Triple Threat Theatre - DDP
Welcome to another edition of Triple Threat Theatre where we highlight the three best matches from a specific wrestler’s career. Today, we focus on DDP.
Diamond Dallas Page is one of the most remarkable figures in professional wrestling history. A man who came into the business originally as a manager, and didn’t begin training to become an in-ring wrestler until he was 35 years old, a time where most wrestlers have already established themselves and begin thinking about what comes after wrestling. But with a determination unlike almost anyone else in the business, DDP persevered and went on to become one of the biggest homegrown superstars in WCW. While his WWE run was horrid, DDP’s contributions to the business, especially after founding DDPYoga and helping rehabilitate some of wrestling’s most troubled stars in Jake Roberts and Scott Hall, DDP will likely be remembered more for his post-wrestling success than what he did in the ring. That said, he had some incredible moments between the ropes, which is why he is now a proud member of the WWE Hall Of Fame. Today, we look at his greatest in-ring accomplishments.
3) WCW Halloween Havoc 1998 - WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match – Goldberg Vs. Diamond Dallas Page
At the time of this match, Goldberg was at the height of his popularity and his undefeated streak. DDP was also on absolute fire and won his way into this match by winning the horrific 1998 War Games match. DDP would carry Goldberg to what was inarguably the greatest match of his career, but sadly much of the live PPV watching audience wouldn’t get to see the match. Due to a timing error by WCW and the horrid Warrior/Hogan match before it going long, the PPV feed would cut off following the ring introductions. WCW would air the match the following night on Nitro, showing exactly how good DDP was in a match that many still say should have been the one where Goldberg’s streak ended proper.
2) WCW Uncensored 1998 – WCW United States Championship Raven’s Rules Triple Threat – Diamond Dallas Page Vs. Chris Benoit Vs. Raven
My personal favourite DDP match ever, an absolutely brutal showcase of all three men and their abilities. All three men were at the top of their game, and each brought a different set of abilities. You had Benoit as the pure worker, Raven with the expert psychology and Page with the charisma and undying work ethic. All three men came prepared to go all out, battling around the arena in a match that elevated all involved.
1) WCW Spring Stampede 1997 – Macho Man Randy Savage Vs. Diamond Dallas Page
The match that cemented DDP as a star. In early 1997 Page made waves by turning down the offer to join the New World Order in one of the most memorable segments ever by planting Scott Hall with a Diamond Cutter and escaping through the crowd. Randy Savage was the man chosen to work with Page and help elevate him, and the two were involved in a months-long feud. Undeniably Savage’s finest work in WCW and Page still (correctly) credits the feud, and this match in particular, as moving him from a fine mid-card hand into the superstar he became. An absolute classic.
