John Morrison vs. Evan Bourne = ***** Match!!

[D-Man]

Now, I know that many of you have neglected to watch ECW since it's rebirth in the WWE. Whether it's because it lacks the 'hardcore' matches that you all used to crave, because the title belt is too ugly, or because none of you have the patience to watch brand new WWE stars 'cut their teeth' in the business, many of you feel that the show doesn't compare to Raw and Smackdown in terms on on-screen talent. For a while, I agreed with most of you. And I know that the WWE product (as a whole) has been lacking in a lot of departments, including 'pure wrestling.' From what I have read on many Wrestlezone threads, aside from the epic battle between HBK and the Undertaker at Wrestlemania, many have been unhappy with the matches that the WWE talent has been producing. But, I'm a firm believer that the WWE product will improve over time, and a lot of this falls on the shoulders of the new talent that they are bringing in.

All of this being said, last night's ECW broadcast gave us a glimpse into the future stars of the WWE. The opening match of the broadcast pitted John Morrison versus Evan Bourne in a battle that (in my opinion) should be up for match of the year. I figured that two men as talented as Bourne and Morrison would pull off a good match, but I never expected what was actually produced. The match had every element that we all look for in wrestling... storytelling, stiff work, longevity, high spots, mat wrestling, and an exciting ending. They beat the ever-loving crap out of each other and sold every single move. I honestly thought they personally hated each other and wanted to injure each other (considering how stiff they worked). But, as the match went on, I couldn't help but move closer and closer to the edge of my seat just to see who would come out on top. Even though Morrison wound up with his hand raised at the end, Evan Bourne was left looking stronger than he was when the match began. Bravo to Morrison and Bourne... After last night, these two have raised each other to a whole new level.

If any of you have Universal HD and want to see a phenomenal match starring the future of the WWE, make sure you catch the replay this weekend. You will NOT be disappointed.

Did anyone else catch the match and care to comment?

 

[Kesteral]

I watched it about an hour ago and I was very impressed. I'd love to see them duke it out on a PPV, or in a longer match, but we still got an excellent match. I hope the WWE recognises the talent they both have and push them up to the mid card level at least, they both deserve it. Definately the best TV match I've seen in a long long time, and I can't wait to see if they start fueding. The crowd were really getting into it at the end and I wish it had a few more minutes. It was really a wrestling match, something we haven't seen in a long while, and I loved it. I'm going to be tuning in to ECW every week just so I hope I'll see something like that again.

 

[Rizza]

That match was very solid and I was pleasantly surprised to see it get as much time as it did.I was excited already when I seen who was participating in the match but never thought it would be as good as it was. Unlike a lot of other folks I enjoy the new ECW and have seen more good matches consistently on ECW then I have on RAW and thats no exaggeration. These two last night made each other look great, sold everything perfectly, and couldn't agree more on that they both left looking better then they came in.

I was sad at first that Morrison and Miz were splitting but after this I think that it was the right thing to do as Morrison shines as a singles star (at least in the ring, Mic Skills are a different story) and there is no telling what the future holds for Bourne but right now its looking pretty bright.

 

[TheGlassSnake]

I've been watching WWECW since the beginning, only because I'm a big fan of the WWE and I was a bigger fan of the old school ECW. With that being said, I don't know if I've seen a better match on WWECW then I did last night. I knew Matt Sydal was great and I knew Morrison was getting better and better with time, but they really showed the world something last night. Great match, great storytelling threw action, great finish... it was perfect. Man, don't you wish people like Cena and HHH could wrestle like that?

 

[AnthonyMango/NoFate007]

FANTASTIC match last night. I really would've been perfectly fine watching that continue for the rest of the hour, which is very rare. So far this year, its one of the best matches that has happened. HBK/Taker beats it out, but damn was that a good match last night. I have no clue how WWE could see something like that and not want to push Bourne and Morrison. More importantly, I don't know why some people backstage (*ahhhem*) couldn't look at that match and realize that between the Cena/Swagger match and the Morrison/Bourne match, that THAT is how you come out of a match with both guys looking good. A true way to put over 4 people in 2 matches without screwing anybody out of a boost.

 

[Slyfox696]

Well, it was a very solid match, and a very good TV match. But, a five star match? Not hardly. To many problem spots, to much "start and stop", and not enough working to make the match 5 stars.

Again, not taking anything away from the match. For a TV match, it was very good. But, as a match itself...it was solid, nothing more nothing less.

Man, don't you wish people like Cena and HHH could wrestle like that?

LOL, Cena wrestles 3 times better than either of those guys.


EDIT: If you wish to discuss the quality of John Cena in relation to Bourne/Morrison, make sure you do it in a way that still relates to the thread topic, and does not violate our spamming rules. I've deleted two posts for that reason. If you wish to compare Cena to Bourne/Morrison, okay, but make sure you still stay true to the thread.

Next person who violates the spam policy receives punishment.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

I didnt really think it was that great. Its amazing you get two guys doing a few headlocks and everyone flips a shit about how good the match was. Personally, I didnt feel they played to these guys strengths nearly enough in this, and I found the first half of the match (before the commercial break) to be pretty damn boring. Decent enough finish, but hardly a 5 star match. Not even close. Id certainly put the Cena-Swagger match much closer to it than this....

 

[Azrael Cain]

I do not know if the two had worked prior to this encounter, but I will say that I was impressed and delighted with the outcome. I say that as a Bourne and Morrison mark, and a fan of wrestling. I will admit that the beginning was slow, but I argue that there are very few match opening moments that are jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring. The only one that comes to mind for me is Rock/Austin from Mania (but even that memory is due to the hype around the two superstars and the event at which they face off).

The match went on for (if we subtract the intros) about 13 - 15 minutes. That's about the length of a main event on Raw or Smack Down, and at some times even a PPV. That's 15 minutes out of two guys who are, what, Mid-Carders most of the time and Upper Mid-Carders from time to time? While the WWE has standards for all of its superstars, you will all probably agree with me that the pressure to perform on the "lower level" isn't nearly as high as it is for someone like Cena, Batista, HHH, Undertaker, Shawn, Jericho or Edge. Morrison and Bourne are not constant or considered Main Eventers, but, at least to me, this match proved that they can be and will be.

Admit it: what was the last time you saw a Torture Rack on WWE TV that didn't involve Lex Luger? What was the last time you saw the crowd that into a match, at least of "that level"? I was enthralled and entertained. The two drew me in, made me care about the spots, the pin falls. They told a decent story -- a cocky heel and a underdog face, both men struggling to find their place and trying to out-do one another. Imagine if they were given a feud and/or a title to work with, proper interview time and the period of time to build investments and depth (of which I think both characters and workers are capable of doing)... that feud would be gold regardless of who the fan boys give credit to!

I don't know if it was 5 Star in terms of Match of the Year if it were to compete with HBK/Undertaker, but for (let's say) "their level," it was a solid, wonderfully performed match. At least 4 stars are deserved, but that is all up to individual taste. I think that this type of wrestling should be capitalized on and encouraged and practiced more. It was very well done and I think it only proves further that there are future stars to help carry the company and run with the ball when the "vets" retire.

 

[D-Man]

The thing that drew me in the most was how STIFF these guys worked. It drew me in because it really made me believe that these two were out for blood. When the match was over, they both looked stronger than they were when they went into the match... not to mention that even Matt Striker made a comment about how it can be a contender for match of the year.

Its amazing you get two guys doing a few headlocks and everyone flips a shit about how good the match was.

First of all, the match had much more than headlocks. The stiff spots like the running knee to Bourne when he was on the apron and the reverse-momentum flying cross body to Morrison left me in awe. But I guess that’s just my opinion.

To many problem spots, to much "start and stop", and not enough working to make the match 5 stars.

Even HBK/Hart Ironman match had some "start and stop", but everyone rates that as a 5-star match. And please don’t tell me it’s ok just because they wrestled for over an hour.

When I look at a match and rate it, I compare it to other matches. If this match was put on a PPV, I’m sure that everyone would have jumped at the bit to comment on it, especially since Morrison and Bourne are two mid-carders that are trying to make big names for themselves. I can’t remember the last time these two were given 15 minutes to be in a singles match and I think they used this moment very wisely. These two surprised a ton of people, and I definitely give them a vote for television match of the year (so far).

And in a totally respectable way, can I ask what you consider a “problem spot” to be?

Id certainly put the Cena-Swagger match much closer to it than this....

What does the Cena/Swagger match have to do with anything?!? I wasn't comparing Bourne/Morrison to anything... I was praising it on it's own.

 

[Biggest Triple H Fan Ever]

I've been watching WWECW since the beginning, only because I'm a big fan of the WWE and I was a bigger fan of the old school ECW. With that being said, I don't know if I've seen a better match on WWECW then I did last night. I knew Matt Sydal was great and I knew Morrison was getting better and better with time, but they really showed the world something last night. Great match, great storytelling threw action, great finish... it was perfect. Man, don't you wish people like Cena and HHH could wrestle like that?

While I agree with you that the match was great. I don't agree with you when you said you don't think triple h is that good. I always thought that triple h is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. I also think he puts on 5 star matches everytime he is in the ring.

 

[Skillz]

It was a good match, very good for a TV match. But 5 stars? Come on. This match gets 4 stars at best. A 5 star match is a Savage vs. Steamboat, or a Bret vs. Owen. Do you really think Morrison vs. Bourne compares to matches of that quality?

One thing I don't like about many wrestling fans is that they are quick to call any match they think is halfway decent a 5 star match, or a classic. It takes A LOT for a match to be considered 5 stars. A match has to be completely perfect for it to be 5 stars. Morrison/Bourne was good, but far from perfect.

[QUOTE="Instant Classic"Karma;1006155]I always thought that triple h is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. I also think he puts on 5 star matches everytime he is in the ring.[/QUOTE]

Like the 5 star match he had with Orton at WrestleMania? You have GOT to be joking, right? Triple H has never, ever, had a 5 star match. And that's not really a knock on him, because 5 star matches are very rare. John Cena is twice the worker Triple H ever was, and easily the best wrestler in the world today, and I wouldn't even say he's had a 5 star match yet. Although his LMS match against Umaga and hour-long match against HBK come close.

 

[tehblogger]

Not a five-star match. But very good indeed. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The knee that knocked Bourne through the ropes was STIFF, and if there were any botched spots, I didn't see them. The hurricanrana to Morrison on the top rope was done perfectly, the kick to Bourne's head on the top rope was fine, the spot where Bourne somersaulted Morrison over the top ropes was absolutely brilliant. Both men came out looking very strong, and the psychology of it all made sense. I would have preferred a little more continuous action and fewer takedown moves, but that's a minor quibble.

It really does show the strength in youth the WWE has. With Morrison, Miz, Bourne, Swagger, TJ Wilson, Kofi, Punk, and Dolph Ziggler (I have a suspicion this guy is a really good wrestler in disguise), we could be set for some great matches coming up if the young talent gets pushed properly and is given the chance to compete on level terms against more established stars like Christian, the Hardyz, Jericho, etc.

 

[wiKid hoRse]

i'd say it's the best TV match i have seen this year and and would be a 4-4 1/2 star ppv match but you have to consider that it had NO build up at all. Everyone is going off over the HBK vs Undertaker match from wrestlemania but that is a match people have been wanting to see for a few years. This match had the crowd into it (you could see a few moments that the crowd stood up they were that into it) and i was at the edge of my seat the whole match (even during the rest holds they sold it that well). i really think that ECW is turning it around as far as match quality goes.

 

[Saiquan]

Honestly for a match that was on ECW, didnt expect that kind of match from these two. I believe both wrestlers bought their A-game to the table in this match. The beginning had a somewhat slow pace as if they were about to have a 30-45 minute type of match.

On a scale from 1-10 they would recieve atleast an 8.0 from me which is something you dont get from every mid carded (i.e. Sheltons lazy ass or CM punk and his series of kicks) but i will save that for another day. These are two future World Champions hopefully and i would love to see them go at it at maybe a pay per view... say perhaps Wrestlemania 27 r 28?

 

[Mighty NorCal]

The thing that drew me in the most was how STIFF these guys worked. It drew me in because it really made me believe that these two were out for blood.




What does the Cena/Swagger match have to do with anything?!? I wasn't comparing Bourne/Morrison to anything... I was praising it on it's own.

If you ask some of the most skilled preformers in the history of the sport, they will tell you people who work "stiff" actually just arent very good workers. The point is to NOT hurt each other.

and I realize there was more than headlocks. It just seems to me that many people are drastically overrating this match becuase a couple of flippy floppy style wrestlers used a shred of pacing and phsycology for once in their lives. I remain fairly unimpressed.

Oh gee I dunno. Maybe becuase they were good TV matches that happened on back to back nights? It compares becuase cena-Swagger WAS great, Bourne-Morrison WASNT

 

[GameOver]

While I agree with you that the match was great. I don't agree with you when you said you don't think triple h is that good. I always thought that triple h is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. I also think he puts on 5 star matches everytime he is in the ring.
__________________
Triple H is the greatest wrestler.....period

That match was awesome. and some of the other matches in the past week on all 3 shows have been outstanding compared to what we've had the past few yrs.

 

[colalella2891]

Yea I absolutely agree it was a really good match. I expected it to be a good one, but not that good. I really loved the ending of the match, how Morrison did his finisher on Bourne. Now Morrison's on Smackdown, and that's good because he really deserved to get off ECW, he's very talented. Actually I think it's ironic that Miz is on Raw, because in my opinion he's a nobody wrestler. He hasn't done anything except let Morrison carry him, and get him tag team gold. I can barely imagine him as a midcarder. Anyway, their match has proven that they'll both go high in the WWE.

 

[shafe_41]

This match was 5 stars for an ECW TV match. As for a match as a whole and compared to PPV quality matches... it was 3.5-4 stars. We didn't get to see it all due to commercials and to gain that extra star it would have needed to go about another 4-6 minutes. Also... I don't know if anyone else caught this or it bothered anybody else, but how many effing times is Evan Bourne going to use the headscissors takeover in his matches? I seriously counted about 4-5 times in his match with Morrison and it bothered me. Maybe I'm picky, but I just think he could have done other things other than 4-5 different versions of the same effin move.

 

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

but how many effing times is Evan Bourne going to use the headscissors takeover in his matches?.

About an equal ratio to the number of European Uppercuts John Morrison needs to use. What's wrong Shaman? Straight punches aren't sexy enough anymore?

Moving on, i was very impressed with this match, but also would not give it 5 stars. I was glad to see some lovely counter wrestling such as the ducking hook kick, and better submissions for once ie Morrison's seated version of a crossface chicken wing. It was a highly competitive match where either man looked like he was going to get the fall, but yeah no hype, plus Evan's offense could have used a bit more variation, plus Morrison is no where near cocky enough. Why doesn't he taunt the crowd more like Miz does and get in people's faces more often? Stopping to sweep back your hair every two minutes isn't going to get you over dude.

Great match, but i'd probably have to agree and say that it wasn't to the standard of Cena/Swagger. I actually enjoyed the Triple Threat match more than Bourne/Morrison. I loved their singles match, but there was still room for improvement in several areas there.