The opening match of Fall Brawl '95. Here, Johnny B. Badd shows how far he had come in terms of in-ring skill. Pillman was still a babyface at this point, the Horsemen heel turn not yet developed. This was for a shot at the US title, back when it still had some meaning. Both show the fans that THEY WANT A TITLE SHOT! Excellent psychology, and a pretty spectacular show opener.
48. 95-09-17 Johnny B. Badd vs... by puropwgwwestuff
48. 95-09-17 Johnny B. Badd vs... by puropwgwwestuff
I revisited this one a few days ago and it's awesome, a true definition of a "show stealing match".
ReplyDeleteI remember the finish being incredible, both guys going at full speed off the ropes, looked like 2 trucks colliding.
ReplyDeleteTJ: This post-match JBL promo at No Mercy 2008 is INCREDIBLE.
ReplyDeleteJohnny B. Badd/Marc Mero's improvement as an in-ring performer from his debut in 1991 (I think) to his Intercontinental Title victory in 1996 was simply amazing. Maybe the most dramatic I had ever seen in a wrestler. It's a shame injuries got the best of him and his wife's career wound up eclipsing his own.
ReplyDeletejust watched this since it comes up after the 2nd Nitro. Great opening match. Shocked they gave it 25 minutes plus. Rest of the card pretty much sucked. Hard to believe that the first two nitros seemed so innovative and fresh (still do honestly) and then this show was laid on the public. Arn/Flair was decent too I guess but that's about it.
ReplyDeleteI admit that I enjoyed the War games match too. Definitely one of the lesser War Games matches, but talk about a dream team in Hogan/Savage/Sting/Luger. Plus Hogan coming in and throwing powder in everyone's eyes did a good job selling the "war" part.
ReplyDeleteI was there. The heat was off the charts. It was so loud in that arena. I don't know how it comes off on TV but the crowd was hot all night.
ReplyDeleteTwo of the great WCW theme songs as well.
ReplyDeleteTrue story: someone on the booking committee was pissed off at Pillman and/or Badd (I forget who it was), and deliberately booked this to go past 30 minutes so they could be "exposed." Pillman and Badd simply went out and pulled off one of the great "okay, fuck you, we'll show you how it's done" moments in wrestling h istory.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great show overall.
ReplyDeleteIt would have had to be Badd. Pillman could do 30 without a problem. Where they really fucked up was having Pillman in there to make sure the match was good.
ReplyDeleteNo, I mean I couldn't remember who the booker/executive was. Pillman was definitely the targeted guy.
ReplyDeleteWasn't Pillman also an last minute replacement for Austin or Regal or someone?
ReplyDeleteMero's fellow wrestlers opinons on him seem to be pretty bad. Triple H shat all over having to work with him in WWE on Jericho's podcast. Not sure if that has to do with Mero bashing WWE after Benoit's death though.
ReplyDeleteFoley seemed pretty harsh on him in his book as well.
ReplyDeleteFoley was such a little girl during that part. "wwahhhh, this guy has more guaranteed money than me, boo hoo hooooo"
ReplyDeleteFoley admitted that on Austin podcast that the only reason he wasn't a fan of Mero was because he was making more money than you. Apparently they settled it a few years ago and regretted being a Jerk about it
ReplyDelete*him I'm on my phone
ReplyDeleteBest match of Mero's career. Pillman would be full-fledged heel by the end of the show.
ReplyDeleteMatch of the night but not off the charts to me.
ReplyDelete"wrestling Little RIchard impersonator" is one of the strangest gimmicks ever
ReplyDeleteeven then, Badd wasn't a horrible worker either. you would have needed to get someone really terrible in there if you wanted to "expose" him.
ReplyDeleteremember, an Elvis impersonator was the greatest intercontinental champion of all time!
ReplyDeleteThose Nitros were a breath of fresh air compared to Raw at the time. I know WWF was pulling in then-record ratings with Raw, nut it had become increasingly stale.
ReplyDeleteI was about to type the same thing. I remember Mero being awful at the beginning of his career, but he turned into a pretty good wrestler. DDP is another guy that become better seemingly on sheer will alone.
ReplyDeleteThe WON reported that both were over paid in the eyes of the booking committee and hopes were exposing neither man worth the money they had in their contract.
ReplyDeleteI grabbed this on VHS years later, probably around 2003 or so. I wanted to see Flair V Anderson, but holy shite did this one keep me gripped all the way through, Really showed Mero's growth and well Pillman was just f'n awesome.
ReplyDelete