wrestling / Columns
The Shimmy 3.12.07: The First Ever Double Report Card
Good morning, chi’ren, and happy March Madness! WrestleMania is around the corner, Virginia is on their way to the NCAA Tournament, Virginia Tech was shown once again that they don’t belong in the ACC, and most importantly VCU, fresh off their amazing victory over George Mason, is going to the big dance. To play the Duke Blue Devils no less! Some people call that a bad draw, but I like it. I mean, I was gonna cheer against Duke anyway, now I have a real reason. Screw being the next George Mason, we’re going to be the first VCU. Anybody see your boy rush the court on Monday?
This week we start with an unprecedented Double Report Card as we look at the PPV efforts of the two participants in the Battle of the Billionaires Match at WrestleMania 23. Bobby Lashley and Umaga haven’t been in WWE for too long but they’ve had their fair share of moments. Come with me as we look back at the matches that you had to pay for involving the Samoan Bulldozer and Mr. Soft Spoken himself.
Bobby Lashley vs. Simon Dean (No Mercy 2005)
This was pretty much a squash. What am I saying, this was a squash. They attempted to justify this being on PPV (considering Lashley had already squashed Simon Dean on SmackDown) by adding the “loser eats a bunch of hamburgers” stipulation. Lashley showed some early potential here and even some early charisma post-match. No grade for a squash, though.
My Grade: N/A
Interpromotional, Classic Survivor Series Elimination Match: Batista, Randy Orton, JBL, Rey Mysterio, & Bobby Lashley vs. Shawn Michaels, Big Show, Kane, Carlito, & Chris Masters (Survivor Series 2005)
From the Rey Mysterio Report Card: Some people weren’t impressed with this match, but this match really summed up the whole “gang warfare” mentality of the invasion. Imagine if there had been clear sides like this during the WCW invasion, and heels and faces could team together without having to turn. This was a unique match up, and it delivered with other unique mini-match ups throughout. Some may dislike the brand fraternization, as I have my own criticisms of it, but it brought back some of the tradition of the Survivor Series while adding a new spin to it.
My Grade: A-
Handicap Match: Bobby Lashley vs. William Regal & Paul Birchall (Armageddon 2005)
Unfortunately I haven’t seen this match, but come on, it’s another squash.
My Grade: N/A
2006 Royal Rumble Match (Royal Rumble 2006)
Bobby Lashley had a short but effective run in the Rumble. He was still getting over as the powerful, yet green, superstar. He came out there and showcased his power and even went toe-to-toe with Big Show early on. Unfortunately for Bobby his inexperience cost him a shot at staying in the match even longer.
My Grade: B-
Bobby Lashley vs. JBL (No Way Out 2006)
This was probably Lashley’s best match of his young career. I was really surprised at how well these two worked together as they had a nice, hard-hitting match. If I remember correctly JBL got busted up the hardway and I think that added to the overall effect of this match. This also showed us the first glimpse of Lashley-Finlay, and who didn’t love that?
My Grade: B+
Interpromotional, Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Rob Van Dam vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Ric Flair vs. Finlay vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Matt Hardy (WrestleMania 22)
This was one of my favorite matches of last year and I think it really got overlooked when looking back on the best matches of 2006. Unfortunately Lashley didn’t really play into this match that much, but I suppose that kind of goes along with his gimmick. He’s a power guy that had never been in a Ladder Match; of course he wouldn’t know what he was doing. Despite what some people say I think Lashley sold the Van Daminator off the ladder pretty well. Plus this was the closest we ever got to a PPV match between Finlay and Lashley.
My Grade: A+
Umaga vs. Ric Flair (Backlash 2006)
And we have another squash, but this time for the Samoan Bulldozer. Who would think we’d see Ric Flair getting squashed by an unproven monster? At the time I don’t think anyone would predict how well Umaga’s run has turned out. This match wasn’t anything atrocious, but it wasn’t good either.
My Grade: D
2006 King of the Ring Finals: Bobby Lashley vs. King Booker (Judgment Day 2006)
From the Booker T Report Card: This was quite a surprise. I had been looking forward to this match and it delivered about right on par to what I thought. These two have a good chemistry together which is probably why we saw about 27 rematches on SmackDown. The finish was an interesting change of pace and set the groundwork for the King Booker persona that has gotten over so well on SmackDown.
My Grade: B
Umaga vs. Eugene (Vengeance 2006)
A lot of people probable dismiss this match as another Umaga squash, but I think Eugene’s legend friends added to the match significantly. They actually had something there with Umaga-Kamala, but unfortunately they gave it away on the next night on Raw. If they were going to do that why not have them interact on the PPV…you know the one people actually paid to see.
My Grade: C-
Umaga vs. Kane (Unforgiven 2006)
This was a hard hitting big man feud but the non-finish hurt it. I hate finishes like this on PPV and they could have had a match better outcome. Sure, this planted the seeds for the “Loser Leaves Raw” Match at the Raw Family Reunion, but a finish could have made this match much better. Umaga was really starting to get over as a real badass and Kane was, well, Kane.
My Grade: C-
World Heavyweight Title, Fatal Four-Way Match: King Booker© vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Finlay vs. Batista (No Mercy 2006)
Lashley got his first big shot here. Of course it could have been bigger had Michael Hayes not convinced the big boss otherwise. I was actually rather disappointed in this match. Contrary to popular belief multi-man matches tend to be really good because there is so much action. This one lagged and really did seem to follow the “two guys fight then get knocked out of the ring” stereotype that us Internet types like to bring up. I was really hoping for a Finlay title win here just to shock everybody (he could have lost it at Survivor Series and then set up the Triple Threat with Batista and Booker for Armageddon) but I think we all knew that wouldn’t happen. Lashley looked good in there with the big boys, but that shouldn’t be surprising since he has proven chemistry with Booker and Finlay.
My Grade: C+
Interpromotional Match: Umaga vs. Kane (Cyber Sunday 2006)
Can you say filler? Why people voted for the match we’d already seen is beyond me. I was actually hoping for The Sandman but knowing what I know now about Umaga and a match with Benoit would have been pretty badass. Again, this match wasn’t horrible but it wasn’t that much of a pleasure to watch.
My Grade: D+
Interpromotional, Classic Survivor Series Elimination Match: John Cena, Bobby Lashley, Rob Van Dam, Sabu, & Kane vs. Big Show, Umaga, Finlay, MVP, & Test (Survivor Series 2006)
This is the first match with both of our participants on either side of the ring. Of course they didn’t have a chance to interact due to Umaga going crazy early on. The bulk of the match was pretty clunky, although that shouldn’t have been much of a surprise given the participants. Lashley got to be one of the survivors in order to build him up for his big December to Dismember match, so having him in there with John Cena was a good rub for the future star.
My Grade: C
ECW World Title, Extreme Elimination Chamber Match: Big Show© vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Test vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Hardcore Holly vs. CM Punk (December to Dismember 2006)
On one hand this was one of the two best matches on this card. On the other hand, that’s not saying much. Lashley sure did his part to look like a beast and Big Show did as good a job as a man his size and health could to help put Lashley over. Lashley became the 4 ½ black man to hold a World Title which is somewhat historically significant. This match is what kicked off Lashley’s road to superstardom and one could argue that this started him on his road to WrestleMania.
My Grade: C+
WWE Title Match: John Cena© vs. Umaga (New Year’s Revolution 2007)
I unfortunately have not seen this match but I hear it was really good. A lot of people that had been hard on Umaga seemed to enjoy this match so I look forward to getting to see it. I believe I will get it on WWE 24/7 next month so maybe I’ll share my thoughts then.
My Grade: N/A
ECW World Title Match: Bobby Lashley© vs. Test (Royal Rumble 2007)
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…..
My Grade: D-
WWE Title, Last Man Standing Match: John Cena© vs. Umaga (Royal Rumble 2007)
And now for the match that I think sent Umaga on his way to WrestleMania. This was a great match that made Umaga look great even in a loss. I think I came away from this match more impressed with Umaga than I was Cena. As of right now this is my MOTY and it’s conceivable that it won’t be beat. I’m sure that’s unlikely but it should still be remembered come the end of December.
My Grade: A+
ECW World Title, Interpromotional Match: Bobby Lashley© vs. Mr. Kennedy (No Way Out 2007)
I had really high hopes for this match going in and I must say that I was disappointed. There No Holds Barred/Regular Rules match on SmackDown came off a lot better in my opinion. While both men continue to improve their worth to the company this match would not be a shining example of that.
My Grade: C-
500 Good Words w/ Matt Adamson
With WrestleMania less than three weeks away, the card for wrestling’s biggest event of the year is beginning to take shape. For fans young and old it is a time where we go back and relive some of the moments from WrestleMania’s past in anticipation for the big event, which this year will be held at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. WrestleMania is also a time to give respect and appreciation to the greats of wrestling’s past with the WWE Hall of Fame. Wrestling legends from all aspects of the business from promoting, commentating, interviewing, managing and of course wrestling are included in the Hall of Fame. Some of those who are already in the Hall are Andre The Giant, Bobo Brazil, Bret Hart, Freddie Blassie and Eddie Guerrero.
With WrestleMania approaching we have been introduced to the newest members of the WWE Hall of Fame, four of which have already been named. Dusty Rhodes, Curt Hennig, Jerry Lawler and Nick Bockwinkle are the first names announced the enter the WWE Hall of Fame as the Class of 2007.
Each of these men has had a tremendous career worthy of the WWE Hall of Fame, but one of these men might have never seen the Hall of Fame if not for some dramatic changes in the scope of the business of Professional Wrestling. That man is Nick Bockwinkle. Trained by Lou Thesz and his father Warren Bockwinkle, he had a career as an in-ring performer that spanned over 30 years, from the mid-1950’s to 1987 wrestling what might have been his final match against Larry Zbyszko. His career was extremely successful. In 1970 Bockwinkle won his first major championship, the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship.
He would leave the NWA soon after losing that title and go on to work for Verne Gagne in the AWA. At that time, Gagne was the #1 guy, having held the AWA title for the previous 4 years. While Gagne was defending his title against guys like Baron Von Rashke, Bockwinkle was teaming with Ray Stevens as the AWA tag team champions, a title they would hold three times together. In 1975 however, Bockwinkle had what I would consider to be his greatest achievement when he beat Verne Gagne to win his first AWA World Heavyweight Championship, ending Gagne’s 7 year title reign. Bockwinkle would go on to win the AWA title 3 more times over the next 12 years, holding the title for a grand total of 8 of those years.
So with a career with such success, why is it surprising that Bockwinkle be in the WWE Hall of Fame? Nick Bockwinkle never wrestled for the WWE.
With the business of Sports Entertainment being somewhat entirely controlled by Vince McMahon after the end of the AWA, the NWA Territorial System, and WCW. We have the opportunity to see such legends be recognized globally for their achievements. If it were a mere 10 years ago, nobody would have thought we would be seeing Bockwinkle being recognized by Vince McMahon and the WWE for his tremendous career. Nobody would have thought that Nick Bockwinkle would be a guest and appear at a WrestleMania. These were impossibilities then, but are opportunities now. Opportunities for the fans and those in the business to pay their respects and show appreciation for those who paved the way, and made it possible for us to enjoy what we can today.
I grew up an AWA fan, and I often long for those days of watching Nick Bockwinkle take on Curt Hennig for the AWA title. I can’t thank the WWE enough for inducting Bockwinkle into their Hall of Fame. So, the next time you think back and wish that Vince hadn’t bought WCW, or that the AWA wouldn’t have gone under, remember, if not for those things and the respect for the business that the WWE and Vince McMahon have, we would not be able to learn about some of wrestling’s greatest talents. And more importantly guys as important to the business as Nick Bockwinkle might be forgotten forever.
I recommend checking out the WWE DVD “The Spectacular Legacy of the AWA” to learn more about Bockwinkle and find out what a humble man he is. For him to receive such an honor shows me that under the hard outer crust of professional wrestling is a soft, respectful and appreciative heart and gives its due to those who really deserve it, and that is something all wrestling fans can be proud of.
Questions, comments or gripes? Please send me an email at [email protected]. If you’re a fan of Bockwinkle, shoot me a line, I’m always looking for somebody to talk to about one of my all-time favorites.
The Shimmy Likes It Raw!
What’s on tap for tonight?
Well that wraps up this week’s column. Next week we’ll start a special two part WrestleMania booking special. Next week’s column will feature WrestleMania matches that should have been booked, from WrestleMania XV to the present. Everybody enjoy the opening of the NCAA Tournament this weekend. March Madness is probably the most backward playoff system in all of sports as all the excitement is really at the beginning. Not that I’m complaining, it should be awesome. Until next week, don’t die. Clark…out.
Go Rams!
