From: chrispy@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Christopher Palacios)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.pro-wrestling
Subject: Chrispy WVR : SuperBrawl II
Date: 4 Jan 93 21:04:48 GMT
Reply-To: chrispy@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Christopher Palacios)
Distribution: na
Organization: The University of Texas at Austin
Originator: chrispy@doc.cc.utexas.edu


Recently, I've had a lot of comments from people who read RSPW thanking me
for doing these, some having the gall to ask me questions and consider me
an expert.  I'll be the first to admit that before RSPW, I was an average
mark fan.  When I started reading RSPW, I loved it and decided to do what
I could for the people who started out like me: a mark, one to nervous to
post.  I didn't post until six months after I started reading this group.

Just consider me an educated mark who wants to be helpful.  To everyone
who has read these, who has used my opinions to base making a video rental,
who have given me compliments, I give you my sincerest thanks.  Someone I
respect gave me the ultimate compliment by saying he bought a tape based
on my review.  People, I'm still shaking over that.

Once again, I thank you and hope 1993 is as good to you as you have been to
me.  And now, on to the review.

Thanks to Oliver Postlethwaite for making it easy to review SuperBrawl II.
On to the matches...

1) Brian Pillman vs. Jushin Liger for the World Lt. Heavyweight title

One of the best matches Americans have ever seen, plain and simple.  This
match was Japan quality all the way through.  Plenty of high spots and
a lot of action.  If Watts doesn't believe that fans like that "do-si-do
crap", then he'd better listen to the fans during this match.
A great match by two of the greatest wrestlers of our time.  Maybe of all time.
****1/2

2) Taylor Made Man vs. Marcus Alexander Bagwell

From that, we come to this.  Actually it wasn't THAT bad, but it's not Pillman
vs. Liger.  Bagwell works one of his better matches against someone who can
carry him and anyone else in the sport, Terry Taylor.
**1/2

3) Ron Simmons vs. Cactus Jack

I hate to score a Cactus match low, but I HATE Ron Simmons.  Why he was given
the belt, I'll never know.  (Luckily, it's back where it belongs: around the
waist of VAN VADER!!)  Junkfood Hog makes the "save" in this match, as if he
was capable to save any match...
**

4) Richard Morton/Vinnie Vegas vs. Van Hammer/Tom Zenk

Ugh.  Morton went to pot in a heel role.  Vegas didn't go anywhere.   Hammer
can't keep a beat.  Zenk can't carry a singles match, much less a tag match.
Add those up, and you get a restroom/sandwich break.

*3/4

5) Larry Zybszko/Steve Austin vs. Barry Windham/Dustin Rhodes

Barry wants revenge for the broken hand he suffered at the hands of Larry and
Arn Anderson at Halloween Havoc '91.  Naturally, he gets it.  Overall, a
standard match revolving around a standard plot.  They've all worked better
before.

**1/2

6) Arn Anderson/Bobby Eaton vs. Rick and Scott Steiner for the World tag titles

Not a bad match, just not that good either.  Typical Steiner spots, but Eaton
and Anderson just didn't look as good as usual.  The screw job ending may 
have had something to do with it.  Once again, all have worked better.

**3/4

7) Rick Rude vs. Ricky Steamboat for the US title

Ricky Steamboat is one of the most overrated wrestlers of all time.  What is
so great about this guy?  Arm drag.  WOW.

This was during the "Ninja" gimmick where Steamboat had a ninja with him at
ringside.  Naturally, early in the broadcast, the ninja chases Madusa around
and then all of a sudden, it's time for the match.

Standard Steamboat match, which means arm drags, arm drags, and more arm drags.
Retire now, please?

"Oh my God!  That was Paul E. Dangerously, and he was dressed in a NINJA outfit!
 Back to you, Jim." - Missy Hyatt

Ugh.

**

8) Lex Luger vs. Sting for the World title

The match itself stunk.  But the stare down at the beginning was great.  You
could actually feel some kind of tension between the two. 

A typical Luger match, but much slower with less moves.  This one ended too
quick to be believeable.  A very forgettable title change.

**1/4


Overall, this tape had a lot of potential that was untapped.  They should
have put Liger/Pillman later in the broadcast, because there was no way any
match came close to being that good.  After that, the fans felt cheated with
the subpar efforts of Sting, Luger, Eaton, Anderson, Rude, etc.
(I don't count Steamboat because he did all two of his moves...)

Final Grade: B-   **1/2
(mostly on the strength of Pillman/Liger)

More video reviews and my first ever house show review coming soon.
Thanks for reading...


-- 
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Christopher Palacios            Internet: chrispy@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
"Whether you like it or you don't like it, learn to love it, because it's
 the best thing going today.  WOOOOOOO!" - Ric Flair	
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