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Post by microstatistics on Apr 4, 2023 22:16:53 GMT -5
This was my most anticipated match going in and this was one of the rare occasions where a match actually exceeded expectations. Honestly, this might be the best triple threat I've ever seen (excluding Santo/Dandy/Casas, which doesn't really count anyway). That might not be saying much but I could tell this was something special when I was watching it in the stadium and a rewatch reaffirmed that notion.
Yes they clubbed the hell out of each other, but more than that there was virtually zero downtime, the selling was on point (for the most part), and, perhaps most importantly, this avoided the usual pitfalls of this type of match, specifically 1) contrived spots 2) structural issues because of having too elements at play 3) having wrestlers routinely and conveniently disappear for long periods to facilitate prolonged 1-on-1 sequences. The last point only really popped up in the final Sheamus vs. Drew exchange but it was well incorporated because a) Sheamus blitzed Gunther for quite a while prior, justifying it and b) Gunther took the time to recover (a point that is extra special to me because I could physically see him resting by the barricade from my seat) and pounced at an opportune time, playing into his intelligence which they hinted at earlier in the match. Add in the Sheamus/Drew story elements and this was a complete package in many ways.
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Post by mvz on Apr 5, 2023 2:30:48 GMT -5
Second. This was fantastic. Gunther is just locked in performance-wise right now and it leads to great storytelling in his matches. It’s not just the brutality, everything is making sense.
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Post by microstatistics on Apr 26, 2023 20:33:24 GMT -5
Rewatched it again and this has a decent shot of making my list. Won't be Top 50 but bottom half prospects look good. There are a few nitpicks here and there, like when you can clearly see Gunther and Sheamus readjusting their position to facilitate the McIntyre pin interference spot, and Titus and Corey Graves did their best to mar the experience. Those points are minor though when you consider the overall body of work. I don't think there was even one dull moment and the layout was lean and focused. Plus, any match that can break through its intrinsic constraints deserves a lot of credit.
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Post by [Darren] on Apr 26, 2023 20:53:01 GMT -5
Watched it twice so far. Genuine blast. My favorite match of the weekend. Probably something I could watch a few more times. Not gonna make this project though.
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Post by puropotsy on Apr 27, 2023 18:18:06 GMT -5
Crazy slug-fest and the hardest-hitting match in Mania history. Gunther got the win and it totally worked, as would any of them. Lots of strike exchanges, great false finishes and great use of the three-way format.
Easy nomination and would like to get it on my list
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Post by TheDutifulWebmaster on May 14, 2023 5:44:20 GMT -5
High-quality match. 3.75 stars out of 5 from me.
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Post by elliott on Oct 24, 2023 0:25:10 GMT -5
I watched this one shortly after it happened. I don't want to watch it again. Not a fan.
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