A Matter of Respect 1996: RVD and Sabu Raise the Stakes as Shane Douglas Takes Gold

Damián 666 versus El Puerto Riqueño is essentially a comedy setup for Sabu rather than a complete opening match. Both wrestlers imitate Sabu until the real Sabu comes to the ring and attacks them, ending the bout in a no contest. D+ reflects almost no competitive substance, but the segment does have a clear character purpose because it establishes Sabu's intensity before the Respect Match with Rob Van Dam later in the show. The crowd understands the joke quickly, and the interruption keeps the segment brief enough not to overstay its welcome. As wrestling, there is little to revisit. As a way to put Sabu in the audience's mind before his featured match, it works.

Damien Kane and Devon Storm against the Dudley Boyz is built around D-Von Dudley's increasingly unstable behavior rather than the opponents. D-Von attacks Kane and Storm with chair shots, then turns on his own partner Buh Buh Ray before striking the referee as well. The referee awards the match to Kane and Storm by disqualification. C rewards clear character progression and crowd investment even though the match structure is overwhelmed by the angle. The aftermath matters most when Buh Buh and D-Von argue and the other Dudleys separate them. D-Von's hostility is no longer just directed at outsiders, and the segment makes the internal Dudley conflict a central story heading into the next major events.

The Full Blooded Italians versus Axl Rotten and Hack Meyers gives J.T. Smith and Little Guido their most substantial tag-team win since the act formed. The FBI work a conventional heel structure, using interference and leverage while Axl and Meyers provide the crowd-friendly opposition. Guido blocks Meyers' sunset flip and uses Smith's hand for leverage to secure the pin. B- rewards tag-team chemistry, character development, a clear finish, and the value of giving the FBI momentum against two recognizable ECW undercard names. The match is not a major historical attraction, but it confirms that Smith and Guido are becoming an actual team rather than a temporary comedy pairing. That progression gives the result lasting value.

Raven's three-way defense against Pitbull #2 and Sandman is a chaotic but effective championship match built around elimination stakes. Raven removes Pitbull #2 first after using a loaded boot, then survives Sandman's pressure long enough to land an Evenflow DDT on a guardrail and score the second pin. B rewards title significance, crowd heat, elimination structure, and the way Raven escapes two credible challengers in one match. The interference and weapon use keep it from feeling like a clean athletic showcase, but that is consistent with Raven's championship identity. Sandman and the Pitbulls remain active around the title afterward, so Raven gains a meaningful defense without exhausting the larger rivalry.

Taz versus Beef Wellington is another short showcase for the Human Suplex Machine presentation. Wellington receives enough offense to avoid looking completely helpless, but Taz quickly takes over, throws him with suplexes, and finishes with the Tazmission in under five minutes. C rewards decisive execution, crowd response, and the continued protection of Taz as one of ECW's most dangerous wrestlers. The match has little suspense and no major storyline twist, which limits the score. Its purpose is consistency: every time Taz appears, opponents are expected to survive an increasingly violent style rather than simply outwrestle him. That repetition is helping turn Taz from a featured heel into a central attraction.

Chris Jericho versus Mikey Whipwreck is a strong twelve-minute singles match that gives both wrestlers room to show more than their usual undercard roles. Mikey's resilience works naturally against Jericho's increasingly polished athletic offense, and the match builds around counters rather than outside interference. Jericho eventually wins with a super butterfly suplex. B+ rewards pace, execution, crowd investment, clean structure, and the value of giving Jericho a credible victory over a former ECW world champion. Mikey loses without being diminished because the match remains competitive throughout. Positioned immediately before the Television Championship match, it raises the in-ring level of the show and helps the second half feel substantially stronger than the opening stretch.

Shane Douglas versus 2 Cold Scorpio is the best complete wrestling match on A Matter of Respect and a major championship change. More than twenty-six minutes gives both men time to build a layered contest around Scorpio's athleticism and Douglas' methodical control. Near the finish, Douglas trips Scorpio on the top rope and hits a belly-to-belly suplex from the turnbuckles to win the Television Championship. A- rewards duration, championship stakes, crowd investment, technical execution, and the significance of the title change. Douglas initially praises Scorpio and shakes his hand, only for Scorpio to attack him with the belt and a piledriver. The aftermath ensures the rivalry stays heated even after Douglas leaves as champion.

Rob Van Dam versus Sabu is the emotional and historical centerpiece of A Matter of Respect because the stipulation turns their handshake dispute into the entire point of the rematch. The two work another fast, athletic contest with enough familiarity from Hostile City Showdown to create stronger counters and anticipation. RVD eventually hits the split-legged moonsault and scores the pin. A- rewards chemistry, pace, innovation, crowd heat, historical importance, and a clean result that evens their series. Sabu is briefly stretchered away but returns to honor the stipulation. Van Dam slaps his hand aside, insults him, and leaves with Taz and Bill Alfonso, transforming a respectful ending into a sharper personal rivalry.

The six-man main event combines two established feuds into a chaotic ECW closer without losing sight of the teams involved. Tommy Dreamer continues fighting Brian Lee while New Jack and Mustafa remain focused on the Eliminators' tag titles. Stevie Richards interferes, and Beulah McGillicutty and Kimona Wanalaya briefly become involved before returning a cinderblock to Dreamer as a weapon. The Gangstas ultimately create the decisive opening, with New Jack hitting Kronus with a chair and following with the 187 for the pin. B+ rewards crowd energy, feud continuity, main-event atmosphere, and the useful result. Dreamer gets another measure of revenge while the Gangstas gain momentum toward a future championship match.