I figured while we’re into the summer of 1996 with WWE and WCW on Into the Vault, let’s bring in ECW and catch things up with the Philly-based promotion. We’re diving into the first big show of the ECW House Party 1996.
This show is significant as Public Enemy’s last ECW match until House Party 1999. The crowd did chant “You’ll be back” at them during their promo. There are a lot of other things worth catching on ECW House Party 1996.
While I tend to rate shows on matches, you have developments in the Dreamer-Raven feud with Beulah being pregnant by Tommy Dreamer.
Also during this time, there was a storyline with Cactus Jack getting ready to head to WWE and Mikey was supporting him as his friend even though Cactus was a turncoat heel.
Low-Tier
There’s a lot of matches that fall in the lower tier on this show. Rey Misterio Jr teaming up with 911 to take out The Eliminators was a match that was just there.
It wasn’t meant to be good or exciting but it’s still getting the business. Rob Van Dam looked good in his match against Axl Rotten but this wasn’t a match worth catching, really.
The same goes for Taz running through Hack Meyers—unless you’re into squash matches, you sadistic freak. Now, Buh Buh Ray—even in 1996—against Jimmy Del Ray from Smoky Mountain Wrestling should’ve been better.
Again, it probably wasn’t meant to be an exciting or competitive match. Actually, Shane Douglas makes his return at ECW House Party 1996 following this match. He got tired of playing school in WWE.
If any of these would’ve aired on ECW Hardcore TV, I would’ve been a little more reasonable with the rating.
Mid-Tier
The Sandman defended the World title against Konnan. It was a mixed match that was decent in some parts and just fell apart at the end. Now, it fell apart in part because there was an effort to salvage the crowd.
While they were hot most of the night because the ECW Arena crowd will rock with a squash match slaughter, this match just never seemed to get off the ground.
The crowd got into the bout once the blood and canes came out towards the middle-end of the match.
Exotic-Tier
We finally get to the best in show part of this vault dive! The ECW World TV Champion Mikey Whipwreck showed up to defend against a former TV Champion in 2 Cold Scorpio.
At this time, Scorpio was aligned with The Sandman in an odd team and had Woman in his corner. Scorpio would defeat Whipwreck, ending his second and final reign and starting his fourth and final reign. Dope match.
Sabu vs. Stevie Richards was a strong bout that featured some of everything.
There was a little technical wrestling, Sabu flew of course, and a good deal of brawling. It was a good mix here. It didn’t drag on too long which I felt the World title match did.
The only thing here was that it just seemed like “Here’s a match that could be good with no context.” Mind you, it worked—it was a good match. However, it was a competitive, exciting exhibition.
Not every match needs to be tied to a story but this one would’ve been golden with some kind of stake or goal to it. Then again, sometimes ECW just dropped golden exhibitions on you out of nowhere.
Finally, the main even street fight between Public Enemy and The Gangstas was great. It had moments where it ran a little long and flirted with aimless brawling but there were two things to this match.
First, New Jack and Mustafa had beef with Rocco Rock and Johnny Grunge throughout 1995. Second, Public Enemy were heading to WCW. You’d think Paul would send them off by doing the honors for the Gangstas since they were the successor team.
If you dig blood, weapons, and brawling you’ll probably enjoy this more than Konnan vs. The Sandman. It was an energetic brawl from start to finish.
ECW House Party 1996 Verdict: Mid-Tier (6/10)
ECW was the crossroads for a lot of talent in 1996. Public Enemy was jumping to WCW, Cactus Jack leaving for WWE, and the AAA luchadores breezed through the company as did Chris Jericho.
And this is just in early 1996! As for the show itself, it was a pretty damn enjoyable show overall. The only problem is that it had several throwaway bouts that could’ve been featured on ECW Hardcore TV.
I will say that this was a fitting farewell show for Public Enemy. They left on a good brawl against the tag team succeeding them, The Gangstas. The World title showdown was odd at points and just dragged on at others.
Luckily, it didn’t end the show. The matches that were good were good enough to pull the show away from the lower tier.
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