Boss Rock

So apart from letting Bryan work some dates, this looks to be much ado about nothing.

Per Meltzer, Nick Khan has been in talks with New Japan about a possible partnership and make WWE the sole provider of U.S. content for them. On the one hand, I have no idea if they're in any real financial trouble. On the other hand, teaming up with the most creatively bankrupt promotion that wants to monopolize wrestling seems like a bad idea.

Nice.

I like all 3!

Cactus Halloween Havoc, probably the Dome match against Misawa, maybe Jun? I also really like the Starrcade match with Flair.

I would definitely recommend the matches with Jun, Fujita, Tenryu, and Kawada for a glimpse at early Shibata.

I'm considering Stan as well. I love the Fabulous Ones and the fact that he did that as well as the Midnight Express warrants consideration.

Looking at that pace working championship matches, it's amazing his body didn't give out sooner. I guess landing on his shoulder added years to his career.

Well said and is pretty much my conundrum with Bret.

I haven't seen his entire AJPW run but count me as one who enjoyed it. Especially the Kobashi match.

Even though his output has diminished due to being an undercard guy now, Nagata is still very good. I've also enjoyed most of what I've seen out of his 00's work, so he seems like a lock to me.

Agreed that there was a good wrestler buried under all the insecurities and ego. There's an alternate universe where he learned the correct lessons from Flair by bumping and selling his ass off and not making everything a self-conscious epic where he dominates.

Hase is probably a top 50 contender for me as well. Great junior worker who eventually became a great heavyweight worker.

I really dig the Murakami match.

Amen.

I always try to find more Super Dragon.

I recall hearing it was postponed but it's strange because the show is still listed on the schedule and they are resuming shows with the Road to Wrestle Grand Slam title.

Honestly, use this as an opportunity to just throw the new title in the bin and bring back the HW and IC titles.

Per the website, the Dome show is still on so I imagine it would be Okada vs either Ibushi or Shingo.

Can't wait to see Shooter in action.

Rey is my number 10 right now, but I mostly agree with finding those matches "just" very good. That could bump him a bit lower but he ain't leaving the top 20.

This looks awesome.

I agree that Cody doesn't really need to be champion. They still have Page in the wings, have struck gold with Darby, and Mox will for sure get another reign down the line. I wouldn't necessarily be against removing the stip in a renewed feud with him and MJF though. That feud still has plenty of juice.

As always, Trevor puts it best.

No guarantee, but I'd love to make room for my man Gary Albright.