IMG Credit: WWE

Main Event
Date: June 11, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: MVP, Tom Phillips

It’s time for a go home edition of the show and that should mean that at least part of this should be more interesting than usual. However, that isn’t exactly the most likely situation with the rest of the show, because Main Event doesn’t work that way. If nothing else it just makes you realize that WWE has a lot of people on its roster and they are in quite the tiered structure. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Natalya vs. Liv Morgan

Feeling out process to start with Liv nipping up out of a headscissors. She counters a wristlock into one of her own but Natalya takes her down with a waistlock. Liv spins out of that and smiles at Natalya, who is getting annoyed at Liv’s lack of seriousness. A kick to the back of the trunks sets up the basement dropkick, followed by the sitout powerbomb out of the corner.

The surfboard lets Natalya kick Liv face first into the mat but Liv pops back up with the clotheslines. There’s the Shining Wizard and a double stomp to the back gives Liv two. Oblivion is countered though and they go into a rollup exchange for a bunch of near falls. The Sharpshooter is loaded up but Natalya reverses into a small package for the pin at 5:32.

Rating: C-. Morgan is a great case of someone who might not have all the tools but she seems to be working hard to improve. That is going to get her somewhere at some point and giving her a win over someone like Natalya (not the biggest star but better than others) is going to mean something. Not a terrible match, though to be fair it’s the opener on Main Event.

Post match Natalya has another fit.

From Smackdown.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Alexa Bliss/Nikki Cross vs. Sasha Banks/Bayley

Bayley and Banks are challenging and it’s Cross running Bayley over to start. Bliss slaps Bayley and Cross comes back in for a running shot in the corner. Bliss is driven into the corner and Banks gets in her own slap. That just annoys Bliss again and she gets over to Cross to clean house. Bayley gets crushed on the floor but a Banks distraction lets Bayley hit a running knee. The Meteora from the apron takes Cross down and we take a break.

A quick Code Red gives Bliss two as Cross hits a tornado DDT on Bayley on the floor. It’s back to Cross for a high crossbody but Banks pulls her into the Bank Statement. Bayley breaks up her own partner’s hold because Banks isn’t legal and the DQ was coming, sending commentary into an argument over whether or not that makes sense. Banks tags herself in and Bank Statements Cross, only to be reversed into a rollup. That rollup is countered into another rollup to give Banks the pin and the titles at 12:32.

Rating: C-. The ending was kind of messy but I can go with the title change. The titles don’t exactly mean much at the moment but some title changes might spice things up a bit. If nothing else it can get some interest on the titles because you can only get so far on the champions posing with the titles. Maybe they can use this to further Bayley vs. Banks, as it’s only been built for the better part of a year now.

From Raw.

Here’s Christian for the Peep Show with Edge. After Edge sits down, Christian says Edge is running on fumes and couldn’t pull off the Greatest Wrestling Match Ever in his prime. They’re best friends so they have to be honest with each other. Edge talks about how difficult it is to have this kind of a burden put on him. This is a different Edge though and isn’t the same guy who had to calm Christian down before all of their tag matches. It’s an Edge firing on every cylinder, even though he doesn’t know how many cylinders he has left.

Christian says he’s hearing excuses and he wants to know what Edge was expecting when he came back? Flash a smile and hit some spears before he goes home? Edge’s biggest fan was his mom, who is going to be there for this one too. Christian calls him Adam as Edge’s lip is quivering and that’s what Christian was looking for.

Edge put Orton down at Wrestlemania because he has the anti-venom and we believe in him. We think you can have the greatest match ever, and here’s Orton on the screen to interrupt. Orton is tired of hearing about this and is ready to take away every ounce of GRIT that Edge has. This Sunday, in the Greatest Wrestling Match Ever, the redemption of Edge is over. Edge: “No it’s not.” And he leaves.

That was one of the dumbest segments I can remember in a good while and sums up the problem with this entire setup. In the entire Edge and Christian segment, there was not one mention or reference to Edge winning the match. The whole point was having a great match and if Edge won, that was just a bonus. As a fan, why should I care if Edge can have a great match? I should be caring about who wins and loses, not how many stars a match is going to get. It’s one thing for a wrestling fan to think that way but for a wrestling company to be presenting that as the story? That’s a really bad sign.

Shelton Benjamin vs. Shane Thorne

The lockup sends Thorne to the apron and Shelton takes him to the mat without much effort. MVP doesn’t think the wrestling stuff is going to work here for Thorne because MVP has some intelligence. Back up and Shelton grabs the ankle lock, sending Thorne straight back to the apron. Thorne finally sends him to the corner for a cannonball and we take a break.

Back with Thorne working on the arm with some knees and tying it around the bottom rope. The Dragon Whip gets Shelton out of trouble though and he whips Thorne hard into the corner. Shane can’t get a crossface chickenwing so Shelton knees him in the face. Paydirt finishes Thorne at 10:57.

Rating: C-. Shelton is another case of someone who isn’t going to go anywhere but at least he’s getting to do something in the ring most weeks. Thorne’s push has stopped cold and I can’t say I’m surprised. He’s just kind of there for the most part and that isn’t enough to warrant a ton of television time.

We recap Miz and Morrison “pranking” Braun Strowman. They deserved to have their van wrecked.

From Raw.

Viking Raiders vs. MVP/Bobby Lashley

Drew and the Profits are at ringside. Lashley hits a quick Downward Spiral to Ivar but some knees to the ribs get him out of trouble. It’s off to Erik for a knee to MVP as Lana is watching in the back. Ivar slams Erick onto MVP so Lashley comes in to run Erik over. MVP adds a chinlock but quickly hands it back to Lashley to hammer away.

Erik punches his way to freedom though and it’s back to Ivar to clean house. Everything breaks down with MVP and Lashley yelling at the Profits, leaving Ivar to dive onto both of them as we take a break. Back with the Vikings beating Lashley up some more, including an armbar from Ivar.

We cut to an interview with Lana, who talks about how she needs to work on her marriage. Back to full screen with MVP working over Ivar, who flips over MVP’s back to make the hot tag to Erik. Lashley gets sent outside, where he stares at McIntyre and then spears Ivar. Back in and the full nelson makes Erik tap at 15:10.

Rating: C. The action was good and it makes Lashley look like a monster to make someone like Erik tap. That being said, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, I hope they wait a bit before doing the Raiders vs. the Profits again. Lashley came off great here as the Raiders are big but he’s better. Good booking, assuming they don’t have the Raiders shrug it off and go for the titles immediately.

Post match Ivar punches MVP and gets full nelsoned as well. The Street Profits can’t break it up, but the Claymore certainly can.

Overall Rating: D+. Totally run of the mill Main Event here and that’s not the best thing in the world. There is only so much that you can get out of a show like this and this week was good evidence of that. You could feel the lack of importance in the matches, but at least they had some focus on the Backlash build. Not a great focus mind you, but a focus.

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:

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: June 5, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Corey Graves, Byron Saxton

We have a new Cruiserweight Champion and they may have already forgotten the Interim part. I’m not sure where the title or the division is going at the moment, but it doesn’t seem to be something that is going to be taking place around here. There’s something interesting about the fact that all of the shows are being taped in the same place and we never see the champion, or anything of importance around here. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Oney Lorcan vs. Tehuti Miles

Danny Burch is here with Lorcan, who takes Miles down into a headscissors to start. Back up and Lorcan chops away, only to get caught in a spinning flapjack. The running crotch attack to the back of Lorcan’s head sets up some elbow drops….and an adjustment of Miles’ hair. A neckbreaker gives Miles two and we hit the armbar. That’s broken up and Lorcan starts getting annoyed, meaning the chops are on again. Miles grabs a rollup with trunks so Burch shouts about the cheating. That has Miles yelling at him, allowing Lorcan to grab a rollup for the pin at 7:49.

Rating: C. It’s kind of weird to see Lorcan getting a pin when Burch couldn’t, though it does make Miles seem a little more important. Now that being said, it’s still Miles and I don’t quite see him being a big star in the future. Then again, it’s not like having the same people around here is a good idea so I’ll take someone fresh.

We look at Isaiah Scott pinning Tony Nese on NXT despite Jack Gallagher’s distraction.

Isaiah Scott vs. Jack Gallagher

They circle each other to start with Scott taking him to the mat and not being able to do much there. Scott spins him down into a short armscissors and then dropkicks him into the corner. The middle rope elbow to the back gets two but Gallagher is back up with a whip into the post.

Gallagher starts striking away but gets caught with a quick House Call to the floor. The rolling Downward Spiral gives Scott two, only to get pulled into the guillotine. That’s countered with a brainbuster but Gallagher countered a belly to back superplex into a crossbody for two more. Gallagher goes for the armbar, which Scott quickly reverses into a rollup for the pin at 7:38.

Rating: C+. Scott winning is always a nice thing to see but he needs something more than trading wins on this show. How many times can you face people like Gallagher and Nese before it stops meaning anything? The match was fine enough, but don’t try to make me care about these matches or stories when WWE certainly doesn’t.

Post match Tony Nese comes out and sends Scott into the steps, much to Gallagher’s confusion.

From NXT.

Interim Cruiserweight Title: El Hijo de Fantasma vs. Drake Maverick

For the vacant title and Maverick’s job is pretty much on the line. They shake hands to start and Fantasma rolls him up for a quick two. That freaks Drake out a bit so it’s off to a slightly safer hammerlock. Fantasma is right back up so they circle each other in a standoff. An armbar takes Drake down and Fantasma gets a rollup for two more. Back up and Maverick grabs a headscissors to put Fantasma on the floor. A Cannonball off the apron takes Fantasma down again and we take a break.

Back with Maverick hitting a middle rope dropkick to put Fantasma on the floor again but this time he powerbombs Maverick on the outside. They head back inside with Fantasma grabbing a surfboard but Maverick slips out and hits a running kick in the corner. Fantasma pulls him into a Boston crab, followed by an ugly sitout powerbomb for two more. That’s enough to fire Maverick up but Fantasma forearms him in the back to take care of that again.

This time Maverick unloads in the corner and drops the top rope elbow for two more. They fight up top again with Fantasma being knocked to the floor. Cue the masked men from the parking lot but Maverick dives onto both of them. Back in and Fantasma hits a quick superkick into the Phantom Driver for the pin and the title at 15:02.

Rating: B. It was a good enough match and I wasn’t sure which way they were going to go until the end. That makes for an interesting way to go and Maverick’s heart was shining through as always. There was even interference to make things feel a little less fair. Fantasma is the right call though as he’s more talented, but it was nice to see Maverick’s great run.

Post match Fantasma celebrates while Maverick sits in the ring. He thanks everyone for what happened, gets the hero’s sendoff…..and here’s HHH with the contract for Maverick to end the show. It was either that or win the title so this was a feel good moment. I’d be curious to find out how long this was planned in advance, but hopefully is wasn’t that long.

Overall Rating: C+. The extra stuff from NXT helped as at least they are trying to do something with this show. I have no confidence that this is anything more than a one off though as this show continues to be little more than time filler on a Friday night. The cruiserweights are treated like filler on TV, so why do they still have their own TV show? I don’t get it, and I doubt WWE does either.

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:

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Main Event
Date: June 4, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, MVP

Time for that sweet lower midcard action with the highlights thrown in for a bonus. Actually it’s probably the other way around but what else am I supposed to talk about here? We’re almost up to Backlash so the hype videos will be strong around here, even if the show isn’t that big in the first place. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Ricochet vs. Shane Thorne

Ricochet has changed things up a bit: he has a backwards hat now. Ricochet takes him down by the leg to start and they grapple for leg control for a bit. Neither can get a chinlock/choke so Ricochet goes for a wristlock instead. That’s reversed into a headlock takeover but Ricochet sends him to the apron. Ricochet gets his arm slammed onto the apron to put him in real trouble for a change.

The armbar goes on and MVP is rather pleased with what he’s seeing. A belly to back suplex onto the arm gets two but Thorne misses the Cannonball (the most overly used move these days). Ricochet is back with a spinwheel kick and the springboard spinning crossbody. A running shooting star press hits Thorne’s raised knees but it’s the Kickback to give Ricochet the pin at 6:05.

Rating: C-. Just a run of the mill Main Event match here, though Thorne was looking more polished than usual. Ricochet is one of the sadder cases in WWE today though as he is the kind of guy who could be pushed in a big way but it just never took off. He’s one of the long list of names who should have gone somewhere and they seemingly stopped caring. It’s annoying, but you know it’s happening around here.

We look back at the Jeff Hardy/Elias hit and run.

Quick look at the battle royal to get Sheamus back in the Intercontinental Title tournament.

From Smackdown.

Intercontinental Title Tournament Semifinals: Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan

Sheamus kicks him down to start and grabs a chinlock, only to have Bryan fight back with the kicks in the corner. The suicide dive to the floor connects and we take a break. Back with Bryan working on the arm but Sheamus elbows him down. The top rope clothesline gives Sheamus two and he says he created the YES Movement when he beat Bryan at Wrestlemania.

Bryan fights back but gets Irish Cursed into the Cloverleaf. That’s broken up so Sheamus takes him up top for a superplex. Bryan blocks that as well and hits the missile dropkick but the YES Lock is countered into White Noise for two. Sheamus runs him over again and loads up the Brogue Kick….and here’s Jeff Hardy. The distraction lets Bryan hit the running knee for the pin at 13:12.

Rating: B-. Odd ending aside, they beat each other up well enough and played off some of their history. Bryan knows exactly what he’s doing int here against a big guy and Sheamus is better than your average monster lug. I’m curious about the Hardy ending, but at least they didn’t wait long to seemingly move past the drunk/high thing.

From Raw.

Charlotte vs. Asuka

Non-title. Before the match, Charlotte talks about how she wants one of the NXT wrestlers in the crowd to step up and become her next challenger so she can make them bow down. We hear about Asuka’s resume and Charlotte thinks the Empress wants to be the Queen. The threat of the Asuka Lock is broken up early on and Charlotte strikes away. A shot to Asuka’s knee sends us to an early break.

Back with Charlotte staying on the knee, including a kick to said knee to cut off Asuka’s striking. Charlotte charges into a kick to the head though and a German suplex into a Shining Wizard gets two. Joe: “A flying knee each day keeps the coherency away.” Asuka pulls her into the triangle choke, which is reversed into a Boston crab.

Asuka rolls out and grabs a kneebar but Charlotte stands up and grabs her own German suplex. That just means another triangle from Asuka, with Charlotte powerbombing her way to freedom for two more. Charlotte kicks her to the floor….so here’s Nia Jax in Asuka’s mask to Asuka’s music for a distraction and the countout to give Charlotte the win at 9:47.

Rating: B-. I never need to see Charlotte again and I certainly don’t need to see her beat Asuka again. The love for Charlotte around here is sickening at times and this time we even got Nia Jax mocking thrown in to keep up the greatest hits. They were having a good match and I’ll take the countout over a clean fall any day. Just give me a break from Nia and Charlotte. Please.

Shelton Benjamin vs. Cedric Alexander

They lock up to start and Benjamin has to dodge a kick to the face. A dropkick connects though and Cedric grabs the armbar. Shelton breaks up the springboard though and we take a break. Back with Shelton hitting a big backdrop for two and grabbing the chinlock. That doesn’t last long and Shelton is back up with a tornado DDT.

Shelton hits a heck of a shot to the face for two but Paydirt is countered into a rollup for the same. They’re starting to pick up the pace here and it’s getting rather entertaining in a hurry. The Neuralizer gives Cedric two more and the Michinoku Driver is enough to finish Benjamin at 11:02.

Rating: C+. They were getting somewhere here as Cedric gets to show off what he can do in the ring while Shelton can still go with a lot of very talented people. Cedric is just a step behind Ricochet as someone who could have been something (not a top star, but a player in the midcard at least). Not a classic or anything close to one, but for a Main Event main event, this was some pretty high level stuff.

From Raw.

MVP vs. Drew McIntyre

Non-title and here is Bobby Lashley to watch. Hold on though as here’s Lana to stand next to a confused Lashley. McIntyre hammers him down in the corner to start and adds a clothesline, followed by the Glasgow Kiss to the floor. Lashley offers a distraction though and MVP sends McIntyre into various things. Back in and a running big boot gives MVP one but McIntyre shrugs it off and hits the top rope shot to the head. Lashley pulls MVP outside so McIntyre dives onto both of them. The Claymore finishes MVP at 2:56.

Post match Lashley grabs the full nelson on McIntyre to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. By comparison, this was a pretty decent show with a focus on the better stories and a rather snappy Shelton vs. Cedric match. It’s still not a show that you need to watch in any way shape or form, but at least they had a slightly better effort than most weeks. Given how unimportant this show is, that’s as much as you can ask.

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:

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

This is the first WWE film with Netflix and much like the weekly show of the same name, there isn’t much positive about the whole thing.

The idea is basically a wrestling version of Like Mike: a kid finds an item (a wrestling mask in this case) and it gives him special powers. He enters a tournament for money and a WWE contract and the rest of the movie is him fighting wrestlers. Seriously that’s about it.

There is very little worth watching int his thing, though to be fair it seems to be something for kids rather than adults. The powers are of course completely absurd, with the kid being able to jump from one turnbuckle to another and lift rather large wrestlers. You can predict the entire movie the whole way through and while that’s not the worst thing, it does get a little tiresome in a hurry.

I’m already running out of things to talk about with the movie because that’s how little there is to the thing. The comedy relief is a grandmother with an Instagram following, but the weird part is she is probably about fifty years old, making the grandmother part a little hard to buy. Sure someone her age could be a grandmother, but she looks young enough to be the main character’s mother.

The wrestling cameos are fine, with Corey Graves and Renee Young as the match commentators and Miz as host, plus Keith Lee as someone else trying to get a contract. As usual, a WWE produced movie can’t get the basics right though, as they mention a match being on Raw and show it with blue ropes. Why this is so difficult to figure out is beyond me, but even WWE can’t figure it out.

Overall, this isn’t worth your time and the only thing that offers a bit of interest are some of Young’s lines on commentary. This came out around the same time as the Big Show Show and as bad as that was, it’s WAY more entertaining than Main Event. Don’t waste your time on this as it feels like something that was written in about a day and the wrestling cameos aren’t enough to make it work. It could be worse, but you’re better off watching one of the Marine movies or something else of high quality.

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: May 29, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Corey Graves

It’s back to the Performance Center for some more matches that aren’t going to have any significant impact whatsoever. That’s how things work around here and I’m running out of ways to say how worthless this show is. It’s right in the running with Dark to see how little a show from a major promotion can matter so maybe they can sink even further. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Tyler Breeze vs. Tony Nese

Nese poses to start before they lock up against the ropes. That’s good for a clean break so Breeze snapmares him into a chinlock. Nese fights up and hits Breeze in the face (egads man) to take over and we hit the bodyscissors. Breeze fights up and strikes away, including the running forearm in the corner. That earns him another shot to the face and Nese moonsaults him for two.

The Sunset Driver is countered into a sunset flip for two but Breeze has to roll away from the Running Nese. Back in and Breeze slaps on a half crab, sending Nese over to the rope. Nese is right back in with a quick double stomp but it hurts his knee again. A spinebuster sets up a Rock Bottom for two on Nese but he’s right back with a running elbow in the corner. The Running Nese finishes Breeze at 8:32.

Rating: C. This could have been worse but you can still feel how nothing of a match that it really is. Both of them go from match to match around here and while there might be a very slight story for either of them, it’s not like there is any reason to keep track of the wins and losses. That is the case around here most of the time and it gets rather tiresome in a hurry.

We look at Drake Maverick winning the triple threat match on NXT, earning himself a spot in the Cruiserweight Title match.

Tehuti Miles vs. Danny Burch

Miles plays some mind games to start and it’s Burch chasing him to the floor early on. Back in and Burch hits him in the face before grabbing a headlock on the mat. That’s another chance for Burch to hit him in the face before grabbing the leg to pull Miles out of the air. Burch strikes away in the corner and stomps him down as this is one sided.

Miles is back up with a dropkick to the floor and we hit the chinlock back inside. A pair of neckbreakers gives Miles two and the chinlock goes on again. Burch fights up and hits his own dropkick, followed by a release German suplex. Back in and Miles grabs a rollup with trunks for the pin at 7:37.

Rating: C-. What the heck was that? We’re building towards Burch and Oney Lorcan challenging for the NXT Tag Team Titles and he LOSES here? To TEHUTI MILES??? I know it’s a nothing show that no one will see but why in the world did they do this? There was no one else for Miles to beat? I don’t get this and it’s making my head hurt all over again.

Overall Rating: D+. So not only is the show a complete waste of time but now they’re having #1 contenders to titles lose to cruiserweight jobbers? I don’t get the point of this, even if that has been the case around here for a long time now. Nothing to the matches of course, but then they do something screwy with a result? I’d love an explanation, but my goodness the possibilities that presents.

Results

Tony Nese b. Tyler Breeze – Running Nese

Tehuti Miles b. Danny Burch – Rollup with trunks

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:

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Main Event
Date: May 28, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, MVP

We’re on the way to Backlash and I’m not sure what they’re going to do to get us ready here. The show is mostly set up already and I’m not exactly thrilled with what we’re going to be seeing as far as original content on this one. It’s just hard to get fired up for this show and that’s the case every week. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Hey it’s the 400^th episode. This is not likely to mean anything whatsoever.

Bianca Belair vs. Ruby Riott

Ruby goes for the arm to start but gets whipped hard into the corner for a shoulder to the ribs. A tilt-a-whirl gutbuster gives Belair two and we hit the neck crank. Back up and Belair flips over Riott out of the corner, setting up a dropkick back into the corner. Belair misses a hard charge into the post (that sounded horrible) and Ruby stomps her down. An STO gives Ruby two but Belair double chickenwings her onto the turnbuckle. The KOD finishes Riott at 5:45.

Rating: C-. Just a match here with Riott continuing to fall further and further down the mountain. That has been the case with her since she came back (and before) and I don’t see it changing anytime soon. Belair has already cooled off a lot, but it might be more due to the fact that the Street Profits are playing golf instead of wrestling.

We recap the first round of the Intercontinental Title tournament.

From Smackdown.

We open with the Dirt Sheet, where John Morrison’s abs are now certified social media influencers. Miz can’t believe that Otis is Mr. Money in the Bank and goes on a rant about how Braun Strowman teamed together. Miz: “It just makes no sense.” Morrison: “Like Becky Lynch choosing to have a child with Seth Rollins.” Morrison can’t believe that the Universal Champion is the one that Bray Wyatt replaced with puppet animals. Miz: “Bray Wyatt had the choice between Braun Strowman and stuffed animals. HE PICKED STUFFED ANIMALS!”

We have a special feature tonight: rejected Firefly Fun House puppets, all of whom don’t think much of Strowman. One of which is Mandyquin Rose, whose power is to whisper plans into Otis’ ears. Mandyquin: “Not everything about Braun is a monster.” Morrison: “TOO FAR!”

Cue Strowman to say the show isn’t half bad. Now ask him about Bray’s puppets at Money in the Bank. Miz can’t believe that Strowman thinks Bray is done with him. Miz fought Bray Wyatt and it spiraled into the lowest point of his life (and it only took him about a week to bounce back) but Morrison was there to help him. Morrison doesn’t think much of Strowman and manages to get him a match against Miz next.

Miz vs. Braun Strowman

Non-title. Miz slugs away to start and is knocked down with a single forearm to the chest. The running shoulder puts Miz down again and the dominance is on. A low bridge puts Strowman on the floor and Morrison adds a Flying Chuck. Strowman posts himself by mistake and Miz kicks him in the head. The short DDT is blocked though and Miz is driven into the corner. There’s the big toss and the running powerslam finishes Miz at 3:45.

Rating: C-. Miz got some stuff in here but he and Morrison, even combined, shouldn’t be any real threat to Strowman at this point. It’s not a very good match but that wasn’t the point of something like this. Odds are we get Morrison vs. Strowman next week and that’s the end of it as Bray comes back for the PPV title match.

Post match, Morrison challenges Strowman to a handicap match for the title at Backlash. Strowman says it’s on.

From Raw.

Edge talks about how Randy Orton woke him up last week. Now he has to prove that he still has it, which he has learned over the years from people like Kurt Angle, Mr. Perfect, British Bulldog, Eddie Guerrero and Christian. He was a five tool workhorse for this company but everything he said was in the past tense. Maybe he can’t do those things anymore but he’s going to dig into his soul at Backlash because that’s all a man can do.

Akira Tozawa vs. Shelton Benjamin

Tozawa runs the ropes to start and slips away to hit an enziguri. Shelton is right back with a knockdown into an armbar but Tozawa hurricanranas him to the floor. The suicide dive sends us to a break and we come back with Shelton kneeing him in the face. Shelton gets two off a suplex and we hit the chinlock.

Tozawa’s back is bent over Shelton’s knee but he pops up for the Octopus. That’s broken up in a hurry so Tozawa nails the Shining Wizard. A missile dropkick gives Tozawa two but Shelton rolls into the ankle lock. That’s reversed into a rollup for two and Tozawa kicks him in the head. The top rope backsplash is broken up though and Shelton hits a belly to belly superplex. Paydirt finishes Tozawa at 9:36.

Rating: C. What in the world does it say when you’re losing to Shelton Benjamin on Main Event in 2020? Remember when Tozawa was this close to a title match in the Cruiserweight Title tournament? Like, last week or so? Well now he’s here losing to Benjamin, who hasn’t meant a thing in years. I don’t get it, but at least the match was ok.

From Raw.

It’s time for the VIP Lounge with MVP talking about how no one can offer this kind of star power. His guest this week is Drew McIntyre, who is soon to be the former WWE Champion. Drew wastes no time in asking where Bobby Lashley is but MVP says don’t worry because we’ll save that for Backlash. MVP remembers taking a Claymore kick and he knew McIntyre would win the WWE Title, but MVP would have a hand in him losing it.

Lashley has a title shot after thirteen years, but Drew took nineteen years to get here. Then he was in the main event of WrestleMania and beat Brock Lesnar in five minutes. Drew doesn’t need anyone talking or fighting for him and Lashley is going to have to pry the title from his cold dead hands. MVP: “That could be arranged.” Cue Lashley so Drew Claymores MVP just in case. McIntyre is ready for him and tells Lashley to get in. The half conscious MVP holds Lashley back and gets him up the ramp.

From Raw again, after the show’s main event.

Post match here’s McIntyre for the brawl but since there is no security, some NXT wrestlers come in for the failed save. Lashley spears McIntyre down but the brawl continues. Even more wrestlers fail to break it up so here’s another batch to finally separate them to end the show. They’ve got something pretty good here with this feud as I want to see these two fight.

Overall Rating: D+. Yeah this didn’t work out so well and that’s not exactly surprising. We’re in that post Money in the Bank lull as we wait around to see what happens at Backlash, which isn’t exactly a top level show in the first place. Hopefully that show winds up being something good, but you never can tell these days. Either way, at least they had a crowd here, even if it didn’t save the show.

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:

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: May 22, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Corey Graves

We’re back with another edition of the show that continues to exist. The Cruiserweight Title tournament is starting to come to a close and that means absolutely nothing around here, as tends to be the case. Hopefully we can get some good action around here, because it’s not like anything matters when it comes to stories. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Oney Lorcan/Danny Burch vs. Ever Rise

Remember when Burch and Lorcan beat these two on NXT in less than two minutes? Well now you’re getting a rematch! Burch and Martel lock up to start but a cheap shot from the apron lets Parker come in to hammer him down. A leg trip lets Burch take Parker over to the corner so Lorcan can get the tag. The rapid fire uppercuts set up the half crab that gave them the win on Wednesday but Martel sends Burch into them for the save this time.

Lorcan gets taken into the corner for the alternating beatdown, setting up the snapmare into the chinlock. That’s broken up and a running Blockbuster allows the tag to Burch so house can be cleaned. A headbutt rocks Martel but the Tower of London to Parker is broken up. Burch doesn’t mind as he Crossfaces Martel for the win at 5:45.

Rating: D+. So that happened. It was more competitive than what happened before, but it’s not like there was anything interesting here. Ever Rise isn’t worth seeing and I don’t exactly see much for them in the near or distant future. At least they lasted longer than two minutes this time around though, and that’s an upgrade.

We look back at NXT’s tournament matches.

We look back at Jack Gallagher eliminating Isaiah Scott from the tournament.

Isaiah Scott vs. Tyler Breeze

Breeze takes him down to start so Scott takes things into the corner. Scott misses a kick to the head and the frustration is setting in. He even slips going to the middle rope and Breeze dropkicks him to the floor. A hard whip sends Scott into the barricade and Breeze gets two off a suplex back inside. That’s enough for Scott to get fired up and he sends Breeze outside for a running stomp from the apron.

Back in and the rolling Downward Spiral gives Scott two but Breeze is right back with an enziguri for his own two. Scott spins him into a quick German suplex for two more and a neckbreaker staggers Breeze again. The Supermodel Kick gives Breeze a quick two but the Cheeky Nandos kick is broken up. Instead, Scott hit the Confidence Boost (inverted Iconoclasm) for the pin at 8:46.

Rating: C. I’ve liked Scott for a good while now so hopefully this is the start of a push for him. I wouldn’t get my hopes up as it’s a win over a low level wrestler on the least important show in the division at the bottom rung on the ladder. But he won something, so that’s a step up right?

Overall Rating: C-. It’s another case where I can’t say much about the show because there is no reason to think about it that much. I can appreciate that the wrestlers are out there trying and putting in the effort, but this show is just such a nothing event that I don’t know how much hope there is. That’s a sad situation, but it’s also the reality at the moment.

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:

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Main Event
Date: May 21, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, MVP

It’s back to this one again and I’m running out of ways to come up with ways to talk about this show. There isn’t anything worth seeing on it most weeks, but you never know when you might see something that throws you a little curve ball. Hopefully that is the case again here, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Jinder Mahal vs. Akira Tozawa

Mahal goes straight to the power to start but Tozawa slips out of a slam and kicks away at the leg. A superkick drops Tozawa but Mahal would rather slug away than cover. Tozawa gets whipped hard into the corner and it’s the knee to the face to keep Tozawa down. The chinlock goes on and some knees to the back keep Tozawa in trouble. Another chinlock goes on because this is a match that needs two of them. Tozawa fights up and hits a quick Shining Wizard into a missile dropkick for two. A whip into the corner cuts Tozawa off and the Khallas gives Mahal the pin at 5:47.

Rating: D. This was textbook Mahal: nothing beyond the basics, a lame finisher, hearing about how great and awesome he is and nothing else. I know Tozawa isn’t going to be a threat to a former World Champion but could we please find something interesting for Mahal to do? If we just must have him as a featured player, could he find a way to do something that might strike my interest? For a change at least?

From Smackdown.

Otis/??? vs. Miz/John Morrison

The partner is….Strowman. I’d love it if one time it wasn’t he teased partner and was instead someone like Bo Dallas. Otis drives Morrison into the corner to start so Morrison kicks him in the head. Gyrating gets Otis out of trouble and he faceplants Morrison for a bonus. Morrison gets knocked down again and it’s off to Strowman for a double Caterpillar as we take a break.

Back with Miz front facelocking Otis before the YES Kicks connect for two. Otis suplexes both of them down at the same time and it’s back to Strowman to clean house. Miz is ran over on the floor but Strowman goes shoulder first into the post. Morrison strikes away until Strowman catches him with the powerslam for the pin at 9:38.

Rating: D+. That’s all it needed to be as this was about putting Otis’ toe into the main event waters. It’s going to be a good while before Otis goes after the title, assuming he actually gets that far. Normally I would say I can’t imagine the title change taking place, but who would have imagined Otis getting here in the first place?

Post match here’s Mandy Rose and the distraction lets Otis think about using the briefcase. Strowman sees it coming though and Otis says it’s just for a laugh. Celebrating ends the show instead.

From Raw.

Charly Caruso is in the ring to start and brings up the idea of Randy Orton vs. Edge being the best wrestling match of all time, should it take place. Cue Orton to say that challenging Edge to a wrestling match isn’t a surprise because the second W stands for wrestling. They’ve already torn the building apart in a Last Man Standing match and on that night, Edge was the better man.

No one can do what he does in the ring in a wrestling match though, including Edge. Last week Orton saw doubt in Edge’s eyes and the grit (take a shot) and passion are gone. Cue Edge (in a GET GRIT) to say Orton is playing a game of chess so he wasn’t going to rush in. This is just about getting a paycheck for Orton because he was handed this spot.

Orton didn’t grow up dreaming of being WWE Champion or saving up money to go to the show at the end of the month like Edge did. He didn’t cry when he won the Intercontinental Title because it was a stepping stone to the top. Edge remembers beating Orton for that title in 2004 but Orton tells him to hold on. Edge isn’t stopping because Orton doesn’t love this like everyone else does and yes he accepts the challenge. That’s enough for Orton, who leaves without saying a word. I’m digging the love of the business vs. love of a check vibe here, though the “best match ever” thing isn’t working.

Shane Thorne vs. Ricochet

Brendan Vink and Cedric Alexander are here. Thorne takes him to the ropes for a quickly broken lockup. Ricochet works on a wristlock but gets taken down into an armbar. A quick rollup gives Ricochet two and Throne is annoyed. Back up and a spinning left hand drops Thorne again but he pulls Ricochet off the middle rope for a crash.

The Cannonball sends us to a break and we come back with Thorne working on a neck crank. Some knees and elbows to the ribs keep Ricochet down and it’s right back to the chinlock. Back up and Ricochet hits a rolling dropkick to start the comeback. The standing shooting star press gets two on Thorne, who is right back with a ripcord knee for the same. Ricochet kicks him in the back of the head though and finishes with the Kickback at 12:49.

Rating: C+. The match was better than I expected from these two, but at the same time, what does it say that it’s a relief that Ricochet is beating someone who is best known as little more than a low level tag wrestler? Also of note: MVP made no reference to managing Thorne and Vink anymore, so that seems to be over.

From Raw.

Drew McIntyre vs. King Corbin

Non-title. Hold on though as here are Bobby Lashley and MVP, with the former saying he’s coming for McIntyre’s title no matter what. The two of them watch as McIntyre and Corbin fight over a lockup to start. A shot to the leg staggers McIntyre early on but he’s fine enough to clothesline Corbin outside. Another clothesline puts Corbin over the barricade with MVP clapping from the stage.

There’s a third clothesline to put Corbin at ringside and he goes inside, only to roll back to the floor to avoid a Claymore. Corbin knocks McIntyre off the apron and into the barricade, followed by the slide underneath the corner clothesline for two. McIntyre gets sent face first into the turnbuckle and it’s a superplex to give Corbin one. Corbin talks trash and runs into an overhead belly to belly.

There’s a big boot to set up the top rope shot to the head into McIntyre’s nip up. McIntyre gets two off a spinebuster but Corbin plants him down for one more. Back up and the Futureshock looks to set up the Claymore, which is countered into Deep Six for two. Corbin tries the slide under the ropes clothesline but walks into the Claymore for the pin at 9:12.

Rating: C. Now this is a better usage of Corbin (provided you keep him on one show): let him do one match as a threat to the champ and then send him elsewhere. There is no reason to do anything higher up with him than that and if WWE can grasp that concept, they might be able to get something out of Corbin. It was fine for a warmup for McIntyre vs. Lashley and that’s all it needed to be. Now keep Corbin on his own show if you have to have him in such a big role.

Overall Rating: C-. They’ve done worse but this wasn’t exactly a thrilling show. Backlash is a pretty weak show for the company and they didn’t exactly make me care about what they’re doing here. The stuff they’re doing makes logical enough sense, but it isn’t something that I want to see. At least Lashley vs. McIntyre makes sense, but I’m not sure how good it’s going to be on the way there.

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:

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: May 15, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Corey Graves, Byron Saxton

After those weeks of not having this as the least interesting show WWE offers, it’s back to the same formula that turned the show into a joke. This week is back to the two matches with little story to them and telling us to watch NXT if we want the cruiserweight matches that actually matter. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Tyler Breeze vs. Tehuti Miles

Miles looks impressed with his own looks and throws a towel at Breeze to start. A spinebuster cuts Miles down so he heads to the ropes, where the referee has to pull him off. That lets Miles get in a shot to the face and he poses a bit while Breeze staggers around on the floor. Back in and the slow stomping ensues, followed by the chinlock. Breeze fights up and hits a quick Supermodel Kick for two but Miles hits a spinning Dominator for the same. Miles loads up a neckbreaker but Breeze reverses into the Unprettier for the pin at 6:00.

Rating: D+. Miles comes off as a cross between Breeze and Velveteen Dream, which isn’t quite the most interesting thing in the world. The bigger problem here is getting back to how 205 Live matches tend to feel: no emotion, no energy and nothing worth watching. You had two guys doing moves to each other and that isn’t the best way to fill in a few minutes when the moves aren’t all that great in the first place.

We look at the ten man tag from two months ago, with Jack Gallagher causing Tony Nese to be interrupted. Nese attacked him a few weeks ago and then jumped Isaiah Scott in the Cruiserweight Title tournament, allowing Gallagher to win. How that makes them hate each other is beyond me but it’s better than nothing. I think.

Tony Nese vs. Jack Gallagher

Feeling out process to start with Gallagher working on the arm but getting taken down into a leglock. Gallagher gets up and kicks him outside but Nese comes right back in to knock him down. The chinlock goes on, followed by a headlock to keep Gallagher in trouble. Nese switches to the bodyscissors and then a Boston crab, with Gallagher fighting up without much damage done.

They head outside with Gallagher sending him into the barricade for two back inside. The slugout it on until Nese snaps him throat first across the top. A Lionsault gets two and the Sunset Driver connects for the same. The Running Nese is countered with a headbutt and Gallagher’s sunset flip gets two. Nese can’t hit a pumphandle slam so Gallagher nails the rolling elbow for the pin at 8:38.

Rating: C+. Much better match than the first though you can feel how low level the whole thing is. This feels like the kind of a match that we have seen in some form several times now, which is the problem with so much around here. These matches run together and while this one was pretty good, it wasn’t the kind of match that I’m going to remember in about five minutes.

Post match Gallagher says this isn’t over.

Overall Rating: C-. I know I’ve harped on this but you can really feel how little this show matters. During the middle of the show, they were talking about how the tournament stuff is on the other show while pointing out that the main event was a match between people already eliminated. They go out of their way to make it clear that this show is the bottom of the barrel and I just don’t get it. If WWE cares so little about the show, why bother running the thing? This one was fine, though don’t expect to see WWE act like it matters.

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:

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Main Event
Date: May 14, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: MVP, Tom Phillips

This is going to be a different kind of Main Event as there is no point in talking about Smackdown when Money in the Bank has since taken place. Therefore expect a lot from the red show, which tends to make for some less interesting than usual shows. However, given how lame the pre-Money in the Bank shows were, it sounds like a big improvement. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Jinder Mahal vs. Denzel DeJournette

Denzel wrestles him up against the ropes and then down to the mat so Mahal elbows his way to freedom. A good superkick gives Mahal one as commentary makes it very clear that Mahal is a former WWE Champion. The chinlock goes on, followed by some kicks to the head for a bonus. Mahal drops a knee for two but Denzel grabs a belly to back suplex for the double knockdown. There’s a flying shoulder to drop Mahal but he knees Denzel in the face. The Khallas finishes Denzel at 6:23.

Rating: D+. What else were you expecting here? Well maybe a former World Champion not needing six minutes against a jobber. I know we’re in for another Mahal push because of the international appeal but that doesn’t mean we have to like it. It’s the same Mahal as it was before, albeit with a repaired knee. Why would I want to see this all over again?

Video on the Money in the Bank ladder match.

From Raw.

Here’s an emotional Becky Lynch without the title but with the Money in the Bank briefcase. She’s upset about something and needs to go away for awhile. That’s why she made asked the powers that be around here to raise the stakes last night. Cue Asuka to scream about the briefcase, but Becky opens it up to reveal the title, which now belongs to Asuka because the ladder match was for the title, not an opportunity at the title. Asuka freaks out and celebrates around the arena. Becky: “You go be a warrior, because I’m gonna go be a mother.” Asuka stops and hugs Becky before chanting her name in a great moment.

Video on Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins from the pay per view.

From Raw.

Drew McIntyre vs. Andrade

Non-title. McIntyre works on an armbar to start and shouts at Vega a bit. Back up and McIntyre hits a kick to the ribs out of the corner to send Andrade outside. Andrade charges into a tilt-a-whirl slam onto the apron as this is one sided so far. Andrade dives under the ring and reaches through the ropes that hold it together to pull McIntyre into the apron.

A baseball slide hits McIntyre in the ribs before Andrade starts in on the arm. Double knees to said arm get two but McIntyre is back with a sitout powerbomb for the same. McIntyre gets sent into the corner for the running knees but the hammerlock DDT is countered into a Glasgow Kiss. The reverse Alabama Slam sets up the Claymore for the pin at 8:34.

Rating: C+. They’re moving with the stories tonight as Vega’s team seems to be on the ropes after only being around for a few weeks. Andrade losing again doesn’t make him look good, but it’s not like his title reign has meant anything in four and a half months anyway. Granted he’s losing to the World Champion so it’s not like it’s some upset. Still though, either protect him or get rid of the title.

Post match Drew says he didn’t come out here for a match but anything can happen on Monday Night Raw. He’s always up for a Claymore party, but he’s here to talk about something else. Last night he was in a heck of a fight with Seth Rollins. He still has the title though and now he has some more exciting news. There is something called the Brand To Brand Invitation, meaning that a wrestler from Smackdown has challenged Drew to a match and it has been accepted. That’s why next week, live on Raw, it’s Drew vs. King Corbin.

Ruby Riott vs. Bianca Belair

Ruby gets in a cheap shot after teasing a test of strength early on. Belair’s headlock takeover puts Ruby down and a heck of a dropkick sends her into the corner. Another kick to the back sends Ruby face first into the mat so Ruby gets smart by grabbing the foot. This time it’s Ruby kicking her outside with Belair clutching the arm as we take a break.

Back with Ruby kicking her in the arm for two but getting speared down. That was with the bad arm though and Belair can’t follow up. This time Belair kicks her to the floor and stomps away, followed by a handspring moonsault for two. The standing version gets the same as they’re putting in more effort than you almost ever see around here. Ruby reverses into something like a Rings of Saturn but Belair powers out in a hurry. An STO gives Ruby two but she gets caught on top, meaning it’s the KOD to give Belair the pin at 10:02.

Rating: C+. This was a match that had no business being good but they made it work well here. Ruby continues to be someone who can make anyone look better and Belair is an athletic marvel, making this a nice combination. I liked it well enough and after Becky’s announcement, the division is going to need some fresh names. These two could do that rather well.

Video on Edge and Randy Orton’s Last Man Standing match.

From Raw.

Here’s Edge for the big closing segment. He knows his career didn’t end at Wrestlemania but why is he confronting Randy Orton? Edge got his pound of flesh at Wrestlemania….and here’s Orton. Randy says congratulations because the better man won. Orton goes to leave but turns around and comes back because he can’t be the bigger man. The better man won at Wrestlemania but the better wrestler didn’t.

Edge hid behind other wrestlers at the Royal Rumble and then incapacitated Orton at Wrestlemania. He might not have gotten up at ten but it didn’t take him nine years to make it back. Orton talks about how Edge hasn’t had a regular match since 2011 and his grit and passion won’t help him there. If Edge has the guts, they’ll have a straight up wrestling match at Backlash. Edge doesn’t say anything but Charly Caruso says if it happens, it might be the greatest wrestling match ever. Try to get your head around that one to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. That’s one of the better Main Events in a long time and the women’s match was a big help. Granted it helps that we’re past Money in the Bank now and don’t have to worry about building momentum towards the match any longer. It’s not a great show, but for Main Event, this was a near masterpiece.

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:

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