[2000-10-14-NWA 52nd Anniversary Show] Mike Rapada vs Chris Harris

[soup23]

Harris starts out with a promo. Nothing much of note. Rapada is a cross between Johnny Ace and Tom Zenk. Harris on top is solid if pretty unspectacular. Rapada matched that from underneath. Overall, this was a fair match but nothing extraordinary or even really good. Rapada's sunset flip was strong and he provided a good flurry until we got a ref bump and then Harri's manager running interference. Rapada won't be denied and continues the comeback for a nearfall with the ref recovering. Some more run ins and the numbers catch up to Rapada as Harris spikes him for the pin. **1/2

[GSR]

‘Wildcat’ Chris Harris says that he was in his hotel this morning watching the NWA Worldwide television show and paid particular attention to Mike Rapada’s emotional interview about what it meant to him to be the NWA World champion.  He goes onto say that it did bring tears to his eyes...tears to his eyes from laughing so hard over how ridiculous it is that Mike Rapada is the World champion.  Rapada comes out to some rave tune, which after a bit of Googling turns out to be ‘Are You Ready For This’ by Jock Jams.  The ‘Colorado Kid’ addresses Harris’ comments and claims he’ll be crying like a baby in only a few short minutes.  Harris goes to jump him from behind but Rapada ducks the shot and immediately schoolboys him.  It’s not long before the ‘Wildcat’ is re-evaluating things on the outside wondering what his next plan of action should be.  That plan is cheating and hair pulling as he struggles to keep up with Rapada in the chain wrestling.  He eventually throws the champion out to the concrete and then comes off the top with a Randy Savage-esque double sledge.  He goes to whip him into the ringpost but Kid with the reversal as Harris goes crashing into the steel.  Back inside Harris catches him with a powerslam before cranking in the chinlock.  I do think some commentary would aid this.  Kid gets to his feet and runs Harris into the turnbuckles.  The hiptoss is blocked and ‘the Wildcat with a swinging neckbreaker.  Middle rope legdrop.  Enziguiri by Rapada.  He can’t capitalize though and Harris is to his feet first.  Flying crossbody for a near fall; that one was so close the fans were even chanting “that was three” towards the official.  Harris looks for a bulldog but Rapada counters with an atomic drop.  Double clothesline as both men go down.  The two start trading punches in the middle of the ring until Kid drills him with one to the kidneys.  Flying forearm, flying elbow and finally a flying lariat from the second rope, however Harris is able to get a shoulder up.  Sunset flip off the top for another super close near fall.  Rapada whips ‘the Wildcat’ into the corner but the ref is in the way and gets bumped.  I was convinced we were going to have a ref bump at some point in the match, I don’t know why, maybe just because it’s been such a common theme in 2000.  Anyway, we did!  Spinning side slam and Kid then makes the cardinal error of covering his opponent when the official is KO’ed.  Someone in a sparkly green jacket, who doesn’t look like a wrestler, runs out and drops a forearm to the back of Kid’s neck from the middle rope.  Again commentary to provide us with some context would’ve been perfect here.  Harris plants Kid with a uranage and, in his second tribute of the night to Randy Savage, comes off the top with a big elbow.  The ref is still groggy from earlier and his slow count enables Kid to kick out of the cover.  A pissed ‘Wildcat’ decks the official allowing Mr Spangly Jacket to involve himself once more.  He climbs up onto the apron holding a chair, but Kid reverses the Irish whip and sends Harris careering into it.  Another run in from an unknown who may well be an unmasked future Abyss.  Kid sees him off, ‘Rikishi Driver’ on Harris and a second referee slides into the ring to count the three as we get another playing of ‘Are You Ready For This?’ to close out the night.

Not only would a commentator have benefited this, it would’ve played better in front of a different crowd too.  They did get into it at times but were quiet most of it.  A bit too overbooked for my liking and they overdid the kickouts too.  Mike Rapada is a strange one, he’s got a dated look, is no great shakes on the mic pre-match but actually makes a pretty strong babyface.  He shouldn’t, but he does.  Can kinda see why he got given the NWA World title (even if it means next to nothing now).