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Post by The Kevstaaa on Sept 14, 2014 21:40:53 GMT -5
Halloween Havoc 1994
10/23/1994 – Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan – Attendance: 14,000
Funny that my last Night of Champions review was in the Joe Louis Arena and I randomly select another show to watch and it's from the same arena. WCW in 1994 is something I don't remember well so this should be interesting. I know that Hulk Hogan was there already and that this was about a year before Nitro would officially begin. I have heard mixed reviews on this show so I have mixed feelings going in but that's the fun in this. Seeing something I've never seen before and forming my own opinion on it. According to the WWE Network description, Hulk Hogan faces Ric Flair in a Career match to main event this which is a wise booking decision as they were the two biggest names in wrestling at the time.
I believe that I saw Muhammad Ali in the front row. The commentary booth has Tony “Greatest Night in the History of Our Spot” Schiavone, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and MEAN BAH GAWD GENE. He plugs the WCW Hotline of course, just dial 1-900-909-9900. We see the National Anthem performed which I thought was a pre-show deal.
WCW World Television Championship
Johnny B. Badd (c) vs. The Honky Tonk Man
Honky Tonk Man is billed from “Honkyland USA”. I can't make this up. Johnny B. Badd has fangs in his mouth because it's near Halloween or something. It took six minutes, but Schiavone calls this the “biggest night in the history of our sport.” When Badd tries early offense, HTM holds the ropes to prevent it. Badd messes up HTM's hair in what has to be considered a vicious move. We cut away mid-match to Sting being interviewed on the WCW hotline. I honestly prefer that. Honky slows things with a rest hold and they do indeed show Muhammad Ali. Badd tries to come back with a sunset flip but gets two, so Honky resorts to another rest hold. Five minutes remain in the ten minute time limit. Badd rallies with a body slam but again gets stopped by missing an elbow. Honky goes back to a THIRD REST HOLD. We get a reminder that there is now four minutes remaining. Do we really need an update every minute? Badd reverses Shake, Rattle and Roll with a back body drop. Honky ends up trying a pin with his feet on the ropes for two. High risk time for Honky as he nails a double axe handle off of the apron. OHMYGOD! With just over two minutes left, Honky applies REST HOLD NUMBER FOUR! Even the announcers are questioning why he's going with slow moves. Badd hits ten punches in the corner as we have one minute left. Oh my god this is going to end in a draw. They brawl as time expires.
The match ends in a time limit draw at 10:00
This was piss poor. It made no sense as the challenger kept going for rest holds to extend the time. Honky came out looking like an idiot and this did nothing for the Champion. Stupid. DUD
Honky tries to attack the Champion after the match but fails and ends up running with his tail between his legs. Tony Schiavone takes us back to a previous WCW show where Hulk Hogan was attacked by a masked man. He was hit in the knee with a tire iron or something and “walked” back from the hospital. The masked man returned and helped Flair take out Hogan. A few weeks later it was revealed that there was more than one masked man. Lastly, an amateur video is shown of Mr. T coming out of a restaurant with Ric Flair. CONTROVERSEY!
WCW World Tag Team Championship
Stars and Stripes (c) vs. Pretty Wonderful
For those who don't know, Pretty Wonderful is Paul Roma and Paul Orndorff while Stars and Stripes consists of Marcus Bagwell and The Patriot. All four men start the match with fist fights which surprises me. According to the infinite wisdom of Schiavone, Stars and Stripes are a good team because they tag frequently. NO KIDDING. Heenan and Schiavone actually get into an argument about what a tag is. Bagwell forces Orndorff to take a breather outside and tries a “USA” chant that doesn't really catch on. Paul Roma comes in and showboats too much, allowing Stars and Stripes to stay in control. That changes quickly as Pretty Wonderful cut the ring in half and beat on Bagwell for a bit. Mr. Wonderful does a weird dancing elbow drop that I never remember him doing. Roma follows with a botched elbow of his own but Bagwell hits a cross body to try and change the tide. Mr. Wonderful is able to stop his comeback attempt though. The Patriot gets tired of waiting for the hot tag and comes in to make this a four man brawl again. I'm not sure if this is the same Patriot from the WWF in 1997 but he is jacked. Bagwell hits a fisherman suplex but the referee is focused on removing the Patriot, so Roma nails Bagwell with a top rope elbow and the titles change hands.
Winners and New WCW World Tag Team Champions: Pretty Wonderful in 13:47
Not a bad match but not really good either. The fans actually popped for the heels winning which isn't a great sign. Decent. **
MEAN BAH GAWD GENE interviews Ric Flair and Sherri in the back. It's the usual Ric Flair greatness. We then get a recap of the build for Kevin Sullivan vs. David Sullivan. Yuck.
Dave Sullivan vs. Kevin Sullivan
I don't know if it was his gimmick but Kevin Sullivan shouts “HEY” as he walks to the ring. Dave is in full Hulkamania gear and his theme is even called “I Wanna Be a Hulkamaniac”. It's terrible. I'm praying that this is short. Dave knocks Kevin out of the ring and reveals that he is in Hogan attire but with red trunks and not yellow. They go through the motions of some boring offense as Kevin is clearly carrying this, though not very far. He makes the mistake of going to the top and Dave is “Hulking” up. He shoves his bandana in his brother's mouth and hits a terrible looking clothesline. He continues to try and hulk up but the crowd doesn't react. Kevin suckers Dave into believing that he's turned to the good side and he falls for it. They fight outside but Kevin doesn't get inside in time so Dave wins via countout.
Winner via countout: Dave Sullivan in 5:17
It was short so that's a plus. Besides that, this was bad. There was nothing else good about this. DUD
They show a recap of the feud for the upcoming match between Dustin Rhodes and Arn Anderson.
Arn Anderson w/ Colonel Robert Parker and Meng vs. Dustin Rhodes
Meng and Robert Parker are an odd combination, especially with Arn Anderson. Dustin Rhodes is so fat here compared to twenty years later. Rhodes hits a big lariat off the top for two. Anderson is playing the role of the wily veteran as he uses some wise underhanded tactics to gain the upper hand. Things spill outside where Dustin dodges a move and Arn hits the post. Back inside, Rhodes focuses on the arm and starts to work it for a bit. Dustin misses a move and his momentum takes him over the top and outside hard. He rolled far from the ring too. Arn now takes full advantage of this and hits the slingshot into the bottom rope but seems to hurt himself. Both guys now fire away with chops and double clothesline. That's such a 90's spot. It's hard to believe in Dustin as “The Natural” here when he's in such bad shape. He gets a near fall with a lariat and manages to block Anderson's DDT. There's a lady, who kind of looks like a guy in drag in the front row and she is very into the show. It's entertaining. Dustin removes the knee pad and misses a knee drop so Anderson gets a rollup. He tries to use the ropes and gets stopped by the official, so Dustin reverses and rolls him up for three.
Winner: Dustin Rhodes in 9:50
Best match of the show so far, but that's not saying much. It was solid but nothing special **3/4
Arn Anderson attacks Dustin Rhodes after the match and his stupid “Natural” theme song hits. Going back with Mean BAH GAWD Gene, who is with Jimmy Hart, Brutus Beefcake and Hulk Hogan. Hogan rambles his way through a promo where he mentions slamming Andre the Giant in Detroit seven years prior. I heard a lot of “WELL YOU KNOW SOMETHING BROTHER”.
We get a recap of the build for Steve Austin vs. Jim Duggan and it's funny to hear Austin talk because he sounded like he was in Stone Cold mode. He even called Ricky Steamboat a melee mouth punk.
WCW United States Championship
“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan vs. “Stunning” Steve Austin
This is Steve Austin's rematch after dropping the belt to Jim Duggan at Fall Brawl in mere seconds. Austin starts with a sneak attack but ends up eating some shoulder blocks and a slam from the Champion. Duggan applies a sleeper but Austin wriggles free and starts to work the knee. Tony Schiavone tries to say that grounding Duggan is a great strategy but I don't really see it as “great”. Duggan comes back with the longest stalling atomic drop I've ever seen. Duggan's moveset reads like the “Basics of 1990's Wrestling”. It's all generic face stuff. Austin offers a handshake, which Duggan ignores and Austin forgets about instantly because he just goes to the corner. Austin hits back to back double axe handles, but of course, the third fails as Duggan levels him in the gut. He goes to the corner and grabs the referee, hitting a low blow behind his back. Bobby Heenan, in all his greatness says “there goes that trick knee again.” You have to love him. Austin misses a top rope splash and Duggan is making the babyface comeback. As he tries the Three Point Stance, Austin ducks and back body drops him outside, resulting in the disqualification.
Winner via disqualification: “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan in 8:02
This wasn't bad but I hate the finish. The over the top DQ works best for a heel using it to retain his title. It was stupid here. **
Steve Austin tries to attack after the match but gets run out of the ring by the 2x4. That's like, three attempted attacks in five matches. Mean Gene plugs the hotline before introducing Sting and getting extremely excited for him. Sting comes out with no face paint but with shades. He will sit in the front row to see what happens in the main event.
The Guardian Angel vs. Vader w/ Harley Race
In the video recap for this feud, The Guardian Angel, or Big Boss Man for those who don't know, lost to Vader at Bash at the Beach by disqualification and he didn't even get caught cheating. He just had a baton in his hand. Good officiating. Vader stops at ringside to bark at Sting and Muhammad Ali which I got a kick out of. His name is dumb here so I'm going to call him the Boss Man for the remainder of this match. He attacks Harley Race before the match in what should be a heel move but it's okay here. They brawl outside for a bit but once they're inside, Boss Man slams Vader onto a fallen Harley Race. Schiavone exclaims “THE GUARDIAN ANGEL HAS GONE BAD”! He hits a splash in the corner that the crowd doesn't react to and that Sting should've shouted gimmick infringement on. The crowd finally pops when Boss Man suplexes Vader but Vader fires back with some stiff jabs. Vader leaps off the second rope but gets caught with a body slam. Boss Man goes up and hits a second rope headbutt for two. Boss Man actually hits an enziguri before knocking Vader outside. Vader turns things around inside and hits the Vader Bomb for two. He tries again but Boss Man gets the knees up. He hits his finisher but decides to focus on Harley again which allows Vader to splash him and win.
Winner: Vader in 8:17
Basic slug fest style match. Two of the better big men of all time and it was decent. Could've been better though. **1/4
More WCW Hotline plugging from MEAN Gene. He introduces Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns. He is a boxer and gets interviewed about nothing really.
Bunkhouse Buck and Terry Funk w/ Colonel Robert Parker and Meng vs. The Nasty Boys
Robert Parker is announced as the best promoter in wrestling. The Nasty Boys, trying to be hip, have Beavis and Butt-Head masks but instead of wearing them, Knobbs just has them on his hands. All out brawl kicks the match off before it breaks down and Saggs sits on Funk and wiggles his rear end. It's like a seated stink face. Funk gets the Pit Stain and reacts hilariously. The teams trade double team beat downs in opposite corners which was funny to me. Funk rolls outside after a beating and starts hitting himself with a chair. What is going on in this match? Saggs gets Funk on the top rope, but not in the corner. Just on the top rope and they kind of stand there doing nothing for a bit until Funk slowly falls outside. I mean slowly. Meng gets on the apron and accidentally knocks Funk out, leading to Saggs hitting Funk with a piledriver onto a pumpkin. Yes, a pumpkin and that ends it.
Winners: The Nasty Boys in 7:56
You know what? I enjoyed that. It wasn't a good match but I found it entertaining and fun. **
Eric Bischoff and Mean BAH GAWD Gene present Muhammad Ali with an award. This was there. Bobby Heenan then passionately promotes Ric Flair and the fact that he's a ten time World Champion. Mr. T will be the special referee and there's speculation about who's side he'll be on as “Hogan sucks” chants can be heard.
WCW World Heavyweight Championship Career vs. Career Steel Cage Match
Hulk Hogan (c) w/ Jimmy Hart and Brother Bruti vs. Ric Flair w/ Sensational Sherri
Brother Bruti is such a stupid name, but so is Brutus Beefcake and the Booty Man. Once the bell rings, Hogan attacks Flair with right hands in the corner and a back body drop. Hogan stays in control until Flair goes for the knee. If the knee didn't come into play here, I would seriously question things. Hogan decides that his knee is okay and he powers up and throws Flair into the cage. He gets into a shoving match with Mr. T as he awkwardly stands in place so he can take a double axe handle from Flair. Flair hits a nice suplex for a near fall before driving short punches into Hogan's head and strutting. Hogan crotches Flair on the top rope and starts to bite Flair. Schiavone exclaims “I'VE NEVER SEEN HOGAN ACT LIKE THIS” which is total BS because he's done heel stuff his whole career. Flair chops away in the corner and Hogan “Hulks Up”. Flair attempts to escape over the top although the only way to win is via pinfall or submission. Hogan catches up to him and lights his chest up with chops. Flair rallies and removes Hogan's knee pad so Mr. T stops and shoves him. Flair applies the Figure Four but it's Hogan, so of course he doesn't quit. He turns it over to break it and Mr. T gets taken out by mistake. Flair notices this and stomps on T as Sherri tries to climb in. Jimmy Hart tries to pull her down and removes her dress. Sherri doesn't stop so Sting brings her down. The masked man comes out from under the ring and wails on Hart and Sting. In one of the most badass moments I've ever seen from a female, Sherri leaps from the cage to double axe handle Hogan barefoot! They beat up Hogan and Flair covers, but T has been handcuffed and takes too long. Flair covers but then decides to get up and stomp on T. Dumb. Flair hits a suplex and Hogan is back up to be Superman. Hogan completes the comeback sequence and hits the Leg Drop to win.
Winner and Still WCW World Heavyweight Champion: Hulk Hogan in 19:25
I heard great things about this but I wasn't a big fan. Too much stupidity and overbooking for no reason. It wasn't bad, just wasn't amazing. Also, the masked man just disappeared. **3/4
Hulk Hogan celebrates as Muhammad Ali exits and Bobby Heenan sounds like his child died or something. The masked man is finally back and goes to take out Hogan with the pipe, but Hogan stops him. When he unmasks him, it turns out to be Brother Bruti! OHMYGOD! THE SURPRISE OF THE CENTURY! Bruti, instead of acting like a serious contender, is suddnely scared to death. Kevin Sullivan runs out along with Earthquake and they all beat up Hogan. Come to think of it, Brother Bruti came out with Hogan but disappeared. Sting runs back down and takes out all three heels before checking on Hogan.
Overall: 4.5/10; Below Average. I expected to hate this show but I didn't. While the opener was dreadful and the Sullivan brothers bout sucked, everything else was at least watchable. The main event was the match of the night and everything on the show, besides the two DUDS got two stars at the minimum. Not a recommended show but not the worst show either. Next on “Random Network Reviews” will be “SuperBrawl Revenge”. |
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Post by ICW on Sept 16, 2014 21:54:17 GMT -5
In the words of Russell from Independence Day: "Hello, boys! I'm bbbbbaaaaaacccckkkkk!" I decided to begin a very ambitious attempt to watch every WCW/WWE/ECW Pay Per View in chronological order. Sadly, I have two jobs that have been taking my attention away from things like this. Bummer, guys. However, I'm still trying to accomplish this seemingly unattainable goal and it continues with my review of...
NWA Starrcade '84: The Million Dollar Challenge!
Date: November 22, 1984
Venue: Greensboro Coliseum
Commentators: Bob Caudle & Gordon Solie
We begin Starrcade ‘84 with the closing moments of Starrcade ‘83: Ric Flair defeating Harley Race in a Steel Cage Match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Bob Caudle and Gordon Solie then welcome us to Starrcade ‘84. Solie immediately notes the importance of tonight’s main event: the first ever $1,000,000 Winner Take All World Championship Match (that’s a mouthful!). We kick things off with a grandiose welcome from the ring announcer (the crowd is PUMPED). He introduces the combatants for the first match, who are... World Junior Heavyweight Championship Match: Denny Brown def. Mike Davis (c)The referee for this contest? Earl Hebner (who received some boos from the crowd). This was a basic wrestling match with a completely confusing finish. Davis, the champion, nailed a Back Suplex on Brown and pinned him one...two...Brown got the shoulder up...while Davis’ shoulders remained on the canvas. So, Brown was elected the winner and NEW World Junior Heavyweight Champion. Here’s what made it confusing: Hebner gave the belt to Brown (the winner) while the ring announcer announced Davis as “still World Junior Heavyweight Champion.” After a confusing moment or two, the ring announcer made the correction. Denny Brown got off to a fast start by pulling off some head scissors and deep hip tosses but he injured his back after being thrown weakly through the middle rope. I mean it was such a soft landing that it was hard to believe he really hurt his back. He sold it, though, and Davis went to work by nailing slams and back breakers. It looked like he got the win with a Back Suplex but he left his shoulders on the mat. Rookie mistake, especially for a champion. I’ll give this a 3/10. Just kind of a bland match with a confusing ending. Solie and Caudle review the ending of the match and try to sell it as best as they can. We go to the dressing room where Tony Schiavone promises to get a word with World Champion Ric Flair and his challenger Dusty Rhodes later in the evening. Tony sends it back to the ring. Brian Adidis def. Mr. ItoIto gets heavily booed while Adidis gets a HUGE pop from the crowd. This match was pretty dull. Adidis and Ito exchanged some holds but Adidis eventually got Ito into an Airplane Spin and pinned him for the victory. Crowd went wild for the Airplane Spin. 80s, man. Anyways, I’ll give this a dud rating. There’s nothing to like, love, hate, or despise about it. Merely 4:00 minutes devoted to making someone (Adidis) look strong. Solie and Caudle discuss the match and review the finish. NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship Match: Jesse Barr def. Mike GrahamMike Graham came into this match as a former NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion looking to retrieve the belt from the arrogant Jesse Barr. This was a really, really solid wrestling match. Both combatants exchanged various holds, strikes, and submissions and the crowd was REALLY into it. They were firmly behind Graham, who gave them everything he had. The finish saw Barr steal the victory away from Graham by placing his feet on the second rope while pinning Graham. Crowd despised such heelish tactics! I’ll give this a 6.5/10. Entertaining match. We suddenly (randomly) cut to footage from an NWA event in which The Long Riders, Tully Blanchard and James J. Dillon are beating the crap out of Dick Slater and Ricky Steamboat. Neither Caudle or Golie introduced this piece of footage nor did they give us any background on what this exactly was. It just suddenly aired right after the Graham/Barr match. Anyways, we finally cut back to Caudle and Golie, who explain what we just saw. They then do a replay review of the Graham/Barr match. Sloppy production here. Just very...misplaced and misdirected. Tag Team Elimination Match: Assassin #1 & Buzz Tyler def. The Zambuie Express w/Paul Jones So this finish was...confusing. The rules clearly stated that this was an elimination match, not one fall to a finish; however, that’s seemingly exactly what happened. The Assassin scored a pinfall off of Kareem Muhammed, so that should have made it Buzz Tyler and The Assassin vs. Elijah Akeem...except referee Earl Hebner declared The Assassin and Tyler the winners of the match. Now, at one point, Tyler and Akeem were brawling out of the ring so I THINK they were both counted out before The Assassin pinned Muhammed. If that was the case – and I assume it was – then bad job by the production crew for not showing us the count out. Solie and Caudle were sure as hell confused. Really odd finish. I’ll give this a 3/10. It was promising but the finish was confusing. We cut back to Solie and Caudle, who hype up a Tony Schiavone interview with Dusty Rhodes. They proceed to run down what’s happened so far before giving the floor to Schiavone Tony Schiavone is backstage with Dusty Rhodes, who gets a really good promo regarding his main event match with Flair later on tonight. Rhodes also issues a warning to special guest referee Joe Frazier. Schiavone sends it back to the ring. NWA Brass Knuckles Championship Match: “The Ragin’ Bull” Manny Fernandez def. Black Bart (c) w/James J. DillonThis was a really solid brawl that even managed to get a little bloody. I wished it would have lasted longer (it clocked in at 7 minutes and change) and the finish was kind of lame. Fernandez won by rolling up Bart, who had his back to Fernandez because J.J. was handing Bart his signature bull rope. I’ll give this a 4.5/10. The finish and the length of the match stopped this from being a really good little brawl. Back to Solie and Caudle, who discuss the Brass Knucks match. They then announced a brief intermission but promise us highlights of last year’s Starrcade plus some other goodies. The highlights from Starrcade 83? Yeah, it was just highlights of Flair/Race. I know that was the main event and it was a DAMN GOOD match but...it wasn’t the entire event! We cut from the highlights of the Starrcade ’83 main event to Tony Schiavone, who is standing by with Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. We see another replay of the assault on Steamboat at the hands of The Long Riders, Tully Blanchard, and James J. Dillon. Steamboat says that, physically, he’s not feeling well but he feels mentally stronger than ever. Kind of mundane stuff from Steamboat. He’s doing his best to sell his injuries and his beef with Blanchard. He kind of droned on for a little too long. Anyways, Schiavone sends it back to Caudle and Solie. Caudle and Solie discuss the big Steamboat/Blanchard match, both noting that Steamboat and Tully have put $10,000 on the line. Solie and Caudle really do a great job of analyzing this feud. Funny note: you can totally hear a walkie talkie going off in the background. The production of the first two Starrcade’s has been pretty terrible. ‘80s, man. Back to Schiavone, who is standing by with James J. Dillon and Tully Blanchard. James J. Dillon expresses anger at Black Bart’s loss before ripping into Steamboat. Blanchard soon joins in, saying that Steamboat has reached the apex of his career and is making excuses as to why he can’t beat Blanchard. Tully then notes that, after he’s finally done with Steamboat, he’s going after Flair or Rhodes. Back to Caudle and Solie, who further discus the Steamboat/Blanchard matchup. They then discuss the rest of the card, notably the NWA United States Championship Match between Wahoo McDaniels and Superstar Billy Graham. Tuxedo Street Fight; Loser Must Leave Town: Jimmy Valiant w/The Assassin #1 def. Paul Jones w/Kareem MuhammedSo...yeah. I think you can imagine how this one went, folks. Jimmy Valiant got a HUGE pop from the crowd. The “match” consisted of Valiant tying a rope around the neck of Jones to the top rope, blinding him with his cummerbund...and then stripping Jones of his clothing. Gordon Solie and Bob Caudle sounded really nervous; in fact, Solie warned that they may have to cut away from the match before it was over. Caudle added that this was a family friendly program. Stripping is not family friendly! Well, not until the Attitude Era. Anyways, Valiant successfully rips the pants off of Jones. Kareem Muhammed (at least that’s who I think it was. Caudle and Solie clearly had no idea, as they referred to him as “one half of the Zambuie Express”) eventually distracts Valiant, allowing Jones to somehow slip out of the noose around his neck. Jones lands a drop kick to the back of Valiant and adds a few blows for good measure...but Valiant responds by “Hulking Up” and putting a sleeper hold on Jones. Muhammed once again interfered in the match, distracting the referee from calling the match. Valiant knocks Muhammed off the apron and, somehow, unintentionally hits the referee. This leads to Valiant and The Assassin brawling with Muhammed. J.J. Dillon then comes out and hits Valiant with a foreign object! Jones covers...but the referee is still knocked out! He comes to his senses...and counts to three!!! Paul Jones has somehow won this match! The crowd was PISSED. I’ll give this a dud rating. As The Assassin checks on Valiant, Caudle and Solie look at the replay of what just occurred. They send it back to Tony Schiavone. Tony is with “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, who cuts a very confident-fueled promo regarding his main event match. He tells Dusty to bring his best. Tony sends it back to Solie and Caudle. Solie and Caudle discuss the main event. Another nice breakdown of what’s at stake. I could listen to Solie do his thing forever and ever. Best ever, man. NWA Mid-Atlantic Championship Match: Ron Bass (c) w/James J. Dillon def. Dick Slater by DQThis one started off a bit slow. Slater was way more focused on getting his hands on James J. Dillon, who kept dodging Slater until the very end of the match. Bass took advantage of Slater’s distraction and really went to work on Slater; however, Slater would come firing back with some stiff blows! Finally, this match is about to get good...until Slater intentionally slugs the referee. He then finishes off Bass with a back Suplex, goes for the pin (after just hitting the referee)...and J.J. breaks up the pin attempt. J.J. quickly realizes that there’s no one conscience to protect him from Slater. The fans go wild as Slater body slams Dillon before doing the same to Bass. Slater hits a leg drop, goes for the pin, the referee magically regains consciousness...and declares Bass the winner by disqualification. An irate Slater then assaults both Dillon and Bass. I’ll give this a 5.5/10. Caudle and Solie once again review a replay of what caused the DQ. Solie notes that Slater won a “moral satisfaction” but notes he will likely be hit with a hefty fine. Caudle and Solie promise “special things that are coming up momentarily.” We then cut to the American flag. A sad trombone (is it a trombone? I have no idea. Some band instrument) plays the National Anthem. We focus on the American flag the entire time. MURICA! Grudge Math: Ivan and Nikita Koloff def. Ole Anderson and Keith Larson (with Don Kernodle)Some backstory that led up to this grudge match: Don Kernodle was the former manager of Ivan and Nikita Koloff, who turned on him after their tag team championship loss to Dusty Rhodes and Manny Fernandez. Kernodle was wearing a neck brace and had crutches. Selling, yo. Kernodle and Larson are, apparently, brothers. I have no idea if they’re legitimate brothers or if this was just kayfabe. Anyways, the match itself was decent. It’s pretty much what you expected: the faces get off to a fast start, the heels come back, the faces come back, and the heels win on some heelish behavior behind the referee’s back! In this case, Ole Anderson and Ivan were brawling on the outside which, of course, distracted referee Tommy Young. While he was distracted, Nikita nailed Larson with a fist wrapped with chain for the 1-2-3. Darn heels! I’ll give this a 5.5/10. The crowd was red-hot for the match but the Koloffs used a ton of Bear Hugs in the match and that kinda deflated the audience a bit. After the match, the Koloff’s tried a double team attack on Larson but Kernodle, surprisingly, makes the save! He nails both Koloffs with his crutch! Solie and Caudle discuss the previous match. They take a look “in slow motion action” of Kernodle nailing the Koloffs with the crutch. They then hype up the $20,000 Television Championship Challenge Match. There’s also a “no run rule” for Blanchard, meaning he cannot run away from the match or else he will lose the title. ALL OF THESE STIPULATIONS. NWA Television Championship Match - $20,000 on the line: Tully Blanchard (c) def. Ricky SteamboatI actually thought this match – which was the 2nd most anticipated match on the entire card – was a bit of a letdown. There wasn’t anything that really stood out to me as exceptional or unforgettable. The finish saw Tully Blanchard hit Steamboat in the skull with a foreign object. Before the match, the ring announcer noted that the “disqualification rule” had been waived; naturally, I was expecting a much more unruly, brutal beat down. A bit disappointed but it was still a good match. I’ll give this one a 6.5/10. I expected/wanted more out of these two. Solie and Caudle discuss what just happened. Caudle says Steamboat put up a “gallant and tremendous fight” considering he competed with an injury. We then see a replay of the finish before the commentary duo hype up the upcoming NWA United States Championship Match. NWA United States Heavyweight Championship Match: “Chief” Wahoo McDaniel (c) def. “Superstar” Billy Graham Another disappointing match. It was unbelievably short for a championship match and it started off incredibly slow. Both men basically stared at each other for the first opening moments of the match before finally exchanging some blows. And the offense wasn’t all that great to begin with. McDaniel won the match after nailing a Tomahawk Chop to the chest of Billy Graham. Disappointing. I’ll give this a dud rating. Caudle and Solie review the finish to the match. They then announce a 10 minute intermission before the big main event. This leads into yet ANOTHER replay of the Starrcade ’83 Main Event. My goodness. We know Flair won, damn it. Solie sends it back to Tony Schiavone. Tony Schiavone is with three men: Duke Keomuka, “Smoking” Joe Frazier, and NASCAR driver Kyle Petty. These three men will be judges in tonight’s main event; of course, they actually won’t be judges because this match obviously won’t go over the allotted 60 minute time limit. Useless. Anyways, another walkie talkie goes off while Schiavone is speaking. Each of the judges give generic remarks regarding the main event. Tony sends it back to Solie and Caudle. The commentary duo discuss the main event before sending it to the ring... ...where a cannon goes off. Apparently, the eruption of a cannon is the indicator that the main event is about to begin. *NOTE*: It’s quite obvious that the WWE edited out Dusty’s theme and replaced it with something horrific. The cheers sound so artificial. Also, Dusty comes out wearing a robe. $1,000,000 Challenge, NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match (Special Guest Referee: Joe Frazier): Ric Flair def. Dusty RhodesGREAT match with a LOUSY finish. Ugh. There is nothing worse than a great match being ruined by a crappy finish. Rhodes and Flair were doing their thing, the crowd was eating it up...and how does it end? With Joe Frazier stopping the match due to Dusty’s “excessive” blood loss. Flair retains the title. What a crappy finish, man. Imagine if the internet was around during this time? Really disappointing. I’ll give this a 6/10. The finish really made me sour on this match. Caudle and Solie discuss the finish on this match before sending it back to Tony Schiavone. Schiavone is with Flair, who says it’s “unfortunate” how he won the match (and the 1,000,000) but he did what he said he was gonna do: win the money and retain the world championship. Schiavone sends it back to Solie and Caudle. Solie and Caudle applaud the crew for doing a good job. Solie then says he doesn’t want to hear from Dusty because he know he’s really upset. They discuss how Frazier basically ruined the match with the finish. They send it back to Tony Schiavone. Schiavone is with Dusty Rhodes, who has a bandage (it’s a t-shirt) wrapped around his eye. Dusty is furious with Joe Frazier! “THIS IS WRASSLIN’, NOT BOXIN!” Dusty is irate! Dusty says he will get Joe Frazier before trashing Ric Flair’s “victory.” Dusty proclaims, “THE AMERICAN DREAM LIVES! AND CONTINUES TO LIVE!” Tony sends it back to Solie and Caudle. Solie and Caudle say tonight has been something special and they look forward to Starrcade 85! We then go to highlights of the event! ---- This was a bit of a disappointment. Starrcade was the perfect event to put an end to most – if not all – of these feuds. Instead, we were treated to confusing finishes, dumb finishes, and downright ridiculous finishes. The production was also a bit sloppy. I’ll give this entire event a 6.5/10, which is down from my 7.5/10 rating of Starrcade '83. ---- Up Next: WrestleMania I! |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Sept 17, 2014 11:19:02 GMT -5
Armageddon 2002
December 15th, 2002 – Office Depot Center in Sunrise, Florida – Attendance: 9,000
Fresh off of a great Survivor Series 2002 Pay-Per-View, the WWE looked to end 2002 on a high note with Armageddon. If memory serves right, Shawn Michaels would defend his newly won World Heavyweight Championship against Triple H in a Three Stages of Hell match, while Big Show defended the WWE Title against Kurt Angle. Sounds like good stuff to me. Smackdown was the superior show with Paul Heyman at the helm but I totally disagreed with his call to have himself turn on Brock at the previous Pay-Per-View. Anyway, let's get into this.
We get a decent video package to start but it feels too similar to ones I've seen before. “Classy” Freddie Blassie, “The End” song and images of wrestlers inter cut with images of war. It makes sense for a show called Armageddon though so I understand. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler start off on commentary for the Raw stuff.
World Tag Team Championship Fatal Four Way Elimination Match
Chris Jericho and Christian (c) vs. Booker T and Goldust vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. Lance Storm and William Regal
The reunited Dudley Boyz now have their awesome Powerman 5000 theme music. William Regal and Lance Storm have won seven straight matches coming into this. Who says wins and losses don't count? I hated Christian's attire with the tank top and I'd also like to point out that Christian was Tag Team Champion with Storm just four months prior. Bubba Ray and Storm start (ECW! ECW!) and the crowd is hot for the Dudleys. We get some quick tags so everyone can do their thing and my favorite interaction is between Jericho and Goldust. Bubba and Goldust actually hit the Champions with stereo punches and a bionic elbow so they decide to do a little handshake/butt bump after that was pretty funny. WASSSUP headbutt but a huge brawl ensues before D-Von is told to get the tables. Christian gets hit with a 3D but Regal blind tagged in and pinned Bubba Ray in a strange sequence as Bubba and Regal rolled on top of each other. The Dudleys are gone but quickly after, Regal is eliminated by a Goldust powerslam. Two quick eliminations that both seemed strange. Jericho and Booker go at it until Goldust and Booker hit a double team move for two. It's cool that two guys who were in the Elimination Chamber the previous month are competing for the Tag Titles. It didn't lessen Jericho and Booker and made the Tag Titles feel important. From commentary, I gather that Booker and Goldust had a storyline where Goldust was seemingly the weak link. Jericho does his signature dance as he and Christian work over Goldust for a bit. Booker gets the hot tag and cleans house before getting a near fall with a rollup and another with a small package. Jericho dodges the Scissors Kick and ends up putting Booker in the Walls! Goldust makes the save and Booker gets another two count with a kick. Booker hits a missile dropkick for yet another near fall. Jericho misses the Lionsault and gets flapjacked, so Booker does the SPINAROONIE! He hits the Scissors Kick but Jericho gets his shoulder up. Jericho hits Booker with the Tag Title and then connects with a Lionsault but Booker kicks out! Jericho goes for it again but it's countered into the Bookend for the win!
Winners and New World Tag Team Champions: Booker T and Goldust in 16:43
This shouldn't have been a four way. The Dudleys reunited just to be eliminated first, and things didn't get interested until it was down to two teams. That being said, the stuff after the first two eliminations was excellent. Great opener. ***1/4
Jonathan Coachman interviews the new Champions and Booker makes sure to let Goldust know that he is no weak link. They cut to a video from Heat where Josh Matthews interviews Brock Lesnar to ask if he's going to be in Kurt Angle's corner. Brock doesn't answer the question and is as intimidating as you'd expect.
A-Train vs. Edge
This came about because A-Train took out Edge's partner, Rey Mysterio two weeks ago and then he beat up Edge, costing him a shot at the WWE Title. According to Michael Cole, Edge tore his MCL during the attack. I've seen NBA players miss a season with that injury so I doubt it's legit. A “shave your back” chant rings through the arena as A-Train takes control. Edge tries to use his quickness but A-Train is too much. We get more power work from the future Tensai and the crowd isn't really feeling this. Edge breaks a rest hold with a jawbreaker and chops away on A-Train which has to feel gross. He hits a spinning heel kick and a face buster for two. Edge climbs to the second rope and hits a spinning Edge-o-Matic which I've never seen. He also pulls on A-Train's tights and I see way too much of him. Edge leaps off the top but jumps right into a Bicycle Kick for two. A-Train gets mad and gets a steel chair but Edge baseball slides him. Train fights back with the Baldo Bomb for another near fall. Train gets mad and levels Edge in the leg with a steel chair, resulting in the DQ.
Winner via disqualification: Edge in 7:12
Nothing match really. A-Train was the power guy and Edge played the speed guy. Basic stuff. *3/4
Edge ends up taking the chair from A-Train and proceeds to beat the hell out of him with the chair. It was a nice precursor to the “Rated R Superstar” that he would become. A nice step in the character development of Edge. Cutting to the back, Paul Heyman is pleading with the Big Show to not barge into Stephanie McMahon's office.
Chris Benoit vs. Eddie Guerrero
Because this is Chris Benoit vs. Eddie Guerrero, things open with a wrestling sequence. Benoit counters an armbar type move with a badass power up and slams Eddie. I believe some of the fans chant “boring” which I disagree with because I like a good wrestling sequence. Eddie goes to backdrop Benoit outside, but he gets caught in the ropes and awkwardly falls. Eddie follows with a flying press in a nice spot. Back inside, Eddie targets the leg and the crowd isn't feeling this. Benoit wakes the fans up with a trio of German suplexes but that's not enough. He keeps hold and finishes him off with five straight! He signals for the end as he climbs up for the headbutt but Eddie gets to his feet so Benoit jumps down and hits two more German suplexes. Eddie fights out and feels that German suplexes are successful as he busts out four of his own. Brock Lesnar would love this match. Eddie nails the Frog Splash but Benoit gets his shoulder up! An upset Eddie tackles Benoit to the outside. Eddie gets inside and distracts the referee as Chavo runs down and knocks out Benoit with a Tag Title. Benoit somehow kicks out of the pin and Eddie is very frustrated. He locks in the El Paso Lasso but Benoit reaches the ropes. Benoit fires back with a STIFF powerbomb and climbs to the top. Eddie again pulls the referee to distract him so Chavo can attack. The Wolverine fights him off and knocks him outside, allowing Eddie to climb up too. Benoit shoves him off and connects with the headbutt. Before Benoit can pin, Eddie grabs his leg and gets in the El Paso Lasso! Benoit counters into the Crippler Crossface though! Eddie tries to roll out but it's locked in and Eddie taps out.
Winner: Chris Benoit in 16:47
Really good stuff that started slow. I've seen better from both guys though as they've set a ridiculously high bar. The crowd not being into it hurt it somewhat. ***3/4
Paul Heyman enters Stephanie McMahon's office to complain about Brock Lesnar's suspension being lifted. Heyman's pleas fall on deaf ears as Stephanie McMahon will allow Brock to be in Kurt Angle's corner.
We then cut to a video package of the feud between Dawn Marie and Torrie Wilson, involving the legendary Al Wilson. Dawn Marie revealed that she was attracted to Torrie Wilson and blackmailed her into HLA by promising not to marry Torrie's dad. Dawn decides to marry Al anyway and is now out to the ring to reveal her sex tape with Torrie. We get to see some of the good stuff as Torrie disrobes a bit and makes out with Dawn, seemingly enjoying it. Al makes Dawn stop the video, thus cementing his legacy as one of the biggest heels in wrestling history. Few things get draw more heat than stopping HLA.
Keeping with the sexy theme, we get a quick shot of Shawn Michaels stretching.
Batista w/ Ric Flair vs. Kane
The first Pay-Per-View match for Batista and being accompanied by Ric Flair is pretty cool. This should be a good battle of the bigs as Kane was red hot at this time, pun intended. Batista shoulder blocks Kane to the mat but he sits up and clotheslines him outside, where Flair gives Batista some advice. Kane picks up Batista for a Tombstone but realizes that it's too soon for that and just awkwardly slams him down. Batista hits Kane with the biggest EDDIE GILBERT hot shot that I've ever seen and follows with a Spear for two. Batista connects with a decent looking floatover suplex for another near fall. As Batista sends Kane outside, Kane retaliates with a snapmare so Flair runs at him. Flair tries to Irish whip Kane but it fails so he resorts to chopping him, which has no effect either. Flair hilariously just shouts and Kane chokes him, allowing Batista to get the upper hand. He earns some near falls but Kane rallies so Flair gets involved. Kane beats him up, giving Batista the chance to hit a Batista Bomb, which is impressive on a guy like Kane and it's over.
Winner: Batista in 6:38
For a first Pay-Per-View match, Batista gets a big win and showed a lot of potential. I could've done with less from Ric Flair, but being in Batista's corner was a big deal at the time so it made sense. **
Kurt Angle is shown backstage looking for Brock Lesnar. That's it. Now we get a rapping John Cena who comes to the ring with B2. It's not good. Cena has had some entertaining raps but this wasn't one of them.
WWE Women's Championship
Victoria (c) vs. Jacqueline vs. Trish Stratus
Man, I really loved the Victoria character at this time. I never saw anything in Jacqueline really though. Last note before the match is that I hate how Victoria's “All the Things She Said” theme is dubbed over. Victoria runs to the ring for a brawl but awkwardly stalls when she gets inside. They do brawl and Victoria hits her sweet somersault leg drop on Trish. Jacqueline goes all Karate Kid and sweeps the leg for two. Trish tries Stratusfaction but it's countered into a double back suplex. Jacqueline uses a flying head scissors, which I've never seen her do before Trish and her make a wish on Victoria. Jacqueline is all “DTA” and tosses Trish outside. The challengers get near falls on each other with a cross body before Jacqueline kicks Victoria outside. Trish hits the handstand hurricanrana on Jacqueline and kick Victoria down. She continues her hot streak with a neckbreaker but Victoria stops her momentum. Victoria climbs to the top and is shoved off, so Trish hits Jacqueline with the Chick Kick. Victoria quickly gets in and breaks the count. Trish covers Jacqueline near the apron, so Victoria hits her in the head with the belt and covers Jacqueline in a sloppy finish.
Winner and Still WWE Women's Champion: Victoria in 4:28
Jacqueline subtracted from the great Trish/Victoria feud. After their classic women's match at Survivor Series, this was a big step down. 3/4*
Victoria steals Trish's hat as she exits and we cut to Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar talking backstage. Kurt sells him on being ringside for the WWE Title match. There is some clear tension between them though as Kurt inserts a VHS of Paul Heyman turning on Brock at Survivor Series into Brock's TV.
WWE Championship
Big Show (c) w/ Paul Heyman vs. Kurt Angle
Big Show looked pretty terrible during this time. He was huge and the tank top/jeans combination was not flattering. Kurt Angle manages to take out Paul Heyman early by landing on top of him outside, but he runs into Show who chops him a few times. Show tosses Angle outside hard and then brings him back in just as rough. Show continues to treat Angle like a rag doll until Kurt uses a jawbreaker to try and turn things around. He stupidly goes for a cross body but caught and nailed with the Final Cut. Show applies a bearhug but doesn't kill time with it as Angle breaks it quickly by biting Show. He gets a choke on Show by jumping on his back and gets him down to one knee. Angle pulls out a tornado DDT and both guys are down for a while. He hits a missile dropkick and a moonsault but barely hits the latter. In an impressive moment, Angle hits an Angle Slam for two. THE STRAPS ARE DOWN! Ankle Lock is applied but Show rolls out and goes for a Chokeslam. Angle somehow counters that into an Ankle Lock. Show powers out and Angle takes out the official. Heyman throws a chair in the ring but Angle uses it on Show. He covers but Show kicks out and the referee is hit again. Ankle Lock is in and Show taps but there's no referee. A-Train runs out and hits Angle with a back breaker before running out through the crowd. Show connects with the Chokeslam but Brock is here. F5 LIKE SHOW IS A CRUISERWEIGHT and Brock goes after Heyman who runs to the back. Angle covers Show to become the new Champion.
Winner and New WWE Champion: Kurt Angle in 12:36
Not bad. Big Show dominated so it was slow and it got overbooked like crazy in the end. Could've been better. **1/4
Kurt Angle celebrates along with the crowd as he wins his third WWE Title. I could have sworn that Paul Heyman turned on Big Show here. We then cut to the World, where Rob Van Dam is to tell us that HBK is going to win the main event, dude.
World Heavyweight Championship Three Stages of Hell
Shawn Michaels (c) vs. Triple H
So the first fall is a Street Fight and the first weapon to show up is a trash can as Triple H and Shawn Michaels brawl on the outside. Shawn tries to hit HHH but ends up hitting the trash can before pulling out a table. THE BIG GUNS ARE COMING OUT EARLY! He goes for a suplex through it but Triple H blocks. Inside, Shawn reverses HHH's suplex attempt as well but eats the high knee. HHH wisely targets the lower back, which he did at SummerSlam as well. HHH attempts a tilt a whirl backbreaker onto an open chair but Shawn counters into one of his own. Interesting to see Shawn now focus on HHH's back. Shawn panders to the crowd before Sweet Chin Music, so HHH obvious blocks it and slams Shawn's knee to the mat. The psychology shifts to working the knee as Triple H slams it onto the trash can now. HHH locks in a Figure Four in a nice nod to having Ric Flair in his ear over the past few months. Shawn gets out of it but has his head scrambled by a trash can lid shot. They fight up to the entrance where HHH pulls out a barbed wire 2x4! He goes to use it but see the flames in the entrance and decides to light it on fire first. ITS ONLY THE FIRST FALL DUDE, CHILL! Shawn kicks him and uses the flaming 2x4 on HHH. Things go back to the ring where HHH hits a drop toe hold into an open chair. I love how something like a drop toe hold gets utilized in street fights. Shawn nips up but HHH chop blocks him, followed by a Pedigree to take the first fall.
As the Steel Cage for the second fall lowers, HHH throws a bunch of weapons into the ring and busts HBK open. Shawn rallies by bouncing HHH off of the cage a few times. They rumble to the top of the cage as Ric Flair comes down to ringside. Flair stacks up four tables, two on top of two while they're up there. They fall back to the ring and Flair enters, only to get beat down. Shawn lays out both guys with a steel chair and of course, Flair is bleeding. Shawn sets up a table and lays HHH on it. He climbs to the top of the Cage and splashes him through the table to even the score.
The third fall, which we all knew was happening, is a Ladder match. Ric Flair is rolled out of the ring and is GUSHING. Shawn gets things kicked off with a bang by suplexing HHH onto the ladder. They continue to use the ladder as a weapon as Shawn whips HHH into one in the corner. Shawn tries a splash off the ladder but misses and lands awkwardly. HHH follows with the Pedigree but can't get the belt as he's knocked outside. Shawn is alone as he starts the slow climb to the top. The camera wisely doesn't catch Triple H get up as he enters and shoves the ladder, sending Shawn crashing through three of the four tables at ringside. HHH climbs and pulls down the belt.
Winner and New World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H in 38:35
These two have fantastic chemistry but something was off about this match. Having the Cage match in the middle was weird and something just didn't click with this like it does other nights. There were a LOT of high spot moments, but I didn't love it. **3/4
Overall: 5.5/10; Decent. I had high hopes for this show but was disappointed. This Shawn Michaels/Triple H match was nowhere near the level of their SummerSlam classic. Edge/A-Train and the Women's Title matches weren't good, while the WWE Title and Batista/Kane were passable. The only matches really worth it were the opener and the Eddie/Benoit bout. Hopefully, 2003 starts with a better show. |
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Post by ICW on Sept 17, 2014 22:02:36 GMT -5
My quest to watch and review every single WCW/WWE/ECW PPV continues with my review of... WrestleMania
Date: March 31, 1985
Venue: Madison Square Garden; New York, NY
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura We begin WrestleMania with a photo montage representing tonight’s card. The very first wrestlers you see? “The Immortal” Tito Santana and the iconic Executioner! This photo montage, by the way, lasted over a minute. It was just stills of tonight’s competitors accompanied by annoyingly cheerful music. Production in the 80s, man. Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura give us a very quick welcome before sending it to The Fink, who welcomes the live crowd. He then instructs the audience to rise for the National Anthem. Who’s signing the anthem on this HISTORIC night filled with ICONIC movie stars, legendary athletes, and pop sensations?!? “Mean” Gene Okerlund! LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT: Vince spent a ton of money to bring in celebrities but didn’t bring in ANYONE WHO CAN SING THE ANTHEM?!?! Give Mean Gene props though. I wouldn’t have the guts to do that and the crowd actually gave him a good applause. Gorilla Monsoon and Ventura share some light hearted bantering regarding Mean Gene’s singing before sending it to Lord Alfred Hayes! Lord is wearing one of the oddest colored tuxedos I have ever seen. 80s, man. Lord hypes up the upcoming Tito Santana/Executioner match up...before introducing a pre-recorded interview Mean Gene did with both combatants! Mean Gene is with Tito Santana, who says nobody will stop him from achieving his goal – including the undefeated Executioner. Speaking of the slayer, he’s next with Mean Gene and quickly establishes himself as the most comical sounding SCARY MASKED MAN in wrestling history. Back to the ring where Howard Finkel introduces the first competitors of this match, which are... Tito Santana def. The Executioner This was a pretty decent opener but nothing that’s going to rock anybody’s world. Tito Santana got off to a fast start but the Executioner (played by Buddy Rose) mounted a comeback by going after the leg of Santana. Tito managed to mount a comeback of his own, however, and he quickly nailed his signature flying forearm before making Rose submit to the Figure Four. I’ll give this match a 3/10. The Fink announces Santana as the winner. Monsoon and Ventura immediately review a replay of the Flying Forearm followed by the Figure Four. Monsoon and Ventura send it back to Alfred Hayes. Hayes hypes up the upcoming King Kong Bundy/S.D. Jones match. He once again introduces a pre-recorded interview Mean Gene did with these competitors. Jones is hyped! “We’re gonna get down today, baby!” Up next is King Kong Bundy and his manager, “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart. Bundy says he’ll beat Jones, blah blah blah. Time for the match! The Fink introduces the competitors of this match, which are... King Kong Bundy def. S.D. JonesSquash. Jones charged at Bundy, who promptly locked in a bear hug and proceeds to ram him into the corner! Bundy charges forward and nails the Avalanche. Bundy comes off the ropes and nails the splash for the 1-2-3! I’ll give this a dud rating. Squash matches during the biggest card in wrestling history smh. Monsoon and Ventura comment on the replay of the “match.” The Fink announces that Bundy defeated Jones in 9 seconds but that’s...exaggerated. Mean Gene is with Matt Borne, who says he’s here to beat up Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. He also says that Steamboat is too nice. INSULTING! Mean Gene then interviews Steamboat, who gives a generic answer to Borne’s comments. Back to the ring as The Fink introduces the competitors of the match, which are... Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat def. Matt BorneBoring match. At one point during the match, a fan yelled out “BORING!” It actually woke me up a little, that’s how loud it was (and how boring the match was). Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t necessarily bad. Just boring. I’ll give this one a dud rating. It was a short and easily forgettable match. Steamboat won after hitting a Flying Crossbody from the top rope, by the way. Monsoon and The Body review clips from this match before sending it to The Fink, who announces Steamboat as the winner. Monsoon sends it back to Hayes. Hayes promotes the next bout between Brutus Beefcake and David Sammartino, son of Bruno. Hayes then sends it to another pre-recorded interview Mean Gene conducted with the competitors. Up first is David Sammartino, who says he is ready for this moment. Bruno jumps in, warning Johnny Valiant not to interfere in the match. Following the Sammartinos are Brutus Beefcake and his manager, Johnny Valiant. Valiant says he’ll do whatever he wants to do! It’s Beefcake’s turn to talk but...he insist makes a funny farting-esque noise into the microphone. I literally have no idea what this is about. HISTORIC! Valiant says he’ll do the talking for Beefcake because he’s the mouthpiece. Ok, bro. We go back to The Fink, who introduces the next competitors. Spoiler alert: Bruno got a HUGE pop from the crowd. David Sammartino w/Bruno Sammartino & Brutus Beefcake w/Johnny Valiant fight to a Double DisqualificationThis was a painfully boring match. Brutal. Both men exchanged wrestling holds for nearly 12 minutes to the excitement of no one. The nicest thing I can say is that these both gave a solid effort. The ending was mildly exciting as Valiant body slammed David Sammartino at ringside. Bruno came to the rescue, which got the crowd hot. This one ends in a double DQ. I’ll give this a 2/10. Just as boring as Steamboat/Borne but twice as long. No Bueno. The Fink announces the decision of the match before Monsoon and Ventura review the finish. They send it back to Hayes. Hayes – who looks like a stammering deer in headlights – promotes the upcoming match between Greg “The Hammer” Valentine and The Junkyard Dog. By the way, Hayes was so bad that he began to speak before Monsoon could finish introducing him lol. Worse, Hayes couldn’t even finish his standup as we suddenly cut to Valentine and Jimmy Hart. Valentine says he’ll show the world why he’s the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time! Up next is The Junkyard Dog, who does his thing. We go back to The Fink, who introduces the competitors. WWF Intercontinental Championship Match: The Junkyard Dog def. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine (c) w/Jimmy Hart Somewhat of an entertaining match although it was a tad on the boring side. Originally, Valentine was declared the winner of the match after placing his feet on the middle rope during a pin attempt. The JYD immediately protested...as did Tito Santana, who sprinted down the ring and got in the referee’s grill! A drunk punched Jimmy Hart congratulates Valentine on his victory...until the referee orders the match to continue! Valentine refuses to get back into the ring and the referee counts him out, making JYD the winner of the match but NOT the new Intercontinental Champion. BOOKING! By the way, the biggest pop of this match was Valentine accidentally hitting Jimmy Hart. Managers were such an important part of wrestling and it’s such a shame how it has become a lost art in SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT! I'll give this one a 5/10.The Fink announces the referee’s decision to the crowd while Monsoon and Ventura review the replay of the match. The commentary duo then send it back to the ultra-bad, ultra-nervous Lord Alfred Hayes. Hayes promotes the next title match of Nikoli Volkoff and The Iron Sheik vs. Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo. Time for another pre-recorded interview! Mean Gene is with Volkoff, Sheik, and their manager “Classy” Freddy Blassie. Pretty short and standard words from the heels. Up next is Windham, Rotundo, and their manager “Captain” Lou Albano. Short and standard words from the faces. The Fink announces the competitors WWF World Tag Team Championship Match: Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik w/Freddy Blassie def. The U.S. Express (c) w/Captain Lou AlbanoVolkoff sang the Soviet National Anthem to major boos from the crowd. After that, Sheik went on the microphone to declare “RUSSIA NUMBAH ONE! IRAN NUMBAH ONE! U.S. *SPITS!*” Anyways, the match was entertaining; hell, it’s the most entertaining match of the night so far! The duo of Sheik and Volkoff cheated to become the new Tag Team Champions. Sheik hit Windham with Blassie’s cane while the referee was distracted. The fans were really into this match. I'll give this one a 5.5/10.The Fink announces the winner. Sheik gets on the microphone, says something completely inaudible to boos from the crowd. You know you have heat with the crowd when you say gibberish and they still boo you. Monsoon and Ventura review the footage before sending to Mean Gene, who is coming at you live from the backstage area! Okerlund interviews the new tag team champs and their manager. Blassie, of course, feigns ignorance as to what just took place. Sheik says he’s proved that Russia and Iran are the best. Bastard. Gene sends it back to ringside. Monsoon and Ventura discuss the match before sending it back to Hayes. Hayes promotes the upcoming match: The Body Slam Challenge. Hayes notes that Studd has put up $15,000 while Andre must retire if he loses this match. Hayes sends it to Okerlund. Mean Gene is with Big John Studd and his manager Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Studd reveals the $15,000 in a WWF duffle bag. Get yours today! Gene sends it back to ringside. The Fink introduces the competitors of the next match, which are... $15,000 Body Slam Challenge: Andre the Giant def. Big John Studd w/Bobby “The Brain” HeenanAnother boring match. I mean, I guess it’s kind of amazing to see Andre the Giant in action but this was a slow paced match. Andre slammed Studd for the victory. The crowd ERUPTED with cheers as soon as Andre scooped up Studd. Andre gets the duffle bag filled with money, throws it to the crowd...until Bobby Heenan sneaks up behind him and steals the money. I’ll give this one a 3.5/10. The Fink announces the winner while Monsoon and Ventura review tape of the Body Slam. Monsoon sends it back to Gene, who remains backstage. Gene interviews Andre, who says he doesn’t care about the money. This was all about proving that he is the true giant of the WWF. Mean Gene sends it back to Monsoon and Ventura...but Andre kept talking, saying he won’t retire. It was comical. Andre literally talked over Monsoon. Monsoon and Ventura discuss the match before sending it back to Hayes. Lord Alfred Hayes promotes the upcoming match...and gets a kiss from The Fabulous Moolah and Leilani Kai. Hayes introduces another pre-recorded interview. Mean Gene is with Cyndi Lauper and Wendi Richter. Lauper says she’s a powerful manager now because she was taught by Captain Lou Albano. Richter adds that she’s dead set on getting back her title. Up next is the duo of The Fabulous Moolah and Leilani Kai. Leilani says she will do whatever it takes to beat Wendi. The Fink introduces the next contestants... WWF Women’s Championship Match: Wendi Richter w/Cyndi Lauper def. Leilani Kai (c) w/The Fabulous MoolahAnother. Boring. Match. They exchanged holds for what seemed like forever until the first bit of real action took place, which saw a confrontation between Richter and Lauper (although it was barely a confrontation). Richter won the match – and the title – after Kai scored a flying cross body but Richter rolled her over for the sudden pin. Meh finish. Cyndi goes after Moolah after the match. I’ll give this one a 3/10. Lauper and Richter dance around the canvas because girls just wanna have fun. The Fink announces the winner as Monsoon and Ventura review a replay of the finish. They further discuss the ending of the match before they send it back to Mean Gene. Cyndi Lauper, Wendi Richter, and Dave Wolf (Lauper’s manager) join Okerlund. All of them express joy at Richter’s victory. Lot of shrieking. Okerlund sends it back to our commentary duo... ...who send it to The Fink The Fink introduces the special guests of the main event. First, its Special Guest Ring Announcer Billy Martin (who gets a huge pop). Martin thanks the audience and calls them the best fans in the world. Martin proceeds to introduce the guest time keeper Liberace and the Rockettes. They do the iconic leg kicks. It was...something. Up next, Martin tries to announce Muhammed Ali but the microphone went out. Ali is the Special Enforcer. Crowd went wild for the greatest boxer that’s ever lived. Jose Torrez was also in attendance. Pat Patterson is the Special Guest Referee. So many specials! MAIN EVENT: Hulk Hogan & Mr. T w/”Superfly” Jimmy Snuka def. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper & “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff w/”Cowboy” Bob Orton Piper had a marching band play his music on Scottish pipes. Pretty bad ass! This historic match was entertaining. Sure, it’s not a technical master piece but it didn’t need to be. It had celebrities, a hot crowd, and the distinction of being the main event of such a historic card. Mr. T did a really good job of selling his hatred with Piper (which didn’t take much considering they both hated each other in real life). Piper is such a phenomenal heel. The finish of the match came when Bob Orton accidentally hit Orndorff with his infamous cast. I’ll give this one a 7.5/10 just because I’m considering everything involved in this match. The celebrities, Piper, and hey...it wasn’t a bad match! Martin announces Hogan and T as the winners as they celebrate. Jimmy Snuka, Billy Martin, Liberace and Muhammed Ali congratulate the two victors! Monsoon and Ventura then review a replay of the finish. We then cut back to live action as the celebration continues! Monsoon then sends it to Okerlund! Okerlund is joined by Snuka, Hogan, & Mr. T. The victors lament in their victory. Mr. T says wrestling isn’t for wimp. Hogan does his thing before Snuka says a few words. Mean Gene sends it back to ringside. Monsoon and Ventura discuss the main event; by the way, I think this is the first time the cameras were actually on Monsoon and Ventura. Both were wearing even worse tuxedos than Hayes! They wish a goodnight and that’s the show! ----- The first WrestleMania was, obviously, quite a success. The undercard and midcard was very underwhelming despite producing some big names (Bundy, JYD, Valentine, Andre, Studd, ) but it was very clear this entire event was about the main event and all of the major celebrities involved. I’ll give this event a 6.5/10. Back then, though, it was a huge deal. I’m just looking at this through retrospective glasses (those aren’t real). The production, by the way, was way better than the first two Starrcades. Certainly is a factor in my ratings. Another thing I liked: they were very quick to keep the matches going. They stuck to a formula that worked: match, quick review, Hayes promotes the next match, Okerlund interviews the combatants VERY quickly, and then the next match. With the last two Starrcades, Gordon Solie and Bob Caudle got a ton of television time and they tended to drone on (same with the interviews). WrestleMania really avoided that. Bad thing that stood out: Lord Alfred Hayes was terrible. He was stammering like crazy and he just came across like a complete rookie. I know he kinda sucked but...geez. ---- Up Next: WWF WrestleVision Classic 1985! |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Sept 22, 2014 10:59:18 GMT -5
SuperBrawl Revenge
2/18/2001 – Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee – Attendance: 4,395
Now this is going to be interesting. Here we have the second to last WCW Pay-Per-View in history. Heading into this show, if my research is correct, WCW had lost a deal with Fusient Media worth almost $70 million because once they looked into WCW, they realized the debt they were in and dropped the offer to about $6 million. Obviously we know what happened next. WCW would have their television product canceled by one of the guys running things backstage and then the Fusient deal died, leading to Vince McMahon swooping in to buy WCW. This should definitely be a cool look into a time period where I didn't watch much WCW.
The intro video plays like the start of a horror movie with magazine clippings being cut out and put together in creepy ways. It then turns to rock music that skips and we get the fireworks and such. Tony “BIGGEST NIGHT IN THE HISTORY OF OUR SPOT” Schiavone and Scott Hudson are the commentary team.
Six Man Cruiserweight Four Corners Match
Evan Karagias vs. Jamie Noble vs. Jimmy Yang vs. Kaz Hayashi vs. Shane Helms vs. Shannon Moore
Leave it to WCW to have a six man four corners match, which probably confused a bunch of their fans. Billy Kidman was attacked before the show so he had to be replaced by “Sugar” Shane Helms, or the future Hurricane. So, this is a six man match involving three tag teams. Noble and Moore start things and have a nice little sequence. Moore tags in his 3 Count partner and tosses Noble in the air to be caught in a beautiful sitout powerbomb by Helm. Karagias sends them outside and eats a double snapmare from the Jung Dragons, who then hit stereo Asai moonsaults onto the outside. This is fast paced stuff. Kaz blocks a German suplex by landing on his feet and hits a head scissors into the buckle on Noble. Noble stops a hip toss by bouncing off the top rope and then hits a double elbow with Karagias. Seriously, this is fast paced. Karagias pretty much just grabs Yang's Wang and the crowd notices how weird it is. Karagias nails a springboard splash and tags Helms, who beats him up before getting back in the ring. 3 Count hits a nice double team neckbreaker on Yang, but he's saved by Kaz. I think they forgot that this is not a tag match. Things break down and Helms connects with a nice superplex. Every else then tries to hit a splash or moonsault and they ALL miss. They've just given up on caring about tags. Yang hits a backflip kick before Kaz gets caught with a spinning heel kick/cross arm German combo from 3 Count. Kaz slingshots into a moonsault outside before Moore hits a moonsault of his own. Noble somersaults onto them. INEEDABREATHER! Kaz could've been eliminated by a powerbomb/dropkick combo from Noble and Karagias, but they break up each other's pins. IT'S ELIMINATION GUYS! Jimmy Yang goes into ULTIMATE BOTCH MODE, as he whiffs on a kick, hits a weak leg sweep, slips on a springboard moonsault and then somehow eliminates Karagias with a terrible reverse piledriver at 10:21.
Noble then hits a Tombstone to knock off Yang thirty seconds later at 10:51. He deserves it after that performance. Moore hits a top rope Bottom's Up, which is better known as the Fameasser, which gets the duke to eliminate Noble at 11:58. Shortly after, Moore does a backslide to Kaz, but the referee doesn't count, allowing Helms to hit a leg drop. They botch a double team move and Helms goes for the Vertebreaker, but Moore hits Helms with Bottom's up. Moore covers but Kaz stupidly breaks the count, kicking the referee in the back of the head doing so. Moore and Kaz end up double teaming Helms until Kaz turns on him. Moore moves Helms out of the way of a moonsault but eats the Nightmare on Helms Street for his troubles and is eliminated at 15:11. The announce team has not been shy about how this will end because they've been putting over Helms the entire match. We get a series of reversals where Kaz countered Night on Helms Street into a German suplex for two. Helms hits a TKO GTS of sorts for two. After a bit more, Helms hits the Vertebreaker, which is still a favorite of mine, to win.
Winner: Shane Helms in 17:30
Fast paced and exciting, but Yang and Moore were botching left and right which lessens the score. The right guy went over and it was a good opener that got a good amount of time. ***1/2
We see Road Warrior Animal talking to Ric Flair in the back, and if I didn't mention it earlier, Animal was the one who attacked Billy Kidman. Chavo Guerrero comes up to them but it's security footage, so we can't hear anything. Hugh Morris cuts a backstage promo on The Wall, mentioning that he was “General Rection” before, but Hugh Morris now. He says Rection a lot and does it with a straight face and I don't understand how.
Scott Steiner is getting massaged by his premiere freak, Midajah when Ric Flair enters with a stupid haircut. He gives Steiner some envelop and leaves. Kronik arrive at the arena and are stopped by Lance Storm. Storm was the commissioner? There's an issue that Adam Bomb isn't cleared to wrestle but he says he is, so he will go see the “Company Doctor”.
Hugh Morris vs. The Wall
Hugh Morris has a generic version of what I believe was Mike Awesome's ECW theme. Their feud has mostly been held on Thunder, so I have no clue how this made it to a Pay-Per-View. This starts as a brawl and Morris sells headbutts from Wall well. They go outside and Morris dropkicks the steel steps into Wall's head. How is that not a disqualification? They go inside and Morris hits a top rope elbow but can't put the Wall away. Wall chops Morris in the corner and then goes to put him in a stranglehold sleeper but Morris blocks it. Wall still leaps off the top, which I did not expect, but Morris moves out of the way. Wall hits a sloppy looking spinebuster but can't make the cover. This crowd must watch WWE as a “we want tables” chant starts. Morris answers by trying to lift Wall, who falls awkwardly, but then hits the EDDIE GILBERT hot shot anyway! Hugh Morris (what? Your name is Hugh Morris? What? Is that funny? Is that humorous?) hits a flapjack and both guys are down again. After a bit more stalling, Morris hits an impressive German suplex and barely nails the No Laughing Matter moonsault to win.
Winner: Hugh Morris in 9:43
Someone was stupid enough to give these two nearly ten minutes. Hugh Morris tried but the Wall was pretty terrible. *
Hugh Morris goes right back up top and hits a second moonsault for good measure. Cutting to the back, Konnan wants to see Ric Flair but ends up brawling with Animal, who is guarding the door. That literally is a 50 second clip or so. We now see a promo for the rivalry between the former Natural Born Thrillers, leading to the Tag Title match.
WCW World Tag Team Championship
Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire (c) vs. Mark Jindrak and Shawn Stasiak
I loved the Natural Born Thrillers name. Quick note, giving Sean Stasiak and Mark Jindrak a variation of Mr. Perfect's theme music is terrible. Also, in true WCW form, they put up the wrong name graphic for the challengers. Stasiak gets cheap heat by dissing the Tennessee Titans. Sean O'Haire retaliates with an awkward promo back as the Champions come out. The contest starts with a brawl until it breaks down to just Stasiak and O'Haire. Jindrak gets the tag and stomps on Stasiak by mistake. O'Haire hits the EDDIE GILBERT hot shot and now the Champions do some double teams. Palumbo nails a nice back suplex to counter a hip toss and the Champions look like the better team here. I think it's cool that the guys on opposing teams used to also be tag team champions. The heels work over Palumbo for a bit. Jindrak hits a nice tilt-a-whirl slam, and it's crazy to think that he was supposed to be in Evolution. O'Haire gets the hot tag and hits about eight straight clotheslines. O'Haire uses the momentum to hit his Seanton Bomb and they retain.
Winners and still WCW World Tag Team Champions: Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire in 11:37
Decent and there's not much else to say. This was something I'm not used to in WCW as it had no screwy finish or anything like that. **3/4
Dustin Rhodes cuts a promo on Ric Flair backstage.
WCW World Cruiserweight Championship
Chavo Guerrero Jr. (c) vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.
Oh WCW. Have Rey Mysterio lose his mask because you thought it wasn't marketable. That worked out great didn't it? They replaced the mask with stupid horns. Some fast paced stuff happens instantly and Chavo goes for a sunset flip outside but Rey counters with a hurricanrana. Chavo comes back with a pop up gut buster and the crowd chants “Eddie” at Chavo. Rey ends up in the tree of woe but wriggles free and gets a sunset flip for two. Chavo applies the Gory special but Rey gets out, only to end up back in it and into the Gory Buster for two. Rey blocks snake eyes and hits a sloppy looking tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. He springboards right into a dropkick though and this isn't clicking the way it did years later in the WWE. They brawl outside and Chavo takes a Rey Mysterio mask from a fan and puts it on Rey. DONT DO THAT, THE MASK IS LIKE A SUPERPOWER! Rey crotches Chavo in the corner and puts the mask on him before hitting a top rope hurricanrana that comes off weak. Rey hits West Coast Pop and completely botches a springboard moonsault. He just flat dies in the ring as the botches continue. Chavo brings in a chair, Rey stops him and hits a springboard this time, but barely lands on Chavo's shoulders. Chavo EDDIE GILBERT hot shots him and sets up the chair in the corner. Rey fights back and slips on two more springboard attempts before hitting a hurricanrana to the outside. Rey gets the chair and the referee stops him, allowing Chavo to use a chair behind his back. He then connects with a brainbuster to win.
Winner and Still WCW World Cruiserweight Champion: Chavo Guerrero Jr. in 15:54
Rey Mysterio was in botch mode but Chavo did his best to make this awesome. The ropes did seem slipper so it's not all Rey's fault. ***1/2
Lance Storm tells Brian Clarke that he has to go out by himself tonight because Adams hasn't been cleared yet.
WCW United States Championship
Rick Steiner (c) vs. Dustin Rhodes
Rick Steiner was the United States Champion? They brawl as soon as the bell rings and Dustin busts out a DDT for a near fall. I will never understand why Rick Steiner got pushed like a did in WCW. Dustin misses a cross body, and I have no clue why he tries it, so he falls outside. STEINERLINE gets two. They act like nobody ever kicks out of the STEINERLINE...I mean, there was a theme song based on it so I understand. Rick hits a belly to belly and actually puts on a half Boston crab. Mind you, he hasn't worked the leg at all. He breaks the hold for no reason also. Dustin gets a near fall with a backslide but runs into another STEINERLINE! Nobody gets up from two of those...BUT DUSTIN DOES! He takes a stiff looking back elbow before hitting the RHODESLINE and both men are down. Commentary decide to call the match “stiff” because this was during the time that WCW enjoyed saying “insider terms” on television. Inverted atomic drop from Dustin and then another RHODESLINE for two. Dustin nails a bulldog and Rick rolls outside. Dustin tries to use a chair, which is stupid if he wants to win the title. The referee stops him while Rick removes the turnbuckle pad. This sounds awfully familiar if you watched the last match. Rhodes does ten punches in the corner but Rick pulls him down into the exposed buckle. He covers for three with his feet on the ropes.
Winner and Still WCW United States Champion: Rick Steiner in 9:11
This sucked. No psychology, a dusty finish and Rick Steiner is still champion. Not good. *
Rick Steiner hits a Death Valley Driver and then says his catchphrase. Dustin Rhodes is up quickly and Rick tries to hit him with the belt but the referee stops him for some reason, allowing Dustin to shatter his dreams. More meaningless backstage segments as Ric Flair hypes up Lance Storm while DDP pumps up The Cat.
Totally Buff vs. Kronik
I won't lie, even though I'm not a fan of either guy, the idea of Totally Buff was totally cool to me. So Clarke and Adams, even though one is not cleared, run out for the match anyway and it starts as a brawl. Clarke gets laid out with a steel chair and Buff hits Adams with a low blow. Totally Buff use the handicap advantage to stay in complete control. Also, in a last minute decision, the winners of this earn a Tag Team Title shot on the next Pay-Per-View. Clarke is pretty much dead outside as he is still laid out under a chair. Luger is doing some posing in the ring, which costs him. Adams rallies with a gorilla press slam but the numbers game is too much for him. He does end up rallying anyway until Clarke gets in and hits Adams with a German suplex! The real Clarke appears on the stage hurt, as the cameras missed the German and we only saw it on the tron. It turns out that it was Mike Awesome dressed as Clarke. Buff finishes the match and they win.
Winners: Totally Buff in 6:25
That was six and a half minutes, but felt like fifteen. It was a glorified handicap match and with these guys, it wasn't very good. *
Kronik is ejected from the building, which makes them join Konnan and Dustin Rhodes. Basically, every face is getting thrown out so that the main event can have all of the heel shenanigans in the world. Lance Storm comes out, cuts a promo and asks for the Canadian national anthem to play. The Cat interrupts, which is rude.
Battle to be Commissioner
Lance Storm vs. The Cat
The Cat is with a chick that I don't remember. Short wrestling sequence to start things and the Cat gets the better of it by kicking Storm in the face. They go outside and Cat hits Storm with a cup of water from a fan. Tony Schiavone talks down on Storm for underhanded tactics and the Cat chokes Storm with cables, so of course, Schiavone ignores that. Storm starts to take out Cat's leg due to his martial arts ability. Inside, Cat fights back but his leg gives out. For being a match between two guys that aren't brawlers, this has A LOT of outside stuff. Storm gets a sunset flip in the ring but Cat stops him from pinning and then dances before hitting an elbow. He dances some more and hits an uppercut but Storm gets him in the Maple Leaf! Cat is too close to the ropes though and reaches them. Cat nails an enziguri, and “Above Average” Mike Sanders shows up. The lady is Miss Jones according to commentary and she kicks Sanders. The distraction leads to Cat kicking Storm and winning.
Winner: The Cat in 8:07
Good leg work, but too much outside brawling for two guys that aren't good brawlers. **
So, because Cat doesn't officially become commissioner until midnight, Ric Flair also has him ejected. DDP comes out for his match with Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett appears on the stage and replays DDP saying “Yo, Kanyon, anytime, anyplace.” It's a funny remix, and it basically means that Kanyon will wrestle DDP right now.
DDP vs. Kanyon
Kanyon comes out from under the ring to attack Page, but Page no sells and knocks him out. DDP beats him up until Kanyon hits him with a low blow and there is no disqualification called. Kanyon then hits a Fameasser onto the steel steps and again, no DQ is called. Kanyon actually steps on the second rope and hits a suplex into the ring from there which I've never seen before, so kudos to him. Kanyon slows things down and DDP is busted open from the steel steps stuff. DDP rallies and earns a near fall. Kanyon hits the sky high, YOU BETTER RECOGNIZE, for two. DDP gets up like nothing for a sitout powerbomb of his own. Diamond Cutter is countered into a backslide, but Kanyon hits a low blow and then the Kanyon Cutter. DDP kicks out so Kanyon waves Jeff Jarrett down to the ring. He gets on the apron and is knocked off. DDP does a rollup but the kick out causes him to fall on top of the referee, allowing Jarrett to enter and hit the Stroke. Kanyon hits the Flatliner and it's over.
Winner: Kanyon in 8:15
Decent stuff, but in classic WCW form, it had to have a shoddy finish. **1/2
Kanyon gets on the microphone and introduces Jeff Jarrett for his match with DDP now. He calls Jarrett a four time World Champion, which is a sad thought.
DDP vs. Jeff Jarrett
This goes outside instantly and they fight through the crowd. DDP is fighting like he wasn't just in a match and like he didn't just take three finishers. DDP hits a DDT, which I love saying, on the announce table, but Jarrett no sells and retaliates with shots of his own. Inside, Jarrett gets a near fall before eating a discus clothesline. Jarrett hits a sloppy looking jawbreaker before applying a sleeper hold. DDP fades but gets out and hits another DDT as both men are now down. Page drapes his arm over Jarrett but only gets a near fall. DDP starts wailing away on Jarrett and gets another two count. DDP earns yet another near fall after a belly to belly suplex. Something about WCW just kind of bores me. Page sets up for a piledriver but drops Jarrett face first. He covers but Kanyon is back and he pulls DDP out. DDP gives chase but gets clocked with a steel chair shot to the head. Jarrett covers and DDP gets his shoulder up. Jarrett is handed the guitar but DDP dodges and Kanyon gets hit. Diamond Cutter is hit and DDP wins.
Winner: DDP in 8:30
I feel like WCW didn't know what to do with itself unless it had the heels in control. There was so much interference and nonsense in these two matches that it hurt potentially good contests. **1/4
WCW World Heavyweight Championship Retirement Match
Scott Steiner (c) w/ Midajah vs. Kevin Nash
Scott Steiner was definitely one of the few guys that WCW did well with in their dying days. Ric Flair gets on commentary and is going to heel it up for this match, which I'm sure will have a lot of overbooking. Steiner instantly makes me a fan because he kicks Michael Buffer out of the ring. Steiner shows Sid breaking his leg on the previous PPV, which is just as disturbing to see today as it was then. Flair gets in the ring and continues to waste time. Kevin Nash is wheeled out by nurses and has a cast on his leg. The leg injury is fake and Nash enters the ring, hitting Steiner with the title. He follows with a pin in seventeen seconds. Ric Flair freaks out and makes it a two out of three falls match. “I FORGOT TO SAY THAT!” We cut backstage to see DDP walking towards the ring, but he's taken out by Totally Buff. So cutting away mid match is a dumb move. Shenanigans continue as Steiner lays out Nash with a pipe outside but can't move his body inside, so Flair makes it a Falls Count Anywhere match and Steiner pins him to even the score. Nash makes it back inside where Steiner continues to beat on him. Both men are bleeding as we get the dreaded STEINERLINE! Steiner continues to work Nash over and Nash continues to kick out. Nash rallies and hits a big sidewalk slam. Flair hands Steiner a steel chair to which Schiavone exclaims “HE'S DEAD!” Steiner Recliner is locked on but Nash gets out and hits a chokeslam. Steiner kicks out but Midajah still runs in and attacks the referee. That has zero impact on the match as Nash doesn't notice it and the referee is back inside within seconds. Nash hits the Jacknife but Midajah again runs in to stop it. I guess she did it at the wrong time first. Nash plants her with a side slam and covers Steiner again but Flair pulls out the referee and punches him. Another chair shot and a Steiner Recliner later ends it.
Winner and Still WCW World Heavyweight Champion: Scott Steiner in 12:19
Forget what I said about WCW building Scott Steiner right. This was dreadful. It took Flair, Midajah, a pipe, two chair shots, two referees and the entire face roster kicked out for Steiner to win. He looked awful here and the match was terrible. DUD.
Overall: 3.5/10; Not good. Man that show fell off a cliff. The opener, Cruiserweight Title and Tag Title matches were good but everything else was passable. The main event was terrible and was classic WCW in the worst way. It was pretty clear that, while WCW had some good plans, most of the company was awful and it's part of the reason they would close their doors about a month later. My next “Random Network Review” will be none other than In Your House 2: The Lumberjacks. |
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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 Sept 22, 2014 13:19:02 GMT -5
I admire you Kev for watching some of these WCW PPV's, i just know that i couldn't re watch them ha.
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Post by hbkbigdaddycool on Sept 23, 2014 15:31:41 GMT -5
Good news for the Sting DVD that came out today. His theme music is on the DVD. I know for a while they had to edit the WCW theme songs off the DVDs, but so far Sting's old theme is on his matches. I have yet to get to disc 2, but I would think that "Man Called Sting" would be back on there for his theme too.
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Post by ICW on Sept 25, 2014 1:02:54 GMT -5
My quest to watch and review every single WCW/WWE/ECW PPV continues with my review of... WWF WrestleVision Classic 1985 (The Wrestling Classic)
Date: November 7, 1985
Venue: Rosemont Horizon; Rosemont, Illinois
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura
We begin Wrestlevision Classic 1985 with a short montage (voiceover done by The Fink) introducing the 16 competitors in tonight’s tournament. The production of this opening montage was a thousand times better than the one for WrestleMania. The Fink notes that the winner of the Rolls Royce sweepstake will be announced later in the evening. Truly must see television! Vince McMahon welcomes us to the event before introducing Lord Alfred Hayes and Susan Widkiss (?), who are standing in front a handmade tournament board. A six-year old clearly made this board. Love the effort. Hayes says this tournament will be the ultimate mental and physical test. McMahon reviews the first round matches with this Susan woman. Question: who is she and where did she come from?!? She didn’t say a word. She just pointed – with a stick – at the respective first round brackets as Vince read off the names. She’s kind of like Vanna White I guess. Stupid. McMahon then introduces a piece of footage from earlier in the day that shows wrestlers “drawing a name out of a fishbowl.” First one up? Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat! Mean Gene Okerlund is, of course, blabbering away as Steamboat picks his number. By the way, two men in suits were holding the tiny bowl. Not one. Two. Anyways, Steamboat draws Davey Boy Smith. “He’s a good boy!” exclaims Steamboat. Apparently he thinks Davey is actually a bulldog. Up next was The Macho Man and Miss Elizabeth, who draws Ivan Putski. Macho Man criticizes Elizabeth for drawing such a challenging name. Following them is Mr. Fuji, who is picking on behalf of Don Muraco. Fuji has drawn Tito Santana, much to his delight. That does it for this fascinating segment as we go back to Vince. Vince – now accompanied only by Hayes – says that Mean Gene Okerlund has scored an exclusive interview with the PRESIDENT...of the WWF. Oh. Vince sends it back to Gene. Mean Gene is with Jack Tunney, who says he’s really excited about this tournament. Mean Gene asks Tunney to elaborate on the rules of the tournament. Tunney says the only rule is that there must be a winner of each round. If both competitors are counted out or disqualified, they both are eliminated. Gene sends it back to Vince... ...who sends it to the commentary duo of Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body’ Ventura. Monsoon is wearing a hideous red tuxedo. Quick welcome from Monsoon and Ventura before The Fink finally introduces the opening match... First Round Match: Adrian Adonis w/Jimmy Hart def. Corporal Kirchner Short match with a mildly interesting finish. Kirchner was going for a Suplex but Adonis countered it with a Suplex of his own; actually, it resembled more of a Spike DDT but I don’t want to nitpick. I don’t want to give this a dud rating so I’ll give it a 1/10 just because the finish came out of nowhere and it looked cool. Monsoon and Ventura review the replay of the finish. Ventura attributes Adonis’ win due to his veteran status. Monsoon sends it to The Fink, who officially declares Adonis the winner. Monsoon then sends it to Mean Gene. Mean Gene is with Jimmy Hart and the victorious Adrian Adonis. Both men celebrate the victory. Mean Gene sends it back to The Fink, who introduces the next competitors. Dynamite Kid def. Nikolai VolkoffVolkoff sang the Russian national anthem before the “match”, talked trash to the crowd...and received a top rope drop kick from the Dynamite Kid that cost him the “match.” That’s all that happened. The crowd loved it, I couldn't help but love it because the Dynamite Kid was awesome and Volkoff was such a hated heel. I’ll spare this a dud rating and give it a 1/10. It was fun and unexpected. The Fink officially announces the Dynamite Kid as the winner before Monsoon and Ventura review the replay. They express their amazement and what we just saw before they send it back to Mean Gene. Macho Man and Miss Elizabeth join Mean Gene backstage. Macho says the Wrestling Classic is the most important thing to him. He’s nervous but he’s also ready. Miss Elizabeth says this night is exciting...although she sounded half asleep while saying it. TRULY EXCITING! Savage says he'll prove he’s the #1 wrestler in the world and that Ivan Putski won't beat him. Mean Gene sends it back to The Fink, who makes the introductions “Macho Man” Randy Savage w/Miss Elizabeth def. Ivan PutskiI actually found this to be a mildly entertaining match. Macho Man played such a great heel throughout this entire match; in the beginning, he kept trying to dodge Putski, got beat up a little, and ended up stealing the victory by placing his feet on the middle ropes during the pin. I ’ll give this one a 2.5/10. Nothing memorable or special but Macho Man kept me entertained. You knew he was winning, you just wanted to see how. The heel tactics throughout the match really made me smile. DIG IT?!? The Fink announces the winner while Monsoon and Ventura review the replay of the finish. Monsoon sends it back to McMahon. McMahon is with Hayes, who review the first round victors thus far. Interrupting this segment is the great Nikolai Volkoff, who proclaims that he was robbed and admonishes the audience for loving it! McMahon then sends it back to Monsoon and Ventura... ...who send it back to The Fink, who introduces the upcoming competitors. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat def. Davey Boy SmithUgh. Two great, great competitors booked in such a lame finish. This match started off so entertaining, with Ricky and Davey exchanging holds and moves; most importantly, they started off with a good pace. How did it end? With Davey Boy getting tangled up in the ropes and, thus, unable to continue the match. What a dumb finish. I really wanted this to have more time because it felt like it was shaping up to be a classic. I’ll give this one a 3.5/10. The wrestling was entertaining, the pace was good, but the dumb finish (and lack of time) are the obvious huge takeaways. Steamboat, such a great baby face, checks on Davey. I don’t know if Davey really got stuck in the ropes, though. I mean he was just kinda clutching the bottom rope...certainly could’ve gotten out of it, which makes this finisher even dumber. It looks like Davey boy crotched himself. That...ok, that’s gotta hurt. Fink makes the announcement that Davey Boy Smith is unable to continue. Steamboat wins. Monsoon and Ventura review some highlights of this short and disappointing match. They send it back to the Mean Gene... ...who’s with the Junk Yard Dog! JYD says his opponent – the Iron Sheik – will be difficult to beat but he’ll give it his all. JYD offers his admiration for the city. Mean Gene sends it back to Monsoon and Ventura... ...who send it back to The Fink, who announces the next first round competitors. Junkyard Dog def. The Iron Sheik The Iron Sheik attacks The Junk Yard Dog before the bell rings! SUCH A HEEL! The Sheik choked JYD with his sarong and turban before spitting on him! However, that only made the Junkyard Dog pissed off! He comes firing back with some blows and eventually has the Sheik literally bowing and pleading for forgiveness. Sheik eventually comes back, though, and locks in the Camel Clutch...but JYD doesn’t give up and the Sheik eventually turns him loose! Sheik corners the JYD and delivers nasty blows! The referee tries to get The Sheik off of him...and the Sheik pushes the referee aside! JYD takes advantage as he charges forward...and nails the head-butt on The Sheik for the victory! I’ll give this a 3/10. Iron Sheik was such a great heel, man. Very entertaining to watch him garner heat from the crowd and even more entertaining to see him get beat. The Fink announces JYD as the winner. We SUDDENLY jump to Mean Gene. No review from Monsoon/Ventura, no “let’s send it to Mean Gene.” We just went from JYD being announced the winner to Mean Gene. PRODUCTION PROBLEMS! Anyways, Mean Gene is with Terry Funk and Jimmy Hart. Funk says he wants a shot at the World Championship, he wants Paul Orndorff and his $50,000, and he wants Roddy Piper. Ok. Jimmy Hart says the world is seeing the future World Champ in Funk. Mean Gene sends it back to The Fink, who introduces the next competitors. Moondog Spot def. Terry Funk w/Jimmy HartMoondog Spot got a smattering of boos when introduced. Before the match, Funk spat tobacco at Spot and got on the microphone, proclaiming that he doesn’t want to face Spot. How rude. Moondog Spot says he doesn’t want to wrestle Terry Funk! Funk suggests they both get counted out so the match could end in a draw! Both exit the ring, the referee begins to count...and Funk double crosses Spot! He heads back to the ring...but Moondog stops him! Funk and Moondog exchange blows as the referee continues to count! Moondog charges at Funk, who tosses Moondog back into the ring! Funk is about to enter the ring...when the referee calls for the bell! I’ll give this a dud rating. Jimmy Heart throws a temper tantrum before Funk assaults Spot! Those bastards! The Fink announces Moondog Spot as the winner. Monsoon and Ventura send it to Mean Gene. Mean Gene is with Mr. Fuji and Don Muraco. Fuji says Tito Santana has met his match in “The Magnificent” Don Muraco. Mean Gene talks with Muraco, who says Tito Santana is among the best in the WWF and he wants to defeat the very best the WWF has to offer. Not a very heelish thing to say, Muraco! Mean Gene sends it back to ringside. The Fink announces the next competitors... Tito Santana def. “The Magnificent” Don Muraco w/Mr. FujiDecent match up that went back and forth for the majority of the time. Muraco eventually nailed a body slam on Santana for the victory...until the referee proclaimed that Santana had his foot on the bottom rope, thus breaking the pinfall! Santana quickly rolled up Muraco for the cheap victory. Lame. I’m going to give this a 2/10. Monsoon and Ventura review the finish of the match, debating who actually should’ve won. “That’s a cheap, cheap win for an Intercontinental Champion, Gorilla!” proclaims Ventura. They send it back to Mean Gene... ...who is with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan! Brain says he’s here for one reason: to give Cowboy Bob Orton $50,000 after he takes out Paul Orndorff. Mean Gene sends it back to ringside. The Fink announces the final match in the first round of the elimination tournament. “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff def. Cowboy Bob OrtonThis is easily the best match of the night. Orndorff and Orton really did a good job of making this match intense, especially Orndorff. They went back and forth beating up on each other and the fans really ate it up. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan had placed a $50,000 bounty on Paul Orndorff, a bounty that Orton was intend on claiming. Did he do it? No! Orton hit Orndorff with his infamous cast for the disqualification. Orton, being the great heel that he was, pretended like nothing happened and went for the pinfall but referee Earl Hebner saw it. I’ll give this match a 6.5/10. After the match, Orndorff and Orton exchange blows before Orndorff eventually gained the upper hand. Orton bails to the back. The Fink announces the winner before Monsoon and Ventura review the finish. They then send it to Vince McMahon and Lord Alfred Hayes. McMahon, Hayes, and Susan are standing by in front of the elimination bracket board. Hayes was creepily grasping Susan, who legitimately looked uncomfortable. McMahon and Hayes review the first round winners, match by match. They then review all of the second round matches; McMahon notes that the time limit has increased to 15 minutes throughout the duration of the 2nd round. Terry Funk then interrupts McMahon and Hayes. Funk screams that he was robbed! Funk says he can beat Hogan, the JYD, and Orndorff! He says he should slap Gorilla Monsoon! *NOTE* It appears they have censored Funk saying “WWF.” Weird. McMahon sends it back to ringside. The Fink announces the first two competitors of round two Dynamite Kid def. Adrian Adonis w/Jimmy HartNothing special about this match up. Kid got off to a fast start, Adonis had a stretch where he was dominating Kid, Kid mounted a comeback, Hart distracted the ref, Adonis rolled up Kid, Kid pushed Adonis into Hart, and Kid covered Adonis for the win. Pretty much the match in a nutshell. *NOTE* Jesse Ventura departed the commentary table because he desperately needed to talk to “Macho Man” Randy Savage. I’m curious to see where this leads. Anyways, I’ll give this a 3/10. The Fink announces the Dynamite Kid as the winner as Jimmy Hart checks on Adonis. The duo then throw a temper tantrum before Monsoon reviews the finish of the match. Monsoon sends it back to Mean Gene... ...who is with Jesse Ventura. “The Body” says he supports the Macho Man although he will remain unbiased during their match. Okerlund rebukes Ventura’s claim that he’s always unbiased but Ventra insists he would never call a match unfairly. Okerlund says they’re out of time and sends it back to Monsoon. Monsoon sends it to The Fink... ...who introduces the next competitors in this quarter-final round. The Macho Man w/Miss Elizabeth def. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat This was a really good but incredibly short match. It had a lot of intensity, the crowd was eating it up, and Steamboat/Macho Man had some create chemistry. The match started off hot and the action quickly made its way to ringside. Macho Man steals the victory after hitting Steamboat with a pair of brass knucks he hid in his trunks. Hmmm, I wonder who gave him those knucks? I’ll give this match a 4.5/10. It was entertaining but the length (or lack thereof) stopped it from being great. I think these two have a better match in their future, though. The Fink announces the Macho Man as the winner as Miss Elizabeth drags her man to the back. Monsoon and Ventura review the replay of the finish. Ventura says Monsoon is “worse than the Richard Nixon tapes!” Monsoon sends it back to Mean Gene. Mean Gene is with Moondog Spot, who is holding a gigantic bone. Mean Gene tries to interview Spot but he just speaks gibberish and chews on the bone. HE’S A DOG. Mean Gene sends it back to ringside. We actually see Monsoon and Ventura sitting at ringside. They discyss what just took place before Monsoon sends it to The Fink, who announces the next competitors. The JYD def. Moondog SpotSpot immediately attacks the JYD. His assault lasts for about 5 seconds after he misses a splash from the top rope. JYD hits a few headbutts before going for the pin...but there’s no referee! What to do, what to do...AH! JYD just counts himself! 1-2-3-! The bell actually rings! Monsoon is confused, saying he doesn’t think this is legal...but JYD doesn’t care! He’s already heading to the back victorious. I’ll give this a dud rating. The Fink announces JYD the winner as Monsoon and Ventura review the match. Monsoon notes that the judge at ringside approved of JYD’s victory. Okay then. They then send it back to Mean Gene. Mean Gene is back with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Mean Gene immediately teases The Brain about placing the bounty on Orndorff’s head. The Brain, however, is not discouraged and insists he will find a talent to take out Orndorff. Mean Gene asks about Rowdy Pipper’s upcoming championship match against Hogan. Heenan says Piper will win. Mean Gene sends it back to The Fink, who introduces the next competitors Paul Orndorff and Tito Santana are counted outBoring. Orndorff went after the left leg of Santana, which became injured during his first-round match with Don Muraco. Eventually, both men started to exchange some stiff forearm blows at ringside and were both counted out. They continued to exchange blows after the bell was rung but eventually came to a stop. I’ll give this one a 1/10. Boring. The Fink announces that they’ve been counted out. Monsoon sends it to McMahon and Hayes... ...who is once again all over this Susan woman, this time he’s kissing her on the cheek. And, yes, she still looks very uncomfortable. McMahon and Hayes then review the upcoming semi-final matches. Hayes notes that the Dynamite Kid has wrestled two easy matches while the JYD has benefited from the luck of the draw. That lucky continues as he gets as bye in the next round (since Orndorff and Santana were both counted out). Jesse and Gorilla discuss the tournament before sending it to The Fink as the distinct sound of bagpipes fills the air. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper makes his grand entrance to huge boos from the crowd. Monsoon sends it back to Mean Gene... ...who is with the WWF Champion, Hulk Hogan. Hogan’s wearing his “American Made” t-shirt! Hogan says he’s ready for Piper and the whole world will get to see Hulk-a-mania run wild on Piper. Mean Gene sends it back to The Fink. The Fink announces that this WWF Championship match has a 1 hour time limit. He then introduces Piper before Hogan makes his grand entrance. Hulk Hogan def. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper via DQEntertaining match although it’s hardly a classic. It started off red hot and it retained that heat throughout the entire match. Piper would eventually lock on his sleeper hold but everyone knew Hogan wasn’t going to submit. Hogan ended up locking on a sleeper of his own...until Bob Orton made the save, hitting Hogan with his cast! The match ends in a DQ! Paul Orndorff would make the save, bringing a steel chair into the ring! Orndorff quickly chases them away. I’ll give this one a 6/10. The Fink announces Hogan as the winner of the match (to the crowd’s delight). Hogan and Orndorff then flex (to the crowd’s delight). Monsoon sends it back to Mean Gene... ...who is with the JYD. Mean Gene asks the JYD about his incredible luck of the draw. JYD says he’s lost nearly 20lbs preparing for this tournament and he hopes his hard work pays off. Jimmy Hart then interrupts, screaming at JYD. Mean Gene sends it back to Monsoon and Ventura, who send it to The Fink. “Macho Man” Randy Savage w/Miss Elizabeth def. The Dynamite KidShort match with a really nutty finish. Both men went back and forth exchanging holds, Macho played up on the cowardly heel act, Kid the determined face, etc. The end saw Dynamite Kid nail a picture perfect Superplex from the top rope...but Macho Man used their momentum against Kid by rolling him up for the 1-2-3. I’m not sure how I feel about the finish, guys. Either way, this match wasn’t anything special. It pains me to give these matches such low scores because of the wrestlers involved but these are short matches with dramatic finishes. Some of them worked, most of them didn’t. This one works because it added to Macho Man’s streak of getting away with tactics to advance all the way to the end of the tournament. I ’ll give this a 4/10. Miss Elizabeth carries Macho Man up the ramp and to the back. Monsoon and Ventura review the finish of the match. Monsoon sends it back to Vince and Susan. They announce the winner of the Silver Cloud III Rolls Royce. Susan says she’s never ridden in a Rolls Royce. Vince then introduces footage of the Rolls Royce. Susan says she wishes she could be in it right now. I bet she does. Vince sends it to Hayes and The Fink. The Fink announces the special presentation of the Rolls Royce classic. But before that, The Fink introduces a few guests who wish to make statements. The first guest? Jack Tunney! Tunney says that this sweepstake is the largest one the WWF has ever done! The fans are booing. The second guest? The Director of Promotions, Basil DeVito. This guy thanks everyone for their participation in this sweepstakes. The last gentlemen? Ed Fibbersoth (?), Director of Marketing. The poor bastard is getting booed as he says how the winner was picked. WHY WAS THIS SEGMENT NECESSARY?!?! Anyways, this guy gives Hayes the envelope with the winner’s name. At this point, someone threw garbage in the ring. This is hilarious. What a disaster. Hayes takes forever to announce the winner. The winner is a guy named Michael Hamley, who is promptly booed loudly. We go back to Monsoon and Ventura, who congratulate Michael. They then send it back to Mean Gene. Mean Gene is the in the locker room of Hulk Hogan. Mean Gene warns the cameraman to keep the shot “above the waist” as wrestlers are getting out of the shower. Hulk Hogan says he’ll take on Piper and Orton any place, any time. Orndorff agrees, saying that he’s tired of the outside interference between Piper and Orton. Orndorff says he and Hogan are blood and “you can bank on that.” Hogan has to have the last word, saying he and Orndorff have a surprise for Piper and Orton. We’re back with Monsoon and Ventura, who discuss the situation between these four men. They then send it to The Fink, who announces the final competitors of the tournament. The Junkyard Dog def. “The Macho Man” Randy Savage w/Miss Elizabeth by CountoutBoring match. Macho Man spent the beginning of the match constantly dodging JYD; hell, it seemed like forever until they finally got things going. At one point, Macho Man threw a chair at JYD, who caught the chair, and promptly banged it across his own head. Macho Man would dominate most of the match before JYD mounted a comeback with a trio of headbutts. Those proved to be the beginning of the end for Macho Man, would eventually be knocked outside the ring and, thus, counted out. I’ll give this a 3/10.The Fink announces JYD as the winner of the tournament. Mean Gene enters the ring and scores an immediate interview with the winner of this 16-man tournament. Jesse Ventura, however, has other ideas. Ventura interrupts the in-ring interview and says he’s protesting JYD’s victory because JYD didn’t wrestle as much as Macho Man! Mean Gene sends it back to Monsoon. Shame for JYD as he doesn’t get to make a victory speech IN HIS HOME TOWN!!! Back to Monsoon and Ventura, who send it back to Vince McMahon. Vince is with Alfred and Susan. Vince runs down what occurred – including that Rolls Royce debacle – before sending us off. Credits begin to roll as various still photos from throughout the event serve as background. ----- This was a disappointing event, especially when you consider most of the competitors involved in the tournament. I feel that the WWF should've cut the tournament in half (8) and truly given us the best of the best. Imagine if most of those matches had gotten more time?!? It would've been one of the biggest cards in WWF history and definintely better than WrestleMania (although it didn't have all the pomo and circumstances that 'Mania had). Production was good excpet for a minor hiccup here and there. And, yes, Lord Alfred Hayes is still terrible although he improved leaps and bounds from his WrestleMania appearance. WHO WAS THIS SUSAN LADY?!? Will my question ever be answered?!?! Good things that stood out: The amount of pure talent the WWF had on its roster. It was truly a who's who of wrestling's great. But, that leads me to... Bad things that stood out: Most of this collection of "who's who" of wrestling didn't get a chance to shine. Their matches ranged from 4-6 minutes in length and a lot of the action was slow right off the bat. I'll give this enire event a 4.5/10---- Up Next: Starrcade '85: |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Sept 29, 2014 9:41:37 GMT -5
I know that I've been slacking on my reviews, but I've been watching the history of Hell in a Cell Pay-Per-Views for my upcoming Podcast reviews with my friend Heather. My next written review will be of Royal Rumble 2003 and that should be up by the weekend. I'm recording the podcasts with Heather on Wednesday.
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Oct 4, 2014 9:29:52 GMT -5
Royal Rumble 2003
January 19th, 2003 – Fleet Center in Boston, Massachusetts – Attendance: 15,338
So, the average score for the 2002 shows that I reviewed was about a 6.5, which would fall into the above average category. The post WrestleMania/pre-SummerSlam stuff was rough at times. All in all though, I know that 2002 is a great year with SummerSlam, the Rumble and Survivor Series being the best shows. Onto 2003, Kurt Angle was the WWE Champion and had just introduced one of my favorite tag teams ever, Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin. Meanwhile, Scott Steiner was gearing up for a big program with Triple H over big gold. 2003 is another year that I remember some stuff fondly from so let's get right into it, especially since Royal Rumble Pay-Per-Views are almost always great. Also, this is the first ever brand split Royal Rumble.
The opening video really does a good job putting over how important it is to main event WrestleMania, and what the Royal Rumble means for that. Nothing else really happens before the first match as we go right to that. Commentary teams are the usual Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross for Raw, and Michael Cole and Tazz for Smackdown.
Royal Rumble Qualifying Match
Big Show w/ Paul Heyman vs. Brock Lesnar
WELP! HERE COMES THE PAIN! It's so odd seeing Brock Lesnar as a face. They start by brawling until Brock impresses like he did at Survivor Series by overhead belly to belly suplexing Show twice in a row. Show blocks a third with a choke hold and he manhandles Brock by tossing outside with ease. Show gets in his offense for a bit but Brock hits a big German suplex for two. Paul Heyman grabs his leg in the referee's view but there's no disqualification called. It's like it's a WCW referee or something. Show hits a big boot and calls for the Chokeslam, but Brock stops him. He hits yet another suplex and brings Heyman in the ring the hard way. He tries to F5 Heyman but gets chokeslam instead. Brock kicks out to genuine surprise from the majority of the fans and myself. He blocks a second one, knocks Heyman off the apron and hits Show with an F5 to advance to the Royal Rumble.
Winner: Brock Lesnar in 6:29
Fine choice for an opener. Brock Lesnar was an incredibly hot act, the fans were into it and it was kept relatively short. **1/2
Terri Runnels interviews Chris Jericho, who is sporting his excellent “Don't be an Ass Clown” shirt. He says that he picked the #2 entry number because HBK got #1. Also, because he's Jericho, he has to bring up being the first ever Undisputed Champion.
World Tag Team Championship
Lance Storm and William Regal (c) vs. The Dudley Boyz
They built an entire Fatal Four Way match at Armageddon around Goldust not being a weak link and winning the Tag Titles with Booker, only to lose them to Storm and Regal before the next Pay-Per-View? Bubba Ray and Storm start things off and I'm just thinking “ECW! ECW! ECW!” D-Von and Regal get tagged and do some basic stuff. Regal and Storm isolate D-Von in what can be considered a hate crime. Bubba Ray gets the hot tag and splashes the champions in the corner while shouting “DIE YOU BLOODY WANKER”. Interesting. Bubba hits a sweet German suplex on Storm for two. Bubba Bomb on Storm is followed by a pin that's broken up by Regal. D-Von blind tags in and it's time for “WASSSUPP!” Instead of D-Von getting the tables, Storm gets a double flapjack and the Dudleys call for 3D. Chief Morley comes out and distracts the official, so Regal gets brass knuckles. It fails as gets the 3D anyway. D-Von knocks out Storm with the knuckles and they win, so Morley coming out was useless.
Winner and New World Tag Team Champions: The Dudley Boyz in 7:24
The Dudley Boyz were hot since they had just reunited, but this was nothing to write home about. It was really basic but wasn't insulting or anything. **1/4
We get a vignette for the “Colossus of Boggo Road”, otherwise known as Nathan Jones, otherwise known as one of the bigger letdowns in WWE history.
Dawn Marie vs. Torrie Wilson
I have to admit that it's cool that the Smackdown women got a big angle like this even though the Women's Title was exclusive to Raw. Dawn starts by slapping Torrie to the mat, but Torrie responds with a slingshot into nothing. Torrie actually goes for a German suplex, proving that she watches Smackdown weekly. Dawn counters with a good looking armbar but breaks it for no real reason. She actually continues to work the arm, which is surprising. Who knew that these two could work psychology? Forget what I said because Torrie forgets to sell the arm as she hits an arm drag. Dawn retaliates with a springboard clotheslines and no, I didn't make that up. Torrie hits a swinging neckbreaker from out of nowhere and wins.
Winner: Torrie Wilson in 3:36
They tried. There was some arm work, and Torrie went to back to selling it after the match. As I said, I give them points for effort. *1/4
Stephanie McMahon is walking backstage when she sees Eric Bischoff talking to a nerdy looking Randy Orton. She interrupts and it seems they both want to recruit him. He leaves, allowing Stephanie and Eric to banter. Bischoff has a “bombshell” that he's going to drop to save his job. Stephanie claims to have a bombshell to drop on Smackdown.
A Sean O'Haire, rest in peace, segment is shown. I, along with a lot of other people, thought there was potential in this character. Sadly, it went nowhere. So, O'Haire and Nathan Jones promos on the same show and both were failed experiments.
World Heavyweight Championship
Triple H (c) w/ Ric Flair vs. Scott Steiner
I remember how much of a big deal this had the potential to be, but it would've been huge had it happened in 2001. Trips was coming off of a huge 2000 and Steiner was WCW's hottest star arguably. Triple H has red trunks, which I know wasn't something he did often and he also looks fatter than usual here. A fits fight starts things and Steiner gains the upper hand. He press slams the Champion, who rolls outside to rest. Steiner gets him out there and suplexes him back in. He hits the flex elbow and applies a Boston Crab but HHH breaks it. HHH hits the knee to face but Steiner no sells and locks in a bearhug. Well, this is getting boring quickly. HHH rakes the eyes to break it and Steiner does his first impressive move as he hits a nice belly to belly. He tries the Recliner but Flair pulls HHH out. This allows The Game to hop in the driver's seat as he hits a swinging neckbreaker. Steiner shows more resolve than Dawn Marie because he kicks out. Flair gets in some cheating tactics that draw cheers from the fans. Steiner blocks a Pedigree and hits a very delayed catapult as he's clearly blown up. He hits a suplex and falls down. Literally falls on his own. HHH eats four more belly to belly suplexes as Steiner looks like he's going to die. The crowd has turned on him. Steiner botches a butterfly suplex terribly and hears it from the crowd. HHH and Flair decides to try and leave after a superplex but Steiner stops them with a weak shot. HHH blades and when they get to the ring, Steiner hits, you guessed it, another belly to belly. Steiner stops HHH from leaving again and does push ups but the crowd couldn't care less. Flair distracts Steiner and HHH throws Hebner out of the ring. Hebner violently shakes his head saying he won't disqualify HHH. He wants a clean finish. So Steiner hits a belly to belly again. HHH fights back with a low blow for two before getting the sledgehammer. He hits Steiner with it, causing the disqualification that Hebner said he wouldn't call.
Winner via disqualification: Scott Steiner in 18:14
That was terrible. The match had no redeeming qualities. Steiner sucked hard and was blown up within minutes. The finish was stupid, the match dragged and everything was bad. DUD
Post match, Scott Steiner stops Triple H's sledgehammer attack and takes out both him and Ric Flair but the crowd still doesn't care. We can also see Steiner's thong, which takes away from it.
WWE Championship
Kurt Angle (c) w/ Team Angle vs. Chris Benoit
Team Angle had just debuted and they are one of my favorite tag teams of all time. However, they step in between Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle before the match and get ejected. They start by feeling each other out with some sold wrestling holds and exchanges as one would expect from these two. Angle hits a nice suplex for a near fall as Tazz reminds us that these two were WWE Tag Team Champions a few months ago. Benoit lights up Angle's chest in the corner a few times. He attempts the flying headbutt early on but Angle moves out of the way and goes for the Angle Slam. Benoit blocks and puts on the Sharpshooter only for Kurt to reach the ropes. Angle retaliates with a belly to belly that beats any of the 17 that Scott Steiner did. He goes all Samoa Joe as he locks in a rear naked choke but Benoit breaks free. As they get up they trade German suplexes like they did a few months prior at Unforgiven. Benoit goes up, but Angle meets him up top and hits a top rope belly to belly for two. Benoit mans up and apples the Crossface but Angle reaches the ropes. Benoit changes to an Ankle Lock until Kurt counters with his own. Benoit reverses to a Crossface but Angle reverses to the Angle Slam. These two are amazing. STRAPS ARE DOWN! Benoit blocks the Ankle Lock with a roll up and they trade Germans again. The last one was a release and Angle flips over. Benoit hits a DEEP diving headbutt, like literally across the ring. It only gets a near fall and Angle hits a second Angle Slam for two again. The crowd that died during the last match is alive and wide awake now. Crossface is on! It's reversed into the Ankle Lock! Benoit kicks him off but Angle goes right back to it and won't let go. Angle locks it in with his legs and I've never seen anyone break that. Benoit doesn't and is forced to tap out.
Winner and Still WWE Champion: Kurt Angle in 19:50
Here's the match that showed everyone that Chris Benoit could be the top Champion. This was outstanding and damn near perfect. These two seemingly can't have a bad match together and this is one of my favorite matches. 2003 has a tough job of topping this for Match of the Year already. ****3/4
After a commercial is shown, Chris Benoit is back to his feet and receives a standing ovation from the 15,000+ in Boston there. Great moment. We then cut to RVD and Kane in the back as they discuss the Royal Rumble and how, even though they're teammates, the Rumble is every man for himself. RVD's shirt has a hole in the underarm.
Royal Rumble Match
As we knew from earlier, Shawn Michaels is number one. Number two is Chris Jericho, but his partner Christian is disguised as him in the entrance. This allows Jericho to sneak in from behind and hit HBK with a low blow. He gets a chair and whacks Shawn in the skull, who is now busted open. Chris Nowinski draws the next number and stays outside to let this storyline develop in the ring. Jericho dances as he continues to punch Shawn. Jericho eliminates Michaels' lifeless body to a ton of heat. Back to cheers as Rey Mysterio draws number four. Rey flies around and hits springboard moves while Nowinski stays outside. Rey holds on in a creative way as Nowinski enters and they double team him. Rey's partner to the rescue as Edge runs out at 5. He Spears the world and they knock the heels out before going at each other. Edge nearly goes over and I swear that his long ass legs touched the mat. Rey springboards in but gets caught with a powerbomb. Christian joins the fray for real in his stupid tank top attire. He hugs Edge but eats a Spear. Nowinski thinks he eliminates Edge and Rey but they hold on and double dropkick him, though Edge whiffs. Bronco Buster for Nowinski as number seven, Chavo Guerrero, arrives to his badass LWO theme. He gets fancy with Rey who then hits Christian with the 619 and disposes of Nowinski. Jericho then clotheslines Rey out, which shocked me. Besides Nowinski, the other entrants have all been good to great. Tajiri is number eight. Nothing of note happens here. Bill Demott (your name is Hugh Morris. What? Hugh Morris. What? Is that funny? Is that humorous?) He gets no pop.
Things get extreme as Tommy Dreamer draws number ten. “ECW” chants ring out as he beats up everyone with a kendo stick. Edge helps him, which is the opposite of their 2006 feud. Vitamin C hit him with trash can lids and eliminate Tommy quickly. I must have missed something because Demott is gone. Tajiri goes for the tarantula but Jericho blocks and tosses him, ending JR's rant about how Tajiri had a shot. B2 is out, holding his shoulder for some reason, and lasts about 15 seconds. Chavo hangs on but eats a Spear and we have an all Canadian rumble as it's Edge, Christian and Jericho. Jericho, to continue the HBK feud, skins the cat like it's 1995 and tosses Edge and Christian, leaving himself alone. RVD draws number 12 and these are two guys who can still be counted on to deliver good matches, eleven years later. They have a fun 90 seconds as Jericho survives near elimination. Matt strongly dislikes mustard is today's Matt Fact at Matt joins in next. The heels double team RVD but he fights them off. Side note, Matt's MF-er, Shannon Moore came to ringside with him. RVD hits the Five Star on Jericho as the buzzer sounds and Eddie Guerrero runs out at 14. He gets a monkey flip from RVD that he sells like a champ. Matt stands tall after everyone goes down and Jeff draws 15. The crowd pops as Matt tries to team up but Jeff beats him down. Remember when people thought Matt would go further than his brother? He tosses Matt but Moore props himself under him to keep him in the match. Brilliant! Moore and Matt take a Swanton as 16, Rosey, enters. 3 Minute Warning's theme is dubbed over and I hate life. Test enters at 17 and he gets a pop purely because he's with Stacy Keibler. He dominates actually and JR mentions that Test lasted the longest of anyone in 2000. John Cena arrives next, rapping his way to the ring. It sounds terrible. He wastes about 80 of his 90 seconds doing this. One of my favorites ever, Charlie Haas comes in at 19. RVD knocks Jeff off the top to eliminate him and this has been a Rumble full of talent for the most part.
Number twenty arrives and it's Rikishi. He beats up on Matt and Shannon until Jamal, also known as Umaga, enters. The ring is getting full, which means we need Kane to come in soon and clean house. Jamal eats a stink face. Ask and I shall receive as Kane draws 22. He levels pretty much everyone in the match and even gets Rico, who was outside. He impressively eliminates Rosey and double Chokeslams Matt and Shannon. He goes to dispose of Jericho who hangs on in the most impressive way I have ever seen. Shelton Benjamin draws 23 and instantly does his finisher with Haas. CAN YOU DIG IT SUCKA?! Booker T comes out next and I remember how hot he was at the time. Flapjack on Matt and its SPINAROONIE time! He eliminates Eddie who looks like he messes up his knee on the landing. A-Train is next and he dominates, slamming guys who are much more talented until he eats a kick from Rikishi. Shawn Michaels runs back out and trades shots with Jericho! This allows Test to finally eliminate Jericho, ending a fantastic performance. Michaels launches himself onto Jericho and their brawl continues. Maven, who still hasn't been eliminated from the 2002 Royal Rumble, enters next and goes against Kane. For a former teacher, he's pretty dumb. Goldust draws 27 and he is not in 2014 shape. It's crazy how fantastic he looks now. He shatters Maven's dreams before targeting Haas and Benjamin. Haas dumps him out. DONT MESS WITH THE WORLD'S GREATEST TAG TEAM! They then eliminate the Booker Man. Batista enters at 28 and does good until Test slams him. Test goes to big boot him out, but Batista ducks and he goes over. He then eliminates Rikishi as number 29, Brock Lesnar, joins the fray. He comes in and eliminates Team Angle at the same time before F5ing Matt out of the ring and onto them. DEAD MAN WALKING, Undertaker draws number thirty in his return. He gets rid of Cena and Jamal before Maven dropkicks him and thinks it worked like last year. It didn't. Taker throws him out before A-Train hits a Baldo Bomb on him. Poor RVD is left with A-Train, Kane, Batista, Brock and Undertaker. RVD and Kane work as a team to dump out A-Train before Kane turns on him and eliminates him. RVD understands though, because “whatever, it's cool.” Undertaker and Brock face off, just months after their Hell in a Cell battle but Kane and Batista join in. The four brutes beat each other down and Brock F5s Kane. We get some close calls before Undertaker Tombstones Brock. He then eliminates Batista, leaving Brock alone with the Brothers of Destruction. Taker turns on Kane and eliminates him. Batista jumps back in with a chair but Taker hits him, though it allows Brock to sneak in and win.
Winner: Brock Lesnar in 53:41
Pretty fun Royal Rumble. Chris Jericho was outstanding in arguably the most underrated performances in Rumble history. A lot of fun spots and some solid storytelling. ***3/4
Undertaker gets back in the ring and slaps hands with Brock in a “you got me” sort of way before Brock celebrates to close the show.
Overall: 7/10; Good. The worst of the Royal Rumbles that I've reviewed so far but not bad at all. The first two matches were decent and the women's match was what it should have been. The World Title match is one of the worst I've ever seen but the Royal Rumble was damn good. However, the show stealer was the WWE Title match which is one of the best matches I've ever seen. |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Oct 5, 2014 22:11:14 GMT -5
WWF Monday Night Raw Episode 1
January 11th, 1993 – Manhattan Center in New York City, New York
As an exclusive for The Fan's Podcast, I will be really going through the years as I start reviewing the available programs on the WWE Network in order, starting with the first ever episode of Monday Night Raw. That means that I will be reviewing every episode of Raw and the Pay-Per-Views that they lead up, chronologically. I felt that this would be a cool experiment, so the WWE needs to start adding more Raws soon because I plan on getting through this rather quickly. Fun fact, Raw premiered on my third birthday! I will still have some of my other reviews posted but this is my main focus on The Fan's Podcast. Hope you all enjoy it!
The first ever Raw opens with a shot of Sean Mooney outside of the Manhattan Center, a place I've been numerous times. Bobby Heenan tries to enter but is told that he's been replaced. For those who don't know, it will be a recurring theme throughout the night. We get the Raw intro video which is standard stuff for 1993. The crowd at the Grand Ballroom in the Manhattan Center is pretty jacked. Commentary consists of Vince McMahon, Randy Savage and Rob Bartlett. Already in the crowd I spot Vlad the Superfan and I think Mikey Whipwreck. I could be wrong about the second one though.
Koko B. Ware vs. Yokozuna
“The Birdman” is part of High Energy at this time, so he comes out to Owen Hart's future “King of Harts” theme. It is noted that Yokozuna is undefeated and Bartlett chimes in that “he has an ass like an amphitheater.” Koko tries to tie up with Yoko but keeps getting tossed across the ring. Yoko drops a big leg, or really his rear end on Koko. How strange is it that Koko is in the Hall of Fame? Yoko charges into the corner to squash Koko before hitting the Banzai Drop, actually squashing him to end it.
Winner: Yokozuna in 3:45
This was exactly what you'd expect during this time period. Yokozuna was headed towards a big push and Koko wasn't. *
A promo airs for the Royal Rumble, which is about two weeks away. We are told that Bret Hart is set to defend his WWF Title against relative newcomer Razor Ramon. Back in the arena, a ring girl walks around with a Monday Night Raw sign as if this were boxing. I get the logic behind this though.
A pre-taped promo airs of Bobby Heenan badmouthing Mr. Perfect while talking up the Narcissist. A feud between the Narcissist and Mr. Perfect writes itself actually.
The Steiner Brothers vs. The Executioners
Much like the opening match, it's clear how this will go. The Steiner Brothers joining the WWF was a big deal at the time. Doink the Clown can be seen in the crowd interacting with the fans which is relatively cool. Scott and Rick take turns beating on an Executioner. He botches falling into the ropes before Rick drives him into the turnbuckle. Scott tags in and hits a belly to belly suplex, which I saw about 400 of when I watched his Royal Rumble match with Triple H ten years later. Scott hits a butterfly suplex before they nail their bulldog finisher to end it.
Winners: The Steiner Brothers in 3:01
Nice little showcase for the Steiners. It was all Steiners as it should be and they looked good. **
Bobby Heenan, dressed as a woman, is trying to enter the building still. He claims to be Rob Bartlett's aunt until he's found out. Back in the ring, Razor Ramon gets interviewed by Vince McMahon about his upcoming WWF Title match. They show clips of Razor attacking Owen Hart. The biggest issue here is that it was hard to buy Razor as a credible threat since he had just debuted a few months prior.
WWF Intercontinental Championship
Shawn Michaels (c) vs. Max Moon
For those who don't know, Max Moon was Konan and somehow he got an Intercontinental Title match. Moon looks like a spaceman of sorts. They have a nice exchange to start as Moon hits some hip tosses and a bodyslam that causes HBK to take a breather. Moon applies a hammerlock out of a cross body which was cool. Shawn gets out and starts to work over Moon, hitting a nice dropkick. Commentary discusses Shawn's upcoming title defense, if he retains here, against Mart Jannetty at the Royal Rumble. Middle of the match “Mike Tyson” calls in but it's just Rob Bartlett and an awful impersonation. Moon surprises with a near fall using a small package so Shawn gets mad and wails on him. He applies a headlock but Moon gets out and slingshots HBK over and to the outside. He leaps from the apron onto him and this is more competitive than I expected. Spinning heel kick in the corner, followed by a rolling press gets Moon two. Moon misses a somersault and eats the Superkick and teardrop suplex to end it.
Winner and Still WWF Intercontinental Champion: Shawn Michaels in 10:00
Match of the night. I enjoyed this and thought it was better than it had any right to be. Michaels should've got in more of the offense though. **1/2
Royal Rumble Report! Brought to you by...ICOPRO! I used to love these reports. They discuss the Shawn Michaels/Marty Jannetty Intercontinental Title match and the side story of how Sherri will be at ringside and they aren't sure which side she will be on. They also touch on the WWF Title match and the Royal Rumble itself.
Outside, Bobby Heenan is trying to get in again, with a fake beard and everything. Next, we see action from this past week's SuperStars where Kamala turned faced and sided with Slick. I wonder what the fans in the arena did during all of this since there weren't any jumbo trons to watch this on. Were they just sitting there?
Damien Damento vs. The Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer
This should be short. Damien Damento makes the mistake of trying a back body drop and gets slammed face first to the mat. Undertaker follows with what is now known as Old School. He chokes the jobber in the corner but eats a boot. Damento hits a poor looking double axe handle and a shoulder block but Undertaker sits up. Taker hits a big flying clothesline that comes off like a shoulder block, before planting him with the Tombstone to win.
Winner: The Undertaker in 2:26
The squash match you expected this to be. *
Vince McMahon makes another dumb pop culture joke about a Steel Cage match next week between Woody Allen and Mia Farrow. To end the show, he interviews Doink and Crush interrupts. Crush tries to be tough but sounds stupid with his awful Hawaiian accent, so Doink sprays him with water and runs away.
Overall: 7/10. Good. Obviously as a fan you should watch this, if only for the historical purposes. However, this was fine for a first episode. It introduced the next big star in Yokozuna, showcased the hot new tag team in the Steiner Brothers and another big and different star in The Undertaker. You also get a solid Intercontinental Title match and some fun Bobby Heenan stuff. The only real issue I had was the constant dumb pop culture references as the WWF tried too hard to be cool.
WWF Monday Night Raw Episode 2
January 18th, 1993 – Manhattan Center in New York City, New York
Just six days away from the 1993 Royal Rumble, episode 2 of Raw looks to build on the success that was the first episode. Commentary is once again Macho Man, Vince McMahon and Rob Bartlett. As the show is introduced, Macho Man is attacked from behind by the Repo Man, who then runs off and repossess his signature hat. CONTROVERSY!
Mr. Perfect vs. Terrific Terry Taylor
I've heard, and I'm not sure who accurate this is, that these two were basically a coin flip away from debuting with different gimmicks in the earlier 90's. Curt Hennig as the Red Rooster is a thought that saddens me. As they have a feeling out process, Macho Man returns to commentary because he couldn't find Repo Man. Perfect gets the upper hand and Taylor runs around the ring. The crowd is relatively hot for this. Perfect applies a headlock takeover as Bobby Heenan calls in. He's upset about how he has been replaced by Rob Bartlett of all people. They go to commercial as Perfect has a hammerlock applied. Taylor has the upper hand when they return, hitting a jaw and backbreaker for two. Taylor executes a sweet spine buster and gut wrench powerbomb for two near falls. Perfect rallies with a huge inverted atomic drop, which is the most 90's move you could hit. He hits the neck snap as Ric Flair walks to the ring. He attacks Perfect behind the official's back but once Perfect is rolled back in, he blocks a suplex and counters with the Perfect Plex for three.
Winner: Mr. Perfect in 10:31
Solid opening contest. Continued Mr. Perfect's push and Terry Taylor looked good. All in all, can't ask for much more. **3/4
We get ICOPRO and Slim Jim ads and I love that these are still on the WWE Network. Vince McMahon introduces the WWF Champion, Bret Hart. He discusses Razor Ramon's recent attack on Owen Hart. He is not happy with Razor saying he'd slap Stu Hart, who was going to be 78 in 1993. My goodness. Did it's job, but I wish him or Razor had a match on one of these episodes to promote the match. Bret doesn't get enough credit for his promo work.
Glen Ruth vs. Marty Jannetty
You should see the attires these two guys are sporting. So many colors. Marty Jannetty gets leveled from behind by Glen Ruth but quickly gets back in control. Ruth cowers in the corner but Marty hits him with a deep arm drag. Shawn Michaels dials in to hype his Intercontinental Title match this Sunday. Marty hits a nice suplex as this has gone on longer than expected. I guess it's to give HBK time to talk. Ruth actually does a wrist lock but I wouldn't really consider it offense. This has been filled with arm drags, hammerlocks and wrist locks. So, consistency for arm work I guess. Marty hits the Rocker Dropper to win.
Winner: Marty Jannetty in 5:10
Boring. Too much useless arm work that didn't play into the end and it's like they were killing time. *
An ad airs for the Royal Rumble before we go to a clip from SuperStars where Doink beats up Crush with a fake arm. This actually made it all the way to a WrestleMania match. Think about that. Somehow, Crush suffered a concussion even though he was hit in the back.
Sean Mooney is outside and he interviews Repo Man. Macho Man doesn't even react until he sees that Repo Man has his hat. There are some things you just don't do to a man. To be fair, the hat doesn't even match Macho's jacket like it normally does. Royal Rumble Report time! It airs this Sunday at 4PM! It's more of the same except that The Berzerker is announced for the Rumble, making it an instant must watch.
El Matador vs. Ric Flair
Rob Bartlett commits a cardinal sin of wrestling by bashing Ric Flair's robes. El Matador hits some shoulder blocks to “Tito” chants from the fans before applying a headlock. Flair gets out but eats a clothesline and dropkick. They go to commercial during another headlock. Flair blocks a monkey flip and delivers short punches in the corner. He hits some chops but then gets back body dropped as Bartlett continues to be lame on commentary. Tito hits punches in the corner and the fans not counting in Spanish disappoints me. He slams Flair from the top causing Flair to cower and beg for mercy. El Matador calls for and nails the Flying Jalapeno! He goes for it again but falls outside. Mr. Perfect runs out and brings Flair out to brawl. Surprisingly, no disqualification is called. Sgt. Slaughter, Pat Patterson and officials come out to break it up and pull Mr. Perfect to the back.
Double Count Out in 8:40
I guess they called a double countout. This wasn't bad. Pretty basic stuff. **
Ric Flair angrily is interviewed by Vince McMahon. He challenges Mr. Perfect to a Loser Leaves WWF match next week, successfully booking the first big match in Raw history. After Flair leaves, Mr. Perfect comes out and accepts the challenge. Lastly, Repo Man is shown outside towing Bartlett's car.
Overall: 6/10; Average. Another cool little episode. We got a solid bout between Perfect and Taylor and Flair/Matador wasn't bad. The Jannetty match was pretty boring though. Everything did serve a purpose and built towards the Royal Rumble pretty well. The next review will be of the 1993 Royal Rumble. |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Oct 11, 2014 8:46:24 GMT -5
 Royal Rumble 1993
January 24th, 1993 – ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California – Attendance: 16,000
Here is the first of my Pay-Per-Views to review as part of “Raw History”. After just two episodes, it was time for the annual spectacular, the Royal Rumble. The previous year, Ric Flair won the WWF Title in what is widely considered the greatest Royal Rumble of all time. This year marks the first time that the winner is awarded a shot at the WWF Title in the main event of WrestleMania. Going into this show, only three matches were announced so I'm interested in what the rest of the card looks like.
Unlike Raw, commentary tonight consists of one of my favorite combinations ever, Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. They announce an opening tag match featuring the Steiners and a battle of the brutes pitting the Big Boss Man against Bam Bam Bigelow.
The Beverly Brothers vs. The Steiner Brothers
The Beverly Brothers had cool music but terrible attire. Heenan instantly makes me want him on Raw by calling Rick Steiner's headgear earmuffs. I have no clue which Beverly Brother is which so I'll just say that number one starts out against Scott. Scott gains the upper hand as I noticed that Bill Alfonso, the Manager of Champions, is the referee. Beverly One keeps complaining that Scott is pulling hair but he's clearly not. He exits for a breather as Scott hits a tilt a whirl gut wrench. Rick gets the tag and runs around the ring, shoving Beverly One off the apron. Beverly Two hits a powerslam but then gets hit with a huge one mid leap frog. The Beverly Brothers get in the driver's seat with some double team moves as they work on the lower back of Scott. I would think Rick would play face in peril. A Beverly locks in a Boston Crab so the other one comes in and drops an elbow on Scott. Scott hits a gut wrench suplex and makes the hot tag. Rick comes in hot and hits dual STEINERLINES! Scott ends up coming back in and hitting the Frankensteiner to win.
Winners: The Steiner Brothers in 10:34
Basic but boring stuff here. The Steiners got a win to continue their momentum as the new hot tag team. Nothing special though. *3/4
Bobby Heenan shows up highlights using the “Brain Cam” which I love. Gorilla Monsoon then takes us to the recap of the Shawn Michaels vs. Marty Jannetty feud.
WWF Intercontinental Championship
Shawn Michaels (c) vs. Marty Jannetty
Sherri comes out first as promised. Marty Jannetty is wearing an absurd outfit. More ridiculous than most of the stuff he usually wears. Jannetty starts in control and we get an early Michaels corner bump before a knee lift takes him outside. Marty follows with a bad looking suicide dive that barely gets a reaction. He continues to give Shawn no chance to rest by going for a flying punch but HBK nails him. Shawn wastes time by beating on Marty outside and in the aisle, trying to earn the countout win. He goes to the arm for a bit as Sherri looks concerned. Marty taps out while in a submission, but this is before tap outs so it's seen as him rallying. Jannetty turns the tide with a spot I hate as he kicks Shawn who was coming of the top rope. He suplexes Shawn to the outside, which I don't remember seeing during this era. Sherri checks on Shawn and slaps him to a huge pop. Back inside, Marty sends Shawn in for another corner bump and he falls outside. That lasts all of five seconds as Marty brings things back in. He connects misses a fist drop but hits a poor looking DDT for two. Shawn goes for the Superkick but Marty ducks and hits one of his own for another near fall. A series of pin counters ends as Marty slingshots Shawn and gets a final two. Shawn goes to punch Marty but elbows the referee in the midst. Sherri goes to his Shawn with her heel but Shawn ducks and Marty gets hit. Shawn threatens Sherri before kicking Marty, who oversells HARD by flipping and this thing is over.
Winner and Still WWF Intercontinental Champion: Shawn Michaels in 14:20
Started very bland but picked up near the end. The finishing sequence was good but the actual ending seemed awkward. **3/4
Mean Gene tries to interview the hysterical Sherri as Shawn Michaels comes up to her. Marty Jannetty runs up and they continue to brawl proving that this feud is far from over.
Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Big Boss Man
Three named big guys go at it. I've always felt these were two relatively impressive and underrated guys for their size. However, I had no clue that Boss Man was in the WWF in 1993. Bigelow attacks at the start and knocks Boss Man outside. Boss Man retaliates with some shoulder blocks and a clothesline. I swear he has to be on the last legs of his WWF run. They botch a bulldog spot as Boss Man seems to not really care. Bigelow back body drops him outside so it's time for more stalling. Bam Bam continues to target the back for a while. Heenan tells Gorilla that if he can't handle this excitement he should take up collecting tropical fish. This wasn't funny, only ironic as there is nothing exciting going on. Bam Bam and Boss Man basically spooned for about three minutes in the middle of the ring. Boss Man fights back and hits his signature offense. Bam Bam will have none of that as he hits the diving headbutt and wins.
Winner: Bam Bam Bigelow in 10:11
Slow, boring and disappointing. I didn't like this at all. DUD
We then get clips of Razor Ramon attacking Owen Hart before they catch up with Razor at a Sacramento Kings game the day before. Like anyone wanted to pay to see early 90's Kings games.
WWF Championship
Bret Hart (c) vs. Razor Ramon
Bret Hart does his usual gimmick of giving his shades to a fan, so Razor Ramon throws his toothpick at the kid. Classic! Bret goes on the offensive but it backfires against the bigger Razor. Ever the technician, Bret targets the knee of his larger opponent. I love the psychology of a Bret Hart match. Bret applies a figure four but Razor reaches the ropes. I'm surprised to see Bret in control as normally the smaller face will be in trouble, but Bret just keeps working the leg. Razor sells the leg work but we have a turning point as he sends Bret rib first into the turnbuckle. He furthers the damage with rib breakers outside. Razor continues to focus on it and does an abdominal stretch which actually makes sense in the match and isn't a rest hold for the sake of rest holds. Bret tries to rally but Razor goes to a rest hold, this one was quick though. Forget what I said, he goes for a bearhug, one of my least favorite moves in all of pro wrestling. Bret bites Razor to break it as Gorilla Monsoon blatantly says that's fine, yet if Ric Flair or a heel did it, they would be despicable. Bret knocks Razor outside and follows with a suicide dive that's a thousand times better than Marty's earlier. I'd like to point out that I dig Bret's attire here. The most 90's move possible, the atomic drop is hit by Bret followed by his picture perfect backbreaker. Bret doesn't try the Sharpshooter because, as Heenan puts it, Razor's legs are too long. When he finally tries it, it fails because Razor's legs are indeed, too long. Razor gets on the offensive for a bit until Bret hits a back suplex. He goes for the second rope elbow but Razor gets his foot up. The Razor's Edge is signaled but Bret wriggles out and backslides Razor for a close near fall. Bret manages to counter a Razor move into a pin for two and while they lay on the ground, he intertwines the legs and applies the Sharpshooter! Razor gives up and it's over.
Winner and Still WWF Champion: Bret Hart in 17:52
Really good match from a psychological standpoint. Razor targeted the ribs and Bret worked the legs. The story of Razor being too lanky for the Sharpshooter played into the finish and I loved that. The main gripe is that nobody really bought a newcomer like Razor as a threat. ***1/2
Bobby Heenan goes to the entrance to finally reveal the Narcissist and it's Lex Luger. Luger shows off his body in front of three mirrors as Heenan orgasms over it. This segment goes for far too long. Next, Caesar and Cleopatra are introduced to promote WrestleMania IX which will take place at Caesar's Palace. Caesar reads from a scroll and it's lame.
Royal Rumble Match
After drawing number three and winning last year, Ric Flair enters at number one. Bob Backlund draws number two with no music and no one really cares. Monsoon says neither guy will be there at the end, and he made that mistake with Flair last year. Backlund does a ton of old school moves during this interval, proving that no matter the year, he works like it's the 80s. Papa Shango draws three and he's another guy I forgot was on the roster here. He goes after Backlund but Flair comes from behind and eliminates him quickly. Flair and Backlund continue to do battle until Ted Dibiase enters at number four because along with Flair, he has the worst luck with Rumble numbers. They pound on Backlund for the entire interval. Number five arrives in the form of Brian Knobbs, who nearly dumps Flair out. Dibiase eats the Pit Stop as number six, Virgil, runs in. He goes right after Ted as he and Knobbs double back drop him. Now, the three faces work over the two heels but Dibiase pulls down the rope to eliminate Knobbs. The man who drew seven is Jerry Lawler, one of my least favorite wrestlers ever. Flair rolls under the ropes for a breather. He gets back in shortly before eight, Max Moon comes out. Moon works over Flair and the eliminations are coming slowly. Moon skins the cat two years before HBK would make it famous. Number nine joins the fray and it's Tenyru, who gets zero pop from the fans. He chops Flair about a thousand times in the corner, leading to the Flair fall, to highlight this interval.
The buzzer sounds and Mr. Perfect sprints to the ring, causing Bobby Heenan to lose his mind. Perfect goes right after Flair and hits his signature spots. Also, I somehow missed it but Max Moon is gone. Monsoon promotes the Loser Leaves WWF match between Perfect and Flair scheduled for tomorrow night on Raw. Skinner, another on the “He's Still Employed?” list enters at 11, instantly attacking faces. Perfect surprises by tossing out Flair, who is livid. “THATS NOT FAIR TO FLAIR!” Koko B. ware draws 12 and his pants are RIDICULOUSLY high. Like, Urkel would be jealous. Skinner skins the cat, pun intended, but gets dropkicked by Perfect over and out anyway. Samu arrives at lucky number thirteen or, he's more dragged out by his hair by Afa. I'd like to point out, that with Flair gone, the only potential winner in there is Mr. Perfect. Fourteen appears and its The Berzerker. “HUSS!” Heenan gets upset that Monsoon is informed of the length that competitors have been in so far and he's not. Lawler is dumped out and Perfect comes close and ends up triple teamed out. Lawler is the final straw as he pulls Perfect out, further cementing my hatred of Lawler. For the way that Perfect has been built, he should've lasted until the end. The Undertaker enters at the halfway mark to a standing ovation. We have a new favorite. Berzerker slams Backlund on the outside but they went through the ropes. Undertaker cleans some house by dumping out Samu and Tenyru. At sixteen, Terrific Terry Taylor runs out and works over Koko. Ted Dibiase dumps out Koko and Taylor at the same time before eating a Chokeslam and getting eliminated himself. Undertaker and Berzerker do battle as the Giant Gonzalez walks out in his god awful attire. He's not in the Rumble though. Undertaker eliminates the Berzerker before turning towards Gonzalez. Heenan says he's 20 feet tall. Damien Damento draws seventeen while Taker and Gonzalez face off and Gonzalez knocks him over the top. They continue to fight as Damento waits patiently outside. IRS is eighteen but is in no hurry to join the fray. As Gonzalez exits and Taker is hurt, IRS and Damento beat up on Backlund before fighting each other. The final entrant of this paragraph, 19, is the undefeated Tatanka, who gets a decent pop. Undertaker keeps trying to get up and can barely do it.
With four guys in still, number twenty is Jerry Saggs. Ho hum. They begin to discuss Bob Backlund being this year's iron man, which I dislike. I feel like that spot should've gone to Mr. Perfect. Typhoon draws twenty-one and goes straight for Damento. I can't believe Damento is still in. Fatu enters at twenty-two, also being dragged by his hair by Afa. Saggs forgets Wrestling Rule #2 as he headbutts Fatu, which has zero effect on him. 23 arrives in the form of Earthquake and he surprisingly targets Typhoon. THE NATURAL DISASTERS EXPLODE! Typhoon charges at Earthquake who drops his shoulder and eliminates him. Carlos Colon draws twenty-four to no crowd reaction and rightfully so. He enters and barely does anything. Twenty-five is El Matador and Fatu gets dumped out off camera. Heenan says that Fatu threw himself out and Monsoon says nobody would do that even though Macho Man did it the previous year. The Model enters at twenty-six and goes right for Matador. STRIKE FORCE IMPLODES! Earthquake again ducks down, causing IRS to fly out of the ring. At lucky number 27 comes all 500 pounds of Yokozuna. Heenan says he's heavier because he's been eating rice and sushi non-stop. Tatanka tries his hand at attacking Yokozuna but gets tossed out and so does Colon. Earthquake faces off with Yokozuna but he's nowhere near the size of Yoko. The crowd is into it though. He tries to knock down Yoko but fails as Owen Hart comes in at 28. Earthquake avalanches him in the corner but Yoko moves on the second one and sends Earthquake over but it's sloppy. Repo Man draws 29, laughing on his way to the ring but then he stupidly targets Yokozuna and gets dropped. The whole ring tries to gang up and throw out Yokozuna but it's to no avail. The last entrant arrives and the crowd goes nuts for Macho Man! He beats up Repo Man for stealing his hat on Raw though commentary ignores that. Yokozuna tosses El Matador out. Owen dumps out Saggs before struggling to skin the cat after Martel throws him over. He survives only to get hip tossed hard by Yokozuna. Repo goes out too leaving the final four as Martel, Savage, Backlund and Yokozuna. Backlund dumps out Martel with a right hand while he's on the top. He then makes the mistake of targeting Yokozuna which quickly ends his hour long performance. Commentary keeps discussing the “ovation” Backlund is getting, but it's nonexistent. Savage rallies by making Yokozuna stagger and he gets him on the ropes. He hits two double axe handles and gets him to his knees but runs into a thrust kick. Savage rallies again and gets him to the floor before hitting the Elbow Drop! He goes for the cover like an idiot and Yokozuna powers out, sending him over the top.
Winner: Yokozuna in 56:35
Not the worst Royal Rumble, but not the best. Going with Bob Backlund as the Iron Man was a strange choice as his push didn't happen until 1994. That spot should've have been for Mr. Perfect. A final four of Perfect, Flair, Savage and Yokozuna made the most sense. There were too many boring spots to make this really good. **1/2
Overall: 5/10; Mediocre. It was a tale of good match, bad match. The opener was boring while the Intercontinental Title was solid. The Bigelow bout sucked but the WWF Title was really good. The Rumble itself lacked and could've been better which caused this to be a middle of the pack show. Now, we go on the Road to WrestleMania. |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Oct 18, 2014 17:11:34 GMT -5
Monday Night Raw “Loser Leaves WWF” [3]
January 25th, 1993 – Manhattan Center in Manhattan, New York
Coming off the Royal Rumble, we have a direction heading into WrestleMania IX as it is time to build towards Bret Hart vs. Yokozuna. Not only that, but we have our first ever big time match in Raw history as Mr. Perfect is set to face Ric Flair in a Loser Leaves WWF match. I'm seriously looking forward to this episode more than the first two combined.
We open to see Sean Mooney outside, awaiting the arrival of Repo Man. Repo Man arrives in the tow truck he left in last week. Tonight, Repo Man takes on the Macho Man! Bobby Heenan is finally on commentary, but we still have to deal with Rob Bartlett, who sucks.
“Macho Man” Randy Savage vs. Repo Man
Macho Man and his flower filled attire comes out before he's even announced and attacks Repo Man. They spill outside and you can see Repo Man's gut clearly. I can see why he wasn't around for much longer than this. They go inside only for Macho Man to hit a running knee that knocks Repo back outside. Repo uses the steel steps to turn the tide as he throws Macho Man into them and the ring post. As we go to commercial Macho Man seems to be rallying but when we return, Repo Man is still in control. He hits a snapmare and leg drop for two. As Repo works in a rest hold, commentary takes to discussing Hilary Clinton and trying to fit in as many pop culture references as possible. Macho Man would soon hit the Elbow Drop to claim victory.
Winner: “Macho Man” Randy Savage in 9:29
Rather dull. Macho Man did his best but Repo Man was not very good. **
A WrestleMania IX promo airs.
The Brooklyn Brawler vs. Kamala w/ Reverend Slick
Our first appearance of one of the WWF's most notorious jobbers, The Brooklyn Brawler. Two matches in and we get two pre-match attacks as Brawler nails Kamala from behind. It doesn't have much effect as Kamala body slams him. The Brawler begs for mercy but eats a side kick. Kamala works over the Brawler as Bartlett calls him fat. That's how you put over the face in the match. They talk about the Giant Gonzalez being near eight feet tall, leading to Heenan saying he's twenty foot ten. Kamala continues to squash Brawler and ends it with a splash. He does roll Brawler over too many times before pinning him, which was funny.
Winner: Kamala in 3:42
Your basic squash but it lasted far too long. *
Vince McMahon gets in the ring to interview the Reverend Slick and Kamala. Slick says a bunch of stuff about this being the rebirth of Kamala and whatnot. He's another guy that I feel isn't around for much longer this year.
Royal Rumble Report time! Mean “BY GAWD” Gene recaps the event from the previous night, hyping Yokozuna vs. Bret Hart mainly.
Loser Leaves WWF
Mr. Perfect vs. Ric Flair
Oh man, I'm excited for this one. It starts with basic wrestling sequences until Flair sells a slap in the face like he got shot. Perfect mocks Flair's hair slick as Flair steps outside to catch a breather and get consultation from Heenan. Back inside, they trade chops leading to the Flair flop, which leaves Bartlett and his lack of knowledge utterly befuddled. Flair threatens to use a chair as we got commercial but it doesn't happen. Flair continues to fire away with chops and short punches on Perfect's cheat. It must have happened during the break but Perfect is busted open. He goes for a hip toss but Perfect counters for a backslide that is stopped. He hits a backslide so Flair begs for mercy to no avail. Perfect hits punches in the corner along with the count of the crowd until Flair hits an inverted atomic drop for two. Perfect chops Flair and hits a floatover suplex for two, bringing Flair in from the apron. Bobby Heenan is frantic on commentary and it's beautiful. Flair has been watching Roddy Piper tapes as he applies a sleeper hold. They do the arm drop spot and of course Perfect hangs on before his arm drops a third time. He rallies and sends Flair into the turnbuckle. They both a weird spot just as Vince says they could go off the air before the match ends. Gee I'd be pissed as a fan! Perfect puts on a sleeper of his own but Flair reverses with a back suplex. Both men are tired as Flair locks in the Figure Four. He uses the ropes for leverage, because he's Ric Flair. Perfect turns the move over to break the hold so Flair decides to go up top. As always, he just gets slammed from the top as we go to our second break during this bout. Returning, Flair pulls out brass knuckles from his knee pad and lays out Perfect. He covers but ring presence is something he forgets about as Perfect gets his foot on the ropes. Flair lays into Perfect's forehead gash. He puts Perfect in the corner and chops him but Perfect Hulks Up! His adrenaline is pumping as he gets fired up and chops Flair a bunch in the corner, followed by a back body drop. He gets a near fall but you can feel that the end is near. Flair sends Perfect off the ropes and ducks for a back body drop but Perfect stops and nails the Perfect Plex to win!
Winner: Mr. Perfect in 17:47
The first great match in Raw history. Both men gave it their all, Bobby Heenan was classic on commentary and this was an early candidate for Match of the Year. ****
Bobby Heenan freaks out and curses on commentary as he exits with Ric Flair. Vince McMahon tells us that next week, we will see Doink vs. Typhoon!
Overall: 8/10; Great. The first episode mainly got an eight because it was solid and historic. This was the first episode to really be great. We got a conclusion to the Savage/Repo Man mini-feud, a squash and a classic match. Mr. Perfect should be moving towards a WWF Title match later in the year because he's on fire.
Monday Night Raw
Episode #4
February 1st, 1993 – Manhattan Center in Manhattan, New York
Can the WWF continue off of a great episode of Raw? Let's find out. For the first time, we go straight into a match. Commentary is back to Vince McMahon, Macho Man and Rob Bartlett.
Damien Damento vs. Tatanka
I must have missed it on the first episode but Damien Damento is introduced as hailing from the “outer reaches of your mind.” Tatanka hits a hip toss and body slam before knocking Damento outside. Instead of regrouping, Damento decides it's best to talk to the heavens for some reason. Back inside, Damento uses an eye rake to take control and he connects with a big clothesline. Damento continues with a big leg drop for a near fall. Vince reminds us that Tatanka is undefeated. Damento is getting in way more offense than I expected as he uses a rest hold to wear down the Native American. He rallies out and no sells a shot to the turnbuckle. He must be a Braves fan as he Tomahawk Chops and dances around before finishing off Damento.
Winner: Tatanka in 4:10
Nothing match really. Damento controlled too much of it for Tatanka to be impressive to me. *1/4
In a cool video, we see highlights of the WWF's recent live event at Madison Square Garden for “Headlock on Hunger.” It shows Bret Hart presenting a check for charity.
We return to see Vince McMahon in the ring as he is going to interview a returning great. It's Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake. So, I guess we're false advertising now huh? They discuss his parasailing injury and how he's returning now. He talks about the rough times that he has had lately including getting a divorce and having family members die. They're showing shots of the crowd and they GIVE NO CARES. That is, until Beefcake mentions Hulk Hogan! Nope, they're still dull. It's an incredibly strange promo as he's just rambling. I hated this segment.
High Energy vs. “Iron” Mike Sharpe and Von Crush
The ring girls are terrible looking, even the ones who are not purposely ugly. For those who are unaware, Von Crush is the future Vito and he's not in good shape. Neither is Mike Sharpe, but he's awesome so it's okay. Sharpe and Owen start. While Sharpe overpowers Owen, he uses hit athleticism to take over. Double team offense works although they allow Sharpe to tag in Vito. I guess they figure he's an easier target. Koko hits a missile dropkick that allows Owen to get a rollup and a win.
Winners: High Energy in 1:31
Really short and not much happened. SQUASH
We go to a video of Doink attacking Crush with his fake arm on Superstars two weeks ago. This would keep Crush out of the Royal Rumble and he won't be returning for a few weeks.
Doink the Clown vs. Typhoon
Add Typhoon to the list of guys that I don't recall lasting long in 1993. Doink wisely goes for the big man's legs and shows that he's such a good wrestler. I just remembered that Typhoon would go on to have a SHOCKING debut in WCW soon. Doink continues to work various holds to wear down Typhoon until he breaks free and applies a bearhug. Doink rakes the eyes to break it and goes back to a front face lock. Typhoon gets out and hits a slam but misses a corner splash. Doink hits a second rope shoulder block and earns the win with a handful of tights.
Winner: Doink in 3:11
Boring contest that too many slow and wear down holds. It made sense but wasn't fun. *1/2
Vince McMahon interviews Todd Pettengill about WWF Mania before we go to a ten bell salute for Andre the Giant, who had recently passed. We then get the ICOPRO and Slim Jim commercials, however, sandwiched in between was the awesome Hasbro action figure commercial. It makes me all nostalgic.
Bobby DeVito vs. Yokozuna w/ Mr. Fuji
Macho Man does such a great job at putting over talent, he's easily been the bright spot on commentary. Bobby DeVito is the future ECW Baldie, Tony DeVito. DeVito charges at Yokozuna like an idiot and it fails. Jim Duggan calls in because he is challenging Yokozuna. He's not too bright. While he rambles, Yokozuna continues to squash DeVito and ends it with the Banzai Drop.
Winner: Yokozuna in 2:02
Another squash. Tonight has not really had any competitive matches. SQUASH
Vince McMahon conducts a ringside interview with the WWF Tag Team Champions, Money Inc. Vince tries to get the fans to boo Ted Dibiase but it doesn't work so well. They badmouth Brutus Beefcake until Jimmy Hart comes out to try and get them to chill out even though he's their manager. Money Inc. challenges Beefcake next week to face either one of them.
Before the next match, The Narcissist poses in front of a mirror in the ring until he's interrupted by the sight of the biggest ring girl ever. We also see the incredible Mr. Perfect football vignette. The one where he throws the football to himself and his theme hits. You could say, it's the perfect vignette.
Jason Knight vs. The Narcissist
In a continuing trend of future ECW wrestlers doing jobs, Jason Knight would face the Narcissist in his first match. Lex Luger screamed natural heel to me. He poses after nearly every single move he hits. Luger busts out the EDDIE GILBERT hot shot and I'm upset that it has taken four episodes for this to happen. Luger misses a forearm badly and the fans tell him that he missed it so he just does it again. He pins with only his pinkie.
Winner: The Narcissist in 2:38
Another squash. Not a great show from a match standpoint. SQUASH
Lex Luger does a Cesaro Swing, but an incredibly poor version, after the match. They then advise us that Raw will be back in two weeks because the Dog Show airs next week.
Overall: 3/10; Bad. The first Raw that I can truly say I did not like. They managed to get in five matches but three of them were straight squashes and the other two weren't very good. The Beefcake segment was ridiculously strange. The WWF fails to build on the strong third episode. |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Oct 19, 2014 10:33:46 GMT -5
No Way Out 2003
February 23rd, 2003 – Bell Centre in Montreal,Quebec, Canada – Attendance: 15,100
Following a Royal Rumble that saw Brock Lesnar earn a shot at the WWE Title at WrestleMania, he began his feud with Kurt Angle on the road to No Way Out. On the Raw side of things, Triple H would continue his feud with Scott Steiner despite their terrible match at Royal Rumble. I remember WrestleMania XIX being one of, if not my favorite WrestleMania of all time so I hope that the final Pay-Per-View before it can be somewhere near as good. Also, after months away, two of the biggest stars in history, The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin return to Pay-Per-View on this show.
Raw commentary consists of Jonathan Coachman and Jerry Lawler while the theme song of this show is the awesome “Bring Me To Life”.
Chris Jericho vs. Jeff Hardy
Embroidered in a feud with Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho had him barred from ringside for this match. It may be a play by the WWE to protect HBK since this is the first Pay-Per-View in Montreal since the infamous screwjob in 1997. A nice wrestling sequence opens things until Jericho slaps Jeff disrespectfully. Because we're in Canada, the crowd is really behind Jericho even though he's in full heel mode. Jeff hits a slingshot moonsault for a near fall to get his first offensive outburst. He misses his guardrail spot, allowing Jericho to take control. Jeff's paint is all over his shirt and Jericho's face. I would be pissed. Jericho misses a tackle in the corner but it doesn't faze him much. Fans are fully in Jericho's corner as Jeff gets his knees up on a Lionsault. Jeff misses an enziguri and gets put into the Walls of Jericho but he reaches the ropes. Jeff connects with a hip toss off the top and removes his shirt, causing adolescent Canadian females to lose their minds. He nails the Swanton Bomb but Jericho gets his foot on the ropes. He goes for the Walls but it gets countered into a small package for two. Jeff nails a dropkick and neckbreaker before climbing up top again. This time, it fails as he misses the Swanton. Jericho scores with the Lionsault but only gets two. Sleeper Drop from Jericho but it only earns a near fall, even though he used the ropes for leverage. Jeff goes for a top rope hurricanrana but it's reversed into a second rope powerbomb! Jericho locks in the Walls and, despite his best efforts, Jeff has to tap out.
Winner: Chris Jericho in 12:59
Solid opening contest. The crowd was hot, the right guy went over and it was a good performance from both guys. ***
After the match, Chris Jericho refuses to break the Walls. Forget what I said about Shawn Michaels being protected earlier as he comes to the rescue to a ton of heat. Christian comes out but ends up eating Sweet Chin Music as Shawn Michaels stands tall.
Cutting backstage, Kurt Angle is prepping Team Angle for their big match. It's fantastic how all three guys have titles. A limo arrives and I can only assume that it's nWo or whatever hot angle Nitro has running right now. Wait, this is not Nitro? Oh, it's Evolution in the limo. As they walk in, the camera catches Stone Cold's pickup truck.
World Tag Team Championship
Lance Storm and William Regal (c) vs. Kane and Rob Van Dam
What the hell is going on with the World Tag Team Titles? I've seen them go from Jericho and Christian, to Booker and Goldust to Storm and Regal to the Dudley Boyz and back to Storm and Regal. And that's just over the last two Pay-Per-Views. Coachman says that RVD made his debut against Goldust at last year's No Way Out, which is so incorrect it's crazy. Lance Storm and Rob Van Dam kick things off and it's the athletic showcase you'd expect and one that ECW fans enjoyed. Regal comes in and eats a monkey flip before Kane gets tagged. Kane works over the heels for a bit. RVD goes for Rolling Thunder but Storm rolls outside, so Kane launches RVD out and onto him. RVD goes high risk again but it fails as he's knocked outside. This allows the Champions to pick him apart with suplexes and multiple near falls. RVD manages to make the hot tag and Kane hits a flying clothesline and beats up on both Champions. Storm tries to remove Kane's mask in foreshadowing to later in the year. This leads to RVD tagging in, but with Kane's mask moved to the side, he can't see and he Chokeslams RVD. This allows Storm to steal the win.
Winners and Still World Tag Team Champions: Lance Storm and William Regal in 9:20
Your basic tag team match. They used tag formula but it wasn't anything special. However, I give points for the creative ending. **1/2
Rob Van Dam gets to his feet and is not happy with Kane after the match. Kane is the Big Red Apologetic Machine but RVD walks off. Josh Matthews, with his ridiculous haircut and earring, interview Matt Hardy. Matt stops the interview to talk trash to Jeff who walks by. Jeff, unhappy with this, slaps him. I feel like Matt remembered that and held onto it until 2009 leading to their WrestleMania XXV match. Or not. I'm a firm believer in long term booking.
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Billy Kidman (c) vs. Matt Hardy w/ Shannon Moore
Michael Cole and Tazz are the Smackdown commentary team if you didn't know. Matt is annoyed by snow and ice and he also takes hot tea with milk and sweetener. God I miss Matt Facts. Matt gets the early upper hand and does some jumping jacks because the story leading into this was that Matt had to work out hard to make the weight for this match. Matt gets Kidman on the apron and whips him into the corner which looked cool. Side note, I miss the love that the Cruiserweight Title got from 2002-2003. Version 1 applies a cross arm choke to wear down the Champion. Kidman counters the Side Effect in a cool way with a rollup for two but Matt gets back on the offensive instantly. I like the idea that Matt, being a bigger cruiserweight, would focus on wearing down the smaller guys. Matt counters a sleeper hold into a the Ricochet, which is a back suplex into an elbow. Kidman catches a break with an enziguri. He connects with the D-Lo Brown Sky High because YOU BETTER RECOGNIZE, but only gets two. Matt hits the “AHHHH” second rope leg drop for another near fall. The Champion blocks the Twist of Fate, hits a big dropkick and dives to the outside. A Shannon Moore distraction allows Matt to hit the Side Effect, but it only earns a near fall. Kidman hits the BoDog, kicking Moore in the process. He goes for the Shooting Star Press but misses as Matt rolls out. Twist of Fate hits, and Kidman sells like his neck broke, but he kicks out. I didn't expect that. They fight up top and Matt falls to the mat, but before Kidman can capitalize, Moore grabs his foot. This allows Matt to climb up and hit a top rope Twist of Fate to end it!
Winner and New WWE Cruiserweight Champion: Matt Hardy in 9:31
Solid match but the crowd wasn't as into it as I hoped. A better reaction from the crowd would've made this much better. **3/4
Stephanie McMahon and EMTs are running backstage because Chris Benoit and Brock Lesnar found their partner for tonight, Edge, knocked out cold. CONTROVERSY!
Big Show w/ Paul Heyman vs. The Undertaker
In the pre-match video package, The Undertaker has a line saying “Be a man and fight me.” The delivery is tremendous. Undertaker goes after Brock on the outside with SOUPBONES! Show rams him into the post but Taker comes back with the guillotine leg drop on the apron. Undertaker brings a chair into the ring but Show punches him down. If this was present day, Undertaker would be knocked out. The former Tag Team Champions go toe to toe and Undertaker stupidly tries a slam, leading to Show landing on him for two. Show works him over, Undertaker gets in some offense, but falls victim to a power move from Show. Wash, rinse, repeat. Undertaker blades for some reason and Michael Cole says that the fans are silent because they can't believe what is happening to Undertaker. No Michael, they're quiet for another reason. Taker tries a Chokeslam and it fails so he goes with Old School instead. With Brian Hebner not looking, Undertaker hits a low blow and a DDT for two. Undertaker continues to look like a buffoon by calling for the Last Ride. News flash, YOU CANT LIFT HIM! Show hits Snake Eyes but when he tries the Tombstone, Undertaker counters into the Dragon Sleeper. A-Train tries to get involved but gets taken out with Undertaker's impressive leap to the outside. Show nails the Chokeslam but Undertaker turns Show's poor pin attempt into a triangle choke! Show is forced to submit.
Winner: The Undertaker in 14:08
This got too much time and The Undertaker looked dumb throughout. The finish was creative though, so points for that. *3/4
The Undertaker goes to attack with a steel chair after the match, but A-Train lays him out. We cut away to find out that Edge was taken out of the arena on a stretcher during the previous match and the upcoming contest will still happen. Michael Cole, in his infinite wisdom, asks “How is this match going to on?”
Eric Bischoff and Chief Morley discuss his match with Steve Austin backstage until Mr. McMahon comes in and says that nobody is allowed to interfere in the match. If anyone gets involved, he'll fire them on the spot.
Handicap Match
Brock Lesnar and Chris Benoit vs. Team Angle w/ Paul Heyman
So, Brock Lesnar and Chris Benoit were given the opportunity to pick a new partner but they decided they're better off alone. Benoit starts with Shelton Benjamin and they got through a wrestling sequence with Benoit winning out. Charlie Haas gets the tag and Benoit beats him up for a while. Brock gets the tag and crowd gets pumped. Brock is in control until a Kurt Angle distraction seems to turn the tide. Brock doesn't care though as he just counters Haas and continues to pound on him. A well placed kick from Benjamin takes down Brock, so Angle tags in now that the Beast is wounded. He applies a rear naked choke for a long time until Brock uses the corner to break the hold. Both guys make the tag, bringing in Benoit and Benjamin. Benoit works the hot tag stuff, snap suplexing Haas onto Benjamin before hitting a German on Angle and three on Shelton. Benoit signals for the headbutt but Angle runs up the corner and hits a big belly to belly. THE STRAPS ARE DOWN but Lesnar grabs him in a choke hold until Benjamin breaks that. Haas connects with a gorgeous belly to belly suplex on Benoit for a near fall. Angle gets the tag and works the mat, wearing down Benoit. I sense a Brock hot tag coming soon. Benoit rallies and fires away with chops until Angle this a German suplex. Haas and Benjamin hit their tag finisher and despite me being a HUGE fan of theirs, I never knew the name of the move. It earns them two as Benoit continues to fight back. Lesnar gets the hot tag and he seriously suplexes everyone across the ring, even tossing Haas into the corner like he weighed nothing. Benjamin knocks Brock outside as Benoit makes the blind tag. Benoit gets caught in the Ankle Lock but reverses into the Crippler Crossface. Back into the Ankle Lock, then back into the Cross face. Team Angle breaks the hold but Haas ends up in the Crossface. Benjamin breaks it and Brock knocks him outside. Brock hits the F5 on Kurt as Haas ends up tapping to the Crossface.
Winners: Brock Lesnar and Chris Benoit in 13:19
Really good stuff. I enjoyed it throughout, though I thought Brock would get the pin heading into WrestleMania. ***1/2
World Heavyweight Championship
Triple H (c) w/ Ric Flair vs. Scott Steiner
Triple H talks about going 30 minutes with Scott Steiner at the Royal Rumble. They actually went 18 but it felt like 120. Who thought they should get a rematch? Commentary instantly discussed how there are a lot of Triple H supporters in the crowd. Seriously, it's like 80/20. Steiner targets Triple H's injured left leg in the early stages. He applies a Figure Four, so Ric Flair cries gimmick infringement and rakes him in the eyes behind the referee's back. Steiner takes him out at ringside to a chorus of boos. We even have “Steiner sucks” chants. As Triple H pounds on Steiner, we have “Boring” chants ringing out. This is brutal. The Steiner comeback draws boos and a HHH neckbreaker gets cheers. HHH BLATANTLY uses the ropes for leverage on a pin and gets caught. He shoves Earl Hebner, and because we're in Montreal, gets a huge pop for that. Hebner shoves back and man, I used to hate when he would do that. Steiner goes back to hitting belly to bell suplexes. Steiner Recliner gets locked in, so Flair calls out Randy Orton and Batista. Steiner takes them out, which looks awful. HHH sets up for the Pedigree to cheers but Steiner stops it. Can this just end? Steiner continues to toss around guys that are far more talented than him. HHH lays out Steiner with the World Title as Hebner ejects Evolution. Steiner kicks out to everyone's dismay. Pedigree is hit and it's thankfully over.
Winner and Still World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H in 13:01
That was slightly better than their Royal Rumble debacle until the ridiculous overbooked finish. Hated this. DUD
Eric Bischoff vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Apparently, Eric Bischoff is an eighth degree black belt. I had no clue that was even possible. Bischoff tries to forfeit but that obviously isn't happening. Austin attacks to make the bell ring as commentary discusses how Bischoff fired Austin in WCW because he wouldn't be anything more than a mid-carder. The crowd is molten hot for Austin as he stomps like seven mud holes in Bischoff. Bischoff gets in a kick that has zero effect on Austin. Austin hits a Stone Cold Stunner but picks up Bischoff's arm when he covers. He tells the referee that Bischoff kicked out on his own which was funny. A second Stunner and Bischoff is made to kick out again. He hits a third and it's over.
Winner: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in 4:26
It was what it was. This was meant to entertain the fans and it was a huge squash as it should have been. SQUASH
Jim Ross damn near has a heart attack while shouting “STONE COLD! STONE COLD!”
“Hollywood” Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock
The Rock is in full “Hollywood” Rock mode, which was one of my favorite things of all-time, despite it being short lived. He has the extremely drawn out elaborate entrance and it's glorious. Rock tries a sneak attack but Hogan catches him in the act. Rock mocks him and decides to chill outside. He stalls for a bit until Hogan gives chase and falls for Heel Tactic #4 as Rock attacks once he slides inside. Sylvan, future member of La Resistance, is the referee for this match. Hogan hits his 80's offense until Rock hits a Rock Bottom from out of nowhere. Hogan kicks out and Rock puts on Hogan's bandana. I feel that Rock's heel run here was just him having a blast. He takes off the weight belt of doom and whips Hogan with it. Rock hits a DDT and kips up before smelling what he's cooking. Sharpshooter gets applied, drawing boos because Montreal doesn't like mockery. Hogan gets to the ropes and Rock brings in a chair. Hogan gets it from him and when Sylvan takes the chair, Rock hits a low blow. Spinebuster is hit and Rock nails the People's Elbow before hopping up and hitting a second, this time posing like Hogan. Hogan powers out because he's Hulking Up. This leads to the big boot and Leg Drop but the lights go out during the pin. When they come back on, Sylvan is knocked out. Vince comes out to “you screwed Bret” chants, while Sylvan proves to not be knocked out as he slides the chair to Rock. Rock lays out Hogan and hits the Rock Bottom. Sylvan shoots up and counts the three.
Winner: The Rock in 12:20
Did not have the magic of their first encounter and was relatively dull. The saving grace of the match was Rock's heel tactics as he was entertaining as hell. **
Vince McMahon celebrates with The Rock and Sylvan before they leave and he reveals a Hulkamania shirt under his suit. It says Hulkamania Sucks on it.
Overall: 4/10; Weak. I was very disappointed with this show. The only matches really worth checking out are the handicap match and the opener, and neither was that great. Everything else is forgettable. Not the best show heading into WrestleMania. Rock/Hogan was nowhere near the level of their WrestleMania match the year before and we got another dud from Steiner and Triple H. Not recommended. |
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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 Oct 20, 2014 17:06:32 GMT -5
No Way Out 2003
February 23rd, 2003 – Bell Centre in Montreal,Quebec, Canada – Attendance: 15,100
Following a Royal Rumble that saw Brock Lesnar earn a shot at the WWE Title at WrestleMania, he began his feud with Kurt Angle on the road to No Way Out. On the Raw side of things, Triple H would continue his feud with Scott Steiner despite their terrible match at Royal Rumble. I remember WrestleMania XIX being one of, if not my favorite WrestleMania of all time so I hope that the final Pay-Per-View before it can be somewhere near as good. Also, after months away, two of the biggest stars in history, The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin return to Pay-Per-View on this show.
Raw commentary consists of Jonathan Coachman and Jerry Lawler while the theme song of this show is the awesome “Bring Me To Life”.
Chris Jericho vs. Jeff Hardy
Embroidered in a feud with Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho had him barred from ringside for this match. It may be a play by the WWE to protect HBK since this is the first Pay-Per-View in Montreal since the infamous screwjob in 1997. A nice wrestling sequence opens things until Jericho slaps Jeff disrespectfully. Because we're in Canada, the crowd is really behind Jericho even though he's in full heel mode. Jeff hits a slingshot moonsault for a near fall to get his first offensive outburst. He misses his guardrail spot, allowing Jericho to take control. Jeff's paint is all over his shirt and Jericho's face. I would be pissed. Jericho misses a tackle in the corner but it doesn't faze him much. Fans are fully in Jericho's corner as Jeff gets his knees up on a Lionsault. Jeff misses an enziguri and gets put into the Walls of Jericho but he reaches the ropes. Jeff connects with a hip toss off the top and removes his shirt, causing adolescent Canadian females to lose their minds. He nails the Swanton Bomb but Jericho gets his foot on the ropes. He goes for the Walls but it gets countered into a small package for two. Jeff nails a dropkick and neckbreaker before climbing up top again. This time, it fails as he misses the Swanton. Jericho scores with the Lionsault but only gets two. Sleeper Drop from Jericho but it only earns a near fall, even though he used the ropes for leverage. Jeff goes for a top rope hurricanrana but it's reversed into a second rope powerbomb! Jericho locks in the Walls and, despite his best efforts, Jeff has to tap out.
Winner: Chris Jericho in 12:59
Solid opening contest. The crowd was hot, the right guy went over and it was a good performance from both guys. ***
After the match, Chris Jericho refuses to break the Walls. Forget what I said about Shawn Michaels being protected earlier as he comes to the rescue to a ton of heat. Christian comes out but ends up eating Sweet Chin Music as Shawn Michaels stands tall.
Cutting backstage, Kurt Angle is prepping Team Angle for their big match. It's fantastic how all three guys have titles. A limo arrives and I can only assume that it's nWo or whatever hot angle Nitro has running right now. Wait, this is not Nitro? Oh, it's Evolution in the limo. As they walk in, the camera catches Stone Cold's pickup truck.
World Tag Team Championship
Lance Storm and William Regal (c) vs. Kane and Rob Van Dam
What the hell is going on with the World Tag Team Titles? I've seen them go from Jericho and Christian, to Booker and Goldust to Storm and Regal to the Dudley Boyz and back to Storm and Regal. And that's just over the last two Pay-Per-Views. Coachman says that RVD made his debut against Goldust at last year's No Way Out, which is so incorrect it's crazy. Lance Storm and Rob Van Dam kick things off and it's the athletic showcase you'd expect and one that ECW fans enjoyed. Regal comes in and eats a monkey flip before Kane gets tagged. Kane works over the heels for a bit. RVD goes for Rolling Thunder but Storm rolls outside, so Kane launches RVD out and onto him. RVD goes high risk again but it fails as he's knocked outside. This allows the Champions to pick him apart with suplexes and multiple near falls. RVD manages to make the hot tag and Kane hits a flying clothesline and beats up on both Champions. Storm tries to remove Kane's mask in foreshadowing to later in the year. This leads to RVD tagging in, but with Kane's mask moved to the side, he can't see and he Chokeslams RVD. This allows Storm to steal the win.
Winners and Still World Tag Team Champions: Lance Storm and William Regal in 9:20
Your basic tag team match. They used tag formula but it wasn't anything special. However, I give points for the creative ending. **1/2
Rob Van Dam gets to his feet and is not happy with Kane after the match. Kane is the Big Red Apologetic Machine but RVD walks off. Josh Matthews, with his ridiculous haircut and earring, interview Matt Hardy. Matt stops the interview to talk trash to Jeff who walks by. Jeff, unhappy with this, slaps him. I feel like Matt remembered that and held onto it until 2009 leading to their WrestleMania XXV match. Or not. I'm a firm believer in long term booking.
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Billy Kidman (c) vs. Matt Hardy w/ Shannon Moore
Michael Cole and Tazz are the Smackdown commentary team if you didn't know. Matt is annoyed by snow and ice and he also takes hot tea with milk and sweetener. God I miss Matt Facts. Matt gets the early upper hand and does some jumping jacks because the story leading into this was that Matt had to work out hard to make the weight for this match. Matt gets Kidman on the apron and whips him into the corner which looked cool. Side note, I miss the love that the Cruiserweight Title got from 2002-2003. Version 1 applies a cross arm choke to wear down the Champion. Kidman counters the Side Effect in a cool way with a rollup for two but Matt gets back on the offensive instantly. I like the idea that Matt, being a bigger cruiserweight, would focus on wearing down the smaller guys. Matt counters a sleeper hold into a the Ricochet, which is a back suplex into an elbow. Kidman catches a break with an enziguri. He connects with the D-Lo Brown Sky High because YOU BETTER RECOGNIZE, but only gets two. Matt hits the “AHHHH” second rope leg drop for another near fall. The Champion blocks the Twist of Fate, hits a big dropkick and dives to the outside. A Shannon Moore distraction allows Matt to hit the Side Effect, but it only earns a near fall. Kidman hits the BoDog, kicking Moore in the process. He goes for the Shooting Star Press but misses as Matt rolls out. Twist of Fate hits, and Kidman sells like his neck broke, but he kicks out. I didn't expect that. They fight up top and Matt falls to the mat, but before Kidman can capitalize, Moore grabs his foot. This allows Matt to climb up and hit a top rope Twist of Fate to end it!
Winner and New WWE Cruiserweight Champion: Matt Hardy in 9:31
Solid match but the crowd wasn't as into it as I hoped. A better reaction from the crowd would've made this much better. **3/4
Stephanie McMahon and EMTs are running backstage because Chris Benoit and Brock Lesnar found their partner for tonight, Edge, knocked out cold. CONTROVERSY!
Big Show w/ Paul Heyman vs. The Undertaker
In the pre-match video package, The Undertaker has a line saying “Be a man and fight me.” The delivery is tremendous. Undertaker goes after Brock on the outside with SOUPBONES! Show rams him into the post but Taker comes back with the guillotine leg drop on the apron. Undertaker brings a chair into the ring but Show punches him down. If this was present day, Undertaker would be knocked out. The former Tag Team Champions go toe to toe and Undertaker stupidly tries a slam, leading to Show landing on him for two. Show works him over, Undertaker gets in some offense, but falls victim to a power move from Show. Wash, rinse, repeat. Undertaker blades for some reason and Michael Cole says that the fans are silent because they can't believe what is happening to Undertaker. No Michael, they're quiet for another reason. Taker tries a Chokeslam and it fails so he goes with Old School instead. With Brian Hebner not looking, Undertaker hits a low blow and a DDT for two. Undertaker continues to look like a buffoon by calling for the Last Ride. News flash, YOU CANT LIFT HIM! Show hits Snake Eyes but when he tries the Tombstone, Undertaker counters into the Dragon Sleeper. A-Train tries to get involved but gets taken out with Undertaker's impressive leap to the outside. Show nails the Chokeslam but Undertaker turns Show's poor pin attempt into a triangle choke! Show is forced to submit.
Winner: The Undertaker in 14:08
This got too much time and The Undertaker looked dumb throughout. The finish was creative though, so points for that. *3/4
The Undertaker goes to attack with a steel chair after the match, but A-Train lays him out. We cut away to find out that Edge was taken out of the arena on a stretcher during the previous match and the upcoming contest will still happen. Michael Cole, in his infinite wisdom, asks “How is this match going to on?”
Eric Bischoff and Chief Morley discuss his match with Steve Austin backstage until Mr. McMahon comes in and says that nobody is allowed to interfere in the match. If anyone gets involved, he'll fire them on the spot.
Handicap Match
Brock Lesnar and Chris Benoit vs. Team Angle w/ Paul Heyman
So, Brock Lesnar and Chris Benoit were given the opportunity to pick a new partner but they decided they're better off alone. Benoit starts with Shelton Benjamin and they got through a wrestling sequence with Benoit winning out. Charlie Haas gets the tag and Benoit beats him up for a while. Brock gets the tag and crowd gets pumped. Brock is in control until a Kurt Angle distraction seems to turn the tide. Brock doesn't care though as he just counters Haas and continues to pound on him. A well placed kick from Benjamin takes down Brock, so Angle tags in now that the Beast is wounded. He applies a rear naked choke for a long time until Brock uses the corner to break the hold. Both guys make the tag, bringing in Benoit and Benjamin. Benoit works the hot tag stuff, snap suplexing Haas onto Benjamin before hitting a German on Angle and three on Shelton. Benoit signals for the headbutt but Angle runs up the corner and hits a big belly to belly. THE STRAPS ARE DOWN but Lesnar grabs him in a choke hold until Benjamin breaks that. Haas connects with a gorgeous belly to belly suplex on Benoit for a near fall. Angle gets the tag and works the mat, wearing down Benoit. I sense a Brock hot tag coming soon. Benoit rallies and fires away with chops until Angle this a German suplex. Haas and Benjamin hit their tag finisher and despite me being a HUGE fan of theirs, I never knew the name of the move. It earns them two as Benoit continues to fight back. Lesnar gets the hot tag and he seriously suplexes everyone across the ring, even tossing Haas into the corner like he weighed nothing. Benjamin knocks Brock outside as Benoit makes the blind tag. Benoit gets caught in the Ankle Lock but reverses into the Crippler Crossface. Back into the Ankle Lock, then back into the Cross face. Team Angle breaks the hold but Haas ends up in the Crossface. Benjamin breaks it and Brock knocks him outside. Brock hits the F5 on Kurt as Haas ends up tapping to the Crossface.
Winners: Brock Lesnar and Chris Benoit in 13:19
Really good stuff. I enjoyed it throughout, though I thought Brock would get the pin heading into WrestleMania. ***1/2
World Heavyweight Championship
Triple H (c) w/ Ric Flair vs. Scott Steiner
Triple H talks about going 30 minutes with Scott Steiner at the Royal Rumble. They actually went 18 but it felt like 120. Who thought they should get a rematch? Commentary instantly discussed how there are a lot of Triple H supporters in the crowd. Seriously, it's like 80/20. Steiner targets Triple H's injured left leg in the early stages. He applies a Figure Four, so Ric Flair cries gimmick infringement and rakes him in the eyes behind the referee's back. Steiner takes him out at ringside to a chorus of boos. We even have “Steiner sucks” chants. As Triple H pounds on Steiner, we have “Boring” chants ringing out. This is brutal. The Steiner comeback draws boos and a HHH neckbreaker gets cheers. HHH BLATANTLY uses the ropes for leverage on a pin and gets caught. He shoves Earl Hebner, and because we're in Montreal, gets a huge pop for that. Hebner shoves back and man, I used to hate when he would do that. Steiner goes back to hitting belly to bell suplexes. Steiner Recliner gets locked in, so Flair calls out Randy Orton and Batista. Steiner takes them out, which looks awful. HHH sets up for the Pedigree to cheers but Steiner stops it. Can this just end? Steiner continues to toss around guys that are far more talented than him. HHH lays out Steiner with the World Title as Hebner ejects Evolution. Steiner kicks out to everyone's dismay. Pedigree is hit and it's thankfully over.
Winner and Still World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H in 13:01
That was slightly better than their Royal Rumble debacle until the ridiculous overbooked finish. Hated this. DUD
Eric Bischoff vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Apparently, Eric Bischoff is an eighth degree black belt. I had no clue that was even possible. Bischoff tries to forfeit but that obviously isn't happening. Austin attacks to make the bell ring as commentary discusses how Bischoff fired Austin in WCW because he wouldn't be anything more than a mid-carder. The crowd is molten hot for Austin as he stomps like seven mud holes in Bischoff. Bischoff gets in a kick that has zero effect on Austin. Austin hits a Stone Cold Stunner but picks up Bischoff's arm when he covers. He tells the referee that Bischoff kicked out on his own which was funny. A second Stunner and Bischoff is made to kick out again. He hits a third and it's over.
Winner: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in 4:26
It was what it was. This was meant to entertain the fans and it was a huge squash as it should have been. SQUASH
Jim Ross damn near has a heart attack while shouting “STONE COLD! STONE COLD!”
“Hollywood” Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock
The Rock is in full “Hollywood” Rock mode, which was one of my favorite things of all-time, despite it being short lived. He has the extremely drawn out elaborate entrance and it's glorious. Rock tries a sneak attack but Hogan catches him in the act. Rock mocks him and decides to chill outside. He stalls for a bit until Hogan gives chase and falls for Heel Tactic #4 as Rock attacks once he slides inside. Sylvan, future member of La Resistance, is the referee for this match. Hogan hits his 80's offense until Rock hits a Rock Bottom from out of nowhere. Hogan kicks out and Rock puts on Hogan's bandana. I feel that Rock's heel run here was just him having a blast. He takes off the weight belt of doom and whips Hogan with it. Rock hits a DDT and kips up before smelling what he's cooking. Sharpshooter gets applied, drawing boos because Montreal doesn't like mockery. Hogan gets to the ropes and Rock brings in a chair. Hogan gets it from him and when Sylvan takes the chair, Rock hits a low blow. Spinebuster is hit and Rock nails the People's Elbow before hopping up and hitting a second, this time posing like Hogan. Hogan powers out because he's Hulking Up. This leads to the big boot and Leg Drop but the lights go out during the pin. When they come back on, Sylvan is knocked out. Vince comes out to “you screwed Bret” chants, while Sylvan proves to not be knocked out as he slides the chair to Rock. Rock lays out Hogan and hits the Rock Bottom. Sylvan shoots up and counts the three.
Winner: The Rock in 12:20
Did not have the magic of their first encounter and was relatively dull. The saving grace of the match was Rock's heel tactics as he was entertaining as hell. **
Vince McMahon celebrates with The Rock and Sylvan before they leave and he reveals a Hulkamania shirt under his suit. It says Hulkamania Sucks on it.
Overall: 4/10; Weak. I was very disappointed with this show. The only matches really worth checking out are the handicap match and the opener, and neither was that great. Everything else is forgettable. Not the best show heading into WrestleMania. Rock/Hogan was nowhere near the level of their WrestleMania match the year before and we got another dud from Steiner and Triple H. Not recommended. I will never ever re watch the HHH vs Steiner matches from 2003, they are as bad as it gets, Saving grace of RR03 is that Angle vs benoit classic was on after it to save the show and get the bad taste out of the mouth. But as you say NWO03 was just a poor show. |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Oct 24, 2014 13:46:48 GMT -5
Monday Night Raw Episode 5
“Battle Royal”
February 15th, 1993 – Manhattan Center in Manhattan, New York
We continue the Road to WrestleMania IX with the fifth episode of Monday Night Raw!
Things open with Brutus Beefcake cutting a short promo about his return. It then cuts to Ted Dibiase cutting one back on him while Jimmy Hart is worried. Commentary is once again Vince McMahon, Macho Man and Rob Bartlett. Two jobbers are already in the ring for the opener.
Bobby Who and Glen Ruth vs. The Steiner Brothers
Yup. The dude's name is actually Bobby Who. I'm not sure which jobber is which but one starts with Scott and eats a full nelson suplex. It's actually very pretty. Rick gets the tag, causing the fans to bark and jobber #2 enters. Ah, according to Vince, this is Bobby Who. He doesn't fare much better. Rick decides to apply a rest hold for some strange reason and Who reaches the ropes. Rick hits a clothesline and tags Scott in. Tiger suplex followed by the top rope bulldog ends it.
Winners: The Steiner Brothers in 3:32
Just done to get the Steiner Brothers over. Basic stuff. *
Mean Gene brings us the WrestleMania Report, reminding us for the 100th time that it's going down in Las Vegas. Along with Bret Hart vs. Yokozuna, more matches are announced. First up, The Undertaker will take on the Giant Gonzalez. Also, Crush goes one on one with Doink the Clown.
Ross Greenberg vs. Yokozuna w/ Mr. Fuji
This is the third Yokozuna match in five episodes of Raw. They keep doing this thing on commentary where Macho Man's headset is messed up so all we hear are weird sound bytes of him complaining. It's strange since we saw Macho Man at ringside at the start of the show. Anyway, Yokozuna hits a big belly to belly suplex and a leg drop before polishing off Ross with the Banzai Drop.
Winner: Yokozuna in 2:01
Another Yokozuna match where he gets all of the offense. SQUASH
Time for a Special Report, hosted by Lord Alfred Hayes. He talks about “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan becoming the first man to knock Yokozuna off of his feet in singles competition on Superstars this week. Like an idiot, Duggan celebrated like he won the match, allowing Yokozuna to throw salt in his eyes. Two Banzai Drops later, Duggan was stretchered out.
Commentary states that the Giant Gonzalez said he wanted in the Battle Royal tonight, causing the rest of the participants to say they would not compete if that's the case. More Superstars clips are shown, this one of the Giant Gonzalez winning a three on one handicap match.
Sixteen Man Battle Royal
There is no mentioning of who is in the Battle Royal as it's just a big cluster. Shawn Michaels stays outside for a bit to let everyone else fight. Kim Chee continually exits under the bottom rope to avoid Kamala. I also see El Matador, Owen Hart, Tatanka, Skinner, Terry Taylor, Koko B. Ware, Damien Damento, Typhoon, Bob Backlund and Razor Ramon. Koko is first out via a Shawn Michaels back body drop. Kim Chee continues to avoid Kamala as we get a lot of near eliminations. Typhoon knocks out Skinner with a SHOCKING clothesline. Kamala dumps out Damento as well. Owen Hart jumps on the Berzerker's back but gets flipped over and out. Kamala is on fire as he kicks Berzerker out before battling with Typhoon. Kim Chee decides to get involved as he helps Typhoon get another SHOCKING elimination on Kamala. The Ugandan Giant gets back in and tosses out Kim Chee, forcing him to flee through the crowd and up in the balcony. We get our final SHOCK of the night as Shawn Michaels rids the ring of Typhoon. The final four are El Matador, Tatanka, Razor and Michaels. The first signs of the Kliq can be seen as Razor and Shawn decide to team up. This battle royal is made better because Bartlett's headset is busted now, so he's silent and Macho Man is calling the action. The match breaks down into tag stuff until Shawn gets dumped out. The Giant Gonzalez shows up from the back and is bored with the match so he eliminates Tatanka and El Matador on his own. Razor slid under the bottom rope when he came out, so once he leaves, Razor gets back in and is announced as the victor.
Winner: Razor Ramon in 15:03
Your typical battle royal. Lots of punches, kicks and stalls. I also don't like battle royals with nothing on the line. At least someone awful didn't win. **
Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. Ted Dibiase w/ Jimmy Hart
Commentary really plays up how concerned they are about Beefcake's return. I wouldn't be concerned since every single time Dibiase tries to lock up, Beefcake instead chooses to strut. Jimmy Hart can be heard shouting “he's quick, he's fast, watch out.” This makes no sense as Beefcake is in no way fast. He reels off a few right hands that send Dibiase to the outside. Dibiase gets in and tries to smash Beefcake's face into the corner but it's blocked and Dibiase goes in. A side headlock is applied, because Beefcake's offense sucks as IRS strolls to ringside. As Beefcake gets sent into the ropes, IRS smashes him with his briefcase in the back.
Winner via disqualification: Brutus Beefcake in 4:26
That was boring. Beefcake sucks but at least it was short. *
Money Inc. continue to pound away on Brutus Beefcake as Jimmy Hart pleads with them to stop. IRS shoves Hart to the ground and levels Beefcake in the face. It's funny because Beefcake was held by Dibiase for like four full minutes and didn't counter or move at all. He sells it like his face has been broken again as Hart checks on him. As Beefcake is taken out, some clearly fake looking blood stains are in the ring.
Overall: 4/10; Weak. The Road to WrestleMania IX continues on with a second straight disappointing episode. We got another Yokozuna squash and the battle royal was different in a good way. However, any show that has Brutus Beefcake in the main event is going to suffer. They're building the stories relatively well heading into WrestleMania IX but that's two straight episodes that I was not a fan of.
Monday Night Raw Episode 6
“Hulkamania Gets Raw”
February 22nd, 1993 – Manhattan Center in Manhattan, New York
The show open with Rob Bartlett doing a play on SNL by saying “LIVE FROM NEW YORK IT'S MONDAY NIGHT RAW!” He still sucks. Vince McMahon and Macho Man join him on commentary as they hype the card for tonight.
Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Scott Taylor
The future Scotty 2 Hotty seems like he's here to do the job to Bam Bam Bigelow. Instantly, Bam Bam shoulder blocks Taylor to the mat hard twice. Bam Bam continues to overpower and work him over as commentary just continues to plug Hulk Hogan's appearance later tonight. Seriously, they mention it like 14 times. A big backbreaker followed by the flying headbutt is enough but Bam Bam drops two more headbutts to finish it.
Winner: Bam Bam Bigelow in 3:01
Impressive showing for Bam Bam and the final headbutts were impressive. SQUASH
An interview with Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan is shown, discussing the future of Hulkamania. Hogan talks about mistakes that he's made but that he's ready to return.
Six Man Tag Team Match
The Beverly Brothers and Shawn Michaels vs. Tatanka and The Nasty Boys
Commentary discusses how Tatanka defeated Shawn Michaels in a non-title contest. Tatanka attacks at the bell and everyone goes at it until Tatanka back body drops Shawn outside. Bartlett calls it the coolest thing he's ever seen. As things cool down, the Nasty Boys give the Beverly Brothers a double pit stop. Things turn around as Shawn gets the tag and they work basic heel tactics on Brian Knobbs. Knobbs rallies and Tatanka gets the tag, so Shawn tags out. The faces begin to work over Beau, aka Beverly #1. We go to commercial and Bartlett says that they stopped during commercial only to resume as the broadcast came back. The heels have begun to beat up on Knobbs as the Beverly Brothers use the World's Greatest Tag Team's finisher, which is rather embarrassing as I love them and hate the Beverly Brothers. The fans won't stop chanting “nasty” but it's not helping Knobbs much. He finally makes the hot tag to Tatanka who takes out Michaels. He gets a very close near fall as they announce that Michaels defends against Tatanka at WrestleMania. Beau breaks up another pin attempt but the Nasty Boys get involved and knock them outside. This allows Tatanka to score a second straight pin over HBK with a rollup!
Winners: Tatanka and The Nasty Boys in 15:02
Pretty basic tag team match. Nothing of note really happened but I did enjoy Tatanka and Shawn's interactions. Maybe their match at WrestleMania will be really good. **1/4
Sean Mooney is outside to promote more of the Hulk Hogan appearance.
Crush vs. “Terrific” Terry Taylor
They begin with smack talk and Crush shoves Terry Taylor to the mat with force. Taylor fights back with a snap mare on the top rope. Oh goodness, Vince McMahon gets a “phone call” and it's Bartlett doing a sad Arnold Schwarzenegger impersonation. I hate these things. Taylor applies a chinlock but Crush uses the power of Hawaii to fight out brudda. Crush hits a few moves and then does the coconut crush or whatever it was called for the win.
Winner: Crush in 3:46
Another nothing match. Crush never really impressed me. *
We get a recap of the brutal assault on Brutus Beefcake last week. Vince McMahon is now in the ring and he brings out Hulk Hogan to a big pop, much better than Beefcake's last week. He rambles until he brings out Beefcake. He's sporting fake bruises and tape on his nose as he rambles. If anyone ever benefited more from being Hogan's friend than Brutus, please point it out to me. They introduce their new manager, Jimmy Hart, who has turned his back on Money Inc! They lay down a challenge for Money Inc and call themselves the Mega Maniacs.
Skinner vs. The Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer
Skinner attacks at the bell and there is like, less than a minute left on the show. Skinner chokes The Undertaker outside the ring as Vince McMahon begins to sign off saying that we will see the conclusion of the match next week along with a WWF Title match.
Overall: 5/10; Mediocre. I thought it was nice to see a fifteen minute match on the card, though I wish it was something better than the six man tag that we got. The Hulk Hogan promo was the typical stuff he'd do but it got the crowd pumped. I strongly dislike ending a show in the middle of the match but what can you do? |
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Post by Halloween King on Oct 24, 2014 17:27:57 GMT -5
I came thinking there would be reviews of dvds and ppvs but these are really Recaps. See, a REVIEW of a TV show or book or movie should give enough of the story so that the reader can become engaged, but not give anything anyway. A RECAP, on the other hand, is a recounting of the story itself, usually serving as a summary for someone who missed seeing an episode of their favorite dvd, for example, and wants to catch up.
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Oct 24, 2014 18:40:40 GMT -5
I came thinking there would be reviews of dvds and ppvs but these are really Recaps. See, a REVIEW of a TV show or book or movie should give enough of the story so that the reader can become engaged, but not give anything anyway. A RECAP, on the other hand, is a recounting of the story itself, usually serving as a summary for someone who missed seeing an episode of their favorite dvd, for example, and wants to catch up. I usually try a mix of both.  |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Oct 26, 2014 9:25:52 GMT -5
WrestleMania XIX
March 30th, 2003 – Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington – Attendance: 54,097
Going off of memory, WrestleMania XIX is my favorite WrestleMania of all time. There are some other greats, including everyone's favorite, X-Seven, but this one is the one I consider the best. Now, I haven't seen it in a long time so I'm interested in how it holds up over time. We all know the story. Brock/Angle, HBK/Jericho, Austin/Rock, McMahon/Hogan and more. I am so pumped to finally get this going.
The opening video package is the usual fluff as it discusses how important WrestleMania is and what it means to all of these superstars. We get some Limp Bizkit playing as they have the official theme song of WrestleMania. Safeco Field looks gorgeous for this. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler welcome us to the show before throwing it to Smackdown commentary team Michael Cole and Tazz.
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Matt Hardy (c) w/ Shannon Moore vs. Rey Mysterio
Look at the Cruiserweight Title being defended at WrestleMania. Nowadays, you'll be lucky to get any mid-card title on the show. Matt Hardy is appearing in his fourth WrestleMania, and he often wonders how they did WrestleMania without him. Shannon Moore distracts Rey Mysterio at the bell, but Rey dodges Matt's attack and sends him outside before hitting a corkscrew press onto him. A reverse hurricanrana gets two and he tries a sunset flip to the outside but Moore levels him. Cole attempted to call the sunset flip a spinebuster. Moore continues to get in cheap shots behind the referee's back. Because he is V1, Matt calls for the 61V9, but Rey dodges. He counters the Twist of Fate into a rollup for two. Matt catches Rey with the Side Effect in an innovative way in the corner for two before going to a rest hold. Cole and Tazz as discussing latex and tea bagging as Rey hits a springboard cross body for a near fall. A flying head scissors and DDT get another near fall. 619 time but Moore trips up Rey again, allowing Matt to hit the Twist of Fate. Rey kicks out to my surprise and Matt is livid. V1 sets up Rey on the top and goes for a huge Razor's Edge but Rey counters into a big hurricanrana! He covers but Moore puts Matt's foot on the bottom rope. Rey hits the 619 but misses the West Coast Pop. He tries a victory roll but Matt counters and grabs the ropes for leverage to retain.
Winner and Still WWE Cruiserweight Champion: Matt Hardy in 5:37
Too short but man, this was tremendous while it was going. Fast paced and high octane, with a bunch of shenanigans in a good way. ***1/4
A limo pulls up and it's the Miller Lite Catfight Girls! I forgot about this awfulness. They argue about the bigger match, Hogan/Vince or Austin/Rock. Yea, let's not count the WWE or World Title matches.
We are taken to a video from Sunday Night Heat where Nathan Jones was taken out by Big Show and A-Train. He was supposed to be The Undertaker's partner in the upcoming match. The Fink introduces WWE's “favorite band in the whole world” as Limp Bizkit. That's a sad statement even though I have my fair share of Limp Bizkit on my iPod. He plays out The Undertaker.
A-Train and The Big Show vs. The Undertaker
Before the bell, A-Train spits on The Undertaker's motorcycle because he's an idiot. Big Show tries a sneak attack and it fails because he's too big to sneak up on anyone. A-Train runs in right into a Chokeslam but Show makes the save. I would've been perfectly okay with Undertaker winning that fast. Things calm down to a tagging format for the team with the advantage. For those who don't remember, Nathan Jones was so bad that the WWE didn't want him in the ring so they went with this handicap match idea. A-Train hits the Baldo Bomb and Show drives Undertaker into the ring post outside. ShowTrain starts to tag in and out and work over the Undertaker for a while. Undertaker counters the Chokeslam into a Fujiwara armbar, which was badass. A-Train breaks it but ends up in an armbar too. Show breaks the short lived rally by the Deadman and applies an abdominal stretch. A-Train comes in and takes over the abdominal stretch so Undertaker, wanting in on the fun, counters into his own abdominal stretch. It must hurt these guys as not one of them has abs. Undertaker rallies with about fifteen clotheslines in the corner before hitting his big running clothesline on Show. A-Train hits the BROGUE KICK, I mean bicycle kick to stop him. Show hits the Chokeslam but Nathan Jones has to make a Charles Robinson like run in, from deep and spin kicks Show. A-Train covers Undertaker, who kicks out on his own, without Jones' help. He enters, hits a big boot on A-Train and Undertaker hits the Tombstone as the Streak reaches 11.
Winner: The Undertaker in 9:42
I wish this got less time. It was boring and shouldn't have come close to ten minutes. It was slow and I didn't care much for it. *
More from the stupid Miller Lite Catfight girls as they run into Stacy Keibler and Torrie Wilson. They discuss Torrie's Playboy and Test's “testicles”. They then show a recap of Heat, where Lance Storm and William Regal retained their World Tag Team Titles against the Dudley Boyz.
WWE Women's Championship
Victoria (c) w/ Steven Richards vs. Jazz vs. Trish Stratus
As this starts, my girlfriend asks who came out and I just say “the greatest diva of all time”. Just from that, she knew it was Trish Stratus. The dubbed over “All the Things She Says” still depresses me. They knock Victoria out of the ring and Jazz pounds away on Trish, using an interesting looking submission. Trish hits a Lou Thez Press, RIGHT HANDS RIGHT HANDS, THE RATTLESNAKE STRIKES, before Victoria pulls her outside. She goes in just to go outside as all three girls are brawling there. Back inside, Victoria hits a front flip leg drop but Jazz cuts off the pin and hits a leg drop of her own. Victoria stops that pin and they decide to double team Trish. They do a strange double back breaker before fighting each other. Victoria hits a powerslam but Trish does a nice bridging pin for two. Lawler calls Trish a “quarter among pennies” in the ring, which is mean. Victoria is at least a nickel. Powerslam type move from Jazz gets two because Victoria breaks things up. DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER as Trish bashes the heels into each other. A spin kick from Jazz takes out Victoria by mistake and Trish rolls up Jazz for two. Chick Kick connects only for the Champion to break it up. Handstand hurricanrana from Trish now as she is making the face run. She kicks Victoria outside and Jazz puts her in the half Boston crab which she turns into an STF that is still a thousand times better than Cena's. Steven Richards tosses Jazz and breaks the hold behind the official's back. Trish rolls up Victoria, exposing her butt for two. Glam Slam of sorts by Jazz, which leads to Victoria kicking her. The Champ misses a moonsault but knocks Jazz outside. Richards tries to interfere with a chair but misses and hits the ropes, rebounding into his face. Trish hits him with Stratusfaction and Victoria goes for the Widow's Peak but Trish counters and hits the Chick Kick to win.
Winner and New WWE Women's Champion: Trish Stratus in 7:17
Personally, I would've swapped this with the Cruiserweight Title length wise. However, we were treated to a solid Divas match with the right outcome. **1/4
Jonathan Coachman interviews The Rock, who is in full dick heel mode. God I loved this Rock. He promotes the match, hypes the rivalry and is overall, just great.
WWE Tag Team Championship
Team Angle (c) vs. Chris Benoit and Rhyno vs. Los Guerreros
I will forever love Team Angle and would've given anything to see Angle & Benoit against them. Chavo works over Charlie Haas early and the tags are coming quickly. Chavo hits a back suplex and Eddie front flips in onto Chris Benoit. Benoit fires back with stiff chops and Rhyno gets the tag. Shelton Benjamin tags in and goes toe to toe with Rhyno, even taking him down with a back elbow. Team Angle hit a double dropkick and man, they are crisp in the ring. They surprisingly decide to focus on Rhyno, who will play face in peril I guess. Or he's not, as Eddie and Benoit quickly end up as the legal men. Tazz states that VIVA LA RAZA means Frog Splash, which is obviously incorrect. Benoit hits a big suplex from the top but Benjamin breaks the count. Benoit pops up Eddie and catches him in the Cripple Crossface, which is so badass it's not even funny. Chavo comes in and eats rolling German suplexes, though Chavo tags in Shelton midway through. Benoit signals for the end but gets kicked in the chest by Shelton. Shelton goes for a cover but Eddie breaks it with Frog Splash, which was sweet. Chavo tags himself in and is tossed by a Haas belly to belly. He doesn't get time to celebrate as he is hit with a GORE! Chavo eats one too but Eddie pulls him out. Shelton covers Chavo and steals it.
Winners and Still WWE Tag Team Champions: Team Angle in 8:48
Really good triple threat tag team match. I wish Team Angle didn't have to steal the win, but it made sense. All guys worked hard and got the crowd more into it than I expected. ***
Backstage, Stacy Keibler and Torrie Wilson get into a small argument, as do the Miller Lite Catfight girls. This is quickly getting awful.
Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels
The storyline and build up to this match is great and re-told in a fantastic video package. Heading into this match, it was always a dream match of mine. If you haven't been following my reviews, this is Shawn Michaels' first WrestleMania since his return. After a short sequence at the start, Shawn relaxes in the corner to a big pop. What follows is another sequence that ends in a stand off and Jericho is getting frustrated. Shawn tries a leap frog but Jericho doesn't go under and instead slaps Shawn. OH NO HE DIDN'T! Shawn knocks him outside and hits a baseball slide. Shawn does a cross body off the top but Jericho rolls through for a near fall and hits a spinning heel kick. Time to work the leg as Shawn comes back with the figure four and a knee breaker. He tries the Figure Four again but Jericho throws him into the post. He goes to send Shawn out, but he goes all 1995 and skins the cat, bringing Jericho outside. They fight in the aisle and Jericho puts on the Walls outside, getting back in at the count of eight. Jericho wisely targets the back, driving it into the ring post. As Shawn tries to get back in, Jericho hits the springboard dropkick. Back suplex from Jericho who shouts “IM BETTER THAN YOU!”Vertical suplex follows for two. COME ON BABAY pin obviously gets two. Shawn counters a back body drop with a big DDT and commentary is doing a great job of building the story of Chris trying to prove he's better than his idol. To continue the STORYTELLING, Jericho hits a flying forearm and nips up just like Shawn. He steals Shawn's taunt as HBK nips up and hits a flying forearm of his own. Shawn hits a moonsault onto a standing Jericho for a long two. We get a series of pin attempts until Jericho tries the Walls but it's blocked. He does manage to nail the Lionsault but can't pin quickly so only gets a two. Shawn is back up and tries a hurricanrana but Jericho reverses into the Walls! Shawn reaches the ropes but eats a backbreaker for his troubles. Jericho goes up top with a flying back elbow and starts to tune up the band. STORYTELLING! He actually hits it and covers for two and the crowd is shocked. Shawn rallies with a cross body and right hands. He hits a slingshot for two and Jericho goes back to the lower back. He attempts a top rope back suplex but Michaels counters with his third cross body and both men are down. Shawn wants to do the elbow but Jericho bumps the referee into the ropes to crotch HBK. Superplex is also countered into a front suplex and the elbow connects! Shawn tunes up the band now but Jericho ducks and locks in the Walls! The crowd is going berserk! Michaels reaches the ropes and Jericho is livid. He charges at Shawn right into the Superkick! They get up together and we get the Shawn corner bump. Shawn reverses a back suplex into a rollup and gets the three!
Winner: Shawn Michaels in 22:34
Tremendous match. Both guys looked great and I remember people freaking out because Chris Jericho lost, myself included, but this was fine. Jericho made a mistake and Shawn Michaels capitalized. Fine storytelling and great action. ****1/2
Shawn Michaels offers a handshake after the match and, a crying Chris Jericho hugs him instead. He then kicks Shawn in the nuts! HEEL TACTICS!
Sylvan, in his referee's outfit enters Mr. McMahon's office. CONTROVERSEY! Tony Chimel announces a new Safeco Field record attendance of 54,097. Limp Bizkit now performs “Crack Addict”.
Jonathan Coachman brings out the Miller Lite Catfight Girls onto the stage. There is a bed for them to fight out, but Stacy Keibler interrupts. Side note, Coach looks like a doofus in his Mariner's jersey. Stacy wants to join, but before she can, Torrie Wilson enters. Torrie joins in and removes her and Stacy's top before spanking her. You know what, I'm not even gonna do play by play. There are tits and ass everywhere. It doesn't belong on WrestleMania but no guys complained.
World Heavyweight Championship
Triple H (c) w/ Ric Flair vs. Booker T
For those who don't know the story, Triple H constantly put down Booker T on the Road to WrestleMania for his past, which involved him going to jail. Booker tells Hunter that his “punk ass is in trouble” before the bell. HHH pulls a Flair and climbs up top when he should know that he won't hit a move from there, so Booker brings him down hard. Booker stays in control after that, which is surprising as I figured Triple H would be the one in control. HHH knocks Booker outside because he must know that I expected more from him. He hits a neckbreaker in the ring and begins to work as his cerebral assassin pace. I always liked how Triple H picks apart someone. He hits an impactful clothesline in the corner for two. The two men trade shots in the middle of the ring and Booker breaks out of a suplex before hitting a big DDT. He nails a heel kick and sidewalk slam for two. As he goes for the Scissors Kick, HHH catches him in a sleeper hold and after Booker breaks it, he eats the high knee. Booker manages to connect with a big kick but only earns two. A second Scissors Kick attempt also fails as Booker gets caught on the top rope. This allows Ric Flair to hit a knee drop onto the steel steps. This would make more sense if HHH had worked Booker's leg throughout the match. Now, Triple H chooses to apply a modified Indian deathlock and Booker eventually reaches the ropes. HHH goes for the Pedigree but it's blocked and a rollup gets Booker two. Third time is the charm as Booker strikes with the Scissors Kick but is too hurt to cover. HHH kicks out and Flair tries to interfere but eats a right hand. Booker knocks HHH off the top and Flair takes another right hand. Harlem Hangover is hit and the crowd pops hard! He covers but Flair places HHH's foot on the ropes. Booker tries another Scissors Kick but his leg gives out, allowing Trips to plant him with the Pedigree. He takes forever to cover, yet still wins.
Winner and Still World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H in 18:45
Really solid bout but the outcome was dumb. Booker T should have won and maybe Triple H wins it back like months later. Anyway, the actual work was good but the ending was super anti-climatic. ***
Street Fight
Hulk Hogan vs. Mr. McMahon
Vince McMahon slaps Hulk Hogan right at the start, causing Hogan to charge him and pound away. Mr. McMahon is in better shape than Hogan and clotheslines him down. He blatantly chokes Hogan before delivering jabs to the ribs and face, knocking Hogan down. He then decides to drive his knees into Hogan's arm on the mat, but it looks pitiful. The arm work continues as he drives it into the corner a few times. Vince uses a test of strength with Hogan and Hogan rallies behind all of the HULKAMANIACS but Vince kicks him low and tosses him outside. Vince flexes and grabs a chair but misses, allowing Hogan to level him with it. He is bleeding like a stuffed pig as Hogan fires away on him. Hogan tries another chair shot but hits Hugo, the Spanish commentator! This allows Vince to strike a chair and Hogan is busted open now. Mr. McMahon has the balls to bring out a ladder as he places Hogan on the announce table. He mocks Hogan before leaping off with a leg drop. I'll give Vince this, the man has guts. He brings Hogan in and covers for two. Vince goes under the ring to get a steel pipe and delivers an awesome image of his bloody face with a sadistic look. Hogan retaliates with a desperation low blow. Suddenly, someone in a hood gets in the ring and it's Roddy Piper. WRESTLEMANIA 1 LIVES ON! He spits on Hogan, kicks Vince and then lays out Hogan with a pipe. He leaves, Vince covers and Hogan kicks out! Vince tries the pipe again but Brian Hebner stops him, so he gets thrown by Vince. It's a Street Fight you idiot. Things brings out crooked reg, Sylvan. Vince hits the Leg Drop and it's HULK UP time! Hogan does his usual thing, kicking out Sylvan in the process before hitting the big boot and the Leg Drop. 1-2-3 and it's over.
Winner: Hulk Hogan in 20:47
This was better than it had any right to be. Both guys bled crazy and told a good story which is all you could ask of them. ***1/4
Shane McMahon surprisingly walks out to the ring and Hulk Hogan takes off his belt like he's gonna take Shane to the woodshed. He just stares at Hogan and gets in the ring as Hogan leaves. He checks on his dad, who flips the bird at Hogan because Vince McMahon is a tremendous heel.
The Rock vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
The idea that the Rock has done everything except beat Stone Cold at WrestleMania should make for great storytelling. After a fist fight, Austin tries a Stunner but Rock blocks and takes a breather. Austin catches him and pounds away outside. Back inside, Austin hits a back suplex and seems to be working Rock's back. Rock wisely takes out the leg and now takes control. He continues to work the leg and applies the Sharpshooter. Man, Rock always had an odd looking Sharpshooter. Rock breaks it and goes outside to put on Austin's best. Austin nails him once he gets inside and we get the classic double clothesline spot. Austin gets hot and drops the elbow on Rock for two. It's fantastic that Rock is still wearing the vest. Austin stomps a mudhole in him as the crowd chants “WHAT” with each stomp. Rock hits a clothesline and nips up, but taunts right into a Rock Bottom from Austin! That only gets a two so Austin tries the Stunner but Rock blocks and hits one of his own! This is great considering how well they know each other. It only gets a near fall and leads to Austin hitting the Stunner that Rock oversells as always but he kicks out too! Behind the referee's back, Rock hits a low blow and claps for himself before pointing to his head because he's so smart. God, I love Hollywood Rock. He misses the People's Elbow, blocks a Stunner and hits a Spinebuster. He tries again and nails the People's Elbow this time but Austin gets his shoulder up. Rock connects with the Rock Bottom and Austin somehow kicks out again! He signals for the Rock Bottom but Austin elbows out, only to get hit with it anyway, but he kicks out! The crowd is stunned. Rock holds Austin and hits a third Rock Bottom to finally wrap this one up.
Winner: The Rock in 17:55
The only WrestleMania trilogy ends in another classic. This would turn out to be the last match of Austin's career and he went out with a bang. I loved this. ****1/2
The Rock sits by Steve Austin after the match and tells him something. We would learn on Rock's DVD that he thanked him for everything. Nice moment. Austin gets his time to walk to the back and celebrate his career with the unknowing fans.
WWE Championship
Kurt Angle (c) vs. Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar has the honor of main eventing his first ever WrestleMania, just less than a year after his debut. I expect mat wrestling and they deliver, trying to one up each other in the early stages. Our first near fall comes a few minutes in after a Brock powerslam. Angle ducks a clothesline and hits a massive German suplex but Brock pops up and takes him down. Tazz calls Brock the “Vanilla Gorilla” as he press slams Angle. I hope it's because Brock is white and not vanilla in wrestling lingo. Angle hits a sick German into the turnbuckle. Seriously, it was badass. Angle's like a shark smelling blood as he targets to target Brock's back. Angle goes to a rear naked choke to wear down the challenger. Brock is turning purple like he does two minutes into all matches in 2014. After a long time, Brock breaks the hold but Angle doesn't let up, hitting a belly to belly suplex. Angle charges at Brock but gets caught in a spinebuster that would make Double A proud. He hits the first flying forearm that I've ever seen him hit before driving his shoulder into Kurt in the corner. Brock hits two belly to belly suplexes in a row but his third is reversed into rolling German suplexes from Kurt. Four of those earn a hand from the crowd who is appreciating this show of work. Angle Slam is blocked and Kurt counters the F5 into the Ankle Lock! How you ask? BECAUSE HE'S KURT FREAKING ANGLE! He turns it into a half crab but Brock makes it to the ropes. Brock sends Kurt over and out hard, buying himself some time. It doesn't matter because when Angle gets in he hits a release German suplex! He just tossed a man of Brock's size. Angle Slam is hit but Brock kicks out. Brock hits the F5 but Kurt becomes the first man to kick out of it. Ankle Lock gets applied and Kurt locks it in, but Brock drags him and gets to the ropes. I've never seen anyone do that. Angle does a small package for two and Brock retaliates with a second F5! Instead of pinning, Brock climbs to the top even though Kurt is far away. He goes for a damn Shooting Star Press but misses and lands terribly on his face. His SSP is one of the most impressive looking ones ever. Angle covers for two and he picks Brock up, only to be hit with a third F5! Brock drapes an arm over and gets the three.
Winner and New WWE Champion: Brock Lesnar in 21:07
My goodness, these two went at it. No nonsense, just let the two best wrestlers go in the ring and wrestle. They did that and put on a great show. ****1/4
Brock Lesnar looks absolutely dazed after the Shooting Star Press. Kurt Angle raises his arm in a show of respect.
Overall: 10/10. Perfect. I've only give out two perfect 10s before this and those were for WrestleMania X-Seven and SummerSlam 2002. This was just as good. The only match that you can skip is the Undertaker handicap match. Everything else is good to great. Shawn/Jericho, Angle/Brock and Austin/Rock were all phenomenal. The Cruiserweight Title match was great but short, the Women's Title was good, Tag Titles were good, the World Title was really good and Vince/Hogan was better than I expected. Four hours of fun and you should go out of your way to see this show. Tremendous. |
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Post by Funk The Revival on Oct 29, 2014 14:19:02 GMT -5
Overall: 10/10. Perfect. I've only give out two perfect 10s before this and those were for WrestleMania X-Seven and SummerSlam 2002. This was just as good. The only match that you can skip is the Undertaker handicap match. Everything else is good to great. Shawn/Jericho, Angle/Brock and Austin/Rock were all phenomenal. The Cruiserweight Title match was great but short, the Women's Title was good, Tag Titles were good, the World Title was really good and Vince/Hogan was better than I expected. Four hours of fun and you should go out of your way to see this show. Tremendous. My favourite Mania for sure. Completely agree |
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