Forever Forward Fridays

Masha Slamovich VS Jacob Fatu - Wrestling REVOLVER 11/16/2023

JJZ: So Fatu is so violent I was super curious how stiff this was gonna be. Masha can really bring it, you know she wasn't going to back down at all. Wrestling Revolver brings a high standard with the production quality. Just a little shout out. I thought both wrestlers really fucking went for it without going over the line with the physicality. Just a stiff straight forward shot for shot match that was a lot of fun with a hot crowd. A ton of big pop spots. Some good falsies and a lot of hard striking. Enjoy.

CJD: I don't know about that Tussle Cam John. Not a fan. And that's my only criticism of this match! What a banger and clanger. I thought this was actually a little more even than Masha VS Bayne. Which is a credit to both matches, and how the different opponents brought a different approach, with Masha adapting beautifully to both. She looked like a total world beater against Fatu and it was very realistic how even it felt. The show of respect post match was a nice touch. I'm so glad we found our way back to Slamovich, she always brings it, and I've watched way too much MLW to check out what Fatu was up to. Looking forward to seeing some more of his contemporary work... perhaps??

A Mad Dog, You've Got Nothing I Can Use

Buzz Sawyer/Matt Borne VS Bart Batten/Brad Batten - World Class 8/22/1986

CJD: I don't think I watched quite as much Buzz as you did Sullivan, but I did watch much more than it normally takes to play a match forward. Mad Dog was a personal favorite once upon a time but over the years as I've seen more and more I'd struggle to call him great. Maybe great in small doses which would help explain why he bounced around so much. Now I'm going to shoot straight on this one brother. I have no fucking clue who the Battens are. The US Express? Seriously? If this isn't the match of their career I'd be blown away. But even if it is that's nothing to be ashamed of. Both teams had the Sportatorium rocking and rolling and the booking is really effective leading up to a tag tournament. The Maniac and the Mad Dog are such a natural team, and Borne is someone I have more and more time for over the years. Although I am very curious if you can find a MAN UP Batten VS Batten hidden gem to come back at me with instead!!

JJZ: US Express? Who-ttens? Babycakes, the fact that these two wrestlers are so brand new to me is crazy. They were over. That crowd was so into them. Buzz and Matt beat the living shit out of them. That suplex to the concrete was sick. I know Cactus taking the powerbomb to the outside from Vader was considered insane, but a standing suplex positions you even higher. Ridiculous do to in a quick TV match. Shout out to Buzzy boy on those boots. Love it! 80s wrestling movesets are so interesting because they always drop in little things that I wouldn't expect. That knee off the top was pretty brutal. Really enjoyed how I spent these last 10 minutes.

Forever Forward Fridays

Masha Slamovich VS Megan Bayne - Beyond Wrestling 11/11/2021

CJD: Happy 4th PIF fam!! And what's more American than comic books?? John I know you love talking comics! Well this match was Wolverine VS Thor. Masha just wouldn't. Stay. Down. This wasn't always pretty but a match like this shouldn't be. I watched a good bit of the Megasus before landing on this match, and you can consider me a big fan. She does so many little things that draw you in. I've seen some opinions really go both ways on her but I think part of that is she legitimately garners heat in more of a throwback way. Masha is always a blast, I hadn't watched her in a little while, and I'm very curious to see what you come back with!

JJZ: Dude! That dead lift powerbomb popped the fuck out of me. This was such a good one. The aggressive non stop energetic offense of Masha was perfect to try to combat Megan's power and strength. Masha coming out of the gate with some sneaky shit was great psychology. Haven't seen Masha in a minute also. Really love her in ring style. Megan is really good. Her two matches we played forward really impressed me. I think she has star power. Masha is an indy darling but I think Megan will be in WWE at somepoint. Or not. Who fucking knows. Great match either way!

For Boston, For Boston, Thy Glory Is Our Own

Kevin Sullivan VS Buzz Sawyer - GCW 4/5/1982

JJZ:  So we are staying in the same era for Sullivan so instead of the Prince of Darkness (even though it says it in the upload description) we have the Boston Battler. Again in this match Kevin showcases some real technical wrestling abilities combined with a two dollar steak level of toughness. I've never been too high or low on Buzz. He wrestles like a gritty legit hard nosed heel. Honestly he just looks like a real brick. Perfect bad guy for the 80s. I've had to watch a lot of Sullivan's matchs to get to this one and I'll say this period of his in ring career is definitely my favorite.  The ending left me a little disappointed, but it was 80s wrestling so I should see it coming. The beginning and middle had enough story that the finish didn't matter too much. Both guys really laid it in for the entire match and you know I'm all about the meat slappies. Hope you dig it brother.

CJD: I love this era of Sullivan, I wish he had incorporated more of this into the rest of his career. Although I do appreciate how far he pushed the envelope for his time. This match was as snug as it gets. Every transition was earned and logical, with bad intentions. Which is also impressive because, as you said with Kevin's work in these early days, there was some real technical work compared to what I'd expect. These two suspended my disbelief so thoroughly I went through a few Sullivan interview clips to see if there was a real issue there. And while he confirmed just about nobody "got along well" with Buzz, he said they actually had good working relationship. That makes me appreciate the level of give and take here that much more. And I didn't mind the very 80s finish at all, I'd love to see the next match they were setting up. I know you had to put in some work to land on this one babycakes and I appreciate that blue collar effort, much like the workmanship that went into this match!

Super Fabulous The Patterns Have Been Updated

Kevin Sullivan (c) VS Steve Keirn - GCW NWA TV Title 2/28/1981

CJD: You want to talk about suspending disbelief and exceeding expectations. This match right here is exhibit A. This is the earliest I've seen from either guy and it's definitely a novelty seeing this flavor of the Taskmaster compared to what he went on to become. The promos before and after the match are a nice bonus, nothing special but really help build that ambiance. The match would stand on its own merits either way. This is really a piece of kick ass pro wrestling especially by 1981 standards. It makes me want to watch every match Sullivan and Keirn ever had against each other. When I think about the craft of pro wrestling this is the kind of work I look for. These are clearly two students of the game and it shows. And I love that the tiny studio crowd is so along for the ride!

JJZ: Chris, this was delightful. Loved the before and after promos. And I fully agree. I want more of this feud. Also I got such a kick out of Gordon repeatly going back to the body building competition. Didn't know Kevin ever was that ripped up. He did look like a million bucks. The match itself was so good. I mean just a great feud building match. The mindset of the Taskmaster to milk the clock was such a smart heel move. First just slapping on headlocks and armbars. Then running away to push Keirn over the edge. Just great stuff.

Forever Forward Fridays

Tam Nakano (c) VS Megan Bayne - World of Stardom Championship Stardom 8/13/2023

JJZ: So I was curious to see how this speed VS size and power match up would be. We get a few minutes into the match between Megan and Tam and I'm considering turning it off because it is starting a little slow. Then the big oh fuck spot happens out of nowhere. I was like yeah we're good. Loved that real early big spot. Watching Nakano work from under and building to hope spots made for a edge of my seat watch. Bayne came through looking pretty comfortable in this monster role. I liked her moveset and thought she did a great job hitting harder when the time was right. Tam is a beast. Love her engery and plucky underdog mentality in this one.

CJD: This is why I love the different perspectives of our reviews. I thought the first 5 minutes of this match were the strongest! Bayne established herself perfectly. The rest was good too but man did they hook me big time early on. Both women had a really good sense of how to build suspense before delivering the big moments. Kind of a weird side note, why was the pretty hot crowd 100% dead after the great finish? Was that just a weird audio edit? That felt really surreal. Anyway, great match!! I'm totally green on Megan Bayne but can't wait to learn more. Tam was a treat these past few weeks!

Look High, It's My Last Hope

Chavo Guerrero VS Steve Keirn - Houston Wrestling Loser Painted Yellow Match 1/31/1986

JJZ: Love me an 80s gimmick match. As soon as I read loser gets painted yellow I said, I'm in! So the match itself is really just a bar fight in the ring. Steve and Chavo throwing potatoes and kicking the shit out of each other for 15 minutes was entertaining enough but the aftermath was wild. I thought they'd paint a couple stripes down the losers back but I was dead ass wrong. They were slinging the paint around the ring with no regard for the fans. Felt like I found a hidden gem on a VHS best of tape. Enjoy homie.

CJD: I'm going to admit baby. I'm a little hot. Because when I played the Mexican Death Match that follows this match up for you and the gang at one of our all night wrestling sessions... I got laughed out of the living room! And it's become an inside joke for years!! Tsk tsk. Tut tut. This match is a good grinding brawl. Not as good as the MDM (and the results of the DVDVR 80s set agrees!), but a really great heel performance from Keirn in particular. Like you mentioned some of those little shots they were throwing in between transitions were nasty as hell. And the post match angle is maybe even better than the match itself. I love this choice in all seriousness, because the Guerreros VS Fabulous Ones feud deserves its day in the sun! Well played JJZ.

RIP Sabu

Here are four Sabu matches we've shared over the years. They're all pretty great in different ways. There's a lot of feelings that I'm sure we're all going through as fans that I don't know how to put into words. RIP to as legendary of a performer as our generation ever had.

RIP Sa Fuckin Bu

I'm Your National Anthem, God, You're So Handsome

Gino Hernandez (c) VS Chavo Guerrero - Houston Wrestling NWA International Jr Heavyweight Championship 5/22/1981

CJD: John. This match right here. What a find. I wish I was sitting next to you discovering this match together. It's maybe not a MOTYC or what have you. Or maybe it is?? I don't know anymore. All I know is there's so much to love here. Before the match, in each fall, after the match. I'll say it right now. I was wrong about Gino. In these two matches I saw everything I ever heard about his insane potential and then some. He shined brighter than Chavo Classsic in this, and you know I love me some Chavo Guerrero! Houston in the late 70s and early 80s seems like a truly special territory based on the run we've been on lately my partner in crime!

JJZ: Right from the start of this match the feel of it was big. Bringing in the special ref is always a nice little twist. Wish he worked on his counts, come on Lou! Most wrestlers have a hard time slapping the mat for some reason. Im'ma start calling Gino the Furnace because he is a heat producer. He was born to be a heel. The front headlock work in the first fall was brilliant. It focused on the neck to lead up to the leg sweep. Classic second fall with Chavo getting a big burst of offense for a quick explosive pin. Beautiful back and forth leading to the third fall. Hot crowd with everything hitting on point and with purpose. The juice is definitely worth the squeeze in this one!

Forever Forward Fridays

Mayu Iwatani VS Tam Nakano - Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix 8/15/2023

CJD: I didn't know what direction I wanted to go with Mayu, except that I've seen her in a good amount of big title matches. And I wanted something different. Now I'm highly sleep deprived with a sick kid at home, so this shotgun style slamjam of a match was just what the doctor ordered! I've seen a little of Tam but I know I'm way more ignorant than I should be of her work. These ladies went for broke with this one and the crowd ate it up. They had me with a real rooting interest by the end which is a credit to the little touches they added. Everything wasn't perfect but that wasn't what this match was about. And I wouldn't change a thing!

JJZ: Watched this match on a park bench at the playground! Wow, this was so much more stiff than I was expecting. It felt like all the strikes landed with such force. The trading of blows and high intensity spots really made this feel like a slamjam of a match for certain.  My favorite spot of the match was the rolling German suplexes. The high angle drop point made me turn my head a little and say ooooooo. Tam and Mayu really impressed me in this match. Getting to dive deeper into Nakano's match bank is getting me pumped CJD!