Another problem with the WWE

[Guest Breetai]

What I'm talking about here is the one-dimentionality of match endings. This has more to do with the WWE style than anything else, the fact that almost every match involves the winning competitor's one finisher, and that's when YOU KNOW the match will end.

 

Example; Stone Cold. In practically 99% of his matches he ends with Kick-Wham-Stunner-1-2-3. Now consider someone else. Let's take Misawa for example. (Yes, I know that this isn't the puro board, but I'm using him for a reason.) Misawa has no less than 6 moves that can realistically end the match. (The Roaring/Rolling elbow, the bridged German Suplex, the Tiger Driver, the Tiger Suplex, The Emerald Fusion/Frosion/Erosion and, when all else fails, the mighty Tiger Driver '91.) This breaks up the monotony of every match ending with the same move, establishes certain moves as being truly deadly, and whats more, it puts Misawa in a position where he can put other wrestlers over without losing his heat.

 

By this, I mean the following. Consider his match agains Kawada in 94, considered by some to be the greatest singles match of all time. They threw everything they had at each other and in the end Misawa had to resort to using the TD'91. Consider the net effect; Kawada gets over as a major threat, as Misawa had to resort to such extremes to beat him, and Misawa goes over. The impression that the crowd gets is that while Kawada can't beat Misawa YET, that it's very possible, but at the same time, Misawa's still a badass.

 

Now can the WWE pull this kind of thing off? Generally no. 3 examples do come to mind, the first being HHH vs Cactus Jack, streetfight. Cactus kicked out of the Pedigree at the end, but then jobbed to a second one soon after. The effect of this wasn't the fans thinking "Hah, HHH is such a little bitch, Cactus kicked right out of the pedigree, that move is shit", rather they thought "Wow, taking the pedegree and kicking out means that cactus is a fucking indestructable badass, and HHH is a badass too, for being able to put him down. This was an example of VERY GOOD BOOKING, however, and not quite what we're looking at.

 

The second example, and more of an example of what NOT to do, is Austin/Angle, where Angle kicked out of the FUCKING STUNNER 3 FUCKING TIMES. For me at least that was very bad booking, as the overall worth of the stunner was IMMENSELY devalued in that match. (But then Austin went over everyone like he always does, so everything's allright now.)

 

The third, and perhaps best, example, is that of Undertaker v. Brock in the cell. Brock kicked out of the Chokeslam, BARELY scraped out of the Last Ride, and ended up winning the match. HOWEVER, the Tombstone wasn't used, and it's still very up in the air in kayfabe terms whether Taker could actually beat Brock, as the Tombstone is the wildcard. If Taker was a young up-and-comer with a future ahead of him and he could still draw I would book the feud between him and Brock to go longer until he finally overcame him with the Tombstone. Psychology in storylines = GOOD.

 

 

When you're armed with one finisher quite simply it becomes more difficult to put someone over while retaining your credibility. Even if you DO have multiples, care must be taken when booking so that they don't look to all be on par with one another and therefore universally weak. (See Jericho, Chris.) Also, care must be taken that the finishers are actually credible, otherwise you get scenarios like HHH finishing people off with a sleeper hold, which makes them look like jobbers not 'worthy' of a pedigree.

 

Of course bear in mind that this is the WWE we're talking about, and rich movesets seem to be their last concern. Also, the utilisation of multiple finishers in storyline purposes would take good booking, so that's the end of that idea.

[Guest ViciousFish]

I don't think the Angle Slam has ever been booked as the move that ALWAYS puts someone away like the Stunner used to be. i remember people always kicking out of it. Its the same with Ankle Lock. Sure it ends matches, but people are always getting out of it.

 

Same with the Rock Bottom and People's Elbow. People are always kicking out of one, but very rarely both which can kind of mix up the match a bit instead of the Rock Bottom constantly ending the match.

 

It's good in some ways I think to have multiple finishers but would Stone Cold be the same guy if he relied on something along with the Stunner???

[Guest Breetai]

I don't think the Angle Slam has ever been booked as the move that ALWAYS puts someone away like the Stunner used to be. i remember people always kicking out of it. Its the same with Ankle Lock. Sure it ends matches, but people are always getting out of it.

 

Same with the Rock Bottom and People's Elbow. People are always kicking out of one, but very rarely both which can kind of mix up the match a bit instead of the Rock Bottom constantly ending the match.

 

It's good in some ways I think to have multiple finishers but would Stone Cold be the same guy if he relied on something along with the Stunner???

Maybe not. All in all it's a delicate balance; the Stunner DOES pop the crowd, but that's because it's what they've been trained to pop for.

 

As for the Angle Slam, when you consider that it's a move that they were considering letting Spanky kick out of in his tryout match, it's obvious that the bookers have NO FUCKING CLUE about how to book it. Mind you the Top-Rope Angle Slam is a step in the nice direction along the lines of what I'm saying.

[Guest Choken One]

I think a Great way of comparing the Kawada/Misawa match to WWE in terms of that pyschology JUST might be Rock/Austin XMX7 where you saw Rock AND Austin resort to OLD finishers ala Hurricane, Million Dollar Dreamer, The top rope Pullover pin...Sure the end result didn't work with it but it really might be the great pyschological N. American match ever in such an grandoise scale... It showed the two wrestlers literally BREAKING down their walls and taking pieces of their former selfs to win this match...

 

So Far, This Match has been the best match of the Last 5 Years...In Complete overallness...

[Guest Breetai]

I think a Great way of comparing the Kawada/Misawa match to WWE in terms of that pyschology JUST might be Rock/Austin XMX7 where you saw Rock AND Austin resort to OLD finishers ala Hurricane, Million Dollar Dreamer, The top rope Pullover pin...Sure the end result didn't work with it but it really might be the great pyschological N. American match ever in such an grandoise scale... It showed the two wrestlers literally BREAKING down their walls and taking pieces of their former selfs to win this match...

 

So Far, This Match has been the best match of the Last 5 Years...In Complete overallness...

That's true, and while I probably should have included it I didn't because 1. it was just that; references to old matches, not good current moveset booking, and 2. I already had 3 examples.

 

 

But yes, the psych and booking was supurb, right up to the use of the ringbell and Sharpshooter.

[Guest wildpegasus]

Best match of the last 5 years? Rock vs Austin? Granted if you think it's the best that's great. You're entitled to your opinion.

But why does this match get accolades? To me, this match sucked. First off, an match with Rock using the sharpshooter and the people's elbow absolutely reeks of complete suckiness. Face it, everytime the Rock uses the people's elbow he laughs in the face of wrestling fans. The only reason the elbow gets a pop is because it is a JOKE move. People have seen to have forgotten this. Everytime the Rock does this he mocks the entire wrestling industry. Simply put the elbow completely destroys a wrestling match. Also, Stone Cold and Rock kicking out of their usual sucky finishers does not equal a great match. To top it all off, the interference in this match only made this match worse. I just can't see how anyone can like this match.

[Guest bob_barron]

The People's Elbow has been built up as a credible finisher to the point that I don't mind him using it.

 

Rock v. Austin had them doing anything and everything to win the match which is why I don't mind the Vince interference. It showed how much Austin wanted to win that title.

[Guest NoCalMike]

The people's elbow as a finisher is/was the worst idea so far concerning Rocky. I mean, ok if he is going over a jobber, then maybe yes, but there is no way in hell he should use it on a ppv AT ALL, not even mid-match.

[Guest NoCalMike]

Another good example of multiple finishers was 2 Cold Scorpio in ECW. He didn't always HAVE to finish off someone with a tumbleweed/legdrop/450 off of the top rope because then it would too obvious to the fans that the opponent should just roll over and move about 2 feet and he can avoid it. Often times his opponents would kick out, and he would end up doing something not off the top rope for the finish.

[Guest bob_barron]

The people's elbow as a finisher is/was the worst idea so far concerning Rocky. I mean, ok if he is going over a jobber, then maybe yes, but there is no way in hell he should use it on a ppv AT ALL, not even mid-match.

But it's a credible enough finisher that getting pinned by it isn't something to be ashamed of though.

[Guest Breetai]

Um... stay on-topic ppl!

[Guest wildpegasus]

"But it's a credible enough finisher that getting pinned by it isn't something to be ashamed of though"

 

Very good point which is true but it still doesn't change the fact that besides the worm the Rock's elbow drop is the worst move ever and excrusiantly embarassing to watch. Like I mentioned before the only reason the fans pop for the move is because it's funny. (Granted some of the pop is due to the fact that the match may be ending) A Rock elbow completely destroys a match. Anyone watching wrestling for the first time would be saying "What the world is going on here?" Sure wrestling's not completely on the level but what would you think if you were watching a Bruce Lee fight and he finished off a boss with an elbow drop? Not just a normal elbow drop but one that's purposely done horrably. You'd feel pretty stupid.

[EL DANDY~! 0]

Let's take Misawa for example. (Yes, I know that this isn't the puro board, but I'm using him for a reason.) Misawa has no less than 6 moves that can realistically end the match. (The Roaring/Rolling elbow, the bridged German Suplex, the Tiger Driver, the Tiger Suplex, The Emerald Fusion/Frosion/Erosion and, when all else fails, the mighty Tiger Driver '91.)

Just in case you haven't noticed, he also uses a running elbow, a Tiger Suplex 85, and then that front facelock hold.

 

I would like to say that it seems that most wrestling matches now a days are hardly even structured. Nobody does have that whole "This won't put you away? Well, maybe THIS will!" mentality. It's just hit the same move over and over again. Now on the other side of the spectrum talking about Misawa, Kawada won most of his matches with the powerbomb, only adding the victory slide if needed. He also used a Dragon Suplex, a Sheer Drop Brainbuster, and then the Dangerous Backdrop, but the powerbomb stayed true and true. I'm not against the old tried and true finisher, but maybe a little mix and match wouldn't be so bad...

[Guest TheGame2705]

Let's take Misawa for example. (Yes, I know that this isn't the puro board, but I'm using him for a reason.) Misawa has no less than 6 moves that can realistically end the match. (The Roaring/Rolling elbow, the bridged German Suplex, the Tiger Driver, the Tiger Suplex, The Emerald Fusion/Frosion/Erosion and, when all else fails, the mighty Tiger Driver '91.)

Just in case you haven't noticed, he also uses a running elbow, a Tiger Suplex 85, and then that front facelock hold.

 

I would like to say that it seems that most wrestling matches now a days are hardly even structured. Nobody does have that whole "This won't put you away? Well, maybe THIS will!" mentality. It's just hit the same move over and over again. Now on the other side of the spectrum talking about Misawa, Kawada won most of his matches with the powerbomb, only adding the victory slide if needed. He also used a Dragon Suplex, a Sheer Drop Brainbuster, and then the Dangerous Backdrop, but the powerbomb stayed true and true. I'm not against the old tried and true finisher, but maybe a little mix and match wouldn't be so bad...

This isn't the thread to be "stroking" your puro "cock".

 

Some people work better with multiple finishers than others. Owen Hart and Jericho had tons of them to use but someone like Austin I just can't see using anything other than the Stunner.

[Guest papacita]

I'd mark the fuck out if Steve broke out an old Stun Gun every now and then.

[Guest AlwaysPissedOff]

Game, don't even try to start shit like that up. What Tim said was relevent to the discussion so he had a right to state it.

[Guest SP-1]

Let's take Misawa for example. (Yes, I know that this isn't the puro board, but I'm using him for a reason.) Misawa has no less than 6 moves that can realistically end the match. (The Roaring/Rolling elbow, the bridged German Suplex, the Tiger Driver, the Tiger Suplex, The Emerald Fusion/Frosion/Erosion and, when all else fails, the mighty Tiger Driver '91.)

Just in case you haven't noticed, he also uses a running elbow, a Tiger Suplex 85, and then that front facelock hold.

 

I would like to say that it seems that most wrestling matches now a days are hardly even structured. Nobody does have that whole "This won't put you away? Well, maybe THIS will!" mentality. It's just hit the same move over and over again. Now on the other side of the spectrum talking about Misawa, Kawada won most of his matches with the powerbomb, only adding the victory slide if needed. He also used a Dragon Suplex, a Sheer Drop Brainbuster, and then the Dangerous Backdrop, but the powerbomb stayed true and true. I'm not against the old tried and true finisher, but maybe a little mix and match wouldn't be so bad...

This isn't the thread to be "stroking" your puro "cock".

 

Some people work better with multiple finishers than others. Owen Hart and Jericho had tons of them to use but someone like Austin I just can't see using anything other than the Stunner.

He was elaborating on the point, not being an elitist. If you're going to bash someone for that, find someone that's actually doing it.

 

On topic:

 

I'd rather see the top guys with a few different finishers in their arsenal. Matches do become predictable when it's always going to end with this guy's special move.

[Guest Coffey]

Here's a scenario:

 

Kurt Angle hits an Olympic Slam on someone, but they kick out. So, he tries for the Ankle Lock. Everytime he goes for the Ankle Lock, however, it's reversed. So, Angle realizes that he has to win via Olympic Slam. So he eventually hits the Olympic Slam a second time. The opponent kicks out again. Instead of just going for another Olympic Slam and hearing J.R. say "Bah Gawd it took 3 Olympic Slams!" why couldn't Angle just switch the move up a little bit? Say, Pump-Handle Olympic Slam?

 

That'd work for me, and it's be the coolest thing I've seen in a long time.

 

Just hook the right arm for the pumphandle, and Angle could still go under the left arm pit to hit the Olympic Slam. It'd be believable and credible, because it's just a variation of a move that he already uses as a finisher.

[Guest Choken One]

Or you can just do that same scenario and apply when he DOES do that having to finish with the Top Rope Angle Slam...

 

Hasn't Angle also won a few via Anglesault? Sure, He can't do it for Mania but It added to the AngleSlam, TRAngleSlam, AngleSault, Anglelock...So Angle has 4 viable finishers...Don't count out his Germans and variations of it so that adds about 3 more specific Angle moves that he often smartly applies to the Pyschology of the match...

 

And to the guy above What would YOU say is the best N. American Match overall in the last five years then?

[Guest wildpegasus]

In Japan there are finishing moves that aren't really exclusive to one wrestler but can put someone away. Take for example the fujiwar armbar and the crossarmbreaker. These are two moves that get a pop from the crowd and they are credible finishers. The thing though is they're allowed to be used by anyone. The WWF could have some finishers like so and if the crowd was educated to the fact that anyone could use these finishers which could spell the possable end of a match there'd be less predictabality about what move could end a bout.

[Guest Coffey]

And to the guy above What would YOU say is the best N. American Match overall in the last five years then?

Is that directed towards me?

[Guest Choken One]

Were you the one who said Austin/Rock Wasn't the best N. American match in the last 5 years? If So, Yeah You...

[Guest ViciousFish]

Were you the one who said Austin/Rock Wasn't the best N. American match in the last 5 years? If So, Yeah You...

I don't agree that it was the best match but it was defintley in the top 5. I think it's probably second after Angle/Benoit from the Rumble this year. That match had me screaming from the couch.

[Guest Coffey]

Were you the one who said Austin/Rock Wasn't the best N. American match in the last 5 years? If So, Yeah You...

Nope, I didn't say that. However, I don't think it is...

 

I'd have to think about it though.

[Guest wildpegasus]

"And to the guy above what would you say is the best N.American bout in the last 5 years then?"

 

I assume you mean me here. The best bout in my opinion would be Benoit vs Bret tribute match for Owen. Why? Not just because it's a great match but because it played off of their 1st and 3rd bouts. The 2nd bout was real short so I don't remember it too much. For instance:1st bout Benoit uses the snap suplex, goes up to the top rope and misses the headbutt. However in the tribute bout Benoit uses 3 snap suplexes in a row so he he can hit the headbutt which he does.

1st bout-Benoit hits Dragon 3rd Bout Bret hits Benoit charging into the corner with a boot. Benoit stumbles back and Bret clotheslines him. Now in the tribute bout Benoit once again charges into the turnbuckle.Bret once again kicks him in the face and Benoit stumbles back. However this time when Bret tries to clothesline Benoit he ducks because of what happened in the 3rd match. Benoit then goes for the Dragon suplex but because Benoit hit the Dragon in their very first match Bret is prepared for it and counters it. Also, they play off the 3rd match with the crossface spot in the tribute match as well. The ending sequence also shows how prepared Bret was in this match by countering the crossface in a way that was never done before. Also, the working of Benoit's back which countered the 2nd northern lights suplex when Bret was in real trouble also brought a tear to my eye.

Keep in mind though that this is just my opinion. Since we're judging what a best match is a true best match is the one you like the best and nothing else.

[Guest Brian]

Definately up there. That, the Benoit/Austin match and Benoit/Regal from the Pillman, are just about top three for me.

[Guest TheGame2705]

Let's take Misawa for example. (Yes, I know that this isn't the puro board, but I'm using him for a reason.) Misawa has no less than 6 moves that can realistically end the match. (The Roaring/Rolling elbow, the bridged German Suplex, the Tiger Driver, the Tiger Suplex, The Emerald Fusion/Frosion/Erosion and, when all else fails, the mighty Tiger Driver '91.)

Just in case you haven't noticed, he also uses a running elbow, a Tiger Suplex 85, and then that front facelock hold.

That's the part I was talking about. There was no need to point out "Well in case you didn't notice Misawa uses...too" The point had already been made. That was plain and simple just trying to stroke his ego to make him look like he knew more about puro.

[Guest Johnny Blaze]

Quick sidebar to this topic: What's the big deal with the Benoit/Regal match from the Pillman show. I've watched it a few times and it didn't seem that great. There were a couple of botched spots (a tombstone reversal and at least 2 more which escape me at the moment) and I didn't see anything that great about the psych of the match. It was a pretty good match, but i don't think it was anywhere near the level people had been pimping it as. It's certainly not as good as Austin/Rock Austin/Benoit or Bret/Benoit. Am I missing something? If so, feel free to clue me in.

[Guest Brian]

I can't put it no better than in the words of AG from the DVDVR board:

 

I went into this match having heard varying opinions about it, Some folks praised it mildly. Some folks put it between *** and ****, which, if you notice the huge gulf in folks' star ratings, means that there was nothing close to a definitive read of the match. But I'm here to tell you why, as of right now, this match should be a lock for US MOTY.

 

Before the bell, when the ref anachronistically checks the workers for foreign objects, you can hear a buzz and a crackle in the crowd. And why shouldn't there have been? The crowd had sat through some fair-to-middlin' indy stuff, a solid old-school match between Tim Horner and Tom Pritchard, and some forgettable stuff involving WCW workers. But Benoit and Regal had every chance to be the crown jewel of the Pillman tribute, and those in attendance knew it.

 

The wrestlers circled each other to start off, teasing a collar and elbow but Benoit fires off a stiff punch to Regal's cheek, They circle again, Regal with his fists balled in the least comic way you can imagine, both workers already deep into wrestling and a world away from the worlds of gimmick and promos. C&E teased again, but Regal this time gets the shot in.

 

Why is this opening so important, so revolutionary? We all have expectations for old-school style matches: collar and elbow lockup, rope running, chain wrestling, and then some signature spots, finish, commercial. In deviating from the established format, Benoit and Regal at once establish their debt to the great US matches of the past (Steamboat/Flair; Funk/Brisco; Rogers/O'Connor) but then go on to say that there can be something more. That there can be another chapter in the book without end that is worked professional wrestling.

 

The workers circle each other again. Finally the collar and elbow, a murderous lockup with both men scrambling for leverage until Benoit finally muscles Regal into a corner. As the ref works the break, Benoit keeps pushing and Regal tries his damnedest to get his opponent off of him. Regal fires with some short forearms and Benoit wobbles out of the corner a bit, giving Regal some space. Benoit concedes the break, but only after a parting jab to the cheek.

 

C&E teased, but Benoit grabs and wrings an arm. Regal somersaults to escape, but Benoit maintains the pressure. Regal attempts a side headlock, but Benoit bears down and twists Regal to the canvas, working the arm all the time, driving his knee into the shoulder. Regal kips up, but Benoit keeps a hold of the wrist, working the pressure points in the wrist and the carpals.

 

Regal with an armdrag to escape, but Benoit maintains advantage and works a hammerlock on the facedown, prone Englishman. Regal braces with his free arm to sell the leverage, and eventually regains his feet; Benoit, though, maintains the hammerlock. We are two minutes into this, and we've already established the fundamental psychology of the match: the aggressor Benoit, the putative favorite, attempting to mangle the arm of returning-to-grace Regal. Regal who could've fallen victim to the demons that have befallen so many workers before him, but who saw this match as his one last chance to be a legit, world-class, asskicking worker again.

 

How can you not fall in love with a match so rich in subtext? The last match so deep in meaning was Bret/Benoit, and it's fitting that the best wrestler in the world is also party to two of the most meaningful matches in our time.

 

Benoit still working the hammer. Regal twists out, and we're back to a standing wristlock. Regal twists out of that and scores a single-leg takedown, and wrings the wrist of a grounded Crippler. Benoit back to his feet, but Regal scores a judoesque armdrag, and presses Benoit's shoulders to the mat for a one count. To assist in the next cover, Regal jams his knee into the Canadian's collarbone. Another one count, and Benoit bridges. Regal with a knee thrust to the chest again, and you can hear the Rube Crew in the crowd grousing, and wondering if the Rock could beat up Big Show in real life.

 

Benoit kips up and the workers joust for leverage. Nothing here for the crowd to pop for yet, and you can tell Benoit and Regal don't care one bit. But this is far from the technically-sound work that Malenko has been accused of rendering in a vacuum; these workers know that the crowd will be rewarded if they just stick with the match. We're three minutes in.

 

Benoit takes Regal's knee out, and Regal is forced to the bridge position, as we get some more old-school mirroring. Regal with a kip up -- Benoit maintains his grasp on the Brit's wrists, even as Regal scores a kick to Benoit's thigh. Regal with a monkey flip; Benoit maintains his hold on Regal's wrists. Regal somersaults back, Benoit is up, and we're back to the double wristlock. Benoit lays in some headbutts, and we're back to Nitro episodes when the camera was pulled back and the action was sanitized for your protection. Not this time, though; the headbutts are as straight and lethal as a whiskey/Arsenic cocktail. Regal winces and attempts to maintain his feet; headbutt, kick, another kick. Regal grabs Benoit's foot, but Benoit comes back with an enziguiri that staggers Lord Steven. A dropkick knocks him to the canvas, and Regal goes outside to catch his breath.

 

Benoit attempts a baseball slide, but misses. Regal doesn't miss with a high kick to Benoit's chest, though. The workers scramble up to the apron; Benoit lays some shots in, grabs Regal's head, and drives him face-first into the side of the ring. Regal is sprawled out on his backside on the arena floor. Benoit presses his advantage outside for a bit, then rolls Regal back into the ring. Lateral press for two.

 

Benoit with a back-suplex; another two count follows. Then a couple kicks and punches, with Regal counters with a drop-toe hold into an STF. The finish is teased, but it's too early; Benoit is too strong and he scuttles to the ropes. Regal rewards Benoit with a couple of precise short kicks from a standing position, and then pulls him up for a standing dropkick.

 

Single leg takedown. Regal flips Benoit over like he's one of the Godfather's hos and works him through a couple of surfboard variations. A weakened Benoit breaks. Regal attempts to press his advantage, but Benoit dodges a punch and German suplexes his opponent.

 

Both men splayed out on the mat. We are seven minutes in.

 

Benoit pulls Regal to his feet and fires off some chops; Regal retorts with a headbutt and then four severe kicks to Benoit's torso. Crippler on his ass, and a Regal chant fires up as Regal sucks wind on the ropes.

 

Benoit pulled up by the Brit and they exchange shots, which Benoit gets the better of. Two German suplexes chained together; Regal fires out before the third, and we get some more slobberknockin'. Regal with a double-underhook; Benoit with a block, an escape, and then a release German suplex to end the sequence.

 

Benoit goes up top for the headbutt; Regal intercepts him on the turnbuckle and fires him off with a double-underhook gutwrench superplex. Regal with a lateral press for a quick two, and then some more presses, and some more near-falls. Regal powers Benoit up, attempts to whip him into the corner. Benoit reverses. Regal staggers out of the corner; the wrestlers collide and BUTT heads. Both are down for another referee's count.

 

Benoit rolls over onto Regal for a two count. Then he picks the Brit up, but Regal ducks behind and rolls Benoit up for two. Then an attempted backslide and a release suplex, each with their own near falls. Regal fires off some shots, and attempts a tombstone; Benoit reverses. Top rope headbutt misses, and both men are prone.

 

Both workers up at 8. They work a couple standing switches and then Benoit comes back with a released German suplex. Regal is dazed; Benoit capitalizes and locks on the Crippler Crossface. Regal taps out instantaneously.

 

After the match, Benoit needs a number of attempts to gain his feet. Regal, meanwhile, lies motionless on the mat. Benoit checks on him to make sure he's well, and -- amidst a deafening Regal chant -- Benoit helps Regal to his feet.

 

Final thoughts: people like to proclaim old-school rasslin dead, like PWCrotch.com's Jason Powell and a bunch of others. Many folks reading this very review don't get old-school wrestling, don't understand that for wrestling to have a future beyond that of bullshit spectacle, it has to be rooted in legit-seeming, life-and-death conflict. This match augurs well for the future of the art of wrestling; when the wrestling boom ends, when the spotfest heroes and the garbage practicioners are all crippled up somewhere, when there are 1500 people even at WWF shows, folks like Regal and Benoit make the statement that for there to be a new-school, it must be rooted in the old. For an artform to matter, it can't be rooted in a vacuum.

[Guest Johnny Blaze]

Hmmm....the recap certainly made it sound better than I remember it. It neglected to mention the fact that both the tombstone reversal and the collision out of the corner just proior were both pretty sloppy, but I can usually forgive a messed up spot or two in a great match. I guess I should download this again and rewatch it; if after reading this I find something in the match I missed previously, I will freely eat my words. Thanks for the post Brian.