The Quarantine Files (Randomone Watches Stuff)

Ted Dibiase vs Lee Peak
January 20, 1990
Dibiase with a back drop & clothesline as he stomps on the face of Peak before dropping him with a snap suplex. Fist drop and a snap powerslam follows as he’s already ready & slaps on the Million Dollar Dream to put away Peak as Jake Roberts is in the middle of an inset promo as this happens. The Snake leaves the inset & runs to the ring attacking Virgil & Dibiase. Jake fights them both off and steals the Million Dollar Title. This set up their eventual WrestleMania match as the crowd explodes as Jake puts the title in the bag with Damien.

Randy Savage vs Jim Powers
March 3, 1990
Arm drag by Powers pisses off Savage immediately as Powers hits a snap lariat for 1, so Sherri jumps on the apron & Savage hits a knee sending him outside. Double axe to the back off the top as the Macho King hits a Hot Shot back inside for 2. Snap clothesline by Savage, who goes up & hits the top rope elbow right as his inset promo with the Queen wraps up and he gets the easy 3.

Tito Santana vs Akeem – Intercontinental Title Tournament First Round
April 28, 1990
This as an opening round match in the Intercontinental Title tournament as they play the catch me if you can game early with Tito hitting snap jabs that send Akeem outside. Slick tries to help out his protégé as Akeem dances his way back in the ring & Tito works an arm. Clubbing blows, the Akeem special, as he sends Tito to the corner & misses a splash. Santana tries for a figure four, but Akeem shoves him to the corner. He misses a clothesline & Tito hits the Flying Jalapeno that sends Akeem to the floor & Earl Hebner counts to 10 in record speed (5 seconds easily) for the count out win. This was next level terrible.

Mr. Perfect vs Jimmy Snuka – Intercontinental Title Tournament First Round
May 5, 1990
Another IC Title opening round match as Snuka hits chops that send Perfect flying around to the floor. Shoulder tackle back inside by Superfly as they trade near fall attempts before Snuka hits a cross body off the second, Perfect rolls through for a 2 count. Chop to the ribs by Snuka, school boy for 2 of his own. Perfect puts the boots to him, but starts slamming him head first into the buckle, which have zero effect. The chase is on as Perfect bails & begs for a timeout. Snuka chops Perfect to the corner, but Perfect hooks the legs & gets a roll up, feet on the ropes, for the 3 count. Perfect’s selling can only help a match so much, this wasn’t good. But it blew Tito/Akeem out of the water, if that’s any consolation.

Brutus Beefcake vs Dino Bravo – Intercontinental Title Tournament First Round
May 12, 1990
Brutus takes on the guy who pretty much split up the Dream Team a few years prior as he gets a hot start, dropping Dino to the floor with a clothesline & he’s out after him. Jimmy Hart was going to hit him with the megaphone, but Brutus turns around in time & gets stalked by The Barber. Dino attacks from behind & we’re back in the ring. Atomic drop by the Canadian Strongman, followed by a gut wrench suplex for 2. Bravo takes like 45 seconds to climb to the second rope & connect with an axe handle for another 2 count. Boots to the corner as Brutus takes a hard corner buckle & Dino uncharacteristically goes to the top, but misses an axe handle. Brutus with the High Knee (Booty Man’s finisher!) and a back body drop, then ANOTHER High Knee! He signals for the Sleeper, slaps it on, but Jimmy takes the ref & Mr. Perfect hits the ring, pulling Brutus out of the ring. They brawl before Bravo goes out after him & starts fighting. Ref counts to 10 and we have a double countout, so Perfect just wisely eliminated his competition.

Roddy Piper vs Rick Martel– Intercontinental Title Tournament First Round
May 13, 1990
Stalling by Martel & mocking by Piper starts us off as The Model attacks, but its short lived & Piper gets the eye poke. He drives Martel into the corner & atomic drops him into the other side for 2. Martel gets a bodyslam & axe handles to the chest before choking away. He sends Piper to the floor & poses, which sets Hot Rod off, who bolts back into the ring & lights up Martel with punches & even a back fist. To the floor we go & Piper smacks Martel into the post before heading back in. The Model chops Roddy in the throat & chokes away some more before bodyslamming him down. He misses an elbow, so Piper hits a retaliation throat shot, Martel tries a cross body off an Irish whip, but Piper ducks & Martel lands hard. Hot Rod chokes away in the corner before they have a slugfest. Martel rakes the eyes, goes for Arrogance, but Piper tackles him into the corner as he sprays it. They both dive at the bottle & have a tug of war. Martel gets it, so Piper bails & grabs a chair, blocking the spray with it & smacking Martel with the chair. The Model bails & so does the ref, as Piper goes after him as well. This was a double DQ, but this was a fun brawl actually. I know it accomplished nothing, but still fun.

Intercontinental Championship Finals
Tito Santana vs Mr. Perfect
May 19, 1990
So this is the finals, by default, as 2 of the 4 opening round matches ended with fuck finishes (what a tournament!). Tito hits the standard trio of arm drag, hip toss, dropkick to the floor early. Slingshot tackle back inside gets 2 for Chico, who works the arm, he hits the ropes, Perfect drops down in the middle of the ring and Tito just runs out of the ring comically. I think Perfect was supposed to lower the ropes, but was too far to the middle of the ring. Anyways, he takes over with boots & chops before Tito mounts his comeback. Sunset flip gets him 2 as Perfect just pounces on top, murdering Tito with a clubbing lariat, sending him into the ropes face first, then outside. Tito trips up Perfect & posts his leg twice before the ref reprimands him (why?) as Tito stalks Perfect inside, working the leg. Just then Bobby Heenan sprints to the ring to run distraction, as Perfect gets a small package for 2. Tito knocks him down, signals for the Flying Jalapeno, but Heenan distracts him again and they repeat the spot, Perfect gets a small package for 3 and wins the title. What a shitty finish to one of the worst tournaments I’ve ever seen. I guess Perfect is officially with Heenan now (who he announces as his manager post match), so something good came of this shit show.

Nikolai Volkoff vs Boris Zhukov
June 2, 1990
The Bolsheviks collide as Nikolai is a babyface now and sang God Bless America before being attacked by Boris, who rips his jacket off & headbutts him to the floor. He slams him head first into the steps & posts him before taking his boot off & clocking him with it in the ring repeatedly. The match hasn’t started as referees run to the ring & pull off Boris from the attack as he spits on Volkoff & walks to the back as Nikolai gets up & bolts up the ramp and the chase is on. This was essentially the start of the Bolsheviks feud in 1990.

Rick Rude vs Jim Powers
June 30, 1990
Shoulder by Powers, but Rude sends him to the floor, however Powers lands on his feet & takes out Rude while he was swiveling his hips. Rude dodges some jabs & unloads with shots in the ropes as Powers takes a Flair flop. Camel clutch applied as The Fink does a voice over plugging upcoming events and Rude releases right when it concludes, dropping forearms over the head. He goes up top & drops a guillotine leg BUT OVERSHOOTS IT BADLY AND LANDS ASS FIRST RIGHT ON POWERS HEAD!! Holy shit, Powers looked legit concerned Rude messed him up as Rude picks him and hits the Rude Awakening for the win. Yikes, that leg was scary.

Randy Savage vs Jim Brunzell
July 7, 1990
They trade arm bars as Brunzell gets a shoulder block for 1 as Savage regroups outside with the Queen. Brunzell with a monkey flip as Savage gets a knee to the ribs, but eats a picture perfect dropkick for 2 as Sherri distracts Brunzell long enough for Savage to get a school boy for 2, then a back elbow. Sleeper applied by Brunzell as Savage’s mouth is busted & Brunzell gets a school boy of his own for a near fall. Sleeper again as Sherri is also on the apron as Savage charges & Sherri ducks and Brunzell spills outside. Running knee sends Brunzell into the post as he drops a double axe from the top as he bodyslams him in the ring & drops the top rope elbow for the 3 count.

Dino Bravo vs Paul Roma
July 21, 1990
Shoulder by Bravo as Roma hits some leap frogs & a back drop on the strong man and cross body for 2. Atomic drop by Dino as he drops forearms & a gut wrench suplex, then an elbow for 2. Roma catches Bravo with a dropkick, goes up top & hits a dangerous sunset flip off the top for a super close 2 as Bravo reverses a whip off the ropes & hits a Side Suplex for the 3. Post match Bravo hits Roma with the megaphone and we cut to a WWF Ice Cream Bar with Ronnie Garvin, which dammit even the Rugged One makes me miss those damn things. Rockers come to the ring for their next match while Roma is still recovering in the ring. They check on Roma, who wants none of it, shoving them down. Hercules runs down to help out Roma and they both drop the Rockers with right hands before Shawn & Marty hit double dropkicks sending Roma & Herc to the floor. This was the official formation of Power & Glory.

Power & Glory vs Warren Birch & Red Tyler
August 4, 1990
The official debut of Roma & Herc as a team as Romeo Roma hits a perfect dropkick that sends Birch stumbling around before he drops him with a back breaker. Tag to Herc, who hits a clothesline & beats up Tyler to follow. He sets up Red in the corner, tags Roma & they hit superplex/splash combo known as The Power Plex for the easy 3. Such an underrated finisher & such an underrated team that got lost in the stacked tag division.

Orient Express vs Koko B. Ware & Ricky Rice
August 11, 1990
Koko pulling jobber duty pretty early here, as he was still an established name at this point. He gets one bodyslam on Tanaka, wrenches the arm & tags in Rice, who drops an axe handle down, but Tanaka quickly punches him in the face, tags Sato, who chops him down. Inset promo from Fuji about how they’ll defeat Volkoff & Duggan at Summerslam (that was a Summerslam match) as Tanaka tags in, hits a flying forearm & tags Sato once again. He snapmares Rice over, then does a standing splash on a folded up Rice. Superkick connects & a sit out powerbomb for the 3 count. They really had no one else backstage to do this match instead of Koko?

Tugboat vs Bob Bradley
August 18, 1990
This is Jesse Ventura’s last match on commentary as Bradley attacks only to be dropped with a back breaker & big corner splash. Dino Bravo hits the ring & beats down Tugboat as this is a DQ in seconds. Tuggers fights back, but Earthquake hits the ring & he and Bravo beat him down as Big Bossman makes the save. This is what took Tugboat out of Summerslam and he was stretchered out here. Not quite what you’d want for Ventura’s final match as they showed women crying in the crowd. Big Tugboat fans in attendance apparently.

Randy Savage vs Jim Evans
August 18, 1990
Sherri is holding a Macho Man Wrestling Buddy (I had a Hogan one as a kid) ringside, as Savage mauls Evans to start, chucking him outside, hitting a top rope axe handle to the back before heading back in. Bodyslam & top rope elbow does it with one booy on the chest. Post match, the reason I’m posting this match, Sherri attacks Evans with the Wrestling Buddy! I loved Sherri, she was the fucking best. She beats the shit out of Evans with it and I loved every second of it. Sherri ruled.

Rick Rude vs Glen Ruth
September 29, 1990
This was Rude’s last match on Superstars and it was against Headbanger Thrasher! Quick backbreaker & hard corner buckle by the Ravishing One, who shoots Thrasher into the opposite side & gets clocked with a superkick to the ribs & the Rude Awakening for the quick win. Post match, Rude & Heenan shit talk Big Bossman in a feud that never materialized as Rude left the company.

Orient Express vs Ronnie Garvin & Major Yates
October 13, 1990
Rugged Ronnie still chugging along this late in 90 & pulling job duty at this point as he gets chopped to the corner by Sato as he fights back. Insert promo from Roddy Piper’s favorite tag team The Bushwhackers, who are eating Chinese food with chop sticks saying they’re going to chew up the Express & spit them out. Back to the match, Garvin does his Garvin Stomp on Tanaka as he goes for the Sharpshooter, but Sato comes off the top & wipes him out. Express miss double chops as Garvin gets a double noggin knocker & tags Yates, who hits one dropkick, then gets leveled with a flying forearm & superkick. Sit out powerbomb by Sato gets the 3 count as Garvin should never have tagged in his partner.

Demolition vs Jim Brunzell, George Anderson & Jim Evans
October 27, 1990
New creepy heel music by Demolition, who take their masks off for their entrance to reveal even weirder masks. They all look dumb as you can clearly tell who each guy is. Anyways, Ax starts and beats down Evans before he tosses him to the floor & Crush presses him over his head back into the ring where Smash is waiting. Anderson tags in & eats a belly to belly by Crush. Super quick tags by the dominatrixes as Ax wrenches at the neck & tags Smash, who works the ribs & tags Crush as they hit their Demolition Decapitation for the 3. Brunzell never even got in!

Legion of Doom vs Orient Express
November 10, 1990
Dueling gorilla press slams by LOD to start as Bad Company has to regroup with Master Fuji. Tanaka reverses an Irish whip, but Hawk shoots out of the corner & turns Tanaka inside out with a lariat. Tag to Sato, who gets promptly beat down by Animal & a flying shoulder block. Tag to Hawk, who hits a gut wrench suplex as Mr. Fuji keeps looking up the ramp. Hawk just beats Sato down before Tanaka tags in & runs into a brick wall. Another gorilla press slam as Sato distracts Hawk enough for them to get in a few chops & crescent kick. Hawk & Sato clunk heads as both tag partners get in and Animal back drops Tanaka high in the air & levels him with a clothesline. Doomsday Device looks to be in Tanaka’s future, but Ax, Smash & Crush all hit the ring and it’s a 5 on 2 attack! Demolition have officially reunited with Master Fuji! They keep beating LOD down with his cane as they are doing a number on the Road Warriors & they cut to commercial with the LOD laid out at the hands of Demolition & Orient Express. A rare occasion where Mr. Fuji’s guys all stand tall.

Randy Savage vs Koko B. Ware
December 22, 1990
Macho shit talks Frankie (not kidding) as Koko goes to stop him & eats a clothesline and back elbow. Macho tries a bodyslam, but Koko with a small package 1…2…Macho out and hits a Hot Shot on the Bird Man. Snap suplex by Savage, who chokes Koko before dropping a knee. Macho lowers his head & Koko hits a swinging neckbreaker, but misses a diving cross body off the top. Macho with a running knee sending Koko outside, so he hits the double axe off the top driving Koko into the railing. Back inside, Savage slams Koko, goes up top & drops the elbow for a rather quick win. Savage wasn’t messing around as he’s heading into the Rumble where he’d cost Warrior the WWF Title.

Sorry Cairo, need a breather from the WWF/WCW shows and get in some old school New Japan. There's some gems & some really rough goings here. We'll return to our regularly scheduled squash match Superstars shortly!

Owen Hart vs Tatsutoshi Goto
September 20, 1989
We have a good back & forth early until Goto slaps Owen, which Owen returns. Goto tries targeting the leg with a step toehold & leg lock, settles for an ankle lock, but Owen quickly gets to his feet and eats a kick. Owen gets out of a head scissors, ref out of position for a pin attempt, but Goto hits a corner clothesline. Owen fights back with a great Northern Lights suplex for 1, then wrenches at the wrist. They reverse wrist locks before Owen locks in a cross face chicken wing, but Goto literally dives into the ropes to escape. Back inside Goto throws kicks until Owen catches him & tries for a Boston Crab, Goto gets out, so Owen locks an abdominal stretch. Goto hip tosses out, but Owen answers with uppercuts, then locks in an Octopus Stretch ala Inoki! Goto gets a rope break & Owen puts the boots to him, but Goto gets a flash backslide for a close 2. Butterfly suplex gets Goto another 2, but Owen slams him down, only to miss a missile dropkick. Backdrop driver plants Owen on his head as Goto gets 2 yet again. Goto goes for another, but they trade standing switches & Owen hits a Tombstone. He goes up top & connects with a diving headbutt for 1…2…3! Goto kicked out immediately so it was a weird finish. Wish this match had a faster pace, but it was a solid match regardless.


Jushin Liger vs Naoki Sano (c)
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title
January 31, 1990
Shotei’s over & over as the bell rings as Sano rolls to the floor & Liger hits a seated senton. Sano quickly recovers through & piledrives Liger on the floor before tossing him inside & rips away at his mask. Sano is relentless as it looks like Liger is bleeding quite a bit as the torn mask really shows this. Sano is starting to get covered in Liger’s blood & this is actually pretty gnarly as Liger looks on deaths door. Liger’s head is rammed repeatedly into the exposed corner as Liger’s mask is pretty much entirely ripped off at this point as Sano hits a superplex for 2. We’re only like 7 minutes into this match & Liger can barely stand as Sano sinks in a Boston Crab. Liger gets free, but Sano his a modified Pedigree for 2. Liger gets a desperation head scissors, dropkick & somersault dive to the floor as Sano slowly rolls back inside. Tilt a whirl backbreaker then a surfboard stretch applied by Liger, but Sano rakes the eyes to get free. Sano continues to target the face as Liger is completely unmasked as the mask is just hanging around his neck. German suplex gets Sano 2 before he sinks in the Crab again. Liger gets free, but Sano hits a clothesline & corner dropkick to stop Liger from getting going. Liger tried throwing a Koppo Kick, but Sano avoided it, only for Liger to hit a head scissors. Sano backdrops Liger to the floor & goes up top, hitting a cross body. Back inside Sano hits a double arm suplex for 2 as he goes up & tries for another superplex, but Liger floats over & lands on Sano 1…2…NO! Sano rolls through a Liger Bomb attempt for 1…2…NO! Tiger Suplex by Sano 1…2…foot on the rope last second by Liger. Sano tried a back suplex, but Liger again floated over for a nearfall, then a German for another 2. Sano tries for a hurricanrana, but Liger turns it into a Liger Bomb for 2. Liger with a Tombstone, then goes up & hits a Shooting Star Press 1…2…3!!

Scott Norton vs The Equalizer (Dave Sullivan)
STEROIDS WARRIOR SHOWDOWN
March 21, 1991
Not kidding, that’s the name it’s listed on NJPWWORLD, Steroids Warrior Showdown. Bell sounds & Equalizer tries shoulder blocks, zero effect, so Norton does two & connects. Tries a clothesline, but Equalizer doesn’t sell it when he’s supposed to, so Norton levels him with another & chops him to the corner. Equalizer gets a boot up & another one he hits so hard he himself falls into the ropes. This is all he’s doing as it’s boot after boot until Norton catches him, tries for an elbow, but misses. Norton has had enough, so he just Pounces Sullivan down, hits a flying shoulder tackle, murders him with a short arm clothesline, but pulls him up at 2. He botches a powerslam (Equalizer didn’t even jump for it) & that’s what ends it. Just awful, but the title made me giggle, so there’s that.

Shinya Hashimoto vs Randy Thornton
Crash the Super Heavy II
May 31, 1991
Keiji Mutoh is cornering Hashimoto as Thornton is rocking boxing gloves for this one as we get a kickboxing battle to start as Thornton hits a pump kick & punch to the back of the head drops Hashimoto, as he gets up & spin kicks Thornton in the nuts, but Thornton is coming in, so he takes Shinya down. As soon as Hashimoto goes on the attack, Thornton leaps for the ropes, which is weak. Hashimoto dives for a leg, but can’t get it as again, Thornton dives for the ropes because he’s so tall. Thornton, when he does connect with punches, a lot are to the back of the head, which is again, weak. Bell sounds, so apparently this is 3 minute rounds. Hashimoto’s nose is busted as Thornton storms him as the bell sounds for the next round. He backs Hashimoto into the corner & Hashimoto starches him with a forearm, waits for him to get up, hits a wheel kick, then hits a body shot that Thornton sells awfully. Headbutt & backdrop suplex as Hashimoto sinks in a cross armbreaker for the submission. Look, I’m not a fan of these kinds of fights, when they get real, it’s good, but when the boxer has to sell wrestling offense, it’s downright laughable.

Scott Norton vs Tony Halme
Super Warrior in Tokyo
January 4, 1992
Battle of the beef here as the future Ludvig Borga gets corner body shots to start, but Norton turns the tables with chops & a big splash. Norton slaps on a headlock & refuses to let that son bitch go as Halme gets free & hits a huge body slam, then grabs a headlock of his own. Norton shoots Halme off the ropes & hits a massive shoulder tackle to a huge pop. Back elbow that Halme no sells, so Norton just drops him with a lariat. Norton with one of the biggest headbutts I’ve seen (Halme is busted) as it sends Halme off the ropes & runs into another clothesline. Couple rest holds by Norton before he hits a reverse neckbreaker for 2. Norton can’t get a bodyslam, so Halme unloads body shots & hits a Samoan Drop! It’s all body shots from Halme as he hits a big splash in the corner, then hits a heart punch 1…Norton kicks out! Body slam by Halme, who hits an elbow drop follow for 2 this time. He misses a clothesline, so Norton hits his own & a back body drop for 2. Norton goes up to the top, but Halme shakes the ropes & he gets crotched & tossed down onto his shoulder as Halme goes up top, flying clothesline 1…2…3!! Just 2 muscle dudes throwing stiff ass shots at each other, no matter how clunky it might’ve been.

Shinya Hashimoto vs Bill Kazmaier
Super Warrior in Tokyo
January 4, 1992
Kaz is so muscular, I can’t believe he can even move as he ragdolls Hashimoto down immediately. Hashimoto gets bodyslammed & is furious as he fires off leg kicks & Kaz no sells all of them. Kaz hits a forearm & Shinya delays his bump which is weird. Body shots in the corner by Kaz as he’s driving forearms to the small of the back. Kaz misses a corner splash & the camera zooms out like a fucking Rainmaker pose for a prolonged period, so I can’t tell what the hell is going on, they look like ants. They finally zoom back in & Kaz is working the arm and throwing kicks to the back. Back drop by Kaz & luckily Hashimoto makes it fully over as Kaz hits a backbreaker & a big clothesline. Huge powerslam for 2 as Kaz sinks in a bear hug, then a Torture Rack as he just tosses Hashimoto down. He tries for it again & Hashimoto gets a leg sweep, then another one that looks insane. He throws kicks to the chest & Kaz still doesn’t sell them, so Hashimoto hits a Judo Flip & some headbutts. Finally Kaz starts selling the kicks & Hashimoto hits wheel kicks & Kaz takes a bump (first of the match I think) for 2. Hashimoto hits his DDT, but Kaz kicks out, so he hits another and Bill Alfonso counts 1…2…3! Kaz attacks him post match & Hashimoto just stands there, not selling it as it’s just an odd ending to a weird ass match.

Dusty & Dustin Rhodes vs Masa Saito & Kim Duc
Super Warrior in Tokyo
January 4, 1992
I had zero idea that Dusty & Dustin teamed in the Tokyo Dome. Quick arm drag exchange as they do a criss-cross spot & Dustin struggles with a leap frog, but hits a head scissors & arm drag. Hip toss & dropkick send Duc to the floor & Dustin quickly slingshots him back in with another arm drag & arm bar. Duc escapes with a cheap shot & tries to tag Saito, who doesn’t want in. Dustin works a headlock, which Duc reverses into a hammerlock. He tries to tag Saito again, who shoos him away once more. Dusty tags in & he chucks Duc to his partner, wanting Saito, who tags in and the crowd is pumped up. He tosses Saito to the ramp & slams him down, dropping a big elbow, strutting away. Saito wants a handshake, bows, but sucker punches Dream with boots, works the arm & tries to tag Duc, who doesn’t want in, taste of Saito’s own medicine. Dusty tries headbutting out of an arm bar, ultimately failing, but hit a back elbow & bionic elbow. Big vertical suplex for 2 as Saito tags Duc & he locks up with Dream. Nerve hold applied until Dusty ducks a Saito clothesline & gets the hot tag to Dustin. Perfect lariat gets 2 as The Natural gets a double noggin knocker, but ultimately falls into their corner, taken down. Double suplex by the heels as Duc for some reason does a roll & hits a piledriver for 2. Reverse chinlock then another nerve hold before Duc goes up top & cut off, thrown down by Dustin for 2. Big time elbow drop gets another 2 as he tags Dusty & here comes Saito, 12 minutes in and they do a standard lock up & arm bar before tagging back in Dustin, dropping an axe on the arm, working the arm bar before Saito hits a Saito Suplex for 2. He hits another one & gets another 2, but hits the ropes & they both collide. Tag to Duc, as Dustin throws some shots, hits a dropkick for 2 & ultimately hits a bulldog for the 3 count. This match was pretty boring honestly, which is unfortunate, but the visual of Dusty & Dustin together at the Tokyo Dome is a pretty cool image.

Scott Norton vs Tony Halme
Fighting Spirit 92
February 8, 1992
Norton ain’t fucking around in this rematch as he sends Halme outside with a shoulder tackle & he’s out after him. Back inside, Flash with clubbing shots to the chest, goes for a splash, but eats a forearm. Uppercut by Halme, who is lighting up the ribs with shots before hitting a headbutt & chucking Norton to the floor where it continues. Halme has hit about 40 punches to the ribs in the first 2 minutes as he trash talks the crowd as Norton struggles back inside. Finally Norton blocks one & gets back in with a short arm clothesline, but Halme doesn’t go down & instead he goes back to punches. Corner splash by Halme & a short arm clothesline of his own as he goes back to old faithful & body shots. Some good old fashioned back rakes switch it up briefly until; you guessed it, body shots! I refuse to go back & actually count, but he’s in the ballpark of 90/100 body punches as Norton just drops him on his head with a weird slam for 2. HUGE powerslam gets Norton 2 and he can’t believe it. Halme avoids a clothesline, hits one of his own 1…2…NO! Bodyslam & elbow gets another 2 for Halme, who misses a clothesline, Norton with a shoulder tackle & another snap powerslam 1…2…NO!! Norton says F YOU before he hoists him up in a Torture Rack & turns it into a Samoan Drop 1…2…3! Norton gets revenge in a match that felt like 20, but was actually 8!

Ron Simmons vs Tony Halme
Fantastic Story
January 4, 1993
Faarooq vs Ludvig Borga in the Tokyo Dome, I never thought I’d see the day. Halme shows off his strength early, shrugging off shoulder blocks by Simmons, only to get hit with a drop toe hold & a lariat. Bulldog by Simmons, who hits a Piledriver off a back drop counter for 2. Halme misses a back elbow & botches something as Simmons takes a somersault bump with Halme doing nothing. Elbow drop gets Halme 1, then gets a 2 count off a side suplex. Spinebuster on Simmons gets another near fall for Halme as he sends the former WCW Champion to the outside. Simmons gets suplexed back inside & Halme hits a powerslam for 2. Simmons hits a powerslam of his own & gets 2 as well. He does a bad looking small package for 2, then does it again (looking even worse). He hits a spinebuster for the win. Holy shit that match sucked.

Sabu & Masahiro Chono vs Tatsumi Fujinami & Junju Hirata
BATTLE7
January 4, 1995
Just seeing Chono & Sabu walk to the ring together is worth it as we get a brawl immediately with Sabu setting a chair up halfway up the ramp & hits a running springboard cross body. Quickly back inside where he tries a springboard leg lariat off the chair, but he hits Chono. Hirata with a big clothesline on Sabu as they throw the chairs from the ring & here comes Fujinami who hits a top rope knee. Sabu drags him to his corner & they trade quick tags before Fujinami & Hirata take control of Chono. STF by Hirata on Chono, which is a slap in the face, as Sabu breaks it up & Chono sinks one in himself. Chono tags in Sabu, who hits a slingshot somersault legdrop for 2, then grabs a chin lock, which is a weird transition. Hirata with a throat strike & corner clothesline, then a DDT before tagging Fujinami. Sabu drives him to his corner & gets a few punches before Chono gets in & Fujinami quickly tags Hirata, who gets creamed with a flying tackle off the top. Chono wants another, but gets cut off & Hirata hits a superplex. Big boot by Chono who tags Sabu & he does literally nothing, just holds Hirata so Chono can hit him. Sabu randomly tries for another slingshot legdrop, but hits 1% of it as Fujinami has had enough, jumps in, but gets beaten down. Sabu tries grabbing a chair from the front row, but they’re all connected, so he gives up. Chono throws in a table & sets up Hirata on it as Sabu sets up a little chair platform on the top, jumps off of it & puts Hirata through a table. However, just like that, Hirata recovers, hits a powerbomb & top rope headbutt on Chono for 2 (so that was worth it). Chono no sells a lariat, Hirata gets clipped with a chair by Sabu, boot of doom by Chono 1…2…3. Fujinami apparently decided to take a nap the last few minutes. This was super sloppy, but again, seeing Chono team with Sabu was a sight to see.

This is the most random post I've done in these. No theme really, just a grab bag of matches I had reviewed.

The Bladerunners vs John O’Reilly & Ken Massey
March 29, 1986
UWF action here as Eddie Gilbert brings Sting & Warrior to the ring and Jim Ross is on the call. Sting with clubbing blows & a knee lift before slamming O’Reilly down repeatedly. He makes him tag his partner as Massey gets leveled with a lariat, then tags in Warrior, who gorilla presses Massey high in the air & drops him like a sack of shit. Warrior does the same exact spot before tagging Sting, who hits a leaping splash for the 3.


Bladerunner Rock vs Tracy Smothers
May 10, 1986
I had this match written out a while ago, so I'll add in here RIP Tracy Smothers. Ultimate Warrior here ready to take on the Wild Eyed Southern Boy, attacking immediately with clubbing blows & a choke. Big time back elbow & more choking as he drops Smothers with a clothesline, then big boot. He’s not even letting Tracy bump before he’s already attacking him, of course as I type that, he starts posing. Bodyslam & a choke high in the air before dropping him down. Back body drop by Rock, then a spinning bodyslam as he drops a terrible looking legdrop & another bodyslam. Tracy gets off a few punches & chops, charges & Rock clocks him with a clothesline. He gorilla presses Tracy in the air, drops him, then does it again before pinning him.


Kokina Maximus (Yokozuna)(w/Sheik Adnan) vs Jerry Lynn
August 26, 1989 - AWA
I’m all for this pairing! Jerry tries some shoulder blocks, but bounces right off future Yoko, who levels him with a lariat & flap jacks him high in the air. Thrust chop to the throat as Kokina is just beating Lynn down repeatedly. Bodyslam & backfist lands flush as Adnan is jaw jacking with fans while Yoko gorilla presses Lynn high in the air & hits a leaping splash for the easy win. I love that after the match, backstage, Kokina & Adnan are interviewed by a young Eric Bischoff and just seeing this pairing is blowing my damn mind.


Randy Savage & Mr. Perfect vs Mr. Hughes & Giant Gonzalez (w/Harvey Wippleman)
August 17, 1993
This was from the Randy Savage Unreleased Matches DVD and now I know why. A whole lot of stalling to start as Hughes gets the advantage finally before tagging in the Giant, who does what he does best, throw clubbing blows to the back & chokes Perfect before tagging back in Hughes. I love that Gonzalez boasts about his drawn on abs as Hughes gets a rest hold a minute into the action. Foot stomps help Perfect escape & get the hot tag as Savage gets in to a pretty tepid reaction as Giant tags in & immediately cuts Savage off with a choke hold high in the air. Giant does a little karate pose before chopping Savage down & mocking Perfect. Savage is making Gonzalez look like a million bucks as he’s bumping all over. Short arm clothesline knocks Mach down as Hughes is back in & just punching away. He misses a splash, tag in to Perfect, who hits clotheslines & a big back drop on Hughes, but Giant clocks Perfect from behind allowing Savage to hit a double axe on Hughes, Perfect with a roll up for the 3. Welp, this match sucked. No commentary really made this worse as the crowd was quiet, didn’t pop much for hot tags, the heels offense was awful, finish was flat. Yikes.


Owen Hart vs Koko B. Ware
June 18, 1994
The battle of High Energy as Owen slaps Koko in the face telling him he never liked him as he hits a wheel kick right off the bat. Koko with a clothesline, dropkick, bodyslam, hip toss & arm drag as Tatanka walks out at the entrance to take a look at his King of the Ring opponent. Owen slams Koko down, but misses the follow elbow as Koko goes back to the arm. I love how Koko is still wearing his High Energy pants 2 years after they broke up. Koko does a leap frog & his leg goes out, so Owen pounces & goes to work, slamming it on the ring post. Owen taunts Tatanka before dragging Koko the center & applies the Sharpshooter for the victory.


The Blue Blazer vs Taka Michinoku
November 28, 1998
Counters aplenty as Blazer does the Owen Hart backflip springboard off the ropes to get an arm drag & hits a follow snap powerslam for 2. He shoots Taka to the corner, reversed & hits a cross body off the second for 2. Enzugiri gets another 2 as Taka floats over a suplex, spin kick to the face & some chops before snapmaring Blazer down & goes for the mask! Blazer gets free, but eats a dropkick as Taka goes to work in the corner. He misses a splash & Blazer hits a neckbreaker before putting on his cape outside. Missile Dropkick as Blazer goes to another corner & hits a cross body, but Taka rolls through 1…2…NO! Taka goes for a hurricanrana, but Blazer powerbombs out & starts flapping his arms. Taka gets a knee up in the corner, then a Tornado DDT 1…2…KICK OUT! Spinning wheel kick by Taka who mocks Blazer, then hits an Asai Moonsault outside! Back inside he hits a slam & signals for the end, but misses a missile dropkick of his own as the Blazer sinks in the Sharpshooter for the victory. For a Shotgun Saturday Night match in late 98? That’s about as solid as you can get.


Kaientai vs Lo Down
January 21, 2001
So this was when D’Lo and Mosh were managed by Tiger Ali Singh & also dressed in turbans. The winning team would get to select a member to enter the Royal Rumble later in the night. Jim Ross already has mistakenly referred to Mosh as D’Lo within seconds. Funaki got a spin kick & tag to Taka, but he gets hit with a D’Lo spinebuster. D’Lo is wearing Iron Sheik-esque boots. Taka hits a hurricanrana & dropkick before tagging Funaki. They hit the Camel Clutch/dropkick combo & jump around celebrating, only to get hit with a Sky High and atomic drop. They hit Funaki with a weird double hip toss/back suplex combo for the quick win. Who would get the Rumble spot? Neither, that went to Drew Carey or Drew Curry, if you were talking to Tiger (that’s not racist, that’s actually the joke they had him say at the Rumble backstage with Vince).


Raven, Lance Storm & Justin Credible (w/Terri) vs Albert, Scotty 2 Hotty & Spike Dudley
WWF Survivor Series 2001 – Pre Show
November 18, 2001
Raven attacks Spike to start, but the runt of the Dudley litter starts throwing headbutts to the gut of all 3 heels, then tags Scotty, who promptly gets destroyed by a Raven clothesline. Credible in, boots in the corner, then a quick powerbomb for 2. He goes for a double axe off the second, but eats a boot as here comes Albert & Lance. The hip hop hippo is a house of fire already as the heels are bumping all over for him. Terri on the apon & Albert plants a smooch on her, presses her over his head & tosses her down to Credible outside. Press Slam on Storm for 2 as Raven eats a shoulder tackle. Spike stands on Albert’s shoulders & wipes out Lance outside with a dive. Albert clotheslined to the floor by Credible & Raven, but Credible gets facebustered by Scotty as he connects with the Worm. Even Flow by Raven on Scotty, Dudley Dog on Raven by Spike, super kick by Lance on Spike 1…2…3. Super quick 3 minute match that gave The Alliance a win & also a rare time we got The Impact Players as a team in WWF.

AJ Styles (w/Mortimer Plumtree) vs Amazing Red
X-Division Title
October 30, 2002
TNA Asylum days as this was the match that made me an AJ Styles fan and huge Red supporter. Series of deep arm drags, which stops as AJ punts Red right in the head. Bunch of leap frogs & reversals with leg sweeps before Red hits a high kick on AJ. Don West says “YOU WILL BLINK! If you blink you’ll miss something!” he’s literally losing his shit as Red dropkicks AJ to the floor. He tries a hurricanrana, but AJ catches him, Red lands on his feet and hits a running somersault plancha and 2 count back inside. Step up dropkick to the back of the neck by Red, as AJ hits a weird ass variation of a gut wrench Big Ending (Big E’s finisher) for 2. Insane looking snap neckbreaker by Styles and hits a vertical drop brainbuster for 2. AJ tries for it again, but Red wiggles through with a Code Red 1…2…KICK OUT! I lost my shit when I saw that move for the first time. Backflip reverse DDT out the corner for 2 by AJ as he wears Red down with a headlock. Red escapes, does a round the world DDT 1…2…NO! The noises Don West is making is making me uncomfortable as Red fights off a Styles Clash, so AJ powerbombs him for 2. Snapmare & punt kick to the back as they both duck lariats before AJ hits a superkick for 2. Front face lock by AJ, but Red fights back, leg sweep, Red Star Press 1…2…NO! There is 2 guys in the crowd with A and J painted on their bare chests and it looks ridiculous, even for wrestling. AJ tries a powerbomb, but Red snaps through with a hurricanrana 1…2…KICK OUT! Mike Tenay says this is why the X-Division delivers the mail every Wednesday. AJ hits a Crucifix into a Dominator for 2. Spin wheel kick in the corner gets Red another 2 as we have to check on Don West. Plumtree trips Red, allowing AJ to hit a discus clothesline. AJ goes up top for the Spiral Tap, but Red crotches him, he tries for a hurricanrana, AJ teases a super Styles Clash, but Red snaps through with a super rana, but AJ rides through & the momentum causes AJ to get the roll up 1…2…3! This remains one of my all time favorite matches in TNA history.

Rico vs Bryan Danielson
February 9, 2003
You always hear about Danielson vs Cena on Velocity in 2003, but I went with the Rico one for the American Dragon. Side headlock by Dragon, who gets a cravat, then dropkicks Rico down. He misses a corner splash & Rico punts him down for 2. Lita & Coach on commentary as Lita points out he wrestled in Japan as “The Dragon” but chose to go by “I guess Bryan Danielson?” Rico tries for a shoulder breaker, but Dragon floats over 1…2…kick out. Rico with a reverse scissors kick for a near fall of his own as he grounds Danielson with a knee to the back. Dragon quickly escapes, but runs into a lariat by Rico for 2. He charges Dragon in the corner, but eats a boot, then enzugiri. Both up as Danielson gets an uppercut “I heard this kid was trained by Regal” says Coach as Dragon nails a snap one arm suplex for 2. Rico pops up with forearms, but Danielson hits one of his own, charges & Rico pops him with a wheel kick for 1…2…3. Fun quick match that showcased Danielson long before he got to WWE & before he really took off as one of the best wrestlers in the world.


Al Snow vs Bobby Roode
March 2, 2003
A pre-Glorious Roode as we get a fireman’s carry takedown by Snow, who hits a snap suplex & hip toss. Coach is talking about taking Britney Spears away from Fred Durst to “get with a brother.” Riveting commentary Coach as Roode nails a knee to the midsection to take over. He tried for it again, but Snow rolls through for a 2 count. Tilt a whirl back breaker by Roode, who drives forearms to the gut in the corner. Baseball slide by Snow, who charges & takes Roode down, then dishes out some headbutts to the midsection & some short clotheslines. Big back body drop by Snow who signals for the end & hits a Snow Plow 1…2…3.

CM Punk in NWA-TNA Part 1

CM Punk & Ace Steel vs Derek Wylde & Jimmy Rave and The Hot Shots (Cassidy O’Reilly & Chase Stevens)
September 18, 2002
I was a sucker for these little scramble matches in the early days. Punk gets a fast start with Stevens, as he almost lands on his head doing a backflip into an arm drag lucha style. Springboard cross body out of the corner, but doesn’t follow up with a cover. Stevens gets in some punches before Ace tags in & they hit a tilt a whirl face buster. Ace with a stalling suplex for 2. Mike Tenay calls Punk & Steel team name Hate Breed. Derek Wylde gets a blind tag & flips inside for a hurricanrana, but Stevens powerbombs him. Tag to Riley, who poses immediately like a dumbass, but does connect with a springboard handspring elbow. The Hot Shots with a double dropkick & bulldog before Riley gets backdropped onto Rave for 2. Leaping leg lariat by Stevens as Riley hits a stalling front suplex for 2. Small package by Rave for 2, who pops up and gets flattened by Riley for 2. Riley misses a Lionsault as Rave pops him with a superkick and tags in Punk (instead of his partner). Punk barely clips Riley with a springboard dropkick, but hits a snazzy neckbreaker. Stevens clocks Punk from behind and the match breaks down as Derek Wylde is laid out with a German/Superkick combo from the hot shots, Rave is sent outside, Riley misses a spinning plancha outside, as Punk hits a diving senton over the top to the floor, Wylde hits a twisting Sky Drill Press, Ace hits a springboard clothesline on Stevens, then hits a Gory Special into a neckbreaker for the 1…2…3!

AJ Styles & D’Lo Brown vs CM Punk & Jason Cross
May 28, 2003
Punk & Cross wipe out AJ & D’Lo with double dives to kick things off (I think D’Lo fucked his shoulder up) before AJ superkicks Punk in the chops, tries a springboard off the railing & Punk dropkicks him in mid air. Punk punches away at AJ before tagging Cross, who hits a Snap Dragon suplex for 2. Slingshot senton/backbreaker combo by Punk & Cross, as Punk gets a 2 on AJ. Punk hits a wrist clutch DDT, but D’Lo breaks up the count. Cross wipes out the leg & hits a flipping Unprettier for 2. AJ starts throwing wild slaps & shots, turning Cross inside out with a discus lariat. Tags to D’Lo and Punk as D’Lo hits a leg lariat and some back elbows, suplex/stunner onto Cross. Sky High/Neckbreaker combo as D’Lo catches Cross in mid air with a powerbomb. They hit a Low Down and springboard 450 in unison for the double 1…2…3!

CM Punk vs Shane Douglas – Clockwork Orange House of Fun
July 2, 2003
The Franchise laid out Raven prior to the match, so Punk replaced him as he was trying to impress Raven at the time. The lack of reaction for Punk is sort of a sight to see. Punk gets a quick start with a Northern Lights Suplex using a chair before trying a DDT, but decides to back drop Douglas, superkicking him outside. Punk does a suicide dive, but pretty much goes face first into the railing as Douglas did a poor job of catching him. For some reason, Punk tries a head scissors off the railing, but Douglas counters into an Alabama Slam on the floor. Punk fights back “he has fire & spunk!” yells Don West, as The Franchise waffles him with a trash can. He hits Punk with the bottom of a tennis racket, but Punk hits a corner knee and Welcome to Chicago, Motherfucker back breaker for 2. Pop up low blow by Douglas, who reaches to load up the fist, but Punk waffles him with a chair to the head (pretty brutal shot). Douglas recovers super quick from such a shot, hits Punk with the loaded fist & nails the belly to belly suplex for 3. Post match, James Mitchell comes to the ring and shoots a fireball at Punk while Douglas & Mitchell bail as Julio Dinero & Alexis Laree (Mickie James) make the save.

Raven, CM Punk, Julio Dinero vs Shane Douglas, Slash & Brian Lee
July 23, 2003
Raven had been feuding with James Mitchell & his Disciples of the New Church faction, who was comprised of Killdozer Brian Lee and Slash. Punk & Slash kick things off with Punk nailing a T-Bone suplex, step up corner knee & suplex for 2. He tries for a hurricanrana, but Slash powerbombs out, tags Brian Lee and here comes the Underfaker with repeated elbows. Quick tags by the heels before Slash misses Punk & he crashes into Lee. Hot tag already to Dinero, who is a house of fire. Swinging full nelson slam gets 2 as Lee pulls Dinero outside, posts him & tosses him back inside. Slash hits a Whirly Bird for 2 as Raven breaks it up. Snap suplex by Douglas as they isolate Dinero, but Slash tags in & misses a somersault senton off the top. Dinero tags in Raven and here comes Douglas. Raven takes out all the New Church before Douglas bails into the crowd as they brawl all over. Just then a white arm reaches through a curtain & pulls Raven through it (that was dumb). Dinero & Punk left on their own as they try for a suplex/cross body, but Douglas crotches Julio and Douglas hits a Doomsday Device on Punk. Slash sets up a table as Raven crawls out from the curtain, bloodied. They drag Raven into the ring, but Raven cleans house and there’s also a random fucking ref bump as Raven starts hitting everyone with DDT’s. James Mitchell distracts Raven long enough for Douglas to spear Raven through a table for the 3.

CM Punk & Julio Dinero vs Slash & Sinn
August 20, 2003
Sinn is the future Kizarny and literally everyone not named CM Punk is wearing leather pants. Punk backdrops his partner over the top to wipe out Sinn as it’s honestly hard to figure out who is Sinn & who is Julio. Anyways, the heels take control and Sinn suplexes Punk from the floor, hanging his legs up on the ropes, as Slash dropkicks him to the floor. Back inside, Slash hits a stalling suplex for 2, Punk tries to make a tag to his partner, but can’t get to him (even though he was literally right there, but got too close), it ultimately happens though. Dinero a house of fire, cleaning house, hitting Sinn with a Flatliner for 2. He sends Sinn into Slash, rolls him up for 2, but Sinn pops up and hits a superkick. Punk in, tries for a corner rana, but Slash throws powder in his face & Sinn powerbombs out of the corner for 2 (despite Punk not being the legal man). Dinero hits a double clothesline and they hit a Blockbuster/Powerbomb combo for 2. Dinero almost dropped Sinn, but Punk luckily caught them before it fell apart. T-Bone on Punk by Slash as James Mitchell tries for the spike, but Alexis Laree crotches him & hits a diving DDT off the top on Sinn. Swinging Full Nelson slam by Dinero on Slash, but Shane Douglas hits the ring, knocks out Dinero with a chain and Slash gets the 3 count. Post match, Shane hits Alexis with the belly to belly suplex & cuts like 4 strands of hair from Alexis, he literally barely cut anything off, but they’re playing it off like The Franchise is a mad man. I think this was the last time Alexis was there as she went to WWE developmental soon after, I think, could be wrong.

CM Punk, Julio Dinero, Raven vs Shane Douglas, Slash, Sinn – Dog Collar Match
September 24, 2003
Last week, Raven had his head shaved (and bloodied, so Mitchell was scalping him) as Vampiro debuted, costing him his match with Shane Douglas. Punk & Slash, Dinero & Sinn and Shane & Raven are all paired off, dog collared together as it’s hilarious how long it takes the babyfaces to put the collars on the “beaten up” heels. They ultimately get there and all of them pull the chain to repeatedly post their opponents. Cobra Clutch on Douglas, who is already bleeding, Dinero is choking out Sinn, but somehow Slash got free from Punk and stops both chokes. Don West & Tenay are confused by all of this. Both Sinn & Slash are bleeding too as this match has gone 2 minutes so far. All that happens is both team take turns choking one another with the chain. Punk, Raven & Julio are all busted, so literally everyone but the official is bleeding. This match is boring as shit, they’re playing it off like this is super brutal, it’s not. Just then, Shane Douglas looks at the big screen and sees that he’s bleeding and can’t believe it. YOU WERE BLEEDING 60 SECONDS INTO THE MATCH, SHANE! All the heels go to the corner to drop a trio of fist drops, but the faces pull them down using the chain as the faces regain control, crotching Douglas as they all hit 10 punches in the corner using the chain. WE DON’T EVEN SEE THE PINFALL as the camera was on Raven & Douglas outside that apparently Julio pinned Sinn. Vampiro ran out and laid out Raven as they all rush to get the final shot of the heels HANGING the faces off the balcony to end the show. It’s so rushed and so dumb looking, it was laughable.

CM Punk & Julio Dinero vs Slash & Vampiro
October 15, 2003
Slash tries a suicide dive, but Dinero counters with a powerslam on the floor! Punk hits a hurricanrana on Vampiro and they brawl outside before Dinero hits a cutter on Slash for 2. Punk tries a Doomsday Device, but gets sent off the top to the floor, hitting the railing that busts him open already. They pick Punk apart before he’s able to hit a Full Nelson Legsweep as Punk makes the hot tag and Dinero cleans house. There’s literally zero reason for Punk to bleed in this. Dinero hits a swinging full nelson slam, but the ref turns to James Mitchell, who literally did nothing. Slash misses a twisting senton off the top & the faces hit a Blockbuster/Electric Chair, but Mitchell takes the ref (hitting his cue this time) as Vampiro mists Dinero, hits the Nail in the Coffin and gets the 3 count. This sucked. Post match, Raven, who was reportedly injured, makes the save as he beats down Mitchell up the ramp before everyone spills backstage.

CM Punk & Julio Dinero vs Kid Kash & Lazz
November 5, 2003
I have zero idea who Lazz is, but he’s wearing a belly shirt, skinny jeans & Sting face paint. Lazz grabs Punk by the junk (hooray creepy rhymes!) as Punk gets a sunset flip on him and Dinero hits a slingshot clothesline, but it looks really shitty. Lazz works the arm briefly before Dinero suplexes him down. Kash gets in and eats a hip toss, arm drag, back suplex by Dinero, who tags in Punk, who does a running boot to the face in the corner. Lazz & Kash hit a double back suplex on Dinero, Lazz hits a Northern Lights for 2. They hit a double back drop as Lazz tries to hug Kash, who wants none of it. Dinero makes a comeback, but Kash gets a dropkick off the second, hits a double spring moonsault for 2. Punk broke up the count, but tweaked his knee in the process. Lazz hits a neckbreaker off the second for 2, Kash tries a powerbomb, but Lazz, for lack of a better term, wants Dinero’s ass, so it’s a tug of war (I just typed that) as they start to argue. Punk gets the tag & snap powerslam on Kash for 2, but the heels hit a Spear/Clothesline combo on Dinero as Punk & Kash brawl outside. Punk/Julio hit a Powerbomb/Blockbuster combo for the 3 count. This match wasn’t as bad as it sounded, but the shenanigans made this more ridiculous than anything.

CM Punk & Julio Dinero vs Ekmo & Sonny Siaki
November 19, 2003
Ekmo was the former Jamal in 3 Minute Warning and more notably the future Umaga. Also we’re told The Gathering have gone their separate ways. Dinero & Siaki start with Julio hitting a flashy head scissors before tagging Punk, who nails a leg lariat. Blind tag to Dinero, as Siaki hits a half & half German on Punk. Siaki takes down Julio and tags the big man, who plants Dinero with a bodyslam & leaping knee drop for 2. Julio floats over, but Ekmo levels him with a lariat. Ekmo tries a Vader Bomb, but misses as Julio tags Punk, who springs off Ekmo’s back to dropkick Siaki. Really shitty looking Tornado DDT on Ekmo where Siaki got clipped with a toe at best, but sold it like crazy. The big man recovers & drops both babyfaces, who bail outside. Just then Trinity, who I had no idea was even out there, grabs a chair, but refuses to give it to Siaki. Punk & Dinero hit a double dropkick on Ekmo, sending him falling over Siaki as they pin the big man. This was really awful.

Grab Bag of Matches: Tables, Ladders & Chuckie T

Rebecca Knox vs Mariko Yoshida
October 28, 2005
APW ChickFight 3
The future Becky Lynch comes out to Can’t Touch This by MC Hammer, while Yoshida’s walk out music is HIM’s Endless Dark, so I love that! Sort of a sloppy start by both as they are really scrambling more than anything before Yoshida grabs a guillotine, which Knox escapes from quickly. The commentator’s voice is almost gone, so I’m muting this as it’s annoying as shit. Stretch Muffler by Yoshida, but Knock gets the ropes. Knox struggles to get a leg lock, so she switches to the ankle until Yoshida gets a pinkie on the ropes. Single leg takedown by Yoshida, as she works the arm once more, transitioning into a Rings of Saturn. Knox crawls to the ropes, so Yoshida just boots her repeatedly, then DDTs her & applies a good old fashioned bow & arrow. Knox escapes, but Yoshida slaps on a single leg submission, then an STF, then a rolling leg lock, but she practically rolls Knox into the ropes for her. Becky doesn’t grab the ropes though & we get a striking exchange while their legs are tangled. That’s some of the very few strikes we’ve gotten in this thing. Yoshida up & keeps going after the legs before trying a double arm underhook, but Becky back drops out. Yoshida pops up with a standard headlock, spins into an ankle lock yet again. Becky crawls to the ropes & they FINALLY start throwing forearms and Yoshida starts winning that, so Becky hits an Exploder suplex & goes to the top for a guillotine leg for 2. She tries a Shining Wizard, but Yoshida counters into Angels Wings, but Becky counters into a backslide for 2. She charges at Yoshida, who hits a superkick for 2 of her own, then hits an Angels Wings for 3. This was sloppy, but 98% of it was trading submissions with Yoshida mostly the one in control. For only being in the business 3 years, Becky was real good.


Mickie Knuckles vs Rachel Putski – Taipei Death Match
IWA Mid South Queen of the Death Match 2006
I have zero idea why I’m watching this match. Taped fists, dipped in glue & broken glass on their hands as they spill to the floor almost immediately, Mickie tries a right hand, Putski ducks & sends Mickie head first into the ring post and Mickie doesn’t get her hands up so you can audibly hear a thud of skull against the post. Putski rakes her hand across the head and Mickie is bleeding. Putski starts jabbing with rights before Mickie roars & throws Putski into the chairs ringside and busting Rachel open as she’s screaming loudly. Mickie gets her receipt and posts her before throwing a violent right. Putski bites her, but we turn to headbutts, which Mickie wins. Putski is keeps screaming as the glass rakes across her face. Finally they both take seats & decide to punch it out and it’s pretty gnarly. They finally get in the ring as Rachel kicks away. Mickie rises & murders her with a right, then nails a German suplex & hits a violent shining wizard for 3. Mickie advances to the finals and I have zero interest in knowing who she fought or if she won. Told you this was a mixed bag!

9 Way TLC Match
Tyler Black vs Marek Brave vs Trik Davis vs Billy Roc vs Dave Crist vs Chuck Taylor vs Jake Crist vs Ricochet vs Darin Corbin
IWA-Mid South: We’re No Joke!
April 1, 2006
Royal Rumble style here as you can be eliminated by pinfall, submission, going through a table, but can’t get the contract for a LHW title shot until ALL have entered the match. Ian Rotten’s overbooking was something in these days. Black & Brave (Quad Cities represent!) start things off as they trade headlocks & armbars, which is what you want in a TLC match. I guess every minute a new guy comes in as Trik Davis is in at 3 (the first indy guy I ever bought a shirt from) as Black & Brave double team Trik. The ladder doesn’t come into play until all 9 guys are entered. Davis fights off the QC boys as Billy Roc is 4 while Trik hits a tope suicida outside. Roc’s first move is a diving plancha as Trik starts throwing chairs into the ring & they just hit each other in the gut before Dave Crist enters at 5. They guillotine Trik’s head between two chairs as Black slaps on a Boston Crab while two dudes dropkick the chairs, thus murdering poor Trik Davis. Crist does the Sabu double springboard moonsault off a chair as Chuck Taylor is next. Black side suplexes Crist through a chair while Roc & Taylor attack the future Seth Rollins. Billy Roc hits a diving cross body using a chair in the corner. Chuckie T hits a picture perfect dropkick as Jake Crist is next. Springboard drop down dropkick on Taylor by the Crists as Dave hits a spinning suplex on chuck while Trik tries a corner rana, but gets throated by Tyler Black. Marek & Ricochet (who just entered) brawl on the floor as Ricochet looks 12 years old here, not a muscle on him. Small Package Driver by Black eliminates Billy Roc as we can actually eliminate guys in this apparently. Darin Corbin dances his way to the ring as the final entrant. Everyone stops fighting as Corbin starts dancing in the center of the ring & gets surrounded and beaten down. Sole Food by Taylor on Ricochet, Corbin & Trik brawl outside, Taylor & Crist do some flashy stuff as Corbin whips Davis into a wall. Crist tries to run up a ladder bridge from the floor to the inside, but Marek does a cross body to the floor onto the ladder!



HUGE BACK BODY DROP on Taylor by Black for a 2 count as Crist scales the ladder & does a moonsault out of the corner for 2 on Black. Crist poses for the crowd too long as we get a Tower of Doom spot by the Crists on Tyler for a 2 count before they violently throw Ricochet into the ladder. Crist hits a suicide dive wiping out everyone else outside, before the other Crist hits a somersault dive! Chuck springs off the top with a somersault senton!! Tyler hits a Northern Lights Suplex on the floor as Ricochet scales the ladder and hits a DOUBLE MOONSAULT TO THE FLOOR WIPING OUT EVERYONE!! He came within millimeters of hitting his head on the side of the ring. Everyone slowly recovers with Corbin & Trik in the ring as Corbin & Tyler hit a Doomsday Device dropping Trik on his neck! This is when Chuck Taylor is placed on a table outside and Marek Brave famously does his botched Shooting Star Press, badly missing and landing on the buckle before crumbling through the table himself. The announcer says Marek Brave has been eliminated. Ricochet is hit with a double stomp/ushigoroshi by the Crists as Trik Davis hits a double stomp to officially eliminate Ricochet. Jake Crist hits a Van Daminator on his brother while Corbin hits a running knee on Taylor to eliminate him. Tyler Black waffles Corbin in the head with a chair, then bodyslams the ladder on Corbin & hits a standing senton. Black tries to get the contract, but Jake Crist hits a back suplex off the ladder and drops Black on his neck. A Crist brother sets up a table outside, but the other Crist goes to put him through it, only Trik cuts him off and hits a HURRICANRANA on one Crist, but the TABLE DOESN’T BREAK so Tyler Black hits a massive Frog Splash sending BOTH Crist Brothers through tables to eliminate them both!

We’re down to Corbin, Davis & Black as Trik floats through a small package drive, hits a lungblower & a wild swinging poison rana! Corbin & Davis start climbing the ladder (I think it’s hilarious as you only have to climb like 2 rungs to grab the contract) as Trik Davis knocks Corbin down, struggles to unclasp the contract before CHRIS HERO hits the ring and attacks Trik Davis, sending him into the chairs & crowd as Darin Corbin quickly scurries up the ladder and rips down the contract and title shot against Arik Cannon for the Light Heavyweight Title as chants of FUCK YOU HERO ring out. Hero congratulates Corbin saying he should thank him for his help, which Corbin doesn’t, as he shoves Hero down and says unlike Hero, he’s actually going to beat Arik Cannon.

Tyler Black vs Amazing Kong
NWA Midwest
September 22, 2007
Zero clue this match happened as Black does not want this to happen as Kong is fixin to fuck up future Rollins. They lock up and Black gets an arm drag & arm bar as Kong gets up and screams at Black to chop her, but he doesn’t want to, so she chops him brutally. Black wants to punch her, but he can’t find himself to do it. He turns his back for some reason & Kong just slaps him on the back. Kong steamrolls Black like she’s Vader, then a splash in the corner as she chops away. Clothesline by Kong, who misses the legdrop follow, so Black grabs a front face lock, but gets shrugged away. Kong tells him to kick her & he does, but she’s smiling until FINALLY HE SUPERKICKS HER for 2. Kong no sells a clothesline, so Black hits a springboard clothesline for 2. Kong up SPINNING BACK FIST as she goes to the second rope and misses a splash as Black gets 2 off an Oklahoma Roll. Small Package Driver is blocked as Kong screams “I’LL KICK OUT OF ANYTHING!” but Black screams “YOU KNOW WHAT BITCH, I’VE HAD ABOUT ENOUGH OF YOU!” so Black finally punches Kong in the face! She plays possum like she’s hurt & hits Black with the Awesome Bomb 1…2…3! Kong wins! This match wasn’t great, but it’s uniqueness made it pretty interesting.

Bryan Danielson vs Tyler Black vs Kenny Omega
Ring of Honor 2008
Black lets Bryan & Omega start, but quickly attacks, only to be taken down by Dragon, who locks on DOUBLE CATTLE MUTILATION before Black got the ropes. The ROH crowd is losing their minds as Bryan takes a bow. Both men suplex Bryan and Omega wants a high five from Black, who boots him in the gut. Kenny answers with a spin kick for 2 as Bryan gets back in & uppercuts both men down. Surfboard is about to be applied to Omega, but Bryan just slams down on the knees & locks on a modified figure four, which Black breaks up. Bryan & Omega trade shots as Black attacks Dragon from behind, Bryan moonsaults out the corner, forearms Black, charges Kenny, who halts Bryan & hits an enzugiri. Omega nails a twisting plancha on both men outside, but when they get back inside, Bryan boots Black outside & works Kenny’s arm. Omega mounts a comeback, but gets the shit slapped out of him before Bryan punts him in the back. Black sneaks in & back suplexes Bryan, throwing him to the floor & going for Kenny with a jumping knee drop for 2. Black does a good job keeping Bryan outside, gets Kenny in a Fireman’s Carry, but Kenny wiggles free & hits the double sledge and the leapfrog face buster. Bryan comes in with a missile dropkick on Kenny, clotheslines Black outside, slaps on a submission on Kenny, who rolls through & they trade near falls. Black hits a Lionsault on both men, but Bryan hulks up & bridges up with both men laying on him! Black hits a Buckle Bomb & running boot to Bryan 1…2…NO! Small package driver blocked, but the Pele kick isn’t as Black hits a superkick 1…2…NO! Black wants the Phoenix Splash, but Kenny scales to the top & hits a release German off the top sending Black flying outside! Crowd explodes as he wants One Winged Angel on Bryan, but Bryan takes his head off with a roaring elbow, elbow strikes & the Cattle Mutilation as Omega submits!

Chuck Taylor vs Candice LeRae
PWG All Star Weekend 7: Night One
August 30, 2008
Chuckie T’s PWG debut as he eats a bite of a fans hot dog pre-match as the match starts & Chuck threatens to punch Candice after a hair pull, but has a clean break. Chuck takes Candice down & wraps her up like a pretzel before working a hammerlock, which Candice reverses into a headlock. Multiple arm drags by Candice as Chuck shoves her “WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, WOMAN??” as a shoving match starts before Chuck goes in for a kiss, Candice rejects him so Chuck kicks her in the stomach & takes her down. He kicks her in the ass with a “boop!” before charging & eats a boot. Candice with a cross body for 2, but Chuck up first & dropkicks her in the face for 2. Chuck pulls out the grenade & hits the elbow for 2. Black Widow applied by Candice, but Chuck turns it into a back breaker. Chuck tries a moonsault & misses as Candice does a Violence Party, which causes Chuck to scream like a girl. Candice with a hurricanrana off the top & hits the diving DDT through the ropes on the floor! Back inside, Chuck blocks an arm drag into Sole Food for a 2 count. Candice floats over a gorilla press & hits a Balls-plex 1…2…NO! Candice tries a neckbreaker, but Chuck counters into an Awful Waffle 1…2…3!!

Hanson vs Raymond Rowe
January 25, 2014
ROH Top Prospects Tournament Finals
Battle of the future War Raiders/Machine as Rowe clotheslines Hanson over the top outside & tumbles out with him, goes for a dive, but Hanson cuts him off through the ropes & drags him outside. Clubbing blows by Hanson, who tosses Rowe inside, mauling him in the corner. Snapmare/fist drop combo for 2 as Rowe mounts his comeback, but Hanson fights back with Snake Eyes. Rowe hits the ropes & hits a Pounce on the big man, then a shotgun knee as he hits a snap German suplex for 2. Rowe charges, but Hanson catches him with a spinning bodyslam for 2 of his own. Hanson misses a spinning Polish Hammer and Rowe hits a gut wrench slam for a near fall. Hard back elbows in the corner by Hanson, who goes for a Bronco Buster and misses. Saito suplex by Rowe, but Hanson no sells, Saito suplex by Hanson, but Rowe no sells! Rowe hits another Saito suplex, goes for his finisher, but Hanson cartwheels to avoid it & drops Rowe with a lariat. Hanson tries a spin kick of doom, but Rowe counters into a powerbomb 1…2…NO! Death Rowe misses and Hanson hits the spin kick of doom for the 1…2…3! This was a hoss battle as they respect the Code of Honor post match.

Johnny Gargano vs Candice LeRae
AIW Wrestle Rager 2014
The Garganos collide as Eddie Kingston is on commentary for this one as he said the promoter said he’d give him $50 if he called two matches. Bell sounds and we get a series of quick near falls as Candice counters a hip toss into a roll up for 2, Oklahoma Roll for 2, sunset flip for 2 as she hits a rana out the corner. She sends Gargano to the apron, he tries his spear through the ropes, but Candice has it countered & hits a dive through the ropes. Back inside, she hits a top rope rana, but Johnny blocks a boot & threatens to punch her, but can’t, so she chops the shit out of Johnny. Spin kick (while apologizing mid move) connects as he slaps on a Sharpshooter/Tequila Sunrise combo, but Candice gets the ropes. He tries a lawn dart, but Candice turns it into a Black Widow submission, spins into Gargano Escape! Johnny powers up & spins her into a face buster on his knee, tries a lawn dart, but Candice turns it into a DDT for 2. She goes up top, takes too long & Johnny cuts her off & drops her face first on the turnbuckle as she crumbles to the floor. Johnny pulls the railing close to the ring and tells the fans front row to move as they go to the apron. “Fuck Her Up Johnny!” chants are chanted as Candice crotches Johnny on the railing before hitting a leaping DDT through the ropes to the floor!! Back inside, Candice tries a cross body off the top, but Johnny catches him, only for Candice to hit a Poison Rana 1…2…NO! Balls-plex countered as Johnny hits a running Liger Bomb 1…2…NO! Johnny pulls up on a superkick but Candice flips him off, ducks a superkick & dishes out a Violence Party in the corner but Johnny murders her with a superkick, lawn dart 1…2…KICK OUT! Gargano goes for Hurts Donut, Candice spins out, Balls-plex into the corner, springboard Poison Rana 1…2…NO! Kingston is losing his shit on commentary. Candice tries a rope walk DDT, tries a Poison Rana again, but Johnny counters into Hurts Donut 1…2…KICK OUT! Candice spits right in Johnny’s face, he charges, tries for Hurts Donut again, but Candice rolls through 1…2…3!!

Zack Sabre Jr. vs Chuck Taylor
Death Match 7
December 13, 2017
So this promotion doesn’t have a ring, they’re just fighting in a circle of people. They lock up and do hammerlocks & wrist locks to start. Chuck tries to chop Zack against, the wall, but he ducks & uppercuts Taylor. Stiff kicks by Sabre, who snapmares Taylor down & hits a PK for 2. I should point out the referee is a husky man dressed as a woman, so there’s that, not that there’s anything wrong with that, just felt like you should know. They jump on the stage and Chuck grabs the mic and sings “Go Fuck Yourself Zack Sabre!” which Sabre yells “I don’t like that song!” as Chuck shoves Sabre’s head in the drum & steps on the pedal! Sabre fights back, chopping Taylor off the stage & applying a kimura. Taylor fights back with the stiffest chop I’ve ever heard as they spill into the bar area where Chuck takes a seat and gets a beer from the bartender. Both men start taking drinks of the beer before Sabre mists Chuck! They start literally poking each other “I thought we were friends!” turns into a shoving match and Chuck grabs a lemon (I think) and rubs it in Sabre’s eyes! Sabre tosses Chuck on the bar & applies an armbar screaming “IT’S AN ARMBAR ON THE BAR!!” as Chuck gets free by grabbing one of those toothpick things you put in a drink & stabs Sabre in the eye! Back to the previous room, Taylor tries a suplex, but can’t get it, so he rams ZSJ into the wall. Taylor tries a suplex on the trash can, but Sabre reverses it & slams Chuckie. Sabre gets sent into the wall again as Chuck poses before they do a crazy series of counters & reversals, which switches to a series of like 15 pin attempts that get 1 count each. Both get up and Sabre slaps Chuck & Chuck hits a boot. Sabre locks on a triangle choke, but Taylor counters into an Ankle Lock! Sabre counters into a Guillotine, but Chuck bodyslams him on the floor for 2. Chuck misses a dive & Zack hits a PK for 2, then an arm breaker. I did pop hearing someone say “Chuck, grab the ropes!” Chuck tries a Razor’s Edge, but Zack counters into an Octopus Hold and Chuck submits! This was fucking wild!

Ricochet (c) vs Chuck Taylor - Guerrilla Warefare Match – PWG World Title
PWG Mystery Vortex V
January 12, 2018
I should point out Meltzer is front row for this one, notepad in hand. Streamers aplenty for Ricochet in his final PWG match before going to WWE. He waffles Chuck with his PWG Title to start for 2 & they immediately spill outside. Chuck reverses a suplex & slams Ricochet on the apron before going to the back & getting a trash can. Ricochet hits a dropkick & kip up before cracking Chuck with the trash can 3 times. He jams the trash can into Chuck’s face & hits a Van Terminator 1…2…NO! They brawl outside & Chuck hip tosses Ricochet into the crowd & gets a ladder backstage. He drops Ricochet face first on the ladder & sets it up in the corner, then wedges a chair in the corner of the other side. They both charge & put on the brakes avoiding taking a ladder bump, Ricochet getting backdropped on the ladder as a result! Chuckie T charges but Ricochet backdrops him on the ladder & rams him face first into the wedged chair. Chuck stumbles into the crowd & Ricochet pops him with a chair, jaw jacking with fans as he sets up a tower of doom using chairs, but takes too long & Chuck launches at chair at Ricochet’s face. Taylor keeps building the tower of chairs before dragging Ricochet up on the stage, where Ricochet hits a snap suplex, but CHUCK SUPERPLEXES RICOCHET OFF THE STAGE THROUGH THE TOWER OF CHAIRS!! Chuck sets up a table & tries to piledrive Ricochet off the apron, but they trade pump knees and Chuck does a running TOPE CON HILO THROUGH THE TABLE!! Back inside, Chuck does the deal & hits a Falcon Arrow 1…2…KICK OUT! Sole Food by Chuck, but Ricochet answers with a pump knee, Chuck responds with a lariat turning him inside out! Out of desperation, Ricochet throws a chair at Chuck’s face & standing shooting star for 2. Northern Lights, brainbuster, springboard 450 combo 1…2…NO! Shooting Star Press connects 1…2…NO!

Ricochet grabs the title, kicks Chuck low & pops him with the title, planting him with the Benadriller 1…2…KICK OUT! Again Ricochet grabs the title, misses a belt shot as Chuck collapses. He sets a chair up, but Chuck drop toe holds Ricochet into it, then hits an Awful Waffle 1…2…NO! Chuck leaves the ring to go to the back for a Christmas stocking that’s filled with thumb tacks! He tries to Awful Waffle Ricochet into them, but Ricochet back flips out and hits a POP UP POWERBOMB ONTO THE TACKS!! There’s TACKS IN THE BACK & HEAD OF CHUCK TAYLOR!!! Ricochet grabs a handful of tacks & PUTS THEM IN CHUCK’S MOUTH before hitting a BENADRILLER TO THE FACE 1…2…KICK OUT!! Ricochet rolls Chuck into the tacks & drags him across them to a “You Sick Fuck” chant. He goes up top, but misses a 630 SENTON ONTO THE TACKS!! The impact of that was insane as Chuck recovers with a short piledriver & Awful Waffle 1…2…3!!! NEW CHAMPION!! Post match Chuck puts over Ricochet, who he trained growing up, then Ricochet thanks him, the crowd & PWG as he’s off to WWE to be horribly misused.

Last post of Japanese random goodies for a bit, going back to the squash WWF programming after this. That said, there's some awesome matches in this series, some I didn't realize ever happened, mostly featuring Owen Hart in Japan. Matches against Chris Benoit, Jushin Liger & Ultimo Dragon! Then I covered a wild women's cage match, some of the G1 Climax 97 and finally Io vs Kairi pre-WWE.

Ross & Owen Hart vs Fit Finlay & Rocky Moran
2 out of 3 Falls
Joint Promotions - March 31, 1984
Both teams work over the others arms in the opening minutes as Finlay starts popping Ross with clubbing forearms until he tags his partner and Ross takes Moran down. They try to isolate Ross, but he escapes and tags in the 18 year old Owen, who hits an arm drag, but Moran hits a hard buckle, then dishes uppercuts, tries a victory roll & gets a 3 count to win the first fall. After a breather, Moran goes right back to work on Owen, but Owen gets sent to the corner, scales the ropes & backflips out, hits a German suplex for the 3 count and we’re even. Moran & Owen stay in as Moran gets a cheap shot, so Ross chases him off, getting Finlay in there, who palm strikes the fuck out of poor Ross. Dropkick by Hart, who tries another, but Finlay side steps & sinks in a single crab. He’s too close to the ropes as Owen tags in & Finlay sends him hard to the corner. Owen tries the same back flip off the top, but Finlay was ready & hits a forearm right to the chops & hits the Finlay Press for the 3 count and that’s it. This was actually fascinating to watch.

Pegasus Kid vs Owen Hart
NJPW New Kokugikan Densetsu
June 26, 1990
I’m all for this match. Kid attacks at the bell & levels Owen with a lariat and back suplex, then gorilla presses Owen over the top outside!! Snap suplex on the floor as Benoit poses back inside and Owen recovers insanely quick as he floats over a suplex back inside, ducks a lariat, but Benoit hits a tilt a whirl back breaker for 2, then chucks Owen back outside. He wants a superplex back inside, but Owen sends him off the ropes, hits a missile dropkick & tope suicida outside! He sends Benoit into the railing, then hits a backbreaker back inside before locking on a Boston Crab, then transitions into an Octopus Hold before Benoit escapes, working the wrist (which seems odd after everything we’ve seen thus far). Owen does his rad springboard backflip arm drag into a rana for 2, then just gets a standard arm bar, which Benoit reverses. Benoit tries to land on his feet after taking a backdrop, but fails, so he lays out Owen with a back elbow for 2. Ground work for the next few minutes before Benoit hits a slingshot plancha outside as Owen almost looked stuck between the railing! Benoit tries a drop down back inside, Owen back flips out, hits an enzugiri for 2, then slams Benoit down, tries a moonsault & hits it 1…2…KICK OUT! Owen can’t believe it as he hits a gut wrench suplex, goes to the top for another moonsault, but Benoit cuts him off with a super back suplex 1…2…3! Some damn fine wrestling!

Pegasus Kid vs Owen Hart
NJPW Explosion Tour 1991
April 17, 1991
Quality of this is really bad, but I’ll take it. They trade arm bars until Owen gets a head scissors takedown, which Benoit escapes from for a pin attempt, Owen bridges, gets a backslide then arm drag before going back to work. Rocker Dropper back flip into an arm drag, then dropkick to the corner as Owen makes Benoit regroup outside. Benoit is pissed & gets a snap mare back inside, then head scissors, but Owen escapes into a chin lock, back drop, which Benoit lands on his feet, tries a crucifix, but Owen drops him down & hits a missile dropkick! He kips up and poses, but as he does this, Benoit hits a top rope cross body before going back to the arm, then single crab. He lets it go, tries a back drop, but gets punted in the face & Owen hits a gut wrench for 2. Hard uppercuts then his signature overhead belly to belly for 2. He grounds Benoit briefly before they do a series of reversals & standing switches ending in Benoit hitting a German for 2. Victory roll attempt by Owen, Benoit reverses 1…2…NO! Benoit slams him down, goes up top & hits the headbutt for another 2. Standing switches again & Owen this time hits a German for 2. Moonsault hits 1…2…KICK OUT! Benoit nearly gets an O’Connor Roll for 2, then more standing switches, before Owen gets the European Clutch 1…2…3! More technical than their first match, which I liked more.

Jushin Thunder Liger vs Owen Hart
NJPW Explosion Tour 1991
April 28, 1991
Fuck. Yes. I didn’t know this match existed & I couldn’t love it more. Standing switches, roll throughs of arm bars, kip ups start us off, START US OFF! Test of strength as Owen hits his springboard backflip hip toss, then another & a head scissors before dropkicking Liger outside & hits a plancha! Whip into the railing & dropkick to follow as you’d see this start in the 2020 Best of Super Juniors! Snap suplex inside for 2 as Owen slows it down, but Liger escapes with kitchen sink knees. Suplex from the apron to the floor as Liger gets his revenge, whipping Owen into the railing & hits a dropkick of his own. He works the leg back inside as Owen counters into an arm breaker, sinks in a chicken wing, then butterfly suplex for 2. Back to the arm, but Liger reverses & gets in a surfboard stretch, then a Koppo Kick, sending Owen to the floor. Leaping cross body off the top by Liger as Owen reverses a whip back inside & hits an overhead belly to belly. Liger ducks a lariat into a crucifix for 2. Owen goes to backflip out of the corner, but Liger dropkicks him in mid air! Owen dodges a Koppo Kick, but gets backdropped to the apron. Leaping cross body off the top by Owen, but Liger rolls through 1…2…NO! Owen hits a Tombstone after a fight from Liger, goes up top, headbutt connects 1…2…KICK OUT! Moonsault splash hits 1…2…NO!! Owen goes for it again, but Liger cuts him off with a SUPER ELECTRIC CHAIR!! 1…2…KICK OUT!! Holy shit that move was scary as Liger sets up Owen in the corner & hits a SUPER DDT OFF THE TOP!! DANGEROUS!!! 1…2…3!! That was an insane ending! Just look at the gif I posted. Amazing. I miss Owen so much.

Ultimo Dragon vs Owen Hart
WAR - October 21, 1992
What a cool pairing! Owen is rocking his High Energy sleep pants as he hits an early cross body out the corner, but Dragon rolls through & slaps on a head lock. Bodyslam for a quick 1, as Dragon works the arm, but Owen does his signature flip out, only Dragon does the same thing & we’re back to the arm. They do a test of strength & Owen gets Dragon down, but he powers up and Owen hits a standing rana for 2. Flying forearm by Dragon & standing senton for 2 of his own as he hits a snap suplex for another near fall. Owen hits a standing dropkick as he sets Dragon up in the corner, tries a superplex, but Dragon dead weights him, lands on top for a 2. He lowers his head & Owen gets a sunset flip for 2, then a snap suplex before Dragon cuts him off with a spin wheel kick to the floor. They trade suplex attempts on the apron & Owens suplexes Dragon outside, then hits a tope suicida! Surfboard stretch into a pin back inside for a 2 count as Owen slams him down and says “Number 1, BAY-BAY!” looking for a moonsault, but Dragon shoves him to the fooor & hits a tope suicida of his own! Back inside, back drop suplex for 2, then DRAGON GETS THE SHARPSHOOTER ON OWEN!! He lets it go, waits til Owen is up, hits the ropes & they both collide with clotheslines for the double down. Dragon floats over a suplex into a German 1…2…NO! Owen with a German 1…2…NO! Asai Moonsault off the ropes by Dragon, victory roll by Owen, cross body off the second by Dragon, but Owen catches him with a Tombstone! There’s Owen chants from the Japanese crowd as he goes up top, missing an elbow, allowing Dragon to hit a La Magistral Cradle for the 3 count! Fuckin’ A this was cool to watch.

Akira Hokuto vs Bull Nakano
AJW – Steel Cage Match
July 30, 1992
Bell sounds and Hokuto rattles off like 6 machine gun punches, but charges & Bull presses her high above her head & chucks her into the cage! Hokuto fights back with super stiff shots & just punts Bull’s head repeatedly into the cage! Hokuto is already bleeding as Bull no sells a piledriver & hits a suplex. Hokuto ducks a lariat & flattens Bull with a back drop suplex & waffles her with a kendo stick that was in the cage. She’s trying to stab Bull in the head with it, but Bull thankfully fights her off. Akira with a German suplex & tries to escape, but Bull, who is also bleeding now, cuts her off. Piledriver by Nakano, but Hokuto fights right back with some headbutts & piledriver of her own again. Dropkick off the top, then another, then ANOTHER as she tries to escape, but Bull drags her down. Top rope guillotine legdrop by Bull connects, then Bull climbs to the top of the cage but MISSES a legdrop! Northern Lights Bomb hits, then another as she goes to crawl to the cage, but Bull still has life left in her, grabbing the foot, so Hokuto plants her with a THIRD Northern Lights Bomb and climbs to the top of the cage for a MISSILE DROPKICK OFF THE CAGE!! Holy shit, that was amazing, but I mean, she just took a back bump off a cage. Bull is out as Hokuto climbs the cage escapes, winning it! That was nuts!

Satoshi Kojima vs Lord Steven Regal
G1 Climax 1997
Aggressive lockup & counters of armbars & wrist locks early with Regal rolling through, drop toe hold, palm strikes & a reverse face lock before stretching Kojima. He reverses, but Regal spins out & pops Kojima with some stiff uppercuts & goes back to the palm strikes & ground game. Test of strength as Regal neck bridges & gets Kojima in a neck crank with his feet, kips up, only for Kojima to get top control. Cross arm breaker attempted, but Regal locks his hands and just slides out, grabbing a face lock. Uppercut, back kick & knee drop as Regal keeps firing off strikes before he starts palm striking the hell out of Kojima in the corner. Kojima gets a boot up & charges with a brutal lariat. Very nice sit out spinebuster for 2, then a top rope elbow for another near fall. Lariat by Kojima and REGAL NO SELLS! Another lariat REGAL NO SELLS AGAIN! Kojima hits a third and Regal crumbles 1…2…NO! Kojima up top, but Regal cuts him off with headbutts & hits a butterfly superplex 1…2…NO! 1…2…NO! 1…2…NO! 1…2…NO! Fucking brutal leg trapped back suplex with a bridge 1…2…KICK OUT! Regal tries for the Regal Stretch, but Kojima won’t let him get it locked & grabs the ropes. Kojima swings for a lariat, misses, but hits the Diamond Cutter for the 3! This was a fucking fun little back & forth match. This was the only match from the first round I could find online and it wasn’t even on NJPW World.

Masahiro Chono vs Shinya Hashimoto
G1 Climax 1997
NWO Japan is cornering Chono while Hashimoto has his boys with him. The match jumps to Hashimoto down & Chono just taunting him before tossing him outside where the NWO get in their licks before we get a big brawl between both sides. It’s one giant pull apart, but Chono & Hashimoto have separated themselves from the pack & head back inside. Chono shoots a double leg & hits Hashimoto low before slapping on the STF, but Hashimoto gets the ropes. Chono drops a leg onto the arm of Hashimoto that was grabbing the ropes & fucks up not only Hashimoto’s arm, but his own leg in the process (just noticed Chono has a walking boot on). They trade strikes and Chono tries a brainbuster, but Hashimoto counters with a fucking violent one of his own dropping Chono on his head. Hashimoto picks the ankle & cranks it back badly and Chono submits!

Scott Norton vs The Great Muta
G1 Climax 1997
NWO Japan vs NWO Japan as Muta offers a handshake and Norton slowly does, only to get GREEN MISTED! Muta tries a back handspring elbow in the corner, but Norton catches him with a German suplex & rolls to the floor where Buff Bagwell washes out his eyes. Muta grabs I think a beer can & pops Norton in the head with it before slamming him into the railing & does his back handspring elbow! Muta goes nuts & psychotically grabs a chair from the fans & smacks Norton with it before taunting the fans like a lunatic. Back inside, Muta hits a springboard chop & his snap elbow as Norton is still selling the misting. Muta slaps on a sleeper, but Norton back suplexes out, dropping Muta right on his head. Stiff lariat by Norton, who goes to the second rope & drops the hammer on the neck of Muta before laying him out with a powerbomb. He goes back to the second rope after waisting too much time & Muta hits a second rope rana. Instead of following up, Muta just bites the bottom rope & stares at the camera. Norton tries a leaping shoulder tackle, but Muta ducks & Norton flies to the floor. Slingshot plancha by Muta as he throws Norton back inside, hits a springboard chop, but Norton no sells & murders Muta with a lariat. Randomly Muta fakes like he’s going to mist Norton again, but sprays green mist in the air, allowing Norton to flatten him with a powerslam for the 3. Weird ending to an overall just average match.

Scott Norton vs Kensuke Sasaki
G1 Climax 1997
Bell sounds and Norton charges like a freight train with corner splashes on Sasaki. Leaping shoulder tackle & shoulder breaker connect as Norton isn’t fucking around here. He sends Sasaki outside where he posts the arm before heading back inside with another shoulder breaker 1…2…NO! Sasaki gets sent to the corner & he bursts out with one lariat, then another, then a third, which finally drops Norton! BRAINBUSTER drops Norton on his head 1…2…KICK OUT! I mean he barely got his arm an inch off the mat, as Norton just gets right up & hits a powerbomb for 2. Sasaki reverses a whip to the ropes & hits a powerslam for 2 and hits a wild Judo throw 1…2…NO! Crowd is on fire for this as Sasaki hits a big back body drop & hits another brainbuster 1…NORTON KICKS OUT!! Sasaki hits a lariat to the neck, another lariat, finally a third BRAINBUSTER 1…2…3!! I tell you what, you won’t find a better 5 minute sprint. It was big move after big move, this was fucking great!

Io Shirai vs Kairi Hojo
Stardom The Highest
March 20, 2017
Series of reversals to start before both try leg locks, ending n Io getting a Figure Four. Kairi gets the ropes & nails a running flipping neckbreaker as she lights up Io with chops in the corner. Io fights back, trying to destroy Kairi with a piledriver on the apron, but Kairi avoids it, so Io slams the arm on the steel of the corner buckle. Io gets a Camel Clutch, but lets it go & sends Kairi to the floor. She reverses an Irish whip and Io gets launched into the chairs ringside! They spill into the crowd where Io pops her with a shotei, climbs high up in the crowd & hits a MOONSAULT OFF THE BALCONY thingy, barely catches Kairi, but It was impressive regardless. Kairi barely beats the count & Io goes to charge out of the corner & Shirai hits a spear! Series of forearms clock Io, who fights back with a springboard, but Kairi uppercuts her before takeoff. TOP ROPE DOUBLE STOMP gets a 2 count. Boston Crab applied as she releases it and climbs up top, but Io cuts her off. They fight up on the top rope before Io gets hung up, but flips out, Kairi tries a cross body, but Io dropkicks her in mid air. Springboard dropkick gets Io 2, tries for a Tiger Driver, but Kairi wiggles free, punts her, tries for the crazy top rope elbow, but Io with the knees up! Snap dropkick to the face and step up dropkick over the top onto the apron. Io again tries for a piledriver on the apron, but Kairi backdrops her to the floor! Kairi climbs up top & hits a INSANE ELBOW ONTO IO!! Back inside, Alabama Slam by Kairi, who tries a sliding forearm, but Io reverses into Angels Wings, tries a moonsault, but Kairi crotches her & hits a DOUBLE STOMP! Up top again, Kairi hits the INSANE ELBOW 1…2…KICK OUT! Spinning back fists connect before Io blocks one & hits a straightjacket suplex 1…2…NO! Io up top with a picture perfect moonsault 1…2…NO! The stalling the ref did before the 3 was ridiculous. Both ladies slowly rise and Kairi hits a Spear for a close 2. Io wiggles out of an Alabama Slam, hits a standing double stomp & crazy dangerous Tombstone before hitting another Moonsault on the legs 1…2…3! This match was crazy entertaining.

I found 10 more Owen matches from Japan!

Owen Hart vs Hiroshi Hase
Top of the Super Juniors
January 4, 1988
Match joined in progess as Owen hit a bodyslam, went for a dropkick off the second, but Hase dropkicked him in mid air and Owen fell back into the corner. Owen quickly recovered with a snap suplex & knee drop that sent Hase outside. Back inside, they trade arm bars, Hase hits a crescent kick, but Owen kips right up, no selling. Ground game from Hase before he plants him with an overhead belly to belly. Again, Owen pops right up & hits a dropkick as I’ve never seen Owen sell this little. Kitchen sink and a gut buster get Owen 2 as he tries another kitchen sink, but Hase spins through with a school boy for 2. Owen quickly grounds Hase before they hit a double clothesline & both are down. Back drop driver by Hase, Owen floats through another, gets an O’Connor Roll for 2. Owen pops up & hits an overhead belly to belly of his own for another near fall. Backbreaker connects before he goes up top, but slips and Hase dropkicks him to the apron. Back inside, Hase bridges out of a pin, gets a backslide for 2. German suplex by Owen for 2, tilt a whirl slam by Hase, as he hits the ropes & takes Owen’s head off with a lariat, then Northern Lights Suplex for 3.

Owen Hart, Steve Williams & Buzz Sawyer vs Hiroshi Hase, Riki Choshu & Masa Saito
January 25, 1988
Buzz bites at Choshu to start this thing as that’s how they isolate him! Dr. Death with the tag and quick lariat, but Saito tags in and the two bulls go at it. Saito crushes him with a lariat and Russian leg sweep. Tag to Hase, who targets the arm, but Doc picks the leg & slams him down. He presses Buzz over his head & slams him down Hase, but the ref refuses to count until Doc is out. The selling Buzz does is hilarious as the Japanese team takes over on Owen, who fights back on Hase with a Fisherman’s Suplex for 2. Wild back elbow by Choshu, who tags back in as they are making quick tags isolating Owen. Saito with a Sharpshooter, but Sawyer bolts in and we get a wild ass brawl between him & Choshu. Owen fights back with a monkey flip & Tombstone on Hase, goes up top & hits a headbutt for 2. Doc in with a German as Hase bails and tags Saito again. Saito Suplex on Saito as Doc hits a lariat and tag to Buzz. Nice suplex for 2 as Owen tags in, who tries a dropkick, but Saito holds the ropes to avoid it. Choshu tags in, quickly gets the Sharpshooter, but Doc breaks it up. Buzz tags in, hits a flying forearm for 2, then his awesome powerslam, but misses a standing headbutt. Tag to Choshu, who takes Buzz’s head off, tries for the Sharpshooter, but Doc steamrolls him. We end up with Owen & Choshu in as Choshu catches Owen off guard in the chaos with a lariat and pins him. This was all action from the start and was hard to keep up at time.

Owen Hart & Buzz Sawyer vs Tatsumi Fujinami & Kengo Kimura
February 1, 1988
I couldn't find a gif from this match, so enjoy the rad Buzz powerslam. Buzz calls for Fujinami, who obliges, but Buzz quickly bails and it’s Owen & Kengo to start with the Japanese contingent working Owen over before he backs Fujinami into his corner and Buzz takes over. Buzz does a few leap frogs & Fujinami dropkicks him to the floor, where he takes a spectacular flying bump! Buzz Sawyer was awesome. Back inside, Buzz takes him down, biting him, as he launches Fujinami to the floor where Owen pops off some uppercuts before Kimura saves his partner. Buzz tries a blind tag on Owen, but Fujinami has it scouted and takes the fight to Owen before tagging Kimura. He hits a leaping kitchen sink to the gut which was unique as he chokes away at Owen on the top rope, but Owen does a back flip, dropkick & plancha to the floor! Amazing combo, but Kimura reverses a whip, sending Owen crashing into the railing. Owen fights back with a cross body off the top for 2, but Fujinami tags in, drop toe hold & bow and arrow applied. Owen reverses into modified Regal Stretch on Kimura. He tags Sawyer, who hits a pretty gut wrench slam for 2, then belly to belly for another 2. Boston Crab by Owen, but Kimura powers out & hits a spin kick and slam. Fujinami with a perfect dropkick & Boston Crab of his own, but Owen dives for the ropes, tags Buzz and Kimura in with a diving knee drop for 2. Sawyer hits his amazing snap powerslam for 2, but eats a knee off a follow up. Dropkick by Fujinami, here comes Owen, who immediately gets the Sharpshooter slapped on him. Sawyer quickly breaks that up and wipes out Kimura in the process. Sawyer & Kimura spill to the floor, while Fujinami slams Owen, holds him down & gets the 3 count. This match was a lot of fun, but the ending was abrupt.

Owen Hart vs Hiroshi Hase
May 27, 1988
We get entrances & immediately cut to Hase having a sharpshooter on Owen. Zero clue how much we missed, but Owen gets the ropes & fights back quickly with his overhead belly to belly for 2. Backbreaker gets 2 before Owen sinks in a Camel Clutch. Hase powers up with Owen on his back & slams down, applying a Boston Crab of his own. Owen gets the ropes & hits a brainbuster for a near fall as he fires off some uppercuts, but foolishly grabs a headlock, so Hase immediately hits a back drop driver, then another for 2. He tries for a third, but Owen floats over & hits a Tombstone for a close 2. He goes for another & hits it! Up top, moonsault, but Hase gets the knees up. They trade Octopus Holds, but Owen turns his into a rolling pin attempt for 2, both pop up, he gets a hurricanrana pin 1…2…3!

Owen Hart vs Keiichi Yamada
June 10, 1988
The future Jushin Liger comes out to the Rocky theme as we join the match with an ankle pick by Liger, but Owen gets the ropes. Liger really focuses on the right leg, giving an atomic drop to it before slapping on a figure four. Owen gets the ropes, so Liger applies a surfboard stretch. Owen again escapes as Liger hits a running knee in the corner & lights Owen up with kicks to the face! He goes for it again, but Owen springs off the top rope for a sunset flip for 2, then hits a Tope Suicida through the ropes to the floor! Liger floats over a suplex back inside, dropkicks Owen to the floor & absolutely demolishes him with a Tope Suicida of his own! Owen fights back on the apron, tries for a cross body off the top, but Liger steps back & Owen lands gut first on his knee! Tombstone/shoulder breaker connects as does a top rope somersault senton 1…2…NO! Snap suplex gets 2 as Liger hits a Koppo Kick 1…2…KICK OUT! Fall away slam with a bridge 1…2…NO! Owen floats over a brainbuster into a German 1…2…NO! He argues with the ref, allowing Liger to get a victory roll, but Owen drops his knees & pins Liger 1…2…3! This was a crazy sprint!

Owen Hart vs Kuniaki Kobayashi
June 17, 1988
Owen does his signature back flip out the corner for his entrance, but Kobayashi clocks him with a spin kick & takes him outside, where he sends him into the railing & posts him. Owen back inside, tries for a head scissors, but fucks it up and lands right on his own head, so they just go to the floor again where Owen bodyslams him on the floor. Owen goes to the top & drops a double axe before heading back inside. He runs into a Kobayashi bodyslam as he tries to stretch Owen, but he hits an enzugiri to break it up. Neckbreaker gets 2, running powerslam gets 1 and Kobayashi bails to regroup. He suckers Owen to the corner & crotches him on the post before hitting a leg sweep for 2. Ground work for the next few minutes until Owen gets free & nails a missile dropkick off the top for 2. Owen wrenches at the neck before hitting a suplex, goes up top, missing an elbow. Suplex by Kobayashi for 2, but he runs into an overhead belly to belly by Owen for 2. Roll up by Owen gets another near fall, he hits a Tombstone for 1! Uppercuts by Owen, butterfly suplex, goes up top, but misses a headbutt. Kobayashi with a spin kick to the floor, then baseball slides Owen crashing into the railing. Owen gets to the apron, Kobayashi tries to suplex him back inside, lowers his head, Owen with a backslide for 2. Owen fires off some uppercuts, but as he goes for a third, Kobayashi gets a backslide for 3. It got zero reaction as Kobayashi just went to the back after, so I don’t know if this match fell apart or what.

Owen Hart vs Shiro Koshinaka
June 24, 1988
Leg lock by Koshinaka early, as Owen boots his way free, nailing a gut wrench suplex for 2. He gets a back breaker, then applies a surfboard stretch, but Koshinaka’s leg pops free and the move falls apart, so Owen just hits a snap suplex for 2. Abdominal stretch applied as Koshinaka gets the ropes & starts fighting back with clubbing shots. Owen floats over a back drop, hits a suplex, but Koshinaka pops up & drops Owen, going up top with a flying hip attack! Elbow to the chops, then a side suplex that drops Owen right on his neck as the move clearly wasn’t what Koshinaka was going for. Overhead belly to belly by Owen gets a 2 & enzugiri smacks him flush for another 2. German suplex gets a 2 and the crowd is on fire. Koshinaka tries a monkey flip, but Owen holds on & gets a neckbreaker. To the top, Owen connects with a headbutt 1…2…NO! He dropkicks Koshinaka to the floor & Owen hits a Tope Suicida, suplexes him back inside for 2. Tombstone connects as Owen up top for the moonsault 1…2…NO! Koshinaka tries to shake the cobwebs as he floats over a bodyslam into an O’Connor Roll for the 1…2…3! Owen can’t believe it and neither can Koshinaka. This was super sloppy in spots, but Owen saved it.

Owen Hart & Bam Bam Bigelow vs Pegasus Kid & Steve Williams
June 30, 1990
What a combo of guys here? Sadly they’ve all passed away, but my goodness, this is a loaded match. Owen & Doc start with Owen trying to use his speed, but Doc ain’t having it and powers him down. Doc wants a test of strength, which Owen tries monkey flipping out of, but Doc sends him crashing down, then hits a gorilla press, but misses the elbow. Dropkicks by Owen sends Doc to the floor as he recovers enough to tag Benoit and they double team Owen. Standing switches & series of counters of take downs leads to a Benoit crucifix for 2. Dropkick to the floor as Benoit hits a plancha & Owen is holding his ankle. He tries suplexing Owen inside, but Owen floats over, gets a German for 2. He tags Bammmer as Owen’s foot is messed up. Stalling suplex by Bigelow on Benoit for 2 as he tries to gorilla press him, but Benoit falls on top for 1. Bigelow pressed him to the floor. Benoit fights back with a leaping cross body, tags Doc, but here comes Owen. Nice little series until Doc sends Owen outside and Benoit attacks with a snap suplex on the floor! Overhead belly to belly by Doc gets 2 as Owen hits a dropkick, but Doc steamrolls him. They keep Owen isolated as Doc hits an Oklahoma Stampede, but Owen holds onto the top rope & crashes down on Doc for 2. Benoit in and he hits a German on Owen for 2. Tombstone connects by Benoit, who goes up top, headbutt for 2. They both go up top as Benoit wants a super back suplex, but Owen falls down on top of him & gets the 3 count! We never got Bam Bam vs Dr. Death this whole match.

Owen Hart vs Keiji Mutoh
July 5, 1990
I’ll be honest, someone posted this on Facebook and you can tell they’re just sitting on their couch holing their camera up to the TV. I’ll take it, Mutoh vs Owen, sold! Headlocks, Hammerlocks, Armbars & Kip Ups are the story in the early going before Mutoh throws Owen outside & into the railing before going right back inside with a top rope axe handle. He does the same exact thing, only this time, Owen fights back on the floor. They get back inside & Mutoh picks the ankle, which Owen kicks out of & hits an enzugiri for 2. Cravat by Mutoh, but Owen fights free & sends Mutoh to the floor for revenge. Forearm off the apron, uppercuts to follow as he slams Mutoh into the railing, heads back inside & gets an abdominal stretch. Owen hits the ropes & Mutoh nails a dropkick before applying a Sharpshooter, then transitions into a Muta Lock. Owen rakes the eyes & starts raining down rights & chops as he hits a neckbreaker for 2. German suplex gets another 2, overhead belly to belly gets 2, backbreaker connects, bodyslam, moonsault (he barely gets it) for 2. Mutoh floats over a suplex into a German for 2 of his own as they slowly rise & Mutoh hits a running bulldog & top rope moonsault for the 3. I was hoping for so much more in this, mainly high flying, but it was a lot more ground focused than I had expected.

Owen Hart & Jushin Liger vs Pegasus Kid & Villano V
October 11, 1990
Super shaky handheld fan cam footage here. Liger & Benoit set a fast pace with their opening sequence ending in Liger hitting a Koppo Kick & high lariat to the neck, wiping Benoit out with a Tope Suicida. He allows Benoit to recover, who hits a top rope cross body back inside for 2 & returns the favor with the high lariat. BENOIT GORILLA PRESSES LIGER TO THE FLOOR before hitting a MISSILE DROPKICK TO THE OUTSIDE!! Holy shit that was nuts as Benoit launches Liger into the railing. Just like that though, Liger recovers, tags Owen and here comes VIllano. They trade head scissors and take downs before a stalemate. Villano picks the leg as Owen just gets up and Villano pops him with a dropkick. They isolate Owen, who tries to scramble, flips out of a hip toss & takes Benoit down. Liger in, who gets a surfboard stretch, but Villano breaks it up. Liger & Owen work the leg of Benoit as the Sharpshooter is applied, but Benoit was right by the ropes. Enzugiri by Benoit leads to a Villano tag, he sends Owen outside and they brawl as the camera cuts out a bunch. I skipped ahead a bit and Owen hits his overhead belly to belly on Benoit for 2. Villano gets the tag and they hit a double back drop on Owen, then Villano with two running sentons and a head scissors submission. Liger walks in and just punts Villano in the face as Owen regains control. Benoit & Liger spill to the floor, Owen hits a powerslam for 2 inside. Villano tries for a Tombstone, but Owen reverses and hits one of his own, goes up top, hits an elbow clear across the ring for the 3 count. This was terrible footage, but hey, I’ll take what I can get.