Mr. Perfect with the Genius vs Brutus the Barber Beefcake from Wrestlemania 6: 4/1/90

     

        Sean Mooney is confused as to what Beefcake is doing as he looks at the papers that Mooney is holding for him.  Beefcake says that he is looking at Mr. Perfect's impressive record.  Mooney must not read his own notes if he had no idea what was on that paper. Lack of preparation on Mooney's part does not constitute an emergency on Beefcake's part.  I bet Todd Pettengill reads his notes.  Sloppy shop, Mooney.

Beefcake says that nobody is really perfect...everyone has flaws...everybody makes mistakes...after this match, I'll sever his perfect record at a pretty good clip...

Beefcake uses his shears to try to cut the notes that Mooney is holding, only to miss on the first cut and barely cut a corner of the papers on attempt number 2.  Actually proving the point of his promo that everyone makes mistakes.  Beefcake with a masters class is the subtle promo here, which I am sure was his intent.

    Beefcake then cackles and cuts, but we get no struts.

We return to the ring and The Genius is introducing Mr. Perfect.  Perfect heads down in the ring cart with his great theme song filling the Skydome.  Now Beefcake's underrated them song kicks up and out comes Beefcake cutting but once again not strutting as he is in the ring cart which does not have sufficient strut space.  A gentleman is shown in a Canadian Tuxedo here in Toronto.  He gives us some finger clippers and then tries to his own follicles to no avail.  

Perfect and Genius bail from the ring when Brutus enters the ring brandishing a murder weapon.  The bell rings while Perfect is still outside.  Beefcake takes his time removing his jacket and bow tie.  Perfect attacks him which since the bell rang is totally legal.  

Beefcake quickly reverses the control and nails several quick punches to Perfect's stomach.  Beefcake tosses Perfect out of the ring.  Once Perfect gets back in and tries to go on offense but Perfect lowered his head too soon for a back body drop and ate a kick to the face.  An atomic drop launches perfect out of the ring again.  Mr. P confers with the Genius to rethink their game plan.  

Once again back in the ring and then combatants resize each other up.   Perfect finally gets on the advantage with some punches, kicks, and turnbuckle shots, but Beefcake quickly reestablishes dominance.  Beefcake sends Perfect into the turnbuckle with causes, Perfect to bounce off with a somersault.  Now the Barber comes in with double ax handles, a body slam, corner punches, another turnbuckle blast, and a clothesline.  Beefcake calls for the sleeper hold. Mary Tyler Moore is shown in the crowd and she loves it.

"Who can turn the World on with his shears?

Who can take an undefeated streak and suddenly make it all worthless.

Well it's you Beefer and you should know it.

With each cut and every little strut you show it.

Hair is all around you no need to comb it.

You can have the win no need to fake it.

You're going to make it after all!!!!"

    Genius is up on the apron which distracts referee Joey Marella and Beefcake.  The Genius leaves his metal scroll in the ring.  Perfect takes this opportunity to rearrange Beefcake's face like a paragliding women's knees.  Mr. Perfect does not make a cover attempt.  Instead he keeps stomping the Barber's head.  He hits a float over neck snap for a 2 count.  Perfect gives Beefcake some kicks to the gut.  Gorilla comments on how the illegal object shot has changed this match 360 degrees.  Jesse has to educate Gorilla on how degrees work and the match has only changed 180 degrees.  

    Perfect continues the assault with a hard knife edged chop and a knee lift.  He taunts and smacks the beaten and worn down Barber.  Beefcake does a double leg take down and slingshots Perfect over the turnbuckle and Perfect hits head first on the ring post.  Knocking him unconscious.  Brutus the Barber Beefcake makes the cover and hands Mr. Perfect his first loss.  Perfect has been hoist on his own ring post instead of his petard.  

While Beefcake celebrates the big win, Genius grabs the shears and tries to sneak back to the locker room with them.  Unfortunately for the Genius, Beefcake sees this and peruses.  He takes him back into the ring and after another escape attempt, Genius goes nighty nighty thanks to the sleeper.  Perfect is too groggy to help as Genius gets his second haircut from Beefcake in 1990.  

RuthlessCEE Aggresive: Heat and Velocity reviews (October 11th and 12th, 2003)

 

We start off on our Slamming Saturday Night being greeted by Josh Mathews and Taz.  

Match #1 

Rey Mysterio vs Kanyon

Kanyon backs Rey into the corner, misses some blows but takes back control with some elbows to the back of the head.  Rey ducks a few clotheslines but gets cut down with a kick to the stomach.  Josh Mathews says that Rey is like Dante Hall, the human joystick.  Haven't heard about the Chiefs kick return specialist in a long time.  Mysterio reverses a powerbomb attempt into a hurricanrana.  Rey slams Kanyon's head into each turnbuckle a few times and then the mat once for good measure.  Rey sends Kanyon into the turnbuckle and then proceeds to bust his bronco. Kanyon lands on the middle rope after a drop toe hold, but wisely bails before the 619 can be hit.  Rey hits him with a drop kick through the ropes instead.  Rey goes for a dive outside but Kanyon catches him and tosses him into the barricade.  Kanyon puts him up against the ring post in the ring and crushes him with a baseball slide. Kanyon then grabs Rey's head and legs and folds him around the post some more.  Kanyon gets a 2 count.  Kayon buries his knee into Rey's spine for a submission attempt.  Rey almost escapes twice only to get taken back down into the hold.  Mysterio finally does break free and goes for a tilt-a-whirl only for Kanyon to catch him with a vertical suplex for another 2 count.  Mysterio slides down Kanyon's back and hits a reverse DDT for a near fall.  Rey crawls between Kayon's legs for a quick kick to the knee and then a baseball slide into the groin.  Rey goes to the top for a seated senton for a two count.  Kanyon catches Rey on a another dive attempt and takes two back breakers.  Kanyon tries to get the cover with his feet on the ropes, but the referee catches him.  They fight with Rey on the apron.  Rey climbs the ropes and bulldogs Kanyon on to the second rope on the other side of the ring in a really cool spot that I don't remember ever seeing before.  Mysterio hits the 619 and the west coast pop to gain the win in 7:22 (*** 1/2)

Match #2 

Matt Hardy vs Tyson Dux

Tyson Dux gets an entrance.  He does some weird convulsion dance that Tazz and Josh are fans of from a previous match.  Dux had several dark matches at TV tapings but he last was televised from the previous October in a loss to Chavo on Velocity.  Dux starts out in control with a snap mare and drop kick.  He mocks the V1 hand signal and yell and hits a head scissors for a 2 count.  Matt catches Dux for a side effect, snake eyes, and leaping clothesline. Hardy stands on Dux's head but surprises Hardy with a roll up for 2.  Hardy locks in an arm stretch, but Dux escapes and hits a DDT to put both men down.  Dux is up first and hits Hardy with a drop kick.  Dux heads to the top for a crossbody and Hardy kicks out at 2.  Dux starts move epilictic dancing and mocking of V1.  He heads back to the top where Hardy cuts him off with some punches and takes him out with a top rope Twist of Fate for the win in 4:32. (*3/4)

Match #3

Billy Kidman vs Bobby Rude in a purple cape

Kidman starts with a hurricanrana in the ring and follows it up with hurricarana to the floor.  Kidman attempts a dive to the outside but misses.  Rude lays in the boots and tosses him into the barricade. Rude tosses him back into the ring for some elbow drops.  Kidman fires back but gets cut down with an underhook suplex.  Kidman comes back again this time with a dropkick, flying forearm, clothesline, back body drop, but gets caught with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker.   Kidman escapes a suplex and gets a roll up for two.  A glorious spinebuster by Rude.  Kidman hits a enziguri that puts Rude's lights out and follows it up with a shooting star press for the win in 4:24. (**)

In the back, Matt Hardy says that he is so proud of Shannon because of his win over Zach Gowen on Thursday on Smackdown.  He is going to reward him with a special gift this week on Smackdown.  

Match #4

Charlie Haas vs Funaki

Haas take Funaki down with a headlock and controls Funaki on the mat.  They trade leg sweeps and pin attempts.  Funaki gets mowed down by a clothesline.  Funaki chops back but gets caught and face planted on the top turnbuckle and then Haas crushes him with a back breaker.  Haas sends him into the corner with a hard irish whip.  Hass then locks in an arm bar.  Funaki fights free and hits a neck breaker.  Then Funaki has a flurry of a reverse DDT, dropkick, and a bulldog but only gets a near fall.  Funaki goes for a crossbody but Haas rolls through for a 2 count.  Haas pushes Funaki off of a Rising Sun DDT attempt and locks in the Haas of Pain for the submission for the victory in 5:15. (*3/4)

It's time for Heat as we are greeted by Al Snow and The Coach.  

Match #1

Test with sad Stacy Keibler vs Tommy Dreamer with an emotionless Singapore cane

Test starts out with a body slam but misses the big elbow drop.  Tommy Dreamer does a weird strut that Stacy and our commentary team make seem like is mocking Test, but I don't get it.  Dreamer tosses Test over the top after dodging a charge.  Dreamer hits him with a baseball slide.  On the outside, Test pulls Stacy in front of him as a human shield.  Test uses the distraction to impale Tommy on his testicles on the barricade.  Test tosses Dreamer back in the ring and hits some heavy corner running clotheslines.  He celebrates with some jumping jacks.  Test attacks with a body slam but his top rope double ax handle is met with a boot.  Tommy gets his first sequence of the match with a neck breaker and a Russian Leg Sweep.  Test gets back the advantage with a full nelson slam.  Test goes for the big boot but Stacy grabs his leg to prevent it.  Stacy surprisingly hangs Test's throat on the top rope. Test stumbles into a dreamer bomb for a near fall.  Keibler tells Dreamer that he should hit a flip off the top rope onto Test and he agrees with this plan, showing that neither one of them has ever watched a Tommy Dreamer match in their lives.  Test kicks the ref into the ropes and Tommy does damage to his testicles yet again.  Test goes for the cover and tries to put his feet on the ropes but Stacy knocks them off.  Test grabs Tommy's kendo stick and goes to blast Tommy with it but Stacy enters the ring and tries to disarm him.  Test goes to crack Stacy with the weapon but Tommy successfully disarms him.  Dreamer goes to hit Test but the big man moves and Tommy pulls up before he hits Stacy.  The momentary lapse in judgment allows Test to hit the big boot and get the win in 4:47. (*1/2)

Teri interviews Val Venis.  She asks about why Val had a camera last week.  He makes some comments about how they used to hook up back in the day and then explains that he has started his own adult movie company.  Venis Video Productions.  He is looking for hot chicks to be in his movies but since he will behind the camera he is also looking for the next Great American Super Stud.  He says Great American Super Stud several times. I did not know this was the specific name for this role.  He will be going all over America to find them so every one should be getting ready for the camera.  

Match #2

Val Venis vs Eric Young

Val and Eric trade arm bars to start.  Val bring him down and wrenches on the arm a bit more.  Val hits a shoulder block and a Russian leg sweep which is mixed in with a few knees to the midsection.  Eric Young gets in control with a DDT, back body drop, and back breaker.  The advantage is short lived as Val takes back over with a clothesline flurry, back body drop and finishes the Canadian with a Money Shot in 4:08. (*)

Match #3

The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and Devon) defend the World Tag Team Titles vs La Restiance (Rob Conway, Renee Dupree with Sylvain Grenier)

 

The Dudleys make quick tags to start and dominate Rene Dupree with strikes.  Loud "USA" chants from the crowd.  Eventually the heels corner Devon and get their own set of quick tags and strikes.  Devon breaks free with a spinning elbow and body slam.  All four men in the ring as Bubba squishes both heels in the corner and Las Resistance bails before we head to commercial break.

Back from commercial, Dupree and Bubba are the legal men as we return.  The non legal heels grab Bubba by the feet and crush his testicles on the ring post, not a great night to be an ex ECW wrestlers' testicles.  Dupree hits a back body drop on Bubba and this sets the heels up for several more quick tags and strikes followed by a Dupree neck vice.  Eventually Conway hooks in a sleeper but Bubba hits a belly to back suplex to spring free.  He makes the tag but the heels have distracted the referee so he doesn't let Devon in the ring.  Bubba immediately hits a desperation Bubba bomb and this time the ref sees the hot tag.  Devon comes in and hits a few slams and clotheslines on the heels.  Bubba blind tags back in and they go for the 3D but are unable to hit it, but settle for a reversed 3D but the count is broken up.  Sylvain gets on the apron and distracts the referee but the plan backfires as the Devon hits the Wazzzup head butt splash.  Bubba inquires to Devon if would locate the tables because they must have company coming over for dinner.  When Devon gets under the ring, Sylvain wipes him out.  In the ring Conway accidently hits Sylvain when he heads up on the apron.  Dupree take over Bubba in the ring but Devon has recovered and sneaks in for the 3D to pick up the victory in 6:47 (**1/4).

Will someone cash in on the bounty on Bill Goldberg?  Tune in tomorrow night. 

RuthlessCee Show Aggressive (WWE Velocity 8/2/03 Heat 8/3/03)

                                                         

Unfortunately I was unable to find this full show anywhere and if you have access please leave a comment as to where I find it.  I could only find the main event.  

The APA and Funaki vs The Basham Brothers with Shaniqua and Sean O'Haire.

Our announcers, Josh Matthews and Ernest "The Cat" Miller, are unsure who the Bashams partner will be and that their opponents called Shaniqua a man.  O'Haire is the mystery partner because he is freaky as well according to the Cat. 

Bradshaw and Danny Basham start out.  Bradshaw start off with a shoulder block, chops, and forearms.  Danny comes back with a swinging neck breaker but is quickly cut down with a big boot.  Funaki is tagged in for a camel clutch drop kick double team with Bradshaw.  Doug takes over with after Funaki gets distracted trying to get a high five. Eventually Funaki comes back with head scissors but Basham grabs the ropes to avoid a dropkick.  

Doug Basham and Faarooq enter the fray.  Shaniqua distracts Faarooq whom had Doug up for the dominator.  Doug capitalizes with a Russian leg sweep. O'Haire is tagged in and nails Faarooq with several quick knees to the face.  Faarooq gets triple teamed in the corner.  Bashams hit a double suplex, the ref misses the cover because he is being distracted by Bradshaw.  Tag team specialist at work.  Faarooq hits a huge spine buster.  Both men crawl to their corner and Funaki and O'Haire get the tags.  Funaki hits O'Haire with a dropkick and an enziguri.  O'Haire catches Funaki and military presses him until Funaki wiggles free and catches O'Haire with the scorpion death drop.  The benches clear and Bradshaw crushes a Basham with a Clothesline from Hell.  After O'Haire and Funaki are the only guys left in the ring, Funaki hits a bulldog and goes for the cover.  Shaniqua pulls him out off of O"Haire.  Using the distraction, O'Haire picks up Funaki and hits him with a Razor's Edge to pick up the win. 

 (** 3/4)    

Our announcers are once again Johnathan Coachman and Al Snow.

                                                                             Match #1

                                                            Rodney Mack vs Tommy Dreamer

      Rodney Mack heads to the ring without Theodore Long.  Mack grabs the mic and tells us that Long is missing because whitey got ahold of him and he needs medical attention because of it.  Mack will now beat up whities to honor Long.  

   

        They trade Irish whips into the corner. Dreamer hits a hip toss but when he goes to follow up, Mack dumps him out of the ring.  Mack pursues and sends Tommy into the stairs.  Once back into the ring, Mack hits a shoulder breaker and transitions into a arm bar.  Mack locks in a standing cobra clutch.  Tommy runs him into the turnbuckle to break it and uses the opportunity to hit Mack with a DDT.  Mack gets his foot on the rope to avoid a three count.  Tommy heads out and grabs a Kendo stick.  He heads to the top rope but eats a clothesline.  Mack relocks in the cobra clutch but this time in a prone position.  Tommy works towards the ropes but the ref doesn't see despite Tommy working towards the ropes and someone already using the ropes earlier in the match.  Mack wins by submission in 3:36 (*1/4)

                

    

          We are shown footage from the locker room from Monday on Raw, with Stevie Richards icing his midsection after being speared and beaten by Goldberg.  There is a young worker loading strips of shredded paper that is all over the floor.  Victoria runs in with a microphone and gives it to the worker and tells him to interview Stevie.  Stevie says that if fought Goldberg on Stevie Night Heat, that he would have won.  The young employee says that Stevie still would have beaten his ass.  Stevie does a Vince McMahon impersonation and fires the young guy.  Al Snow walks up and finishes the interview.  

Stevie says that on Stevie Night Heat he will battle his most insubordinate opponent, while Victoria throws all the paper in the air while trying to get Stevie's attention because it looks like snow. Stevie puts on a Goldust mask and pretends to be both competitors while Victoria pours the shredded paper on his head.  The shredded paper is not explained.  

                                                                                Match #2

                                                                Maven vs Aaron Stevens

The matchup begins with Maven tripping Stevens a few times and then locks in a headlock.  Stevens leaps over Maven in the corner into a backstabber.  Hard Irish Whip into the corner takes Maven down again.  Stevens holds onto the rope to avoid a Maven dropkick.  Stevens with a suplex and transitions into the Mike Rotunda Hall of Famer abdominal stretch. Maven hip tosses Stevens to get out and then a jawbreaker.  Flying elbow for 2, Maven goes to the top rope, Steven hits the ropes to crotch him.  Stevens goes for a superplex.  Maven throws off Stevens and then hits a crossover DDT for the victory in 3:52. (**)

Match #3

Lance Storm vs Spike Dudley

Lance tells the crowd that he is not boring.  Guess what, Lance is not boring.  Lance complains about the lack of response from Hollywood a few weeks ago.  Spike Dudley's music hits and out comes the runt of the Dudley litter yawning.  The bout starts out with some forearms being exchanged.  Lance gets the edge with a backbreaker and then stomps a Canadian mudhole in Spike or would it be Dudleyville mudhole.  Lance holds Spike vertical for about 30 seconds until dropping him with a suplex.  Spike gets his first sustained offense of the match from a hurricanrana, reverse atomic drop, and the corner stomps that appear as if Spike is running on Lance's chest.  Spike goes for the hurricanrana again but this time, Lance catches and tosses him like a 150 pound sack of laundry.  Spike goes for what appears to be a Russian leg sweep setup, but rolls forward with Lance's legs wrapped and rolls him up for the surprise win in just 2:33. (*1/2)

                                                                            Match #4

                                                    Stevie Richards with Victoria vs Goldust

The bout begin with some closed fists being exchanged until Stevie rakes the eyes.  Stevie starts kicking Goldust but he fires back with a butt bump, bulldog, and clothesline to the outside. He follows the owner of Stevie Night Heat to the outside, where Stevie runs the golden one into the ring apron twice to regain control.  Goldust gets thrown upside down into the turnbuckles.  Stevie copies Goldust's chest rub taunt.  He locks in a headlock and nails a neck breaker for a 2 count.  Goldust comes back with his own neck breaker to put both men down.  Stevie chases Goldust around the ring landing punches while Goldust appears to be "Turreting Up", it's like Hulking up if it made fun of a disability.  Goldust drops down and hits the slap and a reverse atomic drop, ura nage, for a two count.  Goldust starts hitting the 10 count mounted punches in the corner.  Stevie slips free before the 10 and Goldust lands an awkward diving punch which sends Stevie reeling into the opposite corner. Goldust sets up Shattered Dreams, but Victoria enters the ring and charges.  Goldust catches her with a drop toe hold which causes her to fall head first into Stevie's groin.  A staggered Richards wanders into Goldust's grasp and he hits the Curtain Call for the win in 4:46. (*3/4)

From Crossing the Line to Barely Legal:

 

Until the start of the Extreme Three Way Dance Podcast, I had never watched ECW other than a few clips here and there, but as an avid original fan of the PTBN and NoSo Network, I followed along on the journey.  I knew ECW had crazy moments and a rapid fan base but I didn't really know what I was getting into.  So here are my thoughts on three years of watching the promotion starting with The Night the Line was Crossed which I review here up until ECW's pay per view debut Barely Legal.

The Taz and Sabu feud, with Taz calling out Sabu for months without a response for months, didn't make any sense to me at first, but I loved Taz being a badass and killing dudes while Fonzie being the most devious insane heel manager ever was great.  Taz started out dressing like a savage and being under the tutelage of Kevin Sullivan.  His transformation into a fight camp bad ass has been such an amazing improvement.  Sabu says nothing and his matches are car crashes.  In a 2022 lens his work isn't that impressive but in mid 90s lens, this is shit crazy cool.  Sabu spent most of the time in random matches until his feud into partnership into maybe another feud with Rob Van Dam.  Since it's the 1990s, I will rate these two over three years with this Bill Clinton:

Shane Douglas continues his long battle against the Pitbulls after taking Francine away from them.  In the three years, I have been watching minus a quick failed WWF run, Shane Douglas has been so freaking evil.  At the beginning he was a Ric Flair wannabe who just made pot shots at Ric Flair, he came back evil, angry and amazing.  Every match you want him to be destroyed and he gets away.  The Pitbulls went from insane creatures managed by Jason to insane creatures managed by Francine to slightly less insane creatures with human names occasionally.  I miss Jason so much and his insane character so much.  He was so bad he was great.  I hope he comes back.  Both of these acts reach their peaks with Francine with them.  The Pittbulls now have "the masked man" who may reveal himself.  It's Rick Rude and nobody is pretending otherwise.

  

The tag team division has been a story of a dominant team ruling the division taking all comers from the Public Enemy, to DA Gangstas, to the Eliminators, the tag division has been fun but also victim of the champs being entertaining centerpieces who each have their own brand of the same match, over and over again.  The Eliminators have been my personal favorite, but each team made you clearly aware of who they were and what they were motivated by.  The current tag champs, The Dudleys are very confusing to me. The Dudley's transformed from a collection of misfits in Raven's Flock to feuding with estranged Brother D-Von to Buh buh reuniting and turning evil for no discernable reason.  I haven't been a fan of the new Buh Buh and D-von unit and they defend the titles against the former champs, The Eliminators at Barely Legal.

  

The World Title has been held in strangle hold by Raven other than his month stay in rehab has been in strangle hold by Raven.  Raven has burned and churned through flock members but Stevie Richards has been by his side since the beginning.  As Stevie gained popularity  and independence, Raven would make sure to put Stevie back into his place.  Stevie and his own cronies, the Blue Meanie and Nova would begin parodying other groups both musical and wrestling based, and when they parodied the nWo with the bWo, Stevie took off in popularity.  I honestly haven't figured out why this is so popular as I believe Stevie has been more entertaining his whole run than he is as the bWo. Raven also messed with Sandman, by taking his title, his ex-wife and his son.  His shoot 7 year old son, in an ECW ring, with a bloody Raven.  It's been a crazy ride that like most ECW feuds went a little longer.  Terry Funk is middle aged and crazy, fought to win the NWA title one last time, the grizzled old gun fighter heading in for final battle.  Raven thinks Funk needs to go away, because Funk reminds Raven of his father that molested him.  Funk doesn't care about the molestations and Raven needs to get over it. Raven's three rival meet in a 3 way dance to determine the #1 contender for Raven's title later in the night. 

The one thing that I heard over the years, when ECW was being discussed was how everyone had their strengths focused on their weaknesses hidden.  That is so accurate.  I can't think of a single character that I haven't enjoyed for a while.  From Jason to Malenko, to Ron Simmons, to the FBI, to Mikey Whipwreck.  I enjoyed every character.  Some would over stay their welcome because they were so one dimensional but that single dimension was a fun place to to be. I have loved the ride way more than I thought I'm pumped for the PPV and to see where ECW goes from here.  And if you ain't ready to ride with this bunch deeper into 1997, then you going to have to answer to 'ol Slick Willy himself. 

The Night the Line was Crossed

I am a big professional wrestling fan.  I have watched hours upon hours of wrestling mainly from the WWE.  Fans have always seemed over the moon over ECW.  I have never seen any of it other than little clips that the WWE would run during highlight packages.  I would see the ECW wrestlers either before or after their ECW run in WCW or WWF.  I have not been impressed with them for the most part.  I don't get it.  How did these guys get so big and capture the imagination of fans and become a legitimate national promotion form tiny building in the Northeast.  The website placetobenation.com has begun a podcast series going through the ECW product starting with 1994 and I wanted to join in and keep my thoughts here.

Sal Bellomo vs. Mr. Hughes w/ Jason

Sal Bellomo was a jobber in the 80s for WWF if I remember correctly.  Mr. Hughes was bodyguard in the WWF right before this.  Bellomo comes out dressed like a Roman Soldier with a sack of toys that he is throwing into the crowd.  I don't get it and Joey Styles gives zero explanation for this other than it makes Sal happy.  Good for you Sal.  The world needs more giving. Mr. Hughes is dressed exactly the same as I remember him, but sloppilier.  This a bunch of punches and kicks.  It's not good and the crowd is not into it.  What I really want to discuss about this match is the manager, Justin. That's his name Justin.  No last name. No nickname.  It's not even a cool name.  It's just Justin.



I mean look at this guy.  He has a flat top with a mullet.  A sports jacket with no shirt on underneath and sunglasses in a dark arena.  I hate and love him at the same time.  AND HIS NAME IS JASON! THAT'S IT!!

The match was boring but maybe it was because I was trying to figure out this Jason guy the entire time.  He tripped Bellomo during his comeback allowing Hughes to hit a sidewalk slam for the win.

The Sandman and Tommy Cairo vs The Rocking Rebel and The Pitbull in a double dog collar match.

Jason is back out with Rocking Rebel and The Pitbull in a different outfit. Which means I will rooting for them to win and also lose because I don't know what to do about Jason other than follow him.  The Sandman is the only guy I recognize and this becomes an issue for me because the combination of the chaos, the far camera shot, and me not knowing who is who leads to me be really lost on which team is winning this match.  They fight all over the arena.  They pummel each other and Jason has little involvement and my heart aches.  Eventually Sandman and Cairo win with a double pin on somebody and then the losers go on the attack afterwards.  It's chaos and I am lost.  I think I may need to just copy that last sentence to use elsewhere in this review.

The Bruise Brothers: Ron and Don Harris vs The Public Enemy: Rocco Rock and Johnny Grunge

My initial thoughts on this match were dread because I hated both of these teams during their future incarnations in WWF and WCW.  Plus no Jason.  So goes my first ECW match without Jason.  These guys also brawl around the arena the hit each other with everything they can get their hands on.  The Bruise Brothers beat the hell out of the Public Enemy the entire time.  I enjoyed the Public Enemy getting beaten because they have cost me many hours of bad matches.  After being pummeled the entire match Public Enemy hits a Harris Brother with a 2x4 and gets the pin.  If the goal of this match was to make the Harris' look lame for not being able to handle one tenth of what the Public Enemy could take that it achieved its goal.  I might have liked this a little more if it wasn't directly after the previous tag match which seemed exactly the same.

Tommy Dreamer vs Jimmy Snuka

Snuka is really old here and is lead to the ring by a manager whose name I didn't quite get but he had a lot of them so this dude is doing some rich guy gimmick.  When he first came out with the bad lighting I thought it was the Dr of Style Slick so it was quite a let down it was Generic Four Names.  Tommy Dreamer looks like a Great Value American Males Buff Bagwell.  Snuka stalls forever.  I mean almost ten minutes of yelling at a fan and then Dreamer going to the fan to get cheers, rinse, repeat.  Snuka demolishes Dreamer and then hit the Superfly Splash and Dreamer kicks out.  This pissess off Snuka so he hits two more before pinning him and then again after the bell.  He also beats up the referee and the commissioner.  Joey Styles is shocked but he shouldn't be because the guy is a murderer.  What's a little assault.    Dreamer is bleeding from the mouth and Generic Four Names did nothing.

Kevin Sullivan and the Tazmaniac vs The Original Sheik and Pat Tanaka

I know who all four of these guys are so I could follow our third chaotic brawl all over the arena tag team match.  However this was the worst one of the four.  Sheik is super old here and can barely move.  His brawling with Sullivan struggles as both guys kind of go through the motions.  Tanaka and Tazmaniac seem to be in submission holds when the camera pans back to them and then they randomly release the hold.  Eventually Sheik throws a fireball which lets Tanaka pin Tazmaniac and nobody seems to care or think that was dastardly.  Sullivan and Sheik keep fighting for a bit until they stop and just walk to the back.  This sucked.

Mike Awesome vs JT Smith

I remember Awesome in the dying days of WCW and short run during the invasion.  I have no idea who Smith.  This was a few minutes of an amazing squash.  Awesome is killing Smith with powerful looking moves and then Awesome dives over the top rope and crushes Smith against the protective barrier.  Awesome gets rolled up for a flash pin out of nowhere.  I was shocked.  Awesome gets upset and pastes the referee with two powerbombs.  This was fun and it was the first thing tonight, I would like to see more of the story as it goes on.

The graphic says this is Terry Funk defending the ECW title vs Sabu and Shane Douglas in a three way dance.  Paul Dangerously who is Sabu's manager runs out and attacks Douglas' manager Sherri Martel.  The match starts and I keep waiting on Funk to come out and join in but he doesn't.  Eventually Styles mentions that if this match doesn't have winner in fifteen minutes then Funk will join in and make it a three way. I have never seen something like that before.  Sabu tries to have a wrestling match and it is no good.  So Shane Douglas tries to go out on the floor and brawl with Sabu and it is also no good.

Fifteen minutes goes by and Funk joins the match.  Sabu botches and table spot and gets helped to the back.  So it's one on one for awhile.  It's a brawl through the crowd.  This has gotten repetitive.  It doesn't mean anything anymore.  Half of the card has gone through the crowd.  Eventually Sabu comes back and may be legitimately injured because everything looks difficult for him and he has been out of the match for twenty minutes.  Or it could just be that Sabu sucks.  Both are equally possible.

Funk goes up to the announce booth and calls out both Shane and Sabu to come fight him and calls them a litany of names.  Only problem is that they can't hear him.  It's not going through the arena only the TV audience.  Two guys called the Rotten Brothers come out and beat up Shane and Sabu.  The Rotten Brothers look like two Brian Nobbs from the Nasty Boys.  Sabu fights with them to the back and eventually returns.  All three guys are exhausted which is most understandable for Douglas the match meanders and is sloppy.  Terry Funk beats up the referee with ten minutes left for no reason.  In the final minute Douglas hits Sabu with a cross body which also catches Funk.  Then Funk tries to pin both of them back and forth but their is no referee because he beat him up for being alive or something.  The time limit thankfully expires.

This match was something.  It was chaotic and wild.  There were lots of parts that didn't make sense as they tried to give Funk and Sabu time for breaks.  Kudos to Douglas for going the whole hour.  However if you want to do a 1 hour time limit draw make sure it has three people who can go for an hour reasonably.  If this was condensed into an hour and more importantly had the undercard not stolen the thunder from the main event, this could have been something.

This whole show was not good. I will watch the TV leading up to the next supershow and see if it helps make sense of this.  I am lost and not entertained one show in.


google.com, pub-4556041276286460, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0

In Your House Final Four vs Super Brawl 7: A Build Breakdown

The Monday Night Wars between the WWF and WCW were the most watched era in professional wrestling history.  It has been romanticized by fans as being an amazing era.  Well….. It was not as great as one would remember.  I have been watching all of the Raws and Nitros in order and have been comparing the builds to each month’s pay per view card.  Often times there were tons of story lines and matches that were confusing, boring, and made no sense.  Before fans continue to clamor for a return to this style of professional wrestling maybe they should read these breakdowns for the Pay Per View builds.

On February 16th 1997, the WWF brought to customers a hour pay per view event called In Your House: Final Four. 

 This show was headlined by a four way match between Bret Hart, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Vader, and the Undertaker.  In January at the Royal Rumble, Bret Hart eliminated Steve Austin but the referees missed it because they were dealing with a brawl between Mankind and Terry Funk on the outside.  Austin returned to the ring and eliminated Undertaker, Vader, and Bret Hart.   WWF President Gorilla Monsoon said that although he can't overturn Austin's win but he will not allow Austin to main event WrestleMania.  So Monsoon put Austin, Vader, Undertaker, and Bret Hart into the Final Four Match to determine the number 1 contender for the WWF Title at WrestleMania 13.  Before Gorilla announced this match, Bret Hart opened up Raw by quitting the WWF because he was tired of getting screwed.  Austin repeatedly cut promos about how he was being screwed out of his title shot but he was going to kick the ass of everyone in the match any way.  Vader informed us that he was a Mastodon and there wasn't anything anyone could do to stop him.  Undertaker said that he was tired of taking a backseat and being distracted by other people to keep him from being champion.  Undertaker has not been champion since November 1992 and that was for less than a week.  The four men repeatedly got into brawls and interfered into each other's matches.  They was a lot of chaos leading into this match.  The RAW before the show was preempted by a dog show, so RAW was moved to Thursday and called Thursday RAW Thursday.  I have no idea why they repeated the Thursday.  On this show Shawn Michaels forfieted the WWF title rather than defend it against Sycho Sid claiming that he had a probably career ending knee injury.  He also didn't like who wrestling had changed him and that he had, "Lost his smile."  This entire time, Vince McMahon was in the ring interviewing him and seemingly trying to kiss Michaels and sob uncontrollably.  This changed the Final Four match from being a number one contender match to a match for the vacant WWF title and the winner would defend against Sid the following Monday on Raw.

The British Bulldog and Owen Hart defend the Tag Team Titles against Doug Furnas and Phillip Lafon

The Bulldog and Owen were doing a lot of bickering during their matches.  This stemmed from Owen accidentally on purpose eliminating the Bulldog during the Royal Rumble.  This also made Bulldog annoyed by cheating despite the fact that he had been cheating for a few years now.  Apparently when the Bulldog fell out of the ring at the rumble, he hit his head and it affected that part of his brain that handles determining the difference between right and wrong.  Now Bulldog really hates when Owen hits people with Slammy's and gets counted out on purpose while faking an injury to retain the titles.  These teams would meet in a variety of different ways with Bulldog getting upset with the cheating that Owen continued to do.  You don't marry an alcoholic and ask them to stop drinking and you don't tag up with the King of Hearts and ask him not to be smarmy and not cheat.  You knew what you were getting into when you entered this tag team Bulldog.  Accept Owen for who he is!!

Hunter Hearst Helmsley defends the Intercontinental Championship against Ahmed Johnson.  

On Thursday Raw Thursday, Hunter was defending the title against young blue chipper Rocky Maivia.  Goldust and Marlena appeared and distracted Hunter so he put in extra show boating before hitting the pedigree.  Rocky took advantage of this and rolled Helmsely up to become the new champion.  Rocky then gave a terrible, I love everybody and work hard promo.  

So now Rocky Maivia defends against Hunter Hearst Helmsley.  To recap in match between Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Rocky Maivia which featured interference from Goldust and Marlena, Ahmed Johnson lost his title shot and pay per view paycheck.  I would be really pissed if I was Ahmed.  He probably tried to raise these concerns with Vince McMahon but Vince couldn't understand him because Vince doesn't speak fat tongued gibberish.  

Also on this card that weren't announced and had no build.  

Marc Mero vs Leif Cassidy      

The Nation of Domination (Faarooq, Crush, and Savio Vega) vs Goldust, Flash Funk, and Bart Gunn

At a house show at Madison Square Garden, Savio Vega turned on Ahmed Johnson and joined the Nation, because he didn't like the way Ahmed was treating him during that match.  So instead of just letting it go and discussing it in the back with your partner or just never teaming with Ahmed again, Savio decides that the only way to handle this is so attack Ahmed, change all of his values and morals, and join a street gang.  Adds up.  I don't even want to get caught with Savio Vega in traffic.  Dude tends to over react.


On February 23rd, 1997 WCW presented Super Brawl 7.

Hollywood Hulk Hogan defends the WCW titles against Roddy Rowdy Piper

The WCW Championship committee has required that Hogan defend the title against Piper.  Piper however does not want the title shot.  He said two months ago that he just wanted one more match against Hogan, just to prove a point but it is time for him to go home and be a father.  Piper has his 8ish year old son with him.  Hogan and Bischoff come out to tease Piper for being a wimp and they even make fun of his son.  The kid looks legit scared.  Piper says that Hogan is the true icon and to just let him leave and go home.  Piper walks his son out of the ring and takes off his belt and beats the every loving snot out of Hogan with it.  Piper has been talked into accepting the title shot by Hogan's own arrogance and dickishness.  Hogan would spend the next month pretending that he beat Piper In December and that he would do it again.  Since Super Brawl 7 is in San Fran, Piper locks himself in a cell at Alcatraz a week ahead of the match.  Piper believes that no food, water, or real exercise will better prepare him for his match against Hogan because it might make him crazier.  I suggest that Piper intakes nutrients and trains and maybe just skips his meds on Sunday before the match.  But what do I know, I am not a trainer, doctor, or psychiatrist.  

The Outsiders defend the WCW tag team titles against Lex Luger and the Giant.

The night after Souled Out and the Giant getting screwed out of the WCW title.  Luger came out and said that he would stand beside him.  This earned them a shot against the Outsiders.  The next week, Luger randomly shows up with cast on his hand.  He broke his hand and Bischoff says that without a doctor to release him that he can't let Luger wrestle.  He needs the doctor's release by the end of the end of the show or his title match is gone.  Bischoff says this is because he is leaving the country and needs to time to promote and schedule the matches.  We will ignore all of the matches that are put on the card next week and even some that are added the day of.  Luger gets his doctor's release the next week but it is to late.  Bischoff comes out and and denies him the match, despite the fact that Bischoff was supposed to me out the country this week.  The Giant says that he will just go it alone and beat Hall and Nash on his own.  It's a handicap match for the titles.

A Four Corners Tag Match for #1 contenders to the WCW Tag Tiltes

The Steiner Brothers vs Harlem Heat vs The Faces of Fear vs Public Enemy

The Outsiders tried to kill the Steiners with their car   It gets interested at about the 2:00 mark and includes some nifty camera work.  Good Job WCW!!  The Outsiders give this video tape to Tony Schiavone to prove that they didn't cause the accident although the video is them causing the accident.  It isn't brought up again.  SCOTT HALL AND KEVIN NASH TRIED TO KILL TWO PEOPLE AND NOBODY SEEMS TO CARE!!!!!  So since the Steiners are injured the match becomes......

Harlem Heat vs The Faces of Fear vs Public Enemy in a Triangle March for No Reason Whatsoever.   So the only drama to come from the tag division at this time to hype this match involves two teams who aren't in the match nor will any of the teams in this match face in the future.  Bad Job WCW!!

Kevin Sullivan vs Chris Benoit

Their rivalry over who gets to have Sullivan's wife rages on.  I think it is at this point that Benoit and Woman transferred this angle from TV to reality.  They seemed much more touchy feely and natural with their goo goo eyes.   It is very creepy considering what would happen down the road.  Kevin Sullivan says that he doesn't care about Nancy AKA Woman anymore and Jacqueline comes through the crowd.  She is apparently a woman from Sullivan's past and doesn't like how Nancy has treated him and she is going to destroy Nancy for Sullivan.  Sullivan since he is evil agrees to this.  During their match at the PPV Jacqueline and Woman will be connected by a leather strap.  Sullivan beats jobbers the next few weeks and Jacqueline beats them up.  Benoit's portion of the feud other than banging his wife, is to cut nonsensical cryptic promos when standing with the other Horseman.  

Jeff Jarrett vs Steve McMichael

Speaking of the Horseman, this story line makes zero sense.  Ever since Jeff Jarrett joined WCW, he wanted to be a Horseman, Ric Flair wanted him to be a Horseman, but none of the other Horseman wanted him to be a Horseman.  I am assuming it is because they heard what a fraud his singing career was.  As the months, and I mean months went on, Jarrett continued to try to get into the Horseman while the Horseman bickered about it.  Eventually the person that wanted him in the most was Steve McMichael's wife Debra.  This even led to Mongo helping Jarrett beat Horseman member Chris Benoit.  Mongo decides that he doesn't want Jarrett in the Horseman despite what he had said and done otherwise.  He was tired of listening to his wife.  So this match was booked and if Jarrett wins he gets to join the Horsemen.  Mongo remains a Horseman either way.

Eddie Guerrero defends the United States Championship against Chris Jericho.  

Eddie had defeated Syxx at Souled Out in the ladder match to retain the title.  Jericho lost to Masahiro Chono at the same event.  Apparently losing a non title match earned Jericho a shot at the second biggest singles title in company.  WARNING  These are not the Eddie Guerrero and Christ Jericho who would be awesome about 1 year later.  These were boring "Yeah!! C'MON!!" generic create a wrestler versions.

Prince Iaukea defends the TV title against Rey Mysterio

This was originally going to be Lord Steven Regal who had the title for months.  He went to a time limit draw against Mysterio in a really good Nitro match.  This was supposed to be the rematch with the time limit waived.  Then the week before on Nitro, Regal is defending against jobber Prince Iaukea and Mysterio comes out to watch, Regal who had been destroying the Somoan, gets rolled up for the 1-2-3.  Now you scrap the match with build that people had seen is a very good match-up but this time you will get a winner instead of a time limit draw to replace it with a title defense of a jobber against Mysterio.  What a terrible decision.  

Dean Malenko defends the Cruiserweight title against Syxx

Malenko was wrestling and Syxx came out and stole the belt.  This is exactly what Syxx did to Eddie Guerrero the previous month so you have to give credit to Syxx.  He has apparently stuck with two things in his career stealing belts from guys so they defend it against him and drugs.  Always do drugs.  Malenko took the microphone a week later and asked Syxx to return the belt.  Malenko's dad trained Syxx and if Syxx wants a shot all he has to do is ask. Syxx comes out and says that he respects Dean's dad more than anything.... but he is dead and Dean sucks.  This was some harsh stuff which Dean responded to by not going after Syxx but staring at him stone faced.  That'll teach Syxx for stealing your championship and talking about your family.  Watcha gonna do, Syxx, when MalenkoMania stares blankly at you......

Added to the card the night of without anybody knowing ahead of time....

Konan, LaParka, Villano 4 vs Ciclope, Juventud Guerrera, Super Calo

-This was just for the heck of it.

Diamond Dallas Page vs Buff Bagwell

-The nWo had been gunning for Diamond Dallas because he was the only one to ever get one over on them.  The nWo would try to attack him but Page would always escape.  In my opinion, Page was the third most over face in the company at this point, behind Luger and Sting in the rafters.  I have no idea why WCW wouldn't announce the Page match ahead of time.  Page was being hinted at taking out current nWo member and former prison guard from Cobb County Georgia prison guard Big Bossman now known as Fat and Lazy.  I mean Big Bubba.  The entire nWo was walking into the arena and then boom, Bubba is laying on the ground unconcious.  Nobody knows who did it or how they did it.


So which event would spend your hard earned February 1997 dollars on.  This may be the hardest one to chose since the two companies began competing on Monday nights, but by a short margin I will select WCW because they made you want to see Piper get revenge on Hogan for embarrassing him in front of his kid and the main event of the WWF may only have the title one day because you were going to see the winner face Sid the next night for free anyhow.



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