Forever Forward Fridays

Maya Yukihi VS Yurika Oka - Sendai Girls 3/22/2024

JJZ: Yurika Oka is the blonde female wrestler. It was so tempting to go back to that same promotion but I really wanted to see the depth that Maya has. This was an above average opener/mid card kinda match. Slow start, nice build to some really slick offense and transitions. Maya made me a big fan of her's, mostly because she can crack! She hits hard and with purpose. Love it. Oka was also good. I was surprised how smooth she was during the second half of the match. I wasn't getting that vibe during that start. You know I love a single cam no commentary match. Brings a great vibe. These last two Friday matches were indie as fuck homie.

CJD: Single hard cam no commentary makes me feel like I'm sitting right next to JJZ watching this match. It's safe to say Maya has a mean streak after these two matches. She has been a revelation, I'm so glad we took a detour down this road! Oka brought some pep and snap to her, dare I say, plucky underdog babyface performance. The pace was one of my favorite parts of this match,  when they took it to overdrive for a half second to finish things off it popped me big time. I bought on a falsie and a half. Great little piece of action here baby, I'm glad you brought the variety with some Sendai Girls!!

Like Nikita Koloff, You Don't Wanna Make That Fatal Faux Pas

Magnum TA VS Nikita Koloff - NWA Worldwide 8/16/1986

JJZ: Baby cakes. Man oh man do I want to watch all of these matches! This is the sixth match of Koloff and TA's best of seven series. If I had to describe this match in one word it would be energy. From the crowd but more so from the wrestlers. Being 5 matches deep I thought they would be approaching it slower, but Nikita and Magnum really pushed the pace. I knew who won this already going in but the finish is what put this match over the top for me. Thought it came at a good time in the series since I'm sure they build up to it with a similar situation in an early match. Koloff is a wrestler I don't usually seek out but man have I loved both his matches we've featured. I was definitely selling him short. Way better in the ring then I remembered. Enjoy homie!

CJD: Nikita Koloff is definitely a PIF poster boy. Those wrestlers you never quite gave a fair chance, that when you check your biases at the door, often will surprise you. I'm familiar with this best of 7 series but don't think I've ever watched an entire match. So glad you got me to watch this one. The body language from both of these guys. Students of the game should take notes. It's not just selling, it tells a story beyond the physical toll. It projects the size, the scope, the stakes. This is fantastic American heavyweight pro wrestling, a style that isn't always synonymous with work rate and high energy. This match is proof they aren't mutually exclusive. That finish, and the way it's sold after, seal the deal on this all-time great match. Beautiful stuff!!

Forever Forward Fridays

Chris Brookes VS Maya Yukihi - BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS Vol 3 3/7/2023

CJD: Annnnnddd we're back!! So we've watched some bar type venue matches when we get together for our nights of wrestling viewing. But never on the blog before. And it's high time we change that! I believe Yukihi was new to me and I'm so excited to see what you come back with from her. These two work really well together in this unique setting. I was rewinding little spots and strikes like I was watching the nuance of a Fujinami VS Choshu classic. This wasn't just fun and games, although it was a highly entertaining watch. Brookes is a hell of a talent, I watched him in a lot of different styles of matches seeking this one out, and no matter where you plug him in he shines bright.

JJZ: Chris this is incredible man. This might be the most unique match we've ever shared. Definitely the smallest ring. I popped when Brookes put his foot out of the "ring" to break the hold. Besides the ambiance this was a pretty stiff, well executed match. Great back and forth with nice falsies. I literally loved every second of this match. Not gonna lie with your blessing I might dig into this promotion more and share some goodies with our friends. The tightness they were able to perform with in such a unfamiliar setting showcased the talent that both Chris and Maya have. Both wrestlers are elevated to the next level in my eyes with this match.

We're Still Here

Hello hello, just checking in to let everyone know Play It Forward isn't going anywhere any time soon. That said, real life is putting a heat segment on me and JJZ currently that would make the Andersons jealous. I don't know when we're going to get back into our normal routine around here, but we will in due time. I hope you and your loved ones had a great holiday break.

Tully, Baby, You're Trapped Behind Your Golden Bars

Tully Blanchard (c) VS Nikita Koloff - Mid-Atlantic NWA TV Championship 8/19/1987

CJD: There are other uploads of this match that have better quality video and audio, but are missing a few minutes (and it's already joined in progress). But even moreso than that, the entire experience of this version totally transported me to the late 80s, my childhood, putting random pro wrestling on TV or bringing a VHS home from blockbuster, not knowing who anyone was, and not being able to take my eyes off the screen. Total sensory overload of noise and dark shadowy larger than life violence. Grainy, loud, quick cuts to and from the action, crowd going ballistic, good VS evil. I definitely don't remember this match or feud in particular, but I do remember babyface Nikita Koloff, and thinking it was very strange as a kid. As an adult I love what a different choice it was for an 80s face, and damn was he over! And good! Koloff was never a master mechanic or anything but I'll totally admit to never giving him a fair chance for whatever reason. Tully I've come to appreciate is an all-time great heel, and the two matches we've featured here make a great case as to why. He and JJ deliver a classic performance here, but just like with the Raging Bull match we featured previously this is no carry job. Also I love the finish, I could see why some would hate it. But like you were saying with the Fernandez match, when it comes to 80s finishes when something surprises you a little bit it goes a long way. I love this run of NWA 80s goodness we've been on and love getting a chance to play this match forward to you!

JJZ: I'll totally agree with you about the finish. Totally got me. I definitely marked out when Barry jumped in. This match was fantastic. I look back to JJZ and CJD in their mid twenties and think about how much they hated a joined in progress match. With so little time on our hands these days I couldn't care less. Crowd was fire as always the case with 80s territories matches. I was impressed with a lot of Tully and Nikita's transitions. They pulled off stuff I didn't think they were capable of. And JJ added a lot to the match. A good manager is priceless. Miss those days. Great match homie!

Forever Forward Fridays

Aussie Open VS CCK - ATTACK! Pro Wrestling

JJZ: So I've seen a lot of Aussie Open matches over the past for years. Most of them are on the longer more epic side. So bringing two shorter more light matches gave me an appreciation for Kyle and Mark. What put this match over for me was the comedy touches during the match. It got more serious towards the end but the build is what made the match for me. I was not familiar with CCK before this match. Chris Brooks and Kid Lykos seemed new to me but if you told me I've seen them before I would be shocked. Side note, CCK is a stable and Travis Banks(who I do know)((not personally, from NXT UK)) is the third member. Fyi. All four man brought there A game I thought babycakes. The strikes were popping and the boys were flip flopping all around. Can't wait to hear you comments.

CJD: Chris Brooks seemed familiar to me but he may just have reminded me of Angelico. Which is interesting because in a roundabout way Angelico brought us to this match! This was some big time indie energy. Shades of old school PWG and CHIKARA. I'll be honest, I could have done with a few less thigh slappies. But the match built nicely and brought it home at the right time. A crowd pleaser for sure that left all four guys looking strong. I'm very curious to see where this one takes me next. Kyle Fletcher got to shine a bit more in this one than in other matches I've seen from them. I left this match wanting to see him in singles action, which I don't think I ever have before! Put a pin in that for later.

Forever Forward Fridays

Aussie Open VS Chuck Mambo/TK Cooper - Wrestling Resurgence 6/8/2019

CJD: When this match caught my eye, I expected two things. This match would get a little sloppy at times (especially with that indy as fuck tiny tiny ring), and the oddball pairing of these two teams would make for a really exciting dynamic. Well, check and mate. The future Sunshine Machine were so easy to root for. Credit to all 4 wrestlers for building a hot babyface struggle all match long. Aussie Open are clearly on their way to being stars. Chuck Mambo has put some real work into his craft over the years and I'm leaving these two weeks of matches a big fan. And all that said TK Cooper might have been my favorite guy in match. Everything he did had such a must see pop to it. I love how the crowd is so along for the ride, everything about the mom and pop feel to the presentation. This match feels so right for Forever Forward Fridays and gives you some real options playing forward from here!

JJZ: Jesus Chris, you're right, this match was made for Play It Forward. And baby. This might be the smallest ring I've ever seen. These four guys had such a fun match. Super independent wrestling match. Really exciting spots that popped the intimate but loud crowd. Delightful tag team moves that actually worked in the small ring. The bigger Aussie Open guy (his name is escaping me for some reason and I've watched so many of his matches) performed some good big man moves. CJD this bout was just entertaining. If we saw this at the Southhampton Armory everyone would have loved it. Good shit baby.

Matadors Chase The Bull In A China Shop

Tully Blanchard (c) VS Manny Fernandez - NWA Television Championship 2/9/1985

JJZ: So I read that Tully and Manny got into a brawl during one of the Crocket Cups. I wanted to see if they worked stiff together. Nothing really stood out to me, but this match is snug. I do hate that they are both wearing red tights fyi. Besides that, this was a good match. Manny does this thing were he makes simple moves feel so much more impactful. Like jumping as high as possible before landing an elbow to the thigh. It makes it seem so much more painful. Tully is such an amazing shitty little heel. I wanna reach through the screen and slap him. Good ending for the 80s. Thought they put a little curve ball in there. Enjoy homie!

CJD: Ha our constant pet peeve, matching tights on opposing sides! I knew you'd go there. When you and I talk legitimate sports, sometimes we bring up if a talented athlete who has the ability to win the big one, has the follow through to actually win it. Compete, killer instinct, whatever you want to call it. God damn did Tully Blanchard project having that quality as well as anyone ever did. He never got a ton of offense. But the way he would seize an opportunity, you could feel the momentum turn. Like when your favorite team is at home with a big lead but all of the sudden the away team makes a statement play. And you know in your gut the game is totally up in the air from that point on. That's the way I feel when Tully tosses Manny to the outside. These guys (and Baby Doll!) have great chemistry and this match was a blasty blast. Also extra points for putting the MDTSOCWWKD Championship on the Raging Bull VS the one member of the OG Horsemen not in our last Tuesday match!!

Forever Forward Fridays

Chuck Mambo (c) VS Flash Morgan Webster - Riot Cabaret Wrestling World Championship 10/18/2023

JJZ: So I have no clue what Riot Cabaret is, but it reminds me a little bit of BAR Wrestling which I loved. (Fuck you Joey Ryan) And Chuck Mambo is also brand new to me. I like the cut of his jib. Also digging Flash's shaggy looking beard. So right off the bat Mambo was a way better worker than I expected. His gimmick seemed to lend himself to more of a, pop in the beginning, working from under during the body, and then a babyface come back. Instead he was a grinder. Giving as good as he was getting. I really liked his moveset and the match had more depth to it than I expected. Flash was good in this match. Brought some attitude. I've always like his style and in this match I felt like he was adding a little zip to everything. Enjoy!

CJD: I'm right there with you on the cut of Chuck Mambo's jib. I was also totally unfamiliar coming in and he brought so much to the table. Really impressed! I will say my one criticism of this match, when they were trading some shots on the outside at one point, they could have added some pepper to that dry rub. Otherwise this match was everything I could have hoped for. I loved the way the brought it home. Very nice job by the commentators too. I had no idea Flash missed this much time, and while he's FFFChampion it's cool to feature such a significant match for him. I liked the way he looked a little hesitant first half, but was really cooking second half. I don't know if it was intentional, but it was very believable for someone who had just missed nearly a year. This match hit a lot of different notes and hit them beautifully.

The Horseman Turns, The Wound That Burns

Dusty Rhodes/Magnum TA/Manny Fernandez VS Ric Flair/Arn Anderson/Ole Anderson - NWA 12/28/1985

CJD: You want to talk about shine. I thought the sun was so blinding it was never gonna burn out in this one. It's so fun how matches like this give someone like Manny Fernandez a chance to show he's right there with these marquee names. Everyone brings something to the table in this match, although our MDTSOCWWKD Champion of the week AA (after a long layover) probably puts in the hardest shift of work making this well oiled machine hum. And boy is it singing. This match has a couple of cool moments you could break down, but more than anything it's a great watch and a great moment in time. Talk about building a feud with players. This was a lasagna of 80s NWA goodness!

JJZ: Damn homie. This match was wild. Especially that chair shot Arn cracked to the back of Manny's head. Wow. Really quality stuff here! The heels took an ass whooping two thirds of this match but got their licks in in the last third. This would've been a perfect match to watch with our other wrestling like-minded friends. I agree that I did come out of this really thinking Manny stood right with all of these guys. The crowd and the feel of this match made its way right through my TV screen. Great stuff!