The Curious Case of Buddy Murphy (and others)

[Trash Boat]

This is just a sort of discussion thread I'm opening up to find out other people's opinions on something I've been wondering about for about a year or two now. I'm probably going to get some flack for asking a question like this but does anybody else feel like Buddy Murphy (and a few other wrestlers, he's just my chief example) relies a bit too much on using other people's moves to get himself over? Like Kenny Omega's V-Trigger and Kota Ibushi's Kamigoye.

I do like Buddy Murphy and I do think that he's an incredible wrestler, but I can't help but think that he comes off as a watered down fusion on Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi. Maybe it's just because I'm watching more New Japan and AEW than WWE at the moment, but whenever I do get a chance to watch Buddy, I get distracted by the fact he wrestles a lot like those two. Obviously next to nothing is original in wrestling at this point, with new moves just being variations of pre existing moves, however I think that every wrestler should at least have their own unique style and ways of hitting certain moves, like Moose's Gamebreaker Lariat basically being a Rainmaker but with a Rolling Lariat instead of a usual one.

Of course, this could all just be me overthinking this and I've just not noticed anyone else do the exact same thing but I would like to get other people's opinions on this matter, if for nothing more than my own curiousity. I would also like to ask if anyone has noticed this with any other wrestlers, within WWE or outside of WWE.

 

[Jeffry Mason]

Buddy definitely wrestles a unique style, even moreso when put into the context of just WWE. Personally I'd rather watch Buddy Murphy than Kenny or Kota any day of the week. Just because he does a couple of the same moves as them doesn't make them comparable wrestlers. Murphy generally wrestles at a faster pace than those two, like more of a cruiserweight style, if you get what I'm saying. Like you said, it's 2019, hardly any moves are original. And in my opinion, they do all have their differences. Kennys is usually some overdramatic ordeal near the ropes, Kota incorporates the wrist clutch, and Murphy does it as a quick out of nowhere strike.

 

[Grievous 3D]

I honestly think there are too many wrestlers these day who seem too similar...
but I don't think its a case of just some performers using the same moves.

I think its a case of wrestlers/performers not putting enough time & effort
into their overall "presentation"

Body language, physical tics, walk cycles, posture, neutral & fighting stances,
in-ring movement...its all IMPORTANT in carving out a unique identity as a
wrestler/performer.

I think one of the main reason so many people like the Fiend is the overall
presentation is well thought out & unique. I mean I think its just a second rate
Kane blended with a Mr. Rogers homage...but at least Bray is doing something
different...and for most part people like it.

I think that's also why so many people like Balor's Demon King...& Pentagon Jr.

A lot of the "presentation & theatrical elements" that made wrestling a unique
experience have been slowly stripped away over the years...and now what
remains is like a diluted soup with everyone looking, acting & wrestling the
same.

I mean I kind of wish all wrestling would embrace the campy, fun, crazy &
mysterious elements of the past...but...with everything being so bland &
social media creating a direct line to MOST performers...they are all just
"normal" people wrestling "normal" matches for "normal" companies.

:idk3:

Oh...& for the record I think Buddy Murphy is great...

Its just a shame they couldn't let him pin Reigns in that "Match of the Year"

Imagine what that could have done for the guy.

 

[white crow]

I'm probably going to get some flack for asking a question like this but does anybody else feel like Buddy Murphy (and a few other wrestlers, he's just my chief example) relies a bit too much on using other people's moves to get himself over?

There is almost no moves that are exclusive to one wrestler. 90% of moves you ever see are solely wrestling moves that no-one has exclusive rights to, or the ones that do are dead or retired. Per example Randy Orton perfectioned cutter without being the one that invented it. Thinking that one maneuver should only be performed by a single wrestler is shallow.

Like Kenny Omega's V-Trigger and Kota Ibushi's Kamigoye

I have no idea how those moves look like but they are probably not the invention of Kenny nor that Japanese guy. And even if they were I don’t mind Murphy using them. AJ Styles invented the Styles Clash but there is nothing wrong with other wrestlers using it as well.

Half of the locker room uses Lou Thesz Press and that’s perfectly fine. As well as DDT and other stuff.