Fantasizing about dream match ups is part of being a professional wrestling fan. For years I read magazines like Pro Wrestling Illustrated, Inside Wrestling, and The Wrestler, intrigued by their fantasy match ups. I would then grab my action figures and create my own fantasy tournaments, where I would decide who was the best of all time. It is in that spirit that I write my Fights of Fancy articles. A look inside the arena of imagination where we ask who would win…Enzo Amore & Big Cass v. The New Age Outlaws.
Enzo Amore & Big Cass are a couple of certified G’s, while the New Age Outlaws are a couple of degenerates. One team is from the Jersey Shore, the other two are Southern boys. Both teams have microphone skills that match their in-ring abilities, and while one team has held tag team gold multiple times, the other have major championship potential. Before we can decide who would win in a fantasy match between these attitudinal teams, we have to examine the strengths and weaknesses of both. First, we take a trip out East to examine Enzo Amore & Big Cass
Enzo Amore and Big Cass w/Carmella
Amore & Cass may be the most entertaining duo in NXT, and not only does that make them more marketable, but it also makes them more dangerous. I get the feeling that other teams look at Amore & Cass and laugh, which is a mistake they often regret later. For all of the hoopla and trash talking these two do on their way to the ring, once the bell sounds, it’s all business. In this way, their mouths are also an advantage because it often lures their opponents into a false sense of security. Amore & Cass also work well as a team because they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Amore can take a lot of punishment, while Big Cass is a cleaner who can clear house when given the chance. Combined, these two have a winning formula that more often than not results in victory.
Let’s also not forget the lovely Carmella at their side as well. While she has yet to break through in the NXT women’s division, Carmella has proven on more than one occasion that she can hold her own when the going gets tough. She is also fiercely loyal to her boys and adds a very convenient distraction against anyone they face. If the Outlaws try to get up to their old tricks, Carmella could be an invaluable commodity in this fantasy fight.
Of course, Enzo & Cass have their disadvantages too. While Carmella can be a distraction to their opponents, in the past she has also been a distraction for Enzo. In fact, Amore’s emotions are often left unchecked, which causes him to make bad decisions during matches. His partner isn’t always much better. Big Cass sometimes forgets that you can’t teach someone how to be seven feet tall, and subsequently lets his little buddy get into more trouble than he can handle on his own.
The New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg & Billy Gunn)
On the other side of the ring are two members of D-Generation X, the Road Dogg Jesse James and Bad Ass Billy Gunn, the New Age Outlaws. Obviously the biggest advantage these two have over their NXT counterparts is their experience. James and Gunn have held the World Wrestling Entertainment Tag Team Championship six times, an impressive feat for any tag team. While Cass and Amore could be called best friends, James and Gunn have travelled down the road together so many times, they might as well be called family. That connection and chemistry together cannot be under stated.
While Enzo and Cass may be quicker and bigger respectively, there is no question that the Road Dogg is the best brawler of the group, while Billy Gunn is unquestionably the strongest of the four. If the New Age Outlaws can make this a fight instead of a wrestling match, then their style would dominate the contest, and undoubtedly give the former champions an edge.
Speaking of Edge, that brings us to the level of competition that the New Age Outlaws have faced throughout their career. The Outlaws have fought just about every great team of the Attitude era including the aforementioned Edge & Christian, the Dudley Boys, the Hardy Boys, the Outsiders, the Steiner Brothers, and more. What makes the team of Billy Gunn and Road Dogg unique is the fact that they have also faced teams of the modern era, including the Brotherhood, the Usos, and the Shield. They even managed to capture the WWE Unified Tag Team Championship, proving that you can teach old dogs new tricks.
When it comes to disadvantages, the New Age Outlaws are oftentimes more concerned with making a point rather than racking up wins. Sure, they’re the kind of team that isn’t above cheating to win, but they don’t always go about it in a smart way. Subsequently, they often find themselves disqualified, which is why they tend to do best in a no hold barred environment.
The Match
The first showdown between these two teams might actually closer resemble a rap battle than it does a fight. Both teams do everything they can to get the crowd going before the contest. While the Outlaws always get a big crowd reaction to their schtick initially, even as a heel tandem, outside of catch phrases, there isn’t much to them. Enzo and Cass, on the other hand, are witty and engaging, meaning not only can they get fans to repeat their words back to them, but they can insult Gunn and Dogg in a way that both pops the crowd, and flusters their competition. In the war of opening words, Enzo and Cass would strike first blood.
Once the fight begins, however, having a pair of angry outlaws isn’t where you want to be. Enzo Amore usually starts out the contest, and while his speedy offense might fluster the Outlaws at first, I imagine that Billy and Jesse would isolate Amore, and use quick tags to keep the hits coming on the certified G. Having a substantial strength advantage, the Outlaws would continue to double team Enzo, and might soon become frustrated with his refusal to be put away.
After a while, the Outlaws would begin to get cocky, likely slapping around Enzo and cat calling Carmella on the outside. It would only be a matter of time before Gunn or Dogg made a mistake, leading to Amore scoring the hot tag to Big Cass. Cass would come in like a house of fire, cleaning house with big boots and vicious right hands. The Outlaws would flee to the outside and find Carmella, who they would try to intimidate. This would likely set off Enzo, who would foolishly go after both Jesse and Billy. Cass would come out to even the odds, and as the four brawl on the outside, Enzo ends up being thrown into the steel steps, knocking him loopy.
With his partner out of commission, Big Cass would be rolled into the ring by Road Dogg who would meet his fate at the hands of Billy Gunn with a Famouser and a pin fall victory for the Outlaws.
Winners: The New Age Outlaws
Agree? Disagree? Think the match would go another way? Make your voice heard in the comments below and let me know what you think on twitter @AdamContant. Use the hashtag #FightsOfFancy.
