November 2000

Mostly curious to see where Hennig is at this point, against a very young Carlito, who's only about a year in here. We're JIP, and this is mostly punching and kicking until a ref bump. Carly hits an ugly stunner and X-Factor, both for two. A missed cross body leads to the Perfectplex, which Carly gets to kick out of. Hennig wins after a chain shot, but the refs confer to set up the Dusty finish. Hennig looks fairly slow here, and Carly was crazy green. Not much to this one.

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This was exactly what you'd hope for from these two workers at the tail end of the year and at this stage of Hyuga's development. They worked the match-up perfectly -- Hyuga was bigger, more athletic, more dynamic while Bolshoi relied on her wits and ring smarts. There was the usual array of hybrid lucha-shoot style spots from Bolshoi and she utilized the shotei to great effect throughout the bout. Watching this I felt she was neck and neck with Super Delfin as far as juniors go and watching her use the shotei reminded me of what a poor year Liger has had in comparison. The match was tightly worked -- not an epic but competitive and a great vehicle to push Hyuga further a…

Really dry lucha action. Pimpinela has some moments and the brawling on the outside in the row of seats was a highlight but beside that, this was a huge slog to get through and I still think Monterrey has had some highlights but its fair share of pedestrian stuff. This is even worst than that and below average overall for lucha action. Finish has Escarlata with the pin even though Niebla has his foot on the rope. One of the worst lucha matches we have seen this year that wasn’t AAA overbooked nonsense. *1/2

Another mundane tag and this tag league overall hasn’t been a high point for NJPW. That is par the course as usual in modern times but you see the effects here. Sasaki vs Chono is the clear highlight pairing here and they milk the interaction there for as long as they possibly could. Norton still has some strong power moves but I was more impressed by Dr. Deaths resurgence in the early portion of the year than what I have seen from Flash in the Tag League. The finish here completely shocked me as Norton ends up getting a pin on Sasaki after a lariat. **1/2

It is comical that Dave has TenKoji on the WON HOF ballot as a tag team as here we are in the peak of their run as a team and they are fine to good but not even close to one of the best cohesive units we have seen in 2000 much less an all timer team. This match exemplifies that. Yoshie and Nakanishi are both limited workers but they can rise to the occasion based on their opponents. TenKoji raises them up to the level of this being a good match and nothing more with not a lot of tangible story to really grab hold too. The power moves and ebbs and flows are fine as standalones but they never really develop into a great match that reaches a fever pitch in the back third of …

Easily the best match we saw on this show and some of the better Booker T work of the year as he shows an aggression and ring command in reigning in the spastic Scott. Scott has a few awkward moments off of bumps but for the most part this is his crowning achievement and he plays his role super well. The tearing of the straightjacket spot could have looked really corny but it worked to show the strength and I liked Scott going back into the Steiner Recliner and Stevie Ray on commentary being in disbelief at what he was witnessing. This clearly seemed to set the long road leading to Goldberg vs Steiner. ***1/4 (6.4)

Stevie, Madden and Tony is quite the broadcast team. A good showcase match for all six of these guys and you do see the potential here but I do think watching things in retrospect lessens the effect here. Yes, in the confines of WCW this is the most athletic and fresh looking stuff we have seen but it isn’t groundbreaking by 2018 standards at all and even in 2000 eyes, if you followed the US indies, guys like Trent Acid were more impressive. Of course in 2000, people worshipped at the altar of Ric Blade so retrospect can be a gift at times. This had mostly showcase sequences intertwined between all six guys. The biggest reaction was Leia Meow doing a dive on the outside t…

I am not seeing the potential in Palumbo as I have in guys like Jindrak and O’Haire. I think everyone knew what they were getting with Stasiak by this time so its not a surprise when he is subpar. The FIP sequence here felt like it lasted a decade. DDP did ok trying to rally up the crowd but the heels did nothing interesting on top whatsoever and the hot tag to Nash was humorous in how little reaction it received. Stasiak not being the legal man and getting pinned could lead to some bullshit on Nitro as I have no idea what the WCW tag title lineage looks like at this point forward but as of now, Nash and DDP celebrate the night as new tag champs. *1/2

Even as the biggest Luger apologist at times, it is easy to see he is cooked here. This was too high profile a match to be a complete squash but really Luger is too far done for it to be effective as a competitive match either. They could have done some stuff like Luger going for the torture rack or what not but instead it is pretty generic back and forth action until Goldberg spears Luger and the referee that Lex pulls in front of him. One jackhammer later and Goldberg is 25-0 on the new streak. *

Stills of the 3 way hardcore match and I can’t follow that angle and the developments involving Marie. Reno has the right idea taking the fight to Goldberg but he gets demolished really quickly. Goldberg powerslams Reno and the crowd goes nuts as we get a great late era WCW announce call from Tony losing his shit. Reno positions Goldberg briefly into the Roll of the Dice but Goldberg reverses and it is spear and jackhammer time for the pin. Luger attacks after the bell and racks him. I am bummed they are fighting again at Starrcade. Awesome squash with the crowd going pretty crazy for Goldberg. *** (5.8)

Rey’s outfit is horrendous with the overalls and devil horns. Fun action to start with Jarrett hitting a powerslam and the Animals distracting him. Rey goes for a bronco buster but Jarrett gets a boot up and the lifts Rey into orbit to a pop from the crowd. The Animals interfere some more and the crowd is confused how to react to these babyfaces blatantly interfering so much. A bit more back and forth and more interfering including face full of stuff from Tygress. Jarrett violently powerbombs Rey again off of a dive attempt and hits the stroke. That would have been enough for the pin but the Animals drag Jeff back as Tyrgress distracts Lil Naitch. Rey tries another dive a…

Some lame inside promos from DDP/Nash and Above Average lead to Jindrak/O’Haire charging the ring. Back and forth action and DDP/Nash not really knowing how to react to the hyper athletic style of Jindrak/O’Haire. The NBT don’t look as fresh and crisp as they have otherwise either. DDP gets a Diamond Cutter but Sanders drags the ref out. Reno/Palumbo/Stasiak beat up Insiders on the outside and the match gets thrown out. ¾*

Sort of a holdover tag for these guys. Kane and Jericho are still together. Benoit is going after Gunn. Hardy’s are sort of in between programs and heat with Terri and Lita is biggest issue leading this match. However, as a six man tag, this of course was good given the talent level. I liked the leg work as that has been absent on a lot of Raw matches and especially on multi tags that are highspot dominated. Finish sees Jericho tapping out Malenko so he is low on the Radicalz totem pole. After the match they tease getting violent with Terri until Eddie comes out and the Radicalz lay out all three of their opponents. **1/2

Eddie jumps Billy at the bell and King/JR do a good job talking about the size disadvantage which is large with Billy towering over Eddie. More aggression in this match than in the previous one with tons of blows and Eddie going for the eyes and grounding Gunn. Gunn gets a nice powerslam as a hope spot after being worked over for a bit. Gunn hits a superplex and tilt a whirl slam for a nearfall. Saturn tries to interfere but Gunn punches him off the apron. Dean is out next and he trips up Billy but Eddie is hotshotted into Dean. Gunn then hits his awful new finisher to retain the title. Eddie is getting jobbed out pretty good here. Benoit attacks after the match setting u…

Kurt has a lot of complaints and says this is a hazardous work environment. Not the most groundbreaking promo from Angle but the heat is there so kudos to him. Foley and Debra come out and pervy Jerry is crazy over Debra. Crowd drones out Mick talking with a we want puppies chant. Foley brings up Stephanie and Kurt correctly points out that Steph hasn’t been there in a month and he is still champion. Angle insults Iowa and says he doesn’t need Stephanie anymore. Foley says Kurt is going to have a match tonight which has Angle all out of sorts. We see Rock pulling up with a limo. Interview with E&C and they suggest maybe Taker is getting the shot. Then we get Kurt and …

Rikishi has a nice blue long robe that probably should have been integrated with his heel turn. Too little too late. Rikish also gives a semi decent promo before the match happens. Kurt is out for commentary and this is a #1 contender match for Angle’s WWF Championship. Not much of a match but violent while it lasted. Rock gets his sternum worked over and makes a comeback including a sharpshooter. Angle utilizes the opportunity to run in with an Angle Slam giving Rock the DQ win. Pretty dumb move on Angle’s part. Rikishi again gets his heat back after the match. *

They really loaded up this Raw. We see Kane attacking Taker backstage. A lot of bickering between Lawler and JR as Kane/Taker are slugging away. JR calls Angle nerdy bucko in the middle of this which was funny. This was certainly a punch and kick affair but at least the shots do look heavy and laid in a good bit. Taker gets a DDT > Chokeslam combo and is going for the Last Ride when E&C interfere along with Kurt and all four of Taker’s foes beat him down. *1/2

Interview with Buff where they are presenting him as someone that has been passed over throughout his career but he has an opportunity tonight. Buff’s hat is awful. Scott before the match gives Buff the opportunity to walk away. Buff shakes his hand and then turns on him. Buff has some good offense here as the action spills to the outside. Steiner takes over and carries the heat segment on his combo of charisma and suplexes focusing on the back which does make sense given the Recliner. Buff makes his comeback when Sid starts yelling on the Big Screen. Scott is unphased by this as I like this more given people nowadays are frozen still when someone yells on the screen. Blo…

Storm continues to be positioned down which is a shame as he was saddled with Demott for so long. Hayashi gets the best of Storm and Elix and then does a pretty fun Storm impersonation. FIP sequence is good enough but Elix is not going to be the breakout star it looks like they hoped. Major Gunns and Meia Leow get into a skirmish which has more heat than anything else. Kaz gets a brainbuster inside the ring as The Cat attacks Duggan trying to interfere. Jung Dragons hit a splash/legdrop combo and pick up the upset win. **1/4

Tygress is on commentary and Madden is creepy towards her. Quick match so the Animals get a lot of hot spots in early and then Harris twins do some power stuff. Rey is FIP and makes the tag to Kidman. Kidman runs through some stuff as all six men brawl. Jarrett grabs the guitar, whacks Kidman and picks up the win. *1/2

We are JIP and this is the first league match as four teams finished tied in points leading into the final night. This is a semi-final as sorts. We saw a few days before Ten Koji taking care of business against Nakanishi/Yoshie and this played off that earlier match. Finish felt abrupt as we had some back and forth before Tenzan hits the tombstone, Nakanishi kicks out at 1 and then Tenzan puts him away with the moonsault. Backstage, Chono gives them a handshake before him and Norton prepare to go out. NR

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Like the other semi final match, this is a rematch of a league tourney match I wasn’t that enthused with. This had a little more juice into it because you have seen Norton pick up some big wins so he feels like more of a threat. The final sequence with the double submissions was also great and Chono was not someone that went down easy so it felt like a big moment. *** (5.8)

This is probably the lowest Benoit has felt on the totem pole throughout the year which is odd considering he is going for the top secondary title. That is probably the Billy Gunn effect. Jericho does a promo beforehand calling Benoit a gap toothed robot and calling them R2D2 and C-3PO. He also states Kane has the qualities of a hemroid. Pretty good comedy stuff from Jericho here. Quick match focused on the two matches coming up at Armageddon. Jericho and Kane brawl around some with Jericho getting thrown into the table. Finish comes when Billy gets caught in the crossface and taps out. *1/4