Armageddon 2005 Review

Sunday, December 18th, 2005
Dunkin' Donuts Arena
Providence, Rhode Island

Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2

JBL vs. Matt Hardy

JBL cuts a promo on Hardy and is finally interrupted by Hardy's music. Hardy sneaks in from behind and we are underway. JBL tosses Hardy and he gets his head twisted in the ropes and JBL takes advantage. JBL takes it to Hardy until he is able to hit a swinging neckbreaker. JBL continues his attack and goes for a superplex. Hardy knocks him off and then hits a moonsault for a 2 count. JBL takes the turnbuckle cover off. He pushes him into the exposed corner and then hits the Clothesline From Hell and gets the easy victory. That was a flat out squash and is such a weak way to start a pay-per-view.

Match Rating: ** (out of 5)

The Mexicools approach Melina and want some of the action that Batista got. 

MNM vs. The Mexicools

The Mexicools gain the early advantage and Psicosis hits a corkscrew over the top rope. Referee Charles Robinson stops Super Crazy from following suit. Super Crazy ignores and he leaps over his back and to the floor. Psicosis goes up top, but Melina pulls him down. MNM is able to cut the ring in half from there. Super Crazy finally gets in the match and takes care of both members of MNM. He avois the double team and hits a tornado DDT for a 2 count. Psicosis joins in and hits a top rope crossbody. Super Crazy goes up top and Melina again tries to interfere. However, this time Crazy pushes here out of the way. Crazy hits a moonsault, but Nitro makes the last second save. MNM hits the Snap Shot and that's all. The ending wasn't particularly executed well, but the match was entertaining enough. 

Match Rating: **3/4

Booker and Sharmell have an interview backstage with Kristal. They play up the sweep, while Sharmell shows some attitude towards Kristal. 

Match Four In A Best Of Seven Series For The United States Championship

Booker T vs. Chris Benoit

After some stalling from Booker in the early going, Benoit dominates with some chops and some mat wrestling. Booker hangs up Benoit on the top rope and hits him with a knee, knocking him to the floor. They start exchanging chops on the floor and Booker slams Benoit into the ring post. Back in the ring, Booker locks in the abdominal stretch. Benoit makes a comeback and hits a belly-to-belly suplex. He then hits the Three Amigos and gets a 2 count. Benoit goes up top, but Sharmell distracts him with the broom and it allows Booker to go for a superplex. Benoit was about to counter it, but he fell off of him and it sure didn't look good. Booker hits a missile dropkick and he gets a nearfall. Sharmell hits a low blow on Benoit behind Jimmy Korderas's back and Booker hits the Scissor Kick, but Benoit kicks out. Benoit counters the Book End into the Crippler Crossface, but Booker is able to get to the bottom rope. Benoit hits the three German suplexes and tries to re-apply the Crossface. Booker rolls through and it knocks Korderas out. Benoit puts Booker in the Sharpshooter and Benoit is tapping. Sharmell comes in with the broom and hits him with the bristles? She also pretty much whiffed. Benoit goes after her, but Booker attacks him from behind. Benoit counters the Book End into a DDT and puts him in the Crossface. Booker taps, even though it sure looked like his foot was under the rope. Tazz and Cole hype up how great this match was. I'm not sure I'd go that far, but it was pretty good. 

Match Rating: ***

Teddy Long and Palmer Cannon are here. Long thanks the fans and then Cannon interrupts him to introduce Santa. Out comes Vito as Santa with Nunzio dressed as an elf. They want title matches, but Cannon instead brings out the Boogeyman. Boogeyman destroys them and then uses his magic stick to turn Santa's bag into worms. He shoves some worms in Vito's mouth and heads out back. 

After a lengthy Taker/Orton recap, Kristal is with the Randy and Bob. 

Two-On-One Handicap Match

Bobby Lashley vs. William Regal & Paul Burchill

Lashley kicks it off by destroying both men until Regal hits a boot to the back, allowing Burchill to capitalize. Looking at Burchill, I'm not quite sure why he's in this position to get jobbed. Regal hits an exploder suplex and Burchill hits a knee from the top rope. Lashley comes back and hits some suplexes and then the Dominator on Burchill for the victory. The crowd was not feeling this one at all. I'm not really sure this needed to be on the show. 

Match Rating: *1/4

Ah yes, it's time for Josh Matthews to visit Tim White at the Friendly Tap. This is the absolute definition of something that made air that was made for an audience of one. They show the footage of Chris Jericho/Triple H where he got hurt in the Hell In A Cell match, while White keeps taking shots. He finally talks and says that everyone he knows left him and that he has nothing. He talks about IBS just in case you weren't sure how terrible this is. Matthews says he hopes that he has a "White Christmas" (get it?) and White pulls out a gun. He walks out of the screen and Matthews begs him not to do that and then a huge bang is heard. So we are to assume he just killed himself and we go back to a match. Absolutely one of the worst segments in the history of the company.

Cruiserweight Championship Match

Juventud vs. Kid Kash

We get an immediate burst of action and it ends with Juvy hitting a standing hurricanrana. Juvy dumps Kash to the floor and launches himself over and onto Kash. To the people chanting "boring", why? You may not care for the characters, but there have been far worse talents to step foot in this ring and who have given a lot less effort. Kash locks in an arm bar on and then throws him shoulder first into the turnbuckle. Kash goes for a springboard top rope moonsault, but Juvy gets his knees up. Juvy comes back with a bunch of chops and a big kick to the head. Juvy hits a top rope hurricanrana, but Kash gets his foot on the bottom rope. Both men counter each others finishers, but Juvy still hits the Juvy Driver, but Kash kicks out. Juvy misses with a front flip leg drop off the top rope. Kash hits Dead Level and we have a new Cruiserweight Champion. They gave a pretty good effort, but they were never able to win over the crowd. 

Match Rating: **

Champions vs. Champions Match

Big Show & Kane vs. Rey Mysterio & Batista

Two of the absolute worst entrance themes of all time on one team with Show and Kane. Batista and Show start things off and Show throws Batista around. Batista knocks him down with a running shoulder, but then eats a big boot. Kane is in now and Batista is able to throw him off the top rope before tagging in Rey. Rey misses a springboard moonsault and then Kane no sells some kicks. Rey eventually hits a dropkick to the back of Kane, setting him up for a 619, but Kane is able to get up before that happens. He does it again, but this time Big Show grabs Rey by the feet and trips him up. He drives him into the ring post while Batista has Charles Robinson distracted. Big Show tosses Rey into the ring over the top rope and Kane goes to work. Rey is able to pull off a bulldog, but Big Show knocks Batista off the apron before they can make the tag. Batista come in anyways and helps take both big men out. Batista charges at Big Show on the announce table in one of the more awkward looking table spots I can think of. Back in the ring, Kane hits a chokeslam on Rey and earn the victory. This wasn't bad, but it kind of just felt like a SmackDown TV main event. 

Match Rating: **1/2

Hell In A Cell Match

Randy Orton vs. Undertaker

We get a faster paced opening than I expected for a 30+ minute match featuring the Undertaker. Taker slows it down and pulls Orton into the ring post and then hits a boot to the head. Taker hits an unprotected chair shot to the head of Orton and he is bleeding around his eye. Taker hits another chair shot and then starts using the cage like a cheese grater. Taker now has a chain and uses it to choke Orton. Orton gets in some desperate offense, but Taker counters Orton's attempt to hit him with the steps. Orton is able to hit a RKO on Taker onto the top rope, sending Taker to the outside. Orton is able to connect this time around with the steel steps. Orton this time hits Taker with a chair to the head and he gets a 2 count. Taker hits a surprising running leap off the bottom steps into Orton standing against the cage. Taker uses the top of the cell to do a solo Old School, but Orton avoids the elbow drop. Under the ring he goes, bringing in a table into the ring. Taker is able to stop Orton and then grabs Bob Orton through the cage. Taker hits him with a boot and Bob is bleeding. Taker charges at Orton, but Orton catches him for an attempted powerslam, but it's mostly his momentum that sends him into the cage. Taker this time hits a traditional Old School and gets a nearfall. Taker hits a big chokeslam, but Orton gets his foot on the bottom rope. Orton comes back and sets Taker on the table. Orton hits a big splash off the top rope and that absolutely looked painful for Orton. Taker is able to go for a Last Ride, but Orton escapes and Taker accidentally hits Nick Patrick. Orton is able to hit an RKO out of a chokeslam. Jimmy Korderas checks in on Patrick and then in comes Charles Robinson for referee duties. This natually allows Bob Orton to walk right in. Taker hits Last Ride, but Bob Orton pulls Robinson out of the ring to break up the count. Taker takes care of him and then goes for the Tombstone. Orton counters it and hits the Tombstone instead. Tazz claims to have never seen this counter before. Taker sits up multiple times and then grabs Orton by the throat. Bob Orton comes in again and once again it's unsuccessful. Taker hits them both with the urn and then hits a Tombstone on Bob Orton. Taker hits the Tombstone on Randy and that is all. Taker takes the urn and throws it on top of the cell and then "cell-ebrates" on top for the photo op. These two really worked hard here to deliver an entertaining match. I understand why the Bob Orton interference was in there, but they would have been just fine without it. Good main event. 

Match Rating: ***3/4

This was absolutely a one match show, while the rest of the show felt like an episode of SmackDown. I also didn't think it was possible for the Tim White segment to be worse than it was 15 years ago, but I was wrong. I'm sure WWE would have liked to have ended the year with a stronger show, but they did end with one of their better main events of the year, so that's something. 

Overall Rating: 51%

NXT 10-2-13 Review

Original Airdate: Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida

Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2

Fandango & Summer Rae vs. Emma & Santino Marella

I have to say, I do kind of miss Fandango in this variation. Emma gets interviewed by Renee Young on the stage and she says that her partner is the best possible partner she could ever have. Cue Santino's music. Has there been a better comedy wrestler in WWE than Santino? We naturally get a lot of shenanigans during the entrance and the opening moments of the match. Santino shows off the cobra and Fandango escapes out of the ring. Santino continues to get the best of Fandango and then they do a little bit where Santino and Emma give each other high fives and they count as tags. The fun ends when Fandango hits Santino with a fist to the face. Summer gets in on the action and slaps Santino in the face. This causes Emma to go after her and Santino dramatically goes for the tag, but she's not in the corner. Fandango goes up top multiple times, but Santino keeps rolling out of the way. Santino gets a nearfall with a backslide and then makes the tag to Emma. Emma this a couple of clotheslines and then puts on the Dil-Emma. She hits the seated crossbody and gets a 2 count. Emma gets the Cobra sock and they hit a double hip toss. She passes the Cobra to Santino and he uses it on Fandango for the victory. As far as comedy matches go, this was one of the better ones that I have seen. 

Match Rating: *** (out of 5)

Kassius Ohno vs. Luke Harper

Harper quickly tosses Ohno through the ropes. Harper continues with some hard hitting moves. Ohno is able to hit a big kick and then hits a diving kick to the outside. Back in the ring and then Harper big boot of his own. Harper hits a big clothesline and that's all? Apparently this was all for Ohno for this run. 

Match Rating: *1/2

Enzo and Cass cut a promo on Scott Dawson and Alexander Rusev. 

We then get a Mojo Rawley video. Man, almost 7 years invested in him. 

NXT Tag Team Championship Match

The Ascension vs. Adrian Neville & Corey Graves

The Ascension gain the early advantage on Neville. Neville escapes a suplex and hits a tag to Graves. O'Brian hits a flapjack and they now cut the ring in half with Graves. Man, this heat segment feels like it's 3 years long. Viktor misses Graves in the corner and hits his shoulder on the turnbuckle. Neville gets the hot tag and sends both Ascension members to the back. Neville hits a dive and a missile dropkick for a 2 count. Neville misses the Red Arrow, but Graves makes the save on the pin count. They hit their finisher and we have new NXT Tag Team Champs. The Ascension are really, really dull. 

Match Rating: 3/4*

Bo Dallas Invitational

Bo Dallas vs. ???

They don't even know the name of the challenger and the crowd chants "This guy". Bo picks up the easy win with a Spear. 

Match Rating: 1/4*

Bo says there has to be someone else to accept the challenge. Leo Kruger's music hits first and then Cesaro's. They argue about who is going to take on Bo and begin to fight. Cesaro kicks him out of the ring and then Bo knees him in the back from behind and to the floor. Out comes a luchador and we have a match. 

Bo Dallas Invitational

Bo Dallas vs. El Local

Zayn runs in and hits the Helluva Kick for the quick and easy victory. You'll never guess it but the guy who looks exactly like Sami Zayn is revealed to be Sami Zayn. 

Match Rating: 1/4*

I really enjoyed the Santino match as they gave just the right amount of comedy and action. The Tag Team Championship match on the other hand, not so much. The Zayn stuff was obvious, but still fun enough to recommend the episode. 

Overall Rating: 60%

Hell In A Cell 2020 Review

Sunday, October 25th, 2020
Amway Center
Orlando, Florida

Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2

Hell In A Cell I Quit Match For The Universal Championship

Roman immediately starts throwing Uso around, as we basically pick up where we left off at Clash Of Champions. Uso gets a few shots in and pushes Reigns out of the ring. He hits two dives, driving Reigns into the cell. Back in the ring, Uso charges at Reigns, but he counters it with a spear. Reigns hits another spear with more authority this time around. Reigns is doing lots of trash talking, even though every time he does, Uso makes a comeback. He goes for another spear, but Uso counters and then hits a top rope splash. Uso begins whipping Uso with a strap, but again Reigns hits another spear. Reigns now has the strap and begins whipping with it. I know a lot of people have enjoyed this feud, but this just isn't working for me. Uso now has the strap and begins choking Reigns with it. <MORE STALLING> Uso goes for a chair shot, but Reigns hits a Superman punch. Reigns puts on a Dragon Sleeper, but Uso still won't quit. Now we get to watch the referee repeatedly asking Uso if he quits. I'm pretty close to trying to figure out a way to getting down there to say "I quit" for him. Reigns hits a Drive By, but Uso still won't quit. A bunch of officials come down, but Reigns is still trying to make him quit. He picks up the steel steps, but before he can do anything Jimmy Uso is there to stop him. Jimmy starts sternly yelling at Reigns, who is now seated and crying. Jimmy begs for this to end and they lock hands. Roman then puts him in the Dragon Sleeper. This makes Jey quit and this is finally over with. Again, there are people who probably really enjoyed this. I am not one of them. 

Match Rating: 1/2* (out of 5)

After the match, Afa and Sika are up on the stage and they embrace Reigns. This was by far the highlight of all of this. 

Elias vs. Jeff Hardy

You'll never guess it, but Hardy interrupts Elias's song. We get a little bit of back and forth and it all leads to Hardy missing a leaping splash into the apron off the steps. Elias hits a clothesline and puts on the dreaded chinlock. Hardy tries to make a comeback, but Elias hits a sit down powerbomb out of the electric chair position. Hardy hits Whisper In The Wind and goes up top. Elias is able to roll out of the ring. Elias grabs his guitar, but Hardy gets it away from him and hits him in the back, causing a disqualification. Why was this on the show if that was the finish? This was pure filler that should have been on Friday's show. 

Match Rating: *1/4

Otis says he's going to win or something.

Singles Match For The Money In The Bank Briefcase

Miz vs. Otis

Otis drives a shoulder into Miz into the corner and follows up with a body slam. Miz misses with a dropkick to the outside and Otis hits him with a clothesline. Morrison distracts Otis, allowing Miz to hit a DDT for a 2 count. Miz hits the It Kicks and then the running clothesline in the corner. Miz slaps on the sleeper and then a big boot to the face. Otis is starting to hulk up and he steamrolls Miz. Otis goes for the Caterpillar, but Morrison pulls Miz out of the ring. Morrison gest ejected and Otis rolls up Miz for a nearfall. Miz pushes Otis towards the ropes and Tucker purposely hits Otis with the briefcase. Miz gets the easy pinfall and is in shock. I'm not sure what they were really going for with Otis as Money In The Bank, but apparently they are done with it. I'm guessing that uncertainty of no live crowd was probably the final factor. Miz deserves one more title run, so why not now?

Match Rating: *1/2

Miz cuts a good promo on being Mr. Money In The Bank and in walks Tucker. Tucker says that he was the one who carried the load for the team, but he was always the afterthought. In runs Otis and we get a brawl. 

Hell In A Cell Match For The SmackDown Women's Championship

Sasha Banks vs. Bayley 

Sasha knocks the chair out of Bayley's hand as the cell is being lowered and it falls out of reach. Bayley tries to go find something else under the ring, but Sasha grabs her and starts nailing her with right hands. Sasha is able to get Bayley into the Bank Statement, but Bayley bites her way out. Sasha misses with the baseball slide dropkick and Bayley drives her into the cage. Sasha catches Bayley's kendo stick and throws it through the fence. Bayley grabs another one, but again Sasha catches it and this time hits Bayley with a knee. Sasha pulls out a table, but Bayley tries to stop her. Sasha uses it to drive Bayley into the cage. She then runs up the table and hits the Meteora on her, which has easily been the highlight of the night so far. Sasha has a chair, but Bayley rolls her up for a 2 count. Bayley pushes her off the apron, but then misses with a chair shot. Sasha hits another version of the Meteora into the cage after jumping off the apron. Bayley snaps Sasha's neck over the second rope. Bayley throws Sasha into the cage, but Sasha catches herself on the cage and then eventually hits a headscissors off the apron. Sasha puts two kendo sticks between the steps and the cage, but Bayley ends up hitting a drop toe hold on Sasha and she crashes through the one left standing and into the steps. Bayley now sets up two more sticks and she hits a catapult into them. Sasha is able to comeback and hit a powerbomb into the cell. She puts Bayley's head through the chair, but Sasha gets her head slammed into the chair. Bayley hits a sunset flip powerbomb into a chair in the corner. Bayley hits a top rope elbow drop and gets another close call. Sasha pulls a Backstabber out of nowhere and rolls it into the Bank Statement. Bayley rolls out and puts her in the apron and slams her face into the ring beam. Bayley then hits a series of shots with a kendo stick. Bayley tapes up some kendo sticks and puts them between the cell and the ring. Sasha grabs the fire extinguisher and sprays her. Bayley somehow grabs her chair through the door, but Sasha grabs it from her and unleashes on Bayley. Sasha then hits a bunch of kendo shots to the back. Sasha sits in the corner as Bayley crawls towards the chair. Sasha kicks her and goes up top. She goes for a Frog Splash, but Bayley uses the chair. Bayley hits the Rose Plant outside, but back in the ring Sasha is able to kick out. Bayley throws Sasha onto a ladder propped up on two chairs. Bayley starts spray painting Sasha, before going off the second rope. Sasha moves out of the way and hits a Meteora. Sasha hits a belly-to-belly suplex, but it's still not enough. Bayley hits a knee and then a Bayley-to-belly, but this time Sasha kicks out. Sasha is able to put the chair around the neck of Bayley and puts on the Bank Statement. She kicks on the chair as pulls back on the hold and Bayley taps, ending her 380 day reign. I have to think this still somehow leads to a WrestleMania match between the two, but we shall see. They worked extremely hard and it's a shame that this wasn't in front of a live crowd. 

Match Rating: ***3/4

The Hurt Business is out back and apparently someone is fighting someone from Retribution. 

United States Championship Match

Bobby Lashley vs. Slapjack

Of all the combinations, this was the best choice? Slapjack's mask looks unbearable to work in. Lashley tosses him around for a little bit. Slapjack kind of whiffs on a dropkick, but then hits a cannon ball in the corner. Slapjack hits a running DDT for a 2 count. Lashley comes back it doesn't take long for him to put on the Hurt Lock and that is all. As soon as the bell rings, Retribution is out and attacking Lashley. And you thought the Nexus was booked poorly? The rest of the Hurt Business comes out and they retreat. This really is something. This was a squash. 

Match Rating: 1/2*

Hell In A Cell Match For The WWE Championship

Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton

As McIntyre is about to walk in the cell, Orton attacks him from behind before the match starts. So I guess this one landed on "brawl outside the cell" on the Hell In A Cell spinner. McIntyre takes it to him and eventually gets him in the cell so this match can officially start. McIntyre clotheslines him over the ropes and drives him into the cell. McIntyre continues using the cell as the announcers marvel at how comfortable he is in this environment in his first match. Back in the ring he goes for a Claymore Kick, but Orton hits him with a chair. Orton takes this outside and is now using the cage. I just re-watched the Orton/Undertaker match for Armageddon 2005 and I'm not sure why Orton didn't go for that formula here. He stands up the steel steps and tosses McIntyre through them. McIntyre fights back and hits an overhead belly-to-belly. Outside the ring, Orton for some reason walks right into another overhead belly-to-belly suplex through a table. Back in the ring, Orton hits a draped DDT and McIntyre to kick out at 1. Orton uses the bolt cutters to get out of the cage. They brawl outside and then Orton begins to climb to the top of the cell. McIntyre accepts the challenge and climbs up top. They fight up there for a little bit and eventually Orton tries to climb his way down. McIntyre does as well and they get to the halfway point and Orton slams McIntyre's head into the bar. Both men look really uncomfortable here. Orton slaps McIntyre's arm, causing him to fall through the announce table and they didn't even show the whole fall. Back in the ring they go. Orton pounds the mat for what feels like an hour, but McIntyre pulls of a backslide, but this time Orton kicks out. McIntyre hits the Claymore Kick, but Orton is able to get out of the ring. McIntyre misses the Claymore Kick and Orton hits the RKO to win the WWE Championship. For real? I know I need to see where this all leads, but I don't understand this decision at all. This match had some moments, but it just felt way too long. 

Match Rating: **3/4

If it weren't for Bayley and Sasha, this would easily be one of the worst WWE pay-per-views in history. Even with it, this still was a really bad show. The three non HIAC matches were barely TV match quality and the Reigns/Uso match was more stalling than action. You can mark this show down as one I probably will never watch again. 

Overall Rating: 36%

Monday Night Raw 7-26-93

Original Airdate: Monday, July 26th, 1993
Manhattan Center
New York City, New York

Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2

Doink cuts a promo on Randy Savage for interfering in his match a few weeks back. He tells him if he's a good Macho Boy tonight, he might just have a surprise for him. 

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Bret Hart

Stu and Helen Hart are in the crowd tonight. There was really a great confidence to Bam Bam here in 1993. Bam Bam goes on the attack quickly, but eventually Bret's quickness allows him to hit a dropkick and then clothesline Bam Bam over the top rope. Bret hits a weird looking top rope Lou Thesz Press and then sells a knee injury. After the commercial, Bret is outside the ring holding his knee and Bam Bam does a cartwheel, but of course the cameras miss it. Bam Bam continues hitting a series of power move, but Bret kicks out. Bret makes a comeback and hits a second dropkick. It's short lived and we go into a second commercial break with Bam Bam using a chinlock. Bret makes another comeback and hits a back body drop. Side Russian leg sweep by Bret and he hits a second rope clothesline and Bam Bam kicks out at 2. Bret ducks a clothesline and hits a bulldog. Bret goes for the Sharpshooter and Jerry Lawler is up in the balcony. He confronts Bret's parents, leading Bret to leave the match. Bam Bam attacks him from behind and slams him into the ring post. Lawler keeps insulting Stu as Bam Bam continues to control the match. Helen's had enough and pushes Jerry away. Bret starts yet another comeback, but this is really distracting. Bret finally gets away and heads to the top, causing Bam Bam to win by disqualification. Lawler says he's had enough and heads out. Meanwhile, Bret is on the lookout for Lawler, but never finds him. He goes back to his parents as we head into an ICOPRO commercial. The match was going along well until the Lawler distraction.

Match Rating: **3/4

It's time for a SummerSlam Report with Mean Gene. Nothing new here.

Mr. Hughes vs. Russ Greenberg

A black wreath is once again delivered to ringside. Hughes hits a powerbomb and eventually his sidewalk slam for the victory. There was nothing of note of this one. 

Match Rating: 1/4*

WrestleMania: The Album is headed our way tomorrow. 

The Smoking Gunns vs. Duane Gill & Glen Ruth

Vince claims the album sold over 100,000 copies in the UK. After a leap frog, Billy hits a drop toe hold and a couple of dropkicks. Bart hits a double crossbody and gets a 2 count. They hit a double side Russian leg sweep. As they continue to squash the future Headbanger and Gillberg, it does appear that the WrestleMania album was a hit over in the UK. The Gunns hit a back body drop into a piledriver for the victory. That was a spirited squash by the Gunns.

Match Rating: 1/2*

They show a hype video for Ludvig Borga. 

We now go into an empty arena interview of Lex Luger. Gee golly willikers, Lex sure is ecstatic that he's getting a title shot at SummerSlam. He wants people to ask whatever is on their mind. As he's saying that, someone walks in the background, notices it, and turns around. I'm shocked Vince didn't make them do it all over again. We then get highlights of the Lex Express.

Doink vs. Phil Apollo

Hey, did you know that Doink is actually a really good scientific wrestler? Doink hits a back suplex and Vince lets us know that Lex Luger is going to talk about being expelled from the University of Miami and steroid use in wrestling. Doink goes up top and hits the Whoopee Cushion for the victory. 

Match Rating: 1/4*

Doink grabs the mic and calls Savage into the ring. Vince tells Savage to stay, so Doink comes down to Savage. Doink challenges Savage and Doink says that he'll be seeing triple vision and two more Doinks appear. Savage says he has a little surprise for him. We go out with the WrestleMania theme song playing. 

This was another above average outing for the show. They have kind of found a formula that works for the hour time constraint, even if it feels like there is still a lot of storyline that we aren't seeing. Nothing earth shattering happened here tonight, but outside of the Hughes squash, this was pretty entertaining from start to finish. 

Overall Rating: 60%

SmackDown 12-16-05

Original Airdate: Friday, December 16th, 2005
MassMutual Center
Springfield, Massachusetts

Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2

Nunzio vs. Boogeyman

I guess if I have to watch a Boogeyman squash, Nunzio is probably one of the better choices. They pan to the SmackDown locker room watching the match in the back...from an angle, of course. He puts some worms in his mouth and hits the pump handle powerslam for the victory. After the match Vito gets up, but then thinks twice about it once he sees him chomp away on the worms. Nunzio then gets worm to the face as the locker room grosses out. 

Match Rating: 1/4*

Randy and Bob Orton are backstage and Bob convinces Randy to talk to a sports psychologist. Randy reluctantly agrees and after the break he is in the room with him and he basically tells him nothing. Not much of a segment. 

Melina tries to seduce Batista which is kind of awkward. They then start making out. 

Kid Kash vs. Super Crazy 

Super Crazy hits a monkey flip and a running dropkick. Kash is able to hit a neckbreaker onto a top rope. He gets in a little bit of offense until Super Crazy is able to hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Super Crazy misses a top rope moonsault and Kid Kash hits a brainbuster for a victory. After the match, he attacks Crazy and is trying to go for the brainbuster on the chair, but the Mexicools make the save. This was fine for a five minute match. 

Match Rating: *1/2

Back to the Orton family and Randy thanks his dad for helping him through this. 

And now we are shown Melina getting dressed and Batista lets her know that he's not taking her deal, but thanks her for the warm-up. 

WWE Tag Team Championship Match

MNM vs. Batista & Rey Mysterio

MNM comes out flustered after Melina's failed attempt for Batista to take it easy on them. This babyface run of Batista is just really hard to get behind for me. I'm not really sure why I'm supposed to like him. MNM are rocking the electric blue tights tonight. Nitro is a bumping machine here, making Batista's moves look more effective. Batista puts Mercury in position for a Batista Bomb, but Nitro sneaks behind Charles Robinson and hits him with a superkick. Batista then double clotheslines MNM over the top and Mysterio hits a springboard moonsault to the floor. Melina provides the distraction for another illegal double team and it results in Mercury hitting a powerbomb on Mysterio. Nitro hits a backbreaker/side Russian leg sweep combo for a 2 count. After a long heat segment, Mysterio hits a bulldog. We get a fun little segment of Mysterio trying to escape to make the tag, but Nitro hits a step up enzigiri. Mysterio is able to hit a reverse hurricanrana and finally make the tag. That may be the earliest instance in WWE of that move. Hot tag to Batista and he hits some spinebusters. Rey hits a double 619 on Mercury and Melina. Batista hits the Batista Bomb and we have new WWE Tag Team Champions. Mercury's nose is busted open and Melina is crying on the outside. I'm not really sure I understand the booking here, but this was a really fun tag team match. MNM was really finding their groove as Nitro continued to improve. 

Match Rating: ***1/2

Bobby Lashley vs. Paul Burchill

Lashley quickly throws Burchill out of the ring. I remember that one week they were trying to put over Burchill has a beast. It's suplex time for Lashley and then he quickly goes into the Dominator and that's all. They sure gave up on Burchill quickly here. 

Match Rating: 1/4*

Kristal is with Matt Hardy. Hardy says that Booker T is up 3-0 in his series and is red hot, but tonight will be a different story. JBL comes in on a crutch and interrupts Hardy. There is nothing like setting up a pay-per-view match two days before the show. JBL pushes Hardy down, so Hardy attacks him until officials are able to pull Hardy off. 

Teddy Long is with Randy's therapist. He refuses to give Long any info on Orton. 

Batista and Rey are talking about their match on Sunday and in walks Orton. Orton says that we'll never get to know who the best was and Orton shakes his hand. 

Cole and Tazz run down the Armageddon card and I am amazed at how poor the match graphics were back in 2005. 

Booker T vs. Matt Hardy

JBL is out as guest commentator. Sharmell comes out sweeping a broom, which is a nice touch. JBL claims that he has a torn knee as Booker and Hardy trade blows. Hardy clotheslines Booker over the top rope and then launches himself over the top. They have completely killed all the momentum they had with Hardy by this point. JBL distracts Hardy and Booker throws him into the steel steps. Hardy makes his comeback and hits a running bulldog for a 2 count. Booker counters out of a Twist Of Fate and hits a spinebuster. He misses the Scissors Kick and Hardy hits a Side Effect. Hardy hits a top rope leg drop, but Booker is able to kick out. Sharmell gets on the apron and JBL grabs Hardy out of the ring and hits a big clothesline. Booker hits the Scissors Kick and gets the victory. For an average length match, it felt really short. 

Match Rating: **1/4

Bob Orton asks Randy if he is really sure he is going to do this. Randy says that he's going to do it right now and he's going to do it alone. Orton makes his way out to the ring and says that at just the age of 25, he has accomplished more than most will in their lifetime. He announces that he is going to retire. He says that he will kill one last legend and that is his own. Out comes Teddy Long, who spoils his pity party by telling him that he is still under contract, so he doesn't have to wrestle. Long says that he'll sue Orton for breach of contract. Orton says he'd rather take on Long in court than Taker in Hell In A Cell. Taker's music hits and out come the druids. Taker comes out and about 37 minutes later, he's in the ring with Orton. Orton begins begging for forgiveness. A druid lifts up Taker's urn and he reveals himself to be Bob Orton. Randy attacks Taker and gives one of his more convincing attacks that I can remember. He hits the RKO, but Taker sits up. Orton grabs a chair and hits him with a big chair shot that splits him open. Orton then destroying him with multiple shots to the back and then yet another shot to the head that dents the chair. Orton starts telling Taker that he will succeed, but Taker again sits up. He grabs the urn and hits him in the head with it. Orton grabs a mic and tells Taker that he'll see him Sunday. That would have been a much better segment if it were about 75% shorter. There was no reason for the slow entrance and of course there was no reason whatsoever for Taker to take those chair shots. 

This was a pretty good go home show for the blue brand. The tag team match was the standout, although I'm still not really sure I get taking the titles off of MNM. Just the fact that they already had a title match at Armageddon shows that it was definitely a last second change. The big build for Undertaker and Orton didn't necessarily get me more excited for the match, but it didn't hurt it either. I'm looking forward to watching Armageddon for the first time in a long time. 

Overall Rating: 60%

Monday Night Raw 12-12-05 Review

Monday, December 12th, 2005
TD Northbank Garden
Boston, Massachusetts

Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2

Vince McMahon is out to kick off the show. He talks about possible replacement GMs for Raw including Stephanie and Shane. He says tonight that the interview process will begin, but there will be a GM for the night and it's himself. By the end of the night, we will know all five challengers for the Elimination Chamber after tonight. He also announces that the fans will no longer be bleeped during Angle's entrance. 

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match

Kurt Angle vs. Ric Flair

After a small burst of offense, Angle is pounding away on Flair in the corner. Angle misses with a clothesline and Flair hits a couple of chops. Angle hits a suplex, pulls the straps down and puts on the Ankle Lock. Flair gets to the ropes to break the hold. Angle misses in the corner and hits his shoulder on the ring post. Flair hits the chop block and puts on a Figure Four. Angle gets out and hits a belly-to-belly suplex. Flair avoids an Angle Slam and knocks him out of the ring. Angle grabs a chair, but Flair knocks it out of his hands. While the ref is putting the chair away, Angle pulls out his gold medal and hits Flair with it for the victory. This was pretty good for a short TV match. 

Match Rating: ** (out of 5)

Angle grabs the mic and says that next week in Afghanistan he won't be there. Daivari is now on the Titan Tron and he spits on a statue of Larry Bird. He then grabs a can of spray paint, but John Cena is there to stop him. Cena spray paints the camera and we are off to commercial. 

Edge and Lita approach Flair and mock him for losing another match. 

Shawn Michaels is getting ready for his match and in walks Shelton Benjamin holding Michaels' book. They argue about last weeks loss. Shelton says he is going to show off more of his attitude against Carlito tonight and he hopes that Michaels makes it in the Chamber as well. 

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match

Shelton Benjamin vs. Carlito

Shelton throws Carlito into the ring the hard way and stomps away in the corner. The attitude storyline for Shelton is a relatable one and an easy one for them to convey. Carlito moves out of the way from a dive, but Shelton lands on his feet and hits a clothesline. Carlito is able to throw Shelton into the ring and then throws him back in the ring. Carlito hits a Backstabber. Carlito puts on the Boston Crab...in Boston. Shelton rolls through and gets a 2 count. Shelton hits a Samoan drop and a series of clotheslines. The crowd is pretty quiet here. Shelton pulls off a sunset flip over both the referee and Carlito, but the ref is out of position as a result. Shelton hits the Exploder, but he decides not to cover him. Instead, Shelton grabs Carlito's apple and Carlito pulls off a small package for the victory. So apparently the story is now that Shelton is not smart enough to know when to stop. Got it. I don't think anyone is buying Carlito in the Chamber, but when your roster isn't deep, I guess you have no choice. 

Match Rating: *3/4

Trevor Murdoch approaches Vince backstage and he makes fun of his tobacco habit. Candice Michelle is in Vince's office and she wants a crack at the open GM position. She strips down to lingerie and then is interrupted by Angle and Daivari into a commercial break. 

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match

Big Show vs. Shawn Michaels

We get a classic big man/little man match to begin until Michaels dumps Show over the rope. Show catches Michaels' dive and drops him on the ring apron. Shows hits a big boot, but misses with the elbow drop. Show puts Michaels in a bear hug, but Michaels fights his way out of it and hits him with a knee lift. Michaels hits his running forearm, but Show is still standing. Michaels hits a couple of clotheslines, but Show grabs him by the throat. Michaels counters the chokeslam into a DDT and both men are down. Michaels hits the top rope elbow drop and hits Sweet Chin Music, but Show is still standing. He falls down to a knee and blocks Michaels' second attempt and hits a chokeslam. Triple H comes down and pulls Michaels out of the ring. He looks at the Big Show and then hits Michaels in the head with a chair, causing Michaels to win the match. This was pretty good for a five minute TV match. 

Match Rating: **

Back to Angle and McMahon. Angle is demanding a match with Cena tonight. Vince tells Angle to back off and he's not giving him a match. He says that instead he's letting Cena wrestle Daivari tonight. He says that it will be a You Can't See Me Match, which apparently means Cena will be blindfolded. Vince then says that Angle can make comments about our troops and Larry Bird, but he better not interrupt him again. Sounds about right. 

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match

Viscera vs. Chris Masters

Well, you knew there would be one match like this. Viscera hits a body slam and a big elbow drop for an early 2 count. Masters tries to body slam Viscera, but falls on his back and almost gets pinned. He tries to put on the Master Lock, but he can't get his arms around him and Viscera throws him down. He goes for another Master Lock and again it doesn't work. Viscera hits a sideslam and then a Samoan drop. Masters hits a drop toe hold on a charging Viscera into the turnbuckle. Once again, he goes back to the Master Lock and finally gets it on and that is all for Viscera. This was exactly what you would expect.

Match Rating: 1/2*

Trish goes to Mickie James' locker room to talk to Mickie about something. Mickie says she has a match against Victoria to become the #1 contender. She talks about she used to watch wrestling with her grandpappy and he took her to WrestleMania X-Seven. She makes a jab about her hooking up with Vince. She then says that she might be wrestling her at New Year's Revolution. Trish doesn't say what's on her mind and wishes Mickie an awkward good luck as Mickie heads to the ring. 

Matt Striker comes out to a chalkboard on the stage and insults the live crowd. He's here to lecture us on family values. He insults all the mothers for having children so that they can get more money from the government. He then goes on about smoking pot and tattoos and blames it on them not knowing any better. He tells us that he will be our father figure and our teacher. Striker's delivery was good here, but the stench of Attitude Era garbage could be smelled from a mile away. 

Chris Nowinski says Raw needs a Harvard educated GM. Vince ignores him and brings in Dusty Rhodes and that's the end of the segment. All righty.

#1 Contender's Match For The WWE Women's Championship

Mickie James vs. Victoria

Victoria gets right in Mickie's face and hits her with a big right hand. I can't imagine being a woman wrestler during this era and just having to completely rush through every television match you have. Victoria goes for her standing moonsault, but Mickie gets her knees up. Victoria counters a Mickarana into a Boston Crab. Mickie hits a tornado DDT and gets the victory. They worked hard, but this was just way too short to tell any sort of story. 

Match Rating: 1/2*

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match

Triple H vs. Kane

I feel like I need to address how terrible Kane's entrance music is. Over the years, I continue to see people praise the song and I just can't emphasize how much I can't stand it. The original is very good, it  did not need some nu-metal wannabe singer to lay down vocals. Kane sends Triple H up and over the corner turnbuckle and to the floor. Kane hits a couple of clotheslines in opposite corners and Triple H rolls out of the ring as Kane tries to go up top. Kane meets him there and drops him on the barricade. Kane hits the top rope clothesline and signals for the chokeslam. Once again, Triple H goes out of the ring and Kane throws him back in. Triple H hits a knee to the face, but Kane counters his Pedigree attempt. Triple H ducks a Kane big boot and he accidentally hits referee Chad Patton. Triple H hits a DDT and grabs the sledgehammer from under the ring. Naturally, here comes Kane's tag team partner Big Show. The distraction allows them to hit a double chokeslam and Kane is the sixth competitor in the Elimination Chamber. These two never had good chemistry and this was another example of it. 

Match Rating: 3/4*

You Can't See Me Match

Daivari vs. John Cena

So Cena gets the Jake Roberts blindfold and he clearly was watching WrestleMania VII once he got his assignment here. Daivari messes with him getting Cena to chase him around the ring. Cena finally gets a left hand, but then almost accidentally knocks out Mike Chioda. He starts with the finger pointing. Daivari tricks Cena and moves out of the way so that Angle can him with a fist to the midsection. Cena gets Daivari on the ground and puts on the STFU for the quick victory. Not that Daivari was ever put anywhere near Cena's level, him losing to a blindfolded competitor in just a few minutes isn't really good for anyone. After the match Cena fights off Angle and then hits a FU on Angle. This wasn't really even mildly entertaining. 

Match Rating: 1/4*

I enjoy when we have focused episodes like this one. I really enjoyed the first hour, but the last 30 minutes or so really fell off a cliff for me. The roster depth on Raw is starting to become a little bit of an issue and it was made evident when you had Chris Masters defeat Viscera for his spot in the Chamber. The show is in need of some new talent soon to help freshen it up a little. With all that being said, I would say this one falls under slightly better than average. 

Overall Rating: 58%

NXT 9-25-13 Review

Original Airdate: Wednesday, September 25th, 2013
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida

Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2

Tyler Breeze approaches Brad Maddox and before he can get his idea out, CJ Parker interrupts. They want to be in the tag team turmoil match. Since they don't have partners, Maddox decides to make them a tag team tonight.

Tag Team Turmoil Match To Determine The #1 Contenders

Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady vs. Tyler Breeze & CJ Parker vs. Scott Dawson & Alexander Rusev vs. The Ascension

Parker and Enzo kicks things off. They wrestle for a few moments and Breeze wants to get in. Enzo tags in Cass and he hits one move on Parker and that gets the pinfall? Next up are Dawson and Rusev. Rusev hits a Samoan drop on Enzo to turn the tide. Dawson then hits a big spinebuster, but Enzo rolls him up after and get another victory. After the match, Rusev attacks Enzo and splashes him in the corner. The lights go down and out come The Ascension.. The Ascension take advantage, hit their finisher after a minute of domination and just win? This was so rushed that it wasn't even worth recapping. I'm pretty sure there was more time spent on entrances than on ring action. 

Match Rating: * (out of 5)

Bayley vs. Sasha Banks

It's amazing how much more involved the crowd is now that there are actual characters on the show. It's amazing that 7 years later these two will be facing off in a Hell In A Cell match. Renee Young is also joining the announce team for the first time ever here. Sasha catches Bayley's legs in the corner and slams her face-first into the mat. Bayley avoids a splash in the corner and hits a Bayley-to-belly suplex, but Sasha kicks out. Sasha makes a comeback and snaps Bayley's neck on the ropes and then hits a reverse neckbreaker for the victory. That was way too short, but this was really good for the amount of time it was given. Summer Rae gets on the mic after and says that Fandango will be here next week and I think this is the first time Sasha is referred to as The Boss. Out comes Emma and both Sasha and Summer retreat. 

Match Rating: **1/4

Aiden English vs. Bull Dempsey

English starts off aggressively and then hits his leg drop. English then hits his Rock Bottom-esque finisher and gets the victory. The crowd wants an encore and he gives it to us. Man, do I miss Rusev and English together. What an absolute disaster of a move by WWE to decide to do nothing with them. 

Match Rating: 1/4*

Renee Young interviews Summer Rae. She says that her and Fandango will take on Emma and a partner of her choice. 

El Local vs. Sami Zayn

Zayn hits a hurricanrana for a 2 count and it can't be said enough how much the crowd loves Zayn. After a little bit of offense from Local, Zayn hits a drop kick and a Helluva Kick and gets the easy victory. Another quick, but spirited match. Out comes Bo Dallas to congratulate Zayn. Bo says that he is now healed and ready to put his title on the line. Next week we will have the Bo Dallas Invitational. Zayn says that he would like to be the first one to enter it, but Zayn said he didn't finish his sentence. Everyone is able to compete except for Zayn. 

Match Rating: 3/4*

We go back to Brad Maddox and in walks Kassius Ohno. Maddox calls him a D+ player. Ohno threatens to punch him in the face, so Maddox says he'll give Ohno a match against one of the members of the Wyatt Family. 

Triple H is here and hypes up the roster of NXT. Triple H announces that Dusty Rhodes has to step down temporarily of his GM spot and that JBL is the interim GM. He makes fun of Dusty and that's our show for this week. 

This was a strangely enjoyable show. There was nothing of note, but the show featured a bunch of characters you can get behind and everything is just starting to click. Sami Zayn remains the biggest star of them all, but people are becoming invested in the product for the first time in over a year of the brand's existence. 

Overall Rating: 68%