CLASSIC TOMK-from TOA post on Shawn Michaels vs. Carlito Colon on RAW 10/17/05

Originally you described match as sloppy. Match dragging and being sloppy are two different things.

Only sloppyness I saw was last run of Michaels offense and Michaels really annoying constant need to adjust his hair plugs during sections where he is selling. But neither of those things hurt this match that much.

As that last bit of face comeback offense was really one run. And the hair stuff you just got to take for granted at this point.

This was the first Michaels TV match that made a permanent tape since the nineties. I mean maybe he's got on for a six man or such. But this was a long singles match with Michaels and it made tape.

I don't think Carlito is that great. He works a pretty basic punch, chop and schtick style. He takes a high backdrop and knows how to work heel. I don't think he even has a finisher other than roll up at this point.

But sometimes styles make matches.

Michaels at this point in his career is a guy who is pretty over with the crowd has nice long flowing hair and has a good thrust kick. Great Kabuki had a pretty succesfull career working with just those thre things. But Michaels instead of accepting his limitations, normally when in the ring with far more athletic workers tries to work like Psichosis in WAR. And it tends to be every bit as ugly as you would imagine Great Kabuki trying to work like Psychosis in WAR would be. HBK doing I have a counter for every counter type wrestling is pretty awfull stuff.

But put in the ring with the more basic type worker that Carlito is and Michaels works well within himself. This really felt like Carlito as heel trying to take down Great Kabuki in Kabuki's home town.

Carlito did a nice job of hiding Michael's weaknesses. Carlito's punches and chops looked good. He cut off Michaels face stuff well. The big double bump to floor was a big bump in the match context and was timed well. Michaels looked like he had some fire and had a nice thrust kick.

Best TV Michaels match I've seen this decade. I'm struggling to come up with a better PPV singles match of his.

Carlito's limited and I could see finding his stuff to drag but he's been able to carry Michaels, Cena and Flair to their best matches this year. Something has to be said for that.