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I enjoy this tradition... i know last year i got to see a few matches i never seen before that i very much liked... can't wait to see what you gift us this year.
1st December.
World Of Sport Days
Dynamite Kid vs. Tony Scarlo - 13th October 1977
This is a lovely little match to start with. A very young Dynamite Kid takes on veteran Tony Scarlo in an exhibition of freestyle grappling. Exchanging holds and countering each other, they try to gain an advantage in this 3 round match-up. As the rounds progress, it gets more urgent and vicious as they seek a way to win. Dynamite had only been wrestling professionally for 2 years at this point and was already a British champion.
Extra Info: The finishing move used, the Prawn Hold, is still used to this day by Zack Sabre Jr.
This is what my mum would call proper wrestling :-) Actually very enjoyable, and a proper competition too it seemed
4CW Hall of Fame Class of 2018. Triple Crown Champion 2020. 2 times Universal, 2 times Tag team and 1 Time World Heavyweight Champion.
Wrestler of the Year 2017, Champion of the Year 2017, Most Improved 2017
2nd December.
Ten Man Tag Time
DX & The Radicalz vs Cactus Jack, The Rock & Too Cool - 7th February 2000
This match encapsulates the energy and atmosphere, the Attitude Era had on a Monday night. It sits between the two excellent matches Cactus Jack & Triple H had at the start of the millenium. The backstory is, Triple H tried to wear Cactus Jack down before their Hell In A Cell match with a 5 on 2 tag match. That's until Too Cool come down to help. The tag match is organised bedlam, everyone gets ample time in the ring to excite the crowd and everyone is over with the audience. Plus, there is a big return post match.
Extra Info: The Radicalz who were the so called "Vanilla Midgets" in WCW, helped produce one of the highest TV rated matches in Raw history.
3rd December.
The Power Struggle
Tomohiro Ishii vs Tomoaki Honma - 14th February 2015
Here's a fairly recent match but its a cracking bout. This match is for the vacant Never Championship, an openweight title that seems to be for all of the strong style wrestlers. Ishii, nicknamed the Stone Pitbull because of his short, stout frame and large bite is a former Never champion. Tomoaki Honma is a veteran, who's enjoying a renaissance period in his career, frequenting higher up the card than usual. Honma uses his head as his main weapon. He loves to try headbutts from all aspects, diving, falling, flailing. He attempts them all with abandon. In this match, both of them try their hardest not to relent to the heavy waves of pressure they set upon each other. The crowd oohing & aahing everytime Honma goes up high searching for a headbutt or when Ishii winds up the arm ready for one his booming Lariatos!
Extra Info: This match was rated 5*'s by Dave Meltzer this year.
4th December.
Kliqing On All Levels
Shawn Michaels & Diesel vs Razor Ramon & 1-2-3 Kid - 30th October 1994
This is a very rare tag title match, as you never see this many single members of the Kliq in a match together. It starts off fast paced with Michaels & Kid providing the aerial assaults. Then Michaels & Diesel work well together to wear down Ramon with some inventive teamwork. Diesel is effective as the monstrous brute even with his limited moves, he has Michaels there to add some spice. Once the hot-tag to the 1-2-3 Kid is hit, the pace quickens and a sense of urgency sweeps over Razor & Kid to get the job done.
Extra Info: To promote the new Action Zone show, this match succeeded last weeks main event of Bret Hart vs Owen Hart for the WWF Title.
Hmm i never knew that match existed... i'm about to give it a watch. always good to see the kliq sharing handie jays with each other.
5th December.
Introducing the Light Heavyweights
Brian Pillman vs Brad Armstrong - 4th April 1992
This is a high octane ten minute title match between two unheralded technical greats. Pillman & Armstrong have similar size, similar looks and similar styles in the ring. In this match they fight in and out of the ring unleashing their brand of energetic acrobatics on to each other. Pillman already had standout matches with Jushin Thunder Liger & Tom Zenk in 1992, so for someone sitting at home on a Saturday night watching this, it would have been a real treat.
Extra Info: The Light Heavyweight division would take a massive hit in mid 1992 when Bills Watts took charge of WCW. He banned wrestlers from using the top ropes.
6th December.
Evolution To Cruiserweight
Jason Jett vs Cash - 21st March 2001
So if we fast forward 9 years from yesterdays match we can see what cruiserweight wrestling has evolved into. The interesting part about this match is, this was from the penultimate WCW show and final WCW Thunder. On top of that, Kid Kash is making his WCW debut. Jason Jett who has only been there a few weeks, went by the moniker EZ Money in ECW. He and Cash clashed a few times in ECW so putting them together for a competitive match to get Jett over was a good idea. The match itself is combatted at 100mph. There's one short hold and then they're cannonballing off the top rope, launching themselves to the outside, trying to create a human highlight reel of moves in 10 minutes. Its an entertaining and effective spectacle to watch.
Extra Info: Jason Jett holds the novel distinction of being the last wrestler signed to a WCW contract.
I'm sure I speak for others when I say that lack of my commentating on this thread doesn't mean that I'm not reading and enjoying it. Like the previous years, I love these. Can it be called a tradition with just 3 years in a row? It should be, it'd be a great tradition and something great to look forward to every December.
7th December.
The Believer Meets The Bastard
Adam Cole vs Dave Mastiff - 28th November 2014
I found this excellent match last night and had to get it in on the fly. Adam Cole one of the best cocky heels in the wrestling business right now takes on British Boot Camps "The Bastard" Dave Mastiff. Cole oozes the sleaziness of a cocky heel with his mannerisms and exploits. The venue is quite compact, so there are plenty of oppurtunities for crowd interaction and participation. Mastiff who featured on WrestleMas 2 is a big bruiser of a man with greater agility than others his size. Here he tries to use it to his advantage to keep up with Adam Cole who spent the match wearing Mastiff's knee down. Will the knee hold out for Mastiff to gain a memorable victory?
Extra Info: Adam Cole has the longest ever reign of the PWG World Heavyweight Title at 526 days.
8th December.
Measuring Our Potential
Bret Hart vs 1-2-3 Kid - 11th July 1994
Another really great match here featuring two of the stars of WWF's New Generation. By mid 1994, Bret Hart was the guy the WWF could rely on to put on a main event showing every night. 1-2-3 Kid was still a midcarder known for his underdog spirit. As Hart is the bigger man here and also babyface they try to make the match as competitive as possible. Even when Hart does take advantage they go to a restart after Kid gets his foot on the rope on a pinfall, showing Bret is still a good guy by playing fair. The match is full of solid chain wrestling, venomous moves, suspense creating near falls. Its the sort of match you wouldn't have expected to see on RAW due to the length and its of a top 4 PPV quality.
Extra Info: 1-2-3 Kid would not receive another WWF title shot until 4 years later when he faced The Rock at Capital Carnage.
9th December.
Enter The Dragon Gate
Do FIXER vs Blood Generation - 3rd July 2005
Here we have a scintillating match from Japan with the Dragon Gate promotion. These two stables, Do FIXER & Blood Generation helped put Dragon Gate on the map with their exuberant styles and outlandish antics. This match is for the Open The Triangle Gate title. A 3 man tag belt where tags are not necessary and can turn matches into a streamlined round robin so the level of action never drops. With their Japanese/Lucha hybrid style, the matches are always brimming with flair and over the top, colourful moves.
Extra Info: Do FIXER are the most decorated stable in Dragon Gate history, by holding the Triangle Gate title an unprecedented 3 times.
10th December.
Hardcore Haven
RVD vs Jerry Lynn - 16th May 1999
The next match up is between two of ECW's more gifted technical wrestlers. The chemistry between RVD & Jerry Lynn has always been very strong and it stands the test of time as one of ECW's best loved rivalries. I don't think you can find a bad match between them because they compliment each others styles so well. In this match for the TV Title, they fight all around the ringside area using implements and instruments as weapons. Their high flying styles are both very apparent as they go to extreme lengths to win the match.
Extra Info: This match was ranked number 8 in Wrestling Observer Newsletters top matches of 1999.
11th December.
War Games
Dangerous Alliance vs Stings Squadron - 17th May 1992
This match is awesome. 1992 was a great year for WCW, their roster was stacked with brilliant talent. The Dangerous Alliance were such a strong stable because everyone in the group was a great worker. Rude, Anderson, Eaton, Austin, Zbyszko. No weak link. Sting's Squadron were brought in to take down the Dangerous Alliance and were again all big names. Sting, Koloff, Windham, Steamboat & Rhodes. The "submit or surrender" match is very brutal and bloody but really entertaining because of the pace and workrate undertaken. There is a great spot where Arn Anderson gets his head shoved between the two rings and is being pushed down by his feet. Jim Ross on commentary is also very good, projecting suspense and jeopardy to Stings team.
Extra Info: War Games was a creation of the late, great Dusty Rhodes. It was also WCW's best gimmick match and influenced WWE's Hell in a Cell & Elimination Chamber.
12th December.
Discovering Old Relics
Chavo Guerrero Sr. vs Kengo Kimura - 30th September 1980
Its always a nice feeling when you discover a new wrestler you like. Whenever you mention the name Guerrero, everyone thinks Eddie. Well his brother Chavo must be a close second in terms of ability. A pioneer in meshing the lucha style and American wrestling, he was well beyond his years in what he was achieving. The moves and combinations he puts together I don't think I've seen since. Such as one where he gets his opponent in the corner for the turnbuckle climb/punch spot. But then he climbs to the top rope, does a blackflip, his opponent comes forward and then he dropkicks him. Guerrero's opponent in this match is Kengo Kimura a Japanese wrestling legend. Their paths crossed in the L.A. territory where Guerrero was a formidable force. In this match, Kimura is using a ground game like shoot holds to wear Guerrero out. Guerrero isn't having any of it and wants to speed up the pace. Enjoy.
Extra Info: Chavo Guerrero Sr. has been immortalised in a song by The Mountain Goats called The Legend of Chavo Guerrero. At 66 years old, he can still do the moonsault.
13th December.
Sore Limbs On Christmas Day
William Regal vs Cesaro - 25th December 2013
As far as I can see, this was William Regal's last match. He takes on Cesaro in a match that aired on Christmas Day 2 years ago. They trade hold for hold, show dexterity and feats of strength you wouldn't expect. It's downright dirty and brutal in places, making the lightest of submissions look like they are locked in with cement. There is also the underlying theme of prospect versus veteran in there too.
Extra Info: Regal once got arrested for drunkenly urinating on an air steward on a flight from Japan.
Always thought it was a shame that Regal didn't get a bigger push. He was great. I used to laugh at his matches with Benoit where they'd just smack the shit out of each other - there was just no holding back, it was brutal. He was a great wrestler though, should have done better than what WWE gave him.
14th December.
Two Technicians Today
Barry Windham vs. Arn Anderson - 6th June 1992
This is a great little match from a WCW Saturday Night episode. Arn Anderson takes on the TV champion Barry Windham in a 2 out of 3 falls match. Watching these two work is like watching a flowing tap. Fluid and smooth with no breaks in their work. Barry's trying his best to get the two falls whilst Anderson & Paul E. Dangerously are spoiling the party, using dirty tactics and skulduggery to enhance their chances of bringing gold back to the Dangerous Alliance.
Extra Info: Due to a tape delay, Steve Austin was in fact the TV Champion. On the next edition of WCW Worldwide, Austin would beat Windham for the title.
15th December.
Finding Lost Treasure
Rey Mysterio vs. Jamie Noble - 1st May 2004
I think you can put this match down as an unheralded gem. I only found out about it recently but oh' boy do these two deliver. Its just a Velocity taping and they're working it like they're main eventing a PPV. Mysterio's still moving like he did in the mid-90's and Noble is doing the smash-mouth, rugged style like a mini Benoit. They do some sleek chain wrestling, working certain body areas. Then speed up the action, going high-flying and using some innovative counter moves. Noble catches Mysterio mid slingshot and turns it into a Bridging Northern Lights Suplex. Everything looked smooth and flush, brilliant match-up.
Extra Info: 6 months after this match, Noble left WWE to work independents. He became the Ring of Honor world champion the following year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJZQ3Wec9hA
Last edited by Rossman (Tue-15-Dec-2015 22:28:53)
16th December.
Japanese Warfare
The Can-Am Express vs Kenta Kobashi & Tsuyoshi Kikuchi - 25th May 1992
This match is absolutely amazing. The Japanese crowd are the loudest I have ever heard, they are rabid to see Kobashi & Kikuchi beat the western champions. The match is very stiff, they're laying in the offence to get this crowd amped up. Every time Kobashi or Kikuchi land a move the arena explodes in noise. There are some big time spots in there, Kroffat press slams Kikuchi over the guard-rail onto a wooden table. There's great selling from Kikuchi when he's shaken like a rag doll in the Cobra Clutch. Its just a brilliant match and a strong recommendation to watch.
Extra Info: Dan Kroffat was found in a gym by the British Bulldogs and trained to wrestle in the Hart Dungeon.
17th December.
Lucha Libre World
Super Calo, Ciclope, Juventud Guerrera vs Konnan, La Parka, Villano IV - 23rd February 1997
1997 was a great year for WCW. The first time they made massive bucks, the in-ring product was notably improving and they were leading in the Monday night TV ratings against WWF. The luchadors were becoming more visible because of their wrestling style and notoriety for crazy matches. This one is a six man tag that resembles a Demolition Derby. They are throwing themselves around, taking crazy risks trying to get over. Ciclope crashes and burns on a corksrew moonsault to the outside, Juventud misses the 450 splash. La Parka does his crossbody through the ropes to his outside opponent who's sitting in a chair. It's a melee, there's a great line from Bobby Heenan when he says "Tony, I'll give you a thousand dollars if you tell me who's the legal guy in the ring!"
Extra Info: Look out for La Parka, for some reason he's wearing Psicosis's wrestling gear in this match.
18th December.
Best Of British
Marty Scurll vs Will Ospreay - 28th June 2015
Here is a match featuring two of the best in British wrestling today. Will Ospreay is a big high flier who does lots of unimaginable moves and combinations. Marty Scurll went by the name "Party Marty" on TNA's British Boot Camp. He's shaken it up a bit now and has turned heel and calls himself "The Villain." Here the pair work together to put on an exciting showcase, blending their two styles together. At some points the match does feel like you're watching a video game just because of the amount of moves thrown together that eliminates the story in the first part of the match. It's very good though and an excellent advert for British wrestling.
Extra Info: Not long after this match, both Ospreay & Scurll ended up in PWG as part of the Battle of Los Angeles tournament.
Match starts 10 minutes in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWlDnEPL2aM
It's the 1st of December tomorrow so Santa is on his way. The only way to get into the festive spirit is with a countdown of 25 interesting, intriguing & exciting wrestling matches that hopefully you have never seen before. But there may be a few classics thrown in for good measure!