This submission was chosen and written by Khal Bundy.
This is one of those matches that I didn’t watch when it went down (as I wasn’t really watching wrestling at the time), but in my gorging of the years I missed, this one stuck out as being one of those Mania matches that is the definition of “show-stealing.” You know, what Dolph Ziggler always claims he does, whether he truly does steal the show or just puts on a good match (there IS a difference).
Shawn and Jericho had been building a feud, one that has Chris proclaiming his standom of Shawn Michaels, but ending up causing Shawn all kinds of havoc. They are some of the BEST storytellers of the modern era, and they knew how to put on a show in the ring, so there was no way this match was going to be crap. Also, Michaels was at a point where he was establishing WHY he was Mr. Wrestlemania; it’s not about having the biggest marquee match on the bill, but having a solid back-and-forth clinic that could steal the show.
Their feud was already amazing, but this match was on a card that included Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle, The Rock vs. Steve Austin, AND a streetfight between Hogan and McMahon. They had no title on the line, and went on fifth, but they put on the ski masks and threw Mania 19 in their Jansports with a properly laid out bout that told a great story, allowing each other to shine.
Joe So Delicious and I told Ric Flair when we interviewed him, we still consider you retired since 2004. Flair chuckled and talked about the retirement match saying Vince told him “its your time kid.”
Flair blew it by coming out of retirement by signing with TNA (Flair taking a backstage role mentoring the new crop of WWE superstars would have been fitting), but financial troubles make you have to go out an earn. Flair’s work in TNA isnt bad it just wont be remembered in Flair’s body of work.
So lets keep it ignorant and all pretend that this was Flair’s final match. Honestly wrestling Shawn Michaels for your final match gets no better. It was young lion vs old lion, Flair is that old dog how still can hang with the youngs shit, I remember watching this match thinking damn Natch is holding his own with HBK.
What really tugged at the old heart strings was when HBK said I love and Im sorry….SWEET CHIN MUSIC!!!
Its Wrestlemania Week, Im posting some of my favorite matches all week. Since Benoit’s career is pretty much a forgotten memory this match will never be talked about ever again, that sucks because this match was amazing. I not gonna sit here and explain the how…All participants worked an amazing triple threat match because all are at their best here.
I remember the finish being one of those you didnt expect. Never did I think Benoit would make Hunter submit. Triple H attempted the Pedigree on Benoit, but countered and locked in the Crippler Crossface Triple H submits. Triple H put over Benoit and he won the World Heavyweight Championship.
After the match, Eddie Guerrero came to the ring and the two hug it out while confetti dropped for the emotional ending of WrestleMania XX.
Later today WWE will telecast the 25th annual Survivor Series. This year the event takes place in Madison Square Garden. Its been a minute since WWE held a Survivor Series at the garden. I think 2002 was the last time. Survivor Series is one of my favorite pay-per-views. It is one of the “Big Four” events, in my opinion it the kick off WrestleMania.
The 1996 Survivor Series has two of my favorite matches. Stone Cold vs Bret hart and Shawn Michaels vs. Psycho Sid for WWF Championship. I wasn’t amazed at the match what makes this a favorite of mine was Sid being the crowd favorite. Cities like NYC, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago tend to cheer for the heels. I think most of the cheers Sid received were from anti-HBK and pro-Bret Hart fans.
Say what you will about Sid’s in ring ability, dude was crazy over. This match also shows the greatness that is Shawn Michaels. HBK could carry a broomstick to an awesome match. Sid looks beastly through this match thanks to HBK.
One of the moments Im excited to see on Tonights Hall of Fame ceremony is Shawn Michaels induction. Mostly to see the Kliq reunion that twitter went ham for.
Most who listen to my radio show & call in think I am an HBK hater. Not true at all. HBK’s contributions to the sport of Professional Wrestling rank in the top 10 of influential performers that shaped my fandom.
This short clip below shows a rather nervous HBK waiting for his HOF ring. I think it the embrace sums up what Vince & HBK each meant to each other. In the past you never saw shit like this. A “private” moment btw boss & employee.
I know nothing is ever private once it hits the web or for that matter the illusion of reality/fiction in pro wrestling. BUT this is captures an emotion of what the company & the business means to HBK & what HBK meant to Vince.
Here’s a rare match The Rockers Win The tag team title Belts From The Hart Foundation from saturday night main event, not seen on tv. The other matches taped that night aired on a Friday Night episode.
Bret wrote in his book. That the belts were going to the Rockers because he was going to get a singles push and Neidhart’s contract status wasn’t settled and it was almost up. But after the referee fucked up and didn’t stop the match (he had the power to do so) for the ring crew to repair the ropes, the match was to bad to air. At the same time, Neidhart signed a new contract, and the decision was made to keep the belts with the Foundation and postpone Bret’s singles push.
Below is the video of the match. The video starts 18 minutes in. The ropes had already broken. I think the finish was great. a little botched, but i like the way it ended. it was unexpected, and the crowd reacted.
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