WWE Vault Appreciation Thread

[Dai]

Fall Brawl 98 uploaded today. An absolute stinker of a PPV. Plenty on here which seems like a WCW Worldwide episode rather than a PPV;

 

- Bulldog and Anvil opening a PPV in 1998 (how could anyone think that was a good idea)

- The Goldberg/Jericho fiasco, done on a PPV no less.

- Ernest Miller vs Norman Smiley (again, on a PPV!?)

- Silver King vs Juvi

- Konnan vs a washed up Hall in the semi main

 

Then the main event, which hasnt got any better with time. I remember the Powerslam write up of this well, and I can remember it breaking down how much each wrestler was earning at the time, and what the end result of this match was. In terms of how much the wrestlers were earning (per year) combined in this one, I think its fair to say it was the most expensive match ever (excluding Rumbles) up until that point, and possibly still is, which when you think of inflation, just shows how mental the contracts were at the time. 

 

 

 

Edited September 28, 2025 by Dai

[davertfnewman]

I also recall that the best Fin Martin could say is that some unspectacular Juvi/Silver King non-feud match wasn't bad. Everything else was terrible.

[davertfnewman]

I also recall that the best Fin Martin could say is that some unspectacular Juvi/Silver King non-feud match wasn't bad. Everything else was terrible.

Edited September 28, 2025 by davertfnewman
Double post - please delete

[TibBo]

I recall you saying that

[AshC]

Wasn't there a good Saturn vs Raven or Kanyon or something on this? That main event might be the best example ever of the booking/stips sinking the talent. On paper, it sounds like an all-timer attraction.

[davertfnewman]

47 minutes ago, TibBo said:

I recall you saying that

Me too, me too.

Quote

Wasn't there a good Saturn vs Raven or Kanyon or something on this? That main event might be the best example ever of the booking/stips sinking the talent. On paper, it sounds like an all-timer attraction.

Yeah, that was considered a good one, with Kidman being the guy to turn the tide for Saturn against Raven, freeing the flock. The next night he won the cruiserweight championship to affirm his push.

Edited September 28, 2025 by davertfnewman

[Chili]

Yeah the payoff to the Raven/Saturn match is class. Great fun. Everything else is absolutely dogshit or not good enough to be on a PPV.

Not that WWE could escape themselves for this. That same month they put on Breakdown, which has that great three way cage match and a handy Owen/Edge match. But also a show featuring shite like Vader/Bradshaw being extremely disappointing and Marc Mero/Droz. A weird show of mostly filler. 

[Dai]

14 hours ago, AshC said:

That main event might be the best example ever of the booking/stips sinking the talent. On paper, it sounds like an all-timer attraction.

Hmm really? Im not so sure of that. Depends on what your definition is of 'attraction', I guess.  When you look at the list of people in the match, its hardly a case of the booking holding down mega in-ring talents from doing their thing, is it:

 

Steve Ray, Hogan, 98-Bret,  Warrior, Piper, DDP, Nash, Luger and Red face Sting. A collective bunch of shite in 1998.

[air_raid]

Fall Brawl 98 is the only PPV released by Clear Vision that I didn’t order.

[wandshogun09]

3 hours ago, Dai said:

Steve Ray…

…shite 

[TheBurningRed]

Full match listing

Tyler Black vs Jay Briscoe

CM Punk vs Ace Steel

Jeff Cobb vs Jaka

Walter vs Nick Gage

DJ Z vs Mustafa Ali

Adam Pearce vs Sean Waltman

Tommy End vs TJ Perkins 

Did not think I’d see Nick Gage on wwe YouTube channel. 

[AshC]

Not for me, Clive.

More Bushwhackers, please.

[tiger_rick]

There was a time I'd have paid about £15 for an unwatchable copy of that off a tape trader. Gotta give these kids a pass. They'll all join the UKFF to slate Seth Rollins eventually.

[tiger_rick]

 

Enjoyed this. Some gems I hadn't seen. Like the Road Warrior's Village People phase. I was aghast that the New Rockers were included as an iconic tag team until I realised their opponents were a young Hardy Boyz.

Spoiler

00:00 Paul London & Brian Kendrick vs. Sean O’Haire & Albert

9/16/03 09:56 The Road Warriors vs. Joe Young & Randy Barber

6/11/83 14:24 Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods vs. Stardust & Goldust

10/4/14 32:16 Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith vs. Cuban Assassin & Ciclon Negro

7/11/83 38:15 Hardy Boyz vs. The New Rockers

6/1/96 43:02 Ebony Experience (aka Harlem Heat) vs. Brute Force

4/12/92 49:59 Smoking Gunns vs. Barry Horowitz & Reno Riggins

4/5/93 01:00:28 Steiner Bros. vs. The Raider & Snake Brown

6/10/89 01:04:03 MNM vs. Matt Cappotelli & Maven

4/17/04 01:10:01 Humberto Carrillo & Angel Garza (aka Los Garza) vs. Lucha House Party

9/16/21 01:17:56 Nasty Boys vs. Curt Hennig & Greg Gagne

4/19/87 01:31:40 The Wild Samoans (aka Headshrinkers) vs. Miguel Ramos & Sabu

10/14/87 01:37:48 The Hart Foundation vs. SD Jones & Mario Mancini

4/20/85 01:42:09 JTG & Shad Gaspard vs. Kasey James & Roadkill, 5/24/06

 

[SaitoRyo]

It's a great bunch of randomness but peaks early with London & Kendrick Vs. A-Train & Sean O'Haire in a dark match. London & Kendrick are so good and it's a really fun big men versus little dudes contest. 

Also makes me think that around that time WWE should have put O'Haire in Paul Heyman's monster squad stable with Brock, Train and Nathan Jones (just leave Matt Morgan in OVW thanks).