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Post by The Kevstaaa on Aug 5, 2014 21:14:25 GMT -5
Clash of the Champions XIV: Dixie Dynamite
1/30/91 – Georgia Mountains Center in Gainesville, Georgia – Attendance: 2,200
So it's time for my first review of a show that's not a Pay-Per-View. Clash of the Champions were big deals back in the WCW days and I look forward to seeing these. Now this particular edition was the first to be booked by Dusty Rhodes after he returned to the company to take over for Ole Anderson. Ole did a pretty poor job and WCW needed to right the ship. Enter Dusty and he set up an interesting main event as Ric Flair puts the World Title on the line against Scott Steiner. I'm definitely intrigued for that, so let's get started.
The intro video is cool for it's time. It hypes up Scott Steiner as one of the awesome talents in wrestling before promoting the WCW Tag Team Title match. The national anthem follows, which gives it more a big event/Pay-Per-View feel. I can dig it. Your commentary team for tonight is Jim Ross and Dusty Rhodes.
WCW World Tag Team Championship
Doom (c) vs. Lex Luger and Sting
For those who don't know, Doom consists of Ron Simmons and Butch Reed. Reed and Sting start and the crowd pops once Sting gets some offense. Luger is the United States Champion, here as he comes in and works the arm. After all, he is AMERICAN MADE! Luger and Simmons continues to try and see who's stronger and Simmons wins by knocking him down twice. Luger finally gets him down, and surprisingly, he doesn't use his loaded forearm. Simmons connects with the EDDIE GILBERT hot shot before it goes to commercial. As it returns, Luger plays the face in peril while he gets worked over by Doom. Butch Reed is not “The Natural” here, he's “Hacksaw”. So not only does he have a worse nickname, but he stole it from Jim Duggan. Luger finally tags the Stinger after he gets shoulder blocked into his corner. Bad move Butch. Danny Spivey runs in through the crowd and beats up Luger, who he will face for the US Title soon. Meanwhile, Sting is dominating inside until the referee takes a bump. Spivey and his ass-less chaps are gone. However, the referee gets up to see Sting get backdropped over the top rope and because it's WCW, that's a DQ.
Winners via disqualification: Lex Luger and Sting in 7:45
Decent opener that got the crowd hot because they could see Sting and Luger. Mainly built Spivey/Luger but the Champions got to retain and look strong. **
Doom tries to attack the faces after the match but end up getting cleared from the ring by the dominant forces that are Sting and Luger. Cut to Missy Hyatt who announces the “Sexiest WCW Wrestler” award and it's the Television Champion the Z-Man.
WCW Television Championship
The Z-Man (c) vs. “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton
I have no idea why, but Eaton is introduced as from the “darkside” which is so stupid. So, I honestly have no clue who this Z-Man is. We get some mat work to begin as Z-Man seems to have the upper hand. Eaton works the arm as they plug the hotline. The Z-Man dropkicks Eaton off the top and to the outside. Now the arm work comes from Z-Man My goodness Nick Patrick looks young. This match is boring as they do a test of strength, but neither guy is a powerhouse. Z-Man gets a near fall with a back body drop but Eaton hits a top rope knee drop to turn the tide. Z-Man counters a suplex and rolls up Eaton for two. He gets a backslide and retains the gold.
Winner and Still WCW Television Champion: The Z-Man in 7:11
Boring ass match. Neither guy really did anything impressive and they really seemed to be going through the motions. *
The replay shows that Bobby Eaton's shoulder was up. Did people have to sit through a rematch? Backstage, Alexandra York, also known as Marlena also known as Terri Runnels talks about a new acquisition. Interesting.
Allen Iron Eagle and “Wildfire” Tommy Rich vs. The Fabulous Freebirds
Michael Hayes is starting to develop a bit of a gut. The Freebirds show off some smarts early on with a blind tag, but Tommy Rich takes them down anyway. He tags in the 20 year old Iron Eagle, but he looks more like 35. Another blind tag is made by the Freebirds as the Eagle botches a bump. I wonder if he went on to become the Swagger Soaring Eagle. Hayes applies a headlock that the future Soaring Eagle counters with an arm drag. Hayes quickly gets up and punches Eagle but he doesn't react to it. AT ALL. Maybe he is 20, he's pretty sloppy. They continue to work him over as we're getting another boring contest. Tag to Rich but the referee did not see it so he kicks him out. While he's doing that, a double DDT is hit on the Eagle to end it.
Winners: The Fabulous Freebirds in 5:53
Worse than the previous match. Multiple botches and the only guy who looked good was Tommy Rich, who barely got any action. 1/2*
An ad for WrestleWar '91 is shown. Picture in picture is shown of Tony Schiavone and Paul E. Dangerously commentating somewhere, while Dusty Rhodes gets under his skin.
Jumpin' Joey Maggs vs. Sid Vicious
First of all, how did Maggs get an entrance? Two, Sid has terrible face music and three, Sid is announced as from “anywhere he pleases.” Maggs tries some offense but it obviously fails. Sid clubs him in the back and plants him with the Powerbomb.
Winner: Sid Vicious in 1:10
Well, this was what it should have been. Maggs gets no offense and Sid dominates. *
Sid signals for his personal EMTs to come out and take Maggs out on a stretcher. That's a pretty cool gimmick idea for a monster. We then get a promo for the WCW Hotline, which had a different person each day. Also, the 1-900-909-9900 number is the best ever. Tony Schiavone promotes the upcoming big match at WrestleWar and interviews Sid about it.
Ricky Morton vs. Terry Taylor
So the Red Rooster is introduced as the “computerized man of the 90's.” Seriously, WCW? Mat wrestling kicks this off, with neither guy getting the advantage. Morton counters an arm drag with an arm drag which was interesting. High cross body by Morton gets him two, and Terry goes outside to catch his breath. Morton is looking like a really poor man's Ricky Steamboat but only because he's done like six arm drags. Alexandra York comes out to scout the match, so we get a picture in picture promo of her saying that Terry Taylor is her newest client. He drops a knee on Morton for two. Taylor catches him with a bulldog but again only gets two. Taylor goes for a splash but Morton gets his knees up to block. Taylor starts to go heel but eye rakes and then he wins by attacking Morton from behind and letting Morton crash and burn.
Winner: Terry Taylor in 5:34
Nothing special but told a good story of Taylor getting more angry and heel like throughout. **1/2
Sting gets interviewed about being attacked by the Four Horsemen and coming back to win the PWI “Wrestler of the Year” Award.
El Cubano vs. Ranger Ross
My goodness, what is this doing on television. Ross cuts a promo that's picture in picture at the start of the match and he dropkicks the fat Cubano outside. Cubano gets back in but doesn't get much offense. Ross shoulder blocks him down and applies a wristlock. Jim Ross really puts over how much of a role model Ranger Ross is. Ross wins shortly after with a sloppy sunset flip.
Winner: Ranger Ross in 3:54
This was pretty piss poor. Not much happened and what did occur was sloppy. 1/2*
Another promo airs for WrestleWar '91, which will feature War Games!
Arn Anderson and Barry Windham vs. The Renegade Warriors
Besides Sting and Lex Luger, the Four Horsemen get the biggest pop of the show. The Renegade Warriors attack before the match begins and get in a surprising amount of offense in the early stages. They even cut the ring in half and work over Double A for a bit. The crowd actually reacts to the possibility of an upset, but Double A hits a spinebuster and things change. Windham gets the tag and hits a suplex. The Horsemen now cut the ring in half but Anderson and one of the Warriors get a DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER. Anderson stops a tag with an atomic drop and hits a poor looking splash. The Warriors make a tag and are on fire. All four guys are in the ring until Windham knocks Mark outside. He hits the other with a lariat and after a second rope suplex, the Horsemen win.
Winners: Arn Anderson and Barry Windham in 7:28
This was more competitive than I expected, but it still was rather boring. The Renegade Warriors do nothing for me. *1/2
Highlights of a match from Japan between Big Van Vader and Stan Hansen is shown because WCW has signed the rematch to happen.
Brian Pillman vs. Buddy Lee Parker
I expect this to be another in a line of squashes tonight. Pillman is gearing up for War Games so there would be no need for Parker to win. Pillman gets in his signature offense as the ladies love it and he flies around the ring a bit. Not much to note as Parker gets in nearly no offense and Pillman wins with a cross body.
Winner: Brian Pillman in 3:20
Another squash match. Not much to say but Pillman did impress. *1/2
Inter Gender Arm Wrestling Contest
Paul E. Dangerously is taking on Missy Hyatt in this one, and Paul hilariously has on knee pads and wrist tape. I would think Missy would need the knee pads. Oh yeah, I went there. Missy shows off cleavage which distracts Dangerously and allows her to win easily.
Winner: Missy Hyatt
Not really anything to rate. At least it was fast unlike a lot of other arm wrestling contests.
WCW World Heavyweight Championship
Ric Flair (c) vs. Scott Steiner w/ Rick Steiner
The Steiners gets a cool entrance complete with Michigan cheerleaders. They announce that El Gigante is in the crowd and for those who don't know, he's the future Giant Gonzalez. Once the bell rings, Flair lets out a “woo” and trash talks his challenger. Flair stupidly decides to flex and Scott outshines him there, even back in 1991. Steiner shows off his power advantage early on, which gets pops from the fans. Flair goes to regroup but runs into Rick who taunts him. Steiner hits a sidewalk slam for two and Flair, being the super heel that he is, pulls hair to kick out. Flair decides that mat wrestling is the next tactic to try, but Scott holds his own and Flair has to take another breather. I always thought it was funny how a clothesline performed by a Steiner becomes the STEINERLINE! Flair gets an advantage and tries a dirty pin but Rick knocks his feet off the ropes. Scott slaps on the Figure Four when the show returns from commercial. Flair gets out and actually tries a cross body, which I've never seen him do. They both go over and out, though Scott has to throw himself over. Flair now works the leg with various kneebreakers and such. He applies the Figure Four and uses the ropes for leverage. Scott turns it over, putting the pressure on the Champion, who gets the ropes. Scott sends Flair into the corner and he does his trademark bump there. Scott comes really close to winning with a small package. With three minutes of TV time remaining, Flair is trying to stall. He goes for a pin with his feet on the ropes and Rick stops it again. Scott hits a nice tiger bomb, but doesn't pin, allowing Flair to roll outside and stall. Scott waits in the ring like an idiot as Rick takes forever to roll the champion in with a minute left. STEINERLINE! Scott does too much pandering to the crowd and hits a belly to belly as time expires.
The match ends in a TV time limit draw at 21:40
This told a good story of the wily veteran out smarting and surviving the young upstart. Scott did look dumb near the end but I guess it works with the rookie mistakes thing. ***1/4
Overall: 3/10; Poor. Far too many squash matches hurt this card. They tried to cram too much into two hours. That being said, the main event was good, the arm wrestling match was short but entertaining and the Sid squash was at least fun. Everything else was useless and tough to get through. The next “Random Network Review” is scheduled to be In Your House: D-Generation X! @bashcrashwiley, my first 1997 review! |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Aug 8, 2014 13:54:44 GMT -5
I should have a review of Unforgiven 2002 up this weekend. Things have slowed down since I started working again.
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Aug 8, 2014 21:10:52 GMT -5
Unforgiven 2002
September 22, 2002 – Staples Center in Los Angeles, California – Attendance: 16,000
Obviously, I consider SummerSlam to be the peak of 2002, at least Pay-Per-View wise. It was the first show that I've fully reviewed to earn the coveted 10 out 10 perfect rating. So it would be hard for the WWE to best that the following month, but they could build on how positive it was. Brock Lesnar was set for his first Pay-Per-View WWE Title defense and it would be against the former Champion, The Undertaker, in a first time ever match! Also, Eric Bischoff was engaged in a feud with his rival General Manager Stephanie McMahon, that could result in some HLA! HLA! HLA! Lastly of note before we begin, Bischoff handed Triple H Big Gold and dubbed it the World Heavyweight Championship and he would have his first defense on this very show.
The opening video package is pretty cool and highlights how we now have two World Titles. The Undertaker's heel turn lasted about seven months only and both title matches sound like they'll be pretty good.
Eight Man Tag Team Match
Booker T, Bubba Ray Dudley, Goldust and Kane vs. The Un-Americans (Christian, Lance Storm, Test and William Regal)
I have no idea where Kane was form WrestleMania until now, but he has badass attire and the great “Slow Chemical” theme. He will NEVER have a better theme. Goldust and Bubba do identical punch sequences together on the Tag Team Champions in a fun spot. The Un-Americans isolate Goldust and he gets a mudhole stomped in him by Test. Goldust manages to tag in Booker, and the crowd pops pretty big for him. Booker whiffs on a kick that gets him a near fall. He then replaces D-Von as the black guy who does the diving headbutt in the WASSUP sequence. He continues to be the token black guy as Bubba Ray is all like “BOOKER...GET THE TABLES!” The table gets baseball slid into Booker's face by the Champions. The heels work over Booker, but he rallies out of it and plants Christian with a spinebuster. I assume the hot tag is coming to the returning Kane. I was right. Kane comes in and beats up the entire Un-Americans. The pier six brawl breaks out as everyone goes to war outside. Test hits Kane with the pump handle slam but eats a Scissors Kick from Booker. SPINAROONIE! Christian ruins the fans' fun with a reverse DDT though. Kane nearly hits Storm with a Chokeslam but Christian low blows him. He eats a Bubba Bomb before Regal knocks him outside. Goldust sets up Christian in the corner and it's time to SHATTER SOME DREAMS! Test hits Goldust with a big boot but gets a flying clothesline from Kane. He Chokeslams Storm and it's over!
Winners: Booker T, Bubba Ray Dudley, Goldust and Kane in 9:51
Really fun opening contest. The crowd was hot and frantic finish with everyone getting some shine was entertaining as hell. ***
Stephanie McMahon is giving Billy and Chuck a pep talk because if they lose to 3 Minute Warning tonight, Stephanie has to engage in some Hot Lesbian Action.
Intercontinental Championship
Chris Jericho (c) vs. Ric Flair
Their feud from SummerSlam carries over into Unforgiven, but with the Intercontinental Title on the line this time around. Jericho shoulder blocks Flair down, but fails when trying to come off the top rope. Flair lights up Jericho's chest with chops and goes for the Figure Four, but Jericho blocks it. He hits a springboard dropkick and is very proud of himself. A missile dropkick follows and I find it odd that Jericho would do the same move twice in a row. Jericho applies the dreaded abdominal stretch but Flair counters with a hip lock takeover. Flair goes his corner bump but is right back on the offensive and sends Jericho over the turnbuckle and outside. Flair targets the leg and goes for the Figure Four but Jericho counters with a small package. Lionsault misses and Jericho seems to hurt his leg more. He sells it like his leg is about to fall off and a medic comes down. When Flair turns his back, Jericho gets to his feet and attacks. ITS A BY GAWD MIRACLE! He locks on the Walls of Jericho and Flair submits.
Winner and Still Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho in 6:16
Nothing special, but it had the good story of Jericho outsmarting the dirtiest player in the game. **
Eric Bischoff now gives a pep talk to 3 Minute Warning. For those who don't know, this team consists of the future Superhero in Training, Rosey, and Umaga! He announces that Rico will be in their corner tonight.
Ah, this is the first ever Pay-Per-View in the Staples Center. That's cool. Shaq and his son are in the front row and its' highlighted. MAD TV's Will Sasso is actually behind the announce table but they don't focus on him.
Eddie Guerrero vs. Edge
Edge comes out aggressively so Eddie uses that against him to start. Edge hits a very nice looking suplex for two. I'm so glad that the WWE realized that Eddie should be a face. He cheats well, obviously, but I don't think he did enough to draw good heat. He hits a tornado DDT and stomps away. He works the neck for a while. A huge right hand from out of nowhere helps Edge to turn the tide. Edge is playing the desperate face here and it works pretty well. He hits a few big moves in a row but is unable to put him away. THE SMACKDOWN SIX! I just had to throw that in there. Eddie hits a jawbreaker and goes for a hurricanrana but Edge counters into a big powerbomb that only gets a near fall. Edge goes for a Spear, Eddie dodges and Edge nearly hits the corner but stops himself. He hits the Edgecution, but, not yet being a veteran, Edge covers too close to the ropes and Eddie gets his foot on the ropes. Crowd chants for Eddie as Edge misses a missile dropkick. Eddie exposes the turnbuckle but it backfires when he gets whipped into it and Speared into it. Edge puts Eddie on the top but Eddie counters and slams Edge's face into the exposed buckle! He follows with a big sunset flip bomb and pulls the tights for good measure to win.
Winner: Eddie Guerrero in 11:55
Really good stuff from these two again. They told a good story and Edge's desperation coupled with Eddie's need to cheat was fun. ***1/2
Triple H is walking around with big gold and he enters the Raw locker room. He finds RVD, who is all “whatever and cool” instead of being nervous, so HHH calls him out. He points out Ric Flair in the locker room and says that he doesn't have things like “desire” or “determination” now. Flair gets upset but RVD backs him up and HHH leaves.
Billy and Chuck vs. 3 Minute Warning w/ Rico
The stipulation here is that if 3 Minute Warning win, Stephanie McMahon has to perform HLA. If Billy and Chuck win, Eric Bischoff has to kiss Stephanie's ass. So, it's a win-win for us guys. 3 Minute Warning don't have their awesome theme just yet. They do get the advantage early because they're much tougher than the former Tag Team Champions. They double headbutt Chuck and because they're Samoan, he might be dead. But he kicks out. A “Rico's gay” chant starts which has to be like, politically incorrect or something. Rosey misses a second rope moonsault, which impressed me and a lot of people. Billy gets the hot tag and he wails away on both opponents, hitting a dropkick and big clothesline. DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER, but they're Samoans you idiot! That's like, wrestling rule #3. They no sell it and take down Billy. Chuck hits Rosey with a superkick but then eats one from Jamal. Jamal sends Billy up for a flapjack but he counters into the Fameasser! Rico enters but gets tossed out, allowing Rosey to send him into Jamal for a pop up Samoan drop to end it.
Winners: 3 Minute Warning in 6:38
So it took twice as long as three minutes. A decent little tag team match that I enjoyed, but nothing special. **
Jonathan Coachman interviews Eric Bischoff, who like every other straight male, is excited about Stephanie and lesbians. He makes three lesbians in his office chant “HLA” and, cutting to the announce table, so is Jerry Lawler.
World Heavyweight Championship
Triple H (c) vs. Rob Van Dam
I hate when Triple H has no facial hair. In the early goings it's a battle of RVD's athleticism and care free attitude against Triple H's power and serious demeanor. RVD out wrestles Triple H at one point, causing him to regroup, so RVD takes his water bottle and totally steals HHH's taunt. You just wasted a finisher dude! We get a bit of sloppy wrestling for a moment as RVD does an impressive bridge before sweeping the leg like it's Karate Kid or something. Triple H starts to get more aggressive as he sends RVD's outside and nearly gets a countout win but RVD makes it back in. Triple H is picking apart RVD because he's the CEREBRAL ASSASSAIN! HHH gets two with the high knee. He goes to mock RVD on the top, allowing the challenger to slam him off. His rally is cut short by a sleeper hold though. He breaks out of it and both guys are down. RVD uses his educated feet to mount a comeback and hits the cartwheel moonsault for a near fall. He picks up another near fall with a kick to the mouth and seems to get frustrated. Triple H absolutely tramples the referee so of course it's time for RVD to attempt a pin. He's all like, screw it and hits a Five Star before going for the pin again like an idiot. HHH uses this time to nail a low blow. He goes to use his sledgehammer but it backfires until Ric Flair runs out. He threatens to take out HHH with it but instead levels RVD! Triple H follows with the Pedigree as Flair wakes up Earl Hebner to count the three.
Winner and Still World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H in 18:17
Good match. Everything made sense from HHH being methodical to RVD surprising everyone and even the referee bump made sense to lead to Flair and Hunter joining forces. The first seeds of Evolution are planted here. ***1/4
D-Lo Brown and Billy Kidman are talking about Ric Flair's heel turn when a soap opera star appears. It's an odd segment.
Women's Championship
Molly Holly (c) vs. Trish Stratus
Molly starts the match in control and Trish misses an elbow to keep her in control. Molly gets a near fall with a clothesline and slams Trish's face into the mat before tossing her outside. We continue to see a mean streak from the Champion as she throws Trish into the steel steps and guardrail. Trish gets a counter in the ring, but it again goes nowhere when Molly dropkicks her. Trish pulls her into a small package for two. Trish busts out a bulldog but Molly is able to kick out. The challenger also nails the Chick Kick but again can't win the gold. Molly goes up for the Molly Go Round, but Trish attempts her handstand hurricanrana. Molly catches her leg and gets her in the tree of woe. She goes all Chyna and does some gymnastics before bumping Trish in the corner. Trish hits another bulldog from out of nowhere and wins the belt!
Winner and New Women's Champion: Trish Stratus in 5:46
Decent stuff. Very fast paced though and didn't have much direction but we got a lot of near falls. *3/4
Jonathan Coachman interviews Trish Stratus, who is emotional about the win and clearly loves what she is doing for a living. Cutting backstage, 3 Minute Warning and Rico are enjoying the ladies, which is kind of pointless since they're all lesbians. Bischoff picks his two girls for Stephanie's HLA.
Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle
I had no idea that this was on the card. DIS GUN B GUD! This honestly stemmed from these two laughing at each other over getting Stinkfaces. Yup. Feeling out process early on as they try to out wrestle each other. A series of pinfall attempts ends in multiple near falls before Benoit tries to apply the Crossface. Angle wriggles free and catches his breath outside. Angle gets angry, sends Benoit outside and throws him into the guardrail. He applies a seated bear hug of sorts but Benoit eventually gets out. He turns the tide when Angle misses and goes shoulder first into the corner. Benoit is like a shark smelling blood as he focuses on the shoulder because PSYCHOLOGY! Angle doesn't care about that and hits a belly to belly suplex. Both men are down but when they get to their feet, Benoit hits two Germans, only to have Kurt block the third. He then hits two Germans but Benoit blocks a third and hits another German of his own. Angle counters and finally hits three straight. My goodness, eight Germans. STRAPS ARE DOWN!Benoit ducks a shot and hits a release German! Benoit goes up for the headbutt, but Angle scurries up and hits a top rope belly to belly. Angle slaps on the Ankle Lock but Benoit kicks him off. They do some tombstone reversals and Benoit wins with a shoulder breaker. He goes back to the top and hits the headbutt but can't cover in time. He gets a near fall but goes right into the Crossface! Angle puts on the Ankle Lock WHILE IN THE CROSSFACE! He ends up countering it into just the Ankle Lock, but Benoit rolls through and gets on the Crossface. Kurt reverses it back and I don't even know what to do with myself anymore. Benoit reaches the ropes so Angle pulls him back and puts him in the Crossface! Benoit gets close to the ropes, so Angle uses his foot to push the bottom rope away like a genius. Benoit counters and pins Angle for three with his feet on the ropes.
Winner: Chris Benoit in 13:55
I just witnessed a classic. Once they got their reversals going the crowd ate this up and two of the very best of all time, put on an excellent match. Their best match together up to this point. ****1/2
Brock Lesnar gets interviewed backstage, which means that Paul Heyman gets interviewed. Time for the HLA segment. If you don't remember it, Bischoff teases that the two lesbians are going to get down and dirty with Stephanie. He cuts them off and brings out a huge, ugly lesbian for Stephanie. This turns out to be Rikishi and Bischoff gets a stinkface. Stupid segment, and I didn't get my damn HLA. Like, wouldn't Bischoff know the lesbian that he hired to make out with Stephanie? So he should know that it was Rikishi.
WWE Championship
Brock Lesnar (c) w/ Paul Heyman vs. The Undertaker
The build up video for this match is pretty great and the Undisputed Title looks perfect on Brock. At the bell, they go so face to face that they basically kiss. Taker overpowers Brock and send shim flipping outside. Brock rushes in and tries to wrestle, but Taker knocks him outside again so he kicks the steps. Back inside, Brock jumps with Taker's jumping clothesline, making it look cooler. OLD SCHOOL! A Heyman distraction allows Brock to take control with some shoulder thrusts. Brock targets the ribs, but Taker fires away on him with SOUP BONES. Following a powerslam, Brock puts Undertaker in a bear hug for like five minutes. Taker fights out and they brawl outside. Heyman distracts Brian Hebner, allowing Brock to nail Taker with the title. Undertaker is busted open but isn't going down without a fight. He hits two big clotheslines and a big boot for two. Snake eyes and a second big boot gets him another near fall. The referee ends up getting bumped just before Undertaker hits a Chokeslam. Matt Hardy of all people runs out to attack The Undertaker but he just eats a Last Ride. That allows Brock to hit a stiff spinebuster for two. Undertaker fights back and goes for the Last Ride, but Brock blocks it and the referee gets knocked out again. Heyman brings a chair into play. Lesnar goes to use it but takes a big boot to the face. Taker picks up the chair and clocks Brock with it. The chair is completely bent as he absolutely nailed him. Undertaker nails a leg drop but can only get a near fall. Brock reverses the Last Ride and Undertaker counters the F5! They brawl in the corner and Hebner continues to try and stop them so Brock throws him into the corner and they continue to brawl until they call for the bell.
Winner via disqualification: The Undertaker in 20:27
Solid brawl. Could have been better but it was still entertaining. I would've liked it more if it was shorter. I didn't mind the DQ ending. **1/2
Overall: 7.5/10; Very good. I enjoyed this more than I expected to. Angle and Benoit had one of the best matches of 2002, while the main event was a decent brawl. The opener, World Title and Eddie/Edge matches were all very good and nothing on this card was bad at all. Solid follow up to an outstanding SummerSlam. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2014 21:14:08 GMT -5
Did I just hear someone say...three minutes?
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Aug 8, 2014 21:29:04 GMT -5
Did I just hear someone say...three minutes? I was so pissed that they didn't have the theme on this Pay-Per-View. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2014 23:54:48 GMT -5
Did I just hear someone say...three minutes? I was so pissed that they didn't have the theme on this Pay-Per-View. WHAAAAAAAAAT?!?! |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Aug 9, 2014 8:27:50 GMT -5
I was so pissed that they didn't have the theme on this Pay-Per-View. WHAAAAAAAAAT?!?! I don't know if it was dubbed over or they didn't have it yet |
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shenmue
Main Eventer
Joined on: Oct 30, 2007 10:12:45 GMT -5
Posts: 2,730
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Post by shenmue on Aug 9, 2014 9:58:50 GMT -5
Unforgiven 2002
September 22, 2002 – Staples Center in Los Angeles, California – Attendance: 16,000
Obviously, I consider SummerSlam to be the peak of 2002, at least Pay-Per-View wise. It was the first show that I've fully reviewed to earn the coveted 10 out 10 perfect rating. So it would be hard for the WWE to best that the following month, but they could build on how positive it was. Brock Lesnar was set for his first Pay-Per-View WWE Title defense and it would be against the former Champion, The Undertaker, in a first time ever match! Also, Eric Bischoff was engaged in a feud with his rival General Manager Stephanie McMahon, that could result in some HLA! HLA! HLA! Lastly of note before we begin, Bischoff handed Triple H Big Gold and dubbed it the World Heavyweight Championship and he would have his first defense on this very show.
The opening video package is pretty cool and highlights how we now have two World Titles. The Undertaker's heel turn lasted about seven months only and both title matches sound like they'll be pretty good.
Eight Man Tag Team Match
Booker T, Bubba Ray Dudley, Goldust and Kane vs. The Un-Americans (Christian, Lance Storm, Test and William Regal)
I have no idea where Kane was form WrestleMania until now, but he has badass attire and the great “Slow Chemical” theme. He will NEVER have a better theme. Goldust and Bubba do identical punch sequences together on the Tag Team Champions in a fun spot. The Un-Americans isolate Goldust and he gets a mudhole stomped in him by Test. Goldust manages to tag in Booker, and the crowd pops pretty big for him. Booker whiffs on a kick that gets him a near fall. He then replaces D-Von as the black guy who does the diving headbutt in the WASSUP sequence. He continues to be the token black guy as Bubba Ray is all like “BOOKER...GET THE TABLES!” The table gets baseball slid into Booker's face by the Champions. The heels work over Booker, but he rallies out of it and plants Christian with a spinebuster. I assume the hot tag is coming to the returning Kane. I was right. Kane comes in and beats up the entire Un-Americans. The pier six brawl breaks out as everyone goes to war outside. Test hits Kane with the pump handle slam but eats a Scissors Kick from Booker. SPINAROONIE! Christian ruins the fans' fun with a reverse DDT though. Kane nearly hits Storm with a Chokeslam but Christian low blows him. He eats a Bubba Bomb before Regal knocks him outside. Goldust sets up Christian in the corner and it's time to SHATTER SOME DREAMS! Test hits Goldust with a big boot but gets a flying clothesline from Kane. He Chokeslams Storm and it's over!
Winners: Booker T, Bubba Ray Dudley, Goldust and Kane in 9:51
Really fun opening contest. The crowd was hot and frantic finish with everyone getting some shine was entertaining as hell. ***
Stephanie McMahon is giving Billy and Chuck a pep talk because if they lose to 3 Minute Warning tonight, Stephanie has to engage in some Hot Lesbian Action.
Intercontinental Championship
Chris Jericho (c) vs. Ric Flair
Their feud from SummerSlam carries over into Unforgiven, but with the Intercontinental Title on the line this time around. Jericho shoulder blocks Flair down, but fails when trying to come off the top rope. Flair lights up Jericho's chest with chops and goes for the Figure Four, but Jericho blocks it. He hits a springboard dropkick and is very proud of himself. A missile dropkick follows and I find it odd that Jericho would do the same move twice in a row. Jericho applies the dreaded abdominal stretch but Flair counters with a hip lock takeover. Flair goes his corner bump but is right back on the offensive and sends Jericho over the turnbuckle and outside. Flair targets the leg and goes for the Figure Four but Jericho counters with a small package. Lionsault misses and Jericho seems to hurt his leg more. He sells it like his leg is about to fall off and a medic comes down. When Flair turns his back, Jericho gets to his feet and attacks. ITS A BY GAWD MIRACLE! He locks on the Walls of Jericho and Flair submits.
Winner and Still Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho in 6:16
Nothing special, but it had the good story of Jericho outsmarting the dirtiest player in the game. **
Eric Bischoff now gives a pep talk to 3 Minute Warning. For those who don't know, this team consists of the future Superhero in Training, Rosey, and Umaga! He announces that Rico will be in their corner tonight.
Ah, this is the first ever Pay-Per-View in the Staples Center. That's cool. Shaq and his son are in the front row and its' highlighted. MAD TV's Will Sasso is actually behind the announce table but they don't focus on him.
Eddie Guerrero vs. Edge
Edge comes out aggressively so Eddie uses that against him to start. Edge hits a very nice looking suplex for two. I'm so glad that the WWE realized that Eddie should be a face. He cheats well, obviously, but I don't think he did enough to draw good heat. He hits a tornado DDT and stomps away. He works the neck for a while. A huge right hand from out of nowhere helps Edge to turn the tide. Edge is playing the desperate face here and it works pretty well. He hits a few big moves in a row but is unable to put him away. THE SMACKDOWN SIX! I just had to throw that in there. Eddie hits a jawbreaker and goes for a hurricanrana but Edge counters into a big powerbomb that only gets a near fall. Edge goes for a Spear, Eddie dodges and Edge nearly hits the corner but stops himself. He hits the Edgecution, but, not yet being a veteran, Edge covers too close to the ropes and Eddie gets his foot on the ropes. Crowd chants for Eddie as Edge misses a missile dropkick. Eddie exposes the turnbuckle but it backfires when he gets whipped into it and Speared into it. Edge puts Eddie on the top but Eddie counters and slams Edge's face into the exposed buckle! He follows with a big sunset flip bomb and pulls the tights for good measure to win.
Winner: Eddie Guerrero in 11:55
Really good stuff from these two again. They told a good story and Edge's desperation coupled with Eddie's need to cheat was fun. ***1/2
Triple H is walking around with big gold and he enters the Raw locker room. He finds RVD, who is all “whatever and cool” instead of being nervous, so HHH calls him out. He points out Ric Flair in the locker room and says that he doesn't have things like “desire” or “determination” now. Flair gets upset but RVD backs him up and HHH leaves.
Billy and Chuck vs. 3 Minute Warning w/ Rico
The stipulation here is that if 3 Minute Warning win, Stephanie McMahon has to perform HLA. If Billy and Chuck win, Eric Bischoff has to kiss Stephanie's ass. So, it's a win-win for us guys. 3 Minute Warning don't have their awesome theme just yet. They do get the advantage early because they're much tougher than the former Tag Team Champions. They double headbutt Chuck and because they're Samoan, he might be dead. But he kicks out. A “Rico's gay” chant starts which has to be like, politically incorrect or something. Rosey misses a second rope moonsault, which impressed me and a lot of people. Billy gets the hot tag and he wails away on both opponents, hitting a dropkick and big clothesline. DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER, but they're Samoans you idiot! That's like, wrestling rule #3. They no sell it and take down Billy. Chuck hits Rosey with a superkick but then eats one from Jamal. Jamal sends Billy up for a flapjack but he counters into the Fameasser! Rico enters but gets tossed out, allowing Rosey to send him into Jamal for a pop up Samoan drop to end it.
Winners: 3 Minute Warning in 6:38
So it took twice as long as three minutes. A decent little tag team match that I enjoyed, but nothing special. **
Jonathan Coachman interviews Eric Bischoff, who like every other straight male, is excited about Stephanie and lesbians. He makes three lesbians in his office chant “HLA” and, cutting to the announce table, so is Jerry Lawler.
World Heavyweight Championship
Triple H (c) vs. Rob Van Dam
I hate when Triple H has no facial hair. In the early goings it's a battle of RVD's athleticism and care free attitude against Triple H's power and serious demeanor. RVD out wrestles Triple H at one point, causing him to regroup, so RVD takes his water bottle and totally steals HHH's taunt. You just wasted a finisher dude! We get a bit of sloppy wrestling for a moment as RVD does an impressive bridge before sweeping the leg like it's Karate Kid or something. Triple H starts to get more aggressive as he sends RVD's outside and nearly gets a countout win but RVD makes it back in. Triple H is picking apart RVD because he's the CEREBRAL ASSASSAIN! HHH gets two with the high knee. He goes to mock RVD on the top, allowing the challenger to slam him off. His rally is cut short by a sleeper hold though. He breaks out of it and both guys are down. RVD uses his educated feet to mount a comeback and hits the cartwheel moonsault for a near fall. He picks up another near fall with a kick to the mouth and seems to get frustrated. Triple H absolutely tramples the referee so of course it's time for RVD to attempt a pin. He's all like, screw it and hits a Five Star before going for the pin again like an idiot. HHH uses this time to nail a low blow. He goes to use his sledgehammer but it backfires until Ric Flair runs out. He threatens to take out HHH with it but instead levels RVD! Triple H follows with the Pedigree as Flair wakes up Earl Hebner to count the three.
Winner and Still World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H in 18:17
Good match. Everything made sense from HHH being methodical to RVD surprising everyone and even the referee bump made sense to lead to Flair and Hunter joining forces. The first seeds of Evolution are planted here. ***1/4
D-Lo Brown and Billy Kidman are talking about Ric Flair's heel turn when a soap opera star appears. It's an odd segment.
Women's Championship
Molly Holly (c) vs. Trish Stratus
Molly starts the match in control and Trish misses an elbow to keep her in control. Molly gets a near fall with a clothesline and slams Trish's face into the mat before tossing her outside. We continue to see a mean streak from the Champion as she throws Trish into the steel steps and guardrail. Trish gets a counter in the ring, but it again goes nowhere when Molly dropkicks her. Trish pulls her into a small package for two. Trish busts out a bulldog but Molly is able to kick out. The challenger also nails the Chick Kick but again can't win the gold. Molly goes up for the Molly Go Round, but Trish attempts her handstand hurricanrana. Molly catches her leg and gets her in the tree of woe. She goes all Chyna and does some gymnastics before bumping Trish in the corner. Trish hits another bulldog from out of nowhere and wins the belt!
Winner and New Women's Champion: Trish Stratus in 5:46
Decent stuff. Very fast paced though and didn't have much direction but we got a lot of near falls. *3/4
Jonathan Coachman interviews Trish Stratus, who is emotional about the win and clearly loves what she is doing for a living. Cutting backstage, 3 Minute Warning and Rico are enjoying the ladies, which is kind of pointless since they're all lesbians. Bischoff picks his two girls for Stephanie's HLA.
Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle
I had no idea that this was on the card. DIS GUN B GUD! This honestly stemmed from these two laughing at each other over getting Stinkfaces. Yup. Feeling out process early on as they try to out wrestle each other. A series of pinfall attempts ends in multiple near falls before Benoit tries to apply the Crossface. Angle wriggles free and catches his breath outside. Angle gets angry, sends Benoit outside and throws him into the guardrail. He applies a seated bear hug of sorts but Benoit eventually gets out. He turns the tide when Angle misses and goes shoulder first into the corner. Benoit is like a shark smelling blood as he focuses on the shoulder because PSYCHOLOGY! Angle doesn't care about that and hits a belly to belly suplex. Both men are down but when they get to their feet, Benoit hits two Germans, only to have Kurt block the third. He then hits two Germans but Benoit blocks a third and hits another German of his own. Angle counters and finally hits three straight. My goodness, eight Germans. STRAPS ARE DOWN!Benoit ducks a shot and hits a release German! Benoit goes up for the headbutt, but Angle scurries up and hits a top rope belly to belly. Angle slaps on the Ankle Lock but Benoit kicks him off. They do some tombstone reversals and Benoit wins with a shoulder breaker. He goes back to the top and hits the headbutt but can't cover in time. He gets a near fall but goes right into the Crossface! Angle puts on the Ankle Lock WHILE IN THE CROSSFACE! He ends up countering it into just the Ankle Lock, but Benoit rolls through and gets on the Crossface. Kurt reverses it back and I don't even know what to do with myself anymore. Benoit reaches the ropes so Angle pulls him back and puts him in the Crossface! Benoit gets close to the ropes, so Angle uses his foot to push the bottom rope away like a genius. Benoit counters and pins Angle for three with his feet on the ropes.
Winner: Chris Benoit in 13:55
I just witnessed a classic. Once they got their reversals going the crowd ate this up and two of the very best of all time, put on an excellent match. Their best match together up to this point. ****1/2
Brock Lesnar gets interviewed backstage, which means that Paul Heyman gets interviewed. Time for the HLA segment. If you don't remember it, Bischoff teases that the two lesbians are going to get down and dirty with Stephanie. He cuts them off and brings out a huge, ugly lesbian for Stephanie. This turns out to be Rikishi and Bischoff gets a stinkface. Stupid segment, and I didn't get my damn HLA. Like, wouldn't Bischoff know the lesbian that he hired to make out with Stephanie? So he should know that it was Rikishi.
WWE Championship
Brock Lesnar (c) w/ Paul Heyman vs. The Undertaker
The build up video for this match is pretty great and the Undisputed Title looks perfect on Brock. At the bell, they go so face to face that they basically kiss. Taker overpowers Brock and send shim flipping outside. Brock rushes in and tries to wrestle, but Taker knocks him outside again so he kicks the steps. Back inside, Brock jumps with Taker's jumping clothesline, making it look cooler. OLD SCHOOL! A Heyman distraction allows Brock to take control with some shoulder thrusts. Brock targets the ribs, but Taker fires away on him with SOUP BONES. Following a powerslam, Brock puts Undertaker in a bear hug for like five minutes. Taker fights out and they brawl outside. Heyman distracts Brian Hebner, allowing Brock to nail Taker with the title. Undertaker is busted open but isn't going down without a fight. He hits two big clotheslines and a big boot for two. Snake eyes and a second big boot gets him another near fall. The referee ends up getting bumped just before Undertaker hits a Chokeslam. Matt Hardy of all people runs out to attack The Undertaker but he just eats a Last Ride. That allows Brock to hit a stiff spinebuster for two. Undertaker fights back and goes for the Last Ride, but Brock blocks it and the referee gets knocked out again. Heyman brings a chair into play. Lesnar goes to use it but takes a big boot to the face. Taker picks up the chair and clocks Brock with it. The chair is completely bent as he absolutely nailed him. Undertaker nails a leg drop but can only get a near fall. Brock reverses the Last Ride and Undertaker counters the F5! They brawl in the corner and Hebner continues to try and stop them so Brock throws him into the corner and they continue to brawl until they call for the bell.
Winner via disqualification: The Undertaker in 20:27
Solid brawl. Could have been better but it was still entertaining. I would've liked it more if it was shorter. I didn't mind the DQ ending. **1/2
Overall: 7.5/10; Very good. I enjoyed this more than I expected to. Angle and Benoit had one of the best matches of 2002, while the main event was a decent brawl. The opener, World Title and Eddie/Edge matches were all very good and nothing on this card was bad at all. Solid follow up to an outstanding SummerSlam. Enjoyed this, i too totally forgot that Angle faced benoit at this show, i remember there 2001 and 2003 PPV matches but I'll have to re watch this, sounds awesome so thanks. I also noticed you have been enjoying Eddie vs Edge from 2002, have you seen their no DQ Smack down match from the same year?, its better than their good PPV matches. Its on WWE's YouTube channel, not sure if its on the network. (also on a Eddie or Edge DVD, or both ha) |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Aug 9, 2014 10:05:45 GMT -5
I also noticed you have been enjoying Eddie vs Edge from 2002, have you seen their no DQ Smack down match from the same year?, its better than their good PPV matches. Its on WWE's YouTube channel, not sure if its on the network. (also on a Eddie or Edge DVD, or both ha)
I have seen it from the Edge DVD I believe. Great stuff. But yes, see Angle/Benoit. A forgotten classic for sure. |
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shenmue
Main Eventer
Joined on: Oct 30, 2007 10:12:45 GMT -5
Posts: 2,730
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Post by shenmue on Aug 9, 2014 10:59:14 GMT -5
I have seen it from the Edge DVD I believe. Great stuff. But yes, see Angle/Benoit. A forgotten classic for sure. No probs, just thought i would mention the smackdown match it just in case you hadn't seen it, fun match which becomes almost an unofficial ladder match for the last 8 mins or so, the standing ovation given to both men afterwards was a nice touch also. Just watched Angle vs Benoit from Unforgiven 02, must say thanks again because you are right, it was great and i would not have thought to re-watch it without your post. Their RR03 bout is still their best but i rate that 5 stars so its not a diss on the Unforgiven match, that was quality in its own right, almost as good. If you are watching the PPV's in Order you have NO Mercy 02 next and you get to re watch the blood bath that is Brock vs Taker HIAC, i have lost count how many times I've watched this match, at least 5 times, probably more ha. i remember watching this live, being on the edge of my seat, it felt like a real fight, really intense. There's an epic tag team match from NO mercy 2002 as well. Good times. |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Aug 10, 2014 10:02:04 GMT -5
D-Generation X: In Your House
12/7/97 – Springfield Civic Center in Springfield, Massachusetts – Attendance: 6,358
The best year in wrestling history, 1997, was coming to an end. Off of the heels of the most controversial moment in wrestling history, the Montreal Screwjob, Shawn Michaels was now the WWF Champion for a third time. His new stable with Triple H and Chyna would get a Pay-Per-View named after themselves. There are a few things of note about this show. One is that the In Your House title comes after the DX name, when all other IYH shows that I know of had the IYH part first. Second, this show features the first one on one match between The Rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, kick starting one of the greatest rivalries of all time. The Attitude Era was still in its early stages and this Pay-Per-View would be the last of a phenomenal year.
The intro video shows how D-Generation X has run rampant through the WWF over the past few months. Not only will Shawn Michaels be defending his WWF Title against Ken Shamrock, but Triple H will face Commissioner Slaughter in a Boot Camp match, whatever the hell that is. Your commentary team for the evening is Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler.
Light Heavyweight Championship Tournament Finals
Brian Christopher vs. Taka Michinoku
Too Sexy opens with a slam and an armdrag as he does his trademark laugh. The fans chant “Jerry's Kid” at him. He celebrates all of his offense, even the tiniest of moves. I wish the Light Heavyweight Division would've taken off like the Cruiserweight Division did. Taka lands on his feet to counter a German and dropkicks Christopher multiple times. As he ends up outside, Taka nails a springboard plancha to a positive reaction from the fans. Brian ends up crotching Taka on the top rope and knocks him outside. He goes for a fist drop (sure he's not Jerry's kid) but misses. He hit the guardrail hard and is bleeding from the mouth. Taka hits a nice looking tornado DDT for a near fall. Hurricanrana follows that sends Christopher outside, so Taka follows out with a moonsault. His offense is impressive for this time. Lawler gets up from commentary to check on his son. It has no effect on the match. Christopher manages to hit the Stroke, so if this was TNA in 2005, he'd be World Champion. He connects with a nice sitout powerbomb, but his cocky cover only gets him two. He hits the Rocker Dropper, so Billy Gunn is probably pissed backstage. Christopher hits a clothesline that looks like they double clotheslined each other, so that's weird. He does hit a sweet German suplex but continues to showboat instead of pin. He goes for the top rope leg drop but misfires. Michinoku driver finishes it.
Winner and New Light Heavyweight Champion: Taka Michinoku in 12:01
Really fun opener. Christopher impressed as the more powerful of the two, and Taka was always pretty good. They got a good amount of time and used it well. It's crazy to think that Taka isn't even 40 yet in present day. ***
Six Man Tag Team Match
Disciples of Apocalypse (Chainz, Skull and 8-Ball) vs. Los Boricuas (Miguel Perez Jr., Jesus Castillo Jr. and Jose Estrada Jr.) w/ Savio Vega
The only thing I disliked in 1997 was the gang warfare stuff. Just look at this match. Why are all of the Boricuas juniors? Los Boricuas rap their theme to the ring and it sounds awful. Savio gets kicked out because Tim White is obviously racist judging by his name. I'm not sure which Boricua is which. The hairy one, who Ross says is Miguel, starts with Chainz...I think. “Shave your back” chants start directed at Miguel. The Harris Brothers double clothesline Jose. Miguel gets in some cheap shots from the apron as we have a hate crime going on in the corner. Spanish A-Train seems to injure his leg and tags out to Jose. The match continues to bore me as Savio comes out to replace Miguel. Tim White continues to be racist and prevents this. Miguel was faking the entire time as he comes in and hits a leg drop, allowing his team to steal the win.
Winners: Los Boricuas in 7:58
Maybe it's because I don't care about anyone in this match, but I was not a fan of this. It bored me to tears. *
Dok Hendrix is standing by with Butterbean, who just won a boxing match on Pay-Per-View the previous night. He's going to box the FIVE TIME NEW YORK STATE GOLDEN GLOVES BOXING CHAMPION! Butterbean struggles through the promo before we cut to nerdy Michael Cole and Sable. Because she held up the title for Butterbean last night, people question if she's going to be with him and not Mero. She'll be with Mero, who interrupts because she's stealing his spotlight.
Toughman Match
Butterbean vs. “Marvelous” Marc Mero w/ Sable
So, this is like a cross between a boxing match and a straight up fight. Four rounds at two minutes a piece of tough fighting. Mero stalls by hugging the ropes for a bit. As he goes to the ropes, Butterbean nails him and he falls outside. Back inside, Mero gets in some shots and actually survives Round 1. Mero attacks him after the round and they need to be separated. Mero's trainers distract Mike Chioda which allow Mero to choke him with a string and use heel tactics. The fans find this to be boring and I'd have to agree somewhat. He survives Round 2 and dropkicks Butterbean in between rounds again. Round three involved Butterbean getting Mero into the corner and firing away. Knowing what he did to Bart Gunn, it's obvious that he's not being Butterbean for real here. Butterbean finally gets a knockdown as the third round is coming to an end and is saved by the bell. IT'S ALL RIGHT CUZ I'M SAVED BY THE BELL! As the fourth round starts Butterbean knocks down Mero again, causing Mero to hit him with a low blow.
Winner via disqualification: Butterbean in 10:20
This should not have gone 10 minutes. It wasn't very entertaining, though Mero tried hard with his antics. *1/4
Mero hits Butterbean with a stool, but he shakes it off and forces him to get a case of the limber tail. The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust and Luna come out and it's as weird as you would expect. I hated this incarnation of Goldust. It was by far the worst run he had as the character. He reads a weird version of green eggs and ham that goes on for far too long. Luna gets tired of it like I did and shoves him down.
Michael Cole interviews the Legion of Doom and it's horrible. Hawk spews off lines about boogers. I'm serious.
WWF Tag Team Championship
The New Age Outlaws (c) vs. The Legion of Doom
Road Dogg's pre-match promo is about the Legion of Doom being dinosaurs. LOD is sick of their smack talk and they chase them up the ramp so the Outlaws stall a bit more. Officials come out to make them compete and this starts as a brawl. Things settle down rather quickly and Hawk hits a sweet looking neckbreaker on that D-O-DOUBLE G. He goes to talk strategy with Billy, so Hawk hits a double clothesline off the apron. Later on, Dogg tries to leapfrog over Animal but gets caught with a powerbomb. Things spill outside so Dogg hits Hawk with a trash can of sorts and Billy low blows him. Billy Gunn gets the tag for the very first time finally after a while. Hawk poorly sells a kitchen sink and I guess Hawk shouted a curse or something because something gets bleeped. Animal gets the hot tag and does what one would expect as he hits a big powerslam and shoulder block. LOD sets up for the Doomsday Device but Henry Godwin comes out and hits Animal with the slop bucket. Hawk hits Billy Gunn with it and gets disqualified like an idiot.
Winners via disqualification and Still WWF Tag Team Champions: The New Age Outlaws in 10:32
Not the greatest tag match ever. LOD was pretty rough to enjoy at this time, and Road Dogg did too much of the work for his team. *3/4
Boot Camp Match
Sgt. Slaughter vs. Triple H w/ Chyna
Triple H is wearing jeans, so if you didn't know what a Boot Camp match was, you now know it's a street fight basically. They sell the fact that Sarge made the Boot Camp match famous but this is the only one in history. Last thing to point out, the Sarge is using Kurt Angle's theme or, in other words, the Patriot's theme THAT HE JUST USED LIKE 3 PPVS AGO. The Sarge starts in control because he's all business tonight. Going outside, Slaughter continues to beat the future 13 time World Champion down. He attempts a cover outside leading the official to tell him that it's not falls count anywhere. HOW DOESN'T HE KNOW? HE MADE THE MATCH UP! The belt comes off and the Sarge takes Hunter to the woodshed. Hunter prevents the Cobra Clutch and takes over as things go outside. Hunter steals the ring bell from recently released Mark Yeaton by knocking him out. THAT MAN HAS A FAMILY. HHH wraps the belt around Slaughter's neck and sends him across the ring. He puts a chain around his hand and hits Slaughter with it before delivering a fist drop off the second rope. Somehow that's not all. Sarge climbs to the top because he's apparently an idiot, so HHH slams him from the top. Why is this taking so long? HHH puts on a sleeper hold, so yay! Sarge counters and applies the Cobra Clutch! Chyna gets in and shoves the official before raking Sarge in the eyes. Chyna tries to hit him with a chair but Slaughter throws powder into her eyes, allowing Hunter to hit him with his boot. He goes for it again but gets put back in the Clutch. Chyna blindly enters and kicks him in the nuts. A Pedigree on a chair follows to end it.
Winner: Triple H in 17:39
Horrible. Triple H couldn't go over in a Street Fight over Sgt. Slaughter without help from Chyna? He looked awful and the match was boring as hell. *1/4
Michael Cole interviews Jeff Jarrett about his in-ring debut. So, his mid-90's run didn't happen? Also, do they have no other interviewers in the company?
Jeff Jarrett vs. The Undertaker
I had no clue that this match ever happened. It's oddly placed in between the Shawn Michaels/Undertaker and Kane/Undertaker feuds. Jarrett hits right hands and runs, which is a wise strategy. Undertaker gets in the driver's seat and and it's OLD SCHOOL time. Undertaker charges into the corner, so Jarrett meets him with an elbow and goes for the knee. Taker misses a big boot and Jarrett targets the knee again. He continues to work the leg and The Undertaker is actually selling it well with some very visible limping. Even the backbreaker that he ends up hitting is with the good leg. He does hit a leg drop with it so it's not the world's greatest sell job. The lights go out just as The Undertaker is rallying back and Kane's theme plays. Kane's entrance pyro used to be absurdly huge. As he enters the ring, he chokeslams Jarrett to everyone's surprise and causes a disqualification.
Winner via disqualification: Jeff Jarrett in 6:40
I was liking this until Kane showed up. That's our third disqualification in six matches. **1/4
Kane slaps his brother and, when The Undertaker doesn't retaliate, he leaves. Jarrett attacks Undertaker from behind and goes for the Figure Four. Undertaker blocks it and hits a pretty piss poor looking Chokeslam. Jarrett should've quit while he was ahead. Michael Cole is back, this time in the crowd with Mark Henry. They talk about some nonsense and his return, which he says is about a week away. He picks Austin to beat the Rock even though he would join the Nation shortly after.
WWF Intercontinental Championship
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin (c) vs. The Rock w/ The Nation of Domination
Rock has the Intercontinental Title even though he's not the Champion. Austin drives to the ring in his pickup truck and IT'S ON! He gets in and pounds away on the Rock until the Nation overcomes him before the bell rings. I would like to point out that the crowd is red hot. As the referee clears the ring, Austin backdrops D-Lo onto the windshield and hits a Stunner on the truck. The bell sounds and it's a fist fight between two of the best of all time. LOU THEZ PRESS! PISTON LIKE RIGHT HANDS! Rock uses Austin's momentum to send him flying over the top. Faarooq and Kama assault Austin on the outside and Kama gets a chair but misses and cracks Faarooq. Austin then throws him into the truck and goes inside, but Rock stomps on him. Rock slows the pace as Austin is still pretty limited since SummerSlam. He does sell a kitchen sink way better than Hawk does though. Austin hits the Stunner on the referee by mistake and Rock goes to hit him with brass knuckles but it's blocked and Austin hits the Stunner. Another referee rushes out and counts the three.
Winner and Still WWF Intercontinental Champion: Steve Austin in 5:28
Despite the Rock slowing it down, it was a short but fun little match. They would obviously best this in the future, but I enjoyed it. **1/2
The pre-match promo focuses on Ken Shamrock being insane but the highlight is Shawn Michaels and Triple H twisting HBK's ankle a million times on Raw to show that he can handle the Ankle Lock. So there is another interviewer, as Jim Cornette talks to Ken Shamrock about the main event. It's not the best promo work ever.
WWF Championship
Shawn Michaels (c) w/ DX vs. Ken Shamrock
If I recall correctly, Shamrock made his in-ring debut in May of 1997 and already has a WWF Title shot. Impressive. A feeling out process starts things and it's very fast paced. Shamrock kicks the hell out of Shawn in the chest, sending him outside. Shawn gets back inside and gets tossed around by Ken before taking his signature corner bump and regrouping again. Chyna attempts to distract Shamrock but he sees Shawn coming and levels him. When Shawn goes outside with Triple H again, Shamrock grabs their heads and DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER! Shamrock continues to dominate as he sends Michaels all over the ring and the Champion oversells everything. He goes for the belly to belly but Shawn holds onto Earl Hebner to stop it and hits a low blow. Shawn gets Shamrock outside and dives onto him, and by the way, this is one of my favorite HBK attires of all time. Shawn drives his elbow into Shamrock from the second rope. HHH gets in like 15 rapid fire cheap shots while HBK distracts the official. Shawn decides that it's rest hold time because Shamrock nearly got INTO HIS ZONE. Shamrock powers out and starts to GET INTO HIS ZONE! Anytime he screams I just picture X-Pac's impersonation of him. He hits a hurricanrana and starts to pound away on Michaels. Michaels goes for a hurricanrana of his own but it's reversed into a powerbomb for two. Triple H and Chyna again get in cheap shots on Shamrock. Back in, Shawn hits an elbow and sets up for the Sweet Chin Music. Shamrock dodges and hits a big belly to belly before locking in the Ankle Lock! Triple H and Chyna run in for the DQ as they break it up.
Winner via disqualification: Ken Shamrock in 18:27
Another disqualification finish to another relatively disappointing contest. I was hoping for more but these two didn't click that well. **1/2
As DX beats down on Shamrock, a man in a hood rushes out and attacks Shawn Michaels. It's OWEN HART! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND ITS TIME FOR A CHANGE! When Triple H comes out for the save, Owen escapes through the crowd.
Overall: 4/10; Weak. Too many disqualification finishes. Of the eight matches, four of them ended in a DQ. The opener was the best match and the final two matches weren't terrible. The six man tag, Butterbean stuff, Tag Title match and Boot Camp match were all crap though and that's too much crap on one show. Up next on “Random Network Reviews” will be from the Old School Vault! MSG from 10/28/1991. That's different and should be interesting. |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Aug 12, 2014 16:30:11 GMT -5
No Mercy 2002
October 20th, 2002 – Alltel Arena in Little Rock, Arkansas – Attendance: 10,000
After a disappointing King of the Ring Pay-Per-View, 2002 has stepped it's game up. Vengeance and Unforgiven were both very good shows and SummerSlam was outstanding. I don't remember much about this show except for the fact that The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar had their rematch and it's inside of the Hell in a Cell so I'm looking forward to that. I also remember that this had the finals of Smackdown Tag Team Title Tournament where Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit teamed up to face Edge and Rey Mysterio. Last little note for now is that this remains to this day as the only WWE Pay-Per-View to ever be held in Arkansas.
Opening with a backstage segment can be hit or miss. This one shows The Undertaker sitting backstage, looking at his hand in a cast. Kane sits next to him and asks how his week was. That's it. That's all. We go to the opening video package that focuses on the infamous KATIE VICK STORYLINE! These two couldn't just feud over it being Champion vs. Champion? The video shifts to the main event, which is Brock vs. The Undertaker in Hell in a Cell.
World Tag Team Championship
Chris Jericho and Christian (c) vs. Booker T and Goldust
Last time I saw the Tag Team Titles defended on Pay-Per-View at SummerSlam, Christian was Champion...with Lance Storm and was an Un-American. Also, Vitamin C took it from Kane and The Hurricane, so I missed a lot when it comes to title changes since Kane is also the Intercontinental Champion on this show. Christian and Goldust start out and Goldust eventually takes control with butt bumps. Yes, butt bumps. He slingshots Jericho outside onto Christian but when he attempts ten punches in the corner, Christian gets in a cheap shot. The heels work him over for a bit until Goldust hits a powerslam. Booker can feel it as the crowd rallies, but Goldust gets cut off from the tag. He counters and tags in anyway. So, Booker and Jericho have a one on one feud in the midst of all of this. Booker misses the Scissors Kick but hits a stiff spinebuster for two. Goldie makes a blind tag and hits a double bulldog before connecting with Shattered Dreams behind the ref's back. Jericho counters the Curtain Call and locks in the Walls of Jericho. Booker breaks the hold and nails the Scissors Kick. Christian pulls Goldust out to stop the pin. Booker goes up top and nails a missile dropkick so its SPINAROONIE TIME! The second rope breaks on Jericho when he attempts a springboard dropkick. That's something you don't see every day. Ever the improvisor, Jericho hits a bulldog on Goldust onto the tag belt and then a top rope moonsault instead of the Lionsault to retain.
Winners and Still World Tag Team Champions: Chris Jericho and Christian in 8:46
Decent stuff but I know that these four can do better. I wasn't as into it as I hoped I would be. **1/2
Backstage now with SMACKDOWN NUMBA ONA ANNOUNCER, Funaki! He's with Al Wilson and he asks about the Dawn Marie giving him sneak peeks before many lingerie and bikini contests previously. Because Smackdown had one pretty much every week. He is unable to speak about anything and Funaki, always the one to ask hard hitting questions, wants to know why Al Wilson was wearing clothes in the shower with Dawn Marie. When Al finally speaks, he pulls a Bill Clinton.
Dawn Marie vs. Torrie Wilson
This one should be a barn burner. Torrie hits a sunset flip that doesn't look terrible, which is surprising. Neither of these girls were ever any good but man did they have an extended rivalry. Dawn actually works on Torrie's back because PSYCHOLOGY! Seriously, a whip into the corner, some stomps on the back and even a surfboard variation! Dawn headbutts her in the groin which gets a big pop from the perverted fans. Catfight time as the girls roll around and the referee gets involved. Torrie hits a suplex for two and this is more competitive than I thought. Dawn charges in but gets met with the EDDIE GILBERT hot shot! You're on your way Torrie. And as I called it, a swinging neckbreaker earns Torrie the win.
Winner: Torrie Wilson in 4:41
That got more time than I thought and was better than I expected. Still not very good though. *1/4
Jonathan Coachman is in the back with Rob Van Dam and asks him about his match with Ric Flair. RVD paraphrases Flair's limousine riding stuff, and says that's not his style. He's a CHAIR SMASHING, FROG SPLASHING, RISK TAKING, YINNING AND YANGING, VAN DAMINATING dude. It's funnier to see because he struts and woos with each one. RVD heads off and Coach finds Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman. He goes for ask for thoughts on this, but Heyman and Brock leave. Tracy is left behind and I have no clue who she is. Apparently she is accusing The Undertaker of something. She's like, on a Brie Bella level of poor acting, but not Claire Lynch bad.
Ric Flair vs. Rob Van Dam
Things start on the outside as RVD is still pissed that Flair cost him the World Heavyweight Title at the last Pay-Per-View. He hits his trademark leg drop on the guardrail and back inside, sends Flair in for his signature corner bump. The dirtiest player in the game knows what he's doing though with a thumb to the eye and chop block. Flair chops away in the corner and RVD tries to rally, but he's selling the leg injury well. Flair pokes the eye again and hits another chop block. His moveset seems pretty limited right now. Short punches in the corner for a bit. Figure Four gets locked in as RVD sells it like his leg is broken. Well done. RVD fights out and they struggle to do a backslide but it ends in a two. He takes a risk and it fails, allowing the safer Ric to try the Figure Four. They're yin and yang. STORYTELLING! RVD counters the Figure Four into a small package and Flair goes upstairs. Of course, he doesn't hit the move and gets slammed form the top. Rolling Thunder connects and Flair gets his foot on the rope. All of a sudden, RVD's leg is fine. Five Star Frog Splash hits and it gets him the duke, even though his pin pulled Flair's shoulder off the mat.
Winner: Rob Van Dam in 7:58
Considering Flair's limited offense and RVD forgetting the leg work that he sold so well throughout the match, this had potential to be better. *3/4
Big Show is complaining to Stephanie McMahon about how upset he is with Raw. I'd be pissed too. Smackdown is miles ahead at this point. Eric Bischoff shows up and is furious with Big Show. Show is not happy that he hasn't been on Pay-Per-View since July and hasn't headlined in forever. Show threatens Bischoff and leaves.
A video package highlighting the history of the Intercontinental Title is shown because the WWE is stupidly retiring the belt in his Katie Vick Unification match.
Cruiserweight Championship
Jamie Noble (c) w/ Nidia vs. Tajiri
IT'S JAMIE NOBLE BOY! Tajiri hits a baseball slide before the bell rings and gets a near fall once they enter the ring. Jamie Noble comes back and hits a very nice looking electric chair drop. Tilt-a-whirl backbreaker from Noble and he focuses on the back. Noble shouts “YEA BOY” because he's JAMIE NOBLE BOY. I don't know why, but I love doing that. I always loved Noble as Champion because he was different then your typical high flying cruiserweight. Tajiri knocks Noble off the tops and goes for a moonsault but misses. He lands on his feet and connects with a nice tornado DDT. Tajiri cuts down Noble with some vicious kicks and hits the handspring elbow. A variation of the airplane spin from Tajiri and a German suplex gets him a near fall. TARANTULA! He misses the Buzzsaw Kick though, and Noble goes for the Tiger Bomb. Tajiri reverses and slingshots him into the corner followed by a big kick. He gets the pin but Nidia distracts the referee with a kiss. Noble hits the Tiger Bomb but Tajiri kicks out! Tajiri attempts a victory roll but Nidia holds Noble's feet, allowing him the leverage to win.
Winner and Still Cruiserweight Champion: Jamie Noble in 8:15
I enjoyed this. It was a good Cruiserweight match and Jamie Noble is rolling as Champion. Fun stuff. **3/4
Tajiri grabs Nidia after the match and plants a kiss on her. She likes it and falls to her knees, so Noble gets mad and drops to his knees to show Tajiri how it's done. As he kisses her, Tajiri kicks him in the head. Cutting backstage, Chris Benoit is looking for Eddie Guerrero because Kurt Angle is beating up Chavo. Eddie hears Chavo getting beat up and says he doesn't believe it's him. It sounds like a little girl in his mind. It is, in fact, Chavo leading to a pull apart brawl. Angle and Benoit are one formidable tag team.
Winner Take All Champion vs. Champion Match
Kane (c) vs. Triple H (c)
For those who don't know, Kane is the Intercontinental Champion and Triple H is the World Heavyweight Champion. I loved Kane's attire during his 2002 until unmasked run. Kane comes out of the gate firing because he's pissed that Triple H, disguised as him, hooked up with Katie Vick. Kane continues to beat HHH from pillar to post. HHH stops his momentum with the dreaded knee to face and clotheslines him out. Triple H is going all CEREBRAL ASSASSIN as he targets Kane's neck. The crowd is pretty dead and this is pretty boring so far. Triple H decides that the way to wake the fans up is to apply a sleeper hold. Kane counters with a backdrop. He hits a flying clothesline and Flair runs out and slides into the ring with more athleticism than I've ever seen. Kane knocks him down and HHH nails him with the World Title. Kane kicks out because belt shots don't do much nowadays. ITS A BIRD! ITS A PLANE! ITS THE HURRICANE! He comes out and takes out Flair, but eats a Pedigree on the outside. Kane sits up and he's in dominant demon mode. HHH blocks a superplex and goes for a top rope move like an idiot, so Kane boots him in the face. The referee also eats a big boot, so you know more shenanigans are coming. Kane uses this time to hit a chokeslam through the announce table. Flair brings in the sledgehammer but Kane blocks it and big boots him. HHH levels Kane in the mid section with the sledgehammer, but he shrugs it off and hits another chokeslam. A new ref runs out and Flair takes him out before he count three. Kane chokeslams Flair as he continues to dominate, but HHH hits a perfectly timed Pedigree and Earl Hebner wakes up to count the three.
Winner and Still World Heavyweight Champion and New Intercontinental Champion: Triple H in 16:13
Boring at the start, but for once, shenanigans actually made it better. It spiced the match up. HHH and Flair looked really weak though as Kane dominated them. **
Stephanie McMahon is in her office when that damn Jezebel Tracy is back. Stephanie tries to say that Tracy has strong feelings for the Undertaker, but she denies. SHE CALLS HIM MARK! KAYFABE DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE! Stephanie tricks her into spilling the beans with nearly no effort. Tracy is an idiot. The Undertaker hears her confess and she gets kicked out.
WWE Tag Team Championship Tournament Finals
Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle vs. Edge and Rey Mysterio
Paul Heyman mentioned on Talk is Jericho that once he saw that Raw had a weak tag division, he wanted to make Smackdown's amazing. This is a good start on paper. Angle and Mysterio start the match and Angle works him over on the mat and slaps him around. He tosses Rey hard and demands that he tag in Edge. Rey declines and gets Angle down with multiple dropkicks. A nice springboard hurricanrana is followed by him slapping Angle around in a cool turn of events. Edge comes in and has a fine exchange with Kurt before Benoit enters. They go back and forth, with Edge targeting the lower back. Edge gets a near fall with a flapjack and Angle gets in a cheap knee to the back. Edge retaliates with a Spear that knocks him off the apron. He comes in the ring soon after and works over Edge for a bit. Angle goes all Samoa Joe with a rear naked choke that Edge rallies out of. That rally is stopped with a belly to belly. Benoit's back in and sends Edge into the corner for the Bret Hart sternum bump. Edge is in real trouble when Benoit reels off his German suplex hat trick. The Crippler signals for the finish as he goes up top but Edge stops him. Superplex from Edge! HOT TAG TO REY who instantly knocks Angle off the apron and hits a flying head scissors on Benoit. Angle runs in and takes a dropkick. Rey gets Benoit draped on the second rope and hits a guillotine leg drop for two! Benoit counters a Rey bulldog into the Crippler Crossface! That was awesome. Edge breaks up the submission but gets pulled outside by Angle. Rey dropkicks Benoit and goes for the 619, but Benoit catches him. Edge comes off the top with a missile dropkick and Rey gets a near fall. Rey goes up top but Angle leaps up and hits a second rope belly to belly! Benoit covers for only two! My goodness. Angle gets near falls on Rey with a backbreaker and a snap suplex. Rey surprises everyone with a belly to belly of his own, but he runs into one from Angle. Benoit and Angle now pick apart Rey with stiff ass offense. Rey sends Benoit into the corner with a reversal. HOT TAG! Both Angle and Edge come in and Edge is on fire. Edge-o-matic gets two and it's time for double teams. Edge nails Benoit in the corner before Rey runs in with a bronco buster. After Edge rams his shoulder into Angle, he puts him on the top. Rey charges, Edge catapults him onto Angle and he hits a hurricanrana off the top! Edge covers and Benoit goes for the headbutt to break it up but he hits Angle by mistake! Edge covers and somehow Kurt kicks out. Once they get up, Kurt hits a German and taunts for another, but Edge launches Rey into him. Benoit trips up Edge and locks in the Crossface. Edge gets near the ropes, so Rey hits a 619 to break it up! Angle Slam on Rey and THE STRAPS ARE DOWN! Ankle Lock on Edge, but he counters into a small package for a close two count! He bounces off the ropes with the Spear but Benoit breaks the pin. Rey knocks him outside and Edge catapults him onto him. Edge goes for the Edgecution, but Kurt counters into the Ankle Lock. Edge rolls forward into his own Ankle Lock! HOLY POOP! Angle reverses back into his own and forces Edge to submit.
Winners and First WWE Tag Team Champions: Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle in 22:03
I don't even have words for that. That might be the best tag team match that I've ever seen and if it's not, it's damn close. Match of the year for 2002 so far. ****3/4
Undertaker is getting his hand checked on and he threatens a medical worker to give him some type of shot to get him through the match tonight.
WWE Women's Championship
Trish Stratus (c) vs. Victoria
Either this was before Victoria had “All the things she said” as her theme or it's dubbed over. Victoria shows her power advantage early on but a furious run from Trish makes Victoria regroup outside. Trish goes after her but Victoria, being the more aggressive of the two, wins the battle out there. Back inside, Victoria front flips from the apron into the ring with a leg drop for two. That was more impressive than 90% of what the Divas of today do. They do a sloppy monkey flip and Trish hits her handstand hurricanrana for two. Victoria nails an impressive side slam but the fans are pretty dead. Lawler continues to mention that Divas are Raw exclusive as Trish hits an electric chair drop. Trish ducks a clothesline and hits the Chick Kick but only gets two. She follows with consecutive swinging neckbreakers and Victoria blocks Stratusfaction. Trish rolls up Victoria and gets the 1-2-3.
Winner and Still Women's Champion: Trish Stratus in 5:31
Kind of awkward and disappointing. Their matches would get better with more chemistry over time. *1/2
Victoria is pissed so she kicks Trish in the face and has to be held back by the referee. We go to The World where Rikishi is there to talk about the Hell in a Cell match because he's been tossed from the top of one by The Undertaker.
WWE Championship Hell in a Cell
Brock Lesnar (c) w/ Paul Heyman vs. The Undertaker
It's clear from the get go that this is going to be a war. Undertaker levels Brock in the mid section with his cast. Lesnar is rethinking tonight as he tries to break the door but he's not Kane so it doesn't work. Brock takes control with heel tactic #4 as he goads Taker into following him into the ring and stomps on him. Undertaker fights back and busts Brock wide open with the cast. He starts to toss him around outside of the ring. Paul Heyman is yelling like his child is being beaten to death. Taker grates Brock's face on the cell and is manhandling the Champion. Guillotine leg drop on the apron from old Booger Red is followed by an incredibly poor looking knee from the top rope. It's like Undertaker thought of a top rope leg drop and then realized that he's nearly seven feet. Heyman finds a hole in the cage and reaches in but is nowhere near Taker. Undertaker gets pissed and big boots him before grabbing him through the hole and bringing him into the cage, busting open Heyman. He charges at Brock, who flapjacks him into the cage and drives him into the post and cage. Heyman hands Lesnar his belt and he wraps it around Undertaker's wrist and Heyman holds him in place from outside. Brock wails on Taker in the back with a steel chair before OBLITERATING his hand with it. Undertaker fights back with desperation but Brock targets the hand again. In the ring, Lesnar removes Undertaker's cast and this is a brutal ass match. He puts Undertaker on the top and grabs hold of the ceiling as he stands on the top and kicks him repeatedly. Taker uses a low blow and shoves Brock off. He shoves Lesnar off the apron and into the cage as Heyman pleads with Brock. That man can act. The Undertaker actually does a suicide dive because why not tonight. Brock uses the steel steps to take out Undertaker and now he is bleeding like a stuffed pig. I mean, the man is gushing. Brock doesn't care and he hits him with the steps again! Back inside, Undertaker won't die as he fights back but Brock plants him with a spinebuster. Taker uses his broken right hand to punch Lesnar and he stomps on Brock's finger, which looks like it hurts like hell. He attempts Old School but Brock slams him to the mat. Tazz says that Undertaker has never been pinned, which is just dumb. He counters the F5 and hits a Chokeslam but Brock is able to kick out. It's hard to look at Undertaker and all of the blood. Brock goes for the Last Ride to mock Taker but it's reversed and Taker hits a big DDT. Undertaker gives the signal and he goes for the Last Ride, but Brock shoves him into the corner and drives his shoulder into his ribs numerous times. Brock goes for ten punches but Taker counters out with the Last Ride! He's a mess and Brock gets his hand on the bottom rope. Taker calls for the Tombstone but Brock reverses into an impressive ass F5 that finishes it
Winner and Still WWE Champion: Brock Lesnar in 27:18
That was so damn brutal. We'll never get a Hell in a Cell like that again and that made up for the disappointing Unforgiven match. Both men bled and beat the hell out of each other, and no climbing the cage spot which I feel is overused. With a little more hand selling from Undertaker, this could've been a classic. Brock has been legitimized. ****
Overall: 6.5/10; Above Average. Let me get this straight right off the bat. Parts of this show were poor. Nothing on the Raw side was memorable and only one match passed two stars. Smackdown's side though had a solid Cruiserweight Title match, a brutal main event and an outstanding tag team title match. Shows you where the shows were at this point. See the Hell in a Cell and WWE Tag Team Title match, but everything else is not really worth it. |
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shenmue
Main Eventer
Joined on: Oct 30, 2007 10:12:45 GMT -5
Posts: 2,730
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Post by shenmue on Aug 12, 2014 19:02:53 GMT -5
No Mercy 2002
October 20th, 2002 – Alltel Arena in Little Rock, Arkansas – Attendance: 10,000
After a disappointing King of the Ring Pay-Per-View, 2002 has stepped it's game up. Vengeance and Unforgiven were both very good shows and SummerSlam was outstanding. I don't remember much about this show except for the fact that The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar had their rematch and it's inside of the Hell in a Cell so I'm looking forward to that. I also remember that this had the finals of Smackdown Tag Team Title Tournament where Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit teamed up to face Edge and Rey Mysterio. Last little note for now is that this remains to this day as the only WWE Pay-Per-View to ever be held in Arkansas.
Opening with a backstage segment can be hit or miss. This one shows The Undertaker sitting backstage, looking at his hand in a cast. Kane sits next to him and asks how his week was. That's it. That's all. We go to the opening video package that focuses on the infamous KATIE VICK STORYLINE! These two couldn't just feud over it being Champion vs. Champion? The video shifts to the main event, which is Brock vs. The Undertaker in Hell in a Cell.
World Tag Team Championship
Chris Jericho and Christian (c) vs. Booker T and Goldust
Last time I saw the Tag Team Titles defended on Pay-Per-View at SummerSlam, Christian was Champion...with Lance Storm and was an Un-American. Also, Vitamin C took it from Kane and The Hurricane, so I missed a lot when it comes to title changes since Kane is also the Intercontinental Champion on this show. Christian and Goldust start out and Goldust eventually takes control with butt bumps. Yes, butt bumps. He slingshots Jericho outside onto Christian but when he attempts ten punches in the corner, Christian gets in a cheap shot. The heels work him over for a bit until Goldust hits a powerslam. Booker can feel it as the crowd rallies, but Goldust gets cut off from the tag. He counters and tags in anyway. So, Booker and Jericho have a one on one feud in the midst of all of this. Booker misses the Scissors Kick but hits a stiff spinebuster for two. Goldie makes a blind tag and hits a double bulldog before connecting with Shattered Dreams behind the ref's back. Jericho counters the Curtain Call and locks in the Walls of Jericho. Booker breaks the hold and nails the Scissors Kick. Christian pulls Goldust out to stop the pin. Booker goes up top and nails a missile dropkick so its SPINAROONIE TIME! The second rope breaks on Jericho when he attempts a springboard dropkick. That's something you don't see every day. Ever the improvisor, Jericho hits a bulldog on Goldust onto the tag belt and then a top rope moonsault instead of the Lionsault to retain.
Winners and Still World Tag Team Champions: Chris Jericho and Christian in 8:46
Decent stuff but I know that these four can do better. I wasn't as into it as I hoped I would be. **1/2
Backstage now with SMACKDOWN NUMBA ONA ANNOUNCER, Funaki! He's with Al Wilson and he asks about the Dawn Marie giving him sneak peeks before many lingerie and bikini contests previously. Because Smackdown had one pretty much every week. He is unable to speak about anything and Funaki, always the one to ask hard hitting questions, wants to know why Al Wilson was wearing clothes in the shower with Dawn Marie. When Al finally speaks, he pulls a Bill Clinton.
Dawn Marie vs. Torrie Wilson
This one should be a barn burner. Torrie hits a sunset flip that doesn't look terrible, which is surprising. Neither of these girls were ever any good but man did they have an extended rivalry. Dawn actually works on Torrie's back because PSYCHOLOGY! Seriously, a whip into the corner, some stomps on the back and even a surfboard variation! Dawn headbutts her in the groin which gets a big pop from the perverted fans. Catfight time as the girls roll around and the referee gets involved. Torrie hits a suplex for two and this is more competitive than I thought. Dawn charges in but gets met with the EDDIE GILBERT hot shot! You're on your way Torrie. And as I called it, a swinging neckbreaker earns Torrie the win.
Winner: Torrie Wilson in 4:41
That got more time than I thought and was better than I expected. Still not very good though. *1/4
Jonathan Coachman is in the back with Rob Van Dam and asks him about his match with Ric Flair. RVD paraphrases Flair's limousine riding stuff, and says that's not his style. He's a CHAIR SMASHING, FROG SPLASHING, RISK TAKING, YINNING AND YANGING, VAN DAMINATING dude. It's funnier to see because he struts and woos with each one. RVD heads off and Coach finds Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman. He goes for ask for thoughts on this, but Heyman and Brock leave. Tracy is left behind and I have no clue who she is. Apparently she is accusing The Undertaker of something. She's like, on a Brie Bella level of poor acting, but not Claire Lynch bad.
Ric Flair vs. Rob Van Dam
Things start on the outside as RVD is still pissed that Flair cost him the World Heavyweight Title at the last Pay-Per-View. He hits his trademark leg drop on the guardrail and back inside, sends Flair in for his signature corner bump. The dirtiest player in the game knows what he's doing though with a thumb to the eye and chop block. Flair chops away in the corner and RVD tries to rally, but he's selling the leg injury well. Flair pokes the eye again and hits another chop block. His moveset seems pretty limited right now. Short punches in the corner for a bit. Figure Four gets locked in as RVD sells it like his leg is broken. Well done. RVD fights out and they struggle to do a backslide but it ends in a two. He takes a risk and it fails, allowing the safer Ric to try the Figure Four. They're yin and yang. STORYTELLING! RVD counters the Figure Four into a small package and Flair goes upstairs. Of course, he doesn't hit the move and gets slammed form the top. Rolling Thunder connects and Flair gets his foot on the rope. All of a sudden, RVD's leg is fine. Five Star Frog Splash hits and it gets him the duke, even though his pin pulled Flair's shoulder off the mat.
Winner: Rob Van Dam in 7:58
Considering Flair's limited offense and RVD forgetting the leg work that he sold so well throughout the match, this had potential to be better. *3/4
Big Show is complaining to Stephanie McMahon about how upset he is with Raw. I'd be pissed too. Smackdown is miles ahead at this point. Eric Bischoff shows up and is furious with Big Show. Show is not happy that he hasn't been on Pay-Per-View since July and hasn't headlined in forever. Show threatens Bischoff and leaves.
A video package highlighting the history of the Intercontinental Title is shown because the WWE is stupidly retiring the belt in his Katie Vick Unification match.
Cruiserweight Championship
Jamie Noble (c) w/ Nidia vs. Tajiri
IT'S JAMIE NOBLE BOY! Tajiri hits a baseball slide before the bell rings and gets a near fall once they enter the ring. Jamie Noble comes back and hits a very nice looking electric chair drop. Tilt-a-whirl backbreaker from Noble and he focuses on the back. Noble shouts “YEA BOY” because he's JAMIE NOBLE BOY. I don't know why, but I love doing that. I always loved Noble as Champion because he was different then your typical high flying cruiserweight. Tajiri knocks Noble off the tops and goes for a moonsault but misses. He lands on his feet and connects with a nice tornado DDT. Tajiri cuts down Noble with some vicious kicks and hits the handspring elbow. A variation of the airplane spin from Tajiri and a German suplex gets him a near fall. TARANTULA! He misses the Buzzsaw Kick though, and Noble goes for the Tiger Bomb. Tajiri reverses and slingshots him into the corner followed by a big kick. He gets the pin but Nidia distracts the referee with a kiss. Noble hits the Tiger Bomb but Tajiri kicks out! Tajiri attempts a victory roll but Nidia holds Noble's feet, allowing him the leverage to win.
Winner and Still Cruiserweight Champion: Jamie Noble in 8:15
I enjoyed this. It was a good Cruiserweight match and Jamie Noble is rolling as Champion. Fun stuff. **3/4
Tajiri grabs Nidia after the match and plants a kiss on her. She likes it and falls to her knees, so Noble gets mad and drops to his knees to show Tajiri how it's done. As he kisses her, Tajiri kicks him in the head. Cutting backstage, Chris Benoit is looking for Eddie Guerrero because Kurt Angle is beating up Chavo. Eddie hears Chavo getting beat up and says he doesn't believe it's him. It sounds like a little girl in his mind. It is, in fact, Chavo leading to a pull apart brawl. Angle and Benoit are one formidable tag team.
Winner Take All Champion vs. Champion Match
Kane (c) vs. Triple H (c)
For those who don't know, Kane is the Intercontinental Champion and Triple H is the World Heavyweight Champion. I loved Kane's attire during his 2002 until unmasked run. Kane comes out of the gate firing because he's pissed that Triple H, disguised as him, hooked up with Katie Vick. Kane continues to beat HHH from pillar to post. HHH stops his momentum with the dreaded knee to face and clotheslines him out. Triple H is going all CEREBRAL ASSASSIN as he targets Kane's neck. The crowd is pretty dead and this is pretty boring so far. Triple H decides that the way to wake the fans up is to apply a sleeper hold. Kane counters with a backdrop. He hits a flying clothesline and Flair runs out and slides into the ring with more athleticism than I've ever seen. Kane knocks him down and HHH nails him with the World Title. Kane kicks out because belt shots don't do much nowadays. ITS A BIRD! ITS A PLANE! ITS THE HURRICANE! He comes out and takes out Flair, but eats a Pedigree on the outside. Kane sits up and he's in dominant demon mode. HHH blocks a superplex and goes for a top rope move like an idiot, so Kane boots him in the face. The referee also eats a big boot, so you know more shenanigans are coming. Kane uses this time to hit a chokeslam through the announce table. Flair brings in the sledgehammer but Kane blocks it and big boots him. HHH levels Kane in the mid section with the sledgehammer, but he shrugs it off and hits another chokeslam. A new ref runs out and Flair takes him out before he count three. Kane chokeslams Flair as he continues to dominate, but HHH hits a perfectly timed Pedigree and Earl Hebner wakes up to count the three.
Winner and Still World Heavyweight Champion and New Intercontinental Champion: Triple H in 16:13
Boring at the start, but for once, shenanigans actually made it better. It spiced the match up. HHH and Flair looked really weak though as Kane dominated them. **
Stephanie McMahon is in her office when that damn Jezebel Tracy is back. Stephanie tries to say that Tracy has strong feelings for the Undertaker, but she denies. SHE CALLS HIM MARK! KAYFABE DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE! Stephanie tricks her into spilling the beans with nearly no effort. Tracy is an idiot. The Undertaker hears her confess and she gets kicked out.
WWE Tag Team Championship Tournament Finals
Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle vs. Edge and Rey Mysterio
Paul Heyman mentioned on Talk is Jericho that once he saw that Raw had a weak tag division, he wanted to make Smackdown's amazing. This is a good start on paper. Angle and Mysterio start the match and Angle works him over on the mat and slaps him around. He tosses Rey hard and demands that he tag in Edge. Rey declines and gets Angle down with multiple dropkicks. A nice springboard hurricanrana is followed by him slapping Angle around in a cool turn of events. Edge comes in and has a fine exchange with Kurt before Benoit enters. They go back and forth, with Edge targeting the lower back. Edge gets a near fall with a flapjack and Angle gets in a cheap knee to the back. Edge retaliates with a Spear that knocks him off the apron. He comes in the ring soon after and works over Edge for a bit. Angle goes all Samoa Joe with a rear naked choke that Edge rallies out of. That rally is stopped with a belly to belly. Benoit's back in and sends Edge into the corner for the Bret Hart sternum bump. Edge is in real trouble when Benoit reels off his German suplex hat trick. The Crippler signals for the finish as he goes up top but Edge stops him. Superplex from Edge! HOT TAG TO REY who instantly knocks Angle off the apron and hits a flying head scissors on Benoit. Angle runs in and takes a dropkick. Rey gets Benoit draped on the second rope and hits a guillotine leg drop for two! Benoit counters a Rey bulldog into the Crippler Crossface! That was awesome. Edge breaks up the submission but gets pulled outside by Angle. Rey dropkicks Benoit and goes for the 619, but Benoit catches him. Edge comes off the top with a missile dropkick and Rey gets a near fall. Rey goes up top but Angle leaps up and hits a second rope belly to belly! Benoit covers for only two! My goodness. Angle gets near falls on Rey with a backbreaker and a snap suplex. Rey surprises everyone with a belly to belly of his own, but he runs into one from Angle. Benoit and Angle now pick apart Rey with stiff ass offense. Rey sends Benoit into the corner with a reversal. HOT TAG! Both Angle and Edge come in and Edge is on fire. Edge-o-matic gets two and it's time for double teams. Edge nails Benoit in the corner before Rey runs in with a bronco buster. After Edge rams his shoulder into Angle, he puts him on the top. Rey charges, Edge catapults him onto Angle and he hits a hurricanrana off the top! Edge covers and Benoit goes for the headbutt to break it up but he hits Angle by mistake! Edge covers and somehow Kurt kicks out. Once they get up, Kurt hits a German and taunts for another, but Edge launches Rey into him. Benoit trips up Edge and locks in the Crossface. Edge gets near the ropes, so Rey hits a 619 to break it up! Angle Slam on Rey and THE STRAPS ARE DOWN! Ankle Lock on Edge, but he counters into a small package for a close two count! He bounces off the ropes with the Spear but Benoit breaks the pin. Rey knocks him outside and Edge catapults him onto him. Edge goes for the Edgecution, but Kurt counters into the Ankle Lock. Edge rolls forward into his own Ankle Lock! HOLY POOP! Angle reverses back into his own and forces Edge to submit.
Winners and First WWE Tag Team Champions: Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle in 22:03
I don't even have words for that. That might be the best tag team match that I've ever seen and if it's not, it's damn close. Match of the year for 2002 so far. ****3/4
Undertaker is getting his hand checked on and he threatens a medical worker to give him some type of shot to get him through the match tonight.
WWE Women's Championship
Trish Stratus (c) vs. Victoria
Either this was before Victoria had “All the things she said” as her theme or it's dubbed over. Victoria shows her power advantage early on but a furious run from Trish makes Victoria regroup outside. Trish goes after her but Victoria, being the more aggressive of the two, wins the battle out there. Back inside, Victoria front flips from the apron into the ring with a leg drop for two. That was more impressive than 90% of what the Divas of today do. They do a sloppy monkey flip and Trish hits her handstand hurricanrana for two. Victoria nails an impressive side slam but the fans are pretty dead. Lawler continues to mention that Divas are Raw exclusive as Trish hits an electric chair drop. Trish ducks a clothesline and hits the Chick Kick but only gets two. She follows with consecutive swinging neckbreakers and Victoria blocks Stratusfaction. Trish rolls up Victoria and gets the 1-2-3.
Winner and Still Women's Champion: Trish Stratus in 5:31
Kind of awkward and disappointing. Their matches would get better with more chemistry over time. *1/2
Victoria is pissed so she kicks Trish in the face and has to be held back by the referee. We go to The World where Rikishi is there to talk about the Hell in a Cell match because he's been tossed from the top of one by The Undertaker.
WWE Championship Hell in a Cell
Brock Lesnar (c) w/ Paul Heyman vs. The Undertaker
It's clear from the get go that this is going to be a war. Undertaker levels Brock in the mid section with his cast. Lesnar is rethinking tonight as he tries to break the door but he's not Kane so it doesn't work. Brock takes control with heel tactic #4 as he goads Taker into following him into the ring and stomps on him. Undertaker fights back and busts Brock wide open with the cast. He starts to toss him around outside of the ring. Paul Heyman is yelling like his child is being beaten to death. Taker grates Brock's face on the cell and is manhandling the Champion. Guillotine leg drop on the apron from old Booger Red is followed by an incredibly poor looking knee from the top rope. It's like Undertaker thought of a top rope leg drop and then realized that he's nearly seven feet. Heyman finds a hole in the cage and reaches in but is nowhere near Taker. Undertaker gets pissed and big boots him before grabbing him through the hole and bringing him into the cage, busting open Heyman. He charges at Brock, who flapjacks him into the cage and drives him into the post and cage. Heyman hands Lesnar his belt and he wraps it around Undertaker's wrist and Heyman holds him in place from outside. Brock wails on Taker in the back with a steel chair before OBLITERATING his hand with it. Undertaker fights back with desperation but Brock targets the hand again. In the ring, Lesnar removes Undertaker's cast and this is a brutal ass match. He puts Undertaker on the top and grabs hold of the ceiling as he stands on the top and kicks him repeatedly. Taker uses a low blow and shoves Brock off. He shoves Lesnar off the apron and into the cage as Heyman pleads with Brock. That man can act. The Undertaker actually does a suicide dive because why not tonight. Brock uses the steel steps to take out Undertaker and now he is bleeding like a stuffed pig. I mean, the man is gushing. Brock doesn't care and he hits him with the steps again! Back inside, Undertaker won't die as he fights back but Brock plants him with a spinebuster. Taker uses his broken right hand to punch Lesnar and he stomps on Brock's finger, which looks like it hurts like hell. He attempts Old School but Brock slams him to the mat. Tazz says that Undertaker has never been pinned, which is just dumb. He counters the F5 and hits a Chokeslam but Brock is able to kick out. It's hard to look at Undertaker and all of the blood. Brock goes for the Last Ride to mock Taker but it's reversed and Taker hits a big DDT. Undertaker gives the signal and he goes for the Last Ride, but Brock shoves him into the corner and drives his shoulder into his ribs numerous times. Brock goes for ten punches but Taker counters out with the Last Ride! He's a mess and Brock gets his hand on the bottom rope. Taker calls for the Tombstone but Brock reverses into an impressive ass F5 that finishes it
Winner and Still WWE Champion: Brock Lesnar in 27:18
That was so damn brutal. We'll never get a Hell in a Cell like that again and that made up for the disappointing Unforgiven match. Both men bled and beat the hell out of each other, and no climbing the cage spot which I feel is overused. With a little more hand selling from Undertaker, this could've been a classic. Brock has been legitimized. ****
Overall: 6.5/10; Above Average. Let me get this straight right off the bat. Parts of this show were poor. Nothing on the Raw side was memorable and only one match passed two stars. Smackdown's side though had a solid Cruiserweight Title match, a brutal main event and an outstanding tag team title match. Shows you where the shows were at this point. See the Hell in a Cell and WWE Tag Team Title match, but everything else is not really worth it.I re watched that tag match on Saturday, it was as good as i remembered it to be. they also had an epic 2 out 3 falls match on Smack down which is worth checking out. the Guerrero;s alos get added to the mix in future bouts. Excellent time for Smack down as between the 6 men you had awesome tag team and singles bouts every week. The Hell cell match I've watched at least 5 times, last time around October of last year but its always a blast to re watch. Brutal match to say the least. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 0:56:25 GMT -5
great thread to read.......so many matches to rewatch!!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 6:06:19 GMT -5
Kev, I didn't see your IYH:DX review until now.
I agree with it. 1997 started going downhill fast after the Montreal debacle. Thankfully, Austin saved things after winning the title at WM 14.
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Aug 13, 2014 7:06:55 GMT -5
great thread to read.......so many matches to rewatch!! Seriously, go watch Angle/Benoit from Unforgiven 2002 again. Also, the Tag Team Title match from No Mercy. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 18:01:14 GMT -5
great thread to read.......so many matches to rewatch!! Seriously, go watch Angle/Benoit from Unforgiven 2002 again. Also, the Tag Team Title match from No Mercy. I did so today......nothing tops their Royal Rumble 2003 outing though.....Jesus....that is a scorcher. |
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shenmue
Main Eventer
Joined on: Oct 30, 2007 10:12:45 GMT -5
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Post by shenmue on Aug 14, 2014 8:31:06 GMT -5
Seriously, go watch Angle/Benoit from Unforgiven 2002 again. Also, the Tag Team Title match from No Mercy. I did so today......nothing tops their Royal Rumble 2003 outing though.....Jesus....that is a scorcher. I would say its close to perfection as possible, if Benoit didn't do what he did, i;m sure it would be remembered and rated more highly then it is, for example it won't be on any "best of" DVD's anymore but it should be when it comes to WWE title matches for example. Its a 5 star match IMO. Same goes for that NO Mercy 2002 tag title match. |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Aug 16, 2014 17:02:06 GMT -5
Old School
10/28/91 – Madison Square Garden
As you recently saw with my Clash of the Champions XIV review, I'm expanding “Random Network Reviews” a bit. It started as just Pay-Per-Views but I've added Clash of the Champions, Saturday Night's Main Events and Old Schools from the WWE Network to this section. I picked out my first Old School card and it's from a time period that I thought was pretty cool. October of 1991 and this show is from my favorite wrestling venue, Madison Square Garden. Looking at this card, I think it has some potential to be a fun viewing for me and I hope it goes well.
The intro video that the WWE Network has put together for their “Old School” vault is cool. I'd like it if they turned this into a “Live Event” section so we could get some recent live events too. The commentary team tonight is Gorilla Monsoon, Bobby Heenan and Lord Alfred Hayes.
Big Bully Busick vs. Texas Tornado
If you are unsure of who Busick is, just know that he has one of the best mustaches in the history of our sport. Yes, I went Tony Schiavone there. Tornado knocks him down after a feeling out process and the crowd really likes him. He whips Big Bully into the corner and hits a hip toss coming out of it. A test of strength is won by Tornado until Busick uses a cheap shot. The announce team promotes the upcoming Survivor Series event. Big Bully's offense seems to be exactly what it should be and that's power. He works over Tornado with a clothesline and some clubs before hitting a scoop slam. Bully mistakenly climbs to the second rope and Tornado TOTALLY TELEGRAPHS that he's going to counter this. Once Bully jumps, Tornado catches him with a sloppy looking Claw that he's able to break with the ropes. The crowd has quieted significantly and Bully applies a sleeper hold. Tornado breaks it in the ropes and hits the big Tornado punch to win.
Winner: Texas Tornado in 7:05
Boring opener as they killed a crowd that was pumped for the Texas Tornado. It also went too long. *1/4
The British Bulldog vs. Irwin R. Schyster
Before the match, IRS calls out the people of New York for their tax cheating ways. Surprisingly, in the early goings, IRS is in control. Bulldog gets sick of that and slams IRS around a few times before hitting him with a big running clothesline. IRS takes a breather or two as he stalls for a while. Bulldog impresses with a leapfrog, causing IRS to take yet another breather outside. Apparently, Irwin was undefeated at this point. He does a far less impressive leapfrog and Bulldog dropkicks him outside, where Irwin regroups again. Way too much of that right now. We get a little wrestling sequence back inside that IRS wins with a head scissors and he uses the ropes for leverage. IRS uses Bulldog's momentum later and sends him outside, though it looked sloppy. Time for another rest hold as IRS uses the abdominal stretch and again holds the ropes for leverage. A leg drop gets Irwin a near fall. Bulldog gets sent outside AGAIN. There's been more standing around than anything in this match. Want to know what comes next? ANOTHER REST HOLD. IRS puts him in a headlock and uses the ropes again. He hits a kitchen sink for two and again goes for a headlock. My goodness, why is this so damn long? Bulldog fights out but takes a shoulder block. IRS continues to take his time and doesn't pin. Bulldog finally knocks IRS outside and they announce that there's less than three minutes left in the time limit. Oh my god this is going to go to a draw. They continue to stall and the time expires.
Time Limit Draw at 20:00
It's clear now why they stalled so damn much. This was terrible. A whole lot of nothing was going on and it featured way too many nonsense rest holds. Couldn't this have had a 10 or 15 minute time limit? DUD
They tease five more minutes, but I forever love IRS for backing down and leaving.
Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart vs. The Mountie w/ Jimmy Hart
Neidhart calls Mountie a jailbird before the match because the last time the WWF was in MSG was for SummerSlam '91 and the Mountie got arrested. Neidhart wants to wrestle but Mountie kicks him in the gut. He goes to slam the Anvil, but realizes that it's a dumb idea. Anvil scoop slams him three straight times and we get another heel who decides to stall outside. Mountie challenges Neidhart for a shoulder block and gets run down. He goes for it again and wisely drops down but still gets hip tossed. He goes outside for consultation again and then uses a distraction from the Mouth of the South to get in the driver's seat. Mountie now uses underhanded tactics to get the crowd to continue to boo him. Anvil ducks under two leapfrogs and slams Mountie's face into the mat before following with a backdrop. Neidhart misses a knee and runs into the corner, allowing the Mountie to roll him up with a handful of tights.
Winner: The Mountie in 11:18
The best match of the night so far, but that's not saying much. There was still too much stalling, but they both played their roles well. **
Ric Flair w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Roddy Piper
How cool is it that Ric Flair walked around with the WCW World Title during this time? Flair does a clean break to start and lets out a hearty “woo!” He does another and Piper spits at him. This is Flair's first ever match in Madison Square Garden, which is pretty historic. Flair was in control in the early goings until Piper rallies. The crowd is really into this one as they spill outside. Back inside, Flair uses a thumb to the eyes to take back control and drops a knee on Hot Rod. Piper uses a rally and a big kitchen sink to change things yet again. Flair begs and backs away into the corner, so Piper delivers ten punches there. He goes for a bulldog and WHAT A SURPRISE, gets shoved right into Earl Hebner. A second official comes out and Flair argues with him, allowing Piper to roll him up for two. They trade chops in the corner and Flair does his signature bump. With the referees both preoccupied, Flair whacks Piper with a steel chair and covers. Somehow, Piper kicks out and gets Flair in the Sleeper Hold! Flair quickly counters with a back suplex though and climbs up top. Because it's Flair, this of course fails and he gets slammed to the mat. Piper eats a bunch of Flair chops that have no effect and hits a neckbreaker. Piper tries to use a chair but gets stopped, so Flair levels him and pins him with his feet on the ropes.
Winner: Ric Flair in 11:59
Not bad at all. Both guys tried their best and the crowd was red hot. The main issue was the abrupt and out of nowhere finish. **3/4
Roddy Piper uses the chair and takes out the referee and Ric Flair after the match. Cutting backstage, Sean Mooney interviews Flair. He continues to call out Hulk Hogan because he's the real World Champion. Man, Flair/Hogan should've happened at WrestleMania XIII, but whatever. Macho Man/Flair was awesome.
The Big Boss Man vs. Colonel Mustafa
HES THE IRON SHIEK, I DONT CARE WHAT YOU SAY! Oh great, as if he didn't bore me enough earlier, IRS comes out and claims that Boss Man shouldn't be allowed to wrestle because he's a tax cheat. The Iron Sheik uses that distraction to club away at the Boss Man, but he fights back and delivers ten punches in the corner. I believe that I just saw Fred Savage, or whichever one was from the Wonder Years in the crowd. Sheik uses some sort of weapon from his boot on Boss Man. Commentary has completely ignored this match as they are just talking about Flair and Hogan. Despite Sheik's cheating, he gets caught in the Boss Man Slam and stays down for the count.
Winner: The Big Boss Man in 4:54
Nothing match. Was used as filler after the Flair/Piper match. *
WWF Intercontinental Championship
Bret Hart (c) vs. The Berzerker
Bret is sporting his fantastic pink jacket and Gorilla Monsoon mentions that he's never seen the Berzerker pin anybody which is funny. He attacks Bret at the bell as the crowd goes “Huss! Huss!” Bret hits a series of dropkicks and the last one knocks Berzerker outside. He runs back in but gets clotheslined right back out, only to run in and get an atomic drop that takes him outside. The challenger uses a headbutt to turn the tide and commentary has now decided to turn the discussion to Berzerker's Ugg like boots. Berzerker is in control because who would give Berzerker offense and make him look good? BRET HART THATS WHO! Berzerker misses a second rope leg drop like an idiot but hits a big kitchen sink, which was apparently a popular move in 1991. REST HOLD TIME! Berzerker hits a piledriver but Bret kicks out. He is really dominating this match but misses a shoulder block and Bret crotches him on the top rope. Ever the technician, Bret tries a small package and gets two, followed by the best backbreaker in wrestling history. Second rope elbow earns him a near fall though. Just like he would in the future against guys like Diesel and the Undertaker, he targets the legs. He goes for the Sharpshooter but Berzerker blocks it. When they get up, Bret uses a crucifix to retain.
Winner and Still Intercontinental Champion: Bret Hart in 10:18
Would've been better if the Berzerker didn't control things. Bret sold like a champ though so that helped. **1/2
El Matador vs. Hercules
According to Gorilla, this is the debut of El Matador. He starts the match by goading Hercules into charging at his Matador cape or whatever they're called. Matador and Hercules run the ropes and Matador hits a drop toe hold. OLE! They go in the corner and Chico Santana reels off a few of the ten punches and gets a near fall with it. OLE! Hercules is tired of these games and clotheslines the jalapenos out of Santana. Am I racist for throwing out all of these OLE and jalapeno references? No because his finisher was the flying jalapeno. He applies every powerhouse heel's favorite submission, the bearhug! He fights out but gets clotheslined down anyway. Bearhug is back on. Matador fights out again, OLE! The Flying Jalapeno is hit but Hercules is too close to the ropes. Matador hits a flying forearm to the back of the neck and wins.
Winner: El Matador in 9:11
Decent little filler match. Again, a bit too much rest time with the bearhug but it kept my interest. **
WWF Tag Team Championship
The Legion of Doom (c) vs. The Natural Disasters w/ Jimmy Hart
This should be a barn burner, also known as a brawl that's not going to be the best worked match of the night. I could be wrong. We get multiple tests of strength in the early goings as LOD are really good at keeping up with the much bigger Natural Disasters. Animal knocks down Earthquake with an impressive shoulder block. Earthquake puts on a bearhug, big surprise, but actually does surprise me with a belly to belly suplex. Things stall heavily with, you guessed it, another bearhug. Earthquake should've won with a slam as Hawk was late to break up the count and the referee had to stutter. Hawk gets the hot tag and fires away, even hitting a dropkick. The Natural Disasters are near victory but things break down and they toss the referee out of the ring, resulting in the disqualification.
Winners via disqualification: The Legion of Doom in 8:02
Kept relatively short and featured some hard hitting stuff, so that was fine. **
Hawk clears the ring of the Natural Disasters and helps Animal up to close the show.
Overall: 3/10; Poor. Maybe because it was a non-televised event, but guys didn't seem to bring their A game. The best match was under three stars and British Bulldog and IRS bored me to tears. It could've been worse though as a few things clocked in around two or so stars. Next time on “Random Network Reviews” I take a long look at WCW Hog Wild 1996! |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2014 17:20:34 GMT -5
^
That show sounds...awful.
I need to do another review. I haven't had time.
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