Rock N Roll Express vs. Dirty White Boys - 05.11.85
Heh. The '80s witnessed some of the silliest names for tag-teams. [Then again: They aren't the ones running around being called the 'Dudebusters' ... yikes ...] Fun tags were as plentiful as seconds in a day back in the territories. So what makes this one remarkable over the others? Well, nothing really. We begin with an amusing stretch of dominance by the Rock N Roll Express, with several spots that make the dastardly heels look like absolute fools. This builds nicely to the sudden switch in momentum, with one of the Dirty White Boys nailing a clothesline, which Ricky Morton sells like a gunshot. The jolt this causes in the feel of the match is impressive; one second everyone is jovial, to next there's a hush. This evolves into a neat FIP middle, with Morton milking comebacks at the right moments to prevent the performance from becoming dull. Then we have the inevitable hot-tag to Robert Gibson leading into the finish. For a match that took place in what appears to be a high school gymnasium, the engrossed crowd and the match they deliver exceeded expectations.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Chris Masters - WWE 05.13.10
Who would've thought we'd have a Full Nelson v. Sleeper Hold story in a contemporary pro-wrestling match? Let alone in the WWE? Ziggler's bumping complements Masters' strike/power-based offense superbly. This creates an entertaining opening stretch that develops gradually to an impressive spot on the outside whereby Masters takes an unguarded fall to the ground back first a la Foley. Like the clothesline in the above review, this moment 'feels' significant. The turn in the match is felt. Once we get to Masters' comeback sequence it's pleasing to see the big guy maintain a sense of 'fatigue' in building momentum. It takes several clotheslines before he's officially in his 'second-wind', moving gradually quicker, fresher with each one. Meanwhile he's making Ziggler do all the running (throwing him to the ropes, for example, and nailing a high-impact move on his return) to prevent any impression of no-selling. Throughout we have running references to both performers' submission finishers, whether it be early attempts to use them or deployed rest-holds that the commentary weave into being important for their future application, keeping alive the battling time-tested submission hold theme. In the end we have a cool interchange of counters to both holds, ending with a surprise Zig-Zag by Dolph for the win. The second best WWE television match I've seen this year.
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