Al

It's a silly statement in general because a lot of people would find the Japanese style to be boring. I doubt the casual fan would like the mat work periods and the lack of outside interference. Actually, I bet most fans would love the lack of outside interference. I know viewers who grew quite irritated during the Russo era when EVERY MATCH had some sort of run-in.

I think that match is Steamboat's title win. The other two matches have shown up on WWE dvd before, but not this one. MSG debut yes.

There's over a dozen matches I haven't seen on that set, so it is an obvious buy. A few comments... Like someone on TSM noted, this has to be Hogan/Sheik. 1982. Someone needs to send WWE a link to Cawthon's website.

The only problem with that is Meltzer's subscribers are not the casual viewing audience. His subscribers are not, but the general audience when watching a wrestling show is casual fans, and Meltzer understands that, I would think. I could be wrong, since I can't speak for him.

I would assume he references the casual viewing audience when he says that.

In regards to Japanese crowd responses, I know there is similar behavior when it comes to baseball in that country. I would surmise it is just part of their culture.

Eddie Guerrero and Dean Malenko did get a chance to work against other opponents. Dean Malenko held the television title, feuded with Taz, and even had a short run against the Tasmaniaz. Eddie Guerrero doubtless would have had other feuds had he stayed with the company. Chris Jericho was very much unproven in the U.S., outside of his work in Smokey Mountain Wrestling. Chris Benoit left before he had much of a chance to shine, and again, he was not anywhere near the name he is today. In my view, ECW did use them as well as they should have at the time. They put them in the ring with other great wrestlers, and had them put on good exhibitions of wrestling to present a break from the mindless violence. Guys like the Sandman and Tommy Dreamer were pushed because the great wrestlers never stuck around, instead going for the big Two, which they should have. The guys that ECW were left with were the cast-offs, who had obvious flaws. ECW patterned their style of wrestling around those guys, so they could hide their flaws as long as possible. At times, ECW created memorable characters, and that kept them popular for a long time.

Rick Martel

Mick Foley

Eddy Guerrero

The Rock

Shawn Michaels

HHH

Roddy Piper

Bret Hart

Hell, he tore the second quad because he was too proud to look weak after tearing the first one.

Tito Santana

Sgt. Slaughter

Demolition Smash

Sid Justice

Big Show Again, can't vote for a guy who wrestled less than a year in WWE.

Booker T

Marty Jannetty

Demolition Ax

Goldust