Let’s take a look at ECW Hostile City Showdown, another candidate for “Best Titled Event of 1996.”
Low-Tier
El Puerto Riqueno drawing with Super Nova didn’t get off the ground at all. Taz murdered Devon Storm—who would find his footing in the business as Crowbar in WCW.
It didn’t look like it here but Storm had potential at this time. He was like Sabu without the appeal and cult charisma but rawer around the edges.
If you happen to skip this one, you’re not really missing anything—unless you really enjoy Taz running through wrestlers with the quickness.
Mid-Tier
Mikey Whipwreck taking on Billy Black was a solid bout that would’ve been better served as the actual opener. Whipwreck did extremely well as usual in 1996 but I’m more impressed with Billy Black.
The guy was far more agile than he should’ve been for his size. With some kind of a gimmick that fit and some personality, ECW could’ve had a menace on their hands!
After that was the Dudley Boyz taking on the Pitbulls which could’ve been an exotic-tier match if there was something on the line. This was just an above-decent match without it.
Axl Rotten vs. Little Guido was an enjoyable match that mixed brawling and mat work in a short, digestible match.
The ECW fans have warmed up to Axl since his match with The Sandman earlier in the year and they’re appreciating Guido’s wrestling ability. I’ll give both of these guys the dub.
Exotic-Tier
2 Cold Scorpio and The Sandman balanced each other perfectly. We’ve seen that Scorpio can brawl if needed and he’ll need to with The Bruise Brothers in the house!
This was just about a perfect ECW tag team brawl. It started in the ring, went outside, had its wild moments and dives, and it wasn’t too lengthy.
The Sandman was extremely giving while also taking risks and made The Bruise Brothers look dangerous and powerful. Everything here worked.
“Primetime” Brian Lee’s matches in ECW were good. This period was peak Lee. His matches against Tommy Dreamer—they had chemistry. I really enjoyed this brawl!
It wasn’t overly wild but it didn’t drag either. Brian Lee looked tough and vicious while Tommy got his unique offense in and struggled when needed.
They’re setting up for something really dope in future shows. Staying in this tier: Sabu vs. Rob Van Dam. This was pique ECW chemistry without mentioning Jerry Lynn vs. RVD!
Dynamic match up. Loved every moment of it. They had this way of controlling the pace where they let it all hang out at full speed. Then they’d ease off the gas on the bends or slow it down a notch or two.
Usually, I’m pretty rough on good matches with no stakes or story but this was a rivalry was building to something.
Shane Douglas challenging for Raven’s ECW World Championship was one of the better matches for both guys in recent supercards. This one a little of everything to fit both wrestlers.
I wouldn’t necessarily say there was chemistry here but there was that veteran control of the pace and knowledge of the ring that worked here.
ECW Hostile City Showdown Verdict: Exotic-Tier (8/10)
The three bouts in the finishing stretch of the show were so good that they boosted this show. It helps that the matches in the mid-tier were also really strong.
The match of the show goes to Sabu vs. RVD while the runner-up would be the main event. The last two matches are definitely worth catching.
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