Edge vs. Undertaker - Judgment Day
These two have awesome chemistry together and this match was no different. The story heading into the match was perfect. We all saw that Taker could beat Edge with the gogoplata but could he beat Edge without it? The storytelling and psychology in the match were exceptional. Taker attacking Edge's arm made perfect sense because it was an attempt to try and weaken the effectiveness of the spear. Next, I thought Edge working over Taker's legs was perfect because in the previous two matches he had attacked Taker's back and wasn't able to win. So, it only made sense for Edge to try and attack another body part to see if he can obtain a different result. Lastly, Edge countering Taker's big moves once again was brilliant. I can't stress enough how important that is to the psychology of the match because it'd make no sense for Edge to be able to counter Taker's big moves in two different makes then seemingly forget how. Another thing I really liked about the match was it wasn't like the other two matches, it was completely different. For example the pacing was much faster than the past matches and there wasn't a slow start to the match much like there was in the past two matches. Finally, I didn't see a big problem with the finish. Would've liked to have seen Edge get a win over Taker but the finish managed to keep both men strong heading into what I believe is the feud ender at One Night Stand. The match wasn't as good as their Mania match but I would put it somewhere on par with their Backlash match. Overall ****
__________________
"Hey Ovechkin, having fun watching me win...again?"
Stevens vs. Strong: FIP Redefined - ****1/4-****1/2
Really great match. Started off with some back and forth mat wrestling which was fine and then once the chop showdown happened it's was just awesome from that point on. Insanely hard chops and forearms, one chop so brutal it knocked Stevens the fuck out lol. Really liked the accidental belt shot, where Strong pleaded with the ref to not dq him, and then later proceeded to bash Stevens upside his head with a chair as soon as he saw the ref down.
Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho - Judgment Day
Easily everyone's most anticipated match on the card and the match delivered in a big way. The match started off fast and furious with counter after counter and I liked Jericho attacking Michaels' leg. Perhaps Jericho wanted to actually injure Michaels' leg to somehow teach him a lesson for lying or maybe he thought that there was a bit of truth to Michaels' leg being somewhat hurt. Either way it made perfect sense for him to go after the leg. The psychology and storytelling in the match was great. Michaels attacked Jericho's arm to try and hamper the effectiveness of the Walls of Jericho and Jericho attacked the ribs to try and slow down Michaels and limit his offense. Not to mention the selling of both men was top notch in the match. The superkick on the apron was a damn cool spot and I loved Jericho's possum tactic to bait Michaels into the Codebreaker. Finally, I really liked the finishing sequence, everything just flowed smoothly. The pacing was perfect and the crowd was hot as well. Overall ****1/4
__________________
"Hey Ovechkin, having fun watching me win...again?"
Really looking forward to seeing both of theose Judgment Day matches, Mystery. I ended up downloading most of it but the torrents fucked up so I'm going to have to catch it another way.
Anyway, just watch Danielson/Black from Breakout. Awesome match, and I'd have it in my top 10 for the year so far pretty comfortably. I'll give it a rewatch tomorrow when I'm not sooped up on painkillers before I rate it, but I can see myself going about ****1/4 on it, **** at the lowest.
Very, very fun match from start to finish. Tanahashi being the PERFECT cocky young lion and Kawada being the grizzled veteran. I REALLY wanted to give this **** 1/4, but Kawada falls apart after a botched set of kicks. Then Kawada's age started to show because the pace of the match was pretty fast. Ah well, Kawada is till fricken awesome.
Some thoughts on some matches that Ive seen this year.
Tanaka/Kanemoto
Well this was quite hate filled. The ankle lock had me thinking the match was over. I hope this match leads to some really great Z1/NJ matches, NAGATA/TANAKA!!!!!
Misawa/Morishima
I thought this was really great. Misawa turned in what is probably one of his final great matches. Also, he did the right thing by finally putting over a young guy. Now so long as the reign goes somewhere, NOAH may have a future.
Stevens/Strong Redefined
Was not as impressed with this match as much as apparently all that have seen it (one guy said it was 5*). Still, very very very heavy hits going on in this match. I crigned at the chop to the face. Good match, still not as good as some put it.
Tanahashi/Kawada
I liked this more than a lot of people did. Very fun match. Tanahashi is a GREAT cocky young guy, and Kawada is Kawada. Would have liked to have seen an actual winner, but you know. Still, very good imo.
Flair/HBK
This is my second MOTY. HOLY SHIT, the storytelling, selling, ending, EVERYTHING. I may have to bump this to #1 later. *bows to Flair* great career and a great way to go out. "Im sorry, I love you" that has to be the greatest WM moment ever.
Nigel/Aries Rising Above
This is my current MOTY (going on the Meltzer calender). Full of hard hitting action and just great stuff all around. Aries really lit a fire under his ass for this one. My favorite spot in the match is when Aries goes to drop kick him on the ground for about the 3rd time and Nigel blocks it again and makes fun of him, so instead of going back to a dropkick or a headlock he just soccer kicks him square in the face, great stuff.
Anyway, I dont do star ratings. Just thought Id post my overall thoughts on some highly praised matches from this year.
Some thoughts on some matches that Ive seen this year.
Tanaka/Kanemoto
Well this was quite hate filled. The ankle lock had me thinking the match was over. I hope this match leads to some really great Z1/NJ matches, NAGATA/TANAKA!!!!!
Misawa/Morishima
I thought this was really great. Misawa turned in what is probably one of his final great matches. Also, he did the right thing by finally putting over a young guy. Now so long as the reign goes somewhere, NOAH may have a future.
Stevens/Strong Redefined
Was not as impressed with this match as much as apparently all that have seen it (one guy said it was 5*). Still, very very very heavy hits going on in this match. I crigned at the chop to the face. Good match, still not as good as some put it.
Tanahashi/Kawada
I liked this more than a lot of people did. Very fun match. Tanahashi is a GREAT cocky young guy, and Kawada is Kawada. Would have liked to have seen an actual winner, but you know. Still, very good imo.
Flair/HBK
This is my second MOTY. HOLY SHIT, the storytelling, selling, ending, EVERYTHING. I may have to bump this to #1 later. *bows to Flair* great career and a great way to go out. "Im sorry, I love you" that has to be the greatest WM moment ever.
Nigel/Aries Rising Above
This is my current MOTY (going on the Meltzer calender). Full of hard hitting action and just great stuff all around. Aries really lit a fire under his ass for this one. My favorite spot in the match is when Aries goes to drop kick him on the ground for about the 3rd time and Nigel blocks it again and makes fun of him, so instead of going back to a dropkick or a headlock he just soccer kicks him square in the face, great stuff.
Anyway, I dont do star ratings. Just thought Id post my overall thoughts on some highly praised matches from this year.
Those are pretty good ratings, I agree on the matches I've seen. What is the Meltzer calendar I've not heard the term before?
The 2008 MOTYC Thread
Re: The 2008 MOTYC Thread
