The Best Of The Rest 10.25.08: Volume 63 - The Forgotten Ones - Guerrero Vs. JBL

Posted by Alex Mattis on 10.25.2008

For the first edition of the BOTR: The Forgotten Ones, we take a look at a match that has come to be known as "The Los Angeles Blood Bath."

Hello all and welcome back to the "Best Of The Rest!" Hope all has gone well with everyone since we last met. Last week we went through the first edition of the BOTR: Used To Perfection, which brings us to the first installment of BOTR: The Forgotten Ones. Here is where I will devote a column to a match, wrestler, etc. that I feel doesn't get the props it deserves. So for this debut, I will take a look at a WWE title match from 2004 that had very had very little hope when announced and it turned to be one of the most violent matches in the company's history. LET'S GET DOWN TO IT!!!

In February of 2004 Eddie Guerrero did what very little expected and defeated Brock Lesnar for the WWE title. It was an incredible change of pace in the E and I was anxious to see what came out of it. We were fortunate enough to have Eddie's first title defense to be against Kurt Angle at WrestleMania XX. It was an epic contest, but that is to be expected with those two. From there it was unknown who Eddie's next title challenger would be. Then out of fuckin' nowhere came this mega-push for Bradshaw, who from that point on would go as JBL. The angle leading up to the match was less than great, it played out the Mexican Vs. American angle pretty roughly. Things only got worse when the "JBL gave Eddie's mom a heart attack" element was added to the mix. Adding on to that was the fact that many doubted Bradshaw's ability to main event and Eddie's ability to carry the match. So obviously leading into the match many fans weren't too optimistic. Well as far as I'm concerned, any and all expectations were surpassed with this match.

When it came match time I don't think many knew what to expect. When the bell ran the LA crowd was hot. WAY into Eddie and WAY against JBL, this dud was getting some serious heat. So for the early part of the match we had some good ol' fashion face vs. heel action. Back and forth action, the classic main event ref bump, and then this happened...

This was one of the worst bleedings I have ever seen, not just in wrestling... EVER. When I was watching this match live I thought to myself, "they have to go home right now, Eddie's fucked." Well that wasn't the case at all, in a sense this is really where the match began. Eddie's blood starting flowing, bad. JBL kept working on him and wouldn't you know it, Eddie started working a believable comeback. It was quite a sight to see Eddie, blood spurting everywhere, work his comeback. Eventually the match ended in a DQ, but that still didn't end it. From here a brawl erupted with Eddie landing some ridiculous chair shots on JBL and a bloody Bradshaw trying to retreat. At the night's end Eddie stood tall in the ring celebrating, bring an end to a violent, uber-bloody classic. This match is also one of the few you'll find in that is a title match, the match ends with a rather silly DQ, but the match still worked and turned out great.

This match really validated Eddie Guerrero and his title run as well as showed that JBL was legit and could step up to the plate when called. Obviously Eddie status as a legend of the sport has been cemented, and this match was a crucial one for him and it showcased why he was so great. JBL had many doubters going into this match and he silenced many of them and really raised his stock, I mean he was pretty much a constant headliner for the following 2 years or so. This match truly benefited all that were involved, maybe not physically but you know what I mean. Why is goes underrated to this day still baffles me. It's not often the E pumps out a match with this level of intense violence so you'd think that factor alone would leave this match fresh in the fans eyes. Also like I said before, it's not often a main event title match ends in a DQ and isn't label "bullshit" or "a disappointment" so you know there had to be something special about this one. If you have yet to see this classic from Judgment Day 2004 I highly recommend you do, skip out the rest of event though... it was not good... at all. But yeah, for sure check this one out because for it to go forgotten would be a shame.

Well that's all for me this week.

Remember feedback, as always, is welcome at [e-mail] or directly below.

To round out the month, next week a return to the original format of the BOTR. I'll be covering on the current going-ons in the world of 'rasslin.

*This Week's YouTube Sendoff*


Take care and I'll see you next week,

-Alex