ECW On Sci-Fi
Date: September 23, 2008
Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
Commentators: Jim Ross, Matt Striker

The big story continues to be ECW Champion Matt Hardy dealing with Mark Henry, which is likely going to be quite the problem sooner rather than later. At the same time, there is a newcomer in the form of Jack Swagger, who is off to a rather nice start. The show still needs some fresh stars, but at least things have gotten a bit better. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Here are the Miz and John Morrison to get things going. Miz isn’t happy with losing to Evan Bourne last week and blames Ricky Ortiz. We see a clip of the loss and therefore it’s time to mock Ortiz’s hair. They aren’t happy with being ignored for the sake of the “locker room freshmen” and mock Teddy Long. Morrison: “Long could never hang out at the palace of wisdom.”

Cue Long, who brings up the Superstar Initiative, though Morrison mocks Braden Walker for being gone after two matches. Long says the Initiative is continuing and Miz challenges Ortiz and Bourne for tonight. That doesn’t work for Long, as Bourne isn’t here and they know it. Ortiz comes out, with Miz and Morrison saying pick a partner because the two of them can beat anyone. Long loves the idea of the two of them beating anyone…so they can face each other! And the winner faces Ortiz immediately thereafter! That was rather clever and the wordplay worked.

We look at Kane beating up Evan Bourne last night. I get that it’s kane, but bragging about the new stars and then showing one of them getting beaten up on the bigger show isn’t the best visual.

Ricky Ortiz is ready for tonight when Tiffany comes up and seems to approve. Ortiz has something in his pocket (Teddy Long: “Is it appropriate?”) and pulls out one of his rally towels, which Tiffany puts around her neck. Tiffany: “I like it.”

Finlay vs. Bam Neely

Hornswoggle is here too. Finlay drops him with an early clothesline and sends Neely into the corner, followed by a seated senton for two. Neely is back up with some heavy forearms to the back but Finlay shrugs it off and hits a clothesline. Finlay gets dropped again though and Neely grabs a Boston crab. Hornswoggle offers the shillelagh and gets thrown down, with the distraction letting Finlay blast Neely with said shillelagh for the fast pin.

Maryse vs. Michelle McCool

Non-title and I guess we have a light roster tonight. They go to the mat and slug it out to start, followed by McCool hitting a spear and hammering away. Maryse is sent outside but avoids a baseball slide and tosses McCool into the barricade. Back in and we hit the reverse chinlock, which JR thinks looks nothing like the Iron Sheik. McCool gets up and hits a dropkick, followed by a running flipping neckbreaker for two. Maryse manages to slam her off the top though and a DDT finishes McCool off.

Rating: C. You really can see the women coming along at this point and it’s great to watch. The match might not have been great, but it was a straight wrestling match with wrestlers who happened to be women. Given where the division has been before, this is rather impressive as the whole thing was basically being built up from scratch.

No Mercy rundown.

Here are Mark Henry and Tony Atlas for a chat. Henry says that Matt Hardy didn’t pin him to win the ECW Title because he can’t do it and never will. At No Mercy, Henry will show that he is the real champion and Hardy will learn it first hand.

Mike Knox vs. Chase Stevens

Stevens strikes away but gets booted in the face and splashed in the corner. A big running knee drop and the spinning Downward Spiral finish Stevens without much trouble.

Post match Jack Swagger comes out to powerbomb Stevens, which draws out Tommy Dreamer. Knox offers a distraction and Swagger powerbombs Dreamer as well.

Miz vs. John Morrison

The winner faces Ricky Ortiz after the match. Striker: “Who will be the Simon and who will be the Garfunkel?” Sweet goodness man. They trade rollups for two each until Morrison sends him crashing out to the floor. We take a break and come back with Morrison fighting out of a chinlock but getting caught with the corner clothesline for two.

The chinlock goes on again so Morrison fights up, only to get taken back down by a half nelson facebuster. Morrison shrugs that off and hits a running knee. Morrison knocks him down again and goes up, with Miz joining him on top. They both crash down and it’s actually a double countout.

Rating: C+. Much like the women earlier, you can see Miz getting that much better so quickly and it’s quite the impressive feat. He’s gone from a total joke to someone who can easily hold his own in the ring. That’s not something easily done and, along with Morrison, Miz is basically carrying this show. Nice match here, with the cop out ending making some sense this time.

Post match Ricky Ortiz runs in for the splashes to both of them to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This wasn’t their strongest show, though I’ll take having some people come over from Smackdown for a week to boost things up. That’s one of the best things that can be done, as it’s not like this show’s roster has the depth to be interesting week in and week out. The new talent initiative can help, though they’re going to need a better success rate. It’s not a very good show, but I’m a bit more optimistic than I have been in the past.

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Lucha Libre Hidden Gems Collection
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Scott Hudson, Jim Ross, Brian Pillman, Hugo Savinovich, Carlos Cabrera, Jim Cornette, Dio Maddin, Aiden English, Vic Joseph, Larry Zbyszko, Josh Matthews, Santino Marella

So here we have a look at one of the things that WCW really did right. The introduction of the cruiserweights, mainly those from Mexico, gave them a unique feeling and it made for some outstanding matches in the process. That should make for some interesting options here, as there were so many of these things that it’s easy to forget how great some of them were. Let’s get to it.

From WCW Saturday Night, May 8, 1999.

Psychosis vs. Blitzkrieg

Psychosis works on the arm to start as we hear about his Cruiserweight Title reign only lasting a week after being Blitzkrieg in a four way. Blitzkrieg slips out of a wristlock to start and sends Psychosis outside, meaning we get a quick breather. Back in and Blitzkrieg misses some dives, only to get kicked in the mask. The chinlock doesn’t last long and Blitzkrieg’s hurricanrana doesn’t work very well.

The fans get on the crooked referee Charles Robinson as Psychosis hits a quick hiptoss. An elbow sends Blitzkrieg into the ropes but he dropkicks Psychosis to the floor. That means a big running flip dive for the first really big spot, only for Psychosis to dropkick him out of the air back inside. A handspring elbow connects for Blitzkrieg but a top rope superplex is broken up. The guillotine legdrop finishes for Psychosis at 6:13.

Rating: C+. This feels more like a match that was included for the people involved, though I never got much out of Blitzkrieg. The big flip dive looked good, but it’s not like there was anything here that wasn’t done better by others. That being said, I always thought Psychosis was underrated so it was nice to see him get a win here.

From Shotgun Saturday Night, April 5, 1997.

Discovery/Ludxor/Super Nova/Venum vs. Abismo Negro/El Mosco/Histeria/Maniaco

The best known name here in America is Histeria, who would become known as Super Crazy. Nova and Maniaco start things off and of course the fans are chanting for USA. Maniaco faceplants him to start and hits an electric chair as commentary talks about Ken Shamrock. Nova is back up with a fireman’s carry slam into a slingshot elbow before Maniaco misses a charge into the post.

Brian Pillman, on commentary, says he would have no trouble putting these guys in custody if they messed with the school lunch program. I’m going to assume that’s a topical line as Ludxor comes in to take over on Mosco. We get a LENGTHY period of dead air on commentary as Ludxor clotheslines him out to the floor for a twisting dive, meaning it’s Negro coming in to kick Discovery down. Pillman: “Translation: he’s abysmally black.”

We’re clipped for a commercial to Venum knocking Histeria down and hitting a top rope hurricanrana. Histeria is sent outside for a big flipping dive before Nova grabs a spinning armdrag. Venum gets a hurricanrana and Negro hits a big running flip dive as even commentary is impressed with the athletics. Ludxor hits a super armdrag and loads up a Sharpshooter on Maniaco…but leans forward for a pin instead at 7:31 (that’s a new one).

Rating: B-. This was almost fascinating in a way, as commentary clearly had no idea what they were watching and it was just a bunch of people flying around. That being said, it was rather entertaining and WAY out of the norm for this period in the WWF. The fans didn’t have much of a reason to care but they got into it by the end, which is a good sign.

From Super Astros (the WWF’s lucha libre show), May 2, 1999.

Hardy Boyz vs. Papi Chulo/El Merenguero

Chulo is better known as Essa Rios and Mereguero would be Jesus Castillo of Los Boricuas. Jeff and Chulo start things off with Jeff kicking away but getting sent outside, where he pulls Merenguero face first onto the apron. Chulo joins them so Matt hits a big running flip dive to take everyone out. Back in and the Hardys hit their double elbow into the fist drop/flipping backsplash combination. Matt slugs away at Merenquero and gets two off a top rope moonsault.

Jeff’s springboard moonsault gets two but Chulo’s cheap shot from the apron lets the rudos take over. A double suplex drops Jeff and he rolls outside, where Chulo is right there with a big running flip dive. Back in and Merenguero misses a charge into the post, allowing Matt to come in and clean house. Everything breaks down and Chulo hits a pop up dropkick to send Jeff outside, where Mereguero hits a suicide dive. Back in and Chulo hits a spinning faceplant to drop Matt, setting up a shooting star for the pin at 5:13.

Rating: B-. This had a bunch of spots together though they didn’t really reach a point where things got to a different level. You could see the Hardys turning into the kind of team that would quickly get to the top of the division, while Chulo and Mereguero didn’t exactly do much to stand out. This was included due to the Hardys, which is an acceptable enough reason.

From WWC, January 6, 2001.

Mascarita Sagrada/Octagoncito vs. Pierrothito/Piratita Morgan

Sagrada and Octagoncito take it to the floor to start but get sent into each other for the collision. A backbreaker has Sagrada in more trouble and they all get inside with Morgan going after Sagrada’s mask. That doesn’t work so it’s a reverse Beverly Bomb to keep Sagrada in trouble instead. A double dropkick hits Sagrada as well before Pierrothito beats up Octagoncito in the corner.

We settle down to Sagrada on the apron, where he watches Octagoncito get beaten down like a moron. Sagrada comes in and gets double teamed until Pierrothito kicks Morgan by mistake. Octagoncito comes back in with a top rope hurricanrana and then a standing version to send Morgan outside. Pierrothito comes back in with a superkick to Sagrada, who comes back with a quick armdrag.

Sagrada’s hurricanrana gets two on Pierrothito but Morgan is back in to go after Sagrada’s mask again. Sagrada strikes away at Morgan and drops Pierrothito but the rudos are up with a double backdrop to Octagoncito. Back up and Octagoncito grabs the back of the villains’ tights, which makes them accidentally hit the referee. Pierrothito kicks Morgan to the floor by mistake and Octagoncito is there with a running flip dive off the apron. That leaves Sagrada to la majistral Pierrothito for the pin at 7:14.

Rating: C. This is one of those matches that is kind of hard to follow as it’s more of a special feature that only fits for certain kinds of wrestling. The size difference made it easy to get behind Sagrada and Octagoncito, though the match was kind of messy in various parts. They were playing it serious though and I’ll definitely take that over the comedy that you often get with such matches in America.

From Superstars, February 9, 1997.

Hector Garza/Octagon vs. Fuerza Guerrera/Heavy Metal

Metal takes Garza down to start as commentary talks about Metal’s father being the referee. Guerra comes in for a running dropkick to Octagon as Ross tries to tell us what he can about both, which is limited at best. Octagon sends Guerrera outside for a suicide dive into the barricade, leaving Garza and Metal to slingshot in for a showdown. A handspring elbow hits Garza but Metal seems to slip off a springboard moonsault.

It’s back to Guerrera for a slam on Octagon and a Samoan drop lets Guerrera go up. Octagon catches him up on said top and brings him back down as there is a disturbing amount of empty seats opposite the hard camera. A super armdrag brings Guerrera down and Octagon grabs a Black Widow. That’s broken up so Garza hits a top rope moonsault press for two on Metal.

Commentary gets lost on which team is which and we go split screen to Paul Bearer talking about Vader vs. Steve Austin later in the show. Back to full screen and Guerrera dropkicks Garza outside and then clotheslining him back inside. Garza hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for two with Metal making the save. Metal sends Garza outside for a big flip dive but Octagon crucifixes Guerrera for the pin at 7:56.

Rating: C+. As usual, the athleticism is rather impressive and you can tell everyone in here knows what they’re doing. The problem is it rarely feels like the matches are building to anything and it comes off more as a collection of moves until the ending. That being said, it’s nice to have something fresh and different on the shows, though the lack of fans in the stand is not a good sign.

From 205 Live, September 24, 2019.

Humberto Carrillo vs. Angel Garza

They’re cousins who don’t like each other, though Aiden English is fairly obsessed with Carrillo. Commentary mentions that it’s Garza’s birthday, sending English into a rant about all the presents he would get Carrillo for his birthday (fruit baskets are discussed). They go to the mat with Garza working on the leg as English is going on about buying WWE2K games and surfboards and Browns tickets and Circuit City gift cards, as the gag is going on so long that it’s becoming funny again.

An exchange of armdrags goes to Carrillo but Garza pops up and it’s a standoff. We pause so Garza can TAKE OFF HIS PANTS, allowing him to dropkick Carrillo outside. A middle rope moonsault takes Carrillo down on the floor and Garza slowly hammers him down back inside. Carrillo gets tied in the Tree Of Woe for a running dropkick to the knee and we’re off to something like a seated abdominal stretch.

Back up and Garza dropkicks a handspring elbow out of the air for two and it’s back to the abdominal cranking. Carrillo fights up and backflips into a moonsault for two, followed by a high angle springboard armdrag. A missile dropkick hits Garza for two but he’s back up with some dropkicks of his own for two of his own.

Carrillo’s top rope back elbow drops Garza right back and it’s off to a rocking horse. Garza reverses into one of his own, which is broken up as well, leaving them to collide for a double down. Back up and Garza misses a charge into the post, allowing Carrillo to hit the Aztec Press for the pin at 13:44. English: “I’ll get him snacks, I’ll get him sodas!” Maddin/Joseph: “IT’S NOT HIS BIRTHDAY!” English: “Well it will be someday!”

Rating: B. Oddly commentary was the big feature part here, which is a nice thing to see as the action was quite good. 205 Live is a show that was never going to be a big deal because the cruiserweights were considered unimportant, but the wrestling itself was usually awesome. That was the case here, with two guys who knew each other rather well getting some time and coming close to tearing the house down.

From WCW Pro, December 21, 1997.

Juventud Guerrera vs. El Dandy

Feeling out process to start before they trade some shots to the face, with Dandy getting the better of things. Guerrera is right back with a springboard hurricanrana to the floor but Dandy fights back and hits a middle rope legdrop. A kick to the mask and a headbutt between the legs have Guerrera in more trouble but he gets two of his own off a sunset flip. Dandy slams him down and goes up, only to miss a dropkick. A springboard…I guess flipping dropkick finishes Dandy at 3:39.

Rating: C. This is one of the weirdest, or at least least accurately named, collections from the WWE Vault as there have not been many “gems” in this set. That was the case again here, with two guys just having a short match that didn’t stand out in any real way. I don’t get why this was included, though there is something to be said about having Dandy anywhere.

From Saturday Morning Slam (I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a match from this show), November 3, 2012.

Sin Cara vs. El Local

Local would be Ricardo Rodriguez under a mask. Cara takes him down to start and Local runs, with Marella saying Cara’s flips remind him of dancing in high school. A hurricanrana sends Local to the floor, where Cara hits a slingshot dive. Back in and Local manages to send him into the corner and grab a waistlock as Marella goes through a rather extensive list of muscles used in jumping. Cara sends him outside without much trouble though and we take a break. We come back with Cara fighting out of another waistlock and hitting the rope walk armdrag. A corkscrew hilo sets up the springboard Swanton to pin Local at 4:52.

Rating: C+. Weird lighting aside, this was perfectly fine, which was the case with most of what Cara did. It was odd to see Local getting in the ring, as he was mainly an NXT house show guy. This isn’t exactly a gem, but it was certainly something hidden, as Saturday Morning Slam is one of the more forgotten shows you’ll see.

From Super Astros, December 20, 1998.

El Hijo del Santo/Negro Casas vs. Apolo Dantes/Jose Estrada

Casas throws Dantes down to start and it’s off to Santo, who gets kneed down by Estrada. That’s enough for Dantes to come in and stomp Hijo down in the corner. The array of downward kicks continue until it’s back to Estrada. Some double teaming keeps Hijo in trouble, only for Dantes to miss a top rope backsplash. The rather needed tag brings in Casas to clean house, including a running clothesline. Everything breaks down and Casas is sent into Hijo. The rudos are sent into each other as well, leaving Hijo to hit a Swanton, immediately followed by a suicide dive. La majistral finishes Estrada at 6:16.

Rating: C+. This was another case of having important names included, as Hijo and Casas are worth including. At the same time, it was nothing more than a generic tag match, with the rudos offering pretty much nothing of note. I still like the Super Astros stuff being included, even if it was light years behind what WCW was doing.

From a Monterrey, Mexico house show, April 3, 2004.

Cruiserweight Title: Rey Mysterio vs. Chavo Guerrero

Mysterio is challenging and Chavo Classic is with Guerrero. We’re joined in progress with Guerrero stomping away and then faceplanting Mysterio for two. The bodyscissors keeps Mysterio down and Guerrero even goes for the mask, with Chavo Classic offering a distraction. We get some VERY loud spot calling (granted in a handheld camera shot match at a house show) until Mysterio makes the rope.

A rollup gives Mysterio two but he gets elbowed right back down. Classic goes for the mask again, which seems to fire Mysterio up enough to fight back and sent Guerrero outside. The referee cuts off a dive though, only for Mysterio to flip dive onto both Chavos. Back in and Guerrero dropkicks a springboard out of the air for a double down.

Guerrero’s sunset flip doesn’t work as Mysterio gives him a basement dropkick and goes up top. The sunset bomb is blocked so Guerrero gives him an over the shoulder backbreaker for two more. Mysterio slips out of a second attempt though and hits a hurricanrana before taking out Classic. A Code Red gives Mysterio two but the 619…I’m not sure as the camera misses it, but Guerrero is up with a Gory Bomb…for the pin at 9:30.

Rating: C+. What in the world? It’s a house show in Mexico and Mysterio LOSES? I get that the title is on the line but make it a non-title match or have it be a countout. Just don’t have Mysterio, who was in Mexican flag themed gear, lose. It’s a guaranteed way to kill the crowd, which was all because the result was wrong. Heck make it a handicap match or something but let Mysterio win at the end.

Overall Rating: C+. I really wasn’t as into this one as previous editions, mainly due to how bizarre some of the choices wound up being. I get the idea of putting on some random matches, but egads there was nothing else that could have ramped up the quality a bit? It’s not like they’re bad matches for the most part, but calling these “Hidden Gems” is a big stretch in most cases. Not their best work, though there is some interesting variety here. Oh and it’s described as “90 minutes” but it only runs 75. What’s up with that?

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Fatal Four Way Collection
Commentators: Jim Ross, Tazz, Joey Styles, Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler, Cyrus, Joey Styles, Byron Saxton, Renee Young, Tom Phillips, Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph, Aiden English, Jim Cornette

I have no idea why this is something that was necessary, though if you can run a pay per view about it, you can do this too. In this case, I’m not sure how interesting this is going to be as the concept can get tiring rather quickly. Hopefully the action is enough to keep things moving for over two hours so let’s get to it.

From Rebellion 2000.

WWF Title: Kurt Angle vs. Rikishi vs. The Rock vs. Steve Austin

Angle is defending, no countouts or DQ’s and this is Evil Rikishi. The fact that Angle comes out second tells you about where he’s standing at the moment. The brawl is on to start fast with Rock and Rikishi fighting out to the floor, leaving Austin to hit a spinebuster for two on Angle. Rikishi pulls Austin outside so we can switch off a bit, leaving Rock to Samoan drop Angle for two more.

Back up and Rock sends Angle flying over the top as Rikishi and Austin come back in. That means Rikishi gets caught between the superheroes for a bunch of right hands, followed by some double stomping. Angle tries to leave, which doesn’t work for Rock, even if that’s not the wisest move. Austin Thesz presses Rikishi for the right hands and Rock sends Angle back in for a Thesz press from Austin as well.

Angle and Austin head to the floor again with Austin using a cable to choke on the announcers’ table. Rikishi crushes Rock in the corner but the Stinkface is blocked with a well timed low blow. The People’s Elbow gets two, with Angle having to come in for the save. We slow down a bit as the heels take over in something of a mini tag match. As you might expect, Rock and Austin fight back rather quickly and it’s time for the big staredown.

Austin gets the better of things but Rock punches his way out of the corner. That just earns him a Stunner for two with Angle making another save. Tazz: “I cannot believe that Austin just Stunned the Rock.” As I try to figure out why that would confuse him, Austin stomps Angle down in the corner.

That takes too long though and it’s a Rock Bottom for two, with Rikishi pulling the referee out. Back in and the Angle Slam gets a VERY delayed two on Rock but here are Edge and Christian to help Angle. Austin beats them up and it’s a Rock Bottom to Rikishi, with Edge making the save. Cue the Radicalz as Austin Stuns Rikishi for two, with Saturn making the save. Another Angle Slam pins Rikishi to retain the title at 8:50.

Rating: B-. It was fun while it lasted but it didn’t last very long. Rikishi as a big time heel never worked and he was clearly going to be the one to take the fall the second he was introduced. That’s not a terrible thing though, especially for a special England only pay per view in the first place. The rest of the match was your usual stuff and given the circumstances, that was acceptable enough.

From ECW On Sci Fi, August 28, 2007.

The Miz vs. CM Punk vs. Big Daddy V vs. Boogeyman

For a future shot at the ECW Title. V jumps Boogeyman so Miz and Punk jump V, who shrugs all three of them off at once. We get the Boogeyman vs. V showdown but Miz pulls Boogeyman outside. That leaves Punk to dive on V, who throws him outside for the big crash. V beats on Miz and Punk outside but misses a charge and crashes over the barricade.

Punk gets sent into the steps though and Miz is there to jump Boogeyman back inside. Miz’s running corner clothesline gets two on Punk and we hit the chinlock, which is kind of nutty in a four way. Punk is back up with the running knee and bulldog, followed by the top rope clothesline for two. The GTS finishes Miz at 7:07.

Rating: C. This was a really weird choice as it basically turned into a singles match with about three minutes to go. Boogeyman and V just vanished from the thing and never showed up again. I kept waiting for one of them to do something but instead it was just punk shrugging off Miz’s offense and beating him. That’s a fine way to go, but what a weird way to get there.

Post match V beats up Boogeyman as they magically reappear.

From Capital Carnage.

Steve Austin vs. Mankind vs. vs. Kane vs. Undertaker

Yeah that’s a lineup. Gerald Brisco is guest referee and Big Boss Man is guest enforcer. Kane goes after Mankind before the other two come to the ring but the lights go out for Undertaker’s rather slow paced entrance. The brawl continues throughout the lengthy entrance, with the camera on Undertaker because the wrestling itself is just a detail. They finally stop fighting but Kane knocks Mankind into a chokeslam from Undertaker, leaving the monsters to brawl.

Kane is sent outside and here is Austin as the fight is on again. Undertaker and Austin fight on the ramp and then come back to ringside as Vince McMahon is rather nervous on commentary. With Austin down, Undertaker switches off to Mankind but Austin (still in his vest) is back up and sent inside. Undertaker joins him and gets hit in the face, followed by some choking with the vest.

The jumping clothesline hits Austin (Vince: “YEAH BOY!”) for two as Mankind keeps punching Kane on the floor. Paul Bearer goes JJ Dillon with a shoe to Austin’s head but Austin is back up with a Thesz press to Undertaker. Austin covers and Brisco hurts his knee (doesn’t feel like a screwjob), allowing Kane to make the save. All four finally get inside for the first time a mere seven minutes in and Undertaker and Mankind are outside seven and a half minutes in. The other two go outside and Vince gets mad at Mankind for not attacking Austin.

Back in and Kane chokes Undertaker in the corner while the other two are down. Kane goes after Mankind as JR and Vince get in a spat over Austin. Old School is broken up and Undertaker gets crotched on top, sending the two of them to the floor. Mankind offers Austin a handshake but gets kicked in the ribs, meaning it’s time for the Mandible Claw. Undertaker crotches Mankind against the post and Austin gets double teamed by the giants. We’ll make that triple teamed but Austin fights back, with a chair being brought in.

Mankind breaks up a spoke Tombstone onto the chair but gets his head cracked by Undertaker’s chair shot. Austin covers but Brisco just stops counting. Mankind and Undertaker go outside so Austin hits the Stunner on Kane. Brisco needs to know the time, so Austin decks him down. Undertaker is back in with chokeslams to Austin and Kane, with a regular referee coming in to count as Mankind makes the save. Austin Stuns Kane again for the pin at 16:11.

Rating: B-. This was longer than it needed to be and dragged in the middle, but it felt like a pay per view main event rather than a spruced up house show match. Austin winning is of course the only way to go, though I was expecting Mankind to take the fall. Good enough stuff here, though trimming off three minutes or so would have helped.

From ECW Heat Wave 2000.

Little Guido vs. Psicosis vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri

This doesn’t fit the bill so here is Mikey Whipwreck to make it better.

Little Guido vs. Psicosis vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri vs. Mikey Whipwreck

Yeah that works. They start by kicking each other in the head (shocking I know), with Guido kicking Tajiri out to the floor. Whipwreck hurricanranas Guido and Stuns Tajiri, followed by the running flip dive to the floor. Cue Tony Mamaluke, who gets taken down by Whipwreck. For some reason, Whipwreck dives onto the 500lb Big Sal and is quickly posted. Psicosis hits the guillotine legdrop and Guido pins Whipwreck for the elimination at 1:36.

So that leaves us with the original match, with Tajiri hurricanranaing Psicosis. Guido pulls Psicosis to the floor so Tajiri can hit a nice Asai moonsault onto the two of them. Back in and Tajiri superplexes Guido so Psicosis can hit a somersault legdrop for two (that’s a surprising kickout). An Unprettier hits Psicosis and Tajiri’s bridging German suplex gives Tajiri the pin at 4:28.

We’re down to Guido vs. Tajiri, with the latter kicking him down and getting two off another suplex. The handspring elbow connects and it’s time for a chair (of course). Guido fights back with a Sicilian Slice and kicks Tajiri outside. That lets Guido flip off the fans but the Unprettier is broken up as well. Instead Tajiri kicks him down and hits the brainbuster onto the chair for the pin at 9:18.

Rating: C+. I’m not a huge fan of the “let’s add someone in just so we can eliminate them in a hurry and then get back to the original match”. It just makes me wonder what the point of the addition was in the first place and that was the case here. At least Psicosis was there instead of Super Crazy, as that three way dance had been done to death.

From Insurrextion 2001.

Hardy Boyz vs. X Factor vs. Dudley Boyz vs. Edge And Christian

Elimination rules. Albert is here with X Factor and grabs Bubba’s leg to start, allowing Credible to hammer away. That works in a grand total of no way as Bubba fights back and knocks Credible into the corner. Matt and Christian come in with Christian getting the better of things until Matt neckbreakers his way out of trouble. Jeff comes in to quite the reaction and crossbodies Edge for two.

It’s off to X-Pac to take over on Jeff, who snaps off a headscissors and it’s back to Matt. X-Pac is right back with a crotching against the post, followed by a Bronco Buster. Matt double clotheslines X-Factor down and Jeff comes in to clean house. Everything breaks down and Jeff misses Poetry In Motion. Matt gives X-Pac the Twist Of Fate and, after Albert misses a splash, Jeff drops a Swanton for the elimination at 5:48. X Factor beats up Matt, leaving Christian to Unprettier Jeff for the pin at 6:03.

We’re down to Edge And Christian vs. the Dudleys with the Canadians being whipped into each other. D-Von powerslams Christian for two but gets caught with a backbreaker. It’s off to Edge for a hard whip into the corner but D-Von manages a middle rope clothesline. The referee doesn’t see the tag to Bubba though and Christian is right back with another backbreaker.

The reverse inverted DDT plants Christian though and NOW we get the big tag off to Bubba. House is quickly cleaned, including What’s Up to Edge. It’s time for a table, which knocks Edge And Christian down, only for Rhyno to run in and Gore Bubba. Edge steals the pin at 13:21.

Rating: B-. Speaking of matches that had been done to death, I present you with the tag division from this period. As great as the three main teams were, there comes a point of GET SOMEONE ELSE ALREADY. X-Factor wasn’t much of an addition as they were out in about five minutes, leaving us with the same stuff we’ve seen for WAY too long. The action was fine as usual, but mix it up a bit.

Post match the table is set up but Spike Dudley is here to cut Rhyno off.

From NXT Takeover: Fatal Fourway.

NXT Title: Adrian Neville vs. Tyler Breeze vs. Sami Zayn vs. Tyson Kidd

Neville is defending and it’s one fall to a finish. They’re rather tentative to start with no major contact in the first minute. We pair off with Kidd hammering on Neville and Zayn fighting out of the corner to beat up Breeze. That’s broken up and it’s down to Zayn vs. Neville, which is what people seem rather interested in seeing. The other two come back in to break it up and everyone goes outside for a slugout.

Zayn stops for a quick photo with Breeze’s phone, which he throws inside. Kidd switches off and takes Zayn inside, where Zayn is right back with a Koji Clutch. Breeze breaks that up and a double suplex puts Neville down on the stage. It’s Zayn coming in to cut Kidd off, earning himself a double suplex onto the ramp. Back in and Zayn gets double teamed as we slow down a good bit. Neville tries to make the save and gets kicked outside but Kidd sends Breeze outside as the alliance is done.

Kidd keeps knocking people out to the floor before kicking Zayn in the back for two. A legdrop in the ropes gives Kidd two and Neville gets knocked off the apron as a bonus. Kidd’s running dropkick in the Tree of Woe gets two on Zayn and we hit the chinlock. Neville finally comes back in to break it up (because a chinlock needs to be broken up) but Breeze takes Neville down. Zayn is back up as Neville hits a top rope springboard moonsault to take out the villains.

Neville’s big handspring elbow is countered into…I’m not sure but it’s kind of a backdrop. Kidd catapults Zayn into Neville but can’t get Zayn in the Sharpshooter. He can however kick Zayn in the head, only for Breeze to come back in with some Supermodel Kicks for two each. Breeze takes Neville up top, with Kidd joining Breeze, meaning Zayn can come in to make it a Tower Of Doom.

Zayn gets two and then erupts on Kidd in the corner. Neville gets a boot up to stop a charging Zayn in the corner, setting up the Red Arrow. Breeze steals the cover for two and the freak out on the near fall is great. Kidd is back up with a Sharpshooter on Breeze, with Neville having to dive in to stop the tap, leaving Zayn to make the save. Zayn exploders Kidd into the corner before sending Neville over the barricade. The diving DDT takes Breeze out on the floor again and the Helluva Kick hits Kidd…but Neville pulls the referee at two. Neville takes Zayn out and the Red Arrow retains the title at 24:12.

Rating: B+. I was kind of expecting this one to be included and I’m glad that it was. This was around the time when NXT was becoming a major force and that made for some interesting matches such as this one. If nothing else, it makes me sad to see how far Tyler Breeze fell, as he should have been a much bigger deal than he was after such a great run on NXT.

From the 2019 Royal Rumble Kickoff Show.

Cruiserweight Title: Kalisto vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Hideo Itami vs. Buddy Murphy

Murphy is defending and they trade the early rollups to start. Tozawa gets a Black Widow on Murphy but Kalisto is in for a rather springboardy hurricanrana. Murphy blocks it with raw power but gets dropkicked outside by Tozawa. Back up and Murphy pulls Kalisto’s dive out of the air for a suplex onto the floor.

That leaves Itami in the ring for the showdown, with Murphy coming in to trade kicks to the back. Itami wins a slugout and stomps him down in the corner, meaning it’s time to scream a lot. Tozawa and Kalisto are back up with some dives to take Murphy down, leaving Itami as the only one standing. Kalisto is back up to catapult Tozawa onto Murphy on the floor for quite the landing.

Back in and Kalisto strikes away for two on Itami as things slow back down a bit. Tozawa and Murphy take their place with Murphy down, only for Itami to break up the top rope backsplash. Tozawa’s hurricanrana driver plants Itami and Tozawa follows with a big dive to the floor. Murphy is back up with a big running flip dive onto everyone else, followed by a nasty sitout powerbomb to Kalisto.

Tozawa makes the save but Murphy rolls through a high crossbody. That’s fine with Tozawa, who poisonranas Murphy for two, with Itami stealing the near fall. The Salida Del Sol gives Kalisto two on Itami, meaning it’s time for the four way slugout. Itami and Murphy are left standing with Murphy getting the better of things, including Murphy’s Law to retain at 12:04.

Rating: B. This was a good choice for the last match before the show started as it was about throwing a bunch of people out there and letting them go nuts. Murphy was feeling it as champion at this point as he didn’t wrestle like a cruiserweight and that made things all the better for him. Tozawa wasn’t a total goof yet either and Kalisto had some chops of his own, making this a nice mixture of talent.

From Monday Night Raw, December 1, 1997.

D’Lo Brown vs. Miguel Perez Jr. vs. Chainz vs. Recon

Elimination rules. This is from Gang Warz so there are all kinds of people at ringside. Brown hammers on Chainz to start but Chainz is back with some elbows. Recon (Bull Buchanan) comes in with a hurricanrana, which has Cornette impressed. Brown comes back in to drop Recon and it’s back to Chainz to hammer away a bit. A big boot staggers Recon and Brown punches him into Chainz’s Death Valley Driver for the pin at 2:09.

Brown comes in and gets clotheslined down so it’s off to Perez, who is knocked down just as fast. A quick rollup gives Perez the pin on Brown at 3:14 and we’re down to one on one. The Death Valley Driver connects but everyone comes in and the match is thrown out at 3:37.

Rating: D+. What in the world was the point of adding this? I was thinking the collection was ending with the cruiserweight match and then some angle but instead we get this tacked on mess which doesn’t even have a winner. It’s such a weird way to go and it’s not like this was anything memorable. It’s certainly out of nowhere though and that’s kind of the fun from something like this.

The big brawl ends the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This was MUCH better than I was expecting, as it was one of the collections that I was dreading and it wound up being a lot of fun. The thing that makes these collections work is how much they mix things up and that’s what you got here, with some stuff from different promotions and a variety of eras. I had fun with this and it was one of the nicer surprises. It’s not my favorite format, but they made this work, even without an entry from the FATAL FOUR WAY pay per view. Even WWE forgot about that mess.

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Evolve
Date: October 1, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

We are on the way to Succession and that means it is time to start getting the card ready. Things are already starting to come together and now we need to get the rest of the stuff set up. Tonight is about finding out the #1 contender for the Evolve Title, with Jackson Drake sending Bryce Donovan to solve the problem. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Adrenaline Drip vs. Harley Riggins/Jax Presley

During their entrance, Presley and Riggins brag about their abilities and mock the idea of “indy workers”. Jones slugs away at Presley to start but Presley drags him into the corner to cut that off. Riggins comes in to miss a big boot, allowing the tag off to Cartwheel. A headscissors and armdrag bring Riggins down…and hang on as Riggins seems to have hurt his leg.

A frustrated Riggins takes his shirt off…and of course it’s goldbricking, with Riggins kicking Cartwheel in the face to put him down. Presley hammers away as well before it’s back to Riggins for a nice Backstabber. Cartwheel cartwheels away from Riggins but hurts his back, only to get over to Jones a few seconds later. A springboard clothesline and high crossbody put Presley down but there’s no count.

Everything breaks down and Cartwheel hits a great looking springboard spinning splash on Riggins, only to get caught with a heck of a backbreaker from Presley. Riggins is sent into the post and Cartwheel hits the springboard moonsault, leaving Presley to get caught with Flip N Sip (Downward Spiral/top rope flipping cutter combination) for the pin at 5:58.

Rating: B-. I was surprised at how short the match was as they packed a lot into this thing. Riggins and Presley continue to impress me with everything that they’re doing, as they are one of those classic archetypes of a team that can work in any era. They’re both long, long term prospects but they’re off to a nice start. Adrenaline Drip will likely be in the Tag Team Title picture and there is a good chance those belts are announced soon.

Tate Wilder is ready to take the path of learning after his recent failures. Sean Legacy comes in and tells him to stay ready for Edris Enofe before he faces Ridge Holland.

Jackson Drake again tells Bryce Donovan that he needs to lock in around here, with Donovan not being pleased. Donovan tells Drake to stop talking to him like a child, which is the thing that Drake wanted to see. Apparently this was his idea.

Edris Enofe vs. Tate Wilder

Enofe hammers him to start and manages a neck snap across the buckle in the corner. They head outside where Enofe forearms him in the face but Wilder uses the post to jump up for a dropkick in a nice move. Back in and Enofe knocks him out of the air and grabs Wilder by the arm for some clotheslines.

Wilder tries to fight up from his knees and gets kicked in the face for his efforts. A belly to back suplex actually gets Wilder out of trouble but Enofe dropkicks him back down. The turnbuckle pad is taken off for a distraction, allowing Enofe to grab a chair. Cue Sean Legacy to cut that off and Wilder hits a heck of a dive to the floor. Wilder strikes away and grabs a spinning suplex, followed by the Wilde Ride (moonsault) for the pin at 5:34.

Rating: C+. I’m still not sure I get it with Wilder as The Modern Day Cowboy isn’t exactly a top level gimmick, but they certainly seem to be trying with him and he does have a story going on. At some point you have to just try with someone and he’s a young, new star. That dive looked good too so the athleticism is absolutely there. Now just make it work.

Legacy and Wilder are rather happy, while Enofe glares.

Layla Diggs and Masyn Holiday try to get Wendy Choo to do TikTok dances with them. It actually seems to work but Nikkita Lyons comes in to say Choo was better when she didn’t talk. Choo: “What a b****.”

Carlee Bright vs. Kali Armstrong

Non-title and Kendal Grey is here with Bright. Armstrong knocks her down to start and cranks on the arm but Bright gets in a knee to the ribs. Back up and Armstrong just tosses her outside, followed by a running powerslam inside for two. Bright fights up and gets a running headscissors, followed by another out of the corner. A top rope bulldog and small package give Bright two but Armstrong plants her with the powerslam. The Kali Connection drops Bright but Armstrong hits another (with Bright flipping on the contact) for the pin at 5:38.

Rating: C. The second Kali Connection helped a bit, as Armstrong had simply won rather than doing any special damage. The idea here would seem to be Armstrong destroying Grey’s friend before their title match and while she didn’t quite do that, the big shoulders were devastating. Bright was good as the sacrificial lamb here and this is feeling like a big time title match.

Brooks Jensen only needs three seconds to get a singles title shot. He knows the rage that Keanu Carver has inside of him but Jensen the same. We see some of Jensen’s issues over the years but all he has ever wanted is an opportunity.

Video on the WWE ID Program, including some wrestlers going to Malaysia.

It’s Gal needs a new tag partner but no one is good enough for him. Dante Chen comes in and wishes him well, but Gal doesn’t want to hear it. The match seems to be set for later.

Keanu Carver vs. Brooks Jensen

For the Evolve Title shot at Succession. Carver shoves him around to start before Jensen tries to strike away. That goes nowhere as Carver grabs some slams and a Samoan drop for two. We cut to the back where the Vanity Project sends Bryce Donovan to deal with this before Carver misses a charge into the post.

We take a break and come back with Jensen hitting a middle rope knee to the arm, followed by the armbar. The bad arm is sent into the buckle but Carver is able to send Jensen’s arm into the post for a change. A fall away slam sends Jensen flying and a pop up Samoan drop gives Carver two. Jensen is back with a big clothesline for two and the middle rope legdrop gets the same. Carver gets annoyed at the kicking though and grabs the leg, only to get belly to back suplexed. Back up and Carver hits a big shoulder, followed by the spinning powerslam for the pin at 8:45.

Rating: C+. Jensen is someone who knows how to do things in the ring, but he’s only so interesting. At the same time, Carver feels like the big threat to the title and that should be enough to get him into the title match. This worked well enough, though I never bought Carver as being in danger.

Post match Bryce Donovan comes in with a chair to lay Carver out. The arm is crushed with the chair and the Vanity Project comes out to stomp and pose. Jackson Drake and Donovan shake hands to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show is finally in the mode where they have to build towards something. That hasn’t been an idea around here in its history so far and it’s a nice change of pace. If nothing else, we have the two title matches already set up and that should be enough to carry us for the next few weeks. I’m not sure what else is going to be on the rest of the show, but for now the top of the card is strong enough.

Results
Adrenaline Drip b. Harley Riggins/Jax Presley – Flip N Sip to Presley
Tate Wilder b. Edris Enofe – Wilde Ride
Kali Armstrong b. Carlee Bright – Kali Connection
Keanu Carver b. Brooks Jensen – Spinning powerslam

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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WWF In Paris
Date: October 13, 1989
Location: Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris, France
Commentators: George Eddy, Thierry Gilard

The name kind of speaks for itself as the company is across the pond. That means we should be in for some interesting match selections, as house shows alone can be all over the place but international house shows can be downright bizarre. Believe it or not, Hulk Hogan is headlining, as tended to be his custom. Let’s get to it.

The ring announcer welcomes us to the show.

Honky Tonk Man vs. Bret Hart

Jimmy Hart is here with Honky Tonk Man and there are ring girls carrying signs with the wrestlers’ names in a unique change. Hart chases Honky Tonk Man outside to start and Jimmy grabs the mic to complain about the booing. The villains are already trying to walk but change their mind, with Honky Tonk Man coming back for a lockup instead. Hart hammers away to take over and Honky Tonk Man needs a second break.

Back in and an armdrag into an armbar lets Hart start in on the arm. Honky Tonk Man gets up and tries a boot to the ribs, which is easily blocked so they can go back to the armbar. Hart is sent to the apron, where he is fine enough to come back with a sunset flip for two. That means we’re already back in the armbar as Hart certainly has a theme here. Perhaps due to the experience he has of being stuck in the hold, Honky Tonk Man fights up for some shots to the face but Hart cuts that off again.

Jimmy trips Hart though and Honky Tonk Man gets in a cheap shot to actually take over. A back elbow sets up some elbow drops to keep Hart down, but he’s right back up with an elbow of his own. Jimmy tries to interfere and even goes up top, which is broken up just as fast. Hart knocks Honky Tonk Man to the floor…and apparently it’s a DQ win for Hart at 9:56 shown. Apparently about five minutes was clipped, which was either at the beginning or very well done in the middle.

Rating: C. This wasn’t bad as Hart’s singles run continues to get teased. Putting Honky Tonky Man out there was a fine way to go as he’s a heat machine who can make anyone look good. It was never going to be a classic exchange of technical skills, but I’ll take Hart getting to show what he can do pretty much anytime.

Post match Honky Tonk Man talks about how the fans want to hear him sing so get the Canadian grease ball out of here. Hart comes back in and gets jumped with Honky Tonk Man stomping away but Hart is back with the required atomic drop to clear. That’s enough for Honky Tonk Man to bail out, as you might have expected.

Jim Duggan vs. Dino Bravo

Jimmy Hart is here with Bravo and Duggan is the King here. Bravo poses a bunch to start and of course Duggan knows exactly how to play to the crowd to respond to that. With that broken up, Duggan fires off the clotheslines and Bravo is knocked outside for the breather. Back in and Duggan wins a slugout with an atomic drop so Bravo is right back on the floor.

This time Duggan sends Hart into Bravo and poses a lot (as he was known to do, because he’s rather awesome that way). Back in and Bravo elbows him in the back of the head and it’s time to choke on the rope, as Bravo has something stuck to his chest and it’s bugging me. Duggan is sent head first into the buckle and we hit the chinlock.

The comeback is cut off and the chinlock goes on again before Bravo sends him crashing outside. Back in and an atomic drop puts Duggan down again but Bravo misses an elbow. The right hands in the corner have Bravo back in trouble but the referee gets bumped. In this match??? Hart tries to bring in the megaphone and of course hits Bravo by mistake. The three point clothesline finishes for Duggan at 8:32.

Rating: D+. Yeah this was about as boring as you would expect, with both guys doing their thing and neither being much to see. Duggan was playing to the crowd rather well as expected, though that doesn’t make for a good match. Throw in the ending being a bit messier than it needed to be and this wasn’t exactly worth seeing.

Post match Hart comes in for a distraction and Bravo hits Duggan with the megaphone.

Rockers vs. Fabulous Rougeau Brothers

Believe it or not, Jimmy Hart is here with the Rougeaus. Michaels starts with Ray but gets distracted by Jacques, allowing Ray to jump him from behind. Jacques comes in to start on the arm but gets faceplanted for his efforts. It’s off to Marty for an elbow to the face and a middle rope right hand gets two. Jacques does a really fast scamper over to the corner for the tag to Ray and we’re clipped to Marty dropping an elbow on Ray’s back.

Michaels comes in to work on the leg and changes with Jannetty behind the referee’s back, with the fans approving. Jacques’ protest gets nowhere and I have a feeling that’s going to be brought up again later. The Rockers change places again so Jacques tries to break it up, leaving Ray to get wishboned before Jannetty works on the leg some more.

Jacques goes on what sounds like a VERY non-PG rant to the referee, who goes over to yell at Michaels. Since Jacques is over there listening, there’s no one for Ray to tag so Jannetty drags him back to the middle in a funny bit. The Rockers change behind the referee’s back again and Jacques is appealing to the fans for honesty. Michaels insists that he tagged and Earl Hebner of course goes with it, because he and Michaels are such great friends forever.

Jacques finally grabs Michaels’ hair from the apron so Ray can get in a knee to the back and send him hard into the corner. Some choking from the apron has Michaels in more trouble and it’s off to Jacques for an assisted gutbuster. Jacques’ always good looking jumping back elbow drops Michaels again and a double clothesline connects as well. Michaels is sent outside this time, leaving the Rougeaus to have a much needed hug. Back in and Jacques pulls the hair to stay on the back before Ray grabs a front facelock.

Jannetty tries to make a save and the Rougeaus trade places, just like the Rockers did earlier. The referee does at least yell at them before counting two on Michaels. The front facelock goes on again and Michaels fights up for the tag, with the referee not seeing it as they’re hitting all of the high points here. Jacques accidentally knees Ray (Hart panics) and Jannetty gets to come in to clean house.

Jacques’s sunset flip is blocked with a right hand and Ray’s distraction means the backslide gets a VERY delayed two. Ray trips Jannetty from the floor and Jacques hits the piledriver, only for Michaels to come in for one of his own. That leaves Ray to celebrate at the sound of the count as Jannetty pins Jacques at 14:44.

Rating: B. This is a great definition of a fun match as you had both teams doing exactly what they should have done throughout. The fans were into the whole thing because not only is it an easy story, but it was also done rather well, which helps a lot. Rather good stuff here from two teams who know exactly what they’re doing with the theme of behind the referee’s back throughout.

WWF Title: Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage

Hogan is defending and brings out Miss Elizabeth while Savage has Sherri. Savage throws in a chair before coming in to grab a headlock. A shoulder sends Savage bailing out to the floor and it’s time for some stalling, with Savage grabbing the mic to promise to win the title. He even dedicates the win to Sherri, the most beautiful woman in the world.

Savage starts getting back in but Sherri comes in for a back rake, allowing Savage to hit the ax handle. The double stomping is on but Hogan fights them off without much trouble and we’re clipped to Hogan hammering away on the floor. Back in and Hogan hammers away, with the fans counting along in French in a nice moment. Some choking brings Sherri up to the apron and Hogan is really not impressed, even threatening her with a right hand. Savage gets in a cheap shot so Sherri can scratch away some more, followed by the top rope ax handle back inside.

We hit the sleeper to make Hogan writhe around on the mat a bit, followed by the required comeback. We’re clipped to Savage snapping his throat across the top rope and hitting a top rope ax handle with…something for a cheap shot. The cover triggers the Hulk Up, with Hogan holding Savage for Elizabeth. Sherri is kicked away and Elizabeth…seemingly slaps Savage, as the camera misses it. Either way, Hogan drops the leg to retain at 8:35 shown (of about 12:00).

Rating: C+. For the life of me I have no idea why they would clip this, as they not only have the full match but released it on the Vault earlier this year. Either way, it was about as standard of a Hogan vs. Savage match as you could get, which shouldn’t be a surprise as they probably did it about 1,472 times. The big deal here was Elizabeth with the slap which of course didn’t make air because the WWF could have some screwy camera work. It was fine for a main event though, as you probably expected.

Post match Sherri is sent into Savage and Hogan celebrates with Elizabeth to wrap things up, complete with pyro, confetti and balloons. Dang Paris treated this as a big deal.

Overall Rating: C+. The whole thing runs less than an hour so there is only so much to get interested in, but they hit a lot of the high points for this era. It’s a four match show (with two dark matches) and the tag match is worth a look if you have time. This is the kind of random things that I love to see released and it was awesome to see it here, as close to full as you could. Nothing worth going out of your way to see, but for about fifty seven minutes, it could have been a lot worse.

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Bashed In The USA
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon, Lord Alfred Hayes, Jim Ross, Randy Savage, Bobby Heenan
Host: Mr. Perfect

I’ve seen this tape before but it’s been such a long time that it’s worth another look now that the Vault has put it up. This is from 1993 so it’s not the greatest time in the company’s history but there should be some decent stuff in there. If nothing else, Bret and Shawn should be around to save things. Let’s get to it.

Out host is Mr. Perfect, who is looking for the perfect…stamp. Geez how bad were the ideas they rejected?

From December 14, 1992 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Razor Ramon vs. Big Boss Man

Ramon offers ring announcer Mike McGuirk a kiss before the match but she doesn’t seem interested. They stall a lot to start with Ramon wanting the nightstick gone (fair) and then promising to throw Boss Man out. Boss Man responds by SNAPPING THE TOOTHPICK but Ramon bails to the floor. After over two minutes of stalling, Boss Man wants to head outside as well, meaning it’s time for some stretching on the barricade.

Ramon invites Boss Man back inside so Boss Man shakes the ropes for a low blow, which I guess counts as contact? They finally lock up after over three minutes and they roll around the ropes. Ramon shoves him so Boss Man is back with a good right hand. Ramon’s headlock and shoulder don’t get him very far so Boss Man invites him to try it again.

We go to the test of strength, with Boss Man going down to a knee and Ramon kicks him in the ribs for daring to try a comeback. Boss Man fights up and hits the uppercut before elbowing him into a rollup for two. Some right hands in the corner have Ramon in more trouble but he grabs the nightstick. The big swing misses but Ramon gets a boot up in the corner. A rollup with feet on the ropes gives Ramon the cheap pin at 7:45.

Rating: D+. This wasn’t very good, as it was a bunch of stalling and then some very basic stuff. Boss Man was mostly done as a big deal at this point and wouldn’t even be around the company that much longer. Ramon on the other hand was brand new so giving him a win helped. Just maybe make it a bit better on the way there next time.

Mr. Perfect doesn’t think much of Ramon and we see a clip from Survivor Series 1992 of Perfect cleaning house with a chair.

From June 3, 1992 in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada.

Rick Martel/Money Inc. vs. Tatanka/High Energy

Jimmy Hart is here with Martel and company. Owen armdrags DiBiase down to start as commentary buries someone named Marty Applebaum, who apparently works for Coliseum Video. This isn’t the first time they’ve mocked him so we have a running joke, and it’s a long run as well as this goes on for a good while. DiBiase armdrags Owen right back and mocks him a bit but gets dropkicked, with everything breaking down and the villains getting cleaned out.

Back in and Martel turns his back on Owen, who brings Tatanka in to take him apart. The middle rope chop to the head sends Martel to the floor and it’s off to Ware for a dropkick to IRS. Monsoon buries him too by saying Ware has put on about 25lbs. A shot from behind puts Ware down but he’s up and over to Tatanka for the tag. DiBiase gets a boot up in the corner, though commentary would rather talk about French fries. Martel comes in for kicking and choking and it’s back to IRS with a middle rope fist to the head.

DiBiase gets in a snapmare into a chinlock as Hayes talks about which partner Tatanka should tag (he picks Hart). Tatanka fights up for a sunset flip but gets caught in the front facelock. Naturally he gets over to Ware but the referee doesn’t see the tag, meaning IRS can choke in the corner (Hayes approves, like the evil Englishman he is). Tatanka finally suplexes his way to freedom and the tag brings in Hart to clean hammer away. Everything breaks down and DiBiase trips Ware, who gets pinned by IRS at 12:13, despite neither of them being legal (which Monsoon does point out).

Rating: C. This was long and fairly dull, but I can go for a six man where they get some people out there and let them do their thing for a bit. Martel and Tatanka were in the middle of a fairly dull feud but at least the other match was fairly fresh. The ending left a good bit to be desired though, as it wasn’t hard to keep track of who was legal. Unless you’re a Hebner, but why would you ever trust one of them?

Mr. Perfect finally gets some help with the stamp and throws us to a profile on Shawn Michaels. The store employee not even turning her head when Perfect stops to talk to the camera is rather funny.

Shawn Michaels can’t believe he was asked to get his amazing career down to three matches but he’s the Wrestler of the 90s so it’s easy enough.

From January 26, 1993 in Fresno, California.

Intercontinental Title: Shawn Michaels vs. Kamala

Michaels is defending and Slick is here with Kamala. Some belly slapping has Michaels dodging as there are A LOT of empty seats opposite the camera. Michaels slides between the legs as we’re still waiting on the first contact. The offer of a handshake lets Michaels get in a right hand but a whip out of the corner gets him nowhere. Instead Kamala chops him out to the floor and takes a quick lap, with Slick telling him to stay in the ring, which Hayes DOES NOT like.

Back in and Michaels’ cheap shot doesn’t work so Kamala grabs a bearhug into a choke. That’s broken up and Michaels gets in a shot off the top for a knockdown. Kamala is right back with a superkick and the chops before just dumping him over the top. Michaels throws Slick down and just walks out, with Kamala following for the double countout at 4:30.

Rating: C-. They didn’t have much time here and it wasn’t exactly worth seeing. Michaels was an all time in-ring star but there is only so much that even he can do in a four minute match against Kamala with so much of the time being wasted. As usual, I don’t get the point in having matches in a profile go like this but that’s the Coliseum Video way.

Post match Kamala drags Michaels back to the ring and gives him a splash.

Michaels mocks Kamala and is ready for his next match, even if it’s against an odd opponent.

From December 14, 1992 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Intercontinental Title: Shawn Michaels vs. Skinner

Michaels is defending again in a rare heel vs. heel match. We get a slow start as Michaels has to take his entrance gear off, with Skinner sending him straight into the corner. A slam drops Michaels and a heck of a right hand puts him on the floor. Back in and Skinner knocks him down again, followed by a swinging neckbreaker.

Commentary tries to figure out if Skinner would rather have the title or Michaels stuffed on his mantle. A shoulder breaker gets two and they go outside, where Skinner misses a charge into the post. Back in and Michaels tries to jump over him but gets punched in the face. Some hard headbutts and a faceplant have Michaels in more trouble. Skinner throws him over the top but Michaels slides back in for the superkick to retain at 4:40.

Rating: C+. Skinner was oddly impressive as a de facto face here, as he beat Michaels up until a quick ending. This was better than I was expecting, even with the heel vs. heel setup. I’m not sure how far Skinner could have gone, but he was shockingly good in this kind of a role.

Michaels says it’s time to face off against a real human being.

From October 28, 1992 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Intercontinental Title: Shawn Michaels vs. Virgil

Michaels is defending and takes him down without much trouble as Heenan worries about Michaels chewing gun during the match. Some slaps to the back of the head annoy Virgil so much that he hits a dropkick for two. That’s cut off in a hurry and Michaels knocks him down again, setting up a quick chinlock.

Virgil gets back up so Michaels drops him with a clothesline, followed by a not great looking suplex. Michaels charges into a boot in the corner and gets clotheslined in the back of his head, allowing Virgil to start the snap jabs. A middle rope clothesline gives Virgil two but he misses a knee in the corner. The teardrop suplex retains the title at 7:10.

Rating: C. I know Virgil had a bit of a following around this time but my goodness he’s just so generic. There’s nothing to him that makes him stand out in any way and his big move here was a middle rope clothesline. Michaels never felt in danger and it was nice to see him get a win, but it would have been better with a higher level opponent.

Michaels brags about his success and goes to answer the door because his chicks are here.

Mr. Perfect knows a lot about stamps.

From May 18, 1992 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Battle Royal

Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Sgt. Slaughter, Tatanka, El Matador, Virgil, Texas Tornado, Barry Horowitz, Jim Powers, Repo Man, Kato, Skinner, Dale Wolfe, Brooklyn Brawler, Brian Costello, Reno Riggins, Barry Hardy, Duane Gill, Chuck Casey, Tom Stone, Crush, Colonel Mustafa, Burt Spears, George Anderson, Ron Cumberledge, Mark Spears, Ted DiBiase, IRS, Jerry Sags, Brian Knobbs, Beau Beverly, Blake Beverly, Hawk, Animal, Owen Hart, Koko B. Ware, Earthquake, Typhoon

I missed some of the jobbers’ names and I can’t imagine that matters whatsoever. They start fairly slowly as there is only so much room to maneuver out there right now. A bunch of people get together to doss Earthquake and Typhoon early on, which does at least give us some extra room. Naturally Hart and Michaels get into it, as they are eternally required to do. Cumberledge is out (Savage: “I was going to say the unknown soldier.”) and another jobber who isn’t worthy of commentary’s attention is out too.

Someone else (“Another young man.”) is tossed and Hawk actually goes up for some right hands, because he’s not all there. You can see a lot of people just standing around waiting on something to do because there is only so much room and stuff going on. Hawk and Sags are both knocked out and brawl on the floor before their partners are out as well. The ring is slowly starting to clear out but there are still a bunch of people.

Two more jobbers are out and at least now there is something of a space in the middle where some action can take place. More jobbers, Repo Man and Tornado are out and it’s time for some people to rake backs. Crush goes after both Beverlys as Michaels and Hart go out at the same time. Mustafa tosses Horowitz and IRS gets rid of Slaughter. Powers is out and the bizarre team of DiBiase and Kato get rid of Crush.

Brawler is out too and Tatanka gently puts Mustafa out. Ware is backdropped out (thank goodness he’s wearing parachute pants) and Stone is out (as he was somehow still in). Kato, DiBiase and Virgil (the last two together) are out in a row. Stone is out again (ok then) and we’re down to Tatanka, Blake, Beau and IRS. Tatanka tries to fight all of them but IRS dumps Beau. Tatanka gets rid of IRS and then chops Blake out for the win at 13:17.

Rating: C-. Pretty bleh battle royal here but they ran this forty man version all over the place. It’s still cool to see as it has a lot of the midcard, plus a wide variety of jobbers. There’s nothing in the way of action though and nothing was really built up, save for maybe the Beverlys hanging in there. Nothing much to see here, but the concept is cool.

Perfect rips up a $2 million stamp because it’s not in perfect condition.

Bret Hart does a lot of art. This is pretty well known and he’s rather talented. He draws (mainly in caricature/cartoon style) the Undertaker, Paul Bearer, Yokozuna, Mr. Fuji, Money Inc. and Hulk Hogan while talking about how everyone has a gift. Nice little feature here.

From June 1, 1992 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Intercontinental Title: Rick Martel vs. Bret Hart

Hart is defending. Believe it or not they go technical to start, with neither being able to get an advantage. The headlock takeover into the headscissors sequence doesn’t go anywhere so Martel cartwheels away. Hart goes for the arm but Martel cartwheels away again, only to get clotheslined outside by an apparent gymnastics hater.

Back in and Martel gets in a few shots of his own to take over, only to miss a charge into the post. Hart works on the arm and gets two off a backslide before going back to the arm, as he is known to do. Martel gets out, misses an elbow, and gets armbarred again. That’s broken up as well and Martel knocks him down but the chinlock doesn’t last long. A sunset flip gives Hart two but Martel gives him a gutwrench suplex.

Another suplexes is broken up so Hart hits an atomic drop (you know the funny sell is included) and follows up with a clothesline. The Russian legsweep gets two but the referee gets bumped, allowing Martel to use the atomizer. The Boston crab goes on but here is Shawn Michaels to deck Hart for the DQ at 10:13.

Rating: C+. The ending actually makes sense, as Michaels was mildly obsessed with the idea of taking the title from Hart. Therefore, he didn’t want Martel to take the title, even if it meant screwing over a fellow heel. At the same time, this sets up Michaels vs. Martel in their bizarrely interesting No Punches To The Face match at Summerslam.

From June 30, 1992 in Binghamton, New York.

Beverly Brothers vs. Natural Disasters

The Genius is here with the Brothers. The Brothers jump them to start but the Disasters actually do a do-see-do to avoid a crash into each other. Stereo splashes in the corner crush the Brothers and Earthquake splashes Typhoon into them. Earthquake and Blake fight to the floor but the distraction lets Beau hit Typhoon with Genius’ scroll.

A double clothesline out of the corner gets Typhoon out of trouble but Beau manages to snapmare him down. The chinlock doesn’t last long and it’s off to Earthquake to clean house. The powerslam and elbow get two on Blake, with Beau making the save. Everything breaks down and Typhoon beats up the Genius, leaving Earthquake to get double teamed on the floor. Beau dives back in to beat the count at 7:13.

Rating: D+. This is one of those matches that isn’t interesting or important and then they have a bad finish on top of it. The Beverly Brothers were as mediocre of a team as you could get and they’re beating the Natural Disasters? I’m not sure I get this one but that is how Coliseum Video matches tended to go.

Mr. Perfect is still not pleased with the stamp selection but throws us to our main event.

From March 8, 1993 in San Antonio, Texas.

Undertaker vs. Yokozuna

Paul Bearer and Yokozuna are here too. They stare each other down for a good while before Yokozuna’s right hands don’t do much. Instead Undertaker hits a running DDT but a clothesline puts him on the floor. Undertaker goes after Fuji but gets sent into the steps for his efforts. Back in and Yokozuna crushes him in the corner before dropping the big leg. The belly to belly suplex gets two so Yokozuna gets the salt bucket for the DQ at 4:08.

Rating: D-. What in the world was that? They stalled a lot at the beginning and then the match itself barely breaks four minutes. I have no idea what they were thinking here as it’s more a match that annoys the fans than anything else. If you don’t want either of them taking a pin, just don’t put the match together in the first place.

Post match the beatdown is on but the Banzai Drop misses. Undertaker fights back and Yokozuna walks away.

Perfect shows his perfect stamp and it’s…a picture of him. Well of course it is.

Overall Rating: D+. I for one am shocked that the best matches on a tape from 1993 involved Bret and Shawn. What I am rather shocked about though is the fact that Skinner had the match of the tape for a good stretch. This was a pretty rough collection with absolutely nothing worth seeing. It’s definitely not a great era for the company and if this is the best they could offer, you could see why.

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Evolve
Date: September 24, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

We’re back in the Performance Center and things are not going well with the Vanity Project. Bryce Donovan is not liking the idea of Jackson Drake blaming him for the team’s recent losses and might be coming for him. Other than that, Kali Armstrong might have to deal with Kendal Grey so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Stevie Turner gets us going and has a few announcements. First up, Chase U is here tonight to face Swipe Right. In addition, on October 15, Evolve will hold its first special with Succession, where both titles will be defended. Challengers to be announced.

Opening sequence.

Here is Kendal Grey for a chat. Last week, she made Wendy Choo quit for one of the biggest wins of her career. It means her hard work is starting to pay off. She’s in Evolve to find out who she is and she’s getting more and more comfortable every week. There is no woman here on her level, including Kali Armstrong. With Succession coming up, she wants a title shot.

Cue Armstrong to say Grey is feeling herself and that she knew Grey would be coming for the title. Grey says everyone is the same when they’re locked in an armbar but here is Chantel Monroe to interrupt. She wants the title, but Grey says Monroe has already dropped the ball in her title shots. Monroe blames the loss on Kylie Rae, which brings out Stevie Turner to interrupt. Before she can say anything though, Armstrong says she wants to defend the title in a singles match because she wants everyone to know she won because she’s better. Turner gets it and makes Monroe vs. Grey later tonight for the title shot.

Someone seems to be filming the Vanity Project when Stevie Turner comes in. Jackson Drake wants to know who he’s facing at Succession. Ricky Smokes hits on Turner, which doesn’t work for her, as she makes Brooke Jensen vs. Keanu Carver for the title shot tonight. As for Swipe Right, they have something to do.

Swipe Right vs. Chase U

The rest of the Vanity Project and Andre Chase are here too. Dixon and Smokes lock up to start and Connors has to come in to break up a double suplex attempt. Connors comes in as Dixon kicks Baylor’s leg out, setting up Connors’ Fameasser. Smokes saves Baylor from a double suplex but their double dropkick misses. Baylor kicks Dixon down on the floor though and we take a break.

We come back with Smokes slipping out of a slingshot suplex and ducking an enziguri. Baylor hits a running knee for two on Dixon but he’s able to fight up and bring Connors back in. Everything breaks down and Connors hits a big running flip dive, followed by a Swanton for two on Smokes. An exchange of kicks to the head sets up a double powerbomb for two on Baylor but Dixon gets knocked to the floor. We get a big seconds staredown on the floor but Dixon is taken out. That leaves Smoke to grab Connors’ leg, setting up the Super Swipe to finish Connors at 8:34.

Rating: B-. This is the second match in a row where Chase U has looked good so maybe they’ve got something as the young, up and coming team. There’s always room for something like that and if Chase can get a bit of his old self back, I’m more than all for it. Swipe Right continues to be ok for around here, but I can’t picture them having much of a chance on a higher level.

Post match the Vanity Project celebrates with Jackson Drake mocking Bryce Donovan about last week’s loss. With that out of the way, Drake says he doesn’t want to face Keanu Carver or Brooks Jensen. That’s a problem, so it’s time for Donovan to fix things. Donovan doesn’t seem thrilled.

Jax Presley and Harley Riggins are happy with their recent workouts and think everyone is scared of them. They might be up for the Tag Team Titles (which almost have to be coming now that they’ve been mentioned twice) but Stevie Turner sends them a text, saying Adrenaline Drip wants a rematch. They’re in.

Various women talk about their picks for tonight’s #1 contenders match. Nikkita Lyons thinks she should be in the match and Wendy Choo says this is going to be harder than she thought.

It’s Gal is in Stevie Turner’s office. Apparently Jamar Hampton has cracked his hip and is out for a bit. Ridge Holland comes in and wonders why he isn’t in the #1 contenders match. Tate Wilder comes in to say you don’t speak to women like that so Turner makes Holland vs. Wilder. Actually that’s not what Wilder wanted. Not yet anyway, but he will. So why were you there? Then Turner throws Gal out.

Keanu Carver doesn’t think much of Brooks Jensen and doesn’t want to know him, but it’s time to hurt him.

Chantel Monroe vs. Kendal Grey

For the title shot at Succession. Monroe takes her down to start and points a lot so Grey grabs a waistlock to take over. A forearm sends Grey into the corner and Monroe chops away but stops to dance. Grey is back up with a crossbody and some armdrags into an armbar. Monroe reverses into an armbar of her own, which Grey reverses right back. A basement dropkick sends Monroe to the floor, only for her to come back with a neckbreaker over the ropes as we take a break.

We come back with Monroe hitting a knee to the face for two and choking on the rope. A Hennig necksnap gives Monroe two and she grabs a triangle choke. Grey fights back and slugs away, including some running elbows to the face. An overhead belly to belly connects but Monroe superkicks her out of the air. Something like a TKO gets two but Grey catches her on top with a super Spanish Fly for two of her own. Monroe gets two off a rollup (and a close one at that) but gets caught in the cross armbreaker for the tap at 9:55.

Rating: B. Grey is absolutely feeling like a prospect and it wouldn’t shock me to see her slay the monster to get the title. They’re turning the armbar into something and that’s a smart idea. At the same time, this was easily Monroe’s best match ever and that is great to see. Hopefully she can build on it, as she’s been needing the upgrade.

Post match Carlee Bright comes out to celebrate and Kali Armstrong comes out to stare to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. One of the things that I like about this show is that they mix up the format almost every week. You might get a bunch of matches or you might get something like this, with a pair of talking but some things being set up for later. It’s making things easier to watch week after week and I’m curious to see how Succession goes. Nice job here, as Evolve is becoming one of my favorite shows of the week.

Results
Swipe Right b. Chase U – Super Swipe to Connors
Kendal Grey b. Chantel Monroe – Cross armbreaker

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Meiko Satomura Collection
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan, Mike Tenay, Larry Zbyszko, Dusty Rhodes, Chris Cruiser, Michael Cole, Beth Phoenix, Renee Young, Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph, Wade Barrett, Booker T.

Why not. She’s an absolute legend and did quite a bit in NXT UK, which is almost entirely forgotten about these days. I liked what I saw of her during her time in WWE and it makes sense to give her this kind of a spotlight. I’m curious to see what WWE would include in something like this so let’s get to it.

From WCW Worldwide, February 16, 1997.

Meiko Satomura vs. Malia Hosaka

Hosaka, the veteran, throws Satomura (16 years old here) down to start but Satomura is right back up with a running knee. Back up and Hosaka hits a spinning kick out of the corner but Satomura gives her an awkward looking forearm in the corner. A top rope splash finishes Hosaka off at 1:14 in quite the upset.

From Monday Nitro, March 31, 1997.

Women’s Cruiserweight Title Tournament Semifinals: Meiko Satomura vs. Toshie Uematsu

Yes this really was a thing. Uematsu dropkicks her down to start but Satomura is back up to stomp away in the corner. The running forearm in the corner (better this time) connects for Satomura but the top rope splash hits raised knees. Uematsu gets a running start and kicks her in the chest in the corner, setting up the top rope splash to finish Satomura at 2:22.

From WCW Pro, December 8, 1996.

Women’s Title Tournament First Round: Meiko Satomura vs. Akira Hokuto

Hokuto knocks her out of the corner to start and then takes her back into the corner for some choking. Back up and Satomura hits a running crossbody for two, followed by a running dropkick for zero. The middle rope dropkick puts Hokuto down again and Satomura gets to clap a lot. Hokuto is thrown outside onto Sonny Onoo, followed by some chops in the corner. The top rope splash misses for Satomura though and Hokuto hits a missile dropkick. A northern lights suplex finishes for Hokuto at 3:07.

Rating: C+. Satomura still looks like she’s having a lot of fun out there, which makes for some less than great matches. At the same time, Hokuto looked a lot more sharp, with that missile dropkick being quite impactful. It was also nice to have a match get some more time, even if it was still barely there.

From the 2018 Mae Young Classic.

2018 Mae Young Classic First Round: Meiko Satomura vs. Killer Kelly

This is Satomura’s WWE debut and she is treated as a huge deal. After the handshake and respectful bow, Satomura starts kicking away but Kelly throws her down for two. A headlock takeover puts Kelly down as commentary praises Satomura and…well Kelly is there too. Satomura ties up the legs, with Cole saying “now it’s time to punish Kelly!”. And then Satomura grabs another headlock. Uh, make that a PUNISHING headlock I guess.

Back up and Kelly hits a big boot for two but she can’t get a surfboard. Satomura rolls over into a half crab, followed by an STF to really crank away. Kelly makes the rope so Satomura takes her back down and fires off the kicks. Kelly gets in a few kicks of her own and a delayed suplex gets two.

Commentary says Kelly surviving this long (it’s been less than five minutes) is an accomplishment but Satomura cuts that off with the cartwheel kick. Satomura goes up but Kelly catches her in a dragon sleeper while still hanging upside down (ouch). A fisherman’s suplex gives Kelly two and she is absolutely stunned by the kickout. Back up and Satomura hits a Pele for a breather and a Death Valley Driver gives her the pin at 7:41.

Rating: B-. What a difference 22 years makes. Satomura has dropped the having fun deal here and instead came off as an experienced killer. That’s the way to present a legend like her, as she’s off to a good start in the tournament and can then either win the whole thing or put someone over for a heck of a rub later on. Good debut here, with Satomura looking awesome.

From the 2018 Mae Young Classic.

2018 Mae Young Classic Second Round: Meiko Satomura vs. Mercedes Martinez

Respect is shown again and we’re ready to go. Satomura starts in on the arm and grinds away on a wristlock but Martinez reverses into a front facelock. They trade arm cranking with Satomura taking her down off an armbar. Satomura’s knee drop gets two and she grabs a front facelock. That’s broken up with something like a northern lights suplex and Martinez hits her in the head to get a needed breather.

Back up and they slug it out with Martinez getting the better of things and firing off some forearms to the face. Martinez ties up a leg and cranks on the neck at the same time. That’s broken up and Satomura kicks her down, only to get crotched on the top. Martinez’s hanging swinging neckbreaker gets two but another fisherman’s buster is broken up. Satomura cranks on a Fujiwara armbar but Martinez gets a foot in the ropes. The top rope splash gives Satomura two so Martinez grabs a Saito suplex for the same.

Satomura kicks her down again and hits a DDT for two as Cole says this is the match of the tournament so far and we’re only in round two. Well yeah, if you’re only in round two, it’s not much of a surprise if the best match is in the second round. It’s one of the two rounds to have taken place. Martinez is back with a fisherman’s buster into a surfboard but Satomura elbows her way out. A nasty spinwheel kick drops Martinez again and Phoenix says she can’t believe they’re both standing. They’re not, but Phoenix isn’t the most experienced commentator. Satomura finishes with the Scorpion Kick at 11:40.

Rating: B+. This was a heck of a match as Martinez was the first person to really make Satomura sweat. That’s not surprising as she’s a very talented veteran in her own right, but Satomura turned on the jets to win in the end, which shouldn’t be a terrible shock. I had a really good time with this and they beat each other up very well.

We actually skip Satomura winning her quarterfinals match and then losing in the semifinals (to Toni Storm) and move on to NXT UK on February 11, 2021.

Meiko Satomura vs. Isla Dawn

This is Satomura’s NXT UK debut. Satomura cuts off a kick to the ribs to start and strikes away as commentary explains the Final Boss name, despite not really getting the traditional meaning. A headlock takes Dawn over and Satomura strikes away, as NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray watches. Satomura kicks her down again but Dawn is right back up with a fisherman’s suplex for two. A Meteora gives Dawn two but Satomura catches her on top. Dawn snaps off a Saito suplex for two and they slug it out until Satomura grabs a DDT. The cartwheel kick to the head sets up Scorpio Rising to finish Dawn at 5:28.

Rating: B-. They didn’t get much time but there was a lot packed into this and it made for a hard hitting fight. Dawn was making the best out of her chance out there against a legend and had a good match as a result. Satomura is pretty clearly being groomed for the top spot around here though and the title match is probably coming sooner than later.

From NXT UK, April 29, 2021.

Meiko Satomura vs. Aoife Valkyrie

Valkyrie is better known as Lyra Valkyria and offers a bow to start. Satomura kicks her in the leg and fires off some forearms, followed by a headlock takeover. That’s switched into an armbar to keep Valkyrie in trouble but she reverses into an armbar of her own. Satomura gets up and hits some running forearms in the corner. Valkyrie manages a rollup for two though and Satomura isn’t sure what to do with her.

Back up and Satomura is kicked outside, with Valkyrie hitting a hard dropkick through the ropes for two. A full nelson with the legs goes on but Satomura reverses into a weird reverse Figure Four. The referee asks Valkyrie, who gives an amazingly overblown NO, with her eyes bugging out. The rope is reached so Satomura kicks her in the head for two, with McGuinness being stunned by the kickout.

A spinwheel kick misses though and Valkyrie kicks her in the head for two of her own. They go up top, where Valkyrie manages a sunset bomb for a rather near fall. Valkyrie misses another kick and gets Saito suplexed hard. Back up and Valkyrie hits another kick but misses a top rope ax kick. Satomura gives her the cartwheel kick, then does it again for a bonus,, leaving Valkyrie to growl a lot. Scorpio Rising finishes for Satomura at 11:25.

Rating: B. They’re doing a great job of building up all of these people who just want to be the one to stop Satomura. That’s making for a nice story as she’s the big monster around here, though she’s also having one rather good match after another. You could see the star power in Valkyrie here and that would start to translate even more when she got to face higher level competition on a regular basis.

From NXT UK, June 10, 2021.

NXT UK Women’s Title: Kay Lee Ray vs. Meiko Satomura

Satomura is challenging (for the second time, after Ray beat her a few months ago). Some early kicks to the leg have Ray in trouble and Satomura forearms away in the corner. Ray misses a superkick and can’t hit her Gory Bomb either, sending her outside for some frustrated barricade kicking. A superkick connects for Ray but Satomura is right back on the arm back inside.

Something like a handstand Vader Bomb gives Satomura two but Ray chops her down for a needed breather. Ray suplexes her into a Koji Clutch but Satomura switches into an STF. That’s broken up as well and Ray drops a knee, setting up a seated abdominal stretch. Ray lets that go and gets kicked in the head, only to come back with a Death Valley Driver for two. Satomura hits her own Gory Bomb and laughs off another superkick.

More superkicks are shrugged off and now Satomura’s Death Valley Driver gets two. Ray’s Gory Bomb into a Swanton gets two and she’s stunned on the kickout. It’s enough that Ray tries to leave but only swings the title at Satomura, who catches her with a Death Valley Driver on the floor.

Back in and Satomura backdrops her again before going up, where Ray is right there too. A sunset bomb gives Satomura two and she grabs a choke, with Ray having to dive to the rope. Back up and a Pele kick drops Ray for two but she’s right back with a Koji Clutch. Satomura gets out again and hits a Death Valley Driver, followed by Scorpio Rising for the pin and the title at 18:27.

Rating: A-. DANG I could have gone with this with a big crowd in a regular arena as it would have moved the match to an even higher level. It turned into a struggle between two people who were hitting each other with everything they had until one of them couldn’t get up. That’s an awesome story with Satomura feeling like she finally reached the top. It helps that Ray had held the title for a LONG time so it was the end of an epic reign. Awesome match here, as Satomura lives up to the hype again.

From NXT UK, January 6, 2022.

NXT UK Women’s Title: Meiko Satomura vs. Blair Davenport

Satomura is defending. They start slowly and grab a test of strength with Satomura using a judo takedown to put her on the mat. Satomura goes after the arm before kicking Davenport into the corner. Davenport tries to fight out by gets kicked off the top for a big crash out to the floor. Back in and we hit the double arm crank before Satomura fires off some very hard kicks.

A big kick to the head puts Davenport on the floor but she finally manages a kick of her own (McGuinness is BEGGING her to cover). Davenport hits a hanging DDT to the floor and we’re off to a neck crank back inside. Satomura fights out and hits a big flying shoulder, meaning it’s time to strike it out. A suplex leaves Davenport’s head slamming into the mat (OUCH) and we’re off to an STF. Davenport reverses into a Fujiwara armbar but Satomura is back with a DDT.

The cartwheel kick connects for two but Davenport is right back with an STF of her own. With that broken up, Davenport hits a double stomp to the back for two but Satomura is back with a pair of Death Valley Drivers for two more. Davenport’s hard knee gets two of her own and she tries a sunset flip, only for Satomura to reverse into a rollup for the pin to retain at 12:58.

Rating: B. This started rather one sided as Satomura was destroying her until that awesome kick to the head from Davenport. After that it turned into more of a fight with Davenport getting to hang with Satomura, though ultimately she just wasn’t good enough. Satomura didn’t escape with a win but also didn’t really definitively beat her, which means we could be getting a rematch.

From NXT UK, June 9, 2022.

NXT UK Women’s Title: Meiko Satomura vs. Ivy Nile

Nile is challenging and was looking unstoppable at the moment. She takes Satomura down by the leg to start but can’t get very far with it so we’ll reset things a bit. A northern lights suplex drops Satomura but she’s right back with a headlock takeover. Back up and Nile pulls a crossbody out of the air but might have banged up her own back on a fall away slam. They trade forearms until Nile takes over and gets two off a stomp. Satomura kicks her down and grabs a Kimura, followed by some hard kicks to the chest.

Another big kick drops Nile for two but she’s right back with an enziguri. Some running kicks in the corner stagger Satomura and a flipping cutter gets two. Another jumping enziguri gives Nile two but Satomura kicks her in the face. The DDT into the cartwheel kick gets two but Nile is right back with Diamond Chain Lock. Satomura is in trouble until she flips backwards into a rollup to retain at 10:26.

Rating: B-. I was surprised that Nile didn’t win here, as she was on a roll in NXT and felt like someone who could have gotten a lot out of being Satomura. Maybe they were waiting on a bigger star to take the title but this was more or less it for Nile’s push. It was nice to see Satomura in there with someone a bit different though and they beat each other up rather well.

From NXT, September 6, 2022.

Meiko Satomura vs. Roxanne Perez

Perez is looking a bit terrified here. Satomura grabs a wristlock to start but gets taken down into a front facelock. A running shoulder does nothing for Perez, who gets dropped with a flying shoulder. Perez grabs an armbar, which is reversed into a headscissors, though Perez slips back out for the staredown. They go to the mat with Perez pulling her into an STF, which has Satomura bailing to the floor. The suicide dive connects, as Cora Jade is not happy in the back.

We take a break and come back with Perez fighting out of a double arm crank. Perez knocks her into the corner but charges into a shot to the face. The Death Valley Driver is escaped though and Perez gets two off a Russian legsweep. The Koji Clutch has Satomura in trouble but she’s back up with a spinwheel kick. Satomura goes up top and is quickly brought down with a super hurricanrana, only to come back with another Pele kick. Scorpio Rising finishes Perez at 11:20.

Rating: B-. This was an interesting way to go as Perez was clearly not at Satomura’s level, partially due to the lack of experience. The good thing is they wound up having a back and forth match, with Perez hanging in there well enough. It was about Satomura figuring Perez out and she eventually did, though it took some time to make it happen.

From NXT, March 7, 2023 (Roadblock).

NXT Women’s Title: Meiko Satomura vs. Roxanne Perez

Perez is defending. The bell rings, they shake hands, and we take a break. We come back with Perez getting to the ropes to escape what seemed to be an STF so it’s off to the test of strength. The chinlock doesn’t last long as Perez fights up, only to get pulled down into a cross arm choke. Perez flips backwards into one of her own but Satomura is back up with some uppercuts.

A double knee drop gives Satomura two and she starts in on the leg. Perez flips over into a headlock but running shoulders just bounce off of Satomura. Some running elbows in the corner have Satomura in trouble and Perez is fired up, only to have a Russian legsweep blocked. The cartwheel kick misses though and Perez is back with a running dropkick.

A suicide dive hits Satomura on the floor but she’s able to block a super sunset bomb back inside. Satomura’s top rope splash hits raised knees for two and the Russian legsweep gives Perez two. Satomura snaps off a Saito suplex for two and Perez is looking like she’s trying to hang on.

Back up and the Death Valley Driver into the cartwheel kick (Joseph: “That is how Meiko Satomura won the NXT UK Women’s Title!” No, it wasn’t.) gets two on Perez and they go out to the apron. Perez managers a posting but Pop Rox on the floor is blocked. Back in and Satomura drops her for two more, with Perez having to put her foot on the rope. Scorpio Rising misses though and Perez gets rollup for the win out of nowhere at 13:59.

Rating: B. I liked it a bit better than their first match as Perez was a bit more seasoned, though the story was better the previous time. This was more about Perez needing to survive to keep her title and it made for a good match in its own right. It also helps that Satomura didn’t lose very often, so this was a bit deal for Perez, especially when she’s still rather young.

And here’s something rather different. From a house show in Tokyo, Japan, July 27, 2024.

Smackdown Women’s Title: Meiko Satomura vs. Bayley

Bayley is defending and there’s no commentary as this is shot from ringside. Satomura takes her down by the arm to start and a kick to the arm sends Bayley into the ropes. Some arm cranking has Bayley needing the ropes again as she’s starting to realize that Satomura is more than a bit different. A snapmare works a bit better for Bayley but Satomura is right back on the arm, followed by the hard kicks to the chest.

Satomura drops a knee for two and kicks Bayley back into the corner as this is mostly one sided so far. Bayley gets in a kick of her own to knock Satomura back and they head outside. A flapjack onto the apron lets Bayley hit her running dropkick underneath the ropes and they head back inside. Satomura knees her way out of trouble for two but Bayley is right back with a shot to the face. It takes too long to go up top though and Satomura plants her with a Death Valley Driver for two.

Back up and they trade forearms for a double knockdown…so here is Miss Money In The Bank Tiffany Stratton. Satomura gets up and kicks the briefcase away, followed by a Pele. Bayley dives onto Stratton and Satomura throws the briefcase up the aisle, followed by the DDT. The cartwheel kick connects and Satomura hits Scorpio Rising for a rather near fall. The Bayley To Belly gets two more, followed the Rose Plant to retain the title at 12:27.

Rating: B-. This was a nice way to go for Satomura as she can more than hang with Bayley, but the idea was to do it in her home country. It makes things more special and dang it would have been better as a straight match without Stratton and the briefcase interference. Satomura is an absolute legend and the fans appreciate her, which made this feel that much better.

Post match Bayley shows respect and hugs Satomura, as this was her final match in WWE.

Overall Rating: B. Satomura’s talent is undeniable, but the problem with her WWE run is that it didn’t really mean much. She was mainly in NXT UK, which was as far away from what mattered in WWE as almost anything. It doesn’t help that the collection was less the Best Of Satomura and more “here’s just about everything she did in WWE”. Well and some from WCW as well but that was a nice bonus. It’s good enough, but you would probably bet better off just watching some random matches rather than the whole thing.

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Best Of Sid
Commentators: Jim Ross, Bob Caudle, Gordon Solie, Dusty Rhodes, Gorilla Monsoon, Bobby Heenan, Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler,

Sid is next up on the list of stars getting a collection on the WWE Vault and that can make for quite the offering. Usually these Best Of’s are more of a chronological look at someone’s career, which can go rather well. Sid might not be the most polished wrestler, but his charisma can take him a very long way. Let’s get to it.

From Halloween Havoc 1989.

Skyscrapers vs. Road Warriors

The Skyscrapers (with Teddy Long) are Sid and Dan Spivey and the Warriors have Paul Ellering to keep things even. Hawk and Sid have a staredown to start and yeah the fans are way into this. Spivey knocks Animal up against the ropes to start but a clothesline sends Spivey over the top. Hawk comes in to trade shoulders with Spivey, who is more than happy to oblige.

A flying shoulder sends Spivey crashing out to the floor and now it’s off to Sid, who is knocked into the corner as well. Animal is in to shoulder Sid and it’s back to Hawk for the test of strength. Sid actually takes over and starts hammering away, with Sid knocking him down and nipping up. A helicopter slam drops Hawk again and Spivey kicks him out to the floor. That means Sid can drop Hawk onto the barricade, followed by a big boot to the….hip?

Back in and Spivey and Hawk trade suplexes as JR goes on and on about Spivey’s football career. Hawk finally clotheslines his way out of trouble and it’s back to Animal for one heck of a flying shoulder. Sid and Animal get in a fight and the fans are VERY appreciative. Everything breaks down and the managers get into it, with Long throwing in his metal key (it was a thing), which Spivey uses on Hawk for the DQ at 11:39.

Rating: B-. Yeah this worked as it’s exactly what they advertised. This was about four big power guys beating the fire out of each other until the ending when the ending was designed to protect both of them. In this case that makes enough sense and it was a fun trip to get there, which I’ll definitely take.

Post match the brawl stays on, with Hawk hitting the top rope clothesline (that always looked awesome) and stealing the key to clean house.

From Clash Of The Champions IX.

Skyscrapers vs. Steiner Brothers

Oh this should work. Naturally Rick is in the crowd eating popcorn with the fans. The Steiners clear the ring to start and hit their pose, with the Skyscrapers chilling on the floor. We settle down to Spivey tombstoning Rick, who pops back up to take over. Scott comes in for the Frankensteiner and a flipping fall away slam to Sid, because that’s something a human can do.

Back up and Sid misses a heck of a charge into the corner, allowing Scott to start in on the arm. Spivey is back in with a clothesline and a tilt-a-whirl slam, followed by a heck of a big boot. Scott gets up and brings in Rick for the house cleaning as everything breaks down. Cue Doom to go after the Steiners, which is enough for the DQ at 6:08.

Rating: B-. Yeah I could have gone for a lot more of this, as they were beating each other up, with Scott getting to come in there and do his stuff to make him look like a phenom. The Steiners were on another planet in this era and when you gave them a team of big guys to throw around, there was very little that was more entertaining.

Post match the brawl stays on, with Woman (Doom’s manager and the Steiners’ former manager) hits Rick with a shoe. Cue an unnamed giant (later named Nitron, who would be better known for his acting career, as Sabretooth in the original X-Men movies). The Road Warriors run in for the save and it’s a huge brawl.

From WrestleWar 1991.

Sid Vicious/Ric Flair/Barry Windham/Larry Zbyszko vs. Sting/Brian Pillman/Steiner Brothers

It’s WARGAMES. In case you’re somehow unfamiliar, each team sends in a man for the first five minutes. When that is done, there will be a coin toss (the heels will win) and the winning team gets to send in its second man for a two minute advantage. When that time is up, the losing team sends in its second man to even things up for two minutes. Entrances alternate until all eight are in and then it’s first submission only to win.

Windham and Pillman (with a bad shoulder) start things off, with Pillman having to break away from his team to get in first. Pillman clotheslines him down and grabs the top of the cage for a dropkick before stomping away. A head fake lets Pillman hit a missile dropkick and he rakes Windham into the cage. Windham is already busted open and some jawbreakers stagger him even more. Pillman throws him into the other cage as Windham is gushing blood.

Pillman goes after the legs and keeps striking away, setting up a backdrop (which barely works as the ceiling is REALLY low. The first period ends and the villains win the coin toss (of course) so it’s Flair coming in to make it 2-1. Flair goes after Pillman and sends him into the cage and Windham does it as well, with the shoulder taking a beating. A nasty tumble sends Pillman into the other cage and they go after his shoulder until Sting is in to tie it up (the fans go NUTS, as expected).

Sting hits those big bulldogs but Windham crotches Pillman on the top. Flair’s chops have no effect and Sting goes after him in the corner, with the Stinger Splash connecting. Zbyszko (subbing for an injured Arn Anderson, who is at ringside) is in to get the advantage back so Sting dives over two sets of ropes to clothesline him down. Pillman Figure Fours Windham but Flair and Zbyzsko fight back, with Flair kicking Pillman in the shoulder for the break.

Rick comes in and hammers on Flair and Windham to start cleaning house. Flair goes into the cage and gets his head rubbed to draw some blood (the blading was about as obvious as you could get). The villains take over again but Scott Steiner is in to complete the field, meaning it’s officially first submission wins. Sting gets the Scorpion on Flair, which is broken up, so we get the quadruple Figure Four on the bad guys.

Those are broken up so Sting gorilla presses Flair into the roof. The brawling continues and Sid loads up a powerbomb, but Pillman’s feet hit the top of the cage so Sid DROPS HIM ON HIT HEAD (called the shoulder but it was his head). Sid hits another powerbomb and El Gigante comes out to save Pillman (by ripping the door off) so the referee calls it at 21:50.

Rating: A. I know 1992 gets all of the praise (and rightfully so) but DANG this was an outstanding match, as you could feel the hatred and violence between the two sides. It felt like people wanting to get in there and destroy each other and it made for an instant classic. Also of note: once the field was complete, the match was over in about seven minutes. You don’t need the end of WarGames to take half an hour. WWE could learn a lot from this.

From Wrestlemania VIII.

Sid Justice vs. Hulk Hogan

Harvey Wippleman is here with Sid, who jumps Hogan while Real American is still going. Hogan fights back, knocks him to the floor and tears the shirt for an absolutely awesome entrance, all before the bell. Back in and we officially start with Sid knocking him down but Hogan is right there with the right hands to the floor. Sid teases walking out but comes back in to ask for a test of strength. Hogan obliges and is put on his knees until he fights up with a clothesline.

Sid is right back with a chokeslam and stops to yell at the camera, which has Monsoon rather annoyed. Some forearms to the back have Hogan in more trouble and Sid hits him in the back with Wippleman’s doctor bag. The nerve hold goes on and Hogan fights up, which has Heenan annoyed all over again. Sid is right back up with the powerbomb for two, as it’s Hulk Up time. The legdrop connects for two, with Wippleman coming in for the DQ at 12:28.

Rating: C. Yeah it’s really just an ok Hogan match at best, especially with the screwy finish. There’s only so much they could have done here, as Hogan wasn’t going to lose in his alleged retirement match. They did show some good chemistry though, as Hogan knows how to fight a monster like no one else.

Post match Hogan throws Wippleman at Sid as Papa Shango runs in (COMPLETELY missing his cue, as he was supposed to come in and break up the legdrop for the DQ, with Wippleman having to improvise). The beatdown is on….and the ULTIMATE WARRIOR returns for the save.

From Clash Of The Champions XXIII.

Sid Vicious/Vader/Rick Rude vs. Sting/Dustin Rhodes/British Bulldog

The villains have Harley Race and Colonel Robert Parker in their corner. Sting grabs a rather aggressive headlock on Rude to start but Rude powers out. The top wristlock doesn’t work so Sting gorilla presses Rude and throws him at Sid and Vader, who catch him in the air. They throw Rude back at Sting but miss, allowing Rhodes to come in and hammer away.

Vader comes in and gets knocked onto Rude, leaving Bulldog to come in instead. Sid tries his luck and gets punched around the corner, with Sting using the middle rope for a low blow. It’s back to Rhodes who hammers Vader down in the corner, followed by a rather impressive suplex. Rhodes takes too long going up and misses an elbow, allowing Vader to knock him silly with a clothesline.

Rude comes back in for the gordbuster and a rather arrogant cover. Another suplex is blocked but Sid comes back in with a clothesline for two. It’s back to Vader to unload in the corner, only to dive into the powerslam (as tends to be his nature). Rude’s Tombstone is reversed but the referee doesn’t see the tag off to Sting. Bulldog and Sting aren’t having that and come in anyway as the brawl is on. In the melee, Race slips Rude a briefcase, which knocks Rhodes out for the pin at 10:59.

Rating: B. Of course Rhodes was going to take the fall here given who all was in there, but it was a pretty fun match to see these guys beat each other up for a bit. Vader was getting to smash through people and most of the people got to be their usual impressive selves. This was good stuff with the talent involved making that pretty much expected.

Post match Sid and Vader hit a powerbomb on Bulldog but Sting gets the briefcase and cleans house.

From Survivor Series 1996.

WWF Title: Sycho Sid vs. Shawn Michaels

Sid is challenging and the fans in Madison Square Garden just go nuts for him. Michaels has Jose Lothario with him. Sid gets right to the point by slugging away and knocking Michaels into the corner. Back up and Michaels grabs a headlock takeover and grinds away a bit as things slow back down (odd for Michaels but so is Sid).

For some reason Michaels tries a slugout, which doesn’t exactly work very well. Instead Michaels slips out of a gorilla press but ducks down, meaning he has to escape the powerbomb attempt. With the stand up not working, Michaels chop blocks the leg and goes Perfect with a Robinsdale Crunch. Michaels grabs the Figure Four, followed by some drops down onto the knee. Sid kicks him away though and, after shoving a camera away, runs Michaels over without much trouble.

Michaels goes right back to the knee but gets clotheslined out to the floor. A big drop onto the barricade has Michaels in trouble and Sid is limping a bit, even as the fans cheer him like never before. Back in and Sid hits a big backdrop, followed by a whip over the corner but Michaels manages to snap the throat across the top. Sid knocks him into the corner again but Michaels slugs away, setting up a slam. Michaels dives into a raised boot though and we’re off to a cobra clutch.

That sets up the chokeslam but Michaels reverses the powerbomb into a small package for two. With nothing else working, Sid grabs a camera and hits Lothario. Michaels gets in the superkick but makes the mistake of going to check on Lothario rather than covering. Back in and a middle rope crossbody hits the referee so Michaels checks on Lothario again. That’s enough of a delay for Sid to hit Michaels with the camera, followed by the powerbomb for the pin and the title at 20:02.

Rating: C+. This was a fairly slow match with the action not being great, but the crowd reaction here was fascinating. The fans were just not having it with Michaels and they let him know, with Sid getting some very strong reactions. It made for a pretty amazing spectacle and taking the title off of Michaels so he can get it back in his hometown is a pretty simple move.

Post match Lothario is stretchered out and Michaels staggers after him.

From In Your House XII: It’s Time (nice touch by the Vault as commentary was hyping this match up at the end of the Survivor Series match and they transitioned right into it).

WWF Title: Sycho Sid vs. Bret Hart

Sid is defending and Shawn Michaels is on commentary. Hart jumps him during the entrance to start fast and gets clotheslined down for his efforts, allowing Sid to stomp away. Hart fights back and slugs away, managing to knock Sid down this time. Michaels keeps right on both of them as he doesn’t like either guy and doesn’t sound thrilled to be there either.

They head outside again, with Sid getting in a few shots of his own, only for Hart to score with a headbutt back inside. Sid dumps him over the top for a big crash to the floor but can’t hit a powerbomb out there. Instead Hart picks him up for a ram into the post and takes him back inside for a backbreaker. Some elbows stay on the bad back and we hit the reverse chinlock. With that broken up, Hart chokes away in the corner and then takes a turnbuckle pad off (odd to see from him).

A belly to back suplex gets two on Sid and the middle rope elbow to the back gets the same. Hart goes up and gets slammed back down to give Sid a needed breather. Sid kicks away a Sharpshooter attempt…and here is Steve Austin to take out Hart’s knee. Back in and Hart begs away in the corner, which doesn’t work as Sid pounds him down without much trouble.

Hart fights back but misses a charge into the exposed buckle and a chokeslam gives Sid two. A Cactus Clothesline puts them both on the floor, where Hart and Michaels get into it again (shocking I know). Back in and Michaels gets on the apron, with Hart being whipped into him for the crash. The powerbomb retains the title at 17:05.

Rating: B-. This was another example of Hart being able to make anything work, as he knew how to have a good match with someone like Sid. The Michaels stuff was fine as well, as he was the other third of the main event scene around this time. Sid got to do his power stuff and that was always going to work for him.

From the 1997 Royal Rumble.

WWF Title: Sycho Sid vs. Shawn Michaels

Michaels, in his hometown and with Jose Lothario, is defending (and has the flu so this might not go well). Thankfully we get at least one more instance of the SID pyro, which is one of the coolest ever. Sid shoves him down a few times to start but Michaels picks up the pace with a running crossbody, allowing him to slam Sid’s head into the mat. They go outside with Sid sending him into the apron, followed by a powerbomb to pull Michaels out of the air back inside.

The camel clutch goes on early, followed by Sid taking him outside for some rams into the post. Back in and we hit the regular chinlock, followed by the back as they keep having to find ways to let Michaels rest. Michaels breaks out but dives into a bearhug, with Sid even kneeling down this time. The big leg sets up a chinlock with a knee in Michaels’ back but he gets up and manages a slam.

There’s the flying forearm and the top rope elbow connects. The superkick is blocked though and Michaels is backdropped over the top for a big crash. The powerbomb plants Michaels on the floor and Sid grabs Lothario. That’s broken up but the referee is bumped inside. Sid’s chokeslam gets no count so another referee comes in for the rather delayed two. The other referee gets punched down so Michaels grabs the camera (ala Survivor Series) to knock Sid down for a VERY delayed near fall. The superkick gives Michaels the title back at 13:48.

Rating: D+. Yeah there wasn’t much that could be done here, as Michaels was barely able to function (for once, not his fault). That meant a lot of laying around in holds until the finish, which was the only way it could have gone. Sometimes it’s ok to set up an obvious finish and then go there, which is exactly what they did here.

From Monday Night Raw, February 17, 1997.

WWF Title: Sycho Sid vs. Bret Hart

Sid is challenging after Hart won the title last night. We’ve tried to do the match twice but Steve Austin has jumped Hart both times. Hart stomps away in the corner to start but Sid just unloads with shots to the ribs. The big whip into the corner has Hart’s back/ribs in more trouble and things slow down. Sid clotheslines him down and stomps away but Hart manages a quick backbreaker.

JR incorrectly says that Sid isn’t 6’9 on the mat before Hart hits the middle rope elbow. Sid gets his own two off a backbreaker and it’s time to choke on the ropes. Hart is able to get up and kick the leg out before jumping down onto it in the Ric Flair starter package. The Figure Four around the post has Sid in more trouble and we take a break.

We come back with Hart working on the leg in the corner until Sid drops him with a clothesline. The big legdrop gets two and a middle rope version crushes Hart for the same. A rake to the eyes breaks up the chokeslam attempt but Sid avoids a charge to send him crashing into the ropes. The powerbomb attempt is broken up and Sid is sent outside, followed by the Sharpshooter back inside. Sid tries to power out and gets quite the assist from Steve Austin, who comes in to crack Hart with a chair. The powerbomb gives Sid the pin and the title at 11:55 (the first time the title had ever been won on Raw).

Rating: C+. It wasn’t quite as good as their pay per view match but Austin screwing Hart over will never get old. Having Hart lose the title the night after he won it played into his conspiracy deal perfectly well as things were starting to get bad for him in a hurry. At the same time, Sid gets the title back and is likely headed to Wrestlemania, which is a fine way to go as he’s been around the title scene for months now.

Post match Sid celebrates until Undertaker comes out for the staredown to set up Wrestlemania.

From Wrestlemania XIII.

WWF Title: Sycho Sid vs. Undertaker

Sid is defending and Shawn Michaels is on commentary. The bell rings and they stare each other down..and Bret Hart is here. Michaels mocks Hart for not being happy about not being in the main event. Hart yells at Michaels for faking an injury (eh, exaggerating but not exactly faking), blames Undertaker for ending their friendship by slamming a cage door in his face, and saying that the title belongs to him.

Sid responds with a powerbomb and tells Hart to get out of here. Hart is carried out and the bell rings again, with Undertaker hammering him to start. A boot in the corner staggers Sid and a Stinger Splash of all things connects for Undertaker. Old School connects but Sid doesn’t actually go down, allowing him to grab Undertaker in a bearhug. That stays on for a good while and they go to the floor, with Undertaker being dropped onto the announcers’ table.

Sid rams him into the post for two back inside and we hit the camel clutch. This lets Michaels get in a great bit of psychology that so many people miss: Sid is going to stick with power because it’s what makes things work. Why would he make it more complicated than that? A powerslam gives Sid two and the slow beating continues. They head outside with Undertaker sending him into the steps for a needed breather but Sid pounds him back down. This allows commentary to point out that oh yeah this is no holds barred.

The chinlock goes on again but Undertaker fights up and hits a powerslam. Undertaker grabs a nerve hold for a bit, followed by a clothesline for two. Back up and they both hit big boots to put them both down. Michaels: “Sid can lay there all day and walk out with the championship belt.” Well not if he lays there while Undertaker covers him. Sid is back up with a middle rope ax handle and a middle rope punch to the face. Undertaker catches him up top and slams him off, setting up the always great top rope clothesline.

Lawler gets in an interesting line by suggesting that they’re both scared the other can kick out of the finisher. That’s an interesting thought but Undertaker tries the Tombstone, which Sid reverses into one of his own for two. They go outside where Hart pops up again with a chair shot to Sid’s back. An awkward looking chokeslam gets two on Sid and he avoids the jumping clothesline. The powerbomb is loaded up but Hart comes in AGAIN. This time it’s something like a Stunner over the top to send Sid into the Tombstone to give Undertaker the title at 21:23.

Rating: D+. I’ve seen this match a bunch of times and it’s not overly good. They had similar styles and it didn’t make for the most thrilling match. The best part is probably Michaels burying Hart on commentary, which never gets old. It didn’t help that this was coming after the all time classic of Hart vs. Austin, but I get why you want to close Wrestlemania with the title change.

Post match Undertaker poses for a good while, with JR getting in the awesome line of “the WWF Title lives in the Dark Side!”.

From ECW Guilty As Charged 1999.

Judge Jeff Jones isn’t happy with Kronus for attacking him so he is sentencing him to pain. Guess who is providing said pain.

Sid Vicious vs. Kronus

Kronus hammers on Sid to start and that goes very badly. Sid chokeslams him over the top and through a table, followed by some chair shots to the back. The fans demand and receive a powerbomb and Kronus is done at 1:31. To say the fans lose their minds is an understatement as Sid is as over as free beer in a frat house. Sid’s bizarre charisma and power style were tailor made for a short run in ECW and I’m not surprise in the slightest that the fans went that nuts. Nothing match of course, but Sid in ECW is a great thing to see, as it couldn’t have gone much better.

The fact that we’re skipping multiple WCW World Titles in the late 90s is rather telling of how bad things were back then.

Overall Rating: B-. After he passed away, someone said that Sid was the person who looked most like a wrestler and….yeah I can see it. If you look at him, “professional wrestler” probably comes to mind. He was big, he was scary, he was in good shape and he felt just a bit off. It was an odd charisma that always worked and it’s a big reason why he became such a star.

No the matches weren’t very good a lot of the time, but that’s kind of the point. Sid worked because he fit the mold of a wrestler and that’s hard to break. There’s a reason he had two Wrestlemania matches and both of them were the main event (a feat which will likely never be duplicated): he worked very well in short runs, which is what made his career such a success.

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Evolve
Date: September 17, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

It’s time to get violent around here as we have an I Quit match between Wendy Choo and Kendal Grey. That’s likely to be the main event, but we also need to see what is next for both of the champions around here. It’s almost like this place has become a real show with stories and characters and that’s awesome. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Here is the Vanity Project to get things going. Jackson Drake brags about his win last week and says no one wants a piece of them. They’re in their gear for a reason though. Drake went to Stevie Turner earlier today and got them an eight person tag match. Now bring out these “dusty a** opponents”.

Vanity Project vs. Dante Chen/Drako Knox/Tyra Mae Steele/Sean Legacy

Steele and Mae start things off with Steele easily taking over. Knox comes in to run Smokes over and it’s off to Chen to strike away on Baylor. It’s off to Donovan to take over though and we go to an early break. We come back with Knox still in trouble and getting hammered in the corner, with Donovan pounding him down and dropping an elbow for two. Smokes comes in to stomp away but Knox ducks a clothesline and gets the tag off to Legacy.

A few rooms of the house are cleaned but Legacy gets taken into the wrong corner so the beating can begin again. Smokes kicks him down for two and goes after Legacy’s partners, including yelling at Steele. That’s enough for Legacy to backdrop his way out of trouble, allowing the tag off to Chen to really clean house. Everything breaks down and Steele starts throwing people around with German suplexes (including Smokes landing on the back of his head). The Gentle Touch drops Donovan for the pin at 11:49.

Rating: C+. This is another bad night for the Vanity Project and it wouldn’t be a shock to see Donovan going after Drake as a result. Drake needs a new challenger and it isn’t like there is anyone ready to come after the title at the moment. Steele continues to feel like she has a lot of potential and Legacy is likely going to become a star. Knox and Chen….eh not feeling it yet but stranger things have happened.

Post match the winners get to pose as Jackson Drake yells at Bryce Donovan.

Aaron Rourke and Marcus Mathers don’t like It’s Gal/Jamar Hampton and are ready to beat them down.

Carlee Bright gives Kendal Grey a pep talk before the I Quit match with Wendy Choo…but it might be difficult because Choo doesn’t talk. Grey has this and even practices an armbar on Bright.

Earlier today, Tate Wilder was upset at his losses but Sean Legacy came in to say this is a tough business. Wilder can keep getting up and this is just the beginning of his story. Wilder appreciates the kind words and Legacy says be more ready the next time he faces Ridge Holland. Legacy seems ready for Edris Enofe too.

Aaron Rourke/Marcus Mathers vs. It’s Gal/Jamar Hampton

Gal and Rourke trade wrist cranks to start with Rourke taking him down to the mat. Gal reverses into a headscissors with some pushups, which earns him a slap to the face. A flipping double slap to the chest lets Rourke bring in Mathers, who hits something like Poetry In Motion. Gal fights back and brings in Hampton to take over on Rourke, with Gal getting in a neck snap over the rope.

A double delayed vertical suplex lets Gal and Hampton do pushups on Rourke’s chest before Gal gets two. Hampton jumps over Gal’s back to crash onto Rourke, who enziguris his way out of trouble. Mathers comes back in to pick up the pace, including some kicks in the corner to Hampton. A spinning high crossbody gives Mathers two and Rourke kicks Gal to the floor. Mathers hits a heck of a running flip dive but Rourke bangs up his knee. That means a double powerbomb can finish Rourke off at 6:53.

Rating: B-. It took me a bit to get the idea that Rourke and Mathers were the good guys here, or at least the less bad of the two, as it wasn’t exactly clear at first. I still like Mathers and Hampton a good bit so I’ll take one of them getting something to do. There was a mention of Evolve Tag Team Titles and….that’s actually not a terrible idea.

Post match Gal and Hampton bust out the matching sunglasses.

Kali Armstrong gets to sit back and be a fan in the main event, but she doesn’t know how Wendy Choo can quit when she doesn’t talk. Choo comes in and smiles.

Someone who works at the Performance Center talks about how exhausting it is to work with Sean Legacy, who talks about wrestling all the time. He appreciates the effort, but Legacy pops in to knock on the window and say there is ice cream. This Is Evolve.

Jackson Drake yells at the Vanity Project again and suggests that it was all Bryce Donovan’s fault. Donovan doesn’t like being blamed for the loss and seems to suggest he’s coming after Drake.

Wendy Choo vs. Kendal Grey

I Quit match. Grey (with Carlee Bright) jumps Choo before the bell to start fast but Choo fights back in the corner. Choo is knocked to the floor and tied in the ring skirt for a sliding dropkick. Grey goes after her and gets choked, followed by a drag underneath the ring. Back out and Grey is wrapped around the post, with Choo pulling at some limbs to cause the screaming. A catapult sends Grey throat first into the bottom rope and we take a break.

We come back with Grey standing up for a slugout, followed by a ram into a chair in the corner. Some chair shots to the back set up a Fujiwara armbar to put Choo in more trouble. Grey lets that go but misses a slingshot dive, allowing Choo to hit a brainbuster. Choo chokes with a chair but Grey rolls her into an ankle lock.

That’s broken up as well and Choo chairs her down again. The chair is wrapped around Grey’s neck and she gets sent into the corner, setting up the Dirt Nap. Grey flips out into a cross armbreaker but Choo rolls out for a crash to the floor. Back in and Choo tries a suplex but Grey reverses into a DDT onto the chair. A slingshot stomp onto the arm onto the chair sets up the cross armbreaker to make Choo quit at 11:35.

Rating: B. Ignoring the fact that Choo has spoken before on WWE TV, this was a good story being told with Grey fighting against the evil and winning in the end. Grey seems like she is being built up for a title shot and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her slay the monster champion. This was a smart way to go and Grey is feeling more and more like a star every week.

Bright and Grey (Is that supposed to be some kind of opposite name thing?) celebrate as Choo asks what is left for her to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Nice show here, with the main event being a highlight. You can pretty much pencil in the next two challengers for the titles and that should make for an interesting future. Evolve continues to feel like a well written and planned out show and I’ll take that every time. Good show this week, which tends to be the case.

Results
Dante Chen/Drako Knox/Tyra Mae Steele/Sean Legacy b. Vanity Project – Gentle Touch to Donovan
It’s Gal/Jamar Hampton b. Aaron Rourke/Marcus Mathers – Double powerbomb to Rourke
Kendal Grey b. Wendy Choo – Cross armbreaker

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