May 2011

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This doesn't have all the high drama of the Togo-Honda classic but it's another good match from Togo's incredible pre-retirement run. This is around the time when I think Ishikawa got good. He still makes some mistakes that people who care more about everything being very crisp would probably point out, and some of his moves are goofy. For instance, there's a Togo dive off the apron which Ishikawa doesn't base for well enough and they botch it. But that's a turning point in that match because Ishikawa starts working Togo's back and Togo's selling and bumping for that is amazing. I think the difference in quality is that Ishikawa's matches started being better structured a…

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AJ Styles vs Tommy Dreamer - TNA Sacrifice 2011 No DQ The point of this match is twofold: 1. It sets up the big AJ vs Bully Ray match for next month 2. It shows AJ can not only survive in the Extreme environment but thrive against one of its icons. AJ is not given enough credit for damn good his punches are. In an aspect of wrestling that has really taken a hit since the 1980s, AJ has some really damn good punches. There is one in the beginning it looks he should have broken Dreamer's nose and he even sells his hand. That selling leads to Dreamer countering him with a boot and he does a rock n roll death drop to sell that. Awesome, awesome. awesome. This one o…

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Sami Callihan vs Brodie Lee (Evolve 8) This starts out similar to the Finlay match when Callihan goes straight for Lee as soon as the bell sounds but is met with a thunderous heavy slap to the face. Definetly felt that one already. I like the main basis of the match and thst again Sami uses the working from underneath formula that suits him. He's just trying to survive early on here as every attempt at some offense is met with clubs by Lee. Some heavy slaps from Lee in this and Callihan and Lee engage in a killer chop battle. Callihan brings some big kicks to bring Lee down but Lee comes back with a big boot. Always love a big boot. Callihan …

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This is probably the best YB match I've seen so far, because, they don't go spot-crazy. Aries and Strong work them over and they do a good job selling the puishment, and then when it's their turn, they keep things simple. Some might not like the hundred back and chest rakes, but, they made it work, and Nick mocking Aries was amusing and they were good at keeping Aries from making the save. After Strong tags out, he and Aries are back in control and it seems more and more like they're going to win the titles, especially after Aries pushing Nick off the top rope and they have Matt all to themselves, but, Matt doesn't stay down. He blow anything off, he takes the abuse and …

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