The obvious failure was the feed going dead by the start of the first match. That stuff happens to FloWrestling, Trackwrestling, United World Wrestling and other internet broadcasters. Sometimes when too many people are online, or there isn't enough oomph (layman terminology) to get the signal out to viewers. Both are preventable, but failures are common.
The delayed start ate away at the event's energy. Heading into the event there was significant stumbling about women's matches, Pat Downey, and last-minute changes, but with 24 hours to go much of the wrestling world had resigned itself to enjoying a much-needed night of sports entertainment. The commentary was knowledgeable and entertaining, and the creative packages were well done.
There was FAR too much time between the cards. While I agree that some hype helps, it's better done in the days leading up to the event than in the first minutes. Some footage had leaked out, but a 24/7 or Embedded type program would have helped fans gain new perspective into the lives of the athletes. It's a huge task and with everything else happening in the world it would have been a big ask.
The packages felt like a Fight Night from UFC 2013 with a swinging lightbulb bringing the wrestlers faces into and out of focus. Meh. It's much better than nothing, but it only really reminded me of the UFC and there is plenty of room for wrestling to have its own look for big events. And again, watching them three to four times before each match got to be a repetitive and annoying. I was probably not alone in having other screens on and just keeping one eye on the promotion. (Side note: This seems better suited to an actual PPV card where people are buying it as a one-off.)
A faster card would have made for a better card, though I don't think the matches needed to roll back-to-back-to-back. A 12-minute delay with one airing of the promotional reel and then listening to the hype from the commentators (like all sporting events) would have been an improvement for the fan experience. Keep us interested but stay focused on the content we want to consume.
The wrestling was OK. The referee allowed far too much time for Dake to work at the edge of the mat. He earned the turn, but the wrestlers should have been back to their feet a few moments before the turn was attempted.
The scrambles were complex and compelling with both grapplers showcasing some of their defensive skill, but the overall number of exchanges left me wanting more. If an organizer is paying $75-100K for a main event I'd hope that the athletes feel compelled to pull the trigger a little more often. Getting shooters is important because this event is part spectacle and part sport, whereas a world championship event is run for a sporting outcome. Something to consider.
What's next? Tough to say what matchups may come through in the next few weeks. Much will depend on FloWrestling and what they are willing to pay and the preparation and timeline of the biggest athletes. The matches will be limited to foreign wrestlers from only one country or else it becomes a United World Wrestling level event, which currently aren't allowed to occur. Though that doesn't matter much since America isn't open to foreign business quite like it was six months ago.
Overall, I enjoyed the evening if it was delayed and suffered from too many pauses. We all wanted something sporting and entertaining and I think that's what we received. Good job by FloWrestling to get it together and to follow the strict COVID protocols.
To your questions …
David Taylor takes down Myles Martin at FloWrestling's event this past Saturday (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Q: David Taylor called out Abdulrashid Sadulaev. If they faced off at a catchweight, how do you see that match going?
-- Mike C.
Foley: I really don't have any idea who would win, but that's also due in part to not knowing if a catchweight would be possible. While Sadulaev did only weigh in the mid 90's for much of the 2017 season, he was trimming some kilos in 2019 and he's even larger in the COVID-era of less working out and more dining. Would "The Tank" have to cut down to 92 kilograms for a match with someone who can eat up to 92 kilograms? Meh. Seems like a lot to consider for Sadulaev who both doesn't need the money and doesn't care about the attention.
OK, but what if he did decide to workout, cut a bunch of weight, and fly to Texas …
When attacking, David Taylor is arguably the best freestyle wrestler in the world. When defending he's creative and opportunistic, but he does give up points when opponents make it past his hands and elbows and connect to good shots. Sadulaev is beefy, but he's also outrageously athletic -- would a scoot to the corner and ankle grab work against him? I'm doubtful. This sets up an interesting dynamic of giving the aggressor the upper hand.
Pacing would determine the winner. If Taylor opened up and found solid attacks with clean finishes I think he can snatch a few early takedowns from Sadualev. He'd then need to stay on the offense because as the match would progress Sadulaev would tire Taylor and open up more attacks. If Sadualev attacks, especially late, I think Taylor is not in a good position to defend.
While Taylor is the better wrestler from neutral there is the issue of par terre. If Sadulaev ends up on top of Taylor there is a rib-cracking gut wrench coming that is very difficult to stop.
Maybe we will be fortunate enough to see the matchup, but probably not. What is nice to know is that we have the wrestling IQ among fans to start fantasizing about this type of international matchup. I don't think we had that group knowledge as recently as five years ago, much less ten or twenty.
MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME
Sadulaev responds: Eat and train and maybe I'll see you in the fall
Truth
�"��"��"��"��"��"� pic.twitter.com/uSbNPldWFc
�" Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) July 30, 2020
Q: If the Senior Nationals event goes off as planned in October, what type of field do you expect?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Big if …
There should be a number of top-tier athletes competing at the Olympic weights because the tournament would be a good opportunity to warm up before the Olympic Trials in April. I wouldn't expect Kyle Snyder, Jordan Burroughs, David Taylor, J'den Cox, Nick Gwiazdowski or Thomas Gilman but I think it's plausible we'll see athletes a little further down the ladder.
Again, I'm guessing the tournament is a BIG 'if' in that it relies heavily on the outcome of United World Wrestling's upcoming bureau meetings this August. Should it be decided that something is to change with the 2020 World Championships it would almost certainly mean the elimination of the trials.
However, if not, it's important that the athletes start the process by having national tournaments to train and prepare for.
Q: I saw the NCAA announced that student-athletes may wear social justice patches and statements on their uniforms. Do you think we will see any on wrestling singlets?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Yes. The NCAA allowing freedom of expression is comical. They've allowed sponsors to buy the field of play and the bodies of the athletes, through no direct compensation to those same athletes. That's farcical, but it's happening. That they then say it's "allowable" to make a statement for equal treatment is antithetical to the very idea of self-determination and dominion over one's self.
Pay the athletes. End this sham.
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now