Lancer
Most Surreptitious Poster
What is the big deal about this match?
I have always heard it was one of the best matches of either man. Well, I just got done watching the "Greatest Superstars of the 90's" DVD and this one was on there...it was during the height of Austin's popularity, he even had the Smoking Skull WWF Title belt. There were the usual Attitude Era match elements: a brawl, venturing out into the crowd, and outside interference (although Kane came out and just stood there, until Taker told him to go to the back).
In my opinion, it was a really sloppy match. Both men looked gassed not even three minutes into it. Austin botched a Stunner. Taker really botched a chokeslam, I mean really bad. At one point, the two were exchanging punches and Austin just fell on his ass without any evidence as to why. JR and Lawler covered it up by saying the two had bumped heads, although it was hard to see if they actually had.
Then there was the Taker legdrop into Austin through the announce table, essentially the main spot this match is remembered for. Taker clearly overshoots it, and you can see Austin moving pretty far across the announce table in order to compensate. The two pretty much just slide off the table as it never fully collapses.
Then Austin hits a half-ass Stunner to end it. And Taker pretty much pops right back up after the bell is rung and hands him the belt. Weird ending also.
So what garners this match the praise I have often heard throughout the years? In my opinion, the whole bout was sloppy and it seemed like Austin and Taker never clicked. Is this match really a classic? And why...or why not?
I have always heard it was one of the best matches of either man. Well, I just got done watching the "Greatest Superstars of the 90's" DVD and this one was on there...it was during the height of Austin's popularity, he even had the Smoking Skull WWF Title belt. There were the usual Attitude Era match elements: a brawl, venturing out into the crowd, and outside interference (although Kane came out and just stood there, until Taker told him to go to the back).
In my opinion, it was a really sloppy match. Both men looked gassed not even three minutes into it. Austin botched a Stunner. Taker really botched a chokeslam, I mean really bad. At one point, the two were exchanging punches and Austin just fell on his ass without any evidence as to why. JR and Lawler covered it up by saying the two had bumped heads, although it was hard to see if they actually had.
Then there was the Taker legdrop into Austin through the announce table, essentially the main spot this match is remembered for. Taker clearly overshoots it, and you can see Austin moving pretty far across the announce table in order to compensate. The two pretty much just slide off the table as it never fully collapses.
Then Austin hits a half-ass Stunner to end it. And Taker pretty much pops right back up after the bell is rung and hands him the belt. Weird ending also.
So what garners this match the praise I have often heard throughout the years? In my opinion, the whole bout was sloppy and it seemed like Austin and Taker never clicked. Is this match really a classic? And why...or why not?