Post by superstarsleeze on Sept 10, 2018 23:31:41 GMT -5
I'm surprised with a PWO heavy crowd this has not been nominated but the orginial one made it through. I do recall some backlash towards this one recently? I still love it, it is right on the borderline of in and out for me. In terms of body part psychology this could be the best WWF has ever done and Shawn gives an inspired performance. The finish does hurt it some.
WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon - WWF Summerslam 1995 Ladder Match Part Deux
Probably the greatest WWF match where limb psychology was the main hook of the match. Razor just decimates Shawn's left knee in a way you just never saw in the WWF then what adds to it is the use of the ladder. My favorite spot in this match is where Razor just lets the ladder fall onto the injured knee. It really is a master class in how to work a body part and Shawn is phenomenal at both selling and timing hope spots (like the kicking off into the ladder or over the top rope). In such a heavy, heavy heat segment, hope spots are so critical to avoid dying. I will get on people's case when heat segments go so far that they hurt the credibility of the match because they render a comeback unbelievable. Here I thought they toed the line, but it was Shawn that was keeping it all alive.
Before that all happens, there is a nice little match that happens without the ladder. It is face vs face so I loved the symmetry of them both going for their finishes. I liked that it took THREE big moves for Razor to finally bring the ladder in. The Irish Whip bump and the super Fallaway Slam were great spots, but the crown jewel was that suplex to the floor. Damn! Usually people just tease that and even when they do take it is a much safer bump on the feet. Shawn went all out on that.
I loved all the callbacks to WM X. Razor smartening up to the baseball slide. Shawn mooning the audience, but this time het tries to keep climbing, but when Razor pushes the ladder, he wrenches his knee. Razor taking Shawn's bump with the Irish whip to the ladder. Shawn doing a super tippy-top of the ladder splash to do WrestleMania X, but eating canvas.
Shawn's comeback was perfectly pitched. It was a very gradual progression to finally gaining control. It was not too energetic, but it was also not completely dead either. The reverse crossbody off the ladder was great and the aforementioned missing the big splash was a good level the playing field spot.
The finish was my least favorite part even if it was not blown. It just felt so contrived and really drawn out like the cinematic WWE main events of today. So much down time selling, I usually encourage more selling, but this was excessive. The Razor's Edge, only for Michaels to still be able to set up another ladder. The two ladders in general just did not sit well with me. If Sweet Chin Music hit well AND he was able to leap and grab the belts, I would probably forgive everything because that would be badass. The fact he missed it a second time (nice cover with backdrop on Razor's Edge attempt) was pretty funny especially with the classic Shawn hissy fit. Third time is the charm for the Heartbreak Kid.
Callbacks and the leg psychology make this an all-time WWF classic for me. Razor never looked better on top and Shawn gave an impressive performance in a very difficult role. The finish is the only thing that holds it back from the tippy top. It feels like such a unique match in the WWF environment with how critical the leg psychology is in this match and they do a great job mixing in big time spots. ****3/4
WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon - WWF Summerslam 1995 Ladder Match Part Deux
Probably the greatest WWF match where limb psychology was the main hook of the match. Razor just decimates Shawn's left knee in a way you just never saw in the WWF then what adds to it is the use of the ladder. My favorite spot in this match is where Razor just lets the ladder fall onto the injured knee. It really is a master class in how to work a body part and Shawn is phenomenal at both selling and timing hope spots (like the kicking off into the ladder or over the top rope). In such a heavy, heavy heat segment, hope spots are so critical to avoid dying. I will get on people's case when heat segments go so far that they hurt the credibility of the match because they render a comeback unbelievable. Here I thought they toed the line, but it was Shawn that was keeping it all alive.
Before that all happens, there is a nice little match that happens without the ladder. It is face vs face so I loved the symmetry of them both going for their finishes. I liked that it took THREE big moves for Razor to finally bring the ladder in. The Irish Whip bump and the super Fallaway Slam were great spots, but the crown jewel was that suplex to the floor. Damn! Usually people just tease that and even when they do take it is a much safer bump on the feet. Shawn went all out on that.
I loved all the callbacks to WM X. Razor smartening up to the baseball slide. Shawn mooning the audience, but this time het tries to keep climbing, but when Razor pushes the ladder, he wrenches his knee. Razor taking Shawn's bump with the Irish whip to the ladder. Shawn doing a super tippy-top of the ladder splash to do WrestleMania X, but eating canvas.
Shawn's comeback was perfectly pitched. It was a very gradual progression to finally gaining control. It was not too energetic, but it was also not completely dead either. The reverse crossbody off the ladder was great and the aforementioned missing the big splash was a good level the playing field spot.
The finish was my least favorite part even if it was not blown. It just felt so contrived and really drawn out like the cinematic WWE main events of today. So much down time selling, I usually encourage more selling, but this was excessive. The Razor's Edge, only for Michaels to still be able to set up another ladder. The two ladders in general just did not sit well with me. If Sweet Chin Music hit well AND he was able to leap and grab the belts, I would probably forgive everything because that would be badass. The fact he missed it a second time (nice cover with backdrop on Razor's Edge attempt) was pretty funny especially with the classic Shawn hissy fit. Third time is the charm for the Heartbreak Kid.
Callbacks and the leg psychology make this an all-time WWF classic for me. Razor never looked better on top and Shawn gave an impressive performance in a very difficult role. The finish is the only thing that holds it back from the tippy top. It feels like such a unique match in the WWF environment with how critical the leg psychology is in this match and they do a great job mixing in big time spots. ****3/4
