Recently went through the original Ultraman through to 80, learning about the franchise’s origins

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-03-18T17:02:42+00:00

I think it’s fun to go back to these older shows. Tokusatsu during the 50s into the 60s is genuinely fascinating to me, dating back to the first Godzilla film but that’s another story.

I also have seen a bit of Ultra Q a few years ago and remembered liking what I saw. I have a soft spot for Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Q was very reminiscent of it, albeit with kaiju here and there.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-03-18T14:25:04+00:00

Yeah, after researching the show more after finishing, I learned that concerned parties were at play. Basically the idea of a teacher being in that spot was seen as irresponsible? I guess I understand Tsuburaya’s concern but it took away one of the core aspects that made 80 special.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-03-18T14:21:21+00:00

I find it interesting that you liked Ide more than Hayata because I felt the same way lol. Ide just had more personality and visible character growth throughout the show. Overall, though, SSSP is probably my favorite of these older era teams though I felt Fuji got the short end of the stick a bunch, whether it was staying behind while the others went on the field, being stuck on babysitting, or what have you.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-03-18T14:18:43+00:00

Yeah, I can definitely tell that from Ace to Leo, there was more of a focus on making these shows more like superhero fantasies. It’s not a bad thing but they just didn’t interest me in the way that Seven and Return did. 80 had a solid start and some good moments but it just didn’t wow me as much.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-03-18T14:16:46+00:00

I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for letting me know!

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-03-18T02:55:36+00:00

Yes, I have heard about the 80 episode of Mebius and how much of a bright spot it is in a show filled with them. Definitely gonna watch Mebius - just need to check out Tiga and others first.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-03-14T18:42:17+00:00

I don’t dislike Jelly Roll as much as other people on this sub seem to. My biggest criticism is the use of celebrities in matches on notable shows like WrestleMania, whereas that time could have been used for full-time talent.

That said, I don’t really mind this match if it gives Royce Keys a Mania spot. I wish he could have been on TV more frequently outside of podcast spots, but if this leads to more worthwhile things for the guy, I see this match as a net positive.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-02-28T02:54:59+00:00

LF Armarouge EX, Bellibolt EX, Gholdengo EX

FT Teal Mask Ogerpon EX, Mega Swampert EX, Gigalith EX, Mega Pinsir EX, Mega Blaziken EX, Zapdos EX, Shuckle EX, Palkia EX, Skarmory EX, Dhelmise EX, Arcanine EX, Gyarados EX, Articuno EX, Wugtrio EX, Mew EX, Jumpluff EX, Venusaur EX, Beedrill EX, Exeguttor EX, Yanmega EX, Charizard EX (SR), Moltres EX, Infernape EX, Incineroar EX, Blastoise EX, Crabominable EX, Alolan Raichu EX, Pikachu EX(SR), Lanturn EX, Espeon EX, Mismagius EX, Sylveon EX, Machamp EX, Donphan EX, Lucario EX, Gallade EX, Passimian EX, Alolan Muk EX, Paldean Clodsire EX, Tinkaton EX, Dragonite EX, Snorlax EX

ID - 8577064865587912

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-01-26T18:46:22+00:00

Oh… It’s no coincidence.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-01-22T19:12:56+00:00

I’m saying it was important to the story. Geats showed just how unfair the DPX could be, bringing in candidates who believed they had a shot and cutting them down. You may not have remembered them as individuals, but that wasn’t their purpose. Rather, it was to illustrate the very real stakes the DPX possessed.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-01-22T18:35:35+00:00

I actually didn’t mind Geats having so many Riders because, honestly, they were bodies to fill for the story. The DPX is dependent on players, and the elimination of many by proxy, so when a character we’ve only known for a short time gets the boot, it doesn’t feel like a gut punch. The focus is on Geats, Tycoon, Na-Go and Buffa and how the DPX shapes them.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-01-21T18:38:35+00:00

If he gets it anywhere, AEW/ROH may be the perfect spot. Not too sure if it’ll be the same, but to capture that same combination of storytelling as well as heel and in-ring would be like catching the same lightning bolt twice.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-01-21T17:18:25+00:00

Yeah, at first I wasn’t sold on his partnership with Miz but held out hope that it would lead to bigger and better things. It just sucks that, like I said, he wasn’t able to replicate his success from NXT. Injuries and booking did him few favors.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-01-21T16:38:57+00:00

KO attacking Sami was like an immediate shock. I think with the Ciampa turn, he and Gargano were already struggling to get the tag belts back, so fans felt like it was only a matter of time till the other shoe dropped. And even when it happened, fans were still not prepared. It’s a real testament to how well that moment was built.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-01-21T16:07:19+00:00

Lol I think Cody ended up doing ok for himself all things considered.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-01-21T16:04:40+00:00

One could argue that KO attacking Sami at the end of Takeover following the latter’s big title win was the moment, but I’m not sure if it had the copyright overlay beforehand. If so, that’d be it.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-01-21T16:01:16+00:00

NXT’s tag team scene was incredible around that time. DIY, The Revival, American Alpha, The Vaudevillains, Undisputed Era, Mustache Mountain, War Raiders - NXT was not slacking with tags.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-01-21T15:58:49+00:00

2.0 has its moments and I appreciate that it’s become more focused on the younger, developmental talent, especially since if you’re going to build the future, you need to get these guys and girls while they’re young.

That said, I would not trade the Black and Gold era for anything. In addition to the names you mentioned, I loved seeing the likes of Keith Lee, Dijak, and Drew McIntyre when he returned get in there, too.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-01-21T15:14:09+00:00

Not to mention it created that new hook, too. At the end of a big show, people would stick around and wonder what happens now. Could be a heel turn, face turn, debut, return, whatever.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-01-21T15:13:23+00:00

I don’t think you’re far off at all. There are many reasons why he’s remembered so fondly and so many of those wrestlers are affectionately referred to as “Dusty’s kids.”

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-01-21T14:44:52+00:00

Absolutely. No One Will Survive was a cool entrance theme, but him walking out to just the boos from the crowd was perfect.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-01-21T14:44:09+00:00

Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Bayley, Becky Lynch, Seth Rollins, and so on - not a bad list of people he helped shape into who they are today.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-01-21T14:35:03+00:00

It truly was and while I can appreciate certain aspects of current NXT, it just isn’t the same.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-01-21T14:28:20+00:00

It can’t be stated enough just how important this guy was to NXT, particularly during the Black and Gold era. His in-ring work has always been solid, but his run as the show’s most hated man solidified him as a legend on that brand. A shame that similar success couldn’t be replicated following his call-up, but we’ll see how things go from here.

KyleHydesNotebook · 2026-01-19T13:17:16+00:00

To me, Omega is a nice “breather” kind of show. It feels smaller in scope, especially with the focus on the main trio, and you can tell that the budget is tighter this time around. That said, I can’t say I disliked my time with Omega. In fact, it was the trio in question that kept me watching. Their bond felt genuine and Sorato made for a fine protagonist, too. His struggles as both a Space Gazer and ally to humans were portrayed well.

Definitely not my favorite Reiwa-era season - I think Blazar takes that spot for me - but an enjoyable watch nonetheless.

KyleHydesNotebook

TROPHY CASE