Original Airdate: Wednesday, July 10th, 2013
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida
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NXT Women's Championship Tournament Semi-Final Match
Summer Rae vs. Emma
Brad Maddox is back on announcing duties this week...yep. Emma continues to be a fan favorite. Summer starts off on the attack slamming Emma face first into the turnbuckle and then into the mat. Summer starts working on arm of Emma and then hits a dropkick after Emma gets out of the hold. Emma hits a drop toe hold on Summer into the second turnbuckle and a seated dropkick for a 2 count. Summer goes for a sunset flip, but it leads to a few back and forth pin attempts and Emma ends up getting the win out of it. As soon as the match is over, Summer attacks Emma from behind. Out comes Paige and Summer heads to the back. The right woman won, but again they got no time and they didn't have much chemistry.
Match Rating: 1/2* (out of 5)
Bayley is backstage with Dusty Rhodes. He lets her know how proud he is of her. Bayley is starting show off her WWE fan gimmick. In walks Charlotte and Ric Flair. Bayley offers to wrestle Charlotte next week for her debut. Bayley wants a "Woo" and Ric gives her one.
Sami Zayn vs. Leo Kruger
Maddox is confused as to why the crowd is chanting "Ole" for Zayn. Things start off a little slowly, but Zayn picks up the pace and hits some classic El Generico offense. Zayn goes for the dive, but Kruger catches him with a forearm and both men are down. Back from a commercial break, Kruger is beating Zayn with come clubbing blows. Kruger hits a huge spinebuster for a nearfall. That was nice. Zayn makes a comeback with a huge dropkick. Zayn hits a flying crossbody and gets a close call. Kruger catches Zayn with a knee and throws him shoulder first into the ring post. Zayn catches Kruger for a spinning sit down powerbomb. He heads up top, but Kruger meets him up there and hits a top rope superplex. Kruger goes back to work on the shoulder and puts Zayn in the GC3 and Zayn taps out. I'm a little surprised with that ending. This was a solid match and both men looked good here.
Match Rating: **3/4
Adrian Neville, Corey Graves and William Regal are back with Renee Young. Regal is in rare form here.
Handicap Match
Mason Ryan vs. Enzo Amore & Big Cass
Enzo and Cass start off in control until Ryan hits them with a double shoulder tackle. Ryan has Amore up for a body slam, but Cass hits a big boot for a 2 count. It's really weird to me that they undersell how big Cass is. Enzo hits a chop block and Cass falls on him for the victory. At least it was short.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Dusty Rhodes announces that next week Sami Zayn, Leo Kruger and Cesaro will square off to determine a #1 contender.
The Wyatt Family vs. Adrian Neville, Corey Graves & William Regal
The faces start off the match working on Rowan. Rowan is able to knock Graves down and get a tag into Harper. Graves hits a dropkick and puts him in a submission hold where he is draped over the top rope. Regal then hits some kicks behind his back to Harper. He tags in Neville and he follows suit. Neville explodes on Harper, until Harper gets his fingers in the eyes of Neville. Wyatt gets a big cheap shot in and then tags in for the first time. Rowan hits a pump handle backbreaker on Neville for a 2 count. Neville tries to hit a comeback until he goes for a crucifix and Wyatt counters it with a Samoan drop. Neville finally makes a tag to Regal and he hits Harper with a series of forearms. He hits an exploder suplex and hits a bunch of knees to the face. Rowan breaks up a pin attempt and Graves comes in and knocks both he and Rowan out of hte ring. Neville hits a dive over the top rope, while Harper tags in Wyatt. Wyatt hits Sister Abigail and gets the victory. Well, that sure was an anti-climatic ending. The rest of the match was entertaining and it's fun seeing Regal in there with the younger guys.
Match Rating: **3/4
We had two pretty good matches on this show, so in the world of NXT in 2013, that's a good show. The women continue to get shortchanged on time, but hopefully Emma and Paige gets a fair amount of time to tell their story. Neville and Zayn continue to look like the stars of the brand and are just on a different level in the ring compared to the rest of the roster. This wasn't a classic, but it certainly was a good effort.
Overall Rating: 60%
Sunday, July 5, 2020
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Monday Night Raw 5-10-93 Review
Monday, May 10th, 1993
Manhattan Center
New York City, New York
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They show Shawn Michaels earlier talking about his match tonight with Hacksaw Jim Duggan and then Mr. Perfect comes from out of nowhere and attacks him. They have a fun brawl out in the street. That's a fun way to start the show.
King Of The Ring Qualifying Match
Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Typhoon
Randy Savage wonders who has the weight advantage here. That's great foreshadowing to his 1994 King of the Ring experience. After they try to knock one another over, Typhoon hits a body slam. Bam Bam then gives Typhoon one of his own. Bam Bam hits a back suplex, but Typhoon pops up and hits a clothesline that sends Bam Bam out of the ring. Bam Bam tricks him into following him back into the ring and he slams Typhoon into the ring post. It should be noted that once again the NYC crowd is very much behind Bam Bam. After the commercial break, Bam Bam impressively hits a Samoan drop. He goes up top and hits the headbutt from the top rope and qualifies for the King of the Ring. I love Bobby Heenan's reaction to winning the match, making the tournament feel important. The match was nothing special, but Bam Bam looked impressive.
Match Rating: 3/4* (out of 5)
We get another Smoking Gunns vignette.
Yokozuna vs. P.J. Walker
Heenan says that he feels sorry for how Yokozuna was "jobbed" at WrestleMania. Yoko steamrolls Walker here, as one would expect and I still love the crowd reaction that he gets every time he hits the Banzai Drop. This was exactly what it was supposed to be.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Mean Gene is here for the King of the Ring Report. There are three spots left and two will be filled when Doink faces Mr. Perfect and Tatanka takes on Giant Gonzalez.
Mr. Perfect vs. Iron Mike Sharpe
Perfect gets a dropkick in early on and then hits some open palm slaps. Vince refers to Sharpe as "one tough hombre". They once again recycle the announcer watching a different channel thing with Heenan. This absolutely makes no sense. Perfect hits the Perfect Plex and that is all. Squash.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Mr. Hughes vs. Cannonball Kid
Mr. Hughes is now with Harvey Wippleman and Cannonball Kid is of course Sean Waltman. Hughes throws Kid all around the ring and then hits a big boot. He hits his chokeslam finisher and gets the easy victory.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Lumberjack Match For The Intercontinental Championship
Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Shawn Michaels
Hacksaw goes after Yokozuna during his entrance. Michaels comes out on crutches and is wearing a shirt with Ultimate Warrior and Legion of Doom on it. I'm almost positive I had that shirt in white from Kids R Us. Perfect attacks Michaels and it exposes that his leg is fine. The bell rings and Duggan hits a big atomic drop. Duggan hits a big suplex for a 2 count. Michaels is a bumping machine here for Duggan. Michaels is thrown out of the ring. Hughes at Terry Taylor gently try to get Michaels up until Perfect comes over. Michaels tries to escape, but Perfect carries him back as we head into a commercial break. When we come back, Duggan misses a knee drop and Michaels then uses his boot to the face of Duggan. Duggan counters the back body drop attempt by slamming Michaels face first to the mat. Duggan catches Shawn off the turnbuckle and slams him down for a nearfall. I'm not sure I can think of another Duggan WWF match that is as long as this one. Duggan hits hits running clothesline, but Michaels is able to roll out of the ring. Michaels misses with a splash in the corner, but Bam Bam distracts Duggan and Shawn nails him in the back. Yokozuna splashes Duggan on the outside. Shawn goes for the cocky pin attempt by standing on Duggan, but Perfect comes in and attacks Michaels. They call it a disqualification, which makes no sense because you are able to attack from outside the ring. Everyone is brawling now and Duggan clears the ring with his 2x4. We go off the air with Duggan standing tall. That was a fun main event with Michaels going above and beyond with his bumping.
Match Rating: **1/2
This was a pretty entertaining show. Everything felt like there was a purpose behind it and the show went by quickly. I still don't get the finish of the main event, but the match itself was better than expected.
Overall Rating: 56%
Manhattan Center
New York City, New York
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They show Shawn Michaels earlier talking about his match tonight with Hacksaw Jim Duggan and then Mr. Perfect comes from out of nowhere and attacks him. They have a fun brawl out in the street. That's a fun way to start the show.
King Of The Ring Qualifying Match
Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Typhoon
Randy Savage wonders who has the weight advantage here. That's great foreshadowing to his 1994 King of the Ring experience. After they try to knock one another over, Typhoon hits a body slam. Bam Bam then gives Typhoon one of his own. Bam Bam hits a back suplex, but Typhoon pops up and hits a clothesline that sends Bam Bam out of the ring. Bam Bam tricks him into following him back into the ring and he slams Typhoon into the ring post. It should be noted that once again the NYC crowd is very much behind Bam Bam. After the commercial break, Bam Bam impressively hits a Samoan drop. He goes up top and hits the headbutt from the top rope and qualifies for the King of the Ring. I love Bobby Heenan's reaction to winning the match, making the tournament feel important. The match was nothing special, but Bam Bam looked impressive.
Match Rating: 3/4* (out of 5)
We get another Smoking Gunns vignette.
Yokozuna vs. P.J. Walker
Heenan says that he feels sorry for how Yokozuna was "jobbed" at WrestleMania. Yoko steamrolls Walker here, as one would expect and I still love the crowd reaction that he gets every time he hits the Banzai Drop. This was exactly what it was supposed to be.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Mean Gene is here for the King of the Ring Report. There are three spots left and two will be filled when Doink faces Mr. Perfect and Tatanka takes on Giant Gonzalez.
Mr. Perfect vs. Iron Mike Sharpe
Perfect gets a dropkick in early on and then hits some open palm slaps. Vince refers to Sharpe as "one tough hombre". They once again recycle the announcer watching a different channel thing with Heenan. This absolutely makes no sense. Perfect hits the Perfect Plex and that is all. Squash.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Mr. Hughes vs. Cannonball Kid
Mr. Hughes is now with Harvey Wippleman and Cannonball Kid is of course Sean Waltman. Hughes throws Kid all around the ring and then hits a big boot. He hits his chokeslam finisher and gets the easy victory.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Lumberjack Match For The Intercontinental Championship
Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Shawn Michaels
Hacksaw goes after Yokozuna during his entrance. Michaels comes out on crutches and is wearing a shirt with Ultimate Warrior and Legion of Doom on it. I'm almost positive I had that shirt in white from Kids R Us. Perfect attacks Michaels and it exposes that his leg is fine. The bell rings and Duggan hits a big atomic drop. Duggan hits a big suplex for a 2 count. Michaels is a bumping machine here for Duggan. Michaels is thrown out of the ring. Hughes at Terry Taylor gently try to get Michaels up until Perfect comes over. Michaels tries to escape, but Perfect carries him back as we head into a commercial break. When we come back, Duggan misses a knee drop and Michaels then uses his boot to the face of Duggan. Duggan counters the back body drop attempt by slamming Michaels face first to the mat. Duggan catches Shawn off the turnbuckle and slams him down for a nearfall. I'm not sure I can think of another Duggan WWF match that is as long as this one. Duggan hits hits running clothesline, but Michaels is able to roll out of the ring. Michaels misses with a splash in the corner, but Bam Bam distracts Duggan and Shawn nails him in the back. Yokozuna splashes Duggan on the outside. Shawn goes for the cocky pin attempt by standing on Duggan, but Perfect comes in and attacks Michaels. They call it a disqualification, which makes no sense because you are able to attack from outside the ring. Everyone is brawling now and Duggan clears the ring with his 2x4. We go off the air with Duggan standing tall. That was a fun main event with Michaels going above and beyond with his bumping.
Match Rating: **1/2
This was a pretty entertaining show. Everything felt like there was a purpose behind it and the show went by quickly. I still don't get the finish of the main event, but the match itself was better than expected.
Overall Rating: 56%
Monday, June 29, 2020
SmackDown 10-7-05 Review
Original Airdate: Friday, October 7th, 2005
Frank Erwin Center
Austin, Texas
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Teddy Long is in the ring along with Palmer Cannon. Teddy announces that the match from Homecoming will be taking place tonight. He also says that if Raw wants to come No Mercy on Sunday, SmackDown will finish what they started. Randy and Bob Orton are now out to interrupt. Randy insults Teddy saying it was he who interrupted Raw, not Teddy. Cannon then escorts Teddy away so that the future of Friday nights can talk. They talk about their match with Piper tonight and Bob says that he's going to do something he has wanted to do for a long time, which of course brings out Piper. Piper pulls out a lead pipe and the Orton's retreat.
Booker T vs. Orlando Jordan
Sharmell introduces Booker T if that is something that interests you. Jordan gets in a cheap shot and takes control early on. Booker fights back with some chops, but Jordan hits a big clothesline and Booker rolls outside. Jordan goes to hit Booker with a chair for some reason, but Booker hits a kick. Up on the ring apron, Jordan tries to suplex Booker back in, but Sharmell trips up Jordan and Booker gets the victory. They show the replay on the big screen and now Booker is upset with her. It's kind of interesting that they booked the guy that no one thinks will win the match on Sunday to lose.
Match Rating: 3/4* (out of 5)
Mr. Kennedy is out and he of course interrupts Tony Chimel. He announces that he will be the guest commentator for the next match.
Sylvan vs. Hardcore Holly
Sylvan attacks Holly as he's up on the turnbuckle. Meanwhile, Mr. Kennedy makes fun of Sparky Plugg. Holly hits his beautiful dropkick and then clotheslines Sylvan out of the ring. Holly and Kennedy start talking trash and it leads to Holly shoving Kennedy to the floor. Holly gets the kick to the abdomen in, but while the ref is checking in on Sylvan, Kennedy hits Holly in the head with the microphone. Sylvan picks up the cheap victory. After the match, Kennedy announces Holly as the loser of the match. Another match that was just too short to be anything.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Roddy Piper is backstage and is getting quite a lot of screen time here tonight. He makes fun of Bob Orton.
Road Warrior Animal & Heidenreich vs. Paul Burchill & William Regal
I guess they remembered that Burchill existed again. It's kind of crazy that Regal was only 37 years old here. The heels work on Animal's left shoulder for awhile, but he makes a tag to Heidenreich. That's all it takes for them to go for the Doomsday Device, but out comes Melina and she almost pulls all of Christy's pants down. MNM is out and attack the champs and that's it. MNM then hits the Snapshot on Christy and they escape to the back. Make that three matches in a row that were way too short.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Eddie Guerrero is backstage and doesn't want to talk about last week. He wants to talk about Raw where he showed that he has Batista's back. After the commercial, Eddie is on his way out to the ring.They show after Raw went off the air and that he had Batista's back. Batista is out now. Batista shows footage of Eddie having his back on SmackDown. Batista hands Eddie a chair and turns his back to him. Eddie doesn't take him up on it and Batista warns him.
Handicap Match
Randy & Bob Orton vs. Roddy Piper
Piper comes out and starts attacking Randy right away. Randy is able to make the tag to his dad and Roddy gets a few good shots in before Randy makes a blind tag. Randy hits a dropkick and then rips Roddy's shirt. Randy is ready for the RKO, but Bob begs to get back in. The Undertaker's bell tolls, but nothing happens. Bob hits a knee drop and then we hear the bell again. Roddy gets a victory from a small package on Bob Orton. After the match, the bell rings again and the druids are out with a casket. Taker appears on the video screen and tells them to look inside their special casket. They do the same trick as they did with Taker, showing Randy and Bob in there. Undertaker shows up behind them and they both bolt to the back. Yeah, this has not been a great buildup for this match.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Bobby Lashley vs. Eddie Craven
Before the match starts, Simon Dean is out on the Dean Machine. He's going to do some Simon squats while Lashley wrestles. Lashley steamrolls Craven as you would expect. He even finds time to step on Simon's hurt hand.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Eddie Guerrero, Christian & JBL vs. Rey Mysterio, Chris Benoit & Batista
The match starts during a commercial break and when we come back Christian and Benoit are locked up. Benoit goes for the Crippler Crossface, but Christian grabs the bottom rope. Eddie and Benoit now go at it for awhile, which is always fun. In comes Batista and Eddie's not happy. Batista manhandles Eddie and he finally is able to tag in JBL. Batista tags in Mysterio and he hits a low dropkick on JBL. JBL comes back and sends Mysterio flying off the ring into the barricade. Back from another commercial break and he hits a gutbuster for a 2 count. Rey makes his comeback when Eddie and hits a hot tag to Batista. He destorys JBL and then throws Christian in there. He hits a spear on JBL. Eddie then pulls the top rope on JBL and it causes him to fall to the outside. Batista catches Christian and hits a spinebuster on him. That's good enough for the victory. Even on their own show, this didn't get as much time as it should have. After the match, Eddie gets on his knees for forgiveness. Christian and JBL attack both men. Batista ends up making the save and checks in on Eddie. The match was pretty entertaining.
Match Rating: ***
SmackDown is in a little bit of a slump. The Randy Orton/Undertaker feud has lost all momentum for me and the Eddie/Batista story feels rushed. No Mercy just feels like a rushed show, which is a shame because the card itself isn't bad. I'm looking forward to see how it holds up nearly 15 years later. Hopefully better than this episode did.
Overall Rating: 46%
Frank Erwin Center
Austin, Texas
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Teddy Long is in the ring along with Palmer Cannon. Teddy announces that the match from Homecoming will be taking place tonight. He also says that if Raw wants to come No Mercy on Sunday, SmackDown will finish what they started. Randy and Bob Orton are now out to interrupt. Randy insults Teddy saying it was he who interrupted Raw, not Teddy. Cannon then escorts Teddy away so that the future of Friday nights can talk. They talk about their match with Piper tonight and Bob says that he's going to do something he has wanted to do for a long time, which of course brings out Piper. Piper pulls out a lead pipe and the Orton's retreat.
Booker T vs. Orlando Jordan
Sharmell introduces Booker T if that is something that interests you. Jordan gets in a cheap shot and takes control early on. Booker fights back with some chops, but Jordan hits a big clothesline and Booker rolls outside. Jordan goes to hit Booker with a chair for some reason, but Booker hits a kick. Up on the ring apron, Jordan tries to suplex Booker back in, but Sharmell trips up Jordan and Booker gets the victory. They show the replay on the big screen and now Booker is upset with her. It's kind of interesting that they booked the guy that no one thinks will win the match on Sunday to lose.
Match Rating: 3/4* (out of 5)
Mr. Kennedy is out and he of course interrupts Tony Chimel. He announces that he will be the guest commentator for the next match.
Sylvan vs. Hardcore Holly
Sylvan attacks Holly as he's up on the turnbuckle. Meanwhile, Mr. Kennedy makes fun of Sparky Plugg. Holly hits his beautiful dropkick and then clotheslines Sylvan out of the ring. Holly and Kennedy start talking trash and it leads to Holly shoving Kennedy to the floor. Holly gets the kick to the abdomen in, but while the ref is checking in on Sylvan, Kennedy hits Holly in the head with the microphone. Sylvan picks up the cheap victory. After the match, Kennedy announces Holly as the loser of the match. Another match that was just too short to be anything.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Roddy Piper is backstage and is getting quite a lot of screen time here tonight. He makes fun of Bob Orton.
Road Warrior Animal & Heidenreich vs. Paul Burchill & William Regal
I guess they remembered that Burchill existed again. It's kind of crazy that Regal was only 37 years old here. The heels work on Animal's left shoulder for awhile, but he makes a tag to Heidenreich. That's all it takes for them to go for the Doomsday Device, but out comes Melina and she almost pulls all of Christy's pants down. MNM is out and attack the champs and that's it. MNM then hits the Snapshot on Christy and they escape to the back. Make that three matches in a row that were way too short.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Eddie Guerrero is backstage and doesn't want to talk about last week. He wants to talk about Raw where he showed that he has Batista's back. After the commercial, Eddie is on his way out to the ring.They show after Raw went off the air and that he had Batista's back. Batista is out now. Batista shows footage of Eddie having his back on SmackDown. Batista hands Eddie a chair and turns his back to him. Eddie doesn't take him up on it and Batista warns him.
Handicap Match
Randy & Bob Orton vs. Roddy Piper
Piper comes out and starts attacking Randy right away. Randy is able to make the tag to his dad and Roddy gets a few good shots in before Randy makes a blind tag. Randy hits a dropkick and then rips Roddy's shirt. Randy is ready for the RKO, but Bob begs to get back in. The Undertaker's bell tolls, but nothing happens. Bob hits a knee drop and then we hear the bell again. Roddy gets a victory from a small package on Bob Orton. After the match, the bell rings again and the druids are out with a casket. Taker appears on the video screen and tells them to look inside their special casket. They do the same trick as they did with Taker, showing Randy and Bob in there. Undertaker shows up behind them and they both bolt to the back. Yeah, this has not been a great buildup for this match.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Bobby Lashley vs. Eddie Craven
Before the match starts, Simon Dean is out on the Dean Machine. He's going to do some Simon squats while Lashley wrestles. Lashley steamrolls Craven as you would expect. He even finds time to step on Simon's hurt hand.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Eddie Guerrero, Christian & JBL vs. Rey Mysterio, Chris Benoit & Batista
The match starts during a commercial break and when we come back Christian and Benoit are locked up. Benoit goes for the Crippler Crossface, but Christian grabs the bottom rope. Eddie and Benoit now go at it for awhile, which is always fun. In comes Batista and Eddie's not happy. Batista manhandles Eddie and he finally is able to tag in JBL. Batista tags in Mysterio and he hits a low dropkick on JBL. JBL comes back and sends Mysterio flying off the ring into the barricade. Back from another commercial break and he hits a gutbuster for a 2 count. Rey makes his comeback when Eddie and hits a hot tag to Batista. He destorys JBL and then throws Christian in there. He hits a spear on JBL. Eddie then pulls the top rope on JBL and it causes him to fall to the outside. Batista catches Christian and hits a spinebuster on him. That's good enough for the victory. Even on their own show, this didn't get as much time as it should have. After the match, Eddie gets on his knees for forgiveness. Christian and JBL attack both men. Batista ends up making the save and checks in on Eddie. The match was pretty entertaining.
Match Rating: ***
SmackDown is in a little bit of a slump. The Randy Orton/Undertaker feud has lost all momentum for me and the Eddie/Batista story feels rushed. No Mercy just feels like a rushed show, which is a shame because the card itself isn't bad. I'm looking forward to see how it holds up nearly 15 years later. Hopefully better than this episode did.
Overall Rating: 46%
Sunday, June 28, 2020
Raw Homecoming 10-3-05 Review
Monday, October 3rd, 2005
Reunion Arena
Dallas, Texas
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On the WWE Network version, they show the last 5 minutes of the pre-show they ran before the show. As they show clips of the Attitude Era, I have to say that I really am not super excited to go back and watch some of that stuff.
Really couldn't change the theme song for the show here, huh? The show starts with Mick Foley and he is here as a guest on Piper's Pit. Foley introduces Roddy and I have to say I kind of forgot about this. Roddy asks Foley when he's coming back. Foley says he needs a really good reason, so Piper gets the crowd to chant for him. Out comes Randy and Bob Orton. Foley tells him that he should be more worried about Undertaker this Sunday instead of him. Orton says that he is here for Piper though. He's trying to settle the feud between his dad and Piper, so Piper drops him with a right hand. Foley and Bob pull them apart. Bob Orton then sucker punches Foley and Orton hits a RKO on both Foley and Piper. That was a really quick segment as far as opening segments on Raw go.
Eric Bischoff and Teddy Long are backstage. Bischoff isn't happy with the Ortons trying to steal Raw's thunder.
30 Minute Iron Man Match
Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels
They show a bunch of legends seated at ringside including Dr. Death, Jim Duggan, Dusty Rhodes and more.They don't wait for the bell and start off full throttle. Shawn gets the early advantage after a swinging neckbreaker and then dumps Angle out of the ring. After a couple of nearfalls, Angle starts showing off his aggressive side. I feel like the WWE has done a nice job of protecting the Iron Man match. It's the only match that they have mostly saved for special occasions. Angle hits the Angle Slam on the outside of the ring around the 24 minute mark. Angle then hits a buckle bomb, but Michaels is able to kick out. Michaels is up top, but Angle jumps up and hits a super Angle Slam and scores the first pinfall around the 22 minute mark. After about a three minute commercial break, Angle is still in command, but Michaels is trying to break Angle's hold. Angle avoids a charging Michaels and he hits his shoulder on the steel ring post. Michaels counters an Angle Slam into a sunset flip, but Angle turns that into an Ankle Lock. Michaels counters that into a roll up and gets the pinfall at the halfway point. Angle once again gets the Ankle Lock on Michaels again, fending off Michaels' attempts to break free. Michaels taps out at the 11:14 mark and Angle takes the 2-1 lead. We get another three minute commercial break and Angle is still working on Michaels' ankle. Michaels hits a flying forearm and then a nip up just after the 6 minute mark. Michaels hits a top rope elbow drop and then Sweet Chin Music and we are all tied up with 4:40 remaining. Angle hits yet another Angle Slam, but Michaels kicks out. Michaels counters another attempt into a tornado DDT and both men are down with 2:50 remaining. Micheals gets a boot up on the oncoming Angle. He goes up top for a moonsault, but Angle turns that into an Ankle Lock. Michaels desperately is trying to get out of it and finally does with about 30 seconds left, but Angle gets it on again. Michaels kicks out of it again and hits Sweet Chin Music. Michaels goes for the cover, but Michaels is too late and match is over. They declare it as a tie and Michaels calls for a microphone. Michaels asks for sudden death and Angle decides to just walk away. This was a good match, but the commercials really hurt it more than most long TV matches for whatever reason.
Match Rating: ***3/4
Lilian Garcia introduces Kevin Von Erich to the crowd and he gets a really nice pop.
Bischoff confronts Vince McMahon backstage and asks for his match tonight to be a No Disqualification Match, which Vince declines. Lilian then introduces him down to the ring. He brings up when he beat Steve Austin. He starts talking about another Austin moment when the glass shatters and Stone Cold is here. It's kind of crazy that Austin is only 40 years old here. We get lots of "What" chants to start. Austin then shows some highlights of his own with the famous hospital attack and the "Bang 3:16". Vince asks that he and Austin start over. Austin's not buying it, so Vince says he has a busy night and that he needs to head to the back. Austin hits the Stunner, but his celebration is interrupted by Shane McMahon. Austin hits a Stunner immediately after hitting the ring and now this time Stephanie interrupts his celebration. She tells him that this is their show. Austin says he is just going to try to conduct an interview. Stephanie ends up slapping Austin in the face and she eats a Stunner. Now Linda McMahon gets the fourth interruption. Austin tells her that her whole family is a piece of trash. She asks for an apology and Austin obliges. He then has her start chugging some beers with him and celebrates with her. Austin says thank you and gives her a Stunner so bad, that Vince would be proud. That was a loooooooooooooong segment.
Vince gets interviewed while leaving the building and says that someone will get fired over this.
Loser Leaves Raw Ladder Match
Edge vs. Matt Hardy
Edge attacks Hardy as he's coming out of the backstage area and bolts for a ladder set up int he ring. Hardy catches him and hits a Side Effect. Hardy then squeezes Edge between the ladder. Edge hits a drop toe hold into a the ladder set up in the corner. Edge follows that up with a suplex onto a ladder. Edge runs Hardy face first into a ladder set up on the top turnbuckle. Edge has his hand on the briefcase but Hardy throws Edge off the ladder and Edge then bumps into the ladder, knocking Hardy off as we go to commercial break. Hardy throws Edge over the barricade and then leaps off the ladder onto Edge. Lita jumps on Hardy's back, but Hardy slams her to the floor. Hardy goes for a powerbomb on Lita, but Edge hits him in the back with a kendo stick. Edge hits a splash off the apron on Hardy and puts him through the table. These guys are doing everything they can to maximize their minutes here. They are both climbing the ladder and Hardy hits a Twist of Fate off the ladder. Hardy has his hands on the briefcase, but in comes Lita to...miss him. She tries to make up for it by hitting him repeatedly. She then pulls the ladder out from under Hardy and he is hanging from the briefcase. Edge comes in and swings him, causing him to fall onto the top rope. Edge ties him up in the ropes and Lita grabs on for extra precaution. Edge climbs the ladder and grabs the briefcase. That was one fast paced ladder match. While it wasn't given the amount of time it probably deserved, this was still another good match between these two. Matt Hardy now gets to start new over on SmackDown.
Match Rating: ***1/2
Matt Hardy is shown being escorted out of the arena. Trish and Ashley are getting ready for their match tonight. In walks Mae Young and she's trying to undress, but they have her leave. She walks out the door and Jim Duggan, Ted DiBiase and Jimmy Snuka are there. DiBiase tries to bribe her to put her shirt back on. Moolah is there to pull her away and Snuka goes after her. This was so bad for so many reasons.
Maria is backstage dressed in a homecoming queen outfit with Ric Flair. Flair says that he was a broken man, but now he's the Intercontinental Champion and he's back to being a player. Wooo.
Carlito & Chris Masters vs. Ric Flair & Triple H
It's always weird when a heel returns, especially when Triple H was a clear cut heel. He gets the big babyface pop, but I think it's safe to say we could all see what was going to happen here. They start brawling before the bell. It should also be noted that the entrances for this match felt as long as the ladder match. Back from commercial and Carlito has Flair in a Figure Four. Flair retaliates, but Carlito hits an awkward looking spinebuster. Flair is able to hit a low blow on Masters and gets a tag into Triple H. He hits some high knees on both men and then heads outside and grabs the sledgehammer from under the ring. Masters is able to stop him before he can use it. Triple H goes for the Pedigree, but Masters tries to use it on him. Flair is late on his cue, so Masters kind of looks like an idiot. Flair chop blocks him and Triple H hits the Pedigree for the victory. After the match, Triple H and Flair embrace and celebrate until he hits Flair in the face with his hand, I mean the sledgehammer. Flair is busted open and Triple H hits him with a series of right hands. Triple H continues the assault outside the ring in front of the legends in the front row and we get an awkward commercial break.The match wasn't good and it really was all just a set up for the angle afterwards anyways.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Triple H is still destroying Flair backstage.
Back in the ring and all of the legends are in the ring. Dusty gets the mic first and starts talking about everyone until Rob Conway comes out to zero heat. I can't believe they gave him this spot. He insults him until Dusty attacks him and then he eats a Von Erich claw to another huge pop. Snuka then hits a splash off the top rope and Snuka gets his music played. Man, seeing Snuka in there just hasn't aged well.
3-On-2 Bra & Panties Match
Torrie Wilson, Candice Michelle & Victoria vs. Trish Stratus & Ashley
Trish gets knocked off the apron upon walking into the ring. The three women team up and rip off Ashley's shirt. Ashley fights back and rips off Victoria's shirt. Victoria chases after her and Trish surprises her with a clothesline. Trish and Ashley then rip off Candice and Torrie's shirts. Victoria almost gets Trish's pants off, but Trish reverses it into a pin and takes Victoria's shorts off. Ashley then rips off Candice's skirt and almost pulls down everything. They then rip off Torrie's pants and that is all. As a match, this was absolutely awful. Obviously, that wasn't the goal, but that's what I'm rating here.
Match Rating: 0 Stars
Bischoff and Angle are backstage. Bischoff says he has a plan for SmackDown. He also announces that now that Vince is out of the building, he's in charge and he's going to make his match a No Disqualification Match. Angle then assures Bischoff that he can count on him.
Back from commercial break and we go to Tazz and Michael Cole for the SmackDown portion of the show.
Rey Mysterio, Chris Benoit & Batista vs. JBL, Christian & Eddie Guerrero
As soon as the bell rings, Bischoff comes out and turns the lights out on them. Bischoff thinks it's hilarious and tells them to go to commercial.
Mean Gene is in the ring and introduces Hulk Hogan. Mean Gene asks what's next and he brings up maybe getting in the ring one more time with Shawn Michaels. He then says he'd love to get in the ring with Steve Austin and the crowd loves it. That's the whole interview. The announcers speculate if we will one day see that match. Spoiler alert: No.
No Disqualification Match For The WWE Championship
Eric Bischoff vs. John Cena
The announcers keep hyping that USA is allowing them extra time here. Aren't we lucky that we get to watch all of these rushed segments? Kurt Angle is seated at ringside. Cena catches a Bischoff kick and hits him with a right hand. Angle interferes and it allows Bischoff to get some kicks in. Bischoff trash talks, which always works. Cena isn't having it, so he hits a body slam and the Five Knuckle Shuffle. In comes Angle, but Cena gets him up for the FU. Bischoff hits him with a low blow and gets a 2 count. Angle tries to hit Cena with a chair, but he ducks it and Angle bounces it off the rope into his own face. Cena hits the FU and that is all. That's your main event, folks. Angle and Bischoff start brawling and out comes Teddy Long. Out come a bunch of SmackDown stars and they begin attacking Cena and Angle. Ah yes, the brand split, where guys that hate each other team together to prove they have the better show. Out comes the Raw roster and we have a donnybrook in Dallas. We go off the air in the middle of the brawl. The match was nothing.
Match Rating: 1/4*
I think their TV deal expired by the time this show was over. It started off hot, had two really good free TV matches and yet it was still not a good show. The last hour was completely rushed and the early segments were way too long. Whoever timed this show out probably should try crunching the numbers one more time. Both the Angle/HBK and Edge/Hardy matches were good and the return of Triple H set up his next feud. Other than that, feel free to skip.
Overall Rating: 53%
Reunion Arena
Dallas, Texas
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On the WWE Network version, they show the last 5 minutes of the pre-show they ran before the show. As they show clips of the Attitude Era, I have to say that I really am not super excited to go back and watch some of that stuff.
Really couldn't change the theme song for the show here, huh? The show starts with Mick Foley and he is here as a guest on Piper's Pit. Foley introduces Roddy and I have to say I kind of forgot about this. Roddy asks Foley when he's coming back. Foley says he needs a really good reason, so Piper gets the crowd to chant for him. Out comes Randy and Bob Orton. Foley tells him that he should be more worried about Undertaker this Sunday instead of him. Orton says that he is here for Piper though. He's trying to settle the feud between his dad and Piper, so Piper drops him with a right hand. Foley and Bob pull them apart. Bob Orton then sucker punches Foley and Orton hits a RKO on both Foley and Piper. That was a really quick segment as far as opening segments on Raw go.
Eric Bischoff and Teddy Long are backstage. Bischoff isn't happy with the Ortons trying to steal Raw's thunder.
30 Minute Iron Man Match
Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels
They show a bunch of legends seated at ringside including Dr. Death, Jim Duggan, Dusty Rhodes and more.They don't wait for the bell and start off full throttle. Shawn gets the early advantage after a swinging neckbreaker and then dumps Angle out of the ring. After a couple of nearfalls, Angle starts showing off his aggressive side. I feel like the WWE has done a nice job of protecting the Iron Man match. It's the only match that they have mostly saved for special occasions. Angle hits the Angle Slam on the outside of the ring around the 24 minute mark. Angle then hits a buckle bomb, but Michaels is able to kick out. Michaels is up top, but Angle jumps up and hits a super Angle Slam and scores the first pinfall around the 22 minute mark. After about a three minute commercial break, Angle is still in command, but Michaels is trying to break Angle's hold. Angle avoids a charging Michaels and he hits his shoulder on the steel ring post. Michaels counters an Angle Slam into a sunset flip, but Angle turns that into an Ankle Lock. Michaels counters that into a roll up and gets the pinfall at the halfway point. Angle once again gets the Ankle Lock on Michaels again, fending off Michaels' attempts to break free. Michaels taps out at the 11:14 mark and Angle takes the 2-1 lead. We get another three minute commercial break and Angle is still working on Michaels' ankle. Michaels hits a flying forearm and then a nip up just after the 6 minute mark. Michaels hits a top rope elbow drop and then Sweet Chin Music and we are all tied up with 4:40 remaining. Angle hits yet another Angle Slam, but Michaels kicks out. Michaels counters another attempt into a tornado DDT and both men are down with 2:50 remaining. Micheals gets a boot up on the oncoming Angle. He goes up top for a moonsault, but Angle turns that into an Ankle Lock. Michaels desperately is trying to get out of it and finally does with about 30 seconds left, but Angle gets it on again. Michaels kicks out of it again and hits Sweet Chin Music. Michaels goes for the cover, but Michaels is too late and match is over. They declare it as a tie and Michaels calls for a microphone. Michaels asks for sudden death and Angle decides to just walk away. This was a good match, but the commercials really hurt it more than most long TV matches for whatever reason.
Match Rating: ***3/4
Lilian Garcia introduces Kevin Von Erich to the crowd and he gets a really nice pop.
Bischoff confronts Vince McMahon backstage and asks for his match tonight to be a No Disqualification Match, which Vince declines. Lilian then introduces him down to the ring. He brings up when he beat Steve Austin. He starts talking about another Austin moment when the glass shatters and Stone Cold is here. It's kind of crazy that Austin is only 40 years old here. We get lots of "What" chants to start. Austin then shows some highlights of his own with the famous hospital attack and the "Bang 3:16". Vince asks that he and Austin start over. Austin's not buying it, so Vince says he has a busy night and that he needs to head to the back. Austin hits the Stunner, but his celebration is interrupted by Shane McMahon. Austin hits a Stunner immediately after hitting the ring and now this time Stephanie interrupts his celebration. She tells him that this is their show. Austin says he is just going to try to conduct an interview. Stephanie ends up slapping Austin in the face and she eats a Stunner. Now Linda McMahon gets the fourth interruption. Austin tells her that her whole family is a piece of trash. She asks for an apology and Austin obliges. He then has her start chugging some beers with him and celebrates with her. Austin says thank you and gives her a Stunner so bad, that Vince would be proud. That was a loooooooooooooong segment.
Vince gets interviewed while leaving the building and says that someone will get fired over this.
Loser Leaves Raw Ladder Match
Edge vs. Matt Hardy
Edge attacks Hardy as he's coming out of the backstage area and bolts for a ladder set up int he ring. Hardy catches him and hits a Side Effect. Hardy then squeezes Edge between the ladder. Edge hits a drop toe hold into a the ladder set up in the corner. Edge follows that up with a suplex onto a ladder. Edge runs Hardy face first into a ladder set up on the top turnbuckle. Edge has his hand on the briefcase but Hardy throws Edge off the ladder and Edge then bumps into the ladder, knocking Hardy off as we go to commercial break. Hardy throws Edge over the barricade and then leaps off the ladder onto Edge. Lita jumps on Hardy's back, but Hardy slams her to the floor. Hardy goes for a powerbomb on Lita, but Edge hits him in the back with a kendo stick. Edge hits a splash off the apron on Hardy and puts him through the table. These guys are doing everything they can to maximize their minutes here. They are both climbing the ladder and Hardy hits a Twist of Fate off the ladder. Hardy has his hands on the briefcase, but in comes Lita to...miss him. She tries to make up for it by hitting him repeatedly. She then pulls the ladder out from under Hardy and he is hanging from the briefcase. Edge comes in and swings him, causing him to fall onto the top rope. Edge ties him up in the ropes and Lita grabs on for extra precaution. Edge climbs the ladder and grabs the briefcase. That was one fast paced ladder match. While it wasn't given the amount of time it probably deserved, this was still another good match between these two. Matt Hardy now gets to start new over on SmackDown.
Match Rating: ***1/2
Matt Hardy is shown being escorted out of the arena. Trish and Ashley are getting ready for their match tonight. In walks Mae Young and she's trying to undress, but they have her leave. She walks out the door and Jim Duggan, Ted DiBiase and Jimmy Snuka are there. DiBiase tries to bribe her to put her shirt back on. Moolah is there to pull her away and Snuka goes after her. This was so bad for so many reasons.
Maria is backstage dressed in a homecoming queen outfit with Ric Flair. Flair says that he was a broken man, but now he's the Intercontinental Champion and he's back to being a player. Wooo.
Carlito & Chris Masters vs. Ric Flair & Triple H
It's always weird when a heel returns, especially when Triple H was a clear cut heel. He gets the big babyface pop, but I think it's safe to say we could all see what was going to happen here. They start brawling before the bell. It should also be noted that the entrances for this match felt as long as the ladder match. Back from commercial and Carlito has Flair in a Figure Four. Flair retaliates, but Carlito hits an awkward looking spinebuster. Flair is able to hit a low blow on Masters and gets a tag into Triple H. He hits some high knees on both men and then heads outside and grabs the sledgehammer from under the ring. Masters is able to stop him before he can use it. Triple H goes for the Pedigree, but Masters tries to use it on him. Flair is late on his cue, so Masters kind of looks like an idiot. Flair chop blocks him and Triple H hits the Pedigree for the victory. After the match, Triple H and Flair embrace and celebrate until he hits Flair in the face with his hand, I mean the sledgehammer. Flair is busted open and Triple H hits him with a series of right hands. Triple H continues the assault outside the ring in front of the legends in the front row and we get an awkward commercial break.The match wasn't good and it really was all just a set up for the angle afterwards anyways.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Triple H is still destroying Flair backstage.
Back in the ring and all of the legends are in the ring. Dusty gets the mic first and starts talking about everyone until Rob Conway comes out to zero heat. I can't believe they gave him this spot. He insults him until Dusty attacks him and then he eats a Von Erich claw to another huge pop. Snuka then hits a splash off the top rope and Snuka gets his music played. Man, seeing Snuka in there just hasn't aged well.
3-On-2 Bra & Panties Match
Torrie Wilson, Candice Michelle & Victoria vs. Trish Stratus & Ashley
Trish gets knocked off the apron upon walking into the ring. The three women team up and rip off Ashley's shirt. Ashley fights back and rips off Victoria's shirt. Victoria chases after her and Trish surprises her with a clothesline. Trish and Ashley then rip off Candice and Torrie's shirts. Victoria almost gets Trish's pants off, but Trish reverses it into a pin and takes Victoria's shorts off. Ashley then rips off Candice's skirt and almost pulls down everything. They then rip off Torrie's pants and that is all. As a match, this was absolutely awful. Obviously, that wasn't the goal, but that's what I'm rating here.
Match Rating: 0 Stars
Bischoff and Angle are backstage. Bischoff says he has a plan for SmackDown. He also announces that now that Vince is out of the building, he's in charge and he's going to make his match a No Disqualification Match. Angle then assures Bischoff that he can count on him.
Back from commercial break and we go to Tazz and Michael Cole for the SmackDown portion of the show.
As soon as the bell rings, Bischoff comes out and turns the lights out on them. Bischoff thinks it's hilarious and tells them to go to commercial.
Mean Gene is in the ring and introduces Hulk Hogan. Mean Gene asks what's next and he brings up maybe getting in the ring one more time with Shawn Michaels. He then says he'd love to get in the ring with Steve Austin and the crowd loves it. That's the whole interview. The announcers speculate if we will one day see that match. Spoiler alert: No.
No Disqualification Match For The WWE Championship
Eric Bischoff vs. John Cena
The announcers keep hyping that USA is allowing them extra time here. Aren't we lucky that we get to watch all of these rushed segments? Kurt Angle is seated at ringside. Cena catches a Bischoff kick and hits him with a right hand. Angle interferes and it allows Bischoff to get some kicks in. Bischoff trash talks, which always works. Cena isn't having it, so he hits a body slam and the Five Knuckle Shuffle. In comes Angle, but Cena gets him up for the FU. Bischoff hits him with a low blow and gets a 2 count. Angle tries to hit Cena with a chair, but he ducks it and Angle bounces it off the rope into his own face. Cena hits the FU and that is all. That's your main event, folks. Angle and Bischoff start brawling and out comes Teddy Long. Out come a bunch of SmackDown stars and they begin attacking Cena and Angle. Ah yes, the brand split, where guys that hate each other team together to prove they have the better show. Out comes the Raw roster and we have a donnybrook in Dallas. We go off the air in the middle of the brawl. The match was nothing.
Match Rating: 1/4*
I think their TV deal expired by the time this show was over. It started off hot, had two really good free TV matches and yet it was still not a good show. The last hour was completely rushed and the early segments were way too long. Whoever timed this show out probably should try crunching the numbers one more time. Both the Angle/HBK and Edge/Hardy matches were good and the return of Triple H set up his next feud. Other than that, feel free to skip.
Overall Rating: 53%
Friday, June 26, 2020
NXT 7-3-13 Review
Original Airdate: Wednesday, July 3rd, 2013
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida
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Renee Young is backstage with Bo Dallas. He refers to his fans as Bolievers for the first time. In walks Cesaro and he says that he will take the NXT Championship away from him tonight. Bo calls Cesaro the most insignificant US Champion in history.
NXT Women's Championship Tournament Semi-Final Match
Alicia Fox vs. Paige
Fox hits a nice suplex into a bridge for a nearfall. Paige battles back and throws Fox around the ring and then hits some knees to the head. Fox comes back with a dropkick. Then seemingly out of nowhere, Paige hits the Paige Turner and gets the victory. They were actually putting together a pretty good match there and then it just kind of ended.
Match Rating: 3/4* (out of 5)
Andy Baker vs. Conor O'Brian
O'Brian steamrolls Baker to start. O'Brian hits a flapjack and a leg drop and that's it? A leg drop?
Match Rating: 1/4*
Corey Graves and Neville are with Renee Young. They ask William Regal to join them in their fight against the Wyatt Family.
Scott Dawson vs. Xavier Woods
Woods is such a breath of fresh air on this show. Dawson takes out Xavier's legs as he tries to leap back into the ring and he falls to the floor. Dawson shows off some of his hard hitting style. Woods fights back with the Honor Roll and Lost In The Woods and gets the victory. Man, they are cramming too much on this episode and everything is suffering due to lack of time. I would have been perfectly fine with a 10 minute match from these two.
Match Rating: *1/4
Mason Ryan vs. Enzo Amore
Enzo is out with Big Cass for the first time and does a lot of the shtick he got over with. Enzo runs into a right hand and Ryan gets the win. Great stuff. After the match, he has Cassady come in for a match.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Mason Ryan vs. Colin Cassady
Ryan hits a big clothesline and hits a variation of a full nelson slam. That's it. I guess if I have to watch two Mason Ryan matches, that's how I want it to go down.
Match Rating: 1/4*
NXT Championship Match
Cesaro vs. Bo Dallas
There's a big "We the people" chant to start. If there's anything you can say about Bo, he gets the crowd going more than most other matches. Bo hits a big dropkick, but Cesaro follows that up by dumping Bo out of the ring. Back from a commercial and Cesaro hits a body slam. Leo Kruger is now out on the ramp watching the match. Cesaro is comfortably in control until Bo makes his comeback and hits a boot to the head of Cesaro. Bo hits an inverted DDT and gets a 2 count. Bo goes for his bulldog, but Cesaro crotches him on the top rope. Cesaro then hits an awesome gut wrench suplex off the top turnbuckle. Cesaro then hits a knee drop off the second rope and gets a 2 count. Cesaro goes back to the headlock and I don't know why more guys don't watch how he does it, because it sure looks a lot more effective this way. Cesaro hits a flurry of forearms and then heads up to the top rope. Bo runs up the ropes and hits a suplex. Kruger is up on the apron now. Cesaro charges at Bo, but he moves out of the way and Cesaro runs into Kruger. Dallas hits his suplex and gets the victory. After the match, Kruger comes in and attacks Bo. Cesaro then runs in and uppercuts Kruger and then attacks Bo himself. Bo starts fighting back and in comes Kruger to take him down again. They both start stomping on Bo and out comes Sami Zayn. That was a good match and a good ending to the show. Cesaro looked like a million bucks here.
Match Rating: ***1/4
This was a strong episode of NXT, but I'm not sure why they had to cram both squash matches on this episode. Both the Paige/Fox match and Dawson/Woods could have easily used a few more minutes, but were instead cut short. Why not save one squash for next week? Minor complaint aside, the main event delivered and we have the title picture set up for the near future.
Overall Rating: 68%
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida
Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2
Renee Young is backstage with Bo Dallas. He refers to his fans as Bolievers for the first time. In walks Cesaro and he says that he will take the NXT Championship away from him tonight. Bo calls Cesaro the most insignificant US Champion in history.
NXT Women's Championship Tournament Semi-Final Match
Alicia Fox vs. Paige
Fox hits a nice suplex into a bridge for a nearfall. Paige battles back and throws Fox around the ring and then hits some knees to the head. Fox comes back with a dropkick. Then seemingly out of nowhere, Paige hits the Paige Turner and gets the victory. They were actually putting together a pretty good match there and then it just kind of ended.
Match Rating: 3/4* (out of 5)
Andy Baker vs. Conor O'Brian
O'Brian steamrolls Baker to start. O'Brian hits a flapjack and a leg drop and that's it? A leg drop?
Match Rating: 1/4*
Corey Graves and Neville are with Renee Young. They ask William Regal to join them in their fight against the Wyatt Family.
Scott Dawson vs. Xavier Woods
Woods is such a breath of fresh air on this show. Dawson takes out Xavier's legs as he tries to leap back into the ring and he falls to the floor. Dawson shows off some of his hard hitting style. Woods fights back with the Honor Roll and Lost In The Woods and gets the victory. Man, they are cramming too much on this episode and everything is suffering due to lack of time. I would have been perfectly fine with a 10 minute match from these two.
Match Rating: *1/4
Mason Ryan vs. Enzo Amore
Enzo is out with Big Cass for the first time and does a lot of the shtick he got over with. Enzo runs into a right hand and Ryan gets the win. Great stuff. After the match, he has Cassady come in for a match.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Mason Ryan vs. Colin Cassady
Ryan hits a big clothesline and hits a variation of a full nelson slam. That's it. I guess if I have to watch two Mason Ryan matches, that's how I want it to go down.
Match Rating: 1/4*
NXT Championship Match
Cesaro vs. Bo Dallas
There's a big "We the people" chant to start. If there's anything you can say about Bo, he gets the crowd going more than most other matches. Bo hits a big dropkick, but Cesaro follows that up by dumping Bo out of the ring. Back from a commercial and Cesaro hits a body slam. Leo Kruger is now out on the ramp watching the match. Cesaro is comfortably in control until Bo makes his comeback and hits a boot to the head of Cesaro. Bo hits an inverted DDT and gets a 2 count. Bo goes for his bulldog, but Cesaro crotches him on the top rope. Cesaro then hits an awesome gut wrench suplex off the top turnbuckle. Cesaro then hits a knee drop off the second rope and gets a 2 count. Cesaro goes back to the headlock and I don't know why more guys don't watch how he does it, because it sure looks a lot more effective this way. Cesaro hits a flurry of forearms and then heads up to the top rope. Bo runs up the ropes and hits a suplex. Kruger is up on the apron now. Cesaro charges at Bo, but he moves out of the way and Cesaro runs into Kruger. Dallas hits his suplex and gets the victory. After the match, Kruger comes in and attacks Bo. Cesaro then runs in and uppercuts Kruger and then attacks Bo himself. Bo starts fighting back and in comes Kruger to take him down again. They both start stomping on Bo and out comes Sami Zayn. That was a good match and a good ending to the show. Cesaro looked like a million bucks here.
Match Rating: ***1/4
This was a strong episode of NXT, but I'm not sure why they had to cram both squash matches on this episode. Both the Paige/Fox match and Dawson/Woods could have easily used a few more minutes, but were instead cut short. Why not save one squash for next week? Minor complaint aside, the main event delivered and we have the title picture set up for the near future.
Overall Rating: 68%
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Monday Night Raw 5-3-93 Review
Original Airdate: Monday, May 3rd, 1993
Manhattan Center
New York City, New York
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Intercontinental Championship Match
Shawn Michaels vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan
When I came back to wrestling in 1995 after being away for a little over two years, for some reason seeing Duggan in this attire is one thing that stood out to me as strange. We get lots of stalling to begin, which means a whole lot of "Hooooo". Things finally get going and Duggan hits some clotheslines and Michaels rolls out of the ring. Michaels tries to leave, but Duggan is there to carry him back into the ring. Back from a commercial break and Duggan is trying to bring Michaels back into the ring, but Michaels snaps his neck on the top rope. Michaels continues to work on Duggan and hits a double axe handle off the apron. Duggan battles out of a long headlock and we get the dreaded 10 fists in the corner. Duggan hits the running clothesline, sending Michaels to the outside. Michaels again tries to head to the back. Duggan goes after him again and they brawl on the outside. Duggan hits a clothesline, sending Michaels over the rail. Duggan gets back in the ring and gets the countout victory. He grabs the mic and tells everyone to hold on. He says that he isn't going to leave until he gets another piece of Michaels and starts throwing chairs into the ring. Duggan is still in the ring after a commercial break. This wasn't bad, but too much stalling to be anything memorable.
Match Rating: *3/4
With Duggan still in the ring, we go to a King of the Ring report with Mean Gene. Bret Hart and Lex Luger have already qualified for the tournament. The main event is going to be Hulk Hogan against Yokozuna. Mean Gene gets breaking news that Duggan has left the ring and is calling Jack Tunney. This week on Superstars, Razor Ramon will take on El Matador and Jim Duggan will take on Papa Shango on Challenge in qualifying matches.
Doink vs. Kamikaze Kid
This is the debut of Sean Waltman here. Doink attacks him before the bell and hits a belly-to-belly suplex. Doink puts him in the STF and then slams his face into the mat. Doink puts him in a submission hold by pulling back on Kid's leg while sitting down and gets the victory. Who was the referee in this match? I don't think I have ever seen him before.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Bob Backlund vs. Duane Gill
Backlund trips Gill up a couple of times. Vince announces that next week Jim Duggan will take on Shawn Michaels in a Lumberjack Match. Backlund shows off some impressive strength by lifting up Gill from the ground to the turnbuckle. He puts on his lame bridge pin for the victory. The booking of Backlund remains baffling to me.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Duggan is back out again. They talk about the Lumberjack Match and he says that his mind is on one thing, the Intercontinental Championship.
We get a Smoking Gunns vignette.
Out comes Captain Lou Albano to do some guest announcing.
Jim Bell & Jay Sledge vs. The Headshrinkers
The Headshrinkers look like they are in top form here to begin. They announce that Yokozuna will be one of the lumberjacks next week. Meanwhile, Fatu nearly kicks one of the jobbers heads off. They hit a double Skull Crushing Finale and then the splash off the top finishes off the poor jobbers. After the match, they rip one of the jobbers ring attire.
Match Rating: 1/4*
We get a promo for Smack 'Em, Whack 'Em featuring home improvement with the Bushwhackers.
Kamala vs. Rich Myers
No Slick here, which means Kamala won't know how to pin Myers. Kamala hits a reverse elbow and then a kick. He goes for the pin and the crowd tries to help him. Spoiler alert: He figures it out. The highlight is them showing a lady eating a WWF Ice Cream Bar after the match.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Next week Bam Bam Bigelow takes on Typhoon in a King of the Ring qualifier.
Shawn Michaels is backstage with Bobby Heenan. Michaels tells Heenan his plans next week.
Well, I guess if you are a big Duggan fan, this is your episode. Almost half of the show was devoted to him and Michaels. The Headshrinkers looked good and Waltman's debut gives this some historical value, but outside of that, this one is a skip from me.
Overall Rating: 39%
Manhattan Center
New York City, New York
Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2
Intercontinental Championship Match
Shawn Michaels vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan
When I came back to wrestling in 1995 after being away for a little over two years, for some reason seeing Duggan in this attire is one thing that stood out to me as strange. We get lots of stalling to begin, which means a whole lot of "Hooooo". Things finally get going and Duggan hits some clotheslines and Michaels rolls out of the ring. Michaels tries to leave, but Duggan is there to carry him back into the ring. Back from a commercial break and Duggan is trying to bring Michaels back into the ring, but Michaels snaps his neck on the top rope. Michaels continues to work on Duggan and hits a double axe handle off the apron. Duggan battles out of a long headlock and we get the dreaded 10 fists in the corner. Duggan hits the running clothesline, sending Michaels to the outside. Michaels again tries to head to the back. Duggan goes after him again and they brawl on the outside. Duggan hits a clothesline, sending Michaels over the rail. Duggan gets back in the ring and gets the countout victory. He grabs the mic and tells everyone to hold on. He says that he isn't going to leave until he gets another piece of Michaels and starts throwing chairs into the ring. Duggan is still in the ring after a commercial break. This wasn't bad, but too much stalling to be anything memorable.
Match Rating: *3/4
With Duggan still in the ring, we go to a King of the Ring report with Mean Gene. Bret Hart and Lex Luger have already qualified for the tournament. The main event is going to be Hulk Hogan against Yokozuna. Mean Gene gets breaking news that Duggan has left the ring and is calling Jack Tunney. This week on Superstars, Razor Ramon will take on El Matador and Jim Duggan will take on Papa Shango on Challenge in qualifying matches.
Doink vs. Kamikaze Kid
This is the debut of Sean Waltman here. Doink attacks him before the bell and hits a belly-to-belly suplex. Doink puts him in the STF and then slams his face into the mat. Doink puts him in a submission hold by pulling back on Kid's leg while sitting down and gets the victory. Who was the referee in this match? I don't think I have ever seen him before.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Bob Backlund vs. Duane Gill
Backlund trips Gill up a couple of times. Vince announces that next week Jim Duggan will take on Shawn Michaels in a Lumberjack Match. Backlund shows off some impressive strength by lifting up Gill from the ground to the turnbuckle. He puts on his lame bridge pin for the victory. The booking of Backlund remains baffling to me.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Duggan is back out again. They talk about the Lumberjack Match and he says that his mind is on one thing, the Intercontinental Championship.
We get a Smoking Gunns vignette.
Out comes Captain Lou Albano to do some guest announcing.
Jim Bell & Jay Sledge vs. The Headshrinkers
The Headshrinkers look like they are in top form here to begin. They announce that Yokozuna will be one of the lumberjacks next week. Meanwhile, Fatu nearly kicks one of the jobbers heads off. They hit a double Skull Crushing Finale and then the splash off the top finishes off the poor jobbers. After the match, they rip one of the jobbers ring attire.
Match Rating: 1/4*
We get a promo for Smack 'Em, Whack 'Em featuring home improvement with the Bushwhackers.
Kamala vs. Rich Myers
No Slick here, which means Kamala won't know how to pin Myers. Kamala hits a reverse elbow and then a kick. He goes for the pin and the crowd tries to help him. Spoiler alert: He figures it out. The highlight is them showing a lady eating a WWF Ice Cream Bar after the match.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Next week Bam Bam Bigelow takes on Typhoon in a King of the Ring qualifier.
Shawn Michaels is backstage with Bobby Heenan. Michaels tells Heenan his plans next week.
Well, I guess if you are a big Duggan fan, this is your episode. Almost half of the show was devoted to him and Michaels. The Headshrinkers looked good and Waltman's debut gives this some historical value, but outside of that, this one is a skip from me.
Overall Rating: 39%
Monday, June 22, 2020
SmackDown 9-30-05 Review
Original Airdate: Friday, September 30th, 2005
Laredo Entertainment Center
Laredo, Texas
Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2
They give a little history about the town of Laredo, which then leads to JBL coming out dressed in a sombrero and an inner tube and with a mule behind him. He makes all the expected jokes here that you would expect here in 2005. JBL then introduces his tag team partner, who pretends that the mule is Tony Chimel.
JBL & Mr. Kennedy vs. Rey Mysterio & Hardcore Holly
Mysterio starts off hot with Kennedy until JBL hits him in the back with the inner tube, which allows Kennedy to take advantage. Holly gives JBL a taste of his own medicine and kicks him when he is going off the ropes. JBL uses a Mexican flag to attack Rey behind the ref's back. Back in the ring, JBL hits a fall away slam and then puts him in a bear hug. Rey makes the hot tag to Holly and he hits a full nelson driver on Kennedy and a dropkick on JBL. He has JBL up for the Alabama Slam, but Kennedy grabs JBL. Rey comes over and takes care of Kennedy and Holly kicks JBL close to below the belt. Kennedy grabs Holly from outside the ring, he lets go to kick Mysterio and then JBL hits the Clothesline From Hell on Holly and gets the victory. This was an energetic opener that helped build the feud between JBL and Mysterio.
Match Rating: **3/4 (out of 5)
Eddie is eating Mexican food backstage and Batista walks up to him. Batista eats his food to make sure Eddie doesn't get another stomach ache.
Melina is shown from earlier today on the phone when Christy Hemme rolls up in a motorcycle. Melina breaks her nail when she pushes Christy's helmet. This was as bad as it sounds.
Melina vs. Christy Hemme
Melina hits a dropkick and gets a 2 count already. Melina then snaps Christy's arm over the second rope. This is already longer than I thought. Christy gets a sunset flip for a 2 count. Christy hits a big kick to the midsection. MNM distracts the ref, which allows Nitro to trip up Christy and Melina gets the pin. That match certainly lacked action for as much time as they got. After the match, MNM attacks. They are about to give Christy the Snap Shot, but Heidenreich and Animal come out to make the save.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Bob Orton vs. Undertaker
Orton is 54 years old here. He cuts a promo saying that Randy won't be getting involved because he is saving it for No Mercy. Orton tries to outsmart Taker, but it does him no good. Taker throws Orton into the turnbuckle and it accidentally squashes the ref. Bob Orton hits a low blow and then out comes Randy. They destroy Taker, but when the ref gets up, he kicks out at 2. He sits up and gives Bob a boot to the face. He puts him up for a Tombstone, but Randy comes in and goes for a RKO. Taker avoids it and sends Randy out of the ring. He hits a Tombstone on Bob and gets the victory. This was pretty terrible and only made me want to see their match at No Mercy less.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Bobby Lashley vs. Russell Simpson
Simpson gets a little bit of offense with a dropkick to the knee and then works on the knee a little bit. Why? Lashley catches a kick and hits a backbreaker. Lashley hits the Dominator and gets the win. I personally would not have allowed Simpson get in any offense.
Match Rating: 1/4*
After the match, Simon Dean comes out and offers Lashley a free drink. Lashley stomps on it and press slams him over the top rope. They announce they will square off at No Mercy.
When we come back to SmackDown, Christian is already in the ring for the Peep Show. He says that there is currently match for the United States Championship at No Mercy. He says that he beat Chris Benoit on SmackDown and that he should be facing him at the show. Out comes Booker T and Sharmell. Booker reminds him that he beat Christian last week, which then leads to Orlando Jordan coming out. Jordan says that no one gets a chance until he does. Teddy Long comes out and says that they will have a triple threat match right now.
Triple Threat Match
Christian vs. Booker T vs. Orlando Jordan
I'm not sure how in storyline they can even claim to have Orlando Jordan in this match. Booker goes for a superplex and in comes Jordan who hits a powerbomb tower of doom spot. Booker misses a Scissor Kick, but counters out of a Unprettier. Jordan comes in and gets Christian out of the ring, rolls up Booker and gets the win. They really gave this match only 4 minutes?
Match Rating: *
Benoit comes out and is shocked Jordan won. He says that he'll be facing him at No Mercy. Then he turns to Christian and says that it's him who beat him and he'll face him at No Mercy. Then he turns to Booker and says that they're tight, so he's going to face him at No Mercy. He then announces that he will take on all of them.
Teddy Long is back with Palmer Canon and in walks Vince McMahon. Teddy says that he has selected some SmackDown stars to appear on Homecoming. JBL, Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, Chris Benoit, Christian and Batista will all be there.
WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Heidenreich & Road Warrior Animal vs. Eddie Guerrero & Batista
Animal and the Animal square off here. Animal hits a kick to the face, but misses with an elbow drop. Eddie tags himself in but gets a right hand from Heidenreich. Eddie hits a low blow, but he still ends up in the wrong corner and now Animal is working on him. Animal hits a scoop slam for a 2 count. Animal puts him up for the Doomsday Device, but Eddie gets out by hitting a hurricanrana. In comes Batista and he hits a spinebuster on Heidenreich. Batista hits a Batista Bomb, but Animal makes the save. In comes MNM and try attacking with steel chairs. Eddie makes the save before they can do anything. He hits Batista with a chair and then tosses it to Mercury and Batista falls for it. He hits Mercury with a chair and that is all. Technically Heidenreich and Animal won.
Match Rating: 3/4*
This was not the strongest episode, but it wasn't too bad. Everything was too short for it to mean anything and even the last segment came off a little lame. The Undertaker/Orton match was particularly bad here. All in all, this was a mediocre episode.
Overall Rating: 52%
Laredo Entertainment Center
Laredo, Texas
Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2
They give a little history about the town of Laredo, which then leads to JBL coming out dressed in a sombrero and an inner tube and with a mule behind him. He makes all the expected jokes here that you would expect here in 2005. JBL then introduces his tag team partner, who pretends that the mule is Tony Chimel.
JBL & Mr. Kennedy vs. Rey Mysterio & Hardcore Holly
Mysterio starts off hot with Kennedy until JBL hits him in the back with the inner tube, which allows Kennedy to take advantage. Holly gives JBL a taste of his own medicine and kicks him when he is going off the ropes. JBL uses a Mexican flag to attack Rey behind the ref's back. Back in the ring, JBL hits a fall away slam and then puts him in a bear hug. Rey makes the hot tag to Holly and he hits a full nelson driver on Kennedy and a dropkick on JBL. He has JBL up for the Alabama Slam, but Kennedy grabs JBL. Rey comes over and takes care of Kennedy and Holly kicks JBL close to below the belt. Kennedy grabs Holly from outside the ring, he lets go to kick Mysterio and then JBL hits the Clothesline From Hell on Holly and gets the victory. This was an energetic opener that helped build the feud between JBL and Mysterio.
Match Rating: **3/4 (out of 5)
Eddie is eating Mexican food backstage and Batista walks up to him. Batista eats his food to make sure Eddie doesn't get another stomach ache.
Melina is shown from earlier today on the phone when Christy Hemme rolls up in a motorcycle. Melina breaks her nail when she pushes Christy's helmet. This was as bad as it sounds.
Melina vs. Christy Hemme
Melina hits a dropkick and gets a 2 count already. Melina then snaps Christy's arm over the second rope. This is already longer than I thought. Christy gets a sunset flip for a 2 count. Christy hits a big kick to the midsection. MNM distracts the ref, which allows Nitro to trip up Christy and Melina gets the pin. That match certainly lacked action for as much time as they got. After the match, MNM attacks. They are about to give Christy the Snap Shot, but Heidenreich and Animal come out to make the save.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Bob Orton vs. Undertaker
Orton is 54 years old here. He cuts a promo saying that Randy won't be getting involved because he is saving it for No Mercy. Orton tries to outsmart Taker, but it does him no good. Taker throws Orton into the turnbuckle and it accidentally squashes the ref. Bob Orton hits a low blow and then out comes Randy. They destroy Taker, but when the ref gets up, he kicks out at 2. He sits up and gives Bob a boot to the face. He puts him up for a Tombstone, but Randy comes in and goes for a RKO. Taker avoids it and sends Randy out of the ring. He hits a Tombstone on Bob and gets the victory. This was pretty terrible and only made me want to see their match at No Mercy less.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Bobby Lashley vs. Russell Simpson
Simpson gets a little bit of offense with a dropkick to the knee and then works on the knee a little bit. Why? Lashley catches a kick and hits a backbreaker. Lashley hits the Dominator and gets the win. I personally would not have allowed Simpson get in any offense.
Match Rating: 1/4*
After the match, Simon Dean comes out and offers Lashley a free drink. Lashley stomps on it and press slams him over the top rope. They announce they will square off at No Mercy.
When we come back to SmackDown, Christian is already in the ring for the Peep Show. He says that there is currently match for the United States Championship at No Mercy. He says that he beat Chris Benoit on SmackDown and that he should be facing him at the show. Out comes Booker T and Sharmell. Booker reminds him that he beat Christian last week, which then leads to Orlando Jordan coming out. Jordan says that no one gets a chance until he does. Teddy Long comes out and says that they will have a triple threat match right now.
Triple Threat Match
Christian vs. Booker T vs. Orlando Jordan
I'm not sure how in storyline they can even claim to have Orlando Jordan in this match. Booker goes for a superplex and in comes Jordan who hits a powerbomb tower of doom spot. Booker misses a Scissor Kick, but counters out of a Unprettier. Jordan comes in and gets Christian out of the ring, rolls up Booker and gets the win. They really gave this match only 4 minutes?
Match Rating: *
Benoit comes out and is shocked Jordan won. He says that he'll be facing him at No Mercy. Then he turns to Christian and says that it's him who beat him and he'll face him at No Mercy. Then he turns to Booker and says that they're tight, so he's going to face him at No Mercy. He then announces that he will take on all of them.
Teddy Long is back with Palmer Canon and in walks Vince McMahon. Teddy says that he has selected some SmackDown stars to appear on Homecoming. JBL, Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, Chris Benoit, Christian and Batista will all be there.
WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Heidenreich & Road Warrior Animal vs. Eddie Guerrero & Batista
Animal and the Animal square off here. Animal hits a kick to the face, but misses with an elbow drop. Eddie tags himself in but gets a right hand from Heidenreich. Eddie hits a low blow, but he still ends up in the wrong corner and now Animal is working on him. Animal hits a scoop slam for a 2 count. Animal puts him up for the Doomsday Device, but Eddie gets out by hitting a hurricanrana. In comes Batista and he hits a spinebuster on Heidenreich. Batista hits a Batista Bomb, but Animal makes the save. In comes MNM and try attacking with steel chairs. Eddie makes the save before they can do anything. He hits Batista with a chair and then tosses it to Mercury and Batista falls for it. He hits Mercury with a chair and that is all. Technically Heidenreich and Animal won.
Match Rating: 3/4*
This was not the strongest episode, but it wasn't too bad. Everything was too short for it to mean anything and even the last segment came off a little lame. The Undertaker/Orton match was particularly bad here. All in all, this was a mediocre episode.
Overall Rating: 52%
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