Loss Posted May 7, 2005 Report Share Posted May 7, 2005 The Rock & Chris Jericho v Chris Benoit & Big Show - WWF RAW 01/22/01 TSM review last summer: The Rock & Chris Jericho v Chris Benoit & Big Show You would think more would be said about this match, but it has been largely forgotten. This is unfortunate, as it?s one of the best TV matches of 2001 with everyone playing their roles to near perfection. There is the problem of the match being isolated from all incidents surrounding it ? the wrestlers are feuding with each other at this point, but they?re not really feuding in this match. Jericho and Benoit show no ill effects of the brutal ladder match they had the night before, but they wrestle some really fun fast-paced sequences heavy on lariats and flying forearms and most of the other trademark moves of both men. Jericho is temporarily carted out after a Big Show ambush and Rock is left alone with Show and Benoit. Rock and Benoit work the majority of the match against each other, and as usual, they have terrific chemistry, and together, they serve the meat and potatoes of this match. Rock has still not completely grasped the right way to sell the crossface; his facial expressions are spot on, but he?s just not flexible enough to be in the right position and he starts reaching for the ropes far too early and easily. Aside from that faux pas, the two play off of each other in fun ways. The fact that Chris Benoit could play a ruthless enough heel to bring sympathy on The Rock, all the while acting as a believable threat, is an accomplishment, and no small one at that. Big Show is slow and lumbering, but plays the fearsome monster as well as can be expected ? he?s mostly on the apron, which is precisely where he should be; the fear and anticipation for him to enter the ring and kick ass will always and should always be greater than what he actually brings to the table once he interjects himself if he?s ever to become this generation?s Andre. Jericho makes a triumphant return, clenching his ribs and doubling over in pain. His facial expressions are tremendous and he is effective in garnering sympathy from the crowd, and together, Rock and Jericho now look like the underdogs, despite being the two biggest stars in the match. Rock ends up securing the victory for his team, which angers Show to a point that he chokeslams both of his opponents and his partner, but fortunately, they save the manic monster behavior for after the match instead of distracting from what the workers were doing bell-to-bell. Jericho came out of this match more courageous, Rock more resilient and Big Show more fearsome. Benoit carried the match and made the other three look good, but was unfortunately sacrificed for the greater good. This is worth seeing, and how it managed to slip under the radar is beyond me. *** Revised: You would think more would be said about this match, but it has been largely forgotten. This is unfortunate, as it?s one of the best TV matches of 2001 with everyone playing their roles to near perfection. There is the problem of the match being isolated from all incidents surrounding it ? the wrestlers are feuding with each other at this point, but they?re not really feuding in this match. Jericho and Benoit show no ill effects of the brutal ladder match they had the night before, but they wrestle some really fun fast-paced sequences heavy on lariats and flying forearms and most of the other trademark moves of both men. Jericho is temporarily carted out after a Big Show ambush and Rock is left alone with Show and Benoit. Rock and Benoit work the majority of the match against each other, and as usual, they have terrific chemistry, and together, they serve the meat and potatoes of this match. Rock has still not completely grasped the right way to sell the crossface; his facial expressions are spot on, but he?s just not flexible enough to be in the right position and he starts reaching for the ropes far too early and easily. Aside from that faux pas, the two play off of each other in fun ways. The fact that Chris Benoit could play a ruthless enough heel to bring sympathy on The Rock, all the while acting as a believable threat, is an accomplishment, and no small one at that. Big Show is slow and lumbering, but plays the fearsome monster as well as can be expected ? he?s mostly on the apron, which is precisely where he should be; the fear and anticipation for him to enter the ring and kick ass will always and should always be greater than what he actually brings to the table once he interjects himself if he?s ever to become this generation?s Andre. In this match, he hits his spots and gets out, which is exactly what he needed to do. Rock is left alone against two strong heels and fights with everything he has to overcome the odds, which is a fun story in itself. He creates his own openings, and interestingly enough, after the other guy tags in, they work it like Rock just made a hot tag to himself, which is a cool twist that is better seen than explained. Jericho makes a triumphant return, clenching his ribs and doubling over in pain. His facial expressions are tremendous and he is effective in garnering sympathy from the crowd, and together, Rock and Jericho now look like the underdogs, despite being the two biggest stars in the match. Jericho attacks Benoit with the last bit of energy he has before collapsing at ringside, but it's even to even the socre, as Rock ends up securing the victory for his team. This angers Show to a point that he chokeslams both of his opponents and his partner, but fortunately, they save the manic monster behavior for after the match instead of distracting from what the workers were doing bell-to-bell. Jericho came out of this match more courageous and resourceful, Rock more resilient and Big Show more fearsome. Benoit carried the match and made the other three look good, but was unfortunately sacrificed for the greater good. This is worth seeing, and how it managed to slip under the radar is beyond me. *** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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