WWE Vintage Collection Report: 5th April 2009
By Shaun Best-Rajah.com Reporter
Hosted by: Mean Gene Okerlund
Our WrestleMania Road Trip concludes today on an ‘Icons’ theme. Three matches are in the can. Houston, Texas is our first stop for WrestleMania XVII, held on April 1st 2001. Then it’s off to Toronto, Canada for WrestleMania XVIII, held on March 17th 2002. We finish off with last year’s event (WrestleMania XXIV) from Orlando, Florida. Let’s begin.
Intercontinental Title
Chris Jericho vs William Regal
Joined in progress. Regal, the commissioner at this time had just beaten Jericho by submission on the latest edition of Smackdown. Here, Regal has been working Jericho's shoulder. Regal hits a double underhook suplex from the top rope. Regal counters a Walls of Jericho attempt by locking in the Regal stretch (a modified STF). Jericho gets to the ropes, then runs into a kick to the shoulder. Jericho sends Regal into the corner and hits a running bulldog. A suplex and lionsault from Jericho is enough for the 1-2-3. Short, sudden, but good action. Here is Your Winner: CHRIS JERICHO.
The Gimmick Battle Royal (2001) is quickly recapped. The Iron Sheik wins by last eliminating Hillbilly Jim. The best part of this segment was Bobby Heenan's quip on the slow-moving Iron Sheik. "By the time the Iron Sheik gets to the ring it will be WrestleMania 38." Gotta love those Heenanisms.
Attention turns to the Rock and Hollywood Hulk Hogan. Hogan claims the people turned on him, when he’s the one that made wrestling what it is. Hogan boasts of being the biggest star past or present and there will never be a bigger star than him. Enter the Rock, who says he and the people all believed in him. Rock lays the gauntlet down and Hogan accepts. Hogan says it will be a pleasure to kick Rock’s ass, wishes him luck, and tells him he needs it. Rock says he doesn’t need it as much as Hogan….brother and delivers a Rock Bottom. The subsequent nWo beatdown isn’t shown as the build focuses squarely on Rock and Hogan. The segment ends with a Michael Cole statement of ‘wrestling’s past facing wrestling’s future.’ If only that were true and Rock was still wrestling today.
Icon vs Icon
The Rock vs Hollywood Hulk Hogan
This was the real Main Event at WrestleMania XVIII regardless of what Triple H may say or think. Hogan was back following a nine-year absence. The crowd are firmly behind Hogan, which visibly unnerves Rock. A long staredown ensues before the bell rings to a big crowd roar. Hogan gets the advantage with a shove and shoulder tackle. The crowd turn on Rock further with chants of ‘Rocky Sucks.’ Hogan goads Rock, saying he's nothing as he punches him. The two exchange clotheslines and Rock finally starts to play off the partisan crowd to kick the match into high gear. The two exchange shoves. A series of Rock punches expose Hogan when he can't take a dive over the top rope. Hogan simply rolls to the floor. Following commercials, Hogan is back in control using rakes to the back, punches and in desperation – biting. Rock turns the tables before walking into a mini chokeslam. Hogan chokes Rock with his hands and then some tape. Rock takes a big bump flying over the top rope after charging at Hogan. We cut to the closing stages. Hogan survives a Rock Bottom and Hulks up. Rock kicks out from the legdrop of doom. Hogan drops Rock with a big boot, but misses a second legdrop. Rock takes advantage by hitting two more Rock Bottoms followed by the people's elbow to conquer Hulkamania. 1-2-3. Here is Your Winner: THE ROCK. After the match, clutching his ribs, Hogan extends the hand of friendship which Rock accepts. Scott Hall and Kevin Nash's post match antics are edited out. When Rock embraced the crowd’s reaction he did a good job carrying the immobile Hogan who really showed his age. Despite Hogan’s limitations he was still quite the showman and this proved to be another memorable WrestleMania moment.
A Road Trip Moment sees the ripped Triple H become Undisputed Champion after pedigreeing Chris Jericho. This was the 'official' Main Event of WrestleMania XVIII.
Despite not yet being 'Vintage,' our Main Event is certainly a classic. We revisit last year’s WrestleMania and the end of Ric Flair's career. Flair challenges Shawn Michaels who accepts with much reluctance. Finally, Michaels gets into the zone and makes reference to Old Yeller (a famous dog) being taken behind the woodshed and put out of his misery. Michaels promises to do the same with Flair, provoking Flair to retaliate with a series of slaps to the face. Instead of fighting back, Michaels simply repeats his threat.
Career Threatening Match
Shawn Michaels vs Ric Flair
Michaels is already in the ring as Flair makes his way to the ring, with a fireworks display to boot. Flair's family applaud Ric at ringside. Flair edges ahead in the early going following some chain wrestling. Both men shove each other. Flair repeats the Old Yeller taunt, so Michaels slaps him to bloody his mouth. A chopfest ensues between the two. Michaels reverses an Irish whip. Instead of taking the customary backbodydrop, Flair kicks Michaels in the head. Flair builds momentum until he runs into an elbow. Flair tosses Michaels off the top rope, then stops Michaels from doing the same to him. Flair nails a cross body. Flair tries to work the leg, but Michaels pushes him outside. A baseball slide puts Flair down. Michaels launches himself with an asai moonsault, but crashes through the announce table. We cut to another chop exchange. Michaels explodes with a flying forearm, nip-up, a couple of inverted atomic drops, slam and top rope elbow. Michaels hesitates on sweet chin music allowing Flair to scoop the legs and apply the figure four. Michaels manages to reverse the hold, but Flair reaches the ropes. We skip towards the final stages. Flair nearly sneaks it with a rollup. In the middle of another chop exchange, Michaels hits a superkick. Flair gets up and with tears in his eyes tells Michaels to bring it. Michaels apologises, tells Flair he loves him, then knocks him down for the final time with sweet chin music. 1-2-3. Here is Your Winner: SHAWN MICHAELS. Post match, Michaels kisses the fallen Flair on the top of his head then leaves. Flair gets up, taking in the tears and adulation of his family and fans, before taking his final walk to the back as an active wrestler. A fitting way to end the Mania lookback, with an exciting match and some great drama.
Okerlund puts over Flair and his 30+ year career before signing off to end the show.
Quick WrestleMania picks: RANDY ORTON, JOHN CENA, UNDERTAKER, CHRIS JERICHO, MATT HARDY, CHRISTIAN, MELINA, JOHN MORRISON & THE MIZ, REY MYSTERIO.
An outside bet for Money in the Bank is Shelton Benjamin.
Enjoy WrestleMania wherever you are. See you next week.
Comments/praise/feedback/criticism/discussion points please direct to shaunmb1@hotmail.com.
