For anyone watching the WWF in 1995, let's be honest. It was a mediocre period for the company in terms of the product they were putting out. In 1995, there were a slew of ridiculous gimmicks, a lack of good story lines, and competition was starting to step up to the plate for fans attention in WCW and ECW. WWF's long-standing status as top dog in wrestling/sports entertainment was in peril, especially with WCW grabbing WWF's top stars. With that backdrop, the company trucked along, and as such, they put on their annual spectacle of Wrestlemania.
The 1995 edition of Wrestlemania comes to us from the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut. Your hosts are Vince McMahon and Jerry "The King" Lawler.
Wrestlemania XI, much like X the year before, trotted out a slew of B list celebrities. This year's batch included Nicholas Turturo from NYPD Blue, Jenny McCarthy who at the time was on MTV's Singled Out, Jonathan Taylor Thomas from the sitcom Home Improvement, the female rap trio Salt-n-Peppa, and the headline star was Pamela Anderson. Oh, let's not forget the former NFL players too, including Lawrence Taylor, who would be competing in the ring.
The show starts with a Special Olympian performing "America the Beautiful". A solid rendition, and well done.
British Bulldog and Lex Luger vs. The Blu Brothers w/ Uncle Zebekiah
Wow, did Luger fall down the rungs of the WWF ladder. From being in the title scene the year before to the curtain jerker in a tag match. Another story for another day. Luger and Bulldog were call the Allied Powers, and they took on the mountain boys/hillbillies of the Blu Brothers. Luger and Bulldog perform a couple of nice double team moves to start the match. Otherwise, the match plays out like a regular tag match (faces get upper hand, heels do a sneaky move to regain momentum, and faces get it back). Bulldog wins the match for his team with a sunset flip off the top rope for the pin. A watchable match, but nothing remarkable. **
Nick Turturro is in a back room with Jenny McCarthy and the heels. There are audio issues (can't hear Nick, tech glitches would be part of this show). They return to the next match.
Intercontinental Title Match: Razor Ramon w/ 1-2-3 Kid vs Jeff Jarrett (champion) w/ The Roadie
The WWF was struggling with having multiple feuds that fans could like and get behind the competitors. The feud between Razor and Jarrett was one of them. This match is a rematch from their Royal Rumble match a few months earlier when Jarrett won the title under less than honorable circumstances. The match was interesting in the fact that the result could have gone either way, and both competitors played it up as such. However, Razor wins the match by DQ. As such, Jarrett retains the title. **3/4
Another attempt at the backstage segment with Nick, McCarthy, and heels. Psycho Sid screams incomprehensible nonsense into the microphone.
The Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer vs. King Kong Bundy w/ Ted DiBiase
McMahon mentions that Undertaker has yet to lose at Wrestlemania. Of course, at this point, he was only 3-0 going into it, but perhaps Vince had the foresight to know that in 2012, Undertaker would be 20-0! Blah match. DiBiase calls out at one point during the match Kama Mustafa, who steals 'taker's urn. This match is slow, prodding, and boring. 'Taker wins with a bodyslam. *
Nick runs into the NFL stars. Each one calls out a member of Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Corporation. These ex-players are NOT good, or convincing actors! Nick also meanders into a room where Jonathan Taylor Thomas was playing chess against Bob Backlund in a lame segment where Backlund claims the youth of the day acted like they knew everything.
Tag Team Title Match: The Smoking Gunns (Billy and Bart) vs. Owen Hart and Mystery Partner
Owen comes down to the ring to announce who his mystery partner is. It is none other than Yokuzuna! We get the best match of the card up to this point, if not the whole evening here. Owen looked great in this match, and the Gunns were performing efficiently. They performed with fluidity and looked like champs. Unfortunately for them though, Yokuzuna was too much. Yoko wins the match for his team with a Banzai Drop on Billy. Solid match. ***1/4
Todd Pettingill, rocking a mullet interviews Bam Bam Bigelow, who says that Taylor can't defeat him in the ring.
I Quit Match: Bret Hart vs. Bob Backlund
Roddy Piper is introduced as guest referee. Backlund at this point is playing the role of crazy old man. However, he was a strong mat wrestler, such as Bret. One would think on paper this would be a solid match. Sadly, it wasn't. I believe this match pays homage to the controversial match in 1983 (I think), when Backlund lost the WWF Title when Arnold Skaaland tossed in a towel, allowing Iron Sheik to win the match.
History lesson aside, this match was mostly both men locking in submissions and Piper stuffing a microphone in their faces asking if they give up. Bret wins by locking in Backlund's finishing move the Crossface Chickenwing on him. Could've been better than what it was. *1/2
WWF Title Match: Diesel (champion) vs. Shawn Michaels w/ Jenny McCarthy and Psycho Sid
Michaels comes down to the ring first, being escorted by McCarthy. He was supposed to be escorted by Anderson... When Diesel is announced he walks down the walkway, turns around, and gets escorted by Pam Anderson.
Very solid match, and perhaps the best one of Diesel's stint in the WWF. This match ran for close to twenty minutes, and over the course of the match, played out in the usual big vs. small man. Michaels does his usual great selling, getting high up in the air after a back body drop for example. They cut the camera to Anderson and McCarthy a couple times during the match, both of whom look disinterested. At one point the commentators say Anderson looks concerned, camera cuts to her and she's waving at fans.
Anyhow, there wasn't any doubt that Diesel was going to retain the title, and he did with a Jackknife Powerbomb to Michaels for the win. While Michaels would have better Wrestlemania matches, the fact that he got such a match as he did out of Diesel is a testament. ***
All the build up has led to the final match of the night...
Lawrence Taylor w/ NFL All-Stars vs. Bam Bam Bigelow w/ Million Dollar Corporation
It is hard for a wrestling fan NOT to cringe seeing an ex-pro football player in the main event at Wrestlemania going against a mid-carder such as Bigelow. However, WWE needed to do something to generate fan interest in Wrestlemania, and we get a surprisingly good match. This will never be considered an all-time great event, but it was much better than what was expected. Taylor, surprisingly, or perhaps not depending on where you stand, wins the match. **1/4
My personal opinion of Wrestlemania XI is that it is mediocre to average. It had some good moments, but there wasn't any standout match, or happening at this event that makes it memorable. However, taken in the context of the landscape of the WWF circa 1995 and their competitors, they did a decent job.The reality is though, WM XI probably won't be one you're going to grab from your collection for multiple viewing. View this at your own risk. **
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
Wrestlemania 28: Time to Hit South Beach!
Wrestlemania 28 comes to us from the Sun Life Stadium in Miami, FL in front of over 78,000 fans. The set up reminded me a lot of WM IX. That year, the ring was surrounded by tall pillars that held up a flat-top canopy. This year, the ring was surrounded by giant palm trees, with a canopy that gave the appearance from a distance of action being taking place in a cabana. The overall set up was well done, and one of the better ones they've done recently. Except if you were sitting behind the palm trees.
Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole are on commentary. The main draw to this Wrestlemania for many was the main event pitting The Rock versus John Cena.
The first match was Sheamus versus Daniel Bryan (champion) for the WWE Heavyweight Championship. I was looking forward to this match. I was watching at a friend's house, went out to make myself coffee. The match was over before I came back into the living room. We rewound the match. Sheamus wins with a Brough Kick as soon as Bryan turns around from kissing AJ. I was infuriated. Especially when they gave more time to the divas match, a racist dance skit with Brodus Clay and a bunch of "mammas", and the MGK and Flo Rida performances. Lousy start, and a terrible statement on how WWE views that title.
Next match was Randy Orton vs. Kane. I wasn't into the buildup, and hence this match. The match itself wasn't too bad, but would've worked on free television. Kane actually wins with a nice chokeslam off the second rope.
Up next is the Intercontinental Title match pitting Cody Rhodes versus The Big Show. The buildup to this match was entertaining. The match itself was okay. Big Show wins the IC championship when he does a nice counter to Rhodes' Beautiful Disaster with a spear.
Divas Match time. My friend and I turned to ESPN to watch the UConn women's basketball team play their Final Four game against Notre Dame. We turned back to 'mania after close to ten minutes, and the match was finally wrapping up. WTF! You give the divas match where one of the performers is a host on Extra that much time, and not Bryan and Sheamus? I give up thinking there's logic in the world anymore.
So that's the first hour of the show. So far, it's been lackluster, I'm still seething about the opening match, and both my friend and I started to feel we were not getting the $55 we paid for the show.
The tide finally turns in the next match. It is the Hell in A Cell match featuring The Undertaker and Triple H with guest referee Shawn Michaels. It is AMAZING how these two can still take bumps and chair shots galore! What really made this match was the pushing of story. The commentators begin the match by saying how Triple H has a better Hell in A Cell record, putting some thoughts into my mind at least that Triple H could break 'taker's streak. Shawn, perhaps the best special referee ever, gets highly emotional during this match. Triple H keeps yelling at him at one point to "stop the match". Michaels seems tempted to, but doesn't. At the end of the match, when Undertaker hits Triple H with a sledgehammer, Shawn turns away. Undertaker wins in a classic. While there were too many chair shots for my taste, the psychology and story being told in this match was outstanding. An instant classic.
Six Man Tag Match (Team Johnny versus Team Teddy). This match should've been the opener. However, it was placed well considering the match that came before it, and the one that would follow. A crowd calmer match. This honestly was a decent match, with a ending where Eve kicks Zak Ryder in the private parts, allowing Team Johnny the win. YES! John Laurenitis is now GM of both Raw and Smackdown. Should be interesting to see what direction this takes.
Next is the WWE Championship match over who is the "best in the world" between CM Punk and Chris Jericho. This was the other match I was looking forward to, and it didn't disappoint. Fantastic mat and counter wrestling in this match. There was one counter where Jericho counter's an Hurricurana off the topes into the Walls of Jericho. That was the best counter I think I've ever seen.
Punk would win with the Anaconda Device submission in another instant classic.
Here we go...John Cena versus The Rock. Before the match, MGK performs before Cena comes out, and Flo Rida performs before The Rock enters.
As for the match itself, Rock did an admirable job for being out of the ring for as long as he has been. However, it was obvious that Cena was dictating the direction and pace of the match, and the Rock definitely looked gassed towards the end. Speaking of, the ending of the match was an unexpected surprised. Cena goes for The People's Elbow. However, Rock counters with a Rock Bottom for the win. At the time I was disappointed, because I was actually invested in the buildup, and wanted to see Cena, a full-time WWE performer win. However, now that I rested over it, the ending really was fantastic, and should be interesting to see where the WWE goes with both these guys.
Overall, the first hour didn't feel too much like a Wrestlemania, but the rest of the card definitely made up for it. After I first watched the show I was down on it, but I had some time to wind down from my disappointment with Bryan/Sheamus, and decided to view the event with less cynical eyes. With two outstanding matches that can be considered instant classics (Undertaker/Triple H and Punk/Jericho) and one match that was better than I had expected (Cena/Rock), the WWE put one one of, if not, the best Wrestlemania in at least five year (though XXVI was solid).
Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole are on commentary. The main draw to this Wrestlemania for many was the main event pitting The Rock versus John Cena.
The first match was Sheamus versus Daniel Bryan (champion) for the WWE Heavyweight Championship. I was looking forward to this match. I was watching at a friend's house, went out to make myself coffee. The match was over before I came back into the living room. We rewound the match. Sheamus wins with a Brough Kick as soon as Bryan turns around from kissing AJ. I was infuriated. Especially when they gave more time to the divas match, a racist dance skit with Brodus Clay and a bunch of "mammas", and the MGK and Flo Rida performances. Lousy start, and a terrible statement on how WWE views that title.
Next match was Randy Orton vs. Kane. I wasn't into the buildup, and hence this match. The match itself wasn't too bad, but would've worked on free television. Kane actually wins with a nice chokeslam off the second rope.
Up next is the Intercontinental Title match pitting Cody Rhodes versus The Big Show. The buildup to this match was entertaining. The match itself was okay. Big Show wins the IC championship when he does a nice counter to Rhodes' Beautiful Disaster with a spear.
Divas Match time. My friend and I turned to ESPN to watch the UConn women's basketball team play their Final Four game against Notre Dame. We turned back to 'mania after close to ten minutes, and the match was finally wrapping up. WTF! You give the divas match where one of the performers is a host on Extra that much time, and not Bryan and Sheamus? I give up thinking there's logic in the world anymore.
So that's the first hour of the show. So far, it's been lackluster, I'm still seething about the opening match, and both my friend and I started to feel we were not getting the $55 we paid for the show.
The tide finally turns in the next match. It is the Hell in A Cell match featuring The Undertaker and Triple H with guest referee Shawn Michaels. It is AMAZING how these two can still take bumps and chair shots galore! What really made this match was the pushing of story. The commentators begin the match by saying how Triple H has a better Hell in A Cell record, putting some thoughts into my mind at least that Triple H could break 'taker's streak. Shawn, perhaps the best special referee ever, gets highly emotional during this match. Triple H keeps yelling at him at one point to "stop the match". Michaels seems tempted to, but doesn't. At the end of the match, when Undertaker hits Triple H with a sledgehammer, Shawn turns away. Undertaker wins in a classic. While there were too many chair shots for my taste, the psychology and story being told in this match was outstanding. An instant classic.
Six Man Tag Match (Team Johnny versus Team Teddy). This match should've been the opener. However, it was placed well considering the match that came before it, and the one that would follow. A crowd calmer match. This honestly was a decent match, with a ending where Eve kicks Zak Ryder in the private parts, allowing Team Johnny the win. YES! John Laurenitis is now GM of both Raw and Smackdown. Should be interesting to see what direction this takes.
Next is the WWE Championship match over who is the "best in the world" between CM Punk and Chris Jericho. This was the other match I was looking forward to, and it didn't disappoint. Fantastic mat and counter wrestling in this match. There was one counter where Jericho counter's an Hurricurana off the topes into the Walls of Jericho. That was the best counter I think I've ever seen.
Punk would win with the Anaconda Device submission in another instant classic.
Here we go...John Cena versus The Rock. Before the match, MGK performs before Cena comes out, and Flo Rida performs before The Rock enters.
As for the match itself, Rock did an admirable job for being out of the ring for as long as he has been. However, it was obvious that Cena was dictating the direction and pace of the match, and the Rock definitely looked gassed towards the end. Speaking of, the ending of the match was an unexpected surprised. Cena goes for The People's Elbow. However, Rock counters with a Rock Bottom for the win. At the time I was disappointed, because I was actually invested in the buildup, and wanted to see Cena, a full-time WWE performer win. However, now that I rested over it, the ending really was fantastic, and should be interesting to see where the WWE goes with both these guys.
Overall, the first hour didn't feel too much like a Wrestlemania, but the rest of the card definitely made up for it. After I first watched the show I was down on it, but I had some time to wind down from my disappointment with Bryan/Sheamus, and decided to view the event with less cynical eyes. With two outstanding matches that can be considered instant classics (Undertaker/Triple H and Punk/Jericho) and one match that was better than I had expected (Cena/Rock), the WWE put one one of, if not, the best Wrestlemania in at least five year (though XXVI was solid).
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