10 Classic Matches Bettered By Spiritual Sequels

8. The Brain Busters Vs. The Hart Foundation - WWF SummerSlam 1989

Backlot Brawl Chicago Street Fight
WWE.com

Bettered by: The Revival Vs. American Alpha - NXT TakeOver: Dallas

Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder have a long way to go if they want to surpass the supreme body of work assembled by their idols Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard - particularly given the sad, formulaic main roster interference of their relentlessly creative NXT output.

The Brain Busters Vs. The Hart Foundation - inexplicably rated just ** by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter - was a damn fine effort, crammed with the Horseman alumni's trademark quick and innovative tags. The Revival Vs. American Alpha followed a similar narrative path - heels used distractions and referee blockages to enable the use of underhand tactics - but added more flamboyance to the formula.

The Brain Busters used more broadly comedic ways of gaining the upper hand, with Blanchard at one point even attempting to tag in using his foot. Dash's jaw-dropping crawl-under-the-ring spot, however, married this classic sneaky tactic with a more forward-thinking sensibility.

Not even the glaring botch, which the crowd really should have been quicker to forgive, can dent its status as the impeccable yardstick against which all subsequent southern-style tag team matches should now be measured.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!