Sarah
Retro Rewatch
by Sarah Vicik
Welcome to the first edition of the Retro Rewatch. In this series we will rewatch old PPV’s and A. review them and B. do they hold the test of time? Most of the time they will be PPV’s but occasionally we may throw in a random TV episode.
I’ll give my review and rankings as I go through please feel free to watch along with me. The first one here we will be doing is one from my childhood that I did not remember to much but has some marquee match ups. So without further ado, here is the first episode:
From Chattanooga, TN
“Wildman” Marc Mero w/ Sable vs Leaf Cassidy:
We begin the night with Cassidy in the ring already as Sable and Mero are coming down to the ring. These 2 fight like it’s a big grudge match like one wrestler kicked the other guys’ dog. The upper hand went back and forth. Sable causing a few distractions certainly broke Leaf’s momentum a few times. In the end, when Cassidy was confronting Sable she slapped him hard which allowed Mero enough time to attack Cassidy and hit him with the Wild Thing (a shooting star press) to secure the win. Winner: Marc Mero
A pretty solid opening match. Fast-paced and action-packed. I feel this match still holds up decently. I’d give this a solid 3 out of 5 stars.
Flash Funk, Goldust (w/Marlena), and Bart Gunn vs Nation of Domination (Faarooq, Crush, and Savio Vega):
This match is in place of a few singles matches since Goldust and Bart Gunn have feuds with Faarooq and Crush. The match began with lots of mayhem on the outside of the ring. Things finally got started after Funk dove from the top to the members of the Nation on the outside. By the way holy flashy ring gear by funk in a full bright green outfit. For most of the match, Flash was taking a beating from the entire Nation but got an occasional move in. It was crazy to see Bart Gunn’s power again though he was not in the match much. Towards the end of the match, Gunn hit a diving bulldog type move on Faarooq (almost looked like Ember Moon’s Eclipse) and pinned him. However, the ref was distracted trying to get his teammates out of the ring. Then out of nowhere Crush hits a big leg drop to the back of Gunn’s head and moved Faarooq on top of Gunn getting the 3 count.
Winners: The Nation of Domination
This match had a few high spots but didn’t do much for me. While great to see some of these classic stars in action I’d go 2 out of 5 stars here.
We cut backstage to Austin talking about how he’s the underdog in this title match: Austin an underdog, imagine that.
Intercontinental Title Hunter Hurst Helmsley vs Rocky Maivia (ch):
This match came about after Maivia won the belt off Helmsley not long before this. We had one heck of a start after a few big cringe-worthy slaps. Big ouches. Hunter took early control and was dominant most of the match but Maivia getting flashes of greatness. Hunter using many suplexes and submissions to wear Maivia down. All of a sudden we see Goldust walking to ringside. This certainly distracts Helmsley and Rocky hits him with a German Suplex and holds on with a bridge for the pin and gets the 3 count.
Winner: Rocky Maivia retains.
After the match we see Marlena attacked by a female fan at ringside. At this point, we only know as a fan but turns out to be the debut of Chyna. She attacked from behind choking out Marlena over the barricade before being lead away by security.
Pretty good match. Some good storytelling and the early gimmicks of two superstars and the first appearance of another. I’d give this match a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
WWF TAG TEAM Titles Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon vs Owen Hart and British Bulldog (ch):
In this match, we see a lot of back and forth fighting between the champs. By the sounds of it, it started back at the Royal Rumble when Hart eliminated the Bulldog and lying about it. The match is mostly controlled by the tag champs but there are mistakes and accidental hitting moves on each other and some purposeful ones. The arguing continues after the match. The match ended when Bulldog going for his powerslam on LaFon is also hit with Owen’s Slammy award in front of the ref thus a disqualification. Winners: LaFon and Furnas but Hart and Bulldog retain through DQ win.
Bulldog is visibly upset by this and throwing his tag belt down to argue at one point. We think there will be a fight between these 2 for sure. This match was good when there was no arguing but aside from that, there was little substance. I’m giving this a 2.5 out of 5.
Before the Main event we get a promo from Undertaker.
We also get a Hart promo just before his entrance.
WWF Heavyweight Championship match. Fatal 4-way Elimination match with no DQ, must win by submission, pinfall, or throwing your opponent over the top rope, Vader vs Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Undertaker vs Bret Hart
I can’t believe I don’t remember this match. Such star power in this main event. A lot of taking turns going under/through the ropes to fight on the outside. Vader took a vicious chair shot from the Undertaker and was busted open pretty good from his left eye. Vader also appears to no-sell a shot from the steel steps.
They cut to the back where Psycho Sid watches on. Does he interfere? There is quite the battle and back and forth. We feel are approaching our first elimination when we see Vader go to the top rope….yes the top rope. He attempts a moonsault (at his size you’d think this is near impossible) but Undertaker moves out of the way.
We do finally get to our first elimination as Bret Hart sends Austin over the top rope. Everyone is in complete shock. Not long after that Undertaker sends Vader over the top rope thank God because now he can get that gushing wound looked at. Austin has made his way back out to the ringside area, he’s pissed that he was eliminated and trying to take out his frustration on Hart. Taker has Hart set up for the tombstone piledriver and presumably the victory. It appears Austin tries to pull Bret over the top rope to eliminate him ut Bret falls in the ring. This makes Undertaker mad and is distracted. Bret goes for a roll-up but only gets a 2 count. After a few more moves the match ends with Undertaker being clotheslined by Bret over the top rope. Winner: Bret Hart
All in all, this was a great match. I was interested in the entire match. Though felt like something was missing. I’d give this 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Overall I found this PPV enjoyable. It’s crazy to see where WWE PPV’s are nowadays and go back and watch this being only 5 matches and 1 hour and 45 minutes long. By my reviews, this PPV averaged at a 3.1 out of 5 stars. I would recommend this to someone looking to watch.
Did you watch along? Do you remember this PPV? What are your thoughts? Have a good night.
-Sarah Vicik-
Wrestling fan of many years who will talk about wrestling for hours to anyone who will listen. Sarah writes for multiple sites and can be found on twitter @HTC_SarahGandW
