Can the RAW 10 be better than the Smackdown 6?

[Kahran Ramsus]

Storyline-wise, the Angle Lock is devastating in terms of pain, but quite easy to escape from. The best use of it I have seen in the WWF was at Royal Rumble 2003 where Benoit kept escaping so Angle had to alter it a bit and get the submission.

[AndrewTS]

Storyline-wise, the Angle Lock is devastating in terms of pain, but quite easy to escape from. The best use of it I have seen in the WWF was at Royal Rumble 2003 where Benoit kept escaping so Angle had to alter it a bit and get the submission.

Just because Benoit escaped it doesn't mean it's "easy to escape."

 

I think only Benoit, Jericho, Taker, and maybe Brock have escaped it regularly.

[King Cucaracha]

The SD6 could have somewhere between 'show-stealer' and 'great match' with almost every plausible combination. Plus, they had Taker and Lesnar doing the top line stuff, leaving them to concentrate on the wrestling.

 

The 'Raw 10/12/whatever' combinations are a mixed bag. Some matches are fantastic, some are mediocre. Only difference is, in amongst those 10 are the Lesnar and Taker level guys, meaning they have more than just the wrestling to consider.

 

Nothing'll beat the SD6 on work-rate, but the difference is, their shelf-life was more limited than the Raw 10, in terms of feud variety.

[Kahran Ramsus]

Chavo vs. Edge, one-on-one, is the weakest combination from the Smackdown 6. Even it should have been pretty good.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Angle's fine when he uses the Angle Slam, however there isn't really any decent-looking way to build to the anklelock. Stomp on the guy's ankle?

1) Stomp on ankle

2) Pull opponent towards ring apron, then slam leg/ankle down on the apron

3) Pull opponent towards corner, slam leg/ankle against ring post

4) Take opponent to the outside, slam leg/ankle against ring steps

5) The "shinbreaker atomic drop" can be sold as an ankle move

6) Place opponent's leg on bottom rope, then jump on leg

7) Jumping knee drop to the ankle

 

There's 7 ways to work over the ankle. I'm sure there are other believable moves/holds that can be used.

[AndrewTS]

Nothing'll beat the SD6 on work-rate, but the difference is, their shelf-life was more limited than the Raw 10, in terms of feud variety.

Only because of Heyman overdoing it. You still had lower-level guys like Matt and Tajiri who could have good buffer feuds also. That's why Raw's roster seems much more diverse and better utilized, although you don't as many great matches on a weekly basis like you did back then.

[Guest Loss]

There's also a dragon screw leg whip and a half crab. I think those moves, coupled with the ones SS listed, would be excellent build for the Anglelock.

[AndrewTS]

There's also a dragon screw leg whip and a half crab. I think those moves, coupled with the ones SS lifted, would be excellent build for the Anglelock.

The Dragon Screw is more for the knee/thigh region, and the half crab is more for the thigh/lower back (at least from what I've seen).

 

SS had some good suggestions, but it would be quite a stretch for Angle to begin imitating Bret Hart.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Add in the step-over toe hold, ala Terry Funk.

[AndrewTS]

Add in the step-over toe hold, ala Terry Funk.

Actually Funk uses the spinning toe hold, but both moves are valid finishers, IMO.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I meant spinning toe hold.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Nothing'll beat the SD6 on work-rate, but the difference is, their shelf-life was more limited than the Raw 10, in terms of feud variety.

Only because of Heyman overdoing it. You still had lower-level guys like Matt and Tajiri who could have good buffer feuds also. That's why Raw's roster seems much more diverse and better utilized, although you don't as many great matches on a weekly basis like you did back then.

I totally agree. Heyman blew through a solid year and up worth of storylines. The tag titles were changing hands every few weeks between the teams and there was no huge singles feuds with any of the guys except for Benoit/Angle.