Halloween Havoc '97 was main evented by Piper vs. Hogan in a cage match, but there were a couple of matches on the undercard that stood out. The first of which was this match for the Cruiserweight championship, with the stipulation that Rey would unmask if he lost. I'll post the other match tomorrow.
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs Eddie Guerrero by PWF
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs Eddie Guerrero by PWF
5 stars in my book. Meltzer can shove his **** 3/4 up his ass
ReplyDeleteThat. Fucking. Powerbomb.
ReplyDeleteAwesome. I don't think these two ever had a bad match.
ReplyDelete"Bad", I dont think they did, but their 04-05 matches never really got to where they should have been
ReplyDeleteHe clearly hated it.
ReplyDeleteThey had a great match on Smackdown that year
ReplyDelete"AMAZING match, but I have to deduct 1/4 of a star as neither of them were Japanese."
ReplyDeleteHe gave ***** to a match earlier in the month. Neither guy was Japanese
ReplyDeletehttps://sites.google.com/site/chrisharrington/wcw_ppvs_1986_2001#TOC-WCW-Halloween-Havoc-1997
ReplyDeleteRatings for the show
Undertaker is an honorary Japanese citizen. He worked Michinoku Pro once.
ReplyDeleteI watch this one at least once a year. A true classic. Definitely the gold standard as far as WCW Cruiserweight title matches go.
ReplyDeleteUnbelievably crisp, and a truly breathtaking match. Pure magic in the ring that night.
ReplyDelete*****
True enough. I suppose that's the problem with setting the bar as high as they did in '97.
ReplyDeleteGreatest Halloween Havoc match ever.
ReplyDeleteThe truly set the bar too high, they could never come close again.
ReplyDeleteRey's backflipping springboard armlock DDT was... just... wow.
It was better than a couple of their PPV matches that year, something of a lost classic actually.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. The WWE Championship match on the Smackdown after Wrestlemania was probably the best match they've had SINCE the Havoc bout.
ReplyDeletethat was an odd Smackdown. Where the whole show was a gauntlet and the last guy (Rey) got a title shot with Eddie Guerrero. I assume that also marks the end of Paul Heyman booking SD
ReplyDeleteIt's called a joke.
ReplyDeleteNeither guy were guys I liked in the sense that I wanted them to win most of the time, but always enjoyed their matches. Great match.
ReplyDeleteWell it was 7 years later, Eddie was a lot bigger and Rey had a number of injuries already.
ReplyDeleteOr the somersault tope-into-rana/flying headscissors combo. I can only imagine the look on Eddie's face when Rey introduced the idea of that spot.
ReplyDeleteClassic right here, WCW's match of the year in 1997.
ReplyDeleteEddie was majorly banged up as well. Considering the state of both of them, its a tribute to both guys talent that their 05 matches are as good as they were.
ReplyDeleteBischoff's a shithead but when he preaches about having the best wrestling in the world during this time period he's absolutely right, in 1997 you were never going to see ANYTHING like this amazeballs shit in WWF.
ReplyDeleteDude. WWF JUST had Hell in a Cell and Austin/Hart. Two of the greatest matches ever.
ReplyDeleteTrue, and while great spectacles (13 is duh for GMOAT imo) none of it was like this, these two are shot out of a cannon and at the time this stuff was basically brand new to the US.
ReplyDeleteI do remember a fantastic rant Jim Cornette did on RAW after this on how the card was great but the main event was two guys "Sucking wind so bad, the first three rows passed out from oxygen deprivation."
ReplyDeleteI'll never forget the first time I watched this match. It was hella late at night and I thought I dreamed this match up because they hit EVERYTHING. I woke up in the morning and watched it again just to make sure I actually saw what I thought I thunk I saw.
ReplyDeletei bet this one gave em minor arthritis, aches, & pains
ReplyDeleteHas this been topped since? I can't think of another one-on-one cruiserweight since 1997 that's bettered it.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing comparable is the famous AJ Styles vs Samoa Joe Vs Christopher Daniels 3way X title match from TNA....so no, no one-on-one has topped this.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jibrD6TRAZk
ReplyDeleteHere is a much better link
The best mullet ever.
ReplyDeleteSaw it but it didn't include entrances. Piddling thing, yes. But some people like the entrances.
ReplyDeleteHelps set the tone. I always hated that on DVD releases where they'd cut out the entrances. It's only 5 minutes; I want the whole, encompassing thing!
ReplyDelete1997 was one of the best years of wrestling in WWE history.
ReplyDeleteUnless they are Japanese.
ReplyDeleteUnless it's not a joke.
ReplyDelete1997 is one of wrestling's best years; period
ReplyDeleteNewest episode of "Monday Night War" is all about the cruiserweights, they put over this match like crazy but also Flair nailing it on how being labeled a cruiserweight could hurt you. "Dean Malenko is one of the best in the ring you'll find but had no chance of being World Champion."
ReplyDeleteExactly. Plus add 7-8 years later, roids, you got to heavier, not as agile guys trying to rekindle that old style. Not gonna happen
ReplyDeleteYup. He did the same thing for Shawn/Taker WM25, yet he hands out Japan 5 stars like hotcakes every year
ReplyDeleteThe 6/23/05 Smackdown match is excellent. Halloween Havoc was the pinnacle of the WCW cruiserweight style. The Smackdown match was maybe the pinnacle of WWE lighter-weight guys working a classic main event style match
ReplyDeleteBoth the 3/18/04 and 6/23/05 Smackdown matches are very good. The latter is a MOTYC
ReplyDeleteBoth guys at the height of their abilities. One of the most truly amazing matches ever.
ReplyDelete