Day 7 2020

 

WCW Starrcade 1997

Goldberg vs. Steve McMichael 

Little backstory here, Goldberg cost Mongo a match at Halloween Havoc after being paid off by Debra with Mongos Super Bowl ring. They two were set to meet at another PPV but Mongo took out Goldberg with a pipe. Naturally, the two aren’t coming into this match to wrestle...mainly because if they did it would be a disaster. But luckily it’s not!

Goldberg meets Mongo in the aisle way and the two begin to throw leather to quote the American Dream. That sets the tone for this match as they two just pound on each other. I won’t sugarcoat it there are a couple of sloppy points and awkward moments, mainly involving Goldberg being not completely sure what to do with a table. A Jackhammer Brainbuster ends this for Mongo adding to Goldberg’s now legendary streak. 

A good no nonsense brawl. This match was booked to both men’s advantage and it worked perfectly (mostly). The fans kind of float in and out of this match but it’s not noticeable. 

Day 6 2020

 

IWA Mid-South King of the Deathmatch 2003

Toby Klein vs. Necro Butcher

I don’t like death match wrestling. I had a phase where I tried to get into it like I think every long time wrestling fan does when they find out about it. Like you hear about a weedwhacker being used in a wrestling match and you want to see it for yourself. But I’ve seen a couple of death matches including this one and their rematch in 2004s tournament. But why you may ask if I don’t like this style, variety of course...and the first time I watched those two matches because I heard they used a VCR as a weapon during the match and I wanted to see that. 

Anyway this match, well that’s a loose term but whatever. The two start by beating each other with their hands, forearms, and heads, and man is it stiff. The weapons soon follow when Necro hits Toby with what I think is a toaster. A multitude of light tubes come into play as the two continue to brawl around. Naturally the match is a bloodbath as both men are bleeding from just about everywhere above their waist. It’s gross. 

This isn’t the match with the VCR I think (Toby throws something at Necros head toward the end but there’s no commentary and I can’t make out what it was) but still it’s exactly what you expect...well except for the ending. It’s only about six minutes and it’s a first round match so naturally they don’t go huge with the finish but did you expect Necro winning with a Rear Naked Choke? Cause he does. A bloody brawl which isn’t really my thing but if you like death matches this is probably a pretty good one. 

Day 5 2020

 

WCW Thunder  3/15/1998

El Dandy vs. Juventued Guerrera

He Who Shall Not Be Doubted! Juvi is a weird Luchador. Not because of his personal issues but because when he’s on he’s as good as Rey or Psicosis but he can also be pretty sloppy and prone to botches. He’s a lot like Sabu in same ways. 

But enough about the Juice, let’s talk about the Doubtless One. He controls most of the early match after jumping Juvi before the bell. He generally beats the shit out of Juvi for a minute or two before Juvi comes back and dominates the match for most of the remainder of the match. 

Juvis on his A minus game here (he has like one slip up). Juvi flys around while Dandy sticks to brawling and power moves, it’s good stuff. Just a quick little sprint that obviously showcases the wrong Luchador.

Day 4 2020

 

ROH Main Event Spectacles 

Homicide vs. BJ Whitmer

This is a Fighting Spirit Challenge. What is this you may be asking? It’s a regular match except you can win by knockout or a count out which ROH didn’t do at the time (Gabe on commentary says he’s not a fan.) and boy howdy they tease every finish in the book here. 

The match starts out as a standard match but after a hellacious Backdrop Driver the pace picks up. The match becomes a ping pong match of sorts with both men turning up the aggression and spilling blood. Both men take and give a beating. The final stretch is really well done and highly dramatic. 

This is a great match. It has a little bit of everything from mat work to high flying with a dash of good storytelling thrown in. Certainly a hidden gem in ROHs vast library. 

Day 3 2020

 

WCW Thunder 2/23/2000

Vampiro vs. Ric Flair

What I’m about to say isn’t revolutionary but let’s talk about Ric Flair for a second. He’s Ric fucking Flair. He’s a multi-time world champ, one of the biggest stars in wrestling’s history, he doesn’t owe anyone mid-carder squat. Hogan would’ve gone out there, beat up Vamp, whipped him, taken a move or two then the match end with Hogan winning. Flair says fuck that. Don’t misconstrue that I’m sure Flairs done a lot of politicking in his day. The result was never in question but Vamp hung with Flair. 

Flair gave Vamp more then most people in his position and standing would. He sells him like an actual threat. He’s not a star in the ring doing a mid-carder a favor (well technically he is), he’s just a vet in there with an eager up and comer...none of that speaks to the quality of the match though. 

As a match it’s fine. It’s a quick TV match. Vamp gets in a Rolling Leg Loco and even has Flair taking a powder. Vamp controls most of the early part of the match before Flair begins to work over his leg. Lex Luger and Miss Elizabeth come down to the ring to aid Flair in picking up the win which again makes Vamp look credible and The Brain points this out. Good sprint, good booking, solid all around.

Day 2 2020

 

ECW Hardcore TV 1/30/99

ECW World Tag Team Title Match

Axl Rotten and Balls Mahoney vs. Rob Van Dam and Sabu w/Bill Alfonso (c)

This match actually took place at House Party ‘99. Sabu and RVD come out dripping gold. They got the tag belts, TV title, FTW Title, Undisputed who? There’s a great moment right off the bat as the ref checks Axl for things he can use to cheat...despite the fact that’s he holding a chair. Before the match begins Sabu is constantly swatting at the challengers, like a cat annoying other pets. In fact Sabu is so eager he gets annoyed with RVD soaking in the crowd and gets in the ring and goes straight after Balls. Fantastic. 

From there this match is exactly what you expect from these four. Tag rules go out the window as all four brawl. It doesn’t take long for weapons to get involved (another great spot btw). RVD and Sabu fly around and break tables while going punch for punch with the challengers.

The crowd is super into this as well, which always helps. A classic, fun ECW tag team brawl that hits every expected note and does it well. Also check out Balls vs. RVD from Anarchy Rulez the same year, really good match.  

Day 1 2020

 

WWE Raw 5/20/02

WWE Undisputed Title Match

Undertaker (c) vs. Rob Van Dam

The night before Taker beat Hulk Hogan for the belt (yes in 2002) and he opened Raw by assaulting Van Dam. Van Dam starts hot and controls most of the early match. Takers selling is a little goofy but his intentions are good...at least RVD isn’t getting pinned by Takers wife. 

Contrary to rumors of Taker during the time, RVD gets his shit in and is booked to even outsmart and hang with Taker. The crowd was really into the finish  and J.R. sells it beautifully. A pretty good high stakes brawl that made both men look good. The match isn’t as good as their Vengeance match but it’s still a TV match worth a watch if you’re bored.