WingedEagle

Pretty solid lineup for a Sunday night, but it'll be relegated to the second screen once Jazz/Nuggs tips off.

Thanks. If accurate that definitely colors things a bit differently. I finished the show and thought it was on course to be one of the best of the COVID era until the main event. I found it slower and less compelling than the Dominion title change and without any kind of interesting stretch run. Yeah, LIJ eventually showing up was nice but we killed 20 minutes to get there and then followed it with a pretty run of the mill finish. This run likely means Evil has a regular spot rotating in & out of the top of the card, but hopefully its not overdone and we can get back to business with the G1. On the bright side, I thought Shino/Suzuki and the tag title match were both terrific, with the latter being the best Golden Aces/Dangerous Tekkers tag yet. Curious to see what's next for Shingo & Hiromu as these seemed like the kind of title losses that lead to bigger things.

Ouch. Curious to hear more about what did or didn't contribute to the house and whether people have generally slow to return to events (capacities at Korakuen and such are small enough to not reveal very much) but on the surface that sounds like an indictment of the Evil reign.

No wonder people look down upon wrestling and wrestling fans.

We're years past the point of giving the E the benefit of the doubt, but even a broken clock is right twice a day. I could easily see a pure heel Roman Reigns getting over as a babyface. Or whatever those roles are in the Thunderdome. But Roman will commit himself to the role and if early indications are accurate he'll shine not having to play corporate babyface madlibs with his promos. Color me firmly, cautiously optimistic even if not for the reasons Vince necessarily intends. The possibility of a strongly build Roman/Big E feud for the belt is also enticing.

Any word on attendance today relative to capacity?

Now I'm trying to figure out how to cast the entire locker room on that show. Thanks a lot.

How is the Torch these days? They're running a sale offering a month at $0.99 but is there value at the regular price beyond that?

Stop listening to this troll. He's the wrestling equivalent of political "commentators" who pay the bills by sparking outrage.

This might be the best match I've seen since the world ended. It would seem as though Nomura has been annointed the next big thing in BJW, but Abe absolutely steals the show here with his offense an incredible blend of speed, and willingness to trade brutal, simple strikes with Sato. Absolutely tremendous and right on the cusp of ****1/2.

I can definitely see that perspective. It seems like a waste of Okada in particular, but also Kojima, Sanada and even Despy. The last thing they need is another title even if a couple are shelved right now. Would much prefer a simple Okada-Kojima match and you could arguably line up a few other matches to pass the time for Okada without all of the gimmicks. It also seems like they're using a lot of capital -- social media, road to shows, etc. -- on this idea. If its actually a hit in Japan then more power to them. Forget what everyone over here thinks. I just hope that's the case.

I like spice. This seems more like trying to add a touch of cinnamon to your coffee only the top falls off of the canister and you end up spoiling the pot. And that's coming from someone that's generally worshiped at the NJPW for much of the last decade.

Is it possible they were chanting for Bruiser rather than Luger?

I'd really like to know if this KOPW is any kind of a hit or attraction in Japan. Nothing suggests that to be the case with western fans, so are Japanese fans open to it because their companies haven't been flooded with gimmicks for decades? Open to anything? Or are they crapping on it in much the same fashion?

Agreed. Let's not write off anyone who's 24. But this idea that he's a top performer in today's business in any capacity is something I don't see. He seems incredibly confident and can speak. If he can vary his delivery, tone and attitude he may become a can't miss guy on the mic. In the ring? I haven't seen hours and hours of him but would like to see him perform and be presented to come across as a physical force. Someone who's actions have consequences for babyfaces. That's not something I've seen from him outside of perhaps the Jungle Boy match.

Thanks. She's someone I've seen very little of, especially relative to what I've read about her, so it'll be great to check it out. Much appreciated!

Playoffs are looking awesome. Four games a day for a week or 2? Working from home has never looked better.

Nailed it. Perhaps he'd work as a Rick Rudecito. Just about every other heel on the roster feels more natural in their roles. Even the Dark Order by virtue of how they acknowledge who everyone is under the mask. This guy just plays a part on television.

I wish I could say I see what everyone else seemingly does in MJF but week in and week out he comes across as someone playing professional wrestler. Perhaps he'd work as a mouthpiece or manager for someone that comes across as remotely dangerous or physical, but he's almost at the point where I fast forward right through his segments.

Its honestly pretty scary to think that they're driving business to the point that TV execs may be having ultimately existential conversations about the company.

Raw's biggest disadvantage is that its 3 hours so it takes longer to fast forward through it. Given Bryan's absence, for my money the better show these days is usually the one that dedicates more time to Bayley & Sasha. They're the one consistently entertaining act in the company this summer.

It'd really be a shame if a few, or even all, of them got sick.

Thanks for the link! Can't wait to check that out when I get back home today.

I still don't get how a 5 man unit of relative midgets chucking up 60 3's is supposed to fare well in a 7 game series against a team with size that can also shoot. Its maddening. Bring me Lakers/Clips and winners vs. Bucks. LET'S DO THIS.

Not quite the topic but for me the biggest problem is that with two hours of weekly television its almost impossible for NXT to serve as kind of developmental brand. By the time someone's called up they'll arguably be overexposed and certainly slotted. Its almost as though a wrestler needs to be kept off TV entirely to have a clean slate on Raw or Smackdown.