Other 1998 Worth Watching

[Superstar Sleeze]

Apparently the 1998 Yearbook is a definitive list...

 

WCW US Champion Diamond Dallas Page vs Bret Hart - WCW World War III

WCW gives their best two working main eventers over 15 minutes and it pays off with a very good match unfortunately in front of a dead crowd. Most WCW main events are short due to the nature of the wrestlers, but DDP and Bret Hart have proven themselves to be the two best main eventers in the company and glad they were rewarded with the main event slot.

DDP won the US Title from Hart the night after the famous DDP/Goldberg Halloween Havoc match in a great short match which really showcased DDP's grit. Bret Hart threw a temper tantrum after the match and attacked DDP with a chair targetting his knee. This is the rematch with Hart looking to regain the US Title and DDP looking to exact some revenge. DDP starts it off hot with a plancha onto the outside and then whipping Bret Hart into the railing. Bret Hart is in reverse throughout the entire match, but finally mounts some offense in the form of pulling DDP's throat across the top rope.

Bret Hart's offense in WCW reminds me a lot of his work as a tag wrestler. It can come off as cold, mechanical and perfunctory. It is technically amazing, but lacks the zeal behind it. DDP is great at disturbing Bret Hart's flow with hope spots like an inside cradle and teasing the Diamond Cutter. I love how the Diamond Cutter had been built up. DDP even busts out the tombstone reversal spot and his own very ugly Sharpshooter. This all helps make the match feel unique compared to the usual Bret Hart broomstick match. I liked that Bret Hart was nominally in control the whole time, but DDP was peppering his offense, but when it comes time to get heat both get on their A-game. Bret Hart low blows DDP. Hart goes after DDP's leg with zeal. DDP's leg selling and Bret's offense execution are a match made in heaven and this elevates the match to another level of drama. Bret's cheating has gained him the advantage, can DDP's grit take him to victory? DDP sends him over the top rope, but his knee is really bothering him. He is only moving forward I love this compared to Bret's backpeddling early, exactly how a face and heel should be. DDP gets the ring-post figure-4 and now wants a chair. I wish the match had more of a brawl feel to it, before DDP just sort of grabs the chair. I guess he was low blowed and Bret Hart did mess up his knee with a chair, but maybe have Bret introduce first, seems a little out of left field. Hart sends DDP into the ref. NWO ref calls the match in favor of Bret once he gets DDP into the Sharpshooter. However, Mickey Jay actually has some stones and tells this numbnuts to fuck off. BANG~! DIAMOND CUTTER! Lil Naitch counts the pinfall victory for DDP! Wow a screwy finish benefitting the babyfaces, a little overbooked, but hey at least my main man, DDP goes over!

Bret Hart has had a lot of good matches that he has sort of slept walked through, but DDP forces him to change his game up. The drama really builds during the leg psychology, but the finish drags this down a bit as you wish DDP just got his revenge outright. It also lacks some of the emotional heat as their sweet Nitro match. Still one of the better WCW main events of the year and worth watching. ***1/2

[alexoblivion]

Lizmark vs El Satánico (7/14/98) I should preface this by saying that I think highly of both the wrestlers and their rivalry, so I’m probably not the most objective person when it comes to examining this particular match. I feel that others opinion on this will depend on how they feel about their previous matches, but I found this to be above average and a solid addition to their rivalry. The opening matwork was what I wanted it to be as nothing came easy, and both guys had to struggle to get hold to hold. Lizmark in particular had a great front face lock that not only looked painful, but looked nasty as he would repeatedly rub his forearms in Satánico’s eye. Despite his age in this, Lizmark still had good execution, and one title-a-whirl backbreaker in this was particularly impressive as Satánico did not come at Lizmark with much speed and the strength that it required to pull off was pretty impressive. Second fall was interesting as Lizmark dominates, which he did a very good job conveying his surprise that his long-term rival was not putting up much of a fight, and I liked that Satánico had to resort to a foul to not only change the momentum, but to even stay in this one. Given their previous matches, I found the double pin finish to be fitting. Satánico allows himself to be pinned in order to pin Lizmark as well and retain the title. Postmatch reactions put the finish over as well; Satánico is celebrating and posing with the belt, while Lizmark is pissed. Without a doubt both showed their age in this one, Satánico more so, but I found this to be an above average match.