Woo Hoo the first time I've ever been able to watch UFC live, thank you Setanta for actually having a hot contemporary product that more than four goofs in Middlesbrough actually enjoy. Actually Setanta aren't that bad I'm just glad its not the Setanta team covering the event.
Sean Sherk (37-3-1) vs. Frank Edgar (9-1) - Lightweight
Round One: Wow I didn't realize Sherk had had so many fights. Well my money is on Sherk literally, although I'm pretty worried about this one. Franky gets a hed kick as Sherk swings wildly. Sherk gets a jab to the gut, neither man can connect with anything big yet. Edgar's reach advantage is makign his tough. They briefly clinch, Edgar gets a leg kick, Sherk blocks a mid kick, Sherk snaps off a jab but Edgar returns fire with a straight right, Edgar then gts a lovely combo of two body shots and a straight right. Sherk misses a wild swing and Edgar hits another lightening combo. Edgar gets a leg kick and dodges. Edgar gets another nice flurry and bizzarely goes for a takedown btu Sherk stuffs it. Sherk hits a left hook. Sherk gets a leg kick but Edgar trips him and gets a guillotine, Sherk has it blocked but this doesn't look good for Sherk. Sherk manages to pwoer out. Frank catches a jab and dances away. Sherk is really struggling with this reach disadvantage. Frank gets a left hook and they then trade some big shots but neither man has enough power to rock the other.
My Scorecard: 10-9 to Frankie Edgar, he should better skill and control, Sherk kept pressing forward but Edgar dictated the action with a series of nice flurries. Great movement from Edgar Sherk has to close the gap.
Round Two: Edgar dances around and hits an uppercut, Sherk tires to snap off some jabs but Edgar dances around. Sherk lands a hook and an uppercut. Edgar gets a short left hook. Edgar gets a nice counter with a straight left hand and he follows it with a good body kick. Edgar again lights up Sherk with some counter punches. Edgar then knocks down Sherk with a knee to the body. Sherk recovers but continues to walk into counter punches. Sherk gets a couple of jabs but can't connect with the big hooks. Edgar gets a nice leg kick and follows it with a good jab combo. Sherk gets a body shot but is struggling to hit anything. Edgar throws another nice combo but Sherk responds with an uppercut but Edgar replies with a good combo. Edgar lands another uppercut jab combo, Edgar hits a lovely uppercut combo and Sherk explodes with some wild hooks but can't connect with anything. Edgar hits an accidental low blow. Edgar goes for a take down but its stuffed and Sherk blocks it and lands a right hand. Sherk hits an overhand right on the buzzer drawing blood from Edgars nose.
My Scorecard: 10-9 to Edgar again, Edgar's boxing skills are vastly superior he is floating in and out and hitting nice combos, he's been very ellusive and even got a knockdown in that round.
Round Three: Edgar continues to float around picking off Sherk, Sherk hits a left hook and then gets a big takedown on Edgar. Edgar makes it to his feet but eats a pair of jabs, Sherk is bleeding from his eye brow. Sherk swings wildly but gets picked off again. Edgar bobs and weaves, Sherk hits a left cross and blocks a takedown. Sherk can't get a takedowna and eats a kick to the body. They trade and Edgar gets another nice combination. Sherk gets a left hook, and then a straight left, Edgar responds with a nice combination. Edgar continues to pick of Sherk. Sherk goes for a takedown but Edgar counters with a guillotine but the time expires.
My Scorecard: Another 10-9 round for Edgar, making it 30-27 Edgar on my scorecard, Shawn got a takedown but Edgar still controlled the round and the fight with his movement.
Judges Decision: All three judges score the fight 30-27 Frank Edgar wins by Unamious Decision.
Solid opening fight, Edgar dance around and hits some loevely combinations and showed some great foot work. Edgar outclassed the one dimensional Sherk in every department. Solid action. (D)
Chael Sonnen (23-10-1) vs. Dan Miller (11-1-1) - Middleweight
Round One: For some reason the fans are booing the ref. Miller catches Sonnen early with some rights and a leg kick. Sonnen goes for a takedown but Miller catches him witha sweet guillotine, Sonnen's face goes bright red but after about thirty seconds he manages to escape and unloads with some big ground and pound. Great opening to the fight, for no apparent reason Sonnen sits down into Miller's high guard. Miller kicks him off but Sonnen explodes with some monsterous big ground and pound. Sonnen blocks a knee bar and gets side control and begins to drop elbows. Miller manages to recover to half guard, Chael hits a nice straight right rocking Miller who manages to squirm back into full guard. Sonnen stands up and hits some monsterous straight rights, Dan is taking the ground and pound but Miller is going to be fucked for the next round.
My Scorecard: 10-9 to Sonnen, Miller started really well with the arm in guillotine but the minute Sonnen escaped he was screwed as Sonnen showed off some impressive ground and pound skills. Miller will get his chance to stand up second round.
Round Two: Both men go for leg kicks and Miller stuffs a takedown, they throw hands before going to the clinch, Sonnen gets a huge takedown and Miller gets the guillotine, he has it locked without the arm but he is totally gassed from the first round and Sonnen powers out with ease. Sonnen tries to ground and pound but Miller is guarding well. The comentators discuss the UFC video game and having to use the tutorial while their kids were asleep. Miller is defending well but not doign anything more than that. Miller goes for an arm bar but he clearly doesn't have the energy and Sonnen hammers his way out. Sonnen lands a nice elbow, Sonnen throw one huge shot but Dan takes it and holds Sonnen in his guard.
My Scorecard: 10-9 Sonnen, Miller is completely gassed, he's had chances but can't take them, he's too tired. That was a pretty dull round as Miller has a good guard and made sure he kept it dull.
Round Three: Miller lands a series of big straight rights an lefts to start the match forcing Sonnen to go for the takedown and gets it with ease, damn. Sonnen gets through Miller's rubber guard easily. This is just too evenly matched, Miller can't get a submission, Sonnen can't get through the guard. Sonnen drops some elbows. The crowd are getting very restless as Sonnen dominates but can't really do anything. Sonnen tries to pass guard but isn't going anywhere.
My Scorecard: 30-27 total domination by Sonnen.
Judge's Decision: 30-27 Unanimous Decision for Chael Sonnen
Not an exciting fight in the least, classic example of a wrestler lying ontop of a gassed opponent, very dominate victory but you can't really see Sonnen going anywhere unless he can become more exciting. Started well though. (E)
Drew McFederies (7-5) vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam (20-10) - Middleweight
Round One: This is the best possible fight to follow up that snoozefest, Rogan describes this fight as Rock'em Sock'em Robots awesome. McFederies goes in swinging wildly and knocks the shit out of Pokam knocking him down, pounding the hell out of him, Pokam gets up and Drew knocks the shit out Pokam whoses falling all over the place, Pokam tries to grab a leg but the referee has no choice but to end it.
Drew McFedries wins by TKO in 0:37.
Well that was dissapointingly short but that was a totally welcome wake up call after the last match, it was pretty funny Proffesor X was hoping around and Drew caught him with some massive shots, fun and short, cool TKO. (D+)
Pre Lim: Soszyinski vs. Gusmount - Heavyweight
Round One: Gus catches his opponent low and they seperate, Gus hits a big leg kick and unloads before going for a high kick but Soszyinzki takes it. Soszyinski hits his opponet with a low blow. Gusmount dances around but gets tag with a combo. Gus gets a leg kick and a front kick. Gus tags his opponent with a left hook and an inside leg kick, Soszyinski rocks Gus and they stand and trade and Soszyinski gets the better of it and huge right cross puts Gus on his arse and the lights have definitely been turned out. On the replay it was the two big right hooks that killed Gusmount.
Christoph Soszinski wins by KO in 3:17.
Really good knock out, some brutal shots, I'm amazed that Gus managed to take the first hook but the second one finished it in devastating fashion. Fun pre lim match. (D+)
Matt Hughes (43-7) vs. Matt Serra (16-5) - Welterweight Weight
Pre Match Hype: Well I've already lost fifty pence on Shawn Sherk but now its time to back it all back I've got two pounds on Hughes, i know know what your thinking Woah big spender but its on. These two guys really hate each other, this fight has been building for over a year, its not as big a fight as it would have been back then, Serra constantly calls Matt Hughes a dick. This is the definition of a grudge match and it truly could be the last fight ever for a true MMA legend in the form of Matt Hughes.
Round One: God I'm suddenly all nervous, seriously I can see Serra knocking him out, I don't know why, it was just too much of a sure thing that Hughes was gonna win. Both men feel ech other out, Serra lands a big punch that rocks Hughes and Hughes is all over ht place and Serra beats the crap out of him. It turns out that Hughes was caught with a head butt, Hughes picks a leg and goes to the clinch to slow the match down and recovers. Hughes pins Serra against the cage and grinds away. Fuck I'm even more nervous now. Hughes lands a jab, Serra lands an insde leg kick. Hughes looks very groggy. Matt misses a big kick and goes to the clinch, but Matt gets a big belly to belly takedown and pounds away on Serra getting the back and goes for the rear naked choke but Serra is fighting out of it well. Serra escapes and both men make it to their feet. The crowd chant for Hughes. Hughes dodges a big kick and dodges a wild swing and goes for a takedown.
My Scorecard: 10-9 Hughes, fuck its really tough to call, Serra was more tough and got the big the knock down, but Hughes got the takedown and back control some I'm edging it to Hughes. It turned out to be a headbut and a rabbit punch that took Hughes down.
Round Two: Hughes got hurt bad as he doesn't know what happened to him. The crowd chant for "Serra" but that's met with lots of boos, Hughess dodges a huge left and catches a jeb. Hughes gets a jab and a belly to belly takedown. Hughes gets to half but Serra is defending well. Hughes is stuck as both men battle and Hughes lays in some big body shots. Hughes lays in some shots to the face. Hughes continues to ground and pound, its not overly exciting but I feel alot more confident. Serra looks cocky as Hughes pounds away. Hughes catches Serraw with some decent shots. Hughes hits Serra in the face who looks a little more nervous now. The crowd aren't happy and the referee stands them up. Serra misses some big shots as the round ends.
My Scorecard: 10-9 Hughes, Hughes took him downa and dominated the round, Serra has to come and look for a knock out. I know Hughes is looking for takedowns but I'm worried by the south paw stance.
Round Three: Hughes manages to back up Serra who swings with an uppercut but misses. Serra is looking for the big shot, Hughes gets a good right hand and Hughes relentlessly chases Serra and gets the takedown but lands in the armuplata. This could be bad news for Hughes. Hughes slugs and escapes to the full guard. Hughes drags Serra to the cage and Serra locks up Hughes again but he escapes. Serra goes for a triangle but Hughes escapes easily. Serra is holding on to try and stand up the fight and the referee oblidges. Serra is coming after Hughes. but Hughes catches him with a big right hand. Serra misses a big kicka dn Hughes gets the clinch but Serra gets the takedown OH SHIT. Serra nails Hughes with a big punch. Thank christ time expires. The two men hug at the buzzer. Hughes raises Serra's arm.
My Scorecard: 10-9 Serra I think, that was tough, I think that takedown at the end gave it to Serra, as he tried submission on the ground and showed better aggression very close. 29-28 Hughes in my opinion. But I would say that.
Judges Decision: 29-28 Unanimous decision to Matt Hughes.
Thank fucking christ that was so bloody scary, it looks like I had it scored correctly, that was so close the judges easily could have gone the other way. Not dominant at all from Hughes but then he did get knocked silly by a fluke headbutt and a illegal rabbit punch. The fight wasn't a classic but it was incredibly tense, very nervy and had lots of twists and turns, definitely drama over quality. I won my money whoop, whoop. On a serious note Hughes should retire he has nothing left to prove, he's equalled Liddell's record and there is no need to avenge the Silva fight as Hughes was past his peak. For christ sake he's had 51 fights! That is so many especially by modern MMA standards it's time to hang it up and go into the hall of fame. (C+)
UFC Light Heavyweight Title
Lyoto Machida (14-0) vs. Rashad Evans (18-0-1)
Round One: Rashad looks cool and calm like he's having fun in the intros and Lyoto looks very determined. My money is on this fight too but I'm not so nervous I got Machida by decision. Evans won't push the fight and you can see Machida isn't happy having to push the fight. This is incrediblee no one has thrown a punch in the first two minutes. Machida hits a gut kick and this is so cagey its beyond belief. Machida nails another kick to the guy after another minute. Machida tries leg sweep but Rashad hits a glancing hook. Rashad swings wildly, they go into the clinch and immediately break. Machida rocks Evan with a right taking Rashad down hard and unloads with a furious flurry but cannot finish and Evans fights back and recovers. Rashad blocks a pair of big kicks.
My Scorecard: 10-8 Machida, I'm going out on a lim with the 10-8 score, but Machida hit the only two kicks of the fight before knocking Rashad down and unloading like hell.
Round Two: The crowd chant "Ma-chi-da" as another sixty seconds passes without any strikes being thrown. Machida gets a gut kick and goes for a takedown but the cage saves Evans, lucky boy. Evans has taken the centre and will he show any aggression? No, Machida retakes the centre and Machida unloads with a lightening flurry but Rashad responds with a big flurry of his own. God exchange but not very heavy hands. Rashad finally shows some aggresiona and comes forward with a wild flurry. Evans gets a gut kick and he's finally starting to bring it but looks very nervous. Rashad comes swinging and Machida knocks him down with a huge counter punch, Rashad is all over the place falling over and over again but Machida can't finish, Rashad gets stuck against the cage and Machida punches the holy hell out of Rashad with a big kick and then a humongous flurry of straight right and lefts knock Rashad out cold. Rashad's legs buckle and he is flat out. The slow mo shows us that it was a straight right that rocked Evans originally, then it was a huge right hook that knocked Evans silly and a big straight right, left combo that finished it.
The winner by Knock Out and New Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida!
Well I got the right winner wrong finish, I should make some good money there. The fight itself had a very cagey first round, but Machida got the big knock down, the second round was the same until Machida picked his spot and that led to a very memorable insanely precise knocked out. Not the greatest fight overall but that shocking second round knockout will be replayed many many times. Machida is a scary proposition I have absolutely no idea who can beat him, maybe a Matt Hughes type who can take him down, pin him and sit out a rounds victory. The post match interview with Machida was very fun he seemed like a nice guy, Rashad Evans is very humble in defeat. Evans puts over Machida's cleverness and timing. Not sure where we go from here, Rampage-Machida would be the obvious fight, but its hard to see Rampage winning, unless he catches Machida with a big shot. Evans has several potential opponents but its tricky because he's too good to drop down the ladder but I don't think there is much money in a rematch. Maybe Evan's fights the winner of Silva-Franklin. Regardless a cagey start leading to an explosive finale. (B-)
Overall Thoughts: Not the greatest card you'll ever see but you definitely got three cool knockouts and exciting fights, one grueling nerve racking grudge match between a legend and a pesky fighter. There were certianly some duds on the card but this is a show were if you ordered you got your money's worth but nothing more, just like WWE Judgement Day. I'm glad this airs for free int he UK. The newsworthiness of the two main events bumps up the rating slightly. (7/10)
So now that my new feature is fully underway I'm going as promised to the top 5 as aposed to top 10 that was just a one of for HBK. Anyway this is not rated on purely match quality, it will take into account importance, infulence and situational factors. So before we get down to business here are a few Honourable Mentions: Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe 30 Minute Iron Man Match, Kurt Angle vs. Eddie Guerrero (Wrestlemania XX), Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar Iron Man Match and Kurt Angle vs. Yuji Nagata (NJPW 2008)
5. Kurt Angle vs. The Undertaker
(WWE World Title - No Way Out 2006)
I remember when this match started I was thinking damn there taking this at a leisurely Undertaker pace, and while the match was methodical it built and built and built with tremendous drama. This was a match of amazing counters, Angle countered a Last Ride into an Ankle lock, A tombstone into a ankle lock and even a big boot on the ring apron into an Ankle lock in a remarkable moment. Taker also brought his A game countering ankle locks, and Angle slams into Triangle chokes. One of my favorite sequences was where Angle countered a tombstone into one of his own, Taker kicked his legs and countered back and Angle then countered that into an Ankle Lock, taking the crowd by suprise. This match had some brilliant story teling moments thrown in too, Angle Olympic Slammed Taker through a table with the count reaching nine Angle refused to take the count out victory and stopped the referees count. However ultimately this was a match of counters and the match was ended with a fantastic counter, if you haven't seen the match look at the picture above, Angle was stuck in the Triangle choke he was struggling and fading Angle gave it one last gasp effort and flipped into an awesome pin that was reminiscant of Bret Hart's famous million dollar dream counter on Steve Austin. The finish was doubly clever as the announcers played up that neither man had ever tapped out in a wrestling match and this finish was a incredibly logical satisfying way to end with both men refusing to submit. Methodical but epic match up. (****)
4. Kurt Angle vs. Steve Austin
(WWE World Title - Summerslam 2001)
Now some may be wondering if I had to pick one Austin-Angle match why it was this one, why not Backlash, after all that had the clean finish and the big happy ending. However while this match may have had the screwiest of screwy finished it was also one of the most dramatic matches I've ever seen live. The Unforgiven match was great but it was built on the back of this match, you knew what you were going to get, but nothing can match the drama of the first time around. This match was brutal and bloody, Austin beat Angle from pillar to post, especially post, Angle must have gone head first into the ring post about ten times. Angle did a monster blade job and the story of the match was superb with Austin kicking the holy hell out of Angle but without being able to put him away. Angle kicked out of stunner after stunner and hit Austin with seven german suplexes in response. My favorite moment was very early on with Austin stunning Angle getting a two count and then immediately hitting another stunner which Angle sold like a leaping salmon crashing out of the ring to frustrate Austin, it still remains my favorite sell of a stunner.
Frustration was the key word with this match, Austin was frustrated that no matter what trick he pulled out he couldn't win, and we the fans were equally frustrated taken on an emotional roller coaster as Austin killed a series of referees stopping Angle getting the victory he deserved. The finish with evil Nick Patrick running in and DQing Austin rather than counting the three was one of those finishes that had you punching the table in frustration. Luckily in the good way because everyone was begging to see Angle win the title and next month we got our wish. If there are any positives to come from the horrible invasion its the Jericho-Rock feud and the Austin-Angle Feud. (****1/4)
3. Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit
(WWE World Title - Royal Rumble 2003)
Bizzarely I couldn't actually find a picture of this match at all and I couldn't be arsed to do a screen shot anyway that's besides the point. I think most people would argue that this is Kurt Angle's most fondly remembered match, or erh...it used to be. While many consider it's Kurt's best ever match, I can't agree, the opening of the match was extremely methodical for no apparent reason as it really didn't play into the second half of the match at all. However this is a minor quibble that holds this match back from being Kurt's best ever but cannot stop this match being one of his greatest. After the aforementioned slow start these two really kicked into overdrive and the final two thirds of this match were simply off the hook, the crowd were going absolutely barmy for each and every counter and reversal. This was one of those matches that by the time it reached the final few minutes you were just wishing it didn't have to end. When Benoit tapped the how crowd erupted they didn't care that the heel had just one because they had seen one of the great matches. Had Benoit not died this match would be the cherry on top of one of wrestling's great rivalries. (****1/4)
2. Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe
(TNA World Title - Lockdown 2008)
This was a very brave match, two of the best wrestlers in the world who could have easily wrestled a straight wrestling match and flown on autopilot to a four star plus classic but they weren't going to settle for that, they were going to do something, go in a different dirrection, push the envelope. Joe and Angle attempt a MMA style wrestling match, it was risky it could have looked hooky and lame but it didn't it was absolutely brilliant. The mat wrestling was brutal and realistic, even the punches had purpose, everything seemed to fit together perfectly. What made this match so great was it's very toned down nature, by being so intense and realistic when they did pull out a wrestling spot like a big power bomb or muscle buster from Joe it seem amazing and had so much more impact than it ever could in the context of a regular match. Frank Trigg was superb on commentary giving an MMA perspective and helping to explain to the fans why each wrestler was doing what he was doing. I loved the subtle touches, leg kicks are realistic, look good and are easy to incorperate into wrestling matches, everyone should do them, seriously!
Furthermore not only was this a fanstic match up but it marked the end of a journey for Samoa Joe who went from busting his arse in ROH putting on a series of MOTY candidates before rolling through TNA and getting tripped up along the way by Jeff Jarrett to finally getting his title win against one of the all time greats. The culmination of this journey and the mano a mano, no interference, no bullshit nature of the match made it so great, it's just sad to see how Joe has fallen. But as far as this match is concerned as Kurt Angle would say "It's Real! It's damn Real"!!! Well or as real as Pro Wrestling will ever get. (****1/2)
1. Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit vs. Edge & Rey Mysterio
(Smackdown Tag Title Tournement Final - No Mercy 2002)
This match was the culmination of the Smackdown Tag Team Title tournement and marks the high point of the tag team wrestling the WWE. Within a year the belts would be pretty much buried and forgoten but for a brief while the tag division was the hottest division in all of wrestling. This match was also the high point of the Paul Heyman era of booking Smackdown, this was four of the infamous Smackdown Six coming together to tear the house down. You can't believe how hot of a show Smackdown was back in 2002, it's having a resurgence now but it will likely never touch these heady heights again.
The match itself was incredibly athletic and innovative, before ROH and the X division had had a chance to change the shape of wrestling, this was the original pinnacle. Four guys pulling out all the spots, crazy double team moves and flashiness from Rey and Edge against the brutal intense and crisp offence of Benoit and Angle. This match was given over twenty minutes and it blew everyones expectations with pretty much non stop action from begining to end. While Kurt was only one of four in the match he still managed to shine executing everything he did to absolute perfection and there's no doubt that while Edge and Rey more than played their part Benoit and Angle carried the match. It's hard to talking about Benoit in glowing terms but this was one of the all time great moments when the two long term enemies and two of the best wrestlers of all time were forced to work together and tore the house down. Classic, innovative and in some ways ahead of its time. (****3/4)
So there we have it! Shawn Michaels and Kurt Angle down practically everyone else in history still to go! I have to say I think I made relatively contentious choices for the number one spot for both men but that's the way I like it.
Anyway if anyone wants to suggest who gets my next top five career review go ahead, suggestions welcome, EVEN TEST!!!
YES!!! YES!!! YES!!!
YES!!!
OH YES!!!
YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!!!
YOUR MIGHT AS WELL CALL ME VINCE RUSSO,
BECAUSE ITS A SWERVE BABY!!!
It's not technically a lie.
Geez after doing my top ten Shawn Michaels matches it's a real reality check to go back to reviewing iMPACT! I'll try to put the contrast out of my mind and review this fairly.
Triple H may be the King Of Kings but Jeff Jarrett is the God of God (according to Jeff Jarrett): Jeff opens the show, he's obviously recovered from having the shit beaten out of him by Mick Foley and is managing to stand despite having his "hamstring torn off the bone". Anyway Jeff is pretty good in this role, for the two people that didn't see it coming Jeff Jarrett is the forth man in the fatal four way. "I ignited this fire, and I'm gonna put it out".
Foley of course interupts. Foley admits Jeff is wrong for saying he faked a hamstring injury but apparently Mick heard it tearing right off the bone, geez. Foley says he hates Jeff, his old man and he said he made Jeff scream like a woman. "What are you going to sacrifice at sacrifice?". Mick wants him to sacrifice his voting share in TNA. "Deal or no Deal?"....."You man enough to put up those shares?", Jeff then says on Sunday he's "all in".
Foley says "let's hear it for Jeff for suddenly, magically growing a set. Foley then books four matches to makes sure their all ready for sunday. Eric Young vs. Sting, Matt Morgan vs. Kurt Angle, Joe vs. Jarrett and Foley vs. a World Champ who wants a peice of Foley.
Fine opening segment, this stuff with Jeff being forced against his will to wrestle in high profile matches is really grating. This is the best Foley interview thus far in TNA.
Angle is mad, Daniels is determined: Kurt is angry at Sting again, I'm not sure why, Daniels is determined to win the X title and suicide assures us that he is in fact Suicide.
Daniels & Suicide deafeat Leathal Consequences & The Motor City Machine Guns: The highlight of the match is Don West on commentary with his absolute insistance that Daniels is Suicide and that he's swerved us into giving him a title shot. Don even does a good job explaining why Angle is mad at Sting. The Machine GUnes go some nice slingshot and top rope double team offence. The Guns hit a lovely back breaker knee drop combo and a Back breaker Enzenguri combo. Suicide of course gets the hot tag in this match up, Sabin hits a lovely top rope diving swinging DDT on Lethal in one of the highlights of the match. This is one of those typical TNA matches were the action breaks down to non stop spots and athleticism. Daniels hits a nice arabian moonsault, Suicide wins the match with his version of the long borrower. Good athleticism but totally inconsiquencial action, a fun five minutes. (**)
Half the PPV hasn't been hyped: Tenay and west run down the card and I can't help but notice that two matches that you'd think would be considered major match ups Joe vs. Nash and Booker vs. AJ have recieved little to no hype. They then show Booker T and Nash training together for their "big match ups", wow, is that it seriously? They have to be two of the worst hyped matches in history. Not to mention the X division title match which they just threw out on TV tonight.
Team 3D cut the shame promo again: Yes Bubba says that Tag wrestling is great, TNA has the best tag division, they want to leave behind a great legacy of tag team wrestling, they owe their lives to tag team wrestling. You get the picture? Yeah its well delivered but we've been getting this stuff for weeks. Ray turns his attention to the British Invasion, he acuse them of having no class and dignity, saying that Beer Money at least have some class and dignity.
The British Invasion then make their way to ringside. Oblivion is confused, "You might wonder why we have the bollocks, to come out here and face you", Rob Terry is there insurance policy. 3D have heard enough and a brawl erupts, Rob Terry clobbers both of TNA with a briefcase. They hit Ray with the flying European uppercut spinebuster combo. "Now that is how you make a name for yourself, RULE BRITANIA"...yes he actually said that. Beer Money run in and make the save.
I enjoyed this segment they really have done a good job of building towards the tag tournement. Okay of course I'm going to cheer for the home team but I really like the British invasion, Rob Terry can fuck off, but Oblivion and Doug are a really fun team. Bring in Nigel McGuiness and you have money.
Eric Young whines: Jeff and Eric are arguing, Eric thinks everything is unfair, Jeff tells him to get some balls, is that the theme of the show. Looks like they are foreshadowing a heel turn.
Kurt Angle loves impact: Sting is angry with Kurt and asks him if he even watches the show, Kurt says "Yeah, sometimes even twice". Sting then explains to Kurt that he was screwed by Foley the same way Kurt was screwed by Jeff. They agree to team up to return the world title to the Main Event title. Kurt then wants to have a play fight....Well I hate to say it but I'm really enjoying the show so far, I love Kurt's comedy, and its better when his ludicrious egotism is mixed in with serious storylines rather than playing it purely for comedy.
Sting Defeats Eric Young with Relative ease: The match starts out respectful until Young slaps Sting, both men miss Stinger splashes and Young gets his flip spot in but he spends most of the match bumping around and selling for Sting. Most of the match is absorb by near count outs with Young lying on the outside. Sting counters a torpedo dropkick into the Scorpion Death Lock and Young has no choice but to tap.
They gave Young a respectable amount of offence but Sting never had to break a sweat. Glad they kept Sting strong but I feel they should make Sting's appearences more special. (3/4*)
Knockouts Contract Signing: Jim Cornette brings out Kong and Love and tells them this is not a match he wants some decrum. Angelina Love signs the contract first, Saeed then signs the contract on Kong's behalf. "I would actually like to say something Mr. Cornette"...Angelina is doing her annoying apology voice and she is truly sorry. Love says at Sacrifice they should go out there and tear the house down. 
AJ Reminds us he's still on the show: Lauren ask AJ about his "I quit" match, AJ says he's never quit in his life, he talks about his wife trying to convince him to quit but he refused even though he was earning diddly squat. AJ says either him or Booker will have to say it and "it will not be me", AJ doesn't care about Joe. I'm thinking his promos have gone backwards now he's got angry.
Matt Morgan is a twat: Seriously I hate this man, even though he's not that bad of a wrestler, not that bad of a talker, I just can't stand him everything about this man is so fucking annoying, and its not in the good way, not like the Miz I don't want to pay to see this guy get beaten up I want to pay him to go away, and stay away. Anyway he says he stil wants to be in the Mafia.
Kurt Angle defeats Matt Morgan: Morgan uses his power early in the match to get hims advantage, Morgan swings Kurt into the steel guard rail in a nice spot. Morgan slaps on a chinlock to absorb a minute or so. Kurt makes the come back with the rolling german suplexes. Morgan counters the Angle Slam with the carbon foot print for a near fall. Angle reverse the Hellevator into the Ankle lock but Morgan kicks him off. Morgan hits fallaway slam and goes for the hellatavor but its countered with a small package for the 1-2-3 in about five minutes.
Relatively good TV match nothing to really right home about, Kurt was good, but the best way to describe Matt Morgan is that he thinks he's Brock Lesnar when in all actuality he's test. (*1/4)
Lauren sucks Jeff's dick...erh...metaphorically: Oh Jeffery your hamstring is hanging by a thread, how can you even walk, doctors say you shouldn't wrestle, how can you face Joe let alone Foley, oh Jeffery you're so brave....gag pass the sick bag.
Z-List Ho can speak: Jenna Marsca is really happy to be apart of the Main Event Mafia but wants Sharmell to apologise. Huh that's funny, see I want her to not be in the main event mafia and I'd like Sharmell to push her off a cliff....different strokes for different jokes I guess.
Joe is deader than Zed, and Zed's dead baby: Yes his pop has been reduced to a murmur, you know when Jeff Jarrett is a hotter character than you your fucked. Anyway this is a match, Joe throws Jeff into the crowd and beats him up. Don West makes fun of Jeff's hamstring injury and this is undoubtably the highlight of the match. Joe kicks Jeff in the leg consistantly at ringside. Slick Johnson tries to stop Joe destroying Jeff's ankle and the match is thrown out. AJ and Joe brawl on the outside.
Geez its so depressing each an every time you see Joe these days, christ, I say this every week but it was only a year ago that Joe was the hottest Act in TNA. God two years ago this could have been a PPV main event, a good one at that. (1/4*)
Foley vs. ???: Today is a great night for fans allover the world. Foley will do battle with a house hold name, known throughout the world, from the city of brotherly love, the former heavyweight champion of the world...ROCKY BALBOA!!!! Don West sells it like it's real "who'd ever forget the batter with Clubber Lang or the Russian". Mickie and security carry a carboard cut out to the ring.
Foley sells two jabs from the Carboard cut out before giving Rocky a suplex and then a piledriver. Foley then botches the people's elbow and gets the 1-2-3! FIVE STARS!!!! Foley then does a Rocky impersonation, he thanks Rocky for fighting him, he thanks the fans, "with the execption of my kids being born this is the greatest day of my life....Yo Collette I did it".
Jeff's hamstring as magically reattached and he storms to the ring. "You've made a mockery of the promotion I started seven years ago", yeah because Mick Foley made TNA a mockery. Jeff attacks Foley, Kurt gives Jeff an angle slam and an ankle lock. Sting comes out and tries to make peace but Foley hits Sting wth a chair. Jeff gives Kurt the stroke and Foley gives Jeff a chair shot.
Overall Thoughts: Ugh...for fourty minutes I was really enjoying this show, the tag stuff, the knockout stuff, the angle comedy and the Foley opening were all gone, but this show as always tried to do too much, and just got dragged down and down, until a limp conclusion. Not a hate able show but a frustrating, lots of promise, but alot of the same old flaws. Fine addition. (6/10)
I'm starting a new series that's gonne be alot of fun for me to do, I'm going to take some of my favorite wrestlers of all time, and do their top five matches. Now I know what your thinking, top 5? but it says top ten in the title, well you'd be right, but this is the debut edition and it's Shawn fucking Michaels there are just too many great matches to cut and a top 8 would just be lame. So in the coming weeks I'll be taking a different wrestler and doing my own count downs, this will be a synopsis of the match rather than a full match review, although if there's a great match that I've never seen that I'm watching specifically for this list then I might row it in.
Before I start I should point out that this will be rated on a comibination of my own personal favorites (of course), match quality, importance and relevance. So if you thinking why is five star match at the top then that's ther reason why, there are some braoder considerations.
10. Shawn Micheals vs. Triple H
Unsactioned - Summer Slam 2001
This match while certianly not in HBK's top ten matches in terms of match quality was a very special moment and a personal favorite of mine. It was the moment when the greatest wrestler of the nineties made his return to the ring four and a half years on from his career ending back injury. Just like everyone else I wasn't 100% sure what to expect, even though he was one of my child hood heroes I doubted that Shawn Michaels could be the HBK I remembered, the wrestler who had the best match on every single show he was on. Thankfully HBK brought everything, including the kitchen sink, HBK and Triple H embarked on a brutal brawl with blood, chairs, tables, ladders, fire extinguishers and some really good wrestling and best of all Triple H laid down and let HBK pin him clean (albeit with a jacknife pin). The only real criticism was that HBK did an uncharacteristically pussy bladejob but that's a real minor quibble. On the subject of minor quibbles, I know it was an unsanctioned match but I wish HBK had worn his ring attire not street clothes.
This match was just one long truly great moment for a fan, where everyone at home was willing HBK on and he delivered in a big way. Struting around the ring and hitting a plancha and skinning the cat within a the first minute we knew the show stopper was back. Had this been a one time deal then it would have been a fitting send off to HBK showing the world that he still had it. Psychology wise it was wrestled at Triple H's pace with a methodical and brutal beatdown on Triple H building to the kip up that we'd been waiting over four years to see, before building into a hardcore back and forth war. This match proves if your great you never lose it. (****)
Shawn Michaels vs. John Cena
Monday Night Raw - April 2007
After a very good but ultimately dissapointing wrestlemania Main event HBK repayed all those who felt a little let down by their Mania match with a awesome fifty minute plus tv main event on Monday Night RAW in london England. This was an absolute shock, I remember at the time thinking why on earth is the match starting in the first hour and presuming a screw job was on the way but instead they took us by suprise with a grueling back and forth match. With so many well played moments, dramatic near falls, submission counters, near count out and flat moments. This was an example of how great HBK and to his credit John Cena are at the WWE Main Event style. With brilliant consistant selling and great facial expression they told the story of a gruelling war between to stars who were so evenly balanced. They had the crowd in the palm of their hands going absolutely mental and the finish with HBK front fliping onto his feet to counter the FU nailing the superkick and collapsing exhausted ontop of Cena for the 1-2-3. This wasn't even a Title Match! It was just a great match, I still don't know why this was on free tv, but it was a great gift regardless. God I can't even imagine how good this was live considering how much fun I had seeing Cena-Jericho, lucky bastards. The star rating is a bit of a guess as I only saw it once, it one a couple of Match of the Year awards and in my head I had it at...(****1/4)
8. Shawn Michaels vs. Mankind
Mind Games - 1997
This is, was and always will be Mick Foley's best match. I can totally understand someone arguing that the Royal Rumble Street Fight was better but it wasn't. This match was taking a cleverly worked story, encorperating into a match perfectly and taking the crowd on a ride. The story of this match was that Mandkind was a sick psychopath who had gotten inside the head of pretty boy Shawn, Mankind loved to feel pain and wanted to mess up HBK. To overcome this whiter than whiter Shawn Michaels turned into an arse kicking bad arse, he kicked the shit out of the mental Mankind taking him on a brutal brawl, destroying Mankind's knee leading to a brilliant spot where Mankind hit his own leg with a spike to try and numb the pain. This match had the works great wrestling, high flying, brutal brawling and huge drama. The match reached a peak when HBK was back suplexed off the top rope through the old school announce table. The one major plight on this match up is that after twenty minutes of brilliant action Sid and Vader run in and the match is thrown out, you have no idea how frustrating it was at the time. Essentially that's what holds this match back that you didn't get the dramatic finale to a superb match up. (****1/4)
7. Shawn Micheals vs. Kurt Angle
- Wrestlemania XXI
While I'd have to go back and watch the best of three series to see which match was individual the best but make no mistake this is the match that will be remembered forever. At the time this seemed like the symbolic coming together and passing of the Torch from the best wrestler of one generation to the next, literally back to back. Obviously at the time we didn't know HBK was going to stay on retake his torch and be the best wrestler of two straight generations. The match itself start methodically with the submision based stuff reminiscant of HBK-Hart Iron Man Match but then it really kicked off in the second half. With HBK bringing the Asai Moonsault and a brilliant counter sequence, finisher finale, the ultimate drama of the match came down to whether HBK would or wouldn't tap. The entire crowd was willing HBK to counter the ankle lock and make the ropes each time and there was that feeling of disbelief (the good type) when he finally tapped. This match delivered, it could never exceed expectations but it met them and left us wanting more which is about as much as anyone could ask for. On a side note, remember how fresh these cross brand matches used to feel? Yeah this is why you keep the fucking brands seperate!!! (****1/4)
6. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho
World Heavyweight Title Ladder Match
- No Mercy 2008
This was the brilliant culmination of the Feud of the Year for 2008 and very possibly the greatest fued of the decade. This match proved why Shawn Michaels is the best in the business. Go back and watch this match, watch how brilliant the timing is, how perfect the selling is a witness how there are absolutely no contrived moments. Yes no contrived moments in a ladder match, just when you though ah lame he's just gonna stand around and wait for a spot the switched it up and HBK suddenly did the opposite of what you we're expecting. This match was incredibly creative and did a great job of creating drama and building towards one of the most unique finishes in ladder match history. This is my second favorite ladder match of all time, and all of the top three either include HBK or Jericho. This was brutal, intense and dramatic everything ladder matches haven't been in recent years. Flair-Michaels was the match of the year, but this was the best wrestled match of the year and deservingly won the Observer Match of the Year and in any other year would have claimed the spot. The most believable ladder match ever. (****1/2)
5. Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon
Intercontinental Title Ladder Match
- Wrestleman X
Notice I said that Jericho-HBK was my second favorite ladder match? Well here is my favorite, not literally the original but effectively the original as we know it. This match was superb in almost everyway, it was so well paced, it was just non stop, but was never a spot fest. Both guys worked their arse off and Shawn bumped allover the place. The secret to this match is that Shawn didn't take life threatening bumps he took big bumps and made them look amazing and inconic. That is ultimately how this match is best summed up, Iconic, almost every wrestling fan worth his spots can recount the famous images of the match, and that big splash, which isn't so big by modern standards still looks as good today as it did back then. This is an example of a perfect match that holds up just as well today, running so smoothly from start to finish, it never lulls, no wonder the ladder match caught on. This was the perfect gimmick match, a great build, a logical reason for the match and of course two brilliant workers who could pull it off. Shawn has a knack for great finishes, the Jericho finish was brilliant, this was even better, Shawn getting hung by his foot in the ropes when he fell of the ladder, manages to struggle out just in time only to end up with his arm tangled in the top rope. Sublime, the first time HBK stop the show, it wouldn't be the last. (*****)
4. Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker
WWE World Title Hell In A Cell Match
- Bad Blood 1997
As a kid this was my favorite match, and as an adult it remained my favorite match for a very long time. This was everything that the Foley-Taker Hell In the Cell was not, it was fast paced, back and forth crisp action. With both men bringing their A game and HBK bouncing around all over the place to make the Undertaker look like a legitmate undead monster. HBK selling and timing were impeccable, but the highlight of the match was not the insane bumping, the big power moves or even the back body drop ontop of the cell oh no no no. The highlight of this match was Taker catapulting HBK into the Steel Cell and HBK doing a mid air blade job, a brutal blade job at that. This match had so many great story telling moments, when HBK hit the Sweet Chin Music at about ten minutes with the crowd in disbelief Undertaker suddenly sat up and that's when you knew it was on. Some people felt the finish detracted from the match but I totally disappear the debut or re-debut of Kane was a great moment to end the match with the epic show down between the brothers going face to face for the first time. It ended with a brilliant visual of HBK crawling out of a pool of his own blood to lay one arm across Taker's chest for the win. Great stuff, fuck Foley, if you've got a HITC match coming back this is the tape you study. (****3/4)
3. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H vs. Chris Benoit
World Heavyweight Title - Wrestlemania XX
Another match that I haven't seen in a while but on repeat viewings this holds up as the best Wrestlemania Main Event in history. While at the time many were angry that HBK had been shoehorned into the match up to and felt he was encroaching on Benoit's moment. All those feelings subsided as HBK clearly enhanced the match and we get a face off between two of the all time greatest in ring performers. The match was dramatic and had it all, amazing near falls, brutal blade jobs from HBK and Triple H. The drama was just off the scales for this match up with Triple H holding HBK's arm to stop him from tapping. Normally triple threat matches are dissapointment as they are overly crowded, struggle to tell a story and normally involve one man hanging around outside the ring for no apparent reason. This match avoid all these pitfalls and each wrestler deliver nonstop with HBK and Benoit both putting in MVP performances and Triple H more than carrying his weight. At the time it felt like a victory for true wrestling fans around the world, that two of the best workers (Eddie and Chris) who had been held back by the bullshit of WCW and the weight of Triple H finally triumphed and had there moment in the sun together. Unfortuantely there is one big asterix next to this match that of course being Chris Benoit's death, it makes the match hard for me to go back and watch, a ruined a legacy in an instant. It's hard to know what to say had he not killed his family I'd be talking about the magical once in a life time moment with Eddie and Benoit crying an celebrating together on the biggest stage of them all. Regardless unbelievable match. (*****)
2. Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair
Career Threatening Match - Wrestlemania XIV
It's interesting that Benoit's match came out one place behind this match as that match at the time had one of those perfect moments that we thought would last forever, and this match absolute did too. This moment however will last forever because while Ric may tragically die, possible even in a wrestling ring I can't see him killing anyone or doing anything horrible. While comingout of retirement will dent it slightly, it has been over a year and nothing can touch this moment for being so perfect. This as I've said many times was one of the great stories of all the two greatest wrestlers in the history of Western Wrestling coming together. This was all about emotion, one of those rare moments of class in wrestling that was just untouchable. The match in terms of quality surpassed all expectations with HBK bumping his arse off, Flair doing the same pulling out the suplexes, the flying cross body and yes even taking a back body drop over the top rope. The real genius match of this match was the conclusion the counter finishes, Flair locking on the figure four and HBK having you doubting your self for just a second and wondering if they might just have Flair win. The final moments with Flair knowing it was his time and telling HBK to bring it on before Shawn said "I'm Sorry I Love You" and nailing the superkick will go into wrestling folklore forever. The send off was then phenominal we will never, ever, ever see a moment like this again. The classiest moment in the history of a shitty industry. (****3/4)
1. Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker
- Wrestlemania XXV
Now you might be thinking I didn't pick a very exciting picture but your wrong, this was my absolute favorite moment of the match. A moment of absolute genius, HBK has just skinned the cat and Taker has dragged him kicking and squeling to the centre of the ring and hit a tombstone piledriver, the crowd are counting along and going mental and Undertaker does the face, the face that tells you the match is over, he's sticking his tongue out no one kicks out when he sticks the tongue out right? WRONG! HBK kicks out and we get a zoomed in close up on Taker's face, he sold it like he was in complete and utter disbelief. Now fuck falling of ladders and table this was a moment when every wrestling fan sat up and shouted "holy shit". This match had everything and just built and built and built and built. It just got better and better one of the those matches that no one wanted to end. Of course it did end and it ended with another sublime HBK finish a moonsault countered with a tombstone. I've written about this match so I won't go on, it can be simply summed up with one sentance, if your not a fan of this match, then your not a wrestling fan! This was an iconic moment that like Flair's retirement will never be recreated again, two of the biggest stars of all time who hadn't touched in 9 Years! Another amazing wrestlemania moment curtesy of HBK, can't wait till next year. (*****)
So there we have it! Tommorrow or later in the week I'll do another top five, actually I'm free for suggestions Kurt Angle, Ric Flair, Ausin, I don't care, all suggestions welcome EVEN TEST!!!
It's Hayes, Graham, Dusty Rhodes, J.R and Pat Patterson. J.R. introduces us to the "greatest champion of all time" J.R. says that's his oppinion but others may disagree. We then go to a video package on Flair. It's brilliant mixing in some great Flair promos and talking about how Flair symbolized the greed and glitz of the 80s. They talk about Flair being more than just a showman and they talk about Flair's feuds with Harley, Dusty and of course Steamboat.
J.R. goes straight to Dusty, they call them the Celtics and Lakers of wrestling. Hayes out right says Flair is the greatest of all time. Dusty calls him the greatest champion of all time, Pat seems to disagree. Hayes said his work ethic, Graham said he lived the gimmick and Dusty said he had it all. Hayes says he'll never forgive Dusty and Flair for making Luger a star. Bwhahahhahaha, come to think of it I'll second that. Dusty says they needed big stars and then talks about a cereal from the 1950s. Graham talks about him making not just Luger but Sting. They talk about Flair making them millions of dollars and they had no reason to be there. They had no passion and no pride in wrestling but Flair made them stars.
Hayes calls Flair, Rhodes and Crockett being the biggest Political BS in the history of the business. Dusty tells some insane story that I can't follow in the slightest. Graham asks what the hell this has to do with Flair, and how Flair and Dusty had to constantly out do each other, wether its houses, mink coats or gambling. They talk about Flair blowing loads of money. Pat talks about living his character, it wasn't a character it wasn't a character Ric was the nature boy. Pat talks about Ric being perfect and driven in all of his work.
We then go to a classic Flair promo on Nikita Kolloff, Flair talks about enrolling Kolloff in a inhilation therapy because after twenty minutes Kolloff was like a girl in the hotel room after twenty minutes they screamed I can't take it anymore. Bwhahhahaha, awesome, Flair talks about Dusty being mates with Springsteen and Willie Nelson, but Flair going from Pent house to Pent house nailing girl after girl, and he says which girl belongs to each hoursemen. Flair then calls Dusty a turkey for being a Celtic's fan, he's going to take it to Kolloff just like the Lakers took it to the Celtics. Now that's an awesome promo you just can't cut promos like these days.
They talk about Flair's training and how he loved Dusty and wanted to be just like him and carried Rhodes and Murdoch's bag. They talk about that's how Ric gained respect and earned it. Dusty tells a story about how Dusty convinced Ric to be himself not a dusty imitator. Dusty then tells a story about how he tricked Ric into shaving his head. They then tricked Ric being covered in blood and wearing his trunks and Ric being forced to get the beers in Japan.
J.R. says Ric Flair was the only man who could have followed on from Nature Boy Buddy Rhodes and done the gimmick respectfully. They talk about if Flair had been at Wrestlemania I and how Hayes and Dusty thinks Flair would have got buried because he wasn't huge and Hogan would have politiced him to death. Billy Graham talks about the NWA being driven by smaller better wrestler.
J.R. then asks who in an NFL Draft would be the number One pick Hayes and Dusty take Flair and Billy Graham and Pat pick Hogan. Hayes says that Flair could do it anywhere with anyone no matter how big a pussy they were and made them a star. Where as Hogan relied on booking and couldn't have had the longevity, although Graham disagrees saying Hogan is amazing when he wants to be.
We then get a video clip example of this with Flair doing some ammatuer wrestling with a very young Barry Windham and selling and showing arse for this guy, who at the time was a nobody. Now Graham can fuck off Hogan would never do anything like this. Flair of course loses the wrestling warm up and sneak attacks Windham before being killed with a suprise flying closeline for the 1-2-3.
Hayes says that Dory or Funk had the most one hour draws of anyone. Graham talks about Flair giving you the most hour of your life, Dory was a great technician and ground it out. Graham said Flair would be the one he paid to see. Dusty said Race was his greatest rival they faced 2,000 times, Dusty said the most enjoyable run was with Flair. Dusty said he made the most money with Flair. Graham says the money was secondary to the money, the fun, the amazing wrestling and the women. Hayes says the territory day was living your dream and that dream was absolute freedom. Wow, it sounds absolutely amazing, doing what you want to do with no reprecussions. Hayes has ago a Dusty for stealing all his money.
Pat talks about Flair coming to WWE for the first time, in the Royal Rumble and winning the Rumble from number two. Flair was crying his eyes out backstage, he has unrivalled passion. It turns out the Royal Rumble was Pat Patterson creation, way to go Pat.
They then talk about Bill Watts, and Ric Flair's ridiculous drinking and clubbing. Dusty says "when he walked into a room if you didn't know who he was, you knew he was somebody". Dusty tells a story about sitting with Ric Flair and John Cena walks up an asks how to do certain things, and Flair starts crying like mad. Bwhahahahha, actually that really puts over how great Cena's worth ethic is. Dusty then calls Paterson and Stevens the greatest tag team of all time before joking about Paterson and Briscoe.
That ends the Flair portion of the debate, that was really really interesting, very incoherant these guys get side tracked so often but they told some great stories. The two things that really stand out is that Flair lived his gimmick, loved wrestling more than anyone, paid his dues and he cries like someone just shot his dog every five minutes. On a side note Pat Paterson created the Royal Rumble and John Cena really sounds like the ultimate company guy. Really great roundtable fun stories. (9/10)
Now onto Slaughter
We then go to a video package on Slaughter focusing on him switching him from heel to face, going from bloody brawler against Pat Paterson and then his legendary match ups with the Iron Shiek that ran opposite Hogan selling out MSG on their own backs. We go to Slaughter's hall of fame induction and he tells his story about his first WWE performance and the first ever entrance music in WWE. Sarge then tells his story about cutting a promo on Vince and getting the fans to hate him. He then talks about how Pat loved it and Vince Snr. took him aside called it the greatest thing I'd ever seen and gave him a contract right there on the spot.
Pat then talks about how they were best mates from AWA and how he brought him into the WWE and how he convince Vince to bring in Sarge. Pat calls his match with Sarge at MSG as the biggest match in his career. Pat talks about having an alley fight without a referee, and Pat said he legitimately beat the shit out of Slaughter. J.R. calls it one of the top 5 matches in WWE history, J.R. says you could put it on RAW today, he said if he was running a wrestling school that match would be top of the ciriculum.
Dusty talks about having that respect and that passion, he says all the great ones is that they still believe they could sell out any arena any day. Dusty said the only bad thing he has to say against Sarge was that he turned Dusty in for breaking the dress code. Pat says he really loves Slaughter not a just a friend a true friend. J.R. says you can talk about how you can count your true friends on one hand. This is a really great moment, J.R, Pat and Dusty say they'd be lucky if they could count five true friends on one hand in this business. WOW! It's really great to hear them talk so frankly about this stuff.
They then talk about Sarge's Iraq War heel turn and they go a clip of Sarge cutting a promo Iraq clip and being sent a pair of Middle Eastern boots from Saddam Hussain. They then talk about how sensative the Iraq war stuff was and how it hurt business.
Pat then talks about Sarge leaving WWE in 1984 and being overtaken by Hulk Hogan. Pat then talks about the goose bumps when he watched Hogan winning the world title. He said it was one of the most incredible expeirences of his life, its what they work for. J.R. then talks about how Sarge when he's working as an agent doesn't go to the big stars or the main eventers to claim he made someone. Sarge goes up to the greenest of the green and the no talent bums and coaches them and works with them so they can become great. They end by saying he's a true hall of famer and he threw a hell of a golf tournement.
Overall Thoughts: ARGH!!! The knob jockey who choped this DVD cut off the matches!!! Including the Flair-Luger match, what the fuck, what a knob. Anyway a really great roundtable, with some seriously fun stories, and some incredibly emotional insights into the wrestling business. The dog eat dog nature of the industry really comes out and the fact the veterans said that if you could count three good friends in the industry your a lucky man. Two of the all time greatest, lead to a great roundtable. I just wish I had to the great matches to review. I'll try and get hold of the matches if possible. (8.5/10)
The show opens with Jason Pierce continuing to bitch, apparently he now has a staff infection, which to be fair is a very nasty injury. He seems genuine about returning to training. Faulkner and Bisping are training hard on striking and brawling. Dave Faulkner has a strong gap reflex that means he constantly spits out his gum shield, which costs you points in the UFC. Dave Faulkner says no one can help with the gum shield, it seems like a problem, Bisping talks about him being mentally weak and having to bring his game face this time around.
Henderson decides to mix up the training by playing ultimate frisbie and for the first time Team US looks like their bonding and having fun. Doctor says its incredibly sore to touch and that he shouldn't fight. Pierce is talking about how he can't work out and how he basically won't fight. They try to convince him to train, Dan Henderson talks about how he hates negative energy and how he wants Pierce to show some enthusiasm.
Santino is cooking dinner, it sounds nice, but Jason Pierce still won't respond to the US guys. Santino makes fun saying he won't respond to someone unless they've got a british accent. Lester and Santino are pissed about how they cook but get no respect from Dent and Pierce. Lester says he wants to punch Pierce in the face.
The next fight announcement is Jason Dent vs. Jeff Lawson, this is one of those fights that could be really intriguing or incedibly dull.
Dent is up next to moan, he doesn't like having to share a house with 15 other guys and never having a minute to himself. Santino says Dent is out of his mind, he's really fidigty and insane. Darmarquez thinks Dent will look back and see that he missed out on a great oppurtunity.
Henderson says that Dent is a very good technical fighter but he's really hard to train as he won't work on his weakness and just does what he wants. This makes him a very annoying to train. Henderson has a sit down talk with Dent, he says the right things but Dent seems very dismissive. Henderson labels him tough to coach, Dent promises he will listen in training.
We then go to Jeff Lawson and he's a rubber glove over his face with a face drawn on which he then pumps up and explodes. Lawson then hands from the roof with his rousers off and starts rolling around and doing gay stretches. Jeff and Dave have a pro wrestling dress up and they have a "pro wrestling match". Which is pretty funny. Derek joins in its pretty funny stuff. Jeff Lawson is the joker the house. Dave Faulkner then suplexes Asamoah off a diving board into the swimming pool. That was utterly insane.
Jeff Lawson is apparently the arm bar king. Throw and Arm Bar. "I'm not much to look at, everyone underestimates myself, I'm ginger for god sake", "I'm crap at football, I'm rubbish at tennis, but I fight".
Dana White calls Pierce to talk to him about whether he can fight. Pierce talks about the doctors advice and how it could get into his bone. He says he's mentally ready to fight but he then talks about having the shivers. Dana gets the feeling that this kid doesn't want to fight, Dan Henderson says he should have sold it like he was ready to fight.
Jeff Lawson (13-2) vs. Jason Dent (18-9) - Lightweight
My Prediction: This is a tough one to call, I like Lawson but think he's a one trick pony and might struggle if he gets caught on his feet. Both men have an impressive number of wins but I have an inclining and I'm predicting Dent. (3-3)
Round One: There's fourteen minutes left on the show so I guess this is going long. Dent is doing some weird jab motions and Jeff goes for a big roundhouse but misses. Dent gets a leg kick and manages to stuff a takedown attempt. This is very cagey, Jeff gets a leg kick, and misses an uppercut combo. Dent gets a leg kicka and Lawson gets the world's most bizzare takedown before going for a knee bar. Dent escapes to guard and Lawson does some nice ground and pound but clearly doesn't have knock out power. Lawson powers up into a spinebuster style move. Lawson throws and elbow but Dent is having the better of the ground game. Lawson tries another ground and pound flurry but Dent absorbs it and allows Jeff to get a full mount but Jeff looks useless in the this position and he unloads but doesn't get close to a KO. Lawson gets kicked up into the air in a weird moment and the round peters out.
My Scorecard: 10-9 Lawson, he should slightly more control but that wasn't impressive.
Round Two: Dent looks more aggresive but gets powered into the cage. They clinch but its broken quickly. Lawson lands a right hand but has his takedown stuffed. Lawson looks rocked as they stand up and lands leg kick before going for another bizzare takedown and nearly getting a leg lock. Lawson then gets a straight right hand an a huge leaping knee. Dent however blocks a takedown and a rolling guillotine ends the fight. Jason Dent wins by submission.
Dent really wasn't impressive at all, Lawson looked solid but got so gassed in the second round, it was definitely a luck victory. Lawson shouldn't have lost in that manner. Not the most entertaining fight but a relatively intriguing and tactical stuff. (D)
That makes the score: UK 4-3 US
My Prediction scores: 4-3
Lawson isn't happy but Bisping jokes around and manages to cheer Lawson up. In the meantime, Dana White tells Pierce he doesn't want to fight and he's out. White says he thinks Pierce came in and found out he wasn't a fighter. Dan Henderson says he would have lost anyway, but to Pierce's face he tells him to stay positive and help everyone train.
Overall Thoughts: Big big drama to end the show, with the narrative about Pierce being a whiny bitch carrying the show. This episode was alot of fun on the reality side of things with the wrestling match, Lawson being a goof, the ultimate frisbee and basically everyone being very charismatic. The fight was perfectly acceptable and nothing to right home about. This was a very fun edition with the big added drama tacked on the end. I guess this means Faulkner advances without a fight. (7.5/10)
Forrest GriffinOkay they've said the names so bloody fast this season I'll have to try and catch up as we go along. The house looks a lot more normal than the mega ghetto paint job I'm used to from series 9. Dana White is seriously impressed, now its time to announce the teams. They flip a coin and Rampage wins.
Okay they pick teams but I couldn't really keep up as they kept just saying their first names. One guy looks like he might have herpies so in the worlds of Rampage they "quarentined his arse". Rampage says his goal is to learn as well as teach. Rampage wants to know if he can train, Rampage tells them to kick him away "like your in prison and he's trying to get your booty". Rampage asks a doctor if called Jason Micheals if he's related to Shawn Michaels, what a dude. One guy has herpies on his neck that's trigger if he has herpies Rampage says "I don't want no heebee geebees", "do you like running, good, because if you said no I'd have told you too bad". That "dudes got cooties on his neck", Rampage is absolutely making this show.
Forrest is up next saying he's never been a coach, he would never want to be, but he knows how to run a training camp. Forrest has brought in a Muay Thai coach, a Jiu-Jitsu coach and Gray Manyard of UFC fame to coach wrestling. "as Shakespeare said "to thyself be true", I don't know what the fuck he meant by that, but don't quit on yourself, the juice is worth the squeeze, there will be absolutely no clapping". This is absolutely insane, where did they get these guys.
Dana White has to tell the guy with Herpies to go, the guy breaks out in tears and he begs for another chance. It's a quite emotional moment, Dana has a hard job, the guy cries saying he doesn't have a job anymore, he gave up his life coaching wrestling for this. He says he's stuck with nothing now, he can't do either of his loves. Rampage tells him everything happens for a reason. The guy has to back up all his things and go home.
If we hadn't had enough drama already its fight selection time. Forrest announces Mike Dolce vs. Jesse Taylor. The plan is to beat one of Rampage's toughest guys to send a message. Forrest says Jesse Taylor is too good he might quit cause he doesn't need a trainer he's the next Matt Hamill. Dolce on the other hand used to be a tax collector, Rampage says "who cares if he's only a little bit taller than a hobbit, he's tough".
Dana tells Rampage to bring back one of the losers, he first picks one whose got an injured leg and then picks one whose still here before picking Patrick Shcultz. This guy seems like a total deuchebag.
Rampage comes into the house, one guy just lives at home with his mum and doesn't have a job. Rampage said "I was so broke I had to wear my brothers old underwear, they were leapard skin shit". Rampage is insanely funny in the house, Rampage has definitely won over his team. Jesse Taylor is a complete twat. They show Jesse Taylor struggling to use the diswasher.
(Forrest) Jesse Taylor (6-2) vs. Mike Dolce (4-4) (Rampage)
Round One: Jesse goes for a takedown but Dolce stuffs it and unloads but Taylor gets a rear naked choke but Dolce manages to fight out of it excellently but Taylor skill has back control and goes for a takedown and choke again but this time Dolce can spin into the half mount and Dolce rains down strikes, Jesse goes for a guillotine but Dolce escapes and Taylor wrestles into side control. Taylor goes for a mount but Dolce turns to his back and yet again Taylor cannot capitalize. Taylor lays in some strikes and goes for the rear naked choke but Dolce escapes again and Taylor attempts to ground and pound. Taylor hits three big strikes but Dolce manages to take them. Taylor tries to pound it out but Dolce gets his guard back as the round ends.
Round Two: Dolce catches Taylor with a big hook but sucks it up and gets the takedown and works from inside Dolce's guard. Taylor passes guard and drops elbows. Taylor gets a mount with ease and begains to unload with a series of big blows, Dolce gives up his back and Taylor locks in the rear naked choke and this time he gets the win. God he's such a twat.
Good grounded fight non stop movements and energy, Jesse looked very impresive but I'd like to see how he fares against someone with a good takedown defence. Solid fight. (D+)
Dolce gets knocked out and Jesse is happy to earn ten grand courtesy of burger king.
Overall Thoughts: Great show, Rampage and Forrest are two of the best personalities they could have possible chosen for this show, even if they both look like terrible coaches. The fight was pretty good but the show was full of drama, emotion and comedy. Great stuff. (9/10)
Jim Miller (13-1) vs. Gray Maynard (7-0) - Lightweight
Round One: Gray catches Miller with a jab to start the match. The fists fly but no one connects. Gray gets a jab and Gray gets a leg kick before Miller takes the fight to the clinch. Both guys throw some knees before the clinch is broken. Gray gets a one two combination to the gut. Gray dodges and then unloads with a fast flurry but Miller takes it and replies with a kick go the body. Miller goes for a single leg but Gray does an amazing job of staying on his feet and unloading. Gray tries to throw a knee but he's powered accross the ring. They get stuck against the cage but Miller just can't get Gray down and Miller's nose is bleeding heavily. Miller misses a combo but hits a kick, Miller gets a jab. Miller goes for a knee but Gray easily dodges. Gray dodges an uppercut and lands a jab. Gray catches Miller coming in with a big straight right hand. Solid round.
My Scorecard: 10-9 to Gray, he was much more precise with his punches, hits some big shots and did a superb job of takedown defence. Miller did get a nice kick to the gut.
Round Two: Gray looks more aggresive and snaps off a nice jab. Manyard is looking for the straight right hand but there's not alot going on and the crowd boo. Miller gets a leg kick and a straight right hand. Miller then gets a good inside leg kick. Gray gets another straight hand, Gray then hits a flurry of gut punches. Miller gets an inside leg kick but misses a high kick. Gray tags Miller with some big rights against the cage. Gray gets another straight right hand and Miller goes for a takedown but Gray turns guard and lets him up. Miller misses a big kick and hits a right hand. Not much action going on here. Gray suddenly unloads with a flurry and then follows up with a straigh right hand. Miller misses the superman punch and he tries to unload but Gray dodges all of his punches.
My Scorecard: 10-9 to much closer this round but Gray is hitting nicer combos and Miller's face is an utter mess. Miller gets some good leg kicks but can't really hurt Gray.
Round Three: Miller tees off with some jabs but Gray returns with a flurry. Miller gets a leg kick the crowd aren't happy about the standing around. Gray gets a straight right hand, they mix it up and Miller throws a body kick. Miller misses the superman punch. Gray avoids another takedown but Gray blocks and Manyard gets a big takedown but Miller gets the leg but Gray does an awesome job of wriggling out to his feet that was close. Miller lands a right hand before another failed takedown attempt. Gray completely controls Miller. Miller tries with everything he's got but can't get anywhere. Gray hits some big shots and is in total control. Miller comes at Gray but can't connect and walks into a straight right.
My Scorecard: 30-27 to Gray, Miller tried really hard but was out classed in virtually every department appart from leg kicks.
Judges Decision: Gray Manyard wins by Unamious Judges Decision 30-27.
This fight had some good moments but never quite clicked, too much standing around and from the first round it was very clear that Gray Maynard that was a vastly superior fighter. (D-)
Mark Munoz (5-0) vs. Matt Hamill (7-2) - Light Heavyweight
Round One: Hamill goes for a takedown but it doesn't come off and both men swing, Munoz gets a single leg but still can't get Hamill down. Hamill gets a leg kick but Munoz comes in with some over head rights and a gut punch. Munoz gets a uppercut and round house punch. Hamill tees off with a series of straight right hands. Hamill gets a leg kick and a pair of straight rights. Hamill covers up well but can't avoid the hooks. Hamill gets a good staight right. Munoz gets a wild right and Hamill avoids two takedown attempts. Hamill gets a SICK head kick out of fucking no where knocking Munoz out cold and the home town crowd erupt! Matt "The Hammer" Hamill wins by Knock Out.
What a finish! The fight looked to be warming up to be a good one when out of nowhere Hamill nailed the monster kick from hell, who on earth could have seen that coming. Hamill's post match enthusiasm is infectious. He cuts a nice promo after the match. That is the kind of knock out that you just don't get anywhere else. (C)
We then go to Mike Goldberg with Frank Mir, apparently his leg has popped up and broke. Mir is very clear and concise, he talks about how he doesn't want to have any excuses, so there pushing the fight back a couple of weeks. Mir is doing a great job of being a classy guy. We then go to Rashad Evans promo, his fight has been pushed up to this weekend, his next opponent will be dependent on tonights fight. We then see Brock and Sable in the crowd.
Matt Brown (11-7) vs. Pete Sell (8-5)
Round One: Matt goes straight out missings some big kicks Brown lands a superman punch, a huge kick to the head and then unloads with a flurry putting Sell on his arse, the ref breaks it up but changes his mind and says go. Matt unloads with a flurry of straight right hands and knees Brown has him down but the referee won't stop it. Sell gets to his feet and Brown unloads on Sell a big elbow knocks the mouth guard, Sell is really struggling. Matt lands a straight right, looks at the referee, nothing, Matt hits a kick to the head, the ref still won't stop it, Sell falls over of his own accord, the referee still won't end and Brown throws two big grounded punches and the referee finally stops it. Matt Brown wins by TKO in 1:42.
That fight was mad fun, Brown just came out to kill Sell and never let up, the refereeing was awful this fight needed to be stopped much sooner than it was. Brown came across as a really classy guy. Exciting TKO. (C)
Pre Lim: Kendall Grove vs. Jason Day - Middleweight
Round One: Grove goes for a big kick but Day goes in tight but nothing comes of it, Kendall gets a kick to the gut but Day comes in again but doesn't land anything big. Grove gets a kick to the leg. Day comes in tight and swings for the fences and you can see that Grove doesn't like that. Grove shakes it off and hits a killer straight right hand that knocks Day clean out and Grove unloads until the referee calls for a stoppage. Kendall Grove wins with by TKO in 1:32.
Well it looked like Day knew the trick to defeating Grove but the ex ultimate fighter winner came out of nowhere with the dramatic knock out and as Grove put it he's "fucking back". He did a cool dance after the fight. Short but dramatic. (D+)
Keith Carwin (10-0) vs. Gabriel Gonzaga (10-3) - Heavyweight
Round One: This should be good these are two of the heaviest hitters in MMA. Carwin swings away but Gonzage dodges easily. Gonzaga absolutely rocks Carwin with two big right hooks. Gonzaga gets the takedown and begins to pound and attempts to pass but Carwin gets to his feet. Gonzaga misses an overhand right and Carwin gets a jab an a short straight right hand knocking out Gonzaga on the spot and ending the fight. Keith Carwin wins by Knock Out in 1:09.
Wow that was short but insanely good, what made this fight so exciting was that Gonzaga looked to have the fight won before Carwin came back with the shock knock out. I'd be worried if I were Brock Lesnar this is the best the Heavweight Division has looked in a long time. Great fun. (C)
Pre Lim: Tamdan McCrory vs. Ryan Madigan - Welterweight
Round One: McCory walks straight into a kick but gets a takedown immediately and geos to the ground and pound but Madigan has an impressive guard. McCory passes Ryan's guard and gets side control Tamdam hits two monsterous strikes to the head but Ryan takes them and regains full guard. Tamdan passes the guard into side control and gets the full mount and rains down some big blows. Tamdan goes for the triangle but Ryan escape Tamdan puts himself in a leg lock? But Ryan doesn't know what he's doing and lets Tamdan escape back into a full mount and he pounds the TKO out with elbow strikes busting Ryan wide open. Tamdan McCory wins by TKO in 3:35.
Tamdan is a major deuche bag, but he's pretty funny on promos, I'd love to see this guy get knocked out. Ryan wasn't in Tamdan's league, Tamdan talked about not having the music he wanted. (D)
Main Event
Rampage Jackson (29-7) vs. Keith Jardine (14-5-1) - Light Heavyweight
Round One: Jardine tweaks his nipple before the fight. Jardine swings but Rampage gets the clinch and lays in some knees to the inside leg. The crowd boo as they clinch against the cage and the referee seperates them. Jardine tries some big swings and Rampage has to cover up. Jardine gets a leg kick, Jardine gets a left hand right leg kick combo. Rampage gets a good jab but Jardine gets another leg kick this time to the inside of the leg. Jardine nails a couple or right hands. Jardine geos for the takedown btu both men get stuck against the cage and the crow aren't happy. The seperate, Rampage dodges a leg kick but eats an over hand right, Jardine gets another leg kick, Rampage goes for a jab combo and Jardine hits some jabs but he catches Jardine's boot but can't finish. Rampage hits an uppercut and unloads with a big flurry but Jardine manages to avoid most of it and Rampage even hits a kick. Jardine survives and hits some punches and a straight kick. Jardine hits a knee to the gut and Rampage comes after Jardine with a flurry.
My Scorecard: 10-9 Jardine, Rampage had a couple of big flurries but Jardine controlled more of the round with good kicks, slow start to the round that picked up consistantly as it went along.
Round Two: Jardine gets a leg kick, but Rampage gets a couple of jabs and Rampage hits a leg kick but Jardine replies with two of his own. Rampage comes swinging but doesn't connect, Jardine swings wildly but he doesn't connect either. Jardine has a big kick but Jardine scores with another leg kick. Jardine hits another nice leg kick but walks into a pair of hooks. Rampage comes out swinging wilding and the third hook catches Jardine hard and knocks the hell out of him. Rampage unloads and pounds Jardine hard again and again against the cage but he manages to recover and gets to his feet. Rampage gets a takedown out of nowhere and they seperate. Jardine looks sloppy throwing hands and hits a low blow a brutal one. Rampage is caught with an uppercut and Rampage is shaken and Jardine unloads with some big shots but Rampage comes back with some big hooks of his own, wow. Rampage hits a left hook and Jardine hits a kick to the gut. Both men swing for the fences and Rampage connects with at least three strong strikes as the buzzer goes.
My Scorecard: That round goes 10-9 Rampage very close round with both men rocking each other but Rampage was more aggresive and landed bigger shots including a knock down and a takedown.
Round Three: Jardine comes out with a font kick and Rampage comes out swinging. The crowd chant for Rampage as both men trade blows. Jardine looks loses but Rampage gets a leg kick. Jardine gets a straight right and Rampage gets a takedown but Jardine works to his feet and they go to the clinch. Jardine dodges an uppercut and they seperate. Jardine gets a pair of leg kicks, and eats a jab to connect with a third. Jardine gets another leg kick and Jardine gets a big uppercut, Jardine gets a kick to the chest. Jackson unloads but nothing is sticking. Rampage hits a hook but eats a leg kick. Rampage unloads with a hook and they trade strikes. Jardine goes for a takedown but Rampage stuffed it and gets Jardine against the cage. They seperate. Rampage swings with the heavy hooks and lands three of them. Rampage lands four big hooks and dodges everything Jardine has. Great stuff. Jardine throws a straight right, Jackson dodges two big kicks and then unloads with two huge hooks taking Jardine down but there isn't enough time for Rampage to finish the buzzer sounds.
My Scorecard: 10-9 Rampage it was so close, Jardine had more control but Rampage got a takedown, a knockdown and came with some big hooks in the final half of the round. Jardine hit big leg kicks, this was very hard to call.
The Judges Scorecard: (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Unanimous decision for Rampage Jackson.
Great fight, it had some lulls but this was two guys throwing big strikes, taking them and getting back up. What made this fight was so good was how back and forth it was and how it was so hard to call. The judge that had this fight 30-27 is a complete moron. (B)
Rampage and Evans then show down on the mic with Evans saying "you gonna get knocked the fuck out" and Rampage saying "I want my belt back", "sup nigger", Rampage then says he's gonna get knocked out, Evans then says "I'll give you the first shot mother fucker" and Rampage takes the mic and says "There's gonna be some more Black on Black crime motherfucker!!!!". The fight ended up being Machida so I take it and injury must have come up to change the fight. Can't wait till sunday and till we get to see Jackson-Evans.
Overall Thoughts: Really good show tonight with some dramatic knockouts and TKO's and the card was finished off with a dramatic three rounds of non stop striking and brawling. The post match trash talk was insane fun too. Considering there was no big title match this was a hell of a fun show. Good stuff all round. (8/10)
