Zoo Enthusiast

This was a blast. What a great topper to a terrific weekend.

I was on the rollercoater of emotions with Nak vs AJ at Mania. I went from being thrilled for it being the direction when we made the decision to go to Mania, then got bored by it and was hoping for someone like Rusev vs AJ instead. After last night, I came out caring about guys like Nak and Balor more than I ever have in their post-New Japan runs. It was such a great Rumble.

Pretty terrific show. The Rumbles certainly carried the night. Was disappointed in the tag matches not being very good but obviously the night was about Ronda above all else. The Brock match was what it was. Similar to when he murdered Big Show with a chair for 5 minutes at Rumble ‘14. I’m glad I stayed up to watch it. Great weekend for the Fiz.

Mania match is all that matters.

Yeah, I have faith in the Usos vs anyone but that just got weird in the second fall.

The greatness of Kami promos must continue. Pretty nothing match with a Dusty finish to boot.

or maybe the smart money WAS THERE ALL ALONG Hahahaha. Yes. Or maybe I should say “YES! YES! YES!”

Yeah, that’s why it seems like such a dumb idea, as opposed to just doing a triple threat that plays out like a handicap match. They must have some fix that they think is clever.

Yeah, I’m in the same boat. I was hyped to see him come out.

I’m looking forward to this show. Ready to not enjoy it, though, if that happens.

And if Braun's not winning the Rumble, he shouldn't be in the match.

One man’s drama is another man’s... not drama.

I think watching the TV and following Gargano’s ascension this past six months definitely helps. I didn’t expect him to win just because Almas hasn’t gotten to have a real run but I was still all-in on watching Johnny try to pull it off.

The armbar stuff took me out of the match. Both the selling while the hold was on and after the finish.

Thought this was the second best match on the card. AoP deliver every time and they were great working underneath here. Love UE most as a duo apart from Cole. I think the tag division in the entirety of WWE is just loaded, bottom to top.

I liked the Women’s match, too, but almost entirely from the Baszler side of the equation. I just can’t get into Ember much as a character because there just isn’t much of one. I thought her selling was overboard during the match and then not overboard enough afterward considering she had been in a hold that really fucks up your elbow for like 3 minutes. Didn’t hate the match by any means but those aspects really kept me from loving it. Anyhow, the main event put tears in my eyes so it’s all-time great from my perspective. I expected a spectacular match since I love both guys but it was just blowaway. I think I would have loved it even MORE if I wasn’t always looking for a Ciampa run-in any time the camera zoomed out even a little.

This was an absolutely spectacular match to watch. Gargano is the best babyface in the business right now and his matches with Almas are all fantastic. What a great story, and then off to the races with a personal feud with Ciampa that has the potential to be even hotter. Almas was also terrific, and I especially enjoyed him not working in a cartoonishly heelish manner. The Candice/Vega spot made me jump off the couch, as well. The false finishes made me bite every damn time. It was just captivating. I’m not huge on star ratings but I simply texted my girfriend “wrestling made me cry again” after it ended, so it’s on the very, very high end of my scale. Easily MOTY to this point and I would say the best match in NXT history.

Unreal.

I would have rather just had Shayna win but whatever.

I don’t think it’s a very unpopular opinion here, though I thought both teams did great in that match. Ohno/Dream was disappointing, especially after the DDT spot got fucked up.

Terrific stuff. I love AoP.

Really hyped to see what the Ohno match ends up being like. Should be a terrific show as always.

From where I'm sitting Charlotte has been completely mediocre since turning face. I thought she was one of the absolute highlights of 2016, both on the mic and in the ring, but haven't found a single thing she's done special since last year's Mania. Agreed. Her promos have been especially bad.

I don’t think Charlotte has been on a particularly good run lately, personally. I would rather see Rousey vs Asuka or Lynch, even.

Live stream of Beyond’s Spirit of ‘76 show. Jon Gresham vs Quackenbush in the opener.