It's Taue Or The Highway

Akira Taue VS Takao Omori - NOAH 4/7/2002

CJD: I was really in the mood for some NOAH Taue this week. I love how the big guy did a little of everything in his career there, but there's something about that early NOAH shit that has an element of excitement that is special. Part of that is Omori, who can be inconsistent, but is always a firecracker. Part of it is Takayama on commentary. Part of it that LIVE broadcast graphic and the Halo ad on the ring!! But this match scratched my NOAH Taue itch big time. Straight to the point, everything you want it to be. Clearly a step down from your classic Williams match but there was no way I was topping that gem. Also can you believe this is the first time in all these years Taue has held our imaginary MDTSOCWWKD Championship?? For shame!

JJZ: I watched this match two days ago, and when I was about to write my review my daughter spilled her water. Spoke too soon I guess CJD. My very first thought about this match was how goddamn impressive it is that Taue can kick above his head. I've been doing Karate for years and I can only kick around someone's waist. Taue looks like he struggles walking to the ring and then BAM! Boot to Omori's dome. I feel like Taue came out of this match looking super dominant. I was surprised that Omori was so giving in this match. I'm assuming with this being the infancy of Pro Wrestling NOAH they wanted to make sure the pillars were cemented in. I still think Omori looked decent in this match though. I didn't come away thinking he lost anything, but felt like he helped establish Taue's power in NOAH.

Forever Forward Fridays

Delirious VS Cheeseburger - ROH Pure Rules 12/23/2021

CJD: Let's give World Famous CB his flowers. I remember this match getting some buzz, and I doubt I'll ever get around to watching it otherwise. Obviously super notable in Cheeseburger's career and I'm loving the Coldest Brother right now so let's dive in! There's one main point that I know you're going to make. This match obviously deserved a crowd. Especially the last few minutes and post match. But at least this teacher and student had the chance to have this platform and do something special with it. As a match this is good, although I think actually a little shorter than it should be. As a moment this is great. Delirious made some great contributions to pro wrestling, I'm glad he had a student like Cheeseburger along the way to carry his torch.

JJZ: Oh man. Pandemic match. It's been a while since I watched a match with no crowd and I will say, I didn't mind it at all. I guess when it's not the only option it's not that bad. This was just a really excellent short story. The simple but effective storyline of trainer trainee mixed with the gimmick match was executed perfectly. Despite the terrible color guys I was totally locked in on this match. Cheeseburger's emotions really came through the screen and I liked that Delirious was that over the top super energetic Wildman. It gave the match so much more meaning. Loved the movesets and the focus on psychology. Good shit babycakes.

Blessed Be The Doctor, Blessed Be The Nurse

Steve Williams VS Akira Taue - AJPW Champions Carnival Finals 4/20/1996

JJZ: So. Chris. In my opinion this is an ace of a match. These two wrestlers busted so much ass. A true 50/50 match. Now. It's so hard to find matc5h in this era that I haven't seen before. In my heart I feel like I have never seen a singles match between Williams and Taue. Pretty much a hoss battle but very aggressive. AJPW during this time is just special Chris. We both know it without saying it. The fact that Dr. Death and Akira have a match of this quality that I have zero memory of blows my mind. Thank god for 90s AJPW.

CJD: 1996 Champions Carnival finals and I have to agree with you JJZ, I'm pretty sure neither one of us had ever seen this match. How is that possible?? I'm glad though, because this gave me those feelings some of the first All Japan we ever watched in the 90s gave me on grainy VHS tapes all over again. This was magic. From the opening moments to the ground shaking eruption of a finishing stretch. Both men gave an all-time performance. Any sloppiness is totally understandable with what an all out war this was. I knew Doc had major wins over Misawa and Kawada at this point so I knew this was a huge opportunity for Taue. Which is awesome after seeing him as an emerging star a few years earlier in our last match! What I didn't know was this was Doc's return after issues with drugs and depression that Giant Baba helped him through. Reading up a bit more, Doc called Baba a father figure in his life. I know he was to many, but for a gaijin like Williams and the significance his career in Japan had, that's pretty fucking cool. This match was Aces indeed my friend. Very nicely done.

Forever Forward Fridays

Jay Malachi VS Cheeseburger - DEADLOCK Pro Wrestling 4/16/2022

JJZ: Talk about indie wrestling. Overhead panel lighting. Local top talent versus incoming indie darling. Over the top commentators. Let's go! This was a super light, fun watch. Malachi played a shitty little heel really well. Made him and CB look great. And I'm not gonna lie. I didn't know the Cheesebuger had all that in his bag. The back and forth strikes were way stiffer than I expected. Enjoy this one baby cakes. FFF has really opened us up to some true gems that we probably would've never seen. I wouldn't have picked a Cheeseburger match normally. But this is what I love about putting ourselves on a one way street.

CJD: You nailed my feelings about this match. This is what's beautiful about indie wrestling, these guys are not exactly known quantities here. Malachi is early in his DEADLOCK run, I think they said his first singles match, and Cheeseburger making his debut? And they fucking knock it out of the park. A match that communicates everything you need to know whether you're 8 years old or have been watching pro wrestling for decades. Great physical action, creativity, a fun face/heel dynamic, good pace, just the right kind of finish. I never ever would have told you I'm a Cheeseburger fan before. I was wrong! Like you said I never gave the guy a chance and I'm so glad you gave me the opportunity to correct that. He was a gem here, bringing a seasoned veteran presence that only a true student of the game could. Who has put in the reps! And I loved this side of Malachi. What a find JJZ! I can't wait to watch more World Famous CB!!!