like it’ll be good tonight. Excited for Samoa Joe’s match.
I've never actually given SMW a proper sequential watch so it would probably be better if I did it that way.
Watched collision tonight.
Enjoyed Edge shitting all over Starks in the promo but please don't start doing the stupid ass beat up the Indy guys dressed as security spots every week again. You killed that horse with Wardlow and you're just beating it every time you do it now.
Joe match was so-so. Willie Mack would have a decent look if he was a few inches taller but currently he kinda just looks like my friends dad walking around in his underwear. I would keep the colors but wear tights and high boots like a modern JYD. This was another example of giving too much and unnecessarily even booking.. felt like Joe was eating offense or selling for most of the match then he just pops up and hits the muscle buster.
Laughed during the CJ interview when Andretti walks in and you can hear someone the crowd audibly groaning and saying "noooo". Yeah I know Jericho likes him, but he's way too vanilla and nothing about him stands out. He's a more likeable Yuta at best. CJ shouldn't even be wasting her time with him
With the roster they have there is zero excuse to be putting Daniels on a flagship show in 2023. They had like 20 guys in backstage segments who would have been better in that spot. He looks old as fuck and his entire offense these days seems to be armdrag based which is when you really know they're done.
Dustin is soooo good. That promo was awesome and it makes me so sad to know Tony will never have the balls to put the belt on him before he retires.
What's with Tony putting tag guys in singles matches lately? I want to see Boulder get better but feeding him to Kyle Fletchers skinny ass (and having him hit a powerbomb no less) aint how you get there.
I guess theyre trying to give Skye Blue a personality but it's gonna take more than king diamond eye makeup. Decent match tho and I'm not going to complain about seeing more of her.
Keith Lee didn't do much to assuage the rumors that his lungs are fucked from COVID and he can't work an actual singles match anymore.
Nick Wayne is an awful actor. Not sure if even JR will be able to get a compelling segment out of him.
Main event was ok. Christian is still great character wise but he's definitely looking a little iffy in the ring. Second match in a row where he's struggled to get someone up for a spot, and it's not like Darby and Danielson are big dudes.
The run in parade and edge saves the day shit is already overplayed. Especially if you're going to play the fuckin music every time for everyone...I know this is a common criticism but it always looks so dumb when theyre supposed to be running in to save the day and have apparently stopped to cue the sound guy on the way. I miss the old days where you'd just hear the crowd pop and then you'd have a few seconds of wondering who it was going to be because sometimes it would be someone totally unexpected.