Kurt Angle vs. Chris Jericho 11/03/01

Where: Manchester, England

Backstory:
Chris Jericho is fresh off of winning the WWF owned version of the WCW title, and the WWF went to England for a British only PPV called Rebellion. This is near the end of the Invasion storyline, and Angle has just turned heel and joined up with the Alliance. This PPV really doesn't count in the US storyline development which is good and bad. It is basically a televised house show, but the British fans are really into the product and the company can just let the guys do their thing.

In Ring Analysis:
Both men circle each other several times. They lock up and jockey for position. Jericho gets a take down and they are exclusively wrestling until Angle tries to punch Jericho in the corner. Jericho blocks and hits Angle with punches and chops. Jericho throws Angle to the ropes and gets a back elbow. He tries to throw Angle into the ropes again, but Angle blocks with a fireman take down. Jericho is quick to get up and takes Angle down with a flying back heel kick. Jericho gets Angle with several knees to the head and a vertical suplex. He then hits another and rotates and hits a third. He covers but only gets a one count.

Jericho gets Angle up and throws him into the ropes. He goes for a clothesline but ANgle duck and hits a German suplex. Angle is a suplex machine at this point in his career, so it's natural for him to get the last laugh after Jericho utilized suplexes of his own. Angle taunts Jericho then tries to get him up for an Angle slam. Jericho blocks and tries for a Walls of Jericho. Angle struggles to the ropes so that Jericho has to break. Angle takes a breather on the ring apron, but Jericho hits a springboard dropkick to send Angle to the floor. Good work by both men to make that a natural move and not fight to force that spot in the match. Less seasoned workers are so concerned with getting in their signature spots that they will blatantly choreograph it just to make it happen.

Jericho follows Angle outside and uses more chops. He rams Angle into the ringpost. Jericho goes inside the ring to break the referee's count, but on his way back out Angle gets the advantage. He punches and chops Jericho in retaliation. Jericho blocks a punch and throws Angle into the ringside steps. Angle is thrown back in and Jericho heads to the top rope. He hits a crossbody block on Angle which he overshoots by about six inches. It gets a two count. Both men are up and Jeircho punches Angle which brings him to one knee but he was playing possum as he tries to sneak on an anklelock. Great work by Angle.

Jericho kicks off the attempt and throws Angle shoulder first into the ringpost. Jericho gives Angle another one, and brings him out and hits a shoulder breaker. That was a nice sequence of moves focused on the shoulder. Jericho throws Angle into the ropes and Angle attempts a sunset flip. Jericho blocks and locks in an arm bar for more pressure on the shoulder. Angle fights out, but Jericho elbows him down to keep control. Jericho with more chops and keeps working on the shoulder. Jericho throws Angle into the ropes, but Angle tries to lock on an overhead belly to belly suplex. Jericho breaks out, but then later runs into a stun gun from Angle and the tide has turned.

Angle hits the overhead belly-to-belly suplex that he wanted earlier, but is still selling the shoulder. Angle pounds away at Jericho. Jericho tries to fight back but gets caught trying a missile dropkick which Angle tries turn into his own Walls of Jericho. Jericho bridges out and leg scissors Angle off of him. Jericho as the advantage for a little bit until Angle hits another belly-to-belly suplex which Jericho barely kicks out of it. Angle then settles into a reverse chinlock. Jericho looks to be out, but he raises his arm after the ref checks him. Jericho fights his way up, but Angle uses a single leg takedown to keep him down. Angle locks in another reverse chinlock on Jericho. Randy Orton in an interview talked about loving this move as a heel because it just pisses the fans off and as a heel, isn't that what you really want?

Jericho fights up again, and hits an ensiguri on Angle for a double knockdown. The referee counts both men down, but they are up at 9. Jericho hits the first punch blocking an attempt by Angle. He then hits Angle with a forearm, shoulderblock and a neckbreaker. he then hits a slightly awkward hurricanrana. Angle reverses an Irish whip into an attempted German suplex, but Jericho reverses and gets an anklelock. Angle fights his way to the ropes to make Jericho release.

Jericho then has a suplex attempt blocked by Angle which leads to a series of rolling german suplexes. He goes for the pinfall but only gets 2. Angle then locks in the angle lock, but Jericho counters into the Walls of Jericho. Angle struggles around, but finally makes it to the ropes. Angle gets the advantage on Jericho after a forearm to the back of the head. Jericho reverses an Irish whip into the corner and hits a modified bulldog onto Angle. Jericho goes for a Lionsault, but Angle puts his knees up to catch him in the abdomen. Angle goes to finish Jericho off with a Angle Slam, but Jericho rolls Angle up into a pinfall for the three count.

Winner by pinfall in 14:55: Chris Jericho ***1/2

After the match Angle attacks Jericho and hits the Angle Slam finally. He then hits another one for good measure and taunts the crowd. That's a good way for Angle to get his heat back after losing clean.

This was definitely different due to the match being in England. Both men wrestled a more straightforward match which was safe and didn't include any crazy stuff. The crowd liked it, and I did too. I feel Jericho needed more strikes as he used too many chops for my liking. He's not the best puncher, so I understand his mentality though.

Roddy Piper vs. Hulk Hogan 02/18/85

Where: New York, NY

Backstory:

The WWF's first Wrestlemania was a month away, and there was an MTV special called The War to Settle The Score. This was used to promote the Wrestlemania main event of Hulk Hogan & Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. Cyndi Lauper was the catalyst of this feud as Piper's bunch continued to harass her and Hogan was the knight in shining armor to fight off this villian. This match is for Hogan's WWF Title.

In Ring Analysis:
Piper out first lead to the ring by his bagpipe band, Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff and Cowboy Bob Orton. He holds up the guitar that was used to strike Lauper's boyfriend and is wearing a Hulkamania t-shirt. He has this smirk on his face that makes the average person just think he's so in need of a beating.

Hogan comes out flanked by Cyndi Lauper, her boyfriend Rick Wolff, Captain Lou Albano, and Mr. T. He gets a huge reaction as the crowd was really into Hogan and wanted to see Piper get his. They start slugging it out as soon as Hogan rips his shirt off and the bell rings. Hogan gets a rake of the eyes which I never understood. Hogan is supposed to be this super babyface, but he isn't about cheating a little. I guess it's hard to break heel tendencies. The fans love him anyway so there is no backlash.

Piper makes a blind charge and takes Hogan down and both men slug it out on the mat. Hogan takes over and they stand up as Hogan hits Piper with right hands. Hogan hits a big scoop slam and then another. Hogan didn't have a huge moveset, but he had what was necessary to get through a match and not have the fans turn on him. He then hits a elbow drop and motions to the crowd.

Hogan stands Piper up and starts biting him. Once again, I don't get it. Why go through cheating when it's not even instigated? Hogan Irish whips Piper into the turnbuckle, but it's reversed, and Piper takes Hogan down with a clothesline in the corner. Piper goes for a pinfall but only gets 2. Piper then gives Hogan two running kicks to the head and gets another 2 count. Piper continues kicking to the head which is solid and uncheerable offense.

Piper then swings Hogan to the ropes and applies a sleeper hold. Hogan fights out and get Piper with a version of snake eyes on the turnbuckle. Piper up first and rakes the eyes of Hogan and then rubs his eyes on the top rope. That's cheating that makes sense because the heel is doing it.

Piper then distract the referee as Bob Orton then chokes Hogan over the top rope from the outside. Hogan fights up and pulls Orton up to the apron and rams his injured arm on the ringpost. Good spot since the crowd wants to see the cheater get what they deserve for interfering.

Back on Piper Hogan punches him out as Piper begs off. Hogan again rakes the eyes. Maybe it's not an illegal move, but it sure seems like playing dirty. Hogan then hits a big clothesline on Piper and an atomic drop. Hogan goes for another one, but Piper elbows Hogan into the referee knocking him out. Piper then holds Hogan down while Orndorff goes to the top and hits a flying knee on Hogan. Both men continue to stomp on Hogan, but Cyndi Lauper gets on the apron to argue. Piper and Orndorff both try to corner her, but Mr. T comes to her aid. The heels try to talk Mr. T. into the ring, and T obliges. Orndorff distracts him, and then Piper takes him down too. Both men begin stomping on Mr. T, but Hogan recovers and all four square off which gets a huge pop from the crowd. Before they could come to blows the heels run off and the faces are left in the ring. The police keep both keep both men from getting into the ring as the crowd is eating it up.


No Contest in Approximately 8 minutes. **

This match was a great way to whet the appetite of the fans for Wrestlemania as you could see that Piper and Hogan were about to have a great match before it got ended prematurely. They did a great job of giving people enough, but giving the fans minimal satisfaction on their way to making the fans need to pay for the payoff match.

I honestly don't understand Hogan's dirty tactics in the match, but like I said, at Hogan's level, he's not getting booed. Still it helps me remember why I kind of thought he was a phony as a kid sometimes.

Rey Mysterio vs. Matt Hardy 03/30/03

Where: Seattle, WA

Backstory: Rey Mysterio had just made his debut with the WWE in July of 2002 and had an extremely impressive showing with the heavyweights. I was pleasantly surprised because like a lot of other WCW cruiserweight alumni, I felt he wouldn't be able to have competitive and exciting matches in the WWE environment. After proving himself to be a marketable star he decided to set his sights on the WWE Cruiserweight title. He was matched up against the Cruiserweight champion Matt Hardy in the opening match of Wrestlemania XIX. Matt Hardy is in his "Version 1.0" phase of his career. Version 1.0 means that he's being himself and giving an honest character rather than the pretty boy tag wrestler. It was definitely different from any other character nickname in wrestling, but maybe a little too complex for the average fan. Shannon Moore is in Hardy's corner as "Mattitude Follower #1."

In Ring Analysis:

Hardy enters the ring second and Moore distracts Mysterio to let Hardy attack from behind. Rey is too quick and catches Hardy with a backdrop outside the ring. Mysterio comes out with a corkscrew plancha to the outside on Hardy and Moore. When a big exciting move like this is done right away, it either means that the guy doesn't know how to maximize his high spots and save them for meaningful moments, or the match isn't that long and the guy wants to get in his spots. Mysterio is a longstanding professional (started at 13), so this will be short.

Mysterio throws Hardy back in and gets a 2 count. Hardy whips Mysterio in the corner, but get met with a boot when he charges. Rey then gets a head scissor takedown from the second rope on Hardy. Hardy takes a breather on the apron, but Rey stays on top of him with a springboard and tries to powerbomb him to the outside, but Moore interferes and kick Mysterio in the gut. Hardy then drops Mysterio over the ringside barricade stomach first.

Hardy throws Rey back in and gets a 2 count. Hardy picks Mysterio up and gets a modified Side Effect for another nearfall. Hardy then chokes Mysterio on the ropes. As Hardy argues with the ref, Moore sneaks in and chokes him some more. Hardy goes to pancake Mysterio on the ropes, but Rey dodges. Rey has his Irish whip reversed, and Hardy takes advantage from a kick to the gut on a hurricanrana attempt. Hardy then goes for a Twist of Fate, but Mysterio gets a reverse victory roll for a nearfall on Hardy. Rey then has another Irish whip reversed and Hardy catches Rey with a Side Effect. By the way, as a general rule, the smaller guy always gets his Irish whip reversed because the bigger guy needs to look stronger, plus the smaller guy is probably a better runner and can do some better spots when he's on the move. You'd be shocked at how some of the older wrestlers can barely run anymore, but that's besides the point.

Hardy takes Mysterio down and applies a Surfboard to set up the comeback for Mysterio. Rey fights out, but Hardy pummels on Rey and gets him in the corner. Matt whips Rey into the ropes, and catches another boot as he charges him. Hardy then charges again and Mysterio dodges and Matt runs into the ringpost. Rey is the fastest guy in the company at this point, so it's good to show that it's hard to catch him when he creates distance.

Rey gets a springboard senton splash. He then does another springboard off the second rope into a crossbody block for two. Rey takes Hardy down with another leg scissor takedown. Rey runs the ropes again and gets a spinning DDT for a nearfall. He forces Hardy into a prone position on the second rope to set up the 619. Moore catches Mysterio by the leg which allows Hardy to hit the Twist of Fate. Mysterio kicks out of Hardy's finisher as Hardy acts shocked. I know it's important to sell that your finisher should never be kick out of, but it looks a little silly when it's not a devastating move, and its so overblown. Subtleness counts a lot in wrestling.

Hardy sets Mysterio up on the top rope for a Razor's Edge, but Mysterio reverses into a hurricanrana for another nearfall, but Shannon Moore puts Hardy's foot on the ropes. Rey has had enough and pulls Moore up to the apron, but dodges Matt Hardy who was trying to attack from behind. Hardy is set up for the 619, and this time Rey hits it. Rey goes for for the West Coast Pop, but after a series of maneuvers Hardy rolls Mysterio up and grabs the ropes for a three count.


Winner by Pinfall in 5:39: Matt Hardy **3/4

While it was anticlimactic for the babyface to lose his big title shot, the company was saving the big Rey win for Smackdown in his hometown of San Diego which I will review next week. There was no point in wasting it on a show that has so many other matches that will overshadow it.

Otherwise the action was good, but the match was very short, so you couldn't really build a ton of sympathy for Mysterio.

The Undertaker vs. Diesel 03/31/96

Where: Anaheim, CA

Backstory:
Diesel had lost the WWF Title to Bret Hart at Survivor Series '95 and had been out to regain his edge after becoming too fan friendly. He interfered in the championship match between Hart and the Undertaker at Royal Rumble '96, and Undertaker returned the favor during a rematch between Hart and Diesel at the following PPV. After feuding for the last 3 months, they settled their feud at Wrestlemania 12.

In Ring Analysis:

Diesel charges the Undertaker as he is taking off his entrance gearand the bell rings. Both men slug it out with Diesel getting the advantage. He whips him into the corner, but Taker catches him with a big boot and a clothesline. Taker then misses an elbow drop and Diesel clotheslines him outside the ring. The Undertaker, being a great athlete lands on his feet and pulls Diesel outside with him. He then uses a series of body punches to soften up Big Daddy Cool. Nash regains control, but Undertaker rams his head into the steel ringside steps.

Diesel rolls back in and attacks Undertaker as he follows. He throws the Undertaker into the ropes, but Taker hits him with a kick to the face. Then he tries a Tombstone which is reversed. Undertaker runs the ropes again and this time hits on a cross body block for a two count. Taker then puts Diesel in an arm bar and hits his signature rope walk strike. For a guy the Undertaker's size that a very impressive move. Taker then goes for another running cross body off the ropes, but Diesel ducks and the Undertaker is down. Diesel then tries to set up a move with Taker on the apron, but The Undertaker drops his neck over the top rope to recover. Undertaker continues to dominate by punching on Diesel until he falls out of the ring.

Taker follows him out and rams his back hard into the steel ringpost. He then tries to hit him with a chair but Diesel ducks and the Undertaker hits the ringpost instead. Diesel finally gives himself some breathing room by recovering to throw the Undertaker into the steel guardrail. Diesel then repays the favor and rams the Undertaker's back into the steel ringpost. Diesel then scares off the Undertaker's manager, Paul Bearer to establish that he's a jerk for picking on the weak. Then he goes int the ring and boasts which draws more booes. Undertaker tries to get back in the ring, but Diesel brings him in and hits a big boot to the face. Diesel then taunts the Undertaker and punches him down several times. He then hits a sidewalk slam for a near pinfall.

Diesel continues to steer the course of the match by hitting a snake eyes on the top turnbuckle then continuing to taunt the crowd. Diesel works him over in the corner and whips him into the turnbuckle. He charges but the Undertaker elbows him. Taker begins to fight back but both men simultaneously kick each other in the face. Both men are down and the Undertaker gets up at the count of 8. Diesel also gets up and puts the Undertaker in a bearhug. Taker fights out, but Diesel puts him in a side headlock. Taker reverses with a belly to back suplex and the ref counts them down again. The match is starting to drag a little bit with all of the non action the last two minutes.

Taker back up and hits an elbow drop. He then goes to the top and hits a flying clothesline on Diesel. He goes for a pinfall and only gets a two count. Taker whips Diesel into the ropes but Diesel gains the advantage and hits a Jackknife powerbomb. Diesel being supremely confident just taunts Taker and shows the crowd that he has him defeated. Diesel kicks at the Undertaker to taunt him, but Taker sits up out of nowhere. Diesel is originally taken aback but then pounds on Taker some more and hits another Jackknife. He is very cocky as he leans against the ropes and tells the crowd that he's so good. He then taunts the Undertaker some more before going for the pin. Before he gets down the Undertaker grabs Diesel by the throat. Diesel pounds him off, but the Undertaker grabs him by the throat again. Once again Diesel fights him off but before he can pin him the Undertaker again gets him by the throat. Taker gets back to his feet before Diesel fights him off and gets a belly to back suplex. Diesel does more taunting, but this time the Undertaker sits up and catches him off guard. Taker gets his Irish whipped reversed, but hits Diesel with a flying clothesline Taker seizes advantage and hits a big chokeslam for a nearfall. Undertaker motions for the Tombstone piledriver, and hits it for the clean pinfall.



Winner by pinfall in 16:46: The Undertaker ***

This match's main focus was that bragging and being cocky will be your downfall. Several times, Diesel had the match in hand, but showed off and acted like a jerk instead of staying focused. In the end, that's what finally let the Undertaker take advantage of the match and get the victory. While the match wasn't excellent it was a great big man matchup because the Undertaker is such an athlete he could be the "small" guy in the matchup and create movement ala Shawn Michaels. Diesel left the WWF for WCW two months after this match so it made sense to showcase the Undertaker as the dominant competitor in the end.

Undertaker vs. Diesel Coming Soon

I'll have Diesel vs. The Undertaker from Wrestlemania 12 updated either tonight or tomorrow. Finding out if Barack Obama can make history and become President is far too important to me right now.

On a side note. I did watch the three hour Raw last night. I know wrestling on the show isn't always a priority, but I would think the company would promote the Survivor Series more than skits that had little in the way or angle or character progression.

Jeff Hardy vs. Umaga 07/22/07

Where: San Jose, CA

Backstory:

Umaga is the WWE's resident unstoppable monster, and Jeff Hardy is the little engine that could. These two have feuded on and off for most of the year, with Umaga taking Jeff Hardy's Intercontinental title in March of 2007. This is the rematch with Hardy trying to prove he can hang with the top guys. Once again the IC Title is on the line.

In Ring Analysis:

The bell sounds and Hardy starts firing away with punches. Umaga no sells them and takes Hardy down with one punch after Hardy ran the ropes. He continues pounding on Hardy knocking him to the outside. Umaga pummels him and sends him back in the ring. Hardy fights back and hits a sitdown jawbreaker, but gets hit with a Somoan drop after running the ropes. The theme so far is that Hardy gets a little bit of momentum, and runs to the ropes for a big move, but Umaga continues to take him down.

Umaga continues the beating hitting punches, a big headbutt, and a legdrop. Umaga is good at slowly stalking Hardy as if he's his prey. Umaga picks Hardy up and Hardy tries to fight back. Once again he runs the ropes to try to hit something big, but gets caught with a back elbow. Umaga then throws Hardy into the turnbuckle hard. He does it a second time, then continues to pound Hardy while he's on the ground. He then locks in a nerve hold. Hardy tries to fight out, but Umaga has too firm of a grip.

Hardy finally wiggles free, but Umaga brings him back down and reapplies the hold. Hardy battles back but is once again brought down. Restholds like this are sometimes boring, but Hardy is making sure to give the fans hope so that they don't get too bored. Hardy finally gets out of the hold, but foolishly tries to bodyslam the massive Umaga and falls down.

Umaga then uses a rope assisted butt splash on Hardy's chest twice. The third time Hardy puts his knees up and catches him in the groin. Hardy goes to the second rope and tries a big move, but Umaga catches him in a swinging sidewalk slam for a nearfall. Once again Hardy can't build any solid momentum.

Umaga goes to the second rope for a diving headbutt but Hardy dodges the move. The ref begins to count both men down as the fans can tell that Hardy is ripe for a comeback. Hardy gets up and punches Umaga and hits running foreamrs to the front and back of the head. He also hits a reverse spinning heel kick on Umaga followed by a DDT. Umaga kind of no-sells it since he's supposed to have a strong head. Umaga then charges Hardy out of anger, but Hardy pulls down the top rope sending Umaga to the outside.

Hardy then kicks Umaga down and hits a cross body over the top rope onto Umaga. Hardy gets back in the ring as Umaga is counted out. Umaga gets back in at 8. Hardy goes for a sunset flip, and Umaga tries to butt splash Hardy, but Jeff moves. Jeff hits a dropkick to Umaga's chest while he's sitting. Umaga finally comes back and pushes Hardy down into the corner. He then goes for his running buttsplash, but Hardy dodges it and runs to the top rope for a Whisper in the Wind (corkscrew moonsault) . That gets a nearfall as the fans really believed that Hardy had it won. Umaga sends Hardy into the turnbuckle and misses a Stinger splash which sends Umaga's head into the ringpost. Hardy then goes to the top and hits a Swanton which should win it. Hardy takes too long to cover and Umaga kicks out right before 3.

Hardy goes for a twist of fate, but Umaga sends Jeff into the turnbuckle and comes back with a superkick. Umaga then hits his running butt splash into the corner. He finally finishes Hardy off with a spiked thumb for the three count and the win

Winner by pinfall in 11:20: Umaga ***1/4

Very good match with Hardy getting pummelled for the first half, but then going on an amazing run where he seems to have Umaga beat several times. Umaga shows how lethal he is by taking advantage of one opening and finishing off Hardy.

Hardy's run in 2007 and 2008 is very similar to Shawn Michaels in 1996 as he shows great resilience and is able to get fans to believe that he has no chance until he shows that he has a chance. Unfortunately he loses these big matches more than he wins so he hasn't quite developed the giant-killer persona yet.

ROH to feature a 70's style

http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/7224/

Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer is reporting that Ring of Honor has appointed Adam Pearce to be the new head booker of the company. It is also reported that there will be a drastic change in the style of wrestling they promote. Instead of high impact, hardcore action, the company will go with a more "1970's" style. They want to present more clear cut babyfaces and heels, and less high spots

While this sounds like a horrible idea on the surface it may actually be a good product. The first problem is that you cannot ever refer to your product as something resembling nearly 40 years ago. I am all for ROH using a simpler format and not having their wresters kill themselves, but it should be a gradual change. If they come out at their next show and have wrestlers work restholds for 20 minutes then they will completely kill their company. If the change slowly takes place oer a period of a year, then maybe their small but loyal fanbase will learn to grow with it.

Either way, ROH's next show is 11/07 in Montreal, and I think the wrestling community will be very interested with the new product that is presented.

Gabe Sapolsky Gone from ROH

http://rohwrestling.com/news/article.aspx?id=1999

Ring of Honor has announced that Gabe Sapolsky has left his position as head booker of the company. Sapolsky who was booking the company since the beginning in 2002 was generally regarded as one of the best bookers in wrestler. There is a feeling that his work has dropped in 2008, and that he was burned out. It is said that the average booker has a lifespan of 6 years before they are out of ideas.

While ROH could have probably used Gabe for several more year, there is a feeling that they want to grow. While competetant, Sapolsky would have never expanded ROH's fanbase more than he has already. There is something to be said for taking a step back to take a step forward. The WWE has established stars such as John Cena, Triple H, and the Undertaker, but until they have a new guy come in and prove that he is better than them, the fans will not take notice.

Gabewas a great booker but there is no doubt that this creates interest in ROH and what Sapolsky does next.

Bret Hart vs. Ricky Steamboat 03/08/86

Where: Boston, MA

Backstory:

Even though Bret Hart was a midcarder at best he was probably one of the company's best workers in 1986. He didn't have the size or personality of many of the top workers, but wrestling fans always enjoyed his matches. He was slated to wrestle Ricky Steamboat at Wrestlemania II in April, but Vince McMahon changed his mind at the last minute and matched Steamboat up with Hercules Hernandez.

Even though Bret lost a great opportunity to establish himself against a high profile worker like Steamboat, they were matched up in Boston at a house show. According to Bret's autobiography, Steamboat told Bret that they should show the company what they'll be missing at Wrestlemania.

In Ring Analysis:

While Steamboat is being checked by the referee, Hart sneak attacks him to start the action. Bret pounds Steamboat in the corner while he is trying to take off his karate jacket. Steamboat comes back by reversing an Irish whip in the corner were Bret takes his chest first turnbuckle bump. Steamboat then deliberately takes off his karate jacket as anger rages up inside of him and Bret begins to beg for mercy.

Steamboat uses his martial arts chops on Bret in the corner and pounds him down to the mat. Steamboat take Bret down, then goes after Bret's manager Jimmy Hart. This lets the fans know that Jimmy might get involved in the action later. Steamboat goes back to Bret and works an armbar after hitting some strikes.

Bret works his way up, but Steamboat twists his arm to apply more pressure and starts pounding on the arm. this is an art that I feel is lacking in opening match wear down holds today. I feel a lot of times wrestlers put a guy in a headlock or armbar, but the other guy isn't working out of it, and the offensive worker isn't using it to apply more damage.

Steamboat keeps using a series of strikes on the arm while holding the armbar, then gets a great move as he uses leverage to pick Bret up by his arm and drop him to the mat. Steamboat then applies a hammerlock and rams Bret shoulder first into the turnbuckle. Steamboat back to the arm bar but Bret breaks the hold with an Irish whip. Bret tries to attack but Steamboat keeps dodging by sliding through his legs twice and hits a deep arm drag.

Steamboat has the arm drag on by Bret breaks wit a punch to the gut and head. Steamboat reverses an Irish whip and instead of sliding through Bret's legs he leapfrogs Bret twice. He goes for the hiptoss, but this time Bret is ready and blocks it. Steamboat comes back and reverses out of it and hits the hiptoss on the second try. This is a great sequence because it shows that Bret is smart and talented enough to learn from his first mistakes, but Steamboat is quicker and more talented so he can make quick adjustments.

Steamboat back to the arm bar. He hits a legdrop on the arm and reapplies the hold. This time he lets a legdrop and a fist drop to the arm. Steamboat is firmly in control of the action. Bret starts punching out, and on the third try Steamboat releases the hold. Hart then tries for an atomic drop, but Steamboat flips out out of the move and hits a great superkick to the jaw. Steamboat throws Bret to the ropes, but gets caught with a neckbreaker. Bret finally gets some sustained offense in the match.

Bret follows up on the neck with a leg drop. He then gets a headbutt and an elbow to the chest. Bret then starts to focus his offense to Steamboat's abdomen hitting him off an irish whip which sent him to the outside. Steamboat back on the apron an Bret pounds on him. He then gets suplexed back in the ring for a 2 count.

Bret begins working an side headlock. Steamboat battles out but then has a bodyslam attempt blocked into a crossbody block for another nearfall. Bret sends Steamboat in the ropes again but his side backbreaker attempt is reversed and this time Steamboat hits the bodyslam. This is another great sequence that gets the audience to think that the face is down, but he then comes back to show that he is the superior wrestler.

Both men slowly get up, but Steamboat comes to first. He tries for a splash, but Bret puts his knees up and Steamboat's already injured abdomen is further punished. The Hitman sends him to the outside, and slams him on the floor. Steamboat struggles to get back in the ring, but Bret catches him with a running powerslam as soon as he gets in for a nearfall.

Bret then gets the side backbreaker that Steamboat slipped out of last time. Bret then goes for an elbow drop off the second rope, but Steamboat moves before Hart lands. Steamboat makes his big comeback and takes Hart down with a series of martial arts strikes. Steamboad then hit a belly-to back suplex for a nearfall. Steamboat continues to pound on Bret in the corner. The referee tries to get Steamboat to break twice, but The Dragon pushes him off. He tries to whip Bret into the turnbuckle, but after a double reversal, Steamboat gets whipped into the referee which knocks him out.

Bret then hits a flying clothesline, but the ref is out. Bret drags him back up. Bret then goes back on the attack. He whips Steamboat into the ropes and comes back with a crossbody, but Steamboat reverses and the revived ref counts to three giving Steamboat the win.

Winner in 15:10 Ricky Steamboat ***3/4

This was a really fun match wit Steamboat using the arm bar between moves which is very much a staple of Jim Crocket Promotions which Steamboat was a product. This is noted during my review of Brian Pillman vs. Lex Luger.

Steamboat has great timing and all of his offense was crisp. Bret got to showcase a lot of his stuff, but it was never done in a way which made him look like a better wrestler than
Steamboat. Wrestlemania 2 didn't really have any good matches, so it's a shame this match never got a chance.

Jay Briscoe vs. The Amazind Red 02/23/02

Where: Philadelphia, PA

Backstory: This is Ring of Honor's first ever show, and they get the talented, but greener, Jay Briscoe to go against the super high flyer, The Amazing Red. Red has his name because he has red hair. Briscoe normally teams with his brother Mark, but Pennsylvania state law prevents Mark from working because he's only 17. This match has no real storyline heading in, but ROH is about action much more than angles.

In Ring Analysis:

Handshakes to start which was ROH's gimmick back then. They feel eac other up before locking up. Neither man can get the advantage to start. Jay hits a running shoulderblock for the first offensive move of the match. They run the ropes and Jay out maneuvers Red and throws him over the top rope. I didn't think this was a great move since Red is undersized, so you have to focus on how much quicker he is than everyone. Also, throwing someone to the outside should have more impact, hence doing it in the beginning of the match lessens the effect.

Jay tries to hit a tope to the outside, but Red dodges and Jay hits the mat. Once again, I think this is too early to be trying these big moves. Both men head back inside with Red hitting right hands to the prone Briscoe. He sets him up for an Irish whip, but Briscoe hits a leg lariat. Jay uses the Irish whip this time, but Red counters and hits a one legged drop kick that had nice execution. Psychology aside, Red's moves look crisp and are exciting.

Both men are standing off, and Jay offers a handshake for the nice exchange. Red falls for the oldest trick in the book as Jay sucker punches him. This sets Briscoe up as the heel in the match as neither man is considered "evil" by the fans. Red reverses another Irish whip, and hits a kick to the gut followed by a flying roundhouse kick to the back of the head. Red goes for a top rope tornado DDT but Briscoe sets Red up top and hits a vicious fisherman's buster.

Jay goes to the top rope, but Red catches him with a kick to the gut and hits a brainbuster. Red tries for another Irish whip but resorts to roundhouse kicks as Jay will not let Red overpower him. After several kicks Red is taken down by a big boot from Briscoe.

He then goes for his Jay-Driller, but Red revesres for a nearfall. Jay goes for another and this time hits it after Red cannot fight out of it. Jay goes for the academic pinfall, but Red gets his foot on the ropes. Briscoe goes to the top rope, and for some reason Red goes to the opposite top rope to set up Jay hitting a flying clothesline in mid air. I don't know what the idea was that they were going for, but it seemed like a blown spot or just a horrible idea as it looked way choreographed.
Jay then hits a big German suplex, but doesn't go for a pinfall. Jay goes back up top, and misses a big cannonball senton. Red comes back with a top rope move called Red Alert, then hits his other finisher called the Red Storm press for the three count.

Winner by pinfall in 8:31: The Amazing Red **


I wasn't really feeling the match. The storyline was that Red was the superior high flyer, so Briscoe was foolish for trying to beat Red at his own game. Briscoe has become a much better worker as part of a team with his brother Mark, so at least he focused on becoming more well rounded. Unfortunately Red suffered severe knee injuries over the next few years, and cannot utilize his great offense anymore. It's too bad as he made up for his small frame with a great ring name, and great moves. Still, if he develops better in ring psychology and find a way to bulk up he can combine that with his charisma to be a good wrestler.

Lance Cade Released

The WWE has reported that Lance Cade has been given his release from the company. Cade was playing the role of Chris Jericho's lackey in his war against Shawn Michaels, and was getting a lot of television time despite not doing much.

I cannot say that I ever saw anything in him, but the WWE usually just keeps pushing their favorite guys until they get over. Given that he was with the company since 2002, I thought this was the start of a prolonged push for him. It hasn't bee reported that he had disciplinary problems, so this news is quite surprising.

It is a shame that he had so much television time in a role that could have gone to someone that had some sort of fan following. It kind of reminds me of when A-Train injured Rey Mysterio in January of 2003 to start his push despite the fans never seeing too much in him as a performer. I think another important question is, what young guys can the WWE even push right now?

Bret Hart vs. Davey Boy Smith 12/17/95

Where: Hershey, PA

Backstory:
After the emotional family feud from these two brother in laws fighting at Summer Slam 1992 for the Intercontinental Title, The British Bulldog wants lightning to strike twice as he challenges Bret for his WWF Championship in a rematch from 3 years prior. This is a technique that the WWF has used before as Ravishing Rick Rude was able to get a PPV Main Event from the Ultimate Warrior because he beat the Warrior for his IC belt a year ago, and now wanted his WWF Title. Diana Smith was torn as to who to root for in '92, but now is clearly on Bulldog's side.

In Ring Analysis:

Both men lock up, and Bulldog shoves Hart off. The lock up again with the same result. The third lockup has Bulldog take Bret down with a headlock, but Bret reverses into an armbar. Bulldog cheats and yanks the hair to take Hart down. Bulldog gets Bret in an armbar, and Bret backs him into the corner. He backs off without attacking like a true babyface.

They lock up again, and Bret takes him down with an armdrag. Bret's the company's superior worker so he'll usually win these wrestling matchups. He begins working the arm. Bulldog gets him up and uses an irish whip but Bret hits a cross body for a 2 count. Bret then gets an inverted atomic drop and a boot to the gut. One thing you notice watching a Bret Hart match is that all of these moves that he uses flow seamlessly. They all make sense within the context of a wrestling match as they look natural and non-choreographed.

Bret goes back to the armbar as Bulldog struggles to get another Irish whip. This time he gets a knee to the gut on Bret and takes him down. He then grabs Bret by the back of is hair and yanks him to the ground. He then gets him up for appears to be the running powerslam, but it turns out that Smith put Bret in the tree of woe in the corner. He pounds on him as Bret sells the beating.

Bulldog then gets Bret in a reverse chinlock. The fans start to boo as they want the babyface to come back. An ECW chant breaks out as the fans are starting to rebel against the slower, yet safer, WWF product for the time. Bret fights out but gets caugt in a Samoan drop. Bulldog then hits a nice legdrop. He goes back to the reverse chinlock to slow down Bret's momentum. He releases and chokes the Hitman out with the ropes. While Bulldog releases, his manager Jim Cornette, hits Bret with his racket. Bulldog goes back to reverse chinlock, but Bret gets him into the corner and fires away with strikes. He tries to whip him into the turnbuckle, but Smith reverses and Bret takes his patented chest-first turnbuckle charge. Bulldog then its a back body drop and gets a 2-count. Bulldog again works the reverse chinlock as he's either winded or this is his technique to get the crowd against him. I would go with the later since they never keep the move on for more than 20 seconds.

Bret fights out again as Bulldog switches to a side-headlock. Bret fights out for what appears to be the academic Irish whip, but Bulldog shows off his power by holding on and grounding Bret in the headlock. Bret fights back up, but this time gets the Irish whip. He gets floors with a shoulerblock. Bulldog runs the ropes, and Bret leapfrogs him, and comes back with a reverse monkey flip. This was a great move as Bret's comebacks rely on leverage moves as his main offense.

He follows up wit another inverted atomic drop. Bret then hits the running bulldog. Bulldog then gets up and reverses an Irish whip but puts his head down for a back body drop which Bret maneuvers into a jumping piledriver. This is exactly what I mean by Bret's moveset falling in seamlessly with his match. He didn't just go for a piledriver, he found an opening for one when the opportunity presented itself. Bret then Irish whips Smith and gives him a punch to set him up for a side Russian legsweep. Bret then goes off the second rope for a forearm drop. Bret sensing victory sets Bulldog up for a superplex, but Bulldog suplexes Bret crotch first on the top rope. The momentum sends Bret outside the ring, and Bulldog follows. Bulldog then hits Bret in the back of the head with a forearm that sends Bret's head into the ringside steps. He then picks Bret up and rams him into the ringpost as Bret has bladed over his forehead.

Bulldog gets Bret in the ring and whips him into the turnbukcle hard. Bulldog then sets Bret up and repays the favor with his own piledriver. Bulldog then hits a standing vertical suplex. Bulldog uses another signature move as he hits a big press slam for a 2-count. Bulldog goes up top and hits a flying headbutt to Bret's back for another 2. Bulldog is just hitting big move after big move. He goes for the pin after every move to let the crowd know that he thinks it's any move that will finish this match.

Bulldog then continues working on Bret's back by putting him a bow-and-arrow submission move. Bret snaps out and tries for a Sharpshooter, but Bulldog escapes. Bulldog then hits a huge running shoulderblock that sends Bret to the outside. You can see that the Bulldogs tights are covered in Bret's blood. Bulldog gets Bret on the apron and tries to suplex Bret back in the ring. Bret reverses and hits a bridging German suplex for a nearfall.

Bulldog gets up, but Bret sends him into the ropes and both men crash with a double clothesline. Bulldog is up first and charges Bret, but The Hitman outmaneuvers him by back body dropping him over the top rope. Bret then hits a tope to follow up. Bret then tries a spring board cross body, but the Bulldog catches him and hits his running powerslam to the ringside floor. Bulldog opts not to try to roll Bret in the ring for a near certain victory and instead rolls up the ringside mats. He tries for a suplex there but Bret reverses and crotches Smith on the ringside barricade and hits a clothesline. Bret is a bloody mess and throws him back in the ring.

The Hitman hits a backbreaker for another two count. Bret then gets Smith in an arm ringer and snaps him towards the corner where he hits it upside down and bounces on his head. That looked great but I'm not sure that's how Smith planned on taking that spot. Bret sends Bulldog up for the superplex again, but this time he hits it. He only gets a 2-count though as the announcers are playing up that Bret can't finish of the Bulldog. Bulldog then sneaks in a rollup for 2. Bret gets Smith in the corner and has another Irish whip into the turnbuckle reversed. Bulldog charges and eats a boot though. Bret then puts the Bulldog in the La Magistral cradle for the three count and the very hard fought victory.


Winner by pinfall in 21:09: Bret Hart ****1/2

That was a very anti-climatic finish, but it's not like the Bulldog should have had a ton of gas left in the tank. Chris Jericho claims he taught Bret that move just for that match, and while it's a good pin, I think it would have worked better after that turnbuckle whip where Bulldog landed on his head.

Moving past that this was a war of a wrestling match as it started off with mat wrestling but by the end, both men looked like they were fighting for their lives. Bret Hart told a great story, and Davey Boy Smith was always game to have a great match when he had an opponent that could lead him properly.

Eddie Guerrero vs. Chavo Guerrero 01/25/04

Where: Philadelphia, PA

Backstory:

Eddie and Chavo formed Los Guerreros tag team, but Chavo's displeasure with Eddie made him choose to not help his uncle as the Basham Brothers double teamed him after a match. Chavo them beat on Eddie some more after The Bashams left. Eddie was very hurt that his own nephew would betray him, and vowed revenge in this one-on-one grudge match. The match is a forgone conclusion as even though Chavo has his father, Chavo Sr., in his corner, Eddie is a far superior worker and a much bigger star. The real question of this match is how bad is Eddie going to beat his nephew.

In Ring Analysis:

Eddie, who's usually pretty jovial on his way to the ring has a stone cold look on his face. The bell rings and both men lock up. They struggle until Eddie pushes Chavo off. Chavo comes back with a hard slap to the face, but Eddie doesn't pummel him. During a pretaped interview Eddie promised that he would work on his "Latino Temper" and not snap during his match. You can really tell from Eddie's face that his mind is furious but he's trying to control himself.

Eddie charges and gets Chavo into the corner, and Eddie is about to hit Chavo with a punch to the face, but he pulls back. They break and lock up again, and Eddie takes him down and gets a rear chinlock on him. Chavo gets Eddie in the corner but is not so kind as he chops Eddie. Every time Chavo hits Eddie it seems to make him angry more than hurt him. Eddie gets Chavo in the corner again but this time hits him with a hard chop and that makes him smile in satisfaction.

They lock up again and Chavo hits a shoulder block off the ropes. Chavo lets off a weak battle cry against Eddie, and Eddie replies with a middle finger. They both trade chops until Eddie hits him with a thumb to the eye. Eddie gets Chavo in the corner again but can't bring himself to punch Chavo as he backs off right as he's about to unleash on him. The announcers keep playing up that Eddie is so close to snapping, but he's trying to control himself.

They lock up again and Eddie gets Chavo to the mat. Eddie works an armbar as he's set out to prove that he's a superior worker. Chavo comes back up and hurricanranas Eddie and himself over the top rope. They are both heading back in when Chavo Sr. trips Eddie up and he hits his head on the ringside steps. Chavo takes advantage and pounds on Eddie from a mounted position. Eddie fights off, but Chavo gets him down again. Eddie reverses into a cross arm-breaker. Chavo gets his foot on the ropes to make the ref break.

Chavo kicks Eddie to the gut and gets a back suplex for a 2-count. Chavo then starts on the Three Amigos which is Eddie's move, but Eddie reverses, and hits his own Three Amigos. He then acknowledges the crowd which draws cheers. Eddie then goes to the top and hits the frog splash for the academic 3 count


Winner by pinfall in 8:03: Eddie Guerrero ***

Eddie proved his wrestling superiority without relying on punches or non wrestling holds, but revenge was not yet satisfied as he punched Chavo Sr. as soon as he entered the ring. He then was about to leave the ring, but then he finally snapped and kicked Chavo Sr. in the groin. Then he yelled at Chavo and mounted him for punches. He then tied Chavo Sr. up to the bottom rope by his tie. He then went back into the corner and started pounding Chavo in the corner. Chavo is bloodied from Eddies punches. Chavo Sr. pleads with Eddie, but Eddie continues beating him right in front of his dad. Eddie finally is satisfied and leaves.

It was a smart move not destroying Chavo during the match as Bret Hart stated during his feud with Owen that it's important not to look like you're just bullying the little brother because then you look like a jerk.

Matt Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin 07/20/08

Where: Uniondale, NY

Backstory: The WWE has just had their annual draft where several members of their brands move around to create fresh matchups. Shelton Benjamin went from ECW to Smackdown, and Matt Hardy, The US Champion, went from Smackdown to ECW. Shelton is always has a curiousity factor because he always is on the verge of a breakout performance. This match is for Hardy's US Title.

In Ring Analysis:

Both men lock up, and since Shelton has a legit amateur background he takes Hardy down. Hardy struggles back up, but Benjamin takes him down with a shoulderblock. Benjamin continues to work the headlock, but Hardy fights out to hit a hip toss and a deep armdrag. Both men then angle to hit each others finishers but to no avail. Hardy takes him down with a punch to the head. He then charges at Benjamin, but Shelton throws him over the top rope. Hardy tries to skin the cat, but he get dropkicked in the back in a nice sequence. You'll notice that the WWE midcard is a lot more creative in their sequences than the main eventers because they are clawing to get over, and don't want to have repetitive matches that the main eventers have.

Hardy is outside the ring, and Shelton tries to bring him inside. Hardy fights back so Benjamin rams him into the ringpost and back to the outside. He brings him back in and gets a 2-count. Benjamin then gets a high angle back suplex and a backbreaker as he's begun focusing on the back area. They then works on Matt Hardy's neck with a submission move. Jim Ross on commentary hints that maybe a sitting abdominal stretch would have been better since it continues to focus on the back as the dropkick, suplex, and backbreaker had done. Benjamin then puts pressure on Hardy's arm, but once again loses focus. This is one of Benjamin's problems as he a great athlete, has great moves, but can't always put them together to get the four star match he is so capable of having.

Benjamin releases the hold and shows good aggression by pummelling Hardy. He then hits a backbreaker, but then goes to an abdominal stretch. Hardy counters into a nearfall after getting a Samoan drop. Benjamin goes for another high angle back suplex but Hardy reverses this time for a crossbody showing that he learned Benjamin's moves and figured out a reversal. This only gets a two-count however. Hardy then charges Benjamin in the corner, but catches a boot. Benjamin comes back and nearly gets caught in a Side Effect before Benjamin shoves Hardy down. Benjamin finally gets a sensible submission move on and get a dragon sleeper while planting Hardy's back over his knee. Mick Foley on commentary covers and says that Benjamin has been working on the spine which is a great comment since it justifies all of the submission moves that I previously thought were faulty.

Both men try to punch each other, but Hardy comes out on top and comes back. He catches a Benjamin kick but he does a great reverse roundhouse kick that takes Hardy down. Hardy staggers to the corner and Benjamin gets a Stinger Splash on him. Hardy once again proves that he learns his lesson as he catches Benjamin on the second attempt with a boot to the face. Hardy comes back with punches, a clothesline and a bulldog. Hardy then goes to the second rope for a legdrop on Benjamin for a nearfall. Hardy goes for a hurricanrana but Benjamin catches him and powerbombs him into the top turnbuckle in a nice spot. Now Benjamin is proving that he can't be fooled twice.

Benjamin goes for a powerbomb, but Hardy reverses for a rollup, and both men take turns trying to get leverage pinfalls against each other. Hardy then catches Benjamin in the Side Effect which I personally think he should establish as a finisher. The crowd definitely bought into it as Hardy gets a nearfall with the move. Hardy then motions for is real finisher, the Twist of Fate, but Benjamin throws him into the turnbuckle. He then lifts Hardy up on the top turnbuckle, but Hardy fights him off. Hardy goes up top for a moonsault but Benjamin knees him in the face on the way down, and hits his finisher the Paydirt for the three count and title.


Winner by Pinfall in 10:36: Shelton Benjamin **3/4

I like the clean finish for the match. I also thought they had a nice recurring theme of both men relying on the same moves which get them caught because their opponents are ready for them the second time around. I still think Benjamin could be so much more than he is, and hopefully he reaches that top level.

Delays

Sorry about the lack of updates but I was super busy Wednesday-Friday, and I don't blog on weekends. I had matches in mind for today, but also a super headache. Hopefully tomorrow. Matches I had in mind:

Eddie Guerrero vs. Chavo Guerrero
Steve Austin vs. Owen Hart
Rey Mysterio vs. Matt Hardy
Christian vs. Diamond Dallas Page
Booker T vs. Boogieman

All good matches. Let me know if you care either way.

Jeff Hardy vs. The Undertaker 07/01/02

Where: Manchester, NH

Backstory:
This is near the beginning of the brand split between Raw and Smackdown which was made partially to give the younger stars more opportunity. The Undertaker was the Undisputed Champion of the WWE, and was beating on Jeff Hardy every chance he got. Hardy would not cower away and wanted a ladder match for the Undertaker's belt. Undertaker accepted and promised that Jeff Hardy would not walk away after that match.

This match got the fans excited since the ladder match was a Hardy specialty and gave him a chance to win the title. Undertaker is a huge star and Hardy is an underneath (underdog) wrestler, so they have to be creative in how they let Hardy get ahead or the Undertaker will look weak. They also have very different styles as the Undertaker is big and lumbering and Hardy is small and athletic. This is a huge styles clash, so laying out the match will have to be realistic, yet fun for the fans.

In Ring Analysis:

Undertaker rides his motorcycle in first, and Hardy follows. Undertaker is in the ring waiting patiently for Hardy, but Hardy seems uncharacteristically slow in getting inside as well. Hardy then taunts Taker by messing with his bike which draws him outside the ring. Hardy then runs back in and kicks a ladder outside the ring onto the Undertaker. He then follows up with a plancha to the outside. Hardy then takes out a chair from under the ring and whacks the Undertaker over the head with it. Hardy grabs a ladder and throws it at the Undertaker, but he catches it. He tries to sandwich Hardy between the ladder and ring apron but Hardy dodges and Taker runs into the apron.

Hardy goes back on attack, but Taker knocks him down with a clothesline. Taker punches again, and slowly stalks Hardy. He then rams his head into the ringside barricade. He continues pounding on him. Taker goes to ram Hardy into the same ladder that was left off the side of ring apron but Hardy dodges and Undertaker crashes into it instead. Once again Hardy will have to use leverage and quickness to get the Undertaker to make mistakes. Hardy then put the ladder onto the prone Undertaker and hits a seated senton onto the floor from the apron.

Hardy brings the ladder into the ring to attempt a climb but Taker whips it into his face. He then kicks it into his gut and both men are finally back in the ring. Undertaker then rams the ladder into Hardy's head which sends him back to the outside. Undertaker starts to climb, but then decides that he wants to punish Hardy more. His character doesn't feel threatened by Hardy so he enjoys punishing him before he wins.

Taker does more damage to Hardy with strikes and a couple of chairshots to the body. Taker sends him back into the ring, and begins picking Hardy apart. Hardy tries to fight back with weak punches but the Undertaker seems more surprised then hurt. Hardy's punches start getting harder and he just keeps punching away and knocks Taker back until he ends that flurry with a big right hand. That was a good spot to remind the crowd that Hardy isn't a quitter and will fight back when he has the chance.

Taker then sandwiches Hardy between both legs on the ladder and hits a legdrop on the apron. Hardy is thrown back into the ring, and Taker continues the assault. Taker sets Hardy and the ladder up in the corner, but misses a corner splash after Hardy uses his quickness to get out of the way. Hardy can't capitalize right away as Taker grabs him. He whips in into the corner, but Hardy comes back with the Whisper in the Wind, and takes him down.

Hardy starts crawling to the ladder, and gets it. Taker knocks him out of the ring with a kick to the head. Taker goes outside, but Hardy kicks him the groin to get the edge back. Great transitions so far to make Taker look stronger than normal men like Hardy, but Hardy is crafty and resilient. Hardy then goes back inside and does a running springboard senton off the ladder onto the Undertaker outside.

Hardy then goes outside the ring and gets the really big ladder that shows that they mean business. Hardy starts to climb for the belt, but Taker comes back in and pounds his back. He then goes for his last ride powerbomb, but Hardy reverses for a hurricanrana. That move was super weak looking as the styles clash comes into play since the Undertaker isn't flexible enough to take that move properly.

Hardy goes back up the ladder, but has to slow down to let the Undertaker get back in the ring. That was faulty timing there which is common for ladder matches. Takers gets a chair and whacks Hardy in the back and yanks him off the ladder. He then hits Hardy a few times with the chair and goes for the Last Ride on the chair. Hardy punches out, and goes for the hurricanrana again, but Taker blocks before Hardy can rotate. While he's pulling him back up Hardy grabs the chair and whacks him in the head. That was a sound move as it shows Undertaker not falling for the same trick twice, but Hardy is crafty enough to have another trick up his sleeve.

Hardy then hits a monstrous chair shot to the Undertaker's head for good measure, and Hardy climbs again. He nearly gets to the top, but Taker comes back with two chair shots to the back. He then climbs up the other side of he ladder and hits an awkward looking chokeslam to finish Hardy off. He then grabs the belt and wins the match.


Winner in 14:05: The Undertaker ***1/4

After the match the Undertaker starts riding his bike to the backstage area but sees that Hardy is still standing. The Undertaker made a promise, so he went back and then hits the Last Ride to finish Hardy. He then starts heading to the back again, but Hardy gets on the mic and tells Taker that he's still standing. Taker goes back to the ring again, but this time instead of hitting him, raises his hand as Hardy gained his respect for his toughness.

Overall, it was a good match since it took a guy like Hardy who at the time was a midcarder, and put him in a position where he threatened the Undertaker. The match was laid out where the Undertaker didn't take any risks yet it wasn't just Hardy falling off ladders all match. The few spots the Undertaker did where he was asked to do athletic stuff looked poor, but psychology-wise it fit into the context of the match, so they had to try it.

Hulk Hogan vs. Paul Orndoff 08/28/86

Where: Toronto, ON

Backstory:

One of the tried and true Hulk Hogan formula's would be that his friends would turn on him out of jealousy, and the Hulkster would have to get his revenge. Paul Orndoff went this route as he and Hogan had a really hot feud that stemmed from Mr. Wonderful getting sick of playing second fiddle. He turned on Hogan and they worked against each other on house shows all over the United States in front of large crowds. Business was so good that Orndoff decided to continue working with a major neck injury because he couldn't turn down the money he was making off this feud. This match took place in Toronto in a card billed, "The Big Event" and is for Hogan's WWF Title.

In Ring Analysis:

Orndoff shows his heel pedigree by attacking Hogan before the bell while the ref is checking him. Orndoff works Hogan over with punches and stomps. They roll around on the mat and Hogan gets the advantage and starts punching out Orndoff to a big pop from the crowd. This is during a time period where closed fist punches might not be tolerated so the referee pulls Hogan's hair to get him off Mr. Wonderful.

They stand up and start trading blows which Hogan naturally wins. Hogan then runs to the ropes and hits a big right hand to Orndoff's head which floors him. Hogan then uses his tremendous charisma to show his excitement which draws a big pop from the crowd. Hogan knocks Orndoff outside the ring, but Orndoff drags him out too. They take turns slamming each other's heads to the mat, and Hogan throws him back in the ring. Hogan back in, and Irish whips
Orndoff and comes at him with a clothesline. Hogan then throws him into the turnbuckle and hits a clothesline there too. He poses to the crowd again which they are eating up. You have to admit, at least Hogan knows what he can do in the ring, so he makes crowd interaction a big part of his match since he's not a four star worker.

When Hogan goes back to Orndoff, he hits him with a shot to the gut, and as Hogan stumbles to the ropes, Bobby Heenan slaps him. Hogan no-sells it and stares down Heenan. Bobby Heenan was great because he understood that his job was to add to the match whether it be cheating to get heat on his wrestler or taking a beating from the face. He avoided trying to make himself look like a threat or a star because that's not the manager's job.

Hogan turns his back on Orndoff to persuade Heenan to get in the ring, but Orndoff isn't able to take advantage. Hogan punches him out again, and give him an atomic drop. Hogan then goes outside after Heenan, and chase him into the ring where Orndoff catches Hogan on his way inside. Orndoff does a good job of cheating as he uses the ropes for his attacks, and never takes advantage without using underhanded tactics.

Orndoff then knocks Hogan outside the ring and hits a suplex outside the ring. Orndoff gets back inside and starts mocking Hogan. Hogan crawls back but Orndoff drapes him over the apron and hits elbows to Hogan's throat. Hogan back in the ring and Orndoff gets a 2-count off a pinfall attempt. He then gives Hogan a bodyslam and an elbow drop. He then goes to the top rope and hits a punch to the throat. Orndoff goes for a piledriver (his finisher), but Hogan backdrops out. Orndoff recovers first and starts rubbing his forearm into Hogan's eyes. He then does even more cheating by biting Hogan around the eyes. Orndoff then hits a belly to back suplex and goes for a pin attempt. He thinks he has a three count, but Hogan put his foot under the bottom rope.

Hogan then Hulks up and recovers to hit a kneelift to Orndoffs back.The ref also gets bumped when Orndoff's momentum makes him collide. Hogan then mimics Orndoff's betrayal of Hogan by lifting his arms up in celebration before knocking him down with a clothesline. That was actually somewhat higher in psychology then I was expecting from this period in the WWF. Hogan then motions for the piledriver which the crowd sees as the ultimate sign of revenge, so they cheer wildly. This was before it was more common for a lot of guys to use their opponents finishers against them in big matches. Hogan gets Orndoff up, but Heenan comes back in the ring with a chair to Hogan's back.

Orndoff goes for the cover, but the ref is still out which would give Orndoff a reason to expect a rematch should he lose here. The ref recovers enough to go up to Orndoff but instead of tapping the mat, he taps Orndoff's shoulder three times. Heenan and Orndoff
celebrate as if they've won and grab the WWF title. The ref then rings the bell. Apparently he saw the interference and called for the DQ.


Winner by DQ in 11:05: Hulk Hogan **


Orndoff, still wearing the title, attacks Hogan after hearing the results, but Hulk comes back and punches and clotheslines Orndoff down. He then hits his big boot and Orndoff bails out of the ring.

Overall a decent match. The wrestling wasn't great, but the WWF had a money-making formula that didn't require wrestling, so it's hard to fault both guys to not go for more in what it essentially a house show even though it drew 60,000 people.

Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard vs. Sting & Nikita Koloff 07/10/88

Where: Baltimore, MD

Backstory:

This was during the peak of the Horsemen years. Arn and Tully were part of this elite stable which the focus on the company was based around. There opponents were Nikita Koloff who was a Russian heel turned babyface, and Sting, a man who after going to a time-limit draw with Ric Flair at the first Clash of the Champions, was being booked super strong in order to make him a draw.

In Ring Analysis:

Both men stare each other down briefly, and they start brawling with the faces getting the better of the exchange. The crowd is red hot and into the product. The Horsemen come back and they continue brawling. Once again, this is the type of intense action that the WWF wasn't putting on at the time. For some reason visions of Lanny Poffo throwing Frisbees into the crowd was a sharp contrast from this serious product. Tully and Sting square off, and Sting gets a quick roll up which the ref was too slow getting over, and only gets a 2-count.

Arn takes over, and Sting hits a dropkick to the gut. Arn falls out of the ring and sells being stunned when Sting catches him out of the corner with a running tope to the outside. Great camera work as they don't show Sting until he's in midair so the home viewer gets the same feeling of shock that Arn Anderson is feeling. Once again the crowd is majorly into Sting as he seems super enthusiastic about the response, and it's no wonder the NWA really wanted to push him as the top guy.

Both men enter the ring again, but Sting stays in control. He gets Arn down and tags in Nikita Koloff. He works an armdrag really well by getting a tight grip and making it look like he grips it tighter everytime Arn tries to escape. Arn finally gets out by forcing Koloff into the corner and getting the natural cheap shot to the gut. Arn goes for an Irish whip to the corner but Koloff reverses. He then charges, but Arn moves out of the way. Koloff slows down before he hits the turnbuckle then gets a Arn an angry stare behind his back and hits a hard clothesline. Tully comes in and Koloff gets one on him too. The crowd is going crazy as the Horsemen have all types of proper heel heat that gets the babyfaces over.

Koloff goes for the cover after posturing to the fans, but the ref is distracted by Tully. Sting tags back in, and they continue working on the arm of Anderson. Arn gets Sting in the corner and has his Irish whip into the corner reversed again, but this time Arn has learned his lesson and puts up a knee to the charging Sting. Arn then goes for a sleeper, but Sting reverses out and sends Arn's head to the turnbuckle.

Sting heads back to the arm, and after reviewing the Brian Pillman vs. Lex Luger match, I feel the style at the time was using a rest hold to work in some big spots, then go back to the rest hold to plan out the next offensive flurry. Overall, it was a great way to have a high energy match without winding the wrestlers too much.

Tully comes in to help Arn take down Sting by having both men grab his arms, but Sting out maneuvers them and both Horsemen go down. Arn tags out to Tully and Sting hits a couple of armdrags on him. Sting works on Tully's arm, and tags in Koloff. Koloff pounds on Tully then goes back to the arm. Koloff fortunately goes into an amateur hold that is different from the copious amount of armbars they were using before. Sting tags in, but Tully whips him into the corner. Tully charges, but Sting dodges, and Tully goes shoulder first into the turnbuckle.

Tully in a daze goes to make a tag, but goes to the wrong corner and Koloff gets him. He soaks in the crowds anticipation before he hits him in the head. Koloff tages back in, and he and Sting go about keeping Tully from tagging out to Anderson. After several minutes Blanchard holds down Koloff and gets the tag, but Nikita escapes before Arn can take advantage of the situation. Arn gets visibly frustrated that he lost that opportunity because he doesn't want to face Nikita on an even playing field, and it's minor comedy for the crowd to see the evil heel throwing a fit.

Both men lock up and Anderson gets the advantage but Koloff takes him down with a drop toehold and goes back to the arm. It's interesting as they talk about Arn Anderson's size and strength as he wouldn't have looked big compared to any of the WWF's cartoon characters at the time. Still, even the trimmer wrestlers are pretty thick compared to the average man.

Koloff gets Anderson in another amateur maneuver which puts pressure on the arm and shoulder, then transitions that into a full nelson which was a lethal finisher at the time. Anderson uses his heel to kick at the knee of Koloff to get out of the hold. Arn tags out to Tully but because Koloff was selling the knee, he couldn't escape and Tully goes to work. He kicks the knee several times and goes for the Irish whip. Nikita reverses and gets a chokeslam without Tully jumping.

Tully gets up and goes back to the knee. He has another Irish whip reversed and this time Koloff gets a flying shoulder tackle. Koloff then follows up with a clothesline that sends both men over the top rope. Koloff gets him back onto the ring apron and suplexes him back inside. Koloff goes for the cover but the Horsemen's manage, JJ Dillon pulls Koloff from Tully. Koloff is enraged and grabs JJ outside the ring. He sets him up against the ringpost, but misses a lariat. Koloff hits his arm on the ringpost and is in a lot of pain. It's kind of ironic how the faces spend the whole match working on the arm, yet it's Koloff who takes the major arm injury.

Arn goes out and rams Koloff's shoulder into the ringpost again. The Horsemen continue working over his arm in the ring. Arn gets Koloff in a reverse hammerlock which Koloff eventually no sells and fights out of the hold. Koloff Irish whips Anderson into the ropes but he puts his head down, and Arn hits a great DDT right on the top of his head. Arn knows he hit a homerun as he raises his arms in victory and the crowd boos. He goes for the cover but Nikita barely kicks out at 2. The Horsemen take turns coming in the ring and working over the arm just like Sting and Koloff did until Anderson goes to the second rope and catches Koloffs knees on a reverse splash.

Koloff gets the hot tag and Sting tears apart Tully and Arn. Sting gets his low dropkick again, but hits a nice gorilla slam on Blanchard. He then starts beating his chest which drives the crowd crazy. He hits another drop kick, and bashed both Horsemen's heads together. Arn tags back in but Sting gets a sleephold on Anderson. Arn fights out, and Tully tries to help and gets pounded on while Koloff hits his finisher, The Russian Sickle (lariat) on Anderson.

Sting gets Tully into the corner and hits one of his big moves, the Stinger Splash. He then goes for the Scorpion Deathlock. He gets it on, but Tully survives until the bell rings and we have a draw

Draw in 20:00 ***1/4

The match was a lot of fun, and the crowd heat was great. It could have been much better if the heels got in more offense as Sting in particular dominated. The purpose of this match was to get Sting over and make him a better worker which certainly did work. Arn and Tully were great workers, but when you're in a faction and you're not the top guy, you usually have to put people over to get them ready for guys like Flair. Koloff really surprised me as he was fun and exciting to watch. I read on Wikipedia that the WWF offered him a deal, but thought he was going to get a better run in the NWA at the time. It would have been interesting to see if he could have prospered with a more cartoonish character than he had here in this match.

Brian Pillman vs. Lex Luger 10/28/89

Where: Philadelphia, PA

Backstory:
Pillman had been in WCW for a little bit and was one of the pioneers for a high flying style of wrestling. He wasn't a big guy, but had a very strong passion to make it to the top of his profession. Lex Luger on the other hand was very big, and got pushed due to it. He gets a lot of flack for being a lazy worker, but there was a time when he went out to have good matches and 1989 was one of his best years in the ring. This match is for Luger's U.S. Title. Jim Ross was on the booking committee at the time, and I would suspect that he came up with the idea for these two to wrestle.

In Ring Analysis:

Both men circle each other and lockup. Luger naturally gets the advantage, but Pillman continues to battle and gets in a cheap slap during the break. This is Pillman (probably as a shoot) letting Luger know that he's not intimidated and isn't going to play the humble rookie to the established star. They lock up again, and Luger backs him into the corner again, but Pillman battles out. Luger gets Pillman into the corner again, but Luger starts using his striking offense to pound on Pillman.

Luger hits a bodyslam and stars taunting Pillman. Luger lazily throws Pillman outside the ring, but Pillman lands on his feet and rushes Luger with a tackle. He starts throwing haymakers all over the place. He then hits a dropkick and Luger bails to take a breather. Pillman follows him out with a baseball slide. After Luger gets back in the ring, and out again, Pillman chases him, and Lugers runs away. Once again, in 1989, Luger was a different wrestler as he is willing to play ball and make the less established Pillman look like a threat to him.

Luger outsmarts Pillman as he gets back in the ring and catches him with stomps to the body.
Luger throws Pillman into the corner but he dodges then hits a reverse cross body block off the top rope. Pillman then grounds Luger with a cross armbar so both men can take a breather. Jim Ross does a great job of explaining to the fans that Pillman needed to ground Luger because Luger hates being on the defensive. Jim Ross is a great announcer because he explains why things are happening in the ring as opposed to just explaining what's happening in the ring.

Luger gets out of the armbar with some knees and punches. He Irish whips Pillman, but Pillman comes back with some armdrags and hiptosses. Pillman goes back to the armbar. Luger fights out a few times, but Pillman keeps reapplying it. Normally using an armbar for a decent portion of the match would bore the crowd, but the make sure to keep breaking the hold to do some nice sequences of wrestling action before going back to the move.

Luger finally gets out for good by using his power to punch out. He throws Pillman into the corner, but runs into his boots, and Pillman goes to the top rope. He goes for a big splash, but misses and the advantage goes to Luger. Luger then hits a flapjack and it's clearly his turn to try to put Pillman away. He uses some more moves that accentuate his strength and poses to the crowd to let them know that he's bigger and baddest than all of them. Luger then hits a few clotheslines, and I notice that Luger doesn't have the best stamina as you can see him hide his face as he breathes heavily.

Luger then hits a big clothesline to the back of Pillman's neck which he sells perfectly. Luger is doing a great job of showing intensity and believability. It feels like a wrestling match. Luger then is a vertical suplex. He goes for an nonchalant cover but Pillman kicks out. Luger then throws Pillman outside the ring. The booking for this match is solid because if Luger started beating on Pillman like this from the start, then Pillman would look weak and out of Luger's league. By letting Pillman control the beginning of the match, the crowd thinks that Pillman has a chance to come back. When it's done the other way and the underdog babyface gets his offense near the end,then it looks like he's just getting lucky and doesn't really deserve to be the same ring.

Pillman comes back in the ring, and gets a minor bit of offense with a sunset flip for a two-count. Luger then goes for a huge clothesline which Pillman ducks, and Luger's momentum takes him over the top rope to the outside. Pillman gets him back in and mounts him in the corner for a series of punches but Luger grabs him and hits a stiff inverted atomic drop. Luger then takes Pillman up top for a superplex, but Pillman knocks Luger off and hits a top rope sunset flip for a nearfall. Pillman then gets a reverse flying elbow and he's pumped up. Pillman then hits a big springboard clothesline on Luger and gets a nearfall before Luger put his foot on the ropes. Pillman goes up top again, but misses a missile drop kick. Luger then throws Pillman into the ropes and finishes with a stun gun for a three count.

Winner by pinfall in16:49: Lex Luger ****1/2

Great match. No blow spots, solid psychology, and a clean finish. It must have been very frustrating for the NWA to be putting out a superior wrestling product while the WWF was making all of the money. The marketing power of NWA was obviously lacking, as this was a match that wrestling fans could easily get into with the proper build.

Weekend News

Since I don't have time to do a full match on the weekend, I'll give my thoughts on things I see:


Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels in a ladder match:
Should be a great match as Michaels hasn't had a high profile ladder match since 1995. Wade Keller of Pwtorch.com doesn't think that match makes much sense because they're in blood feud, but I think it can be justified. The Raw GM Mike Adamle needed to be convinced as to which match would be best for No Mercy's title match, so Shawn Michaels figured that a ladder match was the best way to get him to agree.

People have been critical of the feud in the last few weeks, but these guys are pros and have great wrestling smarts, so I'll sure they'll make adjustments.

Jake the Snake fiasco:
There's not such thing as an ex drug addict, and Jake the Snake is no different. I truly wonder what has him so tortured because you don't have a drug problem like this just because getting high is fun. The Youtube footage is a shame, but is just as big a shame that he'll continue to do work because that company drew one of its biggest houses ever because Jake was there.

Kowalski bio from Observer:
Once again Dave Meltzer brings the goods with the history pieces. I have only seen once Killer Kowalski match, but Meltzer is giving a rich three part history of Kowalski's life that has me anxious to read the conclusion. The mere fact that he lived to an old age as a wrestler makes him a role model of sorts, but he truly led an interesting life as well. If you don't have the Wrestling Observer it's only 10 dollars a month for online access. It's a great deal as you get a new issue and a retro issue from 1991 every week.

TNA Wrestling Game:
I haven't played it yet, but the Wii version got very weak reviews. Sean Radican and Derek Burgan of Pwtorch.com gave it good reviews, so maybe it's a game that wrestling fans will be more apt to like. I'll probably wait to get it used or when the price goes down. $49.99 is a lot of pay for something I've never played, and got horrible reviews.

Wade Keller's Thoughts on Triple Threat match:

Smackdown's debut on the MyNetwork features a Champions match with Champions from all 3 brands fighting in a Triple Threat Match. It's Chris Jericho (Raw), Matt Hardy (ECW), and Triple H (Smackdown) facing off. Wade Keller had it right on the nail. This match is a waste that no one is going to see. It would be great if they used Triple H to put someone else over. He's been so dominant on Smackdown that he's killed all challengers until the Undertaker or Edge is ready for him. Maybe that's the idea, but it makes for a predictable product which makes fans not care if they miss an episode.

Edge vs. Lance Storm 08/19/01

Where: San Jose, CA

Backstory:

This was during the middle of the Invasion angle which while a critical failure did draw a huge buyrate for the PPV in the previous month. Lance Storm was the Intercontinental Champion and was put in a match with Edge for the title. Edge, who had just made a face turn, was a star with a ton of potential, but had not proven that he could put together singles matches without top-tier help. The contrast in two personalities was important as Storm was a very serious person while Edge engaged in "off-beat shenanigans"

As a side story, Edge's storyline brother Christian was showing signs of being jealous of his brother as he always had possession of the King of the Ring trophy that Edge had won in June

In Ring Analysis:

Storm comes out and asks the crowd to be quiet while he talks about the importance of not being silly, but Edge's music interrupts which helps out his pop. As Edge comes out, they show the WWF locker room with a bunch of people who either aren't with the company anymore or have passed away. Nevertheless they cheer Edge on as he comes to the ring.

They start with a lock up and they keep reversing hammerlocks. Edge gets hit with a shoulderblock but comes back with a flapjack. Edge clotheslines Storm outside which gives them a chance to kill a little time to lengthen out the match. Edge beats on Storm on the outside and throws him back in the ring.

Back in the ring Edge gets a flying crossbody off the top rope for a two count. They then take turns blocking suplex attempts until Storms drops Edge stomach first over the top rope. Storm then bounces off the ropes sending Edge flying off the apron to the security barricade outside.

Storm with the advantage stomps on him and chokes him out. Storm is clearly in control and leading Edge through the match. A guy like Storm who is a veteran should be on offense a little bit more so that Edge can just sell and not worry about controlling the bulk of the match.

After some more offense by Storm, Edge gets a quick rollup for a near fall, but Storm takes Edge back down with a kick to the gut and a front suplex. While it's important for the heel to control the match and build up heat for the babyface comeback, it's important to give the face quick flurries of hope so that the crowd doesn't die out and lose interest. Too much time on defense and the crowd will start to look at you as an inferior worker, and lose hope that you are able to come back.

Storm goes for a couple of pinfalls, but Edge kicks out, and the crowd starts to rally Edge to make a comeback. Edge obliges by punching Storm in the gut a few times, but misses a dropkick. Storm then goes for a Boston crab, but gets rolled up for another 2 count.

Edge is doing a good job of timing his comebacks to give the crowd hope so that when he makes his big comeback, the crowd will be dying for it. Storm gets Edge in the corner, but Edge punches out and goes another leverage pin attempt, but Storm reverses into an Oklahoma Roll. Storm then gets Edge in a submission maneuver which gives the crowd a chance to come down before the big finale. Unfortunately they don't keep the move on for long and Storm goes back to a more move oriented offense. Storm comes back with and abdominal stretch, and now he can build up heat for the comeback. Edge tries to reverse with a hiptoss but Storm lands on his feet and heads up to the top rope. He goes for a springboard clothesline, but Edge reverses into a powerslam which turns the tide of the match.

The referee does a double count out, but both me are up at 8. The slug it out, but Edge starts taking Storm down with clotheslines. Edge hits an Edge-O-Matic for a 2-count. Storm goes for a hurricanrana, but Edge reverses into a powerbomb for another 2-count. Storm then reverses an Irish whip into his finisher the Maple Leaf. After fighting to the ropes Edge breaks the hold. Edge then gets his own Maple Leaf which was a little sloppy as he lost his grip on Storms leg. Christian then runs out and tries to spear Storm, and hits Edge instead.

Storm only gets a 2-count after taking Christian out. Storm goes for a super kick on Edge, but it's reversed for an Impaler DDT for the 3 count.

Winner by pinfall in 11:18: Edge **1/4

Afterwards, Christian has the IC title in his hands and holds it subtly like he's going to hit Edge with it but then hands it to him. It wasn't overly obvious, but anyone who watches enough wrestling knows when someone is holding the belt normally and when it's going to be a weapon. This builds up the underlying tension that would be played off in a few weeks.

Otherwise, the match was a nice effort by both guys, but I felt they probably didn't have enough time to do what they wanted as far as submissions and Storm building up heat while he was on offense. Otherwise, Storm did a good job of leading the match, and keeping the crowd interested until Edge made his big comeback. Edge is a huge star now, and this match shows that he was on his way back in 2001.

Brock Lesnar vs. The Big Show 05/18/03

Where: Charlotte, NC

Backstory
Brock Lesnar is in the midst of his first babyface title run after beating Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania XIX. Rather than show off Brock's great wrestling skills by putting him with talents like Eddie Guerrero or Chris Benoit, the company wanted to show that he could take down unstoppable monsters like the Big Show. Brock has freakish strength, and it's a little simpler to sell a ticket on that, so that understandable.

To get the feud hot, they established that Brock was friends with the undersized super babyface, Rey Mysterio. Big Show destroyed Mysterio at the last PPV, so now Brock is out to tell him to pick on someone his own size. This is designed to use Rey's popularity to transfer it to Brock for rbeing his savior. The match is for Brock's WWE Title, and it's a stretcher match. The first man to strap his opponent to a stretcher and wheel him over the line at ringside is the winner.

In Ring Analysis:

The Big Show enters the ring with the stretcher that he used on Rey Mysterio in his hands to remind the crowd why he's an unlikable person. Brock enters and Big Show misses an attack with the stretcher. Brock opens up with a flurry of kicks and punches, and grabs the stretcher. He then his several shots to the Big Show's back. He then hits a big one to the Big Show's head knocking him over the top rope onto the floor. I'm not so sure about going to weapons so early in the match, but the Big Show doesn't have the in ring skill to go for a main event length (20 minute) match. Shortcuts like these will be needed.

Brock goes outside to meet Big Show and continues to use the stretcher. Big show comes back and uses his brawling offense on him. Big Show sets the stretcher up against the ringpost and you can see Rey Mysterio's, Chris Benoit's, and Brock Lesnar's names on the stretcher. Ray's is crossed out because he's already been eliminated. Big Show tries to ram Brock into the stretcher, but Brock reverses. He then gets the gurney and rams it right into the Big Show's face in a stiff looking spot. After taking painful looking punishment again Show gets the advantage fairly quickly. Big Show is a such a huge monster that it's a little more acceptable for him to recover quicker than other men.

Show the presses Brock and drops him on the gurney in an impressive spot. Big Show throws Brock back into the ring but Brock comes back. The renditions from offense to defense are quite weak in this match as they just randomly trade turns being on offense. Big Show comes back again and hits a chokeslam.

He tries to put him on the gurney then his a big legdrop. He puts him on the gurney and tries to wheel him across the finish line. Brock sits up and Big show clotheslines him back down and tips the gurney over. Brock is doing his usual great job of bumping and he does a full backflip on the clothesline.

Once again with very little in the means of reason Brock punches back and starts hitting Big Show with the gurney. Brock then gets the electrical cable and begins to choke out the Big Show in a move that doesn't usually get cheers for a babyface. Brock then tries to put show on the gurney, and begins wheeling him over. Big Show is too powerful and the gurney is too small for Brock to win.

As a recurring theme, Big Show just gets back on offense with punches before Brock hits a spear on the outside. Brock then bodyslams Show onto the gurney but he bounces off. He then rams the gurney into the Big Show's gut, but Show returns the favor and sandwiches Brock between the gurney and the ringside apron. Show rams Brock several times. Show the rams Brocks' back into the ringpost. Big Show then goes back to the stretcher and begins whacking Brock over the back with it. This is a pretty brutal match as you can't fake contact like that.

In a sick looking spot, Brock rolls into the ring and recovered to shoulderblock Big Show from the ring apron to the gurney on the floor. Big Show is way too big for his body to take that type of pounding. Brock then leaves the ringside area and heads to the back. Big Show gets back in the ring and Rey Mysterio returns to attack him. The crowd is into Rey getting his revenge as it's Rey and not Brock who was a victim of the Big Show. Rey hits a 619 to the gut, but Big Show takes him down with a clothesline moments later. Big Show motions for the chokeslam that took Rey Mysterio out at the last PPV. Brock Lesnar returns with a forklift and Rey goes for a sleeper on Show. SHow takes him down, but Brock is on top of the forklift and hits a big flying crossbody. The fans are starting to get into Brock as he hits a suplex on Big Show. Brock then hits a version of his F5, and Brock starts to put hm on the forklift. Brock gets Big Show up high enough where he can't get down and then wheels him across the finish line for the victory.

Winner in 15:27: Brock Lesnar **3/4

The lack of selling and transitions bothered me a little, but this was a sport entertainment match. I feel that after taking stiff offense you need a good excuse to get the advantage again, but for this match the guys just decided to start punching when they wanted to take control. The usage of Rey Mysterio really seemed to fire up the crowd as he was super over and was the main reason for this match taking place. Brock was a beast at this point and had great moves, but he still needed the right person to reign him in for psychology and match pacing. Overall a fun match even if it wasn't a technical classic