Well if I'm RAF I'm booking Spencer and Matt Ramos, since neither has a win yet, and DeSanto vs the Ukrainian.
raf tonight
- Thread starter sdvike
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Wtf? I'm as big of a Lee fan as you'll find and it's completely valid to be concerned at this point.
What the hell is your problem?
Concerned about what exactly? Maybe you need to have realistic expectations instead of your pipedreams of perfection. Spencer bleeds black and gold, he'll be fine.
Spencer has lost three now in 2025 but two were up a weight and he was the underdog to Ono anyway. I'm still more concerned about him getting blitzed at Worlds even though we know that opponent was capable of doing that to anyone, he's just a bronze level not gold/silver level type guy. I'd like to see him back in a smaller tourney to get some confidence back. Tonight's match should've been a tech three minutes before it ever came down to the guy's desperation throw but he just couldn't get the turns like we are used to seeing to put it away early. We've seen him let guys hang around and beat him at the end enough to not be surprised when it happens. Isn't that how DeSanto beat him in high school too? Other than getting pinned by Piccanini, it's usually the only way he loses. Bresser, Rivera, Ramos, it's just kind of the flaw that rears it's head amidst 90 percent dominate performances.
I think the most frustrating part is Spencer gets smoked at worlds, you don't hear **** about him in 3 months then goes out and gets pinned. I mean I know that's wrestling but still
I think Spencer looked really good attacking with low level shots he even hit a double which I have not seen since his freshman year, he looked strong, moving really well and healthy. He let his guard down did not back out of the tie and paid the price, so yeah I understand the criticism but I think he looked great actually.
I think its funny how so many Hawk fans only saw the pin and not the rest. Spencer is not going anywhere and he is my pick to win worlds next year and Oly's 2028
I think its funny how so many Hawk fans only saw the pin and not the rest. Spencer is not going anywhere and he is my pick to win worlds next year and Oly's 2028
I stopped inner circle after Spencer’s last worlds performance. Hawkeye wrestling club is broken in my opinion. The head coach is never seen in the media, giving updates, etc. Until we see collegiate improvement I’m not putting any money in a program what I see a head coach of the wrestling club not have to address the media after performances like this. If I’m missing the Daniel Dennis tapes somebody let me know please. When I see 3 national champions in the same year, I’ll start giving money again.
This is what bothered me about some of the above posts. Spencer looked explosive and had some good attacks. People calling for him to leave at just piling on.
Hindsight though I probably shouldn’t have told a fellow hawk fan to eat a dick.. lol
Thanks for this. I’m trying to keep the faith on Spencer. It’s not been a great year with some of these results. I hope he can still find joy in the sport and have elite success.
Right. And the #2 57kg guy in America just lost to a true freshman. Nobody is calling for him to leave.
Half of the people saying it is non-hawk fans which I don’t really care about but the other half is hawk fans.
Sometimes it feels like nobody eats their own like Hawkeye fans.
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he looked strong and healthy, Im actually pumped how good he looked.
Lee controled the match. If he stays away and doesn't get thrown in the last 30 seconds he wins comfortably. He hates shutting down, so something purely for entertainment, he stayed engaged. This match doesn't concern me at all.
Sincerely hope Spencer looks to either NLWC or Cowboy RTC. Otherwise he’s just being loyal to a fault to TnT
RAF is totally cringe... and hard to watch... They need to figure out what they are trying to do and just do it... Total joke, Darrion Caldwell is an old man.. Clay Guida is 43 years old... YouTuber/Social media guys on the card.. Cayden Henschel "2x Scholar all American.." what a f-ing joke.. Fake WWE set up "fight" backstage... Present great wrestling matchups... present a great product, you have it, and have the potential.. Or, decide you are WWE disguised as freestyle wrestling... Quit trying to attract the wrestling fan AND the WWE fan or social media followers. Mugzy is not a wrestler, he is someone who once wrestled and was marginal at best... Henschel 2x state champ, nothing else.. Lance Palmer was on the card at the first event. Dude had not wrestled since Metcalf beat him in 2009 NCAA Finals? The RAF needs to decide who they are.
Have you even watched Spencer recently. He sounded broken after the WTT and looked completely lost at Worlds and now this. Yeah, Spencer is freaking tearing it up!!! He's got everyone right where he wants them!
It'll be alright bud. Take a breath. The sun is going to rise tomorrow
^^^Couldn’t possibly agree more. Whole thing is a clown show and honestly kind of embarrassing to the sport.
I think the guy was too strong for Spencer to back out. He just kind of squeezed him up and pulled him in and then tossed him. Quickness and technique are huge, but strength can be a great equalizer. Are they the same weight class?
This was day before (I believe) weigh ins at 135
Yea, he has got to be wondering because of all those 57kg from NLWC and Cowboy RTC at the recent senior worlds and Olympics instead of him. Oh wait, RBY did work with coaches at NLWC did go but for Mexico, wonder why he didn't just compete for USA qualifier.
It would have to be Taylor or NLWC. I want him to achieve his goals, especially the Olympic gold, but it would be sad to see Carl or Taylor in his corner when he wins.
Probably not how they'd have preferred it with Spencer getting upset in his debut, but since it's not "professional wrestling" that goes however you actually want it, DeSanto actually gets the title shot with Tomasello in January at RAF05. Austin beat him pretty good two years ago, hope he can do it again. Pat Lugo also set to make his debut at the same show. Not sure if he's still technically with HWC since he hasn't wrestled in a couple years. But since it's in Florida probably wanted some hometown flavor. And I guess Colby Covington is a former Hawkeye too, though it's been awhile.
Would’ve liked to see him against a Cardenas, Hidlay, or Nickal but good to see him compete.
Buchanan is going to destroy Downey, but at least we get to watch him wrestle. I would like to see him wrestle Hidlay and honestly believe he is a fairly tough matchup for Hidley. Buchanan is sneaky strong.
Yea which is odd for a multitude of reasons. 1 being he will demolish Henschel so what's the point? 2nd " An amateur student is one who engaged in athletic competition solely for the educational, physical,mental,social, and pleasure benefits derived thereof and does not receive monetary or similar equivalent compensation or remuneration for such participation"...Article II Section 1 2025-2026 PIAA Constitution and bylaws.
"A student LOSES AMATEUR STATUS IN AN INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT WHENEVER......The student plays on, or enters into a contract to play on, a professional team OR AS AN INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE IN THAT SPORT,or enters into a contract to represent a corporation, organization,or similar entity in competition or by appearing in public on behalf of such entity" Article II Section 3
I don't honestly see how he could wrestle for RAF and not be considered ineligible for the PIAA season? I'm also not a lawyer and not an insider so hopefully others on here where show me where I'm wrong.
I think someone said he receives indirectly through sponsors using his name/likeness. Similar to when he was pimping Hawkeye attire prior to his decommit.