Tuesday, 22 January 2013

5. Eddie Guerrero

As you know Eddie is no longer with us and while I find Owen Harts passing the saddest due to the circumstances it is Eddie Guerrero who I personally miss the most. Info -
Name: Eduardo Gory Guerrero
Born: October 9th 1967 in El Paso, Texas
Passed Away: November 13th, 2005
Acomplishments: x1 WWE Champion,  x4 Tag Team Champion (Chavo (2), Rey (1), Tajiri(1),  x1 US Champion,  x2 European Champion, x2 Intercontinental Champion,  11th Triple Crown Champion and 6th Grand Slam Champion.  x2 WCW Cruiserweight Champion,  x1 US Champion.


Eddy and Art Barr

The earliest match I've seen of Eddys is possibly his best when he and Art Barr faced El Hijo Del Santo/Octagon in a 2/3 Falls Hair Vs. Mask match, from AAAs When Worlds Collide PPV. Eddy/Arts tag team was called La Pareja Del Terror (The Pair Of Terror). In 1993 he began wrestling in Japan as the 2nd incarnation of Black Tiger. He won the Best Of The Super Juniors Tournament in 1996.

Eddy in early WCW years.
 In his ECW debut in 1996 he won the TV Title off 2 Cold Scorpio. His most known match is probably the last one he had, the 2/3 falls Vs. Dean Malenko. His 'proper' WCW stint started in 1995, he did appear in 1989 as a jobber. His earliest rivalry that most people know was Vs. Ric Flair. He won US Title at Starrcade 96 in a tournament and had what I hear was a pretty good ladder match at Souled Out opposite Styxx but dropped the gold to Dean Malenko at Uncensored. He won the Cruiserweight title off Jericho at Fall Brawl but lost it to Rey Mysterio in a fantastic match at Halloween Havoc 1997. In 1998 his nephew Chavo became his lackey and ended up going crazy or something. lWo was formed as he felt the Latinos were being held down or something but unfortunatly was in a very sreious car accident on New Years Day 1999. When he came back in mid 99 the main thing was the formation of The Filthy Animals but in January 2000 he asked for, and recieved his release.

WWF - The Radicalz (Eddie, Benoit, Malenko, Saturn) debuted on RAW when they beat up the New Age Outlaws but unfortunatly Eddie soon injured his elbow. The main angle in 2000 was Latino Heat with his Mamacita Chyna, beyond that he won European Title at WrestleMania 17 Vs. Test but soon developed addiction to pain medication and was sent to rehab by WWF, when he was arrested for drunk driving the WWF released him and he worked on the indies, most notably ROH.

Eddy with Benoit at WM XX in a classic moment.
  He returned in 2002 and had feuds with RVD and Edge, but 2002 is best remembered for SMACKDOWN! Six (Los Guerreros/Angle, Benoit/ Edge, Rey Mysterio), as they had great matches.  In 2004 Eddie did what very few people thought would ever happen, but we were glad when it did, as he won WWE Title off of Brock Lesnar at No Way Out 2004. He defended it against Angle in a damn good match but lost it to JBL at Great American Bash, in their match at Judgment Day Eddie bled like a sieve. His big 2005 feud was with Rey Mysterio, who Eddie couldn't beat, and revolved around Eddie saying Reys son Dominic was his, this ended in a ladder match at SummerSlam for custody of Dominic. He was a tweener in his next rivalry Vs. WHC Batista who defeated Eddie in the main event of No Mercy 2005, Eddies last PPV appearance.  On November 13th 2005 Eddie Guerrero passed away in Minnesota due to Acute Cardiac Failure due to underlying Atherosclerotic Cardiovacular Disease.



 I miss Eddie still as he seemed like a genuinely nice person and I enjoyed his wrestling ability. RIP Eduardo Guerrero, you are sorely missed.

Notable Matches -
W/ Art Barr Vs. El Hijo Del Santo/Octagon - http://youtu.be/603U_62GeSg
Vs. Dean Malenko - 2/3 Falls -
Vs. Rey Mysterio - Halloween Havoc - http://youtu.be/vJkf4vVKOB0
Vs. Edge - http://youtu.be/xqrWeEhYJ70 (Highlights)
Vs. Brock Lesnar - WWE Title - No Way Out 2004 - http://youtu.be/oFia5sA37pY

4. Bret Hart

Bret Hart is my 4th inductee into the Hall Of Fame, he's had a long career so it'll take a while to type about but first here's some info -
Name: Bret Sergeant Hart
Born: July 2nd 1957 in Calgary, Alberta.
Nicknames: Excellence Of Execution, The Best There Is The Best There Was And The Best There Ever Will Be.
Accomplishments: x5 WWF Champion,  x2 Intercontinental Champion,  x2 WWF Tag Team Champion, x1 US Champion,  King Of The Ring (91, 94 - only 2 time winner),  Royal Rumble 1994 (w/ Luger),  2nd Triple Crown Champion.  x2 WCW HeavyWeight Champion,  x4 WCW US Champion,  WCW World Tag Champion (w/ Goldberg),  5th Triple Crown Winner (w/ Goldberg).  PWI Feud Of The Year (2),  Match Of The Yare (2),

The 8th of Stu and Helen Harts 12 children he debuted for his father Stus Stampede Wrestling in 1978, where he won 4 Tag Titles with his brother Keith. I'd say his most well known opponent from this time is Dynamite Kid, they had a ladder match in 1981. He wrestled worldwide most notably in Japan for NJPW but in 1984 Stampede was purchased by the WWF.

 In 80s WWF The Hart Foundation were one of if not the best tag teams as Bret teamed with Brother-In-Law Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart, he married Brets sister Ellie. They won Tag Titles in 1987 on February 7th when they beat The Bulldogs on Superstars. After their face turn he started giving his shades to kids in the audience. At SummerSlam 1990 Hart Foundation won their second Tag Titles this time beating Demolition, this reign lasted till WrestleMania 7 where Nasty Boys defeated them.


Bret as WWF Champion

  Bret focused on a singles career now and won the IC Gold off of Mr. Perfect at SummerSlam 1991 and on Sept 7th he won King Of The Ring, then a house show attraction and not a PPV. He lost the IC Title but regained at at WrestleMania 8 off Roddy Piper. On July 21st he had what I believe was WWFs 1st ladder match Vs. Shawn Michaels he lost the IC Strap to Bulldog in Wembley Arena at SummerSlam but on Oct 12th in Saskatchewan he won his 1st WWF Title by defeating Ric Flair, during the reign he defeated HBK (Survivor Series) and Razor Ramon (Rumble 93) but it ended via Yokozuna at WrestleMania 9. He rebounded though and won the 1st King Of The Ring by beating Razor, Perfect and Bam Bam Bigelow. As he was King it started a 2 year on again off again rivalry with Jerry Lawler who won at SummerSlam 93 after Bret refused to release the SharpShooter. The seeds for possibly his best rivalry were planted at Survivor Series 93 when Owen Hart was the only Hart brother eliminated from their match Vs. HBK and his knights, originally set to be Jerry Lawler. At Rumble 1994 Bret/Owen lost their tag match after Bret couldn't carry on due to an injury when Owen felt he should've tagged him in thus Owen attacked Bret which led to them opening WrestleMania X where Owen, in a smart booking move defeated Bret and later on in the night Bret won WWF Title off Yokozuna leading to a Bret Vs. Owen series. A bit I liked was Neidhart helping Bret retain his Title at KOTR 94 but only soon Owen,  who won KOTR, could beat Bret for the gold. Bret beat Owen in a cage at SummerSlam but lost his title at Survivor Series to Bob Backlund when Owen tricked their mum to throwing in the towel for Bret, I liked that booking.

  Bret was in the 1st match of the IYH Series when he faced Hakushi. The Lawler angle resurfaced and at SummerSlam Bret beat his dentist Issac Yankem, who would go on to be Kane. Brets next WWF Title run began at Survivor Series 95 when he beat Diesel and ended at WrestleMania 12 Vs. Shawn Michaels in the Iron Man match. After this Hart took a hiatus from TV but returned to have a fantastic feud with Stone Cold, Bret won the WWF Title at IYH: Final Four but it was to be Harts only reign that lasted less than 3 months as he dropped it the next night to Psycho Sid. This led to Bret/Austin at WrestleMania 13 where we had the double turn. In the following months The Hart Foundation formed (Bret, Owen, Bulldog, Neidhart, Brian Pillman, left.) and were in a phenomenal match at Canadian Stampede Vs. Austin/Shamrock/LOD/Goldust. At SummerSlam Bret won the WWF Title off Undertaker, this reign ended thanks to the 'Montreal Screwjob' at Survivor Series 1997.

 Bret was now in WCW and I didnt watch much WCW but I think the general consensus is that his run was mediocre at best. The most well known part may be when Goldberg speared him but he wore a steel plate for protection. His career was effectively ended by Goldberg when a Thrust kick caused a severe concussion, he may of suffered more concussions in the following days leading to Post Concussion Syndrome. His best WCW match was probably his Owen Hart tribute match Vs. Chris Benoit.

 Bret is gladly welcomed to my Hall Of Fame, his promo skills were average at best though to be fair his 1997 heel run with US Vs. Canada was his best mic work, but he more than made up for it with his ring work.

Notable Matches -
Vs. British Bulldog - IC Title - SummerSlam 1992 - Bret carries Bulldog to an awesome match.
Vs. Owen Hart - WrestleMania X - Fantastic match to start the PPV.
Vs. Stone Cold - Survivor Series 1996
Vs. Stone Cold - WrestleMania 13 - Great case for best 'Mania match ever.
Hart Foundation Vs. SCSA/Shamrock/LOD/Goldust - Canadian Stampede - Phenomanal Match.
Vs. Undertaker - WWF One Night Only
Vs. Chris Benoit - Owen Hart tribute match


Monday, 21 January 2013

3. The Rock

The third Hall Of Famer is The Most Electrifying Man In Hall Of Fame History. His WWF start wasn't exactly as planned but when he turned his fortunes changed, but more on that soon here's some info -
Name: Dwayne Johnson
Born: May
Nicknames: The Peoples Champion, The Great One, The Most Electrifying Man In Sports Entertainment
Accomplishments: Wrestler (2),  Wr7x WWF/E Championship,  2x WCW Champion,  2x Intercontinental Champion,  x5 WWF Tag Team Champion,  PWI Match Of The Year (2), PWI Most Popular wrestler Of The Year.

 Dwayne was the first 3rd generation wrestler in WWF. In 1991 won a National Championship with University Of Miami after college he played for Calgary Stampeders in CFLbut was cut 2 months into the 95 season. He wrestled for Jerry Lawlers USWA as Flex kavana and won USWA Tag Titles x 2 with Bart Sawyer but in 96 signed with WWF. He debuted at Survivor Series 1996 as Rocky Maivia and was a babyface but to say the fans soon turned on him is an understatement. On February 13th 97 he won the IC Title off HHH but dropped it 2 months later on April 28th to Owen Hart. He soon joined Nation Of Domination thus turning heel and becoming known as The Rock., heel turn saved him. Won IC gold after Stone Cold forfeited it to him because Stone Cold dont job. Rock eventually over threw Nation leader Faarooq, he relinquished the IC title to HHH at SummerSlam 98 during the DX/Nation feud after he'd seen off Ken Shamrock in early 1998. In fall of 98 he became face and The Peoples Champions thus feuding with Vince McMahon as he hated 'The People' but it was a ruse as Rock won the WWF Title at Survivor Series 98 and joined Vinces Corporation, thus being The Corporate Champion.

Rock Vs. HHH, his career nemesis.

  In early 99 his main feud was Vs. Mankind who dethroned Rock on Jan 4ths RAW is WAR, Rock won it back at Rumble 99 in a famous I Quit match but Mankind again won it back during Half Time HEAT but Rock won it back due to The Big Show. He dropped his WWF Title to Stone Cold at WrestleMania 15 and after losing the re-match at Backlash turned face going against The Corporate Ministry and eventually Mr. Ass. In late 99 The Rock 'N' Sock Connection was born and led to Rock and Mankind getting 3 WWF Tag Title reigns, they did a This Is Your Life segment that got a 8.4 rating.
 Rock 'won' Royal Rumble 2000 but lost his 'Mania title shot at No Way Out to Big Show. He was entered in the main event anyway but HHH retained in a elimination four way match. Rock traded the WWF Title with HHH for 3 months, Rock won it at Backlash, HHH won it at Judgment Day but Rock won it back at KOTR. This WWF Title reign lasted until October where Kurt Angle became WWF champion. On December 18th 2000 Rock and Undertaker won the Tag Titles but lost them at the next SMACDOWN! taping. He won the WWF Title Vs. Kurt Angle at No Way Out 2001 but lost it a month later to Stone Cold at WrestleMania 17. He was 'suspended' but came back to win WCW Title off Booker-T at SummerSlam 2001 during the Invasion, this lasted until October when Chris Jericho ended his reign, on the following RAW Rock/Y2J won WWF Tag Titles and on November 5th Rock won the WCW Title back off Jericho but dropped it back to Y2J at Vengeance during the Undisputed Title Tournament. At WrestleMania 18 Rock defeated Hogan in an Icon Vs. Icon match. Rock left for a bit then returned to win his, then, record 7th WWF Championship in a 3 Way with Undertaker (c) and Kurt Angle. He put over the next big thing over at SummerSlam, that being Brock Lesnar. He returned in 03 as a heel, Hollywood more important than WWE etc. this was the Rock Concert era, he def. Stone Cold at WrestleMania 19 then lost to Goldberg at Backlash 03. He returned for WrestleMania 20 to help Mick Foley but they lost to Evolution. He disappeared from in ring competiton and WWE really until he wrestled at Survivor Series 2011 with John Cena to beat Miz/R-Truth. Rock then defeated Cena at WrestleMania 28 in a match that had a years build.
  My fave promo man is Mick Foley as I like the way he approaches them but Rock was the most entertaining on the mic. Due to mutliple fantastic matches and his all round entertainment I gladly welcome Rock into my Hall Of Fame.

Notable Matches -
Vs. Triple-H - Ladder Match - SummerSlam 1998 - http://youtu.be/35hOgmFfLpk (Highlights)
Vs. Mankind - I Quit - Royal Rumble 1999 - http://youtu.be/VCRvOQKTB8o (Highlights)
Vs. Triple-H - Backlash 2000 http://youtu.be/McaUQyhH_6g (Highlights)
Vs. Triple-H - Judgment Day 2000 - http://youtu.be/wGtcEnqTGqE (Highlights)
Vs. Stone Cold - WrestleMania 17

Friday, 18 January 2013

2. Mick Foley

Name: Michael Francis Foley
Born: June 7th, 1965 in Bloomington, Indiana.
Personas: Cactus Jack, Mankind, Dude Love.
Accomplishments: x3 WWF Champion,  1x Hardcore Champion,  x8 WWF Tag Team Champion (with Stone Cold (1), Chainsaw Charlie (1), Kane (2), Al Snow (1), The Rock (3),  PWI Match Of The Year Awards (2) and PWI Most Inspitaitonal Wrestler in 1993.

 In WCW Cactus had a great match Vs. Sting at Beach Blast 92. He turned face in a feud with Paul Orndorff and Big Van Vader, which is when Vader powerbomber Cactus on concrete leading to a sill amnesia angle. It was also Vs. Vader where Mick lost his right ear. He could've had it re-attached but instead went to Slamboree 1994 and with Kevin Sullivan won WCW Tag Titles off Nasty Boys. In ECW, which I hate, Cactus last match was Vs. Mikey Whipwreck but his most known moment is possibly the fire towel incident with Terry Funk.

3 Faces Of Foley - Mick had 3 personas during his WWF Career, you could say 4 if you seperate Mad Mankind with comedy Mankind. Mick made every persona feel different instead of it just feeling like the same person in a different costume and that's a testament to the guy. Mankind was his first WWF gimmick and I feel he was the guy that kick started Undertakers career from an in-ring standpoint. Mankind whilst not his longest persona is probably his most well known, it was the one he used longest in WWF however. Of course it was during his Mankind run that he took possibly the most famous bump in wrestling history off of the Cell. 10 of his Championships came via Mankind, his Tag Titles with Stone Cold and Charlie came under Dude Love and Cactus Jack. The first WWF Title happened on RAW is WAR on Jan 4th 1999 when he defeated The Rock (http://rawiswar1999.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-4th-1999.html), his 2nd came during Half Time HEAT again against The Rock and his 3rd and final reign was Vs. Stone Cold and HHH at SummerSlam, but only lasted 24 hours. Mankind started as a freak like character he had a pet rat in his hype videos and he had no qualms about hurting himself, then gradually Mankind became almost comedic, that's not meant as an insult. Dude Love is the least well known and I believe debuted in 1997 and won Tag Team gold with Stone Cold. He was a hippy who wore tye dye, the most well known Dude Love match is also a fave of mine and occured at IYH: Over The Edge Vs. Stone Cold (http://youtu.be/L76qLZQj7Wg), as Dude had joined with Vince McMahon, the match was for the WWF Championship and had Vince as referee but Austin still won. Cactus Jack is the longest tenured persona as Mick used it in both WCW and ECW. He debuted it in the WWF in 1997 Vs. HHH after the 3 Faces Of Foley promo (http://youtu.be/7c278y0taIU). Cactus was in my all time favorite match Vs. HHH at Royal Rumble 2000 in a Street Fight and it was in this persona that Mick lost his 'retirement' match at No Way Out 2000 also Vs. HHH.  Mankind was mad, Cactus was sadistic and Dude Love was well he was the Dude, Owwww Have Mercy. All 3 were used by Mick during the Royal Rumble in 1998, didn't help him though.
 Shawn Michaels is my favorite wrestler but for promos it was Mick Foley who was my number 1 guy. I cant name many specifically but 'Cane Dewey' (http://youtu.be/28KH9YiJ9DI ) from ECW, 3 Faces Of Foley (http://youtu.be/7c278y0taIU ) and his opening monologue over the No Way Out 2000 video package stand out and when he transitioned from Mankind to cactus Jack heading to Rumble 2000. So for all the crazy bumps Micks taken, and there's been quite a few, all the promos and the memories I gladly induct Mick Foley into my Hall Of Fame. Here's WWFs tribute from February 2000 - http://youtu.be/GxvgkUTCrIg. I've just noticed my first 2 inductees were also Commissioners.


Notable Matches -

King Of The Ring 1998 - Hell In A Cell - Vs. Undertaker - If you've never seen Foleys 2 bumps here then I revoke your Wrestling Fan rights. http://youtu.be/Iaw6-i0LtPo

Royal Rumble 2000 - Street Fight Vs. HHH - My favorite match of all time, on my Rumble review I gave it ***** (http://wwe-jan-may.blogspot.com/2013/01/royal-rumble-2000.html)

IYH 10: Mind Games Vs. Shawn Michaels - I covered this in HBKs induction. http://youtu.be/PG-l6Wxo6As

IYH 22: Over The Edge Vs. Stone Cold - http://youtu.be/L76qLZQj7Wg

Royal Rumble 1999 - A match I find very hard to watch and is notable for Rocks sickening chair shots.

1. Shawn Michaels

The HeartBreak Kid is the first inductee into my Hall Of Fame simply because he's my favorite wrestler, he wasnt the biggest draw ever and from what i've read he was a prick pre christianity but i'll let that slide as this is based on his wrestling ability. (I mentioned the drawing power as I may induct Hogan due to that). I'll mention some of my favorite HBK matches soon but for now here's some info -
Name: Michael Shawn Hickenbottom
Born: July 22nd, 1965 in San Antonio, Texas.
Nicknames: HeartBreak Kid, Mr. WrestleMania, The Show Stopper.
Accomplishments: Michaels was a 4 time World Champion (3x WWF and 1x WHC),  3x Intercontinental Champion,  1x European Champion,  5x WWF/E World Tag Team Champion (2x w/ Diesel, 1x w/Stone Cold, 1x w/HHH, 1x w/John Cena),  1x WWE Tag Team Champion (w/ HHH), a Royal Rumble winner x2 (95 and 96), he also holds the record for most PWI Match Of The Year Awards (11).

In AWA The Midnight Rockers (HBK and Marty Jannety) won the AWA Tag Titles by defeating Doug Somers and Buddy Rose in 1987. They signed for WWF but were fired 2 week later and went back to AWA but a year later signed for WWF again. They did win WWF Tag Titles off Hart Foundation but it was never televised and WWF didn't acknowledge it.

Michaels was involved in probably the most famous Tag Team breakup on December 2nd 1991 when he Sweet Chin Musiced Marty Jannetty (his partner in The Rockers) then threw him through a window during The Barber Shop (a segment hosted by Brutus Beefcake). Michaels had good matches with Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) at WrestleMania X, the ladder match, they had another good ladder match at SummerSlam 95. Also Vs. Diesel (Kevin 'prick' Nash), yes HBK even dragged Nash to a good match, at IYH: Good Friends Better Enemies also a fantastic brawl with Undertaker at IYH: Ground Zero that had a non-finish and wanted fans to see a re-match, that would be the Hell In A Cell, more on Undertaker Vs. HBK later. Michaels supposedly had a bad attitude behind the scenes and had a well known feud off camera with Bret Hart but I seperate Michael Hickenbottom from Shawn Michaels due to his in-ring work.

I think the best feud over HBKs career, and one of the top feuds of all time, is Vs. Undertaker. They only had one prolonged feud but the 5 PPV matches are all quality. It started when he cost Undertaker the WWF Championship to Bret Hart at SummerSlam 97, so in September 97 at the first 3 hour In Your House PPV Ground Zero we got match 1. HBK Vs. Undertaker that had a non finish (also the debut of Takers no hands tope  I believe) so in October at IYH: Badd Blood the Hell In A Cell was debuted which HBK won thanks to a debuting Kane. Their next match was an important one in Michaels' career and took place at Royal Rumble 1998 it was a Casket Match and HBK again won thanks to Kane but right at the start of the match he is backdropped over the top and hits his lower back on the casket (herniating 2 discs and crushing 1 completely, according to Wikipedia) after RR he wrestled once more Vs. Stone Cold at WrestleMania 14, only to return at SummerSlam 2002. His next One-on-One with Deadman took place 11 years later at WrestleMania 25 and got 4 1/2 *s from me, their next match would turn out to be HBKs final one as he put his career on the line to get a WrestleMania re-match with Undertaker at 'Mania 26 which Taker won via a jumping Tombstone.

Notable Matches -
IYH 10: Mind Games - Vs. Mankind - Fantastic match which was that good that even the DQ ending doesn't annoy me too much. It showed HBK could fight with Mankind but also that Foley could hang with The HeartBreak Kid, I think this was their only big match. http://youtu.be/PG-l6Wxo6As

WrestleMania XXI - Vs. Kurt Angle - Awesome match, easily the best of WrestleMania 21. They had a re-match at Vengence 2005 which also kicked ass. http://youtu.be/t4G6xs3q8Xk

Survivor Series 1997 - Vs. Bret Hart - I've not seen the full match so dont know if it's any good but everybody knows the ending. Also regarding Montreal i'm on WWFs side.

SummerSlam 2002 - HBKs first match in 4 1/2 years which makes his performance even more impressive. I'm not sure if HBK wrestled between here and Survivor Series 2002, where he won the WHC Title.

IYH 2: Lumberjacks - Vs. Jeff Jarrett - Some people might not like this match, it's not bad hell it's on my list but it is slow for a Michaels match. Good clash of styles here as HBK wins his 3rd IC Title.

* I'll update this list when I've re-watched his DVDs so be back in a week.