The Conquistabores Dirt Sheet #001
Introduction
A newsletter? What, is this the late 90s or somthing?
I wish. Anyways, I read the Warren Ellis newsletter and he said that newsletters were back as a thing. So, I’m nothing if not a bandwagon jumper oner so here we are. This’ll be a weekly(ish) bundle of thoughts and opinions about wrestling and probably some other stuff.
One other reason for starting it is, frankly, to keep me honest about editing the bloody podcast. For something that I really enjoy doing (think I first started podcasting in 2008, fucking hell) it’s a drag to do sometimes. There is no real reason for this other than outright laziness. After a day of working and kids and cooking and whatever else, sitting down in front of a film or something sounds much more palatable than putting more brainpower into editing something. But, if I have to face our dozens (and dozens) of fans at least once a week and have to say why there isn’t a new episode yet then that should hopefully stop me from using excuses.
So, anyone for some wrestling?
-Phil
Wrestle Kingdom 12 Thoughts
Yeah, so not actually got round to watching it yet but couldn’t help but hear all the fallout from the event. Essentially, from what I could tell, the highlights were as follows:
Ospreay was in a good match
Jay White wasn’t
Jericho and Omega delivered and a bit more on top
Okada wore trousers
Sure someone else here will have a better opinion on this.
-Phil
A Recovering Jerichoholic
A few years back I was raging at Chris Jericho. In the opening match of WrestleMania 29 Chris Jericho defeated ballroom dancer Fandango despite the fresh character being on the cusp of getting over. Part timer Jericho had come in and buried a promising starter simply to gain a WrestleMania payday out of it before going back on tour with Fozzy. At the time was disgusted and felt far away from the guy who celebrated Y2J winning the Undisputed title after pinning both The Rock and Stone Cold in the same night.
I'd have probably been a bit more relaxed had I know that a few years down the line, in a different wrestling company, a 47 year old Jericho would have a match that made me interested in an entirely different wrestling culture. Whilst I knew of New Japan and was aware of Wrestle Kingdom as an important event (hell, Conquistabores covered WK8 as part of the show) I had never really got engaged in their shows as much as I'd have liked.
When Jericho said in his promos before taking on Kenny Omega a couple of weeks ago that this match would be shining a light upon Japanese wrestling then he was utterly correct as far I was concerned. Quite simply I had to see this match so signed up to New Japan's streaming service and bought a Chromecast so I could watch it on my TV. The Omega/Jericho match was brilliant with both men kicking absolute lumps out of each other for what felt like a solid half hour. It was a match that could never really have been done in WWE these days. Watching the rest of Wrestle Kingdom 12 has made me want to stick around on the service so New Japan have certainly gained me as a customer. I'd venture to say I wasn't the only Western wrestling fan in this situation.
However much New Japan paid Jericho for this appearance, they must surely be getting it back and more.
-Cam
Review - Voices of Wrestling NJPW 2017 Year in Review
Whats this all about? A book? Yeah, we can read. I read 37 books last year according to my Goodreads profile.
I digress.
All this talk of New Japan probably means more people will be looking to get into it, which a book like this one will help with Voices is a great site that has a focus on the Japanese seen which gives them the authority to produce a book like this, reviewing not only the company itself but each wrestler on the roster. I picked up last years and found it a great introduction to where people are in the company which helps gives you a good foundation to actually watch the shows.
The problem here is that despite this feeling like an introductory piece of work you can give to a new fan, it quickly veers into deep level stats and results that are probably more appreciated by the more hardcore fan. So at once the book is for newbies but also longterm fans and ends up dangerously close to falling between the two stools.
It also feels like it needed a bit more editing time, like how different articles are formatted differently in the same book. It’s a minor thing but something that makes it feel more amateurish than it probably should.
Still, that doesn’t mean that the book isn’t worth your time because, if you’re a wrestling fan, then it clearly is. New Japan has been on an upswing for several years now so anything that helps to get new eyes on it is always worthwhile. And a product, and website, like this is always worrh supporting.
-Phil
WWE Mixed Match Thing
Haven’t watched it yet, but as per Botchamania’s Facebook page it’s been a boon for the fan art, like this one from Oniwanbashu on the Twitter:
-Phil
Review - Slobberknocker
I had the pleasure of reading 'Slobberknocker - My Life In Wrestling' by Jim Ross over the New Year period. It's a really good read and throws some light onto events in the 90's regarding J.R's time in WCW and WWF. There's a lot of light shed on the mess that WCW were in during the early 90's (which seems nothing on the mess they were in during the late 90's) and also the WWF as the Attitude era kicked in. The story starts right before J.R is due to go out at WrestleMania 15 to commentate on The Rock vs Stone Cold before returning there at the very end. In between Bill Watts seems to work for three different companies for a very short time, Bret Hart gets outwrestled by his Dad and Ric Flair gets his tackle out in the back of a limo.
In all seriousness though it's a fantastic read and well worth the time of any wrestling fan, especially if you were around for that era.
-Cam
Royal Rumble Preview
I love the Royal Rumble. The one in 1990 was one of the first pay per views I watched that really hooked me into wrestling. And who wouldn’t love that concept? 30 wrestlers, a horn that goes off every two minutes (ish) and the chance to see all those funky match ups?
I love the surprise entrants that catch you of guard, like then Rusev came into the 2014 Rumble and just started beating up fools left right and centre. AJ Styles last year? And this year we get TWO Rumbles?!
Can’t wait. After the Christmas comedown the Rumble is like the first bright spark of the year, a ray of sunshine during the gloom. I shall be off social media until I can watch the show because if there’s one show that you have to watch spoiler free, it’s the Rumble.
-Phil
WWE Signs Ricochet
Yeah they did. Will be interesting to see if they try to tone down his high flying any.
But wait! I’m getting out the booking pen: do what you need to do in order to get Neville back on board, bring him back into 205 Live. Bring Ricochet into that, but don’t let him touch Neville for ages. Really build up a match between the two of them, two two high fliers, the MEN that gravity forgot, get them in the ring and then…
Neville goes full heel and does everything he does to keep Ricochet grounded. Keeps putting him in a rear chinlock, no high spots from him at all. Imagine the heat from the crowd?
-Phil
Next Show
Right, next show…hasn’t been picked yet but sure it soon will be. We’ll let you know on the usual channels so you can give us some feedback on whatever it is we’re going to talk about. Or, you know, just chat to us about stuff?
Thanks!
-The Conquistabores