Has a botched finish ever worked out so well for a match? Think back to the conclusion of 2005's Royal Rumble. If Batista had merely tossed John Cena out of the ring, as was originally planned, then this would not be remembered in as high a regard or, arguably, even be memorable at all (as compared to its peers, anyway). Yet, because Batista and Cena mistimed a powerbomb and, in perfect unison that only fate could have intended, tumbled together over the top rope and to the floor at the same time, '05 is a borderline classic. Vince McMahon blew out quadriceps muscles in both legs in an angry tirade that is quite amusing to watch, in retrospect. He came storming to the ring, throwing his jacket off, huffing and puffing with steam coming out of his ears, half seriously and half in attempt to corral control of the match back onto the original plan. Smackdown referees, who moments prior were declaring Batista the winner despite his Raw status and the clear cut and obvious fact that both men touched the floor in unison, went back to toting the blue brand's flag once Vince relayed his instructions, but it wasn't before the Chairman dove under the bottom rope and slammed his knee into the corner of the apron. That blew out quad #1. Then, he tried to stand up, perhaps not yet realizing his injury and proceeded to tear quad #2. It was incredibly exciting to watch just the other day, much less live on PPV on the night of a decade ago. Earlier in the match, Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit had been showmen, carrying the first half of the match with help from Edge and Rey Mysterio. Raw and Smackdown collided in a preview of the year's on-going feud. Pride for brand took a backseat to pride for country as stars from both rosters united to make quick work of a foreign threat. Shawn Michaels and Kurt Angle provided what would have otherwise been the most memorable moment, laying the groundwork for their classic WrestleMania clash. Collectively, these moments paled in comparison to the crazy melee that characterized the climax. However, the move gone wrong at the finish actually made these other things seem a little more right. That's what an exciting finale can often do, correct? It can make the rest of a performance better by comparison...and it doesn't necessarily have to be on-purpose.
"The Doc" Chad Matthews has written wrestling columns for over a decade. A physician by trade, Matthews began writing about wrestling as a hobby, but it became a passion. After 30 years as a wrestling fan, "The Doc" gives an unmatched analytical perspective on pro wrestling in the modern era. He is a long-time columnist for Lordsofpain.net and hosts a weekly podcast on the LOP Radio Network called "The Doc Says." His first book - The WrestleMania Era: The Book of Sports Entertainment - ranks the Top 90 wrestlers from 1983 to present day, was originally published in December 2013, and is now in its third edition.
Matthews lives in North Carolina with his wife, two kids, and two dogs.
