Below is the second installment of the forty part series looking back at the WWF from 1978-2017.
The format is a review of the year in totality. Then looking at different ranking systems for matches such as Meltzer's Observer Match of the Year Poll. For this particular year we will include the Smarkschoice poll and ProWrestlingOnly.com's Loss list of the best matches in WWF in 1995. I reveal my top three matches of the year for 1995. Ultimately to crown the greatest ever as part of the Greatest Match Ever project.
The year 1995 is in the running for the worst year in World Wrestling Federation history. I think other years would include 1983, 1993 and 2003. I don't think there is any year where I had to watch less matches to ensure that I was choosing the absolute best three. I had to watch only 13 matches. It was a rough year in ring. It is a year of poor booking and at best uninteresting TV and at worst abysmal entertainment. On top of that, it was a terrible year financially. The nadir of business I believe comes later in late 96/early 97. I think the Diesel reign opened up a crack that WCW could take advantage of. The combination of Nitro, Luger jumping and interesting multi-layered storylines afforded WCW the opportunity to compete with the WWF for almost a year before finally overtaking them with the ingenious New World Order angle. It all starts in 1995 with the WWF this terrible year really gives WCW that chance.
So what makes 1995 WWF so terrible? Diesel in 1995 is not "Big Sexy" Kevin Nash. He is this plastic, white bread version of Kevin Nash. It is painful to watch his promos around this time. Watching Nash in WCW or listening to him on podcasts, he is a charismatic and articulate man. You may not agree with everything he says, but you can listen to him without cringing or feeling embarrassed for him. It was like McMahon wanted to create a Nickeldeon superstar (not that I think McMahon knew what Nickeldeon was), but it was that kind of lame cheese that Diesel was cutting. Now it did NOT help that from April through August of 1995 he was fighting some of the worst in ring performers in WWF history: Sycho Sid, Tatantka and King Mabel. I am a Sycho Sid apologist through and through, but pairing Nash and Sid is financial suicide. The whole King Mabel experiment was a total bust. Things recover slightly in the Fall of 1995 once Camp Cornette (Owen, Bulldog & Yokozuna) become the top heels because at least they are credible challengers, good in the ring and engaging characters. Ultimately this does lead to one unheralded classic which is Bret Hart defeating Diesel for the World Championship at Survivor Series. I discuss this more in the Bret Hart section. The night after Survivor Series, Diesel begins his metamorphosis into Big Sexy Kevin Nash when he does a GREAT quasi-shoot promo outing Vince as the boss and saying this show runs on Diesel Power. This was in direct response to how Nitro was being presented as a chaotic show where you did not whose side who was on. Diesel's year long reign as champion was ultimately a bust. They move the title back to Bret to be a transitional champion as a launching pad for Shawn Michaels push in 1996.
Bret "The Hitman" Hart began the year in the main event challenging for the World Championship against Big Daddy Cool Diesel at Royal Rumble and ended the year in the main event winning the World Championship at Survivor Series, but in between he was shunted into the midcard as the Kliq reigned supreme in the year 1995. Bret instead faced heels such as Mr. Bob Backlund, Hakushi, Jerry "The King" Lawler, Dr. Isaac Yankem and the Pirate Jean-Pierre Lafitte. True to form, Bret made the most out of a mediocre situation getting good to great matches out of these midcarders. It should be noted that there was actually a blowoff match between Bret Hart and Owen Hart in 1995 that I was completely unaware of until a couple days ago. It took place on RAW 3/27/95, No Hold Barred and it was about as great of a match you can have in that style with no blood and no weapons. I do recommend it. Then when the time came he delivered a true masterpiece at Survivor Series 1995 against Diesel that is criminally underrated.
With Bret Hart firmly in the midcard and Big Daddy Cool stinking up the joint against the likes of Sycho Sid & King Mabel, it was up to Shawn Michaels to deliver those high end upper midcard matches. Shawn Michaels began the year winning the biggest match of his career up until that point at Royal Rumble 1995 meaning he would go to face real life best friend, Diesel. This was a natural progression given their break up as tag team champions in the Fall of 1994. I did not review Shawn and Diesel's match at WrestleMania XI (which did not main event. Lawrence Taylor vs Bam Bam Bigelow did), but I have seen it once before and I remember thinking it was good, but Shawn was working way too fast. They would have a much better match a year later when Shawn had the title. Sid, who was Shawn's bodygiuard, turned on Shawn after leading to Sid run in the main event and Shawn's babyface turn.
This was the first time Shawn was babyface as a singles. If you read reviews of the 1995 King Of The Ring, often maligned as the worst WWF PPV ever, smart money was on Shawn to win. However, thinking about now, they clearly wanted to use the King of the Ring to vault a new heel challenger into the main event to face Diesel at Summerslam 95. King Mabel would not be my first choice either, but I think the problem was the clear dearth of heels with Diesel, Shawn, Bret, Razor, AND even the Bulldog as babyfaces. I think they didn't think Owen could cut it unless he was in the ring with Bret and thus went the monster route. So I cant say I am surprised Shawn did not win King of the Ring. However, the next month Shawn did win the Intercontinental Championship from Jeff Jarrett in an amazing match and the best Jarrett match I have seen thus far. This made sense as it gave Shawn a purpose for the rest of 1995 and earmarked as someone to watch.
The Summerslam Ladder Match rematch against Razor Ramon was heralded at the time finishing SECOND overall in Wrestling Observer Newsletter Rankings ahead of many classic All Japan matches INCLUDING 6/9/95. However, it has faded into obscurity for a reason I don't know why because it is truly a classic and even better than the first ladder match. I guess when your first match is so revolutionary it is hard for the rematch to stick.
After that Shawn ran into some personal problems aka Marines in Syracuse, which apparently beat the dogshit out of him. He was forced to relinquish the Intercontinental Championship to Dean Douglas (Shane Douglas) and promptly Razor defeated Douglas for the title, which often cited as Kliq politics and the fuel for many of Shane Douglas' infamous tirades. Shawn did make it back into the ring in late 95. They ran a very famous quasi-shoot angle where Owen Hart hit him with an Enziguiri to the head causing Shawn Michaels to be knocked out. This was a great way to tie the Syracuse Incident into the storylines. They really sold this as a serious situation and it was one of the better angles they ran in this time period. This set Shawn up really well for his '96 campaign as he would be on the comeback trail but you never knew with that head injury.
Other notables from 1995:
What was the Undertaker up to? - 1995 was not kind to Deadman. A long, terrible, heatless feud with Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Corporation (IRS, King Kong Bundy, Kama). I guess this had something to do with Ted DiBiase creating a Fake Undertaker. I think IRS wanted to repossess the urn as collateral for not paying his taxes. Kama ended melting it into a chain. Brutal. He ended the year feuding with King Mabel. Shaking my head.
Kliq happenings - Diesel and Shawn are covered above. Razor feuded Double J for the beginning of the year. I have never really checked that feud out. It was how Savio Vega was introduced as Razor's buddy to fight off Double J and Road Dogg. Razor was a part of the "Kliq screwjob" on Shane "Dean" Douglas described above. 1-2-3 Kid started the year working in an underdog tag team with Bob Holly that upset the Million Dollar Corporation to win the Tag Titles, but dropped them to the Smokin Gunns the next night. Looks like he was injured in May & June which is why Savio Vega was introduced. Then he was put in as a plucky babyface against new heels such as Waylon Mercy, Dean Douglas and soon to be best friend, Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Eventually he turns on Razor Ramon in the Fall of 95 due to frustrations that they cannot win the tag titles. The Kid joins the Million Dollar Corporation. Hunter Hearst Helmsley debuted and the Kliq is finally at full force.
Bam Bam Bigelow - Bam Bam Bigelow main evented WrestleMania against Lawrence Taylor. Bigelow was the crown jewel of the struggling Million Dollar Corporation. Plans say he was supposed to get a monster babyface push out of this, but I think that where they went wrong. As I say above with Bret, Shawn, Diesel, Taker AND Razor all babyfaces, you do NOT need another face. They needed a heel. He should have been the challenger for Diesel between April through August instead of Sid. I have always heard rumors of Kliq politics fucking him over.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Match of the Year Rankings (Overall Ranking):
1. WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon - Summerslam 95 (2)
2. WWF Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett vs Shawn Michaels - WWF In Your House II (15)
Smarkschoice Poll for Greatest WWF Match Ever (Overall Ranking):
1. WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart vs British Bulldog - In Your House V (11)*
2. WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon - Summerslam 95 (36)
3. WWF Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett vs Shawn Michaels - WWF In Your House II (41)
4. WWF World Champion Diesel vs Bret Hart - WWF Survivor Series 1995 No DQ (54)
5. WWF World Champion Diesel vs Bret Hart - WWF Royal Rumble 1995 (83)
*I just wanted to mention that I think this was match was incredibly overrated. It is overrating it by just making it the match of the year in 1995, but saying it is the ELEVENTH best match in company history is nuts. It is basically remembered because of Bret's massive bladejob. The front half is a snoozefest. The second half is very good but not enough to salvage it and call it a classic.
ProWrestlingOnly.com's Loss 1995 Match of the Year List (Overall Ranking):
1. WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon - Summerslam 95 (3)
2. Bret Hart & Davey Boy Smith vs Owen Hart & Bob Backlund - WWF Action Zone 2/16/95 (33)
3. WWF World Champion Diesel vs Bret Hart - WWF Survivor Series 1995 No DQ (49)
4. WWF Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett vs Shawn Michaels - WWF In Your House II (59)
5. WWF World Champion Diesel vs Bret Hart - WWF Royal Rumble 1995 (65)
Bret Hart in 1995: http://ridingspacemountain.blogspot.com/2018/03/where-are-you-hitman-why-cant-i-find.html
Shawn Michaels in 1995: http://ridingspacemountain.blogspot.com/2018/03/excedrin-headache-69-shawn-michaels-in.html
Honorable Mention:
7. Bret Hart vs Jean-Pierre LaFitte - In Your House III
6. WWF World Champion Diesel vs Bret Hart - WWF Royal Rumble 1995 ****
5. Bret Hart vs Owen Hart - RAW 3/27/95 - ****
4. Bret Hart & Davey Boy Smith vs Owen Hart & Bob Backlund - Action Zone 2/16/95 ****1/4
3. WWF Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett vs Shawn Michaels - WWF In Your House II
One of my all-time favorite WWF matches because of just how feel good it is. I love me some good shtick and this is good shtick. Shawn Michaels as part of the Rockers was in some good bullshit matches and he fit in this Memphis style match seamlessly. I thought he was great as cocky jock showing up the annoying showboat, Jarrett. Jarrett actually gets a couple over on HBK allowing him to strut and kick back and relax on the top rope. But he gets a little too fancy for his own good so Michaels pokes him right in the eye and then does exactly what Jarrett intended and blasts him in the face. After HBK dumps him on his ass, he does a little strut and booty shake. Combining the Fabulous Ones and Fantastics in one awesome combo! Michaels wipes out both Double J & The Roadie. I am probably alone in feeling this way, but I actually thought Shawn Michaels felt pretty cool in this. I liked the head and shoulders fake out on the reverse crossbody sunset flip by HBK. It is not the greatest babyface shine ever, but it is a fun one and one that is unique for WWF. The bump Michaels takes to the outside over the top turnbuckle to set up the heat segment is crazy. I think Jarrett supplies a lot of great heel character work in this, but Michaels was dictating the flow of the match with his bumping. The heat segment was not as good as I remembered it unfortunately. It felt a little dry. I liked the classic cheating like ab stretch assist and Roadie attacking with a clothesline from the apron and Michaels mixed in good bumping and hope spots. The sleeper was a good climax to the segment. It just did not feel special. The finish was well-done with Shawn working through his comeback and adding a nice posting of Double J. I liked the wrinkle of Roadie causing Shawn lands on his nuts on the top turnbuckle to set up some figure-4 attempts. Jarrett signals for Roadie to trip HBK on a criss cross, but Roadie not looking trips up Jarrett and BANG! Sweet Chin Music! Great finish
Feels like a great, Southern 1980s match that happens in 1990s WWF, which makes it special. I would say easily Jarrett's best WWF match and a top ten Shawn Michaels 90s match. Thought the shine and comeback were real fun and the heat segment was just alright. I loved the fan sign that said "HBK would be with Jarrett's belt tonight" and even with the loss "With My Baby Tonight" remains the best pro wrestling song not named Badstreet USA. ****1/4
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2. WWF World Champion Diesel vs Bret Hart - WWF Survivor Series 1995 No DQ
What is missing from pro wrestling today is enthusiastic grandmas in the front row!
I think this most underrated WWF match of all time. I truly think this is incredible and one of the best Bret Hart performances of all time. I say this all the time but he is the king of face vs face matches and this is his best ever. As each wrestler takes turns playing babyface throughout the match in really logical fashion that never undercuts the drama or the characters in the ring. The video package before this is awesome with each man discussing their strategy. I thought Nash was especially excellent saying he was going to use power and size, this is not collegiate wrestling he is going for the early knockout. It really set the table for the actual match where these two just wove in a compelling story over the course of 25 minutes.
Each other taking off a turnbuckle pad right at the outset set the tone of the match and established that each man had come for a dirty, nasty fight. Loved Bret going for the leg early and driving Big Daddy Cool into the corner. Nash does a great job hitting heavy, heavy blows to stymie The Hitman. I love how Nash keeps Hart in that corner. He is suffocating him. Hart can find no quarter. Nash stalking Bret as he escapes to the outside is such a great visual especially how Nash always climbs over the top rope. There is such a looming sense of dread with each blow that Hart has to take from the big man. If I had one complaint, it is not the speed as this had a great horror movie like feel to it, but like in most Bret Hart matches there was not much in the way of struggles, he just took his licks. His matches can be too neat sometimes.
The transition to Bret Hart on offense is awesome. He holds onto Nash's leg for dear life to avoid being splatter on the canvas via the Jacknife. He eventually makes it to the ropes and then starts biting the arm of Diesel. You know how I know this because Diesel just starts hollering. Great verbal selling by Nash. Hart kicks at the knee and we all know what is coming up next. Just textbook dissection of the knee with excellent execution. Figure-4 always a nice touch. I liked how Diesel going for Jacknife was a transition and we see Bret going for the Sharpshooter leads to Bret being kicked off and his head hits the exposed turnbuckle.
Bret, being wary of losing his lead, trips up Diesel and wraps his knee around the post and then in the most famous spot of the match ties him up with the mic cable. Diesel is now helpless. It is funny to see Grandma Hitman fan cheering on Bret even though he is clearly heeling on Diesel now. I love this segment so much. Diesel trying to stand but getting knocked over, but the cord stopping him from falling properly. Diesel knocking the chair out of Bret's hand with his free foot, but only for Bret to step on his hand when he was trying to get the chair. That's some next level heel shit right there. Bret hitting the backbreaker and just mercilessly attacking the knee. Bret goes up top again, but this time Diesel crotches him. A really effective heat segment.
Diesel's selling of the leg is top notch. Like really fucking good. Love him gingerly walking over to drop all his weight on Bret's neck. Or the Snake Eyes and how he does it. Bret slams Diesel's face into the exposed steel on the second attempt this allows him to go for the Five Moves of Doom, bulldog off the middle rope was cool. Bret misses the pescado in epic crash and burn fashion. In a bump I absolutely love, Bret gets slingshotted from the apron through table still makes me say holy shit.
Here is my big grievance is the possum finish. It is just the bump right before it was so badass. I just feel like the finish undercuts that bump. I did like Bret dropping like a dead fish when Diesel first tried to pick him up. Cradle and the Granmda Bret Hart goes crazy and Diesel famously says "Muthafuckin Shit" and then destroys Bret two of the most badass Jacknife powerbombs ever.
Love, love this match. I am genuinely curious why people do not rate this higher. The David vs Goliath beginning with a great transition to the leg work then the awesome tie Diesel's foot to the post segment followed by really friggin awesome Diesel selling during the finish stretch with two huge Bret Hart bumps before the possum finish. Easy Top 10 WWF match of the 90s and really should be discussed more as an interesting case study on how to work face vs face. ****1/2
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1. WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon
WWF Summerslam 1995 Ladder Match Part Deux
WWF Summerslam 1995 Ladder Match Part Deux
Probably the greatest WWF match where limb psychology was the main hook of the match. Razor just decimates Shawn's left knee in a way you just never saw in the WWF then what adds to it is the use of the ladder. My favorite spot in this match is where Razor just lets the ladder fall onto the injured knee. It really is a master class in how to work a body part and Shawn is phenomenal at both selling and timing hope spots (like the kicking off into the ladder or over the top rope). In such a heavy, heavy heat segment, hope spots are so critical to avoid dying. I will get on people's case when heat segments go so far that they hurt the credibility of the match because they render a comeback unbelievable. Here I thought they toed the line, but it was Shawn that was keeping it all alive.
Before that all happens, there is a nice little match that happens without the ladder. It is face vs face so I loved the symmetry of them both going for their finishes. I liked that it took THREE big moves for Razor to finally bring the ladder in. The Irish Whip bump and the super Fallaway Slam were great spots, but the crown jewel was that suplex to the floor. Damn! Usually people just tease that and even when they do take it is a much safer bump on the feet. Shawn went all out on that.
I loved all the callbacks to WM X. Razor smartening up to the baseball slide. Shawn mooning the audience, but this time het tries to keep climbing, but when Razor pushes the ladder, he wrenches his knee. Razor taking Shawn's bump with the Irish whip to the ladder. Shawn doing a super tippy-top of the ladder splash to do WrestleMania X, but eating canvas.
Shawn's comeback was perfectly pitched. It was a very gradual progression to finally gaining control. It was not too energetic, but it was also not completely dead either. The reverse crossbody off the ladder was great and the aforementioned missing the big splash was a good level the playing field spot.
The finish was my least favorite part even if it was not blown. It just felt so contrived and really drawn out like the cinematic WWE main events of today. So much down time selling, I usually encourage more selling, but this was excessive. The Razor's Edge, only for Michaels to still be able to set up another ladder. The two ladders in general just did not sit well with me. If Sweet Chin Music hit well AND he was able to leap and grab the belts, I would probably forgive everything because that would be badass. The fact he missed it a second time (nice cover with backdrop on Razor's Edge attempt) was pretty funny especially with the classic Shawn hissy fit. Third time is the charm for the Heartbreak Kid.
Callbacks and the leg psychology make this an all-time WWF classic for me. Razor never looked better on top and Shawn gave an impressive performance in a very difficult role. The finish is the only thing that holds it back from the tippy top. It feels like such a unique match in the WWF environment with how critical the leg psychology is in this match and they do a great job mixing in big time spots. ****3/4
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