Today’s big news is that Dave has snowflakes for Mania: Rockstars/Usos *1/2, McIntyre/Corbin **3/4, Mysterios vs Paul/Miz ***1/2, Belair/Lynch ****1/2, Cody/Seth… uh, he forgot to do that one, but it’s either ****1/2 or ****3/4… Flair/Rousey **, Austin/Owens ***1/2, RKBro/Alpha/Profits ****1/4, Omos/Lashley 1/2*, Zayn/Knoxville (rating intentionally skipped), Women’s tag **1/2, Edge/Styles ***3/4, McAfee/Theory ***3/4, Vince/McAfee -**, Reigns/Lesnar ***1/4.
Meltzer did not give an exact rating to Cody vs Seth, but did say it was the best match of the shows. He also said FTR/Briscoes got 5, while FTR/Bucks was “only” ****3/4. As for Knoxville, while he noted the wrestling itself was not well done, he admitted it was entertaining and the crowd loved it, so he wisely left it unrated. (After all, sometimes wrestling isn’t wrestling.)
Meanwhile, my chess odyssey continues — I’m stuck between 550 and 600 ELO because I keep overloading myself — so here is a great game for you to learn how chess tactics work. Paul Morphy, the greatest American chess player of the 19th century, is playing a game while watching in the Paris Opera House (which was more like a dinner theater than an opera), and the game is a masterclass in how to use your material to set up a victory. American International Master Levy “Gotham” Rozman talks about why everything works.
All right, folks, we’ve been over the rules. I expect you to obey the mods’ instructions at all times. I want a good clean thread. Now — touch gloves, go to your keyboards, and come out posting!
ENJOY THE WEEKEND!