Darren’s 2025 GME Project

Very much looking forward to more reviews in the future. 

Hollywood Hogan v. Triple H (WWE Backlash - 4/21/2002 (WWE title.)



Triple H looking surprisingly better here in the beginning tests of strength. He had some awkward throws into the corner but Triple H sold it perfectly. They’re trying to milk the crowd and they’re not exactly at the level where they want to be. This is a fraction of the heat that Hogan’s previous match had.

Triple H is trying to slow it down and work the wrist through and it’s not going over.

I like the idea of a slower methodically match but this is not landing for anyone in the building and it’s showing on both guys’ faces.

A lot of time is passing and not a lot of things are happening. The crowd isn’t biting on anything. 10 minutes into this thing and Hogan goes for a little roll up. Somehow Hogan taking control on a comeback picks up the pace. Triple H is one of the most boring wrestlers I’ve ever seen but he looks great on lockups and taking bumps. He’s got no reason to be as boring as he is. He was out for 6 months and came back and won the Rumble, won the title and now a month later he’s gonna have to drop the title to Hogan so he’s gonna make sure that Hulk is as ice cold as possible is what it seems.

Triple H continues to work the leg, and do some punches to wear Hogan down and the very pro Hogan crowd ain’t taking it. They worn a figure four spot and really shouldn’t. This is taking forever.

Oh great now Hulk’s in a sleeper.

This match is a sleeper.

We get a little Hulk up out of the sleeper and the crowd wakes up but Hogan is looking tentative. He looks older than he did against the Rock.

We get the comeback and the leg drop and Chris Jericho is out to distract the ref and hit Hogan with a chair. Why? Now Triple H taking out Jericho. Why ?

This match was mostly slow leg work and Hogan didn’t sell it at all.

Now we got the Hulk-up proper. And the crowd is into it. Triple H kicks out then hits the pedigree and now the Undertaker is out.

I love overbooking when done right. This is done absolutely wrong.

Hogan fights back at Taker

Both guys allowed to stay face after this and the crowd goes nuts for Hogan winning the title again.

Triple H is now bleeding and they shake hands.

It wasn’t the worst thing but this match was deflating in a lot of ways.

**

Their Survivor Series 91 match is actually much better than expected, overbooking aside. But this... This one was always hard to watch for me.

Bryan Danielson v. Eddie Kingston (AEW Dynamite - 12/27/2023)


The Danielson and Kingston match writes ittself. They’ve been natural enemies for years. Both have had to work extremely hard to get where they are but Danielson is maybe a little less rough around the edges bc and maybe worked a little harder to get what he needs.

In the promo leading up to this Danielson, eyepatch and all brings up all the injuries he’s accumulated, and his perseverance. He says Eddie always has excuses for coming short and that he’d rather use his last burst of energy to pull out a middle finger than to actual stand and fight.

Danielson is a man who has demanded perfection from himself, because he’s had to work very hard on himself. He’s extremely disciplined both physically and mentally. Hes always reading and working on new ways to tweek his life, both in and out of the ring. Eddie Kingston just kinda barely has his shit together.

I think it’s easy to see a lot of ourselves in both guys. Danielson representing a sort of of ideal version and Kingston maybe our true, honest raw self deep inside.

Onto the match, this is part of the Continental Classic, of which I haven’t been following but Bryan’s promo got me pumped as all heck. If you haven’t watched it go back and check it out (having just watched Funk go in on Dusty in the cage in a barren arena , earlier in the week this echoey , sparse Danielson promo may not have it me quite as hard.

In their recent match, after Danielson won he grabbed a sign from the crowd : “Eddie is a Bum” and paraded it around and I’ve been ready for this soy boy to get his comeuppance ever since.

Early on Danielson is toying don’t Eddie, trying to gain. And advantage and catch him guard but eventually Eddie gets a suplex on him and starts working outside the ring.

A lot of struggle in this one, Kingston seemingly getting a lot of the early advantage with Bryan always trying to slow things down, and let Eddie catch himself off guard.

Danielson knows that Eddie is his own worst enemy so if he can get Eddie to beat himself then he can advance to the finals.

Eddie has a confident and controlled aggression here even as Danielson is downright mean. He’s been a step ahead of him the whole time as they trade control segments.


They struggle for position on the top rope and Eddie inadvertently (but fortunately for him) lands with his body on Danielson’s injured eye. Which leads a chop-kick battle but one that actually tells a story. In lesser hands this should be nonsense but here it’s a goddamn battle.

I feel like I see Danielson turning up the intensity and actually respecting that Eddie had been with him every step of the way. He hasn’t given the finger or backed down. Hes got an answer for everything Bryan throws his way and he’s got a controlled and disciplined anger. Bryan is doing less toying and more serious, quicker paced offense.

Danielson has him where he wants him and says it’s time to kick his head in, he does the damage and let’s ref check if he’s gonna respond. And what do you know Eddie throws up a middle finger and Bryan has that shitty grin, feeling as if he finally got him to that point where he can let Eddie take himself out but it doesn’t happen, Eddie fights back with every last bit he’s got and gets the pin on Bryan.

Post match, beautifully set up the final between Moxley and Kingston at the ppv.

I feel silly already making a top 10 because this match deserves to be there and that match on Saturday is starting to look really fucking good.