Please rate these two matches

[Warner2BruceTD]

I got into a bit of a debate at another forum over these two matches. I think there is a nice diverse crowd of wrestling fans here, with varying tastes of different styles, so if you have a decent attention span to watch a couple of 20+ minute matches, I would love to hear your feedback.

I don't want to influence anybody or set up any expectations (negative or positive), so I will refrain from sharing my thoughts until a couple of you watch & respond.

Match #1:
LA Park vs. Mesias - AAA TV, 1/1/2011

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5zfU-EcnyU[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td1YPZDnL_A&feature=related[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpMh-VeBd80&feature=related[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiL4WggL274&feature=related[/ame]

Match #2:
Black Terry & Negro Navarro vs. Angel Mortal & Gran Apache - IWRG 1/11/11

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScaQImyk7vU&feature=player_embedded[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVpB5zt7_r8&feature=related[/ame]

[Bigpapa42]

Watched the first one (no sound). Basic opinion... Meh.

It seemed like a fairly standard lucha match to me. Two bigger names, but it just lacked the kind of psychology I would prefer to see out of a big showdown. The early attacking by Parka seemed to have no affect later in the match - he seemed to do damage to the upper and middle back with the chair, but that didn't play into it later at all. He never went back to that. The comeback by Mesias felt too predictable and sudden. End felt a bit anti-climactic. Too many of the spots felt contrives - Parka just waiting for the top rope splash to the outside, taking his time on the top rope repeatedly, etc - but I find that pretty typical of luchalibre.

It wasn't a terrible match. Just didn't feel like anything real special.

[Warner2BruceTD]

OK, nobody else cares, so here is my breakdown.

Both of these matches are being touted as early "Match of the Year" contenders. I liked the first match (a lot), and hated the second.

People are going particularly apeshit for the Parka/Mesias match. Mesias is fucking terrible in my opinion, so I had to see with my own eyes to believe the hype. I will admit, that it is by far the best Mesias match i've ever seen. He stepped it up. Parka was brutal with the stiff punches, and the match was violent and intense. Since it's AAA, I forgive the wacky finish, because that's what AAA does. Best lucha match i've seen in a long time, but it was more american hardcore style anyway. Very good, but not a MOTY contender. Concensus seems to fall in the ****1/4 range. Way to high IMO. But I did like it, which is amazing since it was Mesias.

As for match #2, you either love Black Terry, or you don't. There is no in between with him. I don't get Black Terry, and never will, and hated this match. It was basically four chubby middle aged guys exchanging submissions and brawling, all in super slow motion. You wouldnt believe the shit I get from people for hating on Black Terry and his "realistic" style. People are giving this ****+. I say **. They even blew the setup to the finish, where Apache is supposed to trip Terry, and they had to redo the spot. Awful.

[Bigpapa42]

I managed to watch the first few minutes of the second match but never got back to it. Apologies.

I just didn't find the first one anything outstanding or special. It might be the best lucha match I've seen in awhile, but that isn't saying much, given that I only watch some older (08-09) CMLL and last year's TripleMania.

I would probably put the Devitt-Ibushi match from the Tokyo Dome show ahead of that.

[Warner2BruceTD]

My current MOTY is the Tanahashi/Kojima from the same show as Devitt/Ibushi.

I expect it to not even finish in my Top 5 by the end of the year, though.

I think KENTA is going to have a monster year (2009 level) fully healed and as a heel.

And 2011 should also be the year of LA SOMBRA

The breakout perfomer of 2011 will be this guy:

[EmpireWF]

Please explain this KENTA heel turn.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Please explain this KENTA heel turn.

He joined DISOBEY, which is probably the coolest name for a heel faction is all of wrestling. DISOBEY is now Mohammed Yone, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Genba Hirayanagi, and KENTA.

He teased turning after his December match with Marufuji, when he shoved his tag partner, Atsushi Aoki, after the match. Aoki now teams with Marufuji.

[Warner2BruceTD]

[EmpireWF]

Damn, now I can't wait to see how heel KENTA is either better or worse in ring than the KENTA of 2005-07.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Damn, now I can't wait to see how heel KENTA is either better or worse in ring than the KENTA of 2005-07.

He has done tweener stuff, and has exuded real good heel charisma when he does. If NOAH let's him run with it, it can be something special. It's hard to get over as a heel in NOAH because they don't do gimmick finishes or other assorted junk. He'll be paired with Kanemaru & Hirayanagi, two awesome heels with two very different styles. Kanemaru gets by with subtle tactics, and Hirayanagi is a blatant fucker with his low blows and cheap shots.

At least it's fresh. NOAH can be stale.

KENTA is a guy who "gets it", he will do fine.