What kind of match does SHIMMER need?

[nfler]

Don't get me wrong, I love SHIMMER and think it is really a solid promotion, but I was thinking about blowaway matches, like the kind that made me notice ROH (like the Lo Ki vs Red "matrix" sequence, the kind of things that you've never seen before), and I think we need more of those in SHIMMER (apart from MsChef).

One kind of match that I would like to see is the the all-out sprint match that AJW used to have, no breathers, all impact, cruiser-cardio match. Speed, speed, and more speed.

What else is missing?

[stew]

No, I can't say I agree with you on that one.

One of the reasons I started to love SHIMMER so much is because it's so easy to watch and get into. The wrestlers work a pretty old school style, with a heavy emphasis on getting over characters and establishing the traditional face/heel dynamic. You care about the grapplers instantly because they give you plenty to react to.

Apart from the fact that there probably aren't a lot of western female wrestlers who could pull off the type of match you describe, I really think SHIMMER would lose a lot if they ever started to slide down the slippery slope into spotfests and over-choreographed crap like the Low Ki/Red sequence (my opinion, sorry) just to try and impress some smarks. I'd much rather see wrestlers working and responding to the crowd than going out there and performing move sequences.

Before anyone mentions it - same with hardcore/garbage stuff. I don't want to or need to see it... and this is one of the things that concerns me about the idea of bringing in LuFisto. I'd be all for it if she's willing to work traditional style... but I don't care to see her try to do her "extreme" stuff whatsoever.

Besides, any promotion that can produce matches like Melissa/MsChif (Vol 1), Mercedes/Del Rey (Vol 1), Danger/Rain (Vol 2) and Danger/Knox (Vol 3) is doing just fine in my book.

[michaelwayne]

stew said:

I'd much rather see wrestlers working and responding to the crowd than going out there and performing move sequences.

well, there have been times where matches seem too "pre-planned" that it's too much of a sequence going from one move to the next and not like an actual wrestling match. There's nothing spontainious to it. Matches like Del Rey/Martinez doen't feel like they're going down a ten step process move list.

[edgecrusher]

I'm confused. Don't understand your point, wayne.

[robalure]

I think one of the things that Shimmer needs is Championship belts! Women's and Tag Team.
Give the ladies something to battle for!
Rob

[ajdynon]

I think some "gimmick" matches would be good for variety, as long as they don't go overboard with them. Especially if SHIMMER is hoping to expand to a more casual audience. I have very little sense of what constitutes good "storytelling" in a match and I expect that most casual fans don't either, and I'm not afraid to admit I often find spotfests entertaining.

I guess what I'm saying is that emphasising "match construction" and the like seems elitist to me, and a good hardcore brawl can be just as fun to watch as a technical classic. Just don't do things like that TOO much.

[edgecrusher]

I daresay they've been doing just that. Melissa and MsChif have had two brawl-based matches now, the first on Vol. 4.

The thing is they have different matches as it is, they just don't have marquees declaring it. I would defy anyone to say there's no difference between Lexie Fyfe's work and Rebecca Knox's. The rules might be the same, but everything about the match is different.

The product of SHIMMER is robust, built on a tried, true and effective format. It's also fairly safe, and both of these are things a WOMEN's wrestling company has to be concerned about.

I think a lot of the company's unique feel, ironically, comes from the 'no-gimmicks-needed' atmosphere, the stripped down look, bringing wrestling back to its basics. It emphasises what the company is about. I'm all for occasional brawls and whatnot, but I can't think of a single gimmick that would be 'necessary'.

[bogobogo]

more hardcore matches

[Starscream]

nfler said:

Don't get me wrong, I love SHIMMER and think it is really a solid promotion, but I was thinking about blowaway matches, like the kind that made me notice ROH (like the Lo Ki vs Red "matrix" sequence, the kind of things that you've never seen before), and I think we need more of those in SHIMMER (apart from MsChef).

One kind of match that I would like to see is the the all-out sprint match that AJW used to have, no breathers, all impact, cruiser-cardio match. Speed, speed, and more speed.

What else is missing?

Didn't they have a lot of injuries? I imagine those matches are even more taxing than your normal match.

[teamblondagefan]

I'd say more Triple Threat Elimination/Four Way's. I have no clue in the world as to why I find those kinds of matches appealing, it just entertains me....no matter who the wrestlers are.

[brimoral]

Probably because even if they're bad, it's hard for them to be boring being that there's usually a lot going on. I'd vote for more 3 ways through 6 ways, too, as I always believed that they're an effective way to expose a lot of talent. There's nothing wrong with just different stipulations like 2/3 falls and Pure Rules like they put to use on the last taping.

I have no issues with gimmick matches, only if they're used in moderation and it makes sense. And while I wouldn't consider it a gimmick match, there's nothing wrong with a bloody brawl where a few weapons are used if the girls are willing to take it. After all, the first match that got me into Women's wrestling was Hamada/Akino Vs. Shimoda/Mita from back in '99. I would love to see intense and high impact brawls like that make it to Shimmer. Melissa/MsChif was good, but lacked a certain something for me to rate it higher. But that's fine. They shouldn't touch the more intense stuff until the promotion is more established and angles can be forwarded on a consistent basis.

[brian10]

More hardcore matches, 2 on 1 handicapped matches where the 2 wrestlers are in the ring at the same time against the other wrestler, more one sided matches where one wrestler keeps her opponent in different holds for a long time such as extended head scissors, camel clutches, etc

[teamblondagefan]

I know this isn't matches, but I truly believe some of the women need managers/valets, they are just boring on their own.

[brassy]

I'd like to see a stretcher match.

[chiefrebelangel]

bogobogo said:

more hardcore matches

HURRRR FLAMING WEED WACKER BATTLE ROYAL IN A RING MADE OF LIGHT TUBES HURRRRR


SHIMMER doesn't and and shouldn't need gimmick matches to draw fans or get over. I can understand things like Falls Count Anywhere and Last Woman Standing for heated feuds like Melissa/MsChif, but if you do too many gimmick matches too often, then it ends up like Vince Russo-era WCW, and we all know how fun (not fun) that garbage was to watch.

If SHIMMER is going to use any gimmick matches, the matches need to make sense for the feud. A submission-only match would be a good one for two solid submission wrestlers (which is most of the roster).

The Knox/Danger Pure Rules match from Vol. 6 was really really good and I'd love to see more of those as they really showcase the ability of the workers involved to tell a story.

Aside from that anything goofy or off-the-wall should be avoided.