From The Vault Review – WALTER, Tito Santana, Heath Slater and Others!

Welcome back to another trip inside the WWE Vault! As of this writing, the Vault is up to 164 matches that are not *legally* released to streaming on any other services by WWE. I’ve got five more of them here in this review.

This week, we have WALTER, Tito Santana, R-Truth, Heath Slater and more!

Do you like these reviews but wish you had more? Well, I’ve branched out and started my own Substack – named Katstack, because I am lame and think it’s clever – and you can find it here. All the cool kids have Substacks now! I’m archiving all of the Vault reviews from here over there, but I’m also reviewing several of the non-rarity matches on Vault and beyond a week over there with extended looks behind them. I’m giving the matches a little more love than I give them here as I try to focus a bit on the stories and, at times, the emotions. This week, I tackled everything from Sasha/Bayley in Brooklyn (my favorite match ever) to McAfee/Cole at TakeOver XXX (not so much my favorite match). I’d love for you to check it out and subscribe if you’re really in the mood. Don’t worry though, the Vault rarity reviews will still be kicking around here first.

But enough about me! Let’s review five matches that are only on WWE Vault.

EVOLVE 99 – Zack Sabre Jr. vs WALTER (January 14, 2018)

We’re in a NO YEET Zone here. Walter we all know as Gunther now, one of the most controversial WWE name changes that years later we aren’t bothered with. ZSJ has been doing indie stuff everywhere with sporadic appearances in the bigger leagues, including AEW crossover shows and WWE’s Cruiserweight Classic.

This one starts out with big Gunther telling us to pay attention as this is an example of what wrestling should look like. Gunther would never lie to us.

This is beefier Walter, before he slimmed down to his current form. We start with a lockup (and a commentary mention of Darby Allin) as Walter backs Sabre into the corner. Walter takes Sabre down with a headlock, twisting it into an ankle grab as well. Walter slings Sabre across the ring via a headlock. Walter whips Sabre down again, continuing to manhandle him. Another wristlock and Walter takes Sabre down again. Sabre just can’t get an edge on the bigger opponent.

Sabre tries for kicks to Walter’s legs but can’t get close enough for an advantage. The men lock hands and battle, Sabre finally chopping Walter down into a bridge before kneeing him from above for a one count. Back up, Walter works Sabre down into a bridge and drops his entire body down for a two count. Walter lays in a chop and Sabre’s soul leaves his body. Sabre counters with several uppercuts, but one Walter chop is all it takes to even it. Sabre slaps Walter, who slaps back, Sabre stumbling to his knees. I would not slap Walter for any amount of money. Walter picks Sabre up and slams him, running at him with a stomp. Sabre is able to hook a leglock on Walter and begins doing his small joint manipulation stuff, but Walter gets up and again slaps the hell out of Sabre. The fans chant “Walter” as Sabre tries the kicks again to little effect.

Walter takes leave outside, followed by Sabre who walks right into a chop. Walter drops him on the hardest part of the ring, the apron, and then chops him again. After breaking the count, Walter lays in an uppercut of his own but is booted by Sabre around the ring. Another chop breaks that up, just as Walter does with more chops. They trade blows outside but it takes another boot for Walter to be the one standing.

Walter picks Sabre up and throws him over the middle rope and back in the ring as the fans laugh. Sabre and Walter trade uppercuts and slaps again, Sabre breaking out for a jumping uppercut. It doesn’t work, but Sabre does drop Walter with a jumping DDT from the corner. First up, Walter hits one Penalty Kick, but Walter catches the second, slaps Sabre and tries to suplex him. Sabre hooks on an Octopus-version of the abdominal stretch, but Walter hip tosses his way out. Sabre runs into the shotgun dropkick, both men down as a result.

Back up, Sabre slaps Walter again and Walter is not a fan, grabbing Sabre in a clutch. Walter hits a German suplex followed by a butterfly suplex for a two count. Sabre counters a powerbomb and hooks on a submission, which Walter reverses into a Tombstone, which Sabre finds his way out of. Walter misses a dropkick and Sabre lands a Penalty Kick, both men down as the fans chant “this is awesome.”

Sabre kicks Walter’s arm several times and slaps Walter, who naturally chops Sabre down yet again. They trade submissions quickly before Sabre runs hard into a clothesline. Walter goes for the powerbomb but Sabre counters into a guillotine choke. Walter suplexes his way out of this as well as Zack can’t seem to find a way. A few fans chant “Fight Forever,” an ode to a future wrestling video game where you can eat sushi with Nyla Rose (my favorite part of the game because it’s weird, compared to the rest of the game that was not good). The men trade slaps, but then Walter chop slams Sabre to the mat. After trading several more slaps, Sabre rolls Gunther into a headlock into a clutch. One hand free, Walter chops his way out of it and powerbombs Sabre, before hitting a second for only a one count. Yeah, okay. Walter powerbombs Sabre again, this time for a three count. Walter has pinned the EVOLVE Champion in a non-title brawl.

I dug this a lot. Walter kicking someone’s ass and slapping them 500 times is always a treat. Thumbs up!

WWE House Show – WWE Cruiserweight Title: Juventud vs Nunzio (November 15, 2005)

The late era of the Cruiserweight Title doesn’t stick in my head, so Cruiserweight Champion Juventud feels like a mystery to me. Sure, I remember Juvi, but him trading it back and forth with Nunzio – including a match on Velocity, which might be Velocity’s only title change! – is something from a time I missed.

The good news is that present day Nunzio is here to start our video, introducing the video from Rome, Italy. There’s no commentary as this was a house show. The fans are very into Nunzio of course, cheering him and booing Juvi. The ring seems very small, for those who are into ring size. The fans are very loud for Nunzio.

They lock up in the corner, Juvi laying in a slap. Nunzio pushes him to the mat to cheers and Juvi runs out of the ring. We clip a bit ahead to the fans chanting at Juventud, who is in the ring entrance. He taunts getting back in the ring with Nunzio but continues avoiding it as Nunzio finally comes out to retrieve him. Back in, Juventud tosses Nunzio off the top rope and struts around the ring. Juvi lands a running dropkick, choking Nunzio across the bottom rope to a chorus of boos. Nunzio rolls Juvi into a two count, who then rolls Nunzio around with a clothesline and a two count of his own.

Juvi hits a headlock, the fans chanting for Nunzio. Nunzio elbows his way out but runs into an elbow for a one count. Nunzio lands several blows to Juvi’s midsection but is knocked back down, again choked on the ropes. Juvi dropkicks Nunzio as the single camera operator dodges the ring steps to film from a different area. In the corner, Juvy misses a big splash and Nunzio rolls into a two count. They trade blows, Nunzio landing a series of running clotheslines and backdropping Juvi. Nunzio catches a headlock on Juvi, then a Rough Ryder but can only cover fast enough for a two. Juvi flips out of a backdrop and lands the Juvi Driver, calling for a second. He sets it up, lifts Nunzio and Nunzio flips over, rolling him up for a three and the Cruiserweight Title.

This was a nice little oddity. It’s not a match that will blow you away, but it’s fun to watch. Thumbs in the middle.

WWE Saturday Morning Slam: John Cena vs Heath Slater (December 8, 2012)

Ah, Saturday Morning Slam. Before it became home to the hot ratings of NXT, The CW had a different venture with WWE. Saturday mornings, as part of its Vortexx Saturday morning block, it would air WWE Saturday Morning Slam. SMS would feature original matches – often with a goofier side – as well as segments geared towards kids. Even John Cena was not too good for Saturday Morning Slam, appearing in this one match.

We start with Heath Slater and his 3MB cohorts Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre walking him out to boos. Booker T joins Josh Mathews on commentary, so there are extra NXT on CW vibes for us. Big Match John, naturally, gets all the cheers. I’m not sure the crowd were expecting John, because it’s a full roaring crowd for him.

As the bell rings, the men lockup and Slater gets the first takedown, celebrating with some air guitar. Cena rolls Slater around with several arm drags before flipping him off the turnbuckle and into another armdrag. Cena plays his own air guitar. Cena takes on a headlock, which Heath flips into his own. Slater dodges out to huddle with 3MB, Slater tells his partners he is getting his “hind end” kicked and suggests a triple team. All three members of 3MB come in the ring, Cena chasing Jinder out but Slater getting a slam. The trio play air guitar over the body of Cena, the referee throwing Drew and Jinder out of the match. Booker calls himself Dick Butkis. Slater slings Cena to the ringside area as we go to commercial break.

Welcome back to Slater splashing Cena in the ring for a two count. Slater locks up Cena from behind, commentary saying what a signature victory this would be for Heath. Cena slowly powers out of the leglock, rolling with the slam before offering up the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Attitude Adjustment and a three count for our hero, John Cena.

This was fun, honestly. Thumbs up!

WWF on Telecinco: The Undertaker vs Tito Santana (October 5, 1991)

Just under two months before Undertaker would win and quickly lose his first WWF Championship, he’d face Tito Santana on Telecinco. This would main event the show that would also feature Texas Tornado vs Ric Flair, Roddy Piper vs the Barbarian and Legion of Doom defending the World Tag Team Titles against the Nasty Boys.

Tito joins us to introduce the match, probably filmed at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Tito tells us he beats the Undertaker, telling us the arena was packed and they made a big deal of his appearance, giving him the key to Barcelona.

Our commentary is in Spanish as Undertaker attacks when the bell rings, but Tito fights back. Tito rams Taker’s head into the turnbuckle, but Undertaker does not feel it. Tito kicks Taker in the corner, laying in punches as Taker wobbles. A wrist lock brings Taker to one knee as we have a minute-plus wristlock before Taker pushes to the ropes. We’re back to the wristlock, Tito really twisting it in as Taker kind of emotes while motioning towards Paul Bearer ringside and the urn. The fans are chanting “Tito” loudly as Taker finally thrusts his way out but then runs into Tito’s leg. Tito rocks Taker with two running clotheslines, then a third which takes Taker out of the ring. Taker lands right at Paul’s feet, staring into the urn.

Santana meets Taker outside and rams Taker’s head into the steps, which Taker zombies back from. As the fans chant “Tito,” Tito grabs Taker by the hair but Taker pulls him across the ropes to choke him. Taker slowly marches back into the ring, thrusting his fist into Tito’s throat. Slowing things down, Taker chokes Tito across the ropes as the fans have not quieted down. He gets a solid twenty seconds of rope choking without the referee stopping him.

The fans increase their “Tito” chant as Taker grabs Tito’s arm and goes up top, hitting the Old School back when it was new school. Bearer cackles at ringside as Taker walks over, stomping Santana down to the mat. Tito tries to punch his way back up, trying to bodyslam Taker but not having the strength to do it. Taker bites (!) Tito as he works on Tito’s prone head. I’ve never heard a crowd so loud for Tito Santana in my life!

Tito tries to fight out again, Taker pulls Santana up into a standing choke before throwing him to the mat, Paul Bearer yelling for Tito to “rest in peace.” Taker slams Tito and drops a running elbow. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Zombie Taker move so fast at times, but I’ve also blocked out a lot of Zombie Taker matches for reasons. Taker goes up for a second Old School, but Santana yanks him down and across the ring. After several running punches, Santana hits the flying forearm repeatedly, Taker pulling the referee in front of a third attempt. As Tito checks on the referee, Taker runs in and stomps Tito. Taker drops Santana with a running side slam as Paul Bearer throws Undertaker a bodybag, Santana and the referee both still down. Taker rolls Santana onto the bag and zips him up in it, but Santana punches out as he tries to finish zipping his head into it. Santana fights back to his feet, piledriving Taker who stands back up. Santana hits a second piledriver and Taker sits up again. We get a third piledriver and Taker tries and fails to sit up. Bearer gets on the apron and Santana pushes him off, grabbing the urn and nailing Taker with it. Santana falls onto Undertaker and one, two, three.

Holy shit. What a match. I loved everything about it – the crowd, Tito, Zombie Undertaker doing things I didn’t expect out of him. Watch this one if you haven’t before, you’ll leave happy. Thumbs way up!

WWE Raw: 7-Man Raw Rumble Match (January 31, 2011)

And last but not least, we dive into the trusty archives of Monday Night Raw, 80% of which are not streaming now because they’re a low priority compared to the new stuff. That’ll teach us to complain about Peacock!

We have ourselves a 7-Man Rumble here, the night after the real Rumble because why not? This one determines The Miz’s #1 contender at Elimination Chamber.

John Morrison is our first entrant, slow-mo camera effects and all as Michael Cole shows us Morrison doing parkour the night before. Number two is King Sheamus with the superior “Too Many Limes” entrance music. I also blocked King Sheamus out of my memory.

Back from a commercial, the bell rings and the two lock up. Sheamus starts us with a headlock, which is always a strong start. Josh Mathews tells us that we have 90-second intervals. Sheamus runs into a series of arm drags, Sheamus punching out with a wristlock. Sheamus sets Morrison up for an elimination attempt, but we get nowhere with that because the match just started.

Entrant three is John Cena, fresh off a 34-minute, 7 elimination Rumble run. He goes straight for Sheamus, taking him down with a suplex. He sets Morrison up for the Attitude Adjustment, but Morrison lands on his feet and kicks Cena. Morrison alternates stomping both men before attempting to eliminate Sheamus in the corner. Cena stops Morrison because he’s stupid, saving Sheamus as we count down again.

Four is CM Punk, who lasted the longest in the previous night’s Rumble (35 minutes). Punk goes for all three men, but focuses on Cena. He slingshots Cena in, drop kicking him before trying to eliminate Morrison. Sheamus attempts to toss Cena but Cena hooks on the ropes. With the two sets of men in the ring, the crowd counts down again.

Our fifth entrant is R-Truth, entering at the right time and in the right Rumble. He attacks his childhood hero John Cena, splitting and knocking him down with a spin kick. Truth throws Morrison over but Morrison catches on, pulling Truth over as well. Both hang on and both pull themselves back over, though Truth struggles. Lots of kicking and punching and stomping now. Cena tries to AA Punk, who counters it into a DDT.

Entrant six is Jerry Lawler, and we’re in the time period where Michael Cole is talking trash. I’m sure it’ll pay off with a satisfying result! The crowd chants for Jerry as he punches everyone before trying to eliminate Punk. Sheamus attacks Lawler from behind, saving Punk. We have several elimination attempts going on.

Last but least, entrant seven: Randy Orton. Punk ducks out of the ring and hides under the ring, but Orton goes looking for him under each side. He finds him, pulling him out and punching him at ringside. Orton chases Punk in the ring , clotheslining Punk out. Truth scoops Orton from behind and eliminates him and we are down to five men as we go to commercial.

Back from commercials and they’re all still there, which must have been exciting for the live crowd. Cena hits the usual array of moves on Sheamus and goes for the Five Knuckle Shuffle.He sets up for the AA, but Truth stops him. Cena, in turn, picks up Morrison and Truth on his back and AA’s them over the top, Truth falling to the floor and Morrison hanging on to the rope. Morrison gets Cena on the apron and they battle, at least until Sheamus runs up and misses a clothesline. This puts all three men on the apron, with Lawler down in the ring.

Sheamus finds his way back in, kneeing Cena into the ring. Morrison tries to superplex Sheamus out of the ring but fails. Morrison almost eliminates Sheamus, who catapults over the rope into Morrison. Cena grabs Sheamus for the STF as Sheamus taps, though that means nothing here. Morrison sees them and hits Starship Pain onto both of them. Lawler, finally back up, throws Morrison over but Morrison catches himself with his hands and rolls back in. Morrison tries for a high-risk maneaver but Sheamus throws him onto the apron, Brogue Kicking him out of the ring and the match.

Down to three. Cena hits the AA on Sheamus, Lawler dropkicks Cena into the ropes. Lawler tries to eliminate Cena, dumping him onto the apron. Sheamus runs up to attack, battling with Cena on the apron. Sheamus throws Lawler into Cena, knocking Cena out of the match. We’re down to two. Sheamus tries for a Brogue Kick but Cena pulls the top rope down, causing Sheamus to tumble over. Your winner and #1 contender, Jerry Lawler. Cena comes back in to raise the King’s hand as Lawler argues with Cole at the announce table. Miz and Alex Riley watch on from backstage.

It was fine. We didn’t really need it, but it was unoffensive. A minor thumbs down.

That’s our five for this time. I’ll be back in another undetermined amount of time to review five more vaulted matches!