The Wrestling Analysis

[Guest Dmann2000]

The Pitbulls vs Raven & Stevie Richards (2/3 Falls Double Dog-Collar match, ECW Tag Team Titles)

 

Length: 20:30

 

Winners: The Pitbulls

 

Rating: ***3/4

 

Analysis: It should go without saying, but star ratings are subjective. This holds true whether it's a wrestling match, a film or an album. And, why I don't know, these rating lead people to get into heated arguements. Sometimes, a coherrent discussion between two or more people of a match/film/whatever's positives and negatives can be engaging and worthwhile. Unfortunetely most of the time (particularly with wrestling match ratings) these arguements de-evolve into "You're so stupid that match was no where near *****" vs "Bullshit, that was the best match all year, you're blind asshole."

 

I've always been cautious to asign star ratings to a match. I always rated a match as to whether or not I enjoyed it and how much I enjoyed it. The only reason I use star ratings for these analysis' is because it's a quick way to gague how someone felt about a match.

 

***3/4. What does that rating say exactly? It's easy to read a rating of ***** or DUD. It's trickier when you get into the middle ratings, especially rating matches from around **1/2 to ****. I think of all matches, the ones that fall into these rating are the ones argued about the most. So here's my explanation as to why The Pitbulls vs Raven & Richards vs ***3/4.

 

To me, a match with a rating of **** and above means a great match. **** alone means a great exhibition of all that's good in professional wrestling. What may keep or allow it to go higher has to do with a number of variables (storyline, crowd interest, emotion, length, etc).

 

The Pitbulls vs Raven & Richards is not a "great match"

 

What it is however, is a really good match. A fun match. A wild chaotic match that whenever I watch it, I have a grin on my face. Now I didn't get a chance to see ECW until the fall of 1996 so what I know about what led up to the match comes from websites, Joey Style's commentary and PWI. So maybe my rating is the way it is because I'm somewhat emotionally detached from the match.

 

But there's other reasons. It's sloppy. A lot of the spots look awkward. There's a moment where after Raven and Richards and the Dudleys (version 1.0) superbomb The Pitbulls, which they then no-sell, where everyone seems to just be standing around waiting for the big quadruple DDT spot to come. It just sticks out for me.

 

But this awkwardness, this lack of coherence is also a charm. In a way this match sums up ECW for me. ECW was sloppy, it was chaotic, it was bloody (3/4 guys bled, and Richards was a bloody mess), it was ugly. But it also got a crowd rabidly involved (the crowd alone adds 1/2* to the match) and most importantly, ECW knew how to pay off an angle/storyline for its audience (at least in 1995).

 

Other highlights: The multiple powerbomb spots may get repetitive, but they're always cool to watch. Alfonso finally getting his from 911 (which probably got the biggest rise out of the crowd). The moment was played so well, allowing 911 to hold Fonzie up just long enough for the crowd to savor the anticipation of the chokeslam (and worry that someone might run-in to stop him). And Tod Gordon making the final 3 count, as if to say "I'm the man in charge here, and this is how WE do things."

 

I must point out the sick bump Raven took to the back of his head onto the edge of a table from the top rope powerbomb. I cringe everytime I see it and Joey was right, Raven was almost decapitated there.

 

And speaking of Joey, two remarks he made during the match are favorites of mine; one insightful, the other funny:

 

Reacting to Raven getting the first fall after having the match changed to 2/3 falls, "Raven's plan has backfired, he underestimated his own ability, if he hadn't asked for 2/3 falls the match would be over." Commentators need to pay more attention like this to the matches they're watching.

 

After Raven choked out Pitbull 2 with an ether soaked rag "Of all the low down, old time...take that crap to Smokey Mountain"

 

I've really been encouraged by the positive feedback. I'll try and keep doing these, because I love being able to apply my film analysis techniques to wrestling matches.

 

Until next time...

[Guest MillenniumMan831]

Another great analysis. I never received ECW in my area (except for TNN), so when I saw this for the 1st time, I found it to be a cool brawl but nothing to jump up and down about. Then, I read a bit about it, watched it again, and liked it more.

 

After reading this, I think I need to watch it again this weekend.

[Guest theoldxpac]

These are very intresting to read well done