10 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Star Ratings Dave Meltzer Got Wrong

Actual Rating: ****3/4, Revised Rating: ****

This is another match rating which doesn't hold up in comparison to similar matches from the same era.

Sting vs. Vader, held just shy of a year prior at Starrcade 1992, is similar in dynamic and match length, but is superior in terms of (in-match) story and heat. Yet, it received a quarter of a star less. Foley and Vader did have the benefit of a wider blood feud storyline, which played very well into the match itself, while Vader and Sting were battling without a specific personal dispute for a now-meaningless 'King of Cable' trophy. But you wouldn't know that without context. Sting rallied with comeback after comeback, to, far louder fanfare. The Mastodon took this as a personal slight, and battered Sting with a barrage of blows so stiff and punishing, Jim Ross almost had a conniption fit on commentary.

There is no such moment in the more acclaimed Cactus Jack bout which matches that level of emotion, and it is purportedly a grudge match. Vader vs. Cactus may have been more visceral, and perhaps even more believable, but the Starrcade '92 effort is a better all-round effort.