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Post by microstatistics on Jun 19, 2020 4:53:29 GMT -5
Since the second GME ballot is due this summer, I thought I'd unveil my new list.
Before I start, two citations:
1) I've adopted fxnj and shodate's eighth fraction ranking system since I feel it does a better job discerning differences in match quality.
2) I really enjoyed Nintendologic's write-ups over at PWO so will be following that format this time around (though this will be a Top 100 rather than a Top 200).
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Post by microstatistics on Jun 19, 2020 4:54:41 GMT -5
Jim Londos vs. Bronco Nagurski (Philadelphia, 11/18/1938)
This match immediately throws all preconceived notions about old school wrestling out of the window. They went all out with struggle-filled grappling and smashmouth exchanges, with the intensity never letting up. This is also a really well-done strategic battle. The larger Nagurski mainly tried to use his size to bulldoze Londos while the latter relied more on leverage and positioning, which eventually allowed him to seize control, leading to a nice blood in the water finishing stretch. ****3/8
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Post by microstatistics on Jun 19, 2020 15:50:35 GMT -5
Lou Thesz vs. Buddy Rogers (Chicago, 6/21/1950)
A classic world title bout. Rogers was, in many ways, the perfect heel challenger. He was skilled and tough but also incredibly arrogant and had no problem utilizing underhanded tactics to gain the advantage, eventually leading to a one fall lead. Thesz was the no nonsense champion who continued to be extremely aggressive, regardless of the circumstances. Though, you could argue that Thesz shrugged off all those blows a little too easily to go back into attack mode each time. But he sold the accumulated damage well, particularly at the end of every fall. Thesz weathered the storm and used his situational awareness to get himself out of a hole in the second fall and also pull off the third fall. ****1/2
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Post by microstatistics on Jun 20, 2020 19:43:20 GMT -5
Jesse James vs. Al Costello (LA, 6/8/1960)
A compelling battle between two proficient technicians that maintains the classic heel-face divide as Costello was more than happy to consistently play dirty while James was sporting but refused to back down. Tight wrestling and snug strikes peppered with some unorthodox holds and counters. Costello wearing down James’ arm enough to hold him down for three with the Australian suplex was nice psychology. James eventually roared back with headbutts to the jaw to even things up but Costello turning the tables by sidestepping them in the third fall was fantastic learned psychology. ****1/2
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Post by elliott on Jun 21, 2020 0:01:52 GMT -5
Looking forward to this unfolding
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Post by microstatistics on Jun 21, 2020 15:10:09 GMT -5
Jim Breaks vs. Adrian Street (JP, 2/12/1972)
Breaks’ complete bemusement at Street’s exaggerated flamboyance was pretty amusing. Street instantly dropping his act the moment he got into trouble was really well done. The matwork was aggressive and punishing and arguably the best I have seen within the style. The hostile cheap shots and lack of clean breaks kept things lively throughout. It was clearly heel vs. heel but the crowd support was greater for Street since he was slightly less insufferable. Breaks’ attritional work on Street’s arm secured him the first fall but Street’s final burst allowed him to salvage a draw and made for a decent finish. ****1/2
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Post by philschneider on Jun 21, 2020 20:45:56 GMT -5
Nothing from French Catch?
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Post by microstatistics on Jun 22, 2020 3:30:19 GMT -5
Nothing from French Catch? I was considering a couple of matches (e.g. the 3/12/65 tag) but want to go on a more comprehensive re-watch spree first so decided against including any. By the way, I recently watched the Oliver/Royal match you guys unearthed and really enjoyed it.
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Post by microstatistics on Jun 22, 2020 3:47:41 GMT -5
The Destroyer vs. The Spirit (AJPW, 7/25/1975)
Destroyer outwrestled and outbrawled Spirit in the first fall, but Spirit’s cheating flurry overwhelmed him. Kox continued to cheat while working Destroyer over with some nice punches and Beyer’s punch-drunk selling was terrific. With Jumbo Tsuruta’s help, Destroyer eventually responded in kind to balance things out. It is really impressive how well this match incorporates the hide a foreign object schtick. It could have easily gone off the rails in terms of goofiness but instead it came across as a legitimate and effective strategy. There was some psychology inconsistency in the third fall since Spirit initially hurt his right leg, but Destroyer targeted the left. Though he used the figure four multiple times, which is supposed to damage both legs, so it was relatively minor. Ultimately, Destroyer hoisted Spirit by his own petard, taking advantage of Jumbo’s interference (which the referee was weirdly lenient about) and tights-mediated leverage to take the win. ****1/4
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Post by microstatistics on Jun 24, 2020 4:05:55 GMT -5
Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Jack Brisco (AJPW, 8/28/1976)
Jumbo presented a challenge to Brisco in their January 1974 match but here he was a serious threat. Brisco was a skilled veteran but Jumbo’s youth and dynamism began to overwhelm him. Neat psychology in the first fall as Jumbo targeted the back and eventually finished Brisco off with a sweet belly-to-belly. Brisco’s heel instincts took over as desperation set in when he grabbed Jumbo’s leg from an unsporting position and went to town on it, turning the tide. He even tried to intimidate Jumbo between the second and third fall. The knee work continued, and Jumbo’s selling was amazing as the damage clouded everything he did or wanted to do. Great finish as Jumbo reversed the figure four type leglock into a small package, showing he had the smarts to complement the athleticism and had earned the vacant world title. ****3/8
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Post by microstatistics on Jun 24, 2020 13:53:26 GMT -5
Steve Grey vs. Johnny Saint (JP, 1/28/1980)
In terms of story and execution, this match might be the closest pro wrestling has come to resembling a traditional sporting event. Grey upset Saint in December but the general feeling was that it might have been a fluke. The first fall only reinforced that notion since Saint outwrestled Grey to take the 1-0 lead. Saint’s control continued into the second fall, especially as Grey hurt his leg. But Grey soldiered on and when opportunities presented themselves, he capitalized not once but twice to complete an impressive come from behind 1-2 victory and prove the doubters wrong. A respectful yet competitive feel, tricked out wrestling with compelling offense from Saint and world-class selling by Grey and a nice perseverance narrative. ****3/8
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Post by microstatistics on Jun 25, 2020 15:05:01 GMT -5
Axel Dieter vs. Moose Morowski (Hannover, 10/5/1980)
This is an LLT match with the local hero Dieter taking on the Canadian bruiser heel Morowski. Morowski’s tactics were primarily built around roughhouse wrestling and an onslaught of punches. Dieter’s fightbacks were ferocious and spirited and Morowski bumped big when necessary. As the match proceeded, the fatigue work and running out of steam selling by both was really impressive. Dieter probably used the snapmare transition a few too many times and some of the holds were excessively long. But, overall, this came across as a high-stakes, war of attrition as each attempted to grind the other into banishment. The final submission in the limitless round was suitably epic as Dieter finally entrapped Morowski to be the vanquishing hero. ****1/2
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Post by microstatistics on Jun 25, 2020 20:56:20 GMT -5
Terry Funk vs. Jerry Lawler (CWA, 4/6/1981)
Funk gave arguably the most complete heel performance in wrestling history here. He managed to be smug, deranged, cowardly, cunning, or pathetic depending on the needs of the story. Lawler’s cool and calm demeanor was a really nice contrast. The brawling was uncooperative and aggressive, and this had a dangerous, almost shoot-ish vibe to it. The opening portion with Lance Russell and the entrances is definitely essential but the main section could have used a few extra minutes. The “my eye” finish is, of course, super memorable but Lawler throwing the spike away in disgust was also a great visual. ****3/8
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Post by microstatistics on Jun 26, 2020 23:31:06 GMT -5
Terry Funk vs. Stan Hansen (AJPW, 4/14/1983)
This is probably the most dangerous Hansen has ever looked. He was an absolute monster here, hellbent on destroying Funk. A relentless, varied, and brutal offensive onslaught. In a 180◦ swing from the 1981 Lawler feud, Funk was the heroic babyface desperately trying to stay the course. His timing of fightbacks was particularly impressive. I have criticized Hansen’s lack of knee selling ad nauseam, but I guess it does not hurt the proceedings if you treat the match like a tale of survival rather than a competitive fight. A super compact, old school brawl. ****3/8
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Post by microstatistics on Jun 29, 2020 14:55:18 GMT -5
Greg Valentine vs. Roddy Piper (NWA, 11/24/1983)
The climax to a blood feud that involved Piper suffering ear damage and Valentine almost asphyxiating in July. This consisted of an unusual yet dangerous stipulation: both wrestlers were chained to the other at dog collars around their necks. I liked the emphasis on the fact that Piper was better at utilizing the chain as he used it multiple times and in imaginative fashion to inflict damage and get out of trouble. Valentine responded with clubbing brutality and by targeting Piper’s injured ear. Fiery comebacks from Piper combated Valentine’s attempts to permanently incapacitate him. Eventually, Piper’s proficiency with the chain won him the match as he wrapped Valentine’s legs with it during the pin and conquered brawn with brains. Valentine’s post-match attack was vicious but ultimately meaningless since Piper clearly bested him. I wish Valentine’s US title was on the line here since it would have made the finish more rewarding. Valentine could have sold for longer here and there but for a combination of hate, creativity and violence, this is almost certainly the greatest gimmick match of all time. ****5/8
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