Post by fuzzbuzz on Oct 10, 2011 14:57:27 GMT -6
Apologies in advance for the longish post, it's hard to know when to stop praising.
These shows were amazing. I had deliberately not watched any of the Ice Ribbon stuff beforehand so I could go into the shows with no predetermined judgement, but my goodness, the Japanese girls were terrific. Every single one of them was excellent. Their energy levels and just general enthusiasm was truly infectious. They were just so continually bouncy and happy it was lovely to see. I was truly impressed how were well versed in so many different styles - straight, chain, technical, comedy, high-flying - and it all comes across really well.
I need to get a problem out the way first though before running through random bullets points. The European Empire stable needs to go I think. Sure the initial creation, name, entrance music are all great, but it's surplus to requirements at least in the present state. It's obvious that Nikki Storm is Jetta's teacher's pet - I dare-say Nikki doesn't need Jetta at this point - and in that promo it looked like the point where Jenny, April & Shanna were all going to turn after taking offence to Jetta's "the title belongs to ALL the Empire line". Shanna clearly should be a babyface, and Jenny & April generally get a positive receptions, so the stable seems a little redundant.
Anyway, the good stuff...
- I absolutely LOVED the Jenny/April title match. I'm a big fan the technical style so seeing them trade submissions was great to watch. I equate their matches to like chess games where you kind of get inside their heads and see how one can escape this hold.
-Emi Sakura's 450 Splash was a thing of beauty. Honestly it is too good for words.
-Nikki Storm is money. She's somebody you love to boo and give grief to. Plus her two Ice Ribbon matches were excellent. She should get a title shot at the next show.
-So too should Alpha Female. I think a match between her & Jenny would be a great challenge for both. At the minute the problem with Alpha Female is that there's no real danger she's going to lose. Her W/L record is I think 9-1 and that loss has the caveat of copious amounts of interference.
-Kay Lee Ray had a terrific showing. That sublime Doug Williams sure can spot talent.
-Full credit to both Kirsty Love & Viper for taking their chance and running with it. Love just seems to be oozing charisma and Viper played the power game well.
-Credit also April Davids for continuing to go ~10-15 mins while hurt. She's well tough!
-The Tsukasa Fujimoto/Erin Angel/Kay Lee Ray 3-way dance was crazy good. It was like non-stop 200mph mayhem.
-THAT 450 SPLASH!!!!
-Honest guv', that was dust in my eye at the end.
-My favourite matches (in no real order): Nikki Storm/Tsukasa Fujimoto; Jenny Sjodin/April Davids; Hikaru Shida/Kay Lee Ray; Shanna & Emi Sakura/Jenny Sjodin & Hikari Minami; Tsukasa Fujimoto/Erin AngelKay Lee Ray; Nikki Storm/Hikaru Shida; Hikari Minami/Shanna; Jenny Sjodin/Emi Sakura
Overall this was a fantastic set of show (the 2nd half of show 3 in particular). I definitely hope they can do the Ice Ribbon crossover again.
These shows were amazing. I had deliberately not watched any of the Ice Ribbon stuff beforehand so I could go into the shows with no predetermined judgement, but my goodness, the Japanese girls were terrific. Every single one of them was excellent. Their energy levels and just general enthusiasm was truly infectious. They were just so continually bouncy and happy it was lovely to see. I was truly impressed how were well versed in so many different styles - straight, chain, technical, comedy, high-flying - and it all comes across really well.
I need to get a problem out the way first though before running through random bullets points. The European Empire stable needs to go I think. Sure the initial creation, name, entrance music are all great, but it's surplus to requirements at least in the present state. It's obvious that Nikki Storm is Jetta's teacher's pet - I dare-say Nikki doesn't need Jetta at this point - and in that promo it looked like the point where Jenny, April & Shanna were all going to turn after taking offence to Jetta's "the title belongs to ALL the Empire line". Shanna clearly should be a babyface, and Jenny & April generally get a positive receptions, so the stable seems a little redundant.
Anyway, the good stuff...
- I absolutely LOVED the Jenny/April title match. I'm a big fan the technical style so seeing them trade submissions was great to watch. I equate their matches to like chess games where you kind of get inside their heads and see how one can escape this hold.
-Emi Sakura's 450 Splash was a thing of beauty. Honestly it is too good for words.
-Nikki Storm is money. She's somebody you love to boo and give grief to. Plus her two Ice Ribbon matches were excellent. She should get a title shot at the next show.
-So too should Alpha Female. I think a match between her & Jenny would be a great challenge for both. At the minute the problem with Alpha Female is that there's no real danger she's going to lose. Her W/L record is I think 9-1 and that loss has the caveat of copious amounts of interference.
-Kay Lee Ray had a terrific showing. That sublime Doug Williams sure can spot talent.
-Full credit to both Kirsty Love & Viper for taking their chance and running with it. Love just seems to be oozing charisma and Viper played the power game well.
-Credit also April Davids for continuing to go ~10-15 mins while hurt. She's well tough!
-The Tsukasa Fujimoto/Erin Angel/Kay Lee Ray 3-way dance was crazy good. It was like non-stop 200mph mayhem.
-THAT 450 SPLASH!!!!
-Honest guv', that was dust in my eye at the end.
-My favourite matches (in no real order): Nikki Storm/Tsukasa Fujimoto; Jenny Sjodin/April Davids; Hikaru Shida/Kay Lee Ray; Shanna & Emi Sakura/Jenny Sjodin & Hikari Minami; Tsukasa Fujimoto/Erin AngelKay Lee Ray; Nikki Storm/Hikaru Shida; Hikari Minami/Shanna; Jenny Sjodin/Emi Sakura
Overall this was a fantastic set of show (the 2nd half of show 3 in particular). I definitely hope they can do the Ice Ribbon crossover again.
