Kevin Ridge

Kawada & Tenryu vs Hansen & Kea, All Japan July 23, 2000 All Japan split has occurred with only a couple guys sticking around. Tenryu has arrived back since he left in 1990. This would be the latest match by date from Hansen I’ve seen. He’s still throwing stiff shots. Couple times he got Irish whipped didn’t look good. Hansen with a Tenryu like enziguri! Had to be a big push for Kea to be in there with these guys. Kea hits a big German suplex on Tenryu. Hansen doesn’t get enough ring time but I guess that is to be expected. He has some spirited involvement at the end. Kea took some big moves in the end but put up a decent fight. With most of their roster gone they were trying to build up new guys so they were trying at least. Good stuff though not great. Think this could be middle of the pack for me.

Show was riot and I'm glad you included a picture of the dude video tapping show in this post. This was the perfect balance of informative material to go along with some great humor. And yes Jerry I knew the mini bosses from Mario 3 you were referring to.

Richards elimination was deflating for the live fans. Bennett’s interference was ridiculous since she is not a known name. Funk has a huge gash on his torso. This show did need a send the fans home happy moment and they get it with Terry winning the title. Dreamer’s chokeslam of Big Dick looks awful but the fans eat up the table bump.

It doesn’t live up for the build and the fans were not prepared for Taz winning like that. They weren’t as eager to get behind the double turn like things were for Hart/Austin. It’s a decent match on it’s own. Taz runs through his suplexes before Sabu gets both a Tazplex and Tazmission. Taz with the clean win though. Post match stuff with Alfonso joining up with Sabu since he put all his money behind Sabu winning match. RVD wants everyone know he is willing to work Mondays.

A bit of a rushjob for these guys compared to their other matches. We get a power ranger chant for Yakushiji. Fans love the action though. Thought this made a great addition to show where you were going to get those typical ECW brawls.

My cable company didn’t carry this PPV. ECW Arena has been cleaned up for the show. Eliminators pick up very clean win for titles. Joel Gertner eats a Total Elimination too.

Funk and to a degree Richards are more interesting going into this PPV. Where’s Sandman? Anyways, it is anyone but Raven at this point.

Taz in a run down gym. These slowly zoom in while his head is covered with a towel. He’s pleading for the old Sabu to show up at Barely Legal. ECW has done their own double turn but it’s more to do with Taz. Damn good promo by Taz.

I do wonder about the value of Sign Guy Dudley since he was a second but didn’t talk.

So The Tank was Mantaur. Big upset with Truth Commission dropping the tag belts. On to bigger and better things guys, right.

Oh, no! Ogawa has a gi on. Big match feel to this. Hash gets choked out. It's a big finish for Ogawa to win but what a depressing finish for the wrestling guys.

What I don’t like about this feud is them talking about killing each other so much. Sting joins up with Page. These latest segments have done a excellent job of giving rub to DDP. Even though NWO has the numbers advantage they aren’t willing to confront Sting.

DiBiase starts things off and talks about turmoil in the family. Ted actually getting mic time. Again, I think he was underused by now with Bischoff’s involvement and so many other voices in the group. Hogan goes right after Nash! Oh, this is good. The crowd loves the possibility of NWO going at it. Nash and Hogan smooth things out but Savage is still very hostile about things. Everyone works things out at the end, for now.

Hogan fits in with the mainstream media and Rodman is in full get up and in character. WCW should have tried to get Van Damme on their side.

Shawn's knee still looks fine to me. Michaels is so unlikeable and I do not get why the fans could even cheer him at this point. Lying piece of shit. Michaels gets things off his chest whether true or not. Shawn dances to his music. Your knee? You fucking asshole. Going on a diatribe about giving the fans their money but you sit out because of a knee injury. Whatever. This is the most effective heel turn if anything as more than anything I want to see Shawn get the shit beat out of him.

Kandori is gushing blood right off the bat. That might be the worst attired referee ever. The always difficult double dropkick off the top rope. Both ended up going low but seemed to connect still. Lots of new faces for me. I don’t like when moves are messed up and then they try to do the same thing right after. The crowd appreciated them all at end. I think I am similar to Soup on this one.

WCW came back real fast with a PPV after Uncensored was just a couple weeks ago. They PPV schedule got really full when ECW joined the rotation. Slim Jims and potential orgy references by Savage? Kinky. Dave Penzer takes a bump. Should have been Buffer. Savage mauls Mark Curtis. Nick Patrick replaces him and makes the pin count on Savage! Full NWO shows up at ringside. I thought Savage got a new life in WCW when he arrives and feuded with Flair but his matches with DDP weren’t as high quality. Nash with the huge powerbomb on Patrick. Savage goes to hit Kimberly but Bischoff stops him. Randy pushes Eric but the NWO quickly tries to restrain Savage. Production cutting away immediately to the announce booth was poor.

How does this not get the stars treatment like other segments on previous yearbooks? Booker’s reaction after his comments is awesome with him turning his back to the camera knowing he just said a stupid thing. But Sherri holding back laughter as she comforts him is such a nice touch. She really is a total pro. Booker’s comments must have gave Hogan some street cred.

Terry Funk calls out Raven for being a pussy. Raven shouldn’t have such issues with his dad for not being taken to a baseball game. I’m preferring Richards storyline.

Bret’s whining is so much better.

The Kat! As a blonde. Fake Razor tried enough to play up the part but Jacobs was not natural enough to play Diesel. Tornado watch in effect in Tennessee.

I’m going to say I like this the least of everyone. Nothing too bad about it but was too long for my tastes. Both guys worked hard though.

DDP is proud of Kimberly going nude. That's cool but what's the real issue? Elizabeth is hotter than Kimberly. She seemed to be embracing the heel side way more here than her run in the Horsemen. Savage really punks out DDP. Randy's glasses has perfect symmetry with his bandana.

Lawler starting to slowly turn towards getting behind Bret even with all their past history. Yay for Bret for realizing enough that Rock was the future. Rock was smart enough to ditch the high flying moves. Corner figure four which leads to DQ. Le Femme Nikita will air after finish of Monday Night Raw.

Austin's video entrance was really good. Steve reminds us again he never said he gave up. Austin is all about whopping ass no matter if his opponent is a good guy or bad guy. Bret better hope that Austin does get his wish on what will say on Bret's gravestone. The double turn has been done perfectly.