Somehow it’s that time of year again. I’ll be starting the Wrestlemania count-up on Sunday March 1 so I need a pair of shows to redo. I’ll be doing XXXV from last year but I need another. You can vote in the comments and all shows are eligible except the following:
XVII
XXI
XXIV
XXXIV
IMG Credit: WWE
NXT UK
Date: February 27, 2020
Location: York Barbican, York, England
Commentators: Aiden English, Tom Phillips
It’s an early show as we have Super ShowDown taking place this afternoon, meaning this show needed to be moved to 10am EST. As luck would have it, we have a major match this week with Toni Storm challenging Kay Lee Rae for the Women’s Title in an I Quit match. That’s not something you get around here very often so let’s get to it.
Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.
We open with a recap of Ray vs. Storm.
Opening sequence.
Grizzled Young Veterans vs. The Hunt
Primate blasts Drake with a clothesline to start and it’s Boar coming in to send him into the corner. Gibson blocks a charge though and comes in, only to run from Boar. As the fans remove their shoes in protest, Drake comes in to dropkick the knee so Gibson can dropkick the head. With Primate being knocked to the floor, a double clothesline gets two on Boar and we hit the chinlock.
A backbreaker sets up another chinlock but this time Boar is back up with his own clothesline. It’s back to Primate to clean house but the numbers game gets the better of him. An enziguri into a neckbreaker/superkick combination gives Gibson two, only to have Boar come back in for stereo German suplexes. Gibson breaks up Boar’s half of the double Swan Dive though and it’s Ticket to Mayhem to finish Primate at 9:50.
Rating: B-. It’s very clear that the Veterans are ready to move on to bigger and better things as there’s nothing left for them to accomplish here. The match was entertaining, though it’s time to give them better competition. There are a lot of teams around here but most of them aren’t on the Veterans’ level and that has become very clear in recent weeks. They’re already showing up in NXT anyway so the move seems to have at least started a little bit.
Video on Ridge Holland.
Jack Starz vs. Kassius Ohno
Starz can’t snapmare him to start so Ohno grabs him with an abdominal stretch. That’s fine with Starz, who powers him up into a stretch of his own. Ohno breaks that up in a hurry and boots him in the face, setting up a backbreaker. The finger bending continues to look painful, as does Ohno suplexing him by the arm. The short armscissor goes on and Starz isn’t about to deadlift Ohno. Instead he slips out and hits a slingshot elbow into a butterfly suplex. Ohno has had it with him though and pulls the arm down again, setting up the Kassius Clutch for the win at 5:02.
Rating: C. Starz is an interesting one as he is trying a lot harder than you would expect someone in his spot. It helps make these matches more interesting as it is likely to end with Starz losing, but at least he is making the matches somewhat interesting. Ohno is fine as someone to build up so someone can knock him down, which is what tends to be his pattern around here.
Isla Dawn is ready for Aoife Valkyrie.
Travis Banks wants Alexander Wolfe next week.
A-Kid vs. Brian Kendrick
Feeling out process to start with A-Kid picking up the pace and shrugging off a headlock. An armbar has Kendrick in trouble and he can’t get off the mat. A dropkick puts Kendrick up against the ropes but he pulls A-Kid’s arm into the ropes to take over. Kendrick’s cravate doesn’t last long as A-Kid slips out and dropkicks him to the floor. The suicide dive connects and a moonsault off the steps puts Kendrick down again. A high crossbody sets up a Fujiwara armbar with Kendrick making the ropes. Kendrick can’t grab the Captain’s Hook so A-Kid is back up with a springboard moonsault DDT for the pin at 6:47.
Rating: C. Another nice match here as Kendrick is at his best putting over a younger guy. A-Kid is someone they see something in so giving him a win here is a good idea. The finisher is impressive, though I’m hoping that he has something else as that kind of a move is going to require some contrived setups.
Dave Mastiff is ready to take the United Kingdom Title from Walter next week.
Women’s Title: Kay Lee Ray vs. Tony Storm
Storm is challenging in an I Quit match. They slug it out to start and head outside with Storm sending her into various things. Back in and Storm Zero is blocked so Storm goes with something like an STF instead. Ray makes the rope but since that means nothing, she keeps crawling until Storm has to let it go. Ray bends Storm’s neck around the ropes and pulls the hair, setting up a Gory Special for a smart change of pace from her norm.
That’s broken up so Storm takes it to the floor and loads up a table. It takes Storm too long to go up top though and Ray catches her on the ropes. Not that it matters as Storm knocks her off and hits a splash through the table (nearly covering before catching herself). Storm Zero on the apron is broken up and a hanging DDT off the apron plants Storm again, this time with a heck of a thud.
Ray busts out the athletic tape and ties Storm’s hands behind her back so the beating can really begin. It’s chair time with Storm’s head being put through the open chair for a superkick. Ray drives the chair into Storm’s neck but she still won’t quit, meaning it’s time to wrap the chair around her neck. Instead of stomping though, Ray stands on the chair. Sid Scala and Piper Niven come out as Ray PILLMANIZES HER NECK. That’s not enough so Ray goes up again, which is enough to make Storm give up at 12:51.
Rating: B. This was an interesting one but it’s more about the future than anything else. Ray beat her up pretty decisively here and the loss should get Storm off of television for the time being. She can move on to the regular NXT (or maybe even higher) as there is nothing left for her to do around here. Let her go away for the time being so she can rebuild herself a bit and then do something bigger in the future.
Overall Rating: B-. Another solid show around here, which has become the case over the last few months. Next week’s show with the big title shot should be fine for a hoss fight as we can then move on for the build towards Takeover: Dublin. I’m not sure what is going to take place there, but there are enough options that I can feel rather optimistic about the whole thing.
Results
Grizzled Young Veterans b. The Hunt – Ticket to Mayhem to Primate
Kassius Ohno b. Jack Starz – Kassius Clutch
A-Kid b. Brian Kendrick – Springboard moonsault DDT
Kay Lee Ray b. Toni Storm when Storm gave up
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:
http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
IMG Credit: WWE
NXT
Date: February 26, 2020
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Beth Phoenix, Nigel McGuinness
It’s time for a show with a guest star as Charlotte is in the house to deal with Bianca Belair after jumping her at Takeover. We’re rapidly approaching Takeover: Tampa and I’m not sure what that is going to consist of this time. They need to set some things up in a hurry, though you can all but guarantee the final chapter between Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa. Let’s get to it.
Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.
Opening recap.
Charlotte arrives with William Regal there to greet her.
Cameron Grimes vs. Dominick Dijakovic
Dijakovic grabs a headlock to start but Grimes goes after his knee to get a breather. Grimes stays on the knee, only to get caught in a backbreaker. A spinning middle rope splash gives Dijakovic two but Grimes forearms him in the back. Dijakovic is fine enough to toss him over the top but Grimes sends him head first into the apron. A PK from the apron drops Dijakovic and sends us to a break.
Back with Grimes grabbing a chinlock but Dijakovic is right back up for the slugout. The suplex toss drops Grimes again as he can’t get around the power. A superkick and a hard clothesline give Dijakovic two but Grimes hits a German suplex for the same. Dijakovic sends him outside and hits a moonsault to the floor, only to tweak his knee in the process. Grimes is sent back inside but here’s Damian Priest to hit the knee with a metal pole. Dijakovic beats the count back in but it’s the Cave In to give Grimes the pin at 12:38.
Rating: B-. I liked this one well enough and it’s nice to see Grimes getting a push. It isn’t a clean pin or anything and that helps things out a good bit. They can use some fresh blood in the North American Title picture as there is so much talent around here and seeing Lee against any of them could be interesting.
Referees and medics check out Dijakovic’s knee.
William Regal announces a tournament (they love those around here) to crown a new #1 contender for the Women’s Title. The qualifying matches begin next week and the finals will be a ladder match at Takeover. Works for me.
Here’s Finn Balor for a chat. He isn’t an internet guy or a moves guy because he’s the guy who builds brands. We hear his accomplishments before Balor talks about how everyone is trying to reach their peak for Wrestlemania season. He’s been at his peak for twenty years so who’s next for the Prince? Cue Marcel Barthel/Fabian Aichner to send regards from Walter, who runs NXT UK. The fight is on in a hurry and Balor gets beaten down, including being rammed into the steps.
Video on Austin Theory.
Bianca Belair is ready to give Charlotte her best.
Xia Li vs. Mia Yim
Yim pulls her in off a handshake but has to back off from some spinning kicks. Some kicks to the ribs have Li in trouble and a basement dropkick gives Yim two. More boots to the face keep Li down but she avoids a Cannonball. Li’s running dropkick misses and there’s Eat Defeat, only to have Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez come out for a distraction. Li grabs a rollup for the pin at 2:44.
Post match Gonzalez comes in for the beatdown and Li’s save attempt fails.
Velveteen Dream, in a big hat and in front of a mirror, says he wants Roderick Strong next week. Since Dakota Kai and Tegan Nox are having a cage match, leave it up for the two of them.
Austin Theory vs. Tommaso Ciampa
They fight over a lockup to start until Ciampa sends him into the ropes. That earns him a shoulder and forearms to the back, only to have Theory run into a boot. A headlock has Theory down on the mat but they head outside in a hurry. Theory blocks a whip into the barricade and takes it back inside because he’s not up to Ciampa’s brawling standard. Ciampa throws him right back outside for a posting, meaning the pat on the back can take us to a break.
Back with Theory hitting a standing moonsault for two and having to fight out of a Fairy Tale Ending attempt. What looked like a rolling DDT attempt is countered with a knee to the face to give Ciampa two, plus some frustration on the kickout. Theory hits a quick buckle bomb into Ataxia (fisherman’s buster onto the knee) for two more and now it’s his turn to be frustrated.
A superkick to the back of Ciampa’s head sets up a flipping Downward Spiral for two more. It’s time to go outside with Theory sending him into the barricade to make up for last week, only to get caught with Willow’s Bell back inside. The Fairy Tale Ending gives Ciampa the pin at 12:40.
Rating: C+. Theory is someone with a bunch of cool looking moves which are actually more moves that have been done before but have a slight tweak to them. A lot of people do that but it doesn’t really make them much better. At least he had a story here though and looks the part of a star, though it’s far too early in his run to make much of a determination about him.
Post match Johnny Gargano runs in and Theory helps him beat down Ciampa. Gargano sits next to the downed Ciampa on the apron and applauds himself.
Roderick Strong is ready to take care of Dream in the cage next week. The Undisputed Era will get their gold back.
Bronson Reed vs. Killian Dain
They lock up to start and power each other around until Dain drapes him over the middle rope. That means a legdrop to the back and shoulders in the corner, followed by a hard whip for two. We hit the seated abdominal stretch but Reed is right back up for stereo crossbodies. Back up and Reed starts throwing Dain around, with the straps coming down. The running hip attack hits in the corner but Dain grabs a Samoan drop. Dain’s Vader Bomb hits knees so Reed goes up, only to get superplexed back down. Back to back to back backsplashes set up the Vader Bomb to give Dain the pin at 6:15.
Rating: C+. Nice hoss fight here and that’s all they were going for. Dain hasn’t exactly shown the ability to get very high on the card around here but he can be impressive when he has the chance. Reed is someone who got my attention during the Breakout Tournament but he hasn’t come back to that level since.
Video on the Broserweights.
Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Forgotten Sons
Gibson gets hiptossed and dropkicked by Blake to start and I guess the Sons are just faces now because AMERICA. Beth and Nigel get in a weird mini argument about what sounds like a British children’s show, capped off by Nigel saying she has spent too much time watching TV with her three year old. Beth: “That’s a bad thing?” Nigel: “I guess not.” Cutler stomps away on Gibson in the corner but it’s off to Drake to take over in a hurry.
The chinlock doesn’t last long and a powerslam puts Gibson on the floor. That means a staredown with Jaxson Ryker and it’s the Sons taking over on the Veterans back inside. Drake gets thrown over the top and onto Gibson as we take a break. Back with Blake sunset flipping Drake but a blind tag lets Gibson come in to stomp on him. The chinlock goes on again but this time Blake fights up with a jumping neckbreaker.
Drake gets backdropped and it’s off to Cutler to clean house (Nigel: “Full of fury. AMERICAN FURY!”). A butterfly backbreaker sets up a quickly broken Boston crab so it’s a buckle bomb to rock Drake instead. The fisherman’s driver gets two as Gibson makes the save, which sends Ryker out after him. Drake dives onto Ryker and the Veterans send him into the steps, only to have the Sons dive onto the two of them. Cutler gets knocked off the top for a nasty crash and it’s the Ticket To Mayhem to finish Blake at 13:05.
Rating: C+. I got a good smile out of the Sons losing as they are one of the least interesting teams in a long time. Now we’re supposed to like them because while they’re bad, they’re AMERICAN bad and that makes them worth something. Thankfully this felt like a one off so we can continue with the Veterans instead of the Sons, who are one of those misfires around here.
Tegan Nox is ready to hurt Dakota Kai in a cage and isn’t worried about Raquel Gonzalez.
We get a creepy video showing various horrible things and a lot of destruction. Seems pretty Killer Krossish.
Damian Priest says Dijakovic was in the way of something he wanted. Now Keith Lee knows what that is.
Charlotte vs. Bianca Belair
Fans: “YOU DON’T GO HERE!” Charlotte powers her down in the corner to start and draws a line on the mat. Belair charges across it, earning herself a headlock takeover. That’s broken up so Charlotte grabs a front facelock to keep her down. Belair powers out and hits a dropkick before squatting Charlotte to show off even more. Charlotte slips out and hits the chops, followed by a big boot as we take a break.
Back with Charlotte getting posted but grabbing a dragon sleeper to slow Belair down. It’s not enough though as Belair flips over her in the corner and grabs a hair faceplant. A double chickenwing faceplant gets two but Charlotte kicks her in the ribs to take over. An abdominal stretch stays on the ribs but Belair reverses into one of her own. That’s broken up as well and the Downward Spiral into the middle buckle rocks her again.
The moonsault almost hits raised boots but Charlotte lands on her feet and grabs a Boston crab. Belair makes the ropes so Charlotte hits a powerbomb for two. A missed big boot sends Charlotte to the floor for another posting but she avoids Belair coming off the top. Belair hits a spear but Charlotte pops up with one of her own, followed by Natural Selection for the pin at 12:07.
Rating: B-. I liked what they were going for here with the old athletic freak vs. the new one. The spear exchange at the end reinforced that a bit too with Belair hitting her own but Charlotte’s being that much better. Belair has gotten better in the last several months and the upgrades have helped her a lot, but she has a long way to go to get into Charlotte’s league.
Post match Charlotte grabs a chair and Pillmanizes the ankle as Rhea Ripley comes out to watch. There’s no save as Charlotte puts on the Figure Eight. Once that’s broken up, Ripley chases Charlotte off as we’re cut off before Ranallo can finish talking about their Takeover match.
Overall Rating: B-. It isn’t as bad as it was a few weeks ago but this show is still missing something. My best guess is having so much stuff that feels like it isn’t leading anywhere or that is going long for the sake of filling time, but the magic isn’t the same. This week didn’t feature some of the bigger names, which is kind of a questionable move with about four weeks left before Takeover. It’s still a completely watchable show, but the move to two hours is hurting the quality more every week.
Results
Cameron Grimes b. Dominick Dijakovic – Cave In
Xia Li b. Mia Yim – Rollup
Tommaso Ciampa b. Austin Theory – Fairy Tale Ending
Killian Dain b. Bronson Reed – Vader Bomb
Grizzled Young Veterans b. Forgotten Sons – Ticket to Mayhem to Blake
Charlotte b. Bianca Belair – Natural Selection
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:
http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
Pick something.
https://wrestlingrumors.net/2020/02/26/kbs-review-triple-vision/
IMG Credit: AEW
Dynamite
Date: February 26, 2020
Location: Silverstein Eye Centers Arena, Kansas City, Missouri
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Jim Ross, Excalibur
It’s another big week as we have the go home show for Revolution, but at the same time we also have an Iron Man match between Kenny Omega and Pac. This show has been on a roll lately with one good week after another so hopefully they can keep it going on the way to the pay per view. Let’s get to it.
Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.
The announcers preview the show.
Kenny Omega vs. Pac
Thirty minute Iron Man match. The Young Bucks are here with Omega but Hangman Page is nowhere to be seen. Feeling out process to start as it’s Omega grabbing a wristlock a minute in. Pac flips out of a wristdrag attempt and that means a standoff, with Omega’s look saying “so that’s how it’s going to be”. They chop it out until Omega kicks the leg out, only to charge into a hard superkick.
The early One Winged Angel attempt is countered into a Brutalizer but Omega falls into the corner for the break. Pac heads outside and that means a big flip dive, much to the fans’ delight. The running jumping bulldog (it was nowhere near a Fameasser this time) plants Pac for two and Omega strikes away against the ropes. There’s the Snapdragon as we’re five minutes in with both of them down.
They head outside with Pac managing a quick tornado DDT to plant Omega and give them another chance to breathe. Back in and Omega headbutts him off the top, only to have Pac run the ropes for the super brainbuster. Pac scores with a missile dropkick for two and we hit the chinlock. A hard faceplant gives Pac two as we hit ten minutes. The fans call Pac a b****** as he kicks Omega in the back of the head to keep him down.
Back up and they go into the slow motion slugout with Pac hitting a pump kick to the face. Omega doesn’t go down though so it’s a snap German suplex to drop him instead. That doesn’t seem to matter very much as Omega hits some knees to the head, followed by a Tiger Driver 98 for two.
After JR makes fun of the Tiger Driver 98 name, Pac breaks out of the One Winged Angle, only to get German suplexed HARD for two. Omega hits running knees to the back in the corner before loading up….a super One Winged Angel? That’s reversed into a sunset bomb as we hit the halfway point. Pac’s super hurricanrana is countered as well and there’s a Snapdragon into a V Trigger for two more. Pac staggers to the floor and BLASTS Omega in the head for the DQ with 14:06 to go.
Omega – 1
Pac – 0
We take a thirty second rest period but Pac gets in another shot to the head to keep Omega in trouble. A running kick to the head sets up the Black Arrow to tie it up with 13:21 to go.
Omega – 1
Pac – 1
Back from a break with 10:46 to go and the slugout on the apron going to Pac. A Falcon Arrow off the apron drops Omega again and the audio is muted for the sake of swearing fans. They’re both down again and we have less than ten minutes to go. Pac knocks him off the apron and the ref is bumped.
With no one seeing it, Pac pulls out a table and hits a shooting star off the top to send Omega through the table (which pretty much explodes). They both beat the count (I’m not sure on Omega but they give it to him anyway) and Pac can’t believe it. Another Black Arrow hits raised knees with five minutes left and Omega has an opener. A heck of a V Trigger sets up a spinning Rock Bottom for two on Pac, followed by another V Trigger.
Pac is back up with a tornado DDT and the Brutalizer (on the mat this time) has Omega in real trouble. We have two minutes left as Omega finally gets his foot on the rope. Pac is smart enough to go right back to the hold as we hit a minute left. The hold stays on with Omega looking at the clock as time expires at 30:00. Pac blasts the referee but hang on as we’re getting sudden death. Omega hits another V Trigger and then another knee to the head for two. The One Winged Angel finishes Pac at 33:14, counting the breaks between falls.
Omega – 2
Pac – 1
Rating: B+. They beat the heck out of each other here and while they could do another match, this felt like the definitive end of the feud. Omega gets a big singles win for the first time in a good while and Pac hardly looks bad in defeat. What does look bad is the Brutalizer, which was on for the better part of three minutes but then Omega just popped up and dominated overtime to win. I didn’t like it when Shawn Michaels survived that long in the Sharpshooter and I don’t like this either. That being said, heck of a fight and that’s what it needed to be.
Post break Pac doesn’t want to hear about getting what he deserves so here’s Orange Cassidy for a chat. Cassidy takes his glasses off so Pac drops him with a single forearm. Good for him.
Jake Hager isn’t allowing any interviews with Chris Jericho before tonight’s weigh-in.
Inner Circle vs. Jurassic Express
It’s Santana/Ortiz/Sammy Guevara this time around. The Express starts fast with Boy knocking Guevara off the apron and Stunt dropkicking Santana and Ortiz to the floor. Boy hits some suicide dives but Stunt gets pulled out of the air and thrown into Boy, driving him into the barricade. Back in and Luchasaurus gets taken down with a double flapjack, followed by a big toss to Stunt.
We take a break and come back with Santana hitting a big Poetry In Cannonball to crush Stunt in the corner. Stunt is fine enough to escape a German suplex attempt and bring in Luchasaurus to clean house. A chokeslam into a standing moonsault have Ortiz down but Sammy hits Luchasaurus in the back for reasons of overconfidence. Triple kicks in the corner rock Sammy and it’s a kick to the chest/Vertebreaker combination for two with Santana making the save.
A double enziguri puts Boy down and Sammy’s running shooting star press gets two with Stunt making the save. Luchasaurus moonsaults onto Stunt, Santana and Ortiz but Sammy grabs the loaded sock. Cue Darby Allin to steal it away though and Boy hurricanranas Sammy for the pin at 9:43.
Rating: B-. It was action packed and aside from my general issues with Stunt, there wasn’t much to complain about here, save for one thing. If you’re going to bust out a big move like a Vertebreaker in a match like this, it should be the finish. I know they had more to do, but if that’s the case, don’t do the move. Save a move that big for a more important spot instead of another near fall in a six man that isn’t going to mean much in the long run.
Video on Cody vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman. They’ve done an awesome job of making me want to see Cody destroy him.
Best Friends vs. Butcher And Blade
Cassidy and Bunny are at ringside. Butcher runs Trent over to start and Blade walks around the ring a lot. Trent gets dropped ribs first across the top rope but he manages a running knee to set up the hot tag to Chuck. House is cleaned and we take a break. Back with Trent’s dive over the top being sent into the barricade but he’s fine enough to spear Blade down.
Hold on though, as it’s time for ORANGE CASSIDY TO DO THE SAME THING HE DOES EVERY WEEK, BUT THIS TIME IT’S SOMEONE DIFFERENT SO HE’S AWESOME! This time Bunny steals his sunglasses so he steals her bunny ears and then dives onto Blade. Strong Zero finishes Butcher at 8:06.
Rating: C-. It was the usual match with the usual Cassidy spot and that isn’t enough to overcome my lack of caring about either team. Butcher and Blade don’t win matches and don’t really hurt anyone so I’m not sure why they’re continuing their roles as enforcers/bounty hunters/whatever they’re called at the moment. It wasn’t a bad match, but after the first two matches, this wasn’t up to the same level.
Post match Tony Schiavone is in the ring with Best Friends and Cassidy to announce Cassidy vs. Pac for Revolution. Chuck: “Pac, the joke’s on you buddy, because this time he’s going to TRY!”
Big Swole vs. Shanna vs. Yuka Sakazaki vs. Hikaru Shida
Everyone gets in a shot or two to start with Shanna hurricanranaing Swole and Shida at the same time. Sakazaki stands on the apron while the other three do a triple test of strength. She comes back in to break it up but Swole kicks her down, setting up the parade of rollups for two each. Back with Shida cleaning house and suplexing Shanna into Sakazaki in the corner.
Swole is back in to clean house and kicks Shanna on the head, setting up a springboard cutter for two. Now it’s Sakazaki getting back up, only to get taken down with a lifting Pedigree to give Shanna two of her own. Dirty Dancing drops Shanna but Shida gives Swole a backbreaker. Sakazaki hits a springboard splash for two but Shida makes the save. A running knee hits Swole to give Shida the pin at 9:12.
Rating: C-. This was just another four way with the wrestlers doing their spots until one of them won. I’m rarely a fan of matches like this one as there is next to no story or psychology to the whole thing and it’s just moves after moves. It feels like there’s a multi person match every week or two and I don’t need to see another one for a good while.
The Dark Order says the Exalted One is coming and they’re beating up SCU at Revolution.
Jim Ross moderates a sitdown interview between the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega/Hangman Page (with a drink in hand). The Bucks couldn’t believe this being the case a year ago because Omega and Page were singles wrestlers. Omega says the Bucks are the best but he and Page were in the right place at the right time. Page looks rather anxious and the Bucks call him out for needing a drink.
They’re worried about him because they’re friends in and out of the ring. Page says he tried to leave the Elite, with the Bucks saying he’s walking away from everything they did for him. He was a jobber in ROH and they made him a star on Being The Elite. Page walks out, despite the Bucks saying they have a match to promote. Not titles to win mind you, but a match to promote.
Revolution rundown.
Lance Archer debuts next week.
It’s time for the official weigh-in between Jon Moxley and Chris Jericho, with Gary Michael Cappetta of all people as master of ceremonies. After hyping up the pay per view, Cappetta brings out the two of them but Jericho calls him a weird little man instead of getting on the scale. Jericho: “It’s no wonder WCW went out of business.” Moxley goes first and weighs 234lbs.
Jericho takes his time getting on the scale because he needs to insult the fans and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He goes after Moxley, who headbutts Jericho down to bust him open. The Inner Circle is on Moxley in a hurry but here’s Dustin Rhodes to go after Jake Hager. They fight to the back (JR: “For the love of God stay away from the Dippin’ Dots!!!”) and yes, Dustin is sent into the Dippin’ Dots cart.
Back in the arena, Darby Allin runs in (as in he doesn’t wait around on the stage for thirty seconds this week) for the save but Sammy takes the skateboard away and breaks it over Darby’s head. Moxley fights up and it’s time for the big slugout with Jericho. Guevara breaks up the Paradigm Shift with a low blow and the Judas Effect hits Moxley. Jericho gives him a Paradigm Shift onto the scale. That was a hot ending and covered three matches at once so well done all around.
Overall Rating: B. The opening hour was rather good and while things slowed down a lot from there, it was still a heck of a show with the ending picking up a lot of the slack. The last two weeks were better but this got me ready for Revolution and they’re still in a groove at the right time. Rather good show this week and if they can fix some of their issues, they’re as good as anything going at the moment, if not a fair bit better.
Results
Kenny Omega b. Pac two falls to one
Jurassic Express b. Inner Circle – Hurricanrana to Sammy Guevara
Best Friends b. Butcher and Blade – Strong Zero to Butcher
Hikaru Shida b. Big Swole, Yuka Sakazaki and Shanna – Running knee to Swole
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:
http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
IMG Credit: WWE
Monday Night Raw
Date: September 26, 2005
Location: Heart O’Texas Coliseum, Waco, Texas
Commentators: Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler, Jonathan Coachman
It’s a big show as this is the last episode to take place on Spike TV. Starting next week, Raw is back on USA where it really belongs. That’s where everything started and after five years on Spike, it’s time to go back where things got going. We’re also coming up on Taboo Tuesday, but more importantly is next week’s Homecoming. Let’s get to it.
Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.
Opening sequence.
Here’s Vince McMahon to get things going. Vince talks about this being the last episode on Spike TV and all of the growing up they have done together. Spike has been a great tag team partner and he wants to thank them for everything. Next week though, they are returning home to the USA Network with a huge show. Thankfully the Network version doesn’t censor Vince saying USA, as Spike did during the live broadcast. Anyway here’s Kurt Angle to interrupt because he isn’t happy with Eric Bischoff getting next week’s WWE Championship match.
Angle demands the first title shot against whoever wins and no one else deserves it….so here’s Shawn Michaels. He won at Unforgiven too so he should get a title shot too. Angle thinks the Masterlock cut off the oxygen to Shawn’s brain because Angle beat him at Wrestlemania. Shawn remembers superkicking Angle to beat him at Vengeance. Vince makes a rubber match for next week for the #1 contendership and let’s make it a 30 minute Iron Man match.
Women’s Title: Trish Stratus vs. Victoria
Trish is defending and Ashley/Candice Michelle/Torrie Wilson are all at ringside. Trish slugs away to start and anklescissors her out to the floor. Victoria throws her into the crowd though, only to have Trish come back with a clothesline from the barricade. Everyone else gets in a catfight and Victoria gets in a cheap shot, setting up the slingshot flipping legdrop. The spinning sidewalk slam gets and Victoria goes up, where she has to block the Stratusphere. They crash out to the floor but it’s Trish with a spinebuster into the Stratusfaction, drawing in Torrie and Candice for the DQ.
Rating: C-. If you get rid of all of the annoyances and interference, it was the usual good Trish vs. Victoria match. The problem right now is very obvious: other than maybe Victoria, there is no one to remotely threaten Trish’s title and unless Lita goes after it again, that’s going to be the case until someone brand new comes up.
Post match the brawl is on with Ashley ripping off Candice’s dress. A handicap bra and panties match is set up for next week.
Big Show vs. Snitsky
Street fight so Snitsky brings a chair, which is knocked out of his hand in a hurry. Some other weapon shots put Show down for two but he knocks a trashcan away. Snitsky gets dropped onto a trashcan and it’s a chokeslam, followed by a kitchen sink shot, to give Show the pin.
Rating: D-. What else were you expecting here? It’s a three minute match and Show barely broke a sweat beating Snitsky, again. I think we’ve gotten the point by now, but never let that stop WWE from running a match over and over. This wasn’t any good and felt like filler, which is rarely a good sign.
We recap Ric Flair retaining the Intercontinental Title last week, despite getting beaten down by Chris Masters and Carlito.
Here’s Flair for a chat on the stage. He’s been jumped from behind more times than he can count so now he needs some help. That brings out a sledgehammer, because next week, HHH is back and it’s game on.
Video on HHH. I really don’t think anyone has forgotten who he is.
Eric Bischoff is on the phone when John Cena comes in to hang the call up. Cena talks about Bischoff being a kung fu master and a ninja in four states. He’s up against the champ next week though and that means a Karate Kid pose. Cena didn’t have much to say here, but what else was he supposed to say?
Shelton Benjamin vs. Kerwin White
White debuts his caddie, Nick Nemeth, who of course would go on to become Dolph Ziggler. After Shelton makes some golf jokes, White jumps him to start and we’re already in an armbar. Back up and Shelton has to skin the cat, setting up the top rope clothesline. That puts White on the apron so Shelton suplexes him back in, only to have Nemeth trip him to give White the pin. I knew the one match winning streak was too much for Shelton.
There’s a ladder in the ring and here are Edge and Lita, with the latter in a neck brace, for a chat. Lita rants about Matt being a loser who can’t move on but Raw will be just fine without him. She knows a lot about twists of fate and remembers the first Raw on Spike, five years ago. That night it was the Hardys vs. Edge and Christian in a ladder match but this time around, she’s in the right corner.
Teddy Long comes in to see Bischoff and suggests some Smackdown exposure on next week’s show. Bischoff says no but Vince comes in to say it’s going to be a three hour show (erg) and Smackdown should have a big match. Long is thrilled so he leaves, meaning Bischoff can try to get out of the Cena match. Vince doesn’t want to hear about it because Bischoff was all tough when he had Ted Turner behind him. Go be that Bischoff again.
Lance Cade/Trevor Murdoch vs. Val Venis/Viscera
Non-title. Venis runs Cade over to start and drops an elbow for an early two. Murdoch knocks Venis off the top though and it’s a running neckbreaker to give Cade two of his own. The camel clutch goes on but Venis is right back up for the tag to Viscera and the house cleaning. Cade gets knocked off the apron and it’s a splash into the Money Shot for Murdoch, only to have Cade use a chair for the DQ.
Rating: D. So that happened. Venis and Viscera at least have a theme to them but it isn’t exactly something that is going to make me care about them. That being said, I can appreciate them trying to do SOMETHING new in the division as it’s not like there has been more than two teams for….pretty much ever now?
Chris Masters and Carlito are worried about splinters in their tables match. Oh and Carlito needs to speak English.
Rob Conway vs. Eugene
Eugene has a Shawn Michaels bear and starts fast with an airplane spin into a poke to the eye. He bites Conway on the tights and steals his sunglasses, which is too far for Conway so the beating is on. The chinlock has Eugene in more trouble but he fights up with right hands. A spinebuster sets up the People’s Elbow for two but Conway DESTROYS THE BEAR. Eugene is distraught and it’s the Ego Trip to give Conway the pin.
Rating: D+. Another match between a new name and an established name that doesn’t have much left in the tank. This wasn’t very good and Conway has lost what little steam that he had in the first place. These new names have to go somewhere, but they need something to help them get there in the first place. Conway being a cocky heel can work, but they’re not helping him much by having him beat up Eugene and other low level guys.
Smackdown Rebound.
Homecoming rundown.
Carlito/Chris Masters vs. Shawn Michaels/John Cena
Tables match. It’s a brawl to start, as it should be, with Cena and Carlito heading outside. Back in and a side slam drops Carlito so the pairings can trade off. No one can find a table (apparently not being happy with the ones in plain sight in front of them) until Carlito sets up one at ringside.
Cena and Carlito fight over a suplex through the table but Shawn accidentally superkicks the referee off the apron and onto (not through) the table. Back from a break with Masters grabbing the Masterlock on Cena with Shawn having to make the save. Carlito plants Shawn with a DDT and the good guys are sent into various hard objects on the floor. Cena makes a comeback though and is smart enough to turn a table over at ringside before Shawn can be slammed through it.
With Shawn down on the floor, a table is set up in the corner. Shawn dives in to spear Cena down, breaking up a whip through said table. Stereo ten punches in the corner have Carlito and Masters in trouble and we get stereo Shuffles for a unique visual. Masters is put on the table but here’s Kurt Angle to shove Shawn off the top and through a table for the win.
Rating: B. The best thing they had going here was the fast pace. This was almost non-stop action with both teams staying active the entire time. On top of that, there were no ridiculous tags in a match where anything goes. The ending is fine as it’s not like either of them took a fall and it puts some more heat on Angle vs. Michaels for next week. Better stuff than I was expecting here.
Post match it’s an Angle Slam to put Cena through a table. Cena is busted open and Bischoff holds up the title. This goes on for a good while as the show seems to be running a bit short.
Overall Rating: D+. This wasn’t a very good show but everything is built around next week’s show anyway so it’s not like this really matters. The main event was good and that’s about all you can ask for from a lame duck show like this. It’s still not a good period for WWE but at least they’re trying to do something new. Now if only the new stuff could be, you know, better overall.
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:
http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
IMG Credit: WWE
It’s that time of year again. About four months after getting back from the disaster that was the Crown Jewel trip, WWE is heading back to Saudi Arabia because they need the money. The card isn’t exactly looking stacked this time, likely because a lot of the wrestlers don’t want to go and risk being stranded on the other side of the world in a country that isn’t so friendly. But hey, maybe the stock can go up or something. Let’s get to it.
Kickoff Show: OC vs. Viking Raiders
Remember when the OC got a random win over the Viking Raiders at the end of a gauntlet match and it didn’t mean anything significant long term? Well now we get a rematch! I mean one that comes after all of the other rematches of course but then again these shows exist in their old universe anyway. These teams have nothing to do with each other at the moment but it could be a nice power match.
The Vikings should go over here, at least based on the American storylines at the moment so I’ll go with them here. The OC are fine for anything you want them to do and the Vikings have some awesome squashes so we could be in for a fine match here. I don’t expect any real connection to the previous match in the country, but at least it should get the fans going.
SmackDown Women’s Title: Bayley(c) vs. Naomi
This is something I’m still surprised to see but the fact that it is happening again is a positive sign. Maybe they are making some tiny steps forward in the country and that’s better than nothing. I’m not sure how much it is going to mean in the bigger picture but I’ll take what I can get here. These two have been circling each other for a long time now and Naomi is an interesting challenger, but I’m not sure where this is going.
I’ll take Bayley to retain here, as there could be something big in the works at WrestleMania. I mean, I’m not sure how big as the only match they could really do of note is Bayley vs. Sasha Banks but we’ll have to get through the Elimination Chamber to figure that one out. Bayley retaining here makes sense, though it wouldn’t surprise me to see Naomi leaving WrestleMania as champion.
Raw Tag Team Titles: Seth Rollins/Murphy(c) vs. Street Profits
This was set up on Monday when the Profits ran in to make the save at the end of the show and that’s a good thing. The Profits are the kind of team who are always going to get a reaction, though I’m not sure how well things are going to go in a big stadium that might not recognize them. The energy alone is going to get them somewhere, though that’s not what matters here.
Rollins and Murphy retain here, as they should. The Profits will get the titles eventually, but Rollins and Murphy are doing something a lot bigger and shouldn’t be taking a fall at the moment. The Viking Raiders seem to be the likely candidates to take the titles and that can come later. For now though, Murphy and Rollins retain, though the Profits probably steal the show again.
Raw World Title: Brock Lesnar(c) vs. Ricochet
I want to believe that Ricochet has a real chance here and I’m doing everything I can to get a Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton vibe. Ricochet is the kind of guy who can do all kinds of good things in the ring and is one of the real stars that they have for the future. The problem is the timing though, as we’re a month and a half away from WrestleMania and it would take a miracle to change the title here.
Therefore, Lesnar wins in the easiest layup of the show, but I’m curious to see how good the match can be. It all comes down to Lesnar being interested in trying and you never know with him. If they’re willing to put in the effort, we could be in for a good match here and maybe even a great false hope spot, but it’s all going to be false hope because Lesnar retains here without much doubt whatsoever.
Mansoor vs. Dolph Ziggler
I know Mansoor is someone who is going to draw some eye rolls and that’s understandable, but he has managed to not embarrass himself whatsoever. His match against Cesaro was quite good and I could easily see him as a regular on NXT. Having him on this show isn’t absurd or going too far or anything like that and I’d rather Ziggler be in this spot than somewhere higher.
Of course Mansoor goes over because there’s no other point to putting him on the show. It’s not like this match is going to mean anything and it’s nice to see someone fresh getting a win. If nothing else, there’s something nice about seeing Ziggler lose, just because we don’t have to see him doing anything positive. Mansoor is little more than a (talented) mascot but he goes over here.
Tuwaiq Trophy Gauntlet Match
This is your multiple person match of the show and this one isn’t the most interesting in the world. There are six people in this one and I’m not sure what that is going to mean. WWE has been making these gauntlet matches go on a little longer as of late and while that can be a good idea in some situations, I’m not sure how well it’s going to work here as the names involved are hit and miss.
I’ll play it safe and go with AJ Styles here, as he is the kind of person you can put over in something like this with no worry of damage to anyone else. He’s won almost everything else in wrestling so having him pick this up is hardly going to be a surprise. If nothing else, Undertaker is all but confirmed for the show and maybe they can set something up for the rumored WrestleMania match.
Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin
So yeah, after what really felt like the blow off match on SmackDown a few weeks back, we get another match here with the two of them in a cage. This feud has been going on for about four and a half months now and any interest there might have been in it has gone through the floor ever since. The thing needs to just go away forever now because there’s nothing left for them to do.
Of course Reigns goes over here because there is no reason for the two of them to keep fighting. Reigns is going to go on to the World Title scene at WrestleMania and Corbin is likely to go on to some other big spot because WWE keeps pushing the heck out of him for whatever reason without ever learning why that’s a bad idea. But yeah Reigns wins here, as he should.
SmackDown Tag Team Titles: New Day(c) vs. The Miz/John Morrison
I know I’ve said this before but New Day are great filler champions. The problem is that they’ve been filler champions for the better part of ever over different reigns. The division never gets any better and that can be a little tiresome at times. It’s certainly not anything that seems to be getting better, but at least we have a fresh heel team here and what should be a good match.
For the sake of a little curve ball, I’ll go with a title change here, just to give the show some flavor. Miz and Morrison winning the titles would be a good way to make things move a bit though it wouldn’t surprise me to see the titles stay with New Day. They have to lose them at some point though and doing the title change here to set up a rematch at Elimination Chamber is as good as anything else they could do.
Humberto Carrillo vs. Angel Garza
This is another bonus match and yet another rematch from a recent show. The quality is going to depend on the amount of time that they get and you never know how that is going to be on a show like this. If nothing else, it’s going to be annoying having Andrade and Garza on the same show as I keep writing the wrong name for them anyway. At least Carrillo is easy enough to remember because of the Power Ranger outfit alone.
I’ll take Garza here as he has more charisma and overall ability though I’m not sure how much good it is going to do to have them fight again. The match will be an entertaining one and should get a few minutes, but it’s a match that has been done a few times now to not incredible results. Maybe this one will be the blow away match that gets the fans interested, but I can’t bring myself to get interested.
SmackDown World Title: The Fiend vs. Goldberg
And yet, they somehow have a main event that makes me wonder what we’ll be seeing. They really could go either way here and that should make for an interesting match. The Fiend losing here would seem strange, but the idea of Goldberg losing to someone like the Fiend just seems impossible. The match shouldn’t go on too long and very well could end with a spear, but I don’t think I can imagine it going that way.
I just can’t go with Goldberg here so I’ll say Fiend retains. If nothing else I certainly hope so, because I don’t want what has been an interesting character arc come crashing down just so we can get a “more WrestleMania” match between Reigns and Goldberg. You can do that match without having to take the title from Fiend and I’ll stick with the hope that they’ll do the right thing and have Fiend retain.
Overall Thoughts
I have no idea what to think of these shows anymore. Most of them have been disasters but Crown Jewel wasn’t half bad so maybe they’re getting the hang of things. Then again I have no reason to believe that is going to be the case again and I’m almost scared to imagine how some of these matches are going to end. Maybe it winds up being ok, but they don’t exactly have the track record to back that up.
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:
http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
IMG Credit: National Wrestling Alliance
Powerrr
Date: February 25, 2020
Location: GPB Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Stu Bennett, Joe Galli
We’re rapidly approaching the Crockett Cup and that means things are starting to get interesting again. The big story is of course the World Title match between champion Nick Aldis and Marty Scurll, but other than that there are the usual shenanigans taking place around here. Let’s get to it.
We open with a quick look back at Melina granting herself a Women’s Title match.
Sean Mooney gives us the quick recap.
Opening sequence.
Here’s Tim Storm for a chat. He isn’t planning to retire because Mama Storm didn’t raise any quitters. Mama Storm is his hot button issue and as long as people stay out of that, it’s fine. Cue Thom Latimer to say that Strictly Business has moved on from Storm, who is expecting the fake Mama Storm to come out again. Instead it’s Danny Deals, who played Mama Storm. All Storm wants to do is get his hands on Deals, who thinks Storm wants nothing to do with him.
Storm is ready to grab him by the throat right now, but Deals has an offer. There is a guy behind a curtain and if Storm beats him, Storm gets to face Deals. Otherwise though, Storm has to get the guy a contract with the NWA. The guy is former NWA World Champion (and the man Storm beat to win the title), Jax Dane. Good angle here as Storm has a relatable reason to fight and is ready to do so. I’ve seen it said elsewhere and it’s absolutely right: if Mama Storm ever shows up here, the studio’s roof is going into orbit.
Nikita Koloff and Lex Luger want you to come to Man Camp, a Christian retreat.
Matt Cross says that he feels like he has the same things that make the NWA great: history, heart and spirit. He can live forever in that ring because wrestling is forever, and so is Matt Cross.
Ricky Starks vs. Zicky Dice vs. Matt Cross
Non-title. Dice insists that NO ONE touches his fanny pack, so the fans respond with a hearty WE DON’T WANT IT chant. Starks scares Dice to the floor to start so Dice pulls him outside as well. That leaves Cross alone inside so he dives onto both of them, as you may have expected. Back in and Starks and Cross clothesline each other so Dice comes back in, now that the heat is off. The double noggin knocker is broken up and Cross hits his springboard cutter on Starks. The shooting star press connects but Dice steals the pin on Starks at 3:19.
Rating: D+. Words cannot express how sick I am of that finishing sequence. It feels like that is the kind of thing that you have to use in every other triple threat match. Dice winning should set him up for a title shot in the near future but at the same time, I really do wish they could have come up with a better way to get us there.
May Valentine gives us her version of Royce Isaacs winning the six man tag a few weeks back. That night, he said I love you for the first time. May thinks Kamille isn’t a monster because she’s really nice. She has to go now because it’s time for promotional work so bye guys. These could be worse.
Here’s Aron Stevens for a chat. Seriously, how good is he? That’s not flying here as he gets called out for running away from title defenses and leaving Question Mark hanging out to dry. Stevens denies everything and points out his third degree black belt. Trevor Murdoch and Scott Steiner failed to win this title, so why is Murdoch fighting Question Mark?
Trevor Murdoch vs. Question Mark
Clotheslines, a missed Mongrovian Spike and the top rope bulldog finishes Mark at 37 seconds. Well that happened.
Post match Stevens runs in and beats Murdoch down with Mark’s help.
Here’s Nick Aldis for a chat. Before we get to Villain Enterprises, let’s admire how spiffy he is tonight. He’s been on fire lately and they just beat the Rock N Roll Express. From now on, it’s Nick-el down Economics and that includes Marty Scurll, who comes out to interrupt. Scurll is ready to go right now and gets in the ring but Aldis brings out Strictly Business. Cue Brody King to clean house but referees break it up.
Here’s Eddie Kingston for a chat, while he’s taping his hands. He’s ready to beat someone up and that would be Pope. The Dawsons and the Bouncers can take care of each other so it’s all about Pope vs. Kingston. Pope can come out here right now so here he is, with his own taped up hands. He doesn’t like hearing about Kingston calling him out because Pope gets what he wants. If he wants to, Pope can wine and dine anywhere, with the alcohol reference bringing out the Bouncers. Pope can afford a beer if he wants to, meaning the Bouncers jump Kingston and lay him out in the ring. Good segment as the story continues.
Video on Melina vs. Thunder Rosa.
Update with Sean Mooney! This week’s is about the Crockett Cup, with the Rock N Roll Express being the first entrants. Next week: the Bouncers get a Tag Team Title shot and Ricky Starks defends the TV Title against Zicky Dice.
Women’s Title: Melina vs. Thunder Rosa
Rosa is defending and the fans are WAY behind her. They talk trash to start and Rosa shoves her away….so Melina drops to the floor for the countout at 1:45. There was no significant contact whatsoever.
Post match Allysin Kay appears in the crowd behind Melina. Kay stalks her to the ring but here’s Kamille to spear Melina down. Rosa stares at Kamille to end the show.
Roll credits.
Overall Rating: D+. I’m not sure if they were at the end of a taping cycle or what but this felt like they were out of steam. There have been far worse shows but this was the kind of show you should have recapped instead of watching in full. The main event angle made my eyebrows go up a bit but the “match” took away some of the interest the angle could have had. The Crockett Cup is all that matters though, even if it’s still a good way off.
Results
Zicky Dice b. Ricky Starks and Matt Cross – Shooting star press to Starks
Trevor Murdoch b. Question Mark – Top rope bulldog
Thunder Rosa b. Melina via DQ
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:
http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
IMG Credit: AEW
Dark
Date: February 25, 2020
Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Excalibur, Tazz
Hosts: Tony Schiavone, Dasha Gonzalez
It’s another week and I still don’t know what to expect from this show. They get into a rhythm and then it goes flying out the window the next week. The shows are fine enough most of the time but there are weeks where I don’t need to see most of what they are presenting. Let’s get to it.
Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.
Excalibur and Tazz run down the card with Tony Schiavone nowhere in sight.
Jimmy Havoc vs. Marko Stunt
The rest of the Jurassic Express is here with Stunt. Havoc misses an early charge and gets knocked to the floor for some suicide dives. A diving tornado DDT plants Havoc again but he’s fine enough to hit a buckle bomb back inside. Cue Dr. Luther and Mel to watch on the stage as Havoc hits a brainbuster and cranks on the neck.
Stunt gets a boot up in the corner but dives into a Crossface to work on the neck a bit more. The neck is bent around the turnbuckle and a fisherman’s suplex gives Havoc two. Stunt fights up with an enziguri and dropkicks Havoc outside, but this time he just sidesteps a suicide dive. The Acid Rainmaker finishes Stunt at 7:32.
Rating: D+. Same thing I always say about Stunt: it’s a nice story once, but it’s too much to believe that anyone has any real difficulty beating him. They didn’t go too long here and Stunt’s offense was mainly fluke shots that Havoc could shrug off, but it looks and feels like Havoc is beating up a twelve year old. The long hair and tiny frame make it impossible to believe and that’s not something that is going to get better.
Tony and Dasha (hey she still exists) talk about….not much really.
Dark Order vs. Strong Hearts
Fallout from the Dark Order trying to recruit Cima to the team. Evil Uno and T-Hawk start things off with Hawk chopping away but getting stopped with a poke to the eye. Grayson comes in and gets his leg dropkicked out, allowing the Hearts to set up a basement dropkick to the face. Something like a reverse Rings of Saturn keeps Grayson in trouble but he drives Hawk into the corner to cut him off. Some right hands keep Hawk in trouble and Uno adds a big boot.
A jumping knee into a clothesline gets two but Hawk gets in a quick powerbomb. That’s enough for the hot tag off to Cima so house can be cleaned as everything breaks down. The double suicide dive takes the Order out and it’s a missile dropkick to Uno back inside. Uno is fine enough to hit a DDT/Samoan drop combination on the Hearts though and it’s a toss into a powerbomb for two on Hawk. The Fatality finishes Hawk at 8:35.
Rating: C+. That’s one of the best things I’ve seen from the Dark Order so far but what matters most is having the Exalted One show up and be impressive. I’m not sure who it is going to be but they have a few options, some of which could be rather successful. If it doesn’t work though, the team is done for all intent and purpose so they better get it right.
Come to see Dynamite!
Kip Sabian vs. Joey Janela
Falls count anywhere so Janela low blows him on the stage for two at the bell with Penelope Ford making the save. Sabian knocks Ford down by mistake and it’s time to fight by the stage. That lets Ford hit a big dive off the stage with a crossbody but Janela is fine enough to hit a superkick. Ford gets in another distraction though and Sabian hits a flip dive to put Janela down.
They get inside for the first time with Sabian pulling on something like a reverse Koji Clutch until they fall outside again. The fight goes into the crowd with Janela throwing a drink in his face and taking it back to ringside. Janela’s dive off the barricade gets chaired out of the air but Sabian dropkicks a chair by mistake. A prosthetic leg to the head has Sabian drown again and it’s time to set up a table at ringside.
Sabian is back with a half and half suplex on the apron for two, followed by the swinging neckbreaker through the table. Two more tables are set up but Ford is back up with a top rope hurricanrana to Janela. That just earns her a toss into Sabian, who knocks the table over but doesn’t break it. Janela hits a hard kendo stick shot to the head for the pin at 12:29.
Rating: C+. The match was fine enough but I haven’t cared about this feud (or anyone involved in it) since the beginning and this match, which hopefully is the finale, is no different. Janela and Sabian fighting over Ford isn’t worth caring about and they both desperately need something different. It’s a boring feud and hopefully AEW can figure that out.
QT Marshall and Dustin Rhodes are ready for their tag match.
QT Marshall/Dustin Rhodes vs. Shawn Spears/Peter Avalon
Brandi Rhodes and Leva Bates are the seconds. Marshall gets hiptossed down to start and that means an early SHH. Dustin comes in for a running knee into a standing twisting moonsault for two on Avalon as the oldest person in the match gets to pick up the pace. Spears’ headlock works a bit better and he tries the Goldust deep breath.
Dustin’s uppercut doesn’t do much good so he goes with the ten right hands in the corner instead. Everything breaks down and Dustin and Marshall get in some stereo dancing jabs. We settle down to Spears dropping Marshall back first onto the apron to take over, allowing Avalon to get two off a leg lariat. Marshall gets away for the tag without much trouble though and it’s Dustin coming in to clean house.
Spears manages a spinebuster though and Marshall gets sent off the top for a big crash to the floor. Back up and Dustin grabs the Code Red for two but Spears runs him down again. A twisting frog splash gets two, only to have Avalon tag himself in. That means a left hand from Spears, who walks out on Avalon to seal his fate. Leva grabs Dustin’s foot to break up Shattered Dreams so it’s a spear from Brandi, followed by Shattered Dreams anyway. A powerslam/sliding reverse suplex combination finishes Avalon at 11:41.
Rating: C. I liked this one well enough but this Spears Needs A Partner deal isn’t going anywhere. The fact that they are already repeating the same idea with the same people isn’t a good sign and I don’t know why I would want to see it again. Not a terrible match but it belongs on a show like this one instead of anywhere near the main show.
Overall Rating: C-. This is a great illustration of the divide between the top half of the roster and everyone around here. The show was full of a bunch of wrestlers who have little reason to be anywhere near Dynamite (not the case with everyone here, but the majority of them). There is a big difference between the two pools of talent and I don’t know how necessary it is to keep showing these matches. Not a bad show, but not one you’ll ever need to see.
Results
Jimmy Havoc b. Marko Stunt – Acid Rainmaker
Dark Order b. Strong Hearts – Fatality to T-Hawk
Joey Janela b. Kip Sabian – Kendo stick to the head
Dustin Rhodes/QT Marshall b. Peter Avalon/Shawn Spears – Powerslam/sliding reverse suplex combination to Avalon
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:
http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
IMG Credit: WWE
Monday Night Raw
Date: February 24, 2020
Location: Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, Jerry Lawler
It’s the go home show for Super ShowDown but since WWE doesn’t get the idea of slowing down on anything, we are also building towards Elimination Chamber and Wrestlemania at the same time. Brock Lesnar is in the house tonight and that could mean some interesting things for Drew McIntyre and Ricochet. Let’s get to it.
Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.
We open with a look back at Randy Orton destroying Matt Hardy last week.
Opening sequence.
Here’s Orton for a chat. He needs to apologize for going a little too far, but he also mentions that it has been fifteen years since Raw has been in Winnipeg. Fifteen years ago, he was 24 years old and the Intercontinental Champion, but on that night he was punched in the face by someone named Adam, who you may know as Edge. The fans want Edge but Orton makes it clear that he isn’t here tonight. These people will never understand why he did what he did, but he is sorry for it.
Cue Kevin Owens, who first has to pause while the fans chant for him. Owens has been dealing with some delusional people as of late and now Orton is here as well. See, he doesn’t believe that Orton is telling the truth and now Owens wants to know why Orton attacked Edge.
Owens remembers when Edge retired because he was already wrestling for a living. Then in the Royal Rumble, he heard Edge’s music and wanted to be out there with him because he saw the look in Edge’s eyes. So why did Orton do what he did. Orton: “You think you know me?” Owens knows the people want to see them fight so Orton agrees, but a little later.
Angel Garza and Zelina Vega are ready to take out the trash that is Humberto Carrillo. Vega can’t get away from Charly Caruso fast enough but Angel kisses her hand and says with Charly, business is always pleasure. She seems to approve.
Humberto Carrillo vs. Angel Garza
They start wacky by tying their legs together, standing on their heads, and slapping each other in the face. Garza gets sent outside but comes back in with a headscissors, only to have Carrillo land on his feet. Carrillo sends him outside again for a heck of a suicide dive and we take a break. Back with Garza tying him in the Tree of Woe, allowing Garza to TAKE OFF HIS PANTS! I MEAN HIS OWN IF THAT ISN’T CLEAR!
Carrillo fights back and sends him to the floor, only to do a handstand on the apron for some reason, allowing Garza to hit a superkick. An exchange of kicks on the apron puts Garza down and Carrillo stomps away for a bonus. A catapult sends Garza onto the middle rope for the moonsault to the floor and we take a second break.
Back again with Carrillo grabbing a standing Spanish Fly for two but Vega offers a distraction. Garza catches him on top and that means a super Spanish Fly for two. A pinfall reversal sequence gets several near falls apiece until Garza sits down on a rollup attempt for the pin at 14:41 (he might have had the tights but it’s not clear).
Rating: B-. They did some cool spots and it was clear that they know each other very well. It’s nice to have some lucha out there as they feel like something different, which is more than you get a lot of the time on Raw. If they could combine these two into one wrestler, they would have gold but for now they have a guy with more charisma than he knows what to do with and a guy who Vince wants to push really hard. Maybe they can make it work, but for now it’s just pretty good.
We recap Becky Lynch and Shayna Baszler, even though we’re still supposed to believe that there’s a point to the Elimination Chamber.
Ricochet vs. Luke Gallows
Ricochet starts moving fast to start and sends Gallows to the floor for the big flip dive. Back in and Ricochet springboards into a big boot as we see Paul Heyman watching. An uppercut gives Gallows two and we hit the chinlock. Ricochet fights out in a hurry and hits an enziguri for the double knockdown. The springboard crossbody into the standing shooting star gets two but Gallows is back with a superkick. Ricochet hits his own though and the Recoil connects, setting up a shooting star press (to the middle of the ring) for the pin at 4:31.
Rating: B. That might be a bit high but I really liked the story they told here. Ricochet has no change of winning on Thursday but they are having him win match after match against big names and I’m digging everything that they’re doing. This was a very well done match with the big man vs. little man and then the shooting star was amazing. The rating is much more for the setup and storytelling than for the wrestling, but I really liked this.
Post break, AJ Styles talks about how the OC needs to act like the best team in the world. Ricochet could become WWE Champion but if that miracle happens, AJ will be right there to get his title back. They need to plant their flag at the top of the food chain but here’s Aleister Black on the way to the ring. AJ says Black needs to learn what matters around here and they beat Black down. The team leaves and Black pulls himself to his feet. I’m up for Styles vs. Black.
Here are Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman for a chat. The Canadian fans are happy to see their honorary Lesnar but Heyman cuts them off with his usual introduction. Heyman talks about how wrestlers are always trying to make catchphrases for themselves but Lesnar has never needed one. All Lesnar has to do is decide to be champion and no one can stop him. Lesnar getting in the ring is special and that’s what you’ll be seeing on Thursday at Super ShowDown. He owes Ricochet an uppercut and since Lesnar is wrestling, it is special by definition.
The stakes on Thursday have never been higher though, but why is that the case? If Ricochet can pull off the miracle, he is going on to face Drew McIntyre at Wrestlemania and the consequences are huge, if that happens. Heyman: “If my aunt had balls, she would be my uncle, but she is not!” (that one cracked Lawler up). Lesnar is going to wreck McIntyre at Wrestlemania and be champion forever. And that is a spoiler.
We look at Becky Lynch calling out Shayna Baszler.
Aleister Black vs. Erick Rowan
Yeah you knew the rematches were coming. Despite getting beaten up, Black can still do his full entrance. Black is still staggered so Rowan runs him over and drives some knees into the back. A suplex doesn’t work for Rowan as he gets low bridged to the floor, followed by a big boot to knock him off the apron. Black gets knocked onto the apron and then sent into the timekeeper’s area and we take a break.
Back with Black getting Side Effected for two but he strikes away and sweeps the leg. There’s the springboard moonsault press and a running knee to the face gives Black two. Black might be limping a bit after the moonsault and Black Mass is countered into a Jackhammer for two more. Rowan sends him outside to whip Black into the barricade but a charge into the steps knocks the cage over. That’s fine with Rowan, who powerbombs Black into the post but then goes to check on the cage, allowing Black to hit Black Mass. Another one finishes Rowan at 10:24.
Rating: C+. These two beat each other up rather well and while the cage thing is getting annoying, it’s what Rowan would be doing in a situation like this. Black had to work for this one and while the match with Rowan didn’t need a sequel, they did a good job with this one. Black seems to be moving on to AJ anyway, so going through two Rowan matches isn’t a horrible situation.
Post match, Black challenges Styles for next week.
We get a sitdown interview with Drew McIntyre, who isn’t scared about Brock Lesnar because he’s main eventing Wrestlemania. Drew talks about debuting in 2009 (which he says was thirteen years ago) and how he hasn’t won a single World Title since that time. He lost his passion, which included his time in 3MB. Then he got fired and it put a chip on his shoulder, but he knew he could only blame himself. He wasn’t about to let people remember him as the idiot playing air guitar.
When McIntyre came back, he came back to NXT, which was where he could be a leader. Then he debuted on Raw in 2018, four years to the day since he was released. He’s been called the future but then he was a past superstar without ever being the present. That’s why he knew he had to eliminate Lesnar and now he’s going to Wrestlemania to fulfill his destiny. They’re doing everything they can to make McIntyre into a star and it’s slowly working.
Here’s R-Truth with the winter premiere of Truth TV, featuring Bobby Lashley and Lana as his special guests. They’re not here for the talk show though, because Lashley is scheduled to beat Truth up. Truth would rather ask him questions though, because Lashley is too big. Truth: “Have you seen Sonic the Hedgehog?” Lana: “RING THE BELL!”
R-Truth vs. Bobby Lashley
Lashley stomps away and sends him outside as the fans chant for Rusev. Back in and Truth uses John Cena’s finishing sequence but gets speared down for the pin at 1:53.
We recap Baszler vs. Lynch’s face to screen argument last week.
Styles vs. Black is confirmed for next week.
All six women’s Elimination Chamber participants, save for Baszler, are in the ring for a contract signing. Asuka counts the participants but realizes there’s one missing. Lawler continues anyway, with Sarah Logan, Natalya, Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott (who nearly comes to blows with Morgan) and Asuka all sign, which draws out Baszler through the crowd. Lawler wisely leaves as Shayna and Natalya are about to fight, but Asuka breaks it up.
Asuka tells Shayna to bite her but Natalya takes Asuka down and the fight is on, with Liv diving over the table to get at Riott. Shayna is eventually left alone so here’s Becky to take her down. Officials break it up in a hurry. I don’t remember the last time there was a big match with such an obvious winner but it’s getting annoying in a hurry.
The Bella Twins are official for the Hall of Fame.
Here are the Street Profits for a chat before we get to their singles match. They are ready for their Tag Team Title match on Thursday against the Monday Night Messiah and Murph the Smurf. The titles are all that matters though because every day of their lives, they want the smoke.
Murphy vs. Angelo Dawkins
Murphy throws his shirt at him to start but Dawkins is back with the shots to the face and a running elbow, followed by the spinning splash in the corner. There’s a Sky High and Seth Rollins comes in for the DQ at 1:08.
Post match Ford clears the ring and says Dawkins hit Murphy so hard last week that it erased his last name. Ford can do it to Rollins right now too.
Montez Ford vs. Seth Rollins
Ford starts fast and knocks Rollins to the floor for the big flip dive and we take a break. Back with Dawkins and Murphy being ejected, allowing Ford to hit a heck of a springboard crossbody for two. A dropkick knocks Rollins down again but he grabs a suplex back inside for his own near fall. Ford rolls him up a few times but gets buckle bombed for his efforts. A running powerbomb into the barricade sends us to a break.
Back with Ford hitting an enziguri and a standing moonsault gets two. Another enziguri staggers Rollins and there’s a DDT for two more. Ford goes up but gets caught, only to sunset bomb Rollins down for the crash. The frog splash misses though and Rollins Stomps him for the pin at 15:21.
Rating: B-. These guys looked good together but Ford is the one who matters most. Even WWE can see what they have with him and maybe this is a sign that they have some plans for him on his own. You have to use talent like that in a big way and WWE would be nuts to not at leas try. If nothing else, having him do frog splashes and dives like that will keep him around for a long time.
Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton
Owens pounds away to start but the threat of hit the Cannonball sends Orton outside. Cue Rollins and company for the distraction though and Owens is sent into the barricade as we take a break. Back with both of them down and the Profits and Viking Raiders running in for the big brawl. They fight to the crowd with everyone else, leaving Owens to get crotched on top.
Owens knocks him off anyway and hits the Swanton. Rollins is back though and Owens has to knock him off the apron, allowing Orton to come back with a clothesline. Another Rollins distraction lets Orton hit the hanging DDT….for a very fast counted pin at 8:10. Even Orton looks confused by what happened but he’ll take it.
Rating: C. The match had a lot of stuff going on at once but I can go for a few different stories being mixed together, even if it is just for a week. There is no need to always keep things separate so doing something like this is a good idea on occasion. The story is fine as well, with what seems to be a referee going along with what Rollins has been preaching, though I’ve never liked the trope for some reason. It’s a new wrinkle though and that’s fine.
Post match Rollins throws Orton some chairs but Owens pucks one up. The referee pulls it away so Owens grabs him and opens the referee’s shirt to reveal a Seth Rollins shirt. That means a Stunner to the referee and a powerbomb through a table ends the show.
Overall Rating: B. The word I would use here is balanced, as we got a little bit of everything, including action, storytelling and talking, to come together for a rather solid show. There was nothing bad on here, save for maybe trying to make us believe that Baszler isn’t the biggest lock in recent memory. This was the best show they’ve had in a long time and I had a rather god time watching the entire thing. I don’t remember the last time that was the case and that’s a rather nice feeling to have back.
Results
Angel Garza b. Humberto Carrillo – Rollup
Ricochet b. Luke Gallows – Shooting star press
Aleister Black b. Erick Rowan – Black Mass
Bobby Lashley b. R-Truth – Spear
Angelo Dawkins b. Murphy – Sky High
Seth Rollins b. Montez Ford – Stomp
Randy Orton b. Kevin Owens – Elevated DDT with a fast count
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:
http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at: