A test run review, here goes

[Guest Dmann2000]

Okay, I've never tried to do a review of a match before, and I wanted to do something different then the usual format. So I decided to choose my favorite match for my test review. (Note: As I am a film major, my review might resemble a film analysis)

 

The Royal Rumble Match 1992

 

Length: 62:02

 

Winner: Ric Flair

 

Rating: *****

 

Analysis: What can I say about this match? Quite simply I think it's the finest hour of wrestling/sports entertainment WWF/WWE has ever produced. At at the center stands the only man who could pull it off: Ric Flair. Flair's entry into the WWF in the fall of '91 stands as one of the best debuts ever in WWF history. Here was a man who brought with him all his past acompliments, he wasn't repackaged or treated as some newcomer. And from the moment he debut, Flair, Heenan and Hennig made it a point to always emphasize that Ric was the best.

 

Now, at the time, I like probably many other WWF fans were not familiar with NWA/WCW. I knew of Flair from PWI and occasionally catching Saturday Night or a Clash, but I didn't watch it regularly. WCW was that 'Southern wrestling program' on the channel that had shows starting at 5 after the hour. What the hell kind of station starts shows at 6:05?

 

So for a fan like me, this was the first true glimpse of Flair. Now I didn't watch the event on PPV, I rented it a couple months later. So I knew Flair won. But it's how he won, and all the little things that make a) his victory that much sweeter and b) the event itself so fun to watch. The first smart move was to make Flair come out early. But not the first two. Everyone watching knew Flair wanted to win (and many probably expected him to win to set up the expected Flair/Hogan match at Wrestlemania VIII). By not making him #1 or 2, the crowd settled into the match and having Flair come out at #3 made everyone recognize Flair was in for a rough night.

 

Oh there's so many little things to love in this match. Flair's constant deal making during the match, teaming up with guys and them turning on them, only to pay for it. The crowd ate it up everytime Flair was getting his ass whipped. Here was a guy who came in bragging he was the real #1 guy. But for all the WWF fans he'd proven nothing. I love the mini-matches Flair had with Shawn Michaels, Greg Valentine (the crowd knew they'd get dueling Figure 4's), Kerry Von Erich (which the smarter fans ate up, and Flair played it perfectly even if the announcers didn't mention the significance).

 

Once Flair made it to the halfway point, the match became centered around 2 things, a) would Flair survive to the end and b) who would walk away with the victory. For the first time there was a legitimate 5-6 possible outcomes (Hogan, Flair, Savage, Justice, Undertaker, Piper and maybe Roberts). Even in the Final 4 (Savage, Hogan, Justice, Flair) each man would've made a valid winner.

 

In the end though, Flair cemented his place in the WWF that night. The fans might still hate him (in fact they probably hated him more because he would be gloating even more now), but he proved he was a top dog, THE top dog in the fed. His victory speech only solidified it. Purists may be mad that Flair placed his WWF Title victory over all his other past accomplishments, but given his character in the WWF that time, it made sense. He came into the 'enemy territory', outlasted the best they had to offer with his smarts, his skills, and a little luck to stand on top. It was a memorable night and a memorable match.

 

Other highlights: Piper's entrance after Flair managed to get the ring cleared midway (a moment so great that WWE recreated at this year's Rumble with Jericho/Van Dam), the seeds being sowed for the fans to abandon Hogan after he selfishly contributed to Sid Justice's elimination. Sid may have ended up turning heel but that night the fans spoke loudly: You were wrong Hulk, and we're not going to blindly support you.

 

And who can forget the Rumble's MVP: Bobby Heenan. Heenan's commentary elevates this match from just great to unforgettable. I hope he got a bonus for that night. Gorilla too.

 

Well, this went pretty long but as you can see I'm not much for recapping a match. Instead I want to explain what I respond to in a great match and what makes it work for me. Maybe I'll try another match tomorrow.

 

*Edit* Feel free to offer responses, criticisms, thoughts and suggestions

[Guest MillenniumMan831]

Wow, good stuff! I was expecting:

 

#4 is Haku, some stuff happens, Haku thrown out

#5 is Sags, they brawl . . .

 

I liked the analysis much better. RR92 is definitely an hour well spent. And yeah, Monsoon/Heenan staged the single greatest commentating hour in wrestlng history.

 

Keep 'em coming.

[Guest Dmann2000]

Wow, good stuff! I was expecting:

 

#4 is Haku, some stuff happens, Haku thrown out

#5 is Sags, they brawl . . .

 

I liked the analysis much better. RR92 is definitely an hour well spent. And yeah, Monsoon/Heenan staged the single greatest commentating hour in wrestlng history.

 

Keep 'em coming.

Thank you very much for the compliment. I don't think re-capping would be my strong suit. Besides, so many other guys do that online (and better than me) that I felt a different style was needed.

 

I think this style is also better suited for a single match rather than a whole PPV (If I were to do a PPV I'd cover the show as a whole instead of doing match by match ratings).

 

I think my next match to cover will be- WarGames 1992, yes that should do nicely.

 

Again thank you Millenium, it's always good to receive words of encouragement.

[Guest bob_barron]

I also enjoyed your analysis of the match. Keep up the good work- I look forward to WarGames

[Guest Dmann2000]

I also enjoyed your analysis of the match. Keep up the good work- I look forward to WarGames

Coming from someone who has written numerous posted reviews, I take this as a high compliments. Thank you Bob.

 

The WarGames Analysis is up now.

[The Dames 0]

Just so you know....I absolutely loved it.

 

If you could crank these out on a regular basis, I could definitely see you as a TSM writer.

 

Dames

[Guest goodhelmet]

I also enjoyed the different style. fuck it, let's get that whole star rating thing outta the way right out of the gate (although i STRONGLY disagree with you on the rating of the match). now let's see something that no one else has reviewed before!

[Guest Dmann2000]

Just so you know....I absolutely loved it.

 

If you could crank these out on a regular basis, I could definitely see you as a TSM writer.

 

Dames

I am floored by the compliment Dames, thank you.

 

I'm gonna try to write these on a semi-regular basis, and as goodhelmet suggested I'll try and think of matches that aren't talked about as much (ie no Ladder match or Hell in a Cell).

 

I tried doing recaps onetime, I could never get the hang of it. This style I think suits me better. When I watch a match I don't think in terms of moves/holds, I actually watch it much like a film (I've always considered wrestling to be a true artform).

 

I'll see if I can get a new one posted later today/tonight.