Post by The Dynasty! on Feb 13, 2008 15:51:41 GMT -5
Here is a review for the match the name of the show IWA MS When Hero Met Punk
IWA title - CM Punk (c) v Chris Hero
And here’s the titular match. 2/3 falls no less. The time limit is 90 minutes. Prazak reels off both wrestlers influences, which is pretty neat. Some of the crowd seem motivated although some of them are still sitting there like zombies. Hero goes to a chinlock early and they scuffle back and forth into the ropes. Clean break. Punk tries for a leg but Hero first punches then wrestles his way out. Hero sneaks in a backslide but Punk rolls through but Hero facelocks him. Punk tries for a leg again but leaves himself open and Hero ties up Punk’s legs. Punk gets out into a hammerlock. He transitions to the leg but that gives Hero more room and he kicks Punk in the head. Punk tries for a cheeky roll up but only gets 2. They kick back a moment to think out some strategy. CHESS! Back to the mat and the pace on this so far has been really slow but that’s expected. Hero seems to get the better of that and picks off the arm. Punk is in trouble right away as he’s unable to wrestle his way out with a snapmare. Sometimes basics are highly effective. He won’t get a submission from this but he’ll certainly frustrate Punk. 10 minutes gone.
All mat stuff so far. It must be daunting knowing you have 90 minutes to do. Punk resorts to pulling the hair and he runs the buckles to get out BUT Hero reverses right back into it. Punk tries to trip Hero up but Hero shuts him down and we’re back to where we were. It’s a bit looser this time. Punk goes through the legs and takes it into the ropes to give himself some time. Both guys are sweating profusely. Punk gets the arm but Hero keeps escaping so Punk goes to the chinlock instead. Hero escapes so Punk turns up the dial and slides between his legs. AAAARRRRMMdrag! It’s been mostly arm v arm so far but Punk has found it harder to get an advantage on his arm work. He tries some less conventional holds and stamps the elbow. They get a clean break and they knucklelock. Test of strength is very much a time consuming deal because it’s not as hard as doing chaining. Hero monkeyflips to gain control but flips backwards and gets caught in a bodyscissors. As Hero tries to pin this hold looks gay. It just does. Fannen starts talking about fan predictions and the first guy called it as 85 minutes. It’s almost hard to grasp that length of time for a wrestling match. Hero works at his patented cravat. 20 minutes gone.
Still nothing off the mat really. They bust out the double headstand and handshake in it as no one can get an advantage. Doug Williams v Johnny Moss looked much better than that but kudos for trying. Hero hammers at the back and Punk bails out for the second time. Punk comes back in and tries to go inside but Hero spins out into a roll up for 2. Armdrag from Punk and we’re grounded again. Hero headstands out of it, which was nice. Punk spins out and he’s back on top again. Crowd has been completely silent during the match, which is kinda disappointing but then they’ve sucked all night so it’s not a shock. Hero tries to get Punk off balance by working the right arm instead of the left. Hero locks it right up and Punk can’t seem to get anything going although they’re standing so he should be able to just take it into the ropes. He jumps onto Hero instead and gets a headscissors takeover. Hero tries to jockey out but Punk has it cinched in. Third attempt gets him out and Hero quickly goes to a front facelock. Hero tries a quick roll up but can’t get a pin and Punk armdrags him back over. The armdrag has been a staple of his approach in this match. I’m disappointed so far as neither man has really been looking for anything that ties in to a finish. Punk goes back to the headscissors because of how much difficulty Hero had last time getting out but Hero uses his long legs to turn it around at 30 minutes.
Hero holds on to that headscissors but it’s a little loose and you’d think Punk should be able to slide out. Punk tries for the ropes but he’s stuck thanks to the angle Hero has the headscissors on. Punk nips out of it but Hero armdrags him. Oh, turnaround. Punk is clearly showing some early signs of fatigue. Hero gets aggressive and ties that arm up. It’s because he’s been given the opening by Punk looking a little gassed. He grabs Punk’s hand to stop him striking so Punk goes to kicks instead and Hero grabs that too. He’s got Punk at a disadvantage. Punk slides sideways and Hero keeps holding the leg so ENZUIGIRI! First real impact move. Punk takes advantage by grabbing the leg and working a standing leglock. He pulls Hero away from the ropes and he’s putting a lot of pressure on before rolling through it to cause extra pain. Hero gets his foot against Punk’s and grabs an anklelock. Oh, that was nice. He’s really got that on too. Punk won’t quit so Hero tries to switch to a different leglock so Punk headlocks him. It’s on tight and Hero is almost out. Punk gets Hero so he’s nearly out and then switches to the hammerlock. Obviously he feels that arm is the weak point. Hero manages a German suplex but Punk lands on his feet and stamps on Hero’s face. BUT Punk has a bad ankle and standing up is a problem that he didn’t realise he had before. They start forearming each other and Hero hits one massive one that knocks Punk on his ass. Punk comes back with chops and forearms and the pace has notably picked up. Punk with a suplex for 2 and he goes back to a chinlock having done quite well standing up considering his leg is bad. Hero gets all pissed off with being kicked in the back and gets himself a receipt. Hero remembers the ankle and grabs it. Punk finds himself in trouble because he’s not only hurt but he’s unable to think because of the pain. Hero sees this as an opening; HANGMANS CLUTCH…into the ropes. Punk knew where he was and as Hero transitioned he moved closer to the ropes. 40 minutes gone.
Notable pick up in 30-40. Punk ties the legs up. He’s very much looking to keep Hero grounded and put this into the deep freeze if possible. Use the clock in his favour. Hero counters out into a cravat but Punk has the ropes again. He’s been very ring aware during this match. More so than Hero I’d say. Hero shows the people at home where CM Punk just bit him to get out of that cravat. Hero is now hesitant to lock up and Punk has a distinct psychological advantage. Hero requests a crossover knucklelock so he can overpower into the Goku Raku Stretch. Punk reverses it. Hero reverses back. He’s gotten Punk into the middle of the ring and that sets up the Goku Raku over the knees. If Punk was less strong he’d be choked right here. Hero bites the nose. It’s getting nasty now. Punk flips over and chinlocks as we hit halfway in the time limit. Punk isn’t looking for a submission here like Hero did he just adds in knees to cause damage. Punk throws a few forearms and hits a few spinning backhands. MMA style. Nice. Punk stomps away at Hero’s right knee and chokes him on the ropes with his boot to set up the BOOOT SCRAAAAPES. That gets 2. Punk with a few clotheslines but he’s waking Hero up. Punk off the ropes with a stronger clothesline for 2. This is a war of attrition. Punk falls outside and Hero hits a corkscrew plancha. Hero rocked himself with that move. They counter on the ropes and Punk ends up on top with a Russian legsweep with floatover for 2. It seems both guys are going to a higher gear looking for a fall. As if all the setup work is now in place for a pin. Punk stalls on a vertical suplex at 50 minutes.
Punk throws some forearms and Hero has no response. Hero ducks a few clotheslines though and he boots Punk in the face. Short kicks connect for 2. Hero having gotten Punk down goes for the cravat. Any cravat work he does helps to set up for the Hangman’s Clutch. They switch standing and Hero hits a release German suplex for 2. Punk flips out of the corner and tries for a wheelbarrow into the bulldog. Hero is screaming but still kicks out. Something about his the eyes. Punk wants the Tiger Backbreaker but Hero lifts him to block it. Punk counters back. WELCOME TO CHICAGO, MOTHERFUCKER. Hero ducks a Shining Wizard but Punk goes back the other way and kicks Hero in the face for the first pin at 53.56. 1-0 Punk. Hero is struggling after taking a big shot but Punk strikes at him and it wakes him up and they start trading. Hero is the aggressor and Punk seems to have eased up a touch having gotten that pin. Punk comes back with crossfaces and he tries to choke Hero out with the Chickenwing crossface. Mmmmm…chicken wings. Hero makes the ropes and fatigue is very much a factor now. Punk comes off the top and Hero catches him into the Hero’s Sandwich over the knee BUT Punk has the rope with his boot to save the fall. Punk has been ALL about ring positioning this evening. Hero stomps him and adds a senton. That gets a long 2. Punk looks winded. He sees Hero coming on a lariat though and ducks. Punk tries for a lariat but Hero clocks him with his own as Punk just runs right into it. That gets 2. Punk with the Tequila Sunrise! That’s a surprise move. He cranks it right up and Hero is lucky he’s tall so he can get the ropes. ONE HOUR gone. 60 minutes.
These are true Ironmen now. Hero breaks out a flipping neckbreaker…for 2. That was close. Fannen was nearly announcing 1-1 on the mic but not quite. Hero with a bodyscissors and Punk tries to counter into a leg hold but Hero holds him in place and tries to get a cravat. Hero turns it into a rolling cradle and then he’s able to get a cravat. Punk considers tapping out and his arm drops three times BUT his other hand is up shaking a finger. Punk just about gets his foot on the rope. HERO’S WELCOME…FOR 2! How does Punk have enough left to kick out? Hero just can’t get a fall here. He must be mentally affected by seeing Punk kick out of that. Referee Rudy Charles lays a count on Hero as he falls outside and someone in the crowd shouts “there’s no count outs in the IWA”. Punk follows out with a diving rana! Punk throws forearms leaving Hero staggered – TOPE SUICIDAAAAAAAAA! Punk wants something high impact to finish this and he sets for the Pepsi Plunge but Hero is aware that’d be it and he fights it. They trade up there with Hero getting desperate. Hero blocks into the PEPSI PLUNGE. PEPSI PLUNGE FROM HERO! He pins Punk with his own move at 68.16. 1-1. Now THAT is what he needed to do. Hero tries for another pin but Punk is recovered enough to kick out. CRAVATPLEX but Punk falls into the ropes and Hero has to pull him back out for 2. 70 minutes gone.
Hero lifts the boot scrapes as well. He seems to be getting joy with Punk’s own moves. Pin gets 2. Punk works a leglock but Hero catches him in the cravat. Punk fights out and they slap at each other. Punk wants the surfboard but Hero is in the ropes again desperate to avoid anything that could cause cramp and additional pain. Hero tries to get Punk tied up but Punk slides out and Hero is set for the SHINING WIZARDOOOO! 1-2-NOOO! Kickout from Hero. Punk goes for another but springboards over the top into the buckles into a Blockbuster for 2. He fractured his skull doing that the previous year. Forearm duel. They’re still throwing heavy, which shows amazing conditioning. Hero eventually keels over but Punk follows suit glad of the chance of a rest. They start trading on the mat and Hero hurts himself in the process of unloading with forearms. Hero with an Oklahoma roll for 2. Hero with a flipping slam but that gets 2. Hero with the cravat but he can’t get anything from it. Punk sees an armdrag coming and stops before jumping on top for 2. How much longer can they do? Punk with the big corner knee and a missile dropkick gets 2. Hero sees the rope and grabs it rather than kicking out. Punk tries for a rana out of the corner but can’t get all of it. I think that’s the first actual mistake. Punk is pissed off and steals the HANGMAN’S CLUTCH! It’s a receipt for the Plunge. 80 minutes gone.
Punk let’s go of the Clutch and hits the HERO’S WELCOME and Hero KICKS OUT. Punk goes the other way with a sleeper. 1975 was the last time there was a 90 minute draw claims Prazak. Hero with a jawbreaker but Punk keeps the sleeper on. Hero tries it again and Punk keeps his jaw clear and the sleeper is still on. Hero won’t stay down. Hero finally gets a jawbreaker to break the hold but Punk is right there and slaps the sleeper back on. Hero is digging down deep to get back to his feet but Punk hooks it back up and he’s down again. “He’s out” – Punk. Prazak is doing a great job on commentary telling us the history of 90 minute draws in wrestling. Punk goes back to the sleeper but Hero grabs him – BACKDROP DRIVER. Punk pops back up but he doesn’t know where he is. BACKDROP DRIVER. Back up. CRADLE BACKDROP DRIVER. 1-2-3…NOOOO, FOOT ON THE ROPES! 5 minutes left. HERO’S WELCOME! It’s over. HERO’S WELCOME! Hero even hooks BOTH legs…FOR 2. KICKOUT! NEVER! He goes again but Punk reverses and hits a pair of HERO’S WELCOMES and again Hero kicks out. No fuckin’ way. It’s implied there’s not a lot of stink on these finishers because they’re both so tired. They start trading big boots and neither guy will give an inch. FOREARM DUEL! How is this still going? DISCUS FOREARM! FOR 2! Punk looks out of it. Hero is exhausted. Time is running out. Hero prays for a finish and kicks Punk in the face six times. Punk keeps blocking. Hero’s Welcome is escaped and Punk has the Rolling Prawn Hold…FOR 2. Both men’s shoulders ended up being down so the ref stopped counting. Punk GOES UP TOP. Are you kidding me? 30 seconds left. HERO WITH A SUPERBOMB! DOUBLE PIN. The time limit expires. Both guys are pinned. Ian Rotten is out here and he wants SUDDEN DEATH. Next pinfall wins.
They’ve gone OVER 90 minutes now. The locker room has emptied out. “This could go ALL NIGHT” – Fannen. Hero is fired up but Punk dropkicks the knee. SHINING WIZARD…FOR 2. Shinbreaker, dragon screw and the double leglock is on. Hero is fucked. Middle of the ring. Crowd is on their feet now. Hero tries to punch his way out as Punk cranks away. Hero COUNTERS OUT. HANGMAN’S CLUTCH! Punk can’t get the ropes. PUNK TAPS! PUNK TAPS! HERO WINS! 92.15 is your match time and Chris Hero is your new IWA champion. ****1/2. The first 30 minutes was largely pointless other than to slowly wear each guy down but everything after 30 minutes was great. Apart from the end where the double pin went down. That didn’t work for me at all. But I’d say they had a solid hour of the 90 minutes, which equates to 2/3rds of a great match. Kudos to both guys for even attempting such an epic match and it’s a pity that IWA-MS has no audience or it could have been in the running for MOTY in 2003.
Of course it’s not as good as Angle v Benoit from the Royal Rumble of that year because that match was THAT much smoother. Although this does just about end up being as epic. I’d have Paul London v Bryan Danielson from ROH’s Epic Encounter above it too. Where’s that list guy when you need him? I’m sure I rated more matches over ****1/2 than two in 2003. Oh, there was London v AJ v Low-Ki from the ROH anniversary show but I think Punk-Hero was a greater achievement than a slick spotfest. AJ v London from Night of the Grudges would be in contention as well. Let’s say this 92 minute match makes up the top five for 2003.
A 92 Minute match HOLY CRAP I MUST SEE THIS. Anyone know where I can download it?
IWA title - CM Punk (c) v Chris Hero
And here’s the titular match. 2/3 falls no less. The time limit is 90 minutes. Prazak reels off both wrestlers influences, which is pretty neat. Some of the crowd seem motivated although some of them are still sitting there like zombies. Hero goes to a chinlock early and they scuffle back and forth into the ropes. Clean break. Punk tries for a leg but Hero first punches then wrestles his way out. Hero sneaks in a backslide but Punk rolls through but Hero facelocks him. Punk tries for a leg again but leaves himself open and Hero ties up Punk’s legs. Punk gets out into a hammerlock. He transitions to the leg but that gives Hero more room and he kicks Punk in the head. Punk tries for a cheeky roll up but only gets 2. They kick back a moment to think out some strategy. CHESS! Back to the mat and the pace on this so far has been really slow but that’s expected. Hero seems to get the better of that and picks off the arm. Punk is in trouble right away as he’s unable to wrestle his way out with a snapmare. Sometimes basics are highly effective. He won’t get a submission from this but he’ll certainly frustrate Punk. 10 minutes gone.
All mat stuff so far. It must be daunting knowing you have 90 minutes to do. Punk resorts to pulling the hair and he runs the buckles to get out BUT Hero reverses right back into it. Punk tries to trip Hero up but Hero shuts him down and we’re back to where we were. It’s a bit looser this time. Punk goes through the legs and takes it into the ropes to give himself some time. Both guys are sweating profusely. Punk gets the arm but Hero keeps escaping so Punk goes to the chinlock instead. Hero escapes so Punk turns up the dial and slides between his legs. AAAARRRRMMdrag! It’s been mostly arm v arm so far but Punk has found it harder to get an advantage on his arm work. He tries some less conventional holds and stamps the elbow. They get a clean break and they knucklelock. Test of strength is very much a time consuming deal because it’s not as hard as doing chaining. Hero monkeyflips to gain control but flips backwards and gets caught in a bodyscissors. As Hero tries to pin this hold looks gay. It just does. Fannen starts talking about fan predictions and the first guy called it as 85 minutes. It’s almost hard to grasp that length of time for a wrestling match. Hero works at his patented cravat. 20 minutes gone.
Still nothing off the mat really. They bust out the double headstand and handshake in it as no one can get an advantage. Doug Williams v Johnny Moss looked much better than that but kudos for trying. Hero hammers at the back and Punk bails out for the second time. Punk comes back in and tries to go inside but Hero spins out into a roll up for 2. Armdrag from Punk and we’re grounded again. Hero headstands out of it, which was nice. Punk spins out and he’s back on top again. Crowd has been completely silent during the match, which is kinda disappointing but then they’ve sucked all night so it’s not a shock. Hero tries to get Punk off balance by working the right arm instead of the left. Hero locks it right up and Punk can’t seem to get anything going although they’re standing so he should be able to just take it into the ropes. He jumps onto Hero instead and gets a headscissors takeover. Hero tries to jockey out but Punk has it cinched in. Third attempt gets him out and Hero quickly goes to a front facelock. Hero tries a quick roll up but can’t get a pin and Punk armdrags him back over. The armdrag has been a staple of his approach in this match. I’m disappointed so far as neither man has really been looking for anything that ties in to a finish. Punk goes back to the headscissors because of how much difficulty Hero had last time getting out but Hero uses his long legs to turn it around at 30 minutes.
Hero holds on to that headscissors but it’s a little loose and you’d think Punk should be able to slide out. Punk tries for the ropes but he’s stuck thanks to the angle Hero has the headscissors on. Punk nips out of it but Hero armdrags him. Oh, turnaround. Punk is clearly showing some early signs of fatigue. Hero gets aggressive and ties that arm up. It’s because he’s been given the opening by Punk looking a little gassed. He grabs Punk’s hand to stop him striking so Punk goes to kicks instead and Hero grabs that too. He’s got Punk at a disadvantage. Punk slides sideways and Hero keeps holding the leg so ENZUIGIRI! First real impact move. Punk takes advantage by grabbing the leg and working a standing leglock. He pulls Hero away from the ropes and he’s putting a lot of pressure on before rolling through it to cause extra pain. Hero gets his foot against Punk’s and grabs an anklelock. Oh, that was nice. He’s really got that on too. Punk won’t quit so Hero tries to switch to a different leglock so Punk headlocks him. It’s on tight and Hero is almost out. Punk gets Hero so he’s nearly out and then switches to the hammerlock. Obviously he feels that arm is the weak point. Hero manages a German suplex but Punk lands on his feet and stamps on Hero’s face. BUT Punk has a bad ankle and standing up is a problem that he didn’t realise he had before. They start forearming each other and Hero hits one massive one that knocks Punk on his ass. Punk comes back with chops and forearms and the pace has notably picked up. Punk with a suplex for 2 and he goes back to a chinlock having done quite well standing up considering his leg is bad. Hero gets all pissed off with being kicked in the back and gets himself a receipt. Hero remembers the ankle and grabs it. Punk finds himself in trouble because he’s not only hurt but he’s unable to think because of the pain. Hero sees this as an opening; HANGMANS CLUTCH…into the ropes. Punk knew where he was and as Hero transitioned he moved closer to the ropes. 40 minutes gone.
Notable pick up in 30-40. Punk ties the legs up. He’s very much looking to keep Hero grounded and put this into the deep freeze if possible. Use the clock in his favour. Hero counters out into a cravat but Punk has the ropes again. He’s been very ring aware during this match. More so than Hero I’d say. Hero shows the people at home where CM Punk just bit him to get out of that cravat. Hero is now hesitant to lock up and Punk has a distinct psychological advantage. Hero requests a crossover knucklelock so he can overpower into the Goku Raku Stretch. Punk reverses it. Hero reverses back. He’s gotten Punk into the middle of the ring and that sets up the Goku Raku over the knees. If Punk was less strong he’d be choked right here. Hero bites the nose. It’s getting nasty now. Punk flips over and chinlocks as we hit halfway in the time limit. Punk isn’t looking for a submission here like Hero did he just adds in knees to cause damage. Punk throws a few forearms and hits a few spinning backhands. MMA style. Nice. Punk stomps away at Hero’s right knee and chokes him on the ropes with his boot to set up the BOOOT SCRAAAAPES. That gets 2. Punk with a few clotheslines but he’s waking Hero up. Punk off the ropes with a stronger clothesline for 2. This is a war of attrition. Punk falls outside and Hero hits a corkscrew plancha. Hero rocked himself with that move. They counter on the ropes and Punk ends up on top with a Russian legsweep with floatover for 2. It seems both guys are going to a higher gear looking for a fall. As if all the setup work is now in place for a pin. Punk stalls on a vertical suplex at 50 minutes.
Punk throws some forearms and Hero has no response. Hero ducks a few clotheslines though and he boots Punk in the face. Short kicks connect for 2. Hero having gotten Punk down goes for the cravat. Any cravat work he does helps to set up for the Hangman’s Clutch. They switch standing and Hero hits a release German suplex for 2. Punk flips out of the corner and tries for a wheelbarrow into the bulldog. Hero is screaming but still kicks out. Something about his the eyes. Punk wants the Tiger Backbreaker but Hero lifts him to block it. Punk counters back. WELCOME TO CHICAGO, MOTHERFUCKER. Hero ducks a Shining Wizard but Punk goes back the other way and kicks Hero in the face for the first pin at 53.56. 1-0 Punk. Hero is struggling after taking a big shot but Punk strikes at him and it wakes him up and they start trading. Hero is the aggressor and Punk seems to have eased up a touch having gotten that pin. Punk comes back with crossfaces and he tries to choke Hero out with the Chickenwing crossface. Mmmmm…chicken wings. Hero makes the ropes and fatigue is very much a factor now. Punk comes off the top and Hero catches him into the Hero’s Sandwich over the knee BUT Punk has the rope with his boot to save the fall. Punk has been ALL about ring positioning this evening. Hero stomps him and adds a senton. That gets a long 2. Punk looks winded. He sees Hero coming on a lariat though and ducks. Punk tries for a lariat but Hero clocks him with his own as Punk just runs right into it. That gets 2. Punk with the Tequila Sunrise! That’s a surprise move. He cranks it right up and Hero is lucky he’s tall so he can get the ropes. ONE HOUR gone. 60 minutes.
These are true Ironmen now. Hero breaks out a flipping neckbreaker…for 2. That was close. Fannen was nearly announcing 1-1 on the mic but not quite. Hero with a bodyscissors and Punk tries to counter into a leg hold but Hero holds him in place and tries to get a cravat. Hero turns it into a rolling cradle and then he’s able to get a cravat. Punk considers tapping out and his arm drops three times BUT his other hand is up shaking a finger. Punk just about gets his foot on the rope. HERO’S WELCOME…FOR 2! How does Punk have enough left to kick out? Hero just can’t get a fall here. He must be mentally affected by seeing Punk kick out of that. Referee Rudy Charles lays a count on Hero as he falls outside and someone in the crowd shouts “there’s no count outs in the IWA”. Punk follows out with a diving rana! Punk throws forearms leaving Hero staggered – TOPE SUICIDAAAAAAAAA! Punk wants something high impact to finish this and he sets for the Pepsi Plunge but Hero is aware that’d be it and he fights it. They trade up there with Hero getting desperate. Hero blocks into the PEPSI PLUNGE. PEPSI PLUNGE FROM HERO! He pins Punk with his own move at 68.16. 1-1. Now THAT is what he needed to do. Hero tries for another pin but Punk is recovered enough to kick out. CRAVATPLEX but Punk falls into the ropes and Hero has to pull him back out for 2. 70 minutes gone.
Hero lifts the boot scrapes as well. He seems to be getting joy with Punk’s own moves. Pin gets 2. Punk works a leglock but Hero catches him in the cravat. Punk fights out and they slap at each other. Punk wants the surfboard but Hero is in the ropes again desperate to avoid anything that could cause cramp and additional pain. Hero tries to get Punk tied up but Punk slides out and Hero is set for the SHINING WIZARDOOOO! 1-2-NOOO! Kickout from Hero. Punk goes for another but springboards over the top into the buckles into a Blockbuster for 2. He fractured his skull doing that the previous year. Forearm duel. They’re still throwing heavy, which shows amazing conditioning. Hero eventually keels over but Punk follows suit glad of the chance of a rest. They start trading on the mat and Hero hurts himself in the process of unloading with forearms. Hero with an Oklahoma roll for 2. Hero with a flipping slam but that gets 2. Hero with the cravat but he can’t get anything from it. Punk sees an armdrag coming and stops before jumping on top for 2. How much longer can they do? Punk with the big corner knee and a missile dropkick gets 2. Hero sees the rope and grabs it rather than kicking out. Punk tries for a rana out of the corner but can’t get all of it. I think that’s the first actual mistake. Punk is pissed off and steals the HANGMAN’S CLUTCH! It’s a receipt for the Plunge. 80 minutes gone.
Punk let’s go of the Clutch and hits the HERO’S WELCOME and Hero KICKS OUT. Punk goes the other way with a sleeper. 1975 was the last time there was a 90 minute draw claims Prazak. Hero with a jawbreaker but Punk keeps the sleeper on. Hero tries it again and Punk keeps his jaw clear and the sleeper is still on. Hero won’t stay down. Hero finally gets a jawbreaker to break the hold but Punk is right there and slaps the sleeper back on. Hero is digging down deep to get back to his feet but Punk hooks it back up and he’s down again. “He’s out” – Punk. Prazak is doing a great job on commentary telling us the history of 90 minute draws in wrestling. Punk goes back to the sleeper but Hero grabs him – BACKDROP DRIVER. Punk pops back up but he doesn’t know where he is. BACKDROP DRIVER. Back up. CRADLE BACKDROP DRIVER. 1-2-3…NOOOO, FOOT ON THE ROPES! 5 minutes left. HERO’S WELCOME! It’s over. HERO’S WELCOME! Hero even hooks BOTH legs…FOR 2. KICKOUT! NEVER! He goes again but Punk reverses and hits a pair of HERO’S WELCOMES and again Hero kicks out. No fuckin’ way. It’s implied there’s not a lot of stink on these finishers because they’re both so tired. They start trading big boots and neither guy will give an inch. FOREARM DUEL! How is this still going? DISCUS FOREARM! FOR 2! Punk looks out of it. Hero is exhausted. Time is running out. Hero prays for a finish and kicks Punk in the face six times. Punk keeps blocking. Hero’s Welcome is escaped and Punk has the Rolling Prawn Hold…FOR 2. Both men’s shoulders ended up being down so the ref stopped counting. Punk GOES UP TOP. Are you kidding me? 30 seconds left. HERO WITH A SUPERBOMB! DOUBLE PIN. The time limit expires. Both guys are pinned. Ian Rotten is out here and he wants SUDDEN DEATH. Next pinfall wins.
They’ve gone OVER 90 minutes now. The locker room has emptied out. “This could go ALL NIGHT” – Fannen. Hero is fired up but Punk dropkicks the knee. SHINING WIZARD…FOR 2. Shinbreaker, dragon screw and the double leglock is on. Hero is fucked. Middle of the ring. Crowd is on their feet now. Hero tries to punch his way out as Punk cranks away. Hero COUNTERS OUT. HANGMAN’S CLUTCH! Punk can’t get the ropes. PUNK TAPS! PUNK TAPS! HERO WINS! 92.15 is your match time and Chris Hero is your new IWA champion. ****1/2. The first 30 minutes was largely pointless other than to slowly wear each guy down but everything after 30 minutes was great. Apart from the end where the double pin went down. That didn’t work for me at all. But I’d say they had a solid hour of the 90 minutes, which equates to 2/3rds of a great match. Kudos to both guys for even attempting such an epic match and it’s a pity that IWA-MS has no audience or it could have been in the running for MOTY in 2003.
Of course it’s not as good as Angle v Benoit from the Royal Rumble of that year because that match was THAT much smoother. Although this does just about end up being as epic. I’d have Paul London v Bryan Danielson from ROH’s Epic Encounter above it too. Where’s that list guy when you need him? I’m sure I rated more matches over ****1/2 than two in 2003. Oh, there was London v AJ v Low-Ki from the ROH anniversary show but I think Punk-Hero was a greater achievement than a slick spotfest. AJ v London from Night of the Grudges would be in contention as well. Let’s say this 92 minute match makes up the top five for 2003.
A 92 Minute match HOLY CRAP I MUST SEE THIS. Anyone know where I can download it?
