Case File No. 53: Bandido

 

Photo Source: threads.com.

Today, I take a look at the "Most Wanted" Bandido, currently in his second reign as Ring of Honor World Champion.

HT: 5-7 WT: 211

Promotion: ROH/AEW

Credentials:

ROH World Champion (2x, current)

AEW Tag Team Champion (1)

AEW Trios Champion (1)

Strengths:

-Well-rounded wrestler

-Stronger than he appears

-Very good ring awareness

-Extremely agile and athletic

-Charismatic

-Strong connection with the fans

Weaknesses:

-Too much celebrating at times

-Not the biggest wrestler

-Mic skills/promos could be better

Final Analysis:

Bandido is a well-rounded wrestler who displays a combination of technical wrestling, strength, high risk moves, striking, and can wrestle hardcore style when he wants to. One of the things that really stands out to me is his strength; he's stronger than he looks. He has very good awareness of where he is in the ring. He has freakish agility and athleticism, and he's a fan favorite.

While his charisma is one of his strong points, the downside to it is he can get carried away with it (i.e., the excessive dancing/celebrating), and it gives his opponents more time to recover. His lack of size can be taken advantage of by bigger wrestlers. Although the crowd engagement makes up for some of it, I think his mic skills and promos could be better.

Bandido is one of the biggest fan favorites in ROH and AEW. In my opinion, he's closest I've seen to Eddie Guerrero in terms of in-ring versatility and charisma. The only differences I see is Eddie also used submission moves when he wanted to--I don't see Bandido use submission moves often--and Eddie was better on the mic. It probably won't be any time soon, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him one day become AEW World Champion.

Case File No. 52: Joe Burrow

 

Photo Source: sporting news.com.

Today, I take a look at Joe Burrow. If he can shake the injuries that has plagued him the last few seasons, I see him as a future league MVP and Super Bowl Champion.

Team: Cincinnati Bengals

Position: Quarterback

HT: 6-4 WT: 215

Credentials:

2x Comeback Player of the Year

3x Pro Bowl

Heisman Trophy (2019)

CFP National Champion (2019)

Strengths:

-Great pocket poise

-Exceptional from the pocket

-Respected team leader

-Great arm

-Accurate with very good timing and anticipation

-Enough mobility to make plays with his feet

Weaknesses:

-Extends the play for too long sometimes

-Can have too much confidence in his arm

-Has been dealing with injuries the past few seasons

Final Analysis:

Joe is the unquestioned leader of this team, who has full command of the huddle. He's primarily a pocket passer who has decent mobility. He has exceptional pocket presence, and usually throws with very good accuracy, timing, anticipation, and has the arm to make all the throws. 

I think his ability to extend plays is a strength and a weakness. While it has been helpful at times, he has taken a beating for most of his career, and while the offensive line has been a big part of that, the another part of it is Joe holding the ball or extending the play for too long at times. Like most quarterbacks with great arm strength, there are times where he can be too confident in his arm, and force throws that aren't there, but the other side to that is sometimes he's able to make those throws.

Although he has been dealing with significant injuries the past few seasons, when healthy, Joe is definitely a Top Three quarterback, in my opinion, and the Cincinnati Bengals will go as far as he will take them.

Case File No. 51: Megan Bayne

 

Megan Bayne hoists opponent on her shoulders. Photo Credit: Ricky Havlik.

Today, I uncover the case file of the "Megasus" Megan Bayne, who is one-half of the Divine Dominion, and a future Women's Champion, in my opinion.

HT: 5-11

Promotion: AEW

Credentials:

AEW Women's Tag Team Champion (1)

Strengths:

-Powerhouse with occasional high risk moves

-Imposes her will

-Agile and athletic

-Mic skills/promos are improving

-Improving as a performer overall

Weaknesses:

-Continue to work on selling moves

-Looks languid in her movements at times

-Not the most charismatic

Final Analysis:

Megan is a primarily a powerhouse who occasionally takes high risk moves. She imposes her will and dominates most opponents. She's agile and athletic for her size. Her mic skills and promos aren't great, but I think she's better in this area than some may think. She's not charismatic on the mic; she's very, very thorough when she speaks, but if one pays attention to what she's saying, her delivery is actually not bad.

Her selling of moves is getting better, but I think it's still an area that needs improving. It's not as bad as it was when I first saw her, but she still looks languid in her movements at times. I think her lack of charisma makes some find her boring, but the Catch-22 in this case is I think her personality of a dominating figure (versus a flamboyant one) suits her better.

Megan has made her imposing presence felt since arriving in AEW. Aside from a few things she needs to touch up on, I think she's a future Women's Champion. Actually, I thought she would've won the belt by now.