BigBadMick

One thing I'm always curious about when the HHH = bloated matches narrative comes up - how do people feel about his work in 2000? Specifically the Foley, Jericho, Rock and Benoit matches. Very rarely come across criticism of his performances therein. Had he yet to consolidate power, in order to lay out matches the way he later preferred?

What was that match like? I didnt mind the one they had at the Clash where Catus returned but figured a shame Davey never beat Vader for the title as he was strong enough to. Not many guys could do a standing suplex on vader. It's been a while, but a good, solid match as I remember. A bit plodding at times - Vader was probably the more sprintly of the two at that time.

Reminds me of this thread.... http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/26260-wrestling-before-or-after-1996/ I know we don't like to categorise a PWO 'type', but would it be fair to say most posters are connoisseurs?

I agree, Sleeze. The SummerSlam match reminds me of Mankind-Taker at KotR 98. Using the same feud, Night of Champions is their KotR 96 or Buried Alive equivalent.

Can't recall the tape, but Michaels-Hennig in early 1991 was very good. And Invasion '92 had Michaels-Flair and Hart-Flair - both really enjoyable, last time I looked.

There's a DiBiase-Michaels match from mid-1990, on a tape released in the UK as 'WWF Hottest Matches' (I think) that's well worth a look. It popped up on Vintage Collection a few years ago too.

Seems a shame that you aren't, man.

Agree that Michaels is really obnoxious here. Vince egging him on is painful to watch.

I'm thinking it was Jim Ross's 'shoot' on the post-Mind Games Raw in Sept '96, judging from the hushed tones of Lawler and Kevin Kelly?

Thanks Chad, that's the way I like it. And thanks Word Hoard, but you can't teach this old dog new tricks

Where's the download icon on this?

In 1993, that would have been fantastic. But 7 shows in 8 days, as well as dinners, lunches and Q and As, sounds like overexposure.

WAsn't it on the big screen too?

The Mania match obviously. When Brock first quit, I don't think it was seen as an issue of disrespect, at least not until he turned around and demanded that WWE drop their no compete clause so he could wrestle in another promotion. That was probably the single and only big mistake he's made in business matters. The guy comes across as quite astute, he seems quite aware of his market value at any one time and is happy to wait for people to come to him. I think a lot of the allowances Brock has been given, is down to the fact that Vince, Stephanie, Triple H, etc, seem to really like him. Specifically, they see him as a once-in-a-generation athlete, and a guy that fits that "larger than life" look to a tee. Brock's pretty meat and potato in his approach to business too, it seems. It's like: "Here's my price, this is the schedule I'm willing to work, and here's a couple of additional requests I have (sponsor logos), if you agree to that, I'll perform to the highest standard I can, wrestle whoever you want me to wrestle, and lose to whoever you want me to lose to. If not, I'll be back home on my farm." The guy seemingly had no issues with putting John Cena over in his first match back. He performs to a high level, and draws money. I think that Vince is the kind of guy that respects a guy who is simple, but firm in his business dealings. After all, Brock doesn't need WWE, he's an incredibly wealthy man already, he could retire tomorrow and live out the rest of his life on his farm, never wanting for anything. Seemingly, he might have http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/30283-proposed-finish-to-lesnarcena-1/ Never really heard much more on this - anyone know the truth?

Interesting. I watched it again a few months ago and it certainly topped S'Slam 91 for me.

What someone does throughout their carer matters, and the bad stuff can bring them down. It's the case with directors, musicians, actors, painters, and wrestlers. I think we've had this disagreement before though. Indeed. You pair are veering into Parv/jdw territory.....

To be fair though, from what I remember 1993 wasn't a great year for WCW. I know, but nothing good to say with Vader, Flair, the Blonds, Windham, Steamboat on the cards.....? To be fair, there's a lot of times when wrestling looks worse or better at the time than looking at it some time later

He gets worse into '93. It's a drag to read.....

I can't think of any reason ethically to support the status quo. Just wondering though - how would it affect WWE?

When you mention Hogan doing a shoot...... I remember hearing a clip on a podcast of Hogan discussing Brody and why they never wrestled in Japan. Anyone know where that came from?

Another one in no need of apology - really solid mid card, althogh lacking a genuinely great match. And Austin-HBK starts off something big.

I don't think you need to unapologetically love that Kris - it was a perfectly fine follow up to Spring Stampede.

Enjoyed this. No major shockers in the choices, but it's always nice to look back at WCW.

Yeah, it was remarkably familiar. I don't think you could binge-watch these, you'd go insane with the repetitions. One thing that jumped out at me - Rick Rude did not look happy in any of the DX skits and promos. Any word on whether he disliked being part of it?

Judging from the opening sequence, it's HHH-Rock, Rock-Austin, Cena-Rock, Undertaker-Michaels, Hogan-Savage, Edge-Hardy and Hart-Michaels left to come. It's a shame they're going over such familiar territory, but there's usually enough new interviews and behind the scenes footage to hold my attention.