If you could see 1 match from history live...what would it be?

[mikde_]

So if Doc Brown brought his flux capacitator and the Delorean to your house one night and asked you whats the one wrestling match you always wished you could see live was, what would you say?

make sure to name the event where it took place and your reasons for wanting to be there.

Mine would have to be Cena vs RVD at ECW ONS 2006 merely for the crowd. Im not even a big RVD fan but to be a part of that atmosphere in that setting would have been a moment you would never ever forget.

 

[The Future Rises]

For me it would be Brock Lesnar Vs Big Show on Smackdown where one of the most holy shit moments in WWE history took place when Lesnar superplexed The Big Show and the ring literally collapsed. The crowd went crazy for it. And just seeing that live would be something you would never forget. Just imagine seeing it live. Epic moment. And I definitely wish I could've seen it live.

 

[I Suck Ass]

I would go to Hogan vs. Andre at WM III. Why? Because that is the single biggest match that has ever happened. When Hogan slammed Andre, it was history. Even today, we reference Hogan slamming Andre. That's why I would go to that match.

 

[hatehabsforever]

I would have a difficult time deciding between two matches. The Rock versus Hollywood Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania 18 would be one choice. Bret "the Hitman" Hart versus the British Bulldog, Davey Boy Smith at Summerslam 1992 would be the other. Absolutely electric atmosphere for both of these matches. Seeing heel and face switch roles on the fly in the Skydome had to have been amazing, especially a decade ago when Hogan was still semi-relevant and able to walk and move. Hart versus Smith at Wembley had to have been spectacular as well.

Honorable mention to Bret Hart versus Shawn Michaels at the Montreal Screwjob. It must have been interesting to see the match which spawned the evil Mr. McMahon character, which paved the way to the restoration of the dominance of WWF, and spelled the beginning of the end of WCW.

 

[Goldenyears80s]

I would've loved to witness the Bash At The Beach '96 main event which saw Hulk Hogan's heel turn and the formation of the NWO. I've watched wrestling since 1986 and I've personally never seen the fans flood the ring with debris like they did that night. The crowd emotion was THAT high. One overzealous fan even got into the ring in an attempt to get at the villains. This was one of those rare "game-changing" events that will be discussed by wrestling fans until the end of time. Truly historic night for so many reasons.

 

[Safari.GFX]

Just for the crowd, I'd like to be at ECW one night stand when Sandman entered that one time. The crowd was bad ass.

But for a good quality wrestling match it might be the Hardyz vs E&C vs The Dudleys in the TLC match or One of Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat's matches in the late 80's... Or hell maybe Lawler vs Von Erich at Superclash.

 

[RicoLen]

I think it'd be Hogan vs Warrior. Most matches, especially the technical matches I'm much happier watching on PPV where I can get a closer camera's eye view of the action along with clear commentary. Because of that, Hogan vs Warrior really would play out well live 6 rows back or some such thing as I would realistically have been able to get. I saw Owen Hart vs Bob Holly live, and then I saw it on TV, different event basically the same match though, and it was far more enjoyable on TV. But Hogan vs Warrior was all about the spectacle and playing to the live crowd and giving THEM what they wanted to see. A lot of the brawl kind of matches go that way too, that's why a lot of them end up in the crowds for a while. For those reasons Hogan vs Warrior just stands out as the best I can think of.

That said, a dream match to see live would be if, back in 1998, Bill Goldberg had a no dq falls count anywhere match with Stone Cold Steve Austin. That would be one to see live.

 

[TWJC: The Beginning]

I'd love to see Ric Flair vs Kerry Von Erich. The Von Erichs were Hogan-over in Texas and Ric Flair was the best wrestler on the planet. It'd be amazing.

Although from a pure experience perspective, Rock vs Hogan is about as good as it gets. Joe vs Kobashi too.

 

[F*ck Fear]

Stone Cold Steve Austin .vs. The Rock @ Wrestlemania 17.

That match is my favorite of all time.

 

[King Patrick Star]

Vengeance 2001. WWF Champion, Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. WCW Champion, Chris Jericho for the Undisputed WWF / WCW Titles.

That was greatest ever Jerichoholic mark out moment.

 

[Smartie]

For me It had to be either Stone cold vs. Rock 17 or Cena/Punk MITB.

But If I had to choose, I would go with Rock/Austin. Amazing crowd. Unforgettable match while the two biggest superstars of wrestling were at their peak. Just being able to see all of that in person is a very delicious dream.

 

[TheCrusher]

Steamboat v Savage at Wrestlemania III. It was a great match and I was such a mark for both guys. I honestly had no idea which way the match was going to end up either. There were arguments for putting both guys over, but seeing it play out, I think the bookers made the right call and put Steamboat over at just the right moment. Then I could stay around for the main event, and feel the crazy in the crowd as Hogan went over Andre--simply one of the most memorable events in all of wrestling history.
Second choice would be the aforementioned, Ric Flair putting Kerry von Erich over at the David von Erich Memorial at Texas Stadium. I might have died of heat stroke--not sure I could handle the heat as well as those native Texans, but what an emotional day and what a crowd. I was fortunate enough to catch the replay on local TV not too long after it happened, and since I didn't subscribe to any of the magazines at the time, it was unspoiled for me. The rest of the WCCW matches on the card that day were awesome as well. Much better than what I was used getting from the AWA. The card:
Chris Adams and Sunshine defeated Jimmy Garvin and Precious.
Junkyard Dog defeated The Missing Link by disqualification.
Kamala (with Skandor Akbar) fought to a draw with Great Kabuki (w/Gary Hart).
Butch Reed defeated Chick Donovan.
Buck Zumhofe and Iceman King Parsons defeated NWA American Tag Team Champions The Super Destroyers (Bill & Scott Irwin) (w/Skandor Akbar) to win the titles.
Kerry Von Erich defeated Ric Flair (c) to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
Kevin, Mike and Fritz Von Erich defeated the Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) for the NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship.

 

[911 JP]

I really cant choose between 2:

The Armageddon Hell in a Cell Match for the pure brutality, can you imagine seeing Rikishi fallig from that height live?!? Plus it was a purely brutal match which I would like to see live.

The second match would be Matt Hardy vs Edge in a Steel Cage match, from their series of matches against Lita, not sure why i am choosing this match, other than the fact that there are two of my all time favourite wrestlers in the match, and one hell of a working diva, to see it live would be great!

 

[relentless1]

either andre vs hogan wrestlemania 3 or goldberg vs hogan nitro 1998 or hogan vs warrior wrestlemania 6...man just the electricity of the crowds on those night wouldve been something special to have been apart of

 

[dd23beatlesfan1]

Great thread topic...

I think if I could go back and see one match live I think it would be Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin at Wrestlemania 13.

1. It's my favorite matchup of all-time.

2. It was a hellacious brawl that went into the crowd, so if I would've been in the right place at the right time (and beings I'm traveling back in time, I don't see why I can't also get the the seats I want ), I could've been right in the middle of the best match in history (IMO).

3. It would've been amazing to be a part of the crowd turning on Bret and rooting for Stone Cold. A smaller version of Rock/Hogan. Being a part of a crowd that switches who they cheer and boo would be epic to say the least.


Other matchups I considered:

Andre/Hulk (Wrestlemania III, 1987)

Warrior/Savage (Wrestlemania VII, 1991) (this match would've been an emotional roller coaster and is also one of my favorite matches ever)

Royal Rumble 1992 (I've always wanted to see a Royal Rumble live, so why not see the best one ever done?)

Taker/Foley (King of the Ring 1998, who wouldn't to see the sick Foley bumps live?)

Benoit/HBK/HHH (Wrestlemania XX, 2004) (Despite what Benoit did at the end of his life, this is still one of the most feel good moments in WWE history, and being at an event at Madison Square Garden should be a goal of any real pro wrestling fan

John Cena/CM Punk (MITB, 2011) (One of the best crowds in wrestling history for one of the best matches in many years. Epic)

 

[Dude_Love87]

Excellent thread! Bret Hart vs British Bulldog Summerslam 92' Wembley Stadium. That atmosphere had to be something that had never been witnessed before. Not even WM3, IMO. I can watch that match over & over and never tire of it. Plus, the whole PPV was great. The WWE was going through some tough tough times at that point, and might have had one of it's best matches ever.

The Outsiders &Mystery Opponent(Hogan) vs Sting, Randy Savage, & Lex Luger Bash at the beach 96' Ocean Center Daytona Beach Florida I would love to have been apart of the biggest heel turn in wrestling history. I remember being a kid nearly crying when this happened, and to be there and be able to relive that, would have been awesome. Looking back on it, to think that it was anyone else but Hogan was completely foolish, but as a kid it was a surprise and I never expected it. This is what wrestling is all about folks.

 

[RIPRKO1005]

Cool Question, I have three top picks

3. RVD vs Cena ECW ONS 06- the crowd was like heaven to all cena haters, talk about hostile.

2. One of the Royal Rumble matches- I have always been a huge fan of the Royal Rumble match, it would be cool to see one live, mainly HBK's 2nd win, Chris benoits win, Rey mysterios win, or the Undertakers win. The crowd was electric for all of those.

3. Undertaker vs Mankind Hell in a Cell match at King of the Ring- To witness the live carnage of such a historical match would awesome

 

[JWGunslinger]

Vengeance 2001. WWF Champion, Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. WCW Champion, Chris Jericho for the Undisputed WWF / WCW Titles.

That was greatest ever Jerichoholic mark out moment.

Definitely agree with Patrick on this one, Y2J is my favorite wrestler, my hero and the man I strive to be like. Not only was the match great but it was the biggest night in his career and seeing it live would be amazing.

I do have to throw in one more because I am a Jerichoholic and an Orton mark, so for Randy's matches I would have wanted to see Orton vs Chris Benoit for the World Heavyweight Championship. Not only was it an amazing match, but it was a huge night in WWE history because Randy became the youngest WH champion ever. On top of that, if I had gotten to see Benoit perform live before he passed would have been very special.

 

[Arsenal 4 life]

HHH vs Edge vs Jeff Hardy - Armageddon 2008.
Mainly because this is my favorite match ever. The crowd POPPED for Hardy's win and it was a great match anyway.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

Oh man, this is a great thread. I couldnt just pick one match, so I will give you a few

Mankind v Undertaker KOTR

The most famous bump in WWE history. I can only imagine what my reaction would be like had I been there to see Mick Foley get thrown from the top of the Hell In A Cell, and then later get slammed through the roof of the cell. It would have been incredible to see live.

Ric Flair v Shawn Michaels

It would have been an honour, and so emotional to see the Naitch's retirement match. I know he has wrestled since then, but the match with Michaels was a classic and I would have loved to have seen one of the all time greats bow out at WM.

The Rock v Hollywood Hulk Hogan

This doesn't need an explanation. It would have been very special to see these 2 icons collide in a match that we never thought we would see. It wasn't anything special in the ring, but it would have been something to see to see Hogan back in a WWE ring and meeting the biggest star of the time.

Any of the Hardys/E&C/Dudleys TLC/Ladder matches

The greatest spot fests in WWE history. I was a MAJOR Hardyz fan back then, and these would have blown my mind had I been there to see them at the show.

Shawn Michaels v Bret Hart @ Survivor Series

I would love to have seen the Montreal Screwjob happen live, just to say I had been there to have witnessed all the controversy 1st hand

The Inaugral Brawl

A personal favourite of mine. I loved the whole Invasion storyline, so to see the WWF face off against WCW and ECW would have been very special as a wrestling fan. Also, being there when Austin turned on Team WWF in a compltely unexpected heel turn would have been shocking, and very, very cool.

Bash @ The Beach 1996

Hulk Hogan turning heel for the 1st time ever, and the formation of the nWo (in my eyes the greatest faction of them all) would have been incredible. So shocking, and one of those moments that you would look back on later and say "I was there". Awesome

 

[King Patrick Star]

Definitely agree with Patrick on this one, Y2J is my favorite wrestler, my hero and the man I strive to be like. Not only was the match great but it was the biggest night in his career and seeing it live would be amazing.

I do have to throw in one more because I am a Jerichoholic and an Orton mark, so for Randy's matches I would have wanted to see Orton vs Chris Benoit for the World Heavyweight Championship. Not only was it an amazing match, but it was a huge night in WWE history because Randy became the youngest WH champion ever. On top of that, if I had gotten to see Benoit perform live before he passed would have been very special.

Your second match reminded me of another that I didn’t get to see. My Uncle actually got to see this and it bothers me to this day that I wasn’t able to go. I’m talking about the Royal Rumble 2004. I would actually like to have seen every single Royal Rumble match live, but if I had to pick just one, I would probably go with the 40-Man Royal Rumble from 2010.