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Notes In Observance – NJPW English 3/7/17: 45th Anniversary Pt. II
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 3/7/17)
45th Anniversary Pt. II
– The Eight-Man Tag between Hiroyoshi Tenzan/Satoshi Kojima/Jyushin Thunder Liger/Tomoyuki Oka and Manabu Nakanishi/Ryusuke Taguchi/David Finlay/Hirai Kawato was another mix of up-and-comers with the Young Lions, seemingly an opening tradition. We expected fast, stiff action in only the way trusty New Japan can deliver it. Kawato was apparently roughed up earlier in the day at the press conference by Minoru Suzuki. He threw a dropkick at Liger before the ring introductions could even happen. Damn, the kid’s not even 20 years old yet. The Young Lions unleashed chops at each other, because they always do? Interesting note that Kawato also had to put the ring together earlier, even after he was beaten up. Taguchi “hotly” tagged in with about nine hip attacks to spare. Nakanishi/Oka had another showdown, which followed up their match the previous night. Nakanishi made Oka tap out to the Torture Rack to get the win. We also liked how Commentator Kevin Kelly covered other aspects of Young Lion life, like receiving a limited offensive moveset and black trunks/boots. Post-match, Kawato continued to intimidate Liger. Guess that’s a new heel and feud on the rise. Yay.
Notes In Observance – NJPW English 3/6/17: 45th Anniversary Show
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 3/6/17)
45th Anniversary Show
– The pre-event Manabu Nakanishi-Tomoyuki Oka match was typical of your “Young Lions Takes On The Veteran” matchups of the past. Oka had potential and looked to make his day at Nakanishi’s expense. They both wore black trunks, for whatever significance that would serve. With their short hair and similar builds, it almost made them look like clones. Some open-handed slaps and forearm strikes by Oka were answered by Nakanishi’s chops which sounded quite ow. Once Commentator Don Callis noted that they targeted the throat area, we couldn’t help but look and notice that they did. Then Callis said this: “They used to call me the nipple buster.” No words. Oka did a belly-to-belly suplex, which drew some gasps from those in attendance. Nakanishi made Oka tap out to the Torture Rack. Not surprised there. It also probably didn’t help that Callis wrote Oka out from the start, albeit it’s a realistic point of view.
Top 20 Of 2016
Graphic by Salwinder Singh.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“It.” “Delete.” “Obsolete.” “The List.” “10.” “The Champ That Runs The Camp.” “Stupid Idiot.” “Glorious.” “Too Sweet.”
The list above describes a fiesta of phrases commonly found in pro wrestling jargon that made 2016 possibly its best year ever.
The one below describes select moments that help seal that argument and make us forget about things like The Titus Brand, The Cruiserweight Division, Raw’s Third Hour, WWE’s overloaded Pay-Per-View schedule, TNA’s X-Division and Matanza Cueto.
If you want to remember that bad stuff, check this out.
Notes In Observance – WWE CWC 9/14/16: The Finale
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 9/14/16)
The Finale
– From its inception to the two-hour live finale, the Cruiserweight Classic was treated like the hand-crafted gift to the IWC it was meant to be. Where else on a WWE platform would you see the likes of Zack Sabre Jr., Cedric Alexander, Johnny Gargano, Rich Swann, Drew Gulak, Kota Ibushi and TJ Perkins among others do what they truly are known for? On top of it all was a credible commentary team of Mauro Ranallo and SmackDown Live General Manager Daniel Bryan. Through it all, we saw the rise of relatively unknown talent like Gran Metalik and Noam Dar to an American audience while indie mainstays like ZSJ, TJP and Alexander stepped their own games up to prove their worth. The opening video highlighted all the tourney’s happenings with a voiceover from Triple H as he talked about how far they’d come. From 32 men from 16 countries, it was now down to four men from four countries. We also heard separately from the final four, who were GM, ZSJ, TJP and Ibushi about how much the tourney meant to them.
Notes In Observance – WWE CWC 9/7/16: Can You Handle This?
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 9/7/16)
Can You Handle This?
– With the Cruiserweight Classic winding down to the esteemed Finals, it had been a fun journey thus far. We’ve seen great work from talents on the rise like Tony Nese and Gran Metalik, while other established veterans like Tajiri and Brian Kendrick enjoyed one last shot at glory. It shouldn’t be a shock to many that the final eight have turned out the way that they have. This episode featured the last of the Quarterfinal Round with matches between Zack Sabre Jr.-Noam Dar and Rich Swann-TJ Perkins. Still a good matchup no matter how you arrange the four.
Notes In Observance – WWE CWC 8/24/16: Rounding Out The Elite Eight
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 8/24/16)
Rounding Out The Elite Eight
– The Cruiserweight Classic could in many ways be described as WWE’s hand-crafted gift to the internet wrestling community. Name recognition has never meant so much these days and the next stars are just waiting to be made here. The opening video followed in the way of NXT TakeOver highlight reels in that we saw the prettiest slow-motion sequences of the series’ biggest strikes, flips and submission holds. Also worked in was the sound bite from Triple H at TakeOver: Brooklyn II where the CWC winner would be crowned on Sep. 14 and receive a trophy designed by the guys at Orange County Choppers. We finished it out as we saw how Akira Tozawa, Noam Dar and Brian Kendrick all made it to the “Elite Eight.” Hyped for this episode were the last of the Second Round matches, which were Zack Sabre Jr.-Drew Gulak, Lince Dorado-Rich Swann and TJ Perkins-Johnny Gargano. That card alone sounds so good on a regular show.
Notes In Observance – WWE CWC 8/3/16: Sounds Of Violence
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 8/3/16)
Sounds Of Violence
– The Cruiserweight Classic rolled on, as we saw in the opening video footage of how Zack Sabre Jr., Tony Nese, Drew Gulak and The Brian Kendrick all advanced to the Second Round last week. Previewed for this episode were appearances by the likes of Rich Swann and Jack Gallagher, with the “marquee” bout being the match between Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, well-regarded as partners in NXT in line for a Tag Title shot, but opponents on this night.
Notes In Observance – WWE NXT 8/3/16: The Wait Is Finally Over
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 8/3/16)
The Wait Is Finally Over
– At the time Hideo Itami got injured, he was arguably in the running for an NXT Championship reign. A year and a half later, he was back from the shoulder injury and possessed a fury of self-justice and redemption. The opener between Itami and Sean Maluta was all about Itami’s return while at the same time let Maluta soak in the NXT spotlight, since he came over from the Cruiserweight Classic. Also liked that the camera panned to Zack Sabre Jr., Tony Nese and Drew Gulak in the crowd to hype the CWC, as they were each First Round victors. Maluta wasn’t a complete afterthought, as she showed off some fierce kicks, but the purpose was obvious from the get-go and Itami didn’t miss a beat. Commentary smartly brought up that his career pre-injury had mirrored Finn Balor’s and was on route to Championship contention before he was sidelined possibly by Kevin Owens. Itami’s signature running knee finisher ended it.
Notes In Observance – WWE CWC 7/27/16: Rope Biter
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 7/27/16)
Rope Biter
– WWE’s Cruiserweight Classic continues to impress, as the internet-catered 32-man Cruiserweight tournament has brought us some nice bouts behind the credible commentary team of Mauro Ranallo and Daniel Bryan. With a keen mix of established independent stars and relative unknowns, they’ve collaborated into something special. This episode promised action from the likes of Zack Sabre Jr., Tyson Dux, Harv Sihra, Drew Gulak, Tony Nese, Anthony Bennett, Raul Mendoza and The Brian Kendrick. Gonna be fun.
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