On This Day...

On This Day: Monday March 3rd 1997

Monday Night Raw - The British Bulldog vs. Owen Hart for the WWF European Championship

The March 3rd 1997 edition of Monday Night RAW was a historic one. Taped in Berlin, Germay on 26th February 1997 it was the last edition of the WWFs flagship show to carry the old 'Monday Night RAW' logo, before the show became RAW is WAR the following week and, more importantly. it marked the crowning of the very first champion of the very first new WWF championship title in 20 years.

An eight man tournament was initially set to decide who would earn the right to compete for the fresh, new championship and also featured Mankind, The Rock, Flash Funk, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Vader and Bret Hart. "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith and Owen Hart remained as the final two and the match was made. There was a big-fight atmosphere in the air. The friends, current WWF Tag Team Champions and legitimate brothers-in-law would battle for the WWF European Championship.

The pair were, simply put, the very best tag team the WWF had to offer at that time and, in my opinion, one of the strongest teams ever assembled in that decade. Still on top of the pile in that division, tension had started to play its role in the build up to this main event match and the commentary team were helping to sell this, speculating over a potential implosion for this team when they meet for the title.

As these two often did when handed opportunity, they stepped up their game greatly when given the opportunity to wrestle a near twenty minute main event. The chemistry and understanding between the two in the ring was obvious and the timing of the bout near perfect. The strong, muscular, English powerhouse was not always, I feel, given the credit he deserved as far as technical ability is concerned and many could argue that, despite the WWF putting him over on a few different occasions, Owen Hart was always standing somewhat in his brother Brets shadow. On this night however the spotlight was firmly on the Tag Team Champions and what they produced was nothing short of a pay-per-view quality epic. This is what many would argue was the very best wrestling match and main event that Monday Night RAW had showcased to that point in time and I would have to agree. This may well be the best wrestling match in the history of Monday Night RAW.

On This Day...

On This Day: February 19th 2006

WWE No Way Out - Undertaker vs Kurt Angle (c) for the World Heavyweight Championship

Exactly six years ago to the day the WWE held it's eighth annual 'No Way Out' pay-per-view event in Baltimore, Maryland. The Smackdown brand event boasted a strong card featuring a mammoth Cruiserweight Championship match between Gregory Helms (c), Kid Kash, Psicosis, Super Crazy, Paul London, Nunzio, Brian Kendrick, Scotty 2 Hotty and Funaki. A tag team match between Matt Hardy & Tatanka and MNM (Joey Mercury & Johnny Nitro with valet/manager Melina). Bobby Lashley vs JBL with Jillian Hall at ringside. Chris Benoit vs Booker T in a re-match for the United States Chmapionship following the final of their 'best of seven' series where an "injured" Booker T was able to substitute his participation for that of Randy Orton, who then won the title on his behalf. Also Rey Mysterio, the Royal Rumble winner a month earlier, put his main event opportunity on the line against arguably the WWEs biggest heel at that time, Randy Orton.

The main event however was even stronger. Kurt Angle, the World Heavyweight champion was challenged by the deadman, The Undertaker. Billed as two of the very best of all time, the match was also billed as the biggest main event in Smackdown history and the collision definitely lived up to the hype. 

What better way to pass the time while waiting for this evenings Elimination Chamber event than reliving arguably the best PPV match of the year. 

Enjoy.