IMG Credit: WWE

Monday Night Raw
Date: July 13, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, Samoa Joe

It’s the go home show for Extreme Rules and I think I can safely say thank goodness for that. In other words, it’s the last week that we need to act like Dolph Ziggler matters as a main event player of any kind in 2020, but also hopefully the last week of WWE sleepwalking through their television, as the Summerslam build can begin. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

We open with the VIP Lounge. He’s looking forward to Extreme Rules and his guest tonight has a big role at that show. This brings out Dolph Ziggler, and we see a clip of the Heath Slater mini saga from last week. Ziggler likes the lounge and they trade ideas of how to get into Drew McIntyre’s head. It isn’t hard to turn McIntyre into the one who got fired because Ziggler picked him up off the ground and made him the man he is today.

McIntyre has yet to thank Ziggler so MVP does it for him. Cue McIntyre, who doesn’t like all of the sucking up around here. He has come to the conclusion that Ziggler used people. Ziggler has used Big E. and Mandy Rose but he and McIntyre were never friends. On Sunday, Drew is going to take him apart and punish him. McIntyre wants to fight right now and headbutts Ziggler down. Now can we please be done with Ziggler tonight?

Andrade, Angel Garza and Zelina Vega say they’re awesome and have the Street Profits running scared. Charly Caruso is beneath Vega but Garza pulls out a rose. Before he can give that to anyone though, the Viking Raiders pop up to accuse them of dishonoring the Street Profits. Ivar takes the rose and gives it to Charly, who seems to appreciate the gift. Garza, not so much.

Andrade/Angel Garza vs. Viking Raiders

Elimination rules and Vega is here as well. Garza and Andrade jump Erik to start and it’s Ivar getting beaten into the corner. Garza TAKES OFF HIS PANTS but the delay lets Ivar bring Erik in. The Hammer of Thor gets two on Garza with Andrade making the save. A superkick staggers Erik though and Andrade comes in for the running knees in the corner. Garza takes out Ivar and the hammerlock DDT gets rid of Erik at 2:35.

Back from a break with Garza kicking Ivar to the floor and Andrade reluctantly praising him for it. The delay lets Ivar dive onto both of them but Garza grabs a small package for two back inside. A heck of a right hand drops Garza and a big clothesline does it again. Andrade tags himself in to save Garza from a powerslam but Ivar kicks him in the head for the pin at 7:58.

So it’s Garza vs. Ivar, with the former dropkicking him down. The Wing Clipper is broken up and Ivar sits on his chest out of the corner. Another spinning kick to the face gets two with Andrade putting the foot on the rope. Garza counters another seated senton out of the corner into a powerbomb and pulls the trunks for the pin at 9:23.

Rating: C-. There was little need for this to be under elimination rules, as having Andrade and Garza get a fall on the Raiders in less than three minutes gave you all of the impact that they needed. That being said, it made sense as they needed to fill in time, which is something that has to happen almost every week these days.

The IIconics laugh at Ruby Riott for not having a partner tonight but Bianca Belair comes in and explains the EST of WWE name. She does the three claps and Ruby Riott does the same, saying “what she said.”

IIconics vs. Ruby Riott/Bianca Belair

Billie’s face cringe when Belair comes out is good. Ruby and Peyton start but a Billie distraction lets Peyton get in a cheap shot. Ruby rolls her up twice in a row for two until Kay comes in off a blind tag and gets two off a big boot. Peyton’s spinwheel kick gets two but Billie gets kicked away, allowing the hot tag to Belair. House is cleaned and a handspring moonsault gets two on Billie with Peyton making the save. Peyton and Ruby fight on the floor and the KOD finishes Billie at 3:23.

Rating: D+. This was nothing but a showcase for Belair and that is long overdue. I’m so glad that they brought her up, featured her up for two weeks, and then put her on the sidelines for the sake of the Viking Profits stuff. Belair is WAY easier to watch as a face too, which is almost shocking as she seems as natural of a heel as you can have.

R-Truth congratulates Ricochet for being named MVP of Raw, but it’s really Ricochet vs. Bobby Lashley with MVP in his corner. Truth says Ric Flair has challenged him but Cedric Alexander corrects him by saying Flair challenged him to face Randy Orton tonight instead. That means Truth needs something new so he walks over to Akira Tozawa, who he needs to teach him to be a black belt in about ten minutes. Tozawa says no, which brings in the Ninjas. Ricochet and Cedric pop in for their own martial arts poses, including Ricochet in a crane kick pose. Truth wants a match with Tozawa in the ring right now.

24/7 Title: R-Truth vs. Akira Tozawa

Truth is defending but doesn’t like the idea of all these ninjas. Cue Shayna Baszler of all people to clear out the Ninjas, with Tozawa leaving before he gets beaten down. Baszler turns to face Truth, who will let himself out. No match.

Baszler sticks around to say she’s tired of waiting around. All these Women’s Champions have no idea what it means to be tough so the Queen of Spades is here to hit them with a hard dose of reality. It wasn’t the most original promo, but it’s better than having Baszler sit around for weeks on end.

We look back at the setup for the Eye For An Eye match between Rey Mysterio and Seth Rollins.

Murphy and Rollins are in the back and Rollins asks Murphy what is wrong. Murphy is worried about the stipulation but Rollins says to focus on his match with Aleister Black tonight. Rollins has a message to deliver.

Here’s Rollins with said message. He keeps saying the name of the match and that he knows what it means before asking how we got to this point. All he is trying to do is lead Raw to a brighter future and Mysterio won’t do his part for the greater good. How could WWE sanction such a match? Rollins needs everyone to understand that he never meant to harm Mysterio. All he wanted to do was fulfill his prophecy, which came from the WWE Universe.

They wanted him to lead WWE into the future and that is what he is doing. After Sunday, Rey will no longer be able to see his son get married or watch a sunset with his wife. Cue Kevin Owens, who isn’t sorry for interrupting. Last week when Owens came up with the idea of either Rollins or Mysterio picking the stipulation, he was expecting a last man standing match or a cage match. Now someone is going to lose an eye, so he has a present for Rollins from Jean-Pierre LaFitte: an eye patch. Rollins calls Murphy out here now but Aleister Black cuts him off and the fight is on as we take a break.

Aleister Black vs. Murphy

Joined in progress with Rollins and Owens at ringside. Murphy kicks him down into the corner until Black kicks him out of the air for a double knockdown. There’s a running knee to Murphy’s face, followed by a jumping knee to the face for two more. Black Mass is broken up with a shot to the knee but Black kicks him out to the apron without much effort. Murphy tries a suplex to the floor but gets hit with Black Mass. Rollins breaks up the cover for the DQ at 4:25.

Rating: C+. This wasn’t up to their usual standard but what are you expecting in a five minute match? Rollins cheating is a fine enough ending, though I could go with Black getting a few more clean wins. Murphy needs one more, as he may be a lackey, but he’s a rather talented lackey. Then again this story hasn’t exactly been kind to most so it isn’t the biggest surprise.

Post match Owens chases Rollins into the ring and here are Rey Mysterio and Dominick to surround him even further.

Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins

It’s a near lumberjack match here with several people at ringside. Rollins tries to bail to the floor to start but then comes back in to get kicked in the leg. Owens stomps away so Rollins begs off and gives him the sales pitch again, earning himself another stomping. Owens charges into a boot in the corner but Black gets in a distraction, setting up the Cannonball for two.

The double arm crank keeps Rollins in trouble before Owens sends him outside. Rollins tries to escape over the barricade but gets caught and beaten up again. They fight on the apron with Owens getting the better of things but Rollins slips out of a fireman’s carry. Back in and Rollins hits a chop block to put Owens outside again, setting up the suicide dive. We come back from a break with Rollins choking on the ropes and cranking on both arms as well.

Owens elbows his way to freedom and nails a superkick to put them both down. Rollins hits a quick Downward Spiral to send him into the middle buckle, followed by the Blockbuster for two. A superkick gets two more but the Stomp misses. Owens can’t hit the Stunner either so he sends Rollins back to the apron. Rollins goes after the eye to put Owens down, drawing Black and Dominick to the apron as well. Mysterio gets up too and that’s enough to set up the Stunner to finish Rollins at 16:29.

Rating: C+. It wasn’t the cleanest loss but it’s rather strange to see Rollins lose a match like this before going into the biggest Raw match on the pay per view. These two always work well together, but the Rollins messiah deal isn’t working for me and the matches haven’t been as good since he switched over. It’s still pretty good, but they can do better.

Post match, Mysterio promises to take Rollins’ eye.

Big Show comes up to Ric Flair in the back, who talks about knowing Show for twenty years. Flair has always been impressed by him because Show has unparalleled coordination for his size. Now Show is getting into Netflix and he can go into the Hall of Fame healthy. Why risk that to mess with Randy Orton? Show seems to think about it and stops Flair from leaving. He knows what Flair just tried to do and wants to know if Flair is willing to sacrifice his friendships so Orton can be the Legend Killer.

Video on how Orton became the Legend Killer.

Orton talks about having a few people who he has been close to over the years. One of them was Edge, who he sent home to be a father after Edge wouldn’t do it on his own. Christian wanted one more match and got kicked in the head. Then there was Big Show, who was one of the first people to take Orton under his wing. So why would Show want to avenge a few cracked skulls rather than maintain their friendship?

Finally there is Ric Flair, who is family. It would be a shame if Flair did anything to cost them their friendship. Tonight Orton faces R-Truth, who has done a great job of entertaining the people around here. Tonight, he’s the next victim of the Legend Killer. Flair comes in and says it’s time to go to the ring, but Orton says he’ll be right there and stares a bit.

Randy Orton vs. R-Truth

Non-title. Before the match, Flair praises R-Truth for being here for twenty years and knows Orton thanks a lot of him as well. That’s why tonight, it’s the RKO instead of the Punt. Truth goes after Flair to start and suckers Orton in, only to miss the ax kick. The RKO finishes Truth at 33 seconds.

Post match Orton loads up the Punt but here’s Big Show to break it up. Orton tells him to stop on the ramp though because the Punt is going to be for Show. The challenge is issued for next week in an unsanctioned match. Show: “OKAY!” And he chases Orton to the floor.

MVP and Lashley come up to Ricochet and Alexander in the back. Alexander turns down MVP’s offer again so MVP brags about guaranteeing a US Title win on Sunday. The interviewer goes over to Drew McIntyre, who is ready for any stipulation. Ziggler jumps him from behind and the fight is on, with referees and agents breaking it up.

Ricochet vs. Bobby Lashley

Cedric and MVP are at ringside. Ricochet goes fast to start but gets dropped face first onto the apron. Back in and Lashley muscles him up for the spinning Dominator for two. Ricochet comes back with a kick to the head and the standing shooting star press for two of his own. A superkick rocks Lashley but he counters a handspring into the full nelson to make Ricochet tap at 3:34.

Rating: C-. I was surprised by the kickout on the Dominator but at least they didn’t do anything too crazy here. I’m still surprised that MVP is getting the title shot on Sunday but there is a really good chance that it’s Lashley challenging for the title at Summerslam anyway. Keeping him warm with wins like this is a good idea and there was no reason to believe Ricochet would pull off the upset here.

Post match Alexander tries to make the save but gets full nelson slammed.

Big Show accepts Orton’s challenge. Thanks for confirming that.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Bayley/Sasha Banks vs. Kabuki Warriors

The Warriors are challenging. Hold on though because the champs have something to say before the match. We see their tribute to themselves from a few weeks back and now it’s time for the Big Match Intros. The Warriors jump the champs before the bell and we take a break, mainly because they weren’t starting the match with 25+ minutes to go in the show. Banks (with her huge headband) bails from Asuka to start so it’s Bayley coming in for the lockup.

They circle around the ring for a bit until Bayley gets in a shot to the face to take over. Asuka gets over for the tag to Sane, who decks Banks with a forearm. The running Blockbuster hits Bayley and a double Interceptor puts both champs down. Things settle to Asuka armbarring Banks but Sasha is back up to catch Sane on top. Sane gets catapulted into the Plexiglas and we take a break.

Back with Sane being thrown into the corner for some right hands to the head. Bayley grabs a chinlock until Sane jawbreaks her way to freedom. Banks gets kicked away and a spinning backfist is enough for the hot tag to Asuka. House is cleaned again but Asuka is sent into the corner for Banks’ running knees.

Banks hits a high crossbody but Asuka rolls through into the Asuka Lock. Sane spears Bayley but Asuka makes the rope. The Insane Elbow connects for two as Bayley makes the save (with Asuka not noticing it despite Bayley being three feet from her). Sane hits the sliding forearm, only to have Banks reverse into the Bank Statement to make Sane tap at 18:12.

Rating: B. This was the best thing on the show, even though that isn’t saying much. They did a smart thing by having Banks get the win as it sets her up as a bigger threat to Asuka, though it was very nice to not have her beat Asuka again. I’m not sure who takes the titles off of Banks/Bayley, but they’re really gelling as a team and it’s nice to see that working so well.

Overall Rating: D+. I was dreading this show coming in and they didn’t disappoint, with one promo after another to set up a bunch of matches that aren’t interesting no matter how they’re pitched. WWE is making no secret of the fact that Extreme Rules is mainly just a filler show that they have to have because the calendar says so and that makes for some very trying television. That was the case here again and while it was better than Smackdown, that isn’t quite the bar to clear. Just get us through Sunday and on to Summerslam already, because they can’t keep doing this kind of show.

Results

Angel Garza/Andrade b. Viking Raiders – Rollup with trunks to Ivar

Ruby Riott/Bianca Belair b. IIconics – KOD to Kay

Aleister Black b. Murphy via DQ when Seth Rollins interfered

Kevin Owens b. Seth Rollins – Stunner

Randy Orton b. R-Truth – RKO

Bobby Lashley b. Ricochet – Full nelson

Bayley/Sasha Banks b. Kabuki Warriors – Bank Statement to Sane

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: Ohio Valley Wrestling

OVW 1000
Date: October 13, 2018
Location: 4^th Street Live, Louisville, Kentucky
Commentators: Gilbert Corsey, Shannon the Dude, Ted McNaler

Way back in 2004, I started watching Ohio Valley Wrestling on local TV and stuck with it for a few years. There is something cool about having one of the more important regional promotions of the generation an hour from your house so I almost had to check this one out. It’s a special double length episode featuring a tournament for the OVW Title. I have next to no idea what to expect coming into this but it should be fun. Let’s get to it.

We open from the intro to the very first episode from 1998.

The same Dean Hill who opened the original show welcomes us to this one and it’s time for the first match.

It’s a rather cool and seemingly outside venue. Either that or it’s in the middle of a fairly dark mall/shopping center. It’s a good look.

OVW Title Tournament First Round: Tommy Dreamer vs. Justin Smooth

Smooth has some size to him and OF COURSE TOMMY DREAMER IS ON THIS SHOW BECAUSE HE’S ON EVERY SHOW! There’s no commentary to speak of early on so I’m even further on my own. That’s what online guides are for as otherwise I wouldn’t have known this was a tournament match. They trade wristlocks to start until Dreamer headlocks him down and it’s an early standoff. Smooth grabs his own wristlock but Dreamer reverses with a headscissors for the standoff sequel.

They shove each other a bit and the fans are behind Dreamer (leave it to Louisville fans to be out there). Some standing switches let Dreamer call spots before Smooth gets the better of a chop off in the corner. They head outside with Dreamer hitting him in the head with a drink as what sounds like commentary starts creeping in. Did they just have the audio mix really messed up? Not the best sign for a big anniversary show like this. Anyway they go inside with Smooth kicking him in the ribs. Dreamer grabs a cutter but Smooth kicks him in the face for the pin at 6:10.

Rating: D+. Not much to see here and commentary only coming in later in the match didn’t help things. I know OVW isn’t the biggest promotion in the world, but getting the sound mix right shouldn’t be that complicated. Other than that though, it was a 2018 Tommy Dreamer match. Smooth looked good though and with more seasoning, he’ll probably go somewhere.

There are some commercials between most of the matches, mainly for Al Snow’s Collar X Elbow clothing, OVW training, house shows, and local sponsors. Consider this the big group recap for all of them on the show.

OVW Title Tournament First Round: Billy Gunn vs. Randall Floyd

Commentary is messed up again for the entrances. Gunn does his half of the Outlaws intro and we’re ready to go. Gunn grabs the arm to start and shoves him into the ropes without much effort. Floyd does the same to him and it’s time to get a little more serious. A takedown lets Floyd pull on the leg, sending Gunn outside for a breather.

Floyd follows and gets sent into the apron for his efforts, meaning it’s the chinlock back inside. Back up and Floyd charges into an elbow in the corner but the Fameasser misses. Instead Floyd grabs a t-bone suplex for two and shock sets in for a bit. Gunn is right back with a quick Fameasser for the pin at 5:01.

Rating: D+. Well they’re not exactly wasting time with this thing so far. There wasn’t much to see here but they’re getting the bigger names on the show early on. Moving Gunn forward is a fine idea as it gives whoever beats him a nice win, even if it wasn’t exactly much to see in getting him to the next round. Then again, what exactly should I be expecting here?

OVW Title Tournament First Round: Crimson vs. Jax Dane

Crimson used to be in Impact Wrestling, Dane is a former NWA World Champion, and these two are regular partners. They tease the Fingerpoke of Doom but then get serious with some shoving. Crimson’s overhead belly to belly doesn’t do much and Dane’s belly to belly doesn’t do much more.

Dane’s headbutt and running shoulder do a bit more and now the overhead belly to belly works just fine. Something like a Claymore staggers Dane and a double clothesline puts them both down. Cue Crazzy Steve, someone not named, and Abyss, who chokeslams both guys behind the referee’s back. They get up but Steve and the other guy pull them to the floor for the double DQ at 4:27.

Rating: C-. Match of the night so far, which isn’t exactly covering much ground. Crimson and Dane are two big guys who work well together and you can see why they are a good regular team. They were having a nice power match here before the storyline ending, which was a smart move. There’s no need to have one go over the other if the team is staying together so Abyss and company costing them the match makes sense.

Post match the other four brawl to the back so it’s Abyss grabbing the mic. He spits at the idea of Louisville (I’ve always liked Abyss) and promises to win the title. So get his opponent out here.

OVW Title Tournament First Round: Abyss vs. Shane Helms

This could be interesting….or it could be but here are Abyss’ goons (different goons than before and called The Void) carrying an out of it Helms, in street clothes, to the ring. Helms is out of it and Abyss demands the bell ring. Abyss covers for two a few times and Helms tries to fight back, only to fall down on a slam attempt. Some neck cranking ensues but Helms fights up again and hits a middle rope back elbow. The Void comes in and get chokeslammed by Helms, but the Black Hole Slam gives Abyss the pin at 3:20.

Rating: D+. Nothing to see from a match perspective, which is kind of a shame as there is as natural of a story here as you could have gotten. That being said, Abyss seems to have a big master plan to win the tournament and that’s fine for a story throughout the show. It doesn’t make for the best matches, but it does make sense and that’s important on a major show like this.

Here are the updated brackets:

Justin Smooth

Billy Gunn

BYE

Abyss

Megan Monroe/ODB/Victoria vs. It Girls

The It Girls are Cali, Jaylee (Women’s Champion) and Valerie Vermin (one of those names doesn’t quite fit). ODB and Cali (a rather ditsy blonde) bump chests to start with ODB knocking her into the corner for some chopping. Victoria and Jaylee come in with the latter making some old jokes, earning herself some hair pulls over Victoria’s back. The spinning side slam gets two on Jaylee and it’s Megan coming in for a double clothesline.

A Partisan elbow sends Jaylee over to the corner to Vermin, who is taken down into a quick half crab. Cali makes the save and snaps Megan’s throat across the top rope, allowing Jaylee to kick at Megan’s knee. A German suplex gets Megan out of trouble though and the hot tag brings in ODB to clean house, including a double Bronco Buster to Cali and Valerie. Everything breaks down and it’s a Widow’s Peak to Jaylee, followed by a delayed vertical suplex to give Megan the pin on Vermin at 5:15.

Rating: C-. The wrestling was fine and Monroe looks to have some solid athleticism, but this was about having the OVW stars of days past back. Yeah imagine that: looking at history on a milestone show. We haven’t done that all night save for the quick opening, and I’m really not sure why that hasn’t been the case. They’re keeping things moving on the show, but you can tell who has the star power and it isn’t the regular OVW roster.

Referee Joe Wheeler is brought out for an interview, who has been here since the first show. He sees a lot of fans who have been here since the beginning and is glad to be here. Next up is trainer Rip Rogers (read his Twitter and take notes if you want a great wrestling education), who films the crowd and starts an OVW chant.

Then it’s one of the big ones, with Jim Cornette, who really did need to be at something like this. Cornette talks about how he helped run three hundred some odd shows and the goal was always to make OVW as good as possible. Now look where they are. Dean Hill (longtime commentator and ring announcer) is up next and he can’t believe he was the first person on OVW TV. He gets to start an OVW chant as well in a nice moment. That leaves one possible option to close it out so here’s Nightmare Danny Davis, the founder and longtime owner of the promotion.

Davis puts over Rogers, Cornette and the fans and you can hear the emotion in his voice. This was a very nice moment and something that had to happen on a show like this. Everyone hugs but here’s Nova (in a Simon Dean jacket over a BWO shirt) with his team for the ten man tag.

Nova wants them to show some respect to the wrestlers, so Cornette says go find some wrestlers and he’ll show them respect. Cue Team Capp (presumably for Matt Cappotelli, a former Tough Enough winner and former OVW Champion who had to relinquish the title and retire due to brain cancer, which killed him earlier in the year) with Rocco Bellagio (an awesome name) to get in a HOW DARE YOU. It’s time to fight.

Team Capp vs. Team Nova

Capp: Rocco Bellagio, Melvin Maximus, Michael Hayes, Randy Royal, Tyler Matrix

Nova: Adam Revolver, Jay Bradley, Nova, Paul Burchill, Vaughn Lilas

Nova has Josh Ashcroft and Shannon the Dude with them. All ten are former OVW Champions and Royal knees Revolver down to start. Bradley comes in to shove Royal down and it’s off to Maximus (old and strong) for a test of strength. Melvin gets the better of it and shoulders him down, allowing the tag to Matrix. Bradley misses a knee drop and brings in Lilas (I remember him from around 2008 and this seems to be his first match in four years).

Hayes (the one with a metal leg, not the famous Hayes) to suplex Burchill down. Burchill is back up and drives him into the corner for a wind up lariat. The villains lure the good guys in and the mass stomping keeps Hayes down. Burchill misses a knee drop though and it’s the diving tag to bring in Bellagio. House is cleaned and we hit the parade of secondary finishers. Matrix hits a big running flip dive onto a bunch of villains, leaving Danny Davis to knock Nova into a Rock Bottom from Bellagio for the pin at 6:32.

Rating: C. This is a case of considering the idea. The whole point here was to have some big names from OVW’s past come in and do a big mess of a match (not a bad thing in this case) with Davis getting to punch a known loudmouth in the face. I had a good time with it and it was the most fun out of anything all night, with the legends ceremony before it making things better.

OVW Title Tournament Semifinals: Billy Gunn vs. Justin Smooth

Smooth is the same size as Gunn, which is rather impressive. Gunn grabs a headlock before trying a running shoulder to no avail. An exchange of elbows goes to Smooth but Gunn sends him outside. Some rams into various things have Smooth in more trouble but he avoids a Stinger Splash. Gunn is right back with a quick Fameasser for two and panic ensues. He loads it up again but Justin hits the pump kick for the pin at 4:24.

Rating: D+. Another nothing match that didn’t have time to go anywhere. There is only so much that you can get out of a match that doesn’t even last four and a half minutes, which was on display here. Smooth does look good for surviving the Fameasser and pinning Gunn, but everything has gone so fast for Smooth that it doesn’t really mean much.

Shiloh Jonze vs. Mike Eagle

Jonze is a white rapper with Big D. and David Lee Lorenze III. Eagle on the other hand is an actual rapper who got a wrestling license for the sake of this angle. Before the match, Eagle raps about the three of them so Jonze, carrying a crown, brags about his posse. It turns out Eagle has a posse of his own, so here’s Mr. Anderson, who also brings out Mick Foley (who never actually wrestled in OVW).

Eagle takes him down to start and it’s a hip toss into a slam to put Jonze on the floor. A distraction lets Jonze get in a shot from behind though, meaning the dancing is on. Jonze chops him in the corner but Eagle is back with some atomic drops. Big D. trips Eagle from the floor but Jonze misses a charge in the corner and walks into a hurricanrana. D. comes in and gets Mic Checked by Anderson, followed by the same thing to Lorenze. Foley gets up on the apron with the sock, putting enough fear into Jonze for Eagle to roll him up for the pin at 4:36.

Rating: C-. It’s a celebrity match and that’s all it needed to be. Eagle looked fine here and while I’m not sure what kind of of a star he is, the point here was seeing the heel get beaten up. The legends helped too, as Foley showing up on a show run by Al Snow is hardly shocking. This was perfectly fine for what it was and that’s acceptable in this spot.

OVW Title: Justin Smooth vs. Abyss

For the vacant title and this is joined in progress for the sake of not running out of time. Abyss chokes on the rope to start and there are the loud chops in the corner. Smooth gets in some right hands and a corner splash but here’s the Void (Steve and Amon) to jump him from behind. Abyss cranks on the head but Smooth fights up with a flying shoulder. A spinebuster gives us a double knockdown until Smooth goes up.

Amon pulls him down and posts him though, allowing Abyss to hit a botched chokeslam (it looked like Smooth tried to slip out but then went down for it anyway). Abyss tries to bring in a chair but walks into a DDT with a nip up. The pump kick into the chair into Abyss’ face gets two but another kick misses. The Black Hole Slam gives Abyss the pin and the title at 8:31 shown.

Rating: D+. What a weird ending, as there was only so much that they could do with the rather short amount of time and all of the interference. The ending was surprising as this felt like a place for Smooth to get the big win, though commentary talked about Abyss’ path of destruction/plan to win the title so it was well set up. It’s not exactly a feel good story for the ending, but at least they went with a story that made sense long term.

Overall Rating: C-. This was a rather strange show, as you would expect a bit more history but it never quite got there outside of a few months. It did feel like a big show, with the crowd and venue alone making it seem like an important deal. At the same time though, there were still some moments that felt pretty low level. On top of that, the wrestling was nothing of note throughout the night, mainly due to time constraints. They were trying though and the show doesn’t overstay its welcome at an hour and forty eight minutes. If you’re not a big OVW fan though, I wouldn’t bother with it.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Monday Night Raw
Date: September 17, 2007
Location: Sommet Center, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler

Another request for reasons I’m not clear on. It’s the night after Unforgiven and John Cena is still Raw World Champion, believe it or not. We’re on the way to No Mercy and Randy Orton isn’t likely to leave Cena alone. I’m not sure what to expect from this and that’s often a nice feeling to have. Let’s get to it.

The opening recap looks at Orton attacking Cena’s father, including giving him the Punt. That caused Cena Sr. to Punt Orton last night, setting up another Cena vs. Orton showdown, this time in a Last Man Standing match.

Here’s Cena to get things going with….an apology. It’s true that he has been having some pent up aggression lately, but tonight he feels FABULOUS! Last night he lost to Randy Orton, which just kind of rolls off the tongue. He needs to thank his dad for being so brave and showing up like a great dad would. Orton is stupid enough to think that Cena was stupid enough to get disqualified last night, just to set up a rematch.

That brings him to Jonathan Coachman, who has given Orton just what he wants: a Last Man Standing match at No Mercy. That means no rules, no pinfalls and no disqualifications. What he did to Orton last night will be perfectly legal so he’s going through Orton like a hot knife through butter. Cue Coach to say he isn’t happy with Cena, so tonight it’s Orton vs. Cena…..Sr. JR: “This cannot be right!”

Intercontinental Title: Jeff Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin

Jeff is defending and is banged up after being taken out by Great Khali last week. Hardy starts fast with the legdrop between the legs for two and we hit the armbar. Shelton reverses into one of his own but gets put on the apron and kicked out to the floor. A dive to the floor hits Shelton and we take a break. Back with Shelton holding a seated abdominal stretch and then grabbing a hot shot for two.

A running knee to the face sets up a neckbreaker for two more on Hardy and we hit the chinlock. That doesn’t last long as Hardy pops up for a double clothesline to put them both down again. Back up and the Whisper in the Wind connects but the Twist of Fate is countered into a backbreaker. Hardy’s suplex is countered into a reverse DDT for two so Shelton takes him up top. This time the superplex attempt is blocked though and the Swanton retains the title.

Rating: B-. Good stuff here, as was commonplace for Hardy around this time. He was rapidly becoming a bigger and bigger star as the title did so much for him. It wasn’t surprising to see him move up to the World Title scene shortly after this, and it was certainly a big hit when he moved up to the next level.

The Diva Search girls played beach volleyball. Oh and had a limbo contest on WWE.com. At least they kept it short.

Coach comes to see Vince McMahon in his limo because the boss isn’t happy about his illegitimate son Hornswoggle, who is restrained in a car seat and eating his Lucky Charms. It’s because he’s a child you see, with Coach carrying him away.

Cena Sr. insists he is wrestling tonight.

Vince and Coach hear Irish music in his office, and there are several boxes of Lucky Charms, green and white balloons, and more music playing. Hornswoggle pops out of a pile of coins, shouts HI DAD, and throws them at Coach before running away. Vince meets a donkey with a horn strapped to its head.

Daivari vs. Jim Duggan

Flag match, with the flags hanging above the ring and the winner being the first to pull it down. Daivari gets slammed off the top for daring to go after the flag but Duggan gets stopped as well. They fight to the top with Duggan sending him into the flag pole, which sends Daivari crashing to the floor so Duggan can win.

Cody Rhodes volunteers to face Orton in Cena Sr.’s place. Coach says no but Cena Jr. says he won’t be responsible if that match isn’t called off. Actually Coach isn’t done yet, and puts him in a match with an opponent of Coach’s choosing. If Cena wins, his dad is out of the match. Otherwise, the match goes on.

Here’s Vince to discuss his son Hornswoggle, who comes out for some dancing. Vince doesn’t like that, but Hornswoggle does seem to like the idea of inheriting some of Vince’s fortune. The point that Vince wants to make is that money doesn’t buy happiness…..so a nice couple is adopting Hornswoggle!

Cue Ed and Alice Koskey, with their attorney of course, but Hornswoggle says don’t do it. Ed is quickly pantsed and choked (JR: “HE’S HAD TOO MUCH CHOCOLATE!”), followed by a bite to Alice. The Koskeys leave and Vince tells Hornswoggle to get out of his life. Cue HHH to a big ovation, so Vince tells the fans to shut up. HHH takes credit for decorating Vince’s office (HHH: “Do you know how hard it is to find a unicorn in Nashville, Tennessee?”) and says he knew Vince liked trolls, but not fairies and hobgoblins.

Vince: “I’ve never slept with fairies!” HHH: “That’s not what I read on the internet.” HHH makes various short jokes so Vince asks if he’s finished. HHH: “That’s the same thing Hornswoggle’s mom asked you the night you slipped her the shillelagh?” Various jokes about the night with Hornswoggle’s mom ensue so Vince makes a handicap match for right now.

HHH vs. Lance Cade/Trevor Murdoch

Cade and Murdoch’s Tag Team Titles aren’t on the line. Joined in progress with HHH shoving Murdoch out to the floor but Carlito comes out for a distraction so Cade can hit a running neckbreaker. Murdoch grabs a Blockbuster for two as the fans are all over Carlito. The chinlock doesn’t last long and the comeback is on with HHH cleaning house. Murdoch is sent outside and it’s the spinebuster to finish Cade in a hurry.

Rating: D+. That’s how you treat your Tag Team Champions of course, but that’s almost the kind of thing you’re guaranteed to see from WWE. They haven’t thought much of the titles for a long time and while HHH is far from some fluke win, it’s very rarely a good sign to see the champs lose clean in a short match.

Post match Carlito comes in to go after HHH but Paul London and Brian Kendrick run out for the save. HHH beats up everyone, including London and Kendrick.

Melina/Jillian Hall vs. Candice Michelle/Mickie James

Candice is Women’s Champion and Beth Phoenix, who she beat last night, is at ringside. Mickie kicks Melina in the ribs to start but Jillian shoves her off the top so Melina can take over. Some shots to the head allow Mickie to get over for the hot tag to Candice. House is cleaned until Jillian gets in a cheap shot from behind. That’s about it though as Candice grabs the Candy Wrapper (Unprettier) to finish Jillian in a hurry.

Post match, Beth hands Candice the title and gives her a threatening glare.

We look at the Condemned, starring Steve Austin.

Coach says he has disposed of Hornswoggle and Vince is a proud papa. Vince goes to leave….and Hornswoggle is in the trunk.

John Cena vs. ???

It’s non-title and Coach’s pick for an opponent is….Santino Marella? Cena wastes no time and hits the Shuffle in less than thirty seconds but here’s Orton to jump Cena for the DQ in less than a minute.

Post match Orton and Santino (there’s an oddball tag team) beat Cena down and handcuff Cena to the ropes. Cue Coach to say that Cena didn’t quite get the idea: he had to win by PINFALL, so Orton vs. Cena Sr. is still on.

Randy Orton vs. John Cena Sr.

For some reason, Orton walks to the back for the commercial and then comes back for the regular entrance. Cena Jr. is still handcuffed to the rope as Orton knees his dad in the ribs. The beatdown is on until Cody Rhodes runs in for the DQ.

Post match Orton sends Cody into the steps and RKO’s Cena Sr. but Jr. unhooks the bottom rope to escape. Orton is chased off and Cena checks on his dad to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. There wasn’t much in the way of wrestling tonight but I was intrigued by the story they were telling throughout most of the show. The Cena stuff is a good story and makes me want to see Cena tear Orton apart. The problem is that other than the Cena story and Hardy vs. Benjamin, this was a pretty horrible show from a time that isn’t very fondly remembered. Good enough show for the two parts, but that’s all they had here. Oh and HHH’s leprechaun jokes to Vince were funny too, but I have a soft spot for how horribly stupid that whole story was.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Smackdown
Date: February 10, 2006
Location: Civic Center, Columbus, Georgia
Attendance: 4,542
Commentators: Michael Cole, Tazz

We’re getting closer Eddie Guerrero to No Way Out and that means Kurt Eddie Guerrero Angle vs. Undertaker, plus Eddie Guerrero Rey Mysterio vs. Randy Orton over the Eddie Guerrero memory of Eddie Guerrero. That might sound like a good Eddie Guerrero top to the card but they’re going to need more Eddie Guerrero matches to make the show work in the Eddie Guerrero end. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap looks at Randy Orton insulting the memory of Eddie Guerrero to convince Rey Mysterio to put up his Wrestlemania title shot. In defense of Eddie Guerrero’s legacy of course.

Opening sequence.

Matt Hardy vs. John Bradshaw Layfield vs. Orlando Jordan vs. Chris Benoit

One fall to a finish and the winner gets Booker T. (on commentary with Sharmell while Jillian Hall is at ringside) for the US Title at No Way Out. It’s a brawl to start with Matt and JBL being sent outside but coming back in so JBL can clothesline Matt back to the floor. Benoit can’t Sharpshooter JBL but he can Crossface him with Jordan coming back in for the save. Matt suplexes Jordan for two as Cole and Booker argue over how much Booker has been wrestling as of late.

JBL pulls Matt to the floor and sends him face first into the steps. Back in and Benoit snaps off a release German suplex to JBL. That doesn’t seem to have much effect as JBL is back up to boot Matt in the face, followed by Benoit DDTing Jordan. JBL gets sent into the steps by Jordan and Benoit, who send Matt into the steps as well. Back in and Benoit hits a top rope superplex to Jordan and we take a break.

We come back with JBL breaking up a Crossface on Jordan as Booker complains about sweating so much. A middle rope elbow gives JBL two on Benoit and Matt’s neckbreaker gets the same on JBL. Booker rants on Benoit being a prima donna for making the save and then complains about the refereeing over and over. JBL suplexes Benoit as Booker is losing his mind about Benoit not being pinned.

The Clothesline From JBL hits Hardy but Jordan has to be dispatched, allowing Benoit to make the save. The Three Amigos take JBL down and the rolling German suplexes drop Jordan again. There’s the Swanton for two on Jordan with JBL making a save this time. JBL is sent to the floor and Matt hits the Side Effect on Jordan. Benoit is back up though and the Crossface makes Matt tap for the title shot.

Rating: B-. They kept the action moving here and Booker’s panicked reactions made the match a little bit better. Then again there was Jordan doing his best warm body who happens to be in there performance, yet somehow not being the one to take the fall. Why do you have Jordan in there if he isn’t the one taking the loss? Can this guy please just get released already?

As Benoit celebrates, Teddy Long tells Booker and Sharmell that it’s either fight at No Way Out or forfeit.

JBL rants about how he can beat anyone when Bobby Lashley comes up. The challenge is on for No Way Out and Jillian accepts on JBL’s behalf, much to JBL’s fear.

Melina offers Matt Hardy a spot in MNM.

Daivari is sick of hearing about Kurt Angle and is looking forward to seeing Mark Henry destroy Undertaker tonight. Henry promises to take Undertaker out.

Here’s MNM for an Open Challenge.

MNM vs. Paul London/Brian Kendrick

Non-title. London wristlocks Mercury down and drops a leg on the arm but Mercury is back up with a right hand to the face. A hurricanrana gives London two more as Melina is looking rather confident on the floor. Nitro comes in and gets hurricanranaed by Kendrick, followed by a dropkick for two. A clothesline to the back of the head staggers Kendrick though and it’s back to Mercury, who gets dropkicked by London.

The threat of a kick to the face sends Mercury outside and that means another headscissors from Kendrick. London adds a big flip dive onto both of them but Kendrick gets backdropped over the top and outside for a nasty crash. Back in and Kendrick gets sent hard into the corner but he fights out of the backbreaker. The diving tag brings in London but the referee doesn’t see it, allowing MNM to hit a Snapshot, with Melina grabbing London’s leg so there’s no save.

Rating: C-. London and Kendrick could be a good addition to the tag team division. I mean, assuming there actually is a division, as there isn’t much to the whole thing aside from MNM and….do Heidenreich/Animal still count? The FBI is still around but other than that, we more or less have the champions and whomever is challenging them at the moment. In other words, business as usual.

Video on the Asian tour.

Randy Orton wants to set the record straight on his Eddie Guerrero comments last week. After seeing the “Eddie isn’t up there” comments again, here’s Orton in the arena to address said comments….and he’s in the low rider. Orton doesn’t know where Eddie is and doesn’t care. All that matters is that Orton got what he wanted: a chance to take Mysterio’s Wrestlemania title shot.

Orton is going on to Wrestlemania to become champion, but that’s at Wrestlemania. Why is he here in a low rider this week? See, Eddie Guerrero was no saint, and Orton has the proof. He pulls out a copy of Eddie’s own book to read a section but here’s Rey Mysterio to jump him. Mysterio dropkicks him head first into the post and Orton is out.

Cruiserweight Title: Nunzio vs. Gregory Helms

Helms is defending. They go to the mat to start and here’s Kid Kash, who gets the winner next week, to watch from the aisle. Nunzio grabs an armbar and hurricanranas him out to the floor but Helms is back with something like an F5 to send Nunzio throat first across the top rope. A high crossbody (to the face) drops Nunzio again and we hit the chinlock. Nunzio fights up with some clotheslines and a neckbreaker gets two. Helms is right back with a fireman’s carry spun into a knee to the face, followed by the Shining Wizard to retain.

Rating: C-. Well that happened. There isn’t much that you can do with these matches as there is little interest in them as the cruiserweights have been treated like nothing for a long time now. The action was fine enough (save for that high crossbody) but at the end of the day, it’s the Cruiserweight Title. WWE isn’t going to treat it as anything important and it’s hard to get behind it as a result.

Palmer Cannon is glad the juniors are back. Mr. Kennedy comes in and likes them, but Pirate Paul Burchill breaks through a wall, says hello, and leaves.

Octagoncito/Pequeno Valencia vs. Mascarita Sagrada/Tzuki

Valencia is nearly Rey Mysterio’s size so Sagrada picks up the pace to start and takes him down early on. The much bigger Valencia misses a running dropkick in the corner and it’s Tzuki coming in to spin around into a headscissors. Octagoncito comes in but Tzuki is too busy armdragging Valencia….but here’s Finlay to beat up Octagoncito for the DQ.

Post match Finlay beats up Tzuki for a bonus. Finlay says this is serious and he’s here to fight. I’m all for him in something like this. The juniors are all talented, but it doesn’t fit in here and having Finlay beat them up is going to get more mileage than anything they do.

Raw Rebound.

Video on Undertaker.

No Way Out rundown, which is looking pretty good.

Booker T. and Sharmell are leaving but the trunk of their car is full of worms.

Undertaker vs. Mark Henry

Daivari is here with Henry. Undertaker grabs a headlock to start, which looks rather out of place for him. A running shoulder has no effect on Henry so he grabs his own headlock. Henry’s shoulder works a bit better and he hiptosses Undertaker down with ease. Henry charges into a boot in the corner but a collision sends Undertaker into the ropes. The running charge misses though and Henry falls outside as we take a break.

Back with Henry hammering away against the barricade. Undertaker reverses a whip though and sends Henry hard into the steps. Some right hands and a big boot rock Henry and the elbow to the face sets up the apron legdrop. A glare at Daivari means it’s a delayed two on Henry, who isn’t knocked down off Old School. Henry catches a charge in the corner though and powers Undertaker into the other corner.

A headbutt to the spine gives Henry two and it’s time to crash down onto Undertaker’s lower back. Henry stands on the ribs and Daivari gets in some choking as the referee yells. They head outside again with Undertaker’s back being sent into the barricade and the apron. That’s good for one back inside but Undertaker slugs away from his knees and hits the running clotheslines in the corner. The chokeslam (and a decent one at that) connects but MNM come in for the DQ.

Rating: C+. I was into this one until the ending, but that was the right call. You don’t want either of these two losing at the moment, as Undertaker is going into a World Title shot and Henry just lost at the Rumble. MNM’s loose association with Henry is enough for them to come in here and it was the right ending to a nice power match.

Post match Undertaker shrugs off MNM and chokeslams Daivari but MNM are back up. Henry runs Undertaker over but Kurt Angle runs out for the suplexes to make the save. Henry runs through Angle, only to have Undertaker kick Henry in the face. Undertaker grabs the title, so here’s Teddy Long to make Henry/MNM vs. Angle/Undertaker in a handicap match for next week. Henry is pleased to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This is a tricky one as it wasn’t much on its own, but it was quite the show for setting up No Way Out. They’ve got a hot card for the show and Angle vs. Undertaker sounds awesome. If they can keep that up next week, we could be in for something special at the pay per view. Cut out some of the weaker stuff (Booker vs. worms, juniors and the rather lame cruiserweights) and you’ve got an excellent show. As it is, it wasn’t much here but it looked to the future, which is a good thing.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Smackdown
Date: July 10, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re less than ten days away from Extreme Rules and the show can’t get here fast enough. The faster it gets here, the faster it’s over and that’s a good thing for everyone involved. We need more build towards the Swamp Fight, because the pay per view is going to feature a Swamp Fight. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with MizTV with John Morrison serving as co-host. Morrison introduces their guest as having better face paint than 1993 Doink the Clown: Jeff Hardy. Jeff is glad to be here, but didn’t bring a clip for them to watch. Worry not though as Miz and Morrison have a clip, which is a long highlight package of Jeff’s return from his struggles and issues with Sheamus, who beat him at Backlash. Miz talks about Jeff being his daughter’s favorite wrestler but she doesn’t know the darkness underneath the bright colors.

Jeff isn’t bothered by what Sheamus has said but he is bothered by losing to Sheamus at Backlash. Miz thinks the right thing for Jeff to do is face Sheamus again, but in a setting where Jeff is more familiar. Like say, in a bar fight. That’s fine with Jeff, who is always up for a handicap match. Miz and Morrison can’t decide who Jeff should fight, so he jumps them both to start in a hurry.

Jeff Hardy vs. The Miz

Morrison is at ringside with Miz. Jeff headlocks him down to start but Miz fights up and sends him to the apron. Miz drops Jeff down onto the apron and then cannonballs onto the ribs. A kick to the face gets two but Jeff takes him down again. Morrison saves Miz from a Swanton attempt so Jeff dives onto both of them as we take a break.

Back with Jeff in trouble after Morrison helped Miz with some well placed cheating. The knee lift to the apron has Jeff in more trouble but we pause for some dancing. Jeff gets in a quick kick but can’t hit the Twist of Fate as Miz grabs a DDT instead. The YES Kicks, complete with some HEY HEY HO HO’s get two and the running crotch attack to the back of the head rocks Hardy again.

Jeff is back with a jawbreaker into the basement dropkick and splash for two. The Skull Crushing Finale is countered into a rollup for two and Jeff hits the slingshot dropkick in the corner. Morrison is knocked off the apron but here’s Sheamus on the Titantron to offer Hardy a pint. The distraction lets Miz grab a rollup but Hardy reverses into one of his own for the pin at 13:46.

Rating: C-. They were going back and forth well enough here but well done on having a little twist on the main event. I still don’t like the focus on Hardy’s issues but that doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. I’m sure Hardy signed off on the whole thing, but I’m not sure that makes it an acceptable idea given what a serious situation they’re dealing with here.

Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura don’t like the idea that it would be an upset if they win the Tag Team Titles tonight. See, they don’t sell out for the sake of merchandise and Nakamura has been sick of them for a long time now.

Alexa Bliss/Nikki Cross vs. Bayley/Sasha Banks

Non-title and Bliss/Cross jump the champs during their entrances. We settle down and start the match after a break, with Sasha taking cross into the corner. A bunch of stomping has Cross in more trouble so it’s off to Bayley, who gets tied up in the ring skirt. More forearms have Bayley in trouble so it’s back to Banks, who gets caught in a quick neckbreaker. Banks and Bayley bail to the floor and yell at commentary, allowing Cross to grab Bayley’s title for some dancing.

Bliss dropkicks them down and Cross dives onto Bayley as we take a break. Back with Bayley shouting about Steve Austin and stomping Alexa. Bliss gets choked on the ropes and sent hard into the corner, setting up the sliding lariat. Bayley clotheslines her down for two but Bliss slips away and makes the hot tag to Cross. House is cleaned, including a fisherman’s neckbreaker for two on Bayley, but Banks sends Bliss into the barricade. Cross dropkicks her through the ropes but gets rolled up with Bayley’s feet on the ropes for the pin at 12:17.

Rating: C. The ending is a little odd there, though at least points for not doing the exact same thing that they did with Banks and Asuka. I don’t buy Cross having a chance to win the title for a second but that has been the case with a lot of Bayley’s opponents over the last year. They aren’t exactly making me think that Banks and Bayley are turning on each other anytime soon, but at least we have them getting along more for an extended time.

From Money in the Bank.

Smackdown World Title: Bray Wyatt vs. Braun Strowman

Strowman is defending and it’s Bray rather than the Fiend. Braun grabs him by the throat and shoves him into the corner to start. Bray: “Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning!” A clothesline puts Bray down in the corner and he agrees that Braun is strong. Strowman sends him outside again but the running charge around the ring is sent over the announcers’ table.

Bray gets back inside and laughs at him but the evil seems to be coming out. Cue Huskus the Pig to say Bray can do it, meaning it’s a DDT on the floor for Bray’s first offense. Back in and Bray’s running clothesline gets two, followed by a tornado DDT into Sister Abigail for two more. Bray looks shocked for the first time and screams a lot. Ref: “It was two!”. Bray: “I KNOW!” Another Sister Abigail is countered into a chokeslam and they’re both down.

Strowman sends him outside so the running shoulder can connect but Bray kicks him off the apron. As Bray laughs inside, Strowman comes up in the black sheep mask. Bray is thrilled because he knew this would happen as Strowman rips his shirt off. Strowman drops to his knees and poses in front of a kneeling Bray. They hug as the puppets pop up to celebrate Braun being home. Then Braun takes the mask off and steps on it, setting up the running powerslam to retain at 10:43.

Rating: D. I know the Wyatt Family was a big deal for a long time but it’s not like Strowman was that important of a part. The angle makes sense but it’s not like it’s something that is going to draw that much interest. Strowman still doesn’t feel like the next big thing or a long term champion but at least the they gave him the first title defense, which he certainly needed.

Post match Bray glares at him and the Fiend pops up.

New Day is used to being told that they’re done because everyone has said they were done for years. They’re ready for Cesaro and Nakamura and start marching in place. New Day rocks you see.

And now, karaoke! We have Lacey Evans, Dana Brooke, Naomi and Tamina getting 45 seconds each to sing their favorite WWE song. Jey Uso hosts and introduces Lacey, who starts with Jeff Jarrett’s (Uso: “Or Road Dogg’s.”) With My Baby Tonight. It goes as expected, so next up is Dana Brooke singing Honky Tonk Man’s Cool Cocky Bad.

Uso cuts her off for being so terrible, meaning it’s Tamina singing Time To Play The Game, which is actually even worse and gets cut off before they even get to the first verse. Finally we have Naomi singing Dusty Rhodes’ Common Man Boogie. Naomi wins, as she was the only one resembling competent. The celebration is on, but Lacey turns on her, saying that she won.

Lacey Evans vs. Naomi

Neither are in gear, including no shoes to be found. Lacey stomps her into the corner and drop toeholds her down before wrapping the top of her dress around Lacey’s head. The annoyed Lacey goes outside and shoves Dana down so Dana tells her to suck it up. Tamina glares at Lacey but Dana comes in to go after Lacey for the DQ at 1:50. This ends one of the biggest wastes of time I can remember in a long while.

AJ Styles brags about embarrassing Drew Gulak and Daniel Bryan last week, but finds out that he has to defend against Matt Riddle next week. AJ: “WHO DID HE EVER BEAT???” Interviewer: “Well he defeated you in his debut match.” AJ: “THAT WAS RHETORICAL!!!” Styles promises to win.

Tag Team Titles: New Day vs. Shinsuke Nakamura/Cesaro

Nakamura and Cesaro are challenging. Kofi gets taken into the corner and dropped ribs first onto the top turnbuckle for his efforts. Cesaro comes in to kick away at the ribs but Kofi elbows Nakamura in the face. It’s Cesaro being sent into the corner for the Unicorn Stampede so he rolls outside. Kofi’s big dive is uppercut out of the air though and we take a break.

Back with Kofi knocking Nakamura down and bringing in Big E. to start the suplexing. The splash misses and Cesaro’s rollup gets two. Some alternating elbows and right hands to the jaw have Big E. in trouble in the corner, but Kofi tags himself in. A top rope double stomp/powerbomb combination gets two on Cesaro with Nakamura making the save. Everything breaks down and it’s a big brawl until the referee throws it out at 10:38.

Rating: C+. This took some time to get going (as tends to be the case before the break in WWE matches) but I was surprised that they didn’t go with the screwy finish. If nothing else, this gives them a reason to have a rematch without giving us an actual winner. The title match at Extreme Rules has been fairly obvious for a few weeks now so hopefully it winds up being good.

Post match the brawl continues and Cesaro powerbombs Kofi through Big E. through a table and pose to end the show.

Overall Rating: D+. It was a rough sit this week with the Strowman vs. Wyatt match not being something I needed to see again and the karaoke deal being the biggest bit of filler I can remember. Even with Lacey’s turn in the middle, it was far from something that had any major value. The dead period continues for WWE as we roll towards Summerslam, and I can’t imagine it gets much better until after Extreme Rules.

Results

Jeff Hardy b. Miz – Rollup

Bayley/Sasha Banks b. Alexa Bliss/Nikki Cross – Rollup with feet on the ropes to Cross

Lacey Evans b. Naomi via DQ when Dana Brooke interfered

New Day vs. Shinsuke Nakamura/Cesaro went to a double DQ when all four brawled in the ring

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: July 3, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Drew Gulak, Byron Saxton

It’s a bigger week than usual here as we have Legado del Fantasma for a change. That’s not something you usually see, as the Cruiserweight Champion is rarely on the cruiserweight show. You’ll only see that kind of logic in WWE but it has never stopped them before. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Isaiah Scott vs. Matt Martel

Chase Parker is here with Martel. Matt rolls away from him to start and hits the celebration before grabbing a headlock. Scott sends him into the corner and laughs a bit as some fans say Martel got swerved. The frustrated Martel is taken to the mat in a hurry and punched down before Scott chops him into the corner. A running elbow to the face sends Scott up top but Parker pulls him down for the DQ at 3:17.

Rating: C-. This was nothing special and felt like it was setting up something else for the future, which isn’t the most thrilling concept. Ever Rise is one of the lamer tag teams that NXT has produced in a good while. Scott deserves better than this, but then again that is the case for a lot of people on 205 Live.

Post match the beatdown is on but here’s Tony Nese for the save and a Teddy Long impression.

Ever Rise vs. Isaiah Scott/Tony Nese

Parker jumps Scott from behind to start and snaps off a suplex but Scott is right back up. A reluctant tag brings in Nese to power Parker down without much trouble. Scott comes back in for two off a double suplex but Parker sends him face first into the middle buckle. It’s off to Martel for an armbar before Parker is right back in for an elevated elbow to the back. A front facelock doesn’t last long for Parker as Scott jawbreaks his way to freedom.

The hot tag brings in Nese to clean house with some shots to the face and a dive onto Martel. The Lionsault gets two on Parker and everything breaks down into a four way slugout. Nese kicks Parker in the face and hits the running Nese, setting up the Swerve Stomp for the pin at 6:39.

Rating: C. Not too bad here, especially for an Ever Rise match. Nese and Scott as partners who don’t like each other doesn’t have much of an appeal to me, but it does sound better than another Nese face run. I’m hoping it’s not the latter, but it’s too early to see what we’ll be seeing from these guys.

We look at Drake Maverick attacking Legado del Fantasma and needing Breezango to make a save. The six man was set up for Great American Bash.

Legado del Fantasma vs. Leon Ruff/Liam Gray

It’s Raul Mendoza/Joaquin Wilde for the team with Santos Escobar in the corner. Wilde shoulders Ruff to start and it’s Mendoza coming in for a double back elbow. Mendoza knocks him into the corner and allows the tag to Gray, whose head is clotheslined off in a hurry. A Russian legsweep/running kick to the face finishes Gray at 3:20.

Rating: D+. Just a squash here and that’s a good use of a team like Legado, as they need to establish themselves as more than just lackeys. Mendoza has shown that he can wrestle with anyone but Wilde hasn’t spent a lot of time in a WWE ring. It’s always nice seeing Ruff getting beaten up as that RUFF RUFF chant is incredibly annoying, so call that a bonus.

Posing ends the show.

Overall Rating: D+. At least they’re trying to do something a little bit different around here, which is long overdue. The problem is that stuff isn’t all that interesting and Scott continues to look completely above everyone else on the show. Having Escobar and company around was nice, but I have no reason to believe that they are going to be a regular fixture around here. That being said, you can’t get too annoyed at a show that isn’t even twenty four minutes long so this was another completely acceptable show, all things considered.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Main Event
Date: July 2, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, MVP

I’m a bit behind on this show but that’s interesting in a way. If nothing else, it shows just how fast the main shows come and go, because I can barely remember a single thing about what has happened in recent weeks. They just come and go with almost nothing sticking for any kind of time, and that’s not good. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Tom and MVP welcome us to the show and talk about how much we have learned from the Undertaker due to the Last Ride.

Long Undertaker tribute.

From Raw.

We open with Bayley and Sasha Banks brawling with Asuka in the ring as Samoa Joe is standing next to the contract table. Referees come out and break it up so Joe can do the introduction. The brawl is on again with Joe begging referees to get them apart. With the women separated, Joe introduces Dolph Ziggler as we’re doing both signings at the same time. Ziggler handles Drew McIntyre’s introduction and we’re finally settled down and ready to go. We’ll start with the men, with Ziggler talking about ending McIntyre’s nineteen year journey as McIntyre looks rather serious. Both of them sign with Drew saying it’s official.

McIntyre calls those serious words from Ziggler and talks about how they used to be family. As family, McIntyre is going to let him pick the stipulation for the title match. Asuka cuts him off by shouting in Japanese and signs her own contract. Banks promises to become Two Belts Banks and stamps her own signature on the contract. The brawl is on with Ziggler trying a superkick but McIntyre pulls it out of the air. The threat of a Claymore sends Ziggler bailing, along with Bayley and Sasha. Book the mixed tag for later.

From Raw again.

Here are Rollins and Murphy for the message. We see a recap of the issues with Rollins vs. Mysterio/Dominick, including Humberto Carrillo and Aleister Black nearly taking out Rollins’ eye last week. Back in the arena, Rollins talks about the duty that Mysterio has to his son. The problem is that Rey hasn’t been, ahem, seeing things clearly. Rollins talks about how he gave Rey a chance to get out with honor but Mysterio refuses to leave. They are bound by fate and as fate would have it, Mysterio is meant to be a sacrifice for the greater good of Raw.

Rollins is going to tear him down piece by piece, but here are Mysterio and Dominick on the screen. Rey says that there will be no forgiveness for Rollins no matter what. Mysterio loves Dominick, but now he has to do something even worse to Rollins. It’s an eye for an eye and it won’t be fate, because it’s going to be by design. Dominick can forgive Rey, but he’ll never forgive Rey, which will be ordained by fate. Rollins: “Oh bravo.” Cue Carrillo and Black and it seems that we have another match being booked on the fly.

Post break, Rollins and Murphy are still on the floor to yell at Carrillo and Black. Carrillo says Rollins will never be the man Mysterio is. Black knows evil when he sees it and promises to make Rollins atone for it. Rollins says this ends now and we’re ready to go.

Humberto Carrillo/Aleister Black vs. Seth Rollins/Murphy

Black kicks away at Murphy to start and scares Rollins off the apron. The distraction lets Murphy kick Black to the floor and Rollins stomps away next to the barricade. Back in and Rollins whips Black hard into the corner, setting up Murphy’s reverse chinlock. Black fights up with a shot to the head and it’s a hot tag to Carrillo, who has to chase Rollins to the floor. That lets Murphy get in a cheap shot but Carrillo enziguris him without much trouble.

A middle rope crossbody connects and Rollins comes back in, only to be sent outside. Another enziguri sets up the missile dropkick to Murphy and Rollins has to save Murphy from the 619. Carrillo hits the big springboard dive to the floor and we take a break. Back with Carrillo getting in a shot to Rollins for a breather. The diving tag brings in Black to beat up Murphy and moonsault onto both of them. Murphy counters Black Mass into a rollup so Black knees him in the face.

Carrillo comes back in for a 619 to Murphy for two with Rollins diving in for the save. Rollins dives onto Black and Murphy hits a running knee for two on Carrillo with Black making a save of his own. The Cheeky Nandos kick hits Carrillo and it’s a powerbomb/jumping knee to the face combination….for two. If you’re going to debut a big spot like that, don’t have it be for a near fall. Black and Murphy head to the floor, leaving Rollins to Stomp Carrillo for the pin at 10:28.

Rating: C+. This was a fast paced match and it’s nice to see Rollins win something for a change. That’s been part of the problem with this rather lacking story: Rollins hasn’t really done anything other than taking out Mysterio. He loses most of his big matches and the promos feel like something that has been done in every indy promotion in the world at one time or another. It’s not horrible, but I can’t find any interest in the whole thing.

Post match the brawl stays on with Carrillo taking the steps to the face, with Rollins putting Mysterio’s mask on him. Black has to save Carrillo’s eye from the steps so Rollins gives Carrillo the Stomp onto the steps instead.

Bianca Belair vs. Billie Kay

Peyton Royce is here with Billie. They lock up to start and Kay completely fails at driving her into the corner. Belair powers her up onto the top without much trouble and then pulls Billie back to the middle. A standing moonsault gives Belair two but Billie is back with Eat Defeat for two as we take a break.

Back with Billie working on the arm and putting on a seated armbar. A rollup gives Billie two and she goes right back to the arm. Belair powers her up with a slam into a dropkick as the confidence starts rolling again. A Peyton distraction fails and it’s the KOD to finish Billie at 9:49.

Rating: C. Better than I was expecting here as they had something with the arm injury and Belair having to fight through adversity and survive to win in the end. Not a bad match at all as the IIconics are getting a lot stronger chance to showcase themselves. Belair on the other hand is lucky to make Main Event these days and I really don’t get the logic.

From Smackdown.

Here’s Braun Strowman to talk about Bray Wyatt making him afraid. One night they were sitting in the swamp when Bray saw a snake coming out of the water. Strowman wanted to stomp it but Bray said that was his friend. Bray got face to face with the snake and it bit him, so Bray laughed. It was then that Braun knew he was facing something evil, so he started doing the devil’s work. And he loved every second of it.

We get one of the old Wyatt feed interruptions before Strowman talks about how he still has some of that evil inside him. Braun can’t keep living like this so let’s go back to the swamp. He’s either coming out of this a broken man or knowing that he beat evil. Then he can feed Bray to the alligators in the swamp. Bray’s laughter is heard and Strowman laughs with him.

There’s your cinematic match and there is also your latest Strowman segment that doesn’t make me want to watch him defend the title. I don’t want to see them in the swamp, I don’t want to see them fighting each other and I don’t really want to see Strowman. What is the big appeal here? “Hey, now look where we’re having a match!” Maybe find someone interesting enough that you don’t need to do all these bonuses?

From Raw again.

Drew McIntyre/Asuka vs. Sasha Banks/Dolph Ziggler

Bayley sits in on commentary as the guys start. McIntyre powers him around early on and chops away in the corner as Asuka is very pleased. A quick Fameasser doesn’t even give Ziggler one and it’s off to the women (Bayley: “MAIN EVENT TIME!”). Asuka shoves her around to start but Sasha avoids a charge. That means the threat of the Asuka Lock but the guys come in, allowing Banks to slip out. A spinning elbow to the face drops Banks to the floor though and we take a break.

Back with Ziggler rolling him up for two and hitting the delayed DDT. For some reason Ziggler tags Banks in and Asuka gets to come in as McIntyre is still banged up. Asuka hits a running knee to the face for two on Banks but Bayley offers a distraction. That lets Banks hit a Meteora off the apron (though she seemed to overshoot it) to knock Asuka silly. The chinlock doesn’t last long so Banks hits the double knees in the corner for two more.

Asuka gets in some knees of her own and it’s a double tag to bring the men back in. McIntyre hits the top rope shot to Ziggler’s head but Banks tags herself in. Banks yells at McIntyre, who punches Ziggler off the apron as the yelling ensues. Asuka comes in to kick Banks in the head for two but Banks reverses into a rollup for two. The Bank Statement is countered into the Asuka Lock but Banks flips back onto her for the pin at 14:04.

Rating: C. Just a main event tag match here and they did a good job of making Sasha feel like more of a threat. It’s better to go there than having McIntyre take a fall as they’ve done a great job of making him seem like the most important person on the show. This was one where you could probably guess how the match was going to go and that’s not a bad thing.

Overall Rating: D+. Just a show here and it doesn’t exactly make me want to see Extreme Rules any more than I did before. It’s just a dead pay per view and there isn’t much that makes me want to see anything they have to offer. That’s a really bad sign and while some of the wrestling will be fine, the build has hardly gone all that well. Not a very good show here, but that’s usually the case for July.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: Ring of Honor

Ring of Honor
Date: July 1, 2020

Opening sequence.

Video on King.

King pulls into his garage and talks about what he has been doing since he has been in quarantine. That includes drinking expensive booze, training his dog to attack, and training himself of course. On to the matches!

From Global Wars 2018 Toronto.

Ring of Honor World Title: Kenny King vs. Jay Lethal

Lethal is defending and King charges straight at him with the running knees in the corner. Jay is right back up but the Lethal Injection is cut off by a kick to the back. King sends him outside for a big dive as the fire is strong early on. A suplex on the floor gets Lethal out of trouble and King is sent into the barricade as we take a break. Back with Lethal in trouble again but avoiding a charge in the corner.

The cartwheel into the basement dropkick puts King down again and Lethal stomps away. Another basement dropkick to the back of the head keeps King in trouble but he suplexes Lethal into the corner for a big crash. There’s a spinebuster for two and we hit the chinlock with a knee in Lethal’s back. That doesn’t last long and Lethal is up with a powerslam as we take another break.

Back again with Lethal sending him outside but King grabs the title to cut off the threat of the suicide dive. King gets back in and sends Lethal shoulder first into the post to slow him down again. The armbar goes on with some trash talk included, drawing Lethal back to his feet for a slugout. Lethal gets fired up so King grabs a Blue Thunder Bomb to take care of that in a hurry. King takes his time getting up and is superplexed back down as we take a third break.

Back again with Lethal grabbing the Figure Four but King is too close to the ropes. The Lethal Combination gets two but King is right back with a spinning kick to the face. The Royal Flush is blocked so King settles for a Blockbuster instead. Lethal shoves him off the top rope though and hits a Death Valley Driver. King is right back with a kick to the face though and the Royal Flush connects for two.

King’s Hail to the King misses and it’s the Lethal Injection for two more, leaving Lethal stunned for a change. Lethal just unloads with right hands so King flips him off. The ref gets bumped and King grabs a rollup with feet on the ropes for three….but the referee sees the feet on the ropes and waves it off. The Lethal Injection connects again to FINALLY retain the title at 22:21.

Rating: B+. I was getting WAY into this one and that’s something I never would have bet on here. They were beating the heck out of each other here and King was making me believe they might have the big upset. You don’t get this kind of King very often and very nice to see him out there for a change.

King complains about the “doctored” footage and brags about winning the Honor Rumble in Madison Square Garden. Then he was blinded by the evil mist but got some emergency eye surgery and won the best of three series against Lethal.

Post break King talks about some of the great feuds in ROH, including the All Night Express vs. the Briscoes. We can’t show you the Ladder War though because it’s too violent so we’ll go with this instead.

From Death Before Dishonor 2017.

TV Title: Kushida vs. Kenny King

Kushida (also the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion) is defending. They fight over the wristlocks to start with King having to bail out to the floor. Back in and some hiptosses send Kushida outside for a change and we take a break. We come back with King hitting a fireman’s carry knee to the face but missing a twisting slingshot dive to the floor. This time Kushida is ready for him and uses a chair as a springboard for a running dropkick.

Back in and Kushida grabs something close to Cattle Mutilation but King manages to power out in a hurry. A regular armbar goes back to the arm, even as the fans are behind King. Kushida hits a kick to the head to slow King down again but he manages his own spinning kick to Kushida’s head.

We come back from another break with Kushida’s running dive off the apron setting up a hurricanrana into the post. Kushida hits a big dive off the top sets up a rolling DDT back inside into the Hoverboard lock. King is straight over to the rope as the fans are right back behind him again. The hold goes on a second time but King manages to suplex his way to freedom.

King takes him to the top but Kushida grabs the Hoverboard lock again and slams King down in a near armbar DDT. They slug it out until King hits the spinebuster for a double knockdown. Kushida tries a handspring but gets caught in an electric chair, with King switching him into the Royal Flush for the pin and the title at 16:25.

Rating: B. I was surprised that they would have a New Japan champion lose clean but it was the right call to put the title on King, certainly in these circumstances. The fans were behind the hometown boy and his daughter was there. What else can you want from someone like this? The fact that they had a heck of a match made it even better, but that is to be expected with Kushida in there.

Post match King’s daughter comes in to celebrate with him in a nice moment.

King told us so to end the show.

Overall Rating: A-. This one came out of left field as King is only somewhat known for his in-ring abilities. These were two good to very good matches and while King was in there with two awesome opponents, he more than held up his end. It was a great show, which has been the case on almost every one of these Best Of’s. I’m just curious to see how long they can keep it up without firing up the time machine, but it is working well so far.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: July 9, 2020
Host: Andy Shepard

We have another theme show this time around as we look at NXT UK wrestlers coming over the United States. That makes for some interesting possibilities as the NXT UK wrestlers coming over has been a semi regular treat. There is some incredible talent over in the UK and seeing their styles mesh against others is rather fun to see. Let’s get to it.

Andy welcomes us to the show and wastes no time in throwing it over to Alexander Wolfe to introduce us to our first match. Well actually an Imperium video and then the first match.

From NXT, October 9, 2019.

Kushida vs. Walter

Non-title. Feeling out process to start until Walter powers him onto the apron and pats him on the head. They take turns riding each other on the mat until Kushida gets in a dropkick to send us to a break. Back with Kushida slipping off a springboard and getting kicked in the face for his efforts. The one legged Liontamer has Kushida in more trouble as Walter cranks away.

That’s broken up so Walter chops away but the powerbomb is countered into a DDT for the breather. Kushida gets sent to the apron and manages to snap the arm across the rope. A sunset bomb is blocked though and Walter stomps on the face to put Kushida on the floor. He’s right back up with a rolling DDT to the floor though and they both have to beat the count.

Back in and a kick to the arm sets up the Hoverboard Lock but Walter reverses into the sleeper. Kushida flips out of that and Walter has to grab the hands to block a cross armbreaker. Walter powers out again and it’s a half nelson pumphandle suplex into a bridge for two.

The frog splash is broken up and Kushida grabs the Hoverboard lock on top before superplexing him down by the arm. A foot on the rope gets Walter out of trouble so Kushida dropkicks the arm again. Walter dropkicks the heck out of him and the powerbomb gets two in a great near fall. With nothing else working, Walter hits a ripcord lariat to FINALLY put Kushida away at 16:48.

Rating: B. Much like Kai vs. Belair, this one took its time getting going but once they hit that other gear, it was some awesome stuff with both guys hitting each other very hard and setting up a big finish. It didn’t hit the level that some of Walter’s matches have but it was the match Kushida has been looking for around here. Walter still feels like a treat and a big, special performer, which is why you put him in a spot like this. Very good main event.

Eddie Dennis video.

Xia Brookside picks this from the second Mae Young Classic.

Semifinals: Meiko Satomura vs. Toni Storm

The fans are split, as you probably guessed. Toni’s wristlock doesn’t work to start so Satomura takes her down with a headlock. That’s reversed into another headlock but Satomura gets on top to put Storm in trouble again. The first few kicks wake Storm up a bit and a shoulder block has no effect either way. Storm is tired of this even stuff and kicks her hard in the chest for two. A few more shots keep Meiko in trouble and Storm goes back to the arm, only to get the tar kicked out of her.

Kicks to the chest and legs have Storm down and Meiko cranks on the leg in something like a seated reverse figure four. A rope is finally grabbed and Toni elbows her way out of a suplex. Meiko spinwheel kicks her down and the fans are right behind Satomura again. Toni grabs an STF and it takes a good while for Meiko to make it to the ropes. A good fisherman’s suplex gets two on Satomura and Toni knocks her to the floor for a big suicide dive.

Back in Toni kicks her in the face, only to be screamed at for her efforts. They trade kicks until Satomura plants her with a DDT. The Death Valley Driver gets two on Storm but Toni hits a hard German suplex. Storm Zero only gets two but Meiko blocks another and hits a Pele kick to the head. The step up Scorpion kick knocks Toni silly….for two. The fans were buying that as the finish and you can hear them being surprised by the kickout. Storm has had it though and hits a last gasp Storm Zero for the pin and the spot in the finals at 13:06.

Rating: B+. It took some time to get there but they were rocking at the end. I’m not sure what to think of the pick, as Satomura was clearly the top star in the tournament (at least in the fans’ eyes) but Storm is the kind of prospect that you have to push to the moon. You could have gone either way here and been right, but egads the kickout on that Scorpion kick was hard to ignore.

They both cry on the announcement as Meiko gets a LOUD thank you chant. Of course they hug, as they should. Kairi Sane comes in to present Storm with roses as HHH is on the stage to bow to Meiko. Storm can barely speak and can barely believe that she just won that match. She’s living her dream and thanks everyone for working so hard to get here.

Nina Samuels video.

Flash Morgan Webster picks our last match.

From NXT, August 22, 2018.

United Kingdom Title: Zack Gibson vs. Pete Dunne

Dunne is defending and gets a roar from the crowd. The fans chant for the UK as Gibson works an armbar to start. Dunne flips him down to break a wristlock but Gibson hits him hard in the throat to take over. That just earns Gibson a hammerlock and Dunne cranks back on the fingers to make it worse. With that not working, they lock legs and stand on their heads to slap each other in the face. British wrestling is weird at times.

Dunne gets the better of it and kicks the arm but Gibson hits a hammerlock faceplant to take over. A belly to back suplex sets up another armbar as Gibson really isn’t hiding his style here. The cobra clutch goes on for a few moments until Dunne has had enough and forearms him in the face. A moonsault over Gibson sets up an enziguri and the X Plex sets up a quickly escaped cross armbreaker.

With Gibson bailing to the floor, Dunne moonsaults down onto him for the big crash and a double knockdown. Back in and a sitout powerbomb gets two, only to have Gibson kick a moonsault out of the air for the same. Dunne blocks another chop though and stomps on the hands. Stereo enziguris give us a double knockdown though and let’s pause for the standing ovation.

Dunne is up first and tries a superplex but Gibson twists it into one of his own. The Shankly Gates seated armbar goes on so Dunne lunges for the rope. Gibson pulls him back so Dunne bites the rope for the break. Dunne’s mouthpiece gets knocked out so Gibson goes to throw it out, only to have his finger snapped. The Bitter End retains the title at 13:38.

Rating: B. So uh….who is supposed to beat Dunne? He’s been champion longer than CM Punk was and while people give him a run for his money, you could see him holding the title indefinitely. I mean, other than Cole (if they’re coming up on the WarGames match that seems to be the case), is there anyone who seems likely to do it? Anyway the match was more good stuff from these two, though it would be nice to have the NXT UK people beat someone other than themselves.

Overall Rating: A. What else do you want here? It’s about an hour long and the worst match is a hard hitting match that goes for almost fourteen minutes. This was the kind of Best Of show that is as easy to watch as it gets and makes for a good use of the archives. They can do this for a LONG time to come too and that’s a nice way to spend an hour on Thursdays.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT
Date: July 8, 2020
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Tom Phillips, Beth Phoenix

We wrap up the Great American Bash tonight with the second of two shows. This time around it’s a big one, as NXT Champion Adam Cole faces North American Champion Keith Lee in a title for title match. That could go either way and may be the biggest match NXT TV has ever seen. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Candice LeRae vs. Mia Yim

Street fight and Mia jumps her from behind during the entrances. Yim sends her into the steps and starts throwing the weapons in before the bell. Candice gets in a few kendo stick shots but Mia shrugs them off and hits her even harder. The fans want and receive a tables (well one for now that is) but the extra time lets Candice get in a dropkick through the ropes. Candice can’t suplex her through a table in the corner so they fight outside with Mia being pulled into the post.

Yim comes up favoring her shoulder but is fine enough to send Candice into a bunch of wrestlers in the chairs. Candice is back up to load up another table near a door but Mia sends her through it as we take a break. Back with Candice driving a chair into Mia’s ribs and then pulling out more chairs. Some trashcan lids to the back keep Mia down and the table is laid over the top rope.

They trade kicks to the head for the double knockdown though and it’s time for a breather. Mia sends her into the corner and puts Candice in a trashcan, setting up the running Cannonball. It’s time for brass knuckles but Mia takes too long, allowing Candice to get in a few cheap shots. The chairs are stacked up in the middle of the ring and they go onto the table on the top rope. Mrs. LeRae’s Wild Ride onto the chairs finishes Yim at 15:51.

Rating: B. Yeah that worked rather well as they beat the heck out of each other for a long time. Candice is someone who has seemed ready to break through to the next level for a long time now and hopefully this is the kind of thing that can help get her there. Yim was on here too and it was a rather good match the entire time.

Mark Henry picks Keith Lee to win tonight.

The women are both still down.

Bronson Reed vs. Tony Nese

Nese tries to slug away at the much bigger Reed to start but just knocks himself down. Reed hits a backsplash to send Nese outside but Nese ties him into the ring skirt and hammers away. Back in and reed uses straight power to knock Nese around some more, only to have Nese snap him throat first across the top rope. Reed isn’t having that and runs Nese over again, setting up a top rope splash for the pin at 5:17.

Rating: C. This was all it needed to be as Reed gets back on the winning track after the loss to Karrion Kross. The match was more competitive than I would have expected but Nese is someone who should be able to get in a little offense on someone like Reed. I could go for more of Reed and seeing him get a win like this was a nice thing to see.

Mercedes Martinez is coming.

Robert Stone can’t get Shotzi Blackheart to join his brand. Instead, here’s Killian Dain to yell at him and knock him down. Shotzi runs over Stone’s leg, sending him into screams of agony. I mean, it’s a tank. He might be onto something here.

Johnny Gargano vs. Isaiah Scott

They go technical to start and hit the mat early on with Gargano getting him down by the arm. Scott nips up and sends Gargano outside, meaning it’s a Fosbury Flop to take him down again. Back from a break with Gargano hitting a release gordbuster and a running clothesline. Scott gets back up with a kick to the face to put Gargano outside and the kick to the face from the apron makes it even worse. Gargano is right back with a slingshot spear for two and it’s time to hammer away in the corner.

That’s broken up but the House Call is blocked as well. The second House Call connects but Scott is too banged up to make the cover. Gargano’s STF is reversed into a rollup for two and a JML Driver gives Scott two more. Another kick to the face sends Gargano outside again but the double stomp only hits floor. Gargano gets in a posting and the reverse hurricanrana plants Scott again. They head back inside and One Final Beat gives Gargano the pin at 14:06.

Rating: B. This was a match where Scott got a lot in a loss. After mainly wrestling on 205 Live for the last few months, it was great to see him getting a chance on a bigger show against a top opponent. I didn’t quite buy Scott as having a serious chance to win but he had some near falls in there that made my eyebrows go up a bit. I’ve been a big Scott fan for a good while so seeing him getting this kind of a chance is rather nice to see.

Video on Tegan Nox vs. Io Shirai for the Women’s Title next week. Nox is ready to win the title after her horrible knee injury in the Mae Young Classic. She’s tired of being labeled the Comeback Kid and is ready to reach the top. Shirai is ready to put Nox in her place, and puts her face in the water again like she did to set up the Charlotte match. Is that her thing now?

We get a tale of the tape for Lee vs. Cole.

Legado del Fantasma vs. Breezango/Drake Maverick

Breezango are in Los Conquistador masks in an appropriate cameo. Fandango shoulders Wilde down to start and gets one off a suplex. Breeze comes in and avoids Mendoza’s kick to the face before grabbing a swinging neckbreaker for one of his own. It’s off to Maverick, who wants to get his hands on Escobar. Instead he gives Mendoza an enziguri and brings Breeze back in, though not before more yelling.

This time Breeze gets taken down for a double hiptoss to drop Wilde onto him for two. We hit the armbar to slow things down but Breeze is up in a hurry and hands it off to Fandango as everything breaks down. Maverick dives onto the trio and Fandango hits his own dive, but comes up favoring his leg. Back in and Wilde starts kicking at the knee and chopping in the corner to keep Fandango down. Now Escobar is willing to come in and hammers away before taking out the leg again.

A weird armbar/leglock combination goes on, followed by a shot to the neck to keep things evened out. The leg work continues until Fandango manages to kick Mendoza out to the floor and the hot tag brings in Maverick. A Rey Mysterio wheelbarrow bulldog plants Escobar as everything breaks down. Escobar scores with a superkick to catch Maverick on the top though and the Phantom Driver is good for the pin at 10:40.

Rating: C. The more I see of Maverick in these matches, the less I can buy him as a credible threat. It helps a lot to have him in a cruiserweight match but Escobar seems to be on a different level. Breezango continues to be just kind of there too, which doesn’t exactly bode well for their upward mobility. That being said, I can’t imagine they’re in any jeopardy as they’re entertaining enough while they’re out there.

The Garganos are happy with their success tonight, but Gargano blames Finn Balor for costing him the North American Title. They’re off to celebrate.

Mercedes Martinez vs. Santana Garrett

Martinez gets a big entrance and you can tell she’s going to be something important around here. Garrett gets driven into the corner to start but she fights out and grabs a quickly broken Octopus. A handspring elbow in the corner doesn’t seem to hurt Martinez as she pops out with a kick to the face. Some right hands to the face keep Garrett in trouble so she flips up for a forearm to the face. Martinez shrugs that off as well and finishes with a fisherman’s buster at 2:31. Martinez looked dominant here.

Video on Cameron Grimes vs. Damien Priest.

Mick Foley picks Adam Cole to win if the match goes longer.

Shawn Michaels picks Cole as well, but it could go either way.

NXT Title/North American Title: Adam Cole vs. Keith Lee

Winner takes all and there are no seconds. They stare each other down to start and we have a good deal of time tonight (and no commercials for a bonus). Cole’s headlock lasts longer than you might expect but Lee powers out and starts cranking on Cole’s hand. A lifting wristlock has Cole screaming and Lee throws him outside without much effort. Lee says the cameraman remembers Johnny Gargano but the Pounce goes through the Plexiglas.

Cole is smart enough to capitalize and sends Lee hard into the steps. Back in and Cole grabs a neckbreaker, which lets the cockiness start to flow. Cole slaps on the figure four necklock, followed by another neckbreaker for two. The Last Shot is loaded up but Lee grabs Cole’s knee pad to break it up. A spinning powerslam plants Cole for two but he catches Lee going up and hits a Backstabber out of the corner for his own near fall. Lee elbows him in the face though and hits the apron superplex (now dubbed the Struggleplex) for a delayed two.

Cole pops up with a jumping enziguri, only to charge into the Spirit Bomb, with Cole having to put a single finger onto the rope. Another enziguri rocks Lee but he pops up with the Pounce into a spinebuster for two more. The middle rope moonsault (which nearly looked like a falling splash as Lee took his time to flip) connects for another near fall and Cole is mostly dead on his feet. He slips out of the Big Bang Catastrophe though and hits a superkick, which just fires Lee up. Another superkick wakes Lee up so Cole superkicks the knee and hits the Last Call for two more.

Back up and Lee BLASTS HIM with a clothesline and they’re both down. Somehow Cole manages the Panama Sunrise for two more and the shocked look is great. Three straight superkicks give Cole two and his disbelief continues to grow. Another Last Shot drops Lee for no cover but a second Panama Sunrise is countered into the Spirit Bomb. The Big Bang Catastrophe connects for the pin and the title at 19:53.

Rating: B+. They had to do the title change here as Lee had been built up as way too big of a deal to lose in his big chance. Cole had held the title more than long enough too and I’m not sure what is next for him. Lee seems primed to face Karrion Kross though, and a transitional title reign wouldn’t be the biggest shock. Both guys are ready for the main roster today (and have been for a very long time) but I’m not sure what Cole is going to do whenever he gets there. Either way, it was a rather good match, though it didn’t hit that next level. Lee winning with just one finisher was a nice change of pace though.

Confetti falls and pyro goes off as Karrion Kross and Scarlett watch from the top of the arena to end the show.

Overall Rating: A-. Another great show to complete the two week head to head showdown. This had three good to awesome matches with the surprising street fight, the rather encouraging showcase from Scott and the big title change to close it out. It felt like there was a Takeover spread out over two weeks and that’s a pretty good way to do things. NXT does it again, as they have a tendency to do.

Results

Candice LeRae b. Mia Yim – Mrs. LeRae’s Wild Ride onto a pile of chairs

Bronson Reed b. Tony Nese – Top rope splash

Johnny Gargano b. Isaiah Scott – One Final Beat

Legado del Fantasma b. Drake Maverick/Breezango – Phantom Driver to Maverick

Mercedes Martinez b. Santana Garrett – Fisherman’s buster

Keith Lee b. Adam Cole – Big Bang Catastrophe

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

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