Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Shawn Michaels vs Chris Jericho (WWF 3/24/03)

So I’m having an awesome wrestling watching Saturday with MFP (My Friend Paul) when we start discussing the merits of HBK’s second career. Both of us were huge marks for the guy in the 90s, MFP more than most. We both agree his 1996 run was pretty awesome, but we’ve always had differing opinions on the first year of the comeback. MFP loved the comeback match at SummerSlam ’02, I just thought it was impressive HBK got through it. He liked the original Elim. Chamber match more than I did that November. We both agree that the HBK/HHH Hell in a Cell had awesome sections, but was mostly masturbatory in layout, and went about ten minutes too long. This feeds into our sub-conversation at times about both men’s preoccupation with all things Flair when they get in with each other, but we avoided that on Saturday. Let’s just say MFP and our buddy Tommy have never quite gotten over the mess of a finish that was their Royal Rumble ’04 Last Man Standing Match.

Somewhere in there we begin to discuss where the comeback of HBK got good enough in the ring to where we both felt he was really back, and the HBK/Jericho Mania match comes up. I was down on it, remembering it as a stiffer HBK, a by-the-spots Jericho (which is another sub-conversation for another review), and the wrong man winning. Paul was less harsh, probably because he’s a dirty HBK apologist, but more likely because he remembered it being a decent match. Both of us had not seen the match since March of 2003 though, and we were off to watch Hogan vs Rock (strictly for the spectacle and Patterson lay out, we swear). Tonight I’m going to give this match a fair shake.

In full disclosure, I happened to watch the Judgment Day PPV (May ’08) match between these two earlier in the day. They match was pretty damn good. Not great, but good. It wasn’t my intention to compare the two, but it may happen in my head. Technically this one should be better with a younger rested Michaels and a Jericho “in his prime” (debatable, I know).

This is “come on bay-bay” Jericho, for those who know what I’m talking about. The match issue is Jericho wanting to be the next HBK when he started, but now (jealously) wanting HBK to recognize him as the great Y2J. The WWE video package sold me, and JR is doing his grand Mania history laden commentaries as this goes on. Crowd isn’t as hot as you’d hope.

This is Michael’s first time back at Mania in 5 years. Unfortunately, he comes down the ramp shooting confetti guns at various points, looking goofy as hell. Early going is decent stuff. HBK controlling with wrestling hold reversals. Simple stuff, but it looks smooth. Jericho does look at times over prepared to get to his spots, but he creates movement when Michaels can’t. We get a HBK high spot or two before Jericho’s control segment, which is executed well. Better than I remember so far as we head to the meat of the match.

They really walk through some stuff here, which is what I remembered hating. It’s 50/50 who is at fault, as it’s obvious Jericho wants to perfectly follow along and HBK isn’t as mobile as he was, or would become again. Jericho does the Walls of Jericho on the outside, but then breaks the count – what a dumb heel. Jericho focuses his offense on HBK’s back, which gets the desired heat. He’s gotten a lot better at not relying on his spots since this match. HBK’s selling lacks the passion and charisma it usually has, but it’s good enough. At times this is a good logical progression, and at times it has a house show feel.

I think my only real problem with the match is HBK not having his wind all the way, or showing the same spirit as he normally would. On Jericho’s part it’s more my lack of enthusiasm for his offense or how he progresses through a match. He takes me out of the moment by telegraphing the choreography. Otherwise this is a fine logical match with high lights and a story.

Great spot where Jericho nips up and does the Michaels pose, only to have HBK nip up and do all his signature stuff. He shoehorns in a moonsault, but they do do the fish out of water pin spot, as well as tease Jericho’s submission. Jericho comes back with all his signature stuff. HBK won’t stay down. Jericho seems to blow up as it loses steam, so they go back to the Walls of Jericho. Jericho still blown up as they move to more of his offense I don’t like (personal bias, I know, but it’s my review).

Jericho gets a great reaction for hitting HBK’s Sweet Chin Music. HBK is actually a lot more mobile in the second half of the match than in the first half. More than I remember, so I’ll eat my words on some of this. Jericho does try to return to working on the back, but Michaels reverses everything. They tease the top rope elbow. I love the teasing of most big moves in this match. That’s where WWE main eventers are huge pros with their match lay outs. HBK hits the elbow but missesthe kick. Jericho puts him in the Walls. Fans buy into it big. He reaches the ropes. Jericho gets frustrated and runs right into a desperate kick. Both down and this is where they are supposed to get the “both men are down” pop, but they don’t. Sometimes the audience was unfair to these guys, and this was one of those times. HBK wins in 22 minutes with a cool roll up reversal where Jericho looked in control. Eerily similar to their match in May ’08 I referenced, but that one was tighter and played to start out a feud.

Well, I’ll say this. Better than I remembered. It isn’t one of my favorite all time HBK matches, but it’s better than I remembered. Anywhere from 3 ½ to 4 stars. I still like Angle/Lesnar in the main better, but this was just as good as HBK/Flair Mania 24 from an in ring perspective. Not the same emotional content though or the overall product. I liked it more than HBK vs McMahon in 2006. It can’t touch HBK vs Angle or the three way at Mania 20. I’d put this at the same level as HBK vs Cena from Mania 23. If I had to chose I like the Cena match more, but I respect this match a lot more than I would have if I had not watched it again. Enjoyable viewing.