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Classic Wrestling General Discussion & Review Thread

123K views 687 replies 140 participants last post by  Clique 
#1 · (Edited)
This is the place to discuss the careers of your favorite wrestlers, review classic matches, historic events, share videos, and more! So start discussing topics from the WWF, NWA/WCW, ECW, and the Territories.
 
#2 · (Edited)
Re: Classic Wrestling Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows


AWA World Heavyweight Championship Match
Nick Bockwinkel(c) vs. Curt Hennig
AWA Championship Wrestling from Las Vegas, NV 11/15/1986


“ARE YOU READY TO GO SIXTY MINUTES?”

The two very best wrestlers in the American Wrestling Association collide in a one fall match with a sixty minute time-limit for the Heavyweight Championship of the World. The challenger is second generation wrestler and son of Larry “The Axe” Hennig – Curt Hennig. The World’s Champion is the consummate professional and has wrestled and has defeated all that there is to defeat – Nick Bockwinkel.

Hennig has the youth and hunger to be a World Champion to his advantage because he has worked so hard for this moment. Bockwinkel is the “Man of 1000 Holds” and he has the experience and Championship advantage in this match. Hennig has to beat Bockwinkel via pin fall or a submission to win the title, Bockwinkel does not have to beat Hennig. He only has to secure his championship whether he pins Hennig, makes him submit or endures the time limit.

When I prepared to watch this match I knew it would run sixty minutes because well it said so on the program. What I wanted to find out was how were these two extraordinary wrestlers going to tell a story and keep me entertained for that amount of time? I’ve seen the “Flair Broadways” with Sting, Windham and Steamboat. I’ve experienced live on television Michaels/Hart, HHH/Rock and Angle/Lesnar and was impressed by them all. I can now add Hennig/Bockwinkel to that elite list of THE HOUR MATCHES.

The story in this match is actually broken down into three chapters:

1) A “catch-as-catch can” feeling out process that lasts for the first 15+ minutes. Bockwinkel tried to ground Hennig with a headlock which I must say the commentators explained expertly how a simple hold as this can be very excruciating when the aggressor of the move places the bone of his forearm into the skull of his opponent. Hennig countered out of the champion’s painful hold several times with arm drags and set him up in the armbar. These two are just getting warmed up!

I know there are many fans who do not like a slowly paced build in matches but I appreciate this structure so much as far as storytelling is concerned because it makes the finish that much more exciting.


2) Mat-based, almost amateur wrestling style, submission period. This period is 25-30 minutes of complete ground wrestling and I absolutely loved it! Hennig continued his attack on Bockwinkel’s left arm with knee drops straight into the targeted area.

My hats off to the psychology used by Bockwinkel with him missing a shoulder tackle and landing into the steel post to further damage his arm. Bockwinkel also shakes and stretches his hands on occasion to get feeling back into his arm which makes the wrestling so authentic.

Hennig then used a short-armed scissors which Bockwinkel fought for his life to get out of, even using the tights to try and get a cheap victory.

What was so intelligent about Bockwinkel resorting to that tactic was it allowed Henning to release the hold or be pinned and Bockwinkel was able to get a breather and rethink his strategy.

When the match proceeded, Hennig locked Bockwinkel back in the short-armed scissors but this time Bockwinkel wrestled his way out of the submission and caught Henning with a drop-toehold turned into a leg scissors submission. Now that is what I call a game play strategized in a few short moments and executed with brilliance!

For the next say 15 minutes, it’s all leg work delivered by Dr. Bockwinkel who just twists and stretches every joint and ligament of Hennig. I marked while Bockwinkel had Hennig in the leg scissors; he churned his ankle round and round applying more pressure to the hold which only causes more pain. We then get to see a wishbone leg stretch to Hennig and eventually the Indian Death Lock.

I like the fact that Bockwinkel is a damn fine wrestler who will wrestle you one on one until he realizes he may be getting out wrestled then he may put a foot on the rope for extra leverage. He is still a heel after all.

Let me just say both men sell the submission moves and worked over areas exceptionally well all throughout this match. Bockwinkel never forgets to grab his injured arm and Hennig noticeably limps to the very end of the match.


3) The final quarter of the match is when the intensity and the climatic end came to ahead. These men wrestled a pure wrestling match and it would continue that way but the match also manifested into “Ok, it’s almost over. Let’s now bring out the big moves!”

That’s right, Hennig and Bockwinkel straight up mat-wrestled for about 3/4 of the match and now they would use chops, kicks, punches, suplexes, Piledrivers and the Sleeper Hold! You could really feel the sense of urgency from the story they told was they would try to wrestle the respectable Champion’s mat game but now that time is closing in we will do anything to win.

Hennig then attacks Bockwinkel’s leg on a steel post but when he went for the spinning toehold, Bockwinkel shifted him headfirst into the steel post. Talk about pay back! In the final ten minutes we now have blood in the match and Henning has that famous “crimson mask.”

I’m pleased the booking of this match allowed Hennig to show his heart and his courage and I know the fans were insanely behind him at the time. Bockwinkel being the antagonist and vicious champion that he is only infuriated them more by slamming Henning’s cut opened head into the edge of the ring apron. The only flaw I’d like to point out was that we can clearly see both men when they are blading.

Bockwinkel brawls with Hennig until Curt catches the champion with “The Axe” which busts him open too. In the final minute of the match Hennig place Bockwinkel into the Figure Leg lock until the time expired! The match was officially a draw and Bockwinkel would retain his AWA World Heavyweight Championship!

The announcers put this match over so well saying, “I will never forget this for as long as I live! These two men not only gave all they have to give but "THEY GAVE ALL THERE IS TO GIVE TO THE SPORT OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING!”

This is an epic championship match and a favorite of mine. The pacing is absolutely perfect and has superb storytelling in this wrestling classic!

5 STAR MATCH

For those who appreciate selling, the long-term selling from both Bockwinkel (shoulder) and Hennig (leg) is precise. I also love how both men have their moments in this match where they shift the momentum in their favor by using the other man's attack. Bockwinkel worked over Hennig's leg and eventually Hennig slammed Bockwinkel's leg into the steel post and worked a hold on his leg. Early in the 1st half Hennig pushed Bockwinkel shoulder-first into the steel post and by the final moments of the match Bockwinkel pushed Hennig head-first into the post which split him open. That's great psychology. This is one of the best matches I've ever seen.​
 
#3 ·
Re: Classic Wrestling Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

Clique, wanna keep repping you for the Bockwinkel love/classic section/other stuff, but I gotta spread that shit around.

I'm going to assume you've seen the AWA DVD released by WWE. I love the interview with Greg Gagne about talking to Curt prior to the contest and after.

"Did you learn something?"

"Yeah."
 
#4 · (Edited)
Re: Classic Wrestling Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

Thanks 777. :) At the time it seemed Hennig hadn't quite perfected his promos, yet.



Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat - Maple Leaf Gardens 02/15/1987

There is tons of hate shown throughout this match from Steamboat. Savage does a very good job of taking advantage of Steamboat's rage and he exploits Ricky's injured throat and neck. Savage ultimately ends up getting busted open and Steamboat really works on the cut viciously. This may be the most rage I’ve seen Steamboat display in a match. There are some nice payback spots here too, like Steamboat attacking Savage's throat by dropping him snake's style- throat first on the top rope. There are a lot of great rapid near-falls at the end which is a precursor to the showdown at WMIII and the finish is perfect with Savage cunningly escaping with the belt even though Steamboat beat him to a bloody pulp from pillar to post.
 
#11 ·
Re: Classic Wrestling Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

Very good idea and I always wondered why we never had a classic section till now.
Agreed but I'm seemingly never happy because I still wish more changes could be made. I wish we could exclude the Attitude Era from the Classic Section as well. No offense to others, and I am not singling anyone out or anything, but when I think of classic wrestling, I don't think of shit from the year 2000.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

Doink the Clown vs. Marty Jannetty - 2 out of 3 Falls Match - Monday Night Raw 06/21/1993

I really had no expectations for a good wrestling match just an entertaining contest but Jannetty and Doink (Matt Bourne) changed my view quickly. During this "New Generation" era in the WWF it was fitting to have an evil clown as a villain to scare the kiddies. Doink’s mannerisms are spot on and while he has a smile on his face and bounces around the ring you can sense menace in him which is great. His malicious actions complement the scary nature of this jolly figure.

In the first fall, Marty and Doink work the standard showcase of atheletism and chain wrestling. The spot where one guy leaves the other bouncing off the ropes is a delight to see because it makes a fool out the guy and the match has a right to be FUN anyway. Doink obviously doesn’t like that Marty is playing his goofy game on him so the evil clown turns the intensity up a bit. After some back and forth exchanges, Doink gets a lucky break and pins Marty via a leg drop/senton from the top rope.

Towards final portion of the match Doink shows good psychology by attacking Marty’s legs on the ring post and then a Figure Four Leg Lock. A second Doink comes out and hides under the ring. I like how as the match progressed they continued to build layers to a solid story with Marty selling the knee but continuing to fight back, and Doink upping his arsenal on Marty with leg-work and submissions.

This match certainly exceeded my expectations and is a really good wrestling match. Both men played their roles well and delivered an exciting and entertaining Raw match.
 
#7 ·
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

Is there any chance to get that Bockwinkel/Perfect match on dvd or something?
 
#10 ·
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows



Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude
30-Minute Iron Man Challenge
WCW Beach Blast 1992


Rick Rude is the United States Champion but this match is a non-title contest which undoubtedly is set to prove who is the better wrestler, but also who is the toughest man - The Iron Man. I’ve always appreciated Iron Man matches because they can make this circus that is professional wrestling look more like a competition through the athleticism and spirited fire we see lit in the performers; especially in Ricky Steamboat matches.

Am I the only one that feels Rude’s “Fat, out of shape … take a look at a real man” promo that he did before every match never gets old? I chuckle a little every time I hear him say it. I mean a lot of those WCW fans actually do look like “sweat hogs” and Rude is really awesome.

This match pits a contrast not only in styles but also in personalities. While Rude verbally destroys the fans on the mic, the ultimate good guy, the man whose family escorts him to the ring - Ricky Steamboat - has always been and will always be an enduring babyface in wrestling lore.

Steamboat brought the fight with extra aggression in the opening moments of the match. It was almost like Steamboat was punishing Rude for even thinking about attacking him from behind while Ricky assisted his family out of the ring. The pace is pretty fast in the opening moments of the match due to the fire The Dragon brings and the ride has taken off!

I think it is excellent how they incorporated injuries for both men to work with in telling their story of ‘who will be the most durable for the duration?’ Rude suffered a rib injury from one of Steamboat’s gut-busters and Ricky completely dominated until Rude got a lucky break with a knee to the Steamboat’s head which leads to an injury to him. These moments are extremely important because the rest of the match, including the foundation for the finish is set here. I’ll explain further on.

The storytelling couldn’t be any better than it is here: Rude is the one who had an early injury and was dominated yet at one quick turn he has the advantage at 2-0.

Rude smartly works on Steamboat’s head and neck with “The Rude Awaking” and an illegal diving knee drop from the top rope to Steamboat’s neck. Again, we have more storytelling with Rude taking a DQ only to injure Steamboat more and further his own advantage with 3-1. The “no flying off the top rope rule” did have valid reasoning behind it no matter how much we don’t like it because what Rude did was malicious!

Both men are in the best of the best category as far as I’m concerned, and their psychology used here to tell a simple yet fantastic story is just right. Rude never forgets to sell the rib injury. Even though he dominated a large portion of the match, he would always go back to holding his left arm towards his ribs. This is something that seems to be lost with the majority of workers today, some who are in the main event.

And as far as getting behind a face that is in peril, Ricky Steamboat is at the very top as one of the best. I’d put him in the top class with Rey Mysterio, Undertaker, Shawn Michaels and Chris Benoit. When you see Ricky’s hand cramped and shaking with his fingers twitching, there’s no why I can’t sympathize with this man.

Steamboat showed his desire to win as he kicked out of a Piledriver and seconds later performed one of the best Tombstone reversals I’ve ever seen. When Steamboat was climbing, fighting out of the Tombstone position you can clearly see him “gutting it out” to pull off the reversal and hit a homerun and spike Rude’s head into the canvas. That moment for me really had that athletic-sports type feel to it.

Steamboat picked up another win there and then ANOTHER with the grueling backslide pin to make a tie at 3-3, and that is when the fire reignited in “The Dragon”.

I cannot say enough how great the psychology is here in this match. First of all, this burst of running and quickly hitting clotheslines while scrambling for pin-falls comes at a great period in the match to keep the crowd enthralled with the ups & downs of the match.

The pace is steady throughout with 100 percent selling which I say again is phenomenal. What I want to point out is how Rude shut Steamboat down again during Ricky’s electric onslaught. Rude gained the advantage due to Steamboat being overzealous in the beginning of the match but the end of the match is coming up and we saw how long it took for Steamboat to make a comeback the first time he got shut down. So what does Rude do with only three minutes left? He puts Ricky in a sleeper hold – GENIUS.

It’s genius because this isn’t just a mere rest-hold but an essential and fine piece of storytelling that led to a remarkable finish. The sleeper hold will eat up the remaining time but if Steamboat passes out there is no more comebacks. I loved how Rude would kick Steamboat’s arms down so he couldn’t reach the ropes. Man, I miss how intense it used to feel seeing someone locked in the sleeper! Steamboat continued to sell the fight in him denying to passing out, denying losing.

Steamboat finally fought up courageously and used the corner ropes to turn the sleeper-hold into a pin-fall! The snake gets his own poison spit back into his face! With only 30 seconds left in the match it was Rude that found himself scrambling to get a win with a flurry of clotheslines into pin-covers, shoulder blocks into pin-covers, ANYTHING to get a pin-fall! But the time ran out and the match was over with the final score at 4-3 . Steamboat turned a move that would have finished the match for him into a situation that not only finished, but embarrassed the narcissistic Rick Rude which is flawless storytelling for the match and their combating characters.

This is truly a superb technical wrestling match. This is how you build and build the drama of a contest as a compelling race to the finish line. This is the type of match that should be viewed by all wrestling fans. I think anyone can and should appreciate the work performed here. It is the type of match that takes what we call sports-entertainment and makes it feel more like, as Jim Cornette once said, “an entertaining-sport.”​
 
#12 ·
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows



Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude
30-Minute Iron Man Challenge
WCW Beach Blast 1992


Rick Rude is the United States Champion but this match is a non-title contest which undoubtedly is set to prove who is the better wrestler, but also who is the toughest man - The Iron Man. I’ve always appreciated Iron Man matches because they can make this circus that is professional wrestling look more like a competition through the athleticism and spirited fire we see lit in the performers; especially in Ricky Steamboat matches.

Am I the only one that feels Rude’s “Fat, out of shape … take a look at a real man” promo that he did before every match never gets old? I chuckle a little every time I hear him say it. I mean a lot of those WCW fans actually do look like “sweat hogs” and Rude is really awesome.

This match pits a contrast not only in styles but also in personalities. While Rude verbally destroys the fans on the mic, the ultimate good guy, the man whose family escorts him to the ring - Ricky Steamboat - has always been and will always be an enduring babyface in wrestling lore.

Steamboat brought the fight with extra aggression in the opening moments of the match. It was almost like Steamboat was punishing Rude for even thinking about attacking him from behind while Ricky assisted his family out of the ring. The pace is pretty fast in the opening moments of the match due to the fire The Dragon brings and the ride has taken off!

I think it is excellent how they incorporated injuries for both men to work with in telling their story of ‘who will be the most durable for the duration?’ Rude suffered a rib injury from one of Steamboat’s gut-busters and Ricky completely dominated until Rude got a lucky break with a knee to the Steamboat’s head which leads to an injury to him. These moments are extremely important because the rest of the match, including the foundation for the finish is set here. I’ll explain further on.

The storytelling couldn’t be any better than it is here: Rude is the one who had an early injury and was dominated yet at one quick turn he has the advantage at 2-0.

Rude smartly works on Steamboat’s head and neck with “The Rude Awaking” and an illegal diving knee drop from the top rope to Steamboat’s neck. Again, we have more storytelling with Rude taking a DQ only to injure Steamboat more and further his own advantage with 3-1. The “no flying off the top rope rule” did have valid reasoning behind it no matter how much we don’t like it because what Rude did was malicious!

Both men are in the best of the best category as far as I’m concerned, and their psychology used here to tell a simple yet fantastic story is just right. Rude never forgets to sell the rib injury. Even though he dominated a large portion of the match, he would always go back to holding his left arm towards his ribs. This is something that seems to be lost with the majority of workers today, some who are in the main event.

And as far as getting behind a face that is in peril, Ricky Steamboat is at the very top as one of the best. I’d put him in the top class with Rey Mysterio, Undertaker, Shawn Michaels and Chris Benoit. When you see Ricky’s hand cramped and shaking with his fingers twitching, there’s no why I can’t sympathize with this man.

Steamboat showed his desire to win as he kicked out of a Piledriver and seconds later performed one of the best Tombstone reversals I’ve ever seen. When Steamboat was climbing, fighting out of the Tombstone position you can clearly see him “gutting it out” to pull off the reversal and hit a homerun and spike Rude’s head into the canvas. That moment for me really had that athletic-sports type feel to it.

Steamboat picked up another win there and then ANOTHER with the grueling backslide pin to make a tie at 3-3, and that is when the fire reignited in “The Dragon”.

I cannot say enough how great the psychology is here in this match. First of all, this burst of running and quickly hitting clotheslines while scrambling for pin-falls comes at a great period in the match to keep the crowd enthralled with the ups & downs of the match.

The pace is steady throughout with 100 percent selling which I say again is phenomenal. What I want to point out is how Rude shut Steamboat down again during Ricky’s electric onslaught. Rude gained the advantage due to Steamboat being overzealous in the beginning of the match but the end of the match is coming up and we saw how long it took for Steamboat to make a comeback the first time he got shut down. So what does Rude do with only three minutes left? He puts Ricky in a sleeper hold – GENIUS.

It’s genius because this isn’t just a mere rest-hold but an essential and fine piece of storytelling that led to a remarkable finish. The sleeper hold will eat up the remaining time but if Steamboat passes out there is no more comebacks. I loved how Rude would kick Steamboat’s arms down so he couldn’t reach the ropes. Man, I miss how intense it used to feel seeing someone locked in the sleeper! Steamboat continued to sell the fight in him denying to passing out, denying losing.

Steamboat finally fought up courageously and used the corner ropes to turn the sleeper-hold into a pin-fall! The snake gets his own poison spit back into his face! With only 30 seconds left in the match it was Rude that found himself scrambling to get a win with a flurry of clotheslines into pin-covers, shoulder blocks into pin-covers, ANYTHING to get a pin-fall! But the time ran out and the match was over with the final score at 4-3 . Steamboat turned a move that would have finished the match for him into a situation that not only finished, but embarrassed the narcissistic Rick Rude which is flawless storytelling for the match and their combating characters.

This is truly a superb technical wrestling match. This is how you build and build the drama of a contest as a compelling race to the finish line. This is the type of match that should be viewed by all wrestling fans. I think anyone can and should appreciate the work performed here. It is the type of match that takes what we call sports-entertainment and makes it feel more like, as Jim Cornette once said, “an entertaining-sport.”​
I can't really disagree with this review. I think on last watch I had this at ****3/4. Beach Blast '92 was actually a really good event with;
Rude/Steamboat - ****3/4
Sting/Cactus ****1/4
Pillman/Flamingo ***1/2
Steiner Brothers/Miracle Violence Connection at ****.

I'd probably need to watch everything again just to be sure on these ratings, though.
 
#14 ·
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

"The Modern Day Warrior"Kerry Von Erich (WCCW World Heavyweight Champion) vs Jerry "The King" Lawler (AWA World Heavyweight Championship): AWA Superclash III: Title Unification Bout December 13, 1988



"There is only one Mona Lisa, one Leaning Tower of Pisa, and there can only be one World Heavyweight Champion"-Kerry Von Erich

A classic contest between two great regional wrestlers: Kerry Von Erich of Texas and Jerry Lawler of Tennessee. Kerry directly representing his father and his father's promotion, as his best wrestler and arguably his greatest champion. Lawler a stalwart of his native Memphis promotion branches out and captures the Minnesota-based AWA promotion's world championship.

Both the AWA and WCCW are struggling regional promotions with eyes on becoming national powerhouses decide to sign a talent sharing agreement and share a world championship.

What would happen would be tragic for both promotions when it comes to business, but the fans were treated to a true classic between two of professional wrestling's most underrated stars.

A fairly short contest but action packed with plenty of blood and a controversial finish. For fans of either guy, or just fans of professional wrestling this match is greatly suggested. If you never seen it, I won't spoil it. The match is featured on the AWA DVD (produced by WWE).

Match rating: **** 1/4
 
#88 ·
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

"The Modern Day Warrior"Kerry Von Erich (WCCW World Heavyweight Champion) vs Jerry "The King" Lawler (AWA World Heavyweight Championship): AWA Superclash III: Title Unification Bout December 13, 1988

"There is only one Mona Lisa, one Leaning Tower of Pisa, and there can only be one World Heavyweight Champion"-Kerry Von Erich

A classic contest between two great regional wrestlers: Kerry Von Erich of Texas and Jerry Lawler of Tennessee. Kerry directly representing his father and his father's promotion, as his best wrestler and arguably his greatest champion. Lawler a stalwart of his native Memphis promotion branches out and captures the Minnesota-based AWA promotion's world championship.

Both the AWA and WCCW are struggling regional promotions with eyes on becoming national powerhouses decide to sign a talent sharing agreement and share a world championship.

What would happen would be tragic for both promotions when it comes to business, but the fans were treated to a true classic between two of professional wrestling's most underrated stars.

A fairly short contest but action packed with plenty of blood and a controversial finish. For fans of either guy, or just fans of professional wrestling this match is greatly suggested. If you never seen it, I won't spoil it. The match is featured on the AWA DVD (produced by WWE).

Match rating: **** 1/4
Finish was indeed controversial and maybe not exactly what the two companies needed at the time. I understand they wanted to protect both men with the finish and maybe even stir up talk draw attention to AWA/WCCW but it didn't work. Idk, it seems like SuperClash III was both promotions last shot at being a legit staple in the industry and they more or less failed. Don't get me wrong, the match up to the finish is really good and a better finish could have put the match over-the-top further imo. Speaking of over-the-top...



The Undertaker vs. Mankind
WWF King of the Ring (June 28, 1998)




According to Mick Foley in his book Have A Nice Day, it was Terry Funk's idea for them to start the match on top of the Cell.

This Hell in a Cell match is one of the most talked about matches ever and one of the most extreme encounters not only in WWE history but in all of wrestling. Much respect to The Undertaker performing with a broken foot and to Mick Foley for putting his life on the line just for sake of entertainment. There are several unforgettable moments that must be noted:



First, I knew something bad was going to happen when the match started at the top of the cell and their weight caved into the structure. The first time Mankind was thrown off the cell through the announcers' table to the concrete floor everyone sold the moment like death.

“He killed him!!!” JR screamed frantically. “As God as my witness he has been broken in half!!!” It is still surreal watching Mankind's body being flung in the air and crashing down to the floor.



Second, after that initial death-defying bump, Mankind went back to the top of the cell and continued to brawl with the Undertaker with a steel chair. This was completely insane and raised the intensity to another level in this match.

The Chokeslam through the top of the cell into the ring is said by Foley in his book to be even a more brutal fall than the first bump - nobody should be put through so much punishment for entertainment purposes. Foley got his damn teeth knocked out by the steel chair he was holding that landed on his face! Seeing Terry Funk get Chokeslammed out of his shoes brought some humor to this bloodletting yet also fit right into the chaos much like Foley's bloody mouth smile.

Finally, when they decided to continue the match Undertaker donned a "crimson mask" and took some stair and chair shots so the match isn't a complete massacre of Mankind. They kept the audience in suspense as to who would to the final hardcore spot on the thumbtacks which I thought made for a fitting finale to the brutality that ensued.

It is about more than just the falls Foley took. It is about the sacrifice, the passion, and the will to entertain by any means necessary. Not too many sane people would push their body to such extremes. Undertaker had a broken foot but went out there and performed. Mick Foley left the match with a concussion, dislocated jaw, dislocated shoulder, bruised kidney, and teeth knocked out.

The carnage is almost unbelievable to image it is so violent. You have to respect these men for what they put their bodies through in this match and Mick Foley literally put everything on the line. This will forever live in infamy.
 
#15 · (Edited)
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

The sense of admiration for Foley is palpable as he continues to work and bump despite obviously being in rough shape, I love the final five minutes even more than the huge spots.
The 'Under-Taker' chants after the first bump send shivers as the audience thrives on his sadism. Bloodlust at it's finest.


Speaking of Terry Funk, I'd like to add my first serious post in this thread.

Terry Funk vs Jerry 'The King' Lawler - Empty Arena Match - CWA 1981​

Old school fans will remember this one well and newer fans who may be unaware would do well to not only watch, but pay close attention to this match. No, I don't mean looking for botches or flaws, I mean watching two masterful pro-wrestlers create a piece of business that encapsulates the imaginations and emotions of the viewers.

What we today consider 'hardcore' wrestling may have been popularized in the late 90s, but long standing wrestling fans could easily point to a myriad of matches dating back to the 70s that were just as violent and when you watch the footage you can easily see that ECW borrowed plenty of ideas from wrestling's past when putting together a product which seemed revolutionary. This match definitely carries that type of distinction, being an empty arena match (was it the first?) with the type of finish that was until that time unheard of. Lawler seemed to have a knack for skirting the line between work and shoot during his heyday.

As a child, I remember thinking what a 'madman' Terry Funk was. His use of profanity was shocking in that period of time and is the first instance I can actually remember words being 'bleeped' on television. He's so over the top and unreasonable, yet you never once doubt Terry's sincerity. And boy does he put 'hero' Lawler over with his heel work, a strange combination of cowardice and all-out aggression, all of this without a single armbar, leglock or body slam. It's a fight...and is presented as such with no pretense. Lawler's character, on the other hand, manages to maintain his heroic demeanor while displaying a level of ruthlessness necessary to tame such a wild beast.

And in the end, the audience feels sympathy for the Funker. Neither character changes their position, both come out looking incredibly strong and credible...and the viewer has been taken on a roller coaster ride of emotion. A great match that highlights a great feud between two legendary wrestlers.

 
#16 ·
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

MY EYEEE!!!

The Lawler/Funk Empty Arena Match is one of the best executed segments in pro wrestling history as is their feud. When you look at the intentions to why Funk wanted this match you can see how this crazy "Wild Man" was tired of Lawler’s home field advantage with the rabid Memphis faithful and in his paranoia believed even the refs were in Lawler's corner. So they threw all of those particulars out the window and just had a FIGHT. Foley credits this match greatly for inspiring him and how could you blame him after a performance like this from Funk and Lawler.

Terrific review 777!
 
#17 ·
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

Clique I really like your reviews :eek: if you have the time could you please do one on the 2/3 falls match between Eddie Guerrero and Dean Malenko from ECW? I read about it in Eddie's book before he passed away and he wrote that it was his favorite match of all time, and that it was so special atmosphere wise because the hostile ECW crowd was known to give the wrestlers heat and throw things at them if they knew a wrestler was leaving the cult/company and word got out that both of them were leaving for WCW. Besides the fact of them leaving, they got a standing ovation. Was it really "that good". If you're busy I totally understand but yeah, would love your thoughts on that match, hopefully without telling me the result cause i plan on seeing it for the first time.
 
#21 · (Edited)
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

BruiserKC, I watched every minute of those clips. I enjoyed watching it very much. The match shouldn't have been a scientific affair as it was a personal issue that had to be FOUGHT inside the hellacious steel cage. I want to see brawling and goodness knows Lawler can throw some of the best punches in wrestling. Idol did give him some stiff shots himself, though. I agree with you on the Memphis crowd being roped in by this battle and by the end it did look like they were going to attack Idol, Rich, and Dangerously!


Clique I really like your reviews :eek: if you have the time could you please do one on the 2/3 falls match between Eddie Guerrero and Dean Malenko from ECW? I read about it in Eddie's book before he passed away and he wrote that it was his favorite match of all time, and that it was so special atmosphere wise because the hostile ECW crowd was known to give the wrestlers heat and throw things at them if they knew a wrestler was leaving the cult/company and word got out that both of them were leaving for WCW. Besides the fact of them leaving, they got a standing ovation. Was it really "that good". If you're busy I totally understand but yeah, would love your thoughts on that match, hopefully without telling me the result cause i plan on seeing it for the first time.

Thank you. I do plan on reviewing that match in the future and I recommend all of their matches in ECW and WCW to be viewed at least once.



ALL HAIL LAWLER AND FUNK. God, I so wish Lawler had spent some time with Crockett/WCW. Could have done so much more. Amazing to think how incredible his career is without really leaving Memphis until he joined WWF.
Oh, can you imagine the alliances he would form with Dusty, Magnum, and the Rock n' Roll Express to oppose the Horsemen? The tag team battles would create so much heat they'd set the entire territory on fire! Flair vs. Lawler in a more extensive program, on a bigger stage, feuding for the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship will forever be a dream. Thinking about heel Lawler vs. Steamboat just kills me. Lawler in JCP/WCW indeed would have been amazing.


EDIT - speaking of Lawler and the Horsemen:





For Clique...
:eek:


Here's another great match from two of the best to ever step foot on a wrestling canvas and create art:


Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat for the Vacant WCW World Heavyweight Championship - WCW Saturday Night 05/14/1994

Everything about this wrestling match is awesome as you would expect from these two greats. The chain and counter-wrestling on the mat is so smooth and the transitions are seemingly effortless.

I love how they have a series of slaps to the face because it came off from Flair's perspective "Would you just quit already! I'M THE MAN!" From Steamboat's perspective it is "I won't be intimidated, I'm coming at you none-stop full speed!" That's really the core of Flair vs. Steamboat in all those years and spectacular minutes inside the ring.

The match is close to 40 minutes long (there are commercial breaks of course), the pace is never slow. Every sequence and hold had meaning towards the ultra-simplistic finish. What is so brilliant about this simple finish is while it may seem 'out of nowhere' on first watch, it really ties the entire story of this match together and that is whichever man caught the right move at the right time would win the match.

It doesn't matter if Flair's a conniving heel and Steamboat's a face, by the end of the match both men remain equals no matter the winner. And you knew the next time they faced each other you still wouldn't know which way the tide would turn on the Flair/Steamboat ride. Flair/Steamboat wrestling chemistry is incomparable. If you love their 1989 trilogy then you must see this match.


 
#19 ·
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

JERRY "THE KING" LAWLER VS. "THE UNIVERSAL HEARTTHROB" AUSTIN IDOL​
APRIL 27,1987---MID-SOUTH COLISEUM---MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE​
AWA SOUTHERN HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH---HAIR VS. HAIR IN A STEEL CAGE

Throughout his career, Jerry Lawler has had some solid matches, but I think this one was one of the greatest ever. It told a great story, roped the fans into it, in fact to the point there was a near riot. It wasn't a technical classic like a Flair vs. Steamboat, but it definitely brought the roof down in Memphis.

Over the years, Lawler and Austin Idol had been partners, friends, and also bitter enemies. In early 1987, Idol and Lawler went to battle over having a chance to wrestle AWA World champion Nick Bockwinkel, an honor usually reserved for the Southern heavyweight champion, which was Lawler at the time. Lawler was injured in an attack by Idol, Tommy Rich, and Paul E. Dangerously. Lawler actually injured his testicles when the trio pulled him into the ringpost. It gave people the chance to hear "testicle" on TV.

Idol would win the vacant Southern title in a tournament in February, 1987. Lawler returned and vowed revenge. In fact, the week before the big one, Lawler beat Idol on April 20 in Memphis to regain the title. So, it was all set to finish this feud in a huge way.

The following week, on April 27, Lawler put his Southern title on the line against Idol in an anything goes, steel cage match. Both wrestlers also put up their hair. In fact, Idol one-upped the whole thing by putting up $50,000 of his own money. He said that if he was to lose and have his head shaved, he would refund every single paying fan's money in the building.

The cage has the look of today's HIAC. I wouldn't be surprised if Vince got the idea from Lawler for this structure as Memphis used this structure quite a bit. It wasn't the most scientific match, but the intensity of the story put out by both men makes up for it. The fans are well-invested into this battle.




The final moments of the match definitely make this encounter off-the-chain. Idol piledrived referee Jerry Calhoun, which was legal. As Lawler seemed to be on the brink of getting the W, Tommy "Wildfire" Rich crawled out from under the ring and jumped Lawler. Both men proceed to spike-piledrive Lawler and get the win for Idol.



After the match, they tie Lawler to the barber's chair for the shaving of the King's head. Fans actually start getting unruly, and a handful of fans even get close to climbing the cage. The arena was on the verge of a full-scale riot and Memphis police had to call for reinforcements. That's how real they felt this shit was.

Overall, it was a well-told match. You won't see a lot of scientific wrestling, or a near 60 minute battle. But I would give the whole thing 4 out of 5 stars.
 
#20 ·
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

For Clique...

Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat: The Trilogy

Match 1: Chi Town Rumble: February 20th, 1989

We see Flair entering the ring with his manager Hiro Matsuda, amongst a plethora of women who proceed to kiss and give roses to Flair, while Steamboat previously entered with his wife and son. They are really playing up the whole "Womanizer vs Family Man" story here. The match begins and steamboat gets a very nice shoulder block on Flair, which leads us to believe that Steamboat has the strength and speed advantage over the champion. They begin to chop it out here, and MAN are those chops loud. Flair, of course bails because he has no idea what to do with Steamboats physical advantage. We get some beautiful mat wrestling by both men, until at one point Flair has Steamboat backed into a corner and we hear a smattering of "Steamboat sucks!" chants, which cause Steamboat to get EXTRA intense with some crazy chops and a beautiful headscissors takedown. A double chop gets a near pinfall.

This scares Flair, who bails out of the ring again. I love the psychology here, as once Flair realizes that he can be caught at any moment and lose the title, he decides to go all full blown HEEL mode, throwing Steamboat outside of the ring, raking the eyes, and various other Flair heel tactics. Flair takes the advantage until Steamboat counters back, which of course makes the crowd EXPLODE. More beautiful chops occur until Flair comes off the top rope in a crossbody, but Steamboat turns him over for the near three count. Flair locks the figure four out of nowhere, and holds it for quite sometime, but gets caught using the ropes as leverage. I love how that sequence sums up this match in a nutshell. Flair knows he must cheat to beat Steamboat, but he cannot cheat without getting caught, thereby compromising himself in a particular position.

Some absolutely wonderful chops and suplexes by both men here, as the workrate is off the charts. Both men are selling the wear of this match superbly, and wrestling at an ubelieveably fast pace, one that I don't think I've ever seen before. Top rope cross body gets three but the referee is down. Flair gets a rollup for three as well, but there is no referee to count. Steamboat is spent (being in semi-retirement for so long), and misses a top rope dive. I absolutely love this character driven end sequence, as Flair realizes that Steamboat is tired and loads up for the Figure Four. Steamboat counters this into a cradle for the three count and the victory. Wow, even better than I have remembered, this is probably the greatest paced match of all time. The build up paid off, the storytelling and psychology are amazing, and the workrate is some of the greatest of all time. What a matchup.

*****


Match 2: Clash of the Champions VI: April 2nd, 1989

After watching the Chi-Town Rumble and hearing how Cal said this was the best of the trilogy, I was interested in seeing how this match would pan out. This is a very different match than the Chi-Town Rumble encounter, as that matchup I believe was based more off fast paced emotion and hard hitting moves, whereas this encounter is slightly slower paced, but at 3 times the length, can you really blame them ? This match features maybe the greatest matwork of all time, as the first two falls consist of beautiful headlock takedowns, front facelocks, etc. The diversity of the holds are better in this match also, as Steamboat uses variations of the Boston Crab, standing double armed chicken-wing, and even Flair's own figure four.

The psychology in this match is top notch. before Steamboat locks in the figure four, he makes sure to deliver SIXTEEN elbows to flairs left leg before applying the hold. When Flair begins his work on Steamboats legs in the third fall, Steamboat has some excellent selling that complies with the story that these two men are trying to tell inside of the ring. The logic used in this match, and the throwback to the previous match is great, as at one instance Flair is going to run from turnbuckle to turnbuckle and deliver a cross body like he did in the last match, but Steamboat catches him with a stiff chop instead. That's another thing about this match, the chops are just as solid as the Chi-Town match. The build up in the first two falls to the final fall is tremendous, as I will actually go out and say that the final fall between these two might be the greatest twenty minutes of wrestling ever. MAYBE.

The way that Flair's leg work leads us to the improbable finish is awesome, as Steamboat goes for the chickenwing hold that made Flair tap out earlier, but his legs just won't allow him to do it, leading us to our non-clean finish that sets up the final match in the trilogy. The Psychology and storytelling are off the charts here. While not as flashy and loud as the Chi-Town Rumble encounter, what it gives us in terms of matwork and storytelling is even better. I didn't want this match to end, seriously, and at 56 minutes of pure greatness, you can't really ask for very much more out of a professional wrestling match. Even better than Chi-Town Rumble.

*****

Match 3: Wrestlewar: May 7th, 1989

Here we go, I've heard many individuals (including Triple H) claim that this is the greatest match of all time, lets see how it holds up. The build to this match was greater than any other match in the series, as everyone knew this was the final encounter. They take the womanizer vs family man story to a whole new level, as Flair has about FORTY women accompany him to the ring for his entrance. The first thing I notice about this match is it's pace, they're working at that insane Flair vs Steamboat pace that is unmatched by any two competitors in the industry. The beginning of the match gets the fans more involved than the previous match as well, when Flair and Steamboat duke it out in a chop battle. The chops still aren't as vicious as Chi-Town Rumble, but there are about 10 times more of them.

Now we get to my favorite part of the match; Steamboats arm work. In the previous match, Steamboat made Flair tap out to the standing chicken wing submission, and in this match, Steamboats offense is centered around working on the left arm of Flair to set up the chicken wing once again. I love how they throwback to the previous matches and add certain elements to it. For instance, just like the other two matches, Steamboat teases a dive outside of the ring onto Flair, but the referee stops him everytime. However, in this match when the referee goes to stop Steamboat, Steamboat pushes the referee out of the way and begins to get aggressive. The drama in this match is at a greater high than the other two matches because we know this is the last encounter, so that adds to the match.

Where this match isn't as good as the other two varies. For instance, this match has better psychology and matwork than Chi-Town Rumble, while it isn't paced as good and the crowd isn't as hot. When comparing it to the COTC battle, this match has better drama and better nearfalls, but the matwork and psychology of the Clash battle triumphs over it. At the end of the day though, that 's what makes the series to special; every match is near-perfection and tell the same story in different ways. This is more of a face-face encounter than the previous two, where Flair goes full heel mode. One last thing: Steamboat's selling and Flair's bumping are phenominal, and are some of the best in the entire series. Flair takes back the title in a nod to the Clash match, where Steamboat goes for a slam and his injured knee buckles. Amazing storytelling. Do I think this is the greatest match of all time ? No, as a matter of fact it's my least favorite of the trilogy, but that obviously dosen't make it the worst.

It's a work of art and ONE of the greatest matches of all time.

*****

and as a bonus...

Ric Flair vs Terry Funk: I Quit Match: Clash of the Champions IX

If Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat was an indication of what wrestling as an art form is supposed to be, than Ric Flair vs Terry Funk is an example of what wrestling violence is all about. Flair shows his versatility in this brutal match, that honestly reminds me of an older version of the WM XXVIII end of an era match between The Undertaker and Triple H. Not that the matches have anything in common, but what makes both matches so great are the SUPERB storytelling and intense violence. The story here is simple: Funk is insane, and broke Flair's neck, now Flair needs to do what seems impossible; make Terry Funk say I quit.

For 1989 standards, and even by today's standards, this match is stiff and brutal. The psychology complies with the storytelling PERFECTLY, as Funk beats down on Flairs neck and sets up for a piledriver, but before he pulls the trigger he asks Flair does he want to quit. The way Funk says "Remember your neck Ric ? You don't want me to hurt your neck again do you?" is storytelling and drama so compelling, but it's actually congruent with the storyline. What can I say about some of the spots in this match ? A piledriver on the floor, steel barricade shots, and one of the most brutal suplexes to the outside that I've ever seen puts the icing on the cake for this match.

For a long time in this match we believe that Funk might actually win this, because lets be honest; Did anyone visualize Funk actually saying I quit ? Funk takes some absolute brutal bumps in this match while protecting Flair very well, an all around fantastic job. Flair uses some leg work and after trying for a long time, actually manages to hook the figure four to make Funk quit. Better storytelling and drama than the Steamboat series, and incredibly violent, if the build was a little better it would get the full five stars from me, but nonetheless, this is probably my favorite Ric Flair match. Fantastic.

**** 3/4
 
#22 ·
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

Just started the first disc of Goodhelmets ECW Compilation...

Eddy Guerrero vs. Dean Malenko (4/15/95) - ****
Terry Funk vs. Eddie Gilbert (Chain Match) (6/19/93) - ***3/4
Eddy Guerrero vs. Too Cold Scorpio (4/8/95) - ***3/4
Shane Douglas vs. Marty Jannetty (2/25/95) - ***3/4

Really enjoyed it so far. Looking forward to watching heaps more.
 
#23 ·
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

Clique...I fucking love this section. It gives me a chance to go back in time and view what the product was once like. I don't compare what we see now to what we saw back then, it's two entirely separate deals.

K1ng of K1ngs...love seeing those matches on Youtube. Personally, I'd say the 2nd match which took place at the Clash of Champions was the best, although they will never admit that in Vince's organization as it happened on the same day as Wrestlemania V.
 
#24 ·
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

Clique...I fucking love this section. It gives me a chance to go back in time and view what the product was once like. I don't compare what we see now to what we saw back then, it's two entirely separate deals.
I love the internet. Being able to go back and re-assess wrestlers with a different perspective is a great thing. I tell you what, I've really learned to appreciate guys like King Kong Bundy, who I slept on completely when I was a lot younger. Nick Bockwinkel is a big one too. I just completely slept on those guys.

But more than that, guys that I know are great, I can see a bigger selection of their work. Jumbo, Destroyer, Backlund, Terry Funk, etc.

Some guys are still pretty rough for me to find though. Rikidozan, Lou Thesz, Buddy Rogers, Strangler...

And it's always fun to watch guys back in their prime, like Lawler or André.

It's just not the same when I see all of that and watch all of that then turn on TV to hear Michael Cole announcing John Cena. :(
 
#25 · (Edited)
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows


Degeneration-X
DVD Review

The best description for one of the most popular factions in wrestling history is not said any better than on the back cover of this special DVD. It reads: “Crotch-chopping, brash, obnoxious, naked, rule-breaking, icon, showstopper, muscular, beautiful, blood-covered, pyro blasts, main events, obscenity-laced, declaring war, pissing everyone off, DX-rated home movies, legend killers, sweet chin music.”

That is what DX was all about in a nutshell of adjectives. In this one-disc DVD we get a raw look at this crazy group of guys and girl as they left a memorable mark to say the least on the business. WWE says the film is unrated and uncensored which probably was in 1998 when it was originally released on VHS but my copy is the 2006 re-mastered version and is obviously edited. Still we get the message – X-Pac & Road Dogg likes to get high and the gestures and innuendos from the group are still clear.


CHAPTERS

OBTAINING MICHAEL COLE’S SERVICES

Poor Michael Cole, he was one of the first victims of the DX hazing back in 1997. Triple H even bullies Cole into telling the history of the group throughout the program. Cole also mentions he isn’t the only commentator to get the DX treatment. DX was all about spitting in the face of authority or anyone really whether is was the WWF Commissioner Slaughter or Jim Ross.




THE BEGINNING OF DX


Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Chyna and Rick Rude were the founding members of the original DX and they pushed the envelope like no other during the Attitude Era. Steve Austin was the hottest thing going during the time but you can bet DX were the second hottest thing and that is a very impressive position to be in.

With DX, RAW had more of a party like atmosphere where a wrestling fan could express their selves fully because the members of DX surely did. DX said a lot of controversial things in their promos and often broke kayfabe disrespecting the old tradition in the business. But that’s what the time called for – to be rebellious and the group worked very successfully during the shift in power between WWE and WCW.


The next two chapters covered are TRIPLE H and CHYNA


Triple H was a part of the clique and always wanted to work with Shawn Michaels so the opportunity was available when their feuds intertwined with one another for them to make it happen. Chyna the bodyguard of Triple H had that intimidating presence and no non-sense persona that complimented HHH and Shawn’s craziness. Rude served the same purpose as well. I have to give Triple H credit, he took the ball and ran with a new DX when Shawn got injured and the great gained even more popularity in 1998.


DX UNCENSORED

What DX said and did in their segments was so racy and they’re lucky they didn’t get thrown off the air. The show was more adult oriented and I guess with the ratings they were getting there wasn’t any problem. The girls in the audience that would flash for DX also added to that freedom of expression I talked about earlier and anything goes when the Degenerates enter the building.


DX MAKE SOME NOISE


These guys were like freakin rock stars and the DX Band would come out on occasion to sing them to the ring. We get a lot of footage backed by rock music of DX telling everyone to “Suck It!” Very cool video montage of DX just raising hell!


SHAWN MICHAELS


Shawn would come to the ring in *stuffed* skin-tight biker shorts and give some of the most wild, profanity laced rants on the wrestlers and the crowd that you’d ever want to here. Then sometimes HBK had no problems showing his ass off to world-wide television. The Heart Break Kid would hump a floor or two in his day also. But Shawn was the epitome of Attitude onscreen and in real life.


DX & TYSON


So much press came from Tyson’s association with DX and their feud with Steve Austin on the Road to WrestleMania 14. Much like Shawn Michaels, Mike Tyson is a degenerate himself and it was cool seeing such a big celebrity and sports figure take part in wrestling. I know WCW did something similar with Dennis Rodman but the tension between Tyson and Austin was bigger than anyone could have imagine.


NEW AGE OUTLAWS


In their primes they were arguably one of the greatest tag teams of all time. They had been disrespecting wrestlers and crotch-chopping before they even got with the group. Their attitudes just made for the perfect fit. I will never forget the night they put Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie in a dumpster and threw them off the stage! “Oh you didn’t know?”


DX INVADES WCW


I would say this is a significant moment in RAW history and could have been for WCW Nitro as well if Bischoff would have let them into the building. Could you imagine if DX would have appeared on Nitro what that would have done for their show? The ratings might have taken another shift back to WCW if it would have happened. But instead Bischoff locked the doors and the hilarious segment only played on WWE television where the highest ratings would stay until the end of the Monday Night Wars. DX took the fight to WCW and they backed down plain and simple.



EXTRAS



Shawn Michaels vs. Mankind
RAW 8/11/97


This match is important because it is the birth of D-X. At the beginning of RAW, Michaels left everyone speculating on who would be his “Insurance Policy.”

The chemistry between The Heart Break Kid and Mankind is just impeccable. The fact they are able to cut a non-stop, aggressive pace with a lot of stiff bumps is incredible. This match is just a taste of what we got in their classic at Mind Games a year earlier which still means this is awesome to watch.

Some of the best bumps are Mankind taking a backdrop onto announce table followed Shawn delivering an elbow drop off the ring apron! When Mankind got the upper hand on HBK, Triple H and Chyna who had been feuding with Mankind/Cactus Jack/Dude Love for months came to ringside.

Once Mankind applied the Mandible Claw on Shawn, RICK RUDE made his way down the ramp! The ravishing one is the “Insurance Policy!” Mankind gets his head bashed in by Rude with a steel chair and Shawn gives him Sweet Chin Music for the victory.

A new era is born. Shawn Michaels and Triple H would officially call themselves Degeneration-X a week later.


Shawn Michaels and Triple H vs. Mankind and The Undertaker
RAW 8/18/97


Shawn is so funny with his gyrating dances to the ring! But when Undertaker entered the building, all the dancing stopped. Jim Ross emphatically stated two times that “Undertaker is STILL THE MAN.” And I’m not going to argue with good old JR.

A lot of heat between these four men as Shawn cost Taker the title at SummerSlam and the extensive history between Helmsley and Mankind still has bad blood.

This is a hot tag team match that I wished lasted longer because the double team heel work from Shawn and Hunter is spot on. They give Mankind an excellent high-low clothesline/knee clip and hold him on their side of the ring for most of the match.

Once Taker finally gets tag in asses start getting kicked left, right, up and out of the ring! Rude makes another appearance which causes a distraction for Mankind and Taker. Shawn just says to hell with the match and dents a chair over Taker’s head which busts him wide open!

Taker being the monster that he is just sits up. Shawn decides to give him another shot to the head and Taker sits up again! D-X gets the fuck out of there after that. As I said, the match is very good but would like to have been longer best the action is top-notch as would be expected with these four superstars.


Triple H vs. Bret “Hitman” Hart
RAW 10/6/97


This feud between D-X and Hart Foundation was so intense and you could tell the personal animosity each group had for the other which was all real. It was also awesome that both factions were heels, except for The Harts in Canada.

Triple H got some very good offense on the WWE Champion. Hunter actually matched very well the Hitman. Hart being the ring general that he is steered this ship for most of the contest working over Hunter’s leg with intentions to set him up for the Sharpshooter.

Shawn Michaels came to the ring telling everyone to ‘Suck It’ and then he disrespectfully proceeded to stick the Canadian flag up his nose and hang himself from it. I bet millions in Canada wanted to hang HBK in their own special way after seeing this.

Bret eventually has the match won with Sharpshooter but a brawl between Owen, Jim and Rude breaks out. Bret gets punched by Chyna and then Sweet Chin Music by Shawn on the outside. Hart is counted out and HHH has defeated the WWF Champion!


"This is what I think of Bret and his fans."


Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H
European Championship Match
RAW 12/22/97




Michaels and HHH may have never owned any harder than in this EPIC match for the European gold. People actually thought a championship could come in between these two buddies, hah!

The epicness of this contest can only be reviewed play-by-play style (sorry to those who don’t like play-by-play reviews).


Michaels starts off stretching on the ring ropes to get warmed up. Not to be one-upped, Helmsley follows with a stretch on the ropes himself. What psychology shown in the first few moments in this main event.

Jim Cornette notes that he thinks HHH will win because Chyna is closer to him. But Chyna shows no bias or B.S. as she gives advice to both HBK and HHH.

Then they LOCK UP and Michaels immediately GOES DOWN! Triple H runs across the ring, bouncing off the ropes several times over Shawn’s prone body.

The finish sees Triple H give Shawn an ULTIMATE SPLASH for the 1 … 2 … 3! We have a NEW European Champion!!! What a match.

Both men are spent and very emotional. LOL at Cornette saying, “Shawn sure knows how to cry on cue. He cries every time he comes to this city.” And JR saying, “He’s lost his smile again!”

Commissioner Slaughter comes to the stage and gets some crotch chop taunts. D-X gets the best of the established authority yet again!


Shawn Michaels vs. Owen Hart
WWE Championship Match
RAW 12/29/97


This is only the second one-on-one match these two had in 1997. The first happened in late October on Raw for the Intercontinental and European Championships. Now the WWE Championship is on the line and it is more personal considering what happened with Bret at Survivor Series.

I like the start of the match with Owen jumping on Shawn before the bell even rings. Shawn then must suffer from a hard suplex on the steel ramp.

Owen and Shawn also have great chemistry together and you can bet their matches aren’t going to be slow anytime. It’s just non-stop action and Shawn tries to put Owen away with a Piledriver and then a DDT.

Owen looked to have the match won with a Sharpshooter but an injured Triple H at ringside hit him with a crutch for the disqualification. Michaels was such an ultimate heel at this time and this was just another level of heat gained by one of the best ever. This match closes out a legendary 1997.


Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker
Casket Match for the WWE Championship
Royal Rumble 1/18/98


The Heartbreak Kid and The Phenom are my two very favorite wrestlers of all time and it seems every time they have faced on PPV the match has been a memorable occasion and this encounter is no different.

This is certainly the greatest Casket Match of all time with HBK and Taker actually making this fight to put the other man's body in a box. The best spot is the jumping Tombstone from the ring apron into the casket!

The New Age Outlaws and Savio Vega and his crew jumped Taker similar to what happened to the Deadman in his Casket Match with Yokozuna years earlier. But Kane came out and cleaned house.

The program stops there and we don’t get to see the part where Kane swerves us and puts Taker in the casket and sets it on fire.


Triple H, The New Age Outlaws and Savio Vega vs.
Steve Austin, Owen Hart, Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie
Anything Goes 8-Man Tag Team Match
No Way Out 2/15/98


Weapons and brawling make this unsanctioned match one hell of a fight from the get go. The crowd literally erupted when Austin entered the building. Cactus gets wrapped in barbed wire, multiple chair shots to the head are taken and Chainsaw Charlie is one crazy motherfunker!

After about 10 minutes of brawling they decide to have a tag team match and that’s when Charlie is isolated and beaten badly. The Outlaws Powerbomb him through two chairs which Charlie sells like he fell off a building.

He then gets dropped on his head from the ring apron straight to the floor with no protect whatsoever. After all the hardcore brutality is place on the hardcore tag team, they finally make somewhat of a comeback. Just enough to get the hot and I do mean hot tag to Austin.

Stone Cold whips everybody’s ass and finishes the match with a Stunner in quick, lethal fashion like a Rattlesnake. After the match Chyna taunts Austin until he Stunners her ass too!


Triple H vs. Owen Hart
European Championship Match
RAW 3/17/98


Match isn’t long or really a full match at all since Owen had an ankle injury. Triple H bullied “The King of Harts” into this impromptu championship match two weeks before their scheduled match at WrestleMania 14.

Owen pummels Triple H outside of the ring until the ref gets distracted and Chyna hits Owen’s injured ankle with a baseball bat. Triple H takes advantage with a version of an ankle lock and the ref stops the match. Triple H wins the title and more heat for DX!


So that’s the DVD. It is outrageous and contains loads of fun. If you want to get a good laugh and cool look at DX check it out.


TWO WORDS - SUCK IT!




Or maybe it's

BUY IT! (You know, the DVD)

 
#26 ·
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

"NATURE BOY" RIC FLAIR VS. "THE ENFORCER" ARN ANDERSON
SEPTEMBER 17, 1995...ASHEVILLE CIVIC CENTER...ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

What took place at WCW's annual Fall Brawl was an event the wrestling world thought would never happen. For the better part of 10 years, Double A and the Nature Boy were as close as brothers, part of the most vicious gang in wrestling history and they had conquered the world together. Now, they would face each other in the ring. We talk about the matches we'd never thought we'd see (Rock vs. Hogan, Lesnar vs. Goldberg, etc). In 1995, Ric Flair vs. Arn Anderson was one that no one would have ever predicted would take place.

Flair and Anderson had tried to help Vader beat Hulk Hogan to regain the WCW World title. Eventually, it led to Vader turning on Arn and Ric and becoming face. On August 6, 1995, Vader defeated Anderson and Flair in a handicap match at Clash of the Champions from Daytona Beach, Florida. After the match, Flair blamed Double A for the loss and the two men started squabbling. Over the course of the next few weeks, Arn talked about how Flair's obsession with destroying Hogan had made him lose focus. Meanwhile, Flair said he'd be able to teach Arn a wrestling lesson.

Soon, the match would be set for Fall Brawl on September 17, 1995 in Asheville, North Carolina. However, shortly before the event, Double A was set to face Hacksaw Jim Duggan on WCW Pro in a taped fist match. In typical Horsemen fashion, Flair jumped Arn before the match, which never happened as the two men brawled all the way to the back.

Double A's promo right before the match shows why he is one of the most underrated on the mic, as well as one of the most underrated wrestlers of all-time.


This match has everything...ring psychology, drama, tension, just everything that makes a great match. You see it on the face of the combatants, as they have that feeling in the pit of their stomach that they don't want to face their best friend but think they have no choice. I thought what was a nice touch was showing some of the wrestlers at the time, like Eddie Guerrero, Alex Wright, and Brian Pillman (Flyin' Brian had something to say about the match as the night goes on) sitting at ringside watching. The fans also were fully invested in this battle, since both wrestlers got mixed reactions as you could tell the audience truly didn't know who to fully get behind. Overall, I give the match 5 out of 5 stars.

I won't give away the ending, I'll let whoever wants to watch see for themselves why it was a solid encounter.

 
#27 ·
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

Great write-up BruiserKC! I enjoyed watching that feud transpired and how it eventually led to them eventually getting back together and forming a brand new Four Horsemen.

Here's MORE Flair!






“Nature Boy” Ric Flair vs. Barry Windham
NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match
Battle of the Belts II (February 14, 1986)


The match-up between Ric Flair and Barry Windham is a perfect example of a classic showdown between an 80’s style heel and babyface. It’s a natural story of flamboyance and arrogance along with high success facing the humility and fight of a true “good guy.” Windham is a white meat babyface yet he still has that slight edge because he's tired of Flair's tricks to escape his wrath. It’s probably due to his Texas/cowboy roots but this man has a presence about him that, indirectly or not, makes you want to cheer for him.

Windham has great chemistry, timing and poise that connect to the audience so well. Like that fighting stance he does while challenging Flair to come fight him. Windham doesn’t need to pose to the crowd because he already has them going with his big punches to the head of Flair in unison with their cheers. It feels like the crowd is vicariously fighting Flair through Windham and this young challenger is fully focused on winning the gold.

Flair will use every trick in the book to retain his gold. Flair probably does respect his opponents which is why he shook Windham’s hand at the start of the match, which also shows the pride of competing in a NWA World Title Match. However, Flair will still cheat and play dirty any opportunity he can get because he loves being champion more. This is a brilliant way of showing the various motivations his character possesses.

The ropes were Flair’s best friend the entire match it seemed all the way up to the finish. Flair is the master at holding the ropes to gain leverage over an opponent be it in pinning combinations or in submission holds. It’s a play I’ve never seen fail for him that draws tons of heat. After a great catch-as-catch can, chain style start both men took it to the mat where we see Flair channel his amateur skills and wrestle Windham on the mat. Flair is simply a brilliant wrestler on the mat no question about it. I love how he turns pure wrestling yet again into something dirty by grabbing the ropes in an attempt to pin the challenger.

One of my favorite moments is when Flair turned a botch into yet another intricate part of the clash in personality and his willingness to do anything to win. So Flair gets his head and neck caught in the ropes and he sells it right at that moment yelling in agony and holding his neck as he lies in the corner. We then see Windham in an act of being a fair competitor allow Flair to get up but Flair deceives him and takes him down instead!

This in turn leads to Flair dominating and busting Windham open building the heat of the match as Barry looks like a warrior in peril fighting to make his strong comeback. Also, great job on Gordon Solie’s part in describing the potentially lethal effects a move as simple as the sleeper hold could have. Mike Graham is not so bad himself on commentary either putting both men over as true athletes of the sport of professional wrestling.

Windham eventually made his comeback busting Flair opening too and then it’s back and forth to the end from there. The finish is excellent and maybe the best way to end the broad way of the evening.

I probably hold this match and their match in January 1987 on the same mantle. Windham is one of the best opponents Flair has ever had. The chemistry Flair has with him is almost as good as with Steamboat and that says a lot about the super talented Barry Windham.​
 
#28 ·
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows

Eddy Guerrero vs. Dean Malenko (2/3 Falls) (8/26/95) - ****1/4
Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Psicosis (Mexican Death Match) (11/18/95) - ****
Tommy Dreamer & Terry Funk vs. Cactus Jack & Raven (11/18/95) - ***3/4
Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Psicosis (9/16/95) - ***1/2
Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Juventud Guerrera (2/3/96) - ***1/2

Just finished Disc 2 from the ECW set... Some really fun stuff and surprising me as to how much ECW I'd already seen.
 
#29 · (Edited)
Re: Classic Wrestling General Discussion: Review & Recommend Wrestlers/Matches/Shows



“The Shooter” Dean Malenko vs. Eddie Guerrero
2 out of 3 Falls Match
ECW 08/26/1995



Dean Malenko and Eddie Guerrero earned notoriety in the United States as singles performers their series of matches together that absolutely tore the house down at the ECW Arena for about half a year. As a result, WCW acquired their talents.

It was the norm when a talent would receive a contract with one of the big companies the fans would angrily shout at the talent, “You sold out!” However, Malenko and Guerrero received a reaction that was more like a love fest as oppose to contempt at their departure because the ECW appreciated this special breed of talent. Showered with “Please don’t go” chants from the ECW faithful Dean Malenko and Eddie Guerrero (visibility consumed with emotion) entered the ECW Arena for the final time to perform.

During this period in mainstream wrestling, these two exceptionally talented wrestlers presented wrestling styles not popular in the States. Malenko and Guerrero presented professional wrestling to this audience the way they mastered it in Japan and Mexico. A style of wrestling that featured fast paced, mat based submission wrestling mixed with hard-hitting, high flying moves applied with precise execution that built the intensity of the performance and the excitement of the audience minute by minute. The intensity of the emotion in that room was just incredible.

RESPECT - HONOR - ADMIRATION: Three elements this unforgettable farewell match entails. Malenko and Guerrero earned the respect of the ECW fans based on their ability to take wrestling to the extreme without picking up a weapon or shedding a drop of blood. These two 2nd generation wrestlers battled for months over the ECW World Television Championship and raised their level of competitiveness with each encounter. Both men badly want to defeat the other and hate has nothing to do with this extended rivalry. This is not a grudge match but a match about PRIDE and bringing the focus back to wrestling.

So many great wrestlers got their 1st opportunities to shine on American television in ECW, wrestlers that initially may not have had that same opportunity anywhere else. Paul Heyman afforded guys like Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho, Taz, and others the time to showcase their talents and attention to gain that notoriety to open the door for bigger opportunities.

Dean is one of the best technical wrestlers ever and here he executes every hold with first-rate precision. Eddie is a natural in that ring with his smooth pacing of transitions and delivery of beautifully swift moves such as a springboard arm drag or an impaling tornado DDT; immaculate delivery here from both competitors. Eddie and Dean have unadulterated chemistry with each other. Eddie has said in his autobiography, “Once you know that you’ve got the wrestling chemistry down, you can add to it, intensify it with more drama, more emotion.” I also love how their contrast in characters compliments so well together. Malenko is so technically sound and is this cold as ice grappler – “The Shooter.” Eddie is full of fire and he displays that with the energy he brings to the match and in the fluidity of his explosive holds.

Eddie believed if the chemistry was right, two wrestlers can go out and tear the house down. When you have performers this good and know each other as well as Eddie and Dean did, they can work a frenetic, breakneck pace and know which direction they want to take the match almost instinctively. That is the kind of chemistry both men have said to have had with each other.

They did an impressive job with the structure of the match and the falls I thought. I enjoyed watching the counter wrestling holds and the submission transitions performed on the mat. The implementations of payback spots embellished the story of their competitive rivalry. If Guerrero hit Malenko with a Brainbuster, Malenko would hit him with one once he got the advantage back. If Malenko stomped on Guerrero’s face then Guerrero would answer with twisting the sole of his boot in the face of Malenko. Both men looked like formidable in the entire contest and with each fall. I liked how Eddie gained his fall through craftiness and Dean gained his on becoming more assertive when he saw that he was in risk of losing.

Finishing stretch is exactly what you would expect from these two featuring various pin attempts at an extremely high rate. The segment is very common (and a bit clichéd) in wrestling today, especially in the independent wrestling scene, but here it is fresh and the performers built towards it so well so that the finale could reach its climatic potential. They wrestled for over 20 minutes but it never felt that long. I actually would have like to have seen them go longer but I must say it is a great feeling to be amazed by a performance and left lingering for more …



Eddie and Dean wanted to leave a lasting memory for the ECW faithful and they certainly accomplished that with this superb wrestling showdown – a “Malenko/Guerrero classic.” The adulation from the fans, the ECW locker room, and Paul Heyman is a respectable moment in wrestling that is simply unforgettable. What a moment seeing Dean Malenko speak for the first time and share words with Eddie in this expressive farewell.
 
#30 ·
This next one holds a special place in my heart as my favorite match of all-time. I was about 16 years old at the time and it was when I really started to analyze the details of what makes a great match.

Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon - Wrestlemania X - Ladder Match for the IC Title​

I had seen ladder matches prior to this contest, having grown up watching Stampede Wrestling, but nothing I had ever seen in the world of professional wrestling could have prepared me for this. These two took a mediocre gimmick match and turned it into a combination ballet/spectacle/bar brawl.

The build and character work leading up to the match was new and innovative as 'the Bad Guy' had become a full-fledged babyface based solely off of Hall's incredible charisma. Since he first kicked Jannetty through the Barbershop window I had (and continue to) hated the prissy, preening prima donna in HBK, that said, there's not much I enjoy more than watching him get the living tar kicked out of him. I was stoked for this match and 'my guy' was the hero for once.

Holy shit. Before there was ever a 'holy shit' chant.



It changed everything. Spot after spot without giving up an inch in storytelling, matches would never be the same again, this was the new gold standard. I hate when interviews make like Scott didn't play his part ("HBK and a ladder") because despite being limited in-ring, Hall was a great hand who understood the cardinal rule that 'it's not what you do, but when/how/why you do it'. Michaels fans can always look back at this one as his break-out work. Both men deserve a tonne of credit for making history.

I've heard sentiment that the match doesn't hold up, but it's still my favorite and I watch it every couple years. While other ladder matches have come along and expanded on the work created that day, there will always be a 'first' and a wonderful sense of nostalgia that accompanies it.
 
#31 ·
Really enjoying these reviews guys keep it up. If anyone felt like doing Taker v Shawn HIAC or the Canadian Stampede 10 man tag that would be sweet. Those two are pretty much my favourite matches of all time. Taker and Shawn the most.
 
#32 ·
I was reading on another forum about a discussion on Starrcade 1997 and how it could of gone differently, apparantly Sting was the one who was supposed to dominate the match instead of mainly Hogan, and apparantly Sting was 'stoned' during the match.

Forgive my ignorance, is it true about Sting anyone know?
 
#33 · (Edited)
I never heard that story. I doubt it is true. It's just a shame Hogan and Sting had terrible chemistry together in this match and they had the screwy finish that the referee messed up. Everything about this match was just a letdown other than Sting's entrance and victory celebration (you know, stuff that happened before and after the bell rang).
 
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