Thursday, June 12, 2014

Match of the Day - Brooklyn's Finest gets the cobra (JTG finally got released)

JTG vs. Santino Marella - JTG's last match in WWE - Superstars (2013)


It's a sad day if you are a WWE fan/meme enthusiast as "STILL EMPLOYED" JTG got the cut along with the 10 other superstars who were future endeavored by management today.

The final count for JTG's employment with the WWE is 07 Years, 30 days, 00 hours, 25 minutes, 12 seconds. JTG had not wrestled a match on TV since September of last year where he took a beautiful hit from Santino's notorious cobra.


Goodnight sweet prince of Brooklyn.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Song of the Day - Mongoloid

Devo - Mongoloid from Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (1978)

I think about mongoloids a lot.


Last.fm

Match of the Day - The one where Kyoko Kimura jumps off a balcony

Kyoko Kimura vs. Kayoko Haruyama - JWP Openweight title match - JWP Pure Slam (2009)


Time for some hardcore female action. Yes I meant to write that, and no I'm not going to change it.

Kyoko Kimura takes on Kayoko Haruyama in a super violent bout that includes an unforgettable balcony spot... yes, this is the match where Kimura jumps off a balcony, landing directly onto Haruyama below:


Kimura also cuts Haruyama with some sort of shank, straggles her with a chain, and trades some pretty stiff-looking strikes. However, everything else is irrelevant once you've seen this balcony spot.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Song of the Day - Halflife

Kite Party - Halflife from Come On Wandering (2014)

New Kite Party. Half Life 3 confirmed.


Last.fm

Match of the Day - Curt Hennig saves Chris Jericho's life... basically

Curt Henning vs. Chris Jericho - WCW Monday Nitro (1997)



It might seem like a dream match now, but back in '97 a Hennig/Jericho match on Monday Nitro was just an excuse to talk about anything other than a Hennig/Jericho match. A shame really, but this was WCW at the height of the nWo days, remember.

While this match may forever be lost in the mix of other forgettable Nitro matches used to talk about the nWo, it does include a mishap on Chris Jericho's behalf that may not seem that big of a deal in hindsight, but it could have ended Jericho's career if it got any worse. What I'm talking about is Jericho's Lionsault (middle rope springboard moonsault) towards the end of the match that he botches by not rotating enough - the same exact move and mishap that paralyzed Hayabusa a few years later. Luckily in this instance, Curt Hennig, either on instinct or following out the spot, put his knees up at just the right time that Jericho ends up landing on Henning's knees with his back rather than on his head and, well, pretty much saving his neck:


phew.

Monday, May 5, 2014

Song of the Day - Cinco De Mayo

Marnie Stern - Cinco De Mayo from Marnie Stern (2010)

Happy Cinco De Mayo.


Match of the Day - Kaval kicks Dolph Ziggler's face in

Kaval vs. Dolph Ziggler - Intercontinental title match - Survivor Series (2010)



In Kaval's first and only appearance on a WWE PPV, The "World Warrior" looked to make an impact. That impact did not come in the form of a title win - it came in the form of a knee right smack in the face of Dolph Ziggler. Don't believe me? Here's the .gif for proof:


Damn.

Theme of the Week - .GIF Week!

With the raise of WEBM and new file compressing technology, everyone's favorite moving pictures, .gif may be becoming a thing of the past. To celebrate the mighty legacy of .gif, I have decided this week to "dump" by favorite wrestling .gif's with the corresponding matches that they took place in.


I hope you enjoy!

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Song of the Day - Fedora

Hive Bent - Fedora from Dyatlov (2014)

A song about everyone's favorite hat, the fedora.


Noisey Baltimore noise rock from Baltimore.

Last.fm

Match of the Day - Gigante Muta challenge!

Great Muta vs. El Gigante - NJPW Fighting Spirit: Day 8(1995)


Yes, El Gigante, better known as that guy with the furry body suit, Giant Gonzalez took on one of the greatest Japanese wrestlers of all time, the Great Muta. The match includes El Gigante performing no real offense, Muta standing on a chair to spew his green mist in Gigante's face, and a very awkward looking finish to one odd match-up.

Enjoy!

Monday, April 21, 2014

Song of the Day - Hurricane

Bob Dylan - Hurricane from Desire (1976)

RIP Rubin "Hurricane" Carter.


Last.fm

Match of the Debut - Kane's in-ring debut under the red light

Kane vs. Mankind - Survivor Series (1997)


A Month after the unforgettable debut of the Big Red Machine at Bad Blood, the deranged in his own right - Mankind becomes Kane's first opponent at Survivor Series '97. While this may have been Kane's first official match, for those first few weeks since arriving in WWF Kane was leaving carnage in the ring every time he showed up.

Fun fact: Kane was given a special "eerie" red light during his first few appearances much like Sin Cara's, well, Sin Cara botch lights.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Match of the Day - Jun Kasai versus MEN's Teioh in a bunny suit

Jun Kasai vs. MEN's Teioh - BJW (2002)


Not exactly the Easter Bunny, but you get the idea.

Comedic wrestling at its Japanese-est.

Happy Easter!


Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Song of the Day - I'm So Tired

Fugazi - I'm So Tired from Instrumental Soundtrack (1999)

Piano ballad about being tired.


Happy Birthday, Ian Mackaye.

Last.fm

Match of the Day - Kevin Nash - The original streak ender #wcw

Kevin Nash vs. Goldberg - WCW World Heavyweight title match - Starrcade (1998)


Undertaker's streak may be over, but at least he wasn't tasered by Paul Heyman for Brock Lesnar to pick up the unexpected win. How about being tasered by Scott Hall? Well, that's exactly what happened to Goldberg while defending not only his World Heavyweight title but his 173 win streak (despite most of those wins being squashes) here at Starrcade '98.

Goldberg would eventually try to duplicate his streak in the later half of 2000 in order to earn himself a title shot at the World Heavyweight title. Unfortunately, he only made it into the double digits, 35 to be exact, before being defeated in his last match in WCW at Sin 2001.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Song of the Day - 28-20: You Missed It, Honey!

Hannibal Montana - 28-20: You Missed It, Honey! from 28-20 (2013)

Some out of control yet right on the money noodly-ness from a cleverly named instrumental post rock/math rock out of New York.

Prepare your ears for this one.

Last.fm


Match of the Debut - Eric Young's first appearance in TNA

Eric Young, Shark Boy, Matt Stryker, & Chad Collyer vs. Hector Garza, Mr. Aguila, Juventud Guerrera, & Abismo Negro - NWA:TNA (2004)

 
(match starts around 54:30)

Last week a bearded man won two matches in one night to overcome the odds and become new World Heavyweight champion. Daniel who? I'm talking about Eric Young! 

Whether of not TNA are blatantly saying "fuck this, lets just copy our favorite TV Show" (which isn't GoT), giving the title to someone who has been working hard for the company since his first appearance in 2004 is always a good strategy to keep your company alive. Granted, they hot potatoing the title off to Chris Sabin last summer (another deserving TNA veteran), I doubt that the good folks behind TNA will make the mistake of making Young a transitional Champion. Especially not one that will lose it to the leader of the next "rogue team looking to take over Impact Wrestling". 

Then again, We will just have to wait and see how Daniel Bryan fairs with the Authority. Until then, here's to TNA doing something right!


Friday, April 11, 2014

Match of the Day - PAC and Ricochet put the flip in flippyshit

PAC vs. Ricochet - Open the Brave Gate title match - Dragon Gate Infinity (2011)


Two of the most acrobatic wrestlers in the world go head to head in this who-can-flip-more Open the Brave Gate title match. Some folks may not enjoy this style of wrestling as it takes a lot away from the realism that pro wrestling is known for trying to evoke, but for someone like myself who is a former diver and trampoline owner, I got to say that this is a lot of fun to watch. Granted, you need to have the mindset that this isn't the greatest ring psychology or there won't be a lot of selling (looking like they're hurt), this is still a style of wrestling that crowds like Dragon Gate in Japan want to watch.

While you may know that PAC is know signed with the WWE in NXT as Adrian Neville, Ricochet is still tearing it up on the indy circuit where he just defeated Johnny Gargano for the Open the Freedom Gate for the American division of Dragon Gate: Dragon Gate USA. Gargano had previously held the title for almost 3 years before losing it to Ricochet who, I might add, is the reigning Open the Dream Gate Champion for Dragon Gate as well.

It's only a matter of time before we see these two wrestling each other again, trust me.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Song of the Day - Little Fang

Avey Tare's Slasher Flicks - Little Fang from Enter The Slasher House (2014)

"Little Fang" is from Avey Tare of Animal Collective's new solo project entitled, Avey Tare's Slasher Flicks. Not only is this song simply catchy but it's also super accessible for an Animal Collective-related project, though I can't say that about the rest of Enter The Slasher House. That's to be expected really, I have never been able to get into anything AC has released beginning to end without a few skips or multiple listens.



Last.fm

Match of the Day - Let's go Briscoe!

Jay Briscoe vs. Mark Briscoe - ROH One Year Anniversary Show (2003)


Apparently it's siblings day, so here's some real sibling fighting.

This match at ROH's first anniversary show is only one of countless times the Briscoes have fought each other in the squared circle, just last summer they were facing each other for the ROH World Heavyweight title, but this match is significant in that it is a tribute to Mark's late friend, Brock who had been killed in a car accident earlier that year. The two brothers shake hands and announce that this will be the last time the two will ever fight each other again and will soon be joining the tag team division, a division they would go on to dominate for some time.

Obviously, that whole "last time we ever fight each other" thing didn't last, but this is still an important Briscoe Brothers' match.

Spoiler alert: Briscoe wins.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Match of the Day - The One Warrior Nation is now zero.

The Warrior vs. Hollywood Hogan - WCW Halloween Havoc (1998)

By now you may have heard the shocking news that the Ultimate Warrior has passed away. It's a truly bizarre and tragic event that has taken place only mere days after Warrior's inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and only about 24 or so removed from his appearance on Raw last Monday night.

Warrior and his character he left to the wrestling world will forever be remembered.



While I did not grow up during the time of Ultimate Warrior's major run in WWF  or during the peak of Hulkamania, I did grow up in the time that the Ultimate Warrior was making another return to wrestling, and this time it was in a nWo-heavy World Championship Wrestling. I remember renting WCW's Halloween Havoc '98 at Blockbusters (RIP as well) when I was just beginning to really sink my teeth into all this wrestling business, I didn't really know much about the Warrior at the time, but the cover on the box at the store had Hulk Hogan strangling a man with what looked like cake all over his face and the words "The World's Most Terrifying Wrestling Event" labeled above it. I'm not sure why looking at the cover made me want to watch this PPV immediately, maybe it was the fact that I really needed to find out why Warrior had cake all over his face, but it did.

People may give this Hogan/Warrior match at Halloween Havoc a lot of crap, but for someone who had not seen a lot of wrestling at the time this was a huge spectacle to watch. Also, I did not see the build up to this match which included Warrior appearing in the mirror, a lot of smoke, and, of course, profound Warrior promos, so this was really the first time that I was treated to the likes of the One Warrior Nation (that's nWo backwards).

There will never be another Ultimate Warrior. He is simply unrecreatable. Rest in peace.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Song of the Day - Faith Resigned

Yautji - Faith Resigned from Songs of Descent (2014)

More Heavy stuff!

Yautji are a mix of all sorts of pissed off sludgy hardcore and metal noise all tangled up in a big sharp clump and ready for you to step on it late at night as you quietly-as-possible walk to the bathroom. Your foot will bleed and you will be shouting, waking your girlfriend up and her drunk roommate. In this short yet excruciatingly painful moment you will confess your hatred for your shitty job and your mundane life. The next day you will buy a motorcycle and drive it far, far away. Eventually, you will ride it into the sun and mesh your skin and bones with the motorcycle's shiny metal and leather, becoming apart of it as much as it will be apart of you and you will ride the solar system from there on out as a mecha-humanoid motorcycle bounty hunter.

Never to return.


Yautji are also three guys from Coliseum, Nameless Cults, and Gnarwhal respectively.

Last.fm



Match of the Debut - The one in twenty one and one

Brock Lesnar vs. Jeff Hardy - Backlash (2002)



While I would normally honor the new WWE World Heavyweight champ (for more than 24 hours this time), Daniel Bryan for his glorious victory over not one but three former champions last night, I have decided to give the debut of the day to Brock Lesnar... the beast who conquered the Undertaker's Wrestlemania undefeated streak.

I'm not going to say if I enjoyed last night's match or not, but the streak ending was the last thing I thought would happen at Wrestlemania. But it is what it is, "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar is now the 1 in 21-1 among all those other accomplishments he has over the years from Amateur Wrestling to Pro Wrestling to Foot-- to MMA.

Anyways, here's Brock Lesnar's first official WWF/E televised match at Backlash 2002 against Jeff Hardy - winner gets Lita's thongs. Excuse me, I mean the "2014 Hall of Famer" Amy Dumas's thongs.

Friday, April 4, 2014

Match of the Day - The only light heavyweight title match in WM history

Taka Michinoku vs. Aguila - Light Heavyweight title match - Wrestlemania XIV (1998)

How about some flippy stuff...



In the first and only Light Heavyweight Championship match, Taka Michinoku defends the gold against Aguila, a young masked wrestler from Mexico (who later wrestled unmasked as Essa Rios). These two had previously faced each other in the Light Heavyweight title tournament which Taka would later end up winning to be the inaugural Light heavyweight Champion in WWF. At the time of this match, Aguila was only 19 years old making him the youngest person to ever compete at Wrestlemania!





Thursday, April 3, 2014

Song of the Day - The Thinker

Locktender -  The Thinker from Rodin (2014)

Some excellent new material from the post hardcore meets post metal Cleveland outfit, Locktender.

Always different, always heavy.



Along with their new 4 song LP, Rodin, Locktender also have a new 7" split with Amber out now!

Last.fm

Match of the Day - Trish Stratus takes on her biggest fan at Wrestlemania 22

Mickie James vs. Trish Stratus - Women's Title match - Wrestlemania 22 (2006)




Some pre-Total Divas women's action featuring the obsessive fan turned deranged lunatic, Mickie James challenging the Women's champ, Trish Stratus. Not as violent as the last female wrestling match I posted but still pretty heated for WWE standards... so, not very violent at all.

This match however does include this spot by Mickie James which is super not PG (or safe for work) and has since been cut out from the match if you watch it on The Network from what I've been told.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Match of the Day - The McMahon family consoling street fight at Wrestlemania!

Shane McMahon vs. Vince McMahon - Street Fight - Wrestlemania X-Seven (2001)



What started out as Shane McMahon returning to the WWF to confront his father about the state of his mother, Linda who was in an unconscious state, turned into Shane buying WCW, WWF's biggest rival, right from under his father's feet. To make matters even worse for Mr. McMahon, Shane allowed Mick Foley, the man that Linda let officiate a six-man Hell in a Cell match which was the cause of Mr. McMahon flipping his lid at her to a point of comatose, the chance to be the special guest referee of any match he wanted at Wrestlemania. Naturally, Mick Foley picked Shane and Vince's match to be special referee not only to get under Vince's skin but also because it was right up his alley; a street fight.

Throw in some Trish Stratus and Stephanie McMahon nonsense, and this match had a bigger build and story behind it than pretty much any Wrestlemania match of this decade. Of course, the match itself was a classic Shane McMahon performs the craziest spots he can think of match but it had no shortage of detailed storyline to it whatsoever!

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Song of the Day - 4'33

The World is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die - 4'33'' from 4'33'' (2013)

The 8+ person emo orchestra pay tribute to the pioneer of all things experimental, John Cage with this spot-on rendition of 4'33''.


It's a must have.

Last.fm

Match of the Day - The greatest WM match no one saw coming!

Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus - World Heavyweight title match - Wrestlemania XXVIII (2012)



I can't say I expected this World Heavyweight title match featuring the indy sensation, Daniel Bryan and the Celtic Warrior, Sheamus to be as shocking as it was. For such a prestigious title to be shoved so far down the card as this was, Bryan and Sheamus made the best of it with their amazingly athletic abilities, honor for the title, as well as their wonderful showmanship. No one expected Sheamus to go all PWG, three shooting star presses in a row, no-selling a piledriver on the apron, and perform a Johnny Saint Special, but the big guy from Dublin, Ireland really impressed the crowd, everyone watching at home, and even myself that night.

Truly the greatest 18 second match of all time.

Happy April Fools day.

Monday, March 31, 2014

Song of the Day - Now Kith

Free Throw - Now Kith from Lavender Town (2013)

Not sure why I slept on this band for so long... they have everything I love in a band: samples, references to my childhood (lots of Pokemon and Boy Meets World), and lots of that teen angst twinkly stuff. Hell, they even named a song after me... using an 'E'-less keyboard.


Last.fm





Match of the Day - The birth of the streak!

The Undertaker vs. Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka - Wrestlemania VII (1991)


Only a few months after the fresh (yet dead) new competitor known as The Undertaker made his debut at Survivor Series, he was thrown into a match at the biggest WWF PPV of the year against Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. While challenging Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka is never a walk in the park, you can see here that this was boot-era Jimmy Snuka and therefore lacked the "Superfly" powers that he once possessed.

'Taker would go on to win 20 more of these WM matches, and is looking for his 22nd win this Sunday against "The Beast Incarnate" Brock Lesnar. Many people on the internet say that the only wrestler that can really put an end to the streak is Kane - who has failed two times already. I, on the other hand, believe that it takes someone who can tie the whole streak back together, and since Jimmy Snuka is well passed his glory days to return, it looks like it's up to another Snuka; it looks like it's up to Tamina "The daughter of Hall of Famer Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka" Snuka to put an end to the streak!

Theme Week - Rasslemania Week 2!

Wrestlemania is a mere 6 days away which can only mean one thing - it's Wrestlemania week! The grandest wrestling event this side of the world is turning 30 next Sunday and with that comes 29 years of great material to watch and honor this week. 

I highly recommend watching these Wrestlemania moments on the WWE Network for best picture quality. If you are not from America or broke like me, the youtube/dailymotion/weird Japanese video players I will be embedding will have to do as usual...


Enjoy!

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Song of the Day - Move Along

Salt Cathedral - Move Along from Salt Cathedral (2013)

A little pop never hurt nobody. Especially not the bouncy female-fronted pop that Salt Cathedral create.


Last.fm

Match of the Day - The Hokuto/Kandori Dreamslam showdown!

Akira Hokuto vs. Shinobu Kandori - AJW Dreamslam I (1993)


Since it's Women's History Month, I've decided to feature one of my favorite female pro wrestling matches: Akira Hokuto versus Shinobu Kandori at All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling's first Dreamslam event as "Match of the Month". This is a brutal bout at my favorite speed for a wrestling match - out of control speed!

Just in the opening minutes of the match, LLPW's Shinobu Kandori, a judo expert with a bad attitude, target's Akira Hokuto's arm in hopes of twisting it right off. Kandori works on the arm until it is clearly out of commission. Hokuto's arm puts her in such a disadvantage that the chance of this match being a technical wrestling showcase goes right out the window. Instead, the match turns into a legit-looking fight. These two scrap it out with each other like two kids in the schoolyard... It's brutal, it's bitter, and it's far from pretty.

Once the match spills out into the ringside area, Kandori counters Hokuto's attempt at a piledriver on the announcers' table and tombstone piledrives Hokuto's head straight into the table leaving Hokuto donning the crimson mask. Not often does one see such brutality and blood in a women's wrestling match, especially not here in America, but this match brings it at full force. This match is a must-watch spectacle that clearly I can not give the justice it deserves just by using words. The only way to experience the power of this match is by watching it.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Match of the Debut - Hey yo! The Bad Guy debut

Razor Ramon vs. Paul Van Dow - WWF Superstars (1992)


In honor of Scott Hall getting clean thanks to DDP and his yoga system and can now be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Looks like they'll be renaming it the Scott Hall of Fame... or, more accurately, the Thank You DDP for Saving Jake Roberts and Scott Hall of Fame.

Anyways, here he is as "the Bad Guy" Razor Ramon, oozing machismo for the first time ever on WWF TV.




Friday, March 21, 2014

Match of the Day - Guerrero/Flair at King of the Ring '02

Eddie Guerrero vs. Ric Flair - King of the Ring (2002)



Only about a month before Eddie Guerrero took on The Rock in a match that has now been regarded as a "dream match that actually happened", Guerrero took on another wrestling for the first in WWE in the form of the "Nature Boy" Ric Flair. It wasn't the first time that the two had wrestled before, they
 actually put on pretty good matches in their WCW days together, but this is the first and only time that these two masters of the ring squared off against each other in WWE.

What made this match so enjoyable has to be the different styles that Eddie Guerrero and Ric Flair brought to the table. Flair, being the ring psychology veteran taking on Guerrero, a quicker and high-flying-based wrestler. I would argue that this difference of styles really echos the days of Flair vs. Steamboat which many consider the greatest rivalry of all time. Flair/Guerrero might not have any six star matches, but I think it's worth watching their matches if you are a fan of pure wrestling a la Flair/Steamboat.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Song of the Day - Your carpet is my ceiling

K.C. Milian - Your carpet is my ceiling from K.C. Milian EP (2004)

Happy first day of Spring!

Enjoy it with some laid-back post rock that's a little bit screamo with American Football-like trumpets.



Italian Football.

Last.fm



Match of the Day - The Nash/Hogan vs. Piper/Giant bat match?

Kevin Nash & Hollywood Hogan vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper & The Giant - Baseball Bat on a Pole match - WCW Spring Stampede (1998)



It's the first day of Spring and that can only mean one thing: A Spring Stampede match is in order for today.

This match here is from Spring Stampede 1998, the year I started collecting WCW action figures apparently because every wrestler in this match looks exactly like the plastic form of themselves I had when I was growing up.

Despite the rules of the match, a tag team pole match where anyone who pulled down the baseball bat could use it anyway they wanted, Vince Russo was not working for WCW at this time. Even with the painfully bad "bat switch" towards the end of this match, I must remind everyone, Vince Russo was not working for WCW yet.

If you don't know who Vince Russo is, look up the San Francisco 49ers match, or the Viagra on a pole match, or the leather jacket on a pole match, or the Judy Bagwell on a pole match. The man loved his object(s) on a pole matches. Except for the last one there on the list, the Judy Bagwell one, she couldn't fit on a pole so they used a forklift instead. 

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Song of the Day - Just Because You Can't See My Invisible Force Field Doesn't Mean It's Not There

Dakota/Dakota - Just Because You Can't See My Invisible Force Field Doesn't Mean It's Not There from Shoot in the Dark + (2010) (originally from 2004)

Before there was Russian Circles, the post metal gurus, there was Dakota/Dakota, a math rock ensemble. I would have guessed Dakota/Dakota was a Don Caballero side project from the sound of them combined with their lengthy/unique song title chooses, but no, Mike Sullivan (guitar) and Colin DeKuiper (bass) were both in this band before jumping over to metal.



Last.fm


Monday, March 17, 2014

Match of the Debut - Finlay comes to Smackdown to fight

Finlay vs. Matt Hardy - Smackdown! (2006)


Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Here's a very Irish debut featuring the seasoned veteran, Finlay in his first televised WWE match.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Match of the Day - The first time Big Show breaks the whole ring

Big Show vs. Brock Lesnar - WWE Championship match - Smackdown! (2003)


So here it is, the first time in the history of WWE that a slam was so powerful that it literally broke the ring.

To be quite honest, this was actually really awesome for my young elementary school mind at the time it took place. I remember going to school the next day, SD! was still on Thursdays, and telling everybody and anybody willing to listen. This was a big fucking deal. So, when I came back to wrestling after taking some time off to learn that this same exact spot was redone in 2011, I was furious! Now hear me out, when I say that the same exact spot was redone, I don't just mean that Big Show was in a match where the ring completely collapsed again, I mean Mark Henry (playing the role of Brock Lesnar) got Big Show up on the top rope and superplexed him in such a incredible fashion that the ring implodes.

Looking back on things now, I guess it makes more sense that Mark Henry could break the ring from superplexing Big Show since Brock Lesnar, a smaller individual compared to the 400+ pound World's Strongest Man, was able to in this match.

Theme results

Ring Destruction: The ring collapses. 




Friday, March 7, 2014

Song of the Day - Easy Green

A.M. Overcast - Easy Green from Extractions (2008)

Solo math rock project from Alexander Litinsky of Winnipeg. He's also in a band called Grand Beach.



Includes a little Battlestar Galactica, the original one with Dirk "Faceman" Benedict, sample to close this opening track.

Last.fm

Match of the Day - Abyss chokeslams AJ through the ring with the power of Hulkamania

Abyss vs. AJ Styles - TNA Heavyweight Championship match - TNA Destination X (2010)


While there have been good encounters between Abyss and AJ Styles ( i.e. Lockdown '05), this is not one of those encounters. No, this encounter is in the thick of Hulk Hogan's takeover of TNA in 2010 starring heel AJ Styles taking on face Abyss. During this glorious downward spiral of TNA, "the future of TNA" AJ Styles was put under the wing of wheelchaired Ric Flair, while Abyss, you know - "The Monster" Abyss - was given the powers of Hulkamania by Hulk Hogan in order to dethrone Styles of Fortune (TNA's try at the Four Horsemen, I guess) and eventually become champion. Abyss's Hulkster power-up included a new Real American mash-up theme, a few bits of ketchup and mustard on his attire, and Hulk Hogan's Hall of Fame ring. Yep, Hogan gave his ring to Abyss rather than pawning it for some quick cash. Silly Hogan... it's not like he can get another one. Oh, just you wait.

Abyss and AJ have a pretty alright match that could have just been done and forgotten about. Instead, Abyss with his new found Hulkamania powers takes a page out of The Big Show (who also once pretended to be Hogan) and Undertaker's book and chokeslams AJ Styles through the ring. Technically, AJ's body just collapses the ring, but as the camera mistakenly looks down at AJ in the hole we see that he is being cut through the mat by some mysterious scissor people that reside under the ring.

So that's it, right? Abyss chokeslams AJ through the ring and wins the belt for the sake of Hulkamania? Actually no; since AJ is sucked down into the abyss, hah, and was unable to return, the match was thrown out just like when a champion walks out of the match in a last ditch effort to retain their title. Abyss wins the battle and AJ Styles retains his title, but the nonsense doesn't end there. As Hogan himself comes out to celebrate with Abyss, Ric Flair gets wheeled back out to confront Hogan who had kicked him out earlier in the match. The wheelchair bound Flair is then dragged into the ring by Hogan's monster, gets sprayed by some pepper spray, and flops around on the mat for a while until Desmond Wolfe comes out to save him. Wolfe does not save Flair, instead he gets beat down by Hogan and Abyss, pepper sprayed, and finally, trips over the selling-like-it's-gonna-win-him-another-Hall of Fame-ring, Ric Flair into the hole in the middle of the ring. In one final act of total nonstop acting, Flair does his best Shawn Michaels impression from Summerslam '05 and overly sells a fall into the hole with the already buried Desmond Wolfe and AJ Styles.

Theme results

Ring Destructions: Abyss hulks up and chokelsams AJ "through" the ring.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Song of the Day - Anonymous

SSQ - Anonymous from Playback (1983)

80's music that sounds like music today that sounds like 80's music.


Featured in the visually-pleasing 1983-but-in-2010 sci-fi, Beyond the Black Rainbow.

Last.fm

Match of the Day - The one where Taz and Bam Bam Bigelow go through the ring!

Taz vs. Bam Bam Bigelow - ECW World TV Championship match - ECW Living Dangerously (1998)



In one of ECW's most memorable matches, the TV champ, Taz takes on the giant journeyman, Bam Bam Bigelow in a grueling brawl at Living Dangerously '98. The most memorable part of the match, of course, is the finish that saw Taz performing his signature Tazmission on a standing Bam Bam Bigelow which leads to Bam Bam falling backwards - sending both himself and Taz under him through the ring!

From what I've read, and heard on Jeremy Borash's ECW documentary, Hardcore Forever, Terry Taylor admits that he saw this classic spot at the time and brought it to WWF where it was redone in the form of Big Show chokeslamming the Undertaker through the ring in 1999.

Here's a better look at Taz and Bam Bam collapsing the ring:


Theme results

Ring Destruction: A big hole in the ring filled with Taz and Bam Bam Bigelow.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Song of the Day - Clotheslined

Special Explosion - Clotheslined from The Art of Mothering (2014)

A nice little indie rock track about getting clotheslined.



Something different from Topshelf Records.

Last.fm

Match of the Day - The Masada/Kasai no mat, glass pane, & gusset plate deathmatch

Masada vs. Jun Kasai - No Mat, Glass Pane, Gusset Plate Deathmatch Pain Limit finals - FREEDOMS (2012)

Here's another tournament match...


CZW's Masada and "The Crazy Monkey" Jun Kasai know how to put on an ultraviolent, stomach curdling, how-is-this-stuff-even-legal?, bloody-ass deathmatch. If you don't like the sound of anything that I just wrote, please do not watch this match. If you love the sound of what I wrote above, you are one sick fuck.

To add to this weeks theme, and in good practice with Ash Wednesday/Lent's giving something up until Jesus comes back on Easter with chocolate eggs, this match gets rid of the mat or canvas of the ring. Instead of all that soft stuff on top of the ring, it is completely bare with only its boards intact... well, that is, until Masada decides to tear off some boards to create a gaping hole in the ring. Once Masada strips the boards, he places a pane of glass over the hole and then, if it's pretty self explanatory as to what he does next, Masada powerbombs Kasai through the glass and down through the ring to the floor, or whatever is under a ring.

Luckily, Kasai survives the drop with only a few minor scratches and some skin peeled off. Then he finishes the match, of course.

Theme results

Ring Destruction: The mat/canvas is removed to began with then Masada rips out some boards for added hardcore nonsense.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Song of the Day - Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Fats Domino - Mardi Gras in New Orleans from The Fabulous Mr. D (1958)

My favorite rendition of Professor Longhair's signature "Go to the Mardi Gras"/"Mardi Gras in New Orleans" number.


Happy Mardi Gras!

Last.fm

Match of the Day - The Kings of Wrestling's King of Europe Cup opening round causalty

Chris Hero vs. Claudio Castagnoli - Opening Round match - King of Europe Cup (2007)


Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli AKA The Kings of Wrestling battle one another in this opening round match for the 2007 King of Europe Cup. At the time, Hero was representing Combat Zone Wrestling while Castagnoli was representing Chikara Pro.

The match itself goes nice and smooth until Chris Hero slams Claudio Castagnoli with enough force to leave a big dip in the ring. For the rest of the match, Hero and Castagnoli must fight around this indentation in the middle of the squared circle. From there, like the mat itself, the match pretty much goes down hill and is all about how the hell are these two guys going to end the match without using the middle of the ring.

Theme results

Ring Destruction: The ring collapses in the middle.

Monday, March 3, 2014

Song of the Day - High School Field Trip to Murder Island

Bearcubbin'! - High School Field Trip to Murder Island from Girls With Fun Haircuts (2014)

Loop-happy math rock from the other Portland, Bearcubbin'! A must-listen for anyone that is a fan of music that doesn't go the way one thinks it will.



This is seriously awesome.

Last.fm

Match of the Debut - The Nexus hijack Raw

John Cena vs. CM Punk - Viewer's Choice WWE Championship match - Raw (2010)


The first big match between the WWE champ, John Cena and then masked CM Punk gets hijacked on Viewer's Choice Raw by The Nexus, an eight man gang featuring young upstarts from WWE's developmental territory, FCW as well as all being original contestants on the first NXT program.

While it was not totally chaos, the NXT rookies of the first season really shook things up for a pretty stale product that was WWE at this point. I remember watching this episode of Raw and thinking that something new was upon us. Of course, nothing really happened. The ring gets stripped, Bryan gets fired for chocking the timekeeper with his own tie, and then for weeks John Cena does that thing he always does; he overcomes the odds.

Still, the damage that the Nexus created from their ambush on Raw was pretty impressive for WWE standards. To bad they were pretty much destined to fail once they started feuding with Super Cena.

Theme results

Ring Destruction: Apron skirts ripped off, mat gets exposed, padding torn loose, and the ring ropes are loosened and taken down.

Theme Week - Ring Destruction

This week's theme is all about destruction not so much in the squared circle, but destruction of the squared circle. Whether it be kayfabe, a disaster, or just a shitty ring, every match will include some sort of modification to the wrestling ring. Example:


^This one was the result of WWE's 7 year rule; if something happened 7 years ago, it can just be done again and passed off as new.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Song of the Day - Lost in the Hive

Mutoid Man - Lost in the Hive from Helium Head (2013)

Supercharged metal from Ben Koller (drummer of Converge/All Pigs Must Die/United Nations/Acid Tiger) and Stephen Brodsky (Cave In). The project is essentially were the two left of when Koller was in Cave In for a brief time.



Check it out!

Last.fm

Match of the Day - the CM Punk ROH dog collar match #2

CM Punk vs. Jimmy Rave - Dog Collar match - ROH Manhattan Mayhem (2005)


Miss CM Punk? Well, here's a CM Punk match.

Not too long before signing with WWE and going to Ohio Valley Wrestling, CM Punk was in Ring Of Honor's second ever dog collar match. Punk was also in the first which I've covered here before with Raven. This time Punk was facing off against Jimmy Rave who - while a prominent star of the indies at this time - will always be remembered as one half of the Rock N Rave Infection of TNA with Lance Rock (now wrestling as Lance Archer in NJPW) to me. These two put on a very physical match that is definitely a must-see if you are a punk fan, or a Jimmy Rave fan. There's Rave fans out there... somewhere... maybe.

The only thing that rubs me the wrong way during this match is the interference by Fast Eddie towards the end. I'm not ragging on him for having a run-in spot, I'm just bothered that the guy had to do a moonsault from the top rope to break up a pinfall. I get that Punk moves out of the way just before the landing and therefore Rave gets all of the moonsault, but come on, just get in there and break up the pin. Save the "I got to get my shit in" indy wrestling mentality for a match you will actually be in, but that's just me. Other than that though, this match is very good.

PS: The sounds cuts out about two thirds the way into the video above. It's not that big of a deal, I just don't want anyone thinking they lost his or her sound or something.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Song of the Day - Over the Sirens

Solids - Over the Sirens from Blame Confusion (2014)

Some more new stuff. This ones from Solids of Montreal who are currently on tour in North America. Sounds sort of emo fuzzy, sort of garage rock-y, and sort of noise pop-y.


Mont-really good, Canada.

Last.fm

Match of the Day - Elimination Chamber #1

Shawn Michaels vs. Rob Van Dam Vs. Kane vs. Booker T vs. Chris Jericho vs. Triple H - Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship - Survivor Series (2002)


Whether or not you are watching Elimination Chamber, or No Escape as it's called in Germany, here is look back at the very first Elimination Chamber match from 2002.

The match includes HBK's hella god awful "returning after four years" ring gear, RVD destroying Triple H's throat from the first "top of the pod" shot ever performed, and an overall good first Elimination Chamber.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Song of the Day - Psalms

The Caution Children - Psalms from Safe Crusades / No Judgements / And Baby (2014)

Post hardcore meets shoegaze-y, this is Jacksonville, Florida's The Caution Children.

Not your average anything.

Last.fm

Match of the Day - RIP to The World's Largest Love Machine

Viscera vs. Simon Dean - Raw (2005)


Nelson Frazier, Jr., known by countless different names and gimmicks throughout his career, has passed away. Some of his most memorable gimmicks include: Mabel, Viscera, Big Daddy V, or "The World's Largest Love Machine" Big Vis.

Here's a match that depicts the mastodon just prier to his giant pajama run in WWE squashing the fitness guru and seducing Lilian Garcia the ring announcer. It also includes quite the .gif material:


For some, Nelson Frazier, Jr. will forever be remembered as that big guy on a mission that won the King of the Ring and kept hurting people, other people will remember him as that big guy dressed in all black and a white mohawk from the Undertaker's ministry, others will remember him as that big guy who really needed to put a shirt on in WWE's ECW, and others, like me, will forever remember the World's Largest Love Machine with the World's largest pajamas.

RIP

Monday, February 17, 2014

Song of the Day - Olee-Wah

Jerkagram - Olee-Wah from Let's Talk About Us (2014)

I'm having a hard time putting my finger on what exactly Jerkagram sound like without making it sound like something else, because,well, it's really not like something else. Very heavy on the groove, almost prog like, but also a bit math-y and psychedelic.



Last.fm

Match of the Debut - Montel Vontavious Porter

MVP vs. Marty Garner - No Mercy (2006)

In honor of MVP's new roll in TNA.


For weeks a guy named Montel Vontavious Porter appeared on Smackdown to boast that he was the greatest free agent on the planet. When he finally stepped into the squared circle at No Mercy, it was obvious this guy was just heeling it up. So, JBL on commentary did his best at giving the Most Valuable Troller as much criticism as humanly possibly. Granted MVP did come out through a blowup tunnel, had a blue bodysuit on and was cocky as all get out, I think the multiple comparisons to Power Rangers, Battlestar Galatica, and William Shatner (I honestly don't see that one) were a bit over the top. Still, it got MVP over as a guy fans could easily rip on for the rest of his tenure in WWE.

So, who was MVP's first (televised) opponent  in WWE? Why it was Marty Garner, of course. Commentary might have forgotten who he was, but the internet has not. Marty Garner is that guy who took the craziest looking pedigree from Hunter Hearst Helmsley back in '96. Garner was also trained by The Hardy Boyz and one of the other guys from OMEGA, a promotion started by The Hardy's and their friends around North Carolina. Coincidentally, MVP would go on to have a rather amusing feud with Matt Hardy some time after this match which saw Hardy and Porter perform all sorts of challenges to see who was the better man. These challenges included a football throwing contest, an arm wrestling match, a pizza eating contest, and a beer drinking contest.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Song of the Day - Wokinonit

J Dilla - Workinonit from Donuts (2006)

Took a look back at music in 2006. Dilla related.


Match of the Day - Tajiri destroys the "man who made him", Steve Corino

Yoshihiro Tajiri vs. Steve Corino - ECW Hardcore Heaven (2000)


Steve Corino takes on his former managee, "The Japanese Buzzsaw" Yoshihiro Tajiri who turned his back on Corino's dastardly faction, The Network. Steve Corino looks to extend the olive branch at first to Tajiri - by making racial remarks, a move that leads to Tajiri kicking Corino's head off. The assault on Steve Corino doesn't stop there though as Tajiri pretty much just decimates the "King of Old School" from beginning to bloody end. A very convincing win is an understatement.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Song of the Day - Blue Valentines

Tom Waits - Blue Valentines from Blue Valentine (1978)

For any of you out there with a blue Valentine's Day.


Last.fm

Match of the Day - Ken Shamrock looks to massacre Val Venis on Valentine's Day '99

Val Venis vs. Ken Shamrock - Intercontinental title match - St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your House (1999)



Nothing says St. Valentine's Day like beating up an adult film star who's infatuated with your sister.

Since no WWF Official would referee this match, as it was too much for even Senior Official Earl Hebner to handle, a special someone had to step up to the task of reffing this very attitudinal era match. That special someone was Mr. Ass Billy Gunn who wasn't doing anything to begin with, so hey, might as well throw him in the mix to add to this already sexually charged match.

From WWF's one and only PPV themed after the 1929 Al Capone conspired 7-man massacre.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Song of the Day - Splish Splash

Wavepool Abortion - Splish Splash from Wavepool Abortion (2011)

Some Russian lo-fi garage rock stuff.


Last.fm

Match of the Day - Another "Shitty" Lego Deathmatch

Shitty vs. Addy Starr - Lego Deathmatch - Inter Species Wrestling Burger King of the Ring (2011)


In honor of the Lego Movie -I haven't seen it so no spoilers - here is another Lego-inspired deathmatch from the human/animal/monster/undead people wrestling promotion out of Quebec, Canada.

This Lego deathmatch is the third in existence from ISW and features the same man who was in the previous colorful connectable building blocks mess of a match and was also in the second (which I have yet to see). The man I'm talking about is Shitty, previously known as Flip, who was brainwashed by Moohammad (the terrorist cow) to be a much shittier person. Shitty's opponent this time around was Addy Starr, a female competitor not afraid to step in the ring with the Lego Deathmatch veteran, but also not afraid to get hardcore with Lego covered kickpads and Lego covered taped fists ablazin'. Addy Starr even dons the D'Lo Brown Lego vest at one point to boost her already Lego-based offense.

It's a messy, and dare I say a "shitty" match, but that's what it was going for. This isn't Flair/Steamboat #169, this is a Lego Deathmatch, a match that requires the most brutal and creative looking spots to do with Lego brand construction toys!

Monday, February 10, 2014

Match of the Debut - The rise and fall of Trytan

Monty Brown vs. Trytan - Destination X (2005)


In 2005, "The Alpha Man" Monty Brown was being stalked by an unknown man who may or may not have possessed supernatural powers. This mystery man was eventually revealed as "Trytan", a man who may or may not have had supernatural powers. So, as all storylines should go, this stalking of sorts by Trytan led to him getting a match with Monty Brown at Destination X.

Whether or not this Trytan guy had special powers or was some Terminator reject, one thing was more unclear than the rest, and that was: could this guy even wrestle? Well, as it turned out, he could - just not very well. Monty Brown carried the match until it came time to deliver his signature move, a move I'll forever miss, the POUNCE! Unfortunately, as Monty Brown is running the ropes to set up his explosive shoulder block, the lights go out and when they turn back on a man dressed from head to toe in black is in the place of Trytan. Monty Brown then takes this masked person and Pounces him and even gets the pinfall when it clearly wasn't Trytan. As Monty Brown is getting his hand raised in victory for defeating a man that wasn't even his opponent, Trytan appears and then disappears into some smoke back to the locker room.

Despite Monty Brown getting the win but not a victory over Trytan, the storyline, just like Trytan throw the tunnel at the end of this match, disappeared into obscurity. Later that night, Monty Brown would turn heel and aligned himself with Jeff Jarrett after helping Jarrett in his match against DDP, thus giving Brown something to do other than chase around a walking disappearance act.

Trytan apparently stayed with the company for some time after this match but never really did anything worth noting. As for the masked man, well, he was never seen again. At least we know who played him, and that was Dennis Knight - better known as Phineas I. Godwinn, Mideon, or "Naked" Mideon .

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Song of the Day - Empty Vessel

Bastions - Empty Vessel from Bedfellows: The Forgotten Daughter (2014)

New stuff from the melodic hardcore band from "the most northern point of" Wales, Bastions.


Love it or hate it, there's passion behind them pipes.

Last.fm

Match of the Day - A triple threat ROH title match in Japan

KENTA vs. Nigel McGuinness vs. BJ Whitmer - Triple Threat ROH World title match - Pro Wrestling Noah Northern Navigation Day 1 (2008)





Nigel McGuinness goes to Japan to defend his ROH world title against BJ Whitmer and Noah's own, KENTA. Despite KENTA's obvious home field advantage, Whitmer and McGuinness ganged up on the Japanese sensation and created an odd-man out situation that is very common in triple threat matches. Eventually the playing field was evened when Whitmer, aware that he wasn't going to win the title he continued to side with McGuinness, began to fight back against fellow ROH'er in hopes to win his first World Championship. 

Not to give anything away, but this match almost ends with the same exact move that yesterday's match did. Hint hint. 

Friday, February 7, 2014

Song of the Day - Camel Clutch

Zletovsko - Camel Clutch from Zletovsko (2013)

I typed in Camel Clutch into Spotify and found this song by the Japanese "zheul" band, Zletovsko!


Very reminiscent of another experimental Japanese band, Sax Ruins; a saxophone side project of Ruins.

Last.fm

Match of the Day - Two indie darlings and some masked dude

CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Kane - WWE Championship Triple Threat match - No Way Out (2012)


I'm just going to keep this one short and sweet because this match is not too old, yet I honestly don't remember the AJ Lee love triangle (or would it be a square?) storyline too well. I will however point out how much things have actually changed since this match in June of 2012. 

Plus, this match is pretty good. But you probably already guessed that. 

Song of the Day - Olympians

Fuck Buttons - Olympians from Tarot Sport (2009)

With the Opening Ceremonies starting tomorrow night and even some events starting today, it's time to get hyped for some Winter Olympics!


Oh, you don't like the Winter Olympics? Guess you don't love your country then. 

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Match of the Day - The Low Ki/Lynn/Styles triangle ladder match

Low Ki vs. Jerry Lynn vs. AJ Styles - Triangle Ladder match for the X Division title - TNA PPV (2002)


Two up and coming indie sensations and a wily vet still kicking it look to take the world by storm. In the young, Wednesday night PPV from Nashville days of Total Nonstop Action, the name of the game was the X Division. While the main event scene had mostly all established stars, the X Division was in beginning to flourish with great young talent like AJ Styles, Low Ki, Amazing Red, Chris Sabin, Michael Shane, and Sonny Siaki just to name a few. It was new, it was exciting, and it was actually good.

While Low Ki and AJ Styles came into this match already current/former X champs, Jerry Lynn had yet to hold the title. Even though he could go the length with the young guns, he still needed that X Division glory that only Low Ki and Styles had up to this point.

Also, this was the time in TNA where Mike Tenay and Don West would get really excited about everything. I understand the need to sell the product, but come on, this match is good, if not better, without constant marking out by the commentary team. It isn't Matt Striker commentary bad to listen to, but it still gets a little redundant. Especially when every match was called the greatest TNA match of all time and this was only their first year.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Song of the Day - Shadowboxin'

GZA/Genuis - Shadowboxin' from Liquid Swords (1995)

One of the greatest rap/hip-hop albums of all time. Some day I'm gonna buy this on vinyl with the chess set... because that exists!


"My style broke motherfucking backs like Ken Patera."

Last.fm

Match of the Day - The king of extreme triangle hardcore match

Hak vs. Raven vs. Bam Bam Bigelow - Falls Count Anywhere Triangle match - WCW Uncensored (1999)


Three guys who made a name for themselves in the extreme promotion known as ECW going head to head to head in a WCW style hardcore match. As an early precursor to WCW's Hardcore title division (a cheap imitation of the hardcore wrestling that had become popular through WWF), all it really was was taking the weapon-oriented style that ECW was using (but not limited to) and cranking it up to 11. So, as you can see from the video above, this match is more about how many things Hak (Sandman), Raven, and Bam Bam Bigelow can hit each other with than it is about being hardcore. Granted, these guys are/were hardcore at one point or another, the match is still just one big mess.

Many people call the backyard wrestling, ultraviolent, sleazy hardcore wresting of today "trash" wrestling, but this match literally looked like trash wrestling with all the crap that littered the ring.

PS: sorry for the sketchy video... it was the best I could find just of this match in its entirety.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Song of the Day - Caramel

Piglet - Caramel from Lava Land (2005)

One of the most underrated instrumental math rock groups of the 2000's, and I don't use that 'underrated' word lightly.
 

For fans of music.

Last.fm

Match of the Day - Scotty 2 Hotty upsets Dean Malenko again! + Taka Michinoku!

Scotty 2 Hotty vs. Dean Malenko vs. Taka Michinoku - Light Heavyweight title match - WWF Sunday Night Heat (2000)



This little gem occurs just on the heels of Scotty 2 Hotty winning his first title in WWF. Along with the former Light heavyweight champion looking to win back what he had lost almost a week prior on Raw, Taka Michinoku (the first Light Heavyweight champion in WWF), is also thrown in the mix to try to capture the gold once more. Unfortunately for both challengers, Scotty 2 Hotty was not ready to lose the title on this Sunday night C-show, and successfully defends it against his worthy opponents.

After the match though, Dean Malenko, shades of Alberto Del Rio today, 'sends a message' to Scotty by knocking him out with the Light Heavyweight title and locking in the Texas Cloverleaf on the defenseless champion.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Song of the Day - Skate or Live

Best Fwends - Skate or Live from Alphabetically Arranged (2007)

Thrash-y pop for cool kids...


...and skate rats alike.

Last.fm

Match of the Day - The first triple threat match on Raw

Goldust vs. Owen Hart vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley - Intercontinental Championship match - Raw is War/War Zone (1997)



Aside from a few three man matches at house shows, this was the first televised triple threat match to take place in the WWF. The match is for the Intercontinental title and features two individuals whom had held the title previously gunning for the scrap - held at the time by Owen Hart.

To add to this match of firsts, Pat Patterson -  the first Intercontinental champ - plays the roll of the blind guest referee. 'Must be because he's Canadian', Jim Ross says. Why a Canadian would miss a foot on the ropes for a fellow Canadian in kayfabe is beyond me...

Theme Week - Triple Threats

Plain and simple, every match this week will involve three people taking on each other. In honor of Sabu vs. Shane Douglas vs. Terry Funk from ECW's The Night The Line Was Crossed (1994) which took place 20 years ago this week.



Enjoy.