wrestling / Video Reviews
Views from the Hawke’s Nest: The Very Best of Mike Quackenbush in wXw – Disc 1
Got Eggs?!
Essen, Nordrhein-Westfalen
April 18, 2003
Chris Hero(c) vs. Ares vs. Double C vs. Mike Quackenbush [wXw World Heavyweight Championship]
This was an elimination match that was largely worked like a tag team match for a long time. Ares and Double C (aka Claudio Castagnoli aka Cesaro) were a tag team for a long time on the indies, and they worked this title match as if they were a heel team beating down a babyface. Quack was said babyface and later managed to make the first elimination (Double C). That did not phase Swiss Money Holding, as Claudio illegally returned to the match to help eliminate Quack. As a result, this four-way elimination match (on a Best of Quack comp) turned into an extended Hero/Ares match to determine the result. You never want any match to turn into an extended Ares match. It’s just bad form. After some weak-to-average action between the two, the match devolved into the overbooking (complete with a ref bump and weapon shots). Despite all of that, Hero managed to submit Ares clean to retain the title. This was a classic case of match going a really long time for no reason other than to go a long time. That was so en vogue at the time that I am not angry about it (and pretty much expected it when this match started). This would have been far more effective if they cut out about 15 minutes. The story of an elimination match being worked like a tag match is lazy and rarely interesting. (**3/4)
Got Eggs?!
Essen, Nordrhein-Westfalen
April 19, 2003
Mike Quackenbush vs. Double C
These two have somewhat of a legendary in-ring chemistry that would produce some of the most exciting sequences that I have ever seen in professional wrestling. Claudio was able to make Quack seem like one of the best high flyers in the world around 2006-2008. While they did not have that level of chemistry here, you could see the potential they had together. Sadly, the match ended after a ref bump and interference from Ares to (obviously) give Double C the win. So far, this set has mostly made it seem that wXw is a big fan of overbooking the finishes of competitively booked wrestling matches. Luckily for us, we have plenty of future matches between these two that would far outstrip this one in terms of quality. (***)
Dead End
Essen, Nordrhein-Westfalen
June 21, 2003
wXw Cruiserweight Tournament Final
Jody Fleisch (c) vs. X-Dream vs. Mike Quackenbush [wXw Lightweight Championship]
This was an elimination match for a singles belt that was thankfully worked like it was for a singles title instead of a pseudo-handicapped match! Unfortunately, that portion of the match was a bit of a mess with some very awkward moments and no clear in-ring story holding it together. There were some cool moments though, and I appreciated Quack quickly eliminating Jody after X-Dream got eliminated first. An okay match overall but nothing anyone would ever need to watch. (**1/4)
Back to the Roots
Essen, Nordrhein-Westfalen
February 28, 2004
Mike Quackenbush (c) vs. Jonny Storm [wXw Lightweight Championship]
This was a match full of great moments and sequences that was ultimately held back by the lack of clear in-ring story. That has clearly limited the last three matches on this set. These two were (and probably still are) so talented, and they were able to perform some very cool stuff that made the match entertaining largely all the way through. It was missing some emotion and intensity though to get it to the next level. (***)
Watch some Quack matches for free!
Quack vs. Claudio Castagnoli [Their best match]
Quack vs. Eddie Kingston [GREAT stuff]
Quack & Jigsaw vs. Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli
Quack, Jigsaw, & Manami Toyota vs. Amazing Red & The SAT
Quack & Jigsaw vs. The Young Bucks
Quack, Skayde, & Lance Steel vs. Damian, Exess, & Kid Kamikaze
Quack & Jigsaw vs. Neo-Solar Temple
Quack, Eddie Kingston, Jigsaw, & The Colony vs. GEKIDO
Quack, Icarus, & Dave Cole vs. Claudio Castagnoli & The Colony
Quack vs. Amazing Red vs. Quiet Storm
Click here for a meticulously organized list of all of my wrestling reviews.
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