Barely Legal 1997

Barely Legal 1997


Now that I've posted WWE's first major PPV with Wrestlemania I, it's time for ECW's first major PPV. So how does the show hold up seventeen years later? Let's find out.



The opening of the show with Joey Styles standing in the ring with everyone in the arena chanting 'ECW' is quite a spine-tingling moment considering how long it had taken ECW to get to this huge event.




The Dudleys vs The Eliminators
The ECW Tag Titles are on the line. The Tag Titles are just replicas of the WWE IC Title with the letters ECW spray painted across. The crowd really hated the Dudleys here. A tag team match is usually a good way to open up a show and this no different. It was mostly a spotfest with not a lot of substance, but I can definitely say that it was fun and the crowd loved it. Good stuff. **1/2



Rob Van Dam vs Lance Storm
Mr Pay Per View's first ever PPV match. Chris Candido was originally meant to be taking on Storm here, but he was injured so RVD was penciled in instead. RVD was pissed that he was only considered a sub and went out there with a chip on his shoulder. I think he showed everyone that he deserved to be there. A good, high-flying match that was very entertaining. It was another spotfest, but a good one. ***



Taka Michinoku / Terry Boy / Dick Togo vs Great Sasuke / Gran Hamada / Masato Yakushiji
This one should be a ton of fun. I thought Taka was in the WWF at this point. Taka's team was here as the bWo. Masato was taking the place of Gran Naniwa who couldn't make the show. They even have their own Japanese ref here. This one cut an insanely fast pace and never seemed to slow down. Just about every ECW fan was standing. Absolutely fantastic Japanese-style match in which all six guys performed incredibly. Good luck to anyone following this. The show has been stolen. A must-see match and one of ECW's best. ****3/4



Shane Douglas vs Pitbull #2 
The ECW TV Title is on the line. Douglas is accompanied by Francine. Pitbull #1 is on the crowd with a neck brace thanks to Douglas. This was a pretty dull match with both guys not looking very motivated which is strange considering how big this show is. It also went way too long at around twenty minutes. Boring stuff. *



Taz vs Sabu
This match had been built up for a year and the fans were definitely ready to see it take place. Great choice for one of the main events of the night. This was billed as the 'Grudge Match of the Century'. This just felt like a big match. Some of the action in the crowd was hard to see which was an annoyance. In the end, Sabu couldn't take Taz's  suplexes, and passed out while in the Tazmission. Great match here with two guys trying to prove who's the best. ***1/2



Terry Funk vs The Sandman vs Stevie Richards
The winner of this will face Raven for the ECW World Title in the main event. Richards has said that he was honoured to be a part of this contest. Everyone seemed very motivated here and they all brought their A-game to put on a great match. Stevie's out first from a powerbomb. Terry uses a moonsault to win and move on to Raven. Great stuff. ***1/2



Terry Funk vs Raven
ECW World Title on the line. Poor Terry seems exhausted against a fresh Raven. Funk was already busted open right at the beginning. The crowd was definitely behind Funk here. Terry got no offense here and won with help from Tommy Dreamer. Terry wins the World Title with a small package. Not much of a match but a nice moment for Funk and for ECW. *1/2



8/10. This show is obviously must-see for fans of ECW, but even if you're not a particularly big fan this was still a very good show. It was a lot of fun that was only brought down by the boring TV Title match. The Three Way Dance was great, Taz and Sabu finally had their highly-anticipated showdown, and the six man tag was just unbelievably great.