This month’s Hidden Gems had a lot more recent (and by recent I mean the last 20 years) stuff than usual, though it also had World Class’ first ever (and previously unknown-to-exist) Wrestling Star Wars event. No real theme to anything, outside of SummerSlam Week where the SummerSlam main eventers (Brock, Roman, AJ, Joe) got some focus.
The basic format here is this: I will start with some history, then review the match. The star rating at the bottom has little bearing on how awesome or weird the thing was. Read the review for that.
Raising Hell in OVW – Stone Cold Steve Austin Appears in OVW and Stuns Rico Constantino (1/31/01)
This was on the same card as the Kane vs. Leviathan (Batista) match where Austin did a run-in, featured in the June 2018 Hidden Gems.
Stone Cold had just won the Royal Rumble and was en route to a WWF Title match at WrestleMania X7 with either The Rock or Kurt Angle. He was on the tail-end of THE RUN here and would turn heel at WrestleMania, then face again during the Invasion before he got told to job to Brock Lesnar and said, Oh Hell No.
Rico Constantino is his lucky opposition here. He was only a few years into his career and had been in OVW since 1999. He’d head to SmackDown a year after this with Billy & Chuck.
This right here is a superstar showing up to a smaller show and putting smiles on people’s faces. Jim Ross introduces Austin with all the swagger of the drunken rich man at the height of his fame that he was. Austin – shocker – gets a MASSIVE pop, and cuts a promo on Triple H. An OVW ref throws a couple beers at him, which had to be a thrill.
Rico (who is JACKED) comes out with Kenny Bolin and says once he’s done dominating everyone in OVW, he’ll kick Austin’s HINEY. This leads to Austin asking if the crowd thinks Rico is a jackass (Spoiler: HELL YEAH), teasing that he won’t knock Rico’s lights out cause he’s in a good mood, and then – shocker – STUNNER, BEER, TRASH TALK, MUSIC.
I’m sure it was fun for the audience but it’s no Last Battle of Atlanta.
Alundra Blayze vs Lioness Asuka – WWF Women’s Title: Alundra Blayze [c] vs. Lioness Asuka (WWF Dark Match 11/21/95)
Not exactly the most exciting thing to put up during Mae Young Classic taping week. I guess they don’t have much Mae footage, and nobody is exactly clamoring for Moolah footage right now.
Blaze had been picked to be the ace of the reignited WWF Women’s division in 1993 and had a 2-year run that randomly introduced Bull Nakano and other top Japanese joshi talent to America. At this point the WWF had either just released her or was about to at the time of this match, though so much lore exists around the trash can thing that I don’t know what’s real anymore.
Her opponent Lioness Asuka had been a major star in Japan as a part of the Crush Girls tag team, a top tag team that had mainstream success in the mid-80s (they also worked the WWF). She had retired in 1989, but around 1995 made a comeback that featured two matches with the WWF: an Elimination Match opposite Blaze at Survior Series 1995, and this one.
The RAW this was taped before featured a Shawn Michaels interview on his collapse off Owen Hart’s enzuigri, Owen Hart squashing Jeff Hardy (!), and Bret Hart vs. Bob Backlund.
While interesting for being Blaze’s last WWF match before she dropped the WWF Women’s Title in a trash can on WCW Monday Nitro, this stinks. Asuka got a concussion during the match, so that might help explain some of it, but Blaze is a wrestler working like it’s their last day on the job and they are not happy about it. Asuka controls a lot of the match and is, I don’t know, a wrestler. Blaze misses a plancha to the floor. A few dorks randomly crap. Blaze wins with a German suplex and walks to the back, off to wrestling infamy. DUD
Dream Killer – UPW Heavyweight Title: Samoa Joe [c] vs. Tommy Dreamer (UPW It’s On 4/25/01)
Super early UPW Samoa Joe being the only young Joe footage the WWE has access to is some STUFF. This match is from UPW It’s On event, which had the semi-main – WWF’s Edge & Christian vs. Nova & Kazarian – featured in a previous Hidden Gems Collection.
Joe had debuted in late-1999 and soon signed with UPW, a company that clearly saw something in him considering he’s the champ a year later. He’d head to ZERO-ONE and Ring of Honor over the next couple years and really become himself. Dreamer meanwhile was in the middle of ECW closing down in early 2001 and his joining the WWF for the Alliance angle in July.
Joe in April 2001 isn’t very good (witness his weird flat back bumps), though this is a Hardcore Match so they’re able to keep it semi-interesting. Dreamer just wrestles the same match he always does, and since it’s a title match they throw in a couple counters at the end. Match is more notable for this classic line on commentary: “Samoa Joe is looking jacked. Tommy Dreamer is looking… injured.” *1/2
Unseen Styles – AJ Styles vs. Rick Michaels (WWF Dark Match 7/9/01)
The most notable thing about this, outside of it being AJ Styles’ very first time wrestling in a WWF ring, is that it’s from the night the WCW/ECW Alliance was formed.
Styles was actually trained by his opponent here, who owned NWA Wildside where Styles got his start. Styles had signed with WCW in early 2001 right before the WWF bought them, but didn’t get signed so continued his rise up the independent scene. After this match, Styles got a couple more tryouts with the WWF and in early 2002 was offered a contract to go to their HWA developmental territory in Ohio, which he ultimately declined.
Then he went to NWA-TNA and then New Japan and now he’s the WWE Champion. Funny what 15+ years of grinding can sometimes do for you in the professional wrestling business.
I love the rushed Fink intros on dark matches, done in front of this skeptical crowd about to see THE UNDERTAKER and STONE COLD. Like 3 fans pop and chant for AJ. The match is mostly headlocks and rope-running and armdrags to silence before a big superkick by Michaels that gets a huge pop, followed by AJ hitting the Styles Clash and a Shooting Star Press to a nice reaction. AJ always had tools and it might be interesting to see him work a dark match running through basic sequences with his trainer, but this isn’t must-see. *3/4
A Real International Incident – WWE Undisputed Title: Brock Lesnar [c] vs. The Undertaker (WWE Passport to Pain Tour 10/9/03)
This is a house show match from WWE’s European tour which saw them stop in Turku, Finland at the Turkuhalli Elysee Arena. It is glorious house show footage and filmed on one cam – and I don’t mean a hard cam… this is one guy running around, crudely zooming in and out.
SmackDown in 2003 was a special place and the card this show took place on speaks to it: Matt Hardy vs. A-Train, Ultimo Dragon vs. Funaki vs. Nunzio, Eddie Guerrero vs. Rhyno, Tajiri vs. Rey Mysterio, and Chris Benoit & Kurt Angle vs. John Cena & Big Show.
Undertaker was in the midst of a final big run as babyface Bikertaker. He had feuded with Lesnar the previous year, culminating with their epic Hell in a Cell match at No Mercy. After a year hovering around the SmackDown main event scene, he began feuding with Lesnar again, and a couple weeks after this match they faced off in a Biker Chain Match at (again) No Mercy. He’d lose a Buried Alive Match to Mr. McMahon at Survivor Series and then disappear until he rose at WrestleMania as the Deadman again.
Lesnar was also on the tail-end of a big run, as after dominating the WWE since his debut in early 2002, winning the WWE Title from The Rock at SummerSlam 2002, defeating Hulk Hogan and The Undertaker, and going face for a bit and main eventing WrestleMania with Kurt Angle, he had aligned himself with Mr. McMahon and was again feuding with The Undertaker. After re-aligning with Paul Heyman in late-2003, he continued to dominate as WWE Champion until he lost to Eddie Guerrero at No Way Out, then Goldberg at WrestleMania XX, and left WWE for almost a decade.
This is such a house show match, one you can feel Undertaker still trying to teach Brock things. Brock is working basic sequences, staring down fans, tearing up signs. During Brock’s stalling I think for a second that the crowd is chanting pussy in Finnish, but it’s TA-KER in English. Undertaker is milking everything and taking his time. Nobody is bumping. The crowd is ECSTATIC.
This match also sees The Undertaker do a la magistral cradle and take a big bump to the floor where he exclaims “OH!” like an old man who has taken a spill. Brock works over Taker, the crowd chants for Taker, Taker makes a comeback, the ref gets bumped TWICE, and a chairshot to the face wins it for Brock. Taker takes out Brock with a chair post-match, then RHYNO runs in to back-up Brock until EDDIE GUERRERO makes the save. Taker and Eddie awkwardly take out Rhyno and everybody goes home happy I guess. ***1/4
Before Reigning on RAW – Leakee (Roman Reigns) vs. Corey Graves (FCW 11/20/11)
Roman Reigns had debuted not just in FCW but in wrestling only a year before this and was one more year away from The Shield run. Corey Graves was coming off a decade-long run on the independents as Sterling James Keenan and had joined FCW just a few months earlier.
This is an ultra-basic developmental match. Corey has Leah West as his valet, though she’d be released soon after this. Reigns is big and aggressive while Graves is working holds for long periods of time – the brass must have been STOKED watching this. It’s no good but both eventually found their way. *
WCCW Wrestling Star Wars 1981 (2/21/81)
Here is what appears to be a bonafide previously unknown-to-exist Hidden Gem. I THINK it might be the first Wrestling Star Wars that Big Time Wrestling (eventually known as WCCW) ran, a Fritz Von Erich-promoted supershow that was on this evening held at Reunion Arena. Results for Wrestling Star Wars always reference a June 1981 as being the first Star Wars event, but HERE WE ARE.
1. Mil Mascaras vs. Killer Tim Brooks: The crowd seemed to be having a good time watching this ugly fella struggle with this masked fella. Mascaras is being cheeky, no-selling shots, and getting his shit in. There is a nice spot where Brooks trips Mascaras, tries a headlock, Mascaras avoids it and applies his own, and then Brooks does a backdrop suplex that Mascaras sandbags him on. There are a lot of headlocks and punches and finally a flying crossbody. *1/2
2. Fritz Von Erich vs. Great Kabuki w/ Gary Hart: The setup here saw Kabuki attack David so bad that Fritz got involved. This match made me sad this show only has a hard cam, as Kabuki is gimmicked up like the scariest god damn clown you ever saw. Plus he has a sword.
These guys aren’t doing much, though you have to appreciate Kabuki being 1000% in character with every movement he makes. Fritz is in his early 50s and either punching or on his knees selling. Once in a while he teases The Claw and the crowd buzzes.
Epic moment late in the match where Gary Hart interferes so A FAN GOES AFTER HIM!!! The finish sees Kabuki choke Fritz, causing David to run-in and attack Kabuki and Gary, eventually dropkicking Kabuki which leads to the Fritz pin. **3/4
Before the next match, ring announcer Bill Mercer has a message for the fans: “Anyone interfering with the match in progress will be arrested and prosecuted, thank you.”
3. NWA World Heavyweight Title: Harley Race [c] vs. Kerry Von Erich: Kerry had previously put Harley to sleep in a non-title match, so here we are. This is a basic NWA World Title match and that’s not really a knock. They take their time with basic exchanges, then the crowd pops when Kerry gets a one-up on Harley, who always sells masterfully.
Harley eventually bleeds which leads to THE CLAW, then referee Bronco Lubich takes a bump and falls outside. Kerry tries to bring him back in the ring but Harley (SHRIEK!) hits Kerry from behind. David Manning takes over referee duties as Kerry and Harley brawl. Harley bodyslams Kerry on a table and does the falling headbutt off the apron onto nothing (!), then Kerry tries to get into the ring but it’s already a countout. Drats – almost! ***1/2
4. NWA World Tag Team Title: Hercules Ayala & Ali Mustafa [c] vs. David Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich: The championship name is misleading, as this isn’t THE NWA World Tag Team Titles, but the Texas version of the championship. The championship had recently been rebooted by Big Time Wrestling after laying dormant since 1968, and until the NWA American Tag Team Titles, was Big Time’s top tag titles.
The match is an early Von Erich specialty – sloppy and super basic, but the dynamic of these two crazy over young brothers vs. these gross assholes in their dirty white singlets is really a perfect match-up. Kevin eventually strikes with an awesome sunset flip off the top rope to win the titles. Commentary’s hard sell of David’s connection with the fans post-match is so hokey and awesome. All FIVE Von Erich boys celebrate with their dad post-match, including young Chris. Arghhhdfss. **1/2
5. $5,000 Texas Battle Royal (Featuring: Bruiser Brody, Jose Lothario, Jesse Barr, Chief Billy White Cloud, Don “The Lawman” Slatton, Brian Blair, Raul Mata, Chan Chun, Ali Mustafa, Hercules Ayala and Killer Tim Brooks): This is a 5-minute Battle Royal. Commentary says as the bell rings that there’s not a lot to say, you just have to watch it – “If someone’s eliminated, we’ll point it out for ya.” Finally, someone says what had to be said. Brody ends up against a couple heels and takes them out. I bet he demanded an actual $5,000 after the match.
The Future in Florida – Seth Rollins, Derrick Bateman & Johnny Curtis vs. Antonio Cesaro, Dean Ambrose & Damien Sandow (FCW 11/20/11)
It’s Seth Rollins, EC3 & Fandango vs. Cesaro, Dean Ambrose & Damien Mizdow! All of these guys were on the verge of a call-up to the main roster. Rollins had been in developmental a little over a year, Ambrose almost a year, EC3 two years, and Cesaro had just come in (and would be on TV just a few months later). Curtis meanwhile had been in developmental for over five god damn years while Sandow was in and out of the system for nearly ten, re-signing a year prior to this.
It’s from the same show as the Leakee vs. Corey Graves match above. Lots of storyline history here: Ambrose debuted against Rollins, Bateman and Curtis are former tag champs, and Cesaro had recently attacked Rollins prior to Rollins challenging for Sandow’s Jack Brisco 15 Championship, which Sandow had won off of Rollins.
General Manger Maxine had chosen a mystery partner for Rollins and Curtis, and the crowd wants William Regal, who was feuding with Ambrose. Music hits, and Dusty Rhodes deadpans… “It’s Derrick Bateman.”
This is a fine little 10-minute affair and a glimpse at some dudes who went on to do some stuff. Nobody’s re-inventing the wheel: a beatdown leads to everybody throwing shots and the finish. Dean is being quirky, Curtis is taking heat, Cesaro is hitting uppercuts, Bateman is doing a hot tag, and Curtis is doing a somersault plancha to the floor. It’s all perfectly decent. Commentary advertises the main event as they go to commercial: Richie Steamboat vs. Husky Harris, Falls Count Anywhere. “FCW may never be the same!” **
