I tend to not show either guy really any love as they don’t emotionally hit for me, although I do acknowledge that they have some quality matches and runs under their belt. So I think the best way to try and rectify all that is to comb through some of their key matches from their 2008 feud.
Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels - WWE Judgment Day 2008 18/05/2008
I like the basis of the feud - Shawn faking injury in order to win a match that Jericho was guest reffing. Jericho, rightfully being upset, wants to teach Shawn a lesson. It sounds like something out of Memphis. All this match needs is a Cadillac to be the prize. They started out with some neat technical moves - kip-ups, arm wringers, the double bridge up spots that always look cool. Shawn tried to be creative with a neat transition into a hold but the move was, essentially. a knee bar against his own leg. 1+ for effort though. The meat of the match was Jericho attacking Shawn’s kicks after he got the knees up, blocking an elbow attempt. Jericho threw some really pitiful kicks but he had a cool looking gutbuster. Michaels had some alright selling, up to a certain point. I thought that tended to get a bit OTT with all the flapping about. There were some great story elements like Jericho faking being really dazed for Sweet Chin Music, similar to what kicked off the feud. And the finish with Jericho landing on his feet on the lionsault when Michaesl put his knees up to block it, only for Michaels to counter the Walls Of Jericho right after great. The match was a fine starting point, did exactly what it needed to do, so I won’t criticise it too much. ***
Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels - WWE The Great American Bash 2008 20/07/2008
A nice change in look for Jericho compared to his look at JD where he had his “Save Us” tights from his lame post return gimmick. Glad he’s shed that for a more appropriate look - slight stubble and has a waistcoat. What an asshole. By this point, Jericho has turned fully heel and smashed Shawn’s face into the Jeritron 5000, injuring his eye in the process.
There were a few select moments where the match was a little disjointed from the rest of the match. They seemed to be focusing on Jericho attacking the back for a good while but suddenly they changed directions in a way that came off as a little jarring. Other than that, I thought this was a really awesome match. Jericho especially was on his game. Jericho kicking the eye of Michaels was such a dick move, and this match was full of them. Jericho threw some mean elbow shots were thrown to the eye, one of which busts Michaels up really badly. Jericho was so awesome from that point. As soon as he saw the blood, he hit a few stiff, hard punches right to the eye socket. The headbutts as well looked visually painful. Michaels sold the strikes superbly well. He was able to feed off the crowd being pro-HBK in an effective way that only gained more sympathy. The finish would probably annoy some people but I thought it was a great way to end the match. Lance Cade offered nothing with his interference. Such a pointless aspect of the match (and feud). ***1/2
Side note: Shawn’s look is the exact look my toy Shawn Michaels had. That’s pretty cool.
Unsanctioned Match: Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels - WWE Unforgiven 2008 07/09/2008
After the GAB match where Jericho injured the eye to the point of severe injury, they were doing a retirement angle so come Summerslam, he was doing a promo claiming he was going to retire (How familiar *wink*) and Jericho came out. Long story short, Jericho hit Shawn’s wife after he ducked. Jericho awesomely claimed that it’s Shawn’s fault for not wanting to take the punch - I agree with him - and Shawn as a result promised an eye for an eye. That’s what I expected with this one and quite honestly, I don’t think it delivered.
I thought the match took a good while to get some steam. There were a few brief cool moments like Michaels using his boot to whack Jericho and Jericho attacking the eye via the chair in the corner. But the match had some really sluggish wrestling that didn't seem to get any big reaction from the crowd. I dare say that there wasn't much intensity to the match either. Their actions say one thing but I couldn't feel it - it was very hollow. Even Lance Cade's interference came off flat. The match really failed to captivate my interest until Shawn's incredible flying elbow through the announcers table to Jericho and Lance Cade. Michaels going all nuts with the strap and then delivering his "eye for an eye" promise tying Jericho up in the same way Jericho did to him at GAB was two great pieces of storytelling. Michaels super kicking the referee was great shades of grey booking as well. What a way to end the match. It makes up for the rest of it that really didn't live up to the hype with tensionless wrestling for 3/4ths of the match. **1/2
World Heavyweight Title Ladder Match: Chris Jericho (c) vs. Shawn Michaels - WWE No Mercy 2008 05/10/2008
There was some little creativity for a change done by WWE on the last PPV. After Jericho was battered in the HBK match. He entered the Championship Scramble match later in the night, was taken out most of it and snuck the win and the title at the last moments. Giving this feud more escalation that WWE likes to do with their feuds. Now the World Heavyweight title is on the line in a Ladder match. And this is easily their best match that I’ve seen between the two. In this feud or in general.
One benefit this match had is that it took a step back from what the feud had been based upon upto this point. I think the last match showed that there are some severe limitations on these two when they tried to have a hate filled match, so reverting back to basics and having a traditional ladder match while keeping some elements of the feud was a totally right choice. They made great use of the ladder whether it was for Shawn’s high flying or to attack each other with it. Loved Jericho kicking the ladder that was perched in the ropes, causing it to fall and land right on Shawn’s face. Him slamming Shawn’s head in between the ladder legs was, again, a great spot. However, there were some uses of the ladder that made me roll my eyes. Any move that involves the person jumping on the ladder to hurt the person inside or beneath gets automatic hate. The Elbow off the top by Michaels did nothing to hurt Jericho while hurting himself more, same with Jericho’s lionsault to Michaels. I really hated those spots. The match got really back on track with a scary landing for Jericho when Michaels pushed Jericho off the ladder to the outside floor. Jericho really could’ve broken his leg there. The match keeps with the hits, finally having a Lance Cade interference that’s good and/or useful before a great tug of war finish. Great match. A great match between these two while doing a stipulation that suits both more than an unsanctioned match. ****
Comments
Post a Comment