Superstar Sleeze

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Jushin Thunder Liger vs Black Tiger - NJPW 2/3/96 Me, My Wife and Two of my Friends played “Book It” a pro wrestling board game a couple weeks ago. As I always say wrestling fans make the worst promoters/bookers and I came in dead last. Most of the wrestlers were knock off of real wrestlers they had a wrestler named Justin Tiger Lightning with ridiculously low stats which popped me for some reason. Liger is so beloved like who be such hater to give Liger low stats. Anyways Liger is on his revenge tour as he was out for most 1995 due an ankle injury. He wins the Super J Cup at the end of 1995 and the IWGP Jr Hvywt Title in the Dome from Kanemoto. He is reasserting himself nationally in the division. Black Tiger aka Eddie Guerrero is a good first challenger. This is not a long match about 12-13 minutes. It is good not great. In my opinion, no style had a bigger impact on the American work rate style of the 21st Century than Japanese Juniors. So Japanese Juniors retrospectively can look pretty Indy-Riffic if they aren’t hitting on all cylinders. There’s a lot of that here. The transitions aren’t the smoothest. It is a lot of MOVEZ~! without a lot of rhyme or reason But they aren’t breath taking enough to get the work rate junkies to pimp this match either. The opening chaining feels Indy-riffic rather than a struggle. We do need more Snap Mares in wrestling. They do a take down tumbling sequence. The best part of the match Tiger takes Liger and rams him into the railing. Eddie splash. Then the match peters out. Couple high impact suplexes by Tiger in between some basic holds. Liger Kappou Kicks look cool But he doesn’t take it anywhere. Near fall exchange. Tiger hits his stock spots Brainbuster and Tornado DDT. Frogsplash knees up. They do a Lucha Arm Drag climb the ropes…like what? Liger polishes him off with a Superplex maybe it was supposed to be a Brainbuster. It is Liger and Eddie it is still good but nothing special ***

Riki Choshu vs Masahiro Chono - NJPW G-1 Climax Finals 8/6/96 Riki is a Punk Rocker; Riki is a Punk Rocket; Riki is a Punk Rocker. When All Japan went progressive, Choshu & New Japan keeps it short, sweet and packing a punch. I have seen the famous CHOSHUUUUUU match many years ago which I love. Never really much hype for the Final but it is a great match but it only really works with Choshu the old gunslinger in one last shootout at the OK Corral. This is about as Hollywood Cinematic as wrestling gets and still works. Something magical about the 20th Century. Chono is NOT a favorite of mine. He is serviceable here. He plays the Heel well as he is a Wolf 4 Life here. This is all Choshu’s charisma and a lifetime of work elevating this match and this tournament. Chono bum rushes him to start even attempts to slap on the Scorpion on its maker. Reverse Atomic Drop. CHOSHU HAS BALLS OF STEEL!!! This match is all Testicles and I love it. He drops Chono on his head three times with Saito Suplexes before they take their toll. Choshu starts to clubber. Chono goes low and attacks the injured knee of Choshu. It is all Hollywood after that. Can the old timer be as good as he was once was one more time? STFs, piledrivers and slaps by old rival turned respectful peer Fujinami stoke anticipation of the crowd and me thirty years later to see a THUNDEROUS CHOSHU LARIAT! BANG~! I am popping the crowd is popping, youre popping ready this dont show this to my wife my baby might pop out and I am not ready yet! THUNDER STRIKES AGAIN! AGAIN! SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Old Gunslinger, the Punk Rocker does it again! Fuck yeah! ****

Keiji Mutoh Vs Kazuo Yamazaki - NJPW 8/2/96 G-1 Climax WWF 96 PPVs done for now it is onto something different. 96 was not an explosive year for our old pal Mutoh losing the title to Takada on 1/4 and ceding the title of Ace & Defender back to Hashimoto after holding it for most of 95. Mutoh’s two big matches were dream matches against Hakushi and Liger and the gnarly street fight against Tenryu which is a Top 100 match of all time in my opinion. So an interesting year for Mutoh. He goes up against UWFi #2 and now NJPW stalwart in G-1 Climax. I don’t know if I am in a good mood as work winds down and anticipation for my first child grows but I loved this match. The opening wrestling was so good. Great chaining lots of struggle. Mutoh wins out with the a Short Arm Scissors then works the leg. Yamazaki starts throwing kicks with reckless abandon. Some great shots. Mutoh goes for a single leg takedown but Yamazaki nails him in the head great Stuff. Mutoh says Fuck It and stomps the injured hand of Yamazaki. Yamazaki comes back with arm bar and cross arm breaker attempts. I love how Low-Fi this is. It is not about getting in all your high spots but taking what the match gives you. We get shades of 2001 Mutoh with Dragon Leg Screw and loved the Moonsault into the Figure-4. I thought he had it but we get a Yamazaki Flying Cross-Armbreaker for the win. Genius match with dueling psychologies and each man staying true to their strategy and characters. ****

Undertaker vs Mankind - WWF RAW 12/9/96 No Holds Barred Man I really enjoyed this match. I watched this maybe 6 years ago didnt seem to leave an impression But I liked this a lot. This was around the time period where they were putting hard hitting NO DQ matches on RAW all the time to compete against Nitro theres a killer Mankind versus Austin also from around this time. I really liked the hot start from Taker. Old School, Chokeslam and then looking for Tombstone. We are still building to Executioner match so we get some distraction from him. Then after that it is just killer hand vs leg psychology. So we saw the great hand psychology from Taker and again more of the same here. But this time we get some nice leg work from Mankind to counter it. Because it is no holds barred they are able to use all the fun stuff outside the Ring to attack the hand or leg depending who is on offense. Mankind shined In this match there were the usuals like Nestea Plunge and the Cactus Clothesline but the Cactus Elbow on the bad leg and the drop toehold to get out of a Chokeslam really popped me. We get the Mandible Claw as a counter to the Tombstone which was killer. Then Tombstone when Taker rallies to win. The Executioner attacks which is lame but man this was a great match. The best match was definitely the Buried Alive match which should have been the last match but these two matches after have been great. ****

Undertaker vs Mankind - WWF Survivor Series 1996 I always forget theirs a 4th match in this series and by the looks of it theres a 5th one on RAW. Of course epilogue April 97 Revenge of the Taker as well. I thought as a stand alone match it was great and second best of the series but it felt too normal after the Boiler Room Brawl and Buried Alive. This should have been the second match. The hand psychology was perfect to ward off the Mandible Claw and if this was fitted between KOTR and the Boiler Room Brawl it would have been perfect. But as the PPV series ended I can see why this is forgettable even if I loved it. Undertaker comes out with a new look looking like Gene Simmons with the top knot and Bat Wings as he descends from the Rafters. Lord of Darkness meets Leather Daddy. I am biased because I started watching in 1997 but this is his best look in my opinion. Taker uses a drop toe hold to the astonishment of Vince & JR but those in the know know he was using this on RAW back in 93-94. He also uses a Fireman’s Carry and I think he was going for a Short Arm Scissors before settling into a Cross Armbreaker. I appreciated the Deadman doing a little wrestling. I really liked he used these take downs and holds with a singular focus to attack and debilitate the Mandible Claw hand of Mankind. This is the constant thread of the match. Even when he loses control of the match when he gets back into control, he is biting the Claw Hand, he is slamming the Claw Hand into the steel steps. It is all about attacking the Claw Hand because they have invested so much into the Mandible Claw. He even loses control of the match initially because he is so focused on slamming the hand into post that Mankind ball shots him and somersaults onto him. I liked Mankind a lot here he was playing the role of 70s heel well a violent lunatic who is borderline animalistic so he had the fight or flight drive. I liked that he chose flight a couple times. I liked the cheating to take control the aforementioned ball shot and later Shiek object. He also used the Piledriver and the Mandible Claw effectively. The Nestea Plunge was well-timed mismatch to get match to even. I really liked the Chokeslam versus Mandible Claw struggle. That’s right up my alley. Mini-battles within the larger match. Love that. Love the Chokeslam. The Claw was put over strong the whole match. I liked the Tombstone coming out of the Foreign Object attacks but it felt a bit anti-climatic. I wish there was a way to hit Tombstone out of the Claw. Overall a great match with strong psychology. The Executioner saves Paul Bearer from getting his comeuppance because we gotta build to the next Taker PPV match which will be against The Executioner but since the Executioner doesn’t pan out it feels lame. Thats the end of my road with Taker 96 PPV matches as well a strong test for him. ****

lol I watched this match again! Shinya Hashimoto vs Kazuo Yamazaki - NJPW 1/4/96 Inoki vs Vader and Mutoh vs Takada take center stage but Hashimoto has to fight someone. Their 98 match is the classic but this is very good. Kickboxing to start. Yamasaki is the first to get in a head rocket and targets the arm. Lots of great struggle over arm wringers and armbar takedowns. Hashimoto is not giving an inch. He sells really well for Yamazaki. He powders. He uses the point of fingers to throat thrust which is illegal which puts over the desperation. Yamazaki stays on the Arm. Then moves to sleeper/choke to set up the cross Arm Breaker But nothing doing. Yamazaki head rocking kick but that just WAKES UP HASHIMOTO THE DESTROYER! RIGHT HAND OF HASHIMOTO! BIG KICK! BRAINBUSTER! Great badass Dome match! *** 1/2

The Undertaker vs Mankind - WWF Buried Alive THE UNDERTAKER IS ALIVE! HE WILL NOT REST IN PEACE! Great Vince call there. It is crazy to me that has been like 15 years since I watched this match as it was a staple of my teen years with the Taker DVD set from the mid-00s. I think this is my new pick for the best non-Shawn, non-Bret WWF Match from 93-97 but Cactus/HHH from RAW is close. This was a great high spot match disguised as a brawl which reminded me of the 2011 Taker/HHH Mania match. The high spots really hit and stick with you. From the first Nestea Plunge to the Chokeslam to the grave every big move hit and felt good. Usually I get on Foley’s case for not having enough offense but this played to this match’s strength. After the Bearer turn you just wanted to see Deadman Walking Tall and Foley bumping from pillar to post for him and that’s what you got. Foley worked this like a 70s heel. All the offensive breaks were through cheating and nefarious means. Bearer shaking the ropes on Old School, Bearer giving him the Sheik tool, Bearer distracting with the weak Urn shot only for Foley to dent a chair with Taker’s cranium. Through all this Undertaker Just Kept COMING! Like the Creature from the Black Lagoon he would just keep rising. It was perfect babyface wrestling. He threw everything back at Mankind the Sheik pen, the chair and it was glorious. It was DeadMan Walking Tall. Piledrivers looked great. Loved Taker’s finish sequence coming off driven backdrop into the steps and climaxing with the Tombstone. The Mandible Claw as the one last gasp at the Grave sit was great. The Chokeslam into Grave what a punctuation mark. I actually forgot Undertaker is the winner because the post-match angle is so iconic so I thought Mankind won. Terry Gordy as the Executioner attacks Taker with a shovel. The midcard heel brigade buried Undertaker alive only for Taker’s hand to shoot from the Grave in a great WWF Masterpiece Theatre moment. Awesome match holds up better than I remembered. I think I would have liked it more of it was a bit more uptempo and fiery but honestly it was awesome. They played to their characters well and the match really crescendoed to a great climax. **** 1/4

I was watching Sovereignty last week with my wife man when did Dennis Quaid and Vince McMahon become twins? I kept thinking I was watching Vince. It was uncanny and eerie.

The Undertaker vs Mankind - Summerslam 1996 Boiler Room Brawl Finally warm enough to do a review yesterday but the match/angle was so long didnt get a chance to do it. So now doing it on a cold day. Little lower on this than most. With post-2020 eyes, it is interesting because this match and Hollywood Backlot Brawl which Vince directly compares this match to, are spiritual ancestors to cinematic matches. I think that this is the true legacy of the match. Competition fuels innovation so kudos for WWF trying outside the box ideas. There is a lot of freedom In Pro wrestling but one restriction is needing to do stuff in front of live audience. I think this match would have been better served on TV than PPV. There was no TitanTron they literally had some big screen TVs on the apron for front row people but that was it. It was a swing but it was not sustainable. This also felt like an angle not a match. It was all to Serve the big heel turn and it was great. As match it didnt do much for me. It was a decent brawl but this was not Duggan vs Sawyer Battle of New Orleans. The pipe ballshot on Taker was good. The Two Cactus Elbows both the one that hit and missed was cool. I liked the brawl in the hallwaY. It wouldn’t be 1996 without hot coffee. I really liked action In front of the audience. Cactus Piledriver on Concrete looked great and was a good “near fall”. The way you win is retrieving the Urn from Paul Bearer which I liked as a stipulation. The Nestea Plunge was sick and perfect “near fall “ for Taker. Bearer doesn’t give him the Urn. Im waiting for him to crack him with it. But we get the Mandible Claw which puts the move over as a killer. Bearer slaps which is great work. As the beat down is complete we get the Urn headshot to cement the angle. I gotta admit how they did it was way more effective than a simple Urn shot. Really got Mankind and the Mandible Claw over as the monster and his weapon. Paul Bearer is the bitch heel for turning on Taker. Loved the angle but it could have been half as long and just as effective. ***

AJPW World Tag Team Champions Stan Hansen & Gary Albright vs Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue - AJPW 2/20/96 Been awhile since I did one of these Middle of the night Cant sleep reviews. All Japan 1996 is mostly known for the epic three-way tag team rivalry of Misawa/Akiyama, Kawada/Taue and Doc/Ace but before that we got a rivalry between the Holy Demon Army against the Texan Cowboy Stan Hansen & Nebraska Cornhusker Gary Albright. Hansen/Albright won the tag titles from the Holy Demon Army in January in a match I couldn’t find. This is the rematch and the title switch back. Wish the Hansen/Albright team got more play later on in the year. I enjoyed this match a lot we get 17:30 of a 21 minutes match and the clip is towards the beginning. I love how un-flashy this is theres isn’t a lot of high spots or MOVEZ But there is a lot of grit and struggle. You don’t get to see the Holy Demon Army play babyface very often But they do here. One of my favorite psychological angles in wrestling is when the heels wrestle to contain and the babyfaces wrestle to explode. We see that early on from Albright and Hansen how they work to contain Taue with headlocks and front chancery. Kawada comes in with piss & vinegar and rolls on the mat with Albright. Everything is close contact body on body. Hansen and Kawada is a war. Hansen trying to contain but Kawada getting wrist control and yanking Hansen to Taue to tag out. I love that struggle. Hansen taking back over with the bodyslam and Cowboy Kick. The clip is around here which if there was going to be a clip was a good time because they set the tone and we still get to see the most important part of the match but I would love to see this in full. Albright has Taue in a chinkock and a body scissors when we come back. Kawada breaks it up. Kawada explodes into SPINNING HEEL KICK! You finally feel like Kawada is finally going to rip the lid off. BUT Albright HURLS Kawada with German suplex which leads to one of the best heat segments I have seen in quite some time. Hansen and Albright work this heat segment as a full court press just suffocating Kawada. Kawada is able to sell in the holds and in the little gasps. I know this is sacrilegious but I prefer this to the really long stretches a Morton or a Steamboat would use to sell. There’s a time and a place for Morton-style Southern selling But I think it can be overdone. This is understated and to me more impactful. The heat segment starts as a consolidation. Hansen coming in and just going bone one bone…knees and elbows, Cowboy Kicks. Albright is the one who starts working holds that lead to progression. Albright is taking what Kawada gives him he sort of finds his way to STF. Then on his next tag follows up with the heel hook. I love how Hansen tags in and makes sure handoff of Kawada’s ankle is smooth like a baton pass in a relay race But he does not have the technical skills of Albright so his leg work is ugly and leaves him open to head kicks from Kawada but he comes back with a Single Leg Crab. All while this going on, Kawada selling pitch perfectly how much pain and agony he is in. Albright RIPS a great Belly to Belly. I loved how he went for a suplex pinning combo there keeps Kawada and the viewer off their feet. He hits a desperation enziguiri on Albright I believe. HOT TAG! Taue comes in with a Big Boot. Just when you think you’re going to get Taue House a Fire but Albright rips a suplex and goes for the cross arm breaker. Kawada can barely walk but crashes down on Albright with all his weight to break it up, Hansen and Albright start double teaming trucking Kawada. Hansen DDT and Powerbomb on Taue. It looks like it will be an easy win for the Americans. Hansen is loading up for the Lariat. Big Boot by Taue! Miss by Hansen! Kawada Kick to Albright! Hansen pinballs for Taue and Kawada…NODOWA~! FUCK YEAH! 1-2-3! HELL YEAH! Kawada & Taue as the babyfaces who are in a hole against Hansen and Albright finding a way to win even though they were overwhelmed excellent story. Hansen and Albright really complement each other well… the rough & tumble Cowboy and the Collegiate Wrestler. After Hansen and Albright guzzled them, just love short & sweet Hansen Pinball into the NODOWA~! Mid-90s All Japan still surprises and titillates after all these years. ****

Does this exist in full? I can’t seem to find it.

I can’t believe Hawk and Animal were not nominated in 2016 and that no one considered to throw them a vote. I wouldn’t vote for either but they are big names. Hawk always got the bigger singles opportunities than Animal. There’s a couple Flair vs Hawk singles matches but I can’t think of any Animal. Hawk got a title shot against Mutoh and has the run with Sasaki. I agree that Animal was the better in the Ring and had a good powerslam but Hawk had more presence and charisma.

Thanks so much for keeping me in the loop. How do I submit a ballot? Discord aint my thing so I appreciate you keeping me updated.

Vader vs Sid - WWF Buried Alive Maybe the shortest match line to write is Vader vs Sid. With the December PPV called It’s Time the smart money is on Vader. I love both these big mugs Vader is a Top 25 wrestler in my opinion but going with Sid was the right call he had way more heat and Survivor Series match is definitely better than the Summerslam match. Masters of Powerbomb explode and I love that video package is all about who the True Master of Powerbomb is! Starrcade 1993 main event final comes to us about three years later and the match and build feels very WCW. Sid playing the role of high flying plucky underdog is fun to watch. The match had a rep if exceeding expectations and this is definitely a Top Ten Sid match which is a feather in Vader’s cap. Sid doing and outside in Sunset Flip only for Vader to do the big butt splash and Sid coming off the top rope to get caught and slammed were two stand out moments. This also featured some of the best Sid striking as the early shine clothesline mowed down the Mastodon and he threw a couple great punches. I liked that early body slam attempt led to the heat segment with a racquet shot. I liked they paid that off later. It wasnt your classic Vader performance either where he just mauls his opponent very WWF in how it was paced which was a boon for Sid and a bust for Vader in the long run. The finish bummed me out. Vader splashes Sid a bunch but knees up on the Vaderbomb. Great! Sid teases the Powerbomb but first needs to crotch Cornette which is fun. Ok now Powerbomb the big Muthafucka. Then they do Vader can’t get Sid up for the Powerbomb. Ok nice touch. Now Powerbomb Vader. He chokeslams him for the win. It is still cool but the crowd was frothing at the mouth for the Powerbomb so it took some wind out the sail. Fun 8 minute super heavyweight clash definitely one of the best Sid matches I have ever seen and I love me some Sid! *** 1/2

Undertaker vs Mankind - WWF King of the Ring 1996 With Goldust feud put to bed it is time to start the iconic Mankind feud. This is actually a five match series if you include the RAW match I often forget about the Survivor Series match. Mankind is probably the first star Taker made. I thought this was a step up from the Goldust feud but still in the very good camp. I like Taker enjoy his offense and his selling and I have watched a lot of this month but something keeps all his matches stuck on second gear. The beginning felt a little off to me. They were working a uptempo shine but Mankind isn’t a bump & run cowering heel like Goldust so it wasn’t as effective. I thought the transition to heat was lame. Like all of sudden Mankind took over but didn’t really earn his commanding position and Taker was overselling given Mankind’s offense. Lots of Cactus based offense like the Cactus elbow and the Discus lariat on the foot catch. It is a crutch but the chair work definitely woke me up. The Big Boot to the chair and the chair to back added some heat. Again a Swinging neck breaker as transition back to heat just doesn’t do it for me nor does a long nerve hold. Back on the outside, Cactus Elbow on to the Chair and Taker waffling him with an unprotected chair shot was sick. Taker comeback But then there was a lot of fucking around with the Urn. The whole match was predicated on how the Mandible Claw put down the Undertaker three times including the previous month in the Goldust casket match. We finally get it on and in the tussle Bearer strikes Undertaker “inadvertently” with the Urn and the Mandible Claw puts him down for a HUGE win for Mankind. All the years of Taker vanquishing the heel monster of the season really made this win by Mankind feel huge like Mankind was someone who was here to stay in the main event scene. To me this was basically the same level as Taker/Goldust except the Chair stuff and the Bearer finish notch it up. Did Bearer hit Taker by accident we will have to tune into Summerslam to find out? *** 1/2

Undertaker vs Goldust - WWF Mind Games Pretty cold in Boston and hand already freezing so this will be quick. First Taker PPV Match since the Paul Bearer turn at Summerslam. This is a tie off a loose end from this side quest which Taker failed to beat Goldust in last two matches and to build to Buried Alive next month. Very similar to Beware of Dog casket match but this is a Final Curtain match…pin fall no DQ. Upbeat shine Deadman Walking Tall running through all of Goldust cut offs. Goldust glitter bombs Taker better heat segment focused on the eyes. Standard Taker comeback: punches in the corner big clothesline oooo the one wrinkle is SUPER NODOWA~! Tombstone. These are good matches but given who is in them they are disappointing. That’s a wrap on the trilogy and really Goldust as a main event heel. *** 1/4

So when is the deadline for voting? And how does one vote?

Undertaker vs Goldust - WWF International Incident Weird to go from a Casket Match to a regular match. Not much to this one but at 12 minutes it didnt drag as much as there wasn’t much meat on the bone. Goldust played it more like he normally does cowering behind the ref and the taunts. Taker took two losses in a row to Goldust and Mankind. This was Deadman Walking Tall. Taking no shit. Chokeslam on steps could have been cool but it was more tepid than what we are used to nowadays as Goldust took it on the ass. I liked Marlena throwing her body on Goldust to protect him from the steel steps. Rings were so much noisier in 1996 makes for a better presentation. To be honest I don’t think much happened until Goldust rammed Takers back into the exposed turnbuckle and rammed steps on his back. Goldust had no qualms. Goldust didnt really get to build any heat from there. Taker made a short comeback and nailed the Tombstone when MANKIND erupted from the Ring and sucked the Undertaker to HELL! Goldust wins by DQ But Taker rips the ring from the other side and sends Mankind packing. This is the Apex of the Goldust-Mankind alliance that I wish went on way longer as there were so many cool possibilities with them, step down from Beware of Dog but not horrible more of a backdrop for Mankind angle.

WWF Intercontinental Champion Goldust vs Undertaker - WWF Beware of Dog Casket Watched their series 15 years ago and remembering thinking it was disappointing But this wasn’t half-bad. 1996 Goldust run is one of my all-time favorite runs. I love that on odd number months Undertaker wrestled Goldust and even number months he wrestles Mankind. It keeps both feuds fresh. I believe it is in the up run to this match That Goldust asks “Is that Embalming Fluid No 5 I smell” on RAW an all time great line. Goldust was moving around pretty well in this match and I enjoyed the high energy shine. Bump & run from Goldust feeding Taker. Taker moving at a good clip kicking ass. Transition to heat was messy. The Goldust tombstone should have been a big deal but wasn’t. Me and the crowd just didn’t pop for it. Cant explain why. Liked Goldust using the cord. Couple casket attempts, good cutoff on the chair shot by Goldust and powerslam. Goldust got a lot and Undertaker sold well. One too many flying clothesline attempts and Taker press slam. Tombstone! But Whats this MANKIND is in the Casket and a Mandible Claw leads to Taker being locked in the Casket and Goldust retaining. Good screw job finish they leads into Taker/Mankind feud and leads to cult favorite short lived Mankind/Goldust alliance. A good match but nothing next level *** 1/4

Diesel vs The Undertaker - WWF WrestleMania XII This match has a little bit of rep because it outperforms on paper what the typical smark would think would be a plodding snore fest. But those in the know, know both these guys can go and that I think I was actually underwhelmed. The rep on Taker is he doesn’t get good until 97. Hogwash. Watched plenty of 93 & 94, he is already great and he is a very underrated mover and seller. He may have the worst collection of opponents in history between 92-95. 96 he finally got to wrestle credible challengers. Nash acquitted himself to be a motivated big man throughout 94 and 95. This match easily exceeds the matches both men had with the esteemed Bret Hart in the prior two months. I would say this is firmly very good instead of great. I really liked the beginning of the match, high energy slug fest felt the urgency. Undertaker constantly cutting off Nash. I liked how both men were constantly moving forward. Taker sitting up on the missed elbow and landing on his feet over the top to the floor were great choices. So many moments where you think Nash would take over but the Deadman just kept coming. I liked the transition to heat missed chair shot to the post, use of the post and railing. Taker sold the ribs well. Match lost steam after that. They didn’t do too much in the heat segment. They all of sudden went from heated brawl to Clash of Titans. Double big boot. Standing 10. Saito Suplex. Standing 10. It killed the momentum and took what was a heated match and made it feel stilted. Diesel is going out the door…100% the Jacknife should have been kicked out of. They shouldn’t have let Nash protect the move. This is what they should have done. He should have went for the cover immediately and the pop would have been killer. Second Jacknife but now Diesel get cocky then a Zombie Sit-up. Third Jacknife and Nash is even cockier and then you do the Death Grip. The way they did it with Nash farting around killed the Heat of the Moment. After the second one with the Death Grip, at least let Taker into him But again another Level The Playing Field spot. Finally we get a Chokeslam and a Tombstone. it is a very good match But after the transition to heat it is like they wrestled with lid on the match instead of going all out. *** 1/2

WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart vs Diesel - WWF In Your House VI Steel Cage Trying to squeeze this in before dinner with in-laws so this will be short. The forgotten fourth match in their rivalry and clearly their worst. Survivor Series 95 which was only three months prior is a stone cold classic and I really like Royal Rumble 95 and KOTR 94 is very good as well, but this is just wrestled in slow motion and they just didnt seem to care at all. The crowd cared even less. It was clear that Diesel was going heel by this point, but not sure he had cemented his heel turn yet. For whatever reason, Bret doesnt really wrestle as a babyface instead he chooses to wrestle like a subtle heel again which served him well before against Diesel, but with Diesel clearly having more heel heat than babyface heat except one notable exception this made the match feel like it was heel vs heel. Bret was the first to use the cage to counteract Diesel's clubbering and crowding in the corner. Standard Bret chop the big man down with attacks to the knee. There is no one I like watching more grind on top than Bret but that works if his opponent is over as a babyface. It was the wrong strategy for this crowd. I think we needed Bret to provide the uptempo babyface energy whereas Diesel could play the heel role more effectively. Also I just think Bret isnt very good at cage match. Another example of this is Bret needed to crotch Diesel on the top rope to transition again a subtle heel move. For Diesel, he was using high impact slams like sidewalk slam or press slam so it felt very heelish from both. A particularly hard Bret Bump wakes up me and the crowd. Bret starts getting some babyface heat and Diesel sucks starts happening until Diesel uses a thumb to the eye and we get Diesel chants. Thats not on the wrestlers that was just fucking weird. The finish is not great either but better than the Royal Rumble finish...Diesel low blows Bret as he is trying to escape. Undertaker emerges up through ring and drags DIESEL STRAIGHT TO HELL and Bret escapes to win. The reason why it is better is because at least Undertaker is justifiably pissed that Diesel screwed him at Royal Rumble. Diesel emerges from HELL disheleved and escapes to set up their WrestleMania match. Now the top two WrestleMania matches are set and on paper a pretty damn good card. Heatless match, weirdly worked, strange low tempo, both felt like they were working heel. It also didnt seem like they were working towards something. They match did not have a feel of progression. They wrestled for like 19 minutes and then out came the Undertaker and it felt like the whole point of the match was out came the Undertaker and the match just a backdrop to that. Pretty lame match no need to watch this.

WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart vs Undertaker - WWF Royal Rumble 1996 Two big names on a Big Four PPV and it is never talked about…hidden gem or a stinker? I thought it was on pace to be a stinker but they didn’t enough in the last half that I will rate it good but I disliked the finish as well. At 28 mins and change you need to be better than good for me to watch it again. Their 1997 matches are better. The first 1/3rd and s brutally boring. Undertaker works a control segment where he tries to smother Bret with a claw around the mouth. For like 5-6 minutes not much happens. Oh I should mention this is babyface vs babyface I consider Bret the king of the babyface vs babyface match. Bret is an excellent traveling world champ who can play the subtle heel. Ultimately he does heel himself in this match but I think they tried to trade off the role of heel in the match to detriment of the match. Rather than both play subtle heel if Bret was only one to do it the match would have been better for it. Bret finally picks up the tempo and clotheslines Taker over the top rope and he lands on his feet cool spot. Taker is able to counter a couple of Bret moves before behind whipped into the steps knees first a hellacious bump that always looks like a million bucks. This changes the complexion of the match. Bret zeroes in on the leg. He is the best grinder in wrestling history. He works a great control segment. Figure-4 is a good climax. We start hearing the Rest In Peace chants. Bret goes for the protective mask or as Vince awkwardly calls it the facial appliance classic Vince call there. So Bret is playing that subtle heel well. Taker gets out using the heel of the boot. He chokes Bret with the cord and jabs him with a steel chair. They are setting up why it is ok for Bret to cheat later to justify it but it feels weird because the crowd has chosen Taker. Just when Taker has all the momentum, Bret attacks the leg again. The boo birds are out. Bret is so good in this subtle heel traveling champ role. That being said both in the first heat and second heat there is one too many leg laces. With about 5 minutes to go they kick into gear. Bret gets DDT and other Moves of Doom but Taker keeps sitting up which gets great pops. Bret never really applies the Sharpshooter so they have that in their holster for a rematch. Taker hits a couple of the spots you expect big boot and leg drop. They do the double clothesline as the level the playing field spot. Frustrated Bret yanks off the turnbuckle pad But he needs to yank off the “facial appliance” as well to maximize the impact of the turnbuckle shot which he accomplishes. He rams Taker’s face into it and Taker sells it well but really doesn’t go anywhere. It was anti-climatic. The crowd is fully on Taker’s side now. Surprisingly to me who has never seen this match he nails the Tombstone! So I know something must be up because Bret ain’t kicking out of that. Diesel pulls out the ref triggering the DQ. Rationale is flimsy at best. Diesel was runner up in the Royal Rumble as he was making his exit grumpy he lost Undertaker was making his entrance. Two Alpha Males didnt want to step aside for each other so they came to blows but the scuffle was broken up. Was that really a reason to screw Taker out of the title? Especially when it was Bret who beat him. You can say he wanted to be the one who beats Bret. It doesn’t hold water with me. I think it was a very weak ending. There were more creative ways to get themselves out of this corner. Brutally boring start and shitting finish aside, Bret’s leg work and Undertaker’s selling (which was so good, he is a very underrated seller) was really good. The body was good and the finish stretch before Diesel was strong. ***

WWF World Heavyweight Champion Shawn Michaels vs British Bulldog - WWF King of the Ring 1996 I have seen this match before recall it being quite boring. Bulldog is pretty chinlock-y in this match but it is better than I remember. In my opinion this was his last chance to show me he is more than serviceable hand in the Ring as I have seen and reviewed all his other major matches. I will still have a soft spot for him like I do all the other 90s wrestlers because that’s when I grew up But the ship has sailed on me thinking he is a great wrestler let alone a top 100 wrestler. I applaud them for having a very different match than their normal match as they just had a PPV main event a month ago so they needed to change it up. The whole two refs counting both shoulders down and now Mr. Perfect is the outside ref is such a Vince Sr - Bob Backlund angle and this match has a real throwback feel besides the he wad scissors takeover on the skin the car and the Frankensteiner on the floor the opening didnt feel like a shine but rather a heel in peril. Shawn worked the headlock and Arm in holds for a long time. The match picked up in a big way with a CRAZY BUMP from Shawn Press Slam drop to the floor. INSANE! Bulldog’s heat segment was very chinlock heavy. The work in and out of the chinlocks was fun But if he worked a body part could have brought the match up in a big way. When Shawn went for the Powerslam and then Bulldog did the reverse only for Shawn to slip out and attempt the Superkick. The match picked up in a big way. It felt like All Japan big fireworks spectacle. Missed top rope Headbutt by Bulldog. The Superplex. The Super Back Suplex weight shift by Shawn. I liked Bulldog stuffing Shawn’s second Frankensteiner attempt with a Powerbomb. The double head knocker was a good lead in to Shawn’s routine comeback. The Mr. Perfect angle was a big nothing burger. Sweet Chin Music wins it to put an end to Bulldog’s run as a main eventer from Summerslam 95 to KOTR 96 almost a year. Because WCW was red hot we don’t get Shawn celebrating we have to immediately run the angle to tell audience what they are getting in July which is the really fun 6-Man Camp Cornette Vader/Owen/Bulldog vs Shawn/Ahmed/Warrior BUT wait that doesn’t happen lol. Anyways the heel in peril and Bulldogs chinlocks mean this is sub-4 but there is a lot of fun work out of the holds even if the holds were boring and the finish stretch was good. *** 3/4

IWGP Heavyweight Champion Shinya Hashimoto vs Satoshi Kojima - NJPW 6/11/96 BABY KOJIMA~! I have never seen Kojima this young. Tenzan got a monster push in 1995 so it looks like Kojima was the new young gun getting pushed but I’m not sure if there is more context. Hashimoto’s first title defense since vanquishing the invading Takada for the championship. This is such a good Lo-fi rookie challenging for the World Title Match. Kojima is full of piss & vinegar and ready to rock. Hashimoto has been there done that and is apt to let Kojima come at him and feel him out. Kojima drawing a stalemate on the knuckle lock was a big deal. Him felling the Champion with the first lariat felt huge. Hashimoto powders on the second. Hashimoto wrestles him down into an armbar. Hashimoto seemingly wakes up when Kojima starts going for the knee. He starts throwing the Hand of Hashimoto. Like how Kojima in his exuberance ends up in a bad hold so he rope breaks. Hashimoto guzzles him in a front chancery and spikes him with a DDT when get gets too feisty. Kojima’s home stretch is fun it is all Lariats because he has not learned the Ace Crusher. His Elbow Drop isn’t as over as it would become. He looked lost on his submission attempt. OMG THE MOONSAULT! I thought obliterated Hashimoto face with his knee. Ugly moonsault you can see why he stopped doing it. Not the first but the second HAND OF HASHIMOTO! He just CLOBBERS him on receipt! Hashimoto The Destroyer kicks ass and Brainbuster for the tidy win! Fun take on the Champion vs Young Lion match *** 1/4

WWF World Heavyweighg Champion Shawn Michaels vs British Bulldog - WWF Beware of Dog Shawn was in a MOOD on this night given all the chaos around the PPV going off air and his high-strung personality this is no surprise. I didn’t see the temper tantrum in the chinlock. I cut through post-match just to get to Gorilla announcement to set up the KOTR rematch which I know most ppl like more so I must have missed that one. I know I have seen this before and thought nothing happened. Now I can write about it and never watch it again. I like Shawn/Bulldog as a pairing they have great chemistry and good stock spots. I think their One Night Only match is a MOTYC and their RAW 95 match was fun and given a lot of time. Shawn’s entrance was less exuberant than normal you. Liked tell he was pissed and he didn’t really want to be there. The more I watch Bulldog the more I think he wasn’t very good. They start off with a pretty fun Shawn shine which is the best part of the match. Oh yeah Clarence Mason subpoenas Michaels in a dumb heatless angle involving Diana. Lame. Ok back to the match Shawn works a headlock and then grabs the lightest Arn bar. It feels like they don’t think they are on TV. They do their normal Short Arm Scissors spot. Bulldog works a tame heat segment…Argentine Backbreaker was cool. Shawn’s trip and bump to the floor was sick. Shawn took the bump to railing wicked cool like he melted into it. They do a double noggin knocker. Shawn comeback. Ref bump. Sweet Chin Music to Owen. Bulldog goes for the Powerslam But Shawn back suplex leads to a double pin. Draw with a rematch at KOTR. The match wasn’t boring per se But also nothing really happened. Like I thought the reviled IYH IV Diesel vs Bulldog match was better than this. This felt like a House Show match with a fun Shawn shine, a couple crazy bumps and a screwy finish. Like sub-3 and I will never watch again but it wasn’t horrible either.