17. Halloween Havoc 1989- A fairly frequent rental back in the mid 90s. I just dug the vibes of this show. It had a cool Halloween-themed intro and one of the all time great PPV theme songs. First half isn't the greatest, though there is the awesome Midnight Express/Dr. Death team existing and amusement to be found in a perversely entertaining Bizarro World Philly crowd hating the babyface Dynamic Dudes while loving the heel Freebirds (Bizarro World crowds were much more entertaining back when they were a rarity rather than the norm). But business really picks up down the stretch with the 4 big matches- Doom/Steiners, Luger/Pillman, Road Warriors/Skyscrapers, and especially the Flair/Sting vs. Funk/Muta THUNDERDOME CAGE main event which felt suitably epic. Think of it as  NWA's version of MegaPowers vs. MegaBucks at Summerslam 89, only better.  

18. Royal Rumble 1991- I voted using the Shootist principle of favoring personal viewing experience over sheer volume of good matches, though there is a lot of overlap between the two since good matches are actually a good thing. I also owe 🤯 an apology. Should have been more willing to listen and go big. I could have easily done a Top 30 before things got muddled. Oh well. It became a game of this or that down the stretch. In this case Royal Rumble 91 or Survivor Series 90? Had both shows on tape for a while thanks to an old neighbor. Once again watched the best bits of both approximately a million times.

In the end I went with the Rumble as a slightly more enjoyable viewing experience. The best bits? Sgt. Slaughter shocks the world by taking the WWF Championship from stupid Ultimate Warrior with a little help from the Macho King! The Mountie debuts with soothing French horn music and a win! The Undertaker....appears!

Rockers/Orient Express got the show off to a hot start with fast paced, high energy tag team wrestling. But 1991 me couldn't have cared less  That was a one and done match back in the day. Didn't come around on that gem until a decade later. The Rumble itself is hard to screw up even if I was ultimately bummed out by the second consecutive year of LOL Hogan wins. Undertaker shouldn't be getting eliminated in Rumbles. Especially not when he's at his youngest and scariest. But if you simply must make the dumb decision to eliminate Undertaker, having him get eliminated by PW's GOAT tag team, LOD, is among the most believable and acceptable ways to do it.

19. King of the Ring 1993- Surprised I was the only voter for this one given all the Bret Hart fanboys we have here. This time it came down to KOTR 93 vs. Summerslam 93. KOTR lacked Ludvig Borga, but made up for it by having Yoko squash Hulkamania. YES! This was honestly even bigger than Slaughter upsetting Warrior. Of course this show is also famous for Bret Hart's KOTR win with the highlight being a classic confrontation against Mr. Perfect which is my 1993 WWF MOTY. Then BAM! Jerry Lawler crowns the pretender and shows him what a REAL King looks like, kicking off a memorable two year feud. Plus it gets bonus points for starting a new WWF tradition which would provide many more memorable moments over the next decade. This was a very good show. 

20. Starrcade 1988- This was a sleeper good/great show I only (re)discovered about 5 years back. It edged out Great American Bash 1988 for the final spot on my ballot. Flair/Luger and Midnight Express/Original Midnight Express are the major highlights here. Flair & Luger always had great chemistry and this is arguably their best bout. The Battle of the Midnights is the ideal mix of good wrestling and even better booking. You get the feel good win everybody wanted while still keeping those dastardly evil Midnights hot and a double dose of the epic Midnight Express theme. What's not to like? And that's not even the best feel good moment of the show! That would be Rick Steiner beating Mike Rotunda for the TV Title which generated one of the biggest pops in NWA/WCW history. And we're not done yet! Windham vs. Bigelow and Sting/Dusty vs. Road Warriors were also good undercard bouts. This show is stacked. Best Starrcade? Yeah, I think so. 

Started a new thread for the results. Keep all discussion in this one. Let me know if you have any issues with the formatting. I'm open to suggestions. Couldn't find a great pic to use. Nor am I particularly happy with that #30-93 wall of text. The plan right now is to pump out two a day until we get to the Top 10 because I want to wrap this up by Halloween. I'll likely reveal one in the early evenings and another right before I go to sleep around midnight EST.
==============
14. Wrestlemania 20- Yeah, this is an extremely bloated show with a lot of pointless filler. Pretty sure the trend of 'Manias running at least an hour too long can be traced back to this show. Yet it was still a lock for my list because the good stuff is really good. 

Of course the big highlight here is the culmination of Chris Benoit's four year quest for a World Title by winning the Triple Threat main event over the already legendary DX duo of HBK & HHH. This is still my choice for GOAT Triple Threat due to them doing a lot of cool little things and paying off a story I was invested in. Eddie/Angle had a gem for the other World Title highlighted by one of my all time favorite clever finishes. Benoit & Eddie celebrating at the end was massive for a certain subset of fans who had spent nearly a decade following those guys and clamoring for them to break through the glass ceiling. The two guys who were written off as "too small, too bland, and couldn't cut a promo" were now on top of the world's #1 wrestling promotion which had long been the Land of the Giants. The smarks had won! And the rest of us lost. Only we didn't realize it yet. But that's a story for another day. It really was a nice moment at the time. 

Christian/Jericho is the ideal 'Mania undercard match with a sensible, yet still shocking swerve involving Trish Stratus which garnered rave reviews. Evolution vs. Rock & Sock is a big ball of fun marred only slightly by the bad guys winning. Undertaker/Kane was their usual dud, but still an overall win due to Taker reverting back to The Deadman persona in a moment fans like myself had waited four long years to happen. Show/Cena was a perfectly fine opener which gave the next big thing his first taste of WWE gold. 

Fwiw WM 20 and Backlash the following month were the last pay per views I ordered for 15 years (though I did find ways to watch several others). Point is I was into both the build for this show and the aftermath. Meaning it accomplished its mission.

EDIT: D'oh. Forgot to mention Goldberg/Brock which is only my favorite objectively bad match ever and another stellar example of a hostile crowd I could get behind. Couldn't stand either guy even before they decided to up and quit like a pair of overgrown babies. "You both suck" indeed.

Rewatched 20 too many times. Mostly a select few matches. Blame that on recorded vhs.

Considered and/or had the following on my list:

#30-93

WWF Survivor Series 1998: 1-18

WCW Spring Stampede 1999: 3-16

WWF WrestleMania VIII: 1-16

WWE Wrestlemania 35: 1-14

WWF Wrestlemania V: 1-13

WWF WrestleMania 13: 1-12

One Night Stand 2006: 1-9

AEW Double or Nothing 2019: 1-7

WWE Royal Rumble 2003: 1-5

WWE Royal Rumble 2004: 1-4

WWF Wrestlemania IV: 1-3

WWF King of the Ring 2001: 1-3

WWE Vengeance 2003: 1-2

WWE Evolution: 1-1

WWE Wrestlemania 31: 1-1

///

Will return with breakdowns for each, as well as #29 WMXX which landed higher than maybe I wanted it to on my own list?

WWF Survivor Series 1998: 1-18

Gained major bonus points with me for two reasons:
1.) It was a tournament, and I'm a sucker for tournaments; and
2.) It was one of the tapes I owned, and thus I rewatched it until I practically had it memorized.

Zero percent of the matches were good or even really memorable, but the story arc for the night as well as the various storyline weaving their way through the tournament were well-executed good fun.

I think I've heard Vince Russo refer to this show as his crowning achievement? I'd definitely say it's the perfect representation of him at his best.

It's a great highlight recap of 1998 and glimpse into 1999, but it's a trailer/teaser with actual stakes since Stone Cold's vacant World title hangs in the balance. A year removed from the screw job that shook the wrestling world to it's core, with a surprise return and a ballsy finish. All in all, start to end, good stuff. You won't be wasting your time checking out this show. And personally, I like the single elimination tournament as a fresh spin on the "survivor" concept for Survivor Series.

WCW Spring Stampede 1999: 3-16

Considered this, but it ultimately didn't make the cut. The WWF loyalist in me had minimal exposure as a kid/teen to WCW for both voluntary and involuntary reasons.

Until we got cable, my only option for television exposure was WCW's equivalent of Jakked airing I think early on Saturday or Sunday mornings on Channel 50 (WB?)... That's where I first happened upon and fell absolutely in love with Robbie Rage. By the time we got cable, WCW was literally at the bottom of its death spiral and so not worth checking out Nitro, Thunder, etc.

Anyway... Blockbuster randomly offered four or so 1999 WCW PPV tapes. Starting with Spring Stampede. So after exhausting the WWF rental options, I tried the WCW ones out of boredom and morbid curiosity. I remember them being very mixed bags, perhaps because of my lack of context or familiarity?

The only things I recall about this show looking at the card are the tag match, which I fucking LOVED. And the main event, which seemed like the oddest clusterfuck. I also vaguely recall Bam Bam vs. Hak, but feeling like it was such a bad wannabe attempt at recreating WWF's Hardcore division.

Ultimately not enough to make a Top 50 cut for me, but a decent enough exposure to WCW before the promotion took its full on swan dive off the cliff.

I didn't get to send in a list nor am I enough of a savant to do so, but I'm super pumped to see Summerslam 02 get some much deserved love on the first page. Not one damn bad match on that show and Mysterio/Angle is one of my favorite matches ever. God, I miss WWE during that era so much; old girl just ain't the same no more....

Also, XIX > X-7 because X-7 simply doesn't have the "Colossus of Boggo Road". 'Nuff said.

Edit: Not one damn NJPW show from this smark circuit? I'm guessing that Emperor didn't send in a list either.

To be fair to Emperor if he's the only vote it's mostly wasted.

Wrestlemania XX ... meh. I get it but I don't have any connection to the Benoit moment and didn't at the time. I would have to watch again to get the full picture.

I should have definitely watched GAB 1996 but don't remember anything from it. I went on a kick about 18 months ago or so of watching WCW from like 1996 to 1998ish before I got bored and watched it all. I don't remember anything from that PPV or many - which is why there was nothing from WCW on my list.

WM20 also has the return of the Deadman, MSG tradition, part of the build to Randy/Mick (including Rock's return), HOF really becoming a thing here, cements Trish's heel turn, the rare women's title match (also with stip), 5 hr run time, infamous Brock/Goldberg match, tag line with Shane... but there's also a lotta filler (not 1 but 2 4 way tags) to get to any good stuff.

Obviously all that went down the drain because of Benoit.

WWF WrestleMania VIII: 1-16

Sad this didn't get any love from anyone else. I guess it's maybe proof of what a final match on a card can do to a show's overall perception? Overshadowed by the coulda/woulda/shoulda been Hogan vs. Flair as well as the botched finish to Hogan vs. Sid... BUT!

Bret vs. Piper and Flair vs. Savage (along with the Savage promo stuff) was god level. Taker/Jake was excellent for what it was, and the 8-man tag and Tito/Shawn are very underrated fun IMO. The Skinner job was inoffensive, and LOD with Paul Ellering cut an entertaining live promo. I think we even got to see Lex, albeit in a weird setting. Honestly, biggest weak point to me was the dull tag title bout.

Even the main event was actually pretty fucking dope up until the end. On paper maybe Hogan vs. Sid looks yucky, but seeing them across from each other in the ring in that stadium with their builds and looks and styles was pro wrestling perfection. Had the finish been better, I think WMVIII is a lock for Top 3 pre-WWE WrestleManias.

I can confirm that I did not send in a list.

WWE Wrestlemania 35: 1-14

I considered this, but can't remember if I ended up including it. I think my overall memories of this WrestleMania (which I think was the last WrestleMania I'll likely ever watch in Massachusetts?) were a. they should really break the show into two nights, and b. way better than I presumed it would be for a modern era show.

Highlights were, in no particular order:

- Brock opening the show, and Seth only winning because he based his entire offense around nut-punting the Beast repeatedly.

- Shane/Miz having a hardcore match that quite exceed expectations, less because of Shane but more because of Miz. Miz deserves so much more respect from the fans than he gets.

- Kofi vs. DB for the WWE title was an excellent match, with a great feel-good moment for Kofi, and I liked the story dynamic of calling back to DB's storyline from WMXXX but now with DB in the antagonist role.

- HHH/Batista 2 was possibly the best or second best match on the card. That spot with the nose ring was sick, and mad rizpekt to Hollywood Dave for doing a live stunt like that. You don't see pussies Rock & Cena doing anything remotely close to that in terms of physical risks.

- The historic triple threat main event was decent and entertaining, and honestly I liked it even more because of the botched finish. Created controversy and something to come back to had people not decided to start having babies and then the pandemic hit.

- The Edgeheads defeating the Revivalists for the tag titles on the pre-show. If Kofi/DB & HHH/Batista are vying for 1a & 1b for best match on the show, this tag is solidly #2. Worth checking out, and I say this as someone who isn't a big fan of Revival.

Then, perfectly cromulent midlights included AJ/Orton (even though I can't for the life of me remember the springboard RKO spot), Braun and the SNL guys having fun in the ATGMBR, and the two four-way tag matches.

Lowlights, aside from overall runtime, were the poor use of Kurt in his farewell match, the lack of Undertaker & Cena, and the Joe vs. Rey/Roman vs. Drew/Lashley vs. Balor matches. I think this is the WrestleMania where at least Cena popped up as the Doctor of Thuganomics to interrupt Elias in a fun segment?

Anyway... I think this show benefits a LOT from being split if they're determined to run the same matches we get as we got IRL. I think I'd split as follows:

NIGHT 1

1.) WWE Universal Championship: Seth Rollins def. Brock Lesnar (w/ Paul Heyman) (c) *TITLE CHANGE!*

2.) Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship: The Usos (Jey & Jimmy) (c) def. Aleister Black & Ricochet, Rusev & Shinsuke Nakamura, and The Bar (Cesaro & Sheamus)

3.) Falls Count Anywhere Match: Shane McMahon def. The Miz

4.) 30-man André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: Braun Strowman wins by last eliminating Colin Jost!

5.) WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Tony Nese def. Buddy Murphy (c) *TITLE CHANGE!*

6.) Roman Reigns def. Drew McIntyre

7.) Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship: The IIconics (Billie Kay & Peyton Royce) def. The Boss 'n' Hug Connection (Bayley & Sasha Banks) (c), Nia Jax & Tamina, and Beth Phoenix & Natalya *TITLE CHANGE!*

8.) WWE Championship: Kofi Kingston (w/ Xavier Woods & Big E) def. Daniel Bryan (c) (w/ Rowan) *TITLE CHANGE!*

/////

NIGHT 2

1.) WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal: Carmella wins!

2.) WWE Raw Tag Team Championship: Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder def. The Revival (Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson) (c) *TITLE CHANGE!*

3.) WWE United States Championship: Samoa Joe (c) def. Rey Mysterio

4.) WWE Intercontinental Championship: "The Demon" Finn Bálor def. Bobby Lashley (c) (w/ Lio Rush) *TITLE CHANGE!*

5.) Baron Corbin def. Kurt Angle

6.) AJ Styles def. Randy Orton

7.) No Holds Barred Match: Triple H def. Batista

8.) "Winner Takes All" Triple Threat Match for the WWE Raw Women's Championship & WWE SmackDown Women's Championship:
Becky Lynch def. Ronda Rousey (c) and Charlotte Flair (c)

WWF Wrestlemania V: 1-13

Didn't make my list, and I suspect this WrestleMania is boosted by bonus points from fans who actively lived through the entirety of the Mega Powers storyline. I didn't, and came into this show with little actual memory as context, which hinders a one-match card... especially after the slogging gruel it is until the main event.

And I don't mean any of that as a slight to WMV overall. Overall IMO it's for sure a good Mania. And calling it a one-match card really is unfair.

I personally LOVED Haku/Herc and thought it might be the best Mania opener until Bret/Owen came along (neck and neck with Can-Am vs. Orton/Muraco perhaps). Towers vs. Rockers, Busters vs. Strike Force, and Blazer vs. Perfect were all equally solid.

For what they were, Whackers/Rougeaux (™ Baker-man) and Demo/PoP+Fuji and Rooster/Heenan were all fun and inoffensive enough.

Duggan/BNB, Bravo/Garvin, and Jake/André all served their purpose then if their execution was arguably lacking. I only deem DiBiase/Beefcake bad because of what I was expecting vs. what they delivered.

Then Warrior/Rude and Foundation vs. Intercontinental Connection were straight up really good bouts. Then the main event. Man, now that I'm thinking about it... I think I underrated WMV. Honestly, I think WMV/WMVI/WMVII all kinda suffer from blurring together aside from their main events. It becomes hard for one to really stand out amongst the others beyond a personal preference for main event.

WWF WrestleMania 13: 1-12

Gets criminally underrated because of Sid, IMO. A really complete show from top to bottom. If Shawn's always gonna Shawn, this is really the best you can do. Minor tweaks would've really only pushed the card to perfection. As it stands, it was like the Hobbit to WrestleMania XIV's Lord of the Rings. A rough draft prototype that nevertheless really stands on its own merits.

Only concession I'll make, assuming we agree to keep all matches as booked, is just shorten Taker/Sid. They didn't need that much time. Cut the time in half, just go out there and throw bombs for 10 minutes in a Godzilla vs. King Kong epic showdown... Whambamthankyamam.

One Night Stand 2006: 1-9

Whoa, some RVD fan loved getting to see Cena pwned. Guessing it was RT who rated this show so high? (Did you see the dad joke!?!?)

I very briefly considered this show but opted for 2005 instead. 2006 was really a one-match card for the epic main event. 2005 was more of a complete and meaningful show, IMO. But considering it was the sequel that (re)launched ECW, and considering that epic main event and Dan reaction... Not faulting anyone for loving this show.

AEW Double or Nothing 2019: 1-7

:lol: Never mind, turns out I only ever saw the casino battle royale from the pre-show. Think I always get this show confused with All In.

WWE Royal Rumble 2003: 1-5

Made my list. While not my favorite Rumble off all time (despite the result), definitely my favorite Rumble card from top to bottom.

Brock opens the show ragdolling Big Show around in the match they arguably should've had IMO at Survivor Series 2002 to gain entry into the Rumble match itself.

Dudleyz retain the tag titles in an inoffensive match to remain atop RAW's anemic tag division for the moment.

Torrie vs. Dawn was an acceptable piss break or otherwise eye candy moment if you didn't have to pee.

HHH vs. Big Pippa Pump was so unbelievably bad it was good like a good NASCAR pileup (R.I.P. #3). Still can't believe they ran a rematch the next PPV, although I sensed even during the Rumble outing that HHH would likely want to attempt redeeming himself with a "second try" somehow. This match makes Brock/Goldberg from WMXX look like a five-star classic by comparison.

Then Kurt/Benoit deliver what's honestly probably my favorite and perhaps IMO the greatest match of all time. Reflecting on it now though, part of me does wonder if it would've seemed THAT great had it not been coming right on the heels of HHH/Steiner?

Then the Rumble itself was... Fine. Not bad, but a little predictable. I get they had to start setting up HBK/Y2J, but part of me wishes it had been HBK (or maybe even RVD?) as a RAW Superstar to be last eliminated by Brock just to give a little more doubt over the result. But then I guess you don't want another face detracting from Brock since he only relatively recently turned face? Anyway... All in all, super solid show from open to close.

WWE Royal Rumble 2004: 1-4

Another from my list, and very similar to 2003 in being an overall solid show from start to finish.

The Dudleyz upgrade their dance partners to Evolution, and we get a quick cruiserweight showcase for Rey Mysterio and one of my low-key faves Jamie Noble.

Eddie/Chavo blow their deal off in an underwhelming match that in real time I was hoping would not only be better but also held off somehow until WMXX.

Then we get our world title match dynamics inverted from the previous year.

While most fans were interested in seeing HHH vs. Big Poppa Pump, no one was really interested in seeing Brock vs. Bob... Especially on PPV. And while HHH/BPP super-underdelivered, Brock/Bob was exactly what it should've been... Short and sweet. I guess some people gripped about how the match played out after the buildup, which had Brock scared of Bob. But fuck it, whatever.

Then LMS:HHH/HBK tries to outdo Kurt/Benoit from the year before. It doesn't, but it's a better match than it was perceived to be in real time as well as in the wake thereof. Considering I assumed we were getting Brock/Benoit for the WWE title at WMXX, I thought the controversial draw finish was a clever way to set up a ladder match rematch for the vacant title between HHH/HBK at WMXX. Alas...

Then the Rumble was perhaps the greatest, or at least one of, of all time. It felt somewhat predictable that Benoit would win, but him coming in at #1 plus WWE's track record cast enough doubt. In the storyline, Cena would've been just as fresh and viable as a winner on SmackDown's side. And Kurt wouldn't have been a total shock. Meanwhile, RAW had Goldberg and a really interesting option in Orton. Great story stuff strewn throughout the match with Benoit and Orton trying to go the distance, the Foley stuff, the Kane fearing Taker stuff, Goldberg's spear on Nunzio, and I think Brock causing Goldberg to be eliminated. Loved seeing a giant like Big Show actually treated with respect in a battle royal by making it to the final two, and loved the inventive finish.

Coming out of this show, I was PUMPED for WMXX. I was convinced I'd be getting my highly anticipated Lesnar/Benoit blow-off with a stacked undercard. Alas...

Oct 13, 2021 16:15:46 GMT Emperor said:

I can confirm that I did not send in a list.

Do that 10x in a row and you'll be Nessing the countdown.

Kudos to 🤯 for delivering big time with that series of posts. Some quick thoughts...

Survivor Series 98- Agree that it's a well booked show and peak Russo, albeit with zero good matches. Never had any desire to revisit it.

Wrestlemania V- Don't feel bad PI. I also have a tough time remembering what happened at WM 5 & 6 beyond the main events.

Wrestlemania VIII is a two match show imo.

One Night Stand 2006- I normally don't like revealing who voted for what but a guess as good as yours deserves to be rewarded.

Spring Stampede 99- Already covered, but it's here where you touched on my theory of having access to pay per views as a youngster being one of the most important criteria in this countdown.

Time to start working on my love letter to Great American Bash 1996. Warning: This one is getting the full storytime treatment...

Survivor Series 98 my first ppv watched start to finish.

WWF Wrestlemania IV: 1-3

Similar to Survivor Series in that it lacks any good matches, but who doesn't love a good tournament!? Rented this quite a few times as a kid, and loved it thoroughly, but it's middle of the road for a WrestleMania at best in hindsight. With a few tweaks, the tournament could've been a lot better.

WWF King of the Ring 2001: 1-3

Low key sleeper contender for GOAT PPV? Certainly is the lead candidate for best KOTR PPV.

The tournament featured the implosion of Team RECK, along with the interwoven Shane shit. Kurt pulls a minor Bret turning out two decent matches with E&C before delivering a strong contender for greatest street fight of all time against Shane. As much as I hate the idea of Shane as a wrestler, I cannot deny I'm endlessly entertained by him ten times out of eleven.

Undercard features a rare light heavyweight title match pitting Jeff Hardy against my man X-Pac, and Kane makes for some good fun as runt Spike's backup against his bully Dudley brothers in a tag title match.

The main event triple threat is a low key great match of that type, and in real time I was genuinely concerned and wondering if the WWF would actually pull the trigger and put the world title on jobbers like Benoit or Jericho just for the sake of surprise or to freshen things up. Booker T's run-in just made the looming Invasion feel all the more... looming.

I think had Taker/DDP actually been a thing, maybe the cards gets remembered a bit better? As it was, their "unsanctioned match" had fans fearful a year plus later that HHH/HBK at SummerSlam 2002 would be an equally lame copout.

🤯 reminded me to ask about something I've wondered for a long time... Was Team (R)ECK a real thing that was mentioned on tv or just a cutesy internet name for those guys?

As for KOTR 2001, I loved the crazy Angle/Shane brawl. That would be Top 5 on my "most brutal matches" list. Rest of the show is a big pile of meh though.

Wrestlemania IV is a show I was super hyped for as a kid. The Tournament for the Title was the biggest thing in the world to 1988 me. Show hasn't aged well at all though.

WWE Vengeance 2003: 1-2

The first-ever SmackDown! brand exclusive PPV. And it blew RAW's Badd Bloodd out of the water.

Eddie/Benoit open with a U.S. Title opus. I remember fans being so relieved in real time that we were actually getting this as the conclusion of the tournament for the vacant title. I recall many online being CONVINCED the title was getting put on the returning Billy Gunn.

Speaking of whom, Gunn does a decent sports entertainment shtick with my man Jamie Noble and their respective lady counterparts Torrie Wilson and Nidia. Shorts, sweet, and exactly how all parties involved should've been used.

The APA's Invitational Bar Room Brawl was a fun thing with lots of gaga, and then Mysterio & Kidman tore the house down challenging WGTT for the titles. These two teams absolutely needed more matches, and Mysterio/Kidman should've teamed longer in WWE.

Sable vs. Stephanie was surprisingly entertaining considering who's involved, and better than any Torrie Wilson/Dawn Marie encounter. Then Vince one-ups his daughter with an INSANE BLADE Job to make his ass-kicking contest against the one-legged man actually compelling.

Taker/Cena surprised with a decent outing, establishing it was really just a matter of the right timing before Cena would be officially crowned as the next Next Big Thing.

And then the main event, while not the GOAT like the previous year's, was nonetheless insanely fun and in the Top 10 triple threats of all-time. Think Big Pete posted in #BROCKTOBER the tweet memorial of Brock hitting the running powerbomb on Big Show here. That was just one of a handful of similar wild moments from this match, if I'm recalling correctly.

Oct 14, 2021 1:23:37 GMT Baker said:

🤯 reminded me to ask about something I've wondered for a long time... Was Team (R)ECK a real thing that was mentioned on tv or just a cutesy internet name for those guys?

I think it was only as much of an official thing as Booger Red or Manster ever were. Commentary threw it out there a handful of times, and it never really stuck. My recollection at least.

Vengeance 2003 is the only WWE PPV I didn't order that year. Of course it's the one everybody raves about. Just my luck. Still haven't watched it.

WWE Evolution: 1-1

Historic event that I recall feeling a little bit tainted because it felt like a make-good for the first SaudiArabiaMania being anti-women.

Trish & Lita return to the ring for a dream match against Mickie James and... Alicia Fox, subbing for Alex Bliss? I've always had a soft spot for Fox though, so frankly I didn't mind.

System and my favorite female wrestler of the modern era, Nia Jax, wins a 20-woman battle royal to become the number one contender. Was this the precursor to the girls finally getting their own Royal Rumble?

Then we got the final to the 2018 Mae Young Classic, which I vaguely recall being a sleeper potential showstealer.

But then the home stretch really fires on all cylinders.

Natalya captains half the Four Horsewomen to victory over the Riott Squad.

Then Shayna TERRIFIES me as she murders Kairi Sane to capture the NXT title, and Shayna vs. Ronda instantly becomes one of my biggest dream matches.

Becky vs. Charlotte in a Last Woman Standing does more for Becky than it does for me.

And then Ronda defending against Nikki with Brie in her corner in the main event was such a good match and proof Nikki is criminally underrated.

All in all, such a good pilot test. I'm still disappointed it didn't become a recurring yearly thing.

WWE Wrestlemania 31: 1-1

Disappointed Big Show won the ATG over Damien Mizdow.

Car crash ladder match for the IC belt was a waste of a returning DB, but I was all-in nonetheless to see how R-Truth's fear of heights would pan out.

Orton/Rollins put on the second best match of the show, and that curb stomp into an RKO is a thing of pure pro wrestling beauty.

HHH humbles Sting in a match that almost makes less sense than the post-match shenanigans involving nWo & DX.

The Bellas job to AJ & Paige in yet another match that proves how criminally underrated the Bellas, Nikki in particular, were in the ring.

Sadly Cena ends Rusev's undefeated streak, but at least it's a fun match because of how weird it is to see Cena in PWG mode.

Taker beats Bray in an awkward match. Awkward because of how Taker is rebounding from losing the Streak, and awkward because of Bray's ankle injury, and awkward because Bray is always awkward.

Rock makes an appearance to humble HHH & Steph, introduce Ronda, and set up what should've ultimately been blown off as Rock & Ronda vs. HHH & Steph (instead of Kurt).

Then the main event WWE was determined to force down our throats ends up being surprisingly great, as Suplex City becomes incorporated over Roman's corpse and then we get the damndest MITB cash-in ever IMO.