Mr Shh Lap cheong Level: 83 Posts: 1488/1529 EXP: 5348156 For next: 84088
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#1 Posted on 31.8.16 2345.46 Reposted on: 31.8.23 2345.56
Quarterfinals, The Elite Eight
Gran Metalik d. Akira Tozawa
Kota Ibushi d. The Brian Kendrick
Time to kick off the quarterfinals, and I sadly realize we only have a couple weeks of CWC greatness left.
Thankfully, they taped new interviews with the competitors and we finally have new material for the pre-match video packages. Tozawa has the line of a lifetime: Just one German suplex, and everything’s great!
I note that the match graphics this week are perfectly synched up: Tozawa and Metalik are punching each other, while Ibushi and Kendrick are kicking each other. I’m not about to check prior episodes to confirm whether this is the first time this happened.
Match time limits have been upped to 30 minutes.
Metalik’s attire this week is blue and gold, and his pre-match video package shows he’s been changing his attire color schemes each round, a la Randy Savage at WM IV. Does that mean he’s winning the whole thing? Tozawa and Metalik start off with a couple stalemates. Metalik grabs the first advantage after hitting a perfectly timed dropkick to Tozawa as Tozawa was running the ropes. Later, Tozawa takes advantage with his own perfectly timed dropkick to Metalik, as Metalik was going for a handspring back elbow. Following that, it was constant back and forth action and nearfalls amidst dueling chants of ME-TA-LIK!/AAGGHH! Tozawa hits his beautiful deadlift German suplex, and everything’s NOT great as it only gets two! He tries unsuccessfully for a trapped German before falling victim to the Metalik Driver. This was Great.
Ibushi’s match against Kendrick was completely unlike either of his two prior matches. Kendrick had to employ his cagey veteran-osity to stand a chance. Initially, that meant staying as far away as possible from Ibushi to avoid getting his head kicked off. This did not last long. Ibushi had the advantage after a very early triangle moonsault to the outside. In an awesome bit, Kendrick tried to trap Ibushi’s foot in the guardrail to force a countout. The focus of the match eventually became Ibushi’s surgically repaired neck after Kendrick hit a reverse neckbreaker on an exposed part of a turnbuckle. Kendrick targeted the neck big time, eventually breaking out Sliced Bread #2 and a BURNING HAMMER. There was a fantastic false finish where Kendrick applied the bully choke after Ibushi missed a Phoenix Splash, calling back to Kendrick’s win over Tony Nese. One of Ibushi’s comebacks saw him hit Just One German Suplex, And Everything’s Great, for real: a German while standing on the second rope and Kendrick on the apron! Holy shit. Kendrick’s Cinderella comeback story came to an end after Ibushi hit the Golden Star powerbomb. Kendrick starts to cry, and so does his biggest supporter, Daniel Bryan, who starts to choke up on commentary. This was beautiful.
Next week: Sabre Jr/Dar and TJP/Swann
EPILOGUE! Daniel Bryan leaves the broadcast booth to come to the ring and embrace Kendrick. I think the Miz is going to have an interesting new challenger soon.
#2 Posted on 1.9.16 0837.55 Reposted on: 1.9.23 0838.05
Has anything in this tournament been as good as crafty veteran Brian Kendrick? That foot trap spot was amazing. I loved the story of the match being that he basically had no chance to beat Ibushi, and just pulling out every trick he had to almost get him.
As for the other match, I have to say that nobody's won me over quite like Akira Tozawa, although Gran Metalik has come very, very close. These two guys I knew nothing about going into the CWC, but now I'm a big fan of both guys. Tozawa's just insanely likeable, and Metalik is flat-out amazing. Nobody picked him, but I wouldn't be that surprised if he went on to win the tournament.
Mr Shh Lap cheong Level: 83 Posts: 1489/1529 EXP: 5348156 For next: 84088
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#3 Posted on 1.9.16 1213.35 Reposted on: 1.9.23 1213.45
Since: 12.1.02 From: Indianapolis, IN; now residing in Suffolk, VA
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#4 Posted on 1.9.16 1236.39 Reposted on: 1.9.23 1236.40
According to this live report from the CWC, Kendrick actually originally won the match, because Ibushi couldn't beat the countdown. Regal had to come out and restart the match.
thecubsfan Scrapple Moderator Level: 152 Posts: 5898/6203 EXP: 43783006 For next: 518756
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#5 Posted on 1.9.16 1317.57 Reposted on: 1.9.23 1318.05
It was right after the neckbreaker over the corner, though I didn't notice the edit at all. Ibushi apparently forgot or didn't know WWE has only 10 seconds out of ring, not 20 as in Japan.
These were really good matches and the emotion of the main event was incredible. It's kind of weird, because if you step back and think about it, the outcome of this tournament probably isn't that important (WWE could sign Kendrick today if they wanted to and probably will, and the only thing on the line in storyline so far is a weird looking trophy) but, for the hour the show is on every week, everyone involved completely buys-in that this is an enormously important competition, the difference between a disappointing career and making your dreams come thru. It's helped by the high level matches, especially from the second round on, but I think it's also a case of WWE doing a great job of making something feel hugely important. Case in point, this is the second time they've done the 'bonus scene' after the show close, taking advantage of the real reactions to events, it's worked outstanding both times. I don't know if I want all my wrestling to be like this, but the presentation of the CWC has been fantastic.
J. Kyle Banger Level: 104 Posts: 2483/2552 EXP: 11501159 For next: 361006
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Y!:
#6 Posted on 1.9.16 1629.46 Reposted on: 1.9.23 1629.46
Been a big fan of Tozawa since I saw him in CHIKARA's King of Trios, he's the perfect combination of technique, speed, hard strikes, and screaming words like he learned English from Terrence and Phillip. Sad to see him go.
More good stuff though, and I appreciated how Ibushi used the finesse of a roll up instead of straight standing up in a submission Ala Cena.
My wrestling watching week is going to SUCK without this show.
#7 Posted on 1.9.16 2047.28 Reposted on: 1.9.23 2047.52
One thing that helps make this show great is that it is on an island all by itself. The focus is solely on the match at hand and the announcers aren't distracting us with other "bigger" storylines like what is Stephanie McMahon doing. I think if they just ran a one hour Cruiserweight show with story's and angles it would be successful. I'm not sure how it will transfer over to Raw. And yeah this week was great.
#8 Posted on 1.9.16 2120.57 Reposted on: 1.9.23 2121.20
What's cool is it looks like they're going with a final four storyline of a clash of the four big wrestling styles & areas - Metalik (Mexican Lucha), Ibushi (Japanese Strong Style) Sabre Jr. or Dar (British technical) and Swann or Perkins (American-style high flying).
The more I think about it, the more I'm sure the winner of Swann/Perkins is going to win the whole thing (I picked Swann).
Mr Shh Lap cheong Level: 83 Posts: 1490/1529 EXP: 5348156 For next: 84088
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#9 Posted on 2.9.16 1306.02 Reposted on: 2.9.23 1306.28
Originally posted by thecubsfanIbushi apparently forgot or didn't know WWE has only 10 seconds out of ring, not 20 as in Japan.
But the referee explained the rules in the back and Ibushi didn't have any questions!
kellogs Head cheese Level: 40 Posts: 92/329 EXP: 406347 For next: 34966
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#10 Posted on 2.9.16 1557.02 Reposted on: 2.9.23 1557.39
Originally posted by thecubsfan
These were really good matches and the emotion of the main event was incredible. It's kind of weird, because if you step back and think about it, the outcome of this tournament probably isn't that important (WWE could sign Kendrick today if they wanted to and probably will, and the only thing on the line in storyline so far is a weird looking trophy) but, for the hour the show is on every week, everyone involved completely buys-in that this is an enormously important competition, the difference between a disappointing career and making your dreams come thru. It's helped by the high level matches, especially from the second round on, but I think it's also a case of WWE doing a great job of making something feel hugely important. Case in point, this is the second time they've done the 'bonus scene' after the show close, taking advantage of the real reactions to events, it's worked outstanding both times. I don't know if I want all my wrestling to be like this, but the presentation of the CWC has been fantastic.
Very well said and written. You can just watch this, enjoy it and appreciate what you have seen. Would it be nice if it was to continue and not wasted on Raw - of course it would. But maybe HHH will surprise us again and let there be some great matches on Raw so he can show what he is doing and obviously likes.
Since: 4.1.02 From: The Hague, Netherlands (Europe)
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#11 Posted on 4.9.16 0322.21 Reposted on: 4.9.23 0322.49
Wasn't Kendrick already part of the new cruiserweight division on Raw? Believing that took away some of the real emotion of the end of the match.
But yes the story of that match was great, with Kendrick trying everything to stay away from Ibushi in the beginning. Then doing everything to damage his neck more. And ohmygod that burning hammer. Wow. That was old school. That is NOT 'protect the neck' WWE style. That was beautiful.
I did figure Ibushi was going to win it but I had no clue (or preference) in the other one. It was maybe the better match of the two (barely) and just so much fun.
Since: 2.1.02 From: Kentucky - Home of the 8 time NCAA Champ Wildcats
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#12 Posted on 5.9.16 1130.13 Reposted on: 5.9.23 1130.36
I've thought since Day 1 that the final would be Sabre Jr. v Ibushi.
Here's the thing, and I recognize/admit/understand that I'm in the minority here, but I thought Kendrick won the match on points and I'm convinced that Ibushi is Japanese for Cena.
Kicking out of a Burning Hammer?
Whatever. Just go ahead and give him the trophy and save me the trouble of getting invested in the matches.
Fortunately the matches are awesome. I just have to watch them the same way I watch a basketball game without UK - enjoy it and don't care who wins.
JustinShapiro Scrapple Moderator Level: 145 Posts: 5484/5537 EXP: 36919234 For next: 684938
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#13 Posted on 5.9.16 1216.00 Reposted on: 5.9.23 1220.24
OTOH Ibushi is making guys look so good while beating them that he's getting them signed to full-time gigs. I'd say the contract trumps a trophy made by Orange County Choppers.
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#14 Posted on 5.9.16 1219.08 Reposted on: 5.9.23 1224.13
Originally posted by RudoublesedoublelI've thought since Day 1 that the final would be Sabre Jr. v Ibushi.
This is what I picked too, and I wouldn't be surprised if that was the original plan, but apparently both of those guys have turned down WWE contracts. The winner is definitely going to be somebody who has signed with WWE because why wouldn't the WWE put them over one of their own guys? I think Sabre and Ibushi getting this far is simply based on star power but that it's probably a Swann/Metalik final now.
Toast Jr Kolbasz Level: 50 Posts: 370/484 EXP: 929236 For next: 18088
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#15 Posted on 5.9.16 1228.45 Reposted on: 5.9.23 1229.01
Originally posted by RudoublesedoublelHere's the thing, and I recognize/admit/understand that I'm in the minority here, but I thought Kendrick won the match on points and I'm convinced that Ibushi is Japanese for Cena.
Originally posted by JustinShapiroOTOH Ibushi is making guys look so good while beating them that he's getting them signed to full-time gigs. I'd say the contract trumps a trophy made by Orange County Choppers.
I was sure Shapiro was chiming in to make an amazing "Kon'ta Ibu-see-me" pun, and now I am so disappointed.
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#16 Posted on 5.9.16 1349.39 Reposted on: 5.9.23 1353.21
I read something that made me think Ibushi had signed. You all made me do another search and now I see that he hasn't.
Still doesn't change my mind on the final. If anything, I think HHH sends a peace offering to NJPW this way, sort of a "Yeah, we took KENTA and Nakamura; we'll put Ibushi over and make him look like a million bucks. Let's do business when Vince retires."
If they're making the Dusty Tag Tournament an annual thing, I sure would love for WWE to open it up for teams from around the world like they did for the CWC.
#17 Posted on 5.9.16 1432.48 Reposted on: 5.9.23 1434.50
Can we avoid signing spoilers in these threads? I'm trying to avoid seeing anything that could potentially spoil the match outcomes, and knowing who's sticking around and who isn't seems like something that could affect that.
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#18 Posted on 5.9.16 1705.20 Reposted on: 5.9.23 1705.48
Originally posted by Tenken347Can we avoid signing spoilers in these threads? I'm trying to avoid seeing anything that could potentially spoil the match outcomes, and knowing who's sticking around and who isn't seems like something that could affect that.
The winner/loser of rounds has no bearing on who was hired/offered positions or not.
#20 Posted on 5.9.16 2124.11 Reposted on: 5.9.23 2129.02
Originally posted by MoeGates
Originally posted by Quezzy
Originally posted by RudoublesedoublelI've thought since Day 1 that the final would be Sabre Jr. v Ibushi.
This is what I picked too, and I wouldn't be surprised if that was the original plan, but apparently both of those guys have turned down WWE contracts. The winner is definitely going to be somebody who has signed with WWE because why wouldn't the WWE put them over one of their own guys? I think Sabre and Ibushi getting this far is simply based on star power but that it's probably a Swann/Metalik final now.
Guys, if you think they were ever going to go with anything other than "NXT conquers the world!" for the final outcome, I have a bridge to sell you.
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