Monday, March 30, 2009

'Mania Match of the Day #19

WrestleMania XIX
Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar - 7

This had a really epic feel going into it, as most WrestleMania main events do. This one was different, though. It was the first time either of these guys were put into the main event slot on the biggest pay-per-view of the year. Brock hadn’t even debuted at last year’s WrestleMania and Kurt was in the middle of a meaningless feud with Kane. My how the times change. The best thing to describe this would be like a cross-breed between amateur wrestling, sports entertainment, and a dash of Japanese strong style. Kurt’s reversals were a thing of beauty when he would hook in the ankle lock from nowhere. Brock’s suplexes were vicious, especially the two belly-to-belly throws. Angle’s reversal of an F-5 into an ankle lock was totally tits. I also remember Brock feasting on a stiff elbow from Kurt as he charged into a corner. Another thing I must mention is that Tazz’s commentary really added to the match. He sounded like he was calling an MMA fight with the way he was describing the moves and holds and such. Think Joe Rogan, sans crack. Lesnar hits a powerful F-5 and proceeds to climb to the top turnbuckle for the now famous botched shooting star press. Brock lands flush on the back of his head but you can’t really tell the extent of the damage from the camera angle they used. Cole said that Angle moved out of the way. I call bullshit on that, friend-o! Brock, who is pretty much out on his feet, hits a glassy eyed F-5 for the pin. Afterwards, they show a reverse angle of the shooting star and Tazz’s reaction is priceless: “He landed on the back of his head! How is Lesnar not dead right now?!!”.

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