We’re finally in August 1996 and we’ll be caught up for WWE vs. WCW vs. ECW! Let’s dive into ECW The Doctor Is In!
Low-Tier
Devon Storm is someone I came to appreciate after I saw his work on the indies following the WCW buyout. Even as Crowbar in WCW, he was solid in hardcore matches.
When I see him in 1996 ECW, it’s like “Why are you so raw with the audacity to be a flyer?” Some of Storm’s stuff looked incomplete. As if he was working on a speed faster than Mikey’s.
If it was a bit shorter, it probably would’ve been better. That said, this wasn’t a bad or sloppy match at all. There were moments where it came off more hazardously than what Whipwreck was doing at this point.
Actually, at this point, Whipwreck was doing sprinty, athlethic matches and should’ve been in the mix with Douglas, 2 Cold, and so on over the TV Title.
So, while looking at the match listing before getting into the show, I saw Axl Rotten vs. D-Von Dudley. Of course, I thought it was going to be a short but exciting brawl.
It was neither since it ended in a no contest. This match will lead to an interesting one at the next show.
Mid-Tier
Even though it was short, Louie Spicolli’s match against All Japan’s Johnny Smith was solid. This bout was tailor-made for ECW Hardcore TV as well.
I also enjoyed seeing Smith in the U.S. Most of the stuff you see of him is from his time in Japan and maybe some Stampede bouts.
Raven’s Rules are in effect again as The Sandman must pin Stevie Richards for the ECW World Title. You know, because Raven has the gout and Stevie is his substitute.
It was an alright match. Stevie is incredible at everything he does except for Right to Censor. The Sandman’s being Sandman and that works 80-percent of the time.
Yes, I’ve gotten on The Sandman’s horrible leg drop several times in these reviews. However, the guy popped the show each time he showed up. I have to respect that.
I don’t know but Shane Douglas defending his TV Title against Pitbull #2 just seemed like it could’ve been shorter. It wasn’t bad but it was pretty prominent on the card.
That aside, I do like that Douglas has taken Francine and is laying the groundwork for the Triple Threat.
It seems as though the whole All Japan foreigner crew were rolling through ECW this season. “Dr. Death” Steve Williams—one half of the Miracle Violence Connection with Terry Gordy—tagged with Tommy Dreamer in a losing effort against Brian Lee and Taz.
This one was short but intense. It should’ve had the time that Whipwreck vs. Storm was given because there was more on the bone here.
The Gangstas had another intense, over-the-top match where they faced off against The Bruise Brothers, the Samoan Gangsta Party, and the ECW Tag Team champions—the Eliminators!
What really anchored this in the mid-tier was the Samoan Gangsta Party. I just wasn’t feeling them in this match. The other three would’ve torn the house down, no doubt.
I don’t think it was wise to mix them into the tag team turmoil.
Exotic-Tier
2 Cold Scorpio dwells in the exotic-tier and his match against Chris Jericho just adds to that. In ECW, the man couldn’t do any wrong and Jericho just continued to look like a bright up-and-comer here to take over American wrestling.
Rounding things out for ECW The Doctor Is In was the stretcher match between Rob Van Dam and Sabu. Most of the match was good as expected. They ran out of steam after facing each other so many times.
I don’t mean stamina steam; they could go longer. Creative steam, folks. What else could they do in a match that they hadn’t done three times prior in two months?
Towards the end shows that burn out to a degree. I did enjoy the moments with the stretcher and the match finish was well done.
I had never watched the stretcher match and actually thought RVD would take this match. Guess who was surprised.
ECW The Doctor Is In Verdict: Mid-Tier (6/10)
This wasn’t a bad show at all. It was floated by some solid mid-tier action. 2 Cold Scorpio vs. Jericho and RVD vs. Sabu were in the wings at the ring moment to make this a significant event and not another taping for regional TV.
The match of the show goes to 2 Cold Scorpio vs. Chris Jericho. It was kind of close but some moments in RVD vs. Sabu made it seem like the match should’ve probably been shorter.
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