https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKC3XOK_Qzk What makes this match stand out is the stamina that both men displayed. Both of them had wrestled earlier in the night. Not only that, but Generico had wrestled in the match before this, and it was his sixth match of the weekend, as PWG was having multiple shows during its anniversary weekend. That's an insane amount of work for people to have in a single weekend, but thus is life on the independent scene for many of the top names. Although Danielson was technically a heel, he was still one of the most beloved names in PWG (and anywhere in independent wrestling, for that matter). Generico, on the other hand, was 100% face, and was also one of the most beloved names in indy wrestling. That left fans torn on who to cheer for, so they just cheered for any and everything that happened, especially because they were excited to get an unannounced match for the PWG World Title after a weekend's worth of great moments. The fact that they were both tired played into the match psychology right off the bat. It was great to see both of them go for the jugular and try to win the match right away, instead of sitting back and trying to feel each other out. They didn't want it to be a long match, and they tried everything in their power to make sure it wouldn't be. Too often on the indies, you'll see matches start slow and build as they go on, eventually firing on all cylinders for the final stretch or two, after 30-40 minutes of action. To change that formula makes for something different to watch, taking you out of the rut that indy matches can sometimes give. Another nice touch this match had was Generico getting weaker as the match went on. After wrestling that many times, and after putting up that big of a fight, he was simply running out of gas in his tank. There was a spot towards the end of the match where Generico was getting beaten down, but kept fighting back, only to deliver what can best be described as a not-so-stiff slap, which Danielson brushed off before moving into his "home run stretch" to finish the match. Just fantastic storytelling all around here. Now that Generico is becoming one of NXT's biggest stars as Sami Zayn, we can only hold out hope that we can see a rematch on WWE programming at some point.
Columnist/Podcaster/Director at LordsOfPain.net for nearly seven years, with nearly 2000 total columns written. Interviewed and/or involved in interviewing the likes of Tyler Black/Seth Rollins (twice), Diamond Dallas Page, Jimmy Jacobs, Christopher Daniels, Uhaa Nation and more.