Welcome back, one and all, to yet another edition of the Dark Match Dungeon! If you’re not familiar with this feature, this is where I dive Scrooge McDuck-style into the internet’s treasure trove of footage featuring today’s wrestling stars. Last week’s look at Finn Bálor and Daniel Bryan facing off in an NWA title tournament might be best stuff I’ve dug up so far, so I knew I had to deliver something strong today. Fortunately, I think I’ve got something you’ll like.
Courtesy of Ottawa’s own C4 Wrestling, here’s an early prototype of a match you may have seen on WWE television recently: Kevin Owens going one-on-one with Cesaro. That’s right, these two have been beating each other up from pillar to post for years now. Have a look at Mr. Wrestling taking on noted coffee enthusiast Claudio Castagnoli in this north-of-the-border chapter of their rivalry, presented in its entirety.
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What To Look For:
- “YOU’RE SNEAKY.”
- In case you were wondering how long Owens has been one of wrestling’s best heels, here he is ripping a Band-Aid off a man’s head. Without consent. What a jerk.
- A very rude crowd trying to drown out the nice foreigner. What gives, Canada? I thought you were supposed to be the polite country.
- Proof that Cesaro has known his way around the Sharpshooter for years.
- The Vanier Columbus Club, one of my favorite wrestling venues, solely on the basis that it provided the backdrop for one of my favorite Chikara moments.
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As it says in the video description, this C4 title match is from October 2009. Cesaro would make his way to WWE’s developmental system two years later, while Owens would sign in the summer of 2014. It’s not exactly on par with the Sami Zayn feud, but Owens/Cesaro has always been a great mix, especially when you throw the United States Championship into the mix. Let’s face it, they’re the best part of Raw that doesn’t involve Becky Lynch’s armbar.
