First and foremost, I’d like to apologize for the late upload. As I’ve stated, I’m significantly late because my Girlfriend came into town for New Years, and so my weekend was pretty busy because of this. Plus, she’s no longer my Girlfriend….but Rather my Fiance, and so I’d like to take a moment to thank everyone for their good wishes and congratulatory comments!
But we are back on track and these next few days are completely dedicated to getting back on track and making sure my posting schedule is returning to a timely manner.
So let’s waste no time getting back into it!
Segment 1
Thrillzone: The Macho Man Randy Savage opens the show seemingly with something on his mind, but before he can say a word, The Rock comes out and challenges Macho Man to an upcoming match to open up the show. The two of them will go one on one at Major Fest.
Turmoil: Hogan opens the show up by addressing the NWO’s problems and makes them Hug it out. Stone Cold, a consistent enemy to the group and challenger to Hogans title at Major fest comes out and stakes his claim against the group leading to an opportunity to find two partners to take on the NWO. As he’s leaving, the NWO weeds out it’s weak links as Goldberg, DDP and Hogan attack X-Pac and Kevin Nash, seemingly booting them from the faction.
Thoughts: I think the main aspect that I’d look at in the comparison of these two segments would be the electricity in the air. The segment that would definitely have that is The Rock and Macho Man making a match for Major fest as two of Wrestlings all time biggest personalities meeting in the ring would be an absolute dream. In some ways it was a little predictable, but just imagining that put a smile on my face. On the other hand, I feel Turmoil’s saving grace to make this a question was the Kevin Nash and X-Pac being booted from the group aspect of things as it has been getting hinted at for a few PPVs and Builds now, and to have it pulled of in the way that it did was pretty Satisfying. Putting both of those things side by side, I feel Turmoil’s satisfying build caused me to remember all of the instances that Kind of hinted a this turn for a while…and so it transcends just being a single segment.
Turmoil: 1-0
Segment 2
Thrillzone: The Triple Threat get a chance to fix their problems with one another by working on chemistry in a match against a seemingly random group of baby faces. The group are quickly defeated by Scott Hall, Brian Pillman and Tommy Dreamer…leading to another brawl between the 3, now former, teammates going into break.
Turmoil: RVD has a hardcore title match again Masked Wrestler in a highly anticipated rematch. He soundly demonstrates his signature moves and pretty much squashed the young competitor to retain his title. He is interrupted by Shane McMahon who isn’t too happy about being attacked at Holiday Hell, So RVD will take part in a Gauntlet match starting with Hardcore Holly.
Thoughts: I am not really digging the Triple Threat angle to be honest. It feels like Brian didn’t have anything for them and just kinda forced this whole thing. It feels rushed, and clunky and Unless a turn around happens…I just don’t really care about it all that much. On the other hand I popped whenever he brought back Masked wrestler, so that’s enough for Turmoil to take this seg. Plus I was low key excited for the Gauntlet match.
Turmoil 2-0
Segment 3
Thrillzone: Kane makes his official in-ring return and Destroys Lance Storm. Vampiro and Sleeved Kane, who is revealed to be Brian Lee, try to attack him but to no avail. Kane speaks and talks about how next week, He and Brian will put their Thrillzone Careers on the line as the Loser will leave town. Not only that, but if Kane wins….he gets Vampiro in an Inferno Match at Major Fest.
Turmoil: RVD defeats Hardcore Holly via a Vandaminstor and Gangrel by frog splashing him on a pile of chairs…, but the gauntlet proves to be too much as he eventually loses to Taz, getting Taz Plexed through a table..There is confusion as to whether or not Taz is the hardcore champion, But all confusion is gone as Ken shamrock surprisingly returns to make Taz pass out after a long duration in the Ankle lock and thus regains his Hardcore Championship.
Thoughts: Matt described the Brian Lee reveal as a “Fart in Church” and I agree. I would have almost rather have had a Kane vs Kane match, because even though the Brian Lee reveal falls flat either way, at least you kinda get one final spectacle out of it. On the other hand, I think Turmoil’s one seg Gauntlet matches are a bit much, and not always in the best way. Still, It brings in Ken Shamrock in a believable way and really puts RVD over hard. That being said, I think the Spectacle of Seeing RVD participate against Hardcore Holly alone would be more entertaining than seeing Kane squish Lance Storm..
Turmoil 3-0
Segment 4
Thrillzone: Marlena vs Luna Vachon ends up being an absolute emotional cat fight resulting in Goldust and Rodman coming out to pull them apart for a No Contest.
Turmoil: Jeff Jarrett reveals why he attacked Scott Steiner at Holiday Hell, for no other reason than he believed the title shot should have been his. In typical big poppa pump fashion, Scott Steiner reveals not only is he displeased with the situation but also reveals he’s coming for Jarrett’s Interstate Championship at Major Fest in retaliation.
Thoughts: I’ve listened to Episode 23 upon writing this down, and so my thoughts on Thrillzone’s angle have changed a bit. But as of Episode 22, I just didn’t care about this angle and it was passed by so quickly that I felt I really didn’t have a reason to care about it. On the flip side, you have Scott Stiner and Jeff Jarrett facing off…two of the biggest personalities in the FWF.
Turmoil 4-0
Segment 5
Thrillzone: Justin Hawk Bradshaw has a strong showing against Chris Jericho, absolutely demolishing him after a successful retention at Holiday Hell. Bradshaw announces he isn’t to proud of the simple way he won though and to make up for this he sets up a Hardcore open invitational at Major Fest in which anyone can end up with the extreme title by the end.
Turmoil: The Godfather, Savio Vega and The Sultan all make their Turmoil debut in a triple threat match. With a great showing by all 3 men, the result is ultimate decided After a Sultan Driver, with The Sultan winning this big Triple Threat.
Thoughts: Maybe this will get my “Dave Meltzer” status revoked, but I forgot the Bone Street Krew was even a thing. So maybe that’s why it felt the 3 debuts fell a little flat for me…even though I can totally see it being exciting to see that big hint with this triple threat match. For that reason, I can’t give the victory to turmoil even though I’m sure it was a great match. Not to mention I’m actually very excited about the Open Hardcore Invitational at Major Fest.
1-4 Thrillzone
Segment 6
Thrillzone: The Boogie Knights are set to defend their championships against the Dudley Boyz, as they look strong in the first half of this match in spite of interference from Cyrus the Virus.
Turmoil: Edge and Christian appear to be finally getting another swing at the Tag Championships as they are put in a Triple Threat Tag Team match against Harlem Heat and the Team of Billy Kidman & Rey Mysterio. They instead put the tag division on notice, not with a win itself but by crashing chairs of the heads of all of the other competitors as they hit the Conchairto on Everyone.
Thoughts: This segment leads me to believe that something is big in store for Edge and Christian. It has me legit excited for them and like another Turmoil segment on this review…it has me thinking of E&C’s past and the build that has low key been building Under the radar. Perhaps I thinking about it too much in that regard, but I like the tenacity from them. Still, The spectacle of Boogie Knights vs Dudley Boyz is definitely one of the stand outs for Thrillzone at the moment and I can honestly say that’s probably what I’d be watching if these two events were happening at the same time.
2-4 Thrillzone
Segment 7
Thrillzone: It would appear that throughout the match, The Boogie Knights are getting the better of the Dudley Boyz again in spite of that huge experience gap, but right as The Boogie Knigths are about to secure victory once again with their Neckbreaker into a 450 splash combo, the Legion of Doom runs out and beats the two teams down looking to further put everyone on Notice. It isn’t until a Brand New Team, KroniK debuts and lays out The Dudleys and Legion of Doom seeming to swoop in for the save.
Turmoil: It is suppose to be Road Dogg getting some revenge in a one on one affair against Triple H, and the x-Factor is that the Degenerate Horsemen are banned from ringside. But when the Referee goes down, this allows Flair and Chyna to successfully make their presence known. They are looking at replicating a Sledgehammer beat down, but….BILLY GUNN RETURNS, and clears house. The New Age Outlaws are Back!
Thoughts: It’s the debut of Kronik, or it’s the Debut of the New Age Outlaws. That’s really what it comes down to, and Honestly…with Broski’s story telling (and big hint at Holiday Hell) I think I’m going to give the nod to the New Age Outlaws.
5-2 Turmoil
Segment 8
Thrillzone: Raven finds himself about to complain to Roddy Piper in his office yet again, but after the Attack on Roddy Piper at the PPV, it is revealed that at Major Fest, the two of them will compete in a Backstage Brawl…with animosity being at an all time high. Ahmed Johnson and Mike Awesome have to be separated in another backstage segment as we draw one week closer to their Interstate Championship match at Major Fest.
Turmoil: Sting speaks about how the reason he dressed up like Kane is because Much like Undertaker’s Brother, he was let down by the Undertaker…and so now as the Higher Power he intends on fully ridding The Ministry of this problem once and for all. He issues an Open Challenge that Henry O Godwinn accepts.
Thoughts: I’m not gonna lie, The reasoning for dressing up like Kane made a bit more sense and I can definitely appreciate it. But broski still totally should have let the lights go out 😉 . That being said, Thrillzone’s segment gave me exactly what I wanted. I’ve been hyping it up long before it got announced, and Brian finally revealed Roddy vs Raven. The hype levels for me personally are extremely high, and even though I have a new appreciation for the Sting/Kane thing….I just can’t give it the nod here.
3-5 Thrillzone.
Segment 9
Thrillzone: Owen Hart and The Giant make their way down to the ring and boast about the success they had at Rulers of the Ring. Owen declares that they don’t care who He has to face at Major Fest for the FWF Championship. As he finishes up his speech, Yokozuna makes his way down to the ring. Being none to pleased with the interference from the Big man, Yoko challenges The Giant to a match next week.
Turmoil: Sting and Henry’s match doesn’t even really get started as The Brood makes their way out to the ring to join their Higher power to beat down Henry. But, The GodFather, The Sultan, and Savio as the BSK come down to the ring and take care of the Brood, and with The Undertaker in the ring about to take Down Sting, it seems like the Numbers game is finally in the Dead Man’s Favor. However, they actually all turn on Undertaker, Henry O Godwinn included, revealing that a new Ministry is formed with Sting bringing a New Crew….a Bone Street Krew in as his members.
Thoughts: I feel like the Only build for the FWF Champion has really been on Thrillzone has really been Promoing about “How he doesn’t care about who he has to face, he’s going to win at (Insert PPV here)”. It’s a little too “Cookie Cutter” for my liking. On the other side, we legitimately flipped the script on the Ministry of Darkness in a single night, and I’m digging it.
6-3 Turmoil.
Segment 10
Thrillzone: We are finally able to sit down for our main event as Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, two long time rivals through professional wrestling….will do battle and decide who Owen will be facing at Major Fest. It’s a back and forth match with no clues as to who is going to win going into the final commercial break.
Turmoil: Stone Cold had been searching for his Partners to join him in the 6 man tag against the NWO all night long. After seemingly no luck, it’s time for the Entrances. As the NWO make their way down to the ring, their hopes are shattered as Stone Cold reveals that his partners are now the Ex-NWO members, The Wolf Pack, Kevin Nash and X-Pac.
Thoughts: The Wolf Pack reveal made me smile. You had to see it coming, but when executed…you just had to love it. It actually makes it a compelling argument against what I imagine to be an amazing match between Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart. To make an obvious solution that exciting….I feel I have to give the nod to Turmoil here.
7-3
Segment 11
Thrillzone: A very high action and intense match up shows the two Superstars getting counted out not once…but twice. Roddy Piper, being the commissioner, is unsatisfied with this result and once more restarts the match. The stipulation this time is, “Whoever gets into the ring first will challenge Owen at Major Fest”. Both men slide in, but ironically, at the exact same time. Both men are arguing their claim, and it seems like we will have no winner and a big question lingering in the air as the show goes offline.
Turmoil: It is finisher city as NWO and this newly formed alliance are battling for any momentum they can ahead of Major Fest. The man who gets the last laugh is Stone Cold though, as a Stunner sends Hogan into perfect position for a Pin Fall. The Wolf Pack and Stone Cold stand tall against the Faction who has been dominating Turmoil for far too long.
Thoughts: Turmoil’s Main event made me think “Duh! Of course they had to win. That’s cool”. Thrillzone’s main event made think “They just made these two dudes look so tough, and gave me a reason to tune in next week to see how they’re going to settle this”. One was a great spectacle for no other reason than seeing Stone Cold and The Wolf Pack team up, but the other truly gave you a reason to tune in next week and intrigued me for the FWF title picture that I haven’t had in a bit.
Thrillzone ends the show with a win, but loses as Turmoil takes it 7-4
Final thoughts
Keeping it as brief as possible, I really think the difference here is that most of Broski’s storylines have implications that have been building since the early months of FWF and so the smaller moments tend to pop me more. I’m enjoying seeing Brian’s creativity being shown in it’s own week, but this week….the extra energy coming off a PPV really helped and overall I felt the entire show has a whole felt really fresh and just smooth across the board with no hiccups. Pair that against a Show that (with good reason) had Two squash matches and you’re already off to an interesting start. Still, I’ve listened to Episode 23, and It’s proving to be a significantly Harder show to judge.
The Season Totals are as Follows:
The Zanman Podcast 