[2000-08-18-ECW-TNN] Rob Van Dam vs Rhino

[soup23]

Rhino jumps RVD at the bell and this match is almost exclusively on the outside. This was a better brawl than you typically get from RVD because Rhino was on top forcing the action to remain constant instead of mugging for the crowd and setting up the next stunt spot. Rhino is being put over strong as he dominates RVD even when the action goes inside. RVD is able to get a breath of air with a kick and that rallies the fans behind him. Finish was disappointing as after all that table setting, RVD just runs through his big moves and looks to have the match in hand before Credible runs in for the lame DQ. Why weapons are ok but not run ins, Ill never know but that is ECW for you. Sandman cleans house with his cane as the show goes off the air. **1/4

 

 

[AstroBoy]

It's astonishing how much more Rhino brought to this match than RVD, unless we are just counting crowd aura. Rhino did a great job pushing the action and really working RVD over, staying in control, bullying him around. And so it's just disappointing when he is forced to stand there and let RVD slowly, gingerly work through a convoluted kick spot to take over on offense. From there, the offensive run by RVD is fine and the beats of the story ring true. RVD the athletic ace overcoming the inexperienced Rhino makes sense and I would have liked it more with some more selling from RVD and a little bit of urgency in his offense.

 

*3/4

[GSR]

Joey Styles is claiming that Rhino is out of control here, and although he turned a table over as he was making his entrance that was it, not really out of control to be fair!  Rhino is fed up of RVD slapping the hand of every fan in attendance so jumps him on the floor.  The action quickly spills out into the crowd with Rhino completely dominant.  As they return to ringside he sits Van Dam in a chair backed up against the guard rail and then gores him against it.  A huge powerbomb by Rhino before dropping RVD chest first to the mat off a press slam.  Van Dam catches a kick and nails Rhino with his step through version.  An inverted atomic drop sees Rhino collapse into the corner where, after Fonzie assists, RVD dropkicks a chair into his face.  ‘Rolling Thunder’ and Van Dam is playing to the fans.  Even Joey Styles doesn’t think that is a good idea with how he’s had his ass kicked here.  Forward roll slam into a moonsault off the middle.  Rhino intercepts another chair from Fonzie but gets blasted with a ‘Van Daminator’.  ‘Five Star Frog Splash’ and as it looks like RVD is about to regain the TV title, he’s jumped by Justin Credible.  A neck brace wearing Kid Kash tries to make the save but he gets piledriven by Rhino.  Sandman does make the save though, using his Singapore cane to clear the ring as the show goes off the air.

Surprisingly enjoyable while Rhino was controlling things, then it descends into your typical Rob Van Dam match.  The kick to turn the tide in RVD’s favour looked particularly convoluted, even by his convoluted standards.