Hey everybody. For the benefit of those of us out there who enjoy a bit of wrestling trivia, I submit to you some historical happenings of the mat game we love so much-- for the month of February!
(Quick question: What month in the calendar year has 28 days? All of 'em, duh!)
Anyway, here's just a sampling of some events of the past:
February 5th, 1988- The longest WWF/E title run of the Immortal Hulk Hogan ends when he is defeated by Andre the Giant in one of the biggest referee screwjobs in history when Ted DiBiase orchestrates the debacle with twin referees-- Earl and Dave Hebner. Moments after Andre wins the title, he sells the belt to DiBiase!
February 21, 1993- In one of the bloodiest brawls ever, going nearly half an hour, WCW World Champion Big Van Vader defeats Sting at SuperBrawl III in The White Castle of Fear leather strap match. This awesome bout was a continuation of Vader and Stinger's monumental feud.
February 27, 2000- In perhaps his shining hour as WWF/E Champion, HHH retains his belt and retires Cactus Jack, aka Mick Foley, in an insane Hell in a Cell brawl that sees Foley get backdropped through the cell-- and the wrestling ring! Eventually, Triple H would lose his WWF Title to The Rock at Backlash that year.
February 20, 1989- Beginning what many consider to be the greatest series of matches ever, Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat defeats 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair in Chicago for the NWA World Title at the Chi-Town Rumble. Their epic program would culminate with Flair recapturing the championship for the seventh time in May of that year at WrestleWar '89- The Music City Showdown.
These are but four of some of the coolest memories I have. Each one holds great memories for me and my brother. By all means, please share your reflections on these happenings, and add and reflect on others! (If you wanna!)
Later.
David Crockett sez it best, folks: "Look at 'im, Tony! Look at 'im!"
I have most of the Sting and Vader feud documented on tape, and they did have some of the most amazing matches and were probably one of the main reasons to watch WCW at that time...much like say Angle and Benoit's ongoing feud right now.
Anyway, for those who haven't seen Sting and Vader's strap match for the world title at Superbrawl 3, I highly recommend and its probably the best of numerous matches those 2 had. Strap/chain/bullrope matches in the last decade have usually sucked but Sting and Vader had just an amazing brawl with some great wrestling in it as well that I still think puts a lot of hardcore main event matches to shame.
My one problem with this match is that at one point Vader gets these deep bloody welts or bruises on his back, and I thought holy shit that's gotta hurt. Another time when I watched the match again I noticed that Sting was slapping the strap on vader's back causing him to topple over on the floor. Harley Race looked to check on Vader, but if you look closely you can see him get a can or container and put liquid or some kind of substance on vader's back. Its like one of those little continuity errors or mistakes you run into when you watch a movie.
(edited by The Vile1 on 4.2.03 2322) "I am many things Kal-El, but here I am god." -Darkseid
Did anything cool happen at the St. Valentine's Day Massacre a few years back other than Austin/McMahon, and the subsequent debut of the Big Show? Wasn't there a rockem Mankind/Rock brawl?
In the name of good taste, I will no longer say anything about people who run wrestling websites and cats.
Originally posted by LexusDid anything cool happen at the St. Valentine's Day Massacre a few years back other than Austin/McMahon, and the subsequent debut of the Big Show? Wasn't there a rockem Mankind/Rock brawl?
It was the Last Man Standing match. Mankind was champion going in, and the match ended in a draw when they knocked each other out with simultaneous chair shots. Not the best match of that series, mostly due to the goofy ending. (Rock won the belt back once and for all the next night on RAW in a ladder match, this time due to interference of the still-unnamed Big Show).
"Your enemy is not surrounding your country. Your enemy is ruling your country." "President" George W. Bush - Is he talking to Iraq or us?
I really don't have the energy to look up exact dates, but some random events come to mind:
Feb 1996: HBK gets kicked in the head by Owen Hart and collapses live on Raw.
Feb 1997: Shawn loses his smile, Rock wins his first title (IC)
Feb 1998: "Barbed Wire" is first used in the WWF in the No Way Out (of Texas) main event. Savio Vega disappoints fans as the surprise entrant. Note: I believe this is the first WWE appearance of barbed wire, but I'm not 100%. Can anyone confirm?
Feb 14, 1999: Buyrates soar for the much anticipated "Mississippi River Brawl" between Al Snow and Hardcore Holly.
Feb 2000: HHH/Austin No Way Out classic. Probably the best match I've seen from HHH.
Feb 2001: nWo returns to the WWE. Hilarity ensues.
Who can forget the classic world title change in February 1989. No, I'm not talking about Steamboat/Flair, I mean Larryland winning the AWA World Title in a Battle Royal by eliminating the net's most bitter man Tom Zenk. That was the night when the AWA's death sentence became official. Also, February '96, the Pillman 'I Respect You Booker-man' comment to end Sullivan/Pillman strap match, where WCW played the kayfabe/shoot line on PPV. Speaking of Flyin' Brian, February '91 when Sid almost killed Pillman with powerbombs in WarGames.
edit: And of course, who can forget, Crockett from the Omni on TBS in February '86. The night the Midnight Express won the NWA Tag Titles for the first time.
(edited by redsoxnation on 5.2.03 1132) Bringing the French along in a war is like bringing an accordion along when you go hunting. All it provides is useless noise.
Originally posted by SimbaI really don't have the energy to look up exact dates, but some random events come to mind:
Feb 1996: HBK gets kicked in the head by Owen Hart and collapses live on Raw.
Feb 1997: Shawn loses his smile, Rock wins his first title (IC)
Feb 1998: "Barbed Wire" is first used in the WWF in the No Way Out (of Texas) main event. Savio Vega disappoints fans as the surprise entrant. Note: I believe this is the first WWE appearance of barbed wire, but I'm not 100%. Can anyone confirm?
Feb 14, 1999: Buyrates soar for the much anticipated "Mississippi River Brawl" between Al Snow and Hardcore Holly.
Feb 2000: HHH/Austin No Way Out classic. Probably the best match I've seen from HHH.
Feb 2001: nWo returns to the WWE. Hilarity ensues.
Originally posted by SimbaI really don't have the energy to look up exact dates, but some random events come to mind:
Feb 1996: HBK gets kicked in the head by Owen Hart and collapses live on Raw.
Feb 1997: Shawn loses his smile, Rock wins his first title (IC)
Feb 1998: "Barbed Wire" is first used in the WWF in the No Way Out (of Texas) main event. Savio Vega disappoints fans as the surprise entrant. Note: I believe this is the first WWE appearance of barbed wire, but I'm not 100%. Can anyone confirm?
Feb 14, 1999: Buyrates soar for the much anticipated "Mississippi River Brawl" between Al Snow and Hardcore Holly.
Feb 2000: HHH/Austin No Way Out classic. Probably the best match I've seen from HHH.
Feb 2001: nWo returns to the WWE. Hilarity ensues.
Nothing for Feb 2002?
Considering Austin/Trip was 2001 instead of 2000, and the NWO return was 2002 instead of 2001, something must happen this month to qualify for 2002.
Bringing the French along in a war is like bringing an accordion along when you go hunting. All it provides is useless noise.
Originally posted by DJ FrostyFreezeNothing for Feb 2002?
You know, I am completely stupid today. (just today?) First, I misdated the Owen/HBK stuff. Then I proceed to confuse my 2001 and 2002 history. The correct dates for the HHH/Austin match was 2001 and the nWo return was 2002.
Edit: Ah, I knew someone would catch that before me. Strange that someone on an internet message board would nitpick every single word I write.
(edited by Simba on 5.2.03 1206) I love the way you drive.
Originally posted by LexusDid anything cool happen at the St. Valentine's Day Massacre a few years back other than Austin/McMahon, and the subsequent debut of the Big Show? Wasn't there a rockem Mankind/Rock brawl?
There was a tag match on that card between Kane/Chyna and HHH/X-Pac which was almost certainly the best match Kane or Chyna ever was involved in, and which was a legit ***1/2 to **** match IMO.
If I were a cartoon character in high school, I would so have a crush on Joan Of Arc.
The match at St. Valentine's Massacre between Austin and McMahon is possibly one of the most entertaining matches ever. Who would have ever thought that McMahon would go through a table? The match itself was pure fun from beginning to end. McMahon took the beating of a lifetime and everytime Austin would go to leave, McMahon would give him the finger or something of that sort to get him to come back in. The finish occurred when the "Big Nasty" Paul Wight came through the mat and THREW Austin through the cage. This match was one of Russo's shining moments.
I can think back to February of 1996 and remember the steel cage match between Bret Hart and Diesel and seeing Undertaker come literally through the ring, thus setting the precedent for Steel Cage Screwjobs everywhere.
EDIT: Make sure to add "Feb 2003: Tenacious Z, the first one-legged professional wrestler, makes his television debut on TNA."
Another moment that happened in February was in 2001, when Jerry Lawler quit WWE after his wife at the time was fired. Lawler would return several months later.
One of the first matches I ever saw: Randy Savage clocks Tito Santana in the head with a foreign object while being suplexed into the ring to capture the IC title - at the most easily identifiable arena ever, the Boston Garden.
At the time, I thought it was the most heinous thing I've ever seen.
How 'bout one of my personal February tidbits-- Benoit and 2 Cold Scorpio in a 19:59 extravaganza at Superbrawl III in 93. Seriously, when whoever started booking the Smackdown Six stuff, this match I know had to benchmarked.
Boy, raw tenth anniversary? Bullshit. Kinda makes it not worth it, don't it.
Thread ahead: At least the foundation is being layed for a Booker T title chase Next thread: Local MN Brock Promo Previous thread: Weren't There Supposed to be, whats the word, Changes?
Maybe the WWE is trying to capture the General Hospital story from years past, where Luke raped Laura & then they became the most storied couple in daytime television history, leading to a ratings bonanza for their eventual wedding? What?!?