Repeat Please!

     This year's Wrestlemania in Arizona looks to be another blockbuster pay-per-view event for the WWE, and it should, since it will feature Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels 2 ('Taker's Wrestlemania undefeated streak of 17 wins vs Michaels' career.)  This was a rematch over a year in the making and in the wrestling world, a year is an eternity.  This got me wistfully thinking about other matches that should've gotten a rematch, but didn't.


Portland Trail Blazers vs Chicago Bulls (early 90s NBA)

     The two teams met in the 1992 NBA Finals, with the Bulls, courtesy of astounding play and suddenly accurate three point shooting from Michael Jordan taking the championship.  Both teams were very loaded, with the Blazers having Terry Porter, Clyde Drexler, Jerome Kersey, Buck Williams, Cliff Robinson and Kevin Duckworth.  Meanwhile, the Bulls featured John Paxson, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, Bill Cartwright and B.J. Armstrong and the two teams were just evenly matched, that it seemed they would be headed for an intriguing rivalry for at least another 2 years.  Alas,it was not meant to be as the revamped Phoenix Suns emerged as Western champs the following year and then Jordan retired the 1st time after that.  Just the thought of the aerial battle between His Airness and the Glide is more than enough to be wistful about a rematch.


Mike Tyson vs James Douglas (Heavyweight Boxing)

      In what was easily the upset of the decade in boxing, "Buster" Douglas knocked out the until then indestructible "Iron" Mike Tyson, taking his undisputed heavyweight championship. Douglas was at his best, moving, jabbing and frustrating Tyson until the fearsome champ tired out.  Finally, he seized his opportunity in the 11th round, dropping Tyson for the first time in his career.  Despite this almost perfect night from Douglas, it was still a close fight, as Tyson also dropped Douglas with a smashing right in the 10th round.  That is why a rematch would've been tremendous for the boxing world.  Unfortunately, the loss was only the first of a string of bad developments for Tyson, who then was found guilty of rape, sent to jail and found himself bankrupt.  Douglas, meanwhile, enjoyed his championship too much, showing up bloated for his first title defense against Evander Holyfield and got knocked out of significance.  


Ryo Chonan vs Anderson Silva





     Silva, generally considered the best mixed martial artist in the world, pound for pound, has been undefeated in the UFC.  Before he got his aura of invincibility in the UFC, however, Silva lost four times.  One of those losses in the now defunct Pride Championship in Japan, was to Japanese Ryo Chonan who is currently in the UFC roster as well.  In what has to be one of the most spectacular finishes in MMA, Chonan unleashed a flying scissor takedown which led straight to a heel hook to defeat Silva.  It's almost a certainty that Silva would want to avenge that fight, but Pride has been bought out by the UFC and Chonan, while still in the UFC, has seen his career fade into oblivion.  A rematch may not draw as much interest, so it's unlikely a rematch will be set up.