ECW Semi-Final; Match 2: America's Most Wanted vs. The Latin American Xchange

[Shocky]

The Following match takes place in the ECW Region, under Extreme Rules.

America's Most Wanted (The Tennessee Cowboy James Storm and the Wildcat Chris Harris)

vs.

The Latin American XChange (Homicide and Hernandez)

 

[a0161613]

AMW were an awesome pair. But LAX in ECW? Damn this one is going to be so close and extremely messy.

This would be an all out gimmick-filled brawl, perfectly suited to TNA. I'm holding out to vote on this one. I am a huge AMW fan but am willing to be swayed on this one too.

 

[Uncle Sam]

The two "main" TNA tag teams. Yes, it's just like Sophie's Choice for me. I'll let you in on a secret: AMW were going to my primary pick for the tournament until Shocky had the audacity to put them in automatically.

Both considered to be among the best tag teams of recent years with very little overlap. Some may cite the match at Genesis 2006 where LAX effectively broke up Storm and Harris. However, I'd say that was more to do with Storm shattering a beer bottle over his partner's face than anything. They were also a face team at the time; not really their "norm". So let's break it down a little.

Everyone remember the hardcore environment, the extreme rules. It's benefited both teams massively so far. I mentioned recently how AMW are no strangers to such an environment, being participants in many of TNA's gimmicky overly brutal matches and having a match of the year candidate against each other in a Texas Deathmatch where Storm donned a literal crimson mask. I'll give LAX the edge in this area though. For every stupid gimmick match AMW have had, LAX have had one too - and they've performed better in them. They've even created room to fit in blood in matches which don't encourage it. Not to mention that they wrestle something more resembling the ECW style than AMW.

Then there's my theme for the tournament: versatility. AMW are practically two of the same wrestler. Nothing wrong with that. However, they're against LAX, a team who if you can't change to match every step they make you're fucked - they can come up with any strategy they like. LAX are so awesome they even bridge the face/heel divide, something AMW could never do (see my earlier comment).

Overall, it would be a close match and I wouldn't blame you if you voted AMW. I do think LAX should take this though. I'll try to elaborate more as I can.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Klunder, Irish, c'mon guys. I'm not taking exception to how you're voting, it'd just be nice to debate over a match where I really can't lose.

And can't win.

Edit: You too Jake.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

Klunder, Irish, c'mon guys. I'm not taking exception to how you're voting, it'd just be nice to debate over a match where I really can't lose.

And can't win.

Edit: You too Jake.

Sorry, Sam, it's nice to think I always have the time to write an explanation on every match within 2 days of it being posted, but I don't always.

Anyway, I did go with AMW in what essentially amounts to a coin toss for me. If either team wins, they deserve it. I just look at AMW and see a complete team, where both team mates contribute and there is absolutely no weak link. They were strong, agile, tough, cunning, ruthless, talented opportunists.

LAX is a strong team without AMW's decorated TNA resume, but they also have a weak link in Homicide. AMW is the type of team that could isolate Homicide and pick him apart, and use their speed and cunning to take Hernandez out of the equation.

A year from now, I may feel differently, but right now I stick with the greatest tag team in TNA history.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Anyway, I did go with AMW in what essentially amounts to a coin toss for me. If either team wins, they deserve it. I just look at AMW and see a complete team, where both team mates contribute and there is absolutely no weak link. They were strong, agile, tough, cunning, ruthless, talented opportunists.

Try and think of it as two equal links then. AMW are, like I said, essentially two of the same wrestler; this being before Storm proved himself to be vastly superior when they split. I would have described them as two "medium strength" links, but that would be discrediting the strength of the tag team as a whole. My point is this, Storm and Harris don't have the ability to mix and match their abilities as the situation dictates, LAX do. Need some strength? Let Homicide act as a zippy distraction before Hernandez sends dome bodies flying. Need some speed? Let Hernandez run interference (I believe that's the correct use of the term) as Homicide flings himself off the ropes. Hell, Hernandez has even been known to use his "leetle friend" as a projectile.

The Xchange can change their game plan on the fly. AMW only have the one game plan - it's a strong, flexible and reliable one, admittedly.

LAX is a strong team without AMW's decorated TNA resume, but they also have a weak link in Homicide. AMW is the type of team that could isolate Homicide and pick him apart, and use their speed and cunning to take Hernandez out of the equation.

Resumes, schmesumes. I thought you were with me in stopping the Hardys and Dudleys of this world from controlling this tournament?

Homicide appears as a weak link just because he's the littler guy and he gets thrown around a lot more than his big friend. But the guy's tough and resilient like any little man worth his salt, and he compensates for his lack of size with technique, speed, agility and that crucial factor, bloodshed.

I say crucial because it really is. Without the hardcore environment, this match is up in the air, with anyone guessing who'll prevail. Perhaps even with the hardcore environment it's like that. But I sincerely believe that LAX are more suited to this environment, better at causing blood, better at coping with it and better with putting their and their opponents bodies through hell. As great as heels AMW were, they never had that sadistic, brutal edge that LAX have.

A year from now, I may feel differently, but right now I stick with the greatest tag team in TNA history.

I hate having to attack AMW...

 

[IrishCanadian25]

LAX had ONE good hardcore environment feud, and that was with the Dudley Boyz. Even in those matches, many of which were crap fests, the brutality was the result of some crazy looking weapon spots, which had NOTHING to do with the competitors. Hell, I could take a flippin' pizza slicer to D-Von Dudley's head and appear hardcore. And don't even get me started on the Electric Cage.

Let's discuss some of AMW's Hardcore matches...

These guys have owned steel cages for the better part of their careers in TNA. FIrst of all, their steel cage match against Triple X put them on the map as a tag team. Second, their six-sides of steel match with The Naturals re-established them after a teased breakup.

In 2004 in two pay per views, AWM defeated Triple X once in a Last Man Standing Elimination Match, and then in another Six-Sides of Steel. They did the tables match with Team 3-D. And then the break-up occured, and we got another look at how brutal the men in AMW could be, with some of the best hardcore matches I've ever seen, including a classic Texas Death Match.

[youtube]2DHoRSf2Pyc&feature=related[/youtube]

 

[Uncle Sam]

LAX had ONE good hardcore environment feud, and that was with the Dudley Boyz. Even in those matches, many of which were crap fests, the brutality was the result of some crazy looking weapon spots, which had NOTHING to do with the competitors. Hell, I could take a flippin' pizza slicer to D-Von Dudley's head and appear hardcore. And don't even get me started on the Electric Cage.

Come now, it's difficult to make an entire feud hardcore. You also seem to forget how they absolutely brutalised Staniels. They won the titles when AJ got put through a table with a Gringo Cutter. The Ultimate X match was full of weapons and the Steel Cage match was brutal. And the weapon spots may have had "nothing to do with the competitors" (what do you mean by that?) but they were still impressively hardcore. Sure, you could mutilate someone similarly if you wanted, it's still a harsh, sadistic act. Just like you could shoot someone in the face if you really wanted.

You also fail to mention how many hardcore matches they had with 3D - self-proclaimed "harder than hardcore" wrestlers - that they unfailingly won. Until that everybody's-wincing-but-for-the-wrong-reason electrified cage match.

These guys have owned steel cages for the better part of their careers in TNA.

I already pointed out the LAX/Staniels masterpiece of a cage match.

FIrst of all, their steel cage match against Triple X put them on the map as a tag team. Second, their six-sides of steel match with The Naturals re-established them after a teased breakup.

True, but I want to dispute something about the former. I'd say it was Elix Skipper's cagesault that made that match famous more than anything else.

In 2004 in two pay per views, AWM defeated Triple X once in a Last Man Standing Elimination Match, and then in another Six-Sides of Steel. They did the tables match with Team 3-D. And then the break-up occured, and we got another look at how brutal the men in AMW could be, with some of the best hardcore matches I've ever seen, including a classic Texas Death Match.

[youtube]2DHoRSf2Pyc&feature=related[/youtube]

Already noted, and it was a great match. AMW are certainly not alien to weapons and brutality. But LAX have made their TNA career out of it. LAX beatdowns are famous for their brutality. You've even made me reassess my view somewhat, making this decision even more of a stalemate. Yet I'm still tipped towards LAX.

 

[Shocky]

When I think of TNA teams, one team comes to the top, and it's AMW. I'm not sold on LAX yet, I'm simply not a big fan of homicide and the hype machine that the internet has put behind him. Homicide is a tiny man, and more then enough for someone like Harris or Storm to handle.

The wildcard in this, is the pure awesome strength of Hernandez. As i've said before, I think Hernandez is the true star of the team, adn the one with the brighter future. In the end though, I think AMW is a nastier team, willing to do more to get the job done, and that means LAX goes down.