Original Airdate: Thursday, March 3rd, 2005
Pepsi Arena
Albany, New York
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John Cena comes out to a big pop to kick off the show. Tazz announces that he will be defending his US Championship against Orlando Jordan tonight. Cena is sick of JBL. He tells JBL that it's not how many days he's held the championship, it's how many days until he loses the championship. Pretty basic promo by Cena there.
WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Rey Mysterio & Eddie Guerrero vs. Mark Jindrak & Luther Reigns
Last week, Jindrak and Reigns had to be separated following their loss to Undertaker. Now they get a title match. Eddie and Reigns start the match off. The champs gain the early advantage, but then Reigns and Jindrak hang Rey out to dry on the top rope with an illegal double team. Rey hits the hot tag to Eddie, who immediately hits two dropkicks. Eddie then hits the two of the Three Amigos on Reigns. Mysterio hits a seated senton onto Reigns, allowing Eddie to hit the third amigo. Flog splash picks up the victory. There wasn't a whole lot to that one. Reigns and Jindrak continue to do the opposite of impress.
Match Rating: *3/4 (out of 5)
After the match, Jindrak and Reigns get into it again and Jindrak knocks Reigns out with a left hook.
The rookie women are in the back and then Dawn Marie comes in tells them how sick of them she is. Michelle McCool steps in to step in front of Joy and as a result Dawn challenges her and a partner of her choice against whoever she wants in a mixed tag team match.
Carlito is back with Teddy Long and Long hands Carlito a shovel to take care of the snow outside.
Booker T vs. Heidenreich
I was praying we'd get a rematch of their No Way Out classic. Who says dreams don't come true? Booker goes right after Heidenreich, but shortly after we get Heidenreich working on Booker's shoulder. Booker hits a few kicks, but Heidenreich hits a big clothesline. Heidenreich heads to the outside to grab a chair like he did at No Way Out. Booker T hits a kick to Heidenreich with the chair in his hands and hits him right in the face. Booker grabs the chair, but decides not to use it, allowing Heidenreich to recover, but then Booker hits a DDT on the chair and the ref calls for the bell. After the match, he hits a scissors kick and then does the spinarooni. It was better than No Way Out, I guess?
Match Rating: 3/4*
Kurt Angle is out to the ring and he's feeling good about what he did to Shawn Michaels. Angle runs down Michaels, but says that is WrestleMania and tonight he will have a Kurt Angle Invitational match. A man with a hood over his face walks down and Angle is suspicious of it and pulls down his straps. Angle says he knows who he is and pulls off his hood and it's not him. Angle says he knows Michaels wouldn't be here because he destroyed him on Monday. In the background, they show a cameraman getting undressed and it's Michaels and he takes down the security guards and Angle. This was a nicely done brawl segment. I can't wait to see that match again. It's definitely been a few years.
During the break, Teddy Long tells Shawn that he is going to have him escorted from the building. Shawn said all he wanted was a piece and that he'd get the rest at WrestleMania.
Dawn Marie & Rene Dupree vs. Michelle McCool & Big Show
We haven't seen Dupree in awhile and he's sporting a black eye. Apparently this is McCool's debut match. I'm going to guess that this match isn't going to last very long. Dawn and McCool start things off. Dawn Marie shoves McCool and then slaps her. McCool does a few very choreographed moves and it's pretty clear that she really should not be in there. Dupree gets tagged in and when the ref is distracted, McCool hits a low blow and tags in Big Show. Show mocks Dupree's dance and then hits the chokeslam for the victory. There's no way else to put it. That was absolutely terrible.
Match Rating: 0 Stars
They show Carlito outside shoveling snow in a winter hat and no jacket.
JBL makes his way down to the ring for an interview. He runs down down Cena and the fans. JBL goes on a rant about people dying young by overdoses and that he can only have so many maids and gardeners. I just can't get into his character. JBL walks to the back and meets up with his Cabinet. He leaves with the Bashams, but tells Orlando Jordan that he's gone if he loses to Cena.
Chavo Guerrero is in the back with Rey. Chavo tells Rey that Eddie is upset about how many times he lost to him and that he's waiting for the perfect time to strike.
Big Show and Joy are celebrating his victory. Funaki comes up to him and tells him he should take on Akebono. This is how that match happened?
United States Championship Match
Orlando Jordan vs. John Cena
After feeling each other out, Cena gets in a few moves including a sideslam. Cena hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle and Jordan rolls out of the ring. I just noticed that there's a person in the floor seats right behind the ring with a Ring Of Honor shirt on. Jordan hits a powerbomb and gets a 2 count. There have been way too many rest holds in this match. Jordan hits a dropkick and again gets a 2 count. Cena hits a series of clotheslines followed by an inverted atomic drop. Cena pumps up his shoes and goes for the FU. The Bashams are out now and there is essentially no match here. JBL is down now and hits Cena over the head. Jordan rolls him up and gets the victory. That wasn't a very good match and why have it be Jordan? This is the state of the roster depth in 2005.
Match Rating: *
That was one of the more forgettable SmackDowns since I started doing these .The Michaels/Angle stuff was really fun but the rest of the segments are something that no one needs to see.
Overall Rating: 36%
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Monday, May 13, 2019
Monday Night Raw 2-28-05 Review
Monday, February 28th, 2005
Dunkin' Donuts Center
Providence, Rhode Island
Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2
As soon as we are on the air, Triple H's music hits. Triple H asks if anyone actually thinks he is afraid of Batista. We get fired up Triple H tonight and that's a good thing. Triple H finishes his rant and out comes The Hurricane. Triple H attacks him as he enters the ring. Triple H is pummeling him on the outside. Triple H then nails Hurricane with a Pedigree on the steel ramp. He picks up his title and a mic. He warns Batista that if he steps foot in this arena. he is going to destroy him. So there was a referee, but the match never started.
Chris Benoit vs. Muhammad Hassan
Benoit looks to be working a little snug to begin here. Benoit then begins to chase Daivari around the ring, but Hassan is hiding and nails him with a clothesline. Benoit fights back and hits 2 German suplexes. Benoit then inadvertently elbows the ref. Daivari hands Hassan the ring bell. Benoit hits another suplex, but Hassan still has the bell. Benoit is now going up top for the diving headbutt, but he hits the bell. The ref gets up and does a slow count and Benoit gets up. That seemed kind of weird. Hassan then hits a low blow and the ref rings the bell for a disqualification. I'm guessing Hassan missed the bell spot and Benoit called an audible.
Match Rating: **1/4 (out of 5)
They announce Hulk Hogan as an inductee into the Hall of Fame.
Batista has entered the arena. Coach runs up to Batista and tattles on Triple H. Batista says that when he sees him, he will thank him for unleashing the animal.
Triple H is standing there watching TV and Flair is telling him Batista is there. Flair wants him to go after him, but Triple H says he has a better idea.
Intercontinental Championship Match
Shelton Benjamin vs. Gene Snitsky
I guess this is the big blow off to the two sickening chair shots to the head for really no reason. Snitsky goes right after Benjamin, which tells me this is not going to be very long. Snitsky botches a counter into a suplex, but hits enough to make it work I guess. Benjamin counters the pump handle slam with an inverted DDT. Snitsky follows up with a big boot and grabs a chair. Shelton ducks and Snitsky loses the chair. Shelton then hits a huge DDT followed by a Stinger Splash. T-bone suplex and that is all. So those absolutely horrific chair shots to the head were all just a build up for a 3 minute match? Yeesh.
Match Rating: *
They announce that Piper's Pit is back at WrestleMania 21 and that his guest will be none other than Stone Cold Steve Austin.
John Walters vs. Chris Masters
Masters gets a very slightly better reaction this week than last. Masters makes quick work of Walters and slaps on the Master Lock for the win. Not much to say here. For a guy they built up for a pretty long time (in WWE time), they never really seemed to have a plan for him.
Match Rating: 1/4*
JR is in the ring to interview Batista. Batista says that Raw is all about Triple H. When Randy Orton won the title, when Batista won the Royal Rumble, it was still all about Triple H. Batista was nowhere near what he would eventually become on the mic here. Out comes Triple H and Flair. They surround the ring, but Batista knocks down Flair. Triple H walks out and Batista hits a spinebuster to Flair. Triple H teases coming in again and the crowd is chanting "Batista". Triple H retreats again and Batista gives the double thumbs down before hitting Flair with a Batista Bomb. The live crowd enjoyed the segment, so it came off well.
Triple H is in the back yelling at Eric Bischoff. They announce Batista vs. Ric Flair for next week to an underwhelming response from the crowd.
Chris Jericho vs. Maven
Jericho quickly starts working on Maven. Jericho hangs him out to dry on the top rope, then hits him with the springboard dropkick. Maven gets a short bit of offense before Jericho hits a step up enzaguri and then a dropkick off the top rope. Jericho puts the Walls of Jericho in and that's all. That was a pretty big burial of Maven there.
Match Rating: *
Jericho grabs a mic and says that everyone wants to make an impact at WrestleMania and he is no different. He announces that he has an idea that involves 6 men and a ladder. This is the birth of Money In The Bank, but he doesn't get into anymore detail than that.
They show the A Few Good Men WrestleMania commercial starring John Cena and JBL.
Christy Hemme is here to unveil her Playboy cover. She does to a mild applause and then Trish and her black eye are on their way down to the ring. Trish doesn't like her stealing her spotlight and begins putting spray paint over where it says "champion" on the cover. She then attacks her and spray paints her back. Classy segment.
Candice Michelle and Stacy Keibler are with steroid man Billy Graham. Randy Orton then joins them and they have an awkward conversation. You would never know that Graham was ever a good talker watching this segment. Graham tells Orton to be unique and special. Orton then puts down a SmackDown magazine with Undertaker on the cover.
Edge is with Maria said he beat HBK last time he was overlooked and he will make sure Michaels doesn't make it to WrestleMania.
Street Fight
Edge vs. Shawn Michaels
They start the match immediately, which is how every street fight should start. Michaels uses his belt as a weapon. Both guys are wearing street clothes and JR is hyping it as a "come as you are" street fight. This was a match I have really been looking forward to watching again because I really don't remember it that well. While I was pretty big into wrestling at the time, later on in 2005 I really became even more obsessed than I was here. HBK grabs a camera from a fan and takes a picture of a struggling Edge. Michaels is pulling a ladder out from under the ring, but then Edge nails him with a trash can in the head. Edge hits a DDT into the chair and now Michaels is busted open big time. We're talking almost Eddie Guerrero at Judgment Day bad, except this one is on cable TV, not pay-per-view. Edge is climbing to the top rope, but Michaels throws the ladder at him and sends him off the top and to the floor. Michaels tries a suicide dive, but gets caught on the middle rope. Thankfully Edge was able to catch him there. I have to think the big boots had a little to do with that one. Edge climbs almost to the top of the ladder and hits a big splash on Michaels, but only scores a 2 count. Michaels hits a slingshot on Edge right into the ladder. HBK then absolutely wails on Edge with a chair to the head. I probably say this with every review from this era, but I am so glad that I no longer have to watch that in modern day wrestling. Michaels gets his second wind and then nails Edge with a kendo stick to the head. He hits the elbow off the top rope and is tuning up the band. Edge ducks and then uses a chair for a low blow in a clever counter. Edge is bringing in a second chair and setting him up for a one man con-chair-to but Michaels gets out. Edge hits a spear, but only gets a 2 count. Edge is now tuning up the band, goes for the spear, but Michaels hits him with Sweet Chin Music for the victory. As soon as the match is over, Kurt Angle comes out of nowhere and destroys Michaels in an awesome moment. Angle then tells a laid out Michaels that he accepts his challenge. That was a really good main event, even if it's hard to watch the shots to the head here in 2019.
Match Rating: ***3/4
Well, that was a memorable episode featuring a really good main event, the birth of Money In The Bank and Muhammad Hassan's best match to date. It also featured an awful Trish Stratus/Christy Hemme segment and a few too many squashes. However, the bulk of it was entertaining and the street fight is definitely worth watching.
Overall Rating: 68%
Dunkin' Donuts Center
Providence, Rhode Island
Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2
As soon as we are on the air, Triple H's music hits. Triple H asks if anyone actually thinks he is afraid of Batista. We get fired up Triple H tonight and that's a good thing. Triple H finishes his rant and out comes The Hurricane. Triple H attacks him as he enters the ring. Triple H is pummeling him on the outside. Triple H then nails Hurricane with a Pedigree on the steel ramp. He picks up his title and a mic. He warns Batista that if he steps foot in this arena. he is going to destroy him. So there was a referee, but the match never started.
Chris Benoit vs. Muhammad Hassan
Benoit looks to be working a little snug to begin here. Benoit then begins to chase Daivari around the ring, but Hassan is hiding and nails him with a clothesline. Benoit fights back and hits 2 German suplexes. Benoit then inadvertently elbows the ref. Daivari hands Hassan the ring bell. Benoit hits another suplex, but Hassan still has the bell. Benoit is now going up top for the diving headbutt, but he hits the bell. The ref gets up and does a slow count and Benoit gets up. That seemed kind of weird. Hassan then hits a low blow and the ref rings the bell for a disqualification. I'm guessing Hassan missed the bell spot and Benoit called an audible.
Match Rating: **1/4 (out of 5)
They announce Hulk Hogan as an inductee into the Hall of Fame.
Batista has entered the arena. Coach runs up to Batista and tattles on Triple H. Batista says that when he sees him, he will thank him for unleashing the animal.
Triple H is standing there watching TV and Flair is telling him Batista is there. Flair wants him to go after him, but Triple H says he has a better idea.
Intercontinental Championship Match
Shelton Benjamin vs. Gene Snitsky
I guess this is the big blow off to the two sickening chair shots to the head for really no reason. Snitsky goes right after Benjamin, which tells me this is not going to be very long. Snitsky botches a counter into a suplex, but hits enough to make it work I guess. Benjamin counters the pump handle slam with an inverted DDT. Snitsky follows up with a big boot and grabs a chair. Shelton ducks and Snitsky loses the chair. Shelton then hits a huge DDT followed by a Stinger Splash. T-bone suplex and that is all. So those absolutely horrific chair shots to the head were all just a build up for a 3 minute match? Yeesh.
Match Rating: *
They announce that Piper's Pit is back at WrestleMania 21 and that his guest will be none other than Stone Cold Steve Austin.
John Walters vs. Chris Masters
Masters gets a very slightly better reaction this week than last. Masters makes quick work of Walters and slaps on the Master Lock for the win. Not much to say here. For a guy they built up for a pretty long time (in WWE time), they never really seemed to have a plan for him.
Match Rating: 1/4*
JR is in the ring to interview Batista. Batista says that Raw is all about Triple H. When Randy Orton won the title, when Batista won the Royal Rumble, it was still all about Triple H. Batista was nowhere near what he would eventually become on the mic here. Out comes Triple H and Flair. They surround the ring, but Batista knocks down Flair. Triple H walks out and Batista hits a spinebuster to Flair. Triple H teases coming in again and the crowd is chanting "Batista". Triple H retreats again and Batista gives the double thumbs down before hitting Flair with a Batista Bomb. The live crowd enjoyed the segment, so it came off well.
Triple H is in the back yelling at Eric Bischoff. They announce Batista vs. Ric Flair for next week to an underwhelming response from the crowd.
Chris Jericho vs. Maven
Jericho quickly starts working on Maven. Jericho hangs him out to dry on the top rope, then hits him with the springboard dropkick. Maven gets a short bit of offense before Jericho hits a step up enzaguri and then a dropkick off the top rope. Jericho puts the Walls of Jericho in and that's all. That was a pretty big burial of Maven there.
Match Rating: *
Jericho grabs a mic and says that everyone wants to make an impact at WrestleMania and he is no different. He announces that he has an idea that involves 6 men and a ladder. This is the birth of Money In The Bank, but he doesn't get into anymore detail than that.
They show the A Few Good Men WrestleMania commercial starring John Cena and JBL.
Christy Hemme is here to unveil her Playboy cover. She does to a mild applause and then Trish and her black eye are on their way down to the ring. Trish doesn't like her stealing her spotlight and begins putting spray paint over where it says "champion" on the cover. She then attacks her and spray paints her back. Classy segment.
Candice Michelle and Stacy Keibler are with steroid man Billy Graham. Randy Orton then joins them and they have an awkward conversation. You would never know that Graham was ever a good talker watching this segment. Graham tells Orton to be unique and special. Orton then puts down a SmackDown magazine with Undertaker on the cover.
Edge is with Maria said he beat HBK last time he was overlooked and he will make sure Michaels doesn't make it to WrestleMania.
Street Fight
Edge vs. Shawn Michaels
They start the match immediately, which is how every street fight should start. Michaels uses his belt as a weapon. Both guys are wearing street clothes and JR is hyping it as a "come as you are" street fight. This was a match I have really been looking forward to watching again because I really don't remember it that well. While I was pretty big into wrestling at the time, later on in 2005 I really became even more obsessed than I was here. HBK grabs a camera from a fan and takes a picture of a struggling Edge. Michaels is pulling a ladder out from under the ring, but then Edge nails him with a trash can in the head. Edge hits a DDT into the chair and now Michaels is busted open big time. We're talking almost Eddie Guerrero at Judgment Day bad, except this one is on cable TV, not pay-per-view. Edge is climbing to the top rope, but Michaels throws the ladder at him and sends him off the top and to the floor. Michaels tries a suicide dive, but gets caught on the middle rope. Thankfully Edge was able to catch him there. I have to think the big boots had a little to do with that one. Edge climbs almost to the top of the ladder and hits a big splash on Michaels, but only scores a 2 count. Michaels hits a slingshot on Edge right into the ladder. HBK then absolutely wails on Edge with a chair to the head. I probably say this with every review from this era, but I am so glad that I no longer have to watch that in modern day wrestling. Michaels gets his second wind and then nails Edge with a kendo stick to the head. He hits the elbow off the top rope and is tuning up the band. Edge ducks and then uses a chair for a low blow in a clever counter. Edge is bringing in a second chair and setting him up for a one man con-chair-to but Michaels gets out. Edge hits a spear, but only gets a 2 count. Edge is now tuning up the band, goes for the spear, but Michaels hits him with Sweet Chin Music for the victory. As soon as the match is over, Kurt Angle comes out of nowhere and destroys Michaels in an awesome moment. Angle then tells a laid out Michaels that he accepts his challenge. That was a really good main event, even if it's hard to watch the shots to the head here in 2019.
Match Rating: ***3/4
Well, that was a memorable episode featuring a really good main event, the birth of Money In The Bank and Muhammad Hassan's best match to date. It also featured an awful Trish Stratus/Christy Hemme segment and a few too many squashes. However, the bulk of it was entertaining and the street fight is definitely worth watching.
Overall Rating: 68%
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
NXT 10-3-12 Review
Original Airdate: Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida
Kassius Ohno is asked about attacking Richie Steamboat as he enters Full Sail University and is attacked by Steamboat.
Drew McIntyre vs. Richie Steamboat
This is McIntyre's first appearance since the NXT Championship tournament where he fractured his wrist. McIntyre is sporting a cast here. They go back and forth hitting a few big moves. McIntyre has him set up for perhaps a powerbomb and it looked like Steamboat was going to reverse it, but he just falls to the ground in a messed up spot. Kassius Ohno comes out and provides a distraction for McIntyre to win by pinfall. Decent match for what it was, but too short to really be anything else.
Match Rating: *3/4 (out of 5)
Big E Langston vs. Aiden English
Langston comes out to a nice pop. Big E absolutely steamrolls poor English here and hits the Big Ending for the 3 count, which upsets Langston and he demands a 5 count and he gets it. After the match, he hits it again and does his own 5 count. Poor English gets another one, followed by another 5 count.
Match Rating: 1/4*
They show Steamboat backstage looking for Ohno.
Next week, CM Punk is going to be on NXT.
They announce that Michael McGillicutty is going to be Seth Rollins' first title defense next week on NXT. McGillicutty is in the ring and tells Rollins to come out. They bicker a little and Rollins says that he is ready for him right now. McGillicutty walks away and says he will do it when he is ready.
They show a pre-taped interview with Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd and then the Ascensions music hits and they are up in a room above the arena.
Percy Watson vs. Kassius Ohno
As Ohno is walking down the ramp, he is attacked by Steamboat. Ohno says he is ready to wrestle regardless. Watson hits a nice dropkick and then slams him face first. About a minute later, Watson hits another dropkick. Ohno hits a knee to the face and then a spinning forearm to the back of the head and that's all. Not much to that one.
Match Rating: 1/2*
The Ascension vs. Tyson Kidd & Justin Gabriel
The Ascension grab control early on and I'm okay with part of their offense being missed due to the commercial break. Gabriel makes the hot tag to Kidd and he hits a flurry of kicks on O'Brian. He goes for a move to the outside, but it is blocked and the Ascension is back in control. We're only a couple months in to the origin of NXT and I've had my fill of the Ascension. I'm not really looking forward to the fact that there is still more than a year of their run left still. Kidd finally makes a tag to Gabriel, who hits a springboard clothesline and a spinning kick. Gabriel goes up top, but misses the 450 splash. The Ascension hit The Fall Of Man for the victory. That was pretty much a squash match, as Kidd and Gabriel barely got any offense in at all. No thank you.
Match Rating: *
Big E. Langston was the highlight this week, as his character continues to get over. The Kassius Ohno/Richie Steamboat feud at least gives the show a decent storyline to build around. Next week will be a big one featuring Seth Rollins' first title defense and CM Punk being on the show. However, this show was total filler.
Overall Rating: 37%
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida
Kassius Ohno is asked about attacking Richie Steamboat as he enters Full Sail University and is attacked by Steamboat.
Drew McIntyre vs. Richie Steamboat
This is McIntyre's first appearance since the NXT Championship tournament where he fractured his wrist. McIntyre is sporting a cast here. They go back and forth hitting a few big moves. McIntyre has him set up for perhaps a powerbomb and it looked like Steamboat was going to reverse it, but he just falls to the ground in a messed up spot. Kassius Ohno comes out and provides a distraction for McIntyre to win by pinfall. Decent match for what it was, but too short to really be anything else.
Match Rating: *3/4 (out of 5)
Big E Langston vs. Aiden English
Langston comes out to a nice pop. Big E absolutely steamrolls poor English here and hits the Big Ending for the 3 count, which upsets Langston and he demands a 5 count and he gets it. After the match, he hits it again and does his own 5 count. Poor English gets another one, followed by another 5 count.
Match Rating: 1/4*
They show Steamboat backstage looking for Ohno.
Next week, CM Punk is going to be on NXT.
They announce that Michael McGillicutty is going to be Seth Rollins' first title defense next week on NXT. McGillicutty is in the ring and tells Rollins to come out. They bicker a little and Rollins says that he is ready for him right now. McGillicutty walks away and says he will do it when he is ready.
They show a pre-taped interview with Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd and then the Ascensions music hits and they are up in a room above the arena.
Percy Watson vs. Kassius Ohno
As Ohno is walking down the ramp, he is attacked by Steamboat. Ohno says he is ready to wrestle regardless. Watson hits a nice dropkick and then slams him face first. About a minute later, Watson hits another dropkick. Ohno hits a knee to the face and then a spinning forearm to the back of the head and that's all. Not much to that one.
Match Rating: 1/2*
The Ascension vs. Tyson Kidd & Justin Gabriel
The Ascension grab control early on and I'm okay with part of their offense being missed due to the commercial break. Gabriel makes the hot tag to Kidd and he hits a flurry of kicks on O'Brian. He goes for a move to the outside, but it is blocked and the Ascension is back in control. We're only a couple months in to the origin of NXT and I've had my fill of the Ascension. I'm not really looking forward to the fact that there is still more than a year of their run left still. Kidd finally makes a tag to Gabriel, who hits a springboard clothesline and a spinning kick. Gabriel goes up top, but misses the 450 splash. The Ascension hit The Fall Of Man for the victory. That was pretty much a squash match, as Kidd and Gabriel barely got any offense in at all. No thank you.
Match Rating: *
Big E. Langston was the highlight this week, as his character continues to get over. The Kassius Ohno/Richie Steamboat feud at least gives the show a decent storyline to build around. Next week will be a big one featuring Seth Rollins' first title defense and CM Punk being on the show. However, this show was total filler.
Overall Rating: 37%
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Superstars 8-8-92 Review
Original Airdate: Saturday, August 8th, 1992
Worcester Centrum
Worcester, Massachusetts
Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2
We get a rare deviation from the usual into to the show as we go right to Mean Gene who introduces the Ultimate Warrior. It's almost impossible to not completely block out everything Warrior says, as it's just a bunch of nothing. Out comes Ric Flair. Flair says that he will be the champ before SummerSlam. He also says that he will be there at SummerSlam to watch the Warrior/Savage. He says that Macho Man was trying to cut a deal to have Mr. Perfect manage him. Flair tells Warrior that he still has a chance to have Perfect in his corner if he opens up his wallet. Mean Gene is shocked. Warrior says he will do anything to win the WWF Championship.
Paul Van Dale vs. Razor Ramon
After weeks of vignettes, the debut of one of the defining characters of the mid-90s is right here on Superstars. Hall was pretty confident in this character right off the bat. A lot of the signature Razor stuff is very much what he is showing here. I would have really liked to have seen him have a little bit longer run as a heel. He hits a nice back suplex off the second rope and then hits the Razor's Edge for the victory. For the record, they don't call it that here. This was a really impressive debut.
Match Rating: 1/2*
We get a sit down interview with Stu and Helen Hart. Helen talks about how the house is divided and Stu just sits there.
Brian Brieger & Brian Donahue vs. Natural Disasters
This is such a strange time for tag teams. You have this monster tag team here and they are the faces. You have one of the coolest tag teams of all time talking to a dummy. The Beverly Brothers are rocking a gimmick I still don't understand. Money, Inc. is as boring as they come. Disasters do their usual complete destruction of the jobbers. Earthquake continues to be fun to watch and they win after hitting their double splash.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Sean Mooney time and we get words from Kamala as he prepares for Undertaker at SummerSlam. British Bulldog talks more about the Hart family and how neither one of them are going to be holding back because of it. I still don't get why you would ever do a pay-per-view on a Monday night?
Kamala vs. Ross Greenberg
I still dig the beat in Kamala's entrance music. They show the cover of WWF Magazine and Papa Shango is on there, who doesn't even make the official SummerSlam card. Kamala looks a little bit more motivated here and it's definitely making him look like a little bit more of a threat for his SummerSlam match. Kamala hits the splash and continues to do the not knowing how to cover his opponent for the pin schtick.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Back to Sean Mooney, as he announces Repo Man vs. Crush, Tatanka vs. Berzerker and Nailz vs. Virgil. Well if you weren't sold yet on the card, you are now. Nailz and Virgil give us a few words and I don't even remember what they said 30 seconds later. Money, Inc. says they will beat Legion of Doom at SummerSlam and that you can take that to the bank.
British Bulldog vs. Iron Mike Sharpe
Interesting to see that both competitors in the Intercontinental Championship match go back to back weeks against Sharpe. Vince goes on a rant about not putting a steroid freak on the cover of a magazine and hypes IcoPro. What a life Vince has had. Bulldog hits his always impressive suplex, but Sharpe actually gets a kick out. Sharpe then actually gets a little bit of offense in. More than the usual Superstars match. Bulldog dodges Sharpe and hits the powerslam for the victory.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Mean Gene is now here to hype up SummerSlam. No one was better at these then Okerlund. Bret gets his chance here to talk about the family divide among the Hart family. Undertaker and Paul Bearer talk about the casket for Kamala. Shawn Michaels and Sherri are going to give Rick Martel a wrestling lesson. Repo Man gives another legendary promo about repossessing Crush's career. Too late, buddy.
Body Stars promo and I still have no idea why anyone would watch that show.
Jason Knight vs. The Berzerker
Tatanka says that he is going to scalp Berzerker at SummerSlam. Unfortunately, their match won't make the final telecast. Berzerker ties Knight up in the ropes and hits him with two boots to the face. Berzerker throws Knight out of the ring and wins by countout.
Match Rating: 1/4*
One last time in the Event Center. It's pretty apparent as to why WWF had to pay for their TV time, as Superstars was basically an infomercial. Crush gives a terrible promo about crushing Repo's skull. Somehow that one made the cut. Natural Disasters say they aren't giving up the belts at SummerSlam. Don't worry, not one single person was buying the Beverly Brothers as serious threats.
Next week we get the Undertaker, Money, Inc. and Big Boss Man vs. Skinner. On top of that, we are getting an interview from Macho Man.
This episode had a much better flow than some of the previous ones and also it seemed as if the talent was more motivated than usual. I enjoyed this show about as much as I could for a squash show.
Overall Rating: 44%
Worcester Centrum
Worcester, Massachusetts
Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2
We get a rare deviation from the usual into to the show as we go right to Mean Gene who introduces the Ultimate Warrior. It's almost impossible to not completely block out everything Warrior says, as it's just a bunch of nothing. Out comes Ric Flair. Flair says that he will be the champ before SummerSlam. He also says that he will be there at SummerSlam to watch the Warrior/Savage. He says that Macho Man was trying to cut a deal to have Mr. Perfect manage him. Flair tells Warrior that he still has a chance to have Perfect in his corner if he opens up his wallet. Mean Gene is shocked. Warrior says he will do anything to win the WWF Championship.
Paul Van Dale vs. Razor Ramon
After weeks of vignettes, the debut of one of the defining characters of the mid-90s is right here on Superstars. Hall was pretty confident in this character right off the bat. A lot of the signature Razor stuff is very much what he is showing here. I would have really liked to have seen him have a little bit longer run as a heel. He hits a nice back suplex off the second rope and then hits the Razor's Edge for the victory. For the record, they don't call it that here. This was a really impressive debut.
Match Rating: 1/2*
We get a sit down interview with Stu and Helen Hart. Helen talks about how the house is divided and Stu just sits there.
Brian Brieger & Brian Donahue vs. Natural Disasters
This is such a strange time for tag teams. You have this monster tag team here and they are the faces. You have one of the coolest tag teams of all time talking to a dummy. The Beverly Brothers are rocking a gimmick I still don't understand. Money, Inc. is as boring as they come. Disasters do their usual complete destruction of the jobbers. Earthquake continues to be fun to watch and they win after hitting their double splash.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Sean Mooney time and we get words from Kamala as he prepares for Undertaker at SummerSlam. British Bulldog talks more about the Hart family and how neither one of them are going to be holding back because of it. I still don't get why you would ever do a pay-per-view on a Monday night?
Kamala vs. Ross Greenberg
I still dig the beat in Kamala's entrance music. They show the cover of WWF Magazine and Papa Shango is on there, who doesn't even make the official SummerSlam card. Kamala looks a little bit more motivated here and it's definitely making him look like a little bit more of a threat for his SummerSlam match. Kamala hits the splash and continues to do the not knowing how to cover his opponent for the pin schtick.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Back to Sean Mooney, as he announces Repo Man vs. Crush, Tatanka vs. Berzerker and Nailz vs. Virgil. Well if you weren't sold yet on the card, you are now. Nailz and Virgil give us a few words and I don't even remember what they said 30 seconds later. Money, Inc. says they will beat Legion of Doom at SummerSlam and that you can take that to the bank.
British Bulldog vs. Iron Mike Sharpe
Interesting to see that both competitors in the Intercontinental Championship match go back to back weeks against Sharpe. Vince goes on a rant about not putting a steroid freak on the cover of a magazine and hypes IcoPro. What a life Vince has had. Bulldog hits his always impressive suplex, but Sharpe actually gets a kick out. Sharpe then actually gets a little bit of offense in. More than the usual Superstars match. Bulldog dodges Sharpe and hits the powerslam for the victory.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Mean Gene is now here to hype up SummerSlam. No one was better at these then Okerlund. Bret gets his chance here to talk about the family divide among the Hart family. Undertaker and Paul Bearer talk about the casket for Kamala. Shawn Michaels and Sherri are going to give Rick Martel a wrestling lesson. Repo Man gives another legendary promo about repossessing Crush's career. Too late, buddy.
Body Stars promo and I still have no idea why anyone would watch that show.
Jason Knight vs. The Berzerker
Tatanka says that he is going to scalp Berzerker at SummerSlam. Unfortunately, their match won't make the final telecast. Berzerker ties Knight up in the ropes and hits him with two boots to the face. Berzerker throws Knight out of the ring and wins by countout.
Match Rating: 1/4*
One last time in the Event Center. It's pretty apparent as to why WWF had to pay for their TV time, as Superstars was basically an infomercial. Crush gives a terrible promo about crushing Repo's skull. Somehow that one made the cut. Natural Disasters say they aren't giving up the belts at SummerSlam. Don't worry, not one single person was buying the Beverly Brothers as serious threats.
Next week we get the Undertaker, Money, Inc. and Big Boss Man vs. Skinner. On top of that, we are getting an interview from Macho Man.
This episode had a much better flow than some of the previous ones and also it seemed as if the talent was more motivated than usual. I enjoyed this show about as much as I could for a squash show.
Overall Rating: 44%
Monday, May 6, 2019
SmackDown 2-24-05 Review
Original Airdate: Thursday, February 24th, 2005
Wachovia Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
We get a paid spot courtesy of JBL boasting about his victory at No Way Out and the longest title reign in ten years. Tonight there is going to be a celebration in his honor.
WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Rey Mysterio & Eddie Guerrero vs. Basham Brothers
These two teams had a solid match at No Way Out, let's see what they can do here. The champs use a lot of quick tags in the beginning to work on Danny Basham. Doug Basham hits a spinebuster off the second rope in a unique spot and it looks like he may have hurt himself a little bit on that one. Back from the break and Mysterio is laying on the floor, leaving Eddie to fend for himself. During the break, Danny slid under the ring and attacked Mysterio from behind. I'm not really quite sure why that would have happened during the commercial break on a taped show. Eddie looks to make a tag, but Rey is still not ready. Rey is finally up in his corner and Eddie comes close before Doug Basham clubs Mysterio. Mysterio finally gets the hot tag and hits a springboard moonsault for a 2 count. Three Amigos by Eddie and he sets him up for the 619. Basham moves and Mysterio hits Eddie Flying headbutt by Basham goes for the pinfall, but Eddie breaks it up. Rey sends Danny Basham over the top rope and hits Doug with the 619. Frog Splash by Eddie and Rey picks up the pinfall. The Bashams actually wrestled a smart match there and the champs looked good. You can't go wrong with Rey and Eddie.
Match Rating: ***1/4 (out of 5)
Michael Cole and Tazz recap the Kurt Angle/John Cena match from No Way Out.
They show all of the women back in the locker room and Orlando Jordan walks in. He invites them to JBL's celebration of excellence.
Kurt Angle Invitational
Kurt Angle vs. Matt Martel
Angle cuts his announcement short and says he isn't in the mood. Martel is Matt Striker. Martel asks Angle how it felt to lose the #1 contenders match to John Cena. Angle then clubs him with a clothesline and we are underway. Angle hits a couple of suplexes and the Angle Slam, but lifts up Martel's shoulders to dish out more pain. Angle gets him in the Ankle Lock and that is all.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Tazz goes into the ring to interview Angle. They show the clip of Shawn Michaels challenging Angle at WrestleMania. Angle then walks to the back with no response.
They show limos arriving for JBL's celebration.
Josh Matthews is back with Heidenreich. Heidenreich reads a poem about his match with Booker T. I can't imagine why this guy didn't get over.
Cole and Tazz recap the barbed wire cage match.
JBL and Orlando Jordan are talking backstage. JBL runs over his injuries from No Way Out.
The celebration of excellence is getting ready. There is champagne and violin players. Orlando Jordan and the Bashams introduce JBL. JBL is out limping to the ring. JBL says hi to every single person out there. If you think the Undertakers entrance is long, he's got nothing on this one. They unveil a painting of JBL and for some reason that's a big deal? JBL rambles on seemingly forever and is interrupted by...Big Show? He trashes the decoration and beats up a few of the guests on his way down. The Bashams and OJ eventually get Big Show in the ropes and out comes Cena. Cena cleans house and then smashes the painting over JBL's head. Now here comes Teddy Long and he naturally makes a tag team match of JBL and OJ vs. John Cena and Big Show.
Cruiserweight Championship Match
Chavo Guerrero vs. Funaki
Chavo attacks Funaki as soon as he enters the ring. They must only have 3 minutes. Funaki does a unique spot where he has Chavo upside down over his back and smashes him into the turnbuckle, but then Chavo turns it into a Gory Bomb and gets the victory pretty much out of nowhere. I'm not even sure if they hit 3 minutes.
Match Rating: 3/4*
Paul London then comes out of nowhere and attacks Chavo. The editing team didn't even seem to bother adding in cheers and boos to that match including the post match stuff.
Luther Reigns & Mark Jindrak vs. Undertaker
Why not just make this the match at No Way Out? Undertaker destroys Jindrak from the get go. Jindrak tries to make the tag but Reigns walks away. Not even a minute later, Taker puts Jindrak in a triangle choke and gets the victory. Jindrak was treated basically the same as Simon Dean is over on Raw, minus having a goofy jobber gimmick.
Match Rating: 1/4*
After the match, Reigns and Jindrak argue, leading to Reigns pushing Jindrak down. Jindrak then attacks and gets the better of him for the better part of the fight. I smell a WrestleMania main event here. All of the officials are out to break them up.
Teddy Long is now back again, this time to find out what his fate is as SmackDown GM. Carlito then comes out to talk some trash. Long then introduces Linda McMahon who is live via sattellite. She announces that Long will remain GM. Long tells Carlito he has a lot in store for Carlito
John Cena & Big Show vs. JBL & Orlando Jordan
The match starts while on commercial break and Big Show is beating on Jordan. Big Show tells Jordan to tag JBL, but JBL wants nothing to do with him. Cena is in and the heels start to get the advantage. Hot tag to Big Show and he takes care of both men. Who are they grooming for WrestleMania again? Cena hits the FU to Jordan and the Five Knuckle Shuffle for the victory. That was a post TV taping match in terms of quality. I'm not entirely sure why they made Show look like the threat here though.
Match Rating: *
This episode felt like it lasted forever. It started off good enough, but everything else pretty much just dragged after the Angle Invitational. Hopefully next week the WrestleMania hype starts a little bit as two big matches haven't started their storyline quite yet.
Overall Rating: 39%
Wachovia Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
We get a paid spot courtesy of JBL boasting about his victory at No Way Out and the longest title reign in ten years. Tonight there is going to be a celebration in his honor.
WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Rey Mysterio & Eddie Guerrero vs. Basham Brothers
These two teams had a solid match at No Way Out, let's see what they can do here. The champs use a lot of quick tags in the beginning to work on Danny Basham. Doug Basham hits a spinebuster off the second rope in a unique spot and it looks like he may have hurt himself a little bit on that one. Back from the break and Mysterio is laying on the floor, leaving Eddie to fend for himself. During the break, Danny slid under the ring and attacked Mysterio from behind. I'm not really quite sure why that would have happened during the commercial break on a taped show. Eddie looks to make a tag, but Rey is still not ready. Rey is finally up in his corner and Eddie comes close before Doug Basham clubs Mysterio. Mysterio finally gets the hot tag and hits a springboard moonsault for a 2 count. Three Amigos by Eddie and he sets him up for the 619. Basham moves and Mysterio hits Eddie Flying headbutt by Basham goes for the pinfall, but Eddie breaks it up. Rey sends Danny Basham over the top rope and hits Doug with the 619. Frog Splash by Eddie and Rey picks up the pinfall. The Bashams actually wrestled a smart match there and the champs looked good. You can't go wrong with Rey and Eddie.
Match Rating: ***1/4 (out of 5)
Michael Cole and Tazz recap the Kurt Angle/John Cena match from No Way Out.
They show all of the women back in the locker room and Orlando Jordan walks in. He invites them to JBL's celebration of excellence.
Kurt Angle Invitational
Kurt Angle vs. Matt Martel
Angle cuts his announcement short and says he isn't in the mood. Martel is Matt Striker. Martel asks Angle how it felt to lose the #1 contenders match to John Cena. Angle then clubs him with a clothesline and we are underway. Angle hits a couple of suplexes and the Angle Slam, but lifts up Martel's shoulders to dish out more pain. Angle gets him in the Ankle Lock and that is all.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Tazz goes into the ring to interview Angle. They show the clip of Shawn Michaels challenging Angle at WrestleMania. Angle then walks to the back with no response.
They show limos arriving for JBL's celebration.
Josh Matthews is back with Heidenreich. Heidenreich reads a poem about his match with Booker T. I can't imagine why this guy didn't get over.
Cole and Tazz recap the barbed wire cage match.
JBL and Orlando Jordan are talking backstage. JBL runs over his injuries from No Way Out.
The celebration of excellence is getting ready. There is champagne and violin players. Orlando Jordan and the Bashams introduce JBL. JBL is out limping to the ring. JBL says hi to every single person out there. If you think the Undertakers entrance is long, he's got nothing on this one. They unveil a painting of JBL and for some reason that's a big deal? JBL rambles on seemingly forever and is interrupted by...Big Show? He trashes the decoration and beats up a few of the guests on his way down. The Bashams and OJ eventually get Big Show in the ropes and out comes Cena. Cena cleans house and then smashes the painting over JBL's head. Now here comes Teddy Long and he naturally makes a tag team match of JBL and OJ vs. John Cena and Big Show.
Cruiserweight Championship Match
Chavo Guerrero vs. Funaki
Chavo attacks Funaki as soon as he enters the ring. They must only have 3 minutes. Funaki does a unique spot where he has Chavo upside down over his back and smashes him into the turnbuckle, but then Chavo turns it into a Gory Bomb and gets the victory pretty much out of nowhere. I'm not even sure if they hit 3 minutes.
Match Rating: 3/4*
Paul London then comes out of nowhere and attacks Chavo. The editing team didn't even seem to bother adding in cheers and boos to that match including the post match stuff.
Luther Reigns & Mark Jindrak vs. Undertaker
Why not just make this the match at No Way Out? Undertaker destroys Jindrak from the get go. Jindrak tries to make the tag but Reigns walks away. Not even a minute later, Taker puts Jindrak in a triangle choke and gets the victory. Jindrak was treated basically the same as Simon Dean is over on Raw, minus having a goofy jobber gimmick.
Match Rating: 1/4*
After the match, Reigns and Jindrak argue, leading to Reigns pushing Jindrak down. Jindrak then attacks and gets the better of him for the better part of the fight. I smell a WrestleMania main event here. All of the officials are out to break them up.
Teddy Long is now back again, this time to find out what his fate is as SmackDown GM. Carlito then comes out to talk some trash. Long then introduces Linda McMahon who is live via sattellite. She announces that Long will remain GM. Long tells Carlito he has a lot in store for Carlito
John Cena & Big Show vs. JBL & Orlando Jordan
The match starts while on commercial break and Big Show is beating on Jordan. Big Show tells Jordan to tag JBL, but JBL wants nothing to do with him. Cena is in and the heels start to get the advantage. Hot tag to Big Show and he takes care of both men. Who are they grooming for WrestleMania again? Cena hits the FU to Jordan and the Five Knuckle Shuffle for the victory. That was a post TV taping match in terms of quality. I'm not entirely sure why they made Show look like the threat here though.
Match Rating: *
This episode felt like it lasted forever. It started off good enough, but everything else pretty much just dragged after the Angle Invitational. Hopefully next week the WrestleMania hype starts a little bit as two big matches haven't started their storyline quite yet.
Overall Rating: 39%
Friday, May 3, 2019
Monday Night Raw 2-21-05 Review
Monday, February 21st, 2005
Bryce Jordan Center
State College, Pennsylvania
Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2
WWE Womens Championship Match
Trish Stratus vs. Molly Holly vs. Victoria
Trish comes down sporting a black eye that she apparently got from a live event over the weekend. Molly jumps Victoria and we are underway. Victoria hits her standing moonsault early on. She tries it again on Trish, but is stopped before she gets the chance. Trish mocks Victoria's dance before stomping her. Victoria hits a spinning sidewalk slam on Trish until Molly re-enters the ring. Trish and Molly hit Victoria with a double suplex and then they begin fighting. Victoria rolls up Trish, but releases to clothesline Molly. Molly misses the Molly-Go-Round and Victoria hits her with the Widow's Peak, but Trish pulls Victoria off. We get WWE's favorite triple threat match ending, as Trish then pins Molly for the victory. That was a well executed match that was non stop action.
Match Rating: **1/4 (out of 5)
Triple H and Ric Flair are backstage, which is shocking. That never happens. Flair tells Triple H that he hasn't seen or talked to Batista yet tonight. Flair says he will wait for him in the parking lot. Thrilling.
We get the Pulp Fiction spoof for WrestleMania featuring Booker T and Eddie Guerrero.
Trish interrupts Christy and Candice Michelle backstage. They then trade lame insults and Trish slaps Candice, causing Christy to ram Trish into the wall. Trish deserved better.
Randy Orton and Stacy are backstage and they run into Shawn Michaels. Stacy heads out, while Shawn tells Orton shouldn't wait for his opportunity to come to him, he needs to go out there and take it.
Simon Dean is in the ring making jokes about the freshman 15. He then makes a Joe Paterno joke. He is then interrupted by Chris Jericho.
Simon Dean vs. Chris Jericho
Jericho hits a springboard dropkick and then drops Dean on the guardrail. The crowd is buying what he is selling tonight. Dean takes down Jericho with a clothesline. Dean goes off the second rope, but Jericho hits him with a dropkick. Simon Dean puts up his knees to block the Lionsault and almost steals a victory. Jericho puts Dean into the Walls of Jericho, but Dean grabs his bag. The ref catches it and Jericho drags him to the center of the ring and gets the victory. That was another energetic little match that was better than it should have been.
Match Rating: *1/2
Teddy Long and Eric Bischoff are going over No Way Out. Long is saying he wants to have Batista vs. John Cena vs. JBL at WrestleMania. Shawn Michaels walks in and wants a match with Kurt Angle at WrestleMania.
Kane vs. Tyson Tomko
Tomko has a microphone. Look out. He is sick of all of the focus on Batista and says it should be on him. Even Kane's not buying it and he's probably supposed to. Kane takes him out with a huge boot and follows it up with an elbow drop. Tomko follows it up with a less impressive boot. Kane hits his clothesline off the top rope and hits a backbreaker. Tomko moves out of the way and Kane rams his shoulder into the post. However, no less than 10 seconds later, Kane hits the chokeslam and gets the win. Well, that one was just as bad as I thought it would be. Bummer.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Ric Flair opens a limo door and out comes Chris Masters, not Batista. Masters introduces himself to Flair.
Muhammad Hassan is on his way to the ring along with Daivari. Hassan is sick of the disrespect he gets. He brags about his undefeated record and says that he should face Triple H if Batista goes to SmackDown. Out comes Chris Benoit. Benoit challenges Hassan to shut him up. Hassan accepts, but says it won't be tonight. Benoit jumps Hassan, but Daivari provides the distraction and they double team Benoit.
Randy Orton & Shawn Michaels vs. Christian & Edge
Orton and Christian start things off after their good match last week. They seem to have a little miscommunication and it looked like Orton hit Christian in the jaw with a stiff shot. Man, 2005 Shawn Michaels was so good. So was pretty much every other year he wrestled. Edge and Christian get some tags back and forth and work on Michaels. Christian pushes Michaels towards the ropes and Edge holds down the top rope, causing Michaels to fall to the floor. Edge then hits him with a leaping spear from the apron going into the commercial break. Edge is working on Michaels after the break and Michaels is selling as only he can. Michaels hits the hot tag to Orton, who body slams Edge and knocks Christian to the apron. While Orton is clubbing Edge in the chest, Christian climbs to the top and he knocks him to the floor again. Orton hits a flying crossbody off the top rope on Edge for a 2 count. Edge and Christian illegally stop Orton's run and are back in control. There's no doubt in my mind that E&C are in the top 3 WWE tag teams of my lifetime. Orton hits a double DDT and the three of them are on the ground. Hot tag to Michaels, who hits duel inverted atomic drops. I can't remember a match that I've heard Michaels call spots more than this one. 2005 was such a better time for Orton in my eyes. We get a ref bump and then Edge nails Orton with the spear. Michaels is going up top and hits the elbow drop on Christian and is setting up for Sweet Chin Music. Edge grabs his leg and they crotch him on the ringpost. Edge and Christian bring the chairs to the ring, but Michaels ducks and Orton take Edge over the top rope with a clothesline. Sweet Chin Music on Christian and that's all. That was a really good match. Three of the greatest tag team wrestlers of all time and a very game young Orton here. Credit the guys for keeping up a nice pace for a lengthy TV match as well.
Match Rating: ****
Back to Bischoff and Long. Coach comes in and says that Batista should be here soon.
Maria is trying to interview Michaels and Edge attacks him from behind. He then spears him through a fence.
Steven Richards vs. Chris Masters
After weeks of buildup, Masters finally debuts here. Richards actually gets in a little bit of offense here, but Masters hits a Polish Hammer. He then gets him in the Master Lock, which they would do everything they could to get over. Richards submits and it is revealed that his nose was busted open, most likely with the Hammer. The crowd wasn't digging it, but that's to be expected until they give him a story to work with.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Intercontinental Championship Match
Gene Snitsky vs. Shelton Benjamin
Benjamin goes right after Snitsky and clotheslines him over the ropes. Snitsky hits some boots and then a sidewalk slam. It's safe to say Snitsky isn't over here. Snitsky grabs a chair, but Benjamin does a baseball slide, which drives the chair into Snitsky. Benjamin then absolutely drills Snitsky with another sickening chair shot to the head. God, I do not miss that aspect of this era.
Match Rating: 3/4*
They show the Basic Instinct commercial for WrestleMania.
Flair is leaving a voicemail for Batista and in walks Triple H, who is upset. Triple H then admits that he framed JBL with the limo incident. Only a genius would say this in front of a camera. Oh, and Batista is standing right outside the door.
Next week we are getting Chris Benoit vs. Muhammad Hassan and Edge vs. Shawn Michaels in a street fight. I'm looking forward to seeing that one again.
Eric Bischoff and Teddy Long are now in the ring. Considering they just gave away the outcome of this segment, I'm not sure that it really has the suspense they are looking for. But honestly, it has been such a clear cut story since day 1, at least they had a plan and stuck to it. They both try to sell Batista on their brand. Triple H then offers his two cents, which of course it like 10 minutes long. Batista says he has known what he was going to do for a long time. He takes the Raw clipboard and throws it on the ground. Then he gives Triple H the thumbs down and attacks Flair and Triple H. That tricky Batista. Batista Bomb through the table and the while the crowd is digging it, it's probably not quite as loud of a pop as they were hoping for. Batista then signs the Raw contract and throws it at him.
Well, we had one really great TV match and a couple that were more entertaining than you would expect. The last segment fell a little flat for me, but I have never been a fan of this feud. I am looking forward to reviewing their matches again, as I am much lower on them than most people are. Good show overall, though.
Overall Rating: 69%
Bryce Jordan Center
State College, Pennsylvania
Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2
WWE Womens Championship Match
Trish Stratus vs. Molly Holly vs. Victoria
Trish comes down sporting a black eye that she apparently got from a live event over the weekend. Molly jumps Victoria and we are underway. Victoria hits her standing moonsault early on. She tries it again on Trish, but is stopped before she gets the chance. Trish mocks Victoria's dance before stomping her. Victoria hits a spinning sidewalk slam on Trish until Molly re-enters the ring. Trish and Molly hit Victoria with a double suplex and then they begin fighting. Victoria rolls up Trish, but releases to clothesline Molly. Molly misses the Molly-Go-Round and Victoria hits her with the Widow's Peak, but Trish pulls Victoria off. We get WWE's favorite triple threat match ending, as Trish then pins Molly for the victory. That was a well executed match that was non stop action.
Match Rating: **1/4 (out of 5)
Triple H and Ric Flair are backstage, which is shocking. That never happens. Flair tells Triple H that he hasn't seen or talked to Batista yet tonight. Flair says he will wait for him in the parking lot. Thrilling.
We get the Pulp Fiction spoof for WrestleMania featuring Booker T and Eddie Guerrero.
Trish interrupts Christy and Candice Michelle backstage. They then trade lame insults and Trish slaps Candice, causing Christy to ram Trish into the wall. Trish deserved better.
Randy Orton and Stacy are backstage and they run into Shawn Michaels. Stacy heads out, while Shawn tells Orton shouldn't wait for his opportunity to come to him, he needs to go out there and take it.
Simon Dean is in the ring making jokes about the freshman 15. He then makes a Joe Paterno joke. He is then interrupted by Chris Jericho.
Simon Dean vs. Chris Jericho
Jericho hits a springboard dropkick and then drops Dean on the guardrail. The crowd is buying what he is selling tonight. Dean takes down Jericho with a clothesline. Dean goes off the second rope, but Jericho hits him with a dropkick. Simon Dean puts up his knees to block the Lionsault and almost steals a victory. Jericho puts Dean into the Walls of Jericho, but Dean grabs his bag. The ref catches it and Jericho drags him to the center of the ring and gets the victory. That was another energetic little match that was better than it should have been.
Match Rating: *1/2
Teddy Long and Eric Bischoff are going over No Way Out. Long is saying he wants to have Batista vs. John Cena vs. JBL at WrestleMania. Shawn Michaels walks in and wants a match with Kurt Angle at WrestleMania.
Kane vs. Tyson Tomko
Tomko has a microphone. Look out. He is sick of all of the focus on Batista and says it should be on him. Even Kane's not buying it and he's probably supposed to. Kane takes him out with a huge boot and follows it up with an elbow drop. Tomko follows it up with a less impressive boot. Kane hits his clothesline off the top rope and hits a backbreaker. Tomko moves out of the way and Kane rams his shoulder into the post. However, no less than 10 seconds later, Kane hits the chokeslam and gets the win. Well, that one was just as bad as I thought it would be. Bummer.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Ric Flair opens a limo door and out comes Chris Masters, not Batista. Masters introduces himself to Flair.
Muhammad Hassan is on his way to the ring along with Daivari. Hassan is sick of the disrespect he gets. He brags about his undefeated record and says that he should face Triple H if Batista goes to SmackDown. Out comes Chris Benoit. Benoit challenges Hassan to shut him up. Hassan accepts, but says it won't be tonight. Benoit jumps Hassan, but Daivari provides the distraction and they double team Benoit.
Randy Orton & Shawn Michaels vs. Christian & Edge
Orton and Christian start things off after their good match last week. They seem to have a little miscommunication and it looked like Orton hit Christian in the jaw with a stiff shot. Man, 2005 Shawn Michaels was so good. So was pretty much every other year he wrestled. Edge and Christian get some tags back and forth and work on Michaels. Christian pushes Michaels towards the ropes and Edge holds down the top rope, causing Michaels to fall to the floor. Edge then hits him with a leaping spear from the apron going into the commercial break. Edge is working on Michaels after the break and Michaels is selling as only he can. Michaels hits the hot tag to Orton, who body slams Edge and knocks Christian to the apron. While Orton is clubbing Edge in the chest, Christian climbs to the top and he knocks him to the floor again. Orton hits a flying crossbody off the top rope on Edge for a 2 count. Edge and Christian illegally stop Orton's run and are back in control. There's no doubt in my mind that E&C are in the top 3 WWE tag teams of my lifetime. Orton hits a double DDT and the three of them are on the ground. Hot tag to Michaels, who hits duel inverted atomic drops. I can't remember a match that I've heard Michaels call spots more than this one. 2005 was such a better time for Orton in my eyes. We get a ref bump and then Edge nails Orton with the spear. Michaels is going up top and hits the elbow drop on Christian and is setting up for Sweet Chin Music. Edge grabs his leg and they crotch him on the ringpost. Edge and Christian bring the chairs to the ring, but Michaels ducks and Orton take Edge over the top rope with a clothesline. Sweet Chin Music on Christian and that's all. That was a really good match. Three of the greatest tag team wrestlers of all time and a very game young Orton here. Credit the guys for keeping up a nice pace for a lengthy TV match as well.
Match Rating: ****
Back to Bischoff and Long. Coach comes in and says that Batista should be here soon.
Maria is trying to interview Michaels and Edge attacks him from behind. He then spears him through a fence.
Steven Richards vs. Chris Masters
After weeks of buildup, Masters finally debuts here. Richards actually gets in a little bit of offense here, but Masters hits a Polish Hammer. He then gets him in the Master Lock, which they would do everything they could to get over. Richards submits and it is revealed that his nose was busted open, most likely with the Hammer. The crowd wasn't digging it, but that's to be expected until they give him a story to work with.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Intercontinental Championship Match
Gene Snitsky vs. Shelton Benjamin
Benjamin goes right after Snitsky and clotheslines him over the ropes. Snitsky hits some boots and then a sidewalk slam. It's safe to say Snitsky isn't over here. Snitsky grabs a chair, but Benjamin does a baseball slide, which drives the chair into Snitsky. Benjamin then absolutely drills Snitsky with another sickening chair shot to the head. God, I do not miss that aspect of this era.
Match Rating: 3/4*
They show the Basic Instinct commercial for WrestleMania.
Flair is leaving a voicemail for Batista and in walks Triple H, who is upset. Triple H then admits that he framed JBL with the limo incident. Only a genius would say this in front of a camera. Oh, and Batista is standing right outside the door.
Next week we are getting Chris Benoit vs. Muhammad Hassan and Edge vs. Shawn Michaels in a street fight. I'm looking forward to seeing that one again.
Eric Bischoff and Teddy Long are now in the ring. Considering they just gave away the outcome of this segment, I'm not sure that it really has the suspense they are looking for. But honestly, it has been such a clear cut story since day 1, at least they had a plan and stuck to it. They both try to sell Batista on their brand. Triple H then offers his two cents, which of course it like 10 minutes long. Batista says he has known what he was going to do for a long time. He takes the Raw clipboard and throws it on the ground. Then he gives Triple H the thumbs down and attacks Flair and Triple H. That tricky Batista. Batista Bomb through the table and the while the crowd is digging it, it's probably not quite as loud of a pop as they were hoping for. Batista then signs the Raw contract and throws it at him.
Well, we had one really great TV match and a couple that were more entertaining than you would expect. The last segment fell a little flat for me, but I have never been a fan of this feud. I am looking forward to reviewing their matches again, as I am much lower on them than most people are. Good show overall, though.
Overall Rating: 69%
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
NXT 9-26-12 Review
Original Airdate: Wednesday, September 26th, 2012
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida
Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2
The crowd is chanting "NXT" as the show opens. This may be the first time I can recall them chanting that?
Michael McGillicutty vs. Bo Dallas
The B Team explodes! They go right into a hockey fight, since this match actually has a story. Dallas dominates the opening moments until McGillicutty throws Dallas into the ring post shoulder first. This match is trying to break the record for most punches in a match. You don't need a ton of moves, but you need to know how to sequence them and make them mean something. Dallas gets a sunset flip for a 2 count. Things start to heat up a little until McGillicutty hits the running neckbreaker for the pinfall. This was about as good as it was going to be.
Match Rating: *3/4 (out of 5)
We get a Paige hype video.
Jake Carter vs. Leo Kruger
William Regal says the future is in front of our eyes. It's safe to say he was wrong on that one. Carter got an entrance, but it's very obvious that this is a squash. NXT is the punch and kick show today. Carter gets in a little bit of offense with some clotheslines and then he joins the punch party. He goes for a splash in the corner and Kruger moves out of the way and then hits the Kruger End and that is all.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Ryback vs. Aiden English & Francis Remi Dorian
Oh, joy. English and Dorian double team Ryback, who then of course destroys both of them. They broke Ryback's singlet. That's more than I could have asked for out of this match. Powerbomb to English and then a clothesline to Dorian by Ryback. He then picks both men up and marches around before hitting the Samoan Drop. Ryback pins both of him. I got my Ryback fix for the next 5 years or so.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Kassius Ohno vs. Richie Steamboat
Ohno is probably the most interesting character in the short existence of NXT at this point. I'm still not quite sure how he didn't get called up to the main roster around this time. Steamboat relies a little bit too much on his fathers move set. Ohno dominates after the commercial break, until Steamboat hits some chops and a crossbody. Ohno hits a kick to the face and nearly gets the victory. Steamboat misses a moonsault. Ohno goes for the spinning knockout punch and Steamboat counters it with a small package and gets the victory. After the match, Ohno knocks Steamboat out. Officials come to the ring and are finally able to get Ohno off of Steamboat. Fun TV match to close out the show.
Match Rating: **1/2
Well, two matches got some time and the main event delivered a solid match. Ryback being on the show seems more like a bonus to the live crowd and really nothing that helps out the show. They are still dead set on pushing Leo Kruger for whatever reason. This was a pretty ok show, but I keep waiting for that moment where things really start to click.
Overall Rating: 43%
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida
Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2
The crowd is chanting "NXT" as the show opens. This may be the first time I can recall them chanting that?
Michael McGillicutty vs. Bo Dallas
The B Team explodes! They go right into a hockey fight, since this match actually has a story. Dallas dominates the opening moments until McGillicutty throws Dallas into the ring post shoulder first. This match is trying to break the record for most punches in a match. You don't need a ton of moves, but you need to know how to sequence them and make them mean something. Dallas gets a sunset flip for a 2 count. Things start to heat up a little until McGillicutty hits the running neckbreaker for the pinfall. This was about as good as it was going to be.
Match Rating: *3/4 (out of 5)
We get a Paige hype video.
Jake Carter vs. Leo Kruger
William Regal says the future is in front of our eyes. It's safe to say he was wrong on that one. Carter got an entrance, but it's very obvious that this is a squash. NXT is the punch and kick show today. Carter gets in a little bit of offense with some clotheslines and then he joins the punch party. He goes for a splash in the corner and Kruger moves out of the way and then hits the Kruger End and that is all.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Ryback vs. Aiden English & Francis Remi Dorian
Oh, joy. English and Dorian double team Ryback, who then of course destroys both of them. They broke Ryback's singlet. That's more than I could have asked for out of this match. Powerbomb to English and then a clothesline to Dorian by Ryback. He then picks both men up and marches around before hitting the Samoan Drop. Ryback pins both of him. I got my Ryback fix for the next 5 years or so.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Kassius Ohno vs. Richie Steamboat
Ohno is probably the most interesting character in the short existence of NXT at this point. I'm still not quite sure how he didn't get called up to the main roster around this time. Steamboat relies a little bit too much on his fathers move set. Ohno dominates after the commercial break, until Steamboat hits some chops and a crossbody. Ohno hits a kick to the face and nearly gets the victory. Steamboat misses a moonsault. Ohno goes for the spinning knockout punch and Steamboat counters it with a small package and gets the victory. After the match, Ohno knocks Steamboat out. Officials come to the ring and are finally able to get Ohno off of Steamboat. Fun TV match to close out the show.
Match Rating: **1/2
Well, two matches got some time and the main event delivered a solid match. Ryback being on the show seems more like a bonus to the live crowd and really nothing that helps out the show. They are still dead set on pushing Leo Kruger for whatever reason. This was a pretty ok show, but I keep waiting for that moment where things really start to click.
Overall Rating: 43%
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