The 2nd Annual BAW Awards: Honoring The Best Of Professional Wrestling In 2019

Well, folks, it's that time again. 2019 has come and gone as we enter a new decade of professional wrestling. With being said, we should definitely look back on the year and honor those who helped make professional wrestling great in 2019. You may be wondering why I'm writing this in 2020, and my response is that the Oscars do the same shit, so I don't see why some schmuck with a small-time blog such as myself can't. So without further ado, let's kick off the second annual BAW Awards.

Most Underrated: SANADA

It seems more than obvious to consider SANADA the black sheep of Los Ingobernables De Japon. The most level-headed member of the group character-wise, he lacks the theatrical presentation of EVIL or Hiromu Takahashi as well as Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI's general ambivalence to the rules of professional wrestling. But by combining an interesting wrestling style and strong work ethic, SANADA took the opportunities afforded to him and made the most out of them carving out a stellar 2019 with a string of excellent performances.

Already having carved out a name for himself in the tag team division with his partner-in-crime EVIL, 2019 saw SANADA compete more frequently in the singles division, putting on numerous stellar performances in the process. In March, he competed in the New Japan Cup and made it to the Finals before ultimately being eliminated by cup winner Kazuchika Okada, putting on stellar matches the entire way through. And the 8 points he earned in last year's G1 Climax definitely isn't reflective of the high quality of work his matches were, putting on stellar bouts against the likes of Kota Ibushi, Will Ospreay, and Hiroshi Tanashi, as well as securing high-profile wins against Zack Sabre, Jr. and current IWGP Champion Okada, who he also faced for the belt King Of Pro Wrestling 2019 in another excellent bout.

If SANADA proved anything this year, it's that he's a beyond incredible performer in all aspects of professional wrestling, and if he does manage to secure singles gold in the future, it's more than well-deserved. Stepping out of long shadow cast by his LIJ stablemates and then some, picking SANADA for Most Underrated Wrestler of 2019 was an absolute no-brainer.

Breakout Star: MJF

You don't just call yourself "The Fastest Rising Star In All Of Professional Wrestling" and not live the mantra. Embracing egoism and always sporting a Burberry scarf, Maxwell Jacob Friedman is the most pitch-perfect example of character utilization in professional wrestling right now. Competing in the first main show match at All In, The Elite clearly knew what they were doing not only booking him in their self-funded PPV, but also signing him to All Elite Wrestling. MJF made a name for himself on the indie circuit portraying the ultimate upper-crust dickhead who relishes in thumbing their nose at those less fortunate, picking up multiple championships in promotions such as Combat Zone Wrestling and Major League Wrestling in the process.

Some may call his actual in-ring work into question, and MJF is more than happy to shut them down with commitment to character and kayfabe. Taking a look at his Twitter, you can see this commitment in action as he runs down typical marks, working class folk, thirsty fangirls and purveyors of fast-food restaurants. When you're getting multitudes of people worked up by simply saying you don't play Dungeons & Dragons, you know you're doing something right. Moreover, watching every promo he cuts on Dynamite makes one realize just how focused he is in the storytelling process. Any wrestler can have the gimmick MJF has, but it takes true dedication to the craft to flesh out the character, as well as having the moxie to uphold the weight of kayfabe and take it to a national level. For these reasons and more, MJF is one of the hottest acts in professional wrestling right now, and his star power is only going to go up.

Best Stable: Bullet Club

So, I know what you're thinking, so I'll just say it before you ask: yes, I am a BC fan, but I do shower daily and practice proper hygiene. With that out of the way, I fail to see how any stable in 2019 could've compared to what Bullet Club was doing. To go from Puro's worst nightmare to merch whores to puro nightmare back again truly is astounding. And I don't think this would've been possible without the monumental acquisitions of Jay White and KENTA, who have both single-handedly set the IWC ablaze in 2019 with their very presence in New Japan. Combine them along with Taiji Ishimori and El Phantasmo and we see a fully fleshed out Bullet Club in 2019, which was honestly refreshing, given all the LIJ circle-jerking in New Japan.

And what, you may ask, did they accomplish in 2019? Well, they procured the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles by way of Jay White, Guerrillas Of Destiny were both IWGP and ROH Tag Team champions, KENTA acquired the NEVER Openweight belt and Ishimori dominated the junior heavyweight division, winning both the singles belt and tag team titles with El Phantasmo. All things considered, BC pretty much ran the show in New Japan as far as 2019 goes, and they wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Best Tag Team: Lucha Bros (Rey Fenix & Pentagon, Jr.)

CERO. MIEDO. For those less apt to the Spanish language, that means zero fear, which these real-life brothers showed in 2019 and then some, holding the the tag team scene in independent wrestling hostage and procuring gold wherever they went, putting on stellar bouts in the process. Whether it was AAA, Impact, AEW or elsewhere, you always had a feeling The Lucha Bros would show up, and they never failed to disappoint when they did.

But to say that isn't a slight on them, far from it, actually. As far as tag team wrestling goes, they were undoubtedly the MVPs of 2019, putting on banger after banger with LAX, the Young Bucks, SoCal Uncensored and several others, never failing to get the attention of any wrestling blog with their fluid combination of lucha libre and puroresu. Name a tag team MOTY candidate from 2019, and I guarantee you at least one if not several of them will include the Lucha Bros. There's more I could probably say, but I won't out of fear of fucking it up. More to the point, Penta & Rey dominated tag team wrestling in 2019, so it was beyond obvious to name them as the overall GOAT team of 2019. To name anybody else would probably be sacrilege.

Best Character: Sami Callihan

Ever since debuting in Impact, Sami Callihan has proven just how good of a character worker he is, but it was 2019 where he really shined, engaging in multiple feuds and telling a compelling story each time in the process. Whether it was against Rich Swann, Brian Cage or Tessa Blanchard, Callihan managed to not only bring out the best in himself but also his opponents in these feuds. He's absolutely amorphous in his role, able to bend and mold different aspects of his character in order to fit the story being told, and to see that happen in this day and age where character-based wrestling is almost a lost art form, it really is refreshing to see a wrestler take the storytelling aspects of professional wrestling so seriously.

Callihan's character is one born of misanthropy and sadism; he despises the world around him, and is determined to rid himself of who he deems to be responsible of causing his anguish. Similar to a heel Kevin Owens, Callihan is definitely one of those types who were bullied for their size or appearance; rather than better themselves, they take their pent-up aggression out on those who they feel caused it. Truly embodying the guy you love to hate, there's no question as to why Sami Callihan is 2019's Best Character.

Best Feud: Tessa Blanchard vs. oVe

It seems stupidly obvious that wrestling's best character of 2019 (Sami Callihan) would also have the best feud of the same year; call it an effect of Occam's Razor, I suppose. Nevertheless, the feud between Tessa Blanchard and oVe was an exercise in how to do intergender wrestling right.We start with Callihan running his mouth about women's wrestling, then evolve into Blanchard beating up the Crist brothers. After that, Callihan and Blanchard main event Slammiversary, then Blanchard fully shifts into the men's singles division and Callihan becomes world champion. And depending upon when my lazy ass can actually get this article out, Blanchard will either be challenging or have challenged for Callihan's title.

This feud was the best of 2019 simply because of how layered it was. It tackled heavy topics like misogyny and intergender wrestling, while also turning Blanchard from a despised heel into arguably the most over babyface Impact has on their roster. Callihan cements his status as a god-tier heel and Impact draws more eyes on the product. You really couldn't ask for more out of a story such as this, and regardless of what the outcome may be, it's absolutely revolutionary for the world of professional wrestling.

Best Match: Jon Moxley vs. Kenny Omega, AEW Full Gear

When Moxley turned up at Double Or Nothing, it was clear he had one thing on his mind: to prove he was the very best professional wrestling has to offer. And to do that, it only makes sense to go after those who were previously considered the best. After weeks of goading each other on with offers of violence, it all came to a head at Full Gear, where the two duked it out in a seemingly endless tome of carnage. As each minute passed, Moxley and Omega added layers upon layers of violence to their bout, creating a Rachel's Trifle of sorts (Seinfeld is still better, by the way). And with one final Paradigm Shift onto the exposed ring surface, Moxley would be the victor of this epic gladiator battle.

Seemingly a long-form deathmatch, it was arguably one of the most divisive matches of the year, with major wrestling personalities praising the technical aspects of it while completely aghast of the level of violence presented. I feel the controversy works in this match's favor; the level of violence brought out in this match upped the dramatization in the storytelling, making it a much more engaging watch in the process. We could've had just a traditional 1 v. 1 match, and these two still would've tore the house down. But to have the balls to do what they did on such a large scale is truly monumental. It practically broke the barriers of traditional wrestling, transcending into a cinematic duel of sorts. Brutal, exhausting but altogether fantastic, there's no question as to why this was the best match of 2019.

Best PPV: Joey Janela's Spring Break 3 (the whole damn thing)

So, I know what you're thinking, and uhhh....I don't care, I'm counting it as one. The Spring Break PPVs are usually an absolute delight, and to say this one was no exception would be an understatement. Chocked full of talent from top to bottom, Spring Break 3 offered something for everyone and then some. We had brutal deathmatches in Masashi Takeda/Jimmy Lloyd, fun flippy-do spotfests in the Six-Way Scramble match, tag-team excellence in LAX/Rock 'n' Roll Express as well as the "I don't know what this is, but I'm all for it" in the Clusterfuck Battle Royal. On top of that, we have the sheer poetry of Invisible Man/Invisible Stan, with referee Bryce Remsberg putting on an incredible performance.

Why Spring Break 3 was the best PPV of 2019 is a combination of two things: depth of talent and presentation. Not only did we receive a smorgasbord of wrestling entertainment, it was also given to us in the least pretentious way possible. It was self-aware of the overall silliness of professional wrestling, delivering campy theatrics in conjunction with excellent in-ring storytelling. It was pure entertainment, providing unstuffy aesthetics and embracing bombastic nature of professional wrestling. GCW definitely set a high bar for others to follow; whether independent or major-market, I didn't see a single PPV in 2019 that captivated me as much as this one.

Female MVP: Tessa Blanchard

So, before I get into this, let me preface by saying this was written prior to the news that came out about her. I absolutely abhor her actions and I feel whatever punishment she receives is deserved. And while it's definitely awful and should be discussed, it's something I feel should be saved for another time, because it isn't relevant to the subject I'm discussing. What I am discussing is who was the top female wrestler in 2019, and without question it was Blanchard. It's hard to believe you could become the top draw in your company without actually holding any title whatsoever, but Blanchard managed to do that.

And how was this accomplished, you ask? Well, it was a combination of several things. For one, her feud with Gail Kim as well as oVe proved she's just as apt in character work as she is in the ring, playing the respective heel and face in those feuds very aptly. And as far as in-ring work goes, it's second to none, putting on absolute bangers with Kim, Sami Callihan, her performance in the X Division Ladder Match at Bound For Glory as well as the #1 Contendership Gauntlet Match from Impact a while ago. To say she shattered glass ceilings is an understatement, turning intergender wrestling on its head and molding it into her own image. It wasn't a battle of the sexes so much as it was brawl with tough-as-nails fighters with something to prove. As an all-around performer, she was inarguably one of the best professional wrestling had to offer in 2019.

Male MVP: Will Ospreay

*blocks your path while doing a flip in the process* To say Ospreay had quite a year in 2019 would be the biggest of understatements, as he carved a path of success many wrestlers would be envious of. His work in New Japan speaks for itself, walking the tightrope between Junior Heavyweight and Heavyweight in grand fashion, winning the Best Of The Super Juniors for the second time as well as delivering strong performances in the G1 Climax, New Japan Cup and Super J Cup. Aside from NJPW, he's also popped up in British promotions such as PROGRESS and Rev Pro, as well as the Irish promotion OTT Wrestling and appearing in the main event of the Mark Haskins Memorial Supershow against Bandido.

And with such a busy workload, one would have to expect the match quality to be high, and Mr. Ospreay more than delivered, putting on banger after banger with the best New Japan has to offer, in particular against the likes of Kota Ibushi, Shingo Takagi, Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Robbie Eagles, El Phantasmo and Zack Sabre, Jr. among many others both in a singles and tag team capacity. Aside from those names, he's also performed against Ring Of Honor's Jeff Cobb and Bandido (outside of ROH capacity), as well as excellent tag team bouts with Paul Robinson against Aussie Open in PROGRESS. And with high match quality comes championship success, with Ospreay enjoying reigns as IWGP Junior Heavyweight and NEVER Openweight Champion, as well as PROGRESS Tag Team Champions with Paul Robinson. Undoubtedly and unequivocally, no wrestler on this planet in any capacity had a better year in 2019 than Ospreay, and there's no arguing with me on that.

Best Promotion: Game Changer Wrestling

So, this was admittedly a tough one for me, given that I watched a plethora of wrestling promotions in either a major or minor capacity in 2019. But of all the ones I watched, I felt none compared to what GCW put out. When determining this choice, I based it upon three factors: Match/PPV Quality, Creative Process and Overall Impact. I can safely say that of all the wrestling I consumed in 2019 (which was plenty), none met the criteria I laid before you quite as well as GCW. For Match/PPV Quality, GCW was armed to the teeth with the best of what professional wrestling has to offer, including Chris Dickinson, Tony Deppen, Jake Atlas, Jungle Boy, Joey Janela and countless others putting on absolute stellar performances every time they went out, with each show ranging from either decent to great, which is pretty remarkable given the fact GCW put out 30+ shows in 2019. It really is an amazing feat to put out that much wrestling content and still be able to always produce a solid show in any capacity.

As for creative process, it's second to none as GCW is practically chameleon in nature, changing its style at whim to match a mood. For combat junkies, they have Bloodsport. For deathmatch and puro purists, they have Tournament Of Survival, the Nick Gage Invitational as well as their tour of Japan (Worst Behavior and New Face Of War). For ultimate indie diehards, they have Backyard Wrestling. It really isn't the fact they can have so many gimmick-themed PPVs so much as they can do this while also incorporating said gimmicks into so many of their events, which ultimately makes for a more enriching experience. And as for overall impact, they live up to their name and then some by changing the game with a mix of versatility and consistency. They're the ultimate standard-bearers of independent wrestling, with many a promotion clamoring to collaborate with them. Crafting a high-quality product while never taking themselves too seriously in the process, there's honestly no other promotion like it, which is why GCW is the Best Promotion of 2019.

Well, that wraps up the 2nd Annual BAW Awards. I hope you had fun with it, because I sorta kinda did. Anyways, thank you for your support and I'll see you in the next one. Who knows? Maybe 2020 will be just as lit.

Top 10 Most Memorable Wrestling Moments Of The 2010s

Well gang, we've done it. Another decade of wrestling has passed by us; the good, the bad and the parts that defy both and ultimately make you question your sanity, sending you spiraling into an existential nightmare. It truly is difficult trying make a Top 10 list of the most memorable moments in 2010s wrestling. For one, the depth of wrestling in the 2010s is practically immeasurable; from WWE/NXT to New Japan to AEW and every promotion under the sun, pro wrestling provided us with a cornucopia of memorable moments in a wide variety of venues. Adding onto that, it's almost impossible to make a list like this without being as broad as possible when it comes to defining a moment; some are truly singular while others are a collection of small moments entangled in a king rat of sorts. Nevertheless, I attempt to bring you a comprehensive list of the most memorable wrestling moments of the 2010s to the best of my abilities.

10. Okada And Omega Set A New Standard For Wrestling Rivalries

January 4, 2017. IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada and G1 Climax 26 winner Kenny Omega square off in the main event of New Japan's biggest show of the year, Wrestle Kingdom. The two put on a 45-minute exhibition of masterclass wrestling, setting a high bar for others to follow. Little did we know this was merely the start of what would become a truly epic wrestling rivalry, and one that's among the best of the decade and arguably all-time. From there, we would have their 60-minute broadway at Dominion 6.11, their pulse-pounding clash at G1 Climax 27 then culminating in a 75-minute bout of epic proportions at Dominion 6.9 (sex joke), with Omega toppling Okada's historic reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion.

This whole rivalry played out as a Greek epic of sorts, with Okada playing the archetypal hero and Omega being his cunning nemesis, wearing him down just enough then waiting in the shadows and studying his weakened foe for a long stretch of time before finally delivering Okada his downfall. As far as wrestling rivalries of the 2010s go, this is on par with Flair/Steamboat or The Rock/Austin. It combined theatrical presentation with superb in-ring work and grandiose storytelling, altogether setting a precedent which few have lived up to this decade. Ask a wrestling fan who Omega or Okada is, and I guarantee you they're going to bring these matches, they're that big; they seemingly transcend New Japan and have earned a spot its own spot in the wrestling zeitgeist. It's a tale of two wrestling juggernauts giving everything they have and then some, and one that I'm eternally grateful for being able to watch it from beginning to end.

9. The Pipe Bomb

Despite its current place as meme fodder, one cannot deny the impact CM Punk's promo on the 6/27/11 episode of Raw had on wrestling as a whole for the 2010s. Shortly after costing John Cena a victory in a tables match against R-Truth, Punk sat at the entrance ramp and poured his heart out for almost 8 uninterrupted minutes, lambasting the company he works for and the fans who support it, as well as declaring his intention to leave WWE after taking the WWE Championship off Cena. This would spawn the Summer Of Punk, a tumultuous and controversial saga in which Punk secured himself a spot as a main event wrestler in WWE.

As far as the 2010s go, this promo set a precedent for blurring the lines between reality and kayfabe. You couldn't ask for better character building; it set Punk up as the free-thinking antihero, Cena as the do-gooder corporate shill and Vinny Mac and Co. rounding it out as the tyrannical oligarchy. It took the traditional theatrics of wrestling storytelling and added a heavy dose of realism few have followed since. While I'm not the biggest fan of Punk, it's undeniable how important this promo was not only to the landscape of WWE, but to the entire wrestling zeitgeist of the 2010s. Not only did it set up one of the most famous storylines in 2010s wrestling, it also set him up as one of the most important and influential wrestling figures of the decade. Love it or hate it, it pushed WWE into a new direction at least for a little while, injecting a harsh dose of reality into an otherwise tame PG product.

8. The Shield Saga

When Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns made their debut at Survivor Series 2012, nobody knew what to make of it. Their motives behind attacking Ryback in the main event were mysterious, and they left just as soon as they came. What nobody realized at the time is that these three men would almost be single-handedly responsible for determining the course behind WWE's most important storylines for the next 5-6 years in some way, shape or form. It was practically a perfect storm of styles: Ambrose the unbridled sociopath, Rollins the calculating tactician and Reigns the silent powerhouse.

As heels, they blazed a trail of destruction and layed waste to anyone who got in their way. As faces, they held their ground against the most dastardly villains in WWE, most notably the Wyatt Family. Either way, they were one of the most beloved acts in wrestling, and garnered reactions comparable to Daniel Bryan's 2013-14 run (which we'll talk about later). Along their way, they created several memorable moments: the debut, the Wyatt Family feud, the Rollins heel turn, etc. Aside from that, two of its members (Reigns and Rollins) would become two of the biggest stars in the company, with Ambrose popping in and out to fuel the drama of whatever story was being told amongst the three. Combine the debut, the run, the end and subsequent reunitions and you've got one of the most important stables of the decade not only in WWE, but wrestling as a whole.

7. Bullet Club Forms

Prince Devitt (now known as Finn Balor) had earned his keep and then some in New Japan as one of the company's top gaijin babyfaces, winning the Junior and Junior Tag titles on multiple occasions. But it was only a matter of time before the system broke him down and changed him. This is why at Invasion Attack 2013, Devitt turned on his then-tag team partner Ryusuke Taguchi and aligned himself with Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga and Karl Anderson to form what would be undoubtedly be one of the most influential groups of the decade if not all-time.

From there, the group made their disruptive message loud and clear, disrepecting the norms and traditions of puroresu and Japanese culture as a whole, shocking Japanese crowds while slowly attracting Western audiences to the product. Their rule-breaking persona was easy latch on to, and as such, the group gained a loyal and ever-growing following. Am I saying they were the main reason behind the upswing of Western attraction to NJPW? No, but it'd be foolish not to say they were a major part of it. Throughout the group's tenure, we've seen constant lineup changes, championship domination and endless merchandising success. Whether or not it was intentional, the group has echoed NWO both in success and influence, and it was one fateful decision by Devitt that started it all.

6. The Yes Movement

One man, saying one word consecutively while raising both index fingers to the air. Once the act of an arrogant heel with an inferiority complex, it rose up to become the triumphant call of one of wrestling's most over babyfaces of the decade. Prior to WWE, Bryan made a name for himself on the American independent scene (most notably Ring Of Honor), where people marveled at his breathtaking technical abilities. However, it wasn't until his foray into WWE where Bryan reached astronomical levels of stardom.

It was right around 2013 when this sudden surge happened. Bryan had already earned a considerable amount of success in WWE, securing reigns as United States, Tag Team (w/Kane) and World Heavyweight Champion. Despite this, Bryan was still shunned by the higher-ups at WWE, being called a "B+ Player" and having his size and appearance constantly chastised. This came to a head at SummerSlam 2013; after defeating John Cena to become the new WWE Champion, Bryan was attacked by special guest referee Triple H, allowing Randy Orton to cash in his Money In The Bank contract and setting up one of the most famous angles in wrestling, mixing reality with dramatics in the best way possible. The WWE brass didn't want him at the top, but Bryan didn't care. Through sheer determination, hard work and fan support, Bryan made it to the top when he tapped out Batista to close WrestleMania 30 as the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Eclipsing the boundaries of wrestling and ultimately becoming a standard-bearing ethos for sticking to your guns despite your perceived shortcomings, the Yes Movement stands out as an enigma of professional wrestling, 2010s or otherwise.

5. NXT Starts A Revolution

Looking back on what NXT was at the beginning of the decade while seeing what is today, it's pretty safe to say the rise of Triple H's brainchild has been meteoric to say the least. Originally a silly game show where the top highlights include Eli Cottonwood waxing philosophical on mustaches and Titus O'Neil falling down, it's astronomical to think it even got anywhere close to its present-day position. Nevertheless, Haitch took the reigns of NXT in 2012 and spun it in a new direction, incorporating the roster of WWE's then-developmental brand FCW and putting a heavy focus on the in-ring abilities of the talent. Over the next two years, NXT would bring some of the biggest names on the indies, including Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Finn Balor, Hideo Itami and the like. And as for the Women's Divison? Does the name Paige ring a bell? Or how about Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, Bayley and Charlotte? And it wouldn't stop there; as time went on, NXT would snowball into something much larger, incorporating more high-profile stars into its system, providing its audience with endless memorable moments and dream-match scenarios come to life.

NXT is important to the wrestling zeitgeist because it provided (and continues to provide) fans tired of main roster WWE's chicanery with a more flavorful alternative. For many, it truly is a comforting feeling watching it knowing they no longer have to put up with having their intelligence insulted and are instead consuming what they feel is the best pro wrestling on the planet with the greatest of ease. It's not so much a developmental system anymore as it is an entirely new brand for WWE, one that never stops picking up momentum and continuing to satisfy its fans.

4. The Genesis Of All Elite Wrestling

Following the massive success of their self-funded PPV All In, there was arguably no doubt in anyone's mind that the sky was the limit for The Elite. But where exactly would they go? Well, they answered that call and then some, partnering with sports executive and life-long wrestling fan Tony Khan to start their very own promotion, All Elite Wrestling. Shortly after each member (minus Marty Scurll) made their departures from ROH and New Japan, they really got the ball rolling, scooping up the hottest acts in independent wrestling, including PAC, Chris Jericho, SoCal Uncensored and Jon Moxley, among many others. And at their highly successful debut PPV Double Or Nothing, Cody made his company's intentions clear with one of swing of a sledgehammer: they were staking their claim as the penultimate alternative to the WWE monopoly. This was furthered with their TNT deal; rather than just rely on PPVs, fans could tune in to Dynamite every week at 8/7 C to watch everything AEW has to offer them. Moreover, it gave fans the choice between tuning into NXT every week on FOX, or stepping over to TNT and seeing what Cody, Kenny and The Bucks are throwing at you. Combine that with their dark show AEW Dark, which streams for free every week on YouTube, and it's a weekly one-two punch.

While the advantage tends to waver in and out in the Wednesday Night Wars, the sheer fact there's not only a non-WWE promotion with a major network, but also one that actively wants to compete with WWE and be the major-market alternative speaks volumes about what AEW has accomplished so far and hopes to accomplish in the future. It's definitely a work in progress, but as the old adage goes, Rome wasn't built in a day. Combining sky-high aspirations with dirt-tough determination, AEW is undoubtedly one of the most influential pieces of 2010s wrestling lore.

3. Brock Lesnar's Reign Of Terror

When Goldberg ended Kevin Owens' 7-month long reign as WWE Universal Champion, fans were truly flabbergasted. What transpired next, though, was the start of something truly monumental: after their sub-5 minute bout at WrestleMania 33, Lesnar took the strap off Goldberg and began his first reign as Universal Champion, ruling the roost with a iron fist for over 500 days. It seemed like Lesnar's "Arrive. Defend Title. Leave." cycle was going to continue on for infinity until Roman Reigns took the belt off him at Summerslam 2018. This was short-lived, however, as Reigns was forced to vacate the title following a remission in his life-long battle with Leukemia. Lesnar took the belt back after defeating Braun Strowman at the 2018 Crown Jewel PPV, and the machine was up and running again for another 150+ days before dropping it to Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania 35. Lesnar would win it once again after cashing in his Money In The Bank contract on Rollins before dropping it to him once again at SummerSlam 2019. After dipping out for a brief spell, Lesnar arrived on October 4th (2019) episode of Smackdown, squashing then-champion Kofi Kingston in mere seconds and ending his six month. With another world title around his waist, it appears as though the Lesnar Cycle has started up once again.

Arguably one of the most divisive world champions in wrestling in the 2010s as well as one of its most divisive figures, his was (and still is) a presence you either absolutely adore or vehemently despise. Some love to see show up, wreck shit and leave while others are sick of a seeing a world champion who works a part-time schedule and plays by their own rules. Regardless of reaction, the fact a singular entity can draw such a massive reaction simply by showing up in a wrestling ring whenever they feel like it speaks volumes about Lesnar's influence on not only WWE, but professional wrestling as a whole. There united fronts dedicated to supporting as well as opposing Lesnar's presence, and it's truly remarkable the passion both sides put in for their causes. Love it or hate it, Lesnar's motto is "Arrive. Collect Paycheck. Leave. Repeat," and he wouldn't have it any other way.

2. The Streak Is Over

Sammartino. The New Day. Okada. The Undertaker. The one thing these four names have in common is an impressive streak that either set or broke records. For the first three names, it was championship reigns. For Taker, it was his singles match win streak at WrestleMania. Starting with a squash to Jimmy Snuka at WrestleMania 7, Taker would go on to compete at each subsequent Mania and emerge victorious in some capacity every time, with his opponents varying in degrees of difficulty. This would continue up until WrestleMania 30, where Brock Lesnar (long time, no see) would fell The Deadman and end his streak, leaving those in attendance in utter silence, shocked and unable to truly comprehend what they just witnessed.

Just like that, it was over. Wrestling's equivalent to DiMaggio or the Celtics ended before our very eyes, and we just didn't know how to react. For many wrestling fans, Undertaker was their introduction to the medium, and The Streak was the ultimate mark of prestige; it was something that ultimately had to end at some point, but it wasn't something we'd be ready for. Once a god of professional wrestling, Taker was reduced to a mortal man, while Lesnar cemented his status as a conqueror of legends and disruptor of wrestling folklore. The Streak was a Greek hero epic of sorts, with Taker's downfall being one for the ages, one that eclipses WWE and cements itself a place among all-time wrestling lore.

Honorable Mentions 

The 2010s provided us with a cornucopia and historic moments in wrestling; some good, some bad, some too bizarre to quantify either way. As such, there were going to be several choices I left off my list for one reason or another. But that doesn't mean they don't deserve any amount of love or recognition. So here are five moments in 2010s wrestling that I consider historically significant, but just barely missed the cut.

The Rise Of The Independent Scene- For most of the 2000s, exposure to indy wrestling was very narrow, with ROH, PWG and Chikara ruling the roost. But with enough time and their predecessors' influence, the independent scene blew up in the 2010s thanks to promotions like EVOLVE, Game Changer Wrestling, BAR Wrestling, Wrestlecircus, Beyond Wrestling and the like. Not only that, but it also lit a fire under British professional wrestling's ass as PROGRESS and Revolution Pro Wrestling emerged, setting a high bar for others to follow. Independent wrestling is hotter than ever now, and it's likely to grow even more popular as we head into the 2020s.

KofiMania runs wild on WWE- Truly the epitome of hard work and dedication paying off, Kofi Kingston gritted his teeth and earned his keep in the WWE in both the midcard and tag team scene, impressing fans with breathtaking displays of athleticism evidenced by his performances in numerous Royal Rumbles and Money In The Bank ladder matches. Although support for a main event push was always there, the opportunities were scarce. But when 2019 rolled, Kingston took that ball and ran with it, putting outstanding displays in numerous matches before winning the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35 and backing up the hype with an impressive 6-month reign. It was a long time coming in many fans' (as well as members of the WWE locker room) eyes, and for them, it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Not only that, but the fact WWE were willing to not only put the world title on a black wrestler, but also have him win it at Mania and book him like a million bucks throughout a lengthy title run speaks volumes about how far the company has progressed in modern time.

#GiveDivasAChance- For pretty much the entirety of its existence, the Women's Division in WWE was treated as an afterthought, being the face of every bathroom break joke imaginable amongst the IWC. In 2014, fans were fed up and called for a change and WWE answered, bringing up The Four Horsewomen of NXT (sans Bayley) in what they would call a "Diva's Revolution." The events that transpired, however, was a clunky clash of stables with no one involved really getting a chance to develop as an individual character, and as such, the progression fizzled out, leaving behind the remnants of a well-meaning but poorly executed movement.

Impact Becomes Broken- For much of the 2010s, TNA/Impact was (and to some degree still is) the butt of every joke in the IWC. This was up until 2016 when Matt Hardy debuted his Broken gimmick. A seemingly incomprehensible character to describe, Broken Matt entertained many a fan with numerous entertaining promos and vignettes, leading to the wrestling-internet breaking Final Deletion match with brother Jeff, putting Impact into the forefront of mainstream wrestling discussion once again. As time progressed, the Broken Saga fleshed itself out even more, eclipsing Impact and becoming a crucial part of the 2010s wrestling zeitgeist.

It's A New Day, Yes It Is- For many, Demolition's reign as tag team champions was thought to be untouchable until Summerslam 2015 when the trio of Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods regained belts they had previously lost earlier in the year and began an unprecedented run as tag team champions. The team balanced a excellent blend of mic, character and ring work throughout their 532 days as champions, being one of (and still continuing to be) one of the most over in WWE and professional wrestling as a whole, while also revitalizing interest in the tag team division, an otherworldly feat given the company's track record of tag team treatment.

1. The Women's Revolution Emerges

Honestly speaking, this could be a whole other article in of itself, so I'll try to contain myself for brevity's sake when writing about this. But I'd be remiss if I didn't talk about just how far women's wrestling has come in recent time. Looking at where it was at the start of the decade to where it is now, it truly is one of the most remarkable turnaround in professional wrestling history. To quote OSW Reviews, the fucking state of the women's division in 2010 was absolute shite. With most matches lasting shorter than the length of Paradise City and most title reigns ending as soon as they began, it was hard to care about the division because WWE didn't really give you a reason to care. And while TNA was doing their best with their revolutionary Knockouts division, as well as the promotions Shimmer, Sendai Girls and Ice Ribbon, they could only do so much with what little exposure they had. Meanwhile, there was a revolution starting across both the Atlantic and Pacific as the UK's Pro Wrestling: EVE and Japan's World Wonder Ring Stardom took the women's professional wrestling scene by storm, and over time introduced such talents as Kairi Sane (f.k.a Hojo), Io and Mio Shirai, Mayu Iwatani and Kagetsu, as well as Nikki Cross, Paige and Kay Lee Ray, among others.

And NXT was starting a mini-revolution of their own, showcasing the talents of Paige, Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch and Bayley, stringing together numerous unforgettable matches in the mid-2010s. Despite the shortcomings of The Divas' Revolution, it didn't derail the momentum The Four Horsewomen had, who continued to break barriers and shatter glass ceilings for women's wrestling in WWE. And outside of WWE, independent promotions like RiSE and SHINE began to emerge, building future stars of women's professional wrestling as well as carving a name out for themselves in the independent wrestling scene. Cut to 2017, and the Mae Young Classic is born. A single-elimination 32-woman tournament, this was WWE's further progression of the movement by showcasing a variety of female talent, some becoming WWE mainstays while other forged their own path elsewhere. And as for 2018, we bore witness to the first-ever women's Royal Rumble, WWE's first-ever all-women's PPV Evolution as well as the second Mae Young classic. And in Impact, a newly revamped Knockouts Division was taking shape as talents such as Allie, Rosemary, Laurel Van Ness (now Chelsea Green) and Tessa Blanchard were carving out a new direction for women's wrestling on their own and setting a high bar for others to follow.

Cut to 2019, and we see women headlining WrestleMania, Becky Lynch as the undisputed face of WWE, Stardom and other female wrestling promotions reaching astronomical levels of popularity and Tessa Blanchard setting a revolutionary bar for intergender wrestling, on pace to possibly becoming the first woman to ever hold the world championship for a major wrestling promotion come January 12 at Impact's Hard To Kill. If this segment seemed exhaustive and long-winded, it was done so on purpose. So much has been done for women's wrestling in the 2010s that's hard to contain in a few simple blurbs. Honestly speaking, women's wrestling in all of its capacities is hotter than ever right now, and you're a fool if you don't recognize that. Not only is the progression of women's wrestling the most memorable wrestling moment of the 2010s, it's arguably one of the most important moments all time in the entire professional wrestling landscape. A truly extraordinary movement whose legacy will only grow as time passes on. The sky's the limit, and from my vantage point, I fail to recognize any Icarus in sight.

Wrasslin' Rainbow: A Journey Into The Best (And Worst) Storylines in Wrestling, Part 1: Katie Vick

Greetings, everyone, and welcome to Wrasslin' Rainbow. Now, you may be wondering what this whole operation is, and it's pretty simple, really. I take a look at wrestling storylines both good and bad and analyze them from beginning to end, highlighting the highs and lows of each one while critiquing the storytelling process a whole. I'm no LeVar Burton, but I do love a good story, so this should be fun.

As for our first subject, uhhh, there's a lot left to be desired, as I take a look at the story of Katie Vick, a feud between Triple and Kane revolving around the deceased eponymous girlfriend of Kane. Look, this isn't going to be an entirely pleasant experience, so give me a break as I loosen the few screws I have left in my head as I take a look at one of WWE's most infamous angles.

Katie Vick: A Tome Of Sex And Death

Our story begins on the October 7th, 2002 episode of Monday Night RAW. Kane and his tag team partner The Hurricane would be defending their World Tag Team titles in a Fatal 4-Way TLC match against the likes of Rob Van Dam & Jeff Hardy, Chris Jericho & Christian and The Dudley Boyz (specifically Bubba Ray and Spike) in the main event as per the results of the Raw Roulette. While not ideal for the team, it only got worse for them as Triple H took The Hurricane out backstage, leaving Kane to defend their titles single-handedly in a thrilling main event (link to the match here).

Despite having the deck stacked against him, Kane overcame the odds and successfully defended his teams' straps. The celebration was short-lived as Triple H, accompanied by Ric Flair, came out to cut a promo on Kane, saying that by the end of the episode his life would never be the same and claiming that 10 years ago, he killed a girl named Katie Vick. The episode ends on a close-up shot of a visibly stunned Kane, leaving the Las Vegas crowd and the audience at home in a bewildered state and clamoring for an explanation.

The very next week, Kane addresses the situation after being confronted about it backstage by Terri Runnels. He explains that Katie was a friend of his, and one night they went to party; she drank too much and Kane decided he should drive her home, despite the rainy conditions. A generic animal jumped into the road and Kane swerved to avoid it; he lost control of the vehicle and crashed it in the process. While he managed to escape the wreck with only a broken arm, Katie was killed instantly. Triple H comes out to provoke Kane, revealing his side of the story. He claims that Kane had also been drinking that night, and that doctors found Kane's semen inside Vick during the autopsy; he also says Kane was in love with her, but she didn't reciprocate the same feelings. Triple H closes his promo by suggesting what transpired that evening wasn't so much an act of date rape as it was an act of necrophilia. Similar to last week, we're left with a stunned and silent Kane as the audience reacts in a similar fashion.

The next Monday, Trips is asked why he's doing this, and he explains that it's to expose Kane as a twisted, demented psychopath. He claims to have proof via video tape, which he says is not for the squeamish. Following the ol' "Viewer Discretion Is Advised" treatment, we see HHH entering Katie Vick's funeral (surprisingly unattended) wearing a Kane mask. He addresses the corpse, stating that wants her even more now that she's dead. Vick apparently lets Haitch have her, as he starts groping her corpse. He says he's going to give her what she's always wanted and take what he's always wanted, then climbs into the casket. The Cerebral Assassin proceeds to sexually defile the corpse, accompanied by cutaway shots of candles, flowers and verbal exchanges one might be familiar with after an excursion to Pornhub; this shocking display ends with HHH proclaiming, "I screwed your brains out!" We cut back to him backstage laughing about what we just saw, leaving Jonathan Coachman (and the entire audience) in a state of utter shock and bewilderment, altogether wondering why in the hell he did this and how he didn't get caught. Granted, necrophilia isn't the first thing you're concerned with at a funeral home, but it's probably something that wouldn't hurt the mortician and fellow staff members to be on the lookout for.

Later on in the show, a tag team match is fixed up, pairing Kane & Rob Van Dam against HHH and his Evolution stablemate Ric Flair. The match devolves into a brawl HHH and Kane, who take their brouhaha backstage. The two scrap for a spell, culminating in Kane chokeslamming the world's #1 Motorhead enthusiast onto the hood of a car, then stuffing him into the trunk of the car while uttering, "Now, I'm gonna screw YOU! The only question is, will you still be alive? Or while I just wait until you're dead?" before driving off as the show ends. If you need to take a break from reading this so you can confess your sins to your local spiritual leader, go right ahead.

The following Monday, HHH kicks RAW off by discussing the events that transpired last week. He then explains "the only person's opinion on this matters, we've not heard from yet." He then introduces his special guest, the very same corpse he sexually desecrated last week, Katie Vick. He brings the mannequin into the ring, making dead-themed dad jokes along the way. He props Vick up on his lap and asks the inanimate Vick if she found the video footage last week offensive. In a hackneyed display of ventriloquism, Vick "explains" that she didn't find it offensive and actually found the experience to be quite painful on account of Kane's "burnt little weiner." HHH then addresses the crowd, stating he doesn't give a damn if anyone was offended, no doubt setting some sort of precedence for future edgelords to follow.

He's then interrupted by Kane's tag team partner The Hurricane, who demands to know why The Game is in such a mirthful state after having been stuffed inside the trunk of a car last week. Haitch explains that popped the child safety latch inside the trunk of the car and jumped out. Hurricane then demands him to explain how he acquired footage of HHH in the operating room of a hospital last night. We then cut to footage of unknown man wearing several HHH masks and having several objects removed from his anus, with the man proclaiming at the end of the video, "You...you pulled my head out of my ass?" Enraged, HHH proceeds to attack the mannequin for no other reason other than to continue the frightening madness. Kane comes down and the two scuffle for a bit before RAW GM Eric Bischoff comes out to announce a casket match as the main event of the show. Shawn Michaels is revealed to be hiding in the casket, popping out to attack HHH and assist Kane with the victory.

Aftermath

Following the casket match, the HHH/Kane feud had all but fizzled out. Following Shawn Michaels' appearance during the match, Triple H quickly jumped back into a feud with the Heartbreak Kid, reviving what they started earlier in the year. HHH never really left the main event scene around this time; losing the World Heavyweight title a few times only to regain it just as soon as he lost it, never losing sight of the Big Gold Belt and altogether ruling the main event scene, with some dubbing it the "Reign Of Terror".

As for Kane, this was unfortunately one of his very few opportunities at the main event scene around this time, falling back into feuds within the midcard and tag team divisions shortly thereafter.

Weighing The Pros and The Cons

Now that we've covered the story from beginning to end, what did we think of it? What were the highs? What were the lows? And what one outweighs the other?

For the positives, there were very few, to say the least. The one that I can think of is that Kane got a main event push, which is cool because the dude's incredibly talented and definitely deserved any big push he got. And technically, I guess, he won the feud? Not sure how, but I think he did.

And as for the negatives...Jesus fucking Christ. Where do I start? Where do I finish? What element of this story made WWE creative think not only should it be incorporated into the professional wrestling zeitgeist, but it should also be broadcast on live TV? Throughout my time watching this story unfold, it didn't feel like I was watching professional wrestling; it was more akin to one of those dime-a-dozen true crime documentaries/features you see floating around Netflix. I'd honestly like to ask whoever came up with this story where they're hiding the bodies, because only a serial killer could conjure something up like this. I mean, was Edmund Kemper employed by WWE around this time?

For starters, it's not told very well. The story is wrapped up too quickly and is never really given an opportunity to develop into anything that can truly engage an audience. If they were going for the soap opera formula of storytelling, they missed the mark by a country mile; as stupid and nonsensical soaps can get, at least they let the stories breathe and develop over a lengthy course of time. Here, it's just sort of throwing lurid subject matter at the audience at a rapid-fire pace, starting and ending the story in the course of only a month.

And as far as characterization goes, it's beyond abysmal. HHH comes as less of a wrestling heel and more of a psychopathic criminal who needs to be thoroughly investigated. It also made Kane look like an absolute moron throughout the whole ordeal, relying on shenanigans to come out on the winning side. Honestly, everyone involved here looked absolutely terrible, and the only reason to root for anybody in this situation is solely rooted in prior bias. Judging by the quality of writing alone, there's no discernible reason to root for anyone in this situation outside of prior bias.

Being a horror/grindhouse fan, the subject matter itself wasn't a problem for me so much as how it was handled. As awful and dark as the story to Last House On The Left is, I at least have a vested interest in watching; the pacing and direction is handled well, providing an entertaining product overall. With Katie Vick, the subject matter was handled so sloppily that there was practically no entertainment value to be had. Personally speaking, it's one of the most physically punishing pieces of wrestling lore to sit through.

As much as I love Kane, it wasn't worth this trash-ass story to see him in the main event here. To say the negatives outweigh the positives here is a big fucking understatement.

Can we fix it?

So what could've been done differently to improve it? Quite simple: to have never fucking done it in the first place. This story should have been snuffed out from the very beginning, because it's clear to me that when it comes to dark stories, WWE handles them about as well as a two-handed prostate exam. The best thing I can say about this whole ordeal is that provided shitposters like myself with a bevvy of meme content. Outside of that, there's nothing positive I can say about my experience watching this. It's my sleep paralysis demon and it's broken me as an individual.

But with that being said, my passion for stories and the critical analysis of them is undeterred. So stay tuned, and I'll see you in the next one.

MLW Fusion Episode 83 Recap and Review: 11/11/19

It's the first episode of Fusion following MLW's PPV debut Superfight. Who walked away victorious? Did we see new champions get crowned? We'll find out all about it and more, so let's waste any more time and dive into what should be an entertaining show.

Contra Unit Opening

The entirety of Contra Unit (Josef Samael, Simon Gotch, Ikuro Kwon and current MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu) come to the ring, much to the surprise of the commentary team, who were expecting to the show to start with Timothy Thatcher and Low Ki. Samael cuts a promo where gloats about Contra Unit dismantling Promociones Dorado following Fatu's successful title defense against L.A. Park, Contra Unit's global reach and a desire to procure all of the gold in MLW.

Samael in particular calls out MLW Middleweight Champion Teddy Hart, who comes to the ring flanked by his Hart Foundation stablemates Brian Pillman, Jr. and Davey Boy Smith, Jr. The two groups scuffle before it gets broken up.

An entertaining enough segment and a decent way to start the show. Samael brought the bombast in his promo and he delivered it well. Kayfabe-wise, it makes sense for the top heel stable to demand all the gold, and it'll be interesting to see how they handle it going forward.

Timothy Thatcher/Low Ki

Unsurprisingly, it's a 100% technical bout from the start as both grapplers trade holds and counters in a effort to gain an advantage. Thatcher gets Ki up on the top rope, who answers back with a hanging triangle armbar. Back in the ring, the two trade Greco-Roman knucklelocks with Thatcher using his size advantage to gain the upper hand. Ki stays on the mat and attempts to ward off Thatcher with some low kicks, only for Thatcher answer back with a single-leg boston crab, then transitioning into a bow and arrow hold.

Contra Unit interrupts the match as Samael addresses the new Tag Team Champions The Von Erichs, promising he has an offer The Von Erichs "will be unable to refuse." Back to the match, Thatcher is still solidly in control, grounding Low Ki and wearing him down. Ki fights back with a series of hard chops, which Thatcher responds with a european uppercut. He then slams Ki to the mat then hits him with an elbow drop. After a knee strike/suplex combo, Thatcher sends Ki to the outside with an uppercut.

The two trade chops and uppercuts before Ki attempts a springboard maneuver; Thatcher responds with another uppercut and sends Ki back to the outside once again. Ki manages to avoid both a countout and a pinfall attempt, then counters a catapult with a second-rope double stomp. Gaining some momentum, Ki hits Thatcher with a couple of shoot kicks. He attempts for more offense, only for Thatcher to respond with a side belly-to-belly suplex, then a double underhook suplex.

Thatcher attempts another suplex, only for Ki wriggle out and chop-block him. Ki then attempts a dragon sleeper, only for Thatcher fight out and get Ki upon his shoulders. Unfortunately for Thatcher, Ki manages to lock in a triangle choke of sorts in this position and submits Thatcher for the victory.

If you like technical wrestling, you'll get a kick out of this match. The holds were crisp and superbly delivered, and you really felt the weight of each strike delivered. The counters were beyond impressive, and I'm really impressed how innovative they became as the match went on. Thatcher looked like an absolute beast, and Ki managed to keep his badass credibility while still managing to be vulnerable and plausibly vincible in the process. A damn fine match through and through.

Myron Reed vs. Teddy Hart (c), MLW World Middleweight Championship match

Hart starts the match out in a technical manner, applying various holds before going to the outside to fight the other members of Reed's stable Injustice (Kotto Brazil and Jordan Oliver). Back in the ring, Hart eats a superkick from Reed, who follows up with a slingshot leg drop. Hart is back on the outside fighting Brazil and Oliver, only for Reed to take advantage of the distraction with consecutive tope suicidas through the second and over the top rope.

Back in the ring, Reed springboards only for Hart to avoid it; Reed handsprings out of a clothesline attempt and hits Hart with a springboard cutter/falcon arrow combo. Hart dodges a springboard 450 splash attempt from Reed and drills him with a canadian destroyer. Gaining control for the time-being, Hart then hits Reed with a straight-jackhonoret backstabber, then a split-legged corkscrew senton. Hart then connects with a moonsault, which Reed kicks out of. Hart then plants him with a powerbomb/backstabber combo, only for Reed to kick out of that as well.

Hart then pulls out a hammerlock DDT, then ascends to the top rope to drill Reed with a diving DDT. Oliver and Brazil distract the referee, prompting Hart to toss Reed onto them, then connect with an asai moonsault. Back in the ring, Hart drills Reed with a top-rope canadian destroyer. Oliver and Brazil pull the referee out of the 3-count once again, and during this distraction, Josef Samael hits Hart with a fireball. Reed connects with the springboard 450 splash to become the new MLW Middleweight Champion.

A great match with an odd finish. It was a well-executed spotfest, with both competitors displaying breathtaking agility and pulling out some damn good sequences. Don't get me wrong, I like Reed and he definitely deserves the W, but I'm wondering why it came from the assistance of Contra Unit's Josef Samael, who explicitly said he's coming after Hart and his Middleweight title. It wholly contradicts what he said at the beginning of the show, so I'm wondering if Reed's reign will be short-term and will just serve as a platform to a Hart Foundation/Contra Unit rivalry. Time will tell, I guess. Anyways, a great match and a solid way to end the show.

This was a damn good episode, all things considered. Despite the wonky ending, I still dug the hell out of the main event, and Thatcher/Ki was athletikino, definitely garnering MOTN honors from me. If I were you, I'd definitely check this episode out ASAP.

MLW Fusion Episode 79 Recap/Review: 10/14/19

In MLW's first show in Mexico, the Tag Team Titles are on the line in the main event tonight as current champions The Dynasty take on Los Parks. Aside from that, we should have a bevvy of excellent content here, so let's not waste any more time and dive right into it.

Oraculo vs. Black Danger vs. Ricky Marvin

Marvin and Danger start the match out with an alliance of sorts as they team up on Oraculo with a variety of double-team maneuvers. Oraculo tries to fight back, trading blows with both of his opponents before getting a pin attempt on Marvin, who counters with one of his own before planting him with a DDT. Danger then sends Oraculo to the outside with a basement dropkick; the brawl for a spell before getting back in the ring.

Marvin and Danger continue their double-team, only for it to backfire when Oraculo dodges Marvin's running enzuguiri. He then hits Marvin with a springboard cutter, then sends Danger to the outside with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. After hitting Danger with an asai moonsault, Oraculo gets back in the ring and nails Marvin with a springboard hurricanrana. Marvin kicks out, then proceeds to put both of his opponents in a double gedo clutch. Marvin then sends both of his opponents in the corners. He hits Oraculo with a rope-hung dragon screw whip, then Danger with a rope-hung springboard stomp to the leg.

Marvin counters Oraculo's headscissors attempt with a variation on the TKO. Marvin breaks up the pinfall as Oraculo attempts a tilt-a-whirl stunner; Danger fights out and hits Marvin with a rope-assisted piledriver. Oraculo then attempts a springboard thesz press of sorts, only for Danger to fight out and hit him with a double underhook piledriver. Danger attempts for more offense only for Oraculo to fight out and hit him with a canadian destroyer, then dropkicks Marvin before drilling Danger with a poisoned hurricanrana.

After sending Marvin to the outside, Oraculo connects with the 450 splash to Danger for the W.

A good match and a decent way to start the show, albeit being a bit sloppy in spots. Oraculo was the clear crowd favorite here, and he did a good job of playing to the reactions. But with that being said, some parts felt dragged on, especially the Marvin/Danger team-up; not only that, but there were a couple of sequences that seemed to be mistimed and looked messy in the process. Despite the negativity, I still liked the match. It provided a couple of cool spots and was a nice way of warming the crowd up.

Rey Horus (The Crash Heavyweight Champion) vs. Alexander Hammerstone (MLW National Openweight Champion), Champion vs. Champion Match

Using his power advantage from the get-go, Hammerstone goes to town on Horus, punishing him in and out of the ring. Fighting back, Horus connects with a calf kick to Hammerstone on the ring apron, then hits him with a suicide dive. After the two tool around for a bit between the ropes and the outside, Horus connects with a second-rope leg drop. Horus tries to follow-up, but Hammerstone responds with a pop-up drop then a clubbing lariat.

After being worked over for a bit, Horus fights back and sends Hammerstone to the outside then follows up with a somersault tope over the ring post. Back in the ring, Horus throws a slingshot splash then a diving crossbody at Hammerstone; he then ascends to the top rope, only for Hammerstone shove him off, then hit him a bicycle kick/german suplex combo. He then doubles down on Horus with a sit-out powerbomb, but Horus kicks out.

The two trade blows before Horus connects with a springboard tornado DDT; the referee gets momentarily knocked out as Hammerstone knees Horus then drills him a burning hammer. Hammerstone then hits Horus with a chair, only for Horus to kick out. After Horus counters a powerbomb attempt with a yoshi tonic, he then drop toe-holds Hammerstone into the corner before following it up with a 450 splash. Hammerstone's Dynasty mates MJF and Richard Holliday come in to drag Horus outside the ring, breaking up the pinfall and resulting in a DQ win for Horus.

Another pretty good match here. Hammerstone and Horus played off each other well, providing some good spots and sequences in the process. I always enjoy a good powerhouse/high-flyer bout, and this was no exception. Weird finish aside, this was an entirely enjoyable match featuring two capable competitors whose polarizing styles meshed quite well. This was definitely better than the opener and might be MOTN depending on what happens in the main event.

Los Parks (L.A. Park & El Hijo De L.A. Park) vs. The Dynasty (MJF and Richard Holliday) (c), MLW Tag Team Championship Match

MJF and Hijo start the match out, and there's a lot of teasing and plodding in the process. MJF then tags in Holliday, who works Hijo over for a spell. Following a backstabber to Holliday, Hijo and L.A. manage to get some double-team offense in with a series of dropkicks to Holliday. After distractions from MJF and the referee, it seems as though The Dynasty are in control here, continuing punishment to Hijo.

Hijo fights back with chops to the backs of his opponents, then he and L.A. execute another series of dropkicks to their opponents, culminating in Hijo flapjacking L.A. onto Holliday. They follow it up with a samoan drop/corkscrew neckbreaker combo to Holliday, then stereo suicide dives to The Dynasty. Despite this, The Dynasty manages to overcome it as MJF tosses L.A. into the guardrails as Holliday plants Hijo with a gutwrench powerbomb for the win.

This was fine, I guess. Lots of plodding with a fair amount of okay spots thrown in here and there. Not really sure why this was the main event, as the middle match had more stakes to it. But I don't book the show, so what do I know? Anyways, it's an alright match, but not one you need to immediately seek out.

This was a pretty decent show that was exceptionally highlighted by Hammerstone/Horus. The opener was decent albeit a bit sloppy in parts and the main event was just sort of there, to be honest. You can watch the first and last matches, but especially focus on Hammerstone/Horus.

MLW Fusion Episode 78 Recap/Review: 10/7/29

Apologies for being so lazy on this blog. Depression's been kicking my ass and I've just been finding it hard to enjoy things nowadays. With that being said, I'd like to remedy that and try to get back into the swing of things. While normally I cover ROH, this time around I'd to try something a little and start covering one of my new favorite promotions, MLW. So let's get to it.

Magnus & Septimo Dragon vs. Los Parks (L.A. Park & El Hijo Del L.A. Park)

Los Parks attack their opponents just as the bell rings, getting the advantage right from the start, clubbing them with strikes in the corner then continuing the carnage outside. After a couple chair shots and tosses into the guard rail, we're back in the ring as L.A. Park whips Dragon and Magnus with a weight belt, Dragon taking a majority of the damage. Trying to mount some momentum, Magnus superkicks Hijo then takes down L.A. with a headscissors. With both Parks on the outside, Magnus takes advantage with a slingshot corkscrew plancha.

Dragon follows it with a springboard corkscrew crossbody. The action gets back in the ring as L.A. ascends to the top rope only for Magnus hang him up and send him crashing down. Dragon hits Hijo with a standing spanish fly while Magnus connects with a swanton bomb to L.A.; both Parks kick out. L.A. blocks attack from both of his opponents as he sets Dragon upon the top rope. Hijo hits a super spanish fly on Dragon while L.A. spears Magnus; both tecnicos kick out as the action spills out to the outside once again.

Los Parks deliver dual diving crossbodys to the outside before L.A. and Magnus eventually end up back in the ring. The two trade strikes before L.A. plants Magnus with a DDT; Dragon breaks up the pinfall attempt with a double stomp as he and Hijo make their way back into the ring. Dragon peppers in some elbows on Hijo, who halts his momentum with a superkick then sets him up on the second rope for a super codebreaker.

Dragon rolls out of a double stomp attempt from Hijo, then hits him with a Go 2 Sleep, followed up by a PK. He tries for a split-legged moonsault, only for Hijo to catch him then drill him with a running Canadian Destroyer. The two men spill to the outside as Magnus and L.A. enter in once again. Magnus dodges a spear and L.A. is sent shoulder-first into the corner; Magnus attempts a cover, only for the referee to be pulled out by the manager of Los Parks, Selina De La Renta.

Magnus superkicks L.A., only to be met with one from Hijo, who then goes on to deliver a flurry of strikes to Dragon before hitting the Backstabber. After being met with a headbutt, Hijo dodges another Dragon attack before landing a suicide dive. Back in the ring, Magnus and L.A. have an exchange. L.A. shoves Magnus into the referee, then ascends to the top rope for a twisting frog splash. Magnus rolls out of the way while the referee takes the brunt of the attack. De La Renta low-blows Magnus while the referee is down; L.A. rolls Magnus up for the win.

I really didn't expect this match to go on for that long, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was paced well, and we got to see some impressive sequences from both teams. Los Parks gave a good heel performance, and I can say something similar of Magnus & Dragon, who performed their role well as the babyfaces who get ambushed in the beginning, then fight back in the middle only to succumb to dirty tricks in the end. A well-told story and a damn good way to start the show off.

Dominic Garrini vs. Ariel Dominguez

It's a technical affair from the start as Garrini and Dominguez trade holds in an effort to gain advantage. Garrini quickly takes it with a hip toss, then a gutwrench toss; following a quick slam, Garrini submits Dominguez with a cross armbreaker, debuting in MLW with a lightning-quick victory.

A quick match, but one that builds Garrini as a feared mat technician in MLW. It's practically a guarantee we're going to see him square up against Filthy Tom Lawlor and Timothy Thatcher, and I for one am looking forward to both of those matches.

Austin Aries vs. Brian Pillman, Jr. 

Pillman eggs Aries on at the start, baiting him in and catching him with a series of hard chops and knee strikes, getting him to the outside. Back in the ring, Aries gets Pillman on the ring apron, then attempts a knee strike only for Pillman to counter with a shoulder tackle, then a sunset flip. Pillman clotheslines Aries to the outside, then attempts a slingshot plancha. Aries dodges it as Pillman lands on the ring apron; Pillman leaps over a chop block attempt from Aries, then hits him with a back kick/double axe-handle combo.

Aries blocks a springboard attempt from Pillman, then connects with a suicide dive. Back in the ring, Aries connects with a missile dropkick, then pounds Pillman with a slew of strikes. Aries then attempts a brainbuster on the ring apron, but Pillman blocks and the two trade suplex counters. Aries ends it with a shoulder block into a second-rope neckbreaker. Aries attempts to work Pillman over further, only for Pillman to answer back with a series of uppercuts then a snap scoop powerslam.

Pillman attempts his straight-jacket neckbreaker finisher, only for Aries to counter with a northern lights suplex, then a transition into his Last Chancery finisher. Pillman gets to the rope as Aries attempts another brainbuster on the ring apron. Pillman fights out and hits Aries with a superkick, then attempts a suicide dive; Aries blocks with a headbutt, then gets back in the ring to plant Pillman with a brainbuster for the win. After the match, Aries calls out Teddy Hart, who he attacked last week with a brainbuster on the ring apron. Hart answers and the two brawl as the show ends.

Shorter than I expected it to be, but a damn good match regardless. Both men were in tip-top shape here, trading rapid-fire sequences and telling a good in-ring story in the process. It also furthers the feud between Aries and Teddy Hart, and rest assured, they'll put on an absolute barnburner. I really can't complain on any side here, as everyone involved look strong in the process.

An excellent episode, to say the least. We had an absolute banger of a lucha-style tag team opener, plus the superb main event. I honestly prefer the opener, but not by much. Honestly, one of the best episodes they've had in a while, and I'm excited to see what they pull out next.