IMG Credit: WWE

Elimination Chamber 2019
Date: February 17, 2019
Location: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Renee Young, Tom Phillips, Percy Watson

It’s the first of two stops on the Road to Wrestlemania and that means we’ll be seeing a big steel structure. In this case it’s for the WWE Championship and the inaugural WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. The structure alone makes this a little more interesting and hopefully it’s good on top of that. Let’s get to it.

Kickoff Show: Cruiserweight Title: Buddy Murphy vs. Akira Tozawa

Murphy is defending and they start fast with a battle over the wristlock. The fight heads outside with Tozawa ducking a chop to send Murphy’s hand into the post. Murphy is fine enough to drop him on the floor for an eight count and let’s go to the back for an interview with Kofi Kingston. Well actually with Xavier Woods and Big E. as Kofi is undergoing a maple syrup massage.

Tozawa gets caught in a backbreaker and a chinlock as Xavier talks about Kofi being a legend before the three of them ever got together. Dancing ensues and we go back to a full screen with Tozawa hiptossing his way out of an abdominal stretch. A running boot in the corner hits the champ, followed by a Shining Wizard for two. Murphy gets caught on top and what looks like a super gorilla press is countered into a super hurricanrana for the second near fall.

Tozawa gets pulled into a fireman’s carry facebuster, followed by a hard knee to the face to give Murphy two of his own. They chop it out until Tozawa’s bridging German suplex gets two more. A kick to the face sets up a middle rope inverted hurricanrana to send Murphy outside. That means a pair of suicide headbutts, followed by Murphy getting caught in the rope for the top rope backsplash to the back. Tozawa’s Iron Octopus has Murphy in trouble so he muscles it up into Murphy’s Law to retain at 13:21.

Rating: B-. The extra time helped this one a lot and that’s a good sign for the division. Tozawa was little more than the challenger of the month but he made the most of it and that’s the best thing possible. Murphy is almost destined for a major title match at Wrestlemania, though I’m not sure who could serve in that role.

The opening video mainly focuses on the Elimination Chamber, which is a major stop on the Road to Wrestlemania. The other matches get some attention too, which is fine.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Naomi/Carmella vs. Samoan Slaughterhouse vs. Boss N Hug Connection vs. IIconics vs. Fire and Desire vs. Riott Squad

For the inaugural titles in the Elimination Chamber, meaning two teams start and it’s another team coming in every five minutes. The last team standing wins the titles. Fire and Desire (Mandy Rose/Sonya Deville) and the Boss N Hug Connection (Bayley/Sasha Banks) start things off after losing triple threat matches earlier in the week. Banks is ready to go to start and hits a crossbody on both of them to start. A hard spinebuster out of the corner plants Banks and Mandy’s backbreaker gets two.

Bayley and Banks get slammed onto the steel outside of the ring but Mandy’s running big boot gets caught in the Chamber wall. That lets Bayley hit a somewhat dangerous neckbreaker as the Riott Squad is in third. Bayley and Banks are ready for them but get taken down, allowing Logan to slam Banks into the pod with a huge thud. Mandy and Sonya get back up for the former lackey showdown and Liv drops Sonya with one shot. Sonya does the same to her for two though and everyone is staggered.

Bayley gets back up and heads to the top, setting up a Tower of Doom to put all six down. The IIconics are in fourth to cover everyone for some one counts. A double gordbuster hits Sonya and Liv gets dropped as well. Double knees to the face have Bayley in trouble with Sasha making the save, earning the two of them a face crushing against the Chamber. Bayley gets kicked in the face for two and it’s Naomi/Carmella (possibly Fabulous Glow, because putting nicknames together is how you make a name anymore).

Graves makes a comments about Carmella so Renee cuts him down with “I don’t think so World Champion Of Love.” Naomi’s split legged moonsault gets two on Morgan but the Squad gets back up and everyone is knocked down all at once. Carmella grabs the Code of Silence on Mandy but Sonya makes the save, leaving us with the Naomi vs. Mandy showdown. Before that can go very far, the IIconics hit a sunset flip/jackknife rollup combination to get rid of Naomi at 17:08.

Everyone else surrounds the IIconics but the countdown goes on, meaning everyone switches over to the Samoan pod. The Samoans clean house so the IIconics hide in a pod like an idiot. The doors are pried open and it’s a double ram into the Chamber as the dominance begins. A double Samoan drop gets rid of the IIconics at 20:10. Everyone gets together again with an assisted Diamond Dust getting two on Tamina. Mandy and Sonya kick the heck out of her for two more but Banks and Bayley knock them down for some reason.

A hot shot into the buckle has Mandy in trouble and Sonya gets sent into the same corner, only to miss Mandy which seemed to be the intended target. Sonya crashes and then turns her head to glare at Mandy in a funny spot. Fire and Desire hits the BIG dives off the top of the pod but the Squad is right there to take them down. The Samoans get back up and it’s the super Samoan drop into the double Superfly Splash to get rid of the Squad at 24:19.

Nia misses the running charge through the pod to knock herself cold, leaving everyone to get together on Tamina, with the Meteora setting up the Bayley top rope elbow. A big pile on gets rid of Tamina at 27:04. We’re down to Bayley/Sasha vs. Mandy/Sonya for the titles and Banks knees Mandy down. The Backstabber into the Bayley to Belly gets two on Sonya as Mandy dives in for the save.

With nothing else working, everyone but Sonya wind up on top of a pod. Mandy’s head goes into the steel and Bayley kicks Sonya down. Bayley gets knocked down as well and it’s Banks getting sent down, setting up the lifting sitout Pedigree for a great near fall. Sonya spears Mandy by mistake and Sasha grabs the Bank Statement. Her bad shoulder won’t let her get the full thing though so she uses her foot (cool) to get the hold on for the tap and the titles at 32:47.

Rating: A-. This was WAY better than I had any hope for and it was an actually dramatic and downright great match with Sasha making up for not being able to help Banks over the last few weeks. Bayley and Banks winning is fine, though you can probably pencil in the Samoans to take the titles pretty soon down the line. Anyway, this was a heck of a match and they beat the heck out of each other with some of the best near falls I can remember seeing in women’s wrestling. Mandy and Sonya took it to a level I didn’t know they had in them and this was outstanding.

Post match Bayley and Banks get a YOU DESERVE IT chant. Banks says they’ve worked hard to get here and more changes are still to come.

We recap the Smackdown Tag Team Title match. Miz and Shane McMahon won the Tag Team Titles as a “dream” team and the Usos won a match to earn the shot.

Smackdown Tag Team Titles: Usos vs. Miz/Shane McMahon

Miz and Shane are defending but before we get going, Miz congratulates Bayley and Banks for winning the titles. He brings out Maryse for a big announcement: she’s pregnant again. After the sweet announcement, Shane comes out and Maryse joins him in his dance. Jimmy knocks Miz down to start but Shane tags himself in and tries a very early Coast to Coast.

That’s broken up so Shane elbows Jimmy in the face and brings Miz back in for the YES Kicks. Miz gets taken into the corner though and it’s time for the double teaming to begin. Jimmy takes the baseball jersey off of Miz and throws it at Shane, allowing Miz to make the comeback. Shane comes in off the hot tag and hits a very fast Coast to Coast, only to eat the superkick for two.

Miz comes back in as the pace picks up with a dropkick through the ropes to Jey. It’s time for the announcers’ table (Corey: “It’s too early in the night! I need work space!”) with Shane hitting the big elbow to drive Jey through. Back in and Jimmy superkicks Miz but the Superfly splash hits knees. The Skull Crushing Finale gets two but Jimmy rolls over into a crucifix for the pin and the titles at 13:49.

Rating: C. Well that’s….surprising. I’m certainly not complaining but you don’t quite expect a guy to get arrested for disorderly conduct and then pin Miz to win some titles. The Usos are a far better choice for champions and it does help a lot that Miz and Shane lost the belts in their first defense. Still not a good idea in the first place, but at least it didn’t last long.

Miz and Shane leave together without fighting.

Lio Rush says he’s not the weak link and isn’t letting Bobby Lashley lose the Intercontinental Title.

Intercontinental Title: Finn Balor vs. Bobby Lashley/Lio Rush

Balor is challenging and can win the title by pinning or submitting either Lashley or Rush. Lashley runs Balor over to start and goes after the bad ribs. A few shots send Lashley outside though and it’s an early breather. That just means Lashley stomps on the ribs again back inside to take over again and it’s Rush coming in to work on the ribs as well.

That includes an abdominal stretch until Balor hiptosses him into the corner. Since control is slipping away, it’s off to Lashley for a heck of a spinebuster but Rush tags himself in, saying he’ll retain the title. The Final Hour (Low Down) misses and Balor starts the comeback, including a big flip dive to take both of them out. Back in and the Coup de Grace finishes Rush to make Balor champion at 9:28.

Rating: D+. This could have been on Raw, but I’ll take what I can get. Lashley felt like little more than a dragon to slay and you could have him get his rematch down the line. The wrestling wasn’t great here, but it was more about the story than anything else with Rush costing Lashley the title because he’s not as good as his hype.

Post match Lashley allows Rush to live before destroying him for costing the title.

We look at the end of Raw with Vince McMahon suspending Becky Lynch and replacing her with Charlotte.

Last night, Becky invaded a Smackdown house show and attacked Charlotte but her knee got hurt again. You have to do something to fill in these seven weeks so this works as well as anything else.

Here’s Charlotte for a chat. She is sick of Becky coming in here and taking these spots that don’t belong to her. Charlotte can look in the mirror and get all the affirmation she needs because she knows she’s good enough. Now she’s taking her spot in the main event of Wrestlemania.

Raw Women’s Title: Ronda Rousey vs. Ruby Riott

Rousey (dressed as Sonya Blade, who she is voicing in the new Mortal Kombat game) is defending and Charlotte is at ringside. Riott gets sent outside in a hurry as the fans want Becky. Back in and a quick Piper’s Pit, with a Wrestlemania sign point, sets up the armbar to make Riott tap at 1:41. Well ok then.

Post match the fans want Becky and here she is, coming through the crowd on crutches. Becky can barely stand as we get a SHE’S THE MAN chant. She’s fine enough to swing the crutch at Charlotte and beat her down, leaving Rousey to watch the whole thing. Rousey grabs the other crutch but makes the mistake of turning her back, allowing Becky to destroy Ronda with the crutch as well. Security FINALLY comes out to break it up as Rousey is bleeding a bit. Commentary of course treats Becky like a heel because WWE still doesn’t get it.

Baron Corbin vs. Braun Strowman

No DQ. Corbin throws a vest at him to start and swings away with an early kendo stick Strowman takes it away though and breaks the stick over his knee, meaning the real beating can begin. The running shoulder on the floor sends Corbin into the barricade but he avoids a second attempt to send Strowman into the steps. The steps to the head have Strowman in trouble, allowing Corbin to mock the Strowman pose.

That’s it for Corbin, as Strowman runs him over inside, much to Renee’s delight. It’s table time with Corbin getting powerslammed through, but here are Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley to chair Strowman down. Corbin gets in another chair shot to keep Strowman in trouble and we’ve got two more tables. They stack the tables up and climb onto the steps for a TripleBomb through the tables, giving Corbin the pin 10:51.

Rating: D-. You know, when I was predicting these things I went with Corbin because I thought it was the least logical thing they could do, which made it the likely result. It’s likely a way to set something up for Fastlane, because Strowman needs to be further destroyed for the problem of getting over when he was pushed.

Video on the Special Olympics.

Shane is getting treatment but Miz comes in and freaks out over the loss. Shane gets up, calls him Mike, and tells him to cool off.

Here’s Lacey Evans and, after we see a Wrestlemania package, an ad for WWEshop.com and a Fastlane vignette…..she’s gone. Literally she did her entrance and then wasn’t shown again.

WWE Championship: Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Kofi Kingston vs. AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe

Bryan is defending inside the Chamber. On his way to the ring, Bryan says that it’s not fair that he’s starting the match, just like he started the gauntlet match on Tuesday. It’s because people are FICKLE! Rowan isn’t allowed at ringside either, which likely means we’ll be seeing his new follower. Bryan and Joe start things off, which is more interesting than you would think. Some early kicks to the leg earn Bryan a nearly creepy smile from Joe, followed by a kneebar for good measure.

For some reason Bryan decides to slap him in the face, meaning it’s the STF into the Crossface into something like a Rings of Saturn. Bryan fights up and kicks the knee, earning himself some even harder kicks. With Bryan down, Kofi is in third to a strong reaction from the crowd. The top rope splash to Joe’s standing back (Graves: “Kofi feeling delirious right out of the gates here!”) has Joe down so Bryan climbs up to the top of the pod. Kofi follows him up so Bryan climbs around to another but gets taken down without much effort.

Joe takes over with the running backsplash to Bryan and here’s AJ in fourth. He goes right after Bryan with the moonsault into a reverse DDT, though he adds a regular one to Kofi for good measure. Bryan goes up again so AJ springboards into a forearm to the back of the head for a unique spot. Joe is right there with a ram into the Chamber and a backdrop to the ring though, followed by the Koquina Clutch to Kofi. The rope walk doesn’t work so it’s a jawbreaker into the Phenomenal Forearm to get rid of Joe at 16:24.

Jeff Hardy is in fifth and starts the jumping until AJ nails him with a Pele. Hardy and AJ go to the corner and….I think slips with a big crash to drop AJ onto the top turnbuckle. With AJ still laying there, Jeff hits a Swanton to his back, only to walk into the running knee to get rid of Hardy at 19:51. Bryan isn’t done and puts AJ in the Tree of Woe while loading up Kofi for a superplex. AJ sits up though and German superplexes Bryan, sending Kofi flying even further.

Randy Orton is in sixth (due to winning the gauntlet match on Smackdown) to complete the field. Orton gets in a few shots here and there until Kofi kicks him in the head, drawing the fans right back to his side. AJ STO’s him into a backbreaker though (that looked painful) but the Phenomenal Forearm is countered into an RKO to get us down to three at 24:15. Kofi rolls Orton up for two but gets caught in the hanging DDT off the top to knock him silly. The RKO is countered and Trouble in Paradise out of gets rid of Orton at 26:00.

We’re down to Bryan vs. Kofi and the place is actually going NUTS for Kofi to win the title. They slug it out and kick away with Kofi saying bring it. Trouble in Paradise misses and Bryan kicks the knee out. The YES Kicks (earning NO from the crowd) have Kofi in more trouble but the big one misses. The SOS gets one of the best near falls in years and Bryan sends him into the corner.

Bryan says that Kofi doesn’t deserve to be here and the running dropkicks in the corner have Kofi in even more trouble. He gets back up after four and hits the running double stomp (ok it’s more like a kick to the chest instead) for two more. Trouble in Paradise is loaded up again but Bryan rolls outside for a smart move. Kofi follows him and loads up a bulldog but Bryan shoves him HARD into the pod for a nasty crash. The running knee turns Kofi inside out….for two and the fans are right back into this.

Bryan has had it though and grabs the arms for a series of stomps to the head. That’s only good for two again but another running knee is countered with Trouble in Paradise for two….as the camera cuts to FANS as Bryan reverses into a small package for two more. The kickout actually happened while the camera was on the fans. My goodness man. Bryan grabs something like the LeBell Lock with a pull of Kofi’s face but Kofi makes a rope anyway.

Kofi catches him with another kick on top so Bryan climbs another pod. Kofi climbs up with him and they fight over a superplex on top but since that would kill them, Kofi fights back and Bryan gets knocked down onto the top rope. More kicks put him in the ring but Kofi misses the huge splash. The running knee retains the title at 38:28.

Rating: A. That last twelve minutes are some of the best drama I’ve seen from WWE in the better part of ever. I was dying to see Kofi win here but Bryan retaining is hardly the worst result in the world. Kofi is going to get another chance after a performance like that and a one on one title match with Bryan at Fastlane wouldn’t shock me. The rest of the match was just an afterthought but that last third is incredible stuff that sucked me in like nothing has since…..dang Rock vs. Cena maybe? Just a great emotional moment here and Kofi better get the Fastlane title shot.

Bryan and Rowan leave and Kofi gets the big moment of respect with Big E. and Xavier Woods coming out to console him. Kofi gets to pose on the stage to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This really is a show where you only need to see the two major matches because nothing else matters in the slightest. The good thing though is those two matches (and the Becky segment) were awesome, with the big emotional feel to both of them. I got sucked into the main event like few other matches I can remember in years and I was wanting to see Kofi pull off the miracle. The two Chamber matches are more than worth seeing, but skip the rest of the show as it felt like stuff you could have seen on regular TV.

Results

Boss N Hug Connection won the Elimination Chamber last eliminating Fire and Desire

Usos b. Shane McMahon/The Miz – Crucifix to Miz

Finn Balor b. Bobby Lashley/Lio Rush – Coup de Grace to Rush

Ronda Rousey b. Ruby Riott – Armbar

Baron Corbin b. Braun Strowman – TripleBomb through two tables

Daniel Bryan won the Elimination Chamber last eliminating Kofi Kingston

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/11/20/new-paperback-complete-1997-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

And they won the titles in a GREAT match.Bayley and Sasha won, last eliminating Sonya and Mandy.  This was awesome stuff with some sweet near falls and drama.  Nothing was bad (there’s a fairly funny botch though) and it was one of the best women’s matches I’ve ever seen.  Check this one out.

IMG Credit: WWE

It’s time for the first of two stops on the way towards WrestleMania 35, because for some reason there are two pay per views between the Royal Rumble and the biggest show of the year. First up we have Elimination Chamber, though I’m not sure you would know that after this week’s Monday Night Raw, which mainly focused on WrestleMania. There is however a pay per view card to look at, with a pair of major matches. Let’s get to it.

Kickoff Show: Cruiserweight Title: Buddy Murphy(c) vs. Akira Tozawa

Was anyone realistically expecting this to be on the main show? The Cruiserweight Title is all but guaranteed to be on the Kickoff Show anymore, though I can go for the idea of having them get a little extra time so things can be fleshed out. Tozawa won a four way match on 205 Live to earn the shot against Murphy, who is becoming quite the top level Cruiserweight Champion.

I’m thinking that’s enough to keep the title on Murphy, who seems almost guaranteed to have a major title match at WrestleMania (on the Kickoff Show match of course). Tozawa is a very fun talent to watch, but I don’t think he’s the kind of guy who is taking the title from a monster like Murphy. This should be a hard hitting match, but it’s the kind of match that can only end in one way, which is Murphy retaining.

SmackDown Tag Team Titles: Shane McMahon/The Miz(c) vs. Usos

Well this is suddenly a lot more interesting. As you probably heard, Jimmy Uso got arrested earlier this month for disorderly conduct, which means things are probably going to be shaken up a little bit. At the same time though, the Usos might be trying to leave WWE and if they are, a Tag Team Title reign might slow them down a bit. Also at the same time (it’s a busy time), McMahon and Miz aren’t exactly subject to the same rules that govern most wrestlers.

That being said, I’ll take the champs to retain, as this seems to be something that we need to get to heading into WrestleMania. I don’t know if they lose the titles there or face each other there, but neither is exactly a thrilling outcome. The Usos deserve better, but after what happened last week, that needs to be put on hold, at least for the time being. For now, more McMizAmania.

Raw Women’s Title: Ronda Rousey(c) vs. Ruby Riott

This company loves some alliteration. This one is about as easy of a winner as you can get and there’s nothing wrong with that. As Rousey may be leaving the company in about two months, it’s cool to see them getting in as many matches as she can have against a variety of opponents. Riott and the Squad haven’t gotten to do very much with Rousey, but the match itself should be fun.

Of course Rousey retains here, because what else is going to happen? Rousey is already slotted in for a title match at WrestleMania, but at the same time there’s a spot for Riott. If you let her get close here and almost have Rousey beat, there’s a way to set her up to face Asuka in April for the SmackDown Women’s Title. Riott loses here, but she could be up for something else in the future.

Braun Strowman vs. Baron Corbin

This is No DQ and….I have no idea why I would want to see this match. It’s a feud that has been going on for months now and I’m really not sure why I’d want to see it happen again, especially on a pay per view. The story has lost its way a long time ago and it’s much more “they were fighting a few months ago and they’re still fighting now”. There’s a good chance that Drew McIntyre and Kurt Angle get involved here, because we didn’t get enough of that match on Monday Night Raw.

For some reason I think Corbin wins here, because it’s been too long since he’s won a match of note and gotten more of a push that defies any and all logic. McIntyre and Angle will probably run in to make it a bigger mess than it’s already going to be and we move towards the big showdown between Angle and Corbin at WrestleMania. How that can be Angle’s last match is beyond me, but WWE loves Corbin for reasons I don’t want to comprehend.

Intercontinental Title: Bobby Lashley(c)/Lio Rush vs. Finn Balor

Now this one scares me. All signs point to Balor winning the title, but I don’t think they’re going that way just yet. For some reason I think we’re likely to see it at WrestleMania, which normally would be fine but I don’t think there’s anywhere near enough steam in this feud to get them that far. Hence the inclusion of Rush here, though again I’m not sure how interesting that can get.

I’ll go with Rush and Lashley retaining here, though I’m almost terrified to see how they get to that conclusion. There’s a good chance it’s some kind of a screwy finish to keep the title on Lashley, like Rush helping with a double pin or something, but having Balor lose is a rather bad idea. Then again it’s not the brightest idea to stretch this out, but for now it’s as good as we can get. Lashley retains, eventually losing the title to Balor down the line.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Elimination Chamber

For the inaugural titles and really, there are only a few teams with a real shot. You can eliminate Naomi/Carmella, the IIconics and Fire and Desire. You know, the SmackDown teams. That leaves you with the three Monday Night Raw teams, who have been the favorites all along. You could go multiple ways with the three remaining teams, but one stands out.

I’m going with the Riott Squad winning the titles here. I just can’t imagine having the Samoans win the titles, leaving you with two real options. Bayley and Sasha Banks have been treated as the main stars, but with Banks still being banged up and the possibility of this feud actually going on until the two of them are piles of dust, I can’t picture them winning the first titles. Maybe they win them at WrestleMania, but for now it’s the Riott Squad getting the titles.

WWE Championship: Elimination Chamber

This felt like the biggest layup in the world until Tuesday when Kofi Kingston had one of the best performances of his career. I’m not sure I can imagine Kingston getting the title this soon, but he certainly has momentum right now and with the C level pay per view Fastlane not very far away, there’s a chance that he’ll get a one on one title shot there. But against who?

That would be Daniel Bryan, who I think retains the title with the help of either Rowan or someone else, possibly even a returning Luke Harper. Bryan isn’t likely to lose the title here as his new heel character is hot enough to keep around, but he’s going to need some help to survive and advance down the road. A few things could come out of the match, but I can’t imagine one of them is a new champion.

Overall Thoughts

I’ve made no secret of the fact that I don’t see the need to have two pay per views between the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania, but Elimination Chamber sounds far more interesting than Fastlane. This show at least has two big matches and those two should be enough to make things work a little better. If things go well, we could have a rather entertaining night, just with the level of action alone.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/11/20/new-paperback-complete-1997-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: September 16, 2004
Location: Spokane Arena, Spokane, Washington
Commentators: Michael Cole, Tazz

We’re coming up on No Mercy and a lot of the card is either already set or pretty clear. Last week saw the return of the Big Show, who you know is going to be treated as a major star. To be fair, when he’s motivated and ready to go, he’s not half bad. The problem is when he’s more than half bad, which happens far too often. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Big Show returning and beating up the lumberjacks last week. That was a good way to showcase his dominance.

Opening sequence.

Torrie Wilson comes out to ring announce for the sake of eye candy.

Booker T. vs. John Cena

Match #4 in the Best of Five series with Booker up 2-1. Booker starts fast with an early rollup for two, followed by a backslide for the same. Cena’s sunset flip and small package get the same, plus a VERY enthusiastic reaction from a fan in the front row. That’s enough to send Booker outside for a breather as we take a break. Back with Booker kicking him in the face for two and grabbing one of the most quickly broken chinlocks I’ve ever seen. Booker is right back with a hard superkick for two and a longer chinlock.

A rollup with feet on the ropes gives Booker two but Cena’s flapjack is enough to actually start the comeback. The big shoulder misses though and Booker nails a spinebuster for two more. An attempt to bring in the belt gets Booker rolled up for two more and the Shuffle is good for the same. The referee gets shoved though and Booker nails him with the belt, as somehow the referee is fine with Cena going from normal to out in half a second. That’s only good for two as well, followed by a quick FU to tie up the series.

Rating: C+. They still have good chemistry together sot he match was easy to watch, though it’s not exactly something that is worth seeing. Cena is getting better and better every day at this point and you can feel his time starting to come. Booker is still a big enough deal to be a threat to him, but I don’t think there’s any hiding the fact that it’s Cena’s title to win soon.

Theodore Long praises Big Show for his return and offers Show a match with either Kurt Angle or Eddie Guerrero at No Mercy. Just please not a triple threat.

Next week: a night of stars as it’s the fifth anniversary of Smackdown! Hulk Hogan! Mick Foley! Stephanie McMahon! Yes Stephanie is listed third here! Vince McMahon! Steve Austin!

Michael Cole brings out Billy Kidman for a chat. Cole talks about Kidman losing his confidence over the botched shooting star press and costing himself and Paul London the Tag Team Titles last week (actually a pretty unique story). Kidman doesn’t like being called a quitter because he walked out on last week’s match to prevent another injury. He’s really just misunderstood because all he wants to do is keep people save. A few weeks ago his knee drove Chavo’s head into the mat and now these bloodthirsty fans want to see him do it again?

This brings out Paul London to say he doesn’t believe Kidman is misunderstood. Kidman walked out on him and cost them the titles because Kidman quit. London hands him the mic but Kidman has nothing to say, earning himself a slap in the face. Kidman walks away without saying anything. I’m liking this story.

Smackdown Flashback Moment: TLC III.

Rob Van Dam/Rey Mysterio vs. Dudley Boyz

D-Von punches Rob into the corner to start but gets kicked in the face for his efforts. It’s off to Mysterio for two off a Lionsault press to D-Von. Bubba comes in and gets punched as well, only to have Spike trip Rey up like a good villainous boss who happens to look 13 years old tends to do.

One heck of a release wheel barrow suplex gives Bubba two so he promises to do it again. Since he’s kind of loud, Rey knows what’s coming and reverses into his layout bulldog instead. That’s enough for the hot tag to Rob, who gets to kick D-Von in the face again. Near heel miscommunication ensues again, allowing Rey to dive onto Bubba. The Five Star finishes D-Von, despite a big bounce that delays the cover.

Rating: C-. I feel like we’ve seen this match a dozen times in recent months. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad one, but it’s something that has been done so many times before that it doesn’t have much of an impact. Spike as the Dudleys’ boss isn’t exactly getting them somewhere, though I can get the idea of trying to freshen the team up a little bit.

Post match Spike yells at both Dudleys, including a low blow to D-Von. Dang D-Von has taken quite the beating tonight.

Cole talks about last week’s situation with Paul Heyman and Heidenreich, so Tazz shows us a clip. Cole won’t apologize.

Eddie comes in to see Big Show and praises him for how awesome last week’s return was. It made him think of the Running of the Bulls, because there was one bull who stood 7’ and weighed 500lbs. Eddie: “That’s a lot of bull.” Show has two contracts, but Eddie wants the fight at No Mercy.

Orlando Jordan and JBL arrive with the champ saying he has to prove he’s not afraid of the Undertaker. That means calling him out again tonight.

Here’s JBL in the arena and I guess tonight meant next. He does not flip flop like so many political figures of today, so Undertaker can get out here RIGHT NOW. Undertaker comes out (thankfully the full sized version this time) and JBL actually sends Jordan to the back to do this one on one. The hat and tie come off and the fight begins, with Undertaker kicking him in the head.

The threat of a chokeslam sends JBL bailing but here are Gangrel and Viscera of all people to jump Undertaker. Viscera hits a chokebomb, which Cole calls a “variation of a double chokeslam into a sitout powerbomb.” Since that’s exactly what the move is, what is it a variation of? The beatdown cuts off Undertaker’s comeback and a pair of splashes keep him laying. JBL poses on Undertaker because he never learns.

Sign up for Tough Enough!

Kenzo Suzuki/Rene Dupree vs. FBI

Non-title and now I’m supposed to cheer for the FBI? Tazz can’t understand why the Japanese Hiroko is walking around the French poodle. Earlier today, Nunzio and Stamboli agreed to stick with the game plan for the match. Dupree shoulders Stamboli to start with little effect. Some power puts Dupree in trouble so it’s off to Nunzio, who gets low bridged to the floor.

As the match goes on, here’s Heidenreich to kidnap Cole from the announcers’ table. With the two of them gone, Dupree hits the French Tickler….and now Tazz goes off to find Cole and Heidenreich. The hot tag brings in Stamboli to take over but Kenzo shoves Nunzio off the top. Dupree’s Michinoku Driver is enough to pin Stamboli. Too much of the match was spent on the announcers’ stuff, but that was more interesting than anything going on in the ring.

Raw Rebound.

And now, the scene where Heidenreich is implied to be raping Michael Cole. We go to the back where Cole is standing face first against a wall with Heidenreich behind him. The look on Cole’s face tells you just about all you need to know here and Heidenreich….uh….I guess the term would be thrusting, which shakes Cole at the same time, pretty much confirms it. Heidenreich says he’s been studying Cole and they “have the same desires.” Heidenreich: “I’m going to give you what you want.”

Heidenreich locks the door, making Cole look even more afraid. He keeps his face next to Cole’s ear and breathes, as this is one of those things where you can’t realistically say it’s anything else. I absolutely do not remember it being this blunt but my goodness man. That’s rather disturbing to see and it’s hard to believe this ever made air.

Luther Reigns comes in to see Big Show. He knows it’s a tough decision, but Show should pick Eddie. See, the WWE needs Angle around and Show already put him on the shelf for several months. The three of them are different and outcasts, because Eddie doesn’t care about Show. Reigns and Angle do though, and Show needs to think about that. They’re really making this out to be a big deal when Show might as well flip a coin.

Match #5 between Cena and Booker will take place at No Mercy. We still have no commentary to talk about this.

Heidenreich now has Cole by the throat and says he’s going to give Cole something he’s wanted to share with him since the moment he saw Cole for the first time. It’s a poem, which talks about how Heidenreich is a tortured soul and his heart was broken years ago. Cole goes to leave and gets out, only after Heidenreich commands and receives a thank you. Thus ends one of the most disturbing segments in Smackdown history.

Charlie Haas vs. Spike Dudley

Non-title and here’s Tazz again to do solo commentary and Bubba and D-Von are in Spike’s corner. Charlie takes him down with an amateur hold to start, followed by a rather fast armdrag. The fans are too busy whistling at Miss Jackie (fair enough), who gets surrounded by Bubba and D-Von. It’s enough of a distraction for Bubba to snap the arm over the middle rope and Spike goes after the arm. That means the Bob Backlund lifting slam counter, followed by a top rope spinning crossbody counter. The Dudley Dog is broken up but D-Von comes in for the DQ.

Rating: D. This was little more than a way for Tazz to come back out and fill in some time in the ring. Haas and Jackie are fine enough as an act, but it’s almost impossible to have Haas, who isn’t the most interesting guy in the world, get attention when Jackie looks like she does. It’s not like the ending here was really in that much doubt, as it was going to be this or Bubba and D-Von cheating to give Spike the pin.

Post match the double beatdown is on until Rico returns for the save.

Carlito walks in front of moving cars to talk about how cool he is.

Next week: Undertaker vs. Mideon and Viscera. So Long can order non-contracted wrestlers into matches?

Speaking of Long, here he is for the contract signing. Before anyone else comes out, we get a quick poll on who the fans want to see face Big Show. Eddie seems to be the favorite, but here’s Big Show to make his decision. Angle, Reigns and Guerrero all join him though as this is getting a ridiculous amount of time. Before Show can make his choice, Angle says he doesn’t hold a grudge over his broken leg. He’s a businessman, and it would be bad business for Show to pick him. Show’s first pay per view match back should be against someone who doesn’t like him.

The right business move is to destroy Eddie, proving that Show will fight for the people. Eddie promises Show a fight that he’ll remember for the rest of his life. Long presents him with both contracts, with Tazz getting in a very nice point of clarity by saying which is which. The fans want a triple threat but Show isn’t sure what to do. He signs the Eddie contract but Angle jumps Guerrero.

Show laughs for a bit before breaking the Eddie contract over his knee and signing to face Angle. As usual: I don’t think WWE has any idea how contracts work. Reigns kicks Show in the face but Eddie gets back up and helps clear the ring. Long makes a tag match for next week’s main event to end the show.

Overall Rating: D. What in the world am I supposed to say about this one? The wrestling was more miss than hit, the show ended on a nearly fifteen minute Big Show segment, there was no commentary for a lot of the show, and….I know I’m forgetting something here. Something disturbing that has been brought up for nearly fifteen years since it actually took place and is the main thing that anyone remembers about a wrestler. Eh must have already been blocked from my mind for reasons of general disturbances. Nothing good to see here, though it wasn’t lacking energy for most of the night.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/11/20/new-paperback-complete-1997-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

It’s time to talk about Jimmy Uso vs. the law and the messy ending to this week’s Raw and more, but there’s also a bonus.  Tomorrow at 530pm EST, NorCal and I will be going live on the Wrestling Rumors Facebook page (link right here) for a special Facebook Live prediction show for Elimination Chamber.  We’re hoping to do this for every pay per view going forward so check us out and get in on the chat, with NorCal and I interacting with the live viewers.  We’ll probably ask your opinions and take some questions, so get in there with us.

https://mightynorcal.podbean.com/e/wwp-55-the-world-hates-charlotte-the-most-aew-sells-out-uso-vs-law-enforcement/

Also, make sure to send us those questions for the Mailbag in the comments.

IMG Credit: WWE

Main Event
Date: February 14, 2019
Location: Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Percy Watson, Renee Young

It’s the go home week for Elimination Chamber and that means a lot of recaps from Smackdown, as there isn’t actually a World Title match from the Raw side. Then again we’re promoting Wrestlemania at the same time so we’ll be seeing a lot from Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman too. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Heavy Machinery vs. Ascension

Tucker headlocks Viktor to start and shoulders the heck out of him. It’s already off to Otis for a double three point shoulder to knock Viktor into the corner, meaning Konnor comes in to try his luck. That means the double stomach shot to Konnor’s head but a blind tag lets Viktor run Otis over. An elbow gets two and it’s time for the chinlock. Back up and Konnor misses a charge into the post, allowing Otis to come in and clean house again. The Caterpillar sets up the Compactor for the fast pin on Viktor at 5:53.

Rating: D. What did you expect from something like this? Heavy Machinery did their fun spots and there wasn’t a lot of time to really make it work. Ascension is one of the least important acts in the company and it’s not like they’re doing anything here. At least they got to show up on TV, which is more than a lot of wrestlers get to do at the moment.

Seth Rollins year in review.

From Raw.

Here’s Rollins to talk about Wrestlemania but he’d rather talk about the last twelve months. He accomplished a lot and it all culminated at the Royal Rumble. Rollins was at the top of the world but the next night it was knocked down with six F5’s. He’s never felt pain like that but what matters is he’s back up. Wrestlemania might be the last match of his career, but here’s Paul Heyman to interrupt. After teasing Lesnar being here (with Rollins not buying it), Heyman says he’s here to educate Seth.

For some reason Seth assumes that all men are created equal, but that’s not true. Rollins’ DNA does not match Lesnar’s because Brock is a rage filled monster. We call this a suicide mission, but Rollins says he’s fine with that. He’s tired of Lesnar holding the Universal Title hostage and he’ll do whatever it takes to prevent Lesnar from leaving Wrestlemania as champion. That’s not a prediction, but rather a spoiler. Heyman leaves and here’s Dean Ambrose….to tell Rollins to slay the beast. Dean sits down in the timekeeper’s area and Rollins leaves.

From Raw again.

HHH and Stephanie McMahon are in the ring to open the show with Stephanie talking about the “Elimination Chamber View” on Sunday before correcting herself. HOW DARE SHE GO OFF SCRIPT LIKE THAT!!!! So totally unprofessional. They run down the card with a focus on Ronda Rousey vs. Ruby Riott, leading into a recap of last week’s issues with Becky Lynch. This brings out Becky to say it’s nice to be here and nice to see both of them, especially since the swelling has gone down on Stephanie’s face. Becky: “I’ll hit you harder next time.”

Becky doesn’t get that because it was their idea to make her see a doctor in the first place. Stephanie: “Don’t be stubborn.” Becky: “SHUT YOUR FACE!” The McMahons have been screwing people over for decades and no one is stealing her opportunity. She’ll fight Vince himself if she has to but she’s not apologizing. Stephanie and Becky go face to face so HHH breaks it up and tells Becky that she has a choice. She can die on this hill and throw it all away or she can go to Wrestlemania. He wants an answer tonight.

From Raw yet again.

Here’s Becky for the decision, because somehow the ending of the go home show for Elimination Chamber is about HHH and Stephanie getting an apology to set up a Wrestlemania match. The bosses come out as well and talk about how Becky needs to accept the consequences for her actions so she can go to Wrestlemania. The fans don’t want Becky to do it so HHH tells her to ignore the fans and get Wrestlemania like she wants.

Becky quickly apologizes and walks away from a handshake, saying that now there is no one stopping her from her dream. HHH offers his congratulations, shakes Becky’s hand and says she’s going to Wrestlemania. Becky: “Wait that’s it?” HHH: “You’re going to Wrestlemania.” HHH and Stephanie leave as Becky starts talking about Ronda, who comes out to hear it in person.

Before it can get physical, here’s Vince McMahon to cut them off. He doesn’t buy the apology so Becky is suspended for SIXTY DAYS, meaning she’s out of Wrestlemania and Charlotte is in instead. Vince raises Charlotte’s arm and tells Rousey to get used to this scene, because it’s how Wrestlemania will end. I don’t think anyone really believes this is sticking, but it’s a nice cliffhanger.

From Smackdown.

Here’s Charlotte to open things up. After mocking the BECKY chants, Charlotte talks about how Becky screwed up last night, just like she always has. It was Becky who got hurt in November and gave Charlotte the spot instead, all so the myth of the Man could continue while Charlotte went to battle. She’s the background of the women’s division so Vince McMahon made a business decision so everything could work.

Becky isn’t coming out here right now because she’s a flash in the pan and not the kind of person Vince is taking a chance on. You can boo her now because she’s dedicating her win to Becky Lynch. Charlotte will be her in the front row at Elimination Chamber because we might have a new champion and she might have a new Wrestlemania opponent. Great heel promo here, as Charlotte plays that character to near perfection.

Elimination Chamber rundown.

Tyler Breeze/B Team vs. Jinder Mahal/B Team

Breeze and Sumir start things off and it’s an exchange of shoulders to start things off. Sunil comes in and has a dance off with Axel as we take the Main Event Abrupt Break. Back with Dallas and Sunil hitting a double clothesline, allowing the hot tag to Axel. Jinder comes in to run Axel over but Sumir dives into a raised boot. Sunil gets kicked out of the air as everything breaks down. A double superkick gets two on Breeze with Axel making the save. Sumir stops to dance (again) at Breeze, earning himself the Beauty Shot for the pin at 9:05.

Rating: C. This was a great example of a match where people were trying even though no one was watching them. Breeze and the B Team still have a lot of energy to them (that tends to be the case when they’re young and talented) and the Singh Brothers are trying as hard as they can because they’re not the biggest guys in the world and have to work harder to overcome it. Jinder is of course Jinder, but he’s better than he used to be.

And now, with all the Becky/Charlotte/Stephanie/HHH stuff out of the way, here’s a five minute highlight package from the Smackdown gauntlet match to wrap things up.

Overall Rating: F. The layout here was ridiculous with the one story being the only thing that really mattered. We’re coming up on the WWE Championship match in a major pay per view gimmick match and it gets five minutes at the end because we need to build up two matches that don’t take place for seven weeks? If you just have to have Elimination Chamber and Fastlane between the Rumble and Wrestlemania, at least pretend like they matter. Not one mention of the OTHER Elimination Chamber match outside of a graphic saying “hey this exists”? This is inexcusable and something that doesn’t even surprise me.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/11/20/new-paperback-complete-1997-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: February 12, 2019
Location: Huntington Center, Toledo, Ohio
Commentators: Aiden English, Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

We’re actually coming up on a fresh title match for a change as Akira Tozawa is the new #1 contender to Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy, with his title shot coming on Sunday. As for tonight, we have a grudge match as Noam Dar gets to face Tony Nese in a No DQ match. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap looks at Dar beating Nese last month and the ensuing brawl, which set up tonight’s match. It’s more appropriate here than Maverick talking.

Opening sequence.

Here’s the Lucha House Party for a chat. Gran Metalik asks where they are and Kalisto says they’re in Toledo, where it’s snowing. They’re upset that they didn’t get to finish their duet with Elias so they’ll settle for taking Jack Gallagher’s mustache and giving it to Penelope. Metalik is ready to sing but Gallagher cuts them off.

Jack Gallagher vs. Lince Dorado

Drew Gulak sits in on commentary and actually picks Tozawa to win the title on Sunday. You don’t get a definitive pick like that very often. Gallagher takes him down by the wrist to start so Dorado fights up and bounces off the ropes to send Gallagher flying instead. Gulak and English affirm that Humberto Carrillo is in fact a handsome man as Dorado hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker into a splash for two.

Gallagher is right back with a throat first drop across the top rope (thumbs up from Gulak) as we’re now talking about Carrillo’s taste in music. Dorado sends him outside and teases a big dive but Gallagher heads over for a handshake with Gulak. Back in and Gallagher takes Dorado down again and forearms him in the mask before cranking on both arms. It’s off to an abdominal stretch, which is quickly countered into a toss outside for a heck of a springboard dive.

A spinwheel kick to the head has English asking what would happen if Carrillo joined the Lucha House Party. Dorado hits a bottom and middle rope moonsault (Gulak: “I don’t understand this.”) before going up to the top, allowing Gallagher to get the knees up this time (Gulak: “THANK YOU!”). Gallagher hits a powerbomb but tries another, earning himself a monkey flip for the counter. So much for learning from your opponent’s mistake. The Golden Rewind gets two and Dorado takes him to the corner, only to get sunset flipped down to give Gallagher a very fast pin at 10:12.

Rating: C. Obsessive commentary about Carrillo aside, this was a nice match with Gallagher having to deal with the flipping power of Dorado. We’ve already seen Gulak vs. the Lucha House Party and while I don’t need to see something similar again, at least it’s something that you can almost guarantee to be watchable.

Gallagher jumps into Gulak’s arms to celebrate. Gulak: “See this Humberto Carrillo? YOU COULD BE A PART OF THIS!” Sweet goodness I haven’t heard this kind of praise since a Stephanie McMahon match.

Carrillo is willing to listen to Gallagher and Gulak.

Ariya Daivari is tired of dealing with failures on this show. He came here to serve himself and he already has the money and the miles. Next up is the Cruiserweight Title.

Mike Kanellis has worked sixteen years to get here and he’s not here to lose a match to Kalisto and Brian Kendrick. Maria says the losses are part of the process and it’s going to pay off. They’ve been successful everywhere and legends are made by THE match. I can go for more of these talk to the camera promos, especially when someone isn’t holding their own camera.

Noam Dar vs. Tony Nese

No DQ and Dar starts fast with a suicide dive before the bell. An early northern lights suplex gets two as Dar is extra fired up. Dar whips him into the steps before using said steps as a launchpad for a clothesline. He’s not done yet as he puts Nese’s fingers inside the hook that attaches the buckle to the post and bends them back. Nese is tired of getting beaten up and sends Dar into the post to take over.

Back in and Nese bridges him between a chair and the ropes for a springboard moonsault to start in on the ribs. A slam onto the chair makes things worse but Dar gets in a dragon screw legwhip for a breather. Dar’s t-bone suplex into the corner gets one and it’s time for some chairs, with a table as a bonus. A backdrop puts Nese onto the pile of chairs on the floor, drawing what sounds like a NIGEL chant. Well it’s not like either of these two have the strongest personalities.

Back in and Dar rams the knee into a chair but Nese goes for the pinkie for the save. I guess he’s been watching his Pete Dunne matches. The pumphandle driver onto the chair gives Nese two but Dar is back up. Dar gets smart by blocking a left hand with the chair, which he then wraps around Nese’s shoulder. The chair is used in a Fujiwara armbar but Nese turns it over for the break.

They head outside again with Dar getting knocked down, allowing Nese to pull the steps over with one arm. Nese hits him in the jaw before dropping Dar back first into the steps. Dar gets a triangle on the good arm but Nese lifts him up for a powerbomb through the announcers’ table, which is only good for two back inside. Shame too as that was easily the best thing so far.

The running knee hits the buckle and Dar hits a top rope double stomp onto the leg. An ankle lock with a grapevine goes on and since there are no rope breaks, Nese crawls underneath the ropes for the break. Nese’s chair to the knee rocks Dar and the running knee to the head drives him through the barricade for the next big crash. Dar is DONE so Nese throws him back inside for the pin at 19:10.

Rating: B-. This got a lot better once they started brawling but they could have cut off about five minutes to really make it better. They did something very good by having Nese win so definitively, as he could be moved up as a nice choice for a one off title match. I’m not sure where Dar goes, but he’ll be fine almost anywhere he winds up at this point.

We look at Akira Tozawa becoming #1 contender last week.

Tozawa, Buddy Murphy and Drake Maverick are in the back for the contract signing. Tozawa signs, so Buddy pulls out his phone and tells Tozawa to take a picture of himself with the title, because it’s as close as he’s going to get to it on Sunday. Murphy isn’t losing so he signs the contract. Tozawa actually brings up Neville (not by name) and says he took the title from him, just like he’ll do from Murphy. The staredown ends the show.

Overall Rating: C+. The main event had some very good spots but the title match stuff at the end felt entirely tacked on. What we got wasn’t bad though and I’m curious to see where they’re going after Sunday. It’s usually the complete opposite and it’s cool to see them doing something different for a change.

So this was discussed quite a bit earlier this week and probably needs some clarification.

A few days ago a certain post went up and it was pretty clearly not something I typically would do. As you can probably guess, no it’s not something I wrote and yes it was something someone sent me in exchange for compensation. These happen every now and then as someone will email me with an offer for one and I’ll usually put them up. It’s basically two days worth of money for about ten seconds work, which is practically impossible to pass up.

Now I know that some of you have some issues with it, and I’ll try to address some of them.

1. I’m usually not allowed to acknowledge them as what they are, which is why I never reply to comments about them. I haven’t been hacked or anything like that and I put them up on my own.

2. They won’t be frequent. As in there might be five a year, if that. There’s no schedule for when I get them and it really is something that happens out of the blue.

I know these things can be a bit annoying but they’re very infrequent and from a personal standpoint, it would be rather foolish of me to pass up such an opportunity. Like I said, they only come up every now and then and while I can’t give you a schedule or anything for them, they’re not going to be a regular thing by any normal definition. I understand that some of you have some issues with them, but they’re kind of a necessary action for me.

If there’s anything I left out, please let me know.

KB

Two of my favorite subjects:

I’m currently shopping around and seeing which are the best wrestling books out there. So, which books are good to read? One from a wrestling personnel (i.e. wrestler, manager, announcer, producer, etc) and one from a non wrestling personnel (i.e. you of course) would be good.

Also, which is the worst book out there and clearly should be avoided by all means necessary?

For non-wrestling personnel, anything by Tim Hornbaker. He’s one of the best wrestling historians I’ve ever seen and has written three books: one on the NWA, one on the Capitol Wrestling Corporation and one on the Death of the Territories. Outstanding stuff with some of the most detailed looks at any promotions I’ve ever seen. If you want history that is entertaining but not the most unbiased (to put it mildly), the Death of WCW (though there are some factual errors). For a specific promotion, Heath McCoy’s Pain and Passion is an outstanding one on Stampede Wrestling.

For wrestling personnel, Foley’s first book (Have A Nice Day) is pretty much the gold standard. Bret Hart’s book is great, as are Chris Jericho’s. I was fascinated by AJ Lee’s book, though it gets very rough when she’s talking about her mental health issues and it’s written in a very quirky style. Finally, if you can sit through it, William Regal’s is incredible but he goes into the most details I’ve ever seen about drug abuse and it’s honestly hard to take.

The worst ones for me are Goldust (I read it in a few hours and got very little out of it) and Jimmy Snuka’s (Which is just….I’m not sure how to put it. It’s short and a chunk of it is a glossary of his own lingo.). Roddy Piper’s is the definition of full of himself and I was rolling my eyes more every page. Brock Lesnar’s isn’t worth your time either.

What’s on your list?

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

SuperFight
Date: February 2, 2019
Location: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Matt Striker

This is a major event for the company as we’re live again for the second time ever. The fact that the network is allowing them to go live for a second time in a pretty short time frame is a good sign for them and hopefully it leads to some more positive signs in the future. The main event here is Low Ki defending the World Title against Tom Lawlor in a match several months in the making. Let’s get to it.

The opening video looks at Low Ki being undefeated in MLW, including in the original incarnation of the company. Lawlor on the other hand has been running through everyone in front of him and hasn’t lost in several months. It’s a good build, though the ending isn’t exactly in doubt from here.

We run down the card.

Tag Team Titles: Lucha Bros vs. Hart Foundation

Teddy Hart and Davey Boy Smith Jr. are challenging here, with Brian Pillman Jr. in their corner, complete with Teddy carrying a cat (Striker: “Teddy Hart trying to get to the top of the meow-ntain tonight.”) and Smith with a bulldog (Striker: “The puppy-razzi.”). Dang it why did those things make me chuckle? Striker even explains the very basic rules of tag team wrestling, down to what constitutes a tag. I mean….yeah why not? How many people might be watching this for the very first time?

Smith picks Fenix up and sits him on the top before shrugging off some loud chops. A few forearms have Fenix rocked so he kicks Smith in the head to do some actual damage. The champs come in for stereo superkicks to Smith, followed by a Codebreaker into a flip splash to Teddy’s back. The victory roll splash hits Smith, drawing Teddy back in for the break. Teddy gets sent outside and now the chops have some more effect on Smith. They have so much of an effect that he northern lights suplexes both champs without even staggering, because that’s the kind of thing he can do.

Hart comes in for a double hanging DDT and we take a break. Since I’m watching on YouTube, we get what I believe is footage from the break with the Harts beating them up on the floor, including a double noggin knocker. Commentary comes back after about thirty seconds with Hart hitting his crazy top rope moonsault to the floor. Back in and it’s Project Ciampa to Fenix, setting up the super powerslam (still cool) into a top rope moonsault elbow for two as Pentagon makes the save.

We get a showdown between Hart and Pentagon, meaning the chop off is on again. Hart goes to an uppercut but charges into a superkick, only to eat a Sling Blade. Since Hart can just do this, he goes up and hits a super Canadian Destroyer, only to come up favoring his knee. Therefore it’s back to Fenix, who hits his sweet rolling cutter on Hart. Pentagon hits a Canadian Destroyer of his own and a superkick knocks Smith to the floor.

Another superkick into the Pentagon Driver plants Hart but Fenix has to go after Pillman. Pentagon isn’t done with dropping Hart on his head so it’s another Canadian Destroyer on the apron. The Fear Factor gets two as Pillman makes an off camera save. They all go to the corner with Smith pulling off Pentagon’s mask in a truly evil move. With Pentagon down, it’s a Doomsday Canadian Destroyer to finish Fenix at 11:28.

Rating: B. I could have gone for one or two fewer Canadian Destroyers but dang that was a heck of a finisher. The Hart Foundation has been one of the best surprises of the entire run of the series so far and it’s cool to have them get the titles here. The Lucha Bros are going to be around no matter what they do so it’s not like the loss hurts them all that much. This was a great choice for an opener and it was more than entertaining enough without overstaying its welcome. Now can we please make sure all their necks are in one piece?

Low Ki talks about how they’re finally here in a place with incredible wrestling history. He has been taking prizes, such as the title, a mask, a piece of flesh and more. Tonight, he’s taking a new trophy when he takes the lion’s mane from Lawlor. The violence tonight will be like nothing Lawlor has ever seen.

Ricky Martinez vs. Kotto Brazil

Grudge match after Martinez allegedly attacked Brazil with a champagne bottle, injuring his eye and leaving Brazil needing an eyepatch. Being a good heel, Martinez feigns blindness on the way to the ring. Salina de la Renta is here too and has a purse, which almost has to mean something. Brazil isn’t waiting on the bell and nails Martinez with a suicide dive to get things going in a hurry.

They brawl in the aisle with Martinez not even being able to get his jacket off. Martinez gets sent into the barricade and then the post, which is finally enough to set up the opening bell. They get in for the first time with Kotto hitting a good looking missile dropkick for two. Martinez is back up with a shot to the face to knock Brazil outside. That means another whip into the barricade and a swing sends Brazil into it again. Back in and the Martinez rams him face first into the mat over and over again as we talk about how good Salina looks. Fair enough.

Brazil’s comeback doesn’t last long as Martinez pulls him off the ropes and into a backbreaker for a rather painful looking crash. Martinez takes way too long going up though and it’s time for the comeback off a series of clotheslines. It’s always clotheslines. Another good looking dropkick puts Martinez down and a hanging Backstabber gets two. Martinez grabs an electric chair drop and gets two of his own off a wheelbarrow suplex. This gives us some great Salina yelling, which she does as well as anyone at the moment.

It also lets Striker talk about the difference between covering belly to back and belly to belly. Uh yeah Matt. Brazil is right back up with something like an Edgecator to send Martinez straight to the rope. That seems to be enough for Martinez as he rips off the eyepatch and knees Brazil in said eye for two.

Code Red gives Brazil two of his own and it’s off to Naomi’s reverse Rings of Saturn (Which Striker says is like a hold called a Can Opener. I’ve heard worse names.). That’s enough to get Salina on the apron so Brazil grabs her by the throat (that’s rather aggressive). It’s time to go into the purse though (you knew that was coming) with Salina pulling out some kind of spray to blind Brazil, giving Martinez the pin at 10:12.

Rating: C. This felt a lot longer than it was and that’s not the best thing in the world. At least we had a good enough match, with Salina being a nice bonus as usual. You knew she was going to get involved in the end and that’s not a bad thing. Sometimes you need to have something set up so it can be paid off in a hurry, which is what happened here. Brazil losing is fine, as someone his size is going to be able to bounce back with one more entertaining match.

Jimmy Havoc is coming back.

MLW is going live again in four weeks from Chicago for Intimidation Games. Good for them.

The Hart Foundation is celebrating with champagne in the shower. Maxwell Jacob Friedman comes in to say he wants the Middleweight Title back. Teddy: “Why don’t you lick the champagne off the belt?” MJF can come get a title shot whenever. Or he can go join the Elite.

SuperFight II is coming to Los Angeles on February 1, 2020. Dang that’s some advance planning for a promotion whose current run is less than a year old. That’s a good thing mind you.

MLW World Title: Low Ki vs. Tom Lawlor

Lawlor is challenging and pulls out his own hair during his entrance. How Mick Foley of him. They go right at it after the bell, which is what should be happening here. Lawlor gets in a left hand to knock Low Ki down, which he swears wasn’t a knockdown. Striker: “You fight like you’re the third monkey on Noah’s Ark and it’s starting to rain!” I’m not a Striker fan but that’s one of the best lines I’ve ever heard.

Lawlor can’t get the arm so the champ charges at him, earning a heck of a t-bone suplex. A hard kick to the chest slows Lawlor down and Low Ki sends him shoulder first into the post. The arm gets wrapped around the post before Low Ki grabs…..a door from underneath the ring. I mean, they used them on Rollerjam so why not.

Low Ki misses a right hand and punches his way through the door to give Lawlor two instead. Lawlor’s bad arm doesn’t hold up so Low Ki reverses into a dragon suplex over the ropes. A superplex attempt earns Lawlor a crotching and the top rope double stomp gives the champ two. Low Ki grabs the dragon sleeper but gets reversed into a rear naked choke….for the knockout to make Lawlor champion at 4:49.

Rating: C+. Well that was sudden. That’s the best word I can think of to describe this, though I’d bet on it being due to the show running long. They’re not exactly used to going live so maybe their timing was off. That being said, there’s something to be said about having Lawlor, whose background is in MMA, to finish someone in a hurry with a choke like that. It’s not like the ending was ever in doubt here, though I could have gone with a bit more. What we got was good though, and Lawlor winning the title was the absolute right call.

Overall Rating: C+. This is a show that could have used some more time. They got through everything they needed to touch on and set something up for the future, though it felt rushed at times. Maybe the TV version was better (and to be fair it was a free show) but this was a little too much packed into the time they had. The results all made sense (maybe Brazil should have won) though and they got the big ending right so it’s certainly good, just not quite great.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/11/20/new-paperback-complete-1997-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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