DDP made an appearance earlier on in the 100 Best Matches…List, but this is the great Randy Savage’s first appearance on the list. Both were great workers, and even though Savage was almost past his prime at this point, I had high hopes for this match (he isn’t on the Best 100 Matches…List nearly as much as he should be!). I’ve read very positive things about this match, and their 1997 feud in general. However, I was left fairly disappointed. An above-average bout at best, it’s only saved by Savage’s manic performance. In every other way, it’s just an average No DQ brawl.
It’s laid out like many of the other brawls on this list: the fight spills into the crowd, they fight their way back into the ring, weapons are used, etc. However, the No DQ rule is not used effectively at all. There’s a tame brawl through the crowd and a few bins are used as weapons. Savage uses a chair once on DDP. That’s the only use of a chair in a No DQ match! Sure, No DQ matches can’t simply rely on weapons and big spots to succeed. But they are a vital part of the match nonetheless!
The No DQ match is more often than not used to show Savage beating up non-wrestlers such as the innocent announcer, who gets slapped about halfway through the bout. Towards the end of the match, Savage even slaps and hits a piledriver on the referee. Of course, then he executes the flying elbow, but no one can count the pinfall! A really stupid turn of events! Why not hit DDP with the piledriver? Savage’s performance is undeniably entertaining, but it overshadows the entire match. His performance does lend credence to the chaotic nature of the brawl, but the brawl itself is uninspiring. The match is all about Savage; I can barely remember DDP doing anything apart from connecting with the Diamond Cutter.
Of course, the ending is typical WCW trash: nonsensical and takes all attention away from the match we’ve just witnessed. However, the match wasn’t even that good anyway! DDP looked a lot better in his match against Goldberg at #99 (click here for my review). He spends much of this match writhing about in pain whilst Savage slaps announcers and referees. I can’t think of any reason for this match to be on the 100 Best Matches…List! Substitute this with Hulk Hogan vs Randy Savage from WrestleMania V, which is not on the 100 Best Matches…List for some reason. By far Hogan’s best ‘Mania main event! DDP may consider it his best match ever, but I can’t see what he sees in it…
VERDICT: 6/10. The match is barely above-average; a banal brawl with the only highlight being Savage’s performance. Everything else about it will fade from the mind almost instantly!
Does this match belong in the WWE Network’s Best 100 Matches To See Before You Die? Leave your comments below!
Click here for my review of #80 Harley Race vs. Ric Flair (NWA World Heavyweight Championship, Steel Cage Match, Starrcade 1983)
Click here to view my list of reviews of the WWE Network’s 100 Best Matches To See Before You Die
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