IMG Credit: WWE

Main Event
Date: June 20, 2019
Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Commentators: Renee Young, Byron Saxton

This should be an interesting one as Monday Night Raw was a lot better this week, meaning there is a new level of stuff for Main Event to screw up. You never know what they might be able to pull off around here, but the Smackdown highlights aren’t exactly looking promising. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Sarah Logan vs. Dana Brooke

Logan shoves her into the corner so Dana talks a bit. A small package gives Dana two and a cartwheel splash gets the same. Dana hits a running shoulder but gets sent into the ropes. That means a trip to the apron where Logan hits a running knee to drive Brooke’s face into the post. Brooke is busted BAD and the match is called off at 2:59. Just a freak accident and not something to be blamed on either of them.

From Raw.

Here’s Roman Reigns, who isn’t happy with having to see a video of his loss to Shane McMahon at Super ShowDown. He wants to beat someone up tonight so Shane can come out here and fight. Shane pops up on screen to say no because Reigns needs to worry about McIntyre on Sunday. Drew promises to beat Roman up on Sunday until it becomes very uncomfortable. Maybe he’ll pin Reigns then, but it won’t be over until Reigns is physically disfigured.

He wants Reigns’ children to scream at the sight of him and that’s enough for Reigns to come through the crowd and head after him. Reigns beats up the Revival and puts Drew through the table before chasing Shane into the arena. A diving clothesline over the barricade drops Shane and it’s the Superman Punch into the spear. Reigns tells him to tell Drew he’s getting beaten up on Sunday. Somehow, this is still all about Shane.

From Raw again.

Here’s Becky Lynch for a chat. She gets straight to the point and calls out Lacey Evans, who comes out without much trouble. Evans talks about how jealous Becky is of her and how many things she’s done that Becky can never dream of. She’s a former United States Marine who can run boot camp in the morning and a cotillion at night. Lynch just wants to fight while Evans talks about how the women’s division needs a real woman as champion. Becky is beatable, but Lacey spends too much time getting in the ring and gets caught in the Bexploder. Becky steals her hat. More of the same from these two, though that’s not terrible.

From Raw. Again.

Here are Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross for a Moment of Bliss. Hang on though as Bliss doesn’t have her coffee. Cue Bayley with the coffee, though she drinks it instead. Bliss starts talking about Bayley being horrible so Bayley wants to hear it from her face to face. Bliss gets up and the size difference is hilarious, even though Bayley isn’t that tall.

After Bliss calls Bayley out for being two faced, Bayley talks about Bliss always being the one who tries to start drama because she’s an entitled little princess. Bliss: “I’m not entitled. I’m just better than you.” Bayley says she has proven herself but Bliss says Bayley peaked in NXT. The fight is on but Nikki offers a distraction so Bliss can deck Bayley.

It’s time for the Firefly Fun House. Bray is watering his plants, which he says is just like our minds. If you water them and give them care, they can grow. Some ideas are just full of worms though and that’s not good. Some kids have been told bad ideas, like the earth being round or dinosaurs being extinct. Bray knows what it feels like to not belong or to be different.

That’s why he built this place for us, so they can all be together. We see all the puppets looking at him as Bray gets more sinister and tells everyone to join him here. People worship what they fear and fear is power. Follow the leader. The video starts breaking up and we see various clips from the series’ history, including the Muscle Man Dance, all with the words LET HIM IN flashing on the screen and voices singing “Follow the Leader” as the Fiend appears. Let him in. So is this all in Bray’s mind or some way for him to deal with his psychosis?

Cedric Alexander vs. Robert Roode

Remember when Roode was supposed to be something? Roode goes for the arm to start so Cedric elbows him in the face. An anklescissors into a dropkick has Roode in trouble and a basement dropkick gets two. The armbar goes on and it’s time to mock Roode’s pose. A rather hard clothesline puts Alexander down and we take a break.

Back with Alexander fighting out of a chinlock and the Neuralizer gets two. The Lumbar Check is countered into a failed Glorious DDT attempt so Roode hits the spinebuster for two more. Cedric goes up top and gets broken up, setting up the Glorious DDT to give Roode the pin at 9:16.

Rating: C. Not a bad little match here, though it’s not like it matters all that much because neither of them are going to be able to get to the main show in any significant role. That’s so much of the problem with WWE these days and I don’t see it getting any better anytime soon. Hence the people not watching you see.

Stomping Grounds rundown.

We look at Seth Rollins attacking potential referees with his chair.

From Smackdown.

Seth Rollins/Kofi Kingston vs. Sami Zayn/Kevin Owens

2/3 falls with less than twelve minutes to go. Seth hits Trouble in Paradise to pin Sami for the first fall in nine seconds and we take a break about 45 seconds in. Back with the bell ringing to start the second fall and Seth hitting the Sling Blade on Owens. The champs start in on Owens’ arm but he gets a DDT on Rollins. We see Paul Heyman watching in the back and according to WWE.com, he’s officially on Raw so that’s nine.

Sami grabs a chinlock but can’t hit a superplex. Instead Rollins headbutts him down but has to slug it out with Owens while still sitting on the buckle. The Blockbuster takes Owens down again and that’s enough for the tag off to Kofi. The pace quickens and the Boom Drop hits Sami.

There’s the spinning high crossbody for two more but Sami’s Blue Thunder Bomb gives him two of his own. Rollins comes back in to run Owens over but Sami breaks up the Stomp. Owens gets two off a rollup, followed by a superkick. The Pop Up Powerbomb is countered and the low superkick sets up an enziguri. Now the Stomp can finish Owens at 11:19.

Rating: D+. The match itself was fine if it’s a one fall match but for a 2/3 falls match, this felt like the cop out that it was. Oh and well done on having Kevin and Sami lose AGAIN, which sets them up for their next loss on Sunday to New Day. The booking continues to make my head hurt but that’s just what you have to expect.

Overall Rating: C-. This could have been a lot worse and that’s an improvement for this show. The biggest issue for Main Event is that the highlights are usually rather boring but they kept this one moving well enough to make it work. Until Raw and Smackdown get better, this show doesn’t need to exist and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

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 18, 2019
Location: Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Tom Phillips, Aiden English

Last week’s show ended in some controversy with a double pin in a four way #1 contenders match. Akira Tozawa and Drew Gulak pinned each other at the same time, meaning we need to come up with something to set up Sunday’s Cruiserweight Title match. I’m not sure what they’re going to do, but it’s likely going to be one of two options. Let’s get to it.

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

Drake Maverick’s opening gets right to the point: Tony Nese will defend against both Tozawa and Gulak. Tonight’s show gets a preview as well.

Opening sequence.

Singh Brothers vs. Lucha House Party

It’s Gran Metalik/Lince Dorado for the House Party here. Dorado and Sunil start things off with Lince flipping over him but missing a moonsault press. For some reason we go to a weird camera angle from behind the announcers as it’s Metalik coming in for an assisted bulldog. The Brothers head outside and the House Party backflips into the middle of the ring. Nigel: “I know how to win a match! I’ll do a flip in the ring!”

Back in and a Russian legsweep/superkick combination gets two with Metalik making the save. The Golden Rewind gets Dorado out of trouble and it’s back to Metalik so the pace can pick up. An assisted dropkick puts the Singhs on the floor for the big dive. Back in and the shooting star gets two on Sunil, but Sumir gets serious by DESTROYING PENELOPE. Metalik is so upset that he gets rolled up for the pin at 8:30.

Rating: C. It’s amazing how much better things are when a team is presented as someone who can do something. The Singh Brothers were nothing but goons on Raw and Smackdown but here they can actually win a match or two and it’s not impossible to believe. It’s taking people who had little value and turning them into something on the right stage. We’ll get more of this in the future and there’s nothing wrong with that as it’s a fine enough feud.

Noam Dar is having some me time as his injuries heal up. He’ll come back, assuming Drake Maverick has fixed things around 205 Live. Brian Kendrick comes in and mentions that they’re in California. Actually make that Spain, where Dar insists that they are. Kendrick says Dar is right but he has to go catch a private jet to California for his match….in like two minutes.

Brian Kendrick vs. Russ Taylor

Taylor won’t shake hands and even forearms him in the jaw, earning himself a yell into the corner. Kendrick hammers away and hits a running forearm. A dropkick sets up Sliced Bread to complete the squash at 2:24.

We look back at Chad Gable debuting last week and beating Jack Gallagher via (what seems to be a botched) countout.

Gallagher thinks he and Gable have unfinished business when Mike and Maria Kanellis come in. They mock Gallagher for not being able to get back in the ring and want some better treatment IF they stick around 205 Live. People like Gallagher are dead weight and need to get out of the way. Gallagher issues a challenge for next week and it seems to be on.

Ariya Daivari vs. Oney Lorcan

Fallout from last week when Daivari cost Lorcan (who looks like he’s in Hulk Hogan tribute gear here, even with an American flag on his trunks) the #1 contenders match. Daivari turns his back on Lorcan to start and gets knocked into the corner as Lorcan is ticked off (never tick off a guy named Oney). That’s enough for Daivari as he tries to bail into the crowd but gets thrown back in, meaning it’s time for another attempt to run.

Back in again and Lorcan hammers away but it’s too early for the half and half. A superkick gives Daivari a breather and it’s a super DDT on the arm as Daivari is finally able to get his shirt off. The armbar goes on, followed by a ram into the buckle. Daivari does it again and stomps away, though he does make sure to slip in a SHUT UP to the fans.

It’s back to the armbar for a bit, followed by the Million Dollar Dream to keep Lorcan in trouble. Lorcan gets up and sends him into the corner for the break but a shot to the arm cuts him off. An Iconoclasm plants Lorcan again but the frog splash misses. Lorcan uses the running elbows in the corner and the running Blockbuster gets two. They slug it out with Lorcan getting the better of it until a superkick gives Daivari a breather. The half and half drops Daivari on his head but Daivari bails to the floor. Lorcan hits a flip dive but Daivari hits him with a chair for the DQ at 10:46.

Rating: C+. The arm stuff could have been trimmed a bit but these two have chemistry together and I liked it more than I expected to. Daivari isn’t a bad heel when he stops doing the same promos and character stuff every single time. Lorcan has a lot of energy to him and that makes him feel like a bigger deal than you would usually expect from him.

Post match Daivari destroys him on the announcers’ table and sends him into the stage set. The hammerlock lariat connects to leave Lorcan laying.

Tony Nese (oh yeah he has a title match on Sunday) talks about how far he’s come and now he’s ready to defend against both Tozawa and Gulak. He doesn’t care about the odds, as he never has before.

Akira Tozawa says he’s tenacious and knows he has to beat two men. He’ll be a two time Cruiserweight Champion.

Drew Gulak says terror waits patiently instead of sleeping. He spent too long trying to make this place better but the only thing that matters is a better Gulak. You can call him cold and vicious, but after Stomping Grounds, you can call him champion. This felt completely tacked on at the end of the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This wasn’t as good as they’ve done before but what we got worked well enough. The show felt like it came and went a bit faster than usual here and that worked well in a way. Maybe they needed to get out faster or something (the camera angles would suggest that it was before the arena was empty) but the show felt a little rushed, but not in the worst way.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

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 13, 2019
Location: SAP Center, San Jose, California
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Renee Young

I don’t know anymore man. Not that I don’t know what was on the shows this week or what to expect from Main Event, but that I don’t know how much worse things can get as we keep going forward. Raw and Smackdown are pure disasters at this point and somehow the shows are getting worse every week. Let’s see how they spin that this time around. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Titus O’Neil/No Way Jose vs. Viking Raiders

Do you remember when the Vikings squashed the then Tag Team Champions on Raw and haven’t showed up on Raw since? Neither does WWE. Jose tried to dance with Erik to start and gets dropped with a single shot to the face. Ivar comes in and gets his own shows on Jose, followed by the slam from Ivar to send Erik onto Jose. The chinlock goes on for a bit until Jose comes back with a neckbreaker. That’s enough for the tag off to Titus so house can be cleaned. Jose tags himself back in though and it’s the high crossbody for two on Erik. Not that it matters as the Viking Experience finishes Jose at 4:03.

Rating: D. Just a squash here but I’m still trying to figure out how in the world we got here. WWE brings up the Viking Raiders two months ago the night after Wrestlemania after a run in NXT that was so dominant that no one could take the Tag Team Titles from them. Now they’re here on Main Event, beating up No Way Jose and Titus O’Neil while the Revival, the new Tag Team Champions, are there as lackeys for SHANE MCMAHON, because of course it’s about Shane.

We look back at Shane McMahon defeating Roman Reigns at Super ShowDown.

From Raw.

And now, Shane McMahon’s victory celebration. Drew McIntyre is with him and we have live bagpipe players to play him to the ring. Shane talks about growing up in WWE and recognizing special things. That would apply to Roman Reigns, who is a first ballot WWE Hall of Famer. Reigns hits like a mule and has beaten the best WWE has to offer. However, Reigns does not have a victory over Shane because Shane beat him at Super ShowDown. Shane thanks Drew for his preparation but gets cut off by a BORING chant. Shane: “Get used to it. It’s my celebration and I’ve got all night.”

Drew calls Shane the Best in the World but he’s the most dangerous man in the world. At Stomping Grounds, he’s going to give Reigns the beating he deserves and beat him 1-2-3. Shane: “You’re so intense dude.” Shane drinks out of the Best in the World cup before bringing out the Revival. They can’t drink though because they have a Tag Team Title match up next. They can join the party, provided they win some gold. Uh, the titles are silver Shane.

We look at Seth Rollins defeating Baron Corbin and then fending off a Brock Lesnar cash in attempt at Super ShowDown.

From Raw.

Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens

Non-title with Sami Zayn as outside referee. Sami checks Rollins, with the taped up ribs, for weapons and does a much faster check of Owens. They start slowly with Owens working on a wristlock and then an armbar. That’s broken up with some spinning and flipping but Sami offers a distraction so a rollup gets a delayed two. Rollins goes to yell at Sami, allowing Owens to send him outside.

A DDT on the floor drops Rollins and we take a break. Back with Rollins jawbreaking his way to freedom from a chinlock. Owens finally wakes up and goes after the taped up ribs with a backbreaker. A dropkick and forearm to the back but the Sling Blade gets Rollins out of trouble. The ribs go out on a suplex attempt but Owens’ Swanton hits knees.

An exchange of superkicks lets Rollins hit an enziguri but Sami comes in to check on Sami before the frog splash can loss. Rollins low bridges Owens to the floor and hits a suicide dive to take out both villains. The Stomp connects but Sami pulls the referee out at two. Sami takes his place so Seth grabs him by the shirt, earning a DQ at 12:01.

Rating: C. Just announce that Seth can lose the title via DQ at Stomping Grounds and get on with it. This was a preview for the title match that no one wants to see (again) and that’s the perfect way to cap off a boring show like this one. Owens could have been just about anyone here, though at least they did some stuff with the ribs instead of looking like morons.

Post match Corbin comes in and grabs a chair but Rollins takes it away and chases him off. Sami gets chaired down with Rollins exploding as Cole talks about everything he’s been through over the last few weeks. What has he been through? Beating up Lesnar, retaining the title, and then a match here? Rollins hits the Stomp on Sami to end the show with no announcement being made on the guest referee.

Natalya vs. Sarah Logan

They go with the grappling to start with Logan’s headlock not getting her anywhere. Natalya’s works a bit better until she lets it go and yells at Logan instead. It’s off to a leglock on the mat to keep Logan down but that’s reversed into a quickly broken choke. The Sharpshooter attempt is broken up and Logan sends her throat first into the middle rope as we take a break.

Back with Natalya being sent face first into the mat for two, followed by a dropkick for the same. The standing Texas Cloverleaf is broken up and Natalya comes back with the discus clothesline. Back up and another shoulder takes Logan down but the Sharpshooter is broken up. Logan misses a missile dropkick and now it’s the Sharpshooter to make her tap at 11:21.

Rating: D+. Just a match here as the show has to have some kind of main event. Natalya continues to be as solid of a worker as you can get in any division and that’s a great reason to keep her around. She’s going to do something with anyone she’s in there against and can get at least something out of everyone. Logan did her part well enough, but there was nothing here that we haven’t seen a million times.

Stomping Grounds rundown.

From Smackdown to close us out.

New Day vs. Dolph Ziggler/Kevin Owens/Sami Zayn

Woods and Ziggler start things off with Ziggler taking him to the mat and handing it off to Sami for an armbar. Sami gets taken into the corner for the Unicorn Stampede but Kofi gets sent outside so Ziggler can get in a cheap shot. Owens adds a backsplash on the floor and we take a break.

Back with Kofi fighting out of Ziggler’s Crossface and dropkicking Sami down so Woods can come in off the hot tag. A discus forearm has Sami in trouble and a dropkick through the ropes hit Sami and Ziggler. Back in and Ziggler takes Xavier down into a chinlock with a bodyscissors, followed by Sami getting in a chinlock of his own. Owens comes in and gets DDT’d, allowing the real hot tag off to Big E. That means a bunch of suplexes but the Midnight Hour is broken up. Ziggler superkicks Sami by mistake, setting up Trouble in Paradise to Ziggler and another to finish Sami at 13:31.

Rating: C-. Well that happened. This was “hey Big E. is back” and nothing more as he just got to do the big house cleaning spot at the end and that’s about it. I don’t know how this makes me want to see Ziggler vs. Kingston any more, but there is a good chance that Sami/Owens vs. Big E./Woods will be added to Stomping Grounds, which needs some more matches to round out the card.

Overall Rating: D. All this show did was showcase how much talent WWE has but never uses. Look at some of the names on this show (as in the Vikings) who haven’t been on television in weeks. Are they really that much worse than other teams? It’s a similar story with Logan. She might not be the best in the world, but she’s capable of having a passable match with a lot of opponents. Why not throw her on either show for the sake of giving someone a fresh opponent? Oh well. Just go with more Shane and Charlotte instead.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

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 11, 2019
Location: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
Commentators: Aiden English, Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

Things are getting a little more interesting around here as there is a small army ready to challenge Tony Nese for the Cruiserweight Title. This could set up a variety of title matches at Stomping Grounds, which could certainly use the extra help. Other than that we have Drake Maverick chasing R-Truth, because that’s what General Managers mean around here. Let’s get to it.

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

Maverick opens the show and addresses the criticisms against him for chasing the 24/7 Title. Therefore, tonight he’s made a fatal four way match to crown a new #1 contender for the Cruiserweight Title at Stomping Grounds. See? He can do his job and be obsessed over the comedy title at the same time.

Opening sequence.

Jack Gallagher vs. Chad Gable

Gable is a surprise addition to the roster. Gallagher takes him to the mat to start and puts on a leglock, but throws in a little smile to show it’s ok. That’s escaped with a roll out and Gable spins to his feet for a standoff. The handstand walk gets Gallagher out of a headlock (that’s always cool) so they fight over a test of strength, giving us the exchange of monkey flips into the stereo neck bridges.

Back up and Gable tries to take out the legs but gets rolled over, allowing Gallagher to dropkick him to the floor. A whip sends Gallagher into the steps and seems more than pleased with a countout. That’s only good for a nine though so Gallagher starts bending the fingers back (English: “Don’t let an Englishman get a hold of your fingers!!!”). Gallagher’s rather delayed vertical suplex gets two but Gable whips him hard into the corner.

Some rolling belly to belly suplexes into a dragon suplex gets two on Gallagher and we hit the ankle lock. That’s reversed into a loose Fujiwara armbar from Gallagher, which is reversed into a tiger driver for two. Back up and Gallagher blasts him with a clothesline and they’re both down. Gable gets sent outside but catches a suicide dive and hits a heck of a release German suplex. Gallagher gets up at seven, falls down at eight, and can’t dive back inside in time for the countout at 11:55.

Rating: B-. The ending was a little weird as it seemed that Gallagher messed up the timing a bit. If nothing else it’s strange to have Gable debut and win via countout, but the point was proven. What mattered most here was to make Gable look like a different kind of cruiserweight and that’s what they did. He’s tailor made for this show and he could easily become a top star around here in a hurry. Why it took them this long is beyond me, but at least it’s finally happened.

Mike and Maria Kanellis come in and rant to Maverick about how Mike should have faced Gable instead of Gallagher. Maverick is tired of their whining so Maria hints that Maverick might be losing his job.

We look back at Drew Gulak attacking Noam Dar last week and taking his spot in a match.

Dar doesn’t feel safe working here and wants to be in NXT UK permanently.

Singh Brothers vs. Dos Locales

They’re Sacramento’s Best Luchadors, but more importantly, the Singh Brothers have won the Boscar, which may or may not be an award the two of them invented. Sumir starts with we’ll say #1 but stops for some dancing. Sunil comes in and dances with #1 before getting dropkicked down. #2 comes in and gets kicked in the face but we need to stop for some dancing. Stomping in the corner sets up a superkick and the Bollywood Blast (Demolition Decapitator from the top) is good for the pin on #2 at 3:25.

Rating: D. The Singh Brothers are fine for a tag team around here, though they need some other teams to feud against. The Lucha House Party is going to be fine for part of that, but the Brothers need more than one team. Then again 205 Live specials in figuring out how to make the most out of a small roster so they can figure something out for everyone involved.

Tony Nese would be happy to face any of the four people in tonight’s #1 contenders match, though Drew Gulak seems to intrigue him more than anyone else.

Drew Gulak vs. Humberto Carrillo vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Oney Lorcan

One fall to a finish and the winner gets the Cruiserweight Title shot against Nese at Stomping Grounds. Gulak dropkicks Carrillo at the bell and it’s Gulak and Lorcan catching a springboarding Carrillo for good measure. Carrillo is right back up to knock Tozawa down and hit a standing moonsault for an early two. Tozawa fights out of the half and half and hits a release F5 on Lorcan.

A sitout version hits Carrillo and, after a shot to the face, it’s another sitout version to Gulak. It’s Lorcan back up with the running uppercuts though, followed by a standing version to knock Carrillo out of the air. Gulak puts Tozawa in a torture rack and tosses him into an uppercut to the back of the head as we get the soon to be broken alliance. Indeed, it lasts all of ten seconds before they start fighting each other but Carrillo breaks it up.

Gulak German suplexes Carrillo for two with Tozawa making the save. Another suplex gets another two on Carrillo and it’s off to the neck crank. Gulak has to roll out of a half and half suplex attempt so Carrillo superkicks him instead. Tozawa and Lorcan double hiptoss Carrillo into Gulak in the corner but then get in the required argument over who can have the pin. Carrillo’s Gory Bomb is countered into a rollup for two and it’s a superkick each for Carrillo and Gulak.

Lorcan breaks up the top rope backsplash though, followed by a half and half to Castillo onto Gulak. It’s Tozawa breaking up the cover with a top rope backsplash though and all four are down. Everyone winds up on the apron and this is just dangerous. Carrillo is the only one who doesn’t get knocked to the floor so that means a big running flip dive onto Lorcan. Back in and Lorcan hits a double running Blockbuster on Castillo and Tozawa to send them outside again.

That leaves us with a Lorcan vs. Gulak showdown, which is actually quite the moment. They chop the heck out of each other but Lorcan dives onto the other two at ringside instead. Cue Ariya Daivari to chair Lorcan down though, leaving Tozawa to hit Trouble in Paradise on Carrillo. The top rope backsplash is broken up again though, only to have Gulak shove Carrillo to the floor. Gulak actually hits a top rope superplex on Tozawa but they lock their legs and it’s a double pin at 13:34.

Rating: B+. This was a heck of a match and the ending should set up either a singles match next week or a triple threat match at the pay per view, either of which should be good. The four of them all worked very hard here and while I’m not overly interested in Lorcan vs. Daivari again (though their first match was good), they set up a bunch of stuff in one match here, which is quite impressive. Very well done here.

The referees argue as Maverick comes out to see what’s going on. There is no winner announced (Fans: “ROCK PAPER SCISSORS!”) to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. The Singh Brothers match didn’t help things here but 205 Live continues to become one of the best shows WWE puts on every week. It’s very light on the storylines but you’re guaranteed at least one if not two very good matches and that’s a lot more than you’re going to get on the big shows. How interesting is it that this, NXT and NXT UK are all rolling right now while Raw and Smackdown are just disasters? Funny how that works, no?

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

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 6, 2019
Location: Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Renee Young

I don’t know if it’s because Raw has been such a mess or because of how terrible Super ShowDown was, but I can’t remember much of anything from this week’s Raw or Smackdown. They’re just shows that happened and nothing is sticking out from them. Hopefully the recaps don’t make me want to pull out my hair. Again. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

EC3 vs. No Way Jose

Yes, EC3 can wrestle someone else for a change. A shoulder puts Jose down to start so he hits one of his own, followed by a dropkick. An airplane spin doesn’t get Jose very far as EC3 slips out and hits the forward DDT to take over. EC3 hits a hard clothesline for two and a neckbreaker is good for the same. They head up top but Jose shoves him down and hits a high crossbody, followed by a flapjack for two of his own. That earns him a crotching on top though and the 1%er finishes Jose at 5:30.

Rating: D. Just a match here, but at least EC3 got a win for a change. There isn’t much that can be done when you’re stuck on Main Event all the time but it’s better than facing Cedric Alexander over and over. I still don’t know what’s wrong with him in WWE’s eyes though and unfortunately I don’t think that’s changing anytime soon.

From Raw.

Here’s Seth Rollins for Lesnar’s cash in. Brock’s music plays but he doesn’t come out so Rollins calls him out again. Instead he gets Baron Corbin, who promises to crush Rollins’ dreams on Friday. The fight is on with Corbin getting caught with an enziguri to the floor. Rollins hits a suicide dive and there’s Lesnar’s music again. Corbin hits End of Days though and NOW it’s Lesnar with a chair. Lesnar kicks Rollins low and unloads with the chair, followed by a German suplex.

Heyman wants him to cash in but instead Lesnar throws Rollins outside. Lesnar hits an F5 on the floor (with Rollins bouncing), followed by more chair shots. Heyman starts swearing about how this is the time but Lesnar suplexes Rollins again. Lesnar: “FRIDAY!” And they leave with no cash in, come back to hit Rollins in the back with the briefcase and chair, and leave again with Lesnar doing the boom box thing with the briefcase. Rollins does a stretcher job. As long as this doesn’t lead to more Stephanie promos, I can live with this.

Post break Rollins is put in an ambulance with Becky Lynch going with him.

From Smackdown.

Here’s Roman Reigns for an opening chat but Shane McMahon cuts him off. After getting his traditional introduction, Shane talks about being a fine wine who gets better with age. He promises to hit Coast to Coast and then pin Reigns, or make him tap out for the first time in his career. The referee will tell Shane to make him let go of the triangle choke but he’s going to keep it on so Reigns’ eyes pop out as Shane is announced as the Best in the World.

Reigns tells him to shut up because he’ll powerbomb Shane through the mat at Super ShowDown. He’s tired of hearing about how great Shane is because Shane always needs help. Once Reigns gets done with Shane on Friday, he’ll beat Drew McIntyre at Stomping Grounds. As for right now though, the two of them are ready for Reigns. Cue the Revival to jump Reigns from behind, drawing out the Usos for the save in a preview for tonight’s six man tag. It looks like we’ll be having that match after the break.

It’s time for the Firefly Fun House with a very special episode. This time around, Bray wants to talk about….exercise. Wyatt introduces us to a new character: Huskus the Pig. Bray talks to him about his bad health habits but promises that one day, everyone will tell him that he’s a genius with the whole world in his hands. Then a Vince McMahon puppet with devil horns pops in and threatens to fire Huskus. This leads to a dance workout called the Muscle Man Dance, with Huskus, Vince and Bray all dancing. Now Huskus is in shape.

Natalya/Dana Brooke vs. Tamina/Sarah Logan

In lieu of the international show I guess. Natalya headlocks Logan down to start and it’s off to Brooke in the first ten seconds. The rapid fire tags continue with Logan bailing to the floor as we take a break. Back with Logan holding Natalya in a leglock, which is quickly broken up for the hot tag off to Brooke. That means a bulldog for two but Tamina superkicks Brooke down for the same. The running corner splash misses though and it’s an assisted Swanton to give Brooke the pin at 7:47.

Rating: D. I’m sure a lot of the match was cut by the break and I’m sure that whatever was cut wouldn’t have helped. This was four women being thrown out there for the sake of filling in a match and that’s rarely going to be a good idea. Another match that just exists, which happens on Main Event far too often.

Super ShowDown rundown.

From Raw.

Here’s Undertaker with five minutes left in the show to address Goldberg. Undertaker asks if you ever think about what happens when you face death every time. Do you choke at the stench of the souls that are already gone? Goldberg will find out on Friday and Undertaker doesn’t want the family. Undertaker wants the unstoppable icon GOLDBERG. If Goldberg brings anything less, their first match will be his last. When the reaper beckons, you answer his call, because Undertaker will claim his soul for all eternity. Goldberg is next. And we’re off the air less than a second after Undertaker finishes talking.

And from Smackdown.

Here’s Goldberg for the first time ever on Smackdown. He thanks the fans for their chants and says it’s time to get down to business. He’s been waiting over twenty years to face the Undertaker one on one. Last night he heard Undertaker say he didn’t want the family man Goldberg. That statement made a light go off in Goldberg’s head and he knows he wants the same Goldberg to face Undertaker as well.

Overall Rating: D. Ah yeah that’s why I didn’t remember this week: it was horrible. WWE is somehow getting even worse at the moment and a lot of that has to do with setting up Super ShowDown. What comes after that though? A show built around Super ShowDown rematches. Things need to change around here soon or it’s going to get even worse, if that’s possible.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

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 4, 2019
Location: Sames Auto Arena, Laredo, Texas
Commentators: Aiden English, Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

I don’t even know what to make of this show anymore. It seems like they’re trying to turn Tony Nese into the next big thing around here but I’m not sure that’s going to work. At the same time though, they have the General Manager running around chasing R-Truth and the 24/7 Title on the same show. Hopefully things settle down this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Drake Maverick gives us the opening preview, which is an idea that they didn’t really need to stray from.

Opening sequence.

Akira Tozawa vs. Noam Dar

Hang on though as Drew Gulak jumps Dar from behind and takes out his leg. Dar says that it’s broken and Maverick comes out to say that you can’t start 205 Live like this. Yeah you wait until half an hour into the show to break someone’s leg. Maverick swaps in Gulak and we have a replacement.

Akira Tozawa vs. Drew Gulak

Drew is in basic black trunks this time and his hair looks more slicked back. Tozawa puts Gulak down with chops to start and drops the backsplash for an early two. Gulak comes back with some shots out of the corner and a fall away slam for a bit of a change of pace from Gulak’s usual stuff. The cravate goes on but Tozawa slaps out and tries the Black Widow, which is reversed into a suplex.

It’s off to a chinlock as the match slows down quite a bit. That’s broken up as well so Gulak goes with the jumping elbows for two as the announcers talk about him using a different style. The neck crank goes on (Aiden: “The Drew Gulak of old would be grabbing a hold.”) before switching back to a chinlock, which apparently is no longer a hold.

Now it’s a double arm crank as Gulak is certainly mixing up the holds (or whatever Aiden thinks they are). Tozawa fights up and kicks him to the floor, setting up a running flip dive off the apron. The regular suicide dive connects and Gulak is knocked over the announcers’ table. Back in and Tozawa’s missile dropkick gets two, followed by the Black Widow. The hold breaks down but Gulak manages to get his foot on the rope for the break. Now it’s Gulak’s turn to take him down, this time for a Texas Cloverleaf.

That’s broken up as well so they slug it out with Gulak getting the better of it off a hard clothesline. A gutwrench faceplant gets two and it’s off to the nerve hold. Tozawa fights up with a basement dropkick as we hear a producer in a voice probably not meant for us. Gulak counters the top rope backsplash with a superplex and a torture rack neckbreaker finishes Tozawa at 13:39.

Rating: B-. That one actually surprised me as I would have bet on Tozawa getting the pin. Having Gulak in his new, intense style and then lose would have been incredibly stupid but they threw a curve here. The ending is also a little questionable as Tozawa has been set up as the next challenger for a few weeks now. A triple threat is possible and that’s not something we’ve seen for the title very often, so it could work well.

Mike and Maria Kanellis don’t like the idea that Mike isn’t the best. It’s not because he hasn’t been on TV enough because he’s been the best since he debuted here two years ago. He deserves a chance because he’s not complacent. It’s time for Drake Maverick to pay attention to him instead of chasing the 24/7 Title (amen brother) so send him the best competition.

Tony Nese saw what happened in the first match and while he gets that Drake is busy, he’ll listen to whatever decision Drake comes to.

The Lucha House Party is ready for Lars Sullivan and they’ll be ready for the Singh Brothers too.

Oney Lorcan vs. Ariya Daivari

Lorcan takes him into the corner to start to go after the banged up ear, which Daivari grabs in pain. The test of strength goes to Daivari (that’s a bit surprising) but Lorcan fights up (that’s not a bit surprising) and grabs a double arm crank. Daivari reverses into one of his own and the hold stays on for a good while, almost as if they’re trying to stretch the match out to fill in the show.

Lorcan finally flips out and tries the early half and half, which is blocked without much trouble. A middle rope crossbody gives Lorcan two and it’s so quiet that we can hear fans talking in the background. Lorcan works on the arm and tries a cross armbreaker, sending Daivari feet first into the rope. They take turns on the floor and inviting the other to fight, though Lorcan is smart enough to dodge an elbow drop. Daivari is fine enough to get a neckbreaker out of the corner but the elbow is banged up again.

A hard clothesline gets the same and another one cuts off Lorcan’s chops. An Iconoclasm of all things connects for two but Daivari’s frog splash misses. One heck of a running uppercut drops Daivari and the running Blockbuster gets two. The half and half is countered into a superkick but Lorcan is right back with a DDT on the arm. A missed charge lets Daivari get the Million Dollar Dream and Lorcan is down. Now the frog splash can connect but it hurts the arm again. The delay lets Lorcan grab a crucifix for the pin at 15:38.

Rating: B. Lorcan is quite the battling face and Daivari is a lot better in the ring than he is with any kind of character stuff. The arm even played into the finish for a rare surprise. I had a good time with this and it was one of those matches that you only get on 205 Live: entertaining, long and it might actually mean something in the future.

Post match Daivari misses a charge and gets low bridged to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. As usual, 205 Live works best when they focus on wrestling with only minimal storyline advancement. They’re setting up a bunch of people to challenge Nese and that’s the best thing they can do at the moment. None of the challengers are far ahead of the others so let one of them earn it or have Nese fight them at once. Either way, it’s an interesting idea and hopefully they make it work, which might actually happen around here.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Superstars
Date: June 20, 1992
Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Mr. Perfect

This one might seem random but it’s a more personal option for me. In this case, it’s because a four year old KB was in the audience for this show and since my best friend’s dad used to run the Rupp Arena box office, I was on the aisle in the front row. Therefore, it’s going to be a rather fun night of looking back and seeing how many times I can see myself. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

The announcers talk about…..National Pest Control Week? Perfect makes a bunch of bug jokes and goes off to find a can of Raid.

Legion of Doom vs. Barry Hardy/Tom Bennett

It’s so strange to wonder how many people I might know in the crowd shots. Hawk runs Bennett over with ease and hands it off to Animal for the powerslam. The Beverly Brothers pop in to call the Legion of Doom the Legion of Sissies because they’re mamas boys in makeup. Hardy comes in and gets clotheslined in the corner. The Doomsday Device completes the destruction.

UPDATE! With Gene Okerlund! And brought to you by WWF Ice Cream Bars!

WWF Champion Randy Savage can wrestle or brawl and is willing to do whatever he has to do to beat Ric Flair. He’s living on the edge of a lightning bolt and won’t apologize for that. Savage will even consider BREAKING THE RULES to retain the title.

Mr. Perfect and Ric Flair say Savage is living on borrowed time in Flair’s shoes. It is Flair’s destiny to be champion again.

Papa Shango vs. Chris Hahn

Shango TERRIFIED me back in the day and the same is true for Hahn. Ask my mom, who can be seen as he walks to the ring. Actually hang on as Hahn’s hand is suddenly on fire so there’s no match as he gets medical attention. Well yeah he probably should.

EVENT CENTER! With Sean Mooney!

Crush (Crush: “Hi. I’m Crush.”) likes to crush things but he’d rather thank the fans for sticking by him. He’s not nice or friendly but he’s fair, which wrestlers will find out when they face him. There is no Hawaiian accent to speak of here and it would do a lot of good, just for the sake of personality.

The Nasty Boys want competition. There is no point to this other than reminding us that they exist and

Sgt. Slaughter vs. Red Tyler

And there I am, with Papa KB holding me up for possibly my first ever high five from a wrestler. At another show, I would get Slaughter’s helmet so this one means a bit more to me than it should. Slaughter hammers and chokes away in the corner to start as we hear from the Mountie and Jimmy Hart, who are ready for the mother of all battles, even on Father’s Day. The Slaughter Cannon sets up another Slaughter Cannon for two with Slaughter pulling him up. Instead it’s the Cobra Clutch for the easy win.

Buy WBF Magazine, with an article on the long term effects of steroids.

Repo Man vs. Brian Costello

Repo Man, who apparently rode over on a repossessed ten speed bicycle, chokes on the ropes to start as we get the inset promo from British Bulldog, who is coming for Repo Man. A kick to Costello’s leg sets up a half crab for the submission. AHA! So Repo Man is Lance Storm!

Post match Repo Man ties his feet together with the rope for a pull around the ring.

EVENT CENTER! WITH THE NERVE TO HAVE A THIRD OF THESE THINGS ON ONE SHOW!

Bret Hart has been under a lot of pressure since becoming Intercontinental Champion but he likes the heat. He even likes it from Shawn Michaels, who can have a title shot, just like anyone else.

Rick Martel is a model, and he’s even better now that he has Tatanka’s buffalo feathers. Everyone is wearing them because he’s a trendsetter. I love how clear they make the gimmicks back in the day. How many people today can you explain almost in full in one sentence? Not everyone can be like that but it helps to have some of them around.

Crush vs. Brooklyn Brawler

Hey there we are again. Crush gets reversed into the corner and punched a bit, only to have the power game get him out of trouble. Perfect wishes his dad a happy Father’s Day as Vince talks about how awesome Perfect’s dad was. A torture rack backbreaker sets up the head vice to finish Brawler in short order.

Gene brings out Shawn Michaels and Sherri, carrying the mirror, for a chat. Sherri doesn’t think it’s vain because Shawn deserves this much attention. Shawn can’t blame anyone for wanting to look at him because he’s the hottest thing he’s ever seen. Gene: “Oh it’s on fire all right.” In addition to the best looking man in the company, Shawn sees the next Intercontinental Champion. He’s surprised that they didn’t beef up security for Bret because Shawn is still in the building. That’s enough for right now though because Shawn is worried about the women rushing the barricade. Here’s looking at you kid.

We go down to Miami, Florida where Razor Ramon pulls up in a custom made Cadillac to talk about how people in the Caribbean are living like pigs with people telling him what to do. No one tells him what to do though and he’s coming to the WWF. No one is going to tell him what to do there either because he is el jefe.

Undertaker vs. Dwayne Gill

Undertaker slowly knocks him down and hits the chokeslam with some additional choking. Old (When was it new?) School sets up the jumping clothesline and the Tombstone completes the greatest hits squash.

Post match, Gill gets the body bag treatment. Vince wants to see Mr. Fuji and the Berzerker get the same treatment. Can’t he just fire them instead?

Shawn Michaels has LEFT THE BUILDING.

Money Inc. vs. Rock Werner/Butler Stevens

Non-title and we get one final shot of the three of us during Money Inc.’s entrance. Stevens gets kicked in the face and double clotheslined early on as we go to a Money Inc. inset interview. It’s Father’s Day and they like the Founding Fathers, or at least hose on 50s and 100s. The Write Off (jumping clothesline) finishes Werner in a hurry.

ONE MORE EVENT CENTER! IT’S LIKE THIS SHOW’S WRESTLING ISN’T ENOUGH TO FILL OUT A SHOW!

High Energy want the Nasty Boys. They call them the Fat Boys, but it’s not ok for the Beverly Brothers to call the LOD the Legion of Sissies?

Tatanka wants his feathers back. Now that’s a unique complaint.

A preview for next week wraps us up.

This show is certified 100% Grade A Ground Beef. That’s the best branding they can come up with?

Overall Rating: D+. This is what you had until Raw came on the air and really, there are a lot of elements from this era that I’d like to see come back today. How many people got a thirty second promo to let you know that they’re still here? It’s not much and a lot of them didn’t advance anything but it lets you know that they’re still there. That’s better than having people go weeks and weeks without making an appearance. I get that you can’t have two minute long squashes throughout the show, but cutting the match lengths down to get more people involved would be a good place to start.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

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 30, 2019
Location: Sprint Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Commentators: Renee Young, Byron Saxton

It’s back to the recap show and as usual, that could mean a little bit of anything. Main Event has become one of the more interesting shows around, though not for the good reasons. What makes this show so interesting is seeing how much of a mess they can turn a simple recap show into, which doesn’t bode well for this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Cedric Alexander vs. EC3

THIRD TIME IN A ROW BABY! Renee: “The Age of Alexander has come to Main Event!” When did it ever leave? EC3 wastes no time in chopping away in the corner, as there isn’t much need to feel someone out when you’ve fought them for two weeks. Cedric kicks him in the face and heads to the apron but a springboard is broken up. A whip into the corner sets up a flipping neckbreaker for two on Cedric and we hit the chinlock.

Cedric fights up and gets two off a sunset flip before a double clothesline gives us a double knockdown. Some right hands and an elbow to the face have EC3 in more trouble but the springboard Downward Spiral is blocked. EC3’s forward DDT gets two and he crotches Cedric on top. The top rope superplex gets two….and Cedric flips out of a belly to back suplex, setting up the Lumbar Check for the pin at 5:51.

Rating: C. The worst part here is how nice of a match they can put together after so much time spent facing each other. I still have no idea why EC3 is stuck here, but I have less of an idea why Cedric is stuck here. There had to be some reason to call him up and I can’t imagine it was to be in the opening match of Main Event week after week. How can that be the best they can do with him?

From Raw.

Here are Lesnar and Heyman again because the announcement didn’t come earlier. There’s a referee out there this time too because Heyman says it’s time to make his announcement. Before that can go anywhere, here’s Rollins to cut him off. Rollins says the title is his life as Lesnar laughs about the briefcase. Lesnar makes a mockery out of the title because he’s a joke. Seth stomped Lesnar at Wrestlemania and he can do it again right now.

This is Lesnar’s chance so Seth implores him to cash it in. Heyman reads the contract to the referee but Lesnar covers the mic after hearing that he has a year. Brock: “I GOT A YEAR???” And he slaps Heyman with the contract. Heyman: “DIDN’T YOU KNOW?” Lesnar: “NO!” Lesnar actually takes the mic and says screw Rollins before walking away. Lesnar hitting him with the contract was funny, making it the only entertaining thing on the show so far.

From Raw.

The Miz vs. Braun Strowman vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Baron Corbin

Elimination rules and the winner gets Rollins at Super ShowDown. It’s a brawl to start with Lashley and Strowman quickly clearing the ring to set up their big staredown. Lashley leapfrogs him but gets caught by the throat. That’s powered away but Strowman gets the grip back on his throat, only to have Corbin make the save. Miz comes back in and kicks Lashley and Corbin down, only to miss the big one of course.

Corbin belly to back suplexes Miz for two but a superplex attempt is broken up. Naturally that sets up the Tower of Doom with Strowman powerbombing everyone down and getting a bunch of two counts. Everyone heads outside with Lashley breaking up Strowman’s running shoulder around the ring. Strowman gets suplexed onto the ramp and we take a break. Back with all four still in and Miz getting double teamed this time around. Lashley chokes on the rope but Miz fights back, only to get caught in Deep Six for two.

Strowman is back in and hits the running splashes to Corbin and Lashley and it’s time to go outside. Lashley dives onto Strowman to take him out and they fight into the crowd. Corbin comes back in but gets sunset flipped to give Miz two. Miz fires off the kicks but charges into the End of Days for the pin at 16:14….which gives Corbin the win and the title shot because Strowman and Lashley were eliminated when they went into the crowd? Sure why not.

Rating: D+. They bring this stuff on themselves. WWE went out of their way to announce that this was a four way match and then mentioned there were no countouts or disqualifications. Apparently there is however an out of bounds rule, which has just never been mentioned until now. All you have to do to avoid this is not make it elimination rules, but apparently that’s too much to ask. I don’t understand this, but I’m sure the answer is “what difference does it make”.

We see Dolph Ziggler laying out Kofi Kingston on Smackdown and his post beatdown promo.

It’s time for the Firefly Fun House with Bray holding up a paper plate mask. He finds it hard to be brave sometimes but when he hides behind the mask, everything is ok. Abby asks why Bray is a sicko but Bray insists that it’s not true. Is Bray a doctor now? A light bulb literally goes off about his head and Bray is now in a doctor’s outfit so he can diagnose Abby as a bully. Abby doesn’t want to be stuck in this limbo anymore….so Bray breaks out a limbo pole and spider walks underneath it while saying his catchphrase.

Zack Ryder/Curt Hawkins vs. Luke Gallows/Karl Anderson

Non-title, because the Raw Tag Team Titles are worthless. Ryder and Anderson start things off with Karl being taken into the corner so Ryder can hit a running knee to the chest. Hawkins comes in for and gets caught in the corner as the champs (Ryder and Hawkins, because you might need a reminder) are in trouble. Gallows adds some headbutts and we take a break with Ryder making the comeback as we seemed to have missed a good bit of the match.

The middle rope dropkick allows the hot tag to Hawkins for some middle rope dropkicks. The Michinoku Driver gets two on Anderson, who comes right back with a side slam for two of his own. Ryder is back in though, allowing Hawkins to hit an enziguri on Anderson. A Samoan drop/middle rope flipping neckbreaker finishes Anderson at 6:51.

Rating: D+. The Raw tag team division might be the greatest example of everything wrong with WWE right now. They put the titles on Hawkins and Ryder so the Wrestlemania fans would react. Then they wait two months and seem to forget that Hawkins and Ryder are champions, meaning the entire division, including the Viking Raiders, is completely forgotten. They don’t bother trying to do anything with the division or the titles, leaving fans wondering what the point is in even keeping the titles around.

Video on Randy Orton vs. HHH.

Roman Reigns/R-Truth vs. Elias/Drew McIntyre

Truth is banged up and the 24/7 Rules are suspended. Hang on as Elias, McIntyre and Shane jump Truth during his entrance. Reigns helps beat up Elias and McIntyre as Shane gets stared up the ramp. The bell rings and Shane offers a distraction so Elias can hammer away on Reigns in the corner. The neck crank has Reigns in early trouble until a Samoan drop breaks things up. Truth actually comes in so it’s a Glasgow Kiss to cut him off in a hurry. Drew whips him into the barricade and we take a break.

Back with Truth still in trouble as Elias and McIntyre take turns beating on him. Truth manages to send Drew outside though and the diving tag brings in Reigns for a nice reaction. The corner clotheslines and a big boot drop Elias as everything breaks down. The apron boot hits Elias but Reigns has to punch Shane in the face. Drew misses the Claymore on the distracted Reigns and it’s a spear to finish Elias at 10:44.

Rating: D+. Just a main event tag here and there wasn’t exactly a lot of doubt in how things were going to be finishing up. If nothing else though, it was nice to have Shane be the pesky manager he should be rather than getting in the ring to have these matches. He’s fine in that role, but for some reason WWE would rather have him be competitive in major matches. I’m sure there’s no connection to that and the lack of solid, top heels in the company.

Post match Reigns has an idea and spears Elias again so Truth can win the title back. I mean, it is beneath Reigns to win it after all.

Overall Rating: D. This show accomplished two things: show how worthless the Tag Team Titles are and reminding me just how bad Raw was this week. WWE is a mess at the moment and it feels like there is too much going on at once. However, WWE seems to think that the solution is a comedy title for lower level wrestlers and more Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar and Baron Corbin. It’s going to take some time to get out of this, and I’m not sure how much longer fans are going to wait for them.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

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 28, 2019
Location: BOK Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Commentators: Aiden English, Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

We seem to be getting ready for Akira Tozawa to challenge for the Cruiserweight Title against Tony Nese, which is certainly an upgrade over Ariya Daivari. I’m not sure what we should expect with the rest of the show but this has become one of the better series around as of late, which says a lot about where things are in WWE these days. Let’s get to it.

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

Jack Gallagher is watching last week’s match when Humberto Carrillo comes in. They both enjoyed beating up the Singh Brothers but there is still an uneasiness between them. Gallagher needs to know that he can beat Carrillo so he’ll have a chance tonight.

Opening sequence.

Brian Kendrick vs. Mike Kanellis

Kendrick rushes him to start but misses a big boot. Instead it’s an early Captain’s Hook attempt with Kanellis bailing to the floor. Kendrick follows him outside though and Kanellis’ chop hits the post. Kanellis is fine enough to hit a suplex into the barricade, followed by a regular one for two back inside.

The chinlock sets up a spinebuster for two on Kendrick with the kickout stopping Maria’s proud strut. Kanellis puts him on top for some chops and shoves off a leg lariat after Kendrick gets back down. Kendrick is right back with the Captain’s Hook but Kanellis gets over to the rope in a hurry. They head outside with Kendrick suplexing him off the steps for a nasty looking landing.

Back in and Sliced Bread #2 is broken up so it’s right back to the Captain’s Hook. Kanellis fights up again and gets in a Samoan driver for a needed breather. They slug it out and trade superkicks before a pair of clotheslines give us a double knockdown. Kendrick is up first and now Sliced Bread connects with a delayed cover getting two. Kanellis hits another Samoan driver into the rolling cutter for the pin at 9:47.

Rating: C+. Kanellis is starting to get better but he needs something better than the rolling cutter for a finisher. That and a personality might do him a lot of good. Getting a clean win is a positive sign for him though and a match down the line against Tony Nese for the Cruiserweight Champion could be a nice match.

Nese comes in to see Drake Maverick when Tozawa comes in. The champ offers Tozawa a title match and makes a formal request but Maverick says he’s only taking it under consideration.

Ariya Daivari yells at his barber and says he’s still coming for the Cruiserweight Title. Before he gets there though, he’s going to get even with Oney Lorcan for cutting his ear open last week.

Noam Dar vs. Mike Karma

Feeling out process to start with Dar not really taking Karma all that seriously. Dar throws him outside and poses, with a chant of EASY. Another toss to the floor keeps Karma down but he comes back in for some forearms. Dar isn’t having any of that and kicks the leg out, setting up the Nova Roller for the pin at 2:22. Just a squash.

Post match Dar says he’s back despite the jet lag from performing in NXT UK. Oh and Oklahoma sucks.

Maverick talks about the potential Cruiserweight Title match….but then chases after R-Truth and the 24/7 Title. He’s the boss of a show and he’s literally in a chase scene.

Oney Lorcan thinks Ariya Daivari is looking unbalanced after last week so he’ll bust open Daivari’s other ear to even things out.

Jack Gallagher vs. Humberto Carrillo

Feeling out process to start with Gallagher spinning out of an early wristlock in that very British way. Gallagher gets in a hammerlock with his leg and pulls back on the other arm, eventually getting it behind his back to bend back onto the mat (FREAKING OW MAN!). That’s broken up to avoid the death of Carrillo’s arm and he cranks on Gallagher’s foot for some near falls. A headlock keeps Jack in trouble until he walks on his hands to escape. An armdrag into an armbar has Gallagher frustrated again and it works so well that Carrillo does it again.

Gallagher is back up with his handstand in the corner so Carrillo mirrors him in the opposite corner. With that (hand) stand off over, Carrillo gets another armdrag into a dropkick but Gallagher sends him outside. That means a whip into the barricade, followed by a kick to the head back inside as Gallagher gets a lot more aggressive. We hit the chinlock and Gallagher pulls him back down to prevent an escape. It’s off to a reverse chinlock for a real change of pace, followed by the regular chinlock again.

The holds are finally broken until a dropkick puts Carrillo down again. That doesn’t last long as Carrillo hits the springboard spinning crossbody to send Gallagher to the floor. That means the suicide dive with Carrillo coming up holding his arm. The arm is fine enough for a standing moonsault, followed by a Disaster kick for two. Carrillo gets caught up top and it’s a belly to back superplex, meaning both of them head outside for a breather.

Gallagher charges into a hiptoss into the barricade. They head to the apron with Carrillo hitting a missile dropkick to the back to keep Gallagher in trouble. The top rope moonsault hits raised boots though and Gallagher hits the running dropkick to put him on the floor. That means a dive from Gallagher but Carrillo gets a rollup for two back inside. A double clothesline gives us a double knockdown and a quick breather. Gallagher is up first for a delayed vertical suplex, which is reversed into a hard DDT. A twisting 450 gives Carrillo the pin at 16:04.

Rating: B. This was your usual long but quality main event around here as Carrillo continues to be built up. He has the look and ability to make a run around here at the moment and that’s a good idea. The finisher helps too as they haven’t had a traditional high flying face in a little while.

Post match they shake hands and hug with Gallagher leaving.

Overall Rating: B. Another good show here, assuming you don’t mind the fact that a lot of the stars on the show aren’t the most interesting in the world. They’re starting to build up some people for the next generation, but there are things that still need to be done to make the show more interesting. At least the wrestling was good though, which is better than you get a lot of the time.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

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 23, 2019
Location: Times Union Center, Albany, New York
Commentators: Renee Young, Byron Saxton, Sam Roberts

I’m officially no longer sure what to expect here as last week’s didn’t include anything from Smackdown and that makes the show a lot harder to understand. If the point of the show is to have highlights from the main two shows, having material from the main two shows could be advised. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Tamina vs. Natalya

Renee says Tamina is a locker room leader. No wonder the company is in trouble. Natalya’s headlock doesn’t work very well to start as Tamina starts cranking on the arm. That earns her a beating in the corner and Tamina misses a charge into the post. The Sharpshooter isn’t happening yet as Tamina kicks her away and nails a clothesline. We’re already in the chinlock and the fans aren’t exactly pleased. A rollup gives Natalya two as watching Tamina isn’t the most entertaining thing in the world.

Sam talks about how Tamina doesn’t feel the need to talk about her last name all the time like Natalya does. True indeed. I can’t remember the last time Natalya didn’t bring up the Wilsons every chance she had. Natalya can’t slam her and a superkick cuts off the discus lariat for two. Not that it matters as Natalya is right back with the Sharpshooter for the tap at 5:47. Score one for the Wilsons!

Rating: D+. This wasn’t terrible actually, though watching Tamina made me feel depressed all over again. I’m really not sure what WWE sees in her, especially with the whole Jimmy Snuka being excommunicated thing. It could have been a lot worse, but Natalya can only carry Tamina so far.

We look at Brock Lesnar winning the Men’s Money in the Bank match.

From Smackdown (what a concept).

Here’s an excited New Day to announce that Big E. is back. Someone is brought out under a sheet and it’s….not E. Whoever it is is smaller that Xavier Woods and he is promptly thrown out. The real Big E. comes out and there’s a party ready for him in the ring, complete with blocks and a WELCOME BACK sign. Oh and lots of pancakes of course.

Big E. asks if he can smell the other two, with Woods saying that Big E. is medically cleared to sniff. Big E. brings up Becky Lynch’s mother but Woods cuts him off, though he does agree that she’s rather attractive. Kofi gets them back on track and talks about Brock Lesnar winning Money in the Bank and Kevin Owens losing on Sunday, which brings out Owens and Sami Zayn.

Sami talks about Big E. being gone for six weeks when he was gone for nine months. Big E. thinks they should get Sami something, with the team deciding on getting him nothing. Owens leaves and Sami rants about the fans being toxic, only to be cut off by the trombone. Sami promises to beat Kofi tonight, which Kofi says he’ll take seriously.

And from later on Smackdown.

Kofi Kingston vs. Sami Zayn

Non-title. Hang on though as Big E. has been attacked and says it was Owens. Kofi is aggressive to start and runs Sami over on the floor. Back in and Sami sends him over the top and then into the steps before giving himself some jumping applause. Kofi hits a dropkick for a breather and we take a break. We come back with Sami hitting a top rope superplex for two as we hear about Woods going with Big E. to a hospital. Sami misses a kick to the face but Trouble in Paradise misses as well. The second Trouble in Paradise connects for the pin at 8:14 to finish Zayn.

Rating: C. This had some big spots but they were packed into a short match. It’s still annoying to have Sami losing after cutting such great promos but I’ll take what I can get in a pretty action packed match. If nothing else, how bad of a sign is it that the former World Champion not losing is that big of a relief?

Post match here’s Paul Heyman with the briefcase to tease Kofi, saying it’s the perfect time. Cue DOLPH ZIGGLER from behind to attack Kofi, including wrapping a chair around his neck and sending him into the announcers’ table. Ziggler even Pillmanizes the neck and Kofi does a stretcher job….before getting up on the stage and limping off. So, again, how many people can’t get to TV or can’t get off the upper midcard treadmill as they bring in ZIGGLER for a likely World Title match?

We look at Bayley winning and cashing in Money in the Bank.

From Raw.

Here’s Mick Foley to debut the new title. He thinks there is something missing from Raw and it’s time to revisit those three letters: R-A-W. As the cover is falling off the new title, Foley says it takes a lot to be a champion in WWE (get with the times buddy). It’s something that you should sacrifice teeth and an ear for and fight 24/7 to achieve. The new title is the 24/7 Title, with a big 24/7 as the center plate.

This title can be defended anytime, anyplace, anywhere. The fans rightfully boo this out of the building and Foley seems a little shaken. You could get pinned going down the slide at Chuck E. Cheese or even in the shower, as long as there is a referee present. We are going to crown a new champion right here in the form of a scramble, with any every superstar from the Raw, Smackdown, 205 Live, NXT, NXT UK and maybe a legend being eligible to win the title. The title is laid in the ring and whomever retrieves it achieves it.

24/7 Title: Scramble

The lower card runs to the ring to get the title with Eric Young even making an appearance. We get the classic idea of fighting instead of running into the ring to get the title. Eric Young and Cedric Alexander get in the ring but get pulled out, allowing Anderson and Gallows to pick it up. That doesn’t count because it’s not one (But the Usos are one Wild Card entry?) so No Way Jose and EC3 break that up. Drake Maverick and Titus O’Neil go after it next with Titus throwing Maverick over the top and picking up the title to win at 2:37.

And then Robert Roode runs out and rolls Titus up on the ramp to win the title. Everyone gives chase, which I’m sure is what passes for entertainment around here.

Post break Roode hides as the mob runs the other way.

Roode runs for the parking lot and hides in R-Truth’s trunk. The mob comes up and Truth says he went that way. They run the other way and Truth gets Roode out of the trunk. Roode opens the door and finds…..a referee. Truth sends him into the side of the car and gets the pin and the title before driving off. At least Truth can bring some funny stuff to the title.

Super ShowDown rundown.

EC3 vs. Cedric Alexander

Yes this is getting a rematch. Cedric grabs a headlock and spins out of a wristlock counter. EC3’s headlock doesn’t work either as Cedric hits a dropkick for two so frustration can set in. One heck of a clothesline takes Cedric’s head off and we take a break. Back with Cedric fighting out of a chinlock and getting stomped down in the corner for his efforts.

An elbow to the face cuts off Cedric’s comeback attempt and EC3 gets one off a running flip neckbreaker. The front facelock goes on, followed by the EC3 Elbow, only to have Cedric get two off a small package. The springboard clothesline gives Alexander two but EC3 gets in his forward DDT for the same. Back up and Cedric grabs the Lumbar Check for the pin at 10:43.

Rating: D. This wasn’t working with EC3’s offense not being great in the first place and Cedric never feeling like he was in jeopardy. I’d still love to know what EC3 did to ruin his career in WWE as this is one of the most confusing removal of a wrestler’s legs that I can remember seeing in a long time. Bad match, though Cedric actually appearing on Raw would be nice.

And from Smackdown to wrap it up.

Roman Reigns vs. Elias

Shane is in Elias’ corner and handles his introduction. Reigns starts fast with the apron dropkick to rock Elias. Hang on though as he has to glare at Shane, allowing Elias to kick the rope for a low blow. A DDT gives Elias two and he sends Reigns shoulder first into the post. Back from a break with Reigns hitting the corner clotheslines but Shane breaks up the Superman Punch, allowing Elias to hit the jumping knee in the corner. An electric chair is broken up and Reigns hits a good right hand.

Another keeps Elias in trouble but he elbows out of a super Samoan drop. Now the electric chair into a powerbomb gives Elias two and it’s time for the slugout. The Superman Punch gets two with Shane putting Elias’ foot on the ropes. That earns Shane an apron dropkick but Elias sends Reigns into the post and then the steps. Back in and Elias drops a top rope elbow for two so Shane tells him to take off a buckle pad. The distraction lets Shane put the guitar in the corner but Reigns spears Elias for the pin at 9:30.

Rating: C. This feels like an old NWA style angle where if Reigns wins he gets five minutes with the annoying manager, but the manager happens to be the final boss and the biggest threat to actually beat him. Shane was portrayed as the evil mastermind here but he’s the kind of evil mastermind who can win a big match as well. That’s quite the heel power for someone who can’t get through a five minute match without needing oxygen.

Post match Shane grabs the guitar but Reigns takes it away. Cue Drew McIntyre to Claymore Reigns to end the show.

Overall Rating: D. What does it say that the best part of Raw, as in the part that deserved to be presented twice, was a “match” where you ran in and literally picked up a belt to win the thing? That’s as good as they had this week? The Smackdown stuff was fine, but Smackdown was a much better show. WWE is crawling around in the dark right now and this show didn’t seem like there is any hope of finding a way out soon.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

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

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