VIDEO: WWF - Rockers vs. Orient Express (Royal Rumble '91)

**Shockage** · 01-29-2011, 03:44 PM

In celebration of the Royal Rumble's rich history, I wanted to post some of my favourite matches from the Royal Rumble undercard starting with the Rockers vs. Orient Express from the '91 Rumble. This is a very underrated match and for the modern fan watching, I urge you not to give all glory to Shawn Michaels because this was a 4 man effort. Pat Tanaka & Paul "Kato" Diamond were/are two very underrated and unappreciative wrestlers/tag team. This match showed Tanaka & Diamond at their very best. The Rockers always did well on the defensive as they were normally outsized by their rivals. Against the OE, the Rockers would usually find themselves in an uphill battle.

**Shockage** · 01-06-2013, 05:56 AM

*BUMP*

The best Royal Rumble opener, and arguably one of the greatest pay-per-view opening matches.

**metfan51** · 01-06-2013, 07:25 PM

I wouldn't call it the best opening match to a PPV but I remember this match being awesome. The Rockers and The Orient Express seemed to have a very abbreviated feud that was picked up at random times but they really worked well together. Their match at WrestleMania VI was good but this one was great.

**Shockage** · 01-06-2013, 08:11 PM

The match is historic, up until then the WWF never opened a ppv with small guys going at it 100 miles an hour. I'm also being mindful that this was the Royal Rumble ppv and the Royal Rumble match itself was an hour long, so the WWF had to make up the undercard with few lengthy matches.

**metfan51** · 01-06-2013, 08:16 PM

True but there's that Bret-Owen match that was alright at WrestleMania X. Granted, the two were on the way up but still, that match was probably the best I've ever seen open a show. The tag match at the 91 Rumble was definitely one of the best to open a PPV and the best Rumble opener. You won't get an argument from me there.

**Shockage** · 01-06-2013, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by metfan51

True but there's that Bret-Owen match that was alright at WrestleMania X. Granted, the two were on the way up but still, that match was probably the best I've ever seen open a show. The tag match at the 91 Rumble was definitely one of the best to open a PPV and the best Rumble opener. You won't get an argument from me there.

As far as WrestleMania openers are concerned, Bret vs. Owen is as good as it gets. We were expecting a great match considering the build up and the backstory. Rockers/OE took everyone by surprise because we didn't expect that kind of standard and break of tradition from the WWF seeing 4 undersized wrestlers bringing the house down.

**metfan51** · 01-06-2013, 10:18 PM

I understand but when you say this match is the best opener or this match is the best opener, you have to judge it by what was better. One of my favorite matches from WrestleMania 22 was Trish Stratus vs. Mickie James because it surpassed my expectations but Edge vs. Mick Foley was the match of the night. See, it was the better match. So even though Trish and Mickie weren't expected to have a great match and did doesn't mean it gets the nod over a match that saw my expectations.

Just because the four had a great match and it wasn't expected doesn't mean it's a better match than the one between Bret and Owen. That's my point but obviously you have a right to your opinion.

**Shockage** · 01-06-2013, 10:35 PM

Well it is the best Royal Rumble opener, and I called it ONE of the greatest ppv openers, not THE greatest. I also praised it for being the FIRST WWF ppv opener which allowed the undersized guys to bring the house down. The match is being recognized for it's own ground breaking merits, yet it's you who's comparing it to other matches for the wrong reasons and misquoting me. You need to stop doing that.

**metfan51** · 01-06-2013, 10:53 PM

It's a valid comparison. If you can't accept the fact that I disagreed with you and did it respectfully than whatever. You'd think this would be a bit more friendly considering nobody else has jumped into this thread.

**Shockage** · 01-06-2013, 10:54 PM

I can't accept the fact that you keep misquoting me. Be friendly and stop doing it.

**metfan51** · 01-06-2013, 11:04 PM

I swore I read 'the best opener in a PPV.' That's the only reason I responded. You could have squashed it right away with a simple 'I said one of the best openers' a lot sooner than you did. That's not my fault.