411Mania's Squared Circle News Report 11.07.09
Posted by Dustin James on 11.07.2009
411's Dustin James is back to discuss the possibility of the WWE starting a new cable network, Chris Jericho's TMZ appearance, TNA talent looking to leave, the top 10 Survivor Series matches of all-time and much much more!
Welcome back inside the Squared Circle! How is everyone doing this week? I'm doing pretty damn fine considering the state I was in last week. I don't know what was going on, but I came down with flu-like symptoms for the first time in years. I usually might have been able to hammer out a column, but the fact that my boss basically refused to give me a day off (I do have a real job people!) really tired me out and as soon as I got home I was hitting the hay. Getting sick is the worst, but I'm a hell of a lot better this week (although I did catch a cold virus....) and I'm back to pump this thing out. The only problem is....this was a slow news week. Especially when you compare it to last week's bombshell of HOGAN JOINING TNA! Man, did I pick the worst week to miss or what? Sometimes it's hard to think of stuff to write about, but when something like that happens my brain starts rolling! No problem though, I'm sure I'll have plenty of stuff to talk about......
Like tonight's MMA show on CBS! Now, this is one show that everyone has to watch....considering EVERYONE has CBS! If you want to see the #1 heavyweight MMA fighter in the world (and possibly the only heavyweight fighter who could feed Brock Lesnar his own nutsack) then I highly suggest you tune into tonight to see Fedor Emelianenko dominate the undefeated Brett Rogers. Rogers is a huge dude, but Fedor is just too talented. I'm expecting Emelianenko to come out and submit Rogers in the first round. Fedor is just too good people! Oh, and watch out for Gegard Mousasi. He's one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world and should put on a hell of a show against Sokoudjou.
Anyways.......
LET'S GET IT ON!!!!!
Biggest News Of The Week:
Are We Ready For The WWE Network???......
Who said overexposure is a bad thing???.....
Earlier this week, during the WWE's quarterly investors call, Vince McMahon apparently once again brought up the idea of starting a WWE Network. While there is currently nothing REALLY on the table for the network yet, the fact that Vince is extremely interested in it now is something us WWE fans should rejoice about....or is it? Is there such a thing as too much wrestling? If we have access to 24/7 WWE programming on our TV, will any of us ever leave our house again? Well, I know I will....I have to, I have a job. However, 20% of you reading this are likely to gain 50+ pounds if the WWE does decide to start their own network. Now, let's move on to the good points of having the channel before we really get carried away with the bad.
The WWE has the world's biggest pro wrestling video tape library. They not only have all of their own footage, but they own the video tape collection of ECW, WCW, and many others. Imagine the possibilities of 24/7 old school WWE footage sitting at the push of a button. Imagine turning it to channel 342 (WWETV) because the guide says "WCW Great American Bash 1989" or "WWE Monday Night RAW Episode: 543" or "ECW Barely Legal" or ANYTHING ELSE YOU CAN THINK OF!
Any wrestling fan is going to jump all over that. With all the channels on TV now a days, it's really hard for anyone to say "There's nothing on TV"! Now, with a WWE channel with 24 hour programming featuring stuff we possibly haven't seen in years....I don't know about you, but I suddenly care less about the actual Monday Night RAW and more about what may be airing on the WWE Network. Of course, that all ties into the "bad thing" about a WWE Network.
The major potential bad thing about a whole WWE Network is this...most people could end up getting their fill of wrestling from the channel itself and decide not to tune into the real "money making" WWE shows like RAW or Smackdown. Let's face it, with wrestling almost on every single night of the week now, a lot of people are getting "overexposed" to the stuff and not tuning into every show and instead opting to read a recap online or something. If you are already a victim of "overexposure", is starting a 24/7 network featuring non-stop wrestling REALLY a good idea?
The answer.....
OF COURSE IT IS! We all want 24/7 non-stop WWE/WCW/ECW/etc, etc, etc action because who doesn't love a little "Shotgun Saturday Night" on Saturday Night???? I really miss that show and I would LOVE to see a DVD of the "Best of Shotgun Saturday Night", but that's a story for a different day....
The bottom line is, a WWE channel would be solid gold and if the WWE charged just right for it, they could potentially end up making some big bucks. How is that NOT a good idea???
Remember This Guy???
Rad Radford
Louie Spicolli was a jobber in the WWE (as well as a worker in Mexico) before finally getting his big chance with the company when they announced that they were FINALLY going to get him a gimmick! The only problem was the gimmick they had in mind for the guy was as a "grunge rocker" by the name of Rad Radford. Not only that, but they started to hint at the fact that he happened to be the boyfriend of Courtney Love (which was pretty big at the time considering Kurt Cobain had just recently died) in an attempt to get him over.
However, nothing worked and Radford flopped pretty quickly. They even gave him a storyline where he was trying to get in shape thanks to the "Bodydonnas", but he was quickly kicked out of the group when they noticed he wasn't getting any slimmer. He was released by the company just months later after suffering a seizure due to overdosing on Soma pills. Spicolli then went on to ECW and WCW before succumbing to his drug addictions at the age of 27. Another sad case of a good wrestler gone way too early......
Rad Radford against some dude named Bret Hart......
Random News Bits:
- Another former WCW star (and friend of Eric Bischoff's), Diamond Dallas Page, recently mentioned that he would be interested in signing with TNA if a deal was offered to him. Page is currently set to return to the indies and if things go well and TNA does decide to offer him a contract, he will apparently jump at the chance. That works out incredibly well seeing as TNA is currently jumping at the chance to sign any old farts who are going broke and need money....
- TNA apparently keeps offering a deal to John "Bradshaw" Layfield, but Layfield is not that interested at the moment. Well, DUH! If Layfield really did want to return to wrestling, one would assume he would return to the WWE instead of signing with "WCW-lite". Trust me, that's one ship you don't want to sail on.....
- At the last TNA tapings, a few workers had asked for their release from the company but were turned down. No word on who they are (one of them was Frankie Kazarian, while another may have been AJ Styles) but let's just say this....I got a big case of deja vu. Remember when Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Saturn, and a few others started to see the writing on the wall in WCW and decided to ask for their release so they could jump ship to the WWE? Well, this is somewhat of the same thing. A group of TNA workers are dissatisfied with the creative team and want to leave the company. However, TNA didn't give them their releases and instead decided to keep the disgruntled workers. Let's just see how that one works out......
- Sting is currently set to return in 2010 for a farewell tour with TNA. However, there is no word on whether or not the farewell tour will be for Sting or for TNA itself.....
Thank you, thank you....I'll stop now with the "TNA is going to die thanks to Hulk Hogan jokes". I promise!
- Jim Ross is still on the sidelines due to his bells palsy attack. Hopefully he will get better soon as the man is truly one of the best guys in pro wrestling. Not only that, but the WWE NEEDS Jim Ross. Get well soon JR!
- The Big Show's WWE produced movie "Knucklehead" is going to feature him as an MMA fighter who has to compete in matches and win in order to earn money for an orphanage. The original plan was for Show to be a pro wrestler but the WWE apparently didn't want to insult the fans intelligence by releasing a movie that portrayed wrestling as real. You know, because that would be BAD! I'm just bitter because I wanted to see another movie about pro wrestling. I think the last one I remember seeing was Ready To Rumble. Remember that classic???? I WILL RULE YOU~!!!!!
- Candice Michelle has announced that she is pregnant and is due in May. I have no idea how this will affect her wrestling career but let's hope she will finally stop doing those lame "GoDaddy" commercials. Wow! Girls almost getting nude on TV! I can see that whenever I want on this lovely little thing I call the Internet, just sayin......
- The WWE had its quarterly investors call earlier this week. The company should be happy considering they took in $111.3 million through the months of July and September for an $8.9 million profit. Those numbers are up from last year which is always a GREAT sign for a company in this economy so KUDOS to the WWE!
- Chris Jericho got himself into somewhat of a bind this week. Apparently Jericho was attending the Sacramento Horror Film Festival and kept referring to the moderator as "Hadji" (a racial term used towards Middle Easterners). Not only that, but when the host went to take a sniff of Jericho's drink to check for booze, Jericho said "Its apple juice....fag." When Jericho finally apologized, it was a "hollow" apology but Jericho did brag that he was FINALLY mentioned on TMZ! Ladies and gentlemen....this is why Chris Jericho is one of my favorite wrestlers (I love someone who tries to create controversy).....
- The WWE has apparently told the talent to try to use Twitter less, especially after midnight. Lord knows the company doesn't want people to know that Chris Jericho is up at 3AM calling the Miz a "douchenozzle who can't wrestle." You have to remember, the WWE is targeted towards kids now and they don't want the kids to think it's cool to stay up til 3AM calling people "douchenozzles".
- Click here to listen to a great interview with the Dark City Fight Club as well as Gabe Sapolsky. The DCFC actually claim that the tag team scene in ROH is the best in the world. What do you think?
Survivor Series was always one of my favorite PPV's when I was a kid. I LOVED the team based matches where the teams actually had names like "Rowdy's Roddies". I was extremely bummed when the WWE decided to drop that format and start featuring singles matches, but have no fear! Leading up to this year's Survivor Series, I will be doing plenty of top 10 based Survivor Series lists! I'm sure I'll be bringing up plenty of nostalgia for everyone to bathe in so sit back and enjoy!.....
This list is in a particular order......
Honorable Mentions:
Donna Christanello, Dawn Marie, Leilani Kai, Judy Martin, and Sherri Martel vs. Rockin Robin, The Fabulous Moolah, Velvet MacIntyre, and the Jumping Bomb Angels - Survivor Series 1987
Ted DiBiase, The Mountie, The Warlord, and Ric Flair vs. Bret Hart, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, The British Bulldog, and Virgil - Survivor Series 1991
Demolition, the Bolsheviks, the Brainbusters, the Conquistadors, and the Rougeau Brothers vs. The Powers of Pain, the British Bulldogs, the Hart Foundation, and the Young Stallions - Survivor Series 1988
Adam Bomb, Diesel, I.R.S., and Rick Martel vs. Randy Savage, Marty Jannetty, 1-2-3 Kid, and Razor Ramon - Survivor Series 1993
AND NOW.....THE TOP 10!!!!
10) Bodydonna Skip, Rad Radford, 1-2-3 Kid, & Dr. Tom Pritchard vs. Marty Jannetty, Hakushi, Barry Horowitz, & Bob Holly
WWE Survivor Series 1995
Who would have thought that a match featuring an exercise nut, an alternative rocker, a heavenly body, a jobber, and Bob Holly would be known as one of the 10 best matches in Survivor Series history? Well, I have news for you! IT IS~! When you looked at these two teams on paper, all you could really do is just sigh and prepare yourself for a stinkfest. However, what we actually ended up getting was an enjoyable match featuring guys who had pretty good chemistry. I was always a fan of the old school Survivor Series style matches and this one is definitely one of the best of them........
I couldn't find this actual match (bummer!), but I did find Rad Radford's (RIP!) WWE debut!.........
9) Shawn Michaels vs. Sid
WWE Survivor Series 1996
In what was probably the best match Sid ever had (and that's saying A LOT!), he managed to capture the WWE heavyweight title for the first time in his life. I have always had a soft spot for Sid and I remember this match distinctively. I was shocked to see Sid finally win a title and even though it took a camera for him to take HBK out.....it was still a glorious moment for all "Sycho" Sid fans!
Sid turns on Shawn Michaels! OMG!!!!!........
8) Big Show, Undertaker, Kane, Chris Jericho, & The Rock vs. Shane McMahon, Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Booker T, & Steve Austin
WWE Survivor Series 2001
Ahhh, the Invasion. Those words alone can send chills down any big time wrestling fan's back. For all the crap that the WWE is given for the Invasion storyline, the one thing they did get right was the final blow off match to end the whole entire crappy thing. While I could go on for days about why the Invasion was one of the worst moments in wrestling history, I would prefer to just throw this match in and smile at how the whole shitty ordeal was able to end with a pretty damn good match. Speaking of which, hopefully one day the WWE releases an Invasion DVD that explains the whole horrible storyline. I would actually purchase that thing....
AND HERE IT IS IN ALL IT'S GLORY..............
7) Bret Hart vs. Bob Backlund
WWE Survivor Series 1994
Who wasn't surprised by the outcome of this match? While Bob Backlund's "crazy" character was pretty over in the 1990's, no one expected him to win the WWE World Title for a second time. Not only that, but the ending to this match was pretty clever. So, great match + clever ending + two damn good in-ring workers = A DAMN GOOD TIME!!!
BACKLUND WINS! BACKLUND WINS!!!........
6) The Hart Foundation, Demolition, the Dream Team, the Islanders, and the Bolsheviks vs. Strike Force, the Young Stallions, the British Bulldogs, the Rougeau Brothers, and the Killer Bees
WWE Survivor Series 1987
I have to admit, this match is on the list because it's a personal favorite of mine. I always loved when the WWE threw all the tag teams together in one Survivor Series type match and let them all FIGHT FOR THE DEATH! This is a great match with a whole bunch of awesome tag teams. You really can't go wrong when you put Demolition, the Hart's, the Dream Team, Strike Force, the Bulldogs, and the Rougeau's all together in one ring. Good things will happen.....and they did......
Survivor Series the way it was meant to be.......
5) Booker T, Bubba Ray Dudley, D-Von Dudley, Rob Van Dam, and Shawn Michaels vs. Mark Henry, Scott Steiner, Chris Jericho, Christian, and Randy Orton
WWE Survivor Series 2003
When I saw this match on paper, I really wasn't expecting much. While you can't go wrong when you put Booker, RVD, HBK, Jericho, Christian and Orton together, I seriously had my doubts that this would turn into a great match due to the presence of the Dudley's, Mark Henry, and Scott Steiner. However, in the end we got a GREAT performance out of Shawn Michaels which really made this match something to remember. It also helped make the "Austin vs. Bischoff" feud that was SOOOOOOOOOOO damn boring, at least somewhat interesting for about twenty minutes or so.......
BY GAWD~! IT's TEAM AUSTIN vs. TEAM BISCHOFF!!!!........
4) Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels
WWE Survivor Series 2007
Once again, a match I never expected to be ranked this high is sitting here in 4th place! Then again, it's Shawn Michaels and you always have to assume you are about to see a legendary match when he's participating. Not only was HBK able to bring some of the best out of Randy Orton, but the psychology of the match was outstanding. When you factor in the whole "If Orton gets DQ'd he loses his title or if HBK uses his superkick he is DQ'd" stipulation and it made the match even more entertaining. I never would have thought a Randy Orton match would be in my top 10, much less in my top 5......
"The Legend Killer" tries to take out a legend.........
3) Bret Hart vs. Diesel
WWE Survivor Series 1995
If you would like to see Kevin Nash at his best, then I HIGHLY recommend checking out this match. Bret Hart was one of those talented guys who could make even big lugs like Nash look like Ric Flair in the ring. It's part of being one of the best wrestlers of all-time...it just goes with the territory. Trust me, just watch this match.....
Bret Hart vs. Diesel in one of the best matches in Kevin Nash's career............
2) Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels
WWE Survivor Series 1992
Not much to explain here. It's HBK vs. Bret Hart at Survivor Series....and there is no screw job, Montreal, or Vince McMahon involved! Oh no! It's just two of the best workers of all-time battling years before they had a beef with each other in a classic match! While the 1992 Survivor Series may not have been the best overall show, this match was definitely the highlight of the show. It's also cool to go back and see these two battle before Michaels became a really big diva......
HBK vs. Bret Hart...back when they sort of use to get along each with other. It's a title fight at Survivor Series too, IRONY~!........
1) Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin
WWE Survivor Series 1996
What do I really have to explain here? By now, its pretty clear that Bret Hart OWNS the Survivor Series (he's in 5 of my top 10 matches!) and we should all just shut up and watch the man at work.....
Here it is, Bret "The Hitman" Hart vs. "Stone Cold"..........
YouTube! Find Of The Week!
This really is one of the lamest moments in wrestling history......
And that's it for me this week. Remember, don't be a stranger to 411! Bookmark the site and visit it countless times a day. Hell, be brave and make it your homepage! Trust me, it will make you a better person......
See you next Saturday back in the Squared Circle! Until then, you can find me on Facebook! .
Also, make sure you follow me on Twitter for plenty of good sports updates, MMA news, and tons of hilarious stuff.
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fail fail fail. The GREATEST Survivor Series match of all time was from SS 1988. TWENTY FUCKING PERSON TAG MATCH that featured a double turn w/ Demolition & the Powers of Pain.
The Demos, Conquistidores, BRAINBUSTERS, Rougeau Bros & the Bolsheviks vs. Powers of Pain, Bulldogs, Hart Foundation, the Rockers & the Young Stallions. Amazingly long match like 40 mins that featured a young HBK take a 71 foot backdrop from Arn Anderson.
Posted By: JP (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 10:49 PM
"Not only that, but they started to hint at the fact that he happened to be the boyfriend of Courtney Love (which was pretty big at the time considering Kurt Cobain had just recently died) in an attempt to get him over."
That was part of his Mexican heel gimmick, he was billed as "Madonna's Boyfriend".
Posted By: Guest#2139 (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 10:50 PM
JP is spot on, that match is a classic. Hogan v Taker from 91?
Posted By: Guest#1114 (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 11:16 PM
All I have to say is Jim Ross really knew his grunge bands in that Rad Radford video, and Gorilla LMAO "Alice in change?" hehe
Posted By: nWoMikey27 (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 11:40 PM
The lack of actual Survivor Series matches hurts the list.
Posted By: Jason (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 11:42 PM
The very first Elimination Chamber match? The Triple Threat tag team elimination match? Hell Survivor Series 2002 is one of the greatest PPV's ever. That whole card should be on this list
Posted By: Guest#6292 (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 11:48 PM
no Elimination Chamber? No buys. That match was RAW's answer to Lesnar/Taker HIAC and it was the best chamber match of them all.
other than that small gripe, I agree that HBK's performance from the '03 Survivor Series match was beyond awesome. The loss made it that much more special and more memorable.
Posted By: IWC Member #900001 (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 11:58 PM
You forgot Survivor Series 1997, the main event match. That was pretty awesome, and I hear the finish was to die for!
Posted By: Paul Levesque (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 12:29 AM
Ted DiBiase, The Mountie, The Warlord, and Ric Flair vs. Bret Hart, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, The British Bulldog, and Virgil - Survivor Series 1991
this match should have been in the top ten, one of the best survivor series elimination matches even though it had a crap ending.
Posted By: Guest#5460 (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 12:43 AM
Brock would wipe the freaking floor with that washed up tomato can fighting a-hole. Way to go knocking out all the losers who wash out of the UFC.
Posted By: F5 (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 12:46 AM
I understand about personal tastes, but there are some things that are absolute, and a few of the matches from Survivor Series should have been at least honorable mentions.
1988: The 20 man effort was absolutely the best version of the regular SS formula. It was a killer match featuring just about every major tag team at the time (at least those that weren't working for the NWA). Yes, the Conquistidors went to the end, but it served a purpose to fuel that double turn. Easily in the top 10, if not the top 5.
1995: Another SS match that worked extremely well was the 8 man "wild card" matchup, which featured faces and heels on the same team. Thus, we got Shawn & Sid on one side, and Razor & Dean Douglas on another. It was a very fun match to watch, just to see who would or would not get along.
1992: Bret Hart v. Shawn Michaels: While this lacks the controversy of their other Series match, this was still a damn fine coming out party for both wrestlers. It established Bret as the main eventer and began to show HBK's potential (although it wouldn't be until the ladder match when the potential was really utilized).
1998: While neither the Mankind/Austin nor the Mankind/Rock matches were great from a technical standpoint, they did serve as a fun culmination of the major angles in the company at that time. Russo wishes he could book this good again.
And while I don't think the Elimination Chamber should be in the top 10, as it was somewhat disappointing, it does deserve an honorable mention.
I also liked the six man table match from Series 02, with 3MW & Rico v. Jeff Hardy, Bubba Ray & Spike Dudley. Yes, there was a major fuckup when Jeff took a while to recover from his balcony swanton, leaving Rico hanging on the top rope like a putz. However, it was one of the few table matches I've seen since the Hardyz/Dudleys that has captured the spirit of their original encounters. Plus, it also has the reunion of Bubba & D-Von.
Posted By: Michael L (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 12:56 AM
I'm a "big time wrestling fan" and I enjoyed the Invasion storyline. Great list though, Austin and Bret definitely deserves the top spot. Their Mania match easily overshadowed this one, but it is better than their third ppv match at Revenge of the Taker.
Posted By: MBD (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 01:04 AM
You really sound like a stupid mark for all your TNA-Bashing, I don't even like them much but god.
DDP is in NO need of money his yoga videos are among the most successful and highest selling of any on the market
Posted By: S Dot (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 01:19 AM
I loved it when Jericho got pissed after getting eliminated in that match from 2003. hits HBK with a chair, says "Screw you Austin!" a few times and flips him off. best hissy fit ever.
Posted By: Phil (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 01:32 AM
"That works out incredibly well seeing as TNA is currently jumping at the chance to sign any old farts who are going broke and need money.."
Doesn't the WWE have a the World title on a 40+ year old man with hip problems who can't seem to wrestle but once a month for about ten minutes? Isn't the WWE title being defended by John Cena against TWO guys who are also in their forty's? Yeah, thats what I thought....but thats okay because EVERYTHING Vince McMahon does is right. Good job fanboy.
Posted By: JWestmoreland (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 01:33 AM
Nice, dude. Totally agree. Bret Hart owned Survivor Series
Posted By: The Other Ryan (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 02:04 AM
My Top Ten in chronological order:
1988 - Before my time but I saw it on DVD about 6 years ago and DAMN!. 20 man tag match. Like JP said up top. Absolutely awesome
1990 - Million Dollar Team -Vs- The Dream Team - Decent in ring work, the debut of Undertaker and a great finale between DiBiase and Bret. 'nuff said.
1991 - Flair, Mountie, DiBiase and Warlord -V's- Piper, Hart, Bulldog, Virgil - Rather than the team captians being in a feud while the rest of the team were along for the ride EVERYONE was feuding with everyone else. Great psychology and I quite liked the ending.
1992 - Hart -V's- Michaels - No explination needed
1993 - Ramon, Jannetty, Waltman, Savage -V's- IRS, Nash, Bomb, Martell - Great chemistry and all round 'rasslin.
1995(a) - Micheals, Ahmed, Bulldog, Sid -V's- Yokozuna, Owen, Razor, Douglas - The "wildcard" was a great idea and it's a pitty they didn't keep it in future years
1995(B) - Nash -V's- Hart - Superb no holds barred effort with the first "mainstream" table crash (outside of ECW) and a great brawl with a suprise heel turn too
1996 - Hart -V's- Austin - Awesome!. And while I do rate WM13 highly I prefer this first match.
2001 - Team WWF -V's- Team WCW/ECW - The pay off to the mishandled "invasion". Oh, if only they'd booked the whole thing like this :(
2002 - Elimination Chamber - The first outing for the chamber was memorable stuff and performed brilliantly by all involved *yes EVEN RVD who nearly killed HHH*
Weirdly enough the first WWF show I ever saw was Survivor Series 1989 which was utterly useless from top to bottom with NO redeeming features!. If I watched it now I'd probably never watch again...as it is come THIS Survivor Series I'll have been a fan a full 20 years.
Posted By: RockerDropper (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 02:42 AM
"That works out incredibly well seeing as TNA is currently jumping at the chance to sign any old farts who are going broke and need money.."
Doesn't the WWE have a the World title on a 40+ year old man with hip problems who can't seem to wrestle but once a month for about ten minutes? Isn't the WWE title being defended by John Cena against TWO guys who are also in their forty's? Yeah, thats what I thought....but thats okay because EVERYTHING Vince McMahon does is right. Good job fanboy.
Posted By: JWestmoreland (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 01:33 AM
You see, Theo.. the difference IS that the 40 year olds you ARE talkin about.. make.. money!
Posted By: Leonard Part VI (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 02:44 AM
Wow, watching that Rad Radford video I feel bad for how bad Bret Hart had it in 1995. He's in the middle of feuds with Radford, Jean Pierre La Fitte, Waylon Mercy, and Isaac Yankem. 1995 was a really, really bad year for the WWF.
Posted By: Guest#6763 (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 02:46 AM
So Bret owns Survivor Series and I have read on this site he owned SummerSlam too... It's a pretty impressive body of work that few can compare with. And whilst HBK is Mr Wrestlemania, Bret did OK there too with a couple of 5 star outings... I miss the Hitman!!!
Posted By: Dave (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 03:00 AM
Best part of #10 was when Marty Jannetty gave Skip a top rope powerbomb. Friggin awesome.
Posted By: black hole of charisma (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 03:04 AM
Louie Spicolli = totally underrated.
Posted By: mr. nym (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 03:11 AM
Rock vs big boss man.
Posted By: Obvious joke (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 03:11 AM
The lack of actual Survivor Series matches hurts the list.
Posted By: Jason (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 11:42 PM
No, the lack of Survivor Series matches hurts the SURVIVOR SERIES... one or two per year isn't enough... they should just go all the way and make it a "SERIES" of "SURVIVOR" matches, like it was pre 92.
Posted By: Guessed (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 03:30 AM
What about '90 and Taker's debut? That was pretty surreal. Plus the Dibiase/Hart finish was great.
And yeah, the Demo/POP flip is a huge omission. Those were the good old days....
Posted By: pgd1980 (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 04:42 AM
"That works out incredibly well seeing as TNA is currently jumping at the chance to sign any old farts who are going broke and need money.."
Doesn't the WWE have a the World title on a 40+ year old man with hip problems who can't seem to wrestle but once a month for about ten minutes? Isn't the WWE title being defended by John Cena against TWO guys who are also in their forty's? Yeah, thats what I thought....but thats okay because EVERYTHING Vince McMahon does is right. Good job fanboy.
Posted By: JWestmoreland (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 01:33 AM
Yes because TNA's 40 year olds can wrestle circles around and out perform HHH, HBK and taker.
Oh wait. They can't!
Posted By: TNA Trolls are funny (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 04:44 AM
I still rate Austin v Hart Sur Ser 96 above their WM13 in terms of quality. This was one of the best matches I've ever seen... it was absolutely flawless.
I agree with this list completely... Bret IS Mr Survivor Series.
Posted By: Andrew Barbarash (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 05:19 AM
I wanted to read this colum to relive some good memories of one of my favourite yearly PPVs.
Instead I ended up feeling sorry for the person who wrote it for trying to score points off of TNA in a column called 10 greatest survivor series matches.
"Wow look at me as I insult a company 3 or 4 times in a row with some of the most cliched and hypocritical arguments even though it has nothing to do with t he column at hand."
I hope you feel big and clever for the needless digs. TNA is a lot more valuable to wrestling than you will ever be to journalism if you cant even keep objective in the slightest.
Dustin 'The Wrestling Nazi' James
Posted By: Ste (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 05:55 AM
with all the editing of music/commentary/blurring and graphics, a WWE network appeals to me very little. The nostalgia value of it all is totally ruined.
Posted By: Guest#5506 (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 06:18 AM
That is a fair Survivor Series list and screw all of the people trying to tell you what you should have put on your list with YOUR opinions. They should all put their lists up here instead of trying to tell you what your list should be.
The only gripe is when you mentioned the 1988 20 team match in the honorable mentions list, you forgot to put The Rockers on the Powers of Pain team.
Posted By: Guest#4158 (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 06:19 AM
The WWE channel COULD be pretty damn sweet, but having Benoit edited out of the past stuff... what like 15 years or so of ECW, WCW, and WWE programing is going to really mess it up for fans of his.
Posted By: AG Awesome (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 08:00 AM
Matches worthy...
1987: 20 man Tag
1988: 20 man Tag
1992: Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels
1994: Bret Hart vs Bob Backlund
1995: Opening Match, Bret Hart vs Diesel
1996: Bret Hart vs Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels vs Sid
2001: Winner Take All Match
2002: I guess the elimination chamber, but I wasn't into it, and it's been surpassed several times, including both chamber matches at no way out this year
2003: Shawn Michaels
2007: Batista vs Undertaker
Haven't seen 2008. but looks like you're pretty much spot-on. I liked the 20 man tag from 1988 better than 1987, but both are outstanding matches.
Posted By: gwpbrian (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 08:46 AM
Did Rad Radford REALLY use the Headbangers' future music? Or have they just dubbed it?
Posted By: diz (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 09:14 AM
I don't see the difference between having a network or subscribing to wweclassics.com. 400 hours of wrestling whenever you want or watching whatever they put on TV at the moment.
I dunno I'd rather take the online version so my DVR doesn't fill up.
Posted By: Ryan (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 09:21 AM
Geez, Bret Hart was sure put into a bunch of crappy feuds. It's amazing he was able to able to become a legend despite being put in the middle of so much shit. The Hitman sure deserved better than to be put into angles with lame characters like Jean-Pierre Lafitte.
Posted By: Zingy (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Boy, somebody loves Bret Hart.
Posted By: Texas pride (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Michaels/Hart from 1992 wasn't that good at all. #2 on the list is a horrible placing.
Posted By: Ballsy (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 11:37 AM
The downside of a WWE Network would be that they would prolly only offer a smattering of programming at a time. Think 24/7, or Classics on Demand now, and how there's only a select amount of content at any given time. That's likely what this would be in that you'll see lots and lots of repeats of the same events like the MLB Network does. Now, if they really got on it and updated a new episode of Raw every Wednesday night, or threw on a brand new PPV every other Saturday night I'd be all for it. I just don't think it would work that way, at least initially. And if I have to pay to upgrade to another package to receive it (which, thankfully, I didn't have to for MLB) I would hesitate.
How it would affect ratings for their current shows is the big question. Could they black out the network during Raw, SmackDown, and ECW? I don't the legality of that but if it's their network isn't it their prerogative to air what they want, even if it was a WWE logo for two hours? I would think the benefits would outweigh this, though, because they could run hour-long pre- and post- shows for the diehards to watch. Plus, I believe they're looking at this as an outlet to actually air their programming in the future (except for Raw which will likely stay on USA). The big problem for them is people becoming disenfranchised with the current product by watching vast amounts of superior wrestling, be it actual great-quality shows or nostalgic events. But all that said, I would welcome this network with open arms and it would be a major step up from the On Demand channel.
Survivor Series always holds a special place in my heart as the first big event to occur when I became a full-fledged, card-carrying wrestling fan. It was the 1995 edition and I vividly recall sitting in my parents room listening to the event (back in the awesome days when you could hear PPV broadcasts even if they were scrambled) and I couldn't wait for the Coliseum release. I fell in love with the Bret/Diesel match and quickly sought out their previous two bouts, and became a lifelong fan of both Bret and Shawn Michaels. And ever since then I've begged and pleaded for the return of the Wild Card match to absolutely no avail. It was a great concept and would do well to build start feuds that would escalate in the Royal Rumble and culminate at WrestleMania if done correctly.
That '03 match is a Shawn-Michaels-as-a-bumper classic. The only better example would be the awesome Action Zone match where he teamed with Diesel against Razor Ramon and the 1-2-3 Kid.
I love how the finish to the Bret/Michaels match led into the finish of the Iron Man match over three years later, only this time Shawn had matured and wouldn't submit.
Posted By: neverAcquiesce (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 11:48 AM
What the WWE could do is just put nothing on their channel when Raw or Smackdown or ECW or Superstars or their PPV is on. Just leave the time slot blank with some off air programming. Either that or just put something really stupid on, like the Best Moments of Hornswoggle.
Posted By: Guest#9975 (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Orton/Michaels, while technically a good match, is ruined by the dead crowd. But Orton tends to do that to people. I'd rather have a so-so match with a great crowd than a great match with a so-so crowd. You can't blame the Orton match on the current era of silent crowds either. Because while they may not care about most of the wrestlers now, they can still get loud for a great match. Other than that match you list is pretty cool.
Posted By: Guest#5669 (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Can't agree JP that match dragged on and on to be that great. A good match yes but no way better then number one.
Posted By: Guest#8466 (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 01:30 PM
"That works out incredibly well seeing as TNA is currently jumping at the chance to sign any old farts who are going broke and need money.."
Doesn't the WWE have a the World title on a 40+ year old man with hip problems who can't seem to wrestle but once a month for about ten minutes? Isn't the WWE title being defended by John Cena against TWO guys who are also in their forty's? Yeah, thats what I thought....but thats okay because EVERYTHING Vince McMahon does is right. Good job fanboy.
Posted By: JWestmoreland (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 01:33 AM
Yes because TNA's 40 year olds can wrestle circles around and out perform HHH, HBK and taker.
Oh wait. They can't!
Posted By: TNA Trolls are funny (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 04:44 AM
Yeah Kurt Angle can't go with anyone especially let me stop laughing the UT good grief thanks for the laugh.
Posted By: WWE tools are pathetic (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 01:35 PM
Ummm, where is Team Raw vs Team Smackdown from SS05???
Posted By: yeawell (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 03:00 PM
almost forgot...a guilty pleasure match of mine is when DX, the Hardyz & CM Punk faced Rated RKO, Knox, Helms & Morrison. The interaction in that match was over the top w/ the pre match crowd manipulation, the "Who was he?" for Mike Knox, HBK posing w/ Melina, the finish, it was all alot of fun even if it was a 5 man sweep.
Posted By: JP (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 05:05 PM
I don't think a WWE network would work. Sure, some replays would be nice but I think we'd all get fed up with their revisionist histories. Plus, they would look for extra stuff to fill time. That means reality shows and other wrestling-related, but not wrestling, content.
Posted By: no network (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 07:43 PM
TNA is way better than wwe now
Posted By: Guest#1925 (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 07:50 PM
How about the WWE having a network entitled Roma-24/7 ? They could also have a contemporary reality show of myself, starring myself in which young girls commit suicide after I turn down their marriage proposals
Posted By: Paul Roma (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 09:27 PM
bret vs austin is the best feud in wwe history. it was the most brutal and most realistic. their ss match was phenomenal.
Posted By: rey (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 10:28 PM
The only reason I see a WWE Network starting is to replace WWE Classics On Demand. (If you own a DVR, you record the shows you want to see when they are broadcast, and it's pretty much the same as if you had OnDemand.)
As for what to air when Raw or Smackdown are on: infomercials. (True, there would be infomericals during when Raw or SD airs in the other part of the country, but that's midnight-to-2 Eastern out east and 6-8 Pacific in the west (when a considerable number of people are watching RAW on USA HD anyway).)
Posted By: ThatDonGuy (Registered) on November 08, 2009 at 12:38 PM
'The very first Elimination Chamber match? The Triple Threat tag team elimination match? Hell Survivor Series 2002 is one of the greatest PPV's ever. That whole card should be on this list
'
i disagree, i think that the list is a pretty good balance of classic and modern matches. Just because there was a 'first time ever' EC match doesn't necessarily make it worthy of the list.
Posted By: Darth Mortis (Guest) on November 08, 2009 at 01:17 PM
'The lack of actual Survivor Series matches hurts the list.'
all 4 'honourable mentions' are actual Survivor Series matches, as are 4 of the 10 on the list proper. given the dearth of actual Survivor Series matces in the Survivor Series over the last decade and a half, i think that is pretty representative of the Survivor Series concept.
Posted By: Darth Mortis (Guest) on November 08, 2009 at 01:21 PM
"The WWE has the world's biggest pro wrestling video tape library. They not only have all of their own footage, but they own the video tape collection of ECW, WCW, and many others. Imagine
the possibilities of 24/7 old school WWE footage sitting at the push of a button. Imagine turning it to channel 342 (WWETV) because the guide says "WCW Great American Bash 1989" or "WWE Monday Night RAW Episode: 543" or "ECW Barely Legal" or ANYTHING ELSE YOU CAN THINK OF!"
You DO realize that there is a such thing as WWE Classics On Demand, right? Because that's pretty much what you just described.
This whole article was just terrible, minus the clips.
Posted By: Steve307 (Guest) on November 08, 2009 at 01:43 PM
Blood on frickin' Stone, baby!!!
Posted By: Shane (Guest) on November 08, 2009 at 04:38 PM
I agree with those that think the lack of Survivor Series 2002 is criminal. In a year with a lot of lackluster PPVs that one definitely shined.
How can you not include Edge/Mysterio vs. Angle/Benoit vs. Guerreros? To a lesser extent, the first even Elimination Chamber match was very good. Heck, even the Trish/Victoria hardcore match (despite the botched finish) was a huge success for women's wrestling. Now that I think about it, the six-man tag team tables match was pretty fun in it's own right.
I know everyone is entitled to their own opinions but it is quite a shocker that that PPV got totally shut out.
Posted By: Ron Mexico (Guest) on November 08, 2009 at 05:09 PM
No survivor series 1997? the Montreal screwjob
Posted By: whaaa? (Guest) on November 08, 2009 at 06:43 PM
I don't think you can compare the TNA old guys to WWE old guys. Kurt Angle is not nearly as good as he used to be. He thinks he's still in the same league as HBK but he hasn't been there since what 2006 and thats bein generous cuz he didn't exactly carry Taker in that match. Didn't Mick retire just about 10 years ago, he hasn't had a good match since 2006 also. Hogan? Too easy. Sting has never really HAD IT since Flair GAVE IT to him in the late 80's. Jeff Jarret always sucked. HBK carried him to his best match damn near 15 years ago. And all of these guys beat their younger talent cleanly & often(just wait Hogan will beat them too).
Posted By: JBass24 (Guest) on November 08, 2009 at 06:59 PM
"I agree with those that think the lack of Survivor Series 2002 is criminal. In a year with a lot of lackluster PPVs that one definitely shined.
How can you not include Edge/Mysterio vs. Angle/Benoit vs. Guerreros? To a lesser extent, the first even Elimination Chamber match was very good. Heck, even the Trish/Victoria hardcore match (despite the botched finish) was a huge success for women's wrestling. Now that I think about it, the six-man tag team tables match was pretty fun in it's own right.
I know everyone is entitled to their own opinions but it is quite a shocker that that PPV got totally shut out."
That PPV is overrated by alot of people. The triple tag team match should've been a hell of a lot better than what it was. The first EC ended up being an ego stroke for HHH and HBK. The womens match wasn't that good in fact it was average, hell the Raw Chicago Street Fight in 2003 between them, was a better match. And the tables match was dragged down by an unmotivated Jeff Hardy and the sloppy samoans (Rico was screaming out his spot to Jeff for pete sakes).
Seriously Ron Mexico, I'm not sure what you or anyone else really see in the 2002 SS. It was pretty much an average ppv.
Posted By: mp (Guest) on November 08, 2009 at 07:47 PM
Did you even watch the first Survivor Series? Team Savage vs Team Honky Tonk and Team Hogan vs Team Andre are the two best straight up eliminations matches in the WWF... ever
Posted By: Series 87 (Guest) on November 08, 2009 at 08:39 PM
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