[1993-10-25-WWF-Raw] 1-2-3 Kid vs Marty Jannetty

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Loss]

Another really good match between these two, but this one is kind of a backdrop to get Johnny Polo over at ringside, who sneaks in interference against both of them.

[Kevin Ridge]

Jannetty has been delivering in matches on TV. Kid with a great looking German Suplex. These guys are pretty even in the ring. Polo gets involved though with tripping up both guys. Ends up with a double count out to Polo's delight. Marty and Kid beat him up after though including a very random make a wish move on the floor outside.

[PeteF3]

A step down from their All-American match, as we have a slow start and Johnny Polo making a nuisance of himself at ringside. For a cheap DCOR finish this is a clever one--Kid goes for a tope but Polo shoves Jannetty into the post, causing the Kid to miss and taking out both guys at the same time.

[garretta]

Pete's right; this is a huge ​step down from their first match, and it's neither one of their faults. They're still working as hard as ever, but unlike JR and Gino on All-American​, who added greatly to that match, Vince and Heenan actively subtracted from this one.

 

I usually don't mention commentary first, but keep in mind that Vince owns the company. That means that any match he treats lightly is one that he doesn't want to mean anything. He engaged with Heenan's irrelevancies about Miinnie Pearl and Julia Roberts (among others) a lot more than he usually does, which was sign number one that this match meant nothing until Levy came to ringside.

 

I liked the subtle tease of a Waltman heel turn when Levy tripped Jannetty; of the two, Waltman's the lesser-known quantity, so it would make more sense that he'd be the one to turn. Curiously for that story, It was Marty who was more aggressive with his strikes, but he never turned the match into an out-and-out brawl.

 

I also liked the finish; most of the time in a setup like this, the opponents lose their cool with each other and start brawling, either in the ring or on the floor, and the referee eventually throws the match out. Here, we get the same result in a much more spectacular fashion, as Levy causes both Waltman and Jannetty to nearly kill themselves. I think Waltman could have stood to sell his bump a bit longer, but if he had he wouldn't have been able to help Marty get revenge on Levy. Yes, the make-a-wish spot came out of nowhere. but Levy's sell job of it was one of the highlights of the match.

 

There are quite a few Line of the Night contenders, but my favorite belongs to Heenan, when he called Levy a Cy Young Award winner in T-Ball (the lowest level of Little League baseball, for those of you who don't know; it's usually played by kids between four and seven years old). Honorable mention goes to Bobby's line about Stu's seventy-some year-old gray suit. Even though he'll be gone in a little more than a month, Bobby can still bring the goods when the situation calls for it.

 

If I'm not mistaken, this match eventually led to Waltman and Jannetty becoming full-time tag team partners and eventually WWF tag team champions, and if I'm not mistaken they beat the Quebecers for the titles.

[soup23]

Man, the portion of this match before the interference was really dull and not near as exciting as I would have hoped. Something just didn't seem to click and there was absolutely no desperation at all. The finish of this is my favorite part as Polo timed it perfectly and Marty goes really hard into the post creating a stimulating visual. Polo was the emphasis of this match and too much of the focal point to the detriment of the action inside the ring. **

[Superstar Sleeze]

Marty Jannetty vs 1-2-3 Kid - WWF RAW 10/25/93

There’s a world where Marty & Kid are the Rockers of the 90s and they rule the WWF New Gen tag team scene in glorious fashion. Their title victory over the Quebecers is 1 of 2 matches I think is the best non-Bret, non-Shawn WWF Matches of 1993-1997. After the DiBiase addendum to the Ramon program, the Kid has struck out on his own. Last month, he single-handledly showed up both Quebecers, WWF World Tag Team Champions. He knocked out Jacques to the point where he got farted to the back and he knocked out Pierre and it was only due to instinct and Johnny Polo that the Quebecers retained. Now here he is pitted against fellow baby face and recent IC Champion. 
 

Pretty basic baby face vs baby face wrestling here. Basic chain wrestling, lots of symmetry. I thought Kid was more aggressive than Marty. I don’t know if that is by design or if that is just a difference in their personalities. Kid gets some nice kicks and a Victory Roll. Marty gets a nice counter powerbomb. The aggrieved Johnny Polo is out to watch. He trips Marty and Kid has no problem immediately pouncing on Marty for a near fall. Kid misses a somersault splash from the top. Now it is Polo’s turn to trip Kid. Marty at least shows some frustration but Marty takes the cover. Kid nails a beautiful German after a series of suplexes from Marty. I agree with Brain Marty is wrestling this match lethargically. Marty wakes up with a stiff elbow. Kid nails the same Karate Kick that KO’d Jacques. Marty collapses to the outside. Polo pushes Marty out of the way of a diving Kid! SPLAT! Double Countout! Polo is very amused by his antics. 
 

Marty & Kid team up and kick Polo’s ass. Great double super kick that feels very 21st century. Marty & Kid feel perfect as a tag team. I want to rewatch the title change with Quebecers now. This match is alright. I thought Kid brought it but Marty dragged ass. ***