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Thinking about watching some random OVW matches and giving my thoughts. OVW gives me the warm and fuzzies. I was told it was good when I was a kid, but I’ve got so many blind spots down there, thought it would be nourishing to go back.
Just watched Brent Albright vs. Doug Basham. I don’t know when it’s from exactly, but Doug Basham is bald and wearing patterned tights — so this is post-Basham Brothers, probably around 2005/2006 or so. This is probably Heyman era.
Very apparent from the start what the story is. Brent Albright submitted for the first time in his career the previous week. He’s reeling from that. Doug Basham is looking to find his spark.
Basham is so good. He does the little things. He’s completely into his match. Even as the crowd is heckling Albright, he doesn’t let that ruin his flow as a heel. When he gets shoved off a headlock attempt, he flies into the corner and goes to the first rope to add that little extra credit to Albright’s offense.
Basham hurts his arm on an arm drag that actually looks awkward. This gives Albright a target for his Crowbar submission hold. There’s a weird spot where Albright hits a Flying Headbutt but seemingly knocks himself out. Basham takes the move, but Alright doesn’t move and Doug covers him for two. Dean Hill mentions in commentary that Basham sent Albright into the turnbuckle and to the floor earlier which has rattled Albright and made that headbutt counterproductive. Interesting if jarring spot.
The Crowbar doesn’t come into play for the finish. Albright gets the win with the Sharpshooter. I kind of like how the Sword of Damacles was ignored there, but I can see why it would bother some people.
Overall, a really fucking good match. Albright kind of upped and disappeared, didn’t he? Fuck me, he looks so young here. I always had this idea of Albright looking 35 in my head, but he’s clearly a baby here.
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