Star rating key:
(negative stars) = Huh?! (BS finish; most squash matches)
DUD = Boring match (or could not enjoy the match)
1/4* to 3/4* = It had watchable moments.
* to *3/4 = Average match.
** to **3/4 = Above average match.
*** to ***3/4 = Great match; usually saved for PPVs
**** to ****3/4 = Match of the year candidate
***** = The rarest of all matches. A classic.
_________________________________
7/25/08 Smackdown:
Shelton Benjamin vs. Jimmy Wang Yang: 1/2*
Festus vs. Curt Hawkins: 3/4*
Vladimir Kozlov vs. Stevie Richards: 1/4*
The Great Khali vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. MVP vs. Jeff Hardy vs. The Big Show vs. Umaga (Battle Royal to face Triple H at SummerSlam): **
Michelle McCool vs. Maryse: 1/2*
Brian Kendrick vs. Shannon Moore: DUD
Is it just me, or does Brian Kendrick's character sound gay too? JR and Foley were spot on though; Kendrick does look like Brian Pillman.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
7/22/08 ECW
Star rating key:
(negative stars) = Huh?! (BS finish; most squash matches)
DUD = Boring match (or could not enjoy the match)
1/4* to 3/4* = It had watchable moments.
* to *3/4 = Average match.
** to **3/4 = Above average match.
*** to ***3/4 = Great match; usually saved for PPVs
**** to ****3/4 = Match of the year candidate
***** = The rarest of all matches. A classic.
_________________________________
7/22/08 ECW:
Tommy Dreamer vs. Colin Delaney: 1/2*
Evan Bourne vs. James Curtis: **
Matt Hardy vs. Finlay vs. Miz vs. John Morrison: ***3/4
(negative stars) = Huh?! (BS finish; most squash matches)
DUD = Boring match (or could not enjoy the match)
1/4* to 3/4* = It had watchable moments.
* to *3/4 = Average match.
** to **3/4 = Above average match.
*** to ***3/4 = Great match; usually saved for PPVs
**** to ****3/4 = Match of the year candidate
***** = The rarest of all matches. A classic.
_________________________________
7/22/08 ECW:
Tommy Dreamer vs. Colin Delaney: 1/2*
Evan Bourne vs. James Curtis: **
Matt Hardy vs. Finlay vs. Miz vs. John Morrison: ***3/4
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
7/21/08 RAW
Hopefully I can keep this up during the school year, but I highly doubt it. Basically just rating matches on my version of a five-star scale. I touched on the criteria I look for in wrestling matches back in my July 7, 2008, entry.
_________________________________
Star rating key:
(negative stars) = Huh?! (BS finish; most squash matches)
DUD = Boring match (or could not enjoy the match)
1/4* to 3/4* = It had watchable moments.
* to *3/4 = Average match.
** to **3/4 = Above average match.
*** to ***3/4 = Great match; usually saved for PPVs
**** to ****3/4 = Match of the year candidate
***** = The rarest of all matches. A classic.
_________________________________
7/21/08 RAW:
Lance Cade vs. Paul London: DUD
Beth Phoenix vs. Kelly Kelly: 1/4*
John Cena & Cryme Tyme vs. JBL, Cody Rhodes, & Ted DiBiase: 3/4*
Paul Burchill & Katie Lea vs. Mickie James & Kofi Kingston (intergender): 1/4*
D-Lo Brown vs. Santino Marella: DUD
CM Punk vs. Batista (World Title): *
The Chris Jericho promo between the Cade match and the Beth match was well done. The crowd was definitely into the segment with Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Jerry Lawler, and Rhodes/DiBiase. John Cena is clearly getting fewer boos from the crowd since teaming up with Cryme Tyme. The double FU at the end was pretty cool.
_________________________________
Star rating key:
(negative stars) = Huh?! (BS finish; most squash matches)
DUD = Boring match (or could not enjoy the match)
1/4* to 3/4* = It had watchable moments.
* to *3/4 = Average match.
** to **3/4 = Above average match.
*** to ***3/4 = Great match; usually saved for PPVs
**** to ****3/4 = Match of the year candidate
***** = The rarest of all matches. A classic.
_________________________________
7/21/08 RAW:
Lance Cade vs. Paul London: DUD
Beth Phoenix vs. Kelly Kelly: 1/4*
John Cena & Cryme Tyme vs. JBL, Cody Rhodes, & Ted DiBiase: 3/4*
Paul Burchill & Katie Lea vs. Mickie James & Kofi Kingston (intergender): 1/4*
D-Lo Brown vs. Santino Marella: DUD
CM Punk vs. Batista (World Title): *
The Chris Jericho promo between the Cade match and the Beth match was well done. The crowd was definitely into the segment with Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Jerry Lawler, and Rhodes/DiBiase. John Cena is clearly getting fewer boos from the crowd since teaming up with Cryme Tyme. The double FU at the end was pretty cool.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Pro wrestling classics
Over the past few days, I have been able to watch many pro wrestling matches that Dave Meltzer (perhaps one of the most well-known authors and insiders on pro wrestling) has rated very high on his stringent star-rating "formula." Meltzer is one of a bunch of people who gives star ratings for pro wrestling matches, but his are arguably more valued because of his all-around knowledge of pro wrestling. He doesn't just watch WWE wrestling, but also matches from TNA, Japan, Ring of Honor, etc. Out of the tens of thousands of matches that have taken place in the last 25 years or so (now well over 100,000), Meltzer has only given the coveted 5-star rating about 65 times. Just FOUR are from WWE.
In fact, I've seen that Meltzer actually gives NEGATIVE stars for matches. One site showed that Meltzer actually gave a -***** (that is a NEGATIVE 5-star rating) for a match between Roddy Piper and Mr. T at WrestleMania II. It's obvious why: it was a pathetic BOXING performance. It's not that boxing is pathetic; but to have a trained pro wrestler and a trained actor do something totally out of their element is usually going to end up in disaster no matter how you slice it.
Now, a lot of people, myself included, don't always agree with Meltzer (or any other person giving ratings). It's understandable; people obviously differ in what he or she believes should be considered a classic bout. It gets even more controversial when one person gives a match ****1/2 while another would give it **** or *****. What's the difference between 1/2 a star? It's all subjective.
There is, and never will be, a set formula for rating matches. There are certainly categories, things to look out for, when rating a match. Here are some of the things I look for in rating a match.
(1) Crowd reaction: This is by far the most important category I look for when rating a wrestling match.
(2) Action: I tend to give higher ratings for matches that devote little time to "down time," or a time for wrestlers to catch their breath. Holds not meant for submission purposes are still fine, but if you go to the well too often on that to slow the match down, I take off points. It's likely why matches with big men are less likely to get good ratings in my book. In short, non-stop action where people kick each other's ass in a flashy manner = better ratings.
(3) Reversals: Timely reversals are key for a good match. It shows chemistry in the ring, it shows the wrestler doing the reversal actually wants to win, and it shows athleticism. One of the many reasons why a straightforward match will never score more than *** in my book.
(4) Big spots: I mark out BIG TIME for matches using weapons or dangerous spots. A lot of matches high on my list involve weapons (i.e. TLC matches, last man standing matches, ladder matches, etc.). Also, if not using weapons, I like spots where people will dive over the top to the floor. The more unlikely the person doing it, the more likely it gets a higher rating. The more graceful the move, the more likely it gets a higher rating.
(5) Unusual moves: This can either mean: (a) moves I had not seen from a wrestler before, (b) a move that an ordinary wrestler would likely not be able to pull off, or (c) a move a wrestler pulls off where it would be one of the last people I would have expected that move to come from. For example, "Vicious" Vic Grimes, a huge dude who has to be close to 400 pounds, doing a corkscrew from the top rope is a great example for (c).
(6) False finishes: I LOVE false finishes. The more favorable the crowd reaction, the higher the rating gets. However, not all false finishes are necessarily great. It must tie in well with the flow of the match.
(7) Storyline buildup: Has this match been properly built up, and not just something out of the blue? It's usually not too hard to meet this requirement, although this factor is not really necessary to have for a top-notch match.
(8) Selling of injuries: If a body part is injured, I would like to see the injury exploited well. It is not vitally important to do so, but if the injury is to be a focal part of the match, the injured wrestler must sell well and the person trying to further worsen the injury must pinpoint that weakness consistently.
It goes without saying that the matches I have rated ***** (or close to five stars) have met almost all the above. However, just because one factor was badly done or not applicable does not mean it will not get *****; it just must deliver beyond expectations elsewhere.
Here are three of the matches I have rated five stars:
(1) 3/31/06 Dragon Kid, Genki Horiguchi, and Ryo Saito vs. CIMA, Naruki Doi, and Masato Yoshino (ROH Supercard of Honor): You have to see this match to believe it. I watched this match with a friend, and both of us failed to notice that the announcers stopped commentating with about six and a half minutes left in the match. That's how good it was.
(2) 9/11/05 AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Christopher Daniels (for TNA X-Division Title): Truly a classic. It is a rare long match where I did not mind watching the entire thing over again without fast forwarding. Big spots, amazing crowd reaction, superior reversals, and just flawless execution.
(3) 4/1/01 Steve Austin vs. The Rock (WrestleMania X-Seven; for WWE Title): It was a No-DQ match, but the bottom line was it was a back-and-forth match with absolutely no let up. The crowd was TOTALLY into the match. Both men hit the OTHER person's finishers (Austin used the Rock Bottom and Rock used the Stone Cold Stunner). Vince McMahon got involved by helping Austin win. Austin showed the true fire of a man desperate to win the WWE Title at ALL costs, even if it meant co-existing with a person - Vince - who he had feuded with for many years. Amazing storyline buildup + classic match = *****.
In fact, I've seen that Meltzer actually gives NEGATIVE stars for matches. One site showed that Meltzer actually gave a -***** (that is a NEGATIVE 5-star rating) for a match between Roddy Piper and Mr. T at WrestleMania II. It's obvious why: it was a pathetic BOXING performance. It's not that boxing is pathetic; but to have a trained pro wrestler and a trained actor do something totally out of their element is usually going to end up in disaster no matter how you slice it.
Now, a lot of people, myself included, don't always agree with Meltzer (or any other person giving ratings). It's understandable; people obviously differ in what he or she believes should be considered a classic bout. It gets even more controversial when one person gives a match ****1/2 while another would give it **** or *****. What's the difference between 1/2 a star? It's all subjective.
There is, and never will be, a set formula for rating matches. There are certainly categories, things to look out for, when rating a match. Here are some of the things I look for in rating a match.
(1) Crowd reaction: This is by far the most important category I look for when rating a wrestling match.
(2) Action: I tend to give higher ratings for matches that devote little time to "down time," or a time for wrestlers to catch their breath. Holds not meant for submission purposes are still fine, but if you go to the well too often on that to slow the match down, I take off points. It's likely why matches with big men are less likely to get good ratings in my book. In short, non-stop action where people kick each other's ass in a flashy manner = better ratings.
(3) Reversals: Timely reversals are key for a good match. It shows chemistry in the ring, it shows the wrestler doing the reversal actually wants to win, and it shows athleticism. One of the many reasons why a straightforward match will never score more than *** in my book.
(4) Big spots: I mark out BIG TIME for matches using weapons or dangerous spots. A lot of matches high on my list involve weapons (i.e. TLC matches, last man standing matches, ladder matches, etc.). Also, if not using weapons, I like spots where people will dive over the top to the floor. The more unlikely the person doing it, the more likely it gets a higher rating. The more graceful the move, the more likely it gets a higher rating.
(5) Unusual moves: This can either mean: (a) moves I had not seen from a wrestler before, (b) a move that an ordinary wrestler would likely not be able to pull off, or (c) a move a wrestler pulls off where it would be one of the last people I would have expected that move to come from. For example, "Vicious" Vic Grimes, a huge dude who has to be close to 400 pounds, doing a corkscrew from the top rope is a great example for (c).
(6) False finishes: I LOVE false finishes. The more favorable the crowd reaction, the higher the rating gets. However, not all false finishes are necessarily great. It must tie in well with the flow of the match.
(7) Storyline buildup: Has this match been properly built up, and not just something out of the blue? It's usually not too hard to meet this requirement, although this factor is not really necessary to have for a top-notch match.
(8) Selling of injuries: If a body part is injured, I would like to see the injury exploited well. It is not vitally important to do so, but if the injury is to be a focal part of the match, the injured wrestler must sell well and the person trying to further worsen the injury must pinpoint that weakness consistently.
It goes without saying that the matches I have rated ***** (or close to five stars) have met almost all the above. However, just because one factor was badly done or not applicable does not mean it will not get *****; it just must deliver beyond expectations elsewhere.
Here are three of the matches I have rated five stars:
(1) 3/31/06 Dragon Kid, Genki Horiguchi, and Ryo Saito vs. CIMA, Naruki Doi, and Masato Yoshino (ROH Supercard of Honor): You have to see this match to believe it. I watched this match with a friend, and both of us failed to notice that the announcers stopped commentating with about six and a half minutes left in the match. That's how good it was.
(2) 9/11/05 AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Christopher Daniels (for TNA X-Division Title): Truly a classic. It is a rare long match where I did not mind watching the entire thing over again without fast forwarding. Big spots, amazing crowd reaction, superior reversals, and just flawless execution.
(3) 4/1/01 Steve Austin vs. The Rock (WrestleMania X-Seven; for WWE Title): It was a No-DQ match, but the bottom line was it was a back-and-forth match with absolutely no let up. The crowd was TOTALLY into the match. Both men hit the OTHER person's finishers (Austin used the Rock Bottom and Rock used the Stone Cold Stunner). Vince McMahon got involved by helping Austin win. Austin showed the true fire of a man desperate to win the WWE Title at ALL costs, even if it meant co-existing with a person - Vince - who he had feuded with for many years. Amazing storyline buildup + classic match = *****.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Three weeks down
It's been a while since I did an entry, so let's catch up:
Five classes this semester, and con law and property are just eating me alive. Hopefully I get out alive in those classes. It's to the point where almost no one wants to speak up in con law anymore. All I know is, the last few people who answered just got hammered with questions by the professor.
Legal research memo is done (due tomorrow). That sucker took forever to write and tweak, but it should land me a decent grade. Even though it's a credit/no credit course, I still want to try hard on those assignments.
I've neglected really studying con law and resorted to just relaxing for most of the day. Hey, I need a nice break sooner or later, right?
I still have been working out, but just going 3-4 times a week rather than five. It does feel good to get away from law school, even for a little while.
I landed a job this semester. I'm just doing some research for a professor, and it shouldn't take too many hours out of my day. As for the summer...summer school awaits. And yes, I'm voluntarily doing this. If it makes the road a bit easier to graduate, then I will definitely take it.
We had frost on the ground a couple weeks back, and we had some ice on the ground today, but no snow. In contrast, apparently certain parts of Salem (higher altitude) and Eugene got snow. Meanwhile, it's just cold otherwise, and there's no reason to go outside. Oh well.
Oh yeah, and Tiger Woods won the Buick Invitational by eight shots. No surprise there.
Back to the grind I go tomorrow. Go me.
Five classes this semester, and con law and property are just eating me alive. Hopefully I get out alive in those classes. It's to the point where almost no one wants to speak up in con law anymore. All I know is, the last few people who answered just got hammered with questions by the professor.
Legal research memo is done (due tomorrow). That sucker took forever to write and tweak, but it should land me a decent grade. Even though it's a credit/no credit course, I still want to try hard on those assignments.
I've neglected really studying con law and resorted to just relaxing for most of the day. Hey, I need a nice break sooner or later, right?
I still have been working out, but just going 3-4 times a week rather than five. It does feel good to get away from law school, even for a little while.
I landed a job this semester. I'm just doing some research for a professor, and it shouldn't take too many hours out of my day. As for the summer...summer school awaits. And yes, I'm voluntarily doing this. If it makes the road a bit easier to graduate, then I will definitely take it.
We had frost on the ground a couple weeks back, and we had some ice on the ground today, but no snow. In contrast, apparently certain parts of Salem (higher altitude) and Eugene got snow. Meanwhile, it's just cold otherwise, and there's no reason to go outside. Oh well.
Oh yeah, and Tiger Woods won the Buick Invitational by eight shots. No surprise there.
Back to the grind I go tomorrow. Go me.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
My dog, Sally: 1994-2007
I got back home to Hawaii earlier today, but my dad gave me some sad news when he came to pick me up from the airport: my dog had passed away. As some of you probably know, my dog had some tumors removed from her body last year and was actually doing pretty well, save for some arthritis. Well, apparently, my dog started going downhill again after I left, and finally, the day after Thanksgiving, my parents noticed my dog was not looking good at all. She wasn't really responding and just in completely bad shape. My parents felt it was best to put my dog to sleep after 13 years of life.
I am actually very grateful that my parents refused to tell me about this until today. At the time of my dog's passing, I still had all four final exams ahead. The last thing that I would have wanted to know during law school finals was a death in the family, since that would have completely thrown me off my game.
Another possible reason they waited until I flew back to Hawaii to tell me was to console me if I took the loss hard, which I really didn't. I knew she was in bad shape already, even before leaving, and even though I wanted to see my dog when I came back, I knew the chances were not good. Although it is definitely much quieter around this house now, my dog is in a much better place. We had my dog cremated and her ashes are in an urn at the house.
I am actually very grateful that my parents refused to tell me about this until today. At the time of my dog's passing, I still had all four final exams ahead. The last thing that I would have wanted to know during law school finals was a death in the family, since that would have completely thrown me off my game.
Another possible reason they waited until I flew back to Hawaii to tell me was to console me if I took the loss hard, which I really didn't. I knew she was in bad shape already, even before leaving, and even though I wanted to see my dog when I came back, I knew the chances were not good. Although it is definitely much quieter around this house now, my dog is in a much better place. We had my dog cremated and her ashes are in an urn at the house.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thanksgiving...and studying
Well, I finished up my first semester of law school classes, and all that's left are the final exams. I'm not too worried about the finals; they're just tests and if I study hard enough, I'll be back next semester. Trust me, I don't really care if I lose my scholarship. I just want to get out of law school alive.
My first final is Torts on Tuesday (11/27), then Contracts on Friday (11/30). The following week, I have Civ Pro on Tuesday (12/4) and Crim law (12/7). I've made some outlines for myself, and I also have a bunch of law school supplements to help me study. I should be in good shape.
Yesterday was the first Thanksgiving that I spent away from my family. It did feel a little weird to not go to my uncle's house and spend the holiday with them, but obviously I had more important things to do, like study. I did go with a friend to his student-mentor's house, and we had a nice Thanksgiving feast.
Yes, it's cold up here. Being from Hawaii, I'm not used to this weather. Temperatures are in the 30s, when it feels like it should be below zero. At this rate, I'll be triple-layering my jackets before finals end next month. Oh well, good luck to all law students as they take their final exams.
My first final is Torts on Tuesday (11/27), then Contracts on Friday (11/30). The following week, I have Civ Pro on Tuesday (12/4) and Crim law (12/7). I've made some outlines for myself, and I also have a bunch of law school supplements to help me study. I should be in good shape.
Yesterday was the first Thanksgiving that I spent away from my family. It did feel a little weird to not go to my uncle's house and spend the holiday with them, but obviously I had more important things to do, like study. I did go with a friend to his student-mentor's house, and we had a nice Thanksgiving feast.
Yes, it's cold up here. Being from Hawaii, I'm not used to this weather. Temperatures are in the 30s, when it feels like it should be below zero. At this rate, I'll be triple-layering my jackets before finals end next month. Oh well, good luck to all law students as they take their final exams.
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