10 Best Rivalries In ECW History

3. Mike Awesome vs. Masato Tanaka

At the first One Night Stand, legendary Japanese wrestler Masato Tanaka made his first ever WWE appearance. His opponent? Former 70s Guy and Fat Chick Thriller Mike Awesome. Before he got totally nerfed in WCW, Awesome was an absolute demon in the land of extreme. A big man who could dive over the top ropes to the floor as easily as he could perform a powerbomb, he sure could throw it down with the best of them, but his greatest dance partner had to be the man from Nippon. 

The two had previously feuded in FMW before transferring over to the US. They went to war multiple times at live events, on TV, and on pay-per-view, with their clash at Heat Wave 1998 being a particular standout, before trading the ECW Title back and forth towards the tail end of 1999. Tanaka and Awesome’s styles meshed perfectly and both men were always willing to give 100 per cent when facing each other. The fact that they were chosen for a match at One Night Stand speaks volumes and, guess what? That was an absolute barnburner as well!