PeteF3
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Well, Dusty may have just locked up Best Interview on the strength of this promo alone. He speaks in his real voice for most of this, and I have a feeling a lot of this talk about neglecting Dustin and being a "corporate cowboy" is coming from a real place.
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I actually like the idea of fining wrestlers and managers for abusing referees, as Sherri did at BatB. They just need to be more consistent about it, the way Bob Armstrong was. Bockwinkel announces a World title rematch at the Clash of the Champions, and Iowa makes up for losing out on the bidding for Starrcade '93 by landing Hogan/Flair II.
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Leslie somehow manages to rise above this material and deadpan his way through it, and refrain from the incessant mugging to the camera that plagued his later work. Too bad his talents are wasted on such dreck.
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Terrific bout--even as the U.S. starts to badly lag behind Japan in terms of ring-work, Bret stands out as probably the U.S. WOTY, as he's put on several terrific matches in several different styles, even within the stifling confines of the WWF. Old-school matwork here, natch, but both guys are just tremendous at working holds and counterholds, instead of the standard "armbar, then get up and walk to the ropes" way of killing time. That adds impact to relatively simple moves like the piledriver and back suplex, and the result is a match far, far more memorable and enriching than the Michinoku Pro spotfest we just saw. It would have been easy to have Backlund start to heel it up during the match itself, but aside from a non-clean break in the corner in the opening portion, it's wrestled 100% on the level. That just adds to the impact when Backlund levels Bret with the slap and clamps on the chicken-wing. Ten years after he first asked him to do it, Vince finally has a heel Backlund. More fans today remember Mr. Backlund more than the clean-cut WW(W)F Champion, but this was an utterly mindblowing development.
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Hey, Al Snow and Sabu moved to Japan and did a non-ladder sequel to their match. Spot, spot, spot, spot. Another stunt show with well-done stunts, but that's as far as it went. And yeah, I'm a fan of guys blending disparate styles into one match, but there's a difference between doing that and not being able to decide if you want your match to be a high-flying spotfest, a brawl, or a mat-based match. The styles not only didn't match, the order seemed to be pulled out of a hat--they go from flinging chairs and tables to head scissors and headlocks when logic would generally dictate the opposite approach. There were some cool moves done here but all the near-falls felt overdone and self-indulgent, and neither guy could ultimately compel me to care who won or lost.
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Most of what needs to be said about this already has been. Misawa took Kobashi's "too out of it to know he's out of it" sell of the backdrop driver to new heights here, popping up for a second and then collapsing outside--admittedly, it's really uncomfortable now to watch Misawa eat a backdrop, go "out," and have a crowd desperately chant his name as that was exactly what happened to him in 2009. But it works here, as does just about everything else in this match. Doc initially focuses on Misawa's back, because that's where his offense is based and because it sets up the Oklahoma Stampede. Misawa has to buy time with elbows, which he does to perfection throughout most of the match, before making the mistake of turning his back on a rolling elbow attempt and eating the first backdrop. Once Doc recovers he has a brand-new strategy. They toss in one last historical nod down the stretch: Misawa countering the backdrop by kicking off the top rope, a spot that was an All-Japan staple going back to the days of Giant Baba defending the PWF title. It's not enough to stop the Dr. Death train, though. It was time for Misawa to drop the belts, and Doc was clearly positioned throughout the fall of '93 and 1994 as the most capable man to do it. This is not the Match of the Year but it's another strong case for Doc as Wrestler of the Year.
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The production of this looks like 1990-91 all over again--still, refreshing to see a WCW TV match in an arena setting. Jesse has completely checked out at this point, though his comparing of Sherri to Gloria Steinem is pretty funny. This was a sprint by Flair/Steamboat standards, but still quite long for a TV match, and they blitz through the closing stretch at a pretty awesome pace, with some cool involvement from Sherri. Three visual falls by Steamboat on Flair is pretty excessive, though--this was a case of Flair's selflessness hurting his own push. Steamboat is triple-teamed by Flair, Sherri, and Austin before the fearsome duo of Brian Armstrong and some blond jobber make the save. A fun little footnote to the Flair/Steamboat rivalry.
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They set out to do a stunt show, and a lot of the stunts looked pretty damn good. So in a pure execution sense, they succeeded. Psychology, selling, sensible transitions...yeah, there's none of that here. So for pure emotional fulfillment this fell short of the two earlier ladder matches this year. This was a good bit of exposure for Snow and I can see why this was a tape-trading hit at the time. But as an actual match I'm not sure it holds up even as well as the TLC stuntfests. Also way too long.
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It was not. The finish involved Sid coming back to do a run-in, so it had to be excised completely. -
Uh-oh, it's a Flair interview and he's in his robe. Minor complaint--I got used to it in the WWF eventually. Flair is always at his best after either a historic victory or a devastating defeat.
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Shave that man's head and this could easily pass for a Stone Cold promo. He's channeling that character already. And this was right when Natural Born Killers, one of his influences, came out. Steamboat cuts a pretty fired-up promo and Austin responds with a long-ass bleep. Hot segment! Austin proclaims to Okerlund that he'd whip Steamboat "if you weren't holdin' me back!"
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I disagree on Gordy's promos in general--I always thought he was underrated and only suffered in comparison to Hayes, who was pretty much incomparable. This is only okay and hopelessly generic, but it's kind of better than I expected. DWB has regained the title from Jake Roberts in a staggeringly anticlimactic phantom title change, thanks to Jake no-showing three straight loaded cards. Tony hypes up additional title defenses against Dick Slater and...Conan Chris Walker (!). I thought he dropped off the face of the earth after his WWF stint.
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Holy moly--this gimmick was probably over-the-top and a failure, and if someone wanted to give the Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic Award to it...I couldn't really argue with them. But man oh man, it's so audacious and daring that I can't help but love it. ElP summed it up brilliantly but I'll also add that these guys are also about 975 times more authentic and realistic than the supposedly cutting-edge Public Enemy. The squash is pretty sloppy--Mustafa looks a lot like Charles Wright but with less talent--and it's pretty much the always supremely awesome bumping of Hamrick that saves it. But the entrance and presence and gimmick are all done pitch-perfect. The sight of Bob Caudle standing among a posse of 6 black guys is fantastic and may become my new wallpaper. Also note the trouble Caudle and ring announcer have with saying the word "Gangstas"--or "Gang Stahhhs," as they suddenly adopt Boston accents. It's insane and ridiculous that a rinkydink promotion running southern coal mining towns has by FAR the deepest tag team roster in the U.S. The Rock 'n Rolls, the Thrillseekers, the Armstrongs, the Gangstas, Lee & Candido...throw in Well Dunn and the Bodies on occasion and I'll take that against just about any U.S. tag roster since '89 NWA.
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Memphis by numbers seems right. Conveniently missing babyface partner: check. Heel complains about imaginary cheating by the babyface: check. Heel unloads with punches at the earliest opportunity while Brown and Macklin complaint: check. A chain is used: check. Inconsistent officiating, this time instant replay and a post-match stop-and-frisk: check. Heels complain about conspiracies: check. JC's counters and flips were pretty cool, though.
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Shawn has eschewed hotel puns for Tom Brokaw/news references. Luger takes his time making his entrance, and when he does he...points to the crowd. Not exactly going out of your way to deny Ted's proclamation, Lex. Luger is SO whiny here. After stringing Tatanka and us along, he wants to browbeat Tatanka for not trusting him. I always liked this angle, but this did nothing to dispel my belief they should have just turned Lex outright.
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Leslie Nielsen is a pro's pro, but this is a baffling way to hype a match involving a guy who's been incredibly protected from doing comedy for his entire 23-year career in the WWF. Oh, and if I'm not mistaken this is narrated by TBS Announcer Guy. THAT was jarring.
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Is this the debut of the Ross/Lawler partnership? Ross' trademark grouchiness is such a great fit for Lawler's jokes, and Lawler still had enough motivation to egg him on and on to the point of exasperation. "HOW COULD HE PULL HIS HAIR IF HE'S GOT HIM IN A WAISTLOCK, KING?!" This is a neat little TV match with a weak-sauce ending, though it does set up rematches.
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Really nice hidden gem of a match, giving us a glimpse of the upcoming TC without giving away too much. Misawa looks vulnerable with how much he's worked over, and Ace gets chances to shine, but it's still mostly double-teams that have him in real peril. I liked Ace's TD kickout--it wasn't even a kickout so much as a desperation shoulder raise, so you got the sense that he was pretty much toast anyway unless Doc was able to get back in and save.
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Cactus finally gets to cut loose on the mic for pretty much the first time since the Vader feud, and he doesn't disappoint.
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As I'm wrapping up watching this match, my Browns are wrapping up a trade to land Johnny Football, so any thoughts I had on this match are pretty much out the window. But this is a tremendous match and a capper to a great PPV that saw 5 good matches out of 6. Hogan works really hard, and both guys as well as whoever the agent was went all-out to make this a memorable event worthy of the hype and build. Very cool twists playing off the Hulk formula, just as the best 2002 WWE Hogan matches did. Hell, even Mr. T and Jimmy Hart were used well. An excellent match and for a moment, it appears that all will be well with Hulk's arrival in WCW--well-laid-out action in the main events with a strong mid-card. We know that won't last, but he did start off well enough.
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The closing stretch of this was GREAT, but I have to agree with those that the first half was not up to snuff for this to be a truly great match as a whole. Meandering with a dead and at times even hostile crowd. They do pull them back in, which is to their credit, and Austin repeatedly trying to get DQ'd was done masterfully. In particular tossing the referee in front as Steamboat tried to leap off the top, which was a great false finish. The character work also took over, especially from Austin who was just a supreme dick down the stretch--the mock karate pose, and having Steamboat wave "HI EVERYBODY!" as he had him choked and helpless over the ropes. Even the use of the ropes at the end was well done. Austin's giddy, jumping, running celebration upon stealing the victory is also great. A worthy addition to a fine show, thanks to the closing stretch, but I think these two have had better matches. Incidentally Bobby and Tony were really on top of things here--this was probably the Brain's best performance as a color man since coming to WCW, getting over the action in the ring with some really funny recurring lines about Austin's "trick knee" and his interpretation of the BS with the ref.
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Another good match in the feud, and 3-for-3 on good matches on the PPV. Arn does a very good job on the apron, acting supportive while subtly doing things that are in the Stud Stable's favor--all without telegraphing the turn. Before that this was a great fiery performance from Dustin in a glorified handicap match setting. Arn pumps himself up off the hot tag and of course levels Dustin with the DDT (I remember the live show missing it too, but the Network version has it). He teams up with the Studs to break Dustin's arm afterward, and once again they've made it a point to mention that Dusty isn't around. Great way to kick this feud into another gear.
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Lord Steven Regal vs. Johnny B. Badd, Bash at the Beach Badd's been pretty quiet lately. The last memorable thing of his that I can recall was the Maxx Payne feud, an angle that I always rather liked against my better judgment. He's a sub for Sting, who's out with a "scratched cornea" courtesy of Sensuous Chaplin on WCWSN. Badd is game, especially down the stretch, but this is really a Regal carry job all the way. His selling of the arm is tremendous and basically sets up every possible transition. Great moment towards the end as Regal bails after eating Badd's big punch, and while William is consoling him, Badd suddenly flies in from out of nowhere and takes both guys out. Then a callback to the Regal/Arn sunset flip finish with the umbrella. This time Nick Patrick catches it, but Regal finds another reversal to escape with the title. Calling this possibly the best PPV opener ever is a little crazy--Rey-Psicosis is right there even if you're just talking about WCW. But it is a truly standout performance by Regal. Afterward Gene Okerlund delivers a fawning intro for Antonio Inoki, as we get a mini-Slamboree-type presentation for no particular reason other than to set up a farcically contrived angle for the match with Regal at the Clash. No one in the crowd has a clue who this guy is or what this is about, until Regal comes back to save the segment. He actually gets the crowd invested into this, though they were hot coming in. Jesse takes over at the commentary's table and is visibly very, VERY annoyed and irritable. I'm guessing he wasn't happy about being demoted upon Heenan's arrival to start with, and the arrival of Hogan couldn't have sat well with him either. Still, he's acting pretty unprofessionally right off the bat, and it's about time for the Body to go away. The Guardian Angel vs. Vader, Bash at the Beach This wasn't at the level of Stampede, but this was a nice gritty sequel anyway. Vader busts out a spin kick (!) among some other new tricks, and the Angel responds with some awesome punches and power spots. Race hands Vader a telescopic baton, but the Angel gets it and gets disqualified just for holding it. Laaaame--and Schiavone makes sure to beat us over the head with the idea that he's a Guardian Angel and thus would NEVER use a nightstick. The limitations to wrestling brought upon by the use of the Angel name, and the problems therein, are already coming to light.
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Heh, "matwork." All I saw was two guys doing a fucking Dancing with the Stars routine. I know the indy-faceoff spot wasn't worn into the ground in 1994 but this was SO cooperative-looking, especially the "cover for a 0-count and roll off" stuff, even moreso than the ending to that Samurai/Dragon match. Sasuke has had an outstanding year, but I don't quite get the sense that he's developed into a true "ring general" yet, who can truly lead somebody else through a great match--certainly not to the level of Liger and probably not to the level of Delfin either. So put him in against Dragon, who is quite possibly the worst ring general among "great" workers in the history of wrestling, and you have a recipe for a disappointment at best and a disaster at worst. The first part of this was actively terrible and more or less took me out of the rest of the match. The closing stretch was done a lot better, with some well-timed kickouts and a better job with the transitions. So this was a better match than that Samurai atrocity, but neither guy really compelled me to care about them on any level. I'll keep saying this until he proves me wrong: Ultimo Dragon blows. Through the first few years of his career, I have never seen a more tone-deaf worker in my life.
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This is the second ECW Arena show in a row that features guys climbing into the Eagle's Nest and Styles having to ineffectively pretend to be hiding down below to account for him not being visible. The sea of chairs is of course an iconic moment, and the fans doing a mass exit to watch Funk and Rocco go at it in the parking lot was cool, but I thought most everything else was horrible. Feeble brawling and shockingly little sustained heat. And I actually liked how this match was built to, booking-wise. This gets a little better once the chairs enter the ring as the strikes actually have some zing behind them and PE sort of effectively puts Funk away by lashing him to a trash can with barbed wire and dogpiling him. Even Dory showed some intensity, eventually. Definitely fits in on a Yearbook but a pretty lousy match involving a truly lousy tag team. PE have to be the worst workers ever to be widely perceived as being good at one point.