Pro Wrestling Lov vol. 59: Best of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW, Cactus Jack, Rey Mysterio, Sandman)

Hey Yo Stud Muffins & Foxy Ladies,

Pro Wrestling Love vol. 59:

The Best of Extreme Championship Wrestling

Objective:  Break up the Greatest Match Ever Project (hosted at http://gweproject.freeforums.net/) into more manageable chunks to help me build my Top 100 List for the project.

Motivation: Contribute to the discussion around these matches to enrich my own understanding of pro wrestling and give a fresh perspective for old matches and even hopefully discover great pro wrestling matches that have been hidden by the sands of time.

Subject: This fifty-ninth volume of Pro Wrestling Love is the beginning of the Top 12 countdown of the best matches to take place in Extreme Championship Wrestling throughout the promotion's history from 1993-2001. The WWE reboot and the One Night Stands are not included. This is true, blue, rude, crude and lewd E-C-Fuckin-W. Watching ECW for great matches is probably the stupidest thing you can do. ECW is great for the colorful characters, outrageous angles and promos delivered with conviction and cadence. I have really enjoyed binging on ECW Hardcore TV is a breezy, addictive 45 minute program that makes you watch more. Trying to write about 1995-1997 ECW would take forever so I am going to stick with the format that I know and you love counting down the greatest matches, but I implore to take the time and watch all the promos & angles that lead up to these matches. You can revisit past Pro Wrestling Love Volumes at ridingspacemountain.blogspot.com. You can check out the full version of these reviews in ProWrestlingOnly.com by going to the forums and finding the folders associated with the date of the match.

Contact Info: @superstarsleeze on Twitter, Instagram & ProWrestlingOnly.com.

Honorable Mentions

Rob Van Dam & Bill Alfonso vs Tommy Dreamer & Beulah McGullicutty - ECW As Good As It Gets 9/20/97
The famous Beulah vs Fonzie Bloodbath match. Probably the best pro wrestling match with two non-wrestlers.

Bam Bam Bigelow vs Spike Dudley - ECW As Good As It Gets
Sid vs Justin Credible - ECW Hardcore Heaven 1999
ECW World Champion Mike Awesome vs Spike Dudley - Guilty As Charged 2000
Squash has never tasted so good.

Mike Awesome vs Masato Tanaka - ECW HeatWave 98
ECW World Champion Mike Awesome vs Masato Tanaka - November 2 Remember 1999
ECW World Heavyweight Champion Mike Awesome vs Masato Tanaka - ECW 12/17/99
ECW World Heavyweight Champion Masato Tanaka vs Mike Awesome - ECW 12/31/99
The Awesome vs Tanaka series is like the AC/DC of pro wrestling, it is lean & mean and you know what you are going to get. Great mixture of highspots and brawling.


Rey Mysterio Jr vs Psicosis - ECW November 2 Remember 95 Mexican Death Match
Rey Misterio Jr vs Juventud Guerrera - ECW Big Apple Blizzard 2/3/96
Rey Mysterio Jr vs Juventud Guerrera - ECW Big Ass Extreme Bash '96
Between the Psicosis and Juvy series, Rey Rey had an excellent run in ECW that primed for his run in WCW that would launch him and lucha libre in the American public consciousness. Remember folks Nacho Libre doesnt happen without Paul E bringing in Rey Rey and Psicosis.

Sabu vs Lightning Kid - NWA 4/17/93
Terry Funk vs Sabu - ACW 11/6/93
Terry Funk vs Sabu - WWN 2/28/94
Not ECW per se, but theres not enough US Indy matches in the 90s to warrant its own separate column so I will throw them here. Early Sabu has a mystique like few other wrestlers have ever had.

Yoshihiro Tajiri vs Jerry Lynn - ECW 10/30/99
Yoshihiro Tajiri vs Super Crazy - ECW Hardcore TV 1/21/00 Mexican Death Match
Yoshihiro Tajiri vs Psicosis - ECW Hardcore TV 8/26/00
Tajiri & Mikey Whipwreck vs FBI (Little Guido & Tony Mamaluke) - ECW 9/2/00
There are some people that worship the Tajiri ECW run from 1999-2000 like it is fucking Flair in 1989. I know I am going to heat for not having the Super Crazy match in my Top 12. I liked Tajiri's run I didnt love. I mean having a great match with Jerry Lynn in ECW is pretty fucking amazing in my book.

Cactus Jack vs Mikey Whipwreck- ECW Big Ass Extreme Bash 1996
Just watched this an hour ago. Great sendoff for Cactus a mixture of his famous bumps and some violent offense. It is worked like an extended heat segment on Mikey's neck and so when Mikey pops off this hope spots it feels special.

ECW World Champion Raven vs Terry Gordy - Hardcore Heaven 1996
The second best ever Raven Dog & Pony show it has all the fixins to pop you over and over again. For one night, we got the old Terry Gordy back and he looked like a killer. This is the match that finished with the infamous Tyler Fullington disowning and his dad and joining Raven. "Daddy youre a drunk. I worship Raven now."

ECW World TV Champion 2 Cold Scorpio vs Sabu - ECW Cyberslam 96
Rob Van Dam vs Doug Furnas - ECW Natural Born Killaz 8/24/96
My last two cuts. It kills me that I dont have a Scorpio match in the Top 12. He is the unsung hero of ECW. He was the midcard workhorse that stayed. Benoit, Eddie, Malenko, Jericho, and Rey Rey all left but Scorpio kept on. When he did leave, it left a workrate vacuum that was not fill again for two years with Tajiri. The RVD vs Furnas is fucking sick, demented display of violent unprotected chairshots but you cant look away. Great violence.

Top 12 Matches of ECW

#12. Raven vs Tommy Dreamer - ECW Wrestlepalooza 1997

Sabu vs Taz - Wrestlepalooza 1997

ECW World TV Champion Shane Douglas vs Taz - ECW Wrestlepalooza 1997

A bit of a cop out, but it is three matches that feed right into each other. An entire episode of ECW Hardcore TV is devoted to this and it is fuckin' bitchin'. Check it out. 

Raven vs Tommy Dreamer - ECW Wrestlepalooza 1997

If you’ve never seen this before, do yourself a favor and watch this. Don’t watch the edited WWE version like I did on a WWE DVD. Watch June 10, 1997 episode of Hardcore TV on the Network devoted to this entire piece of fluid awesome TV. Heyman has a brief return to the peak of his powers after they had been slowly diminishing since 1995.

I have seen this before on a WWE DVD so I was familiar with Lupus and Chasity. They came out at the Buffalo Tag about a month prior with Richards vs Dreamer & Funk. Joey didn’t know their names. So it sounds like they didn’t have backstories. Their sole reason to exist was to replicate spots from the first Raven vs Dreamer match from over two years ago. Chasity did the hairspray gimmick and had a take catfight with Beulah nothing like the shit Francine and Beulah were doing in 1995. I remember Chasity in WCW as Raven’s sister and managing Hak aka Sandman. I can’t believe fucking Sandman and Whipwreck made it to WCW. I don’t know what happened to Lupus?

Pretty good Raven vs Dreamer brawl. The Mutants Chanting “We Can’t See Shit” during the Arena brawling is reason #69 Arena brawling sucks. As far as Arena brawling goes this was above average some good table spots and a couple crazy times the table didn’t break.

i thought this picked up in the ring. Raven does the drop toehold onto chair which is how he blinded Riggs and made him join the Flock, one of the first wrestling angles I vividly remember. The Rocket Launcher that crumpled the chair was insane. After that there was so much tomfoolery and DDTs that I can’t remember the order but Louie Spicolli got involved. I’ll leave who won as a surprise because the heat on the nearfalls was insane because the pinfall mattered so much. ****

lights out in the Impact Zone, it’s Sting up in the rafters...lol...sorry had too...RVD smoking Dreamer with the Van Daminator. Perfect booking. Dreamer, spirit of ECW, against the traitors RVD& Sabu and the invader Jerry Lawler. Amazing angle I had never see. It before wicked entertaining.

After all had failed it’s Taz that clears the ring by his presence. He wants Sabu. Fonzie bitches and Taz is about to duplex him and the match is on.

Sabu vs Taz - Wrestlepalooza 1997

Put me in the camp that liked this best than Barely Legal. Sabu had so much more energy, spring in his step, clean on his spots and good punches. He worked more on top and made Taz earn it. Sabu purposefully missing the Triple Jump Moonsault and crotching himself is peak heel Sabu. This was the Sabu I know and love. Taz missing a Somersault LegDrop from the top was a great missed spot. Sabu hit a wicked Twisted Bliss through the table for two. I didn’t love Taz pop up no sell Tazmission. Sabu does a version of Survivor Series 96 finish pinning Taz while in the move. I think this is my favorite Taz match ever. ****

ECW World TV Champion Shane Douglas vs Taz - ECW Wrestlepalooza 1997

Taz while pinned was not beat and so he unleashed his Path of Rage choking out hapless refs because this is his first loss since November 2 Remember, Goldberg before Goldberg. So Shane Douglas of all people tells Taz to scram. They make a wager. If Taz can choke out Douglas in 3 minutes or less then he wins the TV title. If he can’t Taz has to leave ECW for 45 Days. Douglas works the neck well hits these cool innovative snaps someone should steal. Tazmission of course and Taz wins! The Path of Rage continues and the Monster Babyface Push is fucking on! Great booking here as Douglas did all he could with the TV belt with Raven, Richards gone and Funk just being plain old. It was down to Douglas, Sandman or Sabu to get the belt back and Douglas made the most sense so he needed to drop the TV belt. Doing a Warrior like quick win over Honky Tonk Man here was great put Taz over strong and also gives Douglas a reason once he becomes World Champ to be scared of Taz and duck him. It also gave Taz his heat right back after the loss to Sabu and I like booking that loss as it gives something for Sabu to hang his hat on. Maybe the best one hour TV wrestling show ever! That covers a lot of ground but Paul e at his best! 

#11. Bam Bam Bigelow vs Spike Dudley - Hardcore Heaven 1997

This is the greatest Squash ever, right? I mean it has to be. Spike beat Bam Bam to set this up on TV. Spike come out all piss n vinegar during his entrance like a tiny Stan Hansen and wants to prove this is no fluke. He comes charging right at Bigelow. It ends up being legalized murder. The biel Spike took was insane. Bam Bam threw him across the ring and Spike landed hard. Spike did get a modicum of offense including the Acid Drop, but nothing doing. He gets caught and Bam Bam THROWS SPIKE DOWN WITH AUTHORITY WITH A POWERBOMB! How wicked was this powerbomb? It got a fucking Holy Shit Chant. He Akira Taue'd Spike rolling Snake Eyes but lawn darting him onto the exposed turnbuckle and Spike taps a gusher. The whole match Bam Bam had been taunting that he was going to throw Spike into the crowd and they were chanting "Over Here". He made good on his promise. He HURLED Spike from the ring, with quite gap on the ringside area. He must have thrown into at least the third row. SPIKE WENT FLYING! It was insane. Bam Bam does a cartwheel which makes me think in everyday life when Bam Bam was pleased with himself he would bust out a cartwheel. Bam Bam's weird moonsault for a sidesault diving headbutt wins it. Greatest Squash Ever! Defies rat

#10. ECW Tag Champions Dudley Boys vs Spike Dudley & Balls Mahoney - ECW 6/17/99

ECW Match of the Year, 1999

Balls says he owes the Dudz a receipt for putting him through a flaming table with thumbtacks strewn on it. Im just glad he upgraded his partner to Spike Dudley. Really tight, action-packed garbage brawl. The Dudleys have been a great heat-seeking act, but really have not been having the matches to match how good they are as asshole heels. I feel like this is the best possible Dudleys match. Great spots...loved Balls hurling Spike onto the Dudz outside the ring with force. The cheese grater stuff was violent as hell. Spike's balcony dive was a holy shit spot. The stereo nearfalls (loved the Acid Drop/legdrop combo) were cute in a very fun way that I liked. Sign Guy distracts the faces long enough to cause enough commotion that Spike eats a wicked 3D. DAMN! I forgot how badass that move could look. 3D is the one thing in ECW that is sold as death and even though match goes on for another two minutes, Spike never moves. I love that. Balls tries to fend off the Dudleys going so far as to set up the table, scatter the thumbtacks and douse it with lighter fluid, but eventually the numbers game catches up to him. Putting Balls through a flaming table never gets old!!! Marked out all over again! Double pinfall win. Great finish. Like I said super compact, never a dull moment, the finish is a great climax. ****

#9. Jerry Lawler vs Tommy Dreamer (ECW Hardcore Heaven 08/17/97)

STRAP DOWN! FLAIR FLOP! Was the spot of the match! I went bonkers for it.

This was the peak of ECW patriotism, but as others have pointed it out the only flaw was that it didnt happen in the ECW Arena, but instead of Florida so the heat just was not the same. I thought this was a really fun, popcorn brawl that was meant to pop and entertain rather than be very hate-filled and vicious. I really liked Lawler punching the pan early and then Dreamer hits him with the pan Lawler takes a King-sized bump over the top rope. Really great shine. Lawler showed a lot of ass during the crowd brawling. Great visual of Dreamer kicking ass while there is a "Lawler Must Die" sign behind him. I am a sucker for belts as a weapon in match. They are so versatile. Dreamer chokes Lawler as Lawler struggles to grab hold of fans to save himself. I love it. Dreamer goes up top with a chair and Lawler is able to shake the ropes. Lawler kicks some serious ass. I thought Lawler really carried this and he looked like he could still go. Characteristically great punches. Chair shots. Piledriver -> kick out! I would say weird, but it is ECW. It did not feel well-built to. That should have been a major false finish. I think in '97 ECW no one believes a finish unless there were run-ins. They should have saved the Lawler Piledriver for later. Lawler tearing the ECW short off and wiping his armpits and ass with it was amazing. LOVED Dreamer's no-sell comeback. In a Patriotism match that is exactly what you want! For the first time, I fell connected to Dreamer and I was rooting for him. Lawler punches him in the balls and lots of testicular violence follows. Then lights go out a bunch. Basically everytime Dreamer is about to polish off Lawler the lights go out. The first one makes sense as it is Rick Rude who was aligned with the WWF invasion. What I didnt get is why didnt he stay out there? There was the very surprising Jake The Snake, which I didnt see coming at all. But it was totally nonsensical. He DDTs Dreamer and Short Arm Clotheslines Lawler, but lets Lawler fall on Dreamer. Then Dreamer kicks out and he claps. So ok? Then FUCKING SUNNY SHOWS UP! OH HELL YEAH! Now that was awesome! She sprays Dreamer with the hairspray but here is Beluah. CATFIGHT! That was an awesome run-in and was actually useful because it got Beluah involved. Now Lawler tries to use Beluah as a human shield, but she ballshots him, TESTICULAR CLAW and Dreamer DDTs him to HELL! E-C-DUB! E-C-DUB! E-C-DUB!

#8. Rey Mysterio Jr vs Psicosis - ECW 9/16/95

Rey vs Psicosis never gets old no matter how many times you watch this and I have watched this a lot. You wanna see how to get over on your debut match watch this. This is the Touring match that they would perfect at Bash 96. They are about one week away from their greatest match ever in AAA, a match I need to see.

i think my takeaway from this viewing is that Psicosis feels like the star here. Amazing bumping. I can never get tired of watching him go ass first into things. Great high impact offense. Great rudo charisma. I thought he outshone Rey Rey until Rey started popping off ranas like nobody's business and that catapult on the apron still pops me. Rey gets to shine on the dives: stopping Psicosis' with a chair shot and then the massive dive from top rope into the crown which sealed the deal that these two were over like rover. They hit this out of the park. There were some things to tighten up. They got themselves over. There is a key difference between getting your moves over and you over. These two got their characters over that's what makes this great. It is the Tom & Jerry of Pro Wrestling.

#7. Cactus Jack vs Sandman w/Woman - ECW TV Falls Count Anywhere 1/31/95

Was not even going to bother with this match because I had seen a couple Cactus/Sandman matches and they always sucked. I thought I was just making the right choice because Woman in that tight green, leather dress was double hot. What a total fox! Then lo and behold, these two maniacs went out and kicked some serious ass. Cactus meets Sandman up the aisle with a trash can and just brutalizes Sandman. Sandman was really good at selling a beating throughout the match. Woman starts caning Cactus and finally Sandman takes over (Awesome transition #1). He does a really good job building heat. He hits a nice top rope leg drop. There is no overkill, he is still working through his own beating. Cactus is able to mount a comeback while Sandman is on the top rope (Awesome Transition #2). Cactus is rolling until he punches a trash can that Sandman holds up at the last second. (Have Mercy! Awesome Transition #3) Cactus blades his hand. Nastiest paper cut ever, folks! Sandman stomps the hand and works a great heat segment around it smashing the hand with the garbage can. Sandman is stumbling around and is so good at working through his beating. DELAYED PILEDRIVER ON THE GARBAGE CAN! My slight complaint is that Jack was fine at selling the hand, but would be a bit too quick to pop back up in general. Sandman goes for the kill, but goes flying over the top rope onto the floor. (Awwww shit, you all just love me, Awesome Transition #4) Cactus is able to get the Cactus Elbow for the three. Woman starts caning Cactus. Jack does intimidating the woman routine, but this allows Sandman to attack. Sandman canes the shit out of Cactus. Sandman lights a cigarette and then tries to BLIND CACTUS!!! Mikey Whipwreck with the save to a huge Mikey chant. Sandman/Woman cut a decent promo. Sandman has a Woman t-shirt that I need to own. Cactus cuts a money promo (which made the yearbook) that makes me want to see the Texas Death Match even though I have seen it before and didn't like it. Great, great ECW brawl with really smart transitions and great selling by Sandman.

I co-sign everything I wrote above. I would add a couple things. It is very cool how Sandman does not bump at the beginning for all the garbage can shots. He is playing it like he is out on his feet. He does a great job selling he has had his bell rung on multiple occasions while on offense. Woman required multiple canings and some distraction to really earn that transition. She was also great on the outside and yes she was looking foxy. Awesome transition #2 is actually really well-time low blow. The hand psychology was excellent as was the post-match angle with the lit cigarette and Mikey's save.

Pro Wrestling Love vol. 19: Best of WWE 2002-2004 (Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio)

Hey Yo Stud Muffins & Foxy Ladies,

Thank you to my Dad for supporting my pro wrestling fandom from taking me to pro wrestling matches starting in 1998 and always discussing pro wrestling with me even though he is not a fan. This is especially pertinent because one of the matches (Eddie Guerrero vs Rey Mysterio) that makes this list I was in attendance for thanks to my Dad taking me. How lucky am I to say I have seen Eddie vs Rey live in my lifetime! Thank you Dad!

Pro Wrestling Love vol. 18:

The Best of WWE 2002-2004

Objective:  Break up the Greatest Match Ever Project (hosted at gwe.freeforums.project.net) into more manageable chunks to help me build my Top 100 List for the project.

Motivation: Contribute to the discussion around these matches to enrich my own understanding of pro wrestling and give a fresh perspective for old matches and even hopefully discover great pro wrestling matches that have been hidden by the sands of time.

Subject: This nineteenth volume of Pro Wrestling Love is the beginning of the Top 12 countdown of the best matches to take place in WWE between 2002-2004. This is a transitionary era between the Attitude Era and the John Cena Era that begins in 2005. I define the Attitude Era as ending in 2001 because that is the last year Austin & Rock were full-time roster members and that was the end of WCW. The year 2005 sees the new generation of John Cena, Batista and Randy Orton take center stage. So what were the hallmarks of this transitionary era I would say three things: 2002 sees the WWF change its name to WWE, this is peak Triple H Reign of Boredom and the WCW midcard (Benoit, Guerrero, & Mysterio) contribute many of the great matches. You can revisit past Pro Wrestling Love Volumes at ridingspacemountain.blogspot.com. You can check out the full version of these reviews in ProWrestlingOnly.com by going to the forums and finding the folders associated with the date of the match.

Contact Info: @superstarsleeze on Twitter, Instagram & ProWrestlingOnly.com.

Peaks Steph!

Honorable Mentions

The Rock vs Hollywood Hogan – Wrestlemania XVIII

The Rock vs Stone Cold Steve Austin – Wrestlemania XIX

Two amazing larger than life, Clash of the Titans Wrestlemania epics. The first is a great example of how over Hulk Hogan is and always will be. It was 2002 but you wouldn’t know that from the Toronto crowd that was treating him like it was 1987. Rock vs Hogan is worth alone from just the crowd reactions, but match itself is legitimately great and is one of Hogan’s best match. The second match turned out to Stone Cold’s retirement match and it is a Greatest Hits collection of The Rock vs Stone Cold rivalry.

Kurt Angle vs Rey Mysterio – Summerslam 2002

Chris Benoit vs Rey Mysterio – Smackdown 10/3/02

WWE Champion Brock Lesnar vs Rey Mysterio – Smackdown 12/11/03

It pains me that none of these matches made my top 12, but I wanted to make sure they all got a shoutout. The first is generally revered is one of the greatest PPV openers of all time and it was a hell of a way for Rey Mysterio to make his WWE debut. I am generally not a huge Angle fan, but him & Rey have freaky chemistry with each other. The other two matches showcase why Rey Mysterio is considered the King of the TV match. I would have to go back and watch years and years of TV to truly make sure I have seen every great Rey Mysterio match because he is so insanely consistent. These are two that really stood out to me. It is interesting that Benoit vs Rey was never really a featured match in WCW or WWE, but they did square off once during the Smackdown Six Era and they did not disappoint. Brock vs Rey seems like a total mis-match, clash of styles, but leave to two of the best wrestlers of all time to make it work and gel perfectly.

#12. WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero vs Rey Mysterio – Smackdown 3/18/04

Up until 2016, this was probably the greatest match I had ever seen live. Thank you Dad for taking me! 

This was the Smackdown right after Wrestlemania XX and they had a gauntlet match the night of to determine who would face Eddie for the title. My brother always remembers this episode as the show where the APA broke up and the next week Bradshaw would debut the JBL character. Anyways, this match was a doozy in real time, but having grown up, I was only 14 when I saw this, I think actually even appreciate it more now. Eddie was over huge as a babyface at the time, but he works full heel here. It is great. Rey shows him up a little at the beginning. This is some really great chain wrestling and interesting takedowns but it is Eddie who has to powder. Eddie targets the bad shoulder of Mysterio who injured during the gauntlet. Eddie's arm work was great throughout the match. Intense. He was definitely channeling 1997 Eddie. I loved that Hammerlock/Gory Special combo. Mysterio was not just selling like a million bucks, he was also timing his hope spots perfectly. I still remember that top rope Asai Moonsault like yesterday. How cool was that! Throughout the match he was always coming up with interesting counters that made you believe there was hope. I loved the symmetry of each missing their finish. Eddie crashes & burns on Frogsplash and Rey gets up to dropkick Eddie into position for the 619. BANG! But when goes to drop the dime, he seatdrops the mat. Eddie gets the Hell out of Dodge with a La Magistral Cradle. Underrated match that has been forgotten about, but something I will never forget. I got to see Eddie vs Rey live how lucky am I! 

#11. Chris Benoit & Kurt Angle vs Edge & Rey Mysterio – No Mercy 2002

Here is an early 00s classic that I have never seen before. The Survivor Series Triple Threat made a DVD, but did not seem to get as much love as this did at the time. I will say this had a double hot finish stretch that in a very weak year for the wrestling world (guess I have not seen any ROH, but this is a weak Japan year) makes this a match of the year contender. I love the Angle & Mysterio interaction early and definitely need to rewatch their Summerslam match. Angle is great as the cocky jock and the look on Rey's face when he realizes he needs to stomp on Angle's foot to break the waistlock is priceless. Mysterio was great at showing up Angle with speed and Angle was bumping and stooging for him so well. Benoit and Edge was fine. Credit where credit is due, Edge actually worked a nice, tight heel in peril based on Benoit's ribs and laid in his stuff well. They did a good job playing off some Angle interference with Benoit selling the ribs on the first one, which led to Angle getting speared off the apron, but on the third go around Angle caused enough damage to get Benoit out of there. Edge is not particularly good at any one facet of wrestling, but in his defense he is not particularly bad at anything (I guess emotion is his greatest weakness). It is annoying that with Rey right there we get an extended FIP with Edge. I forgot about Angle's lame chinlock/bodyscissors. Angle and Benoit throwing Edge was fun. I know a lot of people don't like the rolling Germans, but I always dug them. Edge could have done more in the way of hope spots. The superplex is the transition of the heat segment and Little Rock does not give a fuck.

REY IS IN!!! The crowd is awake. Rey is rockin n rollin. Didn't love the set up for the leg drop while Benoit was dangling, but it was pretty sweet. Benoit counters the wheel barrow by splating Rey and then going for the Crossface. That is perfect counterwrestling. Edge saves and Rey looks 619, but Benoit counters looking for shoulderbreaker and Edge hits a nifty missile dropkick. That should have been his finisher! Zack Ryder is crying somewhere. Angle overuses that pop-up belly to belly, but when timed right in a match, it is the perfect interjection and this was one of those moments. That sets up the Rey FIP. Double Face in peril, shades of AWA! Rey is so much better at selling than Edge. Loved Angle and Benoit throwing him around. Up until this point, I would say I watched a great match and the finish stretch does a great job to kick up a notch. I can see why action-oriented fans dig this match. Edge is a decent hot tag. He has lame offense, but at least he showed some energy. Credit where it is due, he did hit one of his best spear ever on Benoit during this run. Rey was great double teaming with Edge and giving this run a bit more pep. Edge goes for the cover sees Benoit diving headbutt and lets Angle take it. I have always liked that spot in all its variations. Though nobody ever loses to the diving headbutt and nothing changes here.In the spot of the match, Benoit has Edge in the Crippler Crossface and Rey hits an awesome 619 to break it up. I popped huge for that. Edge throws Rey Rey onto Benoit, before the usual Angle Anglelock reversalfest ends with Angle on top.

The Rey stuff was really awesome. He had really good chemistry with both Angle and Benoit. Edge was alright. I thought the finish stretch was hot. Needed more of a story hook to kick it into next gear for me. Still a very entertaining bout, even if a little overrated.

#10. Triple H vs Shawn Michaels – Summerslam 2002

There may be no two more polarizing wrestlers in WWE than Shawn Michaels and HHH. It is almost entirely due to their "real life" personas (or what we know them to be from second hand accounts). I am not going to pick a dog in the race, but analyzing their matches always evokes a lot of emotion and passion. WWE pushes these two as two of the all-time great pro wrestlers in the ring. They are uttered in the same breath as Flair unlike Austin and Rock, who are usually associated with Hogan as great superstars as the WWE dictates. When HBK/HHH entered the ring for Shawn Michaels' first match in four years, it was a mere formality that this could become a part of WWE canon as one of the all-time classics. They would have had to put on a stinker the caliber of their Hell in a Cell match (I have never seen it, but it sounds atrocious) for this not go down as one of the premiere matches in company history. For hardened wrestling fans, this match is considered to be no good and vastly overrated. Where do I lie? I am closer to the WWE camp and I think this does belong best matches of WWE in 2000s, but in the greater scope of pro wrestling this can not compete.

I will say I felt a lot more emotion for Kobashi's comeback match in 2007 than I did for Michaels' comeback here. I watched the Kobashi match last year and to me that was just one of most emotional matches I have ever seen. Maybe it is because I knew Michaels would eventually make a full recovery or that I have seen this before, but it did not hit me as hard this time. The beginning shine was perfectly acceptable. It was not great, but not bad. Michaels was brutally betrayed by his friend so I would have liked to seen more anger, but overall he was pressing the advantage proving to fans that he has his trademark mobility by hitting a dive over the top to the outside. HHH was fine bumping around for him. This felt like a really good standard opening to a character-driven face vs heel match, not a blood feud. It was important to me that Shawn stay on top and suffocate HHH at the very least. Loved the teased Sweet Chin Music into a backbreaker. That was straight money. HBK did a great job selling the back. HHH worked over the back like a champ. This was an incredibly strong heat segment, maybe the greatest HHH's career. The backbreaker on the chair was fucking awesome. I loved the set ups for Michaels' hope spot like using Earl and getting the sledge hammer to give time for HBk to recuperate. The low blow and Sweet Chin Music into the chair was perfect, perfect one-two combo to get Shawn back on top. After taking such a hellacious beating, he needed two quick bombs to make this even remotely credible and those were perfect. Ok, so now onto the controversy.

The kip up. Yes after the awesome heat segment, he kipped up. For the rest of the match did not really sell the back (he did after a couple dives). It did not kill the match for me. I can understand the issue. There is no hard and fast rule about this at the end of the day. Sometimes, it is just going to bother certain people more than others. I still think it is a great match just not an excellent, classic one. Mostly because Shawn actually delivers one of his best comebacks of all time. Marty was usually the hot tag in the Rockers and Shawn's greatest weakness in his career was probably credible offense. I thought he was laying in some really great rights here and was really tearing into HHH. HHH tapped a gusher (one of his best qualities) and sold really well. The match did get a bit long in the tooth. For instance, I don't think he needed to dive off turnbuckle onto the table and dive off the ladder. The dive to the table got a huge pop and is a great spot. That was sufficient. Also, it get a little back-y n forth-y towards the end, but not as bad as some of the modern matches. They did a great job with the finish in relation to the rest of the match teasing each finish before HBk got the jackknife win.

Yes, the match was wrestled as more of a championship bloodbath than a blood feud match. Yes, Michaels did not sell the back down the stretch. Yes, it was a bit too long. I think the match accomplished more important objectives. if this was truly a one-off, Shawn Michaels would be able to go out on his own terms unlike Wrestlemania XIV where the amount of pain he was in affected his performance. If it was not and was to lead to something more, it proved Shawn Michaels of 2002 was every bit the Shawn Michaels of 1997 and he had not lost a step. He gave one of the best comebacks of his career and I think it was much more important he looked credible on offense in this match. HHH gave him more of the beginning and end because this was Shawn's match. I know they felt the need to put Shawn in gimmick matches to hide any shortcomings he may have had upon comeback, but I think it was the wrong move as coming right out of the gate with a bloodbath is tough. I think for the match they wrestled the jacknife cover was fine because it showed Michaels had just enough to win, but left it open for rematches. It fit the theme of championship bloodbath. HHH attacking the back with the sledgehammer was a perfect post-match beatdown and particularly gruesome. Call me crazy, I liked this one. Currently my WWE 2002 match of the year, but that should change shortly.

#9. World Heavyweight Champion Triple H vs Shawn Michaels vs Chris Benoit

Wrestlemania XX

I think with triple threat matches you basically have to resign yourself from trying to have a story-based match and just commit to having a balls to the wall, action-packed affair. Instead of fighting against having a third person, you embrace it by just going all out and making sure there is never one dull moment. There really shouldnt be because basically everybody gets a built in breather. I will say HHH was the MVP of this match. After a terrible, terrible 2003 (aside from the last match of the year), he was the total lynchpin of this match. Everything flowed through him and he did an admirable job. As the lone heel in the match, he spent the most time in the match basically having one one on matches with each opponent. I loved the escalation of this match and the feeling of competitive struggle to do all you can to win the match. Benoit and Michaels really brought out the best in each other and even though HHH did a great job I would have liked to seen more of them (definitely check out their RAW 5/3/04 match if you havent). The escalation of the finisher teases from the outset was the perfect way to set the tone that everyone meant business. They had some fun triple threat spots like the HHH ramming Benoit into the apron and then baseball slide into Benoit, HHH whipping HBK bad shoulder into Benoit's tree of woe and the awesome suplex throw of Benoit through the table. Until, I wrote all that I did not notice how much HBK/HHH worked together. I think it was a very subtle nod that this was Benoit's night not Shawn's by making Benoit the ultimate babyface. In New York, which historically never really liked Shawn, Benoit was way more over. Benoit having to earn his diving headbutt was great escalation. Shawn hitting a German was the best heel heat of the match. I think that was one thing the match did lack was stronger heelishness from HHH, who kept up with both guys but could have done more to raise the crowd's ire. I think more hijinx would have been a boon to this match. Shawn is the king of the bladejob. This may be his greatest one ever for speed, secrecy and amount of blood. HHH tapped a nice gusher himself. The pop for the Sharpshooter was awesome and Michaels hit a pitch perfect superkick to break it up. I would have liked to seen Michaels eliminated in more grand fashion than being thrown over the top rope. The Crippler Crossface sequence with HHH was just as fresh in my memory as it was in 2004. 

I stopped it before the celebration with Eddie. Too damn depressing. Watching this match emotionally cold, there actually was not much emotion in the match to even get you behind Benoit. You had to be invested in the Benoit character beforehand to be invested because the match was so focused on action.

They did a great job with the escalation in this match. The suplex of Benoit on the table was a great red herrig to play into the idea he was an afterthought in the HBK/HHH show and that was going to be blown off only for him to return and win. I think this is another early 00s match that is hurt by not having a stronger heel presence even though HHH played ring general well. Would have liked more hijinx. As an action-packed main event spotfest, this is tough to beat.

#8. WWE Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton vs Cactus Jack 

Backlash 2004 Street Fight

Never seen this one before, but remember it getting raved about even from those that hated Orton though they pinned it all on Foley for carrying it. This was a pretty awesome violent spectacle. This is just great old school booking putting the young pretty boy against the maniacal sadist to prove his mettle to all the fans that he is a man. The crowd was clearly cheering for Foley and Orton is a great obnoxious douche tool, but this match was clearly crafted to get Orton over as a babyface, which within four months he would be the babyface World Champion (way too soon, one of the more boneheaded decisions). Pretty much the whole match was wrestled with Orton taking heat and building sympathy for him against the crazed lunatic. Foley comes out swinging that crazed barbed wire wrapped baseball bat and Orton learns quickly if he does not fight back that he will be killed. This is Foley's domain and he weathers the three brutal trash can shots to keep moving forward. Orton blades and there is something about the blood flowing on his very young, smooth face that is very disturbing. You really garner a lot of sympathy for him. Jack is playing to the crowd, but in a lot of ways he feels like the Cactus of the early WCW shows that is just absolute violent psycho. Foley is looking svelte and I don't think I have seen his normally huge ass so skinny. He is moving well. Foley takes two of his patented back of the head cracking against the steel bumps that always sick and shows Orton is willing to fight fire with fire. Foley is the horror movie monster that keeps coming back.

The most famous part of the match is the Orton thumbtacks spot on the failed RKO. It was pretty nasty finally seeing it. I remember this earning him a ton of street cred, which was clearly the point of this match was to build him into the next big face. Orton trying to get the hell out of Dodge plays more to his heel tendencies and natural inclination to abandon the mission.  Cactus's false finishes are Cactus Elbow from the ramp and the Double Arm DDT in the ring. The crowd bit hard on both. I really liked the RKO out the Mandible Claw and thought that should have been the finish. The RKO onto Barbie was fine but the point of diminishing returns had been reached.

This was great old school booking proving Orton was not just another pretty face that he could some serious punishment and earn the fan's respect. Jack was awesome and had a real old school performance in him. Orton needed to prove that only could take the punishment but he could dish out and I think one big run of offense would have helped. The one-sided ultimately was counter-productive and hurt the match, but still one of the better matches of the era.

#7. WWE Champion Kurt Angle vs Brock Lesnar – Summerslam 2003

I remember marking out huge for this match when I watched it back in 2003 with my family and cousins. I have not watched it since. Totally did not expect it to live up to the memory. Who am I to doubt Brock Fucking Lesnar??? Excellent match. Totally tops the match from Mania.

First off this is heel Brock. Remember this angle like it was yesterday. They do the friendship angle but then Angle beats Brock for the title. This leads to the heel turn. I am a sucker for the heels trap the babyface in the cage and loved it when Vince and Brock did it. Then Brock's path of rage. My brother still brings up the absolute mauling of Zack Gowen. He will tell you that is his favorite match of all time. Just beautiful violence. Brock was in such a zone at this point.

This to me is the more natural pairing than Mania with Brock playing heel. Great layout and execution. Angle is able to use some really nice tricked out amateur stuff to get Brock down, but the story is Brock is too powerful to contain. We see a front trip which is pretty rare in pro wrestling. When Angle tries to meet Lesnar head on in a collar elbow tie up, he gets THROWN DOWN! So Angle angers the young hot head by flipping him off and then a series of quick armdrags. LESNAR IS PISSED!!! He throws a hissy fit on the outside throwing shit around. I love it! Such passion! He grabs the championship and is going to walk out. Angle attacks him from behind and Lesnar takes a wicked somersault on the floor and the way he throws himself into every bump is so impressive! This is all a ploy though once on the outside he can start to use his power and brawl so Angle goes to the knee. Love it. Back inside, Angle pops off a nice suplex, but is finally caught in a press slam and Lesnars THROWS HIM FROM THE RING TO THE FLOOR!!! SICK BUMP! GREAT TRANSITION!!!

Lesnar is so much more at home in these dominant heat segments than fiery comebacks. His cutoffs all focused around the ribs are explosive and great. WIsh Angle would have been more creative with his hope spots. But that tilt-a-whirl backbreaker by Brock was great. Brock charges into the corner and hits his shoulder. Great selling by Brock for a while after that! Angle was great too with some really hard-hitting shoulder tackles to the bad shoulder, something rare from Kurt that made the match feel unique. I liked Brock's spinebuster as a cutoff, but his bum shoulder cost him the chance to make a quick cover. Again the shoulder cost him to hesitate during the F-5 leading to a Tornado DDT. Really good stuff here by Brock to lead to logical transitions. Angle Slam only gets two and the Angle Lock leads to ref getting knocked. Angle locks it in again. BROCK TAPS! No ref! Vinny Mac cracks Angle in the back with a chair.

Awesome friggin selling by Brock on the F-5 hitting it on one leg! Incredible! Angle kicks out! It felt pretty dramatic with Vince exhorting Brock on and Brock in so much pain. Brock goes for second, logically, but Angle pops into an Anglelock. I think this was the biggest flaw of the match was that quick pop up by Angle into Angle Lock. He loves it for the suddenness and surprise but it hurts the credibility of match. Still Lesnar's selling was great, loved him going to each side of the ring to grab the rope but only to pulled back to the center. Such a great spot! Before ultimately succumbing to the pain!

I don't get the booking of the winner/loser at all, but I don't let that affect my opinion of the narrative. Angle used his speed and technique and then veteran experience to get under Brock's skin. Brock played some mind games back and ultimately his raw power won him control after a awesome transition. Heat segment was strong, a little sluggish with body scissors and Angle could have spiced up his hope spots. The finish run was awesome and every tempered its nearfall. Thought Vince added some good drama. My big complaint is that Angle popped up on Angle Lock. Brock's selling was so perfect in this match. Excellent match.

Pro Wrestling Love vol. 16: Best of WCW from 1991-1994 (Sting, Vader, Rick Rude, Ricky Steamboat)

Hey Yo Stud Muffins & Foxy Ladies,

Pro Wrestling Love vol. 16:

The Best of World Championship Wrestling 1991-1994

Objective:  Break up the Greatest Match Ever Project (hosted at gwe.freeforums.project.net) into more manageable chunks to help me build my Top 100 List for the project.

Motivation: Contribute to the discussion around these matches to enrich my own understanding of pro wrestling and give a fresh perspective for old matches and even hopefully discover great pro wrestling matches that have been hidden by the sands of time.

Subject: This sixteenth volume of Pro Wrestling Love begins the Top 12 countdown of the best matches to take place in World Championship Wrestling from 1991-1994. Originally, I wanted to go from July of 1991 to July of 1994. July of 1991 is when Ric Flair the most important, biggest star of Jim Crockett Promotions and WCW left for the WWF after a dispute with Jim Herd and management. July of 1994 is when Hulk Hogan debuted in WCW. Both are landmark events in WCW history and bookend what I consider the classic Turner era of WCW. The year 1989 still feels very Crockett. With Flair’s departure, it really feels like a fresh promotion. The returns of Rick Rude and Ricky Steamboat in November of 1991 are the shot in the arm for WCW to lead it to its best in-ring year in 1992. Of course, the debut of Hulk Hogan changes the complexion of WCW forever shedding its Southern roots and becoming a national promotion. For ease, I chose to use the calendar years of 1991-1994. 

You can revisit past Pro Wrestling Love Volumes at ridingspacemountain.blogspot.com. You can check out the full version of these reviews in ProWrestlingOnly.com by going to the forums and finding the folders associated with the date of the match.

Contact Info: @superstarsleeze on Twitter, Instagram & ProWrestlingOnly.com.

It wasnt just the matches that were red hot in WCW...MISSY WOOOOOOOOO

Honorable Mentions

So many…I love this era…so here we go…

Vader vs The Boss - WCW Spring Stampede 1994

My favorite style of wrestling is big time, hoss fighting. You know two big uglies throwing each other around. This match epitomizes my favorite style.

Cactus Jack vs "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff - WCW SuperBrawl III Street Fight

A very underrated brawl on a very underrated show. The year 1993 tends to get written off for WCW but there are plenty of gems and this one of them.

WCW World Champion Ric Flair vs Brian Pillman - WCW Saturday Night 4/13/91
Barry Windham vs Brian Pillman - WCW SuperBrawl I Taped Fist

Before WCW shot Brian Pillman to Hell with the Yellow Dog (though I do contend the angle was good the finish just sucked), he was embroiled in a hot feud with Barry Windham & the Horsemen coming out of Wargames in February. He had a ton of great TV matches with Barry in the spring of 91 centered around his injured shoulder it all came to a head in a brutal taped fist match at SuperBrawl I that is criminally short. Also during that time, Pillman had a great TV match with Windham's Horsemen buddy, Ric Flair that featured Flair in full cheating heel mode and I highly recommend to watch both matches. 

NWA World Heavyweight Champion Barry Windham vs Steve Regal  

WCW Worldwide 4/17/93

NWA World Heavyweight Champion Barry Windham vs 2 Cold Scorpio 

WCW Clash of the Champions XXIII

Barry Windham was in a scary groove at this point of his career. It is so sad that a knee injury in July of 93 basically ruined the rest of his career. This was Windham fulfilling the promise he showed in 1988 as Ric Flair’s heir as a potential top heel champion.

WCW World Tag Team Champions Hollywood Blonds vs 2 Cold Scorpio & Marcus Alexander Bagwell -WCW Worldwide 5/8/93

The Hollywood Blonds are the stuff of legend in internet circles and this is their best match together.

WCW US Champion Sting vs Cactus Jack - WCW Power Hour 11/23/91

WCW World Heavyweight Champion Sting vs Cactus Jack - WCW Beach Blast 1992

The latter match is pretty famous for being Cactus’ first big break in WCW. The former is a great under the radar brawl that I highly recommend.

WCW World Heavyweight Champion Vader vs Cactus Jack - WCW Saturday Night 4/17/93

WCW World Heavyweight Champion Vader vs Cactus Jack - WCW Saturday Night 4/24/93

Amazingly brutal series of matches besides these two behemoths. It is the ultimate sadist in Vader and the ultimate masochist in Cactus Jack.

Unified World Tag Team Champions Miracle Violence Connection vs 

Barry Windham & Dustin Rhodes - WCW Saturday Night 10/03/92

Miracle Violence Connection vs The Steiner Brothers - WCW Clash of Champions XIX

The Miracle Violence Connection of Dr. Death Steve Williams & Terry Gordy have become controversial in wrestling criticism. Some see them as only Bill Watts’ boys and not deserving of their push that they just had dry matches. I, among others, see their run as not a smashing success, but one that did deliver some great power matches.

Vader vs Dustin Rhodes - WCW Saturday Night 11/21/92

Vader vs Dustin Rhodes - WCW Clash of the Champions XXIX

Two wrestlers that we don’t think of having incredible chemistry with each other, but these two matched up so well. I really love that Clash match and it pains me that it did not make the Top 12. Definitely one of the last matches out.

Arn Anderson w/Paul E. Dangerously vs Dustin Rhodes - WCW Saturday Night 01/04/92

WCW World TV Champion Barry Windham vs Arn Anderson - WCW Saturday Night 6/6/92

Two great Arn Anderson matches against long, lean blonds here that feature great double limb psychology. Highly recommend both as showcases of traditional textbook wrestling done right.

WCW World TV Champion Ricky Steamboat vs Steven Regal - WCW Fall Brawl 1993

WCW World TV Champion Lord Steven Regal vs Larry Zbyszko - Saturday Night 5/28/94

Steven Regal is one of the great all-time great midcard wrestlers in history. Always having interesting, unique match that drip with struggle. The Regal vs Zbyszko feud is one of those semi-famous feuds that holds up. The Fall Brawl 1993 match against Steamboat is a total under the radar gem that has been lost to the sands of the time.

Dangerous Alliance (Rick Rude, Arn Anderson, Bobby Eaton & Larry Zbyszko) vs WCW (Sting, Ricky Steamboat, Barry Windham & Dustin Rhodes) - WCW Saturday Night 2/22/92

Dangerous Alliance (Arn Anderson, Bobby Eaton & Larry Zbyszko) vs 

Ricky Steamboat, Dustin Rhodes & Nikita Koloff - WCW Saturday Night 5/23/92

The Dangerous Alliance of Rick Rude, Steve Austin, Arn Anderson, Bobby Eaton & Larry Zbyszko is THE reason why the first half of 1992 was such an amazing time for WCW. Pretty much every week there was a six man or eight man tag that just rocks and is ton of fun. The match from May is absolute last match out, it is a great babyface blowout match that just rocks.

LONG LIVE THE NATURE BOY!

#12. WCW World Tag Team Champions The Nasty Boys vs Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne 

Spring Stampede 1994

There has been a movement on the internet I have noticed that prefer the Slamboree 94 match where Kevin Sullivan replaces Maxx Payne and while I love that match too it cant compare with the original. At this time, there was an undercurrent on the independent scene of hardcore/garbage wrestling that utilized a lot of weapons/plunder in the matches. Cactus, who was making his mark by taking death-defying bumps, had his finger on the pulse of this scene that was surging in both Japan and America. This was the first match of this genre to take place on a national stage. Brawls and street fights were not uncommon at all in the 1980s, but they were usually hate-filled match that focused on punching and blood. These matches of the 90s shifted more towards using a variety of wrestling. Memphis wrestling clearly had an influence here, but again the emphasis here was on the weapons rather than hate and blood. In today's WWE landscape, most gimmick matches are just glorified weapons matches. It all begins here. The difference is the style had yet to become a self-parody and this match is legitimately great. 

Incredible! Violent, short but sweet. ECW was just getting in their groove but this was better than any ECW garbage match I can think of. Mayhem and organic.

As good as having two refs was, they needed more cameras in place for the finish. I think the finish was hurt by the fact that Cactus's wicked "back of the head to the concrete" bump felt totally upstaged by Payne/Knobs (they were in the foreground) even though that was the bump that directly led to the finish. At Superbrawl IV, the central hook of the match was that exact bump and it really got played up to max effect.

Probably my favorite weapons-laden, tour of the arena matches. I usually hate those type of matches because of the annoying guide your opponent to a spot transition. This one just felt organic and violent. American wrestling could use one of these right now. Saggs blasting everyone with chairs. The concession stand portion was great, but the finish was incredible. The shovel shot to Cactus head before he could cover was disgusting and that bump off the ramp on the back of his head to concrete always gets an oh my fucking God from me. Sags mercy killing shovel shot to Cactus head is excessive but fits the violence of the match.

I do not think anyone has mentioned this so I think this definitely is one of the all time great Tony Schiavone quotes"

"I dont think that shirt even fits him!" - when Payne grabs a Nasty Boys shirt from the merch stand and chokes Knobs with it.

Total garbage spotfest! Loved every minute! ****1/2

#11. WCW World Light Heavyweight Champion Jushin "Thunder" Liger vs Brian Pillman  SuperBrawl II

America's first taste of international junior heavyweight style that would become so influential. It would be Rey Mysterio & the Luchadores that would cement the position of cruiserweight/junior heavyweight wrestling in America forever. Now it is hard to even differentiate heavyweight and junior heavyweight wrestling because so many heavyweights have incorporated the junior heavyweights and so many junior heavyweights (AJ Styles, Daniel Bryan etc...) are pushed as heavyweight main eventers. It all begins here so not just a great match, but an important match. 

I have this match on the Brian Pillman DVD set and have always thought it was great, but at the time they were editing out Jesse's commentary. I have to say I was really impressed with The Body and how much he put over Liger. Dusty, God bless him, I think really did like the luchadores, but just did not take them seriously. The less said about Heenan and the Luchadores the better. Here, Jesse was putting over how intimidating Liger looked, how great he was both on the mat & the air, and how he had earned the respect of the crowd and that the USA chants were just out of reflexive patriotism. I used to think it was a close call between Jesse and Heenan, but the more and more I watch the more it is becoming a no contest in favor of The Body.

Watching the match this time around, it definitely came off more as an exhibition and showcase of Liger and Pillman's talents as athletic wrestlers. I would not call this an out and out spotfest because the transitions were still pretty tight, but it was clear that story was to WOW. After the early establishment that they were equals, I did like that Pillman was wrestling his usual rugged style (dropkick to the outside, chops, matwork) as a contrast to Liger's moonsault and back handspring (nice pop for that one). It was weird they did not payoff the Liger surfboard attempts. It is always great when an opponent has something scouted and give maximum effort to avoid it, but I thought after wearing him down more that we would get the surfboard for a good nearfall type spot. There were some parts of the match that I did find too back and forth. Like Pillman hitting a nasty back drop driver and then pretty much immediately taking heat to the knee. I thought Pillman had been working pretty effectively as the subtle heel so maybe this was to reestablish him as the babyface, which seemed to work because in the figure-4 was when the U-S-A chants started. After the figure-4, Pillman starts to mount a comeback, but Liger drops him over to the floor and heads to the top. It was cool to watch the crowd all stand and be stunned by the somersault from the top to the floor. This is an example of why I would not say this was a total spotfest at this point they has demonstrated that Liger is a high-flyer so they want to showcase Pillman in that role so they have an epic struggle over a suplex back into the ring and ends up with Pillman running Liger's head into the turnbuckle leaving him prone to Air Pillman. Sure, Pillman blows off the legwork, but hey at least he did not just hit Air Pillman they actually bothered working a transition. Now Pillman hits a suplex over the top rope to the floor, which I always mark out for because it is so rare and then a cross body from the top to the floor. Two can play at that game, Mr. Liger. Here again is where it gets a little spotty with Pillman taking signature chin bump on the railing (always nasty), but then meeting Liger with a dropkick (pitch perfect) as he came off the top.

Too often you will only see wrestlers establish they are equals by going for the same moves early on, but I like they continued that thread later into the match with both going for dropkicks and spinning wheel kicks. It felt like you were watching the two of the best in their respective styles. They do a really hot Japanese-style finish stretch with a ton of bombs and nearfalls that is very reminiscent of the Pillman/Badd finish stretch at Fall Brawl '95. I am not going to do a laundry list of moves as it much better to watch it yourself, but I will give them praise for their urgency and struggle they gave these spots. Also shout out to Liger for taking that super front suplex hard on his stomach. The build to the superplex was well-done and when it did not get Liger the fall, it got a nice pop. Liger going for the kill with the diving headbutt, but crashing and burning was an excellent finish. You live by the sword, you die by the sword. I am surprised my man, Jesse The Body did not bust out that cliche because that was a perfect way to sum up the finish. ****1/2

#10. Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Barry Windham, Larry Zbyszko, Sid Vicious) vs 

Sting's Squadron (Sting, Brian Pillman, Steiner Brothers) - Wrestlewar '91 WARGAMES

A very underrated Wargames that is seemingly only remembered for Sid Vicious nearly killing Brian Pillman twice on two wildly dangerous powerbombs, but this is a barnburner. The opening five minutes are the best opening five minutes in Wargames history. Brian Pillman is a blood thirty lunatic as he wants to rip Barry Windham limb from limb. This sets the tone for the whole match. It is forgotten about because 1991 WCW feels so irrelevant and so cold. 

Watched this match last night and those first five minutes blew me away moreso than any watch I had had before. From the beginning, when the visibly injured Pillman breaks from the pack to exact revenge from the Horsemen. I love how commentary puts that and all things Pillman over. I like how Pillman mixed athletic and violent spots to display both sides of his character. Sometimes, when people grab onto the ceiling of the cage and try to do a spot it comes off artificial. This looked Pillman was looking for that extra leverage to fuck up Barry Windham. Once Pillman busted Windham out, when he had Windham's blood smeared on his mouth that is one of the most feral, barbaric things you will ever see in a wrestling ring. Pillman was a man possessed in that segment. I loved Barry Windham's crazy out of control bump over the top rope of both rings into the next ring. Windham was a next level athlete. 

Flair is in like a wild man and even with his mushroom cut can still go toe to toe with Pillman in a chopfest. Flair begs off and now finally Big, Bloodied Barry has recovered enough to break Pillman's momentum. Together the Horsemen friggin chuck Pillman as hard they can shoulder first into the cage. I said "Holy Shit!" audibly seeing that. That was such a great spot. Flair goes over and gives the Sting team a big 'ol hip thrust. I love it! Barry hoists Pillman onto his shoulder and drives him his shoulder into the cage. Then they throw Pillman across into the other ring (a wicked bump, similar to Big Barry's earlier) in order to get him away from Sting's door. Holy shit, that's some sweet strategy. I know just realized Pillman did the same thing to Windham in the first segment. Even in the heat of the battle, these wrestlers are the ultimate tacticians. Both Horsemen meet Sting at the door, but Sting is hopped on on that sweet Phoenix noise!?!?!?!?! He hits a double clothesline to a big pop. It is bulldogs for everyone. Windham is resorting to eye-rakes to everyone, but Sting can't be denied. Larry Z in is so Sting just flies over both rings and clobbers Larry Z.

It settles into a blur of violence until the wicked ending. The Steiners brought a lot of great energy while Sid brought a lot of awkward spot calling and stilted moments. Sid single-handlely knocks this out of classic status for me. I say that as one of the biggest Sid's fans of all time, but I gotta call a spade a spade. They hit a great crowd-pleasing spot in the form of a quadruple figure-4 spot. I like violence as much as next wrestling fan, but I thought the violence at the beginning of this match was a lot more noteworthy than the middle of the match. I thought it was interesting that Rick Steiner was the one that busted Flair open. I thought those honors would have gone to the Stinger. I swear everytime the camera was on Sid he was calling a spot. Ugh. I actually like how Larry Z threw Rick Steiner into the cage hard, but Steiner no-sold because "Muthafucka, I got no brains." Scotty Steiner is the bundle of energy you expect great Steinerline on Sid. Stinger Splash by Sting and locks the Scorpion Deathlock onto Flair. I agree that this some of the best Flair/Sting segments ever.

I never been a big fan of the military press into the roof spot as it does not looks like it hurts. I LOVE that while a bunch of action is going on you can hear Larry Z's screams of agony in the background. Wargames is friggin' awesome. Sid gets a hold of Pillman and throws him up into the ceiling. Then he nearly kills Pillman dead with the first powerbomb and then does another one. El Gigante, the friendly giant, is out to surrender for his unconscious amigo. I know that powerbomb was unsafe, but goddamn it looked brutal. 

This is an excellent violent affair. That maybe the best opening 10 minutes in Wargames history. Pillman is an absolute beast throughout the match and the best violent performance of his career. I would say this the WCW match of the year over the Clash Tag that features the return of Dragon. I have to think long and hard if it is better than '94 Wargames match. I would say they are pretty even. '94 may win out because there is more emotion with Dusty & Dustin vs the Stud Stable. Still is a very breezy and bloody match. ****1/2

When you are a walk-behinder, the view never changes...the view never changes...

#9. Dusty Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes, & Nasty Boys vs Stud Stable (Terry Funk, Arn Anderson, Bunkhouse Buck, Col. Robert Parker) - WCW Fall Brawl '94 WARGAMES

The last hurrah of old school, Southern WCW before the Hulk Hogan transformation completely sets in. Throughout 1994, Col. Robert Parker had assembled a Stud Stable of Dusty Rhodes' enemies throughout the decades and set about to exact revenge on his son Dustin Rhodes. You had his archrival from the '70s in Florida in Terry Funk. Parker & Buck (aka Jimmy Golden) were from Alabama/East Tennessee and I am sure had crossed paths with the American Dream. After years of being beaten by Dusty, they had their eyes locked on his son and taking out their anger on him. Dustin looked for help from an unlikely source in Arn Anderson and to the shock of no one Arn Anderson turned on young Dustin and joined Dusty's enemies as of course Arn was a principle Dusty enemy of the 80s as a part of the Four Horsemen. This causes Dusty to get back in the saddle and deliver the GREATEST promo of all time. Words cant do it justice. Watch the promo where Dusty tells his son, Dustin that he wants to join him in this fight. It is a must see before you watch this match. 

Banner fucking year for the Nasty Boys! Jerry Saggs, brother in-law of Dusty (just found out that today and am still floored), is an total animal. The man just loves dishing out pain. The use of cowboy boots and belts was great to ratchet up the heat and intensity in lieu of blood. Dustin & Arn it was the natural pairing. Arn trying to psych Dustin out and get him to his door luring him in only to have his head rammed into the steel cage. Dustin flying across the ring to deck The Enforcer. Can you feel it? Because I can! Hot Damn! This is not Pillman against Windham in Wargames 91, but it is pretty damn good. Arn does take over with a DDT and then gets a crab as Bunkhouse Buck comes in and he is actually pretty energetic taking it to Dustin. Then Jerry Muthafuckin Saggs comes in. This sadist just starts chucking everybody into the cage and drops Buck like a bad habit with a piledriver. Funk had been bothering me in other bouts, but I loved him here. He is a rabid dog that cant wait to get in and he has his cowboy boot in his hand. He lunges at Dustin and obliterates him with the boot and then raking Dustin's face against the steel in front of Dusty is next level heel shit. Then there is the bump to end all bumps. Saggs the sadist and Funk the masochist get together in an unholy union where Saggs PILEDRIVES FUNK BETWEEN THE RINGS. Funk drops into the abyss and Saggs I think was so hurt he actually had trouble getting back to his feet due to the awkward landing. Muthafucka! The Tennessee Stud is pissing his pants that he has to come into the ring. I think Parker did the right thing to play up the chickenshit role rather than being the badass Tennessee Stud. Fans wanted to see the comeuppance against the coward who was going to beg for mercy. Once Fuller has an opening he kicks Dustin and then starts whipping everyone with a belt. I am loving the belt and the cowboy boots and all that shit. So Southern and so badass! Now there is the Dusty chant as the fans eagerly anticipate the entry of the American Dream, baby! Dusty hits the ring to a MASSIVE POP and shit is on! Everyone goes into the cage and eats the Bionic Elbow. Parker is cowering and Dusty slaps on the Figure-4. The Nasties splash and elbow drop Parker as Meng is violently shaking the cage, which adds a lot to the environment. Parker has not choice to give up. MENG seems to be more than a bodyguard for Parker as he is very distraught about his employer's well-being. I think he cares!

My one complaint is that the feud started as Dustin vs Stud Stable. In a lot of ways, this became about Dusty and the finish made Dusty look like the hero and Dustin was kinda in the background. I think they could have laid out a bit better to have Dustin take out Buck, AA and Funk in climatic fashion clearing the way for his father to get the win. I just hate seeing Dustin as an afterthought when this is really his feud. I did not feel like the payoff was really there. In terms of action this was awesome. Really entertaining, went by in a flash and just a ton of fun. Definite WCW match of the year contender. Hard pressed right now to determine if I like this Dustin/Buck, Flair/Steamboat or Nasties/Cactus& Payne more. Loaded year from WCW! ****1/2 

#8. WCW World Tag Team Champion The Enforcers (Arn Anderson & Larry Zybszko) vs 

Ricky Steamboat & Dustin Rhodes - Clash of the Champion XVII

WCW Match of the Year, 1991

Probably the best surprise tag partner angle of all time as Barry Windham had his hand crushed by the Enforcers in a car door at Halloween Havoc. A pitch perfect Southern Tag Team match here that should be studied by wrestlers and fans alike. 

"He's just a man. He's just a man" - Arn Anderson after taking a Ricky Steamboat ass-kicking

One of the all-time great Southern tags and returns in pro wrestling history. After Flair's departure in July of 1991, it looked like WCW was on death's doorstep. It is amazing that just four months later, WCW was completely revitalized by the returns of Ricky Steamboat & Rick Rude. Here, The Enforcers had crushed Barry Windham's hand at Halloween Havoc and he was unable to compete. Thus Dustin got Steamboat as a replacement. The reaction of Arn Anderson is something to behold. His character work was amazing throughout this match. His freak out at the beginning, selling for the shine, the aforementioned quote and then asking for a timeout, all great shit. I loved the babyface shine. Thats how you capitalize on a return. Steamboat came out breathing fire. I loved how Arn and Larry Z were still attacking, but Steamboat was fighting through it all. The bumping & stooging by the Enforcers was top notch. I love how they finally gain the advantage. Larry Z runs his mouth and gets Steamboat back into the match. Then he slaps Steamboat and Larry Z heads for the hills. It was all a well-laid trap. In this game of cat and mouse, Steamboat gets caught exiting with a knee from Arm. Tony does a great job explaining how that may have looked helter skelter, but it was actually a well-thought out plan. As the ref is detain Dustin, the Enforcers consolidate their  advantage with a double team. Anderson goes from coward to confident in a blink of the eye. Signaling that Dragon is done. Did I mention I love Arn Anderson. Great heat segment on Steamboat. Loved the ab stretch and Boston crab where they get that extra leverage. Good false tag before the real one. Real quick finish, Dustin cleans house and tags Steamboat back in crossbody for the win. They follow the Southern tag formula to a tee and it is great. Really inspired heel performance here and Dragon looked great on his return. Im a smidge lower on this than most. I thought they went home too fast. Dustin is barely in the match. I thought the front half was real next level whereas the back half was just textbook. Really great execution of the textbook, but still textbook. It just doesnt quite get to that tippy top level for me. I am thinking about Greatest Match Ever when I am writing this so thats why I am nitpicking. Regardless, this is a classic and something anybody who loves tag team wrestling should watch. The Dragon has returned to WCW let us rejoice and be glad! ****1/2 

#7. WCW World Heavyweight Champion Vader vs Ric Flair - Starrcade 1993

A very polarizing match over the years and I dont know why. I dont see the argument against this match. The emotion of this match carries this to being one of the greatest, most memorable matches in the history of WCW. I think this is babyface Ric Flair at his best just so energetic and tenacious in this one.

How can you not get emotional watching this? The opening video package is amazing. Vader showing up in the Ribera Jacket saying we are going to have a party and he likes this kinda party was great. Flair being picked up by Okerlund in the limo was cool. "If there is no more Ric Flair, who will go Wooo?" - Fan to Flair in 1993, amazing. The world without Ric Flair is going to be a lot less fun. Vader is such a great brute. I love that double fist pump Ric Flair gives on the entrance way. He loves pro wrestling. Pro wrestling loves him.

I'll be honest this is more lopsided than I remember, but it is fine by me because Vader was in a ridiculous groove at the time point in his career. There may be no wrestler at working heat segments ever. That's a big claim, but his brutality is totally engrossing. You cant take your eyes off Vader destroying an opponent. You see tuffs of blond hair burst into the air with each massive blow. Flair taking it to Vader early was the wrong idea. Flair chops and Vader just shoves him. "You aren't man enough" Vader twists him into a Greco-Roman Knucklelock and beats the shit out of him. Flair is the king of verbal selling and the way he hollers in pain is great. Of course, what makes Vader a great heat segment worker is how he feeds for his babyface to get hope spots. Vader misses and eats the railing. The electricity when Flair chops and punches was amazing. Flair has great, great punches. We don't talk about that enough. Harley interrupts this comeback and Flair takes a wicked bump on the floor. Vader DESTROYS Flair. Huge superplex! Punches and forearms. Wicked clotheslines. He busts open Flair real good on a lariat to the mouth. Flair "You son of a bitch!" Flair bleeding from the mouth adds to this grittiness. The fact he is in way over his head against this unstoppable monster. Vader starts to give Flair more opening. A missed splash here and a missed splash there. Vader locks up Flair again and this time Flair goes to the eye. Then Flair just unloads with punches and CHOPS HIM IN THE FACE! Off comes the mask. Vader's face is cut up and red. Hell Yes! Flair goes for the leg. The crowd comes alive. You can hear the excitement in Tony's voice. Wraps the Grizzly Bear's leg around the post and then the chair to the knee. Vader tries to attack. Flair just starts beating the shit out of his face while Vader yells "Hit me! Hit me!" Flair crowns him with a chair. That is the one sequence I always remember. This comeback is positively electric. It is the ultimate fist pump. You want to know you are over? Pick up someone's foot and see a crowd lose their shit. Flair picks up Vader's foot to setup for the figure-4 and the crowd goes wild. Vader still has some fight in him. Missed Vaderbomb! Figure-4! This should have been the finish. I know Vader submitting might have hurt his image but damn it would have been great. Vader gets control again after he makes the ropes. MISSED VADERSAULT! Insane spot. Flair covers. Harley headbutts Vader. Fun spot, but not necessary. The finish sucks as Vader does get back up and then Flair tabletops for the win. Doesn't matter Flair wins and it is one of the loudest pops of all time.

Great performances by both wrestlers. Vader comes across as an unbeatable monster. Flair is selling like a champ and really does feel over his head. What I love about Flair's offense it is all chops and punches! He came to fight! This match comes across as a fight and Flair is fighting for his life! Vader is the king of the missed move and does a great job giving Flair openings and selling for Flair's molten hot comebacks. I actually really liked the finish stretch just not the finish. Big fight feel and a big fight that delivered. Long Live The Nature Boy! ****1/2