THE LIST:

Jerry Lawler/Dr. Tim Linder vs. Bill Dundee/Dr. Brian McCarver, 3/4 - 3 YES
Finlay vs. Sami Callihan, EVOLVE 7/26 - 7 YES
AJ Styles vs. Bully Ray, TNA 6/12 - 3 YES, 1 NO
Claudio Castagnoli vs El Generico, PWG 1/29 - 4 YES
Kevin Steen vs. Finlay, PWG 8/20 - 3 YES
Luke Gallows vs. Jake "The Machine' Davis, EPWA 10/15 - 3 YES
Jerry Lawler vs. Terry Funk, NEW 10/1 - 3 YES
Kevin Steen/Super Dragon vs. The Young Bucks, PWG 12/10 - 3 YES

THE NOMINEES:

Kyle O'Reiley vs. Sami Callihan, IPW 1/1 - 1 NO
Jimmy Jacobs vs. Jon Moxley, IPW 1/1
Trevor Murdock vs. Derek Stone, 1/8 Metro Pro - 1 YES
Rob Van Dam vs. Matt Hardy, TNA 1/9 - 2 NO
Jerry Lawler vs. Tommy Dreamer, NEW 1/15
Christopher Daniels vs. Claudio Castagnoli, ROH 1/15
Roderick Strong vs. Jay Briscoe, ROH 1/15 - 1 NO
Drew Haskins/Derrick King vs. Jon Michael Worthington/Christian Jacobs, SAW 1/15
Akira Tozawa vs. Dingo, ACW 1/16
El Generico vs. Eddie Kingston, CHIKARA 1/23 - 1 YES, 1 NO
Brian Christopher/Kevin White vs. Derrick King/"Teen Excitement" Drew Haskins, SAW 1/28
Jerry Lawler vs. Bill Dundee, SAW 1/28
Davey Richards vs. TJ Perkins, ROH 1/28
AR Fox vs. Sami Callihan vs. Rex Reed vs. Frightmare vs. Jigsaw vs. Cheech, DGUSA 1/29 - 2 NO
Low Ki vs Davey Richards, PWG 1/29 - 2 NO
Legends Wrestle-Royale, PWG 1/29 - 1 NO
Chris Hero vs. Kevin Steen, PWG 1/29 - 1 NO
Homicide vs. Jon Moxley, DGUSA 1/30
Luke Gallows vs. Primo Colon, WWC 2/?/11
James Mason vs. Dean Allmark, ASW 2/6 - 2 YES
Sami Callihan vs. Alex Colon, CZW 2/12 - 1 YES
Brodie Lee vs. Sugar Dunkerton, Chikara 2/19
Mike Quackenbush/Jigsaw vs. The Batiri, Chikara 2/19
El Generico vs. Michael Elgin, ROH 2/26
Jerry Lawler/Brian Christopher vs. Bill Dundee/Jamie Dundee, 3/2 - 2 YES
Sami Callihan vs. Yoshihito Sasaki, WXW 3/2
Big Van Walter vs. Sami Callihan, WXW 3/3
The Kings Of Wrestling vs. Kevin Steen/Akira Tozawa, PWG 3/4 - 2 YES
Tommy End vs. Sami Callihan, WXW 3/11
Chris Hero vs. TJ Perkins, ROH 3/18 - 1 YES
Eddie Edwards vs Michael Elgin, ROH 3/18
The Kings Of Wrestling vs L.A.X., ROH 3/19
The Stro vs. King Bulldozer, NWA-Mountain State 3/20
Low-Ki vs. Sami Callihan, JAPW 3/26 - 2 YES, 1 NO
Dan Barry vs. Corvis Fear, Beyond Wrestling ??
Mean Tommy Dean vs. James Mason, 3/31
The Briscoes vs. Adam Cole/Kyle O�Riley, ROH 4/1
The Briscoes vs. The All Night Express, ROH 4/2
Sami Callihan vs. Daisuke Sekimoto, CZW 4/9 - 1 YES
Sami Callihan vs. Adam Cole, CZW 4/9 - 1 NO
Adam Thornstowe vs. Dave Dutra, WFC 4/9 - 2 NO
Akira Tozawa vs. Low-Ki, PWG 4/9 - 1 YES
Chris Hero vs. Zach Sabre Jr, WXW 4/10 - 1 YES
Eddie Kingston vs. Akira Tozawa, Chikara 4/17
El Generico vs. 1-2-3 Kid, Chikara 4/17
Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett, TNA 4/17 - 2 NO
Sami Callihan vs. Zack Sabre Jr., EVOLVE 4/19
Sami Calihan vs. Adam Cole, ECWA Super Eight 4/30
The Briscoes vs. The All Night Express, ROH 5/6
Derrick King vs. Cody Melton, SAW 5/11
James Mason vs. Bobby Fish, NOAH 5/14/11 - 1 YES
Sami Callihan vs. Masada, CZW 5/14 - 2 YES
Chris Hero vs. KENTA, wXw/NOAH 5/15
Sami Callihan vs. AR Fox, EVOLVE 5/20
Sami Callihan vs. Brodie Lee, EVOLVE 5/20 - 1 YES
Kevin Steen/Akira Tozawa vs. El Generico/Ricochet, PWG 5/27 - 1 YES
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Chris Hero, PWG 5/27 - 1 YES
Chris Hero vs. Akira Tozawa, PWG 5/28 - 1 YES
Claudio Castegnoli vs. Low-Ki, PWG 5/28
Damien Wayne vs. Brandon Day SCWA 5/28/11
Jack Gallagher vs. Joel Redman, FutureShock Wrestling 6/6
Sami Callihan vs. Jake Crist, CZW 6/11
Preston Quinn vs. Victor Griff NWA Fusion 6/19
Necro Butcher vs. Bulldozer Matt Tremont, CZW 6/25 - 2 YES
Ace Rockwell vs. Shaun Tempers, NWA Anarchy 6/25 - 1 YES
Damien Wayne vs. Vordell Walker, GOUGE 6/25 - 2 YES
Doug Somers/Stupid W Tweety vs. Kyle Matthews/Frankie Valentine, 7/1/11 - 1 NO
Necro vs. Low Ki, IWA:EC 7/12 - 2 YES
Claudio Castagnoli vs Chris Hero, PWG 7/23 - 1 YES
James Mason vs. Dean Allmark, ASW 7/27 - 1 YES
Johnny Saint vs. Johnny Kidd, CHIKARA 7/30 - 1 YES
Claudio Castegnoli vs. Mike Quakenbush, CHIKARA 7/30 - 1 NO
Johnny Saint/Mike Quackenbush vs. Colt Cabana/Johnny Kidd, CHIKARA 7/31 - 2 YES
Sara Del Ray vs. Claudio Castagnoli, CHIKARA 7/31 - 2 NO
Brodie Lee vs. Jordan Lennox, - 7/??
Dick Togo vs. James Mason, ASW 8/2 -1 YES
Dean Allmark vs. James Mason, ASW 8/3 - 2 YES
James Mason/Nathan Cruz vs. Dean Allmark/Carl Cool, ASW 8/10 - 1 YES
Jake Davis vs. Vince Vega, EPWA 8/12 - 1 YES
Finlay vs. Big Van Walter, wXw 8/14
Damien Wayne vs. Charlie Dreamer, OSF 8/20
Chris Hero vs. Willie Mack, PWG 8/20
Claudio Castagnoli vs. El Generico, PWG 8/20
Kevin Steen vs. El Generico, PWG 8/20 - 1 YES
Dean Allmark vs. James Mason, ASW 8/31 - 1 YES
Twiggy Ramirez & Biggie Biggs vs. Geoffrey Bravo & Big Rig, UWC 9/10
The Briscoes vs. The All Night Express, ROH 9/17
Dick Togo vs. Kristian Kurki, Fight Club Finland 9/17 - 2 YES
Necro Butcher vs. Sami Callihan, IWA-EC 9/20 - 1 YES
Necro Butcher vs. Mark Savior, 10/1 WVWA - 1 YES, 1 NO
Aeroform (Flip Kendrick & Louis Lyndon) vs. Sex Bob-Ombs (Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett), Beyond Wrestling 10/2
Doug Somers/Stupid W Tweety vs. Kyle Matthews/Frankie Valentine
Ian Rotten vs. Simon Sezz, XCW-Midwest 10/? - 1 NO
Cannonball Grizzly vs. Dirty Dan Collins, EWP 10/7
Dick Togo vs. Fit Finlay, EWP 10/7
Kevin Steen vs. El Generico (Ladder match), PWG 10/22 - 1 YES
Dick Togo vs. Sir Robin Lekime, France 10/22 - 1 NO
Dean Allmark vs. Rampage Brown, ASW 10/23
Jimmy Rave Approved vs. Kyle Matthews/Tank Norton/Jessico Blue/Mr. Showtime (Elimination Match), NWA/DSCW 11/3 - 2 YES
Shaun Tempers vs. Kyle Matthews, NWA ProSouth 11/11
Nigel McGuinness vs Eddie Edwards, 2CW 11/11
Sami Callihan vs. Jon Davis vs. Kaleb Conley vs. Pinkie Sanchez vs. Scott Reed vs. Flip Kendrick vs. Louis Lyndon vs. Alex Colon DGUSA 6/4 - 1 YES
Eddie Kingston vs. Mike Quakenbush, CHIKARA 11/14 - 1 YES
Luke Gallows vs. Jake The Machine Davis, EPWA 11/19 - 2 YES
Hy-Zaha/Suicide Kid vs. Adam Gooch/The Rick, D1W 11/24 - 1 YES
Kid Kash vs. Chris Michaels, SAW
Chris Hero vs Willie Mack, PWG 12/10
AR Fox vs. Sami Callihan, CZW 12/3
Aja Kong vs. Ayako Hamada, Chikara 12/3
Teen Excitement Drew Haskins vs. Se7en No DQ NWA-ME 12/8 - 1 YES
Michael Elgin vs. TJP, ROH 12/23
Brodie Lee vs. Brandon Thurston, ??

Nominating

Rob Van Dam vs. Matt Hardy - TNA 1/9

Yeah, I watched this. I leaned pretty heavily on the fast forward button, but at least I got to see this.

So if you've kept up to date with your backstage dirt, you know that Matt Hardy is an embarrassing drug addict and attention whore, and he's not afraid to display his balls-out lunacy on YouTube for all to see. He also looks like an off-the-gas Tyler Reks, or, if you prefer, Awesome Kong with vitiligo. It's very sad, very funny, or both, depending on how you look at it.

What got lost in all the discussion about what an utter, undeniable mess Matt is is that Matt is also a really damn good wrestler, and if you can look past his otherwise shameful behavior, you'll find that's still true. Matt and RVD aren't quite sure how to approach one another at first, Matt trying to play nice, and Rob not trusting him. But then Matt starts throwing rights, and it's all good again. Match is pretty straightforward, with Matt throwing bombs to control, interrupted by RVD finding nifty ways to use his kicks to cut off Matt's offense. My favorite is early in the match, where Matt floors RVD and starts doing his taunt, but Rob manages to recover enough to pop up and cut him off mid-taunt with a rolling sobat. RVD is largely kept under control here, not doing anything more ridiculous than the Rolling Thunder and adjusting his scrunchie while selling a move. The finish is screwy, but not poorly done. But for all his other problems, Matt still looks aces in the ring. Just thought you should know.

Maybe I'll give that a watch, everyone has pretty much said it was awful, but it wont take much time out of my life.

Rob Van Dam vs. Matt Hardy - TNA 1/9 - NO

Worst match on the show by far. RVD is awful and Hardy was so out of shape it was embarrassing. He looked slow and unmotivated when the crowd didn't pop for him like he wanted. Awful match and I'm shocked someone actually liked it.

Hardy vs RVD - NO. Didnt offend me in the way a Davey Richards or lengthy puro juniors match would but was still really dull and lacking in any drama.

NOMINATION


Brian Christopher/Kevin White v. Derrick King/"Teen Excitement" Drew Haskins SAW 1/28

Yeah this was three quarters of an amazing match. Christopher looked lucid, polished and fit which is not a prop bet I would have taken before this show. King may have been the overall most impressive performer all night, just had his shtick down gold, bumped huge, had awesome looking offense, Just shined. Haskins is just great; if they could turn this show into something more substantive down the road I could see him being a star. His promos are already the highlight of SAW TV, and he looked twice as comfortable then the last time I saw him in the ring. The post match kids dance off was also some quality professional wrestling. They bring in 6 kids and well endowed young lady. Christopher does a great pull into guard takedown on the rat and ends up with a face full of nipples. They also have the first four kids jump around a bit, and then the fifth kid does a perfect worm and a backflip. Must have been a plant, and you have to admire the carnieness of putting a plant in a little kids dance off.

Jerry Lawler v. Bill Dundee SAW 1/28

This is what we came to see and it didn't disappoint. Both guys seem totally jazzed up by the huge crowd and Dundee was especially frisky. Early in the match Mantell forces clean breaks in the corner, but he eventually gives up and lets them fight. Dundee gets an advantage and lays in a nasty looking beating on Lawler. His punches are as good as ever, and Lawler takes a couple of his signature eating of posts. The whole thing was violent enough that I thought Lawler was going to end up calling the Royal Rumble with a pressure bandage We of course get the strap drop and big time Lawler comeback and it always great to see, although Dundee fires back and doesn't go down easy. I have to rewatch this and the other, but this feels like the best of the 21st century Dundee v. Lawler matches.

I'll refrain from saying yes or no until the DVD comes out. Drew Haskins did look great, I'd never seen him before but his character and work was well done. I didn't think Dundee looked particularly good, though his strikes still are fantastic. Lawler was great as usual. Whilst it was short, I liked Doug Gilbert a lot in his match.

Drew Haskins/Derrick King v. Jon Michael Worthington/Christian Jacobs SAW 1/15

This aired on SAW TV this week and was a pretty damn great match. Picture Perfect are kind of roided stiffs but Haskins and King are so fucking awesome that they carried them to an exciting match. Haskins is a total bump freak in this, he takes an Estrada bump to the floor, and a version of the Slaughter signature bump as well. King is spectacular too, unloading great punches, cool shtick and big bumps. The match starts with a two on one, as Jacobs hadn't arrived and DKE do a nice job stooging a bit and also laying into Worthington. Finish run was really exciting with both Picture Perfect doing big dives, King accidentally superkicking the timekeeper and a couple of big power moves leading to big near falls. Well worth checking out when it hits the web.

(BTW this is a different Nashville based SAW, then the Nashville based SAW which ran the Lawler v. Dundee fairgrounds show)

Nominate:

El Generico vs Michael Elgin, ROH 2/26

This was really awesome. Both guys do their thing and what they do compliments each other well. Generico makes with the the high-flying and getting wailed on, and Elgin mauls him. Elgin is a fucking beast, and his selling was terrific - all of Generico's low-end offence like chops and elbows merely phased him and never took him off his feet, but he made the big spots look big. The guy is also crazy powerful, not just with the force he puts behind his strikes, but he had some great power spots like countering a Tornado DDT on the oustide into a powerslam into the fucking gaurdrail and powerbombing Generico with Martini on his shoulders. The finish was also really effective at making both guys look legit. I'll be surprised if this isn't a top 5 ROH Match for the year.

Look what turned up on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXwWZuppoaA

NOMINATE


Jerry Lawler/ Dr. Tim Linder v. Bill Dundee/Dr. Brian McCarver 3/4

This is at a fundraiser for a Prevention of Child Abuse Center and is Lawler teaming with a local Primary Care physician v. Dundee teaming with a local primary care physician (the names might be the other way around, ring announcer was muddled and there are no pictures of the doctors in google). The tag team with the money mark is a classic Southern wrestling staple, and it is clear that Dundee and Lawler are masters at working shtick around untrained guys. Lawler and Dundee do their thing for most of the match, and their thing is a great thing. Dundee just lays it in, including an awesome combo series in the corner and a violent right hand. He also does hide the chain with the heel Doctor. Dr. McCarver is clearly a guy who grew up on Memphis wrestling and is totally jazzed to be playing Jimmy Hart. He enthusiastically chokes and cheapshots Lawler, and even eats a piledriver, he would be in the upper half of all the fake Jimmy Harts I have seen on various indy shows over the years. Your face Doctor has much less of a role, although he handles the Doctor v. Doctor stuff fine. Fun match which the crowd was totally into, and something that even someone not versed in the workplace politics of Chester County TN, Primary Care Hospitals would totally dig.

Yes to the doctors tag and it is an easy yes. Extremely fun tag. Dundee has been great in these Lawler matches - frankly better than Lawler. That's not a knock on Lawler as he has been good and the nature of the roles they are playing allows for Dundee to be more creative and over the top with his schtick. Actually the best guy in this was Dundee's partner who was pretty incredible for an untrained guy at working the crowd, ring positioning, selling and even bumping. He's a better Papa Briscoe, than Papa Briscoe

Nominate:

Christopher Daniels vs Claudio Castagnoli, ROH 1/15

This was far from a flawless match but I was still surprsed at how good this actually was. For one thing they did a good job of playing the big vs small psycology with spots like your classic "small guy cant powerslam big guy" spot and Daniels struggling to take Claudio down on a sunset flip only for Claudio to easily pick him up and toss him around the ring. Daniels worked over Claudio's arm for a large part of the match, and while it wasn't brought into play later, it was a smart way of letting him take over after establishing the size difference, and he had some pretty neat holds in his arsenal. The highlight was a great spot in the middle where Daniels hits a big rana on Claudio over the apron where Claudio takes a big bump to the outside. Thats then followed by Claudio catching him on a dive and swinging him headfirst into the gaurd rails. There was some stupid bullshit with Mike Bennett but otherwise the end run was pretty good and had some cool counters, my favourite being the springboard uppercut into the Koji Clutch. Daniel kind of whiffs a moonsault, but in the process he lands on Claudio's head so I'm not complaining. This was far from great but still the first Daniels match I've dug since 2006 and that alone seems worthy of recommendation. Margnal pick that will probably get some NO's, but I dug it.

Roderick Strong vs Jay Briscoe, ROH 1/15

Much like the TV title match this was actually shockingly good. It started out above average with both guys trading blows and stiffing each other but this went to another level once Jay started bleeding following getting his head violently rammed into the rail. What a fucking sick bladejob that was. I am far from a Strong fan, but he has never been afraid to work stiff and he throws some brutal shots in this, and moves like the piledriver and guilletine choke were twice as dramatic because of the bladejob. The Jay Driller through the table was a great "holy shit" spot and actually made Jay look like a viable winner, and Jay's shit-talking and nearfalls kept the finishing run dramatic despite it going longer than it should have. Best ROH title match I've seen in a couple of years.

Sami Callihan vs Alex Colon, CZW 2/12

I liked their first match some, but this was a step up and the sort of intense, awesome, hard-hitting match Sami has become known for over the last couple years. Some of Colon's stuff looked weak, but for the most part he was fine and both guys beat the shit out of each other. Some sick headbutts in particular busted Sami open hardway, and he also cut his arm open which looked grizzly. Both guys also took some wickid bumps, including Colon getting wrecklessly suplexed onto a chair on the outside.

Big yes to the doctor's tag. I didn't think much of Dundee at the Fairgrounds match, but perhaps I need to see it again when/if it makes DVD, as he was great here. Lays in the strikes like a champ, and his shtick is great. I loved the roll for the tag he did after getting slapped. And I've gotta echo what's already been said about the heel doctor, he was on fire here. Depending on the amount of wrestling I see this year, he could make the #100 spot on my WKO 100 list.

An incomplete version of the Fairgrounds tag is in that youtube link I posted a few posts ago. I thought Dundee was easily better than Lawler there.

Sami Callihan vs Alex Colon, CZW 2/12-YES

Fun match really worked in what has become Callihan's style, kind of a shorter Buzz Sawyer. The spot where Callihan KO's the awful sloppy ponytailed dipship color guy was awesome, I just wished he went back and knocked out the other commentator too. Colon is a little green, but he hit hard enough that he belonged in the match. Made me really excited for Low-Ki v. Callihan in JAPW

NOMINATION:
El Generico vs. Eddie Kingston - CHIKARA 1/23
Starts off with a great Eddie Kingston promo for calling out Claudio Castagnoli in hopes to finally face him this year. Haven't seen much of Eddie Kingston but what I've seen I liked. This matchup is an interesting one with Kingston's no bullshit approach and Generico's somewhat comedy/goofy spots and selling. A lot of stiff shots being thrown in this match as to show that Kingston isn't kidding around or wanting a sportsman like bout. Kingston does try to do the Kobashi rapid chops in the corner does look a little weak but Generico sells it pretty good. Don't know what's up with the crowd though. When there are spots when Generico asks for cheers, there are a few clapping hands but that's really about it. Evolves from the Kingston show into a more back and forth match. A really great match that's made me want to check out more Kingston.

Generico vs Kingston - NO

I am a big fan of both guys but found this to be underwhelming. Kingston is best served as working as an underdog or a bully, and tends to be mediocre when working the middle ground of a match between two equals such as this. This was a really dry indy dream match affair. There were some hard shots dished out by both guys, but also some really visibly fluffed stuff like Generico's yakuza kick on the apron missing by a country mile. The final five minutes were pretty decent with Kingston overwhelming Generico, leading to him eating a brutal brainbuster on the apron (one of the biggest bumps Kingston has ever taken?) and a hot count-out nearfall, but everything before it was dull.

Jerry Lawler/ Dr. Tim Linder v. Bill Dundee/Dr. Brian McCarver 3/4 - YES

Charming, smartly worked tag. The two untrained guys never overreached, eg Linder would throw a slap rather than try to punch his opponent. Lawler and Dundee punching each other in the face will always be entertaining. I really liked Dundee's half assed bumping, it made the KO spots more believable. Great finish.

NOMINATE

Kyle O'Reiley v. Sami Callihan IPW 1/1

O'Riely has his flaws (there is one of the worst triangles I have ever seen for a near fall here) but he is willing to work at Sami's pace and take a big beating. Callihan unloads some awesome judo throws at one point, and some sick slaps and chops. Finishing stretch muffler was sweet as well

Jimmy Jacobs v. Jon Moxley-Dog Collar Match IPW 1/1

This is as good or better then their DGUSA stuff. Moxley bleeds absolute buckets, and they do a bunch of nasty chokes and punches with the chain. There is an awesome spot where Moxley gets put into the end times, lifts Jacobs onto the ropes and turns it into a superplex. The finish is awesome with Jacobs alternating the end times with vicious spikes to the head until Moxley goes out. Fun, fun match

Phil, got a link for that show?

Nominate

Homicide vs Jon Moxley, DGUSA 1/30 (No DQ)

This was probably 'Cide's best match since his return to the indys and much closer to the Homicide we all know and love. There was no fork, but plenty of cool brawling all over the small venue with both guys beating beating each other up and smashing each other with chairs and gaurd rails. Moxley bled, 'Cide's hilo looked great and they manged to get that sense of wrecklessness which makes these kind of brawls so fun. Disliked the random Sky turn halfway through the match, and the Fingerpoke of Doom finish was mind-bogglingly awful, but Homicide kicking Moxley square in the balls before it was the ultimate dick move. Also Homicide going nuts and trying to cut out Moxley's tongue with scissors post-match was crazy.

Brodie Lee vs Sugar Dunkerton, Chikara 2/19

I was taken aback at how good this was. The angle leading up to this was Brodie powerbombing Sugar onto steps the last show, so Sugar was super fired up and out for revenge. I have never seen him before, but he looked like one of the better Chikara guys and his chops and punches were all pretty solid. Brodie was really great at working as a big man, barely even acknowledging Sugar's offence early on and beating the tar out of him. Sugar catches Brodie off-gaurd and starts going to town on working his leg over, slamming it into the post, punching and chopping at it and going for submissions (including one nifty looking Indian Deathlock). Brodie sells it tremendously, even falling out of the ring as he got to his feet at one point, and makes Sugar look like a star by the time the match is over. Shockingly good match.

Mike Quackenbush/Jigsaw vs The Batiri, Chikara 2/19 (2/3 Falls)

Maybe it's because I'm in a good mood but I also thought this was suprisingly good, if not quite as good as Brodie/Sugar. The Batiri are a little green, but most of their offence looked good and they hit their stuff really well. They main thing that impressed me about them was how well they worked as a team, busting out plenty of cool double-teams and really feeling like a pack of wolves all over their opponents. Most of the match was built around Jigsaw selling a leg injury, which is pretty much what Jigsaw is best at doing, so they managed to keep it dramatic throughout. Throw in some well done nearfalls (without going overboard) and Quack and Jig making their opponents look real good, and I thought this was a pretty good match.

I bought the DVD

NOMINATING: Trevor Murdock vs. Derek Stone Last Man Standing, 1/8 Metro Pro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sefPIboVqIQ

Not sure if this is the LMS mentioned in the other thread but it's really great, def. far better than the flawed Murdock/Sugiura, pretty much worked like a great WWE style last man standing, some props used but still enough stiff shots to keep you excited. Murdock is great, he pulls a really nasty bladejob out of god knows where, beats the other guy up big time, takes a load of SICK shit including a number of totally insane chair shots to the head that he leans right into, and his awesome stumbling selling of exhaustion is just the icing on the cake. Stone looked really good as well, aging veteran who knows how it's done and great seller, at one point Murdock smashes him sideways into a ladder and he sells like Volk Han would sell a nasty liver blow. Great intensity, great brutal action, GET THIS.

Nominate: Davey Richards vs TJ Perkins, ROH 1/28

This was more good than bad thanks to it being more of a TJP match than a Davey match. Davey's corny OTT mannerisms were still present (though this is probably the best we can expect from him), and some parts of the match were very your-turn-my-turn thanks to Davey never caring to sell or look like he's in danger for more than 5 seconds at a time, but this didn't turn into some overblown horseshit forced epic. Perkins didn't let Davey shoehorn his tired spots in and stopped it from being a spotfest (his cut-off to Davey's dive attempt was smart). Most of the matwork was pretty fun, though not as good as Perkins's best, but there were still plenty of clever and neat spots, and both guys kicked the living shit out of each other. Finishing stretch was also pretty dramatic thanks to both men going for their established submissions instead of doing a bunch of 2.9 kick-outs. Best Davey Richards match in years.

NOMINATE

Low-Ki v. Sami Callihan JAPW 3/26

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viIu2213s_o...player_embedded

Pretty much what you would expect from these two, as they just try to obliterate each other. The two running dropkicks by Ki were especially awesome, and I liked the idea of Callihan constantly spitting at him and demanding more shots. Finish was a little hinky and the crowd heat was weird, but I enjoyed this.

Low-Ki v. Sami Callihan JAPW 3/26 - NO

A lot of the time this felt like a "WE WORK EVEN" stiff-fest. I also thought this dragged whenever Callihan was on offense. There were parts I liked though, such as Low Ki knocking out Callihan with a slap, the out of nowhere deadlift suplex and Callihan absorbing chest kicks.

Low Ki vs. Sami Callihan JAPW 3/26 - YES

Tremendous match, both these guys have everything I want in a professional wrestler and they absolutely take it to eachother. Ki is great, he brings a ton of personality and structure and some of the most beautifully executed offense you'll see and he also caves Callihan's chest the fuck in with his kicks here. Callihan brings the HATE, he's not exactly the fanciest kind of pro-wrestler but he will yell and spit and do nasty as shit stuff to his opponents, here he erodes Ki's spine with a series of knees, plus he takes a missed big splash bump like a MAN. Far from a perfect match that lacks the necessary drama considering how violent it is and the surrounding with the distant camera and the anti-heat, but I still enjoyed the heck out of it.

Kyle O'Reiley v. Sami Callihan IPW 1/1 - NO. Sami was decent, mostly just doing his thing and dishing out some stiff shots, but O'Reily was in full on shitty bland generic indy kicker mode, and he didn't bring it hard enough for him hanging with Sami to be believable. All the "we are equal" stuff was also really forced, which didn't help.

Low Ki vs Davey Richards, PWG 1/29

What are the odds of two good Davey Richards matches in such close proximity? This was all about Ki returning to the indys and reminding everyone who the fuck he is, and showing the current top dog who's boss. As much as he sucks, Davey has never been afraid to work stiff, so the exchanges were as hard-hitting as you'd want them to be, and Ki really beat the shit out of Davey at points. Davey's lengthy control section was pretty dull and chinlock-y, but Ki sold it well. And the finish looked like it collapsed Davey's ribcage.

Legends Wrestle-Royale, PWG 1/29

This was just a fun spectacle most of the way, but towards the end became an actively good match. Jimmy Hart was a tonne of fun, and Chavo Guerrero was also awesome. Funk and Douglas had some really fun exchanges that brought back memories, and the final showdown with Funk and Piper was epic. Crazy Terry Funk rambling on the mic, bleeding and punching people in the face is about as pro wrestling as it gets.

Chris Hero vs Kevin Steen, PWG 1/29

Pretty fun stiff brawl. Both guys laid it in with the shots, took some nasty bumps and brawled all over the arena through the crowd. Steen, an overweight fat guy with bad knees, hitting a splash off a lighting rig was totally nuts. The final minutes were admittedly pretty bad and full of bullshit no-selling, but the rest of was good enough to overcome it.

Claudio Castagnoli vs El Generico, PWG 1/29

This was also really good mostly thanks to the contrast in styles of both guys. Classic flier vs strength kind of match. Claudio's strength spots are all pretty spectacular and Generico bumps bigtime for them. Generico could have probably sold the legwork a bit better, but it paid off nicely with the great finish. Crowd was pretty burned out at this point though, so it didn't feel as epic as it could have been.

I also dug the fourway tag, but it's pretty marginal.

Low Ki vs Davey Richards, PWG 1/29 - NO

There wasn't much overkill and the work was indeed quite stiff, so I can understand why some people here would dig it. That said, I thought this was your typical indy dream match. As usual Davey Richards' mannerisms, gestures etc were really embarrassing. When he was in control, he just came across as a guy trying extremely hard to be Benoit/Dynamite Kid. There was also a lot of questionable selling. Low Ki looked pretty good. His slap combo was easily my favorite part of the match.

NOMINATE

Jerry Lawler/Brian Christopher v. Bill Dundee/Jamie Dundee 3/2

Man alive was this great. The best of your 2011 Lawler indy run. Everyone looked great, especially Jamie Dundee who was completely off the charts here. His offense looked great, he was taking big in ring bumps and he is still awesome at being a skeezy dirtbag. There is a point where Bill is working with Christopher and Jamie is on the outside doing jumping jacks and deep knee bends, I wanted to leap through my computer and punch him in the face. Lawler looked great too, he didn't take the bumps he has been taking in other matches, as most of the heat was on Christopher, but his offense was Jerry Lawler offense. Nothing I enjoy more then watching Bill Dundee and Jerry Lawler slug it out, they do kind of a quick exchange of punches early, then have another awesome exchange later in the match, where each guy was dropping the other with bigger shots. Christopher was fine as the face in peril, and I really enjoyed the goofball finish ending in a Dutch Mantel run in to count the pin. Lawler did have to hold Jamie down for a long time, Dutch can't run as fast as he used to. If you are on this blog, reading this review, you will enjoy this match.

YES to the Lawlers v. Dundees tag.

I got a voice mail from Phil while hanging out with friends I haven't seen in years telling this match was online. I immediately halted the party and made all of my drunk friends watch this and we all fucking loved it. I actually think this might have been Lawler's best performance of the year excluding the EC match with Miz as he was bumping around, selling his ass off, punches looked great, et. Jamie was really great all around, Brian was awesome especially on the apron early in the match and Bill was fucking killing people with his shots in this. This is part punches, part schtick, all Southern. Just as novel as the Dr. tag, though this does have an ending that took a bit too long to come off quite as well as it should have. Still a pretty easy nomination and a match that makes me really consider Lawler as an early favorite for number one on my WKO ballot for 2011

Dan Barry v. Corvis Fear- Beyond Wrestling ??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whsGgmLvYvo

Fun match, they start out working a poor man's indy Navarro v. Solar. Some very cool counters and submssions, including a great Barry roll up. There is some goofy shit in the middle (including Corvis running to the back to get a Bret Hart mask), but it picks back up again at the finish, with some cool moves, counters and an awesome looking finish. I am a bigger Beyond fan then anyone else on this board, but this is good stuff.

Legend Battle Royal PWG 1/29-NO

I enjoyed Funk v. Piper, although I had built it up a little more in my head, Chavo and Jimmy Hart looked good too. Still this was too much of Vampiro and Shane Douglas, and outside of Hart and Tito the beginning was pretty bad. Who in the fuck thought Dangerous Danny Davis v. Mike Graham should be your opening workrate section?

Claudio Castagnoli vs El Generico PWG 1/29-YES

Really good little v. big match. Claudio's crazy strongman spots are pretty cool, and Generico takes them well. The fight on the top rope was very cool, and the finish was awesome. I am shocked at how much I have enjoyed these guys PWG singles matches lately.

Any links to the Lawler/Dundee tag?

Link is on Segunda Caida

Claudio Castagnoli vs El Generico PWG 1/29 - YES

Some of the leg selling seemed slightly forced, Generico still has a tendency to string moves together rather than sell, and Castagnoli feeding Generico a headlock at the start looked too obvious. A lot of the non-forearm/uppercut strikes looked like shit, as well. So not a flawless match, but I'm still giving it a yes as there were a number of really fun spots, good big vs little psychology and I didn't notice any goofy "your turn/my turn" shit. Also didn't expect the finishing stretch to be so smartly worked.

Nomination:
Kurt Angle vs Jeff Jarrett TNA 4/17

Besides some classic Russo interference and a bad finish, This was pretty good. Kurt Angle has lost his mind again with some of the bumps he took. He almost landed on his head after a Top rope Powerbomb. But he no sold that and did a top rope Angle slam. Then he did a moonsalt off the top of the cage and missed Jarrett by a mile. Jarrett was also good in taking a bunch of punishment and still winning.

Jerry Lawler/Brian Christopher v. Bill Dundee/Jamie Dundee 3/2

YES-Jamie Dundee is so awesome in this. He looks like the best wrestler in a match that has Lawler and Dundee in it. I don't know if I have higher praise than that. He's awesome telling Lawler that he doesn't care about Michael Cole and the WWF. He's awesome bumping like a lunatic for a chinbreaker. He's awesome on the apron and taunting fans on the outside. Brian's FIP is great and a hot tag that involves Lawler's strap coming down is always going to be satisfying. That school boy lasted a long time but that's minor compared to all of the excellent schtick that will always make matches like this work. It might not last long but for now this is my MOTY.

Kurt Angle vs Jeff Jarrett TNA 4/17 - NO

I somehow got the TNA PPV for free, so decided to check out Angle/Jarrett. Have to disagree with Tim as I thought the match was unintentionally hilarious, especially during the final fall. I don't see how the set up to the super powerbomb made any sense. Angle wanted to abuse Jarrett, so why was he trying to escape? The move itself looked like crap and of course Angle no-sold it so he could suplex Jarrett off the top rope. I found it amusing when Jarrett was forced to oversell after Angle's moonsault didn't connect. Angle is the worst.