Wrestling's Bloodiest Wars Review

The producers of "Wrestling's Bloodiest Wars:Hospital Ward" asked if I would review another edition in the series and after the review I did previously, I knew it would be an interesting screening so I took the opportunity to watch the event that airs this month on Direct TV. This is more of a nostalgic edition, as it features many of the hardcore legends of the sport and some rare matches that most fans haven't had the chance to watch until the Wrestling's Bloodiest Wars series made it available on pay-per-view.

Terry Funk vs. Sabu
These two legendary competitors had some of the most hardcore matches in the history of the business and this is another chapter in the Funk vs. Sabu series with a rare independent match from the defunct 3PW promotion. Just as the pay-per-view starts, the tone is set immediately as Terry Funk begins throwing chairs and tables into the ring toward his opponent. After the flying furniture, Funk and Sabu brawl around the outside of the ring. When the action spills into the squared circle, Sabu retrieves his trademark spike and he stabs Funk in the head several times. As Funk is bleeding, he retreats to the outside and grabs a guard rail that he hurdles at Sabu. Eventually, Sabu sets up a table and attempts a top rope leg drop, but Funk moves and Sabu crashes though it. After the mishap, Funk hits a DDT on the remainder of the table and gets the win. Despite the many matches these competitors have had previously, this is another entertaining bout and one of the highlights of the show.

Balls Mahoney vs. Ian Rotten
Another rare contest from 3PW, Mahoney and Rotten are two brawlers, but they actually start this match with some chain wrestling. Balls Mahoney is probably known to most fans for bleeding and being put through a flaming table, but he shows some technically ability in this match as well. Ian Rotten, who promotes IWA Midsouth events, was known for blood bathes with Axl in ECW and he continued a lot of that style in his own promotion. After the technical exchange, this match became exactly what most fans expect from these ECW originals and it was a bloody war. In an extremely graphic scene, Mahoney takes a pair of scissors and slices Rotten's head, as he starts to bleed buckets. However, Rotten would counter and in an equally disturbing sequence, he cuts Mahoney with the scissors to add more blood to the contest. After some stiff chair shots and head butts, Balls Mahoney hits the Michinoku driver on a chair to get the pin. This match lives up to the name of the event and it really represents the type of action of the series.

The Public Enemy vs. Chris Chetti and Danny Doring
The Public Enemy were one of the top tag teams in Extreme Championship Wrestling and they probably don't get enough credit for their accomplishments during the early years of the company. While they were somewhat limited with their in ring style as a team, Rocko Rock an Johny Grunge were some of the most popular stars in the promotion during the prime of their ECW career. Chris Chetti was another under rated talent and it's somewhat surprising that he didn't wrestle too often after ECW closed. As far as tag teams, Danny Doring and Road Kill were a popular duo and they were also the last ECW tag team champions. This match is a complete brawl as the competitors use trash cans and other weapons around the building. While Rocko and Doring are using every weapons possible outside of the ring, Chetti hits a leg drop on Grunge through a table. However, the momentum switched and The Public Enemy put Chetti through two tables to get the victory.

The Sandman vs. Raven
 This is another ECW feud revisited in a tables, ladders, and chairs match. The Sandman is an extremely unique performer and despite his limited wrestling ability, he was one of the most popular stars in ECW history. A combination of a risky style and a lot of charisma made a lack luster in ring competitor into a top draw for a promotion. However, The Sandman doesn't seem to get the credit he deserves as a performer, considering he was apart of many memorable matches and storylines. Raven, who made his name in just a few years in ECW, was able to take a grunge based character and evolve it to continue to work on the independent scene today. He has done many shoot interviews that provide insight into his knowledge of the business and if he wasn't known for being difficult to work with in recent years, Raven would probably be working behind the scenes in the WWE. The match itself was somewhat sloppy and as he's clobbering Raven with punches, The Sandman gives the mic for an impromptu promo. After Raven gets the momentum, he grabs the mic as well to berate his opponent while putting the boots to him. Eventually, The Sandman climbs the ladder for a senton through the table, but Raven moves and The Sandman crashes through it. Raven pins him for the win and it's a decent match.

Abdullah The Butcher vs. Dusty Rhodes vs. Terry Funk  
A triple threat last man standing match with some of the legends of hardcore and there isn't a lot of technical wrestling, but it's a blood bath. Abdullah didn't do much in his career other than stab his opponents and bleed, and that's exactly what he does in this match. Abdullah uses a fork to stab Funk several times and the former ECW champion begins to bleed just minutes into the contest. The Butcher also attacks Dusty with the fork and the blood streams down his head. Just when it seems like Abdullah couldn't do anything more insane, he takes the fork to Funk's arm and it was a disturbing scene as his arm continued to bleed during the contest. Dusty uses his cowboy boot to hit Abbdullah and he crumbles to the floor. Terry grabs the boot and waffles Dusty with it before they both collapse to the canvas. Funk makes it to his feet before the count and gets the win.