JaymeFuture Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 So for this week's podcast, with Joe Vs. Balor in a cage on the horizon for Wednesday's NXT Takeover, we want to look at the history of the cage match, and are looking to ask - what is your favourite match to ever take place within a steel cage concept?This can be any match from any promotion, whichever one you draw to the most, and can be one of the traditional cage match's siblings, such as Hell In A Cell, War Games, Elimination Chamber, etc. And of course, the major question is why? Why does your personal favourite stand out amongst the rest?As always, the best contributions will be read on the air and you'll be credited accordingly. So what is it for you? EDIT - Our show talking all about Favourite Cage Matches Ever, featuring many of your contributions, is now online and available to listen to at the following link: http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/web/eq2jp8/SCG_Radio_87_-_Favourite_Cage_Matches_Ever_.mp3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.S. Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 I'll have to be honest: I've never really loved cage matches. I looked a few top 10/15/20 lists for some reminders. I was going to say Bret vs. Owen, but I don't remember it being that great - certainly not comparable to their WM match. Maybe it's just me? My favorite has to be BJ Whitmer vs. Jimmy Jacobs from ROH Supercard of Honor II, which I attended. It was incredible! (Although, I remember one of them being injured and out for nine months because of this match. It was seemingly pretty fucking reckless, but still spectacular to watch live.) I went into the show knowing nothing about them, and they made an incredible impression, to say the least. I've never seen it on tape though, only from the stands, so obviously I haven't revisited it. Honorable mentions: Triple H vs. Mick Foley from No Way Out 2000: I haven't watched it since then to know if it still holds up, but the drama of the Mick Foley retirement stipulation had me on the edge of my seat at the time. Of course, his retirement was undone a mere six weeks later, but at least he mostly stayed away after that. I was going to link to it on the WWE Network, but I can only find the finish, not the actual match. Here's the entire PPV, as that's better than nothing. http://network.wwe.com/video/v31303613/ Andre vs. Kamala from October 21, 1984: I wasn't expecting anything out of this, and it ended up being surprisingly a lot of fun. http://network.wwe.com/video/v31307213/milestone/31326509/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El-P Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 LCO vs Tomoko Watanabe & Kaoru Ito, 1997. The apex of LCO's reinvention as blood-thirsty garbage brawlers, with the footstomp from death. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Dog Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Tully Blanchard vs. Magnum TA. To me this is the cage match that all other cage matches should be judged by. The level of brutality and hatred is off the charts and it paid off their feud perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Tully vs Magnum for me. Aside from the finish I though Hansen vs Colon was pretty close as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Russian Daydream Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Tully Blanchard vs. Magnum TA. To me this is the cage match that all other cage matches should be judged by. The level of brutality and hatred is off the charts and it paid off their feud perfectly.Hatred is definitely the word. I'm not sure there's ever been a match where the hatred has felt quite as intensely believable. From a pure excitement standpoint, some of the earlier Wargames matches are hard to beat. I'd rate the 92 Dangerous Alliance one just above the first one in 87. It really was a tremendous concept and when done right was so exciting. I know it's not particularly highly regarded as a match, but as a spectacle, the Mankind vs Undertaker cell match was awesome. There are so many visual moments in that which are just etched into my mind. Both Foley's falls, him coming back up the aisle after getting off the stretcher, the visual of him sitting in the corner looking like he's smiling with his tooth hanging out of his nose. As a match it doesn't hold up to much scrutiny, but it was totally unforgettable. I think I could easily say, of those four, the Tully vs Magnum one is the 'best'. To decide on a 'favourite', as in which would I most like to go off and watch right now? I'm really struggling to pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Lacelle Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Tully vs Magnum with War Games 92 in second place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Microstatistics Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Etsuko Mita/Mima Shimoda vs. Kaoru Ito/Tomoko Watanabe (AJW, 9/21/1997) Incredible match with a nearly unmatched level of violence, intensity and hatred. Also perfectly incorporates submission holds and limb work in with the wild brawling and the finish is iconic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoe Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Tully/Magnum is where it's at . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingus Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Another vote for LCO vs Kaoru/Watanabe, one of the most insanely vicious things I've ever seen. And I'm sure others will mention it, but both the early Shawn/Taker and Mankind/Taker Hell In A Cell matches warrant mentioning. Also the Dibiase/Hacksaw match from Mid-South where the cage was only one of half a dozen different gimmicks they used in one match, but it was still pretty awesome. I'll mention an obscure little favorite of mine, which was the main event of ECW Heatwave 1996, a six-man tag match in (and out and around and on top of) a steel cage, with Tommy Dreamer teaming with Sandman and Terry Gordy to take on Raven, Brian Lee, and Stevie Richards. This was one of those cool "mix ALL the storylines together in one match" epics which only ECW ever did in this fashion, making things feel so much more epic than they really should have. Sandman still wanted revenge on Raven for brainwashing his young son Tyler, Tommy Dreamer still wanted revenge on Brian Lee for being chokeslammed off every tall platform in Philadelphia, and Terry Gordy wanted to murder Stevie Richards just on general principles. But then the different wrestlers all had their own interwining reasons for why each guy on each team hated all the others. And then also getting involved were Tyler and Lori Fullington, Blue Meanie, Nova, Beulah, Kimona, and Missy Hyatt; but somehow it all made sense as you're watching it. The entire first half of the match is practically a musical, as Sandman, Gordy, and Dreamer all have their entrance theme keep going for a bizarrely long time while the action is happening. It's a crazy spectacle: people are caned and chairshotted and fall through tables, children are threatened, women are strangled, it's all just good dirty fun of the type which ECW specialized in delivering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 As much as I like HBK/Taker HiaC, I actually prefer the first Brock/Taker HiaC match. I thought that was one of the best and most strategically violent matches in the modern WWE. It is my favorite HiaC match and probably top 5 cage matches for me I have not seen LOC vs Kaoru/Watanabe match yet... but I may have to get on that tonight. I completely forgot about Duggan s Dibiase. Ugh, it is so good, so much drama. The 1/17/87 Somers/Rose vs Rockers match is worth mentioning. I know folks are mixed on those cagematches from the set, but I prefer the second one by just a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victory Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 I'll second the Rockers vs Rose and Somers. I still can't make up my mind on which one is better as they are both so different. If I had to choose I would go with the Vegas one ( forgot what the date is on that). I also enjoy the RNR vs The Andersons from Starrcade 86. The complete version that is on the Network is excellent. The clipped version that was the only one we had until the Network pretty much cut out Morton's great selling. Nobody took a shot to the cage better that Morton. Another personal fave is the Steiners vs Money Inc. from 1993. The match is limited due to the era of no blood, but they work hard and have some unique spots. Believe it or not IRS outworks DiBiase in this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 I may be missing one, but I think the Vegas match was the non-cage match (but pretty easily the best overall match to me), at least on the 80s set. I have the locations for the cage matches on the 80s set as St. Paul and Ashwaubenon, WI... but I could be wrong on those. Not that any of that matters, really. The matches between those teams were all great and all their cage matches are worth watching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeF Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 Another vote for Tully/Magnum One not mentioned yet is Backlund/Patterson. In general, I don't care for the way to determine the winner in WWWF cage matches, but they worked it perfectly in this match with Backlund having to dive after Patterson on several occasions. The match delivered a ton of drama. Duggan/DiBiase and Final Conflict were great too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeF Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 Also, for the crowd heat alone, you can't forget the Idol/Lawler hair match with Tommy Rich hiding under the ring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 War Games: Hayabusa, Jinsei Shinzaki & Masato Tanaka vs. Atsushi Onita, Mr. Gannosuke & Yukihiro Kanemura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 Steamboat/Youngblood vs Slaughter/Kernodle is an easy top five pick for me. Onita/Hayabusa I watched recently, that match probably deserves consideration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimArg Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 Tie between Edge/Matt from Unforgiven'05 and Idol/Lawler. Others I like include Hansen/Colon, Henry/Bryan, Somers&Rose/Rockers, ROH/CZW Cage of Death, the 2001 Infierno en el Ring and, of course, Tully/Magnum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 Steamboat/Youngblood vs Slaughter/Kernodle is an easy top five pick for me. Ugh... forgot that one too! So so good. I saw that match hung over a few months back for the first time and i think it actually cured my hang over. It was amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fakeplastictrees Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 Hands down I will have to go with Jericho and Ambrose from Extreme Rules 2016. It was fantastic and everything pro wrestling should be... (wait for panel's reaction) Just kidding. That was complete shit. But a match I really remember enjoying and I actually watched earlier this year, and still enjoyed it, is the XXX vs. AMW match from Turning Point 2004. A legit MOTYC in 2004 that is still a fun watch and holds up pretty well. The match was the last one in the series, with the losing team having to disband and all four men fought with urgency, passion, and pulled off some incredible stuff without being too self-conscious or trying to look too cute. Of course the most famous moment from that match and something that has been on TNA sizzle packages is Elix Skipper's cage walk. To this day, it is one of the few pro wrestling Stunts within the last 15 years or so that actually had me holding my breath and in complete shock. Skipper actually hitting it had me and everyone in the Impact Zone marking out. Good times and a good match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victory Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 I may be missing one, but I think the Vegas match was the non-cage match (but pretty easily the best overall match to me), at least on the 80s set. I have the locations for the cage matches on the 80s set as St. Paul and Ashwaubenon, WI... but I could be wrong on those. Not that any of that matters, really. The matches between those teams were all great and all their cage matches are worth watching. No your thinking of the 8/30/86 bloodbath match which was in Vegas as well. That actually might be my favorite tag match of all time. I looked it up and the cage matches I was referring to were the 12/25/86 in St. Paul and the Vegas one was 1/17/87. They are both pretty great. The formula for the Vegas one is more of a typical face in peril where the other had the Rockers beating the crap out of Rose and Somers from the get go until they turn it around. Interesting formula in that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 I may be missing one, but I think the Vegas match was the non-cage match (but pretty easily the best overall match to me), at least on the 80s set. I have the locations for the cage matches on the 80s set as St. Paul and Ashwaubenon, WI... but I could be wrong on those. Not that any of that matters, really. The matches between those teams were all great and all their cage matches are worth watching. No your thinking of the 8/30/86 bloodbath match which was in Vegas as well. That actually might be my favorite tag match of all time. I looked it up and the cage matches I was referring to were the 12/25/86 in St. Paul and the Vegas one was 1/17/87. They are both pretty great. The formula for the Vegas one is more of a typical face in peril where the other had the Rockers beating the crap out of Rose and Somers from the get go until they turn it around. Interesting formula in that one. Ahhh, yeah, that 8/30/86 match is absolutely tops to me. Its for another topic, but that also ranks pretty high for me as far as tag team matches goes, probably my favorite or second favorite American tag team match. It is just a fantastic bit of wrestling. I just had the location for the 1/17/87 match wrong for some reason - thanks. I too prefer that one I think, not by much, but a little. I like the variety the other one provides, but if the Midnight Rockers are anything they are faces in peril just waiting to make a bloody comeback. The funny thing is, I really wanted one of those cage matches to be the best match of their series. They just set the bar too damn high earlier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peachchaos Posted June 9, 2016 Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 1. Magnum TA vs. Tully Blanchard (Steel Cage I Quit Match) (11/28/85)2. Ted DiBiase vs. Hacksaw Duggan (No DQ, Loser Leaves Town, Coal Miner's Glove on a Poll, Tuxedo, Cage match) (3/22/85)3. tie- War Games (7/4/87) War Games (7/31/87) War Games (2/24/91) War Games (5/17/92)7. ROH vs. CZW (Cage of Death)8. Stan Hansen vs. Carlos Colon (Cage Match) (3/14/87)9. Tito Santana vs. Greg Valentine (Cage Match) (Baltimore, MD) (7/6/85)10. The Final Conflict (3/12/83)11. Jerry Lawler vs. Austin Idol (Hair vs. Hair, Steel Cage Match) (4/27/87)12. Hell in a Cell (10/5/97)13. Kerry Von Erich vs. Michael Hayes (Loser Leaves Town Cage Match) (11/24/83)14. Buddy Rose & Doug Somers vs. Midnight Rockers (Cage Match) (12/25/86)15. King Tonga, Masked Superstar, & Sheik Adnan Kaissey vs. Crusher Blackwell & Sgt. Slaughter (Cage Match)(4/21/85)16. War Games (10/23/94)17. Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker (Hell in a Cell) (10/20/2002)18. Buddy Rose & Doug Somers vs. Midnight Rockers (Cage Match) (1/17/87)19. Ric Flair vs. Kerry Von Erich (Cage Match) (12/25/82)20. Bruno Sammartino vs. Stan Hansen (Cage Match) (8/7/76) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peachchaos Posted June 9, 2016 Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 This probably shouldn't make anyone's list but it's def some entertaining Terry Funk shtick: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tabe Posted June 9, 2016 Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 My FAVORITE cage match? Ronnie Garvin vs Ric Flair, 9/25/87. Garvin was one of the very first wrestlers I really liked as a kid and seeing him win the world title in a terrific match makes this my favorite. We'll leave out the part about my Dad asking if I wanted to go to this show and me declining because "nothing ever happens at those shows". Grrrr. I also love the rematch at Starrcade for how they play off the finish of the 9/25 match and for the incredible in-ring audio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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