WWE vs. TNA 10.28.06: Bret Hart vs. Samoa Joe

The Pre-Match Warm-up:

Category 1: Strengths

Bret Hart: There is little fault in Bret Hart’s wrestling style. He has endurance (evident in his Ironman match against Shawn Michaels), ability to get crowd reactions (his match against Steve Austin at Wrestlemania 13 is a good example), and his hardcore style shown in his cage matches, particularly with Steve Austin and his late brother, Owen Hart. His technical prowess has also led to his nickname, the Excellence of Execution. If these two were to lock up, it would be to Hart’s advantage to constantly change up his style. If he could come out quick with a series or technical holds, I think he could take Joe off guard. Since Joe is used to taking on most opponents in the X-Division, which is mainly based on high flying, Hart might get the early advantage. However, Joe is an incredibly intelligent wrestler so he might see it coming. Another advantage Hart would have would be experience. Bret Hart has been around the block and back, so he has tons off counters. Counters for counters. For counters. And so on and so forth. What I’m trying to say is that Bret Hart has a lot of knowledge with a bunch of different opponents with different fighting styles. Samoa Joe’s style is very similar to
Chris Benoit’s, who he tangled with in WCW. Another benefit of Hart is his focus and intensity. Without these, how could he of had that awesome Ironman match with Shawn Michaels. If he could keep Samoa out of his head, it would hard for Joe to break Bret Hart’s determination and concentration. Another major part to Hart’s success was how he was trained and who he was trained by. He was trained in the Stu Hart’s infamous Dungeon, a tough, brutal, hole in the wall where the some of the best were trained.

Samoa Joe: Samoa Joe kills B#%$&*!! That being said, Samoa Joe’s greatest attribute would be his youth. Now, when I talk about these “fantasy” match-ups, I want everyone to take into mind that I want you to consider these wrestlers in their prime. That being said, when Hart was at the top of his game, he was still in his mid 30’s. Samoa Joe broke into the wrestling business four years ago, when he was twenty-five. This gives him around a ten year age difference. Joe is also a very versatile. He’s so technically sound it is unbelievable. He can go high-flying, too. How many big men have you seen doing somersault planchas over the top rope? Not many. He is also a hardcore wrestler, too. He has taken part in many hardcore bouts, and for the most part he gets the last laugh. I think his best approach to beating Hart would be to use his agility. For the most part, most of the larger guys Bret has tangled with were not as light on their feet as Joe. If he could surprise Hart with some high kicks, or Olay kicks, and maybe a plancha, Bret would be taken off guard. Also, Joe is one tough mofo. He is as resilient as they come, and he can stay on top off the match. He’s not afraid to put his body on the line, but when it comes down to crunch time, Samoa Joe is all business and becomes stiff competition.

Category 2: Fighting Styles

Samoa Joe: As I mentioned before, one thing that makes Samoa Joe so awesome is his versatility. He can wrestle a mat based match and keep his opponent grounded, or he can take a high-flying approach. As it was apparent at Bound for Glory, Samoa Joe can also take on the hardcore style of match. And he is an incredibly strong guy. It would quite a challenge for Samoa Joe to find a style he can’t adapt to. Some might say he is chameleon like. Anyways, Joe’s most obvious fighting style is old school. He applies plenty of armbars, headlocks, and chops. However, he also plays the power game. Joe has a sick powerslam, can make you cringe with a powerbomb, and his finisher, the Muscle Buster, is nothing short of awe-inspiring. And how many of you winced when Joe hit the Island Driver off the turnbuckle on Christopher Daniels on TNA’s first Thursday show. Samoa Joe can pull off some innovative maneuvers, no doubt. If you saw Bound for Glory, you know how sick that senton to Abyss on the thumbtacks was. Joe is also a sturdy, sturdy wrestler. It took THREE chair shots to break the clutch at BFG. Nevertheless, look for Samoa Joe to pull almost all of his various fighting styles out of his bag in a match against Hart.

Bret Hart: Many would argue that Bret Hart is the most technically sound wrestler ever. Period. That being said, he can also be a rough and aggressive wrestler. In addition, he is also very innovative. It would be wise to say that Hart could adapt to many fighting styles, too. Most of his method he learned from his dad in Calgary. There he learned to be tough, technical, and experienced. He had some of the best training a wrestler could get, and that showed in his matches. He could keep you down on the mat with his many submission moves, such as his various leg locks and headlocks, and inflict tons of pain with his strike assaults. Knee drops, elbow drops, and headbutts were all included in Hart’s arsenal. This being said, everyone knows that Bret Hart was old school. He would take his opponents down with suplexes, back drops, and back breakers. He would also take to the top rope to hit a flying elbow drop. He is a very patient wrestler, and would not attack out of instinct. Each of his moves was carefully planned out. If these two were to tangle, look for Bret Hart to start out on the defensive. Remember, the best offense is a good defense. Once Joe is tired, and we all know Bret can keep going for a long time, Hart should capitalize.

Category 3: Finishers

Bret Hart: Bret Hart is the Master of the Sharpshooter. What more is needed. When that move is locked in, you either give up or give out. Bret Hart didn’t just lock it on. He’d precisely measure out where to lock it on, and how to inflict the most pain with it. That was the thing with Hart. He would always think before making hie move. He is also know to us the piledriver.

Samoa Joe: Muscle Buster /Coquina Clutch combo is the most effective in TNA. Period. Joe is able to maintain his undefeated streak by propping his opponents on the top rope, once again, I’ll quote Wikipedia because they lay it out in terms everyone can understand. “The move is performed when an attacking wrestler hooks both an opponent’s legs with his/her arms and tucks their head in next to the opponent’s before standing and lifting the opponent up, so that they are upside down with their head resting on the attacking wrestler’s shoulder. From this position, the attacking wrestler jumps up and drops down to the mat, driving the opponent shoulder first down to the mat with the opponent’s neck impacting both the wrestler’s shoulder and the mat.” The Coquina clutch is a simple yet deadly rear naked choke that is the perfect follow up for the Muscle Buster.

The Final Result:

When it comes down to it, I think Joe has the definite advantage. He has strength, agility, technicality, and youth. While Bret Hart is one of the greatest wrestlers alive, I just don’t think he has what it takes to keep up with Joe. I think these two would be best in a submission match, similar to the one between Hart/Austin. So what do you think?

I GOT FEEDBACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jeremy Addison writes:
What a match this would be! The only way it could be better is if HBK was still in his prime. It would still be outstanding nonetheless. At this stage of their careers I definitely have to give AJ the advantage. I could see these guys exchanging holds and going after each other with aerial assaults. HBK’s top rope elbow drop and moonsault pale in comparison to the aerial wizardry of Mister Styles. The end of the match comes when HBK sets up AJ for a top rope Frankensteiner and AJ reverses to a Super Styles Clash. Nobody gets up from that!

Yeah, I do have to agree it would be way better if HBK was in his prime. However, at his old age, he can still pull a four star rabbit out of his hat. And while Styles’ aerial moves are impressive, you gotta love the classics. The finish to the match would bbe good, to, and also unexpected. Keep up the good work Jeremy.

Chad Rogers writes:
Jordan,
This is a total mark out moment for any wrestling fan who truly appreciates workrate. I am a huge Michaels fan and have been since the illustrious heel turn from the Barber Shop segment. I have also followed TNA from their start and the first superstar that I associated myself with was “The Phenomenal One.” Putting these two in a match together would be nothing short of a classic. More than likely, the match would be talked about for decades to come. I am also a major supporter of Bret Hart. I know that is kinda awkard, but I was a fan of Hart before I knew about the infamous screwjob and before I knew how to break kayfabe. With that being said, I think that, well maybe not now, but when Michaels was in his prime and the all-around performer A.J. is now, these two could surpass the Ironman Match between Hart and Michaels, which is my favorite Wrestlemania match besides Steamboat/Savage from 3. Anyways, good column man. In addition, I just wanted to say that I enjoyed last week’s column as well, I just didn’t have time to respond. I also truly like RVD. I love Petey Williams finisher, but I don’t know if I’m sold on him yet or not. Keep up the good work man.

Ask and you shall receive, my dear Chad. The match definitely would be a classic. Keep on reading, brother.

Now onto someone who clearly has the utmost respect for Hulk Hogan.

Jim Moore writes:
So, was your hot pocket the kind stuffed with a hot pocket? And if so, did it taste just like a hot pocket?

But good article. Now get working on Abdullah the Butcher vs. Hulk Hogan. The real winner? Doesn’t matter if Hulk wins, as long as he is eviscerated.

Whatcha gonna do, brother, when Hulkamania spills his guts on you?!?!?!

Susan wrote me a novel, but you gotta love someone with opinions. She also gave me some creative match-ups.

Jordan,
You gave me goosebumps thinking about this incredible
dream match. Having been a huge HBK mark for a good
ten years now, I have thought of many different
opponents that I would love to see Michaels face; The
Rock being at the top of the list, but seeing as he a)
doesn’t like Michaels personally and b) probably won’t
wrestle again, this match probably won’t happen. I
have also been a fan of AJ Styles for about a year
now, most likely because he reminds me of Shawn in his
daredevil days, except Styles is crazier than Michaels
ever was. That being said, I never thought about how
great it would be to see these two face off
one-on-one. I would love to see these two in an
Ironman match too. The thought of that is almost, if
you’ll excuse the expression, orgasmic. I think the
match that could most show off these guys skills is a
two out of three falls match, with a steel cage, a
ladder match, and maybe a street fight (or even just a
regular fall in there). The great thing about thinking
about these two in a match is that even though they
are high risktakers, they can also wrestle a mean
match without needing to take an insane spot. It’s a
shame we’ll never see this match, if not only because
both men seem too loyal to their respective companies
to ever switch sides. Bravo on picking two terrific
atheletes that could put on a classic five-star match
for the ages!

and also…..

If you’re talking in kayfabe, I think Shawn Michaels
would pull it out. He’s a better pure wrestler and AJ
would probably end up killing himself trying to
out-Show the Showstopper. I think HBK has become a
much smarter worker since his return in 2002. AJ is
good, but he’s still learning and growing. He’ll
perfect his craft while he’s still young and he could
be one of the greats one day…ONE DAY. As of today,
Michaels is one of the best wrestlers of our era. He
would outlast Styles, no doubt.

Doing a great job by the way Jordan,
Susan

Wow. That was cool. Anyway, those are some pretty good ideas. And remember, in the wild world of professional wrestling, never say never.

Now I have a little constructive criticism from the boss as well as a fantasy match-up.

Hi,

Ash.
=

I don’t know much about Evans, so I’ll have to look in on it. I did see a sick fall he took off the cage on Youtube, though. Fine… here it is. Insane!

Finally, we have an idea that wont make the cut unless run out of matches and use guy again, but it was still a good though.

How about a match between Taz and Samoa Joe? I’m talking about the origanal ECW Taz, the human suplex machine vs Samoa Joe the human submission machine. Was there ever a better match made in hell?
Ron Larsen

I’m pretty sure I won’t get to this, but I wanted to put it on here anyways because it was an awesome idea. Keep writing, Ron.

Well, that’s all folks. Don’t forget to send me your feedback, and keep the ideas coming. Peace out.

Jordan Linkous