Tagged under: Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Edge, Eyes On Smackdown, JBL, John Cena, Kurt Angle, Smackdown Matches, The Rock, Triple H, WWE, WWE Smackdown
By @Phranchize19
Today, we start our two part look at 20 classic Smackdown matches to honor the 1000th episode of Smackdown coming up shortly. Phranchize will kick us off with his list of 10 classic matches before True gives us another 10 tomorrow. Which matches make our list? Let's get into part 1.
*Kurt Angle vs Brock Lesnar
Iron Man Match
WWE Championship
September 18, 2003
-This might be the greatest match in the history of Smackdown. Two of the best ever in the ring for an hour and they literally tore the house down. The best Ironman match in WWE history perhaps? It's that good.
*Edge vs Eddie Guerrero
No Disqualification Match
September 26, 2002
-Edge was in a quest to prove he was a main event guy and this match was a huge stepping stone in proving that. One of the most underrated matches in both men’s careers, but easily a top 5 Smackdown match period.
*Triple H vs The Rock
WWE Championship
August 26, 1999
-Triple H had not too long ago won the WWE title and was the biggest heel in wrestling. The Rock, by virtue of Austin being on the shelf off and on was the top babyface in wrestling. This match was the first ever WWF title match in smackdown history and would be a catalyst to arguably one of the greatest feuds in wrestling.
*John Cena vs Shinsuke Nakamura
No. 1 Contenders Match For WWE Championship
August 1, 2017
-Two legends collided for the right to go to Summerslam as the number 1 contender. This was a dream match of sorts and it lived up to the expectations. Nakamura got a much needed victory and Cena made Nakamura look like he belonged.
*Team Hell No and Randy Orton vs The Shield
June 14, 2003
This was a huge because it marked the first time ever that The Shield had been defeated in 6 man action. Up to that point, no three man combination had come close to defeating The Shield and the pop Daniel Bryan got for overcoming his “weakest link” demons still stands as one of the best moments of Smackdown history.
*Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho vs The Dudley Boyz vs The Hardy Boyz vs Edge and Christian
TLC 3
May 24, 2001
-This match made history as the first TLC match to not only be featured on free TV, but also to include 4 teams. TLC had only been featured at Wrestlemania and Summerslam up to that point so this was huge deal. The match did not disappoint as Benoit and Jericho added a new element to the match that people had not yet seen and walked away victorious.
*Carmella vs Natalya vs Charlotte vs Tamina vs Becky Lynch
Money In The Bank Match
June 20, 2017
-History was made yet again and this was the first MITB match on network TV. This was a rematch from the first ever Women's MITB match 2 days prior so in essence, we got two MITB matches in a span of 3 days. Carmella would make history by being the first and so far only multi-time MITB winner for women.
*John Cena vs Eddie Guerrero Parking Lot Brawl
September 11, 2003
-Eddie and John Cena put on a fight in a parking lot brawl. The match was to be contested around a circle of cars with no rules. It was the first of its kind and of course Eddie gets away with “cheating”, but John would come out of this match as a huge threat and a semi main event player.
*JBL vs Eddie Guerrero
Steel Cage Match
WWE Championship
July 15, 2004
-Eddie Guerrero and JBL had a GRUESOME feud. It was about the WWE title but things got way too personal (and at times uncomfortable) but it all came to a head in this match. These two put on a stellar Steel Cage match and garnered more heat for new main eventer JBL while continuing the rivalry between Eddie Guerrero and GM at the time, Kurt Angle. The best Steel Cage match in the history of Smackdown? It has a claim for that title.
*Kurt Angle vs Edge vs Chris Benoit vs Eddie Guerrero
No. 1 Contender For WWE Championship
December 5, 2002
-4 men who have become synonymous with the show were invovled in the Smackdown No. 1 Contenders match and they would not disappoint. 4 different styles but a true classic match that took a lot out of all of these men. So much action was packed into this and it really put Smackdown on the map as WWE’s “wrestling show” for sure. It still owns that title.
-Phranchize
Tagged under: Bobby Heenan, CM Punk, Gorilla Monsoon, Greatest wrestling commentators, JBL, Jerry The King Lawler, Jim Ross, Joey Styles, Tazz
By @DisAppAintFree & @Phranchize19
Commentators in professional wrestling provide insight and credibility to the matches they call. Not to mention, it's their job to sell what's going on in the ring. Now there's been many commentators that have done extraordinarily well and there's been some who quite stink at their job. Today, me and @Phranchize19 give you some of professional wrestling's best commentators!
12. JBL
-Whether you love him or hate him, he's pretty great at playing the character he's been given, and mainly as a heel is where JBL shines best. As @IOnlySayFacts had recently touched on, John Bradshaw Layfield is one of the best heels in professional wrestling due to his dedication to his heel gimmick and mic work. As a commentator this is no exception, as half of the time he often makes a good job vouching for heel wrestlers and providing necessary comedy for heel wrestlers. He's full of charisma and capable of keeping viewers interested through programmings.
11. Randy Savage
-Savage is without a doubt one of the greatest wrestlers/WWE legends, but many fans feel his commentary gig is underrated. While it is forgotten mainly cause it was overshadowed by Savage's ring accomplishments and the short stint it was, Savage did make the best of it. His voice already being the golden document of how a professional wrestler should cut promos would be beneficial as a commentator. Whether he says "WHAAAT", "OOOOH YEEAAAAH" or any simple line, he carries the insight of every viewer and how they react to what goes in the ring. He had great delivery and timing. He is without a doubt underrated.
10. Tazz
-Probably Smackdown's best color commentator. Opposite of his tough scary demeanor in ECW, Tazz showed a lighthearted side as commentator, as he was always cracking jokes and barely caught not smiling. He was somewhat of a tweener as he would root for faces ("LATINO HEEEAAATT"), but root for heels while justifying their actions most the time. Nevertheless, being the in ring veteran he is, he spewed a lot of in ring knowledge and he was the only broadcast partner of Michael Cole to make him sound good. That's saying something.
9. CM Punk
-Speaking of wrestlers with short stints, CM Punk within 3 damn months proved why he's the best at what he does! His ring career temporarily on hold, Punk filled in as a commentator and despite his inexperience, he nailed it. From his sarcasm, smark comments, and verbal abuse to fellow commentators, CM Punk provides comedic gold on the booth. I wish I could put him higher, but I can't grade consistency due to the short stint. Regardless, it goes without saying, Punk is definitely one of the best wrestlers on commentator duty.
8. Vince McMahon
-I honestly wished Vince had his heel charisma as color commentator as sometimes he can get bland. However, for the most part, Vince was pretty great at commentator duty as a face. He was often unbiased and called it how it is, whether he commends the likes of Hart or Stone Cold, both who hated him onscreen. While he wasn't Mr. Personality until later on his career, he did have memorable calls to classic matches. His call as Shawn Michaels captured his first title at WM 12 is iconic. He knew his stuff and captured important details of what's going in the ring and kept the viewers well informed. Sometimes we forget how much of a scholar McMahon is on actual wrestling as his smarts is downplayed by his poor booking decisions nowadays.
7. Paul Heyman
-As Paul E. Dangerously, Heyman showed potential as a color commentator. Nearly a decade later, soon after the fall of ECW, Paul filled in for The King who left because of personal reasons. For NINE MONTHS, we the WWE(F) Universe, had the best commentary duo with Ross and Heyman calling it down the line. "HEY JR GUESS WHAT?!", "what..", "WASSSUUUPPPP!" he would say as The Dudleys perform their signature headbutt move on their opponents. Not only did Paul big up his former employees (even when they were jobbing), but he did a helluva job as voice for The Alliance, who were heels. Why didn't he lead the ECW alliance? That's really WWE's dumbass writings, but it doesn't take away from the charisma, comedy, and extra insight he provided to the fans. Unlike average commentators who reach to the viewers, Heyman reached to the FANS!
6. Joey Styles
-For nearly 7 years, Styles have singlehandedly detailed every aspect of what went on in a fast messy environment that is known as ECW. It's not easy being a one man commentator and announcer, but Styles nailed it. Whether showing off his scholarly knowledge of professional wrestling, "A quick scoop of a slam", "TAZZ LOCKS IN THE KATAHAJIME" or his most famous reaction "OH MY GAWWWDDDDDD", Styles has a knack of displaying every single great aspect that a color commentator should have. He delivered the same magic in WWE though he was downplayed alot and mistreated as he was always replaced by Ross during a PPV. Luckily he was able to call the classic Hardcore match between Edge & Foley at WM22.
5. Gorilla Monsoon
-The epitome of a face color commentator. Though at times he seemed biased towards the faces and outshined by his broadcast partners, Monsoon always had charisma. He provided a great voice and delivered calling classic matches. Whether with Heenan or Ventura, he was the perfect face half of color commentary, thus benefitting the heel half when calling a match.
4. Jerry "The King" Lawler
-An unfiltered Jerry Lawler is gold. Lawler made commentary so much fun. Whether he was bashing guys such as Stone Cold or Bret Hart or fantasizing over women such as Debra, Sunny or Sable or making some of the greatest jokes ever, Lawler is a mainstay when it comes to announcing. His greatest work was in the 90's where he ranged from a heel, in which he verbally slaughtered the Hart family, to a comedic perv when he lusted over Debra's "puppies".
3. Jesse Ventura
-The man who originally played the heel commentator, Ventura's style of commentating was well received by Vince. He is arguably the greatest heel color commentator as he often would root for the villain and diss the good guys. His gripe against Hogan is one of the reasons
his heel commentary worked because he truly hated him (Hogan snitched on him to the boss about forming a labor union), so he did everything in power to bash him. For the most part it made sense, Hogan used to cheat but never got called out on it but Ventura was always on his ass. WM5, WM6, and Survivor Series 1987 main event are great examples of his commentary work.
2.Bobby Heenan
-Bobby Heenan was arguably wrestling's first comedian. He made a legendary duo with Gorilla Monsoon. Heenan had jokes for days and made commentary fun with disparaging remarks towards all the babyfaces especially Hogan and fans whom he was constantly referring to humanoids. Besides being a legendary manager, he became a legendary commentator and even in his WCW days, where he was more rational, it was great TV. He's one of the best ever and always remember to "be fair to Flair".
1. Jim Ross
-When one thinks of announcing in the wrestling industry, they tend to think of Jim Ross. Many, if not all people consider him the best announcer in the business. His storytelling and antics with Jerry Lawyer made matches so much more enjoyable. Jim Ross has called so many legendary matches and elevated them with his superb play by play. He's the most respected announcer and is looked at as a mentor/inspiration by several on screen employees. He always spoke his mind and never kissed anyone's ass, especially Vince, who fired him a lot. And of course he has quotables for days:
"STONE COLD STONE COLD!"
"TOUGHER THAN A TWO DOLLAR STATE"
"BONAFIED SLOBBERKNOCKER"
"THE AUSTIN ERA HAS BEGUN"
"FOR THE LOVE OF GOD THATS ENOUGH"
"STONE COLD IS SHAKING HANDS WITH SATAN HIMSELF"
The list goes on.
-EOTR
Tagged under: EOTR Match Of The Week, I Quit, JBL, John Cena, Judgment Day 2005, WWE
By @Phranchize19
Welcome back. I wanted to return with the match of the week and for this particular match, after my guy Doug dropped a great JBL article, I'm going to piggyback off it and choose one of his better ones.
With that, I chose John Cena vs JBL in their I Quit match for the WWE Championship from Judgment Day 2005.
Background:
JBL had become the top heel in wrestling while John Cena was simultaneously becoming the most popular face in WWE. It was only a matter of time before they would meet at Mania after a long build. Of course, Cena wins the very physical match and pretty much changed the tide of the WWE by becoming the new face. JBL was not one to stay down in defeat and he would wreck havoc until he won a match to become the number 1 contender. JBL didn't want an ordinary match either. JBL challenged Cena to an I Quit match (Editor's Note: Wow, that Never Give Up bullshit Cena does started 12 years ago. Yikes). Cena then accepted and we have only of the very few I Quit matches in PPV history on deck.
The Match:
The match itself surprisingly started off as a wrestling match. JBL would then get into the brawl that he loves as Cena would mount a little offense, but JBL would spill the champ’s blood (a whole lot of it) with a wicked chair shot. JBL would try to choke Cena out with a belt, then he would trash talk Cena while he beat on him and eventually the match spilled to JBL’s limo. JBL would then get ran into a TV, which busted him open and now the fight became a bloodbath (Editor's Note: Clearly, JBL loves to have bloody matches at Judgment Day PPVs).
The fight would continue onto the truck that Cena and his DJ would make their entrance on. JBL would attempt to hang John Cena by the neck, but Cena would counter and JBL falls through a table. After more brawling, Cena would finally get more of the upper hand and tore off a pipe from the truck. As he threatened to run JBL over, JBL would then utter I Quit. JBL thinking he got away slowly smiled until Cena ran him over anyway.
Phranchize Grade And Analysis:
-This was a GREAT match on what was a lackluster PPV. Of all the I Quit matches in WWE history, this ranks right up there with the best. Cena would see the roots of his Never Give Up mantra somewhat grow from this and these types of matches. The psychology of JBL in this match was astounding. From JBL pretending to forget that it was an I Quit match by reaching for the ropes while in a submission hold was good story telling. The announce team did their jobs well by selling the beating both men took as well as brought up the history of the last I Quit match, as well as other physical contests that similarly mimicked this match. Great match all around.
Rating: 9/10
-C. Yates
Tagged under: Batista, Bully, Eddie Guerrero, greatest heels, JBL, JBL is a bully, John Bradshaw Layfield, WWE
By @IOnlySayFacts
(Note: This is about his career, not about his backstage stuff with Mauro. That I do not have an opinion on in this piece)
John Bradshaw Layfield.
Before this turn, he was just Bradshaw, a brawling beer loving Texan who beat up people for money with his best friend Faarooq. Behind the scenes, JBL was a financial analyst who appeared on Fox News and had written books about finance. The turn resulted from when Bradshaw and Faarooq lost a championship match against Rikishi and Scotty 2 Hotty. Faarooq was fired and JBL stayed and did not stick up for his partner. The week after this event showed a whole new side of him.
JBL was a mix between George W. Bush and JR Ewing from Dallas fame. He was a morally bankrupt blueblood that was also a Texan. Immediately when Bradshaw debuted his new gimmick, the first thing he did was change his name to his whole full name. The way he was able to get the crowd to turn on him so quick was amazing. By saying that he didn’t bring back Ron Simmons when he had the opportunity showed that he was a scumbag. Trashing a very popular group while saying that he was a person that is similar to the government made people hate him so much.
From there, the first big feud he had was with then WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero. Eddie, popular with the masses, was the face of the brand, as Lesnar left and Angle was on the shelf. During this feud, I realized that what JBL had was special. He developed into such a sleaze bag that took shortcuts to win and when he did win he was not anything special. JBL did so many despicable things, that it made me hate him when I was young. JBL did everything from causing Eddie Guerrero’s mother to have a heart attack, to kicking out Mexicans in the border. All this did was get so much heat on him and people paid to see him get his ass beat. At Great American Bash (the worst PPV of the year), when he won his only WWE Championship, was sold out in California because of the fact that people wanted to see Eddie beat JBL. JBL won the bullrope match by touching the last corner in a fluke way. The fact that this feud worked so well is a success to both guys. Bradshaw, an American got heel heat against Eddie Guerrero, a man with Mexican heritage. They tried to do a similar thing with Jack Swagger and Alberto Del Rio minus the extremism that went into the feud, but it did not work at this level.
Following the feud with Guerrero, he had feuds with The Undertaker and Booker T. No matter what he did, he’d always find a way to win. The way he’d play a coward heel was just amazing. His ring work purposely became worse and he rarely won matches cleanly. It wasn’t like other cowardly heels of today, who have shown dominance at some point in their tenures. He ended up giving John Cena the belt at Wrestlemania 21 in a feud that was built a year in the making. JBL was the perfect guy for Cena to pin. This elitist vs scrappy underdog feud can work, and it paid off major dividends. It was the one that made Cena the potential face of the company.
After that feud, JBL started a feud with Batista for his championship, and while they tried to make Batista the face of Smackdown like Cena was about to be, it did not work to the same scale because the Cena/Batista prototypes were different. He still was the chickenshit heel that everyone wanted to beat, but it didn’t have the same affect as others. Eventually after winning the US Championship from Benoit, and losing the World Heavyweight Championship match to Rey Mysterio, JBL’s star status wained. This was also due to injury, and eventually he retired in embarrassing fashion.
JBL worked, because unlike Triple H (who had a longer and worse reign of terror), he made himself look like an ass on a decent amount of occasions. His run at the top was also fairly short. The thing about JBL is, unlike Triple H, is that he got ‘’it”, that a heel can only last so long before fatigue gets in place. Compared to other top heels, JBL’s run was fairly short in both his debut run and his return run at the top. In my mind, he was the best heel in the 21st century.
-Doug
