[1995-01-31-ECW-TV] Cactus Jack vs Sandman (Falls Count Anywhere)

[PeteF3]

Previously on PWO:

 

Cactus Jack vs Sandman w/Woman - ECW TV Falls Count Anywhere 1/31/95

Was not even going to bother with this match because I had seen a couple Cactus/Sandman matches and they always sucked. I thought I was just making the right choice because Woman in that tight green, leather dress was double hot. What a total fox! Then lo and behold, these two maniacs went out and kicked some serious ass. Cactus meets Sandman up the aisle with a trash can and just brutalizes Sandman. Sandman was really good at selling a beating throughout the match. Woman starts caning Cactus and finally Sandman takes over (Awesome transition #1). He does a really good job building heat. He hits a nice top rope leg drop. There is no overkill, he is still working through his own beating. Cactus is able to mount a comeback while Sandman is on the top rope (Awesome Transition #2). Cactus is rolling until he punches a trash can that Sandman holds up at the last second. (Have Mercy! Awesome Transition #3) Cactus blades his hand. Nastiest paper cut ever, folks! Sandman stomps the hand and works a great heat segment around it smashing the hand with the garbage can. Sandman is stumbling around and is so good at working through his beating. DELAYED PILEDRIVER ON THE GARBAGE CAN! My slight complaint is that Jack was fine at selling the hand, but would be a bit too quick to pop back up in general. Sandman goes for the kill, but goes flying over the top rope onto the floor. (Awwww shit, you all just love me, Awesome Transition #4) Cactus is able to get the Cactus Elbow for the three. Woman starts caning Cactus. Jack does intimidating the woman routine, but this allows Sandman to attack. Sandman canes the shit out of Cactus. Sandman lights a cigarette and then tries to BLIND CACTUS!!! Mikey Whipwreck with the save to a huge Mikey chant. Sandman/Woman cut a decent promo. Sandman has a Woman t-shirt that I need to own. Cactus cuts a money promo (which made the yearbook) that makes me want to see the Texas Death Match even though I have seen it before and didn't like it. Great, great ECW brawl with really smart transitions and great selling by Sandman. ***1/2

 

[Superstar Sleeze]

Thanks Pete for re-publishing this for posterity. Where did you find it?

I knew there was one Sandman vs Cactus Jack match I thought was great but couldnt find which one and it was daunting prospect to slog through them all so I will avoid the rest, but was happy to re-watch this in all its glory. I co-sign everything I wrote above. I would add a couple things. It is very cool how Sandman does not bump at the beginning for all the garbage can shots. He is playing it like he is out on his feet. He does a great job selling he has had his bell rung on multiple occasions while on offense. Woman required multiple canings and some distraction to really earn that transition. She was also great on the outside and yes she was looking foxy. Awesome transition #2 is actually really well-time low blow. The hand psychology was excellent as was the post-match angle with the lit cigarette and Mikey's save. The one I disagree with it is my rating...way too low...**** one of the best ECW Matches of All Time. 

[JKWebb]

Yeah loved the garbage can punch and the hand psychology too... this match is a ton of fun!  The post-match is brutal and puts it over the top as a great moment in ECW.  I still think my favorite Cactus match (in ECW) is his farewell vs. Mikey in 1996, but this has to be up there as my likely #2.  Definitely worth checking out for anyone who hasn’t seen it.  Great match, and I haven’t really heard this one talked about much.  Thanks for the recommendation Sleeze! 
 

http://ridingspacemountain.blogspot.com/2020/05/pro-wrestling-lov-vol-59-best-of.html

[Superstar Sleeze]

On 5/27/2020 at 10:28 PM, JKWebb said:

Yeah loved the garbage can punch and the hand psychology too... this match is a ton of fun!  The post-match is brutal and puts it over the top as a great moment in ECW.  I still think my favorite Cactus match (in ECW) is his farewell vs. Mikey in 1996, but this has to be up there as my likely #2.  Definitely worth checking out for anyone who hasn’t seen it.  Great match, and I haven’t really heard this one talked about much.  Thanks for the recommendation Sleeze! 
 

http://ridingspacemountain.blogspot.com/2020/05/pro-wrestling-lov-vol-59-best-of.html

Glad you liked it as much as I did!  

[Calvin]

I loved the garbage can punch transition with Foley juicing his own hand, but there wasn't enough moments in the match like that to grab my complete attention. Frankly, there was a lot of walking around outside of the ring in an attempt to make the most out of the stipulation, and they didn't do much to stray from your average plunder match.

**1/2