Ricky Steamboat vs. Steve Austin

[7.0] "This was a pretty good match. Ricky Steamboat had unsuccessfully tried to beat Steve Austin for the Television Championship on two prior occasions. This time, Paul E. Dangerously was locked in a cage that was lifted above the ring. So basically a shark cage, though it wasn't called that. Having seen their previous two matches, I can tell their matches were getting better and better. They didn't go too terribly long, just over 10 minutes, but it was the best of their series of matches around this time period. This was a No Disqualification match and while they didn't use any weapons, the stipulation factored into the finish. Back then, there was a rule that you couldn't do moves from the top turnbuckle or even get an opponent over the top rope to the floor. The No DQ stipulation negated that. First, Austin knocked Steamboat over the the top rope to the floor. Then Steamboat caught Austin off guard by crawling underneath the ring, getting to a top turnbuckle and hitting a crossbody to win the title. ***1/2"

[7.0] "Though slightly hurried, this pushes an impressive enough pace to convince you otherwise, building rapidly towards a memorable finish. It's not their best match together by any means, but the work remains terrific, even if without the room for their usual colour and detail. ***1/2"

[9.0] "I love these guys together and this is no exception, it precedes their big 1994 feud by quite a lot but you can already see great chemistry between them, both physically and the way their personalities clash. These two guys rule, underrated match."

[8.0] "I obviously knew the match involved two great talents, but I still wasn't expecting it to be this good. Both guys were absolutely on top of their game and had phenomenal chemistry - to the point where you couldn't tell which spots were called on the fly and which were pre-planned. Another brilliant heel performance from Steve, who was just magnificent in that role with his demeanor, while still keeping the pace quick and sharp. Meanwhile, Steamboat's fluidity in every move was just mesmerizing. They also did a fantastic job centering the match around Ricky's injured ribs - Austin relentlessly targeted them, and Steamboat sold it brilliantly, especially during the failed bodyslam attempt and the abdominal stretch. Just a fantastic piece of work all around."

[7.0] "Nice opener. Very smoothly executed wrestling with a logical story of Austin targeting Steamboat's ribs. The No DQ stipulation may feel like it wasn't worth a lot by modern standards, but considering the rules in WCW at the time it actually made for a really clever finish, which was definitely my favourite part of the match. Heyman in the shark cage was a little strange, simply because they barely even showed him, but hey, it was nice that the cage actually achieved its purpose for a change."

[7.0] "For Austin & Steamboat's first PPV encounter I thought this was very good. They had extremely good chemistry with everything seeming to flow and nothing falling flat. Tight grappling exchanges and quick counters, couple that with a good crowd and you have yourself a really enjoyable match. The finish was cool too with Ricky crawling under the ring and catching Austin off guard. Everyone clamors about their 1994 matches so this makes me excited already. ***3/4"

[8.0] "I thought this match was great, and I was personally pretty invested in this. Steve Austin had a good run with the TV Title but I'm glad that Ricky got the big win here on the big TBS anniversary. This was a great and high octane match. These two have really good chemistry."

[7.0] "Weird setting of Center Stage for a Clash of the Champions show. These two always had great chemistry together and this was no exception. Steamboat gets the win by being crafty and sneaking under the ring and to surprise Austin from the other side."

[7.0] "Very good opening contest. Highly athletic, smooth wrestling and a brilliant finish. However, I do wish they made a little bit more use of the stips, and involved Heyman a little bit more. Still, the chemistry between Steamboat and Austin was on point, and it would only get better in the next few years. [***1/4]"

[6.0] "No DQ means Austin can't use that stupid "throw the guy over the top rope and you lose but keep your belt" gimmick which was such a stupid rule at this time! I hated the old bush league territory mentality of no throwing guys over the top rope and no doing moves off the top rope. They should have left those garbage rules back in the 60's where they belonged!"

[7.0] "This had Paul E suspended in a cage so I already like it. The no DQ stipulation merely allowed them to jump off the top rope rather than start leathering each other with steel chairs ***1/2"

[7.0] "A very good opening contest. Not even close to their 1994 classics, but still a well worked match. The No DQ stip playing into the finish was a nice little touch. [***1/2]"

[8.0] "This was great. The start with the nation anthem was unneeded, more oddly placed then anything. The wrestling from there after was electric. Loved Steamboat controlling the match with his tight headlocks with Austin doing anything he could to get out of it, only to be ut back into the headlock. There was a great tempo to the action, some good reveals. And a great finish. ***3/4"

[7.0] "It's a No DQ match but not an hardcore match, Steamboat and Austin find the time to use many Wrestling moves. The series of Tombstone Piledriver reversals is the best part of the match. ***1/2"