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Post by JimmyJackJericho on Apr 15, 2006 4:05:00 GMT
Booker T vs Triple H World Heavyweight Championship WWE WrestleMania 19
Booker T was given the "overcoming the odds" push towards the title, then failed to overcome the odds!
Aside from that logical flaw, and the finish (which involved about thirty seconds between Pedigree and 3-count), the match was pretty much great. Very underrated, and certainly better than Lesnar/Angle/Resthold which closed out the show.
Triple H momentarily regained form after a dismal display against Steiner, and before having to work with Hossberg. The match used classic old school psychology, showing the face to be the better wrestler, and the heel having to cheat to get ahead. Booker even dusted off the Harlem Hangover, and looked way more lively and interested than at any other stage since leaving WCW. Triple H was great at keeping the heat and flow of the match. In a current Booker match, he'll spend twenty minutes with headlocks and such like, here Triple H used simple moves to fill in time, meaning that there was no true down time in the match.
It was the last good Booker match I remember.
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Post by Mr-Brightside on Apr 15, 2006 4:26:48 GMT
Mr Perfect vs Bret Hart Summerslam '91.
I've long stated that my favorite matches, are the matches in which the feud/back story is brought into the bout and used as the driving force behind the psychology and in ring story (hence my affiliation toward Savage vs Warrior and Rock/Austin 3), which makes the ascension of this classic into my top 5 favorite matches ever, a little surprising to me.
The bout was a straight up wrestling match; no stipulation, no great back story and or feud, just two great in ring performers going tooth and nail, for the right to call themselves the IC champion and at that time probably the best wrestler in the then WWF. (note: Savage had been "officially retired" at the previous ppv, hence the reason I'm willing to give the accolade to Perfect and Hart).
The match started of at a nice pace, which only got quicker amid some wonderful interchanging and counter wrestling between the pair.
Both Perfect and Hart played the psychology brilliantly; after being out wrestled by the hungry "young" gun, he decided he had enough only for Hart to tear his leotard and yank him back to the ring. Also, both men displaying their desperation to win, at different points in the match had a right go at referee Earl Hebner, which he also played extremely well.
The momentum changes were handled excellently, and succeed in never really looked contrived. Hart would battle back, showing his fighting spirit; Perfect would use distraction (the referee), to gain an upper hand and or relentless attack (not allowing Hitman to enter the ring, or gain a breather), and so forth and so forth.
Just a wonderfully structured, and brilliantly paced match. It didn't turn into a brawl, there wasn't a multitude of technical wrestling holds on display, there was no great feud/back story with which to work from, both guys just flat out wrestled and entertained, all the while telling a story as they went along.
Simply wonderful, and a hideously underrated outing from both men. Lets not forget, this was Perfect wrestled the bout in extreme pain, due to an injured back, which makes his performance (although more methodical and deliberate on offense, he was still wacky bumping all over the place when getting beat down), all the more remarkable. Great stuff.
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Post by tequillin on Apr 15, 2006 15:52:33 GMT
Randy Savage w/ the beautiful Sensational Sherri vs Tenyru - AJPW / WWF show 1990
Good match and Savage is awesome as a heel in this.
The match starts out with Tenyru gaining control including some kobashi like chops followed by launching Savage over the top and diving onto him from the apron.
Sherri is great causing trouble and distractions on the outside. Savage and Tenyru brawl outside and Savage gains control of the match.
Savage punishes him and drops the elbow to a surprising kickout at 2. Savage then hurts his leg after a cross body, Tenyru takes advantage nailing him with an enzeguiri and a powerbomb for the pin.
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Post by Roy on Apr 15, 2006 21:44:43 GMT
a NOAH show. Since I don't really know a lot of japanese wrestlers I just started to watch this on TWC, since I dont really know the fueds or anything that is going on really. I just sat back, relaxed and enjoyed. I loved the pure, hardhitting, non - stop action. Long live NOAH.
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Post by Andy_3:16 on Apr 15, 2006 21:51:54 GMT
Somoa Joe vs. Kenta Kobashi, ROH October 1, 2005
It's always better watching it the first time, then gets better after that one and the next one. It's just fucking amazing.
Many stiff and brutal moves by both men. Kobashi's chops were just sick, and when Joe gave a kick to Kobashi's head, it echoed throughout the place. What a kick.
This match went almost 30 minutes, and it's definitely a match of the year candidate. It sure did entertaining me the first time I watch it.
Oh, and who can forget Kobashi's sick half nelson suplexes? Damn those were awesome.
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Post by Roy on Apr 15, 2006 21:59:49 GMT
One of the greatest matches I have ever seen ArG, I only first watched it about a month ago and it blew me away.
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Post by Boricua on Apr 15, 2006 23:46:13 GMT
Ohhhh yeahhhhhh, earlier today I watched the Macho Man Randys Savage in a retirement match against the Ultimate Warrior, dig it? Overall, I greatly enjoyed Savage's work, as well as Sherri's managerial skills, but even they couldn't mask just how much the Ultimate Warrior SUCKS. Seriously, to everyone who acts like Cena's the worst champion ever, watch this guy wrestler. He wins with a damn shoulder tackle! Savage and Warrior's skills counterbalance, so it gets three stars I guess.
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Post by Nathan Versus on Apr 16, 2006 0:17:45 GMT
Summerslam 2002
I won't offer an in-depth review of the whole show, but Summerslam 2002 was an awesome pay-per-view and easily the best WWE had to offer in 2002.
Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio was a highly entertaining opener, Booker T and Goldust vs. Christian and Lance Storm was one of the best tag team matches of 2002, Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels was one of the best singles matches of the 2002 and Brock Lesnar vs. The Rock was a solid main event. Rob Van Dam vs. Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero vs. Edge weren't too shoddy either.
Very rare to find a WWE pay-per-view with so many good matches.
Definately worth checking out and probably the best Summerslam.
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Post by OfLegend on Apr 16, 2006 0:22:32 GMT
Mitsuharu Misawa vs Genichiro Tenryu, recent NOAH bout.
Not a bad match, but not excellent either. Tenryu's muscles aren't what they used to be at age 53, and he doesn't seem capable of lifting someone the weight of Misawa adequately. After botching a high kick early in the match, Tenryu, whom has never been in quite the same league as Misawa, Kobashi or even Kawada, later fucks up a bomb so that it has all the power of an arm drag. Mitsuharu looks on top form, delivering some pretty meaty forearms and a picture-perfect Tiger Driver, the former he eventually uses to pick up the win after about fifteen minutes of entertaining (if not superbly executed) action. A hard hitting contest, this is definitely a testiment to the Japanese strong style, but not its final hour.
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Post by Gabrielle Montgomery on Apr 16, 2006 2:10:03 GMT
The last actual wrestling I watched was SmackDown! last night. (Good thing I checked the thread before I posted, cause I was just about to post the movie I had just watched! Thanks for the warning Don! )
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Post by janedoe95 on Apr 16, 2006 2:19:51 GMT
Rock vs Austin, Wrestlemania X-Seven.
I find myself liking it less with every viewing. Very overrated. The story was well executed but I also like to see some well executed wrestling and some actual variety in offense. The match almost felt like I was rewinding and re-watching the same spot without actually doing so. I've seen better brawls...and Rock's wrestling isn't holding up well over time. Still good enough, but the internet praise for this match I feel is ridiculous. The last few minutes makes the (fairly long) match, I feel. ****
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Post by Mr-Brightside on Apr 16, 2006 2:50:04 GMT
Ohhhh yeahhhhhh, earlier today I watched the Macho Man Randys Savage in a retirement match against the Ultimate Warrior, dig it? Overall, I greatly enjoyed Savage's work, as well as Sherri's managerial skills, but even they couldn't mask just how much the Ultimate Warrior SUCKS. Seriously, to everyone who acts like Cena's the worst champion ever, watch this guy wrestler. He wins with a damn shoulder tackle! Savage and Warrior's skills counterbalance, so it gets three stars I guess. Bull. Shit. I too don't have much care for Warrior's in ring skills, but on this particular evening he played his role magnificently. He sold well, he helped tell one of the most interesting in ring stories ever, and he got his psychology spot on; in fact it was perfection. The finish to the bout was yet more great storytelling; sure a shoulder tackle is not the most entertaining way to end a bout, but look deeper, it was about a man (Savage), whom had taken a severe beating to the point where he was out on his feet, hence the 1 foot symbolic finish and end to a brutal feud. It was simply awesome. I don't really need to get into the performances of Savage (one of the best individual performances in WWF/E history) and Sherri (the 2nd hardest worker in the bout), as they pretty much speak for themselves. This match is a sentimental fave of mine, and to see it so harshly pawned off as a *** bout hurts, as it was far, far greater than what you're giving it credit for, man.
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Post by Boricua on Apr 16, 2006 3:01:24 GMT
I will admit 3 stars is perhaps a bit low, and I think it might be one of those "If you where there, you'd know" type things. Because I look at alot of classic matches in hindsight, I don't have the benefit of being able to fully engross myself in the story.
So from just the match, I saw a master worker (Savage) and an incredibly shitty worker (Warrior). Like i said, the psychology was great thanks to Savage, but I just couldn't escape the atrocity of Warrior's performance. There was alot of no-selling on his part, and the beating he gave Savage still didn't make the shoulder block convincing enough.
So I'll concede maybe 3.5 stars, but Warrior just ruined it for me.
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Post by Mr-Brightside on Apr 16, 2006 3:16:58 GMT
Hands down, Warrior's best pro wrestling performance. Warrior's psychological performance, as well as his storytelling, in this bout, was exceptional, seriously.
I used to think the match was a total carry job, but re-watching the bout a few times, has allowed me to see that Warrior more than played his part in the bout. Savage may have put in ***1/2 worth of work, but Warrior more than put in the other **1/2. Magnificent bout, and performance from both men.
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Post by Boricua on Apr 16, 2006 3:19:29 GMT
I guess you just think more highly of the warrior than I do.
If it makes you feel better, how's this: Match rating, were anyone BUT the Warrior to face Savage: 4-5 stars. I just really, really can't stand Warrior.
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Post by Mr-Brightside on Apr 16, 2006 3:38:17 GMT
Man, you really hate Hellwig, don't ya? In that case, okie dokie, I'll accept.
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Post by Andy_3:16 on Apr 16, 2006 3:54:44 GMT
Satoshi Kojima vs. Homicide, ROH Final Battle 2003
A pretty good match, but like what Nathan said, Kojima's comedy and work with the crowd was the highlight of the entire match. Some good moves and good action. For me, Kojima's comedy entertained me the entire time.
Kojima had his boot in Homicide's throat by the turnbuckle, and the referee started to count. Kojima let go, and said "I DON'T UNDERSTAND!" in English. Everybody started to laugh and clap. Again, Kojima had his boot in Homicide's throat, and the referee started to count again. Kojima let go, and said "I'm Japanese, GOD DAMMIT!" in English again. This time the crowd was going crazy and the fans clap.
Also he sat on a chair and prayed and had some fun with the fans. A good match, and Kojima, like what Nathan, being the man.
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Post by Nathan Versus on Apr 16, 2006 15:20:06 GMT
Hands down, Warrior's best pro wrestling performance. Warrior's psychological performance, as well as his storytelling, in this bout, was exceptional, seriously.
I loved this match and I thought the Warrior did a fine job. He may not have been a great worker, but he played his part very well. His psychological performance was excellent and you genuinely felt like this was as important as it was supposed to be, being a career ending match. Edge of the seat stuff and a real epic.
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Post by euanzooom on Apr 16, 2006 19:11:25 GMT
Ultimate Warrior v Savage is a ****1/2 match without question.
I just don't see two ways about it. Warrior's abilities barely matter, but here, he was at his best ever.
Its the stipulation, Savage's performance, the red hot crowd, Warrior raising his game and the constant constant action that meansa that the match can be no less than that rating. I could understand a quarter star difference here or there for personal opinion, but this match IS simply NOT a three star match!
Watching Rock v Angle No Way Out '01 for my column
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Post by tequillin on Apr 16, 2006 19:41:10 GMT
I could never give the match ****1/2 stars simply because it is Savage who makes the performance. Yeah it's probably the best Warrior has ever worked but he isn't capable of anything amazing.
I enjoy the match to an extent but Warriors unconvincing finishers and lack of wrestling moves holds me back from rating it so high.
I'll watch it again either tonight or tomorrow but I cannot remember or see how a Warrior match can be rated ****1/2.
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