Original Airdate: Wednesday, December 5th, 2012
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida
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Michael McGillicutty vs. Antonio Cesaro
McGillicutty tries to fire up on Cesaro, but Cesaro isn't having it. McGillicutty hits a nice looking dropkick on Cesaro and I have to say this is the most motivated I have seen him in NXT. Cesaro pushes McGillicutty up on the top rope and then hits a running uppercut. Cesaro was still sort of trying to find himself during this period and despite the United States Championship, he was an afterthought on the main roster. Cesaro dead lifts McGillicutty and hits a gutwrench suplex for a 2 count. McGillicutty fights back, but Cesaro hits him with a thumb to the eye. Cesaro hits a pop up uppercut and then the Neutralizer for the win. I liked the McGillicutty we got here tonight. Why don't we see that more often from him? Nice victory for Cesaro.
Match Rating: **1/2 (out of 5)
Next week we get another Seth Rollins vs. Jinder Mahal match.
Axl Keegan vs. Bo Dallas
Keegan looks like he's 40 years old, but apparently he is 26 here. Despite not getting an entrance, he dominates the early part of the match. Dallas then asks Keegan to keep punching him in the face and that fires himself up. He hits the spear and that's all. Um, no.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Bo Dallas says he loves to fight and he will fight anyone in the WWE.
Corey Graves vs. Yoshi Tatsu
Graves throws his jacket at Tatsu and as Tatsu is about to throw it back behind him, Graves attacks him. Graves goes after Yoshi's legs and already looks more impressive than he did on his last appearance. Tatsu tries a comeback for a second, but Graves takes out his legs again and puts him in the Thirteenth Step for the submission victory. I didn't realize Yoshi was a NXT jobber too.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Gavin Reid vs. Roman Reigns
So if my quick research is correct, this show was taped 3 days prior to the Shield's debut. I never really had thought about it before, but I hadn't realized that Seth Rollins was the NXT Champion when he was on WWE TV. This is obviously just a squash and Reigns looked good for what it was.
Match Rating: 1/4*
After the match, Reigns grabs the mic from Byron Saxton. He insults him and tells him to leave, but then gives him his mic back. Not really sure what that was supposed to accomplish.
Tyson Kidd is backstage and says he wants to be NXT Champion and in walks Kassius Ohno. He says that Richie Steamboat ran his mouth and that he put him on the shelf. Kidd then quotes Einstein and walks away.
Leo Kruger vs. Tyson Kidd
Well based on how much time is left on this show, its possible that this will be the longest Kruger/Rose match I have ever witnessed. Kidd does some nice wrestling to get things going, but after two dropkicks Kruger hits a big spinebuster into the commercial break. Kruger ducks a crossbody by Kidd and he hits his throat on the top rope and falls to the outside. Kruger hits a baseball slide to knock Kidd to the outside. Kidd is able to stall Kruger after a spinning heel kick. Kidd goes for the springboard elbow drop, but Kruger gets his knees up. Kruger is on the outside and Kidd walks the edge of the apron and nails Kruger with a kick. Kidd goes off the top rope, but Kruger gets his boot up, but Kidd sees it and grabs his legs. Kidd puts Kruger in a unique submission hold and Kruger immediately taps. They seem to be doing the start-stop-start-stop push with Kruger. As soon as the match is over, Ohno attacks Kidd from behind. Kruger joins in and Kidd is laid out. Out comes William Regal. He pulls Kidd out of the ring and helps him walk to the back. The match was nothing special thanks to Kruger's lackluster heat segment.
Match Rating: *3/4
Well, there was nothing particularly memorable about this one, but it was effective in the continued pushes of guys like Roman Reigns and Cesaro. However, this was a little light on storyline until the final segment with Ohno and Kidd. This was not their worst show, but definitely not the NXT we know today.
Overall Rating: 41%
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Superstars 10-3-92 Review
Original Airdate: Saturday, October 3rd, 1992
Hersheypark Arena
Hershey, Pennsylvania
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We kick things off right away with Mean Gene Okerlund bringing out Razor Ramon. We get a super short promo where he basically says that he still has his gold and Macho Man doesn't. Deep stuff.
Crush vs. Duane Gill
The battle of the awful mullets here. Crush hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, but his timing is off and it looks like it would have hurt pretty badly. Gill tries to get some offense, but it just angers Crush and he knocks him over the top rope with a right hand. Vince is then amazed that Crush jumps over the top rope to get to the floor. Crush throws Gill back in over the top rope from the floor and then hits the tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a second time. Crush puts on his submission move and gets the victory. Honestly, this was about as good as Crush has looked in this singles run.
Match Rating: 1/4* (out of 5)
Nailz vs. Gus Kantarakis
They show Nailz standing in the dark near the entrance and it honestly may be the best thing about Nailz. Nailz chokes Gus and he might as well be choking me because that's the only thing worse than watching one of his matches. Nailz hits his awful looking clothesline and then his sleeper choke hold for a victory. Again, this is embarrassingly bad.
Match Rating: 0 stars
Next up, we get to see a Bob Backlund highlight package. What a strange time. Backlund says he is 43 and he's making a comeback and wants to become WWF Champion once again.
They show clips from two weeks ago from Kamala's match and then him being frightened by the casket that Paul Bearer wheeled out.
Undertaker vs. Von Krus
Taker ties Von Krus up in the ropes and hits him with a series of fists and boots. Taker then hits his leaping clothesline. Tombstone and that's all. After the match, Von Krus gets put in the body bag.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Event Center time with Sean Mooney. Kamala, Harvey Wippleman and Kim Chee say that the only thing Undertaker has going for him is intimidation. Hacksaw Jim Duggan is back on Superstars and wants you to vote.
Repo Man vs. Laverne McGill
Lots of punches and kicks from Repo here today. He avoids a dropkick because he's sneaky. McGill gets put in the tree of woe and Repo delivers more punches. Repo works on the knee and then puts on the half crab for the victory. That was a pretty uninspired performance by Repo. After the match, he ties up McGill's legs and hangs them on the ropes.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Back to Sean Mooney again. Big Boss Man talks about when he was a little bitty boy and gives the same promo he gave on a recent episode. Papa Shango curses from the east and the west, so watch out Bret Hart. His book then lights on fire.
They show clips from the 1991 Survivor Series, which I feel like is pretty rare during this time period.
Natural Disasters vs. Bob Bradley & Barry Horowitz
Typhoon and Horowitz engage in a test of strength and we know how that works out. Typhoon toys with Horowitz and then throws him in his corner and he tags in Bradley. Bradley gets in some offense and bites Typhoon, but Typhoon just throws him halfway across the ring. In comes Earthquake and he hits a leaping kick and then an elbow drop. Earthquake hits his finisher and is followed up by Typhoon's splash for the victory. If they would have given Quake a workhorse partner, similar to Yokozuna/Owen Hart, they really could have had something special.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Mean Gene is backstage and tries to find Jimmy Hart. He questions which team is the #1 contender, Money, Inc. or the Nasty Boys? Hart avoids the question and he backs into the restroom.
Ross Greenberg vs. Rick Martel
The gimmick was a little tired at this point, but if they would have pushed him a little higher up the card I think it would have had lasted longer mostly because Martel was such a solid worker. Martel hits the Boston Crab for the victory.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Event Center time yet again. Skinner talks about the Hurricane Andrew and he's in a bad mood now. Look out. Bret Hart thinks his match with British Bulldog was one of the best matches of all time.
Next week we get Bret Hart, Razor Ramon, Kamala, Nailz (are you serious?) and they are going to announce the main event for Survivor Series.
Negative points deducted for Nailz wrestling, but the rest of the show flowed pretty well. They had a real who's who of jobbers with Gill, Greenberg and Horowitz here. I still don't get why they couldn't at least put one feature match every week here, but it is what it is.
Overall Rating: 40%
Hersheypark Arena
Hershey, Pennsylvania
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We kick things off right away with Mean Gene Okerlund bringing out Razor Ramon. We get a super short promo where he basically says that he still has his gold and Macho Man doesn't. Deep stuff.
Crush vs. Duane Gill
The battle of the awful mullets here. Crush hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, but his timing is off and it looks like it would have hurt pretty badly. Gill tries to get some offense, but it just angers Crush and he knocks him over the top rope with a right hand. Vince is then amazed that Crush jumps over the top rope to get to the floor. Crush throws Gill back in over the top rope from the floor and then hits the tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a second time. Crush puts on his submission move and gets the victory. Honestly, this was about as good as Crush has looked in this singles run.
Match Rating: 1/4* (out of 5)
Nailz vs. Gus Kantarakis
They show Nailz standing in the dark near the entrance and it honestly may be the best thing about Nailz. Nailz chokes Gus and he might as well be choking me because that's the only thing worse than watching one of his matches. Nailz hits his awful looking clothesline and then his sleeper choke hold for a victory. Again, this is embarrassingly bad.
Match Rating: 0 stars
Next up, we get to see a Bob Backlund highlight package. What a strange time. Backlund says he is 43 and he's making a comeback and wants to become WWF Champion once again.
They show clips from two weeks ago from Kamala's match and then him being frightened by the casket that Paul Bearer wheeled out.
Undertaker vs. Von Krus
Taker ties Von Krus up in the ropes and hits him with a series of fists and boots. Taker then hits his leaping clothesline. Tombstone and that's all. After the match, Von Krus gets put in the body bag.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Event Center time with Sean Mooney. Kamala, Harvey Wippleman and Kim Chee say that the only thing Undertaker has going for him is intimidation. Hacksaw Jim Duggan is back on Superstars and wants you to vote.
Repo Man vs. Laverne McGill
Lots of punches and kicks from Repo here today. He avoids a dropkick because he's sneaky. McGill gets put in the tree of woe and Repo delivers more punches. Repo works on the knee and then puts on the half crab for the victory. That was a pretty uninspired performance by Repo. After the match, he ties up McGill's legs and hangs them on the ropes.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Back to Sean Mooney again. Big Boss Man talks about when he was a little bitty boy and gives the same promo he gave on a recent episode. Papa Shango curses from the east and the west, so watch out Bret Hart. His book then lights on fire.
They show clips from the 1991 Survivor Series, which I feel like is pretty rare during this time period.
Natural Disasters vs. Bob Bradley & Barry Horowitz
Typhoon and Horowitz engage in a test of strength and we know how that works out. Typhoon toys with Horowitz and then throws him in his corner and he tags in Bradley. Bradley gets in some offense and bites Typhoon, but Typhoon just throws him halfway across the ring. In comes Earthquake and he hits a leaping kick and then an elbow drop. Earthquake hits his finisher and is followed up by Typhoon's splash for the victory. If they would have given Quake a workhorse partner, similar to Yokozuna/Owen Hart, they really could have had something special.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Mean Gene is backstage and tries to find Jimmy Hart. He questions which team is the #1 contender, Money, Inc. or the Nasty Boys? Hart avoids the question and he backs into the restroom.
Ross Greenberg vs. Rick Martel
The gimmick was a little tired at this point, but if they would have pushed him a little higher up the card I think it would have had lasted longer mostly because Martel was such a solid worker. Martel hits the Boston Crab for the victory.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Event Center time yet again. Skinner talks about the Hurricane Andrew and he's in a bad mood now. Look out. Bret Hart thinks his match with British Bulldog was one of the best matches of all time.
Next week we get Bret Hart, Razor Ramon, Kamala, Nailz (are you serious?) and they are going to announce the main event for Survivor Series.
Negative points deducted for Nailz wrestling, but the rest of the show flowed pretty well. They had a real who's who of jobbers with Gill, Greenberg and Horowitz here. I still don't get why they couldn't at least put one feature match every week here, but it is what it is.
Overall Rating: 40%
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
SmackDown 4-21-05 Review
Original Airdate: Thursday, April 21st, 2005
Madison Square Garden
New York City, New York
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JBL is here with the old WWE Championship. He joins Tazz and Michael Cole at the announcer's booth.
#1 Contender Tournament First Round Match
Big Show vs. Booker T
Kurt Angle's music hits and he is on his way down and he joins the announcer's booth as well. JBL compares himself to Lebron James since he went straight to the pros. Big Show misses with a clothesline and Booker goes after his knee. I would say this is not the best shape Big Show has been in during his long career. The 4 man announcer booth is really not enhancing this match. Big Show chops Booker's chest and then tosses him across the ring. Big Show hits a big kick to the face. He goes for a boot and misses and gets hung up on the top rope. Booker hits the Book End, but Show kicks out at 2. Booker heads up top and hits a missile dropkick, but again Show kicks out. Booker clotheslines Show and they both spill over the top rope. Angle and JBL are now out and beating on both men and the bell rings. They announce a double disqualification. JBL and Angle are pleased, but then Booker and Show attack them. JBL and Angle try to head back to the locker room, but Teddy Long is here and announces fatal 4 way with JBL/Angle/Show/Booker. He also announces a tag team match between the four men. This was obviously not a good match, but it delivers a big match for next week.
Match Rating: 3/4* (out of 5)
It's time for Carlito's Cabana. Naturally he insults the New York crowd and then introduces his guest Eddie Guerrero. Carlito brings up how MNM attacked Rey and then how Rey inadvertently cost Eddie his match against Kurt Angle. Eddie asks for Rey to come down to the Cabana. Eddie claims that he was having car troubles while Rey was being attacked. Eddie offers his apology and Rey accepts and they embrace. MNM are on the big screen applauding. They challenge Rey and Eddie to a championship match tonight. Eddie wants them to come to the ring to challenge them, but they prefer to do it where they are, which is on top of Eddie's low rider. They spray paint "MNM" on the hood of the car and Eddie and Rey run to the back. During the commercial break they show footage of Eddie and Rey at the car and they honestly try to wipe off the paint with their hands.
Matt Morgan is in the back and he says he is not nervous about having his first match at MSG. They honestly give him a stuttering gimmick and this is just terrible stuff.
The Bashams are out back and Orlando Jordan comes in upset at them. He says that they have a job to do and that's to soften John Cena up before JBL's eventual match with him. After Jordan leaves, the Bashams say that they're getting sick of this.
Brett Matthews vs. Matt Morgan
Morgan asks Matthews if he is laughing at him and shoves him in the corner. He throws him chest first into the turnbuckle and then clubs him in the back of the head. He hits a sideslam and then his apparent finisher that started out like a vertical suplex and ended with a Rock Bottom-esque ending. Not a bad debut.
Match Rating: 1/4*
JBL and Kurt Angle are arguing backstage on their way to the ring.
JBL & Kurt Angle vs. Booker T & Big Show
Big Show and JBL kick things off. Big Show hits a big chop and a headbutt. Show then hits a nice vertical suplex and then silences the crowd for another big chop. Show catches a boot to the face from JBL, but then Show catches JBL off the top rope and does a fall away slam. Now it's Angles turn to take some chops. Booker gets in on the action and takes out JBL, but then Angle hits a German suplex on him. While going for the second one, Booker blocks it and ducks a boot from JBL and he hits Angle. Angle takes control back and puts Booker in a bodyscissors. Booker tries to fight back, but JBL is able to maintain control. Booker hits a DDT and both men are down. Show is in and is going for the chokeslam, but Angle hits the Angle Slam on Show! JBL goes for the Clothesline From Hell, but Show blocks it. Booker and Show are double teaming JBL as Angle is walking to the back. Scissor kick and a chokeslam picks up the pinfall victory. Not a bad match, even if it just telegraphed who was going to become #1 contender even more than they already have.
Match Rating: **1/2
Business is about to pick up because here comes Heidenreich. He says that he has made some friends here in New York and brings out Brooklyn Brawler. He inspired this week's Disasterpiece. He reads it and asks for Brawler's opinion and Brawler tells him how terrible it was. Brawler then insults the Yankees and New York, then rips off his Yankees shirt and has on a Red Sox shirt and hat. Heidenreich then attacks him.
WWE Tag Team Championship Match
MNM vs. Eddie Guerrero & Rey Mysterio
We get the debut of the paparazzi entrance for MNM. Eddie goes right after Nitro and we are underway. Eddie gets off to a hot start, but MNM eventually wear him down. Eddie is finally able to make the tag to Rey and he hits a springboard moonsault for a 2 count. He then hits a seated senton and a dropkick to the face, but Nitro breaks up the count. Nitro tosses Rey gut first onto Mercury's knee. Eddie is in there and hits the Three Amigos on Mercury. Eddie launches Rey into Mercury and is going for the 619, but Melina gets in the way. Melina distracts Eddie and MNM hits the Snapshot and win the titles in their first main roster match. The tag team division was so terrible during this time, which is a shame because MNM was a good team that deserved to have a couple teams worth feuding with.
Match Rating: ***
After the match, Eddie and Rey argue and Eddie pushes Rey down to the mat. Eddie tries to walk away, but Rey comes after him and they get into it again. This time Rey shoves Eddie down to the mat and walks away. This was the right move to get a little fire out of Mysterio.
In the back, MNM is celebrating their victory while the paparazzi takes photos. Melina name drops celebrities while she talks on her cell phone and they drive away in their limo.
John Cena vs. Orlando Jordan
Cena cuts a generic promo and honestly I kind of dozed out there for a minute. They go back and forth until the Bashams distract Cena and Jordan hits a DDT. Jordan hits a big clothesline, but then Jordan takes a sloppy bulldog from Cena. Cena gets dumped out of the ring and Doug Basham attacks. Jordan is putting in one of his better efforts here. Cena hits a couple of clotheslines and then his weird hip toss. Spinning side slam and it's "You can't see me" time, but Doug Basham tries to stop him, but fails. Basham goes off the top rope, but Cena kicks him and hits the FU. Jordan goes up top, but Cena crotches him and goes for a superplex. Danny Basham comes out of nowhere and hits Cena with the WWE Championship belt. Jordan hits an elbow drop off the top rope, but Cena kicks out at the last second. Cena sends Jordan into Danny Basham and hits the FU for the victory. That was a lot more enjoyable than I would have ever expected. It was pretty much the perfect length and both guys put in a good effort.
Match Rating: **3/4
Well, in the battle of the two MSG shows, SmackDown pulled off the surprise upset victory. While this was not a great episode, it was definitely an entertaining one. The stage is set for next week with the fatal four-way match to become #1 contender and we got an impactful debut by MNM. The Eddie and Rey saga also continued, as they slowly build to Judgment Day in about a month.
Overall Rating: 64%
Madison Square Garden
New York City, New York
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JBL is here with the old WWE Championship. He joins Tazz and Michael Cole at the announcer's booth.
#1 Contender Tournament First Round Match
Big Show vs. Booker T
Kurt Angle's music hits and he is on his way down and he joins the announcer's booth as well. JBL compares himself to Lebron James since he went straight to the pros. Big Show misses with a clothesline and Booker goes after his knee. I would say this is not the best shape Big Show has been in during his long career. The 4 man announcer booth is really not enhancing this match. Big Show chops Booker's chest and then tosses him across the ring. Big Show hits a big kick to the face. He goes for a boot and misses and gets hung up on the top rope. Booker hits the Book End, but Show kicks out at 2. Booker heads up top and hits a missile dropkick, but again Show kicks out. Booker clotheslines Show and they both spill over the top rope. Angle and JBL are now out and beating on both men and the bell rings. They announce a double disqualification. JBL and Angle are pleased, but then Booker and Show attack them. JBL and Angle try to head back to the locker room, but Teddy Long is here and announces fatal 4 way with JBL/Angle/Show/Booker. He also announces a tag team match between the four men. This was obviously not a good match, but it delivers a big match for next week.
Match Rating: 3/4* (out of 5)
It's time for Carlito's Cabana. Naturally he insults the New York crowd and then introduces his guest Eddie Guerrero. Carlito brings up how MNM attacked Rey and then how Rey inadvertently cost Eddie his match against Kurt Angle. Eddie asks for Rey to come down to the Cabana. Eddie claims that he was having car troubles while Rey was being attacked. Eddie offers his apology and Rey accepts and they embrace. MNM are on the big screen applauding. They challenge Rey and Eddie to a championship match tonight. Eddie wants them to come to the ring to challenge them, but they prefer to do it where they are, which is on top of Eddie's low rider. They spray paint "MNM" on the hood of the car and Eddie and Rey run to the back. During the commercial break they show footage of Eddie and Rey at the car and they honestly try to wipe off the paint with their hands.
Matt Morgan is in the back and he says he is not nervous about having his first match at MSG. They honestly give him a stuttering gimmick and this is just terrible stuff.
The Bashams are out back and Orlando Jordan comes in upset at them. He says that they have a job to do and that's to soften John Cena up before JBL's eventual match with him. After Jordan leaves, the Bashams say that they're getting sick of this.
Brett Matthews vs. Matt Morgan
Morgan asks Matthews if he is laughing at him and shoves him in the corner. He throws him chest first into the turnbuckle and then clubs him in the back of the head. He hits a sideslam and then his apparent finisher that started out like a vertical suplex and ended with a Rock Bottom-esque ending. Not a bad debut.
Match Rating: 1/4*
JBL and Kurt Angle are arguing backstage on their way to the ring.
JBL & Kurt Angle vs. Booker T & Big Show
Big Show and JBL kick things off. Big Show hits a big chop and a headbutt. Show then hits a nice vertical suplex and then silences the crowd for another big chop. Show catches a boot to the face from JBL, but then Show catches JBL off the top rope and does a fall away slam. Now it's Angles turn to take some chops. Booker gets in on the action and takes out JBL, but then Angle hits a German suplex on him. While going for the second one, Booker blocks it and ducks a boot from JBL and he hits Angle. Angle takes control back and puts Booker in a bodyscissors. Booker tries to fight back, but JBL is able to maintain control. Booker hits a DDT and both men are down. Show is in and is going for the chokeslam, but Angle hits the Angle Slam on Show! JBL goes for the Clothesline From Hell, but Show blocks it. Booker and Show are double teaming JBL as Angle is walking to the back. Scissor kick and a chokeslam picks up the pinfall victory. Not a bad match, even if it just telegraphed who was going to become #1 contender even more than they already have.
Match Rating: **1/2
Business is about to pick up because here comes Heidenreich. He says that he has made some friends here in New York and brings out Brooklyn Brawler. He inspired this week's Disasterpiece. He reads it and asks for Brawler's opinion and Brawler tells him how terrible it was. Brawler then insults the Yankees and New York, then rips off his Yankees shirt and has on a Red Sox shirt and hat. Heidenreich then attacks him.
WWE Tag Team Championship Match
MNM vs. Eddie Guerrero & Rey Mysterio
We get the debut of the paparazzi entrance for MNM. Eddie goes right after Nitro and we are underway. Eddie gets off to a hot start, but MNM eventually wear him down. Eddie is finally able to make the tag to Rey and he hits a springboard moonsault for a 2 count. He then hits a seated senton and a dropkick to the face, but Nitro breaks up the count. Nitro tosses Rey gut first onto Mercury's knee. Eddie is in there and hits the Three Amigos on Mercury. Eddie launches Rey into Mercury and is going for the 619, but Melina gets in the way. Melina distracts Eddie and MNM hits the Snapshot and win the titles in their first main roster match. The tag team division was so terrible during this time, which is a shame because MNM was a good team that deserved to have a couple teams worth feuding with.
Match Rating: ***
After the match, Eddie and Rey argue and Eddie pushes Rey down to the mat. Eddie tries to walk away, but Rey comes after him and they get into it again. This time Rey shoves Eddie down to the mat and walks away. This was the right move to get a little fire out of Mysterio.
In the back, MNM is celebrating their victory while the paparazzi takes photos. Melina name drops celebrities while she talks on her cell phone and they drive away in their limo.
John Cena vs. Orlando Jordan
Cena cuts a generic promo and honestly I kind of dozed out there for a minute. They go back and forth until the Bashams distract Cena and Jordan hits a DDT. Jordan hits a big clothesline, but then Jordan takes a sloppy bulldog from Cena. Cena gets dumped out of the ring and Doug Basham attacks. Jordan is putting in one of his better efforts here. Cena hits a couple of clotheslines and then his weird hip toss. Spinning side slam and it's "You can't see me" time, but Doug Basham tries to stop him, but fails. Basham goes off the top rope, but Cena kicks him and hits the FU. Jordan goes up top, but Cena crotches him and goes for a superplex. Danny Basham comes out of nowhere and hits Cena with the WWE Championship belt. Jordan hits an elbow drop off the top rope, but Cena kicks out at the last second. Cena sends Jordan into Danny Basham and hits the FU for the victory. That was a lot more enjoyable than I would have ever expected. It was pretty much the perfect length and both guys put in a good effort.
Match Rating: **3/4
Well, in the battle of the two MSG shows, SmackDown pulled off the surprise upset victory. While this was not a great episode, it was definitely an entertaining one. The stage is set for next week with the fatal four-way match to become #1 contender and we got an impactful debut by MNM. The Eddie and Rey saga also continued, as they slowly build to Judgment Day in about a month.
Overall Rating: 64%
Monday, August 26, 2019
Monday Night Raw 4-18-05 Review
Monday, April 18th, 2005
Madison Square Garden
New York City, New York
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Eric Bischoff is in the back talking to Jim Ross. Bischoff plays sympathetic at first, but then says that he wants to see the match and that he's going to make it a No Disqualification match. He also announces that JR will have Batista in his corner.
Coach is in the announcers booth this week in place of JR.
Edge vs. Chris Benoit
Edge attacks Benoit as soon as he steps in the ring, but Benoit is having none of it. Benoit hits 5 German suplexes in a row and is already signaling for the headbutt. Edge rolls out of the way and Benoit is selling his taped up arm. Edge works the arm a little bit, but Benoit is able to put in the Crippler Crossface. Edge gets to the ropes and they battle outside the ring and eventually into the crowd. They head backstage and for some reason there is no countout called for and instead we get the officials breaking them up. After the commercial break, the divas are reading WWE Magazine and in comes Benoit and Edge and the whole gang. Bischoff orders it to be broken up. Bischoff announces that it will be Edge and Benoit at Backlash in a Last Man Standing Match. Not much to the match here especially with the non-finish.
Match Rating: *
Trish Stratus is on her way down to the ring. Trish invites Lita down to the ring to talk. Trish is trying her best to sound sincere, but the fans are chanting "You screwed Matt", so we're apparently in that part of the story now. "We want Matt" chants now are beginning. Trish offers her apologies and asks Lita if she accepts. Lita says she doesn't believe one word coming out of Trish's mouth. Kane's music hits and Lita hits her with her crutch from behind. Kane is about to give Trish a chokeslam and out comes...Viscera. They really wanted to do this at MSG, huh? Viscera hits the big splash and then picks up Trish and carries her to the back. He also definitely copped a feel, so yeah.
After the break, Trish is talking to Viscera and he's a a creep in a segment that would never exist in 2019 (thankfully). Dear God, please help me erase the last 5 minutes of my life.
William Regal & Tajiri vs. The Heart Throbs
Ah yes, the Heart Throb era. Coach says to get used to it. This is a non-title match. They basically are Too Cool meets Night At The Roxbury in the worst way possible. After some vanilla back and forth action, Tajiri gets the hot tag and takes out both of them. Tajiri then does a variation of a roll up and gets the pinfall victory. That was pretty pointless.
Match Rating: 1/4*
After the match, the Heart Throbs attack the champs. Back to back terrible segments have just completely killed the crowd.
JR is talking to Mike Chioda wondering where Batista is. Triple H and Flair are talking and Triple H is confident Batista won't be there tonight. He says that Batista is on the ride of his life on the limo he gave Batista.
Daivari and Muhammad Hassan are backstage and he is going to dispose of Shawn Michaels in his least favorite city in the world. Hassan says that no one can save Shawn Michaels, not even Hulk Hogan.
Muhammad Hassan vs. Shawn Michaels
Shawn is all fired up and immediately attacks Hassan before he even takes off his attire. After they get back into the ring they start slugging it out, as the crowd chants "Hogan". Daivari distracts Michaels and Hassan rams Michaels into the ring apron. Michaels then starts chopping Hassan and then dumps him over the top rope. When we come back from commercial break, Michaels is still chopping away. Hassan is then able to hit a elbow/bulldog type move and then goes back to working on the back. Michaels fits back and hits the elbow drop off the top rope. Michaels starts stomping in the corner, but Daivari interferes, but Michaels takes him out. Hassan plants Michaels face first and Daivari joins in and the bell rings Daivari then hangs Michaels over the top rope and "Real American" hits to a huge pop of course. They double team Hogan, but this obviously doesn't last 30 seconds before he Hulks up and takes them both out. Michaels joins in and he clotheslines them out of the ring. Michaels and Hogan embrace and the crowd is eating it up. This was all about what it was setting up. The match was decent enough.
Match Rating: *3/4
Chris Masters is here and has $1,000 and says there is no one in New York that can break his Master Lock. He picks someone named Roman who says he's tough because he's from New York. He puts him in the Master Lock and obviously he isn't able to break it.
The hits just keep coming, as we now get Simon Dean. As he's talking he is immediately interrupted by Shelton Benjamin's entrance. Now Chris Jericho's entrance music hits and he's here in street clothes. He says that it's officially going to be him vs. Shelton at Backlash. He then brings out his guitarist Rich Ward and starts singing his promo. This was not Jericho's best work.
Simon Dean vs. Shelton Benjamin
Dean attacks Shelton while he's distracted by Jericho. He then slams Shelton's face into the mat with his legs while in the push up position. Shelton tries to make a comeback, but Dean hits a spinning forearm for a 2 count. Shelton hits a huge knee to the face followed by a Stinger splash. Exploder suplex and that's all. This was obviously to put Shelton over and it wasn't bad. Looking forward to re-watching the Backlash match, as I remember really enjoying it.
Match Rating: 3/4*
Christian and Tomko are on their way to the ring. He says he expected a little bit bigger ovation and then Vince's music hits and he's on his way down. This is Vince's first appearance since his injury at the Royal Rumble. Christian is having microphone problems. Vince makes the announcement that there will be a draft in "about a month". That's surprisingly vague. Christian says that he's going to go to SmackDown and take the WWE Championship from John Cena because he's a main eventer. Vince says if he's a main eventer, he will get to main event Raw next week against Batista.
They officially announce Michaels & Hogan against Daivari & Hassan. Triple H is backstage saying that at Backlash he will hit the Pedigree, he will be an 11 time champion. Then JR is shown walking alone backstage.
No Disqualification Match
Triple H vs. Jim Ross
Triple H offers out his hand and JR doesn't want it, so Triple H punches him right in the gut. JR gets in a punch to the face, but Triple knocks him down and just continues to hit him with fists to the face. Mike Chioda tries to stop him, but Triple H shoves him to the corner. I still can't believe that they put this as the final segment for the MSG Raw. JR is busted open and Triple H is punching him with his belt. Triple H is choking him now and Jerry Lawler is on his way to try and stop him. Triple H hits him with the Pedigree and Flair knocks him out of the ring and Triple H goes right back to JR. In the back, Batista arrives driving a limo and is fuming. Batista's music hits and he obviously goes after Triple H. Flair jumps on his back, so Batista knocks him out. He gives Flair a spinebuster, but Triple H then hits him in the back with a chair. Triple H goes for the Pedigree, but Batista counters it with a backdrop and then lays out Triple H with a chair shot to the face. Batista then drags JR on top of Triple H and he gets the victory. Batista tries to pull JR up, but he can't even stand. I get what they were going for, but no thank you on that one.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Woo boy, that show was not good. You take away the Hogan save and there was nothing worthwhile here at all. Add in the fact that this is at the most historic arena in the company's history and you just have to wonder what they were thinking. Raw had been on a real roll as of late, but it ended here at this show.
Overall Rating: 31%
Madison Square Garden
New York City, New York
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Eric Bischoff is in the back talking to Jim Ross. Bischoff plays sympathetic at first, but then says that he wants to see the match and that he's going to make it a No Disqualification match. He also announces that JR will have Batista in his corner.
Coach is in the announcers booth this week in place of JR.
Edge vs. Chris Benoit
Edge attacks Benoit as soon as he steps in the ring, but Benoit is having none of it. Benoit hits 5 German suplexes in a row and is already signaling for the headbutt. Edge rolls out of the way and Benoit is selling his taped up arm. Edge works the arm a little bit, but Benoit is able to put in the Crippler Crossface. Edge gets to the ropes and they battle outside the ring and eventually into the crowd. They head backstage and for some reason there is no countout called for and instead we get the officials breaking them up. After the commercial break, the divas are reading WWE Magazine and in comes Benoit and Edge and the whole gang. Bischoff orders it to be broken up. Bischoff announces that it will be Edge and Benoit at Backlash in a Last Man Standing Match. Not much to the match here especially with the non-finish.
Match Rating: *
Trish Stratus is on her way down to the ring. Trish invites Lita down to the ring to talk. Trish is trying her best to sound sincere, but the fans are chanting "You screwed Matt", so we're apparently in that part of the story now. "We want Matt" chants now are beginning. Trish offers her apologies and asks Lita if she accepts. Lita says she doesn't believe one word coming out of Trish's mouth. Kane's music hits and Lita hits her with her crutch from behind. Kane is about to give Trish a chokeslam and out comes...Viscera. They really wanted to do this at MSG, huh? Viscera hits the big splash and then picks up Trish and carries her to the back. He also definitely copped a feel, so yeah.
After the break, Trish is talking to Viscera and he's a a creep in a segment that would never exist in 2019 (thankfully). Dear God, please help me erase the last 5 minutes of my life.
William Regal & Tajiri vs. The Heart Throbs
Ah yes, the Heart Throb era. Coach says to get used to it. This is a non-title match. They basically are Too Cool meets Night At The Roxbury in the worst way possible. After some vanilla back and forth action, Tajiri gets the hot tag and takes out both of them. Tajiri then does a variation of a roll up and gets the pinfall victory. That was pretty pointless.
Match Rating: 1/4*
After the match, the Heart Throbs attack the champs. Back to back terrible segments have just completely killed the crowd.
JR is talking to Mike Chioda wondering where Batista is. Triple H and Flair are talking and Triple H is confident Batista won't be there tonight. He says that Batista is on the ride of his life on the limo he gave Batista.
Daivari and Muhammad Hassan are backstage and he is going to dispose of Shawn Michaels in his least favorite city in the world. Hassan says that no one can save Shawn Michaels, not even Hulk Hogan.
Muhammad Hassan vs. Shawn Michaels
Shawn is all fired up and immediately attacks Hassan before he even takes off his attire. After they get back into the ring they start slugging it out, as the crowd chants "Hogan". Daivari distracts Michaels and Hassan rams Michaels into the ring apron. Michaels then starts chopping Hassan and then dumps him over the top rope. When we come back from commercial break, Michaels is still chopping away. Hassan is then able to hit a elbow/bulldog type move and then goes back to working on the back. Michaels fits back and hits the elbow drop off the top rope. Michaels starts stomping in the corner, but Daivari interferes, but Michaels takes him out. Hassan plants Michaels face first and Daivari joins in and the bell rings Daivari then hangs Michaels over the top rope and "Real American" hits to a huge pop of course. They double team Hogan, but this obviously doesn't last 30 seconds before he Hulks up and takes them both out. Michaels joins in and he clotheslines them out of the ring. Michaels and Hogan embrace and the crowd is eating it up. This was all about what it was setting up. The match was decent enough.
Match Rating: *3/4
Chris Masters is here and has $1,000 and says there is no one in New York that can break his Master Lock. He picks someone named Roman who says he's tough because he's from New York. He puts him in the Master Lock and obviously he isn't able to break it.
The hits just keep coming, as we now get Simon Dean. As he's talking he is immediately interrupted by Shelton Benjamin's entrance. Now Chris Jericho's entrance music hits and he's here in street clothes. He says that it's officially going to be him vs. Shelton at Backlash. He then brings out his guitarist Rich Ward and starts singing his promo. This was not Jericho's best work.
Simon Dean vs. Shelton Benjamin
Dean attacks Shelton while he's distracted by Jericho. He then slams Shelton's face into the mat with his legs while in the push up position. Shelton tries to make a comeback, but Dean hits a spinning forearm for a 2 count. Shelton hits a huge knee to the face followed by a Stinger splash. Exploder suplex and that's all. This was obviously to put Shelton over and it wasn't bad. Looking forward to re-watching the Backlash match, as I remember really enjoying it.
Match Rating: 3/4*
Christian and Tomko are on their way to the ring. He says he expected a little bit bigger ovation and then Vince's music hits and he's on his way down. This is Vince's first appearance since his injury at the Royal Rumble. Christian is having microphone problems. Vince makes the announcement that there will be a draft in "about a month". That's surprisingly vague. Christian says that he's going to go to SmackDown and take the WWE Championship from John Cena because he's a main eventer. Vince says if he's a main eventer, he will get to main event Raw next week against Batista.
They officially announce Michaels & Hogan against Daivari & Hassan. Triple H is backstage saying that at Backlash he will hit the Pedigree, he will be an 11 time champion. Then JR is shown walking alone backstage.
No Disqualification Match
Triple H vs. Jim Ross
Triple H offers out his hand and JR doesn't want it, so Triple H punches him right in the gut. JR gets in a punch to the face, but Triple knocks him down and just continues to hit him with fists to the face. Mike Chioda tries to stop him, but Triple H shoves him to the corner. I still can't believe that they put this as the final segment for the MSG Raw. JR is busted open and Triple H is punching him with his belt. Triple H is choking him now and Jerry Lawler is on his way to try and stop him. Triple H hits him with the Pedigree and Flair knocks him out of the ring and Triple H goes right back to JR. In the back, Batista arrives driving a limo and is fuming. Batista's music hits and he obviously goes after Triple H. Flair jumps on his back, so Batista knocks him out. He gives Flair a spinebuster, but Triple H then hits him in the back with a chair. Triple H goes for the Pedigree, but Batista counters it with a backdrop and then lays out Triple H with a chair shot to the face. Batista then drags JR on top of Triple H and he gets the victory. Batista tries to pull JR up, but he can't even stand. I get what they were going for, but no thank you on that one.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Woo boy, that show was not good. You take away the Hogan save and there was nothing worthwhile here at all. Add in the fact that this is at the most historic arena in the company's history and you just have to wonder what they were thinking. Raw had been on a real roll as of late, but it ended here at this show.
Overall Rating: 31%
Sunday, August 25, 2019
NXT 11-28-12 Review
Original Airdate: Wednesday, November 28th, 2012
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida
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Daniel Bryan is here to talk about all that he has done since the last time he was on NXT. This was during the "I am the tag team champions" phase, which was great stuff. Kane and Bryan argue back and forth and Bryan storms off.
Trent Baretta vs. Leo Kruger
Last week Kruger allegedly attacked Barreta backstage, causing him to miss his match against Kassius Ohno. Barreta goes right after Kruger, hitting a couple of clotheslines. Trent goes up top and Kruger trips him up and he falls on his injured ribs. Kruger then has Trent in an abdominal stretch while laughing hysterically. Kruger leaps off the top rope, but Trent hits him with a dropkick on his way down. Trent hits a nice leaping elbow drop to the corner, but Kruger picks him up and slams him face first to the mat. He then hits the Kruger End and that is all. Another instance of them pushing the wrong guy on this show.
Match Rating: 3/4*
Xavier Woods vs. Memo Montenegro
They play up Woods' dancing and passion for music. After some basic offense, Woods hits a somersault into a clothesline for the victory. That was not what I was expecting here. We all know Woods would show a lot more in the years to come.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Audrey Marie vs. Emma
Emma is already in the ring and doing some of the goofy dancing that would help get her over eventually. Emma is referenced as being "green", but JR says he prefers inexperienced. She actually looks competent, so I'm not sure why they made mention of that other than this is her first appearance on NXT. They get a lot of back and forth offense with pinfalls and submission. Audrey Marie hits a Round Up for the victory. Too short to be anything special, but both women looked solid.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Roman Reigns is supposed to be in the back, but instead we get a press release that says we get a "Reigns check" due to so many companies bidding for his services.
Byron Saxton introduces the "voice of the WWE", Michael Cole. He introduces Jinder Mahal and Seth Rollins, who will square off yet again in 2 weeks. They trade insults with one another and then of course they want to fight until Cole holds them off. Cole then asks Jinder what makes him think he can beat Rollins after Rollins has beaten him before? Jinder attacks and puts on the Camel Clutch and holds up the NXT Championship. They are really trying to make this feud mean something, but it's just flat.
WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Michael McGillicutty & Johnny Curtis vs. Daniel Bryan & Kane
Has Daniel Bryan ever been part of something that wasn't good? Words can't describe just how good he really is. Bryan and McGillicutty start things off, but it's not long until it's Kane and Curtis. Kane tries to tag in Bryan, but Bryan refuses, which allows Curtis to tag in McGillicutty. Kane eventually clotheslines him over the top rope and Bryan tags himself in. I'm still not quite sure why Curtis hasn't had a more successful run with the company. They most definitely dropped the ball with the Fashion Police. Bryan hits a hot tag to Kane and takes out both men with some signature moves. Kane goes up to the top rope and hits the flying clothesline. He signals up for the chokeslam, but Bryan tags him from behind, which distracts Bryan. McGillicutty almost gets a pinfall victory. Kane goes to chokeslam both Bryan and McGillicutty, but Curtis interferes and then Bryan locks in the No Lock for the submission victory. This was a little lethargic, but I wasn't exactly expecting a classic.
Match Rating: *3/4
After the match, Kane and Bryan embrace and then celebrate their victory.
Well, this episode was a little on the blah side. The wrong guy went over in the opener and the Mahal/Rollins segment just didn't feel important. The main event was okay, but nothing you need to see. There are worse ways to spend 45 minutes, but there are a lot of better options on the seemingly never ending library that the WWE Network has to offer.
Overall Rating: 35%
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida
Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2
Daniel Bryan is here to talk about all that he has done since the last time he was on NXT. This was during the "I am the tag team champions" phase, which was great stuff. Kane and Bryan argue back and forth and Bryan storms off.
Trent Baretta vs. Leo Kruger
Last week Kruger allegedly attacked Barreta backstage, causing him to miss his match against Kassius Ohno. Barreta goes right after Kruger, hitting a couple of clotheslines. Trent goes up top and Kruger trips him up and he falls on his injured ribs. Kruger then has Trent in an abdominal stretch while laughing hysterically. Kruger leaps off the top rope, but Trent hits him with a dropkick on his way down. Trent hits a nice leaping elbow drop to the corner, but Kruger picks him up and slams him face first to the mat. He then hits the Kruger End and that is all. Another instance of them pushing the wrong guy on this show.
Match Rating: 3/4*
Xavier Woods vs. Memo Montenegro
They play up Woods' dancing and passion for music. After some basic offense, Woods hits a somersault into a clothesline for the victory. That was not what I was expecting here. We all know Woods would show a lot more in the years to come.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Audrey Marie vs. Emma
Emma is already in the ring and doing some of the goofy dancing that would help get her over eventually. Emma is referenced as being "green", but JR says he prefers inexperienced. She actually looks competent, so I'm not sure why they made mention of that other than this is her first appearance on NXT. They get a lot of back and forth offense with pinfalls and submission. Audrey Marie hits a Round Up for the victory. Too short to be anything special, but both women looked solid.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Roman Reigns is supposed to be in the back, but instead we get a press release that says we get a "Reigns check" due to so many companies bidding for his services.
Byron Saxton introduces the "voice of the WWE", Michael Cole. He introduces Jinder Mahal and Seth Rollins, who will square off yet again in 2 weeks. They trade insults with one another and then of course they want to fight until Cole holds them off. Cole then asks Jinder what makes him think he can beat Rollins after Rollins has beaten him before? Jinder attacks and puts on the Camel Clutch and holds up the NXT Championship. They are really trying to make this feud mean something, but it's just flat.
WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Michael McGillicutty & Johnny Curtis vs. Daniel Bryan & Kane
Has Daniel Bryan ever been part of something that wasn't good? Words can't describe just how good he really is. Bryan and McGillicutty start things off, but it's not long until it's Kane and Curtis. Kane tries to tag in Bryan, but Bryan refuses, which allows Curtis to tag in McGillicutty. Kane eventually clotheslines him over the top rope and Bryan tags himself in. I'm still not quite sure why Curtis hasn't had a more successful run with the company. They most definitely dropped the ball with the Fashion Police. Bryan hits a hot tag to Kane and takes out both men with some signature moves. Kane goes up to the top rope and hits the flying clothesline. He signals up for the chokeslam, but Bryan tags him from behind, which distracts Bryan. McGillicutty almost gets a pinfall victory. Kane goes to chokeslam both Bryan and McGillicutty, but Curtis interferes and then Bryan locks in the No Lock for the submission victory. This was a little lethargic, but I wasn't exactly expecting a classic.
Match Rating: *3/4
After the match, Kane and Bryan embrace and then celebrate their victory.
Well, this episode was a little on the blah side. The wrong guy went over in the opener and the Mahal/Rollins segment just didn't feel important. The main event was okay, but nothing you need to see. There are worse ways to spend 45 minutes, but there are a lot of better options on the seemingly never ending library that the WWE Network has to offer.
Overall Rating: 35%
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Superstars 9-26-92 Review
Original Airdate: Saturday, September 26th, 1992
Hersheypark Arena
Hershey, Pennsylvania
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Mr. Perfect is shown wearing a Hershey Kiss hat.
British Bulldog vs. Barry Hardy
Vince announces that Bret and Bulldog have a mutual understanding with one another about Bulldog being the champion. Bulldog hits his always nice looking suplex and for some reason goes for a headlock against Barry Hardy. He hits the running powerslam and that's it. That was pretty uninspired for a guy in the biggest singles push of his career to this point.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Update time with Mean Gene and it's brought to you by the new Nintendo and Game Boy games. They show a clip and it is honestly the least interesting thing they have probably ever shown on WWF TV and that's saying something. They show a clip from last week's interview with Macho Man. He's really juiced to have a new Ultimate Warrior knee pad from his BFF and brings out the Warrior.
John Richner vs. Papa Shango
It's Xanta Claus, sometimes also referred to as Balls Mahoney. Shango does some voodoo and makes Richner fall to the ground grabbing his knee. This allows us to listen to a Bret Hart interview. Shango hits the reverse shoulderbreaker and that is all. One would think Shango would use his voodoo all the time and just win the championship, but what do I know? After the match he shoots out fireworks, further cementing himself as a great act for children birthdays.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Event Center with Sean Mooney. El Matador says there is more opportunity than ever, which is why he is never on TV apparently. Shawn Michaels reminds us that he is the sexiest man alive.
Komet Kid vs. Barry Horowitz
Komet Kid, who will eventually will be Max Moon, is making his debut here. He is wearing a jet pack that sprays out smoke and he then jumps up the steps, which is pretty embarrassing. After a few moves, Kid looks almost as if he is already blown up. He hits a springboard crossbody into a bulldog. He hits a few kicks and then hits a rolling fireman's carry for the win. Kid looked solid in his debut.
Match Rating: 1/4*
They show a quick clip of Undertaker/Kamala from SummerSlam.
Razor Ramon vs. Nick Tarantino
Ramon hits all of his signature stuff here and looks great doing it. I know it's still like 5 months away, but I have no idea how Razor's WrestleMania match was a pointless match with Bob Backlund and not something further up the card. Razor's Edge finishes it.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Back to the Event Center. Tatanka thanks his fan as he climbs the ranks of the WWF. The Mountie and Jimmy Hart bless us by singing his theme song.
Big Boss Man vs. Bruce Mitchell
Mitchell is showing off his dad bod. Boss Man is just destroying him, almost with some heel tendencies. They are playing it up as if Nailz is bringing it out the aggressive side of Boss Man. Boss Man Slam and that's all she wrote. Only a few more months left of Nailz!
Match Rating: 1/4*
Mean Gene is out to introduce Ric Flair and Mr. Perfect for an interview. Flair's hair looks a little out of whack today. He talks about Warrior and Savage and this one won't go down as one of Flair's better promos.
Bobby Perez & Akita Webb vs. The Nasty Boys
They play up the which Jimmy Hart tag team deserve to be the number one contenders angle. They then show an interview of the Nasty Boys and Jimmy Hart going nuts about being the number one contenders thanks to Jimmy Hart. Nasty Boys hit the Pit Stop and beat up on poor Perez. Well, of all the matches on this episode, the Nasty Boys look the most motivated. Running powerslam by Knobbs and then an ugly top rope elbow drop by Saggs and that's it.
Match Rating: 1/4*
We get our last visit to the Event Center. Undertaker and Paul Bearer tells Kamala to prepare to meet his maker. Money, Inc. and Jimmy Hart say they want their championship belts back and Jimmy Hart says that they are the number one contenders.
Next week we get to see Crush, Undertaker, Nailz (sigh) and Natural Disasters. Plus, we get a special interview with Razor Ramon.
This weird transition period continues for WWF and it still seems like they really don't know where they are going. Knowing what actually ends up happening makes it all seem to make even less sense as I watch along. With that being said, this episode was pretty lifeless that didn't feature too much in the way of story progression. Plus, I miss High Energy promos on the Event Center. Maybe next week.
Overall Rating: 29%
Hersheypark Arena
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2
Mr. Perfect is shown wearing a Hershey Kiss hat.
British Bulldog vs. Barry Hardy
Vince announces that Bret and Bulldog have a mutual understanding with one another about Bulldog being the champion. Bulldog hits his always nice looking suplex and for some reason goes for a headlock against Barry Hardy. He hits the running powerslam and that's it. That was pretty uninspired for a guy in the biggest singles push of his career to this point.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Update time with Mean Gene and it's brought to you by the new Nintendo and Game Boy games. They show a clip and it is honestly the least interesting thing they have probably ever shown on WWF TV and that's saying something. They show a clip from last week's interview with Macho Man. He's really juiced to have a new Ultimate Warrior knee pad from his BFF and brings out the Warrior.
John Richner vs. Papa Shango
It's Xanta Claus, sometimes also referred to as Balls Mahoney. Shango does some voodoo and makes Richner fall to the ground grabbing his knee. This allows us to listen to a Bret Hart interview. Shango hits the reverse shoulderbreaker and that is all. One would think Shango would use his voodoo all the time and just win the championship, but what do I know? After the match he shoots out fireworks, further cementing himself as a great act for children birthdays.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Event Center with Sean Mooney. El Matador says there is more opportunity than ever, which is why he is never on TV apparently. Shawn Michaels reminds us that he is the sexiest man alive.
Komet Kid vs. Barry Horowitz
Komet Kid, who will eventually will be Max Moon, is making his debut here. He is wearing a jet pack that sprays out smoke and he then jumps up the steps, which is pretty embarrassing. After a few moves, Kid looks almost as if he is already blown up. He hits a springboard crossbody into a bulldog. He hits a few kicks and then hits a rolling fireman's carry for the win. Kid looked solid in his debut.
Match Rating: 1/4*
They show a quick clip of Undertaker/Kamala from SummerSlam.
Razor Ramon vs. Nick Tarantino
Ramon hits all of his signature stuff here and looks great doing it. I know it's still like 5 months away, but I have no idea how Razor's WrestleMania match was a pointless match with Bob Backlund and not something further up the card. Razor's Edge finishes it.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Back to the Event Center. Tatanka thanks his fan as he climbs the ranks of the WWF. The Mountie and Jimmy Hart bless us by singing his theme song.
Big Boss Man vs. Bruce Mitchell
Mitchell is showing off his dad bod. Boss Man is just destroying him, almost with some heel tendencies. They are playing it up as if Nailz is bringing it out the aggressive side of Boss Man. Boss Man Slam and that's all she wrote. Only a few more months left of Nailz!
Match Rating: 1/4*
Mean Gene is out to introduce Ric Flair and Mr. Perfect for an interview. Flair's hair looks a little out of whack today. He talks about Warrior and Savage and this one won't go down as one of Flair's better promos.
Bobby Perez & Akita Webb vs. The Nasty Boys
They play up the which Jimmy Hart tag team deserve to be the number one contenders angle. They then show an interview of the Nasty Boys and Jimmy Hart going nuts about being the number one contenders thanks to Jimmy Hart. Nasty Boys hit the Pit Stop and beat up on poor Perez. Well, of all the matches on this episode, the Nasty Boys look the most motivated. Running powerslam by Knobbs and then an ugly top rope elbow drop by Saggs and that's it.
Match Rating: 1/4*
We get our last visit to the Event Center. Undertaker and Paul Bearer tells Kamala to prepare to meet his maker. Money, Inc. and Jimmy Hart say they want their championship belts back and Jimmy Hart says that they are the number one contenders.
Next week we get to see Crush, Undertaker, Nailz (sigh) and Natural Disasters. Plus, we get a special interview with Razor Ramon.
This weird transition period continues for WWF and it still seems like they really don't know where they are going. Knowing what actually ends up happening makes it all seem to make even less sense as I watch along. With that being said, this episode was pretty lifeless that didn't feature too much in the way of story progression. Plus, I miss High Energy promos on the Event Center. Maybe next week.
Overall Rating: 29%
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
SmackDown 4-14-05 Review
Original Airdate: Thursday, April 14th, 2005
Allstate Arena
Rosemont, Illinois
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Orlando Jordan vs. Booker T
JBL is your guest commentator. Jordan attacks Booker from behind to kick things off. JBL is making loud noises. Booker fights back and hits a kick. As soon as that happens, the Bashams run in the ring and we have ourselves a DQ finish. In comes Big Show to a pretty big pop. Here comes Teddy Long, playa. He says the match isn't over, it's now a handicap match.
Orlando Jordan & The Basham Brothers vs. Booker T & Big Show
Big Show is a house on fire until he goes to chokeslam OJ and the Bashams interfere. Booker comes in there and takes care of them while JBL tells us the Bashams might become one of the best tag teams ever. I still feel like it's too early to put them up there, but maybe soon. Spinarooni by Booker and a scissors kick on one of the Bashams and he gets the victory. That was a much bigger squash than one would think. That was probably not a bad choice to open the show in front of a hot crowd. It just wasn't much of a match.
Match Rating: 1/2* (out of 5)
After the match, JBL pushes the Bashams around and yells at them.
Torrie Wilson vs. Dawn Marie
This should have been the main event. Dawn attacks Torrie and slams her face into the mat. She hits a slingshot, which I have to say I didn't expect to see here. They go round and round with pin reversals, but no one pulls off the 3 count. Dawn hits a X Factor, but still can't get the victory. Torrie tries a schoolgirl, but only gets a 2 count. Kick to the stomach followed by a reverse neckbreaker by Torrie and that's all it took. The match was much more competent than you would expect here. The finish came out of nowhere, but their effort showed here.
Match Rating: 1/2*
We now get the debut of Carlito's Cabana. I didn't even realize that they still were announcing him as Carlito Caribbean Cool. His first guest here is Rey Mysterio and calls him a lovable loser, just like the Cubs. They show clips from last week's match against JBL. Rey says that he is mad at Eddie and hasn't talked to him since last week. However, he says that Eddie is family. Then out of nowhere, we get the debut of MNM. They had no vignettes, so no one knows who they are. Melina grabs the mic from Carlito and introduces to them. She wants to challenge Rey and Eddie for the tag team championships. Rey then insults Melina's breath, which is kind of random for him. MNM attacks him and Rey does his best, but he's not able to fend them off. Carlito sits back in his chair and watches while the crowd is chanting "Eddie". MNM hits the Snapshot and they are out of here.
JBL is backstage yelling at the Bashams and Orlando. He tells them they will be cut loose if they don't get their act together. As JBL walks away, JBL walks into a delivery guy carrying a package for John Cena. He pays him to take the box and says that it is Cena's new championship belt. JBL tells his Cabinet that he is going to do this by himself.
Rey is back on a medical table and Eddie is in here and is furious. Rey yells at him and tells him to leave him alone. Eddie then gives an Oscar-worthy performance as to why he couldn't help what he did last week and that he will make it up to him. He said he's going to beat Kurt Angle and win the WWE Championship and dedicate it to Rey.
The champ is here. In just a little under a year from this episode, he would be main eventing this same building against Triple H. Cena makes the announcement that Chicago will be hosting WrestleMania. That was the last WrestleMania to not be held in a stadium and the first one that I attempted to get tickets to. Unfortunately, I failed but I got to go to the next 3, so I'd say it worked out okay for me. He tells JBL that he needs that box and tells him to come out now. After a little delay, JBL makes his way out to the ring and has two people bring out the box and a trash can. JBL unveils that he is wearing the old WWE Championship belt around his waist. After he yells some more, he opens the box and decides not to look at it before he grabs it and it's slimy meat that Cena says is "guts" since JBL doesn't have any. Cena then comes down and dumps it on him. Is there really any doubt as to whom will be Cena's opponent at Judgment Day? Hanging from the ceiling is the new WWE Championship belt. There it is folks, the debut of the spinner WWE Championship belt that lasted a long time.
Heidenreich vs. Mystery Jobber
They don't announce his opponent, but he gets a few right hands in before eating a big boot from Heidenreich. He keeps asking if they are friends. He hits a sideslam and gets the victory. This would have fit in well on the 1992 Superstars episodes I've been watching.
Match Rating: 1/4*
After the match, Heidenreich drags the jobber in the corner and tells him to stay. He then reads his poem and tells everyone there that he wishes they were his friends. His poem is about farting. This is the beginning of his face turn. This has Vince McMahon all over it. Great stuff...
Booker T is back with Sharmell, who is taking a photo shoot. Kurt Angle comes in and insults Booker and says that he will be the next WWE Champion. Sharmell reminds him that Eddie beat him at WrestleMania 20.
Paul London is on his way down to the ring, as they show clips of his match last week where he was busted open. He talks about the 18 staples he got after the match and that doctors aren't allowing him to wrestle tonight. But he's not here to wrestle, he's here to fight and calls out Chavo Guerrero. Chavo is out and reminds London that he never lost to him and that he wants the Cruiserweight title back. Chavo is talking really slow for some reason here. He tells London that as soon as he is medically clear, he is going to take it back. Chavo says he would never fight another man, so Kidman comes from behind and attacks London. It doesn't work and then London knocks Chavo out of the ring as well. London hits the 450 splash on Kidman.
#1 Contender Tournament First Round
Kurt Angle vs. Eddie Guerrero
There shouldn't be a wrestling fan alive that wouldn't want to see these two in the ring. Seesaw start, as one would expect between these two. Eddie begins working on the arm and then switches and hits the Three Amigos. He goes for the Frog Splash, but Angle moves and Eddie rolls through. When we come back from the commercial break, Kurt is working on Eddie. Eddie fights back with a hurricanrana. Eddie brings in a chair and he and Kurt play hot potato with it before the ref sees it. Eddie lies down and the ref sees the chair on the ground, but it doesn't work. Eddie tries to schoolboy Angle and gets a 2. Angle hits a few German suplexes, but Eddie is still able to kick out. Angle goes for the Angle Slam from the second rope, but Eddie pushes him off and goes for the Frog Splash, but Angle gets his knees up. We come back from the final commercial break and Angle is continuing to attempt pinfalls. Eddie counters an Angle Slam into a nice DDT and both men are down. Back on their feet and slugging it out and Eddie gets the best of Angle. Eddie goes for Three Amigos again, he hits two and then Angle hits the Angle Slam for a 2 count. Angle hits the three German suplexes and Eddie still kicks out. Angle Slam attempt again and Eddie counters with an arm drag. Eddie hits Three Amigos again. Eddie is up top and hits the Frog Splash, but Angle kicks out. Angle gets the Ankle Lock, but Eddie rolls through. Ankle Lock is on again and after a couple attempts, he kicks out. Rey runs in with a chair and clears out Angle and then Eddie is begging Rey not to hit him with the chair. Rey didn't look like he was going to, but Eddie seems to think he was. Angle hits Mysterio from behind and pushes him and the chair into Eddie and steals the victory. That wasn't as good as their WrestleMania and SummerSlam matches, but still darn good. The commercial breaks hurt this one a little, but everything after the last commercial was golden.
Match Rating: ***3/4
Well this episode was pretty much a one match show that also featured the debut of MNM, who became staples of the tag division for the remainder of the year. Unfortunately, there were no other good tag teams during this time. I'm not going to complain about a show that had a really good 20 minute match as the main event, but the rest of the show was a little uninspired to put it nicely. Watch the main event, skip the rest.
Overall Rating: 52%
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Orlando Jordan vs. Booker T
JBL is your guest commentator. Jordan attacks Booker from behind to kick things off. JBL is making loud noises. Booker fights back and hits a kick. As soon as that happens, the Bashams run in the ring and we have ourselves a DQ finish. In comes Big Show to a pretty big pop. Here comes Teddy Long, playa. He says the match isn't over, it's now a handicap match.
Orlando Jordan & The Basham Brothers vs. Booker T & Big Show
Big Show is a house on fire until he goes to chokeslam OJ and the Bashams interfere. Booker comes in there and takes care of them while JBL tells us the Bashams might become one of the best tag teams ever. I still feel like it's too early to put them up there, but maybe soon. Spinarooni by Booker and a scissors kick on one of the Bashams and he gets the victory. That was a much bigger squash than one would think. That was probably not a bad choice to open the show in front of a hot crowd. It just wasn't much of a match.
Match Rating: 1/2* (out of 5)
After the match, JBL pushes the Bashams around and yells at them.
Torrie Wilson vs. Dawn Marie
This should have been the main event. Dawn attacks Torrie and slams her face into the mat. She hits a slingshot, which I have to say I didn't expect to see here. They go round and round with pin reversals, but no one pulls off the 3 count. Dawn hits a X Factor, but still can't get the victory. Torrie tries a schoolgirl, but only gets a 2 count. Kick to the stomach followed by a reverse neckbreaker by Torrie and that's all it took. The match was much more competent than you would expect here. The finish came out of nowhere, but their effort showed here.
Match Rating: 1/2*
We now get the debut of Carlito's Cabana. I didn't even realize that they still were announcing him as Carlito Caribbean Cool. His first guest here is Rey Mysterio and calls him a lovable loser, just like the Cubs. They show clips from last week's match against JBL. Rey says that he is mad at Eddie and hasn't talked to him since last week. However, he says that Eddie is family. Then out of nowhere, we get the debut of MNM. They had no vignettes, so no one knows who they are. Melina grabs the mic from Carlito and introduces to them. She wants to challenge Rey and Eddie for the tag team championships. Rey then insults Melina's breath, which is kind of random for him. MNM attacks him and Rey does his best, but he's not able to fend them off. Carlito sits back in his chair and watches while the crowd is chanting "Eddie". MNM hits the Snapshot and they are out of here.
JBL is backstage yelling at the Bashams and Orlando. He tells them they will be cut loose if they don't get their act together. As JBL walks away, JBL walks into a delivery guy carrying a package for John Cena. He pays him to take the box and says that it is Cena's new championship belt. JBL tells his Cabinet that he is going to do this by himself.
Rey is back on a medical table and Eddie is in here and is furious. Rey yells at him and tells him to leave him alone. Eddie then gives an Oscar-worthy performance as to why he couldn't help what he did last week and that he will make it up to him. He said he's going to beat Kurt Angle and win the WWE Championship and dedicate it to Rey.
The champ is here. In just a little under a year from this episode, he would be main eventing this same building against Triple H. Cena makes the announcement that Chicago will be hosting WrestleMania. That was the last WrestleMania to not be held in a stadium and the first one that I attempted to get tickets to. Unfortunately, I failed but I got to go to the next 3, so I'd say it worked out okay for me. He tells JBL that he needs that box and tells him to come out now. After a little delay, JBL makes his way out to the ring and has two people bring out the box and a trash can. JBL unveils that he is wearing the old WWE Championship belt around his waist. After he yells some more, he opens the box and decides not to look at it before he grabs it and it's slimy meat that Cena says is "guts" since JBL doesn't have any. Cena then comes down and dumps it on him. Is there really any doubt as to whom will be Cena's opponent at Judgment Day? Hanging from the ceiling is the new WWE Championship belt. There it is folks, the debut of the spinner WWE Championship belt that lasted a long time.
Heidenreich vs. Mystery Jobber
They don't announce his opponent, but he gets a few right hands in before eating a big boot from Heidenreich. He keeps asking if they are friends. He hits a sideslam and gets the victory. This would have fit in well on the 1992 Superstars episodes I've been watching.
Match Rating: 1/4*
After the match, Heidenreich drags the jobber in the corner and tells him to stay. He then reads his poem and tells everyone there that he wishes they were his friends. His poem is about farting. This is the beginning of his face turn. This has Vince McMahon all over it. Great stuff...
Booker T is back with Sharmell, who is taking a photo shoot. Kurt Angle comes in and insults Booker and says that he will be the next WWE Champion. Sharmell reminds him that Eddie beat him at WrestleMania 20.
Paul London is on his way down to the ring, as they show clips of his match last week where he was busted open. He talks about the 18 staples he got after the match and that doctors aren't allowing him to wrestle tonight. But he's not here to wrestle, he's here to fight and calls out Chavo Guerrero. Chavo is out and reminds London that he never lost to him and that he wants the Cruiserweight title back. Chavo is talking really slow for some reason here. He tells London that as soon as he is medically clear, he is going to take it back. Chavo says he would never fight another man, so Kidman comes from behind and attacks London. It doesn't work and then London knocks Chavo out of the ring as well. London hits the 450 splash on Kidman.
#1 Contender Tournament First Round
Kurt Angle vs. Eddie Guerrero
There shouldn't be a wrestling fan alive that wouldn't want to see these two in the ring. Seesaw start, as one would expect between these two. Eddie begins working on the arm and then switches and hits the Three Amigos. He goes for the Frog Splash, but Angle moves and Eddie rolls through. When we come back from the commercial break, Kurt is working on Eddie. Eddie fights back with a hurricanrana. Eddie brings in a chair and he and Kurt play hot potato with it before the ref sees it. Eddie lies down and the ref sees the chair on the ground, but it doesn't work. Eddie tries to schoolboy Angle and gets a 2. Angle hits a few German suplexes, but Eddie is still able to kick out. Angle goes for the Angle Slam from the second rope, but Eddie pushes him off and goes for the Frog Splash, but Angle gets his knees up. We come back from the final commercial break and Angle is continuing to attempt pinfalls. Eddie counters an Angle Slam into a nice DDT and both men are down. Back on their feet and slugging it out and Eddie gets the best of Angle. Eddie goes for Three Amigos again, he hits two and then Angle hits the Angle Slam for a 2 count. Angle hits the three German suplexes and Eddie still kicks out. Angle Slam attempt again and Eddie counters with an arm drag. Eddie hits Three Amigos again. Eddie is up top and hits the Frog Splash, but Angle kicks out. Angle gets the Ankle Lock, but Eddie rolls through. Ankle Lock is on again and after a couple attempts, he kicks out. Rey runs in with a chair and clears out Angle and then Eddie is begging Rey not to hit him with the chair. Rey didn't look like he was going to, but Eddie seems to think he was. Angle hits Mysterio from behind and pushes him and the chair into Eddie and steals the victory. That wasn't as good as their WrestleMania and SummerSlam matches, but still darn good. The commercial breaks hurt this one a little, but everything after the last commercial was golden.
Match Rating: ***3/4
Well this episode was pretty much a one match show that also featured the debut of MNM, who became staples of the tag division for the remainder of the year. Unfortunately, there were no other good tag teams during this time. I'm not going to complain about a show that had a really good 20 minute match as the main event, but the rest of the show was a little uninspired to put it nicely. Watch the main event, skip the rest.
Overall Rating: 52%
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