All dreams must eventually die. It's a cold reality of life that our dreams and our good luck will eventually (and perhaps spectacularly) blow up in our faces. The Shawn Michaels World Championship run has been looked back on as being during a very dark time for WWF programming. Ratings suffered in the face of talent leaving for WCW, the nWo angle on that company's Nitro program, and some boring storytelling on WWF programming. Meanwhile, Shawn was the captain holding the ship together on screen with incredible matches with some of WWF's best (and not-so-great) superstars. However, there came to be an unrest with Michael's tenure as WWF Champion as many fans wanted something different (especially in the face of the nWo providing that different aspect of the business on WCW). Enter Sycho Sid, a heel who oozed charisma in the most odd way possible. Sid was never a great promo guy nor was he the best worker in the history of the business. But there was something about Sid's psychotic moves and mannerisms and his engagement with the audience that captivated fans in the mid 1990s (including this one).
Sid and Shawn had a storied history up to this point as Sid was brought back in to WWF in early 1995 as Shawn's new bodyguard when he faced Diesel at WrestleMania. Things didn't really turn out that great for them, and Sid turned on Michaels the night after HBK's loss to Diesel at WrestleMania XI. And in 1996, Sid came back with a very loose alliance with HBK in some tag matches. But Sid made it clear, especially after defeating Vader: he wanted the WWF Championship. And Shawn was in his way. Could the Boyhood Dream survive The Master and the Ruler of the World?
Let's Find Out!
WWF Survivor Series 1996
11/17/1996
WWF Championship
Shawn Michaels (c) (w/Jose Lothario) vs. Sycho Sid
Sid gets a great reaction coming out. "Who's The Man?!" Shawn is shown in the back getting ready to come out. The girls are screaming while the men are booing. Is this Roman Reigns or Shawn Michaels? Lol. Shawn is literally being pulled at by fans coming down the narrow aisle way of Madison Square Garden. And he plants a kiss on someone before getting into the ring. Oh, the 1990s. You were so innocent.
The bell rings. Tie up. Sid just knocks Shawn down repeatedly with fists. Body blows in the corner. Shawn gets some punches and a body press in on Sid. Head lock now on Sid. They trade kip ups (you read that right!) and slaps. Forearms are flying. Sid gets the advantage. Sid presses Shawn over his head, but Shawn escapes. Shawn rolls out after Sid nearly gets his signature powerbomb. "Sid" chants from the audience. Sid chases Shawn around the ring.
They are back in. CHOP BLOCK by HBK. Boos from the crowd as Shawn tries to snap the knee of Sid. "SYCHO SID" chants from the crowd. Shawn locks in a Figure Four Leg Lock on Sid. "Wooos" peppered in from the crowd. More "Sid" chants. Sid reverses the move, and Shawn smartly rolls into the ropes. The ever relentless Shawn Michaels continues to work on the left knee after letting go of the hold. Sid kicks off Shawn and rams him shoulder first into the ring post. Kicks by Sid. Sid's hobbled on his legs, but he continues to use his mammoth legs to attack Shawn. Sid boots Shawn in the corner, but he misses a big one. Dropkick to the knee of Sid by Shawn. He continues to work on the knee to the boos from the crowd.
(Really good logic to this match so far with Shawn working on Sid's legs to bring the monster down.)
Shawn gets kicked over the top. He skins the cat, but Sid sends Shawn back over the top to the floor. Sid goes out after Shawn. They go to the aisle. Sid throws Shawn HARD into the side of the ring, presses him over his head, and drops Shawn throat first on the guard rail. Sid launches Shawn into the ring. Sid crawls in and covers Shawn for a 2. Big back bodydrop by Sid. Knee to the side of the head and more strikes to Shawn. Shawn does his patented corner flip, but he recovers to snap Sid's throat on the top rope. Shawn climbs up. Crossbody off the top is caught and turned into a backbreaker for a 2 for Sid. Michaels takes a hard bump into the corner. Shawn refuses to give up and asks for more. Sid just punches at Shawn with hard rights. Shawn keeps asking for more, and he's now fighting back. SLAM by Shawn Michaels. He climbs the corner and lands into Sid's big boot!
MILLION DOLLAR DREAM BY SID! This must be the Ted DiBiase Tribute Show. Shawn's on the ground and trying not to get pinned. He fights out quickly. Sid grabs Shawn by the throat. He escapes. Sweet Chin Music BLOCKED! ONE ARMED CHOKESLAM! A POP FROM THE CROWD! Sid motions for the end. Powerbomb... countered into a rollup! 1-2-Kickout. J.R. goes nuts about Sid wasting time doing the Last Rights posing. Powerslam gets 2. Shawn gets up and nails a forearm to Sid. KIP UP! CLOTHESLINE BY SID IMMEDIATELY! 1-2-Shawn just barely kicks out.
Sid grabs a camera from the cameraman. Jose Lothario is on the apron. SID NAILS JOSE WITH THE CAMERA RIGHT TO THE HEART! Jose is screaming in pain on the floor now. SWEET CHIN MUSIC!!!! Shawn gets up and notices Jose is clutching his heart. Shawn goes out and asks for help. Sid crawls out and drags Shawn into the ring. Shawn accidentally crossbody blocks the referee, sending Earl Hebner down. Shawn goes back to check on Jose. SID WHACKS SHAWN WITH THE CAMERA! AND THE CROWD LOVES IT! Shawn is brought into the ring. POWERBOMB!!!!!!!!!! 1-2-3!!!
The crowd absolutely loses it! Shawn goes out and falls on Jose checking to make sure he's ok. They wheel Jose out as Sid celebrates on the corner. Shawn is crawling and stumbling to the back.
Winner: SYCHO SID (NEW WWF CHAMPION)
Match Grade: B+. This may be Sid's greatest match ever, and Shawn Michaels is responsible for a lot of that. But still, there's no denying the appeal of Sid to the 1990s crowd. He's one of the unsung reasons why WWF eventually moved to edgier content. When your heels started becoming cooler than your heroes, that's when you know you need to make some changes. Granted, this is in New York City a place that would rob Santa Claus if the security at the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade didn't get in the way. But still, this was a really fun underdog vs. monster match. And Sid brought a lot of charisma to the table that powered him through many big time matches.
Also, I loved the booking of Shawn Michaels here who looked excellent in defeat. He only lost because he was preoccupied with Jose on the floor. His care and concern for his trainer proved to be his downfall, and even after he lost, he showed more concern for Jose than he did for himself. That's a damn good way to book a babyface to lose their world championship in my opinion. Well done and the best possible way for this match to end with that type of outcome.
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Next time on the Survivor Series edition of UnWrest Focus, we jump ahead 9 years for another Team Raw vs. Team SmackDown Survivor Series Match.
Until then, take care of yourselves. Spread some awesomeness.
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