Way different from what I normally submit. I hope it is on the right side of the fun/maddening line.

Please read the descriptions of the connections. I didn't just pull these numbers out of thin air!

I always ask myself before I post; would I be able to get it if I saw this grid with fresh eyes and was given 150 seconds? Would I at the very least acknowledge that I should have gotten it once I see the answer? I appreciate the contribution, but on a tight time-limit this grid is near impossible to solve.

Sorry to hear that but appreciate the feedback.

I know it is a very difficult puzzle - but the biggest barrier is knowing the perfect numbers. Once that is solved, there are no decoys to the 5, 50, and 500 matches and they are all at least somewhat common pop cultural references. If you don't know perfect numbers, you do have to deal with several red herrings and looking for the proper matches in three minutes is indeed challenging.

Agree with William.

Very challenging and educational. Clearly, a lot of effort went into this.

Very clever but extremely difficult. My main issue was the last one was near impossible to describe.