Randy Orton vs Cactus Jack (No Holds Barred) (WWE Intercontinental Championship) (WWE Backlash 2004) Review

Randy Orton vs Cactus Jack (No Holds Barred) (WWE Intercontinental Championship) (WWE Backlash 2004)

Well, here it is, Randy Orton's 'coming out party'. It's been years since I have watched this match and I have been wanting to watch a Foley match recent;y, so I chose this one. This match had a pretty big build too, with Orton constantly putting Mick down, figuratively and literally. I think he pushed him down some stairs once, called him out for being 'an old timer', spat in his face. Then they met in the Royal Rumble, with them eliminating each other and brawling afterwards, Then they had that mixed Evolution tag at Mania with Orton pinning Foley, a performance that Mick has always said he wasn't happy with. He's also called this his favourite match too, I think.

First I'll post the promo video for this match (if Vince hasn't took it down yet)

Randy Orton vs Cactus Jack - Backlash 2004 Video

Of course this is going to be a No Holds Barred/Hardcore match, for Orton's Intercontinental Championship. So, here we go. Mick is down to around 272 here btw, his best weight since '89 or so? I'm expecting a war, so I hope you're all ready for this. Orton is the 'pretty boy' going into this, so lets see how pretty he is coming out of it. He's the Legend Killer after all.................

“I'm going to tear you apart.............and I'm going to love it” - Foley :mark:

Orton is out first as I carrying a bin full of toys, yeah Randy, you're going to need them. Foley, no CACTUS FUCKING JACK, is out next as is carrying a proper BARBED WIRE BASEBALL BAT and he's got those crazy eyes directed straight towards Orton. Randy has his own barb wire bat, but the wire comes loose as Jack enters the ring, so he picks up the bin to try and protect himself as Jack comes towards him with the real BARBIE. Jack just starts whacking the bit with the bat as Orton is already shitting himself trying to defend himself.

Yeah Randy, this is Cactus Jack's yard and you're in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Orton quickly bails to the outside as Jack follows him out with the bat liked a crazed horror character. Orton just legs it as Jack furiously swings away at Orton. Randy knocks over a cameraman in his attempts to get away and he manages to drop toe hold Jack face first onto the steel steps. Randy picks up Barbie and they have a battle over it to try and grab it. Foley wins this battle, but gets a smack in the head from the bin, not once, not twice, but THRICE

He tries again, but Jack gets his foot up to block and and Orton gets the bin shoved in his face. Jack picks up the bin and hits Orton with some ferocity with it, just wrapping it around his skull. Both back in the ring and Jack in control as he starts kicking Orton in the face. He gives Orton a big knee lift off the ropes and a leg drop off his face and gets a 2 count. Jack just continues to punish Orton with rights to the head before running off the ropes and baseball sliding him unceremoniously out the ring.

Foley does looks great here btw.

Jack again, runs off the rope for a baseball slide to the outside and hits Orton with a spinning neckbreaker. Orton is flat dead on the outside now as Jack goes to the top turnbuckle and signals the 'big elbow'. Orton senses this and scurries away on his hands and knees up the isle. Jack goes right after him and puts him in the claw, but Randy quickly reverses this and backdrops him on the damn steel

THIS CAUSED A MASSIVE THUD SOUND

Naturally, Orton goes for a pin, but Jack kicks out at 2. Orton gets Jack down with a backslide for another 2 count. Randy in control now and he lands some rights on Jack, before slamming his head down back onto the steel. Aspirin for Jack, I think. Another 2 count follows. Orton just pounds away at Jack with punches and an uppercut, before slamming his face off the steel steps. He shoves Jack back into the ring and picks up Barbie

He tries to wrap it around Jack's head, but Jack does his best to block it. He struggles to power out of it so he thinks 'fuck this' and low blows poor Randy.

“Don't rub 'em son, count 'em”

Jack nearly knocks Orton's head off with a big running clothesline before reaching into his shirt and pulling out SOCKO. He starts swinging his arm around in preparation to put it on Orton, but then starts talking to it and pointing at Barbie. GO ON JACK, USE IT.

It's Socko or Barbie and the crowd naturally react to Barbie.

He runs at Orton with the bat and hits him plum in the head with it.

'Oooh, that's gotta hurt' ORTON IS BUSTED THE FUCK OPEN!!!!!!

Jack doesn;t give a fuck though as he runs at Orton again with the bat and drops it straight down back onto his head. Randy is bleeding like a stuffed pig now as Jack just clubs him with big right hands.

See Randy, you really didn't want this, did you?

Orton is just trying to survive now as Jack continues to pound away at him in the corner.

'BANG, BANG'

Jack is in full on sadistic mode now as he runs at Orton with a vicious knee strike, before picking up Barbie again. He goes straight for Orton;s face and rubs the barbed wire right in the open wound. Randy drastically tries to get the fuck out of dodge on his hands and knees and finds Mr.Socko and tries to pick it up, but he's so fucked that he doesn't know what fucking planet he is on

So Jack comes over and reintroduces him to the barbed wire. He rips Orton's shirt off his back, places the barbed wire bat BETWEEN HIS LEGS, and legdrops the fuck out of it

HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLY FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK

I want to feel sorry for Randy, but he deserves all the shit he's getting.

Jack then goes out to the outside, looks under the ring, and pulls out a PETROL (GAS) CAN. He fucking douses Barbie in gas and fires up a lighter ready. Just as he does this, Eric Bischoff comes out and tells Jack that if he lights that bat up, he will lose the match and the whole PPV will be shit down.

Fucking spoil sport.

Jack complies and throws both the lighter and the bat to the outside. He instead picks a steel plate and clubs Orton over the head with it. Forget going for a cover here, Jack is really out to maim Orton. He reaches under the ring and pulls out A BIG ASS BOARD FILLED WITH BARBED WIRE

HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT

He picks Randy up off the mat and starts potatoing him with right hands as Orton hovers over the barb wire. He goes for one big swing punch, but Orton throws POWDER IN HIS FACE AND SLAMS JACK ONTO THE BARB WIRE

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

Orton goes straight for the cover but Jack kicks out, much to the annoyance of Randy, who goes right back at Jack with clubs to the back. Orton picks up the barbed wire board and places it upright in the corner of the ring. You better be sure of this, Randy. He tries to throws Jack into it, Who at this point is bleeding all his arm and God knows where else, but Jack tries in vein to black it, so Orton just starts pounding away at him. Orton finally manages to throw Jack towards the wire, but is reversed

I have to say, as someone who hasn't seen this match in years, this got me

But that is also reversed and it is indeed Jack that 

GOES FLYING INTO THE BARBED WIRE BOARD...............FUCKING TWICE

SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Orton then dumps the board right on Jack's arm, which as I said, is bleeding all over at this stage. Jack is fucking practically blind here as Orton goes over to a box in the corner, pulls out a satchel........what could it be...........and throws out a zillion THUMBTACKS onto the ring.

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK

Jack struggles to get to his feet as Orton gets him up and hits him with some right hands. He goes for the RKO ONTO THE THUMBTACKS, but Jack reverses it and sends Orton crashing into them

Revenge is sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

Orton is trembling here as he;s got these thumbtacks all over his back. Jack seizes this moment and goes for a pinfall, but gets a very close 2.9. Orton very delicately crawls to the outside and tries to pick some of the tacks off of him and starts to walk up the ramp. But Jack hasn't nearly finished with him yet and follows him and they both go through the curtain to the back area, but the camera doesn't follow. They both quickly emerge and Jack

THROWS ORTON OVER THE RAMP AND ONTO SOME TABLES LIKE A PIECE OF TRASH

Get the fuck down

EMT's come out to check on Randy. Don't worry guys, he's already dead at this stage. Two refs come over to Jack and back him to the back area, and at first Jack looks like he's complying, but then he just decks the two officials and points at Orton in a 'I'm not finished with you yet, boy'. He fucking runs and hits Orton with a FLYING ELBOW OFF THE STAGE

No point in saying holy shit by now, this whole match is holy shit.

Jack goes for the pin on a seemingly dead Randy Orton and it's 1,2.........................2.9. Orton damn kicks fucking out. Blood all over both their bodies as Jack picks Orton up and starts kicking the shit out of him on the ramp. He dumps Orton back in the ring, yeah where there's still a shit load of tacks. He hits a DDT on Orton and goes for another pinfall. 1,2.........................2.9 AGAIN!!! Orton is showing some fucking balls here kicking out, I guess the bat left something intact down there. Orton manages to climb out the ring as Jack sets up the barbed board again in the corner. Jack goes over and tries to pull him back in, but Orton whacks Jack over the head with Barbie.

Orton picks up Barbie and starts hitting Jack all over with it. Jack though has secretly picked up Mr.Socko and puts Orton in the MANDABLE CLAW just as Orton tries to hit him again with the bat. Orton can't breath as he;s slowly fades down to his knees. He gets out of it by uppercutting Jack and giving him a LOW BLOW.

“Don't rub 'em son, count 'em'.

This hardly affects Jack though as he goes right back and reapplies the MANDABLE CLAW, but Orton quickly reverses this into an RKO

This has to be it for Jack, now. Orton cover for the 1,2..............................2.9

JACK KICKS OUT DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They both stagger to their feet and Orton suddenly hits ANOTHER RKO, this time straight onto BARBIE

He goes for the cover and gets a 1,2................3. Randy Orton is your winner. Flair/Batista come down and help Orton out the ring. Ric must be very proud of all that blood.

Great visual with Jack holding Barbie

Where the fuck do I even start here? This is one of the most hated, heated, nastiest brawls the fucking federation has ever seen. This is how you do one of these matches and this is how you put over a younger, up and coming talent. Orton came out of this, bloodies and fucked up, but looking like a made man. Foley did everything he could to give him everything he had, and then some. Foley looked fantastic here, in great shape. The bumps both he, and Orton, took were just FUUUUUCK. One after another. They both bled like stuffed pigs and went through hell.

You want hate? It was all here.

You want someone coming of age and showing his metal? It was all here.

You want a man's quest for revenge and doing anything to get it? It was all here.

One of the greatest matches in the company's history and I want everyone reading this to go and watch this shit now. We all know Foley is a legend and this just further cements that. Orton though deserves massive credit here too. He took as much shit as Foley and still got through it and came out of looking like a tough S.O.B that can survive something like this.

HIGHLY Recommended.  

Hulk Hogan vs. Stan Hansen (WWF/AJPW 4/13/1990) Review

Hulk Hogan vs. Stan Hansen (WWF/AJPW 4/13/1990)

You know what? I have never seen this match before :o Of course I knew about it, but just never got around to actually watching it, so here it goes. This was of course in All Japan but was a cross promotion event with the WWF and took place just over a week after Wrestlemania 6. This was supposed to be Hogan/Gordy, but Gordy refused to do the job (could have been because Hogan lost the WWF title just a week prior, and Gordy didn't want to put Hogan over after that – irony for Mr.Hulk, here). So Hansen stepped in his place. Savage/Tenryu, Warrior/DiBiase and Bret/Tiger Mask also took place on this card.

This is what Hansen said in his book about this;

"The day before the show, Gordy decided he wasn't going to "do business" with Hogan. He knew he was in line for a top spot with the company, and he didn't think it would be a good career move. Finding himself in a tough spot without a top talent for Hogan, Baba called my home in Mississippi and asked my dad if he knew how to get in touch with me. I was enjoying time off at my wife's house in Japan. Baba got the necessary information from my dad and called me.....He explained that Terry had backed out and asked if I would take the spot. Baba said he was in a bad position since Gordy was one of the boys, and it made him look bad to both New Japan and the WWF. I was happy to take the match."

So, let's get started.

First of all, they show Hogan backstage by a monitor warming up and getting ready for the battle.

Hansen is out next and starts thrashing away at fans with the bullrope on his way to the ring, and gives the camera a volley too for good measure.

Oh, big Stan is not finished there, he gets in the ring and POLAXES the poor announcer to the mat and whips him too

'Real American' hits the stereo so it must mean Hogan is on his way down and gets a good pop from the crowd. Oh God, just realised good 'ol Earl Hebner is the ref; Stan even gives him a sly whack with the rope, too. Cheers, Stan.

You can already feel this has got 'big match feel' to it before they even get started. They both start tentatively as they share brief lock ups, before Hogan puts on arm bar. Hansen breaks this off and they both shove each other in a 'yeah, what you got' way. Hulk gives Hansen a drop toe hold before applying a front face lock (remember, this is Japan Hogan). Stan shoves Hogan into the corner to break the hold and shouts something at him (hopefully it was something like “That all you got, boy?”). Hogan again goes for the drop toe hold (tad sloppy) and reapplies the front face lock.

Hansen quickly breaks out of this and they're back to even stevens. Hansen gives Hogan a chop and Hulk replies with a big punch to the head of Stan, as if to say “Well if that's what you want to do, bring it”. They then end up trading chops/punches and eye rakes (which they both no sell), before Hansen just has enough of this shit and dumps Hogan through the ropes and onto the outside. He goes right after Hogan ans tries sending his head off the post, but Hulk blocks it and Hansen ends up head first into it. Hulk briefly gets back in the ring to break the count out, before going back after Hansen with some punches before planting his face over the guardrail and onto a desk.

Yup, the Hulkster isn't messing around, here.

He continues to pound on Hansen's head and Stan is now 

BUSTED OPEN

Both back in the ring and Hulk picks Stan up for a back body drop and gets the first 2 count of the match. He then goes right after the open wound as he continues to close punch Hansen's head and gets another 2 count. Hogan is pretty relentless here as he sees the vulnerable part of Hansen and just goes onto to exploit it with more punches to the head before kicking at it as Hansen stumbles onto the outside. Hulk makes sure as he gives Hansen a big kick to send him down onto the mat.

Man, Hogan really in control here.

He throws Hansen right back into the ring and quickly applies a abdominal stretch as Stan is literally red in the face.

Stan manages to break out of this with a hip toss to Hogan. Hulk though, goes right back after Stan and gets him in the corner and starts hitting him with some BIIIIIIIIIIG CHOPS to the chest and punches to that open wound, before Hansen again decides to roll to the outside. Both on the outside again now as Hogan again gibes Stan a hard right, which sends him over the guardrail and into the announcers table. Hulk then picks him up and dumps him through the table with a powerslam

Hansen at this point is dead on the floor and bleeding like the proverbial stuffed pig. Hogan picks him back up and sends his head right back into the same post he busted it open, on.

Now that's just fucking mean, Hogan.

Hogan puts him back into the ring and covers for another 2 count. Hulk still in control as he sends Hansen into the corner and follows it up with a clothesline and some kicks to the face. Both still in the corner and Hogan is just punishing Stan at this point (well, that sounds weird), with some more chops. He whips Hansen into the opposite corner and runs at him, but is met by a BIG BOOT TO THE FACE from Stan.

This could be the comeback.

Stan follows this up by running at Hogan with a shoulder tackle that sends them both down to the mat. Phew, time for a short breather perhaps. Hansen quickly tries for a cover, but only gets a 2 count of his own. Now it's Stan's turn to stick it to Hogan, as he sends him to the outside and over the guardrail and into the same table area where he was just put through. He literally shoves a poor bloke off his chair and picks that up and whacks Hogan over the head with it.

He then gives Hogan a sly dig of the knee to his face and gets back into the ring. He goes right back after Hulk by jumping over the rail onto him and shoeing some fans away in just brilliant style

:lol I love this bloke

Back in the ring, and Hansen stiffs Hogan with one of his infamous knees before getting s 2 count. But what is this?

DOUBLE JUICE

HOGAN IS BUST OPEN NOW, TOO

Hansen is now showing no mercy and he's inflicting some of his own revenge by potatoing Hulk with some strikes and clubs to the freshly opened wound, which sends Hogan down to the mat for another 2 count. Hogan bails to the outside, but is immediately followed by Hansen. Hulk picks up the rope and tries to strangle Hansen with it, but is quickly shoved off and gets a whip to the back for his troubles.

Hansen is now firmly in the 'No fucks given' mode, as he continues to used closed fist punches to Hogan's head, before planting his knee right down on his chest. Hogan gets whipped off the ropes, but comes back and hits Hansen with a forearm and has a 'Hulk Up' moment, He then tries for the BIG LEG DROP, but Hansen moves out the way and tries to score a quick win, but only gets a 2 count. He again whips Hogan off the ropes, but is again caught by Hulk coming back, this time with a crossbody, and Hulk gets a 2 count.

Then Hogan blocks Stan by the ropes and hits him with a BIG BOOT, before hitting him with the AXE BOMBER for the WIN. Well, that come out of nowhere, TBH.

Hansen gets his rope and leaves immediately as Hogan is left alone to gloat up the victory in the ring.

Well, that was certainly a big match that felt like a big match. They both bought out an aggressive side that further intensified the match, esp when they both juiced. You have to remember there are pretty much two Hogan's in wrestling rings; Japan Hulk and American Hulk and this match is another example of that. He was as aggressive as Hansen here in exploiting the open wound and taking that apart. The finish did come out of pretty much nowhere though TBH, and not something I was quite ready for. But other than that, this is an excellent match that built and built with both guys getting their big shit it.

Hansen was just tremendous in how dickish he was to the crowd and was a joy to watch, again.

Recommended.

Goldberg vs Scott Steiner (No DQ) (WCW Fall Brawl 2000) Review

Goldberg vs Scott Steiner (No DQ) (WCW Fall Brawl 2000)

So, this is always regarded as the 'other good Goldberg match' when referring to his best work from WCW. The other being the DDP one of course. I have always been a big fan of this match also, but it's been a while since I have watched it and apart from them throwing bombs at each other, the other aspect I remember is the Vince Russo (GO AWAY, PLEASE) finish and all that bollocks. So we'll see how this one holds up.

This is the build up video for the match; (If YT hasn't blocked it yet)

So in the build-up to this match had Goldberg give Midajah a Jackhammer through a table, Steiner locked Goldberg's girlfriend in the Steiner Recliner, and Goldberg broke Steiner's face with a lead pipe. Plus, all the 'He didn't follow the script shit with Russo at New Blood Rising. So Scotty is wearing a protective mask in this one. First we get a short Steiner promo with Mene Gene (tried upping it to YT, but it was blocked).

This is going to be 'Clash of the Titans' says Gene, Godzilla ,

Well, Freakzilla vs King Kong.

“See there's only two things I care about Mene Gene; My freaks and my peaks, and after I beat his ass, I'm going back to the hotel and cos I'm a loaded sex pistol and I'm ready to explode.”

Right-on, Scotty, Gene then says something but is cut off, but it seems to end with 'Bastard'. LOL.

Right, here we go. This is a No-DQ match, remember. Steiner is out first and starts jawing at the Buffalo Bills, who are at ringside, on his way to the ring. He's still giving them some stick as Goldberg makes his way by his usual entrance. Goldberg high fives the Bills (Have a feeling this will come into play later on).

Steiner starts outside the ring as he has to put his mask on first. They start by pacing around each other in the ring, whilst Scott is still shouting at the Bills, lol. They finally lock up and they both get in the corner and Steiner starts stiffing Bill with some punches and forearms. He whips Bill off the ropes, but Bill ducks and hits Scot with a big shoulder tackle to send him down to the mat. Bill then picks him straight up and delivers what I can describe as a FUCKING AWESOME POWER SPOT

He whips Steiner off the ropes, but Scotty wants none of this shit and bails to the outside. Doesn't last long though as Bill follows him out. He tries whipping him into the guardrail, but Steiner blocks it and sends Bill onto it instead. He throws Bill back into the ring and sends him down to the mat with a clothesline and a short elbow drop for a 2 count. Steiner still on the attack as he gets Bill in the corner and starts chopping him clubs to the head. He whips Bill into the opposite corner and runs at him, but is hit with a BIG BOOT RIGHT PLUM IN THE FACE

Goldberg picks him straight up into a sweet Butterfly Suplex

I do love seeing Bill just man-handling people. Goldberg then just gets onto Scott and starts clubbing away at his mask with stiff right hands. He sends Steiner into the ropes, but it gets blocked and Bill eats a DIAMOND CUTTER

Hey DDP, there's a trademark claim here, bud. He follows this up with a belly to belly suplex into another 2 count. He picks Bill up and seems to be trying to hit a Piledriver, but it's reversed and Goldberg just plants him down to the mat with a powerslam.

POWER MOVEZ GALORE HERE..............JUST WANT WE WANT

Goldberg gets a 2 count of his own here. He then gets into the 'Spear position' and runs at Steiner, but Scotty moves and Bill nearly hits his shoulder onto the corner post (well I say nearly, he seemed to block it, not sure if that was intentional or not, although Tony did say he put the brakes on). Scotty then goes onto the top turnbuckle, but Bill is back up and catches him into a big powerslam

That seemed to take it's toll on Goldberg, as he drops to the mat and Steiner rolls out the ring to the outside. Bill follows him and out and tries throwing him into the guardrail again, but again it's blocked and Steiner throws Goldberg shoulder first into the steel steps. At this point, Midajah (one of Stenier's favourite freaks and has a chest bulge higher than the moon), comes down to ringside carrying a lead pipe (this was the weapon as to why Scotty has his mask).

Meanwhile, Steiner picks a chair up and hits Goldberg over the shoulder with it as he's still down by the steel steps, before throwing the chair and Bill back into the ring. He picks Bill up and dumps him upside down into the corner of the ring. He picks up the chair again and starts attacking Bill's midriff with it.

Goldberg certainly in some trouble at this stage as he is busted open at the top of his head. Steiner throws Bill over his head and starts mocking him with some press ups

He gives Bill a backbreaker, which follows into another 2 count. Steiner tries to put Goldberg is a sort of full nelson hold, but Bill tries to fight back with some elbows, but is instead thrown to the other side of the ring via his head after a belly to belly suplex.

You just gotta love two wrestlers that look like this, just throwing each other around like this. Just how it should be done. At this point, Midajah hands Steiner that lead pipe; Yeah, this'll go well. Just as Steiner turns around, he's hit with a

SSSSSPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We all know what this means – It's Jackhammer time. Just as he's about to hit it however, here comes Vince fucking Russo

BRO, BRO, BRO

Who immediately hits Goldberg with a cough*rubber*cough baseball bat.

For fuck sake.

Russo starts celebrating doing this as the commentary team say “Get the camera off him” - Yeah, my sentiments exactly. Steiner covers Goldberg but GOLDBERG KICKS OUT. Yeah, fuck you Russo. Steiner throws Goldberg out the ring ans Russo starts taunting him with the bat, but Bill is having none of this shit and starts going after Russo, but is blind sided in the back by Steiner. He follows this up by ramming Goldberg into the guardrail.

Steiner goes over and half sets up a table, before picking Goldberg up and planting him straight through it with a powerslam as he and Russo (urrrrgh) celebrate. He throws Bill back into the ring, who is dead at this point, and screams “It's over, Jackie/daddy/something”. He immediately puts Goldberg into the STEINER RECLINER submission hold.

WILL BILL ACTUALLY QUIT?????!!!!

No, of course he won't, as he powers out of it and picks Steiner up and dumps him RIGH ON HIS ASS

This totally unfazes both of them though as Steiner no sells this and immediately runs at Goldberg and hits him with a clothesline. He sends Goldberg into the opposite corner and plants him on the top turnbuckle. He also climbs up but is met with some Goldberg headbutts, which sends Steiner crashing down to the mat. Just as he does this, Midajah hits Goldberg over the back with that damn lead pipe. Russo gets involved again and follows suit with his baseball bat. Goldberg is still perched on the top turnbuckle as Steiner climbs back up and delivers a head bouncing belly to belly suplex

He immediately follows this up with a cover pin but gets a damn close 2.9. What the fuck has Scotty gotta do here, maaaaaaaan. He then puts Goldberg back into the Steiner Recliner. Will Bill quit this time????

I mean FFS, he's been hit with chairs, pipes, bats, put though a table, dumped on his head twice, survived two recliners lol.

Goldberg crawls over the ropes and dumps Steiner straight onto the outside, who immediately picks up the chair again. He tries to hit Goldberg with it but Bill ducks this time and hits Steiner with a spinning neckbreaker. Goldberg clambers up into the corner and seemingly into the spear position, but that fucking Russo runs in again, but Bill is ready this time and stops him and throttles him by the throat.

About damn time.

But just as he's taking care of him, Steiner hits him in the stomach and over the head with the lead pipe

I assume this will finally kill off Goldberg. Unless he's got a missile launcher somewhere, because even I'm wondering what it'll finally take. Goldberg is knocked the fuck out as Steiner again puts on the Recliner. Ref has no choice but to ring the bell and declare Steiner the winner as Goldberg is unconscious.

Steiner finally gets the win.

Fucking dipshit Russo comes in with his fucking top off and put one foot on Goldberg and does a victory pose. Moron.

Goldberg is dead on the floor as Russo/Steiner/ Midajah celebrate the win. Oh and Scotty says fuck you to the camera

Russo continues being an insufferable twat as he starts mocking the Buffalo Bills. The Bills finally get out of their position as they get in the ring and help Goldberg out the ring. Wish they could have got involved sooner and twatted Russo TBH.

So, the match. Did I like this as much as I used to? Yes. It was pretty great before the interference, then it became a case of Goldberg being beat the shit out of for a longer period than I remember it being. It was great when they were literally throwing each other around and Bill did a decent job at some of his selling, and I guess it did take a shit load to finally beat him. I think only a missile from space was missing to try and put him down. Some of the power moves are wonderful to see, even though Bill was lucky as he got planted on his head a couple of times. I'm not saying the interference ruined the match or anything like that, but it went on much longer than I expected. I guess it was designed to keep Goldberg looking strong as possible in defeat, but i just felt it went on a tad too long, esp with Russo being involved.

All in all though, it's still a very good match up until that point but is isn't better than the Goldberg/DDP match IMO. Still highly enjoyable tho and fun as fuck for the most part.

Recommended of course,

Eddy Guerrero & Chris Jericho vs. Faces of Fear (WCW Monday Nitro 02/24/1997) Review

Eddy Guerrero & Chris Jericho vs. Faces of Fear (WCW Monday Nitro 02/24/1997)

Was flicking through 1997 and had the urge to watch this gem. One of the best matches in the Nitro era. Haku/Barbarian were always one of my favourite big man teams and in this match, they offer some great offense, with Y2J/Eddy being the smaller guys trying to survive. Looking forward to this.

Faces Of Fear are out. Two big hard bastards

Barbarian and Jericho start things off. They lock up but Barbarian just hits Y2J with a series of vicious knees to the midriff, before shoving him into the corner and choking him out and hitting him with a big strike. Jericho gets whipped off the ropes, but ducks a big boot attempt and dropkicks Barbarian's legs from under him. Always a wise strategy when going against big fuckers like these.

Jericho keeps the fast pace and offense going as he gets bounced off the turnbuckle, he catches Barb with a boot, before delivering a missile dropkick, taking the big man down. He tags Eddie in, who springs over the top rope, back first onto Barb and gets a nearfall. The actual faces make a good start in this one. He runs off the ropes, but gets caught by Barn who just plants poor Eddie face first onto the mat

OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCH

Eddie already in trouble as Barb just throws him into the corner like a ragdoll. He tags in Meng (oh it's just gets better for Eddie, doesn't it). Meng starts off with chops and strikes to Eddie, who tries in vein to start a mini comeback, but is put firmly in his place with a big headbutt from Meng. This is followed up by a crashing POWERBOMB on Eddie, who is in real trouble here. Meng rubs it in with a little victory dance.

Eddie though quickly pops up from this as he runs off the ropes and hits Meng with a Hurracinrana, before quickly tagging Y2J back in. They immediately double team Meng with a back body drop. Jericho stays on the offense with a back body roll into another quick nearfall. He runs off the ropes but is caught with a kick to the back by Barb. Meng capitalises by dumping Chris on his head with a sickening back suplex.

He tags Barb back in, who immediately picks Jericho up and places him on the top turnbuckle. This can't be good news for Y2J. Barb climbs up also and delivers one hell of a

TOP FUCKING ROPE BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX

'Holy shit' chants abound if this was 2017 I'm sure.

One hell of a spot. Barb follow this up with a pin attempt, but Eddie quickly grabs Chris's leg and places it on the ropes. Jericho manages to blindly catch Barb in a small package, but Barb shrugs that off and tags Meng in. Y2J reaaaaaaaaaly needs a tag of his own here. Meng starts punishing Jericho with a headbutt and throws him into the corner to hit him with some chops and strikes. He whips Chris into the opposite corner, but Chris flies feet first off the turnbuckle and into a crossbody onto Meng for a nearfall. Meng kicks out and is pissed. He just starts kicking the shit out of Y2J with vicious boots to the chest and head before choking him out.

Meng with some classic heel tag work here, as he picks on Eddie, who rightfully responds by trying to get in the ring. Meng slyly waves Barb in behind the ref's back to inflict more damage on poor Y2J. Barb just follows up what Meng was doing and also starts kicking the living shit out of Jericho. Some excellent work here by the FOF, TBH. Meng still in as he whips Jericho off the ropes, and Barb steps in. As Y2J comes back off the ropes, he gets lifted up by Meng and straight into a POWERBOMB by Barb.

JERICHO IN DEEEEEEEEEP SHIT ATM.

Barb goes for the cover and gets a 2, before Eddie flies over the top rope and makes the save. Both of the FOF are in the ring now and both get up on opposite turnbuckes. Now this can't be good. They both fly off the corners and deliver a DOUBLE FLYING HEADBUTT

Man, Jericho has taken some punishment in this one so far. Barb goes for another cover on Jericho, but again, gets to 2 before Eddie makes the save. Jericho valiantly tries to mount some sort of comeback as he flays away at Barb with some wild punches, but is quickly stopped by the classic thumb in the eye. He gets dumped on the mat again as Barb tags Meng back in. Jericho gets some adrenaline from somewhere, as Meng whips him into the ropes, Y2J flies off the middle rope feet first, and hits Meng with a backflip moonsault. He's too fucked to try a pin but needs a tag at least now.

He hits Meng with an Enzigiri, who pops back up and attempts an elbow, but Jericho moves out the way and finally TAGS EDDIE IN.

HERE WE GO.

Eddie flies right over the top rope and hits Meng with a series of punches and am uppercut. He flings off the ropes and tries to get Meng off his feet, but the big man isn't budging. He finally does it with a dropkick, just as Jericho gets on the top rope and hits Meng with a crossbody. Eddie and Y2J follow this up with a double dropkick, which sends Meng over the other side and he tags Barb back in. Y2J/Eddie fully in control now as Jericho sends Meng flying off the apron with a =another dropkick, before they hit Barb with a double suplex.

Y2J goes to the ropes in a attempt to hit the Lionsault, but Meng catches him and flings him though the middle rope and onto the outside. Eddie climbs the top rope, but what's this – DEAN FUCKING MALENKO runs in and sends flying into a big boot by Barb for the pin and win.

They got screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewed.

Well this is just as good as it ever was. I read a good analogy of this match elsewhere; It's like a shorter version of that great Powers Of Pain/Rockers match, and that's what it felt like. Y2J was excellent in his FIP segment, both the FOF were brutal, as expected, in all of their offense. The belly to belly suplex spot for example was INSANE. Probably the FOF's best match in WCW and one of the best TV matches from this era IMO.

Recommended.

Sting vs. Cactus Jack (Submit or Surrender) (WCW Power Hour 11/23/91) Review

Sting vs. Cactus Jack (Submit or Surrender) (WCW Power Hour 11/23/91)

So everyone knows about their Beach Blast 1992 match and how good that is, but I don't remember much from this match TBH, and as it's a precursor of sorts, thought I'd check it out.

So, the 'Submit or Surrender' concept was basically a hybrid between I quit/last man standing/submit. Just gloss over the fact that 'Submit' and Surrender' are basically the same thing.

Jack is out first carrying a plastic garbage bin. Bit of him already trying to psych Sting out as Jack here is wearing a 'Sting' T-Shirt.

'BANG, BANG'

Sting comes out and I forgot he's the U.S Champion at this point. Great spot with a young disabled fan, where Sting takes the time to show him the belt and have a moment with him. The bell rings just as Sting gets in the ring and Jack goes straight for him. He starts BITING at Sting's head!!!

OUCH

Jack taking the early advantage here as he clubs Sting with right hands. He pounds Sting's head into the turnbuckle, before setting him up on the ropes. Jack runs at Sting, but Sting moves and Jack takes his first (of many I presume) bump of the match to the outside. Sting follows him out and rams Jack's head into the guardrail. Sting not messing around here, as he does it again, not once but twice. He puts that bin that Jack bought with him into position to suplex Jack onto, but Jack blocks it and rams Sting, back first into the guardrail.

Jack picks up the bin and wallops it over the back of Sting. He does it again, before setting up Sting for a suplex of his own, but Sting blocks and reverses this and plants Jack through the bin.

Sting throws Jack back into the ring, straightens the bin out, and throws that in, too. He then picks it up and starts wailing Jack over the head with it. He then STICKS THE BIN OVER JACK'S head, plants him on the mat, and delivers an elbow onto the bin/Jack.

Sting makes sure that bin is still on tight, as he climbs up to the top turnbuckle and delivers a BIG SPLASH onto Jack whilst he's wearing the bin. Jack is dazed and probably wonders where he is as Sting gets him in the corner for the old ten bell salute punches. Jack blocks one of these and tries to give Sting an Atomic Drop, but Sting blocks it and gives him a short clothesline. Sting whips Jack into the ropes, and tries to leapfrog over him, but Jack stands his ground and Sting ends up going nuts first into Jack. Not sure if this was meant to come off as it looked TBH;

'DON'T RUB 'EM SON, COUNT' EM'

Safe to say, this is Jack's opportunity to take over proceedings. Jack goes straight for the abdomen area and drops a leg onto Sting. He gives starts kicking Sting's head repeatedly, before shoving him on the ropes and choking him. He then runs off the ropes and plants his full body onto Sting's back, who's still draped over the ropes. Sting is on empty here as Jack continues to pound away at him with stiff forearms, before running off the ropes and delivering a running bulldog. Jack tries for a pin, but has to reminded by the ref that PINFALL'S MEAN NOTHING HERE. Sting in real trouble here, as Jack drops a big knee onto the throat before choking him with his boot.

Crowd start up a 'Sting, Sting, Sting chant to try and will him on. He tries a mini comeback with some strikes and chops, but gets cut off quick by a Jack thumb in the eye. Jack starts kicking the shit out of him, before dumping him through the middle rope and onto the outside. Jack follows him out and throws Sting into the guardrail. Jack then picks up a chair from the crowd, although one chap did his best to stop this from happening, bless him

But obviously loses as Jack picks the chair up and whacks it right over Sting's back. Sting is just dead at this point on the mat outside. Ref is asking Sting if he wants to give up, and Sting is just shaking his head; he's tougher than that. Jack goes for him again with the choking. He sends Sting onto the apron and gives him a neckbreaker off the top rope. OUCH INDEED. Jack is just punishing Sting at the moment and he carries it on with kicks and big headbutt. Sting is rocking on his feet and can barely stand as Jack knocks him right back down with a forearm and applies a chinlock.

COME ON STINGER

Crowd are willing Sting on as he's doing his best to try and power out and mount some sort of retaliation. He manages to get up and hits Jack with some strikes, before running off the ropes, but Jack moves out the way and sends Sting crashing right back to the mat with another big forearm smash. Jack follows this up with one hell of a leg drop onto Sting's throat, before going back to the reverse chinlock. Sting needs to do something here, and he does as he staggers up and grabs Jack's hair and yanks his head down onto the top of his own, thus using it as a sort of bettering ram to try and get out of this mess.

He reverses a whip into the ropes and tries a dropkick onto Jack, but Jack is smart and just holds onto the ropes, so Sting falls flat on his ars........................back. Jack follow up on this with a double arm DDT.

MAN, WHAT HAS STING GOTTA DO??!!

Sting gets up as Jack comes over to him and dumps him over the top rope to the outside. Finally, this could be the opening Sting has been waiting for. He flies over the ropes and via a crossbody right onto Jack.

Sting is fired up now as he just starts pounding on Jack with some big ass punches to the head. All the shit Sting has taken, looks like it's payback time. He suplexes Jack on the outside, before dumping him back into the ring. He whips Jack into the corner and attempts a STINGER SPLASH, but Jack moves so Sting...........no he doesn't, Sting was smart and put the brakes on just before his head bounces off the post. But don;t speak too soon, as he flies off the turnbuckle, straight onto Jack, who catches him and flings him throat first onto the top rope. This sends Sting back to the outside.

Jack puts Sting into a headlock and marches around the outside with him, before dumping him onto the mat with a backbreaker. Jack gets on the apron and flies right off it onto Sting with a big flying elbow

Sting is showing some balls and resilience here as he's trying to get some energy from somewhere and make his way back up. Jack picks up a mic and shouts “TELL THEM, YOU DON'T WANT ANY MORE' and clubs on Sting's back. He tells Sting to say “I QUIT” and shoves the mic in Sting's mouth.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO STING

“NOT A CHANCE”, cries Sting, as the crowd erupts.

He makes it back onto his feet at last and Jack throws him back into the ring. Jack goes and grabs the chair again as the ref tries to get it off him, Jack just gives him a shove, sending him onto the mat. Well ref, it is a No-DQ. At this point, Sting is so fucked, he can't really stand, as he's got his head draped over the middle rope. PERFECT TARGET PRACTICE FOR JACK.

Jack goes to whack Sting with the chair, but Sting moves and the chair bounces hard off Jack's head

SURELY THIS IS STING'S BIG CHANCE, NOW!!!

Jack recovers and climbs onto the apron, but Sting has finally got the energy to get up and hits a big dropkick onto Jack, sending him crashing to the outside, nearly whacking his head off the rail in the process.

Jack is fucked now, as Sting staggers to the outside, and applies the SCORPION DEATHLOCK onto Jack. The ref, now seemingly recovered, runs over to check on Jack, but he is KKOCKED THE FUCK OUT, and can't respond to anything. Sting is declared the WINNER.

Well this was fucking excellent. Not sure how it compares to the Beach Blast match, but this is such a great brawl on it's own TBH. Jack is fantastic here; Menacing, punishing, just doesn't care one bit. Sting is equally wonderful as the full on babyface in complete peril. These two work so well together, and Jack was the perfect opponent for Sting to demonstrate why he could be so good in this sort of setting. The finish was brutal in showing what it took to finally get and keep Jack down. A full on chair shot to the head, followed by a nasty bump on the outside. Jack looks great here but so does Sting. Jack is spot on with how ruthless he his and makes all his offense work here, and Sting is perfect to play off it all.

Just wonderful.

Recommended.