Who’s the jackass that artificially stretched it into widescreen? Anyway, one of the best Wrestlemania matches ever, although I’ll probably try to do a more WM-specific great match countdown as we get closer. This was the first PPV I saw in a movie theater, and the crowd was JACKED for Kurt Angle and just screaming for Shawn to tap out in that anklelock. If it didn’t last for fucking TWO MINUTES it would have been a ***** match.
I'M JUST A SEXY KURT (seeexxy kurrrrrt)
ReplyDeleteI'LL MAKE YOUR ANKLE HURT (annkllleee huuuurt)
One of my favourite matches of all-time, between 2 of my favourite wrestlers ever (I'm a massive Bret mark who acknowledges HBK as the best ever), but.....
ReplyDeletemy GOD that anklelock went on too long. Nobody crafts a match like good 'ol HBK, but he missed the mark on that one. I'm not sure exactly how long the HHH/Benoit finish went the year before, but that should've been the template they followed.
See I'm fine with the first minute of that ankle lock when HBK was thrashing around, desperately trying to get free.
ReplyDeleteBut the second that Kurt grapevined the leg should have been the moment when he tapped.
Still think it's ***** irrespective of that as I don't think it damages it that much
Cool, something to watch for when I get home from work tonight.
ReplyDeleteWhat was awesome and worthy of a match of the day itself is the HBK - Edge Street Fight from a month before. Angle runs in after the match and destroys a bloody Michaels all while wearing suit pants. I hope Kurt gets to come back some day.
ReplyDeleteThe rematch at Vengeance is better, though this is amazing stuff, too.
ReplyDeleteThe Superkick out of nowhere was a great spot.
ReplyDeleteI have been to several WWE PPVs in my life and more in my future, but I can say with about 95% certainty this will be the match I have ever see in person.
ReplyDeleteIt is an excellent match, but will someone teach Shawn Michaels how to throw a chop that doesn't look like one Lelani Kai might throw?
ReplyDeleteCame here to say the same thing
ReplyDeleteI remember watching XX live and it seemed like an eternity from when Benoit took HHH down at 1st to when HHH finally tapped. When I watched it back without the rush of adrenaline, I realized that it didn't last nearly as long as it felt.
ReplyDeleteThe Angle Slam
ReplyDeleteThe Ankle Lock
Marty Jannetty
Still Can't Walk
Hated the finish at vengeance but great matches
ReplyDeleteI'm with you; I have a very low tolerance for the Flying Set-up, especially when there's no logical reason for the top-rope spot. Angle going up made no sense and basically telegraphed the SCM. I much preferred the long Anklelock as a finish.
ReplyDeleteIf it weren't for these two (and possibly Batista and Eddie), I would've quit watching wrestling. They saved the '00s after Rock and Austin left.
ReplyDeleteThis was the peak of Shawn's comeback and pretty darn close to Angle's peak as well (he was a true vet by this point with plenty of savvy, but he wasn't physically capable as he once was). Moreover, their styles fit perfectly together. It's damn near art. It's something you could show to non-fans when introducing them to the sport.
Kurt screaming at him because he's so frustrated is such a great lead up to it. "TAP SHAWN TAP!!!" - "BANG!!"
ReplyDeleteMy favorite match of all time.
ReplyDeleteI envy you sir! What was the worst match you've ever seen in person?
ReplyDeleteSaw this show live. The atmosphere was NUTS, especially for this match!
ReplyDeleteWatching this match, it's incredibly striking how much smarter Shawn is as a worker than Kurt. Shawn is the only one giving any thought to things like structure and transitions. When Kurt wants to do something in a match, he doesn't set it up, he just does it.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite match. I wish it had of been for the title. I know they had to launce the new faces of the company but two of the greatest should have fought for a title at some point instead of respect, legacies or WM moments.
ReplyDeleteI hate to nit-pick but my only other complaint other than the lengthy Ankle Lock would be Angle failing to lift his shoulder in time for the near-fall after the Superkick. That always slightly ruined the flow of the finish for me. But other than that, incredible match!
ReplyDeleteMan, this is such a classic match, 5 stars imo. Their Vengeance 2005 match was excellent, same with their 30 minute Iron Man match from the 10/3/05 RAW. They had a 4th match on a January 2006 episode of Raw that was very good too.
ReplyDeleteThat Street Fight was VERY good too, no question.
ReplyDeleteWell, if we're gonna use THAT logic...it makes no sense for guys to run when irish whipped, bounce off ropes, etc. I liked it personally.
ReplyDeleteShawn's 2005 was absolutely incredible - he had amazing matches with guys like Angle, made lower-card guys like Chris Masters look better than they ever had, carried a barely-mobile Hogan to a great match, and showed that he could still cut some of the best heel promos ever.
ReplyDeleteAmazing, amazing work.
Well, I went to Judgment Day 2004, so there's a ton of nominees from there. If we're excluding Diva matches (otherwise, Dawn/Torrie JD04 would win easily), probably Mordecai/Scotty or Taker/Booker from that show.
ReplyDeleteIt's weird that leading up to WM21, the buzz on this match was pretty muted. It was largely, "should be a good match but both these guys are pretty broken down at this point and really should be putting over younger wrestlers."
ReplyDeleteI thought the long ass time Shawn holds on made the move seem more devastating, Angle made plenty of people tap in seconds to the Ankle Lock, and now here is a guy who can last forever without giving in and Even he must eventually give in
ReplyDeleteYeah, that spot was done to perfection - kept HHH strong (something he didn't need, but from a booking perspective, this goal was achieved with admirable precision) and made Benoit look like a straight up assassin.
ReplyDeleteHell, that entire match is amazingly well constructed. It's the match I show to non-fans when I want to break them it.
Really? I thought most people (marks and smarks) were pretty hyped for it.
ReplyDeleteI'd agree with you if it were anybody else, but Angle was always busting out new moves - IMO, him going for an Ax Handle just seemed like something he'd do.
ReplyDelete