The Shimmy 6.04.07: The Shawn Michaels Report Card (Part Two)- The Second Return
Posted by Andy Clark on 06.04.2007
This week we cover Shawn Michaels' PPV outings from his 2004 hiatus to right before his war with Vinnie Mac heats up. Plus, a look back at SNME and One Night Stand, feedback, and 500 Good Words with Matt Adamson!
Hello, all. Wrestled out, yet? Good, because today we have Part Two of the Shawn Michaels Report Card to get into. Everybody ready? Cool.
Shawn Michaels vs. Kane (Unforgiven 2004)
I for one was excited to see this match booked. HBK had been taken out by Kane following his Hell in a Cell Match with Triple H and came back at the request of Lita (Kane's estranged wife) to gain revenge. Unfortunately what should have been a fresh matchup became a short term fill-in in the wacky Kane-Lita saga. The match wasn't half bad, but they ended up turning what could have been a vicious rivalry into…well, whatever Kane's angles normally end us as.
Considering Michaels had a bum leg at the time and was only competing because the fans voted for him this was a damn good match. While not up to the standards of some of their previous encounters this match had its own charm. Personally I think they should have let HBK win the title here to make the fans think that their votes actually mattered, and then have him lose the title the next night due to Edge. It's actually that kind of thinking that makes this match fun to watch.
My Grade: B
Shawn Michaels vs. Edge (Royal Rumble 2005)
This was a WrestleMania quality feud if there was one. I was surprised they ended it so quickly but I suppose HBK-Angle is nothing to sneeze at as a consolation prize. This wasn't nearly as good as their bloody Street Fight on Raw shortly after this, but as far as opening Rumble matches go this is right up there.
My Grade: B+
2005 Royal Rumble Match (Royal Rumble 2005)
A great Rumble, one that I just must change the grade that I originally gave it. This is A material all the way, and Shawn Michaels is a key part of that. This is where the build to Michaels-Angle began.
My Grade: A
Interpromotional Match: Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle (WrestleMania 21)
From the Kurt Angle Report Card: OK, raise your hand if you can guess the grade on this one? I believe that on Kurt Angle's overall report card I have said that there were two of the greatest matches of all time on here. Well, it's time to add a third. This match was a classic but most of you already knew that. This match garnered my #1 WWE Match of the Year honor and could possibly have been the best match in all of wrestling in 2005.
My Grade: A+
Shawn Michaels & Hulk Hogan vs. Muhammad Hassan & Daivari (Backlash 2005)
Ugh. Until this past Judgment Day this was the worst PPV match Shawn Michaels had been in since his return in 2002. Hogan was just way too…Hogan in this match, and Hassan, as much as I loved him, was pretty much terrible in the ring. It still saddens me to think about how badly they screwed him. Anyhow, the match was pretty ugly but at least it set the table for the big SummerSlam main event.
My Grade: D+
Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle (Vengeance 2005)
From the Kurt Angle Report Card: This match was not as good as their WrestleMania match but many people seemed to like it. The match started off too slow for my tastes and the convoluted finish hurt things I felt. In any event it was a pretty well regarded match by most.
My Grade: B-
Shawn Michaels vs. Hulk Hogan (SummerSlam 2005)
Absolutely masterful job by both men in this match, but HBK in particular. Shawn Michaels was the real story here, not only making an aged Hogan look credible in the ring, but playing a valiant heel (that I'm sure had his fair share of support, including myself). I wasn't in favor of a Shawn Michaels heel turn at the time but he pulled it off beautifully. Great, underappreciated match.
My Grade: A
Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Masters (Unforgiven 2005)
Speaking of underappreciated gems, this is one. This was (and unfortunately still is) the best Chris Masters has ever looked. This match was great and actually was Master's first loss. Masters has stated that Shawn Michaels was his hero which no doubt made him especially motivated to put on a good show. Outside of the great Matt Hardy-Edge Steel Cage Match this was probably MOTN.
From the Kurt Angle Report Card: What do you get when you put the two "Kings of the Triple Threat Match" in a Triple Threat with Shawn f'n Michaels? One of the best matches of the year.
My Grade: A+
Interpromotional, Classic Survivor Series Elimination Match: Shawn Michaels, Big Show, Kane, Carlito, & Chris Masters vs. Batista, Randy Orton, JBL, Rey Mysterio, & Bobby Lashley (Survivor Series 2005)
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-
Supercard in Review: Saturday Night's Main Event
Overall it was a decent show, but obviously completely different then the two previous ones. There wasn't anything too horrible (outside of the Divas doing ring announcing; seriously if anyone could give Todd Grisham a run for his money for being the worst ring announcer ever it would be Torrie Wilson). I will say I'm a bit tired of of booking shows as "jump-on" shows for non-fans. Almost every TNA show is booked like that and WWE seems to think being on NBC means they must do the same. Can't you just book these shows for the wrestling fans you already have? You're not picking up new viewers, just try and put on a good show.
Cena-Khali was actually pretty good. Khali looked great heading into ONS, and this was probably the most mobile I've ever seen him.
The Arm Wrestling Contest was a good advertisement for the PPV but was mostly filler. It's funny to think that the only three wrestlers to have been on all three Saturday Night's Main Event are John Cena, Edge, and...Mark Henry.
Edge & MVP vs. Batista & Benoit was an entertaining SmackDown tag match. Seems like the last SNME had one of those too. If there was one guy that really got over as a star on this show it was Edge. Between the backstage interview, the awesome pyro, the hometown reaction, and just how good that gold belt looks on him Edge really comes off as a top guy. Meltzer says that the plan is to book Edge as one of the all time greats, and if he continues to roll he's on I don't think it will just be a gimmick for long. I was a bit surprised that they didn't play up the fact that it was the World Heavyweight Champion and United States Champion teaming up. They should put some more emphasis on the titles with the Night of Champions show coming up at Vengeance.
I was all set to complain about the Boogeyman-Little Boogey vs. Finlay & Hornswaggle match but then I watched Finlay kick Little Boogey in the face and follow it up with an Irish jig and I just laughed. Jerry Lawler's legitimate laughter made it even more entertaining. Still, I have to question why they put on a match that we've already seen multiple times between people that aren't feuding and won't even be on the PPV.
Extreme Expose should involve Hornswaggle every week. To tell you the truth Extreme Expose has grown on me, even Leyla who I didn't think was attractive at all at first. Kelly Kelly still can't dance her way out of a paper bag.
The main event was certainly interesting. I think I would have preferred to see the originally scheduled Eight Man Tag more, but this was OK. I like that they featured Kevin Thorn here because I think he can be a breakout star in the near future. Then again he did have to put over Eugene and Doink the Clown so maybe that's not a great spotlight afterall.
Andy Enjoyment Index: Saturday Night's Main Event
1) Edge & MVP-Batista & Benoit
2) The Smallest + Extreme Expose
3) The Biggest
4) The Strangest
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5) The Strongest
PPV in Review: One Night Stand
I like the concept of the show and I'll be curious to see how things go next year. The show wasn't too bad, but it wasn't a blowaway event either. It didn't come off quite as "extreme" as they wanted, though, and there wasn't any blood all night. Then again Shelton Benjamin, Bobby Lashley, and Shane McMahon almost all killed themselves so I guess that's pretty extreme.
The Stretcher Match was an odd match. This whole concussion deal is putting Orton over big time but it makes the matches kind of plodding. I'm pleasantly surprised they let RVD win on the way out, but this wasn't the best either man has been.
I enjoyed the Tables Match. It was a fun, quick, midcard match that further helped get Punk over and make Striker out to be the loser of the New Breed even more. I will say Marcus Cor Von came out looking good and I'm hoping there is a singles push in his future.
The Ladder Match was definitely MOTN but I think I need to watch it again to really get some perspective on it. For the most part it seemed like just a collection of previous ladder spots, but the match managed to find its own identity further into the match. Good stuff and I look forward to seeing this feud continue.
The Lumberjack Match was much worse then I'd thought it would be. I'm sure the rest of the IWC will feel vindicated in the match sucking but I was willing to give it a chance. The most entertaining part of the match were the lumberjacks, but where the hell were MVP and Finlay? I hope Kenny Dykstra gets sent to SmackDown in the draft because I actually kind of liked his pairing with Chavo Guerrero.
I'm not sure what to think about the Street Fight. I think for the most part it was a letdown, but in other parts it was entertaining. Vince didn't quite bring his PPV best but Shane (and to a lesser extent Umaga) was pretty impressive. I was actually kind of hoping that Vince would retain and then, being bored with the title, give it to Umaga. I've been hoping since WrestleMania that Umaga would get a title reign out of all this, but now that Lashley has the belt back I doubt that will happen. That first spot with Lashley going over the top rope was scary as hell, and I thought he messed up that already injured shoulder even more.
The Pudding Match was surprisingly fun. I know it'll be hated on by most people, and most of it was ripped from previous matches of the same nature, but it was harmless fun and the visual of the two women in pudding was pretty funny.
The Steel Cage Match was my second favorite match of the night. It's funny how they lose the specifics of the Undertaker-Batista Cage Match so that we're not reminded that we just had one of these. Between the two of those matches Batista must hate this stipulation. This was much better than their Judgment Day encounter and I wouldn't be surprised to see them meet one more time at Vengeance.
I wasn't a big fan of the Falls Count Anywhere Match. It was pretty boring and basic for the most part which was dissapointing given Cena's track record in brawls and Khali's good performance in the Last Man Standing Match with Undertaker. Sure the spot at the end was pretty nice (and in the Roundtable I called an FU off the stage, this was close enough) and I liked the use of the boom camera but everything to then was pretty blah. I actually liked their first match much more.
Andy Enjoyment Index:
1) Hardys-WGTT
2) Edge-Batista
3) Tables Match
4) Pudding Match
5) Vince-Lashley
6) RVD-Orton
7) Cena-Khali
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8) Kane-Henry
Andy! Andy! At Last You Have Some Feedback!
Chris Jacobs points out an error in WWE Magazine's information (one of many):
In this WWE Magazine with Ashley on the cover it is from this year I believe and it is all stats, nothing but stats and lists of top 5, top 10, lists, and in it it states that the WWE's world Heavyweight Title has never been won inside of a steel cage, including hell in a cell and elimination chamber, WELL, the first elimination chamber HBK won the belt from HHH, so apparently the guys at the Titan Towers or whatever the building is don't know what they are talking about.
I've noticed WWE Magazine has quite a few errors in it. To be fair, the WWE Title (the one held by John Cena) has never changed hands in a Steel Cage. In the most recent WWE Magazine they forget that Vengeance 2003 ever happened. Not only to they ask a trivia question of which PPV has never been a SmackDown show (where Vengeance was the "correct" answer) but they mention that the WWE Title has only changed hands once at Vengeance and that was in 2002 (Kurt Angle won the title in 2003).
Brandon Ray shares his thoughts on the HBK Report Card:
Hey Andy, just got done reading your HBK Report Card, and for the most part I'm very impressed. I agree with a lot of what you said, especially about the Three Stages of Hell match and the HIAC match, both with HHH. That Three Stages of Hell match, I really was looking forward to it when it was made, especially the ladder fall with how good we've seen HBK in ladder matches in the past, but this match was just boring to me. The first fall, all I remember is the 2x4 on fire being used against HHH and that's it. The cage match, I just remember how it ended, and same for the ladder match. I kinda blame them wasting so much time just in the Street Fight fall, I think the fall should of ended a lot sooner just to add more time to the other falls and possibly make the match better. Also that HIAC match, so many people act like that is one of the best HIAC matches only because of how long it is, but really next to the Bossman/Taker HIAC match, I consider this to be the worst HIAC. And thank you for saying the Nash/HHH match was good cause others have said it was terrible, I thought it wasn't too bad, at least they did more creative stuff in the match compared to the HBK/HHH match, which will probably only be remembered for one spot. But yea, out of that whole HHH/HBK feud, I probably consider their match on Raw in late 2003 to be their greatest match together. I'm not sure why but I just absolutely loved that match so much, I just wish I had taped it. I agree with most of your grades, but there are a couple of matches I think the grades are a little too high on for me.
The first being the Elimination Chamber match at Summerslam 2003. Eh, I mean it was alright match, but I've always thought the Sur. Series 2002 one was a lot better. This match, it just felt like the wrestlers weren't doing anything real big and mostly stalling time until Goldberg was unleashed, and once he came in, yeah he dominated and did some good stuff, like spearing Jericho through that glass chamber, and yes the buildup for the match was good with everyone having problems with each other, but before Goldberg came into the match, it was just boring to me, and once Goldberg came in he took everyone out in like 5 minutes, then HHH took him out pretty quick and it was over. I'd give it a B- or a C+. Just seems overrated to me, but that's my opinion.
And the 2nd match being the "Final Encounter" at Backlash 04 for the World Championship. It had a great atmosphere with Benoit wrestling as the champion in his hometown and all, but the match itself, when you compare it to their Wrestlemania match, it's hard to describe but at Wrestlemania, they helped people really recognize the triple threat atmosphere of the match like no other triple threat match had done before, like when HBK was about to tap out to the Crossface but HHH grabbed HBK's hand and prevented it, and when Benoit had HHH in the Sharpshooter and HBK came out of nowhere with the Sweet Chin Music, and even when Benoit was upside down in the corner and HHH whipped HBK shoulder first right into the ribs of Benoit, they just really capitalized on the match being a triple threat match and tried to be really creative with it, whereas their rematch, it didn't feel like that as much, if that makes sense. Also the match just seemed slower, and I just can't remember much from the match compared to their Wrestlemania match, besides the moment that they did a little recreation of the Screwjob when Hebner came down while HBK had Benoit in the Sharpshooter, which I really loved, and of course HBK tapping out to Chris Benoit, which I kind of consider personally to be somewhat retribution for Canada, since Bret "supposedly" tapped out to HBK (I know he didn't, but that's how the match ended according to the ref and all that crap on that night of the Montreal Screwjob), and 7 years later, in return a fellow Canadian by the name of Chris Benoit made HBK tap out and the crowd loved that, so I somewhat consider it Canada kind of getting their payback towards HBK in a way. But I just liked the Wrestlemania XX match more. I'd give this match an A- or a B+, one of the two.
And last, to sum this up since this feedback is kind of long, I watched the Unforgiven 2003 match between HBK and Orton. I'd give the match a B-, this was pretty much Randy Orton's first real good match, but look who he was working with. But a damn good report card, hopefully you'll use this in your feedback section in your next column, though this is long, since I'd like to read what you think of my opinions. Later man.
Thanks for the long e-mail! You are spot on in your assessment of the Three Stages of Hell and Hell in a Cell Matches. I've just seen the Three Stages of Hell Match again recently and I still wasn't that impressed. I'd like to see the Hell in a Cell Match again, though, just to see if I enjoy it more on a second viewing.
As for the two matches you had issues with, I understand your point. My love for the Elimination Chamber Match has greatly diminished over the years, I just kept it at the grade I've had it in previous Report Cards. Perhaps I should consider revising it. As for the Final Encounter Match, I think you'd be hardpressed to find anyone that doesn't agree with you that the WrestleMania match was far superior. That's the thing about doing my rankings as "grades," sometimes a grade may be too inclusive. I still believe that the Backlash match should be considered an A+, but if anything the WrestleMania match should be an A++. Again, thanks for the e-mail, I hope you enjoy this week's Report Card.
Angelo Velotta drops in with his Vengeance and beyond booking suggestions:
Here's the way I'd book WWE PPV's starting with Vengeance.
Vengeance:
John Cena vs. Randy Orton (World Title)
Edge vs. Batista (WWE Title) -Batista is champ
Bobby Lashley vs. Umaga (ECW Title)
Melina vs. Candice Michelle (Women Title)
Mark Henry vs. Kane
The Great Khali and Umaga vs. The Highlanders
MVP vs. Chris Benoit in a 30 minute Ironman Match (US Title)
Cade and Murdoch vs. Hardys vs. WGTT vs. Dykstra/Nitro (Tag Titles)
Great American Bash:
John Cena vs. Randy Orton (World Title)
Edge vs. Ken Kennedy (WWE Title)
Bobby Lashley vs. Snitsky (ECW Title)
Mark Henry vs. Batista
Eight Man Tag Match (Cade/Murdoch/Hardys) vs. (WGTT and Dysktra/Nitro)
Chavo Guerrero vs. Jimmy Wang Yang (Cruiserweight Title)
Santino Marella vs. Carlito (IC Title)
MVP vs. Booker T vs. Chris Benoit (US Title)
Summerslam:
John Cena vs. Randy Orton (World Title)
Edge vs. Ken Kennedy (WWE Title)
Bobby Lashley vs. CM Punk (ECW Title)
TLC Match-Cade and Murdoch vs. Hardys vs. WGTT and Dyk/Nitro (Tag Titles)
Booker T vs. Chris Benoit
HHH vs. Ric Flair
Diva Battle Royale (Womens Title)
Umaga vs. The Great Khali (Last Man Standing)
Unforgiven:
HHH vs. Ric Flair (Hell in a Cell)
Ken Kennedy vs. Batista vs. Edge (WWE Title)
Bobby Lashley vs. CM Punk (ECW Title)
Booker T vs. MVP (US Title)
John Cena vs. Randy Orton (WWE Title-2 out of 3 falls)
Hardys vs. Cade and Murdoch (Tag Titles)
No Mercy:
Ric Flair vs. HHH (I Quit Match)
Ken Kennedy vs. Batista (WWE Title)
Edge vs. Randy Orton
Cena vs. Carlito (World-IC match but neither title is online. Winner gets a title shot)
CM Punk vs. Elijah Burke (ECW Title)
London and Kendrick vs. WGTT (Tag Titles)
Chris Benoit vs. MVP vs. Finlay vs Booker T (US Title)
Looks pretty good, but personally I'd hold off on Kennedy getting heavily involved in the title picture until WrestleMania. I'd have him be on the Draft show, run into Edge and tell him that he's gunning for him. Then Kennedy gets drafted to Raw and he's pissed because the man he wants revenge on is on SmackDown. He can either turn face at that point or play the old "I don't want to be on the brand" card and stay heel for a while. At all the joint shows Edge can mock Kennedy knowing that he can't do anything about it, until finally Kennedy wins the Royal Rumble and presto, we have our WrestleMania main event. I will say that no matter what the Draft will probably impact everything in the near future.
P-Kon also weighs in on the HBK Report Card:
Enjoying the card so far. Shawn Micheals is by far my favorite wrestler ever. I just wanted to comment on the HBK vs Y2J at Wrestlemania XIX. I agree with you 100%. I was just getting into wrestling at the time and this was my first mania and this match turned me into the megafan i am today. It is also what made me a huge mark for HBK. And hell, Jericho too. it is my favorite match of all time and its nice to know that someone else feels the same about it as i do. So thanks and keep up the goods.
You can rest easy, bro, I think the majority of the IWC gets a boner every time they watch that match. I'm glad you're enjoying the card. I couldn't do this gig without heaping praise on that match.
500 Good Words w/ Matt Adamson
It is a time to celebrate. This is my first official 500 Good Words since the end of the eight part Champion vs. Champion series. It was fun, but now it's done, and I'm ready to move on. This week and next I'm going to take a look at TNA and what I like and dislike about the direction they are headed right now. Call it a pro's and con's of choosing to watch TNA on Thursday nights. Before I get going, I should mention that I've been watching TNA since the 14th weekly PPV, which was back in the late summer of 2002. So I consider myself to be pretty well versed in all things TNA.
Pro's of Choosing to Watch TNA on Thursday Nights
I have been waiting a long time for this personally but one thing I think they have done right lately is shed the association to the NWA. It was good to get them started but the time has come for them to shed their NWA skin. Now they are able to have their own identity and not get a laugh from those of us who see the NWA for what it truly is these days, a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of its former self. Tuning into Impact in these days leading up to Slammiversary where the first ever TNA Champion will be crowned is important as they are making history. I hope it's a history that lasts and that we'll be referring to in nice little Internet conversations about wrestling for years to come. Do you want to miss out on that?
Another thing that is great about TNA right now is the return of the Steiner Brothers. While some people groan and complain about old guys being on their TV, at least you have two teams (Steiner's and 3D) that can cut crazy awesome promos and give the fans a reason to care that they still wrestle. If you missed TNA two weeks ago, you missed out on one of those awesome promos that is one of the best promos I've seen on television in a couple years. There was only one flaw with that, but I'll cover that next week in my "cons". Either way, until the actual match happens, if you enjoy promo work, if two weeks ago was any indication, we are in for a treat for the next couple weeks of Impact.
Lastly, one great reason to watch Impact on Thursdays right now is to see wrestling talent you most likely won't be able to see anywhere else. They have a tremendously talented roster of stars like Christian, Kurt Angle, Scott Steiner and Sting. Most importantly however is their depth of rising stars that are actually being pushed. You also have rising stars such as AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels, Chris Harris, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. You want to see these guys as at least three of them are going to be a huge part of the future of professional wrestling. It's like enduring WCW in the early 90's to see Steve Austin and Cactus Jack.
To be continued…
Only one more week, I promise. No more eight part series' coming from me. I wanted to cover some TNA for a change and it really takes more than 500 words to do so. I think there are a lot of other good reasons to watch TNA Impact, but right now, the three best reasons to watch are to see the future stars of tomorrow, hear some of the best promos in wrestling and see history in the making as TNA makes its own history apart from the NWA. Next week I'll talk about some of the things that make me wish I had missed Impact. Until then, check out my Sunday column "Destiny" as well as Fink's Payload. I also took part in Buy or Sell last week with Larry Csonka. Until next time.
The Shimmy Likes It Raw!
What's on tap for tonight's show?
That wraps things up for this week. Next week I'll finish up the Shawn Michaels Report Card. Be there, fool! Until then, don't die. Clark…out.
