WWE Region, Boston Region, First Round: (2) Shawn Michaels vs. (31) Ernie Ladd

[Davi323]

Shawn Michaels should win, he is one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time...but seriously? Claiming Shawn would win in 18 seconds is completely asinine. If you knew who the hell Ernie "Big Cat" Ladd was, you would know that the idea that ANY wrestler could beat him that quickly would be patently ridiculous. Ladd was 6'9" 315 lbs. He won numerous championships all over the country. Stop being such ignorant noobs when it comes to the older wrestlers. Before you chime in with stupid comments, maybe look up the competitors if you don't know them, see what they did. Ernie Ladd was the real fucking deal, people. Learn some wrestling history.

 

[The Wrestling God]

Shawn has this one in the bag, thought the victory wouldn't be easy Shawn has made a career out of great matches especially with big men. Shawn would probably sell like a maniac, be dazed and then Sweet Chin Music and his patented flop onto the body of his opponent

 

[Poop Master Flex]

I gotta take HBK in this match.

HBK did very well against big men beating the likes of Vader, Big Show, Undertaker and Kevin Nash, all guys are bigger than Ernie Ladd.

Ladd was a great wrestler and would probably control most of the match but Shawn is the greatest between the ropes. He would make the comeback, hit the flying elbow and top it off with some Sweet Chin Music to seal the victory.

This wouldn't be a squash by any means but HBK would take it no doubt. I see Ladd doing some damage to Shawn throughout the fight, he was big, strong, agile and would definitely give HBK a run for his money but its hard to go against HBK in any match.

 

[NSL]

HBK would pick up the victory but this isn't the squash some of you will, and already have, made it out to be. Ernie Ladd was 6'9, over 300 pounds, and he was a tremendous athlete. He spent 8 seasons playing pro football in the AFL, was a 3 time all pro, and is in the San Diego Chargers HOF. Big Cat also won multiple regional titles during his wrestling career and feuded with some of wrestling's biggest names including Andre the Giant. Ladd has been inducted into the WWE, WCW, and Wrestling Observer HOF. HBK ends up winning but not until he goes through a grueling match with a legit HOFer.

Preach it, brudda man...

I may vote Ladd, just to even it out with the idiots blindly voting HBK. HBK would most likely win this, but it wouldn't be the cakewalk everyone seems to think. He's obviously faster, but a thumb to the eye will slow anyone down...And a thumb to the eye just happened to be Ladd's biggest "move". Once he gets a hold of you he'll pound the shit out of your face. HBK figures out a way to win, but it'd be a tough go for him.

I'm still voting for Ladd...You kiddies need to learn some respect for your old folks

 

[Jeffnumber1fan09]

Shawn Michales cause he's the show stopper

 

[Peoples_Champ]

HBK would pick up the victory but this isn't the squash some of you will, and already have, made it out to be. Ernie Ladd was 6'9, over 300 pounds, and he was a tremendous athlete. He spent 8 seasons playing pro football in the AFL, was a 3 time all pro, and is in the San Diego Chargers HOF. Big Cat also won multiple regional titles during his wrestling career and feuded with some of wrestling's biggest names including Andre the Giant. Ladd has been inducted into the WWE, WCW, and Wrestling Observer HOF. HBK ends up winning but not until he goes through a grueling match with a legit HOFer.

This needs to be repeated. Ernie Ladd is a HOF for a reason. Sure HBK wins this match, but it's not a squash match by any means. I picture this match going the same way HBK-Shelton Benjamin went on Raw a few years back, with HBK catching Ladd by superkick out of nowhere.

 

[Natural Selection]

HBK would pick up the victory but this isn't the squash some of you will, and already have, made it out to be. Ernie Ladd was 6'9, over 300 pounds, and he was a tremendous athlete. He spent 8 seasons playing pro football in the AFL, was a 3 time all pro, and is in the San Diego Chargers HOF. Big Cat also won multiple regional titles during his wrestling career and feuded with some of wrestling's biggest names including Andre the Giant. Ladd has been inducted into the WWE, WCW, and Wrestling Observer HOF. HBK ends up winning but not until he goes through a grueling match with a legit HOFer.

Couldn't agree more. Shawn is the showstopper and would pull it off in a dazzling fashion, but I don't ever recall him just squashing a big man. Ernie Ladd was a big fucking dude. On top of the Andre feud he also feuded with Bob Backlund, Bruno Sammartino, Mil Mascaras, and Junkyard Dog.

 

[Pay Per Ghost]

Cakewalk against Ladd? Huh?

Man was a beast of a man, and by god he was agile. Smooth talker and holds a prominent position in territorial wrestling folklore and history. But I still see HBK taking it in a grueling battle. Man if I could only see these two go at it for real, The Sweet Chin Music alone would've been epic.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

Ernie Ladd is a legitimate HOF'er, big, strong and tough.

But this is Shawn Michaels we are talking about, the 1st Grand Slam Champion, the Showstopper, The Main Event, Mr Wrestlemania. He has beaten opponents just as big, and even bigger than Ladd, and would be able to do so again.

He doesn't do squash wins, but a squash here would be unfair to Ladd, despite his low seeding in this tournament. Michaels would take some punishment as he always does, but would fight back and eventually would find a way to hit the Sweet Chin Music on Ladd, and advance to round 2.

Winner: Shawn Michaels

 

[cmiller1332]

Shawn Michaels is one of the best ring workers and will make a strong run in the tournement starting with a win here.

 

[jazzua]

This is way closer than people are making it out and this is coming from an admitted HBK mark. However, Ladd was a legit badass. Those of you calling this a squash are crazy. Ladd was super talented and probably deserves a better seed to begin with.

But, Michaels proved he can beat big guys. He's beat better big men than Ladd which is why this should be obvious for most voters. However, don't think for a second that this match wouldn't wear Michaels down. Michaels wins buy an out of nowhere SCM after a good beating from Ladd.