Rowe's Compilation Tape

part 1

Eddie Guerrero vs Kenzo Suzuki

This was from the special episode that was taped in Japan. Eddie gets a really courteous reaction from the audience. Then comes Kenzo, and as Michael Cole says “Kenzo doesn’t even get any love in his homeland of Japan.” I believe this was one of, if not, Kenzo’s last matches on television before disappearing and eventually being released. Kenzo is distracted in the early going by the crowd’s booing, which Eddie encourages. Eddie finally pokes Kenzo in the eyes and then reverses an Irish Whip. Kenzo stomps away at Eddie in the corner and chokes him with his heel. Eddie fights back with some punches, but gets pushed (not slammed) down by Kenzo. Kenzo goes for another choke... what a smart move it was to hire this guy. Kenzo goes for a cover, but Eddie kicks out. Next we get a delightful rest hold, courtesy of Kenzo, but Eddie fights out of it thanks to the cheers of the respectful Japanese crowd. An American audience would be shitting all over this mess, but luckily we’re in Japan. Kenzo locks in another rest hold, and Eddie fights out of it again with some elbows to the stomach of Kenzo. Eddie knocks Kenzo down with a punch and sends Kenzo to the corner. Eddie then his the Three Amigos and heads to the top turnbuckle. Kenzo gets up and knocks Eddie down. Kenzo goes for a big suplex, but Eddie knocks him down and hits the Frog Splash and the win at 3:50! This match was pretty craptacular, but Eddie was put over clean, so it had that redeeming factor. ½*

John Cena vs Orlando Jordan

This was a part of the number one contenders tournament that finished up at No Way Out. This is also part of the Japan episode of Smackdown. Don’t ask me why I taped this match… They tie up and Jordan knees Cena in the gut and knocks him down. Jordan corners Cena with some hard shoulder blocks. Cena reverses and Irish Whip and catches Jordan in a hip-toss. Cena hits a Fisherman suplex and corners Jordan himself with some elbow shots. Jordan hits a big boot on Cena and floors Cena. Jordan waits for Cena to get up and hits some boxing jabs on Cena. Cena goes down again after a right hand and Jordan hits a series of elbow drops. Jordan goes for a cover and Cena amazingly kicks out. Cena comes back with some forearms to Jordan’s gut, but gets caught in a scoop slam by Jordan. Next up is the rest hold spot, as Jordan puts pressure on the back of Cena’s neck. Cena fights out of it, but gets caught in a back suplex. Jordan goes for another cover but Cena kicks out again. Jordan follows up with a spinning neckbreaker and goes for another cover. Cena kicks out at two and half. This is enough to frustrate Jordan, who follows up by hitting Cena with some closed fists. Jordan tries to cover Cena AGAIN, but Cena kicks out again. Cena fights back with some punches to the face of Orlando Jordan. Cena floors Jordan with his “pound and ground” attack. “You can’t see me” and the five knuckle shuffle lead into the F-U and Cena covers Jordan for the win at about 4:30. Typical Cena match. ¼* This means Cena will face Booker T next week, I don’t remember if I taped that one or not. I hope I didn’t.

Kurt Angle vs Rey Mysterio

This is another tournament match, the winner here will advance to the finals at No Way Out. This is another match from the Japan episode of Smackdown. Angle gets a “you suck” chant from the Japanese crowd, it’s fun to chant that at Angle regardless of where you live. Rey comes out with that stupid “619 Cam” that he was carrying around for a while. Ah, the simple times, before we ever stopped to consider if Eddie Guerrero was the father of Rey’s son… This match may be too quick for me to properly recap. A quick tie up at the beginning leads to Angle on the back of Rey Mysterio. Rey escapes the hold quickly, and Angle works on the left arm of Rey Mysterio. Angle grounds Rey, while keeping a stiff lock on Rey’s arm. Angle keeps the hammerlock on and moves to the back of Rey Mysterio. Rey blocks a suplex attempt and escape’s Angle’s grasp. The two men circle each other a few times. Angle lunges at Rey and grabs Rey. Angle wrings Rey’s arms, but Rey returns the favor. Rey sends Angle into the ropes, but Angle knocks down Rey. They bounce off each other several times within a few seconds until Rey is caught by Angle’s knee. They stop to circle each other again. Rey then catches Angle with a headscissors and sets up Angle for the 619. Angle barely moves out of the way from the 619 and they stand off in separate corners. I feel like I’m watching RVD vs Jerry Lynn again. Angle and Rey circle each other again, but Angle takes the offensive. Angle puts Rey in a side headlock and they roll around for a few seconds. Angle goes off the ropes again and runs into Rey again. Angle puts the side headlock back on and they return to the mat. Rey fights out again and pushes Angle into the ropes. Rey dropkicks Angle in the face and goes for the cover, but Angle kicks out. Rey hits a forearm on Kurt Angle and puts him in the corner. Rey climbs to the second rope and applies a “10 punch” on Angle. Angle fights out and hits a belly to belly suplex on Kurt Angle… we go to the commercial.

After the break, Angle has Rey trapped in a rear body scissor. Rey fights out on cue and uses Angle’s momentum to send him flinging from the ring. Angle is on the floor as the referee begins to count. Rey climbs to the top rope and hits a nice flying crossbody on Angle, who was just getting to his feet. They return to the ring and Rey sends Angle into a turnbuckle. Rey charges at Angle, but Angle dodges and hits a German suplex on Rey. Angle follows up with a backbreaker and goes for a cover. Rey kicks out, but Angle tries a second and a third cover. Rey shows his toughness by kicking out each time. Angle chokes Rey by the ropes and waits until the five count before ending it. Angle takes the offense and sets up Rey against the turnbuckle. Angle thrusts his shoulders into Rey’s back, which has become his new target area (forgetting about the arm from the beginning of the match). Rey is grounded again, Angle takes the opportunity to drive his knee into Rey’s back. Now it’s time for a rest hold! Rey fights out of it in the tradition of Eddie Guerrero and John Cena, but Angle is tenacious and grounds Rey again. Angle goes for another trilogy of cover attempts, but Rey keeps kicking out. Kurt Angle continues to hover over Rey and won’t let go of a back bear hug. Rey sells these wear down holds well, so the match has a good element of drama. Angle changes his tactics again and punches Rey in the back. Rey jumps to the second rope and hits a moonsault on Angle. Moments later, Angle has Rey set up in a tree of woe on the turnbuckle. Rey is stuck in the position for what feels like ages, Angle goes to spear Rey, but Rey lifts himself up and Angle goes right into the post. Both men take a moment to breath, with Angle going to the floor. Rey hits a headscissor takedown from the apron and they hit the floor. They crawl back in and Rey hits a senton on Angle. Cover only gets a 2. Rey hits a spinning DDT on Angle, and goes for another cover. Angle got his shoulder up just in time. Rey goes for another 619, but Angle catches him in mid-air and traps Angle into the ankle lock. Rey reverses and rolls up Angle, but only gets a 2 count. Angle counters with a clothesline and both men are down. Angle is first to his feet and he hits a German suplex on Rey. Rey counters a second suplex attempt, and puts Angle in position for the 619. This time the 619 hits and Angle is down. Rey goes for the West Coast Pop, but Angle catches Rey. Angle goes for the Angle Slam, but Rey counters. Rey hits a hurricanrana, and goes for a cover but Angle kicks out again. After a dazzling display of counters involving the turnbuckle, Rey rolls up Angle, but to little luck again. Rey hits a beautiful crossbody off the second rope, but that only gets him a 2 count as well. Angle finally catches Rey again and hits the Angle Slam. Angle smells blood and puts his straps down. Angle catches Rey in the ankle lock, and keeps it locked on. Rey tapes out at 16:28 (not including commercials). Really good match, ***1/2.

Next up is the Basic Instinct spoof that aired several times, hyping up WrestleMania 21.

Paul London vs Akio

Shit, I have no idea how I’m going to keep up with this one. I suppose I’ll just have to be less detailed. This match is from the Velocity that taped in Japan, so we still have the nice, appreciative audience. WWE had a hell of a cruiserweight in Akio, it’s a shame he’s been released since. They lock up and London flips over Akio. A second tie up leads to the referee breaking it up once they roll into a corner. London has the upper hand thus far. Akio and London take turns countering head locks until Akio takes London down. London battles out of a rest hold attempt and goes for a surfboard stretch. Akio counters right away and puts London in a head scissors. They make it to their feet. Handshake offer is a ruse on Akio’s part as he kicks London in the gut and sends London to the corner. I look away to type this and next thing I see is Akio in a London headlock. This match is sick! Akio wrings London’s arm and tries to put him down before losing his patience and pushing him to the mat. Akio puts another headlock on London, and London fights out into an off the ropes contest. Paul London flies and hits a dropkick to Akio’s stomach. London hits his trademark mule kick on Akio and stomps around. London comes off the ropes into a hurricanrana. Akio goes out, and London looks to attempt an over the rope move. Akio catches on and moves out of the way, but London stops himself. Back in the ring, Akio wants London to tie up with him, but keeps switching hands. This finally leads to a test of strength. Akio gains control and puts London in a standing cobra clutch. London reverses the hold into one of his own. Commercial break!

After the break, London is hammering away on Akio in the corner. Akio flips London over the ropes and London takes a nasty fall on the ring steps! Holy shit! Akio takes control of London and tosses him back into the ring. Akio goes for a cover, but London gets out. Akio uses the ropes for a “tarantula” like submission hold on, until the ref breaks it up. Akio puts a sleeper on London, who is still smarting from his sick fall earlier. Akio follows up with a “jumping, rolling enziguri” as Josh Matthews says. Akio sends London into the ropes and hits a flying forearm. Akio climbs to the top and goes for a flying elbow, but London moves out of the way. Both men get to their feet, and London swings away at Akio. Akio fights back with some chops, and London returns the favor. London hits a jawbreaker on Akio and follows it up with a swinging kick. London is on fire, hitting some clotheslines on Akio. London hits a dropsault on Akio and goes for a cover. Akio somehow gets a shoulder up! London charges Akio but Akio hits an elbow into London’s face. Akio throws London over the ropes again, but London skins the cat. London flips Akio out of the ring and goes for a flying suicide plancha over the ropes onto Akio! Akio moves back into the ring, and London goes to the top rope. London dives off, but Akio catches him mid-air with a spinning kick! Akio regains control and sets up London on the rope. Akio goes for a scissor, but gets power-bombed to the mat by London. This is the perfect opportunity for London, who hits the 450 splash for the win at 10:50 (not counting commercials). Great match, one of the many Velocity gems this year. ****.

Batista (with Triple H) vs Edge

Edge made the challenge to Batista on this episode of Raw. Batista is worried about a potential JBL sighting tonight, as this is leading into No Way Out. They tie up and Batista pushes Edge to the mat. Edge grapples Batista, and gets picked up by Batista in the process. Edge hits a forearm on Batista, but Batista fights back and corners Edge. Batista thrusts his shoulders into Edge with all his might. Batista sends Edge into the ropes, but Edge counters back. Batista corners Edge again, Edge reverses a tackle attempt by Batista. Batista sends Edge flying over the ropes. Edge floors Batista on the floors, a nice bump by Batista. Edge briefly returns to the ring to break the referee’s count and stomps away on Batista. Batista climbs back on the apron, but Edge is still on the offensive. “Edge sucks” chant pisses off Edge, can’t imagine why. At least he’s a heel by this time. Back in the ring, Edge slugs away at Batista, and hits a snapmare on the big guy. Edge puts Batista in a “neck lock” according to Jim Ross. The rest hold goes on for a few seconds as Batista fights out of the “painful maneuver.” Edge is relentless in his offense as he corners Batista, before being swatted away. Batista comes back with some punches, before catching Edge and slamming him. Edge regains the upper hand, but is side tackled by Batista. Edge reverses a spinebuster and hits the Edgeocution. Edge awaits for Batista to stand up for a spear. Batista dodges and hits the spinebuster on Edge. Batista follows up with the Batista bomb and is about to pin him when JBL’s limo shows up on the titantron. Ric Flair shows up on the stage and summons Batista to join him in a Bradshaw hunt. The bell meanwhile rings, supposedly a DQ because Triple H was in the ring. Match ends at 5:48. *1/2, not bad for what it was but the ending was quite weak.

After the match, Batista chases JBL's limo and puts Triple H in his place. Show ends with Batista declaring that he'd headed to Smackdown... alone!

Nice to see someone else besides me do a compilation review, although mine are kinda old. :P

Glad to see the love for London/Akio. Let me see how I rated it... (comes back in a minute)

It's good to be back with a review, my first one since my Great American Bash 2004 rant (it's been a while).

I'll probably do more later tonight.

"**** I'll just copy and paste my opinion from the last match, except pump up the rating... just kidding! Honestly, the best match I have ever seen from Velocity since it debuted on May 25th, 2002. Both men busted there asses in a stiff, nail biting match, and London once again risking injury to please the audience deserves some credit. Also, glad to see they actually were given almost fifteen minutes on Velocity! That has to be the longest match ever on this show."

Well, we agree on a match rating :D Wonder if that will ever happen again.

Your Velocity reviews were always good.

I know... and I'm surprised I agreed with someone else's rating too. I thought Rey/Angle was **** by the way, so maybe you underrated it. :D

It is possible I underrated it, I remembered liking it a lot the first time I watched it and thought **** and when I was watching it for the tape this time I felt more like ***. So I compromised and went into the middle.

It really is a good match worth watching though.

Of course. If someone like me who doesn't really like Angle can enjoy a match of his that much, it shows how good it is.

That's funny, because I typically really get into Angle matches and give them higher ratings than that (except when he's wrestling Flair, evidently).

My favorite Kurt/Rey match was Summerslam 2002, which was more spotty, but I marked out for at the time.

I have to disagree. The Summerslam match with Mysterio seemed to come off a little flat to me, and I just couldn't get into it. I'd probably peg it at **-**1/2, but there was something missing to give it anything higher.

I admit, it's been a while since I sat down and paid attention to it, but at the time I was impressed with how Mysterio (who had just debuted a couple of weeks earlier) was taking it to Kurt Angle, the guy who had been consistently pushed as a top guy for a while at that point.

I tend to overrate a lot of the matches on that show :)

If you give HBK/HHH anything over **, I'm hunting you down and forcing you to watch my 5-tape compilation of Kane.

Weird, I was just going to review one of my self-made comps too, I guess it's not hard to beat the lazy to something.

I'll probably post it later, but I doubt I'll go as in-depth as you did. Don't have the patience. Very nice review though, looking forward to part dos.

Oh, my rating for that match is well below what it was the first night I watched it (I ordered the show with some friends, so I saw it live). At the time I was so impressed with Shawn Michael's performance because I was under the impression that his back was really screwed up and that this was a one time thing so the simple fact that the match was above average to me was really outstanding. I think initially I labeled it ****1/2 (a rating I disagree with) and now I'd probably say it was probably *** - ***1/2. It was a really good garbage match, especially considering HBK hadn't wrestled in four years and that Triple H was coming off a string of God-awful matches.

Honestly, in a non-partial opinion, the match bored me to fucking tears for the first 15 minutes, and I was cheering Michaels' comeback! Michaels had to rely on pulling out a ladder to get the crowd to wake up, which had nothing to do with the match. Anytime you need to bring in a gimmick prop to get heat is a bad sign. See also: Any Hardy.

Hmmm... perhaps I'll have to do a Summerslam 2002 review one of these days.

I still haven't watched Rock/Brock from that show.

That match is actually really good, especially considering how green Brock was at the time. It has a genuine "big match" feel to it and sort of feels like a battle of the titans.

I'd say ***3/4 - ****

I didn't watch it for a reason. I'm sure you can take a guess.