WWE Vintage Collection Report: November 27th 2011
By Shaun Best-Rajah.com Reporter
Hosted by: Mean Gene Okerlund
This week’s theme is all about current superstars revealing who inspired them to get into the business.
The “shy” and “introverted” Matt Striker admits that Rowdy Roddy Piper caught his attention and brought out his personality. Striker reveals that imitation (mainly of Piper) got him noticed by the WWE.
February 23rd 1992 -Intercontinental Title
Rowdy Roddy Piper vs Repo Man
Repo confiscates a lady’s watch at ringside before the bell. Piper blocks an inverted atomic drop, pokes the eyes and boxes Repo to the floor. Repo pulls Piper out to post and send into the steel steps. Repo snaps Piper across the top rope. Back inside, Piper counters a backbodydrop into a sleeper, but Repo makes it to the ropes. Repo grabs his tow rope, only for Earl Hebner to repossess it. As Hebner goes to hang it back up, Piper knocks Repo silly with the rope’s hook. Piper drops an elbow and picks up the pin. Repo gets robbed! Piper returns the lady her watch afterwards. Winner: ROWDY RODDY PIPER.
To the surprise of no-one, Daniel Bryan picks William Regal as his inspiration, marvelling at his technical skills, aggressive nature, charisma and ability to convey every sort of emotion, whilst inside the squared circle.
nWo Monday Nitro: December 16th 1996
WCW TV Title: Lord Steven Regal vs Psicosis
Joined in progress. Psicosis sends Regal to the floor after a series of spin kicks then goes airborne with a tope. Back inside, Psicosis uses the top rope as his focus of attack, landing a sunset flip, Frankensteiner and guillotine legdrop. From out of nowhere, Regal hits a release german suplex to turn the tide.
Regal grounds Psicosis, stretching the luchador on the mat with a chinlock/full nelson combo. Regal goes smash mouth crazy in the corner, before nailing a double underhook suplex. Regal sets Psicosis up for a repeat from the top rope, but Psicosis shoves him off and lands a frog splash. The two exchange pinfall attempts, before Psicosis wipes out Regal with a superkick. Psicosis sets up for a victory roll, but Regal dumps him with a faceplant and locks on the Regal stretch for a quick submission. Regal retains his pissed off look, even in victory. I’d recommend watching this match using the mute button as Eric Bischoff does nothing but talk about Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper’s feud all match. Shut up Eric! Winner: LORD STEVEN REGAL.
Kofi Kingston reveals he was into the martial arts, high flying type of guys growing up, stating Ricky Steamboat was a hybrid of both. Kingston adds that Steamboat being undersized and not as big as everyone else gave him the inspiration to pursue his WWE dream.
Prime Time Wrestling: August 5th 1991
“The Dragon” Ricky Steamboat vs Paul Roma
Wrestler turned firebreather Steamboat frustrates Roma during the opening minutes, methodically working over an arm. Roma brings Steamboat out of the corner with an inverted atomic drop and clothesline to take over. Roma works over the back with a couple of slams and three backbreakers in between showboating to the disinterested MSG crowd. Roma talks trash, promising to knock Steamboat’s teeth out “so he can’t blow no more fire.” Roma attacks Steamboat on the floor and lands a delayed suplex back into the ring. Steamboat finally has enough of Roma to win a slugfest. Roma floats over a corner charge, ducks a clothesline, but gets caught with an atomic drop. Steamboat lands a clothesline and flying chop, but Roma blocks a splash with his knees. Steamboat quickly escapes a side headlock with a back suplex. Roma pounds away and drills Steamboat with a backelbow in the corner. Roma misses a second charge and gets a mouthful of turnbuckle. Steamboat mercifully finishes Roma off with a flying bodypress. This was the same finish exactly three weeks later in the same building during a six man tag match which opened SummerSlam. Winner: “THE DRAGON” RICKY STEAMBOAT.
The Miz was captivated by the Ultimate Warrior’s entrance and the energy he brought to the arena, unlike any other superstar at that time. Miz admits that not being able to understand Warrior’s promos is what made them the coolest thing ever.
July 1st 1991 – Bodybag Match
Ultimate Warrior vs The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer
No DQ, anything goes. The first one to stuff their opponent into a bodybag wins. Simples! Warrior runs down and pulls Undertaker out to the floor to introduce him to the steel, then back inside to all four corners. Undertaker comes back with a pair of clotheslines and a throttling in the corner. Warrior ducks a clothesline, delivers a slam, but runs into a boot.
Both miss elbow drops. Undertaker throttles Warrior once more. Undertaker charges into a boot, so Warrior delivers a piledriver. Undertaker sits up. Warrior gives him another. Same result. The third one has the desired effect. Warrior shakes the ropes and misses the ultimate splash, as Undertaker goozles him with a throat shot, sits back up and delivers the tombstone piledriver. Undertaker starts to zip Warrior into the bag, but when he gets to the arms, Warrior hammers free. Warrior hits three running clotheslines, grabs the urn from Bearer (who’s up on the apron) and knocks Undertaker out cold. Warrior puts Undertaker in the bag and picks up the win. The two were trading wins in these types of matches, but Warrior was fired a month later after SummerSlam, killing the Undertaker/Jake Roberts feud he had going on in the process. Winner: ULTIMATE WARRIOR.
The inspiration theme continues next week.
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