Loss Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 Talk about it here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loss Posted November 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 Before the match, Spike Dudley lays out Judge Jeff Jones. Mike Awesome does a number on Spike Dudley and Masato Tanaka comes through the crowd to brawl with him. They are pulled apart before Paul Heyman agrees to let them have a match. I thought this was fun, but matches called by the crowd ("We want tables!" followed by Awesome putting Tanaka through a table) are always a little annoying because it shows that the wrestlers aren't really controlling the fan emotions in any way. The match is a solid representation of what they do though, with the highlight of the three big table spots being Awesome's high-angle tornado DDT through the table, which doesn't give us a finish, but the roaring elbow does. Masato Tanaka wins the ECW title and Paul Heyman feigns shock at ringside. Post-match, Awesome shakes Tanaka's hand and even straps the belt on him ... before taking him down and putting him through a ringside table with an Awesome Bomb. Funny that's being presented as the one table bump that's scaring everyone when the match has been filled with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Evans Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Man Tanaka takes some punishment in this match. Even more than usual. Multiple powerbombs to the outside. His elbow is bleeding from the DDT through the table and the final powerbomb to the outside where his head bounces off the concrete. Just brutal. Yeah the crowd was annoying with the "we want tables" chant. Not sure why Paul E and the whole roster were out watching. Did only the finish air on tv? I remember seeing it but not the whole match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim Posted March 20, 2016 Report Share Posted March 20, 2016 I liked the roster coming out to watch this, the idea being, I'm guessing, that when they heard this match was happening they had to see it because it's always so spectacular. It's a good iteration of the match up and I liked how the angle introduced it. Interesting that they do a title change on a house show at a time they're doing PPV and weekly TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superstar Sleeze Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 ECW World Heavyweight Champion Mike Awesome vs Masato Tanaka - ECW 12/17/99 I really enjoy these matches. No wasted motion, energetic fun spots. I finally figured out was missing lack of strong face/heel dynamics. Awesome is technically a heel but he does nothing heelish. It is a real harbinger if what's to come in pro wrestling. Great angle to set this up with Masato Tanaka in the front Row. Spike Dudley hits the Acid Drop on Judge Jeff Jones. Awesome takes umbrage with that and HURLS Little Spike from the ring into the crowd onto Tanaka!!!! HOLY SHIT! It's on! Paul E let's them fight for the title. I love how tight this is shot as this is a house show so no hard cam. All the same great spots at beginning. I like how setting up the table spots costs Awesome. He recovers enough to his a crazy Awesome bomb from Apron through a table on floor. New Years Eve in my memory is the best but this was pretty badass. Second table spot coats him dearly as he takes a German through a table and Tanaka begins his comeback. Then comes those brutal chair shots. The big turnaround and should have been the finish was the Tornado DDT into table by Tanaka great sell by Awesome. Roaring elbow and NEW CHAMP! Awesome puts belt on Tanaka not a heel! Compact action packed, slight alteration on their classic spots. Crazy to think Masato Tanaka was World Champ of the third biggest promotion at the height of US wrestling popularity these are all enjoyable quick contests. Great series ***1/2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKWebb Posted November 17, 2016 Report Share Posted November 17, 2016 I need to rewatch this! I was here for this live in Nashville, TN. I remember I sat close Tanaka, and we went over and shook his hand (or something like that) after he took his seat. During the match we made our way close to the guard rails, and my friend took a piece of a broken table home with him. I have the fancam of this show somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteF3 Posted July 8, 2018 Report Share Posted July 8, 2018 The usual empty but enjoyable match, because as usual, the crazy spots all hit even if there's not much in-between. I think the tornado DDT through the table should have been the finish, as it was a spectacular spot that looked deadly, but at least the actual finish came right after. Awesome trashes Tanaka after the match and we get a close-up of Masato's gnarly elbow. Interesting, as tim says, that they not only did a title change at a televised house show but that this aired on TNN on Christmas Eve, a day in which you'd think they'd be punting on giving us any shocking developments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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