Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 Okay, we're a little less than 3 weeks away from the (hopefully) movie of the year for us Star Wars geeks, so, I was thinking to myself, to pass the time, let's decide what was the best duel (so far) in the entire series? I thought it'd be kinda dorkish fun to list every matchup and apply star ratings and break them down in wrestling review terms, kinda. I'm curious to see how YOU all would rate them as well...Now let's limit these down to actual duels as opposed to, for example, the Jedi against the Droid Army on Geonosis. Here we go: -Qui-Gon Jinn V. Darth Maul-Tatooine-**. Decent, quick match to introduce us to Darth Maul...fast paced, not too many flashy spots...ending sees Qui-Gon bailing out at the last minute with an assist from the Naboo...we'll give the win to Darth Maul as he certainly wasn't going anywhere and had nothing but death on his mind. In fact, the match was clearly going to be in his favor until Qui-Gon was able to make the escape... -Qui-Gon Jinn/Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Darth Maul-Handicap match-Naboo-****. Fun matchup as we really see how powerful and underrated Darth Maul was as a Sith. The Jedi think this is going to be an eaasy encounter, telling the Naboo folks to go ahead and beat it because they got this one, that is until Maul busts out the double-blade lightsaber, a definent crowd favorite. Maul is able to hold his own really well against a Jedi Master and a future Master in Obi-Wan. The match doesn't have a true finish though as Maul is able to completely take Obi-Wan out of the picture long enough to lead into... -Qui-Gon Jinn V. Darth Maul II-Naboo-**. This was Maul's only true shining moment here as he seemingly breaks through the glass ceiling with a rather decisive win over Jedi master Qui-Gon. Not much of a match, though better than their first encounter on Tatooine as Qui-Gon is blown up following that handicap Match and begans to be exposed as the poorer worker in the Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan tag team. The end comes abruptly when the younger Maul catches the wiley veteran Qui-Gon off gaurd long enough to jam his lightsaber through Qui-Gon's midsection, scoring the victory... -Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Darth Maul-Naboo-****. Total spotfest here as an enraged Obi-Wan opens up heavily on the redhot Maul who seems to be showing no signs of slowdown following 2 intense matchups. Both men show their best work to date, trading lightsaber blows left and right until, ONCE AGAIN, Maul is able to catch another Jedi off gaurd with a force push, chucking him into some sort of pit (Lucas has a thing for pits and such in his cities) and making him lose his lightsaber in the process. Maul, of course, being the cocky heel that he is, thinks he has this one in the bag as he toys with Obi-Wan, who is hanging on for dear life as the match has taken on Over-The-Top elimination rules. Maul's cockiness proves to be his downfall, though as Obi-Wan leaps out of the pit, grabbing Qui-Gon's lightsaber through the Force and slices Maul through the midsection, causing the once promising newcomer to fall to his demise into the pit. Winner and NEW Jedi Master: Obi-Wan Kenobi! -Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Jango Fett-Kamino-***. Obi-Wan takes control early on, overwhelming Jango Fett with a flurry of fast paced offense. The match seems like it will be a total squash until outside interference from 2nd Generation Superstar Boba Fett turns the tide into Jango's favor. Boba evens the odds for Jango by firing a huge volley of lasers in Obi-Wan's direction, sending him flying away. Big spot of the match comes as Obi-Wan goes for his lightsaber, only to have Jango fire his cable at him to keep him away from it. Both men go flying over the side of the landing pad, still attached by the cable, but Jango is able to gain traction on the side of the wall to stop his fall. Realizing he's still attached to Obi-Wan and it will spell his eventual doom, he detaches the cable, sending Obi-Wan to certain demise and then makes his escape. Obi-Wan is able to recover and return for more, but Jango is able to take advantage of the break in the action to beat a hasty retreat. Winner is Jango due to outside interference. -Mace Windu V. Jango Fett-Geonosis-*. Really a nothing match as Jango makes mistake after mistake leading up to his demise from decapitation from Windu. Total squash and a let down from two men who came into this thing with a lot of hype. -Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Darth Tyranus-Geonosis-**. Oh how the mighty have fallen or was a certain other individual (Darth Maul) overrated? Obi-Wan starts off hot, deflecting away dirty lightning force heel tactics by Tyranus right from the get go, making it seem as if this could be another victory for the Jedi Master. They finally lock up after a bit of stalling and trash talking and it's pretty intense. Obi-Wan's offense is, literally, cut short, though as Tyranus, seemingly out of nowhere is able to pick up the quick victory by slicing into Obi-Wan's arm and leg, rendering the Jedi defenseless. Tyranus goes for the final blow, when out of nowhere, young rookie Anakin Skywalker flies in to make the save on his mentor. This, in turn leads to... -Anakin Skywalker V. Darth Tyranus-Geonosis-***. Really not that great a match, I may have overrated it, but the drama and psychology are running sky high as potential Jedi master and rookie Anakin Skywalker steps up to the plate and challenges the second-to-the-top heel Tyranus to a duel. High spot of this encounter sees Anakin snatching up Obi-Wan's lightsaber to go into daul lightsaber mode, winning the crowd, albeit briefly. Tyranus is far too crafty to be outdone in that fashion as he's able to knock the second lightsaber away. Anakin actually tries some heel tactics by knocking out the power to the room, but Tyranus proves that heel tactics will not beat a heel. A win here could have elevated Anakin to main event status, but the veteran Tyranus proves to be too much as it quickly turns into a match rivaling HHH/Hurricane proportions. Tyranus again picks up the victory by slicing off Anakin's arm and sending the would be Master sprawling to the floor, crashing into Obi-Wan and rendering him unconscious. -Yoda V. Darth Tyranus-Geonosis-***. Master V. Former Apprentice. They start off with Force powers to try to gain the psychological edge over the other. Tyranus appears to be extremely confident, only to be shot down by Yoda, who knows every trick in his book. Yoda seems to have won the psychological battle as Tyranus decides that only a lightsaber duel will settle this. The confidence seems to be slowly oozing out of him at this point as Yoda does not back down from this at all. Spotfests abound as Yoda goes BONZO GONZO~! all over Tyranus, showing no signs of slowing down. Not bad for a guy in his 900s! Yoda appears to be on the verge of total victory when Tyranus resorts to devious heel tactics by bringing a huge object down on the two fallen Jedi, Obi-Wan and Anakin. Yoda immediately calls of his lightsaber attack to aid his friends as Tyranus takes that break in the action to get out of dodge. The win definently goes to Yoda, but the finish really sucked. Would have been more stars with a better finish. -Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Darth Vader-Death Star-*. Boring showdown, not living at all to the hype here as Obi-Wan is clearly no match for his former pupil, Vader. Vader appears to be ever cautious though, not quite going for that deathblow, knowing full well what his former master is capable of. Obi-Wan eventually decides to job out to Vader, knowing that his time has passed and that a Vader win here could make a future victory by the hottest new Jedi, Luke Skywalker all the more meaningful. Vader gets the win with a slice through the midsection, sending Obi-Wan on to the land of the Living Force. Psychological edge goes to Obi-Wan, though, as he knows what is in store for Vader soon. -Luke Skywalker V. Darth Vader-Cloud City-*****. Probably the best match of the entire series. Vader has everything over Luke at this point: experience, pshycology, a better worker. This does not at all deter Luke though, as he starts off immediately going for the kill, knowing full well he is is clearly outmatched, but he's not going to let that stop him. Vader no sells a lot to start and is able to knock Luke down a set of stairs to gain the advantage. He swoops in for the kill, but Luke does his best to show that this won't be an easy squash for the reigning Sith Lord, striking back the best he can, trying to stay in this matchup. Vader is able to get in another rough looking spot as he backs Luke into the Carbon Freezing Chamber. His overconfidence shines, though, as Luke quickly leaps out of there before Vader is able to freeze him. Vader is very impressed by this, even stunned and now realizes he can't take this new kid lightly. The battle commences again and Luke is able to get a quick shot with a steam hose, sending Vader out of the battle for a brief moment. Being the evil heel that he is, Vader manages to sneak off, leaving Luke perplexed, looking for his opponent. Luke thinks he may have finished his rival off when Vader leaps in out of nowhere to catch him off gaurd. Luke maintains his vigel, however, and battles back without showing signs of letting down. Vader realizes he may have to cheat to win here and begins invoking his Force powers on Luke, who has yet to fully unlock his own abilities. He catches Luke of gaurd with numerous flying foreign objects before sending him crashing through a glass window to his doom...or so Vader thought...Luke again impresses him by holding on for dear life above yet another huge pit. Luke is able to recover once again and resumes his search for Vader, but the crafty Vader continues to stay one up on his foe. They battle once more, but now Vader is begining to quickly gain the advantage. Clearly outmatched and exhausted, Luke is not able to deflect a lightsaber shot that takes his hand completely off and thus takes him pretty much out of the match. Then, in one of the most shocking cinema developments ever, Vader teases a face turn by revealing to Luke that they are father and son. The face tease, however would turn out to be a way to lure Luke into turning heel. Luke is able to see through it all though, and leaps off the platform down into the pit. Vader picks up the win on this one, gaining a psychological edge on his rival. -Luke Skywalker V. Darth Vader II-Second Death Star-*****. The second matchup between these two lives up to the hype and then some. Vader, this time is accompanied by the top heel himself, Emperor Palpatine. The heels work hard to try and goad new Jedi Master Luke into joining their stable, but Luke is able to resist every temptation to turn and that ends up resulting in this matchup between Luke and Vader. Vader is not able to play any head games this time as Luke had spent all of his time since their first encounter preparing for this inevitable showdown and thus proves to be a far better adversary than before. They battle back and forth, much to Palpatine's delight, and eventually Vader gains the edge, forcing Luke into hiding to regroup. Vader begins with the head games again, trying to get Luke to reveal himself by using the sneakiest heel tactic to date: telling him he'll go find his sister if he doesn't join their stable. naturally, this sets Luke off in a big way, as signs of heel-ness show themselves in the Jedi master, as his fury and rage allow him to completely take Vader apart to the point where he cuts HIS hand off and leaves him near breathless, down on the floor. Palpatine, of course, is ecstatic about all of this, as his plan all along was to toss Vader out of the Sith faction and bring in the newer, younger Luke. Again, though, Luke is able to resist the lure of being a heel and refuses to side with Palpatine. Realizing that Luke's decision is final, Palpatine sees no other course but to bust out the Force Lightning on the unsuspecting Luke who takes the shot full on, not able to soften it at all. The end appears near for Luke when, suddenly, Vader pulls off one of the biggest face turns in cinema history by grabbing Palpatine and tossing him over the top down to his doom. Luke has won this battle, with a little help from the face turned Vader and is now THE Undisputed Jedi Master. Father and son are able to reconcile afterwards as Vader eventually passes on to become one with the Living Force. Coming May 19th, 2005-Episode III-Revenge Of The Sith (card subject to change): -Obi-Wan Kenobi/Anakin Skywalker V. Darth Tyranus-Handicap match -Anakin Skywalker V. Darth Tyranus II -Mace Windu and his Jedi stable V. Emperor Palpatine -Mace Windu V. Anakin Skywalker -Yoda V. Emperor Palpatine -Obi-Wan Kenobi V. General Grevious -MAIN EVENT: Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Anakin Skywalker Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Salacious Crumb Report post Posted May 2, 2005 Luke/Vader II is by far the best duel of the series. I doubt anything in Episode III will top it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starvenger 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 You gotta hand it to Obi-Wan, doing the clean job to Vader so that Luke can get over by defeating the Dark Lord later on. And at that point in the series, Luke needed all the help he could get, seeing as he was a whiny little bitch and all, so that's some great foresight on Obi-Wan's part. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cabbageboy 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 Obi Wan certainly put over the young talent. I think that Vader/Luke I was an extended squash since Luke was a punk at that point and had no shot of winning. Part II was a mismatch as well since Luke by that point was superior and Vader was past his prime. I dare say the best lightsaber stuff in the series is the Dooku/Obi Wan/Anakin/Yoda medley. That was a totally ECW style spotfest with all sorts of excitement. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Salacious Crumb Report post Posted May 2, 2005 There was no real buildup to the Episode II fight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starvenger 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 There was no real buildup to the Episode II fight. It was a "two guys with no real reason to fight" fight (kinda like Benoit-Angle at WM), to be sure, but really it was all about setting up for the next PPVmovie. Anakin got his ass handed to him, so he'll be all about revanche in RotS. The Yoda/Dooku storyline got the shaft, and it's a damn shame because it'd be infinitely more interesting than Anakin's piss-poor pickup lines. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest jm29195 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 That bloody Yoda, holding youngster's like Dooku down by refusing to do the clean job, he's been holding on to his position for years now despite being far to old and a totally deteriated physique.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CBright7831 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 - Qui-Gon Jinn V. Darth Maul-Tatooine ** - Qui-Gon Jinn/Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Darth Maul- Handicap match-Naboo *** - Qui-Gon Jinn V. Darth Maul II-Naboo *** - Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Darth Maul-Naboo **** - Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Jango Fett-Kamino *** - Mace Windu V. Jango Fett-Geonosis * - Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Darth Tyranus-Geonosis ** - Anakin Skywalker V. Darth Tyranus-Geonosis ** - Yoda V. Darth Tyranus-Geonosis ***** - Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Darth Vader-Death Star ** - Luke Skywalker V. Darth Vader-Cloud City ***** - Luke Skywalker V. Darth Vader II-Second Death Star ***** Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 see, my problem with Yoda/Tyranus is that it seemed, as someone said earlier, too much like an ECW trainwreck spotfest whereas the Luke/Vader duels actually had drama and pyschology worked in... I would have gave Obi-Wan/Darth Maul 5 stars had it gone a little longer... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CBright7831 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 (edited) Predictions for the upcoming card: Obi Wan/Anakin vs. Count Dooku a.k.a. Darth Tyranus - WINNER: Draw I think this will be be a good lead up match. Anakin vs. Count Dooku a.k.a. Darth Tyranus - WINNER: Anakin I think Dooku will do the job and do what's right for the galaxy and put over the new blood. Mace Windu, Kit Fisto, and two jobbers vs. Palpatine - Handicap/Elimination Match - WINNER: Palpatine. I think Fisto, and the two of jobbers will be push overs, but Mace Windu will be hard to handle. I expect an Anakin run in and a heel turn. Obi Wan Kenobi vs. General Grievous - WINNER: Obi Wan Kenobi. I think Grievous is an upcoming player, but I don't think he's quite ready to go over a Jedi master just yet. The Clone Troopers vs. Aayla Securla/Ki Adi Mundi/Plo Koon - WINNER: The Clonetroopers. The Jedi may have experience in their corner, but the numbers game will play into this and that's where they will lose. Anakin/Clonetroopers vs. The Jedi Temple - WINNER: Anakin/Clonetroopers. The Jedi are clearly outmatched in this one, since Yoda, Obi Wan, and Mace are absent. They have Shaak Ti, Cin Drallig, Serra, a bunch of untrained padawans, younglings, Jedi Brutes (maybe) and lightsabers. Meanwhile the heels have The Chosen One, clones that came from the best bounty hunter in the galaxy, lightsabers, guns, and the numbers advantage. Tell me who has the advantage. And now on to the Double Main Event: Yoda vs. Palpatine - No Holds Barred/Falls Count Anywhere/Loser Retires - WINNER: Palpatine. Palpatine will be coming off a victory against four Jedi Masters, but I think he will be able to hold his own against Yoda. Expect every weapon imaginable from Royal Guards to Senate pods to be used. By the end, I think I will be standing up from my theater chair and shouting "E-C-DUB! E-C-DUB! E-C-DUB! E-C-DUB" Darth Vader a.k.a. Anakin Skywalker vs. Obi Wan - Iron Man Match - WINNER: Obi Wan. I don't know who has the advantage. Anakin clearly is more powerful, but Obi Wan has more skills. It will be a long match with Obi Wan BEARLY squeezing out the victory. I wouldn't be surprised if someone literally gets injured during this fight. Those are my predictions. EDIT: We DO have spoiler tags, you know. Geez. EDIT: Sorry. Edited May 2, 2005 by CBright7831 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 Awesome! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Sandusky 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 I actually want to start an ECW chant during the Palpatine/Yoda fight. It'd be fitting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CBright7831 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 Yeah sorry about the spoiler tags. I forgot all about them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Special K 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 I think the Empire fight is the best in the series. The ROTJ fight is really good too, though, and the obvious highlight of that movie. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Sandusky 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 Okay, I had reasons for the ratings typed up, but the post didn't load, so ask if you want to know why whatever got whatever rating. - Qui-Gon Jinn V. Darth Maul-Tatooine *1/4 - Qui-Gon Jinn/Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Darth Maul- Handicap match-Naboo ***3/4 - Qui-Gon Jinn V. Darth Maul II-Naboo ** - Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Darth Maul-Naboo ***1/4 - Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Jango Fett-Kamino **** - Mace Windu V. Jango Fett-Geonosis DUD - Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Darth Tyranus-Geonosis **1/2 - Anakin Skywalker V. Darth Tyranus-Geonosis * - Yoda V. Darth Tyranus-Geonosis *3/4 - Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Darth Vader-Death Star **3/4 - Luke Skywalker V. Darth Vader-Cloud City ***** - Luke Skywalker V. Darth Vader II-Second Death Star ****3/4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest CronoT Report post Posted May 2, 2005 see, my problem with Yoda/Tyranus is that it seemed, as someone said earlier, too much like an ECW trainwreck spotfest whereas the Luke/Vader duels actually had drama and pyschology worked in... But you also have to remember that the Yoda/Tyranus fight had a large amount of nostalgia going for it. We'd heard for years and years how good Yoda was in the ring, so the build-up hype was at an all-time high. It seems, though, that the Yoda/Palpatine match is going to be a "Loser Retires" Match, since Yoda seems to have lost, and then had to leave the Fed for a backwater Indy League. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 Okay, I had reasons for the ratings typed up, but the post didn't load, so ask if you want to know why whatever got whatever rating. - Qui-Gon Jinn V. Darth Maul-Tatooine *1/4 - Qui-Gon Jinn/Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Darth Maul- Handicap match-Naboo ***3/4 - Qui-Gon Jinn V. Darth Maul II-Naboo ** - Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Darth Maul-Naboo ***1/4 - Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Jango Fett-Kamino **** - Mace Windu V. Jango Fett-Geonosis DUD - Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Darth Tyranus-Geonosis **1/2 - Anakin Skywalker V. Darth Tyranus-Geonosis * - Yoda V. Darth Tyranus-Geonosis *3/4 - Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Darth Vader-Death Star **3/4 - Luke Skywalker V. Darth Vader-Cloud City ***** - Luke Skywalker V. Darth Vader II-Second Death Star ****3/4 why did you like the Jango/Obi-Wan match so much? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LooneyTune Report post Posted May 2, 2005 Nothing can touch the awesome factor from the Luke/Vader scene in Return of the Jedi. That I think is the only Star Wars moment to give me goosebumps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 the Vader is Luke's dad revelation still gets me to this day... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Sandusky 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 Jango/Obi-Wan was a crazy-ass brawl between two dudes who rocked their respective weapons and even went hand-to-hand. Obi-Wan's sick kick across Jango's helmeted face rules every time. Shit went off the edge of where they were fighting, had Obi-Wan using his Force abilities to survive, Jango using the jetpack until it was taken out, etc. Just a really wild sequence and Obi-Wan takes blaster shots from a STARSHIP. Underrated as hell. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 Yeah, it was good, I guess I could have lived with a cleaner finish...not sure what it would have been, but keep that non-acting kid out of it (what is with Lucas casting children that can't act?)... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crimson Platypus 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 the Vader is Luke's dad revelation still gets me to this day... VADER IS LUKE'S DAD???? What the fuck man, ever heard of spoiler tags??? DAMMIT! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Sandusky 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 Obi-Wan should have been the one to take out Jango, but I guess they wanted to establish how hard to the core Mace was. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 the Vader is Luke's dad revelation still gets me to this day... VADER IS LUKE'S DAD???? What the fuck man, ever heard of spoiler tags??? DAMMIT! I know it's a rule, and I will abide by the rule, but my take is: if you go into a thread about a topic, expect spoilers everytime...bottom line... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Sandusky 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 By the way, the stuff after the duels in ESB and ROTJ are not included in my ratings. JUST THE WORKRATE, WOOKIEE Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 Obi-Wan should have been the one to take out Jango, but I guess they wanted to establish how hard to the core Mace was. I hated that fight so much because they pulled a Darth Maul by taking an obviously bad ass character and wacking him like it was nothing. I understand Windu is like 2nd to the top of the Jedi order, but Jango wasn't no damn slouch...Maul doesn't even get a mention anymore and the dude was just plain sick... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crimson Platypus 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 Seriously though, I can't imagine there's 1000 people in the US that don't know that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crimson Platypus 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 Obi-Wan should have been the one to take out Jango, but I guess they wanted to establish how hard to the core Mace was. I hated that fight so much because they pulled a Darth Maul by taking an obviously bad ass character and wacking him like it was nothing. I understand Windu is like 2nd to the top of the Jedi order, but Jango wasn't no damn slouch...Maul doesn't even get a mention anymore and the dude was just plain sick... I agree, but I hated how easily Maul was dispatched in TPM more. Here's this badass who fought off both Qui-Gon AND Obi-Wan for how long? Then Obi just busts his ass easily with a little force flip? Lame. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Sandusky 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 The problem with this CGI age is that we can get awesome sequences, but never a good climax or ending. I mean, people look like they go out like chumps after the insane fights they can have. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boon 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2005 -Obi-Wan Kenobi/Anakin Skywalker V. Darth Tyranus-Handicap match -Anakin Skywalker V. Darth Tyranus II -Mace Windu and his Jedi stable V. Emperor Palpatine -Mace Windu V. Anakin Skywalker -Yoda V. Emperor Palpatine -Obi-Wan Kenobi V. General Grevious -MAIN EVENT: Obi-Wan Kenobi V. Anakin Skywalker Is Windu/Anakin confirmed? I didnt think Anakin was going to have three duels in one movie. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites