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The 2012 MOTYC thread

340K views 3K replies 192 participants last post by  Alan4L 
#1 ·
#1,372 ·
CZW live in Miami
Lightube bundles, Danny Havoc vs Lucky 13
****

This match was superb and centerd around the wrestling. Lucky did some really nice american lucha spots (hand springs, Genericos jump to the top rope diving moonsault, moonsault double knees, and a rana off the top rope to the outside) Havoc can go in the ring pretty decently. The lightubes were just add ons to most of the moves that they were doing so that it wasnt just them hitting one another.

Kevin Steen & Sami Callihan on commentary make it that much better.
 
#1,379 ·
I can agree it was hardly spell binding, and the crowd really weren't that terrific bar rallying behind Tajiri when he got close to a comeback. Still I wouldn't say it lacked drama, they established a wonderful sense of tension during the grappling and lock up exchanges, and you could tell the match could break down into a physical affair at any moment and I was constantly gripped watching each exchange just waiting for that moment of physicality and Tajiri's strike flurry after 6 minutes of tight grappling was just a wonderful build that you don't see anywhere else in Japan these days: if this was any other promotion you would have already had some pedestrian hold trading with little purpose, or some god awful 'I stand here and let you chop me, then you stand there and let me chop you back' spot that I absolutely HATE.

I can see why people wanted it to kick into a higher gear, and maybe my love for it is only escalated by how crap a lot of other title matches are in Japan, but the slow build, the selling of Tajiri's signature offence and its importance in him potentially winning the match as well as the little things Finlay added to the match (struggle in executing a drop toe hold takedown, and rubbing his thigh when he had Tajiri in a submission moments after Tajri had unleashed a string of kicks to his leg) just impressed me so much I couldn't fault it.
 
#1,380 ·
Kevin Steen vs Brian Cage-Taylor - PWG Death To All But Metal
Super little match. Steen was really fantastic in this I thought. First half is really fun with the crowd banter and Steen doing comedy spots with BCT's physique. Second half it steps up and turns into a really good little inexperienced underdog challenger title match. Taylor kinda just comes along for the ride at times but his spots are great and that's enough to get him over with the structure of the match along with Steen's performance. Made him look super while maintaining the established hierarchy. Finish is perfect. Really good little match mixed in with all the usual PWG enjoyment. Probably get well looked over kinda like NVC/RockNES last year.

****1/4

Super Smash Brothers vs Young Bucks - No DQ - PWG Death To All But Metal
As strong of a contender for MOTY as Naito/Okada and Ibushi/Hino are. Crowd brawling off the off was fucking super. Felt totally chaotic and hate driven. No care for making the spots look neat and tidy, just a really great uncoordinated but not sloppy brawl which set the tone of the match just perfectly. Workover was awesome. Chair spot which eliminates Supafly from the match was incredible. Bucks cut out the goofyness which helps the match a lot. Super workover, great dickness from Bucks and great at keeping Supafly out to maintain the 2 on 1 advantage. Could have done without the tombstone on the apron not being sold. Table spot was immense. Can live with Matt coming back from it because it was do or die at that point and it was near enough to the finish. Near fall that leads to Knox being taken out was incredible. Awesome superkick on Knox too. Sets up the actual finish wonderfully well too. Knox clothesline on Bucks is always a super spot. Maybe a bit goofy but it fits in PWG and more importantly this particular match. Tremendously well paced. Couple of selling issues but at least they were to deliver more greatness and they weren't that off putting. Put SSB over really well too. Steen's legit tremendous on commentary and not just in a goofy way either.

****1/2

El Generico vs Ricochet - PWG Death To All But Metal
Generico and Ricochet both turn up and don't have a bad day. Even the terrible posters on here can figure out how this goes. It's not a coincide either how Ricochet's turned into a great worker since going to Dragon Gate.

****1/4
 
#1,390 ·
Super Smash Brothers vs Young Bucks - No DQ - PWG Death To All But Metal - ****1/4
Fucking loved this match, some crazy spots aswell, first Fatality was alittle drawn out like Duo wasn't going to hit it or was slipping, only bit I didn't like, but the belly to belly suplex to the outside by Player Duo was freaking awesome! seemed there was alot of hatred between these 2 teams aswell! I hate anyone coming into the match, but Knox clothesline was great, and as Seebs said, set up the finish rather well, but pretty much non stop action from start to finish!
My current MOTY!
 
#1,392 ·
Finally, people are appreciating The SSB, they're busting their asses off across the country for ages now. The best tag team in North America this year.
 
#1,396 ·
Meh, I'd rather see Sheamus vs. Generico.
 
#1,397 ·
LUCHA GOODNESS~!

Black Terry vs Chico Che, IWRG (01/22/12)

A lot to love about this match, some pretty intense and awesome brawling featuring a plethora of nasty headbutts, stiff chops and some ugly boots to the face. Terry also manages to hit one insane punch that you only catch a glimpse of but it looks to land just on the jaw of Che and it looks hideous. Terry was far and away the better performer here, selling like mad the beating he's taken and the desperation in his comebacks, the camerawork is always a treat in IWRG and they really get some awesome visuals of Terry in the corner sucking on wind and trying to regain his composure. Che was hit or miss, he hit some really nasty chops and headbutts but for the most part had sub-par punches, and played too the crowd far too much which resulted in some awkward seconds of inaction and which didn't seem appropriate for the match they were working. He also had a couple of really sloppy moments of execution including a corner boot which missed by a foot and a really tame looking running knee in the corner. They also worked a really absurd and nonsensical headscissors sequence which was incredibly out of place and felt really tacky and serving little purpose. Spot of the match was either Terry's insane kidney punch followed by Che's awesome punch combo culminating in Terry taking this great KO sell or the Che tope and both men lying bloodied on the floor just headbutting each other at any chance they got. You felt the hate, both men bleed a ton and Terry in particular really captures this transformation from underdog babyface to psycho monster superbly, such a shame that the well executed finish was botched with Che's shoulder being up before the 3 count. Still the good far outweighed the bad and this served as a great introduction to the Hair vs Hair match a week later.


Black Terry vs Chico Che, IWRG Hair vs Hair Match, (01/29/12)

I'd say overall I preferred this to the first match, but there were a couple of really bad moments which dampened the overall quality of the match. Che was much better here than in the lead in match, a lot less pandering and crowd interaction and more meat behind his punches, headbutts and kicks. His beating in the first and second caida just became more and more vicious as the minutes ticked by and Terry was his usual awesome selling self, looking on the verge of passing out from the blood loss and clutching his ribs for minutes after eating the splash at the end of the first fall. Whole shenanigans with Che's right hand man constantly proving a thorn in Terry's side was superbly played out throughout the match, and the moment in the third fall where Terry just launches a chair at him was incredible. Terry's comeback was short and sweet in the second fall, which was probably for the best given the beating he ate, though I do think it could have been executed/looked better. Third fall was probably the most divisive fall, Che hits a nasty tope and eats a particularly bad landing, both right hand men get more involved throughout which leads to some nice chaotic brawling between all four men and really emphasises the significance of the match, the headbutt exchange in the corner between both was just absolutely disgustingly stiff, and Terry pulls off some amazing punches in between. Terry's right hand man also hits a stunning tope on Che's right hand man to take him out, looked absolutely insane with the speed he got as he flew through the ropes as well as the landing with both men just flying into the chairs. Sadly the spot where the corrupt ref got taken out was horribly executed, Che taking forever was at least nice selling of the beating (something both men did tremendously, from the heavy breathing to the delayed setups of particular moves), but the ref lying so close to Terry was such lazy telegraphing of the spot and then Terry pulls the ref to the mat, rolls a couple of inches away from and a good 5 seconds later Che somehow hits the ref and completely misses Terry. Just looked so shoddy and poorly timed and really dampened what had been a fine match up until that spot. Finish whilst also quite brilliant in a 'Rudo pisses all over the crowd's hopes' moment was also quite anticlimatic, although I did appreciate Che's right hand man kicking Terry in the balls being the setup to the finish, and despite Terry's right hand man ensuring he wouldn't play another part in the match, the continuing match story of Terry being unable to shake off the right hand man was built to excellently and served as a nice payoff. I'd say this just edges out as my favourite of the two, thanks to a much more tolerable and all round more pleasing Che performance, as well as the constant spots involving the right hand men. But fuck me if it weren't for that awful ref spot this would be a lot higher on any eventual MOTYC list from me.

I do however have high hopes the next batch of Lucha I get around to might do much better in terms of being a potential MOTYC, especially a TXT Tag that has been getting staunch reviews ever since it hit the web.
 
#1,398 ·
PWG Death To All But Metal

Kevin Steen vs. Brian Cage Taylor - PWG World Title Match
Match is really funny to start with, as soon as they go into a lock up Steen shouts ‘Oh Fuck!’ and gets thrown down and asks Cage to be his personal trainer. Great stuff. There’s a really good little story in this one with Steen playing the veteran and Cage playing the new inexperienced guy making a few mistakes and allowing Steen to get the upper hand on a few occasions. Steen going after every part of Cage’s body was funny as well as something I’ve never really seen done before lol. Cage botched a spot and there was another thing that didn’t look as good as it should have, but the guy is really impressive. I thought the finish was a bit sudden but it played into the story of the match really well. Great match. ***¾

The Young Bucks vs. Super Smash Brothers - No DQ Tag Title Match
I love how chaotic PWG No DQ matches feel, especially the crowd brawling. Loved the way they structured this match with The Bucks completely dominating the majority and being awesome heels constantly cutting off any comebacks by SSB. I thought a few spots from The Bucks looked a tad overly choreographed but that’s nit picking really when the match was this fun. Table spot was awesome, ref bumps were really good, the near falls were so well done towards the end. Rick Knox getting revenge with a lariat was fucking hilarious and awesome and so was Steen going mental on commentary because he hates YB’s so much. Really really fun match. ****

Michael Elgin vs. Willie Mack
This was awesome. Just a full on powerhouse match from the start with great back and forth action and ridiculous moves. Some of the shit Elgin did was insane and Mack was great too. Delayed vertical suplex, chaos theory and the deadlift powerbomb were all completely sick from Elgin. ***1/2

El Generico vs. Ricochet
This match actually had a great story going in, but I didn’t expect this type of match out of these two. It really felt like a grudge match, and there was definitely a sense that these two didn’t like each other. The story is basically Ricochet being the only guy in PWG to out quick Generico, and Generico didn’t like that one bit so they started this rivalry. This was awesome because the story was evident all the way through with Ricochet getting the advantage and acting cocky toward Generico. Ricochet’s control segment was great, he went after the neck and was constantly mocking Generico and taunting him. I didn’t expect that kind of performance from him. Generico keeps getting cut off and it seems like Ricochet really has his number all the way through. Even in the finishing stretch it was mostly Ricochet as he had a counter and a reversal to everything Generico was going for. Some sick spots towards the end and I loved the part were Ricochet was just toying around and Generico just snapped and starting throwing wild slaps. Loved the story they told and the action was so fluid. Generico was great as the underdog as he always is, but Ricochet was brilliant playing this guy who knew he was quicker and knew he was in control acting like a dick. The guy has really turned into a great wrestler. Awesome match. ****1/4
 
#1,399 ·
Seth Rollins vs Dean Ambrose - FCW 24.06.2012
Falls just short of nominating it as a MOTYC but it's more than worth a watch. First half is very passable. Their attempted chain wrestling isn't all that good and Ambrose isn't cut out to be doing stuff like that. Crowd is completely dead too. Not quiet in an anxiously observing type of way. Just not interested. There's 2 guys in the front row having a chat not even facing the ring. Loved the tension before the start from both men and contributed to also by Regal on commentary. Second half is great though and picks right up once Ambrose starts selling the fuck out of the arm. Downtime on the outside is brilliant with Ambrose trying to pop his shoulder back in. Transitions really well into Ambrose attacking the leg in a last ditch effort to survive. Both guys' limb selling rocked. Really nice lead into Regal vs Ambrose too with Regal on commentary, the shoulder angle and Rollins even using the Regal Stretch. Cesaro and Regal have unreal chemistry on commentary together considering this was probably their first taping together. There last 2 matches smoked this though.

William Regal vs Dean Ambrose - FCW 15.07.2012
Glorious. Awesome example of getting the most of very little. Tone is set perfectly with Regal's entrance. Adored the first half of the match with Regal just schooling Ambrose working the shoulder. Sucks we don't get more of this Regal where he just takes kids to school all match. There was a NXT match last year with JTG that's just Regal schooling jobbers and it ruled. Ambrose's selling carries right from where it left off in the Rollins match but William fucking Regal working it over this time. Loved the spot where Regal just nonchalantly walked on Ambrose's head into the ring. Regal doing the "I have till 5" shtick made me smile so much inside. Ring post bump was a great transition spot and Regal's selling from that point is some of the best you'll see all year. Pace slows right down so you can really appreciate what they're doing. Finish is a super angle. Could have been done better without the ref stoppage but it's an awesome angle for a finish and you don't get enough of them so I'm fucking taking this. Completely something out of the Memphis wrestling textbook. Gets plenty of time to get the angle over and it would have been ruined if it was rushed. Makes Ambrose look awesome and fits in with the Regal/Ambrose story perfectly. Probably another reason for watching Ambrose/Rollins before is that Regal gets the story over perfectly in that match heading into this talking about how he respects what Ambrose is but fears he'll be the end of him. Regal Stretch and the knee at the end were the perfect icing on the cake of the whole angle. No more Regal would be such a sad thing but it seemed like his last match. Last significant match for the time being at least. Awesome stuff. Their first match was stronger but this is more about having a really good match and then doing a big angle which it totally succeeded at was about as perfect as you can get for what it was meant to be.
 
#1,400 ·
El Generico vs Ricochet - PWG Death To All But Metal (2012/05/25)
This is how you work a 'back-and-forth' match. On the surface this does somewhat resemble your typical PWG match, but this goes much deeper. The whole backstory is that Ricochet is the only guy to out-quick Generico and that is exactly how the momentum shifts work here. Whoever is the quickest guy during the transitions and sequences takes control. This later evolves into who can hit the hardest. Things go a tad all over the place during the finishing stretch but they manged to get everything sorted out to set up a great finish. It's great to see Ricochet improve as a worker, and Generico is Generico. My current PWG match of the year.
****1/4
 
#1,403 ·
PWG matches don't all follow the same structure so unless you mean it's fucking awesome, then "typical PWG match" doesn't really mean much to me either. Take the last show for example. Steen/Cage was a veteran/rookie type match with Cage trying to step up and prove himself along with some humour added into it. Bucks/SSB is a pretty by the books PWG hardcore brawl. Ricochet/Generico was more of a traditional beginning - middle - end structure with Ricochet controlling the middle before Generico came back at the end. All of them I'd call recurring PWG type matches so calling something a "typical PWG match" wouldn't really tell me much about the match other than it's probably awesome and really fun to sit through.

"Typical PWG undercard match" you could get away with but their bigger matches definitely vary enough in style and structure.
 
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