Smells Like Team Spirit

John Cena VS Dolph Ziggler - WWE Steel Cage Match 1/14/2013

JJZ: Let's bookend this son of a bitch CJD! After the ladder match with Dolph had some sneaky interference, John Cena finds a way to eliminate the distractions so he can get his revenge on Ziggler in a STEEL CAGE MATCH! This was the blow off to the Cena/Ziggler feud as a RAW main event. I think using a cage as a tool to keep AJ and Big E out of the ring and not as a weapon to punish Dolph was a good way to not expect the blood and guts that a steel cage match usually comes with. Great story telling in the ring. Loved the falsies. Big E looked like such a monster at this time. I loved that what won Ziggy the match at TLC played into the finish of this match for a satisfying conclusion. Enjoy homie.

CJD: I was so close to watching this match instead of my ladder match, and I was already in the mood for more Cena, so you made my freezing cold day with this pick John! I love the rare instances we hold up our imaginary title for the week and feature a rematch. And I love really well done TV main event wrestling. And this was both of those things! I didn't love the angle that brought AJ and Ziggler together, but this trio together were one of my favorite things about this era of WWE. They had such a fun dynamic, and similarly I am a total sucker for Cena and Dolph as opponents. These two matches were a treat, and I'm tempted to go back to Big Match John yet again, but I think I think I'll take a break from the WWE machine and dig into some Nic Nemeth instead.

I Spent Twenty Plus Years Seeking Knowledge Of Self

John Cena VS Dolph Ziggler - WWE Money In The Bank Briefcase Ladder Match 12/16/2012

CJD: I'm so so curious if you've seen this match before. I'm half expecting you to tell me we've watched it together, or that you've at least seen it with the gang. But on the off chance you haven't, this was my favorite of a couple of different options I considered for Cena. Big Match John was always so good at slaying monsters, but I love when he wrestles like a bit of a monster himself against more athletic opponents. This is my favorite era of Dolph's career, even though the angles surrounding this match don't add much for me. What these two guys did with this ladder match though does a hell of a lot for me! This was physical, dramatic, and made great use of every minute it got. It's amazing how varied Cena's career was when you dig into it. I'm really glad you steered us this way to sync up with his recent retirement.

JJZ: Babycakes! Yes I have seen this match. Not gonna lie, I only remembered two things. The finish and Cena getting busted around the eye. So this was pretty much getting to see it with fresh eyes. Dolph has always been someone I liked. I always dug his wild selling and body flailing offense. Cena and Ziggler used the ladder very economically which was a nice change of pace since most ladder matches do everything and anything with the ladder. Shout out to my favorite ladder match which also had Dolph in it. Him vs Luke Harper. You said this was dramatic and that is the best way to sum this match up, obviously this feud wasn't over after this match. Would love to watch more. I know Dolph was the heel but he always worked from under which gives you a different version of John Cena to watch. Great stuff.

Forever Forward Fridays

Sabian (c) VS LuFisto - CZW Junior Heavyweight Championship 12/8/2007

CJD: We've played forward intergender LuFisto matches before. We've played forward LuFisto matches that get extreme before. But I don't think we've played forward a LuFisto match quite like this before! This gets complicated and problematic, clearly on commentary, but also at times in the ring. This match is also freaking awesome. Do we watch it with 2026 lenses and omit it from our forward thinking Fridays? If that's your vote, I'll scratch this one and pick a different match. But I think we owe this moment in pro wrestling history its due, warts and all. Everyone came to play in this match and they took the crowd on a ride. I am glad I watched it and I'm glad LuFisto has it up for you to watch some classic CZW balderdash baby cakes!! Prepare to enter the combat zone!!

JJZ: Play It Forward has made me a fan of a lot of wrestlers but maybe none more than LuFisto. You were so right, this commentary does not age well at all. As far as the match itself, it's fantastic. Sabian plays such a good shitty little heel. I'm genuinely rooting for Lufisto to lay some shit in. When she dumped Sabian on his head I let out a "fuck yeah!" Can you imagine if LuFisto was in her prime in 2026? She was so ahead of her time. That chair shot was fucking brutal. That stomp was crazy. Good shit!

Forever Forward Fridays

Vita VonStarr VS LuFisto - CCW 2/19/2022

JJZ: Shout out to the women in the front row with the Iverson jersey. LuFisto. Without doing any research I'd say she is one of our top FFF Champions. And for good reason. The Wounded Owl seems to always deliver such quality wrestling matches in every promotion. Her polish really shines on these independent shows. I love that we got to showcase Vita in two different types of matches. In this Capital Championship Wrestling match she really displayed her athleticism and her fancy footwork. Got a classic indy feel between  Lufisto and VonStarr. I always enjoy a vet versus a rising young up and comer.

CJD: Classic indie feel to this match indeed. I really liked the way little things Vita did had to be built up to and earned that much more against a force like LuFisto. The Wounded Owl Ronin is such a bright spot every time we feature her, and is definitely on my short list of most underrated all-time. I did think the last little stretch of this could have used one more twist or turn, but that also speaks to how much I was enjoying where the match was taking me. This was two very different sides of VonStarr in the best way possible, and similarly I'm going to try to find something a little different for LuFisto since we've already featured her in so many different settings. Great way to start my Friday with this bout!

I Am Alive And Not A Second To Waste

John Cena VS AJ Styles - WWE 10/11/2025

JJZ: You know I've been on a huge John Cena kick with his recent retirement. So when I saw you Played Forward a Styles match to me I couldn't wait to play back to you what is my 2025 match of the year. A lot of people have different opinions about Cena's retirement tour and mine is that I liked it. It wasn't perfect but I very much doubt anyone can hit all homeruns for a year straight. I loved John and AJ's feud on a whole. All of their matches were great and we've watched a few of them together. I think Styles really brought out a better wrestler in Cena. First off here, the fucking crowd. Dude, incredible. The fans really showed up and out for Cena the entire year. No one knew that Cena was gonna give the ring announcer a special introduction for AJ. Not even her. In an interview I listened to Cena said he did it because he just wanted to do something nice for his guy. I loved how simple yet sweet that was. The match itself is a love letter to Cena's biggest WWE rivals and Styles' TNA rivals. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

CJD: I enjoyed this match. I think it's safe to say you enjoyed it more than me. But as I was saying to you on the phone, this is just a little more up your alley than mine. And it's great that wrestling can be different things for different people in that way. Especially this kind of match with all its pomp and circumstance, the unique crowd, an all time career coming to an end, the final chapter of a great feud. Or maybe more of an epilogue. The intros and first 10 minutes gave me chills. The love letter to their greatest rivals, for me, was a bit too tongue in cheek. I can't argue with the reaction it got, and the commentators did a fantastic job with a tough hand dealt to them balancing between a tribute routine and a great match. I will say that it was a bit like a joke that you don't think is funny, but then gets dragged on for such a ridiculous amount of time, you can't help but laugh. I was in on the joke too by the end, whether I wanted to be or not. This was a feel good match that did so much right, that I'll gladly say "different strokes for different folks" for the stuff I didn't love. I'm always game to Beat Up John Cena one more time, and I'm happy you got me to sit down to this one. Oh and this was a fun crossover choice for the episode of PLUR1BUS I just watched! Not going to spoil more than I already have with that!

It Was In The Bleak December

Raven VS AJ Styles - TNA NWA World Heavyweight #1 Contender's Match 3/12/2003

CJD: This match is so fucking TNA. The good, the bad, the ugly, the unintentionally hilarious. I love it. They packed a lot into not a ton of time, maybe a little too much, but I certainly didn't leave this one disappointed. Raven is an interesting figure in wrestling history. I never cared a ton about him in particular, but he was always involved in stuff I enjoyed. He brought a great creative energy with him, and clearly tried to elevate a lot of the younger guys along the way. I'm glad we spent a little time with Johnny Polo these past few weeks and I'm wondering if this is the first time we've ever featured the Phenomenal One?? Side note this AJ entrance song is such a guilty pleasure

JJZ: WHO WON! WHO WON! Lol wow. That was a lot of fun to watch babycakes. I fully agree that this match is so TNA. Raven was good in this match. I was never really a fan of him post WCW but he put together a good story and all of his moves actually looked pretty good. And not just because he was working AJ. Styles really could have a good match with a broom. I got a kick out of the commentary table and Double J's shirt. So fucking tight. The ending was what it was but I didn't even care. This was pure 2000s wrestling junk food in the best way.

Forever Forward Fridays

Lady Frost VS Vita VonStarr - CFU 3/12/2022

CJD: On the subject of different flavors for a FFFriday match, I present you with exhibit B. This match wouldn't particularly get any sort of star rating from me. But I really enjoyed the presentation, the slightly goofy backstage interviews, and the different setting for these wrestlers than I was expecting. I'm positive if I dug deeper I could find better matches from both ladies. But for what this was I was very entertained, and I bet you will be too. Variety is the spice of life, and I was pleasantly surprised by the extra seasoning and then the simplicity of how they wrapped this one up.

JJZ: Man do I wish they gave this more time. The production quality was great, I liked the little before match interviews. Loved the idea of rounds in a cagematch. Vita and Frost felt like they were building to something big before the suprise finish. Now we have both been live for a out of nowhere earlier than expected finish (Bryan Danielson vs Colt Cabana for example) that really built into a good longterm story line. So maybe that is what they are going for? I dunno. Either way I like the cut of CFU's jib and will look out for more of their stuff in the future.

Forever Forward Fridays

Lady Frost (c) VS Chelsea Green - Hurricane Pro Women's Championship

JJZ: OK, so I watched this match and loved how indy wrestling it was but felt it lacked enough that I said I'll find another match to play forward. I watched a couple Green matches but I kept thinking about this match with Lady Frost. The very patchy crowd that when someone yelled something you could hear and see them so clearly. The weird ring announcer at the start of the match. Chelsa basically committing a crime after crawling out from under the ring. The fake snowballs from Frost. Did they give her power? The beautifulness and weirdness of independent wrestling wrapped into twelve minutes. Super curious to read your review.

CJD: Well this was a different flavor for us, even on a FFFriday. I'd seen a little of Lady Frost before so I had an idea of what to expect there, but this side of the Hot Mess was totally new to me. And it was certainly a wild ride! It had to be so tough for young wrestlers learning their craft through the pandemic years. For so many reasons. But when they finally got the chance to try some of this stuff out in front of thriving crowds, it must've been so worth all the struggles. This match was goofy as hell but it also had a little extra pop and sizzle. They put some stank on it, and for any criticisms you can make, I won't ever forget this match! I for one applaud your choice to play it forward. And I loved your comments on what a beautiful package of indie wrestling this is.

Forever Forward Fridays

Pentagon Dark VS Reklusa - Lucha Underground 10/10/2018

CJD: I know I should be familiar with Chelsea Green. But I'm not, and that's the beauty of FFFridays. This match I never would've watched otherwise broadens my horizons with a very talented wrestler, in the early stages of her career, who I now have an entire world of possibilities for when I check out more of her work in the future. I can't wait to see what you come back with. Even 4 years into the business she brings so much life to this match, a must-see energy that you know Penta is going to match. As with most Lucha Underground they're trying to weave this into a larger storyline and I don't know if it's entirely necessary, but it's part of their charm. This was a wild ride for a match that I totally picked on a whim. I think you'll enjoy hopping on!

JJZ: I've been wanting to watch this match for a while. I honestly never checked the Tube for it because I've never had luck with Lucha Underground on that platform. Also I didn't know her name was Reklusa in LU. I should be calling her Chelsea Black and Blue after this match. (Sorry for the horrible joke) Man CJD, this was a blast. Lucha Underground is always such a joy to watch and matches like this are exactly why. Super stiff with a ton of "oh shit" spots. Reklusa went all out trying to have an even offensive output despite her size difference. Penta should teach a class on thigh slappies. Sounded so good. Really enjoyed the little theater we got treated to after the match. Honestly wouldn't put it past Lucha Underground to set Penta on fire!

Throw The Dice, Cold As Ice

Raven VS Dean Malenko - WCW 2/11/1998

JJZ: Threw this match on and didn't really know what to expect. Technically I always thought Raven was a little underrated and wanted to see if he'd be able to have a nice back and forth with Dean. That didn't happen at all! This was right in that ECW vein and both guys did a really nice job with a smash mouth match. I always enjoyed Raven's run in WCW. It was a good change of pace on the shows. I wouldn't call anything Malenko ever does sloppy so I will say that the execution of the moves were a little wild and more aggressive than normal. Even with the short run time the ending had me bitting a couple times. Just good TV overall. Enjoy homie.

CJD: Very fitting to watch this match right after the Raven documentary came out. I wouldn't be surprised if both of us watched this live with how dialed in we were in this era. And man this takes me back to how frustrating WCW was in this time period. Commentary a total trainwreck with Tenay trying desperately to keep it on the tracks. Enormously bloated roster shoehorned into every angle to try to justify having them all on the payroll. And buried beneath all of it, somehow still shining if you look hard enough, some shockingly good wrestling! These two worked so well together. And every time they pushed Malenko I was surprised how much he'd run with it, with consistently great crowd reactions. I do remember hating the "Raven loves pain" angle they were working at the time, although I could easily see that being his own invention. I'm curious if he ever mentioned it in any shoots. This match was not at all what I expected from you this week but it's such a fun detour. A perfect time capsule of the undercard of 1998 American TV pro wrestling, with all the highs and lows that came with it.