2017 Ongoing MOTY List: Thatcher vs. Makabe 1

47. Timothy Thatcher vs. Daniel Makabe 3-2-1 Battle! 7/28

PAS: I saw that 123 Battle was bringing in Negro Navarro to work Makabe in a couple of weeks, and I have to respect any fed and wrestler crazy enough to fly in Navarro. So I figured I would check out the pair of pimped Makabe vs. Thatcher matches to see what to expect. This was really good stuff, reminded me of a Fujiwara vs. young guy match from UWF or PWFG. Thatcher was clearly contemptuous of the dirtbag arena and the goofy nonsense in the promotion, and he clearly figured on an easy night. Match opens up with Makabe landing a great looking Ishikawa style punch to the jaw and getting a near fall. Rest of the match has Thatcher trying to punish Makabe with submissions, and kidney pulverizing body shots. Makabe was pretty great working from below, and clearly is a guy who is inspired by the UWF and its children. I really liked how he did little things like manipulate fingers to set up submissions. Loved the finish with Thatcher trying to rip Makabe's arm off with a Fujiwara, but Makabe slickly rolling through landing a nasty headbutt to the shoulder blades and locking Thatcher in a Muto lock variation which nearly put Thatcher's nose in his own butt. Finish has Thatcher showing Makabe respect and giving him his towel, which was actually a touching moment. Very good match, and Makabe looks like a guy who could do some cool stuff with Navarro.

ER: Really fun match that is a true testament to the still relevant strength of a regional babyface. I was in Seattle just a week ago for Sub Pop's SPF30 festival and had just missed a show by this group by one night. I'd never heard of them before, but they run consistently, every 2 weeks, using a roster of people who I've mostly never heard about. (some names down from ECCW, not many up from Portland, and only occasional fly-ins). The crowd sounds and acts clearly devoted, and they come off like real fans, reacting to something not to be the cool person in the crowd, but reacting because they're driven to react. This was not an ironic inside joke wrestling audience, this was a crowd that really wanted Makabe to pull out a victory, and that was really exciting. Really we've seen this kind of match plenty of times from Thatcher, but the crowd reaction pushed this over the top for me. Thatcher goes all split legged at the bell after missing a kick and eating a punch, almost loses, and then spends the match punishing Makabe. I wouldn't have expected the crowd to be as into the grappling stuff as they were, but I was happy with reactions to small reversals. Thatcher had several, and I especially loved when he just stood up and grabbed an arm while Makabe was trying to lock in an octopus. Makabe never looked out of his element, just a talented guy overwhelmed by a more talented guy. I love Thatcher working with disdain, and we get all the stuff you love about Thatcher: an awesome deadlift throw, forearms grounded into Makabe's jaw on pins, slick armbars, all with that great scowl. When Makabe ran up the ropes and flipped back onto him, I thought that for sure was the finish, as it's a popular one to lift in this kind of match. I was pleasantly surprised when it wasn't, as the actual finish was much better. Makabe looks like he practically snaps Thatcher in half with almost a combination Cattle Mutilation/Stump Puller. Watching it applied it's easy to picture how difficult breathing would be. Thatcher handing him his towel was really nice. It wasn't overly emotional, he handed it respectfully and left, but it was Makabe's touched reaction and the crowd's excitement for him - again - that really made that gesture feel huge.


2017 MOTY MASTER LIST