[2000-10-21-ECWA] Christopher Daniels vs Steve Bradley

[soup23]

Daniels as a straight up babyface is weird to see in retrospect. They have a good back and forth match showing each person as even since it is the last two Super 8 winners. Bradley does a good job of heeling it up on top and I was excited for us to hit the home stretch when the ref bump happens and we get the bullshit finish of Scoot Andrews coming in to beat up Daniels and Reckless making the save. Can we have one clean finish in 2000? **1/2

[Tim Evans]

Daniels in that gimmick as a respect babyface is weird. I liked Bradley's heel gimmick in Power pro but for some reason, it doesn't work here. Don't know why as he was technically fine but compared to the other big-time indie guys at the time like Ki, Andrews and Daniels it didn't work. Finish was a weak way to get out of either guy doing a job.

[GSR]

A battle of the two previous ECWA Super 8 champions, Steve Bradley having defeated Christopher Daniels in the finals of the 1999 tournament, although Daniels promises to avenge that loss tonight.   Dropkick to the mush sends Bradley to the outside and Daniels with a plancha from the top turnbuckle to the floor.  After being thrown into the ringpost Bradley quickly dives inside, on his knees and begging for mercy.  Belly to belly suplex.  The Irish whip is reversed, Daniels goes for a spinning headscissors but Bradley counters, slamming him to the mat.  He takes over and tosses Daniels back out to the floor, ramming his head into the guard rail right in front of Hat Guy.  Two separate rear chinlock spots.  Daniels ducks a clothesline and dumps Bradley with a belly to back.  Middle rung missile dropkick by ‘Who’s Your Daddy’.  Bradley gets caught when he climbs the ropes for a second time and Daniels slams him to the mat (giving him the same move that Bradley gave him earlier in the match).  Uranage followed by the ‘Best Moonsault Ever’ for a two, Daniels thinking that the official slow counted him.  As he complains, Bradley snatches and drills him with a DDT.  Attempted backdrop is telegraphed, Daniels with an up kick and Bradley goes flying backwards into the referee.  Daniels gets the visual pin after the ‘Angels Wings’ but with the ref still down the match must continue.  ‘Roll the Dice’, when out from the dressing room runs Scoot Andrews who attacks Daniels.  Scoot is followed by Reckless Youth and as all four go at it at ringside the bell just rings.  I can’t see what for at first, but the official decision is a groan worthy double disqualification.   They eventually get separated and Reckless challengers Scoot and Bradley to a tag match down the line.

Very disappointing considering the talent of both men and that was even before the non-finish.  It almost felt like a Memphis TV main event, complete with ref bump and run-ins, only difference being that Daniels has a more modern arsenal than the majority of guys Bradley faces there.