Why I Dislike the Go 2 Sleep

Part 2 of a two-part mini-series. See part 1 here.

Sorry, gents, but I can't co-sign on this move
Photo Credit: WWE.com

In theory, the Go 2 Sleep is a fine move. It's a vicious knee strike exacerbated by the fact that the victim is accruing downward momentum to be halted by an upward-moving blunt object, namely the knee of KENTA, Hallowicked or in this case, CM Punk. If it were able to be pulled off well, I wouldn't be writing this post.

The thing is, I've maybe seen it executed well a handful of times. One of those times was by Punk to Snitsky. You know what happened? It apparently knocked him the fuck out. Since then, I'm not sure I've seen Punk pull it off well, and really, I don't think I've ever seen Hallowicked do it well. KENTA, it's hit or miss, but you have to remember, in Japan, they really don't frown on potatoing a guy as much as they do over here.

So yeah, when you have the other guy's safety in mind (and you always should, mind you), G2S doesn't really work. A lot of times, the victim ends up landing on his feet and ends up having to lean into Punk's knee to make the move work. I don't know about you, but when you have to lean into a move in order to make taking it look credible, that's when I think you need to find a new finishing move. Again, fake is a four letter word in wrestling, but at the same time, I think I need to call a spade a spade here.

This isn't really a criticism of Punk's, per se. I still think he's a fantastic worker, one of the best in the company if not the best (although Rey Mysterio, Dolph Ziggler, Daniel Bryan, Christian, Drew McIntyre, Chris Masters, William Regal, John Cena and Goldust all would have something to say about that proclamation... damn, the WWE has a LOT of good workers, doesn't it?). I also am not the kind of guy who will call someone a shitty worker because he builds towards a bad finisher. I also give him points for trying to add something to his moveset that was big in Japan and might have had a shot to get over over here. Judging by how far in the minority I seemingly am when it comes to this move, I'd say he picked well. And as a personal conceit, I also really, really, REALLY love shouting "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!" like a hyperactive Japanese announcer on speed-laced espresso when someone does it.

However, you don't know how happy it made me when he finished off ReyRey with the super-sized Tajiri kick on RAW this past week. I know half the free world uses a kick to the head as a finishing move at some point in their lives, but at the same time, that almost-Muy Thai-looking kick looked somewhat original. It also looked way more effective at putting someone down organically than the G2S did to me.

Again, I know I'm in the minority here, but I wouldn't lose sleep if the Go 2 Sleep was retired for good in wrestling, or at least if Punk retired it from his arsenal. I have a thing against moves that look bad, and I'm sorry, but the G2S looks BAD with a capital B to me.

Remember you can contact TH and ask him questions about wrestling, life or anything else. Please refer to this post for contact information. He always takes questions!

Why I Don't Mind the 619

Part 1 of a two-part mini-series

This is not a bad move. NO.
Photo Credit: WWE.com

I've been critical of Rey Mysterio hate on the blog before. It doesn't baffle me, but it does bother me on a metaphysical level, since most of it is based in things he can't control, read, his booking. I used to think that the things he could control were at consensus levels. He's a mediocre promo at best (and that's being generous), but he was among the best workers in the world.

Funny, but there are people out there that think Rey is a bad worker. I cannot wrap my head around that because I don't think I've ever seen a bad Mysterio match, at least in recent memory. Maybe there was one in 2008 when he was against Kane most of the time that was subpar, but really, since the epic series with Chris Jericho over the Intercontinental Championship in 2009, I seriously can't remember a ReyRey match I've come out of thinking "man, that was terrible, and it was all because of Rey being a shitty worker in it." Not once.

Usually the reasoning they give for thinking Rey is a bigger abomination than Gene Snitsky wrestling John Heidenreich in a match where both guys were whacked out on NyQuil is because of the 619. Now, I can understand why this move might be bad. I mean, the set up for it involves a guy to lay down on the second rope, a spot that really doesn't happen a whole lot. Okay, I can see that being annoying. But the basis of why he's terrible? When guys, from as reviled as John Cena to beloved as Randy Savage, required similar levels of suspension of disbelief to make signature moves of their work? When the very basis of pro wrestling offense, the Irish whip, is the KING of contrived wrestling?

But I'm not here to defend the wrestler. No, I'm here to defend the move, its very existence. No one will debate it's a cool looking move. It is. But why does every match have to have the deus ex machina to get a guy in the position to take it? IT'S SO FAKE GUYZ!!!1

Except it isn't. Occam's Razor dictates that the best explanation is the most obvious one. The most obvious explanation for all those guys getting put in that position is maybe Rey Mysterio has gotten really good at getting guys put in that position over the years. I mean for real, is it that contrived to think that Rey has found out many different ways to get guys in position for his signature move? He's been wrestling since he was a zygote for fuck's sake, he should know a thing or two about doing his thing in the ring.

So there, the move looks cool, and it looks like it should be effective. I'm also sure that Rey has gotten good at getting people into position to take it. That's why I don't have a problem with the 619. If you do, that's on you, bucko.

Remember you can contact TH and ask him questions about wrestling, life or anything else. Please refer to this post for contact information. He always takes questions!