April 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tBUuZa19-4&t=5s Jake de Leon vs. Billy Suede - PWR WrevolutionX 4/30/17 From this year's WrevolutionX, their biggest show of the year, this is easily the best match of the ones I've seen so far. Simple story of plucky babyface up against the arrogant heel. They do some simple fun stuff to get the match going. Some good strikes and chops to get things going. A few interesting sequences like the counter into the Cross Armbreaker were fun. But I gotta say, that finishing stretch was really quite well worked. As I watched, I actually was marking out and fist pumping by the time the final bell hit so that's a really, really …

Considering that this match was getting the most buzz before this show, it's surprising how little talk there has been about it since it was a damn good match. Fun spot at the start as Io almost eliminates Hana while she was posing. After that, this is pretty much a seven-ish minute display on why Io is so great right now. Hana more than holds up her end, which was impressive given she hasn't even worked for a full year yet. A great short match. ***3/4

This is the opener of Stardom's Cinderella Tournament, which is a one night, single elimination tournament. Each match, excluding the final, has a ten minute time limit and you can also win by throwing your opponent over the top rope. This was a really scrappy sprint as these two have started a spirited feud over the last few shows. They go right after each other from the start, including doing some nice nearfalls to get over the over the top rule. After that, it becomes a big rush of strike exchanges and bomb throwing. This definitely looks to be the rivalry to watch in the future for Stardom. ***3/4

This is a second round match of the Cinderella tournament. Another strong showing for HZK. Her offense isn't flashy but she's getting smarter at knowing how to use it and her heel persona effective. Hojo gives her a lot here as HZK controls most of the match and Hojo has to earn all of her comebacks. Even the draw finish makes HZK look good as she gets a bit to cocky leading her to hit finisher too late but still could have finished off Hojo. Another strong short match from this show. ***1/2

Cinderella Tournament 2017 Final: Mayu Iwatani vs. Toni Storm This didn't quite reach the hype levels of some of the previous matches with the crowd, and I probably wouldn't have liked this as much as I did if Toni was facing anyone else. Mayu was built to take these moves; her selling was superb, limbs flailing like spaghetti, and her facial expressions are great too. Storm was an absolute superwoman here and adsorbed everything that was thrown at her. It'll take another Blue Nikita to stop this Kiwi of Steel. ***3/4

These two had a really good match last year, so I knew there was some chemistry there. They had an even better match here - it was executed so well w/ the emotion & the effective babyface-heel roles. Alexa's work on top was really good, really liked her trash talk during that too. Bayley's big comeback was super great - loved the energy & fire she brought. The sense of urgency picked up big time once Bayley's comeback was done - they started hitting each other w/ the big bombs; Bayley trying to go for the super Bayley-to-Belly, Alexa busting out the sunset flip powerbomb, Bayley doing her awesome Macho Man tribute elbow. The finish was really neat with Alexa getti…

Their Fastlane match disappointed me greatly, but holy shit that is all forgotten now after this instant classic. The look on Braun's face while Reigns was staring him down from the ringside was priceless. LOVED the beginning with Reigns going straight to punch Braun - now that is how you sell a personal feud, Owens & Jericho! That stunned Braun & Reigns got a great shine in. That shine ended quickly as Braun grabbed Reigns while he was going for that drive by apron dropkick. My goodness that was awesome. Braun was now on full control, he destroys Reigns & Reigns displayed that world class selling of his - oh man he is such a phenomenal seller & this might…

This was really good. Hot action from bell to bell. The transitions were really damn good. The finish was a bit annoying but it did it's job in setting up part 3 between these 2. On par with their WM match. ***1/2