WingedEagle

My thoughts on the match from the MDA -- Wanted to add that here as well, as this match is *exactly* what I love and want from Terry Funk. In this setting, working this style he is right there with those I consider the best wrestlers ever. The wobbly selling and punch drunk route his selling often goes doesn't have as much mileage for me as does his work against Orton here. Or against Jumbo in '76, Flair '89, other babyface in Japan. I want more of this! Its gross to think about how much outrageously fantastic Funk material from the 70s we don't have on tape. Where are more matches like this one?? Hit me up.

Wow! Talk about a match that came out of nowhere. No need for a detailed review as Sleeze hit the nail on the head, but this match was a textbook example of escalation and progression. The clean start with contested lockups and attempts for control. The handshakes that soon became slaps. The wristlock and arm twists that became vicious elbows to the back of the neck by Funk or big bombs from Orton as Funk was draped over the apron. After delivering the scientific start and the brawling, they deliver the limb work as well with Funk's Spinning Toehold weakening the leg and playing a factor down the stretch. Like near falls? I do. We had a great one here on the Orton Piledriver, but they weren't overdone. It was a big moment in the match rather than part of any finisher spam that might take some out of the moment. This was a real treat and one hell of a find as I'd never heard about this from even the most ardent Funk fans. I can't go quite as high as my man Sleeze given the finish, as those kind of snowflakes usually require a hot and convincing conclusion that builds upon the match, but we're splitting hairs here and this just below. ****1/2

Weird, since two if three made the majority if their cases in Japan. By that logic, Bret Hart is American

Bash '89 is one of the most enjoyable matches for me to watch. Others rate higher, but not sure how many are more fun. From the entrances to the match and everything they do their utilizing both rings, to the post-match it is the kind of spectacle that gets you cheering along for your man while loving every second of it. The Funker was an early gateway for me into ECW and that whole world back in the day. Which means you can indirectly give him some credit for getting me back into the game in high school after falling out for a year or 2, and never looking back. While the AJ 90s crew were what first led me into Japanese wrestling, it was hearing about Funk's work in '70s and '80s All Japan, and my familiarity with him by that point, which led me to jump deeper down that rabbit hole. This means the wife may not love him, even if she has no idea who he is. I was too young to watch NWA Ric Flair during his prime. After-40 Flair was still a legend to me because of how he carried himself, how he wore that robe, how he nailed Piper with that chair and then how he won the Rumble no matter how much 11 year old me wanted Hogan to win. I still have the '92 Rumble on PPV from taping it that day even though I haven't had a VCR for years. When I finally dove into his older work he made everyone else look like a world-beater. People I'd written off or never given a chance from every corner of the country looked like they belonged in the role of world title challenger. His NWA squashes were not the time-fillers I remember growing up on WWF Superstars, but showcases for the champ and an opportunity to put forth something special even in a nothing situation. Its more subtle, but he's also the wrestler who first made me appreciate doing little things to make a match.

Folks did say Flair would lie down too willingly, so you never know.

Bash '89 for the Title! Here's hoping the post-match is just as awesome.

Definitely, his top 10 and top 3 votes really stood out. Can't complain about showering him with love though.

Honestly, I'm baffled that of all the AJ guys, Misawa is the one who actually *gained spots* since 2006. Considering the criticims thrown at All Japan style and NOAHism, considering the fact Misawa is actually the one who died because of it, considering his NOAH work really isn't talked about with much enthousiasm, I really thought he would be the one who would drop he most out of the 4 pillars. I'm kinda stunned. Totally pulling for him though. Can't say I understand it either. Love them all but would've expected them to move as a pack. I suppose that may very well be the case though with 3 in the top 10 and 4 in the top 11.

The Misawa Vengeance Tour continues.

Not everything in his run is a classic or on par with AJ's best if you're high on it. But it absolutely doesn't feel dated, even the early stuff from '01-'02 where he was essentially learning on the job and developing his game. Then you watch how his work develops and the wrinkles he adds at various junctures along the way in ROH and the Indys before reinventing himself in WWE. Don't think the Eddy comparison is a fair one at all, as even if you don't rate his run as highly as those of us who go gaga for it, Eddy looked to have written many matches off. I'm not sure you can argue Bryan did that even if you don't appreciate the output.

I ranked Kobashi #1, so no surprise that I think he's pretty great. But how do 6 people that vote for him not vote for Kawada at all? Have no idea what it says about those ballots, the overall process, nothing. Its just mind-boggling.

I think this is a great point, and am also interested in the notion that this may be a disadvantage for Flair as as it pertains to discussing rather than ranking workers.

I'd swipe right. Show the man some love!

Very much where I was on him as well, as he felt like someone who would've been a top 10-15 lock, but I have no idea if that's based on the best output of his career, the best post-prime anyone's ever had or something in between. One of the biggest question marks for me even with as much footage as we have. Hell of a showing for him.

Matt, what pre-80s Bockwinkel is available and readily accessible? Would really like to check that out at some point.

Eddie definitely needs to drop. Madness! I never connected with Steamboat on the same level as those who placed him so highly, but I've always understood what people found so appealing and engrossing about him. A bit surprised there wasn't more discussion about him along the way given the strong and broad support he ended up receiving.

Yeah there are plenty of wrestlers or styles I haven't ranked because of a lack of exposure (shoot style, some lucha) versus others that just really didn't rank super highly for me (Savage, Lawler, other lucha). Which is probably the case for everyone. Most of us have some blind spots, some more than others. Will fill them in eventually. Or manage to avoid divorce

Buddy Rose Good call. But I'll still give Arn the nod. William Regal is another one. Regal!! He loses points here though because he'd literally get me laughing with his facials and sometimes make it difficult to flip out of that mode. Just too strong a comedian.

Sheer madness. What I love about Savage is how he's not someone you'd ever call fast, but is just so damn sudden. The way he'd sling himself over the ropes to the floor, or up to the top turnbuckle. Great 10 yard dash, but horrible 40 yard time. The problem for me when watching him is that in between all of that, and the character work, was downtime. Lots and lots of aimless downtime. Almost like Bad Randy Orton but with a personality. The moments and matches were there, but not a GWE case.

Buddy Rose Good call. But I'll still give Arn the nod.

How can you not love John Cena? https://twitter.com/JohnCena/status/725111591713148928 The guy is a good time.

Mentioned it earlier, but Arn easily ranked highest on my list of anyone who did not have a laundry list of classic MOTYCs, coming in at #16. Beast mentioned it, but who else could flip the switch between assassin-like intensity and comedic stooging that seamlessly from moment to moment, much less match to match? Some will say Terry Funk, I'll say no one. Whether a squash or a brawl, he brought interest and intensity to everything he touched. THE ENFORCAH!

One Night Stand is a great Taker match. I actually loved the Survivor Series match as well. Thought it was heading in a MOTY direction. The Austin rematch at IYH was damn good as well.

Because every one of us wants our guys to rank where WE ranked them. And we'll go the mattresses if they don't Its just something to talk about.