Oh Yeah….Raw Is A Thing.

Monday Night Raw Star Undergoes Knee Surgery, To Miss Time.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/monday-night-raw-star-undergoes-knee-surgery-miss-time/

Mia Yim Clears Up Rumors About Her WWE Status.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/mia-yim-clears-reports-wwe-status/

VIDEO: Matt Hardy Trolls Fans Hard At Independent Event.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/video-matt-hardy-trolls-fans-hard-independent-event/

How AEW Dynamite Is Beating Monday Night Raw On An Even Playing Field.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/aew-dynamite-beating-monday-night-raw-even-playing-field/

There He Is: Update On Missing WWE Star.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/update-missing-wwe-star/

Tommy Dreamer Responds To Dark Side Of The Ring Controversy, Apologizes.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/tommy-dreamer-responds-dark-side-ring-controversy-apologizes/

As always, please check out all of the videos if you can, hit up the comments section and get on the Wrestling Rumors Facebook page.

Monday Night Raw
Date: August 16, 1999
Location: Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Attendance: 14,178
Commentators: Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler

My seemingly never ending quest to finish this year continues a mere eleven and a half months after the last two episodes. It’s the go home show for Summerslam and we are gearing up for Chyna getting her shot at the WWF Title against Steve Austin. That was the big story coming out of last week, as it was much more important than Chris Jericho’s debut. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Steve Austin having been attacked and Chyna becoming the new #1 contender for the WWF Title at Summerslam. If that sticks for more than two hours, I’ll be stunned.

Opening sequence.

Here is former #1 contender HHH, who is not happy with Chyna’s recent success (but he should be happy that he can rock some shorts). HHH wants the focus where it belongs and brings out Chyna. With Chyna in front of him, HHH talks about everything that Chyna has been through to get here and wants her to bask in her glory. HHH talks about how Chyna qualified for the Royal Rumble and he had a limo full of flowers for her. Then she qualified for King of the Ring and he got her an emerald ring (though he does not sound thrilled with any of this).

HHH talks about how he has always given to her, just like she has always done to him. Over the years though, he has never asked Chyna for anything…until now. What he wants is for them to have a match for the #1 contendership right now and Chyna can lay down for him. Chyna: “No.” HHH isn’t happy with that and says he made her so he can break her. He isn’t having this and is flat out telling her that he is getting the title shot. Chyna says he doesn’t have the right anatomy to beat her and the match seems to be made for later tonight.

Chris Jericho can’t find the stage.

Road Dogg vs. Al Snow

Dogg does his usual intro and Snow has his dog Pepper with him, which he hands to Lawler. This results in some screaming as the dog seems to be a bit wetter than usual. Dogg hammers away in the corner but Snow is right back with the arm trap headbutts. A slingshot legdrop hits Dogg again as we cut to a closeup of Pepper’s face for a pretty hilarious transition. Snow misses the moonsault and it’s time for the dancing punches….with the big one hitting the referee. Cue Big Boss Man to hit both of them with the nightstick and Dogg falls on top for the cheap pin.

Chris Jericho does NOT need his hair done. It’s already magnificent.

Here are Big Show and Undertaker, the latest monster pairing, along with Paul Bearer. Undertaker tells everyone to sit down and shut up because there is a Tag Team Title match tonight. It isn’t going to matter though because they are going to win the titles on Sunday. As for this week, Undertaker put Big Show through his paces by making him ride a motorcycle through Death Valley. The catch is Show only has enough gas for half of the trip.

Undertaker caught up to him and asked how Show was going to survive, with Undertaker saying Show promised to…..stab him in the back, cut off his flesh and make a coat to walk across the desert. Undertaker left him alone though and waited at the edge of the desert, where Show came out with snakeskin boots and carrying his motorcycle on his back. With that disturbing story out of the way, here is Chris Jericho of all people to interrupt.

Jericho says these two giant slugs have been out here to send people into their own worlds. They can’t form a coherent sentence so Jericho is here to save this segment. The only thing amazing about the two of them is the amount of TV time they are getting to make everyone change the channel. Well you can stop changing the channel because CHRIS JERICHO IS HERE!!! Undertaker doesn’t know who Jericho is, but he looks like someone with less ring time than Undertaker has had shower time. What a bizarre interruption, but nothing was topping that nutty Undertaker story.

Post break Chris Jericho has found a follower in Howard Finkel. This could be glorious.

Chyna vs. HHH

For Chyna’s #1 contendership and they slug it out in a hurry to start. Chyna charges into a shot to the face in the corner though and HHH punches her down again. The DDT brings HHH back down for two but he is back up with the facebuster. The stomping is on in the corner and HHH hits the running knee. Back up and Chyna backdrops him to the floor for a breather. Cue Mankind (fresh off of knee surgery) to hit HHH with the steps to give Chyna the pin.

Rating: D+. This was a bunch of punching and kicking with HHH dominating until Mankind cost him the win. It’s still hard to imagine Chyna getting a World Title shot at Summerslam but they threw in a curve ball here. We’re in a rather different world at this point and it can be fascinating to see all of these twists and turns.

Post match Mankind chases HHH off before coming back in to grab a mic. Mankind knows that there has always been some sexual tension between the two of them in their revealing little outfits (Chyna’s stunned face here is great), but he wants a piece of Summerslam. Therefore, if Chyna has the testic…..ovarical fortitude, she’ll give him a shot at the #1 contendership tonight. A low blow seems to be a no, but she grabs the mic to flat out say no. Mankind: “You sure?”

Chyna goes to leave but here is Commissioner Shawn Michaels to interrupt. After calling her honey and buttercup, Shawn thinks everyone who crosses Chyna gets a certain part of their body crushed. Shawn has a special place in his heart for Mankind though and the match is on for tonight.

Test vs. Steve Blackman

Blackman takes him down to start but misses a jumping elbow. That earns Blackman a swinging neckbreaker but here is Shane McMahon (feuding with Test) for a distraction. Blackman hits a bicycle kick so Shane comes in with the kendo stick for the DQ despite not actually doing anything.

Post match the beatdown is on but Ken Shamrock runs in to go after Blackman. Shane’s save attempt fails so Blackman canes Shamrock down as well. The villains leave Test and Shamrock laying.

Steve Austin says you don’t bounce a cinder block off of his head without getting some payback so everyone is on notice. As for Summerslam, he could beat HHH in twenty minutes but it could take five minutes or fifteen seconds to beat Chyna. If it’s Mankind then so be it because he’ll beat anyone.

Tag Team Titles: X-Pac/Kane vs. Acolytes

Kane and X-Pac are defense and it’s a brawl to start with X-Pac and Faarooq fighting on the floor. That leaves Bradshaw to hit a top rope shoulder on Kane as Big Show and Undertaker are here to watch. A double shoulder drops Kane again but he’s fine enough to send Faarooq head first into the mat. X-Pac comes in and gets taken down with a bulldog but is right back with his flipping clothesline. That’s enough for the tag to Kane for some house cleaning, including the top rope clothesline to Bradshaw.

X-Pac has to be saved from a powerbomb but Bradshaw can connect with the fall away slam. The second beatdown sequence is on, including Faarooq nearly losing X-Pac on a very fast powerslam. Back to back neckbreakers give Bradshaw two and we hit the chinlock. That’s broken up and X-Pac grabs a quickly broken sleeper. A spinwheel kick gets X-Pac out of trouble and it’s back to Kane as everything breaks down. The Clothesline From Bradshaw blasts X-Pac but Kane chokeslams Bradshaw to retain.

Rating: C. Totally watchable match here as X-Pac and Kane were good choices for the little man/big man combination. I don’t think there was any doubt about a title change, but that might be the modern fan in me talking as the idea of complete insanity often reigned at this point. Best match of the night by a mile though, which shouldn’t be a big surprise.

Post match the Acolytes lay out the champs.

Hardcore Holly tells someone we can’t see to come out when he says to.

The British Bulldog is coming back.

Here is Hardcore Holly for a chat. Holly talks about being backed into a corner and that is something he just does not like. That’s why he has taken it upon his super heavyweight self and gotten himself another super heavyweight. Therefore, he would like us to meet his cousin: CRASH HOLLY! Crash says Undertaker and Big Show have some real problems now and pats Hardcore on the face. That’s grounds for a fight and they’re already brawling on the floor, plus into the crowd.

Mankind talks about how he and Chyna have had a few things going on, but he would never hit a woman in the mouth. He will however put a sock in her mouth and become #1 contender.

Mankind vs. Chyna

For the #1 contendership and we see HHH being held back by referees. Chyna kicks Mankind into the corner to start but he switches places with her. Mankind can’t bring himself to throw a punch so he throws her down with something like a hiptoss instead. A low blow gets Chyna out of trouble and the DDT gets two as HHH is forcing his way closer to the arena. Chyna gets in a slam as HHH has made it to the stage. The distraction lets Mankind whip out Mr. Socko for the Mandible Claw and the win.

Post match HHH runs in for the brawl with Mankind but Chyna breaks it up, allowing HHH to go after Mankind’s bad knee. Referees come out to separate them and here’s Shawn Michaels to announce Mankind as the #1 contender. Cue Shane McMahon (who needs his own song so I don’t think it’s Vince) to say that there is a conspiracy against HHH so tonight, it’s HHH vs. Mankind for the #1 contendership with Shane as guest referee. Shawn says hang on a second because as the Commissioner, he’s going to be the other referee for the No Holds Barred Falls Count Anywhere match. That’s also known as a Russo Special.

The Hollies have fought outside and onto a production truck, where Crash slams Hardcore. After asking if Hardcore is ok and being told he is fine, Crash gets suplexed as the fighting continues.

Here’s Billy Gunn for a chat. He has had an allergic reaction to his a** treatment, which has been swelling a bit. He’ll still be at Summerslam though and the Rock is going to look even worse than his a**. Cue the Rock to say Billy is one big piece of chicken s*** and walk us through the start of their theme songs. The fans at Summerslam are going to point at the Rock and watch him layeth the smacketh down.

The Rock brings out a woman with some rubber gloves, who gave Billy a special massage last week. What Billy doesn’t know though is that she rubbed a certain part of Billy with the people’s poison ivy. With that out of the way, Rock tells her to pancake herself back to Chicago as Billy lays on the ropes for a bit of relief.

Rock has some options at the moment. He could get a bottle of calamine lotion, pour the lotion out, fill it with monkey waste and stick it inside Billy, or he could walk down to the ring (like this), listen to the millions chanting his name (like this), embarrass a jabroni who holds the Rock’s glasses (like this, with an IT DOESN’T MATTER), and check Billy into the SmackDown Hotel.

The fight is on with Billy finding a kendo stick and taking Rock out with a few hard shots. Billy even steals some of Rock’s catchphrases before shoving Rock’s face against….well you know. Two things here: it continues to amaze me how ridiculous Gunn’s gimmick was, and also Rock was really not doing much at this point. Seriously, Billy Gunn at Summerslam?

Post break, Rock promises to make Billy famous at Summerslam, including making Billy give him a special kiss.

Mankind vs. HHH

For the #1 contendership (third time tonight) with Steve Austin on commentary. Shawn Michaels and Shane McMahon are the guest referees and this is hardcore, because HHH and Mankind need that many things going on. They slug it out to start as Austin talks about how someone has FINALLY fired HHH up. Mankind hammers him down in the corner and hits the running knee as Austin sounds ready to beat up Lawler.

The fight heads outside with Mankind sending him face first into the steps and choking with a camera cord. HHH is back with a clothesline and pounds away against the barricade. A backdrop on the ramp gives Mankind two (er, four, as it’s a double two, which isn’t three) but here’s Chyna with a cheap shot to take Mankind down again. Mankind gets in his own low blow but HHH grabs a small package for two more on the ramp.

They head back back to ringside with HHH sending him knees first into the steps as Austin threatens to Stun Jesse Ventura on Sunday. The knee is stomped in a variety of ways and the Figure Four goes on, sending Mankind to the ropes. As Austin (accurately) asks why the hold is broken in a No Holds Barred match, Chyna gets in another shot to the bad knee, HHH knocks Mankind back to the floor. A posting cuts Mankind off again and it’s time to bring in a chair.

Shawn takes the chair away from HHH though (Austin: “WHAT WAS THAT???”) and a double arm DDT gives Mankind a breather. The argument is on between the referees so Mankind loads up Mr. Socko on HHH. That earns him a belly to back suplex onto the chair….and it’s a double pin, because A DOUBLE REFEREE NO HOLDS BARRED FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE MATCH CAN’T HAVE A STRAIGHT FINISH!!!

Rating: C. Of course these two had a decent match against each other but egads that was a lot to take in at once. The ending sets up what should be an obvious triple threat match for the pay per view, because WWE liked doing wacky things at this point. The ending was all kinds of insane, but you had to know that was coming with something this screwy.

Post match the argument continues until a triple threat title match is announced for Summerslam. Shawn leaves, Austin beats up Shane and Mankind brawls with HHH to end the show.

Overall Rating: D+. Yeah I’m not sure what you were expecting here as this show had three #1 contenders matches (which gave us two #1 contenders), the people’s poison ivy and all kinds of short run ins and no contests/DQ finishes. There is WAY too much stuff going on with this show and it’s the biggest problem with this era. Another very busy show with very little to show for it, save for Crash’s debut of course because that is historic.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

205 Live
Date: September 17, 2021
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

It’s time for the brand new look to the show and that might be a good thing. At the same time, what matters more is the fact that this show is morphing into the NXT supplemental show that it has needed to be for a long time now. I’m not sure what to expect from this show, and that’s a nice feeling after all these years. Let’s get to it.

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

Valentina Feroz vs. Amari Miller

Feroz grabs the armbar to start and Miller can’t quite forearm her way to freedom. Instead, Miller grabs her own armbar but Feroz flips her way to freedom. A kick to the head drops Feroz though and some knees to the face from the apron rock Feroz again. The chinlock doesn’t last long but a knee to the ribs cuts off a comeback attempt. Some wristdrags have Miller in trouble but she grabs a spinebuster. That’s fine with Feroz, who grabs a cross armbreaker from the mat for the tap at 5:56.

Rating: C. Feroz got my attention here as that finish came out of nowhere. That’s the kind of move that could get her somewhere and while I don’t know if that is a likelihood, at least she did something cool once. Miller seems like a developmental project but she was smooth enough in the ring to start.

Malik Blade vs. Boa

Blake is the nephew of NBA legend Daryl Dawkins and was trained by D-Von Dudley. Boa kicks him down to start but Blade is back up with some dropkicks. Some arm snaps across the ropes put Blade back in trouble though and Boa kicks away. Blade is back with forearms and a running corner clothesline into a high crossbody for two. Not that it matters as Boa grabs a layout reverse DDT for the pin at 3:21.

Rating: C-. Blade got in some offense so it wasn’t a full on squash. That being said, Boa still isn’t all that interesting and there isn’t much else to say about him. He does his stuff in the ring and looks passable enough, but I have yet to see anything actually interesting from him at any point.

Andre Chase vs. Trey Baxter

Chase takes him down and strikes his pose (it’s making an A with his fingers) before taking Baxter down into an armbar. The crucifix gives Chase two but Baxter is back up with a headscissors. Some kicks from the apron rock Chase, who drops Baxter ribs first across the top for two. Baxter runs into a boot in the corner to make it worse and a belly to back suplex sets up the waistlock. With that not working, Chase switches to a chinlock but Baxter fights up and drops him with a shot to the face.

A Lionsault gives Baxter two but Chase is back with a half crab. Make that an STF in the middle of the ring, sending Baxter crawling over to the rope for the break. Baxter sends him outside for the suicide dive but gets caught with a tiger driver for two back inside. Chase takes him up top but looks a little shaky, allowing Baxter to pull him down. A kick to the head sets up the 450 double stomp for the pin on Chase at 8:33.

Rating: C. This is the kind of stuff that doesn’t give me the most interest in 205 Live. Both guys are fine enough at what they do but it was just two guys having a match and little more. It got some extra time and was far from bad, but it’s the kind of match that is fine enough to open a show and little more. Totally watchable, and nothing I’ll remember in about five minutes.

Overall Rating: C-. I like the idea of an NXT supplemental show, but these people aren’t on NXT very often for a reason. The women’s match worked out well enough and the main event was fine, with Boa’s near squash in the middle. Just another forgettable show, which tends to be the case a lot more often than not around here.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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More Fun Than Finding Out How Much Liquid Is Displaced When A Fly Lands In Milk.

Local Advertises Possibly Spoil Huge WWE Draft Move.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/local-advertises-possibly-spoil-huge-wwe-draft-move/

More On Bron Breakker’s NXT Debut, Why The Name Change.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/more-on-bron-breakkers-nxt-debut-why-the-name-change/

WWE RUMOR: Brock Lesnar May Be On The Move For A Big Reason.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/wwe-rumor-brock-lesnar-may-move/

Adam Cole Is Having Another Kind Of Success In AEW.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/adam-cole-another-kind-success-aew/

Til We Meet Again: AEW Writing Off Legend For The Time Being.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/aew-writing-off-legend-time/

It’s A Big One: Huge World Title Match Set For October.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/huge-world-title-match-set-october/

As always, please check out all of the videos if you can, hit up the comments section and get on the Wrestling Rumors Facebook page.

Smackdown
Date: April 20, 2007
Location: Datchforum, Milan, Italy
Commentators: Michael Cole, John Bradshaw Layfield

The Italian trip continues with the blue show and that could make for a good Smackdown. Last week saw the announcement of Undertaker vs. Batista II in a Last Man Standing match at Backlash, complete with some wacky bad partnering. I’m curious to see what else they have on tap around here as Smackdown has been pretty good as of late. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

It’s the 400th episode for a nice milestone.

Batista vs. Finlay

The referee warns Finlay about the shillelagh to start and Batista shoves him down to make it even worse. Back up and Batista works on the arm, including an armdrag into an armbar for a little variety. With that broken up, Finlay backs into the corner but comes back with a cheap shot to the face. That just annoys Batista so he takes Finlay down, sending Finlay to the ropes with complaints of something in his eye.

They head outside with Batista nailing a big boot to keep Finlay in trouble. We hit the chinlock back inside as we look at the third replay of the big boot. Finlay fights up and gets knocked over the top in a heap as we take a break. Back with Batista beating on Finlay on the floor but Mr. Kennedy runs in for the DQ. The post break part was maybe fifteen seconds.

Rating: C. This was a weird one as Batista basically squashed him throughout. They’ve done a good job of making Batista feel like that much more of a monster heading into Backlash though it’s weird to see Finlay taking this kind of a beating. It wasn’t a bad match or anything, but it was a strange way to go.

Post match the double beatdown is on and Batista is left laying with the Celtic Cross.

Smackdown is in an Italian newspaper.

Here’s your weekly Condemned video.

Here is Jillian Hall for a chat. Hall asks if the fans remember her and we see a clip of her attacking Ashley last week. Since Ashley can’t be here tonight, Hall has a special operatic song for us. The song is about eating a pizza so here is Michelle McCool to say Hall is horrible (in Italian for a twist). The brawl is on and Hall bails in a hurry.

Hardys/Chris Benoit vs. MVP/Gregory Helms/Chavo Guerrero

When did Chavo and Helms become the new midcard heel team? Benoit and Guerrero get things going with Benoit shouldering him down. Guerrero grabs him by the leg and hands it off to MVP to stomp away. Helms comes in just as fast and gets taken into the corner so Matt can come in with the middle rope elbow to the head.

Matt gets hit in the face a few times though and Helms is back with a running clothesline. That just earns him a trip into the corner so it’s off to Jeff for a hiptoss. The Whisper in the Wind misses though and Helms gets him into the corner to set up the triple teaming. MVP’s big boot gets a Masahiro Chono reference from JBL (in case you thought it came from Cole) and it’s back to Helms to hammer away on the ropes.

Chavo’s basement dropkick gets two and we hit the front facelock. A dropkick gets two on Jeff and it’s a Demolition Decapitator of all things for two more. MVP’s kick to the back sets up a suplex for two but he makes the mistake of going after Benoit. The distraction lets Jeff get over for the hot tag to Benoit as everything breaks down. The Twist of Fate into the Swanton into the Swan Dive crushes Helms and a weird looking Sharpshooter is enough for the tap.

Rating: C+. I can always go for a good six man tag, if nothing else just for the sake of keeping things a little more fresh. Helms has fallen a few miles over the last few months and taking a fall here doesn’t change anything for him. It’s a perfectly good match and a fine way to use some TV time.

Maryse welcomes us back to the show.

Tag Team Titles: Brian Kendrick/Paul London vs. Deuce N Domino

Deuce N Domino are challenging (again) and have Cherry with them. Kendrick and Deuce start things off with Kendrick running the ropes for a forearm to the face. London comes in to work on the arm with Kendrick coming back in with the elbow to the shoulder. A top rope stomp to the arm sets up another kick to said arm but Cherry offers a distraction. Domino is knocked outside and London loads up a moonsault…which only hits mat. The referee goes to check on London and the double teaming is on back inside.

Cue the trainers to check on London and he is taken to the back, leaving Kendrick to get double pummeled. The chinlock goes on and Domino hits a clothesline for two. Deuce grabs the front facelock before choking with a knee in the corner. It’s back to Domino for another two off another clothesline but Kendrick fights out of the corner. The attempt at a tag lets Kendrick know there is no London available and Crack Em In Da Mouth FINALLY gives Deuce N Domino the titles.

Rating: C. This was all about the last three seconds as London and Kendrick finally, and I do mean finally, lost the titles. It probably should have come a few weeks earlier as this is probably the fifth match between these teams. The fact that it was a handicap match for a good chunk of time at least made it a little different, though the ending was a little flat after Kendrick had been beaten up for awhile.

Raw Rebound.

Backlash rundown.

Mark Henry is still coming back.

Kane vs. William Regal/Dave Taylor

Regal starts for the knee and fires off the knees. That earns him a big toss into the corner as the fans are a bit silent here. Cole gets to list off various shows that don’t have as many episodes as Smackdown as Kane works on Regal’s arm. A shot to the face allows Regal to bring Taylor in, where Kane elbows him in the face. We get what sounds like an EDDIE chant as Regal sends Kane into the steps to take over.

Back in and the slow beating begins, including a variety of forearms from Regal. That earns him a heck of a right hand to knock Regal across the ring so it’s back to Taylor for a cravate. Regal comes back in and gets backdropped to give Kane a breather. Taylor grabs a crossface chickenwing (with Taylor insisting that HE’S GOT KANE NOW) and a jumping ax handle to the back gets two.

A double suplex gives Regal two more and the frustration begins to sit in. Taylor hits a dropkick into a chinlock, setting up Regal’s knee drop. A running knee to the face knocks Kane out of a fireman’s carry for two more but Kane is back with the double clothesline. Taylor is sent outside, leaving Regal to get side slammed. There’s the top rope clothesline to send Regal outside and the villains walk for the countout.

Rating: C. Everyone was working and the heels know how to do this style to perfection, but it isn’t the most interesting stuff to watch in a longer form. It also doesn’t help that they did all this stuff and then it went to a countout. These guys have been feuding for a few weeks now and it still hasn’t gotten beyond just kind of there.

The Condemned is getting media AND it has STUNTS!

William Regal and Dave Taylor complain to Teddy Long about Kane. That’s fine with Long, who puts them in a tag match (Regal: “I just told you we wanted to get AWAY from him!”) against Kane and the Boogeyman. The two of them leave so here is Kristal, who just finished a shopping spree. Various things were purchased on Teddy’s dime but he thinks she’s worth it. Kissing ensues.

We look at Mr. Kennedy and Finlay taking out Batista earlier.

Mr. Kennedy vs. Undertaker

Non-title. Before the match, Kennedy talks about how he has been called a lot of things over the years, but now he is being called Mr. Money in the Bank. Kennedy ducks a right hand in the corner to start and gets punched in the face for his efforts. More quick shots from Kennedy don’t do him much good as Undertaker knocks him down again.

A big boot gets two but Kennedy slugs his way out of Old School. The superplex brings Undertaker back down for two and Kennedy unloads as well as he can in the corner. That’s broken up with a clothesline and now Old School can connect for two. We take a break and come back with Undertaker sending Kennedy’s arm into the buckle and slapping on a Kimura. The running big boot in the corner misses though and Kennedy gets to stomp away for a change.

The kicks to the ribs and knee keep Undertaker in trouble and a running boot to the face makes it worse. We hit the chinlock as we get the second Chono reference of the night. Undertaker manages to dump him outside and the bad leg connects for the apron legdrop. They slug it out, allowing Cole to get in the best pure striker line. Snake Eyes and the big boot set up the chokeslam but Finlay runs in for the DQ.

Rating: C+. The ending was lacking a bit but at least they had a hard hitting fight on the way there. Kennedy is still good in the ring but he has yet to have that big match which takes him to the next level. This was better than some of the matches he has had before, which probably had something to do with being in there with Undertaker.

Post match the beatdown, including the briefcase to the head, puts Undertaker down and there’s the Celtic Cross to make it worse. The fans want Batista but the villains just leave, because Kennedy doesn’t seem to get how the Money in the Bank briefcase works.

Overall Rating: C+. This was a rather sandwiched edition of the show as you had the main event angle to open and close things, but not much in the middle. The Tag Team Title change meant a little something, but is anyone really going to be interested in those changing hands? It’s a fairly good show with nothing bad, though it was another show that was just a bridge to the pay per view next weekend.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

ECW On Sci Fi
Date: April 17, 2007
Location: Datchforum, Milan, Italy
Commentators: Joey Styles, Tazz

Things changed in a big way last week as CM Punk officially joined the New Breed. That is the biggest moment in the faction warfare story so far and it makes things even more tilted in the favor of the villains. I’m not sure what exactly the ECW Originals can do but ECW does have a history of thinking on the fly. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of CM Punk joining the New Breed in a bit of a shocker.

Opening sequence.

Here’s the New Breed, minus CM Punk, in the ring to get things going. Elijah Burke talks about how we have been seeing a man with a decision to make, but last week that decision was made. This brings out Punk, with Matt Striker holding the ropes open for him. The fans are rather happy to see Punk, with Tazz calling it a mixed reaction. Burke asks Punk why he joined the New Breed but Punk would rather keep those reasons to himself. All that matters is that he is part of the New Breed, which works for Burke.

Cue Rob Van Dam to tell Burke to shut up because he wants to talk to Punk. Van Dam offered Punk a spot in the ECW Originals last week and here he is with the New Breed. Punk is going to regret it, which Burke says isn’t going to happen. Burke thinks Van Dam is angry, so Van Dam throws out the challenge for tonight. Punk says if Van Dam wants to challenge a leader, Van Dam should challenge him, but Burke has this tonight. This was a rather clunky exchange and none of them exactly sounded good on the mic. It didn’t help that they were fighting over “no he’s on MY team”.

Snitsky vs. Nunzio

For some reason Nunzio thinks a waistlock is a good idea and is casually tossed away with ease. A headlock goes about as well for Nunzio, who gets taken down by a hard shoulder. Nunzio manages a kick to the face and a middle rope dropkick for one, with the kickout hurting Nunzio for a rare sight. A gutbuster and a ribs first drop across the top set up the big boot (to the arm) to give Snitsky the fast pin.

Elijah Burke makes it clear to CM Punk that he isn’t scared of Rob Van Dam. If Punk wants to be on this team, he needs to fall in line. This doesn’t sit well with Punk as he walks away.

Tommy Dreamer/Sandman vs. Kevin Thorn/Marcus Cor Von

Ariel is here with Cor Von and Thorn. Dreamer has an Italian flag because he can suck up to any crowd in the world. Cor Von hammers on Dreamer to start but Sandman comes in for a double suplex. Sandman’s super hurricanrana is shoved away without much effort and Thorn grabs a chinlock. That doesn’t last long so it’s back to Cor Von to suplex Sandman for two. Sandman avoids a charge though and the hot tag brings in Dreamer to clean house. Dreamer grabs a sunset flip and puts his hand on the rope (which should have made a kickout easier) for the pin (and ignore Thorn’s shoulder being up).

Rating: D. The ending was awful, but the bigger problem is how worthless these people look. Save for Cor Von, the addition of Punk to the top of this feud has made the lower level people look that much less valuable. If I can watch Van Dam, Punk and maybe Cor Von and Burke, why would I care about Dreamer, Sandman, Striker and Thorn? This feud has lost some of its depth and that was on display here.

CM Punk tells Matt Striker that the New Breed needs some better thinkers.

Here is Bobby Lashley for a chat. He can’t wait for Backlash, but he stopped at Raw last night. We see a clip of Lashley helping the debuting Santino Marella beat Umaga to win the Intercontinental Title in a huge upset. Lashley brings out Santino, who thanks the fans and Lashley in English and Italian. And that’s that.

CM Punk gives Marcus Cor Von and Kevin Thorn a pep talk, telling them to get back up. Elijah Burke pops up and doesn’t like Punk taking charge like this. Punk makes it clear he isn’t coming for the leadership of the team.

Backlash rundown.

Rob Van Dam vs. Elijah Burke

They talk some trash to start until Van Dam kicks him in the head. After that rather simple but effective start, Burke sends him into the corner and kicks Van Dam down. Some more kicks to the shoulder don’t do much as Van Dam is back up with another kick to the face. The shoulders in the corner only hit post though and Burke grabs a logical armbar. A knee into the shoulder has Van Dam in even more trouble and you know Burke is going to be right there with the posing.

The shoulder goes into the post again and the armbar goes back on. Van Dam fights up with the good arm clotheslines into the rolling monkey flip. The referee gets bumped in the corner though (Joey: “We’ve got a zebra down in the corner!”), meaning there is no point in Van Dam loading up the Five Star. Instead it’s Rolling Thunder onto raised knees but here is CM Punk with a chair. Van Dam intercepts said chair though and knocks Burke silly, setting up the Five Star for the pin.

Rating: C+. Not a classic or anything but it did what it was supposed to do. This was about Punk continuing to cause issues with the New Breed and I would be a bit surprised if he was with the team that much longer. That almost has to be the case sooner than later, as Van Dam is all the ECW Originals have at the moment.

Punk checks on Burke but doesn’t look too upset to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This show was about one thing and one thing only and they focused on rather extensively. I’m not sure if this was the plan all along or if they are rapidly backtracking on Punk joining the New Breed, but it is hard to imagine he is still with the team by the end of the month. That’s the right call too as Punk is probably the most popular name on the show and it doesn’t make sense to have him as a heel. Not a great show, but it featured more than a few steps forward in the biggest story around here. Now just get to the important stuff already.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Seems Like A 2007 Day.

You Might Not Be Seeing Edge For A Very Long Time.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/might-not-seeing-edge-long-time/

Newly Signed WWE Wrestler Has “Disappeared”.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/newly-signed-wwe-wrestler-disappeared/

Good News On Triple H’s Health Following Cardiac Event.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/good-news-triple-hs-health-following-cardiac-event/

New Grudge Match Set For Extreme Rules.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/new-grudge-match-set-extreme-rules/

Ric Flair And Tommy Dreamer Suspended Over Dark Side Of The Ring Segment.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/ric-flair-tommy-dreamer-suspended-dark-side-ring-segment/

Special Match Takes Place After SmackDown Ends.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/special-match-takes-place-smackdown-ends/

Major Reunion And Dream Match Planned For Monday Night Raw.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/major-reunion-dream-match-planned-monday-night-raw/

Several NXT Stars Turned Down Contract Extensions For Similar Reasons.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/several-nxt-stars-turned-contract-extensions-similar-reasons/

As always, please check out all of the videos if you can, hit up the comments section and get on the Wrestling Rumors Facebook page.

Rampage
Date: September 17, 2021
Location: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Commentators: Taz, Ricky Starks, Chris Jericho, Excalibur

It’s another stacked show this week with a pair of title matches. First up we have Butcher and the Blade getting a shot at the Lucha Bros, plus Miro defending the TNT Title against Fuego del Sol. The latter is made a little more interesting when you throw in del Sol’s car being on the line as well. Let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Tag Team Titles: Butcher And The Blade vs. Lucha Bros

The Bros are defending and Butcher throws Fenix around to start. Penta comes in to take over on Butcher, including the wheelbarrow splash for two. Butcher forearms Penta in the face so Fenix comes in, only to get kneed in the face. It’s already back to Penta for the Sling Blades to the floor, setting up the big dives from the champs.

We take a break and come back with Penta having to crawl over for the tag to Fenix, who strikes away at Butcher and Blade. Butcher breaks up something off the top rope so Fenix German suplexes him instead. A moonsault set up another German suplex for two on Blade, followed by the spike Fear Factor to Butcher.

Blade has to make the save so Penta kicks away at his legs. A powerslam gives Blade two as everything breaks down. Penta gets tied into the corner by the mask, leaving Fenix to get double stomped. With the powerbomb/neckbreaker loaded up, Penta takes his mask off to make the superkick save. Fenix grabs a hurricanrana to retain the titles at 9:43.

Rating: B-. Butcher and the Blade aren’t exactly top level challengers but they did just fine for a one off like this. They haven’t exactly been back for very long but they are undefeated this year (with most of the wins coming on Dark) so putting them here works. I’m not sure they needed much of an explanation for their title shot, though AEW certainly likes keeping things official.

Post match the Hardy Family Office comes in for the beatdown but Santana and Ortiz run in for the save.

Kenny Omega talks about how Bryan Danielson has always been the underdog and he isn’t even ranked over here. Danielson says everyone is underestimating him but he wants to start against the best. The underdog is getting taken apart here, just like everyone else.

Anna Jay vs. The Bunny

Tay Conti and Penelope Ford are the seconds and it’s a brawl in the aisle to start. Anna gets the better of things and takes Bunny inside to run her over. Bunny gets knocked back outside, where she pulls Anna’s shoulder hard into the post. The arm is cranked on some more as we take a break. Back with Bunny cranking on the arm again but Anna kicks the knee out. A running seated Blockbuster gives Anna two but the Queenslayer is broken up. The seconds get in a fight on the floor and Anna grabs a rollup for the pin at 6:59.

Rating: C. This was hard hitting enough to get by, though Anna still has a long way to go in the ring. She does the limited stuff well though and that is better than some people can say. It’s a smart move to let her have the win here as she needs it a lot more than Bunny, though neither of these two seem likely to break through to the title picture in the near future.

Post match the brawl is on again with Conti and Ford getting involved as well. Ford pulls out some brass knuckles to knock Conti and Anna cold.

Post break, Matt Hardy is furious and makes Anna Jay vs. Penelope Ford, plus Lucha Bros/Proud and Powerful vs. Private Party/Butcher and the Blade for next week. For this week though, Hardy is sick of looking at an Orange Cassidy lookalike in the front row. The lookalike, who weighs about 300lbs, is pulled into the ring for a beatdown from Hardy and Jack Evans. Hardy pulls out some scissors and it’s time for the big haircut. Cue Orange Cassidy for the save.

Here are Ruby Soho and Britt Baker for a face to face chat. Britt thinks Riott is here for herself, because she needs to find out who she is. Ruby has changed her name and hair color so much because she needs to fit in. Everyone knows who Baker is around here though and we hit the crowd assisted catchphrase.

Ruby says of course everyone knows who Baker is because she tells them every week. Ruby knows who she is too, but now she has the freedom to show it. We pause for a RUBY SOHO chant before she wants to talk about Baker. Britt looks like every other broad she has stood across the ring from, even down to banging some dude in the back. Baker smiles a bit and nods as Ruby says she is trying to figure out if there is anything more.

Actually Baker would like to know the same thing, because Ruby was fired from the last place she worked. Ruby was fired, but it was the best thing that ever happened to her. She can’t believe Baker can see anything with her head so far up Tony Khan, but next week she won’t even be able to see herself as champion. Baker swings the belt and is chased off in a hurry. Good segment here with some great lines from both, but Soho really needs to win to not look like the flavor of the month.

We get the face to face interview with Fuego del Sol and Miro. Fuego is willing to put up his new car against the title, because he knows he can drop Miro on his head with the tornado DDT. Miro may be God’s Favorite Champion so he must have heard of David vs. Goliath. Miro talks about how he loves celebrating with his God above and his wife below, so he’ll retain the title.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

TNT Title: Miro vs. Fuego del Sol

Miro is defending. Fuego kicks away to start and sends Miro outside, only to have his dive pulled out of the air. A posting drops Miro though and Fuego does it again for a bonus. Another dive off the barricade is countered with a fall away slam though and we take a break. Back with Fuego fighting out of a bearhug but the tornado DDT doesn’t work. Instead it’s a pair of double stomps into a regular DDT to drop Miro. That’s too far for Miro, who unloads on Fuego in the corner. The jumping superkick gives Miro a new car at 8:55.

Rating: C. They had a tricky job here as there was no drama about who was winning here and they managed to turn it into something interesting. That is hard to pull off but Miro can do almost no wrong at this point. Fuego is a total underdog and tried his best, but it is going to take something special to beat Miro for the title.

Post match Miro takes the keys and puts them in Fuego’s mouth, setting up the Game Over. Sammy Guevara runs in for the save and picks up the title to end the show. Miro vs. Sammy works for me.

Overall Rating: C+. This was a different kind of Rampage as it felt like a missing hour of Dynamite. In this case, that is not a bad thing as they built up some stories before next week’s double shot of huge. It is still a very easy hour of wrestling to watch and the Soho vs. Baker promo was quite good. Another nice show here and that’s the norm so far with Rampage.

Results
Lucha Bros b. Butcher and the Blade – Hurricanrana to Blade
Anna Jay b. The Bunny – Rollup
Miro b. Fuego del Sol – Jumping superkick

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Smackdown
Date: September 17, 2021
Location: Thompson-Boling Arena, Knoxville, Tennessee
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

It’s almost time for Extreme Rules hold the extreme. So far we have nothing extreme whatsoever about the show and that is going to make for a weird card. I can imagine some matches being adjusted, though WWE is the kind of place where the show being named one thing and not having any of is not out of the question. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Seth Rollins beating and injuring Edge last week, with Michael Cole doing a voiceover to explain what happened.

Here is the Bloodline to get things going. We see a clip of Brock Lesnar returning last week and issuing the challenge to Roman Reigns. Then the Demon showed up because he is going to be facing Reigns at Extreme Rules. The winner of that will get Lesnar at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia, which doesn’t do much good for Extreme Rules. Reigns tells Paul Heyman to teach these people how to acknowledge him, so Heyman goes into a speech about how Reigns never takes a day off. He fears no man, beast or demon, but they all fear him. Heyman: “Don’t boo me. You know that it’s true!”

Heyman knows that Balor is scared of Reigns and last week, he saw….something in Brock Lesnar’s eyes, but here is Big E. to interrupt instead. The fans give Big E. quite the reception for his first night as WWE Champion. Before he can say anything, here is Balor to interrupt as well. We take a break and come back with….a match actually.

Usos vs. Finn Balor/Big E.

Non-title contenders match. Jey kicks Balor in the face to start but Balor takes him down for a basement dropkick. Big E. comes in and takes Jey to the apron for a splash and two. Back in and a double suplex gets one on Big E. but a missed charge allows the hot tag to bring Balor in for the house cleaning. Jey pulls Balor to the floor though and Jimmy adds a dive as we take a break.

We come back with Balor in a fireman’s carry and being driven head first into the corner for two. Balor fights out of a chinlock and nails the Pele kick, allowing the double tag to Big E. and Jey. Big E. takes him down and loads up the Warrior Splash but charges into a Samoan drop. Back up and Big E. hits the Rock Bottom out of the corner, setting up the Warrior Splash to Jimmy. The spear through the ropes is cut off by a kick to the face and a superkick gets two. Balor comes back in with a Sling Blade and it’s the Coup de Grace to Jimmy. At the same time, Big E. hits the Big Ending on Jey for the pin at 11:20.

Rating: C+. What a random tag match here, especially with the Tag Team Champions taking a clean fall. There is no shame in losing to the WWE Champion, but things are already busy enough without getting to the Usos defending the titles against a makeshift team, probably next month. It was a surprise, but I’m not sure if that is a good thing.

Paul Heyman and Roman Reigns are watching in the back as Reigns asks if there is anything Heyman needs to tell him. Reigns asks if Heyman knew about Brock Lesnar showing up at Extreme Rules and Heyman insists that he didn’t. Heyman knows that Lesnar showed up last week with the lie about Heyman knowing about Summerslam because Lesnar is scared of Reigns. That’s the mask he hides behind you see. Reigns asks if Lesnar is going to be at Extreme Rules, but Heyman doesn’t know anything about it. Reigns says he doesn’t pay Heyman to think, but to know in advance.

Rick Boogs vs. Robert Roode

King Nakamura and Dolph Ziggler are here too. Roode knocks him into the corner to start and snaps off a quick Blockbuster for two. Boogs is right back up with a Samoan drop and a t-bone suplex. The Boogs Cruise finishes Roode at 2:02.

Post match Boogs and Nakamura go to celebrate with Pat McAfee but here are Commander Azeez and Apollo Crews to take them out. Crews grabs the mic and says he is tired of Nakamura disrespecting the title, so he wants a rematch. We’re really doing this feud again?

We recap Kevin Owens vs. Happy Corbin, including Logan Paul and Corbin beating Owens up.

Owens is ready to beat up Corbin and swap emotions with him.

Kevin Owens vs. Happy Corbin

Hold on as Corbin jumps Owens from behind to start and leaves him laying. No match for now.

We look at Bianca Belair’s (the hometown girl) high school athletic accomplishments. Ignore her name being listed as Bianca Blair.

Kayla Braxton interrupts Paul Heyman, who has another near heart attack. She has heard that Brock Lesnar will be heading to Raw in the WWE Draft, with Heyman laughing at the idea that she has sources. Heyman accuses her of having a sexual lust for her but she can’t be with the wise man. LEAVE HIM ALONE! Then Big E. is here as well, with Heyman having to congratulate him on his title win. Big E. says he’s looking forward to facing Heyman’s boy at Survivor Series….be it Lesnar or Reigns. Or maybe Finn Balor, because Heyman may have overlooked him. Cue the Usos to jump Big E. and lay him out.

Here is Seth Rollins to say someone should have helped Big E. Never mind that though as Rollins wants to talk about how great last week was for him. What happened to Edge was horrible and scary and Rollins describes feeling the bones break. We see a video on the match, plus the attack and Edge leaving in an ambulance. Rollins asks what you were expecting to happen.

Last week he had his great win and then everyone was staring at him and calling him a monster. No he didn’t go too far, because Edge went too far to try and face Rollins last week. Rollins blames the fans for pushing Edge to the match, including cheering when Edge called him Edge-Lite. What makes it even better is that Rollins is not done with Edge. See this week on NXT (he’ll probably get fined for leaving out the 2.0), Edge’s wife Beth Phoenix said that Edge was at home recuperating.

That means Edge is watching, so Rollins wants to know if Edge is physically and emotionally capable of getting back in the ring. Rollins saw the fear in Edge’s face and he cannot live with himself feeling sorry for someone like Edge. That’s why he can’t move on until he finishes Edge once and for all. Rollins can either go to Edge’s cabin and beat him up in front of his family, or Edge can crawl back to this ring for one more dance. Rollins was selling the emotions here but this took some time to get to the point.

Becky Lynch isn’t worried about Bianca Belair getting momentum because she has stopped Belair in her tracks before. Tonight is Belair’s homecoming, but maybe Becky will have to check it out.

Toni Storm/Liv Morgan vs. Zelina Vega/Carmella

Carmella knocks Morgan off the apron to start and then runs away from the threat of Storm. Vega comes in instead and chops at Storm, who kicks her in the chest. A running knee drops Storm and we hear about how Storm is obsessed with the 80s. Storm suplexes her way out of trouble and brings Morgan in t kick Carmella into the corner. That’s bad enough that Vega and a screaming Carmella walk out at 2:10.

Post match Morgan asks if she broke Carmella’s nose but she isn’t sorry at all. Morgan is tired of Carmella running away, so she wants a match at Extreme Rules. If Carmella accepts, Morgan will make her look as ugly on the outside as she does on the inside. WWE women? Arguing about looks?

The Street Profits are looking forward to celebrating with Bianca Belair but more than that, they want the Tag Team Titles from the Usos.

Carmella is in the trainer’s room and accepts the challenge for Extreme Rules. That’s cool with Zelina Vega, who will face Liv Morgan first.

Finn Balor talks about being born into a family of railroad workers instead of coming form a wrestling family. He fought and clawed to come here and the Demon comes from everyone who has ever disrespected him. The Demon is a rage in him which cannot be controlled and it summons him. Roman Reigns and the Usos’ disrespect has just lit a fire in him. You are looking at the face of Finn Balor but at Extreme Rules, you will see the face of the Demon. Then a light shines onto his face and he turns into the Demon. Was anyone asking for or needing an explanation of the Demon?

Naomi comes up to Sonya Deville and wants to know why she can’t have a match. She lists off her resume and gets in Deville’s face, promising to get her match one way or another. Deville does not seem pleased.

Dominik Mysterio vs. Sami Zayn

Rey Mysterio comes out to join commentary, which Dominik does not seem to like. Sami goes after Rey to start and the distraction lets him take Dominik down to start. Back in and Sami tries a top rope armdrag, only to get crotched down to the floor. Dominik adds a big dive and Rey is pleased as we take a break. We come back with Dominik hitting a hurricanrana into an enziguri as Rey is in full on cheerleader mode. The 619 connects but the frog splash this knees, allowing Sami to grab a cradle for the pin at 6:09.

Rating: C. This was a completely watchable match with a story included. I’m sure we’ll be getting Dominik vs. Rey at some point in the future, as there isn’t much left to do with them. Dominik just lost clean so what else can be done here? Dominik told Rey to stay out, he wouldn’t, and Dominik lost. Now they can get to the match at some point in the future, however they decide to get there.

We look at Bianca Belair’s accomplishments as she attended her high school homecoming celebration.

Here is Kane for Belair’s homecoming. Kane brings up the fire and says that never gets old. He brings out Bianca Belair, who is in the Tennessee orange. There are balloons and a table with something underneath a cover as Kane asks her how it feels to be back in Knoxville. Belair is overwhelmed and talks about how her dad (in the front row) taught her to finish something if someone started something with her. That’s what she is going to do with Becky Lynch at Extreme Rules.

Kane says she’ll have to bring the title back to Knoxville for a big celebration, but he has a gift for her tonight: the Key to Knox County (which is a HUGE key). Belair thanks everyone and is proud to be Knoxville made. She wants to celebrate the town and that means it’s time to sing Rocky Top (the University of Tennessee fight song). Cue Becky Lynch (in bright yellow and sunglasses) to mock the song and say that Belair has a key but Becky has the title on lock. Belair: “YOU DON’T EVEN GO HERE!”

That means a YOU DON’T GO HERE chant as Becky says tonight can be Belair’s night because Extreme Rules won’t be. Becky offers a handshake but Belair pulls her in, only to miss the clothesline. The Manhandle Slam plants Belair and Becky escapes because NO HOMETOWN ENDING CAN BE NICE! This is little more than a joke at this point and it’s such a great example of a lot of WWE’s problems.

Overall Rating: C. That ending really did leave a bad taste in my mouth as they had everything going until the last thirty seconds. The fans LOVED Belair but that’s not how things can end in WWE, meaning Becky has to get the last laugh. The rest of the show was actually pretty skippable, though you probably had a decent time if you stuck with it. Just end the show with Belair singing Rocky Top and you have a much better episode. Now if they can actually make Extreme Rules EXTREME, they could be on to something better.

Results
Big E./Finn Balor b. Usos – Big Ending to Jey
Rick Boogs b. Robert Roode – Boogs Cruise
Liv Morgan/Toni Storm b. Carmella/Zelina Vega via countout
Sami Zayn b. Dominik Mysterio – Rollup

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Impact Wrestling
Date: September 16, 2021
Location: Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: D’Lo Brown, Matt Striker

We’re on the way to Victory Road and ultimately Bound For Glory, which should make for a pair of back to back big shows. The main story this week is a ten man tag with most of the biggest feuds in the company being thrown into one big match. That should be enough to set up Victory Road so let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap sets up the ten man tag, as there isn’t anything else worth mentioning on the show.

Opening sequence.

Violent By Design vs. Decay

Rhino/Deaner for the team here, with everyone else at ringside. Rhino jumps Black Taurus to start and it’s already off to Deaner to kick away at the ribs. That’s broken up with an elbow in the corner and Crazzy Steve comes in for a backsplash. Deaner takes him into the corner though and the villains start taking turns in a violently designed way. Steve neckbreakers his way to freedom and bites Deaner in the head so Eric Young gets on the apron. The distraction lets Deaner…accidentally hit Rhino with a flag, setting up Steve’s middle rope DDT for the pin at 3:36.

Rating: C-. This didn’t have time to get going and was all about the storyline anyway. The idea of having Rhino’s troubles with the team continue is only kind of interesting, but Rhino is better than some of the options that Impact has. You know what you’re getting with him, but he still does his thing at a completely acceptable level.

Post match Young yells at Rhino, who isn’t having this. Young goes to turn away but Rhino grabs him by the wrist. That’s too far for the rest of the team and Rhino is beaten down. Seems like the team is minus a member.

We go to Swinger’s Palace, where Johnny Swinger seems happy that they’re heading to Las Vegas. That being said, he thinks Dixie Carter is still running this place and the idea of Scott D’Amore, the guy from Team Canada, being in charge, has to be a rib.

TJP is happy with winning money off of Steve Maclin beating Petey Williams last week. Williams comes in and I think we have a match for later.

Johnny Swinger thinks Billy Corgan runs the company.

Team Christian Cage is ready because none of them are afraid to fight. Chris Sabin tells Josh Alexander that they’re on the same team tonight but that changes at Victory Road. Eddie Edwards and Sami Callihan are willing to work together tonight too. That’s why Cage likes the team. As for Ace Austin, he better be ready, but it won’t be enough.

We run down the Victory Road card.

TJP vs. Petey Williams

TJP goes technical to start but gets taken down into a front facelock. That’s broken up so Williams goes with a headscissors on the mat instead. TJP is back up as well and hangs in the ropes to annoy Williams again, earning TJP a Codebreaker to the floor. Back in and the tilt-a-whirl Russian legsweep drops TJP as we take a break.

We come back with TJP having to fight out of a chinlock and grabbing a DDT out of the corner. The boot scrape in the corner sets up a missed Swanton but Petey can’t hit the Canadian Destroyer. Instead he grabs the Sharpshooter, which sends TJP over to the ropes. TJP loads up la majistral but Petey drops down for the pin at 9:30.

Rating: C+. They were having the near technical marvel you would expect and that is a good thing. Williams can be a fine member of the roster and it is nice to see him do more than just the Canadian Destroyer. TJP can work well with anyone and they had a rather nice, albeit a bit short, match here.

Post match Steve Maclin comes in to wreck both guys.

Flashback Moment of the Week: Chris Sabin wins the X-Division Title on July 4, 2013.

The Good Brothers say Rich Swann might have had a chance in last week’s Bunkhouse Brawl but Willie Mack is still in the hospital. Cue Swann and Mack to take them out in a hurry.

Post break, Mack says he’s back because it’s time to take out the Brothers and win the Tag Team Titles. Scott D’Amore comes in to make the title match for Victory Road.

Here is John Skyler for a chat. Laredo Kid beat him on Before The Impact so he’ll beat him now.

John Skyler vs. Laredo Kid

Skyler swats away a handshake offer to start so Kid slaps him in the face. With Skyler knocked to the floor, Kid takes him down with the suicide dive. Back up and Skyler snaps off a belly to belly before taking Kid inside. Kid manages a double clothesline for a double knockdown, setting up a slugout. Skyler goes for the mask like a villain should, setting up the rollup for the pin at 3:46.

Rating: C-. Another short match here and that’s probably a good thing. I like that they are actually building up someone new with Skyler, as they could use some fresh faces. Even if Skyler isn’t going to break through to the next level, it is nice to see Impact taking a shot at someone. Maybe they get something out of him, but at least it isn’t the same people over and over again.

It’s time for It’s All About Me with co-guests Madison Rayne and Kaleb With A K. Since this show is a little backwards, here is “host” Taylor Wilde, who brings in Rachael Ellering and Jordynne Grace. They don’t seem to like each other but Wilde asks what happened when she and Dashwood wrestled. Dashwood shouldn’t be scared of a match at Victory Road so the match is on.

Earlier today, Matt Cardona jumped Rohit Raju and Shera as they arrived.

Scott D’Amore yelled at Cardona so the match is made for Victory Road, No DQ. That’s cool with Cardona.

Matthew Rehwoldt vs. Trey Miguel

They fight over a lockup to start until Rehwoldt goes after the eyes to take him down. A running clothesline puts Miguel on the floor and Rehwoldt drops him face first onto the apron for a bonus. Back in and Rehwoldt twists him down by the arm for two, setting up some knees to the back for the same.

Miguel fights up and kicks him in the face so a springboard missile dropkick can connect for two. A split legged moonsault misses though and the Director’s Cut gives Rehwoldt two of his own. Rehwoldt misses a Swanton for the big crash and it’s a suplex into the Hourglass to give Miguel the pin at 7:49.

Rating: C. Much like the earlier matches, this was a way to bring in some fresh people and see what they can do. Rehwoldt might not be a top star, but he can go fill in some time on the show without being the same people we’ve seen over and over again. Perfectly watchable match and it’s always nice to see Miguel get a win.

Post match Deonna Purrazzo comes out to hit Miguel low. Mickie James runs in for the save and brawl, setting up the big dive off the top to take out the pile.

Tasha Steelz says she and Savannah Evans didn’t steal the titles because from Decay they had the titles stolen from them at Slammiversary. If the champs want them back, come get them at Victory Road.

We recap Hikuleo showing up last week and attacking Juice Robinson. At Victory Road, it’s Hikuleo/Chris Bey vs. FinJuice.

Bey says he and Hikuleo do whatever they want around here. On Saturday, one shot will be too sweet.

Victory road rundown.

Team Christian Cage vs. Team Ace Austin

Austin: Ace Austin, Madman Fulton, Brian Myers, Moose, W. Morrissey
Cage: Christian Cage, Sami Callihan, Eddie Edwards, Chris Sabin, Josh Alexander

Myers has Sam Beale and his prospects with him. Callihan and Austin start things off with Callihan taking him into the corner and stomping away. Eddie comes in to chop Callihan down and we get the rare Sami/Eddie collaboration. We get the big ten man staredown and that’s enough to take a break.

Back with everyone brawling on the floor until Callihan throws Austin back inside to keep up the beating. Hold on though as Beale comes in, earning himself a low blow, allowing Myers to get in a cheap shot of his own. Fulton sends Callihan into the corner but he gets in a shot of his own to put Fulton down. Sabin and Austin come in to pick up the pace with Sabin taking over. Now Cage is willing to come in to uppercut away at the also legal Fulton.

This lasts all of a few seconds before Cage has to slip out of a slam. Eddie comes in to help take Fulton down but it’s off to Moose, who gets caught in a belly to belly. Moose tosses Eddie outside though and we take another break. Back with Eddie not being able to sunset flip Austin, as Fulton comes in and keeps Eddie in trouble. Morrissey finally comes in to rip at Eddie’s face and the villains keep alternating the beatdown.

A big elbow keeps Eddie in trouble and Morrissey chokes with the boot in the corner. Eddie is fine enough to hit a running clothesline out of the corner and it’s time for the parade of secondary finishers. Austin kicks Christian low and goes up but Eddie catches him on top with a superplex onto the pile. Back in and Christian can’t hit Myers with the Killswitch but Alexander can hit Divine Intervention for the pin at 21:18.

Rating: B. This was about as efficient of a match as you could have as it was taking so many feuds and putting them all together. That opens up a lot of doors, as you can have some fresh matches while also pushing towards what is already set for Victory Road. Good action here too, with the ending sequence building up Alexander as well. Is it that insane to think he might be the Bound For Glory title challenger?

The winners pose to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. Impact has been doing some rather watchable stuff over the last few months, but it has been so far under the radar that it does not get the credit it deserves. This did a nice job setting up Victory Road, albeit partially by rapid firing matches to the card. To be fair, that is often the best way it can go and we had a good show as a result. Nice job again, which has been the norm around here for a long time.

Results
Decay b. Violent By Design – Middle rope DDT to Deaner
Petey Williams b. TJP – Cradle
John Skyler b. Laredo Kid – Rollup
Trey Miguel b. Matthew Rehwoldt – Hourglass
Team Cage b. Team Austin – Divine Intervention to Myers

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