Five From The Vault #2

Welcome back to another trip in the WWE Vault. Today I’m looking at five more rare matches on the service. If you missed the first edition, you can find it here.

For those who have missed the buzz, WWE Vault is WWE’s new secondary YouTube channel. The idea is bringing matches and clips out of the vault, though about 90% of the content is available on Peacock and WWE’s international streaming services. I don’t fault them, because this readily available content has triple the views of the rarities. That said, they upload one or two rare matches a week. Some are matches that aired but never made Peacock, others are matches we actually haven’t had access to see.

They are also experimenting with streaming classic shows, having done a watch of an episode of WCW Saturday Night last week that Scott recapped here. As always, I’m here to encourage you to view it and interact with future editions. We complain constantly about classic content not being uploaded, but the views, numbers and social media interaction is just not there for the old stuff like it is the current stuff. Want more of it? Prove it. We can complain on the Internet all day – and god knows we do that here – but WWE makes most of their decisions with money, not internet complaints. If the views of streams like the Saturday Night stream are higher and they in turn make more YouTube ad money, they’ll keep it up. If not, why would they bother?

Also a note on my star ratings: they’re made up and they don’t matter. I’m one person. You’re a different person. Form your opinions and don’t worry too much about mine being different.

WCW Millennium Final: Sting vs Kevin Nash for the WCW European Cup (November 16, 2000 – link)

Millennium Final is a rarity in itself, as it was a pay-per-view only aired in Germany and not released officially to home video stateside. Video is certainly out there, but it hasn’t been legally made available to us. This particular match, however, has seen release before. It was part of a WWE Network collection, “Sting: The Icon Defined.” Of course, nothing on WWE Network is particularly helpful to us in 2024.

As with a lot of Vault uploads, we start with the ring bell ringing and skipping the intros. Immediately noticeable is the referee, a tall man in a ref shirt wearing a ballcap. Wikipedia tells me he is Axel Schulz, a former boxer. Sure! Why not. No commentary track on this one. Lockup and Nash hits the knee to the stomach. Into the corner and more knees from Nash. The in-ring audio is very loud, you can hear every grunt Nash makes. There’s probably an audience for that. I am not that audience.

Nash threatens to box the referee before continuing corner strikes including a boot. Sting fights back with lots of kicks to Nash’s knees, then a running fist to the knee. He drops several elbows and works on the knee. The ref counts to two despite Nash literally laying on one side of his body with his shoulder at the same height as the ref’s head. Nash fights out, dropping Sting and trying to walk off the knee pain. Sting is whipped to a corner and hit with a running clothesline. Nash with a bodyslam and a running elbow. Two count. The crowd is dead. There are louder crowds on WWE Main Event.

Nash hits the Snake Eyes, dropping Sting to the middle rope. Two count. A second two count following a side slam. Nash goes for a wrench which Sting fights out of with help from the cheering crowd. Sting battles back with a series of running clotheslines, a “woo!” to the crowd, and a Stinger Splash to Nash’s back and then his front. DDT, Scorpion Death Lock and Nash taps in about ten seconds. We immediately fade to black, but I assume Sting then celebrated profusely with the prestigious WCW European Cup, becoming the true pride of Europe.

This was exactly what I’d assume a 2000 house show match with Kevin Nash and Sting would be, which was… not great. At only six minutes it isn’t a tough watch, but it’s also bad for what was the main event of the show. **

Drew McIntyre & Dave Taylor vs Nasty Boys (November 20, 2007 – link)

Drew introduces this match to us, saying we’ve never seen it and probably shouldn’t. This was a pre-SmackDown dark match. Drew: “And we’d never see the Nasty Boys again. Enjoy.”

This is a very SD video with the tracking numbers and low quality of a match they had no plans of releasing. We do get intros here, with Drew and Taylor coming out to WIlliam Regal’s Evil Englishman theme. The crowd does not care.

The Nastys don’t even get their classic scratch music, instead getting the 1993 classic “Nasty Boys Stomp” from WrestleMania: The Album. Pretty good reaction from the crowd, probably surprised at this team from 1994 appearing in front of them. They clap hands with every single fan that will, taking far too long to get to the ring (which was said to be one of the company’s problems with the match). It’s interesting hearing the sound bites of Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon that were sampled into the song.

The bell finally rings and we start with Knobbs, Taylor and a “Nasty” chant. Knobbs corners Taylor and starts up another “Nasty” chant. Lockup to the corner and Knobbs pushes his way out. We do the same in the opposite corner before Knobbs reverses, unloads with punches and a hip toss before pulling Drew in the ring. The Nasties ram their opponents into each other and gloat in the ring.

Drew is tagged in and wants Sags, which he gets. Knee from Sags and chops in the corner. Whip to the other corner and running clothesline by Sags, which gets a one count. Knobbs is tagged in and they hit a double shoulder onto Drew, followed by an elbow by Knobbs. They double team Drew in the corner, Sags tagging back in. Knobbs calls for the armpit and yes, Drew gets a taste of Sags’ armpit. No wonder he’s so mad. The crowd chants “Nasty” again as Sags drops Drew for a two count.

Drew fights to the corner for a tag, Taylor hitting upper cuts and holding Knobbs to double team. Drew comes back in and accidentally hits Dave with a running strike. Knobbs with a bodyslam and a running clothesline. Tag to Sags and they miss their finisher by about four feet, drawing gasps from the crowd. They still go for the three and get it, the crowd realizing that 2007 Nasty Boys were exactly as good as 2007 Nasty Boys should have been.

A bit of an intriguing watch, but not a particularly good one. Like the dark match I reviewed a week ago, the nostalgia pop was great for the Nastys as it was for LOD. Unlike LOD, it did not carry over into a fun match once the bell rang. *

Bayley vs Meiko Satomura for the WWE Women’s Title (July 27, 2024 – link)

This is the most recent match thus far on WWE Vault, happening just a few months ago in Tokyo. Fans heavily requested to see this match on social media and, believe it or not, the company listened.

This is shot on a single camera. Meiko enters first to a respectful ovation from the crowd. Bayley comes out to her “role model” theme to a mixed reaction, clapping hands and taking pictures with fans. No commentary here either as this was a live event. Byron Saxton is on ring announcing duty. Meiko gets solid cheers for her in-ring intro, Bayley the mixed reaction but more cheers than boos.

Bayley is visibly excited for this match as the bell rings. The crowd chants for Meiko. One handed-lockup and Meiko takes Bayley down into an armlock. Bayley backs into the safety of the ropes. Lockup and Meiko backs Bayley into the ropes. Bayley with a single-leg takedown but ends up in an armlock. Meiko with an armdrag and Bayley reaches the ropes for another break. Another armlock for Meiko and Bayley again uses the ropes, but this time locking Meiko in them before drop kicking her from behind. Bayley with a running elbow, Meiko catches her on her running clothesline and takes her down with several kicks. Pin attempt and two.

The crowd respectfully claps as Meiko locks in a headlock. Meiko nails Bayley with a spinning kick to the head for a two count. Meiko is laying in the kicks to Bayey’s chest, taking her down repeatedly. Meiko tries for a suplex but Bayley counters into one of her own, then hits a running clothesline for two. Meiko tries for a back suplex but Bayley counters, tossing her to the floor. Bayley tries for a running slide but is caught, pulled to the outside mat by Meiko. Bayley hits a running slide between the ropes and rolls Meiko back in, then trapping her between the ropes and hitting a neckbreaker. Two count for Bayley.

Meiko hits consecutive knees, but is caught in the ropes again by Bayley. She fights out of a running attack, then hits a BIG back suplex on Bayley for a two count. Meiko goes for a knee to the back for submission, but Bayley fights out of it and reverses it. Clothesline by Bayley and a second. Bayley flips Meiko into the corner buckles and mounts the top rope, Meiko kicking her leg out from under her and hitting a GTS-ish suplex for a two. Bayley dodges a kick and hits a back bodydrop. She tries the Rose Plant but Meiko counters, knocking her down.

“It’s Tiffy Time!” Tiffany Stratton and her music appear with her Money int the Bank briefcase. She hands it to the referee but Meiko kicks it out of her hands, dropping her with a kick. Bayley dives on Tiff from the inside and Meiko grabs the briefcase, throwing it at Tiffany who is halfway down the ramp. Bayley’s back in and Meiko misses a running blow, falling to the outside. Bayley comes at her and misses her own, Meiko taking her down. Meiko calls for her running leg kick/drop and gets it, but only gets a two count. The crowd chants, “This is awesome!”

Meiko lifts Bayley, who is mostly out on her feet, into a kneeling position. She goes for a kick but Bayley catches, hitting a Bayley-to-Belly for a close two count. Rose Plant and there’s your three count. Bayley retains. Bayley helps Meiko up and raises her hand, the two embracing to cheers in the ring. Bayley leaves and lets Meiko soak in the cheers and chants of the crowd.

You know what? I loved this. Started slow but when it got going, it WENT. I shouldn’t be shocked because of the two involved. Highly recommend it. *****

FCW TV: Bo & Duke Rotundo vs The Usos (January 31, 2010 – link)

We’re in the land of FCW TV, with Duke Rotundo and Bo Rotundo coming out to a decent reaction. Bo would evolve into Bo Dallas and eventually Uncle Howdy, while Duke Rotundo would ultimately become Bray Wyatt. Jules and Jimmy Uso are their opponents. Imagine they hadn’t changed his name from Jules to Jey. We’d be YEETING for Main Event Jules Uso.

Bo goes for a quick rollup and several other quick pin attempts, all of which fail. The commentary team, Byron Saxton and Stu Bennett, discuss not knowing which Uso is which. Jules is the one in the ring, taking a clothesline and a spill to the ringside area. Jimmy is tagged in and takes Bo to the corner. Another tag and the Usos are in full control. Jules drives a thumb into Bo’s neck, followed by a fallaway slam for a two.

Double team and the Usos go for another cover for a two. Jimmy cuts off a tag attempt by Bo, taking him down with a clothesline. Tag to Jules who hits an elbow from the corner. Two count. Commentary talks about the Usos’ being a new team and their Samoan heritage. A bloodline, perhaps! We’ll probably never go deep into that. Jimmy with a headlock, but Bo tries to punch out. Jimmy runs into a powerslam as Bo tags big Duke. Duke with several shoulder blocks and then a corner splash. Duke with a headbutt to the crotch (the goolies, says Stu) for a two. Bo pulls Jules to the outside, where Jules throws him into the ringpost. The Usos combine in the ring for a double Samoan spike, and that’s all it takes for a three count. The Usos have arrived.

EVOLVE 17: El Generico vs Samuray Del Sol (September 8, 2012 – link)

To some, this isn’t as much of a rarity as the others. It was on EVOLVE 17, after all. It’s not available on streaming however and I’ve never seen it, so it’s rare enough for me.

The legend of El Generico runs deep, with many saying he died saving children from an orphanage, others saying he has retired and working at an orphanage. No matter the story, it’s safe to assume he is involved with an orphanage and doing charitable work. Samuray Del Sol may be better known to WWE fans as Kalisto, though he formerly and currently works under the Del Sol name.

Sami Zayn, completely unrelated to anything in this video, introduces the video. He says he has studied El Generico in his career and he admires him.

We start with “Ole, Ole” chants and ring announcements. Samuray is introduced as 2-3, getting a good reception and a “Lucha, Lucha” chant. Generico is also 2-3 and gets a hero’s welcome. The bell rings and we’re underway. Generico is much taller, a true giant in wrestling. Handshake. Lockup and Generico takes a wristlock. Samuray flips out, reversing it. Generico takes him down with a headlock, he flips out, locks in his own and Generico gets out. Generico nods in approval as we get another “lucha” chant.

Generico goes for a back lock, which Samuray turns into a headlock. Generico worms into a back headlock, which turns into a wristlock. Samuray flips out as they trade wrist locks, Generico then flipping out. Lots of flipping! Generico is impressed at Samuray’s aerial attack.

Another headlock from Generico, this time with Samurai punching out, sending Genericho into the ropes but falling to a shoulder block. Generico flips off the ropes, we trade armdrags and this time Generico gets the lead. My respect for people who are able to write about matches like this has risen. Generico runs Del Sol into the turnbuckle, laying in a loud chop. Genericho with a backbreaker and a two count. The fans are into it all as is commentary.

Del Sol and Generico flip over each other, including a hand walk, leading into Del Sol’s headscissors for a two count. I don’t even know how to explain this stuff. Samuray with a splash from the outside for a two. Samuray lifts Generico in a surfboard-like position on his back, which Generico rolls into a two count. Generico with a clothesline. Generico with another hard chop. Irish whip and Del Sol counters into a head scissor and a two. Samuray with mid-section kicks and a walk up the ropes and an armdrag to send Generico to the floor. Samuray springboards up and onto Generico on the outside with a corkscrew plancha. The ref counts and Samuray throws Generico back in. Generico catches a running Samuray, hitting him with an Exploder in the corner. Generico runs for the Yakuza Kick (very similar to Sami’s Helluva Kick, oddly enough) but Samuray blocks. Samuray with an elevated hurricanrana for a two count. He attempts a cutter but Generico blocks, pulling him in for a suplex which Samuray does turn into a Salida del Soul.

Generico fights back, just missing a three with a blue thunder bomb. Generico again goes for the Yakuza kick, again running into an elbow. Generico is able to hit a Michinoku Driver but can only get a two. Breaking news on commentary: an EVOLVE title is coming! Samuray misses a springboard but hits a Code Red for a two. The fans are eating this all up. Samuray hits a Rising Sun and gets a 2.75. Del Sol goes up top and Generico is up, going for a top rope brainbuster. Del Sol blocks and tries for a Rising Sun, only for Generico to drop him, hit a Yakuza Kick and then a nasty, nasty looking top rope brainbuster. That hurt my head. It’s all academic for the three count as El Generico’s legend rises.

A LOT happened in the fifteen or so minutes of this match. You’re going to have those people that complain about this match being too flippy, but I’m not one of those. I’m not largely into flippy matches, but I did enjoy this. It’s worth a watch, especially if you’ve heard of this legendary Generico gentleman. ****

This was a fairly enjoyable batch of matches, I think. Some good stuff and also a Nasty Boys match. I’ll see you again next time with five more unvaulted matches!