IMG Credit: WWE

Smackdown
Date: July 31, 2018
Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton

Most of the blue half of Summerslam is either set up or you can tell where things are going. We still need to get the confirmation of Miz vs. Daniel Bryan and some #1 contenders for the Bludgeon Brothers. You can probably guess where things are going but it’s nice to have things made official. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Renee Young brings out Becky Lynch for a chat. Becky knew she would get back to the top of the mountain if she kept fighting. She hasn’t had a title match since Wrestlemania XXXIII nearly a year and a half ago. Now she’s back and just has to beat Carmella again to become Smackdown Women’s Champion again. Becky wants to go into Evolution as the champion but here’s Carmella to interrupt.

Carmella admits that she lost fair and square last week and that scares her. Becky has worked her way to the top and has been there to mentor Carmella every step of the way. She was the first woman to be drafted to Smackdown and Carmella was literally the last person drafted. With some tears in her eyes, Carmella talks about having to block out all the haters who say she’s not worthy of the title.

Now she’s getting to go into the biggest match of her career against her idol and they’re going to kill it. We’ll ignore why Carmella would want to have a great match rather than successfully defend her title but here’s James Ellsworth’s music. The distraction lets Carmella jump Becky from behind (as you knew was coming) and load up a chair. Cue the returning Charlotte for the save.

The Usos are in a dark room and quote Rock (that’s two Rock references in two nights) but one cuts the other off before he can swear.

Carmella comes in to rant to Paige about what happened and says Paige will never be champion again. Paige makes Carmella vs. Charlotte for tonight and if Charlotte wins, it’s a triple threat at Summerslam.

Tag Team Title Tournament First Round: Usos vs. The Bar

Hang on though as New Day comes out to sit at a table full of cereal and pancakes. Sheamus and Jimmy start and we take a break before anything can happen. Back with Cesaro holding Jey in a chinlock as New Day is doing their own commentary. A double clothesline sets up a knee drop and it’s off to an armbar from Sheamus. Jey fights up as Big E. eats cereal and leads the cheers.

Sheamus goes shoulder first into the post and the hot tag brings in Jimmy. House is cleaned and a high crossbody gets two but Cesaro sends Jimmy into the post as we take another break. Back again with Jimmy hitting a Whisper in the Wind on Cesaro but not being able to follow up. The superkick into the Superfly Splash gets two with Cesaro making a save, sending New Day into hysterics. Cesaro breaks up half of the Double Us and the second Superfly Splash hits knees, giving Sheamus the pin at 15:05.

Rating: C+. Ignoring the fact that half of the match was spent in commercials, this was a rather good return for the Bar. I see no reason why they had to be off TV for so many months but at least they’re back and winning again. The division doesn’t have the depth to leave a team (or teams) on the shelf for weeks at a time but at least we should get a nice match next week.

Post match New Day comes in for the staredown but the Bar bails.

Charlotte is very happy that Carmella’s big mouth has gotten her this opportunity. She doesn’t care about what has happened between the two of them before because things can change.

We look back at Samoa Joe attacking AJ Styles last week.

Here’s Samoa Joe with a message to AJ. He puts a stool in the ring and talks about how much he respects what AJ has done for the title, making it the most prestigious in WWE (the fans gasped a bit on that). AJ has put the title in front of what he wants and even in front of his own family. Last week AJ came out here and told a story about being able to talk to his daughter about being anything she wants to be.

The truth is that AJ is barely home long enough to hug his child, let alone look her in the eye. AJ is more comfortable living out of a suitcase than being at home with his family. He’s a great champion, even though he’s a failure as a father. Come Summerslam, AJ’s family will be cheering for Joe because it means they’ll have daddy back but Joe will be WWE Champion. This was more great stuff and as usual, it’s not about what Joe is saying but rather the intensity with which he says it. In a word, Joe comes off as real and that’s something most people can’t do in wrestling anymore.

Nakamura leaves and Orton loads up the RKO but sweeps both legs instead. The Orton Stomp returns and still looks stupid so Orton switches to regular stomping instead. Orton hits the hanging DDT off the apron and puts Jeff on the announcers’ table for some right hands. He rips off Jeff’s necklace and pours water on Jeff’s unconscious face so he can scrub the paint off with a cloth. Orton: “Enigma erased.” They’re making me want to see more of Orton and I could very easily picture him taking the title from AJ at this rate.

Becky isn’t thrilled with Charlotte possibly being added to the match but she knows she can defeat Carmella one on one. She’ll never root against her best friend.

Lana vs. Zelina Vega

Fallout from last week’s brawl between the two. Vega does Almas’ pose on the mat so Lana does a handstand as we have a pose off. Lana shoves her outside and we take an early break. Back with Vega holding her in a dragon sleeper (at least it’s something different) and getting two off the running knees in the corner. Lana gets in a kick to the ribs and a neckbreaker, followed by some dancing. Her own running knees to Vega’s back get two but Almas offers a distraction. Cue Aiden English to pull Almas down but Vega rolls her up for the pin at 6:00.

Rating: D. Somehow, this is a major improvement for Lana, who can now at least get through a short match. It helps a lot to have Vega around in case you need someone to work a match, even though she’s that much better as a manager. Neither of them are going to be pushed for what they can do in the ring but being able to do this well is at least acceptable.

The Bludgeon Brothers still don’t care who wins the tournament because no one can escape the bludgeoning.

Aiden begs Lana’s forgiveness but leaves before Rusev arrives. I’m not sure why as Aiden was trying to help. Rusev comes in and says that wouldn’t have happened if he was out there. Lana is mad at him too and says she needed him.

Here’s Daniel Bryan to plug Evolution (this is why I wanted to wait for after Summerslam, as Evolution is getting almost as much if not more attention) because it makes him think of his wife Brie Bella. Brie was in the ring when the Give Divas A Chance campaign started. The two of them have fought for respect for years now but every time they’ve taken a step forward, it’s been two steps back.

We see a clip from last week of Miz throwing the fake baby at Bryan and beating him down. That bothers him because Miz taunted him for two years while hiding behind the wall of Bryan’s injury. But then Bryan was cleared and Miz had to find a new way to hide. Last week Maryse and the baby were the new wall because Miz knows he would get destroyed in a fight.

Miz pops up on screen with security around him. He doesn’t want to hear this from Bryan because we’re not in the indies. If Bryan wants to fight, call Miz’s agent because he’s on the set of Miz and Mrs. right now. Bryan calls him a coward again so Miz brings up the Talking Smack segment from 2016. This right here, the eternal conflict, is all Bryan wants because it’s what furthers Bryan’s career. It took Bryan ten years of fighting on the indies to get noticed but Miz just yelled at Bryan for five minutes and got famous.

Bryan says that’s the difference between the two of them: Bryan is in this for the passion and Miz just wants fame. It’s been done before and better, but Miz is never going to be the Rock or John Cena. If Miz needs a big stage, come fight Bryan at Summerslam. Miz laughs it off and says the YES Movement is dead because everyone has moved on. No one wants to hear from Bryan because all the fans see when they look at him is this, and the screen is filled with pictures of crying babies. More great stuff from these two as there’s a natural chemistry there and I’m fine with waiting on the match announcement, as it’s not like it’s a secret.

Charlotte vs. Carmella

Non-title but if Charlotte wins, the title match at Summerslam is a triple threat. Before the match, Carmella says her fashion sense is just as flawless as her wrestling abilities. Charlotte may not want to admit it but Becky is rooting against her. Carmella moon walks away to start so Charlotte shoulders her down and says all night baby.

A t-bone suplex into a nipup puts Carmella on the floor but Charlotte misses the slingshot dive. Carmella sends her into the barricade and we take a break. Back with Charlotte missing a moonsault and getting sent outside so Carmella can stomp away. Carmella takes her down with a chinlock and things slow a bit.

Charlotte fights up and hits a big boot before sending Carmella outside for a moonsault off the barricade. Natural Selection gives Charlotte two but the Figure Eight attempt is broken up. Carmella’s superkick gets two and she can’t believe all these kickouts. For some reason Carmella tries the Figure Four but gets reversed into the Figure Eight for the tap at 12:46.

Rating: C-. You know, I really could go for something other than putting two challengers over the champ to set up a title match. Granted I could also go for the lack of triple threat matches. It’s cool that Charlotte is back and there’s nothing wrong with putting her right into the title scene, but egads I’m over the triple threat title matches, especially if Carmella retains and we go on to Becky vs. Carmella one on one like we could have had in the first place.

Becky is upset in the back to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. The wrestling, while not exactly prolific, did what it was supposed to do but the show’s strength was in its promos. The talking advanced the big stories and I’m sure Miz vs. Bryan will be confirmed soon. AJ vs. Joe has some serious potential and I’m intrigued by where Orton/Hardy/Nakamura is going. They were doing stuff without having a ton of wrestling tonight and that’s ok, especially this close to a major show.

Results

The Bar b. Usos – Small package to Jey

Zelina Vega b. Lana – Rollup

Charlotte b. Carmella – Figure Eight

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

Monday Night Raw
Date: July 30, 2018
Location: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Jonathan Coachman

You can tell it’s a big night around here as Brock Lesnar is actually gracing us with his presence for the first time in three months. Now a lot of people would find that to be a really bad idea but it’s been the case for a long time in WWE. Just to make it work even better, he’ll be confronting Roman Reigns. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

In memory of Nikolai Volkoff and Brian Christopher.

We open with a recap of Reigns beating Bobby Lashley last week to become #1 contender.

Lesnar is here. The fact that that is newsworthy tells you a lot about WWE today.

Here’s Reigns in the arena to a mixed reaction. He thanks the fans in Miami for always having a special energy that you don’t get everywhere else. Reigns thanks Lashley for last week because that was a heck of a fight and he respects Lashley for it. He doesn’t respect Lesnar though because Lesnar doesn’t have time to show up here like he does in the UFC. Lesnar is coming to Summerslam and Reigns is going to hit him in the mouth.

This brings out Paul Heyman, to talk about the definition of insanity being trying the same thing over and over again and expecting the same result. If that’s true, Reigns should be in a padded room somewhere. This week’s spoiler: Heyman is going to put Reigns down and then become a two sport champion.

Reigns: “Just shut up Paul.” He wants Lesnar out here right now but Heyman says Lesnar will be out here if and when he feels like it. Lesnar will be at Summerslam but Reigns cuts him off, saying if Lesnar shows up he’ll be sent back to the UFC as Reigns’ b****. Cole says the show is in three weeks, annoying me as usual. It’s twenty days, not three weeks.

Brock is in the back reading Backwoodsman Magazine when Heyman comes in. He doesn’t watch the show so he didn’t hear what Reigns said. Heyman recorded Reigns’ statements but Lesnar throws the phone against the wall and continues reading. I hope Heyman bills him for that.

Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin

Yes this is still going. Corbin powers him into the corner to start and shoulders Balor down as it’s one sided to start. A middle rope dropkick gets Balor out of trouble as we’re firmly in power vs. speed here. Corbin clotheslines the heck out of him though and we take a break. Back with Corbin grabbing a chinlock and shaking the heck out of Balor.

That’s broken up but Corbin does his slide underneath the ropes for the clothesline back inside. The slow beating continues (makes sense as Corbin doesn’t see Balor as a threat) and it’s off to a chinlock. One heck of a right hand drops Balor again and a weak CORBIN SUCKS chant starts up. Balor sweeps the leg and hits a double stomp, followed by an enziguri to put Corbin on the floor. The big flip dive drops him again and we take a second break.

Back again with Balor holding a chinlock, just in case you didn’t get the point the first time. The chokeslam is countered into a rollup and the Sling Blade rocks Corbin. Balor’s shotgun dropkick gets caught in a chokebreaker and Corbin hammers away, showing his first anger and aggression over eighteen minutes in. A very spinny Deep Six gets two and Balor rolls to the floor where he hits the shotgun dropkick against the ropes. Back in and the Coup de Grace misses, setting up the End of Days to give Corbin the pin at 20:14(!).

Rating: C-. This match was a great example of a lot of the problems in WWE. This was a rematch from Extreme Rules where Corbin got overconfident and lost. Therefore, Corbin, whose entire issue in this feud has been that he doesn’t think anything of Balor, should have been taking this more seriously and being extra aggressive. That happened for about thirty seconds of the match with Corbin acting like everything was normal. They acted as if the Extreme Rules match, as in the PAY PER VIEW match (which went 8:20, or less than half the length of this), didn’t change anything. If it doesn’t matter, why should I watch?

Kurt Angle yells at Heyman about Lesnar not appearing in front of the live crowd. If Angle wants to fix things, he can go do it himself. That’s not cool with Angle, who threatens to fire Heyman if Lesnar doesn’t go to the ring at some point.

Long video on the Evolution announcement last week. My goodness please don’t let them do this for three months.

Alexa Bliss comes up to Alicia Fox in the back and wants her to take tonight’s match against Natalya seriously. Ronda Rousey’s suspension is done and she’s going to be in Natalya’s corner tonight. Fox needs to worry about Natalya and Natalya alone but Fox has this. Tonight, she’s going to make Natalya’s cat say meow.

Alicia Fox vs. Natalya

Bliss and Rousey are the seconds. Natalya goes aggressive to start and tries an early Sharpshooter but Fox gets to the floor and pulls Natalya into the ring skirt. After beating the heck out of a tied up Natalya, Fox grabs the chinlock inside. That goes as long as you might expect but an abdominal stretch lasts a lot longer. Fox even one ups it by jumping up and wrapping her legs around Natalya’s waist (that’s a new one). The bridging northern lights suplex gets two and Fox goes after Rousey, allowing Bliss to get in a cheap shot. Fox’s running big boot is good for the pin at 5:05.

Rating: D+. There’s something likable about Fox and it’s good to have her back. If nothing else another person on the roster lets you keep some matches fresh instead of burning through the same ones over and over again. The match was more storyline than wrestling but Fox looked better than she did in most of her pre-injury matches.

Post match Rousey goes after Fox and hits the spinning Samoan drop. The numbers get the better of her for a bit but the villains get chased off.

Heyman is trying to get Lesnar (now reading American Frontiersman) to go to the arena but the offer of a hero’s welcome doesn’t do much for Brock. Lesnar says Heyman is getting under his skin so go get him a steak (medium well), baked potato and steamed broccoli. Make that medium rare and you have a heck of a meal.

Rousey is furious and wants a match before Summerslam or she’ll get suspended again. Angle gives her Fox next week.

Here’s Elias for a song. After a little guitar, Elias puts over his album and says he could have gone even higher on the charts but he was interrupted by Bobby Lashley. The fans start to cheer but Elias doesn’t want to hear from people who worship musicians like Pitbull and actors like the Rock. That brings on a ROCKY chant and Elias isn’t happy.

Elias has a song about how much he can’t stand the Rock but here’s Lashley to interrupt. That’s fine with Elias, because Lashley must want to sing with him. Elias starts playing Rockin’ Robin and Lashley joins in. Shockingly enough he can’t sing and Elias beats him down. A belly to belly sends Elias flying in short order.

Kevin Owens approves of what Corbin did and says Corbin is his son’s new favorite wrestler. Owens is concerned about the Lesnar situation because Brock is insulting Stephanie McMahon’s authority. If Brock goes out there, Strowman could cash in the briefcase before Owens has a chance to win it in the match Stephanie made. Corbin says that’s not his problem and Braun can cash in anytime.

We look back at Braun Strowman destroying Jinder Mahal last week.

Braun Strowman vs. Jinder Mahal

Jinder’s shanti is cut off by a GET THESE HANDS chant and a shove into the corner. Cue Kevin Owens to grab the briefcase and the chase is on with Strowman getting the case back and chasing Owens up the ramp for the countout at 1:36.

Strowman comes back and chases Mahal off.

Corbin brings Angle the phone so he can talk to Stephanie. She has an idea, even though Angle thinks the fans will be disappointed. Stephanie doesn’t care because we need to protect the main event of Summerslam.

A bunch of midcarders are in the locker room when Mojo Rawley comes in. He calls all of them out for not believing in his, just like everyone else he’s run down. Bobby Roode comes in with a slow clap so Mojo asks if he’s about to be catchphrased into submission. The fight is on with agents and referees coming in to break it up while the wrestlers want more brawling.

Apollo Crews vs. Akam

Before the match, the Authors promise to destroy everyone. Akam powers him down and puts n a very early cobra clutch. Crews fight up with a series of kicks to the head and the standing moonsault for two. The toss powerbomb doesn’t work but Akam misses a charge into the corner and gets rolled up for the pin at 2:57.

Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre

Dolph Ziggler is in Drew’s corner. The announcers are pushing the nickname Scottish Terminator for McIntyre. An early suplex muscles Rollins up and McIntyre sends him outside. A catapult sends Rollins throat first into the metal ring structure and we take a break. Back with Rollins hitting back to back to back suicide dives to send McIntyre into the barricade. I know McIntyre is called the Terminator but Rollins seems to have a throat of steel.

McIntyre is fine enough to get two off a spinebuster but a powerbomb is countered into a hurricanrana. Rollins superkicks him and McIntyre wants another, so Seth grants the request. It’s not enough to keep McIntyre down for the frog splash and super White Noise gives McIntyre two. If you’re going to use a move like that, it should be a pin. Rollins gets out of the Alabama Slam and hits the Stomp, drawing in Ziggler for the DQ at 9:22.

Rating: B-. Well they got the ending right, and that’s what matters here. McIntyre is getting better and better and the fact that they’re protecting him means a lot. As usual though, these matches just make you wonder why it’s not McIntyre as champion with Ziggler as his lackey. That being said, the throat into the steel and the super White Noise should have been much bigger deals than they were, but here they’re just spots in a ten minute match on Raw.

We recap Brock won’t come out and play.

Angle comes in to tell Reigns that since Lesnar will be in the arena tonight, Reigns needs to leave the building on Stephanie’s orders. Reigns asks when this is going to end because Angle isn’t a yes man. Corbin brings in security to escort Reigns from the building so Reigns pops him in the jaw.

Here’s the B Team for a chat. Charly Caruso asks about their change over the summer and the success it has brought them. Dallas: “Well Charles, the B in B Team stands for dream!” They’ve gotten the support from the B Teamers (dang it I like that) but the Deleters of Worlds don’t think much of them.

Here they are behind the champs with Matt Hardy saying this success is a cosmic anomaly. Bray talks about how dreams are fleeting but nightmares are real. They will never stop haunting the B Team but here’s the Revival to interrupt. Dawson says they’re the top of the division and a brawl breaks out with the Revival being cleared out in short order.

Matt Hardy/Bray Wyatt vs. Revival

Joined in progress with the B Team on commentary and Bray doing the spider walk to Wilder. Matt comes in and gets pulled into a Boston crab with Dawson dropping a bunch of legs. The champs talk about not sleeping since winning the titles, what the B stands for, and not being scared of the Revival. Revival takes turns on the commentary as Dallas expresses his disdain for fists and flips.

A Side Effect gets Matt out of trouble and it’s off to Bray vs. Wilder again. Bray’s body block takes him down and we get what sounds like a CM PUNK chant. Dawson dropkicks Bray and everything breaks down with Matt and Dawson fighting to the floor. Now it’s a RUSEV DAY chant as Wilder slips out of Sister Abigail. The Shatter Machine ends Bray at 5:54.

Rating: D+. It’s great to see the Revival win, even though I fully expect it to be a triple threat at Summerslam because we just had to have the rematch last week with Matt and Bray losing again. The thing is we’ve established that winning and losing mean nothing around here so it’s not that big of a shock.

Rollins talks about tired of getting jumped 2-1 when he’s jumped 2-1.

Riott Squad vs. Bayley/Sasha Banks

Sasha and Bayley now have matching jackets and want to be called the Boss and Hug Connection. No. Logan starts with an armbar on Bayley, who easily spins her down for a break. Banks comes in for the running Meteora and we hit the armbar. The announcers manage to stop talking about Reigns and Lesnar to talk about Evolution as Bayley hits a running knee in the corner.

Banks adds a Meteora on the apron and we take a break. Back with Banks in a chinlock until Morgan comes in for a chinlock of her own. What a versatile team. Banks gets up and throws her down for the hot tag to Bayley. A running knee to Morgan’s head has her in trouble and there’s the running elbow in the corner. Bayley hurricanranas Morgan down for a top rope Meteora (third of the match) from Banks. Bayley comes in off a blind tag and a Backstabber into the Bayley to Belly finishes Morgan at 8:48.

Rating: C-. I’m sick of Meteoras and I’m not sure what they’re doing with this Bayley/Banks story. It seems that they’re already dropping the Banks loves Bayley thing, or at least they’re not mentioning it at the moment. In a way that’s a relief but in another way it’s annoying because that was actually interesting after months of the same “they’re friends/they hate each other” stuff. I hope we get somewhere by Summerslam, because as much as I like both of them, I don’t know how much longer I can take this story running on a treadmill.

Heyman begs Lesnar to go out there so they can go be at a private steakhouse in 25 minutes. Lesnar’s pay has been confirmed so he doesn’t seem interested. Heyman finally explains the situation and asks him to do it as a friend. Lesnar grabs him by the jacket and says they’re not friends but just business associates. Therefore, Heyman needs to go out there and do his job.

Here are Angle and Corbin to address Heyman and Lesnar. Heyman does come out with no energy, knowing what’s about to happen. The fans greet him with the Goodbye Song and Heyman says Lesnar isn’t coming out here tonight. That sends Angle over the edge into a rant about what a champion does, like doing charity work, reaching out to the community, and DEFENDING THE TITLE. Angle: “BROCK LESNAR MUST BE THE WORST UNIVERSAL CHAMPION OF ALL TIME!” Fans: “YES!!!”

Heyman actually agrees and says he tried to rehabilitate Lesnar because he’s one of the few people Lesnar tolerates. Kurt doesn’t buy it but Heyman says take this out on Lesnar because Brock doesn’t respect anyone. However, Heyman thinks the world of Angle and would like to have a better working relationship with him. Angle fires him anyway, sending Heyman diving to Angle’s leg.

Cue Lesnar to give Heyman the greatest relief of his life. Lesnar finally gets in and hands the belt to Heyman before grabbing a mic. That’s rarely a good idea. He asks if Angle and Corbin have a problem with him….and there’s an F5 to Angle before a word is said. Corbin immediately leaves and Heyman slaps Brock on the back. Brock grabs him by the face and makes Heyman look at Angle. The fans want Strowman (or maybe Roman) but get Brock leaving to end the show. So yeah, that’s it and no, this isn’t going to get the result that the company wants, especially in New York.

Overall Rating: D+. They tried, but this didn’t get where it needed to go. The Lesnar story dominated the night and really, it might have been better if he just didn’t show up until Summerslam. I understand the idea of Lesnar hating the fans and the company but that’s not exactly fresh information. Lesnar’s character hasn’t been the problem. As usual the problem is Reigns, and tonight didn’t do anything to make me want to see him conquer Lesnar. Until that changes, Summerslam is another version of what hasn’t worked before.

Other than that, Evolution continues to loom over the women’s division, Ziggler continues to make you wonder why he’s in the spot he’s occupying, Strowman continues to have nothing to do because we’re waiting on Roman and Money in the Bank has to exists and Balor loses to Corbin because….well you have to validate Corbin’s role somehow. It just seems like everything is on Reigns vs. Lesnar, which didn’t work the first time and isn’t likely to work here. With that dominating the show, there’s not much the rest of the people involved can do, especially when the stories aren’t great in the first place.

Results

Baron Corbin b. Finn Balor – End of Days

Alicia Fox b. Natalya – Big boot

Jinder Mahal b. Braun Strowman via countout

Apollo Crews b. Akam – Rollup

Seth Rollins b. Drew McIntyre via DQ when Dolph Ziggler interfered

Revival b. Matt Hardy/Bray Wyatt – Shatter Machine to Wyatt

Bayley/Sasha Banks b. Riott Squad – Bayley to Belly to Morgan

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Lucha Underground

Lucha Underground
Date: July 25, 2018
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Los Angeles, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

We haven’t had enough insanity around here in a while so let’s have a six way match for the Gift of the Gods Title. That’s the big story tonight but you never know what we might be getting in the process. Other than that there’s the continuing issues between Cage and Lucha Underground Champion Pentagon Dark. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening recap looks at Antonio Cueto and Matanza, Jake Strong and the Gift of the Gods Title picture.

Good news: Famous B.’s leg has been saved.

Jake Strong vs. Sammy Guevara

Sammy is fighting for revenge after Jake injured B.’s leg. Strong wrestles him down to start and sends Sammy flying off a German suplex. The Vader Bomb crushes Sammy again but he crossbodies Strong outside. That’s it for his offense as Strong throws him through the chairs (those things always take a beating) so Sammy climbs into a balcony. The huge dive takes Strong down again in a move that I really wouldn’t have expected in a match like this. Some kicks to the head have Strong in trouble but he pulls a springboard out of the air into the Strong Lock for the tap at 4:00.

Rating: C. Sammy actually got in some offense here, which was rather surprising given how this started. The interesting thing here, aside from Strong being pushed like a monster (as he should be), is how Lucha Underground manages to get in a huge spot in what appeared to be a squash. The thing is it fits around here, which is part of the promotion’s identity. That’s so important and something that almost no promotion manages to get right.

Vinnie Massaro is in the ring when Antonio comes up on the platform. He thought about firing Massaro but instead is going to….have a pizza delivered to him? Massaro: “IT’S PINEAPPLE!!!” Well that confirms Cueto’s heel status. That’s his last meal though, because it’s time for a sacrifice.

Matanza vs. Vinnie Massaro

Massaro slaps him in the mask and runs the ropes, eventually stopping due to bad conditioning. The Wrath of the Gods onto the disgusting mess called a pizza is good for the pin at 1:10.

The delivery guy goes for Massaro’s wallet so Matanza lays him out too. Both guys vanish.

Gift of the Gods Title: The Mack vs. Dragon Azteca Jr. vs. Ivelisse vs. King Cuerno vs. Dezmond X vs. Son of Havoc

Actually hang on (this is getting annoying) as Antonio says we’re going to have a six person tag. The winners of that will fight for the title.

Son of Havoc/Ivelisse/The Mack vs. Dezmond X/Dragon Azteca Jr./King Cuerno

Mack gets kicked in the head after just a few seconds but he kicks Dezmond right back. A double clothesline takes down Dezmond and Dragon as Killshot is watching from the rafters. Havoc comes in and hits Dezmond in the jaw but the fans’ request of Ivelisse is granted in short order. Cuerno breaks up a Black Widow with a kick to the back, allowing Dragon to hit a side slam.

Some shots to the ribs and face have Ivelisse in trouble until she sends Dragon into the corner. That’s enough for the hot tag to Mack so house can be cleaned. A superkick knocks Dragon off the apron and Mack hits a heck of a dive. Havoc tops them with a big handspring flip dive but the shooting star misses with Havoc rolling through to avoid a crash. Cuerno hits a very quick Thrill of the Hunt for the pin at 6:15.

Rating: D+. That ending really did feel like it was out of nowhere and came off like they were having to go home in a hurry. It was weird to see Ivelisse taking the heat like that as you only see women getting beaten up by men like this in Lucha Underground and even then it’s a rarity. Not a bad match, just an abrupt ending.

Post match here’s Mil Muertes to beat up the losers. Killshot comes in for a save and gets punched in the face.

Gift of the Gods Title: Dezmond X vs. Dragon Azteca Jr. vs. King Cuerno

Cuerno pops Dragon in the face for two to start and hits a super hurricanrana on Dezmond, who lands on Azteca for two of his own. Dezmond punches away at Cuerno and sends them both into the corner for a running elbow. A springboard armdrag (kind of more work than it’s worth) sets up a kick to the head for two on Dezmond.

Both Dezmond and Dragon head outside, meaning it’s time for a big Cuerno suicide dive. Back in and Cuerno breaks up a sunset flip on Dezmond, who hits his moonsault kick to the head for a much closer two on Dragon. Just to show off, Cuerno gets Dragon in a leglock and a full nelson on Dezmond at the same time.

That doesn’t last long (well duh) so it’s Dragon’s turn to clean house with some dropkicks. A hurricanrana on the floor doesn’t do much to Cuerno, who throws Dragon into the announcers’ table. Another whip sends him over the chairs but Dezmond is right back with a HUGE flip dive to take the other two down. Back in and Dezmond’s Final Flash misses but Dragon runs the corner for a super victory roll and the pin at 11:29.

Rating: C+. Pretty run of the mill Lucha Underground insanity here and that’s a cool thing to see. Cuerno was the star of the match here and gets to look good while Dragon gets the title. Dezmond can do a lot of cool flips and stuff, but that’s not the biggest selling point in the world when the promotion is at least partially built around the idea of flips and dives.

Marty the Moth is in pain in an office when Mariposa comes in to pour water on his face. She wants him to focus on winning the Lucha Underground Title because he’s destined for greatness.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

…..egads man.  I mean egads.  Christopher was 46, Volkoff was 70 and Brown was 57.  That’s one of the worst days I can remember in wrestling and there’s nothing good to be said about any of them.  Volkoff is a legend, Christopher was a popular star in one of the best eras ever and Brown was a very talented guy in the territories.  I usually say I never have any idea what to say about these things but three at once is too much to comprehend.

IMG Credit: Ring of Honor Wrestling

Ring of Honor
Date: July 25, 2018
Location: EagleBank Arena, Fairfax, Virginia
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana

It’s FINALLY time for something fresh and egads it’s taken long enough to get here. Tonight is a big show with a major event taking place, as announced about a month ago on Ring of Honor’s website. That should be a big deal and something worth seeing, which is more than I can say for a lot of what has been going on as of late. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with the stills package from Best in the World. You know, the show from June 29.

Opening sequence.

Here’s Jay Lethal for the opening chat. Lethal was on a mission to avenge each of his losses (though there weren’t many in the first place) so he could be back to the top of his game. Now it’s time to go after the World Title again, so he wants his name in the hat. He wants Dalton Castle out here right now but here’s Matt Taven instead. Taven doesn’t want to hear about Lethal getting another title shot because in his six years here, Taven has received two title shots, both of which have ended in interference. He doesn’t want to hear about this injury anymore so it’s time for Lethal to get in line behind the King.

Now it’s Cody (with Bernard) to interrupt as well. Cody agrees that they’re in line, but they’re in line behind him. That means it’s Castle time and he can’t believe this many people want what he has. Castle feels like he’s been run over by a herd of wildebeests but he’s up for a four way TONIGHT. Well that’s hitting the ground running.

Post break, the match is officially made.

Women of Honor Title: Sumie Sakai vs. Hazuki

Hazuki is challenging and has her Oedo Tai stable mates with her. Sakai starts with the Mongolian chops and gets tossed into the corner with no effort. The announcers make a big deal out of Hazuki being just 20 years old, which is quite the point worth bragging about. A facewash sends Sakai outside and Hazuki hits a middle rope backsplash to a standing champion as we take a break.

Back with Sakai getting rolled up for two but slugging Hazuki in the face to take over. A full nelson slam and another backsplash (this time with Sakai down) give Hazuki two. Sakai is right back with a running dropkick and a missile dropkick to send Hazuki to the floor. That means a big dive onto all three but Hazuki catches her with a Codebreaker off the top for a very close two. The rest of the team fails at interfering and it’s Smash Mouth to retain at 9:55.

Rating: C+. It’s not a good sign when you need to bring in this many people to even have a division, or when a 20 year old showed up your first champion this badly. Sakai has no spark to anything she does and I still have no connection to her, even after the whole tournament. Hazuki came off like a star with a better offense and charisma, but we’re still getting Sakai no matter what logic may dictate.

Marty Scurll is telling someone where to put the powder for his match when ace reporter Gregory Helms comes in. Scurll doesn’t want to hear it (Helms: “Ok Mr. Cobblepot.”) and breaks Helms’ fingers.

ROH World Title: Cody vs. Matt Taven vs. Jay Lethal vs. Dalton Castle

Castle is defending and it’s one fall to a finish, even though the match is called a Survival Match. I get what they’re going for and it’s not terrible by any means but I’ve never liked that name for a one fall match. Castle is also very banged up but has the Boys with him to counter Cody’s seconds in Brandi and Bernard. Taven and Castle go straight to the floor so Lethal can dropkick Cody back inside.

Back in and Taven misses a missile dropkick but backdrops Letha to the apron for a springboard kick to the head. The Disaster Kick puts Taven on the floor as Castle gets back in for a running clothesline to put Cody on the floor. There’s the Peacock strut but Lethal comes back in to clear things out. Two suicide dives per opponent has Lethal in full control and we actually don’t take a break. Bernard even takes one of his own so Castle gets back inside where Brandi tosses him something.

That’s just a ruse though so a low blow can take Taven down, meaning it’s a showdown with Cody vs. Castle. The American Deathlock works on Castle’s bad knee so Lethal goes up for the save. Taven breaks it up and does the frog splash for a save instead, which fits him perfectly. Back from a break with Lethal hitting a DDT on Cody and a Downward Spiral for two on Castle. The Figure Four goes on Castle with Cody making a save, only to get kicked in the face for his efforts. Lethal goes crazy with chops on Taven, who collapses against the ropes in a heap.

Castle can’t hit the Bang a Rang on Taven, who rolls him up for a VERY delayed two (there’s your conspiracy). With Taven panicking, Cody comes in and hits Cross Rhodes for two and it’s a three way strike off between everyone but Taven. Cody powerslams Lethal and there’s the Disaster Kick to Castle. Taven is back in with a Climax for two on Castle as Cody saves. A double Lethal Injection drops Cody and Taven to the floor and the single version drops Castle. Taven pulls the referee out at two though and we take a break.

Back again with Lethal diving into a chair and Taven hitting his great looking dive onto Cody. It’s table time (completely unnecessary) and a Tower of Doom sends Taven and Cody through the wood with Lethal sliding in to get two. Lethal and Castle slug it out but the Lethal Injection is countered into the Bang a Rang. That’s countered as well and the Lethal Injection ends Castle to give Lethal the title back at 17:44.

Rating: B+. The more I think about this, the more I like it. Castle retaining at Best in the World was just a swerve so they could do something like this and there’s nothing wrong with that. Lethal feels a bit like a transitional champion and the safe choice to take the title off of the injured Castle but there are far worse choices. You’ll get solid to great matches and the fans respect him so it’s as good of an option as there was available. Now ROH can figure out where they want to go and Lethal is a fine placeholder. It came in an entertaining match as well, with everyone working hard and feeling like they could pull it off.

Lethal shakes Castle’s hand to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. This was an odd week as it felt more like a last minute emergency move instead of the first big show back. That’s not a criticism though as they needed to get the title off of Castle as fast as they could and they did it in a rather nifty match. I liked what they did here and the big stuff can come together next week. This would be more about taking care of something that had to be done instead of taking the next step. That’s all perfectly fine though, as it wasn’t something they could leaving out there much longer. Good show, thankfully.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: July 24, 2018
Location: Ford Center, Evansville, Indiana
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph, Percy Watson

Things are starting to pick up around here as the title is actually being defended a bit more regularly. Tonight we’ll be finding out the new #1 contender to Cedric Alexander’s Cruiserweight Title in a four way match. I’ll certainly take it over another tournament and hopefully we get the right choice for the winner. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Drake Maverick hypes up the main event and introduces the four participants: TJP, Drew Gulak, Mustafa Ali and Hideo Itami.

Opening sequence.

The announcers, with Maverick sitting in on commentary, discuss the four way.

Akira Tozawa vs. Jack Gallagher

Gallagher gets technical to start so Tozawa kicks him in the chest and drops the backsplash. The announcers grill Maverick about his choices for the four way as the commentary turns into something like a State of 205 Live Address. With Gallagher on the floor, Tozawa tries a baseball slide but gets caught in the ring skirt so Gallagher can pound away from behind. Back in and we hit the neck crank but let’s cut away from that to look at Maverick. Gallagher switches to a nasty armbar as Nigel and Maverick get a little testy over Nigel asking so many questions.

A stomp to the bent arm lets Gallagher parade around the ring a bit so Tozawa snaps off a kick to the head. The threat of a backsplash sends Gallagher outside so Tozawa follows with the suicide headbutt. A Black Widow has Gallagher in trouble so he spins out into a slam for a break. Tozawa gets caught on the top but is fine enough to shove Gallagher off, setting up the top rope backsplash for the pin at 7:32.

Rating: B-. Nigel and Maverick were the more interesting part here with Maverick being a rather good talker who comes off as professional and proper in everything he says. The needling from Nigel was enough to get something out of Maverick and they stayed in the area of what was going on in the ring. It’s amazing how everyone but Raw can pull that off.

Post match Tozawa says he wants a rematch with Rush and Maverick says he’ll see what he can do.

TJP is glad that Maverick finally figured out the obvious and put him back in the main event. The Cruiserweight Title is coming home, but first it’s time for a nap.

Itami shouts in Japanese before saying Cedric won’t survive again.

Lince Dorado/Kalisto vs. Ryan DePolo/Chris Robinson

This was supposed to be Tony Nese/Buddy Murphy but Nese can’t be here for “outside circumstances”. Hang on though as the masked guys have shirts to hand out. Dorado jumps over DePolo a few times to start and there’s a Bronco Buster to really have him in trouble. The Tower of Lucha keeps DePolo down and there’s a kick to the head. Robinson comes in to take a double Golden Rewind and falls to the floor. That’s cool with Dorado, who dives onto him while tagging Kalisto in midair. The Salida Del Sol ends DePolo at 2:06. The jobbers had no offense at all.

Gulak doesn’t like the chaos that will be taking place in tonight’s match. It doesn’t matter though as one of them will be tapping out.

Mustafa Ali is ready to take whatever he has to in order to get the Cruiserweight Title.

Lio Rush doesn’t think much of Tozawa asking for a rematch because he beat Tozawa already.

Mustafa Ali vs. TJP vs. Hideo Itami vs. Drew Gulak

One fall to a finish with the winner getting a title shot at some point in the future. TJP stands back while Itami and Gulak stomp on Ali (wrestling shirtless tonight) in the corner. Ali fights back and catapults Gulak into TJP for two with Itami using a kick to break things up. With Gulak and TJP on the floor, Itami kicks Ali out of the air to take over for the time being. Hideo is really not happy with TJP breaking up a cover so Ali headscissors TJP to the floor and kicks Itami in the face.

Gulak comes back in with a hard clothesline to take Itami’s head off and we hit a neck crank rather early on. Everyone gets back in and Itami wants to take out TJP but Gulak says not so fast. Gulak knows what TJP is but tells Itami to beat Ali up instead. They gang up on Ali with a triple backdrop in quite the show of respect. The trio takes turns calling spots on Ali until TJP rolls Gulak up for two, which doesn’t sit well with anyone.

The argument allows Ali to dropkick them all down but TJP puts Itami and Ali in abdominal stretches at the same time. TJP: “YOU GIVE UP! YOU GIVE UP! SOMEBODY GIVE UP!” Gulak breaks it up and Gory Stretches TJP which is reversed into a pinfall reversal sequence. Itami takes them both down and yells at TJP but stops to kick Ali in the head. Ali and Gulak get back up with Ali hurricanranaing him into Itami for a double knockdown.

There’s the rolling X Factor to TJP and the spinning DDT for two on Gulak with Itami making the save to put everyone down. TJP is up with a nasty looking spin kick to Gulak’s face but Itami kicks him as well, followed by a superkick from Ali for another knockdown. Ali and TJP hit stereo crossbodies with Ali rolling out to the floor. Gulak and Itami have a staredown with Gulak offering a handshake but getting into a slugout instead.

A Falcon Arrow gives Itami one with no one coming in for the save. They roll outside again so Ali and TJP can take their places, only to have TJP pulled back outside. Ali hits a big dive onto all three of them, followed by a heck of a tornado DDT on TJP. The 054 connects but Itami makes a save. Itami dropkicks Ali into the steps but Gulak posts Itami hard. Ali is out though and the Gulock gives Gulak the easy win at 14:47.

Rating: B. Above all else, it’s the right winner. Gulak has been on a roll in the last few months and there’s no reason to keep him away from the title picture (and hopefully the title) any longer. I can also go with TJP and Ali closer to the title as TJP is a great cocky heel and Ali lives up to his moniker of the heart of NXT. Itami is getting better (or maybe I’m just getting used to him) and as long as he cuts out the RESPECT ME stuff, he’s completely serviceable in his role.

Gallagher and Brian Kendrick come in for the celebration to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. Another strong show with the right choices and some good action all night long. Above all else though I’m glad to see Gulak getting the push towards the top of the show. He’s long overdue for this spot and really, his promos alone make him a better option than Alexander. They have figured this show out and that couldn’t come at a better time. Nice stuff here, which is becoming very common.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

Smackdown
Date: February 26, 2004
Location: Kemper Arena, St. Louis, Missouri
Commentators: Michael Cole, Tazz

So Kurt Angle is now full on heel again and that means Smackdown World Champion Eddie Guerrero is in real trouble. On top of that you can see most of the Wrestlemania card and that’s a good thing given how close we are to the show. There are a few interpromotional matches tonight too, meaning we might even see some guest stars tonight. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Angle says people have been asking why he did it. Was it revenge? Jealousy? Or the WWE Championship? We’ll find out tonight. My bet is on hair jealousy.

Opening sequence.

Rey Mysterio vs. Jamie Noble vs. Billy Kidman vs. Nunzio

The winner gets a Cruiserweight shot at Wrestlemania. Noble jumps Mysterio before Kidman is even out here and it’s a big brawl to start. Hang on though as we cut to the back where Eddie Guerrero goes into Paul Heyman’s office. With Tajiri, Sakoda and Akio in the background, Eddie promises to beat up Angle tonight. Eddie wants to know what Heyman knew about all of this but Paul denies everything.

That’s enough for Eddie so he leaves Heyman to promise to take care of Tajiri and company’s problems. With that out of the way, we go back to the arena for a series of dives to the floor that leaves everyone down. Kidman and Nunzio fight on top with Nunzio getting crotched and Kidman falling to the floor. A double clothesline puts Mysterio and Noble down as we take a break.

Back with Noble’s tiger bomb being reversed into a 619 attempt but Kidman breaks it up with a hard clothesline. Mysterio gets two off a facebuster and a nasty looking moonsault press hits Kidman. Noble makes the save and throws Mysterio outside, followed by a neckbreaker for two on his cousin. As Kidman is sent outside, Mysterio hits the 619 on Nunzio….and here are Heyman and Tajiri and company to say this match is canceled.

Rating: C+. This was getting good until the hitting a wall ending but that’s going to set up a storyline. That being said, I do like the idea of these four starting off the show and giving the fans some high flying. That’s always going to work and it worked here. On the other hand though, you have the cutaway to Eddie, which has its good and bad elements. I like the idea of having things feel more realistic (as in not having Eddie pop in right after a match ends) but I’m never big on cutting away from a match. Just go with a split screen or something. But still, good match.

Heyman says there is no Japanese representation in this match and we can’t have racial discrimination around here. Therefore, at Wrestlemania, it’s going to be a Cruiserweight Open elimination match for the title. Akio and Sakoda hit the ring but Rey suicide dives Tajiri before bailing.

We look back at Eddie winning the title and being attacked by Angle two days later. That was a great heel turn and beatdown.

Scotty 2 Hotty/Rikishi vs. APA

Non-title and at least it’s not the Bashams again. Faarooq shoves Scotty down like he’s not even there to start so Scotty nips up and moon walks. Thankfully Faarooq punches him in the face and brings Bradshaw in so the pace can pick up (it’s a bad sign when Bradshaw is the more active member of the team).

Scotty throws some right hands and makes a blind tag so Rikishi can hit the belly to belly on Bradshaw. The sitdown splash misses though and brings the announcers back to the match instead of talking about Vince’s announcements on Raw. Scotty offers a distraction so Rikishi can superkick Bradshaw but here are the Bashams for a distraction. The Clothesline finishes Rikishi.

Rating: D. All things considered, this was about as good as it was going to get. Faarooq just couldn’t move anymore and you’re only going to get so much out of the other three in the first place. The ending would seem to set up a multi-team match at Wrestlemania and while these titles don’t need to be defended there, at least it’s some fresh blood in the mix.

Here’s the segment from Raw with Vince announcing Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar for Wrestlemania, Austin being named guest referee, and Lesnar running in to F5 Austin.

Lesnar talks about begging Vince to make the match because Austin brought Goldberg to No Way out, which is why he lost the WWE Championship. You can’t fault his logic. Goldberg can feel pain in New York and if Austin gets involved, he’ll feel OFF THE HOOK pain.

Here’s Eddie for a chat. After soaking in the chants, he talks about winning the title and going back to see his buddies. He doesn’t know how long he’s going to hold the title because he takes it one day at a time. It’s been eleven days as champion now but more importantly he’s been clean from drugs and alcohol for two years now. That was one day at a time too and it’s a formula that works.

Last week changed things though and now he wants Angle out here right now. Eddie wants to deal with him one punch at a time. There’s no Angle so Eddie wants to take the fight to him instead. Eddie storms up the ramp and heads to the back where he finds Heyman and Dawn Marie instead. Heyman has her call the cops, who show up in about four seconds with Angle by their side. It’s almost on but Eddie shoves Heyman into Dawn by mistake, sending Heyman into hysterics. The cops take Eddie out of the arena.

Brock Lesnar vs. Billy Gunn

Brock powers him around but stops after the GOLDBERG chants get under his skin. An overhead belly to belly has Gunn in trouble but he avoids a charge in the corner to send Lesnar shoulder first into the post. Gunn puts on one of the worst cross armbreakers I’ve ever seen and thankfully Brock is right next to the ropes so they can do something else. The Stinger Splash is cut off by a knee to the ribs and a good looking spinebuster gives Lesnar two. As always there’s something cathartic about seeing Gunn get beaten up.

We hit the gutwrench on the mat but since that’s boring even for Lesnar, he throws Gunn down with a German suplex. And never mind as it’s right back to the gutwrench. Billy fights back and hits a running jumping Diamond Cutter (I’m sure Orton will be thrilled) but misses another Stinger Splash. The F5 gives Lesnar the pin.

Rating: D+. Much longer than it needed to be here with Gunn not being the most believable opponent for Lesnar. I know Gunn was a big favorite of the company but I need more than Lesnar beating him up for eight minutes. At least Lesnar won clean and goes into what should be a heck of a fight with Goldberg at Wrestlemania.

Wrestlemania rundown. It’s a heck of a three hour card but they’re stretching it to four. Also, nice touch in having just the Undertaker symbol instead of his picture. Keep things a little more mysterious.

Here are Torrie Wilson and Sable in evening gowns and holding hands because fans go for things like that. Sign in the front row: Playboy cover + lotion = smiley face. Torrie thanks the fans for everything before talking about the Evening Gown match at Wrestlemania. After some sexual innuendo and general trash talk, here’s John Cena to interrupt. Torrie and Sable dancing to Cena’s music in evening gowns is quite the strange visual. Cena makes the exact jokes you would expect about the Playboy….and that’s it as it’s time for the main event.

John Cena/Rey Mysterio vs. Big Show/Chavo Guerrero Jr.

Rey is substituting for Eddie. Chavo and Rey start things off with a quick wrestling sequence before Rey goes with the right hands. A faceplant allows the hot tag off to Show for the huge toss across the ring. That always looks impressive, no matter how many times I’ve seen it. Chavo comes back in and gets caught in the sitout bulldog so Cena can come in with a top rope ax handle to the head. Cena knocks Show off the apron but he’s right back in to break up the FU.

Back from a break with Show working on Cena’s knee, which is still banged up from the Rumble. That’s a heck of a knee injury. The fans get behind Cena but it just seems to make Show angrier, making them quite the nuisance. Cena goes with the sleeper on Show’s back but gets flipped forward without much effort. Show is staggered enough that Cena can get over to Rey though and it’s dropkicks to the knee a go-go.

Since Show can shrug those off, Rey gets thrown down again and Chavo rolls some vertical suplexes. The missed frog splash lets Rey get two off la majistral as everything breaks down. Cena gets sent into the barricade but manages to send Big Show over it for a crash. Back inside, the 619 is enough to put Chavo away. You don’t see that get the pin on its own very often.

Rating: C+. Nice tag match here with both feuds getting some attention. Cena vs. Show should be a good though completely predictable match and that’s perfectly fine. Rey vs. Chavo on the other hand is a match that could take place at any other show but here, it’s something that has been bogged down by having to get a bunch of people on the show. That’s not always pleasant, but I get why it needs to happen.

Post match Show beats up Rey and chokeslams Cena.

Same Angle video that opened the show.

Here’s Angle for his explanation. Angle has been asked why he attacked Eddie and it’s because it was the right thing to do. He attacked Eddie for the fans of Smackdown and for America. Eddie is a former drug addict who tells children that it’s cool to lie, cheat and steal. America was built on character and it needs to go back to its fundamental principles. This country has given us the freedom of choice and Eddie can’t have a clear conscience.

It’s a matter of time before Eddie falls off the wagon and we don’t need a drug addict as WWE Champion. As soon as Eddie won the title, it started eating at Angle’s soul. He knew he had to do something and has even prayed about it. Angle knows he’s going to receive criticism for what he’s done but he had to do it. That’s it for Angle but here’s Eddie to go after him. Cue Heyman with the cops to have Eddie arrested for assault. Angle follows the cuffed Guerrero into the police car and talks a bunch of trash about how much of an embarrassment Eddie is to the title. The car pulls away to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. Every week that goes by shows that Smackdown’s contribution to the show is one match but it’s going to be one awesome setup. Everything else is either Raw focused or some interpromotional match and that makes for some interesting television. You have Eddie vs. Angle and Cena vs. Big Show (which isn’t really a major match), meaning TV can be laser focused on those two matches. On the other hand you have Raw where all kinds of matches need focus and nothing can really stand out above the rest. The Eddie vs. Angle stuff was good but the rest was pretty weak, as tends to be the case lately.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

Main Event
Date: July 26, 2018
Location: US Bank Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson, Vic Joseph

Hopefully things pick up a little bit this week as last week’s show was basically the shortened version of Raw. I have no idea why WWE thinks there’s no need to focus on Smackdown, especially when it’s going to become the bigger show next year. Maybe this week will be different but I don’t have the highest hopes. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Zack Ryder vs. Mike Kanellis

I saw this one at a house show two days earlier and hopefully it’s better. Ryder hits an early faceplant for one but gets choked in the corner to slow things back down. Nigel quotes Power of Love to make things a little more pleasant as Kanellis puts on a reverse chinlock. Ryder fights up and sends him into the corner, setting up a running knee. The Broski Boot misses (as it so often does) so Ryder goes with a dropkick through the ropes instead. Back in and Kanellis catches him on top, setting up a superplex. A superkick gets two but Ryder slips out of a suplex and hits the Rough Ryder for the pin at 5:39.

Rating: D+. Ryder is always going to get some kind of a reaction but Kanellis is just a good theme song and another reminder that Maria isn’t here. He’s just a warm body at this point and that’s not going to get him much further than what we have here. At least Ryder got the crowd going, which is why you put him in a spot like this.

We take a very quick look at Stephanie’s announcement from Raw.

From Smackdown. It’s nice for a change.

Carmella vs. Becky Lynch

Non-title but Becky gets a Summerslam title shot if she wins. Becky goes straight for the arm to start but Carmella hits her in the face. A trip to the floor goes badly for Becky and we take an early break. Back with Becky starting her comeback, meaning it’s time for clotheslines. There’s the Bexploder but Becky misses the top rope legdrop. Carmella kicks her in the face for two and frustration is setting in. Not that it matters as the Disarm-Her sends Becky to Summerslam at 7:10.

Rating: D+. I really could go for eliminating the “here’s a match to set up the same match” booking trope. Becky getting the title shot makes sense and I could certainly go for her winning the title, but they need to have a slightly better match next time. Then again, that’s not likely with Carmella in there.

From Smackdown again.

Here are Miz, Maryse and their daughter to wrap things up. Miz says we’re here to talk about the future instead of relics like Daniel Bryan. He introduces Maryse, who claims that the evolution started with her. Miz introduces his daughter, who has accomplished more in her life than Daniel Bryan (Graves made the same joke about Saxton). The fans chant for Monroe but the mere mention of Bryan has put her to sleep.

We get a clip of the show, which is a highlight of bad moments in Miz’s life and career. Bryan pops up on screen to apologize to Miz but then realizes he should do this to Miz’s face. Here’s Bryan in the arena to beat up Miz’s security but Miz throws the baby to him, revealing it to be a doll. That means a Skull Crushing Finale and a rant from Miz about how the baby earlier was an actor. Like he’d bring his real daughter to a city like this and if you want to see Monroe Sky, watch the show.

Video on WWE winning the ESPN Sports Humanitarian Award.

Chad Gable/No Way Jose vs. Ascension

Gable spins out of Viktor’s wristlock to start and slaps on an armbar. Konnor comes in and plows through Gable as we take a break. Back with Gable getting dragged into the wrong corner so a spinebuster can get two. Gable fights out of a chinlock and brings in Jose as everything breaks down. Konnor breaks up a cover but goes to the floor with Gable, leaving Viktor to take the pop up right hand for the pin at 8:16.

Rating: D+. What does it say when you’re losing to a make shift team of jobbers to the stars? Neither Jose nor Gable have anything going for them at the moment other than being thrown into a match here or there and now Ascension is losing to them too. I’m not surprised, but I am rather sad about seeing them fall so far.

Video on Bobby Lashley vs. Roman Reigns.

We look at James Ellsworth being fired, allowing Samoa Joe to attack AJ Styles and become #1 contender.

From Raw.

Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley

The winner gets Lesnar for the title at Summerslam. Reigns starts fast with the clothesline for an early two and they fight to the floor. The apron dropkick is countered into an overhead belly to belly suplex to put Reigns down and send us to a break. Back with Lashley nailing a spinebuster and grabbing a surfboard.

Reigns gets up and it’s a double clothesline for the double knockdown. They slug it out with Reigns getting the better of it and lifting Lashley to the apron, only to charge into a hard clothesline. Back in and Lashley counters the Superman Punch into a full nelson, followed by a headlock on the mat. Reigns fights up again and sends him shoulder first into the corner, meaning we get the multiple clotheslines.

Lashley is right back with a spinebuster but the spear is countered with….I’m not sure as it looked like it was supposed to be a leap frog but Reigns kneed/thighed him in the face instead. The Superman Punch gets two and Lashley rolls outside for a breather. Reigns slowly follows but can’t get the belly to belly. Instead Lashley throws him back inside for the spear and a rather near fall in a call back to Extreme Rules. Another Superman Punch rocks Lashley and the spear sends Reigns to Summerslam at 18:04.

Rating: B. I mean, is it really even surprising at this point? They’ve gone around the horn so far now that Reigns winning so often has gone from surprising to not surprising to surprising again and now back to not surprising. Who cares if this match makes Reigns 1-1 vs. Lashley? It gives Reigns another chance to fight Lesnar in the most non-epic epic feud that they’ve ever put together.

Lashley and Reigns shake hands and Lashley can barely stand in the aisle. A lot of posing ends the show.

Overall Rating: C+. It’s amazing how much better this show is when we ca get a balanced look at Raw and Smackdown. The show was perfectly watchable and covered the biggest stories of the week, with only a little bit from the Stephanie announcement. The lack of hearing about it every ten seconds made this week that much easier to listen to and this served as a rather good recap of what happened. As usual, blue makes things better.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: July 26, 2018
Location: Rebel Sports Complex, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Don Callis

Believe it or not this company is on fire at the moment and they’re coming off a red hot Slammiversary this weekend. I don’t remember the last time this company was going so strong and if they can continue at this rate, I’m curious to see where they could go from here. This is very fresh territory for them and I wonder how far they can go with this run. Let’s get to it.

Here are Sunday’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of Slammiversary, which almost makes me want to watch it again.

Opening sequence.

Here’s Austin Aries to open things up. Aries is proud of being on top of what is being called the greatest Impact Wrestling pay per view ever. He was in what a wrestling match should be because he beat Moose, just as promised. Aries is ready to face anyone in the world and if you think you’re the best, it doesn’t matter what company you’re from. Cue Eddie Edwards with his gifted kendo stick to hit Aries in the back, followed by a double arm DDT.

Petey Williams vs. Taiji Ishimori

Petey starts fast with some rapid fire armdrags and a dropkick to the back. There’s the O Canada stand on the crotch but Ishimori is fine enough for a springboard seated senton. A chinlock sends Williams bailing for the ropes as Ishimori can’t get much going here. Williams ducks a charge in the corner and hits a lifting Downward Spiral to drop Ishimori again.

A Tajiri handspring into a kick to the head gives Ishimori his first offense but he misses the 450. The DDT is reversed into a failed Canadian Destroyer attempt so Ishimori picks him up for a DDT but drops Williams chest first onto his knee (kind of a weird cousin of the Codebreaker) for the pin at 7:21.

Rating: C. I still don’t quite get the appeal of Ishimori, though the Bone Soldier name is a great one. His matches are good enough and he looks tough but he hasn’t broken through to that next level. Then you have Williams, who is little more than a big finisher. His offense is getting better, but basing the whole thing around that one move isn’t going to offer him much more of a ceiling.

We get a post match hug but here’s the Desi Hit Squad to lay them out. That’s some better fire but Gama is still more interesting than the two of them.

Anthony Carelli (Santino Marella) talks about how much he misses wrestling when Aries comes in and talks down to him. If Carelli can’t get in the ring, maybe one of his students can. This might be better if it wasn’t a former comedy guy who is suddenly supposed to be a legend of some sort.

Tessa Blanchard vs. Rebel

Tessa talks a lot of trash to start and throws Rebel throat first into the middle rope to start. The hammerlock DDT is broken up and Rebel kicks her in the chest and face. Rebel gets caught on top though and a hanging DDT brings her back down. The hammerlock DDT gives Tessa the pin at 2:35.

Here’s the debuting Scarlett Bordeaux to dance a bit as Callis is in full on Jerry Lawler mode. Scarlett says she wants to be an inspiration to little girls and be remembered as the greatest women’s activist of all time. Like Marilyn Monroe or Cardi B! She refuses to be told to cover up and will not be hot shamed.

The interviewer is confused so Scarlett tells the five to shut up because “a ten is talking”. She’s here to bring sexy back to wrestling and that’s all that matters. Given how women’s wrestling is going these days, this is certainly a different way to go but it’s going to take a rather intelligent writer to pull it off. Or it’s not a very good idea and this is going to be a disaster.

Matt Sydal is devastated over his loss because he lost his harmonious state and stopped looking with his third eye. Tonight he refocuses and gets his title back.

Video on Pentagon vs. Sami Callihan with Pentagon saying he has the ultimate prize in Sami’s hair to go with cero miedo.

Johnny Impact vs. Trevor Lee

Impact isn’t on the motorcycle he was sitting on in the back before the break. They start fast with Impact spinning around Lee and kicking him in the face but getting kneed down. Some choking in the corner sets up a backbreaker as the announcers talk about Scarlett. Impact slides under the ropes to counter a whip into the corner and comes back in with a springboard crossbody.

A corner dropkick sets up the Flying Chuck for two but, as usual, the Countdown to Impact takes WAY too long, allowing Lee to roll away. The standing double stomp (always looks cool) gets two but Impact knees him hard in the face. Starship Pain doesn’t work so Impact flip dives off the top onto Lee and Caleb Konley. Now Starship Pain is good for the pin at 8:57.

Rating: C+. Impact was looking awesome here and brought out one of Lee’s better matches in a few months. Lee’s slower offense is kind of hard to get into and even harder to make work against a faster paced guy. At least Impact is starting back with a bang after several months away. He’s a big star around here and it’s about time he gets into the main event scene again.

Post match Impact says it’s great to be back and now he wants to be World Champion. First though, it’s time to get his hands on Jimmy Jacobs and Kongo Kong.

Video on Su Yung destroying everyone in her path.

Allie says she lost on Sunday but is more upset over not being there to stop Madison Rayne from being stuffed in a casket. She’s not letting that happen again and Kiera Hogan comes in to say she’s in too.

Classic match: Motor City Machine Guns vs. Young Bucks from No Surrender 2010. Appropriate given Shelley retiring this week.

Joe Hendry gives Grado a shirt when Eli Drake comes in with a gift for the two of them and Katarina. It’s a picture of Hendry and Katarina (standing next to each other) with no Grado. That’s not cool but they brush it off, even though Grado isn’t happy.

Fallah Bahh and KM need to find Bahh’s mean streak. They put some sunglasses on him as KM steals some stuff from other people.

Killer Kross is an evil man who wants to make people suffer.

King isn’t happy with what happened on Sunday because Konnan is still around. It’s all Konnan’s fault and there will be more violence.

Callihan yells in the mirror about messing everything up. The Crist Brothers try to calm him down and tell him that everything is fine because he looks like Jason Vorhees. He thinks someone laughs at him and shaves their head in a fit of rage.

The announcers talk about Sami being nuts.

X-Division Title: Brian Cage vs. Matt Sydal

Cage is defending in a rematch from Sunday. Sydal tries the speed to start and gets two off a small package. That’s not cool with Cage who takes it to the floor and powerbombs Sydal against the post as we take a break. Back with Sydal hitting a Meteora on the ramp as Cage is holding his knee. Sydal’s Muta Lock is broken up with one hand so he goes with a more standard leglock, followed by a running knee in the corner.

Cage’s knee is fine enough to hit a hurricanrana and a pumphandle Samoan drop for two. A powerslam is blocked though and Sydal hits a reverse log roll for his own near fall. Sydal kicks at the knee but Cage throws him with a German suplex. The 619 gives Cage two but the Drill Claw is countered into a hurricanrana for an even nearer two. An F5 sets up the Drill Claw to retain the title at 11:30.

Rating: B. I’m not wild on Sydal’s third eye thing but that was a heck of a match, assuming you ignore the knee suddenly being fine. Cage is such a beast and someone who can do things that no one who looks like him could pull off. Sydal even got in some great near falls, which gave the match some drama I wouldn’t have bet on coming in.

Overall Rating: B-. They covered most things here and set up some stories, but this was much more about letting things settle down a bit after Slammiversary. That’s a good idea after spending over a month building up a pay per view and something they needed to do. It’s not a classic or anything but it was another good night, which is becoming the norm around here.

Results

Taiji Ishimori b. Petey Williams – Lifting knee to the chest

Tessa Blanchard b. Rebel – Hammerlock DDT

Johnny Impact b. Trevor Lee – Starship Pain

Brian Cage b. Matt Sydal – Drill Claw

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

Main Event
Date: July 19, 2018
Location: Keybank Center, Buffalo, New York
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson, Vic Joseph

The road to Summerslam has begun and we’re getting a better idea of what’s coming on this year’s show. That means we can start the build towards the show, meaning a lot of things would be set up on this week’s TV. Hopefully Main Event reflects the upgrades so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

No Way Jose vs. Curt Hawkins

Hawkins throws him down to start and stops for a little dance, which is straight up gimmick infringement. A shoulder puts Hawkins down and now we get the real dancing. There’s an airplane spin and Hawkins does a funny stagger into the fall but pops up to knock Jose off the ropes. Back in and a suplex gets two on Jose, followed by the chinlock. Jose fights up with a flapjack and middle rope crossbody, followed by the pop up right hand for the pin at 5:30.

Rating: D+. This is about as good of a place as Jose is going to be in for the time being as he got to hype up the crowd to start the evening and then wins an easy match. I’m a little annoyed that they dropped the push for Hawkins to win a match on Raw as it’s back to the usual for what he’s doing. It does say something that he has something on Main Event, which doesn’t exactly have much continuity.

We get a very abbreviated version of Monday’s opening segment between Kurt Angle and Paul Heyman with Nigel narrating about everyone coming to the ring to set up the triple threats.

From Raw.

Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Finn Balor

McIntyre chops both of them to start but Balor knocks them both to the floor for a big flip dive. Back in and McIntyre takes over again, including a big boot to the corner on Reigns. Balor gets knocked to the floor and McIntyre hammers on Reigns as he’s been by far the most dominant so far.

We come back from a break with McIntyre still in control but Reigns makes the fired up (well the Raw version of Reigns being fired up) comeback. The apron dropkick hits McIntyre but Balor stomps him down. McIntyre follows it with a big flip dive over the top so Balor double stomps him as well. Back in and the Coup de Grace is loaded up but McIntyre chairs Balor off the top. Reigns gets sent into the post and we take another break.

Back again with Reigns’ Superman Punch being countered into a spinebuster for two. Balor is back in with the chair to McIntyre though and then unloads on Reigns with the chair. Instead of covering him though, Balor goes outside to dropkick McIntyre, who gets speared through the barricade. Back in, Reigns Superman Punches Balor for two but Balor dropkicks him into the corner.

The Coup de Grace gets two with McIntyre making a last second save. Reigns and McIntyre mistime a sequence where the Claymore was supposed to be Superman Punched, instead making it McIntyre stopping to get punched. The spear ends Balor to give Reigns the pin at 22:01.

Rating: B. I’m trying really hard to believe that Reigns won’t be getting the title shot and while I’m still not convinced that he will be, you never can put it past WWE. I do like the idea of McIntyre moving up to the main event scene, even if this is just a one off time. At least he didn’t take the pin and it’s not like anyone buys Balor as a top star anymore. Reigns winning was pretty obvious though and while it’s annoying, you have to know it’s coming.

Video on Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax from Extreme Rules.

From Raw.

Here are Bliss and Mickie James to brag about beating Jax again last night. Bliss says it wasn’t hard to outsmart Jax last night and she has now beaten everyone in that locker room. Ronda Rousey doesn’t count because she’s suspended and therefore not in the locker room. Cue Rousey through the crowd to cut them off before they can leave though, meaning it’s the spinning Samoan drop to James.

Bliss pulls her away from the armbar just in time but Rousey isn’t done and jumps onto the two of them and the referees. That means an armbar for Bliss but Angle comes out to calm things down. Angle tells her to go home and sit out her suspension so here’s Corbin to say make a decision. Kurt extends the suspension by a week but Corbin freaks, saying he’ll call Stephanie RIGHT NOW. Well he will once he finds his phone. Angle has the phone and says Rousey can have the match with Bliss at Summerslam for the Women’s Title, provided she doesn’t attack Bliss again before then.

Stills of Braun Strowman throwing Kevin Owens off the cage to give Owens the win. If you don’t want Strowman to lose, don’t book a match like this.

Video on the B Team winning the Tag Team Titles and their long celebration.

Chad Gable/Heath Slater/Rhyno vs. Revival/Mike Kanellis

Slater headlocks Kanellis down to start and it’s a quick six man staredown. Gable and Dawson come in to fight over a wristlock before Gable easily wins a mat sequence. Everything breaks down and the villains are cleared out as we take a break. Back with Gable fighting out of a chinlock and shrugging off Wilder for the hot tag to Rhyno. Slater and Gable are sent outside and the Shatter Machine finishes Rhyno at 7:37.

Rating: D+. This felt like it was missing a good bit, likely due to time constraints. It’s always nice to see the Revival get a win though and it’s not like Rhyno taking a fall is going to hurt him. Gable needs something to do though as he’s WAY too talented to be stuck doing nothing like this.

We see the very end of Jeff Hardy vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Randy Orton’s brutal post match beatdown on Hardy. That ear thing was sick.

From Raw.

Seth Rollins vs. Elias vs. Bobby Lashley

Elias jumps Rollins on the floor before the bell but Rollins says start it up anyway. Rollins sends him outside so Lashley headlocks Rollins down. That goes nowhere so Elias gets knocked off the apron again, leaving Lashley to send Rollins to the floor. The springboard is kicked out of the air, only to have Elias come back in with a jumping knee. Another knee gets two on Rollins and we take a break.

Back with Elias getting beaten up by both guys until Lashley snaps off a belly to belly. Rollins and Elias are sent to the floor with Lashley following, only to be sent into the post to slow him down for the first time. Elias gets two off a top rope elbow and Rollins follows with the frog splash.

Lashley rolls outside, leaving Elias to counter the superplex attempt. There’s no followup though as Lashley takes Rollins’ place on top, only to get buckle bombed by Rollins. Now the superplex into the falcon Arrow can get two on Elias so there’s the delayed vertical suplex on Rollins. The spear hits post so Rollins rolls him up for two. The Stomp is loaded up but Elias pulls Rollins to the floor. That delay allows Lashley to spear him down for the pin at 17:36.

Rating: C+. Much like in the first match, they got the ending right and Lashley vs. Reigns should be good again. I mean, assuming they don’t go with the triple threat, which wouldn’t be a surprise in the slightest. Rollins has been on enough of a roll that he deserves a chance, but I could see him facing Ziggler in a ladder match for the Intercontinental Title.

Overall Rating: C-. Why do they even pretend that Smackdown matters? This show was about 90% Raw, with the both original matches and most of the clips are from there as well. They’re just having a Raw recap show at this point, which isn’t really surprising given that Smackdown didn’t even make the Summerslam poster. The triple threats more than carry this one but my goodness it’s sad watching the Smackdown crew working so hard and getting no respect whatsoever.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6