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Post by problematic on Sept 29, 2018 20:41:08 GMT -5
Where are we with "the king" this year? I think this is a really interesting question. Last year a religious cult opened up shop around him with constant hosannas being sung to him. Then there was a mild backlash, but while he's still very over and has a unique energy to him I think a consensus of silence formed around him that suggests that maybe some of his amen corner from last year have soured on the idea of him as a super worker. For my part I think he's had a lot of good matches and performances, but I'd be hard pressed to come up with one that really resonates beyond that level and I think it's possible he's had more disappointing matches this year than very good ones. Then again that's an expectation game and the standards were probably set artificially high for him. In any even it's fascinating that he didn't even have a thread given where the talk was about him at the end of last year.
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Nick Gage
Sept 30, 2018 12:55:38 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by concrete1992 on Sept 30, 2018 12:55:38 GMT -5
Big thing for Gage this year I think is not having a Tremont series. Was always going to be tough without a standout series, in this case maybe the quintessential US Deathmatch series of this generation. He laid on top of that matches against Starr and Gresham which knock you on their butt. Former leans into Gages game and the other tones it down for a more family friendly atmosphere. The Kerry Awful and Thatcher matches are real good but touch last year’s highs. Not sure there is a way for him to pull that off. Maybe a big Takeda or Kasai match but that seems unlikely as heck.
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Post by problematic on Sept 30, 2018 15:36:16 GMT -5
I actually think the Keith Lee match from Mania weekend was very underrated.
I am not a star rating guy, but for those who are what are the Gage matches this year north of 3 1/2 stars?
I'm not sure I could find many below what most consider the 2/12 star range either but for a guy who's biggest plus is the special feel he brings to matches I'm not sure he's had a special match all year.
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Post by anotherspammer on Oct 2, 2018 8:31:26 GMT -5
I had Nick Gage vs. Thatcher from Bloodsport at 4 1/4* as they really did a great job of making the concept work for them (and the work was good, too), and I loved this match vs. AR Fox from Beyond in June. Fox is great as this flashy asshole/rudo and Gage has perfectly timed comebacks and great selling. I don't watch a lot of the feds where Gage works, but he has been great again this year when I have seen him and is on my list of guys to try to watch more of before the end of the year.
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Post by notoriousgib on Oct 4, 2018 22:55:05 GMT -5
I think Gage has had a lot of good, but not great matches but many of those matches are usually elevated by his performances.
As far as his best matches, I think the best of the year are: vs. Thatcher, vs. Kerry Awful, both tag matches with Tremont in Beyond (vs. Beaver Boys, vs. Filthy Bros), vs. RSP in Beyond. I've only seen about half of his GCW stuff and almost none of his AIW, IWA MS, NOVA, etc. stuff so I'm probably missing a few gems.
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