Wrestlemania One Match Wonders (Part 2)

Continuing where we left off yesterday

Match 4: ECW Originals (Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer, Sandman, Sabu) vs. The New Breed (Elijah Burke, Kevin Thorn, Matt Striker, Marcus Cor Von), Wrestlemania 23

Of the eight men in this match, this would be the only Wrestlemania match for seven of them (although Striker's now a commentator and technically, has been on another Wrestlemania broadcast). The ECW Originals come out through the crowd to the original ECW music, while the New Breed have a more traditional entrance. The match starts with Sabu delivering a couple of springboard dropkicks on Striker, then setting up Striker for a guillotine legdrop by the Sandman. Burke and Dreamer come in, but Dreamer is distracted by Thorn's manager Ariel, allowing Burke to get the advantage. For the next few minutes, Burke, Cor Von, and Thorn take turns beating on Dreamer, before Dreamer finally comes back with a Nova-like DDT neckbreaker combo move on Burke and Cor Von. Dreamer gets the hot tag to RVD, who whoops up on Matt Striker, including a monkey flip with Striker flying through the air. RVD hits the Rolling Thunder on Striker, but Cor Von busts that up and goes to the outside, only to get dived on by Sabu. Dreamer comes in and DDT's Striker head first. Say what you want about him, but Striker's a heck of a bumper. All hell breaks loose as everyone but Striker ends up on the outside. RVD comes back in to frog splash a still downed Striker for the three count, giving the Originals a win over their foes. The Originals celebrates and Joey Styles is pleased. Match was just there, and you would think an eight man tag would be given more than six minutes, but what can you do? I'll give it a 2.4 out of 5.

Match 5: Big Show vs. Kane vs. Raven (c), Hardcore Title Match, Wrestlemania 17

This would be Raven's only Wrestlemania match, while the other two men have become mainstays of Wrestlemania, for better or worse, depending on how you feel about them. Raven comes out with a shopping cart full of weapons, including a potted plant for some reason. Kane comes out, and he and Raven start trading blows before the Big Show comes out. Now here comes the Big Show, in no particular hurry. This match is kind of nuts, as the three quickly find themselves in the backstage area. Raven gets thrown into a wall, while Kane gets slammed on wooden pallets by the Big Show. The two big men continue to fight each other to a standstill, while poor Raven gets beaten on constantly. Kane throws Raven through a window, but is caught by the Big Show, who tries to chokeslam Kane on the floor. That is thwarted, and eventually the two monsters end up going through a wall. Raven gets on a golf cart, but Show jumps on as well. Raven eventually crashes the cart and the two go brawling down the hallway. Meanwhile, Kane and a referee hop on another golf cart, following his opponents down the way. Eventually, the three end up on the entrance ramp, and Raven continues to get beaten on. The end comes when the Big Show overhead presses Raven, but eats a boot from Kane, causing both Show and Raven to fall through part of the stage. Kane than leaps off the ramp onto the Big Show with a legdrop, and gets the three count. This match was akin to Godzilla battling Mothra, with Raven playing the part of Tokyo. There were a few fun spots, so I'll give it a 3 out of 5.

Match 6: Billy Jack Haynes vs. Hercules (Full nelson Challenge), Wrestlemania 3

This is Billy Jack's only Wrestlemania match, in front of the largest crowd to ever see an American wrestling show. These two behemoths have been battling over who has the best full nelson, which is as good as any other reason to fight a guy, I suppose. Not surprisingly, this match is full of power moves. Haynes uses a gorilla press on Hercules, which was an impressive bump for Hercules to take considering his size. Hercules comes back though, using a back drop and a vertical suplex to ground his opponent. Hercules goes for the cover, but lifts up Haynes after two, because he want to put the Full Nelson on his foe. Hercules then uses his own gorilla press before putting on the Full Nelson. However, he doesn't have the fingers locked, so Haynes is able to escape. Double clothesline and both men are down. Haynes is up first, and uses a series of strikes and clotheslines to wound his opponent. Haynes does a second rope fist drop, and now is ready to sink in that Full Nelson. He tries, but Hercules gets to the ropes and both men go flying to the outside. Haynes then fully applies the Full Nelson on Hercules on the outside, but both men get counted out, making it a no contest. Haynes chases Herc's manager Bobby Heenan around, which allows Hercules to sneak up on Haynes and blast him with his chain wrapped fence. Herc continues the assault, drawing blood, before putting the Full Nelson on a downed Haynes, much to the disapproval of the fans.  I guess this match was ok, but it was pretty boring. I'll give it a 1.7 out of 5.

Well, thanks for reading. I hope that you have enjoyed this review of Wrestlemania one match wonders. If you have any ideas for future reviews, or feedback on this blog, than either leave a comment or send me an e-mail at KtheC2001@gmail.com.