Kobashi retires

[Stopspot]

Kenta Kobashi, one of the greatest in-ring performers of all time, officially retired today. He had pulled himself out of the ring some time ago due to injuries so the final match was more of an official ceremony than anything else.
In his final bout, held on Kobashi teamed with Jun Akiyama, Keiji Mutoh, & Kensuke Sasake to defefeated KENTA, Go Shiozaki, Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Shuhei Taniguchi with Kobashi pinning Kanemaru with a final Moonsault in a 40 minute bout.
Among those making appearances for the farewell were Toshiaki Kawada, Hayabusa, Akira Taue, Hiroshi Hase and Masa Chono, as well as video messages from John Laurinaitis and Stan Hansen.
Kobashi, who only made a few appearances ever in the Unted States, including a classic ROH bout against Samoa Joe, was one of the best of all time, period. His work ethic in the ring was at the level of a Ric Flair or Shawn Michaels, although he worked a much more demanding, physical style in the ring in comparison.

Pwinsider

Here's to one of the greatest.

 

[seabs]

Possibly the greatest ever, it's a shame he doesn't have much interest on here.

 

[Stopspot]

it might be the lack of excursions to America or just a majority of the userbase on here not being willing to put in the time to find other wrestling promotions.
but Kobashi is possibly the greatest ever as you said.

 

[seabs]

It's idiotic, we're apparently the smart ones yet continue to watch products which no longer entertain us.

 

[Crayo]

How is it idiotic? The majority of the IWC just don't like Japanese wrestling, or most independent wrestling. By your logic, one has to watch these promotions to be considered smart? Come on.

 

[Pop Tatari]

One of the all time greats for sure,his matches with joe,misawa are among my favorite matches of all time.

 

[seabs]

How is it idiotic? The majority of the IWC just don't like Japanese wrestling, or most independent wrestling. By your logic, one has to watch these promotions to be considered smart? Come on.

Where the hell did I say that, I said it's idiotic to continue to watch shows which don't entertain you whilst the options are out there.

"It's idiotic, we're apparently the smart ones yet continue to watch products which no longer entertain us."


How you've mis-interpreted it into that I'll never know.

 

[Crayo]

You're speaking on behalf of everyone there (dangerous), and what is your point lol? It's very obviously implying that you think these shows would entertain us, but we don't watch them, right? If you're not, then I have no idea what your point is. It's obvious why we watch these products that "don't entertain us", because they still do (or can).

 

[seabs]

You're speaking on behalf of everyone there (dangerous), and what is your point lol? It's very obviously implying that you think these shows would entertain us, but we don't watch them, right? If you're not, then I have no idea what your point is. It's obvious why we watch these products that "don't entertain us", because they still do (or can).

The generic "X SUXS IM NOT WATCHING ANY MORE" is who I'm representing, I never claimed to be speaking for everyone with that aspect, we're the smart ones was an obvious reflection of the IWC as a whole but I wasn't condemning them but I was condemning the "yet continue to watch shows which don't entertain us". There are two criteria there, if you fit one but not the other than the criteria isn't applicable to you (you can consider yourself not a smark but bored of WWE but you won't have the tools to find Puro in all likeliness or you're as you still entertained by the WWE product to a level) however if you tick both those boxes the question must be raised as to why you're still following it when you know there are other venues out there.

There is a very likely solution of it being a case of being comfortable with the WWE, it's what the majority of us grew up on and adapting a completely different culture of entertainment could be difficult for some to embrace.

Once again you've mis-interpreted the point immensely, it isn't a case of this would be more entertaining to everyone. If you're sick of something don't fucking watch it. If you want to stay in wrestling but are bored of the WWE go to it's cultural opposite (Japan) and see what you like, explore differing companies rather than sitting back hating on the WWE's monopoly. Go watch Puro, go watch Indies, go watch European and Mexico stuff too the options are there and they aren't difficult to find.

Somehow you've taken a throw away point and required justification for it so there you go, enjoy.

 

[Crayo]

Lol tldr, hell no am I reading all that for something so small. Chill out dude.

 

[seabs]

I'm more chill than a polar bear wearing shades in a lounger.

TLDR: Don't like something look for something else rather than complaining like it's the only option. Enjoy entertainment.

 

[Crayo]

I agree with that. I don't see too much of that problem around here though (apart from a small few). Thank God.

Question though. If you're not a mat-wrestling mark, what can the indies provide you? I haven't seen any good promotions that offer great storylines, and a lot of WWE/TNA fans are in it for that. Sure, if you're a pure wrestling fan, watching Sweet T and Brodus dance probably isn't for you, but what companies genuinely offer a week-to-week alternative for WWE and TNA? I don't see many.

 

[seabs]

You want stories? How about Ring Of Honour? It's the easy cop out but they're adapting the sports-entertainment model more and more although they are adapting their own twist on it, they run a weekly show (around 40 minutes long I believe) with PPVs monthly. They have Matt Hardy running his I was in the WWE SMD gimmick as Corino's chosen one in SCUM whilst Steen has turned against them to beat the team he built. They'll offer you better matches than WWE / TNA in all likelyness and although it isn't the ROH of old it's still similar enough to the WWE for it to be an easy transition. It's your foot in the door to the indie world.

It's not weekly but Chikara offers decent stories usually too an example is Eddie Kingston winning the grand championship in a tournament announced in tribute to Larry Sweeney, the ending with Larry's brother handing him the belt was a sweet moment too (predictable but awesome).

 

[Stopspot]

Dragon Gate USA and Evolve also run monthly and have stories going through it. Some examples are Caleb Konley growing tired of his manager Larry Dallas not being able to get him and his partner title shots for the tag belts, only for Dallas and Reed to turn on him sparking a rivalry.
Or Johnny Gargano's 500+ day reign as the champion, taking on any challenger to prove himself since he is the first American with the belt which has now culminated in him turning heel with an arrogant "I am saving wrestling" persona.

 

[Crayo]

You want stories? How about Ring Of Honour? It's the easy cop out but they're adapting the sports-entertainment model more and more although they are adapting their own twist on it, they run a weekly show (around 40 minutes long I believe) with PPVs monthly. They have Matt Hardy running his I was in the WWE SMD gimmick as Corino's chosen one in SCUM whilst Steen has turned against them to beat the team he built. They'll offer you better matches than WWE / TNA in all likelyness and although it isn't the ROH of old it's still similar enough to the WWE for it to be an easy transition. It's your foot in the door to the indie world.

It's not weekly but Chikara offers decent stories usually too an example is Eddie Kingston winning the grand championship in a tournament announced in tribute to Larry Sweeney, the ending with Larry's brother handing him the belt was a sweet moment too (predictable but awesome).

Watched bits of RoH recently, and no offence, but it looks horrible atm. Steen is more or less the only part(s) I enjoy. Chikara may be fun, but it's far too SMS like.

None of those seem like good alternatives at all imo.