B.O.W. Vol. 8: 1992-98 HBK vs 2002-10 HBK

[TheBoyRo]

This was tough. HBK had to kinda reinvent himself when we decided to go back to WWE full time after summerslam 2002. He only had one world title reign and it only lasted a month. But he had some classic matches and helped make the stats of today (Orton, cena)

 

[blu197]

Boy Toy = Athletic Peak

Heartbreak Kid/Boyhood Dream = Wrestling Peak

Early Attitude Era/DX = Entertainment Peak

 

[DOPEdweebz]

HBK had more classic matches when he came back like 3 or 4 morr times the classic matches

 

[jono]

Athletically he wasn't the same, he was a tad bit slower but his psychology got INFINITELY better after his return.

 

[blu197]

HBK had more classic matches when he came back like 3 or 4 morr times the classic matches

Well no shit, you're comparing a 6 year singles run to a 10 year singles run so the second run has the advantage of more matches, but HBKs prime years in the 90s was better than Born Again HBK at everything, the only thing Born Again HBK had on 90s HBK is longevity and maybe slightly better in ring psychology, not saying HBK lost that big of a step but he cleary wasn't the same athlete after the back injury, that's like saying Jordan was better during the 2nd 3peat than the first bc the Bulls achieved a 72-10 record and the Flu Game....

 

[blu197]

And the first singles run is more closer to 5 years bc he first retired in March '98, Born Again has a few more classics but he has 4-5 more years of work, thread topic isn't "which had more classics" but which is the Better Overall Wrestler, i dont see how anybody can pick post back surgery HBK over his prime years from an entertainment and in ring standpoint...

 

[DOPEdweebz]

HBK had more classic matches when he came back like 3 or 4 morr times the classic matches

Well no shit, you're comparing a 6 year singles run to a 10 year singles run so the second run has the advantage of more matches, but HBKs prime years in the 90s was better than Born Again HBK at everything, the only thing Born Again HBK had on 90s HBK is longevity and maybe slightly better in ring psychology, not saying HBK lost that big of a step but he cleary wasn't the same athlete after the back injury, that's like saying Jordan was better during the 2nd 3peat than the first bc the Bulls achieved a 72-10 record and the Flu Game....

He averaged more classics per year also, and the longevity is factor also. I say his matches vs Angle, Taker wm 25, flair, cena on raw, shelton on raw, etc. id take the more consistent and better psychological years of HBK over athleticism. If athleticism was a main factor than AJ Styles and RVD would be ranked higher than HBK.

 

[blu197]

HBK had more classic matches when he came back like 3 or 4 morr times the classic matches

Well no shit, you're comparing a 6 year singles run to a 10 year singles run so the second run has the advantage of more matches, but HBKs prime years in the 90s was better than Born Again HBK at everything, the only thing Born Again HBK had on 90s HBK is longevity and maybe slightly better in ring psychology, not saying HBK lost that big of a step but he cleary wasn't the same athlete after the back injury, that's like saying Jordan was better during the 2nd 3peat than the first bc the Bulls achieved a 72-10 record and the Flu Game....

He averaged more classics per year also, and the longevity is factor also. I say his matches vs Angle, Taker wm 25, flair, cena on raw, shelton on raw, etc. id take the more consistent and better psychological years of HBK over athleticism. If athleticism was a main factor than AJ Styles and RVD would be ranked higher than HBK.

Ima have to go back and look through both runs, match for match Born Again probly has 2 or 3 more better matches despite having a few years advantage, you're basically saying those matches with Cena, old Flair and Shelton are that much better than his matches during his IC, European and WWF Title runs....

Athleticism is main factor when talking about better OVERALL wrestler, it's clear as day HBK was more entertaining on the mic and in general in the 90s as a Heel and the early DX days compared to born again who was strictly face...

Again OVERALL 90s HBK is better in Athleticism, in-ring ability, mic work, charisma as BOTH Face and Heel bc Born Again was majority the sympathetic Face... as an OVERALL wrestler Born Again comes short to 90s HBK..

 

[DOPEdweebz]

HBKs physicsl prime was his 90s but he had a more classical run and more slightly memorable career in the 2000s imo.

 

[blu197]

HBKs physicsl prime was his 90s but he had a more classical run and more slightly memorable career in the 2000s imo.

Nosign on "slightly more memorable", the top 5 things that majority (that arent kids) will remember from HBK are

Montreal Screwjob

Iron Man Match WM12

WM14 Austin

Heel Turn on Marty Jannettey (that moment created the term "Heel Turn" )

Starting DX and kicking off the Attitude Era

Also other things that were historical like being in the first ever Ladder and Hell in a Cell match..

When talking about OVERALL body of work, 90s HBK is better on the mic, entertainer (he's a natural Heel), wrestler and athlete... Longevity and slightly better psychology isn't enough for me to give Born Again the nod..

 

[blu197]

His Tag Team run with Austin is also underrated

 

[DOPEdweebz]

HBKs physicsl prime was his 90s but he had a more classical run and more slightly memorable career in the 2000s imo.

Nosign on "slightly more memorable", the top 5 things that majority (that arent kids) will remember from HBK are

Montreal Screwjob

Iron Man Match WM12

WM14 Austin

Heel Turn on Marty Jannettey (that moment created the term "Heel Turn" )

Starting DX and kicking off the Attitude Era

Also other things that were historical like being in the first ever Ladder and Hell in a Cell match..

When talking about OVERALL body of work, 90s HBK is better on the mic, entertainer (he's a natural Heel), wrestler and athlete... Longevity and slightly better psychology isn't enough for me to give Born Again the nod..

Thats your opinion. Respect.

 

[its....JOHN B]

Good thread, I'm leaning 90's but I been catching up on all of his 2000's stuff recently which is all great, I was about to post everything Blu already posted, my nostalgic state of mind prevails I'm going with the 90's Shawn

 

[its....JOHN B]

He forgot one though

 

[DOPEdweebz]

He forgot one though

You can argue both the summerslam and wrestlemania ladder matches were classics. I think he even had a classic vs Kevin Nash at In Your House. Every match vs Bret was on point too. It is a tough comparison tho.

 

[jono]

He had better people to work with his second run too. The booking style allowed for more varied match ups in his later years too

 

[blu197]

This type of discussion can also be talked about with other wrestlers like Undertaker, Golden Age/New Generation/Attitude Era Taker vs Ruthless Aggression/PG Era Taker...

Or even Hogan, Hulk Hogan WWF run vs Hollywood Hogan WCW run..

 

[RawAce]

WWF sucked to me before 98

Shit was generic and cartoonish

 

[TheIraq]

I'm shocked folks are picking the 02-12 option.....

 

[willhustle]

HBK wrestled from 02-10 not 2012.