So sick that they destroy Savage's elbow drop like that and then Warrior is gone from the company in four months.

Always thought they really should have had Savage attempt a pin after the first eblow drop rather than attempt five in a row. Five for no apparent reason really telegraphed what was about to happen. At least with one, preferably after some kind of cheating, you get a good false finish and then you can actually make the near-fall after several more elbows look believable.

I can't lie man, I'm the biggest Bret Hart mark. If Bret/Austin from WM13 doesn't win this thing, I'm self-banning

SOUTHWEST REGION MATCHUP #3

#3 SEED: STEVE AUSTIN/HHH VS. CHRIS JERICHO/CHRIS BENOIT (MONDAY NIGHT RAW)

Whole match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itgKwkp9dv4

You don’t expect a Raw tag team match in which singles wrestlers form tag teams to face each other to be one of the greatest matches of all time, but this most certainly makes the list and is well-deserving of its high seed. The crowd is lit up like a Christmas tree, the ringwork is awesome, the match is dramatic…this is great.

And, as much of an ******* as he is, we have to give tons of credit to Triple H for somehow finishing this match. Suffers just an awful quad injury and then takes the lion tamer from Jericho anyway. It hurts just to watch it. He’s an *******, but he’s tough as nails. Respect.

VERSUS

#6 SEED: HULK HOGAN VS. THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR (WRESTLEMANIA VI)

Whole match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2KkkwXcc5s

One of the defining matches of the Golden Era. You wouldn’t expect these two subpar workers to put on a good match against each other, but the whole thing was booked and mapped out perfectly and it really turns out to be a great match. Electric atmosphere as the two top babyfaces in the company go at it…a real rarity back then.
Great commentary work from Jesse and Gorilla, great historical significance, and a great ending that most wouldn’t have expected.

VOTING ON THIS MATCH IS NOW OPEN. POLLS WILL CLOSE AT 11:35 A.M. EST ON THURSDAY THE 2ND.

While I'm not completely enamored with making this vote, I'm going with Hogan v. Warrior. I just can't bring myself to vote for a Raw match over one of the most epic matches of the Golden Era.

Let's face it, Hulk Hogan laying down clean for someone as a babyface is nearly as rare of an event as his heel turn was. The match was great, very historic as babyface vs. babyface simply didn't happen back then...I regretted not voting for it last round, but thankfully it won anyway. I think it should win this round as well.

Tag match is obviously sick beyond belief though.

Hogan vs Warrior

And my streak of voting against LKJ continues. I vote for the Tag Match.

Oh man, I want to vote for the tag match out of respect for HHH finishing it out - but Hogan / Warrior still carries enough nastalgia and big match feel to get it through this round.

With a late run of votes, Savage v. Warrior gets the win and advances to the Sweet 16. Curt Hennig being summarily dumped out of this contest so soon makes me a sad panda.

I vote decisively for Austin/HHH vs Jericho/Benoit. One of the most memorable moments in Raw history. I don't think the fact that the match was on Raw should be held against it, sometimes free matches can be amazing things. One of the greatest matches not in this tournament was a Worldwide match between Ric Flair and Barry Windham that went the entire hour.

As for Hogan/Warrior, I keep coming back to the fact that they had a great match...for them. It was good, but not terrific, and I don't think it's aged well.

Hogan/Warrior, and I think that match (though not at all what you'd get today) actually has aged well.

It won't win next round, though.

Hopefully it doesn't win this round because outside of being historic it doesn't hold a candle to Austin/HHH vs Benoit/Jericho.

Austin/HHH vs Benoit/Jericho

Flair/Steamboat

HBK/Taker

Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat and Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker

Mankind/Undertaker

Hogan/Warrior

Flair/Steamboat cruises through the second round. It will face TLC II in the Sweet 16.

Matchup incoming.

NORTHEAST REGION MATCHUP #3

#4 SEED: THE ROCK VS. “STONE COLD” STEVE AUSTIN (WRESTLEMANIA XVII)

Whole match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoWLo0myHf8

The epic between Rocky and Austin trounced Taker vs. Lesnar Hell in a Cell, and that is no small compliment. Undoubtedly the opposition is even stronger this round.

A fantastically hot crowd. An incredibly dramatic match. Amazing commentary by JR and Paul Heyman. An epic heel turn. Rock vs. Austin at WrestleMania XVII absolutely has it all.

The setup for this one is simple: Austin won the Royal Rumble and The Rock won the WWF Title at the February PPV from Kurt Angle. These two had an off-and-on rivalry in the past, and it was renewed to be the main event of this show. Both were babyfaces heading in, and Austin was working in front of a home crowd in Texas.

VERSUS

#5 SEED: ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH 1992

Whole match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riaiVn12_rk

Royal Rumble '92 coasted through the first round as a #2 seed, but it still got dropped a few seeds on the urging of Chargers in 09. I could sympathize with his argument, so I dropped it. Let's see if I made the right decision.

The consensus greatest Royal Rumble ever includes 12 Hall of Famers, as well as The Undertaker and Randy Savage who obviously have Hall of Fame credentials. That’s nearly half the field, and doesn’t even make mention of the likes of The British Bulldog, potentially a future HOFer himself, or Sid, a former multi-time world champion.

But of course the story here is Flair’s epic run, and Heenan’s equally epic job on commentary throughout. He and Monsoon are just such a pleasure to listen to. For a bonus, stick with the video after the event, because Flair gives his signature promo from his WWF years at the end of it.

VOTING ON THIS MATCH IS NOW OPEN. POLLS WILL CLOSE AT 9:00 P.M. EST ON THURSDAY THE 2ND.

I still like this Rumble too much to vote against it. Part of me is tugging me in the direction of doing so, but enough yet.

I think the best Rumble ever should get a Sweet 16 appearance and the privilege of jobbing to Bret v. Austin next round.

Austin/HHH vs Benoit/Jericho

Rock/Austin

Rumble, I like Austin/Rock but the finish is way over booked. Way too much kicking out of finishers and Rock kicking out of all those chairshots is just so dumb.

Rumble easily gets my vote.

Rumble

Rumble and it's not that close.

Chargers I think you led me astray dude.