Doctor's Orders: Rewinding the Review (NXT)

[Dr. CMV1]

Ring of Honor April 26, 2010: Davey Richards vs. Eddie Edwards to crown the ROH Television Champion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcE3gvA67pM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8QENJQYSHU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkKHFqQMe70&feature=related

CMV1 rating - *** ¾

CMV1 note – I'd wanted to see Richards wrestle for some time and I walked away impressed. I enjoy this style of wrestling, which was one of the initial things that drew me to TNA's X-Division. This exercise will have me going out of my way to watch more ROH.

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For those of you asking for me to step outside my comfort zone, and write something different than that for which I’m better known…go put in your contacts or throw on your glasses, for I’m about to write more creatively to cater to the Pro masses. You may think it better or you may think it worse, but as Nas did with his rap song in 2001, this column is going in reverse…

Eddie Edwards lowers the belt from the air, the elated smile wiping off of his face. As he looks back toward the referee, the evidence of his victory gone from his hands without a trace. But his hand is back in the air now, just without the title in tow. The ref has raised it, while he looks down at his fallen, beaten partner below. Davey Richards looks up at his fellow American Wolf, having just lost to him in a match that put a strain on their unity. It’s hard for a man of his nature to not wallow in the misery of his lost opportunity.

The bell rings thrice, as the announcers scream “tapped out he!” Richards could no longer withstand the pain from submission hold on his Achilles. He was so close, though, just moments away from victory. But Edwards reversed out of his partner’s cross armbreaker, in a moment of pure visual wrestling tapestry. The sweat comes back up to his face and the scream goes back into his voice. Davey changes holds with effortless grace, the Kimura submission no longer his choice. The announcers ponder whether the “near is end” for when the Kimura's applied it puts its victim in great distress. Richards flies back up from his fallen friend to the top turnbuckle, where he readies himself for the Shooting Star Press. Then he climbs down from above, from the top to the middle to the mat. Suddenly his feet find Eddie’s injured arm with a top rope drop kick that made me think “!amazing was that.” Especially when one considers that he’d been trapped in the Achilles lock just prior. And that just before that he had slammed his own leg into the ring post when he swung for his opponent but misfired.

The crowd chants “awesome is this” and “H-O-R.” This after Davey gives Eddie a clothesline that sends him from here to afar. It was an impressive feat from Davey, having just landed high and tight on his neck from a suplex that was German. How he sprang up so quickly to deliver the move, I have yet to determine. Eddie’s foot backs away from Davey Richard’s jaw; in an intelligence display returns his attention to his partner’s lower back flaw. The Achilles Lock works not just on the leg but also the spine. Thus, much of Eddie’s psychological focus is on both areas by design. “No, two, one” yells the ref as he un-counts the near fall. T’was as if Eddie's super hurricanrana off the top rope had never happened at all. Nor did the powerbomb pin executed just after; that left Davey flat on his back and staring up the rafters. Now they are back on the mat trading hold after hold. Each man’s eye is on the prize, brotherhood thrown out in favor of gold. Holy shit! An amazing maneuver just un-took place. Richards regains control with a release German suplex from the top rope that sent Eddie ass over elbows to land on his face!

They are up on the top rope again, jockeying for position. They are like tight rope walkers in a circus exhibition. Eddie’s head slams back off Davey’s cranium and Davey responds in kind. They head butt each other so many times that I think they’ve lost their minds. But now the ref is counting again after Edward’s is halfing the shoot. He just connected with a fireman’s carry into a facebuster but the point is moot. Even though Eddie scored with a suicide dive, the action rewinds back to the ring where its Richards who thrives. Richards has the momentum with a series of suplexes that make the sound of a snap. These took place after he’d already sprung his Kimura submission trap. His feet go back to being flat as his suplex goes south from the Northern Lights. Davey’s backward flipping plancha from the outside floor to inside the ring is quite an interesting sight. Now, they are joined at the arms and shoulders tumbling upward like Siamese brothers. They are both back on the apron, where each was eyeing the floor and trying to suplex the other.

Edwards is already on the prowl, going after body parts that fit his finishing submission. But so, too, does Richards with striking repetition. The pendulum sways, with momentum swinging from one wrestler to the next. The announcers ponder the ramifications of two partners wrestling for such high stakes, the situation complex. The crowd is respectfully quiet, just seeing how this will play out. Richards and Edwards grapple on the mat, taking a cautious approach to the bout. They bring their hands away from each others after putting their strength to the test. These American Wolves, as they’re called, cunningly keeping their strategies close to the vest. A series of collar and elbow tie ups occur and off we go. A handshake between the two in a show of respect they bestow. And now we’ve reached the beginning and we’re back to square one…

“This is the finals of the tournament to crown the first ROH Television Champion”

[Hustle]

You. Fucking. Killed. It.

Big-ups to you for taking the criticism and questions people had for you, and turning it into the crafting of a completely different column. Great work.

Good luck.

[CoLD_KiLL]

Notes to start off with.

Glad to see you pick a match that features both Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards. I'm not a huge fan of either man but I see where a lot of people would like them. Me and Davey Richards have a Love / Hate relationship. I see the potential he has but I don't think he uses his tools properly. He does a lot of unnecessary moves in his matches that he could do without a lot of times. Majority of the times it comes across as him doing moves for moves sakes and he is better then that.

He has been getting a lot of attention over the past two years and he deserves it. Its a shame to see him work to the level he has gotten only to be retiring at the end of this year [ So he says ]

Haven't seen this match yet so I'm gonna watch now and add more thoughts later.

[Zuma]

Sick.

Did you just drop the Pentatonic scale on us?

[Dr. CMV1]

Hustle - Thanks. I had the idea when I randomly heard "Rewind" on satellite radio a few months ago and immediately wrote that down as a potential column idea. I was getting a little tired of the "You are what you are" stuff. I write a lot of straight, pure columns but it's not like I never change gears and drop the creative hammer...

Cold - My more critical thoughts for the match were that the finish was fairly weak. I can see how some others would rate this higher, but the tap out finish had no drama behind it. Perhaps part of that was the crowd's lack of reaction to it. The build-up to the finish could've just flat out been better. Plus, as you mentioned there are times when Richards does moves and doesn't sell. There are so many nice sequences that they work in and its aesthetically pleasing, without question, but the quick flurries cause them to sell each other's moves poorly...which takes away from the overall presentation for me. Nonetheless, this is a style of match that I do find very entertaining, so I can trade a little long-term selling for the entertainment value if I know that's what I should expect...

Zuma - Hmmm...I know nothing of music. I don't write rhymes. I write checks.

[Mazza]

UGH! NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! This where you should have destroyed your competition. When it comes to reviewing, you are sure better than LOP's resident reviewer and plenty of people will put you over Davey. If there was any round you should have done what you do best it was this round. What you ended up with was a review of a match that was torturous to read. I tried to read it back to front which was a real pain and totally ruined which would have been an as always excellent review. The idea may have sounded good in your head, hell, it sounded good when I read what you were about to do but as soon as I got down to reading the meat, the good idea beame a bad one. There are probably ways a reverse column could work but this was not it. I wasn't a fan of last weeks but you were at least in the ball park. I guess the good news is that some people will go nuts for the idea here and you should still get through. I would really love to see 2 things from you before this tourney finishes. 1. A column relying on your reviewing skills that is not backwards, and 2. A column with your medical expertise like the one you dropped on the Main Page a year or two ago. As for this, I appreciate the effort but I really can't pass it.

Maz Rating: F

[Dr. CMV1]

You want me to challenge myself, though, don't you Maz? I could write a review in my sleep - that wouldn't have been challenging AT ALL - everyone already knows I can do that!

Don't try to read it back to front, dope! It wasn't written that way!

C'MON DUDE : ) You're killing me, Maz...

[Mazza]

See, for me the thing is this. I know you are already a polished writer. Can you get better? Sure, we all can but I look at it like this. There are guys in this competition who will be all about learning and improving their general style. Hell, one of them could even win it if they improve enough but they should all be better writers by the time this is through. Then you have the guys who are amongst the favourites to win it. They already know how to write a column and whilst I am not say they won't improve throughout, their main goal should be winning this tournament (whilst having fun along the way of course). Stinger is at the top of my poll right now. Now the dude, could outwrite pretty much anyone in this tourney, rook or pro, in a regular column but he has found the "x" factor to make him stand out in both his columns so far. When it comes to reviews, you have that x factor. There is nothing wrong with challenging yourself and I do appreciate this must have been tough to write and I appreciate you trying something to try and get an advantage, but the challenge shouldn't come at the expense of an entertaining column and the problem for me was it was so difficult to read that it was never going to entertain me.

I know this must be a bit frustrating for you at the moment, but try not to overthink it.

[Dr. CMV1]

Fair enough. Can't please 'em all...

[ChrisBear]

Doc I'll applaud you on two fronts. Firstly the speed in which you thought this out and got it posted. Secondly you tried something new, really creative. Unfortunately I agree with Maz though (to a certain extent), it just didn't work for me. I too read it backwards after (Silly, I know, now) but if reading it backwards would have worked this would have been an absolute winner. Creatively this was brilliant, but this maybe shouldn't have been the round to do it.

This will very much be a love it or hate it column I think but you should without doubt be applauded for being 'creative', thats what the pro's keep telling us to be right?

[priest]

I think I agree with ChrisBear. But I can understand how you feel. I am always trying to think of writing something creative as I feel it is the only way I can challenge the top guys in this tournament who are better writers than me, but this idea was something I would have never been able to think of. It sounds great in theory, and must have been a massive challenge to write.

Did it work for me? Personally, no. But I applaud you for not only the creativity, but for the execution of it. It may not have been my cup of tea, but I don't think there was another writer in this competition that could have done a better job than you did. I expect you to drop in the rankings because some pros wouldn't have liked it, but you will remain a top contender for this competition and I'm sure you are a better writer than you were a couple of days ago. Which, after all, is the primary reason we are in this competition.

[Zuma]

Wow... I'm shocked at how torn people are on this column.

This dude rhymed... in reverse...a match review, and kept his scale the entire time. I challenge Mazza, who dropped an "F" on the guy, to do the same. Technically really well done, and masterfully crafted to challenge our thoughts. I am very happy that you went outside your comfort zone here and gave us anything gut a straight review because as you said - WE KNOW YOU CAN DO THAT - taking a review, and turning it completely upside down was a stroke of genius, and I'm sure more pros than not will appreciate that.

Congrats on staying near the top.

[T.O.]

I didn't even notice the rhyme scale until Zuma brought it up. That's a sign of a good writer, in my book.

One hell of a piece.

[Mazza]

Wow... I'm shocked at how torn people are on this column.

This dude rhymed... in reverse...a match review, and kept his scale the entire time. I challenge Mazza, who dropped an "F" on the guy, to do the same. Technically really well done, and masterfully crafted to challenge our thoughts. I am very happy that you went outside your comfort zone here and gave us anything gut a straight review because as you said - WE KNOW YOU CAN DO THAT - taking a review, and turning it completely upside down was a stroke of genius, and I'm sure more pros than not will appreciate that.


The rhyming of a match review was great, probably would have got an A from me too. It was flipping that totally undone everything else because for me, it made it a real chore to read. As for the challenge, I will respectfully decline because I wouldn't want to do something I hated seeing done.

[Tito]

Wowzer, Dr. CMV1... We challenged you to step out of the box on your columns, and you set the box on fire! Such a unique read and you just set the bar REAL HIGH for the rest of the competitors this round.

This column was AWESOME! I have ZERO criticisms for this column and it ties Stinger's Triple H "tribute" for the best column, thus far (as of 7/19/10, 9:42 pm).

Curious... What gave you the idea to write a column like this?

[Dr. CMV1]

Maz - It's not that difficult to read, brother. It was supposed to be complicated, though. It was impossible not to make it complicated and rhyme the whole thing. If that's your primary reason for "F"-ing it, then whatever dude...

Chris - Why are you guys trying to read it backwards? I could've done that if it didn't rhyme...but the motivation behind it was a hip hop song that rhymed. If I wanted it to be as simple as being able to read it backwards, I'd have just written a review and flipped all the sentences in reverse...that'd would've been too easy and nowhere near as creative (or kick ass)

Priest - I had to do something way outside the box, because my normal style wasn't going to get me in the top 5. The differences in preference, thus far, show that my columns aren't the types that will allow me to win. I had to take a risk. I really don't think it's going to bring me down too much. Guys who honestly think that I am only the 15th or 12th best candidate for the main page in this group will be the ones that drag me down more than anything. This was NOT easy to write. It took a few uninterrupted hours to watch, review, and then read the review backwards while trying to rhyme it and keep the "beat"

Zuma - Thank for the kind words, sir. I wasn't really sure how this would be received, but your reaction was what I was hoping for. I, at the very least, thought that it wouldn't fair any worse than I had been amongst those that don't dig my usual columns. 'Plan can take his "I've got no interest in someone that doesn't care" comment and shove it up his pink ass, by the way (no offense to him, but that comment in the Pro's thread was bullshit and this just turned out to be the point I thought I'd rant on that).

T.O. - Much appreciated...nice to see you around these parts...

Tito - I got this idea a few months back. I was listening to satellite radio and the old Nas song "Rewind" came on. I haven't listened to hip hop in years, but I liked it back then. I always thought the concept of that song (where he told a story backwards) was very cool. So, I decided I wanted to try writing a column in "Rewind." We talked about using this idea for the last round when everyone said I was so bland in round 1, but Phantom thought it best to hold off on it. I thought the 1,000 word limit would be PERFECT for this idea, as would the review thing. I also thought that this would be a round where people struggled to be creative considering the topics and length. Phantom thought it was good enough to use it in this round. THANK YOU for the kind words, by the way. Not to stroke your ego or anything, but it would be remiss of any writer in this competition not to take those sentiments from you and feel very proud of their work.

[makeo]

This was literate, and had an interesting premise in terms of being written in reverse.

It didn't work for me though.

Firstly, I felt as though it was a technical exercise/experiment to show off/develop your skill rather than an engaging piece of work.

Secondly, as a fan of that match, you did not explore any of the context or reason for it to any meaningful depth.

Thirdly, you are so far more developed than this. Some of the writing was forced in terms of structure to fit within the "gimmick" you imposed on yourself.


Basically, as much respect as I have for the intelligence that goes behind this, I dislike it as a column.

Personal taste and all that though.

[Tito]

Tito - I got this idea a few months back. I was listening to satellite radio and the old Nas song "Rewind" came on. I haven't listened to hip hop in years, but I liked it back then. I always thought the concept of that song (where he told a story backwards) was very cool. So, I decided I wanted to try writing a column in "Rewind." We talked about using this idea for the last round when everyone said I was so bland in round 1, but Phantom thought it best to hold off on it. I thought the 1,000 word limit would be PERFECT for this idea, as would the review thing. I also thought that this would be a round where people struggled to be creative considering the topics and length. Phantom thought it was good enough to use it in this round. THANK YOU for the kind words, by the way. Not to stroke your ego or anything, but it would be remiss of any writer in this competition not to take those sentiments from you and feel very proud of their work.

No problem... I read the column before I even touched the videos, and I was fascinated. That's what "main page worthy" is, as you have to pull readers in when taking on challenging topics or possibly covering wrestling they've never heard before.

[Prime Time]

I don't know. Technically proficient, obviously. Well-written and different, I can't deny.

My main problem with it is that it doesn't really grab me the way I think a column on the main page should. I guess because I don't really see what is gained (in terms of insight) from the approach.

With this one, I kind of got the vibe that it was a vehicle to show people in the competition that you could be versatile, and that can be a good thing but in this case for me, it left the whole thing feeling more like a technical exercise than an informative wrestling column.

Although I do think it's a lot better than an 'F' grade. I think that comes from people having high expectations of you, because this column is far too well put together to receive any failing grade from me.

[Dr. CMV1]

Makeo and Prime Time (feedback was similar) - I smell what you're cooking, but in my opinion you to remember that the kind of column that you describe (the straight forward recap and review of the context) is what you're likely going to read 15 more times from the other competitors (or however many are left). I promise this was no exercise or experiment, but the execution of an idea I'd wanted to try out months ago. I just thought that in the interest of being unique within the confines of a topic where people will struggle to be unique - this was the right time for it...thanks for the feedback...

[Stinger]

As I said before, crazy creative and executed to perfection. Really, an outstanding job. I find some of the feedback you have gotten laughable. Obviously everyone has different taste and whatnot, but seriously. The past two rounds you write a great pure column and just get a bunch of "you're playing it safe", "need to leave your comfort zone", "seems like you don't really care", "stuck in your ways," "want to see you do something outside of the box", etc. You did that here to perfection, and it was far, far from being torturous to read or worthy of an F (although sure, different strokes for different folks).

I would imagine that a "typical Chad" review would be even more inside your so-called "safe comfort zone." So that you took a risk in a round where everyone knows how great you are at reviewing, to me, speaks volumes about how much you do care about this thing and how much you do want to win it.

From one rook to another... fantastic job and I agree completely with Tito that you set the bar exceptionally high for this round and in amazing time as well. Bravo.

[THE MONKEY]

I have to agree with Stinger to a degree here. In terms of what does and doesn't work on the Main Page, the vast majority of those guys want to read pretty straight forward opinion columns or pretty straight forward review columns both of which Chad has proven to be capable of in the past. While this column isn't something that would work every single time on the MP (for some it would) that wasn't the point. The point was proving to the PROs that he was anything but one dimensional as people were claiming and pull something completely out of left field. Not only was the column great but the creativity and effort put into it were great. Chad has already proved for months (much longer for those who used to read his MP show recaps) that he can write, this was his chance to show people that he can write on different levels.

Very excellent and I'd be willing to bet this will be one of if not the top column to come out of this round IMO.

['Plan]

Somehow my feedback seems to have vanished.... Fucking internet.

I won't waste any time with it this time.

Basically, I admire the technical skill on show here as it takes a great deal of talent to pull off a backwards review in rhyme. I didn't like it was just rhyming couplets and that there was simply too much going off. My mind was so busy noticing the rhymes, making sense of the backwards description and figuring out the backwards dialogue that it didn't get round to picturing what it was you were writing. It was perhaps TOO complex for its own good. It sounds like you can't win, I know, but you can. I just want to see the right balance struck. Doing a backwards review would've been cool. Doing a rhyming review would've been cool. But both together was too much. And doing it just to experiment is all good, and very admirable for the record, props to stepping up to what the Pros asked of you, but with a review it should've had rhyme and reason. To me, it just had the former.

So major props for the creativity and technical skill. But I marked you down a bit for the fact there was so much going on in it I couldn't even picture the match you were reviewing.

[CoLD_KiLL]

So...other then myself an Makeo has anyone bothered to watch the match and compare the review?

Part of a review is to get across why or why the writer thinks a match is good or bad. How many of you agree with him on his opinions regarding the match? How many of you feel he was correct on the context of the match because of his review?

Did anyone even bother to watch the match?

I'm hearing why his is review isn't good but I haven't heard anyone agree or disagree with his opinion of the match.

How many of you watched his match because of his review?

How many didn't watch the match because of the review?

[da_shee]

Firstly I watched the match and thought it was pretty decent. Then upon reading your review I saw that you were starting from the end and working back to the start which, i think, was a pretty cool thing to try. It may confuse someone who hasn't seen the match but you've indicated that you're going in reverse so any/all potential readers should no what they're in for.

About half way through the column I felt like I was rapping to myself then I realized that you put in a rhyming scheme. Dude. Awesome. I was like how the hell did he do that? I've written rhymes before but in the context of a review? Serious stuff there dude! The review itself, I think, coincided perfectly (backwards) with the match so well done there, but then again reviews are your thing. And as for the quality of the writing, I really really liked it.

Overall I think this was a great job, well done!

[makeo]

So...other then myself an Makeo has anyone bothered to watch the match and compare the review?

Part of a review is to get across why or why the writer thinks a match is good or bad. How many of you agree with him on his opinions regarding the match? How many of you feel he was correct on the context of the match because of his review?

Did anyone even bother to watch the match?

I'm hearing why his is review isn't good but I haven't heard anyone agree or disagree with his opinion of the match.

How many of you watched his match because of his review?

How many didn't watch the match because of the review?

This was my major issue with it. Not the structure of the column per se, that the opinion given was shallow and thrown away as an intro.

If the column had been executed as brilliantly as it was, and incorporated an analysis, overview and context, then it would have been one of the best I have ever read.

As it was, it is a writer executing a great piece of skill, that says nothing about the match of much value.

As said, personal taste. I like insight, analysis and context ripped from the writer's gut as to what they believe the motherfucking truth is.

This was a concept, executed well. It could have been done about any match.

It's a reflection of the respect that I have for the abilities of Dr CMV1, that I believe he could nail a column like that. Technical skill, analysis, creativity and a voice that engages with it's opinion.

What I'd like to have seen included is why this was Eddie Edwards best ever match. (It is) Why he got the win and what it meant for himself and the Wolves. What the Dr likes about Richards, the context of the face response Edwards has been getting and why, etc.

It was a recap written by a clever writer in a creative style. I wanted a review by a clever writer about shit I enjoyed.

[Super Chrisss]

First off Doc, congrats on writing the most-debated column of the tournament thus far. I never expected it to come from your keyboard (no offense).

This wasn't my favorite column of the month, but it was super-different, and you proved to everyone how much your style can change.

Let people say what they want. I think you nailed it.

[Tito]

^ Polarizing is good.

[Phantom Lord]

To be honest when the Doc told me about this concept I was a bit confused. Plus I hate rap in general so nothing Nas did can possibly be any good. But I knew if this was a potential homerun swing for him that he needed to use it at the right time and right time he did. The rewind concept worked brilliantly here and I'm not just saying that cause I'm Jericho to his Wade Barrett. I'm not sure anyone else could have pulled off writing a column/review in this manner and it making sense in the end.

Excellent work here.

[NabidHassan]

:facepalm:


uh....well,now that you're done appeasing your critiques, be the good old doc again & write those "dry" columns for us.