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Superstar Sleeze

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  1. Superstar Sleeze
    I could have sworn I have seen this. Oh right it is a fancam. I see what you mean that is available, but not televised. My bad.
  2. Superstar Sleeze
    Is it really a de-push? Was Rock in Rock n Sock Connection a de-push? I think it is a healthy use of your tag team division. They are the WORLD tag team champions so theoretically it should be the second most important title. At GAB, it was the second biggest program (Flair/Triad vs Piper/Young Guys) and third most important match. At BATB, it is still apart of the second biggest program and the second most important match. At Road Wild, he is against Benoit for the US Title in the second or third biggest match (Savage/Rodman?). It may feel like a de-push because WCW sucked out loud at this point and nothing feels BIG, but in the landscape he was moving from the number one to number two position, which is not horrible. In fact, DDP is very shrewd removing himself from the Savage/Nash/Sting Hummer debacle and instead having the best matches on the card with Benoit & Co. leaves him smelling like a rose if he was to move back up the card. When it looked like he would move up with Sting/Luger in September (note Savage/Nash are gone after the world's shittiest angle) he looked like a genius, but Russo fucked everything. In an ideal WCW, DDP would have been involved in the main event scene longer and Lord knows he earned it. I don't see it as a de-push rather a means to keep DDP hot in #2 story and elevate your tag titles, giving the rub to Benoit & Bagwell. It really was not bad booking short-term. It was just never seen to an end because Russo.
  3. Superstar Sleeze
    It is 1999 WCW so not very long. Flair vs DDP are feuding by September. Even though the yearbook does not capture Thunder keeps rolling the following week with a Tag Title match between the Triad vs Benoit/Saturn. For three consecutive weeks in the middle of 1999, it feels like Thunder is the best wrestling show on American TV. So weird and so WCW!
  4. Superstar Sleeze
    Chris Benoit vs Ric Flair - WCW Thunder 6/3/99 I have been singing the praises of DDP in recent months, but in the back of my head I have known there was one challenger to his "Best in America" throne in this time period and that is Chris Benoit. Where DDP faltered, Benoit managed to pull out a very good match from Flair and showcase him at his best since 1998. The match was set up the week before when Benoit decided to challenge Flair's ruling to give the Triad the tag title shot instead of Benoit & Malenko. Benoit and DDP rocked it last week and after Benoit looked poised to win Bam Bam & Flair put the boots to Benoit. What helps this most is that Benoit is a strong definitive face for heel Flair to play off. Benoit and Flair started off firing chopping each other. Benoit goes with the old standby of applying the figure-4 to Flair and continues to work the leg. Flair uses the eye poke to take advantage, but still sells the leg. Flair leverages Asya outside to interfere on his behalf. Benoit is at his bets here chopping through Flair's offense or rattling off a snap suplex. Flair's big push is the kneecrusher/figure-4 combo. Benoit reverses the pressure. The match, commentary and the arena make Benoit seem like a big deal and a babyface on the rise. Flair goes for the bridge/backslide spot which we have not seen from him in awhile. Benoit hits a clothesline and a diving headbutt. This time Flair's new buddy, DDP saves. Not as much heat as the DDP match and some disjointed moment, but the Benoit push continues. But if a push happens on Thunder, is it really happening? ***1/2
  5. Superstar Sleeze
    WCW World Heavyweight Champion Diamond Dallas Page vs Ric Flair - WCW Nitro 5/3/99 The April WCW renaissance is over. Poor Ric Flair not even DDP could seemingly get a good match out of him at this point. The Charlotte crowd wanted to cheer Flair throughout this match, but he just did not give it to him. It was a weird match on paper as heel vs heel with a heel ref. Flair just could not muster any real babyface offense until the end of the match. It was filled with his usual bumping around and DDP looked fine with great fire behind his moves, but Flair just did not seem to have much in the tank. He can still move around just fine, but there was no flow to this match at all. DDP using tape to choke Flair and the figure-4 got some heat. Flair finally started battling back with some real hard chops and a double axehandle, but then Savage and Gorgeous George show up. It is Gorgeous George that goes after Flair so his natural reaction is to cop a feel. DDP hits him with some knuckledusters. Flair/Savage goes nowhere and neither does the Page/Savage partnership. What a mess!
  6. Superstar Sleeze
    WCW World Heavyweight Champion Diamond Dallas Page vs Goldberg - WCW Nitro 4/19/99 This is right up my alley and I loved it! Until the finish, I thought this was poised to be the best WCW match of the year up until this point (it would have been moot because Sting/DDP was next week). DDP and Goldberg both shove down the ref at the outset. It sets the tone. It is mano y mano. The early power spots are just HUGE! The crowd went nuts for that shoulder tackle. I loved how raw and organic DDP's movements were: the short-arm tackles into a quick headlock, on the takedown immediately with the single leg pick up that actually looked good. I loved how he was bumping and moving. There was a stumble to it that made it feel out of control. The Spear right at the beginning popped me right out of my seat. DDP using a heel tactic by grabbing the tights was nice, but the lack of selling was a bit disappointing. Goldberg's kickout of the belly to belly was so gritty. I loved DDP trying to ground Goldberg only to be thrown around some more. DDP getting increasingly desperate was awesome. He hurls his body at Goldberg twice with reckless abandon hoping to make some sort of dent in this monster. Goldberg just keeps coming at him. The DDP and Goldberg stareoff in the respective corners was electric. DDP goads Goldberg to come at him and Goldberg eats turbuckles. DIAMOND CUTTER! I am losing my shit! 1-2-NO! WOW! DDP hit Goldberg with his best shot and all he has left is the knuckledusters. Goldberg spears the ref and DDP. DDP clocks him with the foreign object and looks to take out Goldberg like he did Hogan by targetting the leg. Big Sexy looks ridiculous running DDP off and then cradling Goldberg's head. It is so fucking ridiculous that Nash lost to Goldberg at the last PPV, but is getting the Slamboree title shot. DDP creams both with the championship belt. It was a great clash of the titans match, but without a finish just does not have enough juice to get to that next level. Sets the stage perfectly for Sting's title shot against the newly minted heel Diamond Dallas Page next week. ***1/2
  7. Superstar Sleeze
    So was Big Sexy...
  8. Superstar Sleeze
  9. Superstar Sleeze
    Late 90s Roddy Piper is the worst wrestler ever. No one could sink any segment he was in whether it be a promo or a match quicker than the blackhole of suck that was late 90s Roddy Piper. Now that's a Reality Check, muthafucka.
  10. Superstar Sleeze
    WCW World Heavyweight Champion Diamond Dallas Page vs Scott Steiner - WCW Nitro 4/12/99 Kimberly swings a chair better than Hogan or Flair. Oh also add Kimberly for the third reason to watch WCW over WWF at this time. Seriously, WCW smokes WWF in the babe department. Oh fuck, Piper is back. You know I was really enjoying WCW, but here comes Piper to shit on everything. He is totally unbearable on commentary. Late 90s Roddy Piper maybe the worst wrestler of all time. I thought this match was actually really good again. DDP is the best worker in America with maybe the exception of Benoit in 1998-99. He is on such a fucking roll. DDP was on fire early with just big move after big move. He was diving off the top rope onto Steiner then a baseball slide and a crossbody to floor. C'mon, WWF, what do you got? Sit down and shut up! Steiner is no slouch in this and is a great heel with the trash talk and general sense of desperation. I rather a heel air on the side of using a low blow one too many time than never at all. Steiner was all about the low blow to set up his offense. You got a mixture of Steiner suplexes and Steiner's arrogance (bicep kiss elbow and choking). I loved how they busted out the Franksteiner from the top rope and when Steiner only gets two he just lunges at the ref from the cover. Now that's how you show frustration. Also the Frankensteiner pretty damn cool. DDP comes back hot with a wicked discus clothesline. Page is feeling it. So it is explained to me that DDP was out in March because Steiner rammed his back into an exposed turnbuckle. So when DDP signals for the Diamond Cutter, Steiner shoves him into the ref and Steiner hits the low blow. Big Poppa Pump has got your hook up and it is a pair of wire cutters to expose the turnbuckle. He rams the back into the turnbuckle to set up for the Steiner Recliner that's pretty smart, but than damn ref is still out. DDP says what is good for the goose is good for the gander and headbutts Steiner in the testicles. Steiner wanders over to the ropes and Kimberly blasts him with a chair to win. DDP was great in this match on offense everything was crisp and had a sense of urgency. While selling, he was always moving towards the ropes or fighting back. Steiner knew when to trash talk, when to get his ass kick and once he cheated he got vicious. Steiner looked like a very credible. The finish was an incredible feat of booking by the usually inept WCW. Kimberly gets her revenge on Steiner with the chairshot and DDP fought fire with fire with the ballshots. However, at the same time, it is a pretty cheap way to win and foreshadows that DDP will be turning heel pretty much by next week. Excellent way to use Steiner's victory at the previous PPV to set him up with a World Championship. He looked like a very credible heel challenger and still got his comeuppance. DDP wrestled a great match, but at the end of the day still needed his wife. Great piece of booking by WCW and a very entertaining match. ***3/4
  11. Superstar Sleeze
    WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair vs Hollywood Hogan vs Diamond Dallas Page vs Sting - WCW Spring Stampede 1999 Another reason ten year old Marty Sleeze preferred WCW to WWF, Gorgeous George. Between her and Torrie Wilson, why would you watch any other TV show? Macho Man, YOU DA MAN! Why wasn't this Sting around in 1998? If Sting put all the effort he did in 1999 into 1998, he would have had a HUGE run. Sting was just rocking it in this match. From the early outset, where Sting/DDP worked their normal beginning match (teasing the finishes) to the big Sting comeback, he looked like the biggest babyface in wrestling again. Sting and DDP worked some good stuff in and outside of the ring. Hogan and Flair is a fun matchup, but it does not have the heat of the Superbrawl match. Hogan has put in a ton of effort all year and nothing has changed here. Flair clipping the knee and getting the Figure-4 was a great early match finish tease. I liked DDP honing in on the knee and using the figure-4 around the ring post to take Hogan out of the match. I really liked the drama of all that and I think it added a lot to the match. It gave it an interesting plot point and renewed vigor into the finish. Sting and Flair worked their usual match, which I like in short bursts like in this setting. Flair bumping around for Sting was great and then DDP pounces on Sting. DDP/Sting have insane chemistry with each other. I loved the tombstone reversal leading to DDP actually getting it and a nearfall. The spot where DDP was punching Sting and Flair chops Sting on the ropes and Sting gradually no sells gave me chills. Pray to God, that by some miracle we get this Sting at Wrestlemania. Sting just explodes off the ropes and cant be stopped. Finally the crowd wakes the fuck up. DDP interferes and Flair takes command with shots to the testicles. Figure-4 and Savage pulls him to the center of the ring, which seems to indicate they are in cahoots until Savage drops the elbow on Flair, but no one cares about Flair. DDP hooks Flair in the Diamond Cutter and wins his first World Heavyweight Title. DDP definitely earned it and I really enjoyed this match. I thought it was filled throughout with entertaining segments and there was never any dead time. I was actually pretty surprised that crowd was dead for the majority of this. If you switch the finish with Savage screwing over Sting and DDP winning, I think they would have gotten way more heat. DDP definitely deserved the World Championship after going back and watching his late 90s career so hats off to him. Underrated match that really never has a dull moment. ***1/2
  12. Superstar Sleeze
    Don't watch the full match. Kevin Nash vs Goldberg - WCW Spring Stampede 1999 What a weirdly laid out match. Nash takes command immediately with his standard, rote corner offense (you know knee lifts and boot choke). Goldberg literally gets zero offense and the crowd is dead. This goes on for half the match and just nothing is happening. Goldberg mounts his comeback and business picks up. I liked Nash going for the big boot and Goldberg ducking and hitting a thrust kick. It was a crazy athletic sequence especially for Nash. Then Nash does a leapfrog. It was not Cena leapfrog, but on the Big Sexy Sliding Scale it was pretty good. Goldberg takes out Luger and Nash to win the match clean as a whistle. Who was booking this shit? Goldberg beats the two of your top three heels clean in the ring. Yet, he does not get a title shot at Slamboree. Instead, Nash turns face and gets the title shot at Slamboree. Oh yeah, Kevin Nash was booking. Ugh.
  13. Superstar Sleeze
    WCW World Tag Team Champions Rey Mysterio & Kidman vs Raven & Saturn - WCW Nitro 4/5/99 Very entertaining spotfest. I like The Brain taking the mantle of "Stop hitting cool moves and pin the man!" In this case, I was enjoying the cool moves and thought it was a fun carwreck. The Doomsday Crossbody was awesome. I know just saw it recently, but now I can't remember where. I know it was in WCW. Saturn legdrop on a dangling Rey was killer. I thought Kidman's hot tag sequence was good, some really nice dropkicks and a nice forearm. Coming back from the commerical, HOLY SHIT, BELLY TO BELLY OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE FLOOR! That was crazy. Drop toehold on the chair. Why do people try to powerbomb Kidman? Rey's hot tag is stopped by Raven outstretched foot to his groin. That was awesome. I have a really hard time taking Rey Rey seriously in this get up. He looks like he is 15. Saturn catches Rey into a wicked Death Valley Driver. The ref had gotten bump and the Horsemen take advantage with a diving headbutt to cost them match per what happened last week. Put some heat on their match for Spring Stampede. Fun stuff.
  14. Superstar Sleeze
    I like Hogan in the tweener role. He clearly is morphing into a face, but he should be afraid of Sting given the most recent history. It is a good slow burn. Babyface Hogan cheated anyways so it is not like that needs to go by the wayside. This felt really Modern WWE to me. Just four guys going around hitting their spots aimlessly so I was pretty disappointed. Unlike modern WWE, it is at least four unique characters and thus they were not hitting the same moves. I thought Hogan was the MVP of this spotfest. Yep, that's a sentence I never thought I'd write. He was really active and kept things moving. Flair was good as a sneaky heel and bumper. Goldberg is an awesome force. My main man, DDP, seemed hidden, which is too bad. Goldberg laying out everybody with spears and then hitting the Jackhammer on Hogan was cool. Nash missing his cue not so much. The fans wanted Sting and they get him. I remember the finish to this Nitro and being excited for Savage to return. O what I fool I was. Savage's career ended in 1998, repeat after me, Savage's career ended in 1998, Savage's career ended in 1998, Savage's career ended in 1998.
  15. Superstar Sleeze
    Hollywood Hogan vs Diamond Dallas Page - WCW Nitro 3/29/99 THE HULKSTER IS PUMPING UP! I watched the German TV version of this and when the announcer hit me with that out of nowhere I had to burst out laughing. I would say this is Hollywood Hogan's best match, but he was clearly wrestling face so it feels like it shouldn't count as a Hollywood Hogan match. DDP was on fire at this point and Hogan could still move around surprisingly well. I thought this match peaked early. I thought the beginning was really heated and really felt like Hogan was overcoming Page with his punches. The Toronto crowd of course loved Hogan. I guess turning Page was already in the cards, which is a shame. He is a great heel, but DDP working class hero is such a great character. They go out to the stage to topple over the WCW signs since they are getting a new entrance way the next week, which was a cool visual. I am big fan of belt whipping and loved Hogan whipping DDP only for DDP to punt him in the nuts to get the belt. I actually thought these cooled off from here. Hogan always tried hard in the matches I have watched and this is not different. He was on a mission to prove he could still be the top guy and was just kicking DDP's ass. I think they got their signals crossed on the cross armbreaker, I think Hogan wanted a proper one, but DDP did not know what was going on. Hogan with an inside cradle, that's cool. Overall, I thought they lost a bit of steam down this stretch. I think a DDP heat segment proper would have set up the big comeback better. Hogan ends up taking out Flair, Lil Naitch and DDP all in one fell swoop and the Canadian crowd laps it up. Not on par with some of the great DDP matches of this era, but this pretty damn good. I would be going bonkers if I got something as good as the Tag Title match and this main event back to back on RAW nowadays. ***1/2
  16. Superstar Sleeze
    WCW World Tag Team Champions Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko vs. Rey Mysterio & Billy Kidman - WCW Nitro 3/29/99 So who is more pissed during this match Tony Schiavone or Chris Benoit? Schiavone is spewing venom on commentary and it is uncomfortable. Benoit is lighting muthafuckas up. Benoit usually hits pretty damn hard, but during this match he was really kicking the dogshit out of Kidman. The forearm blow to back of Kidman's head was hard to watch. Pretty much the entirety of the match is a Benoit offense display. He is on the warpath and it actually makes any hope spots look forced and artificial. Like Kidman's spinebuster just existed to get to the next part of the match. Rey's hurricanarana was a bit more organic. Once Benoit and Malenko settle more into a traditional heat segment it at least seems like Kidman and Rey have a chance, which I hope kinda makes sense. Rey & Kidman are still getting their asses kicked, but this time in a way more conducive to setting up a comeback. Rey gets the hot tag and looks to hit a Latino Frankensteiner (TM Michael Buffer) for the win, but Malenko catches him with a powerbomb and goes for the Cloverleaf, but Raven hits a DDT to allow Rey to win the tag belts. Lets recap the match Benoit & Malenko shine, Benoit & Malenko heat segment, Benoit & Malenko poised to win. Damn, did they kick their ass. I am oversimplifying a bit as Kidman & Rey got a few brief spots but this was the Benoit and Malenko show. It was still a damn good spotfest, but I don't think it ranks with some of the other really high end 1999 WCW stuff. ***1/2
  17. Superstar Sleeze
    My first act as booker of any American pro wrestling promotion would be to restore the Spring Break Nitro set up. Then I would run more college campuses. The Buffer introduction of Mysterio is fucking hilarious if it was not included on this. Here are the highlights: "He gets this chance by the luck of the draw, but we all know he deserves it." is really funny when done in the Buffer voice. The Master of The Latino Frankensteiner killed me. Good shit Tenay just said Flair swerved Mysterio on the hand shake. Bad shit. Flair would have been a great Olympic walker. He has the speed walking form down pat. It is always amusing when a Flair Flop catches an opponent off guard. Rey goes with the celebratory pose not bad. Even Double A is stooging for Rey. Flair lures him to the outside and BOOM steamrolled by Anderson. Flair gets nasty with chops and punches. Flair Sucks chants and Rey chants! Cool. Rey times a couple nice hope spots. Rey hits the Brie Bella facebuster special. Rey's comeback is not connecting. Top Rope Latino Frankensteiner looks to win it, but AA pulls out the ref for the DQ. Flair goes into the pool and is headed for the fans splashing them with water. That would have been the coolest Spring Break story EVER!
  18. Superstar Sleeze
    I remember this segment from my childhood and marking out for Nash's line "Sable, eat your heart out." Sable is a total babe, but Torrie Wilson in 1999, *swoon*
  19. Superstar Sleeze
    This was way better than I expected. Goldberg should have launched Flair onto Hogan and Nash. I loved that start. Flair was great bumping for Hogan. Hogan clearly wanted to go babyface and Flair was more than willing to oblige by bumping all over the place for him. Flair diving to Goldberg for the tag was hilarious. I wish the booking was better than Hogan as a heel champion then Flair turning heel to win and then DDP turning heel to win. They needed more stability and a babyface on top, methinks. Hogan and Goldberg is fucking awesome. Like book that match for Spring Stampede brutha! Fuck, if only I was in charge of WCW in 1999 and everyone listened to me. WWE wishes they had the talent of that roster now. I loved each one popping up after big move was hit on them. I loved the battle over the Irish Whip. It was some really great shit. Nash and Hogan worked a strong heat segment. I loved Goldberg's reaction to Flair coming into the match by yanking his hair. Flair selling for the Hulk Up never gets old. Lil Naitch is becoming Lil Naitch, awesome! He won't count. SPEAR! As we go off the air...fun stuff. WCW had a brief resurgence it seems in March and April of 1999, but it would not last
  20. Superstar Sleeze
    I don't actually and this comes from a huge DDP fan now. I think it was a very wise move by him. The main event was going to be dominated by the bullshit with the Hummer and Nash/Savage. Positioning himself against Benoit, Malenko and Saturn afforded him to have great matches and I think he elevated the tag belts and made Benoit look more important too. Diamond Dallas Page vs Chris Benoit - WCW Thunder 5/27/99 Best match in Thunder history? I would hear arguments against, but going through PWO and the Smarkschoice poll I am not seeing anything that was close to this. Benoit and DDP are the best workers in WWF & WCW in 1998-99 (I have never watched ECW from this era). It is such a treat to watch them work and I am going to seek out the Road Wild 99 match. I really don't see how it can any else than good. It is amazing DDP is just as good as a heel as he was as a babyface. He makes Benoit look like a million bucks in this. Having watched a ton of Benoit in 99 now, the commentary team and the wrestlers were clearly working hard to make Benoit feel like a main event babyface. The angle here is that Flair, who is loony tunes, gave DDP/Bam Bam a tag title shot over his Horsemen buddies. This has now transitioned into a youth vs. veteran storyline. Has that ever really worked in America? These two just make every move seem like the most important thing in the entire world when they are working. Everything is so urgent and heated. I loved Benoit's reversal of the usual discus clothesline with a Crossface. DDP, all shook up, heads for the hills and all of sudden you see Benoit fly into screen and wipe him out. I LOVE THIS MATCH! We are only two minutes into it. DDP always ups his game against Benoit and hits a wicked back elbow to turn the tide. I like how organic it felt like you thought he was going for the Irish Whip, but he stops short with a nasty back elbow. The ring can not handle this fight. Benoit just keeps coming so DDP hits a low blow in the corner and then drops him head first on the top turnbuckle. DDP works a great fucking short heat section. We are taking nasty gutbusters and wicked big boot when he has him hung out on the ropes. Benoit was selling like a champ here. You could really him sucking for air. DDP asks the ref to check for the time and he chokes him with tape. It is official DDP was a Wrestling God in 1999! That's the most awesome thing I have seen in months! Benoit mounts a comeback off a jawbreaker on a sleeper. German with a bridge for 2 and then another one with a bridge. I like the rolling Germans with a bridge after each a lot better! DDP lunges for the ropes on the third one and that trick knee acts up. Love it! DDP hits a nice spinning powerbomb for his nearfall. He signals for the Diamond Cutter, but Benoit gets a backslide. DDP looks for the Cutter again and CROSSFACE! Bam Bam Bigelow runs in for the DQ and Flair attacks Benoit for his insubordination for good measure. Tack on a finish and this is a contender for best free TV WCW match of the late 90s. Incredibly heated stuff early on that made Benoit look huge loved the early Crossface and crazy dive. DDP worked an outstanding heat segment like the best short one I have seen in months. I loved the Benoit finish stretch. Really, really good shit. Watch this match! ****
  21. Superstar Sleeze
    WCW US Champion Eddy Guerrero vs Dean Malenko - WCW Uncensored 1997 There is an absolutely hilarious Dusty rambling session in the middle of the match where he is commending Schivaone for making an astute observation, but just keeps going on about it and climaxes with calling him delungent. I was dying throughout the whole thing. He really needs to do some guest commentary in NXT or something because he was gold around this time. Guerrero was portrayed on commentary as having a bit of a rulebreaking edge to him, but he was still nowhere near the glorious levels of his late 1997. For whatever reason, WCW crowds loved Dean Malenko. They must have seen him as a stoic badass, I dunno, the late 90s were a strange time. They definitely go for more of a heated fight feel than technical masterpiece. I love how Guerrero takes a bump early on the shoulderblock it is not a quick flat back bump, but a more realistic stumble, knock back onto your keister. Dusty notes that both men have mudhole stomping on their mind and have commenced to mudhole stomping early. In his roundabout, Dusty-isms way, he picks up on a good point. There is a lot of good mirror psychology. It is not just a fight, but a fight between two rivals that know each other well and want to one up each other. Guerrero takes his big catapult face first into turbuckle bump to give Malenko the advantage. Malenko goes to work on the knee with a single leg crab while we find out that Rick Steiner has been laid out by the Wolfpac. Guerrero cuts Malenko off with a dropkick to the knee. Guerrero knows Malenko is a master of the mat so he is going to beat him at his own game by destroying Malenko's knee. Guerrero is just excellent with great springboard moves on the knee, good submission holds like the STF and the figure-4. Guerrero rocks him with European Uppercuts and looks to dive onto him on the outside, but eats steel in a really nasty spot. Malenko drops him on the railing and now he is going to work on the arm because the arm hit first. Tony notes this and that is what triggers the ridiculously hilarious Dusty ramble. They do go a little overkill on the finish with a couple extra moves. I thought the finish stealing was perfect for the theme of the match. The crowd and I also enjoyed Malenko's trick knee acting up into a ballshot and when Malenko crumpled to his balls met Eddie's knee in a violent fashion. Tighten up the finish stretch to really focus on those elements and it would be excellent. Syxx getting involved was pretty lame because he was already Crusierweight Champion, but at least it did fit with the mirror psychology of the match as Malenko lifted Guerrero's title due to Syxx just like Malenko lost his due to Eddy's interference. I presume Eddy/Syxx was in the cards, but Eddy got injured. It is too bad Syxx did not have more matches with the WCW midcard, it would have been interesting to see what he could do with a Benoit or Rey on a PPV. But I digress, I liked the heat on each move and how they told a cool interwoven story of mirror spots. It was two competitive rivals that not only wanted to beat their opponent bad, they wanted to humble them by beating them at their own game. Put a hotter finish on this and you have a really excellent match. ****
  22. Superstar Sleeze
    Diamond Dallas Page vs Eddy Guerrero - WCW Starrcade 1996 Vacant US Championship A match just year later between these two would be a dream match for me. As it stands, this was another very good match on a card that literally does not have one bad match. Of course, Starrcade 1996 was missing that one truly transcendent match to rank among the best cards of all time. This match pits white meat Eddy Guerrero against cigar-smoking, scuzzball white trash DDP. Both find more success once they turned, but here they put on a nice little match. DDP tones down the stooging and big bumping early probably because he was anticipating his babyface turn and wanted to present a more serious character. Eddy outwrestles him and when DDP tries to intimidate him with his size, Eddy does not back down with an overhand chop. Eddy hits a nice cross body to the floor to reach the climax of his shine. DDP slips through a ten count punches to drop Eddy face first on the turnbuckle. DDP used that to turn the tide against Sting in 1999. I liked that a nice heel transition spot, good stuff Dallas. DDP works a nice ab stretch attacking the ribs and using the ropes. I definitely prefer the ab stretch to the reverse chinlock, a lot more options at your disposal while you are catching your breath. DDP runs shoulder first into the post. Eddy takes advantage with a brainbuster, which is the prelude to the CRASH AND BURN! Could not land the Frogsplash. DDP thinks it is wise to go upstairs, but his balls meet the top turnbuckle. Hey, one last DDP heel bump is a nice parting gift. Eddie gets a series of nearfalls to avoid the Diamond Cutter, but cant avoid the Spinning Powerbomb, which is DDP's nearfall, before the overbooking. Hall drops him with the Diamond Death Drop (it would have been cool if they brought up that history) because DDP refuses an offer to join the New World Order. This all happens unbeknowst to Eddy who hits the frogsplash for the win. It was a very strong fundamentals performance, but without the color of a usual DDP heel performance it feels tepid. DDP clearly did not want to overshadow Eddy so Eddy was still presented as the face. This all led to a very restrained feel. It is strange this entire card featured a ton of good, but not great wrestling and mostly because nobody wanted to let loose. Another good match, I can't complain about that. ***
  23. Superstar Sleeze
    WCW Cruiserweight Champion Dean Malenko vs J-Crown Champion Ultimo Dragon Starrcade December 29, 1996 These wrestlers sure did a great job reinforcing each other’s worst behavior. It was a like a vicious feedback loop where the problems just got compounded as the match progressed. Malenko gave one of his tone-deaf performances where he was committed to wrestling HIS match rather than the match the fans wanted. Dragon was in full one-up manship mode and totally focused on getting his offense over rather than getting the match over. Together these two presented an incredibly disjointed performance. It was not horrible, just really weird and not the classic that I was expecting. During the entrances, Malenko was surprisingly over with fans especially given he was playing a heel in October against Rey. Though, I think was more due to Dragon playing the evil foreigner archetype than Malenko tweaking his character. The problem with Malenko’s performance was that he would do a big move to pop the crowd and then immediately grab a hold in such a way to kill the excitement of the fans, who just wanted to see him let loose. Malenko clearly wanted to work a mat-based style in order to set up the exciting finishing stretch. Dragon can go on the mat with best of them. His matches with Liger and Ohtani prove that. However, Dragon did not seem to get the memo in this match. I think Dragon was under the impression that American crowds were dumb and they just wanted highspots. So he set out to deliver highspots rather working with Malenko. Ergo the transitions were non-existent and each segment felt artificial and in vacuum. At the beginning of the match Malenko hit a back drop driver to a big pop only to slap on a chinlock and then have Dragon take over is a perfect example of bringing the crowd up only to let them down. This was another problem with the match it felt too back and forth with not real strong stretch to build heat. Dragon runs through his offense until another Malenko back drop driver wakes up the crowd. Surprisingly, Malenko is selling better than Dragon. In a weird moment, Mike Tenay, resident cruiserweight expert analyst says that Dragon should really be pronounced Dragone for some stupid reason. Dusty thinks this is hilarious and proceeds to call him Dragone the rest of the match. I love Dusty Rhodes and I don’t care who knows it. The finish is definitely the best part of this match as they just say “Fuck the rest of the match, LETS FUCKIN GO!” Dragon busts out a powerbomb to kick things off and the reverse tombstone spot with Malenko executing is always a crowd-pleaser and a great false finish. Malenko hits a Tiger Driver for 2, which was a killer false finish with Dragon timing his kick-out for maximum effect. Dragon adds the Asai Moonsault and Malenko busts out the Texas Cloverleaf before Dragon is able to garner the victory with a Tiger Suplex. The finish was fun in the same way a Michael Bay action movie is fun because it is just a bunch of big moves strung together. The body of the match was basically non-existent and did not factor into the finish at all. This match is a perfect case for the detractors of both men as Malenko delivered a rather tepid performance until the end and Dragon focused more getting himself over at the expense of the match. ***
  24. Superstar Sleeze
    WCW World Champion Hollywood Hogan vs Roddy Piper - WCW Starrcade 1996 Liz looked pissed off all night especially during the Hogan interview before the match. I wonder what was up. Piper's promo was the usual nonsense except the line that it is hard to carry a piano in a parade cracked me up. Staying with the theme of the night, these two were rocking it early, but got blown up late to finish this with the proper punch. I loved Hogan early shouting at the ref to watch Piper on the break only to paintbrush him. Hogan trying to antagonize Piper early by cheating and breaking his momentum by powdering was great shit. Piper looked good for the most part as a asskicking babyface taking it to Hogan. I liked Piper clamping on a headlock to inhibit Hogan from escaping, but then Hogan gets a nasty break on the rope and snaps his neck there. I thought Hogan would take over here, but Piper kept it going. Hogan says he has had enough. Then in my favorite part of the match, Piper finally follows him and starts whipping him like a scalded dog. DiBiase trips up Piper and now we get the Hogan heat segment. Hogan is such a good heel at this point and is so much bigger than Piper that a natural sympathy builds. He goes after Piper's bad hip, which does make Piper and Hogan feel old when you taking about hip surgeries. They blow up here, which is too bad because they were cutting a great pace early. There was pretty much no down time at all and I think that cost them here. Hogan misses the leg drop! The Giant senses the problem so here he comes. A fan fucks up the finish. Piper gnaws at The Giant's face. SLEEPER HOLD! PIPER WINS! HUGE POP! But he does not win the belt! Bullshit! I actually think they should have done a quickie title change here and had Hogan win the belt back on his "home" turf of NWO Souled Out. The early portion was great shit with Hogan playing the best damn heel in the world at that point. He was scummy, cowardly and vicious. You wanted to see Piper kick his ass and you really got that during the part where he was whipping him with the belt. They just lost steam going into the finish. I need to rewatch the Luger and DDP matches, but this may be the best Hollywood Hogan match. ***1/4
  25. Superstar Sleeze
    Lex Luger vs The Giant - WCW Starrcade 1996 On a night where Benoit, Mysterio, Liger, Malenko, Dragon and Guerrero competed, my match of the night honors goes to The Total Package and The Giant. On a night where all the matches seemed to be plagued by anticlimatic, lukewarm finishes after great starts, this match started hot, stayed hot and finished hot. Luger was at the peak of his popularity during this time and really felt like the lead babyface of WCW. Yes, he was a better wrestler in that hot streak of 88-91, but he was so incredibly over here. The early tests of strength were so well done. Rather than show that Luger would be at a disadvantage they actually let Luger drive him to a standstill and Giant got frustrated. I have never thought of Luger having great worked punches, but he really had Giant reeling with them. Giant was so good really on conveying his frustration and almost shock that his natural size was not carrying the day for him. Giant smokes him with a clothesline out of the corner and punts him to the outside. Giant's work over the back is simply awesome much like a Caribbean Queen. Luger is so good at selling especially verbally as the breath evacuates his lungs he really lets you know. Giant was really smacking leather with those forearms to the back and I am always a mark for Giant stepping on people. The crowd chants for Luger and he goes for the slam and Giant falls on top of him. Awesome hope spot! Luger avoids certain doom when Giant misses a dropkick. Luger fires up with punches and forearms that whips the crowd into a frenzy. Weeble wobble, but The Giant won't fall down. Luger neckbreaker and the crowd EXPLODES~! i would have done the slam spot there since it got overshadowed by the overbooking. Syxx & Nick Patrick save The Giant from getting racked, but Sting drives them off. Sting leaves a bat in the middle of the ring may the best man get it. Giant steps on the bat while Luger just looks up at him. Ruh roh. BALLSHOT! Luger nails him with the bat a couple times and 1-2-3 and a HUGE POP! I loved this as a Clash of the Titans spectacle. From the opening collar elbow tie up to the Sting run-in, this felt like a megamatch. They built to Luger taking The Giant off his feet so well. This was probably the Giant's best match at this point in his career. Luger looks like a huge star here, which they needed badly. This also sows the seeds for The Giant's babyface turn, which is necessary to keep a strong face/heel ratio. If there was a really strong definitive finish like a torture rack, then I would say this is truly a lost great match, but as is, it is the first among equals on a very damn good night of wrestling. ***3/4
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