11 Best Vader Matches , According To Dave Meltzer
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In spite of what was ostensibly his most exceedingly terrible run ( in WWE , obviously ) being generally natural to American fans , there's no question that ( Big Van ) Vader is a legend - and presumably one of the Top Five Big Men ever .Start RELATED : WarGames and 9 Other Match Types We Might See Under Triple H On WWE's Main Roster After sharpening his art under his genuine name and as the " Baby Bull " in the AWA and abroad , Leon White started fostering the emanation and persona of the Vader character in Japan in the last part of the 1980s . Before long , WCW came calling , and Vader became one of the best multi - mainland explorers in the business , overwhelming contest any place he went . In the end , he went to WWE , and despite the fact that his two - and - a - half - year run appeared to be a profession - killing lower twisting , the " Mastadon " re - arose as a primary eventer in the Land of the Rising Sun by and by prior to winding his vocation down in the 21st hundred years .versus Antonio Inoki ( 1/4/96 ) - New Japan Pro Wrestling - 4 1/4 stars After experiencing the primary significant resentment of his vocation via a Hulkamania - powered entombment in WCW throughout the last year - in addition to , Vader at last left the organization in late '95 after a disputable storage space fight with Paul Orndorff . In late 1987 , Japanese legend Antonio Inoki had been on a four - year winnin streak , so when the novice Vader crushed him in the Mastadon's absolute first match under the contrivance and on the island , it almost ignited a mob . Throughout the following year , the two remained on inverse sides of the ring on numerous occasions , however their January 1996 rematch - in which the 50 - year - old Inoki to some degree shockingly crushed the approaching WWE star - was their best . versus Jun Akiyama ( 1/23/00 ) - AJPW - 4 1/4 stars Vader's resurgence in 1999 brought over quickly through Y2K , as he kept on working full - time for All - Japan through the initial a while of the year . The Triple Crown champion was for the most part wrestling in tag matches , yet once in a while safeguarding his top AJPW singles title , as well .RELATED : Pro Wrestling NOAH : A Brief History Of Japan's Often Forgotten About Promotion Aside from Misawa - whose Pro Wrestling NOAH association Vader would seek starting in October and through 2001 - Vader's top Japanese enemies during this run were Kobashi and Akiyama . Maybe it was their knowledge of each other by this point , or the talented Japanese locals could draw out the best in the maturing Mastodon . One way or another , it was certain that Leon had gotten his supposed depression back . versus Sting ( 2/21/93 ) - WCW - 4 1/4 stars When Sting won his second World T ( and first under the WCW standard ) at SuperBrawl 2 in mid 1992 , the field appeared to be completely open for heel challengers with his felled adversary Lex Luger's flight . In the end , Vader arose as his top enemy , deposing the WCW's " establishment " and solidifying his place as a whiz in America as in Japan . While their year - in addition to - long fight brought about more than one extraordinary match ( favoring that later ) , their lash match - fail , White Castle of Fear tie match - was a feature . In spite of the messy contrivance , the activity between the two inside the ring was severely genuine , as Vader worked his standard firm style and Sting , surprisingly , matched the power blow for - blow . versus Bret Hart versus Steve Austin versus The Undertaker stars Austin versus The Undertaker ( 2/16/97 ) - WWE - 4 1/4 Vader's disappointment in WWE was , in numerous ways , unavoidable . Vince McMahon has forever been more open to booking babyfaces as predominant heroes , with beast heels for the most part looking like gun grain for Hulkamania or anything that other Mania the organization was pushing then . The Mastodon's most obvious opportunity at holding the advancement's top award was logical in 1996 , however his affinity for disturbing Shawn Michaels - - Vince's brilliant kid existing apart from everything else - saw him traded for individual " Master of the Powerbomb " Sid in that harvest time's top quarrel . Vader's support in February ' 97's In Your House : Final F headliner , highlighting the last three headliner , including the last three disposed of members in the Royal Rumble and Steve Austin , was a greater amount of an untimely idea , and albeit the actual match was an emotional , activity - stuffed issue , he sensibly just merits about a fourth of the credit for his best WWE appearing . stars w/Steve Williams versus Jun Akiyama and Kenta Kobashi ( 2/20/00 ) - AJPW - 4 1/4 In numerous ways , Vader and " Dr. Demise " Steve Williams were ideal gaijin label accomplices altogether - Japan in mid 2000. Williams was likewise falling off a very frustrating spat WWE , remembering a humiliating Bart Gunn for the Brawl 4 All competition many anticipated that he should win , injury difficulties and at last a forgettable turn in WCW . Anyway , the pictures of Vader and Williams as top notch beasts were as yet unblemished in Japan . The quality - once more , possible because of the expertise of Akiyama and Kobashi as rivals - of their triumph for the AJPW Tag Team Championships from the pair ( with Vader actually dominant as Triple Crown Champion until dropping that title seven days after the fact to Kobashi , no less ) showed the two men still in excellent condition . stars w/Bam Bigelow versus Hiroshi Hase and Keiji Muto ( 5/1/92 ) - NJPW - 4 1/2 Despite making his most noteworthy progress stateside as a singles star , Vader had a few fruitful pairings in Japan . Williams , Stan Hansen , 2 Cold Scorpio and others remained close by him , yet maybe the best fit was Bam Bigelow . RELATED : Every Version Of Vader , Ranked Worst To Best Bigelow , still known as " Crusher " in Japan because of his experience as Soviet deserter Crusher Yurkoff in World Class , was the ideal commendation to Vader , as the scary Americans were both known for their deftness alongside their size and savage strength . Their guard of the IWGP Tag Team Titles against Hase and Muto - two of New Japan's most sultry stars at that point and the previous winners - was their sparkling accomplishment together , and was perh Vader's most prominent second in a couple .versus Ric Flair WCW - 4 1/2 stars While this match - most likely Flair's best post - WWE - is more associated with how it affected the Nature Boy , who put his profession at risk and won as a substitute for Sid Vicious , it's as yet a quill in the cap for the two men . ( 12/27/93 ) Many would've imagined that the maturing Flair and the firm and fierce Vader would've blended styles like acknowledged oil and water , yet they worked the match emphatically . Obviously , the story was based totally on the Nature Boy , and since this was the finish of Vader's last spat North America as a World Champion , it puts somewhat of a damper on it from a Mastodon fan's viewpoint .versus Sting ( 12/28/92 ) - WCW - 4 1/2 stars Speaking of Flair , while he was gone from WCW in 1992 with his very own resurgence in WWE , his previous boss concluded that their top star going ahead was Sting . He appeared to be an extraordinary decision , as the brilliant fan most loved was a strong in - ring entertainer and charming performer , however we as a whole know that most babyfaces are just pretty much as great as the chances they survive . There was maybe nobody man who addressed more awful chances than Vader . Alongside administrator Harley Race , the main thing that appeared to be ready to stop the Mastadon was a physical issue to his knee prior in the year . While there were no titles on the line , the " King of Cable " competition was a sufficient award to draw out the best in these recognizable enemies . as Vader's in these recognizable enemies , as Vader's predominance in a horrible exertion was solid to the point that he came out on top for the WCW championship back from Ron Simmons just two days after the fact . versus Prickly plant Jack ( 10/24/93 ) WCW - 43/4 stars The top year of Vader's North American profession was presumably 1993. Beside six days during a visit through the United Kingdom that March , the Mastadon was WCW World Champion from December - December , and left a path of obliteration equaling that of any heel on the landmass . Fortunately for Vader , Mick Foley was solidly laying out his standing as Cactus Jack , as glad to accept discipline as the hero was to dole it out . It didn't er that the titleld the lin
the slightest bit that the title wasn't on the line , and Halloween Havoc was the location of their fight's awe-inspiring brush - off . The Spin the Wheel , Make the Deal contrivance delivered a greatly improved outcome than ' 92's Coal Miner's Glove limitation , as the Texas Death Match rules ( or scarcity in that department ) were all Vader and Foley expected to create an exemplary fight . versus Keiji Muto ( 8/10/91 ) - NJPW - 5 stars When Leon White came to Japan , he rose to moment notoriety , reasonable pushed by his trick and the Japanese fans ' interest with fighting gaijins as much as his abilities . Anyway , Big Van Vader's moment star could have gone before his in - ring repu hovel White supported by a portion of the nation's nevertheless White - helped by a portion of the country's most noteworthy stars - showed he had a place with New Japan Pro Wrestling's most noteworthy stars as both IWGP champion and in various G1 Climax appearances . The feature of these was in an August 10 match against regular adversary Keiji Muto . Muto , who acquired reputation in WCW as the Great Muta , and Vader put on a sub - brief facility in a fairly underlooked , yet phenomenal , session .2nd point WWE digital marketing in US,
Despite what was arguably his worst run ( in WWE , of course ) being most familiar to American fans , there's no doubt that ( Big Van ) Vader is a legend - and probably one of the Top Five Big Men of all time .Start RELATED : WarGames & 9 Other Match Types We Might See Under Triple H On WWE's Main Roster After honing his craft under his real name and as the " Baby Bull " in the AWA and overseas , Leon White began developing the aura and mystique of the Vader character in Japan in the late 1980s . Soon , WCW came calling , and Vader became one of the greatest multi - continent travelers in the industry , dominating competition wherever he went . Eventually , he went to WWE , and although his two - and - a - half - year run seemed like a career - killing downward spiral , the " Mastadon " re - emerged as a main eventer in the Land of the Rising Sun once again before winding his career down in the 21st century .vs. Antonio Inoki ( 1/4/96 ) - New Japan Pro Wrestling - 4 1/4 stars After suffering the first major indignation of his career by way of a Hulkamania - fueled burial in WCW over the past year - plus , Vader finally left the company in late '95 after a controversial locker room brawl with Paul Orndorff . In late 1987 , Japanese legend Antonio Inoki had been on a four - year winnin streak , so when the newcomer Vader defeated him in the Mastadon's very first match under the gimmick and on the island , it nearly sparked a riot . Over the next year , the two stood on opposite sides of the ring multiple times , but their January 1996 rematch - in which the 50 - year - old Inoki somewhat surprisingly defeated the incoming WWE star - was their best . vs. Jun Akiyama ( 1/23/00 ) - AJPW - 4 1/4 stars Vader's resurgence in 1999 carried over swiftly through Y2K , as he continued to work full - time for All - Japan through the first several months of the year . The Triple Crown champion was mostly wrestling in tag matches , but occasionally defending his top AJPW singles title , too .RELATED : Pro Wrestling NOAH : A Brief History Of Japan's Often Forgotten About Promotion Aside from Misawa - whose Pro Wrestling NOAH organization Vader would compete for beginning in October and through 2001 - Vader's top Japanese foes during this run were Kobashi and Akiyama . Perhaps it was their familiarity with one another by this point , or the skilled Japanese natives could bring out the best in the aging Mastodon . Either way , it was undeniable that Leon had gotten his proverbial groove back . vs. Sting ( 2/21/93 ) - WCW - 4 1/4 stars When Sting won his second World T ( and first under the WCW banner ) at SuperBrawl 2 in early 1992 , the field seemed wide open for heel challengers with his felled opponent Lex Luger's departure . Eventually , Vader emerged as his top adversary , dethroning the WCW's " franchise " and cementing his place as a superstar in America as in Japan . While their year - plus - long feud resulted in more than one great match ( more on that later ) , their strap match - err , White Castle of Fear strap match - was a highlight . Despite the cheesy gimmick , the action between the two inside the ring was brutally real , as Vader worked his usual stiff style and Sting , to his credit , matched the intensity blow for - blow . vs. Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin vs. The Undertaker stars Austin vs. The Undertaker ( 2/16/97 ) - WWE - 4 1/4 Vader's failure in WWE was , in many ways , inevitable . Vince McMahon has always been more comfortable booking babyfaces as dominant champions , with monster heels usually resembling cannon fodder for Hulkamania or whatever other Mania the company was pushing then . The Mastodon's best chance at holding the promotion's top prize was likely in 1996 , but his propensity for upsetting Shawn Michaels - - Vince's golden boy of the moment - saw him swapped for fellow " Master of the Powerbomb " Sid in that autumn's top feud . Vader's participation in February ' 97's In Your House : Final F main event , featuring the final three main event , featuring the final three eliminated participants in the Royal Rumble and Steve Austin , was more of an afterthought , and although the match itself was a dramatic , action - packed affair , he realistically only deserves about a quarter of the credit for his best WWE showing . stars w / Steve Williams vs. Jun Akiyama & Kenta Kobashi ( 2/20/00 ) - AJPW - 4 1/4 In many ways , Vader and " Dr. Death " Steve Williams were ideal gaijin tag partners in All - Japan in early 2000. Williams was also coming off an extremely disappointing run in WWE , including an embarrassing Bart Gunn in the Brawl 4 All tournament many expected him to win , injury setbacks and eventually a forgettable turn in WCW . However , the images of Vader and Williams as unbeatable monsters were still intact in Japan . The quality - again , likely due to the skill of Akiyama and Kobashi as opponents - of their victory for the AJPW Tag Team Championships from the duo ( with Vader still reigning as Triple Crown Champion until dropping that title a week later to Kobashi , no less ) showed both men still in top form . stars w / Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Hiroshi Hase & Keiji Muto ( 5/1/92 ) - NJPW - 4 1/2 Despite achieving his greatest success stateside as a singles star , Vader had several successful pairings in Japan . Williams , Stan Hansen , 2 Cold Scorpio and others stood alongside him , but perhaps the best fit was Bam Bam Bigelow . RELATED : Every Version Of Vader , Ranked Worst To Best Bigelow , still known as " Crusher " in Japan due to his time as Soviet defector Crusher Yurkoff in World Class , was the perfect compliment to Vader , as the intimidating Americans were both known for their agility along with their size and brute strength . Their defense of the IWGP Tag Team Titles against Hase and Muto - two of New Japan's hottest stars at the time and the former champs - was their shining achievement together , and was perh Vader's greatest moment in a tandem .vs. Ric Flair WCW - 4 1/2 stars While this match - probably Flair's best post - WWE - is more remembered for what it meant to the Nature Boy , who put his career on the line and prevailed as a substitute for Sid Vicious , it's still a feather in the cap for both men . ( 12/27/93 ) Many would've thought that the aging Flair and the stiff and brutal Vader would've mixed styles like proverbial oil and water , but they worked the match solidly . Of course , the story was centered entirely around the Nature Boy , and since this was the end of Vader's last run in North America as a World Champion , it puts a bit of a damper on it from a Mastodon fan's perspective .vs. Sting ( 12/28/92 ) - WCW - 4 1/2 stars Speaking of Flair , while he was gone from WCW in 1992 with a resurgence of his own in WWE , his former employer decided that their top star going forward was Sting . He seemed like a great choice , as the colorful fan favorite was a solid in - ring performer and charismatic entertainer , but we all know that most babyfaces are only as good as the odds they overcome . There was perhaps no one man who represented worse odds than Vader . Along with manager Harley Race , the only thing that seemed to be able to stop the Mastadon was an injury to his knee earlier in the year . While there were no titles on the line , the " King of Cable " tournament was enough of a prize to bring out the best in these familiar foes . as Vader's in these familiar foes , as Vader's dominance in a losing effort was so strong that he won the WCW title back from Ron Simmons only two days later . vs. Cactus Jack ( 10/24/93 ) WCW - 43 / 4 stars The top year of Vader's North American career was probably 1993. Aside from six days during a tour of the United Kingdom that March , the Mastadon was WCW World Champion from December - December , and left a trail of destruction rivaling that of any heel on the continent . Thankfully for Vader , Mick Foley was firmly establishing his reputation as Cactus Jack , as happy to take punishment as the champion was to dish it out . It didn't er that the titleld the lin
one bit that the title wasn't on the line , and Halloween Havoc was the scene of their feud's epic blow - off . The Spin the Wheel , Make the Deal gimmick produced a much better result than ' 92's Coal Miner's Glove stipulation , as the Texas Death Match rules ( or lack thereof ) were all Vader and Foley needed to produce a classic brawl . vs. Keiji Muto ( 8/10/91 ) - NJPW - 5 stars When Leon White came to Japan , he rose to instant fame , likely propelled by his gimmick and the Japanese fans ' fascination with brawling gaijins as much as his skills . However , Big Van Vader's instant star might have preceded his in - ring repu hut White aided by some of the country's but White - aided by some of the country's greatest stars - showed he belonged with New Japan Pro Wrestling's greatest stars as both IWGP champion and in multiple G1 Climax appearances . The highlight of these was in an August 10 match against frequent opponent Keiji Muto . Muto , who gained notoriety in WCW as the Great Muta , and Vader put on a sub - 15 minute clinic in a somewhat underlooked , but fantastic , bout .
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