The Wrestling Framework 04.01.12: The Day of Mania

MATCH: The Ultimate Warrior vs. Hulk Hogan

Psychology: 2
Work Rate: 1
Crowd: 2
Spots: 2
Finish: 2
Overall: 9

Psychology: This match was just overflowing with excitement. From the get go, you could just feel the electricity. Hogan and Warrior. Warrior and Hogan. It didn’t get any bigger than this. Two behemoths with titles going at it in the middle of the ring. While the work rate wasn’t going to be spectacular, they put enough effort in to this match to make it awesome. The test of strength moment alone was enough to make me really understand that it was two big, strong guys who were fighting to see who was the best. And the way that they sold it made it so damn believable, too. Hogan generally had a look of sheer pain on his face while on his knees as Warrior was cranking on his hands. That last sentence could sound very wrong… Even when the guys in the ring were lacking from the psychological stand point, you had that amazing commentary team to make up for it. Monsoon and Ventura were amazing here in calling this match and they helped progress the story these two men were trying to tell. Overall, I was just impressed with the ability these two guys had to actually tell a story coupled along with doing very little in the ring. Goes to show that if you structure a match right and all the elements are working in your favor, you could lay around and the match might actually be somewhat good.

Work Rate: The work rate was a lot better than I would have expected, for what it’s worth. I mean, I don’t expect these two big dudes to come out and chain wrestle. Or even go suplex for suplex. The work they gave us was perfectly acceptable for it’s purpose and it fit the style of the two. While it’s acceptable, it is no means great or even good. It was very much on the repetitive side and that gets a little boring. Not to mention that at times they were very sloppy with what they were doing. The whole eye-rake back and forth was just ugly. I couldn’t even tell what the hell was going on if it hadn’t been for the commentary. And how many times do we have to see these guys run the ropes? I’m not saying it’s necessarily a bad thing, but it seemed like they depended on Irish-whips and just bouncing off the ropes a lot. Granted, the first time they started criss-cross the rope running was awesome and worked as a solid spot (see below), but they did it a few more times and it took away from the luster of it. Lastly, I just want to say that the chin-lock Hogan had on Warrior was just weak looking. I see what they were trying to do and all, but it just didn’t work for me. Overall, the work was nothing to write home about, but it was acceptable considering who was wrestling.

Crowd: Now, I would have been worried had the crowd not been as loud and excited as they were. Here you have the two biggest babyface stars in the company squaring of TITLE VS. TITLE as the main event of WrestleMania. If that doesn’t excite you as a fan, you do not have any right being a fan. Even to this day, I get excited as hell with this match. The crowd was going nuts and it made this match really feel like the giant it was. This is how a WrestleMania main event crowd is supposed to sound like. This is the kind of reaction that WWE needs from their fans. Do you think that Triple H vs. The Undertaker is going to get this kind of crowd excitement? Or Rock and Cena? It’s possible, but somewhat unlikely. The fans just don’t go batshit insane like this anymore. Or when they do, it’s very rare. Sure, you get a pop for this and for that, but you don’t get a constant sense of excitement from them. Hogan and Warrior were two guys who were also able to make the crowd go crazy with even the slightest gesture. They had the crowd in the palm of their hands and they were willing to take them on a crazy roller coaster of emotions. Great crowd for a high profile match that helped in the overall big picture.

Spots: This match had the classic powerhouse spots. From the test of strength to Warrior sinking in a bear hug. All of the spots they used, they used to perfection. I wish they used the test of strength spot more often. That was one of my favorite things to watch was when two men decided to link up and see who is stronger. Sure, sometimes it would seem a bit slow. One guy would be down on his knees in pain and, depending on who was doing it, it wouldn’t look all that realistic. But it was definitely and effective spot to use in a match. Cruiserweights even managed to fit this in to their repertoires. Except they were able to take it to a whole different level. They would add in bridges and flips and all sorts of crazy shit that just made much more exciting. Maybe that’s why they don’t use it anymore. Maybe it just became something people became used to seeing from cruiserweights that if, say, Big Show and Mark Henry were to do this spot the classic way, fans may not buy in to it. Also, in regards to the bear hug, I remember when submission moves used to be utilized effectively and it added to the match. Granted, you still get that at times, but I don’t think fans really understand why Wrestler A would use something even as simple as a chin-lock often in a match. Sure, it allows the wrestlers to rest and regroup and prepare for the next bit, but it also works as part of the story telling. Holding a guy in a chin-lock is going to wear him down. Keep using it and eventually you might even get a submission victory. Hearing that such and such wrestler relies too much on a move like that just seems ludicrous to me. And last but not least, the hulking up moments are ALWAYS money when it comes to spots. With Hogan, and even Warrior at the time, it all worked so damn perfectly.

Finish: That finish was BOMB! Hogan going for his patented leg-drop only to miss and Warrior counter with the big splash for the just-barely pin-fall victory was EPIC! Looking back with what wrestling is today, you’d probably wonder, “what the hell is so special about that?” You have to take yourself out of the current mindset and try to live in the past. If you were a child when you first saw this, how did you feel? If you were older, how did you feel? This kind of finish was incredible. And it worked for both sides. Warrior became a force in the WWF after this win, and Hogan still looked strong as he was able to kick out, albeit too late. And afterwards, Hogan was showing being upset at not kicking out a second sooner. But he was still man enough to go outside the ring, grab the title, and hand it over to Warrior in a true passing the torch moment. While in today’s terms, this finish wouldn’t be all that great. At the time, this finish was nothing short of amazing.

Overall: Man, watching this I feel like a kid again. I can’t express how awesome this match still is today. Say what you will about each guy, but you know at that very moment, they were on top of the world. The fans loved them, they knew it, and they busted their asses to give them the match that they deserved. And Hogan passing the torch to the guy who he knew could run with it and do amazing things says a lot. Without looking too much at the personalities of the two or the backstage shit or even what happened after this match, just looking on at it as a fan that doesn’t know any better…. You can’t deny that it was and still is a special moment in professional wrestling history. A moment that you don’t see often. As hard as WWE tries, I don’t think they can reproduce this type of moment ever. Well, unless somehow Cena becomes universally accepted and someone like Mr. Ziggles or Cody Rhodes becomes the hottest thing since sliced Cena, then it’ll be hard. But then again, in a decade or two, things could definitely change. Speaking of “passing the torch” moments, how about that Rock vs. Cena? Depending on the outcome, this could be a pretty solid moment. But, I’ve heard rumors of Cena and Rock at 29, so that might not happen this year. In the world of professional wrestling, anything is possible.

WINNER: THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Promo for Rock vs. Cena

MATCH: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. The Rock

Psychology: 2
Work Rate: 1
Crowd: 2
Spots: 2
Finish: 2
Overall: 9

Psychology: Wow, what can I say? These guys were just so talented they were able to go out there and make true magic happen. This match was the epitome of everything the Attitude Era was. And it also had the some of the biggest heels and faces in the Attitude Era. They were able to sell the hate and animosity between each other so damn well. Every little thing they did to each other, you had to believe that they were trying to end the others career right there. And they had such fantastic chemistry together. Seriously, these were two of the best main eventers at the time and they had such a way about gelling their respective styles to make things awesome. For those not knowing what’s going on, this is a classic showdown between the rebellious badass and the narcissistic company man. It was a way of continuing the McMahon/Austin feud. The whole deal really started at the Rumble where McMahon screwed Austin out of winning it and getting his shot at the title at ‘Mania. And throughout the months leading up to ‘Mania, McMahon played every trick in his book to keep Austin out of the title match. Unfortunate for McMahon, Austin had a few ace’s up his sleeve as well. The biggest one coming in the form of Commissioner Michaels who gave Austin the title match. So, there you go. The story leading to this point in a nutshell.

Work Rate: Yeah, not the best that these two could put on, but effective enough. Much like the Hogan/Warrior match, this was more about the two megaliths of starpower facing off in the ring, one on one in a high profile match, and not about the fantastic ring work they could put on. While they had some moments where their ring work was decent, I can’t justify full marks for it in this case. I’m not trying to come off as a work rate snob or anything, I’m just trying to be honest, and in a way, fair. I wouldn’t give this match a perfect score in the work rate department like I would, say, Savage/Steamboat. It would just be insulting to guys who actually focused on providing awesome ring work. Not saying Austin and Rock DIDN’T work hard here, but it was more focused on the spots. I came up with this assumption considering that most of the match was focused on brawling on the outside. In most cases, I wouldn’t be too thrilled about it, but in this case I can make an exception. Probably because of the fanboyish bias, but who really wouldn’t have that? Just sayin’.

Crowd: Come on. Do I really have to say anything about this crowd? This was right in the peak of popularity. This was when wrestling was ridiculously popular. And not only that, but you had Rock and Austin inside the ring facing off for the WWF Title at WRESTLEMANIA! If that crowd was anything other than going crazy, then they were all WCW plants. The crowd was hot for this match. The crowd was hot for Austin and Rock. The crowd was hot for the WrestleMania main event. This crowd here is another awesome example of what a main event crowd is supposed to be like. Without the crowd and the rabid fans, the stars in the ring would possibly fade in to obscurity. It takes the fans cheering or booing for a wrestler to make them an effective star. The WWE could book them to the moon, but if the crowd shits all over them, they will never be in the position the company wants them to be. I guess a weird exception to this rule could be Cena. Not sure how I feel about him in regards to why he’s such a big star. Wait, no, he fits. Regardless of the reaction, he is still able to elicit the reaction period. Either way, the crowd is every bit as important to the match as is the wrestlers performing.

Spots: This match is the definition of the Attitude Era. Overbooked to hell and back, trying to squeeze in ever little bit they could. From Austin throwing Rock in to the crowd and brawling all over to Vinnie Mac helping Rock stomp Austin in the corner. Hell, Foley got his time to shine in that match, too. But through it all, I actually liked the overbooking here. I know I’ve said in the past that I’m not a fan of overbooking and stuff like that, but I can make an exception because this was a huge match that was made better with the overbooking. This was supposed to seem like a hardcore fight between two people who really hate each other, and this really made that point be driven home. The addition of McMahon furthered the Austin/McMahon bit and Foley…well, it’s Mick Foley. He’s like that special kid you just let do whatever, because, what harm could he do? Well, except for punching out the boss and counting the three in favor of the rebel. Other than that, he’s their special little(or big) guy! Overall, the spots here worked well to make the match more exciting and really get the story over.

Finish: WAM BAM, THANK YOU MA’AM! Does this finish look familiar to one you may or may not have seen recently? Yeah, it’s oddly reminiscent of the “counter finisher to my finisher” finish that was used in Hogan/Warrior. Not saying it was a rare formula used, but when used effectively in the right match, it’s an epic finish. And this one was a step above the Hogan/Warrior one. This one saw THREE counters! That’s right, three! Austin moves out of the way of the People’s Elbow, Rock counters the kick set-up for the Stunner, then Austin counters the Rock Bottom and finally hits the Stunner for the victory. That was a damn exciting finish right there! At any moment one or the other could hit their finisher and that would be it. That’s the level of excitement that should be elicited by the wrestlers when it comes to the finale of the main event, ESPECIALLY AT WRESTLEMANIA! You want people to remember the match for years to come. And the best way to do that is to really have a damn epic victory. Granted, it’s hard to pull off a truly exciting finish that hasn’t been seen before, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility. With the right set-up, almost any finish can have that truly epic feel to it.

Overall: Yeah, I’ll admit it, I mark the hell out for Austin and Rock no matter what. This is one of the WrestleMania main events that I remember vividly from my childhood. And no matter how many time I watch it, it still gets me all excited and I still mark the hell out every step of the way. Does that equate to a possible unneeded bias? Probably. But when it comes down to really being a fan, it’s hard to check that bias at the door. It really is. No matter what you’re going to always revert to the kid or young adult that you were when you first watched the match. You’ll always look back with fondness and remember the feelings and emotions that the match brought up in you. That’s why I love to just sit around sometimes with some beer and chips and just watch classic matches. Just to relive the way I felt when I first watched it. Or even to just to watch a match I have never seen before. Most times with that, I usually try to watch the match with a mindset as if I were watching it currently. It’s hard, as I stated, but when you take in to account how spoiled we have become as fans, you realize that it’s fun to try and watch an old match and view it through the eyes of someone during that era. And while this wasn’t the best match between Austin and Rock, it’s my favorite of their meetings because it makes me feel like the 11-year old boy I was when I watched it. Yeah, I’m that young.

WINNER: “STONE COLD” STEVE AUSTIN

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Fan made WrestleMania promo. Has some repetitive stuff, and stuff that doesn’t fit in to 28, but I like it.

B-B-B-BONUS ROUND!

It’s WrestleMania, and I’m damn excited!

This is what I wait for all year! This is the time of year when it just feels great to be a wrestling fan. Even the casual fans come out of their holes to watch WrestleMania. It truly is the biggest event in pro wrestling. And no matter how good or bad the product is, people will always want to watch it because opinions of the product differ on such huge scales. Speaking of which…

The story builds have been hit and miss. The ever vocal IWC likes to think that most of the builds have sucked, hold no entertainment value, and in no way entices people to buy WrestleMania 28. While I respect their opinion, I have to question their being a fan. If none of this has entertained you, are you even a fan anymore? Or maybe it’s just that your tastes in entertainment has changed to the point that wrestling is no longer for you. I’m not trying to say anyone is wrong in their opinion as I don’t believe an opinion can be wrong. Unless it’s an opinion presented as fact, when it is not so. Me? I watch it all. And I try to enjoy it all. Wrestling is the way it is and it may or may not change anytime soon. I have talked to some people who really just dislike something because of their own bias and haven’t really given what they dislike a chance. How can you dislike something if you know nothing about it and haven’t experienced it first hand? Those who admit to, say, watching something with Santino and not liking it because he’s a comedy character is fine. But going on to talk about how he’s somehow ruining pro wrestling or making a farce of it is just plain asinine. For decades there has always been comedy characters. And just because it’s a comedy character, doesn’t mean that he or she can’t see some sort of success. Mike Tyson is a good example. While unintentionally funny, he’s seen a lot of success. Okay, bad example, but I couldn’t think of anything else and in light of Tyson going in to the Hall, I figured I’d use him.

tl;dr summary: It’s okay to have a preference and not like something, but at least give it a chance and figure out that you really hate it because you generally don’t like what you’re seeing as opposed to just hating it because you probably wont like it. Am I making sense here? I feel like I’m not making my point clear and can’t seem to get my mind to work properly to form the words to explain the point I’m trying to make.

On that note, I’m going to give my tiny brain a rest and bid you all farewell until next week. Enjoy WrestleMania. Sit around the tube with your family and friends at home, or watch it at a venue. Whatever way you choose to view it, just enjoy it for what it is.