Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 145: Jeff Jarrett vs. Booker T (49er Match) (Nitro 10/2/00)

Alright, so the rules are they’ve got four boxes ON POLES (TM Russo) and three have weapons. The fourth has the World Title. Find the gold, you win. So wouldn’t you find the gold in the first or second box, calculating the chances? Ugh, I’m going into this hesitantly. I wish very much someone had shown Russo the build to the greatest stip match of all time, Dibiase vs Duggan from Mid South in 1985, for some perspective on gimmick matches.

Booker T channels Bret Hart by trying to give his shirt to a ringside fan, so Jarrett jumps him. First box contains a blow up doll. Hooray. I remember Booker’s offense and control time being a lot more compelling than this, but it could be Jarrett or the stips. He pulls down the second box: a framed picture of Scott Hall. I’m lost.

Jarrett has the right idea, using the box as a weapon. His brawling is a lot more interesting than what Booker had been doing. WCW steals the announce table bumps, having Booker pile drive Jarrett through one. The third box has a coal miner’s glove, and I doubt anyone (maybe Russo) knows the historical wrestling significance of this. They just use it because it’s wrestling. Jarrett cuts him off. He seems to be the only one with a sense of teasing and character in there. Jarrett steals the glove, but doesn’t go for the wide open final box. Boo this match. The glove shots aren’t compelling or over at all. Jarrett uses the boxes as weapons. No urgency in this match at all, but no great selling to compensate either. At least Jarrett’s punches are pretty good. Jarrett with a sleep to little reaction, then the crowd pipes up with a chant for Booker. They are dropping the hand of Booker when Mark Madden rightfully points out that the only way to win is get the box. Silly asses. Jarrett, in the story they are telling, is actually out wrestling and out smarting Booker.

Booker ends up coming back. He hits his signature stuff. The tease the climb for the final box well enough. This is WCW, so Jarrett’s guitar gets stuck under the ring and they have to stall while he retrieves it. Beetle Juice from the Stern show attacks Jarrett, while Booker drops the belt out of the box and has to have it handed to him by the ring announcer to win. What a dull, dramaless, second gear match where Isadly think these guys tried, but the gimmick was aweful and the progression of the match wasn’t main event worthy. 2 ¼ and 4/10.