IMG Credit: WWE

Mixed Match Challenge
Date: March 20, 2018
Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Beth Phoenix

We’re almost done with the tournament as there are only three shows left. That means tonight will give us one of the finalists as Alexa Bliss/Braun Strowman face off with The Miz/Asuka. These have been two of the favorites for a long time now so it’s no surprise that one of them will be in the finals. Let’s get to it.

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

A shaken up Michael Cole welcomes us to the show as Daniel Bryan is stretchered out follow the attack at the hands of Sami Zayn/Kevin Owens.

You can vote for the team to get a second chance in next week’s other semifinal.

Semifinals: The Miz/Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss/Braun Strowman

Asuka is still nervous about losing her winning streak. The women start but Alexa tags out, putting the streak in even more jeopardy. Miz will have nothing to do with Strowman so it’s back to the women…and then back to the men…..make it the women again…..then the men, this time with Braun dropkicking Miz for the first contact nearly two minute in. A forearm to the chest gets two with the crazed Asuka making the save.

Asuka is tagged back in and Miz goes for a walk. Alexa gets knocked into Braun’s arms again and, after a rather teased look, is thrown back in for an armbar from Asuka. That’s reversed into a chinlock as an END HER STREAK chant starts up. Strowman comes back in for a hard whip to the corner and a knee to Miz’s back. The running powerslam is broken up and Miz starts on the knee but the YES Kicks just annoy Strowman.

Miz gets thrown outside so a happy Bliss grabs Strowman by the beard and pulls him to her….but Miz forearms him in the back. NOW Braun is really angry and the chase is on with Strowman catching Miz in that scary way that he can do. For some reason Strowman tags Bliss back in and it’s time for the running kicks for two on Bliss. A double kick means a double knockdown and it’s Strowman driving Miz through the barricade. Bliss gets a pair of twos off a pair of rollups but it’s the Asuka Lock for the tap out at 11:08.

Rating: C. The idea of Asuka being terrified of losing her streak is a cool concept and something that can play to her later on. With her being scared of losing, someone can gain a psychological advantage. On top of that, there’s Bliss and Strowman, who unfortunately likely won’t go anywhere. At least it was fun while it was lasted.

Strowman carries Bliss to the back.

The winners of the second chance fan vote is…..Finn Balor and Sasha Banks. Bobby Roode and Charlotte are interested in the second chance to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. Another nice and very easy to watch show here as it’s about twenty minutes every week. Odds are Miz and Asuka win the whole thing but either of the other teams could be a nice monkey wrench. This week’s match was fun and they had some more psychology here, which is a lot more than you can say about most WWE shows.

Remember to check out my new forum at steelcageforums.com, follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of the WWE Grab Bag (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/03/23/new-paperback-kbs-grab-bag/

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: March 20, 2018
Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

It’s time to find out who else is going to Wrestlemania tonight as Mustafa Ali and Drew Gulak meet in the second semifinal match of the Cruiserweight Title tournament. The winner gets to meed Cedric Alexander for the title in New Orleans, meaning the pressure should be high. Let’s get to it.

Here’s last week’s show in case you need a recap.

The opening recap looks at Alexander winning last week and previews tonight’s match.

Opening sequence.

Hideo Itami vs. Lince Dorado

Fallout from Itami being a little too aggressive against Dorado’s buddy Gran Metalik last week. Itami wastes no time in taking Dorado into the corner for some hard shots to the mask. Dorado sends him outside and that means Itami needs to slow down a bit. Back in and a hurricanrana into a dropkick has Itami in trouble and Dorado stays at it with a quick dive.

Itami sends him back first into the apron to take over again though and a hard slap makes things even worse. That’s enough to wake Dorado up and he scores with a spinwheel kick to the face. The handspring is telegraphed though and Itami takes him down with a clothesline for two instead. Dorado kicks him in the jaw and it’s out to the floor again. This time though, Gran Metalik shoves Itami into the apron and that’s a DQ at 6:15.

Rating: C. Perfectly fine while it lasted but this is setting up something down the line instead of being a blowoff or conclusion here. Itami is better as a heel and the last few weeks have been an improvement over his very lackluster run so far. They’re getting something here with the tag feud and a third man to help Itami and Tozawa would make things more interesting.

Video on Drew Gulak, who really does want to change things for the better around here. Drake Maverick called him a goof and that was enough to snap Gulak back to reality. He’s been hyper aggressive in the tournament and that makes him all the more dangerous.

Cedric Alexander says last week was great but it means nothing if he doesn’t win the Cruiserweight Championship. Very true and sound logic.

TJP doesn’t care if Cedric Alexander, Santa Claus or Kermit the Frog wins at Wrestlemania. He’s next in line for a title shot.

TJP vs. Kenneth Johnson

Johnson was in the Cruiserweight Classic. TJP takes him down twice in short order and there’s a jumping back elbow to the jaw. A belly to back suplex sets up the slingshot hilo as we’re firmly in squash territory here. Johnson gets in a running Cannonball to a standing TJP but the knee gets taken out in short order. The Detonation Kick into the kneebar makes Johnson tap at 2:41. Just a squash.

TJP takes his sweet time in letting go.

Mustafa Ali wants to use his status as a force for change. When you hear the name Mustafa Ali, the knee jerk reaction is to boo him but that’s not the case with someone like him.

Drake Maverick is ticked off over the DQ finish earlier. We’re almost to the end of the tournament and the new champion needs challengers. Therefore, next week it’s Tozawa vs. Kalisto vs. TJP vs. Buddy Murphy and the winner will get a Cruiserweight Title shot. Drake: “There you go. Just turned a positive into a negative. That’s what I do.”

Cruiserweight Title Tournament Semifinals: Drew Gulak vs. Mustafa Ali

The empty seats opposite the camera are horribly noticeable. Gulak’s wristlock doesn’t get him very far as Ali reverses into one of his own to take over. An exchange of shoulders goes nowhere as Nigel defines a bully. Drew grabs a flapjack followed by a chinlock for a bit, only to have Ali come back with a dropkick. A hard clothesline to the back of the head gives Gulak two and a spinning electric chair gets the same.

With the wrestling not working, Drew stomps away at the head as the aggression coming out for the first time. Ali slaps away and hits a great sounding spinwheel kick to the jaw. The rolling X-Factor gets two and Ali stomps him out to the floor, showing him some aggression of his own. It seems to get to Ali though and his moral conundrum allows Gulak to send him into the buckle. That screwed over Roddy Piper in 1992 and it did the same to Ali.

Drew can’t get the dragon sleeper so Ali slaps on a Koji Clutch of all things. With the hold broken, Drew bails to the floor, setting up a big flip dive with Ali landing on Drew’s shoulder in a crash. The 054 is broken up as Ali is sent to the floor, with his FACE landing on the apron. Thankfully without bleeding, Ali gets up and avoids a charge to send Gulak over the announcers’ table. A big dive drops Gulak again and it’s time to load up the announcers’ table.

Ali takes too much time though and gets backdropped off the table for a crash. Drew breaks the count though and sends Ali HARD into the post (one of the nastiest looking postings I’ve ever seen), followed by a toss into the timekeeper’s area. Of course that’s only good for a nine because the trope of diving back in before ten is strong in this company. Back in and Ali manages a tornado DDT to counter the dragon sleeper and the 054 sends Ali to Wrestlemania at 15:11.

Rating: B. The ending was a bit sudden here and Gulak’s aggression being gone took away a lot of the good things this match could do. That being said, they’ve got something with Ali going a step further each time to become champion as he loses a little bit more of what got him here in the first place. I really hope it’s not setting up a heel turn, but there’s a story there. Good match, but not as good as some of the tournament matches.

Post match Ali says WE are going to Wrestlemania (I hope I can find something to wear). It doesn’t matter what your name is, where you’re from or what color your skin is. All that matters is what’s in your heart.

Overall Rating: B+. They have something very, very special with this tournament final and I have no idea who wins the thing. That’s one of the hardest things to pull off in wrestling and they’ve done it to perfection here. The rest of the show was completely fine, but this was all about setting up the finals and they did it perfectly. I’m very impressed.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of the WWE Grab Bag (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/03/23/new-paperback-kbs-grab-bag/

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

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

https://wrestlingrumors.net/breaking-news-daniel-bryan-medically-cleared-ring-competition/

Well that’s a game changer.  This is one of those things that I never thought I would see.  I don’t know when he’ll be back but if they can get him on Wrestlemania, they would be crazy not to.  Either that or as the big Raw surprise.

IMG Credit: WWE

Mixed Match Challenge
Date: March 13, 2018
Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Beth Phoenix

We’re getting deep into this thing as tonight will determine the third semifinalists. This week’s show features Bobby Roode/Charlotte vs. Rusev/Lana, in what could be a rather entertaining match. Roode and Charlotte could easily be the favorites to win the whole thing and that should be a good sign for them tonight. Let’s get to it.

Here’s last week’s show if you need a recap.

Here’s your demonstration of whether or not you want to display comments. Odds are they’re fine with them as long as they’re not about Fabulous Moolah.

Both teams promise to win.

Quarterfinals: Charlotte/Bobby Roode vs. Lana/Rusev

Charlotte even does a little dance to Roode’s entrance. Before the bell, Rusev sings the Lana Song and even the power of WOOing can’t overcome it. Slaps and chops are exchanged with Rusev and Lana bailing out to the floor. The women get things started and Lana is instantly in over her head off a quick armdrag.

A test of strength goes slightly better thanks to a kick to the ribs but Charlotte calmly tosses her into the corner. An X Factor gives Lana two, only to have Charlotte send her flying with a fall away slam. The guys come in with Roode’s Glorious DDT attempt being countered with a Machka Kick. We hit the chinlock so it’s off to a shot of Natalya and Shinsuke Nakamura chatting with fans.

Back up and Roode gets superkicked in the shoulder but Rusev takes WAY too much time on a middle rope splash. It’s back to the women with Charlotte kicking her in the face and Rusev having to drag Lana out of trouble. Charlotte chops Rusev in an act of bravery to almost no effect. The distraction lets Roode sneak in with a Glorious DDT and the (illegal) pin at 11:00.

Rating: C-. The Charlotte/Rusev stuff worked but this was a little less interesting than most of the matches they’ve done. That chinlock hurt things a lot but above all else it was the lack of drama. Even if you say Rusev and Roode cancel each other out (and that’s a stretch), Lana isn’t a threat to Charlotte and everyone knows it. Lana was trying here but there’s no way around Charlotte. On a more positive note: they seem to be teasing a romance between Charlotte and Roode, which makes me wonder how they haven’t done that on this series yet.

Alexa Bliss/Braun Strowman and The Miz/Asuka are ready to win next week.

Overall Rating: D+. I don’t know if the show is wearing on me or what but this one wasn’t as much fun as I’ve had with the previous episodes. It’s not a bad show or anything but it’s still nothing that I’m going to remember in a day or two. The wrestling wasn’t much, but it needs something a little more interesting to keep the fans drawn in. That being said, there are only three episodes left so it’s not like this is a long term problem.

Remember to check out my new forums at steelcageforums.com, follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the 2018 Updated Version of the History of the WWE Championship in e-book or paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/01/26/new-book-kbs-history-of-the-wwe-championship-2018-updated-version/

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: March 13, 2018
Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

It’s time to send someone to Wrestlemania. With four weeks left before the big show, we have two semifinal matches to get through before we know the finals of the Cruiserweight Title tournament. Tonight we have Cedric Alexander vs. Roderick Strong, which has the potential to be a heck of a showdown. Let’s get to it.

Here’s last week’s episode if you need a recap.

The opening recap gives us a recap to open up, including a preview of tonight’s semifinal.

Opening sequence.

Hideo Itami/Akira Tozawa vs. Lince Dorado/Gran Metalik

The build towards the Cruiserweight Tag Team Titles continues. Dorado and Tozawa start things off and they actually go technical early on. It’s too early for Tozawa to hit the big kick so Dorado shoulders him down and dances a bit. Stereo dropkicks give us a standoff until Dorado’s second attempt works a bit better. Metalik comes in and gets caught in a hurricanrana before it’s off to Itami for some missed kicks.

Dorado actually gets the better of a strike off with Itami until Hideo takes his head off with a kick to the face. It’s time to get even more aggressive as Itami takes down his knee pad, only to do his reverse kick to the face of a downed Dorado. That’s such an arrogant looking move and it works so well. Tozawa’s missile dropkick gets two but he and Dorado kick each other in the face for a double knockout.

The hot tag brings in Metalik to clean house, including a reverse Sling Blade to drop Itami. With Metalik on the apron and leaning through the ropes, Dorado hits a great looking springboard to the floor. Metalik’s springboard bangs up his knee though and Itami grabs his Twisting Stunner for the pin at 8:08.

Rating: C+. I’m still not sure on having a tag division but it could be an option if they build up some actual teams. Lucha House Party and the resident Japanese team are a good start but you need more than two or three teams to fight over titles. This was good enough with some of the dives looking awesome, but nothing that hasn’t been done before.

Post match Itami and Dorado nearly get in a fight but Kalisto and Tozawa break things up.

Video on Roderick Strong, featuring a lot of the same clips from his introduction videos in NXT. He’s ready to face anyone of any style.

Jack Gallagher vs. Murphy Myers

Drake Maverick is on commentary. Jack actually lets him go up against the ropes to start before calmly snapping into Murphy’s arm. A few forearms and an enziguri actually stagger Gallagher but he catches Myers in the ring skirt and hammers away. The headbutt ends Murphy at 2:38.

Video on Cedric Alexander, who has earned the right to be here after coming up short in a chase for the title before. He can do anything and nothing will stop him.

Mustafa Ali is in a dark hallway with a shadow approaching from behind. He talks about Drew Gulak attacking Mark Andrews after the match was over but Ali isn’t scared of the bully. The shadow reaches him and the interview cuts off. These things have certainly been different and in this case they’ve made him stand out very well.

Cruiserweight Title Tournament Semifinals: Roderick Strong vs. Cedric Alexander

Neither can maintain a front facelock to start and they roll into a standoff. Strong gets two off a dropkick as Ali is watching in the back. A backdrop nearly sends Strong onto his feet but he’s fine enough to break up a springboard to send Cedric face first into the turnbuckle. Cedric seems to come up favoring his ribs so Strong grabs a seated abdominal stretch.

Back up and Cedric tries the handspring enziguri but Strong is waiting on him with a dropkick for a sweet counter. It’s off to a chinlock with Strong shouting that no one wants Cedric to be champion. Now that’s just cruel, yet also good trash talk at the same time. Cedric gets back up and hits a kick to the face, followed by a springboard cutter to send Strong outside. The springboard clothesline gets two more and something like a Michinoku Driver is good for the same.

Another springboard is countered into a backbreaker attempt but Cedric counters that into a crucifix for two. Strong isn’t going to be denied though and gets the first backbreaker to take over again. Back up and a quick Neuralizer sets up the Lumbar Check…..for two as Strong gets to the ropes. I don’t recall anyone ever surviving that, which makes the escape so much better. Why doesn’t WWE get that concept elsewhere?

They head to the apron with Strong slapping on a Torture Rack but throwing Cedric BACK FIRST ONTO THE BUCKLE in a scary looking crash. That’s not enough for a countout so Strong grabs a top rope superplex, giving Cedric that great lost look on the impact. That’s still not enough for the win so Strong knees him in the face and grabs End of Heartache for two with Cedric getting a boot on the ropes.

One heck of an elbow to the face drops Strong but Cedric can’t follow up. It’s time for the slugout but Strong can’t get the Stronghold. He can get another jumping knee to the face, only to get small packaged go send Cedric to Wrestlemania at 14:57. The shocked look on Cedric’s face is a great plus.

Rating: B+. These two were beating the heck out of each other and you bought the idea that they were both willing to do anything they could to get the win. I had a blast with this and Cedric is more than worthy of going to Wrestlemania. That’s the mark of a great tournament: you could see anyone winning, and that’s been the case with the final four. Great match here and one of the best ever on 205 Live.

They look at each other in a sign of respect. Strong leaves and Cedric says he earned this. Every morning he wakes up with his four year old daughter telling him he’s a champion. At Wrestlemania, that becomes reality. More good stuff on the mic here as I want to see Cedric win the title. That’s hard to do, especially with how low level the title really is. Well done indeed.

Overall Rating: B. That main event is more than enough to carry the show but you can also see some stories being added to the show. You can only go so far on the tournament alone so having something new, including the possibility of Gallagher vs. Maverick, gives me some hope for the future. Good show here, as 205 Live continues to rock.

Remember to check out my new forum at steelcageforums.com, follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the 2018 Updated Version of the History of the WWE Championship in e-book or paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/01/26/new-book-kbs-history-of-the-wwe-championship-2018-updated-version/

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: March 15, 2018
Location: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

We can finally start focusing on the build to Wrestlemania with Fastlane out of the way. That means another week of recaps, likely with Curt Hawkins losing again and a cruiserweight match thrown in. That’s not a bad thing though as this whole week is about building to the pay per view. Let’s get to it.

Here’s last week’s show if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Goldust vs. Curt Hawkins

Hawkins promises to win so he can have one more win than the Red Wings have had this week. Goldust punches him in the jaw so Curt wants to box, which goes just as badly for him as well. An early Golden Cross attempt is broken up and Hawkins gets two off a suplex. We hit the chinlock but Hawkins poses for too long, allowing Goldust to score with a spinebuster. Ten right hands in the corner set up the snap powerslam for two but the Golden Cross is broken up again. Now it’s Curt getting his own two off his own spinebuster, only to walk into the Golden Cross for the pin at 5:11.

Rating: D+. I know we’ve seen this one a time or five now but both guys are trying out there. Hawkins losing over and over is getting entertaining and I hope they have some way to pay this off. Goldust is still a great hand in the ring and can put on entertaining matches with just about anyone. I’m still holding out hope that he makes it to 2020 so he can be around for five decades. That’s just not normal and it’s also not out of the question.

Stills of Sunday’s Six Pack Challenge.

From Raw.

Here’s John Cena to address his loss last night. Cena has found his path to Wrestlemania and some people might not like that. He’s tried as hard as he can but he’s lost every chance. The fans chant for Undertaker and Cena says he hopes the people backstage are listening. He won’t be contributing to Wrestlemania this year (I’m guessing he misspoke when he said he had found his path.).

That doesn’t mean that he’s quitting or walking away because he’ll be there on the same road to Wrestlemania as the fans. He’s going as a fan this year and he’ll be having a blast. Cena may be sitting next to us and goes into the crowd to steal a sip of beer. He starts a THIS IS AWESOME chant before switching to a LET’S GO ROMAN which doesn’t work so well.

Back in the ring, Cena says we need to get one chant out of our system: LET’S GO CENA! You know what comes from there and Cena says the only way that’s going to happen is if he does something he’s not supposed to do. Actually, what does he have to lose if he does it? Cena: “Well screw it. I challenge the Undertaker to a match at Wrestlemania.” He’s been told that’s impossible but he doesn’t quite get why.

Cena says the challenge a few more times and since his mic is still working, it’s clearly not WWE that doesn’t want it to happen. That leaves just Undertaker, who needs to, and I quote, get over his own ego. Undertaker is hiding behind his loss and needs to take his head out of the sand. He’s not too old and he’s not broken down. If he was, he wouldn’t be posting workout videos on his wife’s Instagram. Undertaker is hiding and needs to come try and Tombstone Cena in front of 75,000 people. If Cena was Undertaker, he’d want one more match.

So, to recap, this match is going to have, at most, three weeks of official build (assuming Undertaker doesn’t Tweet a response) because we needed Cena in a six way match at Fastlane. I don’t want to see this match and while it could have a good feeling to it, I would really just prefer that Undertaker goes away after last year’s great moment. The Cena vs. Undertaker match could have been awesome, but unless that hip surgery completely changed Undertaker, last year was a really bad sign.

From Raw again.

Cue Roman Reigns to say what just happened was Brock didn’t show up for work today. For anyone else, there would be a fine, a suspension, or being fired, but that’s not happening to Vince’s boy. Reigns says if Angle didn’t show up, he’d be fired and not be able to feed his kids. Reigns passed Vince McMahon in the back and Vince didn’t have the courtesy to apologize. Roman isn’t going to have Vince disrespect him so he leaves the ring and goes to the gorilla position, where Vince and Shane are producing the show. Vince gets up and says they’ll talk in his office.

Reigns leaves Vince’s office and has nothing to say. Vince comes out a second later and says he had to tell Reigns to know his role and shut his mouth. Brock has certain privileges and may not like anyone but he respects competition. Vince says Brock will be at Wrestlemania and will defend his title but he also promises that Brock will be here next week. As for Reigns, he’s been temporarily suspended.

And now to Smackdown.

Here’s Shane for his big announcement. He recaps the entire story between himself, Owens and Zayn before saying that he’s taking a leave of absence as Commissioner. Before he goes though, Shane makes Owens vs. Zayn for Wrestlemania. This brings out Owens with his head shaking. Before he can say much though, here’s Sami to interrupt. Sami doesn’t like Shane listening to the fans but doesn’t seem pleased that Shane is leaving.

Shane doesn’t understand this as he just gave them what they wanted. Owens does appreciate it, but thinks Shane will appreciate this too. The double beatdown is on and Owens hits a Pop Up Powerbomb and it’s time for a chair. They wrap it around Shane’s neck and ram it into the post before dragging him to the back. Shane gets powerbombed onto a big metal box and sounds like he can barely breathe. A stretcher is brought in to end the show. I’m sure Shane will be perfectly fine enough for Bryan to add him to the match and make it a triple threat.

Stills of Asuka coming to Fastlane and challenging Charlotte for Wrestlemania.

Hideo Itami/Akira Tozawa vs. Jack Gallagher/TJP

Dang we’ve got the big name Cruiserweights tonight. Gallagher and Tozawa get things going and Jack actually gives him a clean break. Tozawa, while screaming, kicks him in the chest and gets two off the backsplash. Hideo and TJP come in with the latter taking it to the mat and hammering away at the back of the head. Itami knees him down though and we take an abrupt break. Back with Itami getting two off a fisherman’s suplex as everything breaks down. Itami’s running corner dropkick sets up the top rope backsplash to give Tozawa the pin at 6:27. Not enough shown to rate but it was quick fun.

Video on the Ultimate Deletion.

We see the last minute and a half of the tag team battle royal.

Overall Rating: C. It’s kind of awesome to see the Wrestlemania hype train leaving the station as it’s long overdue. There was a bunch of big time stuff going on this week and it was nice to have things feel important again. The wrestling here obviously wasn’t the point but they did a great job of filling in the gaps between what really mattered.

Remember to check out my new forum at steelcageforums.com, follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the 2018 Updated Version of the History of the WWE Championship in e-book or paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/01/26/new-book-kbs-history-of-the-wwe-championship-2018-updated-version/

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: March 8, 2018
Location: BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

We’re now on the Road to Wrestlemania and that could be interesting from a Main Event perspective. I mean, I’m not sure how interesting it could be as Main Event doesn’t exactly have the best prospects, but at least we could see some good highlights from the important shows. Let’s get to it.

Here’s last week’s show if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Apollo vs. Curt Hawkins

Where would we be without Hawkins? They don’t waste time and hit an early wrestling sequence until Apollo (I still want to say Crews) scores with a jumping back elbow. Hawkins bails and tries to kiss Dana Brooke, which goes even worse than you would expect. Back in and a Stunner over the ropes ropes Apollo and Hawkins stomps away. Apollo is right back with the jumping enziguri and standing moonsault for two. The Toss Powerbomb is countered into a rollup with a handful of trunks for two more in a not bad false finish. Back up and the Toss Powerbomb connects to end Hawkins at 5:18.

Rating: C. Not too bad here but it’s the same thing we’ve seen so many times now. The thing is, it’s not like Hawkins needs really needs to do anything with the losing streak. It’s a good idea and something they can continue with for months on end. Go with what you can get out of it and that’s all that can be asked.

From Raw.

Here’s Kurt Angle to get things going. Kurt is serious this week because he got sucker punched last week. HHH hit him right in the jaw and while Kurt has swallowed his pride before, he’s calling HHH out right now. The jacket comes off and here’s a swaggering Stephanie (the obvious response) instead. Stephanie asks about Angle’s five kids and ex-wife, meaning he likely has an alimony payment. She advises Kurt to stick with what he does for a living and here’s Ronda Rousey to interrupt.

Rousey talks about the people who brought her here not being what they said they were but she’s dealt with that before. Stephanie laughs this off and says people don’t often understand their bosses’ decisions. What Rousey needs to remember is that she signed a contract with WWE and that puts her under Stephanie. Ronda remembers something about that contract: she’s allowed to pick her opponent. That opponent would be Stephanie, so here’s HHH to keep his wife from a bad case of death.

Angle brings up that Stephanie also has a wrestler’s contract (Why?) so the match is on. She’s not the only one with a wrestler’s contract because HHH has one too. That’s why the mixed tag match is on for Wrestlemania. HHH leaves so Stephanie loads up the slap on Angle, only to have Rousey grab the arm. HHH comes back in for the save and the fight is on with Stephanie knocking Rousey down from behind. The stare sends her bailing as HHH is put in the ankle lock. Stephanie comes back for the save but gets pulled back into the ring for a not great Samoan drop from Rousey.

Video on New Day vs. the Usos.

From Smackdown.

Charlotte and Ruby Riott are brought out for an opening chat. Ruby cuts Dasha Fuentes off and says this started on November 14, 2017 when Charlotte won the Smackdown Women’s Title. Charlotte is the perfect person to be the top star of the women’s division but then Ruby saw the myth fall apart. It was a week later that Ruby started the Riott Squad with the sole purpose of destroying Charlotte’s myth.

Charlotte talks about how just being good isn’t enough because she has to transcend everything. That’s what she’s done and now she’s become the best ever. Ruby says that’s all on the line Sunday and when Charlotte loses, she’ll be just another bleach blonde with a famous last name. The Squad gets in the ring but here’s Bobby Roode to scare them off and to do commentary on the next match. Good promo here, but it should have been for a Wrestlemania match instead of a Fastlane match.

Gran Metalik/Kalisto vs. Ariya Daivari/Tony Nese

Back to the old 205 Live style, which isn’t the worst thing in the world. Daivari and Kalisto get things going with the latter grabbing a bunch of rollups for two each. It’s off to Nese for the posing so Kalisto dropkicks him down without much effort. A hurricanrana sends Nese outside and that means a big flip dive to both villains as we take a break. Back with Metalik missile dropkicking Kalisto for two as everything breaks down. A superkick drops Daivari and Metalik’s top rope elbow is good for the pin at 9:38.

Rating: C+. Totally standard Main Event cruiserweight match here and that’s all it needs to be. It’s a good idea to have the cruiserweights get out there in front of the live crowd as they’re certainly exciting enough to fire the fans up. Just go with something like that and see what you can do to get us ready for the important stuff.

From Raw.

Here’s Paul Heyman to respond to Roman Reigns’ comments last week. Heyman lays the title down, saying he’s allowed to do it because Brock Lesnar allows him to. Roman came out here last week and criticized Lesnar’s schedule. The biggest win of Reigns’ career is defeating the Undertaker last year at Wrestlemania. Brock Lesnar did that too and Lesnar is Brock Lesnar 365 days a year.

After Wrestlemania, Brock may let Heyman come out here and lay the title down again. Then maybe he’ll lay the UFC Heavyweight Championship next to it. At Wrestlemania, Reigns is coming for the title but that’s just not happening. Heyman: “And Afa Wrestlemania, you can Sika new title to challenge for, because this one is going home with Brock Lesnar.” Heyman goes to leave but stops to hold up the title. Last week Reigns said Lesnar was a b****. The reality is the title is Lesnar’s b****.

Brock does what he wants with it and looks at it whenever he wants but Reigns has been looking at it. The title, which isn’t a belt or a strap but proof that Lesnar is the best in the universe, is going to have to be pried out of Lesnar’s hot, active fingers. Reigns wants to be champion because it’s his bloodline, but the title is what matters most to Lesnar. If Reigns wants to be the Universal Champion, he can’t go home if he finds out something happened to his father, because someone has to be there to defend and present this title the night after Wrestlemania.

Reigns isn’t the man to take the title from Lesnar and there’s no way around it. Now Reigns knows that he shouldn’t shoot from the hip with Heyman and he shouldn’t shoot in the ring with Lesnar. Heyman goes to leave again but now it’s Reigns coming out to interrupt. Reigns says this is proof that what he said is right: all he did is sent Heyman for his rebuttal. All the fans want is for their champion to show up and want to be here. Brock is going to be in Detroit next week so he better be dressed for a fight. Heyman gets out as fast as he can to end the show.

It’s a good promo from Heyman, albeit a little long. The problem though is all the cheering for Reigns comes to a crashing halt as soon as Brock shows up. If it doesn’t happen on Raw, it’s going to happen at Wrestlemania. It’s a story we’ve tried before and I have no idea why we’re stuck doing it all over again. At least it should be over soon though and the promos have been solid so far.

Some short form highlights of Smackdown’s five way wraps things up.

Overall Rating: C. Pretty standard Main Event show here and there’s nothing wrong with that. They showcased the big stuff from Raw and Smackdown while giving us some fine original matches. I know I’ve said something similar over and over but it’s the Main Event formula to the letter. Good enough show here, as is almost always the case.

Remember to check out my new forum at steelcageforums.com, follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the 2018 Updated Version of the History of the WWE Championship in e-book or paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/01/26/new-book-kbs-history-of-the-wwe-championship-2018-updated-version/

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: March 6, 2018
Location: Resch Center, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

We’ll set up the other half of the semifinals tonight and get the tournament down to four possible champions. The problem with that is where we go from here, but there’s always the chance of making things work better after Wrestlemania. If the matches this week are as good as last week, everything will be fine. Let’s get to it.

Need a recap?  Here’s last week’s show.

We open with the now traditional recap of last week’s matches, which is still a really good idea.

Opening sequence.

Drew Gulak says he doesn’t have a PowerPoint because he’s been too focused to open Microsoft Office. Dude get Libre Office.

Cruiserweight Title Tournament Quarterfinals: Drew Gulak vs. Mark Andrews

Andrews’ music is still downright snappy. They’re a bit tentative to start until Gulak’s chop in the corner pops Andrews’ eyes open. Gulak takes him down by the wrist so Mark springboards up for the break. A basement dropkick gives Mark one as they speed things up in short bursts. Andrews’ Code Red is broken up and Gulak forearms him in the jaw.

Drew actually hits a gorilla press of all things before going back to the arm. A variety of armbars set up a keylock but Andrews fights up with an enziguri. They head outside with Mark hitting a moonsault off the announcers’ table as Mark starts putting something together. Back in and a slingshot Mysterio sitout bulldog keeps Drew in trouble. Again: technician vs. speed is a formula that’s always going to work and it’s just fine here. Gulak counters a kick to the chest with an electric chair for two and Andrews is cut off again.

Back up and Mark just unloads in the corner, followed by a hurricanrana out to the floor. Mark’s moonsault out to the floor drops Drew again and panic begins setting in. Gulak grabs him BY THE BEARD (dude too far) and clotheslines Mark out of the air with a hard shot. The Stundog Millionaire out of nowhere drops Gulak but the shooting star hits knees. The dragon sleeper makes Mark tap at 12:10.

Rating: B. Drew continues to look like a killer but this wasn’t quite as aggressive as last week. Andrews fighting from underneath the whole time was a good idea and he plays the underdog quite well. Gulak winning was the right call of course though and he could make for a great finalist, if not champion. I still miss the PowerPoints though.

Drew takes his time letting go of the hold.

Akira Tozawa and Hideo Itami come in to see Drake Maverick, who has put them into a tag match tonight. Drake thinks they could be a good team but Itami threatens to fire him if he’s wrong.

Mustafa Ali is in a parking lot to talk about Buddy Murphy. Buddy wants to call himself the best kept secret but a good man fights for himself instead of others. This had very low production values and I could go for more of something like this in the future.

Hideo Itami/Akira Tozawa vs. Nement Alexander/Scott James

Tozawa and Alexander start things off and Akira peppers him with forearms to the head. Alexander gets in a few shots to the head so Tozawa kicks him in the ribs. Itami comes in for some running shots in the corner before it’s off to James. A running kick to Scott’s face sets up the top rope clothesline as the squash is in full swing. Itami adds a running dropkick in the corner and Tozawa drops the top rope backsplash for the pin at 2:52.

Video of Roderick Strong training.

Cedric Alexander says one more match stands between himself and his Wrestlemania moment. This time will be different.

Last night, Murphy had to weigh in. They seem to include a bad take of Maverick’s statement, including him saying excuse me, counting down to the start of the next take and saying the line again. That’s a bad botch even by WWE’s standards. Murphy has lost even more weight.

Cruiserweight Title Tournament Quarterfinals: Mustafa Ali vs. Buddy Murphy

Murphy takes him into the corner and pops Ali in the chest for a mostly clean break. A hard shoulder takes Ali down again as Gulak is watching in the back. Buddy slaps on a headlock to slow things down a bit as the slow pace seems to work well for him. Back up and a hurricanrana takes Buddy down but he’s waiting when Ali charges at him, causing Ali to stop cold.

With Murphy being bigger and stronger, Ali goes simple by dropkicking him in the face. A HARD clothesline takes Ali down though as Murphy glares down at Ali. Buddy’s superplex is broken up and Ali hits a 450 onto the extended arm. Ali is another step ahead as he avoids a charge, sending the same arm into the post. The rolling X Factor gets two but a tornado DDT is countered with a toss over the top.

Murphy goes aerial with a running flip dive and the Sasha Banks top rope double knees for two more. Now it’s Ali coming back by sending the arm into the corner and snapping off a reverse hurricanrana. One heck of a tornado DDT plants Buddy and Ali blasts him with a hard forearm. Buddy tells him to bring it and then kicks Ali in the face. Murphy’s Law (the pumphandle Death Valley Driver) doesn’t work before of the arm and Ali grabs a cradle for the pin at 11:06.

Rating: B. I was digging the heck out of this with a great story of Murphy being bigger and stronger and winning with the raw power. Ali had to get creative and took away part of that advantage with the arm injury. Murphy is the bigger guy but he’s wrestling at a much lower weight than usual, making it harder for him to keep up with someone naturally smaller and more adept at the style. This was a great story being told and the action backed it up. Ali has grown on me by leaps and bounds in recent weeks and I want to see him go further in this tournament and 205 Live in general.

The final four:

Cedric Alexander

Roderick Strong

Drew Gulak

Mustafa Ali

Overall Rating: B+. Two good matches and a nice little squash. What more do you need from a show that doesn’t even last fifty minutes? This show is starting to act more like NXT every week and that’s a very, very good thing. They have an idea here and it’s working very well, which is all you can ask for. Very fun show here and I want to see where this tournament goes, which I never would have expected coming in.

Results

Drew Gulak b. Mark Andrews – Dragon sleeper

Hideo Itami/Akira Tozawa b. Nement Alexander/Scott James – Top rope backsplash to James

Mustafa Ali b. Buddy Murphy – Rollup

Remember to check out my new forum at steelcageforums.com, follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the 2018 Updated Version of the History of the WWE Championship in e-book or paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/01/26/new-book-kbs-history-of-the-wwe-championship-2018-updated-version/

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Mixed Match Challenge
Date: March 6, 2018
Location: Resch Center, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Beth Phoenix

It’s time to set up a semifinals match as this tournament is starting to hit the home stretch. This week will see Raw vs. Smackdown as Braun Strowman/Alexa Bliss take on the real life husband and wife of Jimmy Uso/Naomi. The winners get Miz/Asuka in what might be the real tournament finals. Let’s get to it.

Here’s last week’s show if you need a recap.

Here’s how to use the thing you’re using to watch this show. Bobby Roode, Charlotte, Rusev and Lana are all doing comments on the show.

Strowman says Glowish ends tonight.

Naomi promises to snatch Alexa bald and Jimmy isn’t afraid of Braun. Well at least Naomi says he isn’t.

Quarterfinals: Alexa Bliss/Braun Strowman vs. Naomi/Jimmy Uso

Naomi shoves Alexa before the match and Bliss tries to charge, only to have Strowman pick her up with one arm in one of those cute moments that only they can pull off. The guys start and Naomi looks scared when reality sets in. Strowman charges into a boot but runs Jimmy over like he’s not even there. With Jimmy nearly dead in short order, it’s off to the women for a fairer match.

Naomi takes her down but Jimmy distracts Braun to break up an early tag attempt. Instead it’s off to an armbar to keep Bliss down but she kicks Naomi away. Jimmy dives over to knock Strowman off the apron and a few superkicks stagger the monster. Twisted Bliss is countered with an enziguri but Braun catches her. He seems to like the idea (well duh) but sits Bliss on the apron instead. This time Bliss gets knocked onto Strowman and she seems a bit intrigued as well. Must be the beard.

Jimmy makes fun of Strowman for being knocked down so Strowman chases him down with way too much ease. Back in and Naomi kicks Bliss in the face but Jimmy doesn’t seem interested in making the tag. Believe it or not, there’s some actual psychology in this thing. Naomi hits her dancing kicks and drops a leg for two. Strowman has finally had enough and runs Jimmy over before powerslamming him through the table. Bliss takes advantage of the distraction and rolls Naomi up for the pin at 10:34.

Rating: C+. As fun as Bliss and Strowman are together (not to mention as adorable as they are together), I was having more fun with Jimmy being terrified of facing Strowman. It gave the match a story and that’s kind of hard to do on something like this. I can go for thinking in something this basic and it’s made the show that much better. Good little match here as Bliss and Strowman continue to look like the top team in the whole thing.

Roode says next week will be WOO Day.

Lana and Rusev are sick of the WOOing so Rusev sings the Lana Song.

Overall Rating: C. I’m only downgrading this slightly because of Rusev getting that infernal song stuck in my head. This was another fun episode and I’m actually starting to wonder who is going to win the whole thing. They have several options at this point and that makes for a fun tournament, especially down the stretch. Good show here, with only the song being stuck in my head holding it down.

Remember to check out my new forum at steelcageforums.com follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the 2018 Updated Version of the History of the WWE Championship in e-book or paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/01/26/new-book-kbs-history-of-the-wwe-championship-2018-updated-version/

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

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

IMG Credit WWE

It’s a good day.  Like, a really good day.