Hey Everybody. I'm OG And this is my review of 2017!
2017 was a very cool and a fun year in the pro wrestling world, I decided this year to focus on the main promotions I see and to give my yearly Awards.
Before I start, I wanna say that 2017 was a fantastic year for me as a blogger, blog by blog I got more confidence and more fun to write for y'all, whether it's about NFL or NBA or Wrestling, I got your support unconditional, it's heartwarming, thank you.
2017 was a great year for the world of Pro Wrestling too. It was a year I very enjoyed by. Full of upsets, moments, great matches and a lot of WRESTLING.
So the subjects I'm going to focus about today are:
1st. World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Including NXT.
2nd.New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW)
3.Ring Of Honor (ROH)
4.My 2018 Wishlist.
Let's start.
1st: WWE's 2017.
Well, WWE as you know in the last several years isn't as great as NJPW or ROH but, they aren't so terrible. Yeah I wasn't happy with stuff but I got to say, WWE this year wasn't bad, they actually improved in my opinion. It was a fine year for the WWE. But!.. NXT's year was clearly Perfect. They doing so great job out there, the stables in NXT getting Stronger, the match quality getting better, the gimmicks fit so great. In the words of Asuka, I Love NXT!!
So my MVP of the main roster is: BRAUN STROWMAN!
BRAUUUUUUUUUN!!!!! (love that scream) the man is taking the WWE by a storm since 2016 and yeah, he's making a huge impact, his 2017 year was outstanding, he got much better in the ring, his persona is great, the matches he's giving are good, he can carry a bad match and make him better than expected. (like he did with Roman.) for me BRAUN is the Real MVP of the WWE. His impact is off the freakin' charts. Much Respect BRAUN!
Women's division MVP: well.. I had a good dilemma here between Alexa, Charlotte and Asuka, but I'm going with Alexa Bliss. Well it was tough to keep Charlotte and Asuka away from the award, they are talented, but this year was Alexa's year. I believe she's the hottest name in the Women's Division, since the brand split last year, she making a fantastic work. Her Heel Persona is great, she's also very beautiful. ( yes she's 😉 ) but that's other thing, as a wrestler. She's making great things, I believe 2018 will be her year too. I have high hopes for her.
NXT Wrestler Of The Year: Alestier Black! One of the most talented guys in the world today, I believe Black had an outstanding year, as he keeps up his talented work from before, the man just getting better, and more crazier (in a good way) I believe that Black should stay at NXT for at least 2 years before going to the Main Roster, he should be NXT Champ in 2018. For a long reign.
Tag Team of the year: well, I gotta go with the Usos. They are awesome. What they did since the brand split, Usos made their awesome turn and since than they are fantastic. 2017 was awesome year. The feud they have with the New Day, (shout out to the new day they had a fantastic year also) the Usos made an incredible improvement. From being a boring Face team until 2015-6, they became a BadAss heel tag team, who carried the Smackdown Live brand to the limit. Well done Usos. I'm sure 2018 will be a great year for Jimmy&Jay.
WWE Match of the year:
Well, the WWE match of the year for me personally is AJ Styles Vs. John Cena from the Royal Rumble, it was awesome match, a story teller, they literally stole the freaking show, the storyline leads to the match was very good, the match was excellent as well. I hope the WWE will do stuff like this again and will deliver more matches like this one.
NXT Match Of the year:
The NXT Match of the year for me is the WarGames match between Authors of pain& Roderick Strong Vs. Sanity Vs. the undisputed era. It was a CHAOTIC match! Literally tore the fuckin' house down , huge way to send the Houston fans happy and 'going nuts', the War Games match for me is the best WWE/NXT match the WWE produced since CM Punk Vs. John Cena at Money In The Bank 2011. That caliber. I hope the WWE will do WarGames matches in every year. This is pure class. And a fantastic tribute to Dusty Rhodes also.
Moment Of The Year:
The Undertaker's retirement. This moment was for me the defying moment that ENDED my whole childhood. The Undertaker was the man that got me the love to wrestling, I honestly thank god I saw him on my TV. And that I dressed up as him for our Halloween (Purim). The undertaker was and always will be my inspiration in the WWE. The moment he retired at WrestleMania was heartbreaking, but I saw it coming.. I hope he could retire in a different match but that's a different story. For me, the Undertaker's Retirement is a moment that I'll remember for a long time. The tears I had after the match. And in the match because I really saw that coming.. wow. #ThankYouTaker .
My Overall grade for WWE&NXT's Year:
WWE:75 out of 100.
Well, the WWE proved me wrong since last year, their booking got better and they started to do some good things. I really like what they do. As a fan who was very frustrated last year about the WWE's booking, this year. Was a different one, they gave me few reasons to stay optimist for the future years. Well Done, but. I hope to see some more Moments that will made me go and MARK THE F' Out.
NXT: 80 out of 100.
The Talent Developing factory AKA NXT. Is awesome, this year was very very great year for them, I honestly believe that they are on the right path. They keep on doing their awesome develop job. And yeah. They do an Excellent work. If you going to WWE, make sure you join NXT first, that's the right path.
2nd. New Japan Pro Wrestling.
NJPW, one of my most favorite promotions in the world. I honestly love what they doing, the new IWGP US title belt, the shows out of Japan. Well. NJPW for me is the promotion of the year, they going on the right path. By the lead of Kenny Omega, Tetsuya Naito and Kazuchika Okada. I believe they going to be a huge " Powerhouse " in the wrestling world for decades.
NJPW's CO MVP's :
This year I chose to give the MVP Award to multiple person, well, I chose to give to the three biggest stars of the company, because I couldn't choose one, the 1st one is Tetsuya Naito, the 2nd is Kazuchika Okada, the third is Kenny Omega. (not in order, you can make an order for you, I personally had no order so I just chose the main names.)
1st MVP: Tetsuya Naito
The winner of the G1 Climax, he had an awesome 2017. He held the IWGP IC Championship, defended it at the Tokyo dome at WrestleKingdom 11 Vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi , than he continued his reign until losing to Tanahashi at Dominion in the Osaka Jo Hall, than came the G1 Climax, Tetsuya Naito on the A Block, and Naito won the block after beating Hiroshi Tanahashi, in a great match which finished their trilogy of this year. At the finals, Tetsuya Naito met Kenny Omega, his opponent from 2016's B Block Finals, and Naito Avenged his last year loss with a victory, beating Kenny in one of the best matches in the G1 History, Naito Won the G1 and at WrestleKingdom 12 he has a huge . but a HUGE! Chance to finally win the IWGP Heavyweight belt at the TokyoDome at the main event! And to show the world that he's not the 2014 "Fail" version of Naito, he's a better Naito, he already proved it, but at the match vs. Kazuchika Okada, he'll be able to show it for 100%, the reason I chose Naito as one of the CO Mvp's is because his improvement as a Character and his incredible match quality. He's awesome.
2nd. Kazuchika Okada
The longest reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion, The Rainmaker, Okada's 2017 was a year for the ages, starting with an INCREDIBLE match vs. Kenny Omega at WrestleKingdom 11's Main Event, than a great title defense vs. Minoru Suzuki, than he defended the belt vs. Katsuyori Shibata, in a very great match, after that. He and Kenny's rematch at Dominion ended in a Tie. Than the G1 in the USA, Okada Beat Cody Rhodes in a great match, and than came the G1 Climax, Okada at the B Block, Okada finished 2nd at the B Block , after he lost to Kenny Omega on the 12th of august (My Birthday BayBay), Okada after the G1 defended the IWGP belt vs. EVIL, a great match. And now at January 4th, Okada will start his 2018 in a match vs. Tetsuya Naito, let's see how it goes, personally I'm in a Full Hype!
3rd. Kenny Omega
The Cleaner, The Current and 1st ever IWGP United States Champion, had one crazy year, it started with WrestleKingdom 11, loss to Kazuchika Okada, in one of the best matches ever, but, it was a great match, one of the best, it was rated with 6 Stars. Than Kenny lost in the NJ Cup to Tomohiro Ishii, after the loss, Kenny built his momentum once again, beating Ishii at Sakura Genesis, a thing that led to a rematch between Kenny and Okada, in the rematch, Kenny and Okada Managed to survive for 60 minutes! And the match ended with a time limit draw. Crazy match, than the G1 in the USA, a new title has been announced, the IWGP US Championship, a tournament to determinate the 1st champ, Kenny Survived the 2 days tournament and won the title after beating Tomohiro Ishii in a great contest, than came the G1 Climax, Kenny finished as the winner of the B Block after beating Okada, at the finals he came up short vs. Tetsuya Naito. Few weeks after, Kenny Omega started his Legendary Defenses of the IWGP US Title, defeated Yoshi Hashi, Beretta and Juice Robinson in a great matches, up next, Kenny is going to fight his biggest match in his career while he's going to meet Chris Jericho for the IWGP US Title at the Tokyo Dome…. Holy mama ! I'm so hyped for this one
NJPW Match Of The Year :
Well, I have few to mention 1st, Tetsuya Naito Vs. Kenny Omega, at the G1 Finals, for me it was a special match, the 2nd match I mention is Kenny Omega Vs. Kazuchika Okada, Dominion. One of the greatest and dramatic matches I have ever saw.
And the winner for the match of the year in NJPW is… Kenny Omega Vs. Kazuchika Okada, WrestleKingdom 11!. Well, I chose this match because of a lot of reasons, 1st off it was the 1st time this 2 great wrestlers fought each other and it happened on the biggest stage. The match was highly anticipated and was perhaps one of the greatest matches ever. I truly believe that if Kenny and Okada will meet once again, they going to steal the fuckin' show again, P.S, Kenny is on 3 of the best Matches of the year! Awesome.
NJPW Moment Of The Year:
For me the NJPW Moment of the year has to be when Katsuyori Shibata Returned at the G1 Finals show, wow! It was so emotional , I remember his injury at Sakura Genesis, and man I can't stop thinking about it, it was so heartbreaking moment, I feel very good that he's healing and that he is recovering, when I saw him at the ring sitting and smiling to the camera at the G1.. wow I get goosebumps talking about it, he made me cry. That was a powerful moment.
Junior Of The Year:
For me, the Junior of the year has to be Hiromu Takahashi.
The Ticking Time Bomb, arrived on 2016's Power Struggle to challenge KUSHIDA for his Junior title at WrestleKingdom11, and he beat KUSHIDA in that match, since than, he started one of the most exciting title reigns of the year. 6 months of awesome reign, defending the title vs. Dragon Lee, Taguchi, and KUSHIDA. That title reign came to an end at Dominion at the Jo Hall, as KUSHIDA got his title back, Hiromu Kept his Relevance since than, with Daryl on his side, and with his Popularity going SKY HIGH! For me, Hiromu is Indeede the 2017 Junior of the year. I believe in 2018 he'll be a great nominee for this award again.
NJPW Tag Team of the year:
For me, the tag team of the year in NJPW, gotta be Killer Elite Squad, that was a great year for them, since returning at the New Year Dash with SUZUKI GUN, they were on a great roll, eventhough an injury happened at the middle of the year. They came back on the G1 Finals, and than they got the IWGP Tag Team titles in a great bout, they going to face EVIL and SANADA for the Tag Team belts at WrestleKingdom 12. I really looking forward to this match. And I honestly see them as one of the best tag teams in the world, 2018 will be a great year for them I believe.
My Overall Grade for NJPW
98 out of 100.
They had one of the best years in their history I believe. That was awesome to see them growing to those heights and to see how much progress they doing with their wrestlers, juniors, tags and the Young Lions system, they are doing a very good job. I truly looking forward to WrestleKingdom and to their 2018 year.
3rd . Ring Of Honor
ROH had a very good year, as they keep their great progress throughout the years. They started to get more and more exposure world wide, and it's a very great thing for them, they are here to stay, that's for sure, this company is one of my all favorite companies worldwide and history. I follow ROH since like.. 2012 I believe, and man I love them. I watched their history and I just felt in love.
ROH's MVP : Marty Scurll
Yeah, The Villain! He had a very good year. He debuted in NJPW this year. Had a fantastic TV title reign, and continued what he started last year. The man is on the roll. And he's here to stay for a very long time. He's one of my all time favorites and he's possibly my favorite guy in ring of honor. I hope 2018 will give him a World Title Reign! He earned it!
ROH's Tag Team Of The Year: WAR MACHINE
They are awesome. 2017 was a year that War Machine proved me wrong about them. Honestly I was a sceptic about them. And they proved me wrong time by time. I'm thankful I got to see them, they work hard AF, they work with lot of dedication. They got a great strong style, they are a great fit for Ring Of Honor and not only for Ring Of Honor, they can be great any place they go. I have high hopes for them. P.S Thank You For Proving me wrong, I'm so proud of you two, my favorite ROH Tag team ever. 2018 will be a special year for them. I hope it will be their year again.
ROH Moment of the year: Marty Joins BulletClub!
Easy. That moment was superb, It shocked the world, there were some hints about it on Being The Elite. And BOOM! It happened, Marty is in the Bullet Club. That moment is my favorite one, they booked it right and the moment was full of hype. Wow.
ROH Match Of The Year: Marty Scurll Vs. Lio Rush, ROH 15th Anniversary
That match in my opinion is so underrated, the story 1st of all was very interesting and very good, Marty as the champ and the "big dog". And Lio as the young, underdog. They stole the show in this match, the story that Lio trying to save himself from losing control and getting Disqualified it's something that got the match lot of twist and flavor. This match is my match of the year in ROH.
Now before I go, here are some of my hopes and wishes for 2018 in WWE,ROH and NJPW
#ThePandasWishList
WWE:
1st. Braun's 1st world title reign.
I really want to see BRAUN finally getting a World Championship run, this guy proved himself and proved his worth.
2nd. The Undertaker's "Last Ride?"
If this year is the undertaker's retirement year, so I want the WWE to end his career respectfully and peacefully. He deserves to be in the hall of fame of course.
3rd. NXT to get more exposure
NXT proved that they are a great thing for the wrestling world, and they proved it time after time. I I hope the WWE give NXT more shows and events and give more chances for their guys on the main roster and not just to "bury" their momentum.
ROH:
1st. Adam Page's push as a singles wrestler.
Hangman page proved his worth and proved that he's a great thing today. But a singles push for the TV title or even the ROH title is something that can be great for him, this is his time. So why not to give this man the f*cking opportunity ?
2nd. Marty as a world champ!. Marty deserves that! He's one of the hottest names today. He's a huge draw, in early of 2017, he had one of the most outstanding runs as a TV Champ, I believe he can do it on the World title too.
3rd. Briscoes run for the tag titles, yeah! As the heel tag team they are now, that can be a huge thing to give them a tag title run, they are awesome.
NJPW:
1st. Naito's IWGP Title Reign. I want Naito to win Okada so bad.. with all my respect to Okada, Naito deserve that title now. Okada had a huge and healthy reign, but it has to stop because "Nothing lasts forever" and also 'cause Naito is the hottest name today. I hope he'll have a long title reign
2nd. Jericho's NJPW tenure: Chris's time in Japan was and is awesome, I saw how he was in japan at the 90's it was awesome and now that comeback he had is so far one of the greatest things NJPW ever done. I wish that Chris will participate in the G1 this year or in more NJPW matches.
3rd. Omega Vs. Ibushi: WOW! I'm waiting for this match for so damn long, this match is really one of the most interesting things the fans wish to see. It can be a fantastic match.
I hope you enjoyed! C'ya in 2018! Much love to y'all .
