MID-Tier Match Reviews: A Collection of VADER Matches

Vader is an absolute legend in modern pro wrestling but you wouldn’t know that if you focused solely on his WWF exploits. That two-year stint of his is a prime example of micromanagement ruining something known all because the head honcho didn’t want to acknowledge the possibility of someone making a name for themselves outside his walls. Of course, anyone who knew who he was had good reason to worry about his opponents: Vader was notoriously stiff and took his profession seriously. Despite leaving others black and blue, Vader might be the closest thing to a real world champion in pro wrestling, having won recognized world championships on three separate continents. He has also adapted to a wide range of styles, from the traditional Southern Style of WCW, to WWF’s world of cartoons, to Strong Style, to King’s Road, and more. But even legends have both ups and downs, as we’ll see with these five Vader matches.

Vader vs. Will Ospreay – RevPro Uprising 3016

The Story: Oh man, this was a doozy. Shortly after Ospreay had THAT match with Ricochet, Vader took to social media to criticize the match. He was far from the only critic but as a famous pro wrestler his opinion certainly carried more weight. Vader’s online critiques led to a lengthy and somewhat heated Twitter feud, which culminated in RPW booking a match between them. There was a problem, however: Vader was semi-retired and WAYYY past anything resembling a physical prime while Ospreay was still a junior heavyweight firmly entrenched in midcard situations and pigeonholed into spotfest contests. How would such heavily contrasting figures create anything resembling a good match?

The Match: Ospreay turns his back to Vader out of disrespect so the monster rushes him, manhandles him, and throws the referee down when confronted. Vader dumps Ospreay ringside but because I’m watching this from a fan’s uploaded video I can’t see Ospreay’s next move but I can safely assume he hits some springboard flippy move to counter Vader throwing him back into the ring. Vader overpowers Ospreay seconds later and they brawl up the ramp. They tease a count-out but Ospreay makes it back into the ring. Vader hits a corner body block followed by some slow punches. Ospreay escapes a Chokeslam and hits his handspring enzuigiri counter – which downs Vader. A springboard forearm gets Ospreay a two-count. Vader blocks an Os-Cutter and hits a clothesline for two. Vader gets in the ref’s face and Ospreay hits a dropkick from behind, causing a ref bump. Ospreay ascends the top rope as a “flippy shit” chant emerges among the fans. Suddenly entrance music plays and out comes Pete Dunne to attack Ospreay from behind. Then out comes Ricochet to save Ospreay. He takes out Dunne and, with Ospreay’s help, blocks a double Chokeslam, and hit stereo roundhouse kicks. Both Ricochet and Ospreay hit Shooting Star Presses on Vader but Vader kicks out. Dunne takes out Ricochet ringside but Ospreay takes him out with a dive. Vader capitalizes with a one-armed Chokeslam for a one-count. But Vader shuts down that comeback before it can begin with a second Chokeslam for a decisive three-count.

Winner after 6:44: Vader

You can watch the full match here.

Review: That was as good of a match as one would expect out of a sixty-year-old Vader and a ~180-pound Will Ospreay. Obviously Vader was in no condition to take bumps so they had to mask his obvious physical limitations and the contrasting styles with typical smoke-and-mirrors. This they managed well enough by capitalizing on Dunne’s respect for Vader and all the hoopla around that Ospreay/Ricochet match which led to obvious run-ins. Those moments turned what would’ve otherwise been an unmitigated disaster into a passable and mildly entertaining segment. Credit where it’s due, Ospreay did an excellent job bumping for a man who could barely move and credit to both men for taking something real and making something mildly successful out of it.

Final Rating: **

Bull Power vs. Otto Wanz – CWA, June 30, 1990

The Story: Before making it big in Japan and WCW, Vader got his first big break in Germany’s Catch Wrestling Association (CWA), where he wrestled as “Bull Power” (though I’ll still refer to him as “Vader” in this review). CWA was a major European wrestling outfit for decades, with Otto Wanz being its biggest star. Like their British counterparts, the German promotions followed a three-minute round system with breaks between them, wrestlers would lose if they couldn’t get up before a ten-count, and attacks in corners were discouraged. Vader also had some notable history with Wanz, having dethroned Wanz for the CWA World title twice before, with Wanz’s second reign lasting 3,172 days. This is also Wanz’s retirement match, so it’s fitting that he take on such a dangerous foreign menace in his last-ever bout.

The Match: Round One begins with Vader rushing Wanz and hitting body blows. Wanz hits back and Vader gets a breather ringside. Vader lands a clothesline and a big slam followed by a running splash for two. He works a chinlock and lands head-butts and then powers Wanz into a corner to end the round. The second one begins with Vader landing head and body blows. He works a shoulderlock and hits stiff forearms that appear to bust Wanz’s lip. Vader charges into a corner but runs into a clothesline. Another sends Vader to the floor and the round ends shortly thereafter. Round Three begins with a lock-up and another stiff shot from Vader. More clubbing blows. Vader is constantly warned by the referee to not attack while in a corner, which kinda limits what he can do given his style. Both guys land yet more stiff strikes to end the round and then when the next one starts Wanz lands a counter vertical suplex and a corner splash. Wanz follows with a clothesline and a rolling senton, despite being almost as fat as Vader. Vader gets up before the referee’s count of ten so Wanz lands another clothesline, a single leg trip, and starts working a leg until Vader gets a ropebreak. Round Five begins with Vader punching Wanz’s head. Vader lands a corner splash but appears to tweak his leg in the process. Wanz lands more clotheslines. Vader staggers about and hugs the ropes as his injury appears to be legit. Wanz attacks the leg but Vader resists until the round ends. Round Six begins with Wanz punching the head and kicking the leg. Wanz lands another suplex and they get into a slugfest. Wanz drops a knee onto the weakened leg. Vader’s second throws in the towel to end the match as Vader no longer appears able to stand.

Winner after ~18 minutes total wrestling time/~21 minutes including replays: Otto Wanz

You can watch the full match here.

Review: Despite taking place in front of a hot crowd, this match wasn’t as entertaining as expected due to fairly underwhelming action. The rounds system, a staple of traditional European wrestling, gave the match more of a sport-like feel at the cost of pacing and flow as it led to multiple interruptions just when things were heating up. The actual wrestling itself was simplistic but plodding, with both wrestlers limited to striking, clotheslines, and rudimentary hold. At least they tried adding some drama towards the end when Wanz started attacking Vader’s leg. I know some people see this as a pro wrestling monster battle akin to Godzilla vs. King Kong but I didn’t buy it especially given Wanz’s offense looking way less believable compared to Vader’s. Some people might enjoy this as a fat guy hossfest but that’s not my personal cup of tea. Despite his reputation in some circles as the greatest super-heavyweight in wrestling history, Vader’s best matches were against smaller opponents or, when facing similarly-sized monsters, more agile ones than Wanz.

Final Rating: **3/4

Vader vs. Toshiaki Kawada – AJPW Excite Series 2000

The Story: There’s not much story here other than Vader needing an opponent for a non-title singles bout between his January Triple Crown defense against Jun Akiyama and his upcoming February defense against Kenta Kobashi. Kawada was a logical fit, though despite returning in 2000 from lengthy surgery on both eyes, it was hard to believe Kawada was the same wrestler as he was a year earlier.

The Match: Vader tries cornering Kawada but Kawada kicks back. Kawada ducks Vader’s forearms and kicks at his foundation until he can land a back suplex. Kawada hits mounted punches and tries a Cross Armbreaker but Vader resists. Kawada continues with vicious elbows and forearms. Vader thumbs the eye (which is far nastier given Kawada’s eye injuries) but Kawada hits back with a lariat for two. Kawada lands more shots ringside but then runs into a body block. Vader drop suplexes Kawada onto the barricade and head-butts him into the crowd. Vader hits a Vaderbomb, an elbow drop, and another body block to send Kawada staggering. Kawada blocks another Vaderbomb so Vader slams him. Kawada fights back with Gamengiris for a near-fall and locks in a Stretch Plum. Vader gets a ropebreak to avoid another Armbreaker. Kawada unleashes another barrage but Vader drops him with another lariat. A powerbomb gets Vader a near-fall, as does a back suplex. Kawada blocks a Chokeslam and lands another volley of kicks. Vader answers with equally-stiff forearms. An exceptionally stiff slap leaves Kawada spaghetti-legged so Vader drills him with a lariat for the three-count.

Winner after 13:34: Vader

You can watch the full match here.

Review: It’s disappointing that these two only faced off once because they were able to put on an exciting and violent brawl the likes of which you’re unlikely to find stateside outside of a Brock Lesnar bout. Kawada and Vader hit each other as hard as possible, Kawada out of desperation against a larger and formidable opponent and Vader out of irritation from Kawada’s actions. Vader was past his prime but he still had his monster aura which forced Kawada to adopt a more straightforward approach. Alas it wasn’t enough since Vader hit so much harder while expending less energy. Kawada running out of steam left him open to attack and Vader won not with one of his signature moves, but a lariat. Though not a classic by any means, this made for an interesting display of aggression and a great way of making a monster into a big deal without his challenger needing to leave his feet.

Final Rating: ***1/2

Super Vader vs. Kiyoshi Tamura – UWFi Best of the World Tournament Semi-Final

The Story: Vader signed an agreement with UWFi in 1993 that would see him work eight dates between his WCW dates. For legal reasons he had to compete as “Super Vader”, likely due to his history with NJPW as “Big Van Vader”. These eight dates saw Vader complete in a more MMA-inspired promotion which fit him perfectly given his penchant for stiffness and badass aura. One major component to his eight dates was UWFi’s Best of the World tournament. Vader defeated Masahito Kakihara and Soviet gold medal wrestling champion Salman Hashimikov in the quarterfinals. Here he’d take on Kiyoshi Tamura, a pioneer in Japanese shootstyle wrestling and one of the finest technical grapplers pro wrestling has ever seen.

The Match: Tamura goes for some leg kicks but Vader tanks them. Vader blocks a single-leg but Tamura ducks a strike and lands a full-contact kick to the calf. Vader lands a few body shots but Tamura explodes with combination attacks and kicks to the head that Vader has to block with his shoulder. Tamura lands more calf kicks and locks in an MMA-style legbar but Vader gets a ropebreak. Vader lands some punches but Tamura’s repeated leg attacks leave him struggling to stay standing. More kicks to the leg and head expose Vader for another legbar. Vader gets another ropebreak and lands some head-shots. Tamura answers with kicks. One shot to the head drops Tamura momentarily. Vader lands a forward slam that leaves Tamura winded. He gets up, only for Vader to drop him with a shoot-like fallaway slam and powerbomb, the latter of which appears to knock Tamura out and make the referee call for the bell.

Winner after 7:14: Super Vader

You can watch the full match here.

Review: This was a different match from usual, more of an MMA fight with the odd pro wrestling moved mixed in. It was a styles clash with Tamura having more of a kickboxer’s background while Vader was pure power and western-style stiffness. Yet Vader wasn’t out of place whatsoever: he adapted to this new promotion and its distinct style and presentation without having to make any significant changes to his persona or his style. That’s what made Vader special: he could go into pretty much any promotion and he’d fit perfectly as a dangerous, legitimate threat. Meanwhile, Tamura, like all of Vader’s opponents, was an underdog who tried chopping the big man down and came very close to doing so with his leg attacks and submission holds. Alas he made a critical mistake which allowed Vader to land an important shot which opened Tamura up to subsequent attack. Once Vader was through the gate he steamrolled the smaller man with big slams and even won after hitting a wrestling throw and didn’t need to cover afterwards, such was his immense power. While not as good as Vader’s bout with Nobuhiko Takada in the finals, for a seven-minute semi-finals bout this was great and definitely worth the watch.

Final Rating: ***1/2

Vader vs. Sting – King of Cable Tournament Final – WCW Starrcade 1992

The Story: Earlier in April, Vader legitimately injured Sting’s ribs and spleen. Sting endured, but a few months later the lasting impact of those injuries cost Sting his WCW World Title in a defense against Vader at the Great American Bash. After dealing with Cactus Jack and Jake Roberts in interim feuds, Sting set his sights back on Vader, whom he’d face in the King of Cable tournament, a special event commemorating twenty years of wrestling airing on TBS.

The Match: Sting hits first with punches but Vader tanks them and slams him effortlessly. Sting charges but runs into a body block and military drops him onto the top rope. Sting turns things around with a giant tackle and a dropkick. Then Sting lands a German Suplex and then a clothesline sends them both to the floor. A plancha wipes out both Vader and his manager Harley Race. Vader fights back into the ring but misses a corner charge which leads to a Sting armdrag. Vader blocks a corner charge but Sting hits back with boots and a DDT. Sting follows with an avalanche DDT for two. Vader reaches the ropes to escape a Scorpion Deathlock so Sting chases him down only to hit the barricade. Vader follows with a short-arm clothesline and a big corner splash for a near-fall. A back suplex/splash combo gets Vader two, as does a series of draining mat holds. Sting blocks another clothesline with a backslide for another near-fall. Vader misses a sit-down to counter a sunset flip but regains control with stiff shots but then Sting counters a headlock with a back suplex. Vader has more padding so he gets up and covers for two. More live rounds from Vader. Sting fights out of a Superplex and repeatedly endures Vader’s hardest shots. Several right hands drop Vader. Somehow Sting powers Vader into a Samoan Drop. A diving splash gets Sting another near-fall. Sting gets distracted by Harley Race on the apron which allows Vader to hit him from behind. Vader follows with a Chokeslam and a diving splash. Vader goes to the top rope for another dive but Sting turns that into a counter powerslam for the surprise three-count.

Winner after 16:50: Sting

You can watch the full match here.

Review: That was a simple but fun match that holds up pretty well. Vader manhandled Sting and pummeled him without remorse, which was made more believable thanks to Vader’s fully exposed hands and wrists. There’s something about seeing a wrestler hitting without gloves or wrist tape that makes any attacks look more vicious so any time we saw Vader land a hit, viewers were understandably worried for their hero. Sting had some moments of crazy raw power but ultimately, he got a surprise victory by using Vader’s momentum against him. Archetypically speaking this was one of those old school classics that fully lives up to its hero-versus-monster billing. It was definitely a bit formulaic but why fix something that isn’t broken?

Final Rating: ****

As always, thanks for reading.