#jr heavyweight is the best

[elphabasace]

#ASJF2023

[eldesperadont]

I better stop hearing about heavyweight Desperado right NOW

[thesportswarriors]

2025 PFL World Tournament 4: Main Card Breakdown

2025 PFL World Tournament 4: Main Card Breakdown Phil Davis vs. Rob Wilkinson (Light Heavyweight) Phil Davis brings elite wrestling and experience. Rob Wilkinson is a dangerous striker who struggles on the ground. Prediction:Phil Davis by wrestling control (Decision) Wild Card Risk:If Davis stays standing too long, Wilkinson’s aggressive striking could steal rounds or land a…

[puroresu-musings]

IWGP WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP - Hirooki Goto (c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (NJPW TANAHASHI JAM, Nagoya, Aichi, June 29th 2025) ****3/4

Another tremendous match between these two, who always have great matches with each other. This wasn’t quite as good as their bout in February, in my opinion, mainly because it didn’t have the feel good story of Goto getting the big win, but it had loads of drama in other ways. It told a great story with Goto channelling his bestie, Katsuyori Shibata, by hitting his signature moves throughout, and the story with ZSJ sadistically destroying Goto’s arm was splendid. Goto’s selling and fights to the ropes were positively Herculean, and the crowd were super hot throughout, willing Aramusha on to pull out another victory. It wasn’t to be for Goto, however, as after a mighty battle to escape a signature crazy Zack submission, the feel good fairy tale was ended when Red Shoes finally called for a stoppage at 29 minutes to save Goto’s right arm, and award Sabre Jr. his second IWGP World Title. I’m not sure I’d have taken the belt off Goto this quickly, his reign still had juice in my opinion, and he’s pretty much had the best World Title reign in the business in 2025. But I’m never going to complain about Zack getting another run. It makes sense that they’d want the belt on him heading into G1, and more importantly, Forbidden Door in London. And it leaves the door open for Goto to potentially win the G1 again. If he’s healthy, as his elbow was legitimately injured here. Wether or not he was hurt before going in, or if it happened in the match isn’t so clear at this point, but it seems he’ll be missing a few dates between here and G1. But yes, another fab match from these two that’s well worth checking out.

NDT

[elitehanitje]

Wrestling Observer Newsletter 2024 awards: (FULL LIST OF WINNERS)

• Wrestler of the Year: Cody Rhodes

• Most Outstanding: Will Ospreay

• Tag Team of the Year: Young Bucks

• Best on Interviews: Drew McIntyre

• Promotion of the Year: WWE

• Best Weekly TV Show: AEW Dynamite

• Match of the Year: Bryan Danielson vs Will Ospreay - AEW Dynasty

• United States/Canada MVP: Cody Rhodes

• Koichi Yoshizawa Award/Japanese MVP: Zack Sabre Jr.

• Mexico MVP: Místico

• Europe MVP: Michael Oku

• Hodge Award/Non-Heavyweight MVP: Darby Allin

• Women's Wrestling MVP: Sareee

• Best Box Office Draw: Cody Rhodes

• Feud of the Year: CM Punk vs Drew McIntyre

• Most Improved: Kyle Fletcher

• Most Charismatic: The Rock

• Bryan Danielson Award/Best Technical Wrestler: Zack Sabre Jr.

• Bruiser Brody Memorial Award/Best Brawler: Hangman Page

• Best Flying Wrestler: Will Ospreay

• Most Overrated: Nia Jax

• Most Underrated: Konosuke Takeshita

• Rookie of the Year: Je’Von Evans

• Best Non-Wrestler: Paul Heyman

• Best Television Announcer: Nigel McGuinness

• Worst Television Announcer: Booker T

• Best Major Wrestling Show: AEW Revolution

• Worst Major Wrestling Show: AAA TripleMania: Monterrey

• Worst Television Show: AEW Rampage

• Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic: WWE/TKO continued relationship with Saudi Arabia

• Best Wrestling Maneuver: Will Ospreay's Hidden Blade

• Worst Worked Match of the Year: Jimmy Uso vs Jey Uso - WrestleMania 40

• Worst Feud of the Year: MJF vs Adam Cole

• Worst Promotion of the Year: NWA

• Best Booker: Paul Levesque

• Promoter of the Year: Nick Khan

• Best Gimmick: Toni Storm

• Worst Gimmick: The Learning Tree

• Best Pro Wrestling Book: The Man: Not Just Your Average Girl by Becky Lynch

• Best Pro Wrestling Documentary: Mr. McMahon

[naritaren]

Was tagged by @schadentekkers for this and it seemed fun!

MVP/Wrestler of the Year : Zack Sabre Jr. He just is the best right now and he can back it up fully now. Runner up is El Desperado. Just the year he's had is so good.

Match of the Year : Chris Brookes vs El Desperado. I don't usually like deathmatches, but man this was something. Favourite Feud : Shota and Ren. Please don't act THAT surprised.

Favourite Tag Team/Faction : House of Torture / Nobu and Sho. Man the heavyweight tag division is just a mess.

Favourite Show : Despe's show! Just holy shit what a year he has had.

Breakout (ish) Star : Kosai Fujita! Talk about making a fucking impact coming back from "excursion".

Horniest Moment : That entire fucking elp vs Takeshita match.

Most Anticipated in 2025 : Kenta in Noah to be quite honest. He will be booked way better than in NJPW and he SHOULD have his 25th anniversary match in Noah (against Marufuji, but I digress).

Tagging: @debbiechanclub @clark-connors @spinebuster @beerpresure and @unlikelywrestlingfan

[wrestlingisfake]

Resurgence preview

Hirooki Goto vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

Goto defeated Sabre for the IWGP world title back in February; this is the rematch. I had a feeling the winner of last month's Sabre vs. David Finlay match in Chicago would be in line for a title shot, and I guess I was right. Sabre formally issued a challenge last week in Fukuoka. So did Shingo Takagi, who will challenge the winner of this match on June 15 in Osaka.

The hype for the last Sabre-Goto match was about Goto being a very long shot challenger, after years and years of failing to win the big one. Now, though, we know Goto can win a world title match and beat Zack. And Sabre isn't some underdog fighting to prove he belongs at this level. So the matchup just isn't as compelling this time. I suppose if you're a passionate Zack Sabre fan rooting for him to get his belt back, you'll be up for any chance he gets. But to me he's been cold ever since the loss to Goto, and I'm not buying that he could win here.

Dominion on June 15 is the #2 show of the year, and the best thing for that show would be strong champion heading in against Shingo. Five weeks isn't enough time to build Sabre up for that, so I think the smarter move would be to give Goto another successful title defense.

Mercedes Mone vs. Mina Shirakawa vs. AZM

Mone is defending the STRONG women's championship; her other three title belts are not at stake here. Shirakawa and AZM faced off last month to determine which of them would get this title shot, but they fought to a double count-out, so now it's a three-way match. The first woman to score a pinfall or submission on any opponent will win the match and the title.

Mercedes was recently the subject of a Fightful Select story where the investigated the idea that she refuses to do jobs. To the surprise of no one with a functioning brain, it turns out AEW and New Japan haven't even asked her to lose, because they just like pushing a big star. With that in mind, it would make perfect sense for Mone to cruise to victory here, to make sure people know she'll be appearing on New Japan's US shows to defend the STRONG belt in the future.

The best argument that she should lose here would be to get the belt on AZM because she's full-time with STARDOM. But Stardom has plenty of titles for their full-time roster to fight over. I suppose moving the title to Mina would work, but if you want the belt on a big name in AEW, Mercedes is a bigger name. So I'm picking the champ to retain, probably by defeating AZM.

Konosuke Takeshita vs. El Phantasmo

Takeshita is the NEVER champion, and Phantasmo is the NJPW World television champion. Last week these two fought to a 15-minute draw for ELP's belt; this time Take's belt is at stake, with a 60-minute time limit. Under those circumstances, I think this match pretty much has to go at least twenty minutes.

Before the TV title match, I said I didn't understand the point of giving both of these guys belts and having them fight for each belt one-by-one. Now that they've had a draw in the first match, I really don't see the point. Seems like Take just needs to beat ELP, and end the feud without bothering to take another shot at the TV belt. But if that's all they want to do, why make Phantasmo a champion right before going 0-1-1 against Takeshita? On the other hand, if ELP wins here, then he wouldn't really need the TV belt, so why put it on him? I suppose the other option is for this match to also go to a draw, but I'm getting pretty tired of seeing draws on New Japan shows. I say Takeshita retains.

Tomohiro Ishii vs. Drilla Moloney

Ishii won the STRONG men's championship from Gabe Kidd last month, so now his first challenger is Kidd's teammate from the War Dogs. Moloney has a singles victory over Ishii from a couple of months ago, which is arguably his biggest accomplishment since moving up to the heavyweight division earlier this year. I'll be happy to see these two clobber each other, but I think it's too soon for Ishii to drop the belt. Drilla's cool but he's gonna get his ass beat tonight.

Nick Jackson & Matt Jackson & Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows vs. David Finlay & Gabe Kidd & Clark Connors & Gedo

The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick) issued a challenge last month for the War Dogs to meet them in an eight-man tag match. They were very clear about bringing two partners, but those partners weren't identified until this week, when the WWE non-compete clauses officially expired for Gallows and Anderson. Finlay just got done leading the War Dogs in a battle to drive the House of Torture out of Bullet Club, and now they're going to fight four guys from Bullet Club's past.

I assume the point of this match is to reintroduce Gallows and Anderson to New Japan in a big way. I also think it's very telling that Gedo is on the War Dogs team. I don't know whether that means Gedo is going to lose the fall, or if he's going to turn on the War Dogs and switch sides. Either way, he's a vulnerability that Finlay's team cannot afford here. The Bucks and the Good Brothers will probably win.

Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson vs. TJP & Templario

Isaacs and Nelson are defending the STRONG tag team title. I was thinking they were the West Coast Wrecking Crew, but I guess somewhere along the way they became the World Class Wrecking Crew, and I failed to notice because I forget Isaacs and Nelson exist whenever they're not on my TV screen. TJP got in their faces last month, so now he's bringing in Templario, the United Empire's resident luchador. I would dig a change-up for this championship, but I don't see these challengers pulling it off. Champs retain.

Fred Rosser vs. Matt Vandagriff

Rosser seems to have settled into the role of a player-coach for New Japan's US-based trainees. Vandagriff is playing the role of an arrogant upstart trainee, so Rosser is going to teach him some respect. The problem here is that I barely know who Vandagriff is because, for a year, they stuck him in pre-show matches and never made it clear what time to tune in to see the pre-show matches. I don't really care who wins.

Allan Breeze vs. CJ Tino

This is set for the pre-show. On their US shows, New Japan likes to open with a "strong survivor" match where two of the NJPW Academy trainees square off for the right to be on the next show's opening match. Zane Jay was the defending "strong survivor" but after he beat Tino last month he decided to vacate that "title" by relocating to Japan. So now these guys are fighting over it, I guess. I don't care who wins this either.

[mycolourfullworld]

One of the most Iconic moment in sport history.

Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr on June 18th 1963 in London survived a fourth round Knocked down against Britain's Henry Cooper on the way to 19 successive victories and at age of 22 years earned a shot at World Heavyweight boxing title held by Sonny Liston.

On the night of February 25th 1964 in Miami Beach Florida USA

Young and energetic Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr stunned the World flattered, shattered and battered Sonny Liston intimidating credential.

September 14th 1964 Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr announced that he had been converted to the Black Muslim Faith hence forth be known as Muhammad Ali and same day he was stripped of his WBA Heavy Weight boxing title because he signed return bout with Sonny Liston instead of meeting Ernie Terrell No 1 contender for WBA Heavyweight boxing title.

The Vacant WBA Heavyweight boxing title was won by Ernie Terrell that defeated Eddie Machen in Chicago in the of March 5th 1965.

Muhammad Ali defended his World Heavyweight boxing title first time against former World Heavyweight Champion Sonny Liston the famous Championship fight took place at Lewiston Maine USA, May 25th 1965.

An extra -ordinary and dramatic boxing match defending Champion Muhammad Ali in early first round successfully delivered three solid hard punches but boxing fans at ringside did not see the third blow.

The combined speed and accuracy of the blow generated enough power to lifted Sonny Liston left foot which most of his weight was placed down fell to the canvas.

The boxing fans that came for the boxing show was busy at gate to bought the tickets but surprised announcement reached the gate the Championship fight is over.

Muhammad Ali after little more than a minute of the first round demanded that "Ugly Bear " Liston to climbed off the canvas.

Cried fake fake roused from Crowd.

After the epic Championship fight defending Champion Muhammad Ali christened his amazing Knockout blow as secret of "Anchor Punch" so fast, can't see it.

Ali claimed he was taught by Stepin Fetchit his how to delivered anchor punch and Stepin Fetchit learned it from boxing legend Jack Johnson the first Black fighter to ever captured coveted World Heavyweight boxing title on December 26th 1908 in Australia.

After the Championship former World Heavyweight boxing Champion Sonny Liston Commented" I got a fast shuttle".

Muhammad Ali Commented" I told you I had a big surprise in store for the fight, Sonny Liston went down in a minute sooner than expected, if I said wouldn't Knockout Sonny Liston in 1 minute 49 second of the first round that would hurt the gate ".

The smallest Crowd in modern Heavyweight Championship fight in history of boxing was 2,434 spectators that night witnessed first round Knocked out of Sonny Liston.

Muhammad Ali provided a truly unforgettable memorable night in history of boxing.

Muhammad Ali koed Sonny Liston and created his Iconic photo.

Sonny Liston was meanest, explosive, stronger and baddest Heavyweight Champion ever.

Having 15 inch diameter wide fist stopped prime Floyd Patterson consecutively in the first round in an Heavyweight Championship fight.

Sonny Liston fought in the 60s Era which was the best golden age in history of boxing.

Most feared Sonny Liston was he truly took a dive or Muhammad Ali phantom punch really stopped Sonny Liston in the first round?

[ahodgepodgeofideasandsuchlike]

Thought on Best Of The Super Juniors 32, going into the final...

As much as I wanted a Hiromu vs. MAO final, I don't really hate YOH vs. Fujita. Kinda leaning towards YOH just on a "paid his dues more" basis, but I'm good either way. Never a bad thing when a TMDK guy wins, so Fujita winning wouldn't upset me at all.

Did NOT expect Taguchi to do near as well as he did. I was thinking maybe six points. Probably the guy who earned the most extra respect points from me during the tournament, other than the visitors. I'm relatively new to the NJPW scene, so I wasn't aware of his more serious tag run with Prince Devitt back in the day. Got some throwbacks to that here...that MAO match aside.

Dragon Dia can go, and has a catchy J-Pop type theme. Wouldn't mind seeing him get more NJPW time.

Considering Nick Wayne's hot start and Kevin Knight's cold one, it's interesting they finished with the same point total.

Ninja Mack didn't get very far, but that crazy-ass somersault move...

Ishimori and Eagles deserve more love. It's a crime that they have zero BOSJ titles between them.

SHO finally got his just desserts, thanks to MAO and the DDT crew. Like Narita, he plays an annoying little prick so well, so almost have to admire it.

Shocked to learn that YOH is older than Hiromu. I had him figured for early 30's.

I really want NJPW to bring in Strange Love Connection as a stable and have Hiromu join. Maybe Tsuji too, and somebody like ELP, just to throw in a couple Heavyweights...

...and have MAO be Hiromu's tag partner for the Jr. Tag title match. Make HiroMAO happen!

[lboogie1906]

Bernard Hopkins Jr. (January 15, 1965) is a former boxer who competed (1988-2016). He is one of the most successful boxers of the past three decades, having held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the undisputed championship at middleweight (2001-05), and the lineal championship at light heavyweight (2011-12).

He became a world champion by winning the vacant International Boxing Federation middleweight title (1995). He compiled 20 defenses against 17 opponents, with 19 wins as a result of his no-contest bout against Robert Allen. In 2001, he successfully unified the middleweight division by defeating Félix Trinidad to win the World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council, Ring magazine, and lineal titles. A victory over Oscar De La Hoya for the World Boxing Organization title in 2004 cemented his status as an undisputed champion while making him the first male boxer to simultaneously hold world titles by all four major boxing-sanctioning bodies. In 2001, he was voted Fighter of the Year by The Ring and the Boxing Writers Association of America. In 2011, The Ring ranked him third on their list of the “10 best middleweight title holders of the last 50 years.” As of April 2021, he is ranked by BoxRec as the seventh greatest boxer of all time, pound for pound.

He broke his record by winning the IBF light heavyweight title from Tavoris Cloud in 2013 and 2014 when he won the WBA (Super) title from Beibut Shumenov.

He became a minority partner with Golden Boy Promotions.

Born to Bernard Hopkins Sr. and his wife Shirley, he grew up in Philadelphia. Although he was a promising amateur boxer who won the Philadelphia Jr. Golden Gloves championship at age 9, compiling an amateur record of 95–4,[he turned to crime early in his life. At seventeen, he was sentenced to 18 years in Graterford Prison for nine felonies. He was released from prison in 1988. He decided to use boxing as an escape from his previous life and converted to Islam. He attributed his discipline to his experiences and time spent in Graterford Prison.

#africanhistory365 #africanexellence

[blueonwrestling]

Also heres some star ratings from shows i've watched recently that I havent made any real post about because idk man im balls deep in OSRS atm.

IWGP Women's Championship Mayu Iwatani (c) v. Toni Storm Nagoya Golden Fight | STARDOM 3.75 stars

Miu Watanabe & Miyu Yamashita v. Meiko Satomura & Shoko Nakajima All Rise | TJPW 4 stars

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Tetsuya Naito (c) v. Zack Sabre Jr. King of Pro Wrestling | NJPW 4.25 stars

DPW Superbattle 19/10/24

Six Man Tag Team Match 1 Called Manders, BK Westbrook & Thomas Shire vs. Leon Slater & Lykos Gym (Kid Lykos & Kid Lykos II) 3 stars

Tag Team Match Alex Windsor & Emi Sakura vs. Danni Bee & Hyan 3.25 stars

Singles Match KENTA vs. Kevin Blackwood 3.75 stars

DPW National Title #1 Contendership Match Mike Bailey vs. LaBron Kozone 4.25 stars

Battle Of The Best Final Match Shoko Nakajima vs. Dani Luna 4.25 stars

DPW National Title Match Masato Tanaka vs. Adam Priest 4 stars

Tag Team Match FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) vs. Violence Is Forever (Dominic Garrini & Kevin Ku) 4.5 stars (AEW need to sign VIF NOW!)

DPW Worlds Title Match Calvin Tankman (c) vs. Jake Something 4.5 stars

AEW Continental Championship Kazuchika Okada (c) v. Kyle O'Reilly Battle of the Belts XII | AEW 4 stars

MLP Forged in Excellent Night 1 and 2

Singles Match Miyu Yamashita vs. Gisele Shaw 3.25 stars

Singles Match Mike Bailey vs. Konosuke Takeshita 4.75 stars

Singles Match El Phantasmo vs. Mike Bailey 4 stars

ROH Women's World Title Match Athena (c) vs. Gisele Shaw 4 stars

AEW International Title Match Konosuke Takeshita (c) vs. Josh Alexander 4.75 stars

WHAT ELSE HAS HAPPENED RECENTLY FUCK ME IM TRYING TO THINK I SHOULD HAVE WROTE IT DOWN FUCK!

fuck it thats all your getting enjoy.

[blowflyfag]

WRESTLING FURY: June 1989

OWEN HART BLAZES INTO THE WWF

Possibly a warning heralded too late but, beware World Wrestling Federation gladiators! He’s tried the rest, now he’ll take on the best. Just when you though professional wrestling an out of surprises, a pleasant breath of fresh talent has ventured down from the foothills of Western Canada to the highly publicized, mega-marketed wrestling organization operated by Vince McMahon, Jr. and based in Stamford, Connecticut. 

Although he has been touring the pro mat circuits for less than five years, many veterans of the grappling game already hail him as one of the best technicians ever to step into the ring. One former National Wrestling Alliance heavyweight champion has gone as far as comparing The Blue Blazer to the great Lou Thesz.

No matter how his performances are assessed, spectacular and superb are usually the first two words used to describe the moves he puts on his opponents. Even under a mask and fancy robes, the true identity of The Blue Blazer can’t be hidden. Owen Hart, of the famous wrestling Hart family from Calgary, Alberta, Canada already has gained a legion of faithful followers in the United States, hoping he’ll get a crack at the prestigious title belts recognized by the WWF. 

There’s no way the so-called brain trust of the WWF could have kept the Blazer’s identity a secret. The technical holds and acrobatic maneuvers executed with such perfection could only be administered by the youngest of the wrestling Hart brothers. 

[Owen was the North American Heavyweight champ in his native Canada.]

Before signing on with the WWF, Owen Hart was already recognized worldwide as a wrestling superstar. Some of his most exciting ring encounters took place in Japan. The style of wrestling in the Orient is much like that in Western Canada and the Japanese fans quickly grew to admire the young Hart, always more than anxious for his next return. 

The winning attitude that has enveloped Owen is due to having built-in-trainers. Keith, Bruce and Bret “The Hit Man” Hart, along with brothers-in-law Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart and Davey Boy Smith, have instructed Own from their years of experience on the ins and outs of what will not work to a wrestler’s advantage while in the ring. 

Owen’s father, former wrestling expert Stu Hart, who took on everyone from Gene Kinski to Joe Louis, has overseen his son’s entry in the limelight of the sport and is quite pleased with his progression. When asked by a fan as to when Owen would return to action in the Stampede Wrestling rings, Stu prideful replied, “Unfortunately he will not be available to us in the foreseeable future. I have tremendous respect for Owen, not only as a wrestler but as a son, a young man of whom I am extremely proud. I feel very strongly in my heart that Owen can make the same contribution to wrestling that Wayne Gretzky has made to hockey. To my way of thinking, if you can pardon my saying so, he is simply the best that there is in the game, both in and out of the ring.”

[As the Blue Blazer, Hart far outclasses most of the competition. (photo by Brown)]

With one highlight after another in Japan and Canada, where he held the North American heavyweight title several times, Owen Hart literally wrote his own ticket to the promotion that would financially satisfy him the most. When you are the best in the sport from a promoter’s and fans’ viewpoint, it is better to have the talented athlete on your team rather than opposing it. And, that’s exactly what the WWF did. Instead of letting the NWA or AWA get his name on a contract, the WWF recognized the endless amount of talent Owen Hart possesses and proceeded to add him to their ever-growing parade of stars. 

The question asked by fans throughout North America is why the mask? Perhaps the WWF hierarchy was afraid the young Canadian would outshine their number one superstars, such as Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan. Would Owen put either Hogan or Savage in the position that the fans would demand a showdown between the two? In Hogan’s case it wouldn’t be a great surprise how that confrontation would conclude. One is a wrestler known as an exciting ring tactician and one has been labeled a living cartoon. 

Thus far as the Blue Blazer, Owen’s abilities seem to have been toned down in the Federation. The majority of the Blazer’s matches fall into the preliminary category, usually the opening contest against the likes of men such as Steve Lombardi and Barry Horrowitz. Both Lombardi and Horowitz are well qualified to be labeled wrestlers and have always given their challengers a tiresome time in the ring. However, they aren’t in the same ballpark as Randy Savage or Jim Duggan as far as drawing large crowds to the arenas are concerned. 

[Here’s a look at a flying head butt done Owen Hart Style.]

The Blazer’s ring performance resembled the way the British Bulldog marched into the WWF five years back. Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid plainly and simply outclassed and nearly embarrassed those who stepped onto the canvas against them. They made all the other so-called WWF athletes look effective. When the Blue Blazer entered the scene, the same scenario arose again. 

The mask, artificial identity and the fact of being delegated to preliminary mat action appears to have taken their roll on Owen Hart. This past Thanksgiving, as the Blue Blazer, he was caught off guardian submitted to Greg Valentine’s figure -four leg lock. Perhaps that unusual ending to his participation in the Survivor Series match should be taken as a signal that they (the WWF) may be destroying the confidence of wrestling’s newest hero. It was also during this exciting event that Owen suffered another injury that will prevent him from wrestling for a short time. 

Never quite a number one contender in the Federation but a man known to give you the fight of your life, “Iron” Mike Sharpe recently stated, “The best offense is a good defense when squaring off against the Blue Blazer. The suplexes, sunset flips and dives off the top ropes he does are incredible. His moves are carried out flawlessly. The Blazer is a thinking man’s wrestler.” He continued by saying, “He has to be careful when dazzling his challengers, the chances he takes in the ring are too risky to end in injury, if his mind wandered. Believe me, the Blue Blazer has all the ingredients to soon be the #1 contender for the Inter-Continental and Heavyweight championships.”

Will he or won’t he, hidden under a hood as the Blue Blazer, combine forces with his brother “The Hit Man” to pursue the WWF Tag Team champions? Should Jim Neidhart graciously step aside and give his blessings on the brothers to unite their wrestling energies, having the title belts put around their waists? That would be a mere technicality waiting to happen. 

[These aerial maneuvers are what makes Owen so great. (photo by Brown)]

It’s generally accepted by fans, promoters and wrestlers themselves that Bret and Owen are the two most best all-around wrestlers in the support of wrestling today. It’s almost a certainty that should the Hart Brothers be put in the same ring as Demolition, The Rougeaus or The Powers of Pain, record gate receipts will be achieved. The Harts aren't the largest or most muscular pair in the WWF, just the best schooled wrestlers on the group’s roster. 

In singles competition, just think of the Blue Blazer getting the opportunity to renew his feud with the Honky Tonk Man from their days when they both worked out of Calgary. When turned to Bad News Brown, the Blue Blazer is capable of knocking Harlem, New York’s wrestling thug down a couple of notches in the rankings. Without the mask on, in Canadian towns such as Edmonton, Camrose and Winnipeg, Owen Hart convincingly handed Brown pinning defeats. 

[Owen and his finance Martha have been doing some modeling in Canada

Owen’s body is rock solid perfect. ]

When battling world class competitors as Makkhan Singh, “Strangler” Steve DiAlvo and Comrade Jerry Morrow, as an athlete, Owen became a better professional. Stampede Wrestling out of Calgary has always been over stuffed with talented wrestlers who rely on their athletic ability to advance their career, not gimmicks to get them the necessary push to main event status. 

Biff Ellington, Johnny Smith, Chris Beneoit and Goldie Rogers are just a handful of respected grapplers that, along with Owen, have put Calgary on the international wrestling map of excellence. 

As the Blue Blazer in the WWF, Owen Hart isn’t asking for anything he isn’t deserving of. When the time comes and the Blazer is able to spread his wrestling wings, his ring actions will lead to many to say “I told you so.” Owen Hart has proven he is a winner, a dedicated professional and an all-around class act. After all, his wrestling roots are second to none. 

[neverhangd]

Jolly Rodger

JOLLY RODGER is a four-piece rock band of some small reputation thanks to frontman, co-founder, singer, sometimes songwriter, and networking expert Jack Rackham. Jack is joined by co-founder (ex-)girlfriend lyricist bassist Anne Bonny, guitarist Mark Read, and drummer John Silver*. Although the band hit a rough patch after the departure of Silver and the absence of Bonny, when Bonny returned to the band it steadily began to climb in popularity once more. The band continues to go strong today.

Or so Jack(ass) tells those that ask.

In reality, Anne, Mark, and Silver have long been the creative force behind the band. Though Jack sometimes contributes, it’s rarely for anything that doesn’t revolve around his vocal talents. Mark and Silver are musicals heavyweights, but have all the emotional sense of an upset teenager. Anne contributes where she can, in bass lines and lyrics for the most part. When the three come together, with or without Jack, it’s amazing!* The band is named JOLLY RODGER after both the pirate flag and to honor the memory of a now deceased mutual friend who actually brought the group together, their larger-than-life first drummer.

* Shut up, it’s my au and I’ll do as I please!

JOLLY RODGER serves as opening act for the Flying Gang, a much more famous rock band in the same genre. The tour is called the Queen Anne’s Revenge Tour, actually named for Anne. When Silver left JR, he joined TFG as their new drummer and ended up telling them a little bit about Anne from his own perspective. The conversation quickly became an impromptu songwriting session, ending with a new song for a new concept album called Queen Anne’s Revenge. In a twist of fate, Anne broke up with the band she’d co-founded the same day the album dropped. Anne went to ask Silver if she could crash at his since she was now, effectively, homeless. In a bid to keep her in work, Silver got Anne to agree to do the inevitable album tour, even going so far as to get her to agree to sing a few solo songs. That was huge. TGF’s record label was meanwhile contacting JR to get them signed on for that very same tour. Neither exactly knew what the other was up to until it was too late and worlds collided. It’s a very strange situation to be in.

Anne’s not handling her new fame well, and has come to resent Silver for telling the world her story before she could even tell it herself. She’s distanced herself from Mark, her self-admitted best friend, out of fear for his life. Jack believes to this day Anne was unfaithful with Mark, something that became a self-fulfilling prophecy. Anne and Mark only got together in the time between Anne leaving Jack and Anne leaving the band, a nebulous few weeks before Anne snapped and fucked off for Silver’s.

In applicable verses, this timeline is slightly altered, and represents the rise, fall, and recent reappearance of Red Death.

In my quest to find the perfect excuse for a spy story without having to tie Anne into an alphabet institution, I found a loophole that made me giggle in the persona of Red Death. Red Death is a singularly extraordinary individual, at once an expert hacker with extensive knowledge of several alphabet institutions, an enigmatic figure passing through high security spots without a trace, a brutal assassin, and a literary reference to Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Masque of Red Death”. Naturally, Red Death is a shared identity between a few people. By name, Mark Read and Anne Bonny. (Jack was never involved as more than an alibi, actually innocent in it all.) You can imagine what the new visibility on Anne is doing to her career as Red Death.

[colossal-niamh]

A loose list of some stuff I’ve been watching:

Super J-Cup 1994- fantastic one night tournament with a who’s who of the era’s junior heavyweights. This was my first exposure to a couple of guys I’d love to see more of, Shinjiro Otani, Negro Casas and Great Sasuke. Aside from the obvious take away that Pegasus/Sasuke was great, my main take away was that I should watch more Super Delfin. Both of his matches were so fun to watch and left me wanting more

Fantastica Mania 2024- a good showcase of probably the best promotion going consistency wise. The 2 matches I’d say go out of your way for are the Atlantis jr/Hechicero match and Stuka jr/ Máscara Dorada

Shota Umino vs Ren Narita, New Beginning 2024- slog, disappointing and did not need the length it has. Admittedly I watched this hoping to see the technical prowess I’ve heard Narita has, so I wasn’t in the headspace for a brawl. But upon rewatching it on its terms I still found it boring.

Katsuyori Shibata vs Kazuchika Okada, Sakura Genesis 2017- yea, still fucks. I actually never knew this was the match Shibata got brain damage which is extra wild because that means he has one of the greatest matches of the decade while his brain was literally dying. Also I can’t not mention how good Okada is at getting bitched out by someone on his level, that exchange at the start where Shibata ties him in knots and you can see the growing “oh I’m in trouble” look on Kaz’s face. Can’t recommend enough

[puroresu-musings]

RevPro HIGH STAKES 2024 Review (Feb 18th, Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, London, UK)

AEW International Championship Scramble - Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Flash Morgan Webster vs. Sha Samuels vs. Spike Trivet vs. Richard Holliday vs. Cameron Khai vs. Shigehiro Irie ***

RevPro Undisputed British Women's Championship - Dani Luna (c) Safire Reed ***

Young Blood vs. Trew & Lacey ***1/4

Luke Jacobs vs. JJ Gale ****1/4+

Mustafa Ali vs. Robbie X ***1/2

Shingo Takagi vs. Trent Seven ***1/2

Ricky Knight Jr. vs. Anthony Ogogo **1/4

Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Connor Mills ****1/2

RevPro Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship - Michael Oku (c) vs. Will Ospreay *****

Photos - BritWresPics

This was an excellent show from the premier BritWres promotion, that featured great action up and down the card, a whole load of good, nothing bad, and the best match of the year so far.

Things kicked off with a fun, but unspectacular Scramble match, that had the surprise inclusions of Shigehiro Irie and AEW's Global champ, Orange Cassidy, who got a huge pop and put his belt on the line here. Which left the finish in no doubt really. This only went 8 minutes, and was essentially just a collection of high spots, and many of the guys didn't do much. I'm a fan of Big Shig, but honestly, he might as well not have been here as his contributions came to one spot. Same with Cassidy to be fair, he was AWOL most of this thing, selling a lowblow from Holliday, but it was still fun stuff. Orange pinned Holliday with the Orange Punch to retain. The RevPro Women's Title was on the line next. This was another good match, but I wasn't a massive fan of the finish, which brought it down slightly for me. Despite seemingly having the match won, Reed inexplicably went to use Dani's title belt, but payed for it as she ate an Elevated German into the ring and a Luna Landing for the champion to retain in 9:44. Alex Windsor Jumped Luna after the match and beat her down and dragged her around with a chain, which one would presume is leading to a dog collar match.

The NJPW Dojo graduates Yuto Nakashima and Oskar Leube took on heel duo Mark Trew and Kieron Lacey in a really good little traditional tag bout next. The heels worked over stocky babyface Yuto, before he made the hot tag to his Germanic Skyscraper of a tag partner, who ran wild and they bumped around like crazy for him. After taking Lacey out with a verion of Total Elimination, Leube caught a Trew crossbody attempt, and deadlifted him onto his shoulders, allowing Nakashima to come off the second rope with a jumping knee, and Oskar hit a massive multiple rotation F-5 for the win at 9:25. They announced a UK Fantasticamania show for May 19th before the next match, which was an excellent slugfest between Luke Jacobs and JJ Gale. This was grand hard-hitting violence, with both guys hitting forearms, kicks and suplexes. After Jacobs caught Gale's leg from a roundkick attempt, he captured his arm too and hit a sickening headbutt. JJ scored a nearfall with a flash small package, then got another super close nearfall with his Gale Force spinning Oscutter as the crowd went crazy. Gale missed a 450, before eating a serious of stiff Lariats from Jacobs, which lead to Luke scoring the win at 17:02 with a Steiner Screwdriver. Great stuff here, and I hope we see more from both guys at the top of the card in 2024. Jacobs vowed to win the Revolution Rumble in the post match.

Mustafa Ali took on Robbie X in a very good flippity spot fest next. This was all-action, with a non-stop stream of flying and springboard moves. The finish came when both guys fought in the top, Ali hit a Sunsetbomb off the top, then a match winning 450 Splash to win at the 13:08 mark. Ali looked super happy to be here, and put on a good showing, so I'm under no doubt that he'll do great in New Japan and the Indys, after years of being in wrestling purgatory. Shingo took on Trent Seven next in a match that was made less than 24 hours before they came through the curtain. Originally Takagi was to take on Gabe Kidd (which I would have been all in on as that sounds awesome), but Kidd suffered an undisclosed injurey in the insane Cage Match he was in in Osaka. If I were a betting man though, I'd say it was likely a concussion from that insanely stiff Henare slap he took near the end, not to mention the crazy chairshots. This was ultimately a very decent match, but at 21:58, it was way too long, and it was another of those matches where too much stuff was kicked out of. There was no need to work this like it was a Tokyo Dome main event; Shingo kicked out of a Pump Handle Emerald Flowsion, Trent kicked out of a sitout Burning Hammer, Takagi kicked out of a middle rope Emerald Flowsion, then a short piledriver, Shingo then escaped a Seven Star Lariat and hit a Last of The Dragon... but after a delayed cover Trent kicked out(!). Seven kicked at one from a Sliding Bomber, but ate a few more Pumping Bombers to finally allow Shingo to win. This would likely have been great if it was around 14 minutes, but it outstayed it's welcome a little and they just kicked out of way too much for no reason.

Next up, Anthony Ogogo defeated RKJ in what was by far the weakest match of the night. This was perfectly fine, nothing was bad, the crowd were respectably hot, and RKJ tried his damndest to have a good match, but this ultimately didn't click. Former Olympic Boxer Ogogo scored the win at 13:30 with two great looking punches. Which were the best looking things he'd done all match. What followed was an excellent technical wrestling match, as Zack Sabre Jr. took on Connor Mills, which was my second favourite of the night. This featured exemplary mat work, as both guys exchanged submission holds, with Mills aggressively working over the left leg, and Zack focussing on the left arm. After both failed to tap the other out, frustrations flared and this broke down into a nasty strike battle, with some seriously stiff slaps back and forth. In the end, after Mills kicked out of a Zack Driver, Sabre Jr. turned up the pace and put the younger wrestler away after a series of PK's at the 21:25 mark. Great, great stuff.

Then the Main Event, which was Will Ospreay's RevPro swan song before going fulltime with AEW, and was one of the best matches you'll ever see. I loved their match at High Stakes 2022, but this one was considerably better than that classic, with off the charts drama, heat, storytelling and big fight feel. This was outstanding. The stipulations were that there were no referee stoppages allowed, but if Amira threw in the towel (like she did in their last match), then Oku would lose the title, and Ospreay threw the bloody towel from the forst match at her to use. The crowd were white hot from the off, and neber cooled down once during this epic battle. There was way too much to reasonably recap here, but everything was great. Oku worked over Will's knee in preperation of the Half Crab, but came up bloody from going into the ringpost. Ospreay worked him over, taunting Amira to throw the towel, but she responded by spitting on him, which Ospreay responded by kicking her into the guardrail to loud boos. Oku went crazy with a fiery comeback that included hitting the old El Generico Tornado DDT through the ropes to the floor, which Ospreay juiced from, then locked on the most dramatic Figure Four since Muto/Takada, but Ospreay made the ropes. Will hot the Oscutter for a nearfall, and Oku hit a reverse rana which spiked Ospreay, but as he celebrated, Ospreay popped up and hit a Hidden Blade to the back of the head for the double down. Oku then turned a Storm Breaker attempt into a package tombstone, but missed a Frog Splash. He landed on his feet though and hit Ospreay with his own Hidden Blade. In a callback to their 2022 match, Oku started hitting numerous Hidden Blades, but pulled Ospreay up at two every pin attempt. He tried another but The Ariel Assassin countered with the real deal Hidden Blade. Ospreay hit the flip out of a clothesline into a powerbomb spot, then transitioned into a Styles Clash for a near fall. Amira is dragged into the ring and she pushes Oku out of the way of a Hidden Blade, taking the move herself, leading to Ospreay pushing her unconscious body out of the ring. Oku rolls through another Hidden Blade into the Half Crab, but as he leans back into the bridge, Ospreay pulls him out of it, flips him over and hits a devastating Tiger Driver 91, another Hidden Blade and finally the Storm Breaker, but Oku kicks out at 2.9999, which blows the roof off the National Sports Centre. Oku then turns a Tombstone attempt into a Sega Mega Driver, in tribute to Mad Kurt, finally hits the Frog Splash to the back, goes back up and hits a second to the front, but Ospreay kicks out at the last minute. As he does, Oku grabbed his leg and turned it into the Half Crab as the fans went crazy. Ospreay fought to the ropes, but a revived Amira flipped him off, Oku pulled him to the centre, bridges back, and Ospreay finally tapped at the 47:12 mark, giving Oku the biggest win of his career. This was all brilliant.

In the post match, Ospreay handed Oku the title, symbolically passing the torch, Oku offered the handshake, which was expected, and Ospreay cut an emotional promo to say goodbye to a scene he's invested so much into. He thanked New Japan and RevPro, as well as the fans, for all they've done for him, and he promised his best stuff was still to come. He then said teary fairwells, before nemsis Zack Sabre Jr. appeared at the curtain to give him a hug and a kiss. All in all, this was an excellent show that's well worth checking.

NDT

[heartsoulrocknroll]

AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door 2022

The question I will continuously ask myself throughout this show: Where tf is Tetsuya Naito????????

Shota Umino, Wheeler Yuta, and Eddie Kingston vs. Minoru Suzuki, Chris Jericho, and Sammy Guevara -- This was a fine opener. Umino essentially carries the match. Loved seeing him lock in the Walls on Jericho.

Jeff Cobb and Great O'Khan (c) vs. FTR vs. Roppongi Vice for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship -- This tag match rocked hard. FTR tag team action, effortless Jeff Cobb power, sneaky style Roppongi Vice. Cash fighting off Cobb and O'Khan on his own after Dax is taken to the back for medical attention. That hot tag when Dax finally comes back out, and my god, the crowd reaction. HELL YEAH FTR HITS BIG RIG FOR THE WIN!!! ROH AND IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT TAG CHAMPS FTR!!!!!!!!!!

Pac vs. Miro vs. Malakai Black vs. Clark Connors for the Inaugural All Atlantic Championship -- This match was great. Loved the finishing sequence. I was freaking out when Miro had Game Over locked in on Pac. Thought that was it. Black with mist to Miro's face. Pac hits top rope 450 on Black to take him out, then locks in the Brutalizer on Miro for the win!!!! HELL YEAH, THIS SHOW WAS BOOKED JUST FOR ME.

Shingo Takagi, Darby Allin, and Sting vs. The Young Bucks and El Phantasmo -- Fine match. Nothing real serious to get excited about, other than Shingo being a rock star, as usual. Shingo rightfully gets the pinfall on ELP with Last of the Dragon.

Thunder Rosa (c) vs. Toni Storm for the AEW Women's World Championship -- This match was fine. I have no other thoughts.

Will Ospreay (c) vs. Orange Cassidy for the IWGP United States Championship-- I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. Good balance of Orange Cassidy's nonsense (which I think Schiavone and Excalibur sold well) and serious wrestling. Orange Cassidy can go when given the chance. I never really thought Cassidy was going to win, but I still freaked out over the near-falls. He kicked out of the OsCutter, reversed the first attempt at Storm Breaker, and kicked out of the Hidden Blade!! Wtf?? Love to see it. Storm Breaker finally lands and puts him away. UE attacks Cassidy after the match and attempts to rip his pockets out of his jeans. To which JR brilliantly responds, "As if he can't buy more jeans!!!!!" I was almost in tears over that call, holy shit. AND THEN!!!!!!!!! SHIBATA COMES TO CASSIDY'S AID. HE LANDS A BEAUTIFUL CORNER DROPKICK TO OSPREAY AND I AM ON THE VERGE OF TEARS!!!!

Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Claudio Castagnoli -- Now to the highlight of the show. I was so looking forward to ZSJ vs. Danielson, but my god, if this wasn't the best replacement for Danielson that I could have ever wanted. CLAUDIO!!!!!!!!! I have waited so long for him to escape from Vince's clutches, I could cry at the mere sight of him here in AEW. I loved this match so much. Claudio explodes out of the gate with uppercuts immediately, catching Zack off guard. It takes Zack several minutes to regain his composure and get in some offense, which I think was a good way to go here. The mix of Claudio's raw power and Zack's submission game was a beautiful thing to behold. Claudio counters Zack's armbar by deadlifting Zack and attempting to dump him out of the ring, but both guys go crashing to the outside. But Claudio holds on and deadlifts Zack back up, walks up the damn ring stairs carrying him, and dumps him back in the ring. Wtf??? Claudio ultimately wins via pinfall with a pop-up uppercut, followed by the Ricola Bomb. Bums me out a bit to see ZSJ take a loss, but Claudio obviously had to win in his debut match.

Jay White (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada vs. Adam Cole vs. Adam Page for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship-- This was fine. I don't think this needed to be a four-way match. I really don't think it even needed to be an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match. I hold that title in such high regard, it just sort of diminishes it for me, especially with Page having done nothing to earn a spot like this and Cole being a joke to me in general. Nice to see Okada anyway. Jay retains with a sneaky pinfall on Cole, which was the correct way for this to end.

Jon Moxley vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the vacant Interim AEW World Championship -- This was a good, back and forth match, with both guys just beating the crap out of each other. However, the use of blood in AEW is getting out of control, and Moxley bleeding inexplicably in this match really took me out of it. It was obvious Moxley would win this, but that doesn't make him pinning Tanahashi any less annoying to me.